Thornton in Delaware County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

An Exhausted Retreat

— [September 11, 1777] —

Photographed By Keith S Smith, July 18, 2021

1. An Exhausted Retreat Marker

Inscription. On the evening of September 11, 1777, from approx. 6-8 pm, this small crossroads village of Thortonville (Thornton) witnessed a component of the American Strategic Retreat ordered by General George Washington from the Battle of Brandywine. After a long day of battle and successful rearguard defense by General Nathaniel Greene, thousands of exhausted American troops and camp followers from General Sullivan’s, Stephen’s, and Sterling‘s divisions retreated east along Dilworthtown Road from Birmingham Road, then turned south on Thornton Road, to eventually regroup in Chester.

Erected 2021 by Thornbury Township, Delaware County with Sign provided by Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution and its Color Guard.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is September 11, 1777.

Location. 39° 54.386′ N, 75° 31.845′ W. Marker is in Thornton, Pennsylvania, in Delaware County. Marker is on Thornton Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Thornton PA 19373, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Yellow House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Historic Village of Thornton (about

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

500 feet away); Thornbury Township World War II Honor Roll (approx. 0.3 miles away); Thornbury's Past (approx. 0.4 miles away); Thornbury's Earliest Inhabitant's (approx. 0.4 miles away); Preserving Our Past for the Future (approx. 0.4 miles away); Discovery and Settlement (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Township Emerges (approx. 0.4 miles away).

Also see . . . Thornton, Township ~ Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 22, 2021, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. ~ Thorntonville ~
In colonial times, Thornton (Thorntonville) was also widely known as "Yellow House" after the Inn and tavern opened there in 1750. Thornton is an unincorporated community spanning Thornbury Township, Concord Township and Middletown Township, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The community includes the Thornton Village Historic District, which includes buildings dating from 1750 to 1855. The District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

— Submitted August 22, 2021, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Photographed By Keith S Smith, July 18, 2021

2. An Exhausted Retreat Marker Roadside

The tiny crossroads village of Thorntonville [today Thornton] image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, July 18, 2021

3. The tiny crossroads village of Thorntonville [today Thornton]

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2021, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 449 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2021, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.