413 North 33^rd Street

Originally numbered 335.

413-415: “three-story, Italianate-style double, rough coat over brick. Central recessed entrances; outer bays are shallow pitched gabled towers with overhang; larger, curved double brackets. Victorian porch extends from entrance across 413….”

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

History

1860:

Stanley Williamson 29 Flour merchant; personal property: $1000

Martha Williamson 28

May Williamson 2

Sarah E. Green 15 Servant; black; born in Delaware

1862, Aug. Sheriff’s Sale: “All that certain lot or piece of ground situated on the east side of Thirty-third street at the distance of twenty-five feet southward from the south side of Hamilton street, in the Twenty-fourth Ward aforesaid: containing in front or breadth on said Thirty-third street twenty-five feet and extending in length or depth eastward of that….including in the rear thereof the whole of a certain three feet wide alley which extends northward to Hamilton street. Being part of the same premises which the said Joseph Potts, by indenture bearing date the first day of April A.D. 1859, and recorded in deed book…. Granted and conveyed unto the said John Shedwick in fee….

“N.B. – On the above described lot is a three story rough cast concrete dwelling house with two-story rough cast back building, side and front yard, and a two story frame building on the rear.

“Mr. Shedwick has parted with his interest in the above premises.

“Seized and taken in execution as the property of John Shedwick, and to be sold by Robert Ewing, Sheriff.” (Phila. Inquirer, Aug. 21, 1862)

The 1862 directory lists Joseph Potts, conveyancer at 411 Walnut, living at 25 N. Juniper.

1864, January: Deed transferred from John McCurdy to William L. Roberts et al.

The 1861 Directory lists a John McCurdy, “gentleman,” living at the N.E. corner of 38^th St. & Locust, although there are others listed with the same name.

1867 Directory: Scott A. Smith, machinist at 18th & Hamilton

1870, June: 1^st enumeration: empty

1870, November

Henry Gorman 40-44

Elizabeth Gorman 40-44

Jane Gorman 20-24

Janette Gorman 15-19

Henry Gorman 15-19

Hattie Gorman 10-14

Lilly Gorman abt. 5

William Gorman 1

All ages are approximate.

In 1880, Henry W. D. Gorman was an agent for Adam’s Express Co. They were living at 1623 N. 17^th St. He was born in Washington, D.C. and she was born in England.

1878 Directory: Thomas Martindale, Martindale & Johnson (Thomas Martindale and William Johnston) grocers at 941 Market St.

(Note: the address is listed as 333, not 335.)

1880:

Thomas Martindale 34 Grocer; born in England

Rosie Martindale 24

Thomas Martindale 8

James Martindale 2

Ella Purnell 19 Servant; born in N.J.

For a brief biography, see the Powelton History Blog.

“Known As the Oldest Natural Foods Store in the USA. Thomas Martindale opened a food store in Olde City, Philadelphia in 1869. The store included a lunch room, some office space and a set up to manufacture a coffee substitute. The foods served in the lunchroom were salads, soups, the Martindales coffee substitute, Mate tea, healthy baked goods without the use of sugar and ice cream from Bassett's. The ice cream was sweetened with honey and the baked goods with honey and maple syrup. Thomas C. Martindale would talk with people about becoming vegetarians, or at the very least, reducing their intake of meat and sugar. Thomas Martindale's idea of health foods was simple. Whole grains, whole wheat, no sugar, fiber foods and eliminate junk food.” (From: Martindale’s Natural Market.)

“1869-1887 Martindale & Johnston were grocers at 10th & Market sts. 1888-1919 Thomas Martindale & Co. at various times 10th & Market sts. or 941 Market st. Listed as grocers or wholesale grocers. They have continued in business to the present time at different addresses, becoming specialists in ‘health foods.’” (Pre-pro.com.)

1883, June: Deed transferred from William L. Roberts et al, to Rosie Martindale.

1887 Directory: James B. Shaw of the firm Richard Kershaw & Co. He owned 3301 Hamilton St. from 1883 to his death. In 1880, he lived at 3929 Baring St. His parents, Richard and Martha Kershaw, lived at 3611 Powelton Ave. in 1880.

Thomas Martindale James Martindale

Source: Thomas Martindale, Sport Royal, I Warrant You! 1897.

1898 Blue Book: Thomas C. Martindale was a member of the Powelton Club. (For a brief history of the club, see the Powelton History Blog.)

1900:

Thomas Martindale 50 Grocer; born in England, immigrated 42 years earlier

Rosanna Martindale 46 Married 30 years, 2 children

Thomas C. Martindale 27 Grocer

James J. Martindale 21

Alia F. Townsend 27 Servant; born in Md.

For a brief biography, see the Powelton History Blog.

James J. Martindale married Kathleen Magee about 1907. She was born in Canada. Her father was from Ireland and her mother was from England. In 1910, 1920, and 1930, they lived in Michigan. In 1910 and 1920, he was an engineer. In 1930, he was working as a real estate salesman. They had four children: Margareta, Thomas, James J., Jr., and William. James later returned to live in the family home (see 1950, below).

Mounted Trophies in the Martindale Home c1900

Source: Thomas Martindale. Sport Indeed. 1901.

1906 Blue Book: Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Martindale

1909, March 9: Death of Anna Crum, mother of Rosie Crum Martindale of 413 N. 33rd St.

Mrs. Crum had lived with the Martindales for the previous six years.

1910:

Thomas Martindale 62 Wholesale grocer; born in England, immigrated in 1858; owner, free of a mortgage

Roseanna Martindale 57 Married 39 years, 2 children

Thomas C. Martindale 37 Wholesale grocer

Betty Chandler 21 Servant; black; born in Va.; married for 4 years, no children

Thomas and Rosie Martindale

Source: Martindale, 1974.

1916, Sept. 12: Death of Thomas Martindale, 70 years old, in Alaska. Relatives and friends, also members of Poor Richard' Club, Canadian Club, Mozart Lodge No. 436 P. & A. M. and employees Thos. Martindale & Co., invited to services at Oliver H. Bair Bldg., 1820 Chestnut, burial at Westminster Cemetery.

The Philadelphia Inquirer published three articles about Martindale’s death. The first (Sept. 17) reported the first details about his death to reach Philadelphia. The second (Sept. 18) was a detailed obituary. The third (Sept. 25) reported more details about his death and described his funeral.

1920:

Rosie Martindale 65 Widowed; owner, free of a mortgage

Thomas C Martindale 47 Retail and wholesale groceries; father born in England

1927-’28: Margaret Martindale lived with her grandmother and uncle while attending classes at the Drexel Institute.

1930:

Rosanna Martindale 76 Widowed; owner, house valued at $10,000.

Thomas Martindale 50 Grocer; single

Source: Martindale, 1974.

1933-’34: Thomas Martindale II lived with his grandmother and uncle during his first year as a student at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

1934, August: James J. Martindale returned to Philadelphia to save the financially distressed Thomas Martindale Co. They stayed at 413 N. 33^rd St. until moving to Bala Cynwyd.

1940:

Thomas Martindale 66 Four years of high school; (no occupation listed); owner, house valued at $4,500

Rose Martindale 86 Four years of high school; widowed

About 1940: James J. and Kathleen Martindale and their two younger children, Margaret and Bill, moved in with his mother and brother. Margaret was working for an insurance company and Bill was a college student.

Source: Martindale, 1974.

1944, Feb. 16: Death of Rosie Martindale of 413 N. 33rd St. Burial at Westminster Cemetery.

1946, April 27: Marriage of Lulu Marie Gruner to Thomas C. Martindale at the Church of the Savior - Episcopal, Philadelphia.

Thomas moved into the Gruner family home at 4934 N. 11th St.

1950 Directory: James J. Martindale

1954, Dec. 14: Deed transfer registered from Thomas C. Martindale to Esther H. Green (MLS 829, p 36)

Thomas C. and Kathleen Martindale moved into The Mermont apartments on Montgomery Ave. in Bryn Mawr.

Reference: Much of the information about the Martindale family and several of the photos come from Ella Catherine Griesemer Martindale. The Martindales. Manhassett, NY. 1974.

< 415 N. 33rd 411 N. 33rd >

Revised: 7/28/2022

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