thus referring to Carpenters' Hall, but for the passage of a resolution by our City Councils having reference to its purchase, which may induce some of our fellow citizens to suppose such a thing possible. To such I would say, that the Carpenters' Company is one of the oldest in the United States, having been instituted in 1724; that they built the Hall for their own use, and used it as such for their accommodation, and that they had no idea of parting with it; and to Councils, as Henry Pratt said to Joseph Bonaparte on a like occasion, that they "have not money enough to buy it." 1860. The Convention for the Erection of a Monument to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, assembled and held their meetings in the Hall. OCCUPANTS OF OLD HALL, FROM ITS FIRST BUILDING UNTIL MAY 23, 1857, WHEN THE COMPANY, AFTER FITTING IT UP, REOCCUPIED IT, SEPTEMBER 5, 1857. The lot was purchased February 3d, 1768; building commenced February 5th, 1770, and first occupied by the Company January 21st, 1771, in which they continued to meet until the British took possession, in 1777; and after they left, the first meeting of the Company in the Hall was January 18th, 1779, in which they continued to meet until the beginning of 1792. They then removed to the new building on the west side of court, second story, where they continued to meet until September 5th, 1857, when they reoccupied the old Hall. 1773 to December 30th, 1790, included, the Library Company occupied the second story. July 18th, 1774. Provincial Committee. September 5th, 1774, up to October 26th, 1774, inclusive. First Colonial Congress. 1775. 1775. The Provincial Convention. Committee on American Manufactures. 1776. Provincial Congress. Up to the time the British took possession, the cellar and part of first story, United States, as storehouse and office. September 26th, 1777, to June 18th, 1778, by the British. 1778. United States Barrack-master. 1779 to January 1st, 1792. First story and cellar, General Knox, Commissary-General. February 22d, 1792. George Eddy, part lately occupied by Commissary-General, and, by arrangement, given up to National Bank. September 7th, 1791. Leased to National Bank for two years. January 20th, 1794, to August 17th, 1797, to United States Bank. October 3d, 1797, to April 3d, 1798. Land Office. 1798 to 1801, three years. Bank of Pennsylvania. April 1st, 1802, to January 1st, 1811, and from April 1st, 1811, to January 1st, 1817. Custom-House, fourteen years, three months and nineteen days. October 1st, 1816, to February 9th, 1821. Second Bank of the United States, four years, four months, and eight days. March 12th, 1821, to December 12th, 1824. First story, Musical Society, three years and nine months. March 12th, 1821, to September 12th, 1828. Second story, Apprentices' Library Company, seven years and six months. March 12th, 1821, to December 12th, 1822. Second story, Society for Education of Female Children, one year and nine months. December 26th, 1822, to December 16th, 1824, and a second time, March 16th, 1826, to December 31st, 1832. Second story, John Willets, for school, eight years, nine months and six days. November 15th, 1824, to February 15th, 1826. Cellar, Jedediah Allen, one year and three months. December 12th, 1824, to April 12th, 1826. Franklin Institute, one year and four months. First story, November 9th, 1826, to August 9th, 1828. Cellar, Gillen & Hill, one year and nine months. June 1st, 1827, to March 1st, 1828. First story, Society of Friends, eight months. August 4th, 1828, to May 23d, 1857. C. J. Wolbert, auctionroom; part of this time, first story only, part first story and cellar, and part the whole building, twenty-eight years, nine months, and twenty seven days. |