Paula's Genealogy Place

John Postlethwaite

Postlethwaite's Tavern: Owned by John Postlethwaite, located in Lancaster Pennsylvania. An importantant public-house in the indian trading region. John Postlethwaite invited the first courts of Lancaster County to meet here on August 5, 1729.

John Postlethwaite was born about 1670 in Millum, Cumberland, England. The son of George Postlethwaite. John came to Pennsylvania, America in approximately 1700's. He married Hylecha HENDRICKS in 1723 in Pennsylvania, and had three children. Catherine Postlethwaite, born about 1724 in Chester County, Pennsylvania; William Postlethwaite born about 1727 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; and Susanna Postlethwaite born about 1730 in Lancaster County. On April 29, 1731, John married Mary Ann METCALF and had four children. John Postlethwaite born February 5, 1736 in Lancaster County; Samuel Postlethwaite born January 17, 1737, in Lancaster County; Edmund Postlethwaite born about 1742 in Lancaster County; and Richard Postlethwaite, born about 1744 in Lancster County. John owned a tavern in Lancster County. This tavern was an important public-house in the indian trading region. In the year 1729, John Postlethwaite invited the first courts to be held at his tavern until the new court house was built. On August 5, 1729 the first trial was held at Postlethwaite's Tavern. The first case was a trial of a thief who was sentenced to be whipped on the bare back in public. Court continued to be held at Postlethwaite's Tavern until November of 1730. From 1729 to 1730 John was the first Treasurer in Lancaster County. In 1743 John was elected a Township Officer. He was to over see the poor along with David Jones. There was no record of Township officers prior to 1743. John also owned a Grist Mill and a Saw Mill. John died in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in March of 1749 at the age of approximately 79.