Cavalry Cottage, the oldest building still standing in Manahawkin, is estimated to have been built c 1760 as a vernacular dwelling. The one-and-one-half story height of its corner posts and the fact that the joists frame into posts, not the girts or plates, clearly suggest the builders were familiar with the Dutch framing tradition and were comfortable in using some of its elements. However, the thinness of the joists (which do not resemble Dutch anchor beams at all), and the presence of narrow studs rather than thick posts suggests that the builders chiefly worked in the English housewrighting tradition. Few other houses in New Jersey are known that clearly present such contrasting construction practices. Furthermore, these structural details are intact and exposed to view, embodying the distinctive characteristics of this method and construction and providing significance under criterion C in the area of architecture. Cavalry Cottage is also significant under criterion B in the area of community development and planning as the residence of Brig Gen William N Grier who lived here from 1872 to 1873, and together with his son-in-law George W Campbell Jr started the Stafford Land Improvement Company and undertook the expansion of Stafford Avenue, improved the infrastructure of the village of Manahawkin, and promoted residential development in Stafford Township. The property is also locally significant under Criterion B in the area of military history for Grier1 s prominent role in the Mexican, Indian, and Civil wars. - Amy Cradic DSHPO