PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
/
DELAWARE COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Vol. Two
CHESTER. PA.
1902 ^ ^ 1922
1 PUBLIC UBR^^n
* 7 4393RM
MIDSUMMER MEETING
OF THK
DELAWARE COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The inidsiuniiu'i- nieetiii'j ol" the Delaware County
Historical Society was held -June 26, 1902, in the old Presl)y-
terian Church, in ]\Iiddletown Township, Delaware County.
It was larjrely attended. The followincr named persons were
on tlie Reception Committee, and Special Committee as
follows : —
The meetin.u' was caUed to ofcU'r at 2 P. M. by tlie I'resi-
dent, A. Lewis Sinitli. After music by the Elwyn Band, the
following account of the Churdi was presented by Rev. "Wm
T. Kruse, pastor of the chuich. This followed by music anil
other papers that follow.
MIDSmiMER :\IEETIXG
OF THE
DELAWARE COIXTV IITSTORH'AL SOCIETY
AT
OLD PRESP.VTKH1.\\ CIirRCTT
iMiddletown, Delaware Co., Pa.
OX Tin -RSI) AY. JrXE 2<ith, 1902
At 2 O'clock P. .M.
3
ORDER OF EXERCISES
Music
By The Elw yii Training School Band
Bkief Stokv of Old ]\Iiddletown Church
By Rev. Wm. T. Kruse
Music
Reminiscences op William Ward
By Win. B. Broomall, Esq.
Music
Paper on Life of Dr. Elwood Harvey
By Dr. Wm. B. Ulrich
Music
Incidents of Forty Ykars' Service in the U. S. N.
(With Kccolh'ctions of Admirals Farragut and Porter)
Hy Col. ITonry Clay Coelirane
SPECIAL COMMITTKKS
Badges
^Irs. .J. Kclwards WoodbridLrc
Mrs. CJt'oi'jLTe M. Lewis Miss Fnniiic A. ( 'ciiiipltfll
Refreshments
^Irs. R. Somers Rhodes
]Miss Sallic Flickwir II. G. Ashniead
pROORAAr
Rev. \)v. \\ W. .Mowry
I)a\i(l M. -loliiison II. G. Aslimead
Transportation
Dr. John IMaeFaydeii
Joseph R. T. Coates Frederick A. Howard
Decorations and ^Iusic
.Mrs. Joshua L. Pusey
Mrs. ChaHes S. Wrllcs Edward A. Price
Miss Laura Hard Xnn-is J. Scnft
5
RECEPTION COMMITTEE
James W. Howarth, Esq., Chairman
Mrs. Richard Peters
Miss Sallie Fliekwir
Mrs. P. W. Janeway
Mrs. J. Watts ]\Iercur
Mrs. P. H. Mowry
Mrs. Isaac L. Miller
Miss Mary L. Dunn
Mrs. George M. Booth
Mrs. J. Newlin Trainer
Mrs. John C. Price
Mrs. H. G. Ashmead
Mrs. Louis Page
Mrs. D. Edwin Irving
Mrs. John P. Crozer
Miss Mary A. Kent
Clifton Heights
Mrs. Walter ]\I. Sharpless
Mrs. Joshua L. Pusey, Lima
Mrs. H. Clay Marshall
Mrs. Henry L. Broomall
Mrs. Ferris W. Price
Mrs. Edward H. Hall
Mrs. Elizabeth S. Bunting
Mrs. Charles L. Broomall
Dr. Hannah J. Price
Rev. William T. Kruse
Charles S. Welles
W. Shaler Johnson
0. B. Dickinson
David M. Johnson
A. G. C. Smith
Joseph R. T. Coates
Josiah Smith
Henry Pleasants
J. Howard Roop
Fred T. Pusey, Lansdowne
Frank B. Rhodes
Morgan Bunting
Edward A. Price
John M. Shrigley
Henry L. Broomall
William C. Sproul
Edward H. HaU
Albert A. Roop
Dr. S. Stockton Horner
Thornton
J. Howard Mendenhall
Gradyville
Lewis Palmer
Concord
MIDSIM.MKK MKKTING
jr\K 2li, 1!)02
CURIOUS RECORDS OF AN OLD
CHURCH
Rev. W. T. Kruse Writes Entertainingly op History of
MiDDLETOWN PRESBYTERIAN ChURCII
SOME QUAINT INSCRIPTIONS
Old Tombstones Which Mark Graves of Forgotten
People — Historical Facts and Valuable Data
Concisely Told
The interesting historical sketch of the old ]\riddleto\vn
Presbyterian Church, which was read Viy Rev. W. T. Kruse
at the recent meetinjr of the Delaware County Historical
Society, is reproduced below. Mr. Kruse handles the sub.iect
extremely well, and the paper will prove a valuable ad.pnict
to the archives of the society. His subject is: "Some Inter-
estinjr Facts in the History of Old Middletown Presbyterian
Church."
The cluiicli with its l)urial-orround here is a spot where
imicli history has been enacted. The organization antedates
l)y fifty ycai's and iiiDfc the Revolutionary war and the De-
claration of Independence, and the site is within five miles
westward of tlic spot where William IVnn first landed on the
Delawaie river. Indian chief, British redcoat and colonial
soldier have alike pressed foot upon its soil. Here in its
.sacred dust sleep patriots of the Revolutionary and Civil
Wars, ministers of the <;ospel, and noble men and women who
served well their God, their country and generation in civil
and private life.
7
Thus we come to-day to one of the fountain heads whence
have flowed for nearly two centuries streams that enrich and
hless. :\Iost cordially do wejvelcome you all here, and as we
endeavor to drink somewhat of the streams that have here
flowed, I trust you may be refreshed and feel repaid for
coming.
MANY HISTORICAL FACTS
The historical facts that center here are abundant, and,
if only they had been adequately preserved, would be of
surpassing interest. A few years ago I picked up under the
vciy shadow of the church an Indian arrow-head in perfect
preservation, which after long years had again worked its
way to the surface. Unlike that arrow-head, much of the
early history — we might almost say, all the early history —
has been lost, doubtless never to be disinterred in this life.
Nonf> of the earlier congregational records have survived.
Tradition has it they perished in a fire which consumed the
pastor's residence a short distance from the church, on the
iMiddletown road, where Mr. William Bonsall's house now
stands, in the year 1802. The subsequent records earlier than
the Spring of 1846 were either never permanently recorded,
or have been lost. But what T have gathered are, I believe,
some of the trustworthy facts from original records, books,
pamphlets, and the memory of persons now living or recently
deceased.
The church here had its roots in the old country.
Tlie immigration to America from the north of Ireland
began with a discernable current from about the year 1710
to 1715, and from that time on, till the middle of the century
they came to our shores by thousands annually. Driven from
their homes by ecclesiastical tyranny, naturally they sought
settlements in the only two colonies, namely ^laryland and
Pennsylvania, where toleration obtained, and more especially
in Pennsylvania, where toleration was fullest. Wherever they
settled they carried the church of their fathers and of their
choice with them, and alongside of the church they erected
8
the school-lKnisc. Willi tlifin coiisi-iciicc as ciiliirlitciicd l)y the
\v(>i'l\ of God was siiprciiic. 'I'licy valm-d ('ducat ion, and at
the eai'liest o|i|)oi't unity turiird ilicii- attriitiini to aivuh'iincs
and collcLtcs in wliirh \n cdiicatc tlirir childrrn, havirm the
deep eonvii't ion that without sound h'arniiiLr there eoidd be no
permanence in rrliiiion or stal)iiity in civil institutions, nor
any pure and nndchascd enjoyments in private life. 'Phcy
valued llie school, hut witli iheni the ('hurch (d' CJod was a
necessity. No sooner had they snhdned a s)nall part of the
wilderness than they oriianized the chnndi. The ineetinff
-honses — for so they called theni were usually in the first
instance huilt of unhewn lo^s, and a smaller hut e(|uall\- rude
structure served for session -i-oum an<l school-house. Ilei-e the
words of eti'rnal truth wei'<' preached, and the "school-master
from Trelanil'" faithfull.\- tauuht the elements of knowledge.
SCOTCH IKI-l I ]'Ki;si!NTKKI.\XS
That is a portraitnre certainly of the spirit and douhlless
of the snhstantial facts of the ol•^•aInzation of the church here.
For into this community anil the surroundini;' i-eiiictn a Ljritup
of those men came some time after 1710 and before 1720,
obtaininji: here settlements for themselves and their fanulies,
anil true to their con.sciences and their convictions, they soon
bronizht the church with them. Of that original liroun of
Scotch- li-isli IMesliytei'ians. wc know not even a sini^le name
save as they were perpetuated in th(Mr descendants. Tn-
ferrintr from this we conclude they were MeClellans, Mc-
]\rinns. Lindsays. Blacks, McMiclnnds. Cahlwells. McCreas.
Millei-s, Hunters, ^McCloskics, etc.
Thus there are stron<: reasons to li.\ the date of the organ-
ization of the church here not later than 1720. A|»art from
the historical basis for this juduinent in the fact alluded to
that the Scotch- 1 lish ctVecti-d a settlement in this locality
shoi-tly b(d'oi-e that date, Dr. George Smith in his history of
Delaware County mentions, anil his statement is corroborated
by the testimony of one of the members now living that his
bi-othcr nuule a copy of the insci-ipt ion. that there stood in the
U
ceniptory a headstone bearing the date of 1724, showing that
at that time God's people had begun to bury their dead here,
and arguing convincingly for a prior date of the organization.
Moreover, that that was the earliest interment here made is
far from certain or even likely, for the reason, that the great
bulk of those old graves were never marked by any inscribed
stone at all, merely a rough stone of the field being placed
at the head and the foot of the grave. Along with scores of
others, the stone of 1724 has disappeared, the two oldest de-
cipherable ones now standing bearing the date of 1731.
DEPENDENT UPON SUPPLIES
For the first nine or ten years after its organization, the
congregation seems to have been dependent upon supplies,
some occasional, some more or less regular, for its pulpit
ministrations, owing to its inability independently to maintain
a pastor. But in 1730, after the union with Lower Brandy-
wine for a joint pastorate of the two congregations, the Rev.
Robert Cathcart seems to have become the first pastor under
this arrangement, and so continued for ten years, till 1740,
when he resigned in order to begin his labors in which after-
wards became the First Church of Wilmington. Del. By
1735 the congregation, under Mr. Cathcart 's ministry, seems
to have been firmly established and well known, not only in
the colonies, but across the waters.
FAMOUS BOOK
For in that year the Rev. Dr. Isaac Watts, of London,
presented to the congregation, along with a copy of his Book
of Ilynnis, the precious folio volume of Richard Baxter's
works, which although much torn and worn by age and use.
has sui'vived the waste of years and is still the treasured
possession of the church, and on the fly-leaf of which Dr.
Watts himself wrote this dedicatory inscription :
"This Book, called Mr. Baxter's Directory, was given by
ye Reverend Dr. Watts, of London, to ye Protestant Dissent-
ing Congregation usually assembling at Middletown, in Penn-
10
sylvaiiiii, that pcDple wliocdiiif t'l'ntu far aiul spriKl llu- ulioir
ila\- tluTf iiia\- liav>' s tliiiiir jiroptT to ciiltTlaiii t hcinsclvrs
uitli, or ti) riad to oiir aiH'tlnM- ln'twrcii the sessions of worsliip.
inoniinj; ami afternoon; anil 'tis for this end entrusted to ye
care of ye I'rotestant Dissentini; Minister who preaehes there,
and to his successors, to l)e used by him or tliem in their
\veekl\ study, when they please, and to ho secured and de-
voted to the use of ye congregation on ye Lords days.
.lauy. :U)th, ITiiiVG."
'■This lidok is committed to the care of Mi-. r>cii.i. llawle.v
to l)c carried o\-ci- to 1 'ciiiisylvaiiia, and al'tcr he has i<cpt it in
his own hands and math' the hcst use ot' it t'ni- six inontlis. that
is, till tlie ;{(»th of .Inly next . he shal I delivi-r it to the hands of
the present Trotestant 1 )isscnt ini;- Minister for the purposes
hefoi'c melit ioiied.
PREACHING IN (1LD DAYS
Previous to 1729. it is not eertain or even likely that tlicrc
was a cluifch i)uildiuLr of any (lescrii)tion. the eongi'cgation,
then small and struggling, inectiuL:- as they were able to seciii-e
preaj.'hing at the house most pi-ohahly of the owner of the
gi'oinul whereon the church now stands, who doubtless was the
most active and aggressive spirit among them, and whose name,
as apjx'ars from the old deed of trust executed in IT")!, was
Jiobei't MeClelhin. For that deed of trust sets forth that on
August :^rd of that year. Klizabeth, the widow of Robert Me-
Clellan, who at that time by a second marriatre was the wife
of Henry Caldwell, and her eleven childicn by her tirst mar-
riage, six sons and live dauiihters, had on that date by deed
conveyed the j.hit of ground and the frame house — most
probabl.N- a \*>'j: building;- — that stood on it, to six trustees for
the use of tiie l'i-esbytei-ian Society there woi-shipping as a
place of worship and bui'ial of their dead forever. The deed
thus manifestly only made legal and perpetual what had lom:
obtained from the beginning by use and generous suH'erani'e of
the owners.
11
EARLIEST CHURCH BUILDING
The earliest church building erected seems to have been
in 1729; for in that year we find in the records of Lower
Brandywine that that congregation, having become unable to
supixtit a minister alone, agi'eed to assist Middletown in erect-
ing a house of worship on condition that there should be a
joint pastorate between them. This arrangement evidently
was carried out and the building erected at once. This was
the building, it is believed, which in the deed of 1751 is
designated as a "frame house"', that is, a log church.
That building served the congregation until 1756, when it
was replaced by a more substantial stone structure. In that
year Mr. James Lindsay, of Aston township, and Andrew
McMinn superintended the erection of the new church, the
funds for the erection of which were obtained in part by the
sale, it is said by Mr. James ]McMullin at a meeting of the
Board of Trustees, held August 26th, 1852, and recorded in
their minute, of lottery tickets, that being a method of raising
church funds not unusual in those daj's. Mr. McMullin states
that he began coming to the church with his father in the
year 1795, when the congi-egation numbered about fifty. Part
of those old walls of 1756 still remain, hard as adamant,
through all the changes of the years in the structure of to-
day.
THE SECOND EDIFICE
This second edifice, during the all but 150 years of its
existence, has undergone several modifications and repairs, of
which we have positive knowledge of three, two of which made
it almost, save as to the walls, a new Iniilding. 1798, Mr.
McIMidlin says, it was thoroughly repaired and the first stove
placed in the old session-house to warm themselves before
entering the church after their long horseback rides; for in
those days the congregation came on hoi-se-back, with saddle
and pillion for man and wife, lover and friend. For years
two of the old mounting-blocks stood here in the gi-ounds, till
at last, after the age of vehicles, they were allowed to crumble
12
into ruins and pass aw i,\ . Tlic nld fonl over Clu-stiT Crcj'k,
at wliat was Idult known as " " I'lcshytrrian Konl", Mi>\\ i-allfd
Mt. Alvcriu) Station, nia\ Im- clearly seen to this day. and tin-
hridlc-pafh leadiiiLT from the same up to tlu' I'lmrcli may
still lu' traced on the adjoinini: farm. The mother of our
fellow-memher, .lames W. Howard, Ksipiire. tirst connneuced
to attend divine services here iii the year 1S24. and often told
him how she c(»nld remend)er seeini,' tlie eluirch crowded and
not a vehicle on the yround.
IMI'ROVEMKN'TS MADK
In 184(). ttic IjuildiiiLT iteinir considerahly dilapidated, to
use the woi'ds of the i-ecord, if was aji;ain greatly repaired, in
fact rehuilt except tlie walls, eidar^'ed hy an extent ion to the
eastward, and improved l)y internal changes, the entrance
door heinir removed from tlu* second window westward ou
the south side to the west end facinu' the pulpit as it now is:
the old arched ceilinir tliat followed the roof to the peak irave
way to a fiat eeilinir similar to the |)resent one; the modern
pul|)i[ in the cast md replaced the diic that stood nr hunu'
suspended on the noith side "ten feet ahove the heads of the
|>cople" reached hy a donl)le stair-case, and in which th«' min-
ister disai)peai"ed fidm view save when he stood up to preacli
or j)ray. ]»ut the ohl-fashioned hijrii-hack l>ox pews were
retained, irrouped in two center hlocks with one tier on either
sich' next to the wail, and two aisles intervenin-.'. After that
renovating' ami enlarLrinent the i)uildin<r remained umhanired
till the fire of P^'hruan- 1st, 187!). save that in IH')}) the trtis-
tees l)uill tcna cotta tines tlirouirh the loof in order to |»la<'e
st(»ves for the tirst time in its hist>ry inside tlie cluireh. This
arranj^ement ultimately proved the occasion of the tire o*'
]S7!I. which entirely eonsiuned the interior, leavinir only the
hare hut solid walls. It was at once rehuilt. utilizing the
standin<r walls. The et^'m-t was toward an exact reproduction
of the olil huildinu' in the new. so far as com[)atil)le with lu^it-
ness, comfort and modern us«'. The result of that r tnstruc.
tion was the church practicall.v as it stands to-day.
OLDEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
This is the oldest Presbyterian church in what is now
Delaware County. George Whitefield is said to have preached
here in 1741 to an audience of five thousand persons. For
just about an even hundred years it stood the only Presby-
terian church for fifteen to thirty miles around. After that
she became a mother of churches. Under date of October 4th,
1842, Mr. John P. Crozer, speaking of old Middletown, wrote :
"This ancient edifice, truly venerable in appearance, was
erected by godly men, who have for three-quarters of a century
slept in death. This is one of the oldest places of worship
in the whole country-, and its substantial and venerable walls
testify that the yeomanry, by whom they were erected, were
willing to honor God with their subsistence, and in that day,
when farm houses were of the plainest and simplest kind, they
were willing to pay for a large and commodious edifice, and
dedicate it to the worship of Almighty God."
OLD INSCRIPTIONS
Here are some of the old inscriptions to be found in the
grave-yard. Those of the two oldest show sadly the ravages
of time. They are now scarcely legible and will soon be en-
tirely effaced. One reads: "JAMES COOPER, DECESED,
THE FORTH DAY OF NOVEMBER IN THE YEAR OF
GOD, 1731." And on the footstone: "HIS AGE FIFTY-
TWO YEARS."
The other one reads: "MARTHA DICKEY, DECESED
AUGUST THE TWENTY FIRST, 1731." And the foot-
stone: "HUR AGE, TWO YEARS AND SIX MONTHS."
Here is another :
DAVID BUCHANAN, Died Nov. 3, 1738
' ' True to his friend, to his promise just. Benevolent,
and of religious trust."
It is said he was an ancestor of the subsequent President
of the United States,
14
Kill I of the tiavur of am inuil s uir l Ih-m- :
SA.MI i:i- Clio/KK. |),..,1 1747
My class is run.
My work is dnni',
My body's uiuI'T irromid,
Intonihrd in flay.
I'ntil thr tlay,
1 hear flu- tnunpi't soimtl.
"In ni.'iiioiy of MAKTllA, wife of William Sallyanls.
who departed this life Sept. 1!>. 1806. A^ed 44 years.
KenieiiilitT man as yon pass hy.
As you are now so on«'e was I,
As I am now .so you must h**.
So prt'part' for (h>ath and follow mc"
RKV. .lAMES .VNDKRSdX
Immediately at the southeast corner of the ehun-h is the
grave of the Rev. .lames .\nderson. who whs one <»f the eai Tu'st
known pastors of the ehureh. He was installed in 1770 and
eontinued until his death. Sept. 22. 1793. lie was here dur-
ing? all the stormy period of the Revohition. where we cannot
douht lu> kept the fires of patriotism hurnini; hri^rhtly. an«l
roused many a younir man of his conLrreiration to the dctcnsi-
of his country. His nnnistry at Middlctown c«»vered almost
his entire manhood life. lie died suddenly at .Marcus Hook,
acred r)4 years. He was «;reatly heloved. The inscription on
his tomb bears witness to his humility and his zeal. l)is fidelity
an<l his uortli.
"Modest tliro' life, an humble path he trtnl.
And pas.sed liis days in service of his Ood ;
To ffiiilty men he preached redeeming irrace.
Till death's unsparinR scythe cut short his race;
Called by bis glorious .Master to the skies.
lie now enjoys, we hope, the inunortal prize."
1.')
Immediately to the rear of the pulpit-end of the church,
and near the center, is the grave of Isaac Snowden, whose
inscription is a classic model in its purity of diction, its
felicity of ex])ression, and its digrnified and chaste euologj^ of
a great and good man. His son, one of four sons, who became
ministers of the Gospel, Rev. Nathaniel Randolph Snowden,
wlio was pastor from 1809 to 1817, gave such offence to mem-
bers of his congregation by permitting a colored man to
preach in his pulpit, that it resulted in the severance of his
pastoral relation.
JOHN smith's grave
The liumble grave of the Rev. John Smith is worthy of
special notice. He was an occasional supply here from 1817,
and afterwards became founder and first pastor of the old
Blue Meeting-house, now extinct. He has the honorable dis-
tinction of being the first minister in Delaware County to
preach on the evils of intemperance and advocate total abstin-
ence. 1)1-. James W. Dale became his lineal and natural
successor in this great work.
The church here, as Jerusalem of old, is beautiful for
situation, whence in all directions the eye sweeps for miles
a surrounding country rich in the variety and beauty of its
landscape and enterprise, overlooking :Media and Chester
City, and the Delaware River, whose channel you can trace
as a band of burnished gold or silver in the morning sunlight,
and at nightfall you can clearly discern in the face of the sky
the refieeted lights of Philadelphia and Wilmington.
Altogether, in itself, in its historj^, in its memories sacred
and insi)iring, and in its surroundings, a beautiful aiul con-
secrated spot. Her founders chose wisely and well. l)elieving
as they most surely did, in giving the choicest of the land to
the Lord. Here for well nigh two hundred years God's
people have gathered, praised and prayed, worshipped and
served, hoped and rejoiced, wept and buried ; and here they
gather still on the hill of God and worship and serve, a noble
band, loyal to God and home and native land, with at least
16
some iTulizatioii that their lifritm.'*' is vflorioiiN. tlnmu'h inny.
hap fewer in niimhers than in the days when this whh the
only I'reshylei'ian ehureh Tor twenty and thirty n«iI«'M tlie
country round, and when from yonder ohi ' " I'reshyterian
Ford" and aloiiir the sa(hnei)Mths rnun far and wide, "the
tribes went u|i, tin- ttil>es of the LdpiI. unto the testitnony of
Israel, to irive thanks untit the name <d' the Lord. "
17
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
WILLIAM WARD
By William B. Broomall
Given at -Meeting at Old Presbyterian Church, Middle-
town Townshi]), June 26, 1902.
A narration of the memories of many years spent in the
most intimate social and business association with an old
friend must needs partake of a somewhat personal character,
and if apolofjy is needed for this feature, it must be remem-
bered that the things here related are matters of personal
remembrance. To some extent this personal character of the
narrative may be tempered when the subject of the story is
followed into the wider domain of civic and public life,
wherein he became the object of a broader consideration. Yet
the reflection is ventured that often it is the little things of
a life which are on the one hand the most interesting, as they
are on the other the most valuable in framing a just estimate
of character. And now, with these preliminary observations,
to the story of AVilliam Ward. The subject of this sketch
was born on January 2nd, 1837. His place of birth was
Eleventh and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia. His father died
when he was five years of age. His mother had not sufficient
competence to maintain and educate all of her children, and
hence procured his admission at an early age into Girard
College, that grand monument to the memory, and testimonial
to the large heart and sagacity of one of Philadelphia's
greatest of men. Here he became endeared to the whole
managcnifiit, I'roni President Allen down, whose love and
esteem he enjoyed throughout life.
Having completed his education, he made his advent into
Chester as the in-olege of Y. S. Walter, about the year 1853,
18
as a youth of sixteen. 11.- was ii|>|.r«iitu-til td .Mr. Walti-r in
the iieusj-aper aiid |»riiitiim Ixi.siness. to reriiairi until Ium
arrival at the aire of twenty-one. Y. S. Wulter wum one of
'h<' "hi lime III. "II. His wa.s the only |»rintinif ofTiee i>f Dela
ware ('niiiity j I is was the only newspaper. It wa.s liMtkcii
to as ihe only pul)li(al inn of the iu.-ai alTairs ami eurrenl
husiness. Chester was the eentre of the tinaneial ami politii-ul
husiness of the eounl\. The (uily hank was the l)ela\vari>
County liank, and it was hx-ated in Chester. It will Im-
readily appreeiated that Chester's newspaper was a p»v\rr in
the county. Mr. Walter, as editor, was not«'d ainuns; others
for the three virtues, the siniplieity. lueidity and plainnrHs
of his terse Kuirlish, the moral purity of the eolunins (»f his
paper, and tlir ricanness and neatness of the sheet. lie
occupied the second tlonr of tlie south win^r «»f the I'enn
J^uildinu', on Market Scpiare. He was bij; hearted and joyful
in disposition, and at the same time a little iraseihie in ti'iiipcr.
especially against thiuirs which did not square with his notions
of i)iiiil> . cleanness and neatness, hotli mi>ral aiitl physical.
Jle was noted for his nicthodicity. It was this environment of
system and moral and physical (deanness in wliieh were ejirly
inculcated those attributes which became eonspieuouH in Mr.
Ward's after life.
Juto this .school he was usheriMl as an indentured appreii
tice, then a smooth-faced youth, wearini; spn-taeles, with a
disposition to look over them aslant in looking at a distance.
lie was of a lithsome fiirure. a little tinder size. Withal, hf
would be accoinited a handsome boy. The otliee of Mr. Walter
was a place for hard work. There was no other power to nui
the presses but human muscle. Kven the larire maehine upon
which the newspajicr was printed was turned by hand. A
familiar sijxht of a Thursday niijht in Summer was to s««e biu'
raw-boned Jess Morton opposite an open window on Mark»'f
Square, stripped to the waist, putlini: and blowing, straininir
and swinirinjr, as he turned the new.spaper press, while Mr
Ward supplied the paper, and in this way they turned off the
few hundred of the isstie of Delaware County's only paper
11)
Tliis work would run into the wee sma' hours anent the twal
of Frida} inornin?. After a short time of hastily snatched
sleep, the business of wrapping, sorting and arranging the
papers foi- distribution throughout the county would com-
mence. This would be finished early on Friday. If this
hebdomadal work went along smoothly and all right, without
mischance, ^Ir. Walter's face would expand into wide pro-
])ortions of kindliness and good humor. Beaming smiles
would wreathe themselves into a perfect picture of benignity.
The very' corners of iiis mouth, prolonged by seams, were made
hy iialtu'c for depositories of lurking and flitting smiles; but
woe betide atfaii-s when things went wrong. The air itself
would be at high tension. Running smoothly, however, a halo
of contentment would comfort the office force and things would
settle down into a placidity of rest, preparatory to the entry
upon another seven days cycle, and so on throughout the never
ending labors of a busy country newspaper office. This inter-
lude of office rest, however, was not the happy allotment of
the subject of our story. A pony belonging to Samuel Smith
was, by contract of hire, the property of ]Mr. Walter for two
days of the week. On Friday morning, when the newspapers
for disti-ibution through the county had all been folded, en-
cased in their wrappers, and properly endorsed and arranged,
the pony with his saddle bags would be brought to the door of
the office. The weekly issue stored away in the saddle bags,
and ^Ir. Ward astride, the Delaware County Republican
started on its tour of distribution. No conditions of the
weathei- or temperature could be allowed to interfere with
this distribution of the latest news, the purveyor of valuable
information or diverting thought. The eastern end of the
county would be circled, and the young rider would retiu-n
lumie, to he followed on Saturday by a ride through the re-
maining northern and western parts of the county, finishing
his labors on Saturday night. It may well be conceived that
ll:is weekly labor aff'orded a deep source of valuable informa-
tion to the pony rider as to the geographical features of the
county, as it also brought him into acquaintanceship with its
20
inhaliitaiils. 'I'lif Ictndy lidf over tin- hills uiul iJirouk'U itu-
valleys I'lijoyiiii: all tin- asptM'ts of a divi-niiHiMl Htwuvry, no
doubt was an educator of the youthful iiii'Hjgiiiu'iT n' " '"nr
when his rjiiiid was iinpressiouahle, aiul laid th«' f- •»!»
for tliat art of poetieal ai)|)reiMat ion and fiipaeify fur di'iicri|>-
livc iiii;iLrriy in which he was a past nuistrr.
'Pile business of writinu' for n n«'\vHpap«*r ilrvi-hnw an
alertness of perception, a mnninir <piill and an a«'<MirBti'. ««
well ;is ilietiirie.il power of description which waw a powerful
ai<l tn the e(|iiipiiieilt of the youiii; typo
While an employee in the newspaper ollicc he iMi-ninc A
member of tlie WashiuLTton Literary AssiMMation. coii ! of
yountr men aiul wonie?i of about his own aire, stich a-« * ii.irlrn
W. Deans. .J<.hn Hlakeley. < ). F. Rullard. Henry M. Tayh.r.
Rebecca Huston and IMiscilla Williams, who were sttmr of thr
prominent persons in its work. The Society piihli<<hed a nrwa-
paper, the Eveninj; Star, of which by common cousrnt ho waJi
the editor. Fitted by edui'ation, and natural irift.H of dwia-
mation, rhetorical cxpres.sion and wit. he was tuMtu a MhiiiinK
factor in the work of the .society. If rcipiir«'d a Iwild hmcr to
enter the lists with him in debate, and it reipiircd not only a
stron<: armor, but a versatile contestant to withstand Iuh dr-
seriptivc pathos, and parry his thrusts of satire, hut more
particularly his darts of humor, in the use of which he wa«
very happy.
This aptness for polemical cncotinter no (hmbt turnetl )u%
attention to the study of the law. and in 1857, then twenty
years of au'c. he was rej.'istered as a student and entered the
law office of John .M. Hroomall. This chanire mi-ejwitafetl thr
purchase of the last year of his ai>prentieeship from Mr,
Walter, for which exijrency he was intlebted to two of hta
Giranl ('(.lleue tcai-hcrs to provide the wherewithal. Then*
were at the snnie tim.- as students in the same oftiee. John
Ilibbenl, Joseph K. T. Coates and O. V. HuIIard. Happily
for him. his preceptor's office was a bu.sy place and the detaiU
of the business fell to his lot. His profieieney in the study of
the law -rained his admi.ssion to the Mar in l*i'>9. a >var in
21
advance of the expiration of the prescribed novitiate. The
rules of Court required that a student should devote three
years to study if under twenty-one, and two years if over
twenty-one. Mr. Ward gained his admission by one year's
study under twenty-one and one year over that age. His
surroundings in the study and practive of the law were in the
face of two difficulties. His preceptor had joined to the
practice of the law a disposition to speculate in real estate
and embark in politics. Prior to 1860, these excursive paths
were not so dissonant to a successful career as a lawyer as
they afterwards became, when with the increase of mercantile
and commercial business, the life of a lawyer must needs par
take of the same character. Law is a jealous mistress, and a
lawyer must be found at his office at all times except when
eating, sleeping, and I would add, praying, although the face-
tious slanderer would spell it with an e.
Shortly after his admission to the bar on February 2nd,
1860, he was married to Clara E., daughter of Samuel Ulrich,
who brought him a family of four sons and three daughters,
all of whom live to mourn a most devoted husband and father,
whose days M'ere all too short for the goodness that was in
him.
His admission into the family of 'Squire Ulrich, as he
was called, brought him into friendly and familiar relations
witli the host of friends and acquaintances of that worthy gen-
tleman. The familiar figure of 'Squire Ulrich on the streets
of Chester was as much a part of the town as was its Court
House on Market Street, or its Market House in the Square.
A mental picture of Chester was incomplete which did not
contain this courtly old gentleman dressed in high top hat,
cit away coat, with shining shoes encased in spats. He was
unequalled in his relish for a joke and the more so, if it were
of a practical character. He would supremely enjoy an
episode such as this : Walking along a street in Atlantic City
on one occasion his eye caught sight of an approaching young
man dressed in the tip of the fashion, and conveying the im-
pression that he was conscious of being constituted much above
22
the ;iv('ra.i,'(' of inaiiUiiid. 'I'l. him as th.-y iii.-i .-Munrr I Inch
a(hlr('s.s('cl a n'(|iu'.st to speak with liim. Thr yoimi; man
paused with an air as much as tu say. i-dhh' ohi num. Iw i|iiii>k
ahout it, the world is iiiten'stod that F shall imt !»«• ml»TriiptiM|
in my promenade. Said the 'Sipiire. my yonnir friiMid. I am
ahout to ^o home this morniiiLr, ;iiid I tiiid mi reft-rrinu' t" my
pockethdolc that 1 am a little short : 1 wish you would lend me
ten dollars. The icipK'sl was ()f surh an luiusual rhariu'tiT
that the youni: man did not fully comprehend it. ami nskcd
for a repetition of it. When it was repeated with siu'h sen-
ousness and a|i|iairiil candor as was calcidated to deceive the
elect. The youn^' man. now convinced of the earnest ni-^s ol
the re(|uest, wheeled away with an emphatic no. and their
separation was cm|)hasized with an cxpl(»sion of lainrhter from
tlic 'Squire, whicii (choed his love of a ju-actical .joke.
The narrative dwells somewhat on "Sfpiire I'lrieh heeaijse
Mr. Ward and his wife were innuites of his household from
the time of tlu'ir marriat^e in 1S()(>. until 1SH4. and his love of
the humorous was lai-iKdy si innilaf rd liy the assoeiati<m. On
another oecasion the 'S(|uire on mectiuLr a fashionahly dresseil
man on Chestnut Street in Philadeliihia. accosted him with the
ini|uiry, have you seen my wife and dauirhter? The indiir-
luition of the strantrer hardly found an adefpiate expression
in the repl.v, what under the sun do I know ahout yoiir wife
and dau.uhter! And the 'Squire woidd .store the ineident
away for subsequent merriment. The temptation to aild an-
other eannot he resisted. In the da.vs wlien the Courts were
held in Che.ster. Hill Thompson, as he was familiarly cdled.
was the crier of the Courts. Nature had heen lunisuadly
liheral to ^Ir. Thompson in the matter of a nose, whicli. from
its size, was a striking; feature of his physioimomy. It had no
equal in Chester, except possihly that of 'Squire I'lridj him-
self, and it was a suh.jeet of even wairer as to which was the
lar<rer. The old hridu'e across Chester Creek at Third Street
had hut one passasrewa.v for pedestrians, anil that was a
narrow one on the south side. The 'Squire on lueetinir Mr.
Thompson one day in this narrow way. commenced to talk
23
with him on some common topic, when, as Thompson turned
his full face upon him, the 'Squire affected to be overwhelmed
with the sight, and exclaimed, great thunder! what a nose.
Then, taking up the thread of the conversation, only to be
apparently compelled to drop it again with a repetition of
the exclamation, what a nose. My friend, turn it over the
water, while I turn mine the other way, so that we may pass.
Thompson put a rod in pickle for the insult, and later in the
day, as the 'Squire sauntered into the Court room, while Court
was ill session, and with all appropriate quietness took his
seat, the crier interrupted the proceedings by exclaiming in
a loud voice: "Silence Squire Ulrich!" which brought the
attention of the Court and spectators to the arraigned offender
against the decorum of the tribunal, who, without an oppor-
tunity to explain, was compelled to swallow the insult, and
put it to the debit side of the account of the many practical
jokes of which he was the coiner.
In 1860 John M. Broomall removed to Media, and the
firm of Broomall & Ward was formed, with Mr. Ward in
charge of the Chester end of the business. Their office was
in the second story of the north wing- of the Penn Buildings,
on Market Square. Mr. Broomall 's large clientele added to
Mr. Ward's habits of industry, his quickness and versatility,
and his affability and methodical nature brought to the firm
almost the entire law business of the southern part of the
county. The gradual retirement of the Chester County law-
yers, William Darlington, Joseph J. Lewis, Joseph Hemphill,
P. Frazer Smith and John H. Brinton from practice in Dela-
ware County left their clients to be distributed among- the
laAvyers of Delaware County, and the firm of Broomall &
Ward received a large share. About this time, or more accu-
rately speaking in 1861, Judge William Butler, Sr., came to
the bench. He had spent the early years of his life m a
newspaper office, and he was disposed to look kindly on the
young practitioner, in whose life he saw an analogue of his
own. And now the retrospect can perceive all the elements
necessary for the substructure of a prosperous career as a
24
lawyer. His aliilily, rouiilr,! uitli /chI and itnliiNtry, hin
family coiuu'i'tioiis, al)srncc <it' cinupftitcu-s. nn PMtutili<khp<|
practice, a fa\()i-itc of ilic liciicli. jiiu! a rapidly irrnwiiii;
c'onimunily. all cdiixcucd to tlic focus of Iciral n'tiown.
ll'it! it not hccii for real estate spceiilai ion and politi<>M
the eoiulitiuiis here existed on uliicli Mr Ward would hav»>
caivocl a reputation as a lawyer anioiii.' the loreniost. for vvvn
with these disti-aet in^' inlluenees, he achieved a ie^ni repiitn-
tion of '.vhich any one niitrht he proud, lie was reiimrkahlr
for his |)re(!(»eity as a platform speaker. In the fall of 1S58,
a tiiree sideil ti^dit foi- Confn-ess was the political fentnrp.
John M. Uroomall was the Repnhliean ean<lidate. Charles I).
.Mauley was the Demoeratic candidate and .lohn Hickman was
an independent candidate. An earl\ nieetinj,' of the enin-
pai.irn was held at Marcus Hook, opposite .Mcl.autrhlin's Ilotol.
^fr. Ward was present as a spectator. The meetinir was about
finished. The reuulatiou speakers had had their inninirs.
when some one uave a call for Mr. AVard. \\i- cann- to the
stand a youth .iust turned twenty-one. His |)lcasin«; addn'ss
and aptitude, and confidenee, jrained the attention and ap-
plause of his audience, and witli repeated recpiests to jro on.
notwithstandiii<r the undut* prolon.trin<z of the meeting', his
maiden efl'ort was accounted the speech of the evenini; His
power of persuasion was such that the villairer was nuule to
believe that the election of Broomall was an essential to his
happy lej^ose in the bosom of his family, the rustic from his
country acres made no question that the crops weuild not
materialize unless Broomall was a winner on election day,
while the fisherman was confident that the haul would he
fruitless, and llic tide woidd cease to flow uidess Brooinall
went to Concri'ess and hroui^ht to the attention of the National
authorities the necessity of keepins; close wati'h tipon the
riparian iiulustries of the countiy. This was the conunenee-
ment of what became a prominent feature of his life. No
political meeting; of any importan<'e was complete utdess Mr.
Ward was down for a speech. It made apparently little
difference whether he had opportunity for preparation, or
2o
whether he was called without warning. He was apt in
saying just the right things and putting them in the most
pleasing and convincing way, and coming through with such
eclat, that all, with one accord, would say, that could not have
been done better, and nobody can do that like Ward. Such
attainments and practices were an invaluable threshold to his
subsequent political preferment. The impartial observer must
admit, however, that they are a serious obstacle to the posses-
sion of a pinnacle in a legal career. In 1860, the great presi-
dential fight for the election of Lincoln was convulsing the
whole North. A principle was at stake, and the moral upris-
ing of the people gave such an earnestness to the campaign
as has never been exhibited before or since. A series of public
meetings were being held in Concert Hall, Philadelphia, in aid
of the Republican cause. At one of these meetings John M.
Broomall was the speaker of the evening. Mr. Ward was
present by chance, and after Broomall had finished was called
upon. His spicy and pleasing address won for him the ready
and grateful plaudits of the immense audience which filled the
Hall. It will be remembered by those who heard him, that he
closed with the pipuant and figurative invocation, " ^lay your
shadows never grow less."
About 1861 he and Mr. Ulrich purchased a tract of six or
eight acres of land in the old South Ward of Chester, between
Third Street and the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
Railroad, and laid out Ulrich Street through the middle of it.
They made quick sales of this land, and realized quite a iiand-
some profit from the venture. This speculation led to his
embarking into real estate development on a much larger scale.
Associated with others, purchases were made in rapid suc-
cession of land along the river front, embraced within the
farms of Edmund Pennell, Dr. William Young, James Laws,
John Jeffreys, George Wilson, John J. Thurlow and Jeremiah
W. Flickwir. This comprises the territory of South Chester,
which subsequently was annexed to the City of Chester. In
its incipiency it looked like a very bold undertaking to develop
a thousand broad farm acres into a town. The wisdom of the
26
foresifrht li;is Itr.n viiidicatfd hy the tloiirishini; town which
now (M'cupics llicsc lands. Rcfoir they wt-rc t-ntin-ly diKiMMuil
of the rciii'tioii ol' real estate values set in, und the projeet wa^
not a foft iiiiatc oiic from a peenniary point of view.
As tlif foit'iiiitst lawyri- of tile town, a shininir polifi«'aI
liuht and an cxtcnsivf land improvement num. .Mr. Ward
was tile centre of atVairs for a time, startini: with tin- i-arly
sixties. He mo\ed his law otiiees to a new l)nildini.', whii-lj he
l)uill on the north side of Thii-d Street .just west of I'efin
Street. He was instrumental in foundinvT tlie First National
Bank, wliieh was at first located at Second ami rt-nn Strcet.s.
In eonjuneti'n with (Jeorfre Haker. he estahlished a Mankini?
House in the first story of his law ottices. and In- almost
transferred the centre of ('licstrr from Market S<|uare to
Third and I'ejin Sti-eets.
There was another feature of the vicinity of Third and
I'enn Streets which is woi'thy of a passin<r notice. 'S(|uire
I'lrieh maintained his ot'tice whei'c he dispensed justice on
Third Street .just east of I'enn. Here the current atTairs of
the day were ahly and minutely discussed hy the nniiinates of
that locality. But the jratherin.crs of ever>' Sunday niornini?
were especiall\' and cliaracteristically noteworthy. In wuiter
time around the stove indoors, and in snnnner seated on the
sidewalk, would assenihle such men as John O. Deshontr, Judvre
Hinkson, Roheit ]\IcCay, Frederick P^nrland), William Booth,
Dr. Harvey and others of ('(pial ahility and pronnin'nee.
Affairs of State, Town. Country. Society ami other nuitters
of jreneral importance, as well as a modieinn of {gossip, would
receive a prenerous and able treatment. These nuMi had boon
accustomed to convene in this wise for years. It was ein-ious
to note in the early sixties, as the pi-oblem of the war was
thrust upon the cduntry. and as men became more ami more
in earnest, and the fate of the Nation was in doubt. l>ow the
schism of the conduct of the war ^'radually crept into this
coterie, and while they were well balanced, <'ool ami discreet
men, and all of them life time friends, yet for tin' nonce,
discretion was not entei*tained, deliberation was banislied. «ild
27
friendships were forgotten, all were sacrificed to the require-
ment that no one should be allowed to speak disrespectfully
of honest old Abe Lincoln ; none should fail to rejoice at the
success of our armies, or grieve at their reverses. In fact, it
came to be fully understood by that sabbatical gathering that
he who could not subscribe to those fundamental articles of
the creed had l)etter absent himself until a more convenient
season. And at least one of the number recognized the un-
written injunction and remained away until the end of the
war. The art of the camera is enlisted to preserve for us
the works of genius, the forms of our loved ones and the views
of beautiful scenery, but if it had only crystallized for all time
a representation of one of these gatherings, it would have
performed an invaluable service to all lovers of local fame
and name.
About this time ^Ir. Ward bei-amf counsel for the Phila-
delphia, "Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company, and
was associated with all of the local interests of that company
and of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, when the man-
agement passed into its control. He was active in procuring
the charter of the Chester Creek Railroad Company, and in
the construction of that railroad. He was the pioneer in the
location of the Front Street Railroad, and the enlargement of
it into the Chester and Delaware River Railroad, as a branch
of the Reading Railroad system. As a railroad la^^yer he was
easily the chief. Whether it was in the aggressive and tactical
proceedings of a railroad war, or in the complaisant and
mollifying defence of a negligence suit for damages in Court,
he was equally versatile and equally effective. It was said of
a quaint character, Aaron James, who was once Sheriff of
Delaware County, when he had occasion to advise with a law-
yer as to what he would do in a certain exigency, and upon
being told that there was no law to meet his case, exclaimed,
then I will make the law. So with Mr. Ward in a railroad
fight. If the law he needed did not exist, he procured an
enactment.
28
A controversy once arose ht'twci-ii Clh-ster City ami the
roinisylv.inia FifailroiKl Company as to wlictlirr tli«' propotu'tl
crossin^^ ol' the new street ealhuJ rennell Street slioiiM he u
},'ra(le erossinj; oi- an overlieail erossinir. 'Pile then City Coun-
eil eould be persuaded into makinjr it an overhead i-ros-Hiiiu'
hnt wliat was to prevent a stihseipient Couneil from luuloiiii;
what its pi'edeeessor had enacted, for it is an estahlisljed
principle of the eonnnon hiu that no h'lrislative Inidy can limit
the power of its successor. Ilencc Mr. Ward resorted to the
proposed method of Aaron James, and procured a State law
to l)e passed empowerinii; all municipalities in the State to
tiiakr contracts with railroad companies hindin^' for all time
by w Inch their tracks and erossin<j streets may be elevat"d or
depressed, to avoid irrade crossincfs. Under this hiw the over-
head I'linifil Street crossing' contract was made. A time
came wlien, as Mr. Ward foresaw, the city authorities repented
them of the Penneli Street bridge, and they enih-avored to
le^'islate out of existence tlie Pennell Street hump, as it was
called, or the Pennell Street monstrosity. This effort became
the subject of le.ii'al proceedinsjs and went up to the Supreme
Conn, but it was ineffectual. The Supreme Court in pa.ssinir
npou the case based their opinion upon what they termed a
wise and ben(>Hcient statute, which the lesrislature of the Stat«'
had enacted for the benefit of the whole Commonwealth, little
dreamin<j that the law, while general in form, was in reality
enacted at the instance of jMr. Ward foi- the purpose of beini;
applied to tlie very case they were deeidinij:.
' >n ;inother occasion a supervisor of Chester Township
conceived an antipathy to Santnel .M. h'elton. and in f>rdcr to
irratify his spleen and vaunt his petty autliority. In* turned
the ditch watei" from the public road into .Mi*. Felton's oiiia-
mental pond, from which water was j)umped into his house,
and from which ice was obtained in the winter time. The
result was the pond of water was destroyed for all practical
nses. .Mr. Ward was applied to for a legal remedy. None
could be found in the books. In tact, supervisors were em-
powered by law to enter fields adjoining pid)lic roails and ilij?
•2\)
ditches for the purpose of conveying surface water from the
roads. And so the legislature was appealed to, and a law
was enacted making it a misdemeanor for a supervisor to turn
road water into any man's spring, pond or reservoir, kept and
maintained to provide drinking water, or water for culinary
or washing purposes, or to gather ice therefrom. Mr. Felton
then stopped the ditch. The supervisor as promptly opened
it. He was then arrested, and when he found that he had
connnitted an act which was a crime by law. although the
ink was hardly more than dry, he promptly surrendered, and
acknowledged defeat at the hands of an antagonist who pos-
sessed the faculty of making law as it was needed.
Mr. Ward entered Congress in 1876, and by continued
re-elections, retained his seat until 1882. He distinguished
himself by his able and untiring advocacy of measures of
national import, but above all, he will be remembered for
his systematic and unflagging attention to the details and
minutia' of the interest of his constituents. His labors on the
enrolling committee necessitated the taxing of his eyes by
night reading, and his sight became considerably impaired.
He bore the affliction manfully and philosophically, without
complaint, and submitted himself to delicate surgical opera-
tions without a murmur. Unfortunately they wei'e of but
little avail. Nevertheless, this disability scarcely cast a flit-
ting shadow on his innate sunny disposition.
He retvirned from Congress in 1882, and resumed the
active practice of the law. To some extent the field of legal
practice had been now occupied by younger men who had
established themselves during his absence ; yet he took up his
lance and entered the arena with all of his pristine sangunity.
As a lawyer, he brought to a combat powerful forces.
First of all, his personnel. A good education, an under-
lying common sense, a native spirit of fairness and honesty,
a sterling character for probity, a pleasing address, a genuine
good humor, quickness of perception, readiness of repartee.
These were the weapons, the possession of which rendered him
a powerful ally and a dangerous adversary.
30
Next, lit' was «,'ift('(l witli liiihits of iiMliistiy ami iiiitirinir
labor. And lastly, he was Lrnitlfniaiily in all nl' his husiiu'H-s
intprcoursc. 11 is tactics in polemics was to fi^rlit at iiumy
points at once. It was ditlicnlt for his adversary to foresee
wliat was iroinu' to lie the real |)oint of assanlt. In l{ornan
warfare, it was the le^'ion that was depcndod n|>on to mak**
the attack or to resist the assault, aided and supported by
the auxiliaries. With .Mr. Ward, however, it was very oft«'u
the auxilaries which won the liLrht. .\ description of his le^al
work is not complete without some reference to the famous
ease of ('arter vs. The 'riniiuin P'ishinir Company. In old
times there had been a lucrati\e shore net fishery on the
Delawai'e below the (Quarantine Lrroimds. extending: alontr the
rivei- for about a linlf a mile, hi shad HsliiiiLT season as many
as a hundred men would be employed. They had cabins in
which they lived. The net would be a mile alonir. It would
be deposited in overlyinir folds tn a boat. One end of the
net would be fastened to a capstan on the shore. The boat
would be i-owed up tlie river, (dose to tlie shore, foi- a half
mile or so. i)ayin<r out the net as it went alonir. Then the boat
would be headed across the river, and wlien out a quarter of
a mile, it would be headed down the i-iver; all the while the
net would be running off the stern of the boat. The boat end
of the net would be brought ashore at the capstan, to which it
would be fastened. The net would thus be in the water form-
ing: an immense loop. Then it would be drawn in l)y means of
the capstan, prradually contraetinpf the loop, until a bair of the
net about ten or fifteen feet in diameter was formed, eon-
taininjr the fish. This baj? would then be lifted bodily out of
the water and the fish can'ied to land. This unitpie |)iece of
property had practically become valueless in 1860 by reason
of the deposit of mud by natural silt on the shore, and by
reason of tlie increase of crill net fishinir, a methotl of catchinir
fish without haulin<r them to the shore. The title had Invome
divided amon^ a number of owners. About this time several
Philadelphia prentlemen of means oriranized the Tiniemn Fish-
ing Company, and bou(;ht a property within the limits of the
31
Ilicii aliiidsl r()i-.L:(»U('ii shore net fishery. They built for them-
selves ;i el 111) hduse, and constructed a wharf out into the river,
ilircctly thi-ouuh Ihc fishing grounds, and comforted them-
selves with the reflection on the many days of pleasure in. store
for them, not, it is true, in the catching of fish, but in the
eating of tlie otlier fellow's catch, with the accompaniment of
champagne and otlier fixings of delicacy. While the shoie
net had gone into innocuous desuetude, there was another net
being laid to catch them all unwary. Paul B. Carter, a
lawyer, had turned fisherman for the nonce, and he quietly
bought up the pieces of the old title. He then called upon
the Fishing Company to remove their wharf or buy him out.
They refused, retained Mr. Ward, and the partie.^ squared oif
for the fight. The case was tried in the lower Court five or
six times, and was heard in the Supreme Court two or three
times. After the contest had well opened, Mr. W^ard brought
up an auxiliary, consisting of the fact that the Avharf had
been erected under a license of the Board of Port W^ardens,
a State commission. The Bar without exception prophesied
an ultimate victory for Carter. That there was a trespass
could not be denied. J\Ir. Ward's Port Warden's license was
ridiculed. The litigation lasted some fifteen years, and when
it reached the Supreme Court for the last time, that tribunal
decided that all fisheries in navigable waters were subject to
the paramount authority of the State, and a wharf erected
by authority of the State had a right of location superior to
the fishing, and so the auxiliary, the Port Warden's license,
won the fight.
^Ir. Ward's sense of humor was exquisitely delicate. He
enjoyed keenly a jnece of humor which was possessed of a
spontaneous character, and when it had the element of lurking
in conceal 111 en 1 until suddenly thrust upon the mind. Remin-
iscence recalls his enjoyment of one of Bill- Nye's witticisms
when he said that in order to select a club with which to guard
your house as effectively as with a dog, it is well to select one
witii the hark on it. Or again as once happened, a young
friend \v;is about to go home to visit the old folks, a by-stander
82
rt'iii;ii-kc(l lli.it lir supiK'Sfd tli(\v woiild kill tlif ratted calf, ni»,
says .Mr. \V;ii<l, tliry w ill ■ u rlfoinc him.
lie irralcd a i^rcat deal of aiimst'iiiciit for tin- iWir on onf*
occasion. -Iiulixe' Clayton liad a suixTficial .sniattcriuvj of
hatin. wiiidi lio had picked ii|). with niiininir font, soin««\vhat
late in litV. l/ikc every possessor of a superticial attaiiiinent.
he was (joite fond of displayinir it. Mr. Ward was not a latin
scliolar, and he never atToctcd 1<» have a (inalitieation lu' did
ni»t possess. 'Ilu' Jndiie had ci'owdcd Mr. Ward on sevcrnl
oGcasions in Court with the (|uotation of iiatin maxims. The
Jndjre liadanotlicr hahit whidi was distasteful to the liar.
in continually intei rnptin"; the speaker throni,'h()tit an ariju-
nu'iit. so that the adVoeate was prevented from presentinu his
thoiio-hts with se<|uenee or satisfaetion. Mr. AVard had oeea-
sion to arfnie a ease involving: the que.stion of the power of an
agent to whom an authority has l)een delegated, to delegate
that power to another. lie armed liimself with a Latin
maxim, and quietly circulated among the niemheiN of the Har
the information lliat he was going to shoot it off at the Judge.
^Vhen ^Ir. Ward eonuueneed his arcrnment, the Bar were on
tlie tip-toe of expeetation to note the etT^'eet of the (dassieal shot.
The Judge, according to liis wont, was interjecting (piestions
and observations. I'resently, when the matter of liis discourse
was ripe for it, Mr. Ward said, the principle of the law which
I invoke to be applied to the case at Bar is no new and untried
fledgling. It is older than the common law itself. It takes
its origin in that perennial spring of knowledge with which
your Honor is so well acquainted, from your ability to read it
in its original tongue. T refer to the Roman civil law. And
1 (|Uote one of its maxims in which the civil lawyers expressed
the principles of the law witli wi.sdom and terseness, for the
eidiglitenment of such classical expositors of the law as can,
like your Honor, receive the thought directly from the Latin.
It is, delcf/nta potestns noir ddcgata rst. The Judge swelled
with the (lattery, and nodded his head in ac(|uiescence with
the. thought contained in the Latin maxim, though it was
evident that he h;i(l no more idea of the meaninir than if it
33
had been so much Choctaw. Mr. Ward was allowed to com-
plete his arg^ument without further interruption, and the
incident has always since been referred to as the occasion
when Ward floored the Judge with a Latin maxim.
Every community is composed of three prominent classes •
of people. First, the middle class, the larger body, whose
enthusiasm on the one hand is repressed, and whose despond-
ency on the other is kept in check. Secondly, the conservative
class, whose timorous disposition leads them to hang back in
the procession, and thirdly, the radical class, whose sangiiinity
stimulates active exertion forward. It is to the last of these
to which Mr. Ward emphatically belonged. He was always
in the van-guard of the army of progi'ess. Every progressive
enterprise received his assistance. The community of Chester
is largely indebted to him for its growth and development.
His place in its affairs has not yet been filled. It may never
be filled. The town has outgrown that size wherein one man
may exercise that potent sway which he at one time com-
manded. His entry upon the arena was cotemporary with
the commencement of diversified industries. Prior to his time
the town was dependent upon the manufacture of textile
fabrics. The industrial pioneers in this line were James
Campbell, Benjamin Gartside, Abraham Blakeley and James
Stephens. The transition epoch commenced with Thomas
Reaney, in the establishment of his shipyard in 1860, which
has been followed by all kinds of industries from time to
time, until now there is no dependence upon the business
conditions of any one kind. The foundations which were
laid in 1860 by Mr. Ward and others were the beginnings of
a superstructure which now by common consent presents
features of prospect of such proportions as were hardly
dreamed of in the commencement.
And now, in conclusion, while I hang my modest garland
on the revered urn of my dead friend, let me recall the accents,
inflections and cadences of the busy, active, hustling life he
led, and to its fruition, in the reward which the Almighty
bestows on all well directed mundane effort, in the lines of
34
Lonfrfellow, in a pociii wliidi always attractctl Mr. Wurd'H
fidinirHtion, "The liauncliiiiLr <>f the Sliip":
l.ikr unto ships t'af otV at sea,
Oiitwaid 1)1' lioineward IjouikI an- we.
Before, behind, and ;ill around.
Floats and swin.i^s the hoi-izon's hound.
Seems at its distant rim to rise
And elimh the crystal wall of the skies.
And then ai;ain to tnrn and sink,
As if we could slide from its outer brink.
Ah ! it is not the sea,
It is not the sea that sinks and shelves,
But ourselves
That rock and rise
"With endless and uneasy motion,
Now touching the very skies.
Now sinking into the depths of ocean.
Ah ! if our souls but poise and swing
Like the compass in its brazen ring.
Ever level and ever true
To the toil and the task we have to do,
We shall sail securely, and safely reach
The Fortunate Isles, on whose shining beach
The sights we see, and the sounds we hear,
"Will be those of joy and not of fear.
35
ADDRESS BY
DR. WILLIAM B. ULRICH
CHESTER
Before the Delaware County, Historical Society at
MiDDLETOWN, Pa., June 26, 1902
LIFE OF DOCTOR ELWOOD HARVEY
Ladies and gentlemen ; Fellows of the Delaware Connt.\'
Historical Society: I approach this subject with mintiled
feeling's of pride and emban-assment ; pride because your
appointment of me to write this paper is a recognition of my
intimacy with the man I so much admired; embarrassment
because my estimate of the man was so great that I feel it
impossible to do his memory justice in the short time allotted
me.
In the early history of the Harvey family, members of it
emigrated to the then far west — Ohio and Indiana. Durinti'
my attendance at a meeting of the American ^ledical Associa-
tion held in Philadelphia, I made the acquaintance of Dr.
Thomas D. Harvey, Professor of Obstetrics in the Indiana
Medical College. We soon determined that he was a cousin
of Dr. Ellw^ood Harvey ; indeed, the resemblance was so
marked as to size, complexion and features that there could
be no mistake. I arranged for a meeting, and the next day
brought them together. The relationship was soon worked
out. Dr. Thomas D. Harvey came to Chester on the following
Saturday and on Sunday the two doctors Harvey, Dr. Water-
man, Professor of the Practice of Medicine in the Indiana
College ; Hon. Y. S. Walter and myself, went to Chadds Ford,
visiting the battlegTound and other places, made intensely in-
teresting by Dr. Harvey's descriptive ability and familiarity
with its history. j
36
\)y. I'^Uwooil Ihii'vcy was Ixtiii on tlif liraiidyw im- hattle-
j^rouiid at Cliailds Foivl, Drlawarc ('uimty, I'l-imsylvaiiin, mi
NovcniluT :U)tli. ISL'O.
Ill' was of (^iiakri- parent air*' aiul (livsci-iit mi Ixdli si«lfs
His I'atlicr was Kli irarvoy. and liis inntlirr Kat-lit'l Il<i|lmi^-
^vorth, of the IlnlIin.iJrst'orth family of the Stnte of I)«'lft\varc
His mcat-irrandfat liri- came to tliis country from Hnu'hmd in
the ycai' 1711. and jinrchased a considcral)h' tract of hmd on
the I'.iand.N wine. Kli ITarvey, liis father, was at the time of
liis death tlie owner of several lumdred acres of this land, hut
most ot it lias since passed out of the |)»)s.session of the llarvi-y
family.
It was the privileire of myself and family some years aero
to attend a reunion of the Harvey family at Chadds Ford, on
which occasion Dr. Ilarvey was the orator, followed hy lion.
"William ^Val•d, whose renuirUs wiM-e pleasant ami pci-tinent to
the occasion. I am iudehtetl to Mis. Kllwood Ilai'vey. .Ir.,
for a report of this reunion, and as the re]»ort is interestini:
from a genelogical standpoint. I coimnciid it to the Societ\ for
puhlication as a part of this pai)er.
Dr. Harvey's early education was mostly obtained at
Strode "s Boardinir School, sitnated in the vicinity of West
Chester, Chester Comity. Tt was the wish of his father that
he should study law, but as he had conceived a dislike for the
ofcntleman who had been selected for his preceptor, and his
father not consentinu' to his <roin,i2: into any other office, he
refused to take np the study at all.
At sixteen years of a?e, he entered a wholesale druir store
at Second and Dock streets, Philadelphia, with a view of
subsecpicntly enj^ajjino: in the study of medicine. Not findincr
the sui roundin<rs conjjenial, he wrote his father that he wanted
to leave. In reply, the father refused his consent and told
him if he left he could not come home. He rejdied to his
father that he coidd not remain where he was, and that he
had not asked to come home. The next morninir he left Phila-
delphia for the AVest, workinir his way as a deck liand on
steamboats from Pittsburgh to Davenport, Iowa. Durinir this
37
itinerary, he worked on a farm and taught night school for
several months near Steubenville, Ohio. On reaching Daven-
port, he joined a corps of surveyors, and having been well
trained in practical surveying at boarding school, he was
enabled without difficulty to obtain employment as a chain-
bearer, and thus performed the duties of a government deputy
surveyor.
After spending about a year at this work, without his
people having the least idea as to his whereabouts, his father
through some means located him, and sent his brother, Lewis
(I think) after him. On his return to Philadelphia, he
entered the medical department of the University of Pennsyl-
vania, from which he graduated with honor in 1843. After
graduating, he commenced the practice of medicine at his
native place and continued in this practice until 1852, when
he was offered and accepted a professorship in the Female
Medical College of Pennsylvania, now known as the "Woman's
Medical College", and was elected to the chair of Materia
Medica and general Therapeutics.
In 1853 Dr. Harvey also lectured on surgery in addition
to the other branch, as Dr. Darlington, Professor of Surgery,
resigned before the session began. In 1853, he filled the chair
of Principles and Practice of Medicine and also the chair of
Obstetrics and again lectured on two branches. He is said
to have delivered over three hundred lectures on Materia
Medica, Practice of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics before
a single one was repeated. Remarkable as this is, it will not
astonish those of you who knew him well.
In 1856 he was Professor of the Principles and Practice
of Medicine, and when the session was nearly half over, was
appointed to the chair of Chemistry and delivered a course
of lectures on Inorganic Chemistry. In 1857, he was ap-
pointed to the chair of Chemistry and Toxicology, but resigned
before the session began.
I give this histor}^ of his connection with the Woman's
College to show the wonderful versatility of the man. He
was really the brain, bone and muscle of the "Woman's
38
College" at that tinic. In this niovt', as was conmitm to hirii,
he was in advance of piihlii' opinion, and so thoroUK'hIy wan
liis ht'aii in it th;it he Lravc up his privatr practii-e and ex-
ptfide'd his |)at riinony that liis t'aiiiily iiiiudit live, whilr h»'
sutTered the reproaches and rcvilini^'s of other physicians. lie
was conipeUcd at hist to i-t'lin(|uish his ]alM>rs tliron;jh sheer
poverty and leave the city to enu'aire in a practice necessarj' to
keep himself from want. The j)rofessional feelini; at that
time was so hitter a^'ainst the "Woman's CoUe^je" that the
majority of physicians refused to speak to the physicians eon-
nected with ttic faculty. The wi-iter hirnseif. as a medical
student, suffered derision on the streets of IMiiladelpliia he-
cause upon the hroad principles of equity, he advocated the
Colleire.
In 1871, l)i'. Harvey him.self writes to a friend: "I gave
five year's to the good cause; my whole time and heart were in
the work. I was compelled hy j)overty to i|uit and do some-
thing more lucrative. I regret ufttliinLr: I i-laim nothinir.
My family never suffered, althougli \\r wn-e much straiirht-
ened. I have now a paying practice and own a comfortahle
home, and if my anihitions and aspirations have not heen
gratified, the disappointment is small for the desire was small.
I hope to do my duty, and feel satisfied, for the duty was not
great; the sacrifices were something, and 1 hore them without
a murmui'. My reward is (|uite as nnich as I have a riijht to
expect. 1 have no desire to have my name t)rought hefore
the puhlic. 1 have no desire to annoy the people hy makinir
claims in hehalf of those for whom they care nothing. Let us.
my dcMv friend, still work for humanity, and we will find our
icward liere and there — not selfish desires irratitied. hut our
\vhole heing lifted into light, glorified."
Dr. Harvey and his co-workers in the first Female Medical
College of Pennsylvania, are entitled to the grateful and
affectionate rememhrance of every woman in the land who has
at heart the best interest of her sex.
In IS.')?, upon resigning from the College, he entereil the
lecture field, and for two years lectured to po{)ular audiences
thronuhout New Jersey, Delaware, New York and the eastern
])art of Pennsylyania, on anatomy, physiology, . hygiene and
the general ^scientific kws of health. During the year 1860
he was engaged with Professor Allen and Dr. Franklin Taylop
in conducting the West Chester Normal School, of which he
was juint proprietor with those gentlemen. During his con-
nection with this school he was a teacher and lecturer.
In the spring of 1861 he returned to the practice of his
profession, locating in Chester, in his native county of Dela-
ware, and continued in his practice until the time of his
death from double pneumonia, March 3rd, 1889. His practice
was .large and lucrative, and yet while it yielded him a com-
petency and made him v^ry comfortable, it was not as profit-
able as it should have been because of his carelessness as a
collector. He luul little use for money and little thought of
it until his necessities demanded it.
During the war of the Rebellion, he served for some time
as assistant surgeon at "Chester Military Hospital," which
was located in the building now known as the Crozer Theo-
logical Seminary, at Upland, then belonging to the late John
P. Crozer.
Dr. Harvey was a lifelong Whig and Republican, and
although always warmly interested in political questions, and
a man of strong political convictions, he never held a political
office except that of School Director in the City of Chester.
Dr. Harvey married in January, 1845, Josephine L.
Youle, a daughter of John Orlando Youle, of Philadelphia.
His widow survived him less than two years. Two sons, Or-
lando Harvey, Esq., a lawyer in the city of Chester,' and
Holstein Harvey, a successful merchant in the City of Wilm-
ington, Delaware, survive him.
As a Quaker, Dr. Harvey was by birth, by education and
by assocuition an Abolitionist, and early in life earnestlv
espoused the cause, advocating it with his pen and upon the
platform whenever opportunity offered. ..Indeed, he went
further than that, for he was active in what was known as the
Underground Railroad, and .at least on one occasion, at the
40
risk of liis life, l)i-()u«;lit tlirouirli from WashiuL'lMn to IMiilaWrl
[)liiii. a .Miim-j; iicirro nirl, who w.is iilt iiiiati'ly latuU'd in lios-
Idii. 1 1 is uarralivc of lliis vcnlnic lo tin* writer was ihrilliii';
and will hear repeat in^r.
^Vllill• lie was coiHiecteil witli the "hV-iiiah' .Medical ('ol-
lefje" a ceitaiii ai>|>aiaMis was nceessary to the leetiiros. As
there was no money in the ireasnry. he saw no possihilily of
iretliiiL: it, Iml he delermined lo have it and in that determin-
ation \t'ntiiied on a seheine as dai"iny: as ean well i)e imairined.
lie had learned that there was a colored ltIi'I hidini; in Wasli-
inutou for whom hotli the old master at lionw and the freed
fi-iends in Canada were olVeriiiLr a reward, the jniuster's luitnr-
ally the lai'iiest. That the is'ir] onirht to he free, to Dr. Har-
vey's mind, went withont saxiiiLi'. To free her was the duty
of some (»ne, and if he could d<> il. he would have |)erf )nned
that duty and wnuld uet I he money for itie apparatus, llr
went to Baltimore, hired a horse and l)U<rfr.v, drove to Wash-
ingrton. found the jiii'l. had her dress(>d in h^y's elothiuL'.
waited foi- lu'r in fi-ont of the "White House". She eanie
and he driixf otf. 'J'here were perils al ever,v turnf)ike jrate,
wher(> men were suspicious ami reluctant to let servants tro
throu,u:h witli straiiijers. On the ferry-l)oat crossiuir the Sus-
quehanna River, the uirl was almost captured hy a irant: of
men who believed nothing of her story. Fiiudly Dr. Harvey
threw off his coat and called them to account for trouhliuL'
his "boy''. His size, strength and determination seenu^d to be
eonviticiii'j- proof that his "hoy" was all I'iirht and they agreed
to let him pass.
T want to sa.v right here that 1 looked upon Dr. Harvey
as one of the uuxst fearless and honest hhmi 1 ever kiunv.
On reaihiiu: Philadelphia, the rndergroiuid Railroad
took his "boy'' in charge and sent him safely throusrh to
Boston and Canada. The Doctor got the reward of .+J(K) and
bouuht his needed ajiparatus. This fact is t.vpjcai of his
imsellish eharactei'. While stronu' and fixed in his views on
the subjeel of slavery, he was broad eiu»ugh and iiuigManiinous
enough to respect the views ami honesty of those whom tlic
41
circumstances of life had placed in a different position. He
had no personal feeling- against any slaveholder or owner.
Although a radical Abolitionist, he never joined any of the
anti-slavery parties, but adhered to those organizations which
seemed to him most capable of accomplishing its downfall.
On June 13th, the board was called to order by Dr. W. S.
Roland, of York, vice president, in the chair. The Committee
on Resolutions relating to the death of Dr. Ellwood Harvey,
late member from Delaware County, presented the following
report, which was adopted by a rising vote :
"Whereas, in the providence of God, one of our fellow
members. Dr. Ellwood Harvey, late member from Delaware
County, has been called from earth in the ripeness of his
manhood; therefore
Resolved, that this Board of Agriculture has not only
lost one of its early and active members, but it has lost a
friend who was as sincere and honorable in his dealings with
Its members as he was ethical in the practice of the profession
of his choice.
Resolved, that we feel the deepest sympathy for his be-
reaved family and trust that the comforter of all our sorrows
will be with them and sustain them under this great affliction.
Resolved, that these resolutions be spread upon the
minutes of the Board, and a copy be transmitted by the Sec-
retary to the family of the deceased.
(Signed) W. S. ROLAND
J. P. BARNES
J. A. HERR
Committee ' '
Responses were made to these resolutions partly as fol-
lows: My Friend, Dr. W. S. Roland, of York: "It seems
to me proper and suitable on this sad announcement that I
should say a few words in behalf of one of our late fellow
members in this Board of Agriculture, and also a brother and
friend m the ranks of the medical profession. My personal
acquaintance with the late Dr. Ellwood Harvey, as' a member
ot this Board, was perhaps not more extended than was my
42
kiu)\vle(l,i4:t' <>!' liini ;i>i ;i plivsiciaii. Hut win-tiler in this itoarij
or as a pliysician, 1 most ihccrfully hear ti'stiinoiiy to tlic fuft
that he al\\;iys ciuhMVori'd to kft']) up with the ailvaiiccrnpnt
of thr tiiiit's. llr (lid not follow hliiitUy any rt'coinijzod
autliorit.w lie uiiuld accept iinttiiiiL^ as true withoiit first
haviuu' suhjeeted it to the crueihle of his own examination
and judirnient, and what he believed to he riirht, lio would up-
hold and maintain with all the |)ower and strent'th of Itis
ability. He was a man of varied and lar<,'e attainments; ho
was a close observer of passinj^: events; he was an apt student ;
he was of a diseriminatinj;, intelleetual mind, ami possessed a
lars^e mold of charaoter. Nature endowed him with a fine
physiipie and a viuoi-ous eonstit ut inn. and he seemed to have
a full measure of jrood health. I'.ut, 'it is appointed unto all
men once to die.' This solemn truth received almost daily
confirnuitioii witliin the limited sphere of our personal ac-
quaintance; and those whose mission it is to attend the bedside
of the sick and dyini,', to administer to their wants, to alleviate
distress and save life, are not exempt themselves, but nnist
bow to the will of the Almij^'hty. and be carried to that last
ajid longest resting place 'In the valley of the shadow of
death.' "
I. A. Gundy, of Union, spoke as follows: "Inasnnieh as
T am one of the few^ members of the Board who have openly
stood in opposition to our deceased brother in opinion. I feel
it to be right and proper that I express my sentiments as to
his character. While Dr. Harvey and T ditTered in opinion.
I respected him for his earnestness and his honesty. My
sentiments are well expressed in the closing sentence of
Secretary P]dge's obituary notice: 'The most violent oppo-
nents of his opinions admired him for his courage and frank-
ness.' Dr. Ilarvey was a nian who held to his opinions not
because some one else believed it, but because by his own
reasoninu he liad come to this conclusion. Such men always
command my respect — much more even if we differ in our
conclusions than the man who agrees with me. but holds to
his opinion simply because some one else does so. Dr. Harvey
43
was preeminently a reasoner, an investigator, a searcher after
truth and a disseminator of knowledge. He was one of the
most leai-ned members of the Board, if not the most learned,
and wliilc he was extreme in some of his views and opinions,
he was the kind of man who brought out knowledge new and
fresh. Being a fluent speaker and full of knowledge, he was
a most useful member of this Board. While regretting his
death and the loss to the Board, I shall always revere the
memory of Dr. EUwood Harvey. ' '
Eastburn Reider, of Bucks ; John ^IcDowell, of Washing-
ton ; John A. Herr, of Clinton ; Dr. John P. Barnes, of Lehigh ;
W. B. Powell, of Crawford, all spoke at length on the same
lines, forcibly testifying to Dr. Harvey's grand ability, cour-
age and honesty.
Although Dr. Harvey was familiar with the literary
world, and schooled in the science of medicine and surgery, he
ever manifested a special interest in agriculture and agricul-
tural pursuits, and thus proved himself to be the farmer's
friend and breeder's advisor. His contributions to the liter-
ature of that noble companion of man, the American trotting
horse, gave him a national reputation. Wallace, of W^allace's
Monthly, speaks of him as follows: "W^e have known him
well personally and as a writer on the horse for more than
twenty years. As a correct thinker and a clear and instruc-
tive writer, he had but few equals. In the earlier period of
our work and investigations, he was always ready to give us
whatever assistance was in his pow^r. From the first he
seemed to appreciate what we were doing more highly than
almost any other man, and his instinct always placed him on
the side of honesty and truth."
Dr. Harvey attached great importance to the work of ^Ir.
AVallace, and spoke of him in great confidence, believing that
the American Register of Pedigree would be absolutely correct
and reliable. He often said to me that anything short of
that would render it worthless. Mr. Wallace, like myself, was
often amazed at Dr. Harvey's wonderful memory. There
was not a distinguished horse in the world whose pedigree
44
was not at his tonj^ur's cimI. On (iiit> occasion when his stale-
iiiont was (|ii('stione(l, Wallace asked liim how In- knew. Look-
inir at ^ValIace witli :iii ania/cd e\|)ressiun, he replied: "You
niiirht as well ask iiie liow I know my iianii-." Afterward,
he convinced Walhice that lie was iJLrht. 'I'o my knowled;re
his assistanie 1o Wallace in LreltinL; up the Amei'ican Stud
hook was very j^n'cat ; it was a lahor of love for the horse, for
whom his fondness was reniarkahle.
If J)i". llaivey was i-iu'ht, he is w ith us here today in spirit,
lie was a spii'itnalist, helievin^ in it, as he has more than once
said to me. as lii'iiily as he hiieved in his own existence. He
hjoked upon s|)irit ualism as the liond hetween this life and the
futui'c. believed that the (lei)arled could <-onMininicate with
the livini,', that intelliirenee could |)i-ove its identity as well as
demonstrate the fact that it had survived th(» chanire called
death, lie had no patience with fraud and was frank to
denounce such mediums as the Blisses, etc. T, with others,
attended many seances with him, even,- one of which he pro-
nounced a fraud, and when 1 was disposed to denounce the
whole thiiiL; because he could .show me nothin<r convincinj.' and
so admitted by himself, his refily was: "You hail just as well
condenui religion because the churches have hypocrites and
rascals in them.'" I'pon the subject of reli«rion lie was <rreatly
misunderstood. ]\Iany looked upon him as an unbeliever, and
some denounced him as an infidel. Xothinjr eould have been
further fronj the truth. His estimate of God, 1 know, was
hinrher than the avera^re church member. lie has tohl me
more than once that his idea of God was so great that it wa.s
impossible for him to think of II im as the most of people did,
by picturing; upon the mind a perfect man ; tliat lie looked uj)
to Him as a gi'eat spirit; a yreat principle which had under
its control, the laws of the Tniverse, spiritual and material.
He had <rreat respect for the Bible. lie believed in the miracles
of the Bible, and used them as an arirtunent in support of
spiritualism. He believed in Christ. He believed that the
New Testament was the best code of laws ever triven to man.
He believed in the divinit.v of Christ, but he also believed in
45
liis own divinity, claiming that he was a child of God, in
common with us all. He believed in Hell, but not in the
literal Hell as frequently described from the pulpit. He be-
lieved that this life was but a short span and only a part of
the great eternal life, and that we had a Hell here as well as
hereafter; that is, that punishment was meted out to us here
for the violation of any of God's laws. He believed that
God's punishments were always corrective, never vindictive;
that they were always awarded in mercy and affliction as re-
minders of our wrong-doing. He believed that we took our
position in the next world according to our merits or demerits
in this, and that in all the gi'eat eternity of life, we were
privileged to come nearer and nearer to the great Author of
our existence — God. He had no patience with any one who
believed that God could or would cast off one of his children
forever, never to know him again. He believed in prayer and
has given me instances where he knew it to be answered. His
ideal of a religious life was the life of Christ, the gentle Jesus,
who without thought of self, was always in an effort to uplift
mankind.
Dr. Harvey once offered a resolution in the school board
to do away with the reading of the Bible in the public schools,
for which he was severely condemned. I know of the prompt-
ing of that resolution and know that it w'as in the interest of
mankind, without any disrespect to the Bible. His love of
country was very gTeat. He believed our government to be
the best on earth, and felt that its perpetuity depended upon
education and that our public schools were its greatest sale-
guard. He wanted them upon a basis beyond criticism from
a religious standpoint, and believed that an objection upon
such grounds of any of our taxpayers, was reasonable, and
upon broad principles should be recognized. He felt that
the teaeliing of the Bible could be left to the homes, the
Sunday-schools, and the churches. While I did not vote for
this resolution and did not always agree with Dr. Harvey, I
thoroughly admired the man. There can be no exception to
my feelings in this respect, knowing him as thoroughly as I
46
hclit'Vf I dill. 1 jiiii I'oiitiilriit that lir tiicriti'd honosty for
every iii()\c he t-vci- iiiailc, ami was .just as miirh futitlcd to
his opinions as tliose who (litl'crcd with him. I am <_'lad to
chronicle this statement as to that resolution.
Dr. Harvey, as a physician, was ever in love with his
profession. lIi- worked to elevate it and always kept himself
fully alucast of the times. In it, as in everythinj; else, lie
was a clo.se student and a caicrul iuvcstif^ator. What he he-
lieved he advocated with all of his ahility. What he disbe-
lieved li(^ denounced in no uncertain terms. What lie <lonl)ted
he held uiidei- consideration, lu'vcr airrecinir to an\thinLr he
did not fully understand.
I don't know that this paper can be more littiiiLrly ''loscd
than by ([noting from my memorial before the Delaware
County ^Medical Society at its meeting of April 1889: —
"Seldom we meet with a man of such strong points of
character. Seemingly incompatible, maintaining such an
equipoise as was manifested in his daily life. His positive-
ness of opinion and fearless utterance ; his broadness in debate ;
his courage of conviction and event at times, a share of irony,
sarcasm and ridicule, might wound or aggravate an oppi^nent,
yet he was absolutely free from personality. The subject in
his mind was always independent of the individual. It was
never his intention to wound or offend. I have often thought
in this respect he was greatly misunderstood. With all of his
grand ability and versatility of knowledge, he was as tender
and sympathetie in liis nature as a woman. As a practitioner,
he was beloved and honored by a large following. While he
was a reader of medical literature, he was never a copyist nor
a routinist. hut a close observer of symptoms, an original
preseriber ami a successful practitioner. He was one of the
founders of the Delaware County iledieal Society and rarely
missed one of its meetings. He has more than once told the
writer that he nexcr attended a meeting, but that he felt
benefitted; and it was no uncommon thing as we pa.ssed out
from the meeting for him to say : "Well, we have had a profit-
able meeting." lie enjoyed the fellowship of the profession.
and was ever ready to exchancje opinions and discuss medical
subjects. ,.
I have thus o-iven you a concise history of the life and
character of my friend, to whose influence I am largely in-
debted for a great deal in my life and my life's work. I
shall miss his companionship as long" as life shall last.
48 J
INCIDHNTS Ol IWKNTY YFARS
IN TTIF U. S. NAVY
As lilOLATEO BY GeXKHAL IIknKV ("l.W CoCIIKANi;. OK ClIKSTKU.
JrxK 2(JTii. 1!M)2
I'.KFORK ITrSTfMJTCAL S()('II:TV
RKCOLi-hXTioNs OK Admikai.s Who Won I<\\.mi; 1)1 UIXC tiik
(' I \' 1 1 . \V A 1{
[Several years asjo the Delaware Coimty Ilistoi-ical
Society held a well attended iiiid-sumnier iiieetiiiu- a1 the old
Presbyterian Chureh. in .Middletown, at whieh the story of
tills old sanetnary was attractively told by the jiastor, Rev.
Win. T. Krnse. lie was followed by Hon. AVilliani H. Hrooni-
all in a inenioi-ial sUeteh of the late Ibm. William Wai-d. and
a like paper by \)\-. William B. I'lrieh on tlie late Dr. Hllwtxtd
TTarvey. rieneral, then Captain, Henry Clay Cochrane, of
the r. S. Marine Corps, made an address in which he told
much of interest in relation to the great sea captains who
had made Chester famous in the annals of the old navy. As
Captain Cochrane spoke impromptu, he was retiuested to put
in written form the substance of his remarks on that occasion
for pul)li('ation in tlie printed " Proceediufrs of the Society".
While tliat will preserve his remarks for future historical
students, the publication is not of a kind that enters into wide
circiUation. Hence as thei-i' is much that is wholly news in
General Cochrane "s address, and is intinuitely associated with
the annals of Chester, we believe that his paper would afford
l>leasure to oui- readers, and so thinkinfj, we *rive it publication
in the colunms of The Morninj? Republican. — Editor.]
Many years ago I read a definition of the difference be-
tween history and fiction which, occni-rint,'- at a time wlien T
49
had already become skeptical of much alleged history, im-
pressed me very greatly. It was to the effect that in history
we get dates without facts, and in fiction facts without dates.
I now believe that he who accepts without question all that is
presented to him in print is a blissful innocent. The greatest
of American showmen, P. T. Barnum, claimed that the Am-
erican people loved to be humbugged, and that he had made
two fortunes catering to that desire. It is with records very
much as with shows.
Not long since, in connection with a trained journalist
who began with Mark Twain as his managing editor on the
Hartford Courant, and had served in turn upon the New
York Herald, the New York World, and the Philadelphia
Press, we discussed the so-called foreign cable correspondence
and Night Editor padding. Regarding him as a witness of
value, I asked : "What paper do you read when you want
facts? He quietly answered: "The New York Sun." Can
you believe all that you see in the Sun ? I then asked. " No ",
he replied, "one cannot believe implicitly the details of what
he sees in any paper ; but if he reads of a great fire in Chicago,
a gTeat flood at Galveston, a tornado in Kansas, or the nomin-
ations of a political convention, he can assume in a general
way that something of that nature has happened." The
trouble is with the details. There is so much opportunity and
temptation to manipulate and exaggerate that we cannot ac-
cept with confidence unless authenticated, as is the case to-day,
by the direct personal testimony of men who lived contem-
poraneously with their subjects.
"tell that to the marines"
Feeling that perhaps I might appear to my friend a trifle
too incredulous, considering the branch of the public service
to which I belong (the Marine Corps), I asked him if he
knew the origin of the expression, ' ' Tell that to the marines. ' '
He smiled at the familiar quotation and replied that he did
not ; which was expected ; few people do. I then told him the
story, which runs in this way : There was a certain King
50
(if I'liiulainl who liail I'miiiil liiiiis-ir several times ile«*eive«l
by "orticial iTpoits" emariatiiii,' from intereHtoil personH, s«>iiie
o[" whom were in liis anii> and some in his navy. Wearyin;?
of this, and lieinir a h-vel hcadfd KiiiLT. lie KHVe orders thnt
thereafter wlieii an.\ news ot' importanee was rcerived, it
should lie sMl)niiltr(| to his niaiine otiieers for their opinitm
of its pi-ohalile aiciiracy before heinir hroiitrht to him, for the
reason, he e\|ilaine(i, that those u'entleinen serve hoth hy srn
and land and are neeessai'ily hroader of mind and better
informed tiian those of more i-ireumseribed adventure, if thoy
beliexc the news I will. Not wit hstandini: tiie wonis. "Tell
that to the marines" were thus plainly ones of eompliment,
we ha\e sicn tliem [)erverted into words of reproach, that
sim[)le-mintled man will cherish and (|Uote from.
Tt is most irratifyini;- to listen to recollections of .such able,
irenial and companionable men as William Ward and l-'dlwood
Harvey by tlieir lonir time friends and ass.x-iates. and to know
that such testimony is true. Secretary and Historian Ash-
mead is enthusiastic as to this kind of history and puts o\ir
Society upon a hiirh plane as a collector and treasurer of facts
that may be sou<,dit and found in the archives after we have
ceased to exist.
y\y contribution to-day will include a few incidents eon-
eerninji' naval men who once lived in Delaware County, but
forsook her attractions for others.
WITH ADMIR.VL PORTER
rpon my appointment to the navy in ISOI. mainly
throui;}! the inthience of the Hon. dohn Hickman. I was
ordered to the New York Xa\y Yard and directed to ipialify
myself tor dnt.\ in one of the many two-masted schooners that
were beinj? fitted to compose the mortar Hotilla of ('ommo»lore
David I) Porter, who was to co-operate with Captain David
G. Farrag-ut in attackiuf? the forts — St. Philip and Jackson
which jruard the approach from the sea to New Orleans.
AVhile this duty was beinir performed alonir came what was
called "a ninety-day «iunboat", (being built in about that
51
time), which I heard was to be commanded by Lieut. .Pierce
Crosby, of Chester. Here were three officers named at once
whose early life had been connected with Delaware County,
in which two of them were born. As Lieut. Crosby tirst saw
the light of clay upon the farm next to my Uncle John Coch-
ran's, in the house so long occupied by the late Robert E.
Hannum, on Providence Avenue, Chester, my youthful in-
terest became concentrated in that gunboat, the Pembina, and
through the assistance of Captain, afterwards Rear Admiral
Gregory, who was superintnding the construction of the orig-
inal Monitor, and purchasing vessels for war purposes, I was
transferred from the line-of-battle ship North Carolina to the
Pembina.
Great was my delight at being ordered to Crosby's ship,
which was a steamer with other guns than mortars. But I had
hardly written home the news which I hoped would please
them and diminish their apprehensions for my safety, when
he was taken ill and sent to the Naval Hospital. Thus my
plans were completely upset and I was to go with neither
Porter nor Crosby. Later on the latter recovered and was
given the gimboat Pinola, another ninety-day boat, and did
most creditable service in the West Gulf Squadron.
The Pembina .joined Flag Officer S. F. DuPont's great
fleet at Hampton Roads and sailed southward in October with
sealed orders, and on November 7th, 1861, my nineteenth
birthday, took a full part in the battle of Port Royal, South
Carolina. The talented Dr. Isaac T. Coates, of Chester, an
old friend and neighbor, was near us in this battle, on the
gunboat Bienville, of which he was surgeon, and Dr. James
J. Magee, of Nether Providence Township, was an assistant
surgeon on the flagship Wabash. In the military force-co-
operating with us were a great many Delaware and Chester
countains of the 97th Penna. Regiment. They were within
the Sounds of Georgia, and in operations on the St. John's
River, Florida — a splendid regiment.
52
RKCOLLKCTIONS Ol' VDMIUALS FARRAOI I' AND 1-(»|{I T.U
111 tilt' t'jill ol" 1S()2 the I'tMuhiiia was t raiisrcrrcd IVitm tlic
Allaiitir ('(last to the (Icct of Karr;i-iit, in the (lull" of" .Mcxici).
ami 1 was tlicii'l»y iiiiicli mat ilicil. 1 saw that distinj^Miislipd
officer for the first tiiiif on hoard of his Ha.irship, the famous
Ilartrnnl. in JN'iisacoln jiay, in XoNciiihrr, 1H()2. One of our
fireiiuMi, a liiihtiim Irislimaii iiaiiird KalVrrty, had Ihth tried
liy cDiirl niaitial, and as some time had passed without iu-
stiMK-t ions hciiiL; rccfivcd regard ini;' the disposition of his case,
T was sent ahoard of llw Ilarli'ord to earry the Captain's
eompliiiifiits tt the tlaLi oflicrr ;ind ascertain liis intentions.
Farraiiut interrupted the delivery of my message liy sayini:.
"Yes. yes; I know alioiU it, " and I luive never been able to
decide whether he was imjiatient. oi- wanted to convey the
impression that no matter of duty escaix'd his memor\ . How-
ever, he asked me to sit down in his e.iliiii and was very
fiieiidl\-. I found him t ) lie a sparely huilt man about 5
feet () Ol- 7 inrhes in heiuht and about sixty years old; smootli
shaven, with weat hei'-beateii face, a. keen, Init Idmlly eye, thin
iron i;ray liaii- brushed over a liahl spot, a iu)se somewhat
aquiline aiul a Ion? upjier lip, in ucneral appearance not nn-
like other sea-farinu- men that 1 had seen.
J'Kilir l\ MOBILE BAY
The followinir March I was promoted and ordered to
\Vasliinu1on, and in the fall he came North from the Gulf on
leave. 1 iiot into a str(>et car on Pennsylvania Avenue one
day in Octob'-r and diseovereil the Admiral amonir the few
passenirers. lie was so apfreeable that next day \ called npon
him at l!ie (piarters of Colonel John Harris. Commandant of
the ^larine Corps, where he and his wife were .stayinir. There,
sitting in front of a low down irrate at eventide, he told nie
that the Navy Department had forbidden him to attack the
forts which tniarded ^fobile Hay until at least two ironi-lads
wei"e added to his fleet, and then, continuinsr, described the
manner in which he was <roinir to make the fiirht with the
vessels lashed in pairs, exactly as he did ten months later. I
53
remarked that I had been in the blockade of Mobile all winter,
and that the rebels were strongly fortified, and would keep
him busy, and he replied, "Yes, I know, and I will pour into
them such a storm of shot and shell as will keep them busy. ' '
It seems remarkable that he should have had his plans pre-
pared so long beforehand and not have changed them. He
did go in with his ships in pairs, did pour a storm of shot
and shell, and was victorious on August 5, 1864. This was
the important feature of all his fighting.
Farragut was known to many old Chesterians as a boy at
the home of Commodore David Porter, who lived at "Green-
bank", a colonial residence which stood, until destroyed by an
explosion in 1882, on the shore of the Delaware River in
Chester, just east of Welsh Street. Porter had adopted him
in New Orleans when less than nine years old, and he had
been given a warrant as a midshipman in the navy when less
than ten. It was then that he went to school in Chester, from
which place he went to the frigate Essex, and in her partici-
pated in the memorable battle with the British Ships Phoebe
and Cherub, in Valparaiso harbor. The Essex was captured,
and Farragut was sent home a prisoner of war when only thir-
teen years old. He then returned to Chester and resumed his
studies, and was pleased to say that what he learned there
lasted him "all through life." In 1877 there were people
living in Chester who distinctly remembered him when he
was a member of Commodore Porter's family, and recalled
him as an agreeable youngster, short in stature and far from
comely in features.
Farragut was twice married, and I Imew his second wife,
who was a Miss Virginia Loyall, of Norfolk, a very lovely
woman, and a sister of Colonel Ben. Loyall, who was adjutant-
general upon General R. E. Lee's staff, and whom I also knew.
Mrs. Farragut always referred to her husband while he was
a captain as "Mr." Farragut, and when he became an Ad-
miral she called him "Captain".
In the western half of Cedar Grove Cemetery, Norfolk,
are three gi-aves side by side, marked by three horizontal
54
inarblr slabs, rostiiii,' ii|)i)!i slmrt Ih-duii stone cnlutiuis or
posts. I nilcr oiir ol" t lirsc lii's the body r)t' .laiir I'liliia I'm-tcr,
uiio was the wife of William |)a\iil I'urtrr. I'. S. Xavy, and
tlic next slab reads:
"Sacred
To the ^feinory of
Mrs. Susan C, Wife of
D. S. Farrajrut. I'. S. X..
Wlio Departed this Life Dee. 28, 1840,
A.u'ed 35 years.
Th(< wearied sufferer has troue to rest ;
In realms of bliss 1 hof^e she's blest."
This was the first wife of the ijreat Admiral, and a si.ster
of the above Mrs. Porter, wlio.se liusband survived to aehieve
fame during the Rebellion as Commander "Hill" Porter, and
who spent his boyhood in Chester.
MISSED ills CHANCE
Foi- many years Farrairut had a habit oti his birthday of
takin«,' a cane in his hands and .iumi)iu^ over it, but at last
the time came when he failed to do it. ami he said 1 iiuist
concede that I am jjrowing old. A story that has never been
printed was told me of his absent-mindedness. One day while
steaminjr up the Mississippi River he saw on the west bank
some poor white refuj^ees huddled together. On the way
down, a month or so later, he recogrnized the place and called
to tlu^ quarternuister of the watch to brini; a spy-<;lass. lie
scanned the banks earnestly for a few minutes and then
remarked to a youncr lieutenant, "I don't see those refui^ees. "
Another unpui)lished .story of Farraj^ut dates from 18<»:^
when a certain officer commandin<r a small <;un ves.sel on the
Mississippi, allowed a rebel steamer to run by him without
firinjJT a shot. Farrairut summoned liim t(^ the fla<jrship and
a.sked him for an explanation. The ot^cer said that he hatl
no orders to fire, which was true. But P^irrairut replied.
"Captain, every man. sooner or later, '_'ets an opportiuiity —
you have liad yours."
55
He was notoriously chary of reeommendiug his officers'
for good conduct in battle, while Porter, on the other hand,
was most liberal of praise. The former took the ground that
it was an officer's duty to acquit himself well — a matter of
course. He died at the quarters of a friend of mine (Rear
Admiral Pennock) in the Portsmouth, N. H., Navy Yard, at
the age of sixty-nine, and was given a great funeral in New-
York on September 30, 1870. He left one son, Loyall Far-
ragutt, who lives in New York. No one of old Chester could
have known that the little midshipman who played around
Aunt Polly Engle's tavern on Third Street near the bridge
was destined to become the country's most famous admiral.
This Aunt Polly Engle, whom I remember very well, was
]\Irs. iMary Engle, widow of Edward, and mother of Rear
Admiral Frederick Engle. a native of Chester, who died in
Philadelphia in 1868. Admiral Engle seldom came to Chester
and was but little known by our people. One of the most
eventful incidents of his life was being sent secretly to China
at the outbreak of the Rebellion in 1861, to bring home the
sloop-of-war Hartford, whose senior officer was unjustly
suspected of Rebel proclivities. Admiral Engle served in the
Navy for fifty-three years, having entered at fifteen. He
became identified with New Jersey by marriage, and was
buried in Burlington. I believe that all of the descendants
of Mi's. Engle have left Chester, among the last, being Mrs.
Edward P. Beale, who was a grand-daughter.
Finally, in 1864, I was again gratified by orders to the
JMississippi Srjuadron, which was then commanded b}^ Rear
Admiral David D. Porter, who had gained glory and rank
by his operations at Vicksburg I found that he was much
liked by his subordinates, who had great confidence in his
chivalry and gallantry. There was undoubtedly a streak of
fearlessness and loyalty in the whole line of Porters, from
the old Captain of Revolutionary fame on down to the
youngest, who is now the Captain David D. Porter of the
Marine Corps, who began his career with me at Newport,
l^liodc Island. The name David Porter has been on our Navy
56
Ke.ijister, witli sliirlit iiitcniiissions. for a period of one liumlred
and tvventy-eijrht years. I had kiiown the Admiral's mother,
who retained her fondness for Chester until hei- (h-ath, and
lici- (hiuirhter Kvelimi. who heeamc the wife of (iwinn Ihirris
Heap, V. S. Consul at Tunis, and tlie fact that I was from
Chester made him a friend at omc. and wclconic to his tlat;-
ship. tile Rlack TTawk.
ONE WAY TO MAKE WAR
The .Mississippi Scpuidron was in a very effieient eondition
at that time, as a result of his personal influence. He had
very decided ideas ahout those who hi-ouuht ahout the war,
as shown in his instruri ions to Captain Ileniy ^Valk(•l• in
Novemher 1S6L'. when he said, "I heg leave to sufjprest that
there is but one way of making w.ii , and that is by usinsj the
most stringent means, even to military execution, in order to
l)revent subordination among conquered people." Later, in
orders to Colonel Charles R. Ellet, of the ram Queen of the
"West, to destroy the rebel steamer Vicksburg, he said: "It
will not be part of your duty to save the lives of those on
board. They must look out for themselves, and may think
themselves lucky if they do not have the same fate meted out
to the Harriet Lane". This, as you may remember, referred
to the sinking of the vessel by that name by the rebel steamer
Alabama, off Galveston, in Januarj' 1863. Porter's brother
Hriry known in Chester as "Hud", it so happened, was the
executive officer of the Harriet Lane, which he had recently
.ioined. T saw him only a few days before on the supply
steamer "Circassian" off ]\Iobile. on his way to Galveston.
Porter had a very sanguine temperament. May 20, 1863,
he wrote to the Secretary of the Navy that it was merely a
question of a few hours when Vicksburg would fall, but that
interesting event did not happen until July 4th. He became
Vice-Admiral in 1866, and upon Farragut's death was a can-
didate to succeed him. Grant was President, and after a long
delay ami a dis(!Ussion in which nearly the whole country
took part, he was nominated and confirmed, and thus little
.")T
Chester had the honor of furnishing- the first two full Admirals
to the United States, as well as two Rear Admirals — Engle and
Crosby.
David D. Porter and John C. Cash, a Major in the
Marine Corps, were noted when I entered the service as the
strongest men in the Navy. It was said that either of them
could lift a thirty -two pound shot by seizing it with the hand
on top. "When in Charleston, S. C, one day, I visited the
graveyard of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, and was much
surprised at finding a tombstone marking the grave of Lieu-
tenant Hamilton Porter, U. S. N., another brother of the
Admiral, who had spent his boyhood in Chester.
Acting Rear Admiral S. P. Lee succeeded Porter in com-
mand of the Mississippi Squadron, and I served under him
until the close of the Rebellion and was engaged in the pursuit
of Jefferson Davis, the fugitive President of the Confederate
States, for whom a reward of $100,000 was offered. My part
in the Rebellion brought me under the command also of
Flag Officer Louis M. Goldsborough.
r»8
I'kockkdinos at Tin: Mektino
OK TIIK
DELAWARF COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
Held at Chester, .Mav 19, 1904
A special iiieetini; of the Delaware County Historical
Society was held in tlic City Council Chamber, City Hall,
Thursday, .May 19, 1904, with Pivsidcnt A. I.(-\vis Smiili in
the chair aiul H. G. Ashuiead, Secretary. Lewis Palmer, of
Concord, read the following paper, entitled:
lilOGKAi'lIlCAL sketch OF THE LIFE OF THE LATE
BF.XJA:M1N DOUGLASS JOHNSON,
OP LOWER CriICIIESTER, DELAWARE COUNTY, PA.
Of the many subjects which have employed the pen for
their elucidation, that of biography has ever held an eminent
rank. For, wliatever nuiy be the importance of the many
branches of knowledge, or the .success of scientifie research, or
the value of fiction or anv otlicr human attainment, vet withal
there is ever present in our minds a stirring interest in the
personality of the individual life. And whilst the glitter of
military achievement or- tlic halo of political advancement
have been often thrust to a prominent place of attention, yet
our quiet and sober thought has ever found ddiLilit. instruction
and living companionship in lhc perusal of the biography of
those who have been useful memljers of swiety, whatever may
have been their position in the social scale of life, and again
docs our interest take upon itself a two- fold value when the
life we have known, respected and loved can be made to pass
in clearness before us in written lines of truthfulness.
The various races of mankind have each dominant charac-
teristics which cling to them with pci-tiiiacity, and gives each
a universal standard of recognition. p]ach race also by reason
of environment or some special cause subdivide into divisions
59
that in time become no less disting'iiishing traits, so that when
we eome to contemplate an individual Ave almost involuntarily
iniiuire from whence he sprung, and where was the store-house
of the' gifts and powers bestowed upon him.' The superior
abilities acquired by the Anglo-Saxon people by their
stre;iuous efforts for success, and by evolution, make it in the
eternal fitness of material things that much will be expected of
its individual members, and according to sacred writ will also
be required. Pleasant indeed is the knowledge that many
of these have fulfilled a fair measure of life to their own profit,
to public advantage, and to the glory of their God.
AVith this prelude, inspired by the subject which now
engages the power of my pen, I come now to delineate the life
of a citizen of our county whose ancestry was inured not alone
to the struggle for outward sustenance amidst the hardships
of rugged pioneer labor, but also to the culture of high born
principles of freedom, of justice, of patriotism, of knowledge,
of bright aspirations for the future and to a strong faith in
an overruling Providence.
Thus do I bring to your notice, our late lamented citizen,
Benjamin Douglass Johnson, of Lower Chichester Township,
of this county. He was the son of Benjamin Ford Johnson
and Mary Ann (Entriken) Johnson. He was born December
21, 1830, and died suddenly while sleeping on the night of
October 29-30, 1900, thus being in the seventieth year of his
age. From his boyhood days, on the ancestral acres, he took
great interest in farming, which he continued to the last day
of his life. Prospering in his vocation, it was his delight to
be known as an intelligent and successful agriculturist, and
being well equipped with the technical and practical knowl-
edge necessary to his business, his opinion and advice were
much sought and appreciated by his farmer neighbors, in
whom and their success he took a warm interest.
He had a fair rudimentary education for boys of his day,
but as time passed on he became highly educated on the lines
of those things congenial to his tastes, and it may be truthfully
said in these respects that he was almost wholly self taught.
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Ill tlu'sc ])aii iciil.ir liiirs iiia\' ln' iiiriii idiu-d <;eof^i'apliy, both
tlcscriptive and {)liysi('al, liislorv, iiicludinj; travels, and music,
cspt'cially sacred. nuisic. lie was also no less interested in the
irreat moral (|nestioii ol' tempei'ance, as applied in tlic tiat'tic
in intoxieatinir heveraiies. and to the advaiieeineiit of i-diLiioii
ill the ehni'eh of his dioice.
Of these in tlieir order, the roliowiiii;- aeeonnts and inci-
ih'iil.s have heeii priiieipally I'liniished l)y iiieiiihers of his
iiiiiiicdiate laiiiily cii'i'li- as InxJuL;' iiieiiientoi's lo his nieiiiory :
ill earl.v life i Ji'iijainiii I), .iohnsoii (h'veloped a hahit of
earnest study and eoiiipiehensive reading' and in tlie course
of his life acenmnlated one of the finest general lihraries to be
found in Delaware county. In this lie was greatly aided and
I'ucouraired 1)\' his brother. R. .AForgan Johnson, Avho, being
an extensive and cultivated book dealer, spared no pains to
gathei- for his brother such works as were congenial to liis
taste. The appidlation of "" learned man" given liiiii after
death by a minister at his fuiKM-al was truthful, and it really
all liegan with the studv of a little, old atlas. In the winter.
when there was not much doing on the farm, he would sit
behind the stove slndx'inu this atlas. .\o matter wliat was
going on aioniid him. nothing seemed to disturb him in the
absorbed attention he gave to it, thus he soon knew everything
there was in this atlas. Fn ihis his mind seemed to be like a
camera, that photographetl everything that came before it.
Sometimes, however, tired nature would assert itself as he sat
at his study, when he would doze otf to sleep. On one of these
occasions his brother, D. M. Johnson, drew a picture of him
with atlas in his hands and head leaning back against the door
that enclosed the old tire place. It was a [)retty good illustra-
tion, and when he awoke both enjoyed the fun of it very much.
From this beginning he finally became an expert on the subject
of geography. To hear him converse upon particular coun-
tries one would think ho had traveled there and had vieweil
the scenes he could describe. So intimate and special was his
knowledge that he could expound of many countries, even the
characteristics of their soil, vegetation, climate, geology, nat-
fil
ural history and inhabitants, with careful accuracy, a sure test
of a thorough study of the subject. In the matter of history
and travel he was more prominently an Egyptologist and in-
terested in far eastern ancient countries, and had many works
on both the ancient and modern history of those interesting
subjects. It was a cherished thought with him that he might
one day visit the region of the Nile to verify his knowledge as
gained from books, but his life proved all too short for the
fulfillment of this bright anticipation.
In the field of sacred music, of which he was a great lover,
he greatly excelled, and he was a choir leader in his church.
He used his gift in the advancement of many praiseworthy
labors for the uplift of humanity. He was capable and had
could give good judgment on its various merits,
the training to appreciate the highest classical music, and
In political life he followed the family predilection and
became a Whig, from this he easily followed upon patriotic
principle, the Republican party. In the war times he went
out with the emergency men in September. 1862, in Captain
William R. Tateher's company, which was first called the
"Chester Guards," but afterwards became Company K, of
10th Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia. His brothers, R.
Morgan Johnson and David M. Johnson, were also members
of this company, which saw service in the Ciunberland Valley
about the time of the battle of Antietam. Of this experience
he enjoyed relating several incidents, one of which was how
nicely a farmer could dig potatoes with a bayonet.
He was always a radical in the temperance question, and
as early as 1853 he left the Whig party in so far as to vote for
Joseph H. Hinkson, the Democratic candidate for Comity
Treasurer, because he thought Mr. Hinkson was a better tem-
perance man than Jacob Parry, the Whig candidate. While
he was an earnest Republican before and during the war and
gave hearty support to the Union cause, after the establish-
ment of peace, as other questions of interest became prom-
inent he entered into the moral warfare against the saloon evil
62
and about ISS!* hccamc an active worker in the rrohiljition
party, and therein closed his life work.
Ill" was in no sense a politician in the treneral iindcrstand-
in<r of tlie tei-iii. lie had no i(h'a of doiiiLT an\'thin<r for the
sake of policy. Ili' hoped for- and predicted the tinal success
of the I'rohihition part\-, hut its failure to attract voters as lie
thouhht it oui,dit, to some extent saddened liis later years.
He could scareelx' believe men wei-e honest who did not take
the same view he did. A Re|)iil»Iican will respect the opinion
of a Democrat and a Democral will respect the opinion of a
Repuhlican, hut his mind was not constituted that way when
it eame to the consideration of the liquor question; he could
not believe there could he two honest sides to such a question ;
nor could he justify himself in supportins: the hest attainable
hy choosinp: tlie least of two evils, but he wanted the right
thing or nothing. And he would not admit that any man
could conscientiously take any other view or pursue other
course.
lie never cared verv much for political ])referment,
though he was several times electd a school dirctor of Lower
Chichester, and was also one of the supervisors of roads of the
township. He was an occasional candidate on the Prohibition
county ticket, receiving the full party vote.
On the religious side of his life's mission, he was first a
diligent reader of the Book of Books. His love for his Hilile
and careful study of its pages was a pronounced trait of his
character, and it became his guide and stay through life. He
was baptized in infancy by the Rev. R. U. Morgan, and when
he became eighteen years of age was confirmed l)y Bishop
Alonzo I'otter, in St. ^lartin's Protestant Episcopal Church,
in Marcus Hook, where liis membership always remained.
During the rectorship of Rev. Joseph A. Stone he was minis-
ter's warden, and was a member of the vestry for more than
forty years. He was frequently a delegate to the Diocesan
conventions of his church, always taking an earnest part in
their proceedings. For a number of years he was superin-
tendent of the Sunday-school, and, as before stated, leader of
63
the, clioir. He also assisted, the late David .Trainer in estab-
lishing a chapel at Trainer, both by, teaching in the Sunday
school. and talking charge of the music. . He was also honored
.by being made one of the vestrymen of St. Luke's P. E.
church, at Chester. . . f ,
One of many interesting works for his church is thus
related .by his brother, D. ]M. Johnson, Esq.: "Wlien I was a
boy, brother Ben, who was much older than I, and myself,
used to go out every December before Christmas day to gather
evergreens to dress the Episcopal Church at JNIarcus Hook,
sometimes other young men gathered some, but mostly it was
attended to by my brother. "We used to look forward to this
work with a great deal of pleasure. We at first got the ever-
greens up about Rockdale, where we gathered laurel and
ground vines. Afterwards we went over to William Booth's
woods in Chichester, and later over into Brandywine Hundred.
My brother seemed instinctively to Imow where to go to find
these evergreens, for he would drive directly to the requisite
point. He always had a talent for locality and had a remark-
ably comprehensive and exhaustive knowledge of both local
and general geography, as well as of all their natural features.
When the evergreens were gathered, then the young men and
the young women of the congregation Avould meet together,
work up the material thus provided and "dress" the church
with them. This would last two or three days, and wlien
it was complete before parting it was the custom to sing the
hymn :
"From year to year in love we meet.
From year to year in peace we part."
Had he lived until December 21st, he would have been
seventy years old. He never married, remaining on the farm
as the standby and comfort of his father and mother as long
as they lived, and afterwards of his sisters. In his nature he
was genial and jovial, though this phase of his character did
not always appear to those who only knew him in his serious
and strenuous life. He was a thoroughly unselfish character,
64
and he was faithful to everything he considered a dut\ llf
never put on airs of superiority over the humhh-st i)erso!i. nor
assumed to he anything' dilTerent fioiii what he was; and in-
iU'vd it was ahsolntely foreign to his nature t(» he anything
hut st rai^iht forward, ojien and truthl'iil in all liis intercourse
with others.
His (h'ath left a void in his neighhorliood which will he
hard to till, hut his genial, kindly spirit won for him a hiirli
appreciation which will stand as an enduring memorial to his
memory, and I'emain as an ahiding hlessing on the labors of
his life. As a titling close to his earthly career a host of
friends came to pay a last tribute of respect and atTeetion at
his burial, which took place at St. .Martin's burial ^rrounils,
^larcus Hook.
Several newspapers made fitting comments cm liis life on
receiving notice of his death, among which were the Public
Ledger, of Philadelphia; the Delaware CoKntji liepuhliedH ;
the Delaware Countij Advocate, and the Chester Tinus.
From the last we copy the following as a fair representation
of the general feeling and regard of them all.
From the Chester Times of October :30th, I'JOO:
"Benjamin D. .Johnson, a well known resident of Lower
Chichester, died at his home after an illness of very short
duration. In fact it may be said he was not at all ill, for
he retired the night previous in his usual condition of health
and liappiness, which, has always been eharacteri.stic of the
man. lie was a man known for his upi-ight ways and strict
virtuous principles. He took an active interest in the Pro-
hibition party and the temperance cause, and was also a
Christian and consistent church worker. lie leaves to mourn
his death a brother, David M. Johnson, Esq., of this city, and
three sisters, ^Iar>- K. Johnson, Mrs. Fannie .M. Hunting, wife
of Capt. Alfred Bunting, and Henrietta II. Johnson. His
departure from earthly scenes was a great shock to the.s«^ and
his friends."
On the following day the same paper editorially wrote of
him as follows:
65
"The death of Benjamin D. Johnson, of Trainer, will be
regretted by a large number of people. His long life has
been one of conscientious attention to duty, and it would be
well for every community if it had many men of his stamp.
Such men enrich any place, and there will be many neighbors
and many citizens from other parts of the country to lay the
tribute of respect upon his bier and do him the homage of a
life well spent."
Referring to his funeral it was thus noted :
"The remains of Benjamin D. Johnson were laid to rest
in the family lot in St. ^Martin's Cemetei'y, Marcus Hook,
yesterday afternoon. Very impressive services were held at
his late residence and at St. Martin's church, of which he
was a consistent member for many years. The following
clergymen participated. Rev. Joseph D. Xewlin, D. D., rector
of the Church of the Incarnation, Philadelphia ; Rev. Francis
U. Taitt and Rev. George C. :\Ioore. of CUiester; Rev. C. W.
W. Bishop, of ^larcus Hook Baptist church, and Rev. R. M.
Doherty, of St. Martin's church. Rev. A. D. Geist and ]\Irs.
Geist, of Trainer, sang selections at the late home of the
deceased. ' '
It seems particularly appropriate that his remains should
rest here, where he, as well as his father and brother in church
nearby, had long been vestrymen and where also rest a long
line of ancestry.
GENEALOGICAL DATA
Concerning the ancestry and genealogj^ of this branch of
the Johnson family, the following information has been fur-
nished l)y members of the family :
FIRST GENERATION
1. Humphrey Johnson. Married in 1695, Ann, widow
of Lawrence Routh (or Ruth), and went to reside on the
Routh farm, where all his children were born. James W.
Gaml)le now owns and resides on this farm (the Routh farm),
near Bridgewater station on Chester Creek R. R.
66
SECOND GENERATION
2. Iluniphrcy .Joliiison, 2ii(l. .Maiiii'd Kli/al)t'tli .
TIIIHh ({ENERATION
C'luldrcii (if 1 1 imiplircN- .Inluisdii. 'Jiui, and I^lizahctli
.lolmsoM.
Francis Johnson, iiianicd Hliz.ilx'tli Phillips.
Klizalx'lh. iiiaiTicd Laiiipliiirli.
Ann. inarrifd, 1st, Wni. Foril ; L'nd. Win. ( 'i-;iiistnn.
Rachel, married Adam I*rincc.
David Johnson, horn ahout 17*20; died 1769; married
Hannah (P\)rd) Griihl), tlic widow of Jo.se pli Grul)h. wlio was
the son of Kmanual Gruhh, Sr., and Ann Gruhh, ard grand-
son of .lohti (iinhh. Hannah (Ford) Gruhh was the d^'ujjh-
ter of William and Ann (lialdwin) Ford, of Brandywin«
Hundred. Hannah was one of five beautiful sisters, one of
whom man-ied a I^rinton, and was the ancestress of General
Geor^'e Hrinton McClellan.
David Johnson purchased his farm in Chichester
in March. 1759. His l)rother, Francis, had purchased
a farm to llic north of his in 1753, and on tlie decease
of Francis, l)a^■id pui'diascd this farm of the heirs in 17(54,
and added it to the farm already purcliased by him in 1759.
In 1766 he ])uilt the brick mansion house on his farm. This
house is now (1903) in a good state of preservation, and is
still owned and occupied by his descendants. David Johnson
and Hannah, his wife, were buried in St. Martin's graveyard.
Humphrey Johnson, 3rd, married ^lary Rice.
FOURTH GENERATION
The children of David and Hannah (Ford) (Grubb)
Johnson were :
1, Benjamin Johnson. ]]>• never married, and lost his
life by (li-owiiiiiL:- in the Ddawai'c i-ivcr one stormy nitdit in
1805.
2. Sarah John.son, married Hrasmus .Morton, and left
a family.
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3, Rachel Johnson, married a man named O'Harra.
•i, Hannah Johnson, married Torton, and left a family.
5, David Johnson, 2nd. Born June 9, 1759. Married
Sarah Harker, October, 1785, in Swedesborough, by Rev. :\Ir.
Collins.
Sarah Harker was born October 24, 1759. She was the
daughter of Ezekiel and Mary (Bates) Harker, of New Jer-
sey. She had two brothers, Jonathan and Joseph Harker.
These two brothers were in the Continental army. She had
a sister, Rachel, who married John Crawford, and who had a
son named John, who was born August 30th, 1788. This
John Crawford was in the war of 1812-14, and was taken pris-
oner by the British, and was confined in Dartmouth prison
for a long time, and lost his health, which he never regained.
His musket has been preserved in the family and is now in
the possession of David M. Johnson, Jr., Chester, Pa.
Rachel Crawford died in 1830.
IMary (Bates) Harker, the mother of Sarah (Harker)
Johnson, was the daughter of Elizabeth Brown, of Virginia,
from where she eloped with an Irish schoolmaster named
Plannigan, and came to Gloucester county. New Jersey,
where she jjurchased four hundred acres of ground and the
White Horse Inn. After Flannigan died, she again manned,
and her second husband was Jonathan, son of Jeremiah and
Mary Bates. She left six children, George Flannigan, and
five Bates, namely: Jonathan, Abigail, INIartha, Rachel and
Mary Bates.
David Johnson, 2nd, died July 11th, 1800, and was
buried in St. Martin's graveyard, Marcus Hook. He was a
member of the vestry for a number of years.
Note — David Johnson, 2nd, was a man of superior ability,
V mathematician, and a fine penman, and a very dressy man,
dressed in the fashionable style of the day, wore a queue and
knee breeches, silver buckles and ruffles. The family have
a piece of his wedding vest, light blue satin brocaded. Tlis
coat and breeches were black velvet.
After the death of her husband, Sarah (Harker) John-
son continued to reside on the farm and in the mansion house
68
Willi litT I'liiklrc'u. Slit" ilit-cl in a ripe oUl n'r^c, on A[)ril llli,
1S54, in her !)5th year. Slie was much beloved by her chil-
dren and STandchildfcii, .ind held in lii^'li estrcm by her
neifjhbors and friends. She died in tlic house to which she
had been bi-omrht a bride, sixty-nine years before, and was
buried beside lier liusband in St. ^Martin's prraveyard.
FIKTII GENER.VTION
The children nf David and Sarah (Harker) Johnson
were :
Charlotte, born .March 29, 1788; died August 25, 1805;
buried in St. Martin's Lrraveyard.
David .Jolmson, -h-d; born June U, 1790; died August 2,
L^ll. His d(>atli was caused by a stroke of liglitning. He
had just attained his majority and was a young man of great
promise when his life's career was thus suddenly cut off.
Buried in St. Martin's.
Benjamin Ford Johnson, born October 25, 1792 ; married
Mary Ann Entrikrn, Ajjiil 20, 182.^ She was born February
14. 17!)I), and was thr (hinghter of Thomas and Ann (IMar-
shall) Entriken. Ann (Marshall) Entriken was tlie daugh-
ter of Joseph and Ann (Grul)l)) ^larshall.
Of the ancestry of Ann Crubb see note at the end of this
paper.
Benjamin F. Johnson resided in the old homestead and
owned part of the ancestral acres. From his youth up he
was always one of the nio.st prominent men of the neighbor-
liood. ![(> joined the I'rotestant P^piscopal cliurch in St.
Martin's, Marcus Ibnik, in his seventeenth year, and was
made a vestrymen in his twcnt.v-third year. He was secre-
tary of the ve.stry for forty-five years, and from that time
was one of the leaders in the churcli, being sent year after
year to the Diocesan convention as long as he was able to go.
He wrote a number of able church papers, many of which
were pu})lislied. When the church at ^Farcus Hook was in-
corporated he prepared the charter, and had inserted a clause
requiring the election of the rector to be held every year.
69
He was a magistrate from the year 1825 until his death,
but did not take out his last commission although elected to
the office. As a magistrate he was noted for stopping litiga-
tion. In his far seeing judgment he knew that the prevention
of litigation would make for righteousness in the community.
His manner was to tell the contestants, first, the law in the
matter, and then he would talk to them like a Christian, and
many a time those who came as foes went away as friends.
Truly these words of holy scripture could be said of him :
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called
the children of God."
lie commanded a company of militia in the years 1814
to 1823, was successively lieutenant, captain, major and lieu-
tenant-colonel. Finally he resigned as not finding the mili-
tary life consistent with his high ideal of a Christian char-
acter.
He held various offices of trnst in the county and town-
ship. Was County Treasurer in 1845.
On the evening of November 9th, 1871, while seated at
the supper table with his beloved wife and four of his chil-
dren, his three daughters and son, Benjamin, his other sons,
R. Morgan and David M., being absent, the Lord called him
home.
He was buried in the family burial lot in St. Martin's
graveyard.
Mary Ann (Entriken) Johnson was the daughter of
Thomas and Ann (Marshall) Entriken. Thomas Entriken
was the son of Samuel Entriken, who came from County
Antrim, Ireland, and Mary Huey. They had a large family
of children.
Thomas Entriken married Ann Marshall IMareh 17, 1796.
She was born May 24, 1774, and died in 1831, and is buried
in St. Martin's.
Thomas and Ann (Marshall) Entriken had children,
William, Mary Ann, Thomas (who died an infant), Thomas,
2nd, Elizabeth and Emma.
Mary Ann (Entriken) Johnson was educated in Phila-
delphia, her home until she was eighteen, at the celebrated
70
school ol" Cliiii'lcs Baizi'lt'.v. Slic was most tlioroiiu'hly in-
stnictcd in iill liraiictifs of politi' Icii'iiiiiLr, ami iravc cvidciicc
of tliis traiiiiiij.' thi-oimli life. She was capaMc of prt-pariiit,'
a younj; man for collcirtv Was a tine conversationalist, notli-
inir was moi-i' (Iclmlitfiil tli;in ti> watdi tin- l)lay i)f tlionj^'lit
and SDid on tin- cDutittMiani-r while in animated eonvei-sation.
IltT eyes were (if a heantiliil sparklini; lia/el, and Imt lilaek
liaif was like shining' hands >)\' satin on hrr dainty litth- head.
She was a l)eanty in ht-i' yonth and retained evidences cd" it
all her life. She was a lovely ('hristian mother, ami was a
memlier id' St. .Martin's church. She died SeptendxT -i, 1S77,
and was hni'ied Ix'side her hushaiid in St. .Mail in "s i^raveyard.
Sarah .\im .lnhiisdii, imrn ()ctol)er 17. 179"); died in
18;U : mai'iicd Rev. Jacoli .MoiLiaii 1 )onjirlass in ]>■_'!. Chil-
dren: Andrew, Klizabeth (both of whom died younvr). and
Benjamin dohnson, who was horn Auirust (i, 182"), died May
7, 1901. lie was twice man-ied. first to Elizabeth Stott
Wetherill, and had three children, S>aninel Wetherill, de-
ceased; and Benjamin, wlio was drowned while an infant,
and P]lizabeth Wetherill Dou.ulass. Benjamin d. Donirlass,
after the decease of Ids first wife, married Julia Riley. All
of the children by this marriaLie died in infancy.
Joseph TIarker Johnson, born May 1. 1798, died July
C 1849. of cholera, in \ew Jersey. He died unmai-i-ied and
is buried in St. Mail in "s.
-Xote — Thomas i']ntriken was the son of Samuel l-^ntiM-
ken, who came from County Antrim in the north of Ireland,
and was |iroliably (if Scdtcli ancestry. altlioiiLih his sister,
Hannah, said ihey. lhe Mnl i-ikens, wer(> des-ende(I t'rom one
of ti\ e am-ieiit K inirs of Ireland. Samuel Miitriken and Mary
iHuey) Kntriken. whom he mariied .May 'J!>. 17.')4. had nine
children, as follows: 1st, James, born ^larch 7. n.lu, re-
iroved to Ohio; 2ud, freoi'ire, born October .'^0. 17.")7. married
Ksther Caipeuter; ;^rd, Rebecca, born Februarv 10. 17.")9.
married David Johnson: 4th. .Mary, born June 12, 17()2; ")th.
Jane C, married Ilibben. burn October 25. 1763; 6th, Samuel,
71
boi-11 November 5, 1765, married Martha MeClellan; 7th,
William, born October 14, 1767, died in his 17th year; 8th,
Thomas, born August 10th, 1769, married Ann Marshall, and
9th, Hannah, born 1771, married Lewis Goodwin.
Note — There was an elder brother of Samuel named
James, who came over 21 years before he did.
SIXTH GENERATION
Children of Benjamin Ford Johnson and Mary Ann
(Entriken) Johnson.
Sarah Johnson, born October 14, 1824, died September
3, 1825.
Richard Morgan Johnson, born November 2, 1825, died
April 20, 1886. He died unmarried. His life was saddened
early by the death of his betrothed, j\lary B. Walter, the
eldest daughter of the Hon. Y. S. Walter, the editor of the
Delaware County Bepuhlican. R. M. Johnson was engaged
in the mercantile business in Chester some yeare before the
Civil War. During the war he was out twice with the emer-
gency men, and was on duty guarding the Pass at Pattons-
ville, to prevent the rebels from reaching Altoona. After
the war he engaged in the book trade, and went to the oil
regions at Titusville, and fitted out libraries for the rich oil
men, where he made a great deal of money, and entered into
the business largely in Scranton. where he made a host of
friends and patrons, but he was taken ill in the spring of
1886 from nervous prostration, due to overwork at his busi-
ness, and he came home to die. The keynote of his char-
acter was earnestness and a hatred of anything like double
dealing. He was, as his mother, a fine conversationalist, and
he was in his early manhood connected with St. Paul's church,
Chester, beingr Sunday school teacher there, and superintend-
ent for a number of years. He was a fluent writer, and gift-
ed with a fine descriptive power of places and people in his
writings. He was a poet of no mean ability. Some of his
poems have been collected and placed in standard works as
worthy of a place there. He was buried in St. Martin '■!
graveyard, Marcus Hook, and has a handsome granite momu-
72
iiK'iit rrci'tcd to liis iiifiiioi'v, uliicli is loviiii,'ly ilccorutod by
I'ust Wilde iind otlu-is on Decoration Day.
Aiuia Charlotte .loliiisuii. horn Si'|)ti'inl)er 20. ITliT. died
February 11, 17:J9.
Svvpct little Mower to fade and die so early.
Ben.iuniin Doni^lass dohnson. born Det'embor 21st, 18.30,
and died suddeidy while sleejiiiiL: on t lie ni'4'ht of Octobei'
2l)-;!(), l!K)(t. His whole life was an ex-enii)liticat ion of the
follow iiiL;- text :
■•Pure reli.Liion and undeHled before God tlie Father is
this. To visit the fatherless and widows in their aflliet ion,
ami to keep himself unspotted from the world." St. James,
1 chap.. '-'7 verse.
.Mary iv Johnson, unmarried, born April 1."), 1834.
Baptized in infaney by the Rev. Mortimer K'iehmond Talbot,
residing in the old homestead. Cor. See. 'i'l-ainei' W. C. T. U.
now (1903). A zealous worker foi' the temperanee cause.
M. E. Johnson was confirmed in St. .Mai'tin's ehurch in her
nineteenth year by Bishoj) Alon/.o Totter.
Francis M. Bunting, born May :}!. 183(), died October
ir)th. li)02. She married Ca|)t. Alfreil Hunting, Septeml)er
14, 1881, who is in the l". S. service, lie was born Septend)er
2;'), 1834, and is a son of Charles P. and Sarah (Longacre)
Bunting. They had no children. .Mis. Bunting resided at
the "Old Homestead,"" and was loved by her friends for her
sweet amiable disposition, and for liei- hospitable nature.
Her father called her '"The Angel of the House.'" She was
a prominent member of the W. C. T. U. and was president of
the Trainer Cnion at the time of her death. She had been
ill for two weeks of Anii'ina I*ectoris. and all that meilical
skill could do was of no avail, and she died unexpectedly
on the morning of Oetobei- loth, 1902, her husband being
absent, engaged in his official duties to the Government at the
time. She was baptized in infamy by the Rev. ^1. R. Talbot,
and confirmed in her se\'enteentli >'ear by Hishoj> Alonzo
Potter. Her loss to the eonnnunity is keenly felt. She was
buried in hri- husband's lot in Chester Rural Cemetery.
73
llc'urietta H. Johnson, born September 20, 1838. Bap-
tized in infancy by the Rev. M. R. Talbot. Confirmed by
the Right Rev. Alonzo Potter. H. II. Jolmson is now (1903)
,i-(M'()]ding secretary of the Trainer W. C. T. U.
David Marshall Johnson, born June 4th, 1841. He mar-
ried ^Margaret Woodland Brown. ]\Iay 16, 1871. She was
lioi'H September 7th, 1845. Daughter of Rev. Henry and
.Margaret Brown, of Chester, Pa., the father being for many
vears rector of St. Paul's P. E. church, Chester, and very
much beloved by his people.
D. ]\I. Johnson studied law and is a practicing attorney
in Chester, where he resides. He served with credit as Dis-
trict Attorney of Delawai'e county, 1872 to 1876. He is much
interested in building associations, being connected in official
capacity with several different associations. He is a forcible
wi'iter, and has contributed to historical works and news-
papers, papers of value and interest to the community. He
is an efficient member of the Delaware County Historical
Society. His children will constitute the seventh generation
of Johnsons, to wit :
1, Mary Johnson, born ^May 6. 1872. She married
Herbert Groby Catrow, January 31, 1894, a son of Newton J.
Catrow, of Miamisburg, Ohio, where they all reside. Their
eliildren are John Newton, Margaret Elizabeth and David
Johnson.
2, Henry Browm Johnson, born November 1, 1873.
Died February 4, 1882.
3, David Marshall Johnson, Jr., born June 20, 1876.
He is a rising attorney at the Delaware County Bar and a
member of Council of his native city of Chester. On April
19, 1903, he was married to Beatrice Roberts Tyson, a daugh-
ter of Aaron H. Tyson.
4, Anna Elizabeth Johnson, born January 25, 1878.
Note — ]\Iary Ann (Entriken) Johnson was a direct
descendant of Emanuel Grubb, claimed in the family to be
_tlie first fhild of English parentage bom in the Colony of
Pennsylvania. (This claim is disputed by those in possess-
ion of records, Imt he was no doubt one of the first at least).
The trac-in",' of tlir (irubb liia- fnnii tin- tiiiic oi (.^uecii l']li/.a-
l)t'th, t'liniishod In II. G. Ashmead aiul Muiy E. Jt)hn.son, is
as follows:
1, Ilenry Gnihl), member ol' Parliament frt)m Devizes.
Wiltshire, in 1571, Queen Elizal)eth reifnu^l ]')'yG-\(){)'l
•J. Kev. Thomas Grubb, born at Pottem, Wiltshire. MHl,
^;i"a(liiatr(l at Oxford Pniversity. Was redor of Cransfield.
Wiltshire. Died Fel)ruary 2, l«ilT.
:i. John Gruhl). seeond son ol' Thomas, lioi-ii Itilo. died
lt)67. He was an adherent of the Church (tf Kn^dand in
(roinweirs time; I'emoved for safety to a i-emote corner of
('(•niwall. and there married Helen Vivian.
4. .lolm (Irutit). horn at Cornwall. 1652, settled in Ches-
ter. Penn.sylvania, prior to KiTT. died winter of 1707-1708,
buried at St. ^lartin's chureh yard, Marcus Hook. He mar-
ried Frances Vane, of English birth. Their children were:
Emanuel, John. Charity, Phoebe, Joseph, Henrj- Samuel,
Nathaniel and Peter.
5. Emanuel Grubb. born July If). 1GS2, died Au^rust
10th, 1767. He married Ann Hedge Cock (pronounced
Coke) 1708. She was born September 27, 1691; died Jan-
uary 24, 1772. A daufrhter of Peter Cock and sister of Otto
Ki-ne.st Cock, and also orranddaufrhter of Israel Helm, of
Colonial fame (Swedes). Emanuel and Ann were buried
at St. Martin's church yard. ^larcus Hook. Their cliildren
were: John, Edith, Joseph, Thomas. Henry. Francis, Nich-
olas. James. Benjamin. Emanuel, Peter and Ann.
6. Joseph Grubb, born 1718; died by accident in 1751.
^larried in 1745 TTaniudi Pard. Children : Amor, Ann.
Eleanor. Buried in St. jNFartin's chureh yard. His wife
afterwards married David Johnson. (See No. 3 of Johnson
prenealoor\'.)
7. Ann Grubb. born 1746; died 1812. Married Joseph
l\rarshall, September 16, 1768, son of John, as heretofore
stated. Their children were John, Amor, Joseph and Ann
(twins). Hannah. David. "William. Thomas. ^lar^' and Jes.se.
8. Ann IMarsliall. Imni :\ray 24. 1774: died in West
Chester 1831; buried in St. Martin's. Marcus Hook. She
75
married Thomas Entriken, March 17, 1796. Their children
were William, Mary Ann, Thomas (died an infant), Thomas
2nd, Elizabeth and Emma.
9, Mary Ann Entriken, born February 14, 1799; died
September 3, 1877. Married Benjamin F. Johnson, Esq.,
April 20th, 1823. (See his record.) Their children were
Sarah (died an infant), Benjamin Douglass, Mary Entriken,
Frances Matlida, Henrietta Haines and David Marshall.
10, David Marshall Johnson, born June 4, 1841. Mar-
ried Margaret W. Brown, May 16, 1871. Their children are
Mary, Henry Brown (died in his 9th year), David Marshall
and Anna Elizabeth.
76
Proceedings op tiik .Meeting
OP
THE DELAWARE COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Held at CiiEijTEit, Decemhek 1, 1UU4
A re^'ular meeting of llif Delaware County Historical
Society was Iield 'Plmi-sday evening, Deeeniher 1, 1904, in the
Larkin School Building, Chester. Ivev. IMiilii) 11. .Mowry,
I). 1).. y\re president in the chair.
A coiinnunication signed hy the Lihrarians of the Penn-
sylvania, Lancaster county, Washington county, Pennsylvania
German and Dauphin County Historical Societies, was read
asking the Delaware County Society to appoint two delegates
to meet at the association of the various Historical Societies
of the State at Harrisburg, on January 5, 1905.
The invitation was accepted and Hon. William C. Sproul
ajid Hon. Ward R. Bliss were elected as the delegates.
The recording secretary was instructed to comnuinicate
with Amos Bonsall, the survivor of the Dr. Kane Arctic Ex-
ploration, asking him to fix a date when he can deliver his
deferred address and to call a special meeting at which the
public shall be invited.
HALL AS A MUSEUM
Former Mayor, Daniel W. .IclVeris. was appointed a com-
mittee to interview the proper authorities to ascertain if the
old South Chester Borough Hall cannot he had as a place
of meeting for the society and museum in wliich to display
the society's relics.
Dr. William B. Ulrich and William Shaler Johnson were
named a committee to prepare a liistorA- of the early schools
of Chester, the stnn- to he based on Dr. rii-ich's personal
recollections thereof.
Notwithstanding that the announced papers were de-
ferred to the special meeting to be called at ^Ir. Bim.sall's
convenience, the evening w'as passed in an exceedingly pleas-
ant way. There was a general discussion of the schools of
77
half a century ago, as compared with those of the present.
The remarks were interspersed with amusing anecdotes and
picturesque sketches of the old octangular school houses, the
manner of teaching and the lessons taught.
Among the speakers were: Dr. D. W. Jeft'eris, Edward
H. Hall, Rev. Dr. P. H. Mowry, Dr. A. Duncan Yocum, J.
Edwards Woodbridge, William Shaler Johnson and Charles
Palmer, Esq.
A BIT OF HISTORY
The following letter was received from A. Lewis Smith :
Media, Nov. 25th, 1904.
Mr. Charles Palmer,
Corresponding Secretary.
Dear Sir: — I regret that an engagement will make it im-
possible for me to be present at the meeting of the Delaware
County Historical Society on Thursday evening next,
especially in view of the fact my old friend Bonsall is
scheduled to add interest to the occasion by giving some rec-
ollections of his Arctic experience. I well remember when in
the spring of 1853 a few of his intimate friends assembled at
his home on the ancestral farm in Upper Darby on the eve of
his departure for the frozen North, for the purpose of giving
him a God-send on his perilous journey. We were all young
then and I confess that some of us w^ere not a little envious
of the privilege which had been accorded him by Dr. Kane, of
being one of the party. I recall also when the same friends
met again at the same place upon his return from the land
of Night and Frost two years and a half afterwards, to wel-
come him back to civilization and home, and as we listened
to his thrilling account of the privations and dangers through
which the survivors of the party had passed, we were some-
what better reconciled to the fact that we had not been elect-
ed to join the expedition. His hair, like my own, has
changed its color since those early days, but his memory is
(luite green upon the events of that famous journey and I
feel sure that what he has to say about it will be both interest-
ing and instructive. Very trul.y yours.
A. Lewis Smith
78
l'ii()CKKi)i.\(;s AT TiiK Si'Kci.M. M i;i:ii N(;
OF
THE DFLAWARK COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
IIi:i.l) \|- ('IIKSTKK, FkHKUARV 111, r.H).")
A s|)('i-i;il iiii'i'iiiiL: (if itic Delawari' <'niiiiiy llistnrii-al
Sdcicty wiis lit'lil ill till' l,;irkiii Scliodl, ('licstcr. K<'l)ru<iry KJ.
The iiuH'tiuL;' was i-alK'd tn ordci' l)y ilic ( '(ii'i'cspdndiiiL:
Secrctai'v. ('Iiai-lcs I'aliin'r, in tlic al)si'iicr of other officers.
Dr. AVilliaiii 15. I'li-icli was elected to preside. In a few well
ciioseii words Dr. 11 rich introduced the ynest of the evenini;,
INIr. Amos Bonsall, of Philadelphia, the sole surviviiicr ineniher
of the Kane Search Expedition of 1853, who had kindly con-
sented to recall some of his personal experiences for the i>leas-
iire of the inenihers. After some introductoiy remarks, .Mr.
Bonsall read the followini;- papei-:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Delaware County Historical
Society :
I have been re<|ii('sied hy yoni- menihers to .tjive a little
resume of my ac<|uaiiitanee and iiitimac\' with Dr. Klisha
Kent Kane, and as we so often in extem|)ore speeclies leave
thing's out that we wish afterwards we had put in, 1 have
taken the i)recaution to prepaid this in a form that will lie
pennanent.
Being- intimate wiili llie fainil\- of J)r. Kane for a nund)er
of years as a boy, and with <;reat admiration for his ener-
sretic efforts towards discovery and exploration, 1 never miss-
ed an opportunity of srettin? him into conversation about
the different scenes of the world which were familial* to him
but to me entirely no\'el. Tlir(ini;Ii his i-eticenee in speakinir
of things where he was the hero, it was ditTicult to obtain the
particulars of his journeys through the Eastern lands. Tie
was a surgeon on the I'niled States expedition with (^aleb
79
Cushing as Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary to China,
and incidents would arise in which he would be called on to
explain or talk over the happenings of the expedition with
tliose who were familiar with this incident of his life.
He belonged to the Navy as assistant, surgeon, appointed
by the proper authorities for that purpose, but he was not
receiving any pay at that time from the Government and
several years elapsed before he was made full surgeon. About
six months after he was ordered to Hong Kong with the fleet,
he got leave of absence, went into private practice and travel-
ed south. In this case I have no special information to give,
but after some six months he resigned his position as surgeon
oJ' the expedition and moved to start home on account of
sickness from which he had suffered in his Chinese experience,
and passed down to the Philippines (which at this time are
more known and interesting than they were then). He made
his mark there by descending into the crater of Tael, a noted
volcano on Luzon, one of the largest islands of the Philippines.
Nothing daunted him when he desired to accomplish a
feat. When a boy, if there was a tree to climb particularly
hard or a roof of a house that seemed inaccessible to all others,
he would contrive a method of accomplishing the feat. Dr.
Elder, his biographer, tells an incident of his boyhood show-
ing his disposition in this respect. He took his brother, after-
v,'ards General Kane, and climbed out of a third story on to
the roof of the house, provided with a rope. He threw the
rope, armed with a stone, into the throat of a large chimney
and the stone catching into the brickwork, enabled him to use
it to climb up and after getting there he encouraged his
brother to fasten himself to the rope that Elisha might draw
him up to see the view to be obtained from the pinnacle.
This was not accomplished on account of his lack of strength
to lift his brother to his perch. He had to descend by the
same means and they gained their rooms and beds without
any one finding out what they had done.
Returning to his journeyings in the Philippines, he then
changed his route, passing over to Ceylon and India. There
he fell in with Prince Tagore, who was traveling to England.
80
He joined his suite as a physician and was thereby ena])h'(l
to travel through by caravan and l)oat luitil lie reachec' Tur-
key, where he was taken with a fcvci- Mic was always j)r(''
disposed to illness of all kinds) and canu' y^'vy close to dyin-,'.
lie was then, after reeoverinj; sutiHciently to enable him
to travel, cniiipi'llrd to make liis way, if possible, home. lie
reached Eg^'pt and tiaveling some distance mji the Nile was
engafjcd there in obtaininji: sncli curios as he knew would
l)e interesting to his father and family, when he was again
attacked witli a fever and again nearly lost his life.
Through all his ditHieulties he seemed to bear a charmed
life. A man at no time weii;liing much over 110 pounds, and
mueli t)f the time less than 100 pounds, h(> was still so imbued
with eiuM-<r>' and courage that he took no thought as to risks
lun, but accomplished the work as far as possible that he set
for himself.
In 1851 he sailed from New York as the surgeon of the
expedition under the command of Lieutenant De Haven, being
one of the most active agents in obtaining the aid of the United
States Government for the jnirpose of searchinir for Sir John
Franklin, who had not been heard from in cixilized regions
since 1845 and great anxiety was exhibited b.^ Lady Franklin,
whose appeal to the world for help to find her husband, was
responded to l)y Dr. Kane. He was not satisfied with the
result of what is known as the De Haven Expedition in search
of Sir John Franklin, and appealed to the authorities for
permission to command an expedition which would go to the
regions more likely to contain records of this expedition or
to find some of the people alive. The authorities of our Gov-
ernment at that time felt disincliiu^d to take any active part
in the search, but were willing to assist in certain ways for
the purpose.
When h(> came on board as commander of the Advance
on the day we sailed he was brought on a stretcher from the
carriage, and was placed immediatel.v in his berth from wln'ch
he did not arise until we had been to sea perhaps two weeks.
His health gradually improved as he went further noi-th
and got into a cooler atmosphere.
81
When we stopped at St. John to get fresh food for ini-
inediate use and also for winter use (whieh we did by having
beef marled and soaked in salt water), naturally the excite-
ment for us the newcomers into that region, was sufficient to
keep us active and on the alert, and Dr. Kane's health still
continued to improve enabled him to be on deck with us
instead of in his cabin as he had been, and the fresh ozone of
the Arctic region had such an effect on him that he was able
to exercise both his mind and body. We touched at numerous
points on our way north but it is not my province to describe
them in this case.
He was among us constantly owing to the smallness of
the vessel and lack of room, and for this reason it was very
important that the officers of the expedition should be con-
genial and pleasant with each other. We had but a single
cabin, accommodating all, and naturally- our associations
were more intimate than they nnist have been with a larger
ship and more provisions where the higher officers could have
separate cabins.
After divers delays we reached Rensselaer Bay. whicli
seemed to be the terminus north and we made preparations
for our winter quarters. This was as far as the vessel went,
but we made sledge journeys northward, led by Dr. Kane
himself, and spent some days in research beyond the cape to
the north. Our object was to find if we had the most desir-
able location for our winter quarters and by the time we had
returned from the sledge journey. Dr. Kane had come to the
ccnclusion that we could take no better position than we had
for our quarters, and preparations were made at once to con-
vert our ship into a dwelling. We also made preparations
for sledge journeys later in the autumn.
I can only say that the principal work of Dr. Kane's
expedition for the first year was the exploration of the coast
of Greenland towards the north and taking in a point beyond
the gi-eat glacier Humboldt.
Winter comes on apace in these latitudes and with the
exercise of hunting for fresh food (the great trouble we suf-
fered from being the want of that commodity to protect us
82
iVoiii scuivv . aii.l [Hvparatiiiiis for tlu- .>,|,rm- uurk in slcili:-
in*,', the wiiitfi- passcil auiiy.
The first rxpcditiuii, srilt nut ill .March, was (lisaslruii^
to our proplr, and t<. shew tilt' .'rtVctionate disposition nf \)y,
Kiuw lie sccnu'd III m.ist .l.-cply afrccti'd ulirn th,. Hi,-,..-
nuMi rctnrn.Ml IVoni a Ion- tramp tlirou-h tho snow to rrp.,rt
tlu' disaliiin- of other iiifinhcis of tlic party, under boat-
swain Brooks, whieh had start<-d lur the opposite side of the
••I'i'i'iH'l .H'l-oss Kane S.'a. leavin- hehind I hem four seriously
\v..uiided (i.mrades frozen aliont the feet and not able to walk.
Without a moment "s .lejay, althou.irh they arrived at 2 o'eloek
in the evening, i)reparations were imm.^.liaiely eommeneed
for the sledges to go out and hrin- them in. ' They started
at 2 oVloek in tho niorninL; and arrived tiie next evening alwut
10 o'clock aft<r an exiiausting march of over 50 miles, finding
tiiein in a tent and much depressed by their eondition. The.v
were all wearied out by that time and rested l)y walking all
uight. as tli( sun was not yei cireum-ix.lar. The next day
I)reparations were made to return to the ship with the wound-
ed men of the frozen eompany. This we all looked u[)on aftei--
wards as one of the most destructive and dangerous expedi-
tions we had undei-taken during the whole term of our vesi-
<lenee in th(> north, and Hr. Kane was, as usual, in eases of
emergency and danger, the leader in the ])eoi„„i„Lr and
throughout the trips.
Weak and feeble as he was he n(n-er showed any weakness
\-hen work wa,s to be done. After this expedition quite a
number of weeks were given over to recoverv from disease,
aud after the death of two of the party from the etTects of
freezing, preparations were made for later jonrneys and
1( nger distances. The ice by this time had begun to get soft
and tender and our experiences were by no means edifying
as we had to travel sometimes over long distances through
lakes formed on the ice and varying in size from 100 yards
to a quarter of a mile in width and from two to twelve inches
in depth witli always the danircr of going through to the salt
watei-. This rendered it impossible not to get wet feet and
often wet clothing. Altogether we had a jonrney of over 100
83
miles and in this instance, to show the disposition of Dr.
Kane, when crossing one of these surface lakes, he called to
me and said: "Come here, Bonsall, I want you." and he
made a leap and landed on my shoulders. "I want a
donkey," he said, and I called out that I was willing to be
his donkey and carry him over pick-back, but when right in
the middle of a spot eight or ten inches deep I proposed to
lie down and roll after the manner of donkeys, and he then
begged hard to let him off without a wetting.
He was alwa.ys cheerful and always hopeful and in the
most difficult and dangerous positions, never lost his heart
and energy, nor had moments of doubt as to the expedition
being brought safely through. In the spring, after the sec-
ond winter, preparations were made but not so much for
sledge .journeys, though one or two were made with Dr. Kane
himself as leader, and after they had traveled some 150 miles
from the ship he was taken with an attack similar to typhoid
fever and it was necessary for them to return, and he was
again brought to the vessel and placed on a cot upon the deck
and stayed there for six weeks or more, when under the treat-
ment by Dr. Hayes, he was successfully brought around.
He was always planning out some thing to be done later,
lie was thinking out a plan to get up another expedition
after he had returned home and had full confidence in being
able to take another voyage to the north. On his return home,
when we had reached Upeniavik. he received a letter from
George W. Childs, offering him a certain sum of money for
the copyright of his narrative of the expedition. He received
numerous offers from publishers, but agreed with ]\Ir. Childs
and on much better terms than at first offered by him in his
letter to Dr. Kane.
As always occurred, his health deteriorated when he
came into a temperate climate and while his weakness made
it difficult to accomplish the work, he turned with his accus-
tomed energy^ to prepare the manuscript for publication.
About one year was devoted to this work. Wlien he had ac-
complished it he again lost his energy and ideas and his
health sank faster than before and it was deemed politic as
84
wt'll as pleasunt to iiiaUo a jiiiiiucy to Kiiropc, as mnnerous
very tlatterini; reports liad been seut liiiii I'loin llie Hnj,'lisli
Admiralty, and owing to his enerj^etie efforts on l)ehalf of Sir
John Fraid<lin, they were very anxions to hav<' him t;o to
lionilon, whicii he did after- lie hnd finished the manuscript
of his expedition antl wiiile it was ^'oinir thron^rh the press.
Very shortly his health failed so that it was very import-
ant to take him some wliere to recuperate and here 1 tliink
was a serious mistake made in the Enudish surjreon's diatrnosis
of his case. In my intiniiilr association with him I never
reeo,umi/ed that his licart was in any way affected. Never
did he complain of anNthim;- of that kind, hut they came to
the conclusion that thci-c was a diflHculty about the heart wliich
needed treatment in more moderate climates, and instead of
sendinj; him to the Alps for the purpose of strenstheninfi: his
physical powers, they sent him to the tropics where he weak-
ened and after some six weeks succumbed to the dread
destroyer.
Of other events in liis life it is not necessaiy to speak
here. His residence in Delawai'c county as a boy is known
to some of my older hearers, and it is not necessary for me
to toucli on matters of a more private nature.
He was a favorite as a boy and as a man with all who
became acrpiainted and were intimate with him.
On the conclusion of Mr. Bonsall's paper many questions
were asked in reference to liis experience in the "Whito
North/' to which he courteously replied.
Mr. AVilliam Shaler Johnson, to whom had been assisrned
a paper on St. Martin's crraveyard, sid).stituted one on Sir
John Franklin and his life, as more in kcepinu: with .Mr.
Bonsall's interesting narrative.
Mr. Johnson also exhibited the porti-ait of Sir .John al-
luded to in Lady Franklin's letter to Rev. Dr. Kobertson in
1849, quoted in the paper, a piece of the boat Lion, in which
Franklin coasted the Polar sea, a copy of the paper found
at Point Victoiy 1)y Lieiitenant Hobson, of the McT'lintock
85
(.'xpedition, and letters of Sir John and Lady Franklin, the
{u'operty of Mrs. William Shaler Johnson, kindly loaned for
tlie purpose, which excited much interest.
SIR JOHN FRANKLIN
So difficult has the part assigned me this evening seemed
to me — the following a stoiy of living interest with dry facts
of a dead and forgotten past ; so little of interest to most of you
could I dig from the old graveyard of St. Martin's; so much
has my thought for the past week been with the men of whom
]Mr. Bonsall has spoken so interestingly ; that I am fain to
ask you to allow me to give the time allotted me to one whose
life was as heroic as any that have graced the world's history.
Dr. Kane though dead yet lives, and his hope, fear, effort
and patient endurance are but of yesterday. The story of
his life and work should be better known than it is. It is
of one with whom his name must ever be linked in the minds
of men that I would speak to-night, of a great, good man, a
brave sailor, a dauntless explorer, a wise Governor, a patient
leader, a courteous Christian gentleman. Rear Admiral Sir
John Franklin. To those of my generation the life and work
of these men have been familiar, a part almost of our own,
but there are doubtless some who in this later time and rush
of events have forgotten, if, indeed, they ever heard, the story
of their deeds. There is nothing that I know of that equals
in interest, in wonder and in pathos these narratives of cour-
age and endurance, or if there are those of like kind that
equal there are none that excel.
John Franklin's grandfather was an English yeoman
owning a small estate which his ancestors and himself had
managed to dissipate by degrees. His father was apprenticed
to a grocer and became first a small shopkeeper and later
a banker and a man of some means. John himself was bom
in 1786, the ninth in a patriarchal family of twelve. He had
seven sisters, five of whom married well and four brothers,
three of whom became noted in public service. One of his
sisters married a ]Mr. Selwood, and was the mother of the two
ladies who married two brothers of a name destined to be-
86
ciiiiic illustrious thiouLrliout tlir Mu^'lisli spcakiiiu' world and
tlic VDUUi^cr of whom was livini: in lSf)6 as the Dowai^t-r Laciy
Tennyson, widow of the late I'oft Laureate of Knirland.
John Franklin entered the iui\ y as a midshipman in 1S()(J
at the a.ire of 14 and was assi<,'ned to the I'niyphemus. Less
tlian six months after he took pari in the murderous battle
of CopenhaLTen. his ship heiui; in the van nf Nflson's division.
In 1801 he was t iansl"ei'i-i'(l IVnin llir riil>i)li('niiis to tin- Iii-
vestiirator, Captain Flinders, and spmt thr next three years
in the survey of the Australian eoast, i-etui'iiinir to Kntrland
in 1804. It was on this voyage that he seems to have ae(piired
the almost passion for exploiation and scicntiHe discovery
which nuirked his after-life. In Captain Flinders, himself
an cnthusiastie explorer, he had an adniiralilc instructor in
professional and general knowledire. On tlic llth of Oetoher,
1^04. one hundred years airo, Franklin, as sijrnal midshipman
of the Bellerophon. was in tlie thick of the hat tie of Trafalffar.
lie passed throuii'h this oi-deal without a wound and with
credit, though only 19 years old. After that he had several
years of what was well called patrol woi-k' on wliich he be-
came very tired. It seemed as if he must always be explorintr
or fiirhtintr or actively employed in some manner and blockade
duty irked him. As lieutenant he took a distingruished part
in the attack upon New Orleans in LSI 4 and was wounded
in one of the naval actions.
April 25. LSI 8, Captain Buchan, in conunand of the
Dorothea, and Franklin, in command of the Trent, sailed
from England on their tirst Arctic voyaire. Their instnict-
ions were sufficiently broad and vague. They were to sail
northward between Spitzzergen and rrreenland and if sue-
eessful in reaching the pole, a possibility wliich in the then
knowlediTP or rather, ignorance, of those seas seemed almost
a probability to the official mind, they were to turn southward
and westward and make their way to Behrin<r Straits and
then to the Sandwich Islands where they wiM-e to winter and
in the spring repass Behring Straits and so hoine by the
way they had crone. The expedition was absent just six
months, havine been nearly lost in '.ho ice ]iai'k and fultillin<r
87
only the last part of their instructions— that of coming home
the way they had gone. The Dorothea was badly damaged
and Franklin tried to persuade his superior officer to transfer
his men and supplies to the Trent and to endeavor to carry
out the latter part of their instructions. Captain Buchan
would not consent and, considering the lack of proper equip-
ment and the damage already sustained by the Trent it was
well he did not.
In 1818 two expeditions were planned, the ostensible
object being the discovery of the Northwest Passage.
Though in this they failed yet they added much to our know-
ledge of those dangerous seas and of the conformation of the
coast line. Captain Parry was sent with the Hecla and
Griper to explore to the westward of Baffins Bay, and Cap-
tain Franklin was to proceed with a party overland from a
point on Hudson Bay to the shore of the Arctic sea at the
mouth of the Coppermine river, thence easterly and, if pos-
sible, effect a junction with Parry, failing that, to survey the
coast to the east and south. He with Dr. John Richardson
and two others, left England in May, 1819, reaching York
Factory, on Hudson's Bay. August 30, after an eventful
voyage during whit-h the ship narrowly escaped foundering.
Vexatious delays, lack of men, lack of supplies, both promised,
and other difficulties hampered the expedition and Richard-
son spent the winter of 1819-1820 at Fort Ciunberland with
such supplies as had been got together while Franklin puslied
forward 800 miles and wintered at Fort Chippeyan. The
winter of 1820-21 was passed at a camp made upon one of
the lakes and named Fort Enterprise. Here provisions ran
short, and Back traveled 1100 miles to Fort Chippeyan alone,
on snow shoes, in a temperature varying from 40 to 57 below
zero and succeeded in procuring and forwarding some sup-
plies. June 14, 1821, the expedition left Fort Enterprise and
set out for the sea. The party consisted of Franklin and his
four English officers, a couple of Eskimo interpreters and
about a dozen Indians and half-breed Canadian voyagers.
They had two large canoes and several sledges. Seventeen
days after their departure they found themselves on the Ions:
£8
desired waters of tlie Coppenniiif iiiul on Jiiiic -!1 alloat on
the Aretie sea.
Tlie history of that eventful voyage is best told in the
words of Admiral .Markham: "Tlie eoast alon<; whicli i1h'
explorers sailed in their small and frail harks was a sterille
and inhospitable one; ditV sueeeeded elitt' in tiresome and
luouotonous uniformity, the valleys that intervened beinji
covered with the debris that fell from the eliffs, to the exclu-
sion of any kind of herbas?e. Oecasionally their progress was
temporarily impeded by ice, while a strong "ice-bliuk" was
invariably seen to seaward. It must not be forfjotten that
the expedition was navijjatinuf a roek-bound eoast frinjjed
with heavy masses of solid iee that rose and fell with every
motion of a rouj^h and teinpt'stiious sea. threateninsr momen-
tarily to frush the liiiiil canoes, Ht oidy for river and lake
navigation in which Franklin and his party were embarked.
This voyage along the shores of the Arctic sea must always
take rank as one of the mo.st daring and hazardous exploits
that has ever been accomplished in the interest of geographical
research. Following all the tortuous sinuosities of the coast
line, and accurately delineating the northern shore of North
America as they pushed onward in an easterly direction",
naming all the principal headlands, .sounds, bays and islands
that were discovered, the expedition reached a point on Aug-
ust 18, in latitude 68 degrees 19 minutes North, and 110
degi'ees 5 minutes West hmgitnde, where it became necessary
to stop and retrace their way."
Though this terminal point was onlv six and one-half
degrees of longitude from the mouth of the Coppermine, so
winding and tortuons was the contour of the coa.st that they
were obliged to sail or paddle 555 geographical miles to reach
il. Pro?n their researches up to this point Franklin came to
the conclusion afterwards proved to be well founded that a
navigable passage for shij^s nloncr the coast by which they
had traveled was practicable. T shall not dwell upon the
dangers and terrihle suffering of that home jouriu'y. Tt is
sufficient to say that after incredible hardships only over-
come by the most determined courage and endurance less than
89
half of the party reached York Factory again. Frauklin re-
turned to England, where in his absence, he had been made
11 commander and was warmly gi-eeted by all. He was made
post-captain and a Fellow of the Royal Society and spent
the next year in preparing the published account of his wan-
derings.
On August 19, 1823, he married Miss Eleanor Anne
Porden. and had at least a few months of well earned rest and
happiness. Soon, however, the young wife showed symptoms
of pulmonary disease which, after the birth of a baby girl,
who was named Eleanor, after her mother, rapidly develop-
ed. Franklin was then in the midst of his preparations for
his second overland trip to the Arctic sea and his d'^voted
Vvife would not allow him to give them up for her sake, even
urging him to leave her when the time came. Thus they
parted and it was in a little outlying station on Lake Huron
that he received through some newspaper the intelligence of
her death. He was writing to her at the time — the letter
breaks off abruptly and then in a wavering handwriting are
added the words: "Seven o'clock, p. m. The distressing
intelligence of my dearest wdfe's death has just reached me."
This second overland expedition differed from the former
in that, at Captain Franklin's own suggestion the approach
to the Arctic sea was to be made by the Mackenzie, instead of
the Coppermine river. Leaving the lonely little station on
liake Huron, with the big name — Penentanguishene — Frank-
lin and his party set off in two canoes on the 1500 mile
journey to Fort Cumberland, following the great northwestern
stretching chain of lakes, up Rainy Lake, Lake of the AVoods
and Lake Winnipeg and the Saskatchewan river, reaching
the fort on June 15, 1825. Their boats, which had arrived
before them, had started ahead. On June 29, they overtook
the boats and the remainder of the party who had come via
York Factory. On July 15, they reached Fort Chappewyan
and a few days after Fort Resolution, where they remained
a few days making the necessary preparations for their pro-
visions with the Indians. On August 2, they embarked on
the Mackenzie river and two days' journey brought them to
90
Fort Simpson ami four days moiT to Fort Noniuiii. lien-,
«'.> there yet ri-iiiaiiied a tew clays more of tiie traveling; season,
the party divided. Fraidvlin sent hack to (Jreat Bear Lake
to eonstiuet winter 'jiiarters for the expedition. \h\ Kidi-
ardson was despatched at iiis dwii rri|ut'st to e.xaiiiin*' the
noi'thern shoir iA' the lake and h'raiikliii himself, with a i-rcw
c.f ei{^ht, sot out for the mouth of the .Mackenzie to exanune
the condition of the ice in the .\i-ctie sea and to form some
estimate of the jirospcct of a successful voyaLre in the follow-
intc year. Sd well was l-'ranklin served hy tlie Knj,'lish huilt
boat he had hroui^ht \sith him tliat in live days lie reaehed
the Polar sea. lie had lirouLiht witli him a silk I'lnon Jack,
worked t>y his dyim^ wife, which, accofiJiiiL:' to lier wish, was
not to I)e displayed until her hushand and his compatnon had
gained the coast. That moment lia\inL: an-ived he unfurled
the flag and iilanled it on tlie shore. On September 5 all the
parties met again and took up their winter (piarters on Oreat
Hear Ijake. the station having been named by Back, Fort
Fraid<lin. This winter was the reverse of that drearv period
of want and snffering at Fort Enterprise on the previous
expedition. The (juarters were comfortable and j>rovisions
plenty. On Xovemher '2'\ Fraid\lin wi-ote to Sir Roderick
Mnrchison that they had up to that time hail no severe
weatluM-. So passed the wintei- of 182o-2(), and on June 24,
182(i, they started on theii" summer expedition. Franklin
and Hack were to exploi-e the coast to the westward of the
-Mackenzie I'ivcr and Richardson and Kendall to the eastward.
The lattei- were to reach, if possible, the Coppermine river
and return to Fort Franklin before tlie next winter set in.
The ])arties separated at the mouth of the Mackenzie on July
3 Here occurred what is called the onlv incident of the
voyage, an attack upoTi the boats by about :^()0 Eskimos, with
a view to plunder. Tt was subsequently ascertained that this
attempt at jiillage was part of an orcranized plot to massacre
the whole expedition, but it was foiled bv the cool eouraire
and steady self-control of Franklin and his men.
The great purpose of Captain Franklin, that of formincr
a .I'unction with Captain Beechy. who was surveying the coast
91
from Behring Straits eastward, was not accomplished. The
ice troubled them much, but the greatest obstacle to their
westward progress were the almost daily fogs, which had not
been experienced in 1821. In the time that he had before it
became necessary to return, he succeeded in making 374 miles
to the westward and had he but known it was then within
160 miles of a party from Beechey's vessel. It was a great
disappointment, made all the greater when he discovered how
near had been the accomplishment of his hope. He reached
Fort Franklin on his return in September, where, to his great
pleasure, he found that Richardson and Kendall and their
men had got in before him and, untroubled by fog, had com-
pleted their 900 miles of coast exploration. The winter of
1826-27 had, of course, to be spent in Fort Franklin and in
the spring the party returned to Fort Cumberland and Frank-
lin went by Montreal and New York to England. The first
overland expedition was accomplished in three years and five
months and the second in two years and seven months. The
boats used on the second voyage were specially made, one of
them in England, for the purpose. They were twenty-six
feet long and five and one-half feet beam, yet so light that
either could be carried, if necessary, by six men.
In 1828, Captain Franklin married a second time, Jane
Griffin, daughter of John Griffin, of Bedford Place, London.
The portrait of this lady shows a countenance not only beauti-
ful in feature, but alive with a vivacity and animation which
add indescribably to its charm. The sweetness of nature,
the bright intelligence and the playful humor which were
united in this remarkable woman and which rendered her
conversation and still renders her correspondence so delight-
ful, look forth unmistakably from this presentment of her by
a skilled artist. In point of age and social position they were
well matched; and as the hero of memorable and daring ad-
ventures Franklin was surrounded by an air of romance
which was likely to prove captivating to a woman of imagina-
tion. That winning personality, too, which so much endeared
him to his followers could hardly fail to impress others.
"His features and expression," says one, speaking of him at
92
this tiirn-, ■were f,'rav(' and iiiilil and very lx'iiii,'nant ; Ins
statuir lutlier Wi'low the iiiuldlc li('it,'lit ; Ins look, very kind
and his inaniicr very <iuiet as of one accustomed to cum-
hiaiid."
A part of the honeymoon was spent in I'aris, where
I 'ranklin was honored and feted l)oth hy tlie Court and hy tlie
scientitie men under the lead of Baron Cuvier. lie liad re-
ceived a similar greeting in Russia wlien visiting there a
short time before his marriage. In the spring of 182!> lie
received the honor of knighthood and in the snininei- of the
same year, in company witli Sir Kdward I'arry, the degree
i>f !). C. L. from the University of Oxford.
In 1830 he was appointed to the eonnnand of the Rainbow
and sent to the Mediterranean during the Grecian revolt and
the period subsequent to the formation of the new kingdom
of Greece, lie won the praise of his chief and of the Ad-
miralty by his firm, yet wise and conciliatory action in a posi-
tion of muoh delicacy. The Rainbow returned to England
in December, 1833. This w^as something very different from
Arctic adventures and as a duty one not to his liking, and
so far from the seenes of adventure and exploration for which
he longed and for which he was so well fitted, his conduct
deserve great credit. The next duty assitmed hini was as
little to his liking. .\11 through these years of active employ-
ment elsewhere his "heart was in the TTiirhlands." and he
not only repeatedly suggested plans for further exploration,
but kept the subject alive in his correspondence with his naval
friends. In 1829. Captain John Ross liad sailed north in
the Victory and after a voyage fruitful in scientific results
and the discovery of the magnetic pole, had been frozen up
three solid winters. Tn 1833. before Franklin's return from
the Mediterranean, the Government sent a party under the
command of Captain Back to proceed by the Great Fish river
to the northern shore, whence he was to endeavor to reach
Cape Parry where it was hoped intelligence of the missincr
Victory might be obtained. The Rosses had. however, been
already picked up and were being brought home by a whaler
\hen the party of Rack reached Arctic latitudes and so he
93
turned his attention to tracing the course of the Fish river,
returning in 1834. Soon after this an expedition was sent
out under Back's command to complete the survey of the
North coast more than half of which had been accomplished
by Franklin. The Terror, with the expedition on board,
sailed on June 14, 1836, but it was an unfortunate voyage.
The ship was beset by ice in Hudson 's Bay and for ten months
drifted heli)lessly in the pack. When released she was found
to have been so much damaged that the voj^age had to be
abandoned and she returned home.
In 1836 Franklin was offered and accepted the Governor-
ship of Tasmania, better known as Van Diemen's Land. He
went through the usual trials and tribulations of a Colonial
Governor, between unscrupulous and ambitious men in his
province and official stupidity at home, but won the devotion
of his people and his retirement from office was the signal
for an ovation of affection and respect rarely accorded to one
in his difficult position. In 1844 he returned home, with his
passion for Arctic discovery rather intensified by his long
absence, and in 1845, when the Government was preparing
to send out another Arctic expedition, he was appointed,
February 7, to the command. Some doubts were felt at the
Admiralty on account of his age, then 59, and his physical
power of resisting extreme cold, but in all other respects
there was no question that he was the man for the place.
The ships commissioned for the cruise were Franklin's old
friends of the southern latitudes, the Erebus and Terror.
The former was to be under his own command. To the latter
he had succeeded, with the support of Sir James Ross, in
procuring the appointment of Captain Crozier, the officer
who had commanded the same ship in the Antarctic expedi-
tion of a few years before. Commander James Fitzjames, an
accomplished officer, to whose letters we owe the best account
we possess of the earlier incidents of the expedition, was
Franklin's second in command, and with him were Lieuten-
ant Graham Gore and Mr. Charles F. Des Voeux. who were
both of them destined to play an important part in the actual
work of discovery. The complement of each ship was 67
94
II I'll (.•ens and iiifii, and tlicv caiTicd stores ami jirovisinns for
tiiree years, and al l-'i-anklin 's sui^^'cstinn wfrt- I'li-nislifd witli
auxiliary steam power, heiiii,' tlie liist vessels to carry the
screw propeller ititn the A I'ctie seas.
On .Inly 111, 1S4.'), (aptaiii l-'ranklin wrote to his wife
from Whale l''ish Island, Disco Hay, a letter of sixteen pay;es.
lie had heen there fi-om the 4th, and a portion of the letter
was wi-itteii each da\ . It concludes thus: " A^'ain that
(Jotl may hlcss and siip|Hirt you linth is and will he the con-
stant prayer of youi' atVect innate hushand, John Franklin."
It was the last she ever received from him.
On October 27, 184'), a Loudon lu'wspaper published the
follow inu extract from the Iol;' of a whaler commanded by
Captain Dantiet and dated Melville Bay, ditly 26, 184;j : "At
8 p. m. received on hoaril ten of the chief oflKcers of the ex-
pedition undc!- the lomnuind of Captain Sir John Franklin,
of the Terror nnd Krebus. Both ships crews are all well,
and in remarkable spirits, expecting' to finish the operation
in good tinu'. They are made fast 1o a large iceberg with a
temporary observatory fixed upon it. They were in latitude
7-4 degrees 48 minutes; longitude 66 degi'ees 13 minutes west."
This was the last tinu' that any of them were seen alive
by Christian men.
"We know now that the ships passed the winter of lS4r)-46
at Reecbey Island ; that the next summer they made hardly
200 miles to the southward toward the American coa.st ; that
in September, 1846, they were caught in what is known as
the ice stream and beset by the ice which itever relaxed its
grip; tliat the wiutei- of 1846-47 passed and in ^lay Com-
mander Gore made a sledge trip to Point Victon- where he
left a paper, on which was written the following: "28
May, 1847. H. ^l. ships Erebus and Terror wintered in the
ice in lat. 70 degrees 5 minutes X. and Long. 98 degrees 23
minutes 1.") seconds "W., after having ascended Wcllinirton
has been remarked, for 184r)-146), "at Beechey Island in
Lat. 74 degrees 43 minutes 28 seconds, lonir. 01 degrees 39
minutes 15 seconds W., after having escended "Wellinuton
Channel to Lat. 77 degrees and returned by the west side of
95
Coniwallis Island. Sir John Franklin commanding the ex-
pedition. All well. Party consisting of two officers and six
men left the ships on Monday, May 24, 1847. Gm. Gore,
Lieut.; Chas. P. Des Voeux, Mate."
Shortly after this, on June 11, 1847, Captain Franklin
died and was buried in that fatal "ice stream." Another
winter, that of 1847-1848, passed and still the ships remained
frozen in. Famine now stared the crews in the face. Com-
mander Gore was dead. On the 22d of April, 1848, the ships
were abandoned and the people, 105 souls then remaining of
the original 134, made a desperate effort to reach the Great
Fish river in which they never succeeded. Tlieir bones are
scattered from Point Victory to and beyond Herschel Poini,
along that frozen trail. Not till ten years after did jMc-
Clintock's second in command of the Fox, Hobson, find the
paper under the cairn at Port Victoria.
^IcClintock also found a deserted boat on a sledge with
two skeletons in it, the position of the boat and sledge in-
dicating that it had been abandoned by a party returning to
the ships. Nothing of the latter were found. This discovery
in 1859 of Graham Gore's record with the additions by Fitz-
james, of the two skeletone in the boat, of one lone skeleton
many miles distant, and twenty years later of the grave of
Lieutenant Irving, identified by a medal, are all that we have
to tell us of the fate of those two lost crews.
In all thirteen search expeditions went out on this
humane mission and while they did not succeed in the main
object they added gi-eatly to the geogTaphical knowledge of
that region. This niimber does not include overland ex-
])editions, though one of these, undertaken, however, for a
different purpose, that of Dr. Rae, brought back the first
authentic news of the fate of the lost, gleaned from the
Eskimos and substantiated by articles belonging evidently
fo them. Among these was a round silver plate engraved
"Sir John Franklin, K. C. B.," (a mistake of the engraver
for K. C. H.) and a star or order with the motto "Nee as-
pera terrent G. R. Ill, MDCCCXV." They reported seeing
96
forty nu'ii dray:y:iiij,' a slodf,'e on wliicli was a l)oat near the
mouth of the Great Fish river, but that all liad died.
Some place the nuiuber of seareli ex[)editi()ns at twenty.
The cost was over $2,000,000. The last, that of McClintock,
fitted out by Lady Franklin ht-rself and mostly at her own
expense, was the only one that achieved any satisfactory re-
sult, thoutrh this was from no lack of skill and f^'ood will on
the part of the others.
And now a few words more as to that devoted woman
to whom the world's heart went out in lovinp: sympathy in
her great trouble, Lady Jane Franklin, the wife to whose
unwearied energj', devotion and hopefulness when hope seem-
ed vain, we are indebted for the knowledge of the fate of her
gallant husband.
In 1848, when, owing to the long period which had
elapsed without news from the expedition, grave fears began
to be entertained as to its safety. Lady Franklin offered large
rewards to any person who should discover and afford relief
to the missing voyagers, or who should make exertions with
that end in view ; and from that time until 1857, when she
fitted out the Fox at her own expense for the final expedition
which solved all doubt as to the fate of her husband and
his brave companions, she never rested in her efforts to incite
by voice, pen and purse, not only her own countrv-men, but
Americans to search for traces of the missing ships and crews.
And when their fate became known she had a tablet set up
on Beechey Island on which was engraved these words:
97
TO THE MEI\IORY OF
F R A N K L I N ,
CROZIER, FITZJAMES
AND ALL OP THEIR
GALLANT BROTHER OFFICERS AND
FAITHFUL COMPANIONS WHO
HAVE SUFFERED AND PERISH-
ED IN THE CAUSE OF SCIENCE
AND THE SERVICE OF THEIR
COUNTRY.
THIS TABLET
IS ERECTED NEAR THE SPOT
WHERE THEY PASSED THEIR
FIRST ARCTIC WINTER. AND
WHENCE THEY ISSUED FORTH
TO CONQUER DIFFICULTIES
OR TO DIE.
TO COMMEMORATE THE GRIEF OF
THEIR ADMIRING COUNTRYMEN
AND FRIENDS AND THE ANG-
UISH SUBDUED BY FAITH OF
HER WHO HAS LOST IN THE
HEROIC LEADER OF THE
EXPEDITION THE MOST DE-
VOTED AND AFFECTION-
ATE OF HUSBANDS.
"And so He bringeth them into the Ha-
ven where they wonld be."
1855.
98
When ill this cuiiiit ry li;ul\ l''r;iiiklin iiunh' tu'i' humt'
with liri-i)\vii ;iii(l her hushaiiil s friend, tin* Rev. Dr. Robert-
sun, my father-iii-hiw, at his rcctoiy on the Hudson. From
a iiumhri- of letters in my wife's possession I liave hrouj^ht
two her-e this eveiiinir. T\\v tii-st is a copy tlatcd Lonchtn.
.March 22nd, 1S48. Kxtrads only arc here trivcn :
'■^ly Deal- Dr. Robertson:
*'# # * -^y,, \v,,,.,, lookiim' anxiously for the return
oi my husband's expedition tlir(nmhout Scjjt., Get. and Nov.,
but wlien these passed away bi-inying no tidings. Govt, eom-
meneed active operations for the search. » * * Xq less
than three expeditions, the cost of which I am tohl will be
little less than '^ 100,000. I cannot hut feel deeply grateful
for this noble instance of our Government's humanity and
generosity and it may thci-efore appear a work of superero-
gation on my part that I should be spending my own private
funds for the same object, but 1 have so vivid and painful an
impression of the necessity of doing everything that is to be
(h)ne in the course of the present summer (for it seems
scarcely possible they should survive a 4th winter) that I
cannot rest satisfied without stimulating further search in
places not contemplated within the range of the Govt, ex-
peditions this season &. liave therefore offered rewards to
whalers for looking into certain places where it appears to
me the ships or crews may perhaps be found if disaster should
have happened. T send you a copy of my notice to your
cnuntiymen. .Mr. Campbell, now in London, has kindly
undertaken to send some to your whaling ports though, of
course, I can have but little hope of its inducing any search-
ing efforts by your ships, which 1 believe seldom fish in the
noith. I feel quite sure that your sailors, like ours, need not
tliis reward for those accidental services wliich the dictates
of humanity suggest & I dont)t not they would gloi-y in re-
covering the English ships or crews from peril if in their
power. Sir John Richardson will be the bearer of this letter
to New York as well as of a case of books. * * * In
the tin case is a portrait of my husband of which I beg your
99
743938A
acceptance. * * * Believe me with sincere esteem and
attachment,
Ever yours,
"JANE FRANKLIN."
The other letter is dated in 1836, just before her hus-
band went to his Colonial Government and I have brought
it because it contains a postscript by Sir John himself.
Lady Franklin died in 1875. What words could do
justice to that life of hope deferred or to the love that won
so sad a victory in the end !
The inscription upon the little bit of wood, the relic of
Sir John's second overland expedition, in the handwriting
of Lady Franklin, is as follows:
"Part of the boat Lion or Reliance in which Captain
Franklin and his companions coasted along the shores of
the Arctic sea."
Lady Franklin seems to have forgotten which boat it
was taken from, but this is easily determined. The Lion
was built in England of mahogany with ash frame, and was
the boat in which Franklin himself coasted westward to-
wards Behring Straits. The Reliance was built in America
on precisely the same model, but of different wood. There
is no doubt that this is a piece of the Lion.
I cannot close this brief of two noble lives better than
in the words of Franklin's nephew by marriage, Alfred
Tennyson. I copy from H. D. Trail's "Life of Franklin,"
to which I am indebted for much here written:
"Lady Franklin felt that the fame and services of her
husband were entitled to record in that national shrine in
which it has always been the ambition of the noblest English-
men to obtain a resting place for their ashes, or a perpetua-
tion of their names. One of the last, if not the very last
labors on behalf of her husband's memory was the erection
of a marble monument of Sir John Franklin in Westminister
Abbey, which was unveiled in July, 1875, only a fortnight
before she herself passed away at the age of 83. She had
wished to write the epitaph herself, but she died before she
100
had time to perform that final work, and it was her liushand's
nephew hy marria<2:e, ihe late I*net Laureate, wlio afterwards,
as all the world knows, added to iL tliat inscription whieli has
_,'iveu a second immortality to the hero whom it celebrates :
"Not hero! tlio white North hath thy
bones, and thou,
1 lei'oie sailor soul,
Art passing: on thy happier voyapre now
Towards no earthly pole."
Hardly less heautil'ul were the words aii|iended to it
hy Dean Stanley in record of the event so pathetically close
in sequence to it — Lady Krankliu's death — "the monument
to Franklin was," it runs:
"Erected hy liis widow, who. after lon^? waiting, and
sending many in search of him, herself departed to seek and
lo find him in the realms of light."
Her day's work was done, and she slept.
lUl
MIDSUMMER MEETING
OP THE
DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
IN
ST. DAVIDS P. E. CHURCH
OF RADNOR, DELAWARE COUNTY, PA.
THURSDAY^ JUNE 22, 1905
ORDER OF ERERCISES
1.30 P. M.
Prayer
Rev. James H. Lamb, D. D., Rector of St. Duvids
Opening Address
A. Lewis Smith, Esq., President of the Societi;
Welcome
Rev. James H. Lamb, D. D.
Historical Address
"Old St. Davids" Henry Pleasants, Esq.
Historical Address
"Anthony Wayne at Paoli"
John W. Jordan, LL. D., of the Historical Society of
Pennsylvania
102
COMMITTKK OF ARHA.\(}K.ME\TS
A. Lewis Sinitli, I'lTsidciit Delaware County Historical
Society
A. G. ('. Smith. First \'i<e President.
I). M. .loluison, 2iul \'. I'l-esident (and sec'y to Com. of
Arrunjijementsj
E. 11. Hall, Trea.surer.
H. G. Ashmead, Recordinj.^ Secretary.
Charles Palmer, Corresponding Secretary
Directors
Rew V. II. Mowry. 1). D.
James AV. llowartli. (Chairman Coinmittee of Arrange-
ments)
H. L. Broomall
Geo. E. Darlington
W. Shaler Johnson
Members op Society ox Committee
Mrs. Louise D. Woodbridge Mrs. Orlando Harvey
Mrs. Clara B. Miller Morgan Bunting
Stages will start from the Court House, Media, on the
morning of Thursday, June 22nd, at 10 o'clock. The fare
for the round trip to St. Davids and return to Media will be
fifty cents. Those intruding to <:o by this i-oute are requested
to notify Mrs. Clara P>. .Millei-. .Media. Pa., on or before Mon-
day, June 19th.
Those going by way of Philadelpliia will find stacres to
meet trains at Devon station, on tlie remisylvania Railroad,
at 12. To P. M., to convey them to St. Davids Church.
" B.\SKET LlN'CH"
103
RECEPTION COMMITTEE
Rev. James H. Lamb, D. D., Chairman
Mrs. James H. Lamb Mrs.
Mrs. Henry T. Coates ^Irs.
Mrs. R. Francis Wood Mrs.
Mrs. T. iMelton Rogers Mrs.
Mrs. Joseph W. Sharp Mrs.
Mrs. Wm. John Campbell Miss
Mrs. Henry P. Connor Mrs.
Mrs. Wm. Paul Morris Mrs.
Mrs. James Hunter Moore Miss
Mrs. John H. Mather Mrs.
Mrs. Charles M. Thomas Miss
Miss Anna E. Matlack ]\Irs.
Miss Helen Erben j\Iiss
Miss Harriet B. Adler Miss
Miss Bessie L. Wickham Mrs.
Mrs. Wm. Waddington Morris ^liss
Mrs. Frederick Preston Mrs.
Mrs. A. Lewis Smith Miss
Miss Sallie Flickwir Mrs.
Miss Beulah Coates Mrs.
Mrs. Walter M. Sharpless Mrs.
Miss Anna P. Ramsey Mrs.
Miss Fannie A. Campbell Mrs.
Mrs. J. W. Mercur Miss
Miss Mary E. Johnson Mrs.
Mrs. H. Clay Marshall Miss
Miss Mary Abbott Mrs.
Mrs. John B. Roach I\Irs.
Mrs. Paul McGonigal Mrs.
Mrs. D. M. Johnson Mrs.
Mrs. John M. Broomall Miss
Mrs. William Shaler Johnson Miss
Mrs. William C. Sproul Mrs.
George M. Booth
Lewis C. Johnson
John C. Price
Ada M. Crozer
Milton C. Orme
Minnie D. Coates
R. Somers Rhodes
Richard Peters
Martha Brown
William A. Irving
jMattie Morris
William G. Price
Emma J. Irving
Laura S. Angle
Edward E. Trainer
Gertrude Ware
John P. Crozer
Carrie N. Wilson
George U. Wells
Philip II. i\Iowry
Thomas Lees
Charles R. Long
H. L. Broomall
Elizabeth B. Pleasants
E. H. Hall
Edith S. F. Wayne
G. E. Darlington
W. E. Trainer
John M. Okie
F. M. Smith
Mary A. Kent
Clara M. Okie
Crosby M. Black
104
.Mrs. .J. Lewis Crozer
Aliss Mary Bent
.Mrs. Willijiiu II. Morris
JNliss .Mary Keller
;Miss Annie Coates
Miss Agnes G. Okie
^Irs. .John P. Croasdale
Miss Alice Thniiuis
Mrs. R. B. Okie
Charles K. Melville
Joseph Chadwick
AViii. II. Kowen
Hon. Albert M;i,miin
Hon. H. H. Houston
Nathan Fox
J, Lentz Garrett
A. M. Ehart
Rev. J. AV. Savers, D. D.
Edward S. Sayers
Rev. H. G. AYeston, D. D.
Henry' Pleasants
Robert S. Wickhara
Joseph H. Coates
"William P. Drennan
Henry T. Coates
Rev. James Timmins
O. B. Dickinson
Dr. Joseph C. Egbert
Samnel A. Crozer
Roliert Emmett Hare
Rev. Franeis M. Taitt
Daniel S. Newhall
Lewis Palmer
Hon. Trvon Lewis
Hon. Jos. R. T. Coates
Henrv TVlielen. Jr.
Prof. A. D. Yoenm
John ^rnther
Hun. Isaac Johnson
William John Campbell
George K. Crozer
Joseph \V. JSharpe
Hon. 1). \V. Jell'eris, M. D.
liarelay Johnson
Christopher Fallon, Jr.
Gen. H. C. Cochrane
Wni. \V. -Montgomery
John .M. Shrigley
A. A. Montgomery
Rev. W. A. Patton
Milton C. Orme
Edmund Jones
Osgood Sayen
Horace P. Green
John H. Beadle
Col. Joseph Willeox
Henry P. Connor
Benjamin II. Smith
Hon. F. Taylor Pusey
Joseph E. Pond
Rev. I. Chantry IToflFman
J. AValter Connor
Rev. W. T. Kruse
Col. Charles E. Hyatt
Henry Hinkson
Rev. J. :\r. T. Childrey
James Fryer
Louis Dalmas
George INT. Bunting
Hon. W. C. Sprmil
Rev. TVm. H. Shaffer
Rev. A. Ti. Tjathem
John T. Callnirhnn. Jr.
Rev. Wm. H. Towle
'W. .\ustin Obdyke
Dr. "Wm. C. Arm.strong
105
Eev. David A. Solly
Rev. George W. Lamb
Thomas B. Jones
Andrew A. Sellers
Dr. George U. Wells
Wm. B. Broomall
Col J. A. G. Campbell
Edward E. Trainer
Charles S. Welles
Hon. J. L. Forwood
Hon. Thomas V. Cooper
John Spencer
J. Hunter Moore
Hon. Crosbv M. Black
William H. ]\Iorris
Hon. J. B. Robinson
Hon. Edward A. Price
Hon. Wm. H. Berry
Henry Frysinger
Lewis Lawrence Smith
R. Francis Wood
Frank B. Rhodes
T. ]\Ielton Rogers
R. Brognard Okie
John P. Croasdale
John :\r. Okie
William S. Ellis
Daniel G. Hendricks
106
HISTORIANS MEET AT OLD
ST. DAVID'S
P^AMors IIorsK OF AVoRsiiip in Radnor Gathi:rin(; Place
OF THE Society
STUKIKS OF OLDEX DAYS
History op the Chi m ii, tub Battle of Paoli and Other
Interesting Reminiscences From Pages of
National and 1'rivate Annals Are
Told to the Audience
Tn the shadow of one of the most famous liistoric places
of worship in the county. Old St. David's at Radnor, and
deeply impressed by the spirit of the Revolution bred and
inspired by the place, the members of the Delaware County
Historical Society to the number of about 50 yestei'day held
their annu-al meetinj;. ]Most <»!' tlic [);ii-ty jrathered at ]\Iedia
and went from there to the famous old cluu'cli in stajres, two
large stages and a number of small vehicles being used.
Tt was about 2 o'clock when the members of the Society
gathered in the church and the meeting was opened with
prayer by the Rev. James PI. Lamb, D. D., rector of the
church. A. Le\\is Smith, P]s(|.. of ;\Iedia, president of the
society, then made a brief address, in which he told of the
uses and purposes for which the society was organized and
spoke of the good work done in preserving historic data that
would otherwise have been lost.
Dr. Lamb then made a brief address of welcome on behalf
of himself, the ve.stry and the members of the church, in
which he heartily welcomed tlie society to the sacred old
edifice.
Mr. Pleasants Address
Til is was followed by the most interesting address of the
day by Henry P. Pleasants, Esq.. on "Old St. David's."
IVIueh of this address was composed of original matter and
107
historical data accumulated by him from the archives of the
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts,
a London missionary society. The records of this organization
were open to Mr. Pleasants upon his recent visit to England,
and more than fifty communications from Colonial Mission-
aries of the society were transcribed by him. These have
never been in print, have never been made public and their
very existence was unknown to the students of our colonial
annals. The address was learned, eloquent and able, and
produced a profound impression upon the members of the
society.
Anthony Wayne
John W. Jordan, LL. D., of the Historical Society of
Pennsylvania, was to have delivered an address on "Anthony
Wayne of Paoli," but owing to a death in his immediate
family, he was unable to be present. He has forwarded his
manuscript, however, and General Henry Clay Cochrane, of
Chester, read the article in a most impressive manner.
In it was furnished the copy of a letter, written by a
British officer giving his account of the battle of Paoli, some-
times called the Massacre of Paoli, in which many of the
troops of General Wayne's command were lost. General
Washington had sent General Wayne on September 17, 1776,
to prevent Lord Howe's cross the Schuykill until he (Wash-
ington) could cross higher up. A Tory informed Howe of
Wayne 's mission and General Gray was detached from Howe 's
command with orders to drive back the Americans, which he
accomplished with great slaughter.
This letter presented in Dr. Jordan's paper clearly estab-
lished Wayne's contention that he was not surprised on the
occasion of the battle, but that four lines of pickets were
driven in before the main struggle took place. It also showed
that the force of the enemy so exceeded that of the Americans
that two regiments were not engaged, despite the terrible
defeat. This letter has only recently come into the posses-
sion of the Pennsylvania Historical Society at a large outlay
108
of money. It has never been published and its contents have
never before been made pul)li(' in any nnmucr.
The CouNCHi .Mf:f:ting
At a nieetiuL;' (if the eoiiiu-il of the society j)re\ioii.s to
I lie y:eneral meetiuy. ^Irs. Kate li. Ilarvey and Messrs. A. B.
Geary, John A. Wallaee, .John Spencer and John T. Calhihan
were elected members. The society became a member of the
Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies and a com-
mittee consisting of Dr. D. W. Jefferis, County Seliool Super-
intendent A. G. C. Smith, and William Shaler Johnson was
appointed to wait upon the Board of Park Coiniiiissioners
with a request for the use of certain apartments in the
Thurlow Park house for the use of the society.
109
OFFICERS DIRECTORS
President — A. Lewis Smith Rev. P. H. Mowby
1st V. Pres. — A. G. C. Smith James W. Howarth
2d V. Pres. — D. M. Johnson Henry L. Broomall
Treasurer — Edward H. Hall George E. Darlington
Rec. Sec. — H. G. Ashmead W. Shaler Johnson
Cor. Sec. — Charles Palmer
THE
ELEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING
of THE
DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
will be HELD AT
INSTITUTE HALL, MEDIA, PA.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 19U5
at three o'clock p. m.
The officers of the Society for the ensuing year are to be
elected and such other business transacted as may properly
be l^rougiit before the meeting.
"A Biographical Account of the Life of Jared Darling-
ton, late of Glen ^lills. Thornbury Township, Delaware
County, Pa.," prepared by Lewis Palmer, will be read.
H. G. ASHMEAD,
Chester, Pa. Recording Secretarj^
September 11, 1905.
110
JARKD DARMNCirON AND HIS
LU i:-WORIv
lV\rER I\iv\n AT TiiK Dim, AWARE CorxTV IIistoicicai, Sociktv's
.Mkhtini;
LEWIS PALMER'S THII'.ITK
]\Iember of a Family ok Stikdy Stock Who IIkijm:i) to
Make the History of Pennsylvania and Addrd
LrsTRF: TO Its Annals by a Life of Thrift,
HONESTV, iNnrSTRY AND TTlfiH PCKI'OSE
Media, Pa., September 21st, 11)05.
The annual meeting of the Delaware County Historical
Society was held in Institute Hall, on South avenue, Media,
on Thursday afternoon. President A. Lewis Smith was in
the chair, and in the absence of Secretary Henry Graham
Ashmead his duties were performed by Charles Palmer, of
Chester.
A resolution was passed authorizing the appointment
of a committee to gatlier data and prepiire memorials on
persons of note who pass away in Delaware county, in order
that future records, as well as the records of the society, may
be kept intact and up-to-date.
The society then proceeded to the election of officers, all
the present incumbents being chosen. These are: president.
A. Lewis Smith, Esq.; vice president. A. G. C. Smith; second
vice president, D. ]M. Johnson, Sr. ; treasurer, Edward H.
Hall ; recording secretary, Henry Graham Ashmead ; corres-
ponding secretaiy, Charles Palmer: Directors, Rev. P. II
]\Iowry, James W. Howarth, Ilonry L. Ri-oomall. George E.
Darlington and "W. Sliiilcr Johnson.
After the election. T^cwis Palmer, of Concord, was intro-
dncod nnd read a carefully prepared paper on the life of
m
Jared Darlington, late of Glen Mills, Thornbury township.
The paper is as follows :
A BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF JARED DARLINGTON,
LATE OF GLEN MILLS, THORNBURY TOWNSHIP,
DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNA.
PREPARED BY LEWIS PALMER
The actions of our ancestors are of much interest to us,
and we are accustomed to looking backward and dilating upon
the scenes which history and tradition have painted upon our
minds ; thus doing we are apt to become forgetful of the fact
that as the present time passes away it soon becomes blended
in the great common past. Those now or lately living upon
this sphere of action, with the record of their life's work, will
therefore in considerable measure be reckoned as contempo-
rary with earlier periods.
The inhabitants of New England have been vigorously
alive to this condition and have taken care that all matters
of interest bearing upon their history, whether of a general
or local character; whether it concerns matters of religious,
political, educational, biogTaphical, or of any other public
interest — shall, with the aid of printer's ink, find a sure lodg-
ment in manuscript, pamphlet or book upon the shelves of
their libraries
THE RECORDS OF MEN
It is to be lamented that in the earlier periods of these
parts of the country more care was not bestowed upon these
matters ; as the facts connected with the history of our
abilities and achievements have just as much of fascination,
interest and intrinsic value as have those of any other section.
Even common pride should stir our blood to the assertion
that we of Pennsylvania are "second to none" in all the
nobler qualities that constitute a patriotic and progressive
people ; using the means surrounding us for grand, honorable
and useful purposes. An analysis of these things will reveal
to us the highly interesting part taken by many individuals
112
who have represented various i)hiisos ol" human activities ami
eacli filled a niche of honoi- in our common histoiy
With these facts in view wc will devote our attention
to a memher of a distinfjuished family of uluuii it has heen
written "they cherished their kinslii]) and rcjoit-cd in the
good name of Darlintrton and the respect and puhlic esteem
which surrounded it." and to heifrhten its recommit ion they
adopted the sobricjuet of "Clan Darlinu^on."
ONE OP THE CLAN
•
The purpose of this paper is to relate a bioj^^raphical
account of one of this clan — .land l)arlin<,'ton, late of Gh'n
^lills in Thonibury township, this count.\ . He was bom >^
mo. (Aug.) , 1844, in .Middletown township, and was the
eighth of ten children of Jared and ^Mary fDutton) Darling-
ton, both of whom were descendants of a long line of honor-
able ancestry, going back through our colonial history into
the earlier times of English annals. An authentic account of
these worthies lias been compiled in the genealogies of the
Darlington and Dutton families both by Gilbert Cope, Esq.,
of West Chester, Pa. (Abridged notice of them is ajipended
to this article.)
The elder Jared Darlington settled on the homestead of
his parents. He established a high reputation as a dairy
farmer and the fame of "Darlington butter'' as being of
superior quality, which his skill confirmed, has been kept up
with remarkable success by his sons and grandsons.
The younger Jared soon found himself in the midst of a
highly endowed and interesting company of brothers and
sisters and with the spur of their encouragement and the aid
of the neighboring public school began liis educational career.
He afterwards attended, in 1861-62, Fairville Institute, in
Chester county, and in 1862-63 completed his edueatii>n at
Maplewood Institute, Concordville. both schools being at the
respective times under the principalship of Joseph Shortlidge,
A. M. His father dying while he was in his minority, he
entered into an active participation in farming and dairying,
and on arriving at legal age in 1865, formed with his brother
113
Jesse, the firm of J. & J. Darlington, iii wliicli lie continued
for about twenty-five years with eonnnendable business suc-
cess, the name and superiority of their butter finding access
to the table of the White House at Washington and to that
of distinguished hotels and people in Philadelphia, New York
and many other places. This part of the business owed
largely its success to his superior tact or native gift in deal-
ing with that class of people.
HIS BUSINESS LIFE
Upon retiring from this line of work he became associated
for a time with I. P. Thomas, Sons & Co., in the manufacture
and sale of fertilizers. He was also a heavy stockholder and
director in the West End Trust Company, of Philadelphia,
of which our honorable chairman, A. Lewis Smith, is presi-
dent, which institution enjoys a commendable name among
the financial institutions of the connnunity. For a short
time he was interested in a financial institution in Philadel-
23hia known as Guarantor's Company, but finding its methods
not up to his standard of honor he withdrew from it, a signal
proof of his sound and fair judgment in financial affairs.
This institution was afterwards obliged to close its doors
under somewhat of a cloud.
He early espoused the proposition to establish the Char-
ter National Bank, of ]\Iedia, in regard to which the following
is taken from an editorial in the Media Ledger: "The in-
corporation of the Charter National Bank was a business
venture which some astute minds thought could not be suc-
cessful and that our Borough had not the scope of commercial
trade to justify two National Banks. The result was a trib-
ute to Mr. Darlington's sagacity and good business judgment,
as he w^as one of the prime movers in the installation of the
bank. He took an active and almost daily interest in all its
affairs and his unerring knowledge of trade relations and
wide intimacy with men gave his management an influence
with the grow^th of the bank which was salutary and valuable
to it. His integrity and exact business sense was the bank's
best asset and his place will be hard to supply." He was
114
one ui" the lirst liuuid ul' Direuturs, ami upon llic relirt'iiient
of its tirsl president, George l-)raytoii, lie bei-aiiie tlie hank's
presitlent, whieli position he held until his death, tlie l)anU
making rai)id progress in fiiianeial success under his judicious
inthience, management and care.
L'nder his appointment as a mcmlier of tin- iioard <>t'
I'rison Inspectors lie was enahled to give such valual)le serv-
ice in this resixinsihle position as to be ai)})reciated alike by
those in charge of the pi-ison as well as by those incarcerated
behind its bars, "which demonstrated the native talent and
worth of the man.''
He was also one of the Board of Directors of the ^ledia
Title ami Trust Company, a member df the liiiKU League,
and of the liose Tree Fox Hunting Club, being for some time
the latter "s efficient treasurer. In all these positions he took
an active part, and was to be found on all reasonable occa-
sions at his post of duty or in the social amenities of the
occasion not deficient. Tributes to many traits in his char-
acter will be found ai)pended in extracts of notices of his
death in the newspapers of near that date and in resolutions
of the Charter National Bank and of the Rose Tree Fox
Hunting Club.
SOME PUBLIC DUTIES
The name of Jared Darlington is honorably connected
with the office of County Auditor of Delaware County, having
been with William J. Smith and Jacob Boone the first to be
elected under the State's new constitution, in which office
he served nine years, from 1875 to 1884, having been elected
to three successive teiTns.
It was during his first term of office and principally
through his keen investigation of the monetary affairs in tlie
County Conunissioners' office that gross abuse of the county's
credit was discovered. It was foinid that a portion of the
bonds of the county which hatl either been paid off or ex-
changed, had not been pi'operly cancelled or destroyed and
that some of them had disappeared and been wrongfully used;
the coupons from whicli had been presented and paid for out
115
of the county treasury. It was brought to light that one of
the board of County Commissioners had been principally
responsible in this matter, who, when the offense became
known absconded from the State and although the prosecu-
tion of a clerk followed, the authorities were powerless to
either punish the offender or recover the loss. A sense of
appreciation of Mr. Darlington's valuable service in the case
no doubt led to his long continuance in office.
He served both ]\Iiddletown and Thornbury townships
in the office of School Director, taking gi-eat interest in the
cause of education and proper conduct of the public schools.
For a few years he w^as engaged at times in selling cattle
and other stock for the accommodation of his neighborhood,
in which, his service was appreciated. All these things show
the active spirited citizen desiring and willing to fill up a
useful and honorable life amongst his fellow men.
In religion he adhered to the faith of the Society of
Friends in which he had a birthright membership and while
not taking an active part in the affairs of the meeting he was
sincere in his attachment to its principles and recognized their
importance in their relation to this life and of that to come.
Upon the formation of the Delaware County Historical
Society he early became a member, thus testifying his interest
and support to the laudable objects for which it was or-
ganized.
HIS WEDDED LIFE
At West Chester, Pa., on 12 mo. 19, 1871, Jared Darling-
ton and Annie Needles w^re united in marriage by Friends
ceremony. She was the daughter of Edward and ]Mary
(Wilson) Needles, and was bom 4 mo. 11, 1847. Since the
death of her husband she with her family has resided in
Media. Five children were born to them as follows:
1, Sarah Wilson Darlington, b. 1 mo. 31, 1873. She
is a teacher and head mistress of a private school at Union-
town, Pennsylvania.
2, Frances Darlington, b. 10 mo. 26, 1874. She is also
a teacher.
116
3, Anne .1. I )ailin<^()n, h. 11 mo. 2, 187(). She obtained
a position us clerk in the (liarter National Hank of Media
and has arisen to the responsible oHice of cashier, which she
fills with sij,nia^ ability, possibly bciu'^' the only woman to
hold that position in this country.
4, Jessie Darlington, b. 7 mo. 7, 1S7!I. Livinir at home.
."), Henry Saulnier Darlin^'lon, b. ',i mo. 2, 1888. He is
now (1904) a student at the University of Pennsylvania.
THE FINAL SCENES
In approaciiiny the time to dwell upon the last scenes of
life of Jared Darlington I find in the tributes of the news-
papers of that time words that seem more fitting: than any
that might fall from this pen, so with my personal tribute
of esteem and remembrance for a departed friend, I am f?lad
to give place in this paper to extracts from them, first, how-
ever, stating that he departed this life 8 mo. 4, 1902, being
just two days short of 58 years of age. His funeral was
largely attended by his sorrowing relatives and friends. Fit-
ting tribute to his worth and appreciation of loss to the
community as well a.s consolation for his bereaved family
was feelingly spoken by the Rev. F. H. Niberker, of the House
of Refuge, and Rev. Joshua Wills, of West t'hester, after
which his remains wei'c interred in Cumberland cemetery.
NEWSPAPER TRIBUTES
From the "Morning Republican of West Chester. Aug.
5, 1902: "Yesterday afternoon at about 2 o'clock Jared
Darlington, one of the most highly respected and widely
known citizens of Delaware county, passed away at liis home
at Glen ]\Iills, after a brief illness with something like apo-
plexy, which had been induced by stomach and head trouble.
The deceased had only been bed-fast three days and his death
was a great shock to his relatives and family. A slioit time
ago ^Ir. Darlington made a trip through portions of the
West, looking after some financial interests and since his
return a few weeks ago he complained at times of feeling
117
unwell, although nothing- of a serious nature was appre-
hended by either himself or family.
"During his life he acted very many times as guardian
for minor children and in scores of ways he was a leader
in all public movements in the vicinity of his home, that had
for their object the general welfare of the community. He
was liberal hearted in all his dealings with his fellow men
and those who knew him best regarded his word as good
as his bond. He will be greatly missed in many walks of
life as he was identified with a great many business enter-
prises. He very frequently came to West Chester, where
he had a host of friends who unite with his relations in
mourning his sudden demise. He was;.'always <i Republican
in politics and during his lifetime he held man,y positions of
trust and honor in his county. He was a devoted and inter-
ested member of the Hicksite Society of Friends and was a
member of the Middleto^^Ti meeting, near his home."
THE ledger's words OF PRAISE
From the Media Ledger, Aug. 9, 190'^, (editorial) —
"Probably there was no man in active business life who for
many years past has been better known to Media people or
whose going in and out among us was more familiar than
Jared Darlington, President of the Charter National Bank
of this borough. His big bluff presence, his genial and
robust manner, unassumed, yet assertive to a high degree
when his mind told him he was right, his rigid and scrupulous
business tact and capacity were known to all men of Delaware
county of this generation. "When death levels his dart at a
person like Jared Darlington and strikes him down in full
panoply of a healthy and vigorous manhood the shock is a
penetrating one and has a tendency to turn us all to the
realization of the brevity of this life and the vanity of all
mundane works and aspirations.
"Mr. Darlington had a strong individual view of all
public questions and notably in local politics, and his sturdy
and independent turn of mind made him more than once
protest to sanction measures he felt he could not conscien-
118
tioiisly support. He was a lu-publicau ami a .stimi;,' advocate
of tlu' principles of the party, especially its liiiaucial policy,
with which study had j^ivcn him a keen apprt-iiatinii and his
relations to baiikiuLr cxcnipliticd in piaciiic. Tin-re was no
civic station lie would not have adorned, and set he never
sou<;ht office, nor was eonspieious in polities lieyond that at-
tention wllieli as a Lidod eili/.en he deemed it his duty to ^ive
to the county and State.
".Mr. l)arlin<it(>ii was in tlie Moodtide uf full manliood,
apparently very healthy and rapahle (if any exertion, active
and alert in all the daily i-ounds of manifold business pro-
jects and the exchanires of the hank. No one of ;dl our
citizens seemed less liable to fall suddenly before the ine.x-
t>rablc sunuiionei'. The consolations of the bereaved are in
liis maidy and honest dealini^s, his integrity in ail ti-ans-
aetions, liis unlilemished i)usiness career, kindly and just
comprehension of all the duties of life. Surely I the eoni-
nuniity suffers a trreat loss by tne (h^parture of sueh a
citizen.''
THE times' tribute
The Chester Times of An^'. 5, |)aiil the followinu: beauti-
ful tribute: "A i)ie1ui-e of the tyi>ieal American is .criven in
the life of Jared Darlinirton, whose death came with all of
the suddenness of a great shock yesterday. Tie came of a
sturdy race of tillers of the soil, from men wlio for years
had breathed the air of freedom and manly independence;
of men who owned themselves and did their- own thinkinir.
so it was but natural that the boy with such ancestry sho\dd
develop the same traits that had made his ancestors honored
in the communities in which they lived.
Jared Darlinsrton believed in honestly earnimr what came
to man; .so he worked hard, toilinir Ion? hours in tlu' care of
the farm that for years has made the section famous for its
dairy products. He believed that which was worth doine
at all was worth doing well, and that motto guided him in
all of the affairs of life. Prosperity came to him. but it was
not the prosperity of sudden wealth, but the wealth hone«;tly
no
earned, wealth that was accumulated by the expenditure of
brain and brawn; therefore it was wealth that brought bless-
ing to its possessor and others with whom he was associated.
From a prosperous farmer to the position of a trusted financ-
ier was a natural step and the affairs of the institution were
well conducted in his hands. As a citizen he was interested
in various questions pertaining to the public good and in all
respects he formed an object lesson to young men who are
about to begin the battle of life. A good name, a blameless
life and a character without stain are the best heritages that
any man may give to his family and these Jared Darlington
has bestowed upon those who survive him."
As a fitting close to this paper the following resolutions
seem appropriate and worthy of preservation, and with
Wordsworth we all can say —
"And when the stream
"Which overflowed the soul was passed away,
"A consciousness remained that it had left,
"Deposited upon the silent shore
"Of memory, images and precious thoughts
"That shall not die, and cannot be destroyed."
— The Excursion, Book 7.
RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT
At a special meeting of the directors of the Charter
National Bank of Media, held on August 8th, 1902, the fol-
lowing resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, It has been the decree of Divine Providenc*.*
to call from our midst the esteemed President of fhe Charter
National Bank of Media;
THE ROSE TREE RESOLUTIONS
Eesolved, That the regrets of the members of the Board
of Directors be given expression in a message of sympathy
and condolence to the afflicted members of Mr. Jared Dar-
lington's family. The Board of Directors also desire to bear
testimony to the efficient services that have been always ren-
120
dered in the comluct of the affaii-s of this hank and the will-
ing and untiriiiL^ devotion irivcn to its interests l)y onf lati'
president.
Resolved, That a copy of vheso resolutions he convryt'd
to the fcunily of the deceased, and that they also he incor-
porated in the minutes of the haidv.
By order of the Board.
Resolutions i)assed at ilic ir'^uhir meeting of the Rose
'i'rrc l''u\ IliintiiiL;- Chil) held on .Kugust 16, 1902, uj>mi tlic
death of dared Darlin^'ton. wtiicli (iniifi-ed on August 4,
190'-':
■■'riie lamp of life has gone out from another memlier
with w luim we have long heen intimately associated, and his
death hriugs forcihly to mind the great truthfulness of the
phra.se 'In the midst of life we are in death.' for without
sickness, without warninL;", in the full vi^or of manhood, and
fi-om rohust health he passed suddenly away, leaving us to
mourn, with those near and dear to him, the gi*eat loss his
uiilimely cutting off has made.
"In his death we have lost one of our most useful, best
known and respected members ; one who from a long and
active memh(>rship of twenty years and a long and faithful
service in the oftice of the treasurer of the club of fourteen
years has endeared himself to and won an enviable friendship
from his fellow members that will remain strong and lasting.
"We not only recognized him as a useful member and a
pleasant companion in our reunions but as a citizen we Icnow
in the community he lived liad aroused for himself a kindly
friendly feeling that was vast in its outspread, and such only
as an active useful man by acts of crenerous assistance,
charity and good works rendered to his fellowmen could win
and hold ; and this general esteem was strongly shown by the
hundreds upon hundreds of all classes, ages and persuasions
who attended the last sad rites performed for him. to bear
witness and pay ti'ihute to the memory of his many good
qualities of character; which had displa.vcd itself as always
amiable, friendly and free from the pett.v traits that too
often enn-endei- a disposition for harsh (M'iticism of others.
121
and this gave to him the impulse to be ever ready to shield
a friend or acquaintance, and to extend a helping hand to
the need}'.
"In business and other associations with which he was
connected he was a leading spirit, taking a prominent part
and influence in their affairs but he was always conciliatory
and prompt to smooth down the antagonisms that might arise.
His integrity was unquestioned and in the many public and
private responsibilities that have been placed upon him, it
has remained unscathed and unblemished.
"Resolved, That we deeply mourn his loss and sympa-
thize with his family in their great sorrow ; and as a marlc
of our respect, we direct that these resolutions be published
in one of our leading newspapers of the country, and an en-
grossed copy be presented to his wife and children."
Signed H. E. SAULNIEE,
President.
W. H. CORLIES, Secretary-.
POSTSCRIPT
For the information of those who may not be able to
consult the genealogies of the Darlington and Button families,
we append the ancestry of Jared Darlington.
The name Darlington is claimed to be of Saxon origin,
and the earliest records of the name are to be found in the
parish registers and wills on file in the county of Cheshire,
England. From these sources it is made certain that between
1550 and 1600 there were six brothers of the name Darling-
ton in that county, whose names are given as Edmund,
Thomas, Robert, John, Richard and Randle. Of these, Rich-
ard is the ancestor of the American line. He married in
1589 Catharine Threlfall, and lived in White-gate parish and
was church warden in 1614. The children were Alice, Rich-
ard, Anne, Job, Hugh aud Abraham. The son. Job Darling-
ton, bap. 1597, married at the age of nineteen, in 1616, his
cousin, Elizabeth Darlington, aged sixteen years, and resided
at Darnhall, in Cheshire, which place appears to have been
the main residence of the family.
122
Tlu'ir oldest <'lnl(l, (it'()ry:e Durlin<rt(iii, liaji. Nnvcinbei'
28, U)l(i. inairird .Mai\\ i iiuiidcii naiiic iiidiiiowii ) and lived
at I)aniall; tlicy had rliildrni Matlicw, .loliii, Atiiir, -liil),
Isaac, Al»i-aliaiii and I Jnijainiii. Tlic son, -Inh I )arliiiL;tiiii,
Iiap. \ii\ciidii'f. K).')."). married .Maiy N'eild, Dee. (j. 1(380, at
Witton parish ehui'eh. They also lived at Darnliall, where
Jol) was I'liiii'i-h wai'deii (d' Whiteirate in 17(10. Mary died
iJee. 1>. ITL'S. and -loli in Aim. 17:51. lioth wei-e buried at
Over. They had sexeii childi-en. to wit, Mathew, Abraham,
Daniel, Joseph. .Mary, .lane and -Idhn. Of these the second,
Abraham I )arlinL;'ton, liaji. .Mar. Ki, l<i8I)-!)0, beeame the
.\merican emiuraid.
'i'he e.xaet date of Ins arrival in Pennsylvania is not
known, bnt it was before 1711. He had served as an appren-
tice in Hn^land to Jonathan Vonde in the saddlery trade,
winch he probably followed in Chester and Aston townships,
where he lived for a few years.
In 1723 he j)nreliased two hnndred acres of land in Bir-
nuntrhani township, which became Ins futnre residence. lie
was twice man-ied. tii'st to Deborah Carter in 1712. who died
about 1715, leavin.u" no issue. His second marriaire was with
Elizabetli Hilliorn, Ji-., in 10 mo. 171(1, a dausrhter of Thomas
and Klizabeth Hill)orn, of Midilletown, Bucks county, Pa.
He appears not to have .joined with the Society of Friends
until after his arrival in this State, as his parents and an-
cestry were in membershi)> with the church of England. He
tot)k active interest in the affairs of the Society, servinjr it
in impoi-fant offices; he also had an interest in political
affairs, beinji: at different limes constable, overseer of the
poor and supervisor of the roads in bis township, and in
1729-30 was Coroner of Chester county.
FARMER AND DOCTOR
Ft is also remarkable of this man as left on record by
the late Dr. \Villiam Darlinyton. n\' West Chester, "That his
agricultural pursuits did not jn-event him fi-om becominir an
extensive and popular i)raetitioner of physic and surtrery
in the reuion roinid about Inm. In those days medical
12.3
schools had not been established in this hemisphere and edu-
cated physicians in the rural districts were few and far be-
tween. Like many of his medical contemporaries he took
the profession in the natural way and was resorted to from
necessity. But tradition assures us that he learned to pre-
scribe with a good degree of skill and judgment, and was
celebrated for his chirurgical dexterity among broken bones
and dislocated joints. His aptitude for these humane offices
seemed to some extent, to become hereditary in the family."
The date of his birth has been fixed as in or before 1690.
He died 2 mo. 9, 1776, and was buried at Birmingham
Friends' graveyard. He was the father of ten children — six
daughters and four sons. Of these our line runs through the
second son, Thomas Darlington, born 1725 ; died 12 mo. 7,
i808. He married Hannah Brinton 1 mo. 25, 1754, a daugh-
ter of Edward and Hannah (Peirce) Brinton, granddaughter
of "William and Jane (Thatcher) Brinton and great-grand-
daughter of William and Jane (Bagiey) Brinton, the emi-
gTants from Nether Gournall county, of Stafford, England.
Thomas Darlington had ten children, of whom nine were
boys. Of these the fourth was Jesse Darlington, born 2 mo.
16, 1762 ; died 4 mo. 26, 1842. He man-ied Amy Sharpless,
10 mo. 4, 1787, who was born 11 mo. 17, 1758; died 1 mo.
3, 1831, a daughter of Benjamin and Martha (Mendenhall)
Sharpless; Benjamin was a son of Joseph and grandson of
John Sharpless, the emigrant who came from Cheshire, Eng-
land, in 1682, and settled near Chester, Pa.
ON THE OLD HOMESTEAD
Jesse and Amy Darlington, after residing in a few other
places, finally settled on the homestead of Amy's grand-
father, which he purchased in 1797. They were buried at
Middletown Friends' grounds. To them were born ten chil-
dren: the ninth child was Jared Darlington, born 8 mo. 15,
1799 ; died 12 mo. 7, 1862. He married ^Marv Dutton 4 mo.
7, 1831, who was born 4 mo. 5, 1808 ; died 12 mo. 27, 1891 ; a
daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Jones) Dutton, of Chi-
chester, this county. This Jared and Mary Darlington were
124
the parents ot" the sut)j(M't ot" this l)ii)Lrrai)hy. 'I'hcy woro
hui-it'd at ("uiiilxTland Ct'inctory.
Tin; mothkr's ancestbv
Of the anci'Stiy of .Mai\- Duttoii, the mother of .lared
Darlington, the foUouiiig is a brief aecount : John and
AFary Dutton. of Overton, in Chesliire, Kngland, were eini-
grants to tliis coimti-y in 1 (iS2 or 1683, and setth'd npon live
hundred aerey of hind, wliich he hatl purehased in Astou
township. There is claimed an ancestry to this John Dut-
ton, of over six hundicd years to oiu* Odard or I'dai-d, wiio
eaiiif iiilo iMigland witli William the ('oni|iieror in l()()(i, and
settled at Dutton, in Cheshire, whence the surname was de-
rived.
To Jolm and ]\Iary Dutton were liorn five children, the
fourth, Thomas Dnttoii, horn in f^ngland 8 mo. (May, o. s.),
1679; died lU mo. (Dee.), 1731. He married Lucy Barnard
in 1701. She was bom 2 mo., 1681; died 10 mo., 1728; a
daughter of Richard and Frances Barnard, of Aston, who
had eome from Sheffield, England.
Thomas and Luey Dutton had iiiiif ehildren, of wliich
the third was Richard Dutton, born 10 mo. 8, 1711; died
2 mo. 18, 1795. He man-ied Mary ^lartin 8 mo. 7, 1733.
She was bom 6 mo. 30. 1711 : died 1 mo. 26, 1782; a daughter
of Thomas and Mary .Martin, of ]\Iiddletown, and her father
was the only son of John and Elizabeth Hvnight) >\Iartin,
emigi-ants from Edgcott, in Berkshire, England.
ACTIVE FRIENDS
Richard and ^lary Dutton were active members of Chi-
chester P^riends' fleeting, and the present house of worship
was either built by him or he was the principal contributor
to the building, as the date stone bears his initials, "R. D.,
1769."
There were seven child i-eii in his family, of whom the
eldest, Thomas Dutton, was born 11 mo. 7. 1734; died 3 mo.
21, 1775. lie married Hannah Routh 2 mo. 13, 1758; a
daughter of Francis and Sarah Routh. They settled at the
homestead of his father, and at the time of the battle of
125
Brandywine she was a widow with five children. Her son
Thomas, then in his ninth year, said he went to school that
morning, but when the booming- of the distant cannon was
heard, the teacher dismissed the scholars, saying : "Go home,
children; I can't keep school to-day."'
There had been seven children born in this family, but
two had died young. Their son Thomas was the fifth child,
born 2 mo. 2, 1769 ; died 9 mo. 12, 1869, having lived to the
unusual age of more than a century. He was thrice married,
first to Sarah Jones 11 mo. 24, 1791, a daughter of John and
Mary (Roland) Jones, of Lower ]\Ierion, ]\Iontgomery county.
She died 7 mo. 24, 1814. They had seven children, of whom
Mary, the youngest, born 4 mo. 5, 1808 ; died 12 mo. 26, 1891 ;
became the wife of Jared Darlington, as heretofore stated.
Thomas Button married his second wife, Amy Trimble, 12
mo. 25, 1816, a widow of Samuel Trimble and daughter of
Isaac and Hannah (Cope) Pim, of East Cain, Chester
county. She was the mother of Dr. J. P. Trimble, a noted
pomologist, late of New York. She was descended from an
old and highly respectable family, who early settled in Ire-
land, whence came her great-grandfather, William Pim, in
1730, to Chester county. She was born 1 mo. 8, 1785 ; died
2 mo. 26, 1825, leaving four children in the Dutton family.
Of these, the eldest, Samuel Dutton. born 11 mo. 16, 1817,
now (1905) resides in IMedia, with remarkable vigor for a
man of his age. Thomas dutton married his third wife, ^lary
Yarnall, 11 mo. 15, 1827, a daughter of William and Sarah
Yarnall, of Thornbury. She died 3 mo. 11, 1857, leaving no
issue, and her death left him again a widower.
A REMARKABLE LIFE
Of this remai'kable man it may be of interest to note
that he learned the tanning trade by a regular apprentice-
ship, after which to establish himself in business, he found a
place on his gi-andf ather 's land in Aston, where he could
conduct the water from a stream to a favorable site and
obtained permission to build. He accordingly erected a
dwelling and tan house. On the latter may be seen a stone
126
/
r
/
inscribed "'\\ I)., 17!*t). " 'I'lir Liijiiiilf.-itlicr somi alter ilccdcd
this site, with two acrt's of hind to liiiii "in consichTatiun
of the natural hive and otfection wliich lir has and do l)ear
unto his uTandsm jitid lor his hrttri- ;i(l\ .ini'cmriit and pn--
fi'i-nicnt in this woi-M. " He a lli-ruai-ds ohtained a consider-
ahh- tcai't of land adjoiiiini;- liv I he will of this same jrrand-
father.
After earryinfj on tliis iMisiness nntil tin- t'ali of 1808,
he was solicited and i-onscntcd to take thr iMana<reinent of a
farm at Tunessassa. in ('attai-aujrns county, X. Y.. under the
charf?e of Friends for the improvement and civilization of
the Indians of the Senecfi Nation, who had a reservation at
that place. He traveled tlicic with his family liy horses and
carriage, wliiih proved an arduous journey, sometimes hav-
ing to lamj) out for the niy:ht. lie remained there four
years, then returned to this county. In 1813 he was appoint-
ed to the stewardship of the Delaware County Almshouse,
and continued in that situation four years. He then resumed
the tanninpr business, and with his usual enerfr>' introduced
a steam enprine into his works, which is claimed to have been
the first stationary enprine established in this county. Vari-
ous were the speculations amonprst his neitrhhors as to the
feasibility of the experiment.
IX WAR DAYS
He possessed an active mind and retentive memory, and
could relate many interestinj; circumstances in his life. He
remembered hearintr the firinjr of cannon on the occasion of
the Declaration of Independence, and could tell of incidents
connected with the Revolutionarv wai\ When the British
soldiers, a few days after the battle of Brandywine, were
encamped partl.v on the Dutton farm, he went boldly up to
the camp and drove the cows home to prevent them from
beinpT killed by the soldiers. An officer seeintr him asked him
if his father was a rebel and whether his lirother had a mm
and what he did with it. There were four soldiers stationed
at the house to guard it and prevent any surprise from rebels
lurking near.
127
Whilst the encampment was still here Thomas and an-
other boy strolled into the camp, when the soldiers, to tease
them, held them prisoners, a little time, telling them they
were going to shoot the old men of the country and hang the
boys ; but they found a friend in the officer before mentioned,
and were soon at liberty.
HIS CENTENNIAL YEAR
On the occasion approaching of the anniversary of his
one hundreth birthday, he was asked if he had any objection
to its being celebrated. After a pause he replied: "I have
no objections, provided it is orderly conducted and, if so, it
will be a credit to me and to you afterwards." So, after
proper arrangements had been made, a numerous company
of his descendants, relatives and friends assembled at his
residence in Aston on 2 mo. 2, 1869, to celebrate the comple-
tion of his one hundredth year of existence. A large tent
had been provided, which, with the house being used to its
full capacity, provided room for those assembled. A pro-
gram of dinner, then speeches, a poem, and concluding with
much social greetings added much to the interest of the oc-
casion; but the most agreeable feature was the taking of a
photograph of the family with the aged patiiarch in the
centre. Over two hundred and fifty persons were assembled.
It was stated that his total number of descendants were
seventy-nine, of whom fift^^-six were living and forty-four
present this daj^
In seven months and ten days after this event Thomas
Dutton departed this life. His remains were buried in Chi-
chester Friends' graveyard, of Avhich meeting he had been
a life-long and very useful member, whilst his charitable
spirit had merited the respect and esteem of all classes of
society. In the domain of politics he had lived, first as a
Colonist, then, imder the first Confederation and for the
greater part of his life, as a citizen of the TJnited States of
America. He had acted according to the best light given
him as a Federalist, a "Whig and a Republican ; but always
with such honor that it is a credit to be his descendant.
128
OPFICKK'S DIHKCToKS
I'lTsidriii A. Kkwis Smith Kkv. I'. II. .Mowuv
1st \'. I'rcs. A. (J. ('. Smiiii .jA.Mh>; W, I Iowaktii
-(I \'. rrt's. I). .M. -loiixsox IIknkv I,. Ukoom \i,t.
'rirasurcr — Kdwaud I[. IIm.i. (tK(ti{<ii; Iv I ).\i{IJN(;ton
Kcc. Sec. — 11. (I. Amimkai) \V. Smai.i.k Johnson
Coi-. See. ('iiAKl.Ks pAl.MF.i;
TWKLKTII ANXIAI. .M IIKTI .\(i
or rriE
DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
WllJi IJE IIKLD AT
INSTiTLTK UAIJ., .MKUIA. I'A.
TIirHSDAV, SHPTKMBER 2()th, 1906
AT FOIK o'clock p. M.
Tilt' ulli(.'L'rs ut' tlio Sorii'ly iur tin.' t.'ii.suiii<; year art' to be
elected and such other business transacted as may projierly
lif l>rou<,'ht before the meeting.
The Society has collected many articles of historical in-
terest relating to Delaware county, and is willing to receive
more of the same cliai'acter for their preservation.
TT. O. ASIIMEAI).
Chester, Pa. Recording Secretary
September 10. 1906.
129
OFFICERS DIRECTORS
President — A. Lewis Smith Rev. P. II. ^Iowry
1st V. Pres. — A. G. C. Smith James W. Howarth
2d V. Pres. — D. M. Johnson Henry L. Broomall
Treasurer — Edward II. Hall George E. Darlington
Ree. Sec. — H. G. Ashmead W. Shaler Johnson
Cor. See. — Charles Palmer
THE
thirteEx\th annual meeting
OF THE
DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
will be held at
INSTITUTE HALL, MEDIA, PA.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th, 1907
AT eight o'clock P. M.
The ofifieers of the Society for the ensuing year are to be
elected. The committee appointed by the Board of Directors
to secure title to the old City Hall property in Chester for
the restoration and preservation of the building will make
its report.
The presence of all members is desired to keep in touch
with the increasing interest in historical matters throughout
the State and nation.
H. G. ASHMEAD,
Chester, Pa. Recordingi Secretary
September 10, 1907.
Chester, Pa., October 4, 1907.
You have been appointed one of the committee of The
Delaware County Historical Society to take measui*es for
the proper celebration, on October 28, 1907, of the 225th
130
jinnivt'rsiifx nl" \\ir hiiuliim" ot" \Villi;iin I'mii at ChcstiT. and
a nuH'ting of this coiiimittee t'oi* oi-Lraiii/atitJii will hi- lirkl in
Coninion Coum-il ('liainli.f, ("ity Hall, ('litvstrr. I'a.. Tluirs-
(lay eveninn" next, tin' liMli insi., ai 7.'!() n'cldck, ami on
the same cvciiiiiti and platr. al >• oChirk, a nifi'tint; uifli the
roprcsentativt'S of all other inten-stt'd bodies desirinj,' to take
part in this eelfluMt mn will \\r held. It' tluTr arf any so-
cieties or bodies in youi- \icinity that should In- invited, an
in\itation will be sent to them i)y sending: word to the niulcr-
sisnied.
('ii.\Rrd-:s; p.\L.Mi;u,
Correspond iiiu Secret ar\',
Delaware ('ount\' Ilistorii-al Societv.
'O'
131
DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
President — A. Lewis Smith '
1st V. Prest.— A. G. C. Smith
2nd V. Prest. — D. M. Johnson
Treasurer — Edward H. Hall
Rec. Secy. — H. G. Ashmead
Cor. Secy. — Charles Palmer
Media, Pa., Oct. 3, 1907.
The twenty-eighth of October coming will be the two
hundred and twenty-fifth Anniversary of the landing of
William Penn at Chester, an advent that has been ot' the
first importance in shaping the destinies of our Common-
wealth as well as of the Federal Government.
A quarter of a century has elapsed since its bi-centennial
observance and a new generation has entered on the stage
of activities.
The Delaware County Historical Society, as an educa-
tional association, believes that one of the essential elements
in the upbuilding of our Nation is the inculcating in the
minds of our youths of a fervent spirit of patriotism and
steadfast loyalty to a representative form of government.
No more appropriate occasion than this anniversary can
be presented for recalling to public view the personality of
that illustrious law giver whose jurisprudence — formulated
far in advance of the age in which he lived — has yet so per-
meated the laws by which we are governed to-day that nearly
every important principle in them may be traced to his great
system or through it to its primary source in the common law
of England. We are having a vast immigration from foreign
shores and largely from countries where our traditions do
not obtain, but to native and foreign born alike, no more
striking example of good citizenship can be found in all
132
liistory lli.iii that of tlic t'oiuuler of our ( "oiumonwcaltli,
vvlu'tlicr of suhmissioii to law oi- of fearless asserticMi of its
jjruaraiitc'cd fiLihts and privilcyos.
Tliis iSoeiety is of llic opinion that the coming? anniver-
sary should he puhli(dy ol)sei'ved hy the people of the eonntv
liotli ;is a nienioi-ial of an event of the utmost moment in our
local annals, and as an inspiration to our citiztMis old and
yountr alike to eheiish a wholesome respect and love for the
Vfiierahle traditions of oui" State and conlidence in the just
administration of its laws.
To this nid ih(» Society requests that you will appoint
I'epresentat ives to eonsidri- witli the coinmitlee apjjointed hy
this Society a projier method lA' ohsei'vain-e of the day. A
ini^etiim" foi' oi"eain/at ion will he held in ('oinmon Coinieil
('haml)er. (jiy Hall. Chester, Pa., on 'riuirsday eveninir.
October Id, lilOT, at 8 o'clock.
Yours verv truly,
.A. LKWIS SMITH,
President of tlie Deiawai'c Connt.x Historical Society.
To Company B.
Chester, Pa.
INS^TATIOXS SENT TO:
Select and Conunon ('ouncils.
School Board of Chester.
Delaware County Chapter, D. A. K.
John I'. .Morton Council, No. 738, O. I. A.
Chester Commandery. Kniirhts Templar, No. 06.
Chester Lodtre of Elks. Xo. 488, B. P. O. E.
Junior Order I'nited American .Alechanics, No. 730.
Patriotic Order Sons of America, Camp 43.
Patriotic Order Sons of America, Camp 281.
AVilde Post. G. A. R., No. 25.
Penn Clul).
New Century Club.
Ladies G. A. P.. Hr. Samuel Stan- Circle.
Board of Trade.
Daughters of the Pevolution.
133
John Brown Post, G. A. R.
Sous of Veterans, John G. Taylor Camp.
Spanish-American War Veterans, Camp Lawton,
Company B, Sixth Regiment, N. G. P., Chester.
Company C, Sixth Regiment, N. G. P., Chester.
Company H, Sixth Regiment, N. G. P., Media.
Society War 1812. Care of Mrs. Marshall.
Post Bradbury, No. 149, G. A. R., Media.
Delaware County Society, C. A. R.
Penna. Society of Colonial Dames of America. Care of
Mrs. A. J. Cassat, Haverford
Concord Grange, P. of H., Ward, Delaware County, Pa.
Lamokin Tribe, No. 80, I. 0. R. M.
Mecoponacka Tribe, No. 266, I. 0. R. M.
Mocaponaca Tribe, No. 149, Imp. O. R. M,
Mocaponaca Council, No. 149, D. of P.
Pennsylvania Military College.
Good will Fire Company.
Moyamensing Hook and Ladder Co.
Hanley Hose Company.
Franklin Fire Co.
Felton Fire Co.
Tuscorora Tribe, No. 29, 0. I. R. M.
134
brii:f SKFTcn of llll fandlncj
OF WILLFAM P! NN
AT ClIKSTKU', 1".\.. I.\ liiMi
WITH >().\IE OF Tin; INCIDKNTS ASSOCIATKD WITH THAT EVENT
PREl'.\K'i:i) \\\ 'YWK lllS'roU'lCAl, ( O.M M ITTKK OP
TIIK CKI.Kr.K'ATIoN (il-" I'lIK ^L'.Vni
AXMNKK'SAKY
ISSUED 15V Till-: COMMITTEE OX ITBLICITV AND PRINTING FOR
FREE DISTRIBl'TloN
CHESTER, PA., OCTOBER 28, 1!)()7
PEXN'S LAXniXG AT CTTESTP:R, OCTOBKR 2S, 1682
On SeptiMiilxM- 12tli. lf)>^2. AVilliani ri'iiii sailed from
Deal in the Wrlcomc on his lirst visit to I'cinisylvania and
the new woi'ld. The ship was a vessel of three hnnilrrd tons,
commanded hy Kohert Greenway, and carried ahont a hnn-
dred passenjrers, mostly Friends from Snssex, Encrlnnd. The
voyaire was leiiLithy, small-j)ox havinir broken ont in a mal-
ignant form on the passajze. On October 24th, the capes of
the Delaware were made, and on the L'Tlh the ship came
to off New Castle, where Penn landed, pi-odni'injj two deeds
made to him by the DiU<e of York for "the town of New
Castle and twelve miles about it, anil also for the two lower
connties." The next (i;i\-, the 2stli, the two attorneys ap-
l)ointed to act for the Duke made ot"ti<'ial transfer of the
territory, the ceremony consistinu: in deliverini; to Penn the
fort at that town, and "also by delivery of tui-f and twisr
and water and soil of the River Dclawai e.'" Then followed
the siLiiiinL;- and acknowledirment of the iniiabitants of New
Castle of ;i plcdLir of obedience to tlie new Lord of the land.
T.atei" Penn in the "Welcome, moved up the river to I'p-
135
land, the present Chester. Evan Oliver, a passenger on the
ship, has left this record: "We came out of Radnorsville.
in Wales, about the beginning of ye 6 mo., '82 & arrived at
Upland, in Pennsylvania, in America, ye 28th of ye 8
month." The landing at Upland was probably late in the
afternoon and was accompanied by no unusual ceremony.
Penn first trod the soil of Pennsylvania at a spot near
the Essex House, the then home of Robert and Lydia Wade.
The dwelling we are told by John F. Watson, in an account
of a visit to Chester in 1827 : ' ' Stood about two hundred
yards from Chester creek, near the margin of the Delaware
and on a plain about fifteen feet above tide water. Near
the house by the river side stood several lofty white pine
trees, three of which remain to the present day, and thence
merging down the Delaware stood a large row of lofty walnut
trees, of which a few still survive. The Essex house had its
south end gable, fronting upon Essex street (the present
Concord avenue above Third) ; its back piazza ranged in a
line with Chester Creek." From the earliest days of Eng-
lish ownership, from generation to generation, had descended
the statement that Penn landed where these pine trees stood
by the river bank, where later a holly tree was planted to
designate the exact spot. Twenty-four years later Mr. Wat-
son makes mention of the holly tree, and we have still living
among us those who can remember that tree.
There is every evidence to establish as a fact that Penn
landed in 1682 at the point which is now marked by the
memorial stone on the north side of Front Street, some yards
east of Penn street.
On November 8th, 1851 — the exact date in corrected
time — the Pennsylvania Historical Society celebrated the one
hundredth and sixty -ninth anniversary of Penn's landing
at Chester. Fifty-six years ago there were still some traces
of the trees under which the Founder made his landing,
although the last of the pines had been uprooted in a violent
gale in Octolier 1846, and the holly tree was dead, but the
mark on the earth showed where they had formerly stood.
At that time — 1851 — John M. Broomall made a survey of
136
the place, near whifh in tlic fnllowinjj year he built thf liousc
now the residence of l)i-. .1. L. I^'oruodd. Kdward A, I'riee,
then a l.id in his teens, assisted .Me. lirooinall in lix-atinj,' the
exaet point of the landinir, and from that data Saiimcl L.
Sniedh'v, City Surveyor of I'liihid('li)liia, inach* the drau<:lit
fixin<r as near as ever can he ih)ne; tlie exact spot where Wil-
liam IVnn landed at Chester, Octoher 28 ((). S.) 1682. two
hundred and twcnty-Hve years a.iyo.
When IVnn reached here momentous news awaited him,
which probably had i-ontrollin-; intlucncr in determininf^ him
in h)catinp: his "(ireen Country Town'". Philadelphia, his
capital city. The siudit of a vessel on the i-iver was so un-
usual at that early ])eriod that Markham, the Deputy Gov-
ernor, was apprised of its appi-oaeh and was present to jrreet
his kinsman and superior.
This was the disquietin? news Markham ha<l to tell. It
was of the long: eontinuinj; bounty disputes between Lord
Baltimore and William Penn. The Kint,' was desirous that
an adjustment of the contention could speedily be reaelied.
and to that end had personally written to Baltimore a letter
which was entrusted to ^Tarkham to deliver. In it he refpiest-
ed Baltimore to ap{)oint agents, who woidd meet others named
by Penn, and. in his opinion, a settlement coidd be easily
affected. .Markham had also a letter from Penn to Baltimore
urpninfr a settlement of the vexations dispute. Col. Mark-
ham had grone to ^Maryland with the intention of meetin?
Baltimore, but he was seized on the jonrney with a danger-
ous disease that for a month confined liim to his room. When
convalescent he decided to return to T'pland. arraufrinir,
however, that Baltimore should meet him at the latter place,
where toirether they would have observations made to deter-
mine precisely where the fortieth deuree of north latitude
was, as a preliminary to an agreement between the two prop-
rietories, ^larkham, when he reached Cpland. had a relapse,
but Baltimore before the date fixed by Markham in his letter
wrote that he could not come to rpland thai year. 1681.
"because of the frost." which made his return ditTicidt.
Later Baltimore appointed June 10th, 1682. at Bohemia
137
Manor, Cecil county, ^Maryland. Markham, in New Yo'*k,
received the letter, at a date named, and at once borrowed
instruments from Col. Morris, which he forwards to New
Castle by a sloop, and hastened overland to meet the Mary-
land Commissioners. In the meanwhile the Maryland Com-
missioners went to New Castle, simply because of "a curi-
osity to see ye town." There they learned that the instr..-
ments borrowed by ]Markham had arrived and they induce!
Capt. Criger to let them try them. This they did on Tues-
day, June 27, 1682, a clear day. and found that the town was
in thirty-nine degi-ees, forty odd minutes, north latitude. On
September 23rd, when Penn in the Welcome had then been
three weeks at sea, Baltimore came to Upland in a barge,
reaching here after night fall. He lodged that night at
Robert Wade's, where :\Iarkham made his home. His lord-
ship was accompanied by his military staff, four commission-
ers and forty men ' ' armed with carbines, pistols and swords. ' '
The next day, Sunday, Baltimore requested that the instru-
ments, his and ^Markham's. be set up— that it might be ascer-
tained how they agreed. ^Markham consented, and they were
set up in the meadow— now the square bounded by Second.
Penn, Third street and Chester creek— but stipulating that
no observations should be taken until the next day, ^Monday.
During the absence of jMarkham and any of his representa-
tives, an observation was made by Baltimore's commissioners,
when it was found that Upland was in thirty-nine degrees,
forty-five minutes.
On Monday, Baltimore demanded that he should be per-
mitted to go up the river until the fortieth degree was reach-
ed. Markham declined to permit it, because Baltimore had
no claim on the river to any land twelve miles above New
Castle, as stipulated in the King's charter to Penn. The
King's charter mattered nothing to him. was his lordship's
reply. He meant to take whatever belonged to him where-
ever he found it. The dispute waxed warm. IMarkham stood
firm but finally agreed to meet Baltimore at New Castle the
next day, Tuesday, and take observations to ascertain where
138
the fortieth piirallel woiikl strike tlie head of ( 'hesapeake
Bay.
In the afternoon of September 29th, Lord lialtiniore left
Upland for New Castle, but before he entered his bartre at
tlie landins,' he spoke in a loud voice to Markhaiii. who with a
number of others had ^fathered in honor of the parting' fruost,
announcing that T^pland was about twelve miles to the south-
ward of the fortieth deijree and declared that he claimed the
town and all the land as far as the fortieth deirrce reached.
Markham nuide no answer but with courteous attention dis-
missed his Lordship. In descending; the river lialtimore
stopped at Marcus Hook, where he landed, and visitinir ever>'
dwelling in the settleiiimt pi-ntiihitt'd the nccupaiits from pay-
ing any more rpiit rents to Penn, that it was his. Baltimore's
territorv; that he would return suddenly and take possession
of his own. This so alarmed the people thereabout that they
came to Upland early the next morning, the ^Oth. The
Council was hastily called together, when it was decided that
Markham must remain in Upland "to quiet the dispirited
people."
This incident took place when Penn was four weeks at
sea, about midway of his first voyage to his province.
All this disquieting news awaited Penn when he landed
at Upland four weeks later. This may account for his calls
for the meeting of the general Assembly at short notice, a
subject that has been an enigma to many historians. The
accident of chance, of which Penn was always prompt to take
advantage, made James Sandeland's ob.jection to the terms
submitted by which Chester was to be the new capital — "The
Green Country- Town", a good shield behind which Penn
could .justify his decision to locate his future principal city
on grounds which was his bevond all cavil.
139
NEW CASTLE AND CHESTER WILL COMMEIVIMO-
RATE TOMORROW 225TH RECURRENCE OF DAY
ON WHICH THE FOUNDER OF PENNSYL-
VANIA FIRST SET FOOT UPON HIS NEW
TERRITORY, TABLET UNVEILING,
PAGEANTRY AND SPEECH-
MAKING
Two cities — New Castle, Del., and Chester, Pa., will
commemmorate the landing of William Penn in America
with appropriate exercises tomorrow. While historians differ
as to the dates upon which the founder of Pennsylvania made
his visit to these places, records in possession of the Delaware
and Pennsylvania Historical Societies indicate that Penn's
ship Welcome arrived off New Castle on the evening of Oct-
ober 27, 1682, that he came ashore the following day, and on
the same day arrived off Upland, as the little settlement of
Chester was then called.
Many bottles of ink and a few reams of paper have been
used in this controversy, which seems to have been the only
war directly caused by the coming of the Quaker governor
of the new commonwealth. Chester annalists make their last
stand in the conflict on this extract from the diary of Evan
Oliver, a passenger on the Welcome:
"We arrived in Upland in Pennsylvania in America ye
28th of ye 10th month, '82."
In New Castle the ceremonies in eommemmoration of the
225th anniversary of the landing will be conducted by the
Delaware Society of the Colonial Dames of America, which
will unveil a tablet that has been placed on the old court
house. This building or that part on which the tablet rests,
was standing when Penn came, and the ceremonies of the
formal transfer of authority took place in the second story
room, now the quarters of a social club.
Laussat R. Rogers, Avhose ancestors settled in Delaware
before the Revolution, designed this tablet, which contains
the following inscription :
140
On the 2iStli <I;iy of October,
1682,
WIIJJAM I'KXX,
tlie Great Proprietor,
proclaimed liis fjoveniment here
oil the (lay of first laiidiiiLT in
tlic Xcw \V(.i-I(l. Ilcrc tlif Dukr
of York's C'umiiiissioiicrs iiirt liiiti
aiul delivered to him the key of
the fort and tin I', twii;- and water,
as symbols of his possession.
Placed hy tlic Dchiwarc Society Colonial
l);un«'s of America, Octohci'
28. inoT.
I'atriotic speeches and historic rcnnniseences will mark
the exercises. The tablet, which is of light gray marble,
4 feet 8 inches long by 3 feet wide, and faces the river, will
be nnveiled by Mrs. V. R. Miller, of Wilmington, president
of the Society of the Colonial Dames of America, who will
make a short speech.
Dr. Joseph Swain. Pi'(>sidcnt of Swarthmore Collefre.
will l)e the oi-atoi- of the ilay, and his address will deal with
the work of Penu and the march of progress since the coming
of the great proprietor with royal authority from the Court
of James II,
Governor Lea and other State officers, .iudges of the
courts, mayors from \aiious Delaware cities and prominent
business men will be i)rcscnt. Among the men to have a
worthy place in the commemmoration will be J. ITenry
Rogers, the rear yard of whose home along the Delaware
includes the landing place of Penn at New Castle. Ilis man-
sion occupies an alley along which the proprietor walked as
he proceeded from the landing to the old court house.
Mr. Rogers, whose home is filled with historic i-elies
and papers, has the original grant from the Duke of York
to Penn of the territory included in the famous 12-mile circle
from New Castle court house. This document, which is in a
141
good state of preservation, hangs in the hall of the Rogers
mansion with other papers musty with age.
CHESTER'S LANDNG DAY
Exercises of a more spectacular character will form the
Penn landing day ceremonies in Chester. The arrival of the
great proprietor will be reproduced with all of the glamour
of a welcome from Indians in full feathered dress and
panoply of the forest. The place where the good ship Wel-
come touched her prow for the first time against Pennsyl-
vania soil is indicated by a memorial stone. The street bears
the name of Penn and at the foot of this historic highway a
large platform has been erected with a setting of a forest
scene, with real cedar and spruce trees.
Penn, who will be personated by Charles Longbotham,
of the postoffice, will be greeted, as soon as he comes up from
the river to the platform, b}' William i\Iarkham, the Deputy
Governor, whose part in the dialogue will be taken by Wil-
liam P. Ladomus, who sustained the same role 25 years ago,
when Chester celebrated the bi-centennial landing of Penn
with great eclat.
Tamanand, head of the tribe of the Lenni Lenapes, who
came from the forest to see what manner of man the Quaker
Governor might be, will be represented in the reproduction
on the stage by J. F. Rhodes. He delivers the most pict-
uresque speech in the entire colloquy and will say to the proxy
of Penn tomorrow that he harbors no jealously. He will put
it in these words:
"When Tamanand Avas a little child there was no white
man in the land. When the white man came he was welcome.
My people gave his venison and corn. The Great Spirit has
brought this Chief here. Tamanand has always been the
friend of the stranger. He can not now make himself a liar.
The great Chief is welcome. We have heard that he is good
and just. The Manitou loves just men. Tamanand had a
vision many summers ago. He dreamed he saw these hills
and valleys covered with white men, many as the sand of the
shore, but he saw no Lenape. At first his heart was hot
142
within liiiii : iIh'II il licciiiiii- ;is tlir licar't ol" a litlli' i-liilil. It
was till' will ol' tilt' .Maiiitdii. 'Plic straiij^'cr is wclcdiiif. It
is the wind ol' llir Maniinii that has hlowii his canoe t(» our
short'.
Ucai" s Meat, auothci- Indian, a chiot" ol' tin; l)('lawar»'s.
in the person of Arthur Anderson, also hids I'enn welcome
and introduces him to all of the hraves of his irihe clustered
in the stage forest.
ANCIKNT I'ULITR'IAX U.MITTKD
iSiugularly enouyh, unless history traduces his name,
iiu part in this dialogue or the welcome extended to the new
Governor was assigned to James Sandelands, who seemed to
have a bigger part in shaping the after annals of Chester
than either Penu or Markham.
Sandelands, whose grave is in Old St. Paul's chureh-
yai'd and whose ancestral tablet stands in the new St. Paul's
Episcopal Church, was the prototype of the now familiar
ward and city boss. In the matter of the disposition of the
minor othces of his day he seemed to have had the shaking
of the pluin tree and he and Penn clashed very early in the
career of the founder of the colony on this side of the At-
lantic.
It is related that Penn intended to make Chester the
seat of government and there build his city, as he was im-
pressed with its location, its access to the sea and large tribu-
tary streams; but as he and the titular boss of the little town
could not come to terms. Penn went 15 or 16 miles further
north and built there a habitation and established a name.
Although more than two centuries have rolled away since
then it has not been decided by historians whether Chester
would have been Philadelpliia or whether Philadelpliia woidd
have been Chester had it not been for the interference of
political bossism in the verv beginning of the Commonwealth's
history; or whether the Philadelphia or the Delaware County
bosses would now be the rulers of tlie big town.
Chester's dramatic reproduction of the Inndiji!,' of Penn
will be followed by a very pretty ceremony. This will be
143
the march of the boys and girls of the public schools around
the Penn memorial stone, and each pupil will throw a flower
upon the base.
If there is a call for a speech by Governor Stuart from
the crowd, and it is taken for g-ranted that there will be, he
will deliver a short address, but his speech is set down for
the evening exercises. The Governor will review the military
and civic parade that will immediately follow the landing
episode.
Colonel Frank G. Sweeney, Inspector General of the Na-
tional Guard of Pennsylvania, will be marshal of the parade,
which will contain floats showing exhibits of , the mills.
Roach's shipyard will show a model of the steamship City of
Tokio, which was drawn in the parade twenty-five years ago.
Exercises will be held in the public schools in the morn-
ing, when an address will be made to each school, while a bi-
centennial ode, written by Professor Charles F. Foster,
twenty-five years ago superintendent of the city schools, will
be sung. The music was composed bv Professor John R.
Sweeney, now dead.
144
PKXX CELKBRATION AND COVF.RN'c^K' S \ISIT
Tlic (jovcniKi- was loudly ai)|)I.'Ui(liMl as he finished his
speoi'li. The ('hildi"t'ii imitcd in siiiLriiivr patriotic sonars with
Miss Fanny Mcliill as volnnteor pianist. Tlirn the drama
was onactcd and Scnatoi" Sproul intiodnccd Konnor Mayor
.loliii L. Forwood, who lives neai-ci- thr phH-c wIi.'it I'niii first
trod on l't'iiiisyl\;inia soil ttiiin an_\- ottirr man. Dr. For-
wood in his address said that William Penn came iiero leav-
inj; a conntry friiitfnl with wai's whei-e the ix'ople endnred
religious persecntions. Tlu'ir lands were stolen and their
liherfy was restriefed. AVilliaiii Penn. a f^food. lil)eral-hearte<l
man, came to the shores of the Delaware and says to the
savages. "We eome as men of peace and will compensate you
for all we cret." William Pe.nn inansurated the prineiples
of eivil and relijrious freedom, and this is the first point
where he ever offered peace and eivil and relifrions liberty
to men. The principles in his grovernment were almost the
same as we have now. Tie was one hundred years ahead of
his time. He found at T^pland a scattered settlement of 300
people and said to them, "Ye shall he froverned hy laws of
your own makinp:. "
THE DRAMATIC FEATT'RE
The enactment of the drama of the landing of William
Penn and the conference with the Indians when the visitors
sat on the shore and smoked the pipe of peace with the red
men and made the first solemn pledge with the natives of the
Western Hemisphere, artistically and cleverly presented, crave
a lastinpr impression of the great historical event. Arranged
and carried into execution in a manner that appealed hofh
to the children and to the older members of the audience, it
portrayed the memorable scene in a very impressive style,
render the direction of Deputy Collector of the Port John .1"
Hare, the characters in the drama performed their individual
146
and collective parts in a manner befitting professionals
although they had rehearsed but once.
Charles Longbotham, Jr., took the part of William Penn
and he well showed that he was capable of representing the
great Quaker upon his first arrival on the shores of the prov-
ince of Pennsylvania. His manner was suggestive of the
Friends of the days Avhen the good ship Welcome sailed up
the Delaware and pointed its prow toward the village of Up-
land.
William P. Ladomus acted the part of Governor JNIark-
ham, greeting Penn upon his landing in his new possessions
and extending a welcome to him and the crew. He fulfilled
all the requirements of the difficult role. J. T. Rhoades, as
Chief Tamanand, was a typical Indian chief and by his
adroit wa.ys left the children impressed with the idea that
they had looked upon a real redman.
The parts in the cast were taken by the boys of Chester
High School and in every particular they carried out the
work which had been assigned to them. The drama was
smooth from beginning to end and in every way reflected
credit upon the participants. The characters were:
On the Good Ship Welcome — William Penn, Charles
Longbotham, Jr.; Captain Greenaway, William E. Howard;
Members of Crew — Sailor Wilmer P. Dutton ; Quaker, John
R, Helms ; John Sharpless, James N. Farson ; Sailor, William
W. Stainton ; John Stackhouse, Robert S. Stainton : Evans
Oliver, Samuel H. Stevenson.
Indian Welcoming Part}^ — Chief Tamanand, J. T.
Rhoades; Chiefs, Arthur D. Anderson, John M. Daniels,
George L. Armitage, W^alter R. Reinhardt, Albert Enion;
Braves, Mervin R. Turk, Lesley G. Luckie ; Chief Brave Clif-
ford H. Peoples; Braves, A. Walter Lorenz, Frank Whittam.
Swedish Party and Others at Upland — Governor Mark-
ham, William P. Ladomus; James Sandelands, R. Lesley
Taylor; Robert Wade, Edward S. Cochrane; Junian Kynn,
Frank R. Clough ; Johann Steele, George S. Enion : Neals
Lanon, Chester A. Baker; Neals Mattson, Alfred C. Cramp;
146
Nirlinlas Walm, D.-iuiM I'. Thompson; CImrk'S Jansen, Harry
L. Unwell.
Changes from the oriirinal proLrrjiin of twenty-live years
ago wlieii tlio bi-centcniii:tl celebration was held, were re-
(inired in llf i)ro.uTaiii of the drama and lliese were cleverly
made l.y Director John .1. Hare. The other members of the
eoiiimittee on the landin- exereisos were: llaiTy D'i-lsta.
Edwanl Dickcison. WiHiiiin M. Pow.-l. Kdw;ird Nothnagle,
.1. ( ■,•;,!-, Jr., Williatn Ward, dr., d. Irvin Taylor, Walter S.
Bieklcv, Wesley S. .M(d)ow.-ll, Lewis P.. Lawtcm, A. K.
Granger, Joseph DeSilvei", J. Pearee Howard, Walter Turner
and John McClure.
THE EVENING 1'R0GRA:\I
CliREMOXIKa JX THE THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND
THE SPEAKERS
The linal services of the day attending the celebration
of Penn's landing took place last evening in the Third Pres-
byterian Church, where a fine audience listened to addresses
concerning the distinguished founder of the commonwealth.
A. Lewis Smith, president of the Delaware County Historical
Society, presided and after a medley by an orchestra Gov-
ernor Stuart was presented and made a short, but interest-
ing and appropriate address.
"Celebrations of this kind," he said, "are important
and impress the importance and gi'owth of the State upon
the people. The increase in this respect in the old common-
wealth has been tremendous not only in pi-oduction, but in
population. Penn brought with him the .luestion of civil
and religious liberty. The governor spoke of the thousands
of people coming to this country and state to embrace this
liberty and he said forcefully that all should be made to
know'when they come that they may enjoy civil and relicrions
147
liberty regulated by law. The people from foreigii shores
are as welcome now as they Avere 100 years ago, but they
must bow the knee to the majesty of the law. None are so
poor or so humble but they are entitled to its protection."
Prof. Isaac Sharpless, president of Haverford College,
was the next speaker. His address was as fine estimate of
William Penn and of the great commonwealth which he built
up. He touched on its development and of its influence on
the country in years gone by and at the present day. He
spoke of liberty, which always means conservatism, said thai
free institutions bring free thought, which is the only atmos-
phere in which science can flourish. The paper was a polish-
ed and interesting one and from this fact the Times will pub-
lish it in full in another edition.
Garnett Pendleton, Esq., president of the Cambridge
Trust Company, took the place of Judge William B. Broom-
all and made a decidedly polished address. He likened
Penn to Roger Williams, of Rhode Island, and said that Penn
was more than the vastly portly gentleman as h*' usually" is
described. He was learned and an orator withal. He was
a man of character, decision and immovable convictions. He
was a self-made man, just as Roosevelt and Washington were
self-made. He then outlines his relations with George Fox,
founder of the religious sect Iniown as the Society of Friends,
and of his father's opposition to the young man's religious
convictions.
Immediately after the remarks of President Sharpless,
Governor Stuart, Senator Sproul and their party left the
church and were driven to the Pennsylvania station, where
the chief executive of the State boarded a train for Philadel-
phia.
On the platform besides those mentioned were: Rev.
A. L. Lathem, pastor of the Third Church, who offered the
invocation ; Mayor Samuel R. Crothers. Frederick A. Howard,
Henry Graham Ashmead, Joseph R. T. Coates, George M.
Booth, Rev. Frank P. Parkin, pastor of ^Madison Street
Methodist Church.
148
.JORDAN'S .MKHTlNd TIOI'SK
WHERE W 1 1, 1. 1 AM I'ENN WAS A KEiill.AIt W( HtSlI ll'I'EK
Two ('(Miturii's aj,'i) when tin- imii-conformers were per-
secuted in lOn-rland tliey sou^'lit shelter in the wihh'rness of
rural Knu'lantl, wliei-e tlicy i-oiild woisliip (iod ueeordinj^ 1;»
the dictates of their eonseienee. Denied the privilege of re-
liirious freedom hy the law, they drifted to the more unsettled
parts of HuliIiiikI. whcrr they set up tlieir houses of worship,
lived tlu'ir livt's of rcli.uious simplicity, liappy in the tho»i;^ht
that they were serviuir the Lord in their own way and with-
out the eontaniinatin<r iuHuence workinp: as an undercurrent
in London and the cities and larjre towns.
AVith their settlements in the country districts the first
thought of the pilffrim hands was to erect meetin^r houses
where they would gather to worship. Chief amontr this class
of non-conformers were the Quakers, members of the S(MMety
of Friends, men of peace, yet denyini,' the power of the man-
made laws over their souls.
A colony of Quakers drifted back a distance from Stoke
Pajris, and slieltei-ed l)y the growing forests they built their
meetint; house and worshipped, far away from the strife and
dissension of reli.srious warfare. Here still stands Jordan '^
IMeetinsr House, a small, but strong and sturdy structure,
where William Penn, the founder of the State of Pennsyl-
vania, bci'ame a member of the band of worshippers, liaek
of the meeting house is the burial gi'oinul in use two centur-
ies ago and long since having been closed to further use. It
is here that William Penn is buried.
In the church, the old uncomfortable benches with one
rail for a back are still used, being the same as during the
time of William Penn. According to the usage of the Quak-
ers or Friends originall.v. no stones or marks for gi-aves were
permitted, although soTue time back tombstoues for Penn. his
two wives and ten children, and others of the Penn family
were placed.
149
THE LANDING OF PENN AND THE
GOVERNOR'S VISIT
WET WEATHER MARRED TO SOME EXTENT THE PROGRAM OF THE
DAY, BUT THE EXERCISES CONDUCTED WERE OF A MOST
INTERESTING CHARACTER AND INCLUDED A
PARADE OF THE P. M. C. CADETS AND
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE SPOKE AT THREE MEETINGS
Defying the Storm King, who raged and raged and
threatened to engulf the city in a flood, the citizens of Ches-
ter and the school children, with Governor Edwin S. Stuart
and other notable visitors as their guests, celebrated the two
hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the landing of Wil-
liam Peun, at Chester, yesterday with all due ceremony and
on the stage was enacted the scene of the landing of the
proprietor of the province with each of the principal char-
acters represented in typical costume. Not until after 2
o'clock in the afternoon was it decided to abandon the parade
of the school children because of the downpour of rain.
Early in the afternoon the school children, anxious to par-
ticipate in the celebration, assembled in the schools of the
city and crowds gathered at the Larkin School, near the place
which was scheduled for the starting of the parade. Each
child carried a flag and sashes for the leaders of the various
schools reposed on a shelf in the office of Superintendent Cole
not to be disturbed for the afternoon. "The best-laid plans
of mice and men oft gangawry," said the great Scotch poet,
and the expression was forcibly illustrated yesterday for the
plan for the parade and outdoor observance had been ar-
ranged to a nicety, but when the Weather ]\Ian got in his
dread work, nothing was left but a complete revision of the
program and this was carried out wdth gusto and effect and
with but a few disappointments.
150
Throngs gatlu-ri'd at tlic I't'iiiisylvania Railioail station
at Sixth street early in tlie aftt-rnoon, awaitiiiLC the arrival
ol" Governor Stuart and liis i)arty. Wlu-u tin- train rolled
into the station preeisely at 2.21 oCltM-k. the streets adjoin-
iug the station were crowded witli propli' anxious to see the
Governor of the Conwnonwealth <>f wiiirli I'.nn was tlic first
proprietor. Governor Stuart was met al tiir station hy State
Senator William ('. Sproul whose guest lie was at the hitter's
eountry home, Lai)idea Manor, during his stay in the city.
Accompanying Goveriior Stuart t'lnm Ilai-rishurg, was
his secretary, A. B. Miller. At the train, besides State Sen-
ator Sproul, was a party of prominent men to meet the Gov-
ernor and to act as an escort to liim. Included in the Gov-
ernor's party were Congressman 'riiouias S. I'>\itlcr. of West
Chester; Mayor Sannicl K. Crothers, Col. F. G. Sweeney, In-
spector General of the National Guard of Pennsylvania: II.
Graham Ashmead, historian of Delaware County; Col. Wil-
liam G. Price, of the Third Regiment: William B. Harvey,
Attorney of Chester: Edward G. Glausei-. of Chester, and
Joseph ^lessick. of Chester.
In marching order the cadets of the Pennsylvania Mili-
tary College were lined up on Pennsyhania avenue awaiting
the Governor and when he passed they presented ari'
Governor stopped to witness the drill of the cadets and bowed
as he passed. The cavalrv squad was with the infantry.
Also, in line to meet the Governor was the inarching
sqnad of Charter Oak Camp. No. 5806, Modern Woodmen of
America, each man carrying the tyjiical axe. .\ small dele-
gation of John ^Morton Council, 0. I. A., were in the parade
and although small in number made a good appearance.
The Felton Fire Company li;i<l received notice that the
parade had been called off and nltlionirh word was sent to
them later that they were desired to act as an escort to the
Governor, the company arrived too late and were marchincr
on different streets when the procession pa.sscd. ^lembers
of the nnlitia were to have taken part in the jiaradc, but when
they were informed that the parade had been called off thev
were not on hand to greet the Governor.
151
The Pennsylvania Military College cadets were one hun-
dred and forty-six strong, sixteen of these being in the
cavalry squad in charge of Lieutenant Frank Hyatt, Captain
Brautigani was commander of the cadets. Later in the day
when the Governor alighted from his carriage at the Larkin
School he stopped a moment and addressing the Pennsyl-
vania Military College boys thanked them heartily for greet-
ing him and highly complimented them on the appearance
they had made and the excellence of their drills.
With the First Regiment Band, of Philadelphia leading,
the procession moved from Penns.ylvania avenue to Market
street, to Third, to Penn, to Front. Upon arriving at Front
and Penn streets the cadets gave a drill, in honor of the Gov-
ernor, a well executed movement. Crowds at that point
watched for the Governor and when he and those who accom-
panied him in the barouche alighted, there was a prolonged
cheer. The Governor's party marched to the spot supposed
to have been the one where Penn first trod the soil of his
province and looked at the marking stone at that point. Then
walking over the platform erected for the dramatic presenta-
tion, the party returned to their place in the line and the
parade proceeded up Penn street to Seventh, East on Sev-
enth to Edgmont avenue. North on Edgmont avenue to Broad
street, East on Broad street to the Larkin school, where the
procession halted.
152
LARKTN SCHOOL MX i:K( ISKS
addressed; li\ SKXATOK S1'1{(M:L, (iOVKKN'oK S'lTAKT AND
i>l<. J. L. KOKVVUOl)
(jovcnior lOilwiii S. Stiuirt was i,'ivfu an ovation yester-
day afternoon hy 1. ">()() pnhlie and parochial school children
in the assemlily foom of the l.arkin l)nildinL!:. He was accoin-
j)anied liy a (lcl("_;;ii ion of citizens and as soon as he stepped
npon the platform, eheer after clieer i-cnt the air and it was
fully live ininutes before sufficient order eould he restored
so tliat Senator William C. S|)r()ul could inti'oduce him. The
noise finally subsided and the Senator presented the Gov-
ernor as the successor of William I'enn, thou.u'h not the im-
mediate successor. "Chester, the oldest town in Pennsyl-
vania, has within its borders today the governor of the Com-
monwealth. He is here to icpresent the State that I'enn
founded,"" said the Senator.
Governor Stuart addres.sed llie audience as the "school
children of the city of Chester," aiul assured them of his
pleasure in beinu" present, declaring that thou<,di it is (|uite
a while since he attended scliool, it does not seem such a Ion?
time. "I am sure," said the speaker. "If my predecessor
(referring: to Penn). could see this thronjcj he would realize
what a gvo-dt thins- he has done in buildinsr this common-
wealth." lie then told a story that captured the boys and
girls and there was hearty laughter.
The Chief Executive further declai-ed that upon the
public school .system of this State and this country depends
the perpetuity of the Republic. The State has appropriated
$ir),OOU,000 in money foi- its schools, which is the largest it
ever has appropriated, and eveiy cent of it is worthy the
cause. At this point the Governor took occasion to thank
Senator Sproul for the opportunity of lieinir present. "The
Senator", continued the speaker, "had the pleasure of vot-
ing for that appropriation.
"The future is before you. boys and irirls. Tt depends
on you what use you make of it. Boys and L'irls nni.st have
153
time to play as well as study ; but while you play, play ; while
you study, study, while you are here iu the school room pay
attention to what your teachers tell you.
"Aside from the respect you owe your parents, the great-
est obligation is to youi- teachers. There is no greater re-
turn to the State from any money it spends than from that
appropriated to the teachers.
"Pay no attention to the men who say that there are no
opportunities. If you devote yourself to your studies, there
is no ambition you desire that you may not attain."
In closing. Governor Stuart expressed the hope that he
may soon again be able to meet those assembled.
Major Joseph R. T. Coates, of the General Committee,
acted as presiding officer, and after the governor concluded,
he introduced Dr. Jonathan L. Forwood, former ]\Iayor of
Chester. He spoke of Penn's coming to Chester not because
he was oppressed by kingly tyranny, but to found a new com-
monwealth. He paid an interesting tribute to the great
founder.
Ogiesby's band was stationed at the entrance to the as-
sembly room and acted as musical accompaniment for the
children, who sang with much enthusiasm the bi-centennial
hymn, "Through a Hundred Years of Toil and Strife,"
"America", and similar patriotic airs, led by Miss Vida St.
Clair Smith, one of the teachers.
Prior to the coming of Governor Stuart and his escort
of citizens and cadets from the P. M. C, the children from the
schools in the M'estern section were transported to the Larkin
building by way of the Chester Traction Company. These
included the Immaculate Heart Parochial School, St.
Michael's Parochial soon followed in charge of Thomas J.
Ross, an active member of that church. There were many
favorable comments on the assemblying of both religious
schools with the public school pupils, an occurrence seldom
seen.
Among those awaiting Governor Stuart's arrival ai the
Larkin school, were Prof. Thomas S. Cole, superintendent of
the City schools; Prof. A. Duncan Yocum, former superin-
154
It'iidciit ; Prof. Clijirlrs !•'. l-'dstcr, ol' I'liiladrlpliiii, siipt'riii
tt'iuk'iit l'(ir L'T \c;irs: .Majoi- Joseph K. T. ("oatcs, (icorirc .M.
liootli, I'rof. S. ('. Millci', ot" tile lijirkiii Scliiinl ; Secretary
AVilliaiii .M. IJdveii, ol' tlir I'.iuiid of lliliirai inn ; At teiitlauee
Officer 'I'lioiiias 11. lliiiiii)lii-t'ys. ('h.ii-lrs I'aliner, l*]si|., I'resi-
(Iciit W'l'slev S. Mel )(i\\('ll. Ill' tlif Scliii.il li(iai-(l: Directors
John Xessciit h;ili'r, llliciiezer .Murray, I'Miiiri- K'riiiiie, Ilariy
S. McCoy, Arthur Koed. J. lr\ in Tax hn-, (ieor'^e \V. SdiofieM ;
al.so Kov. Joseph 'riinmins.
I )iiriii.i.;- the exercises Hiram Hathaway. Jr.. who was upon
the [)latf()rin, approached rTovenuu- Stuart, and exhil)ited a
cane, with a liuckhorn haiulle, one owned by lion. Hillary
Baker, a former Mayoi- of IMiil.idclphia. The (Jovernor ex-
hibited Lireat intei'est in it. Lawyei' Ilatliaway stated that
.Mayor Baker was an ancestor and that the cane has t)een in
the fannly about a hundred years.
Besides the children there were many «rro\vn folks who
crowded into the auditorium to witness the mor(> or less im-
promptu exei'cises.
Congressman Thomas S. jluth'r, an old I'rieiid ot' tlie
people in Chester, was amonir those who sat upon the plat-
form and he was crreetcd by scores of prominent citizens.
The House of Refuo-e Band came to this city for the
parade, l)ut was returned to the institution after it was an-
nounced the parade was off. Prior to going to their destin-
ation, the 45 musicians were entertninod at lunch by the
General Committee.
GUESTS OF PRP]SIDENT BOOTH
George M. Booth, Es((., president of the Fii-st National
Bank, entertained at his home on Broad Street, President A.
Lewis Smith, of the Delaware County Historical Society, and
President Isaac Sharpless, of Haverford College. They were
the speakers at the evening meeting at ttn' Third Presby
terian church, and had but a shoii distance to .iro from Mi-.
Booth's home to the chuicli.
Mr. Booth gave a gi*eat deal of attention to the Glen Mills
Band which caine to play in the parade. He saw that tliey
were safely returned to the institution.
155
A RECORD OF THE MEETING
The addresses made at the Third Presbyterian chvireh
under the direction of the Delaware County Historical
Society, were reported stenographically for the society and
will be preserved in the archives of that body. It was the
secretary of that organization, Henry Graha^n Ashmead, who
suggested the celebration. The remarks of the speakers be-
come history, therefore, and it was thought best to havp them
preserved. William B. Northam, Esq., did the work.
THE EVENING EXERCISES
State Senator Sproul will preside at a public meeting
to be held in the Third Presbyterian Church tomorrow even-
ing. The speakers will be Governor Stuart, Isaac Sharpless,
President of Haverford College, and Garnett Pendleton,
President of the Cambridge Trust Company, of Chester, and
member of the Delaware County bar. A chorus will sing the
bi-centennial hymn. The originator of the 225th anniversary
celebration is Henry Graham Ashmead, the Delaware County
historian, who was one of the leading spirits in the bi-centen-
nial exercises in 1882. ■
Although Chester has some very old buildings standing,
all of the houses built before the coming of Penn and with
which he was associated have been torn down. He was said
to have been the guest of Caleb Pusey in what is now the
borough of Upland, and this house, which stands near Ches-
ter Creek, is kept in very much of its original state by the
Crozer family. There is some dispute as to the date of its
erection, but the commonly accepted year is 1683, one year
after the coming of Penn. The building in which Penn or-
ganized his first assembly has long since been a thing of the
past, for it was torn down more than a century ago. The
house of Robert "Wade, by whom Penn was entertained wheii
he arrived, and the Boar's Head Inn, where he was also a
guest, have likewise gone out of existence. Houses built dur-
ing Penn's governorship are still standing.
156
FKIKXD.S" .MKHTLNli AN INTHKESTI .\< i ().\i:
PROMINENT Sl'EAKKliS KKLATK SOMK INSTIU'CTIVK HISTORY
CONNECTKl) WITH THE L.IKE OK WII.I.IAM I'KNN
Sfr\UH's at l''ricii(ls' .Mct't iiii;' mi Miiikcl Stret't wi-ri' t)i"
unusual interest pertainiiiL;- to tlie 22.')tli auiiiversury of the
laiuliui: lit' William I'l'uu. Tlie iiiret iiit: was larj;ely atteii(le<l
ami several \isit(»is were prrsrnt, altiarird liy the event now
being eomniennnorated in the city. The speakers were
Alfred 11. Love and Lukcns Webster, of IMiiiadelpliia ;
Samuel S. Ash, Swarthmoi'e. Amanda Devo, of New York.
Allusion was made in the different addi'esses to the "Holy
Hxperiment" of Tenn. An etfort in founding a new eolony
liere on tlie shores of the Delaware wherein peace and tolera-
1 ion miLilit be leadiiiL; features was his ideal and the principles
which I'eiiii inculcated in the early histd'y of the State es-
tablished freedom and lii)erty.
The letter William Peiui wrote to liis wife and children
on leaving them in England, when lie was about to sail in
the ship *'AVelcoine". was read in the First-day School l>y
Sarah H. Flitcraft. It is considered one of the most beautiful
specimens of soft and mellow English, most affectionate and
touching ei)istles ever written, as is also his letter to the
Indians so frequently cpioted. <>iie of the speakers referred
to the mothei" of Penu as a woman of sterlimr. peaceable
qualities, a Christian parent, wlio impres.sed her boy in youth
with goodness and virtue by mastering him in the admonition
of the Lord, his father was associated with warriors. Wil-
liam 7^'Tln was reared under such conditions and was con-
verted to the Friends' belief by the preaching of Thomas
Loe, afterwards he had to lay aside his sword and became an
advocate of peace. He was a Quaker of the Fox and Whit-
tier type and traveled extensively in spreading the Gospel.
To the Tndiajis he was a hero of peace ami love and they
would not dare to take up anns against him. The First-Day
157
School exercises after meeting continued the lesson of Penn's
life and several speakers told the children of incidents con-
nected with it, accompanying their remarks with counsel
fitting the occasion.
OFFICERS DIRECTORS
President — A. Lewis Smith Rev. P. H. Mowry
1st V. Pres. — A. G. C. Smith James W. Howarth
2d V. Pres. — D. M. Johnson Henry L. Broomall
Treasurer — Edward H. Hall George E. Darlington
Rec. Sec. — H. G. Ashmead W. Shaler Johnson
Cor. Sec. — Charles Palmer
the
FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING
of the
DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
will be held at
INSTITUTE HALL, MEDIA, PA.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, 1908
AT EIGHT o'clock P. M.
The officers of the Society for the ensuing year are to be
elected. Delaware County has been the scene of operation
of numerous important events and will doubtless furnish
many more in the future. It is the purpose of our Society
to develop interest in these matters among our citizens, many
more of whom might be willing to be enrolled as members
with us.
H. G. ASHMEAD,
Chester, Pa. Recording Secretary
September 10. 1908.
158
K'KPOHT OF AI'I^ITOUS A l'Pn!\'n:i ) To AI'DI'I' Till';
ACCOINTS OK i:i)\VAi;i) 11. HALL, 'I'KKASI Ki;U
OF TllF DFLAWAU'l'] ColN'IA' lllSToKh'AL
SOCIK'I'V
SEl'TKMHKR 24lll, 1 !)08
Media. F;i.. Scpt.'iiilM'r 24tli. I'.MIS
'I'd the I'lH'sitk'Ut, ofticers ami ineiiilxTs of the Dt'IawaiT
(iMiiitN- Historical Society,
\Vc till' im(l(M'siy:iie(l auditms ai)poiiitf(l to audit tlio ar-
i.'ounts of Kdward II. Il.ill, 'ri'casuiTr .f .said Association,
respectfully make report, that we have this day met for the
purpose of our appointment and have duly examined said
accounts and tind the same to be correct and true. Tliat the
said Treasurer has received since the last audit of the account,
July nth. li)0(;. the sum of $362.4r)
Saitl amount includinir a former balance of $171.39
That he has paid out on proper and duly authorized
orders the sum of 14().ir)
Leaviui; a balance in his hands of $216.30
which appears to be deposited in the Media Title and Tiust
Company to his account as Treasurer.
Your auditors beg leave to recommend some chanszes in
the keepiuf; of the accounts of the Association so that it may
be readily ascertained what amount is owinjr to the Associa-
tion for unpaid dues. The present practice seems to be that
the accounts with members for dues, is kept by the Secretary,
and the bills are sent out by him. These bills are made pay-
able to the Treasurer. We think a better practice would be
for the accounts witli members to be kept by the Treasurer,
and the bills for dues to be sent out by him and made payable
to the Secretary, and that the Secretary at stated intervals,
turn over all moneys received by him. with a statement of
from whom received, to the Treasurer, ami charj^insj the
Treasurer therewith, and also credit the account of the
159
Treasiu'er with any orders that may be issued in payment of
bills, &c. By this system the accounts of the Secretary and
Treasurer should agree ; one would be a check upon the other,
and it would also enable the Treasurer to ascertain and re-
port to the Association the exact amount owing by the mem-
bers for dues. With the adoption of such a system we would
also recommend that the audit by the Auditors include the
audit of both the Treasurer's and Secretary's accounts.
Respectfull}^ submitted,
HORACE P. GREEN,
CHAS. S. WELLES,
CLARA B. MILLER,
Committee
160
DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAI
SOCIETY
ORGAN IZKI) IN IS!).-)
President — A. Lewis Smith Rp;v. I'. II. Mowuv
1st V. I'res. — A. (i. C. Smith .Ia.mks \V. Hovvarth
2d V. l*res. — D. M. .IdiixsoN IIkxry L. Ruoomall
Treasurer — Edwakd II. Hall Gp:ok(jk K. I)\klinut(jn
Ree. See. — II. G. Ashmead W. Shallk .Ioiixson
Cor. Sec. — Charles Palmer
the
FIFTEENTH ANNl'AL :\IEF/nNG
OF THE
DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
WILL BE HELD AT
INSTITUTE HALL. IMEDIA. PA.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, '09
AT FOUR o'clock P. M.
The officers of tlie Society for the ensuinu: year are to bp
elected.
The presence of all the niciubers is earnestly desirctl in
order to keep in touch with the increasing interest in historical
matters.
Contributions of articles of historical iiitn-est will lie ac-
ceptably received by the custodian, Charles PalnuT, No. 12
E. ."ith street, Chester, Pa.
H. G. ASIDIEAD,
Chester, Pa. Recording Secretary
September lU, 19U9.
161
MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY HELD
THE PAST YEAR
The Annual meeting' of the Delaware County Historical
Society was held Thuisday evening, September 17, 190!S, at
8 o'clock, in Institute Hall, Media. President A. Lewis Smith
in the chair. The minutes of the preceding" meeting were
read and approved. The report of the Council held Thurs-
day evening, September 17. IHOS. was read and approved.
The report of the Treasurer, E. II. Hall, was read and ap-
proved.
The report of the Special Committee on the acciuisition
of the Old City Hall. Chester, was submitted. The Chairman
thereof made an additional verbal report in which he express-
ed the belief that if the tinances of the State would warrant
it, it M'as very possible that the Act for the purchase and
preservation of the ancient building would receive leg:islative
and executive approval, but the wliolc matter would depend
upon the financial condition of the Commonwealth to justify
such an expenditure. The Governor would not approve the
measure, even if it passed the Legislature, if the State could
not afford it. On motion the Committee was continued and
directed to renew its efforts to have the Act passed by the
General Assembly of the Session of 1909.
It lieing the time for the Annual Election of officers for
the ensuing year, the following ticket was unanimously elect-
ed: — President, A. Lewis Smith; 1st Vice President, A. G.
C. Smith ; 2nd Vice President. D. ^1. Johnson ; Treasurer, E.
H. Hall ; Recording Secretary, H. G. Ashmead ; Correspond-
ing Secretary, Charles Palmer. Directors — James "\V. How-
arth, Henry L. Broomall. Rev. P. H. Mowry, W. Shaler John-
son, Geo. E. Darlinorton.
A paper on "Two Graves," that of George Graham in
Westminister Abby. and of William Graham in Friends'
Grave Yard. Chester, and a brief notice of the Graham family
in Delaware county was read by H. G. Ashmead. Then fol-
lowed a general discussion as to the best means of arousing
162
public interest in the atVairs of the society, jiikI how t> t"oi'uai-(|
tills olijcct. Adjounifd.
II. (i. ASIIMKAI).
Sfcri'tary
A iiict'tiim of tlie Society was licld .lime L'4, 19U!) in the
Hifjh School Buildiim, at Chester, at which papers were read
by Gaiiiett Pendleton, Ks<|., mi llem-y (Jriiru's Weston, and
hy II. (i. Ashniead, on ■('hester as WashiiiLiton saw it in
1789."
LIST OF .MK.MHKK'S
Ashniead, II. G.
Booth, George M.
Booth, Ellen M.
Brewer, Emma
Broomall, Henry L.
i^rooiiiall, Hon. Wm. B.
Bnntin;^:, George .M.
Bnnting, ^Morgan
Callahan, .lolui 1*.. dr.
Campbell, Col. Janu's A.
Cheyney, Horace L.
Cochran, A. A.
Cochrane, Gen. Henry C.
Cresson, Annie II.
Crozer, ^Irs. J. Lewis
Crozer, Samuel A.
Crozer, John P.
Crozer, ]\Irs. John P.
Cutler, George L.
Cutler. :\rary D.
Dalmas, Louis
Palton. Andrew J.
OarlinLrton. Georsre E.
Hiekinson, O. B.
Eekfeldt. Anna S.
Elickwir, Mary Gardiner
Flickwir, Helen Graham
Flickwir, Sallie
Fox, Margaret C.
Fryer, James
Geary, Alexander B.
Green, Horace P.
GritiKth, Mrs. E. C.
Hall, Edward H.
G. Ilan-js. En;)n M.
Harrison, Frank W.
Harvey, Kate B.
Hathaway, Hiram, Jr.
Hawley, Mrs. Joseph
Hihberd, Bertha
Ilinkson, Joseph H.
Howard. Frederick A.
llowarth. James "\V.
Hyatt, Col. Charles E.
Hutchinson, Fi'ank E.
Irving, D. Edwin
Irving. ^Irs. D. Edwin
Jefl'eris, Dr. D. W.
Johnson. David M.
•Tolmson, W. Shaler
163
Johnson, Mrs. W. Slialer
Jones, Edmund
Kruse, Rev. Win. Tenton
Lewis, Sarah B.
Leys, Rachel P.
Lloyd, M. Jeannette
MacFayden, Dr. John
McDonough, John E.
Mendenhall, J. Howard
Mercur, Mrs. J. "Watts
Miller, Clara B.
Miller, Isaac L.
Mowry, Rev. P. H.
Myers, Albert Cook
Page, Mrs. Louis R.
Palmer, Lewis
Palmer, Charles
Palmer Arietta C.
Paschall, Joseph H.
Patton, Rev. W. A.
Pendleton, Garnett
Perkins, J. Walker
Peters Harriet Felton
Pleasants, Henry
Preston, Ida F.
Pusey, Fred Taylor
Robinson, Mrs. V. Gilpin
Roop, Albert A.
Roop, Mrs. Albert A.
Roop, J. Howard
Sayres, Edward S.
Scott, Norris J.
Sharpless, Mrs. Walter M.
Shrigiey, John M.
Smith, A. G. C.
Smith, A. Lewis
Smith, Rebecca L.
Smith, Benjamin H.
Smith, Dr. Fred M.
Smith, Marietta F. C.
Speakman, Anna Walter
Spencer, John
Sproul, Hon. Wm. C.
Stevenson, S. Price
Taitt, Rev. Francis M.
Trainer, J. Newlin
Trainer, Mrs. J. Newlin
Trainer, Mrs. Wm. E.
Wallace, John A.
Walter, Frances K.
Welles, Charles S.
Woodbridge, J. E.
Woodbridge, Louise D.
Yocum, A. Duncan
164
LIFE AND WORK OF DR. WFSTON
ABLE PAI'KK HV (iAKNKT'l' I'KNDl.KTON, KS(^, HKKoUK DKI.VNVAHE
COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIKTY
AS PREACIIKR AND TKA('Ili:i{
OCCUPIED I'OK FORTY YEARS EXALTED POSITION »>F PRESIDENT
OF CROZER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. AX IXSTITrTION OP
LEARNING THAT HAS A WORLD-WIDE REPUTATION
PINE TRIBUTE TO A GOOD MAN'
6-24-1909
There was a very interestinj; meeting' of the Delaware
County Ilistorieal Society held last eveninjr in the aiiditor-
iiiiii (if thr Chester hi^h school. Foi- ;i warm rvciiinLr. the
place was hardly sutifieiently ccntial to attract a large crowd,
but there was an encourag:ini; attendance and all i>rofited by
the events of the t'veninL;'.
A meetinii' was lield li\ the cuuncil ol' tlic soficty and
besides the bits of business ti-ansacted, a number of l)ills were
ordered })aid. Tlie decks were then cleared for an address
delivered by Garnett Pendlrion. Ms(|., president of the C'ani-
liri(lL;i' Trust Coiupaiiy, who rcxicwed tlii' life and character
of the late Henry G. Weston, presi(hiit of Crozer Seminary
for over 40 years. His remarks were of a hij^h order and
once more ]\Ir. Pendleton demonstrated the fact that he is a
polished sp<>aker. The papei- is pr(>s(Mited in full in to-day's
Times.
A vote of thanks, not a mere iicrfunctory "tliank y<Mi.''
was tendered by the society for the able address, which is as
follows :
HENRY GRIGGS WESTON
".Measured by the li\es of two men — father and son — the
government of the Initeil States of America seems a thing
165
of comparatively recent birth. It is a little more than two
generations old. These two generations, however, extend
over a period of a livmdred and twelve years. The father was
born while George Washington was President. The son lived
late into the first decade of the twentieth century.
"He whom our community has loved and honored for
more than forty years, first saw the light in Lynn, Massa-
chusetts, September 11, 1820. On Femruary 6, 1909, he dis-
appeared from human ken.
' ' Truly, a long life. We can better appreciate the great
age of Dr. Weston when we realize that he was born in the
first administration of James Monroe ; born in the year that
saw the death of George III. Napoleon, in his lonely island
prison, was fretting away the last weary months of his bril-
liant and tempestuous career. Adams and Jefferson and
^ladison, heroes of our Revolution were yet in the land of the
living. It was the year signalized by the great compromise
between freedom and slavery.
' ' The eyes of the child, opening on the ' era of good feel-
ing' were destined to witness varied and striking and stirring
scenes. Compromise did not settle ; it merely postponed the
settlement of the burning question that agitated the minds
of the American people. Plan's ownership in man was the
storm center of our early nineteenth century civilization.
AN INTERESTED WITNESS
"Tlie child, grown to manhood, was an interested witness
of the 'irrepressible conflict," intellectual and physical; saw
the scene shift from the forum to the battlefield, and saw the
issue of the great contest.
' ' He could remember the beginning ; he survived by many
years the close of the longest reign in English history.
"The great denomination of which he was an honored
member for three quarters of a century developed in num-
bers in the United States from 257,000 in 1820, to 5,000,000
in the present year of grace.
"When a man, by reason of streng1:h, reaches and even
exceeds his four score years, finding that strength, neither
166
lalxir nor soitdw, imt like .Moses, with i-yr miiliimn'il iiml
natural f n-cc uiiahalcd, we attrilmtc tln' a<-lii('V('m«'iit to tlif
possession of a liu'orons physical constitution.
KlNli AMONC MKN
■■|)r. Weston, as we knew him in his prime, and up to
williin a lew years of his death, was a niai.'niliccnt spceinn-n
ot" physical manliood. Laru'c of IVamc. erect in carriairc, with
leonine head and tiashiii>r hlack eyes, he was a very kinjr
anions men. lie was the picture ol' rohust middle and old
age.
''This was due not so much to a ruiri-'ecl, sturdy consti-
tution as to prudent ami healt li-producinyr habits, followed
throu<ih a lony: course of years. In his early maidiood liis
health broke ihtwu and he suffered from a nuiiad.v that had
proved fatal to Ins mothei' and to ail his brothers and sisters.
Pie acted as his own physician; nuide it a dail.v iiractice dur-
ing: the remainder of his life to spend from an hoiii- to an
hour anil a half and usually in tlie open air. in deep hreath-
inpr. AVhile a yomi'r man he supplemented this by the aetive
life of the pioneer pastor and missionary in the West and
this occupation iii\dl\-ed a uieat deal d" walking and horse-
back ritlinn'. lie was evei- a man of sim|)le ami fru^ai habits.
He has told me that a man cannot retain his health withotU
his nornuil amoiuit of sleep. It was his practice to retire at
nine o'(dock. He told me of a voiuilt ministerial friend of
his who pei'sisted in perfornnnu intellectual work until the
late hours of niy:ht. lie said to him; "if you iM)ntinne this
course, in ten years you will eitlu'r be in yonr irrave or in a
mad house.' His prophecy was fullilled. and his friend was
dead within five years after the jjrediction.
"There was no more fandliar ti<,Mire on our streets than
Dr. Weston, takini;' his dail.\' walk from the se-iiiiuirv to
Liiester.
"3Iore attention is now |>aid to athletics by brain workers
than was the case when Di'. Weston was a .V(»innr man. He
was driven to it In- ill health, bnt it was characteristic of the
man that, with some prescieniM' of the future of usefulnes.s
1(
u
lying before him, he should have deliberately set about build-
ing up a vigorous physical basis for the intellectual and
spiritual activities of his later life.
"The boy and young man breathed an atmosphere of
Christian culture. He was reared in an environment well
adapted to the development of the mental and the religious.
His father, Rev. John Equality Weston, was a gi-aduate of
Newton Theological Institution, and first editor of the Christ-
ian Watchman (now the Watchman), founded at Boston in
the year 1819, the first Baptist weekly in America. Gifted
with uncommon intellectual force and animated l)y the heroic
perseverance and the deeply devotional spirit of the Huge-
nots, whose blood coursed through his veins, he developed
into a Christian scholar of no mean attainments. Before his
death, in 1831, he had grounded his young son in more than
the rudiments of Latin, Greek and Hebrew. It is said of Dr.
Weston that he could not recall when he had learned the
Greek alphabet. Aside from the name of his mother, Hetty
Bacheller, history is silent. She lives and speaks in the char-
acter and achievements of her distinguished son. He became
a member of the Baptist church at Lynn in 1834. He pre-
pared for college in the Lynn Academy ; was graduated from
Brown University as Bachelor of Arts in 1840.
HIS COMMENCEMENT OR.^TION
"It may prove of interest to know the topic of what we
to-day would call his commencement oration. The records
furnish us the title of his thesis. "Sympathy With :Men of
Genius — An Essay." The paper has, no doubt, long since
been lost or destroyed. Wherein men of genius were held to
stand in need of s\Tnpathy, whether because of their unpop-
ularity with the common herd, or because of the defects of
their qualities, must forever remain a matter of conjecture.
The son followed in the footsteps of the father, and de-
termined to devote his life to the preaching of the gospel.
He entered Newton Theological Institution, whence he was
graduated in 1842.
168
It is a iiutcwortliy fact that li'W s(ni.s o\' iiiiiiistfrs I'litt-r
tilt' miiiistfy. This is not hccausc they are any worse than
the sons of nu'ii in ollifi- ciilinLis. whiU- (iftcntimcs tliey art-
no better. .My helief is it is heeause the sons of ininistei's are
in a jxisition to appreciate tlie real heroism of him who lives
up to the lull measure of his ol)liL;at ions as a faithful pastor
and preachei'. They see his to l)e a life of self-tlenial ami
uuintermitt iuL; toil. \a'\ no seltish, ease-loving man think
to u:ratify an unworthy ambition by enterin^r the sa<'re(l fra-
ternity. The uospel ministry is a truly divine callinjr, and no
one shouUl presinne to enter upon it inilrss iiii|ielled by the
solemn conviction th;it only thus shall he be found in the line
of obedience.
"Tile lawyer and physician choose their i-espeetive pro-
fessions. The minister has no option. Ilis profession, if so
it may be termed, is chosen for him by a will and a power
greater and higher tlian his own. He is summoned to a life
of consecration. Such was the belief of the fathers who
A\TOUght mightily for the upbuilding of Christian character.
Such is the sentiment of the great mass of oui- ministry to-day.
despite the eheaj) cynicism that the tinner of (Jod is seen in
the higli salai-y and the inviting Held, ('ynicism must yield
to enthusiastic admiration at the siglit of tlie young graduate,
undaunted by ill health, seeking not only recuperation, but
a wider scojio of service in the ruLrired AVest.
EARLV VICl.^SITl^DES
"rpon leaving Xewton, Dr. Weston (for so we nuist ever
call him), went to Frankfort, Kentucky. ;ind was there or-
dained in 184:^ lie sj^'iit the next three years as a mission-
ary, at his own charges, in thi'ce counties of Illinois, employ-
ing school houses and barns as temples of woi-ship, and court
house steps a.s his puljut. lie sometim(>s j)reached in his shirt
sleeves so as not to "put on aiis," and. for a year's service,
in one place, received the munificent salary of fifty cents.
"The western preachei' of that jicriod did not rest on
fiovvery beds of ease. His eyes did not st.ind out with fatness.
In the early forties, my own father, with wife and two chil-
169
dren dependent on him, was voted the unheard of salary of
$400, one good brother expressing painful solicitude as to the
disposition of the surplus.
"In 1846 Dr. Weston became pastor of the church in
Peoria, and there remained until 1859. He there developed
a feeble flock into a church of commanding and lasting in-
fluence.
' ' His reputation as a powerful and eloquent preacher aiui
eminently successful Christian worker and organizer had
grown nation wide, and he was called back to the East.
"Declining an invitation to the pastorate of the Ninth
Street church, of Cincinnati, he accepted the call of the Oliver
Street church. New York city. Later this developed into the
Madison Avenue church, of which he remained pastor until
the year 1868.
"Unconsciously to himself. Dr. Weston, slowly but surely,
had been laying broad and deep the foundation for a sphere
of usefulness, wider and higher than any of which he could
have dreamed.
"For the gi'eat life work on which he was about to enter
he was peculiarly well fitted. Broad in culture and broad in
human s.ympathies, skilled in the learning of the schools, class-
ical and theological, he supplemented the training of the
academy by the training of experience. Coupled with the
study of books was the study of men. He was a man of the
people — great as a preacher — he was equally great as a pas-
tor. A devout and constant student of the Bible, fully per-
suaded that it is the very word of God, he spoke with a loving
earnestness, a depth of conviction of the truth of what he was
sajdng that won the minds and hearts of his hearers. In a
truly Pauline sense he was all things to all men, equally at
home with the scholar and the man of limited intelligence ;
with the refined gentleman and the rough backwoodsman ; with
the gi'ave doctor of divinity and the simple child ; with the
humble believer and the skeptical man of the world.
170
DISPLAYED INFINITE TACT
"He was a man of intinitf tact. In tlie stirrini^ period
of the Civil War im where weri' animosities eni^eiidered hy
that stru-r^'h" more bitter than in the city of New York, and
no less violent in cliuich than in secular life. 'I'o cni-l> and
soothe the hostile factions called for eourajje and sajracity and
addre.ss of the hi«;hest order. That his church did not disin-
tejjrate and perish, hut rather, remained united and developed
into one of the most forceful factors of Xew York's reliu'ious
life, is due to the tirm hand and wise sruidaiice of her wartime
pastor.
"Di-. Westnii was ever in profound sympathy with the
young. To him the ministry of the srospel was ever the nol)Iest
service to be rendered by man to his Maker and fellow man.
To him it meant complete consecration ; devotion of brain and
heart and tune and all to the supreme work of evauirelizinjr
the world.
"Men do not reach positions of power and responsibility
by accident. INIisfits are not of so fre<pient occurrence as
jrenerally supjiosed. TIardheaded business nu-n : who. by in-
dustry and shrewdness, have acquired wealth, have little to
do with sentiment and enthusiasm. What they are after, in
seeking to fill some place of importance, is merit, fitness, and
they are wise enough to know it when they see it. They care
not so much to honor the man as to till the position : meet the
situation. This is eminently true in the business world. No
less true is it when some eonunandiug seat of influence as the
head.ship of a gi-eat edueatioiud institution is to be tilled.
Those in charge of the enteri)ri.se do not choose the unkjiown
and the untried, but reward him who has already won his
spurs. The faithful over a few things is called to the ruler-
ship over many. So, wlien in the providence of God, TTenry
G. Weston was elected president of Crozer Theological Sem-
inary, the election did not make him great: he was elected be-
cause he was already great. So, of the ditTerent otTerinirs of
the presidency of Brown and Chicairo and Madison Fniversi-
ties, and the degrees conferred by ditfertMit institutions; Doc-
171
torate of Divinity by the University of Rochester, in 1859 ;
Doctorate of Laws, by Brown, Bueknell, Denison and the
Southwestern Universities, in 1891. These did not minister
to his greatness, but were eloquent testimony to the high es-
teem in which he was held by the leading institutions of learn-
ing in his denomination.
' ' Up to the year 1855 there was in Pennsylvania no Bap-
tist school for the training of young men for the ministry.
In that year, Lewisburg (now Bueknell) University opened
a theological department. While through this department a
number of valuable accessions were made to the Baptist min-
istry, it somehow failed to secure the aid and sympathy of the
denomination at large.
INCEPTION OP SEMINARY
"With no thought of creating a rival to the Lewisburg
enterprise, the venerable John P. Crozer erected in 1858 a
substantial edifice at Upland, on a beautiful elevation over-
looking the Delaware river, his intention being to establish a
normal school for the instruction, at a nominal price, of the
poorer children of the commuity.
"The project was, however, not successful, and the school
closed at the opening of the Civil War. During the war, the
building was used as a hospital, and for several years there-
after was the seat of the Pennsylvania ^Military Academy.
"Mr. Crozer died in 1866, and in a family consultation
as to the disposition of the academy property, arose the happy
inspiration, Why not establish a school for the training of
ministers? The suggestion met witli immediate and favor-
able consideration by the family. Conferences were held with
the friends and officials of the Lewisburg Seminary, resulting
in an agreement providing for the closing of the theological
department there, conditioned upon the successful establish-
ment of the new institution.
"Conjugal and filial affection made easy and natural the
choice of a name and, on April 4, 1867, the legislature incor-
porated the 'Board of Trustees of the Crozer Theological
172
Seminary," a Itody wliosr lii-st and nuly pi-esidt-iil . Mr. Saiiiiifl
A. Crozrr, hiiii()rs us by his prcst'iicc tn-n'mlit.
CHOSEN AS l'Rp:siDKN"r
"Tlic clidict' III' \)\\ Wt'stnii ;is president nl' the new in-
stitution reeei\rd ttir iinqual itied appni\al of tli"- deintniin-
ation. lie was reeo^nizetl as a man of reinar'kalile exeeiitive
al)ilit\', and il was l)(<lieved that he pDSsessed exactly the ipial-
ities iieedeil In place the younu- school of the pn»i)hets u|»on a
sure and stable basis. Dv. Weston, in assmninir tin- dllii-e,
found himself in what has been termed a 'peculiar' position.
It was a pdsitidii entirely diirci-cnl t'l-din the headship of an
olil and well-establisheil eoipdiation. lie was called upon
to lead an experiment, the successful outcome of which was by
no means a certainty. But the tact and wisdom and devotion
that had built uj) a powerful church in the AVest ; that had
stilled the passions and had sj)ii'itualized the nunds of men in
the Kast, were the same harmonizing and edifyin*,' factors
that avoided all possihle antagonisms and planted tlie school
deep in the atfections of the people, not alone of Pennsylvania,
but of New Jersey ami Delaware, and the regions beyond.
"The first faculty, numerically small, was gigantic in in-
tellectual and si)iritual force. As worthy co-adjutors of the
president were Dr. George Dana Boardman Pepper, a grad-
uate of Andierst, an inspiring teacher, a broad scholar, a deep
tliinker; and Dr. Howard Osgood, a graduate of Harvard, a
man of brilliant mind, vast euridition, beautiful spirit and
unaffected piety. Dr. Pepper was professor of Christian
Theologj' and Dr. Osgood, professor of TTehrew and Church
History; Dr. Weston taking the chair of Preaching and Pas-
toral Duties; also lecturing on the Characteristics ami dela-
tions of the New Testament Writings.
OPENING OP SEMIN.VRV
''Tlu' Seminary was formally oixMied October '2. 1S()8.
The first catalogue contained the names of tweut.v students;
ami eight wcic graduated in 1 S70. The regular attendance
now exceeds a liumli-cd studi'iits. Thei-e are some six hund-
173
red and fifty alumni and more than two thousand ministers
have received instruction in the school. The graduates of
Crozer Seminary are scattered throughout the world, doing
faithful work in far off mission fields and filling active and
successful and important pastorates in town and city and
country, all over our republic.
"As to the worth and scope and significance of the work
and achievements of Dr. Weston as president of the Semin-
ary, let me employ the language of three of Crozer 's profes-
sors.
' ' Dr. Elias H. Johnson, writing in 1900, speaks of him as
'An old-time president, the dear friend of his colleagues, the
revered father of his students, the trusted counsellor of his
alumni, the far-seeing, tactful, informing soul of the Sem-
inary.' When he is present in chapel, the room seems full,
and when he is away, the place seems uncomfortably void.
And so, his position is almost, if not quite, unique, as that of
such a man in such relations must necessarily be. What it
is was partly illustrated in the preparations for commence-
ment a year ago. Some of the graduating class were asking
for a change of plans, and he said, 'You do not seem to be
afraid of me, gentlemen.' To which a member of the class
had the wit and the good heart to reply, 'You know. Doctor,
that perfect love casteth out fear.'
"Dr. Barnard C. Taylor, an alumnus of the Seminary,
and Professor of Old Testament Exegesis, gives this testimony
to his gTeat teacher and colleague:
" 'It would be difficult to exaggerate the importance of
the work he has done as president of Crozer Seminary. Not
only have many hundreds of men had their ministerial char-
acters largel}^ formed by being his pupils, but the character
of the Seminary has been specially determined by him during
these first forty years of its history. But, the influence of Dr.
Weston has reached far beyond the Seminary and its grad-
uates. Very many are to-day treasuring some great truth
that they got from Dr. Weston. He was revered and loved
by all who came to know him ; revered and loved most by
those who knew him best.'
174
"'President Weston jind ('rn/ci- Scminarx ari- insep-
arable.' is the trilmte of I 'resilient Kvaiis. to liis predeeessor.
'He has made it what it is as a Christ iaiii/.in^' turcc in history
and lias iriven direetion and character that will he perma-
nent in it. To me personally, he has been all that a father
could have been. His lil'e was worth livin»r, and he l\as made
life more sigiiitieant to us all.'
.V THOROitni cRrric
"One of the functions of the Professor of Preaching' and
Pastoral Duties was the criticism of sermons. The younj;
preacher was required to write out his discoure and deliver
it before the professor and class. Any stray frai^nents left
by the professor were devoured by the students. Very much
doubt whether many of those target .sermons ever survived
the bombardment of the class-room. Dr. Weston had the
reputation of being a severe critic and the tyro Spurgeon
trembled at the coming ordeal and writhed during the tlaying
process. It may have been the weakness of a great man, but
Dr. Weston, if able to avoid the experience, never preaclied
in the hearing of his undergraduates. Well might he have
feared them, for the average theological student is the most
merciless of critics.
"While never enjoying the benefit of his formal instruc-
tion, I have profited by his valuable suggestions. Some years
ago in a paper read upon an occasion of histni-ical intci-est, I
ventured to introduce some i)leasantries, innocently thinking
to relieve the tedium for a long-suffering audience. Dr.
W^eston happened to be chairman of the Committee on Pub-
lication, and saying to me, in his kindly fashion, that any-
thing of an amusing character is out of place in an historical
address, cooly struck out the objectionable passages. I meek-
ly responded: 'Doctor. 1 think I must tell you that I have
just met another friend who connnended those amusing pas-
sages and said they were all that redeemed the paper from
tiresome mediocrity." The doctor did not avow it. but I have
always cherished the suspicion that he objected to tliose plea-
santries for the reason that they raised a lancrh at the expense
175
of certain of his former students, who did and said absurd
things in our prayer meetings, in the long ago.
"He was greatly interested in young men, and especially
in young ministeiial students. He sympathized with them in
their weakness, their temptations, their ambitions and their
struggles. He j'earned over his 'boys' with paternal solici-
tude. He was keenly sensitive to any slight cast upon them.
"I remember that, on one commencement occasion, he
was very greatly annoyed at the discrimination in applause
accorded to the speakers. He addressed the audience in sub-
stantially these words: 'I earnestly ask you to refrain from
any manifestations of approval, as the young men speak be-
fore you. 1 do not wi.sh the feelings of any of them to be
hurt by failure to receive applause. I ask you, then, to re-
frain ; but, if you must give vent to your feelings, wait till
you hear some utterly stupid and inane expression ; then,
applaud that. " The doctor was the first victim of his friend-
ly suggestion. As he resumed his seat, he was greeted with
a tempest of laughter and applause.
"Dr. Weston was never seen to better advantage than
on the platform on commencement days. He was most grace-
ful, dignified and impressive as a presiding officer, and was
always peculiarly happy in his extemporaneous remarks, as
well as in his more formal address.
.\_PPRECIATED HUMOR
"He did not often indulge in hiunorous recitals, although
by no means lacking in a sense of the ludicrous. I recall one
story, related to me as an actual occurrence. He said that
one morning while standing on the Chester platform, await-
ing his train, he was approached by a stranger rather the
worse for liquor, who staggered over to him and said :
'Mister, I'm the prodigal son. I'm on my way to my father's
Jiouse. My father has killed the fatted calf ; but all I '11 get
^of it will be its rawhide, over my back.'
In the midst of his exacting duties as president and pro-
fessor. Dr. Weston found time to serve his denomination in
>other lines of activity. He was. for years, president of the
176
' Anici'iciiii Uaptist .Missii)ii,ii-y I'liidii.' l-'inm 1 S(i!) tu ISTT
lie was edit!)!- of tlif 'IJnptist Quaitn-ly. ' lie was tin- aiitlior
of '.Matthew, the IJciit'sis of the Now 'rcstaiiifiit.' Coii-joiiit-
ly with \h-. Ilovt'v, l'i-('si(h'iit of the Xcwtoii ThcohiLrical In-
stitution, and Dr. Bi-oa»lus. I'rrsichMit of the Sontlifi-n liap-
tist Tlu'oh),i:i('al Seminary, he lunl a most honoral>h' pait in
preparinix tlio improved edition of the Uihle I'nion New Tes-
tament, hclicvt'd to l)f the hcst t I'anslat ion in our hinfruafje.
Durinii' the last fifty yeai-s of his life, it was his practice, stu-
diously and reverently, to read the entire l)ook once eaeli
month. In faniiliarit >• witii its te.xt, its meaninLi" ami its
spirit, lie was unsurpassed liy any man of his times.
"Whih> realiziuL:' tliat Ids ureat life-work was that of
the j)reaelier and C'hristian instructor, Di". Weston was not
unnundful or nejjieetful (d' tlie oldiuations restiinr upon Idm
as a member of the secular community. He was conscien-
tious in the performance of his duties as a votin!.r citizen.
Seldom did he fail to exercise the franchise at any election,
national. State oi- local. He frequentl.v attended the county
primaries, thus theoreticall.v assistinp: in the formation of
tickets. He did not feel morally bouml to abide ])y the re-
sult, recrardless of the means by which that result was reached.
He did not possess the tender conscience, the delicate sensibili-
ties of the party devotee, who feels that a ticket is a sacred
thing; that it is a point of honor to support it, even when it
is known to be the product of chicanery in direction, or flajr-
rant bribery.
A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN
"l)i-. Westtin was of Republican faith, and adhered to
Republican piinciples, and so far as I am aware, always sup-
ported the State and national nominees of his party. In
local affairs, however, it was personal fitness for otlHce. and not
the partisan character of the candidate that uniided him in
his votiuiT. In his mind, great political principles are in-
volved in the choice of a President or ('on<rressman, but no
such principle is at stake in tht> electi'>n of a judge or sheritT
1
t I
or municipal officer, and partisan politics should not enter
into the choice of such officials.
"He was keenly alive to all that was going forward in
the world about him. He kept pace with current events, and
held decided views upon all the vital questions of the day.
"While ever ready to engage in any movement look-
ing to the moral or political uplift of the community, he used
his own judgment as to the character of any particular move-
ment ; and, whatever the enthusiasm or excitement about him,
did not lose his equilibrium. He was not led away by the
magnetism of the multitude. He was a man of poise and
of depth of conviction. He was not afraid to resist the cur-
rent. We remember the eventful spring of 1898. The bat-
tleship 'Maine' had blown up in Havana harbor. The lives
of more than two hundred and sixty American sailors and
marines had been sacrificed. 'Spanish treachery,' was the
theme of every conversation : ' War with Spain ! ' the watch-
word of every excited group. Our own city and community
were swayed by the belligerent spirit. The National Guard
were called out, equipped and ready for departure. A great
mass meeting was held in the old armory. A vast multitude
assembled. Many speakers were asked to address the meet-
ing, Dr. Weston among the number.
' ' To our surprise, he declined, saying that he had no sym-
pathy with the proposed war, which he believed to have been
engineered by the politicians and for selfish, political and
personal ends. Whether he was correct in his diagnosis of
the situation may be a matter of debate ; but of the sincerity
of his convictions, there can be no manner of doubt.
AGAINST PROHIBITION AMENDMENT
"In the year 1889, a proposed amendment of the Con-
stitution of Pennsylvania, providing for the prohibition of
the liquor traffic, was submitted to the suffrages of the people.
The question was debated with warmth and ability on the
platform and in the press. On one side, those who advocated
absolute prohibition ; on the other, the beneficiaries of the
system ; the brewer, the distiller, the saloonkeeper, the high-
178
license advocate. Sucli an alitiiiiiicnl was t(» ln' fxpcctfil.
But, what infuriated the ral)Hl prohibit innists and stiiunt'd
and sliocked tlie iiiorc tcinperalc believers in enforced abstin-
ence was the fact tliat some of our h-adiu.^' ministers and some
of our most intiuential Christian educators avowed themselves
inifriendly to the proposed ameiidmenl . aiiil aiiKHiir tliese was
\)\\ Weston. He dill iiol participate in tlie speaUin»; eanva.ss;
nor did he w i-ite at h-ii^th upon tlie subject. But he wrote
enouLili to h't liis views be known and understood.
"By principle and by habit, he was a life-lon<r t(»tal ab-
stainer. No man would have rejoiced nuirc unfei^medly than
he at tlic elimination of the curse of drink from our civili-
zation, lie did not, however, believe that such result could
be accomplished by legislation. Futhermore, he regarded
the attempt on the part of the State to accomplish such re-
sult as a most objectionable species of paternalism. lie did
not conceive of the State as 'an ideal moral power charged
with the duty of forming the characters and guiding the lives
of its subjects.' ^len are not made moral by Act of Con-
gress; nor regenerated by Act of Assembly.
"Being in full s\nnpathy with the aims of the Delaware
County Historical Society, he became a charter member; fre-
quently attended its meetings, and in 1899 read a notable
paper on salient points in the career and character of the
late John P. Crozer.
"Dr. Weston was fond of mingling with his fellow men.
in whatever walk of life; engaged them in conversation and
listened respectfully and with interest to the expression of
their views of any passing subject. Loyal to his denomina-
tion and unshakably fixed in his own religious beliefs, he
enjoyed nothing better than meeting men of other ways of
thinking, not with any desire for argument, but that he
might study their mental processes, their pre-possessions and
their prejudices; in brief, that he might, for the moment,
look at these questions through the eyes of other men. Simple
in language; unaffected in manner; affable and easily ap-
proached; he made friends wherever he went, and was a wel-
come visitor to all cla.sses and conditions.
179
DR. Weston's hobby
"Nearly every man has his so-called fad, or hobby, or
pet avocation. He adopts this as a relaxation, a diversion
from the more serious occupations of life. We can well im-
agine how soothing to eye and brain of the study-worn scholar
and theologian was the sight of his well-loved Garden of Roses.
Its beauty and its fragrance appealed to his aesthetic sensi-
bilities. He was not selfish in his enjoyment of the Eden he
had planted. How characteristic of him, that even this child
of his recreative hours should have brightened and blessed
the world. He did not hoard his Moral treasures, but be-
stowed them freely — with impartial hand, upon high and
lowly. He was equally lavish in sharing with others his
wealth of intellectual and spiritual endowment. The garden-
er has departed, while the garden remains. The flower has
budded and blossomed, matured and faded and died; but its
fragrance lives, and it buds and blossoms and matures again,
in yet other flowers.
"So, the child was born, grew, reached manhood, middle
and old age, and passed hence; but his influence is eternal,
and shall burgeon anew in the memories, the hearts, the ac-
tivities of the men and women, whose hope he (juickened,
whose faith he strengthened ; wliose characters he moulded,
whose lives he uplifted.''
J 80
To lln (liirmior, lln S(ii(il(irs ainl h'ljtft si iihil iris of tlu
('iniininiiin iiltli nf I '< ii iisi/l rania'^
Alidllt two yc;il-.s ;il;<> tlif 1 )i'l;i\\;iri' ('oillltS' 1 1 istMl'ical
Society (iix'iicd iu'l; it iat ions with tlir City of ('licslcr fin- tlu'
piirchasf (if the old City Hall nl' ( 'licstci-. to Itc ki'pt ami held
for Historical piirixiscs, the Sociciy as well as the ('ity author-
ities bciiii; iiiiiiressrd with tlir iin|i(irtaiicr of its preservation
and rcstdi'at inn ti> its oriLiinal cdiidit inn.
The City authnril ics a'^i'ccd tn sell the llall lof llistorii-al
purposes for the sum of lil'ly tliousantl (.lolhns i $.')0.1K)() ) .
The Delaware County llistorieal Society, which has been
ini'oi-porat ('(! foui-tccn years has issued a volutne of its pro-
ceedintis and has a second in course of preparation.
The Society is not possessed of means to make this pur-
chase, ami realizint: the importance of early action lookini^
to the ])reservation of this historic buildinp:. the members
of the Ijcjiislature from Delaware County have introduced
a bill to appropriate the sum of fifty thousand dollars to
[)urchase it.
There are few, if any, other buildin^U's that have as in-
terestins' and inspirint:- ass(tciations and history.
It was huilt in M'24, and used as the Court House of
Chester County from that date to 1789, when Delaware Coun-
ty was erected, and thereafter as the Court House of Dela-
ware County until 1850, when the County seat of Delaware
County was removed to ]\Iedia, beinc then aequired by the
Borouirh of Chester, which occupied it as a Rorousrh Hall
until the incorporation of the City of Chester in 1866. when
the City entered upon its use for the purposes of a City Hall,
such use bein.s: continued until the present time, beinjr now
used for the meetiners of City Councils and by the ^Fayor and
other City officials.
The history of this Hall is widely known in tiiis country,
in Europe and elsewhere, and is reeoprni/ed as an important
historical link connecting: the present with the early histoiy
of our countrv\ and particularly with that of the trreat Coni-
2nonwealth of Penns.vlvania.
ISl
It is the oldest building in the original thirteen colonies,
now standing that has been in continuous use for public pur-
poses from the time of its erection to the present day.
The date of its erection— 1724— antedates Independence
Hall, Philadelphia eight years, and the first Faneuil Hall,
in Boston (which was destroyed by fire in 1761) by eighteen
years. The present Faneuil Hall, known as the "Cradle of
Liberty," was not built until thirty-seven years after this
old Chester Hall.
This Hall occupies a prominent place on ^Market street,
the leading business thoroughfare of Chester and marks the
center milestone of the City, which has been standing there
from the time whereof the memory of man runneth not to
the contrary.
Chester, the oldest town in Pennsylvania, was well on in
years when William Penn first set foot on the soil of Pennsyl-
vania before he visited the site of Philadelphia.
He called the Colonial Assembly together at Chester and
the first laws for the government of the Colony were enacted
here.
The story of this old Hall is succinctly told by a tablet
placed on its east front by the Delaware County Chapter of
the Daughters of the American Kevolutinn. as shown in the
photograph thereof as follows:
THIS BUILDIXG
WAS ERECTED IX 1724
DURING THE REIGX OF
GEORGE I OF ENGLAND.
IT WAS THE COURT HOUSE OF
CHESTER COUNTY 1724—1786.
THE COURT HOUSE OF
DELAWARE COT^^TY 1789—1851.
HALL OF CHESTER BOROUGH 1851-1866.
HALL OF CHESTER CITY SINCE 1866.
182
IN 173i) KXULAXI) I)K( '[.AHED WAR
AGAINST SPAIN AM) S()IJ)IKKS
WEKK IIKKK KNLISTKI) Koi;
AN EXi'KDlTlON TO (11 '.A.
HERE ANTHONY AVAVXK |{ ALL IK I) AM)
DRILLED ins TIJOOI'S JAM AliV, 177(i.
IN 1824 LAFAYETTE AS (ilEST OF
THE NATION WAS FNTFKTAIXKI)
IX THIS !U-!I,I)!X(;.
THIS TABLET IS T'LACED IIKHK liV TIIK
DELAWARE COUNTY CHAPTKIJ
DArOHTERS OF THE
AM ER K AN R E VOLl T I OX
APRIL 19. 1DU3.
The buildinir is massive in coustruction, sIiowIiil: the
original pent or (Iniii roofs ovef its several stories; is a tine
specimen of Colonial ai-eliiteetiire. ami, if kept in repair,
promises to outlast the wear of many centuries, a |)atrioti('
insj)iration to the community.
This Hall is associated with all the earlier history of the
Colony of Pennsylvania, for it was in Chester that tlic colony
had its birth. This hall also liolds a place in Endisli litera-
ture unequalled by any other building in the United States —
Independence Hall. Philadelphia, not excepted. Incidents
which transpired within its wal's t;avc inspitatiou lo Sir
"Walter Scott for his lomancc of Guy A[anncrinir: to Laily
Morgan for scenes and incidents in lier novel •'Florence ^fc-
Carty"; To Charles Reade for his story of "The Wanderini:
Heir"; To Stephenson for his "Kidnap"; To Havard Tay-
lor's "Story of Keiniett." and for the novel "Iluiili Wynne,"
and for other romances that stand in the forefront of tlie liter-
ature of the new world.
183
Its history is closely associated with that of David Lloyd,
the foremost Chief Justice of our colonial times.
Troops were enlisted here for the old Fi'ench war, and,
as shown by the tablet on its walls, for the war with Spain
that resulted in the capture of the City of Havana by the
English and Colonial forces. The Committee of Safety, in
the early period of the Revolutionary' war frequently held
meetings here.
On numerous occasions before the Colonies asserted their
independence, the voice of Mad Anthony Wayne w'as heard
in this building arousing the people to resistence to the op-
ppession of the mother country.
Wayne made his headquarters in this ancient structure
when raising his regiment which took part in nearly all the
important battles of the revolution, and had the disting^iished
honor to fire the last volley' in the final combat which gave us
independence.
It was in Chester, that General Lafayette lay wounded
after the battle of Brandywine, and, as already stated he was
received in this Hall as the guest of the Nation when he re-
visited America in 1824.
Shortly after his visit to Chester, when this noble ally
of our struggling colonies was seated in the presence of Daniel
AVebster and the throng that had come to witness the laying
of the corner stone of the Bunker Hill Monument, he was ad-
dressed by that matchless orator in these words: "You are
connected with both Hemispheres and with two generations —
Heaven saw fit to ordain that the electric spark of Liberty
should be conducted through you from the new world to the
old."
Nearby this old Hall, St. Paul's Church yard burying
ground lies all that is mortal of John Morton, a signer of the
Declaration of Independence, one of the Colonial Chief Jus-
tices and speaker of the Assembly — a man of imperishable
renown. A little farther off the great Admiral Porter was
born, and in and about this old Hall Admiral Farragnt play-
ed w^hen a boy.
184
Peuusylvauia jjliinild arise and sluiUi' off the letluirgy ol"
her nej^leet to perpetuate and preserve tlie laudniarks of lier
greatiiebij as sliowii in the early stnijj^gles of her pe()i)le to
achieve and secure the blessings we now enjoy.
We do not wish to lower the plane of our appeal. Sldl
it may not be out of place to note the fact that the towns of
Lexiugtou aud Concord receive material adviintage from the
visits of tourists who come to theii' Itociiers because of their
historical renown. Al)out three year-s ago the State of New
York purchased the old lloiiu' and Hall of Sir William .John-
sou aud placed it in the care of the local Historical Society
for preservation and as a place to gather historical relics and
data. This New York llistoi'ical Society was situated as the
Delaware County llistoric;d Society is, with insulUcient means
to accomplish tlie purpo.se desired without the aid of the State.
The greater part of the life and history of George Wash-
ington prior to the revolution is intimately associated with
the historx' of Pennsylvania. He made .some of his most im-
portant surveys within its IxJiders and the incidents of his
passage of the Allegheny river on a raft constitute one of the
memories that live in the recollection of the yoiiUL:- peoj)lc
who ;n'e familiar with the history of his early life. It was
in the Colony of Pennsylvania that he erected Fort Necessity
and in Pennsylvania occurred the solitary instance of a sur-
render by him. Here also he saved Braddocks army fi-oiii
annihilation.
It was i)i Chester, just acro.ss the street from this old
TIall, in the " IVnnsylvania Arms" still standing and now
known as the "Washington House" at midniLrht of the day ot
the battle of Bi-andywine that Washinuton wrote to the Con-
gress the only rejxn't he ever made of this contlict. The fare-
well address, his last j)utilic act. was i)ublished by him in
Pennsylvania.
Washington and his ai'iiiy passed throUL'li I'miisyhania
on that wonderful t'orced march fi-om the hiirhlands of the
Hudson to deliver the blow at Yorktown that secured oiii- in-
dependence; where, with Rochamheau. he received the siu'-
render of Corn wall is.
185
Who of the sons of Fennsylvania is not proud of her
history — a history more glorious perhaps than that of any of
the other states, great though they are; full of imperishable
memories to encourage and inspire future generations.
Permit us to call, brieHy, your attention to Eastern
Pennsylvania, the storm center of the revolution.
Looking down from the height of the Statue of Penn on
the City Hall, Philadelphia, a vista unequalled elsewhere
greets the enraptured vision of the student of our history,
for, from this height, one can mark, with the unaided eye,
the scene of nine battles of the revolutionary war ; while near-
by, to the westward. Valley Forge is seen, where, amid cold
and rain and frost and sleet and snow, the apparently dying
cause of the patriot Colonies was maintained and upheld by
the indomitable spirit and valor of the few compatriots who
defended this encampment, l)ut who lacked almost every es-
sential to success except their indomitable bravery and
patriotism.
From this height the eye also rests upon the building
from which the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed
to the world, and where the Constitution of the United States
was framed through the wisdom and poise of such patriots
as Washington and Franklin ; the ^-reatest Charter of human
government ever devised by wit of man.
Philadelphia was the birthplace of the American flag;
and Germantown set an example to the world by the issuance
of the first protest against human slavery. The first schools
for education by the public were founded in Philadelphia.
The first Hospital and the first Volunteer Fire Company ; the
first circulating Library in the American Colonies and the
first Bible printed in a European tongue. Here the first
paper mills were established. In Philadelphia Franklin made
his experiments w4th the lightning, and the first experiments
to propel boats by steam were made by Oliver Evans on the
Schuylkill.
Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, was the financier of the
revolution and Stephen Girard loaned his credit to enable
the government to carry on the war of 1812; and during the
186
\\ai- (if tlii' iflicirhui .l;i\- ('nokc liid ii liki- st'i-\ ire tn tlial (if
MdiTis.
Till' \;ill('\ of the \V\iiiiiiiii:- teems witli histdrii' iiitercsl.
Thomas ( 'iiiii|)lieH 's " ' ( ini i ude n\ Wyomiiii: " is tin- only e|»ii-
a foreiiiii aiillidi- has selected \\>v his miisc fi-diii Amei-ii-a.
"By tlie sliort'S of the heaiilifiil I )ehi\vare. " " LoiiLrfellow
closos his atVeetiiiir stoi-y of " KvaiiLzcrme.'"
liimUey MiiiTa\-, tlie <irammariaii. who <ja\-e form lo llie
Eiiiilish hmLiiiaiie. was ot IVMiiisylvaiiia liirth. Sd \\;is I^)h»'rt
Fulton, who tii'st sui-eessfiilly (jemonst lated sti'amlioat iiavi-
jjation. So also was GocUVe.w the imciitor of the .Mariiiei-s'
<()uadi'aiit .
We recently celehi-ated the one huiidredtli aiiniversai\\-
of the hirth of Kduar Allan I'oe; the one hundredth and
fiftieth anin\-ersafy ot the hirlh of Robert l>urns: and the one
hinulredth anniversary of the hirth of Abraham Lineoln.
These men have passed away; hut wherever civilization pen
etrates. there tlieir names are fondly recalled and the senti-
ments stirred by a eontemi)lat ion of their work will not die.
The world profits by the consummate frenius of the |)oet, and
the far reachini;- work of the statesman.
Poe's work was mainly performed in IMiiladeliihia : and
while AVashinjiton was fiyhtini: lh<' battles for Tndependenee.
the poet Burns, in far off Scotland, toasted Washinirton as a
^•eater than Kini:' George.
Maid<ind lays elaim to the fame of Lineoln. but he in-
herited his matchless uifts from sturdy Pennsylvania ancestry.
At Gettysburfr, in l*ennsylvania, the liidi tide of rebellion
was rolled back never to return; aiul the leaders there. Rey-
nolds, ^read(\ TTaneoek and Greprpr, were all Peiinsylvanians.
Is oui- appeal to sentiment? So be it. Sentiment rules
the world. Without it there would lie no jiatriotism— no love
of country noi- of home, no love of our fellows, no reliLrion.
and without these there would be no art. no literature and no
civilization. From aeross the seas we are reproached for oiu'
commercialism ; but we are outin'owinsr it. ^lore and more
we are comiim' to a realizatiou that men hold their wealth and
187
their possessions in trust for the benefit of mankind, and they
do not hoard it as formerly, until they die, but distribute
much of it while they live for the benefit of their fellows.
More and more are we becoming altruistic, more and more
imbued with the Christ-like love for our neighbors, more and
more sentimental, and it is now the exceptional man who has
not become a convert to the thought that duty requires him
to use his wealth for the general benefit. Call this religion ;
call it sentiment, or what you will; but whatever the name,
it marks the progress of the race to higher things.
To inculcate in the minds of the young and that vast
number of immigrants who are constantly coming to our
shores — a love and reverence for the worth and works of those
who have preceded us, by means of the preservation of con-
crete evidence of our early history, and of the sacrificing
deeds of our forefathers, cannot but tend to the improvement
of our people and to the advancement of all that redounds
to the glory of our common country. •
THE DELAWARE COI^NTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
By
A. Lewis Smith, President
A. G. C. Smith, First Vice-President
D. M. Johnson, Second Vice-President
Edward H. Hall, Treasurer
H. G. AsHMEAD, Recording Secretary
Charles Palmer, Correspondrnfi Secretary
DIRECTORS
Rev. p. H. jMowry
James W. Howarth
Henry L. Broomall
George E. Darlington
W. Shaler Johnson
188
oKKicKKs 1)1 micro IJS
President — A. Lewis Smith Rkv. 1'. II. Mowkv
1st V, l*res. — A. (!. C Smith .Iami>; \V. IIowaktii
2(1 V. Pres. — D. .M. •IttiiNsox IIknhv L. I'.iiooM.M.i,
Treasurer — F>i>\v.\ki) 11. Hall ( li;<»K<iK Iv 1 )AKLL\(;Tn.\'
Ree". See. — II. (J. Ashmkad \V. Smalkk .Ioilnso.v
Cor. Sec. — Charles Pal.mer
THE
SIXTEENTH .\.\.\IAI. .M KKTI.NC
OF THE
DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
WILL BE HELD AT
INSTITUTE HALL, MEDIA, PA.
THURSDAY, SEPTE:MBER ir)TII. 11)10
AT FOUR o'clock, P. M.
The officers of the Society for the ensuing: year are to be
elected, and matters of interest will claim attention.
The presence of all members is earnestly desired in order
to keep actively in touch with the purposes for which the
Society wos organized.
Contributions of articles of historical interest will be ac-
ceptably received.
H. G. ASIIMEAD,
Chester, Pa. Recording Secretary
September 9, 1910.
:\redia. Pa., September 1.5, 1910
The Sixteenth Aniuuil Meeting of the Delaware County
Historical Society was hehl iu Institute Hall, ^ledia, at f^ur
o'clock P. M., president A. Lewis Smith in the chair, and in
189
the absence of H. G. Aslimead, Secretary, Charles Palmer act-
ed in his place.
The minutes of the last annual meeting held September
16, 1909, were read and approved.
The special connnittee on the matter of securing the old
City Hall, Chester, to the Society was continued.
A general invitation to the Society was received and read
to attend the One hundred thirty-third Anniversary of Wash-
ington's Encampment at Fagleysville, Montgomery County,
Pa., known as "Camp Potts-Grove", on Saturday, September
24, 1910.
The following nominations of officers of the Society for
the ensuing year were made.
OFFICERS
Pres. — A. Lewis Smitii
1st V. Pres.— A. G. C. Smith
2nd V. Pres. — D. ^I. Johnson
Treas. — Edward Hall
Rec. Sec. — H. G. Ashmead
Cor. Sec. — Charles Palmer
DIRECTORS
Rev. P. H. Mowry
James W. Howarth
Henry L. Broomall
George E. Darlington
W. Shaler Johnson
As there was no opposition to any of the candidates, on
motion the Secretary was directed to cast the ballot of the
Society which was done, and tlie officers above named were
declared duly elected.
The president of the Society was. on motion, authorized
to appoint a committee out of its meniboi-ship to consider the
matter of raising a fund and securing a location for a per-
manent home, which committee shall report to the council.
On motion then adjourned.
190
Mr.li;i. I';i., Sr ] -t riii I ir r i:)tli, llMO
A inri'tiiiL; of tlif ('miicil "f tiir I )<'l;i\viirt' ('oiitity llis-
toi-ifiil Society was liclil in liislitutr Hall at •'?;{<> n"c|i.ck P
M., I'lTscnI. A. I.rwis Smith, rn-siilfiit , A. <i. C Smitli. II.
I., liiu.niall, \V. SlialtT .htluisou, Cliarlt's I'aliiicr. Iv II. Hall
aiul Hon. I). M. Jolmsoii.
Applications fo!- incniliciship of William Masliy, .|r., ami
Rebecca S. l-'asliy, l)otli i>ni|)(iM-(| liy Iv II. Hall, were rc-
cci\iMl ami llir a|ipli'';iiits diilx' circtrd mcmlx-rs.
.\ letter- iVniii Kev. Cliai'les 1<\ Halm, of CliaiM's For'il,
was i-ead, im|iii rini;' whether the proeeeiliniis nl' the meeting;
at that place wmilil he piihlished.
The thanks uf the society were tendri<'d to the 1". H. &
\V. K. K. Co., and .\. W. Smith. Snpt., for their courtesy in
stoi)pin,t;' the train near the meeting: place. And the Brandy-
wine Baptist Church for the use of the church for holdini;
the nieetinir, to Israel R. Scott and Preston C. Bulhiek for the
donation of the lai-ye stones to which the tablets were fasten-
ed, and Samuel N. Tlill foi- use of oxen in haulinfr the stcmes,
and the owners and occupants of the jiropei-ties at Washing
ton's and Lafayette's Headquarters, Chadd's Vi^y^].
The following bills were read and approved for payment :
>^. ]\. Quint's Sons Co., two bra.>s tablets ^rh^.00
11. \V. Cullis Estate, stone cuttini; 8.70
H. G. Asbmead. expressage .HO
Charles Palmer, postage and envelopes 14.12
Chester Times, 300 envelopes and (iOO programs. . . . l.')..')0
Bowen Co.. notices of annual meeting I.;'i0
Lewis Palmer, expenses putting stones in jdace. . . . 2L00
On motion orders were drawn for the s;dai-ies of the sec-
retaries. IT. G. Asbmead and Charles Palmer, $25 each. Ed-
wai'd IT. TTall. Treasurer, made a verbal leport of the financial
cniidition of the society. Lewis Palmer and Henry L. Broom-
all, and George E. Darlintrton were appointed auditors to
examine the accounts of the treasurer.
An old bond and mortgacre of Benjamine Lobb, dated
1736, was presented to the society by A. Lewis Smith. Esq.
191
On motion E. H. Hall and H. L. Broomall were appointed
a committee to make requisition on the Covinty Commission-
ers for our legal appropriation of $200.
H. G. Ashmead and Charles Palmer were appointed a
committee to take up the subject of printing the second volume
of proceedings of the society, and to report to the next meet-
ing of the council.
A list of books contributed to the society and placed in
its library during the passed year was read.
On motion then adjourned.
192
MARKINC; Hh:AI)QbARr!;RS OF
WASIlINCnON AM) LAI AVI. 111-
HV 'IMIK
DELAWAKK ('OrNTY 11 IS'l'ol.'K Al. SoClKTY
AT
ClIADD'S FORD, DKLAWAIM-! (Ol \TV, I'A.
ON
SATURDAY. Sl'J'TK.M I'.IOR 10, IKlo
OKUEK Ui-' HXKia'LSES
2.45 p. M.
Unveiling of Tablet at Washington's Ilea(l(|tiaiters
Unveiling of Tablet at Lafayette's lleadciuarters
3 I'. M.
Exercises at Brandywine Baptist Church
Invocation bj^ the Pastor - Rev. Charles V. ]\\\\s
Opening Address
A. Lewis Smith - - - President of the Society
Poem
John Russell Hayes - Librarian Swarthmore College
Address on Wash:ngton
Garnett Pendleton. Esq. - - - Chester, Pa.
Address on Lafayette
Hon. Charlemagne Tower - - Philadelphia. Pa.
The train leaving Broad Street Station. Philadelphia, at
1.14 P. :\r., arrives at Chadd's Ford 2.21 P. M., in time for
the exercises.
Train returning leaves Chadd's Ford 6.09 P. ^I.
193
COMMITTEE OX ARRAXGE3IEXTS
Officers and Directors
A. Lewis Smith, President
A. G. C. Smith. 1st Vice President
D. M. Johnson, 2d Vice President
Edward H. Hall. Treasurer
H. G. Ashmead, Reeordino; Secretary
Charles Palmer, Corresponding Secretary
ReA'. P. H. Mowry, Director
James W. Howarth, "
Henry L. Broomall. "
George E. Darlington, "
W. Shaler Johnson, ''
Special Committee on Speakers
A. Lewis Smith, Esq.
A. G. C. Smith
H. G. Ashmead
Special Committee on Markers
Henry L. Broomall, Esq.
H. G. Ashmead
James W. Howarth
Lewis Palmer
Special Committee on Program
Rev. P. H. Mowry, D. D.
Hon. D. M. Johnson
Charles Palmer
Spec'al Cornmittce on Transportation
Edward H. Hall, Esq.
194
CWKII. TAI'.I.KTS ()\ r.A'I'TLIKiK'OlM)
<iM: lirN'DRED .\M> 11 1 1 K'l' N 11 I I Kl > \ N N IVl'.KS \|{^ i iK MKANDY-
WINi: KN(iA(JK.Mi;NI' (i|!Si:k\ |;|)
llKAlx^r AKTKKS OK WASl I IX(;T<)X AND LAFAYKTTK MAKKKM liY
lllSliiKICAL SOCIKTV AT CIIAOd's KoKD
Special to the Iiuiuircr.
ClIADD'S FORI). Pa., Sept. 10.— In observance of the
one liuiulnMl and t hirty-tliinl anniversary of the Battle of
ihr liraiiil.Nw ill!', lironze tal)lets were luiveiled at the AVasli-
inLitdu and Lafayette headquarters tliis afternoon hy the
Delaware County Historical Society, and nearly one thousand
persons tramped over tlie hattle-jrrouud where several leading
orenefals ni' the Revolutinn iniiuht. iintabh' amonj? whom were
AVasliin<rton, Lafayette, Wayne and Sullivan, for the Ameri-
cans, and Howe and Cornwallis, for the British.
The mai-ker at the Washintrton headquarters was unveiled
l»y Miss R. Anna Jetferis, wlio, with Ihm- sister, Mrs. L. J.
(lUss, occupies one side of the Ikmisc which Washinirton used
as his heachpiarters when the armies were encamjied aloui;
the Brandywine near Chadd's Foi-d. The old jioi-tion of the
house is occupied by Christian Sanderson and his inothei-,
Mrs. TTannah Sanderson.
Later the headquarters of General Lafayette were visited
and a marker unveiled there by Dr. Artbur TT. Cleveland,
ownci- of llic liouse. The house is oeiMi]iied by John Andress.
MANT VISITORS ATTEND
Visitors from a nuinbei- of distant jxiiiits attended the
ceremon.v, amonpr whom were ^Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Reynolds,
of Los Anpreles, Cal.. wbo came east to witness the event.
At tlie Brandywine Baptist Chureb public exercises were
held, at whi<'h one of the speakers was Charlema£me Tower,
former And)a.ssador to Austria and to Gennany. who spoke
of Lafayette and of his sudden rise to prominence at the bat-
lor,
tie of the Brandywine. The exercises opened with the invo-
cation by the pastor, Rev. Charles F. Hahn. In the opening
address A. Lewis Smith, president of the society, reviewed
the big historical events of the Revolution. An original poem
by John Russell Hayes, librarian at Swarthmore College,
on "Washington and Lafayette at Brandywine," was read
by him.
Garnett Pendleton, of Upland, a member of the Histor-
ical Society and an attorney, who is a descendent of a hero of
the Battle of the Brandywine, delivered an address on
"Washington," in the course of which he paid tribute to the
Commander-in-Chief of the Colonial forces in his strategic
Avork at the Battle of the Brandywine, although the battle
goes down in the history as a defeat for the Colonial army.
Former Ambassador Tower and Dr. John AV. Jordan,
Librarian of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, who were
guests of State Senator W. C. Sproul, of Chester, reached the
battleground in the Senator's automobile and were entertain-
ed by liim. The Chester County Historical Society sent a
delegati(m consisting of Edward Brinton, L. K. Stubbs, Rob-
ert G. Kay, Joseph Thompson, Christian Sanderson and F.
P. Bye.
TABLETS ARE UNVEILED ON BRANDYWINE
BATTLE-GROUND
ONE HLTNDRED AND THIRTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY OP GREAT REVO-
LUTION ENGAGEMENT OBSER^^ED BY DELAWARE
COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ADDRESSES DELIVERED BY PROMINENT MEN
With ideal weather and amidst auspicious circumstances
the bronze tablets marking the headquarters of Generals
Washington and Lafayette on the Brandywine battlefield
at Chadd's Ford, where one of the series of struggles of the
196
Revolution in tlie year of 1777 occurred, were unveiled on
Saturday afternoon hy tlie Delaware County Historical So-
ciety to Httinu'ly conunenuuoi'ate the one luuidred and thirty-
tliiril aiuiiversai-y of the Battle of Brandywinc. (lathcred
on the battletield were huiulreds of people, uiiu reached there
by automobile, train, laniaLrr and afoot, some cmiiiiiir from
lon^' distances. Delaware and (licster counties were well
represented, the historical societies of both counties having
promiiiriit iiifiiilit'iN present. From Cidifoniia. Oklahoma,
Tennes.see and .several other far distant states went people
desirous of witnessinir the ceremonies and trampimr over one
of the hi.storic battlefields of Revolutionary times.
AT Washington's iiEADc^rARTERs
The Philadelphia delecration and persons liviui: in the
Eastern section of thi^ county arrived on a train on the Penn-
sylvania line early in the afternoon over the Baltimore Cen-
tral. The train stopped before reaehin? Chadd's Ford junc-
tion to make the walk to the battle irroinid a shorter one for
the passenjrers. Several hacks mid teams were placed in
service and it was not lonj; before all of the visitors had reach-
ed tile AVashinfrton head(piarters on the Baltimore pike.
Here the visitors inspected th(> historic house and placed their
names on the reprister.
Tn one portion of tiie liouse, th<' jiart which has not been
rebuilt, Chri.stian Saiulerson and his mother. 'Sirs. Hannah
Sanderson, reside. Christian Sanderson is a student of his-
tory and is thoroucrhl.v familiar with the storv of the battle
of Brandywine and the bioirra|)hics of the famous men who
took part in the conflict, lie has a larfre collection of curios
of the battle and also souvenirs of the Civil Wai*. which the
visitors of the house observed with pleasure. The other part
of the house is occupied by Mrs. L. J. Cuss and her sister,
^liss R. Anna Jefferis. who have resided there for thirtecti
years. The.v were much interested in the obsen-ance but
Mrs. Gii.ss was disappointed that the tablet placed there did
not mention the battle of Brand.vwine.
197
TABLETS UNVEILED
After the sight-seeing was over the historians and party
gathered along the road and prepared for the unveiling of
the tablet in front of the Washington headquarters. After
the short exercises had been opened by A. Lewis Smith, Esq.,
of Media, president of the Delaware County Historical So-
ciety, the tablet was unveiled by Miss Jefferis. In observance
of the one hundred and thirty-third anniversary of the battle,
which occurred September 11, 1777, the ceremonies were held.
When the flag was removed from the marker the inscription
could be read, "Washington's Headquarters. Sept 10th &
11th, 1777. Delaware County Historical Society, Sept. 10,
1910."
The tablet is attached to a boulder. The house was oc-
cupied at the time of the Revolution by Benjamin Ring. It
passed into other hands, at one time the owner being Joseph
Turner. The house is now the property of Mrs. Randolph, of
Philadelphia, as part of the estate of her late husband.
From the AA^ashington headquarters the crowd went to
the house where Marquis de Lafayette made his headquarters
when he joined the American army after securing his com-
mission from the Continental Congress. Here the unveiling
was by Dr. Arthur H. Cleveland, of the ]\Iedico-Chirurgical
College, Philadelphia, the owner of the property. The house
is occupied by John Andress. These ceremonies were of brief
duration.
HISTORICAL EXERCISES
The historical exercises followed in the Brandywine Bap-
tist church, which lies between the two headquarters. The
church was filled to overflowing. The platform was occupied
by the speakers of the afternoon. Charlemagne Tower, one
of the speakers, who was former Ambassador to Austria and
to Germany, arrived early with Senator William C. Sproul,
of Chester, whose guest he was during the day, the trip being
made in Senator Sproul's automobile. Also accompanying
Senator Sproul was Dr. John W. Jordan, librarian of the
198
Pennsylvania Historical Society and editor of the Pennsyl-
vania Maj^azine of History. Ju(lj;e William li. lirooiiiall als<»
arrived from Chester by automol)il('.
The ineetin^' at the church was presiilcd over by I'rt'si-
dent A. Lewis Smith of the society and opened with tlie in-
vocation by the pastor, Kev. (.'harlcs F. llahn.
CELEBRATION OX BRANI )^■ WIN K FIlllJ)
TABLETis UN llKADt^T AKTEK.s oF \VASmX(.T()N AND i.AFAVKTTK
ARE UNVEILED
EXERCISES AT CIIADDS FORD
The 133d anniversary of the battle of Brandywinc was
commemorated yesterday by the Delaware County Historical
Society. Two memorials were unveiled at Chadd's Ford —
one at the headquarters of Washinjiton, the othfi- ;il I>afay-
ette's headquarters. A crowd of from 700 to 1 •'()(» persons
assembled at the liistoric ford to take part in the exercises.
They came mostly from adjacent points in Delaware County.
l)ut there were many from a distance. ^Ir. and Mrs. A. B.
Reynolds jonrneyed all tlie way from Los Anjreles, Cal., to
witness the ceremony.
The tablets were unveiled at o o'clock, and laier there
were memorial services in the historic Biamlywine Raptist
Church. Charlemagne Tower, loiinei- American And)assador
to Germany, and the author of an authoritative work on
Lafayette, and Garnett Pendleton, a Chester banker, (hdivcred
the commemorative addresses.
^Fr. Tower was the irnest of State Senator William C.
Sproul, of Chester. Dr. John W. Jordan, librarian of tlie
Pennsylvania Historical Society, was present, and the Ches-
ter County Historical Society sent the foUowinGr deleeates:
199
Edward Brintou, L. K. Stubbs, Robert S. Kay, Joseph Thomp-
son and F. T. Bye.
The tablet at Washington's headquarters was the first
to be unveiled. This old building is a two-story structure
built of plaster, and is set beneath two towering maple trees.
It faces the Concord road, and the environment of it can act-
ually be said to look historic. It is rolling farm laud, and ex-
tremely picturesque, after the fashion of so many battlefields.
It was in this old building that Washington spent the
days of September 10 and 11 of 1777, while watching the
movements of Lord Cornwallis and Lord Howe, as they man-
oeuvred their course toward Philadelphia.
It was here, as Mr. Tower pointed out, that Washington
first intimately met Lafayette, and the friendship between
the two men was begim. When Washington slept under the
roof, the house was owned by one Benjamin Ring. Now it
is owned by the Randolph heirs, one of whom is ]\Iiss Dorothy
Randolph, of Philadelphia. The Randolphs came into pos-
session of it through their grandmother, Mrs. Turner, who
l)ought it from Gideon Speakman.
Two families now occupy the place, which, though to
outward appearances is small, actually contains 14 rooms.
In one section of the house live ^Irs. Elizabeth Guss and her
sister, IMiss Anna Jefferis. It was iliss Jefferis who unveiled
the tablet.
Christian Sanderson, who is a local authority on his-
torical matters, and a collector of relics, also resides there with
his mother.
The stones for the tablets, which were of a kind, were
collected from the neighboring fields by Louis Palmer, an
enthusiastic member of the society.
UNVEILING THE TABLET
When the American flag was drawn from the tablet in
the yard of the Washington headquarters, it was seen to be
set with a bronze plate, on which was inscribed the following
sentences :
200
I
" Washiiiyton "s nt'a(l(|iKii'tris, Sc|iti'iiilifr ll> and
11, 1777. Dclawan' ('oiiiity 1 listurical Society.
September 10, IDIO."
The president nf th(^ society, A. Lewis Smith, iiit iMtdiiced
Miss .lefferis, a ^I'ay-liaired woiuaii, who came fofwai'd mod-
estly and dra.i'^eil the Haii' from its place. It was noticeable
that as she did so a huge touring I'iH" elattered up to the rear
of the jiathering, making- so much racket as to drown the cere-
mony.
It was od<l that thei-e wei-e more automol)iles than ear-
riag'es packed beside the fence, tlirowinu- into moi-e or less
sharp contrast the era to be coiimiemmorated and the present.
IMrs. Guss raised tlie point at once, aftei- the tabh-t was
unveiled, that it said nothing about the l)attle of the Brandy-
wine. She went about with her complaint, but the mendiers
of the society declined to discuss the matter.
Inside the house the company gathered to observe the
setting and to signi their names in a couple of registers. Visit-
ors went into one side of the house and signed their naine
for one family, and, not to be di.scouiteoiis. siuiied it auain
for the other family.
There was tlie oh! Hi'eplace, some seven feet ami a halt"
hmg, before which Washington may have warmed his feet
if the weather was as chilly in "77 as it was there yesterday.
The place looked and felt too liistoric to abide in. seennntrly.
In one of the low-ceilinged rooms rested a spinning wheel,
and a wax plant clambered over a trellis at the window.
That wax plant of itself is 25 years old, and it bore 21 or 23
blossoms this year.
On the porch, Itcyoml the trellis, sat l)i-. -1. H. Jones,
an invalid.
There were relics in cupboards and a lantei-n suspended
from a nail which looked as if it mii:ht have bclonsred to Paid
Kevere. Triie, there were |)oi*traits of Peary and ^lark Twain
hanging cheek by ,iowl with the "distinguished rolonel."
^liss Jcffei-is explained that one must be in somewise modern.
201
Down the pike a dusty quarter mile the building known
as Lafayette's headquarters stood peacefully in a grove of
sycamores. There is one sycamore in the yard which is said
to be 22 feet around, and a farmhand standing near vouched
for the information that it was beneath that tree that the
French boy hero rested after he was shot in the leg in the
battle.
Dr. A. H. Cleveland, who practices in Philadelphia, owns
the place, which was built in 1745. At that remote day one
Gideon Gilpin was Lafayette's host, and the place was a
tavern.
It was not flag draped as was the Washington place, and
there were no registers to sign. Doctor Cleveland removed
the flag from the stone and the crowd moved on to the Brandy-
wine Baptist Church, where the speeches were made.
EXERCISES AT BAPTIST CHURCH
The church was packed to the doors, and, emphasizing
the fact that this is still a remote country part where fox
hunting is good in season, a black and tan hound strolled
leisurely up the church aisle and listened to the speakers.
Babies crowed among the audience, and on every hand sat
men gray haired and gTay bearded, wearing that k)ok which
aristocracy assumes that lives upon past deeds.
The Rev. Charles F. Ilahn, pastor of the church, was in
charge of the service. He offered the opening invocation.
The president of the society. Mr. Smith, made an address,
setting forth the details of the battle.
John Russell Hayes, librarian of Swarthmore College,
read an original poem written for the occasion.
Among those present from a distance were ^Ir. and Mrs.
A. B. Reynolds, of Los Angeles, California. They read in a
newspaper of the forthcoming celebration and crossed the
continent to be present.
All of the committee of arrangements were present, in-
cluding the officers and directors, the committee on markers,
the special committee on progTam, and the special committee
on transportation.
202
The officers and directois of the Delaware County His
torical Society are: President. A. Lewis Smitli. of .Media;
first vice president, A. (I. ('. Smitli, of Mfdia ; second
vice president. Mayoi- I). M. .lolmsoii. o|" ('licstcr; trea-
surer, F^dward II. Hall, of Mcilia ; rccordinL;- st-eretary. II.
Graliaiii Ashmead, of Chester; correspondiiiL; secretary.
Charles T*alnier, of Chester; directors, Rev. P. TI. Mowry, of
Chestci- ; .lames W. 1 low.irth, of Middlctowii ; Henry L.
Broomall, of Media; George E. Darlington, of .Mcdiii, and AV.
Shaler Johnson, of Chester. The eoniinittee on speakers con-
sisted of .\. Tjewis Smith. A. C. C. Smith and H. Craham
Ashmead; on markers, Henry L. Broomall. H. (Jraham Ash-
mead, James W. Ilowarth and Lewis Paliiici-; on j)rou-ram.
Rev. Dr. P. H. INFovvry, ^layor D. M. Johnson jiml Charles
Palmer; on transportation, Edward II. H;ill.
THOSE IN ATTEXDAXCE
The Chester County Historical Society sent a delegation
consisting of Edward Brinton, L. K. Stuhh, Rohert G. Kay,
Joseph Thompson, Christian Sanderson and F. P. Bye.
Among the prominent Delaware countains noticed pres-
ent besides those pi'eviously mentiond were: Robert Crozer,
Daniel ^McClintock, Alfred Rhodes, John B. Rhodes, Edwin
S. Hickman. Edward Irving and party. Col. d. A. G. Camp-
Itcll. George Crozer and fjimily. .Mi-s. Griffith, Miss Sallie
Flickwir, registrar of Delaware County Chapter, 1). .\. R. :
:Miss Helen Caldwell, Mrs. ^Yilliam A. Dyer, Mr. and .Mrs.
J. Horace Baker, ]\Ir. and IMrs. George S. Cutler, George Ped-
low, Isaac L. Miller. T. Edward Clyde, Rev. and :\Irs. Willian)
Teuton Kru.se, Charles S. Welles. Gen. Henry Clay Cochrane.
City Solicitor of Chester and Mrs. A. A. Cochran. ^Ir. and
:\rrs. Edmund Jones. :\Irs. E. H. Hall and Miss Elizabeth Hall.
:\lrs. A. Lewis Smith. :\liss Eckfeldt. .Mrs. William P.. Broom-
all. Lewis Palmer, James Fryer, George yi. Booth. E.s(|.. Coun-
ty Commissioner VanLeer E. Bond. Mr. and Mrs. William J.
Wiser and son Forwood, Mrs. .Icfferis and daughter, of Media.
Mrs. Frederick Preston. Mr. and Mrs. .1. Horace Baker.
'20:?
BIG CELEBRATION IS PLANNED
ELABORATE EXERCISES ARRANGED FOR AT BRANDYWINE
BATTLEFIELD
Much interest is being- manifested to a great degi-ee in
the coming- observance of the one hundred and thirty-third
anniversary of the battle of the Brandywine and in the ap-
propriate marking- on that occasion of the headquarters of
Washington and Lafayette, at Chadd's Ford. The dual
event will occur on Saturday, September 10, and the pro-
gramme has been arranged to attract interest, not only in
Delaware county but in contiguous sections.
Plans have been laid to have the train leaving Broad
Street Station, Philadelphia, at 1.14 in the afternoon arrive
at Chadd's Ford at 2.21, in time for the exercises, and re-
turning to leave the Ford at 6.09 o'clock. There will be some
prominent people present, not the least among them the Hon.
Charlemagne Tower, former Aml)assador to Germany, who
will talk on Lafayette. Garnett Pendleton, Esq., of Chester,
will make the address on Washing-ton. Jolm Russell Hayes,
librarian of Swarthmore College, will read an original poem,
befitting the event.
The exercises will be held at 3 o'clock in the Brandywine
Baptist Church, when the invocation will be made by the
pastor, the Rev. Charles F. Hahn. A. Lewis Smith, President
of the Delaware County Historical Society, under the auspices
of which the celebration is to be held, will make the opening
address. Prior to this programme the unveiling of the tablets
will take place at 2.45 o'clock.
The bronze tablet will bear in raised letters: "Wash-
ington's Headquarters, September 10, and 11. 1777. Dela-
ware County Historical Society, September 10, 1910." That
on the Lafayette headquarters will be similar in wording, ex-
cepting that Lafayette's name will be substituted for that
of Washington. The bronze plates will be bolted into natural
boulders, which will be carted to and substantially placed on
204
ihe lawns of tlu* liistoric luiildin.iis near ('liiiil<rs I-'md. the
priNilci^c haviiiii' hccii ()l)1aiiii'il t'lim the n\\ hits of the
|)r('iiiises
AVashino-toii's lu'a(l(|uai'ters, in liiniiinfjham tow nsliip,
where tlie ('onnnauder-iu-chicf of ttir Amei'iean forces hx-atfd.
probably on the afternoon of the Dlh, but certainly on the lOtli
and 11th of Septeml)er, 1777, was tlien owned by I'.cnjaniin
Ring. Tile old building', very niiicli as it was ilm-iii'r tlie bat-
tle of the Hraiidywine, is still preseixcd in Liood condition,
the most material change being that it then had a hipped roof,
similar to that still shown on the old I'nsey luMise in I'ldand.
About a mile from Chadd's Ford is Lafayette's head-
(luarters, which at the time of the l)attle was a tavern. kei)t
by Gideon Gilpin, the owner of the |)roperty. Forty-eight
years later, Tuesday, July 2t), 182."), when Lafayette, "the
nation's guest," visited the battlefield, Gideon Gilpin, then
an octogenarian, was seriously ill. As the i)roeession passed
the house, Lafayette asked that it be halted for a moment.
Stepping from his carriage he entered the dwelling and was
taken to the room in which Gideon Giljiin lay, nigh unto
death. The old man was |)leased at the distinguished honor
the illustrious Frenchman paid him. and smiled as Lafayette
clasped his hand and wished him every blessing. Gilpin first
could hardly believe that the man of 68 who greeted him was
the same dashing young Frenchman of 28 years and five days
old who had used his house as his headrpiarters the day prior
to and on the day of that ill-starred battle of Brandywine.
ITon. Charlemagne Tower, diplomat and author of the
standard work on Lafayette, will be the guest of Senator
"William C. Sproul on Saturday, Septeml)er 10, and in the
evening of Alfred 0. Deshoni;-, Ghester. when a number of
men prominent in statecraft and in other affairs, in art and
literature will meet the dist ingni.shed diplomat and author.
The public will be welcome to the exercises at the battle-
ground.
Thomas B. Brown, President of the Brandywine Battle-
field Association of Chester County, has not yet taken any
official action toward assistinir in the event but will ]irobalily
205
co-operate with the Delaware eountiaus in this large historical
celebration.
INVOCATION
BY REVEREND CHARLES F. HAHN
As we merge onr own personality into the larger person-
ality of the nation, we find ourselves, Thou God of Nations,
just as beholder to Thee, and just as dependent upon Thee,
in our national life as in our own personal life.
We ascribe to Thee alone the honor of conceiving such
a nation as ours, and Thine above all shall ever be the glory
of it.
We esteem it among the most precious assurances attend-
ing the birth of our nation that it was Thou, evidently, that
didst move the hearts of our Colonial Fathers both to conceive
the idea of a free nation and then to seek its attainment with
their. "lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor."
We rejoice that Thou didst find souls worthy to take up
the burden of the unavoidable conflict. We are thrilled as
we realize that we are even now close to one of the battle-
fields of the Revolution.
We are glad that at the very beginning of the conflict
Thou didst call out of modest retirement a David for America,
one so capable, so unselfish, so unsullied in himself and so
reverent before Thee, as to become, under thee, preeminently
fitted to conquer, to construct and to unite, George Washing-
ton, whose name we cherish to-day, and whose presence in
this locality during the Revolution we seek to perpetuate in
tablet and stone.
And we may only interpret it as a mark of Thy provi-
dence that one should come from France, wlio should become
so intimately attached to the fortunes of Washington and
America, so influential in securing for us the help of his
206
i-oiiiilr.v ill tlic tiiiu* of oil!' need, liiil'iivt'ttt', wliosf iiaiiic wc
assoeiate this day with the name of \Vashint,^<ni.
And now that we need Tliee as iinicli as ever to-day, we
pray for Thy help and guidanee still in oni- nation; tliat for
onr part there may still !»•■ I'oniid souls ainonLr us, just as
modest, as capable, as upright and as nuseltisli in themselves,
and as reverent before Thee, who shall become titled to lead
so "Treat a nation on to the destiny written in thy book for ns.
and that for the people in common, we may ever tind onr
greatest inspiration in whatever is best in our past history,
and whatever is highest in tlie vision of the future.
Let Thy favor rest with the Ilistorieal Society under
whose auspices the exercises of this occasitm are held, in its
efforts to perpetuate the memory of names and events, the
influence of whicli shall l)e beneficent to future urenerations.
May Thy grace attend the speakers on this occasion.
]Ma.v the unity of sentiment between speakeis and bearers
be a source of inspiration that will long continue.
Bless our great nation, God. and help us who pray to
remember that it is for us, each one in his own individuality,
to cooperate with Thee by being ourselves upright and loyal
to the truth, that we may attain to tlie measure of true citizen-
ship, and help to realize in oui- nation the true meaning of
fellow-citizenship.
And this we beg in the name of Thy Son, our Master,
while to Thee we ascribe glory and honor and powei- and do-
minion in a world without end. Amen.
WASHINGTON AND LAFAYKTTK AT BUANDVWINH
BY JOHN RUSSELL II.VYES
Forever honored are these noble hills
And old farm valleys of the Brandywine. —
Honored forever by the memoiy
Of him, our TIero-chief. who long ago
Marshaled his faithful men at Birmingham
207
And strove in battle on the antunui hills
Throngh long hot hours, while near him stood unblenehed
'Ihe gallant Chevalier who cast his lot
With young America, and lent the charm
Of old- world knighthood to our patriot cause.
What though the day was lost?— The ]\Iother-land
First learned on yonder heights of Birmingham
WHiat ardor stirred, what solemn passion fired
The Colonists who fought for freedom's sake,
Not in offensive war, but to protect
Their hearths and homes, true to the Saxon sense
Of independence, and the Saxon law
Of free self-government,— A heritage
Their sires in England through long centuries
AVrung from reluctant kings. Yea, England learned,
On every field of that hard-fought retreat,
What sacrifices Englishmen will make
For English freedom.
And that slow retreat
Was glorified by Lafayette, who shed
His blood in battle's midst, — brave Lafayette,
Youngest crusader of a valorous line
Illustrious in France from ancient days.
Dear was he to our fathers, and most dear,
I think, to Washington, who found in him
Wliole-hearted and devoted heroism.
Most knightly courage and most filial love.
Theirs was a friendship grand and memorable,
A friendship such as Homer migfht have sung
In some new Iliad of our western world !
In musing vision I behold them stand
Like heroes carved upon an ancient frieze,
Forever glorious, forever calm.
In marble immortality. Yea, there.
Beside old Birmingham's grey Meeting-house,
208
Their spii-its walk as on thai drallilt'ss day, —
Great \Va.shin<rton, liiiili-liciirtt'd L.ifa\ rite —
'riir iiiatcliless friends in \\;ii- and pracc. u h isc iiiinics.
Reiiowiird and s|)lcndid, i;ink with lliosi' ol yore,
^Vith all the j^reat-soulrd |i;itii(>1s dt' tlir world.
^Vith Cromwell do they stand, with (iariliiddi.
With Bolivar and Clordon. — kiimly nicii
And epic tiiiurcs from the si )ri('(l l';ist, —
in sueli immortal comradeship tht'\' stand!
Tliese aneient houses of our lliemc to-day,
These (piaint ii'rey homes Ihat for a iiltlc space
Welcomed those fjraeions souls a1 old ('liadd's Koril.
And so ae(inired a glory, — they shall fade
Ami fall like all man's works; but while these hills
Endure, and while oui' pastoral Brandywine, —
Old Indian Wawassan. — Hows and sin.us
Amon<i' the meadows and the shadowy woods,
Still shall two miofhty spirits haunt these hills, —
The li'reat Yirarinian, the Son of France, —
And lend them lustre thronsh uncounted rears.
A. LEWIS S:\ITTirS TXTKODT^CTORV REMARK'S AT
BRANDYWINE
We are gathered here to-day uixm the invitation of the
Delaware County Historical Society to aid in the performance
of a belated duty to the community, and to posterity as well
— a duty which could not be more appropriately performed
than under the auspices of this Society.
If asked why we take such j^ains to pres(>rve in bronze
and stone tlie memory of that fateful day a century and a
third ago when the stubborn courage and matchless lu'avery
of the patriotic army were borne down to defeat by the super-
ior numbers and lietter erpiipment of the Britisli forces. I
answer first, that History is impartial and its sols function
209
is to preserve, perpetuate and disseminate the truth, regard-
less of the passions and prejudices of the actors whose deeds
are recorded ; and I answer further that the Battle of Brandy-
wine was only one of the incidents of the struggle which in
its entirety evolved the Great Republic whose blessings we
are enjoying to-day, and whose foundations were in a measure
laid when the tirst Continental Congress met only three years
before. Had the result of the battle been different, Avho can
now say in the light of after events, that the ultimate outcome
of the war would have been hastened or the cause of the col-
onies benefitted? Defeat it was, indeed, but by no means
the disaster it seemed at the time. Within less than a week
the American army, little discouraged, was again facing the
foe and on the verge of a far more serious conflict than any
which had occurred during the war; a conflict which was
only forestalled by a war of the elements of sudden and ex-
traordinary violence. That the army was in no wise dismayed
by its late reverse was again amply demonstrated by the
spirited battle of Germantown in the early part of the fol-
lowing month.
It is not my purpose, however, to detain you by describ-
ing the battle which was fought here on September 11th,
1777, or the events which led up to it. The Battle of Brandy-
wine has probably been more written about and commented
on than any other which occurred during the Revolution ex-
cept perhaps Lexington and Bunker Hill, and this probably
for the reason that although the advantage of position was
with Washington's arm.y. it has been assumed that the day
was lost because of his failure to receive from some of his
subordinates, until too late, correct information of the move-
ments of the enemy. This indeed is given by AVashington
himself as a material cause contributing to the result, but
many intelligent persons who have investigated the matter
with access to facts since obtained from numerous sources, —
facts unknown to Washington himself, — have questioned
whether even if that Commander had received timely advice
of these movements, his forces, outnumbered as they were by
at least a third, would not in the end have been compelled to
210
retire before the well appointed and well discipliiit-d liritish
Army. The late Jiidii'e Futliey who was vcrv familiar with
the ground traversed by both armies and wlio made a special
study of all the information rcspeetin^^ this battle obtainable
from any source, while couccdinj;' as inexcusable the in'trli-
genee of certain officers, conchules nothwithstandin'..^ that "it
is problematical wliether the Americans could have succeeded
under any circumstances". But taking a broader view, he
adds that "looking at all the surroundings and the dithcidties
encountered and overcome, the disasters which befell tlic
American army became victories from the first gun which
was fired in the struggle until the British laid down their
arms at Yorktown".
