PRESTON and GUINEATOWN
For more detailed information on the Haverford College area of the township, please see the well documented site:
Haverford College Area History.
Home | Brynford History (wixsite.com)
A more complete history by the same author may be found at:
"Haverford to Bryn Mawr: Its Histor"Haverford to Bryn Mawr: Its History and Transformation" by George Hardingy and Transformation" by George Harding
Haverford College Area History.
Home | Brynford History (wixsite.com)
A more complete history by the same author may be found at:
"Haverford to Bryn Mawr: Its Histor"Haverford to Bryn Mawr: Its History and Transformation" by George Hardingy and Transformation" by George Harding
Preston
This area is loosely bounded by College Avenue, Haverford Road, Preston Road,
and Panmure Road. It contains not only large 19th century housing stock but also smaller
worker housing along Buck Lane and Preston Road built by and for the workers of the
railroad and the faculty of Haverford College. There is also a Friends Meeting House
(Orthodox) which served as the first classrooms for Haverford College. While it is
possible to link the area to the College, this complex can stand on its own. The Friends
School is behind and associated with the Buck Lane Meeting House. One of the more
intriguing finds of the area was original millworker housing located at the intersection of
Haverford Road and Preston Lane. Historic Resources Survey
This area is loosely bounded by College Avenue, Haverford Road, Preston Road,
and Panmure Road. It contains not only large 19th century housing stock but also smaller
worker housing along Buck Lane and Preston Road built by and for the workers of the
railroad and the faculty of Haverford College. There is also a Friends Meeting House
(Orthodox) which served as the first classrooms for Haverford College. While it is
possible to link the area to the College, this complex can stand on its own. The Friends
School is behind and associated with the Buck Lane Meeting House. One of the more
intriguing finds of the area was original millworker housing located at the intersection of
Haverford Road and Preston Lane. Historic Resources Survey
As with many of the 17th century European colonists in Pennsylvania, the neighborhood that would become Preston was settled by Penn's Welsh Quakers. The first buyer was Lewis David who owned much of Haverford Township. Secondary and subsequent sales followed rapidly. George Painter purchased 100 acres on February 30 1686. (There is a George Painter buried at the Arch Street Burial Ground (1722) but it cannot be confirmed as the same person.)
The Buck Tavern
The fixed point of the Preston area was the Buck Tavern. The Buck Tavern, possibly built by William Penn's son, Thomas, dates from around 1730. The tavern was one of a series of inns along the road, today's Lancaster Pike, that led west. The tavern was mindlessly demolished in 1964. On the 1810 map above the Buck Tavern is just below the compass direction, NW by W.
For more information see: https://www.havtrail.com/history/HTHS_George_Washington_Slept_Here_in_Haverford.pdf
Jonathan Miller was also an owner of the inn. see Harford Hall.
For more information see: https://www.havtrail.com/history/HTHS_George_Washington_Slept_Here_in_Haverford.pdf
Jonathan Miller was also an owner of the inn. see Harford Hall.
1800
Guineatown
"Pennsylvania has a long and interesting history of Blacks, or Guineas, as they were sometimes called. This term applied to slaves taken from the Guinea Coast of Africa. Until this day, the names of Guineatown, Guinea Hill, and Guinea Run still can be found throughout Pennsylvania." "A MISSING LINK": The History of African Americans in Pennsylvania by Charles L. Blackson https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1141&context=pafolklifemag
Caesar Waters and James Miller
As early as 1800 free Blacks owned property in the area between Radnor and Haverford Townships. An article presented to the RADNOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY notes that the property once owned by Charles Humphrey, was purchased by the Waters and Miller families.
The area was called "Guineatown" on the hand-written Whiteside-Melish map of 1816 (just below Cross Keys) and on the later mid 19th century printed map. See just below "Radnor."
The area was called "Guineatown" on the hand-written Whiteside-Melish map of 1816 (just below Cross Keys) and on the later mid 19th century printed map. See just below "Radnor."
