[Six Buildings], plan of John Nicholson houses in Washington, [D.C.] [graphic]

Format:

Image

Contributor:

Nicholson, John.

Ohare, Mr.

Morris, Mrs.

Sanson, Wm.

Cranch, Wm.

Dermott, James R.

Greenleaf, Jas.

Johnson, T.

Richmond, C.

Scott, Gusts.

Thronton, Wm.

Morris & Nicholson.

Visual Materials Collection (Athenaeum of Philadelphia)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Rowhouses--District of Columbia--Washington.

Square 118 (Washington, D.C.).

Six Buildings (Washington, D.C.).

Seven Buildings (Washington, D.C.).

Local Subjects:

Square 118 (Washington, D.C.).

Six Buildings (Washington, D.C.).

Seven Buildings (Washington, D.C.).

Physical Description:

2 drawings : ink & watercolor wash on paper ; + 2 Ms.

Place of Publication:

1793-ca. 1796.

Notes:

The architect and/or delineator of this drawing is unknown.

This set includes two drawings, accompanied by two manuscript items: [1] "Plan of John Nicholson houses in Washington", an original drawing, ca. 1796, including two images: [a] elevation [b] plan [2] Plat map, dated 22 July 1793, "City of Washington, Square 118", showing the area between 19th Street, West to 20th Street, West and North I Street to Pennsylvania Avenue. This irregular block includes lot nos. 1-13. This block appears to include the sight of the John Nicholson Houses, also known as the "Six Buildings", on Pennsylvania Ave. at 19th St. N.W. [3] One manuscript item reading "...Enclosed is a plan of a square in The Federal City and with it a plan of 6 houses to be built thereon -- of which the cellars are dug and the wall built up to the first floor. Ohare to look at it and Morris and I will call on you. I am yours truly, J...(?) Nicholson, May 30th 1796." and on the verso "...for Nicholson, May 30, 1796, with a map of Land of Square 118, Federal City." Also on both sides is a name believed to be "Wm. Sansom(?)". [4] 1 manuscript fragment "...one half of Square 118, on which are the foundations of Six Houses. Federal City Lotts(?)"

Cited in: Goode, James M. Capital losses, 1979, no. 73, p. 140-141. Goode states that these Federal rowhouses were built as a speculative operation by the Morris & Nicholson syndicate. Goode suggests that there were two rows, the "Seven Buildings" at Pennsylvania Ave. & 19th & the "Six Buildings" at Pennsylvania Ave. & 21th St. These four items, found after Goode's initial research, suggest that the "Six Buildings" were located on the 1/2 of Square 118 bounded by 19th St West, Pennsylvania Ave & 20th St. West.

Local Notes:

Athenaeum copy: Gift of George Vaux,