Robert Allison (d. 1811)

Robert Allison, a talented carpenter and master builder, proved to be one of the Carpenters’ Company’s most colorful members. His successes led him to become one of Company’s most prominent members in matters outside of carpentry and architecture. A member of Philadelphia's Presbyterian religious community, Allison was married within a Presbyterian church and had all of his children baptized. He began his long career of community service by accepting an appointment to a committee to work out suitable financial arrangements for Captain Condy who was overseeing the building of the new Presbyterian Church at Fourth and Pine Streets.

Allison made his debut in Philadelphia politics in 1776 when he was elected to the Committee for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia for the District of Southwark for a six-month period. He began the year with a measuring job, shelving at Captain David Sproats’ store with Edward Bonsall, but was soon engaged with the construction of a fort on Liberty Island with James Worrell. Other work took place on Province Island, Mud Island and Fort Mifflin.  Allison maintained a strong political presence; the issues of currency devaluation were of paramount interest to him. He served as the committee representative from Southwark to stop the issuance of paper money and to raise money by subscriptions raised by canvassing the neighborhood, although apparently nothing came of this. It may, however, have led to the petition submitted to Congress by hundreds of citizens, requesting that its members determine the extent and quantity of paper money to be issued and when it shall stop. They further suggest raising revenue by subscription. This was read on September 13, 1779. Allison later served on the Sheriff’s Committee in 1780.

Allison ardently supported the patriot cause during this time. Besides working on the construction of defensive forts, Allison also participated in the newly-formed military of the United States. Allison was elected a lieutenant colonel of the Pennsylvania militia in 1777 and served until 1780. His rank required him to undertake responsibility for his battalion’s organization. he was allotted $100 by the Council of Safety for recruiting expenses at the critical point when General Howe was threatening to invade Philadelphia and was also paid for the procurement of muskets just prior to the Battle of Brandywine. Allison’s sixth battalion was called to active duty at Swedes Ford. However, once the battalion’s two-month tour of active duty ended, a new battalion replaced them. His knowledge gained from carpentry led him to be placed in charge of dealing with lumber materials leftover from the British following their evacuation of Philadelphia and their defensive redoubts. While fully supportive of the revolution, Allison was aware of the strains that the conflict caused on Philadelphia’s population. Following the removal of lead pipes likely used for casting bullets, Allison, and fellow carpenters Evan Evans and James Worrell petitioned Congress in 1779 to appoint someone to value the lead and repay those citizens who were affected.

He also took the time to aid individual colleagues, signing a petition with others including David Rittenhouse and Robert Smith in support of William Brown’s efforts to become the auctioneer of the city in 1779. In 1778 he signed a petition endorsing John Norman’s efforts to raise funds to finish the publication of a treatise on artillery. Even earlier in 1777 he was one of 19 Master Carpenters who signed a petition to the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania supporting George Ingels for the office of measurer for the city.

Partially written by Carol Smith, Philadelphia Architects and Builders website.