Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS) announced it has honored Willis Mercer, seventh generation descendant of Gen. Hugh Mercer, as the first member of its new “Heroes of Princeton” program.
PBS created “Heroes of Princeton” to honor the Americans who fought at the Battle of Princeton nearly 250 years ago. This Honor Roll will encourage patriotic Americans as well as descendants of these brave soldiers to recognize their service in one of the most critical victories of the Revolutionary War.
Under Gen. George Washington, some 4,500 Americans defeated the British at the Battle of Princeton on Jan. 3, 1777. The successful battle is considered a pivotal moment in the fight for American Independence.
“We want to strengthen the link between the heroism of those men in 1777 and the present,” said PBS President Benjamin Strong. “In a Tik Tok age, when things don’t matter if they weren’t captured on a phone, our job is to make sure people understand what happened here and why it matters.
“One of the ways to do that is to renew the ties between the men who fought and today’s Americans by learning about the Battle of Princeton. Our shared Revolutionary War history is brought to life by this type of program.”
PBS honored its first “Hero of Princeton,” in April, when it recognized Willis Mercer, a direct descendant of Gen. Mercer, at a wine tasting event featuring wines from Mercer Estates, the Mercer family vineyards in Washington state.
Gen. Mercer, who was immortalized by John Trumbull’s painting, led the first Americans onto the battlefield and was mortality wounded by the British in the battle. Approximately 10 towns, as well Mercer County, and the Mercer Oak – which is featured on the seals of the county and the Town of Princeton – were named after Hugh Mercer.
“We think of this as one of the first steps we will take to mark the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Princeton on Jan. 3, 2027,” Strong said. “We will continue to announce new 250th events going forward.
“In the meantime, anyone who is interested in honoring a Patriot soldier who fought at Princeton, including those whose ancestors fought at Princeton, is encouraged to join us by signing up at https://pbs1777.org/honoring-the-heroes-of-princeton/ or by going to the PBS website at https://pbs1777.org/ as we honor the sacrifice and courage of Washington’s army on that critical day.”
The historic Princeton Battlefield is located at 500 Mercer St. (Princeton Pike) in Princeton.
