South Jersey Revolutionary War Sites and Historic Events
One of New Jersey’s incredible features is the pivotal position the state played during the Revolutionary War; from battlefields to meeting places, supply depots to war hospitals, the movements and steps of our Founding Fathers are scattered all throughout our state. There are hundreds of well-preserved locations to explore, here is a selection of some of the most interesting in our South Jersey region, along with a collection of the most interesting stories from that era.
Burlington County:
Mt. Holly, along with multiple other towns/cities in Burlington County, is one of the central points of the Revolutionary War in Burlington County with multiple historic sites to visit.
The Battle of Iron Works Hill was a strategic move by the American troops with the soul purpose of delaying the British and Hessian troops from arriving at their designated post in Bordentown, which in turn aided George Washington and his troops to invade and take Trenton in one of the most historic moments in the history of our country. Accompanied with the battle site is the Saint Andrews Cemetery which is the resting place of multiple soldiers who were lost during the skirmish.
Bordentown is home to many structures that remain from the Revolutionary War era. On May 8th, 1778, the British destroyed 44 American ships in the waters surrounding Bordentown delivering a huge blow to the strength of their fleet. There is a historic marker placed at the spot alongside the Crosswicks Creek.
Along with several other preserved structures, the town is home to the Thomas Paine House, as well as a statue honoring the important pamphleteer. Paine played a crucial role in persuading the members of the colonies to embrace the idea of Independence from British rule through his widely circulated pamphlets, most notably Common Sense, published in early 1776.
The last city that I am going to highlight in Burlington County, is the city of Burlington. It is home to one of the oldest remaining dwellings in the entire state, the Revell House, which was constructed in 1685. One of the most interesting pieces of folklore about this home is that it was the residence of a “friendly woman” who allegedly sold Benjamin Franklin gingerbread and also gave him supper during his tenure in Burlington.
The Old St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, built in 1703, was home to the famous pro-British reverend, Jonathan Odell, during the Revolutionary War. Odell served as an interpreter for the Hessian commander, Carl Von Donop (who was also present at the Battle of Iron Works Hill). After the war ended, Odell fled the country and settled in New Brunswick, Canada, along with many other Loyalists.
Camden County:
A famous Hessian encampment, Haddonfield is home to multiple preserved buildings from the War including Greenfield Hall. The Hall, currently the headquarters of the Haddonfield Historical Society, was where Colonel Carl Von Donop camped before the Battle of Red Bank.
One of my personal favorite locations, the Indian King Tavern, also stands in Haddonfield. It was the location where the New Jersey General Assembly officially ratified the Declaration of Independence and adopted its Great Seal. Many historical figures likely visited the Tavern during the War.
The city of Camden itself is home to a site of extreme historical importance, Cooper’s Ferry. Three significant events took place at the Ferry: the Hessians route to and from the Battle of Red Bank, a site of foraging of supplies for the British in Philadelphia, and most notably, the British abandonment of Philadelphia and their retreat into New Jersey.
Gloucester County:
Red Bank Battlefield Park in National Park is one of the most interesting and memorialized Revolutionary War locations in the entire state. The entire history of the location is beautifully told on plaques throughout the park. The site was home to Fort Mercer with the intent to create a major obstacle to keep the British from sailing up the Delaware River and reaching Philadelphia.
On October 22nd, 1777, the Hessians were ordered to attack Fort Mercer, referred to as the Battle of Red Bank. Though the Hessian forces were double the size of the American forces stationed at the fort, the Americans secured a dominant victory with only 14 casualties, while the Hessians suffered over 500 on their side. One of those casualties was Colonel Carl Von Donop himself, who succumbed to his wounds in the James and Anne Whitall House, which still stands and currently serves as a museum.
Directly related to the Battle of Red Bank, Woodbury was used as a location to treat severely wounded Hessian soldiers, as well as bury the ones that did not make it. Woodbury is also home to the former locations of General Cornwallis’s headquarters which was occupied a month after the Battle of Red Bank; though the original building is no longer present, a plaque can be viewed at the location in which it was at that point.
Salem County:
Quinton is the home of a historic stand to defend the cattle and food supplies in which the British desperately needed. After the British occupation of Salem in March of 1778, local citizens strategically moved their cattle and supplies past Alloway’s Creek as to prevent it from being taken by the British. The advantage of the location was that the creek created a natural boundary that could only be scaled by three bridges; which led to a skirmish between the militia-men and the British, although it resulted in multiple American casualties, their effort and sacrifices paid off in that the bridges held disallowing the British from crossing and taking control of the supplies.
St. John’s Episcopal Church resides in Salem; although the building was heavily damaged during the British occupation of the town in 1778, it still stands to this day, and is also home to a cemetery where many militia-men rest.
Cumberland County:
It is believed that there was only one battle during the War in Cumberland County; the Skirmish on the Lower Maurice River (also known as the Battle of Dallas Landing) which took place in Port Norris, on or around August 29th, 1781, although the details are rather hazy, it still makes an interesting story.
In 1774, as tensions were rising higher and higher, local workers destroyed a large quantity of British tea shipments along the Cohansey River in Greenwich in solidarity with the events that unfolded in Boston a year earlier. This event was referred to as the The Greenwich Tea Burning. Although it was not as well known as the Boston Tea Party, it further showed the general opinion that the American people developed towards the British.
As news of the Declaration reached the Cumberland County Courthouse in Bridgeton just over a month after it was ratified, there was plenty of commotion, including the burning of the peace officer staves (which depicted the King’s coat of arms). All ended with the ringing of what is known as the “Liberty Bell” (not the one in Philadelphia); it is still displayed in the lobby of the courthouse.
Cape May County:
Revolutionary War locations are somewhat few and far between in Cape May County, however there is one notable, and interesting event that did take place: The Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet.
You may ask yourself, “where is Turtle Gut Inlet?” Short answer: it doesn’t exist anymore. Wildwood and Wildwood Crest were once two separate islands, before the gap was artificially filled in with sand to create one continuous beach front in 1922. The previous gap, however, was named Turtle Gut Inlet.
On June 29th, 1776, an American ship named the Nancy managed to slip past a British naval blockade in order to deliver supplies and ammunition, multiple British ships caught sight of the Nancy and pursued her. A dense fog rolled in allowing the Nancy to run aground in Turtle Gut Inlet in order to unload their supplies. As the weather cleared up, the British regained a view of the American ship. In time, the British ships inched close enough to board, and in an act of improvisation and surprise, discovered that the American had left the ship and set a make-shift fuse that was lit as they were leaving. The Nancy exploded killing many British Soldiers.
The Americans had one casualty, Lieutenant Richard Wickes, who is currently buried at the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church just a short ride up the road. The modern day seal of Wildwood Crest contains a drawing of the Nancy as a tribute to the heroic battle.
Atlantic County:
Port Republic was the location of the Battle of Chestnut Neck on October 6th, 1778. A small port/village on the banks of the Little Egg Harbor River (currently known as the Mullica River) was the ideal location for privateers. Privateers were private citizens who owned ships, but were given government commissions to attack and seize enemy ships.
After many ships had been seizer by privateers, the British needed to retaliate. A reasonably large fleet was sent to an unprepared Chestnut Neck, which resulted in the loss of many privateer vessels as well as structures in the village itself. There is currently a 50-foot tall monument dedicated to the events of that day in Port Republic.
Ocean County:
Although the Revolutionary War generally ended with the surrender of General Charles Cornwallis in Yorktown, Virginia, on and off local skirmishes continued for the better part of two years. In New Jersey, it was mostly between those who supported American independence and those who opposed it (referred to as Loyalists and Tories).
One of the most infamous bands of Tories was the Pine Robbers, led by Captain John Bacon, the group generally operated in the Pine Barrons.
In October of 1782, an off-track British vessel was captured by Captain Andrew Steelman and his crew of 25 men on their privateer ship on Long Beach Island. After a long day of unloading the cargo ashore, the group was all-but out of energy and decided to make camp right on the sandy beaches of the island. After the entire group was asleep, which did not take long at all, Captain John Bacon and his Pine Robbers sprung into action, sneaking up and slaughtering all but 5 of the men as they were sleeping.
Stories and sights of the Revolutionary War surround us in South Jersey, it never ceases to amaze me. We are so incredibly lucky to live in an area that is so rich with history; and if you do not live here, then visit if you can, I promise it will be worth it.
Thank you for reading.
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