A gravestone for Lt. Col. Jacob Reed can be found in the cemetery at Leidy’s Church in Souderton. (Credit: Hatfield Township)
Jacob Reed resided in Hatfield from 1770 to 1793
On Saturday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m., the Hatfield community will come together to honor Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed — a celebrated Revolutionary War figure and one of the area’s early settlers — at the site of his original homestead at 3226 Penn Street, according to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
The ceremony is part of a national marker initiative launched for the U.S. semiquincentennial by the NSDAR in partnership with the Pomeroy Foundation. The program highlights sites of local significance tied to the Revolutionary War era.
Reed, who received a 215-acre land warrant in 1770 from William Penn’s heirs, lived on the property from 1770 to 1793. The original log section of his homestead still stands today as part of the current farmhouse.
A respected farmer, public servant, and church elder, Reed rose to become Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Battalion, Philadelphia County Militia, making him the highest-ranking militia officer from Hatfield during the war. He fought in the pivotal Battles of Germantown and Brandywine and was later elected Major of the 5th Battalion, Pennsylvania Troops, serving until the war’s end.
His intimate knowledge of the region also made him a valuable operative to General George Washington.
According to the Pomeroy Foundation’s marker program, the bronze plaque will read:
"Home of Lt. Col. Jacob Reed. Fought at Battles of Germantown and Brandywine in 1777. DAR Towamencin Chapter / William G. Pomeroy Foundation 2025."
The inscription also highlights Reed’s role as a farmer and church elder whose regional insight was vital to Washington.
This event will mark a significant opportunity for the Hatfield community and local historians to recognize Jacob Reed’s lasting impact on the area and the nation.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War.
It was founded to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad.
DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and the world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.
If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership, visit www.dar.org.
