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.
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.
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.
A letter from representatives of the Confederate Survivors Association to the vestry of the German Lutheran Church, asking them to set aside an area in their cemetery for veterans of the Civil War.
A letter from attorney Carl E. Renken to T.T. Mappus, Jr., Treasurer of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, referencing a Deed from Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company. Renken requests payment from the church for services rendered.
A note acknowledging receipt of a congregational member's letter regarding their proposal to create a monument for soldiers who died in a war and guaranteed burial plots for those who survived the war. It also discusses a potential location in Bethany Cemetery.
A letter from Rutledge, an attorney, to Captain C.G. Ducker, President of the German Evangelical Church. Rutledge mentions enclosing a document for an agreement between "Newman" and the church, allowing Newman to lay pipes across cemetery grounds.
Print document containing list of German immigrant passengers' names and the region or town they were from in Germany. In print is the date October 13. Handwritten notes add the year 1858 with further notes: "Passanger list aboard SS Gauss on 9 October. Sailed from Bremen to Charleston, Captain H. Wieting."
This German-language booklet contains a list of names of people who purchased plots in and were buried in the Charleston, South Carolina Hampstead cemetery. The top of each page reads "Begräbnis Paltz / Burial Place/Plots" and lists the plat number. The purchasers' names are listed below the header with the half of the plot they purchased. Many purchasers are annotated with “1/2” or “1/4.” Some purchasers are crossed out. The people buried in the plot are listed on the page's lower half. Each name is marked with a cardinal direction to indicate the half of the plot in question. "N" indicates Norden / North, "S" indicates Süden / South, "W" indicates Westen / West, and "O" indicates Ost / East.
Title granting a plot of land, described within, to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church- here under its original name, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church- for $12,010. After the property was auctioned by the estate of Reverend Patrick O'Neill, the title was conveyed to the church by Master in Equity James W. Gray.
"Title of Real Estate" indicating the sale of a plot of land "situated on the North side of Radcliffe Street" from Jacob H. Kalb to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, represented by Chairman of the Vestry Henry Stender, for $1,500.
Mortgage document which indicates St. Matthew's Lutheran Church- here under its original name, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church- is bound to Charleston's Court of Equity for the sum of $18,016, and mortgages their property as described in the document to Master in Equity James W. Gray as collateral.
German-language letter from the Vestry in recognition of the Ladies Bell and Clock Society for enabling the chime bells and tower clock to be installed in the Church steeple and the gift of a small table-bell as a symbol of high appreciation from the Church.
English-language letter from the Vestry in recognition of the Ladies Bell and Clock Society for enabling the chime bells and tower clock to be installed in the Church steeple and the gift of a small table-bell as a symbol of high appreciation from the Church.
A survey map of the area known as Desperker Farm, followed by a deed indicating the area's sale to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, under its original name the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. The sale for $5,650 was finalized by E.L. Freeman and D.L. Goff, based on a resolution by the stockholders of the First National Bank of Pawtucket. The conveyance of the deed was certified by the law firm Ficken, Hughes & Ficken. The date of the original survey is July 16, 1892.
A letter to Captain C.G. Ducker from the law offices of Ficken, Hughes & Ficken enclosing the deed to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, executed by the First National Bank of Pawtucket. The recording of the deed by Captain Cogswell was free, and Captain Ducker is encouraged to keep the deed, title and other property documents in his records.
Letter to the "gentlemen" of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church from Thomas E. Miller indicating a reduction in interest on mortgage payments to 5% for the span of a year, from January 12, 1934 to January 12, 1935.
Bond document detailing Thomas E. Miller's agreement to pay back William Von Glahn the "penal sum" of $12,000, including interest, deadlines, and minimum payments against the principle. Also included is the property deed to St. Matthew' Lutheran Church, which Miller mortgaged to become Von Glahn's in the event of defaulting. Details on back indicate a release of the lien on the property. Handwritten note by Von Glahn across the document indicates the debt was "finally satisfied" on July 12, 1928.
Bond document detailing Thomas E. Miller's agreement to pay back William Von Glahn the sum of $2,400, and sets interest, payment deadlines and minimums against the principle. Mortgage to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church is included, with details on back indicating a release of the lien on the property. Handwritten note by Von Glahn across the document indicates the debt was "finally satisfied" on July 12, 1928.
Petition submitted to Charleston County Probate Court by J. Frederick Knobeloch, represented by attorney William H. Harty, stating that Knobeloch has legally executed Sophie H. Nagel's last will and testament, and that the amount left over after making the payments itemized in an included list of receipts and disbursements, $2,654.22, is to go to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. An accompanying court order sets a hearing date for the final settlement.
Document detailing Thomas E. Miller's release of a lien on a portion of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church's property after their payment of $19,000, signed by the church's Chairman of the Vestry J. Henry Dreyer. The mortgage on the rest of the church is to remain in full effect.
Title from Thomas E. Miller of Philadelphia granting St. Matthew's Lutheran Church and "its successors and ensigns, absolutely and forever" the property it resides on for $64,000. Also defines the physical parameters of the lot and the realtors involved in its sales history.
Letter to J. Frederick Knobeloch from attorney J.D.E. Meyer indicating that the document that releases St. Matthew's Lutheran Church from mortgage by Thomas E. Miller is enclosed. The attorney indicates that Knobeloch or his successors will have to execute the final agreement and that the document should be kept in the church treasurer's records.
