3305 Baring Street
The
History of the Building
1856, Apr.
18: Title for 3305 Baring St. and 3306 & 3304 Hamilton St. transferred to
John H. McIlvain by H. B. Baring
John
H. McIlvain lived on Spring Garden St. (then Bridge St.) above N. 34th
St. (5th St., Mantua).
1865: It is
clear that a house was built here during 1865 by John H. McIlvain. Maps
published in 1886 and 1892 shows that an addition was added to the rear along the
west side of the house.
“Second
Empire-style, two-and-one-half story, stone house with first-floor full-height
windows. Front has been refaced and repointed and porch removed. Paired, carved
robust scrolls below cornice. Slate shingles of mansard replaced with asphalt
shingles. Three dormers with segmental windowheads.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the national register of Historic
Places, 1985)
Previous Residents
1866 Directory (Fall, 1865): A[lfred] H. McIlvaine, clerk, 45 N.
Water h Baring & 33rd
1868 Directory: John H. McIlvain of John H. McIlvain & Sons
[reads “Baring near N. 33rd”]
1870:
John
[H.] McIlvain 55 Lumber
merchant; real estate: $30,000; personal: $60,000
Sally A. McIlvain 52 Born in N.J.
Haddie McIlvain 24
Alfred McIlvain 23 Clerk
in a lumber yard
Samuel McIlvain 21 Clerk in a
lumber yard
Laura McIlvain 11
Lerry Donahue 18 Domestic
servant; born in
Mary Bruchy 13 Domestic
servant; born in
1865 Directory lists John McIlvain, lumber merchant, NW corner
Baring & 33rd, 3301 Baring St. The
1867 directory lists him at 3417 Hamilton St.
1871 Directory: Edward L. Rogers flour at 2007 N. Water St. &
206 S. Delaware Ave.
Edward L.
Rogers married Harriet McIlvain. In 1880, they lived at 3411
Race St.
Alfred H. McIlvain, lumber at 2936 Market St.
John H. McIlvain of John H. McIlvain &
Sons (John H., Charles J. & Alfred H.), lumber at 3711 Lancaster Ave.
Samuel McIlvain, clerk at 3711 Lancaster Ave.
1877: John
H. McIlvain, West Philadelphia; 3305 Baring St.
Prof. Chem. and Min. Ornithologist
and Nat'st. [see 1885 obituary, below]
(A
Directory of the Ornithologists of the United States, 1877)
1880:
John [H.]
McIlvain 68 Gentleman
Sallie A.
McIlvain 58 Born in N.J., father in Pa., mother in N.J.
Laura McIlvain 21
Annie Richards 14 Servant;
born in
Alice Hannam 20 Servant
1883, Oct. 4: Title transferred to Charles J. McIlvain, Trustee
1884 Directory (Fall, 1883): Howard Watkin of Weimer, Wright
& Watkin William H. Weimer, Willard S. Wright, & Howard Watkin), shoes
at 808 Market St.
Laura McIlvain was married to Howard
Watkin.
1885, April 26: Death of John H. McIlvain of 3305 Baring St. Funeral
services at his late residence.
Obituary: “JOHN H. McILVAIN.
“John H. Mcllvain, a birthright
member of our Society, died at his residence in West Philadelphia, on the 26th
ult., in his seventy-seventh year.
“He was the eldest son of Hugh and
Hannah Mcllvain of West Philadelphia, and the grandson, on his mother's side,
of John and Rachel Hunt, the latter an approved minister of Darby Meeting. He
was thoroughly convinced of the truth of Friends' principles as he understood
them, and was a great admirer of the character and writings of William Penn.
Though a frequent attender of our little meeting in West Philadelphia, he took
no part in business meetings. For many years engaged in the lumber business on
the west side of the Schuylkill river, his courtesy and probity in dealing won
him many friends among his customers.
“He leaves a wife, three sons, two
daughters, and ten grandchildren, among whom, as well as other relatives and
friends, his gentle loving nature created for him a warm attachment, and by
whom he will be greatly missed.
“A sincere friend of the Indian
race, whose original character he deemed both noble and truthful, he made
several visits to their reservations in what was then considered the ‘far
West,’ and remained among them for months at a time, always parting from them
with friendly feelings on both sides.
“Frequently when a delegation passed
through Philadelphia, on their way to Washington, or on their return, he
managed to interest the whole party sufficiently to induce them to visit him at
his house. The Indians seemed always to recognize that he was their friend, and
he gained their attention when many others failed. The valuable museum of
objects relating to their customs and dress, which he has left, shows many
mementoes of their appreciation of his kindly attentions.
“He possessed great mechanical skill
in imitating some of their productions, notably, bows, arrows and arrow-heads,
which he made so deftly, that they could scarcely be distinguished from the
originals, which he had copied. The arrow-heads he made by the Indian mode of
chipping the mineral of which they were composed, by pressure, using hard
bones, precisely as the Indian workman did, and producing specimens, accurate
and of the highest finish.
