Take a Driving Tour of Old Matawan

Looking for a fun, safe and educational activity over the last few days of summer? Look no further than our hometown of Matawan!

Matawan, originally known as Mount Pleasant, was settled in 1686 by a group of Scottish Presbyterian settlers looking to make a home in the New World. Over the course of its long and rich history, Matawan has been impacted by major events including war, shark attacks and global pandemics. Residents of Matawan have fought and served in every major conflict in American history dating back to the American Revolution.

The buildings, cemeteries and monuments scattered throughout our community are a testament to the role residents have played in local, national and international events.

The following is a list of 12 historic sites that I recommend you check out in Matawan. Please be advised that some of the buildings on this list are private residences, and as such, should be appreciated from a public sidewalk or street.

1. Hunn-Hawkins House (Private Residence) - 19 Mill Road

A historical marker in front of this 1697 Dutch-American colonial home reads: "The oldest house in Matawan, stands on lot no. 8 of original grant made by the proprietors of East New Jersey to Thomas Warne. Operated as a tavern during the Revolution by Major Thomas Hunn, a rendezvous of Philip Freneau and other patriots."

2. The Burrowes Mansion - 94 Main Street

The Burrowes Mansion is a strong symbol of Matawan's rich history. Built in 1723 (according to local lore), the building has served a variety of purposes over its long history including private residence, hotel and now museum run by the Matawan Historical Society. During the American Revolution, the Burrowes family, who at the time owned the mansion, were the target of a May 27, 1778 raid by Loyalists. During this raid, "Corn King" John Burrowes, Sr., a prominent grain merchant, and other local Patriots were captured. John Burrowes, Jr., an officer in the Continental Army, narrowly escaped capture during the attack on his family's home.

For more information on the operating hours and tours of the Burrowes Mansion Museum, visit the museum's official Facebook page.

3. Mount Pleasant Cemetery - New Brunswick Avenue near Main Street

Mount Pleasant Cemetery was once the site of the community's first Presbyterian Church. This church was built in 1734, with the cemetery added in 1763. A historical marker along New Brunswick Avenue explains how the church was burned down during the American Revolution by a group of Loyalists in 1777. During this raid on Mount Pleasant, the church's Reverend Charles McKnight, an outspoken Patriot, was taken prisoner by the Loyalists. The oldest grave in this cemetery is that of Dr. Peter Le Conte who died January 29, 1768.

For more information on Mount Pleasant Cemetery, please visit the Find A Grave page for the cemetery.

4. Forman House (Private Residence) - 14 Ravine Drive

During the American Revolution, Samuel Forman and his family occupied this home on Ravine Drive. Forman's four sons were all officers in the Continental Army. One of his daughters, Eleanor, married Philip Freneau. In late May 1779, Loyalist raiders attacked the town and a skirmish broke out near Samuel Forman's home. The Forman House is also known as the "Old Hospital" because of its use as a shelter for wounded Patriot soldiers following the skirmish.

5. Philip Morin Freneau Cemetery - Poet Drive

Philip Freneau, known as the "Poet of the American Revolution" for his pro-Patriot writings during the war, is arguably Matawan's most famous resident. Along with being a poet, Freneau was a privateer, newspaper editor and publisher. Following the American Revolution, he was an ally of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and the Democratic-Republican Party, and a strong critic of the presidential policies of George Washington. Freneau died at the age of 80 years old on December 18, 1832 from hypothermia. He is buried alongside his mother, Agnes Watson Freneau, in the Philip Morin Freneau Cemetery across the street from his former residence, 12 Poet Drive.

You can check out my recent article on another Matawan historic site, the Philip Freneau House on Patch.

6. Glenwood Institute (Private Residence) - 10 Church Street

Matawan was once home to a series of prestigious private schools on Church Street. Opened in 1834, Middletown Point Academy operated out of a single-room location across the street from its current location at 10 Church Street. A two-story building was built for the academy at the corner of Church and Jackson Streets when it outgrew its original location. In 1857, the current building was erected, with expansions and a name change to Glenwood Institute being completed in 1874. Later, the three-story Italianate-style building housed two other schools, the Collegiate Institute of Middletown Point and the Matawan Military Academy. In 1915, the building ceased to operate as a school in due to competition from local free public schools, and was later converted into residential condos.

