Samuel B. Morris correspondence pertaining to construction of stores on Market St. and 4th St., 1840-1841

This file contains Samuel B. Morris's correspondence pertaining to the construction of his stores on Market Street and 4th Street in Philadelphia. Most of the letters are between Morris and Thomas Estlack. Many of Estlack's letters relate to negotiations with tenants who will occupy the new buildings. In a July 24, 1840, letter he writes "I have been with Sleeper & Brothers respecting the skylight which they want, they have concluded upon having two of them. It is understood that they are to be at the whole of the additional expense. If thee objects to having them when they are done with these they are to have the roof's put in to the original way without them at their expense upon those terms I have told Parker to put them up." There is also a letter from the stores' architect, Gordon Parker Cummings, to Morris dated January 24, 1841. Cummings writes "Although well satisfyed the course of Mathematical Study and close attention to drawing, I am now following Joined[?] to my knowledge of practical carpentry and the improvement my taste will be likely to receive by a residence of some time in Europe, will qualify me for an Architect, I am not so sanguine of immediate success, as to lose the chance of resuming my former Business without feeling the imprudence of such a measure untill my abilities as an Artist become sufficiently known to enable me to get my liveing in that way." He continues "I hope verry Confidantally I shall terminate the most unhappy and embarassing period of my life in the spring by the sale of one or both of my properties and shall feel verry Confidant for the future that nature has never intended me for a Speculative Builder during a period of 50 per cent depression."