USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 27
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First Company-Michael Schmeiser, Cap- tain; Zachariah Shugart, First Lieutenant; Andrew Robinson, Second Lieutenant; Will- iam Wayne, Ensign.
Second Company-Gerhart, Graeff, Cap- tain; Kauffman, Lieutenant.
Third Company-Jacob Dritt, Captain; Baymiller, First Lieutenant; Clayton, Sec- ond Lieutenant: Jacob Mayer, Ensign.
Fourth Company-Christian Stake, Cap- tain; Cornelius Sheriff, First Lieutenant; Jacob Holtzinger, Second Lieutenant; Jacob Barnitz, Ensign.
Fifth Company-John McDonald, Cap- tain; William Scott, First Lieutenant; Rob- ert Patten, Second Lieutenant; Howe, En- sign.
Sixth Company-John Ewing, Captain; John Paysley, Ensign.
Seventh Company-William Nelson, Cap- tain; Todd, First Lieutenant; Joseph Welsh, Second Lieutenant; Nesbit, Ensign.
Eighth Company-Capt. Williams.
The officers of the Second Battalion were Col. Richard McAllister (father of Archibald McAllister, already mentioned) Lieut .- Col. David Kennedy, and Maj. John Clark .* The Captains were Bittinger, McCarter, McCos- key, Laird, Wilson and Paxton, from York County. To this battalion were added two companies from the county of Bucks. Thus each battalion consisted of eight companies.
The above list, as to both battalions, is very imperfect; but there is not a document in existence by which it can be made better. The above information, as likewise all that follows, has been communicated to us by a few men of silvered hairs, whose memories are still fresh with respect to the warlike hardships and dangers of their more youth- ful days.
The battalion of Col. Swope suffered as severely as any one during the Revolution.
The company of Gerhart Graeff belong- ing to that regiment was taken at the battle of Long Island, and but eighteen of the men returned to join the regiment. Not one of this company is now alive.
But the place which proved the grave of their hopes was Fort Washington, on the Hudson, near the city of New York. The officers belonging to Swope's Battalion, that was taken at that place on the 16th of No- vember, 1776, were the following fourteen: Col. Michael Swope, Maj. William Baily, Surgeon Humphrey Fullerton, Capt. Michael Schmeiser, Capt. Jacob Dritt, Capt. Christian Stake, Capt. John M'Donald, Lieut. Zacha- riah Shugard, Lieut. Jacob Holtzinger, Lieut. Andrew Robinson, Lieut. Robert Patten, Lieut. Joseph Welsch, Ensign, Ja- cob Barnitz, Ensign and Adjutant Howe, En- sign Jacob Meyer. Of the company of Capt. Stake, we are enabled to give the names of those, beside the three officers already men-
*We perceive by a number of letters, now in our possession, from Gen. Washington, and Geu. Greene, etc., to Maj. Clark, that the latter gentleman stood very high in the confidence and esteem of the American Commander-in-Chief. He was employed during tbe war, in duties for which no individual would have been selected who was not deemed true as steel.
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THE REVOLUTION.
tioned, who were taken prisoners: They were Sergt. Pater Haak, Sergt. John Dicks, Sergt. Henry Counselman, Corp. John Adlum, Da- vid Parker, James Debbins, Hugh Dobbins, Henry Miller, (now living in Virginia) John Strohman, Christian Strohman, James Berry, Joseph Bay, Henry Hof, Joseph Updegraff, Daniel Miller, Henry Shultze, Bill Lukens, a mulatto, and a waiter in the company, with perhaps some more. The company of Capt. Stake consisted mostly of spirited and high- minded. young men from the town of York and its vicinity.
