2914 Melvale Street – Property History

Development and the Sperry Family, 1843 – 1863

At the end of December 1843, Philadelphia lawyer Eli K. Price sold a 20-x-100-foot lot located on the northwest side of Larch Street (now Melvale Street)—140 feet northeast of William Street (now East Cambria Street) and numbered 16 on the plan of the village of Richmond—to house carpenter Samuel Sperry on a ground rent of $20 a year.1 Sperry, who had previously lived in Northern Liberties Township, constructed a frame house on the property by February 1846, when an advertisement for the sale of the property’s ground rent was run in the North American newspaper.2 It is not known when exactly Sperry moved his family to the residence, but it would presumably have been before canvassing for the 1850 city directory in 1849. 3 In May 1847, Sperry took out an insurance policy with the Frankford Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The policy incorrectly describes the property as being at the corner of William and Larch Streets, and then in pencil it notes that it is actually about 100 feet east. Allowing for the possibility that the correction is not quite accurate, the description of the house fits the structure on Sperry’s property. The two-and-a-half-story frame house measured 16-by-18 feet with a 12-by-16-foot single-story kitchen in the rear. It had clapboard siding and a dormer window along with white pine floors and plastered interior walls. 4

In 1850, Sperry, then about 43, was working as a carpenter and living in the house on Larch Street with his wife Ellen; his 23-year-old daughter Dorothy; his 16-year-old son Samuel Jr., a brick maker; and his 15-year-old son John, who was still attending school. 5 By the mid-1850s, Samuel Jr. had switched professions and become a rigger, John had found employment as a laborer, and Dorothy had married local waterman John D. Fitzinger.6 In about 1858, John and Dorothy Fitzinger moved from their home on Richmond Street to Putnam County, Illinois.7 Though the rest of the family remained in Philadelphia for the next several years, in April 1863, Sperry sold the property on Larch Street (which had been renamed Melvale Street in about 1858) to carter/peddler third class (traveling with one horse or mule) Neil Deeney for $460 and moved to Putnam County with his wife and two sons.8

The Deeney Family, Tenants, and a Provisions Store, 1864–1879

fig-2
The area around 1610 Melvale Street as depicted on the 1875 G.M. Hopkins City Atlas of Philadelphia, Vol. 4. Neil Deeney, who owned 1610 Melvale from 1863 until 1884, also owned and resided in houses at 1229 Ann Street and 1624 Melvale Street. Courtesy of the Philadelphia Historical Comission

Neil Deeney, who had lived in a house he owned at 1229 Ann Street, moved his wife and daughters Mary and Margaret to the frame house on Melvale in 1863 or 1864, and resided there with them—and perhaps his nephews/adopted sons James, John, and Samuel McGlinsey—until about 1866 or 1867, when they moved back to 1229 Ann Street.9 In the 1868 directory, three individuals are listed at the newly numbered 1610 Melvale: a laborer named George Harrison and laborers Dennis and Patrick McFadden, who resided in the rear.10 These three individuals, all bearing relatively common names, disappear from the address after one year. They were followed by Samuel Danielly, a former gas fitter, who opened a grocery store at the address in about 1868. Danielly may have initially lived at the address with his family, which is supported by his mother-in-law Catharine Corson being listed as residing at the address.11 By 1870, Danielly, his wife Catharine, his son Charles, and his mother-in-law had moved to 809 East Huntingdon Street, but he continued to run his grocery and provisions store on Melvale Street until about 1873.12

After the Danielly residence moved to Huntingdon Street, 1610 Melvale was occupied by a family of recent Irish immigrants, the Bradleys. According to the 1870 federal census, the family consisted of two households living in the same residence. The first was composed of 50-year-old Isabella Bradley; her 30-year-old son Charles, who worked in a glue factory; and her 16-year-old daughter Susan. The second consisted of Isabella’s younger son John, who also worked in a glue factory, his wife Susan, and their three young sons—Charles, James, and John.13 The length of the Bradley family’s tenancy can’t be determined, as they were not listed in the city directories, but they moved at some point prior to 1876, when Neil Denney’s son-in-law moved his family into the home.

