Taverns and Inns

Blue Ball Inn

The old dwelling at the northeast corner of Second and Market Streets was erected by Francis Richardson between the years 1765 and 1770. The land whereon it stands was devised to him in 1760 by Grace Lloyd. At the time he began the erection of this house Richardson believed he was on the high road to great business prosperity, but before he had finished it he became financially embarrassed, owing to mistaken efforts to advance Chester to the front rank as a commercial rival of Philadelphia. There were holes still in the brick walls until 1883, when the dwelling was repaired and modernized, where, when the house was building, the timbers were inserted on which rested the boards of the scaffolding. It is said by Martin that in the days before the Mechanics' Lien law, when masons were not paid for their work, these holes were always left in the wall to indicate to their fellow-craftsmen that default had been made in that respect, and no mason would fill them in until the builders' claims had been discharged.

Concordville Inn

The Concordville Inn was established as a public-house in 1830, in which year John Way was granted license there, and being centrally located in the township, after Joseph Hannum retired from tavern-keep-ing, the election polls were ordered to be held at that point. In 1858, John Way declined to apply, and the privilege for that year was granted to David M. Hannum, but he failing to take out the license, George W. Taylor was permitted to enjoy it in his stead. The latter continued annually to petition successfully until 1861, when he was followed by Zadock T. Speakman, who, in 1869, gave place to James Cloud. The latter called the house the Coucordville Hotel, and in 1871 he was the only person in the township who received the approval of the court. In 1872, Frank H. Cloud had the license, after which time it does not appear to have had the endorsement of the Quarter Sessions until 1876, when the present owner and landlord, James Neeld, secured that favor.

Cross Keys Inn

In 1783, Joshua Vernon had leave to keep a tavern known as The Blue Ball, at which house he was superseded, in 1787, by James Oliver, who had license only for that year, while Joshua Vernon received the privilege to keep an inn at a house located on the Concord road a short distance beyond Chelsea. The ancient hostelry, well known as the Cross-Keys, no longer as a public-house, is now owned by Michael McGinnis. In 1789, the last year the justices of Chester County granted license for the territory now comprising Delaware County, Joshua Vernon was the only person in Concord to whom the judges show partiality. Under the new order of things, at the first court held at Chester, after the division, he received license, and was continued yearly to be favored until 1796, when James Jeffries succeeded him at the Cross-Keys. The latter was the landlord until 1799, when Ann Vernon had the license, and in 1800, George Mattson followed her. Thomas Ring had the house in 1802 ; Samuel Chapman was there in 1805, and the next year he gave place to Jonathan Paul, Jr., who, in 1807, was succeeded by Amos Waddell.

Old Johnson Tavern

Adjoining the lumber and coalyard of Jonathan Pennell, to the north, is an ancient building which is believed to have been built by Jacob Howell, subsequent to 1732, when he acquired title to a tract of land, on part of which the dwelling was erected previous to Dec. 10, 1748, at which date Isaac Howell, a son of Jacob, conveyed the lot and "messuage" to William Pennell. In 1784, Samuel Johnson purchased the property and kept it as a public-house, but becoming involved, it was sold by Sheriff Ezekiel Leonard, July 5, 1787, to Robert Pennell. A brother of the then owner, James Pennell, kept it as an inn; and as an attraction for the public had a tame tiger, which he had taught to perform a number of tricks. Pennell, when he removed to the Black Horse Hotel, in Middletown, took the animal thither, and one day, when angry, it attacked and killed its master. The building, after it ceased to be a public-house, had several owners, and is now part of the estate of Frederick J. Hinkson, Sr., deceased.[bib]703[/bib]

Washington House

This ancient hostelry was erected on a part of the twenty acres which by patent dated May 31, 1686, the commissioner for William Penn conveyed to James Sandelands. In 1720, Sandelands sold the land to John Wright, he in turn conveyed it to William Pennell, he to James Trego, who died the owner of the ground. In 1746, Aubrey Bevan purchased the lot, which had been used to pasture cattle, from the widow and son of Trego. In the following year Aubrey Bevan erected the present hotel building and gave it the title " Pennsylvania Arms," as will be seen by an inspection of his will. He was an active and leading citizen of Chester, and the structure, considering the time when it was built, evidences fully the progressive spirit which controlled his efforts. Aubrey Bevan died in 1761, and by will devised this property to his daughter, Mary; she, together with her husband, William Forbes, by deed dated April 1, 1772, conveyed the estate to William Kerlin, a wealthy man, as wealth was then regarded, and a fervent Whig during the Revolutionary struggle.

White Horse Inn

In 1817, Joseph Hannum petitioned court for license to keep a public house of entertainment on the West Chester and Concord road, although it would have been more accurate had he said on Concord road, for the White Horse Inn was located on the latter highway, a short mile above Chelsea. The old building, partly of logs and partly of stone, recently the property of Robert M. Smith and now owned by J. and J. Darlington, still stands. He was successful in his application, and he received the court's favor annually thereafter until 1837, when it ceased to be a tavern. During all the time it was a licensed house, the electors of Concord, Birmingham, Bethel, and that part of Thornbury lying west of a public road, from Street road by the shops and continuing by the house of Jacob Parks, to the road dividing the townships of Concord and Thornbury (in 1823), all voted at this inn, while in 1830 the second election district of Delaware County, comprising Concord, Birmingham, Bethel, and Thornbury, had their polling-place at the White Horse, and continued annually to be held there until and including 1837, when a tavern at that place was discontinued.[bib]703[/bib]

White Horse Tavern

Elisha Moore, in 1807, prayed the court to grant him license for his house, located on the Philadelphia and Lancaster turnpike road, near the eleventh mile-stone. He says that he is "nearly three miles above Jonathan Miller's tavern (Haverford), about one- third of a mile above Bartle Bartleson's tavern, and nearly three miles below Edward Siter's and Robert Kennedy's tavern. Between the first and the second last-mentioned taverns, on the old Lancaster road, there is now two taverns, and was there perhaps for forty years prior to the turnpike road being made (1792). The traveling since has vastly increased, and is generally confined to the turnpike. And as your petitioner lives in a very eligible situation for the accommodation and convenience of travellers, and has been at a considerable expense in the erection of buildings for keeping a public-house, which he will endeavor to merit by keeping good order, if your Honours will please to grant him a recommendation to his Excellency the Governor for a license for the same." The court acted favorably on his petition, and thus was established the White Horse Tavern.