This is a set of 17 watercolors made by Canadian artist Thomas Harrison Wilkinson (1847-1929), who seems to have visited Philadelphia in the late 19th century, although details of that trip are not yet documented. His interest seems to have been in early sites, many in Germantown and elsewhere on the colonial city's periphery. Five of the seventeen sites have seen the main depicted buildings demolished, two since 1950.
Sixteen of the seventeen 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.
The views are variously matted, unmatted, or framed, but the images generally measure about 11 inches high by 16 across, with some pencilled 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 a private collector in Philadelphia, who reserves all rights for republication, meaning that none would be permitted without express permission. Images will open in a second window.
81. Penrose Ferry Hotel. [larger]
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]
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]
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]
6306 Germantown Ave. Built 1765-68 (HABS PA 7-7).85. Randolph House. [larger]
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]
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]
Also known as Church of the Brethren, 6613 Germantown Ave. Built c. 1770, altered 1897.91. The Jolly Post, 1680. [larger]
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]
6119 Germantown Ave. Built 1770, with rear addition 1907. (HABS PA-15).93. Haines House, Germantown Avenue and Walnut Lane. [larger]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Also known as "Greumblethorpe" 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]
Third & Pine streets, in Society Hill. Built 1758-61, tower added 1842 (HABS PA-1118).104. [Old Swedes'] Church, Philadelphia. [larger]
-- (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]
-- This seventeenth 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).
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/].