Page 140 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book
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New Jersey
Trenton, the capital city of New Jersey
Founded 1679 Incorporated 1792 Elevation 49 ft (15 m) Population 84,913
The land that is now Trenton was previously home to the Algonquian Native Americans. The first settlement which would become Trenton was established by Quakers in 1679 under the leadership of Mahlon Stacy from Handsworth, Sheffield, England. They decided
on a place called the Falls of the Delaware (actually rapids). It was easy to ford the river just up-river of this site.
William Trent was a fur trader and merchant based in Pennsylvania. He made a sizeable fortune and built his country estate at the Falls of the Delaware about 1719. Made of brick, it was designed in the newest ‘Georgian’ fashion. A ‘ride’ of English cherry trees led from the entrance down to the ferry landing. In 1720 Trent laid out a settlement, which he named “Trent- towne”. This name later was shortened to “Trenton”.
The William Trent House.
William Trent House
Trenton about 1910.
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