Mahlon Stacy

The first European colonist in the area was Mahlon Stacy, a Quaker immigrant from England. He purchased about 3,500 acres in West Jersey. This purchase is described in detail in an indenture or contract prepared in 1677 while Stacy was still in England, giving his brother Robert rights to a portion of this property. ​

The Trent House Association and the Trenton Historical Society jointly purchased this indenture, which is currently on display in the Trent House Visitor Center. 

​A transcription of the text of the indenture is available to view or download by clicking on the image to the right.

After sailing to Burlington in 1679, Stacy and his family settled at the Falls of Delaware near present-day Trenton circa 1680. He built a grist mill on Assunpink Creek. At his death in 1704, Stacy’s will left his plantation Ballifield, along with the mill and other buildings, lands and meadows, to his only son Mahlon. Although a Quaker, Stacy had enslaved people and his probate inventory listed “four Negroes.”

After sailing to Burlington in 1679, Stacy and his family settled at the Falls of Delaware near present-day Trenton circa 1680. He built a grist mill on Assunpink Creek. At his death in 1704, Stacy’s will left his plantation Ballifield, along with the mill and other buildings, lands and meadows, to his only son Mahlon. Although a Quaker, Stacy had enslaved people and his probate inventory listed “four Negroes.”

More information on Quakers in New Jersey and Mahlon Stacy is available in a presentation prepared by Shawn Carney, Museum Administrator, in 2019. Click on the image to the left to view or download.