“The Tale of Salem County’s Three Cannons”

Introduction: Forgotten Pieces of Salem County History

Not many younger/newer Salem County residents know of the story of Salem County’s three cannons that were purchased from Army surplus after the War of 1812. Come to think of it, I bet not many older residents can even recall the tale! Regardless, it’s about time that it be told again.

1763: The Royal Origins in Naples

In 1763, the 800 lbs. cannons were cast by a foundry in Naples under royal founder Girolamo Castronovo (last name included in the inscription on the breech on the cannons) of the kingdom of Naples. At the time the kingdom of Naples was under House of Bourbon rule with young King Ferdinand IV. To mitigate the Franco-Spanish influence, he married Marie Carolina of the Habsburg-Lorraine monarchy (one of eleven daughters of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria).

This made the Neapolitan court a close ally of the (Austrian-based) Habsburg-Lorraine line and a staunch opposition of the revolutionary forces that had executed his sister-in-law Marie Antionette in 1793.

Spoils of War: From the Habsburgs to Napoleon

In short, the three cannons ended up in hands of the Imperial Austrian Army, likely in part of an effort to bolster the Habsburg military as they were seen as the main opposing force of the French interest in Italy. This became even more integral after the swift rise of Napoleon Bonaparte to commander of the Army of Italy.

During the year 1800, Napoleon Bonaparte and his army defeated the Austrians and captured the three cannons as spoils of war. They were transported over the alps and to France then used by French forces during the Peninsular War trying to fend off Sir Arthur Wellesley’s British forces.

The British Capture and the War of 1812

The British had aligned with the Spanish sovereignty after Napoleon deposed the Spanish Bourbon Monarchy, installing his brother Joseph on the throne in 1808. Napoleon’s efforts failed and the British seized the cannons sometime between 1808-1810 and took them back to England. (Wellesley wasn’t given the title 1st Duke of Wellington until 1814 after driving the French out of Portugal & Spain).

The cannons finally made their way to North America when they were exported to Canada with British forces. From Canada, they were taken into the United States and used by the British in the War of 1812. The American army captured the guns at the Battle of Plattsburgh, New York in 1814.

A Local Investment: Coming to Salem County

Following the War of 1812, the three cannons were marked as Army surplus (out of an abundance of caution, it is to be noted that some sources include the guns as being used during the Mexican American War in 1846 & 1848). Regardless, they were sold to Salem County along with 287 muskets for $3,000. The cannons were said to have been used for training militia during the Civil War and/or to help bolster Salem County’s arsenals.

Three Locations, Three Identities

Upon creation, each had been given a name which is inscribed around their breech:

• “Il Sannito” was installed in Salem City on the grounds of the Old Courthouse.
• “Il Lugano” was stationed in front of Pole Tavern in Upper Pittsgrove Twp.
• The third cannon, whose name the author was unable to obtain, was placed in Woodstown on the green at the intersection of Marlton Road and North Main Street.

The Odyssey of “Il Lugano”

In late May of 1889, veterans from Bridgeton seized the cannon from Pole Tavern for their Independence Day celebrations after elderly caretaker, Rachel Richman, was unable to stop them. After the celebrations, Il Lugano was sent to Trenton and spent the next 24 years in the State Arsenal. The cannon was finally discovered and returned to Pole Tavern on May 17, 1913. It was installed on the lawn in front of the Upper Pittsgrove Town Hall (which burned to the ground shortly after).

The Mystery of the Missing Woodstown Cannon

The cannon that stood in Woodstown was stolen or had “disappeared” sometime in the 1940’s or early 1950’s with no record of it since.

Restoration and Preservation at Pole Tavern

The Pole Tavern cannon gradually deteriorated, and the wood on it rotted away. In early 1986, local Daretown residents Jay Williams and David Harvey restored the cannon using mostly their own money and labor.

It was completed in time for the July 4th Parade in Woodstown that same year. It was again featured in the 1988 Woodstown parade and fired at the Marlton Recreation Field afterwards. Since 1994, it has stood encased in plexiglass in front of the Upper Pittsgrove Municipal Building at Pole Tavern.

The Rise and Fall of “Il Sannito”

In 2012, the cannon in Salem City was taken from public display and restored through funds raised by former Salem County Veterans’ Service Officer Joe Hannagan. Multiple Salem County Correctional Facility inmates helped work on the restoration as well, polishing the brass and renewing the finish of the wooden frame. It was then unveiled during a ceremony on October 30, 2013—Il Sannito’s 250th year.

However, the “restored” piece of history didn’t last very long on public display. It was photographed in 2020, but it is unclear exactly when it was taken down and placed in storage.

Looking Toward the 250th Anniversary

After inquiring to the Salem County Historical Society, it was found that the cannon was in the County’s hands. Salem County officials concurred with other sources that “Il Sannito” was being stored at the County Jail and its wheels and carriage have deteriorated.

There are plans to have it restored and back at the Old Salem Courthouse in time for the 250th Anniversary of the United States in July of 2026. We look forward to seeing it shine on public display just like its sister cannon, “Il Lugano,” in Upper Pittsgrove Twp.

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“Destroy not the ancient landmarks that thy fathers have set up.”

Proverbs 22:28

Sources in first photo’s comments.

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