Sotcher Farmhouse
Also known as: Three Arches
Why it's listed
Built of stone in several stages beginning about 1712, this farmhouse near Pennsbury in Bucks County is known locally as "Three Arches". The first owner of record was Thomas Atkinson, who received the patent in the early 1680s. In 1712 John Sotcher, chief steward at William Penn's Pennsbury manor from 1687 to 1709, acquired the property. His son Robert added a two-story stone section about 1760 with cut-stone quoins at the corners. Around 1806 John Brown, a later owner, is believed to have built a larger 2½-story addition that enveloped the earlier structure and incorporated three large arches. The house is regarded as a fine example of a rural Bucks County farmhouse, with its successive stages of growth still evident. Its arched section is the most distinctive feature. Sotcher himself later served in the Provincial Assembly from 1712 onward.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a fine example of a rural Bucks County farmhouse showing several stages of 18th-century growth. Its three arches are treated as a distinctive architectural feature, and the house is linked to John Sotcher, chief steward at William Penn's Pennsbury manor.
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 77001125, listed December 27, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 335 Trenton Rd., Fairless Hills |
|---|---|
| County | Bucks County |
| Listed | December 27, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001125 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1600-1699 |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Deteriorated but retains most of its original fabric and character, according to the document. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.17808, -74.85714 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 77001125.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7563958
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.