Though each party suffered much, and the mutual slaughter was great, yet but two offi- cers of the Flying Camp were wounded on that day. The first was Capt. McCarter, who was from the neighborhood of Hanover, and was about twenty two years of age. He belonged to the battalion of Col. McAllister, and commanded the Piquet Guard, when he was shot through the breast. His wounded fellow-officer, who lay by his side, saw him stiffened in death on the fifth day. The other was Ensign Jacob Barnitz, of the town of York. Mr. Barnitz was wounded in both legs, and laid for fifteen months a comfort- less prisoner without hope, his wounds still unhealed and festering. After his return he lived for years to enjoy the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens; but, after suf- ferings which wrung him to the soul, he was obliged to commit himself to the skill of the surgeon, and to suffer the loss of one of those members which had once borne the hero and the patriot, as he proudly waved to the winds the ensign of the country's liberty,
" The stars and stripes,
The banner of the free heart's only home."#
On the 1st of May, 1777, Richard Mc- Allister, Lieutenant of the county, wrote from Yorktown that they were just finishing the dividing of the county into districts, and should not lose an hour that can be applied in forming the militia according to the law provided, but how the quota will be raised before this law is got in force he was at a
loss to know. That the militia of the county could not be brought together before the elections of choosing their officers, at which time he would do everything in his power to raise the quota of volunteers and fill the other orders. President Wharton wrote in reply that the quota was to be brought out under the militia laws and not as volunteers. He says: "The enemy's real intentions we are yet ignorant of; if they should be to invade this State, which is the opinion of many, I have no doubt from the strength of
our army under Gen. Washington, together with the assistance of our militia and that of the neighboring States, we shall make them sorely repent of such a step."*
In Congress, on the 22d of August, 1777, it was resolved, among other things, that the State of Pennsylvania be requested to keep up 4,000 of their militia to assist in repell- ing the threatened attack of the enemy by the way of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays; that these rendezvous at Lancaster, Downington and Chester, as the Council of the State shall direct, and that they be sub- ject to the orders of Gen. Washington.
In Congress, April 24, 1777, it was earnestly recommended to the President of the Supreme Executive Council and the Board of War of Pennsylvania to call out 3,000 militia of the State (exclusive of the city militia), one-half of the said troops to rendezvous at Chester on the Delaware, and the other half at Bristol. Agreeable to which resolve and with the advice of the Board of War it was determined that the counties of Chester, Lancaster and York should form a camp at or near Chester. York County was to furnish 500 men with as many arms and accoutrements as could be procured in the county. A blanket was to be procured for each man, to remain the prop- erty of the State. If they could not be pur- chased they were to be impressed and their value paid. This order was to be complied with with all possible expedition, as the enemy were preparing to make an immediate attack upon the State.
On the 27th of August. 1777, the Su- preme Executive Council wrote to the Lieu- tenants of the several counties that Gen. Howe having landed an army in Maryland, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, it Was necessary to draw out more of the militia of the State to replace those then in the field, but whose term of two months was passing. That Philadelphia, Lancaster and Bucks had third classes embodied and in service, and it was but equal to make like calls on other counties, and it was probable that the Council would be under the neces- sity of ordering a second class of the militia of each county, and perhaps a third .; And on the 6th of September, as it was then become certain that the intention of the enemy was to invade the State and get pos- session of the city, Congress, by resolution, recommended to give orders to all the militia of the State to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. On the
*Glossbrenner.
$V Archives, 333.
¡V Archives, 615.
132
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
-
12th of September, as the enemy was ad- vancing rapidly toward the city, the Council had determined to call out the strength of the State, and commanded the Lieutenants to order out the militia of the third and fourth classes and march them without loss of time to the Swede's Ford, unless they should receive other orders from Council or Gen. Washington to rendezvous elsewhere.
