On January 3, 1777, Colonel John Haslet, who immigrated to Milford from Scotland in 1764, was killed at the Battle of Princeton. Haslet was a personal friend of Caesar Rodney and of George Washington.
General Hugh Mercer was leading the charge with Haslet when he was killed by bullet and stab wounds on the battlefield. Haslet immediately attempted to take command and died minutes later of a bullet wound to the head.
After word arrived in Delaware that Haslet had died, Rodney immediately wanted to take charge of the company but was told by Washington he was needed more in Delaware.
Washington acknowledged the victory at Princeton but lamented he had lost two very important leaders with the death of Haslet and Mercer.
On January 5, 1841, Haslet’s body was moved from its burial location in Philadelphia to the Presbyterian Cemetery in Dover by act of the Delaware legislature. His original burial place was abandoned for commercial interests.
