Following the Continental Army's retreat across the Delaware River in December 1776, 2,000 Hessian and Scots troops commanded by Colonel Kurt vonDonop occupied this towne. A small band of Americans under Colonel Samuel Griffin lured these troops toward Mt. Holly prior to George Washington's attack on Trenton, thus contributing to his victory on December 26. The towne was pillaged and sections burned by the British on May 8, and June 23, 1778.