Procter, Thomas

Procter, Thomas

Thomas Procter was an Irish-born master builder who, wishing to improve his understanding of the "art of architecture," studied with Thomas Nevell in 1771. The following year he was elected to membership in The Carpenters' Company, the same year (1772) he erected the City Tavern on Second Street above Walnut (reconstructed by Independence National Historical Park). From 1771 through 1773 he is recorded as having taken on four apprentices: James Magill (1771), James Smith (1772), John Adams (1772), William Crook (1773); he was also 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. On the eve of the Revolution he served as Warden of The Carpenters' Company (1774-1775). At the outbreak of fighting, Procter applied to the Council of Safety for appointment as Captain of an artillery company which was stationed at Fort Island in the Delaware River. His artillery served at the battles of Trenton, Brandywine, and Germantown. In 1779 he was commissioned by Congress as a Colonel of Artillery in the Army of the United States and served with General Sullivan on his expedition against the Six Nations in New York. In 1781 he resigned his commission, briefly resuming his military career late the next year. During the Whiskey Insurrection Procter served as a Brigadier General and in 1796 he was appointed a "Major General of the militia composed of the city and county of Philadelphia." From October 20, 1783, until October 14, 1785, Procter was Sheriff of the County of Philadelphia, and in 1790 he was elected City Lieutenant by the Supreme Executive Council.


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

91*

Procter

Thomas

1/1/1739

1/1/1806

Zion Luth. Ch. 12/31/1766

Mary Fox (HSR)

Ireland, 1739

Francis

1/2/1772

Warden, 1774

Book Prices Committee, 1774

173 N. Front (CD) (1805)

Erected the City Tavern (1772)

Second & Walnut Sts.

Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects page 635-636. An Irish-born master builder who, wishing to improve his understanding of the "art of architecture," studied with Thomas Nevell (q.v.) in 1771. The following year he was elected to membership in The Company, the same year (1772) he erected the City Tavern on Second St. above Walnut (reconstructed by INHP). From 1771 through 1773 he is recorded as having taken on four apprentices: James Magill (1771), James Smith (1772), John Adams (1772), William Crook (1773); he was also 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. On the eve of the Revolution he served as Warden of The Company (1774-75). At the outbreak of fighting, Proctor applied to the Council on Safety for an appointment as Captain of an artillery company which was stationed at Fort Island in the Delaware River. His artillery served at the battles of Trenton, Brandywine and Germantown. In 1779 he was commissioned by Congress as a Colonel of Artillery in the Army of the United States and served with General Sullivan on his expedition against the Six Nations in New York. In 1781 he resigned his commission, briefly resuming his military career late the next year. During the Whiskey Insurrection Proctor served as a Brigadier General and in 1796 he was appointed a "Major General of the militia composed of the city and county of Philadelphia." From October 20, 1783, until October 14, 1785, Proctor was Sheriff of the County of Philadelphia and in 1790, he was elected City Lieutenant by the Supreme Executive Council. ---------------------- In member file: photographs of letter he wrote and transcription of text. Original letter and negative made at Chas. Mills studio on file at APS in Hall archives. Placed there August, 2004. On March 23, 2005, Charles B. Greifenstein , manuscripts librarian of the APS, reported the letter has been temporarily stored on Floor D in the vault in a box with other 2004 accessions. Their official letter and appraisal in our file on 2nd floor. ---------------------- Also in file: notes and background material used in preparing article for website and "Quarterly" newsletter. All information came from INHP library. ---------------------- In his member file, see pages copied from "Fort Mifflin of Philadelphia," telling of his work at the fort protecting Philadelphia. ---------------------- In "Bring Out Your Dead," paperback telling about the yellow fever epidemic of 1793, on page 245 Procter is dispatched by Governor Mifflin to take contributions incorrectly sent to Mifflin to City Hall and the mayor, Clarkson. ---------------------- Ancestry.com July 26, 1773, William Crooke taken as apprentice for five years. "Apprentice taught the art and mystery of a house carpenter, found meat, drink, washing and lodging, privilege of going to night school in the winter season, his friend paying the expense of night schooling." ---------------------- City Directory - 1805 - Thomas, superintendent of the magazine, 173 N. Front ---------------------- "Fort Mifflin of Philadelphia" page 21, 22, 25, 26, 63 Various references to Procter's artillery at the Fort, then moved from island before battle to join Washington in what became the battle of Trenton. ---------------------- See page 211 in Minutes Book of quarterly meetings (July 17, 2000) for biographical sketch of Procter by Charles Peterson. ---------------------- PA Packet 7/25/1778 (25078) Proctor is one of many Philadelphians signing a statement July 17, 1778 encouraging residents to testify against "enemies of America" during the recent British occupation. ---------------------- PA Gazette 1/26/1774 #17557 Advertises that he will show plans for houses - by "Thomas Proctor, house carpenter, North side of Walnut, 5 doors westward from corner of Second." This is right behind the City Tavern. Advertisement repeated 2/2/1774 - #17596 PA Gazette 8/10/1774 #18695 Advertises with James Humphreys various lots of ground for sale or rent. Apparently was also in the real estate business. In addition, advertises "sundry sums of money to be let out at interest, on good security." Business in Notary and Conveyancing carried out by Humphreys. PA Gazette 7/25/1778 - #25078 One of many, including other C.C. members, signing a document urging citizens to give evidence against persons sympathetic to Britain during occupation of Philadelphia. PA Gazette 8/25/1779 - #27452 Col. Proctor selling two lots on north side of Market St. between 9th and 10th sts. He owned them: each 66 ft. front by 306 ft. deep - which is most of a city block. He is living in Water St. PA Gazette 11/8/1780 - #28468 Col. Proctor is acquitted by Court Martial of charges which were brought by Capt. Porter. Charges were "vexatious, groundless and illiberal." PA Gazette 7/24/1782 - #30302 "Gentlemen, after having served you faithfully for six years in the field as a soldier . . . and having again retired to the walk of a private citizen, I offer mysefl as a candidate for the Sheriff's office." He was elected. PA Gazette 5/22/1793 - #9393 Part of a group welcoming Citizen Genet, French plenipotentiary to U.S. PA Gazette 9/15/11790 - #7422 Notifies militia units of Northern Liberties, Moyamensing and Passyunk to meet and exercise under their respective officers at specified dates. PA Gazette 2/29/1792 - #8546 Notifies collectors of militia fines to settle accounts at his office, 61 Walnut St., by April 1. He is Lieutenant of City and Liberties. PA Gazette 7/13/1796 - #11657 Brigadier General Proctor is promoted to rank of Major General. ---------------------- Hannah Roach-APS. See interesting card on "City Tavern" - a few excerpts follow. PJ - 7 July 1773 - To let, built at great expense by number of gentlemen - 51 x 46. Nearly finished; may be entered 1 Sept.. Apply Hugh Jones, waiter at London Coffee House. PP-6: June 1774 - on 20 May delegates met at City Tavern, formed committee to confer with other colonies. PP 24 Aug 1774 - on Thursday last elegant entertainment at City Tavern for gentlemen of the Congress. EP 11 Decmber 1777. To be sold at public vendue all that elegant assortment of household & kitchen furniture. PL 7 Jan. 1777. apply John Ferrie at corner of Norris alley in 2nd st. (a number of references to events during occupation) EP 25 July 1778 - elegant entertainment given on Wednesday evening by officers and gentlemen to ladies who sacrifices every convenience to love of their country. ---------------------- HSR on City Tavern, pgs. 24-28 Tells of Proctor's purchase of lots from Samuel Powel near the site of future City Tavern and how wealthy residents purchased shares to finance the structure. See especially footnotes 43 and 49 on pg 27; footnote 50 on pg. 28. On pg.32, tells of Gunning Bedford making fire insurance survey, dated 11/2/1773, for Philadelphia Contributionship. ---------------------- Prime Directory: Listed as carpenter April 7, 1790, in Pennsylvania Journal. ----------------------- Report of Historian Emeritus (Peterson) Quarterly Minutes July, 2000 Name is usually spelled "Proctor" although his signature is "Procter." ----------------------- Inscription on plaque, 233 South 3rd St., at Episcopal Church where he is buried: 1772 - elected member of Carpenters' Company; instrumental in obtaining use of Carpenters' Hall for the Continental Congress 1775 - commissioned captain of artillery company 1776 - major of batallion of artillery 1777 - Colonel of regiment of artillery; fought under General Anthony Wayne at Brandywine, and at Chadd's Ford had horse shot from under him. 1778 - his command became part of Continental Army 1779 - May 18, commissioned colonel of artillery in Continental Army 1779 - served in Wyoming campaign under General Sullivan against British and Indians 1781 - April 10, resigned commission in army 1782 - by commission from Congress, served as major of artillery from 12/25/82 - 10/22/83 1783-85 - high sheriff of Philadelphia 1790 - city lieutenant of Philadelphia 1792-93 - served the city and liberties of Philadelphia as major of batallion of artillery 1793 - appointed bridier general by Governor of Pennsylvania 1794 - marched under General Wayne to suppress the whiskey insurrection 1796 - June 7, commissioned major general of militia; a founder of Saint Tammany of Philadelphia Original member of the Society of Cincinnati. Died at his home in Arch Street between 4th and 5th March 16, 1806. Buried with military honors in Episcopal Church yard, 233 South 3rd St. name: William Lyle Nolan toolbox3502@msn.com 515-255-9122 address: 2212 39th St., Des Moines, IA, 50310 I am a direct descendant of Francis Procter, Jr., who was the brother of Thomas Procter, a member of the Company. Although I'm not a direct descendant of Thomas, I thought you might be interested in the genealogical data our family has gathered on descendants of Francis, Jr. My great-great grandmother, Cathorine Lyle Gift, was a granddaughter of Francis, Jr., and Ann Henderson. If you are interested, I can provide the complete family tree of descendants for Francis and Ann. message: Both my older brother, George F. Nolan, and I have visited Philadelphia on business (on separate occasions). I viewed the exterior of Carpenters' Hall during my visit, and also dined at the City Tavern, which originally was built by Thomas Procter. I didn't know at the time of my visit that we had a family connection with these two buildings. Also, George stayed at a hotel on Arch Street between 4th and 5th Streets, the block on which Thomas' house stood. Again, he did not at the time realize the close connection of that site with our family's past. We're also now aware that Thomas was part owner at one time of Hog Island, which later became part of Philadelphia International Airport.

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