History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 160

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

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650

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

by itself, the polls were still retained at this house, and continue to this time there to be held. In 1845 Hull gave place to John King, who remained there only one year, for in 1846 he removed to the Fox Chase Inn, and James McClelland followed him as landlord of the Newtown Square Inn, for, although the old name does not appear on any petition for license until 1846, I am told it was so known during McClelland's occupancy of the house. The latter in 1852 gave place to John Paschall, Jr., and he, in 1856, to Joseph H. Hozer, and in 1859 George Eppright had license thereat. He, however, in 1867, rented the Fox Chase, and William T. Davis took out the license and so continned until 1876, when Robert Cunning- ham became the landlord, and in 1878 William T. Davis again became the host of the Newtown Square Inn, and continues there to the present time.

As before stated, the public-house of Joseph Haw- ley was located near the site of the noted Fox Chase Tavern on the West Chester road, and it may be that Benjamin Powell, in 1775, had license for the old inn. John Hill Martin states that Alexander Bartram, a Scotchman, and a leading merchant in Philadelphia previous to the Revolution, owned the Fox Chase, the ground connected therewith comprising sixty acres. That he took side with the English, was declared a traitor to the United Colonies, and his estate confis- cated. In 1782 John Fawkes was granted the right to keep a public-house, and although the name is not given in his application, it was doubtless in the build- ing that was so long known to the people of the county as the Fox Chase. In 1785 Thomas Car- penter kept the house, to be superseded in 1788 by Richard Fawkes, Jr., who, after the county of Dela- ware had been erected, continued to be approved until 1799, when Rebecca Terrill was licensed for Fawkes' Tavern. After two years' experience she yielded the honors of the house again to Richard Fawkes, and he continued as "mine host" until 1809, when Josiah Fawkes assumed the duties of the place. In 1813 John Fawkes had the license, and the following year in his petition the name "Fox Chase" first appears of record. James Miller was landlord in 1823 to 1825, when for three years the house seems not to have had license, until, in 1828, John Jacobs received the privilege and continued yearly to do so until 1839, when Richard Millison took his place, to be fol- lowed by John King in 1845. The latter had the year previously kept the Newtown Square Inn. On Dec. 5, 1845, King was stabbed and seriously wounded by Eli Massey, who had been in his employ, dis- charged and forbidden to come to the house. At date stated, Massey came to the Fox Chase, and went into the kitchen where his wife and several other persons then were. King, learning that Massey was in the house,-for the latter had threatened bodily harm to the former,-went to the kitchen and ordered him to leave the premises. When Massey had gone a few steps beyond the threshold he turned, struck at King,

who had followed him to the door, with his knife and wounded the landlord in the abdomen. The assailant was arrested, tried at the February court following, and convicted of an assault and battery. Judge Bell sentenced him to nine months' imprisonment in the county jail. John King, at the Fox Chase, con- tinued to receive license until 1856, when, he being dead, the privilege was granted to his widow, Edith Ann King. The next year she was followed by Thomas B. Evans, and he in 1861 by Abner Baldwin, Jr. In 1864 R. M. Speakman had license for the tavern ; in 1866 Jefferies Williamson superseded him, and the latter, in 1867, gave place to George Eppright, who had formerly been the host of the Newtown Square Inn. In 1869, David Rickabaugh was the landlord of the Fox Chase, as also in 1870, since which date it disappeared from the licensed public- houses of Delaware County.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DAVIS BEAUMONT.

William Beaumont, the father of the subject of this biographical sketch, married Hannah Davis, of New- town township, Delaware Co. Among their children was Davis, born in 1790, who, at the age of two years, removed to Newtown Square, where his father pur- chased the property embracing the hotel and store. He received an excellent English education, which was made available in later life, and acquired a repu- tation as an expert penman. At the age of twenty- one, after having rendered valuable assistance to his father in his various business pursuits, he removed to Philadelphia, and for about three years engaged in teaching. On returning again to Newtown he became proprietor of the store at the "Square," where he re- mained until his marriage, in 1816, to Elizabeth Cochran (sister of the wife of the late William Black), of Chester, Delaware Co., whose four children all died in infancy. In 1845 he was again married, to Abbie West, daughter of Isaac and Hannah West, of West Manor township, Chester Co. To this marriage were born two daughters. Ella is the wife of Garrett Wil- liamson, son of Garrett and Hannah Williamson, of Marple township, whose children are Davis B. (named after his grandfather), Herman, Clinton, Elbert, and Ira. Irene, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont, died at the age of seven years. Mr. Beau- mont, after his first marriage, purchased a farm in Upper Darby township, where he remained until the death of Mrs. Beaumont, in 1843. On the death of his father the hotel and store at Newtown Square were bequeathed to him, the former property having been held by the family for a period of seventy-four years. He also purchased, in 1848, a farm in the same town- ship, which is now the residence of his widow. He

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Moz Rhoads

651

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP.

was in politics a strong Republican, never once miss- ing a vote, and although frequently tendered office, declined all others than that of county commissioner. He was well informed in all the topics of the day, a constant reader, and until his death keen of percep- tion and exceedingly social, thereby winning and retaining many friends. He died Dec. 17, 1870, and was buried with his parents in the Newtown Friends' burial-ground.

