USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume I > Part 16
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The rapid spread of population over the whole extent of territory now in- 8
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cluded within our county, created a necessity for highways. Hence we find the grand jury much engaged in this and the following year in laying out roads. A road was laid out from Birmingham to Concord, from thence to the bridge near Chester mill, and from thence to Chester. This road passed "the Hamlet of Bethell." Another road was laid out "from Edgmont to the Kings High way in Chester, being a sixty foote road :" another "from New- town. Marple & Springfield to the landing at Amosland," and also one from Darby to Haverford. This last road was laid out "by the Grand Jury and other neighbours," under an order from the court "that the township of Darby finde out a convenient High way from thence to the township of Hartford."
Neither was the Provincial Council neglectful in providing our early set- tlers with highways. "Upon y" Readling ye petition of ye Inhabitants of Rad- nor, Complayning yt part of ye road yt leades to the ferry of Philadelphia is fenced in, & more likely to be, it was Orded yt John Bevan, Henry Lewis. David Meridith, John Evans, Barnabas Wilcox & Tho. Ducket, meet within four- teen days, to view or agree upon as conveniently as may be, a Road from ye Place aforesaid to ye ferry, and ye Like Convenient road from Darby to ye ferry aforesaid, by ye said Barnabas Willcox, Tho. Ducket, with John Blun- ston & Joshua fearne, by ve time aforesaid, and to return ye same &c."
The early records that have been examined in the preparation of this work, establish the fact that the wolves congregated very much in the vicinity of the settlements-that they were more numerous in the neighborhood of the Delaware after considerable settlements had been made, than when the coun- try was first visited by the Dutch and Swedes. This is accounted for by the introduction of domestic animals, which furnished an easy prey for these vo- racious creatures. Their depredations had become so alarming, that this year it became necessary to order a levy for their destruction, as well as "other hurtful vermine." The rate of this levy was one shilling per 100 acres upon occupied, and eighteen pence upon unoccupied lands, and a poll tax of one shilling upon freemen between the ages of 16 years and 60, and sixpence upon servants of the same age.
The court, from time to time, has transacted business proper for an Or- phans' Court, but the first court under that name was held "att Chester on the 3rd day, in the Ist weeke, of the 8th month [October] 1687."
John Bristow was this year elected to the Provincial Council from Chester county, in the room of Francis Harrison. The executive power of the pro- vincial government was now vested in five commissioners of state, any three of whom could act as deputy or lieutenant governor. The first to act in this capacity were Thomas Lloyd, Robert Turner, Arthur Cook, John Simcock and John Eckley.
A history of Delaware county would be incomplete without some account of what, in ancient times, was familiarly known as "The Welsh Tract." This intended Barony had its origin in the desire of the Welsh purchasers of Penn- sylvania lands to be seated together, and in a promise exacted from Penn be-
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fore leaving Wales, that this desire should be gratified. The survey of the Welsh Tract was authorized by the following warrant from the Proprietary :
"Whereas divers considerable persons among ye Welsh Friends have requested me y: all ye Lands Purchased of me by those of North Wales and South Wales, together with ye adjacent counties to ym, as Haverfordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire, about fourty thousand acres, may be layd out contiguously as one Braony, alledging yt ye number allready come and suddenly to come, are such as will be capable of planting ye same much wthin ye proportion allowed by ye custom of ye country, & so not lye in large and useless vacancies. And because I am inclined and determined to agree and favour ym wth any reasonable Conveniency & priviledge: I do hereby charge thee & strictly require thee to lay out ye sd tract of Land in as uniform a manner, as conveniently may be, upon ye West side of Skoolkill river, running three miles upon ye same, & two miles backward, & then extend ye parallell wth ye river six miles and to run westwardly so far as till ye sd quantity of land be Compleately surveyed unto ym .- Given at Penns- bury, ye 13th Ist mo. 1684."
"To Tho: Holmes, Surveyor-General."
WILL: PENN."
In pursuance of this warrant, the surveyor-general, on the 4th of the 2d month (April), 1684, issued an order to his deputy, David Powell, and after reciting it he directs him "to survey and sett out unto the said purchasers the said quantity of land, there, in manner as before expressed, and in method of townshipps lately appointed by the Governor att five thousand acres for a town- shipp and to be directed (for placing the villages of each township and divi- sion of the purchasors) by Thomas Lloyd Master of the Rolls who is prin- cipally concerned therein, unto whose care and prudence is recommended the ordering and managing of this affair to the content and satisfaction of the said purchasors and make me a true return of the original field work and pro- tracted figures, as well as the distinct quantity of each purchasor, &c."
The survey was probably made before the end of 1684. Soon after en- croachments were made by others within its limits, and particularly by Charles Ashchom, a very troublesome deputy surveyor. In consequence thereof the Welsh inhabitants petitioned to the Proprietary's deputies against these intru- sions, who after they had "well weighed the mater, truly considered the case, and rightly understanding the Governors intention in granting the warrant," issued their mandate on the 25th day of the 5th month (July), 1687, forbid- ding such intrusions, and making void what had been done within the pre- scribed limits, which are given as follows :- "Beginning att the Schoolkill, thence running W. S. W. by the City liberties 2256 perches to Darby Creek. Thence following up the several courses thereof to New Towne Line, Thence up the said line N. N. W. 448 perches, Thence S. S. W. and by W. by New Towne, 988 perches, to a corner post by Crumb Creek, Thence down the several courses thereof 460 perches, Thence W. and by S. by a line of trees 1920 perches, Thence E. and by N. by a line of trees, 3040 perches, Thence E. and by S. II20 perches, Thence S. S. E. 256 perches, Thence E. N. E. 640 perches, Thence S. S. E. 1204 perches, Thence E. N. E. 668 perches to the Schoolkill, Thence down the several courses thereof to the place of beginning."-The
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only draft of the Welsh tract that has been found in the surveyor-general's office does not entirely agree with this survey.
The Welsh settlers not only contemplated having their settlements to- gether, but expected to constitute one municipal district, in order that they might manage their affairs in their own way. They certainly had grounds for this expectation ; and consequently when the division line was run between Philadelphia and Chester counties, through the Welsh tract, and separating the Welsh settlements of Radnor and Haverford from those of Merion, it gave rise to much dissatisfaction, which will be noticed hereafter.
The Monthly Meeting of Chester was this year removed to the house of Walter Faucet of Ridley, who had been recently authorized by the council to keep an ordinary. It would seem strange at this day to hold a religious meet- ing at a public house, but at that time and under the circumstances there was a real necessity for it. A number of the persons who attended this meeting re- sided at the distance of ten miles. Entertainment for themselves and horses was necessary, but from their numbers, to receive it without compensation, would have been oppressive.
The settlements about Darby increased very rapidly, and the settlers being all Quakers, it became inconvenient to hold their meetings any longer at a private house. This year John Blunston, at whose house the meetings had been held, acknowledged a deed in open court "for one acre of land in the township of Darby, to build a meeting-house thercon, to the use of the said township for ever, to exercise the true worship of God therein." The meeting- house was erected during the following year ( 1688). Its site was doubtless on the hill within the grounds now occupied as a graveyard. The minutes are silent as to character of the structure, except one, which records an agreement to have it "lined within." It was doubtless built of logs. The first marriage accomplished within it, was that of John Marshall to Sarah Smith, in Feb- ruary, 1689. Though built in 1688, it was not finished till the next year. At a monthly meeting held in October, 1689, it was "ordered that all belonging to Je meeting, shall come every one a day, to worke at ye meeting house, and that four come a day till all the work be done."
In 1687 it was agreed by the Chester Monthly Meeting "that Bartholmew Coppock, James Kennerly, Randal Vernon, and Caleb Pusey, do agree and contract with such workmen or men, as they shall think fit, to build a meeting house at Chester, 24 foot square and 10 foot high in the walls."
On March Ist. 1688. Urin Keen conveyed in trust to John Simcox, Thom- as Brasey. John Bristow. Caleb Pusey, Randal Vernon, Thomas Vernon, Joshua Hastings, Mordecai Maddock, Thomas Martin, Richard Few. Walter Fancet, and Edward Carter, a lot in Chester, "beginning at said Urin's lot or Garding, and so running, 60 foot along and fronting the street towards the prison house, thence down the lower edge in Chester creek-thence along the creek 60 foot-thence to the place of beginning * to the use and be- hoof of the said Chester-the people of God called Quakers & their successors forever." It might be inferred that a new meeting-house was built about this
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time, and upon the lot of ground thus conveyed. It will be seen, however, as we proceed, that the erection of the meeting-house was postponed for some time.
