3812 Lancaster
Avenue
“three-story,
two-register brick rowhouse~ stuccoed. First floor
commercial front; 1ater, wood panelIed for church
use. Bracketed wood cornice. Intrusion”
(Inventory
of Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the
National Register of Historic Places, 1985)
The building is
shown in the 1878 Scott Atlas. It is not shown in the Hopkins Atlas that was
published in 1872. However, those maps were probably completed in 1870 in time
for the engraving to be done before printing. The first-floor commercial front
was probably added at the end of the century. There was probably a one-story
kitchen behind the front rooms that was replaced by a later addition.
The
History
1859, Apr. 29: Title transferred to Henry A. Cram by Lewis H. Redner,
Trustee
1871, May 1: Title transferred to Abraham Williamson by Henry A. Cram
1872 Directory
(Fall 1871): Williamson Abraham, plasterer
The
1870 directory lists him as a plasterer living at 3642 Filbert St.
1873 Directory:
Williamson Abraham, segars
1874 Directory:
Williamson Abraham, plasterer
1878 Directory:
Williamson Abraham, segars
1879, Feb. 17: Title transferred to Edward H. Cloud by Abraham Williamson
1879, Jul. 3: Title transferred to Walter L. Callahan by Edward H. Cloud
1880:
Abel Cassel 27 Driver
Annie H. Cassel 27 Born
in Ireland
Anna B. Cassel 8 months
Andrew Black 20 Boarder;
button maker
John McGrath 30 Boarder;
employee of railroad; born in Ireland
Patrick Conway 35 Boarder;
employee of railroad; born in Ireland
James Duffy 35 Boarder; employee of railroad; born in Ireland
Partick Durken 35 Boarder; driver; born in Ireland
Mary Bennett 49 Servant; parents born in Germany
Clara Bennett 6
The
1877 Directory lists Able K. Cassell, teamster, living at 2035 Kater St.
1881 Directory:
Abel K. Cassell
Patrick Conway, laborer
James Duffy, laborer
In
1900 to 1920, the Cassell family lived at 3840 Baring St. They had a younger
son, William, born about 1885.
1889 Directory:
John C. Stecklein, grocer
1890 Census
Veterans Schedule” John C. Stickline, Corporal, Co.
C, Regiment 6; July 1861-Aug. 1862.
C1890: Fred M. Pyle attended the Polytechnic College 1881-’82 (Historical
Record of the Polytechnic College of the State of Pennsylvania)
1891 Directory:
John C. Stecklein, grocer
1895
Directory: William S. Caldwell, painter
James Lacey, laborer
1896, Nov. 14: Death of William Frederick Schommot,
60-years-old. Burial at West Laurel Hill Cemetery.
1897, Feb. 21: “COACHMAN or gardener wants steady situation; good horseman and
careful driver. A1 references. Address 3812 Lancaster avenue.”
(Inquirer)
1899: Ad: “BED AND TABLE LINEN washed and ironed, 25c, a dozen, including one
spread each week. Family clothes washed and starched ready for ironing, 5c lb.
Shirts, 10c; collars and cuffs, 2c. Lace curtains and blankets our specialty. A
postal brings our wagon. MODERN LAUNDRY. 3812 Lancaster ave.”
(Inquirer, Nov. 5)
In
subsequent years, they were constantly posting want ads for experienced help.
1900: Not found in the census.
c1900: Nonequal Laundry (from: Annual report of the Chief Factory
Inspector ... By Pennsylvania. Dept. of Factory Inspection.)
1903, Apr. 6: Title transferred to Mary Strong by Morris P. Callahan
1905, Jul. 8: Title transferred to Joseph R. Brown by Mary Strong
Joseph
R. Brown was born in 1856 in Chester Co.
1906 Director:
Joseph R. Brown, carpenter at 3812 Lancaster Ave., home 614 N. Union St.
Clyde L. Brown, carpenter, home 614 N. Union St.
1908 to 1910 Directories: Clyde L. Brown, carpenter, home 3812 Lancaster Ave.
Joseph
R. Brown, carpenter, home 3812 Lancaster Ave.
The
1910 census lists them living at N. 614 Union St. Joseph was 53 and married to
Margaret M. Brown (48). They had been married 29 years and had two children.
Their son, Clyde (28), lived with them and was recently married. Joseph died in
August 1927 when he was still living at 614 N. Union St.
1927, Aug. 19: Title transferred to Margaret Brown by will of Joseph R.
Brown
1930:
Leroy T. Brittingham 39 Runs
a garage; married at age 20; born in MD; renting
Elsie E. Brittingham 39 Married
at age 20; born in MD
Elizabeth Brittingham 18 Operator
in a shirt factory; born in MD
Leroy T. Brittingham 14 Born
in MD
Harriett J. Brittingham 8 Born
in MD
Norma Brittingham 4 Born
in MD
Hugh J. Brittingham 1 Born
in MD
Annabelle Morris 65 Lodger
Leroy
Thomas Brittingham was born in Worcester Co. MD in 1891. He died in 1949 if
Bristol, Bucks, PA. Her name was Wilsie. In 1940,
they lived at 5418 N. 4th St. He was working as a presser at a
clothing manufacturer.
1934, Oct. 5: Title transferred to Evalyn H. Martin, wife of William D. by
Margaret Brown
1935, Jun. 4: Title transferred to Bella Martin, wife of David by Evalyn H.
Martin, wife of William D.
1936, Feb. 29: Title transferred to Martin & Co. by Bella Martin, wife
of David
1938, Dec. 13: Title transferred to Martin, Inc. of Philadelphia by Martin
& Co.
1940:
William Martin 45 Radiator
repairs; widowed; 3 years of high school; owner, house valued at $6,000
David Martin, Jr. 79 Father;
widowed; 8 years of schooling
1945, Sep. 12: Marriage license issued to Olive Prange,
45 years old, of 3805 Baring St. and David Martin, 49 years old, of 3812
Lancaster Ave.
1950 Directory:
Martin & Co., auto radiators
1953, Jan. 10: Death of William D. Martin, 57 years old, of 3812 Lancaster
Ave.
“William
D. Martin Rites…
“Mr.
Martin, who was 57 years old, lived and conducted his business at 3812
Lancaster ave. He was a veteran of the First World
War, and active in veterans’ affairs. Surviving are
his father, David J. Martin, and four sisters…. Burial will be in Arlington
Cemetery.” (Inquirer, Jan. 13)
He
died without having a will. His estate was inherited by his father. (The Inquirer
on Jan 20 listed David Martin’s address as 3705 Powelton Ave.)
1954, Mar. 4: Title transferred to Margaret J. Dart, wife of John by Martin,
Inc. of Philadelphia
1968 Directory: Mt.
Ephraim Church
<3810
Lancaster 3814
Lancaster >
Revised 3/10/2022