USA > New Jersey > Historical collections of the state of New Jersey : containing a general collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, etc. relating to its history and antiquities, with geographical desciptions of every township in the state. > Part 13
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BURLINGTON COUNTY.
1
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Ancient Tree, Burlington.
This was held to be the favorite resort of witches, who (though they were, like all the early reminiscences of the place, strictly English) danced around it after the manner of the Kettentanz of the German witches on the Hartz mountains. The other was The Pirate Tree, a large black-walnut, the enormous stump of which may still be seen in the tanyard on Wood-st. Superstition held it famous, as the place of deposit for gold and silver, by Blackbeard and his associate pirates. It is said that they landed one stormy, terrific night, loaded with an unusual quantity of plunder, which they buried in silence at the root of this tree, which took its name from this circumstance. They covered the gold with " a broad flat. stone," and having done so, their chieftain called aloud, " Who'll guard this wealth ?" We should have mentioned, that the transac- tion was performed in darkness, as well as in silence; but at this question, a vivid flash of lightning revealed the pale and appalled countenances of the pirates, who, though ready at all times to dare death and to trample on the laws of Heaven and of man, were yet unwilling to offer themselves a sacrifice, to be murdered in cold blood. Some one, however, must be interred with the gold to pro- tect it from depredation ; and at last one of the most reckless out- laws, a Spaniard, who had long merited the honors of the neigh- boring Gallows Hill, stepped forward and offered himself as their victim. He was shot through the brain by Blackbeard, with a charmed bullet, which penetrated without occasioning a wound, thus leaving him as well prepared as ever for mortal combat, ex- cept the trifling circumstance of his being stone dead. He was buried in an erect position ; and so well has he performed his trust, that, for any evidence we possess to the contrary, the treasure re- mains there to the present day. On one occasion, it is said, an at- tempt was made to regain it; but the hazardous deed will not be likely to be repeated while the attendant circumstances are remem-
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BURLINGTON COUNTY.
bered. It is suspected by some (though tradition is silent on this point) that a black dog was buried with the pirate, since an appa- rition of that shape has been seen in Wood-st. by the believers. These supernatural appearances are rarely beheld in the present day,-for want, doubtless, of that faith which is the only possible evidence of certain unseen things. We will close this legend, for the introduction of which we crave our readers' pardon, with an admirable specimen of the characteristics of an old witch song, which is represented as having been heard from the witches dancing with linked hands around their favorite tree on the night of the Spaniard's interment. Just at its close, they were intruded upon by some beings of mortal mould, and uttering something like the exclamation of the ancient Scottish witches,
" Horse and hattock in the devil's name,"
they were all instantly seated upon broomsticks, and rode away at a speed exceeding that of the forked lightning. Their next voy- age, it is said, was disastrous and fatal.
CONCERT OF WITCHES.
Merrily daunce we, merrily daunce we, around the sycamore tree ! Full many will daunce this terrible night, but none will be merry but we. The ships shall daunce on the yesty waves, the billows shall daunce and roll, And many a screech of despair shall rise from many a sin-sick soule! Be merry, be merry ; the lightning's flash itself were sufficient light, And we've got us a phosphor-gleaming corse to be our candle to-night. There never was night more foul and black-there never was fiercer blast- Oh many a prank the winds will play, ere this terrible night be past ! Be merry ; the fiends are roving now-and death is abroad on the wind- Join hands in the daunce, to-morrow's light full many a corse shall find. Our sisters are out on mischief bent-the cows their milk shall fail, The old maid's cat shall be rode to death, and her lap-dog lose his taile. The farmer in vain shall seek his horse-who fastened his stable door With key and with bolt-if he has not nailed a horse shoe firmly o'er.
IST WITCH.
I saw dame Brady sitting alone, And I dried up the marrow within her hip bone. When she arose she could scarcely limp,- Why did I do it ?- she called me foul imp ! 4
1
2D WITCH.
