Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives

Prior to early 1777, there were various Associator Battalions in Pennsylvania. These were groups of men who voluntarily banded together for the defense of Pennsylvania. They called themselves "Associators" and formed "Associator Battalions". They should not be confused with the "Pennsylvania Line of the Continental Army" which were also volunteers who enlisted in the "service of the United Colonies" for a specified length of service.

Some of the "Associator Battalions" formed part of the "Flying Camp", which was sent to New Jersey and to New York (Long Island) where they assisted Gen. George Washington in the Battle of Long Island August 26, 1776. ¹

One of the best known of our "St. James" soldiers was Col. John Bull, son of Thomas Bull and Elizabeth (Adams), who served both as a Continental Soldier and as an "Associator".

His record as a Continental Soldier began in 1775:

Bull, John (Pa). Col. 1^st Pennsylvania Battalion, 25^th November, 1775; resigned 22d January, 1776; Colonel Pennsylvania State Regiment, 2d May, 1777; resigned 17^th June, 1777; Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania, 17^th June, 1777 to close of war. (Died 9^th August, 1824.)².

His time as an Associator, Commander of the 5^th Battalion, fills in the dates not listed above:

Commodore James H. Bull gives this account of Col. Bull’s service during that time:

1776, July 4^th to about January, 1777. John Bull, Colonel of a Battalion of Associators in the County of Philadelphia ("5^th" in his commission, "6^th" in "Archives"), by appointment of the State Assembly. These were new organizations for home defense without pay unless called into the field, and when enlisted were sent to Amboy, N.J. for brief service in watching the British on Staten Island till more permanent troops were organized. As Bull’s civilian positions kept him busy in Philadelphia, the Council of Safety gave him leave of absence only from August 17^th to September 15^th in order to be with his battalion in the field. Arms and ammunition being still scarce, their weapons included pikes and tomahawks." ³

The 5^th Battalion of Associators, led by Col. John Bull, included Associator Companies of Providence, Worcester, and Limerick townships. These companies were among the "Flying Camp" Companies.

One of the Companies is listed below which was of Providence Twp.:

5th Battalion, Colonel John Bull, dated Dec. 10, 1776
Capt. John Edwards, Lt. Arnold Francis, Ensign Samuel Roberts
Sergeants: William Nelson, Samuel Skeen, Emanuel Custer. ⁴

Another item — which shows proof of this company’s service and, no doubt, their being part of the Flying Camp is the following advertisement:

Perth Amby [Amboy], Aug. 29, 1776. "Thirty-six Pounds Reward. Deserted from Capt. Edwards company in the 5^th battalion of Philadelphia county militia, commanded by Col. John Bull, now laying at Perth Amby in N.J., the following persons viz.: Thomas Vanderslice, Cadwalader Jones, Joseph Shambough, Andrew Bell, Abram Skeen, William Groves and John Schrack; all well made straight young men, about (or pretty near) six feet high; also John Bryn a thick well set fellow; John Balthust, of a swarthy complexion; Jacob Taney and George Hyh, all formerly associators; and living in New Providence township; where it is suspected they have now gone. The two first mentioned, deserted in Philadelphia three weeks ago, and the rest went altogether east. Whoever takes up and secures said deserters so that they be brought back again, shall receive the above reward or eight dollars for each pair, by John Edwards, Captain"

Perth Amby [Amboy], Aug. 29, 1776. "Deserted from Capt. Jacob Peterman’s company of associated commanded by Col. John Bull on the 24^th inst. John Harple, sergeant bon. p.c. 5 ft., 8, hair fair, 18 yrs. Peter Shunk, p.c. 6 ft. dark brown hair, dark com. lusty made, a wheelwright, 25 years. Francis Shunk, p.c., 5 feet 10 inches, has dark brown hair, dark complex. a Tanner 29 years. John Harple, p.c. 5, 8 black hair, swarthy com. Cordwaner 25 yrs. Christian Dull, p.c. 5, 11 dark brown hair, 30 years of age, cordwaner. They all went off with the rifle shuts, and took their clothing with them. Whoever takes up &c., three pounds each." ⁵

At least part of the Worcester Militia (Captain Jacob Wentz, 1^st Lieutenant Christian Weber, 2^nd Lieutenant Benjamin White, and Ensign Shipe/Shope) was also part of the Flying Camp. This company, under command of Lieutenant Christian Weber, included Sergeant James Bean. In his pension application ⁶, James Bean says in the middle of July they marched from Wentz’s Tavern in Worcester Township to Philadelphia where they were attached to Colonel [John] Bull’s Regiment. They remained in the barracks for three weeks and then marched through Trenton, Princeton, and Brunswick to Amboy. They did not participate in the Battle of Long Island but apparently assisted in throwing up entrenchments. They remained in the vicinity of New York and the North River until Fort Washington was taken. They were discharged the middle of December and James Bean returned home around Christmas.

In March 1777 a draft law was passed, Battalions were organized, elections held in April, and commissions issued in May. Men drew lots for classes from which they served. Not all muster rolls for all companies exist. Fine lists, for non-attendance on drill days and battalion days, can be used to place men in a particular company and class. Of course, your name only appears if you did not attend, but many men were fined.

Providence and Worcester Townships were placed in the 5^th Battalion of Philadelphia County, under Colonel Robert Curry, Lt. Colonel Fred. Wise, and Major John Edwards.

3rd Company: Captain Arnold Francis (Lower New Providence) — [there was more than one company from Providence Township]:

Peter Sheen/Skeen and Abraham Skeene were fined in the 8th Class in 1777 and in 1778 [no class given]. ⁷ Samuel Skeen appears as 2nd Lt., under Captain Arnold Francis for 1777.⁸

8^th Company: Captain Abraham Wentz, 1777 (Worcester Township)[replaced by Captain John Lowry]

Ensign Paul Custer, 5^th Battalion, Curry, 8^th Co., Capt. Wentz dated 5/12/1777 (Wentz was replaced by Lowry.) ⁹

Although James Bean states in his pension application that he was elected and appointed 2^nd Lieutenant of the Worcester Militia under Captain John Lowry the beginning of 1777, he has a commission dated 12 May 1777 as 1^st Lieutenant, Third Company, Captain William Bull in the 1^st Battalion — as does Benjamin Pawling, who was appointed 2^nd Lieutenant. This Battalion was under Colonel Daniel Hiester, Jr., Lt. Colonel Jacob Reed, and Major Jacob Markley, Esq. and included Perkiomen-Skippack Township.¹⁰

James Bean says he was called out in July 1777, under Captain John Lowry, Worcester Militia, Colonel [Robert] Curry [5^th Battalion], and they marched toward the Schuylkill and down toward Philadelphia, remaining in that neighborhood until the Battle of Brandywine when they marched to Swede’s Ford to oppose the British crossing the river. They were attached to General Potter’s Brigade and engaged in scouting until November when they were sent to Ogden’s Ferry on the Delaware River. They returned to Feather Hill in Whitemarsh Township and went into winter quarters until the 1^st of March 1778. He returned home the middle of March 1778.

After returning home, James Bean served under Captain McLean, as a substitute for Lt. Paul Custer of the Whitemarsh Militia, his half-brother (whose wife was dangerously ill). They were attached to General Potter’s Brigade, continually scouting, until the middle of May 1778.

After returning home, James Bean was elected Captain of the Providence Militia; however, he declined since Arnold Francis desired to be Captain. This company was called out the first of June 1778. Captain Francis was unable to lead the company so James Bean went out in his place as Captain with Lt. North to Philadelphia. They were attached to Major Markley’s Battalion and Colonel Thompson’s Regiment. In the fall they went to Coryells Ferry on the Delaware to guard British prisoners and remove them to Tawneytown, Maryland. They returned to Lancaster where they remained for the winter and returned to Philadelphia 1^st March 1779 and were discharged. Although he held the rank of 1^st Lt., he performed the duties of Captain for this whole tour.

The Worcester Militia (to which James Bean now belonged) was called out under Captain Lowry the middle of July 1779. They were attached to Colonel Curry’s Regiment. They marched to New York and the North River; then to Philadelphia and were discharged the end of November 1779. [Pension Application of James Bean, #11747.]

In 1780 the Battalions were re-organized and the 5^th Battalion became the 6^th Battalion under Colonel Robert Curry and Major John Edwards. Captain Arnold Francis’ Company became the 8^th Company and Captain John Lowry’s Company was the 3^rd Company.

