USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania > Part 127
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1 Colonial Records, vol. v. p. 202.
2 Bulletin of Penna. Hist. Society, vol. i. No. 10, March, 1847, p. 28. 3 History of Delaware County, p. 325.
.
511
DARBY TOWNSHIP.
falling into the hands of the enemy. Maj. Samuel Crozier, who had been in service for two years without a leave of absence, received permission to visit his family, who were then residing near Darby. About sunset a lad came running to the dwelling with the intelligence that a large force of British were close by, and doubtless would visit the house. It was impos- sible for Crozier to flee without being· observed ; he therefore crept under a haystack standing near the back-door. His wife, anxious to save the family Bible, placed it under her apron, and apparently as if about attending to some ordinary and accustomed duties, walked to the woods, only a short distance, where she secreted it in a hollow tree. The Bible, which was a copy printed in 1653, is now owned by a great- granddaughter residing in Philadelphia.
Sarah Urian in 1876 had a china plate bearing the legend "God save King George, 1716," and also three pewter platters which were brought by the family from Europe two centuries ago. But the rarest of her relics is a strangely shaped copper kettle, which two hundred and forty years ago was brought to this country in the "Stoork," one of the vessels which conveyed Governor John Printz and his Swedish colonists to this country to make the first permanent settlement, of which we have authentic record, in the province of Pennsylvania. Connected with the china plate is a scrap of Revolutionary history. While the English were in Darby on this raid, a number of British officers dined at the house of Urian, and it chanced that this dish with the face turned downward was on the table. The loyal legend attracted the at- tention of one of the officers, and he read it to his companions, all of whom indulged in much merri- ment at the expense of their worthy host.
Gen. Potter, who was keeping an active outlook on the movements of the enemy, on the day Howe re- tired to Philadelphia, wrote to President Thomas Wharton as follows :
" REDNER (Radnor) Decr. 28th, 1777.
" Sir,-On Monday laat the enemy came out with a view to Furridge they encamped along the Road from Grays ferry to the heights below Darbay, there waa a datachment aent down from our army to thia placa, who with Morgans Riflemon and the Militia went down to thair lines and capt them Cloaa in their lina, Ou Tuesday we took 13 of there light horae and ten of thera horsmen, the next day two more of there horaea and there Riders, they have been prevented from plundering tha Inhabi- tanca as they usely do, there has baan but littla acrimidging, wa had ona Killed and two wounded, we have taken upwards of twauty prisoners, and a number of Deserters have cum in, thay hava carreyed off a larg Quantity of Hay from the Ialands and Darbey. It is said that the High- Ianders are gon to New York, and Lord Cornwalaa is cartanly go to great Bitan. I think they have provided there winter Furidga and fuala, and they will blesa themselves and sit down in peace this winter in the City-thìa day they have Returned to the City. My Brigada ia near Brencking up, thay will be all discharged about the fifth of nixt montlı but about one hundred men, bla Excallency, General Washlogton, da- sired me to let you know that ha expected that you would keep out the aama number you had now in tba field all winter.
" I am your Excellencye
" Most obedant Humble aervt
"JAS POTTER."
In a letter from Gen. Sir William Howe to Lord George Germain, dated at Philadelphia, Jan. 19, 1778,
he refers to the operations in the neighborhood of Darby, thus :
" There has not any thing mora material happened aince the depart- ure of Lord Cornwallis, who I requested to be the bearar of my last dia- patches, than the passing a considerable detachment of the army across the Schuylkill on the 22d of December, to take post on the heighta of Darby, in order to cover the collecting and transporting by water, as well as by land, a large quantity of forage which that country afforded. About 1000 tona were brought in, s quantity judged to ba nearly aufficient for the winter conaumption ; and the datachment returned on the 28th of December, without any further attempts from the enamy to retard the progress of the foragers, than from amall partiaa skulking, as is their custom, to aeize upon the straggling soldiers. Ona of theaa parties, con- sistiug of two officara and 30 men were decoyad by two dragoons of the 17th regiment into an ambuacada, and made prisoners." 1
The spoliation inflicted upon the residents in the neighborhood of Darby was excessive, much of it having been visited on Friends. No record has been preserved of their losses, their religious principles preventing them from asking indemnity for the dam- ages they had sustained. The following list of claims filed includes the territory now comprising Upper and Lower Darby :
£ s. d.
From Joseph Rudolph, "by the British army, while they lay in Darby, foraging, Da- cember" ..
61 11 8
Benjamin Brannan, " by the British army, while they lay at Darby, foraging, Da- cembar"
41 7 6
= Jease Bonsall.
197 10 6
John Sellers, by the Hessiana ...
20 0 0
=
Jonathan Evana (Cornwallis), Decr,
23 17 0
= Evan Evans
13 0
0
= Nicholas McCurdy
15 1
0
Samuel Lewia
=
28
0
Samuel Lsedom
24 0
Andrew Boon, Jr.
40 12 0
John Humphreya
Iaanc Kirk.
John Pollin (Cornwallia).
18 17 10
Henry Hayas.
140 15
William Garratt
47 0
406
Samuel Smith
55 15
g
= Benjamin Elllot.
167 12 6
Daniel Rica ...
58 8 0
William Morrow
67 15 0
Andrew Boon, December 25 ...
69 0 0
= William Lewis, December 12 to 13.
43 10 0
Andrew Urian ....
34 1 6
= Hana Boon, " a halpleaa man"
77 15 5
1475 18 2
Sixty-one years after this raid a body of troops vis- ited Darby, but it was the Washington Grays, Capt. Childs, of Philadelphia, who, early in July, 1838, were encamped near the village, and on the 4th of July gave a reception to the ladies and gentlemen of the neighborhood. Five years thereafter,-and doubtless the old veteran saw the Grays on the occasion just mentioned,-on Feb. 16, 1843, Capt. Henry Stoop, a Revolutionary officer, died at Darby, ninety-one years of age. He had taken part in the battle of Trenton, and in his later years delighted to recall the incidents of the war of independence,-
" And show'd how fields were won."
Taxables .- In the assessment-list for 1715 the fol- lowing names appear :
John Bethell, John Harvey, John Heycock, Edward Philpot, Benjamin Cliff, Jobn Test, Josa. Johnson, John Sholors, Samuel Bradshaw,
1 Hazard'a Registar, vol. xvi. p. 399.
00006 0
John Gruber.
53 7
29 17 6
34 14 6
Alexander Morrow.
13 12
512
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
David Thomas, John Bluaston, Sr., John Blunston, Jr., Joho Wood, Thomas Pillford, John Worth, Enoch Bonsall, Jacob Bonsall, Roger Bailey, Anthony Morgan, George Wood, Michael Blunston, Samuel Sellers, John Marshall, Samnel Wood, John Thomas, Joshua Hearu, Thomas Bardshaw, Samuel Garret, William Garret, Adam Roades, Thomas Lewis, Samuel Lawis, Abraham Lewis, Isaac Coller, William Baroet, James Witaker, Joseph Neid, John Davis, Samuel Lavis, Thomas Broom, Josiah Hibbert, John Hood, John Hallowell, William Smith, Thomas Hood, William Smith, Jr., Widow Bartram, Richard Parker, Anthony Les, Lewis Davis, Matthias Nateilna, Morton Mortonson, Charles Yokecom, Andrew Youran, Swan Boon, Hance Boon, Matthisa Mortonson, William Northam, John Broom, Thomas Worth.
Freemen .- Thomas Worth, John Parker, William Prest, Jolin Wallis, Thomas Philips, Francis Youran, Thomas Edwarde.
In the foregoing list the residents of Darby and Upper Darby were assessed as of one township. In the following, which is the assessment for the year 1799, Lower Darby township, including the present borough, is alone given :
Samuel Ash (innkeeper), John Ash, Matthew Ash, Joho Atmore (cooper), James Andrews, Abigail Ash, Joanna Bars, Margaret Boon, Joseph Boon, Moses Bonsall, Margaret Bonsall, Jonathan Bousall, Levi Ronsall (blacksmith), Edward Bonsall, Isaac Brooks (mason), John Brooks, Josiah Bnoting, Samuel Bnoting, Benjamin Bartram, William Bright, Joseph Crawford, John & Joseph Ball (Upper Darby), Robert Calvin (Ridley), Benjamin Elliot & John Moore, Israel Elliot (justice of the peace), Enos Eldridge (grazier), John Foreman, Jacob Gibbons (grazier), John Gruber, Thomas HIall (Ridley), Jonathan Heacock, William Hansell (blacksmith), And Humphrey, John Hunt (grazier), John Horne, Edward Horne (re- tailer of spirits), William Horne, Thomas Horne, Isaac Horne, Johu Humphrey, Rebecca Humphrey, Joseph Heacock (mason), John Hibberd (Upper Darby), Israel Helen, Matthias Holstou (carpenter), Job Helms, Matthew Joues, John Jones (pump-maker), James Knowles (Ridley), John Knowles (Ridley), Hugh Lloyd, Esq. (judge and grazier), Richard Lloyd (miller), Moses Lincoro, Thomas Lea- cock, Samnel Levis, Joseph Merrion, James McClees, John Marshall, Nathaniel Newlin, John Noblett (shoemaker), Mary Oliver (shop- keeper), George Ormsbury (shoemaker), Aaron Oakford, Isaac Oak- ford (fuller), Benjamin Oakford (tanner and justice of the peace), Nathan Pearson (joioer), Lydia Pearson, Jonathan Pearson (tailor), Benjamin Paschall (Kingsessing), Joseph Pearson (Ridley), Charles Palmer (shoemaker), John Pearson (tanner), John Palmer, Aaron Palmer, Sarah Periguer, John Pharis, Uriah Rowe (shoemaker), Dau- iel Rice, George Rudolph, John Rudolph, Joseph Rodolph, John Rively (shop-keeper), Frederick Rively (weaver), Thomas A. Rich- ards, George Swayne, Samnel Shaw (weaver), Stephen Sicard (Philadelphia), Nathaniel Smith, Doyle Swayne (Philadelphia), Thomas Simmons (carpenter), Joseph Shallcross (physician), Wil- liam Wright, Jesse Sharpless (Philadelphia), Elizabeth Smith (inq- keeper), Jacob Sewell, And Mifflio, Isaac Sulleoder (tailor), Johu Tryter, David Treanor, Robert Thomas (Upper Darby), Samuel Urian, Israel Urian, Hiram Walton (miller for Caleb Phipps), Wil- liam Wood (estate of Joseph Wood), Henry Wood (joiner), Robert Wilson, William Gardnar (physician), Jonathan Tyson (wheel- makar).
Inmates .- Samuel Coates (cooper), Samuel Canby (miller), James Dorey, William Fretwell (weaver), George Fawkes, Adam Gonl (shoe- maker), John Haley, Kenneth McClean, Jouas Morton (shoemaker), Archibald Gardner (fuller), John Orna (calico-stamper), James Ru- dolph (mason), Jacob Rice, William Smith (carpenter), David Smith, Henry Sidings (shoemaker), Benjamin Pearson (retailer of spirits), Hiram Williamson, Samuel Wetherington (calico-printer), James Cherry (shoemaker), Jacob Rudolph.
Single Freemen .- Jeshua Ash, William Bousall (shoemaker), John Brooke (tanner), Andrew Booo, Abraham Boon, Peter Boon, Joseph Boon, Joha Bartram, John Bunting (tailor), Joshna Bonaall, James Caunon, Abel Fowler (blacksmith), George Gruber (wheelwright), Isaac Hes- cock (mason), Benjamin Heacock, Thomas Horne, John Humphrey (tailor), William Humphrey (tailor), Oliver Ingram, Wrathey Iu- gram, Samuel Leacock, James McClees, William McCord, Isaiah Mall, Aaron Marshall, James Marshall, Charles Marshall, Samuel
Oliver (carpenter), John O'Donnell, Charles Pearson (taoner), Wil- liam Long, Nicholas Rice, Samuel Rowe, Thomas Sirrell, John Sid- dinge (shoemaker), Thomas Webster (fuller), Philip Vigorons (shoe- maker).
Darby Presbyterian Church .- This church was organized as a Congregational Church, 9th of March, 1840, with sixteen members. A council composed of the Rev. John Todd, of the First Congregational Church, Philadelphia, Rev. William Ramsey, of the Cedar Street Presbyterian Church, of Philadelphia, Rev. Truman Osborn, the Rev. Thomas Benneson, of Newark, Del., Rev. W. H. Bidwell, of the Third Presbytery of Philadelphia, convened at the house of George G. Knowles, in Darby township, for the purpose of taking the necessary steps to organize a church. The Rev. John Todd was chosen moderator, and the Rev. W. H. Bidwell scribe. At this meeting a form of covenant and confession of faith were ap- proved by Council, and it was decided " the way was clear for organization." The following persons were associated into a Congregational Church : George G., James G., William G., Martha, Ann, Catharine W., Elizabeth and Margaret C. Knowles, Richard and Elizabeth M. Holmes, John and Miriam F. Collier, John Keigler, John Munyan, Elizabeth Swayne, and Martha Dunbar.
The Rev. Charles Brown, of the Presbytery of Wil- mington, was invited to preach as a stated supply. He began his labors on the 1st of June, 1840, and continued till Dec. 1, 1840. The Rev. Marcus E. Cross was then invited to supply the pulpit and ac- cepted. On the 22d of February, 1841, he was regu- larly called, accepted, and was ordained as the first regular pastor May 20, 1841. The Council of Ordi- nation convened at the house of Deacon James G. Knowles, and was composed of the Rev. John Todd, of First Congregational Church, Philadelphia; Rev. Auson Rood, pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia ; Rev. Jo- seph P. Thompson, pastor of the Chapel Street Church, New Haven, Conn .; Mr. Benjamin Naglee, elder delegate; Deacon Isaac Thompson, delegate.
On the 19th of September, 1842, it was decided to change to the Presbyterian form of government, and the organization was called the Darby Presbyterian Church. James G. Knowles and Richard Holmes were elected ruling elders. On application to the Third Presbytery of Philadelphia, Oct. 11, 1842, the church was admitted to their charge. On May 23, 1843, a charter was obtained from the Legislature. On June 11, 1845, Dr. William G. Knowles and John Van Lear were elected elders, since which time the following elders have served: 1854, Joseph Naglee; 1859, George G. Knowles; 1872, Robert Henderson ; 1883, James Logan.
The first religious services were held in school- houses and private houses until 1841, when George G. Knowles donated a plot of ground ou which the church now stands, and gave the stone for the building. The
513
DARBY TOWNSHIP.
same year the edifice, thirty-five by forty-five, was erected, costing about two thousand five hundred dol- lars. In February, 1849, the church was broken into and robbed of the pulpit Bible, hymn-book, and a number of Sunday-school books. In the spring of 1873 the church was repaired, the outer walls plas- tered, a new roof took the place of the old one, and other improvements made, costing thirteen hundred dollars, of which sum William G. Knowles contrib- uted five hundred dollars. The present membership of the church is about sixty-five. The Presbyterian Church, in Darby borongh, is an outgrowth of the Knowles Church, twenty members having withdrawn to organize the former ecclesiastical body.
The Rev. Marcus E. Cross continued pastor of the church until 1851, when he resigned, devoting him- self to literary work. He had shortly after leaving college edited and published " Hunter's Sacred Biog- raphy" and the " Museum of Religious Knowledge," and while pastor of the Knowles Church had begun, in 1847, the publication of the Mirror of Temperance, which he discontinued in 1856. He subsequently published "The Social and Moral Aspect of China." Rev. J. Addison Whitaker was ordained pastor Oct. 3, 1852, and continued until March 2, 1855, when he resigned, since which time the church has been de- pending on supplies, excepting during the year 1875, when Rev. Andrew Lees was in charge.
African Methodist Episcopal Church. - This church is located on the Horntown road, and in 1842 the society erected on the lot a frame church, which was replaced in 1854 by the present brick edi- fice, which is twenty-five by forty feet. Among the ministers who have served are the Revs. J. W. Davis, Richard Barney, William Allen, and the Rev. Hen - derson Bryson, the present pastor. The church has at present about forty members.
Schools .- Schools were taught in what is Darby borough about the middle of the last century, but in the township no record of a school has been found until 1811. When the school law was enacted in 1834, Thomas Smith and Thomas Steel were ap- pointed inspectors by the court until the directors were elected, and $270.60 were received by the town- ship as its proportion of the State and county appro- priations.
Aaron Palmer. $20
Mary Palmer.
$10
Caleb Davis ... ..
10
Moses Bunsell.
10
Moses Palmer ....
20
Enoch Bonsell.
8
Benjamin Bonsell
20 William Bon sell
5
Charles Palmer.
20 David Sellers
Gavin Hamilton
10 Nathan Sellers ...
5
Jacob Nitzet.
10 Samuel Palmer
Abram Lewis
5 Isaac Palmer.
5
Juha Lewis ...
5 lea&c Earl ..
1 1
Enoch Bonsell, Jr.
3 Jonathan Bonsell
James Bonsell
3 Jouhus Bonsell
10
John Moore,
2 John Lake.
20
Ahram Simcox.
1 Samuel Bonaell
5
The amount subscribed aggregated two hundred and nineteen dollars. A one-story stone house was erected on the site, and is still in use, having been enlarged and improved about twelve years ago. This is known as the Palmer or Northern School.
In May, 1835, Jonathan Bonsall taught a school at Horntown, his rates being as follows: "Terms, per quarter, $2.50; ink, quills, pencils, etc., twenty-five cents. M No day-scholars will be admitted, except those sent by county commissioners."
Western School District .- On the 25th of Sep- tember, 1837, the school directors purchased a lot of John Pierson, administrator of the estate of Samuel Shaw, Jr., on which they erected a one-story school- house, which was used until 1874, when the present two-story brick house was erected.
The Southern School is located on Calcon Hook. A school-house was built here about 1850, which was used until 1871, when the present house was erected.
African School is located on the Horntown road. The lot on which this house is erected originally belonged to George G. Knowles, and the first house was a frame building erected about 1850. It was replaced by the present brick one in 1875.
The following is the list of school directors, as found of record at Media :
1840, Thomas Smith, Griffith Holgate; 1842, Samuel Uriaa, Philip Sipler; 1843, Joha G. Palmer, Robert P. Ash ; 1844, Joshua A. Pear- son, Davis Richards; 1845, Edmuad Taylor, James Andrews; 1846, Joha G. Palmer, Robert P. Ash; 1847, William Russell, Jr., Ansley Newlin; 1848, Amos Morris, Cherles A. Litzeaburg; 1849, John G. Palmer, William Jones; 1850, William D. H. Serrill, William Rus- sell; 1851, Amos Morris, Charles A. Litzenhurg : 1852, Thomas M. Fisher, William Jones ; 1853, William Russell, W. D. H. Sewell; 1854, Joseph C. Bonsall, William Gardner, Jacob Rice; 1855, James Eachne, John Otty : 1856, Edwin Urian, Jacob Rice; 1857, Josepli C. Boasall, George Horne; 1858, David Taylor, John Otly; 1859, Edwin Uriau, George S. Patchel; 1860, Joseph C. Boneell, George Swayne ; 1861, John Otly, Jacob Rice; 1862, George Swayue, David Taylor ; 1863, Frank P. Boyer, Moses Bonsall ; 1864, Edward Urian, Richard R. Thatcher; 1865, M. F. Longstreth, John W. Marshall ; 1866, Moses Bonsell, Franklin J. Boyer; 1867, Edwla Urian, Moses Liacola; 1868, Dr. Jacob Boon, Dr. M. F. Longstreth ; 1869, Frank- lia P. Boyer, Moses Boasell ; 1870, Edwin Urian, Richard Thatcher; 1871, M. F. Longstreth, Benjamin F. Iforne ; 1872, Moses Bonsall, William H. Harrison ; 1873, Jacob Lincoln, John Marshall; 1874, F. J. Boyer, M. F. Longstreth ; 1875, Moses Bonsall, Charles W. Keithler ; 1876, William H. Harrison, M. M. Shaw; 1877. M. Fisher Longstreth, O. A. Hazlett; 1878, Jacob Lincoln, Joshua Kirk ; 1879, Joshua P. Kirk, John Marshall ; 1880, Davis Yarnall, M. Fisher Lungstreth; 1881, Davia Yarnall, Charles T. Brooks ; 1882, Israel Ilelms, Frank P. Lewis; 1883, Joshua P. Kirk, Albert B. Earle ; 1884, Charles T. Brooks, Charles H. Scott.
