Princeton Battlefield State Park, Princeton, NJ
July 4, 2001
Plaque for The Mercer Oak
"The Mercer Oak was named for Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, who fought and was mortally wounded in the Battle of Princeton, January 3rd 1777. The white oak is believed to have been here at the time of the American Revolution."
"A legend says that Mercer was bayonetted and laid beneath this tree, refusing to leave the battle until victory was secured. He was actually wounded just uphill, behind enemy lines. Later recovered by his aids. Mercer was carried to the Thomas Clarke House, where he died nine days later. Besides this tree, this county and the nearby roadway are the many things named in his honor."
"Mercer (1725-77), born in Scotland, studied medicine at Aberdeen. As an assistant surgeon to the Scottish Jacobite Army he
was present at their defeat by the English on Culloden Moor in 1746. Settling in Pennsylvania in 1747, Mercer served the English Provincial Army in the French and Indian War, attaining the rank of colonel. Moving to Fredricksburg, Virginia in 1761 he married, purchased Washington's boyhood farm, and practiced medicine. As the Revolution began Mercer was named colonel of the 3rd Virginia regiment in 1775 and in 1776 became a brigadier general under Washington."
"Over the years, the Mercer Oak has become a well recognized symbol for Princeton Township, Mercer County, and the New Jersey State Park Service, and its vast history within the American Revolution."
"The Mercer Oak was named for Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, who fought and was mortally wounded in the Battle of Princeton, January 3rd 1777. The white oak is believed to have been here at the time of the American Revolution."
"A legend says that Mercer was bayonetted and laid beneath this tree, refusing to leave the battle until victory was secured. He was actually wounded just uphill, behind enemy lines. Later recovered by his aids. Mercer was carried to the Thomas Clarke House, where he died nine days later. Besides this tree, this county and the nearby roadway are the many things named in his honor."
"Mercer (1725-77), born in Scotland, studied medicine at Aberdeen. As an assistant surgeon to the Scottish Jacobite Army he
was present at their defeat by the English on Culloden Moor in 1746. Settling in Pennsylvania in 1747, Mercer served the English Provincial Army in the French and Indian War, attaining the rank of colonel. Moving to Fredricksburg, Virginia in 1761 he married, purchased Washington's boyhood farm, and practiced medicine. As the Revolution began Mercer was named colonel of the 3rd Virginia regiment in 1775 and in 1776 became a brigadier general under Washington."
"Over the years, the Mercer Oak has become a well recognized symbol for Princeton Township, Mercer County, and the New Jersey State Park Service, and its vast history within the American Revolution."
The Mercer Oak.
The original tree was heavily damaged by lightning, but this sapling was saved and planted in its place.
The original tree was heavily damaged by lightning, but this sapling was saved and planted in its place.
Woman reading the Mercer Oak Plaque.
Getting ready to fire the cannon...
Cleaning and preparing the cannon for another firing...
The back of Thomas Clarke House. In foreground, the soldiers' tents.
A couple children in period costumes... and a long line for cookies and pink lemonade...
In the Clarke House, woman baking those cookies...
The front of Clarke House. The actual battlefield is in the back.
View from the Clarke House front lawn...
The path to the Princeton Quaker Friends School and graveyard...
The plaque for Princeton Friends School.
Princeton Friends School. Also used for worship.
The Quaker graveyard. Many of the older stones are either missing or heavily damaged, as you can see. Farther along towards the wall, lie the more recently deceased.
"Richard Stockton"
"A signer of the Declaration of Independence is buried in these grounds"
"1730-1781"
"The New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution"
"1913"
This is not his grave, no one really knows where in this cemetary he is buried, just that he is buried here.
"A signer of the Declaration of Independence is buried in these grounds"
"1730-1781"
"The New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution"
"1913"
This is not his grave, no one really knows where in this cemetary he is buried, just that he is buried here.
Soldiers and their tents...
Let's go see what the crowd in the background is up to...
Let's go see what the crowd in the background is up to...
They're gathered around to hear stories of the Battle of Princeton
Gunfire demonstration...
"To the memory of General Hugh Mercer, the revered martyr of American Independence."
