Lavinia Sheed never married and died at age 65 from rheumatism. She is buried near her father and several of her siblings in the Gloria Dei Churchyard.
History Stories
Bernard Dahlgren
This stone commemorates Bernard Ulrick Dahlgren, although his body no longer rests here. His remains, with those of his wife Martha and their infant son Washington, now lie in West Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Isaac V. Culin
Descendants of Isaac V. Culin trace their lineage to Johan van Cöln, an early European settler who arrived on the Delaware around 1662. For most of his adult life, Issac made his living as a tailor, residing and working in the neighborhood of Southwark.
Henry Bennett
Henry Bennett, age 39, died of a heart attack on Jan. 5, 1847, while on his job at an ice cream parlor on Queen Street. Bennett was a mariner by trade.
Sophia Fisler
Born Feb. 24, 1752, Sophia Fisler was a younger unmarried sister of Hannah Collin. She lived with her sister and husband as a housekeeper and appears in church records as early as 1793.
Lizzie Martin
Born in 1837, Lizzie Martin was only 20 years old at her death. She had probably caught the eye of many a young man, but remained unmarried at her death and was still living at home with her parents.
Reverend Nicholas Collin
Nicholas Collin was the last remaining priest of the Swedish mission and the first priest of the new American Gloria Dei.
A Story From The Grave: Catharine, Wife Of Sea Captain Peter Cruse
The inscription on Catharine Cruses’s gravestone leaves a message for her “dearest man.” This message in stone might reflect the final words that Catharine would have liked to say to her husband if he had been with her at the end.
Fall 2018
This inaugural issue of HGDPC Magazine brings together the many wonderful articles written about Old Swedes’ for QVNA Magazine. These stories highlight our fascinating history and will introduce you to the master planning process we engaged in through a grant from the Community Design Collaborative.
James Peale, Artist
Best known as a portrait miniaturist and fruit still-life painter, James Peale (1749-1831) also made oil portraits, history paintings, and landscapes.
William Irvine, Brigadier General, U.S. Congressman
William Irvine (1741-1804) graduated from Dublin University, became a physician, and served as a surgeon in the British Navy before immigrating to Pennsylvania in 1763. He resumed practicing medicine and was a Delegate to Pennsylvania’s anti-Stamp Act conventions in 1764 and 1766. Irvine also took part in Pennsylvania’s conventions held to consider independence in 1774 and 1775.
Jacob Jackson: A Navy Man In The War Of 1812
Jacob Jackson, whose body rests near those of his wife Catharine and several of their children, was a U.S. Navy veteran of the War of 1812. He was an active supporter of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church, elected as a member of the vestry in 1842.
Sven’s Woods: Bringing More Wildlife To Gloria Dei
By Michael Schreiber The proposal to restore a portion of land at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church in Philadelphia to help attract wildlife is very timely. Its status as a National Historical Park and location within a big city can help make Gloria Dei a prominent example of ecological land management others can copy.
A Peach Of A Botanist
Many local residents may not realize Queen Village is actually older than the City of Philadelphia. “Philadelphia’s First Neighborhood” was settled by Swedish immigrants in 1654, 28 years before William Penn founded Pennsylvania.
Jenny Lind
By Michael Schreiber Jenny Lind was the first international superstar of the musical world. The frenzy over her visit to the United States in 1850 even surpassed that of the “British Invasion” of the Beatles a century later. Yet those who met the “Swedish Nightingale” described her as being incredibly modest and generous. She gave large […]
Susan E. Atmore
Susan E. Atmore passed away suddenly on April 15 th, 2019. Susan was born February 4 th, 1943 to Joseph and Lavinia Lyons of Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Southern High School, she was proud of her roots from South Philly. For over 30 years, Susan loved taking care of her old farm house in Media, PA […]
Neills Laickan
Nils Lycon died at ‘Pour Island’ on December 4, 1721 at the age of 55, survived by his wife and six daughters.* On January 12, 1691. ‘Nicholas Nellson’ asked the Board of Property to replace his meadow north of Philadelphia because it was being drowned by a new mill. Otherwise, however, he was known as […]
Dominick Capitolo, Jr.
Aug. 9, 2018. Devoted husband of Anna Marie (nee Lutz). Loving father of Dominick “Sonny” (Barbara) Capitolo, Donna (Anthony) Sulpizio, Diane Capitolo and Vincent (Marie) Capitolo. Grandfather of Deanna (James), Dianna, Dominique, Vincent, Javier, Lucas and Delaney. Great grandfather of Julianna, James and Jude. Brother of Florence Moliterni and John Capitolo. Master to his beloved […]
Captain Joseph Blewer
Rev. Carl Magnus Wrangel married Joseph Blewer and Sarah Lindenmeyer at Gloria Dei Church on September 26, 1759. Joseph Blewer being a ship captain assumed an active role in the War of Independence. In November 1775 Captain Blewer was in Cambridge, Massachusetts and was directed by General George Washington to deliver a letter to John […]
Sarah J. Fosque
“Mrs. Sarah J. Fosque, aged seventy-five years, died suddenly at the Virginia Home for Incurables Sunday morning about 5 o’clock. She was subject to heart attacks and this disease as the cause of her demise. A few moments before she died she rang the bell for a nurse and told her when she came that […]