Talk:Jefferis Ford

Background notes:

. references:

 . HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 227
 . West Chester, past and present: centennial souvenir with celebration proceedings; Daily Local News (West Chester, Pa.); 1899
 . The Jefferis family, Gilbert Cope, 1870, 14 pages
    https://dcms.lds.org/view/action/ieViewer.do?from_proxy=true&dps_pid=IE48536&dps_dvs=1330026984888~309&dps_pid=IE48536&change_lng=en

. external links

 . Jefferis' Ford.  Educational Technology Clearinghouse, University of South Florida. Clipart.
   . http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/13800/13869/jefferis-for_13869.htm
   . from: Benson J. Lossing, The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851)
 . 12 Must-See Historic Sites You Never Heard Of
   . http://www.mainlinetoday.com/Main-Line-Today/January-2011/MLTHistoryChart_jan11.pdf
 . Robert Jefferis (1668-1739) family tree 
   . http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mhofemann&id=I1735

. from family tree http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mhofemann&id=I1735

 . Robert Jefferis emigrated to Penn Colony in 1681 and was present at the arrival of William Penn.
 . He moved to East Bradford around 1700.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 227

[note - Peter deHaven may have come with General Lafayette. He also may have been the operator of the gunpowder mills in East Pikeland - http://www.eastpikeland.org/index.asp?Type=B_DIR&SEC=%7BBB4A1795-FB82-4E18-90E1-21518DE1F460%7D&DE=%7B390443C6-D513-413D-9F1F-DE287F5A52EF%7D, also - http://eastpikelandpa.govoffice2.com/vertical/Sites/%7B3F7567AD-BA35-41A6-9117-FD7892D5A0DA%7D/uploads/Continental_Powder_Works.pdf]

Peter De Haven to Vice-president Bryan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Bryan): "FRENCH CREEK, September 10, 1777. "Sir, Wee have got sum information that there is part of Mr. How’s army within four miles of Downins Town, and I believe they intend for our Magazene, and we are in a very poor situation for defending it. I should be very glad if you would send a proper Gard for this place."

On the morning of the 11th the army divided into two columns, one division, under Knyphausen, marching directly through Kennet and Pennsbury townships to Chad’s Ford by the Philadelphia road, and the other, under Cornwallis, and accompanied by Sir William Howe, taking a circuitous route, traversing portions of the townships of Kennet, East Marlborough, Newlin, West Bradford, East Bradford, and Birmingham, crossing the west branch of the Brandywine at Trimble’s Ford, a short distance south of Marshallton, and the east branch mainly at Jefferis’ Ford, and approaching Birmimgham Meeting-house from the north, the object of these movements being to hem the Americans in between the two forces, and thus make them an easy prey.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 235-236

The battle of Brandywine, as is known to most of our people, was fought on two different fields,— at Birmingham and at Chad’s Ford. The British army, soon after leaving Kennet Square, on their march eastward, formed in two divisions, one of them, under General Keyphausen, marching directly to Chad’s Ford, and the other, under General Cornwallis, and accompanied by General Howe, the commander-in-chief, taking a northern direction, crossing the west branch of the Brandywine at Trimble’s Ford, and the east branch at Jefferis’ Ford, and then turning southward to Birmingham.

The public roads in those days were somewhat differently located from what they are at the present day. What is now known as the State road from West Chester to Jefferis’ Ford was not then in existence. The road from what is now West Chester— then only known as the Turk’s Head— to Jefferis’ Ford passed out the present Gay Street to Bradford Avenue, at the northwest corner of the late Orthodox Friends’ burial-ground, then diagonally across Edwin James’ lot, and by the farm-house on the property of Samuel R. Shipley, south of his residence, then by the dwelling-house on the farm of Edwin James, and from thence, nearly on the route of the present State road, to Jefferis’ Ford. Between the farms of Edwin James and John James a road ran over the hills in a northern direction, passing west of the residence of John M. Hildeburn, and running southward to a hamlet known as Sconneltown, where it united with a road from Jefferis’ Ford, and continued on to Birmingham Meeting-house, on the bed of the present road. From Sconneltown northward this road has been vacated, but its site in places is still plainly marked, and it can readily be traced. From the farm-house of Edwin James a road ran northward very much as at present, past the farm-buildings formerly of the late Eusebius Townsend. An oil-mill stood in former times a very short distance west of the farm-house of Edwin James. It was supplied with water from a dam across the run a short distance above the mill. The dam has become filled, but both the site of the oil-mill and dam are still plainly discernible.

