Area History: Chapter 2 - Part III Vol II - Watson's Annals of Philadelphia And Pennsylvania, 1857 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by EVC. USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ ANNALS of PHILADELPHIA AND PENNSYLVANIA, VOL. II ______________________________________________ Chapter 2. PENNSYLVANIA INLAND -- Part III FRANKFORD. There has been an opinion prevalent about Frankford village, that it derives its name from "Frank", a black fellow, and his "ford", where he kept a ferry for passengers on foot; but, besides its looking too artificial to be true, there are obvious reasons against that cause of its name. It is called Frankford creek in Holmes' map, in 1682. I see it as early as 1701, referred to in a public petition concerning a road under the name of Frankford besides, it lies on the creek, the Indian Wingohocking, which comes from the "Frankford Company's land" in Germantown. It was their proper water passage to the river. Jonathan Dickinson in 1715, writing respecting Fairman's land at "Frankford creek" says, "a ford there will be very needful, and very expensive, as the winds drive the water from the Delaware over much marshy land". [Thomas Fairman had been a surveyor, who dwelt at the Treaty tree.] For two hundred and twenty acres he offers £400. It falls short in the survey thirty-seven acres, thus showing how vaguely it was first done. He says it cannot be surveyed on the marsh [now all converted into productive meadows, &c.] till the winter, so as to go over it on the ice. He states that one hundred loads of timber were cut off it, since it was untenanted in the last winter, by moonlight night. Thus there were great depredators then ! They probably cut it for staves and ship timber. In the year 1814, Christopher Kuhn, at Frankford, in digging a cellar foundation for a small store house on Kinsey and Hilles' present tanyard, came to a pot of old coin, hid perhaps by pirates. This tanyard, on the Frankford creek, was close to the bank where it is high; and at three feet depth, he came to an earthen vessel highly glazed, which held about half a pint, and contained one hundred pieces of various sizes and shapes of silver coin. None of it was left to be shown to me; the whole having been sold soon after to the silversmiths as old silver ! On questioning him as to their character, he stated that there were many cut pieces of the size which would remain in cutting quarters and halves of dollars into sections of four pieces each. He observed dates to some as much as three hundred years old. One piece was as large as a crown, and was square. Two pieces had a tree on one side, and were marked Massachusetts; such a coin I have myself of the year 1652. On the whole the vessel contained quite a treasure for a collector, and yet none were saved. The aged Giles Gillingham, who died at Frankford in 1825, at the age of 93 years, said that when he was a boy, it was quite common with him to play with Indian boys in the neighbourhood. Frankford then had but very few houses, and was often called Oxford, after the name of its township. About the time of Braddock's defeat, there came an Indian from a distance, blowing a horn as he entered the Indians' place; they soon went off with him, and were no more seen near the place. The Frankford mill, now possessed by Mr. Duffield, was originally used as a mill by the Swedes before Penn landed. The earliest house in the place, now T.W. Duffield's, near the same mill, was deeded to Yeamans Gillingham by Penn's commissioners in 1696. The "Swedes' mill" was probably a saw mill, as wind mills were first used for grist. It appears, by the minutes of council, that the inhabitants of Frankford petition, in 1726, that the road may be altered so as to have but one bridge in use, instead of the two then existing. Some very old tombstones are still in existence near Crescentville, in Bristol township, on the country seat of James N. Dickson, which have been intended to designate the remains of a mother and her two sons of the name of Price, of Welsh origin, who died there in 1702. They were members of the community of Seventh-day Baptists -- the same which afterwards took the name of Keithian Baptists, from their union in sentiment with George Keith, who had been a Friend. They owed their origin to Abel Noble, who arrived in 1684, and formed a society of Baptists in Upper Providence, Chester county, where he baptized Thomas Martin, a public Friend, and others. This last, as a public minister, baptized Rees Price, in 1697. In the year 1702, Rees and John Price and others, built a meeting house in Oxford township, on a lot given to them by Thomas Graves; but neglecting to get their deed in due time, it came to pass that the Episcopalians got both the lot and house -- the same premises on which now stands the Oxford Episcopal church. The tomb stones referred to are thus inscribed, to wit : No. 1. __________ FOR THE MEMORY FOR ELIZABETH PRICE WHO DIED AVGVST THE 1ST 1697 No. 2. No. 3. ____________ ____________ FOR FOR THE MEMORY THE MEMORY OF JOHN OF REES PRICE WHO PRICE WHO DIED JVNE THE DIED JVLY 11TH DAY 1702 THE 17 DAY AGED 20 1702 YEARS AGED 23 YEARS Back of No. 2 Back of No. 3. This YOVNG man was These are first So much with sence indved Thats in this Dust i say That of his own and Gods sabbath kept Brothers Death contlvde To wit ye seventh Day. Saying Dear Brother in faith they DY'D This know well Do i Here side by side remain "Twill not be long Till Christ shall come Before we both must die. To raise them up again. It may not be inappropriate to mention another old tombstone of the same vicinity. It is one to the memory of Ralph Sandiford, and is now in the possession of Jesse Griffith, at the place where R. Sandiford was buried -- at Sandy hill -- on the Bustletown road. The stone, to some, will be regarded as a curiosity, because he was a Friend, and was withal the early protestant against negro slavery -- to wit : __________________ IN MEMORY OF RALPH SANDIFORD SON OF JOHN SANDIFORD OF LIVERPOOL. HE BORE A TESTIMONY AGAINST THE NEGRO TRADE, AND DYED YE 28th OF YE 3D MONTH 1732, AGED 40 YEARS. ______________________ BYBERRY This township was settled as early as Philadelphia itself. The first Englishman who explored it were four brothers of the name of WALTON, who had landed at New Castle, and set out on foot to make their discoveries and choice of location. When they came to Byberry, they were much pleased with a spot of open grass land, and determined to make it their permanent home. They soon got a few acres into wheat, although they had to go back as far as Chester to procure their seed. These were soon after joined by other settlers, among whom were Comly, Carter, Rush, and others, ---- the latter named was the ancestor of the distinguished Dr. Rush. The greater part of the first settlers were Friends, which for numerous years afterwards gave to the country the ascendency of Friends' principles and manners. It was therefore, for many years, the preferred spot of visitation for the remaining Indians, numbers of whom used to gather annually from Edge Pillock and other places in New Jersey, forming little colonies, which would set down at favourite places in the woods, and subsist a while on the land turtle they could catch, and the game they could kill. In these woods they gathered their supply of materials for making baskets, spoons, and ladles, bows and arrows, &c., and saying, as their apology, that their forefathers had reserved such rights in their disposal of the territory. The people were too kind to them to dispute their privilege, and they continued to visit, unmolested, until the period of the revolution. The frank and generous hospitality of the Indians to the original settlers deserved a kind and generous return. The descendants of the original settler, (Carver), have told me of a striking case of kindness. When his family was greatly pinched for bread-stuff, and knew of none nearer than Chester or New Castle, they sent out their children to some neighbouring Indians, intending to leave them there until they could have food for them at home; but the Indians took off the boys' trowsers, tied the legs full of corn, and sent them back thus seasonably loaded. Byberry is remarkable for having been once destined as the location of Philadelphia city ! At the lower or southern side of the mouth of the Poquessink creek is a pretty elevation of table land, conforming to the line of the river Delaware, covered with a range of pine trees and others, intermixed, and showing now a primitive state and character, such as we understand Philadelphia itself originally had. Our youth who pass it in the steamboats should observe it. This site had once been surveyed and plotted as Philadelphia; and circumstances, for numerous years afterwards, caused it to be called popularly, "Old Philadelphia." It is now a part of the country seat of Mr. Morgan; --- and his present mansion, altered and repaired, was once celebrated as "the bake house", at which, on a large scale, biscuit were baked for sea service, and for the continental army. So many of the descendants of the primitive inhabitants still occupy in prosperity the places of their forefathers, and give perpetuity to the names of so many original settlers, that it is gratifying now, to ride through their townshhip, and to witness the comforts enjoyed by them. This love of visiting and contemplating places filled with local impressions, generated by the events and doings of our forefathers, is one of the strongest and purest feelings of our nature, and one which we wish to foster, with warm hearted interest, in these pages. It flings over the imagination a delightful spell, where fancy draws those pictures of the past, more homebred, social and endearing, when viewed glimmering through the mist of years. With thoughts like these, we are prompted to add, in conclusion, some extracts from a letter written with pathos and feeling by the celebrated Dr. Rush, to the Hon. John Adams --- his warm and social friend, on the occasion of his visit to Byberry, in 1812, to see the old HOMESTEAD, and to revive the images of his childhood and departed kindred; --- even its length, in this place, will be excused by those who know how to appreciate such pure emotions, so prompted by country and home. Such feelings are full of poetry and sensibility, and may some day present to some future Byberry poet, the theme of a touching poem ! When silent time, with lightly foot, Had trod o'er fifty years, He sought again his native spot With grateful thoughts and tears;-- When he drew nigh his ancient home His heart beat all the way,-- Each place he pass'd seem'd still to speak Of some dear former day. "I was called," says he, "lately to visit a patient in that neighbourhood, and having with me my youngest son, I thought I would avail myself of the occasion to visit THE FARM on which I was born, and where my ancestors for several generations had lived and died. In approaching it, I was agitated in a manner I did not expect. The access was altered, but every thing around was nearly the same as in the days of my boyhood, AT WHICH TIME I LEFT IT. The family there, though strangers to me, received me kindly, and discovered a disposition to satisfy my curiosity and gratify my feelings. I soon asked permission to conduct my son up stairs to see the room in which I drew my first breath and made my first UNWELCOME noise in the world, and where first began the affection and cares of my beloved and excellent mother. I next asked for a large cedar tree which once stood before the door, --- planted by my father's hand. It had been converted into the pillars of the piazza before the house. Filled with emotion, I embraced the one nearest me. I next inquired for the orchard planted by the same hand, and was conducted to an eminence behind the house, where I saw a number of apple trees which still bore fruit, to each of which I felt something like the affection of a brother. The building, which is of stone, bears marks of age and decay. On one of the stones near the front door, I discovered the letters J. R. Before the house flows a small but deep creek, abounding in pan fish. The farm consists of ninety acres, in a highly cultivated state. The owner did not want to sell; but I begged, if he ever should incline to dispose of it, to make me or one of my surviving sons the first offer. While I sat in its common room, I looked at its walls, and thought how often they had been made vocal by my ancestors --- to conversations about wolves, bears, and snakes, in the first settlement; afterwards about cows and calves, and colts and lambs, &c., and at all times, with prayers and praises, and chapters read audibly from the Bible; for all who inhabited it, of my family, were pious people --- chiefly of the