I scratched the Justice's swine on the head- When he wakes in the morning he'll find them dead. And I saw the Pirates land on the shore, Loaded with gold, but crimsoned with gore.
3D WITCH.
I saw them bury their golden store at the root of the Pirate tree : Bold Blackbeard cried, " Who'll guard this wealth ?" and oh ! 'twas mercy to see How even the wretch who fears not hell, turns pale at the thought of death ! But one bold knave stood bravely out and offered himself for scath. " I'll watch it," quo' he-" for these forty years, I've wandered o'er land and sea, And I'm tired of doing the devil's work-so bury me under the tree : And better I'll rest as I guard this wealth, than you in the realms below, Where the soul cannot burst amid endless groans-where the Pirate's soul must go. So they shot him dead with a charmed ball, and they laid a broad flat stone Deep in the earth above the gold, and they stood the corpse thereon.
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BURLINGTON COUNTY.
Now wo betide the daring fool who seeketh that gold to win. Let mortals beware of the noble wretch who standeth that grave within.
4TH WITCH.
I saw the Pirates enter their boat. Sullen they looked, as well they mote- I wore a shape which they shook to see, And they made the sign of the cross at me. But the sign of the cross avails not those
Whose sins have made all the saints their foes. And they fired at me an idle shot, For powder and ball could harm me not. But skaith and ruth shall be theirs, I ken ; We brook not defiance fromn mortal men.
There they go rowing adowne the streame, I see their oars in the lightning's gleame,
They are singing the dirge of their comrade low ; Sisters, what say you-let's curse them now.
CONCERT OF WITCHES.
Away! away! the night is foule, but fouler by far are ye! The storm is fierce, but fiercer by far is your terrible destiny !
Your vessel shall sink aniid mountain waves, and the fearful blasts of hell,
And you'll dwell for aye with the foule, foule fiend, whom here you have served so well ! Some shall go down with a bubbling groan on the ocean's pathless way,
Some shall be dashed on the flinty rocks-the vulture and sea-bird's prey, Some shall be washed alive on shore, to die on the gallows tree, But gold, or wife, or children deare, none, none shall live ever to see.
Away, away, while the tempest howls, and the thunders are heard in wrath, Away on your errand of guilt and blood. and destruction attend your path !
The following, communicated by an aged and highly respectable gentleman, (still living,) briefly relates an attack upon Old Bur- lington : " In the twelfth month, 1776, Count Donop, commanding a detachment of Hessians, (say 400,) entered Burlington, and were encamped on the premises of Thomas Wetherill, below York bridge. Two brass field-pieces were placed in the road, near Robert Deacon's corner ; their muskets were stacked in the middle of the street, and guards placed near-the troops cooking their provisions. Prompted by curiosity, and having obtained permission from home, I entered their encampment. Amused with the novelty of the scene, so entirely new to me, I for a time forgot both friends and home, and tarried longer than prudent. My parents in the mean time had become uneasy at my stay, being ignorant of the cause ;. and my father arrived, in search of me, just as the row-galleys in the Delaware, opposite the town, began firing-which apprized us of the necessity of seeking a place of safety. On our way home, when we arrived at John Neal's, corner of York and Broad streets, he was standing at his door; and hearing the reports of the can- non, fired in quick succession, he accosted my father with, 'Mr. , these are perilous times.' At that instant an eighteen- pound double-headed shot struck the back of the house, within less than twenty yards of us, broke a large hole through the wall, and lodged in the fireplace, driving the ashes out of the front door ; which my father observing, said he thought they were firing red-hot balls. His wife was standing on the sill of the door, and in her fright sprang beyond the porch. On our way home we
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BURLINGTON COUNTY.
