Miscellaneous Newspaper Articles From the Past
Chester County Pennsylvania
Memorial for General Wayne
The Centinel, Gettysburg, PA, November 4, 1809
The remains of the late Gen. Anthony Wayne, which had been deposited in the neighborhood of Lake Erie, have been removed by Isaac Wayne, esq. the son of that illustrious Pennsylvania, to Radnor Church, in the county of Chester. The Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati, at their meeting on the 4th of July last, appropriated the sum of 500 dollars, for the purpose of erecting a monument to his memory, under the direction of Col. Johnston, Major Jackson and Mr. Binney.
The Centinel, Gettysburg, PA, June 19 1811
Philadelphia, June 12
Testimonial of Respect to the Memory of General Wayne
Wednesday last, the day fixed for erecting the Monument which had been voted, by the Pennsylvania State Society of Cincinnati, to the memory of Major Gen. Anthony Wayne, that grateful duty was solemnized at Radnor Church, in Chester county.
In pursuance of arrangements made by the committee of Superintendence, the associated Regiment of Volunteer Cavalry of the city and county of Philadelphia, under the command of Colonel Robert Wharton, Lieut. Col. John Smith and Major Hughes, consisting of the First City Troop of Light Dragoons; Lieutenant Commandant James Crawford. Second City Troop; Captain Thomas Cadwallader. Third City Troop; Captain Samuel Meeker. Fourth City Troop; Lieut. Commandant Clop. First County Troop; Lieut. Commandant Hass. Second County Troop, Captain Humphreys.
Assembled at an early hour in the vicinity of the Permanent Bridge, whence they moved three miles on the Lancaster road where the line of march was formed by a detachment, in advance of the carriages of the Society of the Cincinnati, followed by the main body of the troops, and the Citizens who attended the Ceremonial. At the distance of ten miles from the city, Isaac Wayne, Esq., son of the General and other relatives of the family, met the procession - and at the intersection of the Lancaster and Netstown roads, the Montgomery county troop of Light dragoons, commanded by Captain Paulding, fell into the line.
Proceeding to the Burial Ground of Radnor Church, where the Monument which had been transported from the Marble Yard of Messrs. Traquatt, was raised under the direction of those ingenious artists the troops being formed and an immense concourse of citizens from the adjacent counties assembled, an excellent discourse embracing a brief biography of General Wayne and an enumeration of his most public services was delivered by the Reverend Doct. William Rogers, Professor of Rhetone for the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the Society, who also closed the ceremonial by an appropriate prayer. The service being ended, the Society of the Cincinnati approached the line of Cavalry, and by their president, Major Lenox, expressed their grateful acknowledgments to Colonel Wharton, the other officers and gentlemen composing the troops for the honor done the Society by their friendly and polite attention. The acknowledgements of the Society and of Mr. Wayne were also made to Dr. Rogers.
After some solemn airs of martial music by the regimental band, the several troops retired to partake of plentiful refreshments, which had been provided to the city in the evening, having marched 36 miles - and faithfully performed the duties of this interesting occasion.
A more gratifying spectacle has seldom been presented, than was exhibited on this interesting occasion. A remnant of the revolutionary army dedicating a monument to the memory of a meritorious and much esteemed brother officer assisted in the solemn and affecting duty by the services of a brilliant corps, consisting of near three hundred volunteer cavalry, and the attendance of a sympathizing multitude of several thousand citizens, who had convened from the adjacent counties, gave an interest to the shole scene, which words would but family express.
On the Monument, which is of white marble, and of elegant but simple structure, by Messrs. Traquair - the following is the inscription engraved on the first side of the Monument.
In honor of the distinguished military services of Major General Anthony Wayne and as an affectionate tribute of respect to his memory, this stone was erected by his companions in arms The Pennsylvania State Society of the Cincinnati, July 4th, A.D. 1809, thirty-fourth anniversary of The Independence of The United States of America, an event which constitutes the most appropriate An American Soldier and Patriot.
The following inscription is engraved on the third side of the Monument.
