BURLINGTON, a city and port of entry of
Burlington co., N. J., on the Delaware river, at the mouth of Assiscunk creek, 18 m. N. E. of Philadelphia; pop. in 1870, 5,817. It was founded in 1677, principally by members of the society of Friends. It is situated on the Camden and Amboy railroad, and is connected with Philadelphia by lines of steamers, and by a branch railroad with Mount Holly. The city contains two hotels, two boarding
schools, several churches and banks, an ancient
library, which contains a large collection of
rare and valuable works, and public schools
which are richly endowed by a legacy of land
from one of the early settlers, now become
exceedingly productive. Three weekly
newspapers are published. Burlington college, an
Episcopal institution, educates a large number
of students; and St. Mary's hall, also under the
supervision of the Episcopalians, in 1871 had 28
instructors, of whom 20 were females, 209
pupils, and a library of 2,400 volumes. For the
year ending June 30, 1871, there were registered, enrolled, and licensed at the port 131 vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 12,525.—Burlington was long the seat of government for West Jersey, and was the official residence of the last colonial governor, William Franklin. It carried on a lucrative commerce with the West Indies both before and after the laying out of Philadelphia, built vessels, and subsequently built and fitted out a large privateer, which cruised successfully against the French. It was made the see of a bishop, and St. Mary's Episcopal church was liberally endowed by Queen Anne with land in and near the city, much of which is held to the present day, together with a massive communion service, presented by the same princess. A printing office and newspaper were established in 1777. As Philadelphia increased, Burlington declined.