Notorious Doan Gang To Ride Again At Newtown Theatre Lecture

NEWTOWN, PA — The Newtown Historic Association and the Newtown Theatre will present a lecture titled “Spirits of the Outlaws: The Doan Gang & Bucks County Taverns” on Friday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m.

The Doan gang was a group of British loyalists, the most notorious members being five brothers and one cousin from the Doan family of Plumstead. The gang had around 30 members who were accused murderers, traitors and horse thieves, and who also ferried British prisoners of war to British lines. They were also guilty of robbing tax collectors, their most famous crime being the 1781 theft of the Bucks County treasury from Newtown.

During the lecture, Mercer Museum Library Director Annie Halliday and Exhibit Specialist Clint Flack will discuss the thrilling history of the Doan gang’s activities and their frequent visits to colonial Bucks County taverns, which unofficially served as the “town halls” of their day. The taverns served not only as destinations for weary travelers but also places to conduct public business such as elections, government meetings, or record the depositions of victims of the Doan gang’s nightly rides.

The lecture will serve as a kickoff to the Newtown Historic Association’s annual Market Day, which is being held the next day – Saturday, October 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets for the lecture are $15 for the public and $10 for members of the theatre and the historic association. Proceeds will benefit both non-profit organizations.

The theatre is located at 120 N. State Street in Newtown Borough. For more information and tickets, visit www.TheNewtownTheatre.com/even... .