Thomas Stretch was an American clockmaker and a founder and first governor of the Colony in Schuylkill, later known as the State in Schuylkill, or Schuylkill Fishing Company.
12 Facts About Thomas Stretch
1.
2.
In 1702, along with his father Peter Thomas Stretch, he came to Philadelphia in what was then the colonial-era Province of Pennsylvania.
3.
Around 1747 or 1748, Thomas Stretch sold his father's property and Front and Chestnut Streets, and consolidated the business a block further west, at his second property at the southwest corner of Second and Chestnut, one block east of son-in-law Samuel Howell's property, "Sign of the Beaver", at the corner of Strawberry Alley and Chestnut Street.
4.
Thomas Stretch's shop was at the southeast corner of Front and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, then called "Peter Stretch's Corner at the Sign of the Dial".
5.
In 1753, Thomas Stretch erected a large clock dial and masonry clock case at the west end of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
6.
Watches made by Thomas Stretch were greatly treasured by their owners.
7.
That she had not been so successful in locating many of the clocks made by Thomas Stretch is attributed to the fact that they have reached the hands of dealers and been scattered across the country.
8.
The most sophisticated Peter Thomas Stretch clock found was owned by The State in Schuylkill.
9.
Thomas Stretch was one of the founders of Pennsylvania Hospital and a member of the Union Fire Company, known as Benjamin Franklin's Bucket Brigade.
10.
Thomas Stretch was a director of the Philadelphia Contributionship from 1758 to 1761.
11.
Thomas Stretch was named the club's first governor in 1732, and re-elected annually until his death in 1765.
12.
Thomas Stretch married out of the Quaker faith and was censured by the Monthly Meeting.