New Garden Township
Historical Resource #17

420 Hillendale Rd
Kennett Square, PA

 

Location

   GPS: 39.82940° N, 75.73407° W
   GIS: 2534653, 187173  State Plane Zone 3702; North American Datum 1983; Units: Feet

 

New Garden Township Historical Commission Evaluation

HR #17 is recognized under the New Garden Township Historical Ordinance (adopted 8-10-2009) as meeting the following criteria:
  [X]  (a) shall have been constructed, or had any portion thereof constructed, prior to January 1, 1940; and
  [X]  (b) shall have significant character, interest or value as an example of development, heritage or character of New Garden Township, or
  [ ]  (c) shall reflect the environment in an era of history characterized by a distinctive architectural style, or
  [ ]  (d) shall embody distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style or engineering specimen.

 

Chester County Tax Assessment Department Data (retrieved 12/19/2017)

   Tax Parcel ID: 60-2-96
   Description: OLD STYLE
   Year Built: 1920
   Caution: This county data may not be properly matched to HR #17 and the date may be unreliable.

 

1860 Kennedy Map (Detail)

Notation: A. Scarlett

 

1873 Witmer - New Garden Township (Detail)

Notation: Abiah Scarlet

 

1883 Breous Farm Atlas - New Garden Township (Detail)


Notation: Abiah Scarlett

 

USDA Aerial Photos, 1937 Series - Chester County, Roll: 43, Photo #72 (Detail)

 

USGS Topographic Map, 1953/54 - Stitched West Grove & Kennett Square (Detail)

 

USDA Aerial Photos, 1957/58 Series - Chester County, Roll: 12r, Photo #73 (Detail)

 

2003 NGHC Field Inventory Photo

 

Notes

When Pownall’s father Gordon Jones briefly owned this house during the Depression (it was on part of the 40 acres which were split off from the Parrish farm in 1945), Pownall remembers going down into the cellar where there was a spring. He has often wondered about who built this house and why here; it is so far from the center of the farm. The fact that it is built over a spring suggests that it is a very early dwelling – perhaps 18th century. Pownall says that in his memory from the 1930’s, the house was just a small stone dwelling. We think it was Ted Thompson’s son, Bob, who built the addition to the east around 1950. He and his bride lived in it for a few years before he purchased the (1883) William Agnew farm (HR #19). Subsequently a couple name Fritz lived in this house for about 30 years.

Peg and Pownall Jones, 2020

 

The Historical Commission is always looking for additional information about this resource.
Please Email Us if you have any old photographs, stories, newspaper clippings or
other information you would like to share.