“He was an earnest lover and close
observer of nature, and never seemed more at home than when among the
mountains, or on the great prairies of the West. This bent of mind made him an
ornithologist [sic.], and his intimate knowledge of the habits and notes of the
birds of our country, from personal observation, was shown, in the wonderful
skill with which his specimens were mounted, always true to nature, a skill, as
competent judges have testified, second to none in this country, and to which,
the beautiful collection in his museum bears visible evidence. In this
interesting pursuit he mostly hunted and killed his birds, and although a good
shot he never destroyed life without an object, and when sufficient specimens
were secured, desisted from his work.
“On such subjects as he was
interested in he was a fluent talker, and his conversation was often very
instructive and interesting.
West
Philadelphia, Fifth mo. 3d, 1885.”
(Friends' Intelligencer, Fifth month, 9,
1885)
1885, May 26: Death of Helen Watkin, 7 months years old, daughter
of Howard and Laura Watkin of 3305 Baring St. Burial at Mt. Moriah Cemetery,
63rd & Kingsessing Ave. (Phila. Death Index)
1885, Jun. 22: Title transferred to Howard Watkin & Laura
(McIlvain), his wife by Charles J. McIlvain, Trustee
1890 Directory: Howard Watkin (Weimmer, Wright
& Watkin) h 3305 Baring
Isaac Watkin
In 1880,
Isaac and his son Howard lived at 143 11th St.
1892: Henry Watkin joined a lawsuit aimed at stopping the electric
trolleys on Baring St. to replace the old horse-drawn streetcars. (See the Powelton
History Blog for details.)
1892, Feb 12: Death of Lillian Watkin, 5 years, 6 months years
old,, daughter of Howard and Laura Watkin
of 3305 Baring St. Burial at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. (Phila. Death Index)
1893: Howard Watkin was one of the founders of the Powelton
Club.
1895, Mar. 31: Death of Charles J. McIlvain, 52 years old; burial
at W. Laurel Hill.
He was the oldest son (and second
born) of John H. and Hannah McIlvain. He previously lived at 3407 Baring St.
1897, Jan. 25: Death of Isaac Watkin, 88 years
old, of 3305 Baring St.
1900:
Howard Watkin 41 Dry
goods merchant; married 16 years
Laura M[cIlvain] Watkin 41 Married
16 years, 4 children, 2 surviving; mother born in N.J.
Frank M. Watkin 10
Margarite Watkin 7
Sarah McIlvain 83 Mother-in-law; born in N.J.
Delia McFadden 22 Cook;
born in
Annie Kenney 20 Chambermaid;
born in
“Weimer, Wright & Watkin, Boots, Shoes and Rubbers, 837
MARKET ST., PHILADELPHIA.
“The ‘Three W's,’ which is the trade
mark of this long established firm, signifies equally the initials of the firm
and the legend "We Wear Well." It is familiar to the shoe trade of
the country, and especially in the states of
“This firm was founded in 1875,
locating first at
“At the present location, the
several floors of a substantial building are heavily stocked with every style
and size of leather and rubber footwear to be found in the market, and which is
probably unequalled by any other house in the city.
“The wholesale price list issued to
the trade includes 118 styles of Ladies' Wear, 25 of Misses', nearly 150 of
Children's and Misses', 41 of Brogans and Plow Shoes, 223 of various kinds of
Men's and Boys' Shoes, besides a long series of Base Ball, Tennis and Bicycle
Shoes, Russet color goods, Boots, Slippers, Oxfords and Prince Alberts,
Rubbers, Shoe Findings and Overgaiters.”
(For a photo of their
factory and a paragraph on why “No
people in the world are as well shod upon such remarkably cheap terms as the
Americans,” see The
city of Philadelphia as it appears in the year 1894, p 224.)
1902, Jan. 5: “MAN AND WIFE – Wanted colored man
and wife; man for housework; woman as cook; want references. 3305 Baring st.” (Inquirer) Ads for household servants were common in
this period, but this ad is unusual for the neighborhood. Powelton households
rarely advertised for blacks or for couples. Ads for housework were usually for
women who might also be expected to cook.
1902, June 21: “FOR SALE – Scotch canary bird.
Fine singer. 3305 Baring st.” (Inquirer)
1904:
Alfred E. Baker,
M.D., S.S.B.
Mrs. Anna B. White Baker, C.S.B.
Hours 1-5 Saturdays excepted.;
(Addresses of Christian Science
Practitioners: Christian Science Journal,
v. 22, pg. xx )
1907, Jul. 25: Title transferred to Francis J. Boas by Howard
& Laura Watkin
1909, Sep. 23: Title transferred to Harris J. Chilton by Francis
J. Boas
1910, Jul. 11: Title transferred to Francis J. Boas by sheriff
1910, Aug. 22: Title transferred to George B. Wells by Francis J.
