Historical essays and related records include: "First Presbyterian Church," A History compiled by John M. Bateman [ca. 1933] (unbound, filed in folder); "Manuscript History of the Presbyterian Church, Columbia, S.C., Compiled from Original Papers by B.M. Palmer, Jr., Pastor" (ca. 1850, 1 vol.); World War I Records (1 vol., 1921); and text of commemorative sermon delivered, 23 Mar. 1986: "I Will Remember the Works of the Lord... A sermon preached on March 23, 1986, marking the Bicentennial of the City of Columbia and 192 years of history of the First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, S.C.," by the Rev. Glen Charles Knecht (14 pp.). Unbound papers, 1794-1986 and undated, include letter, 30 March 1794 (Columbia, S.C.) from Tho[ma]s Taylor and B[enjami]n Waring to David Dunlap (Fairfield County, S.C.), informing him of the intention of establishing a church and requesting his services as minister as early as possible since "it is greatly contrary to the interest of a young town to be growing up without the Sabbath day's observation" and stating the amount of money raised. Deed, 26 May 1824, for two lots sold to the Rev. Robert Means, signed by "a committee of said corporation for that purpose specially appointed," William Edward Hayne, Benjamin F. Taylor, William Hall, Robert Mills, and David Ewart; letter, 8 March 1854 (Greenwood, S.C.), from Mrs. M.R. Donnelly to [Benjamin Morgan Palmer], replying to his request for information re early members of the church; copies of receipts for pew rent; and printed rules and regulations of the Church. Five manuscripts, 1866-1925, consisting of land papers and plats showing buildings and grave sites; printed manuscript, 1940, portions of the church bulletin devoted to various phases of the church's history. Other materials (chiefly bound volumes) consist of the records of: Board of Deacons / Diaconate Minutes (1927-1994); Bulletins (1957-1993); Cemetery volume, with photographs and transcriptions of epitaphs from church cemetery and notes re individuals buried there; "First Things" newsletter (1988-1994); Membership Lists / Miscellaneous Accounts (1854-1901); Men's Auxiliary Records (1905-1915); Pew Rent Financial Records (1827-1843); Session Minutes (1819-1994); Sunday School Finance Records (1879-1914); Sunday School Records (1872-1915); and Women's Auxiliary Records (1925-1926) (unbound, filed in folder).
