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Isaac Pearson House
Built 1773
Emeline Ave and Hobson Ave, Hamilton Township, NJ 08610June 2026
Isaac Pearson Mansion House
Isaac Pearson Mansion House
Issac Pearson
Issac Pearson
Isaac Pearson (1739-1776)—the colonial plantation owner, township clerk, county freeholder, and NJ Provincial Congress delegate— lived the latter half of the 18 th century in Nottingham Township (Hamilton Township), Burlington County (Mercer County), New Jersey.
Issac Pearson Mansion
Issac Pearson Mansion
Constructed in 1773, the mansion stands on its original site, now dubbed Hobson and Emeline Avenues in Hamilton Township.
The symmetrical and two-storied brick mansion—notably of the most expensive building material available— together with its sizeable kitchen wing (now missing)—was one that any person of means would aspire to own. In fact, it was described as being only second in grandeur to the William Trent house.
The neighborhood that surrounds the house today was Isaac’s plantation.
The Revolutionary War Years
Prior to the Battle of Trenton, in December 1776, a contingent of Hessian soldiers were stationed at the drawbridge over the Crosswicks Creek during the Hessian occupation. The northern side of the bridge rested on Isaac’s land. Some Hessians who escaped the battle crossed Isaac’s plantation to the bridge on their retreat to Bordentown.
Later in June 1778, British soldiers and American forces skirmished over the bridge, but a victory there was unresolved.
Later History and the Pearson Family
Mary Pearson, granddaughter of Isaac, was the last of the Pearson family to reside there—along with her husband, Thomas Hopkinson, grandson of Francis Hopkinson, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Mary Pearon was instrumental in building the church at White Horse near the graves of her ancestors.
Did you know?
According to tradition, Mary's beauty attracted Joseph Bonaparte who attempted to make her a member of his household at Point Breeze. Mary spurned the dishonorable proposal.
Preservation
Isaac’s home is celebrating its 253 rd anniversary in 2026. The Pearson Mansion House is listed on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places. * See below.
The Isaac Pearson Mansion is preserved and restored by the Historical Society of Hamilton Township, Mercer County, with support from public donations.
Historic Pearson Mansion Earns National Recognition,
Historic Pearson Mansion Earns National Recognition,
Securing Place in American History
Securing Place in American History
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, MERCER COUNTY, NJ
On April 18, 2025 The Isaac and Abigail Pearson Mansion, a pivotal landmark in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, has been officially documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS),cementing its place in the Library of Congress and the national historical record.
Built in 1773 and located on its original site on Hobson Avenue, the Pearson Mansion was preserved from demolition by Hamilton Township. This historic gem, listed in both the State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places, served as the home and farm of the Pearson family. Isaac Pearson was a prominent figure in the colonial era, serving in various local and provincial roles, including Township Committee member, Tax Collector, Justice of the Peace, and Judge of the County Court.
Pearson’s 1,350-acre property—and its vital drawbridge over Crosswicks Creek— witnessed the passage of thousands of American, British, and Hessian troops on their way to and from Bordentown and the Battle of Trenton during the Ten Crucial Days in American history, December 25, 1776 to January 3, during which General George Washington and his Continental Army achieved a series of victories, most notably at Trenton and Princeton, a turning point of the American Revolution.
That same week Isaac Pearson was murdered.
The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) is a program established in 1933 to document America's architectural heritage. The comprehensive HABS project encompasses measured drawings, large-format photographs, detailed descriptions, and historical reports all of which are permanently recorded and shared through the Library of Congress. HABS created the nation's first federal preservation program, and its comprehensive documentation serves as a valuable resource for understanding, preserving, and restoring historic buildings.
The Isaac and Abigail Pearson Mansion is a rare example of a place that meets all of HABS criteria for inclusion: it is associated with a historically significant person; and historic events; and has special architectural character. The HABS project marks the culmination of years of dedicated effort.
“This national recognition in the Historic American Building Survey is a momentous occasion. This achievement is a testament to the shared commitment and diligent work of everyone involved, and we extend our sincere gratitude to all who contributed. The successful documentation of this historic structure ensures its preservation for generations to come,” announced Michael Skelly, Director of the Isaac Pearson Mansion for the Historical Society of Hamilton Township.
“Seeing the Isaac and Abigail Pearson Mansion documented by HABS and officially recognized as part of American history has been a long-held dream,” Skelly said
Funding for the project was made possible through donations and grants secured by the Historical Society of Hamilton Township, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Significant financial support was provided by Hamilton Township, Mercer County, the New Jersey Historic Trust, and generous donors and volunteers.
Professional work was completed by Janet Sheridan of Down Jersey Heritage Research of Salem, NJ, and Westfield Architects & Preservation Consultants of Hadden Heights, NJ.
Ongoing multi-year efforts by the Historical Society and Hamilton Township aim to fully restore the mansion and open it to the public as a house museum, tourist information center, colonial arts and crafts maker space, and performing arts venue. While the restoration and construction work are going on, the Historical Society has hosted thousands of students on annual history tours on the grounds.
The Historical Society is actively seeking volunteers and donations to support this significant project. For more information, please visit:
https://isaacpearson.org and https://nj.gov/dca/njht/funded/sitedetails/IsaacPearsonHouse.shtml
Marker Inscription
Marker Inscription
Elected Nottingham Tax Collector in 1763, Isaac Pearson later served as a justice of the peace, freeholder, township clerk and delegate to the NJ Provincial Congress. Two days later after the Battle of Trenton, in 1776, Isaac Pearson was murdered. Some accounts say he was murdered during a robbery; others say he was murdered for not fully supporting the cause of independence...
Land Acknowledgement
Land Acknowledgement
"The land upon which the Isaac Pearson mansion house, farm, archaeological site, and Park are located is part of the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape people.
We would like to acknowledge that an estimated 10 million Native Americans lived in North America for thousands of years before the arrival of European colonizers. The Lenni-Lenape people were the first inhabitants of a vast homeland which extended through eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. Thousands of Lenape people lived in harmony with one another upon this territory for thousands of years.
During the colonial period and early federal era, many were removed west and north, but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of the region.
Isaac Pearson's parents, Robert and Mary, immigrated from England to this land in the late 1600's.
We acknowledge the Lenni-Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. We pay respect to the Lenape, past present and future, and to their continuing cultural heritage and connection with this homeland."
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