Jones, John D.

Jones, John D.

John D. Jones was a carpenter and contractor who attempted and failed to make the transition to professional architect. He entered the Preston Retreat competition, c.1837, (won by Thomas Ustick Walter) and in 1838 prepared a rendered elevation of a dwelling for one B. Smith of Philadelphia which he sent (as Thomas Ustick Walter also did at the same time) to the Royal Institute of British Architects. In 1841 he was an unsuccessful entrant in the Wyoming Monument competition, as was Walter. In later years he appears to have concentrated on contracting and was the builder for the Academy of Music (erected 1855-57 from designs of Napoleon LeBrun, and Gustav Runge).

Biography from the Philadelphia Architects and Buildings. A project of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Written by Roger W. Moss.

376

Jones

John

D.

1/1/1884

8/10/1853

SW corner John & Browne (CD) (1835)

Academy of Music, Broad & Locust Sts.

City Directory - 1835 - John, carpenter, SW corner John & Browne. 1845 - John, carpenter, carpenter, Chancellor. 1850 - John D., carpenter, Walnut above Schuylkill 8th; house Chancellor W Schuylkill 7th. 1854 - John D., carpenter, Walnut above 15th; house George & 18th. ------------------------ In member file is paper telling of notebooks depicting his architectural efforts before becoming a contractor. ------------------------ Carpenters' Co. Minutes-1880-365 Application from John D. Jones for quarterly allowance. Carpenters' Co. Minutes-1885-447, 448 Communication of widow of J. D. Jones. Payment of funeral expenses of J. D. Jones. ------------------------ City Records D.C. Liens book #412; filed May 12, 1870; satisfied August 25, 1870 E. Burgess Warren, Howard Kirk, Benjamin F. Shattuck and Hiram G. Cooper, trading as Warren, Kirk & Co., vs. John D. Jones, owner and contractor. Claim for $495.30 for materials against 10 certain adjoining 3-story brick dwelling houses with 3-story brick back buildings thereto attached to each, described as beginning on the south side of Cherry street , 89 feet 4 inches east of 21st street, each 16 feet front. ----------------------- Same plaintiffs vs. John D. Jones. Claim for $430.36 for materials against 7 3-storied adjoining brick dwellings with 3-storied brick back buildings to each attached and lots of ground, described as beginning on the southeast corner of Cherry and 21st streets, each with 17 foot front. ----------------------- City Records D.C. Liens book #412; filed May 20, 1870; satisfied November 1, 1871. Penrose R. Hoopes and David J. Hoopes, trading under the name of P.R. Hoopes and Son, vs. Caleb Jones, owner, and John D. Jones, contractor. Claim for $1009.16 for materials against 10 contiguous brick buildings and lots of ground, described as as being on the south side of Cherry street 87 feet east of 21st street , each containing in front 16 feet. ----------------------- City Records D.C. Liens book #412; filed May 30, 1870; satisfied August 25, 1870 Elisha C. Pauling and John W. Leigh, trading as E.C. Pauling & Co., vs. Caleb Jones, owner, and John D. Jones, contractor. Claim for $15,479.95 for bricks against 27 buildings, adjoining each other, with the lots of ground, described as follows: Nos. 1-6 beginning on the southeast corner of 21st and Cherry streets; Nos. 7-17 beginning on the northeast corner of 21st and Tower streets; Nos. 18-27 on the south side of Cherry street. ----------------------- City Records D.C. Liens book #412; filed July 9, 1870; satisfied August 25, 1870 George D. James vs. Caleb Jones, owner, and John D. Jones, contractor. Claim for $3,500. for work against 10 contiguous 3-story brick buildings and lots of ground described as beginning on the south side of Cherry street 87 feet east of 21st street, each with 16 foot front. ---------------------- City Records D.C. Liens book #412; filed July 16, 1870; satisfied December 2, 1870 William H. Phelan and William R. Bucknell, trading as Phelan & Bucknell, vs. Caleb Jones, owner, and John D. Jones, contractor. Claim for $13,995.07 for lumber against 27 3-story brick messuages or tenements and lots of ground described as being the same 27 structures listed two items above. --------------------- City Records D.C. Liens book #412; filed July 28, 1870; satisfied November 29, 1870 George W. Jacoby and Samuel H. Prince, trading as Jacoby & Prince, vs. Caleb Jones, owner, and John D. Jones, contractor. Claim for $767.60 for materials against 7 3-story brick messuages with back buildings and lots of ground described as beginning on the southeast corner of 21st and Cherry streets. -------------------- City Records D.C. Liens book #414; filed October 26, 1871; satisfied January 16, 1872 Sketchley Morton & Benjamin Morton trading as S. Morton & Son, vs. Caleb Jones and Thomas Buchanan, owners, and John D. Jones, contractor. Claim for $198.60 for bricks against a 3-story brick messuage with 3-story back building and lot or curtilage appurtenant thereto on the east side of 21st street, 162 feet south of Race street containing in front 18 feet and in depth 81 feet 6 inches. ------------------ City Records D.C. Liens book #416; filed April 20, 1871; satisfied April 29, 1871 City of Philadelphia vs. John D. Jones. Claim for $5000. against lot northwesterly side of Woodland street 15 feet 5 inches southwestward from the southwest side of 38th street, front on Woodland street 50 feet, width in depth northwestward at right angles with Woodland street 21 feet. ------------------ "Philadelphia Preserved" Page 121. Cited as contractor for Academy of Music, 1855-57. ------------------- Managing Committee Minutes-November 13,1991 Report by Historian Emeritus on life and works of John D. Jones. Copy in his file.

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