Old Kings Highway Day Trip Adventure

Yummygal’s, Kings Highway Day-trip Adventure!

I wanted to start cataloging easy day trips for folks.

This trip includes; History, Urban Legends, Recreation and Adventure!

I composed four stops within a five-mile radius that is sure to be fun for the entire family! This route will yield scenic country roads and not take up your entire day.

First Stop: HISTORY

The Moravian Church

Located on the corner of Swedesboro-Sharptown Road & Moravian Church Road
Swedesboro, New Jersey

Moravian Church in Swedesboro, Gloucester County.

Side-view.

Old grave markers, the writing has disintegrated.

The Moravian Church is an early Protestant Church and began in Europe around 1457. Land around Raccoon Creek and Piles Grove, as it was called, was purchased by the Avis family. They were Moravians and built the church.

In 1786, the Moravian Church was erected. It was built near the site of the original log cabin church constructed in 1747. Local building materials were used to assemble it. The construction began in June 1786 and dedicated on July 5, 1789, by Bishop J. Ettwein. According to the book Swedesboro and Woolwich Township, the foundation was made of native brown fieldstone and the walls of brick. The floor boards and rafters were cut by local sawmills.

Additional gravestones.

Another unmarked grave with an American flag.

According to Notes on Gloucester County by the famous Frank Stewart,here are a small handful of Revolutionary War Tidbits:

• On Dec 5, 1777, twenty American militia men were quartered at the property.
• February 25, 1778, over 2,000 English troops passed the Moravian Church on their way to Salem City. The house was full of soldiers, polite, but carried off all the rifles and arms they could find.

Residents of both Gloucester and Salem Counties attended worship from 1789 to 1804. There were 134 members recorded at services by the end of the Revolutionary War.

This property was conveyed to the Episcopal Church of New Jersey on October 15, 1836. The Gloucester County Historical Society places this stone August 31, 1907 and now owns the property.

Marker on the Moravian Church.

The Stone Reads:

“Near this site 1747 the MORAVIANS erected a log church in which was dedicated August 31, 1749 by Bishop A.G. Spangenberg.

The construction of this church was begun in June 1786 and dedicated July 5, 1789 by Bishop J. ETTWEIN.

This property was conveyed to the Protestant Episcopal Church of New Jersey October 15, 1836. The Gloucester County Historical Society places this stone August 31, 1907.”

Dignitaries of the stone unveiling included that of Boyd Avis a congressman. He was a descendent of the original founder of the church.

The Guest Family is one of the families buried in the church grounds. Henry and his wife, Jane, were members of the Oldman’s Creek Moravian congregation at least by 1783. The Guests received a 2 acre lot and a lot on the road near Swedesboro, formerly Swedesborough from Henry’s father’s Will. With the monies from Will, they were able to also buy roughly 17 acres nearby on Oldmans Creek.

The Moravian church and cemetery shows a few remaining tombstones of those that were laid to rest. Not all can be identified.

Old capped well.

Outhouse on grounds.

Bye Bye Moravian Church.

As quoted by Frank Stewart, in his notes of Gloucester County, on the Moravian Church:

“One cannot leave this intensely interesting study of this once active theatre of religious work without referring to that which still remains. Where once the tread of hurrying feet was heard as they wended their anxious way to the worship of the Lord, silence now pervades the scene, and it is only broken by an occasional visitor who comes perchance to see the old landmark or read the epitaphs upon the markers of the silent city of the dead. Here in this sweet spot of earth, rich with the memories of the past, lie buried the noble men and women who stood for right and who defended our homes and gave to the nation its power to be born, and to us a home for which we feel the deepest gratitude.”

Second Stop: URBAN LEGEND

The Seven Stars Tavern

At the intersection of Kings Highway and Woodstown-Auburn Road. On right-hand side after the blinking light.

The Seven Stars Tavern. See the little window? Step up and place your order!

Historic plaque.