Patrick McGinnis, who was employed as a waterman, moved into the house with his wife Mary and their surviving children, who at the time included sons Daniel and Neil.14 Mary’s father, Neil Deeney, may have been living with the family at this time, along with her cousin, John McGlinsey. If he lived with his daughter’s family, Deeney’s stay was brief, as by late 1877 he and John were living at 1624 Melvale, in a house he had purchased in 1872.15 The McGinnis family, despite the loss of their son Neil to typhoid, grew over the next two years with the births of daughters Mary and Margaret. In 1879, the McGinnis family moved to the more substantial brick house at 1624 Melvale.16

The Harvey Family, 1879–1907

fig-3
The project area as depicted on the 1886 G.M. Hopkins Atlas of the City of Philadelphia, 25th Ward. The Harvey family lived at 1224 Sorrel Street before purchasing 1610 Melvale in 1884. After the sale, the Elliot family moved from 1610 Melvale to 1214 William Street. Courtesy of the Map Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia

After his daughter’s family moved in with him, Deeney rented the house at 1610 Melvale to the family of 36-year-old Irish immigrant James Harvey. The Harvey family, which in 1880 consisted of James, his Irish-born wife Sarah, and their children John, Catherine, and James (aged twelve, seven, and eighteen months, respectively) resided at 1610 for only about two years before they moved to the rear residence of nearby 1224 Sorrel Street.17 The recently married John W. and Rose Elliott replaced them at 1610. John Elliott was employed as a carpenter, while Rose may have begun operating a varieties and cigar shop for extra income.18 In April 1884, Deeney sold the property at 1610 Melvale to James Harvey for $1,000.19 The Elliotts, perhaps having their lease terminated, moved to 1214 William Street, where Rose is known to have run a store.20 Now in possession of 1610, the Harvey family moved back in.21

The Harvey family continued to reside at 1610 Melvale—renumbered 2914 Melvale in about 1886—for the next several decades, with few details regarding their lives during this time being known. Only two known events punctuate these years for the Harvey family. The first occurred in December 1887, when James Harvey Sr. (identified in some reports as John Harvey), who was employed as a coal trimmer on the Port Richmond coal wharves, fell through an open hatch on Pier 17. Though taken to Episcopal Hospital with severe injuries to his head and body, he seems to have made a full recovery.22 Eleven months later, in November 1888, John Harvey and three other students were talking politics and creating a disturbance in a night school class in the Harold School House when the teacher had them arrested. At a hearing, the teacher allegedly declared that “It is nearly impossible for me to conduct the school with such roughs as pupils,” and the four were held on $500 bail to stay away from the building.23 In March 1898, James Jr., who like his father and brother had been working as a laborer, died of lymphoma at age 19—the first change in the family’s make-up in nearly two decades.24 Two years later, the 1900 federal census reported that John Harvey was employed as a longshoreman, while his sister worked as a dressmaker.25 Sarah Harvey died in April 1904 at age 57 of uremia, and her husband followed her in June 1907, dying from an infection that developed after he accidentally fell off of another pier.26 According to the provisions of James Harvey’s will, his daughter Catharine inherited his entire estate, leaving 2914 Melvale in her possession.27

The Curran Family, 1908–1966

fig-4
The frame dwelling at 2914 Melvale Street and the surrounding area as depicted on the 1919 Sanborn fire insurance map. Courtesy of Pennsylvania State University

In the year her father died, Catherine Harvey married widowed river pilot James Curran, who moved into her home.28 Curran was born next door at 2916 Melvale in around 1860 and lived there with his family until about 1878, when they moved across the street.29 In about 1882, he married Margaret Kivlen and had at least two children with her—John and Joseph Curran.30 There is no indication that either of these sons, one of whom married in 1906, resided at 2914 Melvale with their father.

James and Catherine Curran had two children together: James, born in about June 1908, and Anna R., born in about January 1910. Catherine’s brother John was not enumerated with the family in the 1910 census, but was listed at 2914 in the 1911 directory and was residing at the address when he died in December 1917 at age 49.31 He had been preceded in death by his brother-in-law James, who had died in November 1916, and followed by James’ son from his first marriage, Joseph, who was buried from 2914 in July 1918.32 After the deaths of her husband and brother, Catherine went to work in a shirt factory, presumably retiring in the late 1920s after her children were old enough to earn a living.33 The 1930 census found James Jr. and Anna R. still living with their mother. James was employed in a factory, while Anna was working as an office stenographer, an occupation she kept throughout the decade.34 In May 1945, Catherine sold 2914 Melvale to her daughter for $100, but continued to live there until her death in February 1950.35 In August 1952, Anna R. had a two-story, 16-x-12-foot cinderblock addition constructed on the rear of the house, but the use of this addition is unknown.36 Anna R. Curran continued to own the property at 2914 Melvale into the late 1960s, when it was acquired by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the construction of Interstate 95.37

