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.
Thomas Clarke House. . 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 - 1998
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 - 1998
Erected by State of New Jersey, Division of Parks and Forestry.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion
Location. 40° 19.739′ N, 74° 40.51′ W. Marker is in Princeton, New Jersey, in Mercer County. 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 is in this post office area: Princeton NJ 08540, United States of America. Touch for directions.
A Revolutionary War encampment can be seen near the Thomas Clarke House marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 6, 2013
4. Thomas Clarke House
Photographed By Gary Nigh, August 2008
5. Thomas Clarke House
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 6, 2013
6. Inside the Thomas Clarke House
The kitchen of the Thomas Clarke House is seen here.
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.
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 September 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2008, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,259 times since then and 46 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.