History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 166

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

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Delaware County Institute of Science .- Just above the Rose-Tree, on Providence road, was the first building erected by the institution, and used by that scientific body until the present hall in the bor- ough of Media was built. In the summer of 1833 a number of gentlemen met at the public-house of Isaac Hall, in Nether Providence. Dr. Samuel An- derson was made chairman, Marshall Painter and John K. Zerlin, secretaries. At that time the pro- posed name of the society was the "Cabinet of Natu- ral Sciences of Delaware County." At a subsequent meeting, at the same place, on Sept. 21, 1833, the name was changed to Delaware County Institute of Sciences, with the avowed intention of enlarging the range of subjects. On Jan. 4, 1837, George Cum- mings sold to the institute a lot of ground near the Rose-Tree Tavern, on which the society erected its first building. While located there the map of Del- aware County, prepared by Dr. Joshua W. Ash, and Dr. George Smith's "History of Delaware County" were both published under the auspices of the insti- tute. On Sept. 10, 11, and 12, 1846, the institute held its first public exhibition of agriculture, manufac- tures, and other productions of Delaware County, at its hall in Upper Providence, and continued these exhibitions annually for several years, until the Delaware County Agricultural Society was estab- lished (1855), when to avoid a conflict with the latter the institute ceased its annual exhibitions. The his- tory of the society, other than this, is given in the account of Media borough.

John Cassin, one of the distinguished men of Penn- sylvania and the nation, one of the chief movers in the organization of the Delaware County Institute of Science, was born in Upper Providence, Sept. 6, 1813. He removed to Philadelphia iu 1834, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. His time, however, was largely devoted to the study of ornithology, and therein he became an authority second to no other studeut of that branch of scientific knowledge. The noted ornitho-

1 Forest and Stream and Rod and Gun, April, 1878.

deanc & bassin

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UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.

logical collection of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences was largely gathered and classified by him. He was also a constant contributor to scien- tific journals, and was the author of " Birds of Cali- fornia and Texas;" "Synopsis of the Birds of North America ;" "Ornithology of the United States Ex- ploring Expedition ;" "Ornithology of the Japan Ex- ploring Expedition;" "Ornithology of Gillis's Astro- nomical Expedition to Chili;" and the chapters on the rapacious and wading bird in "The Ornithology of the Pacific Railroad Expedition and Surveys." He came of a Quaker family, which, strange as it may seem, have been distinguished in the military and naval history of the United States. His great-uncle, John Casin, was an officer in the war of 1812, and his uncle, Stephen Casin, served under Preble in the Tripoli war, and for his bravery in action on Lake Champlain, in 1814, under command of Commodore McDonough, received a gold medal from Congress. John Cassin died in Philadelphia, Jan. 10, 1869.

Library at Bishop's Mill .- In September, 1813, a library company was formed at Bishop's Mill, and in the following year a building located about one hun- dred feet above the grist-mill was erected. It was a stone structure, two stories in height, the floor laid in mortar, and the roof sheet-iron,-a fire-proof build- ing. The second story was used for a library, and the lower floor was the office of Amor Bishop. In May, 1817, the association was incorporated as the Union Library Company. In 1834 it had eight hun- dred volumes on its shelves, forty-eight members, and the shares were valued at five dollars, the annual dues being one dollar. In 1843 it was said to have eleven hundred and fifty volumes.1 In 1862 the num- ber of books had increased to fourteen hundred.2 In July, 1867, the remaining volumes were sold by the sheriff. At that time there were only four hundred books, which were purchased by the Delaware County Institute of Science for twenty-five dollars.

Deaths by Lightning .- On Aug. 11, 1838, Eli Baily, a young man in Upper Providence, was seated on a wall near a plum-tree during a storm. The tree was struck, and the fluid passing to Baily, ran from his head to his feet and thence to the ground. His dog lying at his feet was also killed, and a watch in his pocket was melted. On July 6, 1855, the dwelling of Joseph Super was struck, and his sister instantly killed. The lightning struck the house a short dis- tance from the ground, passing through the door-frame and shattering it. The girl was standing in the door at the time. Lewis Super, another brother, was ren- dered insensible for several hours by the shock when the house was struck.