References

  1. Philadelphia County Deed Book AWM 38:33, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web ↩
  2. “1830 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Samuel Sperry, Unincorporated Northern Liberties, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; “1840 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Samuel Sperry, Unincorporated Northern Liberties, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; “Real Estate Twenty-One…,” advertisement, North American (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), February 11, 1846, p. 3, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed March 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com ↩
  3. A. McElroy, comp., McElroy’s Philadelphia Directory for 1850, subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Samuel Sperry, p. 393. ↩
  4. “Larch Street now Melvale,” Box #1906, Frankford Mutual Fire Insurance Company Records. Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ↩
  5. “1850 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Samuell Spery (Samuel Sperry), Richmond District, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania ↩
  6. McElroy, Philadelphia Directory for 1856, entries for John D. Fitzinger, p. 202, Samuel Sperry and William (Samuel) Sperry jr., p. 609; ibid. 1857, John D. Fitzinger, p. 213, John Sperry, Saml. Sperry jr., and Samuel Sperry, p. 639; A. McElroy, comp., McElroy’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1858, entries for John D. Fitzinger, p. 213, John Sperry, Saml. Sperry jr., and Samuel Sperry, p. 644; ibid. 1859, John Sperry, Saml. Sperry jr., and Samuel Sperry, p. 672; ibid 1860, John Sperry and Samuel Sperry, p. 938; “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Dorothy A. Fritzinger (Fitzinger), Magnolia Township, Putnam County, Illinois. ↩
  7. “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Dorothy A. Fritzinger (Fitzinger), Magnolia Twp., Putnam Co., Il ↩
  8. McElroy, Philadelphia City Directory for 1860, entries for John Sperry and Samuel Sperry, p. 938; ibid. 1861, Samuel Sperry, p. 937; ibid. 1862, Samuel Sperry and Samuel Sperry, Jr., p. 631; ibid. 1863, Samuel Sperry, p. 715; “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Saml Sperry, 19th Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Samuel Sperry, Magnolia Twp., Putnam Co., Il.; Philadelphia County Deed Book ACH 162:395, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web; “U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862–1918,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed December 2017, http://www.ancestry.com, entry for Neal Deany (Neil Deeney), July–December 1864, Monthly and Special Lists, District 5, Pennsylvania; The Tax-Payers and Assessors’ Guide, Being the Amendments to the Internal Revenue Law Approved March 2 1867 (New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1867), 44. ↩
  9. McElroy, Philadelphia City Directory for 1863, entry for Neil Deeny (Deeney), p. 192; ibid. 1865, Neal Deeny (Neil Deeney), p. 179; ibid. 1866, Neal Deeny (Neil Deeney), p. 187; James Gopsill, comp., Gopsill’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1870, “Philadelphia City Directories,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Neal (Neil) Deeney, p. 440; Philadelphia County Deed Book JCC 123:386, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed October 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web; “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Neal Denney (Neil Deeney), 19th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed October 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for John Deeny Mcglenchey, June 17, 1883 ↩
  10. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1868, entry for George Harrison, laborer, p. 734, Dennis McFadden, laborer, and Patrick McFadden, laborer, p. 1036 ↩
  11. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1868, entry for Samuel Danielly, p. 442; ibid. 1869, Catharine Corson, p. 383, Samuel Danielly, p. 416. ↩
  12. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1870, entry for Samuel Danielly, p. 426; ibid. 1871, Samuel Danielly, p. 418;ibid. 1872, Samuel Danielly, p. 391; ibid. 1873, Samuel Danielly, p. 387; ibid. 1874, Samuel Danielly, p. 367; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Samuel Danley (Danielly), 1st enumeration, enumeration district 81, 24th (25th) Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed October 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for Catharine Corson, July 1, 1872; “Catharine Corson,” death notice, Public Ledger (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), July 3, 1872, p. 2, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com ↩
  13. “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Charles Bradey (Bradley), 1st enumeration, enumeration district 81, 24th (25th) Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Charles Bradley, 2nd enumeration, enumeration district 81, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ↩
  14. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1877, entry for Patrick McGinnis, mariner, p. 939; ibid. 1878, Patrick McGinnis, mariner, p. 1008 ↩
  15. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1878, entries for John Deeney and Neil Deeney, p. 409; Philadelphia County Deed Book FTW 16:217, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed October 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web ↩
  16. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1879, entry for Patrick McGinnis, mariner, p. 1040; ibid. 1880, Patrick J. McGinnis, p. 1091; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed October 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for Neil Mc Ginnis, December 23, 1877; “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Patrick McGinnes (McGinnis), enumeration district 524, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  17. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1880, entry for James Harvey, laborer, p. 753; ibid. 1881, James Harvey, laborer, p. 725; ibid. 1882, James Harvey, laborer, h r 1224 Sorrel, p. 691; “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for James Harvey, enumeration district 524, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  18. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1882, entry for John W. Elliott, p. 483; ibid. 1883, John W. Elliott, carpenter, p. 496; “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for John Elliot (Elliott), enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  19. Philadelphia County Deed Book JOD 192:377, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web ↩
  20. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1884, entry for John W. Elliott, carpenter, p. 494; James Gopsill’s Sons, comp., Gopsill’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1885, “Philadelphia City Directories,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for John W. Elliott, carpenter, p. 542 ↩
  21. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1884, James Harvey, laborer, h r 1224 Sorrel, p. 710; Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1885, James Harvey, laborer, p. 782 ↩
  22. “A Chapter of Accidents,” Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer, December 14, 1887, p. 3, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.genealogybank.com; “Hospital Cases,” Philadelphia Inquirer, December 14, 1887, p. 3, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.genealogybank.com; “Local News Paragraphed,” Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Record, December 14, 1887, p. 1, Google News, database accessed March 2015, https://news.google.com/newspapers?hl=en ↩
  23. “Notes About Town,” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 17, 1888, p. 3, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com; “Disorderly Night Scholars,” Times (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), November 17, 1888, p. 1, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.newspapers.com ↩
  24. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1898, Jas. Harvey, laborer, Jas. J. Harvey, and Jno. F. Harvey, laborer, p. 938; ibid. 1899, Jas. J. Harvey, laborer, and Jno. F. Harvey, laborer, p. 977; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed October 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for James J. Harvey, March 22, 1898 ↩
  25. “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for James Harvey, enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  26. “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed June 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for Sarah Harvey, April 8, 1904; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed June 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for James Harvey, June 8, 1907 ↩
  27. Philadelphia County Deed Book CJP 880:521, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web ↩
  28. C.E. Howe Company, comp., Boyd’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1908, “Philadelphia City Directories,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Jas. Curran, pilot, h 2914 Mellville (Melvale), p. 444; “Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885–1951,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed October 2014, http://ancestry.com; entry for Katherine (Catherine) Harvey, 1907, Marriage License Number 219678 ↩
  29. McElroy, Philadelphia City Directory for 1861, Owen Kern (Curran), p. 520; Gopsill Philadelphia City Directory for 1878, James Kern (Curran), laborer, h 1612 Melvale, and Owen Kern (Curran), p. 850; ibid. 1880, James Curran, laborer, h 1607 Melvale, and Owen Curran, p. 420 ↩
  30. “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Thomas Curran, enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed October 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Joseph Patrick Curran and Goldie Davis, First Methodist Episcopal Church, Camden, Camden County, New Jersey ↩
  31. Howe, Philadelphia City Directory for 1911, Jno. Harvey, lab., p. 831; “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for James Curran, enumeration district 0546, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for John Harvey, December 20, 1917, File Number 134782; “John F. Harvey,” death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, December 23, 1917, 1st sec., p. 15, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed October 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com ↩
  32. “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed October 2014, http://ancestry.com; entry for James Curran, November 2, 1916, File Number 119203; “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed October 2014, http://ancestry.com; entry for Joseph Curran, July 20, 1918, File Number 73225; “Capt. James Curran,” death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, December 29, 1916, p. 18, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed October 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com; “Joseph Curran,” death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, July 22, 1918, p. 7, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed June 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com ↩
  33. “1920 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Katherine (Catharine) Curran, enumeration district 0747, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  34. “1930 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Josephine (Catharine) Curran, enumeration district 51-0919, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa; “1940 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Cathren Curon (Catharine Curran), enumeration district 51-0738, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  35. Philadelphia County Deed Book CJP 880:521; “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Catherine Mare Curran, February 22, 1950, File Number 15872 ↩
  36. Philadelphia Building Permit 1952:5555 ↩
  37. Philadelphia County Deed Book CAD 632:292, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed September 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web ↩