Colladay, William

Metadata

Title

Colladay, William

Description

William Colladay was a master builder elected to The Carpenters' Company in 1769, serving as a member of various committees throughout the l770s. One of several master builders who were active in civic affairs in the last quarter of the eighteenth century, Colladay served as an Overseer of the Poor, and assessor for Philadelphia, and in 1774 a Regulator of Party Walls, Buildings, and Partition Fences. He was an "encourager" of the Philadelphia edition of Abraham Swan's The British Architect (R. Bell for J. Norman, 1775), the first book on architecture published in America. Following the Revolution, Colladay continued to serve in various semi-official positions. In 1784 he was appointed to "view & value" (measure) the carpenters' work on the Triumphal Arch and in 1790 he helped to select "a suitable Lot and to prepare Materials for building a House thereon for the Accomodation of the President of the United States, and to prepare and report a Plan and Estimate thereof." That same year, together with Joseph Rakestraw, he made extensive repairs to the State House (Independence Hall). The only other structure with which he can firmly be associated is the Zion Lutheran Church at 4th and Cherry Streets on which he worked in 1794.

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

Member Number

76*

Last Name

Colladay

First Name

William

Birth Date

1/1/1738

Deceased Date

11/23/1823

Married

10/17/1765, Gmtn.

Spouse Name

Hannah Pastorius

Spouse Born

11/17/1743

Children

Abraham #165

Father

Jacob

Mother

Cath. Jul. Rubicam

Descendant

John Metz (1982)

Robert Mondell Colladay GGGGGGG Uncle

Affiliated Members of Company

Nephew Jacob # 163; son Abraham # 165; see # 17, 39, 283, 284, 285, 333; perhaps #425, 488.

Date Elected

1/3/1769

Committee Membership

Book Prices Committee, 1772,75-76,84

Managing Committee, 1772, 1775-80

Personal Background

His wife died July 11, 1794.

Business Address

Vine bet. 2nd & 3rd (1791) (Prime)

Project

Repairs to State House with Joseph Rakestraw, 1790

1772 Master Builder of First Reformed Church, 322 Race St.

Civic Activities

Overseer of Poor 1771; regulator 1782; Assessor 1772,3,4,8; Inspector of Elections 1776; Member of Committee to Collect Lead (for Revolution) 1776; Assemblyman elected 1780.

Additional Data

Qualified as Alderman 1789

Reference

*Subscribed 6 shares to erection of Hall.

*Tatman & Moss Biographical Dictionary of Phila. Architects page 156. Colladay was a master builder elected to the Carpenters' Company in 1769, serving as a member of various committees throughout the 1770s. One of several master builders who were active in civic affairs in the last quarter off the 18th century, Colladay served as an Overseer of The Poor, and assessor for Philadelphia, and in 1774 a Regulator of Party Walls, Buildings and Partition Fences. He was an "encourager" of the Philadelphia edition of Abraham Swan's "The British Architect" (R. Bell for J. Norman, 1775), the first book on architecture published in America.

*Managing Committee Minutes-April 12,1995-pages 490-493. Report by Historian Charlie Peterson includes article by Joseph Hammond on the work of Robert Smith in construction of German Reformed Church, 4th & RaceSts., its demolition by William Colladay and his reconstruction of the next edifice. See copy in file.

*INHP Library - William Colladay and David Evans on committee to serve on a committee investigating how to finance the new city hall (5th & Chesnut Sts.)

*Prime Directory: William & Abraham listed as house carpenters, bet. 2nd & 3rd in Brewer's alley (1797). Also listing for William, Vine bet. 2nd & 3rd (1785, 1797 & other dates), N. 2nd St. (1791)

*City Directory - 1826 - Mrs. Hannah, gentlewoman, N. 12th above Mulberry City Directory - 1830 - William Colladay, carpenter, 9 Jacoby. William Colladay, N 12th above Mulberry (but these listings are after his death date) 1840 - Hannah, widow, 9 Jacoby.

*Information in bio sketch by F. Spencer Roach: Biographer In Revolution (1776) he was a member of the committee to collect lead to be melted for bullets. He is an Incorporator #24 (spelled Colliday)

*In member file: Business card for John S. Colladay. Likely a descendant.

*Hannah Roach-APS: PG 5 Oct 1774: Elected city assessor. EP 17 Feb 1776. An inspector for election for Philadelphia committee and on the committee. EP 14 Oct 1778. Elected a city assessor. PP 27 April 1784. Applied a regulator for the city. PJ 2 Oct 1784. Declines to run again for Assembly because of weak health and private business.

*Hannah Roach paper: Colladay's wife died July 11, 1794.

*Hannah Roach paper: page 13aa Mention of his working with Joseph Rakestraw, Jr., in reshingling roof and interior partitions to State House in 1790.

*In his member folder: copy of bio sketch prepared by Mr. Roach and correspondence with a descendant.

*Managing Committee Minutes-1769-2-2 Extra meeting of Company. Thomas Shoemaker, David Evans and William Colladay 4 pounds each as entrance money. Quarterly meting of Company. William Colladay admitted into Company and paid 4 pounds entrance money to the Warden.

*PA Gazette 10/19/1791 - #8283 Elected sheriff in Philadelphia county.

*In member file: Member biographical data form.

*Grantor File Data from the City of Philadelphia Archives:
(Date; Book; No.; Page; Grantee)
1766/1781; I; 15; 125; Levezey, John
1777/1800; D; 41; 216; Wager, Philip
1799/1809; EF; 8; 296; Royal, George
1819/1821; IW; 8; 62; Rap, Jacob
1830/1836; AM; 8; 118; Magrath, M.
1830/1836; AM; 6; 553; Ritter, A.
1830/1836; AM; 44; 528; Colladay, Charles
1830/1836; AM; 64; 165; Pauling, M.
1836/1839; SHF; 14; 515; George, Sarah
1839/1842; GS; 1; 315; McClellan, F.
1839/1842; GS; 30; 650; Mason, William
1842/1845; RLL; 20; 618; Colladay, H.P.

File Number

Revolutionary War

Collection

Members

Citation

“Colladay, William,” Carpenters' Company Digital Archive & Museum, accessed April 25, 2024, https://archive.carpentershall.org/items/show/25860.