A Semi-Centenary Discourse, Delivered in the First African Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, on the Fourth Sabbath of May 1857: With a History of the Church from Its First Organization. Including a Brief Notice of Rev. John Gloucester, Its First Pastor. By Rev. William T. Catto, Pastor. Also, An Appendix, Containing Sketches of all the Colored Churches in Philadelphia

Philadelphia: Joseph M. Wilson, 1857.

Price: $2,500.00

Softcover. First edition. Octavo. 111pp. Wrappers. Presumably issued in outer printed wrappers, which are not present. Spine notched with early sewing visible along edges of spine where once sewn into a larger volume, title page and final blank page have light soiling and foxing, with early ink notation ("XIV") on title page, a very good copy. The appendix prints "a synoptical history of all the colored churches in the city of Philadelphia" in 1857, listing 18 churches, with brief information about each congregation, including location, value of the property, number of members, etc. *Sabin* 11558; *Work,* p. 405.

William T. Catto, born enslaved in South Carolina, was a millwright, and later a Presbyterian minister. He married Sarah Isabella Cain from a mixed-race family. Their son, Octavius V. Catto, was born in 1839, in Charleston. The family moved to Philadelphia, where their son attended the Institute for Colored Youth. William T. Catto helped found the Banneker Institute. Octavius became a teacher and a noted advocate for African-Americans. He worked with the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Equal Rights League for voting rights and for the desegregation of Philadelphia’s transit system, resulting in a bill that gave African-Americans the right to ride streetcars in Philadelphia in 1867. In 1871, Octavius Catto, 32 years old, was shot and killed while he was attempting to vote. A statue honoring his memory was erected at Philadelphia's City Hall in 2017.

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Item #525016 A Semi-Centenary Discourse, Delivered in the First African Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, on the Fourth Sabbath of May 1857: With a History of the Church from Its First Organization. Including a Brief Notice of Rev. John Gloucester, Its First Pastor. By Rev. William T. Catto, Pastor. Also, An Appendix, Containing Sketches of all the Colored Churches in Philadelphia. Rev. William T. CATTO.