South Trenton in Mercer County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Europeans at the Falls of the Delaware
While the Dutch intermittently traded at the Falls of the Delaware as early as the 1620s and 1630s, true settlement did not begin until 1678 following the docking of the Shield at Burlington. Among those aboard this vessel were the Quakers Mahlon Stacy and Thomas Lambert who continued on to the Falls to establish the first plantations in what was then part of the Yorkshire Tenth of West Jersey. Between the late 1670s and the early years of the 18th century, numerous farms were set up along both sides of the river, mostly by settlers coming into the area through Burlington and Philadelphia.
Access to the river was key to the success of early farms in the Middle Delaware Valley and farmhouses were located close to the river bank within reach of a landing from which contact and trade with the outside world were maintained. Another critical element in the early settlement was Mahlon Stacy’s establishment of a gristmill in 1679 near the mouth of the Assunpink Creek where locally grown grain could be processed. This mill, one of the oldest and largest in colonial New Jersey, became the core of a hamlet that would soon evolve into the village of Trenton.
Links to learn more – Isaac Watson House, Hamilton; Burlington County Historical Society, Burlington; New Jersey State Archives, Trenton
Erected 2004 by New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Natural Features • Notable Events • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1678.
Location. 40° 11.887′ N, 74° 45.498′ W. Marker is in Trenton, New Jersey, in Mercer County. It is in South Trenton. Marker can be reached from Route 29 near U.S. 29. This marker is part of South River Walk Park which is built over Route 29. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Trenton NJ 08611, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Quakers Lead the Settlement of West Jersey (here, next to this marker); The West Jersey Proprietors Rule (here, next to this marker); William Trent of Trent’s Town (here, next to this marker); Native Americans in the Archaic Period (here, next to this marker); Native American Artifacts – Clues to Prehistory (here, next to this marker); c. 3,000 – 10,000 Years Ago (here, next to this marker); What happened to the Lenape? (here, next to this marker); Native Americans Exchange Furs for European Goods (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Trenton.
More about this marker. This is one of 4 subject markers under the 17th Century Arch.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2007, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,772 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2007, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.