![]() Today, Whitpain Township is a composite of several small communities established before and after the Revolutionary War. Zechariah Whitpaine, a Quaker, came to America to escape religious persecution and seek his fortune. Prior to the Revolutionary War, the Township had two churches: Boehm's Reformed Church (circa 1740), and St. Charles Mather built an additional mill in 1804.Īlthough the Whitpain Township of the 21st Century is home to residents of many religions and nationalities, its earliest settlers were Protestant and Quaker. Industry came to the region in 1727, when Jacob Yost began a weaving enterprise in Centre Square. Today it's name, which is Indian, means catfish stream.Įarly settlers to Whitpain Township were farmers. Interestingly, the Wissahickon Creek was originally known as Whitpain's Creek. There are two watersheds in the Township - the Wissahickon Creek, and Stony Creek. Today, Whitpain Township is approximately four and a half miles by three miles, or 12.8 square miles (8,640 acres). The borders of Whitpain Township changed dramatically in 1733, when Worcester Township was created, taking away a chunk of land. By 1701, when William Penn ordered a survey of all the Townships in the Commonwealth, it appeared in public records as Whitpain's Township. In Holme's Map of 1681, Whitpain Township is called Whitpain's Creek. It maintained steady growth for more than two centuries, expanding from 771 people in 1800 to 3,063 people in 1950. ![]() Shortly after, he and Sarah married.īy 1734, Whitpain Township had 24 landowners. By 1685, Zechariah had established a plantation house along the Wissahickon Creek, near Mount Pleasant. Zechariah met his bride Sarah Songhurst, on The Welcome. He sent his 16-year old son, Zechariah, to settle his properties. There is no documentation proving that Richard Whitpaine ever visited his land in America. Richard Whitpaine, a London butcher, purchased a 4500-acre tract of land as part of Penn's Holy Experiment. Public school students attend the Wissahickon School District. One of the oldest municipalities in the county, Whitpain Township was established in 1701.
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