THOMAS P. BARTRAM.

John Bartram, who was of English extraction and the grandfather of the subject of this biography, mar- ried Phobe Lobb, to whom were born, among other children, a son, Samuel, in Darby township, during the year 1800. He was united in marriage to Massey Pratt, daughter of Thomas Pratt, of Marple township, whose children were William (married to Annie, daughter of Lewis Garrett, of Radnor township), Hannah (Mrs. Stephen Ogden), and Thomas P. The latter was born Sept. 14, 1827, in Darby township, and in early youth removed to Marple township, where he enjoyed such advantages of education as the school of the district afforded, and afterwards became a pupil of the popular boarding-school at Westtown. He returned to the farm, and until his twenty-sixth year assisted in its cultivation. In 1855 he married Orpha Ann Heycock, daughter of Jesse Heycock, of New- town. Two years later Mr. Bartram purchased the farm in Newtown, on which he at present resides, and has since that date devoted his energies to its improvement. This has engaged all his time and attention, and left little leisure for participation in matters of a public character. He is in his political predilection a Re- publican, and, though not an active representative of the party, has served the township both in the capacity of school director and supervisor. He is in religion a Friend, and member of the Newtown Friends' Meeting.

JAMES DUNWOODY.

James Dunwoody was born in West Whiteland, Chester Co., Pa., on Aug. 21, 1812, on the farm where three generations of his ancestors had lived. While still a boy, his parents moved to Westtown. He married, March 12, 1840, Hannah, daughter of Wil- liam Hood ; continuing for a few years to manage the farm of his father. But in 1849 he bought and re- moved to the farm of his father-in-law, in Newtown, Delaware Co. Here he passed the remainder of his life, proving by his unwavering attachment to the right an influence for good in the community. He died March 8, 1883, leaving five sons,-William H., Charles, John, E. Evans, and J. Penrose.

WILLIAM RHOADS.

William Rhoads, the son of Joseph and Mary Rhoads, and the youngest of seven children, was born

in Marple township, on the 2d of April, 1797. After receiving an English education at John Cornley's boarding-school, at Burlington, aud at Westtown, he engaged in active farm labor, and married Annie P. Levis, daughter of William and Esther Levis, of Springfield township, on the 14th of March, 1822. Their children are George, William, Esther L. (Mrs. Nathan Garrett), Phebe, Mary Ashbridge (Mrs. Hib- berd Yarnall), Anna, and Elizabeth L. (who is de- ceased). Mr. Rhoads, on his marriage, removed to the farm in Newtown township, which is now the residence of his widow, and until his death, on the 27th of February, 1863, was engaged in the healthful pursuits of a farmer. Mr. Rhoads, as a Whig and Republican, held various public offices in the town- ship, but cared little for the exciting scenes of politi- cal life. He was president, from the date of con- struction until his death, of the West Chester and Philadelphia Turnpike Company. He wielded a commanding influence in the township as a man of integrity, judgment, and intelligence. His religion was that of the Orthodox Society of Friends, of which he was a prominent member.

JESSE LEEDOM.

Isaac Leedom, the father of Jesse, who was of Eng- lish descent, was a former resident of Bucks County, Pa., from whence he removed to Radnor, and engaged in the labor attending the cultivation of a farm. He married Ann Jones, of Merion township, Montgomery Co., and had children,-John, Jesse, Silas, George, and Isaac. By a second marriage to Rebecca Mat- lack were born children,-Ann, Elizabeth, Benedict, William, Sidney, Mary, and Enoch. The death of Mr. Leedom occurred on the 12th of March, 1848. His son, Jesse, was born June 23, 1801, in Radnor township, Delaware Co., where his youth was spent. At the age of sixteen he left home with a view to ac- quiring in Chester County the trade of a miller. Having become proficient in this trade, he labored for a while as a journeyman, and later rented a mill. Mr. Leedom continued his vocation for many years, having both leased and purchased milling property. In 1846 he secured a farm in the same county, popu- larly known as "the White Horse farm," and two years later became owner of the Mineral Spring farm in Newtown township, Delaware Co., where he con- tinued to reside and cultivate the land until his death on the 4th of August, 1883. He married on the 19th of November, 1835, Elizabeth Williamson, daughter of Enos and Sarah Williamson. Their children are Sarah Ann (Mrs. J. H. Thomas, of Media), Hannah E., J. Jones, Margaret L., Enos W. (deceased), and E. Mary (Mrs. Alfred Palmer, of Steelton, Pa.). Mr. Leedom evinced a keen intelligence in the discussion of the political questions of the day as on all subjects of current interest. Though a pronounced Whig in politics, and on the organization of the Republican

