 Burlington City was the capital of West Jersey before the two Jersey provinces
merged in 1702, and the alternate capital when they became New
Jersey. Royal Governor William Franklin maintained a home here and the
town served as a garrison for British troops and a center of Loyalist activities.
The city boasts more than 40 historic sites, the oldest dating to 1677.
Guided walking tours are offered seasonally.
The 1703 Old St. Mary's Church (Northwest corner of Wood and
W. Broad Streets), one of the oldest
church structures in the state,
served as the focal point of activities
of local Loyalists during the
Revolution. The Burlington County
Historical Society [Corson Poley
Center, 454 Lawrence St.; (609) 386-
4773] operates two buildings with
Revolutionary War connections.
The Society, as well as the historic
houses, have regular hours Tuesday
through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m.
The Lawrence House, built circa
1696 (459 High St.) was the home
of John Lawrence, Mayor of Burlington
in 1776. He and a contingent
from the town met Colonel von Donop and his staff on December 11, 1776,
to talk the Hessians into leaving Burlington, as their presence was drawing
fire from Continental vessels in the Delaware River. The Hessian officers
had dinner at Lawrence's house. The 1743 Bard-How House (453 High St.),
was the home of Samuel How, a tavern keeper who served as a representative
to the Provincial Congress of New Jersey; 18th century furnishings
include a circa 1740 Isaac Pearson tall case clock.
Mount Laurel Meeting House [438 Mount Laurel-Moorestown Road;
Mount Laurel 08054; Limited hours; (856) 235-1561] The oldest meeting
house still in use in Burlington County, this was known as Evesham
Monthly Meeting when it was founded in 1760. British troops were housed
here in June of 1778, on the retreat from Philadelphia. The interior remains
as built.
Smith-Cadbury Mansion [12 High St., Moorestown 08057; Hours Tuesday
1 to 4 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month 1 to 4 p.m.; (856) 235-0353] Known as Chester Township in the 18th century, Moorestown was occupied
by both British and Hessians. During Sir Henry Clinton's retreat from
Philadelphia to New York, General von Knyphausen made this mansion
and property his regimental headquarters for the night of June 19, 1778.
It is now the headquarters of the Moorestown Historical Society, which
publishes walking tours of the town.
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