Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2024.FIC.042 |
Object Name |
Block, Construction |
Title |
John Pierce Company Granite Block |
Description |
The object is a grey, cuboid-shaped granite block. The front of the block features an engraved inscription that reads, "JOHN PIERCE." All other sides of the block are plain. Attached to the right side of the block are two pieces of paper, each with a black inscription that reads, "JOHN PIERCE OF NEW YORK CITY WAS THE CONTRACTOR FOR THE BATTLE MONUMENT IN 1891. THIS BLOCK WAS BROUGHT IN BY A DESCENDANT." According to the State of New Jersey's website, the Trenton Battle Monument was designed to honor George Washington's victory over the Hessian soldiers in the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. On December 26, 1776, General George Washington led his troops across the Delaware River to surprise the enemy garrison in Trenton. The victory at Trenton was a pivotal moment in America's struggle for independence. The cornerstone for the monument was laid on December 26, 1891, exactly 115 years after the battle, and the monument was officially dedicated on October 19, 1893, 112 years after the surrender of British General Cornwallis to Washington at Yorktown, Virginia. Designed by John H. Duncan, the monument features a statue of George Washington by William O'Donovan. Standing 148 feet high, the granite monument is built in a Roman-Doric style and is open to the public during daylight hours as of 2024. According to Roger Murphy of the Divine Stone blog and the New York City Preservation Commission, John Pierce was born on September 28, 1852, in Frankfort, Maine. Although he initially studied law at Harvard, he returned home in 1873 to take over his father's granite business. In the late 1880s, he moved his business operations to New York City. Pierce's company contributed to the construction of Grand Central Terminal, the 42nd Street New York Public Library, and New York City's first subway system. However, by the turn of the 20th century, the rise of steel and asphalt led to the decline of the granite industry, and John Pierce Company ceased operations in 1915. Citations: Murphy, R. (2024, August 5). The Granite King. Divine Stone. https://divinestone.org/blog/the-granite-king/ Landmarks Preservation Commission . (n.d.). John Peirce Residence. NYC.gov. http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2327.pdf State of New Jersey. (n.d.). Trenton Battle Monument Historic Site Overview. Official Site of the State of New Jersey. https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic/trentonbattlemonument.html |
Year Range from |
1885 |
Year Range to |
1915 |
Material |
Granite |
Artist |
John Pierce Company |
Height (in) |
6.000 |
Length (in) |
6.000 |
Width (in) |
4.000 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Weathering, accretions, and abrasions throughout. Front: There is weathering throughout. There are white accretions throughout. There are abrasions around the edges. And finally, there are green accretions all over the center. Right Side: There are white accretions throughout. There is weathering throughout. And finally, there are black accretions near the upper right corner. Back: There is weathering throughout. There are abrasions throughout. And finally, there are black accretions throughout. Right Side: There is weathering throughout. Also, there are white accretions throughout. Top: There are abrasions throughout. There is weathering throughout. There are white accretions throughout. And finally, there is a large black accretion on the center near the left side. Bottom: There is weathering throughout. Also, there are white accretions throughout. |
Inscription Type |
Inscription |
Inscription Location |
Front, Center, Left to Right |
Inscription Technique |
Etched |
Inscription Text |
"JOHN PEIRCE" Line 1 |
People |
John Pierce George Washington Thomas Maddock John H. Duncan William O'Donovan George Washington |
Classification |
Historic Sites |
Subjects |
Historic sites Politics & government Politicians Generals Military officers Monuments Monuments & memorials Monument builders Stonework Stone cutting |
Search Terms |
John Pierce George Washington Trenton Battle Monument Revolutionary War Monument Council Thomas Maddock's Son Pillar Politics President United States America Battle of Trenton George Washington Thomas Maddock John H. Duncan William O'Donovan George Washington John Pierce Company Maine Frankfort Stone Granite King of Granite Grey 1885 1915 Construction Block John Pierce Granite Block |
Provenance |
Found in collection. This item was donated to the Trenton Free Public Library by a descendant of John Pierce at one point. |