314 North 37^th Street

“Pearl Court”

This was originally two houses: 3711 and 3713 Smedley St.

In the city directories, they were sometimes listed as rear of 316 N. 37^th St.

The History of the Building

312-314: “two two-story, four-register brick houses was originally a double house. Pents over entrances added later. then one entrance to each altered to window. Bracketed wood cornice”

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

1867, Jun. 24: Title for 312-318 N. 37th St. transferred to Elizabeth J. Askin by George E. Askin

On the same day, he transferred title to 3708-3712 Baring St. to her.

George E. Askin and Elizabeth J. Askin were siblings of J. Henry Askin. They were early investors in and residents of Powelton having moved to 3509 Baring St. in late 1858/59. The family sold much of their Powelton properties in 1867-‘68 and purchased 297 acres in Delaware Co. The development they began building there became Wayne.

312-314 are shown on the 1872 G. M. Hopkins Atlas.

Previous Residents of 3711 Smedley

1880: 3711 Smedley

John K. Higbee 59 Carpenter, was unemployed for 6 months in past year

Elizabeth C. Higbee 33

Mary H. Higbee 12

Kate Roe 39 Boarder, perfumer

Mary M. Caldwell 16 Boarder; works in a silk factory, was unemployed for 9 months in past year; born in N.J., parents born in Pa.

John K. Knight and Elizabeth Crisman Caldwell were married in 1867. Mary Caldwell was her sister. The 1887 directory lists John K. Higbee, carpenter, living at 2443 Sharswood

Previous Residents of 3713 Smedley

1880: 3713 Smedley

Charles H. Wright 24 Worked in a car shop; parents born in England

Martha F. Wright 27

Charles Henry Wright and Martha Ann Fell were married Jan. 1, 1880 in Philadelphia.

1880, Oct. 8: Birth of Mary Ann Wright

A second daughter, Martha Charles Henry Wright was born Nov. 8, 1882 after the death of her father. Charles died in 1882 when they were living at 518 N. 37^th St. (just above Spring Garden St.).

Previous Residents of 314 N. 37^th

1910:

Alfred P. Lee 38 Dentist; father born in Md., renting

Edith McC. Lee 33 Married 7 years, 2 children, 1 surviving

William M. Lee 6

Rebecca J. Lee 72 Mother; widowed, one child

1911 Directory: Alfred P. Lee dentist at 1728 Chestnut St.

Rebecca J. Lee, widow of William M.

1912: “To Rent – A Detached House, ten rooms, standing back from the main street in the best residential portion of West Philadelphia. 314 N. 37^th st.; free from noise and trolleys; at a rental of $28 per month; especially suited to an elderly couple who desire retirement and a small compact house in an excellent neighborhood.” (Inquirer, Oct. 27)

1920:

Elizabeth Higgins 39 Church social worker; parents born in Ireland; renting

Margaret Rush 49 Companion; born in Ireland, immigrated in 1888, naturalized citizen in 1895

1930:

John Dumont 50 Machinist for auto manufacturer; married at age 22; renting for $55 per month

Alice Dumont 42 Married at age 18

Zita Dumont 6

-- 2^nd household

Charles Bower 65 Salesman; first married at age 45; renting for $35 per month

Lucy Bower 66 First married at age 46

In 1920, Charles and Lucy Bower lived at 515 N. 33^rd St.

1940:

Anna Franklinfield 46 Visitor for Board of Education, earned $2,300 in 1939; single; 4 years of high school; renting for $40 per month

Katharyn Franklinfield 43 Sister; visiting nurse, earned $2,100 in 1939; single; 4 years of high school

In 1930, Anna E. Franklinfield and Katharyn M. Franklinfield lived at 1430 Girard Ave. They were born in Flemington, Clinton Co., Pa. to John and Barbara Franklinfield. He was a day laborer. Anna married Henry R. Ware. She retired as a special education teacher in January 1958 and they moved to Muncy, Pa. Anna and Kathryn both died in 1959.

1950:

1^st Floor

Kathryn Frankenfield 53 Visiting nurse for aid society, earned $3,500 in wages plus $50 from other sources; single; 12 years of schooling

Anna F. Vare 56 Sister; high school counselor, earned $4,200 in 1949

John Frankenfield 80 Father; widowed

Henry R. Vare 64 Brother-in-law; born in MD

2^nd Floor

? Sweeney 53 Working full-time, occupation unknown; widowed

? Milligan 40 Partner; working full-time, occupation unknown; single

Information of income and parents place of birth only available from every fifth person plus total for other persons in their household

1960, Jan.: Marriage license issued to Alva Jones (23) of 314 N. 37th St. and David Buxenbaum (22) of 3506 Powelton Ave.

1968 Directory: Moberg K., 2nd floor