SOLD for $725,000 on 12/15/23!

It’s time for yet another one of my Magical History Tours!

And today, we take you to Springfield Township (in Delaware County, not Montgomery, not Bucks and not any of the other ones that are in PA or NJ!).

Springfield as a distinct entity did not first exist when the Penn land grants were sold. In 1684, James Kenela and Randolfe Vernon were appointed collectors for “Ridley and in the woods”, clearly showing that the locality subsequently known as Springfield was too sparsely populated to be recognized as a municipal district.

However, just two years later in 1686, the first reference for Springfield was documented when Peter Lester was appointed Constable for Springfield.

There are two disputing claims to why the name was selected, one involves my listing!

The first attribute is that Thomas Pearson, the maternal grandfather of Benjamin West, when clearing the first field on his estate, discovered a large spring, and when the township was erected that fact was remembered and determined the title of the new district and the lands lying “in the woods.”

However, there is another claimant for the honor of godfather to Springfield. The tradition in the Maris family is that the township was named because of the large spring near the dwelling of George Maris. He was a judge of the courts in 1684 and his influence was such that as he had voice in the name adopted. The tradition among his descendants is doubtless correct! He also served as a Chester County commissioner (remember, Delaware County did not exist yet, at this time) for about 10 years.

George Maris was a prominent Quaker that came to the colonies later in his life (in his 50’s) with his wife and six children from Grafton, Flyford, county of Worcester, England. He acquired 400 acres in 1683 along the Darby Creek. The first road laid in the woods was originally called the “Amosland Road” that is now Springfield Road, the location of my listing!

George Maris’ first residence was a log cabin, that was subsequently demolished to make way for a stone residence on State Road nearby. That property was named “Home House” and remained in extant until 1985 when the original Maris homestead was demolished in the name of progress. One will note outside my listing, that the original stones engraved with the patriarchal name “Maris” was fortunately saved from the wrecking ball by the owners of my listing (at that time) and now proudly stands in the front yard of “the other” Maris house that still stands!

In 1754, the original portion of my listing was constructed by Jehu Maris, the great grandson of George Maris. The original two-room residence was a simple rectangular stone house facing Springfield Road with two rooms on the main floor (each with a large fireplace) two bedrooms on the 2nd floor and a sleeping loft in the attic.

Between 1790 and 1810, the house was expanded with a rear ell containing the dining room & kitchen and additional bedrooms added on the 2nd floor. In the 20th Century, a large family room addition was added with a walk-in fireplace, a sunroom addition was also added to connect the family room & the kitchen and a rear mudroom, laundry and powder room were added as well.

The house has the most unusual name, Chick-A-Biddy Hill. The driveway of the property used to extend beyond the current acreage out of the rear and was once called Chickabiddy Lane on many old Springfield maps.

Now, trying to research that name provided only one clue.

While the Maris family emigrated from Worcester county in England, there is actually a named “hill” in Surrey county, England called Chicakabiddy Hill! Further research might reveal that some other descendants (maybe from his wife, Jane Humphrey’s lineage) came to the new world from Surrey.

What stands today is a remarkably intact, yet thoughtfully updated 18th century farmhouse on a large 1.2 acre parcel of ground. Even the locals likely do not know that this house exists, as the entire property surrounding the house was developed between the 1930’s to the 1950’s. Now this hidden oasis is accessed via a 15’ wide driveway that hides the secrets beyond.

As one pulls down the tree-lined drive, one can see a peek of the private in-ground pool immediately to the left. Tucked all the way in the front corner of the front yard, it’s a great space for summer (and even Spring & Fall) entertaining as the systems also provide for propane heating of the pool.

The land then expands significantly, and to the right of the driveway, one finds a spacious 2-car carport. It is walled on three sides, so with the exception of entry doors, it does provide protection from inclement weather, whether one chooses to park actual cars or landscaping equipment.

The driveway continues beyond the carport, where a circular drive provides for ample guest parking and also access to the detached, extra-long 2-car garage. Here, one can easily park 2 vehicles (or 4 MINI Coopers!) and still have ample space in front of the vehicles for additional storage or a work shop.
Buried near the front left corner of the garage is a remnant of Springfield Township history. It remains a mystery as to which building it belonged to, but reads…

ERECTED 1799
DESTROYED BY FIRE - APRIL 19, 1857
(Illegible letter) & H - REBUILT 1857
C.L.

Maybe one of my followers who loves research even more than me, can ascertain the whereabouts of whence this might have come!

