Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Franklin Court

Ben Franklin Passageway Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

1. Ben Franklin Passageway Marker

Inscription.

Franklin Court. . Benjamin Franklin went to and from his house through this original passage., Benj. Franklin Bache Privy Pit 1787 322 Market St. . Franklin Privy Pit 1787 318 Market St.. Henry Frogley Water Well Circa 1720 320 Market St.. James Poultney Privy Pit 1797 314 Market St.. Read-Franklin Water Well 1700's 318 Market St.. Unexcavated Privy Pitt 1800's 316 Market St.. Wm. Boulding Privy Pit Circa 1720 314 Market St..

"The blue mohair is for curtains in the blue chamber. The fashion is to make one curtain for each window. Hooks are sent to fix the rails by at the top so that they may be taken down occasionally. Ben to Deborah Franklin London, Feb. 14, 1765 , "…this day the man is putting up the fireplaces that came from London. The dark one is in the Parlor. I am in hopes the hearths will be laid too. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila., Feb, 1765 , "…as to oiling the floors, it may be omitted till I return. Ben to Deborah Franklin London, Fall, 1765 , "…I want also the dimensions of the windows in the little north room and the number of them for which you would have me bring curtains. Ben to Deborah Franklin London, Fall 1765 , "…in the front room which I have designed for guests I have the bed which you sent from England, a chamber mahogany table and stand. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila., Fall 1765 , "…in the room we call yours is your desk, the Armonica, a large chest with all your writings, boxes of glasses for the electricity, your clothes and pictures. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila., Fall 1765 , "…the carpenter is to put up the steps at the north door. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila, Fall 1765 , "…the curtains are not made for the blue room nor did I press for them as we had a great number of flies. It is observed they are very fond of new paint. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila., Fall 1765 , "Have you moved everything, and put all papers and books in my room, and do you keep it locked? Ben to Deborah Franklin London, Fall 1765 , "The blue room has the armonica and and harpsichord in it, the gilt sconce, a card table, and a set of tea china I brought since you went from home. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila., Fall 1765 , "…the little southroom I had papered as the walls were very soiled. In that is a pretty card table, our chars that used to stand in the parlor, and ornamental china over the fireplace. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila., Fall 1765 , "Sally has the southroom, up two pair of stairs. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila., Oct. 6-13, 1765 , "The northroom nanny took for her own. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila., Oct. 6-13, 1765 , "…the southroom I sleep in with my Susanah, a bed without curtains a chest of drawers, a table, a glass, old walnut chairs, books, and family pictures. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila., Oct. 6-13, 1765
Deborah's Maid
"…yesterday good Mr. Rhodes, his son Thomas Franklin and wife drank tea with us. We had the best hot Buckwheat cakes that I ever made. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila, Nov. 3, 1765 , "…three damask tablecloths and a large true Turkey carpet for the dining parlour cost ten Guineas. Ben to Deborah Franklin London, April 6, 1766 , "…two stories of stair ramped, bracketed and wainscoted. Fire Insurance Survey Phila, Aug. 5, 1766 , "…that reed stuff for curtains is for the two little rooms down stairs. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila., April 29, 1767 , "Billy doesn't like the blue room at all, so it is not finished till you come home. Deborah Franklin to Ben Phila., April 29, 1767 , "…let the papier mache musical figures be tacked to the middle of the ceiling of the blue room; when this is done, I think it will look very well. Ben to Deborah Franklin London, June 12, 1767 , "I suppose the blue room is too blue, the wood being the same color as the paper....Paint the wainscot white and tack the gilt border around just above the surbase and under the cornice. Ben to Deborah Franklin London, June 22, 1767 , "We have no plates or dishes fit to eat before your friends. The Queen's ware is thought very elegant here, perhaps you could bring them when you return. Sally Franklin Bache to Ben Phila, Oct. 30, 1773 , "…his little room makes a singular appearance, being filled with old philosophical instruments, papers, boxes, tables and stools… Arthur Ellicott's Diary Dec. 4, 1785 , "I hardly know how to justify building a library at an age that will soon oblige me to quit it, but we are apt to forget that we are grown old and building is an amusement. Ben to his sister Jane Mecom Phila., Sept. 21, 1786 , "This addition is on the side next to the river. There are a good many hands employed and I hope to see it covered in before winter. Ben to his sister Jane Mecom Phila., Sept. 21, 1786 , "For the best room in the addition…I want a mirror measuring 59½ French inches long and 43 inches wide…no frame is to be with it as it is fixed over the chimney. Ben to Ferdinand Grand Phila., April 22, 1787 , "…in this new room we can dine a company of 24 persons. Ben to his sister Jane Mecom Phila., May 30, 1787 , "…two windows at each end, the north and south, will make it (drawing/dining room) an airy summer room; and for winter there is a good chimney in the middle made handsome with marble slabs. Ben to his sister Jane Mecom Phila., May 30, 1787 , "By this addition I have gained a large cellar for wood Ben to his sister Jane Mecom Phila., May 30, 1787 , "…his library is a very large chamber…the walls are covered with shelves filled with books. Four large alcoves also filled in the same manner. Dr. Manasseh Cutler's Diary July 13, 1787 , "He also showed us his long artificial arm and hand for taking down and putting books up on high shelves, which are out of reach. Diary of Manasseh Culler Phila., Jul. 13, 1787 , "…a device like a bellpull, at the head of the Doctor's bed, raised and lowered an iron, bolt through staples at the top of the door; until this bolt was raised the door could not be opened. Col Carr's Recollections May 25, 1864

