NJ Pine Barrens Maritime-Culture-Landscape 1 1 2024

Evolution of MCL’s Commercial Heritage
17th century, Swedish and Dutch who developed whaling and fishing settlements mainly along the Delaware
River.
The English claimed the area as of 1606 under their London Company,
First shipbuilding operations began in the Pine Barrens in 1688, utilizing the cedar, oak, and pitch pine trees, as
well as local tar and turpentine.
Sawmills and gristmills opened around 1700, leading to the first European settlements in the Pinelands.
Colonial era, the Pine Barrens was the location of various industries. In 1740, charcoal operations began in the
Pine Barrens, and the first iron furnance opened in 1765.
Bog Iron was mined from bogs, streams, and waterways, and was worked in about 35
furnaces including Batstso, Atsion, Hampton Furnace in Shomong, [ Hanover Furnace in Pembderton
Iron from these early furnaces was instrumental in supplying the American military with weapons and camp
tools during the American Revolution the War of 1812, and the Second Barbry War
Commodore Stopehen Decatur Jr sailed to Algiers armed with 24 pound cannons that had been cast at
Hanover in 1814.
Rancocas Pathways 377