3300 Hamilton Street

(Alternative number: 416 N. 33rd St.)

 

Description: Description: Description: 3300hamilton

 

The History of the Building

 

414-416: “three-story Italianate style double with side entrance and porches; porch along Hamilton Street removed and- Circa 1905 three-story projecting bay added. 1905 two-story brick addition to rear. Original house has stucco over brick construction. Large ornate paired brackets below overhang of flat roof. 1920 one-story projecting bay addition to front of 414.”

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

 

1866, Apr. 18: Title for 414-416 N. 33rd St. transferred to John H. McIlvain by H. B. Baring

John H. McIlvain lived at 3305 Baring St. in 1870.

 

 

Previous Residents of 3300 Hamilton Street

 

1870 - 2nd enumeration, November

Charles McIlvain         25-29

Mary Mcilvain             20-24

Hattie McIlvain              1

Hiannah Hillman (?)    20-24

Alice Hillman              15-19

            Charles J. McIlvain was the son of John H. McIlvain, the owner of the house. ( Note: He is listed in this census as John.)

 

1872, Dec. 16: Title transferred to William E. Murphy by John H. McIlvain

 

1887 Directory: George Allen, Jr., musician

            In 1880, George Allen Jr. and his wife Priscilla lived at 4043 Sansom St. He was a bookkeeper for the Baldwin Locomotive Co. It also lists a daughter, Eliza age 16, and a son, John H. age 2.

            “George Allen, Jr. graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 1856. He... was admitted to the bar in Burlington, VT. in 1861, ... practiced law there until 1862 when he removed to Washington, DC where he worked in the Treasury Dept. In 1870 he made his home in Philadelphia where he was employed at the Baldwin Locomotive Works until 1882. He was then able to work as a professional musician. He taught violin and violoncello, was leader of the West Philadelphia Amateur Orchestra, and first violoncellist Philharmonic Orchestra, Philadelphia, from 1896 until at least 1901. He had four children by a first wife, all of whom died young.

            “His second wife was Priscilla Turner (Holloway) Allen. She and George had four children all born in Philadelphia; three died young. She was also a teacher of the violin.”  (Ancestors of Samuel Converse, Jr. vol. 2, 1905, pp. 796-8.)

            The reference includes the following photos of George, Priscilla, and Donald.

 

1890 Directory: George Allen, Jr.

 

1895: George Allen, Jr. was conductor of the West Philadelphia Amateur Orchestra. Priscila Allen served as secretary and treasurer of the organization.

 

1898: Mrs. George Allen, Jr. application for membership in the League of American Wheelmen (Good Roads, vol. 28 pg. 463 12/1898)

 

1898 Boyd’s Blue Book: Mr. and Mrs. George Allen, Jr. receiving day Wednesday

                                      Donald Edgecumbe Allen

 

1900:

George Allen, Jr.          62        Musician; born in Del., rather in Vt., mother in Mass.

Priscilla H. Allen          43        Married 23 years, 4 children, 1 surviving; born in [Steubenville,] Ohio

Donald E. Allen          13        Born in Del.

 

1910:

Priscilla Allen              53        Widowed, 4 children; owned free of a mortgage

Donald Allen               23        Stationery salesman; married 1 year

            Donald Allen married Eileen MacWilliams in 1909. He died in 1918 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

1914, Oct. 5: “Well known Philadelphia women were among the passengers who arrived here today from battle-torn lands on the steamship Merlon, bringing with them graphic tales of the war. The vessel, after an uneventful voyage of 11 days from Liverpool, docked at 9:40 o'clock at the foot of Washington avenue.

            “The Philadelphians said that never in their lives had they been so glad to see the shores of America. They were among the 186 first-cabin passengers on the Merion. They had fled with others from the very centre of Europe's conflict after seeing unforgettable scenes. One passenger had seen a German soldier thrust a spear through the chest of a white haired old man because he did not die quick enough of gun-shot wounds.

            “Among the Philadelphia women who arrived today were… Mrs. George Allen. 3300 Hamilton street….” (Evening Public Ledger, Oct. 5, 1914)

 

1916: “Wanted – To rent on long lease, large house, suitable for club, modern, in good condition, reasonable, convenient to Broad st. and Terminal. Donald Allen, 3300 Hamilton st.” (Phila. Inquirer, May 24, 1916)

 

1920:

Priscilla Allen              60        Widowed; born in Ohio; owner with a mortgage

Mabel Allen                 28        Daughter-in-law; widowed; mother born in Del.

Priscilla E Allen           3 yrs, 5 mons. Granddaughter

Charles Titus               60        Servant; black

Candes Titus                59        Servant; black

 

1930:

Priscilla Allen              69        Widowed; born in Ohio; owner with a mortgage, house valued at $20,000

Maybel Allen               36        Daughter-in-law; widowed

Priscilla E. Allen          13        Granddaughter

 

< 414 N. 33rd                                                                                              3302 Hamilton >

Revised 8/11/2021

Visit the Powelton Village Historical Interactive Map

Contact Us                                                                               About Powelton Village