The keepers of this prison have been Robert Irwin, 1839-53 ; Christian Peterman, 1853-54 ;
Benjamin F. Haines, 1854-74 ; Washington Hagerty, 1874 to the present.
NATURALIZATION.
The naturalization of such of the early settlers of the American colonies as were emigrants from
any country except Great Britain and its dependencies, was accomplished by special legislation
of the colonial Assembly up to about the year 1740, from which time it was done by the Supreme
Court. (See Pennsylvania Archives, 2d series, ii.) The following are the names of some, mostly of
this county, who were naturalized from 1709 to 1771 :
Sept. 28, 1709.-Rienier Van der Slays and Adrian, his son.
March 5, 1725-26.-Bernhard Vanleer.
1730.-Christian Mary, Casper Acker, Johannes Roth, Jacob Acker.
1738.-George Donat, Garret Brownback.
September, 1740.-John George Vanleer; John Bartholomew, John George Hoffman, Jacob
Hoffman, Philadelphia County.
April, 1741.-Conrad Niedermardt.
April, 1743.-Mathias Ringer, George Shultz, Philadelphia County; Sebastian Wagoner, Christian
Brower, Johannes Brewer, Nicholas Haldeman, Jacob Bussart, Peter Ash, Jacob Engars,
Johannes Engars, Jost Engar, Jacob Bach, Johannes Steiner, George Reezer, Andreas Hoffman,
Johannes Shinholser.
April, 1744.-Nicholas Carver.
April 11, 1749.-Daniel Hister, Philadelphia County.
April 12, 1750.-John Stoner, Peter Engle, Christian Perry, Andrew Heit, Roderick Smith, Henry
Bear.
Sept. 25, 1751.-George Larow.
April 10, 1757.-Jacob Ehrenzeller.
April 10, 1760.-George Hartman.
April, 1761.-Michael Deny, Michael Si fert.
September, 1761.-George Adam Heilman, John Gruber.
Sept. 24, 1762.-John Melford, Caspar Melford.
April 11, 1763.-George Martin, Charlestown ; Jacob Longenacre, Susannah Longenacre,
Coventry.
Sept. 24, 1763.-Peter Pechin, Haverford.
September, 1764.-Christopher Knower, Burkhard Becktel, East Nantmel; Godfried Towenhower,
Coventry.
April 10, 1765.-Adam Richards, East Caln.
Sept. 24, 1766.-John Carr, Whiteland; Philip Super, Haverford.
* This includes an item of $2470.50 for a lot purchased of Joseph P. Wilson for $4770, part of which was sold in
1871 to M. B. Hickman & Co. for $2300, leaving the real addition as above given, $2470.50.
† The prison enlarged by an addition this year.
1767.-John Paul, Vincent; Henry Shenckell, Coventry; Jacob Schuster, Nantmel; Henry Shaver,
Charlestown.
September, 1768.-Jacob Stork, Ridley.
Sept. 24, 1770.-Wendel Dantfeltzer, Peter Wenger, Nantmel; George Grauss, Coventry.
Sept. 24, 1771.-Christopher Ricks, East Caln.
WITCHCRAFT IN CHESTER COUNTY.
Superstition in the early days seems not to have been confined to Salem, whose witches so much
exercised the Puritans of New England. The imaginary crime of witchcraft at that time ranked
among the most heinous, and hence was only tried by the superior courts. The parties concerned
in the celebrated witch trial, which occurred before the proprietary, William Penn, and his
Council, at Philadelphia, Feb. 27,1684, resided near the mouth of Crum Creek, were in good
circumstances, and, for aught that is known to the contrary, were quite as respectable as their
accusers. The following is the record of the trial, copied from the published minutes of the
Council :
"Margaret Matson's Indictmt was read, and she pleads not Guilty, and will be tryed by the
Country.
" Lasse Cock attested Interpriter between the Proper and the Prisoner at the Barr.
"The Petty Jury Impanneled; their names are as followed :-Jno Misting, foreman, Albertus
Hendrickson, Robt. Piles, Robt. Wade, Nath. Evans, Edwd. Carter, Wm. Hewes, Jer: Collet, Jno.
Kinsman, Jno. Gibbons, Walter Martin, Edwd. Bezar.
"Henry Drystreet, attested, saith he was tould 20 years ago, that the Prisoner at the Barr was a
Witch, and that several cows were bewitcht by her ; also that James Saunderling's mother tould
him that she bewitcht her cow, but afterwards said it was a mistake, and that her cow should doe
well againe, for it was not her cow but another Persons that should dye.
" Charles Ashcom, attested, saith that Anthony's Wife being asked why she sould her cattle; was
because her mother had Bewitcht them, having taken the Witchcraft of Hendrick's Cattle, and put
it on their oxen ; she myght keep but noe other Cattle, and also that one night the Daughter of ye
Prisoner called him up hastely, and when he came she sayed there was a great Light but just
before, and an old woman with a knife in her band at ye Bedd's feet, and therefore she cryed out
and desired Jno. Symcock to take away his Calves, or Else she would send them to Hell.
"James Claypool attested interpritor betwixt the Prop" and the Prisoner.
"The affidavid of Jno. Vanculin read, Charles Ashcom being a witness to it.
" Annakey Coolin, attested, saith her husband tooke the Heart of a Calf that Dyed, as they
thought, by Witchtcraft, and Boyld it, whereupon the Prisoner at ye Barr came in and asked them
what they were doing; they said boyling of flesh; she said they had better they had Boyled the
Bones, with several other unseemly Expressions.
"Margaret Mattson saith that she values not Drystreet's evidence; but if Sanderlin's mother had
come, she would have answered her; also denyeth Charles Ashcoms attestation at her soul, and
saith, where is my daughter ; let her come and say so.
"Annakey Cooling's attestation about the Gees, saying she was never out of her Conoo, and also
that she never said any such things concerning the calve's heart.
"Jno. Cock attested, sayth he knows nothing of the matter.
" Tho : Baldings attestation was read, and Tho : Bracy attested, saith it is a true copy.
"The prisoner denyeth all things, and saith that ye Witnesses speake only by hear say.
"After well ye Gorr gave the Jury their Charge concerning ye Prisoner at ye Barr.
"The Jury went forth, and upon their Returne Brought her in Guilty of haveing the Comon fame
of a Witch, but not Guilty in manner and forme as Shee Stands Indicted.
"Neels Matson and Antho. Neelson enters into Recognizance of fifty pounds a piece for the good
behaviour of Margaret Matson for six months."
WITCHCRAFT IN CHESTER COUNTY - 413
The Proprietary's charge has not been preserved, but it may be presumed that it was upon his
suggestions that the jury based their very righteous, but rather ridiculous, verdict.
A few years later the Friends of Concord Monthly Meeting hecame greatly concerned about some
young persons of Chichester township, who were engaged in the study of astrology and other
arts, which they regarded as very dangerous. Their serious gravity in treating the matter, and their
persistency in attempts to convince the offenders that it was evil,—" a reproach of truth and the
great hurt of themselves,"—is quite remarkable. We extract from the records of Concord
Monthly Meeting, commencing with the date of 9, 11, 1695 :
" Some friends haveing a concern upon them Concerning some young men welt came amongst
friends to their meetings and following some arts which friends thought not fit for such as profest
truth to follow, viz., astroligy and other arts; whareupon it was stated to this meeting Concerning
Astroligy and other sciences, as Geomancy and Chiromancy and Necromancy &c. It was debated
and the sense of this meeting is that the study of these sciences brings a vaile over the
understanding and a death upon the Life.
" And in the sense of the same, friends orders yt Philip Roman Be spoken too to know whether
he have dealt orderly wth his two sons concerning the same Arts ; And that his two sons be spoke
to to come to ye next monthly meeting;
" friends orders John Kingsman And William Hughes to speak to Philip Roman & his two sones
to Appare at ye next monthly meeting."
10, 9,1695.—" Philip Roman and his Brother Robert Roman friends children was spoak to about
those Arts and Sciences abovesaid they seemed to disowne Iv, is Mentioned except Astroligy;
much was said unto them But it was not Received :—at Last they proposed to the meeting if they
thought well of it to Confer wth Nicolus Newlin and Jacob Chandler and if they could convince
them yt it was Evil] they would Leave it. This meeting receives their offer and concludes that
Nicolus Newlin and Jacob Chandler Confer with them betwixt this and next Monthly Meeting
and Make report thereof."
11, 13, 1695.—" Nicolus Newlin and Jacob Chandler reports to this meeting yt that they have
Confered with Phillip Roman Jr. and Robert Roman according to their proposal]. Many
Arguments on both sides at Length Phillip concluded with us yt he did not know that he should
use ye art of Astroligy Again̊ for he had Denied severell yt came to him to be resolved of their
Question already—Robert promised the same but with this reserve unless it was to Doe some
great good by it from web beliefe of some great good may be Done by it wee could not remove
him."
1, 9, 1695-6.—William Hughes (Hewes) and Jacob Chandler are ordered to confer with them
again " to endeavour in the wisdom of god to bring them to a sense of their condition and to give
forth a paper to condemn their practys therein." Philip Roman, Sr., presented an
acknowledgment, condemning his sons' behavior and his own for taking their parts at first.
3, 11, 1696.—Philip Roman, Jr., made an acknowledgment, but Robert was disowned.
