haycock Historical Society

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Haycock Historical Society
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Haycock Becomes a Township

Early History of Haycock

The inhabitants of this unorganized district petitioned for a township several times before they were successful, the first attempt being made soon after 1740 (the walking purchase of 1737 had conveyed this area to William Penn's sons), but the exact year is not known.  They petitioned a second time in December 1745, when they stated that the district contained "twenty dwellers". This petition was denied and the area we know as Haycock township did not become a township until 1762.  There were other petitions presented where the names applied to the area were: Rock Bearry and Mansfield.  In the early years people did not refer to the "hill" in Haycock as Haycock Mountain, it was just called "The Haycock".


The Old Bethlehem Road which runs north and south through Haycock was the main trail leading from the site of Philadelphia to the Lehigh River.  This was the same trail the Minsi Indians used in returning from below to their homes beyond the Blue Mountains.  It is the route suggested for the 1737 walking purchase, but later the route was changed to use Durham Road, (611).  When the Stokes came to Haycock to build their home in 1740 they used this road and when Daniel Nitehaman led his company of one hundred Moravians to Bethlehem in 1742, they traveled this path on foot, with pack horses carrying the necessary implements to commence the new settlement.  The road was turnpike, the second in the county, in 1805-6, and the books were opened for stock at the taverns of George Weaver and William Strawn, at Strawntown, the 11th and 12th of June of that year.  How long this company lasted or how much of the road was under turnpike control is not known at this time. 

This house is a great example of mid 1700's stone works.

Stokes House

 In 1737 John Stokes warranted 350 acres in the vicinity of Haycock Mountain. The name given for the warrant was Stokes Meadow. In and around that time he built a two story stone house.   On the death of his mother in 1751, his father's death preceding, John Stokes returns to Western Jersey to the homestead. 

The 350 acre farm called Stokes Meadow

The next generation of Stokes return

In 1768 the son who was born at Stokes Meadow returned to the farm with his wife Susanna. At this time we speculate the summer kitchen was added to the house. John Stokes ( 1747-1809)               and Susanna (1751-1790) had eight children. The family was active in the Richland Friends Meeting. 


The Stokes Houses as it looks today.

The museum and office of the Haycock Historical Society, 1299 Apple Road. Towhee Park

Have history to tell?

The Haycock Historical society is always looking for information on the area from old pictures, family stories, or  interesting items.

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Haycock Historical Society

Haycock Historical Society PO Box 715 Quakertown, PA 18951 US

www.haycockhistoricalsociety.org


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