The evil resulting from the use of intoxicating drinks, being most striking among the Indians, the sale of it to them first claimed the attention of Friends. A strong testimony against the practice, was about this time received from the yearly meeting. The approval of this paper was attested by the signatures of the principal male members of the Chester Monthly Meeting to the number of seventy-six. This array of witnesses does not only show the magnitude of the evil as it existed among them, but it gives some idea of the extent to which the settlements had progressed at this early period. Seventeen persons give their approval of the same testimony on behalf of Chichester and Concord Monthly Meeting.
A portion of the minutes of Haverford Meeting, at about this period, be- ing lost, the date of the erection of the first meeting-house at that place cannot be precisely ascertained. There are however undoubted facts to show that it was erected in 1688 or 1689. The first marriage solemnized at "Haverford Meeting House," was that of Lewis David to Florence Jones, at .a meeting held Ist mo. (March) 20th, 1690.
The justices of the court were in the practice of holding what they termed "Petty Sessions," at other places than the seat of justice. Thus in the pro- ceedings of the regular sessions it is recorded that "Richard Buffington was called to the bar to answer his contempt of an order of Petty Sessions, held on the 27th of the 10th month last at George Foremans'-Remitted, paying his fees." George Foreman lived at Marcus Hook.
It was ordered by the court "that Upper and Nether Providence and Rid- ley, doe for this time repair the Bridge in the King's road near Walter Faw- setts', upon Croome Creeke." The King's road, running from Philadelphia to the lower counties, was located higher up than at present. It crossed Ridley creek near Shoemakerville, and Chester creek above Upland. It was laid out, (if laid out at all,) so as to head the tide in the several creeks. Providence has heretofore constituted but one township.
On the 2nd of the 8th month, the grand jury report that they "doe lay out a street and a landing upon the creek to the corner soe far as over against the North West Corner of the court house fifty foote in breadth and from thence up to the said Chester towne for a street thirty foote in Breadthe."
One of the presentments of the grand jury was of Con- cord "for traveling on the first day of the week, being the 21st of the 8th month in the year 1688, with a yoke of oxen and a wayne, and a horse or mare be- fore them." They likewise presented "the road between George Willards fence and Jonathan Hayes for being not passable ; likewise the mill way to Darby creek, to be cut both in the township of Marple." This refers to the earliest erected mill on Cobb's creek, known as "Haverford Mill." The grand jury of this year fully maintain the character of that tribunal in these times for vigilance and diligence. Besides what has been mentioned, and a
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variety of other presentments, all the roads formerly laid out were reviewed by them, without being more definitely located, or having their routes mater- ially changed. A new road was also laid out from Thornbury to Middletown.
Notwithstanding the kind feelings that had been cultivated between the natives and the English settlers, the latter were not entirely free from appre- hensions of danger. This is shown by a great alarm that prevailed this year, which was caused by two Indian women of New Jersey, communicating to an old Dutch inhabitant near Chester, the report of an intended insurrection of the Indians, which was to happen on the next fourth day of the week. Several influential Friends, being sensible that no reasonable cause for such an attack could exist, endeavored to appease the people. But the apprehension of dan- ger, as is usual, increased the evidence of its existence. About 10 o'clock on the night preceding the dreaded day, a messenger arrived at Chester, out of the woods, and told the people that three families, about nine miles distant, were all cut off by the Indians. A Friend, then at Chester with two young men, about midnight proceeded to the reported scene of the outrage. They found empty houses, but no evidence of murder : their occupants under the prevailing alarm, having fled to the houses of their parents at Ridley creek. The master of one of these families, being from home. had been informed that five hundred Indians were actually collected at Naaman's creek in pursuit of their design to kill the English. So much was he alarmed. that as he was approaching his house, he imagined he heard his boy crying out "What shall I do, my Dame is Killed." Instead therefore of going to his house, he ran off to acquaint the government at Philadelphia, but was persuaded to return. The report, however, soon reached the city, when a messenger was immediately dispatched to Marcus Hook to inquire into the truth of it. He quickly re- turned with a confirmation of the report in a varied form-the 500 Indians were at an Indian town on the Brandywine : and having a lame king. they had carried him off together with all their women and children. The Council were sitting in Philadelphia, when one of them, who lived in Chester county, volun- tarily offered himself to go to the Indian encampment, provided five others were named to accompany him ; and to proceed without weapons. This being agreed upon, the party rode to the place designated : but instead of meeting with 500 warriors, they found the old King quietly lying with his lame foot on the ground, and his head on a pillow-the women at work and the children at play. When informed of their mission, the old man was displeased, and said the Indian women who raised the report ought to be burnt to death ; adding that the Indians had nothing against the English, but at the same time remind- ed the men, that about £15 was still due on the land that had been purchased from them; which the messengers assured him should be paid. Thus termi- nated the most serious Indian trouble that ever befell the European inhabitants of the land now embraced within the limits of Delaware county.
At the earnest solicitation of Thomas Lloyd to be released from the cares of government, that worthy gentleman, with his associated commissioners,
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was this year superseded by the appointment, by William Penn, of John Black- well as his lieutenant governor.
Besides the Indian conveyances that have already been noticed, there was still another executed, in 1685, for all the lands "lying between Macopanackan als. Upland, now called Chester river or creek, and the river or creek of Pema- pecka, now called Dublin creek, Beginning at the hill called Conshohocken, on the River Manaiunck or Skoolkill, from thence extends in a parallel line to the said Macopanackan als. Chester creek, by a South-Westerly course, and from the said Conshohocken hill to ye aforesaid Pemapecka, als. Dublin creek so far as the creek extends, and so from thence North westerly back into ye Woods, to make up Two full Daies journey as far as a man can go in two dayes from the said station of ye sd paralell line at Pemapecka, also beginning at the said paralell Macopanackan, als. Chester creek, and so from thence up the said creek as far as it extends; and from thence North Westerly back into the Woods to make up Two full Dayes Journey, as far as a man can go in two dayes from the sd station of the sª paralell line at ye sd Macopanackan als. Chester creek."
Some delay occurred before arrangements were made for ascertaining the western boundary of the above strangely described purchase ; but when made, it will be seen by the following letter and annexed diagram, that it was not without ample preparations for obtaining the greatest possible distance out of the "two full Daies Journey :"
"Philadelphia."
"To my very louing friends, Shakhoppoh, Secanning, Malebore, Tangoras, In-
dian Kings, and to Maskecasho, Wawarim, Tenoughan, Terrecka, Nessonhaikin, Indian Sakemakers, and the rest concerned."
"Whereas I have purchased and bought of you, the Indian Kings and Sackamakies for the use of Governor William Penn all yor land from Pemapecka Creek to Upland Creek and so backward to the Chesapeak Bay and Susquehanna Two days Journey, that is to say as far as a man can go in two days, as under the hands and seals of you the said Kings may appear and to the end I may have a certain knowledge of the lands backward, and that I may be enabled and be provided against the time for Running the said two days Journey, I do hereby appoint and authorize my louing friend Ben- jamin Chambers of Philadelphia, with a convenient number of men to assist him, to mark out a Westerly line from Philadelphia to Susquehannah, that the said line may be pre- pared and made ready for going the said two days Journey backward hereafter, when notice is given to you the said kings or some of you at the time of going the said line, and I do hereby desire and require in the name of our said Govenr Penn that none of you said kings, Sakamakies or any other Indians whatsoever that haue formerly been concerned in the said tracts of land, do presume to offer any interruption or Hindrance in making out this said line, but rather I expect yor furtherance and assistance, if occa- sion be herein, and that you will be kind and loving to my said friend Benjamin Cham- bers and his company for which I shall on the Governrs behalf, be kind and loving to you hereafter as occasion may require.
Witness my hand and seal this 7th day of the 5th mo. called July, being the fourth year of the reign of our great King of England &c. and 8th year of our Proprietary William Penn's government. THOS HOLME."
