234 HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. [1724. 



by the legislature authorizing the issue of bills of credit, and 

 making the same current, would, of course, have the effect of 

 giving, in some degree, a fictitious value to property that would 

 be felt in every part of the Province. This was the first paper 

 currency issued in Pennsylvania.^ 



An act was also passed in 1723, to reduce the rate of interest 

 of money from eight to six per cent., which has continued to be 

 the legal rate to the present time. 



Among objects for which the Society of Friends of the county 

 contributed money in 1723, was for the finishing of Shrews- 

 bury (N. J.) Meeting-house, "for the accommodation of the 

 Quarterly Meeting." 



As a punishment for crimes, standing in the pillory has become 

 more frequent than formerly. At the November term of the 

 Chester Court, this year, a man was sentenced to be sold for 

 three years, "to serve after the manner of a servant" for the 

 payment of his gaol fees. Prisoners frequently petitioned to the 

 Court for the privilege of being thus sold ; from which it may 

 be inferred that the jails of that day did not afford such com- 

 fortable quarters for malefactors as the prisons of modern date. 



The ancient, but substantial building, now occupied as a Town 

 Hall in the borough of Chester, and which was used as a Court- 

 house up to the time of the removal of the seat of justice 

 to Media, was erected in 1724. The small addition to the 

 rear of the building was erected at a much later date. An act 

 was passed this year, "to enable trustees to sell the old court 

 house and prison, belonging to the borough and county of Ches- 

 ter." This sale was effected the following year, and the record 

 shows, conclusively, that the "old court house" referred to was 

 the one built about the year 1694, upon a lot purchased from 

 John Hoskins, and for which a deed was executed by him to the 

 county in 1697. The purchase money paid by the county was 

 X8. The trustees sold the property to William Preston, of Phi- 

 ladelphia, Mariner, for <£27.^ The following extract, from the 

 proceedings of the Court, shows that the new Court-house was, 

 for a time, made the depository of the public records : 



" At a Court of Private Sessions held at the House of John 

 Hannum in Concord ]5"' of December 1724, Joseph Parker 

 having petitioned this Court setting forth y*^ great danger y* 

 Records of y* County lay in, as well by Casualities of fire, as 

 other accidents which might happen, and refers y* same to our 

 consideration to provide a place for keeping y" said Records in 

 w' may be of greater security, whereupon y^ Court upon mature 



' Two acts were passed this year — one authorizing the issue of £15,000, and the 

 other £30,000. Proud ii. 173. 

 2 See Recorder's Office, Westchester, Book A, 190. 



