Chronology of Events Relating to Pennsylvania During Year 1776

January 1776

1

Defeat of the American Assault on Quebec involves heavy losses of troops from Pennsylvania.

2

The Second Continental Congress, sitting in Philadelphia, pro­tests against brutality employed by the British Army in the war against the colonies.

The Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, operating in Phila­delphia, begins to vote recommendations for officers to command the 4 battalions of Pennsylvania troops that are to be raised for service in the Continental Army. (One battalion is already in existence.)

3

Congress chooses the 4 battalion commanders from among 8 names recommended by the Committee.

Because there is a shortage of salt petre (potassium nitrate) for the manufacture of gunpowder, the Committee of Safety appoints a committee to coordinate the production of salt petre.

4

A sixth Pennsylvania battalion is to be raised by recruitment in Cumberland County.

10

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense is published in Philadelphia.

The Committee of Safety appoints a committee to determine where gunpowder magazines shall be built.

11

Congress resolves that its paper money shall be accepted as circulating currency.

12

Letters are written from the Committee of Safety to the com­missioners and assessors of each county respecting the arms and munitions each shall provide for the war.

17

Congress orders the Committee of Safety to reimburse the colonels of the battalions raised in Pennsylvania for their recruiting expenses.

With the approval of Congress, the Committee of Safety makes an exception to the prohibition against exporting colonial produce, so that the Pennsylvania ships can trade with the West Indies for much-needed gunpowder.

The Committee of Safety advertises its willingness to loan funds to those who will erect gunpowder mills within 50 miles of Philadelphia.

18

The Committee of Safety forces a private owner to put certain naval and maritime supplies, that he was hoarding, up for sale. The Committee is to have a favored position as purchaser.

19

The Committee of Safety resolves to recruit 400 men to serve on the Pennsylvania war galleys and ships.

29

The Committee of Safety resolves to raise a company of matrosses (gunner’s assistants) for service in the anticipated campaign in Canada.

30

The Committee of Safety resolves to have 50 large wooden cannon carriages built. Also, there is to be a door-to-door solicitation for old linen, to be used in the war effort.

February 1776

2

A sub-committee of the Committee of Safety returns from New Jersey and recommends defending the Delaware River area by using a battery of artillery mounted on carriages, which will retreat to safety whenever hard-pressed by the British.

3

As an inducement to increase enlistments, the rules for disposing of the money made from capturing enemy vessels are modified. The Committee of Safety now allows the crews of Pennsylvania warships to share in the prize money.

4

The City of Reading begins to receive enemy prisoners captured in Canada; it will remain a prison area.

7

Thomas Heimberger, gunpowder manufacturer, engages to build a gunpowder mill in Chester County, 33 miles from Chester Springs.

9

Congress appoints a committee of 5 to consider the letters received from George Washington and Philip Schuyler. Washing­ton’s letters received in Philadelphia today emphasize the military advantages of a formal declaration of independence.

10

Report of the committee on gunpowder mills is received by the Committee of Safety. Six mills are recommended, to be built subject to specific committee requirements.

12

The Provincial Assembly, adjourned since November 25, 1775, resumes Its sessions.

14

Thomas Austin is forced to resign from the Philadelphia County Committee of Inspection and Observation, because of suspicions that he is disloyal to the Revolutionary cause.

16

Congress debates a proposal to open the ports for commerce on March 1, 1776. No decision is reached. A vote of approval, it is felt, would mean formal defiance of British rule.

19

A public oration is held in Philadelphia to honor the death of General Montgomery and others who fell in the attempt to capture Canada.

20

The Committee of Safety asks the Provincial Assembly to approve raising 2,000 more men to defend Pennsylvania. They are to be organized into one regular battalion, plus a body of riflemen.

22

Governor John Penn writes to the Pennsylvania Assembly to say that Pennsylvania law is to prevail in Northumberland County, even though Connecticut has seized the area and has now organized it as a Connecticut county.

The Committee of Safety authorizes 2 men – Captain Joseph Coperthwaite and Clement Biddle – to manage the construction of the gunpowder mills in the Philadelphia area.

The Committee of Safety submits a memorial to the Pennsylvania Assembly asking for more funds for the 2,000 who are to be recruited. It also demands a clarification to the status of the military associators.

