USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > History of Delaware county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the territory included within its limits to the present time > Part 65
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
" Both Towns wrote again to the Society, requesting another Missionary, the Society wrote a Letter exhorting them to consider on some proper means among themselves for making sufficient allowance for a minister to reside constantly among them. In answer to this they assured the Society, ' they were heartily disposed to do their best : but at present their circumstances would not do great things. They were at present but poor Settlers, who had newly settled Land backwards in the Wilderness, and had not yet so much as their own Habitations free from Debts; that indeed they had built Churches, in hopes of having Minis- ters from the Society ; and had thereby so much incumbered themselves, that it
534
APPENDIX .- NOTE F.
would be some years, in all Probability, before they could clear that debt. The Society were desirous this good Disposition of the People should not be disap- pointed, and in 1718, appointed the Reverend Mr. Wayman their Missionary at Oxford and Radnor. * * * * * * * The inhabitants of Ox- ford purchased a House, Orchard and 63 acres of Land, for the use and Habita- tion of the minister; and the People of Radnor have obliged themselves to contribute 40€, Proclamation money, of that Country, yearly, towards the sup- port of a Minister to preach to them in Welsh, their Native Language; because many of them do not understand English. * * * * * * "
The following memoranda were extracted from " The Journal of the travels of the Reverend George Keith, A. M .* from New Hampshire to Caratuck on the continent of North America."
" Sunday, January 24-1702 [1703. N. S. ] I preached at Philadelphia on Mat- thew, 5. 17, both in the forenoon and afternoon; Mr. Evans, the Minister of Phi- ladelphia, having that day been at Chester, in Pennsylvania, to accompany Mr. Talbot who was to preach the first sermon in the church after it was built. (p. 59.)
"Feb. 7. Sunday, I preached at Chester in Pennsylvania in the new Church, on Mat. 16. 18.
"Feb. 9. Tuesday, I preached a second sermon on the same text at Coward [Concord] in Pennsylvania, at the house of John Hanon [Hannum.]
"Feb 11. I preached a third Sermon on that text at the house of Thomas Powell in Chester county, both these men, John Hanon [Hannum] and his wife and Thomas Powell and his wife, had been Quakers, but have become members of the Church, with divers others of their neighbours.
"Feb. 12. I had a dispute with Mr. Killingworth, an Anabaptist preacher at the house of Thomas Powell before a great Auditory * * * This dispute was about the manner of baptism-' whether infants of believers are proper sub- jects of Baptism,' ordination, &c.
" August 2, 1703. I came to Vpland, alias Chester, by Delaware river, Mr. Talbot having gone before me to preach there August 1.
" August 3. I preached in the Church at Chester, a second Sermon on Titus 2-11, 12, 13, 14, and had a considerable Auditory : We were kindly enter- tained at the house of Jasper Yeates there."-(p. 73.)
"Sunday, April 9, 1704. I preached at Chester in Pennsylvania on John, 4. 24, being my last sermon there .- (p. 80.)
Keith's journal was published in London, 1706. He enumerates five Church of England congregations in Pennsylvania and Delaware, "who are supplied with Ministers and have convenient Churches." St. Paul's is the only one so circumstanced in Chester county.
* Mr. Keith is the same person who was formerly a preacher in the Society of Friends, and after having created a division in that society was disowned as a member. He returned to Eng- land, became an Episcopalian, took orders in the Church, and now came back to America as a missionary of the Society, for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts.
535
APPENDIX .- NOTE G.
NOTE G .- Page 233.
LIST OF TAXABLES RESIDING IN THE SEVERAL TOWNSHIPS NOW COMPOSING THE COUNTY OF DELAWARE IN THE YEAR 1722, WITH THIE ASSESSED VALUE OF THE REAL ESTATE HELD BY EACH TAXABLE, AND ALSO THE AMOUNT OF TAX ASSESSED IN EACH TOWNSHIP.
HAVERFORD RATE.
Richard Hayes, Esq., £60
Samuel Lewis, 60
Henry Lewis, 54
John Havard, 112
John Meridith,
16
Jacob Jones, 20
John Griffith,
14
NON-RESIDENT LAND.
Ann Welsh, ·
· 30
Tax £12 17s. 2d.
RADNOR RATE.
David Harry, 54
Richard Ormes,
20
Wm. Thomas,
30
David Pugh,
20
Walter Lloyd, 20
Joseph Lewis,
16
Griffith Evan,
15
Danl. Rees, .
