FAQs

What makes HILLTOP FARM stand out?

It all begins with a vision. Hilltop Farm has been our families home for over 70 years. This farm was originally a homestead -part of the great American expansion. In 1850 John FARRELL settled here with his wife and 7 sons. They were Irish immigrants who brought their superior Irish masonry skill to build their home, fences & walls. There are still areas to observe his craftsmanship! We are proud to be a part of the American dream.

Here’s an except from a 2020 Archeological report: “John and Catherine were Irish natives who immigrated to the Americas then traveled through Canada before settling in the United States. After moving their growing family from New York, to New Jersey, and on to Rhode Island, the Farrells attempted to settle on the Fox River, north of Carpentersville, Illinois in the late 1830s (Zawislak 2020). The first dwelling built by John was destroyed by a belligerent mob of locals driven by a land dispute. The locals purported that the Farrell Family was living on claimed land. Johnathan thought otherwise and refused to pay which led to the attack. Mr. Farrell took the matter to court and won, however remaining in the area would put his family at risk.

After the events north of Carpentersville, John Farrell purchased 320 acres in Dundee Township during a Chicago land sale in 1844 for $50. According to the Dundee Historical Society, the Farrell Residence was built c. 1850 using locally sourced cobblestone. The 1850 census records indicate that John (48), Catherine (47), Jeremiah (24), John (19), Timothy (16), Dennis (12), and William (10) were living in the dwelling, tending their home, and farming the land by this time. To this date, the John and Catherine Farrell Farmstead holds the oldest cobblestone houses in Dundee Township (Dundee Township Historical Society 1985).” L.Howser