Noticeable Incidents .- On Oct. 25, 1838, a young daughter of Joseph Cloud was standing near her father while he was felling a large white-oak tree,

and it fell in a contrary direction to that which he expected. In descending it bore with it to the ground a large chestnut tree, which fell on the girl, forcing her body several inches into the ground. Joseph Cloud could not extricate her, and calling for assistance, the earth around her had to be removed before she could be freed, for the oak had fallen across the chestnut and the weight was enormous. More than half an hour was consumed before the girl was released from her perilous situation. No bones were broken nor any permanent injury sustained, although it was nearly a week before she recovered the use of her limbs. On the night of Feb. 13, 1845, the barn on Joseph Paschall's farm was entered by unknown parties and four horses killed, the animals' throats being cut. A reward of one hundred dollars was offered for the conviction of the offender, but the guilty party was not apprehended. In 1876, William Baker, a lad of twelve years of age, died from hydro- phobia. In December of the preceding year the boy was sitting by the fire warming his feet before going to bed, when the cat belonging to the family suddenly bit him on the heel. A poultice was immediately ap- plied to the wound, and the circumstance forgotten until nearly a year thereafter, when the lad exhibited all the symptoms of hydrophobia, and died in violent spasms. The cat at no time showed any indication of rabies.

Societies .- On Oct. 18, 1847, Rose-Tree Lodge, No. 275, Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, was insti- tuted at the Rose-Tree Tavern ; its first officers being John C. Beatty, N. G .; Caleb Hoopes, V. G .; James A. Malin, Sec .; Jonathan G. Farra, Asst. Sec. ; and George Dunn, Treas. In 1850 the lodge erected a brick hall three stories in height, near the building of the Delaware County Institute of Science, which was dedicated October 12th of that year, with imposing ceremonies.

In April, 1849, General Marion Encampment was in- stituted at the Rose-Tree Tavern, and in 1853 its meet- ings were held at Rose-Tree Hall. The encampment was subsequently removed to Sugartown, Chester Co .; but in April, 1883, returned to Rose-Tree Hall, where it is now located.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ISAAC S. CASSIN.

The Cassins are of both English and Irish lineage, Joseph, the progenitor of the family in America and the great-grandfather of Isaac S., having emigrated from Queen's County, Ireland, in 1725, and settled in Philadelphia. Among his sons were John and Luke, the former of whom attained high rank in the navy, and figured prominently in the war of 1812. Luke, the grandfather of Isaac S., a native of Philadelphia, was born in 1763, and acquired the trade of a silver-

1 Trego's " Geography of Pennsylvania," p. 240.

2 Smith's " History of Delaware County," p. 560.

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

smith. He married Ann Worrall, daughter of Dr. Thomas and Lydia Worrall, of Delaware County, to whom was born in 1786 a son, Thomas Cassin. His early life was spent in Philadelphia, after which he removed to Delaware County, having inherited the farm of his maternal grandfather. He married Ra- chel, daughter of Isaac and Hannah Sharpless, of Delaware County, whose children are John (a distin- guished naturalist), Lydia, Luke, Thomas W., Re- becca S. (Mrs. Richard Thatcher, of Delaware County), William V., Isaac S., Ann Eliza (Mrs. Henry F. Esrey), and Susanna S. The death of Mr. Cassin occurred in Delaware County in 1859. Isaac S., the fifth son, was born July 29, 1826, in Upper Providence township, near Media, and in 1841 be- came a pupil of the Friends' school at Westtown, Chester Co., after which he studied under private tutors. He early manifested a talent for mechanics, and entering the shop of I. P. Morris & Co., served an apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer. He was subsequently employed in various capacities in con- nection with his profession, and in 1856 appointed en- gineer of the Spring Garden Water-Works of the city of Philadelphia, having meanwhile given much at- tention to hydraulic engineering. Again for a brief period he engaged in the mechanical department of engineering, and in 1862 was elected chief engineer of the Water Department of Philadelphia, where he remained two years. Mr. Cassin then served for one year as engineer of the Philadelphia Gas-Works, having meanwhile embarked in the construction of water-works and gas-works. He had prior to this received the appointment of chief engineer of the United States Mint, and ultimately relinquished the position to devote his personal attention to large and increasing business enterprises. He constructed the water-works at Chester, Delaware Co .; the reservoirs at Wilmington, Del. ; the water-works at Oxford, Pa .; those at Westchester and Media ; those at Wayne, Del- aware Co .; at Coatesville, Chester Co .; at Pottstown, Pa .; at Conshohocken, Pa. ; at Ashland and Phoenix- ville, in the same State; at Birdsborough, Pa .; at Doylestown, Pa .; part of those at Norristown, Pa .; those of New Castle and Dover, Del .; at Ithaca and Owego, N. Y .; at Bridgeton, N. J .; at Burlington, N. J .; at Lambertville and Salem, N. J .; and at Swarth- more College, Delaware Co. To this business, in itself extensive and requiring close business application and mechanical insight, he has added the construction of hydraulic machinery and appliances. Mr. Cassin was, on the 10th of October, 1850, married to Emily, daughter of J. Morgan Hunter, of Delaware County, and has children,-Thomas (deceased), Eliza H. (Mrs. M. L. Snyder), Edward (deceased), John, Emily, and Isaac S., Jr.

the services of a skilled mechanical and civil engi- neer. His reports and communications of this char- acter have been numerous, particularly those relating to hydraulic engineering. He is one of the commis- sioners for the erection of the public buildings for Philadelphia. He is also a member of the Franklin Institute, and of the Engineers Club. He is in re- ligion a Friend, and a birthright member of the so- ciety of Friends, holding his membership with the Race Street Friends' Meeting of Philadelphia.

GEORGE B. ADAMS.

The Adams family, who are of Welsh extraction, became at an early date settlers in Massachusetts. Thomas Adams, the grandfather of George B., was a resident of Boston, where he pursued an editorial career. His two sons were Thomas and George, the latter of whom was a native of Boston, and both in that city and in Philadelphia extensively engaged in shipping. He married Miss Mary Mayland, daugh- ter of Jacob Mayland, of Philadelphia, and had chil- dren,-George B., Mary (Mrs. Thomas H. Dallett), Thomas M., Charles A. (deceased), and two who died in infancy. George B. was born May 20, 1825, and spent his early youth in the city of Philadelphia. He received a liberal education, having been for two years a pupil of Delaware College, Newark, Del., after which his education was completed at Mount St. Mary's College, Emmettsburg, Md. On returning to Philadelphia he engaged in business as an accountant with Messrs. Brown & Brother, an extensive jobbing dry-goods house. This sedentary life not being agree- able to his tastes, at the expiration of the third year he determined to pursue the more active and health- ful calling of the agriculturist, and with that object in view, made Delaware County his home in 1845. In 1847 he purchased land in Radnor township, and continued farming until 1864, when, having sold, he located for a brief period in Montgomery County. In 1869, Mr. Adams became the possessor of his present home in Upper Providence, where he leads a retired life amid the pursuits most congenial to him. He married, in 1847, Miss Sarah, daughter of Levi Burd- sall, of Medford, N. J., and has children,-Thomas B. (deceased), George E. and Charles C. (engaged in busi- ness in Media), and Theodore L. (a graduate of the Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, and prac- ticing his profession in Berwyn, Chester Co., Pa.). Mr. Adams has devoted some attention to studies of a sci- entific character, and at present fills the position of member of the board of curators of the Delaware County Institute of Science, located at Media, his residence having been the property of the institute, where its sessions were held. Mr. Adams is in poli- tics a Republican, but has declined all proffers of office other than those immediately associated with the township of his residence. In his religious views

Mr. Cassin is a recognized authority in the city of his residence on all matters pertaining to the science of mechanics, and has been employed as consulting engineer and expert in various enterprises requiring , he embraces the faith of the Universalist Church.

Geo B adams

& Morgan Hunter

Gerencial Bishop.

Hugh & Tyler

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UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.

J. MORGAN HUNTER.

The progenitors of Mr. Hunter were of Scotch-Irish descent, and were early settlers in Delaware County, where they purchased a large estate in Newtown town- ship. His grandfather, James Hunter, married Martha Levis, of Springfield township, whose children were Samuel, J. Morgan, Peter, Hannah ( Mrs. Joseph Mc- Cleese), Martha (Mrs. Isaac Maris), Rachel (Mrs. Lott Worrell), Mary (Mrs. Elisha Moore), Sidney (Mrs. William Sloan), Ann (Mrs. Reece Hoops), Sarah (Mrs. Frederick Worrell).

Samuel was born in Radnor township, Delaware Co., where, after a brief but useful life, his death oc- curred, in 1802. He married Hannah, daughter of Samuel Edwards, and had children,-Elizabeth (Mrs. Edward Tomlinson) and J. Morgan. The latter was born March 28, 1801, in Radnor township, and very early in life found a home with his paternal grand- father. At the age of seven he removed to Newtown township, and remained with an uncle until sixteen, when he learned, in Chester County, Pa., the trade of a blacksmith. He continued to be actively employed at his trade, and meanwhile married Eliza Rhoads, daughter of John and Rachel Rhoads, who was born Jan. 21, 1799, in Philadelphia. Their children are Rachel (Mrs. Nathan H. Yarnall), Hannah (Mrs. Baldwin), Emily (Mrs. Isaac S. Cassin), Sarah Jane (Mrs. James Hoey), and Samuel.

Mr. Hunter followed his trade until 1826, after which he removed to Marple township, and became a farmer on land belonging to Mrs. Hunter. In 1852 he settled in Upper Providence upon a farm pur- chased by him, where, ten years later, a spacious residence was erected. Some years since he aban- doned active labor, and is now occupied in the super- intendence of his various business interests. Mr. Hunter was formerly a Whig in politics, and now votes the ticket of the Republican party. In religion he supports all Christian denominations, though im- mediately connected with none. The death of Mrs. Hunter occurred in 1873.

JEREMIAH BISHOP.

Jeremiah Bishop is the grandson of Thomas Bishop, who had sons, Thomas and Joseph, and several daughters. Joseph was born in Delaware County, where he was both wheelwright and farmer. He married Sarah Pratt, of the same county, and had children,-Thomas, Randall, Tamar (Mrs. Samuel Pancoast), Emily, Joel, Orpah, and Jeremiah. The last named, and the subject of this sketch, was born Oct. 6, 1805, in Upper Providence. The schools of the neighborhood afforded him a plain English edu- cation, after which he began an active career of labor as a farmer. He married, on the 28th of February, 1833, Miss Hannah Eachus, daughter of Evans aud Hannah Eachus, of the same township. Their chil- dren are Henry C. Bishop (of Concord), Sarah P.

(Mrs. William P. Thomas, of Newtown), and Emily B. (Mrs. Thomas B. McCay, of Upper Providence). Mr. Bishop, on his marriage, rented a farm of his father, which he cultivated for a period of eight years. On the decease of the latter, in 1840, the homestead farm became his by inheritance. To this spot he removed the following year, and until 1882 devoted his energies to its improvement and cultiva- tion. In 1884 he sold the farm and made the home of his daughter, Mrs. McCay, his residence. Mr. Bishop has been during his whole life a farmer, and given little time to other business pursuits. He is a supporter of the platform of the Republican party, and though not ambitious for official position, has held numerous township offices. He is in religion a birthright Friend, and worships with the Friends' Meeting in Middletown. Mrs. Bishop died Sept. 13, 1883, after a period of married life extending over half a century.

HUGH LOW TYLER.

The Tyler family are descended from ancient Eng- lish stock, their ancestors having come with William the Conqueror into England and fought at the battle of Hastings, in 1066. Six hundred years later three brothers of the name emigrated to America from Street, Somersetshire, England, one of whom settled in New England, another in Virginia, becoming the ancestor of ex-President John Tyler, and the third, William, located in West Jersey, about 1688. He purchased of John Champneys a large tract of land on the north side of Monmouth River, part of the two thousand acres deeded in 1676 by John Fenwick to James Champneys and wife, Priscilla Fenwick Champneys. William Tyler brought with him to this country a certificate from his friends and neighbors in England, certifying "that he hath been ready and willing to contribute to the service of truth as oppor- tunity hath offered and occasion required, and that as to his dealings with the world he hath been punctual and of good report as far as any of us know or have heard, and we know nothing of debts or other entan- glements on his part, but that he may with clearness prosecute his intended voyage." He married, in 1676, Joanna Parson, and had four children born in Eng- land,-Mary, William, John, and Joanna. To his second wife, Elizabeth, married in this country, were born children,-Catherine, Philip, and Elizabeth. His death occurred about 1701. His son, William Tyler, married Mary Abbott, and had children, --- William, Edith, Rebecca, Mary, James, and Samuel. His death occurred in 1733. Samuel, his youngest son, was born Oct. 26, 1723. He married Ann Mason, and had five children,-William, John, Mary, Samuel, and Rebecca. He died Nov. 26, 1778, and his wife Feb. 23, 1777. His son, William Tyler, married Beulab Ridgway, who died soon after without issue. He married March 17, 1796, as his second wife, Cathe-

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

rine, daughter of Hugh Low, of Philadelphia, whose children were John, born in 1797; Hannah G., in 1798; Hugh L., in 1800; Mary, in 1801; Annie, in 1805; and William, in 1806. Mr. Tyler died Oct. 8, 1823, and his wife, March 21, 1825. Their son, Hugh Low, was born March 20, 1800, in Salem County, N. J., where he resided until the year 1852. He en- joyed such advantages of education as the schools of the neighborhood afforded, after which, at the age of twenty-two, he engaged with his brother, John, in the business of tanning in Salem, N. J. Three years later he continued the business on a farm owned by him. In the year 1840, having decided to retire from the active pursuits he had followed, he became a suc- cessful farmer, and added to his landed property by the purchase of another farm in the same county. In 1852 he removed with his family to Delaware County, Pa., on a farm owned by his wife. Mr. Tyler was married on the 16th of December, 1835, to Mary Mil- ler, daughter of George Miller, of Upper Providence township, Delaware Co., whose children are Wil- liam Levis, whose birth occurred Sept. 12, 1834, and his death July 18, 1871; George Miller, born May 8, 1836; and John Edgar, born Oct. 5, 1842, who resides upon the Miller homestead in Upper Providence. George M., also of the same township, married Emma V. Weaver, daughter of Jacob Weaver, of Philadel- phia, and has four children. J. Edgar married Anna, daughter of Edward Hicks, of East Goshen, Chester Co., Pa. Mr. Tyler was actively associated with the Whig party in politics, and later became a Republi- can. He was identified with the township in various official stations, and was at one time a candidate for the State Legislature. He manifested much interest in matters tending to advance the development of the township both in its social and material aspects. He was in religion a Friend, having been educated in the faith of his fathers. The death of Mr. Tyler occurred March 8, 1883, aged eighty-three years, and that of Mrs. Tyler, Nov. 24, 1881.

CHAPTER LI.

RADNOR TOWNSHIP.1

THE township of Radnor, as regards its area, loca- tion, and population, the wealth of its inhabitants, its commercial advantages and traveling facilities, the fertility of its soil, and its picturesque views, is sur- passed by bnt few rural districts in a broad region teeming with the essentials, and, it may be added, the consequentials of affluent modern life. It embraces the extreme northern portion of this county, thus having for its boundaries Montgomery County on the east, Chester County on the west, and Haverford

township on the south. Its first settlers were natives of Radnorshire,2 Wales, hence its name.

As already intimated, this township was settled by Welsh Friends, and was included in the " Welsh Tract," of which Haverford, Merion, and a number of other townships formed part. In 1681 a Welsh gentleman, named Richard Davies, purchased five thousand acres of land from William Penn, in Eng- land, which he sold soon after to various purchasers. The whole, or nearly the whole, of this tract was located in Radnor,-chiefly in the southern half,- though there is no evidence that the grantor, Davies, ever visited this country.

The highway known as Radnor Street or road, which in its straight course through the central part of the township, in a direction nearly north and south, divides it into two parts almost equal in ex- tent, was laid out in 1683, and it is probable (from the fact that settlers were then becoming numerons in Haverford) that the first settlements were made here during the same year. John Jerman, or Jarman, as it is frequently written, Stephen ap Evan, David Meredith, Richard Miles, John Morgan, Evan Pro- therah, Richard Ormes, William Davis, Howell James, and about as many others, were the first to settle in Radnor. All were Welsh Friends, and all were domiciled here in less than four years from the date of William Penn's first arrival in this province.

The first white child born in Radnor was John Jerman, Sr.ª This event took place Ninth month (November) 12, 1684, in the vicinity of the present Friends' meeting-house. Stephen Evans' daughter, Sarah, whose birth occurred Fifth month 25, 1686, was the first female child born of European parents in the township.

In 1687, "Upon ye Reading ye petition of ye Inhab- itants of Radnor, Complayning y part of ye road yª leades to the ferry of Philadelphia is fenced in, & more likely to be, it was Orded yt John Bevan, Henry Lewis, David Meredith, John Evans, Barnabas Wilcox & Tho. Duckett meet within fourteen days, to view or agree upon as conveniently as may be, a Road from y® place aforesaid to ye ferry, and ye Like Convenient road from Darby to ye ferry aforesaid, by ye said Bar- nabas Wilcox, Tho. Duckett, with John Blunston & Joshua ffearne [Fearne], by ye time aforesaid, and to return yª same, &c." +

Until about 1690 the Welsh settlers of the " Welsh Tract" refused to participate in any measures, or to attach themselves to any district in which municipal government had been established, claiming a promise from the proprietary (William Penn) that they should

2 Radnor is mentioned in Welsh history as early as A.D. 1196, during which year, it is stated, it was burned by an invading foe.

3 John ,Jerman, Jr., died in Radnor in the year 1769. A few daya after his death the Pennsylvania Chronicle, in an ohituary notice, apoke of him "as a gentleman well known for his aatronomical calculations." Mr. Jerman had published an almanac.

4 Extract from minutes of proceedings of grand jury for that year.

1 By John S. Schenck.

"CHETWYND."

RESIDENCE OF JOHN H. CONVERSE.

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 166

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