Keen, Matthias Valentine

Keen, Matthias Valentine

Matthias Valentine Keen was a master builder who became a member of the Friendship Carpenters' Company in 1769 and a member of The Carpenters' Company when those two organizations joined in 1786. Nothing is known of Keen's architectural work, but he was an "encourager" of the Philadelphia edition of Abraham Swan, The British Architect (printed for R. Bell by J. Norman, 1775), the first book on architecture published in America.


Biography from Philadelphia Architects and Builders, a project of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Written by Roger W. Moss.

129*

Keen

Matthias

Valentine

1/1/1807

1/1/1786

near Spruce in S. 6th St. (1799) (Prime)

See "references"

Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects page 435, Was a master builder who became a member of the Friendship Carpenters' Company in 1769 and a member of The Carpenters' Company when the two organizations joined in 1786. Nothing is known of Keen's architectural work, but he was an "encourager" of the Philadelphia edition of Abraham Swan, "The British Architect" (printed by R. Bell for J. Norman, 1775) the first book on architecture published in America. See Selected Bibliography in Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects. ------------------ City Directory - 1820 - Matthias, carpenter, Lancaster turnpike near High. (possible son; note date) ---------------- Blue Book shows name as "Matthew Val. Keen." ----------------- Managing Committee Minutes-1807-15-63 George Summers is directed to pay Mrs. Keen $2 for the Book of Prices returned.

Lists 6 transactions in sequence; also listings for Moses, Mary and Peter Keen.