USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > History of Delaware county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the territory included within its limits to the present time > Part 33
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2 Col. Rec. x. 356.
$ Ib. 334.
286
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
[1775.
security of this Province in the channel opposite or near to Mar- cus Hook."1
In an official report on the condition of the Province, made by the Governor to the Earl of Dartmouth, the population is esti- mated at 302,000, of whom 2000 were negroes. The colored population was greatly under-estimated, or the report was only intended to include free blacks. The value of the several offices, in sterling money, in the Province, is also set down in the report. Those held by persons residing in Chester County are given as follows :
John Morton, Esq., Assistant Justice of the Supreme
Court,
· £100 Henry Hale Graham, Prothonotary, Register, Recorder, &c., 120
Nathaniel Vernon, Sheriff, 100
John Bryan, Coroner, . 20
Towards the close of the year, there was a reorganization of the Committee of Safety made by the Assembly. All the names from Chester County contained in the first appointment are in- cluded in this, with the addition of that of Nicholas Fairlamb ; the whole number of members being increased to thirty-two.
The county assessment of that part of Chester County now constituting the County of Delaware, for the year 1775, makes the number of taxables in that district 1622, and by estimating five inhabitants to each taxable, our population, at this interesting period of our history, amounted to 8110. The taxables of the several townships were as follows: "Aston, 71; Bethel, 30; Chester, 168; Upper Chichester, 57; Lower Chichester, 85; Concord, 104; Upper Darby, 100; Darby, 90; Edgmont, 67; Haverford, 71; Marple, 75; Middletown, 88; Newtown, 77; Nether Providence, 48; Upper Providence, 58; Ridley (inclu- ding Tinicum), 149; Radnor, 98; Springfield, 60; Thornbury, 61; and Birmingham, 69.2
The rate of the assessment was two pence in the pound, and six shillings on single freemen; and the tax for the whole county only amounted to £310 13s. 9d., distributed among the townships as follows : Aston, £14 16s. 9d .; Bethel, £8 138. 3d .; Chester, £26 1s. 3d .; Upper Chichester, £8 19s. 6d .; Lower Chichester, £10 14s. 11d .; Concord, £23 2s. 1d .; Upper Darby, £27 4s. 3d .; Lower Darby, £14 11s. 3d .; Edgmont, £13 12s. 6d .; Haverford, £11 1s. 3d .; Marple, £14 6s. 7d .; Middle- town, £20 13s. 6d .; Newtown, £14 14s .; Nether Providence,
1 Col. Rec. x. 404.
2 An allowance has been made for the parts of Birmingham and Thornbury now included in Chester County.
287
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
1776.]
£8 16s .; Upper Providence, £8 12s. 9d .; Ridley (including Tinicum), £34 10s .; Radnor, £17 13s. 6d .; Springfield, £13 15s. 3d .; Thornbury, £12 6s .; Birmingham, £6 9s. 2d.
At a meeting of the Chester County Committee, held on the 26th of December, (1775,) regulations were enacted to secure a perfect organization of the Associators, agreeably to a vote of the Assembly. At the same meeting it was also " Resolved, that Anthony Wayne, James Moore, Francis Johnston Esq, Dr Sam- ucl Kenedy, Caleb Davis, William Montgomery, Persifor Frazer, and Richard Thomas, Gentlemen, or any five or more of them, be appointed, and they are hereby appointed, to represent this county, (if occasion be,) in Provincial Convention for the ensuing year."1
The Committee of Safety held its sessions almost daily in Philadelphia. Their duties were arduous in the extreme. It is indeed difficult to comprehend how a body of men could control and direct such an amount of business, in all its details, as was brought under their notice. Some idea may be gained, in respect to their doings, by a detail of such of their transactions as relate more particularly to this county or its vicinity.
Four battalions of Continental troops were ordered by Con- gress to be raised in Pennsylvania. At the request of that body, the Committee recommended proper persons for officers. An- thony Wayne received the unanimous recommendation of the Committee for the office of Colonel. On the 17th of January, the Committee resolved, "that Col. Wayne, Col. Johnson, Mr Bartholomew & M' Reiley, be a committee to examine the Fire- locks, Cartridge boxes, Knapsacks &c. as ordered by the Assem- bly to be provided by Chester County *
The two tiers of chevaux-de-frize that had already been laid were not regarded as sufficient. Others were constructed at Gloucester, and on the 13th of March it was resolved by the Committee, " that John Cobourn be employed to take the Che- vaux-de-Frize, when launched at Gloucester, and sink them in their proper places near Fort Island, and that he be authorized to procure anything for the purpose, hire persons under him, on the best and cheapest terms, and that he draw on this board for the expense."