sect of Quakers and Baptists. On my way home, I stopped to view a family graveyard, in which were buried three and a part of four successive generations, all of whom were the descendants of Captain John Rush, who, with six sons and three daughters, followed William Penn to Pennsylvania in 1683. He had been a captain of a troop of horse under Oliver Cromwell; and when I first settled in Philadelphia, I was sometimes visited by one of his grandsons, a man of eighty-five years of age, who had, when a boy, often seen and conversed with the former, and especially concerning his services under the Protector. I retain, as his relics, his sword, watch and Bible leaf, on which is inscribed, in his own hand, his marriage, and children's births and names. My grandfather, James Rush, after whom my son, the physician, is named, has his gravestone and inscription in the aforesaid grave ground --- as "departed this life, March 16, 1727, aged 48 years, &c." He was a farmer and gunsmith, of much ingenuity in his business. While standing and considering this repository of the dead, there holding my kindred dust, my thoughts ran wild, and my ancestors seemed to stand before me in their homespun dresses, and to say, what means THIS GENTLEMAN, by thus intruding upon our repose; and I seemed to say --- dear and venerable friends, be not disturbed. I am one who inherits your blood and name, and come here to do homage to your Christian and moral virtues; and truly, I have acquired nothing from the world, (though raised in fame), which I so highly prize as the religious principles that I value so much as the innocence and purity of your character. After my return from such a visit, I recounted in the evening to my family, the incidents of the day, to which they listened with great pleasure; and heartily they partook of some cherries from the limb of my father's tree, which my little son brought home with him as a treat to them." Such a letter, from such an eminent man, consecrates to kindly remembrance such hallowed localities; --- It gives to me, if I needed it, a sufficient apology for thus enlarging this chapter on recollections and incidents of Byberry. They will come home to the bosom of many. There is not a spot in this wide-peopled earth, So dear to the heart as the land of our birth; `Tis the home of our childhood, the soul-touching spot, Which mem'ry retains when all else is forgot ! A letter written under such circumstances does more to illustrate the character and the HEART of the writer, than a volume of common biography. The visit of such a man to the graves of his ancestors, creates a stirring at the heart of the sensitive reader. There is piety in it --- an enthusiasm and holiness of feeling devoted to the dead, which give character and immortality to him who cherished them. His feelings were far better and more pure than to be borne aloft BY HIS RENOWN, amidst the hosannas of the people. In such a place for thought --- for mental abstraction, how withdrawn from the tempests which sweep over the world's affairs ! What a rest to the heart ! --- The fancy only is busy, when it there cons over the former employments, business, joys, sorrows, hopes and fears of those now beneath his tread. The world's glory --- its highest ambition, quickly fades and dies before the tranquil pleasures of such an hour as this. Such a HOME is consecrated by such a letter, and should be perpetuated and visited as the SOLUM NATALE of a man both good and great. One cannot forbear the wish that the sons of such a father should long possess the home, and there preserve the simple and touching narrative of such a parent! I would inscribe such a letter upon ITS WALLS for ever --- ESTO TU PERPETUA. GWYNEDD --- in MONTGOMERY COUNTY The late venerable Jesse Foulke stated, in substance, the following facts concerning what he knew of the settlement of Gwynedd, to wit : -- In the year 1698, the township was purchased of William Penn, by William, John, and Thomas Evans, and distributed among original settlers, to wit : William, John, Thomas, Robert, Owen and Cadwallader Evans, Hugh Griffiths, Edward Foulke, Robert Jones, John Hughs, and John Humphreys. Only the two eldest were then Friends -- all were Welshmen; and all, except the two Friends were churchmen. These held their meetings at Robert Evans'; and there Cadwallader Evans was in the practice to read from the Bible to the people. But as Cadwallader Evans himself related, he was going as usual to his brother Robert's when, passing near to the road to Friends' meeting, held at John Hughs' and John Humphreys', it seemed as if he was impressed "to go down and see how the Quakers do". This he mentioned to his friends at the close of his own meeting, and they all agreed to go to the Friends the next time; and where they were all so well satisfied, that they never again met in their own worship. In 1700, they built a log meeting house, near where the present one stands. This gave place to a larger one of stone in 1712; and in 1823, that was removed for a still larger one. The Friends' meeting house, at Gwynedd, was made a hospital for the wounded of the army after the battle of Germantown. I have given the foregoing recital of the manner of Evans' convincement, in the words of Mr. Foulke; but his kinswoman, Susan Nancarro, who died lately at the age of 80 years, told it to me a little variant. She said that the brothers read the public services of their church, and convened in a summer house. As one of the brothers was once going to that place, he passed where William Penn was speaking, and willing to hearken to him, he became so earnestly convinced that way, that he succeeded to bring over all his brethern. Mrs. Nancarro had often seen and conversed with her grandfather, Hugh Evans, who lived to be ninety years of age. When he was a boy of twelve years of age, he remembered that William Penn, with his daughter Letitia and a servant, (in the year 1699 or 1700) came out on horseback to visit his father, Thomas Evans. Their house then was superior in that it was of barked logs, a refinement surpassing the common rank. The same place is now E. Jones' near the Gwynedd meeting house. At that house William Penn ascended steps on the outside to go to his chamber; and the lad of twelve, being anxious to see all he could of so distinguished a man, went up afterwards to peep through the apertures at him; and there he well remembered to have seen him on his knees praying, and giving thanks to God for such peaceful and excellent shelter in the wilderness ! What a subject for a painter ! I heard Mrs. D.L. say that she had also heard the same facts from old Hugh Evans. There was at this time a great preparation among the Indians near there for some public festival. Letitia Penn, then a lively young girl, greatly desired to be present, but her father would not give his consent, though she entreated much. The same informant says she ran out chagrined, and seeming to wish for something to dissipate her regret, snatching up a flail near some grain, at which she began to labour playfully, when she inadvertently brought the unwieldly instrument severely about her head and shoulders; and was thus quickly constrained to retreat into the house, with quite a new concern upon her mind ! This fact made a lasting impression upon the memory of the lad aforesaid, who then was a witness. NORRISTOWN This place, now so beautiful and numerous in houses, is a town wholly built up since the war of independence. At that time, it was the farm of John Bull; and his original farm house is now standing in the town, as the inn of Richard Richardson. As early as the year 1704, the whole "manor", as it was then called, which included the present township of Norrington, was sold out by William Penn, Jr., for £850. From Isaac Norris, one of the purchasers, the place has since taken its name. The original settlers about the neighbourhood of Norristown, Swedes' ford, &c., were Swedes, who much inclined to settle along the banks of the Schuylkill, and, like the Indians, to make free use of their canoes for travelling conveyances. The Swedes' church, not far off, was much visited by worshippers going there in their boats, and in still later times, when horses became a means of conveyance, it was common for a man and woman to ride together on one horse, the women wearing for economy, "safe-guard petticoats", which they took off after arrival, and hung along the fence until again required. There are still remains below Norristown, nearly fronting the ford, of a long line of redoubts, made by the Americans, under the direction of Gen. Du Porteuil, to defend the passage of the ford against the British approaching from the battle of Brandywine, and which had the effect to compel them to pass six miles higher up the river at "Fatland ford". Some of the cannon, in an angle of the redoubt, have since washed into the river bank, and may at some future day surprise a discoverer ! It was on the river bank at Norristown, that the first spade was set to excavate the first public canal attempted in the United States ! This should be remembered ! It was indeed abortive for want of adequate funds, as well as economy; but it tested the early spirit of enterprise of our leading citizens -- acting a few years in advance of the age in which they dwelt. This fact, in connexion with the MS. account of Mr. John Thompson, of Delaware county, of his early adventure in a boat, the White Fish, by a navigation from Niagara to Philadelphia, by the water courses in New York state; showing beforehand, the practicability of the Grand canal of New York, are so many evidences of our early efforts in the "canal system" ! The boat, after so singular a voyage, was laid up in the State-house yard, in the year 1795, and visited as a curiosity. A sight of that boat, and a knowledge of the facts connected with it, is supposed to have prompted President Washington, at that early period, to write of his conviction of the practicability of a union of the waters of the lakes with the ocean. A subject, happily for all, now no longer a problem. CHESTER COUNTY At the time the European emigrants first settled in this county it was principally overshadowed by forests -- only a small patch here and there around the Indian huts having been cleared by the natives, for the purpose of growing their corn. But the woods at that time wore a very different appearance from what they do now. Owing to the Indian custom of firing them once or twice in a year, the small timber and bushes were killed in their growth, and of course the forests were but thinly set. I am informed that one of the first settlers said that, at the time of his first acquaintance with the county, he could have driven a horse and cart from one end of its extremities to the other, in almost every direction, without meeting with any material obstruction. For a number of years the process of agriculture by the new settlers was extremely rude and imperfect. No regular rotation of crops was observed. A field was frequently appropriated to one kind of produce for several successive years. No man's care in relation to his ground extended beyond the sowing and gathering of his crops, and by total neglect of manuring and fertilizing their lands, the strength of the soil was yearly and daily exhausting itself. This was so much the case within the memory of one ancient now living, that when he departed from the common course, and began to endeavour to recruit his soil, his plan became the subject of general ridicule among his neighbours; and the saying was applied to him on all hands, "a penny wise, a pound foolish". His success, however, began to have its influence in his neighbourhood; but still they did not then know the beneficial effects of lime -- little use was made of it before the revolution, and so little was it valued in itself, as to be often sold for five or six cents a bushel. Wheat, rye, oats and barley, were the principal productions. Indian corn was so little regarded, that many depended upon getting the little they used from the lower counties, in preference to raising it themselves. Clover was almost wholly unknown, and timothy quite so. Meadows which were irrigated furnished the grass for hay and pasturage. How very differently managed is every thing now ! Now all the farmers are becoming wealthy and happy. Thus proving that conduct is luck. This county originally contained within its limits the present county of Delaware, and they together formed one of the first settled counties in the state. The first settlers were generally of the society of Friends, and now their descendants mostly occupy the south eastern and middle townships. The Welsh settled along the "Great Valley", a fine region of land, of from one to three miles wide traversing the whole county from east to west; the