The sole aim of Sir William Howe in undertaking his
costly expedition was to capture Philadelphia, the Caiutol.
and most populous city in the country, — not indeed for any
strategic advantage or material benefit to the captors or dis-
advantage to the defenders, but merely for the moral or sen-
timental effect which the possession of the metropolis might
have both here and abroad. For a like reason, which in mod-
ern parlance would be called "political necessity" and to
prevent its capture, the American Conunander was spurred
on by Congress and others in authority to an encounter with
Howe at Brandywine. It was natural that such a view should
prevail. We are often so anxious about what other people
think of us that we do not always act the best for our own
interests. In this case the result quickly developed the en-
tire futility of the undertaking of S^ir "William TFowe both
in its conception and in its conclusion. The invaders soon
became practically prisoners within the borders of the town
they had taken with so much effoii. and after wasting a winter
in idleness and dissipation, they voluntarily abandoned its
possession in less than nine months from the time they enter-
ed, and made a disastrous retreat to Xew York, whence as
a mighty host they had embarked in July of the previous year
prepared to strike a final blow at the rebellion and restore
the authority of that Sovereiim <>f whom a British poet has
said :
211
"He ever warred with freedom and the free;
Nations as men, home subjects, foreign foes
So that they uttered the word ' Liberty '
Pound George the Third their first opponent, x x x"
There was, however, one man among- the patriotic defend-
ers of their country who from the beginning was able with
a prophetic eye to appraise at its true value the movement
of Howe. I mean the far-sighted soldier and statesman.
Alexander Hamilton. While the British Commander was
engaged in equipping his fleet and transports for the expedi-
tion to the Chesapeake, and while the officers of {he Contin-
ental army were all guessing as to its destination, Hamilton
wrote a letter to his friend Dr. Knox in which he says:
"If they go to the Southward in earnest, they must have
the capture of Philadelphia in view, for there is no other
sufficient inducement. We shall endeavor to get there in
time to oppose them, and shall have the principal part of
the Continental force and a large body of spirited militia,
many of them from their services during the last campaign
pretty well inured to arms to make the opposition with. Yet
I would not have you be much surprised if Pliiladelphia
should fall, for the enemy will doubtless go there with a de-
termination to succeed at all hazard, and we shall not be able
to prevent them without risking a general action, the exped-
iency of which will depend upon circumstances."
And he adds, referring to this expediency: "It may be
asked, if to avoid a general engagement we give up objects
of the first importance, what is to hinder the enemy from
carrying every important point and ruining us? ]\Iy answer
is that our hopes are not placed in any particular city or
spot of ground, but in preserving: a good army furnished with
proper necessaries to take advantage of favorable opportuni-
ties and waste and defeat the enemy by piecemeal. Every
new post they take requires a new division of their forces
and enables us to strike with our united foree against a part
of theirs, and such is their present situation that another
Trenton affair will amount to a complete victory on our part,
212
for tlu'V circ at t h) low an i'l)ii tu \)r:w aimthcr stnikt- ut' tlii"
kind."'
And so it pi'iixcd in tlir end. Tlic hark dniu- inxasinn Ity
the Ih'itish forces ended in disad\ antaL;f tn tliriii, and, a|>ar)
Ironi llie deitloiahle loss of life and sntVeriiiLT dii'ei-fly involved,
proxcd to l)e a substantial henelit to the Anierienii eanse.
When on Auyust 26, 1777, Howe diseniharked his well
e(|iiipped army of 1S,()(10 trained soldiers and marched from
the Chesapeake towards K(Minett Scpiare, (leneral \Vasliiii<.'-
ton, to prevent bein,u' licnnned in hctwccn that ai'm\- and tlip
fleet, quickly moved his forces fi'oin K'ed Clay ('reek, near
Wilniinuton, to the hist>ric ui'ound upon wliieli we stniid to-
day, and established his head<|uarters in yonder unpreten-
tious house, then occupied by Kenjamin HiuL;'; and at the
same time the official liomc of Lafayette, his youthful and
ever loyal friend, whose name is indissolubly joined with that
of the Father of his Count f\' in the memory and aft'eetions
of after fenerations, was located in the still humbler eottatre
near by, then occnj^icd by (lideon (Jilpin. When we look at
the disposition which tlie Commander-in-Chief made of tlie
several divisions (tf the ai'ni\' it is easy to undei-stand why
these dwellings in preference to more connnodions houses in
the neip'liborhood, (situated also as they wei-e on the main
hijrhway alonti' which tlie enemy would pi-obably advance)
were selected for the i)urpose. Tliat tliey were so seh>cted an
unerrino' tradition, verified by temporary land marks, has
placed beyond cavil. It may well l>e imaixined that on the
busy afternoon of the battle scant personal use was made of
them by the eminent commanders whose headquarters they
were, but the fact that they were so chosen and used, entitles
these two localities to the sentimental recard which has for
all time attached to places associated with irreat and woi*thy
names. It was therefore eminently i)roper for us to-day to
establish and dedicate historical i-ecords which shall not only
perpetuate the facts wliicdi they recite, but shall also ser\'e
to inspire and keep ever fresh a pati'iotic reverence for the
meniorv of the preat men whose names they record.
21 :l
The Battle of Braudywine was fought less thau ninety
years after the great Revolution in England which first firm-
ly established there what has been well termed a "govern-
ment of laws, not of men ' '. It was this kind of government
that the colonies time and again vainly appealed for to the
Mother country, and the denial of which gave birth to the
gi-eat Declaration of 1776, and in its train to the Constitution
of these United States, without which the Declaration would
have been in vain. By it was indeed established a govern-
ment of laws and not of men, and of this government so es-
tablished Washington, in the Farewell Address, uttered the
admonition which holds as good to-day as upon the day it
was spoken: "Respect for its authority", said he, "compli-
ance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures are duties
enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true Liberty ' '.
If, as I hope we may believe, that what we are now doing
here shall only occasionally serve to remind those who come
after us of the trials, sacrifices and achievements which event-
uated in the adoption of that Constitution, and thereby to
stimulate even in a small degree a reverence for that great-
est of fundamental laws and for the government founded on
it, we shall have cause for congratulation in liaving come
together to-dav.
ADDRESS OF GARXETT PENDLETON
At the close of the reading of the poem the chairman in-
troduced Garnett Pendleton, Esq., of Upland, president of
the Cambridge Trust Company, of Chester, a member of the
Delaware County Bar, and the descendant of a hero of the
Brandy wine. Mr. Pendleton's address on Washington was
as follows:
WASHINGTON AS STRATEGIST
I think it was an Englishman who stigmatized us as a
nation of shopkeepers — so absorbed in pursuit of the Al-
mighty Dollar, as to be dead to the poetry and sentiment and
enthusiasm of life:
214
Yet, there be En«,4isliiiM'M wlio see no necessity t'ni- an
occasion like tlie present. Tliry ('(niic lidncstly hv tin- (>|)ini<)n.
Their ancestors, a eentur\' and mote, past saw iin nn-rssity
for the making: of history, such as we eeh'hrate to-day.
It would seem impossible for Americans fully to please the
British. The}' criticise us because of an allcLred lack of senti-
ment, and they criticise us for commeiiunoratinjr the heroes
that drove tyrann^y from our land, and made us a free people.
We may take np the plaint of the cliildreii in the market
place. In our time of stress ami anxiety and stiMiUirle. we
mourned unto you and ye did not lament. In imi- time of
peace and progress and prosj)er'it\-, we |ii|ie nnto \-on. and ye
d'l v.ot dance.
OUR PEOPLE ARE PATRIOTIC
There may be trutli in the indictment that we are over-
practical — unduly matter-of-fact. But. we ai-e in no sense
devoid of sentiment oi- the capacity for enthusiasjii. The
fire of patriotism may seem to burn low. but \rt some foreipni
invader approach oui- shores and tliose Hies will tlame t^)ith
to heaven as fervently as in the tryinu' days of yore. Let an
American l)attleship be suid< by Spanish trea<'hery, or by the
treachery of whatevei- nation, and the riiihteous wrath of
ninety million souls will break forth as the sound of many
waters; from East and West and Xoi-th and South, will
emerge an American chivalry "fair as the moon, clear as the
sun, and terrible as an ai'uiy with banners."
It is a gracious custom — inaugrurated by our Historical
Societies — that would mark with im|)erishai)le momuments
the sacred grround trodden by American soldiei's who fouLrht
and won the great battle for independence.
The people of Southeastern I'ennsylvaida should be
steeped in patriotism if there be any weight in the power of
association. Historic memories crowd thi<'k uj^on tis. From
the field of Brandywine as a center, swing a radius of foi'ty
miles and the circle will include Paoli. and Oermantown. Fort
^lifflin, Ked Bank, the camp ground of Valley Forire. and the
quondam capitnl of the new nation in whose lieart. as in the
215
heart of the American people, rests that saered edifiee wherein
was framed the Charter of Liberty.
OUR FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE
Increase the diameter a trifle and the circle will embrace
the fields of Trenton and Princeton and ^lonmouth. All of
these battles were fought after Julj^ 4, 1776. It is a note-
worthy fact, however, that our colonies were really fighting
for independence more than a year prior to the promulgation
of the formal resolve. Lexington and Concord. Bunker Hill,
Montreal, Quebec, Three Rivers, and Fort Sullivan were mat-
ters of history, and the British had evacuated Boston, when
the old State House Bell rang out its ])rophetic procbimation
of "Liberty throughout all the land; unto all the inhabitants
thereof. ' '
Old Massachusetts Bay raised the first note of defiance
to tyranny. Her crime was her ])rote.st against the violators
of- rights that had lieen enjoyed by English men since the
conquest. The arch criminals were her devoted sons, Samuel
Adams and John Hancock. To apprehend these desperadoes
and to send them to England, for trial, was the worthy ambi-
tion of General Gage, and, in the still hour of night, he dis-
patched some eight hundred men on an ill starred errand.
Paul Revere carried the news through the countiy side.
Adams and Hancock were warned of their danger and ex-
pressed contrition for their offenses by proceeding calmly on
their way to take seats in the Continental Congress. Upon
the soil of Massachusetts came the first clash of arms. These
trained English soldiers met some thirty-eight minute men,
who were ordered to disperse. They refused to comply.
Then, at Lexington, April 19, 1775, was fired the fatal and
fateful volley that slew eight and wounded ten of the colon-
ists. Thus, was the soil of Massachusetts the first to be moist-
ened by the blood of the patriot.
THE CLASH AT CONCORD
Then, followed the clash at Concord, wliere force encount-
ered force, and Gage's army, badgered, olistructed and shot
216
at from every hedge, was glad to rciich its Boston lu'adqnart-
ers, where it was soon beseiged l)y sixtfcii thousand inilitia-
men. ^fassaehusetts was not Iohl: to stand alone. Sin- had
sent forth a clarion call tliat appealed to the spirit of other
colonies. Her eanse was theirs. The issne was not local, Itut
general. Words have a de(^p si^iiiticiuice. Tlie repi-esenta-
tives of the colonies, at IMuladelphia, in 1771. styled tlieni-
selves the Continental Congress. In 177'). they christened
those sixteen thonsand New England militia the Continental
Army. Actuated !>>• proroundest wisdom and coiisnmmate
patriotism, they chose as Commander in ('hirt" of the army,
not John Hancock; not any New Knglander or Xmihein man :
but a Southern man, and a A'ir'^inian : ('oloiiel (ieorge Wasli-
ington.
Thns were united by the ties of ;i connnon peril ami a
connnon ambition, the two oldest and most ])owerfuI of the
colonies.
UNION .VND INDEPEXDKN'CE
The ideas of independence and of union haxe been inti-
mately associated from the very fii'sT in oui- histoi'.w as a
people struggling for autonomy.
"Unite or die!" was the ajihoi-ism of Ben Fraid<lin. In
union is strength. Our fathers fully ai)preciated the wisdom
of these political maxims. The mother country understood
it no less well. The obvious policy of the colonies, in their
struggle, was co-operation, combination of power. The equal-
ly obvious policy of the mother count !•>' was the severance
of one colony from another, ami. hence, more easy subjuda-
tion. Here, we have the gist of the issne. and alouL^- this line
the Revolutionary War was waged.
The choice of Washington as CoMimandei- in Chief has
been characterized by historians as the wi^;est ami most im-
portant act of the Continental Congress: not alone because
of its unifying effect, but because of the strong personality,
the sterling qualities, the marvelous genius of him upon whom
the choice fell. One writer goes so far as to say: "Xothing
can be clearer than that in any other hands than those of
217
George Washington, the military results of the war must
have been speedily disastrous to the Americans." Tliis is
exalted praise. Let us glance at the salient points in tlie six
years' campaign, and see whether we can discover the regnant
influence of one man.
WASHINGTON TAKES COMMAND
In July, 1775, Washington reached Boston ami assumed
command of the army. Heterogeneous mass of men, assembled
by patriotic impulse; cheered by temporary discomfiture of
the enemj'; but, unorganized, untrained, with scant and un-
certain supplies of food, clothing and ammunition.
To hold this body together and to develop it into a force
effective for siege, attack or defence, was the herculean task
laid upon the broad shoulders and the heroic spirit of the
Commander in Chief. The British army occupied Boston,
and the British tieet floated iu Ihe harbor. The plan of
Washington was to dislodge both. His military instinct ''■
been quick to appreciate the strategic importance of Dorches-
ter Heights, an eminence commanding town and harbor, even
more effectually than did Bunker Hill.
After months consumed in organizing and strengthening
the army and in collecting materials of warfare, the critical
move was made on the night of March, 1776, under cover
of a heav.y cannonade, two thousand Americans reached the
heights, threw up fortifications and placed their siege guns
in position.
THE BRITISH ROUTED
Morning light brought siu'prise and consternation to
the British. The Americans commanded the situation. Town
and harbor were untenable, unless the Heights could be taken
by storm. Their experience at Bunker Hill caused the Brit-
ish commanders to hesitate. This hesitation and the incle-
ment weather delayed the attack until the following day.
The attack was never made, for the advisability of such a
movement was debated day after day. W^hile in the mean-
time the American position had become impregnable. Dis-
218
aslrdiis (It'lcat <m- cn jiciiiil kui \\;is tlic altt-rnat i\ r tliat laci'il tlu'
enemy. Tlicy cliosc tlic laltfr, ami mi .Man-li 17 s:»iin' fij^lit
thousaiid ti'dops and iiiiir hiimlird 'I'm ii-s looU slnp and sailt'tl
t"(ir Halifax, ihcii- lica\_\ i;iiiis and urcat ((iiant itics <il" military
stores t'allinji' like ,i:ndseiid iiil > the liaiids n\' ilie patriot army.
Tims eaine the delix fiaiirc dt .Massarluisetts ; no lon^'er
to be the hatt le^ronnd oT the Kevolution. The stroke was
sharp, sndden, etfeetive. iinolvjn;; the loss of not more than
twenty li\es — the damaii'e to propei-ty Ikmiil; iiieonsidei'alile.
Washinjiton was peeidiarly liapi)y in the choiee of ihis
vantaj^<' i^'ninnd. lie was ei|nall>' happy in diseernimr the
psyeholo^ieai moxcments tliat turns \antaiie into menaec.
A liRlLLl.WT 1{KTRK.\T
After the American rejudse on LonL: Island, eiuht thons-
and patriots held Brooklyn Heights. Washinirton wonld
have weleonu'd a stoi ininu' party a»;ainst whicii he would
have been sueeessfnl. Hut. so soon as he perceived the in-
timation to besie.ue him, he ai'ted aeeonlinyly. ITis retreat
here was a moi-e l)rilliant exhibition of strate^'^y than was the
ascent of Doi-ehester Ileiuhts. There his movements were
eoneealed by daikness. while the noise of trampinu: iiien and
rniid)linii eai-iiaiie was drowned by the roar of artillery.
Here, in the liyht of a full moon, he end)arked his troops and
stores, in numerous craft, and without sound save the whis-
pers of his men and the splash of nniltitudinous oars. And
yet, that army crossed the East ri\-er unchallenm'd. a stone's
throw of enemy on shore and ship. Here was a ehance for
British victory crushing' and irretrievatile. It was a jrolden
chance of the war. Tt was not taken, and was never a>rain
to be offered.
EQUAL TO THE ORDEALS
The reverses at Xew Yoi-k. the lost fight and tliirht of
Congress, the complacency of Howe and ('nrnwallis. wlio
rep:arded the war as virtually ended did not disturb the char-
acteristic serenity of AVashington. .\rmy ilepleted by the
mistake of one greneral and the peitidy of another: an arniy
219
almost constantly on the retreat, the military genius of its
commander was not asleep. The darkness of the outlook was
appalling. The weight of responsibility would have crushed
heart and hope and life out of an ordinary man. But here
was no such man. He was a man like Atlas, the burden of
a new world on his shoulders. The strength of lion entered
his frame ; he arose and girded himself, and sprang anew into
the struggle for liberty.
Washington had noted the careless disposition of Howe's
forces along the Delaware. He resolved to crush the British
center at Trenton and drive the enemy toward New York.
Three divisions of his army were to cross the river and make
simultaneous attack. Two of these failed in their endeavors;
but Washington, with twenty-five hundred men, pushed hi;;
way across the ice laden stream ; effected a landing, after ten
hours' battle with the wintry waters; marched nine miles
through a blinding snow storm ; entered Trenton a' '•
and, after a short and fierce engagement, overcame the Hes-
sian troops and took a thousand prisoners.
Cornwallis was enjoying the Christmas festivities in New
York, intending soon to embark for England. News of
affair at Trenton somewhat disconcerted his plans. His de-
parture was delayed some five years, and when he reached
London, he came not in the guise of a conquering hero.
THE ADVANCE OK TRENTON
Earlv in January, 1777, he advanced upon Trenton, with
eight thousand men, every inch of his progress contested. He
found Washington with his whole force, drawn up beyond
a small stream that flows into the Delaware south of the town.
He was unable to cross the stream because of a galling fire,
but was in great glee. He thought to flank the Americans —
squeeze them between stream and river and compel surrender.
"At last we have run down the old fox, and we will bake him
in the morning."
Washington divined the intention of the enemy. His
object was to extricate himself from his position of danger.
Exhibiting an adroitness not altogether contigious with the
220
leyend of tlic cluTiy tier, lie ki'pt his uaiiip lircs burning
brighlly all tlirougli the night, while some of his men were
industi'ionsly digging trenches, being noiii- tno cari'fnl that
noise of jiiek and spade sliould escape the ears of liostilr sm-
liiifls. Meaiiwhih', the main body of tin- Ameriean army
marched swiftly up the stream; passed to the rear of Corn-
wallis and moved on toward Trineeton. At sunrise it met and
repulsed a detachment ot two thousand men. sent to reinforce
Cornwailis.
*'fox" becomks a "I, ion*'
When the genial foxluinter arose, in the morning, his
quarry had escaped; the roar of cannon to the northward told
the story; the fox of Trenton had become the lion of T'rincf
ton.
This ])rilliant double stroke reversed the situation; in-
fused new life into the shattered and discouraged army of
patriot; gave new impetus to the desire and the effort for
ultimate victory ; while it gained for Washington a European
reputation for military ability of the first order.
In the summer of 1777, pursuant to the avowed policy
of severance and piece-meal disintegration of the colonies,
the British Ministry conceived a plan for the occupation of
the Hudson river and the seizure of New York ; the plan in-
volving the march of Burgoyne from Canada to Albany;
there forming a junction with Howe's army, thus controlling
river and city and State; bisecting the colonies and separating
them by a line of hostile armies and fleets extending from the
St. Lawrence to the Chesapeake. It was confidently expected
that the successful execution of this plan would mean the
end of the Revolution.
Howe's eye on Philadelphia
Unfortunate for the English cause, General Howe turn-
ed his eyes to the Schuylkill rather than the Hudson. He
yearned for possession of the capitol city. He decided to
make a rapid march across New Jersey, seize Philadelphia,
and then, return in dur season to meet Burgoyne.
091
t^*m4 -L
Washington read the mind of his antagonist like an il-
luminated page. By a swift movement he brought his army
within fighting distance of Howe, who was impaled on the
horns of a quadrilemma. He dared not leave such a force
in his rear. He was too prudent to attack. He could n )t
pass; he could not outwit his foe. Hence, after eighteen days
of marching and countermarching, he left New Jersey and re-
tired to Staten Island.
These strategic moves of Washington were as etfective
as so many battles, for they served to delay the return to the
Hudson, that might well have proved disastrous to the Ain-
erican cause.
BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE
Then came the sailing of the British tieet for a myster-
ious destination ; not fully ascertained until its appearance
at Elkton.
One hundred and thirty-three years ago tomorrow was
fought the Battle of Brandywine — 18,000 British against
11,000 Americans. It is no part of my task to offer a de-
tailed recital of that hard-fought engagement — lasting some
five hours and resulting in a combined loss of more than 2,000
men, the enemy suffering more than we, but remaining in
possession of the field.
I would emphasize the fact, however, that, while con-
scious of the disparity in numbers of the opposing forces,
Washing-ton was the one to offer battle, thinking defeat pre-
ferable in moral effect to an abandonment of Philadelphia
without military protest. He chose gi-ound with his usual
sagacity and but for uncertain and conflicting reports as to
the movements of the enemy, might have crossed the historic
stream, struck and crushed Kuyphansen, then met and over-
come the approaching Comwallis, and so have turned the tide
of battle.
AMERICAN ARMY IN CHESTER
But not SO was it ordained to be. After an obstinate re-
sistance, our risrbt flank was turned. Superior numbers and
superior discipline won the day. The patriot army were de-
222
IVatctl. ' lU'i' I'niil ami (iL'iiiinali/.ali )ii wwv axcrtt-il l)y tin*
soldierly and dignified i-ctrcat of (Jit(mu', who with Stcplwiis
and Wcr, It'll, protected ihc fugitives and airrsl'-d fiirthei- jMir-
siiit.
The Aiuei'icans retired to Chester, the nuiin army restinir
neai" ('I'lim Lynne. ('hivalrii' i.at"a\('tte was liuriie ti> the oM
riow aibl Harrow TaNerii. on tlie siti' (if the pi-fsrni ( 'am-
hriduc Trust IJiiihliuL;, and thei'e his wimnds wei-e dressed.
In tlie aneient hostelry mi .Market street, in a low eeilini,'-
ed, upper room, sat a man at iiiidniirht, writinu'. His words
were addres-sed to tlie Congress. In the heart n\' that famous
report of the Battle of tlie Urandyw iiir appears this ]»ret.'-
nant sentence, hreathing the sere optimism, the strong love
of country, the sturdy faith in (lod and man that revei-se
could not (pieneh, hut ever nerved anew tlie arm of him whose
prophetic soul saw the end from the heginniiiir :
"Xothwithstanding the misfortunes of the day, 1 am
happy to find the troops in good spii-its and I hope anotliei-
time we shall compensate for the losses now sustained."
M.VRCHED TO IM nL.VDKM'llIA
The morrow saw disei|)]ine restored and the .Vmeriean
army, in orderl\' arra\', marched tliroiiiih Harhy to Philadel-
phia.
After fourteen days of almost continual skirniishinir. the
British gained possession of the city, whence Congress had
fled, after clothing its general with almost dictatorial powers.
Three weeks after its defeat at Brandywine, the patriot
army assailed its victor at Germantown. The move was l>ril-
liant and audacious and only failed of success because of an
unforseen accident of war.
Brandywine and Germantown are chronicled in the an-
Tials of warfare, as American defeats. Yet they, with other
links in the chain of events that held Howe in Pennsylvania,
that closed the military career of Bnrgoyne at Saratocra and
thus hrousrht to naught the counsels of the British ^finistr^-.
were worth far more to the patriot cause than a dozen spor-
adic battlefield victories.
223
Such is the verdict of history. But the significauce of
the achievement was not fully appreciated by contemporaries.
:Men of narrow vision failed to gi-asp its far-reaching conse-
quences. They merely contrasted the reverses in Pennsyl-
vania with the successes in New York.
A CRUEL TEST
It was an opportune season for envy and intrigue to set
their baleful forces in operation. And so the bitterness of
that dark and cruel winter at Valley Forge was accentuated
by the darker schemes of yet more cruel men. Sharing the
privations and sufferings of his soldiers, their great leader was
brought face to face with the menace of moral assassination.
His motives were impugned, his patriotism questioned,
his military capacity belittled. How did he meet this crisis
in his career ? Washington was not the man to blanch under
fire. Courage was his characteristic. In open battle, with
brave and honorable enemies, he displayed a heroism that
knew not fear of danger or death. When assailed in the dark
by cowardly and treacherous foes, he turned on them, drair-
ged them to the light of day, stripped them of their hypoc-
racy and exposed them to the detestation of all mankind.
As they slunk away into merited oblivion or undying
infamy, he rose ever higher in the love and esteem of his
fellow countrymen.
How strange it is that a woman always marries the wrong
man that the world is ever ruled by the unfit and incompetent !
This must be true. It is the unbiased opinion of the re.iected
suitor and the discarded seeker-after-place, who view the sub-
ject calmly, dispassionately and with judicial impartiality.
HE NEVER FALTERED
Washington did not permit these personal grievances to
impair his efficiency as a military chieftain. He closed his
winter quarters whence he could best afford protection to the
Congi-ess, then at York. Ably assisted by that expert tac-
tician, Baron Von Steuben, he subjected his army to a rigid
discipline. Nothing in his career more eloquently proclaims
224
him a leader uf iiieii in attiilmtcs ot heart and iiiiiui, than Ins
transformation ol that rauyed, foot-sore, frost-hitten, starviujf,
ill-tMluipped, forlorn ami disennraj,'ed mass of humanity into
a l)ody of trained soldiers, enthusiastic in their patriotism
and ready, with deathless loyalty, to follow their loved com-
mander whithersoever tlic Iditiiiies of war mi;,dit lead.
These were the men soon to liccunir the victors at .Mnn
mouth. These were the men associated with Washinirton in
his evolutions around New York and on the liiulson, and
these the men whose i)roud destiny it was to share with him
in that lightning sweep from West Point to Vnrktown — a pro-
ject, iu brilliancy of conception, in thoroughness of execution,
as signal as any achievement of ("aesar or XapoU-on.
It was the crowning, master-stroke of genius that amaz-
ed the world, that paralyzed the foe, that merirfd the dream
of American independence into an eternal reality.
Living at a period four generations removed from our
Revolution, we gaze at the august jianoraitia.
In space it extends from Lexinuton to ^''nktown. via
^lontreal and King's Mountain, marking the far cry from
skirmish to capitulation, from British arrogance to Hritisli
humiliation, in time, it oixmis wiih intellectual resistance
to oppression on the i)art of the mother country and closes
witli the administration of our first President.
Exercising a patriotic imagination, we move am mg the
men of an immortal past. AVe are thrille«l and entranced In-
the elo(iuence of an Otis ami a Patrick Henry. We stand,
with uncovered heads, in the liallowed presence of those de-
voted men, who, to the proposition of independence, pledged
their lives, their fortunes and tlicir sacred honor. Deeds
prove even mightier than these words of wisdom and of con-
secration. The scene shifts from the forum to the battle-
field. We hear the roar of cannon, the clash of hand-to-
hand conflict with breathless interest and tremblinir hearts,
we follow the vicissitudes of our Continental army, deploring
their reverses a7id rejoicing in their successes. lie who pre-
sides over the destinies of men and of nations gives heed to
our prayers and brings victory to our arms.
225
PEACE AND INDEPENDENCE
Then conies peace, and with it, recognition of independ-
ence and the adoption and enjoyment of constitutional and
popular government — government based on the consent of the
governed.
Such is the imperfect sketch of our Revolution and its
outcome. From the chaos, the struggle and the glorious con-
sunnnation emerges a colossal figure that looms grander and
more majestic with the passing of the^ centuries. It is the
figure, not of god or demigod, but of a man of like passions
with ourselves, yet curbed, restrained and moulded into the
symmetry of well-night perfect humanity.
It is the figure of the ideal American citizen. Brave in
battle, resourceful in emergency, equal to the occasion, un-
daunted by defeat, unelated by victory, wise in counsel, far-
seeing and unerring in statesmanship, gifted with saving com-
mon sense, endowed with a rational: optimism, sublime in a
patriotism that, without hesitancy or repining, relinquishes
comforts of home, the companionship of loved ones for the
fatigue and the dangers of warfare or the exacting and weari-
some employments and responsibilities of civil administration ;
a character whose merits shall be extolled and whose virtues
shall be emulated by generations yet unborn.
A nation's idol
Over the fair, broad page of American history is writ,
in monumental letters, the name of Washington.
His life is an integral part of our life as a nation. Both
illustrate the motto and maxim ; Per aspera ad astra. Hard-
ship, struggle, hostility, veiled and avowed, have been the lot
of each. But they that be for us be many more than tliey
that be against us. Blessed identity, equal immortality of
the Great Republic and its Illustrious Founder! Not more
assured the fame and honor and veneration in which he shall
be held in the ages to come than the perpetuity and prosperity
of this great Nation as a free, enlightened, mighty, developina-
people whose past, glorious as it has proved, is prophetic of
a still more glorious future.
226
Of him jiiid ul" Ills liflovt'd cniinl ry, liou t'loiniciitly i|(?-
sci-ipt i\(' tlu' words (if tilt' port of "'riif Di'st-rtt'd \'illa!4»':"
"As some t.ill clitV, that liflN its awful foi-iii,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the stonn,
Thouj4"h f'Miiid its hreast the r(illin«; clouds are sprea<i.
Ktoriial suiislnne settles on its head!"
MK. TOW Kirs ADDKKSS
y\v. Tower spoke last, lie was introduced liy the presi-
dent as a man |)i-eeminent in literature. The fonrier Am-
l)assador reviewed the history of the Revolutionary struj,'p:le
and dwelt at some length upon the sublime eharacter of Wash-
in^lon, then traced the movements of the opposini; armies
whicli led to tlie battle of the Hrandywine.
lie had been invited to speak especially on f^afayette,
and lie came to the topic of the young Frenchman and traced
his career with elaborate and extremely interesting detail.
Ml-. Tower said :
"It was at this jx'fi )d that the young Lafayette, having
just readied this country, saw Washington for the tirst time
and was struck by his impressive jiresence and bearing. lie
was introduced to him at a dinner in Philadelphia, where the
General was one of the gue.sts. to which the youinr Fr(Michma7i
had been invited.
"Upon entering the room, as lie said many years aftei"-
\\ard, though Wa.shinglon was surrounded by ofHeers and
private citizens, the majest.v of his countenance and of his
figure made it impossible not \o recognize him. lie was es-
peciall.v distinguished also by the afTabilit.v of his manners
and the ditniity with wliieli lie addressed those about him."
LAFAYETTE AT GLOUCESTER
In speaking of Tjafayette's youtli in France. Mi-. Tower
exjilained how the young hero came to take part in the con-
flict. He said:
227
"It happened that in the year 1775 the Marquis was at-
tached to a regiment commanded by a relative of his, the
Prince de Poix, then stationed in garrison at ]\Ietz, where it
was that he first heard of the American Revolution and in
a very singular way. An English gentleman, the Duke oi:
Gloucester, who was traveling on the Continent, stopped at
.Metz on his way to Italy to visit the Governor of the place,
who gave a dinner to which the chief officers of the garrison
were invited, including Lafayette.
"This Dulve of Gloucester was the brother of the King
of England, George III, but was very strongly opposed to
the policy of the King toward the American colonies. Dur-
ing the course of the evening the conversation turned on that
subject, where-upon the Duke spoke freely about it, express-
ing his opinion without reserve.
"He explained the causes of the difficvilties that had
arisen between the American Colonies and Great Britain,
describing the uprising which had occurred, the stern deter-
mination of the King to bring the colonies back to their
obedience, and he mentioned, with the evident sympathy
which he felt for them, the courage of the Americans under
these adverse circumstances and their resolution not to sub-
mit ; the war had broken out, he said, and, from the present
appearances, it was likely to be a long one.
' ' The account given by the Duke of the Americans fight-
ing for their rights caught the attention of Lafayette im-
mediately, so that he not only listened to every word that
was said, but asked several questions in regard to it. The
whole subject appeared to have fixed his mind as by a fas-
cination. He said many years afterward that for the moment
he could think of nothing else, and he longed to associate
himself with the cause which so greatly appealed to him.
It took possession of him to so great an extent that he re-
solved to come to America and offer his services."
THE MARQUIS VOLUNTEERS
Mr. Tower traced the vicissitudes which Lafayette en-
countered in carrying out his plan to take part in the Revo-
228
lutioii. Tlu' [»laii was at tifst tlu)Uj,'lit to Ix' tin- pliuiitoiii ol"
his imay;iiiation, ami it mot with the prompt cliscounmcnifnt
of his fatlier-in-law, the Duke de NoaiUcs; in tad, his i-ntire
family.
Nevertheless, the yonnj; man. wiio was aliout is at the
time, he said, in two years had assemhh'd an expedition at
the town of Passajes, on the Spanish coast. He dared n<»t
sail from France for fear of arrest. He saih'd thitlierward
on the sliip Victoire, whicli lie liad purchasetl for the voyasje,
and with liis were se\'eral younj; companions, whu came to
America apparently to satisfy a thirst for advent ur'c.
.Mr. 'i'ower told how Lafayette landed in South ('arolina
and latei- came to Philadeli)liia to appl.\- to Con.irre.ss for a
commission in the Continental Army. lie was jriven a major
ofenei'alship. and the comnussion was extended .iust in time
for him to join the forces at the Brandywine. whither he
went as a volunteer.
Mr. Tower eulos:ized Lafayette as follows:
"Ilis devotion to the American cause continued tlirouirh-
out the war. He served without compen.sation, he rendered
us assistance of almost inealcuahle value in carrying forward
the nefrotiations which led to our alliance with France, in
obtainiim' money for us from the French Kinjr and in en-
coura.irin.ir the expedition of French nulitary and naval sup-
port, which came to us later under the Compte d'Estainir.
General de Kochambeau and Admiral de Grasse.
"He shared the hardships of the winter at Valley Fortre,
and he was alwa.vs in the field where active operations were
goinjr on ; he conducted with Iiis own i-iminiand the movements
in Viriiinia which di-ove Cornwallis into Yorktown. and he
was present at the capitulation there which ended the war."
At the conclusion of the exercises all present united in
sintrinp: the national anthem, "Mv Countv, Tis of Thee."
229
TUE
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE
DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
WILL BE HELD AT
INSTITUTE HALL, MEDIA, PA.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST, 1911
AT FOUR o'clock P. M.
The officers of the Society for the ensuing year are to be
elected, and matters of interest will claim attention.
From the history making of the present time let us turn
for a brief period, to the accomplished facts of history of our
recent past.
Contributions of articles of historic interest will be ac-
ceptably received.
A. LEWIS SMITH,
President.
H. G. ASHMEAD.
Chester, Pa., Recording Secretary.
September 12, 1911.
230
'I" UK
P:IGIITKIv\TII AXMAI. .MKKTIN(J
OK TIIK
DELAWARK COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
OF delawarp: corxTV, Pennsylvania
WIl.I, 1!K IIKI.I) AT
INSTlTrTK IIAIJ.
ON SOl'TII AVENI'E. MEDIA. PA.
THURSDAY, SKrTKMliHK lUTU, 11112
AT FOUR o'clock I'. M.
For the transaction of the general husiness of the So-
ciety, the election of its otiKcers for the ensuing year and such
other matters that may properly claim attention.
The Delaware County Historical Society was organized
in 1895 and has established a place for it.self in the com-
munity. Many papers on historical matters have been pre-
pared and read and places of historic interest liavc l)ecn mark-
ed with suitable inscriptions l)y it.
A. LEWIS S.AIITII,
President.
H. G. ASILMEAl),
Chester, Pa.. RecordiuLr Secretary.
September 12, 1912.
Media, Penna., Sejitember 19th. 1912.
A Meeting of the Council of the Delaware County His-
torical Society was held in Institute ll.ill at '-^.^7) o'elock P.
^r., A. Lewis Smith, President, presiiling. Also present.
Edward n. Hall, George E. Darlington. A. G. C. Smith,
Charles Palmer, James "\V. llowarth. Charles S. Wdles. and
David ^I. Johnson.
2:^1
Bills were presented and approved as follows:
Bowen Printing- Company, printing" 250 notices of An-
nual Meeting $1.50
Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies, An-
nual dues 1912. ; 2.00
Orders were also directed to be drawn for the salaries for the
past year of the Recording Secretary and the Corresponding
Secretary for $25.00 each.
The Treasurer made report of amount on hand of
$197.54.
The following Auditors were appointed:
Edmund Jones
William Easby, Jr.
Rev. W. T. Kruse
to examine the accounts of the Treasurer for the last four
years.
A donation of $10.00 was received from the manager of
a local magazine Sine Nomine to be expended in the purchase
of historical volumes for our library, which was directed to
be thankfully acknowledged.
The Connnittee on Permanent Site for the Society stat-
ed that it had no report to make. It was suggested and ap-
proved that a new Committee on Ways and Means of obtain-
ing a permanent location be appointed, which was done, and
the new Committee is as follows:
Edward H. Hall
Edmund Jones
David M. Johnson
Rev. P. H. ]\Iowry
Joseph H. Hinkson
A communication was received from the Librarian of
Congress, offering to send the Society a volume of maps of
our Spanish possessions if we desire it.
An invitation from the Chester County Historical So-
ciety to attend a ]\Ieeting thereof at Cedarcroft was received.
232
Ill iTiTiird to tilt' <'liiirtt'i- which ;i|»|n'ars to hi- lust or
mislaid, scai'ch was diit'ctcd to he made for it, and prDpi-r
steps taken for its j-eeovery.
()n iiiotiiui, then ad.jdunicd.
ciiAK'LKs i".\i..\ii;i;.
St"cr<'tar\' toi" the dav.
Mrdia. I'rmia.. Dth .Montli. l!Mh, lUlL'.
The Annual .Mcetinir of the Delaware County Historical
Society was held in institntf Il.dl at o.OO o'chx-k i*. M.. with
A. Lewis Sniitli in tlir ('liair. In al)senee ot" tlic RtM-ordini;
Secretary, Charlrs 1 'aimer was ai)p(>int»'(l Srcrrtary for tlie
Day.
Tlie minutes of tlie fViumdJ Mcetinir <>f this date were
read and approved.
A Committee of three was appointed to make pro|)ei" ex-
penditure of the doiuition of $10.00 fi-om the maLra/.iiu' Sine
Nomine. The Conunittee lieing as follows:
A. Lewi.s Smith
Charles Palmer
Edwanl II. Hall
In the Election of Officers of the Society for the ensninir
year, the former Otticers were all renominated and no others
having" heen nomiiuited. the Secirtary was tlirected to ca.st
the hallot foi- those nominated, which was done and they were
declared duly elected as follows:
President, .\. Lewis Smith
First Vice President, A. (i. C. Snuth
Second Vice President. David .M. Johnson
Treasurer, Edward 11. Hall
Recordingr Secretary, 11. (i. A.shmead
Corresponding Secretary, Charles Palmer
Directors
Rev. P. H. Mo wry
James W. Howarth
George E. Darlington
Charles S. Welles
Albert Cook Myers
On motion, then adjourned.
CHARLES PALMER,
Secretary of the Day.
MINUTE
On January 16th, 1912, there passed into life eternal,
one of the oldest members of the Delaware County Historical
Society — William Shaler Johnson.
Keenly interested in everything" of an historic nature
and with a genius for historical research, he was one of the
Society's most valuable and valued members.
Many papers have been contributed by him and he has
others in manuscript, notably a history of Saint Paul's
Church, Chester.
These may be published at some future time and will
add still more to his reputation for accurate and scholarly
research.
The Society desires to place on record its appreciation
of his labors and the measure in which he contributed to the
fulfiiment of the purpose of the Society's existence.
FRANCIS M. TAITT
P. H. MOWRY
KATE B. HARVEY
Media, Pa., 1st Mo., 13, 1913.
A meeting of the Council of the Delaware County His-
torical Society was held in the office of Edward H. Hall,
Esq., at 3.30 P. M., with A. Lewis Sith, President, in the chair
and Charles Palmer was appointed to act as Secretary.
234
Edward II. Hall icport rd ihat lli..' diarU'i- oi the Society
whicli liad been supposed to be lost was found in tbe pojiseas-
iou of Ilorarc L. ( 'licyney, Es(i., wlio it'tiiriif(| it. and Mr.
Hail had the ('liarter recorded. An ordtT was directed to
be drawn lo liiiii io[- the cost of recordinjif tlie cbarft^r for
$4.00 and it was directed that a tin box be procured in wlneh
to kee]i the charter.
The notice of the annual incctini: of thf Pennsylvania
Federation of Historical Societies to be held at Ilarrisbur^^,
Thuisday. January 16th, 1913, was read and William C.
Sproid was selected to represent our Society at said nieetine.
The resifniation of Dr. and Mrs. F. .M. Smith as mem-
bers of the Society were presented in writini: and "n niiitiun
accepted.
A letter in relation to exchanjre of duplicates of volumes
owned by different Historical Societies, members of the Penn-
sylvania Federation, was received and referred to the Secre-
tary.
A comnumication was received from the Civic Advance-
ment Commission, of Chester, in relation to a project of hav-
ing the State Legislature gi-ant an appropriation for the re-
storation of the City Hall of Chester to its original form. As
far as the proposition agrees with the purposes of this His-
torical Society the object is approved, and if a bill shoidd
be presented to the Legislature wliich meets this requirement,
another meeting of the Coiuicil is directed to be called to
consider the nuitter.
Then adjourned.
CHARLES PALMIER,
Secretarv, pro tern.
:Media. Pa.. 9th ^b.. 18. 1913.
A meeting of the Council of the Delaware County His-
torical Society was held in In.stitute Hall at 3.30 P. .M.. with
A. Lewis Snnth, President, in the chair and Charles i'almei-
was appointed Secretarv of the meeting.
The minutes of the Council Meeting held 1st Month 13.
1913, were read and approved.
23.")
A letter was received from George T. Butler, Esq., in
relation to turning over the accounts of our late Treasurer,
Edward H. Hall, deceased, which was read and on motion re-
ferred to the new Council.
The following bills were approved for payment :
Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies an-
nual dues $ 2.00
Bowen Printing Company, printing 125 postal no-
tices of annual meeting 1.75
Charles Palmer, books purchased for the library of
the Society 4.05
H. G. Ashmead and Charles Palmer, salaries for the
past year, each $25.00 50.00
Then adjourned.
CHARLES PALMER,
Secretary, pro tern.
Media, Pa., First Mo. 2d, 1914.
A meeting of the Council of the Delaware County His-
torical Society was held in the office of George E. Darlington,
at 3.45 P. M.
David M. Johnson, one of the Vice Presidents, was in
the chair. Charles Palmer was named to act as Secretary
of the meeting.
The committee on resolutions for Edward H. Hall, de-
ceased, late Treasurer of the Society, reported that the}' have
prepared them and on motion two copies were directed to be
made, one for the family and the other for the Society.
The auditors reported that they examined the accounts
of the late Treasurer, Edward H. Hall, and found them cor-
rect with a balance of cash on hand September 19, 1913, of
$247.98, which amount has been paid over to the new Trea-
surer, Edmund Jones.
The following bills were read and on motion orders were
directed to be drawn to pay them :
Charles Palmer for 500 two cent stamped envelopes $10.68
Bowen Printing Co., printing 500 dues notices 1.75
236
The notice of tlic Xiiitli Aiiini.il .Mr.-i inLr <.f the I'nmsyl-
vania Federatimi of Ilisiorical Sdciriirs tn Im- held .it Ilarris-
l)iu\ii', January l">lli. li)14, was trad. < >ii nititiim ('liarlcs
I'alnier was ai)p()iiite(l a cleleL^atc to tlic h'edei-at ion and the
amount of Ins expenses in altrndiiiL; the same shall hr hornc
by the Society.
It was directed tliat the Correspomlin;,^ Secretary,
Charles Pahuer, the Ixecordiim- Secretary. 11. G. Ashmead,
tlie Treasurer. Ivhiiuiid doncs lie appointed a connnittee to
ascertain whether there is sut'licient iiiatecial nn liaiid for
another volume of the proc Ijn^s of tlie Soeiet\' and the
cost of havin<i' it printed.
A bond was received from the Estate of Kdward II. Hall,
being: Bond No. 797, New Jersey i.^- iriulson River Railroad
and Ferry Company for $1000. 00, which had been donated
to the Society by A. Lewis Smith.
The bond was directed to be registered in the name of
the Society at the special request of ^Ir. Smith. As the cou-
pons on the above Bond have been deposited at the First
National Bank of ^ledia in the name of Edward 11. Hall
Trustee, now deceased. Fdnumd -Inties was on motion ap-
pointed Trustee of said fund in miler t'> till the vacancy in
said trusteeship.
On motion, ad.jonrned.
CHARLES PAL:\rER,
Secretaiy, pro tern.
Chester, I'a.. Ninth .Month 17th, 1014.
A meeting of the Council of the Delaware County His-
torical Society was held in Parish Hall of St. Paul's P. E.
Chin-ch, Ninth and Madison Streets at 3.00 P. M.
D. M. Johnson, Second Vice President, presiding.
Charles Palmer was appointed Secretary of the nieetinsr.
The iiunutes of the preceding meeting of the Council
held First month 2d, 1!)14. were read and approved.
237
The Committee on printing the proceeding's of the So-
ciety report that the matter has not yet been taken up and
is referred back for their further consideration.
The following bills were read and ordered paid:
Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies, an-
nual dues for 1914 $2.00
Bowen Printing Co., 150 notices of annual meeting
and 250 copies of Charter and By-Laws 4.75
Charles Palmer, expenses as delegate to Harrisburg 5.15
Conrad Hiorth, janitor of St. Paul's P. E. Church. . . 1.00
Resignations as members of the Society were received
from ^Irs. Louis R. Page and Dr. A. F. K. Krout, which were,
on motion, accepted.
Applications for membership were handed in on behalf
of Henrietta H. Johnson, proposed by D. ]\I. Johnson. Aus-
tin C. Leeds, proposed by A. B. Geary, and Amy B. ]\Ien-
denhall, proposed by J. Howard ]\Iendenhall. who were all
duly elected members of the Society.
The following auditors were appointed :
A. B. Geary, Kate B. Harvey and Mary C. Ulrich.
Then adjourned.
CHARLP]S PALMER,
Secretar}% pro tem.
Chester, Pa., 9th Mo. 17th, 1914.
The annual meeting of the Delaware County Historical
Society, Pennsylvania, was held at 3.45 P. M., being the third
Thursday of September, in the Parish Building of St. Paul's
P. E. Church, 9th & Madison Streets, Chester, Pa., and was
presided over by David M. Johnson, Vice President.
In the absence of the Secretary, Charles Palmer was ap-
pointed Secretarj^ of the meeting.
The report of the Committee on resolutions for Edward
H. Hall was read and the resolutions were accepted and
placed on file.
The minutes of the Meetings of the Council held First
Month 2d, 1914 and Ninth Month 17th, 1914, were read and
approved.
238
On motion coinniittt'cs wore directed t<> Ix* appuinteil to
prepare resolutions of lespect for the followini? defeased
officers of the Society and these were appointed hy thf diair
J1S follows:
Resolutions or oliituary, \V. Slialer Jolinson:
Rev. Francis M. Taitt
Committee Kate B. Ilarvey
Rev. V. II. Mowry
Resolutions or obituary, Charles S. Welles:
Rev. AVilliain Tenton Kruse
Committee Rebecca G. Easby
Norris J. Scott
Resolutions or obituary. James W. llowarth :
A. G. C. Smith
Committee Lewis Palmer
A. B. Geary
Resolutions or obituary, A. Lewis Smith :
George E. Darlington
Edmund Jones
Committee William B. Broomall
Charles Palmer
0. B. Dickinson
On motion it was decided to go into nominations for
officers of the Society as a committee of the whole. After
consideration thereof the following nominations were re-
ported :
President, William B. Broomall
1st Vice Pres., A. G. C. Smith
2d Vice Pres.. David ^l. Johnson
Treasurer, Edmund Jones
Rec. Secy., Charles Palmer
Cor. Secy., H. G. Ashmead
239
Directors
Dr. P. n. JNIowr}^
George E. Darlington
Norris J. Scott
A. B. Geary
Col. Jas. A. G. Campbell
There being l)ut one candidate for each office to be filled,
on motion, the Secretary was directed to cast the ballot for
all the persons nominated, which was done and those nomin-
ated as above were declared duly elected to the respective
positions.
A donation of autographs and other documents was re-
ported from Joseph B. Carney, of Darby, for which the
thanks of the Society were tendered him.
On motion, then adjourned.
CHARLES PAL:\IER,
Secretarv.
MEMORIAL MINUTE OP CHARLES SALTER WELLES
Mr. Welles died 2-24-1914.
Paper presented 9th mo., 1914.
The subject of this Memorial ^Minute, Charles Salter
Welles, was born in Springfield, Illinois, September 13th,
1846. He was the son of Charles Roger and Mary (nee
Salter) Welles, and was the sole surviving child of his par-
ents, all the other children dying within two or three weeks,
of an attack of nialig-uant scarlet fever. His father, who
was born August 26, 1826, at Farmington, Connecticut, and
died at Spring-field, Illinois, July 23, 1854, was a distinguish-
ed member of the bar of Sagamon Circuit in Illinois, and was
associated with Judge Davis, Judge Edwards, of Yale, and
Abraham Lincoln, and other noted men of that day.
The founder of the Welles family in America was
Thomas Welles, fourth Governor of Connecticut. He came
240
to Coiiiifct icut ill 163() as pfixatf Secretary t<> I^unl Sa \ <• aiiil
St'lc. .Many of his (Irscriidi'iits liaxi- Im-cii Lrratliiatcil frnin
Yale rni\ rrsit\ , aiiioiiir ina\ !)»• iiainrd SdIuiiiiiii Wdlfs. ('lass
of 17."^!): (ii'iicral K'ni^rr Wcllrs. ('lass of 17!)."); .IikL'i' .Martin
Welles, SUM of (irnn-al Kit^er Welles ami LTi'andt'atlier of the
suh.jeet of this sketch. Class of iSOti, and Ids father. Charles
Koirer Welles, of the Class of 18:U. Our Mr. Weli.'s was a
ineinber of the Class of 1S7(). thniiLrli t'i>r reasons hei-eafter
stated he never irraduated.
ilis mother, Mai> Salter, was horn in Xi-u Haven, ('nn-
necticiit, Feln-iiary ■_*4tli. ISl!). .ind died at I'dwyn. i'ennsyl-
\aiiia, .March 7th, l!l()(>. Ilci's. \iut, u;is a dist inirnished
( 'lirist ian and useful ancestry.
.Mr. Welh's was iirepnred fur ('ollcLre at the ('olleL'iate
and I'oiiiiuereial Institute and the Hopkins Graniniar Sehool
of New Haven, Coiiiieeticnt, and entered the Class of 1870
at Yale, l^ut owing to a severe attack of typhoid fever lie
was obliiied to leave Colle«re toward the elose of Sophomore
year. Goinu' aliroad for his health, and travelinir f<M- a year
ill FiUrope and the Hol>' Land, upon his return he came to
reside in ^Media, where lie continued to live until 1S7S. when
he moved to T^urlinirton, New Jersey. There he lived until
KS81. Ill that year he removed to liis larm in Elwyn, known
as "Ilijihland", which he had purchased in 1871. when livinjr
in ^Media. Here he remained \nitil Ids death, spendiiiir the
years of his varied and intluential ami useful life.
.Mr. Welles was a man passionately fond of Nature and
Nature studies. He loved the tlowers; he loved the trees:
he loved the birds; he loved insect life. His private collect-
ions were large and varied and valuable. His tastes and
sympathies in these directions wei-e indieatetl by his connect-
ions. He was a life mendier of the Academy of Natural
Sciences of Philadelphia; of the Pennsylvania Historical So-
ciety and the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, and of the
Geographical Society of Philadeli>hia. He also held mend)er-
ship in the Delaware County Institute of Science, in the Yale
Alumni Association and the T'resbyterian Elders Social Fnion
of Philadelphia.
241
He also was a Charter member of this Delaware Comity
Historical Society and at the time of his death was a Director
of the Society.
He was a man of wide sympathies, scholarly attainments,
and large usefulness. A hospitable host, a generous friend,
a kind neighbor, a philanthropic citizen, — such was Mr.
Welles. To know him well was to love him much. Those
felt themselves happy who called him friend. And deepest
of all in his life was his Christian faith. This gave motive
and color and strength to all he was and did. He was a de-
voted faithful member of the Presbyterian Chvu-ch and
always took an active part in the work of the church, serving
for many years as Superintendent and Bible-Class teacher
in the Sabbath-school; and as a Ruling Elder in the church
was honored and beloved, exemplary and faithful, and in the
Presbytery he served with distinction and great usefulness.
He was twice married. First, in Media, October 19,
1871, to Miss Susie Parish, who died at Elwyn, ]\Iarch 4,
1883. Of this union was born a daughter, Susie Holmes
Welles, now Mrs. Rev. Elima E. Palmquist, of Cambridge,
Massachusetts. On October 7th, 1885, at Village Green, he
married to Miss Marie Hannum Pancoast, who, with a daugh-
ter, Miss Louise Ives Welles, survive him.
Mrs. William Easby
J. Norris Scott Committee
(Rev.) William T. Kruse
JAMES W. HOWARTH
The subject of this sketch was born in Middletown Town-
ship May 8th, 1847, and died at his home April 24th, 1914.
Until three years ago, when he sold the old homestead, he re-
sided on the property Avhere he was born.
He married Clara A. Williams February 10th, 1875, the
ceremony being performed by the Rev. T. Darlington Jester,
who was for a long time pastor of the Middletown Presby-
terian Church.
242
Two children were born to tlirm, .Miiry A. S. Ilowurth,
who married .lohii S. Huston. Apiil l:{th, 18'J'J, und .J. Oscar
Ilowarfli who in.inicd I'lli/ahet h II I'lves, Sei)teiiiher 1st,
1904.
Mr. Howai-tli was a rneniher ol" the .Middletown I'n-shy-
teriau Chureh I'or a period of foi-ty years and IdoU an aetive
interest in all matteis peitainiiiLT lo the church's widfare.
lie was a niernher of the Hoard of Trustees and its seeretary
for a iiiiinher of years.
lie was recognized hy his neirrhhors as a vahiahle eiti/en
and was called upon by them to serve in many positions of
responsibility. He served as treasurer of the I^)ard of Su-
pervisors of Middletown Township for a [leriod of eitrhteen
years and was a Justice of the Peace for foity years. lb- was
a member and seeretary of the School Board of Middletown
Township for twenty-two years and always took a deep in-
terest in the needs of the schools. He presented a larjre por-
trait of President Abraham Lincoln, whom he much a<bnired,
to each of the schools in the Townshiji.
Upon one occasion when he met President Lincoln, the
President said to Mr. Howarth : "Well, you are lonff for
this life even though you pass away tomorrow." (Mr. How-
arth was an unusually tall man) I'pon another occasion the
writer of this sketch introduced Mr. Howarth to Hon. "W. W.
Stetson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in Maine.
Mv. Stetson himself, a very tall man, grasped ]Mr. Howarth
by the hand, saying: "T am glad to meet you. you remind
me of the type of man we grow in Maine".
Mr. Howarth 's interest in educational matters was not
confined to his own Township. He took an active interest
in the work of the County, being a member of the Delaware
County Directors A.ssociation and of the Delaware Comity
Teachers' Association, and served as president of each for a
number of years. He was also sent as a representative of
the Delaware County Directors Association to the meeting
of the State Directors Association. He was elected its re-
cording Secretary for two years and afterwards its Treasurer
243
for a period of twelve years, being its treasurer at the time
of his death.
He was appointed by Judge Isaac Johnson a meniljer
of the Jury of View shortly after the act passed creating this
board, being one of the original members for this County.
He served as census enumerator during the years 1880, 1890,
1900.
Mr. Howarth took a very great interest in all matters
pertaining to history and possessed one of the finest collect-
ion of books and papers relating to historical matters to be
found anywhere. In addition he had a great collection of
autographs and photographs of prominent men in politics,
history and literature and an interesting collection of coins
and paper money which represented the work of a lifetime.
Time will not permit of naming any of tlie valuable works
which formed a part of this extensive library.
On December 12th, 1906, the home took fire in the night,
after the family had retired, and they were fortunate to es-
cape. The entire library and collections were destroyed,
never to be fully replaced. Mr. Ilowarth valued his library
at ten thousand dollars.
He was a charter member of the Delaware County His-
torical Society and served as a member of its council. He
was also a member of the Pennsylvania State Historical So-
ciety and many historical Societies in New England.
Mr. Howarth surely filled his place in life faithfully
and well, and our Society will feel the loss of his kindly in-
terest.
He was buried April 28th, 1914, services being held in
the jMiddletown Presbyterian Church, which was filled with
friends who had gathered to pay this last sad tribute of re-
spect to one who had gained the confidence of all who knew
him.
Respt. submitted,
A. G. c. s:\nTH
A. B. GEARY
244
Tlic Coiiiiuittci' a|)i)(iiiitf(l \ty tlir I )('lii\vari' Counly His-
torical Society t) i)r('i)ar(' Kcsoliitions on the death (»f its lute
l*resi<leiit, A. Lewis Sinitli. [ireseiit to tlir Society tlie follow-
iilii' :
A. Lewis Smith was imt only ,i ('harlcr iiiciiil)cr of the
Society at the time the ('h.irtcr was <,a-antctl un thr Kourth
day of .May. lS!)ti. hut was its tiist President and presided
at its lueetinu hehl at (In'stci- <in tlic eveninj? of May Seventh,
1896. and continued its l'resi(h'nt, filliiiir that otTice to the
time of his death, on the Xitu'teentli (hiy of .Inly, 1!)14; tlie
last meetinn' of the Society which lie attended heini; held on
the Kiiihteenth day of Septemher, 191:5.
.Mr. Sniitli was the eldest son of Doctor Georiuje Smitli,
of rpper Darhy Towusliip. Delaware (.'ouuty,
who was the first to compile a History of this (.'oiinty. which
he puhlished in 1862. A careful perusal of this work will
show the able and careful mannei- in which he looked up
facts for it from records of Delaware and Chester Counties;
at Philadelphia and Ilarrishurji' and at New Castle, Delaware;
also from records preserved hy the Montlily Meetincrs of
Friends ; as well as preserved records in private families.
Those to whom he y:ives credit for this information iind con-
tributed documents are: Joseph Kdwards, Ks(|.. Dr. Thom-
as P. James, John Cas.sin, Esq., Minshall Painter. Thomas
Button. Elijah Brooke, George G. Leiper, Robert Frame, Rob-
ert Thomas, Jolm .M. Broomall, Jacob S. Serrill, Joshua P.
Eyre, Charles Johnson and James M. Willcox. all natives of
Delaware County; and to Thomas Darlinu-ton. \h-. AVilliani
Darlinjiton, Joseph J. Lewis, Esq.. John 11. Hrinton. Es<|..
Adis M. Ayers, AValter Hibbard, Joiuithan Cope and Gilbert
Cope, of Chester County, and to Samuel l^reck. Sanuiel Haz-
ard, Professor Jolm Frazer and Samuel L. Smedley. of Phila-
delphia.
Dr. Smith's age and experience in i)ublic life gave him
an advantage for this work, that few. if any other, possessed.
or was capabh' of taking advantage of. It was due. therefore,
to his son, an able, conscientious and hard workinir lawyer,
24.3
that he should be the first President of this newly organized
Society.
While A. Lewis Smith did not pnsh himself forward as
a talkative member, yet on the few occasions when he read
papers at its meetings, he was entertaining and listened to
with attention, and he presided over its meeting's in an able,
quiet, dignified and pleasant manner.
One of the addresses made by him before the Society, as
cited in the published proceedings of your meetings, was
the "West House" at Swarthmore, the birth place of Ben-
jamin West, who was born in 1738 and afterwards became a
celebrated painter. This address was not only entertaining,
but exhibited a careful research into the historj- of the West
family and that of the great Painter, whose celebrity won
for him the favor of princes and kings. At this meeting of
the Society a Tablet was placed on the old building, giving
the date of the birth of Benj. West, P. R. A.
A. Lewis Smith was born in Upper Darby Township on
November 12, 1831, and died at his home in Media, in his
eighty-third year, leaving a wife, Rebecca Levis Wood Smith,
and four children to survive him.
He received his education at the public schools of his
native Tomiship at Burlington, New Jersey, under John
Gummere, and at the University of Pennsylvania, where he
received his Bachelor Degree with the Class of 1850, and his
Degree of Master of Arts. He studied law under Joseph G.
Clarkson, Esq., and William B. Reed, Esq., of the Philadel-
phia Bar, and was admitted to that Bar in 1853, and after-
ward to the Delaware County Bar on November 28, 1853.
