Bethel Township was the smallest of all the original townships of Chester County. The township is mentioned as early as 1683, and means "House of God".[3] In 1683, Edward Beazer and Edward Brown had 500 acres surveyed to them in the northeasterly end of the township. On this tract, Bethel hamlet, afterwards known as Corner Catch (Ketch), is the location of the current village of Chelsea.[4] In 1686, the road now known as Bethel Road was laid out from Bethel to Chichester (Marcus Hook).[5]
The settlers of Bethel Township were among the earliest settlers of the Pennsylvania Colony, and many were members of the Religious Society of Friends, or "Quakers".[6] The list of taxables for Bethel township in 1693, shows nine tax payers: John Gibbons, Ralph Pyle, John Bushel, Nicholas Pyle, Edward Beazer, Robert Eyre, Thomas Garrett, John Howard, Thomas Cooper. In 1715, the list had doubled to include: Robert Pyle, John Grist, Robert Booth, Edward Beazer, John Canady, Benjamin Moulder, Joseph Pyle, John Hickman, Edward Griffith, John Hopton, John Gibbons, and Thomas Durnell.[7] Robert Pyle, a leader of the Society of Friends, was almost continuously a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from 1688 until 1705.[8]
In 1759, residents of Bethel Township paid "a bounty" of ten pounds "in behalf of the township" along with a wagon and supplies of oats and flour to General John Forbes based on his request to Chester and other counties in the province to support an army about to march to Fort Duquesne under his command.[7]
In 1777, after the Battle of Brandywine, the British Army passed through Bethel Township on Old Concord Road as they chased the retreating Continental Army toward Chester and encamped at nearby Birmingham and Aston. Residents of Bethel were "annoyed and plundered" by the British army and many residents were left entirely without food.[9]
On September 26, 1789, Bethel Township became part of Delaware County as it was established by separating from the eastern portion of Chester County.[10]
Garnet mines were established in Bethel township by Herman Behr & Co. of New York in 1879.[13] The mine operated until 1912.[14] The garnet mine gave rise to the regional name of Garnet Valley.[15]
Bethel township is governed by a Board of Supervisors. By referendum, the board was increased from three to five members in 2011. Currently, terms of office are staggered. Beginning in 2017, all members have served terms of six years.[16]
The Bethel Police Department is appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The management team consists of chief, sergeant, detective and are supported by approximately 15 patrol officers.[17] They are the only Police Department in Delaware County that are not full-time police.
The township is located in the Southwest corner of Delaware County on the summit between the Delaware River and Brandywine Creek. The township is approximately 3 miles in length and 1.5 miles in width at the widest point.[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 5.7 square miles (15km2), all land.
Waterways in Bethel Township include the southern branch of Naaman's Creek, Green Creek and Spring Run.
As of the census[20] of 2000, there were 6,421 people, 1,984 households, and 1,732 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,132.3 inhabitants per square mile (437.2/km2). There were 2,017 housing units at an average density of 355.7 per square mile (137.3/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 94.44% White, 2.18% African American, 0.03% Native American, 2.41% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.93% of the population.
There were 1,984 households, out of which 50.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.3% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.7% were non-families. 9.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.16 and the average family size was 3.40.
In the township the population was spread out, with 31.5% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $84,661, and the median income for a family was $87,248. Males had a median income of $60,496 versus $36,272 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,349. About 1.0% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Bethel Township is part of the Garnet Valley School District. Bethel Springs Elementary School is the only school residing in Bethel Township. It was opened on September 4, 2002, for grades 1–5.[21]
Garnet Valley Middle School serves students in grades 6–8, and Garnet Valley High School serves students in grades 9-12.
School No. 2 and No. 4 in Bethel Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
The first school built in Bethel was in 1780 on the corner of Kirk and Foulk Road. In 1824, a school opened on a lot on Bethel Road East of Booth's Corner and was later known as public school No. 1.
In 1834, the Pennsylvania Public School Act was passed by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth. The law required that every township, borough and city in the state provide a school for its children. Since Bethel Township already had a subscription school, the school was converted into a public school. The first school inspectors appointed for Bethel were Robert McCall and John Larkin.[23]
In 1839, a one-story octagonal school house was built at Booth's Corner and used for several years until destroyed by fire. In 1870, the school was replaced with a one-story structure was built and named School No. 2. A second story was added in 1898. The second floor was designated School No. 4 and used as student population necessitated. The building was sold on September 2, 1953, to Brigg's Auction.[24]
School No. 3 was built in 1860 on Bethel Road west of the village of Chelsea.[25]
The first non-single room school in Bethel Township, Francis Harvey Green School, was dedicated on November 9, 1951.[11] The school was demolished in 2010.[26]
On July 1, 1964, Bethel agreed to join with Concord and Chester Heights Borough to form the Garnet Valley School District. On June 9, 1969, the Bethel Township School Board was dissolved.[27]
Transportation
US 322 westbound in Bethel Township
As of 2020, there were 42.57 miles (68.51km) of public roads in Bethel Township, of which 15.35 miles (24.70km) were maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 27.22 miles (43.81km) were maintained by the township.[28]
U.S. Route 322 is the most prominent highway serving Bethel Township. It follows Conchester Highway along a northwest-to-southeast alignment across the northeastern portion of the township. Other numbered highways serving the township include U.S. Route 202, Pennsylvania Route 261 and Pennsylvania Route 491. US 202 follows the Wilmington-West Chester Pike through the far southwestern corner of the township. PA 261 follows Foulk Road southwestward from US 322 through the middle of the township to the Delaware state line. Finally, PA 491 follows Naamans Creek Road along a northwest-southeast alignment across the southern portion of the township.
Powell Clayton, born in Bethel Township, was a Union Army Brigadier General, 9th Governor of Arkansas, U.S. Senator from Arkansas and the 1st U.S. Ambassador to Mexico
Powell Foulk Clayton - Union Army Brigadier General, ninth Governor of Arkansas, U.S. Senator from Arkansas, first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico
Concord Township is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 17,231 at the 2010 census. It contains the unincorporated communities of Concordville and Glen Mills.
Edgmont Township is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Edgmont contains the unincorporated community of Gradyville. The population was 3,987 at the 2010 census.
Middletown Township is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 15,807 at the 2010 census. The Pennsylvania State University has an undergraduate satellite campus called Penn State Brandywine located in the north-central portion of the township. Located outside of Philadelphia, it constitutes part of the Delaware Valley.
Ridley Township is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 30,768 at the 2010 census. Ridley Township contains the (CDPs) of Folsom and Woodlyn, along with the unincorporated communities of Crum Lynne and Holmes and a portion of Secane.
Upper Chichester Township is a civil township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 16,738 at the 2010 census.
Chester Township is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,940 at the 2010 census, down from 4,604 at the 2000 census.
John Morton was an American farmer, surveyor, and jurist from the Province of Pennsylvania and a Founding Father of the United States. As a delegate to the Continental Congress during the American Revolution, he was a signatory to the Continental Association and Declaration of Independence. Morton provided the swing vote that allowed Pennsylvania to vote in favor of the Declaration. Morton chaired the committee that wrote the Articles of Confederation, though he died before signing.
Chadds Ford Township is an affluent township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Philadelphia.
Garnet Valley is an unincorporated community in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The name was created by the United States Postal Service in late 2006 to allow residents of Bethel Township and Concord Township who were within the 19061 ZIP code and were part of the Garnet Valley School District to distinguish themselves from residents of Upper Chichester Township. The default "city name" for the 19061 ZIP code is Marcus Hook; other acceptable names in the ZIP code include Trainer, Linwood, and Boothwyn. The residents of Bethel Township and Concord Township sought a new postal identity because the ZIP code "city names" are often confused with actual municipal names.
Samuel Edwards was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district from 1819 to 1823 and from Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district from 1823 to 1827.
Edward Darlington was a three term member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from the Anti-Masonic Party. His cousins Isaac Darlington and William Darlington were also both members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
The Booth Farm is a historic farmhouse located in Bethel Township, Delaware County. The farmhouse was built in the Federal style in 1819 and a barn was also built about the same time. The roughly 77 acre farm was bought by Thomas Booth in the 1790s and has been used as a tenant farm throughout much of its history. He built the farmhouse for his son James who was born in 1790. Four following generations, all named Thomas Booth, have owned the farm into the 21st century.
Booths Corner is an unincorporated community in Bethel Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Booths Corner is located at the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 261 and Pennsylvania Route 491.
Chelsea is an unincorporated community in Bethel Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Chelsea is located at the intersection of Concord Road, Chelsea Road, Foulk Road, and Valley Brook Road in the northern part of the township.
Lenni is an unincorporated community in Middletown Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Lenni is located at the intersection of Lenni Road and Lungren Road, northeast of the Chester Creek.
Siloam United Methodist Church is a Methodist church built in 1852 in Bethel Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located at 3720 Foulk Road.
St. Martin's Church is an Episcopal church founded in 1699 in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located at 22 Church Street, only 500 feet from the Delaware River. It is one of the earliest and last riverfront churches in Pennsylvania. The cemetery at St. Martin's Church contains a memorial commemorating war veterans from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War, the American Civil War, and the Spanish–American War who are buried in the cemetery.
Asbury AME Church is an African Methodist Episcopal Church founded in 1845 in Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the second African Methodist Episcopal church founded in Chester behind the Union African Methodist Church in 1832. Asbury AME Church is located at 1712 Providence Avenue and is an active worship center.
John Odenheimer Deshong was an American businessman and banker in Chester, Pennsylvania. He came from a wealthy family including his father Peter Deshong and son Alfred O. Deshong.
John Larkin Jr. was an American businessman, banker and politician from Pennsylvania who served as the first mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania.
↑ Goodley, George Walter (1987). Bethel Township Delaware County, Pennsylvania Thru Three Centuries. p.13.
↑ Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, by Samuel T. Wiley|Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, by Samuel T. Wiley
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