USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania > Part 170
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1821. David Bartine and Thomas Davis, preachers.
1822. David Bartine and John Tally, preachers.
1823. Thomas Miller and William Allen, preachers.
1824. Henry Boem and John Woolson, preachers ; Joseph Lybrand, presiding elder, who continued until 1828.
1825. District again called Philadelphia. Henry Boem and Levin Prettyman, preachers.
1826. Jacob Gruber, Samuel Grace, and John Tally, preachers.
1827. Jacob Gruber and William Cooper, preachers.
1828. Thomas Miller and Eliphalet Reed, preach- ers; William Thacher, presiding elder.
1829. Edward Page and Daniel Fidler, preachers ; William Thacher, presiding elder.
1830. Thomas McCarrel and Edward Page, preach- ers ; M. Force, presiding elder.
1831. William Ryder and N. Chew, preachers; M. Force, presiding elder.
1832. William Ryder and James B. Ayres, preach- ers ; M. Force, presiding elder.
1833. Philadelphia District divided into North and
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
South Philadelphia Districts ; Radnor being embraced by Southern District. James B. Ayres, J. Edwards, Robert E. Morrison, and John Tally, preachers ; Lawrence McCombs, presiding elder. The Radnor congregation now became so large that the old church was found too small to accommodate the people. Therefore in May of that year (1833) a new church edifice was commenced. While it was in process of con- struction the members worshiped under the trees in front of the building. The new edifice was dedicated during the same year. Rev. (afterwards Bishop) E. L. James preached the dedicatory sermon. The so- ciety gained about fifty new members soon after the dedication of the new building.
1834. Radnor Circuit, formed from Chester. David Best and Richard W. Thomas, preachers ; John Potts, presiding elder, who continued to 1837.
1835. Richard W. Thomas, preacher.
1836 and 1837. W. Cooper, preacher.
1838. James B. Ayres and Charles W. Jackson, preachers; Solomon Higgins, presiding elder.
1839. James B. Ayres and Frederick Gram, preach- ers ; Solomon Higgins, presiding elder.
1840. Henry G. King and James Neil, preachers ; Solomon Higgins, presiding elder.
1841. H. G. King and L. M. Prettyman, preachers ; James Smith, presiding elder.
1842. George Lacy and Christopher J. Crouch, preachers ; James Smith, presiding elder.
1843. Circuit divided ; upper part called "Grove," lower part still retaining the name of Radnor. C. J. Cronch and John A. Roche, preachers ; James Smith, presiding elder.
1844. - McNamee and John W. McCaskey, preachers ; James Smith, presiding elder.
1845. Thomas Sumption and George W. Lybrand, preachers; Levi Scott, presiding elder.
1846. Thomas Sumption and Henry Sanderson, preachers; Levi Scott, presiding elder.
1847. Richard M. Greenbank and Henry B. Mau- ger, preachers; Levi Scott, presiding elder.
1848. Richard M. Greenbank and J. Cummins, preachers ; J. T. Cooper, presiding elder.
1849. Michael D. Kurtz and Paul B. Gillingham, preachers ; J. T. Cooper, presiding elder.
1850. M. D. Kurtz and J. Tally, preachers ; J. T. Cooper, presiding elder.
1851. John Edwards and Henry A. Hobbs, preach- ers; Thomas J. Thompson, presiding elder.
1852. John Edwards, preacher; T. J. Thompson, presiding elder.
1853. Henry Sutton, preacher; T. J. Thompson, presiding elder.
1854. Henry Sutton and Mark Bailey, preachers ; T. J. Thompson, presiding elder.
1855. John A. Watson, preacher; William Cooper, presiding elder, who continued until 1859.
1856. John A. Watson and J. M. Wheeler, preach- ers.
1857. H. B. Manger and Gideon T. Barr, preach- ers.
1858. H. B. Manger and T. W. Martin, preachers.
1859. W. M. Dalyrimple and J. Gregg, preachers ; Francis Hodgson, presiding elder, who continued as such till 1863.
1860. Circuit divided ; one part called Darby and Mount Pleasant, the other Radnor and Bethesda. W. M. Dalyrimple, preacher.