652

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

party one of its ardent adherents, he never sought or held office. He was during his later life an enlight- ened reader of the most substantial literature, and gifted with keen powers of perception. This he found a source of much pleasure and profit as ad- vancing years deprived him of other means of enjoy- ment. He was in religion reared in the faith of the society of Friends. Mrs. Leedom's death occurred on the 7th of March, 1883, but a few months prior to that of her husband.

CHAPTER XLIX.

NETHER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.

THE territory now constituting the townships of Nether and Upper Providence was one of the early municipal divisions of the county. The origin of the name, as it relates to the district, is unknown, al- though it has been conjectured, doubtless correctly, that it was bestowed by "some of the early immi- grants, and was given as a manifestation of their safe deliverance from the perils they had encountered in crossing the ocean."1 The first reference to Provi- dence occurred at the court held Fifth month 1, 1683, when Richard Crosby and Andrew Nelson were ap- pointed collectors of the "levie for Defraying the charges of the Cort-House and Prison att Chester." At the same court Thomas Nossiter was appointed constable for Providence. Three months thereafter, at the court held Eighth month 17, 1683, "the In- habitance of Providence make their application for a highway leading to the town of Chester." Seventeen persons composed "the Grand Jury empanelled to look out a convenient highway leading from Provi- dence to Chester," and the court ordered "that the Grand Jury doe meet on the 22nd instance at Thomas Nossiter's, then to consider the premises." Nossiter then had settled on a tract of two hundred acres be- tween the present Ridley bridge and Butler's Lane, on the Providence great road. The latter highway was probably laid out in the early spring of 1684. The first record of the division of Providence into Nether and Upper Providence occurs in the minutes of Ches- ter Friends' Meeting, on the "13th of yo 8th month, 1690."

For over sixty years after Nether Providence is thus distinctly mentioned the southern line of the township was not that which it is at this present time, for Ridley township contained within its boundaries all that part of Nether Providence included in a line drawn from Strath Haven, on Crum Creek, to the wayside fountains on the Great Providence road, and thence to Dutton's edge-tool works on Ridley Creek. The inconvenience of this separation from the rest of Ridley township by the creeks mentioned

was such that at length the owners of the real estate within the boundaries designated presented a petition to court, which was favorably acted on by the justice, and the prayer of the petitioners allowed. The peti- tion was as follows :

"Chester ss. :

" To the Honourable Justices of the Court of Genll. Quarter Sessions of the Peace, to be held at Chester the Twenty seventh day of February, Anno Domini, 1753.

" The petition of John Sharpless, Daniel Sharpless, Isaac Weaver, and Thomas Swayne, inhabitants of the Westermost part of Ridley Town- ship, in the County of Chester aforesaid,

" Humbly Showeth

" That your Petitloders live in a very remote Part of the towusbip of Ridley, between Crum and Ridley Creeks joining to the Townships of Nether Providence far from the Principal Part of the inhabitants of the said towoship.

" That your Petitioners lahour under very Great Hardships In being obliged, when warned by the Supervisore, to travel as far as the town- ship of lower Darby to repair and amend the highways thereabouts, itt heing upward of five miles from the nearest of your Petitioners Planta- tions, when the Inhabitants of the other end of the said township Sel- dom or never Come to repair the ssid Rosds on that End of the Town- chip where your Petitioners dwell, and also are at very Great inconve- niency in being obliged to meet at the White horse tavern to Consult shout any affairs Relative to the ssid Township.

" Your Petitioners therefore Pray that your Honours would be Pleased to take your Petitionare Case into Consideration and order that all that part of Ridley Township aforesaid lying to the Westward of the Easter- most line of the land late of Thomas Dell, the Elder, & Thomas Dell, yo younger, deceasd, may he Joined to the Township of Nether Providence, and that the same may Always hereafter he deemed Taken and Esteemed to be part of the ssid Township of Nether Providence and your Peti- tioners se in Duty Bouod Shall Pray."

