The Townley Building (130 North Third Street, Recently ID Gallery)

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(Photo by Richard F. Hope)

The Townley Building(130 North Third Street, recently ID Gallery).

Tall, red brick, 2-1/2 stories; Mansard roof (with dormer) on Northern half; Southern half with pavilion window on second and “third” floor. . “Victorian/Queen Anne” style.[1]

The property is located on part of original town Lot No. 151, as surveyed by William Parsons when Easton was established in 1752.[2] This Lot was sold to Jacob Shipe in 1789.[3] His family name was spelled “Sheip” in an 1829 deed relating to the neighboring property,[4] suggesting that “Shipe” may be an Anglicized spelling of an originally German family name. Jacob Shipe died at a son’s residence in Emaus in 1852,[5] after which another son, John Shipe, inherited the Easton property.[6] At that time, the property held “the old John Shipe homestead”[7] (then numbered 56 North Third St.). John Shipe’s occupation was “gentleman” in 1855,[8] but by 1860 his circumstances had apparently changed enough that the Census recorded him as a “day laborer”, aged 67.[9] He died in 1872 at age 80.[10]

It has been suggested that the present house was constructed in approximately 1866.[11] This is consistent with the Mansard roof “Second Empire” architecture of the current building. If correct, if would have been during John Shipe’s ownership of the property.

• After John Shipe died, it appears that his heirs rented out the property. When the modern street numbering scheme was inaugurated in 1874, No.130 was left unassigned, but Nos. 132 was assigned to the residence of John N. Durling.[12]

A commentator in 1885 indicated that John Shipe’s homestead had been replaced by the “handsome residence” of J. Frederick Thompson.[13] Thompson purchased the property in 1880, from John Shipe’s heirs.[14] Although the portion of the roof in “Second Empire” style likely pre-dated 1880 (because it had largely fallen out of fashion by that time), the pavilion window appears to have been a later addition, and may well date to Thompson’s tenure in the house.

Thompson was born in 1829.[15] His father, James Thompson, had owned and operated a grist mill and distillery in Forks Township. That mill was later operated by James Tompson’s son (Frederick’s brother), William Thompson.[16] In 1858, the Thompson mill took on Tilghman Kepler as an employee.[17] When James Thompson died in 1874,[18] leaving the mill to his two sons, they sold it to Kepler the next year for $13,300,[19] evidently keeping the cash as part of their inheritance. There is no indication that Frederick Thompson ever attempted to run the mill. Instead, hehad once been “engaged in the drug business in this city [Easton] for a short period”.[20] James Thompson’s office building had been located at the NW corner of Northampton and Bank Streets,[21]and we know that shortly after their father’s death, the Thompson brothers also sold that property at the NW corner of Bank and Northampton Streets to druggist Henry B. Semple,[22] who replaced the “dilapidated” building on it with a 4-story, “splendid brick edifice”, which was ready for occupation in 1876.[23] Before his purchase, Semple’s drug store had been located next door to James Thompson’s office,[24] so it seems likely that Frederick Thompson’s brief excursion into the drug business was with Henry Semple’s store, either before or after that store took over the Thompson location. In addition, James Thompson had owned a residence at 48 Centre Square.[25] Apparently based on his inheritance from his father, Frederick Thompson “for the greater portion of his long life . . . lived retired.”[26] Instead of commerce, Thompson was heavily involved in Church matters, and “instrumental in the organization” of the First Presbyterian Church.[27]

In 1909, Thompson sold ownership of the North Third Street house to Sarah Pomp McClernand,[28] to his step-daughter,[29] but continued to live in it until his death in 1916 at age 87, “one of Easton’s oldest native born residents”.[30] Thompson’s step-daughter sold the property to Grace Bixler (Herman Simon’s step-daughter[31]) in 1920.[32] Five years later, the property was purchased by Dr. Carl Gaines.[33] Just a few days after Gaines’s purchase, a further Deed describes the “apartment house” on the property “known as ‘The Townley’”.[34] This was a family name in Grace Bixler’s family.[35] Accordingly, it seems likely that Grace Simon Bixler had the property made into apartments during her tenure. After he purchased “The Townley”,[36]Dr. Carl Gaines used the ground floor as his medical practice for half a century until at least 1975, the year before his death at age 81.[37] Dr. Gaines’s estate sold the building outside his family.[38]

