Evening journal., 1888-12-10
THE POOLE HOUSE.
Historic Old Buildinss TO be Torn Down
In the Spring.

!
A short time ago the EVENING JOURNAL,
published q brief paragraph regarding
the improvements at Sixteenth aud
French streets. The old houses which
stand on the square bounded by Six
teenth, French, Fifteenth and Walnut
streets, are TO be RACED. and the square
will be built up with thirty-thrss more
modern residences. W. r. Beatty Is the
contractor for the building Of the houses
These old houses have an interesting his
tory. Amos c. Brint0n, An authority on
local history, has sent tina EVENING
JOURNAL the following article on the
property:
ION the lot bounded by French, Fif
teenth, Walnut and Race or Sixteenth
street, stand two old houses which must
be torn down in the spring. These houses
are memorable as being the residence Of
prominent grain merchants on the
l5randywine creek. The house nearer
French street dates back to 1863, and
was the first house built between Orange
and Poplar and East OF Tenth street. IL
was fine house at the time Of building.
Thomas Gibson and Daniel Byrnes.
who had two Of the first four water
rights Of the south long race and built
French street, lived in the house. The
mill was afterwards sold to Mr.. Norton.
bat William Poole carried on the mills
and lived in the house close by. The
mill and house bore Poole's name FOR a
generation
Since that time the houses have been
occupied by other mill owners and mana
gers, and now very few persons are taking
any interest in their demolishment.
"The old sycamore tree that stands
south OF the front door about 10 feet
from the house Is being dug down. One
foot above the ground il is 10 feet in cir
conference, and 10 feet mp its five
branches. some of them thicker than
barrel tower up - or 80 feet and shade
Of its spreading limbs cover perhaps 3. 600
square feet Of ground. This is not 80
great ms was covered by the tree when
Mr. Poole and his family lived in the
house.
The ebb and flow Of the Brandyrine to
the south and east and the roaring Of it's
torrent as il came from the north over
the rocky bed of the stream mingled
with the chatter of the mill making
most pleasant melody to the plainly.
dressed, God-fearing old Friend. Mr..
Poole was man Of remarkably good
judgment and was looked upon as an
authority on many subjects. He died in
the year 1929 He left three sons. Samuel.
William and John Morton and several
daughters. Sarah married Joseph Ban
croft Of Rockford Elizabeth married Mr..
Sellars Of Darby, Delaware county, Pa.
The latter were the parents Of William
and George Sellars Of the Edge Moor
Iron Company. J. Morton Poole was
the leading mschinist OF Rockford
and afterwards Of Wilmington
His sons Alfred and Morton wear their
fathers mantle in the building OF
machinery Of their class. William and
Samuel Bancroft, sons Of Joseph Ban
croft, surpass their predecessor in the
manufacture and bleaching OF cotton
goods.
Il have no doubt that the old grand
father was as happy and contsnted in his
old house, surrounded by shrubUsry,
flowers and shade trees, and in the society
Of his family as aay ofhis grand children
in their modern palaces
Samuel Poole occupied the house for
short time since his fathers death. The
house passed into the hands Of the Price
family, and has Of late been occupied BY
two families who rented 1t from the
owners.