Woodbury, Gloucester County, New Jersey
Woodbury in New Jersey, America is situated on the banks of the Delaware River and is a commuter town for Philadelphia on the opposite side of the river. A historical family link binds Woodbury to Bury.
A brief history
In 1682 Henry Wood, a Quaker, escaped from religious persecution and sailed to America with his family on the ship the ‘Lyon’. He founded a new community which took its name from his surname, ‘Wood’, and’ Bury’, his home town.
In the year 2000, the official Twinning link was made between the two towns, when 385 people from Bury celebrated with Woodbury inhabitants in an international religious service, in sporting activities and with music. Woodbury is an attractive city with a population of about 18,000. It is the County seat of Gloucester County which has 250,000 inhabitants.
The present
Nothing remains of Henry Wood’s original settlement, but his granddaughter’s house still stands as a Museum in the National Park on the banks of the Delaware, at the head of Woodbury Creek. It was the site of a battle in the American War of Independence.
Important buildings and sites in Woodbury are the historic Quaker Meeting House, with the adjacent Wood family burial ground, the City Hall and Library, the County Court House and the High School.
The town has a freight railway running through it. The old depot has recently been restored and is used as the venue for a Farmers’ Market. The railway could become the line for a new commuter rail link to Philadelphia.
Bury is Woodbury’s only ‘Twin’ town. Henry Wood’s original birthplace – Brookhouse Farm, Tottington – still stands near the street names Quakersfield. There is also a stained glass window in St Anne’s Church, Tottington celebrating his life.
More information
Visit the city of Woodbury's website to view local maps and photographs, read about the city's history and conservation and find useful information about visiting Woodbury.
Go to the City of Woodbury's website
