Crooked Billet.

Wasn’t that a Revolutionary War battle? An elementary school in Hatboro? A historic inn and tavern?

It’s actually all of the above and has a significant anniversary this year.

Hatboro is recognizing the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Crooked Billet, when British and Loyalist forces surprised an American force camping near the Crooked Billet Tavern.

The Crooked Billet Inn was built by John Dawson in 1705, and during the 1730s, the Inn transitioned into a Tavern. In 1965, the state recognized the site with a historical marker.

In April 1778, British forces led by John Graves Simcoe and Robert Abercromby attacked an American militia under the command of John Lacey. Lacey’s troops had arrived in the vicinity of the Crooked Billet Tavern on April 27 and set up camp. On the morning of May 1, Lacey’s picket was caught off guard by the advancing British, unable to fire a warning shot, and couldn’t get back to camp in time to warn the other Americans.

The American force was overwhelmed and forced to flee back toward Warminster.

Today, the battlefield is home to Crooked Billet Elementary School. In May 2000, on the 222nd anniversary of the engagement, a cannon was taken from the fields behind the school.

Each year, the students have a day when they dress up in colonial attire and commemorate the historic events that took place at the site of their school.

_____________