Hancocks Bridge in Salem County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hancock House Massacre
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
1. Hancock House Marker
Inscription.
Hancock House Massacre. . The winter of 1777 – 1778 had been particularly harsh on both the British and the Colonial troops. British commanders learned that the rich agricultural supplies in lower New Jersey could be obtained with little resistance and sent detachments to obtain provisions and supplies., The colonists were determined to prevent the British from gaining access to their provisions, and moved their livestock below Alloways Creek. British Commander, Colonel Charles Mawhood was just as determined to not only obtain them, but to also “chastise the rebels.” His foraging parties, however, were turned back at all of the bridge crossings by the entrenched Cumberland and Salem militia., After two days of skirmishing, Colonel Mawhood, more determined than ever to defeat the militia, chose the community around Hancock’s Bridge to concentrate his efforts. Major John G. Simcoe was dispatched with a force of 300 trained guerilla fighters and orders to spare no one., In the darkness of the early morning hours of March 21, 1778, Simcoe’s troops quietly surrounded Judge William Hancock’s house where a small Quaker garrison of about 30 colonial militia, including Judge Hancock, were sleeping. Simcoe’s troops entered the house simultaneously from the front and back and in the darkness of the night, quickly bayoneted all occupants. Some survived, but unfortunately one of the casualties turned out to be Judge Hancock.
The winter of 1777 – 1778 had been particularly harsh on both the British and the Colonial troops. British commanders learned that the rich agricultural supplies in lower New Jersey could be obtained with little resistance and sent detachments to obtain provisions and supplies.
The colonists were determined to prevent the British from gaining access to their provisions, and moved their livestock below Alloways Creek. British Commander, Colonel Charles Mawhood was just as determined to not only obtain them, but to also “chastise the rebels.” His foraging parties, however, were turned back at all of the bridge crossings by the entrenched Cumberland and Salem militia.
After two days of skirmishing, Colonel Mawhood, more determined than ever to defeat the militia, chose the community around Hancock’s Bridge to concentrate his efforts. Major John G. Simcoe was dispatched with a force of 300 trained guerilla fighters and orders to spare no one.
In the darkness of the early morning hours of March 21, 1778, Simcoe’s troops quietly surrounded Judge William Hancock’s house where a small Quaker garrison of about 30 colonial militia, including Judge Hancock, were sleeping. Simcoe’s troops entered the house simultaneously from the front and back and in the darkness of the night, quickly bayoneted all occupants.
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Some survived, but unfortunately one of the casualties turned out to be Judge Hancock.
Erected by State of New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry and National Park System.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Notable Events • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 21, 1677.
Location. 39° 30.46′ N, 75° 27.584′ W. Marker is in Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey, in Salem County. Marker is at the intersection of New Street and Locust Island Road, on the right when traveling south on New Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hancocks Bridge NJ 08038, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Hancock House is part of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. The Hancock House marker is on the left, while the other marker describes the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail program. The back of the Hancock House can be seen behind the markers.
sectionhead>More about this marker. Two photographs, courtesy of the Salem County Historical Society, appear on the bottom of the marker. One is of a model of the Quinton bridge and has a caption of, “The Quinton drawbridge was one of several crossings the British attempted to use to gain access to provisions below Alloways Creek. The original was cut down by colonial militia to protect their supplies and provisions, while under British attack the morning of March 18, 1778.” The other is a photograph of the Hancock House showing the brickwork design. It has a caption of “The initials of William Hancock and his wife Sarah Thompson Hancock, along with the date 1734, appear in the patterned end brickwork on the west wall of the house. The decorative brick reflects the building traditions of the Quakers’ English homeland.”
Also see . . . 1. Hancock House. New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry webpage. (Submitted on August 13, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
This photo shows the front of the Hancock House, located at 3 Front Street near Hancock's Bridge.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
4. Detail of Hancock House
The decorative brickwork of the Hancock House shows William and Sarah Hancock's initials and the date the house was constucted.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,762 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.