TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS, ETC. - 209
TAXABLES IN 1753.
Edwd Goff, Jno McClure, Jno Lewis, Jno Phips, David Davis, Clement Rigg, Jos Wilkinson, Jno
Vaughan, Jos Phipps, Junr, David Owen, Jonathan Pugh, Isaac Lewis, Junr, Isaac Lewis, Senr,
Jos Jackson, Thos Thomas, Jno Bowen, Evan Jones, Robert McClure, JO Reese, Jas Benson, Jno
Sherridan, Jno Benson, W.. Benson, Jno Jenkins, David Evans, Wm Scarf, Noble Butler, Alexr
Ramsey, Griffith John, Da& John, Jos Phipps, Seer, Robt Allison, Jonathan Evans, Wm Denny,
David Phillip, Phillip Davis, Humphrey Lloyd, Jno Jacobs, Ruth Roberts, Jas McClure, Evan
Thomas, Thos Guest, Wm Poor, Jas Talbert, Jno Bell, David Roberts, Junr, David Roberts, Senr,
Thos Wilson, Andrew Wilson, Benj. Elliot, David Thomas, Jno Bell, Cadwalader Jones, Enoch
Meredith, Nathan Cadwalader, Jas Reese, Thos Evans, Thos Martin, Archibd McHenery, Eliza
Davis, Nathan Phipps, Jno McCord, Morris Reese, Jno Smith, Robert Beaty.
Inmates.—Robt William, Abraham Griffith, Wm Nowland, Jas John, Richard Evans, Henery
Boyl, Jno Ingram, Jas Ruly, Jas Hicky, Jas Pollick, Frederick M'Cashey, Alexr Kenny.
Freemen.—Abel John, Thos Wright, Hugh O'Neal, Enoch Butler, Richd Bradley.
LAND-OWNERS, 1774.
William Denney, Joseph McClure, John McClure, Richard Evans, Robert Carson, John Lewis,
John Evans, Matthias Keely, Wm. Mill-house, Miles Davis, Robert Alison, Charles Reede, Wm.
Byers, Eliazer Evans, Peter Wills, Thomas Guest, David Pugh, William Owen, Joseph Philips,
Wm. Dillins, John Smith, Robert Smith, Ruth Roberts, Robert Beaty, Robert Beaty, Jr., David
Beaty, Jacob Moses, John Whelan, Israel Whelan, Daniel Evans, William Butler, Noble and
Benjamin Butler, Enoch Butler, John Buler, David Lloyd, James Packer, John Benson, Jr., James
Benson, James Benson, Jr., John Miles, William Griffith, Stephen Philips, Joseph Bentley, Thos.
Evans, William Hiddings, Christian Treat, Jacob Neeler, Dennis Whelan, John Young, David
Philips, James Adams, Elizabeth Davis, Evan Jones, John Philips, Thomas Thomas, Jacob
Haines, Christian King, Cadwalader Jones, Samuel Bond, Samuel Griffith, Reuben John, Daniel
John, Griffith John, George Phipps, Aaron Phipps, John Phipps, Jonathan Phipps, Peter
Ashifeler, Jonathan McVeagh, Dugal Cameron, Rief Gatlive, Jacob Tianey, Thomas Martin,
John Hoskins, Richard Thomas, David Owen, David Davis, Robt. McMinn, David Evans,
Edward Owen, Richard Downing, Isaac Lewis, Esther Crosby, David Evans, Jr.
VALLEY.
Valley township was formed in 1852, by decree of court, from parts of the townships of West
CaIn, West Brandywine, East Caln, and Sadsbury, the larger part of its territory being taken from
the last two townships, with the village of Coatesville in about the centre of it. It was reduced in
size first by the incorporation of the borough of Coatesville in 1867, and next by the erection of
the new township of Caln in 1868, which latter included all of Valley township east of
Coatesville. The township is now only about one-half of its original size.
EAST VINCENT AND WEST VINCENT.
On Holme's " Map of the Improved Parts of Pennsylvania," constructed by Thomas Holme,
surveyor-general of William Penn,—the earliest map of the province,—the territory now
constituting the Vincents is given in the names of " Sr Mathias Vincent, Adrian Vrouzen, Benja
Furloy, Doctr Daniel Cox." It appears that Benjohan Furly, of Rotterdam, in Holland, as agent for
William Penn, on March 7, 1682, conveyed 5000 acres of land in Pennsylvania to Burgomaster
Adrian Vroesen, of the same place, who on June 10, 1704, conveyed the same lands to Benjohan
Furly, merchant, son of the first named. By letters from Furly to Thomas Penn, as late as 1736, it
seems that nothing had been done towards a confirmation
- 27 -
of the land to him, but he expresses a hope that it will be laid out in the best part of the grant of
30,000 acres made in 1687.
From an original document in the possession of Dr. George Smith, author of the " History of
Delaware County," the following is taken
Nov. 22, 1686, Dr. Daniel Coxe, of London, being seized of a tract of 10,000 acres in
Pennsylvania, lying between two rivers, now called Vincent river and Skulkill river, ordered the
same to be divided into two equal parts, on one of which, containing 5000 acres, several families
are already planted. From the remaining 5000 acres he now grants to John Clapp, of the province
of Carolina., in America, gentleman, 1000 acres, one-tenth of which was to lie on Skulkill river,
paying to the said Coxe a grain of corn yearly for the first six years, and afterwards the yearly rent
of £4 6s.
This deed does not appear to have been executed, but it gives some historical facts. Dr. Coxe was
largely interested in West New Jersey lands, and was at one time Governor of that colony. In
1691 he conveyed to an association styled " The West New Jersey Society," among other lands,
10,000 acres in Chester County, which he had purchased from William Penn by deed of April 20,
1686.
William Penn also sold to Maj. Robert Thompson, of Newington Green, in the county of
Middlesex, England, 10,000 acres in Pennsylvania, April 20, 1686, which land was to be set out
and divided into two several townships, which were to lie contiguous, and to be seated with ten
families apiece within twelve months next ensuing the date of' sale. Robert Thompson, by will
dated April 14, 1691, entailed the land. We next find deeds of lease and release, June 29 and 30,
1775, from Robert Thompson, Esq., of Elsham, in Lincolnshire, only brother of William
Thompson, Esq. (who died without issue), eldest son of William Thompson, Esq., only son of
William Thompson, late of Hackney, in Middlesex, Esq., eldest son of Maj. Robert Thompson,
aforesaid, to Joseph Reed, Esq., Thomas Willing, Esq., and Robert Morris, Esq., all of
Philadelphia, for the above 10,000 acres. The price paid for this was £5500. Dec. 10, 1783,
Joseph Reed sold his interest to the other partners for £2000, and a patent was granted to Morris
and Willing, June 28, 1787, for 10,098 acres in Vincent, called " Westover." Morris sold out to
Willing, Dec. 1, 1789, for .E12,000. This patent covered the parts of East and West Vincent
adjoining Coventry. A patent was granted to the West New Jersey Society for the remainder of
the land in Vincent, or 10,0981 acres, Dec. 5, 1791.
Vincent townships were leased and settled much in the same manner as Pikeland, the settlers in
many instances taking leases with the reserved right of purchase. For a number of years the
improvements in these townships did not keep pace with those in other parts of' the county. The
houses were generally very inferior, and the progress of agriculture was slow. This general
indisposition to improvement was, in a large measure, owing to the nature of the tenures by
which much of the land was holden. The stimulus to active industry was wanting, but when the
tillers became the absolute owners of the soil the face of things was changed and wore a more
animating aspect ; improvements were rapidly made, and Vincent and Pikeland soon contained
an enterprising class of citizens.
210 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
After the land in Vincent became valuable, and considerable improvements had been made,
several claimants appeared, and there was a long litigation concerning the fee simple title before
it was finally adjusted.
The township derived its name from Sir Matthias Vincent, and the tracts of land constituting it
were for some time known as " Cox and company's 20,000 acres." French Creek, which passes
through the township, was originally called Vincent River, and retained that proud title for many
years.
Benjohan Furly, one of the original owners of the lands in Vincent township, was very intimate
with William Penn, and traveled much with him in Germany. He was a gentleman of
considerable estate, fine acquirements, and of such influence among the Germans as to induce
numbers of them to settle in Pennsylvania. William Penn was much pleased that a man of his
wealth, family, and character should take an interest in his new province.
The earliest inhabitants of the Vincents were supplanted by the Germans, who came at a
somewhat later date, and whose descendants, to a considerable extent, enjoy the lands of their
fathers. Among early settlers were the names of Ralston, Jenkins, Davis, Thomas, John and
Michael Paul, Gordon, Brombach, and Dennis Whelen. Garrett Brombach (now corrupted to
Brownback) established in this township the first tavern north of the Lancaster road, in a house of
rude construction, where he performed the duties of host for many years. He was a merry
German, and accumulated considerable means.
In 1738, according to a survey ordered by the court, Vincent township was bounded as follows :
northeast by Schuylkill River, northwest. by Nantmell and Coventry, southwest by Uwchlan, and
southeast by Joseph Pike's land. A draught of the township, made in 1773, shows who were then
seated on the boundaries, with a few who were inside. Bezalion's cave is noted, near the river,
opposite the lower end of the island near Spring City Parker's tavern and mill, in the northeast
corner, on the river Holman's mill, now the Royal Springs mill Baptist church near West
Pikeland, etc.
The township was divided into East Vincent and West Vincent in 1832. In 1844 the line between
South Coventry and East Vincent was established as it was supposed to have been originally run.,
The borough of Springville, on the Schuylkill River, was taken from the eastern part of East
Vincent township and incorporated by decree of court in 1867. In 1872 the name was changed to
Spring City.
The rate of 1724 was as follows :
Henry Kennell, 2s.; Garrett Brownback, 2s. 4d.; John Rode, 2s.; Peter Pickles, 2s. 4d.; Jasper
Acer, 2s. 4d.; Joseph Roger, 2s.; Thomas Loyd, 1s.; Owen Givin, 2s. 4d.; John Bound, 1s.; John
James, 4s. ; Theophilus Tho., 2s. 4d.; Tho. Phillipps, 1s.; Henry Griffith, 1s.; Griffith William,
1s.
" Vacand Land".—Joseph Pikes, £8 6s. 8d. ; Cox & com'ny, £16 13s. 4d.
In 1734, Richard Prichard petitioned the court, setting forth that he lived on what was known as
Pike's land, where he had rented a piece of land on the line of Charlestown, but had been
appointed constable for Vincent, from which he was distant four and a half miles. Being a poor
man with a large family, he, with many others, thought it " a very Great hardship To serve so
Great a Town as Vincent is and to be Sessed among them who have their settlements without any
Rent." A number of his Welsh neighbors substantiated his statements, but we do not know the
result.
In the year 1846 the late Frederick Sheeder prepared for the Pennsylvania Historical Society a
history of Vincent, which contains a great many matters of local interest.
TAXABLES IN 1753.
Philip Thomas, Rees Roberts, James Roberts, George Davis, Roger Martin, James Powell, Thos.
Rees, Henry Miller, Conrad Hass, Joseph Rogers, John Loyd, Henry Smith, George Yeager, John
Snider, Jacob Buzzard, Catharine Defrain, Peter Ash, Garratt Brownback, Michael Cypher,
Michael Holman, John Shundholder, Peter Stagger, Morgan Morgan, John Dodson, John Martin,
Thos. Curry, Thos. Morgan, John Lewis, Wm. Morgan, John Fitzimonns, Wm. Fullerton, John
Evan Jenkins, Mary Thomas, Roger McElwee, Sisley James, Theophilus Thomas, Robt.
