Thomas Jefferson Ate and Slept Here
On his journey from Philadelphia to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson departed on September 3rd, 1776, riding his horse. His first stop was at the White Horse, where he paid 11 shillings for lodging […]
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Map–Topology of the Great Valley–See the Video
Source: Google Earth with USGS topographic maps loaded as a layer. The video above offers insight into the name “Great Valley” and explains why the White Horse Tavern was strategically located in […]
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Map–Chester County, Pennsylvania. 1897
William Weightman is labeled as the owner. We see the main house, the stone barn, and the pole barn (which was the Old Swedesford Rd Station building until around 1911). […]
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Map–Earliest Highways by Frank Eshleman
Let’s take a journey back in time to explore the fascinating history of Whiteland Township, its early roads, and the iconic White Horse Tavern. The story of Whiteland Township is one of […]
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Map–Chester County, Pennsylvania. 1950
John Swanenburg’s Estate is labeled as owner. We see the main house, the stone barn, and the pole barn.
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Map–Chester County, Pennsylvania. 1933
1933 Altas, shows 4 buildings, one we know was destroyed when 202 was built. John Swanenburg is labeled as the owner.
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First Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Public–UPDATE
While sifting through the documentation for the historical landmark designation of the White Horse Tavern, I stumbled upon this intriguing nugget. Skip Miller had hinted at this rumor, but this was the […]
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Map–A Map Of Pennsylvania Jefferys, Thomas 1776
One of the most important atlases of the American Revolutionary War period. There are 22 maps on 29 sheets. The majority of the important large scale maps of the colonies are […]
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Letter from Washington to President of Congress—1777-09-16–“Battle near the White Horse Tavern”
Tuesday, September 16th, 1777. Battle near White Horse Tavern, north of Paoli. About nine in the morning we were informed that the enemy were advancing towards us. The troops got under arms […]
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Native American–Allegheny Path
Overlaying a map of Native American paths over a map of Chester County shows the “Allegheny Path” [path no. 1] passing directly behind the White Horse Tavern. The path stretches from Philadelphia […]
Read moreLetter from George Washington to Theodorick Bland–1778-11-23
Fredericksbg [N.Y.] 23d Novemr 1778 Sir, As you have not yet had a route given you beyond the North River—I am to desire that you continue the march of the Convention troops […]
Read moreLetter to George Washington from Henry Heldring–1778-06-11
11 June from the White Horse Tavern, Pa. ALS, DLC:GW. Your Excellency please to recollect one of the two Waldeck officers prisoners of war, who selfes had the honour of being introduced […]
Read moreLetter to George Washington from George Gibson–1778-03-24
Lancasr [Pa.] 24th, March 1778. May it please Your Excelly Yesterday I had the Honour to receive Your Excys favour of the 22d currt, It is not in my power to comply […]
Read moreLetter from George Washington to John Armstrong–1777-12-01
Camp at W: March [Pa.] 1st Decr 1777 May it please yr Excely I beg leave to recommend, that as early as it may be Safe to make such movement, the Army […]
Read moreLetter from George Washington to John Hancock–1777-09-23
Camp near Potts Grove [Pa.] 23d Sept. 1777 Sir I have not had the honor of addressing you since your adjournment to Lancaster, and I sincerely wish that my first letter was […]
Read moreNotes from Council of War–1777-09-23
[Camp near Pottsgrove, Pa., 23 September 1777] At a Council of War held at the Camp near Potts Grove the 23d day of Septemr 1777. Present His Excellency the Commander[,] Major Generals […]
Read moreLetter from George Washington to John Hancock–1777-09-19
Parkers Ford—on Schuylkill [Pa.] Septr 19: 1777 ¾ after 5. P.M. Sir I was honoured this Morning with your Favors of the 17th & 18th, with their Inclosures. I am much obliged […]
Read moreLetter from George Washington to Anthony Wayne–1777-09-18
Reading furnace [Pa.] septr 18th 1777 Sir As I have receiv’d Information that the Enemy have turn’d down that Road from the White Horse which leads to Swedes Ford on Schuylkill I […]
Read moreLetter from George Washington to John Hancock–1777-09-18
Reading Furnace [Pa.] 18th Sepr 1777. Sir Your favor of the 17th I had the honor to receive last night with Governr Livingston & Genl Dickinsons Letters. It is out of […]
Read moreLetter from George Washington to General William Smallwood–1777-09-17
Camp [Yellow Springs, Pa.] Sepr 17th 1777 Sir As it may be dangerous for the Troops under your command to act alone, and the service may be more advanced by drawing Our […]
Read moreLetter from George Washington to John Hancock–1777-09-16
Camp between The Warren & White Horse Taverns [Pa.] Septr 16th 1777. Sir I arrived here last night with the Army and am now so far advanced, as to be in a […]
Read moreList of Maps Referencing the White Horse
The improved part of the Province of Pennsylvania. 1759 Shows White Horse and many other taverns. Also shows Kennison’s home nearby. Roads near the tavern are “The Road to Philadelphia” from […]
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Map-Progress of the Army from their landing till taking possession of Philadelphia, 1777
This map is probably drawn in 1777 or 1778. It is not to scale but is meant to provide a timeline of events. Red rectangles denote Howe’s column, which is placed […]
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Mention of “New Stone Brew-House” in 1765
Owen Aston advertised the White Horse Tavern for sale. He described the property comprised of “150 acres of choice land, 20 acres of which is extraordinary meadow, and well watered; also a […]
Read moreOctober 21, 1747–Tavern Sold at Auction
The Pennsylvania Gazette, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 16 Oct 1746, Sun • Page 4 Sold out of James Trego’s estate. Mentions tavern has been a good business for 30 years on a 94 acre […]
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May 12th, 1764 — Tavern and Land Sold at Public Auction
Ms. Joanne Parandjuk was kind enough to send me a little tidbit on our Tavern. The little tidbit is a big deal and sheds light on ownership of the tavern in the […]
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Freemason Lodge No. 50, A.V.M.
The history of Freemasons in Chester County starts with Philadelphia Lodge 2, to Valley Force Lodge 8, to the “first Lodge to meet in” Chester Lodge No. 50. Lodge 50 met at […]
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William Trent Visits the White Horse
William Trent, a fur trader and merchant based in colonial Pennsylvania, wrote a captivating letter to Richard Peters in July 1750. In the letter, he discussed topics like marriage, business, and Indian […]
Read morePolling Place in Support of a New PA Government and Creating Our Nation
On July 8th, 1776, the citizens of PA voted for delegates to frame a new state government. The new government was necessary after PA delegates at the Provincial Conference earlier voted to […]
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Gen. Smallwood lay at the White Horse
I haven’t found a copy of the actual handwritten notes by Captain Thomas Buchanan. Our Inn is west of Paoli. At the affair of Paoli, in the fall of 1777, I was […]
Read moreBattle of White Horse Tavern–The Gamble of Washington and Howe
Historian Gary Ecelbarge argues an intriguing view backed up by many sources of the gamesmanship and gambles taken by Washington and Howe, and won by Washington, in his article titled “Aggressive-Minded Gamblers: […]
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Breaking News–Stone House and Barn was built before 1721
Okay, so maybe not breaking news, but definitely news. The stone house (eastern half) and the stone barn existed in 1721 and probably built earlier. Most of the historians that have looked […]
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Map–Chester County, Pennsylvania: from original surveys. 1847
Reference to “White Horse Inn”. Library of Congress Digital Copy https://lccn.loc.gov/2012592159 Map of Chester County, Pennsylvania : from original surveys / by S.M. Painter & J.S. Bowen ; projection & drawing by […]
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Map-Operations of the British army, from the 25th August to 26th Sept. 1777
Peter Force’s catalog of manuscript maps. Alternate title from Philip Lee Phillips’ A list of maps of America, p. 699: Map showing the march of the British upon Philadelphia. Manuscript, pen-and-ink and […]
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Two Old Photographs of the Tavern
For a bit, I thought these were the same photo, but I was wrong. They are probably separated by one or two decades. The photo below is shows the house in very […]
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Once Owned by the Richest Man in Philadelphia
Referenced in Wayside Inns on Lancaster Turnpike, written in 1915, calls William Weightman “one of Philadelphia’s well-known capitalists, by whom it was remodeled and repaired.” He bought the White Horse sometime after […]
Read moreMilitary Use in 1840’s
The barn provided shelter in the 1840s for horses as their owners, members of the 4th regiment, formerly the 143rd, gathered for drill and inspections on orders from Colonel Samuel Burnett. An […]
Read morePossible Underground Railway Stop
When we purchased the Tavern from Skip Miller, it was so much fun to walk around the house and listen to the history he discovered in his 42 years of rehabbing the […]
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Map-Chester Co., Pennsylvania. 1860
Real property map published by Kennedy, T. J. in 1860. Shows Tavern owner Adam Reitenbaugh (spelled as A. Reitenaugh and A. Rittenbough). Library of Congress Digital Copy https://lccn.loc.gov/2003627062 Kennedy, T. J. Map […]
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Map–Chester County, Pennsylvania. 1856
Shows reference to the “White Horse Inn”. Library of Congress Digital Copy https://lccn.loc.gov/2012590186 Kennedy, T. J. Map of Chester County, Pennsylvania / corrected, embellished, and published by T.J. Kennedy, Westchester ; from […]
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Map–Seat of war in the environs of Philadelphia. 1785
Seat of war in the environs of Philadelphia. Published in the London Magazine 1777. Library of Congress Digital Copy https://lccn.loc.gov/gm71002457 Kitchin, Thomas, -1784. Seat of war in the environs of Philadelphia: By […]
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Map–The improved part of the Province of Pennsylvania. 1759
Show owner’s name Kennison. Library of Congress Digital Copy https://lccn.loc.gov/74692506 Scull, Nicholas, 1686?-1761? To the Honourable Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, Esqrs., true & absolute proprietaries & Governours of the Province of […]
Read moreConfusion about the Real White Horse Tavern
I’ve now seen a book and a video that refer to a different building as the White Horse Tavern. They are confused by a marketing scheme to use the history of the […]
Read moreAnimation of Battle of the Clouds
Kudos to Western Heritage Mapping on the animation of the battle of the clouds. The house, where at the end of the video, Washington’s troops are lined up before they leave the […]
Read moreLetter from Thomas Paine to Benjamin Franklin
York Town May 16th 1778 Dear Sir Your favor of Octr. 7th did not come to me till March. I was at Camp when Capt. Folger arrived with the Blank Packet. The […]
