Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/65

Rh Howe during the occupation of the city by the British, and Benedict Arnold successively occupied, and on the site of which Robert Morris built the house in which Washington resided during his Presidency.

Mr. Lawrence's place in the Board was filled by the election at the September meeting of the Hon. James Hamilton, Governor of the Province. He had been a faithful attendant at its meetings; the last one he attended was on 17 November, 1753, just prior to his fatal illness.

was born in Philadelphia, 5 August, 1704, the son of William Allen a merchant in that city and a native of Ireland who married about 1700, Mary daughter of Thomas Budd. Mrs. Allen's sister Rose became the wife of Joseph Shippen and step mother to Dr. William Shippen. His father brought William up to the study of law, and at the time of his death in 1725, the son appears to have been in London pursuing these studies.

The father's death, however, hastened his return home, for we find him in Philadelphia prior to September 1726, as his signature appears to the agreement of the merchants and chief citizens to take the money of the Lower Counties at their face value. He now engaged in trade, relinquishing the Law. He was elected a Common Councilman of Philadelphia 3 October, 1727. In 1731 he became a member of the Assembly, serving until 1739. In 1730 he secured property for the new State House on Chestnut Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets, his father-in-law Andrew Hamilton, Thomas Lawrence, and Dr. John Kearsley being the Trustees of the State House fund; he advanced money for the purchase of certain of the lots, taking the title in his own name until the Province reimbursed him. In 1732 the building appears to have been begun.

He was chosen Mayor of the city in October, 1735; and at the close of his term, in the Hall of Assembly now just finished, he opened by a collation customary from the outgoing Mayor. This must have been had in one of the lower rooms, the upper story not being yet completed. Franklin gives us a participant's