Davis, Jr., James

Metadata

Title

Davis, Jr., James

Description

James Davis, Jr., was the son of a house carpenter and a successful master builder in his own right. The Carpenters' Company lists him as an early member; he is first mentioned as present at meetings in 1766, although no Company records prior to the l760s have survived to confirm the date of his election. Davis was elected Assistant Warden of The Company, 1767-1770, and was one of the larger contributors toward the construction of Carpenters' Hall.

Biography from Philadelphia Architects and Builders, a project of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Written by Sandra L. Tatman.

Member Number

30*

Last Name

Davis

First Name

James

Name Suffix

, Jr.

Deceased Date

1/1/1774

Spouse Name

Elizabeth, Silla (2nd wife)

Children

James, William, Ann, Sarha (?), Mary, Elizabeth, Thomas

Father

James, Sr.

Mother

Rachel

Office Held

Vice President, 1767

Project

217 Spruce St. (1758)

Reference

*Subscribed to 10 shares for erection of Hall.

*Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects page 186. Was the son of a house carpenter and a successful master builder in his own right. The Carpenters' Company lists him as an early member; he is first mentioned as present at meetings in 1766, although no Company records prior to the 1760s have survived to confirm the date of his election.. Davis was elected Assistant Warden of The Company, 1767-1770, and was one of the larger contributors toward the construction of Carpenters' Hall. (See Trans. APS Vol. 43, Part I (1953), page 99.) See Selected Bibliography in Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects.

*Item 19 - Accounts & Friendship (Hannah Roach) 8 May 1789 - Cash paid Elizabeth Davis, widow of James Davis, Jr., for her daughter, left to her by James Davis, Sr., as appears by his will 2 pounds, 10 shillings

*Prime Directory: Lists as carpenter Aug. 23, 1744 in Pennsylvania Gazette - no address given.

*Via Hannah Roach: Tax list, 1756, Dock Ward, James Davis, carpenter, 16 pounds. Son Thomas apprenticed to George Wood in 1770; assigned with consent to James Armitage 1772-75. Will Book Q/73:1774 (written Nov. 24, 1763) - copy of will and codicil in folder. Will proved November 19, 1774.

*"Philadelphia Preserved" Page 12 - Built house at 217 Spruce St. in 1758. Known as Davis-Lenox house.

*In file: further details on owners of Davis-Lenox house and building's current state of preservation.
*PA Gazette 7/12/1744 - #6498 Run away from James Davis of this city, carpenter, an apprentice lad named John Jones. . .There was a total of four runaways from four men, including Abraham Carlile, "stole a boat 17-foot keel, square sprit sail, new pine rudder." Three pounds reward for each runaway; 20 shillings for the boat.

File Number

Collection

Members

Citation

“Davis, Jr., James,” Carpenters' Company Digital Archive & Museum, accessed July 26, 2024, https://archive.carpentershall.org/items/show/25820.