3519 Hamilton Street

The northern edge of this property was part of the northern boundary of the Bingham-Baring estate.

3517-3519: “three-story Italianate double, stuccoed…; 3519 has flat roof... has circa 1915 pressed metal two-story addition; circa 1935 streamlined first floor addition”

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

History

1866, May: Deed for 3511-3523 Hamilton St. was transferred from Evans W. Shippens to James P. Bruner.

In the early 1860s Evans Shippen lived at 35th and Bridge [Spring Garden] St. In 1860, he was a 35 year-old coal dealer and iron founder. In 1870, he and his family were living in Vernon, Crawford Co., Pa. where he was a farmer.

James P. Bruner was a mill owner who lived at 3509 Spring Garden St.

1868, March 5: Sale of property: Owners: Samuel P. Ferree, gentleman, and Annie A. (husband & wife), sold to T. D. Crispenn, bricklayer, and Catherine, (husband & wife) six contiguous lots [3511-3523 Hamilton St.] for $5,416.67.

Samuel and Annie Ferree lived at 3514 Spring Garden St.

3517-3519 Hamilton St. was built by Thomas D. Crespin. He usually identified himself as a bricklayer, although he is listed as a builder in the 1881 city directory. From at least 1856 until the 1870s, he lived in various house near 39th and Powelton with his wife and seven children. In the 1870 census he declared $25,000 in real estate and $1,400 in personal property. His younger brothers, James C. Crispen and Joseph Crispen, were also bricklayers and probably worked with him. In the late 1860s, Joseph lived at 34th and Filbert Sts. He did not claim any real estate. Thomas Crispen also built 3509-3511, 3517-3519, and 3521-3523 Hamilton St. and 3400-3402, 3404-3406 and 3408-3410 Baring St. (The name was variously spelled Crespenn or Crispenn.)

1869, July: Deed transferred from Thomas D. Crispenn to Charles H. Merklee.

Charles K. Merklee was a carpenter who ran a planning mill and sash and door factory. He lived at 1500 Cadbury Ave. At the same time, he also purchased 3519 and 3521 Hamilton St. from Crispenn.

It is likely that Crispenn sold 3515, 3519, and 3521 to Merklee unfinished. It was common for builders to build the shell then sell to someone (often a door and sash maker or carpenter) to do the finishing.

1870, November, 2^nd Enumeration

Joseph Bennett 50-54

Virginia Bennett 40-44

William Bennett 20-24

[John] Burton [R.] Bennett 15-19

Grier Bennett 10-14

Lillie (?) Bennett 10-14

Joseph Bennett 5-9

(ED 77, 2^nd enumerations, p 22)

The 1870 census 1^st enumeration in listed Joseph Bennett as a wholesale druggist with real estate valued at $5,000 and personal property worth $2,500. All except Lillie and Joseph, Jr. were born in Delaware. In 1860, they lived in Ward 11. Joseph was probably a son or a nephew of John Bennett who ran a banking house, Joseph was a clerk. In 1880, they lived at 3410 Race St.

M. Grier (or Greer) Bennett died Aug. 8, 1877. He was about 20 years old.

William D. W. Bennett died July 30, 1879 at age 29. He was single and a lawyer. He was living at 3703 Hamilton St.

1871 Directory (Fall, 1870): Joseph S. Bennett of Joseph S. Bennett & Co., druggists at 609 Market St.

The 1870 directory lists his home as 1617 Brown St.

1871-1873 Directories: Samuel R. Skillern, physician

In the 1860s he lived at 3419 Hamilton St. and he briefly owned 3407 Hamilton St. before moving here. The 1873 and 1874 directories list him at 3501 Spring Garden St. In 1880, they lived at 3416 Baring St. and later, they lived at 3509 Baring St.

1878 Directory: David C. Thorn

Frederick G. Thorn of Wilson Brothers & Co.

1880:

Frederick G. Thorn 42 Architect

Sarah E. Thorn 40 Born in N.J.

Susan M. Thorn 18 Born in N.J.

Frederick G. Thorn 14

Margaret Thorn 2

David C. Thorn 66 Father; brick mason; mother born in N.J.

Francis Cattell 39 Boarder; seamstress; born in N.J.

Melina W Cattell 23 Boarder; born in N.J.

(ED 487, 20)

In 1870, they lived at 5 N. 32^nd St. Frederick G. Thorn was an architect and partner in the firm Wilson Brothers. In 1883, he designed and built a house for himself and his family at 205 N. 36^th St. He also designed 3512 Baring St.

1884 Directory: David C. Thorn

Frederick G. Thorn of Wilson Brothers & Co.

1884, November: Deed transferred from Charles K. Merklee to Willhelmina Arthur.

1885, January: Deed transferred from Willhelmina Arthur to Harry W. Arthur.

1888, December: Deed transferred from Harry W. Arthur to J. Roberts Foulke.

1890, September: Deed transferred from J. Roberts Foulke to Samuel E. Baily.

1896 Blue Book: Mr. & Mrs. George W. Ryan. Receiving day Tuesday.

In 1890, they lived at 506 N. 32^nd St.

1898 Blue Book: George W. Ryan was a member of the Powelton Club. (For a brief history of the club, see the Powelton History Blog.)

1900:

Joseph T. Dolby 36 Optician manufacturer

Rachel M. Dolby 29 Married 10 years, one child; born in N.J.

Irene M. Dolby 3

Esther Holland 20 Servant; black; born in Md.

Louis M. Hernz 39 Boarder; civil engineer; born in Cuba, immigrated 38 years earlier

Mattie W M Hernz 35 Boarder, married 12 years, no children; born in N.Y.

Emma D. Spence 37 Boarder; bookkeeper; born in N.J., parents born in Pa.

(ED 543, 11B)

In 1891, Louis M. Hernz lived at 3412 Baring St. and in 1889, he lived at 3603 Baring St.

1902, June: Deed transferred from Samuel E. & Clara Baily to Joseph & Rachel Dolby.

1906 Blue Book: Mr. & Mrs. Joseph T. Dolby

Joseph Thompson Dolby of Philadelphia and Rachel Stevenson McCray of Cape May City, N.J. were married on April 29, 1890 by Rev. Samuel E. Appleton, D.D.

1910:

Rachel Dolby 38 Optician; widowed, 3 children, 2 surviving; born in N.J.; owner free of a mortgage

Irene Dolby 13

Louis Dolby 9

William H. Whitinds 41 Lodger; bank clerk; married for second time

Anna Whitinds 42 Married 11 years (for second time), one child

Carry Tilghman 34 Servant; black; single; born in Md.

(ED 492 1A)

In 1920, the Dolby family lived at 2126 Walnut St. Irene was a teacher in a private school and Louis was a concrete contractor. They were renting.

1920:

Gertrude Lee Riebenack 42 Widowed; born in N.J.

Eleanor G. Riebenack 20 Born in N.J., father in Pa, mother in N.Y.[sic.]

Max Riebenack 19 Clerk for Penna. railroad; mother born in N.J.

(ED 686, 1b)

In 1880, they lived at 3701 Hamilton. From about 1890 until after 1910, they lived at 227 N. 34^th St. (corner of Powelton Ave.). In 1930, Gertrude and Max lived in Lansdowne, Delaware Co.

1925: The Philadelphia Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide for June 10, 1925 lists a contract for an apartment building to Franklin P. Albright, Jr., architect. The client was Alex M. DeHaven.

1950 Directory: J. H. Barrett

Ethel K. Lemont

John M. Mackenzie

Warren F. Spencer

2009: Current owner: Marsha Irons Mason

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