Part 2

February 13, 1741, _The American Magazine, or a Monthly View of the Political State of the British Colonies_, was published by Andrew Bradford. This was the first magazine published in America. Three days later, February 16, 1741, Franklin issued _The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle for all the British Plantations in America_.

The first German Bible printed in America was by Christopher Saur, in Germantown, 1743. Saur also published the New Testament in German. He issued seven editions in the years 1745, 1747, 1748, 1751.

The first institution in America devoted to science and learning was the “American Philosophical Society,” organized in 1743. By Articles of Agreement, dated January 2, 1769, there took place a union between this society and “The American Society for Promoting and Propagating Useful Knowledge, held at Philadelphia,” the latter an outgrowth of the famous “Junto” established by Franklin and his associates in 1727. From the date of union until the present time but one society has existed, known as the “American Philosophical Society.”

The first lightning rod was placed upon the home of its inventor, Benjamin Franklin, at 141 (now 325) Market Street, in 1749.

In December, 1749, certain Scotchmen living in Philadelphia organized the “St. Andrew’s Society at Philadelphia in Pensilvania.” The object of the society was the relief of poor and distressed Scotsmen. It was the first organization of the kind in this country.

The first hospital in America was “The Pennsylvania Hospital,” chartered by Assembly of Pennsylvania, May 11, 1751.

The first American work on botany was by John Bartram and was published in 1751. Its title was “Observations on the Inhabitants, Climate, Soil, Divers Productions, Animals, etc., made in his travels from Pennsylvania to Onondaga, Oswego, and the Lake Ontario.”

The first fire insurance company in America was the “Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire.” It was organized April 13, 1752, and twelve directors chosen at that time, who held their first meeting May 11, 1752. At this meeting was adopted the well-known seal which has given the company its nickname of “Hand-in-Hand.”

The first expedition fitted out in the United States for Arctic exploration and the discovery of a northwest passage, sailed from Philadelphia on the schooner _Argo_, Captain Charles Swaine, March 8, 1753.

The first cartoon published in America was the famous snake divided into eight parts, representing the colonies: New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and bore the motto, “Join or die.” It was published by Benjamin Franklin in “The Pennsylvania Gazette,” May 9, 1754, and was called forth by the massacres of colonists in the French and Indian wars.

The first life insurance company in this country was the “Presbyterian Ministers’ Fund of Philadelphia,” founded in 1759.

The first mention of Shakespeare (discovered to date, April, 1916) in any American work occurs in “Science, A Poem,” by Francis Hopkinson. Published by William Dunlap in Philadelphia, 1762.

The first night school in America was opened in the Germantown Academy, October 14, 1762. The sessions were from 6.00 p. m. to 9.00 p. m., each scholar to find his own candle and pay 2 shillings 6 pence for firewood; the compensation was 10 shillings per quarter.

The first observatory erected in this America was on South Street near Front, and was built for Mason and Dixon in 1763.

The first religious magazine in America was the “Geistliches Magazine,” published by Christopher Saur in 1764.

The first medical school in America was begun by the University of Pennsylvania, May 3, 1765. The first medical commencement was held June 21, 1768, when ten students were given degrees.

“Captains of Ships Charitable Club” was instituted July 4, 1765, and incorporated February 4, 1770, as “The Society for the Relief of Poor and Distressed Masters of Ships, their Widows and Children.” This was the first society of its kind organized in America.

The first permanent theatre in America was the “Southwark Theatre,” erected at South and Leithgow Streets, Philadelphia. It was opened by David Douglass, November 21, 1766.

The first American play was “The Prince of Parthia,” by Thomas Godfrey, Jr., a young Philadelphia poet, and the son of the inventor of the mariner’s quadrant. It was produced at the Southwark Theatre, April 23, 1767.

The first American publication on pedagogy was “A Simple and Thoroughly Prepared School-Management,” by Christopher Dock, “the pious schoolmaster of Skippack.” It was published in Germantown by Christopher Saur, 1770.

