Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
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Source: October 1962 Volume 12 Number 2, Pages 42–44

Cabbagetown

Sara B. Nuzum

Page 42

Waterloo Road is named from Waterloo Mills, which was located on Darby Creek in Easttown Township one hundred years ago. Now there are two well-traveled roads called Waterloo Avenue, one out of Berwyn, the other out of Devon, which attests the former importance of the only gristmill in the township.

The mill and hamlet are situated in a romantic valley where the road crosses Darby Creek. Locally this hamlet is known as Cabbagetown: the name originated about 1830. Some of the old-timers still insist in calling the place Cabbagetown (from cabbage, "to purloin or steal.").

The miller who ground the grist for the farmers near about had few scruples as to the amount he retained for his toll and they were very fortunate if they received one-half back. These peculations became so notorious that naturally the miller's trade fell off, and he left the place. (His name is not known.)

There is an account of a sawmill operated from 1768–1774 by John Morris, whose father came over from Merionshire, Wales, in 1708. Jonathan T. Morris, probably of this line, operated the gristmill as late as 1843. Then Mordecai Davis, great-great-grandson of Joseph Davis of Willistown Township, occupied the mill, bequeathed to his wife. He was followed by his son John W. Davis, a grandson of B. Frank Davis.

Through the influence of the Davis family a post office was established there in January, 1853, under the name of Waterloo Mills; it was discontinued September 25th, 1867. The post office was in the mill. William Steel was the tenant miller, and was named the first Postmaster. Stephen Stout carried the mail from Spread Eagle in his hat. The late David Beaumont on occasions found the carrier up in the woods chopping trees and the day's mail of from four to six letters deposited on a stump.

Allison Alexander took over the gristmill and ice business (no date), ice being delivered in wagons drawn by mules. After the Alexanders moved to Berwyn, the Murphys, Hauss, and Wilkinsons lived there. This business was across the road from the blacksmith shop.

Page 43

The hamlet in its most prosperous time consisted only of the gristmill, two farmhouses, the tenements, and the blacksmith and wheelwright shop, operated by Charles Stout from 1850 to 1865, when his son took it over.

D. B. Stout, after finishing school, served three years' apprenticeship in the milling business at Waterloo Mills. Soon after this, the Civil War claimed him; he served until the war ended and was honorably discharged, June 29th, 1865. He took the shop over at that time and operated it until his death in 1910, when his widow moved to Berwyn.

In 1874 the Stouts lived in the tenement house next to the blacksmith shop, William Nuzum in the next property, and Edward Gallagher on the adjacent farm, Mr. Gallagher owning all the property south of the road.

As you enter Waterloo Road from Newtown Road, on the right is a small house to which Thomas Hart brought his bride on June 15th, 1891. They lived there and raised their family till 1909 when they moved to Beaumont Road and lived there for three years before coming to Berwyn.

Several families lived there between 1909 and 1924 when Harry Waters bought the property from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company which had a right of way to lay a track to Downingtown, but which was never done. Waters lived there till 1953, and then sold it to Donald G. Lane; Mrs. Lane still lives there.

On the opposite corner on the left in 1874 lived William Stewart (Uncle Billy) and his sister Annie, who was Henry Cathcart's mother. There were several families over a period of time, The Kennedys and Callahans were the last until Thaddeus Trout bought and remodeled the place, renting it to the Stangers who still live there.

As regards the present property owners in the Cabbagetown or Waterloo Mills area, I have been given the following information by John Barber, Secretary of the Easttown Township Board of Supervisors:

Mr. J. Gibson McIlvain, 2nd, of 1017 Newtown Road, Devon, is the present owner of what is left of "Deerbrook" which was formerly owned by a Mr. Edward M. K. Klapp. Part of the property is presently owned by Mr. John G. Harkins, Jr., of 1025 Newtown Road, Devon, son-in-law of Mcllvain.

Mr. Harold G. Bensing of 606 West Wayne Avenue, Wayne, is the present owner of the property formerly owned by Mrs. Maria Lansdale Bioren, which was earlier owned by Mr. Edward Gallagher. Records will show the property in the name of Dorothy M. Ennis who apparently is associated with Mr. Bensing.

Page 44

The Thaddeus Trout property bounded by Newtown, Waterloo and Beaumont Roads is presently owned by Mr. W. H. Sterg O' Dell of 624 Pembroke Road, Bryn Mawr. He plans to move into the mansion as soon as it is remodeled.

Then along Beaumont Road live the following:

Mr. R. M. Fielding, 495 Beaumont Road, Devon.

Mr. J. V. Nungesser, 465 Beaumont Road, Devon.

Mr. Thomas S. Gates, Jr., Beaumont and Church Roads, Devon.

Mr. Donald G. Lane of Berwyn owns a plot of ground next to Deerbrook on Waterloo Road.

Gristmill