Who were the earliest inhabitants of Princeton New Jersey?
The Lenape Native Americans were the earliest identifiable inhabitants of the area. Europeans settled into the region in the late part of the 17th century from Delaware and New York.
Questions about Princeton, New Jersey
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When was Princeton named and what is its origin story?
Princeton was named in 1724 upon the construction of the first house by James Leonard. One theory suggests the municipality is named after Prince William of Orange while another points to a landowner named Henry Prince but no evidence backs the latter contention.
What happened during the Battle of Princeton in January 1777?
George Washington forced the British to evacuate southern New Jersey during the pivotal battle. Nassau Hall briefly served as the U.S. capitol in 1783 during these revolutionary events.
How did Princeton University get its name and when did it relocate?
Established in 1746 as the College of New Jersey the institution moved to Princeton ten years later. The university bears its current name and relocated to the community in 1756 from its previous location in Newark.
When did the merger between Princeton township and borough take effect?
The residents of both municipalities voted on the 8th of November 2011 to merge them into one. The consolidation took effect on the 1st of January 2013 creating the Municipality of Princeton.
Who lived in Princeton including notable figures like Aaron Burr and Svetlana Alliluyeva?
Aaron Burr third Vice President under Thomas Jefferson is buried in Princeton while his father Aaron Burr Sr co-founded the university. Svetlana Alliluyeva daughter of Joseph Stalin defected to the United States and lived in Princeton until her death in 2011.