Barker, Charles R.
Philadelphia, 1836-9 Transportation and Development. Compiled from the Files of the "Public Ledger" and Read at the Regular Meeting December 14, 1932
Philadelphia: Printed for the Society, 1933
Page 346-347:
Mary Deschamp's line, running between the Navy Yard and Kensington Glass Woks, via the Philadelphia Exchange, was "long and favorably known as the oldest and best on this route." (so runs its announcement). Its coaches bore the names of "Benjamin Franklin," "Hope," "Columbia," "United States," "Pennsylvania," "Independence," "Napoleon," "General Lafayette," "Lady Lafayette," "Resolution," and "Increasing." Quarterly tickets could be had "at 5 minutes notice." A 10-minute schedule was maintained by the Deschamp line, in connection with that of Abel & Atherley, coverning the same route, the "buses of the two lines running alternately. Abel & Atherley, whose line had been established in '36, had, at the end of a year, nine 'buses in service - "all Troy and Bush-hill built…..there is not one worn-out old cripple among them." As their compatriots had pre-empted most of the popular names, Abel & Atherley had to be content with naming their 'buses "Tecumseh," "Virginia," "Kentucky," "Ohio," "American Star," "Good Will," "Indiana," "Rent Day," and "Elm." It is presumed that the patrons of each line, having once learned by heart the names of its 'buses, would forbear boarding one of a rival line! Accidents, however, will happen, and six months later, we read that the "Elm," en route from Kensington to the Navy Yard, broke her front axle-tree, "near the corner of Second and Arch, where she set her passengers down in rather an unusual manner." (19)
Another line of 'buses, over the same route, is announced, in July, '38, by E. C. Howell - he being already, it appears, in that business, but destined not to remain, for eight months later, he offers for sale his 'whole storck of Omnibuses, Horses and Harness. Also his Stabling, Sheds, Blacksmith and Coachmaking Shops…. Situated on Beach Street, Kensington, between the Brown Street Bridge and the Market," he intending to leave the city." (20)
In March, '38, Joseph Glenat, "Proprietor of Mary Deschamp's Line," informs the public
"that he has recently purchased the splendid Omnibuses formerly run upon Chestnut street, by Messrs. Evans & Caldwell, together with their interest in the Omnibus Line from the Exchange to the Schuylkill and Fairmount. Subscribers are taken at Five Dollards per quarter, which price will not be raised, as has been reported by rumor with her thousand tongues."
(19). Public Ledger. June 3, July 28, Aug 7, 1837; Feb 10, 1838.
(20). Public Ledger. March 23, July 25, September 8, 1838; March 22, 1839.
Page 349:
Councils being predisposed in favor of the plan, action was prompt, and on March 4th (1837) , it was announced that $70,000 for the construction of an ice-boat, and $12,000 annually for its operation, had been appropriated.
The contract fro building the boat was let to Vanduzen & Byerly, while "the manufactory of Mr. Baldwin" was commissioned to build the engines…." (26)
(26) Public Ledger. Feb 23, Mar 1, 4, 1837; Jan 1, 3, 1838; Jan 10, 1839.
Page 352:
The private shipyards at this time were those of John Vaughan & Son, Jacob Teese, Joseph Vogel, and Bender & Ager (all in Kensington), and Vanduzen & Byerly. (34)Vaughan's yard, in '39, launched the ships "Thomas P. Cope," and "Shenandoah," for the Philadelphia and Liverpool line of H. & A. Cope; and Vogel's, in the same year, the barque "Osceola." (35)
(34). Public Ledger. Jane 1, April 28,, June 28, 1838; Aug 2, 23, 1839.
(35). Public Ledger. Jule 31, 1838; Mar 18, May 10, Dec 6, 1839.
Page 353:
In January of 1837, all the fire companies of the District of Kensington agreed to close their doors until relieved by the Commissioners of the District, but in the following March, the Commissioners relieved the situation by appropriating $200 annually to each fire company. (39)
(39) Public Ledger. Jan 16, Mar 13, 1837