Peter Stretch
| Peter Stretch | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 14, 1670 Leek, Staffordshire, England |
| Died | September 11, 1746 (aged 76) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Nationality | English |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Margery Hall |
| Children | Thomas Stretch, Daniel Stretch, William Stretch, Joseph Stretch, Elizabeth Stretch, Sarah Stretch |
| Profession | Clockmaker |
| Signature |  |
Peter Stretch (October 14, 1670 – September 11, 1746) was among the most prominent early American clockmakers and among the first makers of scientific instruments in America.
He was born on October 14, 1670, at Leek, Staffordshire, England. Like many English clockmakers, he belonged to the Society of Friends, also called Quakers. The earliest known clockmakers in Leek came from the Stretch Quaker family. Samuel Stretch, his uncle, was making lantern clocks in Leek in 1670. Peter Stretch acquired an intimate knowledge of the art from some of the finest clockmakers in England — Thomas Tompion, George Graham, and Daniel Quare.
He married Margery Hall (May 25, 1688 – July 27, 1746) at Chesterfield, Derby, England on May 18, 1693.
Along with their three sons, Daniel (1694-1735), Thomas (1697 – October 17, 1765) and William (1701-1748), and daughter Elizabeth (1699-1759), they emigrated to America in 1703, arriving when Peter Stretch was 32. The Quaker Monthly Meeting at Philadelphia received the family in June 1703.
A daughter, Hannah, died as a child in 1708. Children born in Philadelphia include Sarah (1705-?), Samuel (1706-1762), Hannah (1707-1708) and Joseph (December 20, 1709 – April 3, 1771). Joseph's daughter (Peter Stretch's granddaughter) Sarah (July 13, 1733 – April 19, 1770), married the eminent merchant Samuel Howell (1723-1807), a financier of the American Revolution.
The first settlers of Philadelphia were mainly artisans, many of them belonging to the English gentry, who had sold their property and come to America to escape religious persecution. To this class belonged Peter Stretch. He soon became an important figure in the social, political and economic life of Philadelphia.
He was one of the earliest clockmakers to settle in the Province of Pennsylvania. The first record of his purchasing land was on July 26, 1707, when he acquired 300 acres in Gloucester County, New Jersey. Records show that Peter Stretch made a number of real estate purchases, some speculative or for investment.
On November 11, 1715, he purchased a property at the southeast corner of Front and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia, where he set up shop in his home. On March 1, 1719, he purchased another property, located at the southwest corner of Second and Chestnut, where he built a home and set up a shop called "Peter Stretch’s Corner at the Sign of the Dial". He resided there until his death.
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Wikipedia