When the British occupied Pennington

The old hotel that once stood across the street from Pennington Presbyterian Church and served as Cornwallis' headquarters during December, 1776.

In December 1776, Hopewell Valley residents fearfully shared with each other the news that Washington's troops' were retreating across New Jersey. Between November 30 and December they moved from New Brunswick through Princeton and across the Delaware at Trenton, securing the boats behind them to block pursuit by the British commander General Cornwallis' troops.

The British were right behind the patriots, but missed them, at some points by mere hours. Furious, they set up temporary quarters in the old hotel in Pennington and used Pennington Presbyterian Church as a barracks. The soldiers seem to have been let loose - during the five days they were in Pennington, they plundered and stole everything they could, raped women and girls, and beat up anyone who got in their way.

On November 18, almost 250 years to the day from when the British entered Pennington, in Pennington Presbyterian Church where the British stayed, come

hear noted local historian and author Larry Kidder tell the story of "Terror in the Valley". Joining him will be Asher Lurie, Executive Director of the Hopewell Museum, kitted out as a member of the British Army in the late fall/winter of 1776, will explain who these British soldiers were, the world they came from, and the evolving doctrine of the British Army from the close of the French and Indian War to the beginning of the American Revolution.

This program is a co-sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society, the Hopewell Museum, and Pennington Public Library.

Wednesday November 18, 2026 - 7pm

Pennington Presbyterian Church

13 South Main Street, Pennington, NJ

Register here for in person or via youtube.

Click Me