2815 East Cambria Street Property History

fig-1
The project area as depicted on the 1919 Sanborn fire insurance map, with the original lot plan of the village of Richmond superimposed. 2815 East Cambria Street, formed from portions of five lots, is highlighted (Courtesy of Pennsylvania State University)

Development and Early Businesses, 1845 – 1866

In February 1845, Philadelphia attorney Eli K. Price sold a 100-x-100-foot lot at the north corner of William and Larch Streets (now East Cambria and Melvale Streets) to contractor Charles Smith on a yearly ground rent of $110 and the stipulation that Smith should within a year complete a building of sufficient value to secure the ground rent. 1

Smith was forced into a sheriff sale in March 1849. Grocer Thomas Fey purchased the 1,000-square-foot lot and another property between Richmond and Larch Streets for $8,075 in March 1849. 2 It seems that Smith had either neglected to develop the property or was unable to, as the deed noted that the one-story frame schoolhouse was still located on the property. Fey, though not bound by the same stipulation that he complete a building within a year, began to make changes to the property almost immediately. He redrew the property lines so that buildings would front on the more heavily traversed William Street, and sold the corner of the lot that contained the schoolhouse in July 1849. 3 Over the next several years, Fey constructed five 16-foot-wide, three-story brick row homes on the remaining property. These houses, numbered 79 through 87 William Street, may have been completed as early as 1851. Fey divested himself of the William Street property in April 1853, when he sold it to Philadelphia merchants Patrick Levy and Andrew McBride for $18,000. 4 Levy became the sole owner just over two years later when McBride sold him his half share of the lot, as well as other properties in the neighborhood, for $1,500. 5

fig-2
An 1849 map by J. C. Sidney depicting the project area (Courtesy of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia)

The first known tenant of the structure then numbered 83 William Street was 30-year-old Irish-born tailor Michael Duffy, who had a clothing shop on the property by late 1851. 6 Duffy may have lived at the property along with his wife Catherine and their four children, but it is possible that they resided elsewhere. 7 The shop seems to have prospered, as Duffy was repeatedly seeking employees through the autumn of 1852—publishing want ads in newspapers for sober workers and promising consistent work. 8 Perhaps because of the amount of business he was doing, Duffy took extra caution in securing the door of his business after hours. This caution paid off in May 1853, when two members of the notorious Schuylkill Rangers gang—Joseph Gibbons and Matthew O’Brien—broke into several homes and businesses along William Street. Duffy’s lock was picked, but Gibbons and O’Brien were unable to enter the store due to interior fastenings barring the door. Duffy’s neighbor at 81 William Street, Peter Steelman, was not so lucky, and lost $4 and a pair of boots to the thieves. 9

The attempted burglary may have unnerved Duffy, as he moved his store to Richmond Street near the railroad within several months. 10 Following his business at 83 William Street was the clothing store of P. J. Moore. In contrast to Duffy, Moore operated his business at the location for around five or six years, but relatively little is known about him. 11 In May 1854, Moore ran an ad in the Public Ledger newspaper seeking a tailor “to work on customer Coats by the week or job,” as well as a boy seeking to finish his apprenticeship. 12 Perhaps he had problems with the reliability of the tailor he hired, as Moore ran another want ad for a tailor a little less than three years later, noting that there would be “[s]teady work all year round to a steady man. No other need apply.” 13 Moore became active in local politics, and was nominated by the Democratic Party as a candidate for one of the 19th Ward’s city council seats in March 1859. 14 Despite his nomination, it seems that Moore never appeared on the ballot, with a W. A. Rodgers filling his place. 15

Moore seems to disappear after 1859—the last year he was listed in the directories. 16 While P. J. Moore’s fate is not known, he may be one and the same as a tailor named Patrick J. Moore, listed in the 1860 directory at 1337 North Second Street. 17 Patrick J. Moore may have departed this address after only a brief time, as he was not enumerated in the 1860 federal census, nor listed in subsequent directories.

fig-3
The project area as depicted on an 1862 map by Samuel L. Smedley. In contrast to the 1849 Sidney map (Fig. 2), the whole northeastern side of William Street is depicted as having been developed (Courtesy of the Map Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia)

The widow Eliza O’Brien and her family followed Moore at 83 William Street. O’Brien, a 50-year-old Irish immigrant, ran a trimmings and dry goods store with her widowed 32-year-old daughter Ann Irwin. Also residing in the house were Eliza’s sons Patrick, Henry, James, and Thomas, as well as daughters Mary and Eliza. 18 Probably living in the household, as well, but not enumerated in the 1860 census, was Ann Irwin’s seven-year-old daughter Mary Ann. 19 The O’Brien boys are not listed in the directories after 1862, presumably having enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, while their mother and sister continued to run the family’s store. 20

During the O’Brien family’s time at 83 William Street, the property was twice sold—first to George S. Geyer, and then a little over a month later to Thomas Gannon Jr. Geyer purchased the five row homes for $10,000 on April 19, 1864. 21 During the brief time he owned the property, Geyer seems to have made a 4-foot-wide alleyway running along the rear of the lots into Larch Street (which had been renamed Melvale Street in 1859). At the end of May, Geyer sold the house at 83 William Street, along with its 16-x-96-foot lot, to Gannon for $2,650. 22

Gannon’s purchase did not bring immediate change to 83 William Street, and the O’Brien family continued to reside and conduct their business at the address. Change was underway, however; in 1865, the houses on William Street were renumbered, with 83 William now being known as 1214 William Street. 23  In the next year or so, the O’Brien family moved down the street to a dwelling at 1222 William Street. 24

Shoe Stores and Other Business, 1866 – 1884

fig-4
Thomas Gannon’s home at 1831 (now 3027) Richmond Street as it appeared in 2015

Thomas Gannon Jr. had purchased 1214 William Street in 1864, but continued to rent the property until about 1867. Gannon worked as a clerk at the time of the purchase, but seems to have changed careers by 1868, when he opened a shoe store at 1214 William. 25 Despite this change, he continued to reside at his parent’s house at 1546 Richmond until around 1870, when Gannon moved into 1214 William with his wife Eleanor and their infant daughter Margaret. Joining them in living at the address were Joseph Marbour, a 67-year-old Pennsylvania-born shoemaker, and Timothy J. Gallagher, a 19-year-old Scottish shoemaker. 26 Though Margaret died of scarlet fever in May 1871, the Gannons continued to have children, with six being born over the next seven years. In about 1872, the family moved to 1548 Richmond Street, where Thomas ran a shoe store that had belonged to his late father. 27 In the late 1870s, Gannon moved to 1831 Richmond Street and became the proprietor of a livery at 824 Arch Street. Through this business he gained lucrative city and federal contracts hauling garbage and mail. Gannon eventually came to own an incinerator at Richmond Street and Allegheny Avenue. 28 Though he moved out of 1214 William Street, Gannon continued to own the property until his death in June 1894 at age 53. 29

Though the Gannon family moved from 1214 William in about 1872, Timothy J. Gallagher continued to live there until around 1874, presumably continuing to make shoes for the Gannon’s store while he resided at the address. 30 After Gallagher’s departure, Irish-born laborer Patrick McFadden moved into 1214 along with his family, which included his wife Mary, three children, and his sisters-in-law, who ran a notions store on the property. 31  The McFadden family was only listed at 1214 William in the 1875 Philadelphia city directory, but was not listed at another address until 1878, by which time they had moved to 1226 William Street—making it possible that the McFadden family was residing at this address during those years. 32 The only individual also known to have been listed at 1214 William Street during that period was a 40-year-old dock worker, Henry Diehl, who according to newspaper reports was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital for sudden cramps while he was working on the Port Richmond wharves on August 11, 1875. 33

fig-5
The project area as depicted on the 1875 map published by G. M. Hopkins. Structures shaded with diagonal lines, such as 1214 William Street, were of brick construction, while those shaded with horizontal or vertical lines were of frame construction (Courtesy of the Philadelphia Historical Commission)

By 1878, Michael Mealey was running a butcher shop at the address. After two years, Mealey moved to a location on Richmond Street and Mary Baker’s trimmings shop replaced his butcher shop. Baker left the residence after two years for an unknown location. 34 Neither of these individuals was enumerated at the address in the 1880 federal census. Instead, the Stewart family—consisting of 27-year-old dyer George Stewart, his Irish-born wife Mary, and their daughters Doretta, Ida, and Mary—was living at 1214 William. Little is known about the Stewarts, though it is possible that they may have lived at the address during the time that Mealey and Baker were running their respective shops on the premises. 35

Around 1881, the McGettigan family moved into the house at 1214 William Street. James McGettigan moved his shoe store to the address from around the block at 1605 Richmond, bringing with him his wife Ellen and seven children: William, James, Rose, Bridget, Catharine, Hugh, and Michael. 36 Also residing in the house were laborers Francis and William McGettigan, the widow Unity Ward, and shoemaker Joseph Eckstein. 37 The relationship between these latter two McGettigans with James’ family is unknown, but they may have been brothers, or one might have been James’ father. Ward’s relationship is also unclear; she might have been a relative, a domestic servant, or even a boarder.  In 1882 or 1883, Joseph Eckstein moved to 1260 Edgemont to work with shoemaker John Rothermel, and the two McGettigan laborers simply ceased to be listed in the directories after the latter year. 38 Ward, only listed in the 1882 directory, moved at some point to the McVey family’s home at 1721 Melvale Street, where she died in 1885. 39 The remainder of the McGettigan family left sometime in late 1883 or early 1884, and eventually ended up in Chester, Pennsylvania. 40 Around the time that the McGettigans left 1214 William, the city filed a nuisance complaint against Thomas Gannon and fined him $12.43 for the property. 41 While the specifics of the complaint are not known, the area was repeatedly found to be filthy, with grass growing in the gutters of William and Melvale Streets and a lot around the corner at 1607 Richmond Street being investigated due to its filth. 42

Families and Boardinghouses, 1885 – 1900

fig-6
The project area as depicted on an 1891 G. W. Bromley & Son map. A brick addition appears to have been constructed on the rear of the dwelling at 2815 William Street, as well as a frame outbuilding at the rear of the property (Courtesy of the Map Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia)

For a brief period in 1884, Patrick McFadden’s sister-in-law Rose and her husband John W. Elliott moved into 1214 William. Rose ran a varieties store at the address, but they had departed by early 1885 to live with the McFaddens. 43 The Curran family, who moved into the dwelling above the store in late 1884 or early 1885, replaced them as residents. Composed of laborer James Curran, his wife Mary, and their children James F., Alice, Lizzie, Annie, and Francis J., the family was not at their new home long when James Sr. died of pneumonia on March 29, 1885. 44 The Currans continued to live in the house—which, due to another street renumbering, was now known as 2815 William Street—for the next six years or so. James was employed as a foreman, while his brother Francis worked as a timekeeper and a clerk. 45

At least during the beginning of the Curran family’s time at 2815 William, businesses occupied the dwelling’s storefront. Thomas Bell ran a shoe store at the location in 1885 and 1886, and Michael Mealey returned with his butcher shop for a year or so in 1887 and 1888, before moving down the block to 2809 William Street. 46 While these are the only businesses known to have operated at 2815 William while the Currans resided there, it is possible and probable that the storefront continued to be used during this time.

During the Curran family’s tenure, the first record of the property undergoing physical changes since it was constructed in the 1850s appears. On a map published by G. W. Bromley & Company in 1891, a brick addition is depicted for the first time on the rear of the house at 2815 William Street. Also depicted is a frame structure at the rear of the lot that first appeared in an 1878 U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey map. According to the 1891 Bromley map, this structure served as a stable or shed. 47

The Curran family departed around 1892 and was followed by James N. Norton’s boardinghouse. Norton had run a shipping business, J. N. Norton & Company, with his father and brother at 1228 William Street in the late 1870s; for an unknown reason, by 1880 he had moved his family to New Castle County, Delaware, where he worked as a butcher. 48 By 1885, Norton had returned to Port Richmond, where he briefly sold cigars before returning to the express shipping business. Norton also began to run the boardinghouse mentioned above when he moved to 2815 William Street in about 1892. 49  The boardinghouse had a number of different residents during the two or three years it was located on the property, with most being men employed as laborers or mariners, though it seems that at least one older woman resided there. 50  Norton moved from the property in 1895 or 1896, and seems to have worked briefly as a laborer before returning to the shipping business and running a boardinghouse before his death in 1901. 51

fig-7
The project area depicted on a Bromley map published in 1901, the year the Churchmen’s Missionary Association acquired the property at 2815 William Street (Courtesy of the Map Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia)

A grocery store, run by Anton Juskosky (also spelled Jeskoski, Uskzwicz, and Viskavitsch), followed Norton’s boardinghouse. Juskosky’s store was open by 1897, though it is certainly possible that it was there as early as 1895. 52 Juskosky was involved in one of the more colorful incidents known to have occurred on the property, when he and Michael Carjetski (or Koniska), who reportedly also lived at 2815 William, were arrested on assault charges. On October 16, 1898, police were called to a wedding celebration after it was reported that the wedding guests were murdering a man. When the police entered the home, they heard a man calling for help from the rear and proceeded through the house, while wedding guests pelted them with objects. In the backyard, they found Joseph Bakskey (or Betifskie), a man in his twenties, who had a laceration on his head and a broken arm after being beaten with beer glasses, bottles, and blackjacks. Carjetski and Juskosky were both arrested for assaulting Bakskey. At a hearing the next day, Bakskey and others testified that liquor was sold on the premises, causing Juskosky to be charged with selling liquor without a license and on a Sunday. Allegedly police had been observing the property for some time and had suspected that it was a speakeasy, a suspicion further borne out in the discovery of 10 kegs of beer, six of which were empty, and multiple empty demijohns on the property. 53

Perhaps understandably, Juskosky and Carjetski soon ceased to be the property’s tenants, and by 1899, the Trainor family moved in. 54 This large household was composed of 50-year-old Irish-born coal handler Peter Trainor; his wife Mary; his children Peter, John, Hugh, Lizzie, Maggie, Annie, and Charles; his son-in-law John Killion; and his grandchildren Johanna and John Killion. 55 The Trainors’ residence at 2815 William was brief, however, as the widow and children of Thomas Gannon Jr. sold the property to the Churchmen’s Missionary Association of Seamen for $1,600 in January 1901. 56

The Seaman’s Church Institute, 1901 – 1966

The Churchmen’s Missionary Association for Seamen of the Port of Philadelphia was a group linked to the Episcopal Diocese of Philadelphia that was founded in 1847 to minister to sailors visiting Philadelphia. The Churchmen’s Missionary Association acquired 2815 William Street for use as its Port Richmond branch, and operated a reading room out of the location for sailors. There was limited sleeping accommodation at the Port Richmond branch, which was run by a live-in superintendent. There was little in the way of physical changes initially, with the one exception being the demolition of the shed in the backyard, which was razed at some point during the first decade of the twentieth century. 57

fig-8
The project area as depicted on the 1919 Sanborn fire insurance map. Note the doorway that had been opened between the two dwellings at 2815 and 2817 East Cambria Street (Courtesy of Pennsylvania State University)

In June 1910, The Churchmen’s Missionary Association purchased 2817 East Cambria Street (as this portion of William Street was known after 1908) and expanded their reading room and facilities. 58 By 1919—the year that the Churchmen’s Missionary Association had merged with the similarly minded Pennsylvania Seamen’s Friend Society to form the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI)—a doorway had been opened in the party wall between the two houses, creating, in effect, a single structure. 59 The property saw more physical changes occur after the creation of the SCI, including the construction of a new shed in the rear of the property at some point in the late 1920s, and a new front façade in December 1941. 60

The Port Richmond branch continued to function through World War II and well into the postwar period, serving over 7,500 sailors in 1953 and over 8,400 in 1954. 61 The Port Richmond branch had physically expanded after the war with the SCI’s purchase of the adjoining 2819 and 2821 East Cambria in February 1948. 62 The dwelling at 2819 East Cambria was integrated into the center by 1950, but the slightly larger structure at 2821 East Cambria was demolished, leaving an empty lot on the center’s southeast side. 63 By the mid-1950s, plans were made to demolish the Port Richmond branch and construct a one-story recreation and referral center as replacement on the site, but these plans were put on hold until the final route of the planned Interstate 95 was determined and an annex opened at 3008 Richmond Street. 64 It seems that due to the planned construction of Interstate 95, the SCI opted to keep the old buildings and make some slight alterations to the property to make it into a non-lodging recreation and referral center, including new bathrooms and the demolition of the rear shed. 65 The Port Richmond branch’s days were numbered, however, and it was condemned and deeded to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority in January 1966 for demolition before the construction of Interstate 95. 66

 

References

  1. Philadelphia County Deed Book GWC 11:378, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web 
  2. Philadelphia County Sheriff’s Deed Book V:487, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web
  3. Philadelphia County Deed Book GWC 39:181, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed April 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web
  4. Philadelphia County Deed Book TH 122:1, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web
  5. Philadelphia County Deed Book LRB 5:232, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web 
  6. A. McElroy, comp., McElroy’s Philadelphia Directory for 1851, “Philadelphia City Directories,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Michl. Duffy, tailor, p. 113; ibid. 1852, Michl. Duffy, tailor, p. 118
  7. “1850 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Michel Duffey (Michael Duffy), Richmond District, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Michl. Duffy, 19th Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  8. “To Tailors.–Wanted–Two more Journeymen…,” advertisement, Public Ledger (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), September 20, 1852, p. 3, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed December 2014, http://www.newspapers.com; “To Tailors–Wanted–A young Man to work …,” advertisement, Public Ledger, November 8, 1852, p. 3, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed December 2014, http://www.newspapers.com
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  10. McElroy, Philadelphia Directory for 1853, entry for Michl. Duffy, tailor, p. 110; ibid. 1854, Mich. Duffy, tailor, p. 140
  11. Ibid. 1854, P. J. Moore, p. 377; ibid. 1855, P. J. Moore, p. 395; ibid. 1856, P. J. Moore, pp. 459, 743; A. McElroy, comp., McElroy’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1858, “Philadelphia City Directories,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for P. J. Moore, p. 484; ibid. 1859, P. J. Moore, p. 508
  12. “Wanted–A Tailor to work on customer Coats…,” advertisement, Public Ledger, May 17, 1854, p. 3, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed July 2014, http://www.newspapers.com
  13. “To Tailors.–Wanted, a good Tailor…,” advertisement, Public Ledger, April 15, 1857, p. 3, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed December 2014, http://www.newspapers.com
  14. “Democratic Ward Nominations,” Public Ledger, March 31, 1859, p. 1, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed March 2014, http://www.newspapers.com
  15. “The Election Yesterday,” Public Ledger, May 4, 1859, p. 2, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed December 2014, http://www.newspapers.com 
  16. McElroy, Philadelphia City Directory for 1859, entry for P. J. Moore, p. 508
  17. Ibid. 1860, entry for Patrick J. Moore, p. 1157
  18. “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Eliza O’Brian (O’Brien), 19th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  19. “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed November 2014, http://ancestry.com; entry for Mary A. Graham, August 4, 1913, File Number 85097
  20. McElroy, Philadelphia City Directory for 1861, entries for Eliza O’Brien, Henry O’Brien, waterman, and James O’Brien, waterman, p. 748, Thomas O’Brien, pumpmaker, p. 749; ibid. 1862, Ann Irwin, dry goods, 83 William, p. 324, Henry O’Brian (O’Brien), James O’Brian (O’Brien), boatman, and Thomas O’Brian (O’Brien), blockmaker, p. 504; ibid. 1863, Eliza O’Brien, p. 574; ibid. 1864, Eliza O’Brien, p. 561; ibid. 1865, Ann Irwin, drygoods, p. 343 
  21. Philadelphia County Deed Book LRB 29:467, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web
  22. Philadelphia County Deed Book LRB 40:39, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web 
  23. McElroy, Philadelphia City Directory for 1866, entries for Ann Irwin, gentlewoman, 1214 Witham (William), p. 360, Eliza O’Brien, china & hardware, 1214 Witham (William), p. 554 
  24. James Gopsill, comp., Gopsill’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1868, “Philadelphia City Directories,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Ann Irwin, drygoods, 1222 Williams (William) 
  25. Ibid. 1868, Thomas Gannon, Jr., p. 630
  26. “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Thomas Gannon, 1st enumeration, enumeration district 81, 24th (25th) Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  27. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1873, entry for Thomas Gannon, Jr., p. 533; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed August 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for Maggie (Margaret) Gannon, May 22, 1871
  28. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1878, entry for Thomas Gannon, livery, p. 578; ibid. 1879, Thomas Gannon, livery, p. 595; ibid. 1883, Thomas Gannon, livery, p. 593; ibid. 1884, Thomas Gannon, contractor, 824 Filbert, h 831 Market, and Thomas Gannon, contractor, h 1831 Richmond, p. 592; James Gopsill’s Sons, comp., Gopsill’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1888, “Philadelphia City Directories,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Thomas Gannon, mail coaches, p. 647
  29. “Contractor Dies Suddenly,” Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer, June 22, 1894, p. 1, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed August 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com; “Contractor Gannon Dead,” Times (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), June 22, 1894, p. 1, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed December 2014, http://www.newspapers.com 
  30. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1872, entry for Timothy J. Gallagher, p. 543; ibid. 1873, Timothy J. Gallagher, p. 530; ibid. 1874, Timothy J. Gallagher, p. 517; ibid. 1875, Timothy Gallagher, shoemaker, p. 563
  31. Ibid. 1874, Ann Connor (Conner), wid Joseph, p. 324, Patrick McFadden, h 1608 Salmon, p. 862; ibid. 1875, Ann Connor (Conner), wid Joseph, p. 339, Patrick McFadden, laborer, p. 966; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Patrick McFadden, 1st enumeration, enumeration district 81, 24th (25th) Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Ann Connor (Conner), enumeration district 0525, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  32. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1878, entry for Ann Conner, p. 342, Patrick McFadden, laborer, h 1226 William, p. 1001
  33. “Local Summary,” Philadelphia Inquirer, August 12, 1875, p. 2, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed March 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com; “Taken Suddenly Ill,” Public Ledger, August 12, 1875, p. 1, microfilm on file at the Free Library of Philadelphia Newspapers and Microfilm Center, Parkway Central Library, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
  34. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1878, entry for Michael Mealey, butcher, p. 1085; ibid. 1879, Michael Mealey, butcher, p. 1120; ibid. 1880, Mary Baker, trimmings, p. 134, Michael Mealey, butcher, p. 1175; ibid. 1881, Mary Baker, trimmings, p. 130
  35. “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for George Stewart, enumeration district 0524, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa 
  36. “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for James McGettingan (McGettigan), enumeration district 0524, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  37. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1882, entries for Joseph Eckstein, p. 474, Francis McGettigan, laborer, James McGittigan (McGettigan), shoes, William McGettigan, laborer, and William McGettigan, Jr., p. 1001, Unity Ward, p. 1603; ibid. 1883, Joseph Eckstein, p. 486, Francis McGettigan, laborer, James McGettifan, shoes, William McGettigan, laborer, and William P. McGettigan, p. 1031
  38. Ibid. 1883, John Rothermel, shoemaker, p. 1381; ibid. 1884, Joseph Eckstein, p. 484, John Rothermel, shoemaker, p. 1374
  39. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1885, entries for Bernard McVey, laborer, h 1721 Melvale, Michael McVey, laborer, and Patrick F. McVey, p. 1177; ibid. 1886, Bernard McVey, h 2955 Melvale, Michael McVey, foreman, and Patrick McVey, laborer, h 2955 Melvale, p. 1142; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed August 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for Unity Ward, February 18, 1885
  40. “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Ellen McGettigan, enumeration district 0149, 5th Ward, Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
  41. “Municipal Claims,” Philadelphia Inquirer, January 28, 1889, p. 7, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed August 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com
  42. “Places to Watch,” Times, August 24, 1878, p. 4, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed March 2014, http://www.newspapers.com; “City Streets in a Filthy Condition,” Times, September 1, 1900, p. 3, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed March 2014, http://www.newspapers.com 
  43. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1885, entries for John W. Elliott, carpenter, p. 542, Rose Elliott, p. 543; ibid. 1886, John W. Elliott, carpenter, p. 522, Patrick McFadden, laborer, h 2823 William, p. 1097
  44. “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for James Curran, enumeration district 0526, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed June 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for James Curran, March 29, 1885
  45. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1890, entries for Francis J. Curran, James F. Curran, foreman, Mary Curran, wid James, p. 444; ibid. 1891, Francis J. Curran, James F. Curran, and Mary Curran, wid James, p. 424; ibid. 1892, Francis J. Curran, clerk, p. 435 
  46. Ibid. 1886, Thomas Bell, shoes, p. 168; ibid. 1887, Thomas Bell, shoes, p. 166; ibid. 1888, Michael Mealey, butcher, p. 1211; ibid. 1889, Michael Mealey, p. 1242.
  47. R. M. Bache, Assistant, C. Acton Ives, Aid. Neville B. Craig, Draughtsman, Delaware River between Bridesburg and Petty’s Island (U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1878); G.M. Hopkins, Atlas of the City of Philadelphia, 25th Ward (Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins, 1886), Plate 5 
  48. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1878, entries for J. N. Norton & Co., and Peter D. Norton, p. 1191; ibid. 1879, James S. Norton, and J. N. Norton & Co., p. 1230; ibid. 1880, James N. Norton, and James S. Norton, p. 1286, J. N. Norton & Co., and Peter D. Norton, p. 1287; “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Jas. Norton, 19th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for James S. Norton, Sub-Division 0, St. George’s Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware; “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for James Norton, Pencader Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware
  49. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1886, entry for James N. Norton, p. 1308; ibid. 1888, James N. N. Norton, and Mary A. Norton, wid James, p. 1326; ibid. 1889, James N. Norton, p. 1362; ibid. 1890, James N. Norton, p. 1407; ibid. 1891, James N. Norton, p. 1416; ibid. 1892, James N. Norton, p. 1459; ibid. 1893, James N. Norton, p. 1473
  50. Ibid. 1894, Daniel Berrigan, p. 168, E. Hankins, p. 830,, J. Horn, p. 944, James N. Norton, p. 1508, Daniel Sullivan, laborer, p. 1936, Michael Sullivan, mariner, p. 1938, Charles Warner, mariner, p. 2061; ibid. 1895, Danl. Berrigan, p. 160, E. Hankins, p. 780, Jas. N. Norton, p. 1422, Chas. Shannon, laborer, p. 1699; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed February 2015, https://familysearch.org; entry for Eliza Sneathan, January 15, 1894
  51. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1897, entry for Jas. Norton, laborer, h 2825 William, p. 1510; ibid. 1898, Jas. N. Norton, p. 1658; ibid. 1899, Jas. Norton, h 2401 Richmond, p. 1722; ibid. 1900, Jas. N. Norton, p. 1722; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed August 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for James Norten (Norton), September 20, 1901 
  52. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1897, entry for Anton Juskosky, p. 1023; ibid. 1899, Anton Uskawicz (Juskosky), p. 2305
  53. “Bloodshed at a Wedding,” Times, October 17, 1898, p. 1, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed August 2014, http://www.newspapers.com; “Row at a Polish Wedding,” Evening Bulletin (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), October 17, 1898, p. 3, microfilm on file at the Free Library of Philadelphia Newspapers and Microfilm Center, Parkway Central Library, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
  54. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1900, entries for Jno. Killion, engineer, p. 1224, Hugh Trainor, laborer, Jno. Trainor, laborer, Peter Trainor, and Peter Trainor, Jr., p. 2299
  55. “19000 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Peter Trainor, enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  56. Philadelphia County Deed Book JV:204:246, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web 
  57. George W. and Walter S. Bromley, Atlas of the City of Philadelphia, Complete in One Volume (Philadelphia: G. W. Bromley and Co., 1901), Plate 13; George W. and Walter S. Bromley, Atlas of the City of Philadelphia, Complete in One Volume (Philadelphia: G. W. Bromley and Co., 1910), Plate 43 
  58. Philadelphia County Deed Book WSV 1209:442, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web
  59. Sanborn Map Company, Insurance Maps of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Vol. 9 (New York: Sanborn Map Co., 1919), Plate 814
  60. Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Building Inspection, Year 1930, Permit Number 5131, Building Permit Applications, Record Group 83-4.4, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pa.; Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Building Inspection, Year 1941, Permit Number 6766, Building Permit Applications, Record Group 83-4.4, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pa 
  61. “Seamen’s Hotel Will Be Leveled For Mall Site,” Philadelphia Inquirer, October 27, 1953, p. 25, Old Fulton NY Post Cards, database accessed June 2014, http://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html; “70,060 Lodged Last Year By Seamen’s Church Institute,” Evening Bulletin, October 26, 1954, clipping on file at the Urban Archives, Samuel L. Paley Library, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa
  62. Philadelphia County Deed Book CJP 1954:551, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed May 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web; CJP 1956:54, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed May 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web
  63. Sanborn Map Company, Insurance Maps of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Vol. 9 (New York: Sanborn Map Co., 1947), Plate 814
  64. “U.S. Offers $600,000 for Seamen’s Hotel,” Evening Bulletin, October 31, 1955, clipping on file at the Urban Archives, Samuel L. Paley Library, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.; “Seamen’s Church Institute Still Can’t Fine New Home,” Evening Bulletin, October 30, 1956, clipping on file at the Urban Archives, Samuel L. Paley Library, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa
  65. Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Building Inspection, Year 1958, Permit Number 4325, Building Permit Applications, Record Group 83-4.4, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pa.;  “Seamen’s Church Institute: A Friend to Alien Sailors,” Evening Bulletin,  November 1, 1960, clipping on file at the Urban Archives, Samuel L. Paley Library, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa
  66. Philadelphia County Deed Book CAD 645:6, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed April 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web