Richard Farmer and wife, by deed dated September 1, 1760, conveyed to Michael Shubart, distiller, “two certain pieces of ground,” one of which was located on Seventh Street, with a frontage of 36 feet and 10 inches and with a depth of 99 feet, which was bounded on the south by a piece of ground sold by Farmer to George Keller, 20 feet by 99 feet.
The other piece of ground was on the north side of a certain 14-foot alley (now Filbert Street, mentioned for the first time), containing in breadth 17 feet on the alley and 56 feet 10 inches deep, connecting with above lot in the rear and for its entire width as well as the Keller lot.
The consideration was a yearly ground rental of 21 Spanish silver pieces of 8 of 17 pennyweight and 6 grains each, with the option within seven years of cancellation by payment of 133 pounds, lawful money of Pennsylvania.
Shubart agreed to erect within four (4) years on one of the pieces of ground one good brick kitchen, or tenement, or other brick building at least 15 feet square.
This deed was witnessed by Robert Wilson, Jr., and John Clarkson; acknowledged by Wm. Peters, justice.
This transfer shows that the High Street lots, near Seventh Street, extended at one time back to what is now Filbert Street, and also that Richard Farmer’s land was taken in whole or in part for the purpose of what then was termed an alley, and later known as Sugar Alley, then Farmers Street, and now Filbert Street.
James Ash, high sheriff, on May 27, 1790, conveyed to Frederick Hailer the land purchased by Shubart from Farmer, together with a tenement distill house and coppers, distills, worms, cisterns, tubs and other utensils belonging to said distillery.
This conveyance was subject to the payment of the yearly ground rent of 21 Spanish pieces of 8.
Jacob Barge was the creditor who caused the sale.
Frederick Wailer, surgeon barber, and wife, Christiana, July 18, 1792, sold to the United States Government the land and distill house and frame tenement building formerly owned by Shubart.