. You are now in the 1st floor drawing room/dining room (addition begun in 1787). . Below this space was a full cellar. . Franklin's library was on the 2nd floor over this room. . Two lodging rooms shared the size of this area on the 3rd floor, and above that two garret rooms." , . You are now in the 1st floor entry and passage of the house. . The staircase connected all floors in the dwelling including the garret located above the 3rd floor." , You are now in the first floor area which served as a book bindery. The type foundry was located at the opposite end of the building, and the printing office occupied the entire second floor bridging the carriageway. Ice Pit, 1765, built for Benjamin Franklin's house for ice storage. The ice pit was lined with large, flat, curved schist stones. The pit was approximately ten feet deep with a ten foot inside diameter. John Read Privy Pit Circa 1715 318 Market St.. , . You are now in the old 1st floor dining room which became the parlor following the completion of the addition to the house in 1787. . The kitchen was in the cellar below this space. . Franklin's bedroom was located on the 2nd floor. . The blue room or music room was located on the 3rd floor. In 1787 this room became a nursery for daughter Sally Franklin Bache's family." , . You are now in the parlor on the 1st floor. . Deborah Franklin's bedroom was located on the 2nd floor. . Daughter Sally's bedroom was on the 3rd floor and above that a garret room." , . You are now in the study on the 1st floor. . The frontroom, a guest room, was located on the 2nd floor above this space. . The northroom, Nanny's room, was on the 3rd floor, with a garret room above that.,

Ann Hardy, a sophisticated London parlor maid.

" , You are now in the first floor area which housed the type foundry. The book bindery was located at the opposite end of the building, and the printing office occupied the entire second floor bridging the carriageway. , This two-story structure, which straddled the carriageway from Market Street, was the print shop built by Franklin for his grandson, Benjamin Franklin Bache, in 1787. , This two-story structure, which straddled the carriageway from Market Street, was the print shop built by Franklin for his grandson, Benjamin Franklin Bache, in 1787.

Benjamin Franklin went to and from his house through this original passage.

Benj. Franklin Bache Privy Pit
1787
322 Market St.
Franklin Privy Pit
1787
318 Market St.
Henry Frogley Water Well
Circa 1720
320 Market St.
James Poultney Privy Pit
1797
314 Market St.
Read-Franklin Water Well
1700's
318 Market St.
Unexcavated Privy Pitt
1800's
316 Market St.
Wm. Boulding Privy Pit
Circa 1720
314 Market St.

