1741.] HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. 253 



but it requires a large share of charity to wholly excuse the 

 bigotry of the degenerate son of the first Proprietary, for 

 making such a communication to the Governor. 



Of the Justices appointed by the Governor in 1738, shortly 

 after assuming the duties of his office, he left out of the new 

 Commission for Chester County, the following names : Richard 

 Hayes,' James James, Joim Parry, Samuel IloUingsworth, 

 Joseph Brientall, and Joseph Heins, and included those of 

 William Moore, Joseph Brinton, William Webb, John Mather, 

 Rali)h Pyle, John Taylor, and Job Rushton. 



That part of the road known as the old Lancaster or Cones- 

 togo road, west of John Spruce's land in Whiteland township, 

 had been laid out and opened for several years, but for some 

 reason, probably because the city, or landings on tide water could 

 be reached by roads then in use, a survey of this important 

 thoroughfare was not made till this time.^ 



At the instance of the Grand Jury and some of the substantial 

 inhabitants of Chester County complaining of abuses practised 

 in that County by the use of defective weights and measures, 

 the Justices petitioned the Governor for the appointment of a 

 Regulator of Weights and Measures. Isaac Taylor received the 

 appointment. The petitioners allege, that " they have directed 

 the purchasing of standards of brass for Weights and Measures, 

 according to his Majesty's standards for the Exchequer.' 

 These standards were procured by Thomas Morgan, and cost 

 the County <£17 12s. lid.' 



The Jail and Court-house both appear to have been subjected 

 to some renovation about this time. An order was passed by 

 the Commissioners in favor of Nathan Worley " for £10, for 

 planks for flooring the two dungeons East side of the prison and 

 laying the floors &c. ;" and one in favor of Thos. Morgan " f or 

 £5 lis. Qd. for 150 lbs spikes for laying the Dungeons floors." 

 There was also an order of £5 for plastering and ceiling the 

 prison ; and one of £20 for repairing and painting the Court- 

 house and prison, and another of £14 4s. for a well in the work- 

 house yard. Still other repairs were made the next year. 



The"^ business of the County was transacted at this period by 

 three Commissioners, elected as they now are. In laying taxes 

 they were assisted by six persons called Assessors, who were 

 chosen annually. The duties now performed by township As- 

 sessors was then performed by the Constables. The tax for this 

 year was laid at the house of John Chadds in Birmingham ; the 



1 Deceased. ^ , t^ • -ao 



2 For the courses and distances of this road, see Col. Rec. iv. o\i6. 



*CoInmiTsioners''Rec. West Chester. A pair of scales was purchased the next 

 year. 



