History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 124

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1150

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In 1785, William Underwood was licensed to keep public-house in Concord. In 1786, Samuel Johnson, Alexander Lockart, and Caleb Taylor received the court's approval. The latter, in 1788, had the privi- lege continued to him.

In 1748, Nathaniel Newlin was granted license for his house " near several great roads," and it was con- tinued to him until 1776, excepting during the years 1757-59, when William Smith seems to have been the landlord, and in 1760 no names appear of record. License may have been, but probably was not, denied to Newlin during that period. This house was on the Wilmington and Great Valley road, near where the Naaman's Creek road crosses the former highway, now Johnson's Corners. From 1776 to 1782 there is no record respecting license in Concord ; in fact, the tracing of successive landlords for public-houses in that township is more difficult than in any other in our county, Ridley and Lower Chichester not ex- cepted. In 1782, Amos Mendenhall had license; in 1774, John Burnett; and from 1758 to 1788, Thomas Maddock, when I lose trace of this house. In 1791, however, John Fred appears to have been landlord of Newlin's Tavern, and in 1800, James Jeffries kept the house, to yield it, in 1806, to John Hickman. In 1810, Charles Hughes had license for The Three Tuns (a favorite name for inns at that day), and Nathaniel Newlin superseded Hughes in 1814, and continued as "mine host" there only one year, when, in 1814, Thomas Smith took his place for a season as the land- lord of the old house. After that year the owner declined to have it longer licensed as a tavern.

Moses Bullock, Jr., in his application for the year 1815, says that the noted tavern, The Three Tuns, the property of Nathaniel Newlin, is about -"to Drop, and your petitioner has lately erected a convenient House for Business on the same road leading from the Borough of Wilmington to Great Valley, about half a mile from the former stand, and a tavern will be badly wanted in said neighborhood." Bullock's Tavern,-for his application was allowed,- we learn from the remonstrance against James Smith, was located on the Wilmington road, about a quarter of a mile above Elam. It was known as the Buck, and he was licensed annually thereafter until 1832, when as a public inn it disappears from the records.

In 1783, Joshua Vernon had leave to keep a tavern known as The Blue Ball, at which house he was superseded, in 1787, by James Oliver, who had license only for that year, while Joshua Vernon re- ceived the privilege to keep an inn at a house located on the Concord road a short distance beyond Chelsea. The ancient hostelry, well known as the Cross-Keys, no longer as a public-house, is now owned by Michael McGinnis. In 1789, the last year the justices of Ches- ter County granted license for the territory now com- prising Delaware County, Joshua Vernon was the

only person in Concord to whom the judges show partiality. Under the new order of things, at the first court held at Chester, after the division, he re- ceived license, and was continued yearly to be favored until 1796, when James Jeffries succeeded him at the Cross-Keys. The latter was the landlord until 1799, when Ann Vernon had the license, and in 1800, George Mattson followed her. Thomas Ring had the house in 1802; Samuel Chapman was there in 1805, and the next year he gave place to Jonathan Paul, Jr., who, in 1807, was succeeded by Amos Wad- dell. In 1809, Curtis Jeffries was "mine host," but he surrendered the honors to Amos Waddell the next year, and the latter, in 1811, to Peter Harper. In 1812, James Marshall took the responsibility of the Cross-Keys on himself, and sustained them during the second disagreement with England, and for three years after the cruel war was over, when, in 1818, David Howes succeeded him, to be superseded the next year by William Baldwin. The latter remained there for eight years, until 1828, when Reece Pyle had license for the inn, and in 1833,. Nathaniel Stevens became the last landlord of the Cross-Keys of Con- cord, for after 1836 it disappears from the list.

In 1817, Joseph Hannum petitioned court for license to keep a public house of entertainment on the West Chester and Concord road, although it would have been more accurate had he said on Concord road, for the White Horse Inn was located on the latter highway, a short mile above Chelsea. The old build- ing, partly of logs and partly of stone, recently the property of Robert M. Smith and now owned by J. & J. Darlington, still stands. He was successful in his application, and he received the court's favor annually thereafter until 1837, when it ceased to be a tavern. During all the time it was a licensed house, the elec- tors of Concord, Birmingham, Bethel, and that part of Thornbury lying west of a public road, from Street road by the shops and continuing by the house of Jacob Parks, to the road dividing the townships of Concord and Thornbury (in 1823), all voted at this inn, while in 1830 the second election district of Delaware County, comprising Concord, Birmingham, Bethel, and Thornbury, had their polling-place at the White Horse, and continued annually to be held there until and including 1837, when a tavern at that place was discontinued.

On Jan. 15, 1819, James Smith, the owner and oc- cupier of the premises at the intersection of the roads leading from Wilmington to West Chester, and from Brandywine to New London Turnpike road, states in his petition that he is desirous of keeping a public- house at that location, and to that end has improved his property and provided himself with buildings and other things necessary aud convenient for that busi- ness. On Jan. 18, 1819, a remonstrance from the in- habitants of Concord and Birmingham sets forth that the signers " have heard with much consurn that James Smith has petitioned your honours to grant him

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CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

a Licence to keep a house of public entertainment on the Wilmington road, in the neighborhood of the public houses on the same road, one of them but one-quarter of a mile above and the other one mile and a half he- low, which is sufficient to accommodate the public. Besides it is feared that if the number of public houses should be encreased that some of them will have to re- sort to neighboring custom for support." The court re- jected the petition, as also a similar one dated October 18th of the same year, which was indorsed by seventy- nine signatures. The remonstrance filed against the latter application states that the petitioner wanted "to locate a tavern at the intersection of the road from Chandlers bridge to the Philadelphia and New London Turnpike road with the road from West Chester to Wilmington, which we consider wholly useless and apprehensive, and would be injurious for many reasons. On the West Chester and Wilmington road there is a tavern, about one-quarter of a mile above the afore- mentioned intersection, and below it there is one in New Castle County, a small distance more than a mile, so that travelers from West Chester to Wilming- ton can need no opportunity for refreshments more than is already afforded. The other road from Chan- dler's bridge is but lately laid out and your remon- strants confidently state that few (if any) loaded travelling waggons have been seen on that road, be- sides the said road crosses the Concord road not more than a quarter of a mile from HanDum's Tavern, so that those who have really occasion to pass along the said cross road can have no difficulty in obtaining re- freshments in passing at either of the intersections." The remonstrants continue, " Although they acknowl- edge the names of many inhabitants of Delaware County very respectable, are signed to the petition of James Smith, yet it is a matter of certainty that a large proportion of the signers are inhabitants of the State of Delaware, inhabitants of Chester County, and other places distant from James Smith's, who prob- ably can have no opportunity of knowing the facts set forth in his petition nor any occasion of passing by the said cross road." The remonstrance had sixty names attached thereto.

Jan. 27, 1820, James Smith again petitioned for a license for the house, his application being signed by one hundred and twenty-four persons. He also filed an additional paper with seventy-six names attached, in which the signers state "that, learning that a large number of respectable citizens stating" (to the peti- tion already filed) " their belief that a Tavern is much wanted at the stand where the said James Smith lives and that he is a suitable character to keep such house of entertainment. We under the influence of a simi- lar opinion and from a conviction that the public con- veuience would be promoted by such an establish- ment, which is needed both for the accommodation of travellers and drovers using the road with cattle, unite in requesting that license be granted to Smith." The court, however, shook their judicial heads, and again

the petitioner was turned unsatisfied away. The next year he remained dormant, but March 22, 1822, he ap- pears again. The judges held his petition under ad- visement and finally refused it, but at the April court, 1823, James Smith came off with flying colors, and after four and a quarter years of bitter struggles the Drove Tavern, at present in Elam, was established. In 1826, James Smith changed the name of the house to the Drovers' and Travelers' Inn, and it was so kept by William Smith in 1827. In 1831 the tavern was licensed to Jane Smith ; in 1835, to James; and in 1837 to William Smith, who remained there until 1844. In the latter year Milton Stamp became.the landlord of the old hostelry, changing its name again to the Drove, and the following year he gave it a new title, that of Pleasant Hill. In 1849, Isaac B. Gilpin succeeded to the business, to be followed in 1854 by Edward B. Hoskin, and in 1856 Joseph Cheyney became the "mine host" of the inn. John Reven had license the following year, and in 1858 Charles Cheyney received the court's favor. In 1859, William S. Cheyney was the landlord, and continued as such uutil 1860, when Joseph Cheyney had license granted him, but he died before taking it out, and the privilege was extended to his widow, Mary Cheyney. In 1864, William E. May became the proprietor of The Farmers' and Drovers' Inn, to be succeeded, in 1868, by Richard T. Plummer, who restored the more modern title, Pleasant Hill, to the tavern. In 1869, Joseph Chandler was the landlord, to be followed, in 1870, by Plummer, who owned the property. The house was not licensed from 1871 to 1875, when Za- dock T. Speakman had license granted him, to be suc- ceeded, in 1878, by Benjamin French. In 1879, Wil- liam F. May was landlord, and, in 1881, was followed by Jackson McFarlan. In 1883, when the general remonstrance against granting any license in Concord was presented, the court denied to McFarlau the privilege for the sale of liquor at Elam, exactly sixty years after James Smith was first granted the right to keep a public-house there.

The Concordville Inn was established as a public- house in 1830, in which year John Way was granted license there, and being centrally located in the town- ship, after Joseph Hannum retired from tavern-keep- ing, the election polls were ordered to be held at that point. In 1858, Johu Way declined to apply, and the privilege for that year was granted to David M. Hannum, but he failing to take out the license, George W. Taylor was permitted to enjoy it iu his stead. The latter continued annually to petition suc- cessfully until 1861, when he was followed by Zadock T. Speakman, who, in 1869, gave place to James Cloud. The latter called the house the Concord- ville Hotel, and in 1871 he was the only person in the township who received the approval of the court. In 1872, Frank H. Cloud had the license, after which time it does not appear to have had the indorsement of the Quarter Sessions until 1876, when the present

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

owner and landlord, James Neeld, secured that favor. Annually thereafter he was among the licensed houses until April, 1883, when two lengthy petitions, one signed by one hundred and twenty-eight men, and the other by one hundred and fifty women, were pre- sented to court protesting "against granting of any hotel license in the said township, and especially against granting license for the sale of intoxicating liquors to James Neeld, of Concordville, or Jackson McFarlan, of Elam, ... believing that such license and sale is fraught with results disastrous to the com- fort, prosperity, and morality of a portion of our peo- ple and the disturbance of our peace, that their peti- tions are very generally signed by those who bear but a small share of taxation, and who are intoxicated to their own injury. We are fully persuaded that such licenses are not necessary for the accommodation of the public, and that our neighborhood will be better without them." After a lengthy hearing, Judge Clay- ton refused to grant the license. At the January court, 1884, the license was restored to the Concord- ville Hotel.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CHARLES W. MATHUES.

The Mathnes family are of Irish lineage, Andrew, the grandfather of Charles W., having emigrated after the war of the Revolution, and settled in Balti- more County, Md. He was united in marriage to a Mrs. Smith, widow, and had a son, William, born Dec. 16, 1796, in the above county, where his early life was spent. When about twenty-one years of age he came to Chester County, Pa., and followed the trade of a paper-maker. He married Susan Mc- Henry, whose children were Andrew W., John Mc- Henry, William F., Moses R., Charles W., David S., Alexander C., and Susan E. (Mrs. Daniel Hart). Charles W. was born March 15, 1830, in Chester County, and when thirteen years of age became a resident of Delaware County, at which early period of his life he began a self-supporting career by enter- ing the cotton-mill of John P. Crozer. After two years spent at that point he became an employé of other mills in the vicinity, and at the age of twenty entered the professional field as a student of dentistry. Concluding, however, not to practice, he became a clerk for N. L. Yarnall, at Lenni, and subsequently purchased and ran a stage line for a period of two years. He, in 1851, married Amanda, daughter of Milcah Richardson, and has children,-Andrew W., William M., Mary E., Susan M., Charles G., Sammel W., Amanda E., and Ida May. Having determined to become a farmer, Mr. Mathues, in 1857, rented land in Aston township, and subsequently in other localities, finally purchasing a farm in the above township, which his son now cultivates. In 1879 he

located in Concord, and has since that time filled a position of prominence as an agriculturist in that township. He is in politics a pronounced Repub- lican, and as a representative of that party was elected in 1875 sheriff of Delaware County, which office he held for the term of three years, as also various town- ship offices. He has since that time been devoted to the cultivation of his farm. Mr. Mathues is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, as also of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias, and the American Protestant Association. He is active as a leader in the temperance cause, and has carefully shunned the use of strong drink and to- bacco during his lifetime. These correct principles, together with habits of industry and self-reliance, have rendered him independent. In religion he worships with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

THOMAS P. POWEL.

Davis Powel, the father of the subject of this bio- graphical sketch, was born in Chester County, and married Miss Catharine, daughter of Thomas Peu- nell. Their children were Thomas P., Charles Rogers, Davis, Benjamin Rush, Hannah A. (Mrs. William Baldwin, of Harford County, Md.), and G. Washington. Mr. Powel eventually removed to Mary- land, where he purchased an extensive landed prop- erty, and remained until his death. His son, Thomas P., was born on the 7th of April, 1811, in Philadel- phia, and in early life repaired with his father to Maryland, where he enjoyed superior advantages of education. Circumstances influenced his removal in youth to Concord township, Delaware Co., where he engaged in the cultivation of the estate of his maternal relatives. In 1861, having inherited the farm, he made it his residence, and during the remainder of his life followed the business of a farmer. He married, on the 3d of February, 1852, Miss Lydia, daughter of William Garrignes, of Philadelphia, and grand- daughter of Samnel Garrigues, of Haverford town- ship. Their only son, William G., now occupies the Pennell homestead, which, in the direct line of de- scent, is the property of Mrs. Powel and her son. The latter is actively identified with the public meas- ures of the county, was for years secretary and treas- urer of the Republican Executive Committee of the county, as also its chairman in 1880, and in 1882 was elected to the State Legislature. Thomas P. Powel made his influence felt in the social and political life of the county. He was in politics a Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, and an ardent supporter of the principles of his party. During the sessions of 1857- 58 he was its representative in the State Legislature, and served on the Committees on Agriculture, Rail- roads, etc. He also filled various less important offices in connection with the township. Though a Friend by virtue of his antecedents, he worshiped with the congregation of St. John's Protestant Epis-

That OF Power

Charles Palmer

Leurs Palmer. Deurs

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CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

copal Church of Concord, and was a member of the vestry of that church. Mr. Powel was frequently called upon to act as trustee of estates and guardian, while his unbiased judgment made his services es- pecially valuable in cases requiring arbitration. In public life he was a man of sterling integrity, the strictest justice, and great decision of character. In his social relations he was distinguished by an emi- nently sympathetic, kind, and benevolent nature. His death occurred Jan. 7, 1872, in his sixty-first year.

CHARLES PALMER.

John Palmer, the progenitor of the family in Dela- ware County, in 1688 purchased one hundred acres of land in Concord township, the greater part of which has remained in the possession of his descendants to the present time. He married Mary Southery, and had among his children a son, John, who married Martha Yearsley, whose son, Moses, inherited two- thirds of the homestead. He married Abigail New- lin, whose only son, John, born in 1745, married Han- nah, daughter of Abram Martin, of Aston, and had children, ten in number, of whom John, born in 1788, in conjunction with the occupation of a farmer, learned the trade of a saddler. He married Beulah, daughter of William Walter, of Centreville, Del., and had children,-Lewis, William W., John, Rachel, Charles, Hannah, Lydia, and Beulah. By a second marriage to Elizabeth Hall were born no children. Charles Palmer, whose birth occurred Sept. 16, 1811, in Concord township, spent his youth at the home of his parents. At the age of sixteen he removed to Wilmington, Del., and served as a merchant's clerk. He later repaired to Chester, Pa., and acted in the same capacity for J. P. & William Eyre, remaining with them until his marriage, in 1833, to Deborah, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Pitman, of Mon- mouth County, N. J. Their children are Mary F. (Mrs. Edward Darlington), Lewis, James (deceased), Edwin H. (deceased, who served in the late war), and Hannah Ann (deceased). Mrs. Palmer died Nov. 1, 1870. She was a woman of marked character, and much respected in her neighborhood for works of charity and love. He was again married in 1874 to Joanna Stoll, of Concord, who survives. After his marriage Mr. Palmer engaged in mercantile pursuits at Beaver Valley, Del .; but finding that no trade could there be successfully conducted without the sale of liquor, he abandoned mercantile ventures and became a farmer. In 1842 he was appointed steward of the County House, and filled the office with eutire satisfaction for a period of twelve years. On the ex- piration of this term he purchased the Hall home- stead, in Concord township, and during the remainder of his life engaged in the cultivation of its broad acres. He was, as an early Whig and later as a Republican, actively interested in public men and measures. As supervisor for a term of years he did