28
NON-RESIDENT LAND.
Owen Thomas,
15
FREEMEN.
Thomas Vanghan.
John David.
Tax £13 17s. 3d.
NEWTOWN RATE.
Gabriel Davies,
28
John Jones,
32
Howell Powell,
14
Wm. Lewis, . 100
David James,
24
Thomas Lewis,
20
Caleb Evans,
36
Joseph Williams,
16
Hugh Wilson,
16
John Williamson,
50
Henry Lewis,
10
Thomas Rees,
20
John Samuel,
10
Edward George,
32
Edwd. Jones,
24
Evan Evans, 20
David Evans, 16
Daniel WmSon,
24
Evan Stephens,
. 14
John Rees, .
28
David Thomas,
. 15
Rees Howell,
20 Joseph Jones,
34
.
Henry Lawrence,
52
Thomas Lawrence,
52
Edwd. Jones,
35
John Thomas,
24
Saml. Rees, 60
Rees Price's land in Eastown,
Thomas David,
24
Sarah Abram,
24
Hugh David,
8
Arthur Jones,
6
John David,
34
John Thomas,
40
John Morgan, Jr., 24
Richard Richards, .
24
David Jones,
20
Jenkin David, 36
Thomas Thomas,
60
Owen Evans,
36
John Jerman, 36
David Powell and land in Brandy- wine, 36
Daniel Williamson, 50
Evan Lewis, and land in Marple, . 160
Lewis Lewis, and land in Caln, 70
David Thomas, and land in Bran-
dywine, 40
James Price, 20
John Morgan and land in White- land, 54
Lewis Rees, 16
Joshua Thompson, 20
John Fawks, 50
Morgan James,
20
Lawrence Pearson, . £40
John Hitchkin, 15
Tho. Thomas, 20
Richard Iddings, 26
Danl. Humphrey, . 112
David Llewellyn, . 100
David Lewis, . 100
Humphrey Ellis,
40
John Parry,
60
36
·
536
APPENDIX .- NOTE G.
NON-RESIDENT LAND.
Richard Cook, £12 10s.
Isaac Norris, .
25 00s.
Joseph Wilcocks, .
37 10s.
Tax £12. 18s. 9d.
SPRINGFIELD RATE.
Samuel Levis and land in Goshen, 148
Samuel Levis, Jr., 49
Richard Maris,
George Maris,
77
Daniel Hibberd, and for John Hal- lowell's plantation, . 21
Abraham Lewis, and land in Hav- erford, 65
Thomas Philips, 35
Adam Roads and for land, 80
40
William Kirk,
33
Isaac Taylor, 41
23
John Thomas,
27
Thomas Fell,
30
Richard Woodward,
15
Joseph Taylor, 13
John Hall, 18
Joseph Yarnall,
27
George Lawrence,
79
John Lea,
Samuel Britain,
6
INMATES.
John Owen.
NON-RESIDENT LAND.
Thomas Griffiths, 500 acres.
Mordecai Mattock, 500 acres.
FREEMEN.
John Bunten.
Thos. Britain.
Thos. Clark.
Thomas Bird.
Tax £14 11s. 10d.
DARBY RATE.
John Blunston, 53
John Wood, 84
Thomas Worth and land, 70
David Thomas,
45
Wm. Irish,
17
Samuel Bradshaw,
43
Benjamin Cliff,
27
Thomas Pulford, 27
Abel Pearson,
19
John Bethel, 21
Job Harvey,
Obadiah Bonsall for Mills and
plantation, . 129
Edmund Williams, 37
Richard Parker, and for lands late of Wm. Smith, 97
John Bartram, . £45
Lewis David, and land in Haver- ford, 54 ·
Enoch Bonsall, 39 .
Josiah Hibberd,
· 67
Joseph Need and John Davis . 107
Wm. Smith and for land in ye
London tract and Great Valley, 123 Edward Smith, 23
Wm. Smith, Jr., 89
34
John Maris, .
11
Geo. Maris, Jr.,
29
John Scholar,
30
Samuel Hall,
35
Thomas Kendal,
38
John Gleave,
18
Samuel Hood,
75
John Marshall, 71
51
Josiah Fern, 61
41
Thomas Bradshaw,
45
Anthony Morgan,
47
Roger Ball,
49
Jacob Bonsall,
49
John Lewis,
18
George Wood,
.
19
Michael Blunston,
· 59
William Wood,
37
Samuel Garrett,
117
William Garrett,
73
Christopher Spray,
17
Isaac Collier,
16
Lewis Sponley,
11
Matthias Natsalias, David Morton,
24
Andrew Urin,
33
Hance Boon,
34
John Broom,
47
Wm. Broom, 30
Andrew Swanson,
11
Isaac Lea, .
.
9
FREEMEN.
Richard Sirnam.
Joseph Kirk.
Saml. Buntin.
Miles Starn.
James Bartram.
Tax £34 11s. 6d.
RIDLEY RATE.
John Sharpless and land,
88
John Crosby, and lands in trust and mills and lands in Middle- town, 94 .
.
.
Thomas Lewis,
Thomas Taylor,
Samuel Sellers,
Thomas Paschall, house,
21
64
39
537
APPENDIX .- NOTE G.
Isaac Taylor and his land, . £117
Joseph Harvey,
59
Robert Taylor, 28
Richard Sheldon, 29
David Morris, 29
Mordecai Morris, . 25
John Worral, 20
David Jones, 10
James Trego,
11
Joshua Worral,
19
Thomas Moor,
10
Isaac Lewis,
18
FREEMEN.
Peter Tomson.
John Pearson.
Tax £15 3s.
CHESTER RATE.
David Lloyd,
. 180
John Salkeld and land in Sads-
bury,
40
·
John Wright, 35
Jacob Howell,
67
John Baldwin and land in Caln, . 94 John Wade, 45
Jonas Sandelands,
43
David Roberts,
35
David Willson,
21
Jeremiah Carter, .
47
Richard Weaver, .
38
Mary Baldwin,
8
Humphrey Johnson,
12
John Scarlet,
33
Thomas Cobourn and Mills, his share, 58
Edward Carter, 24
Thomas Philips,
15
John Weldon,
38
Jacob Roman,
50
John Morrison,
36
William Cobourn,
12
James Hinds,
14
Sarah Hood, 38
Isaac Norris and Chester Mills, 96
Samuel Gray,
10
Michael Atkinson, 20
James Barber, 19
Ebenezer Jenkin, .
24
Joshua Coupland,
24
George Bush, poor.
Edward Danger, . 19
Wm. Taylor, 4
James Towson,
Win. Weldom,
24
John Rimington, . 35
Joseph Roynear, . 24
Joseph Townsend, 20
26
19
.
39
George Van Culin,
John Iden, .
Hance Tonton,
Andrew Tonton,
27
Magdalen Hendrickson,
Andrew Mortenson,
Margaret Morton,
Catharine Henrickson,
36
Joseph Powell, 25
Enoch Enochson,
24
Amos Nicholas,
9
John Waln,
33
Larence Friend,
31
Henry Swift,
5
Thomas Dell,
41
Sarah Head,
40
John Morton,
18
Gabriel Friend,
17
NON-RESIDENT LAND.
Jonathan Hood, . 130
Hannah Carpenter, . 250
Joseph Stidman, . 112
William Smith, John Wood and John Dutton for the Land Com-
pany, 263
Henry Torton,
. 100
Jonathan Dickinson,
·
FREEMEN.
George Taylor.
Thomas Hows.
Joseph Williams.
Thomas Stidwell.
TENANTS.
James Dickens.
Matthias Morton.
Simon Battin.
Tax £15 8s. 6d.
MARPLE RATE.
Bartholomew Coppock and land in Marlborough,
54
Peter Worrall, 33 ·
Joseph Powell, .
43
John and George Van Leer, .
38
Joseph Rhoads, 52 .
John Broomfield and land, 83
Mordecai Massey, 48 .
Enoch Pearson,
15
.
Robert Pearson, . 49 Thomas Morgan, .
Jonathan Haycock, £16
Andrew Morton,
46
Doct. Ben. Simcock and land in trust, 43
John Tomkins,
39
John Ocher,
.
19
21
25
48
14
42
Thomas Coubonrn,
?
14
538
APPENDIX .- NOTE G.
Thomas Howard, £9 .
John Baldwin, Jr., and land at
Middletown,
48
John Minhall; 9
Jonathan Ogden, .
30
Tobias Hendrickson, 51
John Postlethwait,
Caleb Harison,
Thomas Logan, .
26
Wm. ffishborn,
37
John Yeats, .
40
Samuel Bulkley, .
30
James Cregor,
George Simpson, .
25
Henry Munday,
32
Evan Morgan,
47
Richard Marsdon,
20
Robert Barber,
35
Ruth Hoskins, and land in Pickerin 36
John Low,
20
Thomas Giffin,
15
John Kid,
15
Richard Evans,
20
Richard Fowler,
.
.
FREEMEN.
John Morgan.
Henry Baker.
Joseph Parker.
Thomas Cobourn.
Erasmus Cannut.
Tax £26 0s. 5d.
THORNBURY RATE.
George Pearce, and his share in ye mill,
50
Caleb Pearce,
60
Isaac Taylor and land, 80
Thomas Evason, .
30
Joseph Evason,
24
Richard Woodward,
54
John Willis,
60
Jonathan Thatcher,
54
Henry Naile,
70
Mary Davies,
30
Jonn Yearsley, and land in Wes- town, 60
Philip Taylor,
60
Richard Evason, and land in Wes- town, 58
Wm. Pyle, and land in Kennet, 70
Joseph Branton, . 60
John Pyle,
.
60
John Moor and son, and land in Nantmel, . 30
Wm. Branton, Jr., 24
Jacob Vernon, 60
Sarah Anderson and son, 12
John Taylor,
·
50
John Willis, Jr., .
.
30
FREEMEN.
George Bostock. Walter Worrilow.
NON-RESIDENT LAND.
Richard Marsh and John Bullow, £187 Wm. Dostock, 60 .
Matthews Andrews,
18
·
Tax £18 8s. 6d.
EDGMOND RATE.
(Obliterated) Worrall, . 200
Ephraim Jackson,
·
70
Philip Yarnall,
100
Joseph Pennel,
. 100
Jonathan Hunter,
72
36
Sam" Llewis, 40
Tho WmSon, 20
Evan Howell, 27
Joseph Baker,
40
36
Philip Yarnal,
34
Nathan Evans, and land in Tre y Dyfryn,* 25
John Houlston,
35
Edward Tomson, .
24
Joseph Pratt,
24
Richard Pritchard,
26
Henry Howard,
36
James Sill,
20
Jacob Taylor,
20
Wm. Adams, 10
Joseph Bishop, 10
John Hampton, 10
Robert Long,
20
24
NON-RESIDENT LAND.
Joseph Carter,
·
30
Wm. Griffith,
.
·
15
FREEMEN.
Josiah Arnold.
Edward Grissel.
Wm. Long.
Tax £15 2s. 6d.
CONCORD RATE.
Nathaniel Newlin,
300
Nicolas Pyle,
80
Benjamin Mendenhall and share in a mill, . 80
Henry Obourn,
85
Henry Pearce,
63
Nic. Newlin,
60
John Hannam,
.
56
Joseph Nicklin,
. 43
20
47
39
David Register,
John Yarnal,
15
James Sill, .
* Valley Town.
539
APPENDIX .- NOTE G.
Ben. Mendinghall, Jr.,
£50
Jacob Melyn,
. £40
George Lea,
32
Thomas Jones,
33
Joseph Edwards, .
65 Peter Dix,
90
Thomas Marshall,
60
John West, .
10
Peter Hatton,
60
John Cam,
30
Wm. Clark,
10 .
Peter Taylor,
25
John Palmer,
30 .
John Palmer, Jr.,
40 .
John Neal, .
10
Joseph Cloud,
Daniel Calvert,
24
Joseph Cloud, Jr ,
Wm. Hannum,
18 20
Peter Kerl,
40
Alexander Henderson,
17
Gordon Walter,
30
Joshua Calvert,
50
John Newlin,
90
Thomas Powell,
26
Nat. Newlin, Jr., .
72
Sam. Bond, .
8
Robert Chamberlin,
60
Robert Chamberlin, Jr.,
24
James Howerd,
34
John Broomel, 28
Obediah Johnson,
30
James Sharpless, .
70
Jonathan Sell,
15
Jacob Vernon,
68
Henry Grest, 20
Joseph Vernon,
76
Thomas Broom,
36
John Powell,
46
Edward Milson,
22
Caleb Cowpland, .
47
Jacob Swafford,
23
Henry Hastings,
25
John Vernon, 15
Thomas Vernon and land in Marl- borough, .
. 190
FREEMEN.
Wm. Russel.
Thomas Hall,
18
Thomas Rositer, .
