Captain James Lawrence House

Located within the campus of the Burlington County Historical Society, the Captain James Lawrence House (circa 1740) is the family home of the American naval hero of the War of 1812. Born on October 1, 1781, Burlington City’s favorite son was the youngest of eleven children who went on to command the USS Chesapeake in battle against the HMS Shannon. When the Chesapeake was boarded and Lawrence mortally wounded, he gave his famous last command: “Don’t give up the ship!” Today, this is the Navy’s battle cry and the motto of the City of Burlington. A flag featuring the command flies in his honor along Burlington’s Riverfront Promenade. Take a guided tour of the Captain James Lawrence House and learn about our nation’s military history through exhibits, interactive displays, and video documentaries from various military periods.