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by Beth S. Buxbaum
As spring begins to unfold and the landscape comes alive, London Purchase Farm is awakened again. This property, established in the early 1700s, was the site of strategic meetings during the Revolutionary War with George Washington, Colonel Alexander Hamilton and General George Knox. As the most recent stewards of London Purchase Farm, Roger Pomerantz and Cathy ColT are surrounded by this history. Entering into the many stories of the events that took place here, they are enjoying the journey.
Living in an historic home is quite a departure from their former life in Chalfont. Roger and Cathy lived for thirty years in a French Provincial ranch-style home. After so many decades, they were looking for a change. “I wanted a new adventure,” Roger explains. World travelers and adventurers, they were ready for something different or a change in venue. Semi-retired, Roger was a doctor of infectious disease; as well as the founder and CEO of a biotech company and currently serves on the boards of several biotech companies. Cathy was a retina specialist in a practice in the Philadelphia suburbs.
This yearning for a change began during the pandemic and resulted in a decision to find a new home. “We knew we wanted to stay in the area and began working with a realtor from Sotheby’s,” Roger adds, “and she showed us a series of large mansions.” As they toured these properties they knew this was not what they were looking for in a home. “We wanted something with character,” adds Cathy. “Over the years we had friends who lived in small farmhouses and I was attracted to that type of life,” she adds. Maybe that was the compass that redirected their search. As they continued viewing homes, their realtor asked what they needed to see to feel it was the right property. “We said we need to say WOW,” says Roger. One day, in 2020, the realtor called and said “I think we have your WOW!
For Roger and Cathy, London Purchase Farm, in Upper Makefield, was the wow. From the beauty of the landscape, in an expansive private setting, to the authenticity of the interior, they were taken by all that this homestead had to offer. “Then we learned the history and that was what got us,” Cathy shares. “We could envision ourselves in all the different spaces,” Roger adds. Not only was the homestead centuries-old, the current owners honored that history with an authenticity and detail that enhanced the properties appeal. Rooms were filled with Colonial furniture and artifacts, walls and wood trim were finished in Colonial colors. The house itself told the story of its expansion throughout the decades. Roger and Cathy were interested. The property never went on the market. A private sale took place in November of 2020. “We got to know the prior owners, who had lived here for 20 years, and they became our friends,” Roger explains. Roger points out how this couple, who were selling this historic manse, maintained the home’s integrity. They authenticated the interior of the home with many colonial-era furniture pieces and a color palette in deep red and mustard tones. Appreciating this replication of interior style, Roger and Cathy bought many of the furniture pieces and, in some cases, entire room settings.
At the time of purchase the property totaled 42 acres, a portion of the original 70 acres evidenced in a Revolutionary era map dating back to 1781. “We wanted to bring the property back to its early acreage,” Roger explains. Dotted across the landscape are seven streams, a pond and a springhouse. Roger wanted to buy and conserve the other 28 acres that comprised the original land. “We were able to purchase smaller plots of land surrounding their property with the help of Jeff Marshall,” Roger adds. After the purchase they conserved two-thirds of the land. “One positive outcome was that we bought one plot of land that was marked for a development,” he says. That was the best thing we did and even our neighbors thanked us.” Preserving this history and the land it sits on was definitely a major priority.
Historical accounts state that William Penn purchased 5000 acres of land from the British Crown and then sold 265 acres to the London Land and Trading Company in 1711. John Chapman bought the acreage from the London Land and Trading Company in the early 1700s, which explains the reference to the farm’s name. This homestead played a major role during the Revolutionary War. Records indicate that the Chapman house, (as it was also referred to) was the headquarters of the artillery portion of the American army under General Henry Knox and Colonel Alexander Hamilton in December 1776. Roger states that “this headquarters was utilized and lived in by General Henry Knox and Colonel Alexander Hamilton, who commanded the Artillery of the Revolutionary Army.” General Knox had an office and bedroom on the east end of the first floor. In the early 1800s this space was transformed into one large formal sitting room. Evidence that it was one room lies in the existence of two fireplaces. On the other hand, the Hamilton bedroom, in the rear of the manor house is fully intact.
According to accounts, George Washington would meet with Knox and Hamilton here, and soldiers practiced maneuvers and artillery on the front lawn of the property. On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1776 Washington, Hamilton and Knox crossed the Delaware to fight in the Battle of Trenton. A plaque on the property reads: “it is on the ‘London Purchase Farm, circa 1735, headquarters of General Henry Knox and Captain Alexander Hamilton in 1776, before crossing the Delaware River with George Washington during the Revolutionary War, National Register of Historic Places, Washington, D.C.” An extensive list of owners begins with William Penn in the late 1690s and the London Trading Company and then it stayed in the Chapman family from 1711 to 1844. From 1845 to 2020 there were 19 different owners with some living here only few years and others spanning decades.