"The blue mohair is for curtains in the blue chamber. The fashion is to make one curtain for each window. Hooks are sent to fix the rails by at the top so that they may be taken down occasionally.
Ben to Deborah Franklin
London, Feb. 14, 1765

"…this day the man is putting up the fireplaces that came from London. The dark one is in the Parlor. I am in hopes the hearths will be laid too.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila., Feb, 1765

"…as to oiling the floors, it may be omitted till I return.
Ben to Deborah Franklin
London, Fall, 1765

"…I want also the dimensions of the windows in the
Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online
little north room and the number of them for which you would have me bring curtains.
Ben to Deborah Franklin
London, Fall 1765

"…in the front room which I have designed for guests I have the bed which you sent from England, a chamber mahogany table and stand.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila., Fall 1765

"…in the room we call yours is your desk, the Armonica, a large chest with all your writings, boxes of glasses for the electricity, your clothes and pictures.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila., Fall 1765

"…the carpenter is to put up the steps at the north door.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila, Fall 1765

"…the curtains are not made for the blue room nor did I press for them as we had a great number of flies. It is observed they are very fond of new paint.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila., Fall 1765

"Have you moved everything, and put all papers and books in my room, and do you keep it locked?
Ben to Deborah Franklin
London, Fall 1765

"The blue room has the armonica and and harpsichord in it, the gilt sconce, a card table, and a set of tea china I brought since you went from home.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila., Fall 1765

"…the
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

2. Benj. Franklin Bache Privy Pit Marker
little southroom I had papered as the walls were very soiled. In that is a pretty card table, our chars that used to stand in the parlor, and ornamental china over the fireplace.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila., Fall 1765

"Sally has the southroom, up two pair of stairs.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila., Oct. 6-13, 1765

"The northroom nanny took for her own.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila., Oct. 6-13, 1765

"…the southroom I sleep in with my Susanah,* a bed without curtains a chest of drawers, a table, a glass, old walnut chairs, books, and family pictures.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila., Oct. 6-13, 1765

*Deborah's Maid

"…yesterday good Mr. Rhodes, his son Thomas Franklin and wife drank tea with us. We had the best hot Buckwheat cakes that I ever made.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila, Nov. 3, 1765

"…three damask tablecloths and a large true Turkey carpet for the dining parlour cost ten Guineas.
Ben to Deborah Franklin
London, April 6, 1766

"…two stories of stair ramped, bracketed and wainscoted.
Fire Insurance Survey
Phila, Aug. 5, 1766

"…that reed stuff for curtains is for the two little
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

3. Henry Frogley Water Well Marker
rooms down stairs.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila., April 29, 1767

"Billy doesn't like the blue room at all, so it is not finished till you come home.
Deborah Franklin to Ben
Phila., April 29, 1767

"…let the papier mache musical figures be tacked to the middle of the ceiling of the blue room; when this is done, I think it will look very well.
Ben to Deborah Franklin
London, June 12, 1767

"I suppose the blue room is too blue, the wood being the same color as the paper....Paint the wainscot white and tack the gilt border around just above the surbase and under the cornice.
Ben to Deborah Franklin
London, June 22, 1767

"We have no plates or dishes fit to eat before your friends. The Queen's ware is thought very elegant here, perhaps you could bring them when you return.
Sally Franklin Bache to Ben
Phila, Oct. 30, 1773

"…his little room makes a singular appearance, being filled with old philosophical instruments, papers, boxes, tables and stools…
Arthur Ellicott's Diary
Dec. 4, 1785

"I hardly know how to justify building a library at an age that will soon oblige me to quit it, but we are apt to forget that we are grown old and building is an amusement.
Ben
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

4. James Poultney Privy Pit Marker
to his sister Jane Mecom
Phila., Sept. 21, 1786

"This addition is on the side next to the river. There are a good many hands employed and I hope to see it covered in before winter.
Ben to his sister Jane Mecom
Phila., Sept. 21, 1786

"For the best room in the addition…I want a mirror measuring 59½ French inches long and 43 inches wide…no frame is to be with it as it is fixed over the chimney.
Ben to Ferdinand Grand
Phila., April 22, 1787

"…in this new room we can dine a company of 24 persons.
Ben to his sister Jane Mecom
Phila., May 30, 1787

