Old Kings Highway through Westville, NJ

In late November 1777, old Kings Highway was used the British General Lord Cornwallis, who marched with over 4,200 troops to attack the American Fort Mercer at Red Bank.

Cornwallis was sent to Southern New Jersey by General Howe to eliminate the threat to British shipping by the American forces at Fort Mercer.

Previously in Oct 1777, the Americans at Fort Mercer had defeated the Hessian attack which resulted in a great loss of life of Hessian forces.

The Americans evacuated Fort Mercer before Cornwallis arrived.

Lord Cornwallis would encamp in Woodbury for a few days as his troops ensured that Fort Mercer was destroyed.

The British would march north on the Kings Highway into Westville and would skirmish with American forces at the dismantled bridge crossing the Great Timber Creek.

Two British soldiers died in fighting at the bridge. The British troops rebuild the bridge so as to cross into present day Brooklawn.

[ Gloucester County Historical Society – map from Frank H. Stewart article from 1939 / Revolutionary War files ]