Originally built in 1735 by John Chapman, known as the surveyor, this home consisted of one first floor room with one room above. Roger explains that this first floor room, with all the original wood floors and wood beams, was the tavern room. Available for use by travelers, one corner of this room has a caged bar area. As Roger relays the story, the cage was built around the bar to prevent the unruly patrons from having a free-for-all with the alcohol. Completing this room is a spacious sitting area with a huge walk-in fireplace. Adjacent to the bar is a back staircase to the upstairs room. “On the second floor of the tavern was the bedroom, where travelers (only men) would share a half cot,” Roger continues. Interestingly, Roger speaks of “a legendary ghost described as a male dressed in green garb from the 1700s who descends that back staircase to the tavern room. Roger shares that the last time there were accounts of the ghost appearing was in the 1960s. As the earliest section of the house, it has been preserved and remains as it was in 1734.
John Chapman, the surveyor, died in 1743, and left the property to his son, Dr. John Chapman the 3rd, who was three at the time of his passing. Dr. John Chapman, who attended the Medical College of Pennsylvania, (now the University of PA Medical School) inherited the property when he turned 21 in 1761. There is historical evidence that he was living on the property and it was likely that the core of the house was built in the 1760s, which added a dining room that was believed to have been built for Dr. Chapman’s wife. The room was the meeting room during the war where Washington, Hamilton and Knox strategized.
By 1810 the son of Chapman the 3rd took possession of the property and added a third section to create a more formal and grand entrance to the manor house. Roger explains that there was more wealth by this time and Chapman the 4th wanted to show his wealth with a more luxurious entry. With this addition the roof was raised and a third floor was added serving as the quarters for the children and nanny. Expansions to the manor house did not occur again until 2020, when a fourth section was added to create a conservatory and a second floor primary bedroom suite. With properties of this age several additions are constructed over the years, some more seamlessly than others. As one moves through the additions in this manor home the interior is like a jigsaw puzzle. Roger and Cathy shared that they got lost when they first moved into the house. Having a sense of rambling, the connectors are a series of staircases or steps throughout, moving up and down, from century to century. Once acclimated and familiar with the interior, Roger and Cathy began to fill the living areas with all their favorite things. As world travelers they have collected an array of items representative of the countries they visited. In addition to the many art pieces, artifacts and items of cultural significance in their collections, they also have artwork from local artists. Rooms are accented with an eclectic styling, mixing antique and modern, and in some cases maintaining the room and its period-specific appointments as they were when they first visited the manor house.
While enjoying the authenticity and historical relevance of the manor house, they did decide to upgrade the kitchen and family room area that was added in the mid 1800s. Renovations were done to this space in 2020. Roger explains that it was very dark and outdated. After adding a bank of windows to bring in more light, they opened up the space to create a great room. Accented with the original wood beam ceiling and floors, as well as the original fireplace from the 1800s, this renovated room now has an open feel. During this renovation an addition was built to create the conservatory and a second floor primary bedroom suite. Awash with the natural light streaming in through the floor-to-ceilings windows, the conservatory is a departure from the design elements of the early sections of the house. Wood trim around the windows and the coffered ceiling is finished in white. This airy room has been appointed in several soft blue tones and brings a breath of calm and relaxation to the living space. A view from the walls-of- windows showcases all the greenery, trees in bloom and gardens on the landscape. Just outside the kitchen is a garden overflowing with a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits.
Gardens and crops are part of the farm’s ambiance. What would a farm be without animals? During the purchase, Roger and Cathy decided to maintain the property and all it offered. “We bought the farm animals that lived on the property including four horses, a pony and goats,” Roger adds, “and we have bee hives. This is a diverse ecosystem.” Along with all that lives and grows on this expansive property is the original red bank barn that was built in 1783. A renovation was in order for this original structure. Floors and ceilings were redone and the second level was transformed into a multifunction space enveloped in rich wood tones and consisting of a conference and dining area, plus a library complete with built-in bookshelves and rolling ladders. Other outbuildings on the property include a stone carriage house and tobacco barn built in 1794. The carriage house and tobacco barn have been upgraded and transformed into guest houses. Family and friends always enjoy staying in one of these guest houses, including their son.
As a fairly new residence for Roger and Cathy, they are still adjusting to their new lifestyle. Living in an historic house brings up many questions, stories, and revelations. With so much to experience and enjoy, this move has proven to be a fulfilling new journey. “It’s a remarkable property,” adds Roger. Hopefully one they will treasure for many years to come.
Beth S. Buxbaum is a freelance writer from the Philadelphia area.