Batsto was founded in 1766 by Charles Read of Burlington, who built the first bog iron furnace near the mouth of the Batsto River. By 1773, John Cox, a Philadelphia merchant and trader, had bought the Batsto Iron Works, which he sold in 1779 to Joseph Ball. Under Cox, Batsto became an important supplier to the Continental Army. He, and later Ball, produced munitions, camp kettles, iron fastenings and fittings for military caissons, wagons and ships. Batsto currently reflects agricultural and commercial enterprises of the late 19th century.



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