The triangular section of Lower Gwynedd near Wissahickon High School dates back to the early 18th century when it was originally owned by the Fleck family. Between the 1880s and 90s, we see a dramatic change to the Fleck land when wealthy families began to move into the community, including the Markoe family who took a small portion of the original Fleck land.
Abraham Markoe and his Descendants
The first Markoe to arrive to America was Abraham Markoe (1727-1806). He was a Danish citizen who was born in St. Croix, which was known at the time as Danish West Indies, where he inherited his father's sugar plantation. Abraham was known to be the founder and captain of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry after arriving to Philadelphia in 1770, and even presented the troop the first flag that displayed the 13 stripes to represent the 13 American colonies. Denmark, meanwhile, remained neutral during the war, and declared whoever gets caught in the war against the British, their property will be confiscated in St. Croix. As a result, Abraham quit fighting in 1776.
Fun Fact # 1: The flag Abraham presented was used to lead the Continental Army to major battles in Philadelphia and New Jersey.
His son from his second marriage, John Markoe (1781-1834), hired architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe to build his mansion on Chestnut Street between 9th and 10th streets.
Fun Fact # 2: Benjamin Latrobe was known to be the architect behind the US Capitol and the east and west colonnades of the White House.
Harry Markoe
Prior to purchasing his home near Spring House, Harry Markoe (1845-1929) temporarily stayed at a farm near the Penllyn station in 1888 before transferring it to Stephen A. Caldwell and Thomas McKean. Some time after 1888 and before 1891, he purthe chased a small tract of land that was originally owned by Samuel J. Fleck (1804-1889).
"This comprised the northeast side of the Fleck tract. It bordered the Bethlehem turnpike, by the side of which was the dwelling. It also reached to the mill road and the Penllyn and Springhouse road. This homestead has long been the residence of Samuel Fleck but as yet is of the estate of his father, Samuel Fleck, recently deceased. The surface mostly level, is a depression between two slopes. The western corner and a wooded hillside bordering the Penllyn turnpike have been sold off, in recent years, to Henry Markoe and William B. Churchman, who have erected fine country sears thereon."
- North Penn Paper, The Fleck Lands and Family of Gwynedd
Harry was educated at the Classical Institute in Philadelphia, ran by Reverend John W. Faires. He entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1861, but left during his final year before receiving a degree.
Architecture
By viewing Google Maps and real estate websites, 2 addresses were listed, but little did I know these 2 homes used to belong on one property. And that property belonged to the Markoe family. One of the homes was the home of Harry Markoe with its unique architectural features no one would see in any home in Lower Gwynedd. His home is more towards a Shingle-style, that became popular in the New England area in the 1880s, with its shed dormers and complex shapes around the home.
In 1900, Philadelphia architect Wilson Eyre, Jr. was responsible for the alterations of the mantels and installed wainscoting in the dining room of the home.
Interestingly, a tower house was built around 1904, possibly to house employees to worked around his home.
Bibliography
"820 Penllyn Pike, Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002." Redfin. Accessed June 28, 2024. https://www.redfin.com/PA/Ambler/820-Penllyn-Pike-19002/home/38471293.
"824 Penllyn Pike, Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002." Redfin. Accessed February 14, 2024. https://www.redfin.com/PA/Ambler/824-Penllyn-Pike-19002/home/38462459.
Baist, G. Wm. Montgomery County 1891, Ambler Borough, Spring House, Penllyn Sta. Left, Plate 009, 1891.
Biographical Catalogue of the Matriculates of the College Together with Lists of the Members of the College Faculty and the Trustees, Officers and Recipients of Honorary Degrees, 1749-1893. (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania. Society of the Alumni, 1894): 249.
Burt, Nathaniel. The Perennial Philadelphians: The Anatomy of an American Aristocracy. (Philadelphia: Little, Brown, and Company, 1963): 64-65.
"Capt. Abraham Markoe." Geni. Last modified August 7, 2020. https://www.geni.com/people/Capt-Abraham-Markoe/6000000009147590020.
Delta Phi Catalogue 1827-1907. (Michigan: Mason-Henry Press, 1907): 302.
Entrop, Michelle. "Abram Abraham Markoe (1727 - 1806)." WikiTree. Last modified December 18, 2021. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Markoe-20.
"Harry Markoe." Penn Libraries University Archives and Records Center. Accessed February 14, 2024. https://archives.upenn.edu/exhibits/penn-people/biography/harry-markoe/.
"John Markoe." The Library Company of Philadelphia. Accessed February 9, 2024. https://digital.librarycompany.org/islandora/object/digitool%3A59442.
Johnson, Robert Amandus. Saint Croix 1770-1776: The First Salute to the Stars and Stripes. (Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2006): 17-20.
Latrobe, Benjamin Henry, Architect, and John Markoe. Architectural drawing for a house for John Markoe, near 9th Street and Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Philadelphia, 1809. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/95860819/.
"Local History. Facts of Historical Interest Concerning the Fritz, Mathias, Geatrell and Thomas Properties, Near Ambler and Penllyn." Ambler Gazette. December 27, 1900. Page 2. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_2874.
"Markoe Residence, 'Llan Gwydden.'" Philadelphia Architects and Buildings. Accessed February 9, 2024. https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/pj_display.cfm/126811.
McAlester, Virginia Savage. A Field Guide to American Houses: The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America's Domestic Architecture. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013): 373-384.
McKnight III, DeLoss. "John Markoe." Find a Grave. Accessed February 9, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11323022/john_markoe.
Mueller, A. H. Atlas of the North Penn Section of Montgomery County, Pa., Plate 27, 1916.
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