History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 84

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

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In 1856, John P. Crozer conveyed his interest in the joint property to Mr. Broomall, for the cost and legal interest thereon, reserving only the half-square of ground on Penn and Second Streets, where the Bap-

tist Church now stands. This was Mr. Crozer's own proposition, and on being reminded that more than enough land had been sold to pay the entire costs, leaving four-fifths of it as clear profit, he replied that he had gone into the enterprise not to make money, but to aid in the development of Chester, and he was quite content that the profits should go to Mr. Broomall, who had done the chief part of the work ; that his assistance was no longer necessary, but that he would let his capital remain, to he repaid by Mr. Broomall, with interest, at his own time and conveni- ence. Of course this offer was gratefully accepted.

In the present North Ward, Mr. Larkin, in spite of great opposition, carried out his designs fully. It is related that although he laid out the streets in that part of the town, and dedicated them to the public, the borough authorities refused to keep the highways in repair, and at his own expense he maintained a force of men at work upon them. On one occasion, when a member of the Town Council complained that the streets in the old part of the borough were neglected, contrasting them with those of Larkin- town, which were neat and well kept, and declaring that the public moneys should not all be expended in one locality, another member informed the speaker that Chester had never contributed a dollar for that purpose, and that Mr. Larkin had personally paid for all the highways made, as well as maintaining them in repair. Not only did he do this, but he constantly huilt houses, stores, foundries, shops, and mills, in conformity with a rule he had adopted at the begin- ning of his enterprise that every dollar he received from the sale of lands or buildings should be ex- pended in further improvements, and hence, for any person desiring to start in business, he would erect the required structure, and lease it to him or them, with the privilege of purchasing the property at its cost price within ten years. Mr. Larkin has built over five hundred honses and places of business, sev- eral being large cotton-mills. In 1881 he sold the last vacant building-lot remaining out of the original eighty-three acres he had bought as an unimproved tract, thirty-one years before. More than thirty years Mr. Larkin spent industriously and earnestly in making the North Ward what it is, and only during the last ten years did he receive much assistance, from the labor of others to the same end, in dotting it all over with dwellings and industrial establish- ments.

To return to the river front : Mr. Broomall, in con- junction with William Ward, in 1862, purchased the farms of Edward Pennell and James Laws, which were brought into the market, and were soon dotted over with houses and manufacturing establishments. On March 5, 1795, the borough of Chester,1 which

1 1n " Gordon's Gazetteer," published in 1832, is preseuted the follow- ing description of the old borough a half-century ago:

"Chester, Post-town, Borough and seat of justice of Delaware County, 121 miles N. of Washington City, and 96 miles S.E. of Harrisburg, on

333

THE CITY OF CHESTER.

had been governed under the charter granted by Penn in 1701, was incorporated by an act of Assem- bly, and from time to time thereafter powers and privileges were procured from the State authorities .. On April 6, 1850, a new charter was granted by the General Assembly. In 1866 the ancient borough had so grown in population and industries that the act of Feb. 14, 1866, was obtained, by which Chester was incorporated as a city, since which date, until the Constitution of 1874 interdicted special legislation, several supplemental and amendatory acts were had explanatory of the statute of 1866.1 The story of the progress of the city, its industries, historical build- ings, institutions of learning, and other topics which demand consideration in a work such as this will be presented under appropriate headings.

The following is a list of chief burgesses and the civil officers of the city of Chester :

1703. Jasper Yeates.

1832. Samuel Edwards.

1730. Nicholea Pyle.

1833. William Martin.

1731. Thomas Cummings.

1835. George W. Bartram.

1733. Caleb Cowpland.

1847. Robert R. Dutton.

1738. Joseph Parker.

1848. William Brobson.

1741. Charles Grantham.

1849. Charles D. Manley.

1745. Joseph Parker.

1851. George W. Bartram.

1749. William Read.

1852. Alexander McKeever.

1751. Mordecai James.

1853. Henry L. Powell.

1752. Samuel Howell.

1854. Joh Rulon.

1753. Thomas Morgan. 1757. Joseph Hoskins.

1856-57. John Edward Clyde.

1759. Jonathan Cowpland.

1858. Stephan Cloud, Jr.

1859. Robert Gartaide.

1762. Edward Brinton. 1763. Dr. Paul Jackson.

1860. George Bakar.

1779. David Cowplaod.

1861. N. Walter Fairlamb.

1789. Dr. William Martin.

1862. George Baker.

1794. William Graham.

1863. Jeremiah W. Flick wir.

1798. Isaac Eyre.

1864-65. George Baker.