The subject of these dark practices was also brought before the Chester Quarterly Meeting, which
body appears to have taken a rather rational view of the subject for the times. The following is an
extract from the preamble of a long testimony published by that meeting early in the year 1696:
" Whereas the meeting being acquainted, that some persons under the profession of truth, and
belonging to this meeting, who professing the art of Astrology, have undertaken thereby to
answer questions, and give Astrological Judgments concerning persons and things, tending to the
dishonor of Gon, and the reproach of Truth and the great hurt of themselves and those who come
to inquire of them; and Whereas, it is also reported that some professing truth among us seems
too much inclined to use and practice Rabdomancy, or consulting with a staff, and such like
things, all which have brought a weighty exercise and concern upon this meeting, as well because
of the reproach, that is already brought upon the truth hereby, as also to prevent, as much as in us
lies, its being further reproached by any among us that may attempt to follow the like practices
for time to come, &c."
But this business did not end with the meeting. An offense so serious as the practice of
"Geomancy" could not escape the vigilance of the grand jury, particularly as the foreman lived in
the same neighborhood with the parties. In bringing the matter to the notice of the court, they say
:
" We the grand Inquest by the King's authority, presents Robert Roman of Chichester for
practicing Geomancy according to hidden, and divining by a stick.
WALTER MARTEN,
" Foreman."
With the view of effectually eradicating the evil, it became necessary to destroy the implements
of mischief by another presentment, which is thus recorded :
"We the Grand Inquest by the Kings authority presents the following books : Hidons Temple of
Wisdom, which teaches Geomancy, and Scots discovery of Witchcraft, and Cornelias Agrippas
teach Necromancy. WALTER MARTIN, Foreman."
Upon which " the Court orders as many of said Books as can be found be brought to the next
court."
The following minute records the closing scene of this ludicrous judicial procedure:
" Robert Roman was called to answer the presentment of the Grand Jury the last Court; be
appeared and submitted himself to the Bench. The order of the Court is that he shall pay five
pounds for a fine and all charges, and never practice the arts, but behave himself well for the
future, and he promised to do so, whereupon he is discharged for this time."
Some sixty years later, as we find at Goshen Monthly Meeting (12, 17, 1759), that Uwchlan
Preparative Meeting brought a complaint against Robert Jones (who belonged to Pikeland
meeting) for joining others "in forcing a poor woman from her habitation (under a pretence of her
bewitching a certain child), whereby she has suffered damage." To the credit of the meeting be it
said, however, it sided with the woman by condemning her oppressors. and (3, 7, 1760) the
first-named meeting disowned Robert Jones. Perhaps this has some connection with the
following circumstance :
More than one hundred years ago there lived in a log cabin on the barrens, a few miles from
where West Chester now stands, an inoffensive old woman, named Molly Otley, who was
superstitiously characterized as a witch. A daughter of Joshua Ashbridge, who had become
demented, acted strangely, uttering at the same time unintelligible 'sounds, which were construed
into " molotly, molotly." This was conclusive evidence that she was bewitched, and by Moll
Otley. So one Seventh-day the populace assembled for her trial,—not a judicial one, but a la
Judge Lynch,—and it is said the whole country-side were there, " gentle, simple, learned, and
ignorant," all carried away by the then popular belief in witchcraft. James Gibbons* (then living
on what has since been known as the " Westtown School
* From whose grandson, Gibbons Parry, of Florida, Ohio, we have this recital. In Joseph Townsend's early history
of West Chester he mentions Mary Otley as being noted for enchantment.
414 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Farm") was deputed to bring the old woman. During his absence some were to draw her image
on a board, and fire at it with pieces of silver (for lead would not hurt a witch) ; wherever the
image was hit there the witch would be wounded. Mr. Gibbons was charged to notice if she
manifested any pain or uneasiness by the way. After riding some distance she complained and
said she would rather walk, and did so the rest of the way. Arriving at the door of the house (over
which a horseshoe had been nailed, the floor newly scrubbed, and salt sprinkled on the
threshold), Molly turned around to clean her shoes, when the cry went forth, " She's a witch, and
can't pass over the salt until she performs some conjuration." They then took her to the mill, put
her in one scale and a Bible in the other, for it was held that a Holy Bible would always outweigh
a witch. She remarked, " Children, I'll outweigh that book," and she did. She was next examined
by a jury of matrons to see if her body bore any marks from the silver pieces fired at her image;
but none were found. The next ordeal proposed was to throw her into the mill-dam, believing that
if she was a witch she would swim out quickly ; otherwise, sink. Mr. Gibbons and others
prevailed with the crowd to desist from this undertaking. But the final act in this farce, which had
already well-nigh proved a tragedy, was yet to come. In accordance with a current superstition
(that if the bewitched could draw blood on the witch above the breath,—i.e., above the
nostrils,—and the witch would pray for the recovery of the " possessed," they would recover),
she was carried to Ashbridge's, into the presence of the child, in whose hand the father put a
penknife ; but Molly said, " Joshua, I will not let thy crazy child cut me ; take it and cut me
thyself." But as the blood must be drawn by the bewitched, and none other, Molly was held while
the child scratched her face with her finger-nails until it bled profusely. Then she was compelled
to pray, which she did in these words : " 0 my God ! have mercy on this child, and restore her to
health !" " No ! not thy God, for he is the devil, but to my God and the child's God." Finally
satisfied, they released her ; she departed, and the crowd dispersed, no doubt confident in the
belief that they had to do with as veritable a witch as that of Endor, whom the Bible says Saul
consulted.
A curious and superstitious custom formerly prevailed in the matter of exorcising rats. It was
believed that if the person troubled by these pests would serve a notice upon them (perhaps after
a certain form) and command them to depart, defining their course and where they were to go,
they would leave the premises. A relic of this old notion was recently found in an ancient
dwelling of Chester County among other antiquated papers. It read as follows :
"Rats, I command you forthwith to depart my houses, barns and premises & Go to Richard
Joneses a Course Lyeing Between west and southwest where you will be accommodated well &
not Return to this premises on pain of Death & this shall be your sufficient pass
" GIDEON W'ILLIAMSON.
"Aprill 24 1805."
CHESTER COUNTY MILITARY FIFTY YEARS AGO.
The Republican Artillerists was organized about the year 1816, composed of gentlemen of
leading families from different parts of Chester County. For several years during the early part of
the organization Dr. William Darlington was the commander. In 1825, Thomas Evans, M.D., was
captain, and so continued until his death, in October, 1828.
The company met in West Chester, generally on 4th of July and Washington's birthday, for
parade ; they were armed with long swords, and had a six-pounder brass piece, " Diana," which
produced loud reports during the drinking of their toasts after dinner, Dr. Darlington and Major
Barnard occupying opposite ends of the table. It was through the exertions, prompted by
patriotism, of the members of this company, in 1817, that the bones of the American soldiers
who were massacred in cold blood on the night of Sept. 20, 1777, were collected and deposited
in one grave, and a respectable monument, inclosed by a stone wall, erected.
In the fall of the year 1824, Governor Shulze visited Philadelphia, and was met at Chester by the
Republican Artillerists mounted, and escorted to West Chester. The Governor, instead of being
entertained at the " Turk's Head," kept by Eber Worthington, a member of the company and a
stanch Democrat, was taken to the " Cross Keys," the proprietor of which, Davis Beaumont,
belonged to the Federal party. This gave offense to the members of the company generally, one
of whom expressed himself openly in strong language, declaring that he would never again meet
the company, and he kept his word.
Governor Shulze was a large and fine-looking German, unused to show and parade, and being
doubtless anxious to return to his quiet home, he left by private conveyance the next morning. In
June, 1827, the National Light Infantry, of Philadelphia, came to West Chester, and encamped in
a grove at " The Travelers' Rest," kept by Imla J. Bennett, and remained one week. On the 4th of
July they paraded with the Artillerists.
In 1829 the Artillerists were disbanded, and in a short time thereafter was reorganized, a different
style of uniform adopted, and armed with flint-lock muskets. Few of the old members, however,
joined the new organization. The officers were Dr. Wilmer Worthington, captain ; Joseph
Hemphill, first lieutenant; J. Lacey Darlington, second lieutenant. This organization existed about
three years.
The " Wayne Guards," commanded by Captain Henry Fleming, the members residing in or near
West Chester, included farmers, mechanics, lawyers, etc. The late Judge Haines, then a young
man, Jesse Conard, and Daniel Buckwalter, Esqs., were members. Capt. Fleming, who had
served in the war of 1812, displayed all the requirements of a finished soldier and gentleman, a
strict disciplinarian, and one well posted in military tactics as practiced at that time. An old
colored man, called Tom Bugg, said to have been a body-servant to Gen. Wayne, used to afford
much amusement for the boys by marching in the rear of the company clad in flashy uniform, and
carrying a long sword, with which he sometimes charged on the youngsters, causing them to
scatter in every direction. After the resignation of Capt. Fleming, Daniel Buckwalter, Esq., was
elected captain. This company was disbanded in 1826.
A small company, called " Junior Artillerists," from the northern part of the county, commanded
by Joseph Pearce,
WEST POINT GRADUATES.-PUBLIC-HOUSES - 415
a resident of West Chester, paraded in the borough several times between the years 1823 and
1826 ; they were armed with muskets, and had a small brass field-piece, " Minerva."
A rifle company called " Harmony Rangers" was organized in 1826, in the neighborhood of
Dilworthtown, commanded by William Shields. This organization continued three or four years.
In different parts of the county military companies existed ; " Honeybrook Infantry," "
Brandywine Light Infantry," " Washington Guards," " Union Fencibles," " Chester County
Blues," commanded by Capt. John Shafer, and " Union Troop," of Chester and Delaware
Counties, were among the number.
The largest number of military that ever visited West Chester at one time was at the reception of
Lafayette, July 26, 1825. Not only all the military of Chester County, but a large number from the
adjoining counties, turned out.
In 1830 the " National Blues" were organized, and elected the following officers : Captain,
William Apple ; First Lieutenant, Peter Osborne; Second Lieutenant, David B. Reed ; First
Sergeant, Angus McKay ; Second Sergeant, Edward Maginnis ; Third Sergeant, John 'McGinley.
