Fisher, Samuel Reed (1810-1881)

Collection

Identifier: Ms. Coll. 147

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Samuel Reed Fisher collection consists of one box containing: - Certificate of Ordination (1836) - Lectures (1830-1832, 1834-1836, 1858, 1865, (undated) - Biographical information - Correspondence (1853, 1855, 1859, 1869, 1870, 1873-1875, 1881); - Lecture notes (1825, 1834) - Pastoral Records (marriages, 1837-1839); Sermons (undated, 1824-1885) - Writings (undated, 1843, 1847, 1877-1881, 1885); transcription of writings (1826-1827).

Dates

Creation: 1824 - 1885

Biographical / Historical

Samuel Reed Fisher was born at Norristown, Pennsylvania, June 2, 1810. At age 14 he went to live with his God-Father, Rev. George Wack where he both worked and studied. In 1829 he entered the preparatory department of Jefferson College at Cannonsburg, became a regular student of the college in 1830 and graduated in 1834. He entered the Theological Seminary of the German Reformed Church in 1834 and graduated in 1836. While at the Seminary he studied under Dr. Lewis Mayer and Dr. Frederick A. Rauch, was instrumental in founding the Diagnothian and Goethian Literary Societies writing the constitutions for both. Fisher was licensed to preach in 1836 and ordained on Oct. 19 of the same year. His first and only pastorate was the Emmittsburg Charge comprising six congregations which he served from 1836 to 1839. In 1840 he joined the staff of the Reformed Church Publishing House in Chambersburg, PA. which had just been established. He first worked with Rev. Benjamin S. Schneck but later was the sole editor of the Messenger and business manager for all church publications. He was still engaged in this work at the time of his death. In addition to his responsibilities at the Publishing House, Fisher was also elected Stated Clerk of Synod, served on the Board of Visitors of the Seminary and as Treasurer of the Board of Education of the Reformed Church. He wrote many articles for the Messenger, The Guardian, and the Mercersburg Review as well as publishing "Exercises on the Heidelberg Catechism", "Family Assistant" and other works. Franklin and Marshall College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1853. Fisher was married first to Ellen C. May, daughter of Daniel May of York, PA., on April 5, 1837. They had one daughter, Rebecca Fisher and one son, Rev. Charles G. Fisher. Mrs. Fisher died in Chambersburg, PA., January 26, 1842. Dr. Fisher then married Mrs. Naomi Kerns, widow of Abraham Kerns, of Bedford, PA. There were no children. The second Mrs. Fisher died November 27, 1875.

Extent

1 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Related Materials

"The Fathers of the Reformed Church" volume 6, pg. 15.

"The Moral Power of the Christian Ministry" A sermon delivered at the opening of the Classis of Mercersburg, at Waynesboro, PA. May 10, 1843. In a bound volume. WU A227 v.15 (essay no. 3) (this has not been reclassified as of 8/24/2004)

"Ministerial Fidelity." A sermon delivered at the opening of the Synod of the German Reformed Church in the United States of North America, at Winchester, PA. October 12, 1843. WU A227 v.15 (essay no.4) (this has not been reclassified as of 8/24/2004)

"The Family Assistant; or Book of Prayers for the use of Families." by: Samuel Reed Fisher. Chambersburg, Pa: M.Kieffer & Co. (1855) ERHS BX 9593 .F581 F36 1855

"Reformed Church in the U.S. Board of Foreign Missions" Reports and correspondence, with letters from Fisher. NUta (this has not been reclassified as of 8/24/2004)

"History of the publication efforts of the Reformed Church in the United States" Philadelphia, Reformed Church Publication Board, 1885 ERHS BX 9565 .F57 1885

"Reformed church in the U.S. Constitution" Chambersburg, M.Kieffer, 1852. MKN 1852 (this has not been reclassified as of 8/24/2004)

"Reformed Church in the U.S. General Synod, 1869" Notes by Fisher. MKNa 1869f (this has not been reclassified as of 8/24/2004)

Mayer, Lewis, 1783-1849. A System of Theology as Taught by Lewis Mayer. Transcribed by Fisher, 1836. ZC M452 ZF (this has not been reclassified as of 8/24/2004)

"The Moral Dignity of the Ministerial Office) WU C357 v.3 (essay 11) (this has not been reclassified as of 8/24/2004)

"Exercises on the Heidelberg Catechism, adapted to the use of Sabbath Schools and Catechetical Classes" Chambersburg, Pa: Publication Office of the German Reformed Church. Several editions are in the ERHS collection: 1844, 1854, 1850, 1853, 1857, and 1860. (In process of reclassification as of 8/24/2004)

Six miscellaneous pamphlets, bound by Dr. Fisher under the title: "Tracts on Romanism" (1844-1846). KJ F537 (missing as of 8/24/2004, may be in catalog room for reclassification)

"The Burning of Chambersburg" Philadelphia, Reformed Church Publication Board, 1879. BZ F 537 (marked as missing since 1981)

Hymnal belonging to Samuel R. Fisher donated by the family of Charles G. Fisher BX/9576/.A55/1842