“three-story, four-register Italianate
style double with smooth stuccoed facade over brick
construction and stone foundation. The building has its originally ornately-carved
scrolls beneath the wood cornice of the overhanging flat roof. 200 has its
original wood porch, the porch of 202 has been removed and the area enclosed in
the attic.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
History
1863, May
IRS income list: J. P. Butler, 35th & Race
The 1860 Census lists them living in
the Spring Garden Ward. His first wife, Emma Matilda Butler, died in 1858 at
age 33. She was the daughter of Frederick Foering. (Phila. Inquirer, 3-18-1858).
For a history of the Butler family
and their descendants, see the Powelton
History Blog.
1865, Jun.
30: Title transferred to Mary Butler by William Hamm
1866 Directory: James P. Butler, bookkeeper,
1870:
James P. Butler 46 Manufacturer
of silverware; born in Conn.; real estate: $30,000; personal: $7,500
Mary Butler 40 Born in Conn. [sic.]
Mary Butler 16 Born in Conn. [sic.]
Fanny Butler 13 Born in Conn. [sic.]
The 1900 census states that James
and Mary Butler were married about 1860 and that she had no children.
About 1871: Marriage of Mary Ella Butler to
Joseph H. Dent
In 1860, Joseph was orphaned and
living with his aunt and uncle, Lydia (Hansell) and Samuel Lloyd. Joseph was
only 10 years old, but was listed in the census with real estate valued at
$10,000. His father had been a gold beater. In 1870, Joseph and the Lloyds were
living at 3322 Bridge (Spring Garden) St. He
was 20 years old and working as a clerk in a milling store. Mary and Joseph
Butler lost an infant son, Samuel, in May, 1976 when they were living at 3626 Powelton Ave.
1877, Dec. 27: Death of Emma Butler, 87 years old, of 202 N. 35th
St. She was born in Connecticut and was the widow of William Butler. Burial was
at Monument Cemetery. (Phila. Death Index)
1879: Sudden death of Joseph H. Dent, 30 years old; funeral at the
home of his father-in-law, 202 N. 35th St.
1880:
James P.
Butler 56 Silversmith; born in
Mary Butler 50
Fanny E. Butler 23
Mary E. Dent 26 Daughter;
widowed
Mary E. Dent 8 Granddaughter
Harry J. Dent 7 Grandson
Ella H. Dent 2 Granddaughter
Julia Tavis 25 Servant; born in
About 1881: Fanny
Butler married Ross E. Dent. They lived at 46 N. 36th St. He sold
heaters and ranges.
1895 Directory: James P. Butler
Joseph H. Dent [Jr.], clerk
Mary E. Dent, widow of Joseph H. [Sr.]
1900:
James P. Butler 77 Retired
merchant; born Aug., 1822
Mary Butler 80
Mary E. Dent 46 Daughter
Mary E. Dent 27 Granddaughter
Ella H. Dent 22 Granddaughter
In 1900, Joseph H. Dent, Jr. was a 2nd
Lieutenant serving in the Philippines. His age was listed as 29 and he was
single. He gave his home addresses as 202 N. 35th St., Philadelphia.
In August, 1902, the New York Times
reported that “Lieut. Joseph H. Dent of the Forty-seventh Infantry, United
States Army, who returned from the Philippine Islands, came to Atlantic City
to-day to claim his bride, Miss. Anna E. C. Savage.” He was promoted in 1909. In 1920, they were
living in Baltimore where he was an auditor.
Anna Savage’s family lived across
the street at 3425 Race St. She was only 17 when
they married.
1901, April 25: Death of James P. Butler; funeral services at his
late residence, 202 N. 35th St
1903, May 28: Death of Mary Baker Butler, widow of James P. Butler;
funeral services at her late residence, 202 N. 35th. St.
The property was inherited by Mary
Ella Dent and Ella H. Dent.
1920:
Mary Butler
Dent 65 Widowed; father born in Conn.; owner
with a mortgage
Mary Emma Dent 47 Teacher in
public school
Ella Hansell Dent 41
Letty Luther Riss
27 Lodger;
civil engineer; born in
Rebbecca Barley 52
Lodger; proofreader at newspaper
1930:
Mary Butler
Dent 76
Widowed; father born in Conn.;
owner, house valued at $2,000
Mary Emma Dent 54 Clerk
in office of Board of Education
Ella Hansell Dent
53
1940:
Mary B. Dent 86 Widowed; 4 years of high school; owner, house valued at
$7,000
Mary E. Dent 68 Public school teacher, earned $1,500 in 1939; 4 years of high
school
1950 Directory: Mary E. Dent
In 1950, her sister-in-law, Anna
Dent, lived across the street at 3425 Race St.
1956, May 11: Title transferred to Zise
and Anna Keiner by Mary E. Dent
Revised
8/14/2022