Mays Family Tree - Person Sheet
NameMatthias PENNYPACKER 
2941
2941Death Datebef 1864
Misc. Notes
A highly-respected member of the Chester County, PA bar. Matthias’s name is found numerous times throughout the source document. 3
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In September of 1777, the British army, numbering about fourteen thousand men, entered Schuylkill township, and encamped. No sooner were the men dismissed and ordered to encamp than they commenced depredations upon the surrounding neighborhood. In a little while every house had been visited. All the provisions, clothing, straw, and hay that could be found were carried off, and the cattle and horses were driven away.
So completely were the people divested of everything which could be used in the camp that they in many instances suffered from the want of food and clothing. The only means by which anything could be retained was by application to the commanding general for a guard. Requests of this kind were usually granted.
They came to the residence of Matthias Pennypacker in the night, and ransacked it in the search of provisions and clothing. The grain and flour in the mill became a valuable acquisition. The mill was at that time new and in excellent order, and to prevent its future use they hacked the machinery and cut the bolting cloth into strips. 2978
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When the [Continental] army encamped at Valley Forge [during the winter of 1777-1778] many of the farm-houses in this vicinity were selected by officers for their quarters. A company of horse was stationed at the residence of Matthias Pennypacker. The orchard was used as a paradeground, and the barn as a magazine. The powder was kept in kegs and barrels upon the floor, and the building was surrounded by a guard continually. It is also told of this good Mennonite that he secreted a quantity of his neighbors’ clothing in barrels. There was a constant picketguard through the winter on his property, where the West Chester road crosses the Pickering Creek. 2979
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In September of 1777, the British army, numbering about fourteen thousand men, entered Schuylkill township, and encamped. No sooner were the men dismissed and ordered to encamp than they commenced depredations upon the surrounding neighborhood. In a little while every house had been visited. All the provisions, clothing, straw, and hay that could be found were carried off, and the cattle and horses were driven away.
So completely were the people divested of everything which could be used in the camp that they in many instances suffered from the want of food and clothing. The only means by which anything could be retained was by application to the commanding general for a guard. Requests of this kind were usually granted.
They came to the residence of Matthias Pennypacker in the night, and ransacked it in the search of provisions and clothing. The grain and flour in the mill became a valuable acquisition. The mill was at that time new and in excellent order, and to prevent its future use they hacked the machinery and cut the bolting cloth into strips. 2978
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When the [Continental] army encamped at Valley Forge [during the winter of 1777-1778] many of the farm-houses in this vicinity were selected by officers for their quarters. A company of horse was stationed at the residence of Matthias Pennypacker. The orchard was used as a paradeground, and the barn as a magazine. The powder was kept in kegs and barrels upon the floor, and the building was surrounded by a guard continually. It is also told of this good Mennonite that he secreted a quantity of his neighbors’ clothing in barrels. There was a constant picketguard through the winter on his property, where the West Chester road crosses the Pickering Creek. 2979