Historic Houses

The Bard How House was built in 1743 by Bennett Bard, the original kitchen was separate behind house, and a garden lot.  Bennett Bard was a bit of a notorious character. He had served as the sheriff of Hunterdon County, but was fired because of extortion and abusing prisoners in the jail. He also had money troubles, and was sued by his own brother Peter for 400 pounds owed to him.

Samuel How bought the house from Bard in 1756 and made an addition in 1770. He was a butcher and vicutaller (tavern-keeper) and operated a general store in the front room. He was appointed a Justice in Burlington County in 1774. In 1775 he represented Burlington County in the Provincial Congress of NJ and was authorized to sign paper money issued by the Provisional Congress during the Revolution. He died in 1782. Samuel had begun to build the Cooper House next door, his son Samuel How Jr. finished it.  The brickwork on the Bard How House is a Flemish checker bond, a style popular in this area in that time.