Parker’s Ford to Trappe – Part 1

Parker’s Ford to Trappe – Part 1

After the Battle of the Clouds and the subsequent moves through Yellow Springs to Warwick and Reading Furnaces (more about the furnaces in a future post) Washington decided to move back East towards the British with the intention of crossing the Schuylkill River and defending the multiple fords against a British crossing. The British Army remained in the Tredyffrin and Valley Forge areas on the west side of the river and could cross at several locations to then move southeast into Philadelphia.
The most direct route from the French Creek Valley area to the Providences opposite Fatland Ford, Swede’s Ford and others was Parker’s Ford located in East Vincent Township, Chester County. Parker’s Ford was named after Edward Parker who built a tavern there in 1766. Washington ordered Anthony Wayne’s troops to move from Warwick and take a position just west of the British Army to cover his rear. On September 19th, 1777, the rest of the Continental Army marched from Warwick Furnace to Parker’s Ford, about ten miles.

At the time, the town around Parker’s Tavern was known as Lawrenceville, and consisted of the tavern, several homes, a barn, outbuildings, and mills. It sat along the Schuylkill Road, or “Great Road” a main highway between Philadelphia and Reading. The Tavern is located approximately 175 yards from the banks of the river. It’s unknown exactly where the ford was located, however 19th century maps place it south of Pigeon Creek at a point where the river is split into two by what was known as a “five acre island.”

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The area on both sides of the river now is completely overgrown with woods and heavy underbrush. There’s not trace of the road leading up to where the ford would be, on either side. On the east side, “This was Linfield-Trappe Road, which originated then at the ford, crossing the river to Limerick Township. The road across the river was submerged in 1848 as a result of the building of the Yankee Dam.” (“Limerick Township: A Journey Through Time 1699 – 1987” by Muriel E. Lichtenwalner, Limerick Township Historical Society, Limerick, PA 1987) The dam was removed in 2009, I imagine returning the water level to what it was at the time of the Continental Army’s crossing.

The army started arriving at the ford in the early afternoon on Friday the 19th and then proceeded to cross. Lt. James McMichael wrote in his diary: “At dawn, broke camp and crossed the Schuylkill at 2 P.M., at Parker’s Ford, where we had to strip to wade. Reached the great road to Reading, passed the Trappe, crossed the Perkiomen, on the eastern bank of which we encamped. Through false alarms we got no rest, tho’ after such fatigue rest would have been very agreeable” (William P. McMichael. “Diary of Lieutenant James McMichael, of the Pennsylvania Line, 1776–1778.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 16 (1892)) .

“The story is told by the folks living the Parker’s Ford at that time is that the weary soldiers took off their clothing, wrapped it around their guns and crossed the river hodling guns and clothing over their heads. They had a long march ahead of them and preferred to do it in dry clothing.” (“Limerick Township: A Journey Through Time 1699 – 1987” by Muriel E. Lichtenwalner, Limerick Township Historical Society, Limerick, PA 1987)

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It is believed that Washington spent the night of the 19th the Parker Tavern, however this may not be accurate (more about that in Part 2). Anthony Wayne’s troops were supposed to have crossed here after the Paoli Massacre several days later, probably around the 21st, to meet up with the rest of the army now moving on the east side of the river. (I haven’t done much research into Wayne’s movements after Paoli at the moment.)

Today, East Vincent Township owns the property, purchased in 2003, and there are plans for restoration, however nothing substantial has been done to the tavern building itself as far as I can tell (besides the roof and cornice). This is a beautiful area; the Schuylkill River Trail runs between here and Rt. 724 just to the west. I’d love to see a completely restored site with museum, interpretive displays, etc.