Burroughs, John, Homestead
Also known as: Shady Hill; Lieutenant Colonel James Hendricks Headquarters
Why it's listed
Stone house on the Wrightstown-Taylorsville Road in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, built in stages over about two centuries rather than replaced. The main section, with its stone walls and segmental relieving arches over the south facade windows, blends vernacular Georgian and Federal features, and its construction date is disputed between about 1754-1760 and 1786-1800. John Burroughs, who married Lydia Baker in 1746, was the longest-serving occupant, living here until his death in 1806. The family kept the property until 1869. During the winter of 1776, Lieutenant Colonel James Hendricks reportedly recuperated here, and troops may have been billeted on the site before the Battle of Trenton. Samuel Burroughs, a son, joined the British Army and was later convicted of horse theft. The house is valued for its record of regional settlement, wartime use and changing construction.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a well-preserved example of transitional Bucks County architecture that combines vernacular Georgian and Federal features. It is also tied to the Burroughs and Baker families, who held prominent local land, and it is said to have sheltered Continental Army officers and soldiers during the winter of 1776 before the Battle of Trenton. The Loyalist history of Samuel Burroughs adds to its local interest.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84003163, listed March 5, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Wrightstown-Taylorsville Rd., Upper Makefield Township, Taylorsville |
|---|---|
| County | Bucks County |
| Listed | March 5, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003163 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Transitional Bucks County architecture combining vernacular Georgian and later Federal features |
| Areas of significance | Military, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Altered; the house has been extended over time, and the kitchen addition was built at the turn of the 20th century in matching style. |
| Acreage | 10 |
| Coordinates | 40.28444, -74.90021 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84003163.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6224024
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.