There are multiple access points into the house. The original front door (from the 1750’s) remains facing Springfield Road, but is rarely used by the current owners. It retains its original door hardware & hinges as well as a transom window. There is a lovely front patio overlooking the yard (and the pool beyond) that has yet another entry door into the 20th century family room addition.

The “newer” front door facing the driveway enters into the 19th century dining room addition.

From the garage side, one has access directly into the rear mudroom. Just besides the mudroom is a small patio area that also provides yet another access into the sunroom.

Entering into the front (side) door into the dining room, the staircase to the upper floors is immediately in front of you. Original glass remains in the windows with all those little swirly lines and bubbles that play with the light that comes into this room during the morning hours.

Turn to the left, you enter into the original 1754 residence. Today, this is one huge living room that is 29’ long with two fireplaces flanking each end. Originally, this would have been two parlors separated by a staircase to the 2nd floor (which was removed at some point in its history). The formal mantels over both fireplaces are quite elaborate, both appear to be Federal in design, with a more formal mantel in what was likely the original living room.

The current owners installed a structural beam across the entire span of this room to ensure there would not be any further movement from when the staircase was removed.

Off the living room is a beautiful family room that was added in the 1950’s, yet feels like it was part of the original home. There is one step down into this space, that has reclaimed ceiling beams and a massive walk-in fireplace (that currently contains a wood burning stove). The beamed header over the fireplace opening is massive. On the outside, the owners that added this space took great pride in attempting to match the stone to the original 18th century design. The floors are random-width and pegged Oak.

One has direct access to the sunroom addition, with two full walls of windows and a French door to the rear patio. Stone knee walls were a nice touch to provide continuity of materials throughout the house.

The kitchen was renovated in 2004 and provides a large eat-in area for a farmhouse table with beautiful tiled floors and custom cabinetry throughout. Centrally located with direct access to the dining room, living room, sunroom and the mudroom/laundry/powder room, it’s the heart of the home.

On the 2nd floor, the primary suite comprises four distinct spaces across the entire front of the original home (and then some!). The sleeping chamber has yet another fireplace, and tons of built-in cabinets, cubbies and a wall of closets (over what was previously the old staircase to the first floor). A small and separate sitting room/office is tucked into one corner with yet another fireplace that has been used as a cozy office by the current owners. This could easily be modified to provide space for a walk-in closet. The ensuite bathroom was renovated in 2008 and has radiant floor heating. The “secret” room is accessed directly to the right of the fireplace. Over the 1950’s family room, it’s a large space that is currently used as the current owner’s toy train room!

There are two more spacious bedrooms and a hall bathroom on the 2nd floor.

Up to the 3rd floor, there is a large area at the stair landing that could be used for home study or a playroom. Each corner of the 3rd floor has functional space. There are 2 additional bedrooms PLUS a 3rd room (without a closet) that could be another home office. There is another full bathroom and a large walk-in cedar closet.

The basement is unfinished, but it is an amazing example of 19th century construction, as it retains its original barrels under the fireplaces and stone niches for what likely was used for cold food storage before the days of refrigeration.

The majority of the property is fenced (except at the driveway entrance) and there is a great sense of tranquility & privacy in the midst of a suburban development. Ample space for creating a large vegetable garden or a small orchard for those that appreciate the land to grow their own food.

Springfield is so convenient to so many things.

In walking distance from the house, one can hop on the 101 Trolley that takes you to Media at one end and the 69th Street Transportation Center at the other end. Just two blocks away is also the Springfield Library & Township building as well as Williams Park.

A few blocks away, one can access the 22 acre Indian Rock Park and take a leisurely stroll along the Darby Creek. Also nearby is Walsh Park, a 19 acre space for dog walking with a playground, basketball courts as well as a baseball, football and soccer fields.

A quick 10 minute drive gets one to downtown Swarthmore, with SEPTA regional rail service directly to downtown Philadelphia. Here one finds a quaint old-fashioned village of family-owned businesses, the Swarthmore Coop (a great place to buy your food and support the community!) as well as the amazing Scott Arboretum on the campus of Swarthmore College.

Just 10 minutes farther away is Media, the county seat and home to tons of great restaurants, events (including the weekly Dining Under the Stars and the annual 4th of July Parade) as well as a Trader Joe’s.

One can get to the Philadelphia Airport in just 20-25 minutes as well.

Come discover Chick-A-Biddy Hill and fall in love with its history!