Surveyor Link to The Declaration of Independence

In a letter from Thomas Penn to Governor Hamilton, dated September 8, 1751, Penn states: " Sometime since, I wrote to Dr. Graeme and Mr. Peters to lay out some ground in the Forks of the Delaware for a town, which I suppose they have done, or begun to do so. I desire it may be called Easton, from my Lord Pom- fret's house, and whenever there is a new county, that shall be called Northampton."

William Parsons was selected to lay out the projected town, on the wedge of land between the Lehigh River, Bushkill Creek, and Delaware River, (known as the Forks of the Delaware) and on May 9, 1750, Surveyor General Nicholas Scull joined him on the site, and with a corps of assistants the survey was soon completed. The County of Northampton was erected under Act of Assembly approved March 11, 1752.

The Parsons Taylor House was built in 1757 by William Parsons. The Parsons Taylor House, located in Easton at the corner of Fourth and Ferry streets, is now owned by the George Taylor Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. It was once rented by George Taylor, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

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http://www.eastonmainstreet.org/visit/2829/parsons-taylor-house-2/
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http://www.eastonmainstreet.org/visit/2926/1753-bachmann-publick-house/

George Taylor was an ironmaster and operated the Durham Furnace, South of Easton. Durham Furnace supplied the first cannon shot to the Continental Army. Taylor later built an iron works in Catasauqua, PA, West of Easton. He was appointed to the Continental Congress to replaced Loyalists who were forced to resign. As a member of the Continental Congress he signed the Declaration of Independence. At noon on July 8, 1776, Easton was one of three places where the Declaration of Independence had its first public reading. It was read on the steps of the old courthouse in Easton’s historic Centre Square by the Chair of the Committee of Safety, Robert Levers. George Taylor for a while owned Bachman's Tavern the oldest remaining building in Easton. George Washington and Benjamin Franklin had visited the Easton Publick House as Bachman's Tavern was called.

It is reported that a 13 star, 13 stripe flag was displayed at the reading of the Declaration. it is further believed that that flag was the Easton Regimental Banner (my avatar). That flag is on display in the Easton Library, which was presented with it after it's use during the War of 1812. William Parsons is buried just outside the front door of the Easton Library. Easton Library was built on the First Reformed Church Cemetery after all bodies but Parson's had been relocated.

In 1776 The First Reformed Church and the Northampton County Courthouse were the largest buildings in Easton, both were used as hospitals for wounded and infirm soldiers after the battles of Trenton, Brandywine, and Germantown. George Washington visited these soldiers during one of his visits to Easton. It is not reported if George visited the Easton Publick House before, after or both.

Paul in PA

I apologize that I cannot seem to get the photo links correct to embed them,