1777.] HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. 301 



to a place of greater security.' On the 31st of July, certain 

 information was received of the fleet approaching and entering 

 the Delaware Bay to the number of -28 vessels of war and 

 transports. Arms were wanted for the Militia that had been 

 called out, and as an expedient for su{)plying them, tlujse per- 

 sons who had refused to take the oath (jf allegiance were directed 

 to bo disarmed, '' and their arms made use of by those who are 

 willing, at the risk of their lives, to defend their liberty and 

 property. "- 



On the same day, circulars were again issued by the Council 

 to the County Lieutenants, giving the news of the approach of 

 the fleet, and exhorting them to use every exertion to have the 

 Militia at Chester as soon as possible. Volunteers from the 

 classes not called were cordially invited ''to step forward on 

 this great and important occasion, before it may be their turn 

 to go into the field in the class to which they belonged. The 

 persons appointed to drive off the cattle and other live stock 

 from the neighborhood of the river, were also notified of the 

 appearance of the enemy at the Capes of the Delaware, and of 

 the near approach of the hour when the execution of their trust 

 could no longer be delayed. At the same time they were ad- 

 vised that Congress had likewise committed to their care the 

 removal of wagons and carts. The works at Billingsport were 

 hurried on towards completion, and every arrangement within 

 the means of the Council was made to resist the invaders. 



Persons were appointed to take an account of all the wheat, 

 flour, grain and other stores in the County of Chester within 

 twenty miles westward of the river Delaware. Other gentlemen 

 were appointed in the western part of the county, " for the pur- 

 pose of Billetting, and providing for the poor that may be re- 

 moved out of the City of Philadelphia." Suspected persons 

 were also to be removed into the interior of the State. 



So confidently was the enemy expected to approach Philadel- 

 phia by the Delaware, that the different detachments of the 

 regular army, under Washington, were ordered to march to 

 the vicinity of the city, and requisitions had been made on 

 several counties for wagons to be used in the transportation of 

 army stores. After entering the bay. Gen. Howe found the 



1 Henry Hale Graham had for a long time held the oflBces of Pri)thonoUiry, Register. 

 Recorder, Ac, for Chester County. Thos. Taylor was appointed as his successor, and 

 on the 26ih of March was qualified to perform the duties of these offices, but he does not 

 appear to have assumed those duties, for on the 4th of April Benjamin .Jacobs was 

 selected by the Council for the same trust, who, if he assumed the duties thereof, never 

 obtained the possession of the Records, for on the 11th of June, Caleb Davis was qualified 

 as Prothonotary, Ac. Up to the 2Sth of July the Records were still in the possession of 

 Henry Hale Uraham. when Caleb Davis was authorized by the Council "to enter the 

 dwelling and out houses" of U. U. Graham, take possession of the books and papers 

 of the county, and remove them to a place of safety. 



2 Penna. Archives, v. 472. 



