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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
The Colonial portion of Burlington, little changed during the last century, is west of High Street, lying between Broad Street and Delaware River. Back from the river, great trees cast flickering shadows over Colonial houses, patterned brick sidewalks, and narrow streets and alleys. Most of the houses are of red brick, or of brick painted gray or cream. Many are
built flush with the sidewalk; stoops of two or three steps with delicate wrought-iron railings lead to graceful doorways with shining brass knockers. In the rear are English style gardens with formal paths, edged in low boxwood.
About 30 percent of the population is foreign-born. Industrial growth has brought in Poles, Italians, and Lithuanians. Southern Negroes, who came about 1900 for work in the iron foundries, comprise 1o percent of the population. Many Burlington people commute to work, some as far as New York. Hundreds are locally employed in a large silk mill, the two iron foundries and other factories.
Burlington still clings to its volunteer fire department. Another venerable civic organization is "The Friendly Institution," a benevolent society founded in 1790 by the Society of Friends for relief of "the worthy poor."
The town owes its existence to the Quakers, whose influence has persisted to the present. Two companies of Friends, one from London and one from Yorkshire, began the settlement in 1677. John Crips, one of the settlers, wrote in that year:
During the following year Crips wrote:
... the country and air seems to be very agreeable to our bodies, and we have very good stomachs to our victuals . .. The Indians are very loving to us, except here
and there one, when they have gotten strong liquors in their heads, which they now greatly love . . .
High Street was laid out with lots to the east for the Yorkshiremen and lots to the west for the men from London. The settlement, first called New Beverly, then Bridlington from the Yorkshire town, finally became Burlington. The land nurtured a steadily growing community and the new town soon took rank as one of the first permanent settlements in the western part of the Colony. The following year the ship Shield brought a second company of Quakers. A gristmill and a sawmill were built, and in 1681, after West New Jersey had become a separate province, the Colonial Assembly designated Burlington as the capital and port of entry. The Burlington yearly and quarterly meetings of Friends were established this year.
I do not remember that ever I tasted better water in any part of England, than
the springs of this place do yield; of which is made very good beer and ale; and here is also wine and cyder . . . As for the musketto fly, we are not troubled with
them in this place ...
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