WALLACE TOWNSHIP


Wallace township was formed in 1852 by a division of West Nantmeal and includes nearly the same territory as the old manor of Springton, or Springtown. It was named Sprinton at first, as was very appropriate.

The next year application was made to the Legislature by some who were dissatisfied with the name, and to quote the late Dr. Benjamin Griffith, "they had it changed to Wallace - called, I suppose after an old Scotchman of the name of Robert Wallace, who use to own Mormon Hollow."

Some mention has already been made of the old manor, which contained finally 8313 acres, with allowance of 6% for roads. The settlers thereon were almost entirely of the Scotch-Irish stock, and as they did not get titles for the land for a long time, there was considerable trouble on that head. They claimed that it was promised to them at the rate of 45 £/100 acres, and in 1747 three of them - John Hamilton, Arthur Graham and Thomas Brown - deposted to that effect.

Among the prominent settlers were the families of Mackelduff, McFeeters, Alexander, Henderson, Starrett, Mackey and Kennedy.

So far is know, but 4 physicians - Thomas Harris, Thomas Kennedy, Benjamin Griffith, and Joseph T. Grier - have resided in the manor. The pure water, absence of marshes and elevation of between 5 and 600 feet above tide-water have always rendered it remarkably healthy.

In 1853 a small portion of Wallace was added to Uwchlan, and in 1860 the line next to East and West Nantmeal was slightly changed.





This page updated on March 1, 2009