These buildings were built 1713-1745 on Walnut Street between Third and Fourth Streets to house Quaker poor. The main building of the almshouse was removed in 1841 and the last of the cottages in 1876., Stenciled on the back of the frame: Ashton & Browne, 204 Chestnut St., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
The Loganian Library Minutes vol. 1, Nov. 7, 1867, p. 346-347: "We the undersigned desirous of preserving for posterity a faithful and artistic representation of Stenton the residence of the Hon. James Logan hereby agree to contribute the sums set opposite our names respectively to be expended in an oil painting by Edmund Lewis of the said house and grounds of Stenton as they exist at present; the painting to be presented to and preserved by the Loganian Library." The names of the contributors pledging $10 are as follows: J.D. Sergeant, John Lambert, P.S.P. Conner, George W. Amis, John Jay Smith, J. Dickinson Logan, Lloyd P.Smith, Samuel Betton, Wm. Ritch Wister, M.N. Logan, Samuel M. Fox, Thos. Stewardson, Jr., Wm. Wister, N.& P.S. Hilles, Eliz. R. Fisher, John S. Newbold, A.C. Logan. The contributors pledging $5.00 are as follows: Dr. J. Carson, R. Morris Smith, H. Gates Jones, R.W. Ryerss, J.C. Milligan, D.R. King, and John Cooke. The total amount pledged was $215., Commissioned by the contributions of 25 individuals in 1867 for the Loganian Library.
The painting is not signed or dated., The figure in the foreground supposedly is Benjamin Franklin flying a kite during an electrical storm., Exhibited in Haverford College's exhibition, The Pennsylvania Landscape: Colonial to Contemporary (2007).
