George Parson Collection

Collection

Identifier: ULS-MS-036

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the George Parson Collection is comprised of some 463 sermons written over a fifty-three year period (ca. 1844-1897). The collection also inclused a booklet of "Brief Historical Sketches of the Churches in the Muncy Charge," a copy of the 1879 Constitution and By-Laws of the Susquehanna Synod of the ELCA, a copy of St Paul's Lutheran Church in Williamsport; "Official Thanks from Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church" (Sunbury) upon Parson's retirement; and several letters, essays, speeches (including one delivered to the Alumni fo Gettysburg College in 1868), and a few miscellaneous items such as a recipe book.

Dates

1819 - 1897

Creator

Parson, George, Rev. (Person)

Biographical / Historical

George Parson was born near Harrisburg, PA on 11 March 1819, the some of William and Mary (Manhon) Parson. After working as a carpenter, he entered the Preparatory Department of Pennsylvania (now Gettysburg) College in 1837 at the age of eighteen and was graduated by the college in 1842. During his college years, he was a member of the Phrenakosmian Society, and activily participated in the society's anniversary excercises in 1840 as the "Speaker." In 1842, Parson served as the society's president. Entering the Lutheran Theological Seminary, two years later he completed his course work in 1844.

According to the Pennsylvania College Book published in 1882, during his career, Parson also served "a number of times [as] Presidnet and Treasurer of District Synods, and several times a Director of [the] Seminary at Gettysburg," representing the East Pennsylvania Synod in April 1850, and the West Pennsylvania Synod during the period 1870-1874.

Parson was married twice; on 31 October 1844 to Mary Ann Glibert of Gettysburg, and on 15 February 1847 to Emma bear of Clinton township, Lycoming County. Parson died on 8 September 1897 at the age of seventy-eight years.

Extent

1.68 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

These sermons are arranged by the order in which the books appear in the Old and New Testement. Within each book, the manuscripts are filed in numberical order by chapter and verse.

Custodial History

The collection was donated to the Seminary Archives by Dr. Walter L. Powell on 3 August 1995. The papers were purchased at a Mennonite auction in Lancaster, PA.