History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 58

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162

USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches > Part 58

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

of the land to him, but he expresses a hope that it will be laid out in the best part of the grant of 30,000 acres made in 1687.

From an original document in the possession of Dr. George Smith, author of the " History of Delaware County," the following is taken :

Nov. 22, 1686, Dr. Daniel Coxe, of London, being seized of a tract of 10,000 aeres in Pennsylvania, lying between two rivers, now called Vincent river and Skulkill river, ordered the same to he divided into two equal parts, on one of which, containing 5000 acres, several fami- lies are already planted. From the remaining 5000 acres he now grants to John Clapp, of the province of Carolina, in America, gentleman, 1000 acres, one-tenth of which was to lie on Skulkill river, paying to the said Coxe a grain of corn yearly for the first six years, and afterwards the yearly rent of £4 68.

This deed does not appear to have been executed, but it gives some historical facts. Dr. Coxe was largely inter- ested in West New Jersey lands, and was at one time Gov- ernor of that colony. In 1691 he conveyed to an associa- tion styled "The West New Jersey Society," among other lands, 10,000 acres in Chester County, which he had pur- chased from William Penn by deed of April 20, 1686.

William Penn also sold to Maj. Robert Thompson, of Newington Green, in the county of Middlesex, England, 10,000 acres in Pennsylvania, April 20, 1686, which land was to be set out and divided into two several townships, which were to lie contiguous, and to be seated with ten families apiece within twelve months next ensuing the date of sale. Robert Thompson, by will dated April 14, 1691, entailed the land. We next find deeds of lease and release, June 29 and 30, 1775, from Robert Thompson, Esq., of Elshanı, in Lincolnshire, only brother of William Thomp- son, Esq. (who died without issue), eldest son of William Thompson, Esq., only son of William Thompson, late of Hackney, in Middlesex, Esq., eldest son of Maj. Robert Thompson, aforesaid, to Joseph Reed, Esq., Thomas Will- ing, Esq., and Robert Morris, Esq., all of Philadelphia, for the above 10,000 acres. The price paid for this was £5500. Dec. 10, 1783, Joseph Reed sold his interest to the other partners for £2000, and a patent was granted to Morris and Willing, June 28, 1787, for 10,098 acres in Vincent, called " Westover." Morris sold out to Willing, Dec. 1, 1789, for £12,000. This patent covered the parts of East and West Vincent adjoining Coventry. A patent was granted to the West New Jersey Society for the rc- mainder of the land in Vincent, or 10,098} acres, Dec. 5, 1791.

Vincent townships were leased and settled much in the same manner as Pikeland, the settlers in many instances taking leases with the reserved right of purchase. For a number of years the improvements in these townships did not keep pace with those in other parts of the county. The houses were generally very inferior, and the progress of agriculture was slow. This general indisposition to im- provement was, in a large measure, owing to the nature of the tenures by which much of the land was holden. The stimulus to active industry was wanting, but when the tillers became the absolute owners of the soil the face of thing's was changed and wore a more animating aspect ; improvements were rapidly made, and Vincent and Pike- land soon contained an enterprising class of citizens:

210

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

After the land in Vincent became valuable, and consider- able improvements had been made, several claimants ap- peared, and there was a long litigation concerning the fee simple title before it was finally adjusted ..

The township derived its name from Sir Matthias Vin- cent, and the tracts of land constituting it were for some time known as "Cox and company's 20,000 acres." French Creek, which passes through the township, was originally called Vincent River, and retained that proud title for many years.

Benjohan Furly, one of the original owners of the lands in Vincent township, was very intimate with William Penn, and traveled much with him in Germany. He was a gentleman of considerable estate, fine acquirements, and of such influence among the Germans as to induce numbers of them to settle in Pennsylvania. William Penn was much pleased that a man of his wealth, family, and character should take an interest in his new province.

The earliest inhabitants of the Vincents were supplanted by the Germans, who came at a somewhat later date, and. whose descendants, to a considerable extent, enjoy the lands of their fathers. Among early settlers were the names of Ralston, Jenkins, Davis, Thomas, John and Michael Paul, Gordon, Brombaclı, and Dennis Whelen. Garrett Brom- bach (now corrupted to Browuback) established in this township the first tavern north of the Lancaster road, in a house of rude construction, where he performed the duties of host for many years. He was a merry German, and ac- cumulated considerable means.

In 1738, according to a survey ordered by the court, Vincent township was bounded as follows: northeast by Schuylkill River, northwest by Nantmell and Coventry, southwest by Uwchlan, and southeast by Joseph Pike's land. A draught of the township, made in 1773, shows who were then seated on the boundaries, with a few who were inside. Bezalion's cave is noted, near the river, opposite the lower end of the island near Spring City ; Parker's tavern and mill, in the northeast corner, on the river ; Holman's mill, now the Royal Springs mill; Baptist church near West Pikeland, etc.

The township was divided into East Vincent and West Vincent in 1832. In 1844 the line between South Coven- try and East Vincent was established as it was supposed to have been originally run.

The borough of Springville, on the Schuylkill River, was taken from the eastern part of East Vincent township and incorporated by decree of court in 1867. In 1872 the name was changed to Spring City.

The rate of 1724 was as follows:

Henry Kennell, 28. ; Garrett Brownback, 28. 4d .; John Rode, 28. ; Peter Pickles, 28. 4d .; Jasper Acer, 28. 4d .; Joseph Roger, 28. ; Thomas Loyd, 18 .; Owen Givin, 28. 4d .; John Bound, 18 .; John James, 48. ; Theophilus The., 28. 4d .; Tho. Phillipps, Is .; Henry Griffith, Is. ; Griffith William, I8.

" Vacand Land" .- Joseph Pikes, £8 68. 8d. ; Cox & com'ny, £16 13s. 4d.

In 1734, Richard Prichard petitioned the conrt, setting forth that he lived on what was known as Pike's land, where he had rented a piece of land on the line of Charles- town, but had been appointed constable for Vincent, from which he was distant four and a half miles. Being a poor

man with a large family, he, with many others, thought it " a very Great hardship To serve so Great a Town as Vin- cent is and to be Sessed among them who have their settle- ments without any Rent." A number of his Welsh neighbors substantiated his statements, but we do not know the result.

In the year 1846 the late Frederick Sheeder prepared for the Pennsylvania Historical Society a history of Vin- cent, which contains a great many matters of local interest.

TAXABLES IN 1753.

Philip Thomas, Rees Roberts, James Roberts, George Davis, Roger Martin, James Powell, Thos. Rees, Henry Miller, Conrad Hass, Jo- seph Rogers, John Loyd, Henry Smith, George Yesger, John Snider, Jacob Buzzard, Catharine Defrain, Peter Ash, Garratt Brownhack, Michael Cypher, Michael Holman, John Shundholder, Peter Stagger, Morgan Morgan, John Dodson, John Martin, Thos. Curry, Thos. Morgan, John Lewis, Wm. Morgan, John Fitzimonns, Wm. Fullerton, John Evan Jenkins, Mary Thomas, Roger MeElwee, Sisley James, Theophilos Thomas, Robt. Ralstone, James Duncan, John Potter, Morris Evan, Issac Davis, John Thomas, David Boulton, John Mere- dith, Thos Prowell, Joseph Cocks, Lawrence Hipple, Abram Turner, Philip, Jacob, and Adam Kipple, Windel Ilendry, George Row (or Low), Henry Cochenar, Edward Parker, Jacob Shaver, Simon Shunk, Wil- liam Hyme, Gasper Acher, Casper Hance, Richd Custard, Adam Ret -. ter, Michael Paul, John Paul, Willm Hatherlan, John James, James Mathers, Joseph Eddy, George Wagley, Henry Titlow, John Adam Miller, John William, Humphrey Bell, Hugh Owen, John Morgan, John Bateman, Owen Thomas, David Thomas, Owen Rogers, John Jenkins, Abram Smith, Sam1 Culbertson, Neal McCoy, James Pugh, Jolın Jenkins, Robert Courtney, David Jenkins, Will™ Bell, Michael Regon, John Roberts, Conrad Miller, Michael Dodson, David Evans, John David (tailer), Frederick Bingaman, Lawrence Loughran, John Baker, John Mager, John Willson, Christopher Rorahaok, Christian Wagaman, Christian Eberhard, Rees Evans, Elinor Wat- kin, Hugh Williams, Philty Hymes, John James.

Freemen .- David Davis, John McCracken, Thos. Batman, Willm West, Frederick Buzzard, Conrad Roach, Peter Paul, Phillip Houps, David Jenkins, Jehu Jenkins, James Fullerton, Robt. Fullerton, James Ruddy.

LAND-OWNERS, 1774.

Philip Arndorf, Anthony Acre, Henry Acre, Paul Benard, John Bound, Wm. Barber, Henry Benard, Henry Brumback, Benj'n Brumback, James Barber, Joseph Bosler, Henry Carl, Jacob Cover, Felix Chrisman, Michael Cypher, William Cowan, Conrad Carl, Henry Chrisman, Peter Defrain, John Dodson, David Davis, John David, George Deery, Henry Dasher, James Evans, Rudolph Essex (Essig ?), Christian Everhart, William Evans, David Evane, Wm. Eddy, George Fitzsimmons, Jacob Ginther, Wm. Gordon, Nicholas Ground, Michael Holman, Casper Himes, Henry Hethery, John Hause, Lawrence Hipple, Joseph Hoskins, Jonas Hicks, Joseph Han- cock, Jacob Hoffman, James John, David Jenkin, John Jenkin, Se- bastian Keely, Henry Knerr, John Lloyd, Philip Miller, Henry Mil- ler, Peter Miller, John McFarlan, Samuel Morris, Alexander McAlis- ter, John Adam, Enoch Meredith, Jacob Mawre (Mowry ?), John McCracken, John Melchoir, John Meredith, John Olinger, John Philips, John Paul, Edward Parker, Henry Rhoades, Robert Ral- ston, James Rogers, John Rhodes, Joseph Rodgers, George Row, John Shinholds, Conrad Shimer, Simeon Shunk, Peter Steger, Hugh Strickland, Conrad Sharer, Conrad Shunk, Frederick Slider, Casper Snider, Henry Sharadan, Owen Thomas, David Thomas, John Thomas, Hazael Thomas, Abraham Turner, Jacob Vogdes, Ann Wat- kie, Thomas Wilson, Enoch Watkin, John Young, George Yeager.

Appended to This list is one entitled "Disputed Inhabitants," containing the following names : Nicholas Kyser, Tacob Hetherlin, John James, John Munshower, Henry Titlow, Joseph Davis, Rees Evans, Richard Evans, Morgan Morgan, Richard Evans, Peter Paul, Peter Mores and tenant, James Taggart.

WALLACE.

This township was formed in 1852 by a division of West Nantmeal, and includes nearly the same territory as the

R.L.Stopfer, Eng.

RESIDENCE OF THOMAS B. HOOPES, NEW GARDEN.

"CHARLTON FOREST ". RESIDENCE OF THOMAS M. CHARLTON, PENN, CHESTER CO, PA.

211

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS, ETC.

old manor of Springton, or Springtown. It was named Springton at first, as was very appropriate. The next year application was made to the Legislature by some who were dissatisfied with the name, and, to quote the late Dr. Ben- jamin Griffith, " they had it changed to Wallace,-called, I suppose, after an old Scotchman of the name of Robert Wallace, who used to own Mormon Hollow," etc.

Some mention has already been made of the old manor, which contained finally 8313 acres, with allowance of six per cent. for roads. The settlers thereon were almost en- tirely of the Scotch-Irish stock, and as they did not get titles for the land for a long time, there was considerable trouble on that head. They claimed that it was promised to them at the rate of forty-five pounds per hundred acres, and in 1747 three of them-John Hamilton, Arthur Graham, and Thomas Brown-deposed to that effect. .

Feb. 17, 1747, Richard Peters writes to the proprieta- ries :

"Ejectments have been brought against Ten of the principal set- tlere on Springton Manor and at the Instance of Mr. Francis, as well as the settlers, I have sent you Copies of Three Depositions taken before Justice Flower, in support of which Arthur Graham producce James Steele'e Receipt Dated 3d April, 1739 for £20 in part for 200as within the said Manor, and another Receipt in 1740 for £40. Francis Long likewise producce Mr. Steele's Receipt for £10 Dated the 13th June 1739 in part for 150as within the said Manor. Gabriel Alexander likewise producce Mr. Steele's Receipt fur £10 Dated 13th June 1739 'in part for 150as in the said Manor. Robert McConaghy likewise produces Mr. Steele's Receipt Dated 3d April 1739 for £20 in part for 200as within the said Manor. I have not brought ejectments against any Persons in possession of these Receipts, but all the In- trudere think they will operate for them. The Depositions having put £45 + hundred at random ou all the Manor, good and bad one shou'd think their pretence will appear false and foolish for all ex- cept those who produce Receipts, and as these do not mention that the land for which Money was paid is to be at £45 + hundred nor at any other Price, I dont know what they can make of these Re- ceipte. John Taylor is not to be trusted. The People look on him as their evidence. He is very angry at being turned out of the Com- mission of the Peace, and I am afraid his evidence will do mischief. Mr. Thomas Penn knowe this whole affair, and tho he has in part let me into it in his former letters, yet I humbly desire fuller informa- tions. I suppose the Cause must bo remov'd to the Supreme Court and a epeciat Jury he struck, and then the Proprietors will I hope obtain Justice. The Land is in general most miserably abus'd and great waste committed, tho' not of late, as the People were for some time uncertain whether they might not be allow'd to purchase, and were under the Eye of William Hartley. I have searched the Min- ntes of Property and find no other entrye than these viz- "'15th let mo. 1736-7.

"'James Eldridge requcets the Grant of 100as of Land within the Prop's Manor of Springton adjoining to his Land and the Land of George Claypoole. He James Eldridge says that one Michael Græme has made havock on the same by cutting and destroying the Timber &o. The Proprietore is pleased to order this Request to be enter'd, & also that James Steele write to the said Græme to desist from making any further spoil &o.

"'8th June, 1737.

"".Francie Long Requests the Grant of 150as Land in the Manor of Springton at the same rate as Arthur Graham.'

"The persone ejected have been with me praying that I would write to the Propre to put a reasonable price on each man's Plantation according to the different quality of the Land, and euch as are able will make good Payments. They pray me to do this saying at the same time that they must submit to the Proprietors, nor do they talk of standing Suit but beg hard that the Ejectment may be continued at their Cost till they have once mure tried whether you'll insist on their coming into Leases for which they express as great aversion now as erer, or will allow them to purchase their Farms st a reason- able rate. I gave them no answer, not knowing their Temper nor

what they designed to do. If they stand suit on the strength of the Receipts and what is said in the inclosed Depositions, as the cause must then be remov'd to the Supreme Court, I shall not chuse to proceed to the Trial till I hear from you, or if they submit & shou'd be importunate with me to suspend taking possession, & unce more to entreat for them so much favour from you as to permit them to pur- chase, I will in this Case be advised by Mr. Francis."

Among the prominent settlers were the families of Mack- elduff, McFeeters, Alexander, Henderson, Starrett, Mackey, and Kennedy.

So far as is known, but four physicians-Thomas Harris, Thomas Kennedy, Benjamin Griffith, and Joseph T. Grier -have resided in the manor. The pure water, absence of marshes, and elevation of between five and six hundred feet above tide-water have always rendered it remarkably healthy.

In 1853 a small portion of Wallace was added to Uwch- lan, and in 1860 the line next to East and West Nant- meal was slightly changed.

WARWICK.

This township was formed by the division of East Nant- meal in 1842, and received its name from Warwick Iron- Works, within its limits. Among the work done at an early period at Warwick Furnace was the casting of what were popularly known as " Franklin stoves," an invention of Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Robert Grace, who married the widow of Samuel Nutt, Jr., had at this time charge of the Warwick Furnace, and superintended the making of these stoves. Franklin, in his autobiography, relates the fol- lowing :

" In order of time I should have mentioned before that having in 1742 invented an open fireplace for the better warming of rooms, and at the same time saving fuel, as the fresh air. admitted was warmed in entering, I made a present of the model to Robert Grace, one of my early friends, who, having an iron furnace, found the casting of the plates for these stoves a profitable thing, as they were growing in demand."

The older people of this county will remember these Franklin stoves, which at one time were common in the better class of houses. They are now very rarely to be met with, but the curious reader will find a design of one given in Lossing's " Field-Book of the Revolution," vol. i. page 328. Those made at Warwick had the words " War- wick Furnace" cast on the front plate in large letters.

During the Revolutionary war the Warwick Furnace was in constant operation for the government, and large quantities of cannon and cannon-balls were cast. Several cannon which did not stand .the test are, it is said, to be seen half sunk in the bank of French Creek. The Ameri- can army, a few days after the battle of Brandywine, re- tired from the neighborhood of Goshen Friends' meeting- house, where an expected battle was prevented by a rain- storm, to Warwick Furnace, where they procured a fresh supply of ammunition. In 1857 these furnaces produced 759 tons of boiler-plate iron from the ore of the neighbor- ing mines. Warwick Furnace, and the lands belonging to it, granted in 1718 to Samuel Nutt, have never been out of the family. They have been in the ownership of the Potts family, who are descendants of the original proprietors, for over a century, by one of whom, David Potts, Jr., they were carried on successfully for more than fifty years,

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

212

In 1860 the line between East and West Nantmcal and Wallace was slightly changed, and East Nantmeal was altered at its western end, adding a part of Warwick to East Nantmeal. These townships, which in former years were far removed from railroad facilities, are now well sup- plied in that respect by the Wilmington and Northern and the East Brandywine railroads.

The French Creek branch of the Wilmington and Northern road, lately opened to the Warwick mines, is another valuable public improvement.

WEST CHESTER,

the county town and seat of justice of Chester County, Pa., is in latitude 39º 57' 31.3" north, and longitude 1º 24' 57" east of Washington City, or 75° 36' 32.7" west from Green- wich, near London.

The exact position of the borough, or rather of the court-house, was ascertained in 1843 by E. W. Beans, then principal of the public school in West Chester, and Walter Hibbard, surveyor and conveyancer, of the same place.

It is situated on the water-shed or dividing ridge be- tween the Brandywine and Chester Creek, two miles from the former stream, near one of the sources of the latter, five miles south of the great Limestone or Chester Valley, twenty-three miles west of the original city of Philadelphia, about sixtcen miles north of Wilmington, Del., and about four hundred and fifty-six feet above tide.

The geological formation on which the borough stands is primitive, chiefly gneiss and sienitic trap, or green- stone, with large beds or banks of serpentine rock in the vicinity. The soil is a stiffish clayey loam, and tolerably fertile under good management.

This being not only the largest town in our county, but also the seat of justice, it will be admissible to dwell longer on the minute details of its early history than has been the case with other towns. We will first present the recollec- tions of Joseph Townsend, of Baltimore, who was born in East Bradford, within about a mile of the locality he describes, as follows :

" The first knowledge that I had of the ground on which West Chester stands was about the year 1760. There was at that time a cross-roads ; the one in an easterly direction led to Philadelphia, southerly to Wilmington, westerly to Jefferis' Ford on the Brandy- wine, and northerly to the Great Valley.