The road past the mill was formerly known as the Oil-mill road, and it is still occassionally so called, although the mill has long since disappeared.

The farm-house already referred to, on the property of Samuel R. Shipley, just outside present limits of West Chester, still standing and in good preservation, was in the days of the Revolution owned and occupied by one John Townsend. Emmor Jefferis resided in the house late of David Meconkey, west of Jefferis’ Ford, his brother, James Jefferis, where John James lately resided, immediately cast of the ford, and Cheyney Jefferis, a son of James Jefferis, where Edwin James lately resided. The hamlet known as Sconneltown was situated on the road leading southward towards Birmingham. It has entirely disappeared, but its site is marked by a school-house bearing the same name. Among its few buildings was a large wheel-wright-shop, which stood on the east side of the road, and on the brow of the hill nearly opposite the present school-house.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 238

The battle of Brandywine, as is known to most of our people, was fought on two different fields,— at Birmingham and at Chad’s Ford. The British army, soon after leaving Kennet Square, on their march eastward, formed in two divisions, one of them, under General Keyphausen, marching directly to Chad’s Ford, and the other, under General Cornwallis, and accompanied by General Howe, the commander-in-chief, taking a northern direction, crossing the west branch of the Brandywine at Trimble’s Ford, and the east branch at Jefferis’ Ford, and then turning southward to Birmingham.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 239

while we were reasoning with them our eyes were caught on a sudden by the appearance of the army coming out of the woods into the fields belonging to Emmor Jefferis, on the west side of the creek, above the fording-place. In a few minutes the fields were literally covered over with them, and they were hastening towards us. Their arms and bayonets, being raised, shone as bright as silver, the sky being clear and the day exceedingly warm. Recollecting that there was no one at our dwelling except some of our sisters, we concluded it advisable to return home as expeditiously as possible, as we had no doubt that they were marching direct for Philadelphia, and would pass by the house and over the farm. Our parents had a few days before been called to their daughter Lamborn’s, at Kennet, on account of the illness of her children, one of whom had died during their stay there. They were considerably plundered by the rabble which accompanied the army during their encampment at Kennet Square, to which they were contiguous.

"After our arrival at home, and our horses inclosed in the stable, we were in momentary expectation of the army’s approach, but in this we were disappointed; and having waited some time, we ventured down the road towards them, and when in sight of Jefferis’ Ford we discovered that they had turned their course towards Birmingham, and were passing by where the meeting on that day had been held.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 239

Col. William L. Stone, formerly editor of the New York Commercial Advertiser, made a visit to the field of Brandywine in the year 1831, and published an account of his visit in his paper under the title of "Notes by the Way." This article found its way into many newspapers of the day, and was copied by Watson into his "Annals of Philadelphia." Col. Stone gives the tradition as related to him by persons in the vicinage, that this young Percy, on the march of the division of the British army under Gens. Howe and Cornwallis from Jefferis’ to Birmingham, on reaching the eminence now familiarly known as Osborne’s Hill, suddenly eurbed his horse, and, viewing the landscape, said to his servant, Clifford, that he had seen that field before in England, and in a dream, and that he should fall there; that he gave him his watch and purse, with messages to his friends, dashed forward with his follows, and fell near the northern wall of the Birmingham graveyard, around which the battle raged, about the middle of the action, and that he was buried in that yard. This was certainly the tradition that was current at the time of Col. Stone’s visit in 1831.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 249

The following letter, written by the late Dr. William Darlington, and published in 1845, contains much interesting matter in relation to the battle of Brandywine. It was addressed to Dr. A.L. Elwyn, of Philadelphia:

"WEST CHESTER, Nov. 29, 1845.

