Hi there. the original 'Camptown" WAS. drum roll please. and You will never guess this. IRVINTON NJ. IRVINTON was the location of a resort which featured the camptown race track.... upspringfield Ave, to summet. one straight line.
I grew up there, so you can say, I'm a camptown lady. The song was indicative of the antislavery movement; the stay at home wives who helped the slaves escape, and were asked by the husband, who spent the day at the races asked,"what happened to the slaves"?!
She answered " I dunnoe, I just clean the house..... do dah do dah.' The town was renamed in dedication to Washington Irving who frequented the races. sadly, he never attended the dedication ceremony .
actually you can see remnants of Camptown's hey day....... If they are still there. Two impressive move-houses (were opera houses). "The Castle" , on Clinton ave. and The Chancellor. on chancellor Ave. if they are still there.