year 1770. The following, taken from Dr. Smith's " History of Delaware County," is a specimen advertisement of that date:

“GENTLEBIEN,—When I reflect on the honour done, and confidence placed in me, by the freemen of this county for a number of years past, it affords me a matter of joy, ar.d emboldens me at this time to offer myself as a candidate for the sheriff's office, for which purpose I humbly request your votes and interest at the ensuing election, which kindness, gentlemen, shall be greatfully acknowledged and kept in remembran“GENTLEMEN,—Whend friend.

The "humble request," however, did not induce a majority of the electors to cast their votes for the candidate, as Jesse Maris, who did not advertise at all, was elected.

This was the only office in former days for which candidates sought the suffrages of the people.

The practice of electioneering, now so universal, was never resorted to by candidates in the olden time. It has, in a great measure, grown up within the last thirty years.

At a court held 6, 5, 1684, the sheriff and clerk complain of the non-payment of their fees, and it was ordered that execution be granted to levy the same. 8, 7, 1684, " James Kenela, Coroner, made returne of an Execution granted against John Johnson att this Cort, held the 5th day of the 6th month, 1684, att the Complaint of Thomas Wither, Shreife."

At a court held at Chester "ye 1st 3d day in the 1st weeke of 3e 7th moth 1685," " Vpon ye Petition of James Kenela, Crowner, it was ordered that forthwith Execution be granted against Henry Renolds for 3e Crowner's fees, Charge of Inquest and taking up ye dead Body of ye said Renold's maide, with all other Charges whatsoever, thereunto belonging."

8, 6, 1685.—" Jeremy Collett made returne of an Execution granted ye last Court against Henry Renolds for Crowner's fees and Constapies Charges, &c., datedye 4th, 7th moneth 1685, which he levied on an Oxe, A praised at 41: 10.."

"Henry Renolds came into Comt and made full satisfaction for the said Oxe, Whereupon the Court Ordered him his Oxe againe."

Jacob Simcock, coroner, made return of several inquests to the court held 8, 4, 1698. Joseph Holt and Isaac Warner were drowned in the river near Tinicum, by the upsetting of the boat by wiConstaplesuest being held 8, 3, 1698. Sarah, child of Wm. Vestal, was drowned 3, 3, 1696, in Birmingham, in a small pond of water. JCoure, daughter of Edward Pritchet, was drowned at Ridley Creek 3, 2, 1696. Nathaniel Duckett came to his end 2, 1, 1697, in one of the fitts that he was formerly subject to. Alexander Fulton, of the ship "Charles," of London, was drowned by falling out of a cannow on the 27th of September, 1697. Robert Stevenson was drowned by a sudden gust upsetting his boat 7, 23, 1698. John Barnskill, going from Chester to Philadelphia in a ferry-boat, it was upset by a sudden gust of wind and he was drowned, 7, 23, 1698.

On the 12th of pc month, 1700, Jacob Simcock reported the deaths of Alexander Minrow, Ann Cruett, Samuel Sallaway, and Sarah Baker. Respecting the last, "wee can find noe other but that it pleased Almighty God to visit her with death by the force of Thunder."

Comparatively few of the coroners' returns are to be found. At a court held 6, 26, 1707, Henry Hollingsworth, coroner, was ordered to take with him twelve men and inquire into the death of a certain child which was brought dead to John Rentrow's house (now Londongrove).

The following have been coroners of this county, and the dates of commission are given from 1717 to 1838 :

As with the sheriff, so with regard to the coroner in early times, —two being elected and the Governor making choice between them. Maj. John Harper was coroner when the county-seat was removed from Chester to West Chester, in 1786. He was a Revolutionary officer who had then recently commenced keeping a tavern in Chester, and of course was opposed to the removal. Tradition says he had command of the belligerent forces which in 1785 came to West Chester—then known as "The Turk"—to demolish the unfinished county buildings. He afterwards came to reside in West Chester, and was for some time landlord of the famous Turk's Head tavern.

Nathan Scholfield was the last coroner elected in Chester County previous to the division, and also the first elected after the county was reduced to its present limits.

In 1862, William Ferry was elected to the officeeamet did not take out his commission, and Joseph W. Barnard, Esq., was appointed to fill the vacancy until the next election. Mr. Barnard was subsequently elected for two successive terms of three ye rs, and thus held the office altogether a period of seven years.

Before the incumbency of Mr. Barnard inquisitions were usually held by justices of the peace when the office of the coroner was more than ten miles distant from where the death occurred. He procured the passage of an act of Assembly authorizing the appointment of deputies at suitable points in the county, and restricting the performance of the duties of the office to the coroner and his deputies thus appointed, unless the death occurs more than ten miles from the residence of the coroner or any of his deputies. Mr. Barnard adopted suitable rules and regulations, and since then the duties of the office have been much more satisfactorily performed than heretofore.

The offic of county commissioner was created not long prior to 1720, their duties having been at first performed by the justices and grand jury, and afterwards by the grand jury and assessors. It is inferred that at first four commissioners were elected, to serve one year. In Assembly, 11, 19, 1721-2, when a supplementary tax-bill was under consideration, it was

"ordered, that an amendment be made, for the three eldest Commissioners in Philadelphia County, the two eldest or first named Commissioners in Chester County, and the first named Commissioner in Bucks County, be discharged of that office on the 30th Day of September next ; and that then, the First of October following, one Commissioner be elected in the Room of them in each County yearly, to take Place after the two other then remaining."

A petition from Chester County was read, 12, 28, 1721-2, " praying the County Levy Act may be repealed, or that three Commissioners may be elected yearly." The next day (March 1st) petitions from the other counties were read, as also the bill for the third time,

"and the Question was put, that the said Amendment, for displacing some Commissioners, and electing others in their Stead, shall stand as now inserted in the Bill? Passed in the Negative. Then the Question was put, that the Commissioners, for the future, shall be three in Number, and yearly elected on the first Day of October ? Passed in the affirmative."

This act was finally passed May 12, 1722, with the further amendment that one commissioner should be elected annually.

The following document will show the manner of certifying the_ result of elections in those days to the justices at the Quarter Sessions :

"THIS INDENTURE made the first day of October Ano. Dom., 1722, Between John Taylor, Sheriff of the County of Chester, in the Province of Pensilvania, of the one part And William Brinton, Richard Woodward, Philip Taylor, Samuel Painter, Jun*, Joseph Brinton and Richd Jones. freeholders and Inhabitants of the County aid, of the other part, WITNESSEETH, That by vertue and In pursu-

ance of a Law or Act of Assembly of this Province Intituled a supplementary Act to the Act for the more Effectual Raising of County rates & Levies, The free men and Inhabitants of the Burrough of Chester & County of Chester afd, on the first day of October afd, met Together at the Court-house in the Burrough of Chester afd, And then and there by a free Poll Did Choose Robert Pyle to be a Commissioner in the Room and stead of the two Commissioners who are Removed by the sd Act. IN WITNESS whereof, as well the sd Sheriff, as the aid William Brinton, Richard Woodward, Philip Taylor, Saint Painter, June, Joseph Brinton and Richd Jones, have Interchangeably set their hands and Seals hereunto the day and year first above Written.

By an act passed March 20, 1724, it was prescribed that the newly-elected commissioner and the assessors should take the following qualification :

"Thou shalt well and truly cause the County Debts to be speedily adjusted and the Rates and Sums of Money by virtue of this Act imposed, to be duly and equally assessed and laid according to the best of thy Skill and Knowledge; and herein thou shalt spare no person for Favour nor Affection, nor grieve any for Hatred or Ill-will."

Qualifications of this form, signed by the officers, are on file for 1727, 1729, and at later dates. By this last act the commissioners were to issue precepts to the constables, requiring them to make return to the assessors of the names and estates of the inhabitants, and the assessors were to lay the rates thereon.

The following is a list of commissioners since 1721, with the dates of their appointment or election :

1721, David Lloyd, John Wood, Nathaniel Newlin, Henry Miller (in office) ; 1722, Robert Pyle; 1723, Nathaniel Newlin ; 1724, Samuel Hollingsworth; 1725, Robert Pyle ; 1726, Isaac Taylor ; 1727, William Webb ; 1728, Henry Miller, Evan Lewis, elected by commissioners and assessors in August, vice Isaac Taylor, dec'd; 1729, Samuel Nutt ; 1730, Evan Lewis ; 1731, Jacob Howell ; 1732, Samuel Lewis ; 1733, George Aston ; 1734, John Davis ; 1735, Richard Jones ; 1736, Samuel Lightfoot ; 1737, John Parry, Jr.; 1738, William Jefferis; 1739, John Davis; 1740, John Parry, Jr.; 1741, John Yarnall; 1742, John Davis; 1743, Jacob Howell ; 1744, Joseph Mendenhall ; 1745, John Davis ; 1746, Thomas Pennell ; 1747, Joshua Thompson ; 1748, Isaac Davis; 1749, Thomas Pennell; 1750, Edward Banton, Samuel Bunting, vice Thomas Pennell, deceased; 1751, William Lewis ; 1752, John Fairlamb ; 1753, Robert Miller ; 1754, Thomas Pearson; 1755, Joseph Ashbridge ; 1756, Joseph Davis ; 1757, Joseph James; 1758, John Hannan': 1759, Jonas Preston ; 1760, Joseph Pennock ; 1761, John Griffith ; 1762, Lewis Davis; 1763, John Price ; 1764, Benjamin Bartholomew ; 1765, Richard Baker ; 1766, John Davis; 1767, Robert Pennell ; 1768, John Webster; 1769, John Evans ; 1770, Jesse Bousall ; 1771, Robert Mendenhall ; 1772, John Fleming ; 1773, Thomas Levis ; 1774, Thomas Taylor ; 1775, William Evans ; 1776, Sketchley Morton ; 1777, David Cloyd ; 1778, Andrew Boyd ; 1779, Benjamin Brannan; 1780, John Bartholomew ; 1781, Joseph Strawbridge; 1782, Caleb James; 1783, John Davis; 1784, Joseph McClellan; 1785, Caleb James ; 1786, Caleb North ; 1787, John Worth ; 1788, Joseph Gibbons; 1789, James Moore; 1790, Elijah McClenachan ; 1791, John Mecham ; 1792, William Trimble, Jr. ; 1793, Samuel Cochran ; 1794, George Davis ; 1795, George Miller ; 1796, James Kelton ; 1797, William Rogers ; 1798, Evan Evans; 1799, John Menough ; 1800, Titus Taylor ; 1801. John Rinehart ; 1802, John Ramsey; 1803, Thomas Taylor; 1804, James Lockhart: 1803, John G. Parke ; 1806, Joshua Gibbons ; 1807, David Denny ; 1808, Jesse Good ; 1609, William Evans ; 1810, David Wilson ; 1811, James Ramsey ; 1812, Eber Worthington ; 1813, David Townsend; 1814, Alexander Chandler; 1815, Jesse Mercer ; 1816, Samuel Baldwin; 1817, Maris Taylor; 1818, Joshua Weaver ; 1819, Benjamin Thomas; 1820, Jesse Pugh ; 1821, Isaac Trimble ; 1822, James Davis; 1823, Abisha Clark ; 1824, Ezra Cope ; 1825, Joseph Hughes; 1826, Benjamin Parker ; 1827, Isaac Thomas; 1828, Melchi Happersett ; 1829, James Alexander; 1830, George Gregg (died in January, 1833) ; 1831, Evan Evans; 1832, Joseph Wood ; 1833, Walker Tar-ball (Eber Worthington appointed, vice Gregg, dec'd) ; 1834, John Malin ; 1835, Alexander Correy ; 1836, Elijah Lewis (J. W. Passmore, two years, vice Yarnall); 1837, John Beidler; 1838, John W. Passmore ; 1839, Hibbard Evans ; 1840, John Templeton ; 1841, Hatton Mercer ; 1842, John Worth ; 1843, Mordecai Lee ; 1844, Enos Pennock ; 1845, Smith Sharpless ; 1846, David Byerly; 1847, Daniel Thompson ; 1848, John Hannnm ; 1849, Rees Welsh ; 1850, Joel Thompson; 1851, Thomas Vandever ; 1852, Jacob Kulp; 1853, Newton I. Nichols; 1854, Albert Way ; 1855, William G. Martland ; 1856, Joseph Russell ; 1857, Titus W. Gheen ; 11558, Benjamin Hartman ; 1859, Caleb Windle ; 1860, Thomas Bateman ; 1861, Joseph G. King ; 1862, Andrew Mitchell (died May 12, 1865) ; 1863, Lorenzo Beck ; 1864, Levi H. Crouse; 1865, Thomas M. Charlton (by appointment of September 13, 1865, to fill vacancy by Mitchell's death until his successor was elected); 1865, Thomas M. Charlton (elected for three years); 1866, Joseph F. Hill ; 1867, Joseph Doan ; 1868, Washington Haggerty ; 1869, C. Marshall Ingram ; 1870, Nathan G. Grimm; 1871, Alfred Wood ; 1872, Matthew Barker; 1873, John Irey ; 1874, David Ramsey ; 1875, David Ramsey, John Irey, John McWilliams; 1878, Jacob M. Zook, William M. Elliott, Edwin Otley.

Up to 1855 the newly-elected commissioner took his seat with the board immediately after the election; from that time to the constitution of 1873 he went into office the last Monday in January succeeding his election; since then, on the first Monday of January. Under the present constitution, which, so far as relates to county commissioners, went into effect in 1875, a full board is elected every three years, and each elector being allowed to vote for but two persons, this secures representation of the political party in the minority.

By act of Assembly passed in 1696 it was provided that at the time of election of members of Assembly six persons should be chosen for assessors in each county. Some opposition was manifested to this law, as will appear by the following presentment of the grand jury :

" Wee of the Grand Inquest doe desier that wee may have this Grivence remedied, is that the six Asseaseors That was appointed to Assess the County may be laid aside And that the Grand Jury, which are the body of the County may have the order of such things as formerly. Wee are credably informed that the Grand Inquest att Philadelphia have Petitioned against the same things and the Governour and Court have Granted their dealer And we Presume we have the same Priviledge ; not that wee doe any way mistrust the majestrates in Place, but knowing how subject Goverments are to Chainge doe dealer that wee may not be made a pray uppon If unresonable men come in place.

What reception this met with from the justices to whom it was presented is not recorded. At a special session held 4, 26, 1700, at Henry Hollingsworth's house, it was

"Agreed that the Justices with four or more of the substantial free houlders and the Treasurer meet at the house of Henry Hollingsworth the 30th of the 5th month next, and Henry Hollingsworth is ordered to give notice thereof to Walter Marten to bring in his duplicates and warrants with him."

The persons nominated for assessors by the justices were John Hood, Nathaniel Lamplew, Joseph Baker, and Nathaniel Newland. The justices and assessors accordingly met, as appointed, and ordered that forthwith warrants be issued to the constables that they bring in certificates in writing of the names of every person residing within their presincts and of the substance or valew of every of their estates, etc.

At Quarter Sessions, 6, 25, 1702, the grand jury and assessors report that the treasurer is not ready to present his accounts.

Aug. 29, 1704, the sheriff is ordered to "Sumons all ye assessors to meet ye Justices at Chester on ye 25th day of next month, whose names are as followeth :

"having calculated ye county's debts do order that there shall forthwith a Levey be raised of all ye Inhabitants of ye sd County at ye rate of one peny half peny pound, and four shillings head on all free men that are 16 years old and upwards and, have not charges to mentain."

The assessors are frequently referred to about this time, without giving their names; but it appears that the grand jury still claimed a joint labor in laying the taxes. Whether the office was abolished by special act or by the constitution of 1790 has not been ascertained. The earliest return of the election of assessors remaining on file is for 1720, and simply contains their names "Given undr or hands and scales" of six lawful freeholders. Afterwards the returns are identical with those for commissioners, as shown elsewhere.

"This Book, Containing 44 Assessmts, In which we whose names are hereunto subscribed, the Assessors for the County of Chester, have laid the Rates of four pence per pound upon Land and stock & Twelve shilling a head upon freemen, the sixth day of January Alum Dora. 1724-5."

August, 1743, the grand jury having examined the accounts, find that the assessors received four shillings per day for their services, which is thought to exceed the allowance by act of Assembly.

The following is perhaps as complete a list of the assessors as can be gleaned from the records :

1708.-John Bezer, Lewis Lewis, John Bennit, Adam Roads, John Worrall, Robert Wharton.

1710.-Aaron James, Richard Webb, David Harry, John Blunston, Jr., John Bezer, Joseph Cobourn.

1720.-Robert Carter, Edmund Cartlidge, Thomas Edwards, Joseph Jervis, Joseph Harvey, Samuel Hollingsworth.

1721-22.-John Musgrove, Thomas Edwards, Samuel Hollingsworth, Joseph Harvey, Philip Taylor, William Webb.

1724.-Ja: Mitchell, Tho. Edwards, Richd Parker, Meser Brown, John Bozer, Wm. Levis.

1727.-William Paschall, Stephen Evans, Sam). Lewis, Caleb Copeland, Joseph Brinton, David Jones.

1728.-Jeremiah Starr, Stephen Evans, Sam). Lewis, John Dutton, Joseph Brinton, David Jones.

1729.-William Paschall, John Davis, William Lewis, Jeremiah Starr, Joseph Brinton, John Dutton.

1730.-John Davis, Wm Paschall, James Starr, Charles Crosley, Philip Taylor, Jeremiah Starr.

1731.-John Davis, Wm Paschall, Thomas Marshall, Charles Crosley, Thomas Green; Jeremiah Starr.

1732.-John Parry, Benjn. fired, Edward Brinton, Charles Crosley, James Jefferis, Joshua Thomson.

1733.-James Jefferis, Benja. Fredd, John Parry, Edward Brinton, William Jefferis, Joshua Thomson.

1734-35.-John Parry, Benja. ffred, Edward Brinton, Wm Jefferis, James Jefferis, Jos : Hayes.

1737.-David Stephens, James Jefferis, William Jefferis, Edward Brinton, Joshua Thomson, Benjamin Fredd.

1738.-David Stephens, James Jefferis, William Jefferis, John Allen, Daniel Walker, John Yarnall.

1739.-John Allen, John Yarnall, Daniel Walker, Thomas Morgan, James Jefferis, David Stephens.

1740.-John Allen, Daniel Walker, Tho: Morgan, John Yarnall, James Jefferis, Robert Miller.

1741.-John Allen, Daniel Walker, Robert Miller, Thomas Morgan, Joshua Thomson, Joseph Gibbons.

1742.-Daniel Walker, Joseph Gibbons, John Allen, Robert Miller, Thomas Morgan, Joshua Thomson.

1743.-Thomas Hughes, Aubrey Robert, Joshua Pussy, Joseph Mendenhall, Samuel Bunting, Thomas Pennell.

1744.-Thomas Pennell, Samuel Bunting, Thomas Hughes, Isaac Davis, Joshua Pusey, Joseph Gilpin.

1745.-Thomas Pennell, Isaac Davis, John Churchman, Thomas Parke, Aaron Ashbridge.

1747.-Elisha Gatchell, Jur., Thos Parke, Isaac Davis, Aaron Ashbridge, Isa: Pearson, John Jackson.

1749.-Elisha Gatchell, Junr., John Pusey, Jos Bartholomew, Jno Fairlamb, Phineas Lewis, Thos Pearson.

1750.-Randal Malin, Jas Miller, Jeremiah Brown, junr., Jno Fatima, Phineas Lewis, Thos Pearson.

1751.-Thomas Pearson, Phineas Lewis, Randal Malin, James Miller, Jeremiah Brown, John Fairlamb.

1752.-Thomas Pearson, Phineas Lewis, Randal Malin, James Miller, Jeremiah Brown, Joseph Ashbridge.

1753.-Jere: Brown, Jr., Joseph Ashbridge, James Miller, Phineas Lewis, Randal Malin, William Parker.

1754.-Jos Ashbridge, William Parker, Jno Meredith, Timothy Kirk, Sam) Miller, Thos Pim.

1755.-Timothy Kirk, John Meredith, Thomas Pim, William Parker, Robert Pennell, Samuel Miller.

1756.-John Griffith, Rob'. Pennell, Thomas Hope, Timothy Kirk, Wm Buchanan, Wm Kerr.

1757-59.-Thomas Harlan, John Griffith, William Allen, Lewis Davis, Davis Humphreys, Nathaniel White.

1760.-Thomas Harlan, John Griffith, William Allen, Jesse Maris, Davis Humphreys, Nathaniel White.

1761.-Thomas Harlan, Humphry Marshall, William Allen, Jesse Maris, Thomas Evans, Mercer Brown.

1762-63.-Elisha Hughes, William Moore, Richard Baker, Jesse Maris, Thomas Evans, James Marshall.

1765.-Michael Cypher, John Webster, John Davis, Joshua Evans, William Moore, Caleb Pusey.

1768.-Joshua Evans, Michael Cypher, Thomas Taylor, John Fleming, Jesse Bonsall, Levis Pennock.

1769.-Anthony Wayne, Michael Cypher, Thomas Taylor, John Fleming, Jesse Bonsai), Samuel Miller.

1770.-Anthony Wayne, Michael Cypher, Thomas Taylor, John Fleming, Thomas Levis, Samuel Miller.

1771.-Anthony Wayne, Jonathan Coates, John Crawford, John Fleming, Thomas Levis, Samuel Miller.

1772.-John Crawford, Thomas Levis, William Evans, Jacob Beery, Thomas Tucker, Joshua Pusey.

1773.-John Crawford, William Montgomery, William Evans, Jacob Beery, Thomas Tucker, Caleb Davis.

1774.-William Evans, William Montgomery, Caleb Davis, John Jones, Richd Thomas, David Cloyd.

1775-76.-Nicholas Fairlamb, William Montgomery, Caleb Davis, John Jones, Richd Thomas, David Cloyd.

1777.-Mark Wilcox, Andrew Boyd, Sr., John Ralston, Andrew Boyd, Jr., Benjamin Brannan, David Cloyd.

1778.-Samuel Denny, Andrew Boyd, Sr., John Ralston, Andrew Boyd, Jr., Harvey Lewis, John Bartholomew.

1779.-Gideon Irwin, William Henry, James Hannum, Thomas Haslip, Harvey Lewis, John Bartholomew.

1780.-Gideon Irwin, Joseph Strawbridge, John Lindsey, Joseph McCall, Samuel Denny, John Bartholomew.

1781.-Gideon Irwin, Joseph Strawbridge, John Lindsey, Joseph McCall, James II annum.

Dec. 14, 1697, the accounts of Walter Marten, county treasurer, being made up in open court, showed that he had received £82 18:, and disbursed £77 178. d., leaving a balance of £4 38. 7d. In September, 1698, his accounts stood thus: Received £106 13s. 5d.; disbursed, £104 38.; balance, £2 108. d.

Dec. 13,1698.-" The Grand Jury Presents the necessity of a book for the Treasurer to keep the Countyes accounts in, that they may be seen from time to time."

The first petition for this office which has been observed was from John Taylor, of Thornbury, formerly sheriff for several years, and it is as follows

" Whereas I am informed that the sent Treasurer of this County (according to his own proposal or agreement with your Predecessors) is to relinquish his office of Treasurer, and you are to appoint some other person to act in his stead for the Ensuing Year.

" Therefore, in consideration of the former Regards that the ffreemen of this County have shewen unto me, I am willing to do the Business of the County in that Office for the small allowance of two and a half cent.

John Taylor presented another petition, Feb. 28, 1737-8, intimating that some have doubted his honesty in making the former offer, and

"that unless the money was put into my hands without security being taken for the same (let my design be ever so bad), I could not enhance my estate therewith on the terms proposed,"

which security he is ready to give. Another petition from him is dated 9br 29th, 1738. Again, Jan. 4, 1739-40, he says,

" It is obvious that the terms on which I sundry times proposed to serve as Treasurer of this County, must be more to oblige some of my ffriends than from any private motive or consideration whatsoever."

Not discouraged with his want of success, he came forward a year later with another petition, with these arguments :

" It being notorious some years ago that most of those who had any Concern in Publick Business in this County were forming of schemes and accounts, which if conceded to would have sunk the Industrious and Laborious part of the good People of this County in a debt which, Considering that their Land is upon the declining hand not yielding any thing near so plentiful harvests as it has heretofore done, in a debt which many of them could not have weft discharged. Therefore, in regard to the repeated favors which the freemen of this County have shewn to me, I Considered myself obliged to such an acknowledgment to them as to be always ready to serve them, and thereupon I proposed expedients, which, being carried into Execution, diverted some of these projected schemes, and is obvious to have saved the Publick several Hundred Pounds," etc.

He now offered to perform the duties of treasurer without bringing any charge against the county.

Joseph Brinton and Joshua Thomson also offered to serve gratis in this year (1741). The commissioners appointed Joshua Thomson, but Joseph Brinton, the late treasurer, complaining that he still had unsettled business in the office, Thomson relinquished the office in his favor.

The petition of Humphry Marshall to the commissioners and assessors, 1, 9, 1761, sheweth

"That the Priviledge of any office held in this Government which is Profitable and advantageous to Particulars your Petitioner conceives, ought, in Justice, to Circulate and be of General advantage to Divers persons in the same, supposing them to be Capable and Equally Qualified. for such offices of profit; and as your petitioner conceives that the Profit arising to the Treasurer of the King's Tax in this County is Something Considerable, and that mat having been Enjoyed for a considerable time by one individual, That your petitioner being willing to servo the County in that Station," etc.

"for being Provincial Treasurer, and in asmuch that ho bath no great Charge of Children, &c., and may Hoed up all he Can gather to be a great Mountain of Riches, That office may also Contribnte something towards the sd Great End,"

Owing to the unfortunate want of care in the preservation of many of the commissioners' minutes and papers, it seems impossible to make out a complete list of the county treasurers. From some data it would seem that about the time of the Revolution there were two treasurers in the same year. About 1790 the custom arose of appointing the retiring commissioner to the office, and this was continued until the constitution of 1838, after which the office was elective.

1695, Jeremiah Collett ; 1697-1702, Walter Marten ; 1704, Caleb Pusey ; 1706-9, Walter Marten; 1720-2.3, Henry Pierce; 1724-26, Philip Taylor; 1740-46, Joseph Minton; 1756-60, Robert Miller; 1761-64, Humphry Marshall ; 1765, Jesse Maris, Jr.; 1766-69, Lewis Davis; 1770-76, James Gibbons; 1770-72 (?), Richard Thomas; 1775, Philip Taylor; 1775-77, John Britton; 1778, Thomas Levis; 1779, William Evans; 178U, Persifor Frazer (March 22d); 1781, David Cloyd; 1782-84, no record; 1785, Andrew Boyd and David Cloyd ; 1786-87, William Evans; 1788, Andrew Boyd ; 1786-90, William Haslett ; 1791-92, John Hammitt (August 29th); 1793, Elijah McClenachan ; 1794, John Mechem ; 1795, William Trimble; 1796, Samuel Cochran ; 1797, George Davis ; 1798, Robert Miller ; 1799-1800, James Kelton ; 1801, Evan Evans ; 1802, John Menough ; 1803, Titus Taylor ; 1804-5, William Worthington; 1806, John Rinehart; 1807, James Lockart ; 1808, John G. Parke; 1809, Joshua Gibbons ; 1810, David Denny ; 1811, Jesse Good ; 1812, William Evans; 1813, David Wilson ; 1814, James Ramsey ; 1815, Eger Worthington ; 1816, David Townsend; 1817, Alexander Chandler ; 1818, Jesse Mercer; 1819, Samuel Baldwin; 1820, Maris Taylor; 1821, Joshua Weaver; 1822, Benjamin Thomas; 1823, Jesse Pugh; 1824, Robert Miller ; 1826 (term now began in January), James Davis; 1827, Abisha Clark ; 1828, Ezra Cope; 1829, Joseph Hughes; 1830, Benjamin Parker; 1831, Isaac Thomas; 1832, Melchi Happersett; 1833, James Alexander; 1834, Abraham Darlington, Jr.; 1835, Joseph B. Jacobs ; 1837, William Embree; 1840, Samuel M. Painter; 1842, S. C. Jefferis; 1843, Samuel M. Painter (appointed eke Jefferis, deceased); 1844, Morgan Reese ; 1846, James M. Hnghes; 1848, Samuel Davis; 1850, George W. Pearce; 1852, Henry Beidler; 1854, Samuel Wickersham; 1856, Townsend Walter ; 1858, Charles Fai 'lamb ; 1860, Joseph I. Tustin; 1862, Reuben Bernard; 1864, C. H. Kinnard; 1866, John T. Potts; 1868, Philip Price ; 1870, Edwin Baker; 1872, Frank Shellady ; 1874, Jesse E. Phillips; 1875, John G. Moses; 1878, John H. Buckwalter.

The frame of government prepared by Penn before leaving England provided for the election of an Assembly of not less than 200 nor more than 500 persons, who were to meet yearly on the 20th of the second month (April).

Soon after the arrival of William Penn in the province he issued writs of election to the sheriffs of the several counties for the election of members of Assembly. The first Assembly convened at Chester, - Dec. 4, 1682. There is no list of the members extant, so far as is known, and the names of all the members from this county cannot therefore be given. The names of four of them appear incidentally in the minutes. This is the only meeting of the Assembly ever held within the limits of Chester County.

The next Assembly convened at Philadelphia, March 12, 1683, and consisted of nine members from each county.

In the writ calling for this Assembly, Penn directed the election of 12 as members of Council, "and that thou there declare to the said freemen that they may all personally appear at an assembly at the place aforesaid, according to the contents of my charter of liberties."

Each county, however, sent 12 persons, and requested that they might answer,- three for Council and nine for Assembly. A new frame of government was prepared, according to which the Assembly should consist of not less than 36 persons, 6 from each county, nor more than 200, and to meet on the 10th of the 3d month (May) annually. The time of meeting was changed in after-years.

From 1683 to 1703 the number of members from this county varied from 3 to 6; from 1703 until the adoption of the constitution of 1776 the number was generally 8. That constitntion provided that for the years 1776, 1777, and 1778 the number of members from each county should be 6, and thereafter, as directed by the Assembly, according to population. In 1779 the number, in accordance with this provision, was increased to 8, and so remained until 1786, when it was again reduced to 6. In 1789, on the erection of Delaware County, Chester County was given 4 members, and Delaware 2 members.

The constitution of 1790 provided for an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants within three years after the first meeting of the General Assembly, and an apportionment of the members of the two houses created by that constitution among the counties according to the number of taxables, and a similar enumeration and apportionment was directed to be made every seven years thereafter. It further provided that until such apportionment could be made, each county should be entitled to the number of members it then had by existing laws.

The number of members from this county accordingly continued to be 4 until the year 1795, when, at the first apportionment under the new constitution, the number was increased to 5. It so continued until 1822, when it was again reduced to 4. In 1843 the number was reduced to 3, and at the apportionment in 1871 to 2. In 1874 the number was increased to 4.

“Wee whose names are hereunto. Subscribed, Elected Representatives by ye freemen of ẙ Respective Counties in this Province of Pennsylvania & ye City of Philadelphia in pursuance of ys Proprietaries Charter to serve in Assemby Doe Each of us for himself solemnly promise & Declare that we will be true & faithful] to Queen Anne of England &c. And we doe solemnly Promise & Declare that we doe from our hearts abhorr Detest & Renounce as Impious & heritical that Damnable Doctrine & Position that Princes Excommunicated or Deprived by ye Pope or any other Authority of ẙ see of Rome May be Deposed or Murthered by their subjects or any other whatsoever And we Doe Declare that no fforreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State or Potentate bath or ought to have any Power Jurisdiction Superiority Pre-eminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within ye Realm of England and Dominions thereunto belonging.

"And we and Each of us doe Solemnly & Sincerely profess Testifie & Declare that we doe believe that in ye Sacrament of ys Lords supper there is not any Transubstantiation of ye Elements of Bread & Wine into ye Body & Blood of Christ at or after ye Consecration thereof by any Person whatsoever & that the Invocation or adoration of ye Virgin Mary or any other saint & ys sacrifice of ye Mass as they are now used in ye Church of Rome are Superstitious & Idolatrous.

"And we and Each of us for himself Doe solemnly Profess, Testifie & Declare that we doe make this Declaration and Every Part thereof in ye Plain & Ordinary Sense of ye Words Read unto Us as they are Commonly understood by English Protestants without any Evasion, Equivocation or mental Reservation whatsoever and without any Dispensation already granted for this Purpose by ye Pope or any other authority or Person whatsoever or without any hope of any such Dispensation from any person or authority whatsoever or without thinking that we are or can be acquitted before God or Man or absolved of this Declaration or any part thereof Altho' ye Pope or any other Person or Persons or Power Whatsoever should Dispense with or annul ye same or Declare that it was Null & Void from ye begining.

"And we the said Subscribing Representatives & Each of us for himself Doe Solemnly & Sincerely profess Faith in God ye (father and in Jesus Christ his Eternal Son the trne God & in ye holy Spirit one God Blessed forevermore And we doe acknowledge ye holy Scriptures to be Given by Divine Inspiration.

Dec. 4,1682.-John Simcock, Thomas Brassey, Ralph Withers, Thomas Usher. March 12, 1682-3.-John Hastings, Robert Wade, George Wood, John Blunston,

May 10, 1684.—Joshua Hastings, Robert Wade, John Blunston, George Maris, Thomas Usher, Henry Maddock.

May 11, 1685.—John Blunston, George Maris, John Harding, Thomas Usher, Francis Stanfield, Josiah Yearn.

May 10, 1686.—Robert Wade, John Blunston, George Maris, Bartholomew Cop-pock, Samuel Lewis, Caleb Pusey.

May 10, 1687.—John Blunston, George Maris, Bartholomew Coppock, Caleb Posey, Edward Bezer, Randall Vernon.

May 10, 1688.—John Blunsten, James Saudelands, George Maris, Robert Pyle, Edward Carter, Thomas Coeburn.

May 10, 1689.—James Sandelands, Samuel Levis, John Bertram, Robert Pyle, Michael Blunston, Jonathan Hayes.

May 10, 1690.—John Bristow, William Jenkin, Robert Pyle, Joshua Fearne, George Maris, Caleb Pusey.

May 10, 1692 —Philip Roman, George Maris, Bartholomew Coppock, Robert Pyle, Caleb Pusey,

Sept. 9, 1695.—John Blunsten, Bartholomew Coppock, William Jenkin, Robert Pyle, Walter Forest (Faucet ?), Philip Roman.

May 10,1697.—John Blunston (Speaker), Bartholomew Coppock, Thomas Worth, Jonathan Hayes.

May 10, 1699.—John Blunston (Speaker), Robert Pyle, John Worrilow, Robert Carter.

May 10, 1700.—John Blunston (Speaker), Robert Pyle, Richard Ormes, John Hood, Samuel Levis, Henry Lewis.

Sept. 15, 1701.—John Blunston, Robert Pyle, Nathaniel Newlin, Andrew Job. 1702.—Record wanting.

Oct. 15, 1703.—Nicholas Pyle, John Bennett, Andrew .Tub, David Lewis, Nathaniel Newlin, Joseph Baker; Robert Carter, Joseph Wood.

Oct. 14, 1704.—Nicholas Pyle, John Bennett, Nicholas Fairlamb, Joseph Coebourn, John Hood, Richard Hayes, Joseph Wood, Isaac Taylor.

Oct. 15, 1705.—Robert Pyle, Richard Webb, Caleb Posey, Nicholas Fairlamb, John Bennett, Isaac Taylor, Nathaniel Newlin, Joseph Coeburn.

Oct. 14, 1706.—Samuel Levis, Richard Hayes, Francis Chadds, Joseph Baker, Evan Lewis, John Hood, George Pearce, William Garrett.

Oct. 14, 1707.—Francis Chads, William Smith, Samuel Levis, Richard Hayes, John Hood, William Garrett, John Bethel!, Evan Lewis.

Oct. 14, 1708.—Daniel Williamson, Samuel Levis, Henry Lewis, Richard Hayes, John Hood, Thomas Pearson, William Bertram, Daniel Hoopes.

Oct. 14, 1709.—Samuel Levis, John Maris, Juha Hood, Henry Lewis, Daniel Williamson, Daniel Hoopes, Richard Hayes, William Smith.

Oct. 14, 1710.—Nicholas Pyle, Joseph Baker, William Lewis, John Wood, Nathaniel Newlin, Ephraim Jackson, Caleb Posey, Isamu; Taylor.

Oct. 15, 1711.—Francis Yarnell, John Bezer, Caleb Pusey, Nicholas Pyle, Nathaniel Newlin, Joseph Baker, Nicholas Fairlamb, David Llewelin.

Oct. 14, 1712.—Caleb Pusey, David' Lloyd, William Davis, Nicholas Fairlamb, John Wood, George Harlan, Isaac Taylor, John Maris.

Oct. 14, 1713.—David Lloyd, William Davis, Joseph Baker, Nathaniel Newlin, Nicholas Fairlamb, Richard Hayes, William Brinton, John Blunston, Jr.

Oct. 14, 1714.— David Lloyd (Speaker), Nathaniel Newlin, Nicholas Pyle, Evan Lewis, John Miller,* Benjamin Mendenhall, Samuel Garrett, Richard Maris..

Oct. 14, 1715.—David Lloyd, Samuel Garrett, Henry Lewis, Henry Hayes, William Pyle, Edward Bezer, Philip Taylor, David Lewis.

Oct. 15, 1716.—David Lloyd, John Blunston, Jr., † Henry Hayes, Joseph Pennock, David Harry, John Maris, John Worrell, Henry Oborn.

Oct. 14, 1717.—David Lloyd, Nathaniel Newlin, Richard Hayes, Samuel Garrett, James Gibbons, John Wood, George Maris; Henry Miller.

Oct. 14, 1718.—David Lloyd, Richard Hayes, Nathaniel Newlin, John Wright, James Gibbons, Henry Lewis, William Lewis, Henry Oborn.

Oct. 14, 1719.—Isaac Taylor, Joseph Pennock, Moses Key, John Bezer, Nathaniel Newlin, John Maris, James Gibbons, Evan Lewis.

Oct. 14, 1720.—Joseph Pennock, Samuel Levis, Jr., Isaac Taylor, Israel Taylor, John Maris, Ralph Pyle, Daniel Williamson, David Lewis.

Oct. 14, 1721.—Samuel Levis; Jr., William Pyle, Daniel Williamson, Isaac Taylor, David Lewis, Henry Oborn, Nathaniel Newlin, Israel Taylor.

Oct. 15, 1722.—Samuel Levis, Jr., Joseph Pennock, David Lewis, William Pyle, Daniel Williamson, Israel Taylor, Nathaniel Newlin, Isaac Taylor.

Oct. 14, 1723.—Thomas Chandler, Samuel Levis, Jr., Samuel Nutt, John Crosby, Moses Key, William Webb, Joseph Pennock, David Lloyd (Speaker).

* John Miller died before the Assembly met, and Gayen Miller, elected in his room, took his seat 11, 11, 1714-15.

† John Blunsten, Jr., died 8, 3, 1716, and a writ for electing one in his room was issued 8, 16, 1716, but no return made up to 11, 1, 1716-17. William Pyle served thirteen days, doubtless as his successor.

Oct. 14, 1726.—David Lloyd (Speaker), Samuel Nutt, Samuel Hollingsworth, John Wright, Richard Hayes, Joseph Pennock, Thomas Chandler, 'William Posey.

Oct. 14, 1727.—John Parry, Samuel Hollingsworth, David Lloyd (Speaker), Thomas Chandler, John Carter, Daniel Williamson ‡ Simon Meredith, liam Webb.

Oct. 14,1728.—Thomas Chandler, David Lloyd (Speaker), Samuel Hollingsworth, John Parry, William Webb, Philip Taylor, John Carter, Henry Hayes.

Oct. 14, 1729.—Caleb Cowpland, Richard Hayes, Joseph Winton, Thomas Chendler, William Webb, Samuel Gilpin, James James, Joseph Pennock.

Oct. 14, 1730.—Henry Pierce, John Taylor, Samuel Lewis, John Parry, Thomas Chandler, Samuel Gilpin, William Webb, Henry Hayes.

Oct. 14, 1731.—Joseph Harvey, John Parry, Samuel Lewis, Caleb Cowpland, John Taylor, Joseph Brinton, Henry Pierce, Evan Lewis.

Oct. 14, 1732.—Caleb Cowplamtd, Joseph Harvey, Joseph Minton, Thomas Thomas, William Webb, Joseph Pennock, John Davis, William Hewes.

Oct. 15, 1733.—Caleb Cowpland, Joseph Harvey, Joseph Brinton, John Davis, Thomas Thomas, Joseph Pennock, John Owen, William Moore.

Oct. 14, 1734.—Joseph Harvey, Joseph Brinton, Caleb Cowpland, John Evans, William Webb, William Moore, John Owen, Joseph Pennock.

Oct. 14, 1735.—Joseph Harvey, William Moore, Joseph Pennock, Caleb Cowpland, John Evans, John Parry, Joseph Minton, Thomas Cummings.

Oct. 14, 1736—Joseph Harvey. Thomas Cummings, John Evans, Caleb Cowpland, William Webb, William Moore, Thomas Chandler, John Parry.

Oct. 14, 1737.—Thomas Chandler, Joseph Harvey, John Evans, Thomas Cummings, William Moore, James Gibbons, William Hughes, Richard Hayes.

Oct. 14, 1738.—William Moore, James Gibbons, Thomas Chandler, Joseph Harvey, John Owen, Thomas Tatnall, William Hughes, Jeremiah Starr.

Oct. 15, 1739.—James Gibbons, Thomas Chandler, Joseph Harvey, William Hughes, Jeremiah, Starr, William Moore, Samuel Levis, John Owen.

Oct. 14, 1740.—Thomas Chandler, Joseph Harvey, James Gibbons, William Hughes, Samuel Levis. John Owen, Jeremiah Starr, Thomas Tatnall.

Oct. 14, 1741.—Joseph Harvey, Thomas Chandler, James Gibbons, John Owen, Thomas Tetuan, Samuel Levis, William Hughes, Jeremiah Starr.

Oct. 14, 1742.—James Gibbons, John Owen. Samuel Levis, Jeremiah Starr, Thomas Chandler, Joseph Harvey, William Hughes, Thomas Tatnall.

Oct. 14, 1743.—Jeremiah Starr, James Gibbons, Thomas Chandler, Joseph Harvey, Samuel Levis, Joseph Pennock, George Ashbridge, Jr., Francis Yarnell.

Oct. 15, 1744.—George Ashbridge, Francis Yarnell, Joseph Pennock, Samuel Levis, James Gibbons, Joseph Harvey, Thomas Cummings, Thomas Chandler.

Oct. 14, 1745.—Joseph Pennock, Thomas Cummings, George Ashbridge, Francis Yarnell, Joseph Harvey, Samuel Levis, Robert Lewis, Thomas Chandler.

Oct. 14, 1746.—Francis Yarnell, George Ashbridge, Robert Lewis, Thomas Worth, Samuel Levis, Peter Picks, Thomas Chandler, John Owen.

Oct. 14, 1747.—Samuel Levis, Francis Yarnell, George Ashbridge, Thomas Worth, Peter Dicks. John Owen, John Davis, Thomas Chandler.

Oct. 14, 1748.—Thomas Worth, George Ashbridge, Francis Yarnall, John Davis, . John Owen, Joseph James, Thomas Chandler, Joseph Gibbons.

Oct. 14, 1749,—Joseph Gibbous, George Ashbridge, Henry Healey, Thomas Chandler, Nathaniel Grubb, Nathaniel Pennock, Roger Hunt, Thomas Cummings.

Oct. 15, 1750.—Joseph Gibbons, George Ashbridge, Thomas Cummings, Henry Hockley, Thomas Chandler, Nathaniel Grubb, Nathaniel Pennock, Peter Dicks.

Oct. 14, 1751.—Joseph Gibbons, Thomas Cummings, George Ashbridge, Nathaniel Grubb, Peter Dicks, Nathaniel Pennock, Henry Hockley, Thomas Chandler.

Oct. 14, 1752.—Joseph Gibbons, Thomas Cummings, Nathaniel Pennock, Peter Dicks, George Ashbridge, Nathaniel Grubb, William Peters, Jacob Rowell.

Oct. 15, 1753.—Thomas Cummings, Nathaniel Pennock, George Ashbridge, Joseph Gibbous, Nathaniel Grubb, Peter Dicks, William Peters, Joseph James.

Oct. 14, 1754.—George Ashbridge, Joseph Gibbons, Peter Picks, Thomas Cum-whip., Nathaniel Pennock, Nathaniel Grubb, Joseph James, William Peters.

Oct. 14, 1755.—Thomas Cummings, George Ashbridge, Nathaniel Pennock, Joseph James, Joseph Gibbons, Nathaniel Grubb, William Peters, § Peter Dicks.

Oct. 14, 1756.—Joseph Gibbons, Peter Dicks,) John Morton, Roger Hunt, George Ashbridge, Hugh Trimble, Nathaniel Pennock, Nathaniel Grubb.

Oct. 14, 1757.—Joseph Gibbons, George Ashbridge, John Morton, Roger Hunt, Isaac Wayne, Nathaniel Grubb, Hugh Trimble, Joshua Ash.

Oct. 14, 1758.—Joseph Gibbons, Jan Morton, George Ashbridge, Roger Hunt, Hugh Trimble, Joshua Ash, Nathaniel Grubb, Isaac Wayne.

Oct. 15, 1759.—John Morton, George Ashbridge, Joshua Ash, Joseph Gibbons, Hugh Trimble, Roger Hunt, Peter Dicks, Isaac Wayne.

Oct. 14, 1760.—George Ashbridge, John Morton, Roger Hunt, Joshua Ash, Joseph Gibbons, Nathaniel Pennock, Isaac Wayne, William Boyd.

‡ Daniel Williamson died prior to March 8,1727-28, and Philip Taylor, as successor, took his seat May 14, 1728.

§William Peters resigned Jnne 4, 1756, and John Morton, elected as his successor, took his seat June 29th.

Peter Dicks and Nathaniel Pennock resigned Oct. 16, 1756, and Isaac Wayne and Ralph Pyle were elected to succeed them in the same month. Wayne took his seat Nov. 2, and Pyle Nov. 23, 1756.

Oct. 14, 1761.-Joseph Gibbons, George Ashbridge, Nathaniel Pennock, Joshua Ash, John Morton, Isaac Wayne, Isaac Pearson, Roger Hunt.

Oct. 14, 1762.-Nathaniel Pennock, George Ashbridge, Joshua Ash, Isaac Pear. son, John Morton, Isaac Wayne, Joseph Gibbons, John Jacobs,

Oct. 14, 1763.-George Ashbridge, Joshua Ash, Isaac Pearson, John Morton, Nathaniel Pennock, John Jacobs, Isaac Wayne, Charles Humphreys.

Oct. 15, 1764.-George Ashbridge, John Morton, Nathaniel Pennock, Joshua Ash, Isaac Pearson, Charles Humphreys, John Jacobs, John Fairlamb.

Oct. 14, 1765.-John Morton, George Ashbridge, John Jacobs, Nathaniel Pennock, John Fairlamb,* Charles Humphreys, Isaac Pearson. Joshua Ash.

Oct. 14, 1766.-John Morton, † George Ashbridge, Nathaniel Pennock, John Jacobs, Charles Humphreys, Isaac Pearson, Joshua Ash, John Minshall.

Oct. 14, 1767.-Isaac Pearson, Charles Humphreys, George Ashbridge, John Minshall, Jonas Preston, John Jacobs, John Sellers, Nathaniel Pennock.

1768.-John Jacobs, Nathaniel Pennock, George Ashbridge, Charles Humphreys, John Sellers, John Minshall, Isaac Pearson, John Crosby.

1769.-George Ashbridge, Charles Humphreys, Isaac Pearson, John Sellers, John Jacobs, John Minshall, John Crosby, John Morton.

1770.-Charles Humphreys, Isaac Pierson, John Minshall, John Morton, John Jacobs, John Crosby, George Ashbridge, John Sellers.

1771.-John Morton, Charles Humphreys, Isaac Pearson, John Jacobs, John Sellers, John Minshall, George Ashbridge, John Crosby.

1772.-Charles Humphreys, Isaac Pearson, John Morton, John Jacobs, John Minshall, James Hockley, George Ashbridge, Benjamin Bartholomew.

1773.-Isaac Pierson, Benjamin Bartholomew, John Jacobs, Charles Humphreys, John Morton, James Gibbs, John Minshall, Joseph Pennock.

1774.-Benjamin Bartholomew, John Jacobs, Joseph Pennock, James Gibbons, Isaac Pearson, Charles Humphreys, John Morton, Anthony Wayne.

1775.-John Morton (Speaker), Benjamin Bartholomew, James Gibbons, Isaac Pearson, John Jacobs, Charles Humphreys, Joseph Pennock, Joseph Pyle.

1776 ‡-John Jacobs, Caleb Davis, Joseph Gardner, John Fulton, Samuel Cunningham, John Sellers.

1777.-Joseph Gardner, John Fulton, Samuel Cunningham, John Culbertson, Lewis Gronow, Stephen Cochran.

1778.-Joseph Gardner, John Fulton, John Culbertson, Stephen Cochran, John Fleming, Patrick Anderson.

1779.-John Fulton, David Thomas, Henry Hayes, James Boyd, Patrick Anderson, Joseph Park, William Harris, Sketchley Murton.

1780.-David Thomas, Henry Hayes, Joseph Park, William Harris, James Boyd, Patrick Anderson, John Culbertson, Evan Evans.

1781.-John Culbertson, Evan Evans, James Moore, Persifor Frazer, Thomas Maffat, Patrick Anderson, John Hannum, John Lindsay.

1782.-Persifor Frazer, James Boyd, Evan Evans, Thomas Strawbridge, Benjamin Brannan, David Thomas, John Lindsay, Thomas Maffat.

1783.-David Thomas, Evan Evans, John Hannum, Joseph Park, Richard Willing, Thomas Potts, Thomas Bull, Edward Jones.

1784.-Richard Willing, Anthony Wayne, Edward Jones, Robert Ralston, James Moore, Thomas Potts, Persifor Frazer, Joseph Strawbridge, Charles Humphreys.

1785.-Anthony Wayne, Robert Ralston, James Moore, Thomas Boll, John Hannum, Robert Smith (Oxford), Samuel Evans, Jonathan Morris.

1786.-Robert Ralston, Richard Willing, James Moore, Samuel Evans, Richard Thomas, Townsend Whelen.

1788.-Richard Thomas, James Moore, Mark Wilcox, John McDowell, Caleb James, Richard Downing. Jr.

1789.-Richard Thomas (2927 votes), John McDowell (2306), Jaleb James (2773), Richard Downing, Jr. (2682).

This completes the list of members of Assembly until the adoption of the constitution of 1790. Up to this period the Assembly had consisted of but one house. The new constitution provided that the legislative power should, thereafter be vested in a General Assembly, consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives, and that these bodies should be composed of such numbers as the General Assembly should determine at each septennial apportionment, the number of senators not to be less than one-fourth nor more than one-third of the number of representatives.

The first House of Representatives under this constitution was composed of 72 members. In 1794 the number was increased to 80, in 1801 to 86, in 1808 to 95, in 1815 to 97, and in 1822 to 100. An amendment to the constitution, adopted in 1857, provided that thereafter the House should consist of 100 members.

* John Fairlamb died prior to Feb. 8, 1766, and John Minshall, his successor, took his seat May 6, 1766.

† Jonas Preston, elected March 23, 1767, in room of John Morton, who had accepted the office of sheriff.

‡ A marked change is apparent in the character of the members of the Assembly from this county on the breaking out of the Revolutionary war.- Up to that period they were largely of the Society of Friends. During the war, and for several years thereafter, scarcely the name of a Friend appears in the list, their places being filled chiefly by persons of Scotch-Irish and Welsh extraction. The members of that society being conscientiously opposed to war, doubtless largely withdrew from political affairs.

Under the constitution of 1873 the number is increased to 200, and the members are elected for two years.

1790.-Richard Downing (1103 votes), Caleb James (953), John McDowell (917), James Boyd (859).

1791.-Richard Downing (2032), Caleb James (1941), James Boyd (1030), Samuel Evans (876).

1792.-Dennis Whelen (2883), Charles Dilworth (2362), John Hannum (1864), Samuel Sharp

1801.--Thomas Bull, John McDowell, Abiah Taylor, § Isaac Wayne, William Gibbons.

1802.-Joseph Park, James Fulton, Edward Darlington, Thomas Taylor, Methuselah Davis.

1803.-James Fulton, Edward Darlington, Methuselah Davis, John Boyd, Hezeklab, Davis.

1807.-Joseph Park, James Kelton, William Worthington, Isaac Darlington, George Evans.

1808.-James Kelton, John G. Bull, Isaac Darlington, George Evans, Abraham Baily.

1809.-James Steele, John W. Cunningham, John Ramsay, Jacob Clemmons, Roger Davis.

1810.-James Steele, John W. Cunningham, John Ramsay, Jacob Clemmons, William Harris.

1811.-Edward Darlington, Jacob Clemmons, William Harris, John Reed, James Brooke.

1814.-Nathan Pennypacker, John Menough, Lea Pusey, Jacob Humphrey, James Roberts.

1830.-Thomas Ashbridge, Matthias Pennypacker, Arthur Andrews, Dr. Benjamin Griffith.

1831.-Thomas Ashbridge, At thur Andrews, Dr. Benjamin Griffith, Elijah F. Pennypacker.

1833.-Oliver Alison, Dr. Samuel McCleane, Dr. Wilmer Worthington, Dr. Thomas L. Smith.

1837.-Abraham R. McIlvaine, Maurice Richardson, William H. Dillingham, Benjamin J. Passmore.

§ Abiah Taylor died Dec. 3, 1801, and Isaac Anderson was elected in his stead, and took his seat Dec. 29, 1801.

 John Jones died, and Isaac Darlington was elected, Feb. 27, 1816, to 811 the vacancy.

1840.—John D. Steele, Robert Futhey, William K. Currey, Dr. John B. Chris- man.

1864-65-66.—William B. Waddell, Nathan J. Sharpless. Dr. Nathan A. Pennypacker.

It will be noted that the years given in the foregoing lists are those in which the members were elected.

The member who served the longest term was George Ashbridge, who filled the office from 1743 to 1772, inclusive, a period of thirty con secutive years. John Morton was a member seventeen years. He also subsequently represented the county in the Continental Congress, and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Joseph Gibbons and Nathaniel Pennock each were members sixteen years ; David Lloyd and John Blunston—both of whom were Speakers of the Assembly—were each members eleven years, and Caleb Pusey and Nathaniel Grubb each ten years. These all were members prior to the adoption of the constitution of 1790. Since then the members who have served the longest periods were Thomas Bull, who filled the office from 1793 to 1801, inclusive, nine years, and Roger Kirk, from 1794 to 1800, inclusive, seven years.

Since 1790 no member from Chester County, so far as we- are aware, has filled the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives. This has been doubtless owing, in some measure, to the proverbial modesty of our people, who are not wont to unduly magnify their own importance, or to push their way into positions of prominence. It has certainly not been owing to any lack of Members-qualified for the office; as a glance at the foregoing.lists will show that this county has frequently been represented by men who would have graced any position which they might have been selected to Occupy.

It will be observed that during the same period—from 1790 to the present time—but nine lawyers have been elected from this county to the Roué of Representatives. These, with their terms of service; were Robert Fraser, three years; Joseph Hemphill (afterwards Judge Hemphill); three years ; Isaac Darlington, three years; Townsend Halms, two years; William H. Dillingham, one year ; John S. Bowen; two years; Robert E. Monaghan, one year; P. Frazer Smith, three years.; William. B. Waddell, three years; and .John Hickman, one year. It cannot be claimed that the members of the bar have had representative honors unduly conferred upon. them.

Of those who were members prior to 1841, forty years ago, but three. are now liting,—Elijah F. Pennypacker, .Joshua Hartshorne, and Joseph Bally.

Governor Markham, upon his arrival at the Delaware, July 1, 1681, proceeded to call a Council, consisting of nine persons, who met and were qualified. on the 3d of August.

According to the first "frame of government," prepared by William Penn, and signed May 5, 1682, it was to consist of a Governor, Provincial Council, and General. Assembly. It was directed that on the 20th of the 12th month in that year the freemen should elect seventy-two persons as councilors,-one-third for three years, one-third for two years; and one-third for one year next ensuing,—and that on the 20th of 12th month yearly thereafter twenty-four persons -should be so chosen.

Writs were issued by Penn in the 11th month (January), 1682, for the election--of twelve persons-in each of the six counties on the 20th of the next month, who were to meet in Council on 'the 10th of March. On the latter date the-Council met, and the sheriffs made return of the writs, together with petitions from the inhabitants, of which Thomas Usher presented: the following from Chester County :

" To William Penn, proprietary and governor of the province of Pennsyl- vania and territories thereof:. .

"The petition of the freeholders of the County of Chester:respectfully showeth That in obedience to the. writ Sent to our sheriff we have chosen twelve persona for our delegates to serve in the provincial council, but .considering that the numbers of the people are yet small, and that we have few fit or acquainted: with such public business, and also that we are unable to support the charge of greater elections and Assemblies, after our humble acknowledgment of the favor intended us therein, we take leave humbly to request that three of the twelve we have chosen may serve as provincial councilors, and the other nine for the Assembly, which provincial councilors are John Symcock, for three years, Ralph Withers, for two years, and William Clayton, for one year, leaving it to thee to increase the number, as occasion shall serve hereafter."*

This arrangement was agreed to and by a new frame frame of ment the number of councilors, was reduced to three from each county. This number was subject to 'future changes by the Governor, Council, and Assembly, but was never to exceed the limitations of the charter.

In 1693 the government of the province being placed by the crown under the care of Governor Fletcher, of New York, the latter chose his own Council of twelve persons, who served for that and the following year. In 1695, under Governor Markham, the former plan of election was resumed, and of those chosen this year a committee, was selected to prepare a new frame of government, as the 'old was' not satisfactory to the people. Nothing was accomplished at- once in that direction, and the next year the Governor, instead of ordering an election, selected his own Council. A frame of government was now completed, under which councilors were elected for one. year only, two from each county.. In 1700 three members. were again elected, but their service was short, as the old charter was surrendered in the 3d month (May), and a new one granted, under which councilors ceased to be elective, being appointed by the' proprietary or his lieutenant. At a council, 7, 17, 1701,-

"Capt. Saml ffinney being Called to the Board by the Govr to assist in Council, was admitted and took and subscribed the following attestation," etc.:

April 21, 1702.—" The Governor Informed the Board That he had been given to understand that the Propry, before his departure, had proposed and Intended John ffinney, eldest son of Capt. Sarni' ffinney, now Resident of the County of Chester, to be admitted a member of Council of this Government upon which it was proposed to the Council and thereupon Order'd that the sd John ffinney should be fforthwith admitted, and accordingly

"The said John ffinney was admitted and took the several Oaths Injoined to be taken by officers in Government, and the attestation of a member of Council, and, thereupon took a Chair at the Board."

From this time until the Revolution but -few councilors were froth Chester County. The report of Governor Gordon to the Lords of Trade and Plantations in 1731 says,—

"There is a Council, not limited to any number, consisting of about twelve, . . . . wth whom the Governor advises in all matters Laid before Win by the House, or of any importance."

The Revolutionary convention of January, 1775, appointed a " Council of Safety," and the convention of 1776, † usurping the whole government, appointed a Council of Safety, and formed a constitution which went into immediate effect without a vote of the people. The legislative power was now vested in a General Assembly of one House, elected annually, and the supreme executive power in a Council of

†. The names of the members of the convention from Chester County were Benjamin Bartholomew, John Jacobs, Thomas Strawbridge, Robert Smith, Samuel Cunningham, John Hart, John Mackey, and John Fleming. This convention had its origin in an assembly called the " Provincial Conference," which was convened in pursuance of a resolution of Congress recommending a change in the form of State governments. It met at Philadelphia, on the 18th of June. The members from Chester County were Col. Richard Thomas, Maj. William Evans, Col. Thomas ,Hockley, Maj. Caleb Davis, Elisha Price, Esq., Mr. Samuel Fairlamb, Col. William Montgomery, Col. Hugh. Lloyd, Richard. Riley, Esq., . Col. Evan Evans, Cu]. Lewis Greno, Maj. Sketchley Morton, and Capt. Thomas Levis.

twelve persons; elected in classes for a term of three years, with a president elected annually by a joint ballot of the Assembly and. Council. This constitution continued in force till 1790.

The minutes and proceedings of the Council under the proprietary government, of the Council of Safety, and of the Supreme Executive Council, covering the period from 1683 to. the year 1790, were published by the State several years since in sixteen volumes, which contain a vast amount of historical matter.

The following is believed to be a pretty complete list of the members of Council from Chester County :

1681.-Robert Wade, James Sandelands, William Woodmansey, Chester; William Clayton, Chichester.

1683.-William Clayton, for one year; Ralph Withers, for two years (died 1683-84), Chichester (?); John Simcock, for three years, Ridley.

1684.-William Clayton, for one year (died 1689); William Wood,* vice Withers, Darby (died

1685) ; Christopher Taylor, probably elected from Bucks County, now residing at Tinicum.

1690.-John Blunston, declined, Darby ; William Howell, vice Blunston (also desired to be excused), Haverford.

1695.-George Maris, for one year, Springfield; Caleb Pusey, for two years ; David Lloyd, for three'years, Chester; John Simcock also signs the qualifi. cation September 10th of this year.

1700.-David Lloyd, elected for three years; Caleb. Pusey, for two years; John Simcock, for one year.

1775, June 30th.-Anthony Wayne, Benjamin Bartholomew, Francis Johnston, Richard Riley.

For some reason-perhaps owing to the division of our county, which left it without representation - an election was held in 1789, and Dr. Thomas Ruston elected by 1586 votes: His claim to a seat in Council was rejected, Oct. 29, 1789.

The first American Congress convened in the city of New York on the first Tuesday of October, 1765, and was composed of delegates from nine of the colonies. It originated in a call issued by the Legislature of Massachusetts, inviting all the colonies to send delegates to a congress, to consider the oppressive measures enacted by the British Parliament. This Congress drew up a declaration of rights, a memorial to Parliament, and a petition to the king, in which they claimed the

* The following is a copy of the return" made by the sheriff of the election held by him for Chester County in 1684, with the omission of the recital of his warrant, etc. :

"I have accordingly made my Summons of the freeholders who bath made Choice 'of those persons following for the service aforesd by which I thus make my return

for Assembly John Blunston georg maries Joshua 'lasting, Robert wade Henry matukes Thomas usher

"I Heare Declare that they was Lafully Chosen and may freely Appear to make up an Assembly according to Charter in witness whereunto I sett my hand and seals the 10th 3, 1684.

right of being taxed only by their own representatives. The colonial Assemblies approved the proceedings of the Congress, and thus, for the first time -in their history, a federal union 'was formed among. the American colonies.

Chester County had the honor of having a representative in this first Congress in the person. of John Morton, who resided in that part of the county now constituting Delaware County.

The next Congress of the colonies, composed of delegates elected by the Assemblies and in conventions, assembled in Carpenters' Hall, in Philadelphia, on then 5th of September, 1774. The Whole number of deputies was fifty-five,. representing all the colonies except Georgia; of these, eight were from Pennsylvania, two of whom, John Morton and Charles Humphreys, resided in Chester County.

This Congress-usually known in history as the " First Continental Congress," although in reality the Second Congress of the colonies was perhaps never excelled by any collection of men for talents, firmness, and judgment. They were possessed of the purest minds and the most disinterested patriotism. The cause of time selection of such suitable men was to be found in the then purity of the elections, the absence of any selfish and private aims, and the patriotism of the people. Instinctively the people had turned to their best men for counsel and action in the trying situation in which they were placed by the action of the mother-country. They sat with closed doors, and continued in session about eight weeks.

The next Continental Congress, usually known as the Second, convened on the 10th of May, l775. It had been hoped and believed that there would be no necessity for the assembling of this body ; that the representations made to the home government would induce them to reconsider their action and bring the desired relief. In this, however, they were mistaken; the Parliament persisted in the insane attempt to force their obnoxious measures upon the people, and there appeared to be no remedy but a resort to arms.