"DEAR SIR,— When the British army landed at the Head of Elk, the inhabitants of Wilmington supposed the enemy would march through that place on their way to Philadelphia, and with a view to preserve their property a number of merchants and others sent their goods into Chester County, near the forks of the Brandywine, exactly in the way of the depredations which they hoped to escape. A large quantity of liquors was stored in the cellar of Emmor Jefferis, at Jefferis’ Ford, on the very route by which Sir William Howe and Lord Cornwallis passed with the main division of the army. The British soldiers ransacked the house, rolled the casks of liquor out of the cellar, knocked in the heads of the vessels, and drank of the contents until a great number of them became intoxicated. Sir William Howe took Mr. Jefferis with him as a guide to conduct him towards Birmingham Meeting-house. When they arrived at Osborne’s Hill, in view of the meeting-house, the Americans were posted on the high ground about a quarter of a mile south of that building, with some light companies thrown forward into the walled graveyard. The British pushed steadily forward, until, after a short conflict, the Americans gave way and retreated towards Dilworthtown, Sir William Howe in the mean time viewing the battle from Osborne’s Hill. After the retreat commenced, Howe moved on after the army, taking Mr. Jefferis some distance with him. Mr. Jefferis used often to relate that when they approached the contending forces, the bullets from the Americans whistled so sharply by him that he could not refrain from dodging his head as they passed; which Sir William observing, called out very encouragingly, ‘Don’t be afraid, Mr. Jefferis, they won’t hurt you.’ Mr. Jefferis, however, took the earliest opportunity to quit the scene and return home.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 265

(18*) The reproduction of the following lines, by the late T. Buchanan Read, from his "Wagoner of the Alleghanies," is particularly appropriate:

"The hour was loud, but louder still Anon the rage of battle roared Its wild and murderous will; From Jefferis’ down to Wistar’s Ford, From Jones’ to Chad’s, the cannon poured, While thundered Osborne Hill. Oh, ne’er before fled holy calm From out its sainted house of prayer So frighted through the trembling air As from that shrine of Birmingham. "Oft through the opening cloud we scanned The shouting leaders, sword in hand, Directing the tumultuous scene: There galloped Maxwell, gallant Bland, The poet-warrior, while between, Ringing o’er all his loud command Dashed the intrepid Greene; "Here Sullivan in fury trooped, There Weedon like an eagle swooped, With Muhlenberg,— where they were grouped The invader dearly earned his gains; And (where the mad should only be, The fiercest champion of the free) The loudest trumpet-call was Wayne’s, While in a gale of battle-glee, With rapid sword and pistol dealing The blows which set the foeman reeling, Sped ‘Light-horse Harry Lea.’"

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 503

BRADFORD.

Organized about 1705, Richard Buffington being constable for that year. He was succeeded by Robert Jefferis in 1706, and Abiah Taylor in 1707.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 504

Between the large tract of Arthur Cook and that of Langhorn and company there was left a vacant piece, through which ran the Brandywine from the Strasburg road to Jefferis’ Ford, and in 1702, Thomas Buffington obtained a warrant for 100 acres of this, "next his tract, whereon he is now seated, on Brandywine." In 1708 he purchased 54 acres adjoining of the Thomas Martin tract, and this, with that part of the 100 acres west of the creek, formed the greater part of the farm late of David Meconkey. Joseph Buffington was the first resident owner of 200 acres, in the forks of the creek, which he purchased in 1748, just after his father’s death.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 504

Robert Jefferis, of Chichester, disposed of his land in that township in 1700, and the next year purchased from William Vestal 169 acres on Brandywine, the south line of which now forms a portion of the line between East Bradford and Birmingham. It is likely that he settled on the land in the same year, but at that time the township lines were not very well defined, nor had Bradford even received the name, and we find that in 1703 Robert Jefferis was appointed constable for Westtown, his next neighbor on the north, Richard Buffington, having held the office for three years previous. Tradition points to the residence of Charles Carter, on the road from Sager’s mill to West Chester, as the site of Robert’s dwelling. In 1712 he purchased the Noyes’ tract of 256 acres, which now forms the principal part of the farms of John James, Paschall Hacker, and the late William Parker Foulke. In 1721 he purchased from William Buffington 189 acres, which connected the two former purchases. The Noyes’ tract he conveyed to his sons, James and Robert, the Buffington tract to James and William, and the homestead to his son Benjamin; so that he does not appear to have owned any land at the time of his death, which occurred about 1738.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 1252-1253

[ also from http://chester.pa-roots.com/useful_urls/area%20public%20house%20info.htm 1880 license]

Among other public-houses were the Anvil, Unicorn, and Plow, in Kennet; Hammer and Trowel, in New Garden; Half-Way House (now Chatham) and White Horse, in Londongrove; Stage and Leopard, in Easttown; Buck, in Coventry; Lamb, in Wallace; Gum Tree, Sorrel Horse (formerly Spinning-Wheel), and Mason’s Arms, in West Fallowfield; General Greene, Boot, and Three Tuns, in East Goshen; Cross Keys and Fox Chase and Drove, in East Marlborough; Globe, in West Nottingham; Rising Sun, Washington, and Yellow Springs, in West Pikeland; Bull, Fountain Inn, Valley Forge, General Pike, and General Lafayette, in Schuylkill; Red Lion and Eagle, in Uwchlan; Seven Stars, Captain Lawrence, and Poplar Tree, in Vincent; Indian King and Grove, in West Whiteland; Dolphin (now Dilworthstown) in Birmingham; White Horse and William Penn, in Willistown; and Eel’s Foot, in East Bradford, near Jefferis’ Ford. In West Chester were the Turk’s Head, Washington, Cross Keys (afterwards White Hall), Black Bear, Green Tree, Eagle, and Traveler’s Rest (afterwards the Star). The present Mansion House was originally called the Chester County Hotel. The name was not improved by the change.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 1460

GEORGE CARTER, "late of Bucklebury, in Berkshire, England," purchased a farm in 1714 on the Brandywine, at what was afterwards called Jefferis’ Ford, where he died about the close of the year 1726. The maiden name of his wife, according to tradition, was Elizabeth Tull. She married a second husband, James Jefferis, March 3, 1728. The children of George Carter were five in number,— Anna, m. William Mack; George, m. Lydia Worth; Rachel, b. 1719, m. Abraham Marshall and Richard Baker; Elizabeth, m. Samuel Worth; John, b. 11, 26, 1723, d. 6, 14, 1770, m. Hannah Cope, 2, 10, 1746.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 1639

At the time the British army invaded Chester County, on its way from the Head of Elk to Philadelphia, Col. Hannum resided at the "Centre House" (now in the village of Marshallton), between the two main branches of the river Brandywine, and the night of Sept. 10, 1777, was passed by Thomas Cheyney, Esq., a relative of Col. Hannum, at the house of the latter. (At that perilous crisis it was not deemed prudent for Squire Cheyney to lodge at his own house.) Next morning— being Brandywine battle-day— the two set out together to visit the American army, known to be then in the vicinity of Chads’ Ford. As they descended towards the west branch of the stream, near Trimble’s mill and ford, they discovered coming down from the hills opposite a very numerous body of soldiers, evidently British. This very much surprised Messrs. Hannum and Cheyney, and they moved round the adjacent hills, in order to observe the direction taken by the enemy. Finding them going toward Jefferis’ Ford, on the east branch, and believing them to constitute the chief portion of the English army, our friends resolved at once, and at some personal risk, to proceed with the intelligence to Gen. Washington. Squire Cheyney, being mounted on a fleet hackney, pushed down the stream from Jefferis’ Ford until he found the American commander-in-chief and had the interview mentioned on page 71.

. from HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, p 1693-1695

JEFFERIS, ROBERT, is first mentioned as a witness at a court held at Chester, September, 1685. In 1691 he purchased 60 acres of land near the middle of Upper Chichester township, whereon he probably resided for some years. In 1701 he purchased 169 acres in East Bradford township, and having sold that in Chichester, removed to the last purchase. In 1703 he was appointed constable for Westtown, Bradford not being then organized. In 1721 he added to his possessions by purchasing 189 acres from William Buffington. He conveyed the homestead in 1733 to his son Benjamin, reserving a life estate, and having divided his other land between his sons, he does not appear to have owned any at the time of his death, in 1738.

His first wife was Jane, daughter of George and Jane Chandler, to whom he was married about 1692. After her death he married Ann-----, by whom he had one child. His widow married Richard Archer prior to 1745, and surviving him, died at the residence of her son, Richard Jefferis, in Tell township, Huntingdon Co.

The children of Robert and Jane Jefferis were Patience, m. to Henry Betterton and-----Mackey; Charity, m. to John Evans, and again, in 1721, to John Cope; William, m. 1724, to Elizabeth (Ring) Neild; James, m. March 3, 1728, to Elizabeth (Tull) Carter; Robert, m. Eleanor-----and Elizabeth Harper, a widow; George, m. Lydia-----; Jane, m. to Joseph Skeen; Anne, m. to Alexander Duncan; Mary, m. to Thomas Temple, of Caln; Benjamin, m. to Elizabeth Carter; Thomas, m. to Catharine (?); John.

William Jefferis resided in Chester township for some time after his marriage, but after his father’s death he purchased the homestead in East Bradford and removed thither. He died 11, 23, 1777, and was buried on the 25th, at Birmingham Meeting. His children were Mary, b. 5, 29, 1727, m. William Marsh, of Sadsbury; William, b. 3, 12, 1729, d. 1778, m. Hannah Darlington; Martha, b. 1, 8, 1731, m. William Bennett; Nathaniel, b. 11, 8, 1733, d. 9, 30, 1823; Hannah, m. John Hunt; Samuel, b. 10, 6, 1736, d. 2, 28, 1823; Nathan, b. 5, 6, 1741, d. 1777. The descendants of William and Hannah (Darlington) Jefferis are very numerous, but mostly in the West. Nathaniel Jefferis married his first cousin, Prudence-----, and had seven children. He afterwards married Mary, daughter of Isaac Chalfant, by whom he had eight, of whom the late Isaac Jefferis, of Newlin, was one.

Samuel Jefferis was married 11, 24, 1759, to Margaret, daughter of John and Joanna Townsend, of East Bradford, born 7, 27, 1742, died 7, 9, 1832. They resided for many years in West Whiteland, but died in West Chester. They had two sons,— William and John, of whom the first died with yellow fever in Philadelphia, leaving children, who went to Baltimore.

John Jefferis married, 3, 29, 1787, Hannah, daughter of John and Hannah Carpenter, of West Bradford, born 1, 4, 1768, died 7, 30, 1799. He married a second wife, Jane P. Bishop, who died 2, 14, 1845. Her children were Minerva, b. 12, 17, 1787, d. 8, 23, 1795; Horatio Townsend, b. 6, 22, 1789, d. 5, 14, 1836; Samuel Carpenter, b. 12, 1, 1790, d. 3, 20, 1843; Malinda England, b. 9, 9, 1792, d. 2, 27, 1863, m. Job Wickersham; Phebe Baily, b. 8, 19, 1794, d. 3, 29, 1829; William Walter, b. 12, 5, 1796, died young; Granville Sharp, b. 10, 5, 1802; Joseph Addison, b. 11, 3, 1803.

