Bayoneting of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton

“Ghosts of Princeton Battlefield” is a play telling the story of important events in Princeton six years before Congress made Princeton the Capital in 1783.  “Ghosts” will tell the story from the perspective of those who were there of the Battle of Princeton, where it happened, on January 3, 1777.   They and other personalities will tell their parts of the story beginning with how the soldiers of each army met unexpectedly early on the cold morning of January 3, 1777 and culminating in what many historians have called Washington’s greatest victory.  Had things not gone well for the Americans at the Battle of Princeton, we may not have had to worry about where Congress met in 1783!

Many small “stages” will be set up along a path in the Princeton Battlefield State Park, beginning and ending at the Thomas Clarke House and Museum.  Groups of people will be led from “stage” to “stage” by the “ghosts” of Richard Stockton the Signer (of the Declaration of Independence) or his wife, Annis Boudinot Stockton (and sister of Elias Boudinot, the President of Congress in 1783). At each of the stages, the audience groups will meet other “ghosts” who will tell the story of the Battle of Princeton.  The “ghosts” of George Washington and General Hugh Mercer will be there along with the Clarkes, William and Thomas and their families, whose adjoining farms and nearby homes became the battlefield. 

“Ghosts of Princeton Battlefield” was written by Laura Crockett, an author and playwright. Her play entitled “American, Revolution!” was produced at the Tracy Theater in Burbank, California. The Director is Joe Doyle, who is also Director of Actors Net at the Historic Heritage Theater in Morrisville, PA. Mr. Doyle has staged numerous works focused on the American Revolutionary period.   He is also well known for his performance as John Adams, presented annually in Washington, D.C.

Limited seating for seniors and the handicapped will be provided at each of the play venues. Each audience group will be made up of 15-20 people. The play begins at 7:00 pm, with the last scheduled start at 10pm. A special version of the play will be given at 6:30pm for young children. Patrons will be encouraged to visit the Solders’ Encampment area while they wait for their group to move forward and to again visit the Encampment at the end of the play.