Smith’s Drove Tavern
The Smith’s Drove/Drover Tavern was built c. 1818 at the Elam Crossroads in Elam Village (the northwest corner of Smithbridge Road and the Wilmington-West Chester Pike). The crossroads area was originally known as “Pleasant Hill Crossroads,” but postal authorities required the name to the changed in 1844 after discovering an established post office named Pleasant Hill in the Lancaster County area. The tavern license was first granted in 1823 to James Smith after several failed attempts at obtaining a license years prior beginning in 1819. Smith operated the tavern under the name “Smith’s Drove Tavern.” The tavern was quite busy due to the prime commercial location along the Wilmington-West Chester Pike. The tavern remained in the Smith family until 1844, when Milton Stamp purchased the property. The name changed over the years to Drove Tavern, Drovers & Travelers Inn, Pleasant Hill Tavern, Farmers & Drovers Inn, and Elam Hotel. The property changed landlords frequently through the mid to late 1800s, with the tavern falling into ownership to families such as the Gilpins, Cheyneys, Mays, Speakmans, and Jenkins. At the end of the 1800s, the tavern license was revoked due to the growing temperance movement, and the property was sold to the Brandywine Summit Kaolin Company, a feldspar mining company that operated the quarry to the south. In 1908, the Order of United American Mechanics Lodge purchased the building, retaining it into the 1930s, and converting the building into that of a lodge hall. In later years, the building served as apartments, a clog shop, and pool care store. The building itself is a large Italianate stucco-over-fieldstone 3 story structure. Concord Township Historic Resource #35
William E. May and Howard May Houses
\ The William E. May House (#39) and Howard May House (#40) are twin Victorian homes built c. 1875 and located along Smithbridge Road in Elam Village. William E. May was a Union Army captain during the American Civil War, and also owned the Drover Tavern from 1864-1868. William E. May purchased the land from Mary Cheney in 1864. Howard May also served in the Union Army, and became a farmer after the war. The Howard May House has a 1920s addition along the back of the home, and was part of the Talley Farm during the 20th century. The houses feature wonderful Mansard roofs and stucco over stone facades. These properties are private homes, and not open to the public. Concord Township Historic Inventory Resource #39 + #40
Peter Driver House
Peter Driver was a free Black man that owned land in Concord Township beginning in 1825 — prior to the American Civil War and 40 years before slavery was abolished. Peter Driver purchased 20.25 acres from Ezekiel Pyle in 1825, and additional acres from Job Perkins at a later date. He built a house c. 1830, and lived on the property with his wife, Lushada, and their 3 children. His property was located in the area now known as the Clayton neighborhood, at the corner of Garnet Mine Road and Concord Road. His other land parcel was located near the Concord Road-Featherbed Lane intersection. According to the 1850 Census, Peter Driver owned 35 acres, 18 of which were used for farming. He produced hay, corn, wheat, grass seed, and potatoes. He owned 2 horses, 4 pigs, 1 steer, and 1 cow, and produced 150 lbs. of butter and $35 worth of livestock a year. He also owned an orchard on the property that produced $100 worth of fruit a year. The whole farm was valued at $1,500 in 1850. Peter Driver was likely a cow farmer or tanner by trade. According to a newspaper article, Peter Driver owned a cow that gave birth to conjoined-twin calves. The article noted that the calf had 2 heads, 2 tails, 6 legs, and 2 backbones. Peter Driver died in 1883, and his property went to his daughter Anna Louisa Driver. In 1900, the property was purchased by Thomas Booth. In 1966, Delaware County purchased the property and demolished the house. However, many of the original Driver House floorboards were saved and used in the restoration of the Polecat Road House (Resource #141). The Peter Driver House and the long-standing land ownership of the Driver Family is significant in the overall history of Black successes within Concord Township during the 19th century.
Thomas Speakman House
The Thomas Speakman House was built c. 1795 in the area of Ward Village, and is a wonderful example of example of Southeastern Pennsylvania farmhouse architecture. Thomas Speakman purchased 43 acres from his uncle Micajah Speakman in the late 1700s. The original deed to the property was buried underground by Micajah in 1777 in an attempt for document safety due to the British invasion of Pennsylvania, and thus, many pieces of information on the deed are illegible. Thomas Speakman married Abigail Newlin, and had 6 children. By 1795, Thomas Speakman built a log and stone house on the northeast corner of his 43-acres property. According to the 1798 Federal Tax record, the house measured 30 x 20 feet, was 1.5 stories, and had 3 single pane windows and 1 six-over-six window. In 1806, Thomas Marshall IV purchased the Speakman home, and began extensive updates. The first floor of the home consisted of a kitchen and eating area, parlor, and family room. The kitchen boasted a stove and “queensware,” or porcelain chinaware issued in honor of Queen Charlotte. The second story was divided into 4 bedrooms, set with various furniture including beds, bureaus, carpets, chairs, a spyglass, curtains, and trunks. The attic was dedicated to a field bed, a boy bed, a clothes chest, and a spinning wheel. The basement was home to barrels, candles, tubs, potatoes, a vinegar cask, salt meat, and hams. Thomas IV farmed the land and cultivated an apple orchard and other fruit trees, as well as kept a heard of cows. He died suddenly in 1828, and left no will. The house was then sold to Dr. Rolph Marsh in 1829. Dr. Rolph, a local physician, combined this parcel to his adjacent parcel to own a combined 63 acre property. The farm was valued at $6,500 in 1850. The Speakman House fell into various ownership throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, including John and R.W. Hill (John Hill owned and operated the Newlin Grist Mill beginning in 1860), the Ward Mushroom Company, and Frank and Eva Osmund. The house was converted to a commercial space in 2013. Today, this property is a commercial space owned and operated by Zizza Highway Services. Concord Township Historic Resource #109