History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 163

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

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The skin was burned on the boy's back. He was re- stored to sensibility by dashing cold water on him. An old gentleman named Cooper, who was in the room, was also knocked down and rendered entirely unconscious. A little girl and a child in the same apartment were much stunned. The house was filled with smoke and dust, bedsteads were broken in sev- eral rooms, the fluid entering the small wire at the top of the posts and splintering them in three pieces, chairs were demolished, looking-glasses broken. In Mrs. Lord's bedroom were three guns. The stocks were shattered and broken to pieces, and the point of a bayonet, fixed to a musket, was melted. The walls and floors were perforated in many places and a por- tion of the door and window-frames knocked to pieces. Iu a closet, which was penetrated by the lightning, there were two canisters of powder and a bag of shot. The fluid entered the latter and passed the canisters. In the floor a large post, which supported the floor, was riven in twain.

In 1861, Simeon Lord purchased the Darby Mills of Thomas Steel and removed to that place. The Avondale property passed from William J. Leiper, by sheriff's sale, to Mrs. Helen H. Patterson, Aug. 24, 1858. At that time the mill property consisted of nine acres, a cotton-mill, and twenty-two stone tene- ments. On May 1, 1865, the large stone factory was burned, the machinery being at the time owned by Charles M. Gilberson, the lessee. The factory was rebuilt. Callender J. Leiper purchased the prop- erty of Helen H. Patterson, Nov. 1, 1870, and in 1872 he sold to William J. Leiper, who now owns it. Wil- liam J. Leiper leased the property to Messrs. Callahan & Sharkey. The mill was destroyed by fire Aug. 23, 1873, involving a loss to the lessees of about thirteen thousand dollars and a heavy loss to Mr. Leiper. The factory was rebuilt and operated by John Greer & Co. until 1878, then by David Brown, of Hadding- ton, until May 1, 1881, when it was dismantled. The building was subsequently used by the Franklin Artificial Stone Company from the fall of 1882 to the spring of 1884.

Strath Haven Mills .- In the summer of 1776, Dr. Robert Harris, at this locality, had established a powder-mill, under a contract with the Committee of Safety, which required him to deliver one ton of pow- der to the State authorities every week.1 The mill, which was of frame and hastily constructed, disap- peared with the occasion which called it into being. About 1824, Thomas Leiper, who then owned the es- tate, erected on the site of this mill, on Crum Creek, a tilt- or blade-mill, which was operated by Nahum Keys. In 1826 he was reported as then making about two hundred dozens of scythes and straw-knives per annum. For several years after that date, until 1830, the mill was operated by George G. Leiper, when it was changed to a paper-mill and leased to Park

1 See description of powder-mill, ante, p. 46.

Franklin Mill. Built 1826.

Rebuilt 1882.

J. HOWARD LEWIS' PAPER MILLS, NEAR MEDIA, DELAWARE CO., PA.

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NETHER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.

Shee. In the division of the Leiper estate, in 1843, this property was awarded to William J. Leiper, who shortly after that date rented it to James Riddle, and a cotton-factory was erected thereon. In 1845, Sim- eon Lord leased the estate, and remained there until his removal to Darby Mills, in 1861. Previous to the termination of the tenancy of Simeon Lord, on March 5, 1859, Mrs. Helen H. Patterson, a daughter of Thomas Leiper, purchased the property and now owns it. At that date there were four acres of land, a stone cotton-factory, and five tenement-houses. The factory and other buildings are now in ruins. The former, on Nov. 13, 1865, when in the tenancy of Mr. Tomlinson, was destroyed by fire, involving a loss of fifty thousand dollars.

The Lewis Paper-Mills .- On Crum Creek, in the year 1826, John Pancoast erected a two-vat stone paper-mill, on lands which he had purchased June 16, 1825. The mill was owned and operated by him until April 1, 1833, when the estate was purchased by Elizabeth Lewis, whose husband, John Lewis, oper- ated the mill until July 30, 1868, when it was sold to John Howard Lewis, the present owner. On April 9, 1882, the mill was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt, and on Aug. 21, 1883, was again burned. Thomas Morrison, one of the employés, was killed by the bursting of the rag boiler, and several others assisting to save the buildings and personal estate were severely hurt. Immediately the work of rebuilding was begun, and on March 10, 1884, work was resumed in the third paper-mill erected on this site. The present build- ings are all of stone, the main mill, thirty-five by one hundred and twenty-five feet, two stories in height ; the engine-room, fifty-seven by ninety-seven feet, two stories ; rotary-room, thirty-one by fifty- four feet ; rag- room, forty-six by sixty feet, three stories and an attic in height. It is a five-engine mill, and manufactures about twenty tons of paper per week.

