Call Number:

03

Repository:

Solebury Township Historical Society

Extent:

29.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

circa 1980-2008

Creator:

Harrington, Edwin, 1920-2009

Abstract:

Originally part of Buckingham Township, the township of Solebury in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was incorporated circa 1702. Industries, particularly farming, became prevalent in the area by the 19th century; the picturesque landscape also drew many prominent artists to the area. Edwin (Ned) Harrington (1920-2009), who was considered Solebury Township's unofficial historian, authored numerous publications and conducted a tremendous amount of research on various local history topics, particularly local families and historic properties. The Ned Harrington local research files and publications, circa 1980-2008, include Harrington's privately-published histories as well as his research files, which are organized into three series: family files; property files; and local history. There is also a small amount of materials that have been added over time by the Solebury Township Historical Society.

"At one time the area that is now Solebury Township was inhabited by a group of Native American Algonquian Indians, the Lenni-Lenape, or the "Original People." One of three tribes from this group that settled in the Delaware River valley, the Turtle Tribe, occupied the area which later became Solebury.

"English Quakers settled in the area around 1700, a time that Solebury was part of Buckingham Township. The township of Solebury was incorporated in about the year 1702, carved out of lands deeded to William Penn in the late 1600s. In 1703, records show that Solebury had 28 tracts of land, averaging 414 acres, owned by 24 landowners and farmers. (The Borough of New Hope was part of the township until 1837).

"The first settlers were drawn to the area by the location on the Delaware River and by its fertile soils. First modest log homes were built, followed by the traditional fieldstone houses which still dot [the] landscape today.

"Industries began to spring up around the township's abundant natural resources. Numerous mills were built along the streams that ground grain, sawed wood, pulverized wood for paper, crushed limestone, and even produced silk. Farming was a major industry, and beneath the fertile soil minerals such as limestone and sandstone were found and utilized.

"Villages were born; self-sustaining enclaves with a post office, store, church and blacksmith shop (and an occasional barber shop)...

"It wasn't long before the serene beauty of Solebury was discovered by the artist community. Following in the footsteps of such famous resident artists as Edward Redfield, William Lathrop, and Daniel Garber. Many in the art community still find inspiration [there].

As of 2013, Solebury Township "boasts three National Historic Landmarks, six National Historic Districts, and more than 500 homes built in the 18th and 19th centuries. More than 30% of its land is preserved."

Bibliography:

Quoted text from: Solebury Township Historical Society. "History of Solebury Township." Accessed July 31, 2013. http://www.soleburyhistory.org/soleburytownship.html

This collection consists of privately-published volumes of historical research (Hillside Press) compiled by Ned Harrington as well as Harrington's research files, with a small amount of materials that have been added over time by the Solebury Township Historical Society. The collection is organized into three series: I. Family files, II. Property files, III. Local history.

Series I. Family files document local families from Solebury Township and the surrounding area. The series is organized alphabetically by family name and contains copies of primary-source documents, newspaper clippings and copies of secondary-source articles, handwritten research notes, family trees, and correspondence with family members about genealogical research.

Series II. Property files are organized by tax parcel in Solebury Township, and each file contains a bound volume under the imprint "The Hillside Press." Over 400 historic properties that were built before 1900 are documented. The volumes for each property contain photocopies of: deeds, wills, maps, deed searches, historic resource surveys, and other related documents. Some files contain more recent copies and computer print-outs of real estate listings and other property-related documents added by the Solebury Township Historical Society. There is also a drawer of unfinished files, stored separately and following the same organizational scheme. The unfinished files contain materials similar to those found in the finished files as well as some handwritten research notes, but they are not usually bound into volumes.

Series III. Local history contains the same types of materials found in the first two series--photocopies of primary and secondary-source documents--compiled by Harrington on topics such as New Hope/Ivyland Railroad, First Homesteaders of Solebury Township, individual villages in Solebury, among others. They are also marked with the imprint "The Hillside Press."