The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02

a
"A grave of Thomas Lloyd. a Phil
- adelphian and the first official
stenographer TO the American Congress,
on August %, by the stenographers'
Union of the United States. Up to this
date the ashes of this pioneer short
hand writer were unmarked since his
death in 1887, as they reposed in the old
cemetery attached to st. Augustine's
Church, at the corner of Fourth and Race
Streets in his native city.
The story of his life is we'll worth
reading. both for the intimate personal
acquaintance he had with distinguished
men and the superb determination with
which he attacked the study of stenog-
ra2hy.
Mr.. Lloyd reported Washington's first
address. and also the proceedings of the
First Congress. He was not only the
first official stenographer of the Govern
ment, but he was an author, and served
his country in the Revolutionary war.
He made his permanent home in Phila-
delphia when the conflict ended, and
married a Miss Corson. an estimable
young lady, the daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. Robert Corson, well known resi-
dents of the city in those days. Lloyd
enlisted as captain in the Third Mary
land Regiment, one of seven commands
raised by a convention presided over by
Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, afterward
one OF the signers of the Declaration of
independence. Captain Lloyd was
wounded at the battle of Brandywine
October II, 1777, and after his recovery
he was placed under General Gist in
forwarding supplies from Delaware and
Maryland to the Southern army under
General Greene, who had superseded
General Gates. 1t was while doing duty
in Lancaster for this department that
Captain Lloyd met Miss Corson.
A Famous Stenographer.
Lloyd's services were greatly in de-
mand in Philadelphia after the war, for
shorthand writer's were looked upon as
phenomenal in those days. January, 1855,
Is memorable as the day on which Mat
thew Carey. wealthy publisher of the
period, began the publication of the
Evening Herald" In August OF the
same year he included in his paper the
of representatives, assreported in short
hand by Mr.. Lloyd.
The reports were so much appreciated
that there was a demand for them all
over the city. Carey refused to sell
duplicate of the reports to John Dunlap,
who published the pennsylvania Pack
ct" Apparently the same courtesies
were not exchanged between the news
paper fraternity then that prevail now.
When the next, session of the PennsyI-
yania house Of representatives opened
Mr.. Dunlap had engaged the services of
Mr.. Lloyd to report the proceedings for
the Packet" When the First Congress
assembled in New York. in April. 1883. |
Mr.. Lloyd was chosen chief stenographer
of the House of Representatives, and the
day after it convened he presented il
with a copy OF Washington's inaugural
address, which is now in possession Of
the American Catholic Historical So |
ciety. Seventh and Spruce Streets, Phil |
adelphia.
Lloyd was chosen chief stenographer |
when Congress met in Philadelphia De- /
cember, 1890.
Even to this day Philadelphians point |
to go North Eighth Street. which was
148 in those days. where Lloyd lived. He /
seems TO have been well educated man |
in other lines beside stenOgraphy, for |
he wrote several books, including the |
Congressional Record: OF, History Of /
the Proceedings of the First House OF
Representatives"
A Philadelphia Failing.
Other citizens Of Philadelphia who
have become well known as stenograph-
ers In the service OF Uncle Sam at
Washington are the Murphy brothers.
Dennis F., James j., and Edward V,
and John J. McElhone, oliver Dwyer, R
NJ Patterson. David Wolfe Brown, and
a number of others
II was in 1S4s that the Quaker City
came into prominence as a home OF
shorthand reporters. In that year oliver
Dwyer, professor Of shorthand in the
Boyds' High School. was chosen by the
North American the leading Whie
newspaper, to report the proceedings of
the national convention which met in
philadelphia and nominated Zachary
Taylor for President. Mr.. DIVER took a
dozen members of his class with him TO !
act as adjunct reporters and among them
was Dennis F. Murphy. The shorthand