Revolutionary War Skirmish Brings History To Life In Newtown

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The smell of sulfur hung thick in the air Saturday morning as musket fire erupted on South State Street.

As lines of militia advanced and retreated along the street, hundreds watched from the sidewalks as the Battle at the Bird In Hand unfolded before their eyes.

Kids cupped their ears as musket fire filled the air and thick clouds of smoke enveloped the street near what is today called the Bird-In-Hand as a narrator described what was happening on the street.

In the end, the British forces won the skirmish by outflanking the American troops and in the process killed five, wounded four and captured 11 patriots. They also seized thousands of feet of material being made into uniforms for Washington's troops stationed at Valley Forge.

(Jeff Wermer/Patch)

(Jeff Wermer/Patch)

Patriots fire at the advancing British troops. (Jeff Wermer/Patch)

The British troops prepare to outflank the Americans using Court Street. (Newtown Borough Police Dept.)

The American troops in retreat. (Jeff Wermer/Patch)

The British advance north on South State Street. (Jeff Wermer/Patch)

American troops are taken prisoner. (Jeff Wermer/Patch)

British troops take over the street after winning the skirmish. (Jeff Wermer/Patch)

Seizing material from the Bird-In-Hand where tailors were making uniforms for the soldiers serving at Valley Forge. (Jeff Wermer/Patch)

The aftermath of the battle. (Newtown Borough Police Dept.)

The reenactment of the Battle at the Bird-In-Hand was part of the day-long “Newtown Celebrates America 250,” an event that transformed the town into a living history experience.

Throughout the downtown and beyond, visitors learned about Newtown’s founding from William Penn, the Civil War era and the Underground Railroad from Harriet Tubman and the daring robbery of the Bucks County Treasury from a Doan gang member portrayed by Clint Flack from the Mercer Museum.

A reenactor answers questions from a family on South State Street. (Jeff Wermer/Patch)

(Jeff Wermer/Patch)

(Jeff Wermer/Patch)

Reenactor Paul Beck leads his young recruits in a charge on Court Street. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The Washington Crossing Fife and Drums. (Jeff Wermer/Patch)

William Penn with Doug Miller of Pennsbury Manor. (Jeff Wermer/Patch)

Clint Flack from the Mercer Museum in Doylestown was on hand at the First National Bank of Newtown to share information about the Doan Brothers and their daring robbery of the Bucks County Treasury in Newtown. (Jeff Wermer/Patch)

At the Newtown Friends Meeting, visitors learned about one of Newtown’s most preeminent citizens, Edward Hicks, a famed primitive artist and Quaker preacher most known for his Peaceable Kingdom paintings.

Inside the Newtown Borough Hall, William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, spoke about his land grant and the founding of Newtown. His appearance was made possible by Pennsbury Manor.

Meanwhile, at the First National Bank of Newtown, a video and memorabilia displays documented the founding of the historic financial institution at South State Street and Centre Avenue.

At the fire station on Liberty Street, Newtown firefighters demonstrated “Old Washy,” an antique hand pumper which the company acquired from the Washington Fire Company in Philadelphia.

It took six men to operate the pumper as it shot a stream of water out onto Liberty Street. As the pumper’s tank ran dry, the firefighters recruited children and several adults to form a bucket brigade to refill the tank and water was again flowing.

Newtown Celebrates 250 was organized by the Newtown Historic Association in partnership with community organizations and businesses. Planning began three years ago under the leadership of Glenn Blakely, the owner of Isaac Newton’s.