James D. B. Weiss, Jr. collection of hospital and miscellaneous genealogical records

Table of Contents

Summary Information

Abstract

Administrative Information

Related Materials

Controlled Access Headings

Bibliography

Collection Inventory

Summary Information

Repository

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Creator

Hospital of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.

Creator

St. Mary's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Creator

Stoehr family.

Title

James D. B. Weiss, Jr. collection of hospital and miscellaneous genealogical records

ID

3659

Date [bulk]

Bulk, 1851-1914

Date [inclusive]

1845-1979

Extent

1.8 Linear feet ; 6 boxes, 1 volume

Author

Finding aid prepared by Cary Hutto.

Sponsor

Processing made possible by a generous donation from Dan and Donnamarie Dailey.

Language

English

Return to Table of Contents »

Abstract

The first meeting of the founders of the Hospital of the Protestant Episcopal Church occurred in March 1851, though it would be some time before the hospital was unveiled. In March 1852, the members were given the former estate of John Leamy, Esq., which they suitably converted. The Hospital of the Protestant Episcopal Church (also known as the Protestant Episcopal Church Hospital) officially opened to the public in December 1852. Records in the collection from the Hospital of the Protestant Episcopal Church are primarily annual reports (also titled "Reports to the Board of Managers") dating from the 1850s to 1914. Some years are missing, so please see Boxes 2-5 in the collection inventory. Box 2, Folder 1 contains a copy of the hospital's charter and by-laws from 1851.

St. Mary's Hospital was founded in 1860 by the Order of the Sisters of St. Francis, who wished to assist the sick poor of Kensington. It was first located on the northeast corner of 4th Street and Girard Avenue; but in 1866, the hospital moved to the corner of the Frankford Road and Palmer Street. The hospital was very successful -- almost 16,000 patients had passed through its doors by the mid 1860s. The facility still stands and is today known as the Neumann Medical Center. This collection contains two items from St. Mary's: a patient register dating from 1937 to 1946 (Box 6) and a daybook dating from the mid 1880s to mid 1890s (Volume 1). Please note that the patient register, because it contains sensitive 20th century records, is closed to researchers until 21 January 2021.

In addition to these hospital records, the Weiss collection contains a single folder (Box 1, Folder 1) of miscellaneous genealogical papers pertaining primarily to the Stoehr family of Philadelphia.

Return to Table of Contents »

Administrative Information

Publication Information

 Historical Society of Pennsylvania ; 2012

Revision Description

 [March 2014] This collection originally contained records of the Palmer Cemetery, which have been separated into a new collection titled Palmer Cemetery records (Collection 3742). [September 2019] Upon review of the patient register (Box 6), discovered that its start date was incorrect. Changed from 1932 to 1937. ; September 2019

Restrictions

The collection is open for research except for the patient's register (Box 6), which is closed to researchers until January 1, 2021, due to the sensitive nature of the records.

Provenance

Gift of James D. B. Weiss Jr., 2011.

Accession number 2011.054.

Return to Table of Contents »

Related Materials

Related materials

At the Historical Society of Pennsylvania:

Kensington papers (Collection 2148)

Kensington (Philadelphia, Pa.) indenture 1765 (Am .30950)

Kensington records, deeds, and surveys (Collection 340)

Kensington Soup Society records (Collection 3119)

Return to Table of Contents »

Controlled Access Headings

Personal Name(s)

• Weiss, James D. B., Jr.

Subject(s)

• Hospitals--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.
• Philadelphia (Pa.)--Hospitals--19th century.

Return to Table of Contents »

Bibliography

Milano, Kenneth W. Remembering Kensington & Fishtown. Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2008. (call number F 158.68 .K46 M55 2008)

Return to Table of Contents »

Collection Inventory