Virtual Lecture – Doans and the Revolution

The Doan Gang was a group of British loyalists, the most notorious members being five brothers and one cousin from the Doan family of Plumstead, PA. The gang was composed of around 50 members who were accused murderers, attainted traitors who ferried British prisoners of war to British lines, and horse thieves. They were also guilty of robbing tax collectors; their most famous crime being the theft of the Bucks County treasury in 1781. This 45-minute lecture focuses on the Doan Gang and their activities in Bucks County during the American Revolution. Events covered include the Loyalist raid of the Bird in Hand tavern in Newtown, PA, and the Battle of Crooked Billet. This lecture is based entirely on contemporary research using historic court documents, eyewitness accounts, and newspaper appearances.

About the Speakers:

• Annie Halliday joined the Mercer Museum staff in 2019 and currently serves as the Director of Library and Archives of the Mercer Museum Research Library (operated by the Bucks County Historical Society). Since joining the Mercer Museum Annie has processed collections for the research library’s archives, built library programming inspired by Bucks County history, managed the library’s research services, and other exciting projects. She is also one of the curators for the upcoming Mercer Museum exhibit The Doan Gang: Outlaws of the Revolution opening in May 2024.
• Clint Flack joined the Mercer Museum as Exhibit Specialist in 2020 after several years as an independent contractor. For the past two years, he has managed a long-term project to conserve and re-install original tiles on the walls and ceilings of Henry Mercer’s historic home, Fonthill Castle. In addition to his hands-on experience, Clint is also a nationally-known expert on hay tools, farming implements, patent research, and local history.

Admission is Pay as You Wish! Your donation is greatly appreciated. All proceeds benefit the development of future programming and the preservation of the History Center and its collections. The History Center is home to over 750,000 manuscripts, 100,000 photographs, and 70,000 artifacts. Your donation helps us to preserve and share those resources.  Register here for this pay-as-you-wish event

Presentation is via Zoom, and will be recorded and available for 7 days for all registered participants. We will email out a Zoom link the day of the presentation, and email a link to the recording within 24 hours. Note: the Zoom link emailed out the day of the presentation only takes you to the live presentation; the link emailed out the day after will contain the recorded version.

This presentation is made possible by the generous support of The Haverford Trust Company.