15
Samuel Gilpin,
26
David Eacho,
10
Humphrey Parkin,
10
Wm. Cook, .
12
Cobourn and land
in Sadsbury, 100
Moses Key and Marlboro, 90
John Dutton, 30
Thomas Dutton, 55
John Powel,
90
John Carter,
60
John Neel,
100
Joseph Richards, .
36
Zorobabel.
John Hulforde,
40
Richard Bowater.
Thomas Barnard, .
42
John Edwards.
Abraham Darlington,
40
Robert Bennet.
Thomas Woodward,
20
Jeffrey Martin.
James Widdows, .
25
Henry Grubb.
Jos. Richards, Junr.,
27
Wm. Rattue, 0
John Chamberlin,
30
Moses Martin, 10
0
Robert Caldwell, .
20
John Edge,
50
Henry Miller,
. 100
John Hall - Land,
7
John Mendenhall,
.
10
John Munyard, Land, .
.
8
John Perkins,
12
-Thomas West,
Ralph Pyle,
50
Wm. Farr,
20
Ralph Evason,
34
Wm. Armet,
15
Thomas Downing,
15
Joseph Swafford.
Lawrence Cook.
Tax £16 8s. 6d.
ASTON RATE.
Francis Pullin,
20
Thomas Cook,
12
Peter Poulson,
8
Joseph William, .
16
FREEMEN.
Richard farr.
John Hall.
UPPER AND LOWER PROVI- DENCE.
Randal Malyn,
15
Tobias Homsporker,
12
Rowland - Land,
37
.
Randal Croxson, . 36
20
46
Matthias Kerl,
30
Charles Lynn,
Thomas and Isaac Minshall, and land in Goshen, . 110
Thomas Smith,
30
50
Thomas White.
Tax £30 28. 0d.
Isaac Wms.
540
APPENDIX. - NOTE G.
FREEMEN.
Wm. Dodd.
Thomas Martin.
Richard Baxter.
Tax £12 6s. 6d.
MIDDLETOWN RATE.
Thomas Martin, £100
Catharine Fairlamb,
. 30
Edward Woodward and Land
pogue, 80
Joseph Jarvis,
0
Wm. Pennel,
. 140
Elizabeth Cookson,
30
John Edwards,
40
George Smedley, Jr.,
53
Jacob Minshall,
84
Peter Trego,
0
John Turner,
30
Tho. Goodwin, Junr.,
20
Peter Hunter, 33
Joseph Sharpless, 90
Edward Lawrence,
39
Adam Battin,
35
Joseph Cobourn, Junr., and share in ye mill, . 50
Wm Blan, 20
Price Miller, 10
Frederick England, 26
Michael Branson, 16
Sam. Baker, 20
John and Tho. Cheny,
15
Jos. England,
10
John Hanby,
10
Edward Pilinton, .
John Chapman, 14
Wm. Trego, .
20
John Newburry,
29
Peter Trego,
20
NON-RESIDENT LAND.
Thomas Barns, . . ·
.
15
Tax £14 3s. 6d.
LOWER AND UPPER CHICHESTER RATE.
Philip Roman, 80
Wm. Hughes,
46
Richard Bezar,
50
Wm. Cleaton,
60
John Fowler,
6
Joseph Bond,
30
John Rawson,
28
Thomas Howell,
34
Thomas Clayton, .
24
John Royley,
10
Philip Pedrick,
15
Robert Hannam, .
30
Robert Plumer,
20
John Bently, 10
John Cloud,
John Weldon, £12
John Wily, . 20
Alexander Easal, . 10
Abel Cleaton, 18
Edward Smout,
30
Edward Fell,
10
Hugh Loe,
John Bezar, .
100
Hance Mitchell,
4
Nathan Wood,
37
Humphrey Scarlet,
45
Daniel Brown,
Roger Shelley,
40
Jeremiah Collett,
70
Ephraim Logue, .
35
Wm. Clayton,
Frances Ruth,
36
Sam" Cowen,
15
Henry Reynolds, .
82
Francis Reynolds,
40
Ruth Chandler,
20
Matthew and Jos. Wood,
36
Edward Robinson, 40
Thomas Linvil, 30
John Renols, 35
Edward Whitacar,
26
NON-RESIDENT LAND.
Jacob Usher,
50
Daniel Cloud 200,
. 40
Tax £17 17s. 6d.
BURMINGHAM RATE.
William Brainton and Land in Sadsbury,
. 110
10 Nic. Fred, . 100
John Bennett and for Land in Marlborough, . 110
John Chads, 90
Joseph Gilpin, 60
Jacob Wright, 65
Samuel Hollingsworth, .
48
Swithin Chandler, 40
Thomas Chandler, 35
Joseph Robinson, 40
28
John Weith, 20
Magness Simonson,
24
Daniel Davies,
40
John Bockingham,
24
John Bockingham, for the estate of Edmd Plechen, 20
John Chandler, Jr.,
10
Thomas Darnel and for land in Caln, 24
Thomas Candrey, 24
Wm. Pyle, .
35
20
Mary Stephenson,
10
·
4
16
26
45
Robert Chalfant, .
541
APPENDIX .- NOTE H.
John Chalfant,
£20
Thomas Thornbury.
John Day, .
12
Joseph Willis.
James Houston,
16
Tax £19 9s. 3d.
Abraham Widdows,
24
Sam: Painter,
55
BETHEL RATE.
Providence Scot, .
20
Robert Pyle and land in Marlbo- rough. £100
Wm. Turner,
16
Thomas Gilpin,
24
Robt. Green,
Edward Pinock,
21
Benjamin Moulder, 15
Timothy Warde, .
10
Robert Booth,
40
Daniel Moore,
10
John Hopman,
30
Zabulon Cantral, .
5
John Pugh, .
25
Francis Pulin,
10
John Canaday,
24
John Grist, .
20
Wm. Ayres [Eyre],
50
FREEMEN.
Andrew Hiden.
Wm. Deny.
Edward Bezar,
60
Walter Deny.
Francis Farris,
25
Charles Turner.
Daniel Pyle, Tax £7 0s. 0d.
50
NOTE. Darby included Upper Darby, and Ridley included Tinicum in the assessment.
NOTE H .- Page 204. LOCATION OF THE EARLY COURT HOUSES.
The first Court of Upland County of which any record has been preserved, sat at the house of Neeles Laerson, which no doubt was a tavern. Its precise loca- tion is not known, but it doubtless occupied a position on the northern part of the lot marked " 2." on the old draft of Chester in the possession of Thomas Darling- ton, a fac simile of which is given at page 138. The southern part of that lot had been recently purchased by Laerson from Eusta Anderson. (See will of " Neels Laarson," Register's office, Philadelphia, Book A. No. 62.) From the uni- versal custom of the Swedes in building, it may also be concluded that the resi- dence of Laerson was very near the creek, and consequently in the immediate vicinity of the House of Defence.
The location of the House of Defence, marked A. on the annexed draft is arrived at with great precision from the description contained in a deed for the adjacent lot, from Lydia, the widow of Robert Wade, to Edward Danger, October 10th, 1699, (Deed Book, A. 270, West Chester.) Tlie credit of having first ascer- tained the location of this ancient Court House is due to Edward Armstrong, Esq., of Philadelphia. (See his note to the " Record of Upland Court" p. 202.) From the description contained in the same deed, Mr. Armstrong ingeniously and with some show of plansibility fixes the exact position occupied by the House of De- fence, which he says, " stood on the east side of, and at an angle to, the present Front Street, which was laid out after its erection, and the eastern line of which street ran through the centre of the building, from its S. E. to its N. W. corner." In my judgment, the evidence relied on by Mr. Armstrong does not warrant any very positive conclusion, as to the position of the building.
A doubt has been suggested to me by a gentleman who has given some atten- tion to this subject, whether the House of Defence was ever occupied as a Court House. The records do not say positively that it was; but in the absence of evidence of the erection of any other building for that purpose, the following facts will be sufficient to remove any reasonable doubt on the subject :
1st. At the session of the Upland Court for November, 1677, an order was
·
Edward Dutton, 49
Wm. Griffith, 30
Jacob Norbury,
20
Grace Stephenson for 400 of land
in Marlboro,
48
Joseph Pyle, 36
John House, 15
22
542
APPENDIX .- NOTE H.
made directing the fitting up and finishing the House of Defence at Upland " fitt for the Court to sitt in against ye next Court."
2nd. At the March Court, 1679, Neeles Laerson is " ordered to make or Leaue a lane or street from Upland Creeke to ye House of Defence or Country House" -the term Country House indicating that the building was dedicated to the uses of the public, and, (traveling then being nearly altogether by water,) the neces- sity of a lane from the water's edge to the building, shows that it was then being used by the people of the County.
