New Jersey History and Sites

In 1682, John Skene, the first Freemason resident recorded in the colonies and Deputy Governor of the Providence of West Jersey, purchased a 300-acre property, which later became known as Peachfield Plantation. This property, located in present day Westampton, NJ, passed through several owners over its three-century history, but it gives a glimpse back into the early colonial period.

After Skene passed away in 1695, Henry Burr purchased the property. It is believed Burr lived in the original home built by the Skenes for a number of years. In 1725, Burr built a new home, which still stands today and is known as the Peachfield Plantation House. Seven years later, Henry Burr’s son, John Burr built a west wing expansion on the home. For the next 200 years, Peachfield remained in the Burr family. Ultimately, in 1896, Louisa Woodward Burr and her husband sold the property to Annie R. Clark.

In 1928, a lightning strike caused a fire, nearly destroying the home. While most of the home was gutted, the stone walls of the foundation still remained standing. Two years later, Norman and Miriam Harker purchased the property, and hired a famous Philadelphia architect, R. Brognard Okie, to restore the home after the fire. The home was restored to a colonial revival style.

Before her death, Mrs. Harker left Peachfield and surrounding land to The National Society of The Colonial Dames in New Jersey. The Colonial Dames continue to run Peachfield as a house museum to remember the legacy of the property. The Colonial Dames also continue maintenance of another property, the Old Schoolhouse in Mount Holly, NJ.

Resources

“About.” Peachfield: The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of New Jersey. Accessed on February 1, 2026. https://peachfield.org/about/

Kardas, S and E. Larrabee. “Preliminary archaeological survey at Peachfield, 1989 Season.” Historic Site Research. Princeton, NJ: The Nation Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of New Jersey, Oct. 20, 1988.

Robertson, Mark and Shirley Venitsky, editor. Westampton Township: 1850-2000. Westampton, NJ: Westampton Township, 2000.