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Carved Graffiti
Many places on the property have initials or carvings. One near the front door of the 1715 property clearly says B+H. Not sure who that might be, but the serifs on the […]
Read moreSunday Local News-1986-White Horse a proud throwback to days predating developments
Discussion of the town built around the White Horse Tavern. Sunday Local News, West Chester, PA-November 30, 1986 – Proud Throwback
Read moreSunday Local News-1986-It was the summer of 1777, and White Horse saw the battle that–almost–ended the Revolution
Article describing the battle of the clouds: Sunday Local News, West Chester, PA-November 30, 1986 – Summer of 1777
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Scene Of Indian Fight
[Taken from 1954 Main Line Times Article citing notes of Mrs. L. Carstairs Pierce] In 1727 a group of passing Indians shot and killed Richard Thomas’ cow there under the misapprehension it […]
Read moreSuburban & Wayne Times-1966-Segments of Local History
Three articles on the history of the Tavern in the Suburban & Wayne Times written by Irma Flood: Suburban & Wayne Times August 25, 1966 Mentions a previous article presumably August 18, […]
Read moreDaily Local News-1954-History of the White Horse Inn
A nice concise history of the tavern! Daily Local News, West Chester, Pa, April 2, 1954
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The Suburban Advertiser-1981-Inns of Chester County
An article in the Suburban Advertiser has a nice hand-drawn picture of the Inn. The Suburban Advertiser May-28-1981
Read moreMain Line Times-1954-Historic Old White Horse Inn to Go On Auction Block
Article on the auction of the White Horse Inn in 1954. Have some pictures that we need to track down better copies of, including one of the the large fireplace. Main Line […]
Read moreNational Register of Historic Places
Title: White Horse Tavern National Register Information System ID: 78002373 Applicable Criteria: EVENT ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING Areas Of Significance: COMMERCE MILITARY ARCHITECTURE Periods Of Significance: 1750-1799 Significant Years: 1750 Resource Type: BUILDING Related Collections: […]
Read moreJames Thomas First Owner
The history of the White Horse Tavern starts with James Thomas. He was originally from Marion, Pa: James Thomas of Merion. From Llandboyden, Caermarthenshire. Will proved in Philadelphia, August 10, 1699. He […]
Read moreSources cited by Articles on the Tavern
Good sources with references and stories related to the White Horse Tavern & Inn in Chester Country: History of Chester County, Philadelphia, Pa. 1881, Futhey and Cope; [ACQUIRED] Chester County and Its […]
Read more“Why the Cow Jumped Over the Moon” written at the White Horse Tavern
Myrtle L. Berger Swanenberger, a poetess, lived on the property in the early 1920s, writing in 1923 the “Why the Cow Jumped Over the Moon”:
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Map–Attack made against the rebels near White Horse Tavern. 1777
British camp at “Trudruffrin” from the 18th to the 21st of September 1777, with the attack made by Major General Grey against the rebels near White Horse Tavern on the 20th. of […]
Read moreWhite Horse Tavern described in 1915 book on “Wayside Inns”
Pages 185 to 201 describes a lot of the history and function of the White Horse Tavern: “The Wayside Inns of the Lancaster Roadside between Philadelphia and Lancaster” by Julius F. Sachse, […]
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Map–Pennsylvania exhibiting not only the improved parts of that Province, but also its extensive frontiers. 1770
Map showing White Horse, laid down from actual surveys and chiefly from the late map of W. Scull published in 1770; and humbly inscribed to the Honourable Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, […]
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Map–Ye improved part of Pensilvania in America. 1687
The map doesn’t show the White Horse, but it’s interesting to compare with future maps. The property that becomes the White Horse Tavern is in or to the west of “The Welch […]
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Daily Local News-2014-Marker to commemorate ‘Battle of the Clouds’ and the White Horse Tavern
Read an article commemorating the marker you see today at the tavern here.
Read moreShort history of the Tavern in TEHSHQ
Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society History Quarterly, October 1970 Volume 15 Number 4, Page 77 At Plane Brook, on the southside, is the Swananbers home. This was formerly the White Horse Tavern, with […]
Read moreLong Line of Ownership
The ownership dates back to the early 18th century: James Thomas (<1711 – 1722) A Welshman, Thomas, built a log cabin on this location before 1711, and according to tradition, kept an […]
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History of the White Horse Tavern
Welcome to my attempt at collecting all the disparate pieces of information related to the White Horse Tavern. I will endeavor to update this with all the information, pictures, books, etc. that […]
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