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"Thornfield"
William Garat was born in Leicester
county, England. his family came to
America in 1684. William purchased 203
acres of land and his son Samuel purchased
an additional 60 acres. The combine
purchases would today cover most of the
area from State to Garrett Roads, and from
Naylor's Run to Burmont Road.
Samuel who inherited his father's
homestead in 1724, changed the spelling of
the family name to Garrett and continued
to purchase more Township land. In various
generations the Garrett and Levis families
owned most of the land along the Darby
Creek south of Lewis/Smith Property. At
one time, the family owned 1,110 acres of
Upper Darby land, nearly all the area now
called Drexel Hill.
The Garret Family farm and homestead,
"Thornfield," became a way station on the
underground railroad, and it is alleged
that many fugitive slaves were quartered
and fed on the farm. "Thornfield"
consisted of a house, completed about
1800, 50 acres of dairy farm and a
tannery. The Garrett Family's "Thornfield"
home still stands today at 3218 Garrett
Road in Drexel Hill.
1896 View
of "Thornfield"
The above
information concerning "Thornfield"
homestead
is courtesy of Thomas J. DiFilippo, author
of
The History and Development of Upper
Darby Township
The above picture of "Thornfield"
homestead
is courtesy of Tom
Smith.
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