Above: Il Sannito on display in Spring of 2014 The News of Salem County File Photo
Introduction: Forgotten Pieces of Salem County History
Few modern Salem County residents know the story of the three historic bronze cannons purchased as Army surplus after the War of 1812. In fact, even lifelong residents might draw a blank on the tale! It is an incredible saga of global warfare, royal intrigue, and local pride—and it’s time to tell it again.
From Naples to Napoleon: A Global Journey
1763: Royal Origins
The story begins in 1763 in the Kingdom of Naples. Under the direction of royal founder Girolamo Castronovo (whose name is inscribed on the breeches), a local foundry cast three massive, 800-pound bronze cannons. At the time, Naples was ruled by the young Bourbon King Ferdinand IV. To counter French and Spanish influence, Ferdinand married Marie Carolina of Austria—daughter of Empress Maria Theresa and sister to Marie Antoinette.
This high-stakes marriage aligned the Neapolitan court fiercely with the Austrian Habsburgs, setting them on a direct collision course with the radical forces of the French Revolution.
Spoils of War and the British Capture
To bolster the Austrian military against French expansion in Italy, the three cannons were transferred to the Imperial Austrian Army. However, they didn’t stay there long. In 1800, a rising young commander named Napoleon Bonaparte defeated the Austrians and seized the cannons as spoils of war. Transported across the Alps into France, the guns were soon deployed in the Peninsular War to fight British forces.
The geopolitical chess match continued. After Napoleon deposed the Spanish monarchy in 1808, Great Britain allied with Spain. Sometime between 1808 and 1810, British forces captured the cannons and shipped them back to England.
Eventually, the guns were exported to Canada to reinforce British troops. When the War of 1812 spilled across the border, the cannons were brought into the United States. Their global journey took another dramatic turn in 1814, when the American army captured them at the Battle of Plattsburgh, New York.
Coming to America: The Salem County Investment
Following the War of 1812, the federal government declared the cannons Army surplus (though some records suggest they may have briefly seen action in the Mexican-American War). In a major local investment, Salem County purchased the three cannons and 287 muskets for $3,000. The guns were brought home to bolster local arsenals and were later used to train Salem County militias during the Civil War.
Three Cannons, Three Identities
Each cannon bore a unique name inscribed around its breech. Upon arriving in the county, they were split up to guard different communities:
- The Third Cannon (whose inscribed name remains a mystery) was set on the green at the intersection of Marlton Road and North Main Street in Woodstown.
- “Il Sannito” was placed on the grounds of the Old Courthouse in Salem City.
- “Il Lugano” was stationed in front of the Pole Tavern in Upper Pittsgrove Twp.
The Divergent Fates of the Three Sisters
1. The Odyssey of “Il Lugano”
In late May of 1889, “Il Lugano” became the centerpiece of a local skirmish. Civil War veterans from Bridgeton swiped the cannon from Pole Tavern for their Independence Day celebrations, overwhelming its elderly caretaker, Rachel Richman. Instead of being returned, the cannon was sent to Trenton, where it spent the next 24 years sitting forgotten in the State Arsenal.
It was finally rediscovered and returned to Pole Tavern on May 17, 1913. It was proudly installed on the lawn of the Upper Pittsgrove Town Hall—though the building unfortunately burned down shortly after.
A 1901 photograph shows the Il Lugano cannon with a girl sitting atop it and a dog underneath, with the original Pole Tavern standing in the background before it burned down. (Photo credit: Robert P. Dorrell)
Over the decades, the elements took their toll, and the cannon’s wooden carriage completely rotted away. In early 1986, local Daretown residents Jay Williams and David Harvey stepped up, restoring the cannon using their own time, labor, and money.
The beautifully restored gun debuted just in time for the 1986 Woodstown July 4th Parade. It made another appearance in 1988, where it was triumphantly fired at the Marlton Recreation Field.
Since 1994, “Il Lugano” has been safely housed in a protective plexiglass case in front of the Upper Pittsgrove Municipal Building at Pole Tavern.
2. The Mystery of the Missing Woodstown Cannon
While “Il Lugano” was preserved, Woodstown‘s cannon wasn’t so lucky. Sometime in the late 1940s or early 1950s, the piece simply vanished from the town green. Whether it was stolen or quietly scrapped, no official record of its whereabouts has ever been found.
3. The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of “Il Sannito”
In 2012, Salem City’s cannon, “Il Sannito,” finally got its turn for a makeover. Spearheaded by former Salem County Veterans’ Service Officer Joe Hannagan and funded by community donations, the project enlisted inmates from the Salem County Correctional Facility to polish the brass and completely rebuild the wooden frame. It was proudly unveiled on October 30, 2013—marking “Il Sannito’s” 250th anniversary.
Unfortunately, its time back in the spotlight was short-lived. Though photographed on display in 2020, the historic piece was eventually quietly removed and placed back into 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 Historic (Olde) Salem Court House 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,” at Pole Tavern..