26

John Beaton advertises that he will tour Chester County to teach the method of producing salt petre.

28

The Committee of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia de­cides to call a constitutional convention on April 2.

The Committee of Safety prohibits further private purchase or removal of any firearms now in Philadelphia.

29

The Committee of Safety appoints a special committee to complete the fortification of Fort Island (later named Fort Mifflin).

March 1776

4

The Committee of Safety compromises with the Provincial Assembly and temporarily suspends Its call for a constitutional convention.

6

The Committee of Safety authorizes 3 men to conduct the manufacture of gun locks (firing mechanisms) in Philadelphia.

8

To placate dissatisfaction the Assembly decides to enlarge itself by adding 17 new members, 13 to come from western counties and 4 from Philadelphia.

The Committee of Safety solicits blankets from patriotic citizens to shelter the Artillery Company.

14

The Assembly designates the constituency areas for the 17 new assemblymen. They are to be elected May 1.

Congress recommends that each of the 13 colonies disarm those citizens who are disloyal.

15

Congress, sitting as committee of the whole, deliberates on the defense of New York.

16

The Chevaux-de-Frize, a river barrier made of floats, is sunk at Fort Island, in order to prevent large enemy ships sailing any further up the Delaware River.

17

The 5th Battalion of Pennsylvania troops on the Continental establishment. raised largely in Cumberland County, leaves Carlisle to join Washington’s army in New York.

19

The Committee of Safety warns Lancaster of the immediate threat of invasion by Howe’s army. It issues orders for all armed associator units. Associator battalions are to turn in all their ammunition and to have 23 rounds per man reissued by the Pennsylvania commissary. The commissary is to inspect the associators’ weapons.

20

The Committee of Safety remonstrates against the Assembly’s instruction to the Pennsylvania delegation in Congress. These instructions forbid the delegates from voting in favor of American independence.

27

The colonels of the associator battalions of Bucks County are ordered by the Committee of Safety to place themselves in a condition of readiness for combat.

29

The Lancaster associators resolve that the 17 new assemblymen who are to be chosen on May 1 must all be associators.

April 1776

6

The Assembly refuses to alter its Instructions to the Pennsylvania delegation in Congress. These instructions forbid the delegation from voting in favor of independence.

Congress declares all ports open to shipping from every nation except Britain. Also, Importation of slaves is forbidden. The boycott of the Continental Association is thus repudiated, but the move is still revolutionary because the Congress has acted in an area previously reserved for Parliament.

17

Several prisoners of war are released in Philadelphia and Germantown, upon taking an oath that they will not join the British or engage in activity hostile to the Revolutionary cause.

19

Philadelphia Whigs meet to plan for the May 1 election of new members of the Provincial Assembly.

22

Rules and Regulations for the associator organization are ordered by the Committee of Safety, to be printed in English and German. The Rules include procedure to be followed in levying penalty taxes on the non-associators.

May 1776

1

The elections of the 17 new assemblymen result in victory for the loyalists and moderate Whigs.

7

The Sisterhood of Bethlehem presents the Committee of Safety with linen rags to be used in caring for the wounded.

Congress resolves to transfer 20 heavy cannon, which had been captured in the West Indies, to Pennsylvania’s Committee of Safety, for the defense of Philadelphia.

8

The battalions of associators are to parade and stand inspection on the Philadelphia Commons.

Philadelphia fears an English landing on the Delaware shore because H.M.S. Frigate Roebuck and several attending English ships are moving up the River. Pennsylvania’s 13 war galley, an attempt to turn Roebuck back. Hopelessly outmatched in gun capacity, the Pennsylvania flotilla seems to be favored by good fortune when Roebuck runs aground.

9

The galleys are unable to capitalize on Roebuck‘s immobility because they run short of ammunition. Roebuck then floats tree and withdraws.

10

Congress adopts a resolution recommending that each colony form a new government of its own, established by popular majority of its inhabitants.

13

A committee of 3 – John Adams, Edward Biddle, and Richard Henry Lee – present Congress with a Preamble that is to be placed on the recommendations to be sent to the colonial assemblies and conventions, concerning the May 10th resolution.