For more information on the history of Glenwood Institute, please check out my recent story on Atlas Obscura.

7. St. James A.M.E. Zion Church Historic Cemetery - Johnson Avenue

Richard Little and his daughter Matilda Conover, organized the first congregation of the St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1843 at 102 Atlantic Avenue, a private residence. The congregation later built a church in 1851 that faced Atlantic Avenue, adjacent to the site of the cemetery. The fate of this original church is unknown, but a more modern church now stands directly behind the cemetery. Despite years of neglect that led to the deterioration of most grave markers, a 2001 archaeological survey revealed that the cemetery contains the remains of at least 65 people. Records revealed that there are at least four Union Army veterans of the American Civil War buried in the cemetery. They are Charles Hendrickson, William A. Jamison, James H. Riley and William Sherno, all of who served in the United States Colored Troops.

For more information on the St. James A.M.E. Zion Church Cemetery, please visit the Find A Grave page for the cemetery.

8. Rose Hill Cemetery - Ravine Drive

Opened in 1858, Rose Hill Cemetery is the final resting place for numerous famous residents of Matawan. Notable interments include two victims of the 1916 Matawan Shark Attack, Lester Stillwell and Stanley Fisher, as well as a New Jersey Democratic Party leader, Henry Stafford Little. The Matawan Historical Society hosts an annual walking tour of the cemetery annually in late October. Unfortunately, this year's event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cemetery is also home to the Matawan World War II Killed in Action Monument, a monument placed by American Legion Matawan Post 176 in 2019. The monument is located near the base of the flagpole.

For more information on Rose Hill Cemetery, visit the cemetery's Find A Grave page.

9. Ryer House (Private Residence) - 226 Main Street

David G. Ryer was a New York textile merchant who built the towering blue home on Main Street in 1873. Ryer went on to become an important figure in local government, serving as the Chairman of the Matawan Township Committee from 1892 to 1895. This iconic Matawan home is a fine example of the French Second Empire architectural style.

10. The Old Matawan Train Station - Railroad Plaza

Matawan became a busy railroad junction in the 1870s, and as such, there was demand for a train station. The original Matawan Train Station was built 1875 as a temporary station. The Stick style architectural style depot was in operation until it was replaced with a newer building in 1982. At the time of its closing, it was still classified as a temporary station.

11. 1916 Matawan Shark Attacks Monument - Dock Street

On July 12, 1916, two Matawan residents, Lester Stillwell and Stanley Fisher, were killed by a shark that made its way into Matawan Creek. Stillwell, an 11 year-old boy, was the first victim of the shark. He was attacked while swimming with his friends near the end of Dock Street. Fisher, a 24 year-old man, was later attacked by the shark while searching the murky waters of the creek for the remains of Stillwell. Fisher died of blood loss on the way to the hospital. Part of the inscription on the monument reads, "Matawan lost two brave souls that day who left our community a legacy of courage, kindness and herosim."

12. Memorial Park - Main Street and Broad Street

It is difficult for people traveling down Main Street to not take notice of the prominent statue of a soldier located close to the roadway. The Spirit of the American Doughboy statue that sits atop of the Matawan World War I Monument was placed in Memorial Park by members of the Matawan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #176 on Armistice Day, November 11, 1927. The monument was placed in honor of residents who served in the Great War, whose names adorn the base. The park also has monuments dedicated to veterans, firefighters, the victims of the 9/11 Attacks and the victims of the 1916 Matawan Shark Attacks.

If you are interested in delving deeper into the history of Matawan, I recommend checking out the following books on our hometown's history:

Around Matawan and Aberdeen by Helen Henderson

Matawan and Aberdeen: Of Town and Field (Making of America) by Helen Henderson and the Matawan Historical Society

Stanley Fisher: Shark Attack Hero of a Bygone Age by John Allan Savolaine