The Borough Of Media.

The boundaries were described in the act as follows:

"Beginning at the corner of lands of Edward Lewis, Isaac Cochran, Andrew T. Walker, and John Hill, on the south side of the Philadelphia and Baltimore State road, in the township of Upper Providence; thence due south twenty-five perches through land of John Hill; thence eastwardly to a point two hundred and fifty feet on the eastern side of the road leading through Providence to Chester, and fifty perches south of the State road aforesaid, in the town of Nether Providence; thence northwestwardly parallel with and at the distance of two hundred and fifty feet eastward of said Providence road to a point opposite the intersection of the said Providence road and a road leading from the Rock House; thence southwestwardly across said Providence road, and through land of Joseph Rowland to the most northern point of land held by the directors of the poor, of said county; thence southwestwardly along the northwestern boundaries of said land and lands held by the county commissioners of said county, and by Andrew T. Walker, to the place of beginning."

The prohibitory clause (iii. 60) was as follows:

"It shall not be lawful for any person or persons to vend or sell vinous, spirituous, or other intoxicating liquors within the limits of said borough, except for medical purposes, or for use in the arts; and it shall not be lawful for the Court of Quarter Sessions to grant any license or licenses therefor to any inn or tavern in said borough. If any person or persons shall within said borough vend or sell, or cause to be vended or sold, any vinous, spirituous, or other intoxicating liquors to any persons (except as provided for in this section), such person or persons so vending or selling, shall be liable to indictment, and on conviction thereof shall forfeit and pay for every such offense a sum not less than twenty nor more than one hundred dollars, at the discretion of the court: Provided, That it may be lawful for the Court of Quarter Sessions of said county to license inns or taverns in said borough without permission to vend or sell intoxicating drinks: And provided, Such license may be granted without the publication of any previous notice, as is required for other taverns."¹

Isaac Haldeman, Joseph Rowland, and John Hill, who were authorized by the act to call an election for the purpose of choosing borough officers, on March 15th issued a notice to the citizens to meet on Tuesday, the 19th of the same month, at the public-house of Peter Worrall, to exercise the right of franchise as the law directed. At this election Isaac E. Price and David Hardcastle acted as inspectors. The officers chosen were as follows: Town Council, Dr. George Smith, Dr. Joseph Rowland, Isaac Haldeman, Nathan Shaw, Thomas T. Williams, and John C. Beatty; Town Clerk, Thomas Richardson; Treasurer, Charles Palmer; Assessor, Robert Rowland.² At the meeting of the Council March 27, 1850, the members drew lots to determine the length of time they should remain in office, with the result that Messrs. Williams and Smith should continue members for one year, Shaw and Rowland for two years, and Haldeman and Beatty for three years. Isaac Haldeman was chosen president of the board. Dr. Smith tendered his resignation on May 1st, and Joseph Edwards was appointed to fill the vacancy thus caused. At the succeeding meeting Mr. Edwards declined to serve, and Charles R. Williamson was elected to the position thus vacated.

At the meeting of the Council on May 8th the first borough tax was ordered to be laid. This was for the repair of roads within the borough limits. On June 5th a committee was appointed to attend to the grading of the streets and their improvement otherwise, and Jacob Smedley was appointed at the same time borough surveyor. At a subsequent meeting Joel Evans was paid fourteen dollars for running the southern boundary line, and it is probable that be acted as substitute for Smedley. At the meeting of July 3d, Charles D. Manley was appointed borough solicitor. Thus the organization of the local government was gradually perfected and put in working order.

At a meeting held Jan. 1, 1851, the assessor's returns were examined and corrected, and on motion a tax of three mills on the dollar was laid on the valuation of the assessment. A court of appeal was ordered to be held at the public-house of Peter Worrall on the 25th of the month, and John C. Price was appointed collector of taxes.

The meetings of the Council, which from the beginning had been held from house to house of those who were its members, were, in August, 1851, transferred to the Charter House, of which we shall presently give the history. It was resolved to make that the permanent assembly-place of the municipal body, and a committee was appointed at the meeting of November 5th to make arrangements with Mr. Hawkins for the use of a room, which was subsequently secured for ten dollars per year.

In 1852 the tax levy was reduced to two and onehalf mills on the dollar. John C. Price, at the meeting of June 2d, rendered his account as tax collector, from which it appeared that the whole amount of borough tax turned over was $156.66, and the dog tax $20.00, making a total of $176.66.

On Jan. 5, 1853, an ordinance was brought up for the removal of the place of the borough election from the public-house of Peter Worrall to the Charter House. It was passed on February 2d, and the next election, that of March 18th, was held at the newly-designated place.

Passing for the present, and reserving for separate consideration, the various measures for street improvements, we present a roster of the leading civil officials of Media borough from 1850 to the present time (with the exception of the school directors, whose names will be found appended to the section of this chapter devoted to educational matters):