"Born in Scotland about 1720. Educated as a physician. Emigrated to America in 1747. Was appointed by Congress June 5, 1776. A brigadier general in the American army. Was mortally wounded at the Battle of Princeton January 3, 1777, and died in the house now standing near this spot January 12, 1777. This tablet was erected by Mercer Engine Company No. 3 of
Princeton, N.J. October 1, 1897, at its semi-centennial celebration."
"Born in Scotland about 1720. Educated as a physician. Emigrated to America in 1747. Was appointed by Congress June 5, 1776. A brigadier general in the American army. Was mortally wounded at the Battle of Princeton January 3, 1777, and died in the house now standing near this spot January 12, 1777. This tablet was erected by Mercer Engine Company No. 3 of
Princeton, N.J. October 1, 1897, at its semi-centennial celebration."
Some young "soldiers" learning how to handle the long guns...
People watching as the second round of young "soldiers" tries to get the hang of it...
A view of the battlefield taken from outside Clarke House. The colonade is far in the background...
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Across the street from the actual "goings on" of this day is the following.
"This colonade was originally part of Mathew Newkirk's house in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, later called St. George's Hall.
The house was designed by Thomas U. Walter, who later designed the dome on the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. In 1900 the colonade was transported to Princeton and became the entrance of the Mercer Manor, which formerly stood on the east side of the Battlefield. Upon the Manor's demolition in 1957, the Institute for Advanced Study donated the colonade to the State of New Jersey. The colonade was dedicated where it stands in 1959, and declared as a National Historic Monument in 1962"
"Beyond the colonade lies a circular stone patio and a tablet dedicated to the men who died in the Battle of Princeton. The
memorial was erected in 1918, in memory of the thirty-six unknown soldiers buried nearby, including fifteen American and twenty-one British soldiers. The words engraved on the tablet are those of Alfred Noyes (1880-1958),taken from his poem Princeton (1917). Noyes was a visiting professor at Princeton University and later became Poet Laureate of England."
"This colonade was originally part of Mathew Newkirk's house in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, later called St. George's Hall.
The house was designed by Thomas U. Walter, who later designed the dome on the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. In 1900 the colonade was transported to Princeton and became the entrance of the Mercer Manor, which formerly stood on the east side of the Battlefield. Upon the Manor's demolition in 1957, the Institute for Advanced Study donated the colonade to the State of New Jersey. The colonade was dedicated where it stands in 1959, and declared as a National Historic Monument in 1962"
"Beyond the colonade lies a circular stone patio and a tablet dedicated to the men who died in the Battle of Princeton. The
memorial was erected in 1918, in memory of the thirty-six unknown soldiers buried nearby, including fifteen American and twenty-one British soldiers. The words engraved on the tablet are those of Alfred Noyes (1880-1958),taken from his poem Princeton (1917). Noyes was a visiting professor at Princeton University and later became Poet Laureate of England."
The colonade spoken of earlier...
The circular stone patio...
The memorial plaque...
"Near here lie buried the American and British officers and soldiers who fell in the Battle of Princeton January 3rd 1777."
"Here freedom stood by slaughtered friend and foe. And ere the wrath paled or that sunset died. Looked through the ages then with eyes aglow. Laid them to wait that future side by side."
"Alfred Noyes"
"1880-1958"
"Near here lie buried the American and British officers and soldiers who fell in the Battle of Princeton January 3rd 1777."
"Here freedom stood by slaughtered friend and foe. And ere the wrath paled or that sunset died. Looked through the ages then with eyes aglow. Laid them to wait that future side by side."
"Alfred Noyes"
"1880-1958"
The view towards the battlefield standing by the memorial.
If you are ever in the Princeton, New Jersey area on the 4th of July, I highly recommend spending a day here. It's a good way
to get in some history, without the huge crowds of Philadelphia or Washington Crossing...
to get in some history, without the huge crowds of Philadelphia or Washington Crossing...
Designed by Joyce P. Simkin
Last updated in HTML: July 28, 2006
Last updated in Weebly: December 30, 2016
Last updated in HTML: July 28, 2006
Last updated in Weebly: December 30, 2016