USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume I > Part 27
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DELAWARE COUNTY
that they were adopted by Mason and Dixon-the tangent-line, to use their own language, "not passing one inch eastward or westward" of the post mark- ing the tangent point set in the ground by those whom they superseded. It will be remembered that the starting-point of the line run in 1739 was on the meridian of this tangent fifteen and a quarter miles south of the southern part of the city of Philadelphia. The agreement now fixes it at fifteen miles. Hav- ing ascertained this point, the learned surveyors proceeded slowly but surely in running and marking the line that bears their names. In the autumn of 1767 their labors were suddenly brought to a close, by the command of the Six Na- tions of Indians, after they had reached a distance of 244 miles west of the Delaware. The stones intended to permanently designate the boundary were not planted till the following year.
The year 1768 was another year of jubilce for our good people, for the commissioners and assessors, "after inspecting into the affairs of the county find no necessity for raising a tax this year." This announcement may be re- garded as more singular, in having been made at a time when great apprehen- sion existed of the breaking out of an Indian war, in consequence of the most inhuman murder of ten Indians at Middle Creek, in Cumberland county, by one Frederic Stump.
An act was passed in 1768 "for regulating the fishery in the river Brandy wine." The object of the act was to regulate the dams so that the fish could pass up.
The practice of advertising, by candidates, for the office of sheriff, which commenced in Philadelphia in 1744, was probably introduced about this period into Chester county. The following is a specimen of the advertisement then in use.
"To the Freeholders, and others, Electors for the Borough and County of Chester,
"GENTLEMEN: When I reflect on the honor done, and confidence placed in me by the freemen of this county, for a number of years past, it affords me a matter of joy, and emboldens me at this time, to offer myself as a candidate for the Sheriff's office, for which purpose I humbly request your votes and interest at the ensuing election, which kindness, Gentlemen, shall be gratefully acknowledged and kept in remembrance by your assured friend. RICHARD BAKER."
Sheriffs were elected annually, and for some years past John Morton, the signer of the Declaration of Independence had held that office. Jesse Maris was the successful candidate this year, though he did not advertise. He gave security in £3,000, under a recently enacted law, the security previously to this time having been much smaller.
After the repeal of the stamp act, the British Parliament passed, almost unanimously, an act imposing duties on certain articles imported into the col- onies. This act involving the same principle as that just repealed-taxation without representation-met with the same opposition. Under a belief that it was the amount of the tax, rather than the principle involved in imposing it. to which the colonists objected, assurances were given in 1769. that five-sixths of the taxes should be repealed. In the following year the whole was abolished.
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DELAWARE COUNTY
except 3d. per pound on tea. This produced only a temporary lull in the great political storm that for some time had been gathering; for the right of taxation by the mother country was still maintained.
The road from the Schuylkill at Province Island, through Tinicum, was probably laid out this year ; persons, upon petition, having been appointed for that purpose by the Governor and Council, though their report does not ap- pear on record. A road from the "Middle ferry" to Strasburg, passing the Boot tavern, and the Ship tavern, was laid out in 1770. The route adopted for this road through Delaware county, was nearly on the same ground that is occupied at present by the West Chester road. The commissioners for laying out this road were John Morton, John Sellers, James Webb, Joseph Fox, Jacob Lewis and Daniel Williams.
The commission of the Governor having been renewed, a new commis- sion for justices was required. The following is the list for Chester county, viz. : William Moore, Thomas Worth, John Morton, Isaac Davis, Alexander Johnson, William Clingham, William Parker, John Hannum, John Price, Henry Hale Graham, Richard Riley, Charles Cruikshanks, Richard Baker, James Gibbons, James Moore, William Swaffer, Evan Evans, Thomas Hock- ley, Joseph Pyle, Thomas Temple, and Warwick Miller. Members of Coun- cil were ex-officio justices of the peace.
As early as 1734 some small quantities of silk had been made in Penn- sylvania, probably from our native mulberry. About this period the subject was revived, and great efforts were made to introduce the culture on a large scale. Premiums were offered to the persons who should bring the greatest weight of cocoons to a public filature established in Philadelphia. In 1771 the quantity brought to this establishment from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, chiefly by ladies, was 1754 lbs. 4 oz., of which Chester county pro- duced 335 lbs., brought in by the following named persons :
LBS. Oz.
LBS. 02.
Grace Beal .
4
II
Sarah Dicks .
47 IO
Mary Parker (Darby)
IO
0
Catharine Evans
14 00
Mary Pearson (Darby)
51
II Mary Jones
19
I2
Abigail Davis (Chester)
3 3
Jane Davis (Chester)
28
12
Sarah Fordham (Darby)
6
0
Jacob Worrall
2
O
Ann Cochran (Darby) Rachel Hayes (Darby)
25
12 Margaret Riley
II
IO
I2 John Hoops (Chester)
23
IO
James Millhouse
52
00 Henry Thomas (Chester)
8
6
Ann Davis
2 15
Elizabeth Bonsall
7
O
Mary Davis .
2
4
It is probable that the white mulberry tree (morus alba) was introduced into this county at this time. It is now fully naturalized, especially in the eas- tern part of the county, where there are trees three feet in diameter.
On account of the death of his father, which happened in 1771, Lieutenant Governor John Penn returned to England, and before the close of the year
13
-
335 O
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DELAWARE COUNTY
was succeeded by Richard Penn : James Hamilton, president of the Council, having acted as Governor in the meantime.
The best men in the county did not, at this period, hesitate to assume the duties of county offices. Thus we find Anthony Wayne, who subsequently be- came one of the great generals of the Revolution, and John Morton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. the former as an assessor, and the latter as a justice of the peace. uniting with the county commissioners in let- ting out, by contract, the building of a county bridge. It was the bridge over Little Crum creek, on the road between Darby and Chester. The bridge was let at £210: is a stone arched bridge, and is still standing, an enduring monu- ment of the integrity of those concerned in its erection. At a subsequent meeting "the consideration of the rebuilding the Flat for carrying persons over the Brandywine coming before the board. they agree that it should be done. with all convenient speed, and appoint John Webster & Thomas Taylor to procure the same as soon as they can at the most reasonable terms." This- flat was used at Chadds' Ford.
The excitement of the people produced by the illegal and turbulent pro- ceedings of the Connecticut claimants, was, at this period, even greater than that produced by the arbitrary measures of the mother country. This con- troversy, though suspended during the Revolution, was not ended till 1802. when it was rightfully decided in favor of Pennsylvania.
The several monthly meetings of the Society of Friends, of our county, appear now to be engaged more earnestly in frecing their members "from the evil practice of holding slaves." Through the instrumentality of visiting com- mittees, a considerable number of Friends had been induced to liberate their servants for life, or to enter into an obligation to free them at a certain age ; though slave-holding at this time was not a sufficient cause for disownment. Nor was it held by all the Meetings that even selling slaves placed the offender quite beyond the care of the Society, for, in a case brought before Darby Meet- ing, and clearly made out, the offender was regarded as being "under censure of the minute of our Yearly Meeting of 1758." and in the testimony adopted. they "refuse to permit him to sit in our meetings of discipline, or be employed in the affairs of Truth, or receive from him any contribution towards the re- lief of the poor or other services of the Meeting."
Great opposition was made to the road laid out in 1770 from the Middle Ferry to Strasburg, in Lancaster county, partly on account of supposed mis- takes in making the return. As a consequence it was not opened, and this year. in pursuance of instructions from the Governor and Council, it was reviewed by the commissioners who laid it out, but they do not appear to have made any material change in the route, though it is designated much more particular- ly in the second survey.
John Penn, who had formerly acted as Governor, and who, in consequence of the death of his father, had become one of the Proprietaries, returned to the Province in 1773 and assumed the duties of administering the government.
From a message by the Governor to the Assembly, it would appear that
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DELAWARE COUNTY
£15,000 had been appropriated for building fortifications "for the security and defence" of Philadelphia, and that the whole amount had been expended in the purchase of Mud Island, and in the erection of a fort thereon; the work having been executed in accordance with "the opinion and advice of a skillful engineer, recommended by General Gage." The Governor regarded the work as having been done "in a masterly manner." The object of the message was to urge the Assembly to make provision for finishing the work. A temporary fortress had been erected on this island at a former period, but the structure now erected was the beginning of, and constitutes a material part of the pres- ent Fort Mifflin.
We now approach the most momentous period of our history as a people -a period embracing the events that severed us from the mother country, and gave us a separate national existence. The limited scope of this work will only permit a notice of such of these events as occurred in our midst, or in our immediate vicinity.
By the passage of the Boston Port Bill, the people became aroused to the necessity of adopting active measures in defence of their liberties. Meetings were held in Philadelphia, from which emanated a circular to the people of the several counties of the Province. This circular was addressed to Francis Richardson, Elisha Price, and Henry Hayes, of Chester county, who imme- diately issued the following call for a meeting of the people of the county :
"To the Freeholders and others, inhabitants of the county of Chester, qualified by law to vote for Representatives in General Assembly :
"Gentlemen: The large, and very respectable committee for the City and County of Philadelphia, have wrote to us, the subscribers, requesting that a committee might be chosen for this county as soon as possible, to meet the committee from the other Coun- ties of this province, at the city of Philadelphia, on the 15th day of this instant, to deliberate on matters of the greatest weight and importance, not only to us, but to all America. And we are now assured, that on the account of the Indian disturbances, his Honor the Governor has found it necessary to call the Assembly to meet, in their legisla- tive capacity, on Monday the 28th of this instant; and we also find, that it is not only the opinion and request of the said committee for Philadelphia, but also the opinion and desire of a number of respectable persons of this county, coinciding with our own opinions, as lovers of civil and religious liberty, that the committees of the several countries of this province, should meet at Philadelphia, on the said 15th of this instant, in order to assist in framing instructions, and preparing such matters as may be proper to recommend to our representatives, at their meeting the Monday following.
"We have therefore thought proper on mature deliberation, and by the advice of a number of gentlemen of this county, to appoint Wednesday the 13th instant, at one o'clock in the afternoon, as a proper time for the inhabitants of this county to meet at the Court House in Chester, to choose a number of our best and wisest men as a committee for this county, as shall be judged necessary to meet the other committees, at the time and place above mentioned, for the purpose aforesaid, and for such other purposes, as may then be deemed useful and necessary. And we sincerely hope, that the good people of this county, will give their attendance on that day, and calmly and heartily join with [us] in doing the business proposed, which we earnestly wish and desire may answer the good proposed, and the good purposes intended by it.
"Chester July 4th, 1774."
20.1
DELAWARE COUNTY
The following is the record of the proceedings of the meeting :
"At a meeting of a very respectable number of the Freeholders and others, inhab- itants of the County of Chester at the court-house on Wednesday the 13th of July, 1774, in consequence of public notice for that purpose given, Francis Richardson Esq. Chairman.
"I. That the inhabitants of this county do owe, and will pay all due faith and "This Assembly, taking into their serious consideration, the present critical and aların- ing situation of American affairs, and the unhappy differences now subsisting between Great Britain and her Colonies, do agree and resolve as follows, viz:
allegiance to our lawful and rightful sovereign Lord George the Third, king of G. Britain, and the dominions thereunto belonging.
"2. That it is an absolute right, inherent in every English subject, to have free use, enjoyment and disposal of all his property, either by himself or representative, and that no other power on earth can legally divest him of it.
"3. That the act of Parliament lately passed for shutting up the port of Boston is unconstitutional, oppressive to the inhabitants of that town, in its consequences dangerous to the liberties of the British colonies; and that therefore, we consider our brethren at Boston as suffering in the common cause of America.
"4. That the protection of the liberties of America is an indispensable duty, whichi we owe to ourselves, who enjoy them, to our ancestors who transmitted them down, and to our posterity who will claim them at our hands, as the best birthright and noblest inheritance of mankind.
"5. We do agree with the Committee of the City and County of Philadelphia, that a Congress of Deputies from the said Colonies is the most profitable and proper mode of procuring relief for our suffering brethren, obtaining redress, preserving our rights and liberties, and establishing peace and mutual confidence between our Mother country and her Colonies, on a constitutional foundation.
"6. The inhabitants of this County ought and will cheerfully adopt, adhere to, and assist in executing all and singular such peaceable and constitutional measures, which may hereafter be agreed upon and determined by the said general Congress.
"7. It is our opinion that it would conduce greatly to the restoration of the liberties of America, should the Colonies enter into a solemn agreement not to purchase any goods, wares or merchandise imported from Great Britain, under such restrictions as be agreed upon by the Congress. We, for our parts, sensible of the great advantages which must arise from promoting economy and manufacturing among ourselves, are determined to use as little foreign manufactures of what kind or quality soever, as our necessities will permit until the several acts of the British Parliament, injurious to American liberty, be repealed.
"8. That as our brethren at Boston are now suffering in the cause of America, it is the duty of the inhabitants of this County, in common with the neighboring Colonies, generously to contribute towards their support; and therefore the Committee hereafter appointed, are requested immediately to open and set on foot a subscription for the said sufferers, and the money arising therefrom to be laid out and expended as the said Committee, or a majority of them, shall judge best to answer the benevolent intention.
"9. That the following persons, to wit, Francis Richardson, Elisha Price, John Hart, Anthony Wayne. John Sellers, Hugh Lloyd, William Montgomery, Francis Johnston, William Parker, Richard Riley, Thomas Hockley, Robert Mendenhall, and John Flem- ing or a majority of them, be and they are hereby appointed a Committee for this County to meet and correspond with the Committees of the several Counties of this and the other Colonies, and to join in such measures as to them shall appear necessary for the public good.
FRANCIS JOHNSTON, Clk. Com."
There had been some correspondence between the Philadelphia Commit- tee and influential persons in the several Counties of the Province. a month
205
DELAWARE COUNTY
earlier, at which time it was not expected that the Governor would convene the Assembly. Delegates from the several county conimittees convened at Phila- delphia, and engaged in the preparation of a series of general resolutions, to be laid before that body, which met shortly afterwards. The Assembly, act- ing in harmony with similar bodies in the other colonies, appointed deputies to the general Congress that convened at Philadelphia on the 14th of Septem- ber following. The whole number of deputies was fifty-five, of whom eight were from Pennsylvania, and of these, two, viz., Charles Humphreys and John Morton, resided in the district now constituting Delaware county.
On December 20th, following, we again find, "a very respectable number of the inhabitants of the county of Chester, convened at the court-house in the borough of Chester," for the purpose of choosing a committee "to carry into execution the Association of the late Continental Congress." The follow- ing persons were chosen, viz .: Anthony Wayne, Francis Johnston, Richard Riley, Evan Evans & James Moore, Esquires. Hugh Lloyd, Thomas Hockley, David Coupland, John Hart, Sketchley Morton, Samuel Fairlamb, Isaac Eyre, John Crosby, Nicholas Diehl, Jesse Bonsall, Aaron Oakford, Benjamin Bran- nan, John Talbot, Joseph Brown, Samuel Price, John Crawford, John Taylor, Lewis Gronow, Edward Humphreys, Henry Lawrence, Richard Thomas, Wm. Montgomery, Persifer Frazer, Thos. Taylor, John Foulke, Robert Menden- hall, Joseph Pennell, George Pierce, Nicholas Fairlamb, Samuel Trimble, Charles Dilworth, John Hannum, George Hoops, Joel Bailey, John Gilliland, Joseph Bishop, Jr., John Kerlin, Edward Jones, William Lewis, Patrick An- derson, Joshua Evans, Thomas Hartman, Dr. Branson Van Leer, William Evans, Joseph Cowan, Thomas Haslep, Patterson Bell, Dr. Jonathan Morris, Andrew Mitchell, Thomas Buffington, James Bennett, Joseph Musgrave, Wm. Miller, Richard Flower, Walter Finney, James Simpson, David Wherry. James Evans, Thomas Bishop, William Edwards, Jona. Vernon, Jr., Lewis Davis, Sr., Jos. Gibbons, Jr., and Thomas Evans ; which committee were "to be and continue from this time until one month after the rising of the next Continental Congress, with full power to transact such business, and enter into such associations as to them shall appear expedient." After the appointment of the above committee, they proceeded to appoint a chairman and secretary ; when Anthony Wayne, Esq., was selected for the former, and Francis John- ston, Esq., for the latter office. The committee then passed the following re- solves unanimously :
"Ist. That any twelve or more of the said committee, meeting upon due notice, be- empowered to enter upon and transact all such business, as shall come under their con- sideration ; provided, the majority agreeing shall not be less than twelve."
"2d. That the present unhappy situation of public affairs in general, and of this Province in particular, renders it highly necessary that a Provincial Convention should be held as soon as possible; for which purpose twelve persons shall be appointed, out of the said Committee, as delegates to attend the said Convention, at such time and place as shall be generally agreed on."
The committee then adjourned, to meet at the house of David Coupland, in the borough of Chester, on January 9, 1775.
20h
DELAWARE COUNTY
Agreeably to one of the resolves of the first meeting of the people of Chester county, subscriptions were circulated for the relief of the suffering people of Boston. The Society of Friends, acting in a meeting capacity, did not hesitate to contribute to the same object. Chester Monthly Meeting con- tributed £70 "for the relief of Necessitous inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay and Provinces adjacent." Darby Meeting paid £33 14s. "for the relief of the poor and distressed in New England," while Haverford Meeting responded to the request of the meeting for sufferings, "that Friends should contribute lib- erally for the relief of friends or others (in the New England Government), who are or may be reduced to indigent circumstances, in this time of public calamity," and in a short time had the satisfaction to receive "an affecting ac- count of the state of the poor of these Provinces, and of the distribution of the donations sent from hence."
. In this connection it may be remarked, that the period under considera- tion was one of great tribulation with the more staid members of the Society of Friends. Their tenets imposed a condition of perfect neutrality, and this was generally adhered to; but many, and among them men in high repute for their intelligence, took an active part in opposing the arbitrary measures of the mother country. The effect of allowing their members to participate in the commotions of the times was foreseen, and the most kindly caution was re- peatedly administered by the visitation of Committees. It will be seen here- after that these efforts were generally, though not wholly, unsuccessful.
The proposed Provincial Convention assembled at Philadelphia January 23. 1775, and continued its sessions until the 28th. The following ten dele- gates from Chester county appeared at the first meeting of the convention : Anthony Wayne, Esq., Hugh Lloyd, Richard Thomas, Francis Johnston, Esq., Samuel Fairlamb, Lewis Davis, William Montgomery, Joseph Musgrave, Joshua Evans, and Persifer Frazer. The absentees were Thomas Hockley and Thomas Taylor. The proceedings of the convention were unanimous, and the object of one of its first resolves was "to procure a law prohibiting the future importation of slaves into the province."
No record of a meeting of the Chester county committee, on January 9. the day to which they adjourned, has been found ; but they are again assem- bled March 20, pursuant "to adjournment and public notice." showing that an intervening meeting had been held. This meeting was held at the house of Richard Cheyney in East Caln, when, on motion, it was "ordered, that Mr. Hockley, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Gronow, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Frazer, Mr. Moore, and Mr. Taylor, be and they are hereby appointed a Committee to essay a draught of a petition to present to the General Assembly of this Province, with regard to the manumission of slaves-especially relating to the freedom of infants hereafter born of black women within this Colony-and do make report of the same to this Committee at its next meeting."
On motion, "ordered, that each member in this Committee, will use his ut- most diligence in collecting the several sums of money subscribed for the use of Boston, and pay the same into the hands of Anthony Wayne, Esq., treas-
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DELAWARE COUNTY
urer, at the next meeting of the committee." The committee then adjourned, to meet at the house of David Coupland, in the borough of Chester, on Wed- nesday, the 31st of May next. The following extract from their proceedings shows that the committee met at an earlier day than that to which they ad- journed.
"In Committee, Chester, May 22, 1775.
"Whereas it appears very necessary, in order to avert the evils and calamities which threaten our devoted country, to embody ourselves and make all the military preparation in our power; and it appears absolutely impossible to carry this laudable design into execution, without observing the greatest order, harmony and concord, not only under the laws of civil government, but also while under arms and in actual duty,-we there- fore unanimously recommend the following Association, to be entered into by the good people of this County :-
"We, the Subscribers do most solemnly resolve, promise and engage, under the sacred ties of honor, virtue, and love to our country, that we will use our utmost endeavours to learn the military exercise and promote harmony and unanimity in our respective companies ; that we will strictly adhere to the rules of decency, during duty; that we will pay a due regard to our officers; that we will, when called upon, support with our utmost abilities the civil magistrate in the execution of the laws for the good of our country, and that we will at all times be in readiness to defend the lives, liberties, and properties of ourselves and fellow countrymen against all attempts to deprive us of them.
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