Bordentown in Burlington County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Friends Meeting House
Erected by Bordentown Rotary Club.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism, and the Rotary International series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1740.
Location. 40° 8.761′ N, 74° 42.718′ W. Marker is in Bordentown, New Jersey, in Burlington County. It is on Farnsworth Avenue (County Road 545) just south of Walnut Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 302 Farnsworth Ave, Bordentown NJ 08505, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Jersey and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bordentown (here, next to this marker); Bordentown Female College (within shouting distance of this marker); The Telephone made its Bordentown Debut in 1882 (within shouting distance of this marker); World Wars I and II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Tower Clock (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas Paine (about 500 feet away); First Baptist Church (about 600 feet away); First movement by steam on a railroad in New Jersey (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bordentown.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 14, 2020
3. 1740 Bordentown Friends Meetinghouse Returns to Historic Look sign on the grounds
The 1740 Bordentown Friends Meetinghouse, now at 302 Farnsworth Avenue is undergoing an extensive restoration and preservation effort that will return it to its historic appearance as shown in an 1890 photo and as reported in the 1937 Historic American Building Survey (HABS). An evaluation of the existing its 1800's stucco finish stripped away years ago. This caused damage to the brick and exposed the damaged brick directly to the weather for the next half century. The faηade restoration project will save the 1740 Meetinghouse for future generations, by protecting its fragile Northeast facing brick faηade from rapid deterioration, and restore it to historically accurate look.
www.bordentownhistoricalsociety.com

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 14, 2020
4. Bordentown Society of Friends banner on display in Bordentown
Early 18th century residents of Bordentown were largely Quakers who escaped persecution from their native England. The Friends of Bordentown petitioned the Friends Meeting in Crosswicks to allow them to form their own meeting and build their own place of worship. In 1740, they built the structure still located at 302 Farnsworth Avenue. Although the Bordentown Meeting was discontinued in 1904, the "Friends Meetinghouse" remains as the oldest house of worship in the city.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 14, 2020
5. Joseph Borden banner on display in Bordentown
In 1717 Joseph Borden settled here, purchased substantial parcels of land, and changed the town's name to Borden's Towne. He started a packet line from Philadelphia to Bordentown in 1740. Travelers would stop and rest in Borden's Towne, and then board the Borden State for Perth Amboy where they would make their ferry boat connections to New York.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 427 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 16, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

