Details
Creator Taylor, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton), 1846-1927
Title At the Corner of Pewter Platter Alley
Date ca. 1917
Description Depicts a narrow street corner with residences and pedestrians.
Notes Local historians disagree concerning the location of the early tavern which gave its name to Pewter Platter alley, which was, still earlier, called Jones alley, in deference to the property holdings of Griffith Jones, once Mayor (and an unwilling one) of Philadelphia. This narrow throroughfare is found immediately opposite Christ Church, extending eastward to Front Street. It is now designated, much to the regret of historic delvers, "Church street." Several ancient houses in this artery of traffic still remain. The home of the Parrish family, at the northeastern corner of Second street and the alley, is most interesting. Here lived Isaac Parrish, merchant, and Sarah his wife, daughter of Abraham Mitchell, through sixty-six years. Of their eight children born here two sons died in the yellow fever plague of 1793. It was doubtless as a result of the distress of that sad time that Ann Parrish and other formed the "Female Society for the Employment of the Poor," the first organization of the kind in the city. Dr. Joseph Parrish placed his "shingle" upon the house, as a physician, in 1806. He became noted among the medical leaders of his time.
Taylor Catalog Number: 95
Is part of Frank H. Taylor Collection
Identifier Taylor - Case 2-21 [2717.F]