This document is certified by Jacob Taylor, as being "a true copy from the
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original." The diagram, which is without date, was probably made from a survey executed this year, and in pursuance of the foregoing notice. It shows that the line run passed directly through this county, the dwellings of four well-known carly immigrants being marked on it within the limits of Delaware county.
Bartholomew Coppock was elected a member of the Provincial Council this year.
Towards the close of the year 1688. Governor Blackwell issued a new commission to the justices and sheriffs of the several counties. Those of Chester county had continued to act under their old commissions, which com- ing to the ears of his Excellency as he passed through Chester, he availed him- self of the opportunity afforded by the next meeting of council to reprimand John Simcock, John Bristow and Bartholomew Coppock. Jr., who were jus- tices of the court as well as members of council. After debating the matter "it was thought advisable and agreed that a General Sessions should be called." specially for the purpose of making proclamation of the new commissions of the justices of Chester county. This took place on the 19th of the Ist mo., ( March) 1689, when the commissions constituting John Simcock, John Bris- tow. Bartholomew Coppock, Jr., John Blunston, George Maris, Francis Har- rison and Nicholas Newlin, justices, and Joshua Fearn, sheriff. were read and published in due form.
Notwithstanding the line run in 1685 between Philadelphia and Chester counties put Haverford and Radnor in the latter county, the Welsh inhabitants of those townships refused to recognize the validity of the division. This led some of the justices and other inhabitants of Chester county to petition the Governor and Council on the subject. In their "Humble petition." they repre- sent the county as "a small tract of Land. not above nine miles square and but thinly seated, whereby ye said county is not able to Support the Charge there- of." and after reciting the division line run in 1685. ask that it may be con- firmed, so that "the County of Chester may be in some measure able to defray their necessary Charge."
Nothing could be produced as authority from Penn for establishing the line, except verbal statements made to different persons shortly before he re- turned to England. The Governor required the persons to whom these state- ments had been made, to put them in writing: which being done, and Holme's map examined, the Governor and a majority of the Council expressed opinions adverse to the pretensions of the Welsh inhabitants. It was asserted that the Welsh had also "denyed themselves to be any part of the county of Philadel- phia. by refusing to bear any share of the charges, or to serve in the office of jury's, and the like as to ye County of Chester :- that the pretence thereof was they were a distinct Barrony, wch though they might be, yet that several Bar- ronys might be in one and ye same County."
Upon the application of Thomas Lloyd for a hearing. the subject was postponed till the next day, when he, in conjunction with John Eckley. ap- peared on behalf of the Welsh, but not being provided with anything but ver-
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bal testimony, that Penn had intended the Welsh Tract as a Barony or County Palatine, as was contended by Thomas Lloyd, the decision of the Governor and Council was a confirmation of the original line. It is a remarkable cir- cumstance that Penn's warrant for laying out the Welsh Tract, already given. was not adduced in this controversy, as it certainly recognizes the idea of a Barony.
Notwithstanding the decision of the Governor and Council, our Welsh- men were not yet ready to yield the point. In an election for a member of Council and six assemblymen for Philadelphia county, fifty or sixty persons of the townships of Haverford and Radnor gave their votes by ballot with the freemen of the said county. The Governor and Council having decided that these townships were in Chester county, they "resolved yt ye Election of Jon Eckley (the member returned) was not a good Election according to ye Char- ter ;" whereupon a writ was issued for another election. In this election the freemen refused to vote by ballot, but viva voce, confirmed the election of John Eckley, unanimously. Some of the discussion that ensued in Council up- on the validity of this procedure is given, as it explains the manner in which elections were conducted by our ancestors in these primitive times. After sev- eral members had expressed themselves satisfied with the return, "the Governor sayd: The former Election has been already determined not to be a good Elec- tion, and therefore that cannot be insisted upon."
"John Curtis say: I think it was a very fayre Election. In other places we are generally chosen by the Vote : and I think where they are unanymous, there needs no controversy." "The balloting box is not used in any other place but this county. We are elected by vote." "Griff. Jones answered, That was a mistake, for it is used at upland & all the Lower Countyes, by black and white beanes, put into a hatt, weh is a balloting in his sense, & canot be denyed by the Charter when it is demanded."
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