​Philly Naturehoods

Morris Gwin, a Welsh miller, bought property and constructed a wooden gristmill on the Pennypack Creek on the southeast  corner of what is now our nature sanctuary,  he also constructed a stone house where he and his wife, Ann, raised their four children. In 1751, Gwin advertised the sale of his mill and property in Ben Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette. Robert Verree, a blacksmith, purchased the property adding lumber, edge tool and fulling mills. The complex employed many people who lived on site. The site with its four mills, workers homes, and other buildings was known as Verreeville. It even had its own post office. John Paul Verree, the last male Verree, was born and died in the Verrree House. He was a prominent business man and politician. In addition to running Verreeville, he was t he senior partner of Verree & Mitchell Iron Works located in Philadelphia, and was a two-term U.S. Congressman. 
Most of Verreeville is gone, but some of its past can still be seen.