In the schedule annexed to this requisition, York County was called upon for the third class .*
On November 8, 1777, in the Council of Safety, at which James Smith, Esq., was present, it was ordered that the persons here- inafter named in the respective counties be authorized and required to collect without delay from such of the inhabitants of the respective counties as have not taken the oath of allegiance and abjuration, or who have aided and assisted the enemy, arms and accoutrements, blankets, woolen and linsey woolsey cloth, linen, shoes and stockings, for the army; that they appraise the same when taken, etc. In the county of York-Joseph Donaldson, George Erwin, Thomas Stockton, Frederick Gelwix, Thomas Weems, John Nesbit, Henry Cotton, Jacob Staley, John Andrew, Robert Smith. i
On November 12, 1777, McAllister wrote from Hanover: "His Excellency had men- tioned that if the fourth and fifth classes did not turn out pretty generally, then the other two classes should be sent forth also. The two classes had turned out past expectation; some parts of the class made up a company, but for the greatest part he threw two classes together, when they were like to be small companies, and made one large one, and made the officers cast lots who should go. But in the whole, he believed about one-half, or some better, were gone in those two classes, perhaps three parts in four; the great num- ber of Quakers, Menonists and Dunkards in this county occasions the companies to be so hard to be filled up. the others in the upper end of the county, which is mostly Irish people and Dutch, go pretty generally."
ASSOCIATIONS FOR DEFENSE.
By letter from the Committee of Safety, dated Philadelphia, 29th of September, 1775, to the Committee of York County acknowl- edging the return of the officers of the asso- ciation, it is said: "The spirited and firm behavior of the inhabitants of York County in support of the righteous cause in which
America is embarked, has the full approba- tion of the Committee of Safety and merits their just esteem."
And on the 14th of October, 1775, it is said: "The very public-spirited exertions in their country's cause, which have distin- guished the County of York leave us no room to doubt but they will readily acquiesce in the justness of this measure, and we are satisfied that their views are too liberal, whilst their county is comparatively secure, to wish to withold from any of their countrymen the necessary means of defense."
This was with reference to an order upon the county for powder and lead for the pro- tection of the counties of Northumberland and Northampton against the attacks of in- truders from Connecticut, who threatened to overrun that country and settle themselves by force on the West Branch.
IN COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, - Philadelphia, June 14, 1776. 5
Gentlemen:
From every appearance of the enemy's mo- tions we have reason to apprehend an attack upon this city, which has determined the board to form a magazine of stores at Ger- mantown, the present place of residence of Lieutenants Boger and Ball, two Navy officers who have been made prisoners, from that circumstance it is thought most advisa. ble to remove them. Your town is fixed upon as the most proper place, as it is likely to be remote from the scene of action, and of course not a ready channel either to convey or receive intelligence that may be injurious to us, but more especially on account of the virtuous and determined attachment of your good people to the cause of American Liberty. They will be escorted by an officer of Col. Atlee's Battalion, who will hand you this. They are to remain on the same footing as the other officers at Yorktown, who are upou parole, to have the same allowance, and be- fore they leave Germantown are to take the parole of which a copy is enclosed and to be under your care and observation.
To the Committee of York County.
FIRST BATTALION OF YORK COUNTY-MILITIA.
Revolutionary Soldiers. Col. James Thompson; Lieut. - Col. Samuel Wilson; Maj. James Chamberlain.
First Company-Capt. William Dodd ; 1st Lieut. - Neily; 2nd Lieut. -- Neily; Ensign Joseph Dodd. Rank and file 104 men.
Second Company-Capt. Daniel Williams ; 1st Lieut. James McNickle; 2d Lieut. George
*V Archives, 767.
+X Col. Rec., 340.
+V Archives, 767.
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THE REVOLUTION.
Glenn ; Ensign, James Read. Rank and file
78 men.
Third Company-Capt. John Shaver ; 1st Lieut. Henry Smith; 2nd Lieut. Jacob Stray- er ; Ensign, Jacob Miller. Rank and file 95 men.
Fourth Company-Capt. Daniel May ; 1st Lieut. Andrew Melhom; 2nd Lieut. Henry Yessler ; Ensign, Frederick Spaar. Rank and file 89 men.