Ralstone, James Duncan, John Potter, Morris Evan, Isaac Davis, John Thomas, David Boulton,
John Meredith, Thos Prowell, Joseph Cocks, Lawrence nipple, Abram Turner, Philip, Jacob, and
Adam Kipple,Windel Hendry, George Row (or Low), Henry Cochcnar, Edward Parker, Jacob
Shaver, Simon Shunk, William Hyme, Gaspcr Acher, Casper Hance, Richd Custard, Adam
Rotter, Michael Paul, John Paul, Willm Hatherlan, John James, James Mathers, Joseph Eddy,
George Wagley, Henry Titlow, John Adam Miller, John William, Humphrey Bell, Hugh Owen,
John Morgan, John Bateman, Owen Thomas, David Thomas, Owen Rogers, John Jenkins,
Abram Smith, Sarni Culbertson, Neal McCay, James Pugh, John Jenkins, Robert Courtney,
David Jenkins, Willm Bell, Michael Regon, John Roberts. Conrad Miller, Michael Dodson,
David Evans, John David (tailor), Frederick Bingaman, Lawrence" Loughran, John Baker, John
'Mager, John Willson, Christopher Roraback, Christian Wagaman, Christian Eberhard, Rees
Evans, Elinor Watkin, Hugh Williams, Philty Bymes, John James.
Freemen.—David Davis, John McCracken, Thos. Batman, Willm West, Frederick Buzzard,
Conrad Roach, Peter Paul, Phillip Houps, David Jenkins, Jehu Jenkins, Jamcs Fullerton, Robt.
Fullerton, James Ruddy.
LAND-OWNERS, 1774.
Philip Arndorf, Anthony Acre, Henry Acre, Paul Benard, John Bound, Wm. Barber, Henry
Benard, Henry Brumback, Benj'n Brumback, James Barber, Joseph Bosler, Henry Carl, Jacob
Cover, Felix Chrisman, Michael Cypher, William Cowan, Conrad Carl, Henry Chrisman, Peter
Defrain, John Dodson, David Davis, John David, George Deery, Henry Dasher, James Evans,
Rudolph Essex (Essig?), Christian Everhart, William Evans, David Evans, Wm. Eddy, George
Fitzsimmons, Jacob Ginther, Wm. Gordon, Nicholas Ground, Michael Holman, Casper limes,
Henry Hethery, John Hause, Lawrence Hipple, Joseph Hoskins, Jonas Hicks, Joseph Hancock,
Jacob Hoffman, James John, David Jenkin, John Jenkin, Sebastian Keely, Henry Knerr, John
Lloyd, Philip Miller, Henry Miller, Peter Miller, John McFarlan, Samuel Morris, Alexander
McAlister, John Adam, Enoch Meredith, Jacob Mawre (Mowry ?), John McCracken, John
Melchoir, John Meredith, John Olinger, John Philips, John Paul, Edward Parker, Henry Rhoades,
Robert Ralston, James Rogers, John Rhodes, Joseph Rodgers, George Row, John Shinholds,
Conrad Shimer, Simeon Shunk, Peter Steger, Hugh Strickland, Conrad Sharer, Conrad Shunk,
Frederick Slider, Casper Snider, Henry Sharadan, Owen Thomas, David Thomas, John Thomas,
Hazael Thomas, Abraham Turner, Jacob Vogdes, Ann Watkin, Thomas Wilson, Enoch Watkin,
John Young, George Yeager.
Appended to this list is one cntitled " Disputed Inhabitants," containing the following names :
Nicholas Kyser, Tacob Hetherlin, John James, John Munshower, Henry Titlow, Joseph Davis,
Rees Evans, Richard Evans, Morgan Morgan, Richard Evans, Peter Paul, Peter Mores and tenant,
James Taggart.
WALLACE.
This township was formed in 1852 by a division of West Nantmeal, and includes nearly the same
territory as the
TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS, ETC. - 211
old manor of Springton, or Springtown. It was named Springton at first, as was very appropriate.
The next year application was made to the Legislature by some who were dissatisfied with the
name, and, to quote the late Dr. Benjamin Griffith, " they had it changed to Wallace,—called, I
suppose, after an old Scotchman of the name of Robert Wallace, who used to own Mormon
Hollow," etc.
Some mention has already been made of the old manor, which contained finally 8313 acres, with
allowance of six per cent. for roads. The settlers thereon were almost entirely of the Scotch-Irish
stock, and as they did not get titles for the land for a long time, there was considerable trouble on
that head. They claimed that it was promised to them at the rate of forty-five pounds per hundred
acres, and in 1747 three of them—John Hamilton, Arthur Graham, and Thomas
Brown—deposed to that effect.
Feb. 17, 1747, Richard Peters writes to the proprietaries:
"Ejectments have been brought against Ten of the principal settlers on Springton Manor and at
the Instance of Mr. Francis, as well as the settlers, I have sent you Copies of Three Depositions
taken before Justice Flower, in support of which Arthur Graham produces James Steele's Receipt
Dated 3d April, 1739 for £20 in part for 20083 within the said Manor, and another Receipt in
1740 for £40. Francis Long likewise produces Mr. Steele's Reccipt for £10 Dated the 13th June
1739 in part for 150as within the said Manor. Gabriel Alexander likewise produces Mr. Steele's
Receipt for £10 Dated 13th June 1739 in part for 150.3 in the said Manor. Robert McConaghy
likewise produces Mr. Steele's Receipt Dated 3d April 1739 for £20 in part for 200as within the
said Manor. I have not brought ejectments against any Persons in possession of thesc Reccipts,
but all the Intruders think they will operate for them. The Depositions having put £45 V hundred
at random on all the Manor, good and bad one shou'd think their pretence will appear false and
foolish for all except those who producc Receipts, and as these do not mention that the land for
which Money was paid is to be at £45 hundred nor at any other Price, I dont know what they can
make of these Receipts. John Taylor is not to be trusted. The People look on him as their
evidence. He is very angry at being turncd out of the Commission •of the Peace, and I am afraid
his evidence will do mischief. Mr. Thomas Penn knows this whole affair, and tho he has in part
let me into it in his former letters, yet I humbly desire fuller informations. I suppose the Cause
must be remov'd to the Supreme Court and a special Jury be struck, and then the Proprietors will
I hope obtain Justice. The Land is in general most miserably abus'd and great waste committed,
tho' not of late, as the People were for some time uncertain whether they might not be allow'd to
purchase, and were under the Eye of William Hartley. I have searched the Minutcs of Property
and find no other entrys than these viz-
" '15th 1st mo. 1736-7.
" 'James Eldridge requests the Grant of 100.8 of Land within the Prop Manor of Springton
adjoining to his Land and the Land of George Claypoole. He James Eldridge says that one
Michael Graeme has made havock on the same by eutting and destroying the Timber &c. The
Proprietors is pleased to order this Request to he enter'd, & also that James Steele write to the
said Graeme to desist from making any further spoil &c.
" 8th June, 1737.
" 'Francis Long Requests the Grant of 150as Land in the Manor of Springton at the same rate as
Arthur Graham.'
"The persons ejected have been with me praying that I would write to the Prop to put a
reasonable price on cach man's Plantation according to the different quality of the Land, and such
as are able will make good Payments. They pray me to do this saying at the same time that they
must submit to the Proprietors, nor do they talk 'of standing Suit but beg hard that the Ejectment
may be continued at thcir Cost till they have oncc more tried whether you'll insist on their
coming into Leases for which they express as great aversion now as ever, or will allow them to
purchase their Farms at a reasonable rate. I gave them no answer, not knowing their' Temper nor
what they designed to do. If they stand suit on the strength of the Receipts and what is said in the
incloscd Depositions, as the cause must then be remov'd to the Supreme Court, I shall not chuse
to proceed to the Trial till I hear from you, or if they submit & shou'd be importunate with me to
suspend taking possession, & once more to entreat for them so much favour from you as to
permit them to purchase, I will in this Case be advised by Mr. Francis."
Among the prominent settlers were the families of Mackelduff, McFeeters, Alexander,
Henderson, Starrett, Mackey, and Kennedy.
So far as is known, but four physicians—Thomas Harris, Thomas Kennedy, Benjamin Griffith,
and Joseph T. Grier —have resided in the manor. The pure water, absence of marshes, and
elevation of between five and six hundred feet above tide-water have always rendered it
remarkably healthy.
In 1853 a small portion of Wallace was added to Uwchlan, and in 1860 the line next to East and
West Nantmeal was slightly changed.
WARWICK.
This township was formed by the division of East Nantmeal in 1842, and received its name from
Warwick Iron-Works, within its limits. Among the work done at an early period at Warwick
Furnace was the casting of what were popularly known as Franklin stoves," an invention of Dr.
Benjamin Franklin. Robert Grace, who married the widow of Samuel Nutt, Jr., had at this time
charge of the Warwick Furnace, and superintended the making of these stoves. Franklin, in his,
autobiography, relates the following :
" In order of time I should havc mentioncd before that having in 1742 invented an open fireplace
for the bettcr warming of rooms, and at the same time saving fuel, as the fresh air admitted was
warmed in entering, I made a prcsent of the model to Robert Grace, one of my early friends, who,
having an iron furnace, found the casting of the plates for these stoves a profitable thing, as they
were growing in demand."
The older people of this county will remember these Franklin stoves, which at one time were
common in the better class of houses. They are now very rarely to be met with, but the curious
reader will find a design of one given in Lossing's " Field-Book of the Revolution," vol. i. page
328. Those made at Warwick had the words " Warwick Furnace" cast on the front plate in large
letters.
During the Revolutionary war the Warwick Furnace was in constant operation for the
government, and large quantities of cannon and cannon-balls were cast. Several cannon which
did not stand the test are, it is said, to be seen half sunk in the bank of French Creek. The
American army, a few days after the battle of Brandywine, retired from the neighborhood of
Goshen Friends' meetinghouse, where an expected battle was prevented by a rainstorm, to
Warwick Furnace, where they procured a fresh supply of ammunition. In 1857 these furnaces
produced 759 tons of boiler-plate iron from the ore of the neighboring mines. Warwick Furnace,
and the lands belonging to it, granted in 1718 to Samuel Nutt, have never been out of the family.
They have been in the ownership of the Potts family, who are descendants of the original
proprietors, for over a century, by one of whom, David Potts, Jr., they were carried on
successfully for more than fifty years.
212 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
In 1860 the line between East and West Nantmeal and Wallace was slightly changed, and East
Nantmeal was altered at its western end, adding a part of -Warwick to East Nantmeal. These
townships, which in former years were far removed from railroad facilities, are now well
supplied in that respect by the Wilmington and Northern and the East Brandywine railroads.
The French Creek branch of the Wilmington and Northern road, lately opened to the Warwick
mines, is another valuable public improvement.
WEST CHESTER,
the county town and seat of justice of Chester County, Pa., is in latitude 39̊ 57' 31.3" north, and
longitude 1̊ 24' 57" east of Washington City, or 75̊ 36' 32.7" west from Greenwich, near
London.
The exact position of the borough, or rather of the court-house, was ascertained in 1843 by E. W.
Beans, then principal of the public school in West Chester, and Walter Hibbard, surveyor and
conveyancer, of the same place.
It is situated on the water-shed or dividing ridge between the Brandywine and Chester Creek, two
miles from the former stream, near one of the sources of the latter, five miles south of the great
Limestone or Chester Valley, twenty-three miles west of the original city of Philadelphia, about
sixteen miles north of' Wilmington, Del., and about four hundred and fifty-six feet above tide.
The geological formation on which the borough stands is primitive, chiefly gneiss and sienitic
trap, or green-stone, with large beds or banks of serpentine rock in the vicinity. The soil is a
stiffish clayey loam, and tolerably fertile under good management.
This being not only the largest town in our county, but also the seat of justice, it will be
admissible to dwell longer on the minute details of its early history than has been the case with
other towns. We will first present the recollections of Joseph Townsend, of Baltimore, who was
born in East Bradford, within about a mile of the locality he describes, as follows :
" The first knowledge that I had of the ground on which West Chester stands was about the year
1760. There was at that time a cross-roads;* thc one in an easterly direction led to Philadelphia,
southerly to Wilmington, westerly to Jefferis' Ford on the Brandywine, and northerly to the Great
Valley.
" The northeasterly field at the cross-roads, between the Philadelphia and Great Valley roads, was
owned by Phinehas Eachus ; northwesterly one, between the Valley and Brandywine roads, by
Daniel Hoopes. The ground southwesterly, between thc Brandywine and Wilmington roads, had
an orchard thereon, and belonged to the estate of David Haines; the ground southeastwardly was
a lot laid off for a tavern or establishment, on which was a small one-story wooden housc, with a
small shed-room attached to the east part of it, in which a tavern was kept by the aforcsaid
Phinehas Eachus; it was situated near the spot where the banking-house now stands.
"The shed belonging to the tavern, for the accommodation of horses, with open front on the
Wilmington road, reached nearly half the distancc from the dwelling-house yard to the road
leading to Philadclphia, the remaining front on the road, with the ground back of said dwelling
was occupied for a garden for the use of thc tavern-housc. There was a small log building
connected with the south end of the
* Now the intersection of Gay and High Streets.
shed and tavern-yard, in which was a store t for the retailing of merchandise. It was about the
timc aforementioned that some of the inhabitants in the neighborhood obtaincd leave of Daniel
Hoopes to crect a school-house in the corner of his field, at the intersection of the roads leading
to Brandywine and the Great Valley; the fence was removed, leaving an angular piece of ground
for that purpose, sufficient for the building, and space northwesterly of it for the children to play
on. The house was built of logs, and filled in between with mortar, and furnished with a few
tables and benchcs. The principal expcnse was defrayed by John Townsend, Charles Ryant, Isaac
Haines, and Thomas Williamson, who employed Ralph Forrester as the teacher of the school. He
occupied the old dwelling of David Haines until John Haines, the son of David, became of age,
to whom it, with 100 acres of land running to thc Welsh line, was bequeathed. The teacher was
an Irishman by birth, and had married Tamer Gregory after his arrival in this county. They with
their family had resided for some years previous near Goshen meeting-house.
" David Haines had lived and deceased in the old stone part of the dwelling-house,--latterly
occupied by William Wollerton,—it having a wooden kitchen at the east end ‡ He was succeeded
therein by James Davis, who was the son of Abraham Davis and Susanna, his wife, who lived in
the old stone house on the road, where Joshua Sharpless lived and died. James had married
Patience Bishop, a widow with one child named Ruth. Patience was the third daughter of Robert
Miller the elder and Ruth, his wife, of the Great Valley, a little west of Downingtown. About this
time a few of the settlers in Chester County were disposed to emigrate to North Carolina, with a
view to enlarge their estates. For this purpose they fixed on New Garden and Cane Creek for
their residence. Among the number thus removed was James Davis and his family, and after his
departure the dwelling and farm was taken possession of by the said Ralph Forrester. The road
that led to the house passed through a gate nearly opposite to the brick dwelling-house known as
the Turk's Head tavern. In this dwelling-house Ralph Forrester remained until John Haines
arrived at age, and followed his occupation as a teacher in the aforementioned school-house,
during which time many of the rising generation of Chester County received a plain, useful
education.
"The road leading to Wilmington was not at right angles with the others, and on being
straightened encroached on some of the apple-trecs in the orchard of thc late David Haines, and
they were taken up by the roots, and the road regulated accordingly.
" A circumstance took place about the time of the alteration of the road well remembered by the
snbscriber. Philip Mendenhall, a young man of respectable family, by some means or other got
under the wheel of a loaded wagon. The consequence was that his leg was broken, and that he
was carried into the Turk's Head tavern-house for assistancc. The print of his leg and yarn
stocking which he had on it was to be seen on the clay where the misfortnne took place for
several days thereafter. The circumstance happened nearly oppositc to the gate through which the
road passed to David Haines' former dwelling.
" Phinehas Eachus, being a cooper by profession, as well as a tavern-kccper, had the business
carried on in a small log house built for the purpose about the time that the school-house was put
up. It stood in the corner of the field, at thc intersection of the two roads leading to Philadelphia
and the Great Valley ; but he in time became insolvent, and his propcrty was disposed of by John
Morton, then sheriff of Chester County, and his farm, etc., between the two roads
aforementioned, was purchased by Isaiah Matlack.
"About the year 1770, § John Hoopes, owning the plantation south-
† Subsequently occupied as a store by John W. Townsend, and afterwards by Charles Miner, whcre he printed and
published the Village Record.
‡ This building stood near the present site of the Mansion House hotel; it was of brick, fronted north, having a yard
paled in in front, and was owned and occupied by William Wollerton and family as far back as can be remembered ;
it was sold, with the farm adjoining, about 1827, to the late William Everhart. Thc stonc barn stood a short distance
to the south or west, perhaps near where Roecker's confcctionery now is : and a frame inclosure for stray animals,
known as the "ponnd," a little north, near the line of what is now Church Street, which terminated near the building
above described.
§ The date-stone, which had been covered up by thc enlarging of the building westward, was found April 26, 1879,
while some repairs were in progress. It bears date 1769.
TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS, ETC. - 213
easterly of the old tavern lot, built a respectable-looking brick house in the corner of his field, a
little south of the line of said lot, and near the east line of the Wilmington road, into which the
tavern was removed, where it has continued ever since.
" The successors of Phinehas Eachus in keeping the Turk's Head tavern in the old and new
establishments, previous to the Revolutionary war, were Capt. John Clark, John Harper, and
Jacob James, the latter leaving his dwelling and engaging with thc British army during their stay
in Philadelphia, autumn and winter of 1777 and spring of 1778.
" A few years previous to the commencement of the Revolutionary war a two-story log bnilding
was put up near the intersection of the Wilmington and Brandywine roads, and in the orchard
aforementioned, and occupied hy Henry Glass and Ebenezer Matthews for a retail store.
"Having given a hasty sketch of the buildings at the Turk's Head tavern to this time, I shall now
give a description of some of the contiguous ones.
" The first one southerly was the dwelling of Charles Ryant. He continued there until William
Sharpless, son of Nathan, and the only male heir, was out of his apprenticeship (he served his
time with John Marshall, a cabinet-maker, whose residence was on 32 acres of land bequeathed
by Joseph Townsend the elder to his daughter, Hannah Ryant). When William was twenty-one
years of age he took possession of the premises, and built a work-shop on the west side of the
Wilmington road, a little sonth of the north line of his farm, and a small log tenement was also
put up on the east side of said road, near the north line aforesaid.
"On the south side of the Philadelphia road, about one-quarter of a mile from the tavern, was an
ancient log house, occupied by George Bostock. His wife, with Mary Otley, her associate, were
famous, and noted for enchantment at that period of time.
" A small distance np in the field, on the north side of the Philadelphia road, and nearly opposite
to George Bostock's dwelling, was a frame dwelling-house, clapboarded on the outside, the
residence of Peter M. Gowen, a weaver by occupation. The remains may yet be seen a little west
of the road lcading to the Boot tavern.
"Near the Valley road, on the east side, in the field, was a spring-house* belonging to and used
by Phinehas Eachus, who kept the tavern. On the west side of said road, a little over the branch
issuing from the said spring, was an old log dwelling.
"Samuel Hoopes, the second son of Daniel Hoopes, having learned the trade of a blacksmith, his
father built him a work-shop a little north of the aforesaid old dwelling, leaving room for the road
to pass between to his dwelling, which was some distance down the bottom, being a respectable
stone house, with barn and other outhouses necessary for a reputable farmer. †
"It was not long after the establishment of the blacksmith-shop occupied by Samnel Hoopes until
he built himself a comfortable dwelling-house ‡ in the field, in a westerly direction from the said
shop. He lived therein for a nnmber of years, and deceased. It afterwards became the property of
John Hannum, Esq., who was thc great instrument in obtaining the law to remove the county seat
of justice from Chester, on the Delaware, to the Turk's Head, and established the borough of
West Chcster.
" He died some years thereafter, an overgrown, middle-aged man, in the said dwelling-house.
" The foregoing contains all the buildings that I can recollect, except an addition to the
store-house occnpied by Glass & Matthews previous to my removal to Maryland, which was in
the year 1782, at which time a considerable excitement had got np for the removal of the courts
of justice from Chester, on the Delaware, as being too remote for a great portion of the
inhabitants of the county. Marshallton, Downingtown, Admiral Warren, and Turk's Head were
situations contended for, but no place was decided on at that time.
" Prior to the Revolutionary war there was an old burying-place near the centre of the field
belonging to Phinehas Eachus, in front of Friends' meeting-house. It was formerly inclosed, bnt
since neglected, and the ground is now in cultivation."
* At the northeast corner of High and Chestnut Streets.
† The old house now on the Ebbs estate.
‡ Now the residence of John Rutter, which, large and solid as it is, was moved some fifty feet westward, without
much apparent injury, when Church Street was opened north, some years since.
The first petition, for license, by Phinehas Eachus, was presented Nov. 24, 1761, but was
rejected. The next year he was successful, and as a somewhat historic document, as well as a
sample of tavern-keepers' petitions in that day, we present a fac-simile of the petition on that
occasion. It was signed by the principal farmers of the neighborhood. Being once established in
the business, fewer signers were deemed necessary in succeeding years, there being but six in
1764.
No name appears for the tavern until August, 1768, when John Clark, having " Rented the House
lately kept by Phineas Eachus, at the Sign of the Turk's head in Goshen," succeeds him in the
business. Aug. 29, 1769, John Hoopes represents that he " has purchased the tavern known by the
Name of the Turk's Head, in Goshen, and the House being Rendered unfit for that purpose by its
Decay and Other Inconvenies thereto Belonging, I have Built a New Brick House near the other,
and more Comodious for the Accomodation of Travelers than the other." Although twenty-eight
substantial citizens signed his request, it was merely indorsed " Allowed at the old House." In
November following he renews his request, assuring the court that his house is ready, but
probably was unsuccessful, and in his disappointment made some uncomplimentary remarks
about the justices.
Aug. 28, 1770, John Harper comes forward, " having Lately taken a lease of a very Convenient
house, within a few Perches of the noted Tavern, known by the name of the Turks-head, in
Goshen, . . . and as the old Tavern house is now become Insufficient for a dwelling place," etc.,
he wishes to have license in the new house. This petition was rejected, but on November 15th
following John Hoopes sent to the justices a " recantation," in which he says, " if I have said any
Thing Disrespectfull of the Bench Heretofore I am hartily sorey for it, and ask the Justices
Pardon, .. . but if my Intreaties have not ye Desired Effect I had rather suffer a Doubel Portion of
the Misfortune than John Harper and the Publick should suffer on my account." Two weeks later
he plainly admits that " Whereas I have spoke Disrespectfully of the Honorable Bench heretofore,
I now Declare that I am sorey for it and ask the Justices Pardon, or any one of them that I Treated
with Contempt," etc. A petition from John Harper for license in the new house is now favorably
received, and the name of the " Turk's Head" transferred thereto, as appears by his petition in the
following year. He was succeeded in 1774 by Jacob James, whose last application was made in
1776. Francis Trumble was there in 1778, and John Underwood in 1782-83. Nathan Scholfield
was the landlord, 1785-86, and was succeeded by Isaac Webb in 1787. Upon the completion of
the new public buildings at this place, preparatory to the removal of the seat of justice from old
Chester, it was evident that more taverns would be needed to accommodate the concourse of
people attending courts. Emmor Trego and William Worthington were licensed in 1786, and the
first was succeeded by Joshua Weaver in 1788. Nathan Scholfield was licensed, February, 1787,
in a house just built by Isaiah Matlack, the " Green Tree," where he remained till 1793. Col. John
Hannum built the " Washington," just north of the courthouse, but it is uncertain who kept it.
Perhaps the first
214 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
was William Worthington, who was succeeded in 1787 by William Beaumont, he having built a
new house at the " corner of Gay Street." Samson Babb had built and received license at the
"Bear" in 1788, which was directly south of the court-house, now the site of the post-office and
other offices. Prior to 1800 the names of Isaac Webb, James Bones, John Rouse, Peter Mather,
Jesse Matlack, and Benjamin Miller appear as landlords in the borough. Maj. John Harper having
become reconciled to the removal of the county-seat, made the best of it by keeping the " Turk's
Head" from 1792-98. In 1796, Isaac Webb removed from some other house to the " General
Wayne," since known as the " White Hall," where he remained several years. The former name is
said to have been the " Cross Keys," which name it again bore prior to 1838. After Mr. Webb
came Ephraim Buffington, Polly Pearson, and Samuel Osborne. The two last united their
fortunes by marriage, and continued at this stand until 1827, after which Davis Beaumont, Joseph
Taylor, John Watson, and Joel Matlack successively catered to the public wants. In 1838, Philip
P. Sharpless became the owner, and a large rear addition was erected on Church Street. Capt.
Robert Irwin purchased it in 1839, and named it " White Hall," after which it was rented to
various persons until 1869, the last host being John Carroll. The accompanying cut* is an
excellent representation of its appearance before being torn down in 1874. Several fine stores
now occupy the site.
When Lafayette visited this county in 1825, he made this hotel his headquarters, though he
lodged across the street at the residence of Ziba Pyle. It was a place of general resort for judge,
lawyer, and politician, and many were the stories told or jokes concocted by these in their hours
of relaxation from other cares. † This may be said
*For which wc are indebted to the Daily Local News.
† "West Chestcr, in its early days, was remarkable for the eccentricity and broad humor of a race of
tavern-loungers who have entirely disappeared. These were led on and made use of by ingenious, mis-
of the other taverns also, and each has its history buried in the past.
The new seat of justice being established, it was thought best to hedge it about with certain
bounds, that the place might receive a name, as the following will show :
"AN ACT for erecting a certain district of Country in which the Court-House in Chester County
stands into a County Town.
"SECT. I. Whereas a number of the inhabitants of Chester County have petitioned this house that
a certain district of country in which the court-house of the said county stands may be erected
into a county town, and that the inhabitants of the said town may be cntitled to a like number of
Justices of the Peace with other county towns, and it appearing that the public convenience will
thereby be promoted,
"SECT. II. Bc it therefore enactcd, and it is hereby enacted, by the Representatives of the
Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and by the authority
of the same, That a certain district of country within the county aforesaid, bounded as follows,
viz. : Beginning at the line which divides thc townships of East Bradford and Goshen, at the
corner of the lands of Charles Ryan and John Darlington, thence along the lines of the said
Charles Ryan, and the lands latc of Thomas Williamson, of Gideon. Williamson, and of Thomas
Darlington, junior, to the lands of George Matlock, thence along the lincs of the lands of Georgc
Matlock, William Sharpless, Jonathan Matlock, and John Patton, to a line of the land of Doctor
Joseph Moore, thence to the line of the land of Isaiah Matlock, thencc along the lines of the said
Isaiah
Matlock's land, and of the lands of Doctor Joseph Moore and Thomas Hoops, to the road called
the Goshen street, thence along the said street to the land of Benaniel Ogden, being the line
which divides the township of East Bradford from the township of Goshen, and from thence to
the place of beginning, be and hereby is erectcd into
chief-loving young lawyers, who had mueh idle time on their hands, and were prone to all sorts of the coarsest
waggery. The ready wit, the quaint, original phrases and eceentric deportment of the singular charaeters referred to
were familiar to every one. The young lawyers, between terms, would institute what they called "Flaxseed Courts,"
and get one of those waggish creatures for presiding judge, when they would have "lots of fun." If any pompous,
eonceited fool happened to stray into the place he was quickly detected, and often stared at through leather
spectacles until he was fairly "looked out of town." As but few now remain who ean recollect thosc men and times, it
is not deemed expedient to give the names Or to detail the pranks of the prominent actors."—Directory of 1857.
TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS, ETC. - 215
and constituted the county town of and for the said county of Chester, by the name and title of
West Chester,' and is hereby invested with and entitled to all the rights, privileges, immunities,
and advantages of a county town within this Commonwealth.
"Signed, by order of the House,
“THOMAS MIFFLIN, Speaker.
"Enacted into a law at Philadelphia on Monday, the third day of March, in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight.
"PETER ZACHARY LLOYD,
" Clerk of the General Assembly."
These bounds have remained to be sufficient for the growing town up to the present time, though
at one or two points they have been slightly overrun.
The original plan of the village or town proper of West Chester consisted of four contiguous
squares, with two principal streets crossing in the centre, and yet, simple as it was, with that utter
disregard of symmetry and lack of good taste which characterized the projectors of the plan and
early buildings, neither of the streets crossed at right angles, and consequently none of the
so-called squares was rectangular. An oblique policy, strongly redolent of barbarism, seemed to
prevail among the primitive Cestrians, and its sinister influence was long perceptible.
In 1829, however, several additional streets were opened and new squares formed from the old
Trego or Rankin farm, on the southwestern side of the first town plat, by William Everhart, Esq.
People then began to perceive the advantage of setting private dwellings back from the street, Of
having side-yards, and of planting ornamental shade-trees and shrubbery. Until this improvement
was introduced and those trees planted which now render the streets of West Chester so
umbrageous and pleasant, our pedestrians found nothing to intercept the glare of the summer sun,
save here and there, at long intervals, a straggling relic of a decaying Lombardy poplar.
The first foot-pavement in front of private property in West Chester was made in 1809 by Dr.
William Darlington. There being no bricks then made in the borough, rough flag-stones were
used for the purpose. The example was immediately followed by Ephraim Buffington, who
resided opposite, at the White Hall hotel, in Gay Street and then William Hemphill, Esq., with
more ambition and better taste, procured bricks from abroad, and paved neatly in front of his
dwelling, on High Street, where the Bank of Chester County now stands. These were the
voluntary acts of individuals, but the process found few imitators until the corporate authorities,
in 1823, required the sidewalks to be regularly graded, curbed, and paved. The first
macadamizing of streets was done in 1829 and 1830.
In 1802 a small market-house was built in the rear of the public offices, but it was seldom
occupied, as the market-people in those days preferred to call on the townsfolk at their dwellings.
Those early and rarely-used shambles were at length superseded in 1831 by a more capacious
establishment in Market Street, one hundred feet in length, which was afterward extended by two
or three similar structures.
Early in 1869 these street-sheds were torn down, two closed market-houses having been erected,
but one of which is now used as such.
The Cestrians (as. the West Chester people may be classically termed) went on very cautiously
for a time to improve their " town" by building some houses in it, and after a few years they
began to aspire to corporate privileges.
Accordingly, on the 28th of March, 1799, the town of West Chester was erected into a borough
by an act of the Legislature. This elevation required burgesses and assistants to manage the
municipal affairs, and the following is a list of the chief burgesses, with date of election :
William Sharpless, 1799; Jacob Ehrenzeller, 1800; Philip Derrick, 1801; Jaeob Ehrenzeller,
1802; Richard M. Hannum, 1803; Joshna Weaver, 1804-5; William Bennett, 1806; William
Sharpless, 1807; Emmor Bradley, 1808; Gcorge Worth, 1809; Joshua Weaver, 1810; William
Sharpless, 1811; Jacob Ehrenzeller, 1812-13; Joseph McClellan, 1814; Daniel Mester, 1815-17;
Jacob Ehrenzeller, 1818— 24 ; Ziba Pyle, 1825; Jacob Ehrenzeller, 1826; Ziba Pyle, 1827-30;
Thomas S. Bell, 1831-33; William Williamson, 1834-35; William Everhart, 1836-37; Thomas S.
Bell, 1838; Joseph J. Lewis, 1839-43; William Williamson, 1844; Uriah V. Pennypacker,
1845-46; William Darlington, Esq., 1847; Uriah V. Pennypacker, 1848-49; Francis James, 1850;
James H. Bull, 1851; Townsend Eachus, 1852-54 ; Joseph P. Wilson, 1855-57; Francis Parke,
1858; Wm. B. Waddell, 1859-60; Henry S. Evans, 1861; Wm. Darlington, 1862-65; Wayne
MacVeagh, 1866; Jefferson Shaner, 1867-77; Scneca G. Willauer, 1878; J. Bayard Wood, 1879
to the present.
The following exhibit shows the growth of the borough (including the occupants of the farms
within the chartered limits) at the several decennial enumerations, viz. :
Census of
1800
" 1810
" 1820
" 1830
" 1840
|
Population.
374
471
553
1244
2152
|
Census of
1850
" 1860
" 1870
" 1880
|
Population
3172
4757
5630
7046
|
At the census of 1790, West Chester was but four years old,—a mere embryo " town," by the
courtesy of the Legislature,—and was only counted as a portion of Goshen town-• ship.
In the year 1799 the apprehension of fire induced the formation of the first West Chester Fire
Company, which is still kept up in good condition, with two other efficient companies, viz. : the
" Good Will," organized in 1833, and the " Fame," organized in 1838.
Mention has been made in the sketch of Goshen township that John Haines became the owner of
all the land in the borough south of Gay Street in 1702. Of this he conveyed to his son John 365
acres in 1715, and the latter sold to John Hoopes 50 acres in 1751 to his son, David Haines, 51
acres and 112 perches in 1753 and devised a remainder of 100 acres, at his death, to his
grandson, John Haines, son of David. This last John Haines sold to Benjamin Trego (4, 22, 1769)
and Trego, after giving a lot therein for the county buildings in 1784, and 11 acres to his son
Emmor, devised the remainder also to the latter. June 10, 1790, Emmor Trego, of West Chester,
limner, conveyed to John Rankin, of the same place, 99 acres Rankin sold to William Wollerton,
who sold to William Everhart in 1829.
John Hoopes, besides the 50 acres purchased of John Haines, also became the owner of the 51
acres and 112 perches of David Haines prior to 1770, and sold the whole to John Patton, 1784.
This formed the southeastern part of the town, adjoining the " Turk's Head."
We here present a view in West Chester, copied from
216 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Day's " Pennsylvania Historical Collections," 1843, in which the first building on the right
represents the Turk's Head, beyond which are Hemphill's building, residence of William W.