“The Pennsylvania Packet; and the General Advertiser,” was first issued October 28, 1771. This was a weekly publication printed by John Dunlap. In 1784, Dunlap had taken as his partner David C. Claypoole, and on Tuesday, September 21, 1784, they issued “The Pennsylvania Packet, and Daily Advertiser.” This was the first daily newspaper published in America.

The first active protest against the importation of tea, on account of the obnoxious tax, occurred in Philadelphia (not Boston) in 1773. An immense meeting was held in the State House Yard October 16, 1773. Under date of November 27, 1773, a broadside was issued warning against an attempt to land any of the objectionable article. On Christmas Day the ship _Polly_, Captain Ayres, reached Chester. Captain Ayres was brought to Philadelphia and informed of the situation. On December 27th he started on his return trip to England, taking his cargo of tea with him. The people of Boston held their tea party December 16, 1773, and cast the tea into the harbor, thus entailing a heavy loss upon the innocent merchants.

“The Garden of the Soul: Or, a Manual of Spiritual Exercises and Instructions for Christians who (living in the World) aspire to Devotion.” London; Printed. Philadelphia: Re-printed, by Joseph Cruikshank, on Market Street, between Second and Third Streets (1774). This was the first Roman Catholic prayer book printed in English in America.

“The Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery” was founded in Philadelphia in 1774. It was the first society in the country formed for this purpose. It was reorganized February 10, 1784, as the “Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully held in Bondage, and for Improving the Condition of the African Race.”

The earliest mention of the manufacture of carpets in this country is that of William Calverly of Loxley’s Court, date supposed to be 1774.

The first joint-stock company formed for the manufacture of cotton was the “United Company of Philadelphia for Promoting American Manufactures.” The first general meeting was held February 22, 1775, and Dr. Benjamin Rush was elected president. This is believed to be the first joint-stock company for any kind of manufactures in this country.

The first piano made in the United States was in 1776, by John Behrent, Jr., joiner, on Third Street below Brown.

The first United States flag is believed to have been made in Philadelphia in 1777.

In 1780 was the first abolition act of America providing slavery be abolished in Pennsylvania.

July 17, 1780, the “Pennsylvania Bank” opened for business. This was the first bank in the United States, and existed until 1784. “The President, Directors, and Company of the Bank of North America” was chartered by the Continental Congress, December 31, 1781. This bank is still in existence and is the only bank in the United States operating under the National Banking Act which is not required to carry the word “National” in its official title.

The first Bible in English produced by an American press was the work of Robert Aitken, the Philadelphia printer, in 1782. It was issued in two volumes. On the back of the title page of the first volume of the copy in the British Museum is this note, in the handwriting of Robert Aitken: “The first copy of the first edition of the Bible ever printed in America in the English language, is presented to Ebenezer Hazard, Esq., by the Editor.”

The “Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture,” formed in 1785 and incorporated in February, 1809, was the first agricultural organization in this country. Its membership was limited to farmers only.

The first General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States was held in Christ Church, Philadelphia, September 27 to October 7, 1785. There were present delegates from seven states, and it was at this convention that the Church was organized in America, and the changes made in the Prayer Book necessary for its use in the new nation. Rev. William White, D.D., was chosen president of the convention.

The first free dispensary in the United States devoted to the relief of the sick and suffering was the Philadelphia Dispensary, founded January, 1786. It was opened in Strawberry Alley, April 12, 1786. It is still in existence, and is located at 127 South Fifth Street.

First steamboat in the world was built by John Fitch, a Philadelphian. The boat was successfully operated on the Delaware River, July 26, 1786. Another boat, 80 feet long, was built, and on October 12, 1788, successfully made the trip from Philadelphia to Burlington, carrying thirty passengers.

The first “College of Physicians” in America was formed in Philadelphia, January 2, 1787.