Fifth Company-Capt. James Parkinson ; 1st Lieut. James Fagen; 2nd Lient. Alexander Nesbit ; Ensign, John May. Rank and file 206 men.
Sixth Company-Capt. Benjamin Heable ; 1st Lient. Henry Shaver; 2nd Lieut. Lawrence Oats. Rank and file 75 men.
Seventh Company -- Capt. Francis Boner; 1st Lieut. George Robinet ; 2nd Lieut. John Shroeder; Ensign, William Brandon. Rank and file 120 men.
Eighth Company-Capt. John O'Blainess; 1st Lient. John Polk ; 2nd Lieut. William Johnson ; Ensign, William Beathy. Rank and file 106 men. Number of men in regi- ment 873.
SECOND BATTALION.
York County Militia-Col. William Ran- kin ; Lieut .- Col. John Ewing ; Maj. John Morgan.
First Company-Capt. William Ashton ; 1st Lieut. Michael Shelly; 2nd Lieut. James Eliot ; Ensign, John Carroll. Rank and file 91 men.
Second Company-Capt. John Rankin ; 1st Lieut. Joseph Hunter; 2nd Lieut. John Aston ; Ensign, Daniel McHenry. Rank and file 88 men.
Third Company-Capt. Simon Copenhaver; 1st Lient. Michael Schriver; Ensign, Andrew Smith. Rank and file 60 men.
Fourth Company-Capt. Jacob Hiar (Hyar) 1st Lieut. Adam Ban; 2nd Lieut. Jacob Com- fort ; Ensign, George Hias. Rank and file 66 men.
Fifth Company-Capt. Emanuel Haman ; 1st Lieut. William Momer; 2nd Lieut. John Brodrough ; Ensign, Harman Hoopes. Rank and tile 81 men.
Sixth Company-Capt. John Mansberger ; 1st Lieut. Henry Mathias: 2nd Lieut, George Mayers ; Ensign, Jacob Hepler. Rank and file 73 men.
Seventh Company-Capt. William Walls ; 1st Lieut: Henry Liphart; 2nd Lieut. John Jordon ; Ensign, Jacob Shultz. Rank and file 60 men.
Eighth Company-Capt. Yost Harbaugh ; 1st Lieut. Peter Sholtz ; 2nd Lieut. Jacob
Rudisil ; Ensign, Michael Ettinger. Rank and file 56 men. Whole number of men in regiment 514.
THIRD BATTALION.
York County Militia-Col. David Jameson; Lieut .- Col. Albright; Maj. William Scott.
First Company-Capt. Jacob Beaver ; Ist Lieut. Nicholas Baker; 2nd Lieut. John Bare ; Ensign, George Lafever. Rank and file 106 men.
Second Company-Capt. Gotfried Fry ; 1st Lieut. John Bushong ; 2nd Lieut. George Spangler ; Ensign, James Jones. Rank and file 65 men.
Third Company-Capt. Peter Frote ; 1st Lieut. Christ. Stear; 2nd Lieut. Andrew Hartsock; Ensign, Jacob Welshans. Rank and file 66 men.
Fourth Company-Capt. Christ. Lauman ; 1st Lieut. Ephian Pennington ; 2nd Lieut. John Fishel ; Ensign, Charles Barnitz. Rank and file 72 men.
Fifth Company-Capt. Alexander Ligget; 1st Lieut. Robert Richey : 2nd Lieut. Robert Stewart ; Ensign, Peter Fry. Rank and file 75 men.
Sixth Company-Capt. George Long ; 1st Lieut. Samuel Smith ; 2nd Lieut. Conrad Keesey ; Ensign, Samuel Mosser. Rank and file 62 men.
Seventh Company-Capt. Michael Halm ; 1st Lieut. John Mimm; 2nd Lieut. -; Ensign, Christian Zinn. Rank and file 75 men. Number of men in regiment 521.
FOURTH BATTALION.
