MATAWAN READIES FOR A HISTORIC EVENT

The Matawan Historical Society is pleased to announce a historic event taking place the weekend of June 3–4 in honor of the 300-year history of the Burrowes Mansion. The event will center on the time when John Burrowes, Sr., owned the house and lived there with his family throughout the American Revolutionary War. True American Patriots, they risked everything to support America’s cause for independence.

John Burrowes, Sr., a Sons of Liberty member, and his family provided Washington’s troops with essential supplies during the American Revolutionary War. The Burrowes’ residence served as the first New Jersey Militia mustering location and, in 1778, the scene of a British plot to capture Captain John Burrowes, Jr., and disgrace the family in public as a warning to those considering aiding the fight for independence. To prove their point, the British troops set fire to the entire house’s contents, along with all the granaries and warehouses. Although the Burrowes Mansion narrowly escaped devastation, lives were lost in the conflict, and John Burrowes, Sr., was taken prisoner.

The Matawan Historical Society will recreate the British raid that took place there in 1778.

Professional reenactors from the Garden State Black Powder organization will help the Society with this live-action event scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

The weekend will also include a colonial encampment in the Burrowes Mansion backyard with the following: soldiers and tents, tomahawk throwing, and blacksmith, flintlock firings, and spinning wheel demonstrations. An authentic cannon will be on display, and three scheduled cannon firings (on Saturday only) will be included as well.

Children’s colonial games, a