The first Roman Catholic Church for Germans was organized in Philadelphia in 1787. Ground for a building was purchased at the northwest corner of Sixth and Spruce Streets. Articles of incorporation were granted October 4, 1788, under the title of “The Trustees of the German Religious Society of Roman Catholics, called the Church of the Holy Trinity in the City of Philadelphia.”

The first medical library in the United States was established in connection with the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, in April, 1788.

“The Free African Society” was founded April 12, 1788, by Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, two negro clergymen of Philadelphia. The “African Church,” the first church in America exclusively for and controlled entirely by negroes, was built by this Society, and opened for public worship July 17, 1794. It was incorporated March 28, 1796, as “The Minister, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, in the City of Philadelphia.”

In 1789, Lucian’s “Dialogues,” first Greek book printed in America, was by Joseph James at Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Stock Exchange, the first in America, originated in 1790, in a building at the southwest corner of Front and Market Streets, known as the “London Coffee House.” It was known as the “Philadelphia Board of Brokers” until the 8th of December, 1875, when it was changed to its present name, “The Philadelphia Stock Exchange.”

The first law school in America was opened by the University of Pennsylvania, December 15, 1790, President Washington and the members of his cabinet taking part in the exercises.

Turkish and Axminster carpets were first made in this country in 1791, by William Peter Sprague, in the Northern Liberties.

First Bank of the United States, was established in Philadelphia, February 25, 1791.

The first patents for machines for threshing grain in the world were awarded to Samuel Mulliken, of Philadelphia, March 11, 1791.

In 1791, Charles Willson Peale established a drawing school, which was succeeded in 1794 by “The Columbianum,” also established by Charles Willson Peale. This was the first society in the United States for the promotion of the fine arts.

The first canal in the United States was the “Schuylkill and Susquehanna Navigation Company,” chartered here in 1791. There were 2000 shares of stock at two hundred dollars per share, and the officers were Robert Morris, president; Timothy Matlack, secretary; and Tench Francis, treasurer.

The first United States Mint was built in Philadelphia, at what is now 37 and 39 North Seventh Street. The corner stone was laid July 31, 1792, and the first coins, consisting of dimes, half-dimes and cents, were struck in October of the same year. David Rittenhouse, a Philadelphian, was the first director.

The first company organized in America to do a marine insurance business was the “Insurance Company of North America,” organized March, 1792, though it did not receive a charter until April 14, 1794. In spite of the fact that the granting of the charter was delayed, the company commenced doing business immediately after its organization in 1792, and there is recorded the payment of the first loss June 10, 1793, and the first dividend on its stock was paid in January, 1794.

“The Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike Company,” the first constructed in the United States. The organization of the company was effected in 1792, under authority granted by the Legislature. The road was completed in May, 1796. The first regular stage left Lancaster at five o’clock in the evening, and reached Philadelphia at five o’clock the next morning, bringing ten passengers. The original officers of the company were William Bingham, president; William Moore Smith, secretary; and Tench Francis, treasurer.

The first successful balloon ascension in America was made from the old jail yard at the southeast corner of Sixth and Walnut Streets, January 9, 1793, by the French aëronaut, J. P. Blanchard.

Sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) was first made in America by John Harrison in 1793. He was also the first to attempt to produce nitric acid.

“The Female Society for the Relief of the Distressed” was the first society organized in this country for the temporary assistance of the distressed. It was formed in November, 1793; and the first meeting was held in the house of Isaac Parrish, at the southeast corner of Second Street and Pewterplatter Alley.

Ice cream was first made in this country by Peter Bossu, a Frenchman, who settled in Philadelphia in 1794. The first advertisement of ice cream appears in _The Aurora_ for July 22, 1800.

The first printing press made in America was constructed by Adam Ramage, in 1795.

“The United States Gazetteer,” the first in this country, was compiled by Joseph Scott, and printed by Bailey at 116 Market Street, Philadelphia, in the year 1795.

The “First American Edition” of Shakespeare’s complete works was issued in Philadelphia in 1795, by Bioren and Madan.

