Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1547

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.2 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

The National Bank of the Republic records, 1865-1897, Ms. Coll. 1547, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania.

Date:

1865-1897 (inclusive)

Form:

Business records and Financial records

Abstract:

This collection features records from The National Bank of the Republic of Philadelphia, which was in business from 1865 to 1897. The bulk of the collection is comprised of material from the bank's early years, from late 1865 to 1867, and includes their organizing certificate of association, amendments, shareholder records, ledgers of disbursements and receipts, board of directors' election records, reports, and correspondence. Documents from 1876 to 1897 deal with further amendments to the articles of association, capital stock statements, reorganization records, correspondence with the United States Treasury, and finally with the banks divestment and merger with Fourth Street National Bank.

The National Deposit Bank of Philadelphia was founded on December 5th, 1865, but on March 20, 1866 it was renamed The National Bank of the Republic of Philadelphia. The initial capital investment was $200,000 and this was raised from the purchase of stock by twenty-one investors. The first president of the bank was James B. Ferree, while the first Cashier was Ed F. Moody. A few years later in 1870, the president was W.H. Rhawn and J.P. Mumford was Cashier. The bank was originally located at 809-811 Chestnut Street, but it moved into a new building designed by Frank Furness at 311-313 Chestnut Street in 1884. The National Bank of the Republic closed in 1897 when it signed an agreement on November 11th to divest its assets and merge with Fourth Street National Bank.

This collection features the financial and business records of a small, 19th century Philadelphia bank. The bulk of the collection is comprised of material from the bank's early years, from late 1865 to 1867, and includes their organizing certificate of association, amendments, shareholder records, ledgers of disbursements and receipts, board of directors' election records, reports, and correspondence. Records from 1876 to 1885 deal with further amendments to the articles of association, capital stock statements, reorganization records, and correspondence with the United States Treasury. Finally, documents from 1897 disclose the agreement with Fourth Street National Bank to merge and divest their assets.