Lost and Found: The West Family House

History Spotlight

The interesting story of the 1748 Newtown home of Benjamin West, Father of American Painting

by Doug Humes

Photos courtesy of Newtown Square Historical Society

We take great pride in reminding Newtown residents that the Father of American Painting, Benjamin West, had ties to our community.

Benjamin's father, John, was the innkeeper at the Square Tavern for several years before the American Revolution, and so his young son Benjamin served as a tavern boy helping with chores needed to operate a busy crossroads tavern. But if you have been inside, you know that if it was full of guests, there would not be much room for the West family – John, mother Sarah Pearson West, and ten children! So where did the family live?

Innkeeper John West (seated middle) with son Benjamin (standing) and son Thomas

When the tavern was constructed in 1742 by Frances Elliot, it was made of brick – which was unusual for houses constructed way out in the country at that early date. As long as they were firing up a kiln to make bricks for the tavern, Elliot decided to also build a brick house catty-corner from the Tavern. The West family lived at this new brick house from 1748 until 1755 (while Ben was 10 to 17 years old). At some point, a frame addition was added, and the family ran a general store there as well.

1742 West Family house

The Wests eventually moved on, but the old brick house survived until about 1920. At that time, a harness racer and trainer, Joseph Serrill owned the property on which the old home sat. He showed the place to his wife Gertrude, who told him in no uncertain terms that she was not going to live in “that old house,” and so it was demolished, and he built his bride a new home in its place. That house remains, though hidden from view by the modern Latvian Church, for which it serves as the parsonage.

For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit the website of the Newtown Square Historical Society at www.HistoricNewtownSquare.org.