Springfield Township.
termed, to talk politics, drink beer, and have sport with the landlord. At one time his friends induced him to become a candidate for sheriff of the county. A card announcing his candidacy was inserted in the newspapers of that day. No one seriously considered Natty as a candidate, but as there were an unusual number of persons seeking the office that year, as a burlesque his name was added to the list. His candidacy ended with the announcement of his name.
Springfield Free Fountain Society. - In April, 1882, a number of ladies and gentlemen met at the residence of C. G. Ogden, and decided to form a society for the purpose of erecting fountains and watering-troughs on the public road at suitable points. A meeting was called at Oakdale school-house, May 20, 1882, when the following officers were elected: Joseph P. Maris, president; C. G. Ogden, vice-president; Clement Ogden, treasurer; J. .S. Kent, secretary; T. J. Dolphin, corresponding secretary; and Garrett E. Smedley, solicitor. In July, 1882, the society, which had been incorporated by the court of Delaware County, erected its first fountain on the State road, opposite the property of George Maris, procuring most excellent water from a never-failing spring on his grounds. In September the second fountain was erected on the Baltimore turnpike, at Thomson's bridge, adjoining lands of George B. Lownes. Leiper & Lewis presented the large cap-stone for this fountain. In October the third fountain was erected, adjoining the farm of Reuben Baily, in Marple. In December of the same year the society began the erection of a fourth fountain on the Providence road, in Nether Providence, the water being brought from a spring on the farm of Thomas Palmer, which was completed the following year.
The Last of the Indian. - The family of Indians of whom an account is given in the history of Aston had also a wigwam near Lownes' Run, north of the dwelling-house of Joseph Gibbons, in Springfield, and would frequently reside there. "The last of the natives who had a home in the county was 'Indian Nelly,' who had her cabin near the line of the Shipley farm. She had her constant residence there as late as 1810."1
Remarkable Bequest. - In 1859, Mrs. Rebecca J. Smedley, of Springfield, died, and her will contains the following bequest:
"All the rest and residue of my estate I give, devise, and bequeath to my brother-in-law, William Smedley, and my friend, Joel Evans, of Springfield, upon this special trust and confidence, that my said Trustees shall apply and appropriate the residue to the benefit and assistance of young beginners in life, members of the religious Society of Friends, by paying to such small sums not exceeding fifty dollars to one person, in order to aid them in getting into business or setting out in housekeeping."
Joseph Gibbons.
The Gibbons family are of English extraction, the father of the subject of this biography having been Joseph Gibbons, who was born in 1770, on the homestead which is now the property of his grandsons, John and Joseph Gibbons. He married Lydia Dix, of Providence township, and had children, - Ann (Mrs. Edward Fell), Jane, John, George W., Sarah (Mrs. David Worrell), Humphrey, Elizabeth (Mrs. Frederick Fell), Joseph, James M., Lydia (Mrs. Morris Roberts), and William. The only survivor of this number is Mrs. David Worrell. Joseph Gibbons was born Aug. 20, 1799, on the homestead in Springfield township, where his life was spent in the active pursuits of a farmer, his whole career having been identified with the scenes of his childhood. His education was obtained in the neighborhood of his home, after which he lent a willing hand in the labor of the farm. Subsequently cultivated the land on shares, and on the death of his father, in 1853, the land became his by inheritance. He married Hannah B. Powell, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Powell, of Springfield, to whom were born four sons and four daughters, seven of whom survive. Mr. Gibbons, though devoted during his life to the pursuits of an agriculturist, was a man of much sagacity in business operations. His acquired knowledge of all matters pertaining to agricultural science rendered him one of the most successful farmers in the county. He was not less known for integrity and scrupulous honesty in all business transactions than for his capacity and soundness of judgment. Mr. Gibbons was identified as a director with the Delaware County Bank, of Chester. In politics he was a Whig, and later a Republican; and though the incumbent of various township offices, cared little for these distinctions. Mr. Gibbons possessed a genial and kindly nature, was social and companionable, a lover of music and good cheer. He was generous in his instincts, and liberal as occasion required. He was reared in the religious faith of the Friends, with whom he worshiped. His death occurred Dec. 1, 1880, aged eighty-one years, and that of Mrs. Gibbons, April 21, 1882.
The grandfather of Randall Bishop was Thomas Bishop, who married and had among his children a son, Joseph, born in Delaware County, who followed the vocation of a wheelwright, and also cultivated a farm. He married Sarah Pratt, of the same county, whose children were Tamar (Mrs. Samuel Pancoast), Emily, Joel, Orpah, Thomas, Randall, and Jeremiah. Randall Bishop was born April 18, 1795, in Provi-