Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-06-07
OVER HISTORIC GROUNDS.

!
cointy's historic spots as objective
points, party of young ladies a lew
days ago enjoyed an outing which
was at once unique and interesting,
says the West Chester, Pa, Local News.
Beginning at West Chester, about 30
miles we're iourneyed over, the general
route beirg that taken by Corvallis
army in the fateful autumn OF l1I7.
In the party, which was slowed away
in large two horse oarryall, were, be.
sides Mr.. Woodruff, MISS Moore and
Mrs. Colsgrove, chaperons, Misses
Grace Darlington, Mary Unruh, Adele
Osborn, Barry Hutchinson and Mar
guerite Hyde. of Darlington Seminary.
Prof. Woodruff. who has been for
many years familiar with the country,
its history and traditions, and who has
besides a very warm regard for young
people, beguiled the way with anec-
dotes, historical and personal; botani-
cal specimens we're collected, photo
graphs taken and the day in the open |
air enjoyed to the utmost.
An early start was made and shortly |
after 8 o'clock in the morning the pair |
of stout grays were swinging along the
road toward old Birmingham and the
BrandYwine. Prof Woodruff had PRE-
pared comprehensive map, showing
| the route taken by the two divisions OF
| Corvallis army on the day that WASH
| ington was surprised and vanquished
on the Brandywine's banks. The
proposition, which was successfully
carried out, was to follow as nearly as
| possible the route taken by hnyp, ,
| hausen's division between Chadds'
Ford and Kernett Square,, and on the
return trip to trace, though not to fol-
4 low the force which made the detour
from Kennett and surprised the Ameri-
eau forces at Birmingham.
i With well-filled lunch boxes and
bright anticiIations the party set out.
The sandwiches we're almost forgotten,
but fortunately they were remembered
before it was too late. Tho British
"trail" was struck at the board place
by the Historical Society on the road
leading from the Street Road to Soon
nelltown. At the latter place some
amusement was shown when 1T was
said that the movements of the troops
were watched from zone of the best
houses of the place." where only one
dwelling now stands. Osborne's Hill
was recognized little further on ana
the guide spoke of former acquaint-
ance who remembered the cherry tree
under which Howe is said to have eaten
his luncheon on the eyentful day. One
: of the party regretted that the general
4 had not chosen an oak to shade his
MONDAY meal, that we of this genera
tion might still identify the spot
u The first stop was made at the home
of William Jones, in birmingham
: township. Here the party alighted and
9 went into the neat kitchen, where they
!, we're shown deep dent in the bricl
wall of the main house. This hao
I been made by cannon ball which
z struck the house there and glancint
q aside, struck the barn. When thu
. house was remodeled the depression wal
Q protected by small closet, the door
I which Is opened when visitors wish t
70 see the historic mark. The property a
the time OF the contest belonged t.
y Samuel Jones, grandfather of the pres
u emit owner.
g Birmingham Meeting House wa
= reached a few minutes afterwRrd an
y the party drove around the cemetery
ia as well as the old place OF worship
;, The monuments on the Taylor lot wer
o. examined with interest, and althoug
\ regret was felt that the meeting hous
\ could not be entered, snap shot {
the exterior was taken before the part
u. moved on. A slight detour was mad
~ that the remnant of the La Fayet'
Y. Monument might be seen, and the da
ne was recalled when the fields, road an
woods were black with the GROVE
~ assembled to witness the unwilling I
4 the shaft which proved all too fra
- for its purpose. -,
N. On through Chadd's Ford Villa
ny went the pleasure seekers, and all
Il good time they were passing thIoui
in the quiet street OF Hamofton. En- rou
ny Al So cforno1 fpr n IN
n. at the King farm, while the profess
~ shook hands with Mrs. King, who hi
on been one of his best teachers when
/, was county superintendent Sever
'n' times stops were made while speci
M flower was gathered by the botanists
w the party.
m The roadsides were beautiful, cover
M in some places with honeysuckle,
others with forms or wild flowers.
Tho one place was a great patch of VIII
violets, with few pale blue ones gro
, IN ing with them.
"a these steep banks which in so ma
III places border the roadway look
a though they were cuts, artificial
Nh made, but in most cases, this was
~ the case They have been worn do
I;af to their present level by the action
mt the winds, rams and constant travel
n nd 2UU years, ana tlOSo WIZ pass y
, II them today may we'll feel that they
md. following in the footsteps of their
4 al oestors. .-
At Longwood Meeting stop of sc
loss time was made while visitors wall
.cel- through the pretty cemetery, just Z
s.a being put IN the very best OF order
adj | anticipation of Memorial Day. Bay
the Taylor's tomb was viewed with re'
pentl ence and the quiet peacefulness OF
less place was felt to be most restful. Ah
the meeting house the ground
. net white with patches Of "Star Of Bet
10 hem, - OF star grass, which is just
29s. Of the height Of its beauty.
#lt&l II had been proposed that lunch
rains should be eaten at Pierce's Park, wi
Cali4 SO many picnic parties have in o
MINI days spent pleasant hours. The p
Mis-. was doomed to some disappointn
egon here, however. The naturally beaui
New grounds with their fine old trees \
York there and wild flowers were bloom
lance In profusion, but the place SCENE
, Ave be deserted. No ons replied to repe
ating knocks at the door of the honest
and as the visitors did not know W
= they could obtain water thoy dec
Il. to drive on. just az they were lea
I. y7S the grounds man with q white,
Club brush was seen at work, beautif
hing the exterior of wocdshed, but it
bera- by that time decided to try to Fl
ais at picnicking spot somewhere else.