The Hancock House was the home of a prominent “Salem County
family and is an excellent example of English Quaker patterned
end wall brick houses (see my picture) associated with the
lower Delaware Valley and southwestern New Jersey. It was also
the scene of a British led massacre during the Revolutionary
War.
Architectural
Significance
The Hancock House earned a place in history on that fateful day
in March 1778. Yet the story of its architecture also is
important. With its distinctive patterned end wall brickwork,
simple lines and little ornamentation, it reflects the building
traditions of the Quaker’s English Homeland.
Other elements of this architectural style include Flemish
bond brickwork; a pent-roof that wraps around the front and
back of the house; simple entrance steps; interior paneling and
the use of such local materials as Wistarburg glass.
The Revolutionary
War
n the 18th century, largely English Quakers who were opposed to
violence and armed conflict inhabited Salem County. Yet many
supported the cause. This stance inevitably brought the tragedy
of war to hearth and home.
The winter of 1777 found George Washington and his Army
encamped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The British occupied
Philadelphia. Both armies needed food and supplies. In February
of 1778, General Washington ordered General “Mad” Anthony Wayne
to forage for food, cattle and horses in South Jersey. A month
later, Sir General William Howe dispatched 1500 British troops
and loyalists under General Charles Mawhood to do the same.
Mawhood’s foraging activities met with considerable resistance
from the Salem County militia and local patriots. Repulsed at
the Battle of Quinton’s Bridge, a key transportation link to
the fertile fields of Cumberland and Salem Counties, the
British were frustrated and angry with the people of Salem
County for their support of the Continental Army.
On March 20, 1778, Mawhood issued the following mandate to his
British troops: “Go - spare no one - put all to death - give no
quarters.” At approximately five o’clock in the morning of
March 21, 1778, these orders were carried out.
With local Tories (British Loyalists) and their slaves acting
as guides, Major John Graves Simcoe and approximately 300
troops attacked the Hancock House where they knew the local
militia was stationed. Everyone inside was bayoneted; not a
shot was fired. Among the 10 killed and five wounded, was Judge
William Hancock. He died several days later.
A New Jersey State Historic Site
Administered by NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Parks and Forestry
State Park Service
Open
Wednesdays through Saturdays:
10 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Sundays: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed
Mondays and Tuesdays, most state and federal holidays, and
Wednesdays following Monday or Tuesday holidays.