ABSTRACT
Thomas and richard penn, Esqrs. true and absolute Proprietaries and Governours in chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex upon Delaware; to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Whereas, it hath been represented unto us, that the Clergy of the Church of England in our American Colonies, and especially the Missionaries in the service of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, have in general but a small support, and have always found it difficult to make any tolerable provision for their families, so that their widows and children are often left in great distress; and whereas, in order to provide a remedy for these growing difficulties, humble application hath been made to us, that we would erect and constitute a Corporation in our said Provinces and Counties, for receiving, managing and disposing such sums of money as may be subscribed and paid in from time to time by the Clergy and Missionaries themselves, and such benefactions as may be given by charitable / and well disposed persons, as a fund towards the support and relief of the widows and children of the Ministers of the Church of England in our said American colonies.
