PABERKS-L Archives

Archiver > PABERKS > 2002-08 > 1028591158


From: Annette DeHoff <>
Subject: Re: [PABERKS] PA Militia - 4th Battalion
Date: Mon, 05 Aug 2002 19:46:09 -0400
References: <17b.c68d70e.2a7fc8f1@aol.com>


Morton Montgomery relied mainly on existing company returns and paylists
when he compiled the activities of the Berks Co Milita. From the pension
files I have read of Berks County men, it seems that most were involved
in the New York/Long Island campaign, the battles of Trenton, Princeton,
Germantown and Brandywine. As they were close to home, no Berks County
milita were quartered at Valley Forge during the winter 1777-78. Berks
County militia took part in protecting the "frontier" throughout the
war, but there was not much involvement by the PA militia in major
battles after the fall of 1777.

In the militia system, each area of the County had 8 companies or
classes organized under Captains. The companies were called for a finite
period of time, 3 to 6 months, and then alternated out of service with
other companies from the same area. The company lists that are found in
the PA Archives series are lists of able-bodied men age 18 to 53.
Presence on a list doesn't mean someone saw active duty - for that
hopefully they are on a pay list or perhaps applied for a pension. Any
additional questions about the milita system, please ask.

"The 4th battalion was in service in New York and Long Island from June
1776 to January 1777. Under the command of Balser Geehr, it arrived at
Bethlehem 1 Sept 1776 on the way to New York. The full battalion is
supposed to have gone, but the names of the captains and the number of
men is not certain. It is estimated at 300."

"The battalion of Col. Daniel Hunter was mustered into service on 7 Aug
1777 with 365 men and participated under General Washington in the
campaigns round about Philadelphia from August to December, during which
the battles of Brandywine and Germantown were fought. It comprised six
companies, which were commanded by the following captains: Henry Knause
(Colebrookdale), Charles Crouse (Reading), Jacob Whetstone (Brunswick),
Conrad Geist (Reading), John McMurray (Robeson) and John Lesher (Oley)."

This is all the mention of the 4th battalion and/or Conrad Geist I find
in "Berks Co in the Rev War". There is a card for Abraham Whiteman at
the Pennsylvania Digital Archives site, but it is taken from a fine book
and doesn't necessarily mean anything other than he didn't show up for
the monthly muster practice.

http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive.asp

Annette

wrote:
>
> Thanks for your reply. My ancestor was Abraham Whiteman. He was listed as=
> serving in the 4th battalion, 1st company, under Captain Geist. Any info=
> you might have would be apprecitiated. Dan Whiteman

This thread: