History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 150

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

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The whole number of policies issued since the organization up to May 5, 1884, has been eleven thousand six hundred and eighty-six, and the total amount insured to same date was $24,777,227.41. The whole cancellation since organization has been $14,400,431.12, leaving the present insurance $10,376,- 796.29. The amount of cash premiums and assess- ments received since the organization to Aug. 11, 1884, has been $312,471.92, and the total amount of losses paid during the same time $246,875.16. The assets of the company are $408,767.09, and the liabilities $10,142.

Media Cemetery .- About the middle of June, 1855, James R. Cummins and others took into con- sideration the project of establishing what is now known as the Media Cemetery, on a tract of eight acres of land, which Mr. Cummins had purchased. By the middle of the following December the ceme- tery had been surveyed, and extensive improvements made. A fine vault had been constructed, two thou- sand eight hundred burial lots marked out, walks and drives made, etc. Interments were made soon after. In 1858, Daniel McClintock was appointed super- intendent, and held that position for eight years. He did much to beautify the cemetery, not only in land- scape gardening, but, being a marble-cutter, the pos- sessor of good taste, and the proprietor of extensive works, he erected a very large proportion of the hand-

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THE BOROUGH OF MEDIA.

some monuments for which the grounds are notable, among others that dedicated to the memory of Wil- liam Wright.

Cotton-Factories .- The cotton-factory now owned by Mrs. M. Melvina Fairlanib was originally the prop- erty of H. Jones Brooke, and was sold by him Feb. 4, 1863, to Isaac Worrall, Jr. He sold to Ralph Buck- ley on Dec. 23, 1865. The mill, while occupied by William Alcutt, was destroyed by fire April 27, 1867. Mr. Buckley then rebuilt, erecting a two-story brick mill, which he sold Sept. 27, 1867, to Lewis Kirk.

Samuel Dutton and Benjamin Crowther, in 1866, established a cotton-factory on Washington Street, which they operated for a few years. It was sold in April, 1869, at assignee's sale, and came into the pos- session of J. Howard Lewis, who removed the ma- chinery and tore down the building. He still owns the property.

Societies-Masonic .- George W. Bartram Lodge, No. 298, F. and A. M., was chartered June 2, 1856, with Charles D. Manley as W. M., John C. Beatty, S. W., and William P. Beatty as J. W. Meetings were originally held over Cummins' store, on State-Street, afterwards over Buckley's, at State and Olive, and since April, 1882, the lodge-room has been in the third story of Schur's building, Second and Orange Streets. The lodge has ninety-six members. The present officers are William F. Matthues, W. M .; Charles Moore, S. W .; Enos L. Baker, J. W .; and William Camp- bell, Sec.

Media Chapter, No. 234, R. A. M., was chartered Feb. 13, 1871, with forty members. Its present officers are William E. Williamson, H. P .; Charles B. Spro- gell, K .; Horace P. Green, S .; William Campbell, Sec.

I. O. O. F .- Kossuth Lodge, No. 393, I. O. O. F., was organized Jan. 22, 1850, with the following as the first officers : N. Walter Fairlamb, N. G. ; Peter Wor- rall, V. G .; John M. Hunter, Treas. ; Samuel Hunter, Sec. The first meetings were held over A. P. Fair- lamb's store, and later a room over Schur's store was used. The present lodge-room is in Williamson's Hall, on State Street. The lodge now has fifty-two members, and is officered as follows : Bion Herkins, N. G .; W. H. Hardcastle, V. G .; Samuel Bryson, Treas. ; Ott Pennell, Sec.

Towanda Tribe, I. O. of R. M .- This tribe of the Independent Order of Red Men was instituted in " cold moon, G. S. D., 377," with eight charter mem- bers from Tuscarora Tribe, Chester.

Media as a Summer Resort .- The beauty and healthfulness of Media, the picturesqueness of its surrounding hills and valleys, the fact that the sale of liquor is prohibited in the borough, and its easy ac- cessibility from Philadelphia have caused many people who prefer quiet, rest, and true recreation rather than the fashionable dissipation of the great resorts, to seek summer homes in the town or its neighborhood. There are others and many who, while they have not

established homes here, have sought the benefits of a temporary sojourn, and thus it has come about that four large houses, in addition to the Charter House, are comfortably filled every season with those who prize the wholesome air and the nerve-bracing life which is here afforded. The first of these places of resort was Idlewild, established by Mr. Hawkins when he left the Charter House. It is a charming retreat in a cool grove of forest-trees directly south of Media. Then there are the Chestnut Grove House, contiguous to the little railroad station, and the Hal- deman and Gayley establishments, under one man- agement, which are educational institutions save in summer, when those who would rest take the place of those who have been at the toil of study in the pleasant and spacious houses.

Some years ago an ambitious attempt was made in the direction of founding a suburban villa, which failed because premature, though it will doubtless in the near future be carried out.

In 1872, James R. Cummins and Samuel Bancroft bought of Robert Playford a tract of fifty acres of land between Media and Idlewild, with the intention of laying it out for building sites, with streets con- necting South Media and Idlewild. A map was made and the project was advertised, but the plan was aban- doned, partly on account of Mr. Cummins' death. His interest in the property was purchased by Mr. Bancroft, who sold the entire tract to George W. Wharton in June, 1883.

As time progresses an increased number of city people will see the advantage of making summer or permanent homes in this neighborhood, and it is probable that among other improvements one similar to that contemplated by Messrs. Cummins & Bancroft may be not only undertaken, but successfully com- pleted.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

THOMAS REECE.

The ancestors of Judge Reece are of Welsh ex- traction, and were among the colony who came over with William Penn, in 1682. They settled in Haverford township, Delaware Co., Pa., in which county Jesse Reece, the father of Thomas, was born, Dec. 12, 1774, his life having been principally spent in Upper Providence township as a builder. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Asa Davis, of Ches- ter County, who was also of Welsh parentage, and whose ancestors were members of the Penn colony. Their children are Davis, born in 1801; Lydia (Mrs. Samuel Hibberd), in 1804; Elizabeth (Mrs. Jesse T. Heacock), in 1805; Sidney (deceased in youth), in 1807; Jesse, in 1809 ; Thomas, in 1811; and Eli Y., in 1813. The death of Mr. Reece occurred in 1849, and that of his wife in 1858. Their son, Thomas,

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

was born May 4, 1811, in Middletown township, Delaware Co., where his youth, until his eleventh year, was spent. He then, with his parents, removed to Upper Providence township, where, after limited educational opportunities, he learned the trade of a mason and builder. This was pursued with vigor for several years, when, having inherited the paternal acres, he became a farmer and continued this voca- tion until his removal to Media, in 1880, on retiring from active business. Judge Reece was married, in 1858, to Mrs. Beulah Palmer Cassin, of Concord, Del- aware Co., to which marriage was born a daughter, Lydia D. He has been for years interested in the field of politics, and as a Republican was, in 1860, elected county commissioner, which office he filled for one term. In 1866 he was the successful candi- date for associate judge of Delaware County, and re-elected in 1871, serving a continuous term of ten years. This official position obliged him to resign the directorship of the First National Bank of Media, with which he had for several years been connected. Judge Reece has long been a prominent citizen of the county, and invariably administered the offices to which he has been chosen with fidelity to the interests of his constituents. He was educated in the religious faith of the society of Friends, and is still a member of that society, as are also his wife and daughter.

HUGH JONES BROOKE.

Hugh Jones Brooke was born Dec. 27, 1805, and was the eldest of five children born to Nathan Brooke and Mary (Jones), his wife. His father was a well- to-do farmer, whose farm comprised the valley of the Gulf Creek, in Radnor, adjoining Montgomery County. His ancestors were the sturdy yeomanry of the early emigration from England and Wales. Those of his father were Quakers, and settled in and near Limerick (now Montgomery County), and of his mother Episcopalians, who settled in Newtown and Radnor, and were among the founders of St. David's Church, Radnor. His father dying when he was but nine years old, he was brought up under the joint care of his mother and his paternal grandfather, who were well fitted to prepare him for the active duties of life. His education was of the character obtainable at that day in the local schools. At the early age of fifteen he took charge of the farm, and thenceforward led a life of active usefulness.

The prominence of his grandfather, who had been a Revolutionary officer, and was a large land-owner, as well as largely engaged in industrial pursuits, brought him into early participation in the adminis- tration of public affairs, and he almost continuously served his fellow-citizens in local affairs, besides terms in both branches of the State Legislature, always being on important committees, and often in leading positions, and his advice was frequently sought in

national and State, as well as local, corporate, and personal affairs.

In corporations he was largely interested, and the Delaware Mutual Safety Insurance Company, the First National Bank of Media, the Twelfth Street Market Company, and the Media Gas Company were among those of which he was either the originator or a corporator, and assisted in the administration as president or director until his death. There were many others he was or had been connected with, and to him Philadelphia is largely indebted for its present system of market-houses, he being the originator, and until he refused to serve further, president of the Farmers' Market Company.

In 1853 he purchased the farm in and adjoining Media, lying between the State (Street) road and Ridley Creek, and removing from Radnor thither, thenceforward gave liberal attention to the develop- ment of that town, building with his own means the Chestnut Grove House and Brooke Hall Female Seminary, besides many private residences and other buildings, and, with the public, the railroad through it, and the Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble- Minded Children adjacent, the latter having been lo- cated through him, and largely developed by his legislative influence in securing meritorious appro- priations from the State for its building and main- tenauce. Both as an officer and citizen it had his earnest and sympathetic advice and assistance until his death.

In the suppression of the Rebellion he took an active part, and when asked by the Secretary of War to assist in developing the commissary department he went earnestly to work, and served both in field and at post with benefit alike to the government and the soldier until impaired health from overwork enforced his resignation.

In politics he was a Whig, who early became a Republican because of his anti-slavery convictions, which caused him to refuse a marshalship which might involve his official enforcement of the fugitive slave law. In business he spoke of himself as a farmer, but, as before mentioned, he was that and much more. In religion he made no public profes- sions. He was a regular and constant attendant at the services of the Protestant Episcopal Church ; and St. David's, Radnor, and Christ Church, Media, es- pecially shared of his labors and his means. Of the latter he was the originator. He was especially interested in the amusement and labors of the young, and was always ready at proper times to participate in the one or aid the other, and many were indebted to him for his good advice and material assistance for their start in life.

He married, April 16, 1829, Jemima Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel Longmire (a lace manufacturer) and Elizabeth (Green), his wife, who, with his fam- ily, had emigrated from Nottingham, England. They had children as follows : Anna Elizabeth, born Feb.

A. fones Mode

Ciao & Manley

Milion Leurs

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THE BOROUGH OF MEDIA.

12, 1830, died Dec. 19, 1832; Nathan, born Jan. 21, 1832; Mary, born Feb. 12, 1834, died Sept. 30, 1834; Francis Mark, born July 4, 1836; Hannah Maria, born June 8, 1838, married John L. Evans; Benja- min, born Dec. 13, 1840 ; Hunter, born Dec. 7, 1842; Jemima Elizabeth, born Aug. 13, 1845, died Feb. 11, 1850; Sarah Ann, born Aug. 16, 1850, married George M. Lewis.

Mr. Brooke, after a life of uninterrupted usefulness, died Dec. 19, 1876, and was buried at St. David's, Radnor.

CHARLES D. MANLEY.

Charles D. Manley, lawyer, was born in the town- ship of Radnor, Delaware Co., Pa., on Dec. 20, 1807. His father, Benjamin Manley, was a farmer and me- chanic, who was born, lived, and died in Delaware County. His mother was a DeHaven, the De- Havens of the Schuylkill, of German descent. His grandfather, Thomas Manley, was a farmer, who rented and occupied at various times several large farms in Chester, Middletown, and Newtown. His grandfather belonged to the Maddock family, an English family of Ridley. His paternal great-grand- father, tradition says, was of a noble family of Ire- land. His preliminary education was received at the schools of the neighborhood. He was at two private schools, boarding in the teacher's family about a year and a half, having first began to teach before he was eighteen years of age. After having acquired a fair English education, he commenced teaching school in Chester. He continued at this occupation for four years, applying himself during his leisure hours to the study of law, and by economy contriving to save a few hundred dollars of his earnings. But his health beginning to show evident signs of failure, in conse- quence of too intense application to his studies and business, he abandoned teaching and assumed a cler- ical position in the Bank of Delaware County, located at Chester. In this capacity he remained about six- teen months, when he entered into the mercantile business as one of the firm of Eyre & Manley. In this business he continued about four years, when, abandoning commercial pursuits, he again turned his attention to law. He first entered as student under Peter Hill Engle, and finally finished his legal read- ing under the tuition of E. Darlington, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1848. Establishing himself at first in Chester, he there practiced until 1851, when he removed to Media, then first commencing to be settled as a town. His professional business furnished him a fair and reasonable compensation until the out- break of the war, when, by reason of his being a mem- ber of the Democratic party, his income became much reduced. In 1855 he was elected to the State Legis- lature, in 1856 he was made a delegate to the Na- tional Convention at Cincinnati, and in 1858 he ran as the Democratic candidate for Congress in the dis-

trict in which he resided, and was defeated by John Hickman, an independent.

