Pleasants House (1788) - Fallsington, PA - Pre-Victorian Historic Homes on Waymarking.com

This is a beautiful old, stone home to the rear of the town common. This is a private residence and has been since 1788. Built next to Hough House, built 20 years earlier of similar design and architecture.

John Merrick built both of the homes adjoining Meetinghouse Square for his two daughters. The Pleasants House, built in 1788 at 14 Meetinghouse Square, stands to the right of the Burges-Lippincott House. A two-story stone structure, it bears a date stone high in the gable. Interior features include a walk-in fireplace and stone dry sink. The Hough House, next down Old Tyburn Road, was started circa 1768. The larger section was added in about 1783, when the daughter married Jessie Hough, a tanner. The houses have always been privately owned. The ruins of the tannery lie in the woods behind the house. For some reason, whenever this house is mentioned, it is mentioned with the Hough House. These two homes seem to be a couple of sorts.

b>About the Historic District

Fallsington is an authentic 300-year-old Quaker settlement. This village pre-dates other Friends historic districts by at least 50 years. Little known, and underrepresented in history books, it is one of the best existing examples of authentic pre-colonial life in America. There is a decent history of this village found in a nice book called The Buried Past: an Archaeological History of Philadelphia By John L. Cotter, Daniel G. Roberts, Michael Parrington. It can be found on Google Books which can be found SOURCE HERE (page 363-367). One last interesting note, looking at Google Earth, it is clear to see this village, via Main Street, was at one time connected to the Lincoln Highway.

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District Nomination Form Narrative
In 1971, the Village of Fallsington was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This nationally-registered historic district takes its name from nearby "Falls of the Delaware." Immediately surrounding the historic district is a neighborhood of residences of various ages, circa 1700's to 1990's. This 18th century old stone home is one of thirty structures which make up the historic district. It is one of several homes completely made of stone. The following limited text is excerpted from the original district nomination form submitted to the Department of Interior in 1971.

The Hough House and the Pleasants House, two handsome stone buildings of the eighteenth century facing Meeting House Square. In the back stand the ruins of the tannery owned by John Merrick.
SOURCE

Address
14 Meetinghouse Square
Fallsington, PA 19054

Earliest Recorded Date of Construction: 01/01/1788 Additional Dates of Construction: Please refer to long description Architectural Period/Style: Post Colonial Architect (if known): John Merrick Type of Building e.g. Country House, Stately Home, Manor: Private Home Interesting Historical Facts or Connections: Please refer to long description Listed Building Status (if applicable): Contributing Structure to Historic District Main Material of Construction: Stone Private/Public Access: Private But Open During Certain Events Related Website: [Web Link] Rating: Landscape Designer (if known): Not listed Admission Fee (if applicable): Not Listed Opening Hours (if applicable): Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   09/03/2009 UnNamed visited it

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