One of the rich symbols of Plainsboro local history and heritage, the Dey Pieri House. The Dey Pieri house was  located in the northwest quadrant of the intersection of the day road and Scotts corner road in Plainsboro.

The land on which this property stood was owned by Thomas Merson in later in 1800 it was purchased by Jonathan stout of east Windsor township. Who developed a farm over here over the next 20 years.

In 1823 this farm was purchased by Ralph Dey who lived in this house till 1864 with his family and reportedly increased the farm value to $4000.the property was then  bought by William Perrine in 1882 whose family owned the property till 1927 and then came into picture Cristina Pieri.

The house is a linear composition, consisting of a large two story side gable main block , a two-story flat roof facing to the west and one story side gable wing  to the east.  the full basement beneath the main block and the west wing are of rubble stone to grade level,  with break above. The basement beneath the east wing, which is a very modern addition, is lined with cinder block the brick veneer which now distinguishes the house is considered to be the work done by Christiana and her family. By now you could easily make out why is the house named Dey Pieri House

To understand the floor plans take a look at the images below:

 

The cladding of this  house might not be an exact replication of the colonial construction but this can be said to be inspired from New Jersey’s 18th century Quaker houses in particular the use of glazed or over fired brick for a polychrome effect  usually enhanced by decorative patterns.

The stories of the Dey and Pieri families, along with the architectural features that marked the house, offer a window into a bygone era. From the transformation of a simple farm into a distinguished estate to the distinct brickwork inspired by 18th-century Quaker homes, the Dey Pieri House was more than just a building—it was a cornerstone of local heritage.

Though the house may have vanished, its spirit continues to inspire us to value and preserve the rich tapestry of our local history.

    Historical map of the area               from that period