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Wilmington Savings Fund Society (WSFS) records

Creation: 1831-1964
 Collection
Accession: 1155

Abstract

The Wilmington Savings Fund Society was established in 1831 as a "safe depository for the earnings of working people" which also promoted the opportunity for homebuilding and lending money for home mortgages. Their records consist primarily of minutes and account books.

Dates

  • Creation: 1831-1964

Creator

Extent

70 Linear Feet

Historical Note

The Wilmington Savings Fund Society was established in 1831 as a "safe depository for the earnings of working people" which also promoted the opportunity for homebuilding and lending money for home mortgages. In 1832 the mutual savings bank was granted a state charter. It had no stockholders and its depositors received all profits earned. The bank grew steadily during the 19th century moving to a new headquarters building on Ninth and Market Streets in 1855. During the 1920s it began establishing branches in suburban areas, Dover, and Newark. In 1938 it became a state chartered savings bank with deposits insured by the FSLIC.

Arrangement

Series I. Administrative records; Series II. Accounting records; Series III. Miscellany.

Scope and Content

Administrative records include board of managers minutes (1831-1931); executive committee minutes (1901-1908); real estate committee minutes (1900-1927); investing committee minutes (1832-1952); and property committee minutes (1918-1927).

Account books include general ledgers (1856-1958); customers' ledgers (1832-1909); stock and bond ledgers (1892-1958); real estate ledgers (1900-1939); day books (1832-1892); cash books (1886-1958); deposit day books (1832-1917); withdrawal orders (1834-1929); loan books (1845-1900); withdrawal receipt books (1837-1879); the First Book of Investments (1832-1853); and treasurer's annual reports (1885-1961).

The miscellany includes a scrapbook of insurance company prospectuses (1900-1910); newsclippings; a photostat of an 1832 advertisement; a synopsis of charter and bylaws (1901-1940); and a brochure on the 1921 WSFS building in Wilmington.

Access Restrictions

Subject to a 75-year time seal. Data on living persons may not be used without consent of depositor.

Litigators may not view the collection without approval.

Use Restrictions

Literary rights retained by Wilmington Savings Fund Society.

Related Material

Schedule of interest rates paid on deposits, 1832-1856 [typescript] (Accession 1051), Manuscripts and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and Library

Language of Materials

English

Related Names

Subject

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Wilmington Savings Fund Society records
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400