Farmstead Alliance

History

 

Since William Penn deeded ownership to Dr. Nicholas More in the 1680s, this property and the development of this Farmstead had essentially four family dynasties spanning over three centuries of American history: the Dr. More Family, the Reidenbach Family, the Kimble Family, and the Malloy Family.

 

They were Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Quakers, and Methodists. They were doctors, prospectors, farmers, manufacturers, blacksmiths and realtors.

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Chain of Title

 

A chain of title search was performed in 2012 at the request of Farmstead Alliance.

 

The Farmstead is currently owned by Upper Moreland Township and is part of the township’s park system, known as Farmstead Park. It consists of 10 acres of land and it is located at 2668 Byberry Road, Hatboro, PA. 19040. Contained within the 10 acres are four stone structures, those being a Farmhouse, Barn, Carriage House, and Spring House.

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These structures remain one of the few, nearly complete, 18th century farmsteads in the area, and may well be the last parcel of land in the original twenty-five square miles of the original Manor of Moreland to be held by members of the Dr. Nicholas More family.

 

The Four Longest Family-owned Tenures:

 

1. 1684-1749 More/Keach/Harrison Family (65 years)

2. 1754-1806 Reidenbach/Harner Family (52 years)

3. 1806-1930 Kimble/Tyson/Gregg Family (124 years)

4. 1944-2002 Malloy Family (58 years)

 

Period (in years) Owner(s)

 

2002 - Present: Upper Moreland Township

1982 - 2002: William H Malloy, Jr. and Ruth Ann Malloy

1944 - 1982: William H Malloy, Sr and Ethel Malloy

1944 - 1944: John R Wilkie and F. Lucile Wilkie (owned for one day)

1933 - 1944: Louie Lennig Rowland

1930 - 1933: Corbit Lovering and Ida Rowland Lovering

1903 - 1930: Thompson Gregg and Elgerda P Sexton/Murray

1806 - 1903: Richard Kimbel Family (seven deeds associated with this period)

1754 - 1806: Michael Rhiderpoak (Reidenbach), John Harner, and others

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Additional deed research and verification is needed to complete the following ownership, though much of what is below is well documented in Charles Harper Smith's publications on his research into land tenure in Hatboro and vicinity from the 1930s. 

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1749 - 1754: Joshua Potts

1747 - 1749: Joseph Eaton

1739 - 1747: John Harrison (grandson of Mary Keach/great-grandson of Dr. More)

1689 - 1739: Mary Keach, Née More (daughter of Dr. Nicholas More)

1682 - 1689: Dr. Nicholas More

1682 - William Penn, Proprietor

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Nathaniel Boileau

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Born in Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery Co., Pa., Nathaniel Boileau (1763-1850) epitomized the American spirit, and his way of life was revered then as it is today. To local historians, he exhibited

 

'sterling integrity, patriotic aims, ingrain republican principles and unselfish benevolence.’

 

After the Township’s purchase of this Farmstead in 2002, the  organization was formed and named in honor of the distinguished Pennsylvania statesman, as he and members of this notable family were relatives, friends and fellow countrymen to those who lived on and near this Farmstead in the township’s early days. Farmstead Alliance went through the name change to better allign with the most recent reseach on the history of the property.