USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 105
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As respects the formation of townships and local government, it appears no change worth noting is ob- served until the passage of the act of March 24, 1803, which instructs that "the several Courts of Quarter Sessions of the Peace of the commonwealth of Penn- sylvania, in their respective counties, shall, from aud after the passing of this act, have authority, npon application by petition to them made, to erect new
townships, to divide any township already erected or to alter the lines of any two or more adjoining towu- ships so as to suit the convenience of the inhabitants thereof, and the several courts in their respective counties, upon application so as aforesaid made to them, are hereby authorized and required to appoint three impartial men, if necessary, to inquire into the propriety of granting the prayer of the petition, and it shall be the duty of said men so appointed, or any two of them, to make a plot or draft of the township proposed to be divided, and the division line proposed to be made therein, or of the township proposed to be laid off, or of the lines proposed to be altered, or of any two or more adjoining townships, as the case may be, all of which they, or any two of them, sball report to the next Court of Quarter Sessions, together with their opinion of the same, and, at the court after that to which the report shall be made, the court shall confirm or set aside the same, as shall appear to them just and reasonable." This act still remains in force, and by it all townships in the State have been formed down to the present time.
By the act of April 6, 1802, two supervisors of public roads are elected annually, in the several townships, on the third Saturday of March. To this were added, in 1807, an assessor and two inspectors. The act of March 20, 1810, permitted the election of "two re- spectable citizens for constables, whereof the Court of Quarter Sessions should appoint one." This singular mode was a return to the colonial system of the Penns, as pursued in the election and appointment of sheriffs and coroners. Through the new Constitution of 1839 a considerable change was made; the offices of justices of the peace, constable, two supervisors, assessor, assistant assessor, auditor, treasurer and clerk were established in every township and elected by the voters thereof, to which were afterwards added school directors. The first election was held the third Friday in March, 1840, which day has been changed to February. Never before has local government pos- sessed such an influence and power as now, or so thoroughly recognized the choice to lie in the people, an idea which had no existence under the proprietary sway of almost a century.
The power to erect boroughs was vested entirely in the Penn family, and remained thus until the Revolution, when it was contided to the Legislature of the State, in whom it continued until the act of April 1, 1834. This act authorized Courts of Quarter Ses- sions, with the concurrence of the grand jury of the respective counties, "to incorporate any town or vil- lage within their respective jurisdiction containing not less than three hundred inhabitants." The act of April, 1851, abolished the clause limiting the popula- lation, which is to be regretted, and has led, in conse- quence, to dissatisfaction from the expense entailed on the government of insignificant places. An additional act was passed in June, 1871, to arrest hurried proceed- ings, which required that due mention of such applica-
29
450
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
tions be published in at least one newspaper not less than thirty days before such petition should be presented. In all cases a draft or plot of the town to be incorpo- rated must be filed in the office of the clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions and also of all intended enlarge- ments or extensions of existing boroughs. Norris- town was originally incorporated in 1812, Pottstown 1815, Conshohocken 1850, and Bridgeport in 1851 by special acts of Assembly. The remaining and later boroughs, of course, have been authorized by the Courts of Quarter Sessions, also townships, wards and elec- tion and school districts.
In concluding this subject, from the researches made on the history of our several township and bor- ough organizations, we have been impressed with one hitherto great neglect, the importance of which can- not be too soon remedied,-in the surveys of all the townships prior to the Revolution the number of acres is invariably given, but since then not a township or even a single borough has been returned with its area in acres. Even in the change made in 1876 of a portion of the boundary line between Whitemarsh and Springfield, no estimate whatever is given of the number of acres which were taken from the latter township. When the history of Montgomery County was prepared, in 1858, the author was desirious of knowing the number of
acres taken from Plymouth by the extension of the borough of Norristown five years previous. To ascer- tain so important and interesting a fact iu local his- tory he was obliged to make the calculation him- self in what he deemed as the most convenient mode. His estimate, as may be seen in said work, was about one hundred and fifty-eight acres ; although this has been since repeatedly published as correct, yet it was not official nor made by a special survey. It is hoped in the future that this matter will no lon- ger be overlooked by the proper authorities. Further, that all the boundary lines may be gone over as near as possible after the early surveys, and at all cor- ners aud at certain intervals square white marble stones be placed to designate the proper lines, and that all the township and borough areas be then given as to the number of acres they respectively contain. This, if accomplished, will serve several valuable pur- poses, particularly to assessors and collectors and also to supervisors of highways, as well as determining more satisfactorily in numerous cases road and farm boundaries.