15

The Preamble is adopted, including references to the total suppression of authority exercised under the British crown.

16

Col. George Morgan arrives in Pittsburgh to command the defenses against hostile Indians.

17

The Committee of Safety solicits all the lead in Philadelphia, threatening to confiscate it from those who do not voluntarily surrender their lead.

18

The Committee of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia de­cides to poll the inhabitants concerning their desire for a declaration of independence.

20

A meeting, in the rain, of 4,000 people at the State House Yard results in a protest against the further exercise of political authority by the Assembly. This crowd is clearly revolutionary.

The Philadelphia Committee of Inspection meets at Christ Church schoolhouse – known as “Philosophical Hall” – and votes to take the protest made by the 4,000 at the State House Yard to the Pennsylvania counties for support.

21

A resolution is informally made up by the moderates against the State House Yard protest. The moderates claim that it voices the opinion of 6,000 people. The resolution is in favor of preserving the old provincial charter as the constitution for Pennsylvania.

28

The Committee of Safety criticizes the command of the Penn­sylvania Navy for having allowed H.M.S. Frigate Roebuck to escape.

29

The resolution of the 6,000 moderates against the protest reaches the Assembly.

31

Col. George Morgan, at Pittsburgh, writes the British commander at Detroit saying that the Revolutionary army does not intend to attack Detroit.

June 1776

3

Congress calls for a “Flying Camp” to form a defensive military corps. Pennsylvania ls to provide most of the soldiers that will serve in it.

7

Richard Henry Lee’s resolution in Congress calls for national Independence. It is the genesis of the Declaration of Independence.

8

The debate on Lee’s resolution begins.

Col. William Thompson and Lt. Col. William Irvine are cap­tured at the Battle of Three Rivers, in the campaign to take Canada, and many Pennsylvania troops are taken with them.

10

Consideration of Lee’s resolution is postponed by Congress until July 1, but a committee to draft a declaration of independence is to be named.

11

The drafting committee is named by Congress: Jefferson, Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston.

12

John Dickinson is chosen chairman of a committee of Congress to draft articles of confederation.

By order of the Committee of Safety, provincial troops replace Continental troops as guards at the Powder House and at the military storage rooms in the State House. Is this a military coup?

14

The Pennsylvania Assembly, finally convening with a quorum, frees Pennsylvania’s delegation to the Congress to vote as they choose on the resolution for national independence. The Assembly then votes to adjourn until August 26.

19

The Assembly receives a petition from the Pennsylvania German associators requesting the right to vote in civil elections solely on the basis of the military duty they are perform­ing in the association.

A radical Pennsylvania Conference (hereafter “the Confer­ence”), claiming to represent all the province, has been called by the Philadelphia Committee of Inspection. It meets at Carpenters’ Hall. Sessions will be held through June 25 The Conference assumes powers previously reserved for the Assembly, even though the Committee of Inspection did not authorize the Conference to do so.

20

The Conference determines who will be allowed to vote on the election of delegates to the anticipated Pennsylvania constitutional convention. To vote, one must take a test oath swearing, among other things, to (1) abjure the King of England, and (2) make no opposition to whatever, government will emerge from the constitutional convention.

The Assembly seems to approve the Pennsylvania German as­sociators’ petition, by granting the right to vote to every as­sociator, age 21 or over, who has completed one year’s resi­dence and has been assessed for taxes.

Twenty members of the Continental Congress issue a public defense of the conduct of Pennsylvania’s James Wilson. Wilson has been criticized for his conservative opposition to the Con­ference.

21

The Conference receives a memorial from “The Patriotic So­ciety” criticizing the Committee of Safety for being too con­servative.

22

Privates of the associator military units address the Committee of Safety, criticizing the actions of their own military officers. Also, the Pennsylvania war galleys on the Delaware rebel against their commanders.

23

The Conference decides that it will not attempt to interfere in naval matters.

24

The Conference approves the preliminary draft of the Congres­sional committee for drawing up the Declaration of Indepen­dence. Thus, the Conference contradicts the Assembly’s in­structions which freed the Pennsylvania Congressional dele­gation to vote as it should choose on the question of inde­pendence.

