The Historical Society of Hamilton Township recently celebrated the 286th birthday of Isaac Pearson, a Revolutionary War-era figure with deep roots in the community.
Mayor Jeff Martin, officials and members of the Historical Society joined together to celebrate the noted figure’s birthday, which was on May 26.
Pearson was born in 1731 and raised in what was then Nottingham Township, now known as Hamilton Township in Mercer County. He was an influential colonial figure, serving as a Township Committee member, tax collector, justice of the peace, and judge of the county court.
The Isaac and Abigail Pearson Mansion, located on Hobson Avenue, is not only listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places — it also gained national recognition earlier this year through the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS). The mansion is now archived in the Library of Congress.
Built in 1773, the Pearson Mansion was preserved from demolition thanks to ongoing efforts by the Historical Society and Hamilton Township.
The mansion met all criteria for HABS designation due in part to its connection with Pearson. His 1,350-acre estate included a critical drawbridge over Crosswicks Creek that played a key role during the 10 Crucial Days of the American Revolution, when troops moved between Bordentown, Trenton and Princeton.
Pearson was murdered during that week under mysterious circumstances still discussed in regional lore.
Once fully restored, the Pearson Mansion is expected to open as a house museum, tourist center, colonial crafts maker space, and performing arts venue. For now, it hosts thousands of students annually for educational history tours.
The Historical Society continues to seek volunteers and donations to support its mission. For more information, visit isaacpearson.org.