York County Militia .- Col. John Andrew; Lieut .- Col. William Walker; Maj. Simon Bonorsdal.
First Company .- Capt. - -First Lieut. William Hamilton; 2nd Lieut., Jo- seph Pallack: Ensign, Adam Heaver; rank and file 58 men.
Second Company .- Capt. John King; 1st Lieut. James Eliot; 2nd Lieut. Battzer Hetrick; Ensign, William Niely; rank and file 64 men.
Third Company .- Capt. William Gilli- land; 1st Lieut. Matthew Mitchell; 2nd Lieut. William Helmery; Ensign, Nicholas Glasgow; rank and file 67 men.
Fourth Company .- Capt. Samuel Morri. son; 1st Lieut. Peregin Mercer; 2nd Lieut. John Armstrong; Ensign, Stephen Gilpin; rank and file 64 men.
Fifth Company-Capt. John McElvain; 1st Lieut. John Range; 2nd Lieut. Francis Clapsaddle; Ensign, James Geary. Rank and file 74 men.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
Sixth Company .- Capt. John Stockton; 1st Lieut. John Anderson; 2ud Lieut. David Stockton; Ensign, Elisha Grady. Rank and hle 64 men.
Seventh Company. - Capt. Samuel Erwin; 1st Lieut. Wm. Hougtelin; 2nd Lieut. Henry Forney; Ensign, William Read. Rank and file 79 men.
Eighth Company .- Capt. Thomas Stock- ton; 1st Lieut. Jacob Cassat; 2nd Lieut. Daniel Montieth; Ensign, Andrew Patter- son. Rank and tile 59 men. Whole num- ber of men in regiment 529.
FIFTH BATTALION.
York County Militia .- Col. Joseph Jef- fries; Lieut. - Col. Michael Ege; Maj. Joseph Spangler.
First Company. - Capt. John Maye; 1st Lieut. -; 2nd Lieut. Abraham Bolinger; Ensign Daniel Hamme. Rank and file 55 men.
Second Company .- Capt. Adam Black; 1st Lient. William Lindsey; 2nd Lieut. David Jordan; Ensign, Robert Buchanan. Rank and file 60 men.
Third Company. - Capt. William Mc- Cleary; Ist Lieut. David Blyth; 2nd Lieut. Benjamin Read; Ensign, William Hart. Rank and file 64 men.
Fourth Company. - Capt. David Wilson; 1st Lieut. Robert Rowan; 2nd Lieut. John Thompson; Ensign, John Crowan. Rank and file 64 men.
Fifth Company .-- Capt. Joseph Morrison; 1st Lieut. James Johnston; 2nd Lieut. John McBride; Ensign, John Buchanan. Rank and file 59 men.
Sixth Company .- Capt. William Miller; 1st Lieut. James Porter; 2nd Lieut.
-; Ensign, Barabas McSherry. Rank and file 59 men.
Seventh Company .- Capt. Thomas Orbi- son; 1st Lieut. Robert McElhenny; 2nd Lieut. Joseph Hunter; Ensign, Robert Wil- son. Rank and file 68 men.
Eighth Company .- Capt. John Paxton; Ist Lieut. James Marshall; 2nd Lieut. Will- iam McMun; Ensign, Thomas Forgus.
SIXTH BATTALION.
York County Militia .- Col. William Ross; Lieut. - Col. Maj.
First Company .- 'Capt. - Laird; 1st Lieut. H. William Reed; 2nd Lieut.
Ensign, David Steel. Rank and file 84 men.
Second Company .- Capt. Casper Reineka; 1st Lieut. Jacob Rudisill; 2nd Lieut. Simon
Clear; Ensign, Elias Davis. Rank and file 89 men.
Third Company .- Capt.
;
1st Lieut. -
2nd Lieut.
- -; Ensign, - Rank and file 85 men.
Fourth Company. - Capt. Frederick Hurtz; 1st Lieut. Matthew Baugher. Rank and file 85 men.
