Edward Sharpe House (1812) - Camden, NJ
N 39° 56.850 W 075° 07.480
18S E 489350 N 4421937
This is a rather large home, extending back a quarter of a block or so, well hidden in the front with trees and bushes. It is easy to miss this historic home if you are not looking for it. One of many NRHP sites in this immediate area.
Waymark Code: WM6MZC
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 06/23/2009
Views: 3
Background
Edward Sharpe was involved with the planning, naming and over all laying out of the City of Camden. "In 1820, extending further south, Edward Sharp, having purchased 98 acres from Joshua Cooper, laid out a portion of these lands into streets and lots and named it Camden Village. Sharp named the main thoroughfare Bridge Avenue, as he projected the construction of a bridge across the Delaware River to Windmill Island, a sandy island en route to Philadelphia which served as an obstruction to river traffic. SOURCE
The House
"Sharp had an impressive home built c. 1812 on 200 Cooper Street, Lot #42, in Jacob Cooper's original townsite. Gideon V. Stivers, prominent builder and mayor of Camden (1830-1838), built Sharp's house in accordance with the then popular Federal style. Edward Sharp went into debt in 1821. He lost his house, was forced to abandon his bridge plans, and his land was seized by the sheriff. During the 170-year lifespan of the Sharp house, there have been but five owners to date. One of the best local examples of the Federal style, the house has been preserved through its continuous occupation. It is presently listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places." This plot of land and the others laid out by Sharpe formed the initial basis of what is now Camden City.
The historic marker affixed to the bottom, front right of the home reads: "The Edward Sharpe House, Erected 1812, Here was planned the first bridge between Camden and Philadelphia for which a charter was granted in 1819. This tablet is erected by the Camden Centennial Committee." Out front on the sidewalk is a small metallic emblem embedded in the concrete declaring this a NRHP site.