White, (Rt. Rev.) William. Papers

Identity elements

referentie code

PP-00-R0345

Name and location of repository

The Archives of the Episcopal Church

Beschrijvingsniveau

Archief

Titel

White, (Rt. Rev.) William. Papers

Datum(s)

1643, 1764-1855 (Vervaardig)

Omvang

2.5 cu.ft. (6 boxes)

Naam van de archiefvormer

White, William

(1748-1836)

Biografie

William White, the first Bishop of Pennsylvania (1787-1836), was born into a wealthy and prominent family in Philadelphia in 1748. He was educated at the College of Philadelphia, where he eventually received his Doctor of Divinity degree. Ordained deacon in 1770 and priest in 1772, White became first assistant minister and then rector of Christ Church and St. Peter’s in Philadelphia, a position in which he served for the remainder of his life. He also served as chaplain of the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War, president of the first and fourth General Conventions, and Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in America from 1795 until his death in 1836. Additionally, White played a leading role in many civic organizations and educational institutions such as the Philadelphia Bible Society, the American Philosophical Society, and the General Theological Seminary.

Bishop White was a critical figure in the formation of the Protestant Episcopal Church, contributing not only as a talented organizer and a pragmatic reconciler between differing opinions, but also as a proponent of constitutional law and republican forms of government. His accepted recommendations for the Church constitution that included the establishment of The Episcopal Church as a self-governing and independent ecclesiastical body, the inclusion of laity with equal representation as clergy in governing bodies, and the right of dioceses to elect their own bishops. In addition, he proposed a new Prayer Book and planned for obtaining the episcopate from the English bishops that would extend the line of apostolic succession to America without requiring bishops to swear allegiance to the King of England.

Content and structure elements

Bereik en inhoud

This collection contains primary sources created, collected, and/or annotated by William White and his descendants, including correspondence, sermons and manuscripts, financial and family estate records, printed illustrations and photographs, and research materials. The collection covers a broad period from 1643 to 1957, although the bulk of White’s papers dates from around 1784 to 1836, when White was most active in the Episcopal Church until his death.

Ordeningstelsel

Personal Papers, 1643, 1722, 1748-1855
Ministerial Papers, 1782-1844
Print materials, 1802-1957
Research on White, 1832-1957
Images, 1832, 1861, 1916, 1936, n.d. (19th/20th centuries)
Correspondence, 1807, 1836-1895
Thomas H. White Estate and Legacy Papers, 1809-1849
Miscellaneous Collected Materials, 1823-1895

Conditions of access and use elements

Voorwaarden voor raadpleging

Access to Episcopal Church records is governed by the Archives Public Access Policy. Research requests must be submitted in writing.

Technical access

Voorwaarden voor reproductie

The Archives is able to respond to limited requests for reproductions subject to copyright restrictions, internal policy, and the condition of the source documents.

Languages of the material

Engels

Scripts of the material

Taal en schrift aantekeningen

Toegangen

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Geschiedenis beheer

Aanvullingen

Related materials elements

Bestaan en verblifplaats van originelen

Bestaan en verblijfplaats van kopieën

Related archival materials

White Papers in Other Repositories:

Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA. William White artifacts and furniture, portraits, baptism and burial records, marriage registers, correspondence, sermons, the "Counter-Apology," and other manuscripts.

General Theological Seminary, New York, NY. Robbins Collection of Bishops' Papers (MSS-B541r). Christoph Keller, Jr. Library, Index to White materials located in Archives Control Files on White Papers.

Episcopal Diocese of Maryland Archives, Baltimore, MD. William White Papers, 1784-1873. 184 letters by Bishop White and material of the formative years of the Episcopal Church.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. William White, Manuscripts, 1765-1865. Forty-four items include manuscript sermons, certificates of consecration (1770-1787), diplomas (1765, 1781), and property and estate records. The collection also contains the draft and printer's copy of "Memoir of the Life of the Right Rev. William White, D.D.," 1839, with notes by Bird Wilson.

Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, PA. Listing of extant publications by William White and site of the Bishop White House.

Massachusetts Historical Society Library, Boston, MA. Approximately 30 items relating to White. Individually catalogued sermons, addresses, writings, letters, committee reports, engravings, and biographical information.

Piermont Morgan Library, New York, NY. Collection of autographs and manuscripts of the Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church (MA 0364-0375, Vol. 1). Approximately 70 items of White correspondence.