John. Morton and Charles Humphreys, who, as already observed, had been members. of the First Congress, were members of this Second Congress, and were also members of the Congress. of 1776. When the vote was taken on the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776, John Morton voted for the Declaration and Charles Humphreys against it.

From 1777 to 1779 Chester County was represented in Congress by William Clingan, of West Caln township. He was a2 member at the time of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation, under which the country was governed from 1778 to 1789.

Dr. Joseph Gardner, of Chester County, was a member of the Continental Congress in 1784 and 1785. He resided near Sadsburyville, and practiced his profession. He was an active man among the Revolutionary patriots of the county, was three years a member of the Assembly, and was chosen councilor in 1779. His descendants rank among the most respectable and worthy citizens of our ancient county.

Prior to and under the Articles of. Confederation the members of Congress were chosen annually by the Legislatures, of the. several States.

Under the Constitution of the United States, adopted in 1788, members of the House of Representatives are chosen every second year by the people, in such manner as the Legislatures of the several States shall from time to time determine,, the number of members to which each State is entitled being fixed every ten years by act of Congress.

The election for delegates to the First Congress was by general ticket, the following being time candidates and number of votes received by each in Chester County :

Henry Wynkoop

Thomas Hartley

Frederick A. Muhlenberg

Thomas Fitzsimmons

John Allison

Thomas Scott

George Clymer

Stephen Chambers

904

903

901

900

896

895

890

Peter Muhlenberg

Daniel Heister

William Finley

Charles Pettit.

William Montgomery.

Robert Whitehill

William Irwin.

Blair McClenegan

211

209

205

204

199

198

The first member of Congress from Chester County under the constitution of 1788 was Richard Thomas, of West Whiteland township. lie was elected to the Fourth Congress in October, 1794, and served until the end of the Sixth Congress, on March 4, 1801.

The following is a list of the members from Chester County, with the years in which they were elected, the number of the Congress, and their term of service :

1794.-I V., Richard Thomas, West Whiteland.

1796.-V. “ ” “

1798.-VI. " “ ” “

1800.-VII, Joseph Hemphill, West Chester.

1802.-VIII., Isaac Anderson, Charlestown (now Schuylkill).

1804.-IX. " " “

1806.-X., John Heister, Coventry.

1808.-XI., Daniel Heister, West Chester.

1810.-XII., Dr. Roger Davis, Charlestown.

1812.-XIII. " “ ”

1814.-XI V., Dr. Wm. Darlington, West Chester.

1816.-XV., Isaac Darlington, West Chester.

1818.-XVI., Dr. Wm. Darlington, West Chester.

1820.-XVII. " " " "

1822.-XVIII., Col. Isaac Wayne, Easttown.

1824.-X IX., Charles Miner, West Chester.

1826.-XX. “ " "

1828.-XX Joshua Evans, Tredyffrin.

1830.-XXII. " " "

1830.-XXII., David Potts, Jr., East Nantmeal (now Warwick).

1832.-XXIII. " " "

1834.-XX1V. " " "

1836.-XXV. " " " " "

1838.-XXVI, Francis James, West Chester.

1840.-XX VII. " " " "

1843.-XXVIII., Abraham R. McIlvaine, West Nantmeal (now Wallace).

1844.-XX IX. “ ” “ ” “

1846.-XXX. " " " " " "

1848.-XXXI., Jesse C. Dickey, New London.

1850.-XXXII., Dr. John A. Morrison, West Fallowfield.

1852.--XXXIII., William Everhart, West Chester.

1854.-XXXIV., John Hickman, West Chester.

1856.-XXXV. " " " "

1858.-XXXVI. " " " "

1860.--XXXVII. " “ ” “

1862.-XXXVIII., John M. Broomall, Delaware County.

1864.-XXXIX. " “ ”

1866.-XL. " " " "

1868.-XLI., Washington Townsend, West Chester.

1870.-XLII. " “ ”

1872.-XLIII. " " "

1874.-XLIV. " " “

1876.-XLV., William Ward, Chester.

1878.-XLVI. " " "

1880.-XLVII. " " "

It will be observed that Chester County had two members in the Twenty-second Congress, elected in 1830,-Joshua Evans and David Potts, Jr. This was occasioned by .the defeat of the candidates nominated in Delaware County, in the triple district, whereby a candidate of each political party was elected from Chester County.

It will also be noted that the first election of Abraham R. McIlvaine was in 1843 instead of 1842, the. regular year for the election. This was owing to the fact that the Legislature failed to pass 'an apportionment bill in 1842, and no election was held until the next year.

MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

The Constitution of 1796 provided that the Legislative power of We Commonwealth should be vested in a General Assembly, consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives, the number of senators not to be less than one-fourth nor more than one-third of the number of ,rep resentati v es.

The Senate on its organization was composed of 18 members. In 1801 the number was increased to 25, in 1808 to 31, and in 1822 to 33, of which latter number it consisted until 1874, when it was again increased to 50.

In the first division of the State into districts for the election of senators, Chester County was constituted a district, and was allotted one member. In the apportionment made in 1808, Chester and Delaware Counties were united in one district and allotted two members. These counties continued to form one district with two members until 1836, when Montgomery County was added, and the three counties allowed three members. In 1843 Chester and Delaware were again constituted one district, but with only one member. In 1864 Montgomery County was again added, and the three counties allowed two members. In. 1871 Chester and Delaware were again constituted a district, with one member. is "

It will thus be seen that this senatorial district was composed of Chester County alone from 1790. to 1808; of Chester and Delaware from 1808 to 1836; of Chester, Delaware, 'and Montgomery from 1836 "to 1843; of Chester and Delaware from 1843 to 1864; of Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery from 1864 to 1871; and again of Chester and Delaware from 1871 to 1874, since which Chester County alone forms 'a district.

The term of service under the constitution of 1790 was four years, under the constitution adopted in 1838 three years, and by that of 1873 four years.

The following is a list of those who have represented this district in "the Senate, with the years in which they were elected and the number of years they served :

FROM CHESTER COUNTY.

1790. Richard Thomas, four years.

1794. Dennis Whelen, three years.

1797. Joseph McClellan, one year.

1798. Dennis Whelen, four years.

1802. John Heister, four years.

1806. Isaac Wayne, four years.

1810. Isaac Wayne (re-elected), one year.

1811. John Gemmill (in place of Isaac Wayne, resigned), three years.

1814. Abraham Baily, four years.

1818. Samuel Cochian, four years

1820. Isaac D. Barnard, four years.

1822. James Kelton, four years.

1826. Joshua Hunt, four years.

1830. William Jackson, four years.

1834. Francis James, four years.

1838. Nathaniel Brooke, four years.

1842. Joseph Baily, three years.

1845. William Williamson, three years.

1851. Henry S. Evans, three years.

1857. Thomas S. Bell, three years.

1863. Dr, Wilmer Worthington, three years.

1866. Dr. Wilmer Worthington (reelected), three years.

1870. Henry S. Evans, until his death, February, 1872.

1872. William B. Waddell (at special election), for balance of term.

1874. Robert L. McClellan, two years.

1876. James B. Everhart, four years.

1880. James B. Everhart, re-elected.

FROM DELAWARE COUNTY WHILE FORMING A DISTRICT WITH

CHESTER, OR WITH CHESTER AND MONTGOMERY.

1808. Jonas Preston, four years.

1812. John Newbold, four years.

1816. Maskel Ewing, four years.

1824. John Kerlin, four years.

1828. John Kerlin (re-elected), four years.

1832. Dr. George Smith, four years.

1836. Henry Myers, four years.

1839. Dr. John T. Huddleson, three -years.

1848. H. Jones Brooke, three years.

1854. James J. Lewis, three years.

1860. Jacob S. Serrill, three years.

1869. H. Jones Brooke, three years.

FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY, WHILE FORMING A DISTRICT WITH

CHESTER AND DELAWARE.

1839. John B. Sterigere, one year.

1840. Abraham Brower, three years

1864. Horace Royer, three years.

1867: Charles H. Stinson, three years.

1873. Thomas V. Cooper, three years.

While Chester and Delaware formed a district, from 1808 to 1836, with two members, each county furnished a member, except that in 1820, when it was the turn of Delaware County to' have the candidate,

384 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Isaac D. Barnard, of Chester County, was elected, and thus this county had two members for four years.

When Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery were united in a district, in 1836, Dr. James Paul represented Montgomery County, having been elected in 1835. At the expiration of his term, in 1839, John .B. Sterigere was elected by the new district. The constitution of 1838, which fixed the term of the senators thereafter elected at three years, provided that the senators elected in 1839 should be divided by the Senate, at the first session after the election, into three classes, their terms of service to expire respectively at the end of one, two, and three years. Under the allotment made in pursuance of this provision, Mr. Sterigere served but one year, and at the election in 1840 Abraham Brower was chosen his successor.

From 1843 to 1864, while Chester and Delaware Counties constituted a district with one member, the two counties alternately furnished the member.

Of the senators in the foregoing list from Chester County, Isaac D. Barnard, Francis James, William Williamson, Thomas S. Bell, William B. Waddell, and James B. Everhart were members of the bar. William Williamson and Dr. Wilmer Worthington were Speakers of the Senate.

The present constitution provided that one-half the members elected in 1874 should serve two years and the other half for four, and it fell to the lot of this county to begin with the short term.

In 1790 the vote for Richard Thomas was 644, and for his opponent, Thomas Ross, 497.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.

As all are aware, the people do not vote directly for President and 'Vice-President of the United States, but for electors, each State being authorized by the Constitution of the United States to appoint in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct a number of electors equal to the number of senators and representatives the State may be entitled to in Congress.

The electors meet in their respective States, and vote directly for President and Vice-President, and the persons having the highest number of electoral votes—if such number be a majority of the whole —are declared elected. In the event of a failure to elect by this mode, the election of the President devolves upon the House of Representatives, and the Vice-President upon the Senate, who conduct the election in the manner directed by the Constitution.

The electors may be either selected by the Legislatures or elected by the people. In Pennsylvania the electors who voted for Gen. Washington on his first election were appointed by the Legislature; since then, by act of Assembly, they have always been elected by the people.

The following is a complete list of those who have filled the office of Presidential electors from Chester County, with two from Delaware County, representing the congressional district :

1792, Washington's second election, Thomas Bull.

1796, Adams' election, James Boyd.

1804, Jefferson's second election, James Boyd.

1808, Madison's first election, George Hartman.

1812, Madison's second election, James Fulton.

1816, Monroe's first election, Isaac Anderson.

1820, Monroe's second election, William Clingan.

1824, J. Q. Adams' election, Cromwell Pearce.

1828, Jackson's first electiou, John W. Cuningham.

1832, Jackson's second election, Oliver Alison.

1836, Van Buren's election, Oliver Alison.

1840, Harrison's election, A. R. Mcllvaine.

1844, Polk's electiou, Jesse Sharp.

1848, Taylor's election, John D. Steele.

1852, Pierce's election, N. Strickland.

1856, Buchanan's election, John H. Brinton.

1860, Lincoln's first election, J. M. Broomall.

1864, Lincoln's second election, Robert Parke.

1868, Grant's first election, Francis C. Hooton.

1872, Grant's second election, John M. Broomall.

1876, Hayes' election, Joseph W. Barnard.

1880, Garfield's election, David F. Houston.

No electors are given for 1789 and 1800, owing to the fact that in those years none of the electors resided in Chester County.

The above-named electors did not always vote for the successful candidate. In 1796, when John Adams was elected, Jefferson received all the votes of the Electoral College of Pennsylvania except one, which was cast for Adams. In 1824 the whole electoral vote of the State was cast for Jackson, although John Quincy Adams was elected by the House of Representatives, on whom the election devolved, in consequence of neither candidate having received a majority of the whole number of electoral votes.

With these exceptions, Pennsylvania has always voted for the successful candidate, so that it has come to be a common saying in Presidential contests, " As goes Pennsylvania so goes the Union."

ATTORNEYS.

In the early days of the province attorneys do not seem to have been generally employed in the Common Pleas, the parties interested being allowed to make their representations in person or by a friend. Of those who do appear on the records prior to 1750, few if any resided within the county. In the Upland court, June, 1677, it was ordered,

"That all declarations must bee Entered att Least the day before the Cortt, as when the Clarke is to attend att Upplands.

"That no prson bee admitted to plead for any other prson as an attorney In Cote wthout he first have his admittance of the Cort or have a warrant of attorney for his so doeing from his Clyant."

Subsequently, however, there was entered on the record the following order Of the Governor and Council, dated at " Forte James ye 19th of May, 1677":

"Resolved, and ordered that pleading attorneys bee no Longer allowed to practize in ye governmnt but for ye depending Causes."

In the petition of Francis Daniel Pastorius, read in Council March 1, 1708-9, relating to a suit of ejectment brought against the Frank-ford Company in the court of Philadelphia County, he complains that his antagonist. had " fee'd or retain'd the four known lawyers of this Province," and that himself was poor and unable to fetch lawyers from New York or remoter places. In another representation Pastorius says that when the case came up in court all the lawyers had been feed except Thomas Clark, "who, rising as if he would speak something to the matter, was taken by the sleeve and whispered in the ear [by David Lloyd], Be quiet; you shall have forty shillings;' " or, as John Jawert states it, " Thom, hold thy tongue ; thou shalt have forty shillings."

In former times attorneys presented their petitions for admission, some of which are on file, and the following is a specimen :

"To the Worshipfull, the Justices of the County Court of Cocoon Pleas at Chester.

"The humble Petition of John Ross, Gent, sheweth-

" That Your Petitr has serv'd as an apprentice to an attorney at Law in this province of Pennsylvania for the space of Five Years last past.

"Therefore Your Petitr prays to be admitted as an attorney of this Court.

"And he shall ever pray, &c.

" John Ross.

" CHESTER, Augt 27th, 1735."

Many persons not "learned in the law" appeared in behalf of and as attorneys for others, but the following lawyers are known to have practiced, or to have been admitted, as early as the dates given :

1683.—John While, Abraham Man.

1698.—John Moore, David Loyd.

1726.—Ralph Assheton, John Kinsey, Peter Evans, Francis Sherrard, Joseph Growdon, Jr.

1730.—Alexander Keith (admitted February 23d).

1734.— WiIliam Rawle.

1735.—John Rosa (admitted August 27th), James Hamilton, John Robinson, Thomas Hopkinson.

1736.—Alexander Piercey (admitted December 1st), James Keating, Andrew Hamilton.

1738.—William Assheton (admitted November 28th).

1739.—William Peters.

1740.—John Webb.

1741.—Tench Francis, Edmund Acworth (admitted February 23d), Neil Harris.

1742.—Robert Hartshorne, Richard Peters, John Mather, James Read (admitted September 1st).

1743.—John Moland, Townsend White.

1744.—David Edwards.

1745.—Benjamin Price.

1747.—John Lawrence.

1748.—Edward Shippen, Jr.

1749.—Joseph Galloway, John Evans.

There may have been others, whose names a patient search among the records would reveal. Many of the above were noted attorneys, and rose to prominent positions in the province.

CIVIL AND JUDICIAL LISTS - 385

"Sunday last Messrs. Francis Sherrard and Alexander Piercey, Attorneys at Law, both of this city, were drowned in *attempting to ford Brandywine Creek."*

The following list embraces all the members of the bar of Chester County admitted between the years 1750 and 1800. Many of them resided in Philadelphia and other counties, and occasionally practiced here. In the last century a good deal of the law business of this county was transacted by lawyers residing in Philadelphia. After the declaration of independence, in 1776, those who had been already admitted to the bar and desired to continue in practice were required to take the test oath. None could practice but those who supported the new order of things growing out of the Revolution, hence several of the names in this list are repeated.

ADMITTED BEFORE JULY 4, 1776.

.

February 1752, David Finney

May, 1753, Thomas Otway

“ ” William Morris, Jr.

November 1754, Benjamin Chew

February 1755, Samuel Johnson

May, “ Thomas McKean

August, “ David Henderson

November “ William Whitehead

November 1756, George Ross

    “ ” John Armond

August, 1760, John Morris

February 1763, Nicholas Waln

August “ James Tilghman

February, 1764, Hugh Hughes

May, “ John Currie

“ ” Elisha Price

November, “ Lindsay Coates

February, 1765, Andrew Allen

May “ Alexander Wilcocks

“ ” Nicholas Vandyke

“ ” Alexander Wilcocks

August, “ Joshua Yeates

   “ ” Stephen Porter

   “ ” Richard Peters, Jr.

  “ ” James Biddle

“ ” James Allen

“ ” Henry Elwes

“ ” James Loyre

August, 1766, Isaac Hunt

    “ ” David Thompson

August, 1766, James Vandyke.

November, 1767, William Hicks.

   “ " James Wilson.

February, 1769, Jacob Rush.

August, " Miers Fisher.

    “ " Daniel Clymer.

    “ " John Ruley.

November, " Stephen Watts.

May, 1770, Abel Evans:

August, 1770, Thomas Good.

" " James Lukens.

August, 1771, Joseph Read.

" " George Noarth.

" " Jacob Bankson.

" " Francis Johnson.

" " Asheton Humphreys.

February, 1772, Richard Tilghman.

August, " John Lawrence.

  “ " Peter Zachary Lloyd.

February, 1773, Christian Hook.

May, " William L. Blair.

   “ " Phineas Bond.

August, " John Stedman.

   “ " John McPherson.

November, " William Lewis.

May, 1774, Edward Tilghman.

November, 1774, Gunning Bedford.

February, 1775, Andrew Robeson.

May, " John Vannost.

February, “ 1776, William Prince Gibbs.

May, 1776, Collinson Read.

ADMITTED AFTER JULY 4, 1776.

August, 1777, John Morris.

   " " Andrew Robeson.

   " " William Lewis.

   " " William L. Blair.

   " " John Kaley.

August, 1778, George Ross.

   " " Jonathan D. Sergeant.

   “ ” Jacob Rush.

   “ ” Elisha Price.

Alexander Wilcocks.

Gunning Bedford.

John Pancoast.

February, 1779, Edward Burd.

   " " Francis Johnston.

May, “ Henry Osborne.

August, " George Campbell.

  “ " Jacob Bankson.

November, " Jared Ingersoll.

  " " William Bradford, Jr.

November, 1780, Moses Levy.

February, 1781, Nicholas Vandyke.

  " " John Coxe.

August, " William Moore Smith.

  “ " John Lawrence.

November, " Nathaniel Potts.

February, 1782, Joseph Reed.

May, " John F. Mifflin.

August, " Daniel Clymer.

   “ " John Vining.

May, 1783, John Wilkes Kittera.

November, 1783, Henry H. Graham.

   “ " William Rawle.

November, 1784, William Ewing.

May, 1785, Peter Zachary Lloyd.

  " " Jacob R. Howell.

May, 1785, Thomas Ross.

  " " James Hanna.

August, 1785, Joseph B. McKean.

November, 1785, John Todd.

May, 1786, Robert Hodson.

  " " Charles Smith.

  " " John Young.

August, 1786, Benjamin Chew, Jr.

  " " B. R. Morgan, Jr.

  " " Richard Wharton.

  " " Thomas Memminger.

February, 1787, David Smith.

  " " James Wade.

   “ ” John Joseph Henry.

   “ ” William R. Atlee.

August, " W. Montgomery.

   “ ” Sampson Levy.

  “ ” James Hopkius.

   “ ” Samuel Roberts.

November, " Samuel Bayard.

   “ ” Matthias Baldwin.

   “ ” James A. Bayard.

February, 1788, Thomas Armstrong.

May, " Peter S. Duponceau.

August, " Jasper Yeates.

    “ " Peter Hoofnagle.

     “ " Joseph Hubley.

November, " Willliam Graham.

February, 1789, John Hallowell.

May, " Joseph Thomas.

  “ ” Robert Porter

  “ ” Charles Healty.

  “ ” Anthony Morris.

August, “ John Craig Wells.

   “ ” John Cadwallader.

* Penn. Gazette, from Jan. 27 to Feb. 3, 1736-37; No. 426.

- 49 -

August, 1789, John Moore.

February, 1790, Thomas B. Dick.

  " " Abraham Chapman.

May, " John Thompson.

August, " Marks John Biddle.

    “ " David Moore.

November, " Isaac Telfair.

May, 1791, Robert Henry Durkin.

August, 1791, Seth Chapman.

February, 1792, Miles Merlon.

August, " Robert Frazer.

November, " John Price.

August, 1793, Thomas W. Tallman.

   " " John H. Brinton.

   " " Evan Rice Evans.

   " " Joseph Hemphill.

   " " Michael Kepple.

November, 1793, John Shippen.

    “ " Henry Kelmuth.

    “ " A. W. Foster.

February, 1794, Jacob Richards.

May, " Joseph B. Hopkinson.

November, " William Martin.

February, 1795, J. Harvey Hurst.

May, " James Hunter, Jr.

   “ " James Milner.

August, " James Lattimer, Jr.

    “ " John Cloyd.

    “ " Joseph Reid.

     “ " Isaac Wayne.

February, 1797, W. Lee Hannum.

November, 1798, C. Chauncy, Jr.

May, 1799, Jonathan T. Haight.

   " " John Taylor.

   " " William Hemphill.

This list embraces the names of many who rose to distinction. Benjamin Chew became attorney-general of the province in 1755; was president judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia ; afterwards chief justice of the Provincial Supreme Court from 1774 to 1776, and from 1790 to 1806 president of the High Court of Errors and Appeals. This last court was abolished in the latter year on the reorganization of the judiciary department.

