Pleasant Hill Plantation
Encyclopedia
Pleasant Hill Plantation is a stone farmhouse located in Glenmoore, Pennsylvania.
The original structure of two stories and three bays was built by Matthew Robinson or Robertson, probably before the American Revolution
. He died in 1792 and left the house to his son David. Around 1800, it was sold to the Lewis brothers, John and Samuel. They were probably responsible for an addition of two bays on the west side of the house at this time. Local tradition associates the house with a tavern, possibly at this time; however, if so, it was never licensed to dispense liquor. In addition to their reputed tavern-keeping, the Lewises also opened an iron mine on the farm. They lost the property in 1824, when it was sold by the sheriff to Isaac Wayne Van Leer.
Van Leer, a grandnephew of Anthony Wayne
, was the son of William R. Van Leer, a local ironmaster. Isaac Wayne was a progressive agriculturalist and horticulturalist. He enlarged an existing structure into a barn soon after purchase, and replaced the old log kitchen with a new addition to the house in 1843. Van Leer also added gilt paint and other fashionable touches to the house and planted rarities in his gardens. His grandnephew, George Howard Earle III
(later Governor of Pennsylvania) was born at the house in 1890. After Van Leer's death in 1896, the condition of Pleasant Hill deteriorated, particularly when it was rented out during the 1930s. It was restored in 1948 and remains a private residence.
Pleasant Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places
on February 24, 1983.
The original structure of two stories and three bays was built by Matthew Robinson or Robertson, probably before the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. He died in 1792 and left the house to his son David. Around 1800, it was sold to the Lewis brothers, John and Samuel. They were probably responsible for an addition of two bays on the west side of the house at this time. Local tradition associates the house with a tavern, possibly at this time; however, if so, it was never licensed to dispense liquor. In addition to their reputed tavern-keeping, the Lewises also opened an iron mine on the farm. They lost the property in 1824, when it was sold by the sheriff to Isaac Wayne Van Leer.
Van Leer, a grandnephew of Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne was a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony.-Early...
, was the son of William R. Van Leer, a local ironmaster. Isaac Wayne was a progressive agriculturalist and horticulturalist. He enlarged an existing structure into a barn soon after purchase, and replaced the old log kitchen with a new addition to the house in 1843. Van Leer also added gilt paint and other fashionable touches to the house and planted rarities in his gardens. His grandnephew, George Howard Earle III
George Howard Earle III
George Howard Earle III was an American politician. He was great-grandson of noted abolitionist and philanthropist Thomas Earle, grandson of Philadelphia lawyer George H. Earle, Sr., and son of Philadelphia lawyer and "financial diplomat," George H. Earle, Jr. Earle served as the U.S...
(later Governor of Pennsylvania) was born at the house in 1890. After Van Leer's death in 1896, the condition of Pleasant Hill deteriorated, particularly when it was rented out during the 1930s. It was restored in 1948 and remains a private residence.
Pleasant Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on February 24, 1983.