May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
"Muster Roll of Captain John Henderson's Company in the Third Pennsylvania Regiment in the Service of the United States Commanded by Colo: Thomas Craig for the Month of April 1780." document signed and dated place above, May 5, 1780, 2 pp., folio sheet. Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Harmar, Inspector of the Pennsylvania Division, attested to and signed the muster on the obverse and on the reverse, it is signed and dated by its compiler, Captain John Henderson, and countersigned by Francis Johnston, Colonel commanding the 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade. An extremely rare muster roll from the Morristown encampment following the "Hard Winter" of 1780, the coldest of the 18th century. The muster of this company is extremely interesting in many respects, the first of which is that only two officers are listed of 4 authorized, Captain Henderson and "Daniel St. Clair Lieut. on Furlough by Col: Craig [for an] Unlimited [period of time--we wonder why?]." Two of the privates are listed as "Taken Prisoner by the Enemy Apl. 16th. 1780" This refers to the skirmish at Paramus, New Jersey, where a detachment of the 3rd Pennsylvania under Major Thomas Byles, was captured by a raiding party of 300 Hessians, in which American losses were 4 killed, 6 wounded, and 40 captured. Perhaps just as notable are four privates listed "On Command", all riflemen detached for service with Parr's Rifle Corps in the Mohawk Valley, including "Timothy Murphy" (the marksman generally credited with having mortally wounded General Simon Fraser at the battle of Bemis Heights (Saratoga) on October 7, 1777. CONDITION: light uniform age toning, flattened folds, with one short (1/2" marginal) tear at lower left fold, otherwise very good. JLK