This document packet is the abstract of the title to a tract of land located near the southeast corner of Meeting Street and Cunnington Street. St. Matthew's Lutheran Church (then the German Evangelical Lutheran Church) purchased the land from the Northeastern Railroad Company (N.E.R.R. Company) in 1883 for the purpose of creating a cemetery. The cemetery became known as Bethany Cemetery. The abstract lists the property's previous owners and the means through which they acquired the land. It also includes legal documentation showing the N.E.R.R. paid taxes on the land and other confirmation that they had the right to sell the land.
1900, 1901, 1850-1859, 1890-1899, 1880-1889, 1870-1879, 1860-1869, and 1840-1849
Description:
This German-language ledger book contains the records of marriages and deaths within the community of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church from 1840 to 1900, with a few additional entries for 1901. The book is divided into two sections. The front portion contains marriage records while the back portion contains death records.
1900, 1850-1859, 1890-1899, 1880-1889, 1870-1879, 1860-1869, and 1840-1849
Description:
This German-language ledger book contains the records of baptisms and confirmations within the community of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church from 1840 to 1900. The book is divided into two sections. The front portion contains baptismal records while the back portion contains confirmation records.
A program about the services for the reopening of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Paster H.B. Schaeffer on Sunday, December 6th, 1925. The eighty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the congregation dated from December 3, 1840 to December 6, 1925.
Church Constitution of St. Matthew's Lutheran Congregation in Charleston, SC, translated from the original German into English. Originally published in 1859. This revised edition was printed in 1876.
Church Constitution of St. Matthew's Lutheran Congregation in Charleston, SC, in German. Originally published in 1859. This revised edition was printed in 1876.
German-language court brief listing German citizens indicted on charges of refusing to appear for their mandatory service in the military. Found guilty, they were sentenced to pay a fine of 200 marks and may face 40 days in prison.
Contract with terms of a one-year contract for Professor Otto Muller to serve as the organist for St. Matthew's congregation. Terms include, payment of $50 per year, leading and training the choir and children in preparation for becoming members of the choir, and giving a public organ concert to benefit the church (and receive $25 for his efforts). Signed by Otto Muller and members of Church Council.
Letter in German from H. Bode to the President and Council of the German Church asking for financial assistance. Bode stated that since times have become so bad and workers can only work three quarters and half times, he would like to receive a small gratuity in recognition for singing in the choir. He further states he does not neglect his duties when he is healthy, and it has been three-quarters of a year since he last sang.
Letter in German from V. von Lintig to Mr. Ufferhardt requesting claim for $200 from the church. V. von Lintig indicates he no longer lives in Charleston and no longer visits the Church, but since he has supported the Church vigorously, is requesting the amount of $200 plus interest.
Newpaper clippings in German and English commemorating the fortieth anniversary of arrival of one hundred and thirty five German immigrants in Charleston in 1849 aboard the Johann Frierich ship.
A document signed by A.O. Norris agreeing to lend the North Eastern Rail Road Company money to purchase a tract of land. It also outlines the purchase of land north of the city limits, by the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. And it includes a note signed by notary Joseph Ballard affirming that Francis J. Winkler, Henry Stender (President of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church), and William Ufferhaurdt (Secretary of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church) signed the document.
A document conveying a tract of land to the German Evangelical Church. The document describes how the court auctioned the land to the church so the previous owner, Jacob Williman, could settle a bill of complaint in the Court of Equity in the District of Charleston.
A title to real estate conveying a tract of land from John N. Tideman to George Dispau. This document also includes a notation by widow Lydia Whittmore conveying rights to George Dispau.
A document signed by Cephas Whittmore, agreeing to pay back eight-thousand dollars in eight-hundred dollar installments in return for a loan from George Dispau. This money was taken out for a tract of land.
A document conveying a tract of land to George Dispau. The document describes how W.D. Porter, a representative of the court, auctioned the land to the church so the estate of previous owner, Cephas Whittmore, could settle his debt.
The abstract to a title to a tract of land conveyed to the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. The document lists previous owners of the property, when they acquired the land, how they acquired it.
A legal document signed by representatives of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church agreeing to pay back two-thousand eight hundred and sixteen dollars for a loan from James Tupper.
A document signed by John A. Wagener, John Hurkamp, and H.H. Hoops, agreeing to pay back seven-hundred and fifty dollars in return for a loan from Edward R. Laurens. A note on the back indicates that Laurens received a payment "in full of the within bond" in April 1842. The note also refers to John Hurkamp as the treasurer of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church.
A document signed by John A. Wagener, John Hurkamp, and H.H. Hooks, agreeing to pay back seven-hundred and fifty dollars in return for a loan from Edward R. Laurens. A note on the back indicates that Laurens received "the principal [sic.] and interest to date of the within bond" in February 1843.
A letter from Tristram T. Hyde to Captain C.G. Ducker, President of the St. Matthew's congregation. The letter describes a 2.08-acre tract of land Hyde wishes to purchase on behalf of a client. He states he's authorized to offer $1000 per acre.
A document conveying a tract of land to the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. The church purchased this land from the North Eastern Rail Road Company.
A letter from Tristram T. Hyde to Captain C.G. Ducker, President of the St. Matthew's congregation. The letter states Ducker's counter offer of $2000 per acre is too high, and that Hyde is authorized to offer $3000 for the roughly two-acre plot.
A fire insurance policy taken out for the chapel of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church situated at Bethany Cemetery. The policy was with the Pacific Fire Insurance Company in New York City.
A survey of land the German Evangelical Lutheran Church sold to the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company. The tract of land in question is outlined in yellow marker.
Land Survey of a lot near the corner of Meeting and Cunnington Streets. The survey describes the land as consisting of 9.45 acres, and that a representative of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church requested the survey.
A land survey showing a tract of five acres north of the Charleston city limits in 1903. The document states the land was formerly part of Dispau Farm.
