Ercildoun, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ercildoun Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Fallowfields Meetinghouse, built 1811
Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Nearest city	Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Area	43 acres (17 ha)
MPS	East Fallowfield Township MRA
NRHP reference No.	85001157
Added to NRHP	May 20, 1985

Ercildoun is a small community in East Fallowfield Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. About 100 people live here.

Ercildoun was started by Quaker families. These families believed in peace and equality for everyone. Because of their beliefs, Ercildoun became an important place for the abolitionist movement. Abolitionists were people who worked to end slavery. In 1985, the whole community, with 31 properties, was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special area with important old buildings. The name "Ercildoun" comes from a poem called "Thomas the Rhymer" by Sir Walter Scott.

History of Ercildoun

People's Hall
"One old building still stands
As a tribute to voices now stilled
It stands as a monument to Old "Friends"
Who dared to do right."

Early Settlement

Quaker farmers first settled the land where Ercildoun is now in the late 1700s. In 1811, they built the Fallowfields Friends Meeting House. This building, along with a cemetery, People's Hall, and the old post office (now a grocery store), forms the heart of the community.

Abolitionist Movement

Because of their Quaker beliefs, people in Ercildoun formed the East Fallowfield Anti-Slavery Society in 1835. James Fulton Jr. was a key leader. This group worked to end slavery. They gave out thousands of books and asked Congress to stop slavery in Washington D.C. and other U.S. territories.

The Anti-Slavery Society first met in the Fallowfield Meetinghouse. But in 1844, a group of people who supported slavery broke up a meeting. After this, the Quaker Meeting members said the Anti-Slavery group could no longer use their building. So, in 1845, abolitionists bought land and built their own meeting place next door. They called it the Free Hall, and later, the People's Hall. They wanted it to be a place where "every question, creed, or race was welcome." Above the stage, they put the motto: "Let Truth and Error grapple."

Underground Railroad Connection

Ercildoun became well-known as a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. Ercildoun was a good location because it was only about 15 miles north of Maryland, which was a slave state. Groups of up to 33 escaped slaves passed through the town. Local leaders like Gideon Pierce and James Fulton, Jr. were important "conductors" on this secret route. Some escaped slaves, like Jacob Carter, even settled in Ercildoun after gaining their freedom.

Life After the Civil War

After the Civil War, which ended slavery, many formerly enslaved people made Ercildoun their home. People's Hall continued to be a central place. It was used as a community hall, a church, a library, and a town hall. It also housed the Fallowfield Historical Society.

Over the years, the People's Hall needed repairs. In 2015, it was listed as an endangered historic site. However, a new group of trustees is now working to raise money and restore this important building.

Important Buildings and Events

Gideon Pierce built a store across from the Friends Meeting House in 1818. The Webster family bought this store in 1863 and ran it for many years. Today, the building is still a store called Triple Fresh Market. The name "Ercildoun" was first used when Pierce's store became the village's post office in 1850.

Destruction at Ercildoun Seminary after the 1877 tornado.

In July 1877, a very strong tornado hit Ercildoun. It was so powerful that it was even talked about at a science meeting in France! Fourteen buildings were destroyed.

In 1894, an African-American church called the Christ Disciple Church was built in the community.

Images for kids

• 

  Interior of the People's Hall, with the motto "Let Truth and Error Grapple" above the stage

• 

  People's Hall exterior

• 

  Lukens Pierce House

Notable People

• Smedley Darlington
• Rebecca Lukens
• William Chester Ruth
• Charlotte Moore Sitterly