Bower Hill was the site of General John Neville's mansion, which insurgents burned to the ground during a major escalation of violence in the Whiskey Rebellion on July 16-17, 1794. Neville, Inspector of Revenue under President Washington, with his slaves and a small federal detachment, faced a force of over 500 rebels in the two-day battle. Two opposition leaders, Oliver Miller and James McFarlane, were killed.