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The Standing Houses of the Bechtel Family in SW Pennsylvania

During my travels to the origins of the Bechtel family in America, I was pleased to find that some of the residences were still standing. On original land of George Bechtel was located and after George's death, the plantation was held for a time, but was then sold in 1773, to Abraham Latshaw, the husband of George's daughter Anna. Sometime between 1773, the date of purchase, and 1783, the original house was destroyed by fire. John, George's oldest son and executor, assigned another deed to Abraham in 1783 to replace the one that was destroyed.


The original plantation is still farmed today. The present owners relate that the house is "over 200 years old". This would make it the original house built by Abraham Latshaw. The land starts about halfway up a 300-foot hill of cleared land. The fields are planted, but one is filled with weeds and numerous sunflower plants. The random patterns of the plants suggest natural growth from past plantings. The land flattens out when approaching the house and continues through a rolling pasture to the Perkiomen Creek at the southern boundary. The land is quiet and peaceful as cows graze on the pasture grass. Much of the farm has changed little since the 1700's.


Isaac Bechtel lived in Bechtelsville, Pa. The original log home built by Isaac for his new bride has since been razed. He purchased 308 acres and 52 perches from Joseph Fox of Philadelphia on November 6, 1772. The length of time that the family would have lived in this home is not certain, but time would be during Isaac's service in the military ending in 1779. He returned to his home and continued his work as a farmer and operating a gristmill, sawmill and oil mill. The construction of the house on Main Street is estimated around the 1780's. All of Isaac's children lived, at one time, in this house, including Isaac S. Bechtel.


Ester Stauffer died on September 26, 1805. Isaac built another house at the other end of Mill Street from the second house. Upon a stone near the roof is inscribed: 18+12 BA+B IS+B This represents Isaac's second wife, Barbara A. Bitz and it is suspected that the construction of the house and the marriage occurred the same year. Barbara and Isaac lived in the house until their deaths. Isaac died on April 03, 1820 at 68 years and Barbara on September 28, 1835.