The William Hancock House - Hancock's Bridge
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: WM4KA8
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 09/02/2008
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member Team Farkle 7
Views: 73

"Right from Salem on an oiled gravel road is Hancock's Bridge, 4m. (5 alt.), a muskrat-trapping center. The William Hancock House (R), 4.1 m. (open daily; daylight hours; contribution), was erected in 1734 by William Hancock and his wife Sarah, whose initials are woven into the gable. The house was the scene of a massacre on the night of March 20, 1778, a few days after the battle of Quinton Bridge. About 90 American rebels were asleep in the dwelling when a detachment of 200 enemy troops-most of them green-coated loyalists-under Maj. John Simcoe made a surprise attack. Bayoneting the sentries, the raiders entered the house and systematically began to exterminate the sleeping men. No quarter was given; militiamen were stabbed while pleading to be taken prisoner. Judge Hancock, a Tory, who had fled during American occupation of the area, had returned to his home earlier that night and been captured by the Revolutionists. By mistake, his Tory confederates killed him in the dark. The only survivors were a small number of militiamen who managed to get out of the house.

Owned by the state, the house is under the care of the Salem County Historical Society. Hundreds of Colonial relics are displayed. Two bedrooms, a reception room and the old kitchen have complete Colonial furnishings. The two-story farmhouse faces the bridge over the Alloway Creek behind a row of massive maples. Both the checkerboard and zigzag patterns are worked into its walls with glazed brick."

--- New Jersey, a Guide to Its Present and Past, 1939; page 634

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.

Link to the Homestead: [Web Link]

History if no Link:
History can be found in the long descritpion


Additional Parking or Point of Interest: Not Listed

Structure Type: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
A clear picture of the Homestead, Marker or Plaque taken by you. And if you like a picture of you and GPS at the marker.
No Copyrighted images please.
Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest Homesteads
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
Weird_Travels visited The William Hancock House - Hancock's Bridge 06/05/2011 Weird_Travels visited it
ODragon visited The William Hancock House - Hancock's Bridge 04/12/2008 ODragon visited it

View all visits/logs