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 Johannes Heckel to William Ufferhardt referencing his recovery from an illness caused by the long railroad trip and thanking Ufferhardt for Heckel's stay in Charleston. He asked Ufferhardt to review a vocations formula he has written and advice on whether Heckel should also write Dr. Mueller.
Letter from "your friend" J. Heinz to Capt. C.G. Ducker thanking him for help after the tragedy that "has stricken our congregation" and Dr. Muller's offer to hold German services at St. Johannes every second Sunday.
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.
Letter from Heinrich Emil Eckel, organist, to President and Council Members of St. Matthew's Church requesting permission to use the Sunday School building to teach music to the children of the congregation.
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.
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.
Letter in German from John Heinemann, organist and member of the church, to Church Council asking to renew his contract as organist with German Evangelical Lutheran Church and stating reasons for his request.
Letter in German from Heinrich Emil Eckel to the President and Council Members of the German St. Matthew's Church offering himself as a candidate for the customary annual selection for the position of organist. He references his experience playing his own works at two concerts given to celebrate the founding of the church. He also states other churches in the city have offered him a ten-year position as organist, which speaks best to his qualifications.
Letter in German from Pastor Muller to Pastor Johannes Heckel of Nashville, Tennessee inviting Heckel to visit St. Matthew's and enclosing a draft for $50 for travel expenses. The letter is cosigned by members of the Call Committee, the Secretary, and other officials of the parish.
Letter in German from Johannes Heckel to William Ufferhardt, Secretary of St. Matthew's Parish, warmly accepting the invitation to visit and stating he will request from his church permission for a two week absence to make the trip and will advise of the date of his departure.
Letter to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Board of Directors member Carsten Wulbern from attorney John F. Ficken, returning a title to the church along with a mortgage, which has been fully satisfied.
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 of thanks from Captain of SMS Gazelle to Mr. C G. Ducker, President of St. Matthew's Congregation, for the invitation for the crew to attend services and stating the officers and crew thoroughly enjoyed the worship service at St. Matthew's.
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 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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
An act to amend the charter of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church with the South Carolina General Assembly, authorizing holding property in the amount of one hundred fifty thousand dollars.
Articles of agreement for the construction of a church on the "corner of Anson and Hasel Streets" between the Building Committee of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, then known as the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, and John Dawson. Includes specifications for details like windows, painting and a lightning rod, and also contains notes on installment payments, each signed by Dawson.
Document detailing the contractual agreement and payment conditions between "architect contractor and builder" John H. Devereux and Jacob H. Kalb, chairman of the Building Committee, for the construction of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church for a total of $53,000.
Request on behalf of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church by president J.H. Kalb and attorney John F. Ficken to amend the church's charter, expanding its corporate status to allow for the ownership of $100,000 in assets. The request's subsequent approval by government officials is included as well.
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 Julian H. Jahnz and Anton W. Jager, agreeing to bond themselves in support of the established perpetual care fund for Bethany Cemetery.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Bond agreement for $18,067 between "Master of the Honourable Court of Equity, for Charleston District" James W. Gray and St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, here named as the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, including payment dates and deadlines. Also included, document detailing the church's payments against this loan, signed by John B. Gray, "receiver," in 1870 and 1871.
Bill of sale detailing the $600 sale at auction of an enslaved man named Elick to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, here referred to as the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, by the executors of the estate of Thomas Gates.
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 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.
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.
Bond document detailing a $6,400 loan to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church- here under their original name, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church- from Charles Voigt, "Trustee of Wilhelmina Mertens and children," including conditions like payment timeline and interest rate.
Envelope containing bond of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church- stylized with an abbreviation of its original name, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church- from Henry Ruus.
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.
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.
Resolution from October of 1841 stating the intention to form a religious society, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church- eventually, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church- and the appointment of a committee, chaired by John A. Wagener, to collect the funding necessary to construct the church. Includes Wagener's mortgaging of a property to secure a loan of $1,600 from the State Bank of South Carolina for this purpose.
18"x20" black-and-white photograph of the 1909 Sunday School Building Committee. Pictured are J.H Puckhaber, J. H. Tietjen, F.D. Hartmann, and D.A. Amme.
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.
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.
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.
Letter outlining the devastating financial situation of the church, interest burdens and $1300 difference in income and expenditures along with the recommendation that the Assistant Pastor can only be funded from private means.
Memo by Captain C.G. Ducker on the letterhead of his company Carolina Mutual Insurance Co. noting a range of events related to the property history of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, beginning in 1860 and ending in 1906.
Letter to Captain C.G. Ducker from attorney John D. Cappelmann detailing his pro bono receipt of signatures on a bond by two representatives of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.
A letter to Captain C.G. Ducker, President of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, from the attorney John F. Ficken. The letter was meant to accompany the delivery of three bonds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
"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.
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.
