The Lionville Village During the 1800s: Spotlighting the Joel Hawley Family

Those who resided on South Village Avenue during the 19^th century were witness to the Hawley family legacy- one of mercantilism, public service and duty to country.  Joel Hawley was born in Lionville in1804.  Married to Catherine Williamson in 1833, the union produced two sons, Joseph Williamson Hawley, Samuel Williamson Hawley and a daughter, Hannah Mary Hawley. (Photograph of Joel Hawley courtesy of Chester County Historical Society archives.)

            In1835 the Joel Hawley Country Store was built at 16 South Village Avenue.  Part of the building housed a tailor shop and a tool factory.  Since there was no rural mail delivery in the area until 1903-1904, the store included a post office.  As one can imagine, this was a meeting place for neighbors, farmers and nearby communities who came to share news, buy staples, take care of business and visit the nearby butcher and harness shops.

            What did the typical general store of the 1800s look like?  Watching reruns of “Little House on the Prairie” or visiting online sites will suffice to give a general idea.  There were front display windows where new items were placed on view.   The store owner would purchase stock from a salesman who represented large city manufacturers.  Many consumables were stored in sacks, crates and barrels which were lined up on crowded shelves and floors.  Produce from local farmers was kept in the cool cellar. Most early century stores were poorly lit and dirty, as unpaved roads resulted in the accumulation of dust and dirt.  On the front counter a scale was prominent to weigh dried beans, flour, sugar, rice, etc, by the pound and purchase cigars or tobacco.  Customers arriving in winter could warm themselves by the pot-bellied stove.*

The original Hawley Store was part of the local community for over 100 years.  This picture was taken when it was operated by the Simpsons, and the store would later be owned by the Thackerays.  Joel Hawley was elected Associate Judge of Chester County in 1871 and served one term.   He also accepted the position of Director of the Bank of Chester County. (Archival photo, Uwchlan Historical Commission)

            Both Hawley brothers answered President Lincoln’s call for union volunteers during the Civil War.  Joseph acted immediately and formed a company that was the first to reach Harrisburg.   It became known as the PA 124^th Regiment. While fighting at Antietam (September, 1862), he was wounded and carried a bullet in his neck for the remainder of his service.  Discharged in May of 1863, he organized the 29^th Regiment of PA Emergency Militia which defended the railroad bridges during the Battle of Gettysburg.  Samuel Hawley was an active volunteer in the Civil War for three years as part of the PA 97^th Regiment.  Included in the collection of the Hawley Family Papers at the Chester County Historical Society are five letters written by Samuel to his brother.   The letters spanned from December, 1861 to September, 1864 and were dispatched from South Carolina, Florida and Virginia.  

                 After the Civil War Joseph became manager of the First Bank of Media PA and later retired as president.  Samuel owned a business in Media.  Their sister, Hannah, married Levi Griffith.  The couple kept a operated a store in Oxford, PA from 1875-1895.  

A photo of 16 South Village Avenue as it appears today.

             Although Joel, the Hawley family patriarch, was born in Lionville, he is not buried there.  However, there exists a rather unusual report of his death.  It tells of his wife Catherine’s death on April 7, 1883, followed by Joel’s own death the next day, April 8, 1883.  The couple was buried in the same casket.  Was it a shortage of coffins, or one of practicality or frugality?   We’ll never know…**        

*Online reference: backinmytime.blogspot.com **Information on the Hawleys was taken from the Uwchlan Historical Commission Archives and online from the Hawley Family Papers, Chester County Historical Society Archives.