Thomas McKean, a native of Chester County, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence; became chief justice of the Supreme Court, and afterwards Governor of the State. James Wilson great as a lawyer, but greater as an orator was a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was the father of Hon. Bird Wilson, at one time president judge of the courts of Chester County. Jacob Rush (a brother of Dr. Benjamin Rush) was president judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia, and also of the Supreme Court, and of the Court of Errors and Appeals. John Lawrence and John Coxe were judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. Moses Levy was president of the District Court of Philadelphia.

Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant (father of John Sergeant) was a member of the Provincial Congress, and from 1777 to 1780 attorney-general of the State. William Bradford succeeded Jonathan D. Sergeant as attorney-general in 1780, and was one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the State from 1791 to 1794. In the latter year he became attorney-general of the United States by appointment from President Washington. Bradford County was named for him, in recognition of his services to the State in the settlement of the controversy with Connecticut with reference to the Wyoming lands..

Jared Ingersoll was twice attorney-general of Pennsylvania, and at the time of his death was president judge of the District Court of Philadelphia. Joseph B. McKean, a son of Governor McKean, succeeded Jared Ingersoll as attorney-general. He was also president judge of the District Court of Philadelphia.

Jasper Yeates became one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the State, and Seth Chapman of the judicial district composed of Northumberland and other counties.

There are many other names in the foregoing list of lawyers who never filled office but were eminent in professional life. Such names as William Lewis, Robert Frazer, Peter S. Duponceau, Charles Chauncey, William Hemphill, Thomas Ross, and William Rawle are familiar to the profession ; others, less known to fame, the dockets of our courts show to have been actively engaged in their profession.

The following is a list of members of the bar of Chester County admitted during the present century. The records of the admission of attorneys from 1800 to about 1818 appears to be somewhat imperfect, and there may be some omissions. Many of the names in this list are those of attorneys residing in other counties, who never practiced here to any extent :

About 1800, Jonathan W. Condy.

May 19, 1800, John Sergeant.

Aug. 20, 1800, T. Barton Zantzinger.

  " " William Dewees.

Nov. 3, 1801, Isaac Darlington.

Aug. 15, 1803, James D. Bernard.

   " " Thomas Sergeant.

About 1803, Samuel Jacobs.

  " " John Ewing Porter.

About 1804, John Duer.

About 1806, John Edwards.

  " " Charles W. Humphrey.

Nov. 14, 1807, Reuben Eachus.

About 1808, Ziba Pyle.

Aug. 1, 1809, Jefferis Moore.

Oct. 31, 1809, Matthias Morris.

Nov. 3, 1809, Daniel Addis.

Jan. 31, 1810, Blathwaite J. Shober.

About 1810, Archibald T. Dick.

July 31, 1811, Philip S. Markley.

Nov. 4, 1811, Michael W. Ash.

Nov. 4, 1813, Benjamin Tilghman.

" " Thomas Breinthall.

Jan. 31, 1814, James Madison Porter.

386 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Jan. 31, 1814, William B. Smith.

Aug. 2, 1814, Clement B. Buckley.

   " " Henry Shippen.

   " " John Kerlin.

Oct. 31, 1814, Benjamin Evans.

Nov. 1, 1815, George B. Porter.

About 1815, Samuel Edwards.

April 29, 1816, George C. Willing.

May 7, 1816, William H. Dillingham.

   " " Isaac D. Bernard.

Aug. 2, 1816, Thomas Kittera.

November, 1816, Thomas A. Maybin.

Feb. 3, 1818, Townsend Haines.

Aug. 2, 1819, Jesse Cunard.

July 31, 1820, William Williamson.

Jan. 31, 1821, William S. Haines.

   " " David Paul Brown.

May 1, 1821, Thomas S. Bell.

  " " Edward Darlington.

About 1821, Henry H. Van Amringe.

Aug. 9, 1821, John Freedley.

   " " Samuel Parke.

July 31, 1822, Abraham Marshall.

Aug. 3, 1824, Daniel Buckwalter.

Nov. 1, 1824, John D. Pettit.

Jan. 31, 1825, Matthias Pennypacker.

May 2, 1825, Francis James.

   " " Joseph J. Lewis.

   " " Lewis G. Pearce.

Aug. 1, 1825, Owen Stover.

Jan. 31, 1826, Benj. Bartholomew.

  " " William Darlington.

May 1, 1826, James M. Kinnard.

    " " Davis H. Hoopes.

July 30, 1827, John K. Zeilin.

Aug. 2, 1827, Levi B. Smith.

May 5, 1828, William McK. Ball.

June 9, 1828, John H. Bradley.

Aug. 4, 1828, Robert B. Dodson.

Nov. 4, 1828, James A. Hemphill.

Dec. 9, 1828, James S. Tongue.

Feb. 13, 1829, Mark Denny.

Aug. 3, 1829, Joseph Hemphill.

Nov. 2, 1829, Richard Bailey.

Nov. 3, 1829, P. Frazer Smith.

March 9, 1830, Lea Bennett.

Nov. 2, 1830, John Rutter.

Nov. 1, 1831, Volney Lee Maxwell.

Dec. 13, 1831, Uriah V. Pennypacker

Oct. 6, 1832, John H. Brinton.

April 9, 1833, John Hickman.

Aug. 4, 1834, Horatio G. Worrell.

Sept. 15, 1835, Addison May.

March 16, 1836, William Wheeler.

May 11, 1839, Ferdinand E. Hayes.

Feb. 4, 1840, William Penn Miner.

Sept. 15, 1840, James H. Bull.

Nov. 3, 1840, B. Franklin Pyle.

March 15, 1842, John S. Bowen.

Aug. 2, 1842, George W. Pearce.

Nov. 8, 1842, George W. Miles.

Nov. 10, 1842, Matthew A. Stanley.

Feb. 7, 1843, J. Smith Futhey.

March 16, 1843, James Davis.

May 13, 1843, Joseph B. Townsend.

June 12, 1843, William M. Bull.

Nov. 7, 1843, Howard Darlington.

Feb. 20, 1844, John M. Broomall.

March 12, 1844, Isaac D. Pyle.

May 7, 1844, Washington Townsend.

May 8, 1844, John P. Baily.

   " " Edward H. Williamson.

June 11, 1844, Samuel B. Thomas.

Aug. 5, 1844, Thomas H. Speakman.

Feb. 4, 1845, James B. Everhart.

June 10, 1845, Joseph P. Wilson.

   " " James A. Gilmore.

July 29, 1845, William G. Smith.

Nov. 4, 1845, William Parker Foulke.

Dec. 8, 1845, William Butler.

Jan. 30, 1846, William E. Barber.

April 30, 1846, William Nicholson.

May 6, 1846, Thomas P. Potts.

April 28, 1846, W. Ross Cunningham.

July 27, 1846, Henry C. Townsend.

Aug. 5, 1847, James P. Fleming.

Nov. 4, 1847, Paschall Woodward.

April 20, 1848, Robert E. Monaghan.

June 12, 1848, Joseph R. Morris.

June 14, 1848, Samuel Rush.

Aug. 7, 1848, Robert Frazer.

Sept. 13, 1848, James M. Meredith.

Dec. 12, 1848, James L. Jones.

April 30, 1849, Ezra Levis.

June 29, 1849, Edward Shippen.

Sept. 10, 1849, Jesse Landis.

Nov. 12, 1849, John F. Roberts.

   " " Charles H. Garber.

Jan. 31, 1850, Franklin Pennington.

Oct. 30, 1850, Clinton Auge.

Dec. 8, 1851, Francis Darlington.

   " " A. Herr Smith.

March 8, 1852, William Bell Waddell.

June 14, 1852, William L. Marshall.

Sept. 13, 1852, Jesse Bishop.

Sept. 15, 1852, Levi Kimes.

Jan. 31, 1853, Edward J. Lewis.

Feb. 1, 1853, Charles D. Manley.

July 1, 1853, William H. Darlington.

April 25, 1854, B. Markley Boyer.

Oct. 30, 1854, James Merrill Linn.

Feb. 2, 1855, W. Arthur Jackson.

April 28, 1856, Wayne MacVeagh.

March 9, 1857, James J. Creigh.

April 27, 1857, Egbert K. Nichols.

July 28, 1857, George W. Conarroe.

Aug. 10, 1857, Samuel M. Du Bois.

Oct. 30, 1857, Francis C. Hooton.

Jan. 8, 1858, George M. Roberts.

March 11, 1858, Cheyney W. Nields.

Sept. 15, 1858, Henry M. McIntire.

April 4, 1859, Thomas S. Bell, Jr.

Oct. 20, 1859, George M. Rupert.

Jan. 30, 1860, William T. Haines.

  " " Henry W. Carruthers.

Feb. 1, 1860, John J. Pinkerton.

April 30, 1860, W. M. Hinkson.

June 12, 1860, Gardner Furness.

   " " George W. Wollaston.

   " " J. C. Price.

May 13, 1861, William T. Fulton.

Sept. 13, 1861, Robert Ingram.

   " " John M. Arundel.

Oct. 28, 1861, A. Lewis Smith.

June 9, 1862, Jonathan Wright.

Aug. 11, 1862, Oliver Sidwell.

Aug. 18, 1862, Henry C. Bergstresser.

Jan. 26, 1863, John J. Pyle.

March 16, 1863, Abraham Wenger.

Aug. 10, 1863, Elbridge Meconkey.

Dec. 15, 1863, David Ruth.

Feb. 8, 1864, J. Alexander Simpson.

June 3, 1864, Rees Davis.

Oct. 31, 1864, Joseph Hemphill, Jr.

   " " George F. Smith.

Nov. 19, 1864, William M. Hayes.

Dec. 12, 1864, John A. McCaughey.

Aug. 15, 1865, Joseph Beale.

Aug. 26, 1865, William J. Gibson.

Oct. 30, 1865, William H. Whitehead.

Nov. 2, 1865, James Allen Morris.

Jan. 29, 1866, Augustus J. Feather.

Feb. 12, 1866, George E. Darlington.

   " " Wm. B. Broomall.

June 11, 1866, Nimrod Strickland, Jr.

Aug. 14, 1866, Alfred P. Reid.

Dec. 10, 1866, Robert T. Cornwell.

Jan. 28, 1867, Alfred L. Carey.

May 13, 1867, William T. McPhail.

Aug. 13, 1867, Joseph W. Barnard.

Oct. 27, 1868, Stephen J. Towson.

Aug. 9, 1869, S. W. Pennypacker.

   " " C. H. Pennypacker.

Feb. 19, 1870, Joseph F. Perdue.

Aug. 28, 1870, D. Smith Talbot.

Feb. 14, 1871, Abner Pyle.

March 13, 1871, Thomas W. Pierce.

April 24, 1871, Samuel D. Ramsey.

Sept. 11, 1871, William S. Windle.

March 11, 1872, Andrew C. Fulton.

May 6, 1872, William B. Reid.

Sept. 9, 1872, Henry H. Gilkyson.

Oct. 28, 1872, Charles Wesley Talbot.

   " " Francis Windle.

Dec. 31, 1872, B. F. McAtee.

March 12, 1873, George L. Maris.

July 3, 1873, Robert J. Monaghan.

  " " Isaac Newton Wynn.

Aug. 11, 1873, Frederick S. Dickson.

Dec. 9, 1873, John B. Kinnard.

June 15, 1874, William E. Dingee.

Oct. 16, 1874, Curtis H. Hannum.

Feb. 1, 1875, Theodore K. Stubbs.

Aug. 9, 1875, Thomas B. Taylor.

Feb. 7, 1876, Ezra Evans.

June 5, 1876, John A. Groff.

Dec. 12, 1876, William T. Barber.

Jan. 29, 1877, Thomas S. Butler.

June 18, 1877, Archibald D. Thomas.

   " " H. T. Fairlamb.

Jan. 28, 1878, John Jay Gheen.

March 12, 1878, J. Newton Huston.

Nov. 4, 1878, Edward D. Bingham.

March 11, 1879, James Monaghan.

Dec. 22, 1879, William N. Needles, Jr.

March 29, 1880, Samuel H. Holding.

June 18, 1880, George B. Johnson.

Dec 11 1880, Wilmer W McElree

MISCELLANEOUS.

BANKS.

NATIONAL BANK OF CHESTER COUNTY.

AT the session of the Legislature of Pennsylvania of 1813-14 an act was passed authorizing the establishment of forty-one new banks in the State, including one for Chester County.

The commissioners for taking the stock, named in the act, for the " Bank of Chester" were Dr. William Darlington, John W. Cunningham, Jesse John, James Kelton, Joseph Taylor, Henry Chrisman, Matthew Stanley, and Joshua Evans, Jr. Henry Chrisman declined to serve, and the court appointed Joseph Pearce in his stead. Books for the subscription of stock were opened June 8, 1814, at West Chester, Downingtown, Paoli, New London, and Cochranville, some of the commissioners attending at each place. The necessary amount of capital, 4500 shares at $50 each, was promptly taken. The charter was obtained Aug. 2, 1814, and a meeting of the stockholders held at the court-house on Sept. 8, 1814, when the following persons were chosen as the first board of directors : Jesse Mercer, Jesse John, Joseph Taylor, Charles Rogers, Daniel Hiester, Joseph McClellan, James Kelton, Dr. William Darlington, John W. Townsend, Jesse Good, Isaac Darlington, Joshua Weaver, and James Jefferis. On the next day the board organized, and appointed Joseph McClellan president and Daniel Hiester cashier of the bank. The rooms over the county offices, at the northwest corner of High and Market Streets, were obtained and fitted up for banking purposes, and on Nov. 11, 1814, the bank opened for the transaction of business. The second board of directors was

BANKS - 387

elected Nov. 21, 1814, and consisted of Joseph McClellan, Jesse Mercer, Jesse John, Dr. William Darlington, Charles Rogers, David Dickey, Isaac Darlington, Jesse Good, Thomas Hoopes, Joseph Taylor, John W. Townsend, Thomas Worth, and David Townsend.

At that time West Chester was a town of limited proportions and but little known, and the directors thought it better to state on the face of the circulating notes that the bank was " between Philadelphia and Lancaster," printing these names in large type, so that holders might know, without special inquiry, in what part of the State the institution was located. West Chester has grown in size and importance since then, and the modern " Cestrians" consider it of advantage to Philadelphia that it is in proximity to West Chester.

The following is the form of note first issued :

The vignette represented the old academy building on Gay Street.

The bank in its early days, during a suspension of specie payments, also issued notes of the denominations of five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty cents, in the following form:

These small notes were in size. about two and a half by four inches.

In January,1818, the directors resolved to erect a banking-house on a lot of ground immediately north of the present bank building on High Street, which they contracted to purchase from William Townsend, but the project was not carried out. In March of the same year they purchased from Nathan H. Sharpies the building wherein the cashier now resides, which was fitted up for a banking-house, and also for the residence of the cashier, and the bank was removed there in the autumn of that year.

This building, from the rapid advance of the business of the bank, becoming in a few years too contracted, the directors purchased the property belonging to the estate of William Hemphill, deceased, adjoining their banking-house on the north, and in the summer of 1835 commenced the erection of the present substantial and commodious banking-house, which was completed in March, 1837. The edifice has a noble Doric portico of Chester County marble, procured at the quarries of John R. Thomas, now Dr. George Thomas, in the Chester Valley, near Oakland. The architect was Thomas U. Walter, of Philadelphia. The entire cost of the building was about $30,000, and was entirely paid for from the profits of the institution. The business of the bank was transferred thereto in May, 1837, since which time the former banking-house has been used as the residence of the cashier. The committee of the directors under whose supervision the new building was erected were Nathan H. Sharpies, John James, Walker Yarnall, William Williamson, and John W. Townsend.

The capital stock of the bank had been increased from time to time until it amounted to $360,000, which was divided into 9000 shares of the par value of $40. In consequence of unprofitable investments and losses sustained by the bank it became desirable to reduce the capital stock, and on May 30, 1843, in pursuance of the provisions of an act of Assembly authorizing it, the capital was reduced to $225,000, and the par value of the shares to $25. The bank had made large loans to the Union Canal Company, the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company, and the Susquehanna and Tide-water Canal Company, and these institutions failing to pay their indebtedness, the reduction of the stock became desirable, and was accordingly made, as above stated. The bank, however, subsequently realized considerable on these investments, which were divided among the stockholders.

On Dec. 23, 1847, Dr. Darlington, the president, while in the railroad depot in Philadelphia, on his way hOme after making the exchanges of the bank, was robbed of his trunk, containing $51,000 of the circulating notes of the bank. A reward of $5000 was at once offered. The robbers were subsequently arrested and convicted, and the greater portion of the stolen money recovered.

In 1874 the interior of the bank was entirely remodeled and made more convenient, and new vaults erected, and fire- and burglar-proof safes placed therein, the whole at a cost of $10,000.

The period for which the bank was originally chartered in 1814 was eleven years. The charter was renewed and extended by acts of Assembly in 1825 for twelve years, in 1837 for fifteen years, and in 1852 for the same period. Before the expiration of the last charter it was surrendered to the State, and the bank organized, under the laws of the United States, as " The National Bank of Chester County." The date of the new organization was Oct. 25, 1864, and the first board of directors under it were

John Marshall, Thomas S. Cox, William Darlington, Brinton Darlington, Joseph Dowdall, Marshall B. Hickman, Walter Hibbard, Samuel H. Hoopes, Eusebius H. Townsend, Dr. Isaac Thomas, Dr. George Thomas, Philip P. Sharpies, and William B. Waddell.

The following persons have filled the office of president of the bank :

Col. Joseph McClellan, from Sept. 9, 1814, to Nov. 25, 1816, and again from Nov. 24, 1817, to Nov. 22, 1S19; James M. Gibbons, from Nov. 25, 1816, to Nov. 24, 1817; Richard Thomas, Jr., from Nov. 22, 1819, until his death, in February, 1830; Dr. William Darlington, from Feb. 23, 1830, until his death, April 23, 1863; John Marshall, from May 1, 1863, until his death, June 22, 1873;

388 - THE BANK OF CHESTER COUNTY

Walter Hibbard, from June 27, 1873, until his death, July 31, 1879; and Washington Townsend, from Aug. 5, 1879, until the present time.

In 1863 a bust of Dr. Darlington was executed in marble by William Marshall Swayne, late a book-keeper in the bank, and an artist of rare taste and skill, and placed in an appropriate position2 in the bank.

The following persons have been cashiers in the bank :

Daniel Hiester, from Sept. 9, 1814, to Oct. 1, 1817; David Townsend, from Oct. 1, 18.17, to April 10, 1849; Washington Townsend, from April 10, 1349, to Oct. 30, 1857; and William W. Jefferis, from the latter date until the present time.

On the resignations respectively of David Townsend and Washington Townsend, appropriate testimonials were presented to them by the bank for their faithful and valuable services.

The present board of directors are

Washington Townsend, Lorenzo Beck, Joseph Dowdall, Thomas S. Cox, William B. Waddell, Eusebius II. Townsend, Samuel II. Hoopes, Marshall B. Hickman, Charles Fairlamb, Edwin James, Henry P. Sharples, J. Preston Thomas, and Samuel K. Chambers.

It is worthy of note that Dr. William Darlington, who was president of the bank over thirty-three years, and David Townsend, who was cashier thirty-two years, were men of extensive scientific attainments, especially in the field of botany, and that William W. Jefferis, who has been cashier since 1857, has devoted his leisure to the study of mineralogy, and has one of the finest and most extensive and valuable collection of minerals to be found in the country.

NATIONAL BANK OF CHESTER VALLEY.

The Bank of Chester Valley, located at Coatesville, was incorporated by act of Assembly of April 27, 1857, and went into operation in the autumn of that year, with Abraham Gibbons as president, and Francis F. Davis as cashier, and the following board of directors : Abraham Gibbons, Nathan Rambo, Enoch S. McCaughey, William Dripps, Henry G. Thomas, Caleb Pierce, Lewis Maxton, Hugh E. Steele, Isaac Hayes, Charles Downing, John W. Wagoner, Samuel Slokom, and James King Grier.

On Nov. 17, 1864, the bank became a national institution, under the title of " The National Bank of Chester Valley," with Abraham Gibbons, Samuel Slokom, James Penrose, Hugh W. Robinson, Alexander Moore, Jr., Joseph Davis, Levis Pennock, Jr., James King Grier, and Dr. Charles Huston as the first board of directors.

The capital was originally $150,000, which was increased in 1865 to $200,000. The president and cashier who organized the bank in 1857 are still at their posts.

NATIONAL BANK OF OXFORD.

The Octorara Bank, at Oxford, was chartered by the Legislature in 1857, and organized in July, 1858, with a capital of $160,000, and with the following board of directors : Samuel Dickey, John M. Kelton, J. P. Harlan, Dr. D. W. Hutchison, J. C. Taylor, G. W. Lefevre, A. F. Eves, David Hayes, and Daniel Stubbs.

On Feb. 19, 1865, the State charter was surrendered, and the bank organized as a national institution, under the name of " The National Bank of Oxford," and with the following directors : Samuel Dickey, John M. Kelton, J. C. Taylor, R. H. Kirk, A. F. Eves, Alexander Turner, D. W. Hutchison, Newton I. Nichols, P. W. Housekeeper, James R. Ramsey, James A. Strawbridge, William R. Bingham, and Daniel Stubbs. The capital was increased to $125,000.

Dr. Ebenezer V. Dickey was the first president of the Octorara Bank. He died soon after his election, and was succeeded by Samuel Dickey, the present incumbent. Dr. James H. Cuningham was the cashier of the Octorara Bank, and of the National Bank of Oxford, until May 5, 1866. He was succeeded by John Janvier, who held the position until his death in July, 1878, when J. E. Ramsey, the present cashier, was appointed.