MAYORS OF THE CITY OF CHESTER.

1866. John Larkin, Jr.2

1872. Dr. Jonathan Larkin For- wood.3

1881. James Bartoo, Jr. 1884. Dr. J. L. Forwood.

the river Delaware, 15 miles S.W. of Philadelphia. This is the most ancient towo of Pennsylvania. There were several dwellings and a Qua- ker meeting here before the grant to William Penn of 1661. It was then koowu ae 'Upland,' but the name of Chester was substituted by the Proprietary, at and before the granting of the Borough charter, on the 31st of Oct., 1701. The first adventurers, under Peon, landed here on the 11th of Dec., 1681, and were compelled to remain the winter, the river having been frozen over the night of their arrival. On the 4th of Dec., 1682, the first Provincial Assembly was holden here, memorable for having enacted, in a session of three days, seventy laws, comprising an efficient coda for the government of a political society. There are still standing in this ancient town eoma old houses, among which is the church. Perhaps few places in the conotry have improved less, There ia a water-power naar it, but it is not great, and the business of the eur- rounding country lies in Philadelphia. It may contain at present about 134 dwellings, chiefly of stone and brick. A substantial and neat Conrt- House of stone, surmionoted by a cupola and bell, brick offices, and a etone prison, 5 taverna, 4 atorea, ao Athenæum, the Delaware County Bank, a Church, and Quakar meeting-honea. A manufactory of straw paper has lately been established near the town. For the accommoda- tion of the trade of the Delaware there are some piera sunk in the river opposite the towo, which have been lately repaired by the U. S. Popu- lation in 1830, only 848. There are here six practicing Attorneys and two Physicians."

1 Blisa' " Digest of Delaware County," title, " Municipal Corporations -Chester," p. 375.

2 Re-elected in 1869.

3 Re-elected in 1875 and also in 1878.

CITY RECORDERS.

William H. Dickinson, March 21, 1878.

David Garrett, March 10, 1881 ; died in office Aug. 16, 1881.

I. Newton Shanafeldt, March 10, 1882, re-elected and commissionad April 5, 1883.

CITY SOLICITORS.

1866. William Ward, who was elected annually thereafter until October, 1872, when he resigned, and same month Orlando Harvey was elected annually thereafter until 1881, when the term was increased to three yeara, and in April, 1884, ha was re-elected for three years.

PRESIDENTS OF CITY COUNCIL.

1866. William Ward. 1878. Robert Anderson.

1869. William A. Todd.

1879. John A. Wallace.

1873. Y. S. Walter.

1880. Robert Andereon.

1875. Amos Gartside.

1877. Dr. Theodore S. Christ.

1881. Hanry B. Black (present in- cumbent).

CLERKS OF COUNCIL.

1866. Heory L. Donaldson.

1875. Mordecai Lewis (the present

1868. Dr. John M. Allen.

clerk).

1873. Charles H. Allan.

MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

1866 .- North Ward, James Stephans, Charles F. Kenworthy, John Hink- Bon, N. Walter Fairlamb, Charles A. Weidner; Middle Ward, Sam- uel A. Dyer, Ellis Smedley, George Flood, Crosby P. Morton, Stephen Cloud, Jr .; South Ward, William Ward, William B. Reaney, Wil- liam A. Todd, James Scott, Amoa Gartside.

1867 .- North Ward, J. Wesley Ottey ; Middle Ward, Dr. J. L. Forwood, William C. Gray ; South Ward, William G. Price.

1868 .- North Ward, I. Eugle Hinkson, John O. Deshong, Jr .; Middle Ward, Y. S. Walter ; 4 South Ward, George Derbyshire.

1869 .- North Ward, Percipher Baker, Edmund Esrey; Middle Ward, William Appleby, David S. Booting, David W. Morrison; South Ward, William Ward, William A. Todd, Amoa Gartside.

1870 .- North Ward, James Ledward ; South Ward, William G. Price.5 1871 .- North Ward, N. Walter Fairlamb; Middle. Ward, Dr. J. L. For- wood, J. Frank Black ; South Ward, Joseph R. T. Coates, James A. Williamson.

