207 N. 35th St., Philadelphia

207 N. 35th Street

The Southeast Corner of 35^th St. and Powelton Ave., 1865

Looking South across Powelton Ave.

by David J. Kennedy

(from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania)

Photos of the mansion taken by the Du Pont family c1885 are available from the Hagley Museum digital archives where it is labeled “Old Powel Mansion.”

View from the north. 2nd View from the north. View from across 35^th St.

A photo of Louisa d'Andelot du Pont, Peter Kemble, and Lou Belin that was probably taken c1886.

The History of the Building

The house is shown on the 1838 map of the area by John Reed. It is identified as the Ingersoll property. The DuPont family, which bought it in 1883, referred to it as the “Old Powel Mansion.” For a while, 35^th St. was called “Butcher’s Lane” after T. T. Butcher who owned the house from the 1840s to the 1860s. The house was later torn done to build the Hampton Court Apartments (see 209 N. 35^th St.). That was later torn down. This is now a large parking lot for Drexel University.

Previous Residents

1845-1848: deed transfer from Joseph B. Ingersoll to Thomas T. Butcher (no date given) (46, 360)

1849 Directory (compiled Fall of 1848): Thomas T. Butcher, merchant, 49 & 51 Water St., house: West Philadelphia.

The 1848 Directory lists him living at 307 Mulberry.

1850:

Thomas T. Butcher 35 Merchant; real estate holdings of $8,000

Elizabeth Butcher 30

Franklin Butcher 10

Amos W. Butcher 8

Thomas T. Butcher 6

Ellen E. Butcher 4

Morris Butcher 2

Margaret Collier 20

Hannah Power 20

“WASHINGTON BUTCHER'S SONS

“Washington Butcher's Sons, established 1760, pork packers, wholesale provision dealers, lard refiners, dealers in cotton seed oil, and sole agents for pure sugar loaf syrup.

“This eminent house was established while yet the American Colonies owed allegiance to the British Crown ; sixteen years before the Revolutionary War. It is by far the oldest house of its kind in the United States, having been founded by the great-greatgrandfather of the present Messrs. Butcher, Mr. John Butcher, who was succeeded by Mr. Job Butcher who built up the leading provision trade of the city of Philadelphia, numbering among his customers many of the most prominent merchants of that time. The present firm have in their possession among the inheritance handed down, papers and receipts of historic interest, displaying business transactions with Stephen Girard, Robert Morris, and others.

“Mr. Job Butcher was succeeded by Mr. Amos Butcher, and he was followed by the firm of T. T. & W. Butcher, and they were succeeded by Butcher Brothers, and they again by the well-known firm of Washington Butcher & Son, and in 1873, upon the decease of Mr. Washington Butcher, after a long, honorable, and eminently useful career, the present firm under the title of Washington Butcher's Sons was organized and continues the same character of business that has been carried on by this house for one hundred and thirty-one years. The principal office and warehouse being located at 146 and 148 North Front street. A branch house is also situated in Chicago, and they are in every way admirably equipped for doing a large wholesale trade in provisions, lard oils, cotton seed oils, and curing materials for packers. They also have a large cold storage warehouse, refrigerated by artificial refrigeration, having been one of the first houses to introduce this method, and a large cold storage business is done. They also have several large, well established, and well conducted retail markets in different sections of the city, where a general business is done in provisions, produce, and groceries.

“An appreciative, enterprising, progressive spirit has always characterized this firm and they have been leaders rather than followers in the march of modem methods and means in the conduct of business. Their well deserved reputation for honorable, upright business principles is well known all over the United States and in many foreign ports, where they have done business.”

(American, T. N. (1891). Philadelphia and Popular Philadelphians. Philadelphia, The North American. P 114)

“1882: The present firm consists of Howard Butcher [b 1856 or Jr b 1876] and Wm. S. Butcher.

“1893: The Washington Butcher Company was incorporated in 1893.