Irish Presbyterians settled in the south-west; and the English intermixed generally throughout the whole county. Many of the townships are of Welsh origin, as is indicated by their names -- such as Tredyffin, Uwchland, the Calms, Nantmels, &c. Other names indicate lands formerly belonging to the London company, such as London Grove, New London, London Britain, Birmingham, &c. The appearance of the fruitful and picturesque country of the "Great Valley" is well worth a visit from the youth of our city. It comprises nearly fifty thousand acres of the choicest lands, and is bordered on either side by long continuous ranges of high ridges, called North and South hills. >From their summits, there are sometimes very extensive and beautiful views -- such as might lead out the young mind to conceive of those much greater elevations, "the Blue mountains" and the great Allegheny "backbone of the state". The Brandywine, running through this county, is a fine stream, affording much profitable "water power" and some very picturesque scenery. Brantewein (brandy) is a word of Teutonic origin, which might have been used equally by the Swedes and Dutch to express its brandy-coloured stream. Certain it is, that at all early periods, after the river lost its Indian names of "Minquas" and "Suspecough", it was written "Brandywine". Since the county sustained the separation of Delaware county, the county town has been located at West Chester, a very growing place and possessing a genteel and intelligent population. At this place, are the original records of Chester county, and of course affording to the curious inquirer the means of exploring the antiquarian lore of the primitive days. As our business is to show to the present rising generation the great difference between the present and the remote past, when all was coarse and rustic, we shall subjoin some scraps of information illustrative of such change, to wit : Mr. William Worrell, who died but a few years since -- an inhabitant of Marple township, at the advanced age of nearly one hundred years -- says, that in the country there were no carts, much less carriages; but that they hauled their grain on sleds to the stacks, where a temporary thrashing-floor was made. He remembered to have assisted his father to carry on horseback one hundred bushels of wheat to mill in Haverford, which was sold there for but 2s. a bushel. The natural meadows and woods were the only pasture for their cattle; and the butchers of Philadelphia would go out and buy one, two, or three head of cattle, from such as could spare them, as all their little surplus. He recollected when there were great quantities of wild turkeys; and a flight of pigeons which lasted two days ! Only think of such a spectacle ! They flew in such immense flocks, that they obscured the rays of the sun ! One night they settled in such numbers at Martins' bottom, that persons who visited them could not hear one another speak, by reason of their strong whirring noise. Their weight on the branches of the trees was so great as to break off numerous large limbs ! He never saw coffee or tea until he was twenty years of age; then his father brought some tea from Philadelphia, and his aunt did not know how to use it, till she got information first from a more refined neighbour. On another occasion a neighbour boiled the leaves and buttered them ! In going to be married, the bride rode to meeting behind her father, or next friend, seated on a pillion -- but after the marriage, the pillion was placed with her behind the saddle of her husband. The dead were carried in coffins on the shoulders of four men, who swung the coffin on poles, so that they might proceed along narrow paths with most ease. Another ancient inhabitant, William Mode, who died on the west branch of the Brandywine in 1829 at the age of eighty-seven years, said he well remembered the Indians -- men, women, and children -- coming to his father's house to sell baskets &c., and that they used to cut and carry off bushes from their meadow, probably for mats to sleep on. The deer, in his boyhood, were so plenty, that their tracks in the wheat field, in time of snow, were as if marked by a flock of sheep ; at one time his father brought home two of them on his sled. Wild turkeys in the winter were often seen in flocks, feeding in the corn and buckwheat fields. Foxes often carried off their poultry; once their man knocked one down near the barn. Squirrels, rabbits, rackoons, pheasants and partridges abounded. Samuel Jeffrey, too, a man of eighty-seven years, who died at West Chester in 1828, said he could well remember when deer were plenty in the woods of Chester county, and when a hunter could occasionally kill a bear. He also had seen several families of Indians still inhabiting their native fields. N. Marcer died in 1831, aged one hundred and one years. This county still contains some of the oldest inns known in the annals of our country. Thus, Powell's Journal of 1754, speaks of his stopping on the way to Lancaster, at "the Buck" by Ann Miller -- at "the Vernon" by Ashton, (now "the Warren") -- "the White Horse" by Hambright -- "the Ship" by Thomas Park -- "the Red Lion" by Joseph Steer -- and "the Wagon" by James Way &c. Chester county is also distinguished as being the theatre of some important events in the revolution -- such as, "the battle of Brandywine", the "massacre of Paoli", and the winter quarters of our army at "the Valley Forge". The battle ground of the Brandywine near where La Fayette was wounded, may be still visited at the Birmingham meeting house of Friends. There, if you see the gravedigger turning up the grave ground, you may possibly see the bones of some British soldier at only two feet under the ground, with fragments of his red coat, his stock-buckle, buttons, &c. ! You may even be shown some old gold coin, found concealed once in the great cue of a buried Hessian ! If you ramble down to "Chadsford", not far distant, you may still see remains of the little redoubt which disputed the ford; and there, as a relic of silenced war and bloodshed, pick up an occasional bullet or grapeshot. The county was at one time much disturbed, and made withal remarkable, by a predatory hero in the time of the revolution. He was usually called "Captain Fitz" but his real name was James Fitzpatrick. He roamed the country in stealth, as a "British refugee", making his attacks upon the chattels of the "stanch whigs" and seemingly delighting in his perils and escapes. His whole character made him a real Rob Roy of his time. At last he was seized and executed. The state of the American army at the Valley Forge, in the drear winter of 1777-8 was an extremely perilous and suffering one. They were kept in necessary fear from so superior a force as Howe's well appointed army; whereas, ours was suffering the need of almost every thing. An officer, an eye-witness, has told me, that a sufficiency of food or clothing could not be had; that so many men were without whole shoes, that several actually marked the snowy ground with their bloody footsteps; some, while on duty as sentinels, have doffed their hats to stand in, to save their feet from freezing; of salt beef or pork, they could not get a supply, and fresh beef was wholly impracticable to get at all; of vegetables they got none. One wooden or pewter dish answered for a whole mess; and one horn tumbler, in which whisky rarely entered, served for several. Much of their diet was salted herrings, too much decayed to bear separation; but were dug out of the cask "en masse". Sugar and coffee were luxuries not seen; and paper money with which they were paid for such severities was almost nothing !! If such were the calamities of war, and such the price they paid for our self-government, oh ! how greatly should we, their descendants, prize the precious boon ! Maddened be the head, and palsied be the hand, that should attempt to despoil us of a treasure so dearly purchased ! A public journal of Philadelphia, of August 1778, thus describing the circumstances of the conduct and capture of the aforesaid Captain Fitz, saying, "The celebrated bandit of Chester county was taken and brought to Philadelphia in August. He had been made a prisoner by Robert McPhee (McAfee) and a girl. Fitz entered the house of McPhee's family while they were at tea, armed with a rifle, a sword, and a case of pistols, saluting them as friends; upon their saying they did not recognize him, he swore he would soon be better known, as "Captain Fitz, come to levy his dues on the cursed rebels". He soon demanded his watch and buckles, and soon after ordered them all up stairs before him, whilst he should search for his money. When he had got up stairs, he, thinking he was safe began to arrange his shoe buckle on the edge of the bed, when McPhee (McAfee) signing to the girl, Rachel Walker, a young woman, they sprang upon him, and so held him that he could not escape". The reward was 1000 dollars, which was divided between them, and captain Fitz was hung. While in Philadelphia he broke his hand cuffs twice in one night. At Chester, afterwards, he filed off his irons and got out of his dungeon, and would have escaped but for the extraordinary vigilance of his jailer. His real name was James Fitzpatrick, he was hanged at Chester; was a blacksmith. The New London Academy, of New London, though not much spoken of now, furnished, in colonial days, some of the leading scholars, such as Dr. Francis Allison, Charles Thomson, Gov. Thomas M'Kean, Dr. John Ewing, Dr. Hugh Williamson, M.C.; Dr. David Ramsey, historian; the Rev. James Latta, &c. The "battle ground" of Brandywine", so eventful in our revolutionary period, will ever tend to consecrate it as a place of remembrance, and by some as a place of visitation. To those who may choose with us "to wander o'er the bloody field to book the dead", we shall here furnish such "notitia" and notes by the way, as will serve as a companion to others : --- "Our direction was to the forks of the Brandywine, on Jeffrey's ford, the point at which Lord Cornwallis crossed the river on the 11th of September 1777 -- the day of the battle, known by the name of the river on the banks of which it was fought. "It was near the close of July of that year, that the British army under Sir William Howe, and their Hessian auxiliaries, under Gen. Knyphausen, embarked from New York on the meditated invasion of Pennsylvania. The squadron had a long and unpleasant passage. Finding the Delaware too well prepared for defence to allow of a very favourable ascent of that river, the British commander bore away for the Chesapeake -- thence ascended Elk river into Maryland, as far as that stream was navigable, at which point the army disembarked, and on the 23d of September took up its march for Philadelphia. In the mean time General Washington returned from Jersey for the defence of that important city, and public opinion seemed to require the hazard of a pitched battle. The American commander, therefore, marched upon the Brandywine to intercept the advancing foe, and crossed the river with a part of his forces. The British forces advanced until they were within two miles of the Americans; but after reconnoitring the enemy on the night of the 8th of September, General Washington, apprehending the object of the enemy to be to turn his right, and, by seizing the heights on the north side of the river, to cut off his communication with Philadelphia, changed his position by recrossing the river, and taking position on the heights near Chadd's ford, several miles below the forks. "From the dispositions of the enemy, it was supposed that he would attempt to cross with his whole force at this place; but while the Americans were making preparations to receive them at this point, Lord Cornwallis, at the head of the enemy's column, took a long circuitous march to the left until he gained the forks, and crossed at Trimble's and Jeffrey's ford without difficulty or opposition. Continuing east from the ferry about three quarters of a mile, he took a road turning short down the river to the right, in order to fall upon the right of the American forces. The movement was a partial surprise upon the American commander, who however, as soon as he was apprised of it, took all possible measures to provide against the effect, by detaching General Sullivan with all the force he could spare, to oppose Cornwallis. General Sullivan took an advantageous position on commanding grounds, near the small Quaker meeting house of Birmingham, his left extending towards the Brandywine, his artillery advantageously disposed, and both flanks covered with woods. Wayne's division, with Maxwell's light infantry, remained at Chadd's ford to keep Knyphausen in check, while the division of General Greene, accompanied by the commander-in-chief, formed a reserve