top of page
Writer's pictureMeghan Hirst

Historic Bordentown, NJ - Part 1 History

Updated: Jun 26, 2021

Do a YouTube search to watch a video about the history of this charming town! Niche rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Neat Flags with the Founders and History of Bordentown, NJ, Clara Barton Schoolhouse. Photos by Nature Photographer Pam Hirst at PKH Photography. Writing by Freelance Content Writer and Travel Blogger Meghan Hirst at Meghan Hirst, Writer.


Like Allentown, Bordentown has a lot of history! As indicated by the flags, this town was founded by Thomas Farnsworth in 1682 and was deemed Borden's Towne by Joseph Borden in 1740. Numerous famous Revolutionary War figures resided here, such as Thomas Paine and Francis Hopkinson. Consequently, it became a target for British and Hessian troops—there were pillaging and burning incidents from 1776 to 1778.


Other noteworthy events happened in the 1800's. In 1831, the first steam engine on rails called the "John Bull" was constructed right outside of Bordentown by an engineer named Colonel Robert Stevens. A replica of the "John Bull" is on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross, opened the first free public schoolhouse in New Jersey in the middle of the town in 1843.


Refurbished storefronts from the 1850's are located in Bordentown's downtown district. Many of these buildings are listed on the State and National Historic Register.


There is more historical information, including other well-known figures, so we encourage you to check out the Bordentown Historical Society's website.


We will be presenting the trails in Historic Bordentown, NJ next!


Who is your favorite Revolutionary War figure?



3 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page