"Belfry is located at the Worcester line, dividing that township from Whitpain and the Skippack road. A flour, feed, coal and lumber-yard, kept by Theodore Harrar, blacksmith shop and several houses constitute the village. There is a post-office here, making the third in the district."
- Bean, 1172
Robert Porter
Anthony Morris and the heirs of Richard Whitpain were the original owners of the land. It was the year 1754 sold this part of the land (140 acres) to Robert Porter, Jr. (1698-1770). Born in Ireland, he immigrated to the New England area of the US in 1720 where he started his own family. He built his home soon after purchasing the lot. It was built by the spring and the narrow meadow. It was owned by the Porter family for 20 years. In 1774, his son Charles Porter sold 142 acres to Leonard Metz with the house. He lived in the home for 20 years. He sold the land and home to Valentine Bush/Busch in 1793.
A Place for Business
Valentine Bush lived on the property for 30 years. He saw the opportunity to open a public house after knowing the home was on one of the main market roads of Montgomery County: Skippack Pike. The tavern was named "White Horse."
Fun Fact # 1: In 1808, the tavern was known as "The Trooper."
In 1826, the tavern house was sold to Samuel Deem for $3,200, which was a small price due to the quality of the land being poor. In 1840, the land was reduced to 100 acres, and was sold to Abraham Brower. His son in-law John L. Tyson became the last landlord of the tavern after he purchased it in 1854 for $6,000. In 1857, he died in an accident as a result of a "runaway team."
Back to Normal
The former tavern became a private property after Jacob Baker purchased the property in 1857. After passing away in 1875, his wife Margaret continued living on the property until her daughter Emma bought the property in 1893. She was the wife of Theodore M. Harrar (1845-1912), who carried out a coal and feed business near the station.
Fun Fact # 2: Theodore M. Harrar was elected in the PA House of Representatives in 1882.
In 1902, the home was sold to Sarah E. Fry (1853-1939) for $5,600.
Architecture
According to the Ambler Gazette, there was a large barn with a stone dwelling with a Mansard roof. It was said it was built in 1804.
Bibliography
Bean, Theodore Weber. History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2. (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1884): 1172.
"Local History Sketch. Interesting Local Matter Collected by 'E.M.' The Belfry Hotel--Robert Porter--Leonard Metz--Valentine Bush--Samuel Deam--Abraham Brower--John L. Tyson--Jacob Baker--Theodore M. Harrar--Sarah E. Fry." Ambler Gazette. June 30, 1910. Page 7. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_5428.
"Theodore M. Harrar." Pennsylvania House of Representatives House Archives. Accessed March 30, 2024. https://archives.house.state.pa.us/people/member-biography?ID=6626.
The Scotch-Irish in America: Proceedings and Addresses of the Tenth Congress, at Chambersburg, PA., May 30-June 2, 1901. (Nashville: Bigham & Smith, 1902): 242-244.
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