“1899: The Company, after one hundred and thirty-nine (139) years, closed out their business, the proprietors devoting their labor in another direction.”

(Association of Centenary Firms and Corporations of the United States. Association of Centenary Firms and Corporations of the United States. Edition: 2. Published by Christopher Cower Company, 1916, pp 37-8)

1850: “25 January 1850. In the evening went over to the party given by Mrs. Tyson Butcher in West Philadelphia with the Misses Harriet & Mary B. Carter. They live very nicely and plainly in a fine house on the Road or Street passing from Mantua Village to West Philadelphia. There were several brides there. Spent a pleasant evening though a very quiet one as we had no dancing, though some excellent singing.” Note: Erwin was married later that year. (from: “The Journal of J. Warner Erwin 1839 - 1854.")

1856 Directory: “Butcher Thomas T., mer., h 6^th (WP)”

1858 Directory: “Butcher Thomas T., office 112 S 4^th, h 35^th & Race (WP)”

1860:

Thomas T. Butcher 42 Merchant; real estate: $100,000, personal: $200,000

Elizabeth H. Butcher 39

Davis F. Butcher 18 Broker apprentice

Amos W. Butcher 17

Thomas T. Butcher 15

Ellen E. Butcher 14

Morris Butcher 10

Alf L. Butcher 7

Cath M. Butcher 6

Joa Dink 18 Servant; born in Ireland

Anna Ring 20 Servant; born in Ireland

Han Raln 23 Dress maker

In 1860, Thomas T. Butcher and a number of associates incorporated the West Philadelphia Market Co. The incorporation papers state that:

“the object and purpose of said corporation shall be to erect and maintain suitable building or building and stalls, with all things necessary for the use thereof, at any place within the limits of the Twenty· fourth ward, city of Philadelphia, the same to be appropriated and used as a public market house, for the sale and vending of meats and vegetables, and all other kinds of victuals and provisions whatever, and such other edible as the board of managers may deem proper; Provided, That all farmers, wherever resident, shall have all the rights, privileges and immunities, in renting stalls and selling produce therefrom, that is or may be granted to any citizen of Philadelphia or elsewhere.”

The associates included Charles B. Truitt (3609 Spring Garden St.) and J. Henry Askin (3509 Baring St.)

1861 Directory: Davis F. Butcher, banker

Thomas T. Butcher

1865, March 9: Ellen Elizabeth Butcher married Robert Glendenning. The wedding was performed at the residence of the bride's father by Dr. Thomas S. Johnson, Pastor of St. John's Reformed Church, Lebanon, Pa. Rev. Johnson was the minister of the First Mantua Presbyterian Church (later Northminster Presbyterian) from 1853 to 1864.

They lived at 2002 Spruce St. His parents lived at 3405 Baring St.

1866 Directory: Thomas T. Butcher, banker, 112 S 4^th, h 35^th & Race

1870: The Hastings Institute also known as the Mantua Academy and, later, as the West Philadelphia Academy

Fulton W. Hastings 45 School Teacher, born in Ohio, Real Estate: $5,500; property: $4,000.

Mary E. Hastings 36

William W. Hastings 9

Samuel Hastings 5

George E. Hastings 1

Thomas J. Stewart 25 teacher

“THOMAS J. STEWART. Mr. Stewart is a native of Dauphin County, Pa., where he was born June 10, 1845. His early educational advantages were very limited. When fifteen years old he spent a few months at Palmyra Academy, but was soon obliged to seek means of self support, which he found in a country clerkship. Following this vocation for two or three years, he then (1864) enlisted in the Union army. On his return he entered the Cumberland Valley Institute, where he remained two years. He taught penmanship and German for three years in Mantua Academy, Philadelphia, meanwhile studying the higher mathematics and the languages. He was afterward employed in the counting house of Jacob Riegel & Co., in Philadelphia, and then accepted the position of chief accountant for the Lebanon Valley Rolling Mills. For seven years he was the principal teacher in the Capitol City Business College at Trenton. He is now associate principal of Stewart & Hammond's Business College, in that city. His experience has been somewhat varied, and he is one of the best of our commercial teachers.” (Gaskell's Guide to Writing. George A. Gaskell. 1884)

