Princeton in Mercer County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Thomas Clarke House

Photographed by Gary Nigh, August 2008

1. Thomas Clarke House Marker

Inscription. In 1772, Thomas Clarke, a Quaker farmer purchased 200 acres of land from his brother William. The land, then part of West Windsor, had been in the Clarke family since 1696. Thomas replaced an existing structure with the main house that stands today. He lived here with at least two of his sisters, Hannah and Sarah, until his death in 1802. Sarah inherited and remained in the house until her death in 1840. Her nephew, John H. Clarke, enlarged the east wing which included a new kitchen. The house was sold in 1863 to Henry E. Hale and again in 1944 to Blackwell Smith. The State of New Jersey purchased the property in 1946, and established the Clarke House Museum in 1976.

Following the Battle of Princeton, the Clarke House served as a field hospital for wounded soldiers from both armies. Among those taken to the house was brigadier General Hugh Mercer, suffering from seven bayonet wounds. American and british doctors, including Dr. Benjamin Rush, cared for these wounded. Mercer died in the house nine days later tended by Major George Lewis, General Washington’s nephew.

Created by Chris Wang BSA Troop 88, Princeton, NJ

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- 1998

Erected by State of New Jersey, Division of Parks and Forestry.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1772.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 40° 19.739′ N, 74° 40.51′ W. Marker was in Princeton, New Jersey, in Mercer County. It could be reached from Mercer Road. This marker is in the middle of a large open area in the Princeton Battlefield State Park, close to the Thomas Clarke House. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Princeton NJ 08540, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in New Jersey’s Central Jersey.

It was also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

Photographed by Gary Nigh, August 4, 2008

2. Thomas Clarke House Marker

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: General Hugh Mercer (within shouting distance of this marker); Bystander to Battle (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stony Brook Quakers and the Battle of Princeton (within shouting distance of this marker); Ten Crucial Days (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Moulder’s Battery Holds the Line (about 300 feet away); Welcome to the Institute Lands (about 500 feet away); Route of Washington’s March (about 600 feet away); The Legacy of the Battle of Princeton (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Princeton.

Other markers no longer nearby. From Trenton to Princeton (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The British Occupation of New Jersey (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Site of Moulder’s Battery (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Marker on the Princeton Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 6, 2013

3. Marker on the Princeton Battlefield

A Revolutionary War encampment can be seen near the Thomas Clarke House marker.

Thomas Clarke House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 6, 2013

4. Thomas Clarke House

Photographed by Gary Nigh, August 2008

5. Thomas Clarke House

Inside the Thomas Clarke House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 6, 2013

6. Inside the Thomas Clarke House

The kitchen of the Thomas Clarke House is seen here.

Thomas Clarke House Bedroom image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, January 1, 2013

7. Thomas Clarke House Bedroom

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 6, 2013

8. Inside the Thomas Clarke House

The kitchen of the Clarke house is seen here. The bed upon which Gen. Mercer died is visible on the right.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 6, 2013

9. Thomas Clarke House

Gen. Hugh Mercer died in this bedroom nine days after being bayoneted by British troops during the Battle of Princeton.

Battlefield panorama from the Thomas Clarke House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner

10. Battlefield panorama from the Thomas Clarke House

Some kind of commemorative plaque is missing from the plinth at the flagpole.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2008, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,183 times since then and 130 times this year. Last updated on May 11, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 12, 2008, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on April 6, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on August 12, 2008, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey. 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 3, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 9. submitted on April 6, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 10. submitted on January 21, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.