Timber Farms

Old Baltimore Pike

History that lingers today.

Heading towards Route 896 on Old Baltimore Pike you will cross over a small bridge in front of the long-time home of the Cooch family.  This bridge was the site of an historic battle many early Americans did with honor for us today.

The British General Howe, the same General who later would surrender at Yorktown, marched approximately 4-5 thousand British and Hussein (German mercenaries) soldiers up from Aikentown, now Glasgow.  Then this area consisted of only 25 residents, two churches, one blacksmith, one school and a few shops. The small town, which was originally named Aikentown after village tavern owner Matthew Aiken, was situated in close proximity to "Oulde Kings Roade," now known as Old Baltimore Pike.

On the morning of September 3, 1777, General Howe marched up the road to look at Ironhill. It was a highland and he could better see what General Washington was doing.  General Washington was already well dug in at Stanton along the Red Clay River.  The dirt barricades still exist today on the old Rt. 7 opposite the entrance of Delaware Park.  

General Washington had sent General Maxwell and approximately 1000 of the best shooters to Cooches Bridge.  General Maxwell was to “amuse” the British and act a deterrent, feel them out to see what their strength was like.  

On that fateful morning the 1000 or so American soldiers ambushed the British as they marched towards Cooches Bridge.  At the bridge, it became hand to hand combat. Americans lost only 25-40 soldiers but British suffered much more.  One witness is recorded as seeing seven wagonloads of dead British Soldiers that left, heading back to NE Maryland.  The actual number is unknown because British Generals were known to lie, as recorded in many references to this war.

Across from the Pencader Presbyterian Church, built during the early 1700s by Welsh immigrants stood a Presbyterian meetinghouse used by the British as a hospital after the Battle of Cooches Bridge in 1777.

The Americans who died there are believed to be buried there as well, remains have never been found.  In the days following the battle, Cooch's house became General Howe’s headquarters.  Other significant facts about this battle include that it may have been the first time the American flag was flown.  Betsy Ross had just finished and had given it to General Washington only days before.  It was the only battle in the Revolutionary War that was fought on Delaware’s soil.  It was also the prelude to the largest battle in the Revolutionary War, Brandywine.  

The largest battle could have been at Stanton, where General Washington was well dug-in.  However, after the battle of Cooches Bridge, General Howe decided on a different route into Philadelphia and bypassed Stanton by way of Brandywine.