"…two windows at each end, the north and south, will make it (drawing/dining room) an airy summer room; and for winter there is a good chimney in the middle made handsome with marble slabs.
Ben to his sister Jane Mecom
Phila., May 30, 1787

"By this addition I have gained a large cellar for wood
Ben to his sister Jane Mecom
Phila., May 30, 1787

"…his library is a very large chamber…the walls are covered with shelves filled with books. Four large alcoves also filled in the same manner.
Dr. Manasseh Cutler's Diary
July 13, 1787

"He also showed us his long artificial arm and hand for
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

5. Unexcavated Privy Pit Marker
taking down and putting books up on high shelves, which are out of reach.
Diary of Manasseh Culler
Phila., Jul. 13, 1787

"…a device like a bellpull, at the head of the Doctor's bed, raised and lowered an iron, bolt through staples at the top of the door; until this bolt was raised the door could not be opened.
Col Carr's Recollections
May 25, 1864

• You are now in the 1st floor drawing room/dining room (addition begun in 1787).
• Below this space was a full cellar.
• Franklin's library was on the 2nd floor over this room.
• Two lodging rooms shared the size of this area on the 3rd floor, and above that two garret rooms."

• You are now in the 1st floor entry and passage of the house.
• The staircase connected all floors in the dwelling including the garret located above the 3rd floor."

You are now in the first floor area which served as a book bindery. The type foundry was located at the opposite end of the building, and the printing office occupied the entire second floor bridging the carriageway. Ice Pit, 1765, built for Benjamin Franklin's house for ice storage. The ice pit was lined with large, flat, curved schist stones. The pit was approximately ten feet deep with a ten foot inside diameter. John Read Privy Pit
Circa 1715
318

The Blue Mohair Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

6. The Blue Mohair Marker

Market St.

• You are now in the old 1st floor dining room which became the parlor following the completion of the addition to the house in 1787.
• The kitchen was in the cellar below this space.
• Franklin's bedroom was located on the 2nd floor.
• The blue room or music room was located on the 3rd floor. In 1787 this room became a nursery for daughter Sally Franklin Bache's family."

• You are now in the parlor on the 1st floor.
• Deborah Franklin's bedroom was located on the 2nd floor.
• Daughter Sally's bedroom was on the 3rd floor and above that a garret room."

• You are now in the study on the 1st floor.
• The frontroom, a guest room, was located on the 2nd floor above this space.
• The northroom, *Nanny's room, was on the 3rd floor, with a garret room above that.

*Ann Hardy, a sophisticated London parlor maid.

"

You are now in the first floor area which housed the type foundry. The book bindery was located at the opposite end of the building, and the printing office occupied the entire second floor bridging the carriageway.

This two-story structure, which straddled the carriageway from Market Street, was the print shop built by Franklin for his grandson, Benjamin Franklin Bache, in 1787.

This two-story structure, which straddled

"…as to oiling…" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

7. "…as to oiling…" Marker

the carriageway from Market Street, was the print shop built by Franklin for his grandson, Benjamin Franklin Bache, in 1787.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music • Colonial Era • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is February 14, 1765.

Location. 39° 57.01′ N, 75° 8.79′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. Marker is on Market Street (County Road 2004) just east of South 4th Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 319 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Franklin Court & Museum / Franklin Court Market Street Houses (here, next to this marker); Franklin's Market Street Houses (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Franklin Court & Museum / Franklin Court Market Street Houses (a few steps from this marker); Mathew Carey (a few steps from this marker); 1723 / 1752 / 1765 / 1790 / 1806 (a few steps from this marker); Academy of Natural Sciences (within shouting distance of this marker); Franklin's Neighborhood (within shouting distance of this marker); 4th & Market (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

"…in the room we call yours…" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

8. "…in the room we call yours…" Marker

"…let the papier mache…" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

9. "…let the papier mache…" Marker

1st Floor Drawing Room Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

10. 1st Floor Drawing Room Marker

Old 1st Floor Dining Room Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

11. Old 1st Floor Dining Room Marker

Ice Pit Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022

12. Ice Pit Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on March 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.