Aston Township.

sion of the Willcox family at Ivy Mills, in Concord township, but in time the congregation grew so numerous that it became necessary to erect a sanctuary at a more convenient location for those living in Rockdale and its neighborhood. Hence to that end a tract of land was purchased from Nicholas F. Walter on Aug. 26, 1852, the deed being made to the Rt. Rev. J. N. Newman, bishop of the diocese of Philadelphia, which lot was to be held in trust for the congregation of Ivy Mills. On Sunday, Aug. 29, 1852, the corner-stone of the church of "St. Thomas the Apostle" was laid, Rev. Mr. Sourin, of Philadelphia, conducting the ceremonies. The imposing church edifice was finished in 1856, and on Oct. 20, 1856, Rev. Charles Joseph Maugin was appointed the first pastor. In 1858 he was succeeded by Rev. Nicholas Walsh, and in the latter part of that year a frame parsonage was erected, at a cost of two thousand four hundred and forty-four dollars. In 1860, Rev. Thomas Kyle was in charge, and in 1862, Rev. Henry Wright. He was succeeded by Rev. John Wall in 1864, and in 1866, Rev. James J. McElroy became the pastor of St. Thomas' Church. The latter, in 1868, gave place to Rev. James F. Kelley, and he in turn, in 1870, to Rev. John Cox. In 1872, Rev. Michael Lawlor was its pastor. On Tuesday night, Feb. 4, 1873, the parsonage was totally destroyed by fire, originating in a defective flue. The contents of the building were saved, and by the utmost exertions the church edifice, which stood in close proximity, was rescued from the flames, which threatened its destruction. The following October Rev. John J. Wood was in charge, and during his pastorate a substantial brick parsonage was erected. He was followed, in 1875, by Rev. Andrew J. Gallagher, and on Oct. 14, 1877, the present pastor, William F. Cook, was installed. The congregation now numbers about fourteen hundred persons, and a mission chapel is attached to this church, located near Elam.

Licensed Houses. - The granting of licenses to any resident of Aston does not appear of record until 1762, but as early as August court, 1740, Thomas Vernon, of Aston, presented a petition for leave to keep a house of entertainment, alleging that there is no tavern on either road for twelve or fourteen miles where his house is located, or, as he expressed it, "seated on the Great road side Leading from severall parts of Bradford, Burmingham, Thornbury, West Town and Concord to Chester; allso on the road Leading from Chad's foard to Philadelphia through Providence," but he was unable to move by his representation the judicial mind in his favor. This description would seem to locate him in the northwestern end of the township.

As stated above, in 1762, James Johnston was licensed to keep a public-house, and I believe that it was located at Village Green. In 1764, William Pennell succeeded him in the business, and continued until 1770, when George Pierce in turn followed him. However, in 1765, James Cole had license, and in 1768, Abraham Aston was shown favor by the court, while Pennell held the license at this house. In 1776, George Pierce's name appeared for the last time. In 1778, James Pennell had the privilege accorded him, and in 1780 Joshua Vaughan was licensed to keep the tavern known as the "Seven Stars," and was so licensed until 1787. In the following year Peter Wade received the court's approval, and James Pennell in 1789, when Chester County court ceased to distribute its indulgences in the township.

The "Seven Stars" was kept by Thomas Marshall in 1790, when the new county of Delaware was created, and he continued there until 1793, when Samuel Hewes was granted license, and yearly received the approval of the court until his death, in 1820, when the business was carried on by his widow, Sarah, until 1824. In that year Samuel F. Hughes became the proprietor, to be superseded in that capacity, in 1826, by Jemima Massey, who yearly thereafter, until 1834, was granted license for the old public-house, which, if I am rightly informed, was the headquarters of Lord Cornwallis when the British army was encamped for several days near Village Green in the fall of 1777. John Garrett, in 1835, became the host of the "Stars." During the agitation of the ten-hour movement, in 1847, John Garrett took active part with the operatives in their organization, and so obnoxious did he make himself to the opponents of that measure that he deemed it unwise in that year to petition for license; hence J. Lewis Garrett made the application. John Garrett, however, held his position, and permitted the workingmen to assemble in his hall in public meetings without charge to them for the rooms. In the following year John Garrett petitioned again for the right to keep a public-house at the "Seven Stars," as also in 1849, which was granted to him. In 1850, J. Lewis Garrett made the application, and annually thereafter (excepting in 1856, '57, '58, '59, and 1860, when John Garrett applied, and during 1873-74, the years of local option), his petition being favorably acted on. On March 20, 1862, while J. Lewis Garrett was standing in the bar of the hotel, a bullet, shattering a window-glass, struck him on the neck, under the right jaw, passed through the larynx, and lodged in the left side of the neck, just beneath the skin, inflicting a dangerous wound. Some boys were shooting at a mark in a field near by. This bullet, before it struck Mr. Garrett, had passed through a two-inch pine board and the side of a carriage. At the old tavern is a copy of the first edition of "Purdon's Digest," on the fly-leaf of which is engrossed, in the handwriting of James McMullen, an old school-teacher:

"The property of the inhabitants of the township of Aston. Not to be taken from the Seven Stars Tavern while the elections are held there.

"March 31,1820."

In 1862, James Schofield received license for an