Boas
“Transfers Baring Street House
“George B. Wells, the hatter, has
taken title to the two-story stone residence at 3305 Baring street, from
Francis J. Boas for a consideration of $10,000, which is $4,000 less than the
assessed valued of the property. Mr. Wells will occupy the property as his home
after alterations are completed.” (Inquirer, Aug 24)
In 1910, they lived at 3302
Baring St.
1911 Directory: George B. Wells hats at 1101 & 1317 Market
St., 2713 Germantown Ave. & 2452 Kensington Ave.
1913, Oct. 11: “UNIVERALIST
“Rev. Dr. John Clarence Lee will
preach at the Church of the Restoration tomorrow morning…. Wednesday evening
the Restoration Club will meet at the residence of George B. Wells, 3305 Baring
street.” (Inquirer)
1917: Edith May Wells, B. A. [class of ]‘02 M.A. ’06. (Annual Register of Alumnae Assoc. of
1920:
George B. Wells 66 Hat
manufacturer; born in Del., father in N.J., mother in
Helen L. Wells 64 Mother born in N.J.
Edith M. Wells 40 Secretary
for Y.W.C.A. in China
Annie D. Wells 37
Mary F. Carey 59 Sister;
widowed; born in Del., father in N.J., mother in
In 1910, they lived at 3302 Baring St. (See that page for biographical
information.) George died in 1936 when
they were living at 312 N. 33rd St. Helen
and the girls were still living there in 1940.
1925, March 29: Mr. and Mrs. Georg B. Wells, of
3305 Baring street, have been spending several days at the Chalfonte, Atlantic
City.” (Inquirer)
1925, Aug. 30: “Mr. and Mrs. George Wells, of
3305 Baring street, have returned from a six weeks’ trip to Panama and the
Pacific Coast. Their daughter, Miss Edith Wells, has arrived in China after
having spent a month with her parents. Miss Nan Wells has returned from a
months’ stay in Maine.” (Inquirer)
1930:
George B. Wells 76 Born
in Delaware; married at age 21; owner, house valued at $15,000
Helen L.
Wells 74 Married at age 19; mother born in N.J.
Edith M. Wells 50
Annie D. Wells 47 Secretary
1932, Nov. 2: Title transferred to Thomas McConnell, Jr. in Trust
for creditors of George B. Wells by George B. Wells
1937: Death of Charles S. Hicks, age 70
1940:
Ida D. Garren 50 Single;
4 years of high school
Royal B. Garren 27 Nephew;
previously an accountant for rubber manufacturer, unemployed in previous 52
weeks; 4 years of high school
Ida V. Garren 22 Niece;
stenographer for manufacturing co.; 4 years of high school
-- next household
Eugene Eschenbach 27 Lodger; order clerk
for candy co., earned $660 in 1939; single; 4 years of high school
George W. McStance 76 Lodger; single 4
years of college
Henrietta Glover 43 Lodger; born
in MD.; 4 years of high school
David Glover 4 Lodger
Margaret Setter 69 Lodger;
widow; 4 years of schooling
They lived here in 1935.
1943, Jun. 4: Title transferred to Hanna Monaghan and Gertrude
Monaghan by Thomas McConnell, Jr. in Trust for creditors of George B. Wells
The Monaghan family owned
neighboring 3309 Baring St. This transfer lead to a series of transfers which
had the result of reducing the frontage of 3305 by 4 feet.
1950 Directory:
1950:
Ida Garren 67 Practical nurse in private home, earned
$2,900 for 50 weeks of work in 1949; 12 years of schooling; single
Thomas Achenbach 65 Lodger; yard inspector for railroad;
single
Anna May Boyd 61 Lodger; Assembly worker at electrical
equipment plant; divorced; born in VA
Estelle Wehr 50 Lodger; registered nurse at dental
office; divorced; born in NY
Mamie Strarsberger 65 Lodger; widowed
Mary Hollister 70 Lodger; widowed for 20 years, had four
children; $560 in nonwage income in 1949; 6 years of schooling; parents born in
Ireland
Margaret Roberts 69 Lodger; single
Mary Lind 60 Lodger; matron at an institution, worked
20 hours in past week; widowed
Note: data on income,
education, and parents place of birth only available for every fifth person.
Detailed data on marital status and childbearing only available for one-in-ten.
1962, Feb. 24:
“Lovely Helen Moore of 3305 Baring st., and her little daughter, Germaine, will
leave the city (tonight) Friday for Boston, Mass. where they will spend their
weekend with friends. Mrs. Moore is one of the good citizens of our town who
has opened her home to African students in the Philadelphia area. One such
student is Mr. Wilfred Luhanga, a Drexel student from Tanganyika, who is
spending the weekend in Washington, D.C.” (“Social Whirl,” Phila. Tribune)