Horatio Townsend Jefferis married, March 27, 1816, Hannah Paul, born April 19, 1790, died March 23, 1851. They resided in West Chester, and had children,— Minerva; William Walter, now cashier of the Bank of Chester County; Emily Jane; Martha Ann, m. Charles Fairlamb; John Paul, now of Washington, D.C.; Horatio Carpenter, and Mortimer Townsend, lately Episcopal minister of an English Church at Dresden.

James Jefferis, son of Robert and Jane, married Elizabeth, widow of George Carter, of East Bradford, and settled on the Carter homestead, on the west side of Brandywine, at Jefferis’ Ford. His father conveyed some land to him on the east side of the creek, and he purchased from the Worth family 150 acres on the west side. He became a member of Birmingham Meeting in 1738, and was appointed an overseer in 1743. He died in 1745, but his wife survived him many years. They had three children,— James, Abigail, who married Thomas Williamson, and Emmor.

James was born Nov. 20, 1728, and married, Dec. 23, 1749, Ann, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Cheyney, of Thornbury, born Feb. 21, 1727–8, died at the age of seventy-six years, six months, twenty-seven days. He inherited his father’s lands on the east side of the creek, where he died in 1807. His children were Mary, b. 9, 9, 1750, m. to Thomas Hickman; Emmor, b. 1, 18, 1752, d. 10, 8, 1822, m. Rachel Grubb; Betty, b. 3, 17, 1755, d. 1, 5, 1838, unmarried; Hannah, b. 10, 19, 1757, m. to Moses Hickman; Jane, b. 10, 7, 1759, d. 3, 16, 1849. Her son Chalkley, b. 11, 17, 1789, d. 11, 4, 1870, was a mason and builder, and in conjunction with William Ingram erected many important public buildings. Cheyney, b. 4, 26, 1762, d. 4, 6, 1828; Jacob, b. 9, 26, 1764, d. 11, 20, 1840, m. Elizabeth Cope; Ann, b. 9, 24, 1767, d. 6, 5, 1768.

Cheyney Jefferis learned the hatting business, but became a farmer. He married, 11, 26, 1790, Mary Bennett, b. 11, 29, 1762, died 9, 2, 1807, daughter of James and Hannah Bennett, of Pennsbury. He married again, 3, 22, 1810, Martha Sharpless, b. 4, 27, 1775, died 4, 30, 1854, daughter of Joshua and Edith Sharpless. He purchased a farm eastward of and adjoining that of his father, now owned by his grandson, Edwin James. His children by the first wife were Hannah, m. to John James; James, Titus, Cheyney, Mary, m. to James Bennett; Edith; and by the second, Ann, m. to Moses Sheppard; Lydia, Martha, and Joshua; all deceased except the last, who is one of Chester County’s model farmers, residing in New Garden township.

Emmor Jefferis, son of James and Elizabeth, inherited the land on the west side of the ford, where he died about 1802. It was he who was compelled to guide the British army towards Birmingham Meeting on the day of battle. He married, in 1757, Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Taylor, on Pocopson Creek. She died 7, 11, 1793, aged about fifty-three years. They had three children,— James, b. about 1758, d. 1, 25, 1822; Emmor, b. 3, 2, 1760, d. 8, 8, 1813; and Sarah, who married Dr. Joseph Moore.

James was a sea-captain, and owner of the vessel "Neptune," which sailed from Wilmington. Later in life he settled down on his farm in East Bradford, now of E.H. Holley. He also became the owner of his brother Emmor’s share of their father’s land by purchase from the heirs. Capt. Jefferis is represented in the name by his grandson, Bayard Jefferis, of West Chester.

Emmor Jefferis, his brother, married Charity, daughter of Samuel and Lydia Grubb, born 12, 30, 1762, died 3, 10, 1836. They had children,— Sarah, mother of Hon. John Hickman; Grubb, Curtis, Joseph, Benjamin, Lydia, John S., Elizabeth, Anna, Charity, Emmor, and Abigail. Of these, Anna, widow of Isaac Trimble, of West Bradford, is living at the age of eighty-four years. Emmor Jefferis, the youngest son, was the grandfather of Rev. William Jefferis, of Newark College, Delaware.

