James Watson (1743-1831), Revolutionary patriot & colonel, father of 12, early settler of Greencastle, Pennsylvania
James Watson was born in 1743 in Leacock Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, one of five children born to Scotch-Irish immigrants, staunch Presbyterians from Donegal County, northern Ireland. His father, John Watson, came to Pennsylvania from Donegal in 1730, when he was 25 years old, and acquired farm land in Lancaster County. He married Ann Stephenson, whose family also had come from Donegal. (Ann's sister, Hannah, was the great-great-grandmother of President William McKinley.) Their five children, two sons and three daughters, were all ardent patriots, with both James and his older brother, as well as all three husbands of the girls, serving as officers in the Revolutionary War.
John Watson died February 4, 1757, at the age of 52; James was 14, and older brother David was 22. John had drawn up a will shortly before he died, which stipulated that that his real estate would go to his elder son, David, and that James was to receive 60 pounds, to be paid to him when he reached the age of 21 (along with all interest). David was also directed to "duly maintain and decently clothe him [James] and give him one whole year's schooling of such lawful learning as of son James shall choose."
James married Elizabeth Long on January 25, 1766 when she was only 18. Elizabeth was born in 1746 and was from Chestnut Level (now part of Quarryville) in Lancaster County. James and Elizabeth had 12 children, of whom the majority lived to adulthood (information on several of the children is incomplete). James took an active part in the Revolutionary War (details below), and after the war, the family moved to Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
John Watson died February 4, 1757, at the age of 52; James was 14, and older brother David was 22. John had drawn up a will shortly before he died, which stipulated that that his real estate would go to his elder son, David, and that James was to receive 60 pounds, to be paid to him when he reached the age of 21 (along with all interest). David was also directed to "duly maintain and decently clothe him [James] and give him one whole year's schooling of such lawful learning as of son James shall choose."
James married Elizabeth Long on January 25, 1766 when she was only 18. Elizabeth was born in 1746 and was from Chestnut Level (now part of Quarryville) in Lancaster County. James and Elizabeth had 12 children, of whom the majority lived to adulthood (information on several of the children is incomplete). James took an active part in the Revolutionary War (details below), and after the war, the family moved to Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
Revolutionary War
James was already in his 30s when revolutionary fervor gripped the colonies. He took an active role in public affairs and withdrew his allegiance to the British crown at an early stage. He received a commission as captain just a few days after the Declaration of Independence. This commission was for a company of foot in a battalion raised in Lancaster County for the "Flying Camp"; he commanded the 2nd company in Col. James Cunningham's battalion of the "Flying Camp", which participated in the battle of Long Island August 27, 1776 under the command of Major William Hayes. The battalion then took part in the "famous retreat" through New Jersey. After the disbanding of the Flying Camp, he was commissioned Colonel on July 1, 1777 of the 2nd battalion of the militia of Lancaster County.
What is the "Flying Camp"? This was a special force of ______
What is the "Flying Camp"? This was a special force of ______