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Population: 12,000 Located in Camden County
On October 23, 1682, when he took up a tract of 400 acres, Francis Collins became the first settler within the boundaries of what is today Haddonfield. An English Quaker and a bricklayer by trade, Collins soon built his house, "Mountwell". Other settlers would soon follow.
Haddonfield flourished throughout the 18th century; by the Revolution it was the largest village in the area. One reason for its growth was water transportation via the Cooper's Creek; Haddonfield was at the terminus point where boats could be flatted. From this strategic point goods would have to be brought for shipment or incoming goods must be unloaded. Haddonfield also had an advanced road system, leading to what is now Camden and Gloucester City and to Salem and Burlington.
This quiet Quaker town was a reluctant host to some of the armies of the American Revolution. Both the Council of Safety and the New Jersey legislature, on the run from the British, met on a number of occasions in Haddonfield throughout 1777. Many of the famous names of the Revolution passed through Haddonfield, including Lafayette, Generals Morgan, Greene, Wayne and Pulaski, the Polish Count; British leaders included Sir Henry Clinton, Lord Cornwallis and a Hessian Commander, Colonel Donop.
Haddonfield continued to grow throughout the 19th century, which brought the railroad and later the trolley car. Despite a long tradition of tavern keeping, the citizens voted "no license" in 1873, prohibiting all sales of alcohol. The town regularly -- and in ever increasing numbers -- voted "no license" through the century. Haddonfield remains a dry community today.
In 1874, the HADDONFIELD BASKET, Haddonfield's first newspaper made its debut. Through the watchful and strongly opinionated viewpoint of the editor and publisher, John Van Court, we see a town undergoing great change. Many new homes were being constructed, social activity centered on a variety of groups, especially the churches; civic improvements such as better sidewalks and electric street lights were on the way. Yet despite becoming officially incorporated as a Borough in 1875, Haddonfield remained a country village.
Another local newspaper in the 1890's described Haddonfield as a "beautiful village" with "finely shaded streets, extensive views, boating and fishing, churches and good schools, spring water running in your house, electric lights, good supply stores delivering goods, No Malaria, No Sand, No Mosquitoes".
Increased mobility (especially due to the automobile) in the 20th century brought greater development, as Haddonfield evolved from an agricultural village to a fully developed suburban community. Some residents, recognizing the important historical developments of the town, initiated a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of Haddonfield in 1913 with a large historical pageant. Following from this event, the Historical Society was founded in 1914.
In 1963 another historical pageant was staged for the 250th anniversary of the town's founding. "The King's Road", a historical musical about the British and American troops in Haddonfield during the Revolution was written by local resident Harry T. Kaufmann; it was produced for the New Jersey Tercentenary in 1965 and again for the United States Bicentennial in 1976. Realizing that the
first settler had come some time before the traditional date of founding, the Borough celebrated the 300th anniversary of its settlement on October 23, 1982.
Five years after the organization of the Haddonfield Preservation Society, an Historic District Ordinance was enacted by public referendum in 1971. The Historic District, comprising over 400 structures and including most of the central business district, is listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
Haddonfield, New Jersey
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