1861 and 1862. G. G. Rakestraw, preacher.
1863-65. S. Patterson, preacher; Joseph Castle, presiding elder. Noble Frame served as preacher during part of 1865, during illness of Mr. Patterson.
1866. Levi B. Hughes, preacher; Joseph Castle, presiding elder.
1867-68. David Mckee, preacher; W. L. Gray, presiding elder, the latter serving till 1871.
1869-71. A. L. Wilson, preacher; William C. Rob- inson, presiding elder for 1871.
The foregoing sketch of Radnor Church has been condensed from a historical sermon prepared by Mr. A. L. Wilson in 1871. Since that date its preachers have been M. A. Day, for two years; J. Y. Ashton, for three years ; T. C. Pearson and J. T. Ziegler, for three years; A. L. Wilson, again, for three years; and Charles Roads, the present preacher in charge, for two years.
The church was repaired inside to a considerable extent in 1882. In 1883, Radnor Church was made a separate station. For some years prior to that time it had been associated with the Bryn Mawr and Beth- esda Churches. The present members of the soci- ety are eighty-five in number.
Wayne Presbyterian Church .- The first move- ment towards the formation of this church was the holding of public religions service in Wayne Hall, on Sunday, June 5, 1870.
This was followed by the organization of a Sabbath- school on the 19th of June, in the same year, the first session of which was held in the hall above men- tioned on the succeeding Sabbath afternoon, at which five children were present.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, June 21, 1870, a pre- liminary meeting preparatory to a church organiza- tion was held at Wayne Hall, at which meeting the following-named gentlemen were present, viz., Rev. R. H. Allen, D.D., moderator, and Messrs. William J. McElroy, J. Henry Askin, Charles H. Eldredge, Howell Evans, Samuel Hill, and Samuel Agnew.
According to an appointment of the Presbytery the commissioners, consisting of the Rev. B. B. Hotch- kin, Professor Lorenzo Westcott, Rev. T. J. Aiken, and Ruling Elders James Moore and Thomas Aiken, met in Wayne Hall on Friday afternoon, June 24, 1870, and organized the Wayne Presbyterian Church, comprising nine members, installing Howell Evans as the ruling elder.
At this meeting also, a call was extended to the | Rev. S. P. Linn to become pastor of the congregation,
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RADNOR TOWNSHIP.
and he accepting, was installed by the Presbytery on Tuesday, July 5, 1870. Public services were regularly held thereafter on Sabbath mornings in Wayne Hall, until the completion of the church edifice.
The ground was broken upon which the church building was erected Monday, March 21, 1870, and the corner-stone was laid on Thursday, May 12th of that year, by the Rev. John Chambers, with appro- priate services, assisted by the Rev. R. H. Allen, D.D., Rev. John McLeod, and Rev. T. J. Aiken. The building, which is of stone, being completed, was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 8, 1870. The sermon on the occasion was delivered by the Rev. Charles Wadsworth, D.D. A large audience and a number of other prominent ministers were also present.
The church edifice with the lot of ground upon which it is built, also the first parsonage with the lot of ground attached thereto, was the gift of J. Henry Askin, Esq., under whose personal direction the build- ing was commenced and completed. The property, upon the completion of the church building, was valued at twenty-five thousand dollars. Quite recently the parsonage first occupied was sold, and another house and lot was purchased for such purposes. It is a handsome brick structure. It occupies a central location in the town, near by the church, and cost about six thousand dollars.
As pastor Mr. Linn remained here only about nine months, terminating his labors in April, 1871. His successor, Rev. James W. Dale, D.D., was installed on Thursday, Sept. 28, 1871, and continued with this church about four years. Then came Rev. George T. Purves, who remained about three years. Rev. Wil- liam Tenton Kruse, the present pastor, was installed Sept. 7, 1881.
The Sabbath-schools, under the superintendency of Mr. Charles H. Eldredge, are in a flourishing condi- tion. The society contributes some five or six hundred dollars per year for charitable purposes. A ladies' missionary society is also very efficient. The present members of this church number one hundred and thirty-eight, of whom Thomas Aiken, Howell Evans, J. Woods Pinkerton, and James Aiken are ruling elders.
