Crooked Billet Bonspiel
The eighth annual Crooked Billet bonspiel takes place May 1-4, 2025.
Registration opens at noon ET on February 1.
The withdrawal deadline for a guaranteed full refund is April 9, 2025 at 12PM ET.
Withdrawals received between April 9, at 12PM ET and April 23, 2025 at 12PM ET will be processed and receive a full refund if we are able to find a replacement team.
Withdrawals received after April 23, 2025 at 12PM ET will not be refunded.
$500 per team
The entry includes food, beer, and wine.
32-team open format
4 events
3 game guarantee
Eligibility
All players must be 21+ as of May 1, 2025
Coming soon
Hotel blocks and other event information will be posted soon.
The withdrawal deadline for a guaranteed full refund is April 9, 2025 at 12PM ET.
Withdrawals received between April 9, at 12PM ET and April 23, 2025 at 12PM ET will be processed and receive a full refund if we are able to find a replacement team.
Withdrawals received after April 23, 2025 at 12PM ET will not be refunded.
$500 per team
The entry includes food, beer, and wine.
32-team open format
4 events
3 game guarantee
Eligibility
All players must be 21+ as of May 1, 2025
Coming soon
Hotel blocks and other event information will be posted soon.
For more information about the Crooked Billet bonspiel, email [email protected].
2024 Results
What is the Crooked Billet?
The Crooked Billet was a battle of the Philadelphia campaign of the Revolutionary War fought on May 1, 1778 near the Crooked Billet Tavern, present-day Hatboro, and right down the street from our club.
During this time the British relied heavily upon the overland route between New York City and Philadelphia for the movement of men, supplies and communication. British troops also regularly foraged for supplies in the countryside around the city.
Since December, Washington and the Continental Army were in winter quarters at Valley Forge. John Lacey, commander of the Pennsylvania militia, was ordered to prevent farmers from taking their goods into Philadelphia to sell to the British, and to protect patriots in the region from harassment by British and Loyalist troops.
The British troops arrived at Crooked Billet at daybreak on May 1. Lacey's watch to warn against any type of threat, noticed the British troops, but failed to fire off a warning shot for fear of being killed or captured. Surprised and outnumbered, the militia were soon routed and forced to retreat into Warminster, losing their supplies and equipment.
Almost immediately after the battle, reports surfaced that British and Loyalist troops had committed atrocities, including the murder of prisoners-of-war and setting fire to the American wounded. On May 7, Washington ordered Brigadier General William Maxwell to conduct an inquiry into these allegations so that a report could be made to General Howe. Andrew Long, a justice of the peace in Bucks County, took the depositions of Colonel Watts and four residents who witnessed the battle. Watts reported "we found the bodies of the dead usid [sic] in a most inhuman & barbarous manner" and that "the most cruel Barbarity that had ever been exercised by any civilised Nation; nay, Savage barbarity in its utmost exertion of cruelty could but equal it."
During this time the British relied heavily upon the overland route between New York City and Philadelphia for the movement of men, supplies and communication. British troops also regularly foraged for supplies in the countryside around the city.
Since December, Washington and the Continental Army were in winter quarters at Valley Forge. John Lacey, commander of the Pennsylvania militia, was ordered to prevent farmers from taking their goods into Philadelphia to sell to the British, and to protect patriots in the region from harassment by British and Loyalist troops.
The British troops arrived at Crooked Billet at daybreak on May 1. Lacey's watch to warn against any type of threat, noticed the British troops, but failed to fire off a warning shot for fear of being killed or captured. Surprised and outnumbered, the militia were soon routed and forced to retreat into Warminster, losing their supplies and equipment.
Almost immediately after the battle, reports surfaced that British and Loyalist troops had committed atrocities, including the murder of prisoners-of-war and setting fire to the American wounded. On May 7, Washington ordered Brigadier General William Maxwell to conduct an inquiry into these allegations so that a report could be made to General Howe. Andrew Long, a justice of the peace in Bucks County, took the depositions of Colonel Watts and four residents who witnessed the battle. Watts reported "we found the bodies of the dead usid [sic] in a most inhuman & barbarous manner" and that "the most cruel Barbarity that had ever been exercised by any civilised Nation; nay, Savage barbarity in its utmost exertion of cruelty could but equal it."