25

The Conference makes decisions concerning a number of military subjects: militia quotas, appointments to military command, etc. Then it adjourns.

26

The Assembly accepts the Committee of Safety’s criticism of the naval command during the Roebuck engagement.

28

Congress authorizes the Continental treasury to release $100,000 to the Committee of Safety. The Committee is to be held responsible for use of the money. This is the first of a series of such loans (or grants) during 1776.

29

Virginia adopts a new constitution which seems to end the struggle for possession of Western Pennsylvania because it accepts Pennsylvania’s right to land mentioned in the pro­vincial charter. Thus, the controversy known as Lord Dun­more’s War seems to be resolved. But it is not to be so.

30

Enlistments in the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment expire; pleas must be made to the men for continued service.

July 1776

1

Passage of Lee’s resolution for a declaration of independence is delayed because the Pennsylvania and Delaware delegations are both evenly divided on the issue; a unanimous vote by Congress is the desired goal.

2

Caesar Rodney, delegate for Delaware, who had been absent from Congress, returns to give the Delaware delegation a majority in favor of Independence. Pennsylvania’s Dickinson and Robert Morris deliberately remain absent from the Con­gressional session so that Pennsylvania also has a delegation majority in favor of independence. The vote of Congress is, therefore, unanimous in favor of independence, although New York did not have delegates present and cast no vote.

4

The full text of the Declaration of Independence is adopted by Congress, with only 2 authorizing signatures. The Penn­sylvania Committee of Safety Is notified of the Declaration. It is to be printed and published.

The Lancaster associators elect 2 brigadier generals, Daniel Roberdeau and James Ewing.

A joint committee drawn from the Congress, the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, and the Philadelphia Committee, begins to plan the defense of New Jersey. Pennsylvania associator battalions will be involved.

5

Congress decides that the Declaration shall be sent to pro­vincial assemblies, committees of safety, and the army. A Committee consisting of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson is appointed to design a United States’ seal and coat-of-arms.

6

The Pennsylvania Evening Post prints the Declaration of Independence prior to the date approved by the Congress for its publication.

8

The day of greatest public celebration of the Declaration. It is publicly read “proclaimed”) by Colonel John Nixon, a member of the Committee of Safety, on the Observation Platform in the State House Yard. Bells are rung around Philadelphia, including the bell in the State House – The Liberty Bell. The royal arms which are mounted in the Supreme Court Room of the State House are torn down and burned, with the authorization of the Philadelphia Committee of Inspection.

Elections are conducted for delegates to Pennsylvania’s con­stitutional convention. Congress carries on business, Including consideration of military, financial, and postal matters.

9

Congress tends Pennsylvania $100,000 for war purposes.

11

Rumors are spread in Philadelphia about a plot to slaughter the Congressional members by exploding gunpowder beneath their chamber.

15

A new Pennsylvania regiment is authorized for protection of Western Pennsylvania.

The constitutional convention opens in the Supreme Court Rooms of the State House.

The associator battalions begin to march into New Jersey.

20

Congress orders the Declaration to be engrossed on parchment as being a unanimous statement of its members.

The constitutional convention of Pennsylvania elects a new state delegation to Congress. John Dickinson and Thomas Willing are not re-elected.

23

The constitutional convention appoints a Council of Safety with blanket powers. This replaces the Committee of Safety.

24

The Philadelphia City Guard Is authorized to occupy special accommodations at the State House. This suggests that either the Congress or the Council of Safety needs protection.

August 1776

1

The convention passes acts for relief of imprisoned debtors and against the counterfeiting of its own paper money and the paper money issued in the name of the Congress.

2

The convention decides that Pennsylvania’s government will be unicameral.

Probably the last date on which the signatures now appearing on the Declaration of Independence were affixed. (The dates for all individual signatures cannot be precisely determined, however.)

14

The Council of Safety orders the Pennsylvania Artillery Company enlarged to a battalion which is to be made up of two companies.

16

The constitutional convention adopts a declaration of rights.

20

The report of the Congressional committee for designing a United States’ seal is received. The proposal is tabled because the design is too ornate and embellished. (A national seal will not be adopted until years later.)

26

The Provincial Assembly is no longer able to assemble a quorum.

27

The Battle of Long Island involves heavy losses for Pennsyl­vania troops. Casualties are so numerous that the Pennsylvania State Rifle Regiment and the Pennsylvania State Musketry Battalion (3 battalions in all) must be combined into one provisional battalion for future service.

The women of Chester County are reported to be ploughing and preparing fallow for seed, pledging to do all the farming until their men return from the army.

28

Lacking a quorum, the old Provincial Assembly adjourns until September 23.

September 1776

3

The constitutional convention of Pennsylvania passes an ordi­nance tor appointment of justices of the peace.

5

The constitutional convention orders printing of 400 copies of its proposed constitution, known as the Frame of Govern­ment. They are printed so that there will be public consideration of the proposed constitution.

9

By resolution, Congress adopts the name United States.

10

The 400 copies of the Frame of Government are printed.

13

The convention passes an act protecting creditors’ rights against debaters.

14

The convention usurps the power to levy taxes and then votes taxes with stiff penalties against males, age 16 to 50, who are not members of the association.

16

The convention resumes consideration of its Frame of Government. The matter of having a bicameral legislature is raised for the second time and again it is decided to have a unicameral legislature.

Congress authorizes increases in the Continental Army. to a total strength of 88 battalions. This is part of a general recon­sideration of the American Military system.

18

The Frame of Government appears in newspapers.

19

Mutiny takes place within the provisional regiment that had been formed from the survivors of the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment and the Musketry Battalion.

20

Congress adopts revised Articles of War in order to preserve military discipline.

23

The old Provincial Assembly meets for one last session. It votes to have all accounts and debts of government settled, it countermands the measures passed by the constitutional convention, and it denies the conventions’ right to levy taxes. Adjourning at the end of the day, it never meets again.

26

The convention passes an act against treason, the high point of its loyalty program.

28

The constitutional convention signs and proclaims its new constitution, setting November 28 as the date for the start of the new government.

October 1776

5

The Council of Safety resolves that one of three new battal­ions being raised in Pennsylvania will be held back from Con­tinental service for protection of the state, until January, 1778.

12

At Throg’s Neck, New York, the heroism of elements of the First Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment prevents General Howe from encircling a large part of the American Army in the area.

16

The Council of Safety determines that four new battalions shall be raised for service both against the British and against disloyal inhabitants of Pennsylvania.

21

Congress asks the Council of Safety to loan as many cartridges as it can spare to General Washington and to send them to the army with all possible speed.

25

The 8th Pennsylvania Regiment is given its formal numerical designation, and the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Pennsylvania Regiments are authorized to be formed.

31

Congress orders the Board of War to place guards at the public prison and at the areas of Continental Government storage, In and near Philadelphia.

November 1776

2

The new state constitution is accepted as an accomplished fact. A meeting of citizens at Philosophical Hall, Philadelphia, emphasizes that the new constitution of Pennsylvania was not designed to thwart the continuation of the American Revolution.

5

Elections for the new Assembly occur. In spite of victories in Philadelphia for those pledged to prevent execution of the new constitution, and pledged to have it revised, the “radicals” (favoring both new constitution and national independence) outnumber the anti-constitutional group. But the “radicals” are not numerous enough to form a quorum of the house by themselves. There are enough anti-constitutionalists to prevent a quorum by refusing to attend.

8

The Second Treaty of Pittsburgh takes place between state officials and Indians. But is does not produce a lasting settlement of hostilities between Indians and settlers in Western Pennsylvania.

11

Congress gives permission to its Board of War to confer with Pennsylvania’s Council of Safety about the best way to defend Philadelphia.

14

From this day forward the Council of Safety directs its atten­tion more and more toward military administration. It orders that no vessels of any sort, except boats carrying wood, are to pass through the Chevaux-de-Frize barrier at Fort Island.

16

The British capture Fort Washington, New York, which was commanded by Colonel Robert Magaw of the 5th Pennsyl­vania Battalion. Those taken prisoner include most of the 3rd and 5th Pennsylvania battalions.

22

The Council of Safety applies to Congress for an additional $100,000 loan. Congress approves the loan on the same day.

23

The sick and wounded of the Continental army are to be quartered at the Battery House in Philadelphia.