He has always been a Democrat in politics, and while he is not aggressive or offensive in his opinions, he has always been firm in his adhesion to the princi- ples of his party. Having since his admission to the bar confined himself almost exclusively to the busi- ness of his profession, he is looked upon more as a conscientious lawyer than as an aspiring politician.

He has always taken an active interest and given substantial aid to any investment tending to the ad- vancement of the town of Media, and has been twice elected a member of Town Council. In 1838 he was married to Margaret Worrell, a member of an old and well-known family in Delaware County. In religion he is an Episcopalian, was a member of the vestry of St. Paul's Church of Chester while he resided there for several years, and has always manifested a deep interest in the religious denomination with which he is connected as well as in all questions of private and public morality at home and abroad. His Masonic teachings formed a part of his religion, and he was oue of the brightest members of the mystic order in the county. He believed in and practiced the doc- trines of the fraternity, and was an honor to the craft. His social qualities added to his kind heart made him a host of warm friends. He was a great reader, a good thinker, and an earnest debater. He died on the 19th day of December, A.D. 1880.

MILTON LEWIS.

William Lewis, the progenitor of the family in America, came from England with William Penn in 1682. In the direct line of descent was Nathan, who had among his children a son, Didymus, the grand- father of Milton Lewis, who married Phoebe Matlack. Their children were Deborah, Tamar, Phoebe, Mary, Nathan, Eli, Thomas, Margaret, and Tacy. Eli was born July 18, 1784, and married Hannah Sharpless, whose children are Sharpless (deceased), Mary (Mrs. W. Garrett), Elizabeth (Mrs. Dutton Otley), Eli, Milton, Isaiah M. (deceased, a physician, who resided in Emporia, Kan.), Edith (Mrs. E. Hickman), Phœbe Ann (Mrs. L. G. Garrett), and Hannah (deceased, Mrs. A. N. Hatch). Milton was born July 21, 1823, in Newtown township. He received an elementary education in the schools near his birthplace, and at once entered upon a career of active labor on the farm of his father. He married, in 1851, Martha, daugh- ter of Robert M. and Eliza Thomas, of Newtown township. Their only son, Dillwyn, was born March 14, 1852, and now cultivates the farm of his father in Marple township. He married, in 1875, Annie, daugh- ter of Samuel Hunter, of Upper Providence, and has two sons. The year of bis marriage Milton Lewis removed to a farm he had purchased in Marple town- ship, and continued the pursuits of an agriculturist until 1876, when Media became his residence. He

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

has during much of his time acted as deputy pro- thonotary of the county, and been otherwise occupied in the settlement of estates and in the various offices of guardian and executor, for which his ability no less than his unquestioned integrity eminently qualify him. He is a Republican in politics, and in his re- ligious faith a Friend, having been educated in that belief.

CHAPTER XLVII. MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.

THE name of this municipal district is believed to have been bestowed because of the position the terri- tory was at that time thought to occupy,-the middle or central point of Chester County. Although the early settlers were mistaken in that respect when the name was adopted, the present township approaches very nearly the centre of Delaware County, and is one of the largest townships in the county. Ridley Creek is its eastern and Chester Creek its western boundary. Edgmont and part of Thornbury town- ship lie on the north and Chester township to the south. It was probably established as a township in 1686, but it is first mentioned in 1687, when John Martin was appointed constable for Middletown.

On Oct. 11-12, 1681, three hundred acres of land were surveyed to John March, part of one thousand acres which he had purchased in England. It is not knowu whether he ever settled on this tract, but seventy-three acres along Chester Creek, just above Chester township line, on March 1, 1685, was con- veyed to Thomas Martin, and doubtless Martin, who emigrated from Bedwin Magna, in Wiltshire, Eng- land, accompanied by his wife, Margery, and four daughters, in that year settled on that small plot of ground now belonging to Jonathan Dutton. The seventy-three acres, as also one hundred and four acres adjoining, subsequently became the property of Joseph Cobourn, while that part of the March tract lying east of the Edgmont road, on Jan. 7, 1713, was purchased by Caleb Harrison. Above the March tract, and extending east and west across the town- ship, was a plot of three hundred and fifty acres, sur- veyed to John Martin Dec. 10, 1682. The northern boundary of John Martin's estate was the road to Knowlton, where that highway enters the great Edg- mont road, thence due east and west across the town- ship to the creeks forming the eastern and western boundary. Knowlton is located on this tract. John Martin, who came from Edgcott, in Berkshire, Eng- land, settled on the land, and at his death, in 1719, it passed to Thomas Martin, probably his son. Above this tract, going northward along Chester Creek, three hundred and eighty acres of ground were sur- veyed to Richard Crosby, Nov. 20, 1685. Crosby was from Cheshire (Chestershire), England, and came to

