River Bend Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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River Bend Farm
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River Bend Farm, April 2011
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | North of Spring City on Sanatoga Road, East Coventry Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1765 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003468 |
| Added to NRHP | August 29, 1980 |
River Bend Farm is a historic farm located in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. It sits in a bend of the Schuylkill River near Pottstown. The farm's main house shows how buildings were made in Chester County a long time ago. It has strong stone walls covered in stucco and wooden beams held together with pegs.
A very important person, Michael Hillegas, once owned this farm. He was the very first Treasurer of the United States, which means he was in charge of the country's money! Even though he owned it, he didn't live there. The farm was also owned by members of the Joshua family, who were a powerful political family. In 1980, River Bend Farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site worth protecting.
The Farm's Early History
The story of River Bend Farm begins in 1763. On November 28, Henry Casdorp's family bought a huge piece of land, about 600 acres, from Thomas and Richard Penn. They were the original owners of Pennsylvania.
Just a few months later, in May 1764, the Casdorps sold this land to Michael Hillegas and Francis Winey. The property already had a house on it. It was probably a simple log cabin built before the Casdorps even bought the land.
Sixteen months later, Hillegas and Winey sold half of the land, 300 acres, to Daniel Hiester. Daniel bought the property for his son, John. This marked the beginning of the Hiester family's connection to the farm.
The Hiester Family and the American Revolution
The Hiester family played an important part in American history. Daniel Hiester's sons were very active during the American Revolution. This was the war where the American colonies fought for their freedom from Great Britain.
One of Daniel's sons, also named Daniel, became a brigadier general in the Pennsylvania Militia. A brigadier general is a high-ranking military leader. After the war, he was elected to the first four U.S. Congresses. This means he helped make laws for the new country. He later represented Maryland in Congress.
Another son, John, was a soldier who fought in the Battle of Brandywine. This was a major battle during the Revolution. After the war, John became a major general in the Militia. He was also elected to the U.S. Congress in 1806. John's son, Daniel, continued the family tradition. He was elected to Congress in 1808.
The Farmhouse and Its Neighbors
The main farmhouse at River Bend Farm is a two-story building with an attic. The rooms inside are quite tall for a house built in the 1700s. The first floor ceilings are about 9 feet, 7 inches high. The second floor ceilings are about 8 feet, 11 inches high.
River Bend Farm is close to other interesting historical sites. About 600 yards south of the house is the Fricks Locks Historic District. This is another place listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Starting in 1974, a large power plant was built nearby. The Limerick Nuclear Power Plant was constructed just across the Schuylkill River to the east of the farm.
