3321 Hamilton Street

 

The History of the Building

 

The northern edge of this property was part of the northern boundary of the Bingham-Baring estate.

 

3319-3321: “two-and-one-half story Second Empire style brick double. 3321 has one-story entrance bay added; porch originally wrapped around to side. Victorian porch added. Later .alterations to second floor projecting bays and shingling of entrance bay, and residing of mansard. Asphalt shingles.”

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

 

Previous Residents

 

1880:

Charles R. Crain           31        Agralist (?); born in Ohio

Susan E. Crain             29

Edward Crain                2        Born in Ohio

Nellie Crain                 2 months

Lillie Stoler                  21        Sister-in-law; born in Ohio

Edward C. Crain          25        Brother; traveling agent

Anna McGarver           22        Servant; born in Ireland

John Castle                  25        Boarder; bookkeeper; born in Ohio

Clara Castle                 24        Boarder; born in Ohio

 

1881 Directory: Charles R. Crain, manager at 216 N. Broad St.

                         Edward C. Crain, salesman

                                    The 1887 Directory lists Edward as a manager living at 833 Windsor Sq.

            In 1900, Charles and his family lived in Springfield, Ohio.  (Their son Edward was listed as Charles E.)  He was listed as a manufacturer.  A brief obituary reads: “Charles R. Crain, president of the Crain-Desormoux Plumbing Co., of Springfield, O., died last week at his home in that city. Mr. Crain was also president of the Springfield National Bank, and he was one of the best known business men in his city.” (Domestic Engineering and the Journal of Mechanical Contracting, Volume 83, No. 1, April 6, 1918)

 

1881-1884 Directories: George Burnham, Jr., clerk

            Anna Lewis Burnham purchased a lot at 214 N. 34th St. in 1882.  At the same time, the neighboring lot was purchased by Anna Burnham Lewis, her sister-in-law (and George’s sister).  The two families probably moved there in 1884.

 

1881, Aug. 29: Charlotte Lewis reported in her diary that she went with her daughter and son-in-law, Anna and George Burnham, Jr., “to look at houses in the morning. in the afternoon E. [her husband Enoch] Anna & I went & secured Mr. Massey’s dove cote on Hamilton below 34th.”

 

1881, Oct. 11:  Anna (Lewis) and George Burnham, Jr. moved into 3321.  In her diary, her mother, Charlotte Lewis (later at 3405 Powelton Ave.), described it as “a cozy little home” and called it a “bird’s nest.”

 

1886, January: Deed transferred from Louis Massey (Trustee will of Lambert R. Massey (deceased) to George Lescure.

 

1890 & 1891 Directories: Andrew McKinstry, buyer at 801 Market

 

1898 Blue Book: Henry T. Stoddart was a member of the Powelton Club. (For a brief history of the club, see the Powelton History Blog.)

 

1900:

Herbert Heston           45        Fire Marshal at Broad St. Station; renting

E. Emma Heston         42        Married 24 years, 1 child; father born in Germany

Herbert Heston           23        Wool salesman

Henrietta Townsend    19        Servant; black; born in Delaware

Sadie Sittell                  19        Servant; black; born in Virginia

            The 1890 city directory lists him living at 3301 Haverford Ave. in Mantua.  In 1910, they lived at 214 N. 33rd St.  The 1950 directory lists Herbert Heston, Jr., wool, 28 S. Front St.

 

Herbert Heston, Jr. (1876-1951)

 

1904, Apr. 4: Marriage of Susan Lippincott Craig of 3417 Baring St. to Herbert Heston, Jr.

            See Susan Craig’s photo on page for 3417 Baring St.

 

1910:

Rodney Allen               39        Railroad contractor

Charlotte Allen            37        Married 13 years, 2 children

Elizabeth Allen            11

Charles [Gilpin] Allen              10

Ollie Hill                     30        Servant; black; born in Virginia

            Charlotte Gilpin was the daughter of Charles and Ida Gilpin and the granddaughter of former Philadelphia Mayor Charles Gilpin.  She grew up at 3631 Hamilton St.  In 1900, Rodney and Charlotte lived at 4811 Windsor Ave.  In 1898, they lived at 2037 60th St.

 

1917, January: Deed transferred from Mary C. Lescure (Exe of Will of George & Mary C. Lescure (widow) to J. Howard Cloud.

 

1917 Draft Registration: Charles Gilpin Allen, chemist with Barrett Co.

 

1920:

Rodney D. Allen          49        Superintendent of a wood mill; father born in N.J.

Charlotte Allen            47

Elizabeth Allen            21

Charles G. Allen          19        [no occupation listed]

            In 1930, Charles and his wife were living at 307 W. Ashdale St.  He was a chemist with a lithium battery company.

 

1930:

Catherine Jones            59        Widowed; mother born in Ireland; owner, house valued at $5,500

(ED 396, 5A)

 

1940:

Mrs. Henry Jones         69        Widow; owner-value $4,000; 8 yrs. school

James Clark                 25        Lodger; life insurance salesman, earned $950 in 1939; single; born in Md. 4 yrs. high school

 

< 414 N. 34th                                                                                                                                    3319 Hamilton>

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Revised 10/11/2021

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