Richard Jefferis, the youngest son of the first Robert, born about 1730, settled in Huntingdon County, and had a large family of children by two wives, the names of twenty-two being known. His son Mark, born Feb. 10, 1787, died Feb. 11, 1877, was the father of Gen. Noah L. Jeffries, sometime register of the treasury at Washington, D.C. Robert Jefferis the first was probably born as early as 1670, and some of his grandchildren were living in 1879, making an unusually long period to be covered by three generations.

The name is differently spelled in different branches of the family, but by those in Chester County it is written Jefferis.

image of jefferis ford bridge: http://www.archive.org/stream/westchesterpastp00dail#page/24/mode/2up

from http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/13800/13869/jefferis-for_13869.htm

File Name: jefferis-for_13869 Description: "View at Jefferis' Ford. This view is from the easterly bank of the Brandywine. The ford was at the mouth of the little creek seen issuing from the small bridge on the left. The Brandywine here is broad and shallow, with quite a rapid current."—Lossing, 1851 Source: Benson J. Lossing, The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851)II:374 Keywords: american revolution, jefferis ford, jefferis' ford,

from http://www.mnhs.org/preserve/shpo/landscape/methods2.html

Worth/Jefferis Rural Historic District, Chester County, Pennsylvania

The Worth/Jefferis Rural Historic District, nominated in 1994, encompasses 1,800 acres of agricultural land in rural Chester County, Pennsylvania. Documented by Robert J. Wise, Jr., the district has an unusual ratio of contributing to noncontributing buildings, with only 47 contributing resources as compared to 74 noncontributing. Most of the noncontributing houses are located in higher-density, suburban tracts that are not visible from the main roads. Other noncontributing resources include recent outbuildings, which are associated with contributing farms, and new and altered houses. Many of the noncontributing outbuildings -- especially barns -- were constructed on historic foundations and have the same size, shape, and orientation of their predecessors. As a result, they are not intrusive to the historic district.

This particular part of Chester County has become increasingly suburban, with subdivisions penetrating the once agricultural area. However, the groupings of new homes are set back from the roads and are generally not visible from the historic buildings and landscape. The district's ten historic farms, all on major roads, are the district's most prominent features. The placement of the features within the district is more important than the number of contributing resources. Older buildings are positioned to take advantage of natural landscape features, whereas, new construction has altered the landscape by cutting hillsides and trees. Landscape features that define the district include roads, hedgerows, fields, and farmsteads.

The western and southern boundaries of the district follow William Penn's 1688 land grant. Some of this landscape's oldest properties lie within these boundaries. Other boundaries, including forested land, hedgerows, and roads, exclude most of the suburban sprawl. Some suburban areas are located within the district, but natural and man-made landscape features shield these areas from the viewshed of the historic properties.

The period of significance for the Worth/Jefferis Historic District extends over two centuries from 1707 to 1943. The pattern of the farmsteads, fields, and rolling country separated by hedgerows and small tree groves has remained constant over the period of significance. Each of the contributing farmsteads still has its farmhouse placed at the center of the complex. The buildings on each farm retain sufficient integrity to be considered contributing resources within the historic district. The district contains a significant and distinctive collection of rural Pennsylvania agricultural buildings. However, the district is also significant because it reflects a pattern of exploration and settlement representative of original English Quaker settlement.

This nomination demonstrated an essential contrast between urban and rural districts. Generally, urban districts are eligible when a concentration of contributing resources outweighs noncontributing resources and demonstrates significance in one of four areas. However, rural historic landscapes are assessed and evaluated for characteristics that include transportation networks, vegetation, types of land use, and spatial organization. Rural historic districts include many characteristics -- such as landscape features and the presence of cultural traditions -- that cannot be counted in the same manner as buildings and structures in an urban area. This nomination proves that the traditional resource count should not be the only method used to assess the overall eligibility of a landscape district.