The following tables have been prepared only after a long period of time has been spent in securing the information, a considerable portion of them being now published for the first time :
A Tubular Statement of the several Townships and Boroughs of Montgomery County, with the date of their Formation, Ires, Population and Election Districts and Wurils.
TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS.
DATE.
FORMED FROM.
ACRES.
1800. 1810. 1820. 1830. 1840. 1850. 1860.
1871. 1880.
Elec. Dists.
and Wards.
Abington
Before 1704
Original
10,100: 1,080
1,236
1.453 1,521
1,704 1,836 2,058 2,440 2.185
Bridgeport Borough
Feb. 27, 1851 . Upper Merion
Cheltenham
. 1684 . Original.
Conshohocken Borough
May 15, 1850 . Piymonth and Whitemarsh June, 1736 . . John Penn's Manor, 17DI
9,600 1,297
in'T
1,000 1,265 1,579 1,304 1,676
331
Franconia
March, 1731 . Salford, 7440 acres
9,520
bili
İş :
1.412 1,580 1.571 1.070 200 2041
1
Ilatfield
March, 1742 . Original, est. 631
acres
7.100
520
781
938: 1,021
1,086; 1,182 1,336 1,323 1,382 1,315
1
Jenkintown Borough
Dec. S. 1874. Abington
248
.
1.282 1,377
1,743
1,780 2,165 2.413 2,600 2,365
Lower Merion .
November, 1805 Providence, March, 1729
9,1431
904
1,140
1,193
830
1,141
1,207 1,473
1,545
1,828
1
1
1 1
1
Pottsgrove
Ang. 20. 1806 . Donglas and New Hanover .
11.600
1,571
1,882 1,302
1,36]
1,689
1,853' 2,895 3,084
Pottstown Borough
Feb. 6, 1815 . Pottsgrove
268
. .
676
721
1,664 2,380.
4,125 5,305
Royer's Ford Borough
June 14, 1879 . Limerick
4,013
550.
488
571
660
763
1,137
1.209. 1,282
Upper Dublin
Before 1719 . . Abington
14,760
738
925
1,273
1,300,
1,417
1,741 2,125 2,197
2.408
I
Upper Merion
Upper Providence
March, 1741 . Salford, 1727
12.755
836
1,008
1,108 1,301
1,224
1,351
1,402
1,330
1,429 2
Worcester
March, 1733 . Original, 8000 acres
10,080
7*2
868
977: 1,135
1,200
1,4531 1,667 1,587
1,641
1 11223 3
East Greenville Borough
Sept. 6. 1875 . Upper Hanover .
180
Frederick
March, 1730 . Original .
697
828
027 1,047 1,217 1,131 1,783 1,818 1,944
Green Lane Borough
Dec. 10, 1875 . Marlborough
154
187
Gwynedil
1702. Original
12,150
906
999
1.1,500
1,422
1,935
2,256 2,524
2,827 3,517 4,123 4,886 6,2%;
Lower Providence
March. 1741 . Salford, 7400 acres
2,5001
645
839
952
1,140
2,162
2,34x 2,236
2,207
1,746
Montgomery
1714 . Original
540
580
71
911
1,009
971
1.473 1,900
1,905
Norristown Borough
March 31, 1812 Norriton and Plym
2,300
N27
1,080
2,937
6,1124
8,84> 10,753 13,163
Norriton
September, 1730 Williamstadt Manor, 17+ 4
5,200 100
:122
1,336 1,008
1,139
1,411
1,594
1.400.
1,335
1,368 1 1
North Wales Borough
Aug. 20, 1869 . Gwynedd
407
673
Perkiomen
September, 172 Skippark & Van Bebber's, 1713
11,440
902 1,1.40
1,2278
1,485
1,840 2,056
2,015
Plymonth
July, 1686 . . Original
5,153
572
895
928 1,001
1,417
1,622 1,383
-43
1.222
1,535
Towamencin
March, 1728 . Original, 5500 acres
8.840
7444 1,050
1.250
1,292 1,322 1,330 1,437 1,8> 1.550
Upper Hanover
June, 1736 . Before 1714 . . Part Manor of Mount Joy November, 1805 Providence, 1729 .
10,200
1,150
1,285
1,6181
1.082 2,244
2,457 2,823 3,202 3,502
Upper Salford
West Conshohocken Borongh Oct. 6, 1874 . . Upper and Lower Mer
8,857
1,085
1,328
1,60]
1,9:24
2,079 2,408 3,048 3,151
3,239
Whitpain
1701. Original
8,640
771
955
1,126
1,137
Totals
24,150 29,703 35,793 39,406 |47,241 58,291 70,500 81,612 96,494 65
1
Lansdale Borough
Ang. 24, 1-72 . Gwynedd and Hatfield
269
Limerick
1722. Manatawny
14,101
Lower Salford
March, 1741 . Salford, 1727, 8165 acres
8,936|
558
-31
Moreland
Located 16-4 . Original Manor
10,9160
1,282 1,692 1,890, 2,044
New Hanover
1724 . Original
12,960
1,505
1,065
1,320 1,344
1,413 1,961
1,57%
1,572
1,586
1
1 1
Springfield
Located 1694 . G. Maria Penn's Maner
1,100
416 473
993
12,005
1,395
1,070
Whitemarsh
1704. Original
1,440 1,684 1,705 1,860
1,462
1
1 1 1 1
Ilatboro' Borough
Aug. 26, 1871 . Moreland
89. 1,135 1,310 1,512
1,694
Horsham
1717 . Original
9,966
·
.
×10 708
1 1
1684 . Original .
5:24
Marlborongh
1,174 1.332
1,303
1,212
7,170
. .
1.419
1,635
572 1,011 1,578 1,802
956 934 1,053, 1,292 1,981 2,462 3,236
727 1.741 3,0071 4,56]
Douglas
1.183 1.270 1,579 1,959 2,556
922
558
1
Original
2,804 2,238 3,427 3,870 3,275
1,689 2,025 1,916
I
POPULATION.
451
POST-OFFICES.
A Tubular Statement of the several Townships und Boroughs of Montgomery County, with the Number of their Land-Holders, Tarables, and .Imount of Taxable Property.
1785.
18x2.
TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. h'Id'rs
and
Taxa-
Slaves
Tan- Grist- Saw- Mills. Mills. neries.
HI'rses Cattle
Tar- erns.
Taxa- bles.
Taxa- bles.
H'rses l'attle
Val. Real Amt. Tax. Av. pr. Estate.
Property. T'x'bl
Abington
42
92
4
276
310
2 300
613
545
605
695,525
731,740 1656
Cheltenhamı
1
14%
213
373
335
2,531,(0)
2,721,970 3945
Conshohocken Borough
14-4
1,946,655
2.081,555 1x69
Douglas
280
2015
3.54
$30,790 162,36h
179,751
15,6
Franconia
153
190
515
1116
1,273,400
1,441,150| 2157
Frederick
76
16
208
470
2メら
576
496
1114
1.617,212
1,728,547
З(КК)
Hatboro' Boroug!
149
#11
トラン
302
703
1,0118,890)
1,105,605 2393
Horshanı
302
69
12
3×3.495
425,370
1623
Limerick
2015
329
315
646
471
1282
1.341,405
1,461,515 2962
Lower Merion
[0]
245
298
522
1508
:30
IGOT
4.566,499
4.848,969
3212
Lower Providence
414
1243
1.179,92%
1.271,988
3553
Lower Salford
145
24.7
1
450
453
1,050,225
1,220,218
2711
Marlborough
139
1×6
19,
301
1×8
342.375
348,790
1245
Montgomery
4
132
2114
1
1:1
241
251
713,250
768,705
3150
Moreland
125
19
10
313
373
323
441
1087
882,143
911,564
6,310,203 6,774,173 1722
Norristown Borough
1×1
209
245
4:24
912
1,116,001
1,201,931
2×34
North Wales Borough
215
5
310,805
336,785
1566
Perkiomen
16
46
150
15ti
228
437
25.5
408
1.11,485
1,225,584
Pottagrove
252
1109
224
13
2,1×1,363
2,744,741
1487
Royer's Ford Borough
1229
4
166
352
33×
1,522.100
1,600,830
4547
Towamencin
32
117
165
163
313
337
~47,735
920,235 2968
Upper Dublin
77
193
235
1
293
534
661
1,652, 192
1,652,402 3094
Upper Hanover
251
3.81
1
2TM
595
111×
1,193,368
1.301,604
2187
Upper Merion .
192
216
3
360
745
365
1044
1,812,0-45
1,935,840 2598
Upper Providence
175
267
1
250
403
421
1035
$70,180
07.4,230
2429
West Conshohocken Borough
231
36
$40,850
679,035
2939
Whitemarsh
>23
544
$74
2,24,915 2,454,050
2981
Whitpain .
24
50
1
175
246
1
402
428
967
1,265,50
1,3×4,430 3443
Worcester
TO
1
190
311
249
1518
1,34,230
1,4×5,250
3235
37
1047
721,155
$16,265
1736
Green Lane Borongh
32
75,005
83,965' 1463
Gwynedd
179
85
377,725
400.340
2282
Hatfield
428
735
1,34$,390
530,039
5×4,270
1934
Lansdale Borough
23.
358
510
479
1.807,465
1.787.255
3504
New Hanover
1
5
3
303
231
3934
4.5%
16-
1.678,50
1,856,361
1684
Pottstown Borough
212
34
310,930
356,214
1680
Springfield
2,239,045
2,430,840|
2876
Upper Salford.
246
5
379
.
Post Offices.1-Our modern requirements and ne- Pennsylvania, issued an order in July, 1683, for the cessities have certainly made the post-office an im- portant place to every hamlet, village and town. To lack in this is to be wanting in one of the ele- ments of business prosperity to which, however hum- ble, every place aspires. Besides, there is the amount of intelligence and information which it conveys, and which contributes not a little to the diffusion of knowledge. The post-office of a country village to a close observer of human nature affords an interesting. place of study ; we mean on the immediate arrival and opening of the mails, by watching the actions and countenances of the various individuals the. 1. hť
together. Generally silent, and looking inquiring y and anxiously. The result is, while a few depart pleased, others are disappointed or distressed. Ah 1 those little silent messages, that so wonderfully through education, enable us, however distant, to still hold intercourse with each other ! How often to their receivers the source of pleasure or pain! Then there are, too, the newspapers and magazines ; with what haste are their wrappers torn off, and their con- tents devoured ! Yet this is but a common every-day occurrence at a post-office.
William Penn, as proprietary and Governor of
establishment of a post-office, and granted Henry Wally, of Tacony, authority to hold one, and supply passengers from Philadelphia to the Falls and New Castle. The rate of postage on letters from the Falls to the city was three-pence, to Chester five-pence, and to New Castle seven-pence. A trip was made once a week. Colonel Andrew Hamilton was postmaster- general of the province for several years, receiving for his services an annual salary from the Assembly. It was not till after the reorganization of our present government, in 1789, that Congress established post- offices and made the requisite arrangements for the transportation of the mail. Like everything else in the beginning, it was at first a slow and crude affair, and, from the nature of circumstances, could not be expected to have that dispatch that now distinguishes it. Then a letter from Boston to Philadelphia was longer on its journey than now from either of those cities to Europe. The time for railroad travel, ocean steamboat navigation and magnetic telegraphs had not come. In November, 1796, there were but five hundred and two post-offices in the United States and thirty-three in Pennsylvania. .
During the colonial period but three post-offices were established in this State,-namely, at Philadelphia, Chester and Bristol,-and not one within the present
1 By Wm. J. Buck.
443
49
Bridgeport Borough
1734 Land-
1741. 1-
1882.
Ten'ts' bles.
82,493,455 $2.655,380 $4331
East Greenville Borough
114
1110
941,830 1304
1,447,020 3320
Jenkintown Boronghi
Norriton
1
319
952
5xx
1552
1.716,195
1,890,300 2851
Plymouth
341
1×45
326
845
1630
270
267
202
355
430
35
155
452
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
limits of Montgomery or Chester Counties. In 1791 the number had increased in Pennsylvania to ten. The first in this county was established at Pottstown in October, 1793, and Jacob Barr was appointed post- master. The next wasa few years afterwards at Norris- town, of which John Davis was postmaster in 1799. Surprising to relate, so slow was their introduction that the whole number in the country in 1819 was only 3618. The postage charged in 1805 for single let- ters, for 40 miles or less, was 8 cents ; under 90 miles, 10 cents; under 150 miles, 17 cents ; and under 500 miles, 20 cents; while now the reduction has become so great that for two cents a letter can be sent anywhere over the United States, which in some cases may require a distance of three thousand miles of travel, equiva- lent to the distance to Europe across the Atlantic Ocean. The extension of settlement, a denser popu- lation and such greatly improved means of travel and transportation have jointly aided to bring about the present greatly reduced rates, the tendency of which is to greatly increase correspondence over pre- vious years as well as the circulation of newspapers, magazines and books, thus showing that we do, indeed, live in a reading age.