Saltpetre for the manufacture of gunpowder was the great desideratum of the times, and great apprehensions were enter- tained in regard to the possibility of obtaining a sufficient supply for a successful defence of the Province. The following advertisement shows the extraordinary means adopted to insure a supply of this necessary article :
1 Pennsylvania Packet.
288
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
[1776.
" To the INHABITANTS of the County of CHESTER.
" Pursuant to the recommendation of the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania, to the Committee for Inspec- tion for the County of Chester, Benjamin Brannan, Walter Finney, and John Beaton were appointed to attend the saltpetre manufactory in the City of Philadelphia, in order to perfect themselves in said art : We having complied therewith do hereby give notice to all those whose public virtue and patriotic spirit would excite them to such a valuable and necessary undertaking at this crisis of time ; that attendance will be given at the house of Benjamin Brannan in Darby,1 on the 23rd and 24th of Feb- ruary ; at the house of Mr. Cochran in East Fallowfield on the 27th and 28th ; at the house of Mrs. Whitby [Withy] in the borough of Chester, on the 1st and second of March; at the house of Mr. Hood in Oxford, on the 4th and 5th; at the house of Mr. Miller in Birmingham on the 6th and 7th ; at the house of Mr. Powell in Newtown on the 8th and 9th ; at the house of Mr. Bell in Kennet on the 12th and 13th, and at the house of Walter Finney in New London on the 14th and 15th of said month, in order to teach and instruct all persons who may please to apply at the times and places above mentioned.
"BENJAMIN BRANNAN, WALTER FINNEY."
"N.B. The times and places in the North West district are not yet appointed."2
The "North West district" was visited by Mr. John Beaton the other member of the Committee of Inspection, who made his appointments at six different places, and spent two days at each place, in giving instruction in the art of making saltpetre.
About the 4th of March the Chester County Committee peti- tioned the Assembly for a change in the articles of the Military Associations. The principal change asked for was, that the Associators be furnished with Arms. The petition is signed by Anthony Wayne as chairman of the Committee.
On the 29th of March, upon application of Col. Wayne, an order was drawn by the Committee of Safety in favor of the Chester County Committee for £500, for purchasing Arms on account of Congress.
Under the apprehension of an attack being made by water, every precaution was used to guard against it. Neither pilots nor pilot-boats were allowed to pass the chevaux-de-frize, and the persons specially appointed to conduct vessels through the opening in that obstruction, were not permitted to go below Chester.
1 Now Upper Darby.
2 Pennsylvania Packet.
289
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
1776.]
Provincial troops were rapidly recruited and organized along the river-so rapidly that, upon a representation made by Col. Miles, " that there is not a sufficient number of houses in or about the towns of Chester & Marcus Hook, to quarter the troops now raising for the defence of this Province," the Com- mittee of Safety on the 13th of April Resolved, "that Col. Miles do procure for the use of the said troops, 100 good tents, on the most reasonable terms in his power."
On the 17th of April, upon the application of Caleb Davis, an order for £1500 was drawn by the Committee of Safety in favor of the Commissioners and Assessors of Chester County, " for the payment of firelocks, &c., made in that County for the use of the Province."
An application was made to the Committee of Safety by the Chester County Committee, for 850 lbs. of powder, in addition to the 400 lbs. on hand, and lead enough for the whole, and also for 1500 flints, to be distributed among the Associators, "in order to supply them with 23 rounds per man." This supply was to be sent to the care of Nicholas Fairlamb.1
The Committee had judged rightly of the danger to be appre- hended from armed vessels coming up the Delaware. "In con- sequence of intelligence received on the 29th of April, that the Roebuck Man-of-war is aground upon Brandywine [shoals ], Capt. Reed was ordered with the provincial Ship Montgomery, to proceed down the river and Bay, and join the Commodore who is already on his way, with the armed Boats, in order to take or destroy her ( * * "
The Provincials had quite a fleet of armed boats and other craft on the river at this time. A list with the number of men on each, made up to the first of May, is as follows :
The Washington, 50 men,
The Bull-dog,
39 men,
Franklin,
38
Ranger,
37
Congress,
37
66
Warren, 22
Effingham,
22
66
Dickenson, . 35
= Burke,
24
" Hancock,
48
€
Camden,
39
Floating Battery,
116
Chatham,
24
Ship Montgomery, 117
60
Experiment,
31
414
265
265
679
66
The Roebuck was a vessel of 44 guns. She succeeded in getting from her perilous situation without being captured. There was also another British war vessel in the Bay-the Liverpool of 28 guns-which likewise escaped, but the presence
1 Penna. Archives, iv. 730.
19
290
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
[1776.
of the Provincial fleet prevented them from ascending higher up the river than the neighborhood of Wilmington. Here on the 8th of May both vessels were attacked by the Provincial fleet under the command of Capt. Reed. Col. Miles, with 100 rifle- men, had repaired to that vicinity, with the view of rendering any assistance in his power, and witnessed the engagement. At 4 o'clock on that day, he writes from the river bank near Wil- mington, to the Committee of Safety : "Our boats and the two men of war have been engaged for two hours at long shot. I believe there is no damage done on either side, tho' I suppose three or four hundred shot have passed between them. * * Our boats fire much better than the other vessels, but in my opinion engage at too great a distance."1
There was disappointment expressed at the failure of the Gondolas or armed boats, to capture or destroy the Roebuck ; and those in charge of the expedition, to screen themselves from censure, attributed their want of success to a deficiency of supplies, particularly of ammunition ; thus casting the blame on the Committee of Safety. This body very promptly asked the Assembly, "to promote such an inquiry as shall satisfy the public where the blame & misconduct is justly chargeable." Perhaps an item in the instructions sent by the Committee to Capt. Reed-"to be careful in exposing any of the Boats to capture or destruction"-had as much to do in causing the failure of the expedition as the want of supplies.
From the following orders, adopted by the Committee on the 7th of May, it may be inferred, that a considerable land force was at this time stationed at Chester :
" Robert Towers was directed to deliver to Colo. Samuel Miles, for the use of the Provincial troops under his command 1000 pounds of gunpowder and 2000 pounds of Lead, or as great a part thereof as is in store." At the same time 20,000 cartridges for muskets, "for the use of the Associators of Chester County," were directed to be conveyed there "agree- ably to Col. Miles direction." And on the next day, the Com- missary was directed, " to send down to Chester, for the use of the Provincial troops under Col. Miles, Sixty Firelocks." These guns were sent under the protection of a guard.
After procuring a supply of saltpetre, the next great necessity of the country was to have it manufactured into powder. There was no powder-mill in the Province before the Revolution broke out. An official report made on the 3d of June, shows that the first powder-mill put in operation was that of Doctor Robert Harris, "on Crum Creek, about three miles from Chester." It began to work about the 23d of May. The dimensions of the
1 Penna. Archives, iv. 748.
291
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
1776.]
mill house were 30 by 20 feet, with a head and fall of 83 fect. The drying house was 20 by 15 feet, "neither floored nor plastered." The Doctor had received one ton of saltpetre and 500 lbs. of sulphur. He expected to deliver one ton of powder on the first of June, "and the same quantity weekly."
Another mill, of much greater dimensions, was at this time about being erected, at the public expense, on French Creek, "about four miles above Moore Hall." It was expected to be ready to work on the 25th of June. On a branch of French Creek still another small mill was in the course of erection, and also one on Swamp Creek, in Bucks County.1
Lead was also in great requisition-so much so, that all the leaden clock weights, draught weights, &c., were required to be given up for military purposes. Six pence per pound was allowed for the lead thus taken.
On the 21st of May the Committee of Safety adopted a me- morial to Congress, asking for aid in the completion of the de- fences of the Delaware. They speak of the large sums appropri- ated for that object by the Provincial Assembly under the direc- tion of the Committee-that they caused "thirteen Arm'd Boats or Gondolas to be built, equip'd and manned, and have since built fitted and Manned, a large Ship, Floating Battery, several Guard Boats, and a great number of fire Rafts ; erected fortifications on deep water Island; raised a large artillery Company for their de- fence, and sunk Chevaux-de-frize in the channel of the river ; That the Assembly have raised two Battalions of Riflemen and one of Musquetry, stationed on the banks of the river Delaware.
"That the Committee perceive, after all these exertions, greatly surpassing, as they believe, any that have been made on this Continent, at an expense merely Collonial, that their defence is still imperfect, and far unequal in their idea, to the probable force, that may soon be employed against this colony.
