choose the instant when William Penn has just landed with his principal followers, while the others are still on board the vessel, or in boats, making for the shore. There you see him sup. ported by his friend Pearson From his manly port, and the resolution which his countenance displays, you would take him to be a warrior, if the mild philanthropy which beams from his eyes did not reveal his profession still more than the simplicity of his garb. He who stands before him in British regimentals, and whom he shakes affectionately by the hand, is his relation Markham, whom he had sent in the preceding year to explore the land and prepare the way for the new settlers. Those on the right, a numerous band, are your honored ancestors, some of whom accompany him on the voyage, and others had arrived before, and are now assembled here to greet him. There stands Pemberton, Moore, Yardley, Waln, Lloyd, Pusey, Chapman, Wood, Hollingsworth, Rhoades, Hall, Gibbons, Bonsall, Sellers; Claypoole, whose ancestor, not many years before, ruled the destinies of the British empire;* West, one of whose descendants will charm the world by his magic pencil, and for whose name and fame rival nations will, in after ages, contend; and many other worthies whom it would be too long to enumerate. On the left is a number of Swedes, whom their national dress, light hair, and northern countenances, sufficiently designate; there you see the brothers Swanson,† who own the ground on which the city of Philadelphia is soon to stand, and whose name one of our streets will perpetuate. With them are Stille, Bankson, Kempe, Rambo, Peterson, and several others, whose names still live in their descendants. Their leader is Lacy Cock, whose merit entitles him to a seat in the first council of the new commonwealth. Observe how he extends his hands; promising, in the name of his countrymen, to love, serve, and obey their reverend proprietor, and declaring that this is the best day they ever saw. The Dutch are disseminated through the town, which was built by them, as you may easily perceive by the sharp-pointed roofs of their houses. They smoke their pipes in silence, and, after their manner, partake of the general joy.

But see, close to that half-ruined fort, this motley group of Indians, whose anxiety manifests itself on their countenances, and who view the new-comers with looks in which suspicion seems as yet to predominate. They are the Lenni Lenape, whose history and manners are already familiar to you. At their head is TAMANEND, the great and the good, who is said never to have had his equal for virtue and goodness, and whose memory is still held in veneration by the savage nations. His eye is steadily fixed on William Penn! His great mind has already discovered in him a congenial soul; alone among his tribe, he shows by his looks that noble confidence which will not be deceived. He it is who, under that elm-tree, which many of us have seen in its vigor, but which, alas! has not long since been destroyed by the violence of the winter storm, will sign that famous treaty which the genius of the west has immortalized, and which a great writer of another nation has, with more wit than truth, described as the only one which was never sworn to and never broken. Nor was it violated while William Penn lived, nor while the ascendancy of his great mind was yet operating among us. Afterwards, indeed!—but I will not anticipate the painful duty of the historian.

At Upland, Penn and his party of Friends were hospitably entertained by Robert Wade. On his first arrival here, turning round to his friend Pearson, one of his own society who had accompanied him in the ship Welcome, he said, Providence has brought us here safely. Thou hast been the companion of my toils; what wilt thou that I should call this place? Pearson replied, "Chester, in remembrance of the city from whence I came." At this place, on the 4th December, Penn called an assembly. Proud in his history says:

It consisted of equal numbers of members for the province, and the three lower counties, called the Territories; that is, for both of them, so many of the freemen as thought proper to appear, according to the 16th article of the frame of government.

This assembly chose Nicholas Moore, who was president of the free society of traders, for their

*The Claypoole family are lineally descended from the protector, Oliver Cromwell. + Their original name was Swenson.

§ Lars or Lawrence Cock, corrupted into Lacy Cock.

Originally Bengsten.

The same whom we call St. Tammany. For his character, see Heckewelder's History of the Indian Nations, chap. xi. In 1692, we find him by the name of King Taminent, a party te a deed of release of a tract of land lying between Neshaminy and Poquessing, on the river Delaware, and extending backwards to the utmost bounds of the province. This land he, with others had previously sold to Wm. Penn. In 1697, he, by the name of the great Sachem Taminent with his brother and sons, signed another deed for lands between Pemmopeck and Neshamin crecks. See Smith's Laws of Pennsylvania, vol. ii. pp. 111, 112. See Bucks co., p. 162. 1 Voltaire.

Old Assembly House and Penn's Landing-Place.

only that part built of brick, nearest the creek, and now devoted to the humble purposes of a cooper's shop. The stone house attached to it, fronting on the street, though very ancient, is of later date. The windows and doors of the brick part have been altered to suit its modern tenants, the traces only of the ancient openings being perceptible. In the distance, on the shore of the Delaware, is seen the now solitary pine which marks the landing-place of Wm. Penn. John F. Watson, Esq., speaks of three remaining some fifteen years since. Not far from the shore, and immediately in the rear of the pines, was situated Robert Wade's house. It had its southeast gable-end," says Mr. Watson, "fronting to the river Delaware, and its southwest front upon Essex-street." The porch looked out upon Chester cr. "The oaken chair in which Wm. Penn sat in that assembly is said to be now (1827) in possession of the aged and respectable widow of Col. Frazer."