On the 17th of September, 1811, John Lake, who owned real estate on Church Lane, in the northeast section of Darby township, sold nine square perches of land to Aaron Palmer, Caleb Davis, Benjamin Bonsell, Moses Palmer, Charles Palmer. Gavin Ham- ilton, Jacob Nitzit, Mary Palmer, Moses Bonsell, Enoch Bonsell, and others, for the purpose of erect- ing a school-house thereon. Several of the persons here mentioned, and others who subscribed for the purpose of building the school-house, were residents of Upper Darby township, and of the city and county Glen Olden Mills .- The mill on Muckinipattus unusually interesting history. The tract of land of of Philadelphia. The following are the names of | Creek, now owned by Ephraim J. Ridgway, has an those who subscribed and the amounts given :
514
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
five hundred acres was granted, May 16, 1663, by Richard Nicolls, Governor of New York, to Israel Helme, Hendrick Joubson (Jacobson), Oele Koeck, and Jan Minsterman. This land is on what is known as Calcoon Hook. The tract seems to have been divided, for on the 10th of April, 1683, one portion of it, owned by Oele Koeck (and on which, later, the mill was built), was sold to Morton Mortonson, who in turn, Aug. 7, 1708, conveyed it to his son, Lawrence, who, later, sold to his son, Tobias Morton- son. On the 10th of April, 1755, Tobias Mortonson sold twenty-four acres to Thomas Shipley, of Wil- mington, who died in January, 1759. The property remained in the Shipley family many years, and in 1774, Thomas Shipley, of Darby, purchased at sher- iff's sale a lot of land, containing forty-three acres, in Ridley township, across the Muckinipattus Creek from the mill property, which he continued to own as late as 1788. In 1790, Peter Ross is said to have had con- trol of this mill. In 1797 the mill-seat land, as well as the forty-three acres across the creek, were sold by Sheriff Abraham Dicks, as the property of Charles Davis, the purchaser being John Jones, who, the same day, conveyed the premises to Caleb Phipps. At that date the mill was in existence, and had been built long prior to that date, tradition asserting that it was erected by Thomas Shipley, about the year 1755, he being a miller by trade. In 1799, Hiram Walton was operating the mill, and in 1800, Elisha Phipps, a bro- ther of Caleb, was the lessee, and so remained until 1808, when he purchased the property. Elisha Phipps was a strange, erratic character, moved by the impulse of the hour. It is related that the mill being located at the head of tide-water, as was customary in those days, he conveyed his flour to market by a shallop, and returning would bring a cargo of grain. A small sloop, called "The Dusty Miller," was used for this purpose. On one occasion he loaded his little craft with flour and sailed for New York. Time elapsed, and as no word came from Elisha, his wife became anxious, and finally went to New York in search of her hushand. There she could learn nothing respect- ing him, save that he had not been to see the persons with whom he had been accustomed to trade. Finally she returned to her home disconsolate, fully convinced that her husband had been lost on the trip to New York. Time passed, and no intelligence came from the absent Phipps. It was nearly dnsk one evening when the "gude wife" saw "The Dusty Miller" com- ing up the Muckinipattus with the flood tide. Shortly after the craft was moored at its accustomed wharf and Phipps entered the house, and, in his accustomed man- ner, tossed his old hat on the floor, as if his ahsence had been no unusual event in his daily life. It seems that after the "Miller" had passed out of the capes of the Delaware, Phipps, on a sudden impulse, decided to sail for the West Indies, where, selling his flour at a large profit, he shipped a quantity of rum and mo- lasses for New York. At the latter port he sold the
cargo, purchased grain, and sailed for the Muckinip- pattns, where he arrived in safety, as already narrated. On March 21, 1812, Phipps sold the property to Hal- liday Jackson, who owned it until Feb. 27, 1828, when he in turn conveyed it to Ephraim Inskeep. At the latter's death, in 1876, the Glen Olden Mills passed by inheritance to Ephraim J. Ridgway, the present owner.
Warpington Mills .- In 1867, Richard Thatcher erected a cotton-spinning mill on Church Run. The building was ninety-two by fifty-five feet, two stories in height, containing three thousand spindles, driven by a forty horse-power Corliss engine. The mills and machinery cost sixty-five thousand dollars. On Sun- day morning, March 24, 1877, an incendiary fire to- tally destroyed the building and contents, involving a heavy loss to the owner. The mills have never been rebuilt.
Carpet Mills .- Abont 1849, Gen. John Sidney Jones established a carpet-factory on the north side of the Southern post-road, about a mile west of the borough of Darby, on land which had descended to him from his ancestors, the family having owned the es- tate during the Revolution. One of the peculiar rules enforced by the proprietor was the prohibition of coal- fires in any of the eight tenements on the property, but he generously supplied the operatives in the mill with wood for fuel. While operating these mills he published a periodical called The Monthly Jubilee. He and his wife, Fanny Lee Townsend Jones, edited it, the type being set in a building on the estate by Patrick McDermot. It was finally discontinued, as was the carpet-mills. The buildings were subsequently leased to John Shepherd & Co., who established a brush-factory therein. On Friday, Dec. 2, 1876, the mills, together with the mansion-house, were destroyed by fire. In September, 1840, Norman B. Barrett, a lad, residing on the Jones farm, while gunning, sat down to rest himself, laying the gun on the ground. When rising he drew the fowling-piece towards him; the cock caught on a twig and discharged the weapou. He was so seriously wounded that death resulted in a few hours thereafter.
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