I had 2 interesting original letters left in my Toronto Baptist Seminary mailbox over the weekend.
Letter #1 Dated January 14th, 1874
on letterhead marked “Thomas May & Co.” 68 Yonge Street, P.O. Box 1141, Toronto
Dear Sir:
….been informed that the Building Committee are about selecting a site for the proposed new Baptist Church. I beg leave to offer them my lot in the corner of Jarvis & Gerrard Streets 110 feet in Jarvis by 262 feet (more or less) on Gerrard for the sum of Eight thousand five hundred dollars ($8500) cash. This offer to remain open until l1st February next.
I am Yours truly
J. Paterson
To Wm. Elliott-Esq, Toronto
Letter #2 Dated Toronto 28 Jan, 1874
James Paterson Esq.
Dear Sir,
Referring to your letter of the 14th month and to the memo on it of this date, I hereby, on behalf of the building committee of the Bond St Baptist Church accept the offer of your lot on the corner of Jarvis and Gerrard Sts for the sum of eight thousand dollars cash, the said sum to be paid as soon as the proper titlte deed is furnished.
Yours truly, Wm. Elliott
In response to Wm. Elliott’s letter, Paterson (on his original letter) wrote “I thereby agree to accept the sum of Eight thousand dollars cash for the property described. James Paterson
This was the original transaction for the property on which Jarvis Street Baptist Church is located. JSBC is the church adjacent to the Seminary in which God has given me the privilege to serve. I doubt if you could buy the property for $8,000 today!!!!!!
Here’s a picture postcard from 1911 of the building where Jarvis Street Baptist Church meets.
