Canadian artist Thomas Harrison Wilkinson (1847-1929) visited Philadelphia in the late 19th century, although details of that trip are not yet well documented. His interest seems to have been in early sites, many in Germantown and elsewhere on the colonial city's periphery, as well as in the neighborhoods along the edges of the 18th-century city's core that had since become dense, bustling enclaves for immigrant communities.
Most of the views illustrated here were once held by Samuel Castner, Jr. (1843-1929), and were listed in the catalogue of his "Historical Collection," posthumously auctioned in March 1943. Many of the watercolors still bear the pasted-on identifying numbers from that auction, used below. Inscriptions within the paintings are reported in quotation marks below, while others are titled as they appeared in the 1943 auction catalogue or supplied.
The views are variously matted, unmatted, or framed, but the images generally measure about 11 inches high by 16 across, with some penciled identifying inscriptions below the image. Four watercolors (82, 85, 94, 95) are inscribed in pencil below the image as "copied," but the meaning of that is as yet unclear.
These images have been made available for the website by two private collectors, who reserve all rights for republication, meaning that none would be permitted without their express permission. The third set comes from the Castner Collection, in the Print and Picture Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia, which must be contacted for permissions to reproduce those.
Images should open in a second window.
81. Penrose Ferry Hotel. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- In southwestern Philadelphia, apparently active at least between 1840s and 1880s, and long since demolished. Also subject of a watercolor by D. J. Kennedy (K 6 -28, HSP).82. Cannon Ball House. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- Also known as Bleakley house, on Mud Island, Southwest Philadelphia. Built between 1714 and 1720, demolished c. 1990 (HABS PA-134).83. "Arnold Mansion." [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- Also known as "Mount Pleasant," in East Fairmount Park. Built 1761; owned briefly by Benedict Arnold, 1779-80 (HABS PA-1130).84. Johnson House, Germantown. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- 6306 Germantown Ave. Built 1765-68 (HABS PA 7-7).85. Randolph House. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- Also known as "Laurel Hill," in East Fairmount Park. Built c. 1748, with octagonal addition in early 19th c. (HABS PA-13).87. Wagner House, Germantown. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- Also known as Mechlin-Wagner house, at 4840 Germantown Ave. Built 1747-48, and demolished 1917. Clippings in the Jane Campbell Collection, HSP (32: 79-80, 194) help explain its inclusion here: during the Revolutionary War the house served as a hospital, and it was later "a mecca for visitors to Philadelphia. The blood stains of the British wounded long remained a curious spectacle, which aroused the curiosity of tourists from all parts of the country."89. Dunkards Church, Germantown. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- Also known as Church of the Brethren, 6613 Germantown Ave. Built c. 1770, altered 1897.91. The Jolly Post, 1680. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- A colonial inn on Main Street, Frankford. Reportedly built c. 1680, demolished 1912. Also known as the Jolly Post Boy Tavern, it was the last change of horses for coaches on the southward trip from New York City. It was owned from 1698 by John Worrell, in 1768 by Joseph Thornhill, and in 1893 by Mrs. Joseph H. Comly. (Joseph Jackson, Encyclopedia of Philadelphia, 3: 795).92. Mennonite Church, Germantown. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- 6119 Germantown Ave. Built 1770, with rear addition 1907. (HABS PA-15).93. Haines House, Germantown Avenue and Walnut Lane. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- Also known as "Wyck," 6026 Germantown Ave. Built in phases between c. 1690 and 1845 (HABS PA 7-3).94. Smith Mansion, on Queen Lane, Germantown. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- Also known as "Carlton," near Midvale and Stokley streets, in Roxborough. Built c. 1780, with later additions, it was owned by in the 18th century by Thomas Lee, then by John C. Craig, who had the two wings added, and from 1840 through at least the 1880s by Cornelius S. Smith. Demolished 1951.95. "Old Fort Mifflin." [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- On Mud Island, Southwest Philadelphia. Built c. 1772-98, with early 19th c. structures within. (HABS PA-1225).96. "Morris House," Germantown (Washington's Headquarters). [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- Also known as "Deshler-Morris house," 5442 Germantown Ave. Built 1772, with additions 1838-1909. Summer residence of George Washington while president, 1793 and 1794 (HABS PA-1683).99. Wister house, Germantown. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- Also known as "Grumblethorpe" and "Wister's Big house," 5267 Germantown Avenue. Built 1744, with rear additions 1750-1819; altered 1808, restored 1957-67 (HABS PA-7-1).103. St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- Third & Pine streets, in Society Hill. Built 1758-61, tower added 1842 (HABS PA-1118).104. [Old Swedes'] Church, Philadelphia. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
(not "Christ Church," as listed in 1943).
-- Also known as "Gloria Dei," 929 S. Water Street, in South Philadelphia. Built 1698-1700, with wings 1703-05 (HABS PA-120).[x]. [Market house at 2nd & Pine streets, from the northwest]. [larger]
Private Collection, Philadelphia.
-- This view appears not to have been individually listed in the 1943 auction.
Also known as "New Market" or "Head House Square," built 1804, widened 1809, enclosed 1921, restored 1959-63 (HABS PA-1351).[x]. [Wayne's Quarters, Wayne, PA] [larger]
Matthew & Katherine Forester Collection, Wayne, PA
-- The Joseph and Sarah Walker house, Wayne's Quarters, was built in 1757. Sarah (Thomas) Walker was "Mad" Anthony Wayne's cousin and a beloved member of the local Quaker community. Wayne, a Brigadier General at the time of the Valley Forge encampment, must have convinced the pacifist Welsh Quakers to allow the Continental Army to use the house. During Valley Forge, the Walker House was Headquarters for Wayne's Division, comprising eight Pennsylvania regiments. It has been nearly continuously occupied since 1757. The lot also had a grist mill and a saw mill (to my delight, you can see it on this watercolor).
According to Walker family history, the Marquis de Lafayette was a frequent visitor to the house during the encampment. In June of 1778, shortly before the Continental Army left Valley Forge, a "grand entertainment" was held for the officers of the Continental Army, neighbors and members of the Masonic Fraternity. The guests of honor were George and Martha Washington. One of the officers who lived at the house with Wayne, Benjamin Fishbourne, has become a periodic footnote to American history. Fishbourne, Wayne's aide and officer, was one of the first Federal appointments of the Washington administration. Washington had appointed Fishbourne to the post of Superintendent of the Port of Savannah, Georgia, but was rebuffed by the Senator from Georgia. This case led to the tradition that Senators will give "advice and consent" to the President concerning appointments from their home state. Fishbourne's name is occasionally cited when a Presidential appointment faces a difficult confirmation. -- mlf, 2010.[x]. "Old Philadelphia House" [larger]
Matthew & Katherine Forester Collection, Wayne, PA[x]. "Old Virginia House" [larger]
Matthew & Katherine Forester Collection, Wayne, PA[x]. Jolly Post Tavern
Matthew & Katherine Forester Collection, Wayne, PA[x]. "La Fayette's Headquarters, Valley Forge"
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 25: 15.[x]. "House on the Bristol Pike in which Washington slept. Near Torresdale."
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 25: 23.[x]. "The Red Rose"
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 11: 43.[x]. "Callowhill St. Phila."
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 31: 16.[x]. "9th & Callowhill"
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 31: 18.[x]. "Alder & Locust St."
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 31: 15.[x]. "Old Philadelphia, Cherry St. NE Cor. E of Broad" [at Darien St.]
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 31: 19.[x]. "Fifth & Arch sts. Apprentices Library"
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 17: inside back cover.
[possibly photostat].[x]. "From Bainbridge St. Market"
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 31: 23.[x]. "Bainbridge & 4th Sts."
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 31: 14.[x]. "Cor Bainbridge & 6th St."
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 31: 32.[x]. "Fitzwater 3rd St."
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 31: 22.[x]. "Passyunk Ave. 1900"
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 27: 87.[x]. "Old Powder Magazine. Fisher's Lane used by the Cotninental Army prior to the Battle of Germantown."
Free Library of Philadelphia, Castner Collection, vol. 25: 17.
Other references:
Samuel T. Freeman & Co., "The Historical Collection of
the late Samuel Castner, Jr., of Philadelphia," auction catalogue,
8-9 March 1943 (Philadelphia, 1943), pp. 15-17.
Building data from:
- Richard Webster, Philadelphia Preserved, 2nd ed. (Philadelphia,
1981);
- S. F. Hotchkin, Ancient and Modern Germantown, Mount Airy,
and Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia, 1889);
- The Historic American Building Survey [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/habs_haer/],
and
- The Philadelphia Architects and Buildings Project [http://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/].