1709.] HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. 217 



The first report of damages by reason of laying out a public 

 road, was made to the November Court of this year. The 

 damage was laid at <£5, for "passing over Joseph Richard's 

 manured land." 



At the following February term, three constables were ap- 

 pointed by the Justices, ''to attend this Court." This is the 

 first instance of such an appointment, furnished by the Records 

 of the Court. 



The following is a part of the proceedings of a Court of 

 Private Sessions, held in December, 1708 : 



" Whereas there is a necessity for a new door for the prison, 

 being the common gaol, ordered that Henry Hollingsworth,^ 

 clerk of the said county, forthwith cause a door for the said 

 prison to be made and grated witli Iron bars on the outside, and 

 so finished that it may be secure from either cutting or firing by 

 prisoners." Most of us who have served as Grand Jurors, in 

 visiting the old prison at Chester, will recollect this grated door. 



At the May term, " Thomas Clarke appeared in open Court 

 and was qualified attorney General for the county of Chester, 

 according to law." This is the first appearance of such an 

 officer, though, occasionally, an attorney has represented the 

 Crown in a particular case. 



The administration of Governor Evans was as unpopular, as 

 the foolish conduct of a profligate young man, filled with con- 

 ceit, could make it. His altercations with the Assembly were 

 constant ; but at length, that body, aided by other real friends 

 of the Province, secured his recall. He was superseded in Sep- 

 tember, by the appointment of Col. Charles Gookin, who did 

 not, however, arrive in the Province till the following March. 



A new Commission was issued to the Justices of the several 

 Counties. Those appointed for Chester County were, Jasper 

 Yeates, Caleb Pusey, Philip Roman, Jon\ Hayes, Tho'. Powell, 

 Nicholas Pile and Henry Pierce. 



The constant altercations between the Governor and Council, 

 on the one side, and the Assembly on the oth^r, during the 

 administration of Governor Evans, were such an impediment to 

 legislation, that but little was efl"ected either for good or for 

 evil. James Logan was the leading spirit on the side of the 

 Governor, and it cannot be doubted that he supposed he was 

 fairly representing the interests of the Proprietary. His con- 

 duct, however, throughout, cannot at this day be defended, 

 though it may be, in a measure, excused on account of the un- 

 manageable character of the Governor, through whom he was 

 obliged to act. On the side of the Assembly, David Lloyd held 

 a similar position ; and while we may regret the impetuosity of 



' Henry Hollingsworth also held the office of Coroner at this time. 



