Welcome to your on-line tour of the
former Brotherton Indian Reservation
(1758-1801)
New Jersey's First and Only Indian Reservation
Located in Historic Shamong (Indian Mills) & Tabernacle Townships
Burlington County, New Jersey



This plaque is incorrect. The Brotherton Indians did not
get the invitation from the Oneidas. The invitation came
from the Stockbridge Mahicans who were living among
the Oneidas of New York at the time.





This map of the reservation's borders is fairly accurate. These borders were
drawn from old and new maps. We used the map from the Indian Mills
historical society's hand-outs for the roads, landmarks and natural features.
This was done so as not to confuse anyone. Most of these sites listed are
part of the Reservation's history; the rest are other sites of historical
significance. We have mainly concentrated on Reservation sites. There are
many other local history sites here that we have not covered. Many of these
are located on the Historical Society's map handout available at the
Shamong Municipal Building. Our map is compatible with theirs.




This is the Shamong Diner on NJ State Highway 206,
where your tour begins.
(orange star on map)



#1    This was the site of the original Reservation
Gristmill that burned down in 1762. After the
Reservation lands were sold, Thomas Bedford
built a grist and sawmill complex here in 1807.
Neither is still standing today.



#2    This house was built by Thomas Bedford
in 1807. This home was once the residence
of Edward T. Thompson, former State
Assemblyman (1871-1873) and
township official.



#3   This is the Indian Mills United Methodist
Church. It was built in 1879. This is the
most visible landmark in Indian Mills, and
is also the location of the bronze sign.


#4   A general store has been maintained
continuously at this location since the
1860's. A post office was also located
here during the late 1800's. It is now
a pizza place.



#5   The home of Rev.John Brainerd,
who was missionary to the Reservation
Indians from 1759-1777, was located near
this house.



#6   This was the site of the original Reservation
sawmill. This was the site of a
sawmill until the early 1900s. The sawmill is
gone, but the dam remains.



#7   The log Meeting House where Rev. John
Brainerd preached on the Reservation
was located beyond this sign. Later used
by Whites for worship until it burned
down in 1809.



#8   Old local traditions recall the site of a
fallen mulberry tree near this spot as a
gathering place of the Reservation Indians.



#9   The old Indian School was erected near
this site but burned down in 1923.



#10   A good portion of Route 541 from
Burlington to Indian Mills follows
an old Indian trail locally known
as the Shamong Trail. This trail
continued on to Cape May.



#11   George W. Hagerthy operated a
general store here for more than
25 years during the latter part of
the nineteenth century.



#12   Brick house erected by Clayton
Wilkins in 1809 on land left to him
by his father. John Bordan purchased
the homestead in 1841 and lived there
for many years. The house is no
longer standing.



#13   Known locally as Braddock's Folly,
this is the site of the first successful
attempt to raise cultivated cranberries.
This was done by William R. Braddock
in 1850 at nearby Sordan's Meadow.
There is no access to this site because it is on
private property.



#14   The pioneer log homestead of Lavin
  and Charity Still once stood near here.
Parents of famed Black doctor of the
Pines, James Still. James Still was born
here in 1812 and his nearest neighbors
were the family of Job Moore, Sr. The
Moores were one of the Indian families
who didn't leave the area of the
reservation in 1801.



#15   Tuckerton Road was used by
stagecoaches traveling between
Philadelphia and Tuckerton in the
late 1700s. It still follows the same
course through the Pines.


#16   Here once stood the house where
Ann Roberts (1805-1894) had lived.
She was locally known as Indian Ann
and was famed for her basketry. She was
buried in the Tabernacle Methodist Cemetery.

Despite what the sign says she was not the last!
The green historical signs are maintained by:
 
Indian Mills Historical Society
(609)268-0327, (609)268-1693
Their meetings are held at the
Shamong Municipal Building,
every 3rd Mon. of Month 7:30 pm

http://www.shamong.net/hist.html

Brotherton History

Hope You enjoyed the tour
Pictures Taken By Thomas H Bozarth Sr


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