Capt. Apple was an able officer and an efficient teacher, and his company made rapid progress in
the manual of infantry tactics, and it had the reputation of being the best-drilled company in
Chester County. In its ranks were to be found some of the best material of West Chester and
vicinity, including farmers, mechanics, merchants, physicians, and lawyers.
The late Dr. Jacob Ehrenzeller manifested much interest in the welfare of this company, and it
gave him much pleasure to have the company halt in front of his residence and listen to his kind
words of encouragement. Few men possessed a more ardent patriotism than Dr. Ehrenzeller, and
during the latter part of his life he delighted to talk of the Revolution and those who conducted
that struggle to its glorious termination, and expressed strong feelings of condemnation towards
those of our countrymen who had opposed our fathers in their efforts for independence. The
doctor died of apoplexy, July 18, 1838, in the eighty-first year of his age, and was buried with
military honors in Grove burying-ground, in West Whiteland.
The company retained its organization until 1836, when an attempt was made to divide the
company, which caused its dissolution. Subsequently, and prior to the Rebellion, several other
military companies were formed and flourished in different parts of the county,-one of them
commanded successively by the late Robert Irwin and Henry S. Evans,-but space will not permit
us to speak of them.
WEST POINT GRADUATES.
The following is a list of graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point from the
counties of Chester and Delaware since the establishment of the Academy :
Francis Lee, Chester, Delaware Co, Pa., admitted Sept. 2, 1818; second lieutenant, Seventh
Infantry, July 1, 1822.
Andrew Kinnard, Cochranville Post-office, Chester Co., Pa., admitted June 24, 1819; brevet
second lieutenant, First Artillery, July 1, 1823.
Thomas H. Pearce, East Whiteland, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1822; brevet second
lieutenant, First Infantry, July 1, 1826.
William H. Price, Chester, Delaware Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1830; brevet second lieutenant,
First Infantry, July 1, 1834.
Israel Vogdes, Paoli, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1833 ; second lieutenant, First Artillery,
July 1, 1837.
Samuel B. Hayman, Paoli, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1838; brevet second lieutenant, First
Infantry, July 1, 1842.
John G. Parke. Coatesville, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1845; brevet second lieutenant,
Topographical Engineers, July 1, 1849.
Augustus H. Plummer, Doe Run, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1849; brevet second
lieutenant, Sixth Infantry, July 1, 1853.
William H. Bell, West Chester, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1853; brevet second lieutenant,
Third Infantry, July 1, 1858.
David P. Heap, Chester, Delaware Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1860 ; first lieutenant, Corps of
Engineers, June 13, 1864.
Thomas J. March, Lawrenceville, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1864; second lieutenant,
Seventh Cavalry, June 15, 1868.
Emerson Griffith, Pughtown, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1868; second lieutenant,
Thirteenth Infantry, June 14, 1872.
William Herbert Baldwin, son of John It. Baldwin, West Bradford township, appointed candidate
U.S.A., Aug. 7, 1873, by Secretary of War upon recommendation of Hon. W. Townsend ;
admitted U.S.A. Sept. 1, 1873; graduated from West Point June 14, 1877; appointed additional
second lieutenant, Fifth U. S. Cavalry, June 14,1877; promoted second lieutenant, Seventh U. S.
Cavalry, Sept. 30, 1877 ; participated in campaign against hostile Cheyenne Indians in October
and November, 1878; present at surrender of hostile Cheyennes in Nebraska, Oct. 23, 1878 ;
appointed regimental quartermaster Seventh U. S. Cavalry on April 9, 1880.
A son of Dr. A. K. Gaston is in the class for this year (1881).
PUBLIC-HOUSES.
The earliest notice we have of the licensing of public-houses was in 1671, when the settlements
on the Delaware were under the government of the Duke of York, prior to Penn's purchase. In
that year an order was made by the Governor and Council that no persons were to be permitted to
distill liquor without license, and that the victualers and tapsters should be ascertained, and three
only to be allowed in New Castle, and " some few up the river." In 1675 there was an entire
prohibition of the sale "of strong drinke or liquors to the Indians by retayle, or a less quantity than
two gallons att a tyme, under the penalty of five pounds ;" and a prohibition against distilling
grain by any of the inhabitants under a like penalty.
From the establishment of the government under Penn to about the close of the last century
licenses to keep public-houses were granted by the Governor upon the recommendation of the
courts, since then they have been granted directly by the courts. The licensing by the Governor
was a matter of form, as the applications were made to the courts, and those recommended were
always licensed as a matter of course. The contest for license was then, as since, before the
courts.
The number of public-houses was much greater in early days in proportion to the population than
at present. Strong liquors were in universal use, and as there was but comparatively little
traveling, the inns were chiefly supported by the community around them. Drinking was not only
indulged in freely at the public-houses, but the bottle was handed around at vendues and funerals
among all classes of the population. At funerals the custom was to carry around cakes and liquor,
of which all, young and old, generally partook. Sometimes some thirsty soul would take his
position where he would be served among the first,
416 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
and then would be found on the outskirts, where those serving were about concluding their
round. New England and Jamaica rum early found their way into the settlements, and were
favorite beverages, and when the orchards came into bearing, cider was added as a common
drink. At the taverns, it was not usual to set the bottle before the guest and allow him to help
himself as at present, but small glasses called " jiggers" were filled by the landlord, and if the
guest desired more he paid for a second drink.
When the members of the Society of Friends became sensible of the growing evils from
rum-drinking, which they did at an early period, they endeavored to put a stop to it as far as
possible, and they were the pioneers of temperance reform in the province and State. From the
earliest settlement they discouraged the sale of rum to Indians, and the meeting dealt with those
who offended.
The following minute of Chester Monthly Meeting, held 12, 22, 1724-5, will show the attitude of
Friends on the subject at that time :
"At our Quarterly Meeting it was desired yt friends take care at Burialls not to make great
provision as to provide strong Liquors & hand it about but lett Every one take yt is free to take it
as they have oeation & not more then will doe them Good."
As early as 1738 the Yearly Meeting adopted this minute :
"It is recommended to such of the members of Monthly Meetings as are magistrates that they use
their endeavours to lesson the number of persons recommended to keep publick houses, and that
Friends be careful not to sign petitions to recommend any but such as are proper persons and
where there is a real necessity."
In the meeting records we find repeated instances where the early Friends bore testimony against
the use of strong drink in families and elsewhere, and parents in particular were cautioned against
giving it to their children. Friends for a long time have watched with care over the morals of their
society in this regard, and are probably the most temperate religious body in the country. Inquiry
is regularly made in the Monthly Meetings whether the members use intoxicating drinks
themselves or give them to those in their employ.
The early petitions to the court for license usually set out the necessity for the house, its distance
from other houses, and the good character of the applicant, very much as at the present day,
except that, as a set form was not used for that purpose, they varied much in the manner in which
they were framed, and were sometimes curious specimens in a literary point of view. The "
schoolmaster" does not seem always to have been at home.
While licenses were somewhat freely granted, they were frequently refused, when the necessity
for the house was not apparent or the applicant was not deemed a proper person. There were two
kinds of licenses : one granting the privilege to vend all kinds of liquors, known in common
parlance as " full licenses," and the other to sell only " beer and cider." Sometimes the " full
license" was refused and the other allowed instead.
A few of these early applications will be referred to in order to show their general character.
Among the earliest licenses granted within the present limits of the county was that of Thomas
Moore, as early as 1717, at what is now Downingtown. His petition states that he is living 20
miles back, near no public-house of en tertainment, and he " wishes to sell strong liquor." He was
licensed " to keep a common ale house in the house where he lives." In 1720 he petitioned for a
renewal of his license " to sell all kinds of liquors," which was granted. In 1719, Joseph Cloud, of
Caln, was licensed " to sell all kinds of liquors, and to keep a public Inn in the house where he
dwells." The location of this house is not certainly known, but is supposed to have been north of
the valley. In 1717, Edward Thomas was licensed to keep a house of entertainment, and sell beer
and cider, near St. David's church, Radnor. He states in his petition as a reason for his application
that he " is obliged to entertain many people that come to worship at the said church." James
Thomas, of White-land, received a license in 1721 " for the keeping of a house of entertainment,
and for selling of wine, brandy, rum and other strong lyquors." In 1722, John Bentley says in his
petition to the court that
" having taken a house in the township of Birmingham and intending with your Honours
permission to sett up an Ordinary for the vending of beer and syder for the succour and support
of travailers, his house being on the great road leading to Nottingham and Maryland, and he
being likewise very much induced thereunto by severall of the neighbours importunity."
We probably have in this the original of the modern politician's application for office, " at the
solicitation of numerous friends." In the same year Edward Kennison was licensed to keep what
has now long been known as the " White House," in Whiteland. This was probably the first
licensing of that house. William Barnes was licensed in Kennet in 1724, and Griffith Jones in
Willistown the same year. In 1725 the license bonds contained this clause, " nor shall make use
of molasses in brewing of beer or ale." In 1726, George Aston applies for license in Caln, setting
forth that he is " living on the great road leading from Philadelphia to Conestogoe in the
township of Calne, is greatly opprest by travellers," and wants to keep a public-house. In 1727,
Alexander Eason, of Willistown, says that he " dwelleth by the King's Highway leading from
Philadelphia to Conestogoe, where travellers have frequent occasion for suitable entertainment."
In 1727-8, James Pugh was granted license in Uwchlan on the following petition :
"The petition of us who are inhabitants on the north east branch of Conestogo and on ye head of
French Creek, that whereas several of us subscribers having our residence fifty miles and
upwards distant from Chester and no house of publick entertainment erected in all yt space or
distance,"
and recommend James Pugh, of Uwchlan, who dwells about midway from Chester to Conestoga.
In 1728, Thomas George is granted license at the house now long known as the " Anvil," on a
petition stating that he
" hath been at a great deal of trouble and charge in building and in providing plenty of hay, corn
and about forty acres of good cleared pasturage and several other things necessary for a public
house,—that it is in the forks of two great roads, one towards Marlborough and the other towards
New London, and there being no house this side of Brandywine within several miles of the said
place."
In 1729, Lazarus Finney was licensed to keep a public-house at New London. His petition sets
forth
" That your petitioner living on ye great road leading from Susquehanna to Philadelphia and ye
road from Conestogoe to New Castle, in the township of New London, where there is a great
resort of travellers, who frequently travel along ye said road and are often
PUBLIC-HOUSES - 417
burthensome to your petitioner and several of ye neighbours for entertainment, for want of a
house of entertainment on ye aforesaid roads."
In 1731, John Bentley sets out in a petition that he had formerly petitioned for license for selling
strong lickers by small measure, and 'lath hitherto been disappointed, and now asks for license to
sell " bear and sider by ye quart." In 1733, Evan Lewis, of West Caln, " an ancient man and
almost past his labour, living on the King's road lately laid from Philadelphia to Lancaster," was
licensed to " keep public house and sell beer and syder." In the same year James Arbuckle
petitions for license, " upon the main road now leading from Conestogo to White Clay creek, to
sell rum, beer and sider, to answer every man's condition as his need requires it." In 1735, Robert
Richardson desires license in Tredyffrin, and sets out that he " is incapable by reason of lameness
in his arms, and has to support two ancient helpless women, his mother and mother in law,
besides wife and children."
In 1736, Garret Brumbough (Brownback) is licensed. He sets out in his petition that he " is
frequently oppressed with travellers whom he is obliged to entertain ;" that he is " living in the
township of Coventry on the great road which leads from Philadelphia to the Iron Works, and
from thence to Conestogoe, and there being no publick hoUse within twenty miles below or
thirty miles above the sd petitioner's house ; he the said petitioner living above four miles from
the Iron Works." In the same year John Chads was licensed at Chads' Ford. His petition states
that he has undertaken, to keep a ferry, and wishes to keep a public-house, etc. In 1737, James
Logan petitions for license in Londonderry, stating that he " hath lately purchased a plantation in
Londonderry where there is need of a public house, by reason of three grate rodes meeting at your
petitioners house and there being no publick house for five or six miles ; one road from
Conestoga to Christina Bridge, another from Buckleys mill to the Landing and the Limestone
road that leads to Nottingham." In 1738, William Boyd obtained license in Sadsbury. Francis
Swain, in 1739, petitioned for license in West Caln, stating that carts and wagons frequently
travel the road, and Dutch and others make it their stage at his house.
John Harris, of Willistown, obtained license in 1740, at the sign of the "Harrow." William
Hartley, of Charlestown, in the same year, says that his house is " continually infested with
travellers who call for and demand necessaries and that he has been at great charges in supplying
them with bedding and their horses with proper provender without any payment," and he asks for
license " to retail liquor in said house." John Vaughan was allowed a license at what is now
Lionyille in 1740, which is the first mention we have of a tavern at that point. There was a
remonstrance against granting this license from Friends meeting, setting forth :
"That it being but a few perches from our meeting house, where persons intoxicated with strong
liquor may come and be very annoyous and troublesome, where also our youth may be induced
by ill company to that which may be very corrupt and injurious to them ; we also humbly
conceive that there is or can be no necessity of a tavern at the above mentioned place on the
account of travellers, whilst there being houses of the kind on that road at a very convenient
distance, viz. James Trego's and William Hall's."
- 53 -
Prior to 1741 many of the tavern licenses appear to have been renewed without a formal petition
when the same person continued at the same place without any change.
John Frew, in 1741, petitions for license at New London, setting forth that
" Whereas in times past there was a tavern allowed to Lazarus Finney, deceased, in ye township
afd a place known by ye name of ye Cross Roads, for the support and comfort of travellers, being
great in number that passeth that way."
John Gibb in his petition presented the same year, for license in the same township, proposes " to
sell ye gill of rum for. threepence, and ye mug of Eg punch for sixpence."
Joseph Hawley, in his petition for license at Newtown, in the same year, says that
"Having for these fourteen years last past behaved himself as an honest, civill and quiet
neighbour in his said imploy, forbidding gaming or drunkenness or suffer mens servants or others
to sitt tip-ling in his house and he and his wife being each of them between sixty and seventy
years of age, .. . and hope you will not allow Francis Elliot, a young man (that hath a good trade,
being a wheelwright, house carpenter and joyner, having a wife and one child, and hath two or
three apprentices, and one journeyman) to obtain your grant for keeping of a publick house in
Newtown aforesaid to the great hurt and damage of your petitioner in his old age."
This petition was accompanied by one from the inhabitants of the township, uniting with him "
lest Hawley and wife become a publick charge." These judgments seem to have been influenced
by their pecuniary interests.
William McKean (the father of Governor McKean) petitioned for " full licence" in Londongrove
in 1741, which was not granted, but he was allowed to sell " beer and syder." He was soon
afterwards, and in the same year, granted a full license. This is the first mention we have of a
licensed house at Half-Way House (now Chatham). The house licensed is now the residence of
John I. Carter.
In 1743, William McKean again applied for license, and a petition was presented against his
application, representing that he " hath in and for some time past kept or permitted a very ill
conduct and practice in and about his aforesaid house in permitting or suffering 'people to swear,
curs, fight and to be drunk." He was allowed a license, this indorsement being made on the
petition against him :
"The petitioners pass by ye offences against ye sd McKean, he promising to behave better for
time to come."
In the year 1741, Thomas McKean, a brother of William McKean, was licensed to keep an inn in
Tredyffrin. Mary Moore, in the same year, set forth that she was the widow of William Moore, of
Willistown, and " having lived several years at a noted stage commonly called the Harrow, where
her husband followed the trade of a hatter, but received a wound in the leg had it cut off at the
thigh and died," and she desired license " to sell beer and sider, to maintain her family." The
application was rejected.
William Boyd, of Sadsbury, in 1742, says he " had licence to sell rum, beer, and syder the last
year," and he now wishes license for the ensuing year to sell " beer and syder." He seems
voluntarily to have given up the privilege of selling rum,—a rare virtue, we imagine, in those
days, and not much practiced in the present.
John Chads, who kept the ferry and public-house at
418 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Chads' Ford, had his license taken from him, but at the urgent request of the people of the
vicinage it was, in 1742, restored, the petitioners setting forth that
" being sensible that we may be liable to great disappointments, as well as on account of
entertainment, as also ye attendance of ye boat over ye said creek, wch has been greatly
serviceable to strangers unacquainted with ye said creek."
The ferry referred to was that over the Brandywine at Chads' Ford, maintained by John Chads, in
connection with his public-house. The first application for license at what is now Avondale was
made in 1742 by William Reed, but it was not successful. License was granted to James Way at
the sign of the " Wagon" (now Wagontown), in West Caln township, in 1742. This is the first
notice of a license at that place.
A public-house at the Yellow Springs was first licensed in 1750. Robert Pritchard, the applicant,
in his petition represented
"That your Petitioner is in Possession of a Farm in the Township of Pikeland in the said County
on which is that Medicinal Water Called the Yellow Spring unto which there is Frequently a
Great Concourse of People on account of Health and also many others Travailing about their
Occasions on a Publick Road Laid out and opened Near the same & also another Road is ordered
to be Laid from Uwchlan which may Cross the above said Road near said Spring; All which
occurrences Render it Necessary to Procure Accomodations for such as have occasion to come to
the said Place. And as your Petitioner hath already been at a Considerable Charge in Building &
Improveing and is yet willing further to Build and Improve In order to serve the People Your
Petitioner Therefore Humbly Prays that your Honours may be Pleased to Grant him a
Recommendation In order to obtain License to keep a House of Entertainment at ye said Place."
In 1769, Stephen Anderson petitioned for license at Chatham, setting out that he
" now resides at a place called Chatham in London Grove Township where an Inn has been kept
for upwards of twenty years; That he hath lately taken the said Inn from Thomas McKean
Esquire, with two hundred and thirty acres of land belonging to the same whereon are valuable
Buildings, a good Orchard and every convenience necessary for the good Entertainment of
Travellers, &c., five public Roads meet at the said Inn. There is another small Public House on
one of the roads within less than half a mile and not business enough for two, &c.
"Allowed at ye old house."
License was granted to Joshua Evans, in Tredyffrin, in 1769. This is the first notice of that
afterwards famous hostelry known far and wide as the " Paoli," whereat was always good cheer
for man and beast.
In 1758 there were 34 licenses granted in what is now Chester County. The names of those
licensed and the townships in which their houses were situated are here given :
Birmingham.—William Jones.
East Caln.—Thomas Parke, Lydia Morgan.
West Caln.—Joseph Bishop. Coventry.—John Swanner.
Charlestown.—WiIliam Graham.
East Fallowfield.—William Hamilton.
West Fallowfield.—James Cochran.
Goshen.—Jonathan Davis.
Kennet.—John Baldwin.
Londongrove.—Andrew Caldwell.
London Britain.—Joshua McDowell.
New Garden.—Nathaniel Ring.
West Marlborough.—James Parry, Thomas Buffington.
West Nantmeal.—Joseph Gibson.
New London:—William McDowell, Elizabeth Fury.
East Nottingham.—John Slator, Moses Latham, Elisha Hughes.
West Nottingham —William Cummings.
Oxford.—John Hayes, Francis Motherall, Alexander Simrall.
