Hancock House
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Math Teacher
N 39° 30.477 W 075° 27.629
18S E 460412 N 4373248
Built in 1734, the Hancock House is an important tangible link to understanding the History of Salem County and our Nation’s struggle for independence.
Waymark Code: WM2J9A
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 11/10/2007
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member deano1943
Views: 22

3 Front Street
Hancock's Bridge, NJ 08038
(856) 935-4373

Background

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.

Street address:
Rte. 49 and Front St,
Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ USA
08038


County / Borough / Parish: Salem County

Year listed: 1970

Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event

Periods of significance: 1700-1749, 1750-1799

Historic function: Domestic

Current function: Recreation And Culture

Hours of operation: From: 1:00 AM To: 4:00 AM

Primary Web Site: [Web Link]

Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]

Privately owned?: Not Listed

Season start / Season finish: Not listed

Secondary Website 2: Not listed

National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.
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Recent Visits/Logs:
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Weird_Travels visited Hancock House 06/05/2011 Weird_Travels visited it
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