It is dated March 19th, 1796. The paper is similar to the notes issued in 1782; but they are smaller in size, and they contain the same watermarks, in smaller letters, probably to prevent the alteration of the notes to a higher denomination.

As early as 1783 Mark Willcox realized the necessity for a stronger paper for use as bank notes; and henceforward he used new linen stock in the manufacture of that class of paper. Russia sheeting and Irish linen were the usual materials employed in the manufacture of bank note paper, at Ivy Mills, from that date until 1846; after which time any form of clean, unbleached, new linen fibre was rendered available, by means of improved processes for bleaching, in the mill. The cost of this kind of linen often exceeded 50 cents per pound.

A few copies of some of the bills, in the possession of the writer, are here inserted to show the kind of linen and silk from which bank note paper was made.

On June 19th, 1784, another piece of "Rushia Sheating" was purchased from Robert Barr.

"

Decem' 17th 1801. Mr Mark Willcox Bought of Thomas Shewell

"I ps 4-4 Irish Linen-25 yds @ 6-8

"Rec the above for Thomas Shewell

£8. 6. 8

"ROBT SHEWELL' ""

"Philada May 5 1803"

"Mark Willcox Bot of Cope & Thomas

3 ps brown Russia Sheeting 17

61, 50

18

$130 50

"Received payment

(( COPE & THOMAS"

On "7 mo 19. 1805" another bill of Cope & Thomas was paid for

"7 ps Russia sheeting "2 Catties Blue silk

@ $24.

$168. 16.

$184.

In a bill of Cope & Thomas, dated "5 mo 2a 1807," for Ravens Duck, it was stated that it was for the use of the Hagerstown Bank. Amount $74.50.

On "6 mo 3a 1807," 4 Pieces Best Ravens Duck and 2 do "Bandanoes" were bought from Cope & Thomas for Cape Fear Bank.

On April 20th, 1810, the following were bought for the "Philada Bank."

"Five pieces best Raven's Duck "Four (( Scarlet Bandan

@ $18.

$90

@ $5%1⁄2 "Porterage

22

Silk was used in currency paper, as an admixture, at least as early as 1756. In the bills of New Jersey, dated June 22d, of that year, the blue silk fibres are easily distinguished. The same is visible also in the bills of Pennsylvania, dated November 29th, 1775; and in the continental currency dated November 29th, 1775. India and Chinese bandanna handkerchiefs were the usual sources for the supply of red silk, that was used in the manufacture of bank note paper. It is not known to the writer when or where the custom originated of mixing red or blue silk with the paper pulp of currency and bank-note paper. Mark Willcox used it extensively; and also did his descendants.

On October 10th 1810" 4 ps best ravens Duck $66.” and 3 ps Scarlet Band" $ 6." were purchased for "Farmers & Ms Bk," [the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Philadelphia.]

On May 10th, 1810, a bill of Tho P. Cope was paid for "sundries got for Mechanic's Bank used for Charleston Bank." $96.20.

It will be observed that, in some of these bills, the name of the bank is mentioned for which the linen and silk were purchased.

It was a common practice, at that period in the history of bank-note paper-making, for a bank to pay for the linen cloth and silk needful for its supply of paper, in addition to a certain stipulated price, per 1000 sheets, for its manufacture. As a fancied additional security, to insure the production of the best quality of paper, an agent of the bank was frequently sent to the mill, who, although not a paper-maker, remained there during the progress of the manufacture of the paper; which usually required a period of three or four weeks.

The agent locked certain portions of the mill at night and kept the keys; and, when the paper was finished, he counted it, gave a receipt for it, and carried it to the bank, or to the printer.

It was not unusual for a bank to own its moulds; in which case the name of the bank, or its initials, were watermarked; so that each note would contain the design.

Mark Willcox, on account of his many business engagements connected with his mill, and also with the firm of Flahavan & Willcox, in Philadelphia, from 1783 to 1792, did not participate actively in many public affairs. He preferred the quiet life at his country home 18 miles from Philadelphia. Still his name appears to have been connected with several offices.

Although he was exempted from military duty, both by the action of Congress and of the Council of Safety, of

his own State, he was the leader of a band that was actively engaged in obstructing the efforts of the British officers in obtaining supplies for their army, after the Battle of the Brandywine. He and his band were acting under the instructions of his neighbor and friend General Robinson, who lived at Naaman's Creek, now Claymont.

He told his son James, the father of the writer, that, for this offence he was arrested at his house, at night, by the enemy, and taken to Philadelphia as a prisoner. Shortly afterwards a deputation of his neighbors, of the Society of Friends, went to Philadelphia; and, being non-combatants, they induced General Howe to release their friend the prisoner.

At a meeting of the Provincial Conference, held in Philadelphia on June 19th, 1776, it was resolved that a provincial convention be called to form a new government in this province, on the authority of the people only; and on June 23d, Hugh Lloyd, Thomas Lewis and Mark Willcox were appointed judges of election, in Chester County, for Deputies to the Provincial Convention.*

On April 3d, 1788, Mark Willcox was appointed, by the Supreme Executive Council, one of the Commissioners for the opening of certain roads in the counties of Northampton and Luzerne, in conjunction with John Nicholson, Henry Drinker, Tench Cox and Tench Francis.

On August 17th, 1791, Mark Willcox was appointed, by Governor Thomas Mifflin, one of the associate Judges of Delaware County, to hold the office, (as the commission states,) "so long as you behave yourself well." He held this office until 1824.

Mark Willcox was a member of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, which met in Philadelphia on October 27th, 1788.

He was appointed on a committee to whom all claims of individuals against the State were referred. On November

* Colonial Records, vol. xv, p. 425.

4th, 1788, the report relative to the establishment of an assay-office was referred to a committee, of which he was a member.

On March 24th, 1789, "It was Resolved, That in the opinion of this House alterations and amendments of the Constitution of this State are immediately necessary." On this question Mark Willcox voted in the affirmative.

On September 26th, 1789, while he was still a member, a bill was enacted for dividing the County of Chester and to erect part thereof into a separate county.

In 1799 Mark Willcox was Lieut. Col. of 110th Regiment.*

On December 5th, 1778, an Act of Assembly was passed, by which all male white citizens (with certain exceptions) were required to take an oath of allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania. Commissioners were appointed in all the counties of the State, to administer the oath, and blank printed forms were supplied to them for use in the performance of that duty.

These blank forms were printed on paper made by Mark Willcox. They were small in size, 5x6 inches; indicating great economy in the consumption of paper. † The following is a copy of one in the hands of the writer.

"I Do hereby Certify, That Mr Mark Willcox of Concord in the County of Chester Hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity, as directed by an Act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the fifth day of December A. D. 1778. Witness my hand and seal, the fourth day of March A. D. 1779."

"Pers Frazer Commiss""

This sheet of paper contains the characteristic watermark of the Dove in it, which Mark Willcox used.

Ashmead's Hist. of Del. Co., p. 241.

They were printed by John Dunlap of 281 High Street, Philada.