The Radnor Baptist Church originated in the agitation of the question of anti-slavery in the Great Valley Baptist Church. Rev. Leonard Fletcher was pastor at the time; and, having been eye-witness of the oppressions and evils of slavery, naturally was strongly opposed to it. Those in the church who sympathized with him, not enjoying that liberty and fellowship they wanted, asked for and received letters to form a new church. Letters were granted to sev- enty-nine persons. The new body, under the name of the Radnor Baptist Church, was organized Feb. 20, 1841. Its house of worship had been originally built for a far different purpose than that to which it was now devoted. Under the title of "Radnor Scientific
and Musical Hall," meetings were held in it of a character in opposition to the truths and worship of | the revealed God. A prominent man in this move- ment, Mr. William Siter, becoming a zealous believer in those truths, and the builders of the hall failing to obtain a good title to the property, it passed by pur- chase into the possession of the church.
The first pastor was Rev. J. Newton Hobart. He assumed charge of the church in 1841, and remained in his position until Sept. 10, 1844, during which time forty-eight were added by baptism. Rev. J. Perry Hall became pastor March 25, 1845, continuing until April 1, 1847. Eight were added by baptism during his pastorate. He was followed, June 13, 1847, by Rev. Thomas Goodwin, who remained until April 1, 1849. Twenty-five were baptized by him. Rev. Josiah Philips was the next pastor, accepting the call of the church, and resigned his charge Aug. 21, 1856. Sixty-nine were added during his pastorate. Rev. T. I. Thomas then served as pastor for one year from Jan. 21, 1858.
About December 25th, Rev. D. A. Nichols held a series of extra meetings with the church, continuing them until Feb. 25, 1860. The result was thirty-eight persons baptized. The next pastor was Rev. George W. Scott, who was ordained Aug. 8, 1861, and who resigned Dec. 25, 1862. Twelve were baptized by him. Rev. G. W. Holman was pastor from October, 1863, to February, 1865. There were during this period twelve baptisms. After him came Rev. W. W. Dalbey, who was invited to take charge of the church Nov. 23, 1865, and who continued as pastor until Feb. 24, 1870. He baptized seventy-two. Rev. A. E. Folwell was called July 10, 1870, and died Aug. 7, 1872. Two were baptized by him. Nov. 24, 1872, the church called Rev. H. F. Leamy. He re- signed March 9, 1874. There were three baptisms. Rev. D. J. R. Stroyer began a series of extra meetings in November, 1875, which continued until December 12tb, when he was invited to become pastor. He re- signed Feb. 18, 1877. There were ten baptisms. Rev. J. Wesley Sullivan was invited to supply the pulpit Dec. 1, 1878, rendering this service during part of a year. Two were baptized by him. Rev. Mr. Colburn, of New Jersey, held extra meetings in December, 1881, resulting in three baptisms. This was during the time Mr. Hare, of Crozer Seminary, was acting as supply. The present pastor is Rev. S. S. Parker, D.D., who began his pastorate December, 1881.
The Church of the Good Shepherd .- Previous to the formation of this parish divine services had been frequently held at " Woodfield," and a Sunday-school opened at the house of Mrs. Supplee (hoth half a mile west of Rosemont Station on Pennsylvania Railroad) in 1868-69.
The parish was organized at a meeting of residents, held in old Wayne Hall, July 7, 1869, when the fol- lowing gentlemen were elected vestrymen, viz .: Charles W. Cushman, W. W. Montgomery, Edward
692
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
S. Lawrence, A. R. Montgomery, J. L. Wentworth, H. Yates Carter, John B. Thayer, Maskell Ewing, John S. Maxwell, Samuel C. Knight, Brinton J. Parke, I. D. Meredith.
The services began in Wayne Hall July, 1869; were supplied by various clergymen until the autumn of the same year, when the Rev. H. P. Hay, D.D., was elected rector.
The corner-stone of the church was laid by Bishop Stevens on July 25, 1871. The church was completed and opened for services Jan. 6, 1872, and was conse- crated by Bishop Howe, of Central Pennsylvania, acting for Bishop Stevens, on March 8, 1872.
