Birmingham Meeting

Birmingham Meeting

(1722/1763/1818)
Birmingham Road
Birmingham Township
Public Meetinghouse

The original Quaker Meeting, built of cedar logs, was completed in 1722; the present structure dates from 1763, with the eastern end added in 1818. “Washington had had many sick men in his army, so Birmingham Meeting House had been taken over on September 9th for an American hospital.” On the day of the Battle, “the American line on the east side of Birmingham Road took advantage of the Quaker burial ground’s stone walls, which made perfect breastworks.” After the one-day event, the British treated their wounded at the Meeting. Local legend says that blood stains remained on the wooden floors for years.  A commemorative marker behind the Meeting identifies the common burial ground for the soldiers who died. 

Houses Standing During the Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777

The Barns-Brinton House
Birmingham Meeting
Brinton's Mill
Daniel Davis House
Dilworth's Town Inn
Howe's Headquarters/The George Gilpin House
The John Chads House
Lafayette's Quarters/The Gideon Gilpin House
Old Kennett Meeting
Pennsbury/Lancaster Inn
Springdale Farm
Washington's Headquarters/The Benjamin Ring House
William Brinton 1704 House
William Harvey House

Further Reading:

The Battle of Brandywine: The Human Toll by Mary Costella

 


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