Burr-Irick House

Tour of Historic Sites


	Burr-Irick House, c.1790 & c.1880 52 Mill Street, Vincentown, NJ Vincentown Village Historic District (SHPO #870, NRIS 87002107, District Inventory No.106)

The Burr-Irick was built by the Burr family in the late 18thC. Joseph Burr, Jr.built the first Grist mill in Vincentown down the hill from this house around 1812. The original mill burned in 1850 and soon after was rebuilt by Joshua S. Burr. Following Joshua’s death, the house and mill were acquired by Gen. John S. Irick who made the residence his home and assumed operation of the mill. Predating the development of Mill Street, the house was originally oriented toward the old Jacksonville Road (now just the driveway to the house). With its Victorian-type siting away from the street, Gen. Irick substantially expanded the house and remodeled the the Mill Street side of house in the Queen Anne Revival style in c.1880, retaining original vernacular Georgian facade facing old Jacksonville road. Distinguishing late 19thC features that were added to the original 18thC Georgian structure include a 3 story tower on the southeast corner and a large verandah wrapping the south and west sides. The interior includes an original late-Georgian center hall and main staircase with Georgian revival fireplaces and trim in double parlors. The large photograph above shows the Mill Street side of the house; the smaller one shows the side facing old Jacksonville Road.

The Burrs were prominent in establishing Vincentown through the construction and operation of a sawmill and gristmill in the area. Gen. John S. Irick, son of Gen. William Irick (1st), married Emeline S. Bishop in 1832. He was elected to to the State Assembly for three years beginning in 1847. He had diverse business interests in the county. He was a founder of the First National Bank of Vincentown, St. Mary’s Timber Company, Vincentown Marl Company, and was instrumental in the creation of the Vincentown Branch of the Camden and Burlington County Railroad. He served as a director for the Morris Canal Company. During the Civil War, he served as master of military transportation for Governor Olden, earning the title General.