Letter to J. Frederick Knobeloch from attorney J.D.E. Meyer, enclosing a letter from Thomas E. Miller which reduces the interest on St. Matthew's Lutheran Church's mortgage payments for the span of a year, from January 12, 1934 to January 12, 1935.
Verification under oath by members of the community that A.H.C. Stender has lived long in this community and his reputation for veracity in the city is good.
Program detailing the dedication ceremony of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, to take place on "Holy Thursday," March 28, 1872. Includes a personnel list for the Directors of Procession and the Arrangements Committee, and details each moment of the ceremony. Also includes several key dates in the property history leading up to the opening of the church from 1867 to 1872, and a schedule of events to come, including baptisms, funerals and a marriage.
Letter to the members of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church- here abbreviated under its original name, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church- from the Building Committee, detailing repairs to the church after suffering hurricane ("cyclone") storm damage totaling $3,627, which in the committee's view should be raised by church members.
Bond document by St. Matthew's Lutheran Church- then known as the German Evangelical Lutheran Church- promising to repay Dorothea Clausen $50 by February 1, 1875, at 7% interest. Signed by President J.H. Kalb and secretary John Heeseman.
Bond document by St. Matthew's Lutheran Church- then known as the German Evangelical Lutheran Church- promising to repay J.J. Bredenberg $100 by February 1, 1875, at 7% interest. Signed by church president J.H. Kalb and secretary John Heeseman.
Notarized document detailing St. Matthew's Lutheran Church mortgage holder Thomas E. Miller's extension of the time and payment of a $15,000 bond by the church for ten years, reducing interest to 4.5% and setting a minimum payment against the principle at $3,000.
"Title of Real Estate" from Edward R. Laurens, Master in Equity, to Patrick O'Neill through auction for $2000 for the west side of King Street across from Citadel Square containing two lots.
Policy (number 104465) from the "Germania Mutual Fire Insurance Co." for the organ, copper roof, and furniture/fixtures of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church for the amount of $4000.
Policy (number 107292) from the "Germania Mutual Fire Insurance Co." for the organ, copper roof, and furniture/fixtures of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church for the amount of $4000.
Policy (number 102) from the "Carolina Mutual Insurance Company" for the Sunday School building of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church for the amount of $4000.
Letter to Carsten Wulbern, President of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church Property, from attorney John F. Ficken, which encloses a record that shows there are "no outstanding encumbrances of record affecting the Church property." The enclosed record is written by Charleston County Register of Mesne Conveyances, Charles Kerrison Jr., and references dates from 1852 to 1891.
A certificate from Carolina Mutual Insurance Company, verifying their coverage of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, here referred to by its original name, the German Lutheran Evangelical Church. A constitution of their policies is included, signed by company president Captain C.G. Ducker. The church is insured for the amount of $10,000.
A certificate from Carolina Mutual Insurance Company, verifying their coverage of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, here referred to by its original name, the German Lutheran Evangelical Church. A constitution of their policies is included, signed by company president Captain C.G. Ducker. The church is insured for the amount of $2,500.
"Title of Real Estate" with covenants from Edward R. Laurens, Master in Equity, to Charles Dunn through auction for $1180 for the west side of King Street across from Citadel Square.
Policy (number 1235) from "Germania Mutual Fire Insurance Co." for the Sunday School building of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church for the amount of $4000.
A ribbon-bound document conveying a tract of land to the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. The document begins by affirming that John A. Wagener, John Hurkamp, and H.H. Hoops paid off their mortgage on the land. The document also describes the land's location as being near "lands now or lately in use by the Hebrew Congregation as a cemetery" and near land used as a cemetery for people of color.
A letter from Tristram T. Hyde to Captain C.G. Ducker, President of the St. Matthew's congregation. Hyde states he's offered to take an option for $4000, "with the assurance that $4000.00 will be paid for said land if the plan contemplated can be carried out. Hyde asks Ducker to bring the offer to the next church meeting and explain that the land's sale will lead to "public improvement."
A document conveying a tract of land to the German Evangelical Church. The land was sold to the church by the "Memorial Association consisting of The German Artillery Companies A and B, The German Volunteers of the Hampton Legion and the German Hussars." The document explains that the Memorial Association had abandoned the property sometime prior to their decision to sell it to the church.
A document signed by John A. Wagener, John Hukamp, and H.H. Hoops, agreeing to pay back one-thousand one-hundred and twenty-five dollars in return for a loan from Edward R. Laurens. This money was taken out for a tract of land in the Village of Hampstead.
A document signed by William F. Ostendorff and Ernst C. Hesse, agreeing to bond themselves in support of the established perpetual care fund for Bethany Cemetery.
A map of burial plots in the German Evangelical Lutheran Church's cemetery (Hampstead), with the title written in German. The map is oriented so south is towards the top of the page while north is towards the bottom. The map is in several pieces, with some pieces missing. The remaining sections show six rows of cemetery plots, running north to south. The plots are numbered 3 to 56, with plot 51 missing. Towards the bottom-right corner, running west to east, two more plots are labelled 57 and 58.
A letter written by Maizie J. Bergmann to the committee of the German Cemetery Grounds. The letter recounts an incident where Bergmann attempted to deliver compost to the Bergmann family plot and "Mr. J.H. Steenken" interrupted the delivery. The letter ends with an inquiry about cemetery rules.
A document signed by Julian H. Jahnz and Anton W. Jager, agreeing to bond themselves in support of the established perpetual care fund for Bethany Cemetery.
