History of East and West Vincent Townships (1881); Chester County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sandra Ferguson <ferg@ntelos.net>.

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from THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, by Futhey and Cope (1881);
 
On Holme's "Map of the Improved parts of Pennsylvania:, constructed by Thomas 
Holme, surveyor-general of Wm. Penn - the earliest map of the province - the 
territory now constituting the Vincents is given in the name of "Sr. Mathias 
Vincent, Adrian Vrouzen, Benja Furloy, Dr. Daniel Cox."  It appears that 
Benjohan Furly, of Rotterdam, in Holland, as agent for Wm Penn, on 3-7-1682, 
conveyed 5000 acres of land in PA to Burgomaster Adrian Vroesen, of the same 
place, who on 6-10-1704, conveyed the same lands to Benjohan Furly, merchant, 
son of the first named.
    Vincent twps were leased and settled much in the same manner as Pikeland, 
the settlers in many instances taking leases with the reserved right of 
purchase.  For a number of years the improvements in these twps did not keep 
pace with those in other parts of the county.  The houses were generally very 
inferior, and the progress of agriculture was slow.  This general indisposition 
to improvement was, in a large measure, owing to the nature of the tenures by 
which much of the land was holden.  The stimulus to active industry was wanting, 
but when the tillers became the absolute owners of the soil the face of things 
was changed and wore a more animating aspect; improvements were rapidly made, 
and Vincent and Pikeland soon contained an enterprising class of citizens.
    The twp derived its name from Sir Matthias Vincent, and the tracts of land 
constituting it were for some time known as "Cox and Company's 20,000 acres".  
French Creek, which passes through the twp was originally called Vincent River, 
and retained that proud name for many years.
    In 1838 according to a survey ordered by the court, Vincent township was 
bounded as follows:  NE by the Schuylkill River, NW by Nantmell and Coventry, SW 
by Uwchlan SE by Joseph Pike's land.
    The twp was divided into East and West Vincent in 1832.  In 1844 the line 
between South Coventry and East Vincent was established.
    The borough of Springville, on the Schuylkill Rover was taken from the 
eastern part of East Vincent twp and incorporated in 1867.  IN 1872 that name 
was changed to Spring City.