In describing the early settlement in Nether Provi- dence it is proposed to ignore the fact that any por- tion of the township was ever part of Ridley. At the southern extremity of Nether Providence, on Eighth month 20, 1683, John Nixon took up seventy-five acres, which estate was known as "Stanfield," and doubtless settled there. Richard Nixon is said to have emigrated from Wexford, Ireland, in the early part of the eighteenth century, but inasmuch as Rich- ard Nixon was the father of Col. John Nixon, who was born in Chester County, it is very probable that Richard was a son or near relative of John Nixon, of Stanfield. Col. John Nixon was a noted merchant of Philadelphia, and was one of the founders, in 1770, of the Society of Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. He was during the Revolution one of the Committee of Safety, often acting as chairman of that body. He was lieutenant-colonel of the Third Pennsylvania Bat- talion in the defense of the Delaware River in 1776- 77. He it was who on the 8th of July, 1776, read for the first time to the people of Philadelphia the Decla- ration of Independence from the platform of the ob- servatory erected in 1769 in State-House yard to ob- serve the transit of Venus. John Nixon, the settler, on Third month 4, 1691, sold the plantation to John Parker, and in 1700 he conveyed the estate to Samuel Carpenter and Caleb Pusey. James Irving and Wil- liam T. Crook now own part of this tract. Above this land were two hundred acres, known as "Smallgaine," which was taken on rent by Thomas Nossiter, who settled on this tract in 1678. He was not a Friend.

1 Smith's " History of Delaware County," p. 387.

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653

NETHER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.

In 1683 he was appointed the first constable of Provi- dence, although it appears he did not live in the town- ship. This plantation, beginning on its northwestern limits, a short distance above the present bridge on the Providence road, ran on a straight northeasterly line across the township to a point a short distance below Strath Haven, on Crump Kill or Crum Creek. In Twelfth month, 1684, Nossiter conveyed this land to Walter Fancett, who was an eminent Friend and an early tavern-keeper in Ridley.

Above the Faucett tract, Nossiter had also two hundred acres, which extended from Strath Haven in a southwest course directly across the township to Ridley Creek. On Sept. 12, 1682, Nossiter conveyed this estate to John Sharpless. The latter came from Ratherton, in Cheshire, England, accompanied by his wife, Ann (they were then in middle life), and their children, landing at Chester on the 14th of Sixth month, 1682, two months prior to the arrival of William Penn. The family history, published in 1816, states that they settled on Ridley Creek, about two miles northwest from Chester, " where they fell a large tree, and took shelter among the boughs thereof about six weeks, in which time they built a cabin against a rock, which answered for their chimney-back, and now contains the date of the year when the cabin was built, viz., 1682, in which they dwelt abont twenty years, and where they all died, except the mother and three sons, in which time Joseph learned the trade of house-carpenter, and when of age built the dwelling- house, which is now standing, and occupied by one of their descendants. Part of the original floors are still in use, being fastened down with wooden pins of about an inch in diameter instead of nails. It is a sizable two-story dwelling, the walls of stone." On Thursday, Ang. 24, 1882, the descendants of John and Ann Sharpless, to the number of two thousand seven hundred, held a bi-centennial rennion at the old homestead. Among the distinguished visitors was the venerable Bishop William L. Green, of Missis- sippi, who was then in his eighty-fifth year. He was the eldest (while an infant daughter of Amelia M. Hoopes, then six months old, was the youngest) de- scendant of John Sharpless at the old homestead on that occasion. Immediately above this tract John Sharpless took up one hundred and eighty acres of land, in three parcels, under his purchase of one thousand acres from William Penn, which he had bonght before leaving England. These three tracts extend from Ridley Creek to Providence great road. Above the last-mentioned land of John Sharpless, Joshua Hastings took up three hundred and ninety acres ; but the lower part, containing one hundred and forty acres, was taken by John Sharpless. The upper part, extending from Ridley Creek to Providence road, on May 19, 1702, was purchased by Robert Vernon, who conveyed it, November 24th of the same year, to John Vernon and Sarah, his wife. Robert Vernon came from Stoke, in Cheshire, England, and '