the province subsequently to 1683. The following year he was in Chester, and was appointed by the court (1684) one of the collectors to gather the levy for that township. After this tract was taken up by him he settled thereon, and in 1686 was presented by the grand jury "for keeping an unlawful fence to the great damage of John Martin, in his swine," for which ill-doing on his part Crosby was fined thirty shillings at the next court. Crosby figured consider- ably in the early court records. In his cups he seemed ever to run into quarrels, and if threatened the strong arm of the law he was not chary in his remarks or the expression of his opinion of the sage big-wigs who dispensed justice in the old court-house on Edg- mont Street, Chester. On Nov. 29, 1703, Richard Crosby, who had then removed to Ridley, conveyed this property to Nicholas and Katherine Fairlamb. His daughter had married Fairlamb, who was a mer- chant in Chester.

Until within comparatively recent years some of the Fairlamb family resided on a portion of this tract, that part lying south of the road leading from Edgmont road to Hillsborough Mills, No. 7. Above this tract four hundred acres were laid off to Thomas Taylor, March 7-8, 1682. Taylor, who had purchased the land in England, may never have settled on the estate, for, on Aug. 23, 1702, two hundred acres were sold to Nicholas Fairlamb (May 30, 1704), and the other half passed to Edward Woodward in May of the same year. On Chester Creek, above the Taylor tract, William Johnson, on Twelfth month 4, 1681, was assigned one hundred and fifty acres of land, but it is not known that he ever settled on the land. Adjoining here to the left, and extending to Ridley Creek, John Worrall in 1683 acquired title to two hundred and fifty acres of land, which, Feb. 15, 1695, passed to Richard Woodward, who settled on this tract, and there died in 1706. On Chester Creek, on Second month 11, 1684, Lancelot Lloyd took up on rent one hundred and five acres, while to the east of his land, and ex- tending to Ridley Creek, Richard Barnard had re- ceived title to two hundred acres, which, on June 11, 1695, he sold to Joseph Jarvis, an account of which is given in the history of the Media Water-Works. The land at Glen Riddle was part of the three hun- dred and seventy acres surveyed to Richard Crosby in 1685, and a tract of sixty-three acres taken up by John Taylor, which matters are related in the narra- tive of the Glen Riddle Mills. On Chester Creek, a short distance above Wawa Station, nine hundred and eighty acres were patented to Caleb Pusey, he having purchased the several tracts constituting that large estate from different persons and at different dates. His patent for the land, however, was issued on Third month 25, 1702. To the east of the Pusey lot, John (Hodgkinson) Hoskins had surveyed to him two hundred and fifty acres, which extended from the south on Crosby's land to David Odgen's on the north, the Hoskins tract lying immediately south of

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MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.

Lima. On Dec. 12, 1698, Hoskins sold the land to James Serrill, and the latter, on June 10, 1700, con- veyed it to David Odgen. Hoskins, who built the Hoskins house in Chester, owned also a lot of ground in Philadelphia on the north side of Walnut, between Front and Fifth Streets, which he subsequently sold to David Lloyd. To the east of Hoskins' tract, which separated the township in the centre, lying just below Lima, and extending south to a line drawn due east from Lenni across the township, and follow- ing Ridley Creek in a northerly direction, John Bo- water had surveyed to him one hundred acres, and thereon he settled. He was an earnest Friend, and at his house the first meeting of Friends in Middle- town was held. Above this tract, to Joseph Allibone, was surveyed two hundred and fifty acres on March 14, 1684; it, however, soon passed to John Malin. Above the Allibone land Nathan Edwards took up one hundred and ten acres. The Edgmont and Provi- dence roads cross each other on this plantation. For some reason Malin Bishop, on April 3, 1856, received a patent from the State for this land. One hundred acres to the north of Nathan Edwards' tract was sur- veyed on rent to Owen Musgrave, Feb. 4, 1683. On Dec. 8, 1741, this land was patented to John Edwards.

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 150

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