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Pennsylvania Counties

Chester County

Click here for useful research links.

 Chester County is one of Pennsylvania's three original counties (Bucks County and Philadelphia County are the other two). Although created in November of 1682 by Pennsylvania's founder, William Penn, it wasn't until 1789 when Delaware County was created from it that Chester became an inland county. Many of the county's early settlers came from Chesire, England (thus, Chester). The county seat since 1788 and incorporated on March 28, 1799 is West Chester. It was named after it's former county seat, Chester, which is now located in Delaware County.

Click here for a more detailed early history of
Chester County (to 1881)

Did you know? America suffered perhaps its worst defeat of the Revolutionary War in Chester County at the Battle of Brandywine. Thousands died and General George Washington was forced to retreat which opened the gates that allowed the British to capture the city of Philadelphia. Of course, we all know that America was eventually victorious in its War of Independence. That war's worst day perhaps gains irony by recent history.
The date: September 11th, 1777! Click here for Brandywine Battlefield's official Website.

Other Useful Chester Co. Links

  • Easttown Township History

  • Elk Township History

  • Elverson Borough History

  • Fallowfield Twp. History (East)

  • Fallowfield Twp. History (West)

  • Honey Brook Borough Official Website

  • Honey Brook Township Website

  • Kennett Square Official Website

  • List of Boroughs and Townships w/origins

  • Longwood Gardens

  • Malvern Borough Official History

  • Maps (historic), Chester Co. Townships

  • Modern Map of Chester Co. Townships

  • Municipalities Incorporation Dates
     (PDF - requires Acrobat Reader)

  • National Register of Historic Places, Chester Co.

  • Nantmeal Twp. History (East)

  • Nantmeal Twp. History (West)

  • Nottingham Twp. History (East)

  • Nottingham Twp. History (West)

  • Oxford Borough History

  • Parkesburg Borough Official Website

  • Phoenixville Official Website

  • Rootsweb Chester Co. Genealogy

  • South Coatesville Official Website

  • Tri-County Heritage Society (Berks, Chester, Lancaster counties)

  • West Chester History

  • West Chester University Library

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