Long before Marlborough Township’s formal inception in 1741, Native Americans lived here in a highly developed and complex society. Remarkably, archeological studies of rock shelter sites along the Unami Creek have placed the evidence from our earliest residents as being from approximately 10,000 years ago.  Research indicates that the Lenape Chief, Maughoughsin, originally conveyed portions of the township to William Penn in 1684. Thomas Mayburry, an English settler, is on record as having purchased 1240 acres in 1730, for the purpose of creating a forge.  The operation of the forge had a profound effect on what is now Marlborough Township because the volume of business contributed greatly to development of area roads.  Prompted by the availability of waterpower, the area earned a formidable reputation throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania as a consistent producer of a large quantity of high quality mill products.  Particularly notable among these was gunpowder that was supplied to the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.  Because of Marlborough Township’s early industrial might, Sumneytown was once considered as a candidate for the county seat of Montgomery County.

Marlborough Township 250^th Anniversary, 1991.