James Pearson (d. 1813)

James Pearson became a member of the Carpenters’ Company fairly early in his adult life and was elected prior to 1763. While Pearson was one of the most active members of the Company serving as Warden and on virtually every committee, he also devoted his energies to pursuits outside of the Company and his professional practice. In addition to his work as a builder, he ran a shop that sold a variety of both locally made and imported goods.  In 1759, he became a member of  the American Philosophical Society. While fairly inactive in his early days as a member, later in the 1760s he served on a variety of its scientific committees, ranging from the society’s committees on Math and Astronomy to its committees on Husbandry and Mechanics. His knowledge of astronomy made him one of the official observers of the transit of Venus (June 3, 1769) from the State House yard (Independence Square) led by the astronomer and clockmaker, David Rittenhouse. His skill as a carpenter was also utilized as he was directed to construct a twenty foot tall observatory. He also was a founder of the Amicable Library Company in 1757 and served as the group’s secretary.

Pearson grew up in a Quaker family and both of his marriages were within the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. Due to financial problems and unsatisfactory attempts at correcting them, Pearson was read out of the religious society in 1774. Contravening the pacifistic principles of his recent religious community, Pearson became an active patriot in 1775 after the start of the American Revolution. His professional means and skill caused the Committee of Safety to charge him with manufacturing firearms and later on he established a furnace to make cannons and ammunition. This furnace was destroyed by the British in 1779. The same year, he was commissioned as captain of the fourth artillery company of the city battalion.

In 1782 Pearson was elected as a Regulator (surveryor) of Philadelphia. Regulators were charged with creating and maintaining a smooth and manageable spatial layout of Philadelphia’s growing infrastructure. Pearson’s skill at performing these duties led him to operate as one of the most influential Regulators from his election and into the 19th century.

Partially written by Roger W. Moss. Philadelphia Architects and Builders website. 

Whitfield Jenks Bell,Patriot Improvers 1743-1768. Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 1997. 251-257.