Mortonson-Van Leer Log Cabin

The Mortonson-Van Leer Log Cabin is a simple wooden structure located at the corner of Church Street and Kings Highway in Swedesboro. It consists of a single room built with cedar logs bound with lime mortar, featuring only one door and no windows.

Morton Mortenson arrived from New Sweden in the Delaware Valley in 1654 and built this cabin on the north bank of the Raccoon River. The structure reflects early Swedish settlement patterns in North America.

The Van Leer family who lived here supported the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved people escape to freedom. Their work remains part of the community's memory today.

The cabin sits on the grounds of Trinity Episcopal Church cemetery, making it easy to locate during a visit. The site is walkable and situated in a quiet neighborhood setting.

A great-grandson of the builder, John Morton, was a Pennsylvania delegate who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This family connection links the modest cabin to a pivotal moment in American history.

Location: Swedesboro

GPS coordinates: 39.74944,-75.30694

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:10