Major General Anthony Wayne was born at Waynesborough, in Chester County, State of Pennsylvania, A.D. 1745. After a life of honor and usefulness, he died in December, 1796, at a military post on the shore of Lake Erie, Commander in Chief of the army of The United States. His military achievements are consecrated in the history of his country, and in the hearts of his Countrymen. His remains are here deposited.
Republican Compiler
July 4 1821
We are informed by a gentleman just from West Chester, that Sampson Babb, Esq., Sheriff of Chester County, was yesterday stabbed in 10 different places, by a black man, who was confined in the prison of that place, for threatening to commit arson. It seems that on account of having made some unsuccessful attempts of escape, he was put in irons, which he had found means to remove, and the sheriff took one or two with him to assist in replacing them, when he received two cuts in the throat, one in the face, and seven others in different parts of his body. They are not however, considered dangerous. - Wilming. Gaz.
Republican Compiler
July 4 1821
Died in Pikeland, Chester county, on the 2d ult., Mrs. Jane Bones, in the 94th year of her age. She led a pious and sociable life, was the tender Mother of a respectable family of children. Her health and activities were extraordinary, that, within 5 years of her death, she would mount her venerable horse, called Charley, aged 52 years (formerly Governor Penn's riding horse) and perform a journey of 30 miles a day, without complaining of fatigue. Since the death of her old horse, she has not backed any other, but would frequently walk 3 miles an hour, and, instead of complaining of being tired she would seat herself and tell a lively and entertaining tale. Her eyesight was so good that, within 10 days of her death, the Writer saw her sew fine Cambric, in the most elegant manner without the use of spectacles. - American Republican
Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 13 1822 Page 4
Melancholy
On Saturday the 26th ultimo, as Mr. Jos. James, of Westtown, Chester county, was returning from Philadelphia with his team, a gun was fired near the road which frightened his horses. Mr. James at the moment was standing on the shafts; the horses suddenly sprung round, threw Mr. James under the wheel, and he was instantly killed. - Lanc. Intell.
Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 13 1822 Page 2
A land-tortoise was lately found upon the farm of Mr. George Passmore, in Chester county, marked "J. S. 1761." It is supposed to have been marked by Mr. John Swan, who at that time was the Proprietor of the next farm, and cleared the field adjoining that in which it was found. Its shell was much worn and broken, and the letters somewhat defaced.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 17, 1824
The paper mill belonging to Mr. Bishop Bratton, of Kennet township, Chester county, was destroyed by fire on the 27th ult. The loss is estimated at 5000 dollars. The manner is which the fire originated is not known. - franklin Gaz.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
December 1 1824
The Westchester Village Record mentions a tremendous storm of thunder, lightning and rain in Chester county on Friday the 5th November. The house of James Sloan was struck by the lightning, Mr. Sloan and his wife prostrated, and three other persons partially affected; but no one was killed, and all have recovered. The lightning descended in different streams down the chimney; a part of it perforating the garret floor as if with a bullet, and descending, broke 13 panes of glass, and split the head of a barrel of cider. Another stream split two or three rafters, tore the plastering form the wall in many places and injured the furniture. A third stream descended in a different direction, and broke two looking glasses into atoms. Amer. Sen.
Republican Banner (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 4, 1834
Col. Joseph McClellan, a Revolutionary Patriot, died, at his residence in Chester county, on the 13th instant. He was in the 88th year of his age.
Death of Judge Haines
The West Branch Bulletin (Williamsport, Pennsylvania) October 7 1865
The honorable Townsend Haines, formerly President Judge of the district composed of Chester and Delaware counties, died at his residence in West Chester last Thursday night, after an illness of three weeks. Judge Haines was Secretary of State under Governor Johnson, and served in other positions of trust in the State and at Washington. His age was 74 years.
The Lima Daily News, June 2, 1920
Philadelphia
J. Leroy Eichelberger, 33, was murdered during the night as he slept beside his wife in West Grove, Chester county. Mrs. W. Dunlap and her nine year old daughter, Ruth, who lived on a farm a mile from the Eichelbergers, were also murdered in bed. A mysterious "woman in white" was seen by Mrs. Eichelberger as she glided from the room after Eichelberger was killed. The police are seeking the alleged woman murderer. - Contributed by Linda Dietz
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