3406 Baring Street
3404-3406
Baring was built in 1873-’74 by Thomas D. Crespin as
were 3400-02 and 3408-3410. Crespin usually identified himself as a bricklayer,
although he is listed as a builder in the 1881 city directory. From at least 1856 until the 1870s, he lived
at 116 N. 39th St. (which no longer exists) with his wife and seven
children. In the 1870 census he
declared $25,000 in real estate and $1,400 in personal property. His younger brothers, James C. Crispen and Joseph Crispen,
probably worked with him. They were also
bricklayers. In the late 1860s, Joseph
lived at 34th and Filbert Sts. He did not claim any real estate. Thomas Crispen also
apparently built 3509-11 and 3417-3421 Hamilton St. (The name was variously spelled Crespenn or Crispenn.)
“Second
Empire-style, two-and-one-half story double; stone facade over brick
construction.
Original wood porch with some alterations in 3404.:
Wood cornice with paired brackets with triglyph
detail. Arcuated windows in dormer, slate shingles,
of mansard replaced with asphalt shingles; Circe 1875 alterations to 3404
included three-story projecting bay with decorative pressed metal brick at
first floor.”
(Inventory of Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the
National Register of Historic Places, 1985)
The History
1866,
June 14: Transfer of lots 3400, 3402, 3404, 3406, 3408 and 3410 Baring from
Richard Smethurst to William Sellers and John Sellers
Jr.
The 1858 Directory lists Richard Smethurst, conveyancer & accountant, 144 S 4th
St.
1874,
March: Deed transferred from Thomas D. Crispen to
John & Caroline A. Laughlin.
1880:
John W.
Laughlin 48 Wholesale grocery
Carrie Laughlin
44
Mary Laughlin 17
J. Harry
Laughlin 14
Sarah Toner 20 Servant; born in
Maggie Walsh 20 Servant;
born in
(ED 483; 24)
In 1870, they lived in the sixth
house above [?] Haverford on N 43rd St.
1890 Directory: J. Henry Laughlin
John W. Laughlin (Sinclair & Laughlin)
Sinclair & Laughlin (William M. Sinclair & John W.
Laughlin), grocers, 225 & 227 Arch St.
1895 Directory: John W. Laughlin, president of J. W. Laughlin
& Son, 50 S. Front St.
1900:
John W.
Laughlin 68 Capitalist;
owner with a mortgage
Caroline A.
Laughlin 65 Married 40 years, 3 children, 2 surviving
Mary E.
Laughlin 37
John H.
Laughlin 36
Frances W.
Laughlin 32 Daughter-in-law; married 5 years, 1 child
Rachael
Laughlin 2 Granddaughter
Mary Flannagan 27 Servant; born in Ireland, immigrated in
1889
Kate Mc Laughlin 29 Servant; born in Ireland, immigrated in
1888
(ED 539, 10B)
1901, Aug.13: Death of Caroline Laughlin, 65 years old. Burial at West Laurel Hill
Cemetery.
1908
Catalogue of the Univ. of Penna.
“
601
1908 Yearbook: American Society of
Mechanical Engineers
“FULLER, Allen Jenckes (1901), Supt., Bureau of Water, City Hall, and for mail,
3406 Baring St., Philadelphia, Pa.”
1910:
John W.
Laughlin 78 Broker (rest
illegible)
John
H. Laughlin 44 Son; dry goods inspector (?)
Francis W.
Laughlin 42 Daughter-in-law; married 15 years, one child
Rachael C. Laughlin 12 Granddaughter
Mary E.
Laughlin 47 Daughter; single
David H.
Ritchey 30 Boarder; school superintendent
Henrietta M.
Ritchey 39 Boarder; dentist; married 6 years, no children
Andrew F.
Jackson 30 Boarder; born in
Susan Wise 21 Servant; born in
(ED 488, 1B)
1919 Women’s Undergraduate Record [Yearbook], Univ. Penna.:
“Rachel C.
Laughlin, Ed.
‘Where are you going, my pretty maid?
‘I’m going to Penn again, sir, she said.
‘Boredom and study cannot hinder me,
‘When I’ve set my heart on a master’s
degree.
‘Π
ΛΘ; Sophomore Honors.’
”
1920:
Mary E. Laughlin 57 Single; owned
with a mortgage
Francis W. Laughlin 51 Sister-in-law;
clerk in a department store; widowed
Rachel Laughlin 22 Niece;
stenographer at Univ. of Penna.
Elizabeth J. Brown 44 Servant
(ED 682, 2B)
1928,
January: Deed transferred from Mary E. Laughlin to National Bank of Manayunk.
1930:
Frances W. Laughlin 63 Owner,
house valued at $25,000
Rachael C. Laughlin
32
Mary E. Laughlin 67 Sister-in-law
(ED 396, 22A)
1950 Directory: J. Rogers Davis
John R. Davison
Revised 1/15/2012 About Powelton Village