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Honor the “Heroes of Princeton”

Honor the “Heroes of Princeton”

A Place of Remembrance

Remembering the Sacrifice. Preserving the Legacy.

On the frozen morning of January 3, 1777, in the fields just outside Princeton, New Jersey, ordinary men stood their ground against the world’s most powerful army. Under the command of General George Washington, these soldiers—Continental troops, militia, and young volunteers—fought with courage and determination. They did not know they were changing history. But they were.

The Battle of Princeton was a turning point in the American Revolution. After victories at Trenton and now Princeton, Washington’s army had proven its resilience, and hope was restored to the American cause. In the wake of these victories, enlistments increased, morale surged, and the path to independence became more certain.

Yet, victory came at a cost. Many gave their lives in defense of freedom. Their names are largely unknown. Their stories often unrecorded. But their legacy lives on in the very soil of the Princeton Battlefield.

Why We Remember

Honoring those who fought at Princeton isn’t just about preserving the past—it’s about understanding the price of freedom. It’s about connecting new generations to the values of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.

These men were farmers, blacksmiths, students, and shopkeepers—ordinary individuals who risked everything for a cause greater than themselves. By remembering them, we continue to uphold the ideals they fought for.

Honor a Hero

HEROES OF PRINCETON ​

Let us never forget the souls who tried—and triumphed—on this battlefield.

  Henry Delatush

Unit/Regiment: Crosswicks Burlington Milita with Brother in law Nicholas Van Winkle
Submitted by:  Cyndy Mack

Service Description:   Henry Delatush was in several Battles in the area and had farms in the area, he would take turns going out to battle with his brother in law Nicholas VanWickle

Andrew Keen

Unit/Regiment: Washington headquarters (New Hope)
Submitted by: Barbara Ritter

Captain Daniel Neil

Unit/Regiment: Eastern Co of Artillery, New Jersey Line, Continential Army
Submitted by: George Shelton Daugharty

Service Description: Captain Neil commanded the Eastern Company of Artillery that had been assigned to General Hugh Mercer and his men for the Battle of Princeton. Captain Neil, along with a number of other heroic American officers serving with General Mercer, was killed during the bayonet charge of General Mawhood’s British regulars. Captain Neil was killed while continuing to have his men fire their cannons, despite the fact that many other men were retreating in the face of the American line having been broken during that portion of the battle.

Captain William Heyser

Unit/Regiment: Commander of a German Company from Maryland
Submitted by: Gerald Powell

Service Description:I have seen indicate he fought in the Battle of Trenton against the Hessians both as part of the operation where Washington Crossed the Delaware in the sneak attack on the Hessians in Trenton in late December 1776 and in early January 1777 against the British forces in the Battle of Princeton. The descriptions indicate he was wounded in either the Battle of Trenton or Battle of Princeton and taken to a hospital in Philadelphia.

Ludwig Dorman

Unit/Regiment: 10th PA
Submitted by: Molly Plunkett

Service Description: My Third Great Grandfather, Ludwig Dorman fought in the Battles of Princeton, Brandywine, Paoli, Germantown, Monmouth and Elizabethtown.
During his career he served in the 10th PA Regiment under Col. Humpton and Hubley of the Pennsylvania Line for four years, as well as the Flying Camp under Col. Oldenbruck.

Ludwig Dorman

Unit/Regiment: 10th PA Regiment and Flying Camp
Submitted by: Mary D’Amore (DAR, Princeton Chapter)

Service Description: Ludwig Dorman was a private in the 10th PA Regiment of the Pennsylvania line for four years and fought in the battles of Princeton, Brandywine, Paoli, Germantown, Monmouth, and Elizabethtown according to his pension papers.

He also was in General Mercer’s Flying Camp, and in Captain Oldenbruck (Oldenbrooks) Company.

Brigadier General Hugh Mercer

Unit/Regiment: Mercer’s Brigade, Greene’s Division
Submitted by: Willis Mercer

Service Description: While leading 350 soldiers toward Princeton on January 3, 1777, Mercer’s brigade encountered two British regiments and mounted unit on the farms of William and Thomas Clarke. A fight broke out at William’s orchard and Mercer’s horse was shot from under him. Getting to his feet, he was quickly surrounded by British troops who mistook him for George Washington and ordered him to surrender. Outnumbered, he drew his saber and began an unequal contest. He was finally beaten to the ground, bayoneted seven times, and left for dead. He was carried to the home of Thomas Clarke died nine days later. His encounter with the British is captured in the John Trumbull painting, “The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777.”

James Williamson

Unit/Regiment: 12th Pennsylvania Regiment
Submitted by: Melanie Gold

Service Description: In the fall of 1776 James Williamson received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant and, along with Capt. Peter Withington, raised a company of regular enlisted troops in and around Reading, Pennsylvania, that became the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment. After marching to Philadelphia, Captain Withington returned home with an illness, and Williamson was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. They arrived at Trenton on the day of the cannonade, then that night marched to Princeton and was engaged in the battle as part of the 3rd Pennsylvania Brigade under Gen. Hugh Mercer. Williamson was among the soldiers in Mercer’s brigade who engaged with the British early in the battle. After Princeton, they marched to winter quarters in Morristown.

Major Samuel Meredith

Unit/Regiment: Philadelphia Associators
Submitted by: Ben Strong

Service Description: Major Samuel Meredith,  served in the Philadelphia Associators who fought with Gen. Cadwalader at the Battle.

John Hendy

Unit/Regiment: Ensign, General George Washington’s Army Submitted by: JoAnn Culp Youngman

Service Description: Enlisted at age 17 in 1774. Commissioned as Ensign in Washington’s army in December 1776. Fought at Trenton and was attached to General Mifflin’s brigade during the Battle of Princeton. Carried the wounded General Hugh Mercer to the Thomas Clarke House. After the battle, marched with the army to Morristown, stopping in Pluckemin to bury British officer Capt. William Leslie with full honors.

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“These are the times that try men’s souls...”

– Thomas Paine, writing days before the Battle of Princeton

the road to independence runs through us

Preserving history, honoring sacrifice, and inspiring future generations—join us in keeping the legacy of the Princeton Battlefield alive.

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Contact Information

  • Phone: 609-232-8540
  • Email: info@pbs1777.org
  • Physical Address: 500 Mercer St., Princeton, NJ 08540​
  • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7645 Princeton, NJ 08543

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