2/5/1890 – President of the Bethel Church trustees D.W. Parvis reports on behalf of the Real Estate Committee that the “Queen Street lot” (BBG) has been sold to the City of Philadelphia for $10,000. In addition, Mr. Parvis reports that board member Charles Jenkins had an interview with Wendell P. Bowman, Esquire the lawyer who the trustees hired to negotiate the sale price of Bethel Burying Ground. Mr. Bowman “points out” that he had “difficulties” in securing the high amount for the burial ground ($10,000) and that his fee of $1,250 is fair. Trustee Parvis states he would be willing to check out with “other lawyers” to ascertain if the fee is excessive. Pastor Shaffer is in attendance. (Minutes of the Bethel Trustees) Mr. Bowman was a white, Republican powerbroker and lobbyist. He was debatably one of the most influential men in Philadelphia politics at this time. He never ran for office, but was involved in party leadership and financing candidates.
General Wendell P. Bowman
Bethel Burying Ground Project 