A historical association in Bucks County has dug up an old story about one popular town’s humble beginnings.

Staff members of the Yardley Historical Association, located at the Old Library at Lake Afton, recently dug up an old article from the Bucks County Courier Times that discussed the town’s beginnings, specifically the activities of the town’s first mayor, Algernon Cadwallader, and his his family.

“Algernon Cadwallader and his wife, the former Susan Yardley, donated the land for Yardleyville’s library,” the article read. “Susan’s sister, Lillian Yardley, gave money to construct the building.”

The mayor’s wife’s family was the namesake for the town, which is one of the oldest parts of Bucks County.

The article continues to claim that Lake Afton, a popular spot in the town, was given its name by the mayor’s daughter, Marianna “Mazie” Cadwallader, who was inspired by a line from Robert Burn’s poem “Afton Water”:

Flow gently, sweet Afton.

“Although not directly quoted, the information seems to have been supplied by T. Sidney Cadwallader,” the historical association said online.

If the mayor’s name sounds familiar, that is because a popular emo rock group from Yardley named themselves after him.

Learn more at the Yardley Historical Association.

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