Relics of Trenton’s past are shining in every corner of town. From magnificent monuments to sites from the heart-pounding battles of the Revolutionary War, there is a collective remembrance in the Capital City of the tremendous strides Trenton made in the establishment of our nation. While historic sites like monuments or museums may immediately catch our eye, even more gems of history are often hiding in plain view. One such location is the Alexander Douglass House, a quaint colonial cottage resting adjacent to Mill Hill Park. While those passing by may mistake this home for any old house, it is in this sacred spot that decisions were made that fundamentally altered the course of human history forever. Today, let’s discover the depth of the Alexander Douglass House and dive into the monumental decisions that were made in these hallowed halls.

It was a cold winter’s night in the Capital City, and the Second Battle of Trenton was raging on alongside the Assunpink Creek. At this point in the Revolutionary War, it was uncertain which side would emerge victorious, and both British and American forces were giving it there all. Tucked away in a small, unassuming home, General George Washington and his troops gathered together to devise a plan of attack which was certain to catch the British off-guard. And what plan pray-tell was this? The Battle of Princeton, which would prove to be a massive victory in changing the tides of the war to American favor.

On the evening of January 2nd, 1777, General Cornwallis and the British troops were carrying out conquest throughout the region. So assured of their eventual victory, Cornwallis and his men decided to delay their next siege until the next day, when it was no longer dark. While the night could prove to be a disadvantage in battle, Washington and his troops seized the opportunity to utilize the darkness as a shield to cover their tracks. Throughout the late evening and early morning hours, Washington and his troops marched to the site of the Battle of Princeton, a major turning point in the momentum of the war.

This campaign, as well as the Battle of Trenton, were a part of the Ten Crucial Days. As its name would imply, the Ten Crucial Days were a critical period in the American Revolution in which the dynamics of the war changed fundamentally, eventually shifting the favor to the underdog American troops. As history would prove, the Revolutionary War would eventually end with American seizing the victory, all because of plans laid here in our very city.

The Alexander Douglass House was owned by its namesake, Alexander Douglass, who served as a quartermaster in the Continental Army. In addition to its role in shaping the Battle of Princeton, the Alexander Douglass House also served as headquarters for General George Washington up until 1777. Due to the property’s significant role in American history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 18, 1970. It was also added as a contributing property to the Mill Hill Historic District on December 12, 1977. The next time you find yourself meandering the Mill Hill neighborhood, be sure to pop by the Alexander Douglass House for a firsthand glimpse at our city’s revolutionary history!

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