Amid controversy and intrigue, we have been writing for years about a controversial figure in early American history who served the English majestry as the provincial governor of New Jersey and Massachusetts Bay. If you were to define the life of Sir Francis Bernard, the first chapter in New Jersey went very well. But the second chapter in Massachusetts was served at the beginning of the uprising that ultimate led to bloodshed and the American revolution. You can check out our Francis Bernards Series and learn all about it. We’re here to honor those towns that took it upon themselves to honor the life of Francis Bernard naming their towns after his namesake. We call them “sistertowns,” if there is such a word.
This story is to share the kinship around the history of three towns with a common name “Bernards,” Bernards Township and Bernardsville in New Jersey and Bernardston, Machessutttes. Separated by only 225 miles each town is tied to a rich and vibrant history.
Sister Towns Bernardston, MA – Bernards Township, NJ – Bernardsville NJ
| Bernards Township, NJ | Bernardston, MA | Bernardsville, NJ | |
| Year Incorporated | May 24, 1760 | August 1762 | April 29, 1924 |
| Distance between | 225 miles – Bernardston, MA 1 mile – Bernardsville, NJ | 225 miles to both Bernardsville, NJ and Bernards Township, New Jersey | 224 miles – Bernardston, MA 1 mile – Bernards Township, NJ |
| Earliest Population | 1790 2,377 | 1734-Approximately 60 families after King Phillips War. | Part of Bernards Township, NJ in 1790. 1,000 est. |
| Population (2020) | 27,830 | 2,102 | 7,893 |
| Sq Miles | 24.33 sq. miles | 23.4 sq. miles | 12.91 sq. miles |
| Tidbit | Bernards Township has its own official township flag. | First settled by the survivors and families of soldiers who had fought in a skirmish at the “Great Falls” in 1676 during “King Phillip’s War”. The town was formed as “Falls Fight Township” in 1734. | Part of the Somerset Hills & the Blue Hills of Somerset County and home to a wealthy mountain colony. |
| Official | Official colors: Red/Gold/White Official flower: Drift’ Daffodil | Bernardston employs the open town meeting form of government, and is led by a board of selectmen and an administrative assistant. | Bernardsville is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government. All officials are elected including the Mayor. |
| Most Famous Event | Capture of General Charles Lee December 13, 1776 at Widow White’s Tavern | A 1600s frontier settlement created by and for the families of soldiers who had fought in King Phillips War, | The Gladstone Branch of the railroad line was built through Bernardsville in 1872 and played an important role in the borough’s growth of “the mountain colony via the “Millionaires Express.” |
| High School Mascot | Ridge High School Red Devils | Pioneer Regional High School Black Panthers | Bernards High School Mountaineers |
Bernardston, Massachusetts
Bernardston was originally part of the town of Colrain, MA. Bernardston separated from Colrain and was officially incorporated in 1762, with the town of Leyden being separated from it in 1784 (it was not incorporated until 1809, however). Bernardston is named for Governor Francis Bernard, who was royal governor at the time of incorporation. In early maps of Massachusetts, Bernardston is shown as ‘Bernard’s Town’.
200th Anniversary
Bernardston Machessuttes 200th anniversary was celebrated in 1962 to much fanfare. One of the key aspects of the the bicentennial was a visit by Mr. & Mrs John Gray. C. Spencer Bernard, the great great great grandson of Sir Francis Bernard.
For the celebration a special appearance from August 17-19, 1962 was the great-great-great grandson of Sir Francis Bernard, Dr. John Gray Churchill Spencer Bernard and his wife Elsie Phyllis Corley Bernard. This was John’s first trip to the States. His wife had been before while studying for a year at Yale University. He was retired at the time and living in Aylesbury, UK living at the same estate Governor Bernard acquired in 1771, three years after leaving Massachusetts, The Nether Winchendon House was bequeathed to him on the death of his cousin. Dr. Bernard gave the main address on August 19, 1962.
Bernards Township, New Jersey
Bernards Township, Charted by Governor Bernard in 1760 formerly recognized the area that had been known as Basking Ridge, New Jersey in the easter province of Neuveu Cassera. Settled by early Scots and Dutch who ventured west from New Amsterdam (NYC) and settled along the Watchung Mountains. While Governor Bernard served less than two years in New Jersey, the Charter of Bernardston, NJ recognized to King George II that the area was recognized to support the throne. The area would later serve the revolutionary cause in a mixed capacity but was so close to two winter encampments in MOrristown, there were many revwar characters that served the revolutionary cause.
250th Anniversary Celebration
The date was May 24, 2010, exactly 250 years after New Jersey Governor Bernard had Bernardston, NJ chartered as an incorporated entity signed by King George II. An annual event called “Charter Day” is a street fair that honors the history and community of Bernards Township that makes up the hamlets of Basking Ridge, Lyons, Liberty Corner and Franklin Corners.
Bernardsville, New Jersey
Originally part of Bernards Township, New Jersey, the commercial section and mountain colony made a successful second attempt to succeed from Bernards Township that was approved on April 29, 1924 creating its own incorporated township. The previous section of the area had various names including Log Town, Veal Town and others but the final decision was to name the town Bernardsville after Francis Bernard, the New Jersey Provincial Governor.
In 1840, Vealtown became Bernardsville, with the help of Vealtown’s postmaster Roderick A. Mitchell, named after Sir Francis Bernard, Provincial governor. Bernardsville was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 6, 1924, from portions of Bernards Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 29, 1924. As they say….the rest is history.
Bernardsville, New Jersey will honor its name in 2024 as the township honors its secession from Bernards Township and the official recognition of Bernardsville as an independent boro. The separation occurred based on a residents vote to secede due to the opinion that they were not getting their fair share of the taxes they were paying.
All The Towns Named after Sir Francis Bernard
Time for a road trip? How about a virtual one? Click to see each of the towns named after Sir Francis Bernard, the royal Governor of both Massachusetts and New Jersey. And check out our stories below about other towns with ties to the Bernard’s name.
Additional Francis Bernard MLH Stories
