Northampton Township
Historical Commission
55 Township Road
Richboro, PA 18954

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History of Northampton Township

Birth of a Township

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"When William Penn was granted land in America by King Charles II of England in 1681, he told his proprietors that before any ground could be settled, it first should be purchased from the natives who lived on it. The Indians realized that Penn intended to deal justify with them, and they held him in great respect.

On June 23, 1683, Penn purchased from the Lenni Lenape Indians the land lying between Pennepack and Neshaminy Creeks. Northampton Township was in this area. The Lenni Lenapes, a branch of the Delware Indians, were basically friendly tribes who supplied the means of exsistence to the pioneers during early periods of hardship. History records that there were Indian council rocks along the east bank of the Neshaminy Creek below the present site of the Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pennsylvania."

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"Although the origin of the name of Northampton Township has never been officially verified, it is believed to stem from Northamptonshire, England, "ham" meaning home, and "tun" meaning settlement. North was added to distinguish it from another settlement in the south of England - that is, Southampton".

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