From that time to the time of his death he maintained his
oflfice in the City of Philadelphia, assisted in his practice,
in the latter years of liis life, by liis son, Lewis Lawrence
Smith, Esq.
From 1853 to 1883 he was Secretary of the West Chester
& Philadelphia Railroad Company. When the West End
Trust Company was organized in 1891, he was its President,
and was long a member of its Board of Directors and Finance
Committee.
246
lie was a iiu'inhcr of tlic Sons of the Amcri.-aii licvolu-
tion, of the Colonial Society of Pennsylvania, of the Oene-
alogieal Society; also of the Delaware County Iiistittit.' of
Science, and of the Delaware County I'.ai- Association. In
all tliese he was prominent and active and his h»ss is deeplv
felt.
RESOLVED, That in tlie death of A. L.-wis Smith, this
Society has lost its alile President and an ohl and valued mem-
ber, which loss we deeply regi-et, and wliose place cannot he
readily filled.
GEO. Iv DARLIXCTOX
EDMINI) .TOXKS
CIFAKLES PALMER
0. B. DICKINSON
AV. H. RROOMALL
Chest<'r. Pa.. TJtli .Mo. 11th, li)U.
A meeting of the Council of tlic Delaware County His-
torical Society was held in the office of the President, Hon.
William B. Broomall. in the Law Buildinir. at 3.00 o'clock P.
M., with David M. Johnson, Vice I'l'esidcnt, in the chair, until
the arrival of the President later in the meetin*;.
The Treasurer, Edmund Jones, rep()rt(>d that his ac-
counts have been audited by two of tlie members of the audit-
ing Committee and found correct, with a l)alance on hand on
the date of September 1st, 1914, of $262. !)7. There beine no
objection, the report of the auditors was accepted. The
Treasurer also reported that he has the sum of $:?.'W.n7 in
his hands at the present date and the special account in the
name of Edmund H. Hall, Tiu.stee of ^lOo.GO deposited in
the First National Bank of Media has been rhaiiLrrd over
into the name of Edmund .rones, Trustee, and $60.00 addi-
tional from the coupons of the Bond presented to the Society
by A. Lewis Smith luis been added tliereto, mnkinir the total
in that fund $165.60.
Orders were directed to l)e drawn to the Secretaries for
the salaries due for last year, $25.00 each.
247
The Committee appointed 1st Month 2d, 1914, on pub-
lishing the Proeeedinjo-s of the Society reported progress and
is continued. The members thereof being Charles Palmer,
H. Gr. Ashmead and Edmund Jones.
The reports of the several committees appointed to pre-
pare resolutions of respect for W. Shaler Johnson, Charles
S. Welles, James AV. Howarth and A. Lewis Smitli were read
and approved.
As a delegate to attend the annual meeting of the Penn-
sylvania Federation of Historical Societies to be held in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the Third Thursday of January,
1915, the Council appointed Charles Palmer and also direct-
ed that his expenses in attending said meeting shall be borne
by the Society.
The resignation of Garetta Roach Forbes as a member
of the Society was read and on motion accepted.
An invitation was received from the Chester County His-
torical Society to attend a meeting under its auspices on Sat-
urday, September 26th, last at the former home of General
Anthony Wayne, near Paoli, and the president appointed the
following delegates to attend the same : Col. Jas. A. G.
Campbell, Fred'k A. Howard, Rev. W. T. Kruse, Clara B.
Miller, Joseph H. Paschall, Mary D. Cutler and Norris J.
Scott. A letter was received from the Chester County His
torical Society relating to the subject of the publication of a
Warranty and Patentee Atlas by the State for Delaware and
Chester Counties. The Secretary' was directed to call the
attention of the State Senator and Representatives from this
County to the matter and urge their support and assistance
to have this work taken up by the State and completed.
An invitation was received from the Louisiana Societ.v
to attend the One Hundredth Anniversary in commemmora-
tion of the Battle of Xew Orleans.
A notice M'as received from the American Historical As-
sociation of the Eleventh Annual Conference on the Problems
of Historical Societies, to be held in Chicago, Illinois, in con-
nection with the Thirtieth Annual Meeting of the American
Historical Association, December 28th, 31st, 1914.
248
A letter was cccrivrd fiom II. (;, Aslmirinl, uln. wjis
detained t'i'diii heiiin ixrstMit, .•xpiTssin- his virus on tli.. mit-
lodk (if activities on tiic part of the Society, wliirli uns r.'a.l
and appreciated.
( )n motion, then adjoui-niMJ.
ClIAU'LKS I'ALMKK'.
Set-ret a rv.
Clicstrr. I 'a,, .'.tli Mo. .Ifh, 1015.
A meetinu' of the ("onncil nf ihr I ).'|;i\varf Cniinty His-
torical Society was held in the oflii-c of the I'lTsidrnt. Hon.
William B. Broomall. in the Law 1 '.iiiliJinL;. No. 1 •_' U Ka.st
Fifth Street, at 2.00 o-<-lo(-k I'. .M.. with thr I'n-sidcnt in the
chair, the meetinu' ha\ini;- hccn called for the ti-ansaction of
general business.
The minutes of the last meetinii- of the ('onncil held 12tli
Month 11th, 1914, were read and approved.
The Treasurer, Ednnind .lones, i-eported the amount of
$334.97 as the balance of cash on hand in the general fund
of the Society.
An application foi- active niembei-shii* was pr(>sented liy
Dr. Anna E. Broomall. of Chester, I'a.. and on motion she
was duly elected and her name directed to lie enrolled a mem-
ber.
The following' bills were [)resented and read and directed
to be paid :
Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies, annual
dues for 1915, $2.00. Charles Palmer, loose leaf minute book.
$0.50, expenses as dele.uate to Federation at Harrisburg, $6.00.
Po.stals, $0.20. $6.70.
The (\)mmittee on publishing the pi'oceeilinirs of the So-
ciety reported estimates from John Spencer and the Chester
Times about as follows:
John Spencer \\ ill print a book with |)aper cover of about
250 copies at $1.50 a page and $0.35 a cojjy additional for
cloth on buckram binding, and cnts $1.50 for |)rintini: and
$0.18 ])er s(|uare inch for cost of cnt.
249
The Chester Times will print ;i hook of about 240 pages,
250 copies, paper cover at $1.00 per page or $1.05 per page
witli illustrations and half tone cuts made being extra.
The report was received but no further action taken in
regard to printing at present on account of the cost.
The Recording Secretary was directed to procure a copy
of the proceedings which have not yet been published and
keep them in a safe place for preservation.
The Secretary is directed to procure about 250 letter
sheets with appropriate heading for correspondence.
A copy of a book called "Broomall Night," being Mem-
oirs of the Dinner to Hon. William B. Broomall by the Mem-
bers of the Bar of Delaware County, was presented to the
Society by the President, for which appreciation was acknowl-
edged.
The desirability of procuring a permanent location for
the Society was considered, and Dr. Anna E. Broomall re-
ported her efforts to secure a room in the new Court House,
but the County Commissioners have decided to hold them for
public use only.
A committee was thereupon appointed, consisting of Dr.
Anna E. Broomall Clara B. Miller and Mary^ D. Cutler, to
ascertain if a suitable location is available for the uses of the
Society.
On motion, then adjourned.
CHARLES PALMER,
Secretary.
A meeting of the Council of the Delaware C'ounty His-
torical Society was held at 2.00 o'clock P. M., in Jury Room
No. 5, in the Northeast Corner, second floor, of the Court
House, with the President, Hon. William B. Broomall, in the
chair, the meeting having been called to consider the prop-
osition of securing a room for the Society's use in the Court
House, also the appointment of a committee on marking the
Brandywine Battlefield and also for general business.
250
'riic liiililltcs (if llir last liirctiliLr of the Cnuiicil, llcld ')tll
M(i. r)tli, l!*!'), were I'cad ami approved.
A[)plu'at ions t'(n- active inciiilxTsliip in flic Society were
received tVniii tlic rollouiiiLT eijilit persons:
('lu'slcf l'\ Uakci', ("licstei- I'a.. fecoinmcndcd hy A. \\.
Geacy.
Ali'red (.*. Klkinlou, .Mo.\ ian, I'a., refuniniemlcd iiy .\. I',.
Geary.
Sarali U. I^'lilcral't. ('licstcr, Ta., rccdninicndi'd liy .\nnji
E. Broomall.
J. Dellaven Ledward. Chcstn-. I'a., i-eioinnicndrd hy
(^liarles Palmer.
("aroline Miller, Medin. I'a.. feconiniended liy Mrs. Isaac
!.. Miller.
Kin^sley Mont.uoniery, Chester, I'a.. n-connuended l)y
Anna E. Broomall.
Rntli Anna Sliarpless, Chester, I'a., i-econnncmled l».\'
AniU' E. Broomall.
William 1. Sehaffer, Chester, Pa., recommended by
Charles Palmer.
And upon consideration thereof, the above named ap-
plicants were all dnly elected members of the Society.
The Tollowinu' liill was pre.sented. and on motion orderetl
].aid :
John Spencer, piintiny- 2o0 letterheads, $3.25.
Letters of G. M. Philips. President of the Chester Comity
Historical Society, were read, suj>;«i:estin!G: joint action by the
Historical Societies of Chester and Delaware Counties for
suitable marking" of the Brandyvvine Battlefield. The ex-
penses thereof to be met out of an appropriation of one thou-
sand dollars, beinfr five hundred dollai's to each County, ap-
plied for to the Historical Commission of Pennsylvania.
President Broomall ainiounced that the members of the com-
mission have recently made » visit 1o the Battlefield and the
above appropi-ial ion has been dctinitcly jrranted. The Presi-
dent was, on motion, empuwci'cd \i> appoint a workinjr com-
mittee of five members, includiiiL; himself a member thereof,
to cooperate with a similai- conunittee from the ('hcster Conn-
251
ty Historical Society to act in concert with Senator William
C. Sproul, chairman of the Commission in the matter.
Dr. Anna E. Broomall, chairman of the Committee on
securing rooms for the use of the Society, reported that no
suitable location has yet been found available. The County
Commissioners have concluded that it is unwise to consent
to the use of the Court House for any purpose whatever other
than provided by law, and cannot therefore grant us the use
of a room in it.
It was, on motion, directed that formal application be
made by this Society to the County Commissioners of Dela-
ware County for an appropriation of two hundred dollars
for our use in accordance with the provisions of the Act of
Assembly of May 21st, 1901, Pamphlet Laws, page 274.
On motion, then adjourned.
CHARLES PALMER,
Secretary.
Chester, Pa., 6th Mo. 29th, 1915.
A meeting of the Council of the Delaware County His-
torical Society was held at 2.00 o'clock P. M., in the office
of the President, Hon. William B. Broomall, in the Law
Building, Nos. 12-14 East Fifth Street, with the President in
the chair. Others members present being A. G. C. Smith,
D. M. Johnson, Edmund Jones, Rev. P. H. Mowry and Charles
Palmer, the meeting having been called to hear reports of
committees, to elect applicants for membership, and also for
general business.
The minutes of the last meeting of the Council, held
Sixth Month 4th, 1915, were read and approved.
Applications for active membership in the Society were
received from the following seven persons:
R. J. Baldwin, Chadd's Ford, Pa., recommended by Hon.
W. B. Broomall.
Guy C. Bell, Chester, Pa., recommended by Chester F.
Baker.
252
John .M. I>i-(i()iiiall, Media, I'a., ri'coniiiifiitlnl hy \iy.
Anna E. Broomall.
John II. Claik, Clu'stcr, Pa.. iTn.iii nilnl h\ Clirsirr
F. Baker.
John Caltlwrll Iliiiksdii, Chestei-, Pa., rt'eomiriemled l»y
Chester F. Baker.
Josiah Smith, C'he.ster, i'a., reeoinniemleil hy Charles
Palmer.
John ■]. Tylei-, Germautow n, I'a.. recommended hy Dr.
Anna K. Broomall.
.\nil upon consideration thereof, the ahove named ap-
jilieants were all duly elected memhers of the Society.
In connection with the .iiiplication of John J. Tyler, a
letter written by liini to the Secretary showini; his earnest
interest in the Historical affairs of Delaware Connty was read
and appreciated.
President Broomall reported that he had put in an ap-
plication to the Commissioners of Delaware County for an
appropriation of $200.00 for the use of our Society, hut lie
has received as yet no reply.
President Broomall reported that in pursuance of a mo-
tion passed at last meeting he appointed a working committee
of five members to co-operate with a similar committee from
the Chester County Historical Society for joint action in
concert with Senator William C. Sproul, Chairman of the
Historical Commission of Pennsylvania, for the suitable mark-
ing of the Brandywine Battlefield. Tlie Connnittee appoint-
ed is as follows: "William B. Broomall, H. G. A.shmead. John
]\I. Shrigley, R. J. Baldwin and Anna ^1. Buntinir.
On motion, the President is further in.structed to appoint
a Committee of such size as he deems proper on the anniver-
sary ceremonials in commemoration of tlie Battle of Brandy-
wine. The exercises to l)e held at Birmingham Friends'
Meeting House, Chester County, Pa., September 11th, 1915,
jointly with the Chester County Historical Society, as the
battle occurred on land now in both Counties. The Dela-
ware County Committee is as follows: H. (i. Ashmend.
Chairman; George M. Bunting, George M. Booth. E.sq., Mi.ss
253
Emma A. Brewer, Dr. Anna E. Broomall, Chester P. Baker,
A. A. Cochran, Esq., John P. Crozer, Col. Jas. A. G. Camp-
bell, ]\Irs. J. Lewis Crozer, Mrs. Mary D. Cutler, Geo. E. Dar-
lington, Esq., Hon. 0. B. Diskinson, Andrew J. Dalton, Re-
becca S. Easby, Sallie Flickwir, A. B. Gearj^, Esq., Frederick
A. Howard, Joseph H. Hinkson, Esq.. Mrs. Joseph W. Hawley,
Col. Chas. E. Hyatt, Mrs. Kate B. Harvey, Mrs D. Edwin
Irving', Mrs. W. Shaler Johnson, Hon. David M. Johnson,
Edmund Jones, Esq., Charles R. Long, Mrs. Sarah Brooke
Lewis Mercur, John E. McDonough, Esq., Kingsley Mont-
gomery, Esq., Charles Palmer, Henry Pleasants, Esq., Hon.
Fred Taylor Pusey, Joseph H. Paschall. Garnett Pendleton,
Esq., J. Howard Roop, A. G. C. Smith. Mrs. Walter M. Sharp-
ies, William I. Schaffer, Esq., Josiah Smith, Esq., Mrs. Wm.
E. Trainer, Mrs. L. D. Woodbridge, Hon. William Ward, Jr.,
Richard Wetherill.
On motion, then adjourned.
CHARLES PAL^MER,
Seeretarv.
]\Iedia. Pa., 8th Mo. 9, 1915.
A joint meeting of the Committees appointed by the
Chester and Delaware County Historical Societies in charge
of the arrangements of the anniversary exercises of the Bat-
tle of Brandywine, to be held at Birmingham Meeting House,
September 11th, 1915, was held at 3:45 o'clock P. M., in In-
stitute Hall, Media, Pa., with twenty-seven members present,
seventeen being from Chester County and ten from Delaware
County. H. G. Ashmead, of Delaware County, w^as appoint-
ed chairman of the meeting and Charles Palmer secretary.
George B. Johnson, Esq., of West Chester, chairman of
the Chester Co^^nty Committee on arrangements, was called
upon for a general statement of the progress of arrangements
and he reported as follows:
The inscriptions for sixteen tablets to be attached to
markers at various points connected with the battle have been
254
;il)j)r()vc(l hy lloii. William ('. Spi-oul. ( 'liainiiiiii of tlic Staff
Ilisforical Coiiiiiiissioii, and liy the siih-coiiiiiiit tecs of the two
(■(Unities and the woik lias hct-ii u'iven out. The t«l)let.s arc
to he made in the I'driii of a koystoTif. 'IMic consent of the
owners of each of the properties where the niai-kei-s are to be
placed is being obtained.
Dr. Georjtje M. IMiiiips, Chairman of the Chester County
Historical Society, reported the pro^Mam of the lO.xereises as
far a.s arranged at present. He also stated that invitation.^
have been .sent to the Knglish and French Aird)assadors, Cecil
A. Spring-Kiee and Dr. dnssiii-and and aeeeptance was re-
ceived from the l^'i-endi Aiuhassadoi-, \)\\ .hissiirand, l)ut the
English And)as.sador stated that on account of the war in
Europe he is not accepting invitations at this time. Dr.
Piiilips also reported that President Woodrow ^ViIson was in-
vited l)ut was not able to accept, but will be represented by
General Bliss.
Dr. Anna E. Brooniall suggested that a woman speaker
have a place on the progi-am, which was agreed to if arrange-
ments could be made for it.
The form of invitatit)n to be sent out was read ami adopt-
ed and the Committee on invitations is directed to proceed
with the printing thereof. To avoid duplicate invitations as
far as possible, it was agreed that the invitations should be
sent out by Charles Palmer, of Chester, Pa. The same com-
mittee is also directed to have programs printed.
On motion of Edmund Jones is was decided to have a
tent in which to hold the exercises if one can be procured at
a cost not to exceed $100.00, wliich matter was referred to the
Committee on Arrangements.
The expenses of invited guests, including the banquet
to be held after the exercises, shall be borne by both Societies.
Tlie various chairmen of sub-committees were announced
to have been appointed as follows :
Badges: Chester County, Miss Mary I. Stilie. West
Chester; Delaware County, .\. P.. Geary. Chester, Pa.
255
Publicity; Chester County, George B. McCormick,
West Chester; Delaware County, Charles R. Long, Chester,
Pa.
Entertainment : Chester County, Jesse E. Philips, Ken-
nett Square; Delaware County, Joseph H. Hinkson, Chester,
Pa.
Reception: Chester County, to be appointed, Gen. E.
E. Wood and others ; Delaware County, Hon. 0. B. Dickinson,
Chester.
Transportation: Chester County, Casper P. Fawcett;
Delaware County, Frederick A. Howard, Chester.
Invitations: Chester County, Lewis K. Stubbs, West
Chester, Pa; Delaware County, Charles Palmer, Chester.
Local Arrangements: Chester County only. ^Ir. Brin-
ton.
Music : Delaware County only, Dr. C. I. Stitler, Chester.
Attest : —
CHARLES PALMER,
Secretary.
Chester, Pa., 9th :\Io. 2d, 1915.
A meeting of the Committees on the Anniversary Cere-
monials in commemoration of the Battle of Brandywine w^as
held in the office of Hon. William B. Broomall, Law Building,
Nos. 12 & 14 East Fifth Street, at 4:00 o'clock P. M., pre-
sided over by H. G. Ashmead, Chairman.
Joseph H. Hinkson, Chairman of the Entertainment
Committee, made report that the prospect of having a ban-
quet at the close of the exercises is not bright, as the Chester
County Society did not appear favorable to the idea and the
matter is therefore dropped. The Committee is continued,
however, for such services as may devolve upon it.
Frederick A. Howard, Chairman of the Transportation
Committee, reported that arrangements are being made to
transport visitors to Birmingham Friends' IMeeting House
from the railroad stations at West Chester and Chadd's Ford
256
l)y aiitoiiioliilc s('i-\i(c at a diariic of t wt-iil y-tive cciits t-afli
way and also lliat the autoinohilcs will makf a tour of the
liattlrfit'ld, takiim- in all llic markers, for a cliarire of $1.50.
.\ slip i-oiitaiiiiiiL; Itic liiiir .iT ihc ai-ii\al of ti-aiiis at West
Clu'stcr and (hadd's Foid was enclosed with ea<'h invitation.
The Finanee Committee, tliroiiffh Col. Jas. .\. <1. Camp-
hell, ehairnian, reported five hundred letters sent ont a.skinf,'
for funds for the entertainment of the iiuests and the ^'eneral
expenses eonneeted with the ceU'hrat ion and .so far twelve
replies have been reeeived, eontaining eighty-four dollars
($84.00).
The Invitation Committee made report having .sent out
printed invitations to all our members and to a large numl)er
of other people and Societies.
The Badge Committee reported that a design has been
prepared and agreed upon and the cost of each badge will be
approximately nineteen cents i$0.iy). The Committee is in-
structed to communicate with Chester County in respect to
the number of badges needed. It was decided that a badge
be given or sent to each member of our Society.
Then adjourned.
CHARLES PAI-.MKR,
Secretarv.
On the afternoon of September 1 1, 11)15, several thou.sand
persons gathered on the grounds of the Birmingham Friends'
Meeting House to dedicate the sixteen tablets marking the
Brandywine Battlefield.
The ^Meeting was held by the Pennsylvania Historical
Commission and the Historical Societies of Chester and Del-
aware Counties.
257
PROGRAM OF EXERCISES
1. Introch(-ction - - Geo. [Morris Philips, L. L. D.
President, Chester Coimty Historical Society
2. Address of Welcome - Hon. William B. Broomall
President, Delaware County Historical Society
3. Invocation - - Rev. Philip H. Mowry, D. D.
Pastor First Presbyterian Church, Chester
4. Address - - - Hon. William C. Sproul
Chairman, Pennsylvania Historical Commission
5. Musk ----- Chester Quartet
6. Poem. — 21ie Prayer for Peace {on the eve of Battle).
Prof. John Russell Hates
Librarian, Swarthmore College
7. Address — The Story of the Battle of the Brandy wine.
Prof. Smith Burnham
8. Address — The Ploivshare has Succeeded the Sword.
Hon. Isaac Johnson
9. Address — Some Revolutionary Women.
Miss Lydia E. Baker
Registrar, Delaware Chapter, D. A. R.
10. Address . . . - Hon. Jean Jusserand
French Ambassador to the United States
11. Address - Lieut. Col. The Hon. Murrough O'Breen
[Military Attache of the British Embassy
12. Address — National Preparedness.
Gen. Tasker H. Bliss, U. S. A.
13. Music ----- Chester Quartet
The Exercises of this Meeting were published in full in
the Second Report of the Pennsylvania Historical Commis-
sion, 1918.
258
KXPEXSE OF MAHKIXd TllH FIKIJ) UK TllK I'.ATTI.K
OF BKANDYWIXH
By the TVnnsylvaiiia Ilistorieal roiiuiiissioii .iml tin-
Historical Societies of Chester aiiil Delaware Counties, Srpt.
nth, 191;').
Bureau Blrothers $ 7G0.00
Bureau Brothers 26.00
Corcoran Construction Co 200.00
Corcoran Construction Co 1 .32
Tnnes & Sons 146.77
F. S. Hickman e.oO
W. W. Bottoniley Co 110.00
Mary I. Stille 4.06
G. L. Rettevv 7.56
G. L. Rettew 3.00
The George Dale Printer^- 2.00
Photo Chromotype Engraving Co 6.86
Howard Heston .30
Howard Heston .15
Modern Engraving Co 2.68
John Wanamaker .60
Horace F. Temple 6.30
T. E. Smith & Son .10
Ednuind Jones and Charles Covington 3.00
George B. Johnson 12.00
James Spencer & Co., badges (250) 47.00
Postage. Del. Co. Society 8.29
John Wanamaker, engraved invitations 60.00
$1,414.47
259
STATEMENT
BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE CELEBRATION
1915 Receipts
August 21st From John Hanna & Sons $ 10.00
23rcl ' ' Mrs. A. M. Hawley 5.00
William M. Kerr 25.00
Mrs. Elizabeth D. Sharpless 5.00
24th '' Georo-e C. Hetzel 10.00
- o"-
II ii ii
I i
" A. G. C. Smith 2.00
Allison & Company 5.00
25th " Robert Howarth Sons 5.00
31st " Mrs. Mary S. Crozer 5.00
Sept. 2nd " W. 0. Howland 5.00
" " James A. G. Campbell 5.00
:3rd " Elwood J. Turner 2.00
" William W. Betts 2.00
" John Spencer 5.00
8th " William B. Broomall 25.00
John E. McDonoug-h .5.00
Robert Wetherill 10.00
" Richard Wetherill 10.00
" C. T. Schoen 25.00
John P. Crozer 20.00
" J. D. Shattuck 5.00
9th " Thomas J. Crumble 5.00
B. F. Compton 2.50
11th '' William J. Farley 5.00
9th
" l/l+V. ii
14th " Mrs. D. E. Irving 2.00
e ■
( < i I a
Mrs. Marv D. Cutler 5.00
Total Receipts $210.50
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. G. CAMPBELL,
Chairman of Finance Committee.
260
Clu'ster, I'a., 9tli Mo. IGtli. i:*!.").
A meeting of the L'ouneil of tlie Delaware Coutity His-
torical Society was held at 3.00 o'clock I'. M., in the oflice of
the President, Hon. William B. Broomall, in the Law Build-
ing. Nos. 12 & 14 East Fifth Street, with tlie President in
the chair, the other members present being Kdmund Jones,
Rev. P. H. Mowry and Charles Palmer, the meeting having
been called for regular business and to make report to the
annual meeting of the Society at 3.30 o'clock P. M. the same
day.
The iiiiuules of the last meeting of the Council, held
Sixth Month 2!)tli. 1915, were read and approved.
Applications for active membership in the Society were
received from the following three persons:
Jacob Craig, Jr., Chester, Pa., reconnnended by Charles
Palmer.
Walter IT. Craig. Chester, Pa., recommended liy Jacob
Craig, Jr.
Andrew L. Palmer, Chester, Pa., recommended by
Charles Palmer.
And upon consideration thereof, the above named ap-
licants were all duly elected members of the Society.
The following bills were presented and, on motion, or-
dered paid :
Bowen Printing Company, ])rinting 150 postal cards,
Committee meeting notices $2.85
Bowen Printing Company, i)nntiug 125 postal
cards, notices of annual meeting 1.75
Cliarles Palmer, express and postage on Brandy wine
Battlefield invitations and telejihone calls 8.29
Charles Palmer, postage on Committee meeting no-
tices, on members invitations and members badges.
Brandy wine Battle celebration 2.84
Col. Jas. A. G. Cami)bell. chairman of the Finance Com-
mittee for the celebration of the Battle of Brandywine an-
niver.sary, reported collections of .^2 10.50 towards the expenses
thereof. The report was received and filed and it was di-
2G1
reeled that the contributors thereto, whose names are not on
the roll of membership, be invited to present their applica-
tions, and in consideration of their generous contributions
their admission fee and dues for the first year will be re-
mitted.
The Treasurer, Edmund Jones, reported the amount of
$323.64 in the general fund of the Society, on deposit in the
Media Title and Trust Company, and also the amount of
$186.93 on deposit in the First National Bank of Media in
the special fund derived from the coupons of the bonds pre-
sented to the Society by A. Lewis Smith.
Charles Palmer and William B. Broomall were appointed
auditors to examine the Treasurer's accounts.
Then adjourned.
CHARLES PALMER,
Secretary.
Chester, Pa., 9th Mo. 16th, 1915.
The annual meeting of the Delaware Comity Historical
Society was held at 3.30 o'clock P. M., on the above date,
being the third Thursday of September, in Room 8, in the
Law Building, No. 12 & 14 East Fifth Street, Chester, Pa.,
and was called to order by the President, Hon. William B.
Broomall.
The minutes of the last annual meeting, held 9th Mo.
17th, 1914, were read and approved, also the minutes of the
meetings of Council held during the year.
The present occupants of the offices of the Society were
all re-nominated and Anna M. Bunting was nominated to the
office of Second Vice-President, which was filled last year by
David M. Johnson, now deceased. There being but one can-
didate for each office to be filled, on motion, the Secretary was
directed to cast the ballot for all the persons nominated, which
was done and they were declared elected to the respective
positions as follows: —
262
President. I Inn. \ViUi;nii B. Brooniall
1st Yiee President, A. G. (". Smith
2d Vice President, Anna ^I. Tiuntin^
Treasurer, Kdinniid Jones
Keeordin^' Secretar.x . ( 'liarles Palmer
Corresp()ndin<r Sect., 11. (i. Ashmead
Directors
Rev. P. II. Mo wry
George E. Darlinjrton
Col. Jas. A. G. Campbell
A. B. Geary
NoiTis J. Scott
(Jn luotioii, the I'resident is directed to appoint a com-
mittee of three to prepare resolutions of respect for David
M. Johnson, late 2d vice-president of the Society, whose death
occurred September 14th, l!>lo. of which Committee the Presi-
dent shall be chairman and he appointed the other two mem-
bers as follows: Charles I'almer and Edmund Jones. The
Committee when prepared will present its report to the
Council.
On motion, then adjourned.
CIIARLKS I'AL.MHK,
Secretary.
Chester. Pa.. 10-15-1915.
A meeting of the Council of the Delaware County Ilis-
toriral Society was held at 2.00 o'clock P. M.. in the office
of the President, Hon. William ]^. Broomall, in the Law
Buildin.2, No. 12 East Fifth Street, with the President in the
chair: the meeting having been c;dled for the purp(»se of
hearing the report of the Connnittee on rooms, for the elect-
ion of new members and for general business.
The following applicantions for active membership in
the Society were received.
Ellwood J. Tui-iicr, Cliester, Pa., recommend(>d by A. B.
Geary.
268
Charles T. Sclioen, Moylan, Pa., recommended by
Charles Palmer.
J. D. Shattuck. Chester, Pa., recommended by Charles
Palmer.
William ^M. Kerr, Trainer, Pa., recommended by Charles
Palmer.
And upon consideration thereof, the above named ap-
plicants were all duly elected members of the Society, and as
they were all contributors towards the expenses of the cele-
bration of the Battle of Brandywine anniversary last month,
their admission fee and dues for the first year were remitted.
Mr. Kerr, however, preferred to pay these and the same were
accepted.
Additional applications were received from the follow-
ing:
W. Wallace Gayley, Chester, Pa., recommended by Rev,
Dr. P. H. Mowry.
Elizabeth H. Gayley, Chester, Pa., recommended by Rev.
Dr. P. H. Mowry.
These applicants were also duly elected members.
The committee on ro^^ns, through two of its members,
Clara B. ^liller and Maiy D. Cutler, the other member. Dr.
Anna E. Broomall being absent on a trip in the West, pre-
sented a report recommending the renting of room 8, on the
first floor of the Law Building, at $12.50 a month. On motion,
the report was accepted and the proper officers of the Society
are directed to sign a lease for the room for a year at a rental
of $12.50 a month.
Edmund Jones, Treasurer, reported that receipt of
$500.00 from the State of Pennsylvania at the instance of
the Pennsylvania Historical Commission with the understand-
ing that it is to be used in conjunction with a similar appro-
priation granted the Chester County Historical Society to
defray the expenses of the markers erected at various points
connected with the Battle of Brandywine in Chester and
Delaware Counties.
The Secretary was directed to procure one thousand
letterheads for $7.50 and one thousand envelopes for $4.60,
264
aecordiiijr to an estimate received from Times and Sons, Print-
ers, Nos. 129-130 Xoitlt iL'tli Str.Tt, IMiiladclpliia.
A strap hin^'c from .in old Idiildiiij,' on Kdu'nioiit AvtMuir.
above Third Street, Chester, now hcint; torn down \v;is pre-
sented to the Society by Dr. Charh's liijitz.
On motion, then adjonrneil.
CHAKLES PAL.MKH,
Secret a rv.
Chester, I'a., lUtli, L'l.st, l!*!.').
A meeting of the ("ounril of the Delaware Connty His-
torical Society was held at 4.00 o'clock W .M., in the otHce
of the President, Hon. AVilliain H. Broomall, in tiie Law
Building, Nos. 12 and 14 East Fifth Street with the President
in the chair, the meeting having been called for the pnri)ose
of taking action on the payment of the bills incurred in the
celebration of the 138th anniversary of the liattlc of lirandy-
winc and the cost of tablets marking important positions
thereof and also for general business.
The minutes of the last ineeting of the Council, held l<»th
]\[o. 15tli. 1915, were read and approved.
The amount of collections $310.50, in tlie hands of Col.
James A. G. Campbell, chairman of the Finance Committee
for the Anniversary exercises of the Battle of Hrandywine,
were directed to be turned over to tjdnumd .(ones. Treasurer
of the Society..
The bills iueurred in connection with ttie markers and
the celebration of the Battle of Brandy wine anniversary,
amounting to $1,414.47. were presented and apiiroved. haviinr
been forwarded i)y the Chester Coimt.\ Historical Society
with its approval. Our officers are directed to draw an onler
for $707.24, being one-half the amount of said bills, to the
Chester County Historical Society witli are(|uest to that So-
ciety to pay all the bills and avoid the trouble of dividins;
the payment of each individual bill.
It was reported that three copies of the proceedings of
the Brandywine Anniversary evercises were prepared by Mr.
Lewis, stenographer of the occasion, one for^ the Chester
County Society, one for our Society and one for the Penn-
sylvania Historical Commission.
Applications for active membership w^ere received as
follows :
George B. Harvey, Chester, Pa., recommended by
Charles Palmer.
Evageline L. Harvey, Chester, Pa., recommended by
Charles Palmer.
Who were duly elected members.
The President and Secretary reported having signed a
lease for Room No. 8 in the Law Building at $12.50 a month,
starting from November 1st, 1915.
On motion, then adjourned.
CHARLES PALMER.
N Secretary.
MEIMORIAL— DAVID :\I. JOHNSON
David M. Johnson, in whose respect this brief memorial
is prepared, and whose death occurred on Tuesday, Septem-
ber 14, 1915, was a charter member of the Delaware County
Historical Society, as appears by the records of the Society
and by his signature to the Charter, dated in 1895. At the
annual meeting of the Society, held September 26, 1901, he
was elected Second Vice President thereof, a position which
he held continuously to the time of his death, and in the oc-
casional absence of the President. A. Lewis Smith and the
First Vice President, A. G. C. Smith, at meetings of the
Council of the Society, he presided with grace and dignity and
with a mind alert to its business.
David jNI. Johnson prepared and read before a meeting
of the Society held October 24, 1899. a paper entitled "Some
Incidents in the life and Times of Frederick J. Hinkson, One
of the Associate Judges of the Courts of Delaware Count3^"
This paper showed the proof of exhaustive research and great
266
care in ils picparat ion and is |)i-iiit('d in full, comnu'iieiny
on Piifje 155, of X'olnmc One, " I'roijocdinj^H of the Dclawan'
County Histofical Society."
While in these few paruirraphs of respect to his memory
it is not the intention to publish the history of his life, it is
eminently fittiuLT to state that he filled several stations of
trust and honor in this iiis nativ(> County, including the Dis-
trict Attonieysliip and the Mayoralty of the City of Chester.
DiiiIiil; his trnii in the latter position, the city was afllieated
with the trolU-y strike in the year 1908, hut he niaiuifjed the
crisis in a niasterl\ manner and kei)t the di.sorder, usually
followin<r such distui-ltauees, down to a minimum, and while
his term of office was full of ti'ouhles, it endi'd jcavinpr the
city generally calm and peaceful.
As a younti' man his advent in the City of ( 'lu-ster was
at a time when the city was bef;innin<.!; to j,'row i-apidly. The
Building Association system found in him a man W(>11 s\iiteil
for its work and he was prominently ctmnected durine: his
life time with a number of these useful institutions, several
of which he was instrumental in founding. At the time of
his death he was officially connected with three of them, which
united in preparing and fornudating a combined tribute of
respect to his memory and in presentimr an engT0s.sed copy
thereof to his family.
An incident of especially woi-tliy mention was the trib-
ute paid to him by his fellow members of the Bar of Dela-
ware County on the Fiftieth Anniversary of his admi.ssion as
a niemlxM- thereof, whicli event was celebrated at a banquet
in the ^lasonic Hall, Fourth and ^^arket Streets, Chester,
in 1912. and at which he was recipient of a handsome gold
watch.
David ^r. Johnson enjoyed the respect and esteem of the
community in a remarkable degree. His life was a useful
one and his memory will long be clierished by Ids many
friends. (Signed)
("Il.VRLES PALMER
EDMCXD JOXES
AY. P.. T>,RO(l^r.\lJ.
267
Early in 1916, a room was rented in the Law Building,
in Chester, and the books and museum of the Delaware Coun-
ty Historical Society were moved into the new quarters from
tlie law office of Charles Palmer, Esq., who had kindly given
them shelter.
Chester, Pa., 1st Mo. 7th, 1916.
A meeting of the Council of the Delaware County His-
torical Society was held at 2.00 o'clock P. M., in the new
quarters of the Society, Room 8, in the Law Building, Nos.
12 and 14 East Fifth Street, with the president, Hon. Wm.
B. Broomall, in the chair. There being present also Anna
M. Bunting, Edmund Jones, Charles Palmer, of the Council
and Dr. Anna E. Broomall, Chairman of the Committee on
Eooms, Joseph H. Hinkson and F. H. Shelton.
The meeting was called for the purpose of hearing the
reports of Committees, the election of new members and for
general business.
The minutes of the last meeting of the Council, held
Tenth Month 21st, 1915, were read and approved.
The Committee appointed at the last meeting of the So-
ciety on resolutions of respect for David M. Johnson, de-
ceased, reported by presenting a memorial notice, which was
read and adopted.
Applications for active membership were received as
follows : —
F. H. Shelton, Media, Pa., recommended by Hon. Wm. B.
Broomall.
Hon. Isaac Johnson, ^Nledia, Pa,, recommended by Hon.
Wm. B. Broomall.
Mrs. Eleanor Geary, Wallingford, recommended by Dr.
Anna E. Broomall.
"Sirs. Anna M. Broomall, Chester, recommended by Dr.
Anna E. Broomall.
Who were all duly elected members of the Society,
268
The treasiiiTi-, i'ldinmid .lipin-s, ic|i(irt('i| tin- aiinuint «)f
$()2(i.!((i oil liiiiid ill till' Linii-riil I'liiid. A Will of limes &
iSoiis, for print iiiu' lOdO Icltn' lirails ami IdOii fiivelopcs, in-
cluding' (hil)lieate cut of seal, $1 ■_*.."{."), was a|>|)iuvfd and di-
rected to be jiaid.
Notice was received of the Kleventh Annual meeting' of
tlie Ponnsylvaiiia Fedci-ation of Historical Societies to be lield
in Ilari-ishurii. 'i'liursday, daiiiiaiy L'Otli. IDKI, in tlie rooms
of the Historical Society of Daiipliin County, N'o. 9 Soutli
Front Street, (liailcs Palmer was appointed delegate of
the Delaware County Historical Society, to attend same and
his expenses to he paid hy our Society.
F. II. Shelton stated to the Council that he is prepared
with an illustrated lecture on Delaware County Views, which
he is willin<r to give. After consideration it was acrreed to
have the Lecture on Thursday. February ITtli, 1916. in In-
stitute Hall, .Media, at 8.00 o'clock P. M., and tlie following
eonnuittee was appointed to make all necessary arrangements
for the lecture: —
George M. Booth. Hon. T\. d. Baldwin. Frederick A. TTow-
ard. Dr. Anna E. Broomall, Clara \>. Miller.
A letter was recei\'cd from .1. D. Shattuck, suggesting
that a suitable marker be erected in Kidley Township on the
site of the residence of Jolm ^Morton, one of the signers to the
Declaration of Independence. The letter was referred to
Joseph II. llinkson to make further investigation into the
matter of the site.
On motion, then adjourned.
CHARLES PAL:\IEK.
Secretan-.
269
GIVEN FEBEUAKY 17, 1916, IN THE INSTITUTE HALL
MEDIA, PA.
Mr. Shelton's lecture upon "Delaware County, Through
and Through" was given in the form of a ''travelogue" or
talk upon the principal points of historic and picturesque
interest in the County, illustrated by colored lantern slides,
some 180 in number. Having spent a large portion of his
time in the Fall of 1915 in systematically going through the
County and traversing almost every mile of its 500 odd miles
of roads, as well as many paths off the beaten track and in
photogi-aphing points or things of interest wherever found,
the resulting pictures — transferred to the slides in question —
formed a remarkably fine and beautiful series of the char-
acteristic, representative and historic things of the County.
The pictures showing things in individual Townships were
first shown, and then those showing groups of various sub-
jects. The complete list of the pictures shown is as follows:
Map of Penn'a; showing the 67 Counties and relative
size and position of Delaware.
Map of County ; Showing the 21 Township divisions.
Edgmont
Characteristic old-time road sign-post.
President Hotel; Associated with "Sandy Flash" the
Highwayman of 1778.
Castle Rock : The greatest geologic rock outcrop in the
County
Stone Crusher; at Castle Rock.
Newtoivn
The old Octagon Schoolhouse, of three generations ago.
Similar one, in Birmingham Township.
Another one in Birmingham ; the three remaining in the
County.
An octagon barn, in ]\Iiddletown Township.
Badnor
The first ^lethodist Church in the County.
The Radnor Friends' Meeting House: 1718.
270
Radnor Fox Hunting' Club.
The groat chestnut tree, on M.ii-Ics Laiir; larijest in tlw
county '.'
Changing horses, at an old inn in the early days.
Handbill of railroad train oi' ls;{4.
The Jolm Bull loeomotivp; sinular to first that ran on
the first R. R. in the Comity.
St. David's Church: Summer.
St. David's: Winter.
Tomb of General Wayne, at St. David's.
Portrait of Gen'l Wayne.
Haverford
Founder's Hall. Haverford College. 1833.
Haverford Friend's Meeting House: Oldest (!hnrch
building in the Connty. 1700.
Curious smoke holes in the walls of above.
Darby and Vpper Darby
Portrait of -John Hartram, the botanist. 1699-1777.
Bartram's House at Bartram's Garden.
Inscription over window: Bartram's house.
The so called "01de.st house in Darby". Early frame
house.
Darby Friend's ]Meeting House.
Graveyard of Friend's Meeting House.
Blue Bell Tavern; east of Cobb's Creek.
The great oak in Mt. !Moriah Cemetery. Largest in tlie
State. As it was.
Trunk of great oak.
Present remains of trunk of great oak.
Tinicum
U. S. "Range Light". Light house on the Delaware.
Corinthian Yacht Club. Site of Swedes landing in U)43.
Philadelphia Yacht Club.
Old ' ' Swedes House ' ' ; near mouth of Cnim creek.
Old log cabin in Kellyville; attributed to the Swedes.
271
Penn'a. Quarantine Station; built 1800. Now super-
seded.
At the mouth of Darby Creek. The "lowest point" in
the County.
Biclley
Morris Ferry House. 1698. Birthplace of John Mor-
ton.
Morton's tomb in St. Paul's old ehurch-yard. Chester.
Great Leiper quarry at Avondale; Crum Creek.
Thomas Leiper lock ; of Leiper Canal of 1828.
Namestone in the Leiper lock.
Old grist mill stone : Avondale.
Kuins of old mills at Avondale.
Chester: C'tij and 'Township
Penn's landing place in 1682: monument stone of 1882.
Court house, in 1850; built 1724.
Court house, in 1877 ; with clock tower added.
Court house, in 1915 ; present appearance.
Washington Hotel. Where report on Battle of Brandy-
wine was written by Washington.
Sign board of Washington Hotel.
Chester Friend's Meeting House: 1736.
Saudeland stone; in St. Paul's church.
Pusey House on Chester Creek; Upland. Where Penn
visited. Oldest in Penn'a.
Tablet upon Pusey House.
Weathervane, with date of 1699 and initials, from mill
of Caleb Pusey, etc.
Lotver Chichester
Discord Lane; former haunt of Blackbeard the pirate,
and hard characters.
St. Martin's Church. One of the four early Episcopal
churches of the County.
Portrait of Adolph Ulrick Wertmuller: the artist.
Washington's portrait; by Wertmuller.
"Danae". As painted by VanDyke: Exhibition
by Wertmuller prohibited.
Danae". As painted by Titian.
272
( <
I'/ilirr Cli ichrsff r
01(1 Ilii'ksite Mt't'tiiii,' lioiisc. Least cliauu't'W "t the 19
{''r-ioiul's Mcctiiitr IIoiiscs of the ('oiinty.
Orthodox .Mt'ctiiii,^ 1 louse: iihimdnnt-d in 1883.
Hciltcl
Site of old ijaruet mines.
Map sliowiiiL;' circular liiuiiwlary line. Itetuecii I'ciiira. (.\:
Delaware.
Mil(>stoiit> u{)oii llic boundary line.
Half mile-stone upon the honndary line.
Terminal stone on lianl< of the l)(Ma\vare of the line be-
tween Penn'a and Delaware.
Characteristic country Maeksmith shoji at Chelsea.
Concord
St. John's Church: Another of the foui* early Kinseopal
parishes of the County.
Pewter chalice and patens; dating from around 1750?
Birmingham
Abandoned kaolin mines.
Washing-ton's headquarters: Battle of Brandy wine.
Lafayette's iKvidqunrters: and showing the irreat syca-
more.
Howe's head(iuarters.
Cannon and tablet marker.
Monument to Lafayette ; Birmingham Meeting House
cemetery.
Birmingham fleeting House.
Cannon on field where principal fiirhting occurred.
\Thor7ihi(rii
lirintons pond: largest in the County.
Mar pie
Monument marking the highest point in tliat part of the
County. 485 feet above tide water.
Au old boundary line stone; date 1770.
27:?
Springfield
Stone marking Jane Lownes cave and dwelling; 1685.
Lownes Free Church. 1832. Baltimore Pike.
John Thomson tablet stone; bridge on Baltimore Pike.
1811.
Swarthmore College.
Portrait of Benjamin West.
Birthplace of Benjamin West; Swarthmore. 1728.
Tablet Stone upon; erected by Delaware County His-
torical Society.
Benj. Franklin; who aided Elizabeth Showell to run
away, to marry West.
"Penn's Treaty with the Indians" by West.
"Death of Wolfe" by West.
Aston
St. Thomas Catholic Church. The oldest in the centre
of the County.
Calvary Episcopal Church: 1833.
Gravestone to John Rhodes and others; drowned in the
great flood of 1843.
Portrait of Admiral Farragut ; went to school at Vil-
lage Green around 1814-15.
Middletown
The "Indian Stone" near Sycamore Mills.
The great Lenni quarries.
Dam on Chester Creek: above Lenni.
Characteristic little square, white country stone school
house.
First Presbyterian Church in the County.
Upper and Nether Providence
Club House: Rose Tree Fox Hunting Club.
The Grand stand.
The "Dumb-bell" race track.
Acres of parked automobiles on a race day.
Grave of Jesse Russell : Hunting Hill. First known fox
hunter of the County. 1820.
Slasher". Gravestone, to an old fox hound.
274
< ( I
Union Library: Sycamore ^lills: 1812.
The John Sharpless rock: Wiiterville. 16S2.
Sharpless lioinestcail : 1700.
Old jail at Media.
Old Court liouse at Media: erected iMf)! ; replaced liil.").
New Media Court house. 191').
Old Providence Inn: now Media Hospital.
Providence Fricml's Meeting: House.
Old Taverns
The Black Horse: in Middletown.
The White Horse on Chester Pike; RitUey.
The Sorrel Horse: Radnor.
The Black Bear: Chester.
The Old Drove: West Chester Pike: Brooniall.
The Rose Tree: Upper Providence.
The old si^i board of the Rose Tree Tavern.
Old marble Dilworthstown sigii board.
Old Houses
A log cabin near Glen^Mills.
A log cabin on West Chester Pike, at Darby Creek.
Nearer view of same.
An early stone cabin.
The Miller cabin; Upper Providence.
A William Penn deed with great seal.
Early brick house: 1729. Clifton.
John Yarnall mansion: brick. Edgmont.
A characteristic stone mansion: Springtield road.
Another characteristic stone mansion: Springfield road.
Colonial door- way ; Leiper house. Avondale. 1785.
Sketches of characteristic date stones, on County houses.
Date stone over window of Bartram house.
Date stone of Radnor Friends Meeting house: qunintest
in the County.
Date board on the Brinton house: Thornbury.
Characteristic old stone bam: Minshall Painter place.
jMiddletown.
Characteristic old stone barn : Sharpless place: Thom-
burj'.
275
Bridges
Longest bridge iu the County, of the old covered wooden
type: Twin Bridge: Birmingham.
Chadd's Ford covered wooden bridge.
Sycamore Mills covered wooden bridge.
Stone Bridge, Darby Creek, on Baltimore Pike.
Stone Bridge, Darby Creek, on Koad to Eagle.
Modern stone bridge near Radnor Hunt.
Tunnel thro' Railroad fill: Birmingham.
Railroad bridge over Ridley Creek: Highest in County.
104 feet.
Milestones
Lancaster Pike : ^Milestone No. 10,
West Chester Pike: Milestone No. 15.
Chester Pike : ^lilestone No. 9.
Baltimore Pike : Milestone No. 6.
Blacksmith shop on Baltimore Pike: Ivy Mills.
Milestone : Marcus Hook, >Xo. 19. Erected by Phila.
Contributionship about 1768.
Milestone No. 20, ^larcus Hook. Erected by Phila. Con-
tributionship about 1768. Both these with the Penn arms on
reverse.
Milestone No. 11 : Haverford Road.
Milestone No. 10: Haverford Road. Showing Penn's
arms ; on reverse.
IMilestone No. 10: Darby and Radnor Road. These last
three attributed by Watson to ^Mutual Assur. Co.
Milestone on Providence Road, No. 2, Near Sproul place.
Milestone on Providence Road, No. 5, near Providence
Meeting House. Date 1705 ?
Old Mills
Grist mill: Beaver Creek: Birmingham.
Sager Mill : Upper Crum Creek : Newtown.
Peters J\Iill: West Branch, Chester Creek: Aston.
Characteristic old grist mill at Bacton, Chester County.
Outside old overshot water wheel, at Bacton, Chester
County.
276
Ruins of saw-mills ;it Palmer's Mill. Cnim Creek:
Mari)le.
Ruins of old Sliinu'i-'s cotton mill: ('rum ('n'ck: Now-
t:i\vn.
Deserted mills at Know Itmi. Chester Creek. Middle-
town.
Lewis pai>er mills: Crum Creek.
Glen ]\Iills paper mills: Chester Creek: Thombnry.
Old Mill-stone on Garrett place: Newtown.
Sketch showint;' metlioil of use of old mill-stf)ne on (Jarett
place: Newtown.
Ruins of Ivy ]\Iills: (Oncnrd. west branch of Chester
Creek. Second oldest in the U. S.
Several views of creeks, dams, rocks and landscape
scenes alonu' the County creeks.
Chester, Pa., :Jrd .Mo. 4tli. 1916.
A mcetiuL; of tlic Council of the Delaware County Ilis-
toricjil Society was licid at ll.l»() .\. .M.. in the i|nat1frs of
the Society, Room 8, Law l>nil(lin,<i\ Xos. Il2 ami 14 East
Fifth Street, with the President. Hon. AVilliam B. Brooniall.
in the chair. Present also: Edmund Jones, Charles Palmer,
Dr. Anna E. Broomall and Georjre ]\I. Booth.
The meetinp" was called for tli(> jmrpose of heariutr re-
ports of Connnittees, election of new memhers and for sreneral
business.
The minutes of the last meetinu- of the Council, held P'irst
month 7th, 1916, were read and a|>i>roved.
Dr. Anna E. Broomall. tm- the Committee <>n R<hhii, re-
ported that the books in the Library have been numbered and
a catalogue made of them, but nothin.;- has been done with
the pamphlets. A vote of thanks was extended to this Com-
mittee for its care and attention, in the preparation of the
Room and the catalogues.
The Secretary was authorized ti> jnu.ure a suitai)le book
to contain a list of donations to the Society.
277
The Committee on Lecture, through George M. Booth,
chairman, report that Illustrated Lecture of F. II. Shelton
on "Delaware County, Through and through", was given
in Institute Hall, Media, February 17th, 1916, and was a
marked success. The Committee presented bills for rent of
chairs and hauling same. The Institute of Science donated
the Hall and light for the occasion, and on motion, a vote of
thanks was extended to the Institute of Science. The Com-
mittee is authorized to get, if possible, a written account of
the lecture from Mr. Shelton.
Applications for active membership were received as
follows :
Alice Huey Bedfore, Media, Pa., reconnnended by Clara
.Booth Miller.
Mary C. O'Neill, Chester, Pa., recommended by Kate B.
Harvey.
Elizabeth Crowther, recommended by Kate B. Harvey.
Who were all duly elected members of the Society.
Charles Palmer reported that he attended the eleventh
annual meeting of The Pennsylvania Federation of Histor-
ical Societies, on Thursday, January 20, 1916, which was held
in the Rooms of the Historical Society of Dauphin County,
No. 9 South Front Street. Harris])urg. Hon. William C.
Sproul, a member of our Society, was elected President of
the Federation for the ensuing year.
Gilbert Cope, of West Chester, presented a corrected
copy of his speech on "Our Calendar", wliich was {)rinted in
volume one, of the proceedings of the Delaware County His-
torical Societ}^ and the Secretary is directed to enter an er-
ratum on the printed record.
Clara B. IMiller and Dr. Anna E. Broomall are added
to the Committee on Publishing Proceedings of the Society
and Clara B. Miller was made Chairman of the Conunittee,
the other members being Charles Palmer, Edmund Jones and
H. G. Ashmead.
278
The followillii' l)ill.s were directed to he paid:
Media Local Armory lioard, rent of ]'){) eliaiis $ 3.00
Samuel Campbell, haiilinj,' eliairs, Slieltoii Leetur-e. . . . 3.50
"William B. Broomall. eost of l(i yards of carpet for
Society 's Rooms 8.00
Kinjifsley Montgomery, three !iiontlis' rent of Ivoorn. to
Februaiy 1st, 1910 37.r)0
R. Chas. Simmonds, ([uartei-ed oak frame for Cliarter. . 4.00
Chester Times, printing' 400 cai-ds, invitati nis to Shel-
ton Lecture •_'.()()
Kin^rsley ^lontgom.ry. postaire $6.00 and printing'
$10.75. api)eal for funds, P>rand.\ wine Anniver-
saiy 16.75
Charles Palmer, eost of movinu; «j:oods to new Rooms.
expense to llai-i-isliuru', postage to date. Total.... 10.42
IVunsylvania FtMh^alion of Historical Societies annual
dues for 1!)16 2.00
On motion, then ad.journed.
CHARLHS PALMER,
Secretary.
Chester, Pa.. !)th .Mo. 15tli, lUlH.
A meetini? of the Council of the Delaware Count.v His-
torical Society was hekl at 11 A. M.. in the i|uarters of the
Society, Room 8, Law ]>uihlin<>-, Nos. 12 and 14 Kast Fiftli
Street, with the President, Hon. William P. Broomall. in tlie
chair. F'resent also: Edmiuid dones. Xorris .1. Scott. Anna
M. PuntinfT, Charles Palmer and Dr. Anna K. liroomall.
The meetinf? was called for the piu-pose of hearinir tlie
reports of committees, election of new nieml)ers and for <;en-
eral business.
Tlie minutes of the last meetini.;- n[' the Couneil, liehl 3nl
Mo. 4tli, 1916, were read and api)ro\ed.
Applications for active meml)ersliip were received as fol-
lows :
Lillian II. .Mafis, Chester, Pa.. recoMnnended by Kdmuml
Jones.
279
Evelina D. Caldwell, Chester, Pa., recommended by Kate
B. Ilarvey.
And these were duly elected new members of the Society.
The President was directed to make application to the
County Commissioners of Delaware County for appropria-
tion to our Society of $200.00.
The following bills were approved and directed to be
paid:
Chester Times, printing Postal Cards. Shelton Lecture $ 2.25
J. D. Pierson, hauling- bookcase, Media to Chester .... 10.00
Kingsley Montgomery, 7 months rent of room, to Sept-
ember 1st, 1916 87.50
Edmund Jones, Treasurer, reported cash on hand in the
general fund of the Society, $546.96, deposited in the ]\Iedia
Title and Trust Company, and the sum of $255.55 additional
in the special fund, deposited in the First National Bank,
Media. The following were appointed auditors to examine
the accounts of the Treasurer and report to the Annual Meet-
ing:
Kate B. Harvey, ]\Iary C. Ulrich, and Dr. Anna .B
Broomall.
The Secretary- was directed to send acknowledgments,
Avith the thanks of the Society, for donations received since
last meeting of Council as follows:
To William H. Miller, ]\Iedia, for large bookcase.
To Miss Caroline Miller, Media, Pa., frames and pictures.
John A. Wood, Chester, Pa., lath from old Court Hou.se
in Chester and piece of quartz from Valley Forge.
To Dr. Charles Lintz, for hinge from old Morgan House,
on Market Street, Chester, lately torn down.
The Committee on Room have no report of any further
work done.
The Committee on Publication reported that it has held
two meetings in Mhich the subject of publishing the proceed-
ings of the Society since March 1902 was considered, available
data and minutes examined and arranged in order ready for
editing.
*o-
280
Dr. Anna Iv iWdnuill iriiurstfil |MTiiiiN>iuii to send a
copy of Vol. 1 of till' I'liiirriliims (»f tilt' Society to the His-
torical Society of Wilkrs l'>;iire, vvhicli. after some dehate,
was frranted.
The Council on consideration of lime ;ind place of hold-
ing tlie Annual ^leetini:' dii'ected that it Im- lidd at 10 o'clock
A. M. on Thursday, SeptcmlxM- L'l, l!)lii. in the institute of
Science Buildins", .Mrdi.i, and a printi'd nitiee thereof to l)e
sent to each mendxM-.
On motion, then adjiMirned.
('II.\h'ld':s l'.\i,Mi-:iJ.
Sec ret an*.
9th Mo. -Jlst. linti.
The annual meeting of the Delaware County Historical
Society was held in the Institute of Science Buihling, Media.
Pa., at 10 o'clock A. M., and was called to order hy tlie I'resi-
dent, Hon. William B. Uroomall.
The minutes of the last annual meetiinr, held 9th Mo.
16th, 15)15. were read and approved, also tlie minutes of the
meetings of the Council held durinL; the year.
^Ir. F. H. Sheiton proposed that the old ('"iiit House of
Delaware County, now the City Hall of Chester, or room
therein, he procured for tli<' use of our Society and further
proposed the idea of collecting articles of historic interest
and use in the County for exhihit in the same place. On
motion, made hy him. it was directed that a genei-al committee
of three be appointed hy the president with power of appoint-
ing special officers of three in each district to gather up
articles and report its i)rogress tt) Coum-il from tinu' to time.
Lewis Palmer spoke of the desirability of increasing pub-
lic interest in historical matters.
,Mr. F. H. Sheltnn is re(|uested to repeat his lecture witli
views of Delaware County at his convenience.
The auditors appointed by the Council made a report
showing a balance in the treasurer's hands of ?r»"54.(l in the
281
General Fund and $255.53 in a special fund, derived from
coupons on bond, total $790.24.
Election of olifieers of the Society for the ensuing year
resulted as follows:
President, Hon. William B. Broomall
1st Vice President, Frederick H. Shelton
2d Vice President, Anna M. Bnnting
Treasurer, Edmund Jones
Eecording- Secretary, Charles Palmer
Corresponding Secretary, H. G. Ashmead
DIRECTORS
Rev. Dr. P. H. Mowry
George E. Darlington
Col. James A. G. Campbell
_ Norris J. Scott
Dr. Anna E. Broomall
The ballot being, on motion, cast by the secretary.
Reference being made to a valuable collection of notes
unpublished, prepared by George E. Darlington, it was, on
motion, resolved that he be invited to submit them to the So-
ciety for publication and if he is willing to do so the matter
is referred to Council with power to act.
It was directed that formal application be made to the
authorities of the City of Chester to procure for our Society
possession of the old Court House for historical purposes.
On motion, then adjourned.
CHARLES PALMER,
Secretary.
282
coi'v oi-- ij;tt):k
Chester, l';i.. Nov. l:{tli. IDKi.
Cily ('(niiicil.
Chester, I'a.
noiitlcJiien : —
hi tlic passiiiLT of tiiiic ('crlaiii l)iiil(liiii;s in every in-
liiiiiitt'd district hecoiiic associated with the history thereof,
whicli is hut a natural course, il is true. .Many ohl huildin^,
niostl.v of a private I'hai'ai'tci-. lor the ih'niands of improve-
ments, arc torn down to meet the re(|niremenls of a later (hiy.
Buihlinys of a pnhljc eharaoter, however, are more apt to he
preserved and such l)nihlinirs come down to ns with asso-
ciations connected with events wliich luive lia[)pened, of whieli
the location lias Ixm'U the .scene of activity, not oidy in local
matters, which are numerous. i)ut also at times with thincrs
connected with affairs of State and Government.
The present City Hall of the Cit.v of Chester, previously
the Court House of Delaware County, and pi-im- to the for-
mation of Delawai-e County, tlie Court of Chester County,
is a huildint;' wliieh has very many associations of tht» kind
above referred to, and a Ijuihlinu wliieh we feel will ever 