They ask Congress to make an appropriation for the erection of an additional Floating Battery, and also for a fortification to be erected at Billingsport, on the Jersey shore. Congress made an appropriation for this latter work, but it was executed under the supervision of the Committee of Safety ; a boom erected there was also a Continental charge. The works on Fort Island were also strengthened about this time, as a requisition was made on Col. Miles for a working force of one hundred men for that purpose. To these were allowed, over and above their pay "a quart of 18s. Beer each working day."
On the 17th of June, Col. Atlee, who had been stationed at Chester, was directed by the Committee to order his whole Bat- talion to be quartered in the Barracks of the city. This order
1 Penna. Archives, iv. 765.
292
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
[1776.
would indicate less apprehension of an immediate attack by way of the river ; but the Committee still continued to increase its defences, in order to be prepared for such an attack. The two tiers of chevaux-de-frize already sunk, having been built in great haste, were probably of defective construction. Be that as it may, we now find two additional tiers in the course of con- struction-one to be sunk opposite Billingsport, and the other in a range with the piers of the Fort.1
The proximity of Hog Island to the Fort made it necessary to guard against the enemy landing upon it in case of an attack upon the Fort. This was to be effected by overflowing the island with water. To be prepared for such a contingency, on the 19th of June "Mr. Abraham Kinsey, Tenant at Hog Island, was informed by the Committee of the necessity of laying that island under water on the near approach of the Enemy, and at the same time was assured, that whatever injury he should sustain in consequence, would be hereafter made good to him by the Pub- lick."
It now became known that New York, and not Philadelphia, was to be attacked, and in consequence, on the 2d of July, Col. Miles was requested to march his Battalions immediately to Phi- ladelphia.2 Letters were, at the same time, dispatched by the Committee, "to the Colonels of the different Battalions of the Counties of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester & Lancaster, request- ing they would hold themselves in readiness to march at an hours warning, with their battalions to the city."
The representatives from Pennsylvania, in Congress, on the 4th of July, when the vote was taken on the Declaration of In- dependence, were John Morton, John Dickinson, Robert Morris, Benjamin Franklin, Charles Humphreys, Edward Biddle, Thomas Willing, Andrew Allen and James Wilson. Of these gentlemen Messrs. Morton and Humphreys resided within what is now Delaware County. At the time the vote was taken Morris and Dickinson were absent. Of those present from Pennsylvania, Franklin, Wilson and Morton voted for the Declaration, and Biddle, Allen, Willing and Humphreys against it.
The Convention3 to form a State Constitution for Pennsylva-
1 Col. Rec. x. 606 and 648.
2 Col. Saml. Miles was in command of two battalions, numbering 971, officers and men. Col. Atlee commanded one battalion of 444, officers and men, and probably Captain Thomas Proctor's company of artillery, numbering 117, officers and men. Penna. Ar- chives, iv. 780.
3 This Convention had its origin in an assembly called "the Provincial Conference," which was convened in pursuance of a resolution of Congress recommending a change in the form of State governments. It met at Philadelphia on the 18th of June. The mem- bers from Chester County were, Colonel Richard Thomas, Major William Evaus, Colo- nel Thomas llockley, Major Caleb Davis, Elisha Price, Esq., Mr. Samuel Fairlamb, Colonel William Montgomery, Colone! Hugh Lloyd, Richard Riley, Esq., Colonel Evan Evans, Colonel Lewis Greno, Major Sketchley Morton and Captain Thomas Levis.
293
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
1776.]
nia met at Philadelphia on the 15th of July, and at once as- sumed the whole political power of the State; almost their first act being the appointment of Delegates to Congress. For this important trust, John Morton, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Mor- ris, James Wilson, George Ross, James Smith, Benjamin Rush, George Clymer and George Taylor were selected. So it appears that only the four first named were members of Congress at the adoption of the Declaration, though all signed that instrument , when engrossed on the 2d of August following.
The names of the members of the Convention from Chester County were, Benjamin Bartholomew, John Jacobs, Thomas Strawbridge, Robert Smith, Samuel Cunninghamn, John Hart, John Mackey and John Fleming.
The military organizations in Pennsylvania, known as Associa- tors, were constituted into fifty-three battalions. These assem- bled by representatives in convention at Lancaster on the 4th of July-the day Independence was declared-" to choose two Bri- gadier Generals to command the Battalions and forces of Penn- sylvania." Daniel Robertdeau and James Ewing were elected.
The delegates to this Convention from Chester County were: Major Culbertson, Colonel Montgomery, Licut .- Col. Gibson; Captains Wallace, Scot, Gardiner; Privates Cunningham, Boyd, Denny, Culbertson, and Fulton.1
On the 22d of July the duties of the Committee of Safety were closed, the Convention, then in session, having appointed another body of men, with the title of the Council of Safety, upon whom devolved nearly the same duties that had been exercised by the Committee.
Most of the small vessels employed in guarding the Dela- ware were stationed at the Fort, but it appears that certain guard boats were moored in Darby Creek; and from the incon- venience of obtaining provision from the Fort, on the 26th of July it was ordered by the Council of Safety, "that Mr. Sketchley Morton2 do supply the said boats with provisions until further orders." Mr. Morton's bill for supplies furnished, amounted to £8 7s. 83d.
The troops that had been stationed at Marcus Hook and Chester, and recently ordered to Philadelphia, did not remain long in that city. The following letter at once shows the destination of those troops, the condition in which a portion of them had been left before their removal to the city, and the humanity of their commanding officer :
1 Hist. Lancaster Co., 405.
2 Sketchley Morton was a son of John Morton, the signer of the Declaration of In- dependence.
294
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. [1776.
" PHILADELPHIA, July 10th, 1776. " Dr Sir :
"At the time I left Marcus Hook, there was a number of men inoculated for the Small Pox, wch were left under the care of Doet" Davis, but being ordered to the Jerseys, it became abso- lutely necessary that the Doet" should go with the troops-those siek men still remain at the Hook, under the notice of Doct" Chapman-but I should be much obliged to you, (as I know no other person upon whom I can so well depend,) if you would be kind enough to see that those men are served with every necessary provision, while they remain there, for which you will be satisfied. I hope you will not refuse this trouble, otherwise the poor men will possibly suffer.
"I am, Sir wth much Esteem your H, ble Servt. SAML. MILES."
Col. Miles, with his regiment, crossed New Jersey, was at the unfortunate battle of Long Island, and taken prisoner. It would be interesting to follow him in the forlorn effort to defend New York, but that is forbidden by the limited scope of this work.
The following extracts from a letter dated at Kingsbridge, on the 22d of September, addressed by Capt. Patrick Anderson, to Dr. Franklin, sufficiently attests the shattered condition of Colonel Atlee's battalion of musketry, after the battle of Long Island :
"Immediately after our defeat on Long Island, the command of the Musquetry Battallion devolved upon me. I found the number of men remaining fit for duty to be about 200, but most of their baggage & some even of their arms and accou- trements Lost, and having no field officers left, applyed to Lt. Col. Broadhead for his advice and assistance; soon after he informed me the General ordered him to annex our Bat- talion to the Rifle Regt. which I at that time complyed with in expectation of further instructions from the Convention or Council of Safety, as Col. Broadhead wrote you concerning it. Want of necessaries sowered the men's minds. Deficiencys in their stipulated rations hath increased it, & neglect of punctual payt. of their pay hath caused their meeting and Desert in great numbers, with arms, &c. So that there is now only scarce Eighty three remaining & they still think if they are taken prisoners, they will not be exchanged, while any prisoners from the Continental army is in the enemy's
.
295
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
1776.]
hands."1 On the 1st of August there had been 397 men in this battalion under pay.
General Washington was obliged to retreat across New Jersey, and was closely followed by the British army. The Roebuck was again in the Bay. Every effort was now made for the defence of Philadelphia, the situation of which had be- come imminently perilous. Troops were mustered into ser- vice, defences were crected, munitions of war were provided, and army supplies were collected from every available quarter. Chester County contributed her full share towards providing for this emergency.
From a few of the minutes and resolves of the Council of Safety, relating more particularly to Chester County, a good idea may be formed of all the defensive and other mea- sures adopted at this time.
On the 4th of October; it was resolved " that Mr. William Evans be desired to purchase all the coarse cloths, blankets, and stockings in Chester County."
November 14th, " Intelligence was received by express that several hundred transports had sailed from New York, & steered their course to the southward & expected to be intended for this city : whereupon the council wrote a circular letter to the commanding officers of the Battalions of Militia, earnestly requesting them to march their respective Battalions to this city immediately."
" Ordered, That the owners of cattle and other stock near the river side, make the necessary preparations for removing the same, at least five miles from the river, on the shortest notice, as it is Probable that this board may be under the disagreeable necessity of giving the most preremtory orders for their re- moval, and to see that the same be punctually and suddenly complied with."
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