CHESTER COUNTY

ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET

The history of Chester County in Pennsylvania, is recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this NEW 67 Page Booklet, reprinted primarily from three hard-to-find books: the 1843 edition of Historical Collections of the State of Pennsylvania by Sherman Day, An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by William Egle, M.D., and Pennsylvania, a Guide to the Keystone State, a WPA project published in 1940. The spiral-bound booklet is printed one-sided on 60# paper, with the print enlarged for easier reading. A clear vinyl sheet has been added to protect the front cover.

The communities mentioned include: West Chester (Westchester), Downingtown, Coatesville, The Yellow Springs, Kimberton, Phoenixville (Phenixville), Atglen, Waynesburg, London, Kennet (Kennett) Square, Cochranville, Unionville, Sadsbury, Hopewell, Spring City, Parksburg (Parkesburg), Red Loin, Pughtown, Shugarttown, Nottingham, Oxford, Avondale, Paoli, Christiana, Marshallton, Honey Brook, Elverson, Intercourse, Bird-in-Hand, Smoketown, Bridgeport, and King of Prussia..

The Day and Egle histories cover the early development of this area, while excerpts from the WPA book, give a nostalgic glimpse from a 1940 vantage point, including interesting historical notes, especially as they relate to sightseeing possibilities. There is occasionally some duplication of material, but often with a different slant or with additional details.

Among the many and diverse subjects in the booklet are: Early settlers and where they came from; Delaware Indians; Old Indian Hannah, the last of her tribe; Price the Indians put on the land; Soul-drivers and Redemptioners (indentured servants); a turn-about tale; Col. Anthony Wayne and other Revolutionary War soldiers; Detailed account of the Battle of Brandywine; Valley Forge; Names of old taverns; "Battle" over location of county seat; Jim Fitzpatrick (Fitz), a deserter who became a Robinhood-like outlaw; a Close Call for General Washington; a Wound for Lafayette; Lord Percy’s Premonition; a Description of various Revolutionary War officers; Massacre at the Paoli, where Gen. Gray "gave no quarter" to the Americans; the Paoli Monument; Minerals of the area -- Iron, Lead, Copper; Phoenix Iron Company; Eastern Experimental Farm; Railroads; Sample of early court proceedings; Whipping post, stocks, etc.; Whiskey Insurrection; War of 1812; Sunnyside Mousery at Elverson; Valley Forge State Park; Longwood Gardens; Trial under Fugitive Slave Law at Christiana; Educational institutions, including Lincoln University for "young men of color"; and other interesting bits of history and trivia.

ILLUSTRATIONS include Distant view of Brandywine Battleground; Paoli Monument; Gen. Wayne’s Residence, Central Part of Westchester; Mr. Bolmar’s Seminary; Downingtown; Railroad Bridge near Phenixville; Phenixville; Chester County Court House; View of the Great or Chester Valley (full view); Fratricide of Wyoming (full view); Old Birmingham Meeting House .