appearance. The first story, in which the Continental Congress assembled, has been carefully renovated, and various articles of furniture placed therein which were in use in 1774, as well as other articles made to conform as far as possible to their style and Prominent among these, on either side of the platform, are two old-fashioned chairs, which it is believed were used by the officers of that Congress, and which are labelled "Continental Congress, 1774." The upper rooms have been fitted up for the library, and the accommodation of the Superintendent. In the future, it is the intention of the Company that this old memorial of the past shall be devoted to its original purpose, and aid in keeping alive the interesting memories which attach to it, and with this view, strangers and citizens will be afforded an opportunity of visiting and inspecting this relic of the most interesting periods of the city's history. REMINISCENCES. At a meeting of the Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia, held April 28th, 1856,* the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: "1. Resolved, That it is expedient for the Company to remove as soon as possible to the old Hall." Meeting of Resolutions in relation to occupy. ing old Hall "2. Resolved, That the Managing Committee immediately take the necessary measures for obtaining possession, and fit up for the meetings of the Company, and for the accommodation of the Superintendent, the building on the south end of Carpenters' Court, known as Carpenters' Hall, and that in such fitting up especial care be taken to preserve, as much as possible, every Acts of Comfeature in said Hall as it now exists indicative of its mittee. original finish.” Agreeably to the foregoing resolutions the Managing Committee, having obtained possession on the 23d of May, 1857, proceeded to prepare the building for the use of the Company, and having completed the duty assigned them, agreed to notify the Company to meet. this day, September 5th, 1857, being the eighty-third anniversary of the meeting of the first Congress in this Hall. *This meeting was held in the usual place, second story of building, west side of court. Report of Committee. To the Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia : The Managing Committee, who were charged with Managing the duty of fitting up the old Hall, report the same completed and now ready for occupation by the Company. On the 4th ult., the second story being nearly completed, the family moved in, and on the 15th ult., the Committee met for the first time in their room. This was done in order the sooner to let the building lately occupied by the Company. The Committee present to the Company the following statement (being extracts from our minutes), as matter worthy of record, and as a means in future of easy and useful reference. EXTRACTS FROM ANCIENT MINUTES. FEBRUARY 15th, 1763. 1763. Committee At this meeting the following members were ap- on pricing pointed a committee to set prices to various sorts of work. carpenter's work, which is to be laid before the whole Company for their approbation at our next meeting, viz.: Robert Smith, John Thornhill, Joseph Thornhill, Gunning Bedford, Thomas Nevell, Benjamin Loxley, Abraham Carlile, James Worrell, William Dilworth, John Goodwin, James Pearson, Joseph Rush. APRIL 18th, 1763. At a general meeting of the Carpenters' Company, agreed to continue the former committee to finish their proceedings about regulating the prices of all kinds of carpenter's work, which is to be laid before the Company at the next meeting of third Monday in July, which will be the 18th day. Likewise the following members were appointed: Joseph Fox, John Thornhill, John Goodwin, Benjamin Loxley, and Gunning Bedford, to fix upon a proper lot of ground to build a hall for the use of the said Company, when their proceedings are to be laid before the Company. Likewise there was eight new members entered, and paid their en- New trance-money and quarterages, and their proportionable part of the expenses of the committee. JULY 18th, 1763. Committee on lot. bers. a lot. mem At this meeting it was desired that the committee Inquiries for should continue their inquiries after a proper lot of ground to accommodate the Company for building a hall, and to make report. It was likewise desired, as 1763. 1768 Purchase of lot. Size. Trustees. our Master Fox had informed the Company at our last meeting of a lot of ground in the possession of John Ross, Esq., which was approved of by the Company met, and our Master was desired to treat about the lowest price, and make report. Committee on pricing work and on lot continued. There does not appear anything in the minutes in relation to a lot for building since the above until 1768, when the lot now owned by the Company, upon which this Hall and the building in front now stand, together with the lot on the east side of court (since sold) was purchased by the Company, February 3rd, 1768, being 66 feet front on Chestnut Street by 255 feet deep; the price was an annual ground rent of 176 Spanish milled pieces of eight, of fine silver, each 17 pennyweights and 6 grains. It was first conveyed by George Emlen and wife to Benjamin Loxley, Thomas Nevell, and Robert Smith, and on the 15th of January, 1770, conveyed to the following members, who had been elected Trustees, viz.: Gunning Bedford, John Goodwin, James Pearson, Joseph Rakestraw, Abraham Carlile, Thomas Shoemaker, and James Bringhurst. (A deed of trust executed January 16th, 1770.) APRIL 18th, 1768. Sketch of At this meeting, the Company taking into considerabuilding tion the improvement of their lot, Robert Smith exhibpresented. ited a sketch for a building to be thereon erected, and 1769. the members were desired to consider when will be a proper time to begin the building, &c. FEBRUARY 1st, 1769. Entrance fee At this meeting present 28 members. at this time, four pounds. APRIL 17th, 1769. The former committee were appointed to treat with the Library Company of Philadelphia, respecting their joining with this Company in a building suitable for a Carpenters' Hall and for a Library, and, if necessary, to call our Company together to lay the matter before. them. |