LANCASTER COUNTT. 33 



Blunston and others, when he was moved to decide, 

 how the bounds of Chester county were to be run, so as 

 to enlarge the Umits or boundary thereof; being at that 

 time but a small tract of land not above nine miles 

 square. Owing, however, to his departure, behig press- 

 ingly urged to return for Europe, nothing definite was 

 then done as to the enlargement of the county of 

 Chester. In 1685, the council having seriously weighed 

 and considered the same, ordered the bomids to be 

 established.* 



Although Chester county had been partly settled be- 

 fore Penn arrived the first time ; and notwithstanding his 

 benevolent spirit, in looking more to moral worth and 

 fitness in inviting emigrants of every peculiarity of 

 creed to his province, it, nevertheless, appears that 

 Chester county, with its limited territory, was only 

 thinly seated, prior to 1689. The smallness of tract of 

 land, and its sparse population, were then urged, by the 

 inhabitants of the county, as a consideration to the Go- 

 vernor and council for enlargement, as will appear from 

 their humble petition, in 1689. 



"The humble petition of ye Justices of Chester 

 county, in the behalfe of themselves and inhabitants of 

 ye said county, sheweth : 



That whereas, ye said county is but a small tract of 

 land, not nine miles square, and but thinly seated, 

 whereby ye said county is not able to support the charge 

 thereoff; vpon our humble request to the Proprietor and 

 Governor, and his serious consideration of our weak 

 conditions, was pleased out of compassion to vs, to grant 

 an enlargement of ye same, in manner following, viz: 

 to runn vp ffrom Dellaware river, along Darby Mill 



•Col. Rec. I. 74. 



