From the book Upper Merion Township – The First 300 Years (2013)
Courtesy of Anthony Morris, 2009:
The farm was Allendale Farm (hence Allendale Road), which was named for my great grandfather, George Allen. The house in the middle, so to speak, is where my grandparents raised their family. They built the house to the right for my aunt, Kathleen, who is 98 years old. The house to the left was built for my uncle, Howard. The farm was one of three owned by George Allen—one other right there next to the original 250 acres, which my grandparents had and another over “towards Bridgeport.” Those other farms were left to my grandmother’s two sisters but the sisters sold them in the 1920’ or 30’s. My grandmother sold most of her acreage to Chuck Volpi in 1956 or 1958 (not sure about the year). She kept about 14 acres with her house until 1972 when she sold the place. My grandparents’ names were Howard David Pancoast and Kathleen Allen Pancoast. They died in 1942 and 1976 respectively. My mother, Margaret Pancoast Morris, is 93; however she has memory problems. Kathleen knows all the history and would love to share it, but she currently is not well, although we expect that her health will improve. She is sharp as a tack and could provide a wealth of information. Howard and Kathleen had six children, but only Kathleen and my mother are still living.
The Allen and Pancoast families lived in Merion on Latches Lane on what is, for a few more months, The Episcopal Academy campus. They only spent summers on the farms in King of Prussia until George Allen’s death in 1921(?) at which time my grandparents moved out to the farm. The house was originally just the center section and was a three-story farmhouse. My grandfather wanted an English Tudor manor house and that’s what they converted it into. It was gorgeous and stately. There were lots of people both inside and outside helping to run the place, especially before the depression. The family “dressed for dinner” each evening. Cattle roamed the fields and it was a working farm, although that all ceased before I was born in 1949.
I know my mother talked of Mr. Irwin’s farm nearby.
If my aunt’s condition improves I would be happy to arrange a visit with her for you to get some of the real story on the place. I have some pictures although it may be a chore finding them. I remember hearing them all talk about how the intersection of 202 and Upper Gulph Road only had the tavern and a post office and both were dirt roads.
George Allen had two hotels in Atlantic City, (one was called the Strand), and another summer home in Cape May. He also had stores on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.
Howard D. Pancoast was a lawyer.
That’s about it with what I know. I am the youngest grandchild though so I am sure some of my older cousins may have more details.
Authors’ Note: 534 Keebler Road is the original home built by George Allen. This middle house was the original one passed down to Howard David Pancoast and Kathleen Allen Pancoast (married in 1905) upon George Allen’s death in 1921. It is listed in the online records as being built in 1900, but that is not verified. The county computer often puts 1900 as a default if they’re not sure.
576 Keebler Road was built for Kathleen Pancoast Abell around 1930, upon her marriage to husband Charles Maurice Abell, who occupied the home with their children.
484 Keebler Road was torn down and replaced by a new house, and a still vacant lot. This was the house built for Howard Pancoast (the son) and occupied by Howard, wife Lois, and their children.
Kathleen died on September 3, 2009, just 3 months shy of her 100th birthday, which would have been December 7, 2009. Anthony mentions in this essay that she is not well.
