Davis, Isaac

Davis, Isaac

Isaac Davis was a house carpenter elected to The Carpenters' Company in 1794. Nothing is known of Davis's professional activity; however, in 1798 he robbed the Bank of Pennsylvania, then housed in Carpenters' Hall, of $160,000 in bank notes and gold. Davis confessed to the theft when he was questioned about the source of substantial deposits he had made in the same bank following the robbery. Davis disappeared before he could be brought to trial, and The Company expelled him from membership in 1799.


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

182*

Davis

Isaac

1/1/1799

1/1/1794

1/21/1799

Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects page 186. A house carpenter elected to the Carpenters' Company in 1794. Nothing is known of Davis's professional activity; however, in 1798 he robbed the Bank of Pennsylvania, then housed in Carpenters' Hall, of $160,000 in bank notes and gold. Davis confessed to the theft when he was questioned about the source of substantial deposits he had made in the same bank following the robbery. Davis disappeared before he could be brought to trial, and The Company expelled him from membership in 1799. See Selected Bibliography in Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects. -------------------- Managing Committee Minutes-1794-5-83; Samuel Pancoast proposed Isaac Davis; Isaac Davis elected. -------------------- Managing Committee Minutes-1799-8-36 Annual meeting, first month, 21st. On motion resolved: that in consequence of Isaac Davis being concerned in an atrocious robbery on the Bank of Pennsylvania, the Company agree unanimously to erase his name off the list of members. Gerald C. Clark, Jr., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Criminal Justice Program 1205 Palumbo Academic Center 109 University Square Erie, Pennsylvania 16541-0001 office (814)871-7121 fax (814)871-5574 email clark120@gannon.edu www.gannon.edu <http://www.gannon.edu/> March 12, 2014 response 3/12/14 Dr. Clark In an attempt to answer your questions about the bank robbery at Carpenters' Hall I will add the following. * The portrait of Patrick Lyons: You will find the original at The PA Academy Fine Arts, painted in 1829 by John Neagle. I will add that you will find more information about the life of Patrick Lyons through the Philadelphia Fire Museum because he invented and produced a famous fire engine as one of his major achievements. Fireman's Hall Museum, 147 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 923-1438, ask for Carol Smith. *Isaac Davis: from Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary of Philadelphia Architects, page 186. A house carpenter elected to the Carpenters' Company in 1794. Nothing is known of Davis's professional activity; however, in 1798 he robbed the Bank of Pennsylvania, then housed in Carpenters' Hall, of $160,000 in bank notes and gold. Davis confessed to the theft when he was questioned about the source of substantial deposits he had made in the same bank following the robbery. Davis disappeared before he could be brought to trial, and The Company expelled him from membership in 1799. (expelled 1/21/1799) For more information about the Dictionary of Architects use the website for The Athenaeum of Philadelphia. As noted in the Managing Committee Minutes-1799-8-36 Annual meeting, first month, 21st. On motion resolved: that in consequence of Isaac Davis being concerned in an atrocious robbery on the Bank of Pennsylvania, the Company agree unanimously to erase his name off the list of members. You will find the information on the website complete and includes all the information we have available. * As this comment in our database notes, it is apparent the Bank returned the key when they moved out. Samuel M. Fox to James Potter Note indicating return of the key to the building from the Bank of Pennsylvania. 1/2 folio sheet, handmade paper, screen marks, watermark date of 1799. I do hope this is useful in completing your research for your new book. Do see that we get a copy for our library when it is published. In addition, come to the Hall on your next visit to Philadelphia to see our historic building as well as a bit about our current membership that operates the building for all to see and enjoy. Brearley B. Karsch Research Volunteer Carpenters' Hall

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Lengthy lists of transctions, some up to 20 properties in a sequence, through 1848.