History of Snipes Farm

The history of the Snipes family in Bucks County, PA began in 1682 when James and Joan Moon arrived in the colony of Pennsylvania. James and Joan were among thousands of Quaker refugees who fled religious persecution in England. Governor William Penn, himself a Quaker, called his colony a "Holy Experiment," where government based on New Testament principles and religious freedom would provide a better life for all. James and Joan Moon bought a tract of land near present day Morrisville. Joan Moon's brother and sister-in-law James and Eleanor Burgess settled in Fallsington, donating land for the construction of a Quaker Meeting House where the Snipes family still worships today, 11 generations later. The grandson of James and Joan Moon, also named James Moon, began to grow and sell ornamental trees in 1767. Generations of Moon nurserymen and women followed. In 1848, Mahlon Moon and his wife, Jane Craft Moon, moved to the farm today known as "Snipes." Trees they planted on these grounds in 1865 have grown to become state and national champions. Mahlon Moon entered a major display at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.

During the late 1800's and early 1900's, Mahlon and Jane's son, Samuel became a leading propagator and grower of rare plants on the east coast. Large estates from Philadelphia to New York were planted with nursery stock from these grounds. After Samuel's death In 1910, his daughter, Jane Moon Snipes, continued to sell specimen trees from the grounds and schooled her children in horticulture.

In 1953, Jane Moon Snipes' sons, Brad and Sam, took the reins of the family farm. Brad revived the family nursery, adding a retail store and vegetable and fruit growing. Brad and his wife, Inge, developed "Snipes Farm and Nursery" into one of the top 100 Garden Centers in the United States. Brad and his brother Sam constructed a driving range, mini golf and pitch and putt course on the farm in 1960. Brad, Inge, Sam and his wife Barbara opened Snipes Farm for use by many community groups, including Girl and Boy Scouts, Fresh Air Fund and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. After Brad and Inge's retirement their daughter Hannah Snipes Hogan and husband, Fred Hogan, managed the farm until 2003.

Today sister and brother team, Susan Snipes-Wells and Jonathan Snipes, manage the family farm. They hold a vision that Snipes Farm is a green jewel in congested lower Bucks County. A love of the land and a spirit of peace guide the Snipes family, and the many dedicated Snipes employees, as they work to keep the farm a beautiful and welcoming place for the public. A lot has changed since James and Joan Moon arrived in Bucks County in 1682, but 323 years later Snipes Farm’s 150 acres of recreation, fruit orchards and ancient trees still welcome visitors. We would love to see you soon!