THE ISAAC PEARSON MANSION MUSEUM VIDEO- Lesson Plan

Objective:

The learners will develop the ability to:

• Recognize and compare life in Early America with life today

• Be aware of the needs of living, food, clothing, shelter and occupation both in early times and today

• Learn the importance of the Isaac Pearson Mansion in the History of Hamilton Township

Teacher Plan

The teacher will prepare and familiarize herself/himself with the teacher's study guide and view the video beforehand.

The video will be shown to the students with teacher input where needed.

Student Plan

Children will work on a worksheet either individually or in a team of two during or after the viewing of the video.

Meaningful questions will be asked by the teacher at the conclusion of the video, and worksheet answers will be discussed.

Evaluation

The children will take a quiz or write a reaction sheet to the video which can be utilized at the discretion of the teacher.

This program is made possible in part by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission and the Mercer County Board of chosen Freeholders.

THE ISAAC PEARSON MANSION VIDEO - TEACHER'S GUIDE

The Pearson Mansion was built in 1773 by Isaac Pearson, a prosperous farmer, county freeholder, politician in Nottingham Township, Burlington County, which later became Hamilton Township, Mercer County.

The Mansion was built as a wedding gift for his second wife Abigail. He had two sons by his first marriage, Robert and William.

The Mansion was a 2 1/2 story structure of solid brick construction which faced the Crosswicks Creek below. There were many windows and fireplaces as fitting for a man of wealth.

The farm consisted of 1200 acres on which he raised crops, cattle, hogs, and peach and apple orchards.

In 1775 Isaac built the Pearson Tavern Inn, later known as the White Horse Tavern at the White Horse circle.

During the American Revolutionary War, Hessian soldiers (military mercenary soldiers hired from the state of Hesse in Germany to fight alongside the British soldiers) guarded the Crosswicks Bridge over the Crosswicks Creek nearby and to do so had to cross Pearson land.

Isaac Pearson died under mysterious circumstances in 1776. What is known is that he died in Hightstown and is buried in the Pearson Burial plot behind the Pearson Memorial Methodist Church.

Isaac Pearson lived here just 3 years.

This program is made possible in part by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission and the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

THE ISAAC PEARSON MANSION MUSEUM VIDEO - Student's Worksheet

1. What were some jobs that Isaac Pearson had?

2. What was this township called before it was named Hamilton Township?

3. Why was this mansion built and for whom?

4. Name some of the animals or crops that were grown on this farm.

5. The colony of New Jersey was fighting a war with the British soldiers. Some other soldiers were

hired to fight with the British. What country were they from?

6. The Crosswicks Creek is nearby the Isaac Pearson mansion. True or false

7. Isaac Pearson only lived in this mansion_

years.

This program is made possible in part by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission and the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

THE ISAAC PEARSON MANSION MUSEUM VIDEO - Evaluation

After reviewing the Student's Worksheet with the children for correct answers, the teacher may choose to select questions from the worksheet and evaluate the children.

Some of the questions may be answered by writing a paragraph for the answer. Those students who feel secure doing this may choose to write.

Certain questions may also lend themselves to the student drawing an answer to a question, i.e. their favorite part of the video and they may tell why.

A teacher knows her students best, therefore, these are suggestions for an evaluation of the information. Specific answers, writing a paragraph and/or drawing may all be used.

This program is made possible in part by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission and the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders.