George Washington Monument

Address: near the intersection of Barrack and West Lafayette streets, Trenton, New Jersey

This monument is dedicated to George Washington in recognition for ordering the return of the personal effects of the opposing troops after capturing Trenton in 1776. The monument is directly adjacent to the Old Barracks (see at right in first photo below) that served many uses during the Revolutionary War and is also about a block away from the New Jersey State House (seen at rear in the first photo below). The monument was erected in 1916 by the Sons of the American Revolution.

George Washington Monument in Trenton, New Jersey

George Washington memorial near the Old Barracks in Trenton, New Jersey

George Washington monument near the New Jersey State House in Trenton

The monument reads: Erected to commemorate that noble spirit of justice displayed by Gen. George Washington after his capture of Trenton in December 1776, in returning to both Whig and Tory alike their personal effects, of which they had been ruthlessly plundered by the British and Hessian troops after their capture of Fort Washington and during their invasion of the State of New Jersey. The loot was stored in the churches, jail court-house and old barracks, which buildings had been used as quarters by the foreign troops. This magnanimous act won many to the support of the American cause and secured to him the perpetual love and admiration of his countrymen.

George Washington Sites