Spool-Cotton Works .- About 1833, J. & J. Hill- ditch, in the old yellow house still standing south of Idlewild, were engaged in manufacturing spool and wound cotton.

Other Mills .- In 1766, John Hinkson owned a saw-mill in the township, which, in 1774, was oper- ated by David Bloomer, but it does not appear on the assessment-roll after 1780. In 1774, Job Dicks owned a grist- and saw-mill on Ridley Creek, a short distance below Rose Valley Mills, which were continued by him until subsequent to 1790. William Pennell, in 1764, was assessed on a grist- and saw-mill in Nether Providence. He was also at that date the owner of a grist- and saw-mill in Middletown.

Licensed Houses .- In Lower or Nether Provi- dence the applications for license do not appear, so far as the record discloses, previous to 1746; but at that date Nathaniel Vernon had leave granted him to keep a public-house in the township. The same year he presented his petition for license in the borough of Chester, having leased the house where

David Cowpland dwells; and to that petition the court gave a willing assent, showing that Vernon stood well with the justices. He does not appear, however, to have taken out his license for Cowpland's house, for the next year he is again an applicant, and is allowed license in Upper Providence; but subse- quent to that date his name disappears, and no pe- tition is on file for Nether Providence until 1763, when John Powell put in an appearance, and con- tinued annually to do so until 1769, when the court allowed him to sell "Beer and Ale." In 1772, Wil- liam Edwards had license granted to him, and it was so continued until 1776. In 1778, Andrew Linn was given the right, and in 1781, William Beaumont was allowed license, and continued annually to re- ceive it until 1785. In that year the landlord, it seems from Beaumont's petition, had "rented the old house to some one else," and he therefore made ap- plication to be permitted to keep a house of entertain- ment at a place "nearly opposite the old stand ;" but the court refused his petition, and granted the right to the "some one else," who appears to have been Nathaniel Sharpless. The latter annually received license from that date up to and including the year 1789.

When Delaware County was established, Nathaniel Sharpless was licensed to keep a public-house in Nether Providence; but I fail to find any application for a similar privilege in that townsbip until 1792, when Abraham Edwards was landlord of an inn, and continued yearly thereafter until 1795, when it dis- appeared from the record. Ten years afterwards, in 1806, William Spear filed a petition, asking leave of the court to keep a tavern at the house he then occu- pied, which he states is commonly known as the Anvil. His application was met with a remonstrance signed by seventy-five persons, among whom were Luke Cassin, Edward Fell, John Worrall, Samuel West, Owen Worrall, Joseph Thatcher, John Hink- son, Moses Palmer, Peter Worrall, Daniel Sharpless, Samuel Pancoast, John Broomall, and other well- known citizens, who objected because an inu at that location was unnecessary ; "that where Inns are kept where there is but little Profit arising from Travel- lers, Landlords are frequently Induced to permit their Neighbors to Resort to them, Spending their precious time in the Crying Sin of Drunkenness and Levity, Whereby many Healthy Constitutions have been Impaired, and many Families Reduced to pov- erty and want. That there is a Meeting of Friends held very near, twice a week, for the purpose of Divine Worship, and Monthly for Inspecting and Resulting affairs which relate to their Religious So- ciety, it is probable the solemnity of these Occasions may be at times Interrupted by persons of the above description. And lastly, that as we believe if Wil- liam Spear Could be obliged to decline his Prospect, it might prove a Singular Kindness to him, so many Instances having occurred within the Compass of our

664

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Knowledge of Persous occupied in Retailing ardent Spirits becoming gradually Enslaved therewith, to the great Injury of themselves and Families. With desires that Righteousness, Temperance, and Pros- perity may increase and ahound among our Fellow- Citizens in that and every other neighborhood, We subscribe ourselves your Real Friends."

