Manuscript Group 261
FARMERS' BANK OF READING RECORDS
1814-1836
1 cu. ft.
The Farmers' Bank was the second to be opened within Reading. It was authorized
by an Act of March 21, 1813, creating a general system of banking for the entire
state. The Commonwealth was divided into 27 districts, and each one was to have
a bank. The counties of Berks and Schuylkill were made one district and given
a bank to be called the Farmers' Bank of Reading. The shares were to be $50 each,
with Berks County having 10,500 and Schuylkill 1,500. Governor Snyder vetoed the
bill, and bitterly opposed such a system, but one year later, in 1814, it was
passed despite the Governor's objections by a two-thirds majority. The Board of
Directors for the Farmers' Bank of Reading met on June 14, 1814, and organized
by electing William Whitman, Jr., as president; John S. Hiester (the Governor's
son) as cashier; Benjamin Davis as First Clerk; George Nagle as Second Clerk;
and Philip Smith as watchman. The bank occupied a building at 445 Penn Street.
Letter Books, 1815-1833. (11 volumes) {#261m.1}
Blotters, 1830-1836. (2 volumes) {#261m.2}
Stock Share Book, 1814-1818. (1 volume) {#261m.3}
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