Among the manuscripts of Mrs. Ferguson, of Hors- ham, was found an article written in 1787, entitled " An Old Woman's Meditations on an old Family Clock," from which we take an extract relative to the postal facilities of the neighborhood at that date,-
"Since my clock and 1 have passed our days in retirement, how fre- quently, for the want of a post nigh, on the evening of a market day, when expecting a letter from the metropolis filled with wit, sentiment or affection, or all united in one, have I with impatience numbered your strokes, or still more ardently longed for the epistle that had crossed the Atlantic, whose valne was appreciated as danger and distance had en- deared it to the longing receiver."
We perceive by this that she was at that date de- pendent on her neighbors going to the city for her mail facilities, the post-office there being a distance of eighteen miles.
Prior to 1800 the total number of post-offices in Montgomery County was 2; in 1819, 11; in 1827, 20; in 1832, 29; in 1851, 51; in 1858, 61; in 1871, 85; in 1876, 92 ; and in 1883, 112.
Post-Offices prior to 1816.
Hatboro', Horsham, Jenkintown, Norristown, Puttsgrove, Sumney- town, Swamp Churches, Whitemarsh, Willow Grove, Trappe,
1816-27 .- Barren Hill, Bird-in-Hand, Evansburg, Montgomery Square, New Goschenhoppen, Plymouth, Pottstown, Beesville, Shannonville, Skippack, Upper Dublio.
1827-32 .- Centre Square, Franconia, Gulf Mills, Gwynedd, Hillegas, Jeffersonville, Kulusville, Limerick, New Hanover, Perkiomen Bridge, Pleasantville, Spring House, Union Square, Upper Hanover, Upper Merion, Worcester.
1832-51 .- Abington, Blue Bell, Conshohocken, Crooked Hill, Douglas, Edge Hill, Fairview village, Frederick, General Wayne, Harleysville, Huntingdon Valley, King of Prussia, Limerick Bridge, Lower Merion, Montgomeryville, Norritouville, Pennsburg, Penn Square, Plymouth Meeting. l'ort Kennedy, Purt Providence, Royer's Ford, Salfordville, Schwenk's Store, Sorrel Horse, Tylersport.
1851-58 .- Broad Axe, Cabinet, Cheltenham, Eagleville, Fitzwatertown, Gilbertsville, Hoppenville, Hickorytown, Prospectville, Shoemakertown. 1858-71 .- Bridgeport, Collegeville, Fagleysville, Flourtown, Grater's
Ford, Green Lane, Half-Way, Hatfield, Jarrettown, Lansdale, Lederachs- ville, Limerick Station, Line Lexington, Lower Providence, North Wales, Oaks, Overbrook, Palm, Penllyn, Perkiomenville, Red Hill, Souder's Station, Three Tous, Waverly Heights, William Penn, Zeiglersville.
1871-76 .- Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Colmar, Davis Grove, East Greenville, Eureka, Haverford College, Hendricks, Hartranft, Klein's, Merion, Pleasant Run, Sonderton, Schwenksville, Swedeland, Telford.
1876-83 .- Academy, Ashbourne, Belfry, Cedars, Charlton, Creamery, Fort Washington, Gehman, Hartranft, Hoyt, Iron Bridge, Mainland, Mingo, Niantic, Obelisk, Pencoyd, Providence Square, Rosemont, Rudy, Weldon, West Point, Wynnewood, Yerkes.
