by the warlike Iroquois further north. Penn's colony might have become a great tragedy instead of a "great experiment" in colonization. Some have cast aspersions on the bravery of the Delawares because of their conquest by the Iroquois. Nothing could be less deserved by the courageous Delawares for the truth is that the Delawares held off the well armed invaders who had been fully equipped with fire-arms through their trading with the French. The local tribes were armed only with stone age weapons - bows and arrows, but even so it took the Iroquois twenty years to make victory certain. In this struggle of gunpowder versus raw courage the Delawares proved themselves to the satisfaction of the historian. Even today arrow-heads and stone implements are discovered in the fields and woodlands of Springfield Township showing evidence of the former occupancy of the redman.

A tribute must be paid to the early residents for their bravery in facing the dangers of the wilderness. Jane Lownes, a widow with several children, came to Springfield probably about 1683, although the patent for her land bears the date of "second month, tenth, 1685." Not having a dwelling available, the little family lived in a cave until a home could be constructed. The site of the cave was marked by her descendants in 1799 and while the cave has long been filled in, the monument still remains as a reminder of this typical "Pioneer Mother." It also appears that there was a wilderness trail connecting Springfield with Haverford and some folks made the journey on foot in spite of the isolated location of the settlements. No doubt there was many an expatriated Welshman who upon making the rugged trek likened the wilderness to his native Wales, and his heart was heavy. The present boundaries of Springfield do not represent the original lines. The boroughs of Morton and Swarthmore, formerly known as Westdale, at one time were incorporated in Springfield and at an early date both Darby and Ridley townships encroached on the present Springfield area.

Gradually, as the influx of new inhabitants increased, roads replaced the Indian trails, following the valleys and circling the high, densely forested hills. Darby Road or the road to Amosland, as it was sometimes termed since it led into the Swedish fringe area along the Delaware, was laid out "12th month, 9th, 1687." We know this road today as Springfield Road and at one time it was overhung with huge oak and sycamore trees. The Delaware County Turnpike, or Baltimore Pike was opened in 1701. This was a highly traveled road even in colonial days and the lumbering, heavily-laden Conestoga wagons on their way southward traversed it. At one time the pike was paved with sturdy planks of oak and hardwoods and a recent excavation in the vicinity revealed some of the ancient boards still in good condition.

There are many persons who assume that the township acquired its name from the abundant springs that are everywhere in the area. While this is a logical assumption, there is no actual proof that it was so named. From the large number of settlements in the English colonies that bear the name of Springfield it is quite possible that some of the homesick new arrivals wished to retain the familiar name of their village