Poor Box from St. Patrick’s Asylum, Manhattan

Poor boxes
Charity
Orphanages
St. Patrick’s Orphan Asylum (New York, N.Y.)

The first New York mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph in New York, the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, was incorporated in 1817. Known as St. Patrick’s Asylum due to proximity to St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, the orphanage was quickly filled, to capacity. To raise funds for a new building, a poor box was placed in St. Patrick’s Orphan Asylum by Sr. Elizabeth Boyle, who became the first Mother Superior of the Sisters of Charity of New York in 1846. The donations placed in the poor box were a source of support for many. The word, ‘Charity’ in gold, capital letters is painted on the front of box; a wood cross is positioned on top of the box.

Unknown

Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul of New York

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ca. 1820

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Permission for reproduction or quotation must be obtained through written application to: Director of Archives, Sisters of Charity of New York, 6301 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, New York, 10471. This permission is valid only insofar as he Archives of the Sisters of Charity of New York, as owner or custodian, has any rights in the matter and does not remove the responsibility of the author, editor, and publisher to guard against the infringement of any rights; including copyright, that may be held by others.

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Wood, with painted gold lettering
Stand: 48” tall
Charity box: 8” (tall) x 4” (width) x 2” (depth)

English

Physical Object

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ca. 1822-1862