3323 Powelton Avenue
The
History of the Building
Built
by William S. Kimball
3321-31:
“red brick Victorian
double houses with wood porches; 'segmental windows at first and second floors;
pressed brick rosettes in facade between third floor windows; each house has
two gabled wood dormers, except for 3329-31, where each half has one dormer.
Probably by designed G.W. and W.D. Hewitt.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
1877, Jan. 4:
Title for 3319-3331 Powelton Ave., 309-313 N. 34th St. and 3319-3321 Pearl St.
transferred to Emma W. Shipper by Henry H. Houston and wife
1877, Jan. 4: Title for 3319-3331 Powelton Ave.,
309-313 N. 34th St. and 3319-3321 Pearl St. transferred to Emma W. Shipper by
Henry H. Houston and his wife.
1882, Oct.
12: Title for 3319-3331 Powelton Ave., 309-313 N. 34th St. and 3319-3321 Pearl
St. transferred to William S. Kimball by Emma W. Shipper
The 1883 city directory lists William S. Kimball as a
builder at S. 41st and Chestnut streets living at 404 S. 42nd
St.
1882, Nov.
16: From the Inquirer:
“Building improvements are active at this time. Among the more important
permits issued recently by the building inspectors:… seven three-story,
northeast corner Thirty-fourth and Powelton avenue….”
1883, Apr.
23: Title for 3319-3331 Powelton Ave., 309-313 N. 34th St. and 3319-3321 Pearl
St. transferred to John Rea by William S. Kimball
It’s likely that Kimball had ran into financial difficulties. In
September 1883, he advertised his 15-room mansion for sale “at reduced price.”
(Inquirer, Sept. 26)
The next day, title was transferred to Sanford P.
Campbell.
Previous Residents of
3323 Powelton Avenue
1885, Aug. 17: Title transferred to Sarah
H. Pence, et al. by Sanford P. Campbell & wife
1886 Directory: Comly Elizabeth P., widow
of Isaac
The 1885
directory lists her at 615 N. 17th St.
1887
Directory: Elizabeth P. Comly, widow
Francis B. Peirce
Ruth A. Peirce
Sarah H. Peirce
Elizabeth Oliver (Peirce) Comly (1813-1888)
1888, Dec.
19: Death of Elizabeth Oliver Peirce Comly, 74 years old, widow of Isaac Comly In 1880, they
lived at 615 N. 17th St. He was a physician who died in 1882. She
was born Dec. 25, 1813 in Chester Co. Ruth DeCou and Francis, Sarah and Oliver Peirce (see below) were
three of her younger siblings. Another sibling, Cyrus N. Peirce, moved across
the street into 3316 Powelton Ave. in 1895.
1890 Directory: Comly Frances
1891 Directory: Peirce Oliver
Peirce Sarah H.
1891, April
10: Marriage of Anna Peirce Shoemaker to Alfred Justice Ferris.
They
later lived at 3409 Baring St.
1892, Dec.
22: Marriage of Ruth Peirce to William E. DeCou
William
DeCou was previously married to Catherine Middleton who died in 1890.
1895
Directory: William DeCou
Francis B. Peirce
Oliver H. Peirce
Sarah H. Peirce
Thomas O. Peirce
1898, June
13: Death of Sarah H. Peirce, 75 years old
1900:
Oliver Peirce 59 Capitalist; mother born in N.H.; owner
with a mortgage
Ruth DeCou 67 Sister; married 50 years, no children
William DeCou 78 Brother-in-law; capitalist
Frances B. Peirce 73 Sister; single
Thomas O. Peirce 22 Nephew; lawyer; mother born in Ohio
Frederick Peirce 20 Nephew; at school; mother born in Ohio
Mary Diver 47 Servant; single
Thomas
and Frederick were the sons of Joshua and Mary (Thomas) Peirce, who lived in
Tacoma Washington. They were students at the University of Pennsylvania. Thomas
was a student the Law School and was awarded an LL.B. in 1900. Frederick
received a B.S.E. degree in 1902.
1905: Death of
William DeCou
He is
buried at Crosswicks Community Cemetery, North Crosswicks, Mercer Co., New
Jersey with his first wife.
1905, Nov.
16: Marriage of Margaret V. Smitheman to Thomas O. Peirce
From
1886 until her marriage, she lived with her parents at 3510 Hamilton St.
1907
Directory: Ruth P. DeCou, widow of William
1909, Oct. 30:
“At a meeting of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s sub-committee on Color People,
held the 23rd, Ruth Peirce DeCou, 3323 Powelton Avenue, Philadelphia, was
appointed treasurer and will received and forward donations in money to the
Laing School at Mnt. Pleasant, S. C., and the Schofield School at Aiken, S. C.,
as the donor may direct.” (Friends’
Intelligencer)
1910:
Ruth P. DeCou 74 Widowed,
5 children, 3 surviving
Frances B. Peirce 80 Sister; single
Oliver Peirce 69 Brother; single
Mary Diver 50 Servant; single; born in Ireland
1912
Directory: Ruth P. DeCou, widow of William
In
1920, Ruth DeCou lived in Worcester, Mass.
1915, Jan.
8: Death of Oliver Pierce, 71 years old. His body was cremated and the ashes
sent to Bristol, Pa.
1919, Nov.
2: Death of Frances B. Peirce, 92 years old. Her body was cremated and her
ashes were to be scattered.
<
3325 Powelton 3321 Powelton >
Revised 8/13/2021