at a central position between the right and left wings. "In the interesting excursion we are now describing, we took the track of the division of Cornwallis, where it turned south after crossing the forks of the river. It was at two o'clock in the afternoon; and such was the deliberation of the British troops, that they stopped for dinner upon the brow of the hill, about midway between the corner and the position occupied by the Americans. An old resident, yet living near the spot, and who was forced into the service of Cornwallis, affirms that it was a merry, though a brief, dinner frolic amongst the officers. The American forces being no where even in sight, though scarcely two miles distant -- another hill intervening to cut off the prospect -- the young officers felt but little apprehension -- probably supposing that the "rebel Yankees" would hardly make a stand even when they did come in sight. Among the gayest of the gay, as a volunteer in the suite of one of the British generals, as tradition informs us, was a sprightly and chivalrous descendant of the Percies -- not the Lord Percy who brought the ill-fated British detachment back from Lexington at the commencement of the revolution (who was the last duke of Northumberland, and died in 1817) but a younger one still. He was a noble and generous youth, and had volunteered on the present occasion, as an amateur, to see how fields were won. He wore a splendid uniform, and rode, like a Percy, a noble steed richly caparisoned. The column resumed its march at half-past three, and by four o'clock ascended the intervening hill before mentioned, which brought them in full prospect of the American troops, in battle array, and cooly awaiting the onset. Instant dispositions were made for battle. As the young Percy came over the brow of the hill, he was observed suddenly to curb in his impatient steed, and the gay smile upon his lively features, changing at first to gravity, soon became sad and pensive, as he glanced his bright eye over the extensive rolling landscape, now rife with animation. It was a glorious spectacle. The wide prospect of gentle hill and dale, with forest and farm-house, the bright waters of the Brandywine just appearing in one little winding section in a low and beautiful valley on the right, formed of itself a picturesque view for the lover of the simple garniture of nature. But enlivened, as it now was, by the presence of two hostile armies, both eager for the onslaught -- on `that' side the American line resting upon their burnished arms in order of battle; and on `this' the brisk note of preparation, the displaying of columns, and other manoeuvres necessary to the sudden change of position and circumstances -- " `The neighing steed, and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war' all combined to make up a scene which it would hardly be supposed would have damped the ardour, or clouded with gloom the fine features of a young officer, whose proud lip would at any other moment have curled with scorn, and his eye kindled with indignation at the remotest intimation of a want of firmness in the hour of trial. Yet, with a subdued and half-saddened eye, the young Percy, who but a moment before was panting to play the hero in the contest, paused for a moment longer. Then calling his servant to his side, and taking his diamond-studded repeater from his pocket -- `Here' said he, `take this and deliver it to my sister in Northumberland : I have seen this field and this landscape before, in a dream in England : Here I shall fall; and' -- drawing a heavy purse of gold from his pocket -- `take this for yourself.' Saying this, he dashed forward with his fellows. The lines were formed, and at four o'clock the battle commenced. The onset was impetuous, and the Americans received their haughty invaders with coolness and courage. But their right wing being overpowered by numbers, was at length compelled to give way. The remaining divisions being now exposed to a galling fire on the flank, continued to break, until a rout ensued, although several strong posts were successively defended with intrepidity for a time. {Note : repeater = (possibly) a watch with a striking mechanism that upon pressure of a spring will indicate the time in hours or quarters and sometimes minutes.} "The most obstinate fighting, during the engagement, took place near the centre, which rested upon the little stone meeting house of the Quakers, and in the grave yard, walled on all sides by a thick stone mason-work, which, with the church, are yet standing as firmly as at the period of which we are writing. This enclosure was long and resolutely defended by the Americans, and it was near this place, about the middle of the action, that the noble young Percy fell, as he believed he had been doomed to do. The enclosure was at length scaled, and carried by the bayonet. The wounded were taken into the meeting-house, built by peace-makers, for the worship of the God of peace, though now the centre of the burying ground, in which they had many of them been slain. Just before our visit, a grave had been dug, and the remains of a British soldier disinterred. A part of his shoes remained; a few pieces of red cloth, which fell to pieces on being exposed to the air, were discovered; a button, likewise, marked `44th Reg't.', and a flattened bullet -- probably the winged messenger of death to the wearer -- were also found, both of which were given to us by the good man near by the meeting house. "There is a scrap of unwritten history attached to this little obscure meeting-house -- true, though living only in tradition -- which is full of interest. A few years before the revolutionary war, the little parish of Birmingham was favoured on one occasion by the presence of one of the most gifted and eloquent preachers of their peaceable sect. The spirit moved him to preach, and as he proceeded, he seemed to rise to an unwonted measure in his thoughts; an unusual ardour possessed him, and his words fell with a holy unction upon his listeners. He proceeded, in language still more glowing and lofty, until his kindling eye seemed to catch glimpses of things unseen, and to penetrate the curtain of things yet to come. At length a vision broke upon him, and he burst forth, in language similar to that of Milton -- " ' Oh what are these? Death's ministers, not men; who thus deal death, Inhumanly to men; and multiply Ten thousand fold the sin of him who slew His brother ! ' He then, in words of one `rapt-inspired', predicted the coming conflict with its attending scourges, and declared that there, even in that quiet community -- whose precepts and conduct breathed nothing but peace on earth and good will to men -- the angel of destruction should spread his wings -- even there, the blood would flow to their horses' bridles -- even there, within the walls of that little sanctuary would be piled up heaps of the dying and the dead ! The fulfillment was as exact as the prediction was surprising. "The little meeting-house, and the grave-yard, were alike opened to our examination, and were both viewed with that interest which the associations connected with them would naturaly inspire. The space here consecrated for the repose of the dead is of ample size for a country town, but it has been thus occupied for more than a century and a half. There is no clustering of houses adjoining this hallowed spot. There are spreading elms around, and one within the enclosure -- and a cedar of more than a century's growth, which is as funereal in its appearance as the yew tree; and as `the air its solemn stillness holds', one standing here could hardly refrain from quoting the inimitable and deathless Elegy of Gray -- particularly as nearly the whole area is now closely filled with the little grassy mounds which cover the dead : -- " `Beneath those rugged elms, that yew tree's shade, Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap, Each in his narrow cell for ever laid, The rude forefather's of the hamlet sleep' And onward : [the sentimental reader, however, must quote for himself.] But of all the dead who repose here, not a single stone, not the slightest discriminating memorial indicates the spot where slumber the ashes of any particular individual. This neglect of such memorials, or marks of respect for the dead, we are aware is in strict and uniform accordance with the usages of that peculiar people; although it little accords with the views and feelings of others. True, as the same beautiful poet above quoted intimates, neither `storied urn', nor `animated bust' can call back the `fleeting breath' nor can the flattery of inscriptions, deserved or undeserved, `soothe the dull cold ear of death'. And it is likewise a sad -- a melancholy reflection, how very short a period do nearly all the memorials reared to the memory of the dead, by the hand of surviving friendship and affection, endure ! A few -- a very few brief years, and the headstone has sunk -- the slab is broken -- the short column or pyramid overturned. Yet while they do remain, they are often mementoes of many interesting incidents, or endearing recollections. An incident of this description now rises upon the memory, and as its relation will wound none among the living, we will repeat it. There is an humble freestone standing in Trinity church-yard, New York, so near the street, that the bright and laughing eyes of beauty and pleasure can look upon it any day as their possessors are tripping along Broadway. It stands beneath the tree at the corner, by Doctor Bliss' book store, and the inscription yet retains the name of Mrs. ____ Johnson. The deceased was young and beautiful, full of intelligence and vivacity when she was married, a few months before the breaking out of the pestilence which desolated New York in 1798. One Sunday afternoon, soon after the fever had commenced, and before there was much alarm, walking down the Broadway, upon the arm of her husbnd, by whom she was adored, and whom she adored in turn, in company with a friend who was also newly married, the epidemic was among the natural topics of conversation. Mrs. Johnson, whose natural buoyancy of spirits, perhaps, imparted, even at that moment, an appearance of light-heartedness she did not feel, was remarkably lively and cheerful. In passing the spot we have indicated, where the tree was then casting its refreshing shade upon the green sward beneath, she suddenly stopped, and looking up into her husband's face, with a sweet though slightly pensive smile, remarked with the utmost `naivete': -- `There, Johnson : if I die of the yellow fever, bury me here.' On the very next Friday, she was buried there ! "But we have strayed a wide distance from Brandywine, without finishing the battle. Return we then to that part of our narrative. No sooner had Cornwallis defeated the Americans at Birmingham, than Knyphausen, after successfully keeping the attention of Wayne's division all day with an apprehension of an attack which he did not intend, made the passage of the river, and carried the entrenchments, and took the battery and cannon intended to cover and defend the ford. After a severe conflict, the Americans posted in this quarter were compelled to give way, and thus the defeat became complete. The retreat continued that night and the day following to Philadelphia." In examining the records of Chester county -- beginning with its origin in 1681, we have found sundry items and facts, which may tend to give us an insight into the men and things and doings of the olden time, to wit : The first court is recorded as being opened the 13th September 1681, at Upland (Chester) -- the justices present, William Clayton, William Warner, Robert Wade, Otto Ernest Cock, William Byles, Robert Lucas, Lassey Cock, Swan Swanson, Andreas Bankson, Thomas Fairman. Sheriff, John Test. Clerk, Thomas Revell. The first action is a case of assault and battery -- being Peter Erickson vs. Harmen Johnson and wife. The jury of twelve find for the plaintiff an award of 6d. damages, at his costs of suit. Whereupon, the same Harmen Johnson and wife reverse the action and become plaintiffs against the same Peter Erickson, for assault and battery, and recover 40s. damages and cost. There must have been some adroitness in the use of the law, to have so managed a defence as to turn about and mulct the accuser ! In the same court it was granted, by proclamation, that if any person present had aught against one of the justices, they might declare it. Whereupon, Daniel Brenson and Charles Brigham, upon oath, and Walter Pumphray upon attestation, declare that they had heard certain Indians speak against him, and also against Captain Edward Cantwell, a former sheriff. Then the said Lassey Cock upon oath declared his innocency, and that he had not spoken such words, whereupon the case was quieted or quashed. At the court held November 30th, 1681, William Markam, Esq., governor and president present with ten justices. John Anderson is accused by Richad Noble, Peter Rambo and L. Lawrenson, of stealing and concealing sundry articles of pork; and on examination is acquitted. The overseers for the highways were nominated and elected at the court, March 14th 1681, to serve for one year, for repairing the roads, &c., to wit : Wooley Rawson, from Marcus creek to Naman's creek; Robert Wade, from thence to Upland creek; William Oxley, from thence to Amos' land; Mauns Stawkett, from thence to Karkus' mill; Peter Yokeham, from thence to Schuylkill falls; Andreas Rambo, from thence to Tacony creek; Erick Mullickay, from thence to Poetquessin creek; Claus Johnson, from thence to Samuel Cliff's; John Akraman, from thence to Gilbert Wheeler's. The foregoing arrangement for earliest roads evidences the line of the first routes of intercourse, beginning from Marcus Hook, keeping nigh to the Delaware till they reach Schuylkill, (then spelt Schorekill) and thence to go up along its line to the falls, (thus going behind Philadelphia) and thence across the country (above the city) to the Tacony creek; thence up the country to Wheeler's place; that is as far as Pennsbury manor, then the end of all travelling ! At the court held at Chester, on the 27th of 4mo., 1684, William Penn, Esq., proprietary and governor was present. At the court held the 6th of the 8 mo., 1685, it was ordered that, for defraying the public charges, there be a levy upon land of 2s. 6d. per hundred acres, and a poll tax of 2s. 6d. The same may be paid in wheat at 4s. 6d., rye at 3s. 6d., and corn at 2s. 8d. David Lewis, a servant to Robert Dyer, is seized upon suspicion of treason; as having been concerned, by his own say-so, with the duke of Monmouth in the west country. He gave the security of his master to answer at the next court. James Sanderlaine, bestows in the 10th mo., 1686, a convenient piece of land in the town of Chester, for the erection of a court house and prison. At the court of the 7th of 4mo., 1687, the grand jury present Thomas Colborne, of Chester, for selling rum to the Indians, contrary to the laws of the province. John Blumstone made a record of a deed of one acre of land in the township of Darby, to build a meeting house thereon for the use of said township, for the exercise of the true worship of God. Richard Crosby is arraigned for drunkenness and abusive language; he submitted himself to the court and was fined 5s. Elias Keach is arraigned and reprimanded, for speaking false news, contrary to law; "remitted, provided he do no more." ["Elias Keach was the first Baptist minister at Pennepeck, in 1687; he married Mary, the daughter of Nicholas Moore, of Moreland.] William Coblett, of Concord, is presented for travelling on the highway with his wain drawn by oxen and horses on the first day of the week; showing that they then reverenced the Sabbath. At the court held at Chester, 1689, John Maddock, of Ridley, is arraigned for speaking scandalous words against William Penn, the proprietary, and against his present governor, John Blackwell -- whereupon he is fined £5 and costs. On the 27th of 6mo., 1689, a case of Crim. Con. occurs. The parties confess their guilt before the grand inquest, whereupon a jury of women is called to make further inquisition. They report that "they cannot find that she is (as charged) neither be they sure she is not". Isaac Brickshaw, having offended John Simcocks, is dismissed on making humble confession. At the court of 8mo., 1691, the grand jury present Henry Barnes, for swearing several oaths. Also, Edward Eglinton, for breaking the stocks in the town of Chester, and letting the prisoner free. Also, Richard Thompson, for ranging the woods and taking up horses, saying he was ranger, "but we find him not fit for that honest trust". At the court held March 7th, 1692, John Maddock, is again arraigned for abusing John Simcocks and John Bristow, two of the justices, calling them rogues; he boldly averred the same before the court, saying they were the greatest rogues that ever came to America. He was again fined £5 and costs. At the court of 1st mo., 1693, John Clews and Eleanor Arme, now his wife, being presented by the grand jury for immoral intercourse, pleaded guilty, and were adjudged to pay 50s. fine, and that the said Eleanor shall stand at the whipping post a quarter of an hour, with a paper on her breast, written thereon -- "I stand here for an example to deter all others" &c. One feels some revoltings at such manner of publicity, and cannot but reflect how few juries of twelve men, all opportunities considered, might be able -- all of them, to stand such searching self-rebukes as our Lord once inflicted upon those who brought him a similar sinner to condemn. "He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone : and they went out one by one" till no accusers were found ! At the court held at Chester the 2d October, 1695, the grand jury state that the country is in debt, and that the prison is not yet finished, and that besides, there are several wolves' heads to pay for; wherefore, they recommend a levy, to wit : on all real and personal estate of 1d per pound, and 3s. per head poll-tax. The valuation then given is important now, as showing values then, to wit : All cleared land under tillage to be valued 20s. per acre; rough land by the river £10 per hundred acres; lands in the woods at £5 per hundred acres; horses and mares at £3; cows and oxen 50s.; sheep 6s.; negroes, from sixteen to sixty years at £25; females at £20, Then come five mills at the earliest places, to wit : Chester mill £100; Joseph Coebarn's £50; Darby mill £100; Hartford mill £20; Concord mill £10. At the court of 10th december, 1695, Patrick Kelly and Judith Buller are presented for marrying against the law of 2d December. It is ordered that they appear at the next court, and that in the mean time, they marry again, as the law directs. The grand jury present Robert Reman of Chichester, for practising geomancy according to Hidon, and divining by a stick. He submits himself to the bench, and the court fines him £5 and costs, and never again to practise the arts. They also present the following books : Hidon's Temple of Wisdom, which teaches Geomancy, and Scot's Discovery of Witchcraft, and Cornelius Agrippa's, teaching Necromancy. The books are ordered to the next court. At the court at Chester, of 24th of 12 mo., 1701-2, the court then allows the charge of £26, incurred in running and settling the circular boundary line next to New Castle. CHESTER In April 1827, we made a visit to Chester, with a view to see and examine the venerable remains of that once distinguished town. We had for a companion a gentleman whose soul is alive to such inquiries. In our ride we often noticed the unusual indications of a very forward spring -- such as has not before occurred since the year 1791 : the wild flowers of the fields and woods were in bloom on the 23d April, which formerly appeared only in May. We were necessarily frequently pleased to notice the air of comfort and improvement indicated by various farms on the road side, contrasted with the few, still remaining small log houses : -- houses which Kalm, in his "Travels" on the same road eighty years before, said were the general structures of that day. The numerous wild grape vines which he then noticed were gone, as well as the extended woods. Red clover -- then unknown as to any practical benefit, now assisted with plaster of Paris, every where enriched the farmer and gratified our senses. The wild bees, which then sheltered their cells in the depths of the forest, now having lost that refuge by the clearing of the country, have become domesticated in the bee-boxes, seen by the wayside in the most of the gardens -- then the road was but little traveled -- by pleasure carriages, scarcely ever, when but very few existed. The few travellers who could be met were on foot, or if on horse back -- often having a female up behind -- or if a female going to market, having two great panniers poised on either side of the animal. Wilson has thus described them when going home. "There market maids, in lively rows, With wallets white were riding home; And thundering gigs, with powder'd beaux, Through Gray's green festive shades to roam." The women and girls on these occasions were clad in homely, useful "homespun" and the beast was a real pacer. A chaise you could but seldom meet : but we were frequently met by gigs, sulkies and coaches, sometimes effulgent in glimmering plate ! So, times are altered ! Having reached Chester, we could not make our entry without thinking of those primitive founders, all of whom had gone down to the dust. Our busy imaginations could not forbear to frame conjectures, and to weave, in fancy's loom, the images of things as we presumed they generally were in their early state. For the inhabitants whom we now saw in the streets, in modern habiliments, and some of modish mien, we substituted, instinctively, the homespun yeomanry of other appearance, manners and feelings. We peopled the streets and houses with Swedes and Quakers, with such men and their wives and children, as Sanderlaine, David Lloyd, Robert Wade, Caleb Pusey, the Parkers, Richard Townsend and others; and instead of ancient and decayed houses, as several of them had now become, we contemplated all, as if then lately built or building. Instead of a dreary old court house, old prison, old church, &c., we saw them, in fancy, in the finish and brightness of a new thing, as buildings, of which the labour and expense of erecting was past, and the community was reposing in complacency, resting from their works. But to come more immediately to facts, as we now found them : -- Our first wish was to see the house of Parker, the colonial register, &c., and the father of that excellent and eminent lady, Mrs. Deborah Logan. There her good father and her mother lived and died. It was a two-storied brick house, of respectable dimensions, built in 1700, had much of old-fashioned wooden wainscotting. In the chambers up stairs the pannels were curiously painted in a congeries of colours, not unlike yellow mahogany. The house had originally small glass panes, set in leaden frames, of which a few specimens still remained in the casements on the stairway, large closets were on each side of the chimneys, large enough for small beds, which were lighted by small windows in the outer walls. On the side of the house stood a one-story office, which had long contained the records of Chester county, from the earliest dates, and which being since removed to West Chester, might prove curious, if now examined with antiquarian tact and skill. James Sanderlaine, often written Sanderlin, was a wealthy Swedish proprietor of all Chester, and extending back into the country a considerable distance on the Chester side of the creek; from him descended all the land titles. Robert Wade, of the Essex house, was an equally extended proprietor of all the lands on the other side of the creek. Sanderlaine appears to have been an eminent Episcopalian, and probably the chief founder of the old Episcopal church there, of St. Paul, as I find his memory peculiarly distinguished by a space of six and a half by three and a half feet. It is formed of fine sand-stone, and is chiseled in relief and ornament, in a very elaborate and skilful manner. It is in itself a curiosity, as expressive of a death of a citizen which occurred as long back as 1692. Not one of the name of Sanderlaine remains ! His daughter was married to Jasper Yates. Jasper Yates, at an early period, built a great building, still standing, called the "Granary", and sometimes the Bake-house, it having been formerly used for both purposes. In the cellar part was the bake-house, and above it were the grain rooms, intended in their day to receive and use up the grain from the fruitful fields of Lancaster county -- a commerce disused for several years. The bakery, while it lasted, made biscuit by wholesale for shipping. Near to that building was shown me the first used court house of brick, now a dwelling house and cooper's shop, and owned by John Hart. Near to it is a part of the stone wall of the first prison, now converted into a dwelling house. The second, or present court house and prison were built in 1724. We next visited the house of David Lloyd, a name of perpetual occurrence in our early annals, as a leading member of assembly opposed to proprietary interests; as a disturbing Friend, an educated lawyer -- a man who had once been a captain in Cromwell's army, and who sought his peace by coming to this country. His house is the same building facing the river, now known as the altered house of Commodore Porter. It was built in 1721. Pestilent and refractory as D. Lloyd appeared in public life, he was excellent and amiable in his social relations. The body of himself and wife are marked by head stones in the Friends' ground. In 1798, Chester was visited with yellow fever in its most appalling form, derived from the families who fled from Philadelphia to Chester for refuge. It spread in Chester with frightful rapidity, and depopulated whole families and streets. Chester has been often called "Upland" in the early history. Few, or none, have a right conception of the cause. The name, I am satisfied, was applied to the whole land held by the Swedes "at and above Chester". They called the "country" of Philadelphia county, "Upland County" -- wherefore the "court town" took the name of "the country". The name was first given to contradistinguish the "Up"-Delaware country, from the "Low"-Delaware country, or "lower" counties, where the Swedes first settled. BUCKS COUNTY This county had its first settlers located nearest to the neighbourhood of Bristol and Pennsbury. They were nearly all of them of the society of Friends; among these, James Harrison and Phineas Pemberton were most influential and conspicuous. Strong expectations were entertained by these first settlers, that the city of Philadelphia might have been located at either of those chief places; but it was deemed that the river channel was too shallow for ship navigation. All the first settlers who arrived were obliged to bring certificates of acceptable character, and to be enrolled in a record book, which I have seen, kept by P. Pemberton, as clerk of the court, giving therein the names of the parents, number of children, names and number of servants, and the vessels by which, and at what time, arrived. This, it must be granted, forms a curious record of consultation now, and may show some families their "ancestorial bearings" then. The Indians were round about in small settlements in almost every direction. Some, long after, dwelt on the "Indian field" near Penn's estate at Pennsbury, and some at Ingham's spring; others were on the Pownall tract, the Streiper tract, and Fell tract. The last of the Indian race went off from Buckingham in a body, in the year 1775. The general state of woody wastes was much the same as has been already described in the county of Chester. The Indian practice of burning the underbrush in the woods, made the woods in general easy of traversing and exploring. The people of Bucks county have been, from the earliest settlement, trained and disciplined to a kindly spirit of good neighbourhood and frank hospitality. It arose at first from their universal brotherhood and mutual dependence; and it was long kept alive by the unreserved welcome, for ever cherished, under their eyes, by the Indians settled about them. A true Indian never deems any thing too good for his friend or visiter. The greater part of the centre grounds of Bucks county were located as early as 1700. Such was Buckingham and Solesbury. Among the first of those settlers there, were Thomas and John Byle, William Cooper, George Pownall, Roger Hartley, and other Friends, from the neighbourhood of the "Falls Meeting". Thomas Watson arrived and settled among them in 1704. For the first few years, considerable of their supplies of grain for any new comers had to be drawn from the Falls, or Middletown; and until 1707, they had to take all their grain on horseback, for grinding, to Gwin's mill, on the Pennepack, near to the Billet. In the mean time, many persons had to be content to pound their grain at home in wooden mortars. Several of the houses of the original settlers are still standing. Such a house, built for Thomas Canby, now belongs to Joshua Anderson. The great portion of the houses were constructed of logs, and called log houses, a rude but very comfortable kind of building. Improved land was generally sold by the acre, at the nominal price or value of twenty bushels of wheat; so that when wheat was at 2s. 6d. a bushel, the land was actually sold at 50s. The women were always industrious, clothing their families in general by their own hands -- spinning and weaving for all their inmates, all the necessary linen and woollen clothing. For common diet, milk and bread, and pie, formed the breakfast meal; and good pork or bacon, and a wheat-flour pudding or dumplings, with butter and molasses were given for dinner. Mush, or hominy, with milk and butter, and honey, formed the supper. Chocolate was only occasionally procured, and used with maple sugar ; and deer-meat and turkeys, when the season answered. Only a few of the wealthiest farmers had any wagons before the year 1745; about the year 1750 was the time of their more common use. Carts were the most in use in going to market. John Wells, Esq., was the only person who then had a riding-chair. Taverns were scarcely known any where; the one at Coryell's ferry was the first. After the year 1750, a new era seemed to commence, by the influx of more wealth among the people. Bohea tea and coffee were introduced, and sundry articles of foreign fabric for the farmers' wives, brought among them by the pedlers -- such as silk and linen neck-handkerchiefs, some silk or figured gowns. The men, too, began to wear vests and breeches of Bengal, Nankin, fustian, or black everlasting, and cotton velvet. Coats also were made of the latter, but no man or woman, in any condition of life, ever held themselves above the wear, for common purposes, of home-made "linsey-woolsey" of linen or woollen fabric. Bucks county has the honour of having had located, at the forks of the Neshamony, the once celebrated "Log College" so called, of Rev. William Tennant, commenced there in 1721; and from it issued some of our best men of earliest renown. It was then "the day of small things". Bucks county, in the period of the revolution, was made conspicuous by a daring "refugee family" called the Doans. Their numerous perilous adventures, in scouring the country for "whig families" and to make their plunder on such, brought them into great renown as bold desperadoes. There were five brothers of them, severally fine looking men, and expert horsemen. Great rewards were offered for them; and finally, two were shot in combat, and two were apprehended and executed. They were far above ordinary robbers, being very generous and humane to all moderate people. The whigs had injured them, and they sought revenge at the hazard of their lives. Dr. John Watson, of Bucks county, contributed to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania a very interesting account of the primitive state of society in Buckingham and Solsbury. From his account I add a few particulars [further in this chapter.] When wheat and rye grew thick and tall on new land, and all was to be cut with sickles, many men, and some women, became dexterous in the use of them, and victory was contested from many a violent effort. About the year 1744, twenty acres of wheat were cut and shocked in half a day in Solsbury. Rum was drunk in proportion to the hurry of business on all such occasions. In fact, rum being a British liquor, had to be used, if at all, as the common beverage. A bottle of rum was handed about at vendues, each taking his draw from the neck of it, by a swallow or more. At wedding regales, and even at funerals, mixed and stewed rum, called spirits, was an expected and common entertainment. Rum was even put on their toasted bread occasionally. It led to its evils, and serious and considerate persons got an act of assembly prohibiting the use of spirits at vendues. Now temperance societies impose its disuse in every thing; and we know of good apple orchards there, now, of which they will no longer make even cider. Apple pies, both green and dried, have ever been in plentiful use all the year round in this county. The first settlers, and many of their successors, were accustomed to wear a strong and coarse dress -- such as enduring buckskin. It was used for breeches, and sometimes for jackets ; oznaburgs, made of hemp tow at 1s. 4d. a yard, was used for boys' shirts; sometimes flax, and flax and tow were also used. Coarse tow for trowsers, a leathern apron, made out the winter apparel. Such apparel for the labouring class was common down to 1750. A higher class, however, had means to procure such suits as would have purchased two hundred acres of land ! The coat of broad-cloth had three or four plaits [pleats] on the skirts; they were wadded to keep them smooth, as thick as a coverlet. The cuffs very large, went nearly up to the elbows. The hat was a good broad-brimmed beaver, with double loops, drawn nearly close behind, and half raised on each side. The ladies, in full mode, wore stiff whalebone stays, worth eight or ten dollars. The silk gown much plaited in the back. The sleeves were short and nearly twice as large as the arm; the rest of the arm covered with a fine linen sleeve, nicely plaited, locket buttons and long-armed gloves. The head was covered with a Bath bonnet and its cape. On marriage occasions the bride dressed in a long black hood without a bonnet. Two yards of rich "padua-soy" made such a hood, and used to be loaned for nuptial occasions. In time, came up the straw plait, called the bee-hive bonnet, and with it the blue or green apron. Before the use of upland grass and clover, they could only form or procure their grass in plains or swamps -- often at several miles from home, in which case it was stacked on the spot, and hauled home as needed, on sleds during the winter. In those days it was common to go ten or twelve miles to mill on horseback; the same distance to get any smith work and repairs. Horses were seldom shod, and blocks to pound hominy were used, in imitation of the Indians. The Indians were still much among them, very often bringing presents of game, beans &c., and refusing any pay. The Indian children were very sociable and fond of play. The prices, from 1724 to 1735, as seen marked in books of the time, set wheat at from 3 to 4s.; rye 2 to 3s.; middlings, fine - 7 to 8s.; -coarse 4s. 6d.; bran 1s.; salt 4s.; beef 2d.; bacon 4d.; pork 2d. Swine were easily raised and fattened. Venison roasted and in stew-pies, were luxuries of frequent use in their homely log cabins. Indian corn was not attempted to be raised in large quantities before the year 1750. Wheat was the great article for making money, it was cultivated with open fallows, and was generally ploughed three times a year. In the neighbourhood of Doylestown is considerable of Indian remains, such as their graveyard, &c.; and on the Neshamony near there, is said to be the grave of the celebrated chieftain Tamanee, after whom we have now the popular name of "Saint Tamany". It is also said, that the first court held in Pennsylvania was held in this county; and the oldest record to be found in our state, is found in the county office at Doylestown. It is a record, or register of "ear marks" for sheep and cattle, and showing by a drawing of the head of the animal, the different crops upon the ears, as well as an accompanying description in words, and in the name of the individual who assumed it as his designating property. This record, it is said, was made a little before Penn's landing, and was continued in practice for a number of years subsequently. The date is now effaced, but was certainly as early as 1681. The next record, in point of time, is a record of the Orphans' Court No. 1; its first entry bears date of the 4th day of 1st mo., 1693, and was held at the private dwelling of Gilbert Wheeler. "Present, the governor, Wm. Penn, with justices James Harrison, Jonathan Otter, Wm. Yardley, Wm. Beaks, and Thomas Fitzwater. Phineas Pemberton, clerk." The next court was held at Pennsbury; the next again at Gilbert Wheeler's, on the 7th of 8mo., 1684. At a court of Quarter Sessions, held the 10th of 10th mo., 1684, the eldest of Clark's orphans was bound to Richard Noble, until she attained the age of twenty-one, and was then to receive as her freedom, one cow and calf, and one sow. The above record book is complete to October 1692; and after that time the court was suspended or omitted for several years, having at times the record, "No court then held." On the 10th of 8th mo. 1697, a court is again held, when the record closes with "No court then, nor since, for orphans". The first record book for deeds commences in 1684. It is supposed, that if all the records were well examined by an industrious hand, and by a mind of proper tact for olden time inquiries, that something strange, amusing, or useful, might be found to gratify the present generation. But who shall do it ? The "Crooked Billet", now known as Hatborough, was originally settled by John Dawson, a hatter of London. The first name was derived from the first house there built, it being used as a