Green Tree Inn

The History of the Green Tree Inn and its Property 1681-1984"

The name "Green Tree" was derived from an Evergreen tree in the front yard. A John Black sold the land to Septimus Evans on 30 Nov 1808. Septimus was a watchmaker and had the building constructed. Septimus tried to sell the property in Aug of 1813 but there were no buyers. Septimus leased the property to Daniel Woodruff in 1816. "In 1820 Margaret Kiple and her husband Jacob, ran the Inn but the property was still owned by Septimus Evans." [page 21] "On June 3 1822 Jacob Kiple took his own life, by hanging. The Newspapers kept it as quiet as possible and just announced June 11, 1822 "Very Suddenly--Monday June 3rd Mr Jacob Kiple"

"Those who knew the story said he was found in the Stable."

On Mar 18, 1823, Margaret Kiple ran a Newspaper add asking that all debts be settled. [page 23]

"Mrs. Kiple remained at the Inn until April 1, 1823 and then another change took place in the History of the Green Tree Inn.

On 30 Apr 1823 the Inn was sold to Joseph Burrows by the Sheriff to satisfy the debts of Septimus Evans.

COMMENTS:
Wilma Rezer (now deceased) did histories of several properties in Doylestown; her work is generally well regarded. However, her date for the Kiple operation of the Green Tree is clearly off by a few years. The Petition for a Tavern License is dated Dec 1, 1817 and Margaret said she had rented and occupied the property by that time. Her License was granted, so she operated the Green Tree from Dec 1817 to Apr 1823. The Newspaper had the same death date for Jacob, 3 Jun 1822, and gave his age as 58, so he was born about 1764. I don't have any independent confirmation about his cause of death. 1,2