Proceedings of the Committee for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

v1:572

At a meeting of the Committee of Inspection and Observation, held at the house of Adam Reigart, on the 25th July, 1776:

Present: Edward Shippen, William Atlee, William Bowsman, Ludwick Lowman, Jacob Krug, Henry Debuff, Christopher Crawford, Michael Musser, Eberhart Gruber, Adam Reigart.

William Atlee in the chair.

John Purick, of the Seventh Regiment, is permitted to work with Basoran Wolf, at the Saltpetre business, he here in Committee engaging to be answerable for him, agreeable to the resolves of this Committee.

A Letter from Colonel Philip Greenwalt, dated the 24th of July instant, mentions that the Ninth Battalion of this County is to march for Trenton, in the Jerseys, next Monday; that the men stand in need of Muskets, Cartridge Boxes, Field Kettles, Canteens, and other necessary accoutrements, and requests this Committee to let him know when to send for them, and how many of each; which Letter being read, the Chairman is desired to inform Colonel Greenwalt that the Committee have already distributed the whole of the Muskets and Cartridge Boxes which can possibly be spared from the guard here, and that there are neither Kettles nor Canteens to be had here, nor tin to make them of; and that, were it in our power, we should cheerfully comply with the request.

Edward Shippen took the chair, and William Atlee, in behalf of Colonel Atlee, motioned that Colonel Atlee, upon entering into the service, had employed and hired a certain John Hamilton to take care of his farm; that there is no other man about the house or farm than the said John Hamilton; that Mrs˙ Atlee hath a number of young children, and, without the assistance of the said hired man, cannot take care of her farm, but the same, with her family, must suffer. Upon consideration, it is the opinion of the Committee, that the said John Hamilton should be permitted to stay at home with Colonel Atlee' s family, and take care of his affairs in his absence in the service of his country; and Captain Hare, in whose Company the said John Hamilton is an Associator, and the Colonel and other Field Officers of the Battalion, are requested not to march the said John Hamilton with the troops intended for the Camp, but to permit him, on furlough or otherwise, as he or they shall think most proper, to stay with Colonel Atlee' s family, to take care of his affairs.

Mr˙ Atlee resumed the chair.

Col˙ Thomas Porter, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Thompson, and Major Thomas Smith, of the Fifth Battalion of Associators, in Lancaster County, of Pennsylvania, do now report, that they have formed a Company for the Flying Camp, to be assembled in the Jerseys, and, with the assent of the Company, have chosen Mr˙ James Watson as their Captain, Mr˙ William Steel as their First Lieutenant, Mr˙ Dorrington Willson as their Second Lieutenant, and Mr˙ William Nelson as their Ensign, (or, if a Rifle Company, their Third Lieutenant,) and do recommend the said gentlemen (who have filled superior stations in the Militia with reputation) to this Committee for their appointment; which report and recommendation being considered, are approved of, and the said Mr˙ James Watson is appointed Captain, Mr˙ William Steel is appointed First Lieutenant, Mr˙ Dorrington Willson is appointed Second Lieutenant, and Mr˙ William Nelson is appointed Ensign, (or, if a Rifle Company, Third Lieutenant,) of the said Flying Camp Company furnished by Colonel Porter' s Battalion of Associators aforesaid, agreeable to the resolves of the Committee of Conference of Pennsylvania, and are to take the charge of the Company accordingly.

Colonel James Burd, of the Fourth Battalion of Associators in Lancaster County, in Pennsylvania, and Cornelius Cox, First Major of the — Battalion, do now report, that the First Company of Volunteers of the said Battalion intended to serve in the Flying Camp to be formed in the Jerseys, agreeable to the resolves of the honourable Continental Congress and resolutions of the Conference of Committees of the said Province, have unanimously chosen Mr˙ John Reed their Captain, Mr˙ James Collier their First Lieutenant, Mr˙ John Gillcreart their Second Lieutenant, and Mr˙ John Cochran their Ensign; which report being considered, is approved of, and the said Mr˙ John Reed is appointed Captain, Mr˙ James Collier is appointed First Lieutenant, Mr˙ John Gillereat is appointed Second Lieutenant, and Mr˙ John Cochran is appointed Ensign, of the said Flying Camp Company furnished by Colonel Burd' s Battalion of Associators aforesaid, agreeable to the resolves of the Conference of Committees of Pennsylvania, and are to take charge of the said Company accordingly.

Thomas Dickinson, of the Seventh Regiment, is permitted to work with Leonard Oaler, Wheelwright, Stephen Lutz here in Committee engaging to be answerable for him, agreeable to the resolves of this Committee.

Samuel Eaton, of the Twenty-Sixth Regiment, is permitted to work with Christopher Petre, Stocking Weaver, he here in Committee engaging to be answerable for him, agreeable to the resolves of this Committee.

Daniel Allen, of the Twenty-Sixth Regiment, is permitted to work with Michael Shirdle, Tailor, Mr˙ Lowman here in Committee engaging to be answerable for him, agreeable to the resolves of this Committee.

James Vidian, of the Twenty-Sixth Regiment, is permitted to work with Casper Eglee, Brewer, he here in Committee engaging to be answerable for him, agreeable to the resolves of this Committee.