Jefferis, the Bank of Chester County, and in
VIEW IN WEST CHESTER ABOUT 1842
the distance the " Green Tree." On the other side of the street are first the public office building,
erected 1791 ; the court-house, finished in 1786; and the "General Washington Hotel," which,
however, should have a two-story porch in front. The town-clock, on the court-house, dates from
the year 1835.
WESTTOWN.
Westtown was probably so named from its location, relative to Easttown. It forms a rectangular
parallelogram, about five and one-half miles long by nearly one and a half in width, the longer
axis bearing E. N. E. In perhaps the majority of early surveys, on the east side of Brandywine,
and south of the valley, the lines were run E. N. E. or N. N. W., from which it appears they were
intended to be either parallel or at right angles to the Delaware River in its general course at the
nearest part. To the southwest of the Brandywine—as in Kennet, Marlborough, New Garden,
Londongrove, etc.—the lines corresponded with the cardinal points of the compass, while in the
northeastern part of our county they were laid down parallel or at right angles to the general
coarse of the Schuylkill River. The surveys commenced near the navigable waters, and gradually
extended back into the woods, so that Westtown doubtless succeeded Thornbury as to date of
survey, and was probably laid out as early as 1685. Its limits as a township were not then defined,
and there is evidence that land to the north and west was considered as being in Westtown. It was
finally limited to a range of surveys, which extended across the township in narrow or wider lots
according to quantity. Beginning at the eastern end, and proceeding towards the Brandywine, we
find the surveys in the following order : Thomas Rous, 300 acres ; Thomas Coeburn, 175 ; John
Bound, 500 ; John Eluny (?) --; Nathaniel Evans, 300 ; Barnabas Wilcox, 500 ; Richard
Whitpain, 1900 ; Richard Collett, 1000 acres. Some of these persons were never in this country,
and it does not appear that any of them settled on the land..
Prior to 1700 the land east of Chester Creek had passed into other hands, and about that time
permanent settlements began to be made in the township. In 1697, Daniel Hoopes purchased 300
acres in the eastern part of the township, and 175 acres more in 1698. He was the first constable
for Westtown, which office he filled in 1700, and was doubtless one of the earliest settlers.
Aaron James became a land-holder in 1700, as also did Benjamin Hickman. John Bowater, of
Middletown, purchased land in Westtown in 1704, and by his will appears to have been living
there at the time of his death, in 1705. Isaac Taylor resurveyed the land in this township in 1703,
and made a return of the following tracts : William Swarfar, 237 acres: Daniel Hoopes, 470;
Benjamin Hickman, 230 ; Aaron James, 208 ; Richard Whitpain's heirs, 1918 ; Richard Collett,
1090. Taylor appears to have had the oversight of Collett's 1000 acres, at the western end of the
township, and the following note gives us a hint of his recompense :
" LOVING FRIEND Is. TAYLOR,—I have delivered the Boxcs to thy order. I have received of
Richard Collett, a kind Letter with a Hamper of a hundred pint bottles of red Port between thee &
me. Pray order them as thou thinks fitt. Thy loving frd.
"JAMES LOGAN.
" PHILAD'IA 8th 9br, 1718."
The following is not so classic :
"fiend Isaac Talar,—Thomas Bradfor of London, desired me to inqueir if thee had Receved the
Efexes to pay the quet Rents of wida Colate's Land, and if thear Be any Likle word of it ben sold,
with he Desiered to hear by the first opartunet will ofar in 2 or 3 week tim. from thy frend
" ISAAC MARRIOTT,
"in Chestnut Street philadelphia, 26th 4mo 1722."
TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS, ETC. - 217
The Collett tract was purchased, Sept. 2, 1727, by John Salkeld, of Chester, while on a religious
visit to England, and on his return he conveyed one-half of it to his nephew, Joseph Parker. He
also sold 300 acres to William Harvey, of Kennet.
The land of Barnabas Wilcox was long owned by the Gibbons family, and now forms the
well-known boarding-school property of Friends.
Richard Whitpaine, of London, butcher, purchased a large amount of land in Pennsylvania, some
of which was located in what is now Montgomery County, where there is a township bearing the
name. His land in Westtown extended from the present School farm westward to the Collett tract.
He died in 1689, whereupon his creditors assumed the care of his lands in Pennsylvania. The
survivor conveyed to William Aubrey in trust., and he, in the next year (1713) to Rees Thomas,
of Merion, and Anthony Morris, Jr., of Philadelphia, brewer, to whom a patent was granted by
the commissioners of property, July 10, 1718. It appears, however, that on May 28, 1718, Rees
Thomas and Anthony Morris conveyed a one-third interest in the land to John Whitpaine, of
Philadelphia, grandson of Richard of London ; and he dying, his widow and executrix disposed
of his interest in the land, by deeds of lease and release, to settlers. Thus on March 30 and 31,
1719, she sold an undivided third part of 400 acres to James Gibbons, to whom, on the same
dates, R. Thomas and A. Morris conveyed the other two-thirds' interest. The said parties also sold
to Thomas Mercer 401 acres next west of Gibbons ; to Richard Eavenson, 219 ; to John
Yearsley, 290; to Philip Taylor, 200 ; and to Joseph Hunt, 2521 acres adjoining Collett's line.
James Gibbons, by will of Jan. 15, 1731-2, devised the 400 acres to his son Joseph, who, by will
of 9, 10, 1780, devised 280 acres thereof to his son James, who, with his wife Deborah, by deed
of April 7, 1783, conveyed to Jacob Gibbons, though by this time it was found to be but 271
acres. Jacob Gibbons and wife Jane sold, in 1792, to Joseph Shippen, Esq., of a prominent
Philadelphia family, then of Westtown, and some time associate judge of our county courts, two
tracts of 187 acres and 67 acres 96 perches, they being parts of the 400 acres which had belonged
to Joseph Gibbons, father of James and Jacob. Judge Shippen may have built the mansion
thereon, in late years torn down by George Rhoads, who built his present residence on the same
site. Tradition says it was the finest house in its neighborhood in its day, having wide halls, high
ceilings, etc. March 15, 1794, Judge Shippen leased the property to Joseph Gibbons, Jr., for three
years, reserving
"out of the same for his own Convenience, use and Benefit, his stone Dwelling House & Garden
he now occupies, with all the young Orchard & Ground inclosed with it, behind the same; the
new frame stables, for the accommodation of his own Horses & Cows, and also for the
aecommodation of the Horses belonging to his Friends when they comc to him on Business, or a
visit to himself or Family."
This plantation he called " Plumley." It is said that lie also owned a farm on the east side of the
School farm, now of F. J. Darlington, and that lie resided thereon for sonic time. It was stipulated
in the lease that Joseph Gibbons,
- 28 -
Jr., should be provided as soon as possible with a convenient log dwelling-house.
Joseph Shippen sold the tract of 187 acres, by deed of May 21, 1804; to Jesse James for £3740,
and he by will devised the same to his sons, John and Jesse, the first of whom sold his interest to
his brother in 1824, and the latter resided there until 1855, when he sold the farm to Borradaile
Prichett. Gottlieb Schiedt was the next purchaser, in 1863, and he in turn sold to George Rhoads
Dec. 21, 1869, who erected a new dwelling, of which a view is herein shown.
WESTTOWN RATE, 1715.
£ s. d.
James Gibbins 0 8 0
Daniel Hoopes 0 7 0
Benjamin Hickman 0 2 6
Margaret Todhunter 0 1 3
Aaron James 0 5 0
Non-resident Land.
____ Whitbens 0 16 0
Richard Collets 0 7 3
Mordecai Maddock 0 1 0
– — –
Total 2 7 8
In 1722 we find also the names of Thomas Mercer, Stephen Beaks, Joseph Hunt, Caleb Perkins.
TAXABLES IN 1753.
Thomas Mercer, Joseph Gibbons, Joshua Hoopes, John Taylor, Joseph James, Stephen Hoopes,
Joseph Hunt, Sam. Osburn, Benja, Hickman, Jane Gibbons, Wm Huey, Francis Hickman, Jacob
Yearsley, Thomas Yearsley, Thos Townsend, Wm Hunt, Thomas Taylor, John Cooper, Hannah
James, Adam Dugless, Nathan Yearsley, Nathl Evison, Walter Lilly, John Forrest.
"One Freeman, ye Constable its like knows who, having secreted him from us."
LAND-OWNERS, 1774.
James Gibbons, Joseph Gibbons, Thomas Taylor, Thomas Mercer, Samuel Osborne, Peter
Osborne, John Hunt, William Hunt, Joseph James, Joseph Hoops, Isaiah Hoops, Benjamin
Hickman, John Polus, Moses Cock, John Davis, William Hawley, Jacob Sharpless, Samuel
Entrikin, James Huey, William Jones, William Jones, jr., James Black, Richard Strowd
(Strode?), Phebe Taylor, Amos Davis, Thomas Darlington, Edward Thornbury, Richard
Thornbury, Thomas Williamson, Joseph Curtain, Hannah Carter, Nathan Jefferis, Joshua Smith,
Cornelius Wood, Joseph White, William Chamberlin, Richard Few, Isaac Hoops, Jesse Camby,
John Woolley, Francis Hickman, Robert Yearsley.
EAST WHITELAND AND WEST WHITELAND.
The township of Whiteland was organized about the year 1704, and is therefore among the oldest
townships in the county. Its first constable was David Jones, who is mentioned on the court
records 12th month, 1704-5.
Whiteland is the northwestern part of the original Welsh tract of 40,000 acres, which was laid out
to that people in 1684, with the expectation that they should be a separate barony, with liberty to
manage their municipal affairs in their own way. It appears they also desired to retain their own
language; but the tide of subsequent events rendered the whole scheme impracticable. The north
and west lines of this survey are still chiefly retained as lines of townships, some slight
alterations having been made in the northern line ; but other surveys encroached on the south, so
that the other lines are obliterated. If the reader will examine the map of Chester County, he will
find the northern line of this Welsh survey to be that which separates Tredyffrin and the
Whitelands from Schuylkill, Charlestown, and
218 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Uwchlan, and the western line that which separates West Whiteland, West Goshen, and West
Chester from East Cain and East Bradford, its northwest corner being the northwest corner of
West Whiteland township.
WHITELAND RATE, 1715.
James Thomas
Richard Thomas
Thomas James
Owen Thomas
Isaac Richardson
Edward Kingson
Isaac Malin
John Spruse
Lewis Williams
Evan Bowen
John Earle
Thomas Owen
Adam Baker
Llewellin Parry
David Howell
Rees Hughs
Rees Prichard
James Rowland
Griffith Philips
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Evan Lewis
David Meredith
John Martin
Non-resident Land
Joseph Pikes
John Budd
David Powell
Edward Shippen.
Thomas Pascan.
Hugh Wilson
free Men
Charles Brooks.
Mathew Welsh.
Tot
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15 19 11
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According to the township book, the following persons held the office of constable prior to 1726,
beginning with 1710: Isaac Malin, James Thomas, Edward Kinneson, Lewis Williams, David
Meredith, Sr., Evan Lewis, Rees Pritchard, Thomas Owen, James Rowland, James David,
Richard Anderson, Isaac Richardson, Thomas James, John Spruce, Owen Thomas, Evan Philips.
The first supervisor was James Thomas, in 1714, and Griffith Howell is mentioned in 1724.
George Aston and John Spruce were the first overseers of the poor, appointed in 1730.
"To ye Honorable Richd Hayes Esqr, President, and to ye Rest of ye Honourable Esqrs, Justices,
at ye Court of Quarter Sessions held at Chester, february 1731.