had to face the cannon, as they fired up York-street. My father bade me watch the flash, and immediately fall flat, which we both did ; and were favored to arrive safe. We found the family had retired to the cellar, which was the retreat chosen by numbers. In the spring of 1778, on a first-day afternoon, a number of women and children (myself amongst them) assembled on the bank, in front of James Kinsey's house, above the town-wharf, to view the British naval armament, that had been up the Delaware and de- stroyed the American frigates and row-galleys ; and as they had pass- ed up peaceably the preceding day, it was not supposed they would fire on the town. Now a large sloop, with cannon in her bow, (I believe a twenty-four pounder,) approached the wharf. A man stood on the quarter-deck, waved his hat, and called aloud, 'The women and children must leave the bank ; we are going to fire !' I immediately took shelter behind Abraham Hewling's brick store, on the wharf, and watched their movements. I distinctly heard the word 'Fire!' (being not two hundred yards from the vessel.) The first shot struck Adam Shepherd's stable, below the wharf, where several men were standing; all of whom escaped injury. Supposing myself out of danger, I continued an attentive spectator to their valiant attack on the peaceful city of Burlington. The wind being ahead, the sloop had to tack, and continued firing un- til she passed the city. Providentially, not one human being was injured, so far as I can learn."
River_Delaware
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365
Water
Street
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Pearl
Street
Wood St
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9
Alley
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I Main Stre
Union St
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Broad
2 Street
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Ancient Plan of Burlington.
[References .- 1, 1. Old Market-houses. 2. Courthouse, (taken down in 1795 or 1796.) 3. Gov. Franklin's mansion. 4. Grounds of do. 5. Horace Binney's. 6. Mrs. Ches- ter's. 7. Market-house. 8. Place of occasional meetings of the legislature. 9. Resi- dence of Samuel Smith, treasurer of the colony. 10. St. Mary's church. 11. Ferry. house, (kept by Mr. Shepherd.) 12. Hay's Burlington House, (new.) 13. J. H. Ster- ling's house, (built in 1731.) 14. Town-wharf.]
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BURLINGTON COUNTY.
The above is an ancient plan of Burlington, showing the situa tion of the most noted buildings, &c., in ancient times. It appears that the legislature, both of the colony and state, sat at various places besides the courthouse-sometimes at taverns, and other public places, and sometimes at private residences. No. 8, on the above plan, was a large wooden building, at or near the site of James Sterling's celebrated store. No. 9, the residence of Treas- urer Smith, was a large brick building, in which the meetings of the council were frequently held. It was afterward owned, for many years, by Mr. Joshua M. Wallace. It was bought by the late Rev. Joseph Maylin, and by him taken down in 1832.
James Lawrence, a captain in the United States navy, was born in Burlington, October 1st, 1781; and was the son of John Law- rence, Esq., an eminent counsellor. Having a strong predilection for a sea-faring life, his friends procured for him a midshipman's warrant, when he was between sixteen and seventeen years of age. When war was declared against Tripoli, he was promoted to a lieutenancy, and appointed to the command of the schooner Enter- prise. He volunteered his services in the hazardous exploit of de- stroying the Philadelphia, and accompanied Decatur as his first lieutenant. At the commencement of the war with Great Britain, in 1812, he sailed in the Hornet sloop-of-war, as part of the squad- ron that cruised under Commodore Rogers. His second cruise was under Commodore Bainbridge. On the 24th of February, 1813, the Hornet, under the command of Capt. Lawrence, while cruising off Demarara, fell in with the British brig Peacock, Capt. Peak, a vessel of about equal force. The contest commenced within half pistol-shot ; and so tremendous was the fire of the Americans, that in less than fifteen minutes the enemy surrendered, and made a signal of distress, being in a sinking condition. Notwithstanding every exertion to keep her afloat, she sunk, with thirteen of her crew, and three Americans, who perished in relieving a conquered foe. The slaughter on board the Peacock was very severe; and among the slain was her commander.