NATIONAL BANK OF PHOENIXVILLE.

The act to incorporate the Bank of Phoenixville became a law Oct. 9, 1857, and banking operations were commenced March 3, 1859, with the following board of directors : Samuel Buckwalter, John Morgan, Nathan T. McVeagh, William M. Stephens, Nicholas Bean, Isaac Chrisman, Daniel Bucher, Joseph J. Tustin, William W. Taylor, Daniel Latshaw, Levi B. Kaler, N. M. Ellis, and Benjamin Prizer.

On Dec. 30, 1864, it organized as " The National Bank of Phoenixville," with the following directors : Samuel Buckwalter, John Morgan, Samuel Kreamer, Samuel Moses, Jacob B. Landis, Henry Fink, Casper S. Francis, Joel Fink, Levi Prizer, and C. B. Heebner.

Jacob B. Morgan has been cashier of the 'institution since its organization. The first president was Samuel Buckwalter, who held the position until his death. His successor was Henry Loucks, who was elected March 18, 1869, and still holds the office.

The original capital was $100,000, but it has been increased from time to time, and is now $200,000. The bank, at its organization, occupied a dwelling-house, but a commodious banking-house has since been erected, with all the .modern appliances to secure the safety of the funds intrusted to its care and management.

The present directors are

Henry Loucks, Levi B. Kaler, Samuel Kreamer, Alexander Kennedy, Joseph Fitzwater, Reuben Winter, Peter G. Carey, John King, and D. Hearn Casselberry.

DOWNINGTOWN NATIONAL BANK.

The Downingtown Bank was organized, under the banking laws of Pennsylvania, Sept. 3, 1860, and went into operation May 16, 1861, with a capital of $50,000, which in 1863 was increased to $100,000. On Dec. 30, 1864, it became a national bank, under the title of " The Downingtown National Bank of Pennsylvania." It has had five presidents . Charles Downing, from Nov. 23, 1860, until his death, May 3, 1863 ; David Shelmire, from June 1, 1863, to Nov. 9, 1863 ; William Trimble, from Nov. 23, 1863, to his death, Dec. 18, 1863 ; William Edge, from Dec. 28, 1863, to May 29, 1865 ; and Jacob Edge, from the latter date to the present time. Mordecai T. Ruth was the first cashier, and he was succeeded, Dec. 1, 1863, by Joseph R. Downing, the present incumbent.

BANKS - 389

The first board of directors, at its organization in 1860, were Charles Downing, Abram V. Ashbridge, John P. Baugh, Jonathan C. Baldwin, Dr. John K. Eshleman, William Rogers, David Shelmire, Samuel Ringwalt, Allen W. Wills, Jacob Edge, and Richard D. Wells. At its organization as a national bank in 1864 the directors were

William Edge, Jona. C. Baldwin, Sarni. Ringwalt, Peter Dampman, David Shelmire, Dr. John P. Edge, Leonard F. Roberts, William Rogers, Jacob Edge, Samuel P. Miller, and Jonathan P. Butler.

The present board (1881) are

Caleb Baldwin, Peter Dampman, Joseph R. Downing, Jacob Edge, William Edge, Eber Garrett, Samuel N. McClure, William Penrose Moore, and William T. Smedley.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WEST CHESTER.

The First National Bank of West Chester was organized in December, 1863, and commenced the transaction of business Jan. 2, 1864, with a capital of $100,000, which in the same year was increased to $200,000. The first directors were George Brinton, William Wollerton, David Woelpper, Joseph Hemphill, Wellington Hickman, William Chalfant, Andrew Mitchell, Robert Parke, and J. Smith Futhey.

The business of the bank was for a time transacted in the house belonging to David Meconkey, immediately north of the Bank of Chester County, but in the same year a lot was purchased from James D. McClellan, on High Street, and a banking-house erected thereon, into which the bank was removed March 15, 1865.

George Brinton was the first president, and held the position until Jan. 15, 1869, when he declined a further election, and was succeeded by William Wollerton. The cashiers have been as follows : William S. Kirk, from the organization until April 16, 1867 ; James G. McCollin, from April 16, 1867, until Feb. 14, 1868 ; Thomas W. Marshall, from Feb. 14, 1868, until Dec. 17, 1872 ; and Enos E. Thatcher, from the latter date to the present time.

The present directors are

William Wollerton, Wellington Hickman, William Chalfant, Edwin Brosius, Bennett S. Walton, Evan T. Pennock, George W. Jacobs, Caleb Windle, Henry Buckwalter, Septimus E. Nevin, and John J. Pinkerton.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF HONEYBROOK.

The First National Bank of Downingtown was organized in March, 1864, and went into liquidation in February, 1868. Its circulation was redeemed in full.

The First National Bank of Honeybrook organized Jan. 1, 1868, with the following board of directors : Joshua Kames, E. D. White, R. W. Morton, Thomas Millard, William Corbit, Joseph C. Davis, Samuel Lemmon, James C. Roberts, and Thomas S. Ingram, and with Joshua Karnes as president, Richard D. 'Wells cashier, and John E. Finger clerk. It opened for business at Honeybrook, Feb. 8, 1868. On April 9, 1868, Joshua Karnes and Richard D. Wells resigned as president and cashier respectively, and E. D. White became president, R. W. Morton cashier, and John E. Finger assistant cashier. On Jan. 11, 1877, Samuel Lemmon became president. The capital is $100,000. The present board of directors are

Samuel Lemmon, Joseph C. Davis, Thomas Millard, Jacob Hertzler, Jacob Kurt; Jacob Wanner, Jr., John S. Galt, Thomas S. Ingram, and R. W. Morton.

PARKESBURG NATIONAL BANK.

The Parkesburg Bank, a private banking institution, doing business under the firm-name of Parke, Smith & Co., went into operation April 14, 1869, with a capital of $50,000, and a board of directors composed of Robert Parke, Robert Baldwin, Robert Fairlamb, John N. Chalfant, John A. Parke, and Ezekiel R. Young, and with Robert Parke as president, and Samuel R. Parke as cashier. On April 22, 1873, Robert Parke resigned the presidency, and Samuel R. Parke became president, and Robert Agnew Futhey cashier. On March 30, 1880, the institution became a national bank, under the name of " The Parkesburg National Bank," with the same president and cashier, and the following directors :

Samuel R. Parke, Robert Parke, Robert Baldwin, Robert Fairlamb, John A. Morrison, M.D., John Y. Latta, and James B. Kennedy.

THE OXFORD BANKING COMPANY

was incorporated March 11, 1872. The president is James Wood, and the cashier, David M. Taylor. This institution is about to become a national bank.

THE NATIONAL BANK OF SPRING CITY

was organized July 23, 1872, with the following directors: Casper S. Francis, Charles Peters, Benjamin Prizer, Jacob Christman, John Stauffer, Benjamin Rambo, A. D. Hun-sicker, John N. Miller, and Charles Tyson. Casper S. Francis has been president and John T. Eaches cashier of the bank since its organization. The original capital was $100,000, which in 1873 was increased to $150,000. The present board of directors is composed of

Casper S. Francis, Charles Peters, Benjamin Prizer, Jacob Christman, A. D. Hunsicker, A. P. Fritz, Charles Frick, Henry Funk, and Daniel Latshaw.

THE BANK OF BRANDYWINE

was a State bank, incorporated March 15, 1871. Its business was conducted in the building at the southwest corner of High and Market Streets, West Chester. It failed Dec. 22, 1875, and made an assignment for the benefit of creditors to William W. Jefferis, by whom its affairs were settled.

THE FARMERS' AND MECHANICS' NATIONAL BANK OF

PHOENIXVILLE

was incorporated Feb. 5, 1872, with a capital of $50,000, which in 1873 and 1874 was increased to $150,000.

The first president was Elias Oberholtzer, who died Dec. 17, 1876. He was succeeded by John Kennedy, who died Sept. 4, 1877. Aaron H. Stover has held the office since the death of Mr. Kennedy. The first cashier was J. Newton Evans, who held the position until July 1, 1875, when he was succeeded by the present incumbent, J. Theodore F. Hunter.

390 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

The first directors were Elias Oberholtzer, Nathan A. Pennypacker, Newton Evans, Aaron H. Stover, A. Crater, J. Gable, A. Tyson, J. D. Wismer, A. Thomas, and M. C. Pennypacker. The present directors are

Aaron H. Stover, M. B. Hunsberger, Abel Thomas, John Griffith, John Oberholtzer, John Detwiler, W. A. Schultz, L. E. Filman, and John B. Roberts.

THE NATIONAL BANK OF KENNET SQUARE

was authorized to commence the business of banking by certificate dated May 16, 1881. The president is John Marshall cashier, D. Duer Philips, and the board of directors is composed of

John Marshall, Thomas Marshall, George B. Sharpe, J. Mitchell Baker, Ellwood Michener, Thomas J. Webb, Ezra L. Bally, and William Press.

CURRENCY.

Owing to the diverse nationalities of the early settlers of Pennsylvania, a varied monetary medium existed for many years after William Penn's arrival. Styvers, guilders, pistoles, moidores, pieces of eight, and many other

A SPECIMEN OF THE FIRST ISSUE OF PAPER MONEY IN PENN-

SYLVANIA, APRIL 2, 1723.

terms are met with in early records. Wampum or beads made from shells were used as currency in dealing with the Indians, but with all there was such a scarcity that in 1683 it was enacted that all merchantable wheat, rye, Indian corn, barley, oats, pork, beef, and tobacco should pass as money at market price.

The first issue of paper money by the province of Pennsylvania was made by act of Assembly of March 2, 1722-3, when the sum of £15,000 in " bills of credit" was authorized to be struck off, and Charles Read, Benjamin Vining, Francis Rawle, and Anthony Morris, or the major part of them, were appointed to sign the bills. Two pieces of this money were discovered a few years ago among the old records of our County Court by one of the editors, and a facsimile of one of them is here shown. It is needless to inform collectors that such pieces are exceedingly

rare.

The act providing for the issue of this paper money established what was styled " The General Loan-Office," with trustees, whose business it was to loan the bills of credit on real estate or other security, and keep accurate accounts thereof. The first trustees were Samuel Carpenter, Jeremiah Langhorne, William Fishbourn, Philip Taylor, and Nathaniel Newlin, of whom Taylor and Newlin were of Chester County.

On Dec. 12, 1723, a further issue of £30,000 was authorized, and between that time and the Revolution more than twenty similar acts were passed. During the French and Indian war, 1756-60, when large amounts of money were needed at once, it was raised in this way, there being three issues of £100,000 each, and others of smaller amounts.*

With the increase in volume of the currency there was a corresponding depreciation in value. Elizabeth Webb, of Birmingham, writing from Newport, R. I. (6, 24, 1724), to Joseph Brinton, of Thornbury, says,-

" Our paper money will not do [here], and if thou get some changed it should be for whole pieces of gold, for that which is cutt will not pass but at £6 an ounce, but the Pistole goes for £1 88. Od., and a Moidore at £2 4.9., and a half Pistole for 148."

A large number of farms in this county were at different times mortgaged to the Loan-Office. The following were the persons who represented the county in the board of trustees, with the date of appointment :

1723, Philip Taylor, Nathaniel Newlin; 1729, Richard Hayes; 1738, Caleb Cowpland ; 1745, Thomas Chandler ; 1758, Nathaniel Grubb ; 1762, Francis Yarnall ; 1764, John Morton ; 1769, Isaac Pearson; 1771, Charles Humphreys and Isaac Pearson; 1773, Humphry Marshall.

Each of the colonies issued its paper money, which circulated to some extent in those adjoining. Under the general depression of finances at the close of the Revolution, much of this money had sunk in value until it was practically worthless. Many of the holders laid it away with a faint hope that it might some day be redeemed, but in this they were disappointed. Within the past twenty-five or thirty years a great deal of it has been destroyed, until now the little that remains is being eagerly sought after by collectors of such relics, and high prices are paid

* Persons desirous of investigating this subject are referred to an essay on " Pennsylvania Finances," by Benjamin M. Nead, Esq., of Harrisburg, recently published.

INSURANCE COMPANIES - 391

for scarce specimens. There seems to be a large proportion of Maryland money in this county.

SPECIMEN OF CONTINENTAL MONEY.

There was a variety in the style of notes, and the specimen shown on the preceding page differed considerably from subsequent issues. The term " Continental money" is familiar to most persons, but it is customary to confound it with colonial currency. The Continental money, of which a specimen is above given, was the money of the United States, and, like the other, suffered from depreciation until it was almost worthless.

INSURANCE COMPANIES.

THE MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF CHESTER

COUNTY

was chartered by act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, April 21, 1840. The managers named in the act to organize the company are Richard Barnard, Thomas W. Boyd, Enoch Harlan, John P. Phipps, John A. Love, Hayes Clark, Andrew Mitchell, George Fleming, John D. Steele, Amos Fredd, Joseph M. Thompson, Henry Long, and Joshua Jackson. They proceeded on May 16, 1840, to organize the company by the election of Joseph M. Thompson as president, Enoch Harlan as secretary, and Amos Fredd as treasurer. The company soon after commenced to issue policies, which were to run five years, and to be assessed to meet losses occurring.

On the expiration of the first or five-year policies, the success of the company being assured, perpetual policies were substituted for first or five-year ones, and have been continued since, subject to assessment, as aforesaid, and also to any proper modification of amounts of insurance or rate to be charged for the same. The office of the company was established at Doe Run, which was by the by-laws to be the centre of a circle of thirty miles' radius, within which property would be insured, excepting all incorporated towns outside of Chester County.

The membership steadily increased (each insurer being a member) until it reached in 1870 9000, with over $30,000,000 of insurance. In 1861 the office was removed from Doe Run and established at Coatesville, where a building had been erected for its accommodation.*

* Owing to the early location of the office at Doe Run, the company was for many years popularly known as the Doe Run Company.

The active men of the company were among its first managers, and residing near Doe Run. The presidents have been Joseph M. Thompson, Morris Cope, Solomon Lukens, Charles Downing, Smedley Darlington, Jacob Edge, William W. Eachus, Archimedes Robb, Levis Pennock, and Abraham Gibbons. Enoch Harlan was secretary for twenty-three years, and was succeeded by Caleb H. Bradley. The present secretary is Isaac Spackman, appointed in 1880.

To furnish insurance at the lowest possible cost has been the aim of the company, and its success in that direction is perhaps without a parallel in the history of fire insurance. That it has been a benefit to the community is shown by its having paid near $1,000,000 to its members who have had property destroyed by fire.

The insurance has mainly been confined to the county of Chester ; a few members, however, are accepted from the bordering counties. Shrinkage in value of property for a few years past has caused a reduction in the aggregate of insurance, which does not now exceed $25,000,000, the membership being about 8500.

THE PENN MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF CHESTER COUNTY

was incorporated Aug. 14, 1867. The office of the company is located at West Chester. The first policy was issued Jan. 1, 1868. Its territory is restricted by charter within a radius of forty miles from West Chester, and its principal field of operations is the county of Chester. The company has grown steadily and rapidly from its organization to the present time. The amount of insurance in force therein at the end of the year 1880 was about $7,000,000.

The first board of directors was composed of William P. Townsend, William Darlington, Washington Townsend, Elijah F. Pennypacker, Isaac Hayes, William Windle, Levi H. Crouse, John D. Worth, R. Haines Passmore, Jonathan Roberts, Pennock E. Marshall, and George C. M. Eicholtz. This board organized by electing the following officers, viz.: William P. Townsend, President ; Elijah F. Pennypacker, Vice-President Enoch Harlan, Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Townsend served as president until January, 1870, when he declined re-election. William Windle was thereupon elected to that office, and continued therein until January, 1877, when he also declined re-election. J. Smith Futhey, Esq., was then chosen president, and served in that capacity until after his appointment as president judge of the Fifteenth Judicial District, in February, 1879. He was succeeded by Elijah F. Penny-packer, who is still president of the company.

Enoch Harlan continued to be secretary and treasurer until his death, in the summer of 1872. He was followed by his son, Thos. W. Harlan, who resigned in July, 1873, and was succeeded by George M. Rupert, Esq., who still holds the position.

The present board of directors, elected in January, 1881, is as follows, viz. : Elijah F. Pennypacker, William Windle, Thomas Millard, William Welch, Marshall II. Matlack, Isaac A. Cleaver, Charles M. Griffith, Davis W. Entrikin, Edwin James, John F. Ingram, Isaac S. Cochran, and John D. McHenry.

392 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

THE PHOENIXVILLE MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

was incorporated Nov. 8, 1875, and has its office in Phoenixville. The president is W. W. Waitneight, and the secretary, George M. Bishop.

THE NEW LONDON MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

was organized in 1880, and on Jan. 3, 1881, an election was held at New London, by which the following were chosen directors for the ensuing year, viz. : Jesse Spencer, S. W. Dougherty, J. B. Mackey, George B. Titus, William H. Way, Job S. Pugh, Darlington Cope, Lewis Passmore, and Thomas Mercer. The new board organized by the selection of Thomas Mercer, President David Mercer, Secretary and Lewis Passmore, Treasurer.

UNION LIVE STOCK INSURANCE COMPANY.

This company held its annual meeting at Kennet Square, in December, 1880. From the treasurer's report it appears that there is an insurance upon horses of $57,677, and upon cows, $16,238. To be paid out on account of the loss of cattle is the sum of $374.25, and upon horses $168.75. In the previous year the losses on horses were $1079.25, and on cattle, $447.84. The officers are : president, Thomas Sharpless ; secretary, W. W. Parker; corresponding secretary and treasurer, James G. Parker.

THE MUTUAL LIVE STOCK INSURANCE COMPANY OF CHESTER COUNTY

was incorporated May 1, 1866, and transacted business until the year 1874, when it ceased operations. Enoch Harlan was secretary from its organization until his death, May 27, 1872, and was succeeded by his son, Thomas W. Harlan.

THE COVENTRY MUTUAL LIVE STOCK INSURANCE COMPANY

was incorporated Feb. 9, 1861, and has since been in successful operation.

THE CHESTER COUNTY INSURANCE COMPANY

was incorporated April 1, 1836, and did business for some years, but finally suspended about 1842. It was located in West Chester.

THE WESTERN MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

was incorporated April 17, 1841. It effected insurances on buildings in the western and southwestern sections of the county, but soon suspended.

THE UNION MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

is the oldest fire insurance company in the county. It was incorporated July 11, 1842, but has been in operation since about 1838, and therefore antedates the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Chester County about two years. Its field embraces seven townships—Pennsbury, Kennet, New Garden, Londongrove, East Marlborough, Newlin, and Pocopson—and the borough of Kennet Square. It is purely mutual, keeping no funds on hand, and making assessments on the members as losses occur. It has always been well and successfully managed. Its officers are William Pyle, President, and Mark J. Cox, Secretary, and it has a board of managers.

THE OXFORD FIRE AND LIFE INSURANCE, ANNUITY, AND TRUST COMPANY

was incorporated April 10, 1867, and was in operation for some years as a fire insurance company, but has ceased to do business.

SPRING CITY STOVE-WORKS.

As far back as 1850 stoves were made at Springville, now Spring City, by James Rogers, who had a small foundry, in which he was engaged in making a few old-fashioned nine-plate wood-stoves, making a cast about once a week, and employing one, two, and sometimes three hands this foundry was destroyed by fire in 1856 or 1857, and it was thought for a time the manufacturing of stoves in Springville would be entirely abandoned. It was not until the spring of 1859 that it was revived, when Samuel Smith, a practical foundryman from the East, who was visiting some friends at Springville, proposed to put his experience against capital and start a stove-works. This proposal resulted in Casper Francis (now president of the National Bank of Spring City) and David G. Wells forming a partnership with Mr. Smith, under the firm-name of Smith, Francis &

CHESTER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY - 393

Wells, for the purpose of manufacturing stoves. Suitable buildings were erected, and the firm took possession in the spring of 1860, under a lease of ten years. They employed some six moulders at the start, making as their leading goods the famous " Combination Cook-Stove," which has continued to be a great favorite with the trade to the present time, with a sale of over 40,000.

During the early part of their history these stove-works experienced many changes of ownership. The firm of Smith, Francis & Wells was changed in 1862 to Smith & Wells ; by the admission of Joseph Johnson, in 1865, to Smith, Wells & Co. ; in 1867, by the purchase of D. G. Wells' interest by E. S. Shantz, to Smith, Johnson & Co. ; and in 1869 to Shantz & Johnson ; and by the purchase of Joseph Johnson's interest, in 1870, by Oliver B. Keeley, to Shantz & Keeley. Thus the close of the ten years' lease found these stove-works in the hands of two young men just past their majority, and employing 20 moulders, or in all about 40 men. The firm was continued, and with increased business. In September, 1880, the senior partner, E. S. Shantz, died with consumption (which had taken all his family to an early grave), the firm was dissolved, and the business was carried on by the remaining partner, Oliver B. Keeley. The business begun by them in 1870 with 40 men has grown in 1881 to one employing over' 225 men, and turning out 25,000 stoves, heaters, and ranges annually,* supplying the trade from Maine to Texas, and not a few crossing the water to foreign countries.

CHESTER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. †

The Chester County Medical Society was founded in 1828. On the 5th of February in that year a number of the physicians of the county met in West Chester, at the house of Ann Mason. Dr. Isaac Thomas was called to the chair, and Dr. Wilmer Worthington chosen secretary. A committee composed of Drs. Samuel McCleane, Jacob Sharpless, Isaac L. Coffman, Bartholomew Fussell, and Isaac Pennington presented resolutions setting forth the need for the proposed organization. The following were named as a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws : Drs. William Darlington, George A. Fairlamb, William Harris, Samuel McCleane, Ezra Michener, Joseph Griffith, and John Kennedy. In addition to those above named, Drs. Charles W. Parish and John B. Brinton are known to have participated in the organization of the society.

