John Chads House facts for kids
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Chads House
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Chads House, November 2009
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | PA 100, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1713 |
| Architect | Wyeth, John Jr. |
| Architectural style | "Bank" house |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000698 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 11, 1971 |
The Chads House is a very old and important building located in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. It was built by John Wyeth Jr. for John Chads, who was a key person in the area's history. The house was finished sometime after 1712. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 11, 1971. This means it's a special place worth protecting because of its history.
During the Battle of Brandywine, John Chads' wife, Elizabeth, bravely stayed in the house even though fighting was happening nearby. The town of Chadds Ford got its name from John Chads because a useful spring and river crossing (called a ford) on his land helped the community grow.
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The Early History of Chads House
The story of Chads House begins with Francis Chadsey. He came to Pennsylvania in 1685. In 1696, he bought 500 acres of land in what was then Chester County. This land was bought from Daniel Smith, who had received it from William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania.
Francis Chadsey officially took over the land in 1702. He then built a grist mill, which is a mill for grinding grain, and a special water channel called a millrace on his property. Francis married Grace Stanfield in 1695. They had six children together before Francis passed away in 1713. Grace later remarried in 1714 and died in 1727.
Who Built Chads House?
Francis Chadsey's oldest son, John Chads, became an adult in 1717. He then inherited the family property. You can see the initials "J.W. Jr." carved into the front of the Chads House. These initials likely stand for John Wyeth Jr., who is thought to have built the house for John Chads. The house was probably built between 1713 and 1727.
The Chads House is a special type of building called a "bank house." This means it was built into the side of a hill. This design helped keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter. The house is still very much like it was when it was first built.
Chads House During the American Revolution
John Chads started a ferry service across the Brandywine Creek in 1731. A ferry is like a small boat that carries people and goods across a river. He ran this ferry until he died in 1760. The ferry continued to operate for many years, until 1828, when a bridge was built nearby.
During the Battle of Brandywine in 1777, the Chads House was right in the middle of the action. A German general named Wilhelm von Knyphausen led his soldiers in a fake attack across the Brandywine near the ferry. They exchanged cannon fire with George Washington's American forces, who were in strong positions above the house.
John Chads' wife, Elizabeth, was still living in the house during the battle. She stayed there the whole time, watching the soldiers move from her attic windows. Elizabeth lived until 1791, long after the battle was over.
Chads House as a Museum
Besides providing water, the Springhouse, a small building near the Chads House, was used as a school for a few years. It served as a place for children to learn from 1837 to 1844.
Both the John Chads' House and the Springhouse were owned by private families until 1968. After that, they were carefully fixed up by an architect named John Milner. The buildings were then opened as a museum in 1971. This allowed people to visit and learn about their history.
In 1981, a special oven called a beehive oven in the basement of the house was rebuilt. This oven is still used today, showing how people cooked many years ago.
See also
Images for kids
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Chads House, November 2009
