It’s December - the holiday season is upon us, and the year is nearing its end. But the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence is approaching fast. Before we close out the year, it’s worth remembering some of what occurred in Pennsylvania before July 4, 1776. 

In 1775, the Continental Congress was hard at work in Philadelphia, advancing the cause of independence.  While the Battles of Lexington and Concord, of Bunker Hill, and of Quebec, occurred in 1775, many more were yet to come.  In preparation, in June of 1775, the Continental Congress created the “Continental Army” out of the troops gathered around Boston and named George Washington as its commander. The Congress also requested, in a June 14, 1775 resolution, the “raising of six companies of expert rifle men in Pennsylvania” and on June 22, requested 2 more companies – all of which, with those requested from the other colonies, were to join the Continental Army. 

Ultimately, nine companies were quickly organized and Colonel Thompson’s Battalion of Riflemen from Pennsylvania was created.  These men became part of the Pennsylvania Line in the Continental Army.  One company was formed from men out of York County and commanded by Captain Michael Doudel, and later by Heny Miller. On July 1, 1775, this Company marched to join Washington at Cambridge.  These York riflemen, crossed the Susquehanna, passed through Reading and Bethlehem, and reached New York before any other Pennsylvania company. Continuing to press forward to Boston, they arrived on July 25, having walked roughly 400 miles in 25 days.

The Continental Army was composed of volunteers from the 13 colonies, and it formed the backbone of Washington’s Army.  Between the summer of 1775 and the end of 1776, Pennsylvania  sent additional battalions or regiments of volunteers to join the Continental Army.   But that was not the extent of Pennsylvania’s support. Even prior to 1775, volunteer military associations, or “Associators,” had also been formed as part of the “Military Association,” a civilian reserve designed to repel invasion.

On June 30, 1775, Pennsylvania’s Provincial Assembly gave official recognition to the Associators and established a Committee on Safety which would have authority over Pennsylvania’s military forces until the fall of 1777.  During the summer campaign of 1776, thousands of Pennsylvania Associators saw active service in New Jersey as part of the Continental’s Army’s “Flying Camp” which had been established to form a highly mobile independent reserve unit. 

  However, more was needed, and in March of 1777, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the Militia Act. Under this Act, all males between the ages of 18 and 33, capable of bearing arms, were obligated to enroll in the militia, attend stipulated exercise days, and, when called, muster for 2 months of active duty, or pay a fine for every neglect of duty.  Names were to be obtained from the tax rolls.  The implementation in each county was under the direction of a civilian County Lieutenant. By the end of 1777, these County Lieutenants enrolled inhabitants in the militia, and organized them in classes, companies, and battalions. York County was considered a “battalion district;” each battalion was to include 8 companies - ultimately between 440 and 680 men.   As a result, soldiers that fought in the Revolution from our area may have served in the Pennsylvania Line of the Continental Army, with a volunteer military Associator, as part of the Flying Camp or in the militia formed after passage of the Militia Act.
The Northern York County Historical and Preservation Society (NYCHAPS) is interested in telling the story of the Revolution from the perspective of Northern York County – the geographic area that currently comprises the Northern School district.  To do that, we need your help.  We  have identified revolutionary war soldiers buried in the northern parts of the County.  From that, our volunteer researchers have cross-referenced tax rolls and muster rolls to find out more about our soldiers and are continuing to research various archives and historical society records. As this project evolves, a list of the soldiers so far identified will be posted on the NYCHAPS website.  For the long-term residents of the area, you will see many familiar surnames.

But NYCHAPS is hoping for more. We want to know your stories.  If you have family histories, letters, journals or other information about those you served in the fight for freedom, we want to hear from you!  And we will share what we know and learn over the coming months!  Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.