" The Petition of us ye subscribers Inhabitants of ye Township of Whiteland humbly Showeth
that whereas most or all of us in our Successive Turns have been put to no Small difficulty in the
Execution of ye Several offices of Constables, Collectors of ye County Taxes overseers of ye
poore, Supervisors of Ye highways &c partly thro ye obstinancy of Some Refusing their Quotoes
or proportionals on Publick Emergencyes and occasions under pretext yt our Townships limits or
District not having Certain boundaries on Record Renders onr officcs in their Several Requirings
in Some measure faint and abortive, Wherefore your Petitioners humbly Craves yt a Recordc of
our Township may be drawn according as ye boundaries herewith Sent in a Rough plan
Delinates, and your Petitioners In Duty bound pray for your prosperity.
"Richd Thomas, William Paschall, Griffith Lewis, Saml Jamcs, Hugh Davies, Thomas James,
Adam Baker, Thomas Morris, David Meredith, William Thomas, Richard Anderson, Henry
Anderson, Thomas Evans, Morgan David, Theophilus Thomas, David Jenkin, Thos Test, George
Hunter, John Hunter, Jacob Wright, Edw Kinnison, William Kinnison, Isaac Malin, Jr., Richard
Richison, James David, James Rowland, Samuel Owen, Thomas Llewelin, Isaac Malin, David
Howel, Evan Philips, Lewis William."
Petitions were presented at the same time by Goshen township, and by persons on the borders of
the two townships. A plot of the township, probably made to accompany the foregoing petition,
represents the land-owners, beginning at the Tredyffrin line and south side, to have been James
Rowland, Samuel Owen, Owen Thomas, Katharine David, Isaac Malin, William Paschall, John
Sharpless, Richard Richardson, Edward Kinnison, Jacob Wright, John Hunter, and George
Hunter, in what is now East Whiteland. North of these were Reese Pritchard, Evan Philips, James
David, Lewis William, David Jenkin, Theophilus Thomas.
In what is now West Whiteland a series of surveys appear to have crossed the valley, beginning
with Morgan David, Thomas Evan, and Richard Anderson on the east, then, in succession, David
Meredith, Evan Lewis, Griffith Howell, David Howell, John Morgan, Adam Baker, Richard
Thomas, Thomas James, Thomas Morris, and John Spruce.
In 1743 the citizens petitioned for the appointment of two sets of supervisors, one for the east and
the other for the west end, stating that for several years they had agreed upon a division of the
roads at the east line of the land late of Thomas Evans. They asked for the appointment of Reece
Francis and James Trego for the east half, and David Meredith, Jr., and John McCord for the
west. Another similar petition, in March, 1750, seems to show that the first was not granted, and
that the division of the roads was agreed upon in 1732. In each case the mending of the " Great
Conestoga road" was complained of as burdensome.
The township was divided by decree of court, Feb. 26, 1765, as follows :
" Upon hearing thc petitions presented to this court, one from the inhabitants of the east and the
other from the inhabitants of the west end of the township of Whiteland, in this county, praying
that thc said township may bc divided and made into two townships, it is considered by this
court, that the said township of Whiteland be and is hereby divided into two townships, and that
the line of division shall begin in the Welsh line, being the north line of said township, and from
thence southerly along the west line of Thomas Bowens, from thence along the west line of land
late of George Jenkins, dec'd, thence along the west line of land late of George Hunter, and from
thence to the line of Goshen township in a direct course, and that such part of said township as
lyeth to the eastward of said division line, shall hereafter be called East Whiteland, and the other
part thereof, lying to the westward of the same, shall hereafter be called Wcst Whiteland."
Richard Thomas, son and heir of Richard ap Thomas, a purchaser of 5000 acres from William
Penn, took up a large amount of land in Whiteland, and obtained a patent, May 17, 1704, for
1869 acres, to which 243 acres were added by patent of March 8, 1717, in lieu of some in
Newtown. He settled thereon in 1711, and sold off small tracts to obtain neighbors. He erected
his dwelling-house near to Valley Creek, and in the immediate vicinity of a collection of Indian
huts. The reason assigned for such a selection is said, to have been that the dogs of the Indian
village would assist in keeping the wild beasts, then numerous, at a distance. The place was
called, in the Indian language, Katamoonchink, which signifies " Hazelnut Grove." The name of
the township, Whiteland, is thought by some to have been derived from Whitford Garden, in
Flintshire, Wales.
The following letter to Governor Gordon shows that the proximity of the Indians was not always
profitable:
" CALM, ye 3d of ye 9 ber, 1727.
"May it pleasc ye Governour;
"These may Certify that on ye 16th day of July last 1727, Richard Thomas, of ye township of
whiteland, Came before me and did Declare on his sollem affirmation, that ye King of ye five
nations of Indians having been at Philadelphia to treat with the Governour, and did on their
Return with his Company take vp their lodging near to his house, whear they Resided about fore
days and nights together, ye nearest Neighbours Contributing to their necessitys what they could ;
ye neighbours being few and poore Conld not supply ym to
TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS, ETC. - 219
ye full, at which place they killed one of his Cows, which he Valued at four pounds, and desired
of me a Warant to apprehend ye said Indians, but I being Informed that they had a Letter of
Credit ffrom ye Governour to all persons to supply them with what they wanted (and they being
gon from ye said Richard Thomas's 2 days), I thought it most Propper not to send a hue and Cry
after them; but to write to John Wright and Tobias Hendricks to Treat with them about it In an
Amicable way, and to get satisfaction for ye Party Injured ; but they haveing past Suskahana
before my letters Came to hand, they mist of ye opportunity. However abut 3 days since ye said
Richard Thomas Came a Gain to me and Informed me that he had been with the Govcrnour to
Lay his Case before him, In order to meet with Relief, but (as he says) ye Governour Would give
no orders about it Vntill he had Reed some Information from me to set ye Case In a true Light, In
order to which he on ye 2 day of this Instant, November, 1727, brought two of his near
neighbours, namely John Stringfellow and Henry Atherton, who according to ye laws and
Customs of this Province, did attest and solamnly Declare ye said Cow killed, as above to be well
worth fonr pounds; and I being sensible of ye truth of ye above narration, shall Conclude who am
ye G o v ernour's most hearty friend and servant
"To Command Geo. ASTON."
Richard Thomas (3d), son of the last named, added some hundreds of acres to the family
possessions, and at the time of his death held about 1000 acres, on which, perhaps at the junction
of the Conestoga and Wilmington roads, he had laid out the town of Whiteford, at least on paper.
The old family residence is said to have been on the present property of Richard Ashbridge, but
the old hip-roofed house now standing was probably the second structure. Richard Thomas (3d)
devised his land nearly equally between his sons, Richard (Col. Thomas) and George, the first
receiving the eastern portion. In an unproved will of 1.752, he gave to Richard the land south of
the Conestoga road, together with a " water corn-mill" and share in a saw-mill thereon, while to
George he gave the land on the north side of the road, and that on the east side of the Wilmington
road, together with the old mill and land belonging thereto. George Thomas, in 1772, settled at
the present residence of his grandson, Dr. George Thomas, which is said to have been several
years in building After the battle of Brandywine, while Uwchlan meeting-house was used as a
hospital, meetings were held in a large room in this house, now divided into two smaller rooms.
Dr. Thomas owns nearly 1000 acres of the original tract, the most of which has descended by will
When Col. Thomas took up arms, in 1776, he made a conveyance of his land, 500 acres, to his
peaceable brother George, to save it from confiscation by the British in case the Americans were
unsuccessful. The marble quarries on Dr. Thomas' property are extensive and valuable.
In East Whiteland a tract of 250 acres, laid out for James Thomas, was described as in " Duffryn
Mawr," which is Welsh for " Great Valley," as Bryn Mawr is for " Great Hill."
One of the oldest dwelling-houses in West Whiteland is the home of Jacob M. Zook, built by
William Owen in 1750. The material used was hill stone ; the walls were thick, ceilings low, and
the chimneys placed in the corners. On a large stone by the front door are to be seen the letters E
0, and tradition says that while the masons engaged on the building were at dinner, Elizabeth, the
wife of William Owen, cut her initials thereon. with a knife, and caused it to be placed in the
wall. Additions have been made to both ends of the original structure, but no rooms in the house
are more comfortable than those which date back to 1750. In 1770 the house was purchased by
Morritz, son of Peter Zug, as the name was then spelled, who lived near Germantown.
TAXABLES IN 1753.
Richard Thomas, Samuel James, Thomas Morris, George Hunter, Ann Hunter, John Hambreth,
John Templeton, John Todhunter, Thomas Bowen, Rees Prichard, David Meredith, Rees Francis,
James Guest, William Reily, Benjamin Bartholomew, Paul Bond, William Garratt, John Bowen,
John Engrom, William Beal, Samuel Bond, Joseph Bartholomew, William Hudson, Richard
Richardson, John Davis, Joshua Bean, Malachi Jones, David Meredith, senr, Mathias Lemey,
William Meredith, Samuel Lewis, James' Cloyd, William Lewis, David Howell, William
Morgan, Randal Malin, Robert Powell, James Willcox, George Aston, John Cuthbert, John
Holland, Henry Hambright, Henry Atherton, Garrat Berry, David Jenkin, Stoffel Lewis, Gilbert
Cannedy, Robert Thomson, Thomas Jinnings, Robert Carter, John Cooper, William Belley, John
Smith, Jonathan Howell, Joscph Hudson, Terance Conley, John Adams, John Nealey, John
Garratt, Hugh Carragan, Hezekiah Hall, Thomas Evans, Lndwish Spongle, Frederick Isemenger,
George Nonert, Edmund Phillips.
Freemen.—John Blackford, William Been, William Gill, John Evans, Moses Cadwalader, John
Fichgarel, Tarence Caragen, Ambrose Lybscum, Christian Peterson, David Gorman, Daniel
Deborah, Robert Edward, Garratt Mcally, George Orson, James Waddle.
EAST WHITELAND LAND-OWNERS, 1774.
John Adams, Benjamin Bartholomew, sr., John Bartholomew, Benjamin Bartholomew, jr.,
Benjamin Bond, Joseph Bond, Widow Bowen, David Cloyd, Conrad Coleman, John Cinneka
(Miller), Widow Dilworth, Daniel Durborow, John Fike, Josiah Hibbard, Thomas Harris,
Thomas Harris, jr., Widow Ives, .John Kerlin, Samuel Kennedy, Joseph Lewis, Michael Lapp,
Randall Malin, Robert Powell, Widow Philips, Richard Richardson, James Robinson, John
Blatchford, Robert Rook, Jacob Coffman, Henry Sowders, John Smith, George Meredith, John
Templeton, Andrew Todd, Christian Zook, John Zook.
WEST WHITELAND LAND-OWNERS, 1774.
John Jacobs, John Williams, William Trimble, James Richardson, Daniel Meredith, Mary
Meredith, Daniel Evans, Richard Bull, Samuel Lewis, John Cuthbert, Robert Murrell, Daniel
Thompson, George Garrett, Henry Tims, Jacob Leamy, Samuel Jefferis, Barney Swego, John
Smith, Ezekiel Rigg, George Hoofman, Neal McCarty, John Newlin, Wm. Ingram, Samuel
James, Richard Thomas, George Thomas, Isaac Jacobs, Morritz Zook, Evan Anderson, David
Dun-woody, Patrick Cannon, Eli Bently, Rich'd White, John Turk, Joseph Morris, William
Beale, Isaac Speakman, Samuel Bond, John Bnll, William John, Win. Noblit, Samuel Noblit,
Edward Yeoman.