Pikeland.—Adam Ramsower.
Tredyffrin.—Joseph Mitchell.
Uwchlan.—Joseph Wilkinson, Jonathan Vaughan.
Vincent.—Benjamin Brownback, George David.
Whiteland.—George Aston, John Neely, Thomas Hubbard.
The number of taverns continued to increase with the population and business of the county, until
in 1830 there were 146 licensed houses. This is probably the greatest number that were ever
licensed in any one year. On the completion of the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad and the
consequent decrease of business on the Lancaster turnpike and other roads, the number of houses
for a time rapidly decreased.
The following is a list of those licensed in 1830, and is here given as showing the names of those
who kept the public-houses at that date, now half a century ago :
Birmingham.—Cheyney Weston.
Brandywine.—Grabill Diller, James Huskins, John Kerlin, Robert Worrall, Henry Widener, John
Gray.
East Bradford.—Benjamin Kerns.
West Bradford.—Lydia Martin, Isaac Carpenter, Joseph Worth, Joseph Baldwin
East Caln.—Jacob E. Parke, Isaac Downing, Benjamin I. Miller, Richard Milleson, Jonathan
Diller, George P. Lauer.
West Caln.—John Marsh, Joseph Hughs, William C. Jacobs, James L. Neiler.
Coventry.—Garrett Hoopes, Jona Y. Missimer, J. B. Willauer, Abraham Shantz, John Young, Jr.
Charlestown.—Jonathan Rand, Enoch Wells, Samuel Guss.
Easttown.—John Dane, Alex. E. Finley, Thomas Temple, Jacob Clinger.
East Fallowfield.—John Filson, Robert Young.
West Fallowfield.—George Philips, Samuel Futhey, Levi McCormick, Matthew B. Cochran,
William Baker, John J. Monaghan.
East Goshen.—Isaiah Matlack, Jona. W. Hoffman, Joseph Philips, Henry H. Horne.
New Garden.—Sidney Marsh, Jacob Taylor.
Honeybrook.—Oliver B. Harper, Jacob Weiler, John Levengood, Peter H. Foland, David
Buchanan, William Owen.
Kennet.—Harlan Gause, Jacob Hopple, David Martin.
New London.—Jane Mackey, James A. Alexander, Abigail H. Cuningham.
London Britain.—Jacob Dehaven.
Londongrove.—Joseph Wood, Wm. Harris.
Londonderry.—Jacob Reese.
East Marlborough.—Benjamin Worth, Emmor Worth, Thomas Preston, John Entriken.
West Marlborough.—Hayes Clark.
East Nottingham.—William Barrett, Jacob Hilaman, Timothy Kirk, William Donnelly, Win.
Rutherford.
West Nottingham.—Joseph Kirk.
West Nantmeal.—Joseph F. Grier, James Bones, Abigail Beard, and Maria Morris.
East Nantmeal.—Sarah W. Clingan, William Strickland.
Lower Oxford.—John Twaddell, David Hayes, Jr.
Upper Oxford.—Robert Andrews, Benjamin Hickman, William Crosby.
Penn.—William Walters.
Pikeland.—Margaret Holman, Anthony W. Olwine, Samuel Shearer, William Wagonseller.
Pennsbury.—Joseph Lancaster.
Sadsbury.—Samuel Jackson, John Kendig, Joseph Thornbury, Samuel Wentz, Andrew Bear,
Nathan Frame, James Dickinson, Nicholas Boyer, Samuel A. Whitehill.
Schuylkill.—Joseph E. Anderson, Saml. H. Bennett, John Workizer, Abraham Olwine, Samuel
D. Moore.
PUBLIC-HOUSES - 419
Tredyiffrin—William Strickland, Joshua Evans, Henry Bell, William Lewis, Jesse Moore, and
Abraham Beidler.
Uwchlan.—John Gordon, Jesse B. Strickland, Isaac Evans.
Vincent.—Jacob Ludwick, Frederick Sheeder, Conrad Bode, William Rogers, Job Fudge, Henry
Ortlip, William Whitby, C. Shaner.
East Whiteland.—Jane Pearce, John Snyder, Charles Fahnestock, Henry Souders.
West Whiteland.—Joseph Hoover, Joshua Darlington, Joseph Hall, John West, Levi Evans.
Willistown.—George Davis, Thomas Tucker, Samuel Cheever, Henry Coffman, Isaac Bond,
Samuel Dick.
Westtown.—Thomas Darlington.
West Chester.—Daniel Buckwalter, Samson Babb, Davis Beaumont, Richard Evans, John Babb,
Peter Osborne, Ann Mason, Imla J. Bennett.
Our early inn-keepers, in giving names to their houses, adopted those to which they were
'accustomed in the old country. During the war of the Revolution, and for some time afterwards,
the names of the patriot generals who had figured prominently in that contest became favorite
appellations, and many of the old time-honored names gave place to them. In these latter days the
names given to new houses are not so euphonious as those given by our fathers. Time has not
made any improvement in this respect. With the decrease in the number of public-houses many
of the old names have disappeared, and arc being rapidly forgotten. In order to preserve them
from oblivion, reference will be made to some of those which were borne by well-known
hostelries in former days.
On the " Old Lancaster road" there were the Buck, Plow, Admiral Vernon (afterwards the
'Warren), White Horse, Ship (now Dr. Eshleman's, west of Downingtown), Wagon (now
Wagontown), and Mariner's Compass (now Compass-vine).
On the Paxtang road, leading from Downingtown towards the settlements at and near Harrisburg,
or its successor, the Horseshoe pike, were the Buck, Cross Keys (changed to Washington), Olive
Branch, Spread Eagle (Rockville), Leopard, Bull's Head (afterwards General Wayne), Black
Horse, Rising Sun, Red Lion. From 1792 to 1800 there was a tavern kept in the house where
Gen. Matthew Stanley long resided. The " Brick" was opened in .1807, and was the first brick
building erected in that section of the county.
On the Lancaster turnpike were (among others) the Spread Eagle, Spring House, Bear, Paoli,
Green Tree, Warren, General Wayne, Steamboat, Sheaf of Wheat, Ship, General Washington,
Swan, Prussian Eagle, Midway, States' Arms, Rainbow, Washington, Black Horse, Cross Keys.
The " Ship" was originally west of Downingtown, at a point where the old Lancaster road and the
more modern Lancaster turnpike occupied the same ground. The sign, after this house ceased to
be kept as a tavern, was taken to the new house of the same name on the turnpike in West
Whiteland. The " Ship" tavern was one of the oldest as well as most noted public-houses in the
county, being much frequented by persons on public business. During the Revolution the host
remained loyal to the crown, and on one occasion some Continentals, not liking the usage they
had received of him, deliberately shot thirteen bullets through the effige of ship, and the old sign
carried the
marks as long as it swung at the old stand or at the new one in West Whiteland.
The Downing hotel, or “stage-office,” the name it was generally known by, was at the east end of
the village of Downingtown, and for many years a noted stopping-place. Its swinging sign bore
the effigy of Washington and a civilian standing side by side. Here Presidents, governors,
supreme judges, and all kinds of dignitaries ate and slept. It was kept by Hunt Downing until
1816, by William Frame and Jesse Evans until 1827, and by Isaac Downing until 1836.
On the Strasburg road there were the Sheaf of Wheat, Black Horse, Centre House (Marshallton),
General Wayne, Golden Eagle (Worth's), White Horse (Young's), Dravo (Humphreyville),
Fountain Inn (Parkesburg), Swan.
About the beginning of the present century there was a house, known as the " Peggy Bann Inn,"
at the foot of the hill on the Strasburg road as you leave Youngsburg, in East Fallowfield
township, going east. • It is still standing in a somewhat dilapidated condition, but not used as a
public-house. According to tradition, the origin of the name of this house was on this wise : A
son of Erin opened for the mutual benefit of the public and himself this wayside inn. When the
sign came to be painted, which, by the way, was a most important part of the tavern in those
days, the pro-. prietor had the artist portray the imaginary lineaments of the former's sweetheart,
Peggy Bann, whom he had left, in Ireland. Afterwards the name of the house was changed to that
of the " Three Stripes," and the new sign painted over the other. It was remarked by the residents
of the neighborhood for many years subsequently that no matter how well the sign was kept
painted the lineaments of Peggy would still peep through the stripes. It was kept for some years
by James and Robert Young ; but the latter erected a new public-house a short distance west of it
prior to 1820, and the old house was no longer used as a place whereat to cheer man and beast.
Among other public-houses were the Anvil, Unicorn, and Plow, in Kennet ; Hammer and
Trowel, in New Garden ; Half-Way House (now Chatham) and White Horse, in Londongrove ;
Stage and Leopard, in Easttown ; Buck, in Coventry ; Lamb, in Wallace ; Gum Tree, Sorrel
Horse (formerly Spinning-Wheel), and Mason's Arms, in West Fallowfield ; General Greene,
Boot, and Three Tuns, in East Goshen ; Cross Keys and Fox Chase and Drove, in East
Marlborough ; Globe, in West Nottingham ; Rising Sun, Washington, and Yellow Springs, in
West Pikeland ; Bull, Fountain Inn, Valley Forge, General Pike, and General Lafayette, in
Schuylkill ; Red Lion and Eagle, ft Uwchlan ; Seven Stars, Captain Lawrence, and Poplar Tree,
in Vincent ; Indian King and Grove, in West Whiteland ; Dolphin (now Dilworthstown) in
Birmingham ; White Horse and William Penn, in Willistown ; and Eel's Foot, in East Bradford,
near Jefferis' Ford. In West Chester were the Turk's Head, Washington, Cross Keys (afterwards
White Hall), Black Bear, Green Tree, Eagle, and Traveler's Rest (afterwards the Star). The
present Mansion House was originally called the Chester County Hotel. The name was not
improved by the change.