The article notes that in 1785 the will of Charles Humphry (owner of Pont Reading on Haverford Road) contained long and specific instructions on the care and welfare of his slaves. The adults were to be freed six months after his death , but the girls (apparently for their own protection ), not until the age of 20. Humphrey's "Servantman Cezar" received three acres of land. Caesar Waters also bought two acres 22 perches of land at some time before 1779 from Griffith Evans. Humphrey also left him 20 silver dollars which the executors started parceling out immediately. They outfitted him for freedom with new clothing, the accounts meticulously kept by the executors in the day book which Humphrey started in 1779 and which is now in the possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. On the map of Radnor, the ten acres (and Caesar's two acres) lie in the township 's corner where Radnor, Lower Merion, and Haverford meet.
Humphry also freed a woman, Judy, whose name, because of the period handwriting might also be read as "India." Humphry left her $10 as well as an "old walnut dressing table" and a pair of silver shoe buckles. There was also another slave Tom to whom he left $20. He directed his executors to build Tom and India a "good saw'd log house " with a stone chimney. The executors bought.clothes for the two immediately and proceeded to erect their house, noting the costs in the Humphrey day book. Judy later married a free man, James Miller. In 1798 when the first United States Direct Tax list was made, Caesar Waters was listed as owning five acres 22 perches of land and a house valued at $50 while " James Miller et al." were listed with seven acres and a house worth $30.
Today a road called Brook Street on the border of Haverford and Radnor parallels the Waters boundary and a spring house stands in the yard of the house beside It. The adjacent street bears the name "Miller."
The full article is available at :
https://radnorhistory.org/bulletins/RHSBulletin.3-3.1973.pdf
The Garrigues (Gar-reeg)
In 1877, the early subdivision of Millbrook belonging to Haydock Garrigues was
laid out in the northeastern sector of the Township. By 1881, the Garrigues name had
vanished from this tract, and a new subdivision called Preston (just above Millbrook) was
in existence.
laid out in the northeastern sector of the Township. By 1881, the Garrigues name had
vanished from this tract, and a new subdivision called Preston (just above Millbrook) was
in existence.
The 1808 Hill Map above shows the estate of the Garrigues Family just along Haverford Road. Samuel Garrigues arrived in Philadelphia in 1714 or 1715. The Garrigues were French Huguenots from the Languedoc (Lahng-duck) province of France.
The Whiteside-Melish map of 1816 indicates an F. Garrigues and a Fulling Mill along Karakung (Cobb's) Creek.
Haydock Garrigues
1805 - 1877
The Garrigue House
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U.S.Census 1860
The census suggests that Haydock Garrigues was fairly prosperous. If we read the figures correctly his assets as a farmer were some $50,000. His home had seven children and an Irish couple, the Kelley's, who worked his estate.
On the right of the 1881 map below we see Garrigues" neighbors the Wildgoos sisters. The 1880 census lists them with five Black servants, one of whom worked their farm. Note the heavy over-write of the letter "B." The census taker originally "C" for "Colored."
On the right of the 1881 map below we see Garrigues" neighbors the Wildgoos sisters. The 1880 census lists them with five Black servants, one of whom worked their farm. Note the heavy over-write of the letter "B." The census taker originally "C" for "Colored."
In 1881 we also see the Haverford Public School No. 5 on Buck Lane.
By 1893 the Garrigues Family no longer owns the large estate. The Garrigues are now only the smaller property just below the Quaker Meeting House. The label reads, S.P. Garrigues and Sisters.
We now read two new neighborhoods, "Preston" and "Millbrook." Only a few houses appear along College Avenue.
School No. 5 on Buck Lane.
We now read two new neighborhoods, "Preston" and "Millbrook." Only a few houses appear along College Avenue.
School No. 5 on Buck Lane.
1900
By 1908, Preston is lined with houses. The school is now called "Haverford Public School." On the corner of Buck Lane and Railroad Avenue is the Preston Reading Room. We read, "The Preston Reading Room Assocation, Haverford, PA, was founded in 1890 for the purpose of "maintaining a building and direct its uses in such a way as shall tend to promote the welfare of the neighborhood of Friends' Meeting at Haverford." http://dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/pacscl/ead.pdf?id=PACSCL_HAVERFORD_USPHCMC97509021
1910
The 1910 Census indicates that most of the homes on Preston Avenue are those of African Americans. On this census they are noted as "MU," that is, "Mulatto."
