Engles, Silas

Metadata

Title

Engles, Silas

Description

Silas Engles was a master builder elected to The Carpenters' Company prior to 1770, but no Company records prior to the 1760s survive to confirm the date of his membership. From 1779 through 1790 he served as a committeeman or officer of The Company, and in 1786 received payment for several months "Attendance &c on the printing, Engraving, Drawing Designs, Copper plate Printing, and Book Binding &c" for the first Company price book. While a young journeyman carpenter he had worked for early Company member Isaac Zane, Sr.

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

Member Number

51*

Last Name

Engles

First Name

Silas

Birth Date

1/1/1740

Deceased Date

1/1/1804

Spouse Name

Mary Trent & Ann

Children

Joseph

Descendant

Mary Dobson

Office Held

Vice President, 1784

Warden, 1779

Committee Membership

Book Prices Committee, 1784-90,95

Business Address

66 Shippen St. (1790) (Prime)

Reference

*Subscribed 6 shares to erection of Hall.

*Tatman & Moss Biographical Dictionary of Phila. Architects. Page 247. A master builder elected to the Carpenters' Company prior to 1770, but no Company records prior to the 1760s survive to confirm the date of his membership. From 1779 through 1790 he served as a committeeman or officer of the Company, and in 1786 he received payment for several months "Attendance &c on the printing, Engraving, Drawing Designs, Copper plate Printing, and Book Binding &c" for the Company price book. While a young journeyman carpenter, Engles had worked for early Company member Isaac Zane (q.v.) See Selected Bibliography in Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects.

*Correspondence to Charlie Peterson, Alan Rothenberger and Ms. Dobson. The Peterson Correspondence has a reference to a recpipt tied back to Silas Engles.

*Two books in library were given by him: "Silas Engles His Book 1769" in "The Builders' Companion & Workman's Assistant" and "The British Architect - Builder's Treasury of Staircases, 2nd edition.. Inscribed: "Silas Engles, his book bought Philadelphia July 8th, 1757. Price one pound,17.6."

*Information from descendant: Died in Pennsylvania.

*Prime Directory: carpenter, 66 Shippen St. (April 7, 1790) Pennsylvania Journal; 226 South 3rd St. (1791-1800)

*Ancestry.com July 20, 1773, Mibsam Ker as apprentice for period of 6 years, 2 months and 28 days. "Apprentice taught the art and mystery of a house carpenter, the father to find the apprentice apparel one year from this date.

*PA Gazette 2/8/1775 - #19780 Benj Franklin's newspaper the Gazette Owned ground on west side of Third St., in Southwark. PA Gazette 8/28/1775 - #20833 At election at State House, Silas Engles was elected to represent Southwark in the Committee for the City of Philadelphia. Owen Biddle elected to represent the City; Isaac Coats for the Northern Liberties. PA Gazette 2/21/1776 - #21721 Coats elected to represent Northern Liberties for a six-month term for the Committee for City and Liberties. PA Gazette 11/27/1782 - # 30758 Captain Engles commended as officer in the Pennsylvania militia during Revolution. Speech presented by militia's commanding general. PA Gazette 5/11/1785 - #1977 Joseph Rakestraw and Gunning Bedford elected among others as Managers of Contributors to the Corporation for Relief and Employment of the Poor in Philadelphia - i.e. as overseers of the almshouse. PA Gazette 5/10/1786 - #3215 Gunning Bedford, Joseph Rakestraw and Silas Engles among others elected to Committee, above. 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 11/11/1789 - #6657 Owned land near Shippen St. between 2nd and 3rd. PA Gazette 8/21/1799 - #13344 William Linnard, Alexander Steel and Silas Engles on committee from Southwark to elect Thomas McKean as governor

*Managing Committee Minutes-1800-8-118 Manaaging Committee Minutes Committee of five on case of Silas Engles. Warden Minutes -1800-3-118, 120 Silas Engels divulging the sentiments of a member of the Company when at the last quarterly meeting contrary to the by-laws of the Company. Charges against Silas Engels unfounded. Managing Committee Minutes-1806-15-7 On considering the subject of re-insuring the property of John King and Silas Engles, it was on consideration agreed not necessary to make such insurance. Managing Committee Minutes-1808-15-127, 132 The Collector is directed to call on widow Engles and demand the interest due on her Bond and report at next meeting. The committee to call on the widow Engles report that she was not able to pay the interest due. Managing Committee Minutes-1809-15-149, 161 An application was made by William Garrigues for some relief for the widow Engles; the committee thought it expedient to grant her relief. $30 relief of A. Engles. Managing Committee Minutes-1811-15-282 The Collector is directed to have Silas Engles mortgage to the Company recorded. Managing Committee Minutes-1813-16-31 The Collector reports that he has received from Mrs. Engles on account of interest $50. Managing Committee Minutes-1819-17-35 On motion resolved: that the Collector be instructed to have the Judgment accompanying Silas Engles mortgage entered up according to law. Managing Committee Minutes-1822-18-111 Jesse Williamson reports having received from the widow Engles $100 on account of interest. Managing Committee Minutes-1823-18-119, 123, 142 In favor of William Wagner for $27.47, $20 of the same being a counterfeit note received from the widow Engles and $7.47 to pay discount of note in Bank. $40 received from the widow Engles for the amount of a note due to the Company without interest, the same being allowed by the Company. $50 received from widow Engels on account for interest due. Managing Committee Minutes-1826-18-251 $36 from widow Engles being interest due on Bond Managing Committee Minutes-1827-18, 291 William Govett reported having received $36 of Ann Engles on account of interest and paid the same to the Treasurer. Managing Committee Minutes-1828-18-313 Received from Ann Engles $36 interest on her Bond. Managing Committee Minutes-1833-18-468 A letter relating to mortgage on Silas Engels estate. Managing Committee Minutes-1834-18-487 The "Missis" Engles represent that the estate of Silas Engles will be transferred to Rev. George C. Patt and he will pay the interest on the Bond, from March next on the house in Shippen & Third St. Managing Committee Minutes-1835-18-531 Mr. Williamson, collector, reports having received $72 being two years interest on Mrs. Engels mortgage, and paid the same to the Treasurer.

*Trans. APS Vol. 43, Part I (1953) Listed as among original subscribers (1770) to construction of Hall.

*City Records D.S.B. book#339; filed December 23, 1819 City of Philad debit records The Carpenters' Company of Philadelphia vs. Silas Engles. DSB $1200 judgment in bond and warrant against claimant dated April 1801 conditioned for the payment of $600 silver money together with lawful interest for the same.

Grantor File Data from the City of Philadelphia Archives:
(Date; Book; No.; Page; Grantee)
1799/1809; EF; 6; 233; Dubrail, Peter
1799/1809; EF; 7; 464; Potter, Matthew
1799/1809; EF; 10; 244; Bossio, Decundio

File Number

Revolutionary War

Collection

Members

Citation

“Engles, Silas,” Carpenters' Company Digital Archive & Museum, accessed October 25, 2024, https://archive.carpentershall.org/items/show/25839.