Famous Colonial Houses

Chapter 23: Cliveden

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About This Book

A collection of illustrated essays profiles a dozen notable colonial-era American houses, blending architectural description, historical narrative, and local anecdote. Each chapter examines a single dwelling—from celebrated estates to lesser-known manors—covering design elements, construction history, notable occupants, ownership changes, and preservation concerns. The author relies on visits, collected lore, and period imagery to evoke the houses' atmosphere while reflecting on their role in regional history and urging appreciation and stewardship of these domestic landmarks.

Cliveden

CLIVEDEN

One of Maxwell’s six-pounders spoke, and a ball passed in the front window of the Chew house, through four partitions and heaven knows how many British, and out a rear window. The battery hammered at the steps, the windows and the door, while snipers fired at the flash of a rifle from the upper stories. Infantry charged across the lawn and was beaten back, artillery punctured but did not dislodge. Reed was all for chasing the rest of the retreating British toward the city, but Knox said it was against the rules to leave an enemy fort in the rear. “What!” Reed exclaimed, “Call this a fort and lose the happy moment?”