NJ, USA

Mercer Oak Site

Monument

The Mercer Oak site marks the location within Princeton Battlefield State Park where General Hugh Mercer was unhorsed and bayoneted by British soldiers on January 3, 1777. The original white oak tree, under which Mercer reportedly fell, stood for over 300 years before it died and collapsed in March 2000. A descendant tree, grown from an acorn of the original, was planted near the site.

A monument and interpretive markers explain the significance of the location.

What Happened Here

The Mercer Oak became the symbolic centerpiece of the Princeton battlefield. The image of the wounded Mercer beneath the tree appeared in numerous paintings and engravings of the battle, including works by John Trumbull and James Peale. The tree's death in 2000 was mourned as the loss of a living connection to the battle. The Princeton Battlefield Society and the State of New Jersey ensured that the site remained marked and that descendant trees were planted to maintain the landscape's connection to the event.