The aforesaid increase is really suprising, and it will be observed that from 1871 to the present time it has averaged upwards of three per annum. With the present reduced rates of letter postage the business must keep increasing. We confess, however, that for reform and improvement in postal facilities we have now for some time been the followers of the British sys- tem. We owe to them, through the example set us, the introduction ofstamps, postal cards and lower rates. In Great Britain, for some time, authors have been permit- ted to send their manuscripts to publishers at newspa- per rates by leaving one end of the package open. Here such are compelled to pay the rates of letter postage, which is a serious expense to those who are required to write on but one side of the paper. The result of this is to compel authors to forward their manuscript by express, to thegreat emolument of those companies and a loss to the government. In either respect this is a great disadvantage to the sender. When the author resides in the country, and wishes to communi- cate with his publisher in the city, though near a post- office, yet he may be many miles from an express- office, to which he is compelled to go in order to send his parcel, unless he pays letter rates for it by mail, which is sixty-four cents per pound. In either case, it will be observed, considerable unnecessary expense is incurred, to the great detriment of authors. It is time that a more liberal policy be pursued here to- wards the encouragement of literature.
With our present easy and frequent mail facilities and numerous post-offices, the disadvantages labored under formerly can be best understood by the follow- ing announcement of letters not called for remaining at Norristown, October 4, 1799, as advertised by John Davis, postmaster, which we give verbatim :
"Charles Polaski, Esq. (3), Miss Ann Little, Nockamixon : Messrs. George and Andrew Stewart (merchants), Maurice Stephans, Esq., Dr. Charles Moore, Montgomery township ; William Orr, Chester County ; Nathaniel Boileau, Esq., near the Billet ; William Boyd, care of A. Crawford (3), Robert Morrison, James Mclntire, Lower Merion town- ship, 2; William Paine, Cornelius Fornoston, Andrew Todd, Trap; Mordecai Moore, Sen., Great Valley ; Cadwallader Roberts Stephen, Love Mayson, Horsham township, 2; David Rittenhouse, Jacob Long- aker to the care of A. Darragh, William M'Cray, Benjamin Shultz, U'pper Hanover ; Daniel Jourdan, near the Billet ; William Dill, Merion township; Jocob Bittle, Mrs. Berey de Sebert, Trap ; Conrad Zorns, Margaret Duff."
Several to whom those letters were addressed must have resided above sixteen miles distant, and in one instance all of thirty-five miles. The first newspaper was published in Norristown in 1799, and the second in 1801. In 1810 the number was only two within
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the county, in 1831 it had increased to five, in 1840 to six, and in 1858 to eight. Such were the limited mail facilities that for some time, at first, the aforesaid newspapers were chiefly delivered by regular carriers throughout the county, employed to make weekly trips for this purpose by the several publishers, which entailed some expense. It is very probable that even as late as 1840 one-half of the entire number were conveyed thus or by stage lines. Since the in- troduction of railroads and the reduction of news- paper postage the mails have been more and more resorted to, until now we believe that within the county the "paper-carrier" or the "post-rider," as he was respectively called, has become a matter of the past, the deliveries for their patrons being chiefly made in packages to stores, inns, mills and mechanic shops, or the road-side box, placed there on purpose for this accommodation, where no house stood near.
Roads.1-As an index to the progress of settlement roads have considerable to do, as well as with the development of a country's resources. We introduce this subject with the idea of shedding light upon the obscurity that somewhat environs our earliest his- tory down to a period when more ample materials exist. The first highway for travel by land in this State was the road leading from the Swedish and Dutch settlements below Philadelphia to New York. We find this road in 1677 called the "King's Path." and extending through the present towns of New Castle, Wilmington, Chester and Bristol to the Falls, where the Delaware was crossed in canoes. Over- seers for the same were appointed by the court at l'pland March 14, 1681, to serve for one year, to whom were respectively assigned particular portions, which were to be put in order before the last day of May. , a number as they shall use, except one horse;" the This would show that at a remarkably early period the matter was receiving some attention, and at a time when the population must have been necessarily very sparse and Philadelphia as yet unknown.
William Peun, in his " Frame of Government" for the Province of Pennsylvania, adopted the 20 of Second Month, 1682, in section 8th, states "That the Governor and Provincial Council shall at all times settle and order the situation of all cities and market- towns in every county, modeling thereon all public buildings, streets and market-places, and shall appoint all necessary roads and highways in this province and: territories thereof." In his "Conditions and Conces- sions to First Purchasers" he provides "that the sur- veyors shall consider which roads and highways will be necessary for the cities, towns, or through the lands. Great roads from city to city, not to contain less than forty feet in breadth, shall be first laid out and de- clared to be for highways before the dividend of acres be laid out for the purchaser, and the like observation to be had for the streets in the towns and cities, that there may be convenient roads and streets preserved,
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