public inn, with the sign of a crooked billet of wood hung out as a token, and the place, when made a town, was changed to the name of Hatborough, in reference to the employment of the first resident. His descendants have informed me, that when he first came there he built a cabin, and afterwards a stone house, with is own hands; and was assisted with stone and mortar by his daughter Ann, who married Bartholomew Longstreth, who came from Yorkshire in 1699. The same John Dawson moved to Philadelphia in 1742, and dwelt in the house south-west corner of Second and Church alley, made notable there as "the first built brick house". His relative, Wm. Clinkenbeard, a farmer in Plymouth, lived to be one hundred and eight years of age. Bartholomew Longstreth first opened the York road from the Billet to Neshamony. When he built his house, one hundred and twenty-eight years ago, now occupied by Daniel Longstreth, he sawed all his joist with a whip saw, from hewn squared logs. That family still retain the bell-metal mould in which he used, like other farmers, to make his own pewter spoons. Think of that specimen of household economy then ! They have also preserved the same iron with which old John Dawson used to smooth beaver hats. Old Jacob Heston, who died about ten years ago, had resided at, and died on the spot, and perhaps at the same house, that was first built in Wrightstown by his ancestors, who emigrated from New England at the time of the Quaker persecution. A remarkable providence attended them, deserving of some record here. The family was obliged to escape in the night, and eventually to cross the Delaware, not knowing whither they were going. They sat down in the woods, and to their surprise and satisfaction, found an old neighbour who had also fled on the same night, without the knowledge in either of them of their several intentions ! Here, amongst wild beasts and Indians, they found that security and repose that was denied them elsewhere. The road from Philadelphia to Buckingham, prior to the opening of the York road, was across the Neshamony at Galloway's ford, one mile above Hulmeville, through Langhorne park, thence by Attleborough, &c. Near that ford, once stood Growden's old fire proof, in which were kept records of Bucks county; and when Joseph Galloway went off with the British in `78, the office was broken open, and the records strewed about, to the use of any who might choose to possess them. Thomas Paxson, who saw them so strewed about on the ground the next morning, got hold of a MS. journal of a voyage down the Ohio, that was curious and interesting, and being lent about, has disappeared. The first built on the Pennepack was Gwin's mill, the same place where James Varee now has his rolling mill. An old log house of a Swede still remains, near the Neshamony, which has such superior construction as to be remarkable. All the logs are grooved, one above the other, as to turn all winds and rains, without the use of intermediate mortar, except in very thin quantity. John Watson, now of Buckingham, who is in himself a walking library in matters of local antiquity, especially in Buckingham valley, where the family first settled in 1691 -- besides the MS. book of occurrences (made by his father, Dr. John Watson) which he has bestowed on the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, has been a strenuous advocate of the "poor Indians" who, as he and others of Bucks county allege, were cheated out of their lands by the agents of the Penn family, at the time of the notable "great walk". He has written and given to the Philosophical Society, for their library, his circumstantial narrative of that "great walk". It was once a very exciting subject of animadversion and general discussion in Bucks. The agents publicly advertised a fee of £5 for the greatest walker for one day, and procured Marshall, who ran over four times as much ground as the Indians expected. He argues, and supposes, that all the country north-west of Wrightstown meeting-house, was taken from the Delawares without compensation. [Nicholas Scull, the surveyor-general, made oath in 1757, that he was present when James Yeates, and Edward Marshall, together with some Indians, walked one and a half days back in the woods from Wrighttown; did not run, or go out of a walk; that B. Eastburn, surveyor-general, and T. Smith, sheriff, were also along, and were satisfied of the same; and that no objections were expressed by the Indians at the time.] The Indians always cherished a spirit of revenge against Marshall and a party of warriors once came from their settlement at Wyoming, to seek his life. He was from home, but his wife was made prisoner, and his children escaped, by an Indian thoughtlessly throwing his match coat over a bee hive, which caused the party to be so attacked and stung, that they went off without the children. The mother, being pregnant, could not keep up with the party, and her bones and remains were found, six months afterwards, on the Broad mountain. In the revolutionary war, the Indian warriors again returned from west of the Ohio, into Tinicum, or Noxamixon townships, still aiming at Marshall, and he again escaped by being from home; they then went back through Jersey. This they told themselves after the peace. The most of these facts, above told, are not in his "Narrative of the Walk" as above mentioned; but coming from his own mouth, are to be respected and believed, as the relations of an honest and intelligent gentleman : for such he is. The "Log College" of Tennant, still remains near the Neshamony; and lately it was so, that a gentleman called and offered five dollars for a piece of its log, and scared the occupants, as if the enthusiast was demented ! It would seem, from family names existing in Bucks, that many of the Dutch must have been primitive settlers there, most probably under grants from Governor Andros, of New York. There is a place, beyond Abington, called Holland, which even now is much settled with Dutch names, such as Wynkoop, Vanmeter, Vansant, Corell, &c. The Presbyterian church too, at Abington, founded in 1717, was originally got up by the people near there of the Reformed Dutch faith, the descendants of Dutch forefathers. These facts were confirmed to me by the present pastor, the Rev. Mr. Steele. New Britain was settled by the Welsh. PENNSBURY This was the name of Penn's country place and mansion -- sometimes called his "palace" -- in Bucks county, situated on the margin of the Delaware river, below Bordertown. There William Penn and his family lived, during part of his stay among us in the years 1700 and 1701. There, he often entertained Indians, and held treaty convenants, religious meetings, &c. The place was constructed in 1682-3, at great expense for that day, having cost £7000, and having considerable of the most finished or ornamental materials brought out from England. The mansion was sixty feet in front, by forty feet in depth; the garden, an ornamental and sloping one, lay along the river side in front of it, and numerous offices were in a front line with the dwelling. All that now remains is the house now occupied by Robert Crozier -- the same building of wood which was originally formed for Penn's family "brew house". After Penn had gone back to England, his place was retained some time in hopes of his return. His furniture was long preserved there, and finally got sold and spread about in Bucks county. His clock, and his writing desk and secretary, I have seen. For many years the people of Burlington used to make visits to the place, because of its associations with so distinguished a man -- "a hallowed haunt, though but in ruins seen". Beneath a great grove of walnut trees they used to regale, and take their refreshments. A leaden reservoir on the top of the house, kept there for retaining water as a security against fire, got to leaking, and caused the building to fall into premature decay, so that at the era of the revolution, it was torn down, with an intention to rebuild another; but the war prevented that design. While it rested in a state of decay, it had a furnished chamber, hung with fine tapestry, and in which the family members were intended to be lodged in case of visits. This, from the being so seldom opened, and when seen, presenting so many tokens of musty and cob-web interior, got the reputation of "the spirit-room" and was deemed to be a haunted chamber ! All who used to visit the premises in years long since, were accustomed to take away some relics of the place. Some such I have preserved -- such as the carved side of the door, and a piece of the bed cover, curiously worked by Letitia Penn. In the Pennsylvania Hospital is Penn's chair, taken from this mansion. The country around, through Penn's manor, presents a generally level and rich soil; but its aspect from the river side is quite low and tame. Formerly a creek (now dry) ran round behind the mansion, at some distance, forming the farm into an island, and being crossed at places by bridges. At those places Penn once had his pleasure barge, and some small vessels. It has been matter of surprise to some, why Penn so soon provided for a country residence, even when society for mutual benefit was so necessary in the early rise of Philadelphia. A cause may perhaps be found in his predilections for a country life, as expressed in his admirable letter of family counsel, to wit : "Let my children (he said) be husbandmen and housewives. This leads to consider the works of God and nature and diverts the mind from being taken up with the vain arts and inventions of a luxurious world. Of cities and towns of concourse beware. The world is apt to stick close to those who have lived and got wealth there. A country life and estate I like best for my children". A letter of William Penn says, the place cost him £7000, and he intended to settle permanently there, saying, "I should have returned to it in ' 86 or ' 89 at furthest". In 1705, he says, "whether I surrender to the crown or not, shall make no difference as to my coming and inhabiting there". He says he bought there of an old Indian king. Of course it was a royalty once ! It was called Sepessin. The original tract of Pennsbury contained, in 1684, about 3431 acres from which were abstracted, at various times afterwards, about 1888 acres granted to others, and 400 acres besides to Arthur Cook, a public Friend of Philadelphia. John Richardson, a public Friend, speaks in his journal of living with William Penn at Pennsbury in 1701 -- saw there a public meeting and a marriage; also an Indian assemblage to renew and revive former covenants with Penn before his departure for England -- they held a cantico or worship, sitting around a fire, and singing a very melodious hymn, after which they joined in a dance, &c. Having had in my possession, the book of MS. letters from William Penn to James Harrison, his chief steward -- i.e., his general agent of the years 1681 to 1687 -- [vide the letters in form in my MS. Annals, pages 164 to 171, in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania]. I have here selected such extracts, as will serve to show the character of the houses &c., once made or intended as the residence of the proprietary and his future generations, to wit : In August 1684, he says, he sends Ralph, his gardener, some walnut trees to set, and some seeds of his own raising, which are rare good. He urges Ralph to stick in his garden, and to get the yards fenced in, and doors to them. By an Irish ship, he says, he sends butter, cheese, shoes, &c. -- Some beer at £10 a tun, and some wine. On the 18th of 11th month, 1684-5, he says "I have sent herewith four servants -- three carpenters, and a gardener; he had three more, but they failed him. I would (says he) have a kitchen, two larders, a wash house, a room to iron in, a brew-house, and a Milan oven for baking, a stable for twelve horses; all my rooms I would have nine feet high, and my stables eleven feet, and overhead half a story. What you can, do with bricks. What you can't, do it with good timbers, and case them with clap-boards, about five feet, which will serve other things, and we can brick it up afterwards". -- [Probably this was never done afterwards, and furnished a cause of premature decay.] "Pray, let the court-yard be levelled, and the fields and places about house be cleanly and orderly kept; so let me see thy conduct and contrivance about grounds and farm accommodations. I hope the barge is kept safely. Let Ralph take the lower grounds of the garden, and the other, his helper, the upper grounds and courts -- have too a convenient well, or pump, for the several offices." "I desire that a pair of handsome plain steps be made at the landing right against the house, also the bridge more passable going to John Rowland's, unless one over the creek