Gruesome: 10 People Were Murdered in This One South Jersey House
This is one of those things that as a life-long resident of South Jersey, I knew absolutely nothing about.
But the more I read about it, I became more and more intrigued about what happened inside this rather innocent-looking house.
Truth be told, I have driven past this house numerous times. I thought it was just an old house that stood the test of time and someone decided to save it and turn it into a park.
But the story here is much, much deeper. And horribly tragic.
The property that this house sits on dates back to around 1673. The house that's there was built in 1734.
Brutal Event
In 1778, as many as 10 people were brutally murdered inside of it -- and not a single gunshot was fired.
The Hancock House (now a historic site) is on Front Street in Hancock's Bridge, a tiny community in Salem County, part of Lower Alloways Creek Township. Less than 300 people currently live there. Saying that this is a "quiet community" is an understatement. Perhaps its biggest claim to fame is that it's in the shadow of the Salem and Hope Creek Nuclear Power Plants.
A short version of a long story goes like this:
- William and Sarah Hancock built this house in 1734.
- William died in 1762 and he left the home to his son, also named William.
- Fast forward a bit to 1776, which was a rather turbulent time in American history. And that's where this story begins to turn tragic.
In February 1778, George Washington ordered Gen. Anthony Wayne to look for food and horses in South Jersey. A month later, "Sir William Howe dispatched 1500 British troops and loyalists under Gen. Charles Mawhood to do the same," according to a brochure.
Mawhood's activity in the area angered those that lived in Salem County and they put up quite a fight.
Tired of the resistance, on March 20, 1778, Mawhood issued the following order, which was carried out at 5 AM:
"Go - spare no one - put all to death - give no quarters."
And that's exactly what happened.
300 British troops attacked the Hancock House, which is where the local militia was stationed. Troops entered from the front and back of the home at the same time.
Out of the 20 to 30 people that were inside at the time, around ten were brutally murdered. Those killed were bayoneted to death.
Since that massacre, the house was utilized in different ways -- it was a tavern for a bit, a hotel, and even a private residence for a while (can you imagine living there?) until the State of New Jersey turned it into a historic site.
Haunted?
Oh, and many people claim the house is haunted. It is said screams can be heard and apparitions have been seen. And although the public is no longer allowed to tour the upper floors, it is said that blood can still be seen on some of the floorboards.
Tour a Piece of History
Should you be interested in visiting the Hancock House, it is open several days a week and a local guide will gladly tell you the fascinating history of this 288-year-old home (pictures of the interior are not allowed).
While you are there, be sure to walk around the entire building. There is a 300-year-old tree on one side and on the other is a stunning herringbone pattern in the brickwork (pictures below), which is only overshadowed by the horrific tragedy that happened within its walls.
And a side note: this isn't the only quirky thing in Hancock's Bridge. Just a few minutes from the Hancock House is a bridge that's nearly 120-years-old and you can't drive on it. Pictures of that are below, too.
10 People Were Murdered in This One South Jersey House
Gallery Credit: Chris Coleman
Bridge Built in 1905 in Rural Salem County, Closed Since 1991
Gallery Credit: Chris Coleman