The opinion of the court, however, failed to accord with that of the remonstrants, and the license was granted to Spear for that year, and annually there- after until 1810, when Isaac Cochran superseded him as landlord of the Anvil. Spear, however, in 1813, returned to the inn, to give place, in 1816, to Henry Houghton, and the latter, in 1818, to Henry Habber- sett, who, in his petition, stated that the public-house is known as the Providence Inn, although it formerly bore the title of the Anvil, a name it was never more to bear. In 1823, George Litzenberg, Jr., became the landlord of the tavern, and as he was an active spirit in military affairs in the county, on many occasions the annual muster of the militia was held at the Prov- idence Inn, and when the undisciplined rustics met for military instruction, some of the movements and manœuvres were so startling and original that veteran soldiers would have stood aghast at the sight. In 1829, Charles Wells followed Litzenberg, and Wells, in 1832, gave place to Evan Way. The latter, seeing an opportunity to become the host of the Washing- ton House, in Chester, and the prospect of being sheriff of Delaware County, moved to the county- seat, and Isaac Hall followed him, in 1833, as land- lord of the Providence Inn. In 1837, James Dick was granted license, and in 1839, Norris Hannum, to be followed, in 1840, by George P. Alexander. Peter Worrall, the last of the publicans, obtained license for the Providence Hotel in 1843, and continued to receive the kindly consideration of the court until 1850, when the charter of the borough of Media, in- terdicting the Court of Quarter Session granting license to any inn or tavern within the limits of the new county-seat where intoxicating drinks were authorized to be sold, interposed itself as an obstacle in his way.

Peter Worrall, however, did not permit this new order of affairs to go unchallenged, but on May 28, 1850, filed his petition setting forth that the act had been obtained by false and erroneous representation to the Legislature, that at the time the charter was asked for it was alleged that no license had been granted for or at the new seat of justice, whereas the truth was that he, Worrall, had license, and the inn had been a licensed public-house for fifteen years past. That he was advised that the act was local, partial, and unconstitutional, and would materially impair, if not destroy, his vested interests and rights, and he therefore prayed the court to grant him license for the house, or " if the said license is to be refused, to place that refusal upon such grounds as may afford him an opportunity of obtaining a decision upon the

constitutionality of said provision from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania." The judges, however, re- fused the application, and since that date no effort has ever been made to obtain leave of the Court of Quarter Sessions to vend intoxicating liquors at Media.

Hinkson's Corner .- The property on which this hamlet is located was originally a part of the Vernon tract, which was confiscated after the Revolution, and in 1790 was in the possession of the Hinksons. As early as 1770 John Hinkson was operating a saw-mill on some of the small streams in the township, proba- bly on Vernon's Run. In 1799, James Hinkson was living on the northeast corner of the cross-roads, in a frame dwelling, which was later replaced by the present stone house (now owned by Rufus Shapley). He was a wheelwright, and had at that time two shops, one log and the other frame, which stood on the cor- ner where the present blacksmith-shop is now located.

One of these shops he used for his business, the other was occupied by Richard Nuzrum as a black- smith-shop. He (Nuzrum) lived in Upper Provi- dence, in which township he owned a farm. A few years later Mary, a sister of James Hinkson, erected a frame house which still stands on the southeast corner, in which she established a store, and con- tinued there for several years. Later, the stone build- ing, erected in 1799, now made into a stable by Rufus Shapley, was changed into a general store, and since 1844 was kept by Henry Lawrence, John Forrest, John Williamson Thompson, D. R. & H. T. Esrey, and in recent years by William G. Vernon. In 1810 a school-house was erected at Hinkson's Corner. In 1803, Ezekiel Norman, a blacksmith, came from Montgomery County and purchased the shop at the Corner. He continued to carry on blacksmithing there until a few years before his death, in 1864, when his son, Ezekiel Norman, succeeded to the business, and is still located at the Corner. In 1870 a petition was presented to the postal department for an office there, but it was not obtained until 1873, when George Latch established a store in the neighborhood, at which time an office was located therein, and Latch was appointed master. The purchase of land in the immediate vicinity of Hinkson's Corner and Walling- ford by Philadelphians, who have made these locali- ties their residences, has caused a rapid increase in the value of ground there. At and near Hinkson's Cor- ner, Rufus Shapley, author of "Solid for Mulhooley," Col. Alexander McClure, Alfred S. Gillette, president of the Girard Fire Insurance Company, James W. Mercur, son of Chief-Justice Mercur, and others, re- side, the result being that lands which a few years ago could be bought for two hundred dollars an acre is now being held at one thousand to fifteen hundred dollars for the same area of ground.

Thomas Hinkson, a brother of James, was a farmer, and owned prior to 1800 a large tract of ground on the south and northwest corner. He lived where the

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NETHER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.

Kershaw dwelling now is. The Hinkson family own- ing all the land there, the name when given was cer- tainly appropriate.

Briggsville .- Isaac Briggs in 1849 kept a store in Providence below the southern line of the borough of Media, and subsequently in the house where Isaac Miller now dwells. After the county-seat had been removed to Media, Isaac Briggs established a brick- yard near the proposed town. In time a large number of defective and unsalable bricks accumulated in the yard, and with these he erected a double row of tene- ment houses on his land, from which fact the locality became known as Rotten Row, or Briggsville. In 1856 he built a brick church thirty-six by forty-five feet, which was free to be used by any denomination, sect, or for any form of worship. It was occupied at vari- ous times for religious services by clergymen of vari- ous denominations, and Sunday-school was also held there until 1870, when it was abandoned for that pur- pose. About 1874 the church building was changed into dwelling-houses. A brick school-house has been located by the directors of Nether Providence at Briggsville.

