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Property records of the Office of the Treasurer of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia

 Collection
Identifier: CPP 5/005-01

Scope and Contents

The collection contains correspondence, deeds, deed polls, mortgages, and surveys documenting the acquisition, ownership, lease, and sale of buildings and properties by the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 1795-1984.

Series 1 includes a series of deeds and other documents concerning properties at 13th and Locust Street, 1795-1948. An agreement of sale, brief of title, certificates of searches, contracts, correspondence, leases, and receipts are included.

Series 2 contains similar documents, 1808-1974, for 22nd Street properties, along with agreements, a 1945 appraisal of building furnishings and contents, contracts and bids for construction, fire and title insurance policies, and a release of liens.

The College's acquisition nf properties on 21st Street is documented in Series 3 through a bill of sale, correspondence, deeds, information certificates, leases, and title insurance policies, 1956-1984.

Miscellaneous property and financial records, 1885-1959, in Series 4 include: records of mortgaged properties; correspondence of the College treasurer concerning gifts, estates, and legal opinions; records of investments and securities; research on the development of a employee pension plan; and records of pledges and payments to the College's Building, Development, and Austin funds campaign.

Dates

  • 1795 - 1984

Creator

Biographical / Historical

The Office of the Treasurer of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia was established in the 1787 constitution and by-laws. The treasurer's original duties were to receive all College funds and pay all bills. In 1834, an annual financial report became a requirement of the office.

The 1882 by-laws give custody to the treasurer of all papers regarding College finances. By 1900, the custody of all the College's funds and securities and the ability to invest all permanent funds (under the direction of the Committee on Finance) had become the treasurer's chief responsibilities. In 1914, the custody of all real estate no t currently occupied by the College also became an added duty, and the treasurer was to keep the accounts of the Office of the Secretary and all committees (with the exception of the Committee on the Mutter Museum) as well as pay all bills and receive any funds from the committees. The treasurer became an ex officio member of the College's Committee on Finance in 1925. The 1935 by-laws state that tlte treasurer is also to keep all deeds of gift, deeds of trust, and articles of agreement between donors and the College.

This is currently (1993] an active office.

Extent

2.5 Linear feet (3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

This collection of property records of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia was transferred to the Historical Collections of the Library by Benjamin R. Pierce of the College's Office of Finance and Accounting on 28 May 1992, Before that date, the collection was preserved in a safe in the Office of Finance and Accounting.

The collection was processed and catalogued in 1993. During the course of processing, one folder of bills, 1901-1916, from the Section on Ophthalmology of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia was discarded.
Title
Property records of the Office of the Treasurer of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Repository

Contact:
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States