The Council of Safety states its salt rationing policy. Salt owned and stored by the Council is to be issued to the eleven counties and none is to go to Philadelphia City because the City has had good access to other supplies of salt.

24

The Council of Safety spends this Sunday in session with Congress, but there are no minutes of either body for the meeting. Congress considered that it was a day of adjourn­ment.

25

Congress requests that the Council of Safety call out all the armed associators in Philadelphia and the four surrounding counties to serve in the United States’ forces for the next six weeks. The four counties are Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, and Northampton.

27

Philadelphia newspapers suspend publication. The Council of Safety appeals to the inhabitants to provide’ blankets and stockings for the soldiers.

28

The new Assembly meets, but does not have a quorum.

The Council of Safety takes emergency measures: (1) cannon from captured ships. are to be mounted on field carriages, (2) Robert Tower, state military commissary, is ordered to issue “the Public Arms” to the Philadelphia militia, (3) camp followers of Washington’s army are to be assisted when they arrive in Philadelphia, (4) salt is to be issued only to the county militia units.

29

The Council of Safety resolves to provide money for families of those armed associators who go to New Jersey to join Washington’s army.

The Assembly resolves to adjourn until January and pledges itself to then pass a new militia act.

30

Also, money is to be provided for families of armed associa­tors on active duty in Philadelphia County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Northampton County.

William Parr, Philadelphia’s recorder, is ordered to remove all records and public papers to Lancaster immediately.

December 1776

1

The meeting of a group calling itself the Real Whigs recom­mends universal military duty for males aged 16 to 50, pending a provincial militia act. Recommendations are sent to the Council of Safety.

The Council orders the mobilized militia to proceed to New Jersey to reinforce Washington.

2

The Council of Safety approves the conscription of males age 16 to 50, but continues to allow penalty taxes for non­-serving conscientious objectors. The Council’s resolution is then referred to the Pennsylvania Assembly which is not now in session.

The Council recommends closing shops, schools, and public places in Philadelphia, and engaging all inhabitants in the defense of the City.

4

The 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, raised in Westmoreland County, is ordered to march from Pittsburgh to New Jersey. Orders are acknowledged by the commander, Colonel Aeneas Mackay, at Kittanning, on the 5th.

The recommendation of December 2 concerning closing all Philadelphia shops and engaging all inhabitants in defense of the City is now viewed by the Council of Safety as having been a firm order, not a recommendation.

7

Washington retreats west of the Delaware River and occupies defenses along the Pennsylvania shore overlooking major ferry crossings.

9

The Council of Safety moves all treasury money and books to Lancaster.

10

Congress begs the Council of Safety to give maximum co­operation to General Putnam for the defense of Philadelphia.

11

The Council of Safety drafts all able-bodied men, Including Quakers and pacifists, for labor on earthwork defenses north of Philadelphia Congress issues a statement that it will not evacuate Philadelphia.

12

Congress, yielding to Washington’s opinion, and to its own panic, adjourns to reconvene in Baltimore. It does re-open there on December 20th. Robert Morris alone remains in Philadelphia to carry on essential Congressional business.

The Pennsylvania Council of Safety does not leave Philadel­phia.

20

A Quaker Meeting of Sufferings, in Philadelphia, refuses to be compelled to engage in the war.

21

George Clymer and George Walton begin to assist Robert Morris with Congressional business in Philadelphia.

25

In the evening Washington begins to assist Robert Morris with Congressional business in Philadelphia.

26

Victory at Trenton. This enables Washington to advance into New Jersey and his army abandons its positions in Pennsyl­vania.

27

Colonel John Bull is authorized by the Council of Safety to move public stores from Norristown and French Creek to Lancaster. Gunpowder that is taken to Lancaster is to be scattered to appropriate storage areas in the town of Lan­caster and the surrounding country.

Congress, in Baltimore, enlarges Washington’s powers, including authorizing him to raise 16 new battalions and to appoint the officers to command them. The new levies of several states, including Pennsylvania, are ordered to march immediately to Washington’s main force in New Jersey.

Dr. Louis M. Waddell is chief of Documentary Publications Projects, Bureau of Archives and History, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.