Souderton's Oldest House?

Question: My parent's farmhouse at the corner of 4th and Sunny Hill, I believe is the second oldest structure in Souderton (the toll house at Chestnut being older.) Yet I have not found mention of it. A reason? My sister, I believe, still has documentation from the courthouse.

Answer: The Souderton historians have always been a bit confusing. When we mention the oldest buildings in Souderton we are always referring to those that were within the original borough limits. Souderton annexed twice to bring it to its current size. With that said, none of the original farm houses, your parents included, were within the original borough. I think we do this because we don’t know which one is the oldest farm house in Souderton. The building you referred to as the toll house, at the corner of Main and Chestnut St. was never a toll house but was the first home of Henry O. Souder and his wife Hannah, c. 1834, and yes, that’s the oldest building within the original limits. Soudertonians are so lucky to have almost all the old farm houses still standing, and your parent’s home, originally the Abraham Benner homestead, is lovely and has the oldest visible date stone of 1785. However is that the oldest part of thebuilding or an addition? I would be extremely interested to see your sister’s documentation. In 1755 George Cressman sold 6 parcels of land retaining one parcel for his family. Those seven properties, totaling 1000 acres, roughly make up present day Souderton. All seven families built log homes first, cleared theland for farming, and stock piled the field stones to build future houses. Your parent’s home is one of four houses which can compete for the title of the oldest house in Souderton.