To “Ambroise & Company,” Mulberry Street (now Arch Street), between Eighth and Ninth, belongs the honor of being the first in America to manufacture inflammable gas and exhibit the effect of gas light. This exhibition took place in August, 1796, in connection with a pyrotechnic display.

Philadelphia introduced the first municipal water works in America, using a steam pump. Ground was broken March 12, 1799; the first brick was laid May 2, 1799; the first pipe (which was of wood) was put in place June 18, 1799; and the same day was begun the foundation of the engine house in Centre Square. The first water was sent through the pipes January 27, 1801.

The first person to make “artificial mineral water,” or soda water, in America, was John Hart, a Philadelphia druggist. He did this about the beginning of the Nineteenth century (exact date not known), at the suggestion of Dr. Physick, to imitate waters found in certain mineral springs.

The first United States Navy Yard was established in Philadelphia in 1800. It occupied about twelve acres and extended from Prime Street (now Washington Avenue) to Wharton Street, and from Front Street to the Delaware River. In 1875 it was moved to League Island and the old property sold.

The first frigate of the United States Navy, the _Philadelphia_, was built in 1800, by Joshua Humphreys, near Washington Avenue.

The first mercurials made in the United States were produced in 1801 by Dr. Adam Seybert, a druggist, whose shop was at 168 North Second Street.

The oxy-hydrogen blowpipe was invented in 1801, by Professor Robert Hare of Philadelphia.

Charles Eneu Johnson, in 1804, produced the first printing ink made in America. His firm is still in business and is known as Charles Eneu Johnson & Company.

The first land steam carriage, or automobile, in the world was invented by Oliver Evans, in 1804. The Eruktor Amphibolis, a machine for cleaning docks, mounted on a wagon, was propelled along Market Street, from Centre Square to the Schuylkill River. At the river a stern wheel was attached and the vessel launched; the machine was navigated by steam on the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers, and was used to deepen the docks.

In 1804, Samuel Wetherill and his son, Samuel, Jr., erected a white lead manufactory at the northwest corner of Broad and Chestnut Streets, and it was here that the first white lead in this country was produced. English manufacturers were so opposed to this industry being established in the United States that they sent an emissary to this country, who destroyed the works by fire. They were rebuilt in 1808 at Twelfth and Cherry Streets, and in 1847 moved to West Philadelphia on the banks of the Schuylkill, where the business is still carried on by the fifth succeeding generation.

The first commission house in the United States for the sale of American manufactures was established in Philadelphia, in 1805, by Elijah Waring.

The first institution in the United States for the teaching of art was the “Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.” The Articles of Agreement were signed December 26, 1805, by seventy-one citizens. George Clymer was chosen president. The charter was granted March 28, 1806, and it was opened to the public in 1807.

The first orphan society in the United States was the “Roman Catholic Society of St. Joseph for Educating and Maintaining Poor Orphan Children.” It was organized by Rev. Leonard Neale, in 1806, and received a charter the following year.

The first riveted hose for fire use in the United States was made in Philadelphia in 1808.

“American Ornithology” was the work of Alexander Wilson, a resident of Philadelphia. Eight volumes were issued, the first in September, 1808. It was published in Philadelphia by Bradford, and was the first book upon ornithology published in this country.

The first American shot was made in Philadelphia, two towers being completed at practically the same time. The advertisements appear under the following dates:

Bishop & Sparks, October 20, 1808. Paul Beck, October 27, 1808.

The first Bible Society in America was instituted December 12, 1808, and was incorporated January 30, 1810, as the “Bible Society of Philadelphia.” By an amendment to the charter, dated March 7, 1840, the name was changed to the “Pennsylvania Bible Society,” which name has been retained to the present day.

The first cotton goods printed from engraved cylinders in the United States were produced near Germantown in 1809 by Thorp, Siddall & Co., from cylinders brought from England.