Great anticipations were indulged by the early settlers here that Chester would become a place of considerable importance as a seaport; and Wm. Penn, before he came out himself, instructed his agents to examine the site carefully with a view of founding there his metropolis; but the preference, for good reasons, was given to Philadelphia. Oldmixon, in 1708, speaks of Chester as containing above 100 houses: he also says― This place is called Uplands, and has a church called St. Paul's, with a numerous congregation of orthodox professors, whose minister is Mr. Henry Nicholls; his income £50 per year, paid by the society. They are about erecting a school here, dependent on the minister. There's another little town at the mouth of a creek, called Chichester, which consists of about 100 houses. Below that is a great creek, which we may be sure belonged to the Dutch, by the name given to it, Brandywine. Between Brandywine and Christina is an iron-mill. What advantage it has been to the proprietors, we know not.

The following extracts are from the first edition of Mr. Watson's Annals of Philadelphia :

In the churchyard of St. Paul's is a headstone of some peculiarity, "in memory of Francis Brooks, who died August 19, 1704," and inscribed thus:

"In barbarian bondage and cruel tyranny
Fourteen years together I served in slavery.
After this, mercy brought me to my country fair;
At last I drowned was in river Delaware."

In the same ground stands a marble, commemorative of the first A. M. of Pennsylvania, to wit:-"Here lieth Paul Jackson, A. M. He was the first who received a degree in the college of Philadelphia,—a man of virtue, worth, and knowledge. Died 1767, aged 38 years." I might add respecting him, that he was the ancestor of the present Dr. Samuel Jackson of Philadelphia, had been a surgeon in the Braddock expedition, was a brother-in-law of the honorable Charles Thomson, and one of the best classical scholars of his time.

At Ridly creek mills is a curious relic-an engraving upon a rock of "I. S., 1682,” which marks the spot against which John Sharpless, the original settler there, erected his temporary hut, immediately after his arrival in that year.

The Yates' house, now Logan's, built about the year 1700, was made remarkable in the year 1740-1, (the season of the "cold winter,") for having been visited in the night by a large black bear, which came into the yard and quarrelled with the dog. It was killed the next day near the

town.

In an original petition of the inhabitants of Chester of the year 1700, now among the Logan collection, they pray, that "Whereas Chester is daily improving, and in time may be a good place, that the Queen's road may be laid out as direct as possible from Darby to the bridge on Chester creek." This paper was signed by ninety inhabitants, all writing good hands. Vide the original in my MS. Annals, in the City Library.

Jasper Yates, who married Sanderland's daughter, erected, about the year 1700, the present great granary there, having the upper chambers for grain, and the basement story for an extensive biscuit bakery. For some time it had an extensive business, by having much of the grain from the fruitful fields of Lancaster and Chester counties; but the business has been long since discontinued.

At this late day it is grateful to look back with "recollected tenderness on the state of society once possessing Chester. My friend Mrs. Logan, who once lived there, thus expressed it to me, saying, she had pleasure in her older years of contemplating its society as pictured to her by her honored mother, a native of the place. Most of the inhabitants, being descendants of the English, spoke with the broad dialect of the North. They were a simple-hearted, affectionate people, always appearing such in the visits she made with her mother to the place. Little distinction of rank was known, but all were honest and kind, and all entitled to and received the friendly attentions and kindness of their neighbors in cases of sickness or distress. Scandal and detrac tion, usual village pests, were to them unknown. Their principles and feelings were too good and simple, and the state of the whole was at least" a silver age."

August 10th, 1767, was the year of the death of "the first-born" child in the province of English parents, born in 1681, one year before John Key, in a cave by the side of the Delaware river. This venerable man of 86 died at Brandywine Hundred, Emanuel Grubb by name. He was active and vigorous to the last, and actually rode to Philadelphia and back on horseback, equal to 40 miles, only a few months before his death. His habits were temperate, never drinking any ardent spirits.

Richard Buffington (son of Richard) was the "the first-born Englishman in Pennsylvania,"

having been born in what was afterwards called "the province," in the year 1769. The facts in his case were peculiarly commemorated in the parish of Chester on the 30th of May, 1739; on that day the father, Richard, having attained his 85th year, had a great assemblage of his proper descendants, to the number of 115 persons, convened in his own house, consisting of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren-the first-born being then present in his sixtieth year.

In December, 1739, Mr. Whitefield left the city, and was accompanied to Chester by about 150 horsemen, and preached there to about 7,000 people. At White-clay creek he preached to 8,000, of whom as many as 3,000 were on horseback. Many complimentary effusions to him appear in the gazettes.

In 1756, the first line of stage vessels and wagons was set up from Philadelphia to Baltimore, via Christiana and Frenchtown, on Elk river, to go once a week from Philadelphia.

