John Palmer purchased 100 acres in 1688, and went on to become Constable of Concord and played an important role in the development of the township. He and his descendants owned property throughout Concord and were prominent members of the Quaker community.
Joseph Palmer, the great-great grandson of John Palmer, purchased 95 acres along the Concord-Bethel border from his father, Moses Palmer Jr., in 1789. He then sold 26 acres to his son Wilson Palmer, who was a weaver by trade. Wilson built a farmhouse on the property in 1834. However, he lost the property in 1844 at a Sheriff’s sale because of an outstanding debt. Charles Williams bought the property in 1846.
Until Bethel Road was constructed c. 1875, the lane to this house came off Garnet Mine Road near the Joseph Palmer House. The Coburn and Pyle families farmed the land from the 1870s until 1944 when it was sold to a veterinarian. Much of the house was modernized after this sale.
Concord Township purchased the 24 acre property in January 1999 to be kept as open space and to be used by the residents of Concord Township for park and recreation.
The farmhouse unfortunately burned down in 2017. The springhouse and barn remain. The barn is presently used by Pepper’s Promise, a 501 (c)3 non-profit animal sanctuary for goats, sheep, and ponies.
The name Bush Hill comes from the wooded area from Featherbed Lane to Garnet Mine Road which the Rose Tree hunt named when they would fox hunt in the area. It was this with underbrush, making good ground cover for foxes.
This property is public open space, and includes walking trails, dog parks, and bucolic open fields.
Concord Township Historic Resource #72
