Moreau de St. Mery’s American Journey [1793-1798] Translated and Edited by Kenneth Roberts & Anna M. Roberts. Preface by Kenneth Roberts, Introduction by Stewart L. Mims. Doubleday & Company, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1947

 

Page 97:

 

When one leaves Philadelphia for New York, one leaves by the northern end. In proportion as one gets farther into the Northern Liberties, which are really its northern suburb, the character of the city disappears more and more. Finally reaching the end of North Front Street, one turns a little to the east, then one goes over a stone bridge, before entering Kensington, which is a more remote suburb of Philadelphia, with several houses bordering the highroad.

 

Kensington has shipyards, rope factories and all the characteristics of a naval establishment. The soil is sandy.

 

Page 277:

 

In the northernmost part of the little village of Kensington, adjoining the city of Philadelphia, and at the most northern shipyard, the tree still stands under which Penn concluded his treaty of acquisition with the Indians.

This tree is the Charter Oak. It is beautiful and majestic. Nothing marks its history except memory based on tradition.