WILLISTOWN.
Willistown was organized as a township about the year 1704. It was first represented at court by
Thomas Garrett, as constable, in 1705. A large part of the township was within the lines of the
Welsh tract, but many surveys were made for other persons, especially in the southern part. The
families of Hibberd, Massey, Smedley, Thomas, Garrett, and Yarnall were among the earliest and
most numer ous, and many of their descendants are inhabitants of the township at the present
time.
A draught of the southern part of the township, made about 1704, shows that, beginning at the
southeast corner and going northward, Francis Yarnall had 510 acres ; Peter Thomas, 528 ;
Thomas Massey, 420 ; and Barker & Co., 2103 acres. West of Peter Thomas the Indians had a
square piece of 500 acres, mostly on the east side of Ridley Creek. West of Barker & Co. were
Samuel Levis, 667 acres ; William Garrett, 556 ; and Samuel Richardson, 1160 acres.
220 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Francis Yarnall obtained a patent, Nov. 28, 1703, for 400 acres next to the Indians' land, and in
1738 Amos and Mordecai Yarnall obtained patents for the land deserted by the Indians.
Josiah Hibberd, of Darby, purchased from Martha Barker, of London, and Joseph Buckley, of
Philadelphia, 250 acres of the Barker & Co.'s tract, and in 1731 conveyed the same to his son,
Benjamin Hibberd, who settled thereon. John Hibberd, another son, had settled in the township
by 1721, and in 1722 we find the names of Richard Jones, Benony Griffith, Thomas Richard, and
Morris Griffith.
WILLISTOWN RATE. 1715.
Francis Yarnold
Peter Thomas
Samuel Bishop
George Smedley}
& Tho. Smedley}
Thos Garrett
Thomas James
George Orson
John Yarnold
Peter Yarnold
Peter Thomas, Jur,
Jacob Thomas.
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William Roberts
George Garrett
Non-resident Land,
William Hudson
Barker & Company
Marsys Land
Jobson Land
Society Land
Total
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TAXABLES IN 1753.
Thomas Smedley, William Garratt, James Massey, Thomas Massey, Benjamin Hibbert, Moses
Yarnell, Jacob Thomas, John Yarnell, Sener, John Yarnell, Juner, Joseph Yarnell, Isaac Thomas,
Peter Thomas, Owen Williams, Jemima Thomas, Lorence Cox, Thomas Malin, Robert Cox,
George Harris, Nicholas White, Thomas White, Uriah White, Randal Croxen, William Cornock,
Tho. Treviller, Tho. Lloyd, Edward Peers, Marey Bertten, Nathan Griffith, Mary Crockson,
Bennoney Griffith, Lcwis Williams, William Bennett, Moris Griffith, Walter Lloyd, Lewes
Reels; John Bogs, James Farrow, Richard Dolby, Amos Yarnell, Sener, Franccs Yarnell, Daniel
Yarncll, Amos Yarnell, Junr, Isaac Garratt, Bengman Hamton, Thomas Hall, Samuel Hall,
Nathaniel Grubb, Joseph Jamcs, Frances Smedley, Thomas Smedley, George Smedley (fuller),
John Hebbert, Frances Norton, Samuel Maccue, Thomas Harris, Owen Howell, Joseph Bowen,
Robert Jones, John Dolbey, John Weyn, Giles Fagon, Joseph Lcwis, George Smedley.
Freemen.—Thomas Philips, Thomas Massey, Lewis Massey, Thomas. Williams, Patrick Bruff,
Jacob Nobrey, William Roland, James Wippo, Andrew Buchanan, Samuel Maccue, John
Maxwell, Abraham Hibberd, John Simson.
LAND-OWNERS, 1774.
Joshua Ashbridge, David Ashbridge, John Brown, John Briggs, John Boggs, Levi Bowen,
Ezekiel Bowen, Owen Brooks, Daniel Cornock, Joseph Cox, John Douglas, Moses David,
Joshna Evans, Jonathan Evans, "William Foree, William Garrett, William Garrett, jr., Isaac
Garrett, Thomas .Garrett, Josiah Garrett, Jesse Garrett, Samuel Garrett, Aaron Garrett, John
Griffith, Nathaniel Grnbb, Benjamin Griffith, Benjamin Hibberd, Benjamin Hibberd, jr., Phineas
Hibberd, Samuel Hibberd, Caleb Hibberd, Thomas Harris, Benjamin Hampton, Griffith Jones,
Thomas Jones, George King, John Longstretch, Arasmus Lloyd, William Lloyd, Isaac Lewis,
Abraham Lewis, Jacob Lewis, Thomas Massey, Isaac Massey, Samuel McCue, Phineas Mas-
RESIDENCE OF DAVID EVANS.
sey, Isaac Mellin, Thomas Mellin, Caleb Maris, Benjamin Marple, Cromwell Pearcc, Edward
Pearce, Thomas Russcll, Isaac Richard, William Reece, Joseph Rowland, Howel Roberts, John
Smedley, George Smedley, Thomas Smcdley, Anne Smcdley, Caleb Smedley, Hannah Smedley,
John Scott, Joseph Thomas, Isaac Thomas, John Taylor, Thomas White, Anthony Wayne, John
Williams, Lewis. Wil- liams, Amos Yarnall, Amos Yarnall, jr., Francis Yarnall, Enoch Yar-
TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS, ETC. - 221
nail, Dan'l Yarnall, Nathan Yarnall, Joshua Yarnall, Geo. Yarnall, Isaac Yarnall, Isaac Yarnall,
jr., Caleb Yarnall, Joseph Yarnall.
MAVERN.
In the spring of 1866, David Evans entered into possession of 24 acres of land, lying on both
sides of the Pennsylvania Railroad, near what was then the junction of the West Chester Branch
Railroad, called " West Chester Intersection," and carried on the coal, lumber, and feed business
on the north side of the Pennsylvania Railroad, at the yard formerly occupied by Benjamin J.
Roberts.
In 1871 he purchased of Isaac Ruth 140 acres on the south side of the King road, and joining the
former tract on that side, and the same year sold an undivided half interest in it to his nephew,
William Penn Evans, with whom he entered into partnership in business, under the firm-name of
D. & W. P. Evans.
The Pennsylvania Railroad, in straightening its tracks, built a new station about 100 yards north
of the old " West Chester Intersection" station, and at the suggestion of the firm and others
interested the new station was called " Malvern." It was first used for passengers on the 21st of
second month, 1873, when the travel was changed to the new line.
This change in the bed of' the railroad made it necessary for the firm of D. & W. P. Evans to seek
a new location for their business, and having agreed with the railroad company to put in a siding
for them, giving 500 feet of clear standing-room for cars on the same track as the old one, but on
the south side of the railroad, and about 150 yards farther east, they built their steam mill and
warehouse, now much enlarged, and owned and occupied by William P. Evans.
Each of the partners built a dwelling-house on the Ruth farm in 1872. The one represented in the
opposite cut is on the west side of Charming Avenue (running parallel to the Intersection road on
the west side of the farm), and south of a cross street at right angles to the avenue. William P.
Evans built in the southeast angle of the same streets, and exactly opposite to his uncle.
They also succeeded in obtaining a post-office for the village. D. Evans having built a storehouse
in the southwest angle of the railroad and Bridge Street in 1875, and sold it to Samuel Entriken,
L. K. Reeves rented it, and opened a store in 1876, and was appointed the first postmaster by
commission dated 12th mo. 8th of that year.
The water-works were constructed by the firm in the fall of 1871, obtaining pure, soft water from
a walled in spring on the Ruth farm, and forcing it two thousand three hundred feet through
cast-iron pipes to the tank in the village by a twelve-feet over-shot water-wheel and two
double-acting pumps. To guard against a failure of water for power in times of severe and
protracted drought, or of accidents to the wheel or pumps, a ten horse-power steam-engine and
forcing-pump has been placed in a building adjoining that of the water-wheel, and found capable
of throwing up in twenty-four hours, and the spring of supplying, at least fifty thousand gallons
of water during times of lowest water known for the last fifteen years. The reservoir or tank is
placed high enough to force the water over the roofs of houses in the village, and the building has
a cellar under it, in which the pipes are so arranged as to pass the spring-water directly to
consumers without going into the tank, which receives only the excess, and the supply to
dwellings is always fresh, cool, and clear.
The Baptists and Friends each have a meeting-house in the village, and a boarding- and
day-school is conducted by Jane M. and Margaret G. Eldridge, in a house built by themselves on
Channing Avenue in 1873. Josiah A. Roberts started his nursery of fruit and ornamental trees in
1869, on ground adjoining that of the railroad, nearly south of the present station.
Still & Ruth built their door-, sash-, and planing-mill in 1874, and J. Jones Still, the senior
partner, his comfortable dwelling on King Street in 1880.
John Detwiler came from Phoenixville and began the stove and tinware and tin-roofing business
in 1876.
John S. Coates erected his large blacksmith- and wheelwright-shop in 1877, and occupies the
former himself.
In the fall of 1879, Isaac Hall bought the coal- and lumber-yard from William P. Evans, and
associated himself in business with Levi S. Thomas, under the firm-name of Hall & Thomas. The
same fall and winter he erected a neat and commodious dwelling on a lot south of' and in front of
the Friends' meeting-house, which he now occupies. Levi S. Thomas built his dwelling on
Charming Avenue in 1876.
The elevation of the ground upon which the village is situated—about six hundred feet above
tide-water—gives it a commanding view of the surrounding country. When the atmosphere is
clear, fine views may be had over New Jersey towards the south, and glimpses along the
Schuylkill northeasterly from Valley Forge to the hills beyond Pottstown, as well as of the
beautiful Chester Valley filling in the nearer view.
Malvern contains about fifty houses, besides shops and business-places, most of which have been
built since the present name was given it. The society is good and free from disorder, no
intoxicating liquors being sold, as the people are determinedly opposed to their introduction or
use.
Thc Malvern Floor-Mill.—This mill, situated at Malvern, Pa., on the main line of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, was built in 1874-75, and is operated by the owner, William Penn Evans.
This mill is believed to be one of the first in the Eastern States to adopt the " new process" or
patent system of making flour, which has revolutionized modern milling. (See cut on next page.)
The mill is now being remodeled upon the " gradual reduction" process, in which rolls and
reduction-machines are substituted for millstones. When this change is made it will have a
present capacity of one hundred and twenty-five barrels per day, which can be increased to two
hundred and fifty barrels per day. It will be driven by 125 horse-power Buckeye engine.
It is believed that few mills in the East or West will surpass this in convenience of arrangement,
excellence of machinery, or quality of flour manufactured. The favorable location of the mill for
purchasing Western grain and feed makes it one of the best business points in the county.
Among other well-known brands of flour are the " Bon-Diboll" patent said " Malvern."
222 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
W. P. EVANS' STEAM FLOURING-MILL; MALVERN, PA.
HOMES OF CHESTER COUNTY.
It is perhaps not saying any more than is believed by most of our readers when we assert that
there are very few counties in the State which contain more fine residences and comfortable
homes than Chester County. Some of these boast of their age,—venerable structures, whose
roof-tree has sheltered many generations,—others of their delightful situations or beautiful
surroundings, and still others of their ornate style, commodious size, or modern adornments. But
in every case they are looked upon with just pride by their possessors, embodying as they do a
variety of interests which cluster around the " hearth and home." Very many of these, located in
various parts of the county, are herein represented (scattered throughout the volume). These
illustrations of Chester County homes embrace the following :
BIRMINGHAM.
