History Attic Research

Local to Doylestown?!? This is a fascinating process used to date when a tree was felled, which aids in dating of historic buildings. Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle

Road Trip! This weekend, we explored the rich history of a stunning property nestled in the hills of Washington County, Pennsylvania. Almost frozen in time, both the property and the quaint town nearby hold countless stories.

The site has a long history, dating back to when Pennsylvania was still part of Virginia. One intriguing aspect is the family graveyard discovered in the 1920s, which contains three remaining headstones. Some were found broken, and we suspect more may still lie beneath the surface.

Among the headstones is that of Thomas Crooks, a soldier of the Revolutionary War who served in the Continental Line and as a Frontier Ranger. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Washington County militia from 1781 to 1784 and held positions as county commissioner and justice of the peace starting in 1781. Thomas and his wife, Judith Parr Crooks, owned the property from 1772 until 1796. He passed away in 1815 at the age of 80. The gravestone of Judith Parr, who died in 1802, marks the resting place of Thomas’s mother-in-law. Additionally, there’s a grave marked with the initials “CTC,” which remains a mystery. It’s common for less affluent individuals to have stones with only initials, leading us to wonder if this could belong to a laborer unlisted in census records. In our research on Find A Grave, we discovered that a few neighbors are buried here, suggesting “CTC” might be one of them. Alternatively, it could serve as a footstone for Thomas Crooks, inscribed “Colonel Thomas Crooks” (CTC). The search continues.

The cemetery is situated at the highest point of the property, offering a serene view of the hills and valleys below. Its location and exposure to the elements bear witness to the many headstones whose engravings have been worn smooth over time. Despite this, it remains a peaceful sanctuary, and is just one of the mysteries that surround this historic home.

We had almost summer like temps here today in PA. I had the immense pleasure this morning of photographing this beauty. Check out the curious wooden drawer inset into the stone wall. Payment drawer? I’m not entirely sure it pulls out, but it’s curious indeed. Any thoughts?

Also adding a photo of one of the windows. Many of them had one or two pink wavy glass panes. I wonder if they were all pink at one time? What a fantastic gem. Definitely want to learn more about its history.