Judge Charles F. Gummey
- Yen Ho
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Imagine living next to a judge in your neighborhood, and finding out he was one of the most prominent judges in Philadelphia.
The Robert Evans Land
The land was originally part of the Robert Evans (1658-1738) lot back in 1702. He then detached 113 acres of land in 1710 to David John. It was possible that it was David John who built the first house on the property. He lived in it for 22 years. Fast forward to 1739 the property was sold to William Williams, a tailor from Montgomery Township, PA. He lived on the property until his son John Williams took over. The Williams lived on the property for 94 years.
In 1832, the property was turned over to John/Jacob Sandman (1785-1838) of Norristown for $3,485 for 75 acres. His daughter Eliza (1814-1895) married Samuel B. Davis (1805-1866) who took over the property after her father passed away. When Samuel passed away, Eliza became the sole owner of the property for nearly 60 years.
In the early 20th century, the property was purchased by Charles F. Gummey (1862-1923). He hired architects Baker & Dallett to renovate his home. Charles was born in Philadelphia on December 22, and was descended from a Welsh family who settled in Virginia in 1635. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1884, he entered the bar and studied law under John G. Johnson. He returned to UPenn and graduated in 1888 with a Bachelor degree in law. In that year, he was admitted into the bar under Moses Hampton Todd, who was appointed as the PA Attorney General in 1903.
In 1900, Charles married Florence Catherwood, and moved to Gwynedd to settle and live at during the summer. He also owned a house on 2122 Locust Street in Philadelphia.
On October 31, 1910, PA Governor Edward S. Stuart appointed Charles to the position of Judge of the Orphans' Court.
"At the bar Mr. Gummey's career was a most brilliant and successful one, and upon the bench it is equally brilliant. Possessing to the fullest extent the confidence of the lawyers who practice in his court, as well as that of litigants and public alike, he is held in the highest esteem by all classes, and is generally regarded as amongst the ablest, most painstaking and most scrupulously conscientious jurists in the city of Philadelphia."
- J. St. George Joyce, Story of Philadelphia
Bibliography
"Demolition Beginning Today at Locust Street Fire Property Will Leave All of Historic Building’s Exterior Walls Standing." City of Philadelphia. Last modified April 1, 2016. https://www.phila.gov/press-releases/kenney/demolition-beginning-today-at-locust-street-fire-property-will-leave-all-of-historic-buildings-exterior-walls-standing/.
Joyce, J. St. George. Story of Philadelphia. (Philadelphia: Harry B. Joseph, 1919): 506-507.
"Local History. Historical Facts Regarding Two Well-Known Places at Gwynedd Station--Williams Farm--Davis Property--Kent Homestead." Ambler Gazette. July 21, 1898. Page 2. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_1200.
Morris, William E, and Smith & Wistar. Map of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania: from original surveys. [Philadelphia: Smith & Wistar, 1849] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/2012590207/.
Mueller, A. H. Atlas of the North Penn Section of Montgomery County, Pa., Plate 29, 1916.
Philadelphia Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide, v. 20, n. 2 (1905): 19.
Scott, J. D. Montgomery County 1877, Gwynedd, North Wales, Ambler, Royer's Ford, Limerick Station, 1877.
Smith, J. L. Montgomery County 1893, Upper and Lower Gwynedd Townships, Lansdale, North Wales, Spring House, Ambler Right, 1893.
Stafford, Hartwell. Who's Who in Philadelphia, Volume 2. (Philadelphia: Stafford's National News Service, 1925): 39.
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