3404 Spring Garden Street

 

This building is no long standing.  It was replaced by 426-438 N. 34th St. in the early 1890s.

 

History

 

1865 Directory: James B. Ferree, Banker, 33 S 3rd, h 34th & Bridge

            The 1864 directory lists him at 204 N. 35th St.

 

1865 Directory: James B. Ferree, Banker, 33 S 3rd

                         Rev. H. Augustus Smith

            He was Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Mantua which became the Northminster Presbyterian Church at 3500 Baring St. in 1875.  He was Pastor from 1864-1882.  In 1866, his son, Rev. Charles A. Smith, D.D., married Louisa E. Andrews, daughter of Alexander and Amelia Andrews who lived at 3507 Baring St.

 

 

1866 Directory: James B. Ferree, Banker, 33 S 3rd

                         Rev. H. Augustus Smith

            In 1866, the Smith family moved to 329 N. 33rd St.  In 1880, they lived at 3705 Hamilton St.

 

1870 (June):

James B. Ferree            63        Retired merchant; real estate: $30,000, personal: $100,000

Mary A. Ferree             62

Elisabeth Ferree           38

Martha R. Ferree          32

Alice E. Ferree             24

Elvia H. Ferree            66

Frances R. Patterson      8

Hetty Murphy              24        Domestic servant; born in Ireland

Margaret O’Brien         24        Domestic servant; born in Ireland

            James Bark Ferree was born in 1806 near Lancaster, Pa.  He was a direct descendent of Mary Ferree, a Hugenot refugee who arrived in America in 1706.  She led a group of settlers who founded Pequea Township.  James was born in the Ferree homestead.  He married Mary Ann Patterson in 1829.  James Ferree died May 14, 1878.

            Their son, Samuel P. Ferree, lived at 3514 Spring Garden St. in 1870.

            Frances Rebecca Patterson was the daughter of Mary Ferree’s brother, James McJimsey Patterson (1813-1867).

            The 1881 directory lists Elizabeth Ferree living at 3600 Chestnut St.

 

1870, Nov. 2: Marriage of Alice Euphemia Ferree to Moses Hampton Todd

            In June 1870, Moses H. Todd lived with his sister’s family and his brother and sister-in-law at 401 N. 32nd St. (previously numbered 329).  They were married by Rev. H. A. Smith who previously lived with the Ferree family (see 1866 above).  At the time of the second enumeration in 1870 (Nov. 21) they were living at 3703 Baring St.  In 1880, they lived at 3303 Race St.

 

1871, Sep. 4: Death of Mary Ann (Patterson) Ferree

 

1880:

Amelia Brisben            60        Father born in Ireland

Hugh Brisben              40        Druggist

Horace Brisben            36        Gentleman

William Brisben           34        Gentleman

Carrie Brisben                9        Granddaughter

Lena Cattrall                22        Servant; black; born in Maryland

Christopher James       24        Servant; black; born in Maryland

            Amelia Brisben was the widow of James C. Brisben (1806-1850).  They lived in Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.

 

1881 Directory: Horace E. Brisben

                         William H. Brisben

            The 1878 directory lists Horace E. Brisban, liquors, and Hugh B. Brisban, drugs, both with the business address 311 Vine. St. Hugh’s home address was 413 N. 6th St.

 

1881, Feb. 14: Death of Amelia S. Brisben

 

1886 Baist Atlas: owned by William Bliss

 

1887 Directory: Joshua R. Howell

                         Elizabeth H. Comly, physician

            In 1880, they lived at 3720 Spring Garden St.

 

1888: Marriage of Elizabeth H. Comly to Joshua R. Howell.

            He was her widowed brother-in-law.  His wife, Deborah, died at age 46 on Dec. 25, 1882 when they were living at 3720 Spring Garden St.

 

1889: Meets held here led to the establishment of the West Philadelphia Hospital for Women in 1889.  Dr. Elizabeth Comly Howell played a central role in the hospital.  For a brief history of the hospital, see the Powelton History Blog, April 5, 2013.

 

1890 Blue Book: Elizabeth H. Comly Howell, M.D.

                          Joshua R. Howell

                              In 1880, he, his wife, Deborah, and their two-year-old daughter, Deborah, lived with Elizabeth Comly (Deborah’s sister) at 3720 Spring Garden St.  His occupation was listed as farmer.

                          Elizabeth L. Peck, physician at N. 41st corner of Ogden [West Philadelphia Hospital for Women]

 

1891 Directory: Elizabeth H. C. Howell, physician

                         Joshua R. Howell

            In 1900, they lived in East Bradford, Chester, Pa. where he was a dairy farmer.  Elizabeth was listed as a physician.  His daughter was married to Francis D. Brinton.  They were all still living there in 1910.  Joshua was 84 and Elizabeth was 67.

 

< 438 N. 34th                                                                                                        3406 Spring Garden >

 

Revised 10/17/2014

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