Our History
The City of Burlington New Jersey USA is the first and original township in Burlington County, predating the “original constablrys” by 11 years.
Native Americans of the Mantas (or Leaping Frog) tribe of the Lenni Lenape knew Burlington Island as Matinicunk and the mainland as Techichohocki, or “oldest planted land”.
Early 1600s — There is some archaeological evidence supporting the local presence of a significant Swedish settlement by the early 1600s. Belgian Walloons fleeing persecution built the first recorded European settlement in New Jersey, ca. 1624, establishing an Island trading post to barter with the indigenous people. The Dutch then came upon the Island, exploiting its rich and varied wildlife. Their fort faced downriver, the better to defend both forks of the Delaware River from invasion. New Jersey’s first record of an African presence notes slaves of a Dutch colonial official. The first murder in recorded state history took place on the Island in the 1670s, when two Indians murdered two Dutchmen. As the Dutch withdrew from New World holdings, Swedes and Finns occupied the Island, until it was seized by the English in 1664. Fleeing oppression in England, the Quakers settled in Burlington over 325 years ago.
Frontispiece, Concessions documentMarch 3, 1677— Proprietors authorized the formation of the town in a seminal constitutional document which set forth principles and ideals of freedom and democracy found 100 years later in the United States Constitution. Among these innovations were civil and religious liberty; separate executive and legislative power; an elected Assembly; freedom of speech; no deprivation without due process of law. In their own stirring words, the Proprietors
“…lay a foundation for after ages to understand their liberty as men and Christians, that they may not be brought into bondage but by their own consent, for we put the power in the people.”
This manuscript was titled, “The Concessions and Agreements of the Proprietors, Freeholders and Inhabitants of West New Jersey”. This document is so remarkable that it has shared exhibition space with the Magna Carta in the National Park Service’s Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia, PA. The ancient parchment traditionally is preserved within the Surveyor General’s Office in the City. In part, it states, “…granted by William Penn, Gawan Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, into Thomas Hutchinson, Thomas Pearson, Joseph Helmsly, George Hutchinson and Mahlon Stacy date the second day of the month called March 1677 instant, wherein they grant unto the said persons certain privileges for a town to be built…”. The division of East and West Jersey is thereafter defined, and Burlington is designated the Capital of West Jersey.
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Fall, 1677— The ship Kent arrives in Delaware with Quaker settlers fleeing oppression in England, disembarking in Salem and canoeing and walking up the Delaware River to the Rancocas Creek, and then to Burlington.
Oct. 10, 1677— The Friends made a peaceful land purchase agreement, trading gunpowder, pipes, hooks, cloth, kettles and etc. Among eight Native American chiefs who amicably sold the land to the Quakers was one highly esteemed for his nobility and integrity, Chief Ockanickon. He was Chief of the Mantas tribe of the Lenape, and a valuable early friend of the settlers.
December 10, 1678— More English Quakers arrived, as the ship Shield tied up to a huge sycamore on the riverbank. It was the first ship to sail up the Delaware River as far as Burlington. Said the Friends from Yorkshire to the Friends of London, “Let us build a Town together.”
Seal of the Board of Island ManagersSeptember 26, 1682— The first Assembly met and ordered Burlington be “The Chief Town and Head of the Province”. As a legislative member, Quaker Robert Stacy originated a bill: an Act of the General Assembly granting the Island to the City of Burlington, that its revenues might be employed, “…for the encouragement of learning and the better education of youth.” Thus was born the oldest continual educational trust board in the United States, The Managers and Treasurer of the School Fund for the Education of Youth in the City of Burlington, now known as the Board of Island Managers.
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October 18, 1693— Assembly passed an “Act for the settling of the Town of Burlington”, giving landowners “the power to elect yearly on the fifth day of April, an officer who shall be the Chief Magistrate of the said Town and shall be like the Burgess thereof”.
April 5, 1694— The first town meeting was held. Prior to that, Burlington had little need of a local government.
King George II signatureMay 7, 1734— The Town of Burlington, including the entire present-day Township and City, was chartered as a City by King George II. Application had been made by Gov. William Cosby, styling himself Captain General & Governor & Commander in Chief of our Province of New Jersey, New York and Territories Depending in America.
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March 6, 1783— a committee clarified the Act of 1682, based on the Act of October 18, 1693 establishing the bounds of the City.
1784— It is this date which appears on the Official City Seal: MDCCLXXXIV The Township was now detached, and the City of Burlington acquired its own Charter, making it distinct and independent.
Thus the City has continued politically over 325 years to this present day. Once the Capital of West Jersey and the third largest port in North America, the City contains New Jersey’s first recorded European settlement, the State’s oldest Library*, N.J.’s oldest Fire Company* and first Pharmacy in New Jersey*. Add to those achievements the Underground Railroad, Burlington County’s oldest residence, the State’s first weekly newspaper and as the list goes on, you begin to sense just how exceptional the City of Burlington truly is.
To provide citizens more information about municipal services, the City provides this website, The City of Burlington Official Online Resource. Use it as a Guide, a sort of City Owner’s Manual, for taxpaying, voting residents.
For a fascinating look at Burlington’s rich and varied 326-year history, visit our Tour Burlington website. Learn about NJ’s first recorded European settlement. Discover how to see the State’s oldest fire company, first Pharmacy, first Library and more, including the County’s oldest residence. See old houses, museums, antiques, Underground Railroad, folklore. Time travel is an easy walk in the City of Burlington… try it for your next family day trip, or bring your seniors group.
Tour City of Burlington Historic District • Where the past is our present to you
E-mail: info@tourburlington.org • 609-386-0200 or 386-4773