The Hospital of the Good Shepherd, for children, in charge of this parish, was opened formally by Bishop Stevens on June 11, 1874, with accommoda- tions for twelve children, two entering that month.
The parish building, near the church, was begun in July, 1877, and was in use the following spring. It contains rooms for Sunday-school, parish-school, committees, and the sexton. The parish-school was opened September, 1878.
The Chapel of the Good Shepherd was erected in 1880-81, the corner-stone being laid by Bishop Ste- vens on July 25, 1880. It stands one-quarter of a mile north of Radnor Station. Mission services had been held in the public school room close by, with little intermission, since 1869.
The rectory of the parish, which stands on a lot of one and three-quarters acres, adjoining the church on Lancaster turnpike, was begun in August, 1883, com- pleted in May, 1884, and was at once occupied by the present rector, the Rev. Arthur B. Conger, who was elected rector in July, 1883, the rectorship having been vacant about six months. Present number of communicants, one hundred and twenty. Present value of church property, fifty thousand dollars, all un- encumbered, except five thousand dollars on rectory.
Licensed Houses .- The first petition for license in Radnor which appears of record is dated May 28, 1717, and emanated from Edward Thomas, who in- forms the court that his house is located "near ye church called St. David's Church," and that he from that fact is "obliged to entertain many people yt Come to Worship at ye sd. Church." The court, no doubt, believing that this unremunerative hospitality was more than could be reasonably required of any man, granted him a license to sell " Beer, Sider, &c." His name does not appear again in the records, but James Thomas, possibly a son of the former, Ninth month (November) 27, 1722, presented his petition, in which he says that he "hath formerly obtained the Recomendacon of this Honorable Court to His Excellency ye Govr. for a Lycence for the Keeping of a house of Entertainment, and for selling of Wine, Brandy, Rum, and other Strong Lyquors, But now the time of the Said Lycence is Expired, &c. ; " after which he is also lost sight of so far as the records now disclose.
Michael Atkinson, who in August, 1731, attempted to procure license in Concord, when he was met in that effort by a remonstrance from the inhabitants of the township asking the court to grant Kerlin license, and deny it to Atkinson, which prevailed, again came into prominence. Michael, still intent on becoming the landlord of a public-house, under date of Feb. 29, 1732, petitioned the court, stating therein that he "hath rented the house of David Evans, of Radnor (David Evans' name appears on clerk's list for years 1729-30), where Evans kept a public-house for several years," which application received the approval of the justices. The same year David Evans stated in his application that he was then " living in a Con- venient place to keep house of Entertainment, and being frequently desired to keep the same," he there- fore presents his petition, indorsed by thirty signa- tures, and trusts it will be approved. The Court, however, apparently was not impressed with the ne- cessity of a house at the location designated, and re- jected the application. In August, 1734, Morgan Hugh made an effort to secure license for this house, and in his petition informed the court that he " hath lately Taken the house of David Evans, in Radnor, afforesd., Comonly known or Called the Signe of the Plow, it being an old Lycenced house." Among the thirty-nine signers to his petition appear the names of Francis and Anthony Wayne. The court, notwith- standing, turned a deaf ear to his pleadings, but nothing dismayed at his rebuff, at the November court of the same year he presents another petition, the signers thereto having increased in number to fifty-five, and the justices at last yielded to his im- portunity. In 1739, Hugh's name appears on the clerk's list of licenses approved by the court, although he could not then have been located at the same place (the Plow), for Aug. 31, 1737, David Evans, of Radnor, petitioned to keep public-house and “ sell Cyder & Beer," which was refused; but Feb. 28, 1737/8, he again asked the court's indulgence, alleging that he "hath the charge of small Children, and Liveth at the old place Commonly known or Called by the Signe of the Plow, which hath Been a Publick house for many years." Isaac Wayne was among the signers to his petition, which at last touched the ada- mantine sympathies of the bench and secured him license. He must have done something in the inter- val between the February and August courts of the year 1738, for among the clerk's list of taverns, Aug. 29, 1738, after David Evans' name is written "not allowed." May 29, 1739, Evans again comes before the justices with the same argument, slightly varied, for he states that he "Liveth at a small place for- merly Called the Signe of the Plow, which hath been a Publick house many years ;" that he " has wife and children," and wants to sell "Beer & Sider," which was allowed him, as also from year to year until August court, 1742, when Richard Barry petitioned for license at this house (the Plow), which is favor-
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RADNOR TOWNSHIP.
ably considered. David Evans, however, who it ap- pears was a cooper by trade, in 1745 was licensed, his place at that time being on the Conestoga (now Lan- caster) road.
