This history of the neighborhood plays a vital part in the identity of its residents. If you have lived in the neighborhood for many years, the neighborhood history is a heartfelt reminder of days gone by. If you have just come to call the neighborhood home, it is a way to learn more about the new community you have joined. We would love nothing more than to be able to share the history of neighborhood name with all who reside there. If you are interested in writing a brief history of the neighborhood to share with the community, please contact us! |
- Marple Newtown Historical Association610-353-4967
P.O. Box 755, Broomall, PA 19008
Contact: Richard Paul, President
E-Mail: mnhistsol@juno.com - The Thomas Massey HouseThe Thomas Massey House is a monument to the American dream – the home of an indentured servant who became a landowner, and like the American dream the house has endured over 300 years. The Thomas Massey House is one of the oldest English Quaker homes in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is on the National Register of Historical Places, and the Historical American Building Survey.
The Thomas Massey House is unique because so much of the original fabric has survived. The 1696 brick portion was built by Thomas Massey as an addition to the existing log or frame house. In 1731 his son, Mordecai, replaced the log or frame house with a stone section. During the restoration, evidence of a walk-in-fireplace and beehive oven was discovered. These features have been reconstructed and are in use today.
Ninety-three years before the Declaration of Independence was signed, a group of people, known as The Society of Friends departed England to come to Pennsylvania where they could practice religious freedom. A part of this group of Friends, or Quakers, came on the Ketch “Endeavor”, arriving in the Delaware River on September 29, 1683, and disembarked at Upland, which is now Chester.
Thomas Massey was born in the village of Marpoole (Marple) in Cheshire, England. Arriving in America at the age of twenty Thomas disembarked at Chester as an indentured servant to Francis Stanfield, who thusly provided transportation for eight people to the New World. Thomas fulfilled his indenture and received the promised 50 acres of ground from his master and 50 acres from William Penn. Arriving with Thomas on the “Endeavor” was a thirteen year old girl, Phebe Taylor, who came with her mother and seven siblings to join their father, Robert. In 1692 Thomas Massey married Phebe Taylor – he was twenty nine, she was twenty two.
By 1696 Thomas was able to buy three hundred acres of land from James Stanfield, the son of Francis, and established his “plantation” in Marple Township. At this time he started his fine brick house. Seven children were born to Thomas and Phebe before his death in 1707. In his will Thomas left his “plantation” to his eldest son, Mordecai, with the provision that Phebe should have “the lower room in the brick end of the house, a horse and a cow” as long as she remained a widow. Mordecai was thirteen when his father died, and his youngest sister was less than a year old. With seven small children to raise it was no wonder that in two years Phebe married, Bartholomew Coppock, a widower with two children.
Mordecai Massey married Rebecca Rhoads in 1731, it was probably about this time that he changed the original log or frame house to stone. A kitchen addition was made in the early 19th century and about 1860 a room was added over the kitchen. It was fashionable at this time to have a section of siding on a house, which is why the second story of the kitchen was faced with siding on one side.
In 1964 the Massey House was on the verge of demolition when a descendant, Lawrence M.C. Smith bought the house and one acre of ground, and gave it to the Township of Marple for restoration. Restoration was to be completed in ten years. Although the “plantation” is now only one acre, gardens of the period are maintained.
The Massey House is presently furnished with appropriate late 17th and 18th century furniture.
Children of Thomas and Phebe Massey:
Esther (1693)
Mordecai (1695)
James (1697)
Hannah (1699)
Thomas (1701)
Phebe (1705)
Mary (1707)
Early residents of the Massey House:
Thomas and Phebe Massey
Mordecai and Rebecca Rhoads Massey
Henry and Hannah Massey Lawrence
The Thomas Massey House is open to the public for tours between 1 and 4 Sunday afternoon beginning with the last weekend in April and ending the last weekend in October excluding Holiday weekends or by appointment. See the events calendar for special events scheduled throughout the year. There is no admission fee however, donations are greatly appreciated.