Jones, William, Jr.
Sager, John P.
Painter, William T.
Sharpless, Benjamin.
CALN.
Moore, James C.
Moore, William, Jr.
CHARLESTOWN.
Buckwalter, John H.
Hartman, D. R.
DOWNINGTOWN.
Parke, John E.
EAST BRADFORD.
Cope, E. & E.
Little, George.
Hannum, John, Jr.
Mellor, G. B.
Holley, E. H.
Seeds, Emmor.
James, Edwin.
Worth, Francis.
Worth, Samuel.
EAST BRANDYWINE.
Dorlan, James M.
Guie, James.
Dorian, Samuel B.
Moore, William.
Roberts, James C.
EAST COVENTRY.
March, Franklin.
Saylor, J. C.
EAST FAFFOWFIELD
Fredd, Benjamin E.
Pyle, Cloud.
Pyle, James B.
EAST GOSHEN.
Downing, S. R. and M. G.
Roberts, Pratt.
EAST MARLBOROUGH.
Chalfant, William
Seal, T. F. and L. G.
Myers, Michael and Amy K.
Smith, I. Milton.
Taylor, Bayard.
EAST NANTMEAL.
Morris, Edwin.
TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS, ETC - 223
EAST NOTTINGHAM.
Graves, Harvey.
Pugh, William.
Grier, R. J.
Reynolds, Joseph T.
Pugh, Amos
Stubbs, Joseph. I.
Wilson, R. F. and J. D.
EAST PIKELAND.
Prizer, Benjamin.
EASTTOWN.
Cleaver, I. A.
Sachse, J. F.
Lobb, Preston W.
Sharp, Joseph W.
Paist, Charles.
Wayne, William.
EAST VINCENT.
Chrisman, Henry E.
Towers, Michael.
EAST WHITELAND.
Fetters, Samuel.
Harrar, John T.
Malin, John, Sr.
FRANKLIN.
West, J. G.
HIGHLAND.
Futhey, James L.
Hinkson, Abbie A.
Gibson, T. J.
Parke, John A.
Haslett, William B.
Scott, D. E.
KENNET SQUARE.
Darlington, H. M.
Yeatman, John M.
LONDON BRITAIN.
Mercer, Thomas.
Yeatman, John C.
LONDONGROVE.
Baker, Aaron.
Harvey, Thomas M.
Carter, Jno. I.
Jackson, Job H.
Chambers, David P.
Kent, Samuel C.
Dingee & Conrad Co. (The)
Phillips, Joseph T.
Good, Francis
Pyle, Joseph.
NEW GARDEN.
Dowdall, Joseph.
Michener, Ezra, M.D.
Hobson, Phebe S.
Richards, John.
Hoopes, Thomas B.
Starr, Charles T.
Michener, Ellwood.
Thompson, Benj., M.D.
NEWLIN.
Hayes, Jacob.
Lamborn, Richard J.
Young, George.
NEW LONDON.
Hodgson, R. H.
NORTH COVENTRY.
Pennypacker, Arnold.
OXFORD.
Dickey, Ebenezer V.
Dickey, Samuel.
PENN.
Charlton, Thomas M.
Nelson, John D.
Myers, Daniel
Powell, Lewis.
PENNSBURY.
King, Brinton.
Parker, William W.
Lancaster, Joseph.
Pyle, Job H.
Mendenhall, Aaron
Ring, Caleb B.
POCOPSON.
Baily, James W.
Martin, George.
SADSBURY.
Beale, Horace A.
Large, Susan W.
Brooks, Nancy
Maule, Nathan.
Chalfant, John N.
Moore, Henry.
Ross, Moses.
SCHUYLKILL AND PHOENIXVILLE.
Chrisman, R. F.
Kaler, Levi B.
Cornett, Samuel.
Moore Hall.
Fisher, B. F.
Suplee, C. E.
Hunter, J. T. F.
Vanderslice, John.
THORNBURY.
Brinton, Jos. H.
Hickman, Wellington.
TREDYFFRIN.
Acker, Conrad
Jones, Franklin.
Acker, Samuel
Peterson, Richard.
Cornog, M. D.
Steen, H. J.
UPPER UWCHLAN.
Buck walter, David
McClure, Mrs. Henrietta.
Evans, J. B.
McClure, Samuel.
Evans, Newton.
Moore, Chas. C.
Fetters, A.
Moore, Thos. M.
Keeley, Daniel
Pinkerton, Geo. S.
Todd, John.
VALLEY AND COATESVILLE.
Baker, J. L.
Hope, John S.
Cowan, James
Huston, Chas.
Graham, H.
Kenworthy, H.
Greenwood, Samuel.
Mendenhall, Wm. B.
Harlan, A. D.
Pennock, Chas. E.
WALLACE.
Patterson, John.
WARWICK.
Knauer, Davis.
WEST BRADFORD.
Chambers, M. B.
Marshall, Abraham.
March, George.
Marshall, Humphry.
Scattergood, Thomas F.
WEST BRANDYWINE.
Gray, Baldwin.
Mackelduff, S; C.
WEST CALN.
Lawrence, Samuel A.
Wagoner, John W.
WEST CHESTER.
Hartshorne, Joshua.
Taylor, Richard B.
Palmer, Rees.
Warrington, Curtis H.
WEST FALLOWFIELD.
Hurford, Maris.
McClellan, R. L.
WEST MARLBOROUGH.
Barnard, E. H.
Levis, C. G.
Barnard, James.
Pennock, Joseph.
Darlington, Milton.
Pennock, Levis B.
Hoopes, Cyrus.
Pennock, Sarah P.
WEST NANTMEAL.
Butler, James.
Byler, Reuben.
Potts, J. D.
224 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
WESTTOWN.
Faucett, George.
Rhoads, George.
Nivin, J. W.
Strode, Oliver J.
WEST VINCENT.
Ralston, William.
Woodward, O. L.
WEST WHITELAND.
Bull, Mrs. Sarah R.
Thomas, George.
WILLISTOWN.
Bishop, J.
Evans, David.
Cox, Thomas S.
Johnson, John.
Evans, William
Smedley, R. B.
ELECTION DISTRICTS.
In the early days of the province the annual general elections for the whole county of Chester
were held at the court-house at Chester, on the Delaware River. As the population increased, the
throng of people attending became great, and as the drinking of liquors was not prohibited,
scenes of disorder were often witnessed.
By act of Assembly in 1705 it was provided that two judges and a number of inspectors and
clerks should be selected by the electors present, but what number of inspectors was not.
specified. Another act, of Aug. 27, 1727, directed that four should be chosen for Chester County.
May 19, 1739, an amendment was passed directing the justices at the next Quarter Sessions to
divide the county into eight nearly equal districts. An election was to be held in each township
four days before the general election, to select one person well acquainted with the estates and
circumstances of the inhabitants thereof, the names so chosen in all the townships to be delivered
to the sheriff, who should by lot draw one name from each of the eight districts to serve as
inspectors at the general election.
In pursuance of this act Chester County was divided thus.
Chester District.—Aston, Chichester, Chester, Middletown, Edgemont.
Crum Creek District.—Easttown, Radnor, Newtown, Upper Providence, and Lower Providence.
Darby Creek District.—Havcrford, Marple, Springfield, Darby, and Ridley.
Brandywine District.—East Bradford, West Bradford, Concord, Birmingham, Thornbury, Bethel,
and Newlin.
Pioneering District.—Charlestown, Tredyffrin, Whiteland, Goshen, Willistown, and Westtown.
Red Clay Creek District.—W. Marlborough, E. Marlborough, New Garden, Kennet, Fallowfield,
and Sadsbury.
Elk River District.—E. Nottingham, W. Nottingham, New London, Londonderry, London
Britain, Londongrove, and Oxford.
French Creek District—East Caln, West Caln, Nantmell, Coventry, Vincent, Uwchlan, and
Pikeland.
Electors in that day were required to own fifty acres of land, well seated, and with twelve thereof
cleared and improved, or otherwise be worth fifty pounds in money. The voting was done
between the hours of nine and three, on the 1st of October. In 1766 the number of inspectors was
increased to one from each township, not less than four nor more than six of whom were to be
placed together at one window, door, or other convenient place of the house where the election
should be held. These were to receive the votes of the townships to which they belonged. A large
force of clerks was also required, as will be seen by the following :
" CHESTER, ss.: Pay John Henry, William Haslett, Lewis Gronow, Richard Miles, Samuel Starr,
Geo. Pierce, Enoch Taylor, John Smith, Daniel Trimble, Charles Dilworth, James Walters,
William Dixon, Fredcrick Engle, Caleb Pierce, David Brown, James McDowell, George Harris,
and John Gardner the sum of fivc shillings Each for their service as Clerks at the Election for the
year 1775.
"T. LEVIS,
"DAVID BOYD, WILLIAM EVANS.
"To JOHN BRINTON,
" Treasurer."
The inconvenience of having to go from the farthest point in the county to vote, together with the
confusion incident to such a large gathering, made it desirable to divide the county into election
districts. This was essayed in the Provincial Conference which met at Philadelphia, at Carpenter's
Hall, June 18 to 25, 1776. This Conference resolved that a convention to frame a new
government was necessary, and therefore proceeded to prescribe the time and manner of electing
delegates thereto. The election was to be held on Monday, the 8th of July, at the following
places, viz.:
"For the city and county of Philadelphia, the counties of Bucks, Berks and Bedford, at the usual
places of election.
" Chestcr county to be divided into three districts, that is to say :
" Chester, Upper Chichester, Lower Chiehester, Bethel, Aston, Concord, Middletown,
Thornbury, Birmingham, Nether Providence, Upper Providence, Ridley, Marple, Springfield,
Darby, Haverford, Newtown, Edgemont, and Willistown being the first district, to be held at
Chester.
"The second district, London Grove, East and West Marlborough, Kennet, Pennsbury, New
Lynn, New Garden, London Britain, New London, Londonderry, East and West Nottingham,
Oxford, East Fallowfield, West Fallowfield, Sadsbury, and West Caln, to bc held at Chatham,
commonly callcd the Half-way House.
"The third district, East and West Whiteland, East and Wcst Bradford, Charlestown, Tredyffrin,
Uwchland, Pikeland, Coventry, East and West Nantmill, East Caln, East Town, West Town,
Goshen, Vincent, Radnor, to be held at the White Horse."
The convention furthermore nominated as judges of election the following persons : at Chester,
Hugh Lloyd, Thomas Levis, Mark Wilcox ; at Chatham, John McKay, Joseph Gardner, Thomas
Welsh ; at White Horse, Richard Thomas, Lewis Gronow, Thomas Bull.
In the year 1785, prior to the removal of the county-seat to West Chester, the county was divided
by act of Assembly into four election districts, as follows : The First District included all the
townships in the present county of Delaware, and the townships of Easttown, Birmingham, and
Thornbury, the two latter afterwards divided by the new county line, the elections to be held at
the court-house at Chester ; the Second District included the townships of Londongrove, East and
West Marlborough, Kennet, Pennsbury, New Garden, London Britain, New London, London-.
derry, East and West Nottingham, Oxford, and West Fallowfield, the elections to be held at
Chatham, " formerly called the Halfway House ;" the Third District included the townships of
West Whiteland, East and West Caln, West Nantmeal, East and West Bradford, Newlin, East
Fallowfield, and Sadsbury, the elections to be held at the sign of the " Pennsylvania Arms," at the
house of John Culbertson, Esq., in the township of East Caln ; and the Fourth District was
composed of the townships of Charles-
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