Fifth Company .- Capt. Peter Iekes; 1st Lieut. John Mullin; 2nd Lieut. Jonas Wolf; Ensign, George Harman. Rank and file 84 men.
Sixth Company .- Capt. Leonard Zenew- ern; Ist Lieut. John Wampler; 2nd Lieut. Jacob Newcomer; Ensign, Ludroy Wampler. Rank and file 86 men.
Eighth Company .- Capt. Abraham Sell; 1st Lieut. Jacob Ketzmiller. Rank and file 66 men. Whole number in regiment 630 men.
SEVENTH BATTALION.
York County Militia-Col. David Kennedy; Lieut. - Col. James Agnew; Maj. John Weams.
First Company-Capt. Thomas Latta ; 1st Lieut. Robert Fletcher ; 2nd Lieut. Samuel Cobeen. Rank and file 69 men.
Second Company-Capt. Thomas White ; Ist Lieut. Robert Jeffries ; 2nd Lieut. John Jeffries ; Ensign, Alfred Lea. Rank and file 57 men.
Third Company-Capt. John Miller ; 1st Lieut. Peter Smith; 2nd Lieut. John McDon- ald ; Ensign, Quiller Whimney. Rank and file 60 men.
Fourth Company-Capt. Peter Aldinger ; 1st Lient. David Amer ; 2nd Lieut. Joseph Baltzer ; Ensign, Anthony Snyder. Rank and file 64 men.
Fifth Company-Capt. John Arman ; 1st Lieut. Daniel Peterman; 2nd Lieut. Michael Lech; Ensign, George Arman. Rank and file 65 men.
Sixth Company-Capt. George Geiselman; 1st Lieut. Fred Heiner ; 2nd Lieut. Henry Simrow; Ensign, Valentine Alt. Rank and file 63 men.
Seventh Company -Capt. Jacob Ament ; 1st Lieut. -; 2nd Lieut. Nicholas Andrews ; Ensign, Adam Klinefelter. Rank and file 55 men.
Eighth Company-Capt. John Sherer ; Ist Lieut. Jacob Hetrick; 2nd Lieut. Frederick Mayer ; Ensign, Jacob Bear. Rank and file 70 men. Whole number in regiment 489.
EIGHTH BATTALION.
York County Militia-Col. Henry Slagle ; Lieut. - Col. -- ---; Maj. Joseph Lilly.
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THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
First Company-Capt. Nicholas Gelwix ; 1st Lieut. Adam Hoopard; 2nd Lieut. George Gelwix ; Ensign, Henry Feltz. Rank and file 86 men.
Second Company -- Capt. Josh Reed ; 1st Lieut. Robert Smith; 2nd Lieut. -
Ensign, Samuel Collins, Rank and file 53 men.
Fourth Company-Capt. William Gray ; 1st Lieut. James Patterson; 2nd Lieut. Hum- phrey Anderson ; Ensign, William McCul- lough. Rank and file 69 men.
Fifth Company-Capt. : 1st Lieut. Andrew Warrick; 2nd Lieut. Samuel Moor ; Ensign, Thomas Allison. Rank and file 64 men.
Sixth Company-Capt. John Reppey ; Lieut. John Caldwell. Rank and file 44 men.
Seventh Company-Capt. Joseph Reed. Rank and file 59 men.
Eighth Company-Capt. Thomas MeNery. Rank and file 54 men. Whole number of men in regiment 487.
Whole number of men of York County Militia 4,621. Return April, 1778.
The associators were originally volunteers, but Congress having recommended the organ- ization of companies of militia, and persons claiming exemption from conscientious scru- ples being compelled by the Assembly to pay, the association became a compulsory militia, and they were divided into classes, and then were drafted by the county Lieutenants. In 1777 and 1778, and subsequently, the York County associators or militia were called out to guard Hessian prisoners.
THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
ITS SESSION AT YORK-OCCURRENCES AND PRO- CEEDINGS WHILE HERE.
E VENTS were occurring toward the close of the year 1777, which conspired to bring into conspicuous prominence the town of York, and make it for a time the capital of the now independent states of America. The Continental Congress was in session here for nine months, and its proceedings were of great importance, while the occur- rences during its sittings were of intense interest. Information gleaned from various sources shows how much of anxiety was centered here, and how the salvation of the country depended upon the wisdom for which
that Congress is noted. The advance of Sir William Howe on Philadelphia brought the Congress to York.
On the 23d of August, 1777,* John Adams from Philadelphia: "It is now no longer a secret where Mr. Howe's fleet is ; we have authentic intelligence that it is arrived at the head of the Chesapeake Bay, above the river Patapsco, upon which the town of Baltimore stands. We have called out the militia of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania to oppose him, and Gen.
Washington is handy enough to meet him. " And on the 26th : " Howe's army, at least about five thousand of them, besides his light horse, are landed upon the banks of the Elk River. The militia are turning out with great alacrity both in Maryland and Pennsylvania. They are distressed for want of arms. Many have none, others have only little fowling pieces. " And on the 29th : "The militia of four states are turning out with much alacrity and cheerful spirits." And on September 2: " Washington has a great body of militia assembled and assem- bling, in addition to a grand continental army. "
On the 11th of September, 1777, occurred the great battle fought upon the bloody field of Brandywine. John Adams wrote on the 14th of September : "Mr. Howe's army is at Chester, about fifteen miles from this town. Gen. Washington is over the Schuylkill, awaiting the flank of Mr. Howe's army. How much longer Congress will stay is uncertain. If we should move it will be to Reading, Lancaster, York, Easton or Bethlehem, some town in this State. Don't be anxions about me, nor about our great and sacred cause. It is the cause of truth and will prevail. If Howe gets the city it will cost him all his force to keep it, and so he can get nothing else. "
On the 14th of September, Congress re- solved to leave Philadelphia and meet at Lancaster on the 27th. They were in session at Philadelphia on the 18th of September, and had adjourned for the day. During the evening word came that the enemy would be in Philadelphia before the next morning. The members assembled at Lancaster, under a resolution adopted on the 14th. They met at Lancaster on the 27th, the day the city of Philadelphia was occupied by Gen. Howe ; but they resolved that "the Susque- hanna should flow between them and the enemy, " and on the same day adjourned to York. They met in the old court house in Centre Square on the 30th of September,
*Letters of John Adams, Vol. 1, p 250.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
1777, and continued in session here until the 27th of June, 1778 .*
CORRESPONDENCE OF JOHN ADAMS FROM YORK. YORKTOWN, Penn.,
Tuesday, 30th of Septemper, 1777. 6
In the morning of the 19th instant, the Congress were alarmed in their heds by a letter from Mr. Hamilton, one of Gen. Washington's family, that the enemy was in possession of the ford over the Schuylkill and the boats, so that they had, in their power to be in Philadelphia before morning. The papers of Congress belonging to the Secretary's of- tice. the War office, the Treasury office, etc., were before sent to Bristol. The President and all the other gentlemen were gone that road, so I followed with my friend, Mr. Marchant, of Rhode Island, to Trenton in the Jerseys. We staid at Trenton until the 21st when we set off to Easton, upon the forks of the Delaware. From Easton we went to Bethlehem, from thence to Reading, from thence to Lancaster, and from thence to this town, which is about a dozen miles over the Susquehanna River. Here Congress is to sit. In order to convey the papers with safety, which are of more importance than all the members, we were induced to take this cir- cuit, which is near 180, whereas this town, by direct · road, is not more than 88 miles from Philadelphia. The tour has given me an opportunity of seeing many parts of this country, which I never saw be- fore . . . . This morning Maj. Troup arrived here with a very large packet from Gen. Gates, contain- ing very agreeable intelligence.t which I need not
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