About a mile and a half northwest from Chester, on the left bank of Chester cr., and a short distance above the mill of Richard Flowers, there still exists an humble cottage, built principally of brick, of which the annexed is a correct sketch. This is the original dwelling erected by Richard Townsend, for the accommodation of his family while he was tend

1699

ing the first mill erected in the province. The mill stood some forty rods above the cottage. The original mill is all gone, but the rocks around bear traces of its existence, and the log platform still remains under water at the place where the original ford was, on the road to Philadelphia. The partners in this mill were William Penn, Caleb Pusey, and Samuel Carpenter, and their initials are inserted in the curious antiquated iron vane which was once erected on the roof of the mill, and is still engaged in its 144th year of duty on the top of Mr. Flowers' house. In this cottage, no doubt, Penn, Pusey, and Carpenter have often met to count their gains, and to devise plans for the future good of the province. The hipped roof of the cottage was added by Samuel Shaw, who, before the revolution, erected the second mill near this place. Mr. Richard Flowers, the present or recent proprietor of the mills here, now occupied by his son, is himself a venerable and well-preserved relic of the olden time. So robust is the constitution that he has brought down from those early days, that, in the winter of 1841-2, although accidentally knocked

off into the mill-race by an ox-team, and entangled some time under the bridge up to his neck in the water, he was able to ride home the next day, and suffered from the accident no permanent injury. He was between 80 and 90 years of age.

The following extracts are from Richard Townsend's "testimony" in Proud's History of Pennsylvania.

In the year 1682, several ships being provided, I found a concern on my mind to embark with them with my wife and child; and about the latter end of the sixth month, having settled my affairs in London, where I dwelt, I went on board the ship Welcome, Robert Greenaway com. mander, in company with my worthy friend William Penn, whose good conversation was very advantageous to all the company. His singular care was manifested in contributing to the necessities of many who were sick of the small-pox, then on board; out of which company about thirty died. After a prosperous passage of about two months, having had in that time many good meetings on board, we arrived here.

At our arrival we found it a wilderness; the chief inhabitants were Indians and some Swedes, who received us in a friendly manner; and though there was a great number of us, the good hand of Providence was seen in a particular manner, in that provisions were found for us by the Swedes and Indians, at very reasonable rates, as well as brought from divers other parts, that were inhabited before.

Our first concern was to keep up and maintain our religious worship; and, in order thereunto, we had several meetings in the houses of the inhabitants; and one boarded meeting-house was set up, where the city was to be, near Delaware; and, as we had nothing but love and good-will in our hearts, one to another, we had very comfortable meetings from time to time; and after our meeting was over, we assisted each other in building little houses for our shelter.

After some time I set up a mill on Chester creek, which I brought ready framed from London, which served for grinding of corn, and sawing of boards, and was of great use to us. Besides, I, with Joshua Tittery, made a net, and caught great quantities of fish, which supplied ourselves and many others; so that, notwithstanding it was thought near three thousand persons came in the first year, we were so providentially provided for, that we could buy a deer for about two shillings, and a large turkey for about one shilling, and Indian corn for about two shillings and sixpence per bushel.

And, as our worthy proprietor treated the Indians with extraordinary humanity, they became very civil and loving to us, and brought in abundance of venison. As in other countries the Indians were exasperated by hard treatment, which hath been the foundation of much bloodshed, so the contrary treatment here hath produced their love and affection.

DARBY is a pleasant village on the creek of that name, about seven miles southwest from Philadelphia. It contains a Friends' meeting-house, and some sixty houses, with mills, stores, &c. There are several delightful country seats near the village. Concerning the early settlement of Friends in and near this place, Smith the historian says:

Meetings for worship were first settled in Darby in the year 1682, and a meeting-house soon after built; their monthly meeting was settled in 1684, till which time they were joined to Chester monthly meeting. The names of some of the first settlers belonging to Darby meeting were, John Blunston, Michael Blunston, George Wood, Joshua Fearn, Henry Gibbons, Samuel Sellers, Richard Bonsall, Edmund Cartlidge, Thomas Hood, John Bartram, Robert Nayler, and Adam Rhoads, who all came from Derbyshire in England; Thomas Worth, Samuel Bradshaw, John Hollowell, William Wood, Thomas Bradshaw, Robert Scothorn, and Richard Parker, who all came from Nottinghamshire; John Hood, William Garrett, Robert Cliffe, William Smith, John Smith, and Thomas Smith, who came from Leicestershire.

A short distance from Darby, near the road to Philadelphia, in a lonely but pleasant situation, is the ancient Swedes' church of Kingsessing. The first settlement of Swedes here is noticed above, on page 294. The present church was erected about the year 1763, while the Rev. Charles Magnus Wrangel was pastor. "He was," says Mr. Clay in his Swedish Annals, "one of the most popular preachers the Swedes ever had among them, and was usually obliged, on account of the crowds who attended his ministry, to preach in the open air. He returned to Sweden in 1768, and was made a bishop, and died in 1786."