Pride in Our Past & Present
Settled by a group of Scottish Presbyterians beginning in the 1680’s, Matawan was first called New Aberdeen, and then Mount Pleasant. Today, Matawan’s historic town core retains its appeal as a place to live, work, and shop.
America’s 250th Birthday celeBRATION
The Borough of Matawan has adopted the 250-Resolution formally announcing Matawan’s participation in the upcoming 250th birthday celebration of the United States of America.
Special Announcement: The Matawan Historical Society is pleased to announce that it is collaborating with the Keyport Historical Society on a series of special events celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. This includes co-sponsoring related lectures in our regular monthly meeting series, as well as partnering on special events commemorating the local fight for independence in the Bayshore area. Both Matawan and Keyport are proud partners in the RevolutionNJ and MonmouthNJ 250 programs.
Matawan and Keyport’s first collaborative event will be John Schneider’s lecture “The Deadly Divide: America’s First Civil War During the American Revolution” on January 26, 2026. A complete list of our upcoming events will be published soon.
Burrowes Mansion History
The new edition of The Burrowes Mansion of Matawan New Jersey: and Notations on the History of Monmouth County, Second Edition (2023) by Mary Lou Diecker and Barry C. Orr is now available! The Burrowes Mansion, constructed in 1723, celebrated its 300th Birthday in 2023, and this newly expanded edition of the book commemorates that anniversary. Please visit our “Shop” page to order your copy.
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⚓ A WHALEBOAT RAID FROM MIDDLETOWN POINT… TO CAPTURE THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK!
A True Story from the American Revolution
Imagine this:
It's June 1778.
The British occupy New York City and much of Long Island. Across the bay, American patriots along the New Jersey shore are fighting back — using whaleboats.
From Middletown Point, William Marriner and militia officer John Schenck lead a group of men on a daring nighttime expedition toward Long Island.
Their target?
David Mathews, the Loyalist Mayor of New York City.
Under cover of darkness, the raiders row across to Staten Island, follow the shore toward the Narrows, cross to Long Island and land near what is now Fort Hamilton.
But their journey isn't over.
John Schenck knows the area. He guides the men overland toward their target and
they reach Flatbush around midnight.
But there was one problem.
Mayor Mathews wasn't home.
Mission accomplished? Not quite.
The raiders don't leave empty-handed. They capture Major James Moncrieff, a British officer, and Theophilus Bache, a prominent Loyalist, before beginning the long journey back to New Jersey.
By the following morning, they have returned to Middletown Point — after traveling more than 50 miles by land and water.
A daring raid.
A remarkable journey.
And a story that began right here on the Bayshore at Middletown Point. At the time, Middletown Point was an important waterfront community serving the surrounding area that today includes Matawan, Aberdeen and Keyport.
Today, the same maritime heritage is coming back to the water — but thankfully, this time the mission is much friendlier!
THE GREAT WHALEBOAT RACES OF 2026
Three towns.
Three boats.
One Golden Oar. 🏆
Saturday, August 29
Lake Lefferts
Come cheer for Team Keyport as Keyport takes on Matawan and Aberdeen!
⚓ GO KEYPORT!
#KeyportNJ #KeyportHistory #WhaleboatRace #AmericanRevolution #RevolutionNJ250 #MonmouthNJ250 #America250 #BayshoreHistory #visitKeyport
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