1872 .- North Ward, Jonathan Kershew, Jamea Ledward, John O. De- ahong, Jr .; Middle Ward, Heury Hinkeon, Gaurge Goeltz, William Appleby ; South Ward, George Robinson, George Derbyshire,6

1873 .- North Ward, James Ledward; Middle Ward, Jonathan Pennell, Y. S Walter; South Ward, James Bartoo, Jr., Thomas 'I. Leiper, George Weigand.

1874 .- North Ward, J. Humphrey Fairlamb, William Armetrong ; Middle Ward, William Hinkson : South Ward, Frederick J. Hickson, Jr.

1875 .- North Ward, Daniel Robinson, John O. Deshung, Jr. ; Middle Ward, George Goeltz, Dr. Theodore S. Christ; South Ward, Amos Gartside, George Weigand.

1876 .- North Ward, Samuel Danfield ; Middle Ward, John B. Hinkaon, Henry Hinksoo ; South Ward, Robert Anderson, Daniel Brown.7 1877 .- North Ward, Samuel Greenwood, Thomas Clough; Middle Ward, Frank S. Baker ; South Ward, John A. Wallace, Rubart Chadwick. 1878 .- North Ward, Joha Young, Samuel R. Palmer; Middle Ward, Heory B. Black, Paul Klutz ; South Ward, William F. Cutter.6

4 Mr. Walter was elected by Council to fill the placa made vacant hy the death of George Flood.

5 David W. Morrison resigned, and July 18, 1870, Ellia Smedley elected by Council to take his place; I. Engle Hinkson died October, 1870, aod Council elected Joho Hinksou in his stead.

6 James A. Williamson resigned, and George Robinson elected in hie atead. William G. Price resigned, aud Gideon Speakman elected by Council. Jonathan Kershaw resigned, and James Stephens elected by Council. Georga Derbyshire died Jude, 1872, and Thomas I. Leiper elected by Council. William A. Todd rasigoed, and William B. Broomall elected by Cuuncil to fill vacancy.

7 Oo May 1, 1876, Frederick J. Hiakaoa, Jr., resigned, and Thomas I. Leiper was elected by Council to fill the unexpired term uatil the en- suing charter election.

& Daniel Brown resigned Dec. 2, 1878, and Dr. Robert P. Mercer was elected by Council in his stead. February, 1879, Samuel R. Palmar died, and February, 1879, Gaorga M. Booth elected by Council in bis atead.

1855. Samuel Starr.

334

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

1879 .- North Ward, Frank S. Baker ; Middle Ward, George McCall ; South Ward, William Fennell.1

1880 .- North Ward, Abraham Blakeley, Samuel Ogleaby; Middle Ward, Isaiah H. Mirkil ; South Ward, John A. Wallace,2

1881 .- North Ward, Thomas Clongh, Richard Miller ; Middle Ward, Henry B. Black ; South Ward, Henry Palmer, David M. Johnson, George G. Jones.3

1882 .- North Ward, Frank S. Baker; Middle Ward, Perry M. Washe- bangh, William J. Oglesby ; South Ward, William B. Bronmall, Jo- seph McAlden.4

1883 .- North Ward, Samuel Black, John B. Hannum; Middle Ward, Robert Smith, Jr., J. Frank Black ; South Ward, Thomas J. Hone- ton.5

1884 .- North Ward, Richard Miller, Samuel Oglesby; Middle Ward, J. Frank Black, Henry B. Black; South Ward, Dr. Robert P. Mercer.6

CITY SURVEYORS.

Joseph Taylor, Alfred Owens, William H. Flaville, Edward Roberts.

LIST OF JUSTICES, INCLUDING THE TOWNSHIP AND BOR- OUGH OF CHESTER.

John Crosby, Joel Willis, April 30, 1791; Davis Bevan, Aug. 19, 1794; Miles Macarty, April 13, 1796; Elisha Price, April 15, 1796; Wil- liam Martin, Ang. 9, 1797; Isaac Eyre, Oct. 12, 1798; Nicholae Fair- lamb, Dec. 6, 1798; Aaron Morton, May 3, 1799; Joseph Marshell, Thomas Hinkson, May 20, 1800; John Pearson, June 21, 1802 ; James Wuthey, July 4, 1806; Jacnh Edwards, Jan. 1, 1807; John Caldwell, Nov. 15, 1814 ; Joseph Walker, Feb. 3, 1820; Samuel Smith, March 12, 1822; David Marshall, Dec. 3, 1824; George W. Bartram, June 3, 1824 ; Benjamin F. Johnson, Oct. 25, 1825; Abraham Kerlin, June 7, 1830; Samuel T. Walker, Nov. 11, 1831 ; John Afflick, June 6, 1834; Samuel Shaw, Nov. 18, 1835; William Martin, June 10, 1836; William Eyre, Dec. 21, 1838; George W. Bartram, Sept. 23, 1889.