near the New England people may be better done. "I would have a walk to the falls [meaning in the direction to them] and to the point where S.H.'s son built, cleared so as two may walk a foot. It would be pleasant if the old Indian paths were cleared up." "Pray, secure the refusal of the New England people's farms -- I have some in my eye that will buy them." "Let there be a two-leaved door back, and have a new one in one for the front, as the present is most ugly and low. I would have a rail and banisters before both fronts. The pales will never serve round, though they are sad ones." The 19th of third month, 1685, he writes and says "I like all thou hast sent me. I hope they go on with the houses and gardens, and let them finish that which is built as fast as they can. The partition between the left parlour and the great room the servants used to eat in, should be wainscotted up. The doors had best be large between the older parlour and the withdrawing room." "If the cattle of Col. Lloyd are not brought home from Maryland, dissolve the bargain, because I will supply beef from Ireland. The last I sent went by way of Barbadoes." "Let Ralph this fall get about twenty young poplars, of about eighteen inches round, beheaded to twenty feet, to plant in the walk below the steps to the water." "I mentioned the kinds of out-houses wanted, but I know how to shift. I am a man of providence tost to and fro." The 11th of 5th month 1685. he writes and says, "Tell Ralph I must depend on his perfecting his gardens -- hay dust [is not this seed?] from Long Island, such as I sowed in my court yard is the best for our fields. I will send divers seeds for gardens and fields. About the house may be laid out into fields and grass, which is sweet and pleasant. I trust to provide myself at my coming with carpenters, three mares and their colts. I intend to bring more when I come, and a fine horse. A good dairy my wife will love." The 4th of 8th month 1685, he says "I hear poor Ralph is dead. Let Nicholas then follow it (the garden) diligently, and I will reward him. Do not much hiring of carpenters and joiners. That I sent will do. Assure my servants, if they prove faithful and diligent, I will be kind to them in land and other things at my return. By this ship, I propose to send some haws, hazelnuts, walnuts, garden seeds, &c." {Note : haw = hawthorn berry} In another letter he says, "I have now sent a gardener (in place of Ralph, deceased) with requisites. Let him have help of two or three men when needful. He is to have his passage paid and £30, and sixty acres of land, at three years, and a month in each year to himself; he to train me a man and a boy. There comes also a Dutchman, a joiner and a carpenter, that is to work one hundred and fifty days, and pay me £5 or £7 sterling lent him. Let him wainscot and make tables and stands : but chiefly help on the out-houses, because we shall bring much furniture". "I would have Nicholas (the gardener) have as many roots and flowers next spring, by transplanting them out of the woods, as he can. 7th of 9th month 1685, he writes and says "I am glad the Indian fields bore so well. Lay as much down as you can with hay dust, and clear away the wood up the river to open a prospect upwards as well as downwards. Get some wooden chairs of walnut, with long backs, and two or three eating tables for twelve, eight and five person, with falling leaves to them:. 17th of 9th month 1685, he says, "P. Ford has sent James Reed more trees, seeds, and sciences (scions) which James, my gardener here, bought. Tell James I would have him lay in a good stock before he parts with any thing I send him. I would send free stones for the steps, if he had the dimensions. What you build is best done with bricks. The man I sent can make them. A better kitchen would do well, with milk-house, stable, &c., but all by degrees. There is gravel for walks that is red, at Philadelphia near the swamp. In what you build, let there be low lodgings over head of eight feet. Let all be uniform, and not ascu [askew] from the house. Get and plant as much quick as you can, about fields, and lay them out large, at least twelve acres in each. In 1686 he writes : "I send a wheelwright, who can also work as a carpenter. I should be glad to see a draft of Pennsbury, [and so might we !] which an artist would quickly make, with the landscape of the house, out-houses, their proportions and distance from each other. Tell me how the peach and apple orchards bear. Of what are the out-houses built, and how do they stand to the house. Pray don't let the fronts of the house be common. I leave thee whether to go on with my son's land above Welcome creek or no." Such is the early history of the munificient expenditures and intentions of Penn. A letter of Wm. Penn to James Logan, of the 23d of 5th mo. 1700, then at Pennsbury, says, "That, because of an injury done his leg, he is unable to meet the council &c., and therefore desires that four of the counsel, the collector and minister, and wetness, to come up to him by his barge, which he will send to Burlington." He adds, too, "Let the Indians come hither, and send in the boat more rum, and the match coats, and let the council adjourn to this place. Here will be victuals." At this time he speaks also of his coach or "calash" and horses, then in Philadelphia, and of his man John (a black man) to drive it. The above letter seems to indicate an assemblage or gathering for a treaty. It would seem there must have been a plurality of such Indian assemblages; for in 1701, John Richardson, in his journal, tells of his being there when many Indians and chiefs were then to revive their covenants with Wm. Penn, before his return home. There they received presents, and held their cantico or worship, by dancing around a fire prepared on the ground. In 1703-4, when young William Penn came to this country, there assembled as many as one hundred Indians, and nine kings, at Pennsbury, to greet his arrival there. It may further serve to give us a more direct insight into household economy and domestic concerns of such a man as Penn, and as marking the state and style of the grandees of olden time, to give here a list of the furniture and plate, which once was deposited at Pennsbury, to wit : J. F. Fisher got from Stoke Pogis, of John Penn, two papers containing an account of what goods and plate Penn had at Pennsbury, and left there on the 3d of 10 mo., 1701, to wit : In the best chamber, sundry tables, stands, cane chairs, a bed and bedding, and a suit of satin curtains, &c. In the next chamber, a bed and bedding, six cane chairs, a suit of camblet curtains, &c. In the next chamber, one wrought bed and bedding, six wooden chairs, &c. In the nursery, one pallet bedstead, two chairs of master John's and sundries, &c. In the next chamber, one bed and bedding, one suit of striped linen curtains, four rush-bottomed chairs, &c. In the garrets, four bedsteads, two beds, three side saddles -- one of them my mother's, two pillions. IN THE LOWER ROOMS -- best parlor, two tables, one couch, two great cane chairs and four small ditto, seven cushions -- four of them satin, three others green plush, and sundries more. The other parlour, two tables, six chairs, one great leather chair, one clock, a pair of brasses, and other mentioned things. In the little hall, six leather chairs, five maps. In the great hall, one long table and two forms, six chairs, pewter dishes, five mazarins, two cisterns, and sundries others. Linen and plate, damask, Irish diaper, fine Dutch diaper, hugabag, five sideboard cloths, one large tankard, one basin, six salts, one skillet, five plates, seven spoons, two forks, two porrigers, &c., small articles. A chest of drawers containing an invoice of linen, all marked W.P.H. In the closet and best chamber, bed and bedding, two silk blankets and white curtains, also two damask curtains for windows, six cane chairs, one hanging press. In the kitchen, a grate iron, one pair of racks, three spits, one pair of great dogs, &c. I see another paper entitled, "Plate carried to Pennsylvania", from which I extract some of the items : one large tankard, one caudle cup, three tumblers, six spoons, two forks, three chafing dishes with things to burn spirits, one large plate with the Springet arms that Springet's grandmother gave him, one little strong-water bottle, G.M.S., one save-all, G.S., six spoons with a cross, six egg spoons, W.P.G., six porrigers, G.W.P., eighteen spoons, G.W.P., six forks with W.P.'s arms, one skillet, J.P.M., one sucking bottle, M.P. -- W.P., one sugar dish, J.J.M., one large chafing dish with gridiron, a top, which Letitia's grandmother Penington gave her, also one skimmer, from the same to her, one large plate with the Springet arms, that Springet's grandmother Penington gave him. (Several other items are named.) In conclusion, we add hereto three original letters of Penn, to John and Mary Sacher, while overseeing his concerns at Pennsbury. They are so primitive, frank and friendly, as to set the spirit of the man before us, while we read them. Lond. 12, 8mo., 1705 Honest John and Mary. -- My reall love is to you, and desire you and your little ones preservation heartily, and I know so does my dear wife and loving mistress. We are all, through the Lord's mercy, well, save little Hannah at Bristoll, whose arme has a weakness. She is a sweete childe, as Thomas and little Margaret. I doubt not your care and good husbandry, and good housewifery, to make that place profitable to me, after the hundreds, yea thousands, yt have been sunk there from the beginning. Though if that could be lett, to one yt would not misuse it, and you upon a plantation for my deare Johnne, I should like it better, and pray tell James (Logan) so; for I think I have spent too much there already. Johnne grows a fine childe, tall, brisky as a bird, his mother's limbs, but my countenance, and witty, as others say, and as healthy as any of them. Let me hear from you how Sam and Sue attend, and if the black boy and little Sue begin to be diligent. The Lord be with you, and all his humble and faithful ones, on both sides the water. Farewell : your reall friend, Wm. Penn. Lond. 18, 3mo., 1708 John Sacher -- Loving friend. -- I had thy letter with satisfaction, and glad to hear of thy and family's welfare. I am glad to hear of the good condition of poor Pennsbury, beloved of us all, and there, in the will of God, we wish ourselves. If thou leavest it, give J. Logan an act. of ye fruit of thy labour, as acres cleared, and fence, and of both plow and sow land. Likewise, deliver all ye plate, linnen and household stuff into his possession and care. [This may account for my Penn-chair received from Mrs. Logan] I bless God, we are all alive and well, save our dear sweete Hannah, whom the Lord took four months ago, at 4 1/2 years, the wittiest and womanliest creature that her age (of 4 1/2) could show, but His holy will be done. Thy loving friend, Wm. Penn To Honest Mary. -- I had thine by our frd. Mary Dannester, with the pair of gloves to Johnne, which both pleased and fitted him well. I was well pleased to heare of yr well doing while at that place of my pleasure, poor Pennsbury, which I like for a place better than I have ever yet lived at, and I hope since `tis lett, (which to be sure James (Logan) does to our advantage), it will be kept as it deserves, and be fitt to receive me, if the Lord please to make way for our coming thither again. My dear father has been dangerous ill, which hurry'd me to Bristoll lately. There I saw my brother, who has three children, and thrives in person and trade. With true love to thee and thy husband, and honest friend Jane, remain thy friend, W.P. Gr¾me Park. Mrs. Hart, an aged lady, remembered the park when, in the affluence and circumstance of the Gr¾me family, it was stocked with deer, and when all the woods, of five hundred acres, was cleared of underwood, and through the whole were several open avenues, (since grown up). One place only was left uncleared, called the thicket. The place was surrounded by privet hedge. Miss Stedman who dwelt with, and survived Mrs. Furguson, the talented daughter of Doctor Gr¾me, retained all the poetic and other papers of Mrs. Furguson, and at the death of Miss Stedman, the papers fell into the hands of Mr. Smith of Lehman and Smith, druggists in Philadelphia. Ms. Furguson was a remarkably ready talker, even when a very aged woman, and always talked well. She was habitually called "Lady Furguson" by the neighbours of Gr¾me Park. This same place was sold to French, in 1836, as a poor farm, at a very small price. SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI ! Mrs. Furguson, it will be remembered, was the lady who was employed, as it was said, to offer the British bribe to Governor Read. End- Part III