3^rd Company: Captain John Lowry (Worcester Township)
1^st Class: Sam’l Sheen/Skeen: 1780 ¹¹
Samuel also appears on a 1780 list pleading he is disabled in his arms.¹²

3rd Company: Captain John Lowry (Worcester Township)
1st Lieutenant: James Bean, commissioned 12 May 1780;
5th Class: Paul Custard, B.S.; 6th Class: Paul Custard. ¹³

James Bean says that Jacob Vanfossen was commissioned 2^nd Lieutenant at the same time John Lowry and he received their commissions. The company went out in June 1780 under Captain Lowry and marched through Trenton to Morristown and Elizabethtown, NJ. Most of this time they were at Staten Island acting as scouts. They were discharged and returned home the middle of October 1780.

The end of July 1781, the company went out under Captain Lowry and Colonel Curry and marched toward New York and remained around New York and New Jersey until their discharge the end of November 1781.

The company was called out again the end of August 1782 and returned home about the first of November. They were called up one last time the beginning of June 1783. They marched to Trenton where they remained a short time and returned home in July. There was fear the British would attack New York again. [Pension Application of James Bean.]

8^th Company Capt. Francis Co., 1780, 6^th Class: James Skeen, 8^th Class: Peter, Abraham and Joseph Skeen; Joseph 8^th Class; Peter, 8^th Class, "Complained he has a pain in his breast unhealthy man at times can’t follow his business."; Abraham, "The father appeared in behalf of his son says he lay at the time of marching sick." ¹⁴     Post Rev. War: 1785: A Return of the Male White Inhabitants of Providence includes Arnold Francis, Capt.- Samuel Skeen 3^rd Class, James Skeen, 6^th Class, Joseph, and Peter Skeen both 8^th class. 1786 list also includes the 4 of them. ¹⁵

The Commissioned Officers of both the Militia and the Continental Army are listed as Officers on the national list [incomplete list].¹⁶ The following are included:

Bull, Thomas: Lt. Colonel Pennsylvania Battalion of the Flying Camp [Chester Co., son of Richard and Elizabeth Bull ¹⁷, father of Rev. Levi Bull], Pennsylvania Battalion of the Flying Camp; taken prisoner at Fort Washington, 16^th November, 1776; was a prisoner two years. [His Pension application ¹⁸ was filed in East Nantmeal, Chester Co. 8 Sept. 1832 when he was 88 years of age. The only surviving witness who served under him was Lt. Hezekiah Davis, but Col. Caleb North and David Potts Jr. could attest to his service also. Andrew Currie and William Currie, Ensigns, of Montgomery’s Pennsylvania Battalion of the Flying Camp, Chester Co. were also taken prisoner at Fort Washington 16 November, 1776.]

Bull, Thomas, Captain: 1^st Lt. 6^th Pennsylvania, 15^th Feb. 1777; Captain, 1^st November, 1778; Taken prisoner at Monmouth, 28^th June, 1778; released February, 1780, and did not return to the army. (Died 1837). [Capt. Bull is also listed as having wintered at Valley Forge 1777. ¹⁹]

Pawling, Henry: Captain, Lewis’ Pennsylvania Battalion of the Flying Camp, July to December, 1776.

Rittenhouse, Benjamin: Captain Pennsylvania Militia, 1775-1777; also superintendent of a gun factory in Pennsylvania 1776 to close of war. (Died 1825.)

Shannon, Robert: Captain Pennsylvania Militia in 1777.

Shannon, Samuel: Lieutenant 2^nd Pennsylvania Battalion of the Flying Camp; taken prisoner at Fort Washington, 16^th November, 1776; Captain Pennsylvania Militia; taken prisoner by Indians in Ohio in August, 1781, and killed by them in October, 1781.

In 1777, the Limerick Township Militia was included in the 6^th Battalion of Philadelphia County under Colonel Frederick Antes. When the battalions were reorganized in 1780, the 6^th Battalion became the 4^th Battalion under Colonel Antes. This battalion included:

Isaiah Davis: Captain, 4^th Battalion (formerly Sixth) Commissioned 5/10/1780 8^th Company, Limerick.²⁰

Pension Record of Capt. Benjamin Brook²¹ of Limerick Twp., son of James Brook and Mary (Evans), grandson of Owen and Mary (Davis) Evans: