Get our newsletters
HISTORY LIVES

Cudjo and Jo

Posted

Much of the land that became Doylestown was once owned by two former slaves, Cudjo and Jo. Jeremiah Langhorne came from England and settled on a great plantation in Middletown (Langhorne) in 1682. A “great road,” ran from north to south in Langhorne’s lands from “Round Meadow” (Willow Grove) to Dyer’s Mill (the Waterwheel Inn). The land also became divided by what we know as East and West Court Street, forming New Britain Township to the north and Warwick Township to the south.
Jeremiah Langhorne died in1742. In his will, he bequeathed 310 acres in upper Warwick Township to his two slaves Cudjo and Jo. Cudjo’s land extended from the present Hamilton Street, along Court for one-third mile to Church Street. In length it extended from the corner of Hamilton and Court, then diagonally southeast to Main and Ashland, and then along Green Street. It was a total distance of three-quarters of a mile.
Jo’s land lay to the east of Cujdo’s and extended in width to about East Street. It was the same length as Cudjo’s. Langhorne also provided livestock and all equipment needed so both of his former slaves could farm independently and as free men.

To suddenly be isolated in a vast undeveloped area proved too much for Cudjo. Five months after occupying his own lands, he gave up his lifetime rights in 1751. Jo, however, lived on his tract until he died sometime around 1768.
Source: Wilma Rezer’s book, “Doylestown ... and How It Came to Be -1724 to 1980”


Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.


X