much to improve the roads of his township. He held the offices of director of the First National Bank of Media for several years, and of the Delaware County Mutual Insurance Company from its organization. He was in religion a member of the society of Friends, and attended the Concordville Friends' Meeting. His death occurred April 12, 1876, in his sixty-fourth year. The following resolution of the Delaware County Mutual Insurance Company on the occasion of his decease bears witness to his character :

" Resolved, That in the death of Charlea Palmer the company haa loat ona of ita most faithful and efficient officers and society a useful member. Activa and energetic in the diacharge of his duties, moderate and con- aciaotioua in hia counaels, prompt and constant in hia attendance at our meetinga, and pleasant in hia intercourse with hia fellow-members, his absence will be noted and hia loss falt. Hia helping hand waa ever ready for those who were needy, and hia death will be mourned by many to whom hia unostentatious kindness has been extended when atrug- gling in the toila of adversity."

The First National Bank of Media, also, in a sim- ilar series of resolutions, expressed the fact

"That in hia death the board and society have lost one of their most uaeful membera, one who by his attention and integrity contributed in a considerable degree to the success of the inatitution. Pleasant and considerate to all with whom he had intercourse, hia loaa will be greatly deplored."

LEWIS PALMER.

Lewis Palmer, the son of Charles and Deborah Pit- man Palmer, was born Oct. 2, 1837, in Concord town- ship, and in early youth removed to the present site of the borough of Media, where he remained until sixteen years of age. His education was principally received at the school of S. M. Janney, of Loudoun County, Va., and in Chester County, Pa. On completing his studies he returned to the farm and cultivated the land on shares for his father. He was married in 1862 to Hannah H., daughter of Joseph and Susan Pancoast, of Salem County, N. J., and has children,-Charles, Joseph P., Mary D., Anna T. (deceased), Edwin L., and Samuel C. Charles, of this number, graduated . with honor at Swarthmore College, and is now en- gaged in teaching. Mr. Palmer, on the death of his father, inherited the paternal estate upon which he now resides. He devotes his attention principally to the manufacture of butter for the Chester market. He has also given some thought to genealogical re- search, and prepared with much labor and care a record of the various branches of the Palmer and Trimble families. He is in politics a Republican ; has served for six years as school director, and been a leading spirit in the erection of commodious school buildings in Concord township. He has also been one of the most earnest advocates of the temperance cause in the township. Mr. Palmer is a member of the Delaware County Institute of Science, and corre sponding member of the Historical Society of the State of Delaware. He is also president and director of the Farmers' Market of Chester. In religion he is a Friend, and an acknowledged minister of the Concord meeting. His views on religious subjects are, however, of a liberal character.

PEDIGREE OF THE GEST, GESTE, GHEST, GEAST FAMILY

(OFTEN BUT ERRONEOUSLY IN LAST TWO CENTURIES GUEST).

Deduced from the Court Rolla of Handsworth, the Ministers Registers of that place, Shustoke, and other Parishes, including those of St. Martin'a, Birmingham. From Title Deeds and other Authorities in both England and the United States of North America.

Arms .- Azure a chevron Or, between 3 shovelers beads erased, proper. Crest .- A shovelers head erased, proper, between 2 ostrich feathere, Or. -Visitation of Worcestershire, 1634, in College of Arms, England.

I. JOEN GESTE, or GHEST, of Ilandsworth, Stafford; admitted tenant of copyhold, messuage, and lande there, 12th Henry VII.

Note .- The Manor Handsworth was a few miles a little west of north from Birmingham, England.

MARGARET, daughter and heir of THOMAS and great-granddaughter of HENRY HAWKE8 of Hopwode, Worcester Co., close to Row Heath, in Kiogsnorton Parisb, in the. right of whom the said JOHN GESTE, her husband, at a Court held for the Manor of Handsworth, 7th Henry VIL., claimed a messoage and lands there, which the said THOMAS and HENRY held by Knights' service, and of which they severally died seized, 31 and 32 Henry V11.

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 124

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1150