Senneff, George

Senneff, George

George Senneff was a carpenter who first appeared in Philadelphia city directories in 1830 at 100 South Twelfth Street; he remained at that address throughout most of his life. In 1831 Senneff attempted to make the transition from carpenter to architect when he entered the competition for Wills Hospital for the Relief of the Indigent Blind and Lame. In that competition he faced John C. Trautwine, William Rodrigue, John Haviland, and Thomas Ustick Walter, all well-known professionals. Thomas Ustick Walter won the competition, and the building, now demolished, was erected on Logan Square and Race Street between 18th and 19th Streets (1833-33; altered, 1867 and 1909). However, Senneff did win a respectable third prize ($25) (as did Rodrigue and and Haviland) and soon was approached by the new Board of Managers for Haverford College, who sought a designer for Founders Hall. Although Senneff provided the plans and exterior appearance, he was paid only a modest sum for that effort; and other builders were paid to modify and construct the building. After this disappointment Senneff returned to carpentry.

Biography from the Philadelphia Architects and Buildings, a project of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Written by Roger W. Moss and Sandra L. Tatman. 

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Senneff

George

1/1/1872

1/1/1823

Book Prices Committee, 1829,33-35

100 S. 12th St. (CD) (1830)

Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects page 712. A carpenter who first appeared in Philadelphia city directories in 1830 at 100 South 12th Street and remained at that address throughout most of his life. His single act of architectural pretension came in 1831 when he entered the competition against John C. Trautwine (q.v.), William Rodrigue (q.v.), John Haviland (q.v.) and Thomas Ustick Walter (q.v.) for the Wills Hospital for the Relief of the Indigent Blind and Lame that Walter won (Logan Square, Race between 18th & 19th Sts., 1831-1833; altered, 1867 and 1909; demolished). -------------------------- City Directory - 1835 - George Senneff, carpenter, 100 S. 12th. Isaac Senneff (possible relative) carpenter, Shippen near 12th. 1840 - George, gentleman, 100 S. 12th St. 1845, 50, 54 - George, carpenter, 100 S. 12th. -------------------------- Managing Committee Minutes-1831-18-424 Joseph Strahan, Collector, reports having received and paid to the Treasurer $25 being interest from George Senneff. Managing Committee Minutes-1834-18-498 Resolved: that the President and Secretary be authorized to sign a deed of conveyance of a property now held by the Company to George Senneff and affix the seal of the Company to said deed; all of which has been done. Carpenters' Co. Minutes-1872-191 Resolution relating to the widow of George Senneff. Carpenters' Co. Minutes-1880-389 Relief of family of the late widow Senneff. Carpenters' Co. Minutes-1881-391 Letter of thanks from daughter of late widow Senneff. --------------------------- City Records D.C. Liens book #400; filed January 27, 1843; satisfaction not noted. George Senneff vs. Isaac L. Loyd. Claim for $1000 for carpenter work against a 4-story brick messuage with circular front situate at the northwest corner of Vine & Schuylkill 5th streets. --------------------------- City Records D.C. Liens books #409 through #411 have a number of claims filed against Isaac Senneff, as a contractor in North Philadelphia (through page 250 in Vol. 409). The same is true of Vol. 413. -------------------------- City Records D.C. Liens book #414 have claims filed against Jacob Senneff as owner and contractor, against buildings erected on the west side of 23rd street and the south side of Bolton street. ------------------------- City Records D.C. Liens book #417, page 67, shows lien placed by William Senneff vs. Isaac Senneff, ownerf and contractor, for carpenter work totaling $1200. against 6 buildings on the east side of 3rd street beginning 16 feet north of Filbert street.

b

Isaac lost property in 1841, 1871-72; Jacob in 1804