Seventeen-year-old Daniel Williamson, born in Cheshire, England, left his mother country for the new world in 1682. He had agreed to work as an indentured servant for Robert Taylor at their 
destination in Marple Township. His service likely included helping to clear land, build temporary houses, barns, and fencing and planting and harvesting crops. Indentured servants agreed to work for three to seven years in return for their passage, along with room and board. When their service was completed, they would have earned plots of land, in this case 50 acres of land from Taylor and 50 acres that William Penn granted “servants” upon completion of their servitude.
Taylor and Daniel were cousins, and Taylor was not a harsh taskmaster, so Daniel’s service was complete by 1685, when he married Mary Smith and took possession of his land. By 1692, Daniel sold his Marple land and purchased 500 acres in Newtown. The land was bounded by Crum Creek, and Daniel used that waterpower to operate a sawmill. With stones from the woods and fields, and boards 
fashioned at the mill, Daniel built a small house on his lands. The original cottage contains only two rooms. The first-floor room is dominated by a walk-in fireplace for cooking, with a small window to bring more light to the room. The second floor is one room, the master bedroom, and then narrow “winder stairs” lead to a full attic that would allow for an additional sleeping area for children. Daniel and Mary had nine children, and so it was a very crowded house until additions were built.
Daniel dug a well in the front yard that found water 15 feet down. That well and the expanded house served the Williamson family for six generations. The land passed out of the family in 1910 when Daniel’s 
3rd great-granddaughter, Elizbeth Williamson, willed the property to be used “for the support and maintenance of poor children and deserving single women.” Garrett Williamson Lodge was built for that purpose.
Once they hooked up to public water, the well was covered and lost to history. Several years ago, a worker stepped on a spot in front of the house that gave way underfoot. Investigation disclosed the old well. Executive Director Carol Kaplan 
Ruark recognized that history had been uncovered, and rather than covering it up, she had a stone well-head built over the site. Though no longer used for water supply, the well reminds us of the life of Daniel Williamson and the first settlers of Marple and Newtown Square.
Today, the farm still serves the same purpose that Elizabeth envisioned – Garrett’s Way Child Care and Learning Center brings under-resourced children to the farm for educational programs and the farm experience.
For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit our website at: https://nshistory.org/