conveyed this estate to his son, John, at the time designated. Above this tract was a plot of two hun- dred and fifty acres, surveyed to Thomas Vernon, Tenth month 16, 1702. He came from Stanthorne, county palatine of Chester, England, in 1682, ac- companied by his brothers, Randal and Robert. Thomas Vernon was the grandfather of Nathaniel Vernon, the noted Tory sheriff of Chester County during the Revolution. The property of Thomas Vernon extended on the Providence road a short dis- tance above Hinkson's Corners. Randal Vernon set- tled on a tract of two hundred and ninety-eight acres lying north of Thomas Vernon's land. Todmorden is at the lower end of this plantation, and the south branch of Vernon's Run is almost entirely within its boundaries. He was from "Sandyway," Cheshire, England. In 1687 he was a member of the Provin- cial Assembly, and died at this plantation in 1725, in his eighty-fifth year. The homestead passed to Joseph Vernon. Above Randal Vernon's land Robert Vernon took up, Seventh month 23, 1682, three hundred and fifty acres, which extended along Ridley Creek to Upper Providence line, its eastern boundary being the Providence road. On the tract was the main stem of Vernon Run, and almost all that part of Media bor- ough in Nether Providence is located on the original Robert Vernon estate. Early in 1709/10, just before his death, he conveyed the homestead tract and the brick messuage thereon to his son, Jacob Vernon.

At the extreme northern line of the township, east of the Providence road and extending to Crum Creek, was a tract of three hundred and eighty acres, which land Thomas Minshall purchased from Penn before he came to the province, and it was assigned to Min- shall, March 21-22, 1681. He was a brother-in-law of Randall Vernon, his sister Elinor having married the latter. His dwelling was near Providence Friends' meeting-house, the land being given by Thomas Minshall to the society to erect the latter building on. The farm of William L. Green is on the original homestead, and the estate of Edgar Farnum, J. Howard Lewis, and others, including the bend in Crum Creek on which is the paper-mill of J. Howard Lewis, are located on this tract. Directly sonth of the Minshall tract, and extending from the Provi- dence road to Crum Creek, was surveyed to Joseph Powell, Second month 9, 1682, one hundred and twenty acres. The plantation subsequently passed to John Sharpless by purchase in 1700. Directly sonth of this lot, and extending to Hinkson's Corners, John Sharpless took up three hundred and thirty acres, Eighth month 24, 1682, part of his one-thousand-acre purchase, which in 1696 was conveyed to his son, James Sharpless. Sonth of this plantation Thomas Powell received one hundred and seventy-two acres, part of his purchase before leaving England. He was a Friend, but became a member of the Church of England, and by will gave lots in Chester "lying over against the church" for a parsonage. The present

654

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

St. Paul's Church is erected on the ground he donated. Still going south, on March 21-22, 1681, John Edge took up one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, which by a subsequent survey proved to contain a larger number of acres, extending from Providence road to Crum Creek. John Edge, who came from St. Andrew's, Holborne, in the county of Middlesex, in England, having been persecuted for conscience' sake in his native land, settled on this tract, where he died in 1711. William and Mary Swaffer, in 1684, settled in Nether Providence, on a plantation of one hundred and eighty acres, which was south of the Edge lands, and extended from Providence road to Crum Creek, and bounded on the south by the John Sharpless homestead tract, already mentioned. William Swaffer resided on this land until his death, in 1720. This property passed to Peter Dick in 1732. Dick's Run flows in a northwesterly direction, and east of Provi- dence road, almost to the Friends' meeting-house at the northern limits of the township. From Peter Dick was descended Roger Dicks, of Nether Provi- dence, a noted public Friend, who died Dec. 29, 1808.

The Vernon family were conspicuous during the Revolution. Nathaniel Vernon, at the breaking out of the war, was sheriff of Chester County, was an out- spoken advocate of the cause of the crown, and subse- quently became so offensive to the colonial authorities that he was declared a traitor, as was his son, Na- thaniel Vernon, Jr. The father fled to the protection of the English army when the latter captured Phila- delphia, while the son, Nathaniel, joined the Tory light troops, commanded by Jacob Jones. Another son took sides with the Continentals. On one occa- sion, it is recorded, while the British occupied Phila- delphia, Frederick, who was a major in the American army, obtained permission to visit his wife and family in Nether Providence. His brother, Nathaniel, by some means learned of his presence at home, and one night the Tory light-horse marched from Philadelphia to Nether Providence, intending to capture Maj. Ver- non. The troops surrounded the house. Nathaniel entered the dwelling, and was about to ascend to the upper rooms, when Frederick, who was aroused by the noise, halted him from the head of the stairs, where he stood armed with a pistol. Nathaniel made known his business, that he had come to take him prisoner, that he must submit, for the troops had surrounded the house. He also informed him that the British must conquer, but that if he would join the English army he would be promoted to office in the colony. He had come for his welfare, and that he must surrender. Frederick replied that he would never submit, that the British could not take him, and that if his brother or any other person attempted to ascend the stairs he would shoot; only as a dead man could they capture him. Nathaniel Vernon, finding his brother so determined, withdrew his troops, and Frederick remained true to the cause he had espoused. At the conclusion of the war he was one

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 160

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