Trenton, New Jersey is the capital city of the state and the county seat of Mercer County, situated along the Delaware River across from Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Trenton had a population of 90,871, making it the 10th-most-populous municipality in New Jersey. The city dates back at least to June 3, 1719, and briefly served as the capital of the United States from November 1 through December 24, 1784. Today, Trenton's economy is dominated by state government operations, though its historic downtown retains landmarks tied to the Revolutionary War era. Gates referenced Trenton in the context of Washington's legendary surprise attack — and the near-legendary tale of a loyalist spy named Moses Doan who may have raced to warn the British-led garrison before the assault.
Earliest recorded mention of Trenton, when a constable was appointed for the area while it was still part of Hunterdon County, per a June 3, 1719 reference.
Boundaries recorded for Trenton Township; a courthouse and jail were constructed around this time.
Hessian mercenary forces under Colonel Johann Rall occupied Trenton during the winter. On December 26, Washington launched a surprise attack after crossing the Delaware River with approximately 2,400 troops, resulting in a decisive Patriot victory.
Trenton served as the capital of the United States from November 1 until December 24.
Trenton became the capital of New Jersey on November 25.
Trenton featured in Expedition Unknown S13E03, 'Traitors' Treasure of 1776,' as Gates explored the story of Moses Doan and the Doan gang's alleged loyalist activities during the Revolution.
The Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776 is widely regarded by historians as one of the most consequential moments of the American Revolution. Washington's army was in desperate straits — demoralized, undersupplied, and reeling from the loss of New York — when the surprise crossing of the Delaware and subsequent assault on the Hessian garrison offered a badly needed morale boost for the Patriot cause. The Hessian forces, German mercenaries fighting on behalf of the British Crown, were commanded by Colonel Johann Rall, whose garrison was caught off guard in the early morning hours.
The story of Moses Doan and the unread warning note is a piece of Revolutionary-era legend that historians treat with cautious interest. The Doan gang were a real family of Bucks County loyalists whose criminal activities — including robbery and raids against Patriot supporters — are documented in regional historical records. Whether Moses Doan personally witnessed Washington's crossing and delivered a warning note that Rall ignored is a colorful tradition, but the specifics remain difficult to verify from primary sources alone. Gates presents it as legend rather than established fact, which is the appropriate framing.
What is better documented is the Doan gang's later criminal legacy. Their robberies of public funds were notable enough to become the stuff of regional folklore, and rumors of buried treasure attributed to the gang have persisted for generations in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Gates' episode uses Trenton as an entry point into this broader mystery, connecting the near-miss at the Battle of Trenton to the gang's subsequent outlaw career and the alleged hidden loot.
Trenton itself remains a living city rather than a preserved archaeological site, so physical investigation is limited to historical landmarks and documentary records. Gates' episode does not appear to have made on-site excavations in Trenton proper, using the location primarily as historical scene-setting for the larger Doan gang treasure investigation that unfolds across the surrounding region.
Trenton served as the capital of the United States for a brief period — from November 1 until December 24, 1784.
As of the 2020 Census, Trenton had a population of 90,871, ranking it among the ten most populous municipalities in New Jersey.
Trenton is the only city in New Jersey served by three commuter rail transit systems: Amtrak, NJ Transit, and SEPTA.
Trenton's earliest recorded mention dates to June 3, 1719 — over 300 years ago — when a constable was appointed for the area while it was still part of Hunterdon County.
Trenton's Revolutionary War history is accessible through several local landmarks and museums, including the Old Barracks Museum, which preserves the colonial-era structure where Hessian soldiers were quartered. The city is generally open to visitors year-round, and its position along the Delaware River makes it a natural stop alongside nearby sites in the broader Washington Crossing area. Check current local advisories and museum hours before visiting.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles to the southwest.
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather for exploring Trenton's outdoor historical sites, though the area around the Delaware River can be striking in winter — evoking the dramatic conditions of Washington's 1776 crossing.
Delaware River
Washington's legendary crossing of the Delaware River was the immediate precursor to the surprise attack on Trenton, making it the defining geographic link in the same S13E03 episode.
Tomlinson Farm, Newtown, Pennsylvania
Tomlinson Farm in Newtown, Pennsylvania is another site investigated in the Doan gang treasure storyline, connecting directly to the broader loyalist and buried-treasure mystery Gates pursued in the same episode.
Doan Gang Cave, Buckingham Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
The Doan Gang Cave in Bucks County is believed by local tradition to be a hideout used by the Doan brothers, making it a central location in Gates' investigation of the gang whose near-warning at Trenton launched the episode's narrative.
Mercer Museum, Doylestown, Pennsylvania
The Mercer Museum in Doylestown holds regional historical artifacts and records relevant to Bucks County's Revolutionary-era history, providing documentary context for the Doan gang story Gates investigated.
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia