WESTTOWN

from THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, by Futhey and Cope

Westtown was probably so named from its location, relative to Easttown. It forms a rectangular parallelogram, about 5 1/2 miles long by nearly 1 1/2 in width, the longer axis bearing E.N.E. In the majority of early surveys, on the east side of Brandywine, and south of the valley, the lines were run E.N.E. Prior to 1700 the land east of Chester Creek had passed into other hands and about that time permanent settlements began to be made in the township. In 1697 David Hoopes had purchased 300 acres in the eastern portion of the township, and 175 more in 1689. He was the first constable for Westtown, which office he filled in 1700, and was doubtless one of the earliest settlers. Aaron James became a land-holder in 1700, as also did Benjamin Hickman. John Bowater, of Middletown, purchased land in 1704, and by his will appears to have been living there at the time of his death in 1705. Isaac Taylor resurveyed the land in this township in 1703, and made a return of the following tracts; Wm Swarfar, 237 acres, Daniel Hoopes, 470; Benjamin Hickman, 230; Aaron James, 208; Richard Whitpain's heirs, 1918; Richard Collett, 1090. Taylor appears to have had the oversight of Collett's 1000 acres, at the western end of the township.

this page updated on March 1, 2009