1838 Girard Bank Resolution—$500 Silver Testimonial to Its First Teller—Signed by Cashier William D. Lewis
An impressive original manuscript resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Girard Bank of Philadelphia on March 13, 1838, accepting the resignation of the institution’s first teller, Samuel H. Carpenter, and honoring his service with an extraordinary $500 silver presentation pitcher.
The board recorded its “deep regret” at Carpenter’s departure and expressed its strongest wishes for his success in his new business. In recognition of “the skilful & acceptable manner” in which he had fulfilled his duties, the directors unanimously resolved that he be presented with:
“a Silver Pitcher of the value of Five Hundred Dollars, with a suitable inscription”
The resolution was copied from the bank’s official minutes and certified by William David Lewis, who served as cashier of the Girard Bank from its incorporation in 1832 until 1842. The bank’s blind-embossed seal remains visible near the lower-left corner.
The Girard Bank was organized shortly after the death of legendary Philadelphia financier Stephen Girard and operated from the historic building formerly occupied by the First Bank of the United States. During the 1830s it held substantial federal deposits and occupied a central position in Philadelphia’s banking community.
Dated only months after the Panic of 1837, the document survives from one of the most turbulent periods in early American financial history. Contemporary records indicate that approximately $14 million passed through the Girard Bank’s account for the Treasurer of the United States during this era.
The proposed $500 silver pitcher was an exceptionally valuable presentation object—equivalent to the annual earnings of many skilled Americans—and demonstrates the esteem in which Carpenter was held by the institution’s directors.
One large manuscript page on blue-gray paper. Original folds, light toning and soiling, small marginal tears, corner wear, and a short separation descending from the upper edge along the central fold. Complete and boldly written, with William D. Lewis’s certification signature and the Girard Bank’s embossed seal.
More info...
An original March 13, 1838 certified manuscript resolution of the Board of Directors of the Girard Bank of Philadelphia, honoring the resignation of Samuel H. Carpenter, the bank’s first teller.
The resolutions express the directors’ “deep regret,” praise Carpenter’s long and faithful service, and award him:
“a Silver Pitcher of the value of Five Hundred Dollars, with a suitable inscription”
The document is certified at the bottom:
“A true Copy from the Minutes
Wm. D. Lewis”
The signer is William David Lewis, cashier of the Girard Bank from 1832 until 1842. A faint embossed Girard Bank seal appears at the lower left.
Historical Context
The Girard Bank was established following the 1831 death of financier Stephen Girard. It occupied the historic former building of the First Bank of the United States on South Third Street in Philadelphia and was formally incorporated in 1832 with capital of $1.5 million.
The document was issued during the financial turmoil following the Panic of 1837, when Philadelphia banks faced specie shortages, suspended payments, and intense public scrutiny. The Girard Bank was particularly significant because it handled large United States government deposits—reportedly processing approximately $14 million through the federal Treasurer’s account during this period.
William D. Lewis was a prominent Philadelphia banker, businessman, and political figure. In addition to serving as the Girard Bank’s cashier, he financed early railroad ventures and later became collector of customs for the Port of Philadelphia.
The promised $500 silver pitcher represented an exceptionally generous testimonial. In 1838, $500 was approximately the annual income of many skilled workers.
Condition
One large manuscript page on blue-gray paper with a blind-embossed bank seal. Original horizontal and vertical folds, scattered light toning and soiling, several small edge tears, minor corner wear, and a vertical separation beginning at the upper edge along the central fold. The manuscript remains complete, dark, and readily legible. William D. Lewis’s certification signature is clear.
An impressive original manuscript resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Girard Bank of Philadelphia on March 13, 1838, accepting the resignation of the institution’s first teller, Samuel H. Carpenter, and honoring his service with an extraordinary $500 silver presentation pitcher.
The board recorded its “deep regret” at Carpenter’s departure and expressed its strongest wishes for his success in his new business. In recognition of “the skilful & acceptable manner” in which he had fulfilled his duties, the directors unanimously resolved that he be presented with:
“a Silver Pitcher of the value of Five Hundred Dollars, with a suitable inscription”
The resolution was copied from the bank’s official minutes and certified by William David Lewis, who served as cashier of the Girard Bank from its incorporation in 1832 until 1842. The bank’s blind-embossed seal remains visible near the lower-left corner.
The Girard Bank was organized shortly after the death of legendary Philadelphia financier Stephen Girard and operated from the historic building formerly occupied by the First Bank of the United States. During the 1830s it held substantial federal deposits and occupied a central position in Philadelphia’s banking community.
Dated only months after the Panic of 1837, the document survives from one of the most turbulent periods in early American financial history. Contemporary records indicate that approximately $14 million passed through the Girard Bank’s account for the Treasurer of the United States during this era.
The proposed $500 silver pitcher was an exceptionally valuable presentation object—equivalent to the annual earnings of many skilled Americans—and demonstrates the esteem in which Carpenter was held by the institution’s directors.
One large manuscript page on blue-gray paper. Original folds, light toning and soiling, small marginal tears, corner wear, and a short separation descending from the upper edge along the central fold. Complete and boldly written, with William D. Lewis’s certification signature and the Girard Bank’s embossed seal.
More info...
An original March 13, 1838 certified manuscript resolution of the Board of Directors of the Girard Bank of Philadelphia, honoring the resignation of Samuel H. Carpenter, the bank’s first teller.
The resolutions express the directors’ “deep regret,” praise Carpenter’s long and faithful service, and award him:
“a Silver Pitcher of the value of Five Hundred Dollars, with a suitable inscription”
The document is certified at the bottom:
“A true Copy from the Minutes
Wm. D. Lewis”
The signer is William David Lewis, cashier of the Girard Bank from 1832 until 1842. A faint embossed Girard Bank seal appears at the lower left.
Historical Context
The Girard Bank was established following the 1831 death of financier Stephen Girard. It occupied the historic former building of the First Bank of the United States on South Third Street in Philadelphia and was formally incorporated in 1832 with capital of $1.5 million.
The document was issued during the financial turmoil following the Panic of 1837, when Philadelphia banks faced specie shortages, suspended payments, and intense public scrutiny. The Girard Bank was particularly significant because it handled large United States government deposits—reportedly processing approximately $14 million through the federal Treasurer’s account during this period.
William D. Lewis was a prominent Philadelphia banker, businessman, and political figure. In addition to serving as the Girard Bank’s cashier, he financed early railroad ventures and later became collector of customs for the Port of Philadelphia.
The promised $500 silver pitcher represented an exceptionally generous testimonial. In 1838, $500 was approximately the annual income of many skilled workers.
Condition
One large manuscript page on blue-gray paper with a blind-embossed bank seal. Original horizontal and vertical folds, scattered light toning and soiling, several small edge tears, minor corner wear, and a vertical separation beginning at the upper edge along the central fold. The manuscript remains complete, dark, and readily legible. William D. Lewis’s certification signature is clear.