To read the census clearly, go to the "zoom" setting on your screen, usually the three dots on the upper right corner of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
Or consult the Family Search website for free. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGD8-KFS
To read the census clearly, go to the "zoom" setting on your screen, usually the three dots on the upper right corner of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
Or consult the Family Search website for free. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGD8-KFS
Of special interest on Preston Avenue is a school operated by Susan Davis. The school has 12 pupils. The location of the school is uncertain. It may have been in the house.
By 1926 there are significant changes. The Preston Public School is now on Martin Lane and has an adjacent playground. The Preston Reading Room is still on the corner of Buck Lane and Railroad Avenue.
1940. Preston Avenue is fully developed. The school is still on Martin but seems to have lost its playground. The playground space appears to be divided for housing. The Preston Reading Room is now the Haverford Community Center.
Below is the 1940 Census.
Below is the 1940 Census.
Rosco Draper
House number 736 on Buck Lane is the home of William and Grace Hall, the aunt and uncle of 20 year old Rosco Draper.
"Coach" Roscoe Draper
Born in Haverford, PA on May 14, 1919, Roscoe Draper grew up in Haverford and Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania. He graduated with honors from Haverford High School and continued his education at the Hampton Institute (later became Hampton University). After enrolling in the civil pilot training program in 1939, Roscoe received his Private Pilot license in 1940. He was one of two men selected for the secondary course at the Tuskegee Institute (later became Tuskegee University) and completed his pilot training in 1942. He was one of the first ten men of color selected to serve as flight instructor for the Army Air Corps "Tuskegee Experiment". He taught Army Air Corps cadets in the primary phase of their flight training at Moton Field, Tuskegee, AL (from 1942 to 1946) and he also served on the academic board for the Tuskegee Institute.
"Coach" was mentored by another aviation legend, "Chief" Charles Alfred Anderson (1907-1996) who was also from the Philadelphia area. Together, they trained the famed Tuskegee Airmen who went on to copile their own impressive list of accomplishments. Roscoe was affectionately given the nickname "Coach" by his flight students because it described his teaching style.
Coach later worked for the US Postal Service and the FAA in several capacities, including Pilot Examiner and Accident Investigator. Among his many airplane ratings, Coach is also certified in helicopters. His ratings are still current and he is teaching others to became better pilots.
Born in Haverford, PA on May 14, 1919, Roscoe Draper grew up in Haverford and Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania. He graduated with honors from Haverford High School and continued his education at the Hampton Institute (later became Hampton University). After enrolling in the civil pilot training program in 1939, Roscoe received his Private Pilot license in 1940. He was one of two men selected for the secondary course at the Tuskegee Institute (later became Tuskegee University) and completed his pilot training in 1942. He was one of the first ten men of color selected to serve as flight instructor for the Army Air Corps "Tuskegee Experiment". He taught Army Air Corps cadets in the primary phase of their flight training at Moton Field, Tuskegee, AL (from 1942 to 1946) and he also served on the academic board for the Tuskegee Institute.
"Coach" was mentored by another aviation legend, "Chief" Charles Alfred Anderson (1907-1996) who was also from the Philadelphia area. Together, they trained the famed Tuskegee Airmen who went on to copile their own impressive list of accomplishments. Roscoe was affectionately given the nickname "Coach" by his flight students because it described his teaching style.
Coach later worked for the US Postal Service and the FAA in several capacities, including Pilot Examiner and Accident Investigator. Among his many airplane ratings, Coach is also certified in helicopters. His ratings are still current and he is teaching others to became better pilots.
Tuskegee Airmen
100th birthday, May 2019
NOTE: If you have any photos of the Preston School or any other information about the Preston neighborhood please email harfordhall@gmail.com
For more information on the history of African Americans in Haverford Township see:
African Americans in Haverford.
African Americans in Haverford.