In 1830 the population of the county was 50,910, and the number of licensed houses was 146. In
1880 the population was 83,302, and the number of licenses granted to hotels was 58, and to
eating-houses 23,
420 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES OF CHESTER COUNTY.
The early settlers, in giving names to localities, very generally adopted those with which they
were familiar in the Old World. This served to remind them of home, and their adoption was
natural. As a result, almost the entire geography of the county is English. When William Penn
landed at Upland he asked his friend Pearson, " What wilt thou that I should call this place?"
Pearson replied, " Chester, in remembrance of the city from whence I came." The name Upland
should have been retained, but the home-feeling prevailed, and the name " Chester"—now so
dear to the heart of every one who can claim our ancient bailiwick as his birthplace—was
adopted.
No one seems to have thought of retaining the names given by the Indians as a rule, and hence
the map of Chester County contains very few aboriginal names. The list appears to comprise but
three names,—Octorara, the meaning of which is unknown ; Pocopson, which signifies brawling
or rapid stream ; and Toughkenamon, signifying Fire-Brand Hill. Of the streams, the Indian
names borne by many of them, besides the Octorara and Pocopson, are .given on ancient maps ;
thus the Christina was called Minquas ; the Elk, Sickpeckon ; White Clay Creek, Swapecksisko ;
Red Clay Creek, Hwiskakimensi ; Chester Creek, Mecoponacka ; Darby Creek, Mohorhootink ;
and the French Creek, Sankanac. Of Crum, Ridley, and Pickering we have not the Indian names.
The Indian name of the Brandywine below the forks is not certainly known. It is spoken of by
tradition as both Suspecough and Wawassan. One of the branches of it was called by the Indians
Chichokatas, as is shown in a deed from James Harlan to James Gibbons, dated 4th month 7,
1731, for 500 acres of land, described as " lying and being upon a branch of Brandywine called
Chichokatas," on which he (Harlan) then lived, in or near Nantmeal. On old maps the
Brandywine is called Fish Kihl (Swedish) and Bränwin's Creek. The Brandywine has been
generally supposed to have derived its name in consequence of the reported loss of a Dutch
vessel on its lower waters laden with brandy,—in the Dutch language, brand-wijn,—and
historians have generally, if not universally, given this version. This, however, is shown by recent
investigation to be a mistake. It most probably derived its name from one Andrew Braindwine,
who at an early day owned lands near its mouth. It was very common in the olden time in the
lower counties, as they were called (now the State of Delaware), to name streams after the
dwellers upon their banks. This creek is shown by the old records to have been known as the
Fishkill until the grant of land to Andrew Braindwine in 1670, immediately after which it is
referred to on the records as Braindwine's kill, or creek, and the name was eventually corrupted
into its present form of Brandywine.
THE INDIANS.
The Indian tribes inhabiting what is now Chester County were, when the country was first settled,
known collectively as the Lenni Lenape, but were generally called by the settlers the Delawares.
They lived in small tribes, generally occupying the tributaries of the Delaware, and each tribe was
frequently known to the settlers by the name of the stream it occupied. The tribe which occupied
the region drained by the Brandywine was known as the Nanticoke.
These tribes had each their own sachem or king. The name Lenni Lenape signifies " original
people," a race unmixed and unchanged. The word Lenape is properly pronounced in three
syllables, Len-a-pc. When the name of " Delawares" was first applied to them, they thought it
was given in derision ; but were reconciled to it on being told that it was the name of a great
white chief, Lord De la Warr. As they were fond of being named after distinguished men, they
were rather pleased, considering it as a compliment.
They were more thickly settled in some portions of the county than others. Along the Great
Valley, and in the region of Pequea, Lancaster Co., they were numerous ; in other parts of the
county they were more evenly distributed, except west of White Clay Creek, where they are said
to have been rather sparse. Their wigwams were generally clustered five or six in a place, on the
south sides of the hills, and near springs of water. Some of these clusters were of considerable
size, and known as Indian towns or villages. There were a considerable number of these in the
county ; one of them stood on the farm late of John R. Kinsey, deceased, in Upper Oxford
township, and another in London Britain township, near the Baptist church. Their usual
employments were hunting, fishing, manufacturing haskets, and cultivating small patches of
Indian corn. They had paths leading from point to point, some of which afterwards became
public roads for the settlers. One of these paths, extensively traversed, led from Pequea, where
they had a large 'settlement, to the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. It ran on the ridge dividing
the waters which flow into the Delaware from those which flow into the Susquehanna, and in its
whole course did not cross a single stream of water. The path is now what is known as the
Limestone road, running from the Pequea Valley through. the townships of Sadsbury, Highland,
West Fallowfield, Upper and Lower Oxford, and East Nottingham, and into Cecil County, Md.
There is no record in the county offices of this road, and it is supposed never to have been laid
out by authority of law, but to exist by prescription. It has been called the Limestone road for a
long period of time, and is mentioned in the public records by that name as an existing public
road as early as the year 1731. It passed by a fine spring a mile east of the village of Rising Sun,
in Maryland, which was used as a camping-ground in their journey. Here William Brown felled
the first tree in settling Nottingham.
They had also a village or town, consisting of about thirty wigwams, near two fine springs at
what is called Indiantown, in Wallace township. They had abandoned to some extent nomadic
habits, raised some corn and tobacco, and planted fruit-trees. Their principal subsistence,
however, was obtained by hunting and the catching of fish, which were abundant in the Indian
Run and the Brandywine. When Daniel and Alexander Henderson purchased the land, in 1733,
on which the town and burial-ground of the natives were placed, they promised them that the
latter should never be disturbed. This promise was faithfully
THE INDIANS - 421
kept by them and their children. It is now part of a cultivated field. This graveyard occupied a
little more than a quarter of an acre, and contained about one hundred graves. These Indians
removed shortly after Braddock's defeat, when the feeling against the natives was bitter, to what
is now Crawford or Mercer County, in this State.
About the year 1697—fifteen years after the arrival of William Penn—a tribe of the Shawnese, or
Shawanese, came from the southward, and desired leave of the Conestogoe Indians, and of
Governor Markham, to settle on Pequea Creek, which was granted, the Conestogoe Indians
becoming security for their good behavior. These Shawnese, or Shawanese, Indians extended
their settlements within the present limits of Chester County. They had a large town about where
the village of Doe Run now stands, where seems to have been the council-house of the nation ;
and they also settled in considerable numbers in the neighborhood of Steeleville, on the Octorara
Creek.
The Indian chiefs frequently visited Philadelphia, on which occasions they were always
entertained, presents made to them, and they were provided for during their stay, and on their
journey home.
They generally brought presents with them, consisting chiefly of skins and furs ; in return for
which the authorities gave them goods suitable for their use. The following account from the
colonial records of such an exchange made with Shekokonickan, a chief of' the Indians on
Brandywine, and others on a visit to Philadelphia, will serve as a specimen :
" The Treasurer and Secretary were ordered to take an account of the real value of their presents,
and to provide some English goods exceeding that value, by about one-fourth or a third part at
most. and then the Council adjourned to the afternoon," " POST MEREDIEM. The skins
delivered by the Indians in the morning, having been numbered and weighed as ordered, they
were found to be thirty-eight summer deer skins, one good buck in the hair, two bear skins—total
value, eight pounds, six shillings. What is prepared and now delivered them in exchange, are
eight Stroud-water coats of the best sort, ten pounds of lead, six pairs stockings, one dozen
tobacco boxes, one dozen tobacco tongs, twelve pounds tobacco, three dozen pipes, and one red
stroud to the Queen—total value, ten pounds and twelve shillings."
A tribe of Indians, known as the Okehockings, were originally seated near Ridley and Crum
Creeks, within the present limits of Delaware County. About 1701 they 'were removed, by
direction of William Penn, to another tract higher up on Ridley Creek, which had been granted to
Griffith Jones, but given up by him.
The following entry occurs on the minutes of the commissioners of property, under date of the
7th and 8th of 10th month (December), 1102, viz.:
"The Ockanickon or Crum Creek Indians, having removed from their old habitations before the
Proprietarys departure, by his order seated by Caleb Pusey, Nicholas Pyle, Nathaniel Newlin, and
Jos Baker, on the tract in Chester County formerly laid out to Griffy Jones but now vacant.
"But the said Indians expressing great uneasiness at the uncertainty of their settlements, pressed,
and several times urged the neighboring Friends, that they might be confirmed in son* particular
place under certain metes and bounds, that they might no more be like dogs, as they expressed
themselves."
The following warrant of survey Was accordingly issued to the surveyor of Chester County :
"BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF PROPERTY."
{L.S.}
"Whereas, Pokias, Sepopawny, Muttagooppa and others, of ye nation called Okehocking Indians
in Chester county, with their families, upon their removal from their late settlements near Ridley
and Crum Creeks, have by the Proprietor's order and appointment, been seated on another certain
tract in ye said county, and on the said Ridley creek, neare ye head thereof, formerly surveyed to
Griffith Jones, but by him left and acquitted, and now belonging to ye Proprietary; in which place
the said Indians request we would grant them a certain settlement, under sure metes and bounds,
to them and their posterity, in pursuance of the Proprietors engagement in that case, made before
his departure, who granted them, as 'tis credibly affirmed to us, five hundred acres in ye said
place. These, therefore, are in pursuance of the said grant, to authorize and require thee to survey
and lay out to the said Pokhais, Sepopawney, Muttagooppa and others of ye said nation, called ye
Okekocking Indians, who were lately seated lower on ye said creeks, and their relations, and to
no other whatsoever, the full quantity of five hundred acres of land in one square tract, in such
place within the aforesaid tract, as the said Indians shall desire; which said five hundred acres, we
do hereby grant to the said Pokhais, Sepopawney, Muttagooppa, and others of the said nation
called the Okekocking Indians, who were lately seated as aforesaid, and to their relations, and to
no other whatsoever ; to take and to hold, to them, the said Indians for settlement, and to their
posterity of the same nation of Indians (and no other) forever; Provided, always, that the said
Indians, nor any of them, shall not give, grant, or attempt to sell, or anyway dispose of any of the
said five hundred acres of land hereby granted, to any person whatsoever; but at such time as the
said Indians shall quit or leave the said place, it shall be surrendered to ye Proprietary without
any further claim of the said Indians, or any person whatsoever, by or under them their title or
procurements ; and make returns into the General-Surveyor's office. Given under our hands, and
the seal of the Province, at Philadelphia, the 15th of ye 10th mo., 1702.
"To ISAAC TAYLOR,
"Surveyor of the Co. of Chester.
"EDWARD SHIPPEN,
"GRIFFITH OWEN,
" THOS. STORY,
" JAS. LOGAN."
In pursuance of this warrant a tract of 500 acres was surveyed for their use in the southern part of
the township of Willistown, on the east side of Ridley Creek. The Indians occupied it for a
number of years, how long has not been ascertained, but they had all left it and removed beyond
the limits of the county some time previous to the year 1737. According to the terms of the grant
the lands, on the Indians quitting them, returned to the proprietary.
On the 1st of August, 1737, the proprietary issued a warrant for the whole 500 acres to Amos
Yarnall and Mordecai Yarnall. These purchasers made a division of the tract, Amos Yarnall
taking 196 acres and allowance of the eastern and southern part, and Mordecai Yarnall the re-
mainder, about 276 acres and allowance. The surveys were returned to the secretary's office, and
patents granted to them for their respective portions by Thomas Penn, on the 29th of January,
1738.
Drafts were made of the division between Amos and Mordecai Yarnall. The draft of Amos
Yarnall's portion has upon it this indorsement :
" A draft of Amos Yarnall's part of a tract of land situate in Willistown, in the county of Chester
reserved by the late Commissioners of Property, for the use of certain Indian natives and their
children so long as they should continue to dwell on the same ; but they having now long since
left and entirely deserted it, the whole tract was, by warrant from the Proprietaries, dated the lira
day of August, in the year
422 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
1737, granted to Amos and Mordecai Yarnall, who having divided the same betwixt them, a
return of this tract in pursuance of the warrant aforesaid, was made into the Secretaries office, on
the 24th day of January, in the year 1738, in order that the same may be confirmed by Patent to
the said Amos Yarnall.
"BENJ. EASTBURN,
" Surveyor-General."
The draft of Mordecai Yarnall's portion contains a similar indorsement.
On the drafts of surrounding grants this tract is called " The Indians' Lands." As already
observed, it was situated in the southern part of Willistown township. It is difficult to describe its
exact location so as to be intelligible to the reader. A reference, however, to the map of Chester
County, with the following explanation, may serve to give an idea of its boundaries.
The northwest corner was in or near Ridley Creek, between the paper-mills of John B. Duckett
and of Casper S. and Harvey S. Garrett, and near the Garrett homestead ; the west line ran in a
southeast course, crossing and recrossing the creek, and passing near Albin Garrett's saw-mill ;
the southwest corner was a little south of the West Chester and Philadelphia road ; the northeast
corner was about one-third of a mile south of Willistown Friends' meeting-house, and the
southeast corner about half a mile north of the William Penn tavern, and near the road leading
from the William Penn to Willistown Friends' meeting-house.
A point on the property of Albin Garrett, known as the " Indian orchard," no doubt marks the
spot where the Indians had their wigwams or cabins. It is about one acre in extent, and entirely
free of timber, although nearly surrounded by woods. It was doubtless cleared by the Indians.
The Indians, after the sale of their lands, continued to occupy them until needed by the settlers,
and gradually abandoned them as the whites advanced and took possession. Considerable
numbers, however, remained in the .county, inhabiting the woods and unoccupied places, until
the breaking out of the French and English war, in 1755, about which time they generally
removed beyond the limits of the county, and took, up their abode in the valleys of the Wyoming
and Wyalusing, on the Susquehanna. At the making of the treaty of St. Mary's, in 1820, there
were present some chiefs of the Nanticokes, one of whom, who had withstood the storms of
ninety winters, told the commissioners that he and his people had Once roamed through their
own domains along the Brandywine.
After the death of William Penn the Indians never found in any who filled his station that
steadfast friend which he had always proved, yet the protection of the law was generally enjoyed
by them, and the whites who presumed to injure them were punished.
The Indians heretofore spoken of were those known as the Lenni Lenapes, or Delawares, the
occupiers of the soil at and after the settlement by the white races. Besides these there was
another confederation of Indian tribes, known originally as the Five Nations, whose domain
extended from the borders of Vermont to Lake Erie, and from Lake Ontario to the head-waters of
the Alleghany, Susquehanna, and Delaware Rivers. These Five Nations called themselves the
Aquanuschioni, or united people ; by the Lenni Lenapes they were called the Mengwe, or
Mingoes, and by the French, the Iroquois. The nations composing this confederation were the
Onondagas, Cayugas, Oneidas, Senecas, and Mohawks. In the year 1712 the Tuscaroras, being
expelled from North Carolina, were adopted as a sixth nation, and thenceforward the
confederation was known as the Six Nations.
They were distinguished for their height, strength, and symmetry of person ; were brave, but
ferocious and cruel when excited in savage warfare. In eloquence, in dignity, and in profound
policy, their speakers might well bear comparison with the statesmen of civilized assemblies.
The Five Nations had at some period in the past conquered the Lenni Lenapes, reduced them to a
state of vassalage, and exacted from them an acknowledgment of fealty, which excluded them
from engaging in war, and they Occupied their former hunting-grounds by permission from their
conquerors. They were in this condition when the shores of the Delaware were first visited by.
Europeans.
The Lenni Lenapes alleged that by treaty and voluntary consent they had agreed to act as
mediators and peacemakers among the great nations, and to that end they had consented to lay
aside the implements of war, and to hold and keep bright the chain of .peace.
The Five Nations, on the other hand, alleged that the Lenni Lenapes had been conquered by their
arms, and were compelled to this humiliating position as the only means of averting impending
destruction.
The Lenni Lenapes, although the permanent occupiers of the soil on the shores of the Delaware
and its tributaries, were frequently subjected to the intrusion of parties of the Five Nations, who
occupied portions of the Lenape country as Their occasions required. The Minquas, whose name
was borne by the Christina River, were among the warlike tribes that most frequently visited the
Delaware for trade. These Indians, as a tribe, belonged to the Five Nations. They resided npon
the Conestoga, but their visits to the Delaware for purposes of trade or to fish were frequent.
It will thus be seen that the early settlers on the Delaware had two classes of Indians very
different in character to deal with, the one a constant inhabitant of the country, whose presence
was familiar to them and caused no uneasiness, the other an occasional visitor, whose stay among
them, when the object of it was not well understood, excited apprehensions for their safety.
This peculiar relation between the Lenni Lenapes that occupied the soil and the Five Nations,
who claimed jurisdiction over it, tended greatly to embarrass and complicate the negotiations of
the proprietary government for the purchase of lands.
The Indians with whom the treaty was made under the elm-tree at Shackamaxon, soon after the
arrival of William Penn, were the Lenni Lenapes. In 1701, Penn also met in council the chiefs of
the Five Nations, with those from the Susquehanna lid the Potomac and the Shawanese chiefs,
and formed a treaty of peace with them. Regulations were also adopted to govern their trade, and
former purchases of land were confirmed. Treaties were subsequently frequently made with
them.
SLAVERY - 423
At a treaty held at Philadelphia in July, 1742, Canapatego, a chief of the Onondagas, thus
reprimanded and taunted the Delawares, who were present, for continuing on lands they had sold
:
"We conquered you; we made women of you; you know you are women, and can no more sell
land than women."
In the course of time the Delawares were enabled to throw off the galling yoke imposed on them
by their conquerors, and at a treaty made in 1756Teedyuscung, their chief, extorted from the
chiefs of the Six Nations an acknowledgment of their independence.
The last of the Lenni Lenapes resident in Chester County was " Indian Hannah," as she was
usually called. The circumstance of her being for many years the sole survivor of her people (in
this section of country) entitles her to a notice which the merit of her character alone would not
have procured. She was one of a family that called themselves Freeman, and inhabited for a
number of years one of a small cluster of wigwams near the Anvil tavern, in Kennet township.
After the death of her relatives she went and dwelt in a log house near the present Northbrook
Station on the Wilmington and Reading Railroad, on the lands of Humphry Marshall, or, as she
considered it, on her own land, it being on the one-mile reservation on the Brandywine.. During
the summer she traveled much through different parts of the county, visiting those who would
receive her with kindness, and selling her baskets. As she grew old she quitted her wigwam and
dwelt in friendly families. At length she became a public charge on the township, and on the
opening of the Chester County poor-house, in November, 1800, she was taken to that institution,
the only pauper from Newlin township. She died March 20, 1802, at the age of seventy-one
years.
SLAVERY.
Slavery existed in Pennsylvania from a very early period, and appears to have been first
introduced by the Dutch and Swedes, prior to the granting of the province to William Penn. As
early, however, as 1712 an effort was made to restrain its increase by the passing of an act by the
colonial Assembly to prevent the further importation of negroes into the province. This law,
however, from commercial considerations, and regardless of the dictates of humanity or the best
interests of the province, was subsequently repealed by the home government, which had a veto
upon the acts of the colonial Assembly. Some years subsequently another act was passed,
imposing a prohibitory duty on their introduction, but this also was repealed by the Crown.
England at that time pursued the traffic in negroes with eager avarice. Those imported into
Pennsylvania were chiefly from the West Indies, as it was found that in transporting negroes
from Africa directly to the more northern, provinces, their health suffered more than when
gradually acclimated by being taken first to the West Indies and thence farther north. The price of
an imported negro man about the middle of the last century was £40, Pennsylvania currency, and
from that upwards to £100.
The Society of Friends took early action against the institution of slavery.* In 1696 the members
were advised
* In 1688 the Germantown, Pa., Friends protested against slavery, and gave their reasons for being "against the
traffick of men-body."
by the Yearly Meeting " not to encourage the bringing in any more negroes," and it also gave
wholesome advice in respect to their moral training. In 1711 the Quarterly Meeting of Chester
declared " their dissatisfaction with Friends buying and encouraging the bringing in of negroes,"
and in 1715 " that Friends should not be concerned hereafter in the importation thereof, nor buy
any." In 1730 the same meeting adopted a minute that cautioned Friends " against purchasing
imported negroes, it being disagreeable to the sense of the meeting, and that such as-are likely to
be found in the practice be cautioned how they offend therein," and in 1761 a member was dealt
with for having bought and sold a negro ; but, having made the proper acknowledgment, was not
disowned. The subject, from this time onwards, appears to have frequently engaged the attention
of the society, and constant and successful efforts were made to induce members to liberate them
or to agree to do so at a -certain age, although the simple holding of slaves was not considered a
sufficient cause for disownment until 1777.
In 1780, the force of public opinion against the institution—chiefly brought about by -the action
of the Society of Friends—was such, that on the 1st -of March of that year an act of Assembly
was passed for its gradual abolition. This law provided for the registration in the office of the
clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions of each county, prior to the 1st day of November of that
year, of all persons held as slaves for life, or until the age of thirty-one years, in accordance with
existing laws, and declared that all such should continue to be slaves ; but that all persons born
after that date should be free, except the children born of such registered slaves, who should be
servants until they attained the age of twenty-eight years. A subsequent law provided for the
registration of all children born of slaves within six months after their birth, and only the children
thus registered continued to be servants until the age of twenty-eight years.
In accordance with these laws, a careful registry was made in the office of the clerk of the Court
of Quarter Sessions in Chester County, in a book provided for that purpose, of the name, age,
sex, and time of service of each person held as a slave, and also of the name of the owner and the
township where he or she resided. In order to show the manner in which this registry was made,
the following entries taken therefrom are given :
"Thomas Potts, of Coventry township, returns:
"1. A negro man named Cudge, aged fifty-eight years, a slave for life.
"2. A negro man named Ben, aged twenty-four years, a slave for life.
"3. A negro boy named Peter, aged seventeen years, a slave for life.
"4. A negro child named George, aged nine months, a slave for life.
"5 A negro woman. named -Moll, aged thirty-four years, a slave for life.
"6. A negro woman named Sall, aged nineteen years, a slave for life.
" Evans Evans, of London Britain township, returns:
But neither the Monthly Meeting at Dublin, the Quarterly Meeting at Philadelphia, nor the Yearly Meeting at
Burlington (to whom in succession the matter was referred that year), came to any determination in the ease.
424 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
" 1. A negro woman named Rachel, aged thirty-eight years, a slave for life.
" 2. A mulatto boy named Caesar, aged sixteen years, a slave for life.
"3. A negro girl named Sue, aged thirteen years, a slave for life.
"4. A negro boy named Salmi), aged nine years, a slave for life.
"5. A negro boy named Frank, aged seven years, a slave for life.
"6. A mulatto female child named Sal, aged four years, a slave for life.
"Abel Hodgson, of East Nottingham, returns:
"1. An Indian servant man till he attains the age of thirty-one years, named Jam, aged
twenty-eight years.
"2. An Indian girl named Sarah, aged twenty-four years, a slave for life.
"3. A negro man named Caesar, aged twenty-five years, a slave for life.
" Samuel Futhey, of West Fallowfield township, returns:
"1. A mulatto woman named Jince, aged twenty years, a slave for life.
"2. A mulatto girl named Dinah, aged one year and nine months, a slave for life.
"3. A mulatto girl named Sall, a slave until she attains the age of thirty-one years."
We have made an analysis of this registry and deduced therefrom the following facts : The total
number of slaves registered was 495, of whom 472 were slaves for life, and 23 until the age of
thirty-one years. Of the whole number, 410 were negroes, 83 mulattoes, and 2 were registered as
Indians. Of those held for life, 243 were males and 229 females ; and of those held for years, 13
were males and 10 females. Of the whole number, 207 were over the age of eighteen years, and
288 were under that age. The oldest male slave registered was George, aged seventy-five years,
belonging to William Moore, of Charlestown (now Schuylkill) township, and the oldest female
slave was Nanny, aged seventy-eight years, belonging to John Evans, of London Britain. The
youngest registered was Tom, aged one month, belonging to John Bowen, of Goshen. Thirteen
were of the age of sixty years and upwards, and 9 were under one year of age. The greatest
number held by one person was by William Moore, who returned 10 slaves for life. Each slave
was registered as having but one name, except eleven who were honored with surnames.
As at that time Chester County included the present Delaware County, this registry embraces the
slaves in the entire territory. There were 205 slave-holders who made returns, of whom 140
resided within the present limits of Chester County, and returned 335 out of a total of 495 slaves.
It is not to be supposed that no greater number of slaves than those registered was held in the
county. The members of the Society of Friends had a short time before generally liberated all
their slaves, and some other persons not members had followed their example. It also appears
that but few of those advanced in years were returned, and doubtless others, intended soon to be
emancipated, were omitted from the registry.
It is not known when slavery ceased to exist in Chester County by the death of the last slave, but
it must have been many years since, as none were slaves for life who were born after March 1,
1780.
In addition to the registry of those who were slaves for life, a record was also. made, from time to
time, of the children of such slaves born after the passage of the act, and who by its provisions
were servants until the age of twenty-eight years. The number of these was 85, of whom 47 were
males and 38 females. The last return made was by Rev. Levi Bull, of East Nantmeal (afterwards
Warwick), who returned his negro boy, Andrew, born Dec. 23, 1820.
In inventories of the estate of deceased persons, made while slavery was in existence in Chester
County, we frequently find slaves appraised as chattels, in accordance with their value in the
market, and they were also the subjects of bequests in wills.
In 1780, in the townships of Birmingham, East Bradford, West Bradford, East Marlborough,
Newlin, Penns-bury, and Vincent, there were no slaves, or at least none were returned for
registration.
The following table gives the names of the townships as they then existed in the present county
of Chester, with the names of those who returned slaves for registry, and the number returned by
each:
Birmingham. —No returns.
East Bradford.—No returns.
West Bradford.—No returns.
Coventry.—Thomas Potts returned six, and Rebecca Grace three slaves.
Charlestown.—Benjamin Thomas, one; Patrick Anderson, one; Llewellyn Davis, one; William
Bodley, two; William Moore, Esq., ten ; Alexander McCalla, one; George McIlhenny,two;
Anthony Pritchard, four; John Humphrey, one; and Elias Brown, one.
East Caln.—William Allison, three; David Gill, one.
West Caln.—Herman Skiles, one; Gilbert Gibbs, two; Elizabeth Wallace, two.
Easttown.—Gen. Anthony Wayne, one.
East Fallowfield.—Caleb Phipps, five ; John Te les, two.
West Fallowfield.—Samuel Futhey, three; John Bell, eight; Andrew Gibson, one.
Goshen.—John Bowen, five; Mary Garrett, three; Josiah Haines, one; Dr. Joseph Moore, three;
Hannah Moore, one.
New Garden.—Andrew McIntire, one.
Kennet.—Joseph Shippen, Jr., three.
New London.—Alexander Morrison,. five; George Campbell, one; John Mackey, one; John
Smith, one; John Menough, one; James Reed, three; William Reed, two; Mary Kelso, one;
Arthur McClure, two; Alexander Johnston, one; John McDowell, two; Robert Correy, three;
David Correy, three; Catharine Kelso, one; William Shearer, three.
London Britain.—John Evans, nine; Evan Evans, six; John Whitting, two; Thomas Lunn, two.
Londonderry.—Thomas Strawbridge, three; Joseph Strawbridge, one; Frances Blair, two; Joseph
Hutchinson, one; Montgomery Kennedy, two; Daniel Jones, five; John Finney, one; John F.
McClenachan, one; James Boyd, four.
Londongrove.—David Wiley, three; John Ross, one.
West Marlborough.—James Hannum, two.
East Marlborough.—No returns.
Newlin.—No returns.
East Nantmeal.—Thomas Bull, two; Richard Tenplin, one; Hugh Williams, one; William
Starrett, three; James Henderson, one; Branson Vanleer, five; John Nice, one.
West Nantmeal.—James Moore, five; James Graham, five; James McCamant, one; Joseph
Darlington, two; Peter Hunter, two; James Hanna, one; Mordecai Piersol, one; Moses Trego, one;
James Graham, one.
East Nottingham.—John Power, one; Philip Tanner, two; Lydia Sidwell, one; David Wherry,
two; James Wilson, one; Matthew Henderson, one; John McBeth, one; Thomas Maffett, three;
John Cuthbert, three; Patrick Power, eight; Abel Hodgson, three.
West Nottingham.—William Polk, three; David Moore, one; Elizabeth Smith, one; heirs of
Margaret Smith, one.
Oxford.—Walter Hood, five; Margaret Hayes, one; James McDow-
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