106 



became indispensable to fill many a chasm deep and wide, 

 in the existing imperfect records, which have been trans- 

 mitted to us through the chances and perils of several gen- 

 erations. The compiler's acknowledgments are due and 

 tendered, for the kind assistance afforded by the recollec- 

 tive faculties of the venerable William Hall, Esq. proba- 

 bly the oldest Printer living in the United States, elected 

 a member of the Company in 1782, from the late John 

 Graff", Esq. formerly the able Deputy Collector of the Cus- 

 toms of the Port, a member in 1791, from William West 

 and the late James Ash, Esquires, and more recently from 

 John Goodman, Esq. of the Northern Liberties, to whom 

 he is indebted for many interesting particulars relative to 

 Fort St. David's, and its rude interior embellishments. 



He represents the edifice of that name, well known and 

 oft resorted to in his juvenile days, as an oblong wooden 

 building, painted brown, resting on a stone foundation, 

 built on a long high rock in the river, fronting the Falls, 

 large enough to accommodate a numerous company, ap- 

 proached by a flight of spacious steps having a large door 

 in the centre, and ample windows for light and air. A 

 square cupulo rose from the roof, containing a bell, and 

 was surmounted with a spire, a ball, and an emblematic 

 rock fish serving as a vane. The towering flag staff* stood 

 on the elevated hill to the north, on which his Majesty's 

 flag was displayed on Company days, and served as a 

 gladsome token for a desirable visit to many of the socia- 

 ble people of Roxborough and Germantown, old and young 



