William Opdike (1755-1822) (alternate spelling Updike/ Opdyke / Obdyke) of Hunterdon County, N.J. was a Private in the New Jersey Continental Line. Private 3rd Battalion, 1st Establishment. Private, Captain Patterson’s company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Establishment. Fought at Monmouth and Brandywine. Brother Robert wounded at Brandywine. Great-great grandsons of Louris Jansen Opdyck of Holland who arrived in Gravesend, Long Isaland, NY prior to 1653.
Category: Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine took place on September 11, 1777. At the end of August, General Howe brought his army south by sea, threatening Philadephia. On September 10th, Howe’s forces attacked the American troops blocking his way to Philadelphia at Brandywine. In a day long battle, the British vanquished the American forces. The Americans, however, were able to extract their army.
Norman, William
William Norman enlisted in the Virginia Continental Line on Feb. 1, 1776. He was assigned to Capt. George Stubblefield’s Company of the 5th VA Regiment, commanded by Lt. Col. Josuah Parker. In June, 1776, he was transferred to Capt. Philip Richard Francis Lee’s Company of the 3rd VA Regiment, commanded by Col. Thomas Marshall. His name last appears on the payroll records February 16, 1778.
William often told the story to his children and grandchildren of his trials of the War. He said that he was standing near Gen. LaFayette when, after dismounting to rally the troops, the General was shot in the leg. This would place William near the top of the 2nd Colonial hilltop position retreating from the oncoming British and back up the small hill. William was shot in both knees and crippled for life. He was taken to Bennett Farm for treatment. It has been passed down in the Norman family that LaFayette intervened in the amputation of William’s legs due to “the patient’s stubborn resistance to the surgeons…” William Norman was listed on the muster roles as “absent and wounded” until February 1778. His name last appears on the payroll February 16, 1778. No record could be found of his discharge. The British bullet and a piece of bone from William’s knee were kept in the Norman family for 150 years. One of William’s gg-grandchildren remembers seeing them in his grandfather’s home in Hamburg, Arkansas. William was known to celebrate the date of the battle every year with friends and grog.
SUBMITTER INFO:
Liz Nash
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~lincolncountynormans
Nolin, John
My fifth Great Grandfather John Nolin fought in the Battle of Brandywine as well as Monmouth Courthouse, Long Island, and Bunker Hill. John was born in 1753 in Karco County Ireland. He died in 1819 in Cumberland County, Kentucky. He married Ann Watkins July 21 1778 in Fredricksburg, Maryland.
John’s pension request is as follows:
State of Kentucky, 12 Judicial District and Circuit Court for Knox County. On the 12th day of July, A.D. 1820 formally appeared in open court in the Circuit Court aforesaid, it being a court of record by Act of Assembly Proceedings according to the Course of the Common law.
John Nolin aged about 67 years, resident in Knox County, aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, in addition to his affidavit heretofore made before Thurman Montgomery, in order to obtain a pension, now filed in the office of the Secretary of War, doth upon his oath declare that he served as a soldier for about the term of eight years in the Revolutionary War and was regularly discharged; that his first enlistment was for the term of nine months in the Flying camp, under Capt. Richard Smith, that at the end of term aforesaid, he enlisted for the term of three years in the company of Captain William Brown of the Artillery attached to the regiment or Battalion commanded by – – – Smallwood, one of the heroes of the company that he served out the said term and received his discharge that the corps so mentioned by him was as he verily believes part of the regular army of the United States, called the Continental Army that at the end of said term he enlisted again for 3 years in the Company of Captain Mayberry in the Second Maryland Regiment in the Continental Army as above mentioned; which term he served out and was discharged at Pittsburgh, that he was in the battle at Bunker Hill, Long Island, Brandy Wine, and Monmouth Courthouse. He declared further upon his oath that he was a resident citizen of the United States upon the 18th day of March 1818 and that he has not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner diminish it or to bring himself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled. An Act to provide for Certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that he was not, nor has any person in trust for him, any property or Securities, contracts or debts due him, nor has he any income other than what is contained in the Schedule below by him signed. Noted one hundred acres of poor land but in a small degree improved, not exceeding the value of two hundred Dollar, one old mare not worth more that 35 dollars, two cows, both not worth more than 30 dollars, and two year old cow beasts, not worth more than 10 dollars, a stock of hogs 12 in number, the whole not worth more than 12 dollars, about 22 dollars and ham, he owes about 25 dollars. Signed this day and year aforesaid in open court.
His signature- – – – – – – John Nolin
The same John Nolin at the same time upon his oath further noted, that his occupation is that of a farmer or tiler of the ground, but that he is unable to Labor much owing to his age and infirmities, that he has a wife who is in firmed, that he is the father of seven children, namely Elizabeth, who married long since, Peter, a lunatic, aged 27 years, Joseph aged 22 years, Polly 22 years old twin with Joseph, Sally aged about 19 married, all except Peter the lunatic. Sworn to and declared by said John Nolin, on the 15th day of July A.D. 1820 before me in open Court, as presiding, Judge of the Knox Circuit Court aforesaid.
His signature- – – – – – -Â John L. Bridges
The Court having heard other proof touching the verity of the schedule rendered by John Nolin, at the present term of the Court and having considered the same as well upon the affidavit as the other proof and of opinion that the said schedule is just and true and the same is ordered to be certified to the Secretary of War.