Richard Barry, from the date above given, was yearly accorded license until 1765, when David Reese became the landlord of the Plow Tavern, and so con- tinued until 1768. The following year the tavern seems to have passed into the control of James Barry, who, as he in 1769 asked for renewal of license, in all probability had the house the year previous, when Reese's name disappears finally from the records. During his (James Barry's) occupancy the inn en- larged its title, and was known as the Plow and Har- row. In 1775, Peter Mather-evidently a man strongly in favor of popular government, as is shown by his application that year, wherein he gives the name of the house as the "John Wilkes"-was li- censed. Paul Shannadon, who succeeded Mather, in 1782 informed the court that the title of the old hostelry was then the John Wilkes, but formerly it was known as the Plow and Harrow. In 1786, Mary Ring received license for the ancient stand, after which it no longer appears as a tavern.
In 1747, James Miles presented his petition that " he has lately built a house on Conestoga (Lancas- ter) road, near Tredufrin" (Tredyffrin), and desires that he may have license for a public-house there. This location clearly indicates that this was the an- cient tavern known to the last generation, and to the older inhabitants of that part of the old county of Chester as far hack as 1769, as the Unicorn. In 1747, however, the application was rejected; but in the following year license was granted, and continued to Miles until 1750, when his petition is indorsed " dis- allowed," and the name Aubrey Roberts marked thereon, as if to the latter the court had extended its favor at this place; but this may not be the fact, for at the February court of the same year license was allowed to Miles, and his name appears until 1752, when James Miller was licensed at that place, to be followed, in 1755, by Thomas Tucker, who in 1761 gave place to Jonathan Pugh, who was followed in 1766 by Samuel Pugh, and he iu the following year by Richard Barry. In 1769, Samuel Johnson ob- tained a license for the "Unicoro, that ancient and noted tavern," and was succeeded as its landlord by Samuel Pugh in 1773, who continued thereat until and including the year 1778. For the three following years there are no records respecting the granting of license in Radnor; but in 1782 Robert Kennedy was the landlord of the Unicorn, and when Delaware County was created he continued to receive license until 1801, when Thomas Mason became the land- lord. In the latter's petition, in 1805, he states the then name of the old inn as the " Farmer's." In the next year John Righter made application for the license at this house, and sets forth that "the Uni- corn has been licensed ever since the first settlement
of the country." This statement seems to have been more than Robert Kennedy, the owner, could permit; hence, in 1807, he made personal application, and in his petition says " the Unicorn has been licensed these sixty year," which was historically true, since James Miles had received the first license therefor in 1747. In 1816, Adam Sliffer became the landlord of the old inn, and the following year Levi Wells was the landlord. He in 1818 designated the house as the "Commodore Decatur Inn ;" but Benjamin Smith, in 1819, restored the time-honored name, Unicorn. The latter was followed in 1823 by J. Hassan, who in 1827 gives the title of the tavern as the Black Bear. But the next year, 1828, John Smith superseded him in business, and the Unicorn once again became rampant on the sign. In 1834, Joseph Atkins had the license, and it continued to be granted to him until 1847, when he died. In 1848 his widow, Mar- garet Atkins, received the court's approval, and, later in the year, Robert K. and Richard Atkins had it transferred to them. In the fall of 1848, Hon. John M. Broomall was appointed trustee to sell the real estate of Joseph Atkins, deceased. Benjamin Kirk was the landlord of the house during the years 1849-50.
Thomas Ives, in 1759, and Mordecai Taylor, in 1778, were also granted licenses to keep tavern in Radnor township, but the location of the houses man- aged by them have not been ascertained.
About the year 1756 the vast immigration setting westward to Lancaster County and the territory be- yond that limit, required numerous wayside inns to accommodate the number of wagoners and travelers who journeyed along the old Conestoga road of that day. Hence about that time we find a new petition in Radnor, presented by Aubrey Harry, who found favor with the court, and was continued thereat until : and including 1764, when his name, for the last time, appears on the list of approved tavern-keepers. In 1765, Michael Stadleman made his application for license to keep a public-house in the township, which was granted to him, and he continued yearly to re- ceive that privilege until 1775, when he disappears from the record. In 1778, Jacob Waggoner was granted license, and in 1782, John Witmar, in his ap- plication, designated the house as the Sorrel Horse, as also did his successor, John B. Webster, in 1784. The latter in 1788 was superseded at the old stand by James Elliott, who continued thereat until 1810, when his widow, Sarah Elliott, received the license until 1813, at which date Christian Himes became the landlord, remaining there until 1815, when the house was vacant. The following year John Dever had license for the Sorrel Horse, after which, for four years, the place appears not to have been used as a public iun ; but in 1821, George J. Stackers made ap- plication for license there, which was granted to him. In 1824 he gave place to Eliza Thomas, and she, the following year, to Robert R. Rowland. He for eleven
694
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
years was "mine host" of the old tavern, to be fol- lowed in 1836 by Alexander Brooke, who in turn was succeeded by Rowland again ; he, however, in 1839, once more gave place to another landlord, this time John Mullin. The latter remained until 1840. Philip Kirk then purchased the property, and the following year (1841) Benjamin Kirk, a brother of Philip, be- came the landlord of the Sorrel Horse, remaining there until 1849, when Philip Kirk, its owner, assumed control, and conducted the house until his death, in 1851. He was succeeded by his widow, Eliza, who kept the house open until her death, which occurred in February, 1877. During the following year, Rachel, daughter of Philip and Eliza Kirk, served as proprietress. On the 1st of April, 1878, John and Alfred Worrell, as lessees, obtained license and re- mained one year, when George W. Murray, the pres- ent lessee and proprietor, took possession. It is the only licensed house at this time in the township, and is still owned by children of Philip Kirk.
In 1769, Adam Ramsower (formerly of Pikeland township, Chester Co., where he kept a tavern at Yel- low Springs) made application for license for a stone house, forty by thirty-three feet, situated on the Lan- caster road within a mile of Jonathan Pugh's tavern, which he, Ramsower, had built. The lands attached to the house comprised one hundred acres. In 1772, Jacob Hinkell petitioned for the right to keep the inn which now appears under the well-known title Spread Eagle. The following year David Hinkell became the landlord, to be superseded, in 1774, by Jacob Hinkell, who continued there until 1778. In 1782, Alexander Clay was "mine host" of the Eagle, and continued as such until 1787, when Adam Siter obtained the license, and he, in 1791, was followed in the business by John Siter, who, in 1812, gave place to James Watson. Two years later, in 1814, Edward Siter became the landlord, to be followed in 1817 by David Wilson, Jr. The latter, in 1823, was super- seded by Zenas Wells, and in 1825 Edward W. Siter kept the Spread Eagle. Stephen Horne had license for this tavern in 1836, and the next year Richard Millerson, to be followed, in 1839, by John Chrisman. Mordecai Worrell purchased the property in 1841, and had license for several years. In 1846, Elisha Worrell did the honors of the Eagle, to give place to Mordecai Worrell in 1848, and to assume them again the next year. In 1851 the property was mentioned as the estate of Mordecai Worrell, deceased, situate on the Lancaster turnpike, and offered for sale. It was purchased in 1851 by Benjamin Kirk (formerly the proprietor of the Sorrel Horse and Unicorn Hotels), who remained as its owner and landlord for eight years. He then sold the property to John Todd. Under the latter's ownership Jacob Rieser, as lessee, officiated as" " mine host." Subsequently Charles Arthur became the owner of the Spread Eagle, and he in turn gave place to David Crumley, who, as owner and mauager, kept the house open until i the records of the county as a public-house.
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