The 1714 Barns-Brinton House witnessed the opening actions of the Battle of Brandywine, with the first shots fired west of this location. Early on Sept. 11, 1777, General Knyphausen's Crown Force column marched east on the c.1743 Great Nottingham Road, today's Baltimore Pike, creating a feint against General Washington's defense along Brandywine Creek. The American advanced guard under General Maxwell fought a series of skirmishes with Knyphausen's column as it advanced, and these clashes led to the major combat later that day.
