Rakestraw, Joseph

Metadata

Title

Rakestraw, Joseph

Description

oseph was one of the most prominent master builders of the years immediately before and after the Revolution. The son of Joseph and Elizabeth Fox Rakestraw, he had become important in Carpenters' Company affairs by the 1760s, although his date of election is unknown due to the loss of all Company records prior to that time. He served as Warden from 1768 and Assistant from 1774; as senior Assistant, he automatically became President of The Company in 1779. Throughout these years, Rakestraw served on the crucial Committee Regulating the Rules of Measuring which established the prices of most carpentry work in Philadelphia. He was a Director of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire, 1777-1794, having previously held the contract for supplying and mounting Contributionship fire marks after 1758. In the 1780s, Rakestraw is known to have surveyed and leveled the bed for the canal between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers (1785), supplied a weathervane for George Washington's use at Mount Vernon (1787), undertaken extensive repairs at the State House (Independence Hall), 1788-1789, and participated in the construction of Library Hall (1789-1790) and the Presidents' House (1791). He died intestate during the yellow fever epidemic of 1794.

Written by Roger W. Moss, from the Philadelphia Architects and Builders website.

Member Number

59*

Last Name

Rakestraw

First Name

Joseph

Birth Date

1/1/1732

Deceased Date

5/10/1794

Married

11/17/1757

Spouse Name

Rachel Ogilby

Spouse Born

(Comments)

Children

John, Joseph, Rebecca, Hannah

Father

Jos. (dcd. 1750)

Mother

Elizabeth Fox

Descendant

Mr. Brad Feldmaier

Date Elected

1/2/1763

Office Held

Vice President, 1774,88

Warden, 1768,91

Committee Membership

Book Prices Committee, 1767-88,90

Business Address

3rd bet. Vine & Callowhill - 1785 (Roach), See "Comments"

Project

Bed for canal between Schuylkill & Delaware rivers (1785)

Weathervane for Mt. Vernon (1787)

Work on Court House, 2nd & High Sts.

Reference

*Subscribed 6 shares to erection of Hall.

*Tatman & Moss Biographical Dictionary of Phila. Architects. Pages 641-642. Was one of the most prominent Philadelphia master builders of the years immediately before and after the Revolution. The son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Fox) Rakestraw (q.v.), he had become important in Carpenters' Company affairs by the 1760s, although the date of his election is unknown due to the loss of all Company records prior to that time. He served as Warden from 1768 and Assistant from 1774; as senior Assistant, he automatically became President of the Company in 1779. Throughout these years, Rakestraw served on the crucial Committee Regulating the Rules of Measuring which established the prices of most carpentry work in Philadelphia. He was a director of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire, 1777-1794, having previously (after 1758) held the contract for supplying and mounting Contributionship fire marks. In the 1780s, Rakestraw is known to have surveyed and leveled the bed for the canal between the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers (1785), supplied a weathervane for George Washington's house at Mount Vernon (1787), undertaken extensive repairs at the State House (1788-1789), and participated in the construction of Library Hall (1789-1790) and the President's House (1791). He died intestate during the yellow fever epidemic of 1794. See Selected Bibliography in Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects. See extensive listing.

*INHP Library - Joseph Rakestraw paid for measuring carpenters' work at Congress Hall.

*In Jos. Rakestraw file, article from "The American Genealogist" on family. Will book page WBX:73; proved date May 19, 1794. Executors were: brother-in-law Joseph Ogilby and son-in-law Abraham Colladay.

*1793 - address at 138 Mulberry St. (Hannah Roach) 1794 - address Sarah Rakestraw 3 Kunckle St., Northern Liberties

*Member File. A typed, 2-page manuscript summarizing his life, work -- including measuring of work on bridges over Pennypack and Cobbs Creek (principal route to south), and the Court House at 2nd and Market. Also, an article from "The American Genealogist" giving data on extensive Rakestraw family. Article from "Journal of Society of Architectural Historians" telling of construction of President's House (9th below Market) and men associated with it: William Williams, Joseph Rakestraw, John Smith and Robert Allison -- all members of the Carpenters' Company. Also, see file of Joseph Fox for reference to that family as shown on Fox family website; should click on "Rakestraw" in that website.

*In his member folder copy of page from Minutes of Library Company shares - 1789.

*Noted in PAB as having working on APS library hall.

*From "Chestertown, MD, an Inventory of Historic Sites" Page C-86, concerning Washington College. "The original William Smith Hall, on the site of the present Middle Hall (C-83), was the largest building in Maryland in its day. The cornerstone was laid in 1783 by then Governor William Paca and the building was dedicated on June 17, 1788. Described as "Chippendale-Georgian" in design, the edifice was noted for its balancing of structure, both laterally and vertically. It consisted of a central section with large Palladian window and two flanking sections. Bricks for the building were made on the property. The structure was probably designed by Joseph Rakestraw of the Carpenters' Company, Philadelphia, after designs by Robert Smith. The workmen, from Philadelphia, were under the direction of Robert Allison, also of the Carpenters' Company. Nicholas Hicks, master mason of Philadelphia, completed the list of craftsmen. January 1827 found William Smith Hall destroyed by fire. The College officials were never successful in raising funds to rebuild it, and in 1845 Middle Hall was erected on the site.

*PA Gazette 5/12/1784 - #539 Chosen manager of Contributors to Relief and Employment of the Poor in Philadelphia.
PA Gazette 3/14/1788 - #4118 Gunning Bedford, Joseph Rakestraw and Silas Engles among others submitting report on operation, funding and need for support of almshouse.
PA Gazette 12/11/1793 - #9713 Strayed light red cow 4 years old, branded on both horns with "R". Dollar reward by Joseph Rakestraw, 138 Arch St. PA Gazette 8/13/1794 - #10269 Persons indebted to Joseph Rakestraw, house carpenter, desired to make payment. Deceased July 1794. Executors Joseph Ogilby and Abraham Colladay.

File Number

Revolutionary War

Grantor Records Notes

See information under earlier Joseph Rakestraw.

Collection

Members

Citation

“Rakestraw, Joseph,” Carpenters' Company Digital Archive & Museum, accessed April 23, 2024, https://archive.carpentershall.org/items/show/25838.