Portues, James

Metadata

Title

Portues, James

Description

James was a master buider who came to Philadelphia in the service of William Wade, yeoman of the parish of Hankton, Sussex, who died on board on Welcome bound for Pennsylvania in 1682. Under the terms of Wade's will, Porteus (the name is variously spelled Portis, Poultis, Porteus, Portuous, Porties, Portius, Porteus, and Portus) was remanded for the balance of his term to John Songhurst, carpenter, in whose will he is mentioned as a servant in 1687. By the time of the 1693 Philadelphia tax, he was listed as one of the freeman "who have been out of their servitude by the space of 6 mos.," and worth less than 100 pounds. He applied for his headland in 1704. Scharf and Westcott give the construction of Samuel Carpenter's "Slate Roof House" of c. 1698 (Second above Walnut Streets) to Portues, although no contemporary documentation for this oft-repeated attribution has been discovered. Extensive payments for work and materials as Christ Church, c. 1711-1714, do survive and he appears to have built Isaac Norris's "Fair Hill" of c. 1716-17. Like most of his contemporaries, Portues is recorded as having been responsible for a number of minor civic improvements and served as a City Commissioner, 1723-26. The Carpenters' Company listed him as an early member in 1786, but no Company records prior to the 1760s survive to confirm that claim. By the time of his death, Porteus was a man of property with two Negro and two Indian slaves. William Rakestraw was his apprentice and Edward Warner and Joseph Fox his heirs and executors.

Biography from Philadelphia Architects and Buildings, a project of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Written by Roger W. Moss.

Member Number

Last Name

Portues

First Name

James

Birth Date

1/1/1670

Where Born

Sussex, England

Deceased Date

1/1/1737

Spouse Name

He did not marry

Descendant

Mr. Samuel Hope Carpenter

Samuel Hope Carpenter, Jr. (also III)

Project

"Slate Roof House" where Wm. Penn stayed (1689)

2nd St. above Walnut

Christ Church - work & materials (1711-14)

Second St. above Market

"Fair Hill," home of Isaac Norris (1716-17)

Reference

*Tatman & Moss Bio dictionary Phila Architects, page 617. Was a master builder who came to Philadelphia in the service of William Wade, yeoman of the parish of Hankton, Sussex, who died on the "Welcome" bound for Pennsylvania in 1682. Under the terms of Wade's will, Portues (the name is variously spelt Portis, Poultis, Porteus, Portuous, Porties, Portius, and Portus) was remanded for the balance of his term to John Songhurst, carpenter, in whose will he is mentioned as a servant in 1687. By the time of the 1693 Philadelphia tax, he was listed as one of the freeman "who have been out of their servitude by the space of 6 mos.," and worth less than 100 pounds. He applied for his headland in 1704. Scharf and Westcott give the construction of Samuel Carpenter's "Slate Roof House" of c. 1689 (Second above Walnut Streets) to Portues, although no contemporary documentation of this oft-repeated attribution has been discovered. References to payments for work and materials at Christ Church, c. 1711-1714, do survive and he appears to have built Isaac Norris's "Fair Hill" of c. 1716-17. Like most of his contemporaries, Portues is recorded as having been responsible for a number of minor civic improvements and served as City Commissioner, 1723-26. The Carpenters' Company listed him as an early member in 1786, but no Company records prior to the 1760s survive to provide a date. By the time of his death, Portues was a man of property with two Negro and two Indian slaves. William Rakestraw (q.v.) was his apprentice and Edward Warner (q.v.) and Joseph Fox (q.v.) his heirs and executors. Selected Bibliography: Christ Church journals, Hall; Moss, Master Builders, p. 41-43; Wills, 1736:22. Scharf &Westcott, I, 147, 159. rm.

*An Original Associator, one of 10 men who formed the Company in 1724.

*Birth date determined by research of Spencer Roach.

*Building Early America page 38. Reference to construction of Slate Roof House, pictured on opposite page.

*File on 2nd floor. Two-page typed biography telling of his arrival on the "Welcome" in 1682, of his properties, family relationships to other carpenters, and civic activities. In "Fox" file is information on Portues' relationship to Joseph Fox and Rakestraw connections.

*Hannah Roach paper, page 3aa See file of Richard K. Betts for reference to death date of Mr. Portues.

*Hannah Roach paper, page 7aa See file of William Coleman for reference as a county commissioner.

*Hannah Roach paper, page 13aa Comments about purchases of lumber from his yard for use in Christ Church.

*See Fox file folder For comments on his role with Joseph Fox in Laurel Hill mansion, along the Schuylkill.

*(Hannah Roach) notes James Portues, carpenter: will dated 30 November 1736; proved 11 January 1736/7, mentions apprentice William Rakestraw; named Edward Warner and Joseph Fox, carpenters, residuary legatees and executors. Phila. Will Book F, 24 #22, 1736/7. Was a servant of John Songhurst, carpenter, when Songhurst wrote his will in 1687. See Vol II, Welcome Claimants, p. 425.

*In his folder — copy of his will and bequests.

*In his folder — copy of William Penn cash book - 1699 - APS.

*In his folder — copy of page from Norris family papers - 1709-1740.

*Grantor File Data from the City of Philadelphia Archives:
(Date; Book; No.; Page; Grantee)
1718/1739; F; 4; 339; Coats, John
1718/1739; A; 9; 269; Marmion, Samuel
1751/1766; H; 4; 183; Roberts, Edward
1766/1781; I; 11; 330; Harrison, Joseph
1777/1800; D; 11; 407; Morgan, Grfiffith
1777/1800; D; 33; 138; Johns, Philip

File Number

Grantor Records Notes

Spelling of name verified in deed (1781-1766, I, 11, 328) Joseph Harrison to James Portues.

Collection

Members

Citation

“Portues, James,” Carpenters' Company Digital Archive & Museum, accessed April 23, 2024, https://archive.carpentershall.org/items/show/25791.