Students:

George W. Elder 19

1860: son of Samuel and Margaret elder, ran a “boarding inn,” Wilkins, Allegheny, PA

1880: Marysville, Yuba, California, retail grocer

James C. Ernest 16 born in Kentucky

1880: Passenger agent for the KCRR RR, Covington Ken.

James M. Stewart 19

Edward M. Stewart 17

Brothers, from Indiana, Indiana, Pennsylvania (1860). Wm M (40 in 1860) & Elizabeth F. (35) Stewart parents. Both born in PA Father was an attorney & lawyer

1880, family living in Phila on Walnut (2000 block?). 1870 family on Spruce St. (2^nd enum only)

William W. Dorris 18 (Mar. 1852)

The son of William and Julia M Dorris, 1880-1910 in Huntingdon, Huntingdon, PA. His father was a lawyer and he became a lawyer. In 1900, still living with his parents and is widowed. Father is President of “1^st National Bank.” He attended the school from 1868-1870.

Thomas Johnson 16

George Reynolds 18

James Reynolds 16

Frank Reynolds 13

1860: James and Frank match with parents Frank ( a blacksmith from Ireland) and Maria Reynold(no s), Phila, 15^th Ward; HOWEVER, James is just a stone mason in 1880

John C. Kerr 18 born in Delaware

Edward Ottero 12 born in Spain

Robert Martindell 13 born in Michigan

John M. Hartings [Jr.] 15 [Fulton Hasting’s nephew by his brother, John M. Hastings, Sr.]

Hannah Cullom 25 “at home”

Staff:

George Allen 44 servant, born in Virginia, “mulatto”

Bridget Kerrigan 18 domestic servant, born in Ireland

Emma Allen 25 domestic servant, born in Virginia, “mulatto”

Nora Orimus 45 domestic servant, born in Ireland

Mary McDermott 27 domestic servant, born in Ireland

In August, 1864, the Philadelphia Inquirer included ads for Professor F. W. Hastings’ English and Classical Academy at the corner of Powelton Ave. and 34th St. A similar ad in September, 1863 states that “instruction will be given in all branches of an English, Scientific and Classical coarse, and in vocal Music, Military Tactics and Penmanship.”

In May, 1863, Frank Hastings was listed in IRS records on Baring St.

(IRS 1863 District 8, Division 4, p 98)

Local students who attended the Hasting or Mantua Institute included John H. Wanner (3527 Hamilton St.), Charles Brooks (204 N. 35^th St.) and George S. Burroughs (3507 Hamilton St.).

1872: Hopkins Atlas shows the owners as Anthony & Hall

1878: the Scott Atlas shows the owner as George A. Fletcher.

1880:

Fulton W. Hastings 52 Professor/teacher; born in Ohio

Mary E. Hastings 41

William Hastings 19 Salesman

Samuel Hastings 15

George Hastings 11

Howard Hastings 7

Bridget Bergan 28 Servant; born in Ireland

Kate Daily 24 Servant; born in Ireland

Mary McDonald 45 Servant; born in Ireland

1883, July 17: transfer from George A. Fletcher to Lammot DuPont.

The Du Pont family lived across the street at 3500 Powelton Ave. Lammot Du Pont built a chemistry lab on the second floor where his son, Pierre Du Pont, began his study of chemistry.

c1894-c1908: This was the Powelton Club, a club for gentlemen. See the Powelton History Blog for a history of the Powelton Club.

< 209 N 35th 201 N 35th >

Revised: 7/23/2021

Visit the Powelton Village Historical Interactive Map