3501 Baring Street

The History of the Building

There was a title transfer from Jacob Haines to Elijah M. Neal sometime between 1886 and 1869 (Book 90, p 30).

“3501-03: “Circa 1870, Second Empire-style, two-and-one-half story stone double with side porches and entrances. First floor front projecting bays. S-shaped bracketed cornice; pedimented dormers; 3501 has slate shingles….”

(Inventory of Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic Places, 1985)

Previous Residents

1870:

Elijah [M] Neall 65 Dentist; born in Delaware; real estate: $25,000; property: $15,000

Mary (Margaret) 63

Jacob Montgomery 28 Railroad conductor

Anna N. 23

Harry F 2

Elizabeth (May) Moore 85

Ann Mitchell 25 Domestic servant; born in Ireland; only in 1^st enumeration

Martha Macmillan abt 30 Only in 2^nd enumeration

(ED 77, 21; 2^nd enum.: 19)

In 1886, Elijah M. Neal was a dentist working with E.H. Neal at 212 N 12^th St. He lived on Darby Rd. (now Woodland or Baltimore Ave.).

1880:

Elijah Pugh 80 Coal dealer

Eliza 79

Charles E. 38 Superintendent, PRR

Elijah W(?) 36

Rachael Rice 38 Niece

Mary Howard 31 Servant; born in Mass.; mulatto (?)

(ED 487, 18)

“Charles Edmund Pugh, the Second Vice President of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, was born at Unionville, Chester County, Pa., on the 25th day of February, 1841. His father was the late Elijah Pugh, a member of the Society of Friends, a man of probity, and in business a merchant and transporter. His early education was received in the district school of his birthplace. He applied himself closely to his studies in preparation for admission to the State Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster County, Pa., which he subsequently entered. He was graduated from that institution after completing a thorough course of study, and entered his father's office, wherein he acquired the elements of that business knowledge which has been so valuable to him and his employers. On October 1, 1859, he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as agent at Newport, Perry County, Pa., and performed his duties with such marked ability that the attention of his superiors was attracted to him as a young man of character and merit. They therefore selected him as one to be advanced in the Transportation Department. To familiarize himself with all the details in the practice and theory attending the running of trains he entered the train service, and served as passenger conductor for a period of six months. In 1864 he was appointed Train Dispatcher of the Philadelphia Division; on August 1, 1870, General Agent for Philadelphia ; on April 1, 1879, General Superintendent, Pennsylvania Railroad Division ; on October 1, 1882, General Manager ; on March 1, 1893, Third Vice President, and on February 10, 1897, Second Vice President.

“Mr. Pugh has always proven himself fitted for every position to which he has been appointed, and equal to the responsibilities laid upon him; but at no time has he attracted more attention, displayed more ability, and deserved more credit than during the Centennial Exhibition of 1876. The handling of such vast crowds as were in attendance on the Exhibition had never before been undertaken, and how to do it was more or less problematical; but it was with no small degree of confidence in Mr. Pugh's ability to organize success that the management called him to the task. Never before [end p 38] in the history of American railroads had any one been called upon to cope with such a problem ; but with full confidence in himself, a determination to do the best he could, and with an extensive knowledge of men and their capabilities, he undertook the task, feeling that the outcome must be successful. His labor during the period of the Exhibition was remarkable, but the successes achieved were looked upon by railroad men at home and abroad as marvellous. Over 3,000,000 of passengers were received at and dispatched from the stations during the continuance of the Exhibition, and so admirably had he arranged for the comfort and safety of the people that not one accident occurred.”

(History of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company... William Bender Wilson. 1895. Pp 38-39.)

1890: Pugh Elijah

1900:

William S Newcomet 27 Physician

Catherine E Newcomet 31 Married 3 years, 1 child; father born in Ireland

Bessie M Barker 35 Sister-in-law; married 12 years, 3 children, 2 surviving

Catherine M Barker 9 Niece

Eleanor Barker 8 Niece

Elizabeth M Newcomet 8 months Daughter

Elton B Ewell 22 Servant; black; born in Va.

Caroline Douglass 38 Servant; black; married 17 years, 3 children, 1 surviving; born in Va.

(ED 543, 12A)

The 1891 Directory lists his mother, “Elizabeth, widow of Henry W.,” living at 3229 Powelton Ave. His father was also a physician.

1906 Members of the College of Physicians: Newcomet, William S., M.D. Elected 1905.

(Trans. College of Physicians of Philadelphia. 1906)

1910:

William S Newcomit 38

Catherine I Newcomit 31

Elizabeth M Newcomit 10

Robert McKee 17

Sara Nelan 20

(ED 492, 3B)

1920:

William S Newcomat 47

Kathrine Newcomat 51

Elizabeth M Newcomat 20 Student at Vassar College

Cecilia Walsh 25

(ED 686, 2B)

1930:

William Newcomet 58

Catherine M Newcomet 60 Father born in N. Ireland

Cecelia Walch 32 Servant; born in N. Ireland

(ED 398, 14B)

1934: William Newcomet & Katherine E.

Arrival: 15 Sep 1934, Ship: President Roosevelt, Departure: Hamburg, Germany, Born: Philadelphia, Address: 3501 Baring

1936, Oct.: arrival, also listed at 3501 Baring

Katherine born Feb. 1873, Sewickly, PA

1950 Directory: Newcomet William S. MD

< 3503 Baring 3419 Baring >

Back to Interactive Map