In 1995, the building (known then as the Townley Building) was purchased and the apartments renovated by Joseph A. Cilenti.[39] While making a pre-purchase inspection of the building, Cilenti had crunched “shattered syringes and vials of crack” under his feet. After his purchase, he renovated the apartments, which featured hardwood floors and carved mahogany fireplaces decorated with Mercer tiles, while the foyer featured carved mahogany pillars and a spectacular carved staircase leading to the upper floors.[40] Unfortunately, Mr. Cilenti was forced to sell the building in 2003 in a mortgage foreclosure sale.[41]

[1]City of Easton, Pennsylvania Historic Resource Survey Form, Attachment: Building Description Survey Area 1 Zone A (City Council Resolution approved 12 May 1982).

This building appears to be featured in the artistic rendition in Timothy George Hare, Easton Inkscapes No.71 (Easton: Inkwell Publications 1989).

[2]A.D. Chidsey, Jr., The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware Plan of Easton, Map 2 (Vol. II of Publications of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1937).

[3]Deed, Penn Family to Jacob Shipe, H2 382 (10 Nov. 1789); see A.D. Chidsey, Jr., The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware Plan of Easton, Map 2 (Vol. II of Publications of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1937).

[4]See Deed, John Keiter to David Stem, E5 89 (7 Feb. 1829)(regarding property at the corner of Buskill and Pomfret Streets, reciting that the property to the South was in the tenure of “J. Sheip”.

[5]Jacob Shipe died at a son’s residence in Emaus, Pennsylvania in 1852, at age 55. Henry F. Marx (compiler), IV Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1852 – 1870 Newspaper Extracts 821 (Easton Area Public Library 1934)(from Argus Unabhängige Demokrat).

[6]See Deed, Theophilus (Sarah) Gould, Josiah (Sophia) Able & Howard M. (Sarah S.) Bitters to J. Frederick Thompson, F16 244 (6 April 1880)(recitals that Jacob Shipe willed the property to his son, John Shipe).

[7]Article, “Interesting Reminiscence, North Third Street a Third of a Century Ago”, Easton Daily Free Press, Thursday, 20 Aug. 1885, p.3.

[8]C[harles] Kitchen, A General Directory of the Borough of Easton PA (Cole & Eichman’s Office, 1855)(alphabetical listing at 46 North Third Street).

[9]1860 Census, Series M653, Roll 1147, p.261.

[10]Church Record of the German Reformed Congregation Easton Pennsylvania 1835 – 1885 158 (Easton Area Public Library Reference E). His widow, Mary Shipe, died in 1878 at age 79. Henry F. Marx (compiler), V Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1871 – 1884 Newspaper Extracts 1647 (Easton Area Public Library 1935).

[11]Linda Harbrecht, “Preserving the Past”, The Express-Times, Saturday, 18 May 1996, at Home p.D-1 (130 year old building). See also City of Easton, Pennsylvania Historic Resource Survey Form, Attachment: Building Description Survey Area 1 Zone A (City Council Resolution approved 12 May 1982)(built c.1870); front door plaque indicating construction “c.1850”. The Second Empire architectural style of the current building was popular after the Civil War, and accordingly is more consistent with construction in 1866 than in 1850 – although the typical “Second Empire” Mansard roof could have been added as a post-Civil War renovation to the earlier “Shipe homestead” of the 1850s.

[12]Article, “The New Numbers”, Easton Daily Free Press, Monday, 24 Nov. 1873, p.3.

