Hancock House (Lower Alloways Creek Township, New Jersey) facts for kids
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Hancock House
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Hancock House, in 2010
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 Location in Salem County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3 Front St., Lower Alloways Creek Township, New Jersey |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1734 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000393 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 18, 1970 |
The Hancock House is a very old and important building in Lower Alloways Creek Township, New Jersey. It's famous because of a sad event called the Hancock's Bridge massacre that happened there in 1778 during the American Revolutionary War. Today, it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a special place worth protecting.
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History of Hancock House
The Hancock House was built in 1734. It was made for Judge William Hancock Sr. and his wife, Sarah. The house is built with a special brick pattern called Flemish bond. This pattern uses bricks of different colors to show the year it was built (1734) and the initials of William and Sarah (W S).
In 1762, William Hancock Sr. passed away. The house then went to his son, William Hancock Jr., who was also a judge.
The 1778 Hancock's Bridge Massacre
On March 21, 1778, during the American Revolutionary War, a group of about 300 British soldiers and their allies, the Queen's Rangers, attacked the Hancock House. Their leader was Major John Graves Simcoe. They marched through a marsh and crossed Alloway Creek to surprise the Americans.
Around 5 a.m., they entered the house. Inside were 20 to 30 local American militia members. Judge Hancock was also there, even though he was thought to be away. During the attack, eight American men were killed. Judge Hancock was badly hurt and died the next day. Others were wounded or captured as prisoners.
A Local Story from the Massacre
There's a local story about the massacre. It says that the pregnant wife of one of the American soldiers was sleeping in the house. She woke up because of the loud sounds and jumped out of a second-story window to escape. The story says that her baby was born within 24 hours. Many people in Lower Alloways Creek Township today are believed to be descendants of that child.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Salem County, New Jersey
- List of the oldest buildings in New Jersey