The Seven Stars Tavern was built in 1762 by Peter and Elizabeth Lauterbach. Their initials etched in the brickwork of the South Gable. The Tavern was a popular stop for travelers on Kings Highway as it was the shortest route between Salem and Burlington, New Jersey. People could rest for the night from their long journey and get a bite to eat. The Seven Stars even had their own modern-day ‘drive-thru’ at the time. The small window you see pictured, accommodated curb side service! What sets this place apart from the rest, is its history with supposed ghost hauntings and folklore.

Here are some of my findings:

• Mr. Louderback, the man who built the beautiful brick structure, was known to be quite the tightwad. There is an urban legend in which his family believed he buried his treasure in the proximity of the Seven Stars Tavern. When he passed away in 1780, Purportedly, none of his money could be found.

• According to a publication, Haunted Houses, 3rd: Chilling Tales from 24 American Homes by Nancy Roberts. A ghost of a Tory spy has been witnessed inside the home. A former owner in the 1980s, Robert Brooks, tells the story about the Tory who was loyal to the British during the Revolutionary War and relaying information to King George’s soldiers. Neighbors found out about the spy’s ways and decided to kill him. A bunch of men dragged him up the stairs to the attic of the Steven Stars, tied a rope around his neck and then to a beam, and then threw him out the window as was hung to die.

• The Seven Stars is also listed in another book called, New Jersey: A Guide To Its Present and Past. It states that there have been witnessed accounts of ‘fighting ghosts’ with each ghost having a name. Sightings of Bluebeard, yup the famous pirate! Bluebeard is said to have been a frequent patron and came here nightly for his alcoholic enjoyment. A Hessian has also been witnessed, an Indian and many more. I guess these ghosts like to get down and fight. It would actually be fun to watch!

The Seven Stars was once home to the inventor of teflon, Roy Plunkett. Plunkett was a research chemist for DuPont in Deepwater, New Jersey.

Current owners are Susan and Joe Frank. They open their home to visitors during the Salem County Historical Society’s open-house tour in spring and during the Christmas house tour sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church in Swedesboro.

This is a private residence so please view from the street and be respectful.

Seven Stars Tavern was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 17, 1976.

Third Stop: RECREATION

Marlton Recreational Park in Pilesgrove, New Jersey.

Head back south on Kings Highway go through the blinking yellow light and about a 1/2 mile to your left, you will see a sign for the Marlton Recreational Park. Follow signs to destination.

Marlton Recreational Park Sign.

Portion of the kid park.

Walking trails of the park.

On April 1, 1985, the park opened to the community. In fact, my husband planted all the trees on the property for his Eagle Scout project. It holds a bit of family history to us.

There is walking trails, bathroom facilities, kid play parks and a sheltered picnic pavilion. It would be the perfect place on your road trip to enjoy a picnic lunch. A great place to enjoy some fresh air and enjoy the park amenities.

Fourth Stop: Adventure

Featherbed Lane Wild Management Area

Directions From Marlton Park
1. Head west on Marlton Rd toward McCoubrie St

2. Turn right onto County Hwy 620/Kings Hwy

3. Take the 1st left onto Featherbed Ln

Look for the WMA on your left-hand side.

Featherbed Wildlife Management Area view from the street.

A knockout!

Featherbed 🙂

The Featherbed Lane Wildlife Management Area is about 190 acres of exploratory fun. It is a popular spot for bird-watching. Nestled in a natural marsh area and a nice sized creek. A great place to take the kids and get them accustomed to nature without getting lost! Please check for dates. Between April 15th-September 1st you are not permitted access on the premises. No deer hunting allowed.

Here is a link to a map of the Featherbed Wildlife Management Area.

Click to access featherbed_lane.pdf

That concludes our tour.

Sunset at Auburn Road Vineyard.

If you are really daring and have time, check out Auburn Road Winery. Perhaps, do some wine-tasting and watch the sunset in the vineyard. The winery is about 1 minute around the corner from the Featherbed WMA!

Enjoy your day trip my friends! ~ The Yummygal