Capt. Lawrence, on his return, was appointed to the command of the frigate Chesapeake ; and while lying in Boston roads, nearly ready for sea, the British frigate Shannon, Capt. Brooke, appeared off the harbor, and made signals expressive of a challenge. Capt. Lawrence immediately determined on accepting it, although it ap- pears the Chesapeake was not in good order, and the crew not un- der proper discipline. On the 1st of June, 1813, the Chesapeake put to sea ; and coming up with the Shannon, both vessels ma- nœuvred in awful silence until within pistol-shot, when the Shan- non opened her fire, and both vessels almost at the same moment poured forth tremendous broadsides. The havoc on both sides was dreadful ; but the fire of the Shannon was peculiarly fatal, cutting down most of the American officers. The Chesapeake had three men successively shot down from her helm, which produced irreg- ularity in the steering ; and her anchor caught in one of the Shan-
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BURLINGTON COUNTY.
non's after-ports, and her guns could not be brought to bear upon the enemy. At this juncture the Chesapeake was boarded, Capt. Lawrence being mortally wounded. His last words were, as he was borne bleeding below, " Don't give up the ship!" Resistance, however, was vain, and the ship was surrendered. Capt. Law- rence lingered through four days, in extreme bodily pain, and then expired. His body was wrapped in the colors of his ship, and was buried by the British, at Halifax, with the honors of war. Thence it was removed to Salem, Massachusetts, and finally to New York ; where there is a monument to his memory, in Trinity churchyard, with the following inscription :
" In memory of Captain JAMES LAWRENCE, of the United States navy, who fell on the Ist day of June, 1813, in the 32d year of his age, in the action between the frigates Chesapeake and Shannon. He had distinguished himself on various occasions, but par- ticularly when commanding the sloop-of-war Hornet, by capturing and sinking his Bri- tannic majesty's sloop-of-war Peacock, after a desperate action of fourteen minutes. His bravery in action was only equalled by his modesty in triumph, and his magnanimity to the vanquished. In private life, he was a gentleman of the most generous and endear. ing qualities ; and so acknowledged was his public worth, that the whole nation mourned his loss, and the enemy contended with his countrymen who most should honor his remains. The HERO, whose remains are here deposited, with his expiring breath expressed his de. votion to his country. Neither the fury of battle, the anguish of a mortal wound, not the horrors of approaching death, could subdue his gallant spirit. His dying words were, 'DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP !' "
NOTE .- The compilers of this work are mainly indebted for the account of Burlington to a communication from Wm. J. Allinson, a gentleman living in the place. The his- torical part is evidently drawn up with care and accuracy.
CHESTER.
CHESTER is about 7 miles long, 5 broad, and is bounded NNE. by Willingboro, SE. by Evesham, SW. by Waterford, Glou- cester co., and NW. by the Delaware. The surface is level and undulating, and the soil fertile and under good cultivation. The Rancocus flows on its N., and the Pensaukin creek on its SW. boundary. The township contains 10 stores, cap. $25,200 ; 3 grist- m., 3 saw-m .; cap. in manufac. $37,100; 9 schools, 467 scholars. Pop. 2,603.
The village of Moorestown is pleasantly situated on the road from Camden to Freehold, 9 miles from Mount Holly, and 9 from Camden. It derives its name from an early settler named Moore. It was probably early settled, as Smith, in his history published in 1765, alludes to it as one of the principal villages of the county. It was then sometimes called Chester, and the lower part of it Rodney town. Moorestown is well built, and stretches along the road for about a mile, which being ornamented with trees, gives it a pleasant appearance. It contains 2 hotels, 3 stores, 5 houses for public worship, and about 100 dwellings in the village and vicinity. The following is a view of the Episcopal church standing at the SW. extremity of the village. It is a handsome stone structure, built
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BURLINGTON COUNTY.
