![]() Humphrey Morrey (also referred to as Merry) was another significant First Purchaser. Their daughter-in-law developed the Shoemaker Mill on the Tookany Creek, and Shoemakertown (now part of Elkins Park) developed around it. The Shoemaker name is another name mentioned quite frequently in association with early development in the Township. The Wall name was lost when Sarah Wall, Richard’s granddaughter, married George Shoemaker. It is the most historic building in the Township and, until 1978, was the oldest house in continuous residence in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The original section of the house is dated 1682 and additions were completed in 17. Richard Wall’s house stands at the entrance to Wall Park. In addition to the tannery and bakery in Cheltenham, Toby Leech was involved in land transactions in Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester Counties. Another house Toby Leech built for his grandson Abraham, remains at Old Soldiers Road and Ryers Avenue. One of the structures built by Tobias Leech across from his tannery and bake ovens was used to house his enslaved workers. He established a corn and fulling mill along the Tookany Creek, which gave Mill Road its name. Toby Leech was a successful businessman and was involved in many enterprises upon his arrival in Cheltenham. Both were actively involved in the religious, political and social growth of the new community. They are considered to be the Township’s Founding Fathers. ![]() ![]() Two of the “First Purchasers,” Toby Leech and Richard Wall, settled in the Township and became instrumental in its early beginnings. Each was deeded a small parcel of land in the City of Philadelphia and a larger area, comprising of between 100 and 500 acres, in Cheltenham Township. William Penn deeded land grants to fifteen fellow Englishmen. It was not until Septemthat Montgomery County was formed and Cheltenham became its smallest Township. Cheltenham Township was created in 1682 as part of Philadelphia County.
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