West Bradford Township Spring 2004 Newsletter

A Brief Account of the Early History of Martin’s Tavern, 1764-1778.
By Thomas J. McGuire

The historic center of Marshallton is found in the old buildings around the fork of Strasburg and Northbrook Roads. These buildings - the Bradford Friends Meeting House, the Humphrey Marshall House, and some of the smaller structures - date from the second half of the 18^th century. Sadly, one of the oldest and most historic, the Center House Tavern, stands abandoned and forlorn - its history almost forgotten.

Martin’s Tavern, “that old Accustomed House of Entertainment, known by name of the Centre House, in West Bradford,” was built and opened as a “Publick House” in 1764. Joseph Martin was the first tavern owner and keeper. Married to Hannah Harlan and father of six children, he purchased two acres containing a 1750’s stone house adjacent to Bradford Meeting at the fork in “the Great Road” from Trimble’s and Marshall’s Mill (Northbrook Road) and the road to Taylor’s Ferry and Chester (Strasburg Road east). He began constructing a two-story stone addition measuring 21’ x 31’ as a tavern house. The resulting building was 44’ x 31’, fronting towards the fork in the road.

The tavern license petition states: “That there is a Necessity for a Publick house for the Entertainment of Travellers in said Township, there being many Large roads Much used by Travellers and no house of Entertainment upon any of them for Several Miles Distant so that they are often times obliged to be Burdensome to the Neighbours or want Refreshment.” The first record of the name “Center House” dates from 1767 and tradition holds that it derives from its location in the then-center of Chester County.

The outbreak of the Revolution in 1775 brought serious divisions to Chester County. Martin’s 18-year-old son, Joseph Jr., joined a Pennsylvania regiment and marched for New York, where he was taken prisoner. The economic and personal difficulties caused by the war may have induced 59-year-old Joseph Martin to sell the tavern in 1776. The purchaser was Captain Abraham Marshall, Humphrey Marshall’s nephew. During this period, the Center House was a rendezvous point for local militia officers.

On September 11, 1777, the Battle of Brandywine took place. In the predawn hours, one British force began moving towards Chadds Ford, while another marched up the back roads towards Trimble’s Ford on the Brandywine, just over a mile south of the Center House. The movement was reported to General Sullivan, who sent the information to Washington. As Washington prepared to take countermeasures, another message came in from Sullivan: “Since I sent you the message by Major Morris I Saw Major Joseph Spear of the Militia who Came This morning from a Tavern Called Martins on the Forks of the Brandywine—he came from thence to Welches Tavern & heard nothing of the Enemy about the Forks of the Brandywine & is Confident they are not in that Quarter.”

The Battle of Brandywine had sidestepped Martin’s Tavern. War-related activity continued in the area as Washington established winter quarters at Valley Forge. The army’s dire problems with food shortages meant that foraging parties constantly combed the region.

One of the main supply depots outside the encampment was Downingtown. Joseph Plumb Martin, a private in the 8th Connecticut Regiment, was sent regularly from Valley Forge to Downingtown for foraging duty. Among his adventures with the local people, he tells one incredible story of meeting a man with the same name as he.

“…to pass our time several of our party went to a tavern in the neighborhood. We here gambled a little for some liquor by throwing a small dart or stick, armed at one end with a pin, at a mark on the ceiling of the room. While I was at this amusement I found that the landlord and I bore the same name, and upon further discourse I found that he had a son about my age, whose given name was the same as mine. This son was taken prisoner at Fort Lee, on the Hudson River, in the year 1776, and died on his way home. These good people were almost willing to persuade themselves that I was their son. There were two very pretty girls, sisters to the deceased young man, who seemed wonderfully taken up with me, called me ‘brother,’ and I fared none the worse for my name. I used often, afterwards, in my cruises to that part of the state, to call in as I passed, and was always well treated by the whole family. The landlord used to fill my canteen with whiskey or peach or cider brandy to enable me, as he said, to climb the Welch mountains. I always went there with pleasure and left with regret. I often wished afterwards that I could find more namesakes.”

Joseph Martin Jr. did, in fact, come home in 1780; one can only imagine the family’s reaction to having a long-lost son, given up for dead, return to his family. He later became a shoemaker.

The author teaches American history at Malvern Preparatory School and lives in Marshallton. He has written or co-authored several books on the Revolutionary War history of the area including the “Battle of Paoli.”

The Township has accepted the dedication of a seventeen-acre parcel along the Broad Run. The new Broad Run Preserve is located at the intersection of Broad Run and Shadyside Roads across from the Estates at Broad Run. Since the Broad Run has been designated as one of the highest quality streams in the State, the property will be managed for floodplain protection, habitat preservation, and limited passive recreation. A conservation easement will be offered to the Brandywine Conservancy to ensure that the property is preserved in perpetuity.

We hope to add additional property and easements to this preserve: continuing our conservation efforts. The Township Parks Director will develop a Master Plan and accompanying management criteria for the preserve. The property will not be open to the public until the management plan is completed. Plans call for a future walking trail within the preserve.

Over the past year, a resident task force has been working with staff to create a vision for the future of our Township. A plan for protecting our linear natural features, providing for better pedestrian connections, and promoting the historical integrity of our villages is nearing completion.

The Township will hold a public hearing on the plan, entitled Creating Connections: Country Paths & Village Sidewalks - A Greenways, Trails, and Gateways Plan for West Bradford Township. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28^th at 7:00 P.M. at the Township Building. A draft of the document will be available for public review beginning April 1st at the Township Building.

The following projects will be completed this year as part of our 20-year capital plan for road resurfacing and replacement:

·        Micro-surface Gallagherville Road between Marshallton-Thorndale Road and Caln Township Boundary;
·        Micro-surface Old Shadyside Road between Shadyside Road and Downingtown Pike (Rt 322);
·        Overlay Broad Run Road between Chestnut Lane and Shadyside Road;
·        Realign and reconstruct Bradford Avenue from the train trestle to Downingtown Pike (Rt 322);
·        Reconstruct South Bailey Road between West Chester Road and Caln Township Boundary; and
·        Reconstruct Stouff Road between Hillcrest Drive and Caln Township Boundary.

Residents on streets scheduled for repair by the Township will receive a written notice before work begins. Updated schedules and detailed information on the projects can be found on our website (www.westbradford.org).

We have changed the bank that accepts Refuse and Hydrant payments. Your property also has also been given a new account number - as shown on your most recent bill. This has been done to save administrative costs and keep payment increases to a minimum.

Your payment should be made payable to “Township of West Bradford” and mailed to West Bradford Township, P.O. Box 48139, Newark, NJ 07101-4839 (All payments are processed at Commerce Bank’s Corporate Headquarters, which is in New Jersey). If you use an automatic payment service, please be advised that you should revise both your account number and the mailing address that is on file. Payments mailed to the old remittance address may take longer to be processed and late fees may be incurred.

For the convenience of our residents wishing to pay in person, payments are accepted at Commerce Bank, 3821 West Lincoln Highway in Thorndale.

DO YOU KNOW…?

What renowned person served as a Supervisor in West Bradford Township?

Answer …

We have had a number of notable Supervisors, but the famous botanist Humphrey Marshall was the most renowned. He served as a Township Supervisor in 1761. At that time, there was only one Supervisor and that person was appointed rather than elected. Shortly after that time the process was changed to appoint two Supervisors. Records are scarce on the actual duties of a Supervisor at that time.

…that my neighbor doesn’t have to comply with the Township’s zoning laws because she got a variance from the Zoning Hearing Board.

(This article is a regular feature of our newsletter. It gives insights into how municipalities work and answers some common questions that residents have about dealing with local government.)

Many residents don’t understand what the Township Zoning Hearing Board does and how its decisions affect zoning regulations.

Zoning has been in place in West Bradford Township since 1969. The Township Zoning Ordinance regulates building setbacks, building placement, impervious lot coverage, land uses and where each use is permitted in the Township. The Board of Supervisors employs a Zoning Officer to administer, interpret, and enforce its zoning regulations on a daily basis. Landowners may appeal the decisions of the Zoning Officer to the Zoning Hearing Board or appeal the ordinance provisions that create a hardship.

The Zoning Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial board mandated by the State that is appointed by the Township Board of Supervisors to hear:

To begin an appeal, a landowner must file an application with the Township and provide a deposit to cover costs of the hearing. The costs of the hearing are split between the applicant and Township. A public hearing advertisement is done, a hearing notice is posted on the property, a notice is placed on the Township’s website, and adjacent property owners are notified by mail.

The quasi-judicial hearings require that a court reporter be present. The applicant(s) - who may be represented by an attorney – presents testimony to support their case. Expert witnesses may be called to testify and witnesses may be cross-examined. Additional parties, besides the applicant and Township, may present testimony. This means that other persons or community groups affected by the decision may be recognized as having “standing” to appear before the Board provided that they meet certain criteria. These persons or groups should ideally contact the Township before the hearing so that their information or “appearance” may be verified.

Once all testimony has been taken and the hearing is closed, the Zoning Hearing Board has 45 days to render its written decision. Afterward, should the parties of the hearing disagree with the decision, they may then appeal the Zoning Hearing Board’s decision to the County Court.

We have found that some applicants who have not been through a zoning hearing before do not present their cases well. The following guidelines should be considered when preparing for the hearing:

Memorial Day Parade Through Marshallton - Join us in our annual Memorial Day Activities on Sunday, May 30^th. The parade will begin at 1:30 P.M. at the Marshallton United Methodist Church. Come and be a part of the large group of township residents and friends that traditionally line the sides of Strasburg Road to honor the memory of the men and women who served our country to ensure the freedoms we have today. Visit the Township’s website (www.westbradford.org) for more details.

West Bradford Day 2004 – Sunday, June 6 - This year’s theme will be centered on establishing and continuing healthy lifestyles. Any residents with backgrounds or interest in physical fitness, the medical profession, health screening, nutrition, sports or related fields that would like to take part in any way are encouraged to contact the Parks Director at 610-269-4174.

WBYA Summer & Fall Sports - West Bradford Youth Association sign up for summer (Street Hockey, Field Hockey, Summer Fun Camp) and fall (Soccer, Field Hockey, Baseball and Softball) sports will be held on the first two Saturdays in May [1^st & 8^th], between 9 am and 1 pm at Building #3 in the Embreeville Complex. Contact WBYA by phone at 610-486-0525 or through their website at www.wbya.org.

DARC Summer Camp – DARC will be using West Bradford Elementary and Broad Run Park for their children’s day camp - ages 7 through 11. The camp will travel to local attractions such as the Philadelphia Zoo, Camden Aquarium and the Franklin Institute. There will be swimming at Marsh Creek and local trips to bowl, skate or similar activities. Arts and crafts, games, and creek walking are among the activities scheduled. Registration for our summer day camps and playground program is ongoing. They also offer a half-day playground camp at several elementary schools in the school district for ages 3 ½ through 11 and a teen camp for those going into grades 6 through 8. Call 610-269-9260 with any questions or visit www.darcinfo.com.

Winter is over and Spring Fever has hit – Check out the more than 140 programs for Downingtown Area School District residents of all ages [including 20 NEW programs] being offered this spring through DARC [Downingtown Area Recreation Consortium]. Registrations can be made in person at the DARC office or by mail. The spring brochures and registration forms were mailed to all residents in early March.

Summer is coming - Once again this year, DARC will be offering discounted tickets for popular summer attractions such as Hershey & Dorney Parks, Great Adventure, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Camden & Baltimore Aquariums and the Philadelphia Zoo.

Brandywine Meadows Preserve – The implementation of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program has been completed. Cool season grasses and hundreds of trees have being planted to prevent erosion, promote wildlife habitat and extend the riparian buffer zone.

Broad Run Park – Many residents walk their dogs on a regular basis on the trails of Broad Run and Beacon Hill Parks. Our canine friends are always welcome in our parks with the following restrictions. Township ordinances require that dogs must always be kept under your control. Dog waste must be picked up immediately [“Mutt Mitt” dispensers and trash receptacles are located throughout the parks]. All of us who use the parks on a regular basis greatly appreciate those dog lovers that walk their pets in a responsible manner. Thanks!

Shadyside Park – Construction has slowed over the winter months. With the exception of the baseball field, all courts, rinks, and trails should be ready for use in late 2004. The baseball field will be given another year to establish a solid turf.

Summer Events 2004 – Our Recreation Commission is currently working on scheduling events for 2004. To continue to provide these events free of charge to everyone – residents, families, and friends – the Recreation Commission is seeking sponsors to help offset the costs to the Township. If your company or family is interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact our Parks Director. Any local musicians interested in performing can submit a demo CD. Families with movie suggestions should also contact the Township.

…lower your blood pressure, cholesterol level, and weight
…help relieve osteoporosis, arthritis, and back pain
…lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, glaucoma, and some forms of cancer.

This simple step is…simply stepping! And the easy part is that every step you take each day – whether its walking to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, walking to your car to go to work, walking from your desk to the water cooler, walking out to check your mailbox, walking on the sidewalks in your neighborhood, or even walking out to the backyard trash can - counts!!!

The West Bradford Parks Department has teamed up with Chester County Hospital to introduce “Chesco: Every Step Counts.” A new program designed to encourage residents of Chester County to adopt a healthy lifestyle through walking. The program will celebrate its kickoff this spring:

Date: Sunday, April 4, 2004 [rain or shine]
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Place: West Goshen Community Park [Fern Hill and Five Points Roads.]
Fee: $10 [includes step counter and step journal]
(There is no cost for just stopping by to have fun and learn more about the Program.)

Come and enjoy food, fun, music, children’s activities and more. Participants will receive pedometers and walking journals, learn simple stretching exercises to enhance their walking experience, and partake on a 1.6-mile walk. Participants may then walk on their own or in walking groups over the next 30 days with a goal of taking 10,000 steps (approximately five miles) in one day by the end of the month.

Residents can register to participate in Chesco: Every Step Counts by calling Chester County Hospital at 610-738-2300 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

In conjunction with the Hospital’s program, our Parks Department announces the formation of “West Bradford Walks.” This walking group will meet on weekdays at 8:00 a.m. at the entrance kiosk at Broad Run Park beginning Monday, April 5^th. Anyone interested in joining may call the Township office at 610-269-4174.

Mrs. Howard has resigned her position on the Planning Commission. She was appointed to serve on the Planning Commission in March of 1992 and has served almost 14 years on the Commission. During her terms in office Mrs. Howard has helped to review and improve many subdivision applications and ordinance updates, the most notable being the Open Space provision, which requires that at least 60% of a tract be left open. We thank Barbara for her service and wish her the best.

The Township has vacancies on its Planning Commission and Recreation Commission. It’s a great way to serve your community. We are seeking volunteers to serve on these bodies. Descriptions of member duties and a volunteer application form can be found on our website (www.westbradford.org).

The Township is also accepting applications for summer help. Positions are available for summer road crew laborers and park maintenance workers. Internships are available in Geographic Information Systems and Computer Science. Job descriptions and application proceedures can also be found on our website.

West Bradford Township participates in the Regional Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program. This means that you can take your residential household hazardous waste and discarded electronics equipment to any regional collection event.

This year’s spring collection days in the County are being held from 9 am to 3 pm on the following Saturdays

Due to a retirement, the Township is seeking applicants for a full time receptionist position. Prior experience and computer skills are required. The successful applicant will have a mature, professional, and pleasant demeanor.

The application deadline is May 1^st. Complete details and a job application may be found on our website (www.westbradford.org).

By recycling, township residents are not only saving the environment, but also helping to keep your trash fees lower. Every ton of recycling reduces the amount of trash that has to be collected and landfilled.

While not required for pick-up, you may wish to crush plastic and cans to increase space in your bins and the collection truck. Brown and green glass can also be brought to the 24hr drop-off located at the Municipal Campus.

Recycling works – and remember, it’s not just good for the environment, it’s the law.