White, William, 1748-1836

William White was the first Protestant Episcopal bishop of Philadelphia.

From the description of Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1828. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155887043

Chaplain of the Continental Congress, 1777-1789; chaplain of the U.S. Senate; bishop of Pennsylvania in 1788; influential in formation of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the U.S.

From the description of Autograph of Bishop White, n.d. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 67293176

William White was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Colonel Thomas White and Esther Hewlings on April 4, 1748. After graduating from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) in 1765, he studied religion with Episcopal minister William Smith, and was ordained in England on April 25, 1772. He served as rector of Philadelphia's Christ Church from 1779 to 1836, and eventually became a figurehead within the North American Episcopal community. A strong advocate for the consecration of bishops in American constituencies, he was consecrated as the bishop for the Pennsylvania diocese in 1786, and he served as the Protestant Episcopal Church's presiding bishop from 1795 until his death. He and his wife, Mary Harrison, married in 1773 and had eight children. Bishop William White died in Philadelphia on July 17, 1836.

From the guide to the William White Sermon, Of Anticipation of Heaven, White, William sermon, [18th-19th century], (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)

Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.

From the description of William White papers, 1784-1873. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 664374373

First Protestant Episcopal bishop of Pennsylvania.

From the description of ALS : Philadelphia, to Jedidiah Morse, 1824 Feb. 25. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 86138985