Smith, John D.

Smith, John D.

John Smith, son of the master builder/architect Robert Smith, was registered as a student at the Pennsylvania Academy in Philadelphia from July 1760 to April 1765. He was listed as the administrator of his father's estate in 1777, and, in fact, was working with the elder Smith on the Delaware River fortifications at the time of his death. John Smith continued to serve the patriot cause as a superintendent of carpenters erecting cannon platforms from September through November 1778. In 1779 he was elected to The Carpenters' Company but was irregular in his attendance at meetings during the latter years of the Revolution. In 1783 he was elected Warden, only to be replaced in the Spring of 1784 because he had moved to Chester County. According to Company records, Smith had financial difficulties; The Company paid his funeral expenses in 1805.

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

104*

Smith

John

D.

1/1/1804

Robert

1/1/1779

Secretary, 1810-14

Corner Chestnut & 7th Sts. (1785) (Prime)

used system of ground rent for lots, see details in Rilling

Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects page 739. Son of the master builder/architect Robert Smith (q.v.), was registered as a student at the Pennsylvania Academy in Philadelphia from July,1760, to April, 1765. He was listed as the administrator of his father's estate in 1777, and in fact, was working with the elder Smith on the Delaware River fortifications at the time of his death. John Smith continued to serve the cause of the Revolution as a superintendent of carpenters erecting cannon platforms from September through November 1778. In 1779 he was elected to The Carpenters' Company but was irregular in his attendance at meetings during the latter years of the Revolution. In 1783 he was elected Warden, only to be replaced in the spring of 1784 because he had moved to Chester county. According to Company records,Smith had financial difficulties; The Company paid his funeral expenses in 1805. --------------------- "Robert Smith" by Charles E. Peterson, page 156, column 2, last para: William Williams was Smith's brother-in-law. --------------------- Managing Committee Minutes-1779-2-122 John Smith met the Company and signed the Articles and paid 4 pounds entrance. Carpenters' Co. Minutes-1797-11-59 Order in favor of John Smith, administrator of late Robert Smith, for 40.7.8, being balance due the estate for cash advanced for use of the Company when building their Hall. Managing Committee Minutes-1804-9-72 Special meeting. For the purpose of taking into consideration the situation of John Smith and his illness. Managing Committee Minutes-1804-9-72 The present meeting being convened for the purpose of taking into consideration the situation of John Smith who from sickness has been necessitated to call on the President and Managing Committee for greater sums than they are empowered to give. Managing Committee Minutes-1806-15-35 Resolved: that Joseph Morris be a committee to assist the widow of our late member John Smith in the settlement of her accounts with the assigned J. Penrose, dcd. Managing Committee Minutes-1807-15-83 The committee in the case of widow Smith report that they have examined the accounts between her estate and the estate of J. Penrose, and are of the opinion that there is nothing due her. Managing Committee Minutes-1819-17-28 Application made by widow of John Smith for assistance. Managing Committee Minutes-1820-18-11 Committee to attend to the case of widow Smith. Managing Committee Minutes-1821-18-34, 46, 69 $20 quarterly allowance of widow Smith. $20 present relief of widow Smith. $20 quarterly allowance of widow Smith. Managing Committee Minutes-1822-18-80 $20 widow Smith's quarterly allowance. Managing Committee Minutes-1823-18-128, 137 $20 quarterly allowance of widow Smith. $20 quarterly allowance of widow Smith. Managing Committee Minutes-1824-18-169 $20 quarterly allowance of widow Smith. Managing Committee Minutes-1825-18-203, 210, 226 $20 quarterly allowance of widow Smith. $20 quarterly allowance of widow Smith. $20 for widow Smith. Managing Committee Minutes-1826-18-237, 259 $20 quarterly allowance of widow Smith. $20 quarterly allowance of widow Smith. Managing Committee Minutes-1830-18-368, 385 $15 widow Smith's quarterly allowance. $15 quarterly allowance of widow Smith. Managing Committee Minutes-1834-18-500 $15 quarterly allowance of widow Smith. Donna Rilling paper 4/1990; Smith began building on lots obtained by ground rent; included details of how this system functioned.

b

None listed with middle initial of "D". Lost total of 18 properties between 1790-92.