American Historic Towns. Historic Towns of New England. Edited by LYMAN P. POWELL. With Introduction by GEORGE P. MORRIS. Fully illustrated. Large 8ᵒ, $3.50. Historic Towns of the Middle States. Edited by LYMAN P. POWELL. With Introduction by ALBERT SHAW. Fully illustrated. Large 8ᵒ, $3.50 G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS, NEW YORK AND LONDON [Illustration: _The “Half-Moon” on the Hudson—1609._ _From a painting by L. W. Seavey._] American Historic Towns HISTORIC TOWNS OF THE MIDDLE STATES Edited by LYMAN P. POWELL Illustrated G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS NEW YORK & LONDON The Knickerbocker Press 1899 COPYRIGHT, 1899 BY G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS Entered at Stationers’ Hall, London The Knickerbocker Press, New York [Illustration] PREFACE In offering to the public the second volume of _American Historic Towns_ the editor desires to bring three facts to the consideration of the reader. 1. This being the middle volume of a series dealing with the older towns along, or near, the Eastern coast, it is hoped that the title _Historic Towns of the Middle States_ will seem not inappropriate. 2. The plan which underlay the making of the first volume, _Historic Towns of New England_, has in the main been followed. Each author has invariably been chosen because of unique fitness for his special task. The editor believes that in every case the enthusiasm of the native or the resident will be found wedded to the perspective of the _litterateur_ or scholar. No effort has been made to harmonize divergencies in style or judgment, for obvious reasons. The success of the first volume has set the stamp of approval on the method of the series, and the editor is glad to announce that a volume on the Southern towns will shortly follow this. 3. The chapter on Princeton first served as an address in 1894 before the Historical Pilgrims on the last day of their Pilgrimage, which is described in _Historic Towns of New England_, pp. iii.-v. To the making of this volume many have contributed in various ways. The editor is under special obligation to his wife, Gertrude Wilson Powell, for such assistance as makes her really a co-editor of the volume. Dr. Albert Shaw, and Mr. Melvil Dewey too have given freely of their counsel and encouragement, and the editor is happy to acknowledge their great kindness. LYMAN P. POWELL ST. JOHN’S RECTORY, LANSDOWNE, PENNSYLVANIA, October 17, 1899. [Illustration] CONTENTS