Pillsbury Press: Trenton Walks -- Ten Crucial Days

Once again Tim and Becky led us on an excellent tour of Trenton, this one focused on the Trenton section of the "ten crucial days," December 25, 1775-January 3, 1776 when General George Washington convinced his troops to stick it out just a little longer and changed the tide of the war in favor of the colonists beating the strongest world empire. This has recently been featured in the second hour of the third part of the Ken Burns' documentary on the Revolutionary War. Not surprisingly, most of the dozen people on our tour had already seen it.

We began at the Battle Monument. Perched atop a tiny hill, the 1893 monument was designed by John Duncan (who also designed Grant's Tomb in New York City). Our troops were stationed on this incline with the snow to their backs as they brought their cannons down to where the Hessians were staying. They arrived at 8 am (barely after sunrise that time of year). The battle was decisively over a mere 45 minutes later. Very few civilians were hurt. Twenty-two Hessian (professional German soldiers) were killed, 900 taken prisoner, and 30 were wounded.

In six months we will begin to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The 13 stars along the stream are a recent project called the "Birthplace of Freedom" to commemorate the battle. The stream leads to Petty's Run to the the mill, one of the few where scissors were made. Betsy Ross showed flag makers how to make the 5-point star, which was chosen as the shape of these flower pots.

On Christmas Eve 1776, Washington
arrives with his patriots. They pass St. Michael's Church. The Episcopalian/Anglican church is still standing. In 1776 the congregation had people on both sides of the fight, much as today our church has both staunch Republicans and equally strong Democrats. St. Michael's paused holding worship services until the war was settled. Let's hope our church does not feel the need to do the same.

Across the street was Col. Johann Gottleib Rall's headquarters in Stacy Potts' house. The window pane had a bullet hole in it. The building has since been replaced.

St. Michael's held 1,000 Hessian troops. David Brearley, a colonel in the New Jersey militia and a signer of the Constitution, is buried in the cemetery. If we come back during Patriot's Week we can tour the graves in the basement. Brearley was the chief warded. Today that role is held by Fred Vereen, someone we know through Eggerts Crossing and the Lawrence Community Center.

We studied the mural depicting the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. Street art this magnificent always makes me pause in stunned admiration. The reading took place on the steps of the Hunterdon County Court House because in those days Trenton was in Hunterdon County, now it is firmly in Mercer County and Hunterdon is further north. Modern day locals were added to the image, including Michael's wife who was instrumental in making this mural happen, and working with the artist. Michael was on the tour with us. His wife, sadly, has passed away. The mural is surrounded by images of things Trenton has been known for: pottery, rubber, steel, and scissors. The scissors was new to me. The original courthouse used to be across the street.

We continued to the First Trenton National Bank. On the bronze doors are images of key players in the Revolutionary War including General Marquis de Lafayette and Alexander Hamilton.

Trenton has the third oldest capital building in continuous use.

The Old Barracks are undergoing a massive renovation project. I recently spoke to the director of the barracks. He said while construction is taking place the staff is doing research. They finally have time to study boxes of primary sources and are making connections that will change how they tell the story of what took place.

From 1758-59 the British troops occupied the barracks during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). The Hessians were there during the Revolutionary War. Later it was an army hospital. The British gave up Trenton after losing the Christmas battle. It wasn't a very important city at the time.

In January 1777 Washington pulled up most of his troops and went to Princeton. He did leave a few behind.

In this yellow house (which has been moved to its current location), the Council of War met following the second battle of Trenton. They snuck out in the middle of the night and moved to Princeton.

Remember Johann Gottleib Rall? He is buried at the Presbyterian Church, which now the 120 East State Street Community Center.

A few more pictures from our walk: