Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: April 1959 Volume 10 Number 3, Pages 51–53

The history of Cathcart home

William E. Tubbs

Page 51

This is the story of a man who loved his mother so well that he wanted to prepare a memorial for her -- not just of stone, but one that would provide a haven for the handicapped and aged.

The following is the obituary of Mr. William C. Stroud of Philadelphia who died September 21, 1891. "William C. Stroud, of the firm of Burnham, Perry, Williams and Company, died at his summer residence at Rosemont yesterday morning of an imperfect heart circulation. He had been ill for about six months. He was born in this city 54 years ago and was graduated from the Central High school. He entered the firm of Regal, Scott and Company as a boy and remained with that firm until 1860. During the War of the Rebellion he was a clerk in the treasurer's office of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad. In 1869 he entered the company of the Baldwin Locomotive Works as a bookkeeper. In 1889 he was admitted to the firm. A widow and son and a daughter survive him."

Following are a few notes from his will, which will be found in the Registrar of Wills' office in Philadelphia, Will Book 158, page 29: "I give and bequeath to John H. Converse, Henry N. Paul and Charles A. Dickie the sum of $200,000 in cash or any securities as secured as above in trust for the uses, persons and purposes in trust, to institute a Home to be administered under the auspices of the Presbyterian Hospital, and to be called The Eliza Cathcart Home, as a memorial of my late mother, Eliza Cathcart Stroud."

From the minutes of the Board of Trustees of the Hospital it appears that on June 20, 1893, a communication was read from the Trustees under the Will of William C. Stroud advising that the Home was constructed and was ready for occupancy. They therefore advised the Trustees of the Hospital in Philadelphia to assume the charge of the Home and, for that purpose, agreed to pay the Treasurer of the Hospital the income derived from the endowment fund, to be applied to the support of the Home.

On October 17, 1693, the Trustees of the Hospital, in the Minutes, prepared the foundation of the Cathcart Home and assumed charge thereof, and the same day made provision for its formal opening and appointed Mrs. A. S. Johnson Matron. The Home was opened November 13, 1893, and the ceremonies of the formal opening were held on November 25.

Page 52

The following notes were given me by Miss Grace Roberts of Wayne, a member of the Devon Committee of the Ladies' Aid Society for many years. From the minutes of the Ladies' Aid Society's first meeting, November 1, 1893: "Present were Mrs. John H. Converse, Chairman; Mrs. William Austin Obdyke, Secretary; Mrs. William A. Patton, Mrs. William C. Stroud, Mrs. S. L. Fellows and Mrs. Montcure Robinson." (It is interesting to note, that Mrs. William O. Stroud, the deceased man's widow, was very prominent in doing things for the Home.) "Mrs. Converse told of the authorizing of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Presbyterian Hospital to act as a Committee for the Home. At the formal opening of the Home, November 25, 1893, the Committee at the Home as early as possible arranged and decorated for the ceremonies which took place at 3 o'clock. These ceremonies were held, with people from neighboring towns and Philadelphia taking part. The interesting exercises were enjoyed by all. The Home opened with two guests end reported everything in good condition, under the efficient care of Mrs. Johnson, the Matron in charge."

I happen to know one of the guests who was originally here. He was John Munro who came to the Cathcart Home and who ran a small stationery concession to obtain money for what necessities he needed. He died in 1935.

"On June 6, 1896, the dedicatory service of the new Hutchinson addition, which included the Chapel, was held. The Committee gave Mrs. Converse $15.00 for the purchase of china. Provision was made for 150 people, and 30 quarts of ice cream and 2 crates of strawberries were purchased, and cakes were donated. Refreshments sold for 25c a plate. The list of Committee Chairman for these years is as follows: Mrs. John H. Converse, Mrs. Charles E. Matthews, Mrs. Walter Pierson, Miss Grace C. Roberts and Mrs. Ralph B. Ashenhelter. Memorial rooms are furnished by the following Presbyterian Churches: Ardmore, Wayne, First Germantown, Overbrook and Narbeth (sic), and one Memorial Room in memory of a member of the Committee. The gift of the legacy left to the Committee was used to redecorate and refurnish the Chapel."

Now a personal word about the workers who have given long service here. "Uncle Will Tittle came to the Home at the age of 17 as Assistant Cook, became Cook, then worked his way from Cook to Coachman, then Chauffeur and, last of all, he was General Maintenance Man around the Home. All in all, he served 52 years, and in June 1957, he retired. The next

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one we want to pay tribute to is our Night Service Man, George Rhim, who has served since 1931, and has never been in any way late or tardy in his duties, excepting for one time when he was seriously ill. He is still with us and we hope that he will be with us for many years.

The following is a list of superintendents serving from 1893 until the present time: Mrs. Johnson, Mrs, Gulick, Mr. Judkin (who, incidently (sic), was a retired minister), Mrs. Lucas (who served for 25 years), Mrs. Center, Miss Taille and Miss Seibert, and, last but not least, is Mrs. Crofford, who is presently superintendent. It is interesting that up to the time of Mrs. Lucas' retirement, the Home was operated as a regular country farm estate, on which were raised pigs, cows, chickens, a vegetable garden, etc.

Throughout its existence Cathcart Home has had the invaluable benefit of competent and professional management from the Presbyterian Hospital of Philadelphia. It has at present 40 guests, of many denominations, and is located on Valley Forge Road, a mile north of the Pennsylvania Railroad station in Devon. Each guest has his own private room with outside exposure and there is a chapel where services are conducted by visiting chaplains. The superintendent is a registered nurse and there is a registered nurse on duty at all times.

The Memorial which William C. Stroud envisioned and brought into existence by his original bequest has lived and goes on year by year affording comfort and care to the aged and handicapped.

Chapel