JUSTICES OF THE BOROUGH AND CITY OF CHESTER.

George W. Bartram, Abraham Kerlin, April 14, 1840 ; Samuel Anderson, April 14, 1846 ; John Larkin, Jr., Frederick Fairlamb, April 9, 1850; Henry J. Powell, April 13, 1852; Frederick Fairlamb, April 10, 1855. South Ward .- Samuel Ulrich, June 4, 1856, June 25, 1861, May 8, 1866, and May 8, 1871 ; Joseph Entwiele, May 1, 1872; Benjamin F. Welser, March 15, 1876; Samuel L. Armour, March 15, 1880, April 9, 1881.

Middle Ward .- Robert Gartside, April 10, 1860; John H. Baker, April 15, 1861 ; Jeremiah W. Fleckner, April 28, 1865, and April 30, 1866; Henry M. Hinkson, April 25, 1867; I. Edward Clyde, May 1, 1872; John M. Allen, March 28, 1878, and May 7, 1883.

North Ward,-Joseph Holt, April 10, 1860, May 17, 1865, May 8, 1871, May 8, 1876; Daniel B. Thomson, Ang. 25, 1881, and May 8, 1882.

Places of Worship-Friends' Meeting-House .- The first recorded meeting of the society of Friends in the province of Pennsylvania was that mentioned as being held at the house of Robert Wade, at Up- land, in 1675, when William Edmundson, an eminent minister, then on a religious visit to the American colonies, was present. Previous to the coming of Penn, at a monthly meeting held 11th of Seventh month (September), 1681, it was agreed " Yt a meet- ing shall be held for ye service and worship of God every First Day at ye Court House at Upland." On the 6th of the First month, 1687, Joran Kyn sold a

1 John Young died February, 1880, and Samuel Greenwood elected by Council in his atead.

2 Robert Chadwick resigned Nov. 15, 1880, and William G. Price elected by Council in his place. March 7, 1881, Robert Anderson re- signed, and Henry Palmer elected by Council in his stead,

3 John A. Wallace resigned Jan. 3, 1882, William B. Broomall elected by Council in his stead.

4 Oct. 16, 1882, Perry M. Washabangh resigned, and B. F. Baker elected by Council in his stead.

6 Hanry Palmer resigned May 16, 1883, Dr. Robert P. Mercer Was elected by Council iu bia stead.

6 William B. Broomall resigned, and James Fryer was elected by Council in his place.

lot of land, sixty feet in front and width, between parallel lines to the creek, adjoining his garden, on the west side of the present Edgmont Street, above Second, to John Simcock, Thomas Brasey, John Bris- tow, Caleb Pusey, Randal Vernon, Thomas Vernon, Joshua Hastings, Mordecai Maddock, Thomas Martin, Richard Few, Walter Fawset, and Edward Carter, " to the use and hehoof of the said Chester-the people of God Called Quakers and their successors forever." Although the land was purchased it was several years before the building was erected, the evidence apparent establishing that six years elapsed before the meeting- house was finished.

The first direct notice of such a movement was at the meeting at Walter Faucet's "ye 6th of ye 4th month, 1687," when it was " Agreed that Bartholomew Copock and James Kinerly Randall Vernon and Caleb Pusey do agree and Contract wtb such workman or men as they shall se meet to build a meeting house att Ches- ter 24 foot Sqwar and 10 ft. high in the Walls & that the above sª persons do Come themselves and the workman or men if they do agree & Give accompt thereof to the next Mo: meeting." The project lan- guished, so far as the records show, until the "13th of ye 8th mo. 1690," when Chester meeting appointed a committee " to take the subscriptions of Middletown, Edgmont, Springfield, Upper & Nether providence and Marple of what these friends are free to Give to- wards the building a meeting house in Chester. Vizt for Upper providence Randall Malin, for Middletown John Worrall, David Ogden, for Edgmont, Thomas Worrelle, James Swaffer, for Springfield, George Mor- ris, Jun', & Mordica Maddock, for Marple Thomas Person and Josiah Taylor."

