Derry Area Historical Society

New Derry, PA > New Derry Groups & Organizations > Derry Area Historical Society

address:P. O. Box 64 New Derry, PA 15671 phone:724-694-9564 website:Derry Area Historical Society

History of the Fulton House

On November 29, 1815, Joseph Guthrie, son of William Guthrie, received from the estate of his father, a parcel of land containing 113 acres plus allowances. Joseph had the land surveyed and, on July 6, 1815, a plan of lots was laid out to form the Town of Derry. Derry is now known as New Derry and what we now know as Derry, was originally called Derry Station. The town was laid out along two streets, Pittsburg Street running East to West, and Liberty Street running North to South. Lot #27 Pittsburg Street, on the west side of town, was purchased by Robert Fulton for the sum of $25.00 lawful currency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on February 22, 1817.

A house and other appurtenances were erected on the property. It is not known whether Robert Fulton operated it as a stagecoach inn, but it is believed that he did, because by April 3, 1821, when he and his wife, Lettice, sold it to James Fulton, Jr., who called himself an Innkeeper, the value of the property had increased to $600.00. A wagon shop was housed in the rear stone portion of the building. Reuben Allshouse purchased the property May 23, 1871, for $900.00. After his death, Edward H. Ferry purchased it from Naomi Berry and other heirs of Reuben for $1000.00 on May 12, 1905.