The first experimental railroad track in the United States was constructed by Somerville, a Scotch millwright, for Thomas Leiper of Philadelphia, and laid down in the yard of the Bull’s Head Tavern, on Second Street above Callowhill, in the Northern Liberties. It was sixty-four feet in length. The test was made July 31, 1809, and was so successful that Leiper had a railroad constructed at his quarries on Crum Creek, in Delaware County, September, 1809. This was the first practical railroad built in the United States.

First institution in the United States chartered to do a trust business was the “Pennsylvania Company for Insurances on Lives and Granting Annuities.” Application for charter made January, 1810; refused by the House of Representatives, but finally granted March 10, 1812.

The first chemical society in America was the “Columbian Chemical Society,” formed in Philadelphia in 1811.

The first soup society in America was the “Northern Soup Society,” on Fourth Street above Brown, formed January, 1817.

The “Academy of Natural Sciences” was the first of its kind in the United States. It was organized January 25, 1812, by John Speakman, Jacob Gilliams, and four others. The society was incorporated by the Pennsylvania Legislature, March 24, 1817.

The first lithograph published in the United States was a portrait of Rev. Abner Kneeland, by Bass Otis, in 1818.

John Farr, a chemist of Philadelphia, in 1818 introduced into this country the manufacture of Seidlitz powders. He associated with him in business Abram Kunzi, and as Farr & Kunzi, located on Arch Street near Twelfth, they manufactured the first quinine in the United States. This firm, by various steps, has become a part of the Powers-Weightman-Rosengarten Company.

First savings bank, the “Philadelphia Saving Fund Society,” commenced business December 2, 1816. Chartered February 25, 1819.

The first church in the world for seamen was erected in Philadelphia about 1820, under the leadership of Rev. Robert Eastburn. It was known as the “Mariner’s Bethel.”

The “Philadelphia Law Library,” first in the United States, was established in 1821, under the auspices of “The Society for the Promotion of Legal Knowledge and Forensic Eloquence.”

The “Philadelphia College of Pharmacy” was the first institution of its kind in the world. The organization meeting was held in Carpenters’ Hall, February 23, 1821. Instruction was begun in the fall of the same year, with Charles Marshall as president of the institution. The charter was granted March 30, 1822.

The first engraved cylinders for calico printing made in the United States were made in Philadelphia, in 1822, by David H. Mason and Matthew W. Baldwin.

In 1827, William Ellis Tucker, of Philadelphia, was the first in America to manufacture porcelain and chinaware. In 1831 he started the first American queensware factory.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the first of its kind in America, was organized at a meeting held in the hall of the Franklin Institute, Seventh Street below Market, November 24, 1827. It was incorporated March 23, 1831.

The first one-cent newspaper in the country was _The Cent_, published in 1830, by Dr. Christopher Columbus Conwell, at Second and Dock Streets, Philadelphia.

The first building and loan association in the United States was the “Oxford Provident and Building Association,” organized in Frankford in 1831. The officers were Isaac Whitelock, president; Isaac Shallcross, secretary; and Samuel Pilling, treasurer.

In 1832, George D. Rosengarten made the first morphine in the United States.

The first public high school in the United States was established in Philadelphia in 1836. The first building was erected in 1837-38 on Juniper Street fronting on Penn Square, now occupied by the Wanamaker Store. The school was opened October 26, 1838, when a class of sixty-three pupils was admitted.

The first daguerreotype portrait in America was made in Philadelphia by Robert Cornelius, November, 1839, at 710 Chestnut. (Portrait of himself.)

The first homeopathic medical college in the world, the “North American College of Homeopathic Medicine,” was organized in Allentown, Pa., in 1835. The second was the “Homeopathic Medical College of Philadelphia,” organized in 1848. The next in order was the “Washington Medical College of Philadelphia,” chartered May 2, 1853. This last named institution changed its name, July 17, 1867, to the “Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia.” The first of these institutions lasted a very short time; and by act of Legislature, dated April 2, 1869, the second and third were united under the title of the “Hahnemann Medical College of Pennsylvania.” This institution can thus claim to be the oldest of its kind in the world, and though not technically the first, it is practically so.