Call Number:

01

Repository:

Union Library of Hatboro

Extent:

1.2 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1799-1999 (inclusive)

Creator:

Union Library of Hatboro.

Abstract:

In 1715, the Crooked Billet Inn was built by John Dawson in what is now known as Hatboro Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It was a farming village that boasted one of the first rural libraries in Pennsylvania, the Union Library Company. The Union Library of Hatboro local history collection, 1799-1999, contains primary and secondary materials relating to Hatboro history and events.

In 1715, the Crooked Billet Inn was built by John Dawson in what is now known as Hatboro Township. It was a farming village that boasted one of the first rural libraries in Pennsylvania, the Union Library Company. The town put great emphasis on education and built the Loller Academy in 1811. Originally a private school, it became the public school for the village in 1848. As of 2011, the building still stands and is currently used as Borough Administrative Offices and Montgomery County District Court.

Hatboro is also known for its role in the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Crooked Billett took place there in 1778 while Philadelphia was occupied by the British. "The militia, commanded by General John Lacey and assigned to cut off British supplies, was encamped here. Surprised by British troops, they were defeated and driven off with heavy losses."

Bibliography:

Greater Hatboro Chamber of Commerce. "Hatboro History." Accessed October 24, 2011. http://www.hatboro-pa.com/hathist.htm.

Union Library of Hatboro local history collection, 1799-1999, is comprised of both primary and secondary source materials pertaining to Hatboro. Items of particular interest include cemetery records of Hatboro Baptist and Lehman churches, a minute book of Horsham Friends Meeting (1897), and a minute book of the Mite Society of Lehman Methodist Church (1861-1911). Part of the collection is located in the reference section of the public library space and part is located in the archives room.

In the reference section of the public library space are mostly secondary materials and materials dating from the second half of the 20th century. There are two scrapbooks containing original and reproduced photographs of Hatboro buildings, circa 1980; as well as one scrapbook on United States Bicentennial celebrations in Hatboro, 1976, which includes clippings, photographs, and ephemera. Also in the reference section are a binder and several folders of secondary reference materials on Hatboro history, especially the Battle of Crooked Billet. These include photocopies of newspaper clippings, scholarly articles, and business directories from 1943 and 1995 to 1999.

The section of the local history collection located in the attic contains more primary materials, and more early 20th- and late 19th- century documents than are in the reference room.

Items include:

1770 typed item reproducing Longstreth deed

1873 copy of Public Spirit

Clippings 1908 and 1912

Trip from Phila. To Wash. Crossing - 1920

Hatboro F. S. & L. Community Guide - 1953

Booklet - Life of Wm. Penn by Buell

1978 Today Spirit with 200th Anniversary. of Battle of Crooked Billet

Brochures on 130th and 150th anniversary, of the Battle of Crooked Billet

Hatboro Bicentennial Booklet

Cemetery records, H. Baptist and Lehman churches

Paper witnessed by R. Loller and N. Boileau - 1799

Honor Club - 1906

Papers re: Crooked Billet monument

"Hatboro Tidbits" (opening of movie theater 1938; post office 1924; fire at h.s.)

1894 articles - re: Gov. Wm. Keith

Minute book - Horsham Friends Meeting - 1897

Minute book - Mite Society - Lehman Methodist Church - 1861-1911

Newspaper clippings attributed to William Buck, a local historian - 1873, 1881

75th Anniversary of Ivyland - 1948

Two scrapbooks of newspaper clippings dealing with local history and area social events, dating from 1900s-1920s and 1920s-1930s