WEST CHESTER, a borough of south-eastern Pennsyl vania, U.S.A. Pop. (1920) 11,717 (78% native white) ; 12,325 in 1930. It is the seat of a State normal school (1871) and sev eral academies of long standing. The Turk's Head inn dates from 1762. On the outskirts of the town are a number of fine estates, where thorough-bred horses and cattle are raised. West Chester
was settled in 1713, succeeded Chester as the county seat about 1784, and was incorporated as a town in 1788, as a borough in 1799. The Battle of Brandywine (Sept. II, 1777) was fought 7 m. to the south, and on Sept. 20 Gen. Wayne, with a small force, was surprised and routed by the British at Paoli, 8 m. N.E.