The Bank of Germantown [graphic] : Of this building Mr. Watson, the Annalist, thus writes: "It was the residence of Clarkson (City Mayor) now altered on the Bank end. It was the office of Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, and Randolph, attorney G
Title
The Bank of Germantown Of this building Mr. Watson, the Annalist, thus writes: "It was the residence of Clarkson (City Mayor) now altered on the Bank end. It was the office of Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, and Randolph, attorney Genl. (both, in the fever of 1793). It was still later the residence of John F. Watson, [the annalist], while cashier; and there, in the front second story chamber (North end,) he wrote out in one summer, his Annals of Philadelphia; rising at four [o'clock] and ending at eight [o'clock], A.M."
Description
Exterior view of the Bank of Germantown. Built circa 1745, the building housed the bank from 1825 to 1868. Also known as the Clarkson-Watson House, it served as the home of Matthew Clarkson 1780-95 and of John Fanning Watson, the cashier of the bank, 1825-1847. Image includes partial view of adjoining residences., Title and date from Poulson inscription on mount and photograph., Originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 3, page 75. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape., Also included in an annotated album containing twenty photographs by Richards entitled "Pictorial Views of Houses & Places in Germantown yr 1859." (LCP 66037.D.17), Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited.
Creator
Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date
April 1859
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Germantown - N [(3)2526.F.75 (Poulson)]