The Cavana Case .- In 1851, Nelson W. Cavana, a tailor, carried on business in a shop on the Providence road near Briggsville. On December 15th of that year he came to Chester, and was seen alive late that evening, after which time he disappeared. His mys- terious absence alarmed his family, and search was made for him without success. In the mean while it became rumored that he had been made the victim of a practical joke, which had resulted finally in Cavana's death. The excitement in the country was intense ; a public meeting was held at Media, and a reward offered to secure the arrest and conviction of those criminally concerned in the matter. The result was that Edward R. Crosby, Charles W. Raborg, and Benjamin B. Pearson were indicted for an assault and battery on Cavana. The trial began Monday, Feb. 23, 1852. The commonwealth was represented by Hon. Edward Darlington and Joseph J. Lewis, and the accused by Robert E. Hannum and William Darlington. The evidence was that on the afternoon of December 15th Cavana was in Chester sober, but at six o'clock he was intoxicated. At half-past ten o'clock that night he entered the oyster cellar of David Wilson, at that time under the Penn Buildings. His face was then blackened with burnt cork, and he wore a black dress- : coat and a high silk hat. The defendant, Crosby, began to joke with Cavana, and talked about a "swallow-tailed coat" the latter had made for Samuel N. Leiper, of which Cavana was boasting. Charles W. Raborg thereupon poured some hot liquor on Cavana's head, then sprinkled some pepper on his hair, and finally threw flour in his face. Crosby jestingly inquired of one of the bystanders whether

he had seen the swallow-tailed coat Mr. Leiper had on the Sunday previous, and asked if any one could tell him what botch of a tailor made it. Cavana thereupon took off his coat, declaring that was a per- sonal insult, and he proposed to resent it, whereupon Crosby, taking the coat, turned it wrong side out, and put it on Cavana in that way, while Raborg caught hold of the tails of the coat and tore it up the back. The latter then took Cavana's hat, cut in it holes for his eyes, nose, and mouth, after which he put it on the former's head and drew it down over his face, made it fast under his chin by the rim, which was partly torn off. In this act Crosby assisted Raborg. Cavana left the oyster cellar shortly before midnight, and when last seen was walking down Market Street towards the river. The case occupied three days, and terminated in the conviction of Crosby and Raborg and the acquittal of Pearson. The court fined the defendants fifty dollars each and cost of prosecution. On March 6, 1852, the body of Cavana was found in the Delaware River, and on the 15th of the same month a coroner's inquest was held. The jury found the following extraordinary verdict :

" That the said Nelson W. Cavana came to his death from his having come to Chester on Monday, the 15th of December last, about 3 o'clock, perfectly sober; that he first drank strong liquor at I. Hamson Hill's tavern, about 5 o'clock, by invitation of Edward R. Crosby; drank at Hill's several times previous to 8 o'clock in the evening with different persons ; had his face blackened while at Hill's tavern. He entered the oyster cellar of David Wilson about 10 o'clock, drank ale and eat oysters with Charles W. Raborg, Edward R. Crosby, Edward H. Engle, and others. He took his coat off, Edward R. Crosby turned it inside out and put it on him so, and afterwards tore it up the back. A pepper-hox was shaken over, and ale was poured on, his head by Charles W. Raborg, his hat, which was placed on his head hy Edward R. Crosby, with his face lonking out of an aperture cut in the front, the rim was drawn down under his chin. Afterwards he complained that his eyes smarted, and then Edward H. Eogle wiped his eyes with a handkerchief. He was suffered to leave the cellar alone about half-past eleven o'clock, in the condition above described, being very much intoxicated; and was seen going down the street towards the River Delaware alone, the weather being at that time extremely cold, with snow. He was found drowned, near Chester, on the 6th of March inst., his hat and coat worn on him as above described."

Media Lodge, No. 86, Knights of Pythias .- This lodge was instituted at Hinkson's Corner, June 19, 1869. The charter members were John Sykes, P. C .; George Sykes, C. C .; Edward L. Morgan, V. C .; Philip Afflick, G .; James E. Campbell, K. of R. S .; James P. Wheatley, M. of F .; Francis Taylor, M. of E .; Abraham Taylor, I. G .; Samuel Taylor, O. G. The lodge soon after changed its meeting-place to Media. In 1878 a lot was purchased at Hinkson's Corner, and the present hall erected. The lodge has at this time forty-eight members. The present officers are Harry Brooks, P. C .; John B. Brook, C. C .; Louis C. Martin, V. C .; Jesse Plumley, P .; L. Scott West, M. of E .; George Sykes, M. of F .; Fred. Schmaelzley, K. of R. S .; Samuel Taylor, M. at A .; George Latch, I. G; William Taylor, O. G.