View in Moorestown.
in 1838, at an expense of $4,500. The Baptist church, a short dis- tance further up the street, is a neat, plastered edifice. The Meth- odist church is a substantial ou ce: structure in the central part of the village. There are also two meeting-houses at the other end of the town, belonging to Friends. There is scarcely a village in the state which has so many houses for public worship in propor- tion to its population.
When the British army were on their march from Philadelphia to Monmouth, a part of it passed through this village. They en- camped on the night of June 19th, 1778, on land now owned by Amos Stiles and Benj. Warrington, about 300 yards from the Friends meeting-house. The troops plundered many of the inhab itants of the country through which they passed. The people re- sorted to various methods to conceal their property. The follow- ing anecdote is related of an individual who lived not far from this vi- cinity. He had scarcely time to bury his goods under ground, when the gleaming of bayonets from a distant hill warned him of the approach of the enemy. Fearing the damp appearance of the fresh earth would betray the hiding-place, he dashed a pail of wa- ter over the spot, and throwing down a quantity of corn called his hogs. This well-timed stratagem probably saved his effects.
Commodore Truxton, the distinguished naval commander, once resided in a dwelling now standing about a mile and a half from Moorestown on the road to Mount Holly.
Westfield, on the road from Camden to Burlington, one and a half miles E. of the Delaware, contains about 15 dwellings and a Friends meeting-house. There are also three other houses for pub- lic worship in its vicinity, viz. : a Friends, a Christ-ian, and a Meth- odist. Bridgeborough, a small village on the same road, and on the Rancocus, contains 2 stores, a tavern, and a few dwellings.
Ten pieces of silver coin, about two hundred years old, were ploughed up some years since in this township, on the farm of P. C. Tinuons, dated 1647, under Fred. Henry, Prince of Orange.
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BURLINGTON COUNTY.
CHESTERFIELD.
This township is about 10 miles long, with an average width of 5 miles, and is bounded N. by Hamilton, Mercer co., E. by Upper Freehold, Monmouth co., and Hanover, S. by Springfield, SW. by Mansfield, and W. by the Delaware river. Its surface is level or. undulating ; soil sandy, with some clay and loam, and made pro- ductive by marl. The township contains 22 stores, 3 grist-m. ; cap. in manufac. $127,780 ; 11 schools, 557 scholars. Pop. 2,716.
Arch over the Railroad, Bordentown.
Bordentown, 9 miles from Burlington, 12 from Mount Holly, and 7 from Trenton, is at the head of steam navigation on the Dela- ware. It is built on a level plain elevated above the river. It contains 4 hotels, 8 stores, 1 Episcopal, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist church, and a Friends meeting-house, and about 1,800 inhabitants. The Bellevue Female Seminary, under the charge of the Rev. W. H. Gilder, of the Philadelphia Conference, was commenced in this place in Oct., 1842. Bordentown is not only remarkable for its neat appearance, but as affording one of the most magnificent riv- er views in the country. From the brow of the hill, on which the town is situated, to the N. and W., the spectator sees nearly 100 feet beneath the whole country spread out level for many miles, through which winds the Delaware until lost to view behind pro- jecting headlands. An autumnal sunset,
" When the restless day Expiring, lays the warbling world asleep,"
is here a scene of glory ; when the forests are robed in brilliant tints, the clouds brightened with warm gorgeous hues, and the wa- ter reflecting the charms of the heavens and earth upon its sur- face, where
" Shade, unperceived, softens into shade, And all forming one harmonious whole."
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BURLINGTON COUNTY.
The elegance of the scenery, and the purity of the air in the sum- mer, draws to this village many visitors.
Bordentown is on the direct railroad route from New York to Philadelphia, 28 miles from the latter. The two railroads crossing New Jersey, the one from Amboy and the other from Jersey city, here merge into each other and form one continuous line to Cam- den. The above engraving represents the arch over the railroad, and under Main-st. It is of stone, 18 feet in height, 22} broad, and 83} feet long. The outlet lock of the Delaware and Raritan canal is in front of the town.
