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New London Township is a quaint little township nestled close to the Maryland border in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The township grew from a large tract of land that was purchased by members of the London Company from William Penn in 1699. The Township, chartered in 1723, originally included areas that are now a part of the adjacent Franklin Township and nearby London Britain Township.
New London is a largely rural area consisting of farms in the late 18th and 19th centuries full of interesting events, people, and locations. A portion of land that was originally a part of New London Township was involved in a land dispute between the Penn family in Pennsylvania and the Calvert Family in Maryland. The dispute was not resolved until the Mason-Dixon Line was used to establish a boundary between the two states. As a result, part of what was considered Maryland in the 18th century became a part of Pennsylvania.
New London Township is also home to the New London Academy, founded by Reverend Francis Alison, a minister at the New London Presbyterian Church. The Academy quickly became well-known for its excellence in education, and would later be the foundation for the University of Delaware. Three signers of the Declaration of Independence, as well as a Pennsylvania Governor, attended The New London Academy.
The New London Area Historical Society local history collection is full of interesting items that tell the unique and interesting history of New London Township and the surrounding area. Included in the records are materials from historical organizations, scrapbooks, deeds, and large collection of with images of people, places, and documents relating to New London Township.
Of special interest are two documents from the 18th century relating to Joseph Gardner. First is a 1767 indenture.
There is also a letter from 1778 regarding the rental of Joseph Gardner’s property.
Finally, there is a military appointment for Joseph Gardner from the Pennsylvania Assembly from 1776.
If you're interested in learning more, take a visit to the New London Area Historical Society!