Princeton 1783: The Nation's Capital

From the end of June to the beginning of November 1783, Princeton served as the nation’s capital when it hosted the Congress of the United States. Congress had fled from Philadelphia to this quiet village that was home to a few hundred residents and the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University. This little known but fascinating chapter in American history will be remembered in 2008 with outstanding cultural and educational programming at the very sites where history was made 225 years ago.

Riot! - 1783 was a time of uncertainty in the young United States. Although the major military operations of the American Revolution had concluded in 1781 with the surrender at Yorktown, the fate of the new nation was in jeopardy in 1783 when a revolt occurred among the Pennsylvania military forces. The Congress, in session in Philadelphia, felt insulted and threatened when armed troops demanded back pay. When the Pennsylvania State Council refused to ensure Congress’s safety Elias Boudinot, president of Congress, obtained the assurances of Governor William Livingston that New Jersey would provide a safe haven.

Flight to Princeton - Princeton made an ideal temporary meeting place. It was centrally located to all of the colonies, but far enough removed from the mutinous troops to be considered safe. Another attraction was that Elias Boudinot had close family ties in Princeton—his recently widowed sister Annis Boudinot Stockton lived at Morven, a large mansion near the center of town. Her husband Richard Stockton, who had died in 1781, had been a member of Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Elias Boudinot initially took up residence with his sister at Morven and entertained members of Congress there, including hosting an Independence Day jubilee.

Princeton in 1783 - Residents of Princeton enthusiastically welcomed Congress with a proclamation of support and opened their doors for lodging and victuals. Overnight, Princeton was transformed from an obscure village into the nation’s capital. Princeton then had about 75 houses and an unusually high number of inns, as it was the halfway stop for the Philadelphia/New York stage route. The one church in town was Presbyterian, where the famous patriot and college president John Witherspoon was minister. There was also a Quaker Meeting House just outside of the village. Members of Congress took up temporary residence in various houses and inns.

Congress and the College of New Jersey - The College of New Jersey was the center of Presbyterian revolutionary fervor in the United States with strong ties to Congress. Its Nassau Hall, the largest stone building in the states, had been shelled during the war and used as a barracks in the 1777 Battle of Princeton. It was still under repair in 1783. Nevertheless, the college eagerly invited Congress to its campus in Princeton. Congress met in Nassau Hall for four months. Many delegates and distinguished guests attended the college’s September 1783 commencement held at the Presbyterian Church, including seven signers of the Declaration of Independence; nine signers of the Articles of Confederation; eleven future signers of the Constitution; and two future presidents (George Washington and James Madison).