Sheriff’s Certificate, describing Sheriff Edmund Harrison’s posting of a specific lot of land for sale (block 86, lot 8, the northwest corner of Market St. and Clinton St.) in November, 1859. An added portion, written by N. Oakes and dated August 9,…
A list of people who pledged to pay money for a bell for the North Presbyterian Church. The North Presbyterian Church was the First Presbyterian Church, and was located where Old Brick is. The church building that stood in 1855 was destroyed by fire…
A list of people who pledged to pay money for a bell for the North Presbyterian Church. The North Presbyterian Church was the First Presbyterian Church, and was located where Old Brick is. The church building that stood in 1855 was destroyed by fire…
George Gibbs, writing as Secretary to the President of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, responds to a previous letter from Walter Davis inquiring about the possibility of the First Presbyterian Church’s missing bell being in possession…
Cross Bill filed by the Board of Trustees, in response to Rev. Hummer’s Bill of Complaint against them. The Cross Bill has several questions that the Board compels the Court to have Rev. Hummer address, and also asks the Court to rule against Rev.…
A warranty obligation created by Sheets & Adams, binding them to the Board of Trustees for $1500 (or the cost of damages) if they do not fulfill their contract for the spire. Signed Sheets & Adams; Jos. [illegible]; Mortimer Ryan; R M…
A history of the First Presbyterian Church, from 1840-1965, written by Clarence A. Andrews. The booklet covers 125 years of Church history, and includes photos of some of the founding members and pastors of the Church.
Letter from Andrew Meneely, President and General Manager of Meneely & Co., about the various stamps the company used on bells previous to 1849. This letter is in response to a previous letter to Meneely & Co, and relates to Rev. Wylie’s search for…
Rev. J.P. Schell writes to Rev. D. W. Wylie about the Church’s missing bell. He states that, in addition to hearing about the bell from other sources, while serving as a missionary in Utah he met Brigham Young’s brother George, and that George Young…
Letter from Theodore Sanxay to Rev. Michael Hummer. The letter is dated June 6, 1844, and is addressed to Rev. Hummer in New York. It speaks of the ongoing construction of the Church and materials for it, so it seems likely that this was during one…
Rev. John Crozier (August 27, 1822-December 23, 1891) was pastor at First Presbyterian Church from May-August, 1853. During his short tenure he met several times with Rev. Michael Hummer to discuss the stolen Church bell and Rev. Hummer’s claims for…
Letter from West Music Co. in Iowa City, to Rev. Zerwas at the Church. West Music is the representative of the Allen Organ Co., and states that they make the finest electrical organ in the field.
A memorandum that details the shipping of organ parts from the Austin Organ Company in Hartford, CT to the Church in Iowa City. There were 82 packages weighing 14,365 pounds. The memorandum lists the train route used and the number of the train car…
Handwritten note detailing the amount of money to be paid for a section of a particular pew in the North (First) Presbyterian Church during the year 1869. Signed by Alfred Stevens.
Internal Revenue 5 cent certificate stamp, hand canceled with Aug…
Handwritten contract between Sheets and Adams carpenters and the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church for a new spire. The contract details the amount to be paid and the conditions under which the spire will be built. Signed: Rush…
Letter from H.A. Walker of the Austin Organ Company to Henry L. Fisk. The letter relates to the shipment of organ parts to Iowa City, and gives some instructions on what should be done when the parts arrive.
A re-telling of Craig Schell's account of the Church's missing bell, by J. Kirkwood Craig. Schell's account was from 1911, and Craig is giving an abbreviated version of it in 1941, and adds his own recollections and information to the story.
Letter from J. Kirkwood Craig to A.J. Larew. Craig mentions that he is sending his recollections of the missing Church bell, and also speaks about his grandfather, John Shoup.
Receipt for $905.85, received by Rev. Oliver O. McClean, for services to the the First Presbyterian Church from June 1, 1859 to May 31, 1860. Rev. McClean was elected to fill the position in April, 1859, and started his duties in October. He remained…
A letter written by Rev. Oliver O. McClean (to the then-current pastor Rev. Edward Barrett?) sending his regrets that he could not attend the First Presbyterian Church’s 50th anniversary Jubilee. The letter was written in Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
Letter written by Rev. Michael Hummer to Rev. John Crozier, detailing a time and place where the two of them can meet. The letter was written in Hamilton, Illinois.
Letter written by Rev. John Crozier to Rev. Edward Barrett in 1890. In it, Rev. Crozier talks about Rev. Michael Hummer at length, including information about his parents, his education, and his early days as a reverend. Crozier states that Hummer’s…
Report by Rev. John Crozier to the Board of Trustees of the Church, detailing two monetary claims against the Church. The first claim is held by Rev. Michael Hummer, former pastor of the Church, for $658.00. The second claim is held by Miss Legare,…
Report by Rev. John Crozier to the Board of Trustees of the Church, detailing his attempts to settle Rev. Michael Hummer’s claim against the Church for unpaid salary. The report was written in Burlington, Iowa, where Rev. Crozier had gone to meet…
A proposed settlement written by Rev. Michael Hummer, given to Rev. John Crozier and sent to the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Crozier’s report. Rev. Hummer asks for $400.00 down and $100.00 within the year, at ten…
Letter from Theodore Sanxay to Rev. Michael Hummer, written during one of Rev. Hummer's trips out east to raise funds for the construction of the Church.
Letter from Henry Fisk to Willis Mercer, regarding the completion of the installation of the new organ in the Church. Henry Fisk was an architect involved with the installation, and Willis Mercer was on the Board of Trustees of the Church.
A request by the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, to the Treasurer of the Church, stating that Rev. Michael Hummer should be paid $490.00 out of any available Church funds. This request comes after many months of…