Crossroads of History: The Surprising Legacy of Bordentown

If you walk down Farnsworth Avenue in Bordentown, New Jersey, you are walking through one of the most historically dense square miles in the United States.

Located at the bend of the Delaware River in Burlington County, this small city (just one square mile in size) has been home to signers of the Declaration of Independence, founders of the American Red Cross, and even an exiled King of Spain.

While it is known today for its charming restaurants and shops, Bordentown was once the transportation and intellectual hub of the colony.

The Vision of Joseph Borden

The area was originally settled in 1682 by Thomas Farnsworth, an English Quaker, and was known as “Farnsworth Landing.”

However, the town got its name—and its ambition—from Joseph Borden, who arrived in 1717. Borden was a transportation visionary. He recognized that the town sat perfectly between the two major colonial cities: Philadelphia and New York. He established a line of stagecoaches and boats that linked the two metropolises, making Bordentown a vital layover for travelers and trade.

The Birthplace of the Iron Horse

Bordentown’s transportation legacy didn’t end with stagecoaches. In the 19th century, it became the cradle of the American railroad.

In 1831, the Camden and Amboy Railroad (the first railroad chartered in New Jersey) made Bordentown its southern terminus.

• The John Bull: The famous steam locomotive, the John Bull, was shipped in pieces from England and assembled here. A young mechanic named Isaac Dripps put it together without any instructions, and the engine was successfully tested on the tracks in Bordentown, marking one of the first movements of steam power in New Jersey history.

The Home of Revolutionaries… and a King

For a small town, Bordentown has an incredibly high-profile list of former residents.

• Francis Hopkinson: A signer of the Declaration of Independence and the designer of the Great Seal of New Jersey. His home still stands on Farnsworth Avenue.
• Thomas Paine: The fiery author of Common Sense and The Crisis loved Bordentown and owned a home here, considering it his retreat from the political storms of Philadelphia.
• Clara Barton: Long before she founded the American Red Cross, Barton lived in Bordentown. In 1852, she was appalled that there were no free schools for the local children. She founded the first free public school in New Jersey right here. The original one-room schoolhouse is preserved and can be visited today.

The Exiled King: Perhaps the most surreal resident was Joseph Bonaparte, the older brother of Napoleon Bonaparte and the former King of Spain and Naples. After Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, Joseph fled to the United States. He purchased a massive estate in Bordentown called Point Breeze. For years, his library and art collection were the finest in America, and his gardens rivaled those of the White House. He lived here in luxury, often hosting the American elite, until he returned to Europe in the 1830s.

If You Visit

Bordentown City is perfect for a walking tour. The downtown area is highly walkable and filled with preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture.

• Location: Exit 7 off the NJ Turnpike, or via the River Line light rail.
• The Schoolhouse: The Clara Barton Schoolhouse is located at 142 Crosswicks Street.
• Point Breeze: In a major preservation victory, the former estate of Joseph Bonaparte (Point Breeze) was recently acquired by the state and the D&R Greenway Land Trust. It is now open to the public as a park, allowing you to walk the grounds where a King once lived.

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For More Information

• Bordentown Historical Society (www.bordentownhistory.org)