Jonathan Hampton facts for kids

Jonathan Hampton (born 1712, died 1777) was an important person in colonial America. He was a surveyor, a merchant, and a military officer. He helped protect New Jersey's border along the Delaware River during the French and Indian War. This war happened between 1755 and 1763.

Protecting New Jersey's Border

In 1755, the governor of New Jersey, Jonathan Belcher, and the local government decided to build forts. These forts were made of stone and were placed along the Delaware River. Their goal was to stop attacks by some Native American groups and their French allies. These attacks were part of a bigger war between France and England called the Seven Years' War.

Building Forts and Supplying Troops

Jonathan Hampton was chosen to help with these forts. He became the "victualler" (which means he supplied food and other items) and "paymaster" (which means he paid the soldiers). He worked for a military group called the New Jersey Frontier Guard. These soldiers were stationed at the forts.

To make sure the soldiers had what they needed, Hampton built a special road. This road was called the Military Road. It was built between 1756 and 1757. The road connected the capital city, Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth), to Morristown. It then went all the way to the Delaware River valley.

The Military Road's Path

The Military Road followed old Native American trails. Over time, parts of this road became other important routes. Today, parts of it are used by roads like New Jersey Route 10, U.S. Route 206, and County Route 510. The western end of the Military Road connected to another old path called the Old Mine Road. This road followed the Delaware and Neversink River valleys.

Jonathan Hampton also set up a large main fort. It was called Fort Johns. This fort was built on a hillside overlooking the Delaware valley. It was near the Van Campen's Inn in Walpack Township.

Land and Community Contributions

Jonathan Hampton owned a lot of land in Sussex County, New Jersey. Much of this land was in the Paulins Kill valley. When Sussex County was first created, Hampton gave some of his land to the county. This land was used to build a courthouse, which was constructed between 1762 and 1765. He also gave land for a public green.

Close by, he offered land for a new school. He also gave land to the Anglican church. This land was for building a church and a home for the local priest.

Jonathan Hampton and Freemasonry

Jonathan Hampton was a Freemason. This is a member of a fraternal organization. However, he is sometimes confused with another Jonathan Hampton from New York City. The New York Jonathan Hampton gave a special Bible to St. John's Lodge No. 1 after a fire in 1770. This Bible is now known as the George Washington Inaugural Bible.

Our Jonathan Hampton was part of a group that asked to start a Freemason lodge in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. This request was made in 1762. The request was approved on January 24, 1762. The new lodge was named Temple Lodge No. 1.

Later Life and Legacy

Jonathan Hampton died on November 1, 1777, in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. It is said that he was celebrating the news of a big American victory. This victory was the surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, which happened two weeks earlier.

A town in Sussex County, New Jersey, was named in his honor. This town is called Hampton Township.