Rush, Joseph

Metadata

Title

Rush, Joseph

Description

Joseph Rush was a master builder already active in Carpenters' Company affairs by February 15, 1763, when he was elected to the important committee to set the prices used by masters in measuring carpentry work in Philadelphia. On January 20, 1766, he was elected Warden of The Company and on December 14, 1778, he was chosen President. The date of Rush's election to The Company is unknown due to the loss of early records; as early as 1746 he is recorded as having taken one Cornelius Vanostin as an apprentice following the death of his brother Thomas Rush (d. 1745). Joseph Rush was an "encourager" to the Philadelphia edition of Abraham Swan, The British Architect (R. Bell for J. Norman, 1775), the first architectural book published in America. Following Joseph Rush's death, his widow applied for and received financial assistance from The Carpenters' Company.

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

Member Number

60*

Last Name

Rush

First Name

Joseph

Deceased Date

1/1/1787

Spouse Name

Mary Street (R)

Date Elected

1/4/1763

Office Held

Vice President, 1773,79

Warden, 1766

Committee Membership

Book Prices Committee, 1763-74,84

Reference

*Subscribed to 4 shares for erection of Hall.

*Tatman & Moss Biographical Dictionary of Phila. Architects. Page 681. Joseph Rush was already active in Carpenters' Company affairs by February 15, 1763, when he was elected to the important committee to set the prices used by masters in measuring carpentry work in Philadelphia. On January 20, 1766, he was elected Warden of the Company and on December 14, 1778, he was chosen President. The date of Rush's election to the Company is unknown due to the loss of early records; as early as 1746 he is recorded as having taken one Cornelius Vanostin as apprentice following the death of his brother Thomas Rush (d. 1745). Joseph Rush was an "encourager" to the Philadelphia edition of Abraham Swan, "The British Architect" (R. Bell for J. Norman, 1775), the first architectural book published in America. Following Joseph Rush's death his widow applied for and received financial assistance from The Company. See Selected Bibliography in Tatman & Moss Biographical Dictionary of Phila. Architects.

*PA Gazette 2/22/1786 - #2959 Persons indebted to Joseph Rush, late coroner of the city and county of Philadelphia, should make payments and settle accounts with Mary Rush and George Ingels, executors.

*Trans. APS, Vol. 43, Part I (1953), page 99. Listed among original subscribers (1770) to construction of Hall.

*Managing Committee Minutes-1770-2-15 Wardens receive old arrears from Joseph Rush. Managing Committee Minutes-1781-2-163 Joseph Rush chosen President. Managing Committee Minutes-1788-3-166 An application to the Company on behalf of the widow Rush; her situation being laid before the committee. Managing Committee Minutes-1789-4-37 Application was made in behalf of Mary Rush, relect of Joseph Rush (formerly a member of this Company) for some assistance. Agree to give the sum of 5 pounds; an order was drawn to the Treasurer for that sum. Carpenters' Co. Minutes-1791-11-18 Order drawn on treasurer for widow of Joseph Rush 20 dollars; lent to her to be repaid to the Company. Managing Committee Minutes-1793-5-60 Fifteen pounds allowed to the widow Rush as her situation appears to require assistance.

* Via Hannah Roach Papers: Joseph Rush of Northern Liberties, house carpenter, will dated 7 November 1785; proved 27 January 1786. Wife Mary and friend George Ingels executors. (Will Book T, 274, #61:1786) Copy in his folder.

*PA Gazette 3/28/1756 - #6795 Named Lieutenant in Militia from Nlorthern Liberties. PA Gazette 7/5/1770 - #9715 Property for sale identifies Rush as owning land west of Front St., in Northern Liberties.
PA Gazette 9/6/1775 - #20909 Announces he is to stand for election to Coroner's office. PA Gazette 1/20/1779 - #26864 Appointed one of four Justices of the Peace.
PA Gazette 10/17/1781 - #29394 Elected Coroner at General Election. Re-elected in 1782 (#30611).

Grantor File Data from the City of Philadelphia Archives:
(Date; Book; No.; Page; Grantee)
1777/1800; D; 12; 407; Clayton, Richard
1777/1800; D; 50; 155; Bethell, Robert
1751/1766; H; 7; 262; Rush, John

File Number

Revolutionary War

Collection

Members

Citation

“Rush, Joseph,” Carpenters' Company Digital Archive & Museum, accessed April 19, 2024, https://archive.carpentershall.org/items/show/25840.