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

CHAPTER L.

UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.

IN the early days of the province Upper and Nether Providence, as stated in the account of the latter township, constituted one municipal division. The separation of Providence into two districts was recognized as early as the March court, 1687/8, when John Calvert was appointed constable for Upper Providence. This township is bounded on the east by Crum Creek, on the west by Ridley Creek, on the south by Nether Providence, and on the north by Edgmont. At the southwest limit of the township on Ridley Creek, and lying on the west side of Provi- dence road, was a tract of three hundred and fifty acres, which was surveyed to William Taylor March 2-3, 1681, while immediately above was a plantation of like size, which, on the like date, was taken up by Peter Taylor. On these tracts that part of the bor- ough of Media lying within Upper Providence is located. Peter and William Taylor, of the parish of Sutton, county of Cheshire, England, purchased from William Penn twelve hundred and fifty acres of land before they emigrated to the province. Part of this land was located in Upper Providence, the remainder in East Caln township. After the act of Feb. 13, 1804, creating the office of directors of the poor for Delaware County was in force, on March 25, 1805, the three directors, William Anderson, Jonathan Heacock, and John Smith, purchased from Isaac Taylor sixty-nine acres and eighty-five perches of land on this tract. The same day Ezra Taylor con- veyed fifty-two acres and one hundred and thirty-two perches to the directors, and the same date William Spear and wife made a deed to the same grantees for seven acres and forty-two perches of land. The grantors were descendants of the original settlers, and on the estate thus conveyed the first county house or house of employment was erected. Subse- quently the directors, on May 20, 1805, purchased eight acres and one hundred and five perches from Peter Worrall, and at a later date, Minshall Painter, John Clayton, and Joel Evans, the then directors, purchased twenty-six acres and one hundred and forty-two perches from Brinton Jones and Isaac Hinkson, trustees to sell the real estate of Woodward Crossley, deceased, which lands were added to the county property. Above the Peter Taylor tract was a plantation of two hundred and fifty acres taken up by Allen Robinett, and here at a later date he erected the Robinett Grist-Mill, while on this land on Ridley Creek, John Camm, the first stocking-weaver in Chester County, located. Of Allen Robinett little is known at this time, which is almost absolute evidence that he was not in membership with Friends.

Still following Ridley Creek, above the Robinett tract, Randal Malin took up two hundred and fifty acres on March 6-7, 1681. He emigrated from Great

Barrens, in Cheshire, England, before or shortly after the first visit of Penn to his colony. Randal Malin was accompanied with his wife, Elizabeth, and settled on this land, glad to find an asylum in the wilderness from persecutions for his religious opinions, for he had suffered a fine of £20 5s. in England because he had made a prayer in a meeting of Friends there. Doubtless the exposure and privation to which she was subjected was too severe for the wife and mother, for she died in 1687. Randal Malin married again in 1693, his second wife being Mary Conway, a widow, the daughter of Valentine Hollingsworth, of New Castle County. He died shortly after the beginning of the eighteenth century, leaving two sons (Isaac and Jacob, children by his first wife) and two daughters (Hannah and Rachel, children by his second wife). On a portion of his estate in Upper Providence his descendant, Stephen Malin, still resides. Above the Malin lands, taken on rent by John Holston, Feb. 18, 1683, two hundred acres were secured. In 1717 the greater part of this land was purchased by Heury Miller. The latter, with his wife, Sarah, and several children, came from the parish of Dunster, Somerset County, England, three years prior to his acquiring ownership of this land. Henry Miller was by trade a weaver, and in Upper Providence located a small manufacturing establishment, wherein he wove serges, camlets, and similar goods, and had also a store, in which, with other articles, he sold the product of his looms. He was an active man in the early colonial days, and in 1717 was elected a member of the Provin- cial Assembly. Immediately above the Holston tract two hundred acres were surveyed to George Woodward on March 12, 1683. He never resided on the planta- tion, but on Twelfth month 25, 1695, the land having been sold to Joseph Phipps, was resurveyed, and was found to contain two hundred and eighty acres. The estate, June 15, 1715, was conveyed to Henry Miller, and it is doubtless on this tract that he embarked in manufacturing. Trout Run is almost entirely within the limits of this plantation.

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 163

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