The Oakford House, Alloway, New Jersey

The Oakford House was built about 1736 in Alloway, Salem County, New Jersey by William Oakford. The foundation is stone, with exterior walls of red and blue mottle brick. William Oakford was the grandson of Wade Oakford, one of the original settlers of Fenwick Colony.

The initials of the builder are on the east elevation, "W.M.O. 1736," standing for William and Mary Oakford. This was the customary practice in the Fenwick Colony. The intial of the husband was placed on the left and that of the wife on the right. This house is one of the few of its kind left in Salem County.

The lower floor is one large room with two fireplaces. The upper story has three small bedrooms; a lean-to was originally attached to the house, but was torn down.

When the British army invaded Salem County during the American Revolution, a number of refugees fled to this house to escape them. The dwelling was situated in a grove of trees, a part of the original forest. According to tradition, these refugees buried their gold and treasure in the cellar of the house and in the woods.

From this incident has come the story of the "Alloway Ghost," supposedly a continental soldier guarding the buried treasure of the refugees. Reportedly any attempt to dig in the cellar of the Oakford House has been foiled by the appearance of the ghost.

From: American Memory: HABS, with references to "History of Fenwicks Colony," by Thoumas Shourds, and "The Old Houses of Salem County," by J.S. Sickler. Jack E. Boucher, photorapher.

Stockton Manor, Cape May, New Jersey

Stockton Manor was built in 1872, in the Italianate style, complete with mansard roof.

The architect was Stephen Decatur Button, who created it for "Baltimore industrialist," Henry
Tatham. In 1974 the Greotsch family opened this home as a victorian-style inn.

Henry Tatham's company, Tatham and Brother, manufactured pipes (actually lead pipes).

The Gibbon House, Greenwich, New Jersey

The Gibbon House is located in Greenwich, Cumberland County, New Jersey. It was built about 1730 by Leonard Gibbon and is a two and one-half brick house.

The plaque on the gable of the south elevation bears the date 1730. It was occupied by Nicholas Gibbon from 1730 to 1740, and then he moved to what is known as the Alexander Grant House in Salem NJ. The bricks are laid in checker pattern.

The red bricks are said to be imported from England, and the lighter colored ones were made from clay found on the grounds where the house sits.

Additional data and drawings of the house can be found at "American Memory." The house is open to the public during posted months and hours.

Burlington County Prison, Mt. Holly, New Jersey

The Burlington County Prison, located in Mt. Holly, Burlington County, New Jersey, was erected (completed) in 1810. The architect was Rober Mills, one of America's first native-born and trained architect, of Philadelphia.

The builders were Caleb Newbold, George Hancock and John Bispham - commissioners in charge of building for the County Freeholders. The land was purchased from Zachariah Rossell and adjoined the county court house property.

The original building recommendations included a basement or office story to consist of a kitchen, washing room, felons eating room, ten factory or work shops and other shops. The principal or ground level story to consist of keeper's office, sitting and lodging rooms, debtors common hall and 8 cells. The second story was to include 4 debtors rooms, and 8 cells together with a dungeon which is placed directly over the keeper's office. The windows of the hall and debtors chambers were to be secured with iron bars.
The toal cost of the building was $24,201.15

The prison is a National Historic Landmark, and is open to the public.

Additional photographs, drawings and data pages are available on "American Memory."

Some say it is haunted.

Jonathan Pitney House, Absecon, New Jersey

Located on Shore Road in Absecon, Atlantic County, New Jersey, along the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail is one of South Jersey's treasures.

Named after the doctor who lived here. In 1833 Jonathan Pitney purchased the house (it was probably built by Samuel Reed in 1799). In 1848 he built an Italianate style addition onto the house. Jonathan Pitney is sometimes called "The Father of Atlantic City."

This home is now a Bed & Breakfast, and is listed on the National Historic Register. In addition to providing rest for weary travellers, the house is also open for tours during the Christmas holidays.

See additional photographs, inside and out.

Photograph from American Memory

William Hancock House, Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey

This house, located in Salem County New Jersey, is of blue glazed brick. It was erected in 1734 by William Hancock and his wife Sarah, whose initials are woven into the gable on the west end (W.H.S). The house remained in the possession of the Hancock family until about 1865.

William Hancock, the builder was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Salem in 1727 and a member of the colonial legislature. When he died in 1762 the house passed to his son William, who also succeeded his father in the legislature and as a Judge of the County Court of Pleas in Salem County.

The house was the scene of a massacre on the night of March 20, 1778, a few days after the battle of Quinton Bridge. Sleeping American militia were attacked as they slept here by Major John Simcoe and his troops. Sixteen were killed and eleven militia taken prisoner.

Judge Hancock, a Tory who had fled during the American occupation returned to his home earlier that night and had been captured by the Revolutionists. He mistakenly was killed by his friends in the dark. Reportedly the blood stains from this event are still visible on the floor where the militia were bayoneted

In 1932 the Hancock House was purchased by a commission, and the title passed to the State of New Jersey. The house is under the care of the Salem Historical Society, and it is now used as a museum, depicting the history of the Fenwick Colony.

Photograph from American Memory.

C.A. Nothnagle Log Cabin, Gibbstown, New Jersey

The C.A. Nothnagle Log Cabin, located in Gibbstown, Gloucester County, New Jersey was built about 1638, and is possibly the best existing example of early log cabin construction. In the back corner of the cabin is a brick fireplace believed to have been built of imported Swedish bricks by the original builder. The original earthen floor was covered with pine boards about 1730.

This structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. The house is attached to a private home owned by Doris and Harry Rink, who will sometimes allow private tours. SEE HERE for additional information (scroll down).

Also see: Art & Architecture of New Jersey