Board of Supervisors
Judith A. Algeo, Esq., Chair
Edward P. Thompson, Vice Chairman
John W. Cox, Member

Township Manager
Gail V. Weniger

The History of Warwick Township

Warwick Township was formed by petition February 13, 1733 by eighteen residents of Middlebury Township.  Located in middle Bucks County mostly between the forks of the Neshaminy and Little Neshaminy Creeks it was named after a town in central England and was the home to many Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, such as Jamison, Ramsey, Archibald, McCullough, McMicken, Henderson, and Wallace.

Eight Arch  Bridge photo

In 1819 the Township lost over half its territory to the north and west when Doylestown Township was established and other subsequent boundary adjustments were made.  The boundary extended north into Doylestown Borough from Bristol Road along Lower State Road and down Green Street.  It is southern boundaries extend to Ivyland.

There were four major roads within or bordering the present township on early maps; York, Almshouse, Meetinghouse, and Bristol Roads.  York Road was the most prominent because it was the major link between Philadelphia and New York.

The history is closely tied to several existing structures, i.e. the Neshaminy Presbyterian Church, one of the earliest religious associations in the state dating back to 1726.  The Reverend William Tennent accepted the pastorship that year and was the founder of Log College, a famous school of classical learning.  The graduates of his school went on to found some of the major teaching institutions in America.

The Old York Road played a major roll in the American Revolution easing the movement of the American Army during the northern campaigns.  In August of 1777 the American Army of 11,000 men camped for 13 days in and around the "Cross Roads" as Hartsville was known. The encampment stretched along both sides of Old York Road, on the slope of Carr's hill to the north; on both sides of Bristol Road from Mearns Road to Meetinghouse Road.

General Washington's Headquarters was located in the Moland House not far from the intersection of York and Bristol Roads.  It was here the Marquis de Lafayette and Count Pulaski joined the American Army both of whom distinguished themselves soon at the Battle of Brandywine.  Among Washington's officers were some of the future leaders of America, such as Alexander Hamilton, John Marshall, Henry Knox, Anthony Wayne and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney.

A Council of War was held in the Moland House, consisting of the
Commander-in-Chief, four Major Generals, and six Brigadier Generals.
General Green's Headquarters' was across the street from Washington's quarters, Lord Sterling's Headquarters was located on Jamison Street and is now a Bed and Breakfast, Lt. James Monroe was his Aid-de-Camp.  The Cross Roads Tavern is now an architect's office.  The Neshaminy Church served as both hospital and a place for court-martials such as the one held for Major Light Horse Harry Lee, the father of Robert E. Lee.  Interred in the church graveyard are the remains of several soldiers who died during the two-week period.