The committee appear to have worked diligently, for on the minutes of Chester meeting, but without date, appears the following :

"SUBSCRIPTIONS BUILDING OF A MEETING HOUSE IN TBE TOWNE CHESTER.

8. d.

" Thomas Powell.

Thomas Brassey

3 10

Randall Vernon

3 00 00

Thomas Vernon.

1 00

John Sharpless

1 10 00

Walter ffancet.

1 10

00 00

John Hoghkins (Hoskins).

1 10

Caleb Pusey.

1 00 Robert Barber.

00 00 00

John Baldwin

05 00

John Bristow

00 00

John Simcocke ..

0 07 00

William Wondmansee.

0 10 5

00 00

James Whittacree

00 10 00

Edward Carter.

06 06

00 00

Charles Brookes, 00

10 00

Thomas Vernon, young ?..

00 10

Willm Caborne .. 01

00 00

Joseph Caborne. 01

00 00

John Edge. 01 00 00

00 00

John Crosby. 01

00 06 06 00 00

Mord. Maddock

Jobn Simcock, juner.

Robert Taylor.

Francis Worly 00

1 00 00

Joshua Hastings.

0 05

John Broomall

Jacob Simcock

James Sharpless

Andrew Job.

5 00 00

Edward Walter.

John Beall.

William Browne

335

THE CITY OF CHESTER.

John Parker ..

John Martin ..

Tho Martin

00 00

Nat. Evans ..

John Churchman ..

Henry Churchman ..

00 10

Thomas Calbourne.

3 00

John Worall

Randall Maillen.

00 00

robert Vernoo ..

tho Minsball

peter tailler.

Joseph Vernon & Jacob Vernon

John hoskins Joont.

10 10

James Swaford ..

William Swaford

00 06

henry Worley.

John Powell

thomas Joans.

Laraunce rooth

12 00

George Churchman.

was given to John Simcock for safe keeping, and Walter Faucit, Caleb Pusey, and Robert Barber were directed to " Inspect into and Cast up the sª accompts wth him" (Bristow).

The impression which so long held undisputed sway that the first Assembly in the province sat in this old meeting-house has ceased to be a disputed topic among historians, but the question which part of the ancient building was first erected was long in dispute. The records of Chester Meeting, which are explicit, leave even that no longer a debatable point. The building being of stone, that part of it which faced on Edg- mont Street was the original structure, and the brick addition towards the creek was placed there after Friends had worship in there for several years. As late as 1848, when the building was inspected by a critical observer, these facts were established by the house itself. Whitehead tells us, "The brick part bore evidence of having been subsequently added as a kitchen, having an oven built within and forming part of the original wall. The timbers, too, were in a better state of preservation." Indeed, it may be asserted without fear of contradiction that the latter part was not erected until after 1701, for Lydia Wade bequeathed thirty pounds-a large sum in those days -to Chester Meeting, twenty of which were " towards the Inlarging and finishing the meeting-house of Friends in the towne of Chester," the remaining ten pounds were to be expended by the women's meeting, to be "disposed of as they shall think fitt for the servis of Truth." This sum was received from the executor of Lydia Wade's will, for on the 24th of Ninth month, 1701, Caleb Pusey paid that amount to the meeting, which payment is acknowledged by the records.

