America250: Patriots, Spies and Traitors at the Plumsteadville Inn

We're going to explore a bit deeper into Bucks County and its Revolutionary War history at this event as we visit the Plumsteadville Inn in Plumstead Township.

The Plumsteadville Inn dates to 1751 when it was opened as the Hart Tavern or James Hart's Tavern, by owner James Hart. James passed away in 1765. But his eldest two sons, Samuel Hart (who took ownership of the tavern after his father's death) and Col. William Hart, were members of the local Pennsylvania Associators militia, Second Battalion during the Revolutionary War. They were both involved in a 1783 confrontation with the infamous Doan Gang at the nearby Halsey Cabin that resulted in the shooting death of Moses Doan.

In fact, the Harts were rivals with the Doans from childhood, the Hart children growing up to be patriots during the Revolutionary War, while the Doans became traitors, spies and saboteurs who were loyal to the crown.

We'll delve a bit deeper into this colonial era family feud and look at how it was a microcosm for all of Bucks County, where loyalties were divided between patriots and loyalists and those who were just "disaffected" and didn't especially support the revolutionaries or the crown.

According to the Plumsteadville Tavern's website, these divisions were present within the Hart family and led to them selling their tavern during or shortly after the war and eventually leaving the area. Other sources say the Harts disposed of the tavern for strictly financial reasons.

Meet for lunch at 1 p.m. I plan to reserve one of the "original dining rooms" in the part of the building that dates to 1751. Optional pre-lunch drink at the bar at 12:30.

I know this will be a long drive for many of you, but if you can make it, see you there!