This vicinity was first settled in 1681, by Thomas Farnsworth, an English Friend; but the village derives its name from Joseph Borden, an early settler. In the revolutionary struggle, it was sev- eral times in possession of the British troops. Early in May, 1778, the enemy, then in possession of Philadelphia, sent an expedition up the Delaware for the purpose of destroying several vessels brought here for safety, and lying in Barnes' and Crosswick's creeks. Their force, consisting of two row-galleys and three other armed vessels, with twenty-four flat-bottomed boats, carrying 600 or 800 troops, left that city about 10 o'clock in the evening, intending to arrive here before morning. For the first 10 miles the wind was fair ; it then died away, and they were obliged to row the remain- der of the distance. Early dawn found them opposite Burlington, and they did not reach Bordentown until late in the forenoon. Be- fore landing, they burnt two frigates at the White Hills, just below the village. Afterward they destroyed several smaller vessels, the hulk of one of which, at very low tide, is still to be seen in Crosswick's creek. On arriving at the village, the enemy burnt the dwelling and store of Mr. Joseph Borden, the former of which stood in Main-st., on the present site of Mr. John M'Knight's store. They also intended the destruction of the dwelling of a Mr. Em- ley, an influential whig ; but learning it had been sold, they com- mitted no other mischief than breaking in the window-sashes and doors with the breeches of their guns. Little or no opposition was made to them. They remained but a few hours, and embarked on board their vessels in the afternoon. The next day they proceeded up the river as far as Bile's island, intending to make a descent upon Trenton ; but meeting with unexpected opposition from ar- tillery Gen. Dickinson had ordered down for that purpose, and the militia having turned out with spirit to oppose them, they judged appearances too unfavorable to proceed. On their return, they landed at Col. Kirkbride's farm on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware, and destroyed his buildings. Gen. Dickinson having sent a detachment of militia down the river, they made prize of a sloop the enemy had loaded with plunder, with six men on board.
The following additional particulars, relating to this incursion, were derived from conversation with a resident at the time. Four men were murdered in cold blood, after they had surrendered, in the vicinity of what is now Hilton's tanyard, at the foot of Walnut-
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BURLINGTON COUNTY.
street. They were Joseph Gregory, Edward Isdell, - Sutton. and another person from Burlington. An old lady, by the name of Isdell, was shot in a dwelling then standing opposite the site of the present post-office, in Main-street. A British spy, who had come from Philadelphia with the troops, and while quietly repo-ing on the river bank, was, through mistake, mortally wounded by his friends. His protection was found in his pocket.
The British officers dined at the dwelling of Francis Hopkinson. Esq. Himself and family were absent; but an excellent dinner was provided by Miss Mary Comely, their housekeeper, a young lady of about eighteen years of age. While they were there, in- formation was given to her that the soldiers were robbing the dwelling of her mother and grandmother, on the opposite side of the street ; the same that is now owned by Mr. William M'Knight. She went in, and privately cut a piece from the skirt of one of the soldiers' coats. When the troops were formed, previous to their departure, the thief, through the kind interference of the officers, was identified by the hole in his regimentals. By this means, not only the property of her relations was restored, but some belonging to her neighbors, which she had the art to claim, and afterward re- stored to the proper owners. A whig, named Carter, residing in a dwelling next above Kester's hotel, on hearing the enemy were approaching, determined to disarm their hostility by a kind recep. tion. He therefore killed a sheep, and, as the soldiers entered, ac- costed them cordially, expressing joy at their arrival. He told them he had some fresh mutton, and if they would wait he would pro- vide them as good a dinner as in his power; and then bade the " good woman" to hurry, and have every thing in readiness for the feast. The men were pleased with his apparent frankness and as- siduity, but were obliged to leave before the meal was ready ; and it was partaken of by a party of American lighthorse, under Capt. Baylor, who entered the village in the latter part of the day.
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