Chapman, John, House
Also known as: London Purchase Farm; Knox-Hamilton Headquarters; Dr. Chapman
Why it's listed
Built of coursed fieldstone in southeastern Pennsylvania, this farmhouse in Upper Makefield Township was constructed in three sections, with the earliest portion dating to the mid-eighteenth century. An addition before the end of the eighteenth century doubled the size of the larger section. Its shingle gable roof, box cornice and two brick chimneys remain, along with original interior features such as wide planked floors, a chair rail, a batten door and a fireplace with bake oven in the east end. During the ten days before the Battle of Trenton in December 1776, the house served as headquarters for General Henry Knox and Captain Alexander Hamilton, who are said to have stayed in the east section. Dr. John Chapman, who owned the house during the Revolution, descended from one of the first white settlers north of Newtown. Its eighteenth-century setting has changed little, and it is regarded as one of the more notable Revolutionary-period houses in the area.
Significance in brief: The house is associated with the Revolutionary War, when General Henry Knox and Captain Alexander Hamilton are said to have been quartered there during the ten days before the Battle of Trenton in December 1776. It is also tied to the Chapman family, early settlers of the Wrightstown area, and its architecture is regarded as highly rated among neighboring Revolutionary-period houses.
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 74001757, listed January 24, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of New Hope off PA 232 on Eagle Rd., Upper Makefield Township, New Hope |
|---|---|
| County | Bucks County |
| Listed | January 24, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001757 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1745 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The document states the house is still standing with some additions and structural changes. |
| Acreage | 25 |
| Coordinates | 40.31298, -74.94868 (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 74001757.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6670682
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.