Welsh Society of Philadelphia records

Many of the early settlers of Philadelphia and environs were Welsh immigrants, several of whom played significant roles in their new country, such as Biddles, Cadwaladers, Clymers, Lloyds, Merediths and Morgans. A number of them were persons of means who bought large quantities of land, and for whom townships were named, such as Haverford, Merion and Tredyffrin. Others were poor and needed assistance, and it was for them that a Welsh Society, the St. Davids Society, was established in 1729. The present Welsh Society of Philadelphia first met in 1798 “for the relief of such emigrants as may arrive in this country from Wales.” The assistance included: medical; legal; financial; and burial services. The current Welsh burying ground is at Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Cobbs Creek, Philadelphia, though it was originally on Washington St. in Philadelphia. Notable in the Society’s history is Horatio Gates Jones, president of the Society for about 35 years. Today, it is an educational society, which honors Welsh/American individuals and awards scholarship. These records had previously been housed at the Balch Institute in Philadelphia. (Information provided by current president of The Welsh Society of Philadelphia, Charles Wenzel and the Charter and By-Laws of the Society.)