It does not, as stated, appear when this subscription was collected, but we know that nothing was done towards erecting the meeting until the 6th of "ye 2ª mo., 1691," when, at the house of Walter Faucit, we find that "Its agreed by this meeting that John Bris- tow & Caleb Pusey do forthwith agree wth and Inploy workmen in the Building the meeting house ats Chester (wth stone) on the place that was formerly bought for that purpose the situateing of web as also the manner of Building the sayme is Left to their Discretion and that this meeting do Defray the Charges of the saime so that it exceed not above one Hundred pounds and that there bee one Convenient Chimney att Least and that the sª John Bristow and Caleb Pusey do Give account of what they have done at ye next month meeting." On the 12th of Eighth month, 1691, the meeting appointed Walter Faucit and Randall Vernon to "Goe to those yt subscribed to the Building the meeting house that they forthwith bring their pay unto Calebs Mill and make report at ya next month meeting." Some of the subscribers When the meeting-house was first built, it seems some of the neighbors had encroached on the lot, for on Eighth month 4, 1797, " John Simcock's on be- half of the meeting required Henry Hollingsworth to remove his shop from off the land belonging to the Meeting House, who promised so to do." seem to have regretted their liberality, for on 11th of Second month, 1692, it was ordered that "Randall Vernon and Randall Malin Goe to Thomas Powell and Return him the two pounds tenn shillings that hee saith hee lent toward building the meeting house and paying for the Ground it Stands on att Chester In the old structure. Penn frequently spoke, and many pleasant memories clustered about this first meeting of Friends, and therein services were held for forty-three years, until, in 1736, the society found it necessary to erect a larger building to accommodate its increasing membership, and the house on Edg- mont Street was sold to Edward Russell, who added a garret-story to the front building, and possibly erected the back part. In recent years the house was used by Samuel Long as a cooper-shop, and was sold in 1844 to Joshua and William P. Eyre, when partition was made of Long's estate. and make Returne of their proceeding to the next mo. meeting." There was doubtless some dispute respecting the payment of these moneys to Powell, for on the 1st of the Eleventh month, 1693, "a memo- randum" was entered of record in which Randall Malin, Robert Vernon, and Peter Taylor certify that they were at Powell's house and the money had been paid to him in their presence. On the 5th of First month, 1693/4, John Simcock, Randall Vernon, Wal- ter Faucit, Robert Baker, and Robert Carter were directed to meet John Bristow and Caleb Pusey "in order to make up the accompts wth them concerning On April 18, 1736, Caleb Coupland conveyed the southern part of the lot on Market Street, sonth of Third Street, on which the meeting-house now stands, to Jacob Howell, Thomas Cummings, John Owen, Samuel Lightfoot, John Salkeld, Jr., and John Sharp- the meeting house att Chester and also to Receve the Deed of the Land the sd house stands upon." At a meeting held at Robert Vernon's, 2d of Second month, 1694, John Bristow brought the deed and the account of disbursement in erecting the building. The deed ! less, and the latter the same day executed a declara-

336

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

tion in trust setting forth that they held the land as trustees and for the use of the members of Chester Meeting. As the society waxed stronger they re- quired more land, the meeting-house having been lo- cated toward the northern line of the lot, hence, April 29, 1762, they purchased from Jesse Maris, who had acquired the property by descent from his father, George Maris, subject to a yearly rent of six pounds to the heirs of James Sandelands. The trustees, Jonas Preston, John Fairlamb, Caleb Hanison, and James Barton, to whom it was conveyed by Jesse Maris, May 1, 1762, executed a declaration of trust to Ches- ter Meeting.

The discussion which had prevailed in the society of Friends during the early part of this century re- specting certain doctrinal points, culminated in an open rupture in 1827, when a division of Friends took place, those members who sustained Elias Hicks in his opinions retaining their connection with Ches- ter Meeting being in the majority, the structure on. Market Street became the house of worship of the Hicksite branch of the society. In 1883 the building was thoroughly repaired and modernized internally.

The Friends' graveyard on the west side of Edg- mont Avenue, I had thought, was the first burial- place of the society in Chester, but recent examina- tion has caused me to change that opinion. The first reference to a Friends' graveyard at that town was at a meeting on 1st of Fourth month, 1682, when it was agreed that " Thomas Cobourn, Randal Vernon, & William Clayton do view or see that pece of Ground weh is ordered for a Buriall place also to see about the fencing of itt wth a Lasting fence and if there bee stones neare and convenient." The site selected seems not to have met the approval of the whole meeting. Indeed the location of the lot was not then definitely fixed upon, for on the 5th of Twelfth month, 1682/3, John Hastings, Robert Wade, Richard Few, and Thomas Cobourn were instructed to " view the Buriall place to Consider what Quantity may be meet also what Way or how it may be Best fenced abont." A report from this committee appears never to have been made. Therefore on the 11th of Fourth month, 1683, the same persons, excepting that Thomas Brasey was substituted for Richard Few, were directed to " View and Look out a piece of Land for a Buriall place and bring in their Accompt thereof to the next monthly meeting." A burial-place was accepted, for on the 5th of Ninth month, 1683, John Hastings and Thomas Vernon were directed to "fence the burial grounds as soon as may bee." Where this graveyard was is not absolutely known, but I believe that it was on the east side of Edgmont Avenne, south of Sev- enth Street, the present steam grist-mill of L. L. Luken & Co. being located partly thereon. In April, 1880, when excavations were made for the foundations of the mill, a number of human bones were unearthed, which had been deposited in a row. At that time no person seemed to be aware that |

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 84

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