A true copy from the record R. Ballingerl, Clerk of Knox County.
State of Kentucky Knox County Court.
I, Richard Ballingerl, clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that John L. Bridges before me whom the foregoing affidavit was made is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court in the Commonwealth aforesaid and presiding in the Knox Circuit Court duly commissioned, qualified and acting as such and that one faith and credit should be given to all his official acts. Given under my hand and private seal ( There being no seal of office procured) this 22nd day of July A.D. 1820.
R. Ballingerl, Clerk Seal
John did not receive a pension due to the fact that he owned too much land and was able to support himself.
John was an aid to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit John Nolin’s name.
I am interested in any info on John or the men he served under, any info would be appreciated.
SUBMITTER INFO:
Tammy R. Fields
Neal, James
Captain James Neal of the 13th Virginia [later the 9th Va]. Served under Generals Green, Muhlenburg, Col. Russell. Fought at White Plains, Brandywine and Germantown. First settler of Wood County VA/WV, Parkersburg area.
SUBMITTER INFO:
Rick Vance
Musgrave, Samuel Davies
Musgrave, Samuel Davies – was born in Lancaster Co. Pa in 1747 and married Elizabeth Brand on 10 Sept 1767. During the Rev. War Samuel served in Capt. Patrick Jack’s company. He also served in Capt. Crawford’s Company and Col. Irvine’s regiment. Samuel was also at the Battle of Brandywine. He died in Warrick County, Indiana on Sept 2, 1834.
SUBMITTER INFO:
Richard Lewis
Sugar Land, Texas
Richl167@ix.netcom.com
Munn, Calvin
While searching online for the first name of my MUNN ancestor, I found Calvin MUNN at: Brattleboro History Scrapbook – “Independence Day 1845”. http://www.geocities.com/seekingthephoenix/ij/july4th1845.htm. As a Revolutionary War veteran, CALVIN MUNN attended an Independence Day celebration in 1845 at Brattleboro, VT. He was introduced as: “CALVIN MUNN, of Dummerston, [Windham Co., VT] last not least, is finishing up his 85th year. He was one of Lafayette’s infantry. He was at Brandywine, at Monmouth, at Trenton, and at several other fields, but I especially name him last because he was at the closing scene at York Town.”
SUBMITTER INFO:
Karen Mohr
mohr@buffnet.net
Morrison, Andrew
Joe Morrison said,
on August 5th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
Andrew Morrison was my gggg grandfather and served in Captain John Chilton’s company, 3rd Virginia Regiment. He and Captain Chilton were neighbors in Virginia and both were killed on 11 September 1777 at the Battle of Brandywine.
Morrison, Samuel, Jr.
Morrison, Samuel, Jr. served in the Revolutionary War as a Wagon Master and was wounded Sept 11, 1777, in the Battle of Brandywine. Samuel Morrison, Jr., born January 7, 1756 in Bucks County, PA was the son of Samuel Morrison and Mercy Mayse and the older brother of Ephraim Morrison. The information on Samuel Morrison, Jr. is taken from the autobiography of his nephew, Thomas Morrison, son of Ephraim Morrison, grandson of Samuel Morrison and Mercy Mayse. Samuel Morrison, Jr. died May 7, 1811 in Miami County, Ohio.
SUBMITTER INFO:
Diana Lynn Morrison Jones
djones2@austin.rr.com
Morrison, Ephraim
I am Diana Lynn Morrison Jones. I would like to submit the name of my 4th great grandfather, Ephraim Morrison, to the list of soldiers who fought at The Battle of Brandywine. I am requesting his name be added to the list because according to the written account of his son, Thomas Morrison, who states that his father, Ephraim not only fought in the battle, he was also wounded. The account is listed in “A History of Thomas Morrison” a handwritten autobiography of Thomas Morrison where Thomas states that “my father, Ephriam, the 9th born child of Samuel Morrison and Mercy Mayse, was born in Bucks County Pa. June 5th, 1759 and was the twin of the 10th born child, Jonah. Ephriam, my father, was five feet nine inches in height, weighed 175 pounds, fair complexion, brown hair, blue-grey eyes and Roman nose. He served in the Revolutionary Army and was wounded in the battle of Brandywine Sept 11th A.D. 1777. Was married to my mother, Mrs. Nancy Hettick (whose maiden name was Foster) July A.D. 1787.”
“Ephraim Morrison is listed as a Private in the War of Independence, wounded at the Battle of Brandywine. Ephraim Morrison appears on the list as a private in Capt. Samuels Evans’ Company, London Brittain Company, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Associates & Militia. (Penn. Archives shows him wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, Pennsylvania. Vol 5, page 525; Fifth Series Archives. Verified by D.A.R. National Number #262581). NOTE: The above paragraph is listed in the October 1976 research of Mary Helen Morrison Haag in the Montgomery County Library, Dayton, Ohio. Mary Helen Morrison Haag (now deceased) was the 3rd great granddaughter of Ephraim Morrison.
We also know from “A History of Thomas Morrison” that his father, Samuel Morrison and four sons, James, William, John and Ephraim all served and fought in our American Revolutionary War.
SUBMITTER INFO:
Diana Lynn Morrison Jones
djones2@austin.rr.com
Morris, Capt. Jonathan
Morris, Capt. Jonathan
SUBMITTER INFO:
Ruth Price
8804 Golden Tree Lane, Baltimore, MD 21221