3813 Hamilton St., Philadelphia

3813 Hamilton Street

The History of the Building

George Wiegand owned and built 3806-3816 Spring Garden St. and 3807-3817 Hamilton St.

3807-3817: “brick Victorian rowhouse with 3807 as L-shaped end to the development. All porches altered except 3815 and 3813. Brownstone sills, splayed brick lintels. Pressed brick belt course. Corbelled brick and metal cornices.---·contributing.”

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

Previous Residents

1887 Directory: Alexander Edward W., superintendent, Post Office

1889 Directory: Powell John A., clerk

Powell John W.

1889, Feb. 17: Death of Elizabeth A. Jones, 74 years old, of 3813 Hamilton St. Services at St. Andrew's Church. She was single.

1890 Directory: Powell John A.

Powell John W.

1900:

James Mullin 39 Motorman; widowed; born in Ireland; renting

Mary Mullin 21 Daughter; parents born in Ireland

Margaret Quinn 67 Mother-in-law; widowed, 9 children, 2 surviving; born in Ireland

Edith Quinn 25 Sister-in-law; trained nurse, not employed for 10 months; father born in Ireland, mother in PA

Margaret Kennedy 26 Cousin; dressmaker; single

Frank Nelson 24 Boarder; clerk

1910:

John Dowd 48 Machinist for railroad; born in Ireland, immigrated in 1880; owner with a mortgage

Mary Dowd 37 Married 19 years, no children noted; parents born in Ireland

Ellen Howard 69 Mother-in-law; widowed; 3 children, 2 surviving; born in Ireland, immigrated in 1889

John F. Dowd and Mary Regina Howard were married in Philadelphia in 1891. In 1900, Ellen Howard lived with her husband, James H. Howard at 2133 Schuyler.

1913, Mar. 12: Death of Ellen Howard, 72 years old, widow of James Howard and daughter of James McCort and Ann Mangin. “Relatives, friends, also members of the League of the Sacred Heart and Rosary Society invited to funeral. Solemn mass of requiem at St. Agatha's Church.” (Inquirer, Mar. 14)

1914: Mortgage “Dowd J. to Prosperity B. and L. Asso. 3813 Hamilton… $1500” (Inquirer, May 14)

1920:

John Dowd 56 Assistant foreman for steam railroad; born in Ireland, immigrated in 1865; owner, free of a mortgage

Mary Dowd 46 Parents born in Ireland

Jean Smith 8 Grand-niece

1921 Directory: Dowd John F., foreman

1930:

Mary Dowd 57 Widowed; owner, house valued at $4,000

Regina A. Smith 18 Niece

Mary Augustus 40 Lodger; dress maker

Anna Flinn 48 Lodger; dress maker

1938, Jul. 30: Death of Mary R. Dowd (née Howard), 58 years old Wife of the late John F. Dowd. Solemn Requiem Mass at St. Agatha's Church

1940:

Jean Grau 42 15 years of education; renting for $30; they lived here in 1935

Jeanne Grau 53 Wife; 10 years of education

1942, Oct.: Marriage license issued to Jeanne L. Grau (55) of 3813 Hamilton St. and Jean C. DeCobi (44) of 3813 Hamilton St.

1944: Advertised for sale in ad headed “Colored Home Buyers” (Inquirer, July 2)

1950 Directory: Snowden Edward T.

1967, Nov. 14: Marriage license issued to Valerie L. Hundley of 3813 Hamilton St. and Curtis E. Hall of 3810 Aspen St.

1989: Building permit: “3813 Hamilton St. Sid Block for building one-story frame addition on rear of first floor, $7,500.” (Inquirer, July 19)

< 3815 Hamilton 3811 Hamilton >

Revised 10/26/20 2 2

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