Historic Philadelphia Memorabilia / Religious Lutheran Church /Autograph

Description

Historic Philadelphia Memorabilia / Religious. Condition is "Used". Shipped with USPS First Class.
This is a really interesting grouping of historical documents from one of Philadelphia’s original founding families. This framed piece includes four wedding certificates, dating from 1775 through 1867. The earliest of the wedding certificates is for the marriage of Benjamin Gorgas and Julia Rubicam. These are both famous Philadelphia families and there are streets named after both families and a park for the Gorgas’s. The certificate is an important one for multiple reasons. It is signed by Michael Schlatter (1716-1790), an early leader of the Reformed Church in America. Schlatter was sent to the US by the Holland Fathers to organize the Reformed Church in Pennsylvania. He was the Pastor of the United Churches of Germantown and Philadelphia from 1746 thru 1751, and made multiple missionary tours among German settlers throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Virginia. He was instrumental in founding free schools among the German immigrants to the country. Also of note, he was attached to the Royal Army during the War of Independence and was jailed for his refusal to obey orders due to his sympathies for the colonial cause.
Subsequent certificates chronicle four generations of the Gorgas family. Fascinating to trace their lineage and connection among the city’s most well regarded families.
All couples were married at the Lutheran Evangelical Church in Philadelphia and are signed by the pastors presiding at the time of these services. There are two photos ( looks like one has slipped in the frame ), of Julia French and Henry Shermer. The Church thrived for 288 years before its closing in September of 2016. Very unusual and interesting piece of early Philadelphia and Church history.