Trimble's ford marker http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-E3

Trimble's Ford, Chester County, PA, 2011.

A key to the Battle of Brandywine was the question of exactly where British forces would cross the Brandywine Creek. The American commanders believed that they had fortified all of the significant fords of the small river along the route to Philadelphia. They had concentrated their main defensive position around the best crossing place, a location known as Chad's Ford.

But the Americans were somehow unaware of Trimble's Ford, also called Taylor's Ferry, which lay on the western branch of the creek, a few miles above Chad's Ford. Local farmers loyal to the Crown had helped lead the British troops up the Great Valley (or North) Road to this small crossing point. From there, the British Army marched about three miles to the eastern branch of the creek and crossed again at Jefferis's Ford.

Brandywine River, near the Brandywine battlefield, Chester County, PA, circa...

A local youth named Joseph Townsend recalled the astonishing sight of the Redcoats emerging from "the fields belonging to Emmor Jefferis," as he and some of his friends stood around discussing rumors about the impending confrontation. "In a few minutes the fields were literally covered over with them," he noted, "and they were hastening towards us."

"Their arms and bayonets being raised, shone as bright as silver, there being a clear sky and the day exceedingly warm. Recollecting that there was no one at our dwelling, except some of our sisters, we concluded it was advisable to return home as expeditiously as possible, as we had no doubt but that they were marching direct for Philadelphia, and would pass by the house and over the farm."

But Townsend and his young friends were wrong. The British Army, under the direction of Howe and Cornwallis, reorganized nearby and turned south to face the unprepared American troops who had believed for too long that the main assault would come at the center of their lines. This marker is one of the original bronze plaques erected by the Pennsylvania Historical Commission in the 1910s.

From "The Jefferis Family" by Gilbert Cope, p. 1

The first mention of his name that I have met with is in the following minute, "At a Court held at Chester for the County of Chester., the 1st 3rd day in the 1st weeke of the 7th month,' 1685. The Testimony of Thomas Kawlensoni who being attested, declareth that Thomas Wither's maid', speaking contemtably of Jeremy Collett, Joel Bayly undertooke to correct the said maide in words for abusing the reputation of the said Jeremy Collett, whereupon the said Thomas Wither fell violently with blowes upon the said Joel & beate him soe that he fell to the ground and bled all that night, and afterward att certain seasons for a weeke's time.

"Robert Jefferies, being attested, declareth the same.

"Richard Rudman & Robert Jefferies did further declare that Joel Bayly did usually bleed before he had any differences, with Thomas Wither, and further 'saith not." — Preceding unsigned comment added by Tcolgan001 (talk • contribs) 23:21, 23 February 2012 (UTC)

from "Along the western Brandywine" (1909) MacElree, Wilmer W http://www.archive.org/details/alongwesternbran03mace

p 141-143

It is a certainty, most deplorable, but nevertheless a certainty, that Cornwallis has crossed both branches of the Brandywine, and the head of his column is halted at Sconnelltown, the men eating, and their horses refreshing themselves on all the corn patches within reach.

An hour ago, the women of that village were gathered about a wheelwright shop, wringing their hands and mournfully crying, " The English are coming, and murdering all before them, young and old." At present, they are interested in scarlet uniforms and gold lace, and find the officers "handsome men of uncommon social disposition."

Even the common soldiers look well, but looked better an hour ago, when they came out of the woods into Emmor Jefferis's field above the Ford. Jefferis, himself, does not appreciate them, for Jefferis's cellars were stored with liquors before they came, and now contain only empty casks. Right heartily did they drink to the health of King George, after which Sir William honored their host by pressing him into his Majesty's service. Up the hill toward Sconnelltown they went —Cornwallis's men a trifle out of step, boisterously inquiring, " Where are the rebels ?" — Preceding unsigned comment added by Tcolgan001 (talk • contribs) 19:04, 24 February 2012 (UTC)