3rd. The expenses of the sittings of the Courts are considerably reduced after the order for fitting up the House of Defence ; and in making an order in respect to a small levy that had been previously authorized by the Court, they speak only of defraying " their charges of meat and lodgeing att their sitting." [Record of Upland Conrt, p. 120.]
4th. An order issued by Governor Andros in October, 1678, in respect to Quit-rents, is directed to be published " and sett up at the Court houses of Up- land, New Castle and Whoorkill in the Delaware." (New Castle Records. )
5th. At a Monthly Meeting of Friends held " at Chester," the 11th of the seventh month, 1682, (before the arrival of the Proprietary,) it was agreed to hold a meet- ing every first day of the week " at the Court house at Chester."
This last fact is alike conclusive that there was then at Upland a building well known as " the Court Ilouse," which could hardly be any other than the House of Defence, as it is that the town had been called Chester before it authoratively re- ceived that name from the Proprietary.
The second Court House was erected in 1684-5, and its location is established by a deed from Robert Wade and wife to Henry Hollingsworth, executed in October, 1695. This deed describes the lot as " directly opposite to the old Court House fronting the said Chester street." The location of this Court house is marked B on the draft. A jail was erected at the same time, but there is reason to believe that it was built nearer the creek, and that the street was laid out between the two buildings. The same deed recites that the northern line of the lot it describes, passes back from the street " along the south side of the newly erected Court House." Henry Hollingsworth, who was a Friend, was dealt with by the meeting the same year, "for cutting the eves of the new prison." Besides this fact there is evidence in abundance that there was a prison as well as a Court House erected on the lot next north of the lot conveyed by Robert Wade and wife to Henry Hollingsworth. A Court House and prison were erected on that lot about the year 1694, the site of which is marked C on the draft. They probably occupy nearly the site of the prison erected in 1684-5.
The deed last mentioned establishes another important fact. The lot conveyed by it is described as having " a passage six foot broad on the south side" extend- ing from the street to the creek. This passage, now built up, is marked a on the plot. Its location, nearly opposite the House of Defence leaves little room to doubt that this passage is the identical lane that Neeles Laerson was directed by the Upland Court to leave open.
The next Court House, erected in 1724, still serves the purpose of a Town Hall for the borough of Chester. In 1725, the lot with the Court House and prison, marked C, was sold in pursuance of an Act of Assembly. In 1686, there was an apparent sale made by the Court on behalf of the County of Chester to Robert Wade, of the Court House and prison built in 1684-5, but this was pro- bably a mere pledge of the property to secure money that had been advanced, and was in the nature of a mortgage. James Sandelandes, at the same Court offered a piece of land to the County, on which to erect a Court House and prison, but this offer does not appear to have been accepted at that time, for the next Court House marked C, was erected on land purchased from John Hoskins, and in which it does not appear that James Sandelandes ever had any title.
The records of the Court show that John Simcock had purchased the Court House marked B, in 1696. But this sale was made without authority of law. An act of Assembly was obtained, giving the necessary authority, and a sale was effected to the same purchaser on the 6th of the 3rd month, (May) 1702, but be- fore the conveyance was completed, he died. In his will, proved April 24th,
一
Street
Graham St.
E
BA
Street
Front
Street
D
h
e
b
f
Filbert
James
CREEK
CHESTER
DRAFT OF THE FIRST SETTLED PART
CHESTER.
Bowen & Co. Lith. Philada.
543
APPENDIX .- NOTE I.
1703, he devised this property to his son-in-law, Ralph Fishborn, but it required a second Act of Assembly to assure a perfect title to him.
FURTHER EXPLANATION OF THE ANNEXED DRAFT.
b. A passage six and a half feet wide mentioned in all the conveyances of lots adjoining it.
D. The site of the first Friends' Meeting-house at Chester, that passed under the name of "the old Assembly House." The lot purchased by the Friends in 1688 from Urin Keen, the father-in-law of James Sandelandes, was built on by the Friends about the year 1693, and was sold by the Friends in 1736 to - Russell.
c. A strip of ground bought of Jonas Sandelands by Friends in 1712 to enlarge their lot. Sold to Russell in 1736.
e. Urin Keen's " lot or garden" mentioned in his conveyance to the Friends. It extended to the dotted line.
f. The lot conveyed by Robert Wade and wife to Henry Hollingsworth in 1694. Wade's title was from Neels Laerson in 1687.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.