Usher, Jacob

Metadata

Title

Usher, Jacob

Description

Born: c. 1679, Died: 1738 The trail of early master builder Jacob Usher is faint at best. He is traditionally listed by The Carpenters' Company as one of its earliest members, although no Company records prior to the 1760s survive to confirm the date or fact of his election. He first appears in Philadelphia as a servant of one Thomas Hooton in 1693 and was not yet of age when his stepfather, Nathaniel Harding--Jacob Usher's mother having reversed the usual pre-modern pattern by outliving at least two of her three known husbands--wrote his will in 1699/1700. Usher was probably of age the next year, however, when he declared his intention to marry Ruth Wood (b.1680). In 1708/09, Pentecost Teague reported to the Philadelphia Monthly meeting that he had provided a place for James West with Jacob Usher, carpenter. In 1721 Usher advertised in the American Weekly Mercury that he wished to sell 250 acres of land in Chester County, and in 1723 and 1724 he was paid for measuring the carpenters' work at the new Philadelphia prison and work house.

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

Member Number

Last Name

Usher

First Name

Jacob

Birth Date

1/1/1678

Deceased Date

10/12/1738

Married

1708/09

Spouse Name

Ruth Wood (R)

Spouse Born

1680

Children

Ruth(R)

Business Address

W. side of 2nd St. bet. High & Chestnut sts.

Project

Phila. Prison & Work House (measured work)

Reference

*Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila Architects, page 812. The trail of early master builder Jacob Usher is faint at best. He is traditionally listed by The Carpenters' Company as one of its earliest members, although no Company records prior to the 1760s survive to confirm the date or fact of his election. He first appears in Philadelphia as a servant of one Thomas Hooton in 1693 and was yet of age when his step-father, Nathaniel Harding -- Jacob Usher's mother having reversed the usual pre-modern pattern by outliving at least two of her three known husbands -- wrote his will in 1699/1700. Usher was probably of age the next year, however, when he declared his intention to marry Ruth Wood (b. 1680). In 1708/9, Pentecost Teague reported to the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting that he had provided a place for James West with Jacob Usher, carpenter. In 1721 Usher advertised in the "American Weekly Mercury" that he wished to sell 250 acres of land in Chester county, and in 1723 and 1724 he was paid for measuring the carpenters' work at the new Philadelphia prison and work house. See Selected Bibliography in "Biographical Dictionary of Philadelphia Architects"; Tatman & Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila Architects. Volume at Carpenters' Hall and The Athenaeum of Philadelphia.

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

*Birth date determined by research of Spencer Roach. He says born in "late 1670's."

*File on 2nd floor. Two typed pages outlining his real estate transctions, including sale of 250 acres on Naaman's Creek, near Marus Hook; also the repairs to bridges; his family life.

*Hannah Roach paper (New Prison & Work-house) Mentions Usher's role in construction. (Copy of print showing building).

*(Hannah Roach) Jacob Usher died 10-12-1738 Ruth, wife of Jacob, died 12-12-1714 Ruth, daughter of Jacob and Ruth, died 12-22-1709/10 Jacob Usher, carpenter, died 10 10m (December) 1738 (Hinshaw, II, 429). Was servant of Thomas Hooton of Philadelphia in 1693 when Hooton wrote his will which was proved same year (PGSP, II, 11, #91). Usher was not of age when Nathaniel Harding wrote his will in 1699: "My wife's son Jacob Usher, not of age." (PGSP, III, 25). But he was probably of age on 23 12m (February) 1699/1700, when he declared intentions of marriage with Ruth Wood (Hinshaw, II, 672). On 28 11m (January) 1708/9 Pentecost Teague reported to the Monthly Meeting that he had provided a place for James West with Jacob Usher, carpenter (PGSP, VI, 298) Phila. Deed Book E-7-9, 11: 7 3m (May) 1712, Richard Hill to Jacob Usher, Carpenter.

Grantor File Data from the City of Philadelphia Archives:
(Date; Book; No.; Page; Grantee)
1825/1830; GWR; 26; 444; Branson, William

File Number

Grantor Records Notes

Several listings for Abraham and John

Defendant/Sheriff's Sale Notes

James (1794)

Collection

Members

Citation

“Usher, Jacob,” Carpenters' Company Digital Archive & Museum, accessed April 25, 2024, https://archive.carpentershall.org/items/show/25793.