[13]See Article, “Interesting Reminiscence, North Third Street a Third of a Century Ago”, Easton Daily Free Press, Thursday, 20 Aug. 1885, p.3. Compare George W. West, West’s Guide to Easton, etc. 133 (West & Everett, Job Printers 1883)(Frederick Thompson); 1900 Census, Series T623, Roll 1447, p.70B (J.F. Thompson, a wife and 2 daughters at 130 North Third Street).

[14]Deed, Theophilus (Sarah) Gould, Josiah (Sophia) Able & Howard M. (Sarah S.) Bitters to J. Frederick Thompson, F16 244 (6 April 1880).

[15]1900 Census, Series T623, Roll 1447, p.70B.

[16]Joan Steiner, The Bushkill Creek 27 (Bushkill Stream Conservancy typewritten MS 1996).

William Herster Thompson was born on 30 November 1818 to James and Mary Ann Thompson. Parish Records of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Easton, PA (Marx Room reference “G”) 128 (Easton: [no date]). See also Deed, William H. (Sophia C.) Tompson and John Frederick Thompson, Executors of the Estate of James Thompson, to Tilghman Kepler, A15 73 (23 Mar. 1875)(both executors were sons of James Thompson).

[17]Article, “Sunday’s Destructive Fire – Tilghman Kepler’s Flour Mill Completely Destroyed With Its Contents”, Easton Daily Free Press, Mon., 26 July 1880, p.3, col.2; accord, Joan Steiner, The Bushkill Creek 27 (Bushkill Stream Conservancy typewritten MS 1996)($13,000 sale price).

[18]Record Book of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Easton, Pennsylvania (Marx Room reference “B”) 200 (copied in Easton Public Library May 1936)(died 10 July 1874, buried in Easton Cemetery, born in Pottstown in 1786); Deed, William H. (Sophia C.) Tompson and John Frederick Thompson, Executors of the Estate of James Thompson, to Tilghman Kepler, A15 73 (23 Mar. 1875)(Thompson died on 20 July 1874).

[19]Deed, William H. (Sophia C.) Tompson and John Frederick Thompson, Executors of the Estate of James Thompson, to Tilghman Kepler, A15 73 (23 Mar. 1875)(sale price $13,300 for “Two Story part stone and part Frame Mill” and “stone and Frame Messuage Tenement” on 17 acres 158 perches on Bushkill Creek in Forks and Palmer Townships).

[20]Obituary, “J. Fred. Thompson Dead”, Easton Express, Friday, 4 August 1916, p.1, col.7; accord, 1910 Census, Series T624, Roll 1381, p.29B (profession listed as “Own Income”); see also1900 Census, Series T623, Roll 1447, p.70B (no profession listed).

[21]At 323 Northampton Street. Article, “The New Numbers”, Easton Daily Free Press, Friday, 21 Nov. 1873, p.3. It had previously been numbered

[22]See Deed, Willliam H. Thompson and John Frederick Thompson, Executors and Devisees of the Will of James Thompson, to Henry B. Semple, G14 528 (23 Mar. 1875).

[23]Frank B. Copp, Biographical Sketches of Some of Easton’s Prominent Citizens 262 (Hillburn & West 1879). In the 1874 renumbering of Northampton Street, No.323 had been assigned to the office of J. Thompson – presumably the “dilapidated” building replaced by Semple’s drug store.

This 1876 construction date is roughly consistent with the modern identification of c.1880-1900. City of Easton, Pennsylvania Historic Resource Survey Form, Attachment: Building Description Survey Area 1 Zone D (City Council Resolution approved 12 May 1982).

[24]Article, “The New Numbers”, Easton Daily Free Press, Friday, 21 Nov. 1873, p.3 (“A.B. Semple, Drugs”; the first initial is probably a typographical error and should be an “H”).

[25]Article, “The New Numbers”, Easton Daily Free Press, Friday, 21 Nov. 1873, p.3 (“Jas. Thomson”, residence). This had been 95 Centre Square before the renumbering. Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 123 (1873)(James Thompson).

[26]Obituary, “J. Fred. Thompson Dead”, Easton Express, Friday, 4 August 1916, p.1, col.7; accord, 1910 Census, Series T624, Roll 1381, p.29B (profession listed as “Own Income”); see also1900 Census, Series T623, Roll 1447, p.70B (no profession listed).

[27]Obituary, “J. Fred. Thompson Dead”, Easton Express, Friday, 4 August 1916, p.1, col.7.

[28]Deed, J. Frederick (Rachel) Thompson to Sarah Pomp McClernand, D38 439 (14 May 1909).

[29]See Obituary, “J. Fred. Thompson Dead”, Easton Express, Friday, 4 August 1916, p.1, col.7. In 1878 Thompson had married Rachel Pomp, widow of Charles Pomp, and had four step-daughters including the wife of General E.E. McClernand – who appears to correspond to the “Sarah Pomp McClernand” listed on the 1909 Deed, above.

[30]Obituary, “J. Fred. Thompson Dead”, Easton Express, Friday, 4 August 1916, p.1, col.7; see Charles M. Bernard (compiler), West’s Directory for City of Easton 1912 469 (The West Job Printing House 1912); Charles M. Barnard (compiler), West’s Directory for City of Easton Pennsylvania 473 (The Union Publishing Co. 1914). His parents were James and Mary Ann Thompson, who lived on the North side of Centre Square. Obituary, “J. Fred. Thompson Dead”, supra.

[31]See separate entry on the Simon Mansion and Ward House, 41 North Third Street.

[32]Deed, Sarah Pomp (Edward J.) McClernand to Grace S. Bixler, A48 208 (8 Dec. 1920).

[33]Deed, Grace S. Bixler to Carl (Eleanor Y. Gaines, E54 324 (22 June 1925).

[34]Deed, Carl Gaines to Eleanor Y. Gaines, D53 131 (30 June 1925). See also Deed, Eleanor Y. (Carl) Gaines to Ruth M. Waltman, B65 71 (26 Aug. 1925); Deed, Ruth M. Waltman to Carl Gaines, B65 72 (26 Aug. 1933); Deed, Carl (Jane Elizabeth Sloyer) Gaines to Carl (Jane Elizabeth Sloyer) Gaines, 218 186 (21 May 1964).

[35]Interview with Kenneth Klabunde (expert on the Simon Family) (22 June 2009)(Grace Bixler’s youngest son was named William Townley Bixler).

[36]According to his obituary, Dr. Gaines started his medical practice in Easton in 1922, but his address in the 1925 City Directory (apparently compiled prior to his 1925 purchase of the building) was not on North Third Street. H.P. Delano (compiler), West’s Directory for City of Easton Pennsylvania 84 (Union Publishing Co. Inc. 1925)(alphabetical listing).

[37]CompareWest’s Directory for City of Easton Pennsylvania 61 (Union Publishing Co. Inc. 1927)(alphabetical listing) withPolk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1975 (R.L.Polk & Co., Inc. 1975)(alphabetical listing) and Obituary, “Dr. Gaines, Easton Physician”, Easton Express, Friday, 20 Feb. 1976, p.20.

[38]Deed, Easton National Bank & Trust Co., Executor for the Estate fo Carl A. Gaines, to John H. (Rachel G.) Jones Jr., 553 381 (20 Sept. 1976). See also Deed, Rachel G. Jones to Rachel G. Jones, 768 65 (26 April 1989)(recital that John H. Jones Jr. had died in 1987, and Rachel had acquired the property by operation of her tenancy by the entireties).

[39]Deed, Rachel G. Jones to Joseph A. Cilenti, 1995-1 27204 (31 March 1995); seeLinda Harbrecht, “Preserving the Past”, The Express-Times, Saturday, 18 May 1996, at Home p.D-1.

[40]Linda Harbrecht, “Preserving the Past”, The Express-Times, Saturday, 18 May 1996, at Home p.D-1.

[41]Joseph A. Cilenti (by Sheriff) to AHB Realty LLC, 2003-1 112050 (2 April 2003)(mortgage foreclosure).