"The northeasterly field at the cross-roads, between the Philadel- phia and Great Valley roads, was owned by Phinehas Eachns ; north- westerly one, between the Valley and Brandywine roads, by Daniel Hoopes. The ground southwesterly, between the Brandywine and Wilmington roads, had an orchard thereon, and belonged to the estate of David Haines; the ground southeastwardly was a lot laid off for a tavern or establishment, on which was a small one-story wooden house, with a small shed-room attached to the cast part of it, in which a tavern was kept by the aforesaid Phinebas Eachus; it was situated near the spot where the banking- house now stands.

" The shed belonging to the tavern, for the accommodation of horses, with open front on the Wilmington road, reached nearly half the dis- tance from the dwelling-house yard to the road leading to Philadel- phia, the remaining front on the road, with the ground back of said dwelling was occupied for a garden for the use of the tavern-house. There was a small log building connected with the south end of the

shed and tavern-yard, in which was a storet for the retailing of mer- chandise. It was about the time aforementioned that some of the inhabitants in the neighborhood obtained leave of Daniel Hoopes to erect a school-honae in the corner of his field, at the intersection of the roads lending to Brandywine and the Great Valley ; the fence was removed, leaving an angular piece of ground for that purpose, sufficient for the building, and space north westerly of it for the chil- dren to play on. The house was built of logs, and filled in between with mortsr, and furnished with a few tables and benches. The prin- cipal expense was defrayed by John Townsend, Charles Ryant, Isaac Haines, and Thomas Williamson, who employed Ralph Forrester as the teacher of the school. He occupied the old dwelling of David Haines until John Haines, the son of David, became of age, to whom it, with 100 acres of land running to the Welsh line, was bequeathed. The teacher was an Irishman by birth, and had married Tamer Greg- ory after his arrival in this county. They with their family had reaided for some years previous near Goshen meeting-house.

" David Haines had lived and deceased in the old atone part of the dwelling-house,-latterly occupied by William Wollerton,-it having a woaden kitchen at the east end.# He was succeeded therein by James Davis, who was the son of Abraham Davis and Susanna, his wife, who lived in the old stone house on the road, where Joshua Sharpless lived and died. James had married Patience Bishop, a widow with one child named Ruth. Patience was the third daughter of Robert Miller the elder and Ruth, his wife, of the Great Valley, a little west of Downingtown. About this time a few of the settlers in Chester County were disposed to emigrate to North Carolina, with a view to .enlarge their estates. For this purpose they fixed on New Garden and Cane Creek for their residence. Among the number thus removed was James Davia ond his family, and after his departure the dwel- ling and farm was taken possession of by the said Ralph Forrester. The road that led to the house passed through a gate nearly opposite to the brick dwelling-house known as the Turk's Head tavern. In this dwelling-house Ralph Forrester remained until John Hainea arrived at age, and followed his occupation as a teacher in the afore- mentioned school-house, during which time many of the rising gener- ation of Chester County received a plain, useful education.

"The road leading to Wilmington was not at right angles with the others, and on being straightened encroached on some of the apple- trees in the orchard of the late David Haines, and they were taken up by the roots, and the road regulated accordingly.

" A circumstance took place about the time of the alteration of the road well remembered by the subscriber. Philip Mendenhall, & young man of respectable family, by some means or other got under the wheel of a loaded wagon. The consequence was that his leg was.broken, end that he was carried into the Turk's Head tavern-house for assist- ance. The print of his leg and yarn stocking which be had on it was to be seen on the clay where the misfortune took place for several days thereafter. The circumstance happened nearly opposite to the gate through which the road passed to David Haines' former dwelling.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 58

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 1162

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162