206 HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. [1702. 



a bill had been introduced into Parliament, and was only post- 

 poned at the earnest solicitation of the friends of Penn, until he 

 should return. This rendered his early departure necessary, 

 and he accordingly sailed from Philadelphia on the 1st of No- 

 vember, 1701. He never returned to Pennsylvania. 



A very unpopular act was passed this year in the shape of a 

 law directing all located lands to be re-surveyed at the expense 

 of the Proprietary — he exacting payment for all surplusage, which 

 w^as found to be great in this county. 



Before leaving, Penn by letters patent, established a Council 

 of State, composed of ten members, of whom Caleb Pusey and 

 John Blunston were from this county. He also appointed 

 Andrew Hamilton, one of the proprietors of East Jersey, deputy 

 Governor. 



The boundary line between the counties of Chester and New 

 Castle had only been temporarily established. A warrant was 

 granted in 1701 to run the circular line, directed to Isaac 

 Taylor of Chester county, and Thomas Pierson of New Castle 

 county.^ The running of this circular line was no easy task. 

 The cost was imposed on the two counties instead of the Pro- 

 vince, and to judge from the following report of the Grand Jury 

 on the subject, it may be concluded that the worthy surveyors 

 were not overpaid, 



" We the Grand Jury from this County, having duly con- 

 sidered and carefully adjusted an account of charges contracted 

 by running a circular line dividing this County from the County 

 of New Castle and settling the boundaries, and having duly 

 and deliberately debated, every article of the said account, do 

 allow the sum of twenty six pounds nine shillings due, to be 

 paid by this County for said work. 



James Coupeh, Foreman." 



Notwithstanding the Court and Grand Jury last year directed 

 that the Court-house should be repaired " with all possible 

 speed," we find the Grand Jury of this year presenting "the 

 necessity of a Court house, and that all such as have not paid 

 their levy, may be forced." They also added, that in case of 

 emergency, for the speedy perfection of said work, " we the 

 Grand Jury request that the Justices take care to raise money 

 as the law directs, for we are sensible that law and justice can- 

 not have its perfect course without such houses for their distri- 

 bution as aforesaid." No new Court-house, however, was erected 

 till 1724. 



From the presentments of the Grand Jury and orders made 

 by the Court from time to time, it appears that the Court-house was, 



1 Recorder's office, Philadelphia, Book C. 2. No. 3. 