On the 2d of the following June a second meeting was held. Dr. George A. Fairlamb presided, Drs. Thomas Seal and Samuel McCleane acted as secretaries. The committee on the subject reported a constitution and by-laws, introduced by this preamble : " A number of the physicians of Chester County, convinced of the importance of associated efforts in promoting every species of improvement, and being desirous to advance the best interest of the sciences to which they are devoted, have agreed to form themselves into an association." The constitution established the offices of president, two vice-presidents, recording and corres-

* On July 5, 1381, after the above article was written, a disastrous fire occurred at Spring City, in which these works were almost wholly destroyed.

† By Edward Jackson, M.D., West Chester.

- 50 -

ponding secretaries, and treasurer, each with the duties commonly allotted to it. The officers were elected yearly, the meetings came quarterly.

The by-laws declared it " the duty of members to report to the society all remarkable cases of disease within their cognizance." They also directed that at each June meeting an orator should be elected to deliver a suitable address one year later.

Permanent organization was completed by electing Dr. William Darlington the first president, Drs. George A. Fairlamb and William Harris vice-presidents, John Kennedy and Wilmer Worthington secretaries, Thomas Seal treasurer, and Samuel McCleane orator.

The constitution and by-laws, with the proceedings of these two meetings, were, by direction of the society, published in the county papers. The effort did not, however, attract many more to it, for in the next three years the only new members were Drs. Enoch P. Hoopes and Gideon G. Palmer, and the average attendance during this time was but six members present at each meeting. The lack of interest on the part of the mass of medical practitioners led, in June, 1831, to a suspension of the meetings. At that time the society adjourned indefinitely, to meet at the call of the president, or any three members. This suspension was not to be wondered at when it was remembered that this was the only medical society in Pennsylvania draw: ing its members from country practice, and that more than fifteen years elapsed before similar organizations were attempted in any of the adjoining counties.

During 1828 the place of meeting continued to be the house of Ann Mason, but after that it was changed to the hall of the Chester County Cabinet of Natural Sciences, where the society continued to meet during the next thirty years. The exercises of these early meetings were mainly medical papers and discussions. At one resolutions were adopted pledging the members " to use every endeavor to overcome the existing prejudices against post-mortem examinations, and to embrace every opportunity for making such an acquaintance with morbid anatomy." At another " the preliminary .education and mental qualifications of medical pupils" was discussed. During this period an attempt was made to establish a library, and the society subscribed for one copy of the Medical Recorder (later the American Journal of Medical Sciences). The subscription to the Recorder ceased in 1831, and although additions have from time to time been made to the library, it has never become very valuable or important to the society.

From 1831 no meetings were held until, in response to the call of the president, six members and thirteen other physicians ready to join the society met in the ball of the Chester County Cabinet of Natural Sciences, on the 8th of June, 1847, and effected a reorganization. At the meeting in December following the society adopted the code of medical ethics which had received the sanction of the American Medical Association at its first annual meeting in May of that year ; also a fee-bill, which, it was hoped, would " be found to approach as near as may be to the views and practices of the physicians of the county, and furnish no just ground for complaint to patients."

At this same meeting resolutions were introduced by Dr.

394 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Worthington and adopted by the society looking to the formation of a State medical society, and directing the corresponding secretary to invite the co-operation of the different medical schools and associations in the State. The result of this call was the formation of the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, which held its first meeting at Lancaster in April, 1848. From that time until the present the county society has regularly sent its delegates to both the State society and the national association. In 1849 the stated meetings of the society were made semiannual, and the plan adopted of holding an " adjourned" about a month after each " stated" meeting, and in some other part of the county. This was continued until 1854, when the stated meetings were made quarterly and the others discontinued. During this time such adjourned meetings were held at Chatham, Coatesville, Downingtown, Kennet Square, New London Cross-Roads, Paoli, and Phoenixville. In 1850 there were over 40 members, after the withdrawal of some from Delaware County on the formation of its medical society in May of that year. In 1852, Drs. William Darlington, Charles W. Parish, and Wilmer Worthington were appointed to prepare and report biographies of deceased physicians of the county. This duty they from time to time performed until near the death of Dr. Worthington, among the biographies so prepared being those Of both Drs. Darlington and Parish. These biographies were published, when written, in the Medical Reporter, and the transactions of the State society. It was in the fall of this year the movement was started which resulted in the publication of the Medical Reporter," a quarterly journal, published under the direction of the Chester and Delaware County Medical Societies," the first number of which appeared in July, 1853. This journal was in charge of five editors, three—Drs. W. Worthington, Isaac Thomas, and Jacob Price—from Chester and two—Drs. J. T. Huddleson and George Martin—from Delaware County. This journal continued to be published for three years. Its contents were the proceedings of the two county societies, and of the State and national associations, addresses delivered and papers read before the county societies, reports of cases observed by their members, biographies of deceased members, quotations, items, and short editorial comments on matters of interest to the profession. Before the time of the Medical Reporter, the constitution, by-laws, code of ethics, and fee-bill had been printed in pamphlet form in 1848, and again in 1852, also the address of the retiring president, Dr. William Darlington, in 1852.

All publications authorized by the society and not mentioned above have been made through the transactions of the State Medical Society.

Among the papers so published those of most general interest are an account of the topography and geology of the county, illustrated by a map and diagrams, in the transactions for 1857, and the meteorological records in 1857, '58, and '67.

In 1857 the annual meeting of the State Medical Society was held at the court-house at West Chester. At the close of its session the delegates present were escorted along the Brandywine Creek, and over the scene of the Revolutionary battle, and afterwards entertained at the

Cabinet Hall by the county society. From 1860 there is not much to record of the Chester County Medical Society. The civil war drew from it some of the most active members, and engrossed the interest of all.

This interest found very practical expression at the meeting of April, 1861, in a unanimous resolution offering medical attendance without charge to the families of United States volunteers so long as they should remain in the field. After the close of the war the society remained for some time in a depressed condition. In 1869 the membership was but 13. The next year a reorganization was attempted. The immediate result was not very marked, but from that time both membership and interest steadily increased. In 1880 the membership numbered 30. After 1858 the stated meetings were held semi-annually in various rooms in West Chester, sometimes the office of some member, until 1871, since which time they have been held in the lecture-room of the Presbyterian church. Within the last year meetings have been held at Coatesville and Oxford, and the times of meeting changed to the second Wednesdays of February, April, June, August, October, and December.

The great mass of the proceedings of the society has been of a strictly professional character, yet many subjects of more general interest have claimed its attention, notably the enforcement of public sanitary measures, vaccination, etc., the registration of births and deaths, the registration of practitioners of medicine and their alleged qualifications, the establishment of a State board of health, the raising of the standard of medical education, which have all received due consideration and vigorous support.

As a specimen of a physician's bill in the past century we present the following :

" Chester Co. to Dr. Branson Van Leer, Dr.

History fails to disclose whether the aforesaid Ann, with these juleps, cordials, pectorals, boluses, etc., survived or not.

THE MASONIC ORDER - 395

THE MASONIC ORDER.

The following is a list of Masonic lodges chartered in Chester County. Those marked * are now at work under the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania:

No. 11. Newtown, Bucks County.—Granted Aug. 17, 1768; surrendered Dec. 24, 1781. New warrant granted to branch of No. —, and held at a place called the Half-way House, Londongrove township, in Chester County, on Feb. 16, 1782 ; surrendered, and renewed March 7, 1791.

No. 50. Sign of the "White Horse," East Whiteland, Chester Co.—Granted Dec. 6, 1790; moved to the borough of West Chester Jan. 5, 1807 ; warrant resigned June 18, 1838.

No. 75.* Pughtown, Coventry township (now Phoenixville), Chester Co.—Granted March 5, 1798.

No. 80. Unity Lodge, to be held at the United States Arms inn, in Sadsbury township, Chester Co.—Granted June 3, 1799 ; Sept. 1, 1800, moved to sign of the "Rising Sun," Salisbury township, Lancaster Co. ; April 7, 1801, moved to sign of the "Plough," Sadsbury township, Chester Co. Vacated Oct. 3, 1808, for unmasonic conduct.

No. 132. Brandywine Lodge, at the sign of the "Olive Branch," on the Downingtown and Harrisburg turnpike-road, in the county of Chester.—Granted Sept. 2, 1811 ; removed to West Nantmeal township, 1822; removed to Honeybrook township.

No. 142. Village Lodge, Sadsbury, Chester Co.—Granted Nov. 20, 1815.

No. 162. Fidelity Lodge, New London Cross-Roads, New London township, Chester Co.—December, 1818.

No. 174. Downingtown Lodge, Downingtown, Chester Co.—May 1, 1820.

No. 183. Farmers' Lodge, at "General Jackson" inn, Tredyffrin township, Chester Co., Sept. 12, 1822.

No. 309.* Williamson Lodge, Downingtown, Chester Co.—Constituted Nov. 27, 1857.

No. 322.* West Chester Lodge, West Chester, Chester Co.—March 1, 1858.

No. 340.* Thomson Lodge, Garrett's Sideling, Chester Co.—June 4, 1860. Now at Green Tree, on Pennsylvania Railroad, in Chester County.

No. 343.* Skerrett Lodge, Cochranville, Chester Co.—June 16, 1862.

No. 353.* Oxford Lodge, Oxford, Chester Co.—Dec. 27, 1864.

No. 383.* Goddard Lodge, Coatesville, Chester Co.—March 5, 1867.

No. 405.* Howell Lodge, Waynesburg (now Brookville), Chester Co.—Dec. 27, 1867.

No. 446.* Mount Pickering Lodge, Upper Uwchlan, Chester Co.—June 3, 1869.

No. 475.* Kennet Lodge, Kennet Square, Chester Co.—June 1, 1870.

No. 545.* New London Lodge, New London, Chester Co.—March 1, 1876.

No. 553.* Spring City Lodge, Spring City, Chester Co.—Dec. 27, 1877.

We give a brief history of some of the lodges mentioned in the foregoing list.

LODGE No. 50.

Being unable to find any of the papers or books of this lodge, with the exception of two ledgers and a book of its minutes from Aug. 12, 1826, to July 11, 1835, its history must necessarily be incomplete ; but from its returns made to the Grand Lodge, the minute-book above referred to, and other reliable sources, we have gathered information which, we trust, will interest the reader, be he Mason or not.

This was the first Masonic lodge originally chartered in Chester County. (See Nos. 11 and 50 in " List of Lodges.") At a Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge, held at Philadelphia, Dec. 6, 1790, a petition was read from a number of brethren, Master Masons, praying for a warrant to hold a lodge at the sign of the " White Horse," in East Whiteland, in the county of Chester, or at any other place within five miles of it. The prayer was granted, and the Grand Secretary directed to make out a warrant in the name of Bro. John Smith, Master ; John Bartholomew, Senior Warden ; and John Christie, Junior Warden, of No. 50. Jan. 5, 1807, permission was sought and obtained of the Grand Lodge to remove said lodge to the borough of West Chester.

The following lists show the names and time of service of the Masters, and the names of the members :

John Smith, Dec. 1790, to June, 1800 ; John G. Bull, June, 1800, to Dec. 1801; Marmaduke Pearce, Dec. 1801, to Dee. 1802; John Rowland, Dec. 1802, to June, 1803 ; Cromwell Pearce, June, 1803, to Dec. 1803; John G. Bull, Dec. 1803, to Dec. 1804 ; John Lindsay, Dec. 1804, to Dec. 1805 ; Joseph Pearce, Dec. 1805, to June, 1806; Isaac Darlington, June, 1806, to Dec. 1806; John E. Porter, Dec. 1806, to June, 1807 ; Samuel Osborne, June, 1807, to Dec. 1807 ; Ephraim Buffington, Dec. 1807, to June, 1808; John Duer, Jr., June, 1808, to Dec. 1808 ; Isaac Darlington, Dec. 1808, to Dec. 1810; Caleb Bradley, Dec. 1810, to Dec. 1811 ; Isaac Darlington, Dec. 1811, to Dec. 1812 ; Isaac Tussey, Jr., Dec. 1812, to Dec. 1813; William Darlington, Dec. 1813, to Dec. 1815; Samson Babb, Dec. 1817, to Dec. 1818; Joel C. Bailey, Dec. 1818, to Dec. 1819; Thomas Darlington, Dec. 1819, to Dec. 1820; John Hall, Dec. 1820, to Dec. 1821; John Jefferis, Dec. 1821, to Dec. 1822; Horatio T. Jefferis, Dec. 1822, to Dec. 1823; S. C. Jefferis, Dec. 1823, to Dec. 1824 ; Samson Babb, Dec. 1825, to Dec. 1827; Jesse Conard, Dec. 1827, to Dec. 1829 ; Samson Babb, Dec. 1829, to Dec. 1831 ; George W. Hall, Dec. 1831, to Dec. 1832 ; Wilmer Worthington, Dec. 1832, to Dec. 1834 ; James B. Jefferis, Dec. 1834.

List of Members.*—John Bartholomew, John Christie, Thomas Cummins, John Davis, John Davis (2d), Persifor Frazer, Ezekiel Howell, Joseph McClellan, Cromwell Pearce, Arthur Rice, Thomas Ross, John Smith, David S. Andrews, James Adie, Jacob D. Atkinson, William Atkins, Robert Allison, Richard Budder, James Bones, Stephen Bowers, James D. Bernard, Joshua Baldwin, El-liana W. Benner, Jeremiah Baily, W. H. Brown, Nathan H. Baker, W. W. Baker, Gilpin Bennet, Joseph Brinton, John Bat-tin, Richard Barnard, Levi Baldwin, Samuel Belladeau, Marshall Battin, John Burns, Daniel Buckwalter, Nathan S. Burnett, John H. Coates, Daniel Crouse, John D. Curran, Richard Cox, Joshua H. Cox, Whitson Cooper, David Carr, Emmor Carter, Jos. Carter, David Chandler, Chas. Dilworth, Samuel Davis, John Dowling, Win. Davis, William Davis (2d), Samuel Downing, David Dickey, William H. Dillingham, Joseph Dowdall, Plumr. Edwards, Jesse Evans, Robert Frazer, Henry Fleming, Jos. F. Fleming, G. A. Fairlamb, Jonathan Gause, Jacob Humphreys, Joseph Hemphill, Washington Hannum, Wills Hemphill, Daniel Heister, George Hartman, James Hollis, William Harris, Nathan hayes, Samuel Hall (or Hale), Townsend Haines, Jabez Howes, Benjamin Hickman, Caleb Harlan, Elisha Ingram, Lewis Iddings, Joseph Jackson, Joseph Jones, Thomas II. B. Jacobs, Levi Jackson, Abijah Jackson, Hiram Jones, Philip John, Benjamin Jefferis, John Keylor, Thomas Lindsey, J. M. Lewis, Daniel Mosey, Jno. McFarland, David Moody, Abner Miller, Vincent C. Marshall, Moses McCloskey, Major MacVeagh, Jesse K. Marshall, George Mills, Samuel Mullen, Rufus T. Martin, John Morris, Joseph Marshall, Abraham Marshall, Jr., Charles Miner, Jesse McCall, David Marshall, Jacob Minster, William McWilliams, Eli McElhaney, Jacob Neiler, Thomas Nields, George Norman, Joseph Osborne, Anthony W. Olwine, Evan.Pugh, Edward Pearce, Evan Phillips, Ziba Pyle, Lea Pusey, Charles W. Parish, Cromwell Pearce, Jr., Thos. Parke, John Quinn, J. H. Quinn, Jesse Roberts, Rich. Robinson, John Robinson, Jacob Righter, John Ross, John Smith, John Shippen, Conrad Sherer, Edward Biter, Thomas Seal, Thomas Sweeney, Caleb Strode, Olof Stromberg, Abel Thomas, Thomas Taylor, John Taylor, John Trimble, Nathan W. Townsend, John Taylor, Jr., Isaac Trimble, Oreb Taylor, Isaac Taylor, Maris Taylor, Isaac Tussey, William Taylor, Joseph Vernon, Dennis Whelen, Charles Willing, John Worthington, William Worthing-

* The first twelve names of this list were the charter members.

396 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

ton, Emmor T. Weaver, William Williamson, Jos. Wilkinson, Thomas Wise, Job Wickersham, Taylor Winterbottom, David Yearsley.

The lodge met for many years (perhaps always after 1807) in a room over the prothonotary's office, in a building erected in 1791, on the southeast corner of the present court-house yard, and removed in 1847. Aug. 12, 1826, is the first meeting of which there is any minute. At that date a resolution was passed to purchase the lot of Jesse Conant, on the corner of High and South Streets, for $700, the said Jesse Conard to subscribe $50 towards the building of a hall. Jan. 13, 1827, a deed of trust for the lot was made to Isaac Trimble, Thomas Darlington, and Horatio T. Jefferis, trustees, etc., and plans prepared for a hall, but they did not erect it, and in the spring of 1829 the lot was sold by direction of the lodge, probably owing to the fast-decreasing membership and consequently depleted treasury. In January, 1835, the treasurer was directed to dispose of the railroad stock belonging to the lodge, which he did ; and in May he was directed to pay to the treasurer of the Chester County Cabinet of Natural Sciences the sum of $200, to be applied towards the purchase of a set of chemical and philosophical apparatus. Sept. 20, 1835, the lodge suspended for two years, and June 18, 1838, surrendered its charter to the Grand Lodge. Its return to the grand body in 1835 showed 14 members, all in good standing, viz. :

T. H. B. Jacobs, West Whiteland ; J. B. Jefferis, Thornbury; Isaac Trimble, Samson Babb, John Battin, Joseph Dowdall, West Bradford ; John Hall, H. T. Jefferis, Thomas Sweeney, Jesse Conard, Wilmer Worthington, M.D., West Chester; Abijah Jackson, Kennet; Geo. W. Hall, East Goshen; and Isaac Tussey, residence not given.

The life of Lodge No. 50 was well spent, and the good done will long outlive its remembrance. A perusal of the names of its members will be interesting to many of our older citizens, as it will bring to mind many prominent characters of their acquaintance a half-century ago. For the history of Masonry up to this point we are indebted to C. H. Hannum, Esq.

PHOENIX LODGE, No. 75.

This lodge was instituted in 1798. The warrant was made out March 5th, in the name of John Church, Master ; John Worthington, Senior Warden ; and Jesse Roberts, Junior Warden. March 12th the first officers were installed, being those named in the warrant and Issacher Pugh, Treasurer, and John Smith, Secretary. The lodge-room was situated over Samuel Townsend's store, in Pugh-town, and its owner, S. Townsend, was the first Mason made in the lodge, the early meetings of which were regular, interesting, and well attended. It continued to work in harmony and increase of membership until 1811, when the approaching conflict of arms -absorbed much of the interest of the community, and the meetings became less frequent, and a general apathy prevailed in the lodge. In November, 1814, the place of meeting was changed from Pughtown to the " General Pike Hotel," in Charlestown township, one mile west of Phoenixville, at which place the first officers installed were the following : Lewis Wernwag, W. M. ; Lewis Townsend, S. W. ; Hugh Strickland, J. W. ; John Morgan, Treas. ; Charles Mowrey, Sec.

The lodge increased in numbers and efficiency until 1832. April 30, 1836, the lodge resolved to surrender its charter. The warrants, books, papers, etc., of the lodge remained in possession of the Grand Lodge until Feb. 1, 1847. In January, 1847, Major MacVeagh, George C. Nichols, John Vanderslice, and others sent a petition to the R. W. G. M., praying to have the warrant restored. February 1st the lodge was opened, in Major MacVeagh's hotel, " mine host" Mr. MacVeagh being installed Worshipful Master. Phoenix Lodge again set to work, and entered upon a long career of usefulness in the community. In the winter of 186667 were inaugurated efforts to form a Masonic association and to build a hall. The hall was completed, the lodge-room elaborately furnished, and dedicated Nov. 1, 1869.

From March 12, 1798, to Dec. 27, 1880, there joined this lodge 50 by card and 431 by initiation,-total, 481. During the same time the lodge lost in membership, by withdrawal, etc., 166, and by death 163, leaving at the last-named date 152 members in good standing.

The names of the successive Masters, with the dates of the commencement of their terms of office, are as follows :

Capt. Thos. Church, March 12, 1798; John Worthington, July 21, 1798; Jesse Roberts, Dec. 15, 1798; Capt. Thos. Church, June 15, 1799; Samuel Townsend, July 19, 1800; Hugh Strickland, May 15, 1802; Patrick McCandridge, Dec. 18, 1802; Emmor Bradley, June 18, 1803; George Hoffman, Sept. 17. 1803; Robert Britt, Dec. 17, 1803; Caleb Townsend, Juno 6, 1804; George Strickland, Dee. 15, 1804; Thomas Evans, June 15, 1805; Caleb Jones, June 21, 1806; Lewis Wernwag, Dec. 14, 1814; Nathan II. Smith, June 8, 1816; John Morgan, Nov. 30, 1816; Joseph P. Shannon, Dec. 20, 1817.*

Samuel P. Norton, 1818; Maj. MacVeagh, 1819; Matthias Penny-packer, 1820; Saml. P. Norton, 1821; Jonathan Thomas, 1824; John Morgan, 1825; Ellis Lewis, 1826; Samuel Shearer, 1827; *Isaac Z. Coffman, 1828; James White, 1829; Isaac Z. Coffman, 1830; Maj. MacVeagh, 1847; Geo. C. Nichols, 1848; Samuel A. Whitaker, 1849; Nathan T. MacVeagh, 1850; John J. Rush, 1851; a John Vanderslice, 1852 ; a George Walters, 1853; * John R. Dobson, 1854; Samuel Hunsicker, 1855; *Nathan B. Broomall, 1856; * John D. Jenkins, 1857; Lavington Quick, 1858; * Addison S. Vanderslice, 1859; *Ernest Knapp, 1860; a Levi B. Kaler, 1861; Levi* Oberholtzer, 1862 ; * Isaac Clegg, 1863 ; Geo. W. Fronefield, 1864; * John R. Caswell, 1865; *Joseph Dobson, 1866; * James Brownback [Jan.], 1868; * Samuel Diemer, 1868; *Joseph Morgan, Jr., 1869; *Reuben Franklin, 1870; * Robert Macadam, 1871 ; * William H. Clegg, 1872; *Vosburg N. Shaffer, 1873; *Jeremiah Binder, 1874; *Wm. Marshall, 1875; * John S. Shearer, 1876; * Peter G. Carey, 1878; * John Robb, 1879; *Charles Hollman, 1880.

