The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-24
by the Old Penn Mansion in November, 1885,


If we may believe the faithful chronicler Of thai
lay, was a far different structure without, as f.
certainly was within. In those days 1t wls
known as the Slate-House, from the fact that 1t
was the only building in the city which could
then boast of covering of that commodity.
Alexander Graydon, in the Memoirs of His
Own Time" gives the following description Of 1t
and its surroundings, as it appeared just one
hundred years ago:-
ut stood in Second street, at the corner of
Norris alley, and was singular old-iashioned
structure, laid out in the style of fortiRcation
with abundance of angles, both salient and re-
entering. It's two wings projected 10 the street
in the manner of bastions to which the main
building, retreating from sixteen to eighteen
ieet, served for u curtain. Within 1t was cut up
into a number OF apartments, and on that nc
count was exceedingly well adapted TO the pur-
pose of lodging-hou 10 which use it mad
been long appropriated. An additional conve-
nence was a spacious yard on the back OF It,
extending half way to Front street, enclosed by
a high wall, and ornamented with double row
OF venerable, lofty pines which afforded very
agreeable rus IN ur6e, or rural scene in the heart
CT the CITY,"
Samuel Carpenter the Builder OF the
Mansion.
This antiquated structure has had history
which is surpassed for interest by that OF no
other building in Philadelphia of private
character. One of the earliest and most energetic
improvers of the city was Samuel Carpenter;
and it was for him that the house was originally
constructed, but at what precise date is not at
present known, although it was certainly some
years prior to the beginning OF the eighteenth
century. Whether or not Carpenter designed it
for hls own use is likewise matter of doubt,
as he was the owner of several other private
residences in the same square and nearer to the
Delaware shore.
william Penn Resides In the Mansion
William Penn, the ilustrious founder of the
colony, arrived in Philadelphia, on his second
VISIT in October 1899, just seventeen years after
the location of the city. That the Second-street
mansion was at that time one o. the largest and
most imposing buildings in the town, is eviden
from the fact thai it became the residence OF
the Proprietary of the colony and his family;
and within its walls, one month after their
arrival, was born John Penn, "the American"
as he was called, from being the only one of the
family who first saw the light in the New World.
! When Penn took up his abode here, it became
! in effect the Executive Mansion OF the colony,
| all the affairs of the infant State being trans
| acted therein, for the want Of more commodous
and convenient quarters. This second visit to
his colony had been intended by the founder as
a permanent one; but the perplexities of his
business increased to such an extent, and several
members of his family became so much dissatis.
fed with a residence out OF ngland, that in the
summer of l701 he again took his departure for
England, never to return.
| James Logan, Penn's Secretary, Resitie es
/ In the Mansion.
During the term of Penn's second residence in
the colony, he had the companionship and as
sistance of James Logan, a young Irishman of
great industry and varlei scholastic attain
ments. He became, by Penns urgent solicita-
ton, his private secretary and in that capacity
soon obtained entire control OF all the affairs of
his principal, continuing their faithful manage
ment for many years. On his second departure
for England, Penn left Logan residing in the
! house; aud on the sd of September, l70l, while
still on shipboard, he wrote TO his Secretary
Thou may continue in the house ! lived in till
the year is up." "A.
In a letter written TO Penn III the following
! year, Logan says:-'T am forced to keep this
house still, there being no accommodation to
be had elsewhere for public business" The
building continued to be used by Logan and his
assistants as a Government house until l7O4,
when they removed to Clarks Hall, then located
on the corner of Third and Chestnut streets.
Lord COrnbury Is Banqueted there In
17O2.
While Logan occupied the Mansion as a Gov
ernment house, it was the scene OF grand fes-
tiva given by him in honor of a visit from the
Royal Governor of the Provinces of New York
and the Jerseys. This important parsonage was
none other than Lord Cornbury, a son of Lord
Clarendon, and cousin of Queen Anne. The
Governor having gone to Burlington in 1902, for
the purpose Of proclaiming the accession of the
Queen, Logan extended to him an invitation to
visit Philadelphia. The fact OF his being a near
relative of the Queen, and the Governor of two
OF her most prosperous provinces, induced the
inhabitants OF the Quaker City to extend to him
the utmost hospitality which they could then
command. Hence, he was dined at the Govern
ment house, in company with his retlnue of
thirty persons, in q style which tor grandeur
was equal as he said, to anything ne had seen
! in America.
William Trent Purchases the Mansion
! In 1903.
Samuel Carpenter, the original proprietor of
| the Mansion remained in possession of it until
late in 1908, in which year he transferred his
title to William Trent, the founder of Trenton
few years later, for the sum of 985O. When
we consider the great increase since then in the
amount of the circulating medium, and the cor.
responding decrease in its relative value, this
SUN appears almost fabulous one. aud shows
conclusively that the Slate-House at that time
was esteemed most desirable property.
Isaac Norris Becomes the Owner.
William Trent continued to hold the property
until the year 1903. James Logan, who was still
off ata and 6anK NFnNL