Of the 59 Masters above given, 26 (those marked by an asterisk) are living. The principal officers of the lodge at the present time, elected Dec. 28, 1880, are :

Charles Hollman, Master; Reinhard S. Keelor, Senior Warden ; Samuel R. March, Junior Warden ; John Vanderslice, Treasurer ; Joseph Dobson, Secretary.

To the last-named gentleman we are indebted for the facts contained in this sketch of Lodge No. 75.

* Semi-annual elections prevailed in the early days, but after 1816 they were holden annually, which custom continues. As they have been held, with one exception, in the month of December, we omit from this point onward naming the month, simply giving the year.

THE MASONIC ORDER - 397

WILLIAMSON LODGE, No. 309.

In 1820 a lodge of the order of Ancient York Masons was instituted in Downingtown, and under its ownership was built the substantial house now the rectory of St. James' Church. Here the mysterious rites were performed for some years, but under the overwhelming anti-Masonic excitement of 1827-30 the society ceased to exist, and the property, though known afterwards for many years as " Masonic Hall," had passed into other hands and uses.

Nov. 27, 1857, " Williamson Lodge, No. 309, A. Y. M.," was instituted. The charter members were Horace A. Beale, Rev. P. Brown Morrison, R. D. Wells, Dr. W. D.- Downing, Samuel Black, J. Bruner Evans, Isaac McClure, Jesse C. Jones.

There have been admitted into membership since organization 184, of which number there have withdrawn or deceased 94, leaving a present membership (1876) of 98.

The Masonic Hall, opposite the Pennsylvania Railroad depot, was built 1869-70, and dedicated June 24, 1870.

WEST CHESTER LODGE, No. 322.

This was the first lodge chartered in the jurisdiction of Lodge No. 50, after the dissolution of the:last-named body. Its charter—made out in the names of John P. Jefferis, W. M. ; Abraham Baily, S. W.; and Joseph Dowdall, J. W.—bears date of March. 1, 1858. Its charter members were those already named, with Thomas H. B. Jacobs, Amos Speakman, Benjamin Hickman, Alexander Holton, and Isaac Trimble. Of these, Brothers Dowdall, Jacobs, Hickman, and Trimble were members of No. 50. The Past Masters of this lodge are shown in the following list, the dates being that of their election as Master :

John P. Jefferis, July 20, 1858, re-elected Nov. 29, 1858; John J. Pinkerton, 1859; James Givin, 1860; William D. Hartman, 1861 ; Joseph S. Evans, 1862-64; Walter Hibbard, Jr., 1865; William T. Haines, 1866; Nimrod Strickland, Jr., 1867 ; Charles Fairlamb, 1868; Charles P. Hewes, 1869; D. Todd Jones, 1870; William M. Hayes, 1871; George F. Smith, 1872; William B. Brinton, 1873; William H. Morgan, 1874; Frank Graff, 1875; William W. Heed, 1876; Norris T. Smith, 1877; Henry C. Baldwin, 1878; A. M. Kinnard, 1879; James H. Naylor, 1880.

The principal officers for the current year, elected Dec. 13, 1880, are

James H. Naylor, W. M.; Abraham Wanger, S. W.; Alexander A. Parker, J. W.; Paul F. Whitehead, Treas.; Jacob H. Darlington, Sec.; Henry C. Baldwin, Charles Fairlamb, R. J. Monaghan, Trustees.

The lodge first met in the third story of David Fuld's building, on Gay Street, between High and Church, but -early in 1860 removed to new quarters on Church Street, over the Record office. In 1868 they took possession of their present apartments over the post-office. The regalias of the late Judge Isaac Darlington, Thomas Sweeney, and Olof Stromberg, members of No. 50, and that of Gen. I. D. Barnard, were some time since presented to Lodge No. 322, and framed. Beyond the relationship existing between No. 322 and No. 50 (despite a lapse of twenty years), her past life contains but few incidents of historical importance. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, and among her 89 members we find enrolled many of our influential citizens.

THOMSON LODGE, No. 340.

This lodge was constituted June 4, 1860. The charter members were

Frank Rieser, M.D., William H. Gunkle, M.D., Archimedes Robb, Francis S. Fiss, Elijah G. Hipple, Jesse M. Hippie, and Richard R. Darlington. The officers appointed and installed at the organization were Frank Rieser, M.D., W. M.; William H. Gunkle, M.D., S. W.; Archimedes Robb, J. W.

The lodge was organized at Garrett's Siding, now Frazer Station, in East Whiteland township, in a hall the property of Francis S. Fiss.

Feb. 12, 1877, the lodge purchased of the administrator of the estate of John D. Phillips .a property on the Lancaster pike, in Willistown township, near Green. Tree, for the sum of $4000. The building was altered and remodeled at an expense of $1800, which new hall was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies by the R. W. and the G. officers, Oct. 17, 1877, Robert Clark, Esq., Grand Master.

The lodge at this date (A. L. 5881) has 112 members. The present officers are Barclay Lear, W. M. ; Robert B. Carey, M.D., S. W. ; Thomas Bowker, J. W. ; Norris Hibberd, Treas. ; J. Frank Gunkle, Sec. The Past Masters of the lodge are as follows :

Frank Rieser, M.D., William H. Gunkle, M.D. (deceased), Archimedes Robb (deceased), Francis S. Fiss, G. Washington Gunkle, I. Heston Todd, J. Morton Davis, John Kimes, J. Frank Gunkle, Emmor G. Griffith, John G. Thomas, M.D., Joseph F. Hill, Phineas Garrett, H. Morgan Ruth, John R. Hoskins, M.D., George II. Hoopes, Samuel Fetters, Michael M. Gunkle, Marshall II. Matlack, Charles G. Webb.

SKERRETT LODGE, No. 343.

This lodge is located in Cochranville, and meets in the Cochranville Hall, on Tuesday evening on or before each full moon. It was constituted by "the Grand Master, Dr. David C. Skerrett, and the other grand officers in their several stations and places, July .10, 1862, in Masonic Hall, Philadelphia, by virtue of a warrant granted by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, June 16, 1862. The petitioners for the warrant were Robert L. McClellan, John Gilfillan, John C. Morgan, Joseph Jefferis, John Henniss, William A. Patrick, Amos Speakman, Dr. James P. Andrews, Henry M. Rawlins, and Maris T. Jefferis. Upon its constitution the following persons were installed as its first officers : Robert 14, McClellan, W. M. ; John .Gilfillan, S. W. ; John C. Morgan, J. W. ; John Henniss, Treas. ; and Joseph Jefferis, Sec. Its officers for 1881 are John R. Watkins, W. M. ; George Y. Wilson, S. W. ; John D. Andrews, J. W. ; David H. Cochran, Treas. ; and Dr. Robert L. McClellan, Sec. Its Past Masters are

Dr. Robert L. McClellan, John Gilfillan, Samuel H. Dillin, Joseph Jefferis, Rev. J. T. Umstead, Dr. William C. Morrison, Frederick S. Albright, David Y. Wilson, Robert H. Henniss, Dr. J. Willis Houston, J. Agnew Irwin, Lewis M. Reynolds, Jesse C. Dickey, G. M. D. Hunter, Tho. P. Hambleton, John Hershberger, and Charles H. Hartshorne.

The lodge has 111 members. Since its organization it has dispensed a considerable amount in charity, and now has $3000 invested and in its treasury.

KENNET LODGE, No. 475.

Kennet Lodge was constituted July 7, 1870, under a warrant issued June 1, 1870. Number of charter mem-

398 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

bers, 17 ; number of present members, 84. The Past Masters of the lodge are

Samuel Hershberger (deceased), from constitution to January, 1872; J. Kilgore, 18,72 ; George B. Sharp, 1873 ; J. M. Phillips, 1874 ; Jesse Burford (deceased), 1875; Joseph H. Bally, 1876; Chalkley V. Steward (deceased), 1877; Thompson Richards, 1878; George W. Miller, 1879 ; David B. Pyle, 1880.

The present officers are Nathan M. Garrett, W. M. ; James G. Parker, S. W. ; Francis Windle, J. W. ; William H. Miles, Treas. ; Thomas T. Worrall, Sec. ; J. Milton Smith, J. M. Phillips, Thompson Richards, Trustees.

The lodge meets in the upper story of the Borough Hall, Kennet Square, Thursday evenings on or before the full moon of each month.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS.

WEST CHESTER LODGE, No. 42,

was opened by Grand Master Skinner. The charter was dated Sept. 26, 1831. The lodge on the 28th March, 1832, purchased from Samson Babb a lot on Church Street, between Market and Gay, and erected thereon a building now occupied by the Village .Record office, Kervey's drugstore, and Hill's jewelry-store. The building committee were Abraham Marshall, Robert Ferguson, John T. Haines, Lewis W. Williams, and William Adle. The enterprise was not prosperous, and the property was sold by the sheriff in 1834, and soon thereafter the lodge dissolved.

A few years later the order began to revive in Chester County, and during subsequent years a number of lodges were instituted. Of these twenty-one still survive, and are mostly in a prosperous condition. The following is a brief mention of the several existant organizations :

STAR OF HOPE LODGE, No. 199,

meets in Coatesville ; was instituted Nov. 11, 1846, in the " Peggy Bann" tavern, in the village of Youngsburg. The first officers were John Turner, Noble Grand ; William Rudolph, Vice Grand ; Thomas Martin, Sec. ; James Jackson, Asst. Sec. ; John Marsh, Treas. At the meeting of institution 14 persons joined the lodge, and since then over 500 have been added to the list of members. Among those who have taken an active part in the affairs of the lodge are Thomas Martin, John Marsh, Richard Hampton, Dr. R. L. McClellan, J. D. Vallentine, J. B. Smithson, John A. Maitland, Samuel Greenwood, M. C. Walker, Robert Fairlamb, John Dyson, William J. Kauffman, and Hugh Kenworthy. The lodge has a present membership of 102, and $5500 invested. The present officers are E. Plumer Gilfillan, N. G. ; Benjamin F. Yeoman, V. G. ; John T. Gay, Sec. ; Thomas Peace, Asst. Sec. ; Hugh Kenworthy, Treas. ; Samuel Greenwood, Rep. to Grand Lodge.

PHOENIX LODGE, No. 212,

meets at Phoenixville ; charter granted Dec. 21, 1846, and lodge instituted Jan. 27, 1847, with following officers : Nathan B. Broomall, N. G. ; Samuel Kreamer, V.. G. ; Aquilla Robinson, Sec. ; and Nathan T. MacVeagh, Treas. Has a membership of 145, and $5300 invested. The present officers are James Murray, N. G. ; William Boyd, V. G. ; Samuel Elder, A. S. ; John R. Dobson, Sec. ; D. W. Brown, Treas. and John W. Batt, Rep. to Grand Lodge.

PAOLI LODGE, No. 290,

located at Howeltown, Chester Valley, meets over Beitler's store. Has a membership of 70, and an invested fund of $1850. The present officers are John F. Roberts, N. G. C. Elwood Gill, V. G. ; Sylvester Tyson, A. S. ; Eugene Rapp, Sec. ; George Jacobs, Jr., Treas. ; and Edward Pavitt, Rep. to Grand Lodge.

POCAHONTAS LODGE, No. 316,

located at West Chester, was instituted June 19, 1848, with the following officers : Dr. Ellwood P. Worrall, N. G. ; Henry P. McClellan, V. G. ; John Hodgson, Sec. ; Frederick Walters, A. S. ; and George F. Worrall, Treas. In 1871 the lodge purchased Cabinet Hall, on Church Street, and remodeled the building, in the third story of which the lodge meets weekly on Thursday evenings. April 21, 1872, the lodge-room was dedicated by the Grand Lodge officers. Since its organization 425 persons have joined the lodge, which has a present membership of 129. The officers of the lodge now are James Stark, N. G. ; Henry C. Reagan, V. G.; William W. Heed, Seca; Horace G. Branson, A. S. ; and A. Wanger, Treas. and Rep. to Grand Lodge.

FAIRVIEW LODGE, No. 324,

is located at Oxford ; was instituted July 31, 1848, at Mount Vernon. The first officers were Thomas S. Dickey, N. G. ; John McClurg, V. G.; Milton Wickersham, Sec. ; George G. Wilson, A. S. ; and Samuel N. Turner, Treas. Has a membership of 54. The present officers are James W. Brown, N. G. ; William K. Rumsey, V. G. ; John M. Moore, Sec. ; Charles Pickering, Treas. ; and D. L. McDonald, Rep. to Grand Lodge.

BANNER LODGE, No. 359,

meets in New London village ; was instituted April 16, 1849. The first officers were Joshua S. Gatchell, N. G. ; Horatio A. Hesson, V. G. ; William C. Henderson, Sec. ; Wallace A. Null, A. S. ; David R. Thomas, Treas. The lodge erected a story over the Methodist church in the village of New London, and under a lease are the owners of that part of the building. Has a present membership of 164, and $2000 invested as a relief fund. The present officers are William V. Walker, N. G. ; Amos. G. Scott, V. G. ; 'William W. Miller, Sec. ; Asa S. White, A. Sec. ; Ames Williamson, Treas. ; and Thomas N. Lissett, Rep. to Grand Lodge.

PUGHTOWN LODGE, No. 363,

is located in the village of Pughtown ; was instituted May 28, 1849. The first officers were David Gow, N. G. ; George Rea, V. G. ; George W. Brown, Sec, ; John Reagan, A. S. ; Henry Diffendarfer, Treas. The charter members were David Gow, George Rea, John Reagan, Henry Diffendarfer, Isaiah Guest, David Stubblebine, and Jacob Bertolett.

The present membership is 59 ; funds invested, $800. The present officers are Herman B. Hughes, N. G. ; Samuel B. Small, V. G. ; William H. Murray, Sec. ; Isaiah Guest, Treas. ; and Morgan Thomas, Rep. to Grand Lodge.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS - 399

OCTORARA LODGE, No. 370,

is located in the borough of Atglen. It was instituted Aug. 20, 1849. The first officers were James Reese, N. G. ; William Welch, V. G. ; John Morgan, Sec. ; Robert A. Johnson, A. S. ; and Charles S. Valentine, Treas.

The present membership is 77 ; has invested $6400. The present officers are J. P. Knight, N. G. ; B. F. Johnson, V. G. ; Charles Reese, Sec. ; George Ferree, A. S. ;

I. T. Wilde, Treas. ; and A. R Wilkinson, Rep. to Grand Lodge.

There also meets in the Odd-Fellows' lodge-room at Atglen " William Pitt Encampment, No. 104," which was instituted Jan. 13, 1851. The first officers were Caleb H. Kinnard, C. P. ; A. M. Rambo, H. P. Joshua L. Pyle, S. W. ; Joseph Arthurs, J. W. ; Marshall Altemus, Sec. ; G. Y. Wilson, Treas. ; David Bechtel, Guard.

CHATHAM LODGE, No. 384,

located in Chatham village, was instituted Jan. 21, 1850. The first officers were George L. Collins, N. G.; George Y. Wilson, V. G. ; Marshall Altemus, Sec. ; David Bechtel, Asst. Sec. ; George W. Duff, Treas. Has a present membership of 40, and an invested fund of $3300. The present officers are C. C. Speakman, N. G. ; H. W. Kinsey, V. G. ; Saml. W. Speakman, Sec. ; Jesse K. Reynolds, Asst. Sec. ; and J. C. Pontzler, Treas. and Rep. to Grand Lodge.

BRANDYWINE LODGE, No. 388,

is located at Downingtown. The present officers are James McClintock, N. G. ; John W. Daller, V. G. ; William McClintock, Sec. ; Samuel Black, Treas. ; and J. T. Carpenter, Rep. to Grand Lodge.

This lodge has a present membership of 80, and funds invested to the amount of $2500.

PATTERSON LODGE, No. 394,

is located in the village of Sadsburyville ; it was instituted Feb. 9, 1850. There were 20 charter members, of whom 4 still hold membership in the lodge. The present membership is 50 ; has invested $1200. The present officers are James A. Orr, N. G. ; John Root, V. G. ; Wilson E. Toland, Sec. ; William Armstrong, A. S. ; Eli Toland, Treas. ; and William Armstrong, Rep.

EASTERN STAR LODGE, No. 402,

located in the village of Unionville, was instituted May 7, 1850. The first •officers were William S. Collier, N. G.; Dr. Charles L. Seal, V. G. ; James Smith, Sec. ; C. Marshall Ingram, Asst. Sec. ; and Richard A. Marshall, Treas. The lodge has a present membership of 85, and funds invested for relief of its members, $2500. The present officers are William Wickersham, N. G. ; Thomas C. Gawthrop, V. G. ; George W. Love, Sec. ; I. Milton Smith, Asst. Sec. ; James Smith, Treas. ; and William Wickersham, Rep. to Grand Lodge.

SOCIAL FRIENDS' LODGE, No. 404,

located in the village of Honeybrook, was instituted April 9, 1850. First officers : William Wilson, N. G. ; William J. Gault, V. G. ; Albert Evans, Sec. ; Ezra Coates, Asst. Sec. ; Madison Irwin, Treas. Has a present membership of 75, and fund invested, $2500. The present officers are James McElhaney, N. G. ; Ezra Coates, Sec. ; William Lewis, Asst. Sec. ; and John Keppel, Treas.

IVANHOE LODGE, No. 432,

located in the village of Sugartown, was instituted June 7, 1851, with the following officers : Nathan Garrett, N. G. ; Archimedes Robb, V. G. ; Sharpless Worrall, Sec. ; Davis B. Cochran, Asst. Sec. ; George Kirk, Treas. Has a present membership of 67, and an invested fund of $3000. The officers now are I. E. Dutton, N. G. ; Matthew Rambo, V. G. ; K. W. Rogers, Seca; John G. Steele, Asst. Sec. ; Sharpless Worrall, Treas.

HEBRON LODGE, No. 437,

is located in Cochranville, and meets every Saturday evening in the Cochranville Hall. It was constituted July 8, 1851. The petitioners for the charter were William Rhoades, Henry Burt, John Henniss, Joseph Gilmer, Past Grand Robert L. McClellan, Samuel Freeland, David F. Welch, Past Grand Andrew J. Gibson, James M. Reece, William Welch, James B. Gibson, David Bicking, Edward Bicking, John Allen, John Gilfillan, George W. Iliff, James A. Kendall, Jeremiah Walton, Past Grand H. A. Hesson, B. W. Horton, William H. McBride, John B. Snead, and William Stone. June 10, 1851, the charter was granted. The following were the first officers, viz. : Henry Burt, N. G. ; John Gilfillan, V. G. ; Joseph Gilmar, Sec. ; P. G. Robert L. McClellan, Asst. Sec. ; and H. A. Hesson, Treas. The present officers are Edwin D. Robinson, N. G. ; Benjamin H. Holton, V. G. ; Thomas Martin, Sec. ; John S. Pennock, Asst. Sec. ; and Robert L. McClellan, Treas. It reports 87 members, and $7584.48 as invested and in its treasury.

PILGRIM'S LODGE, No. 455,

located in the village of Lionville, was instituted Sept. 11, 1851, with the following officers : Thomas L. Saving N. G. ; Jacob Acker, V. G. ; Charles F. Brown, Sec. ; George C. Stiteler, Asst. Sec. ; Oliver D. Brownback, Treas. It has a present membership of 72, and fund invested, $5000. The present officers are H. S. Lightfoot, N. G. ; Daniel Keeley, V. G.; Joseph J. Morris, Sec. ; John W. Temple, Treas.

VALLEY FORGE LODGE, No. 459,

located in the village of Valley Forge, was instituted May 13, 1875, with the following officers: M. W. Thomas, N. G. ; J. Walker Williams, V. G.; Isaac W. Smith, Sec. ; Jones V. 'Bean, Asst. Sec. ; B. Frank Williams, Treas. It has a present membership of 39, and funds invested of $500. Ilse present officers are Alexander Laughlin, N. G. ; John L. Hartenstine, V. G. ; J. C. Raudenbush, Asst. Sec. ; B. R. Thomas, Sec. ; J. W. Smith, Treas. ; and Isaac J. Nichols, Rep. to Grand Lodge.

ACADEMY LODGE, No. 502,

located at Frazer, was instituted on Feb. 20, 1854, by D. D. G. M. Dr. William D. Hartman, with the following officers: Crumwell Pearce, N. G. ; Francis S. Fiss, V. G. ; Joseph H. Black, Sec. ; Jesse M. Hippel, Asst. Sec. ; and John Pearce, Treas. The present membership is 47, and funds invested, $2000. The present officers are J. B. Wolf, N. G. ;