Sister Rain’s Note:
This is the fourth story in a series about my search for an ancestor who was a Patriot in the American Revolutionary War. To read the previous posts, click on the following:
“Historical Society Of Pennsylvania“
“The Search Heard Round The World”
“The Son-In-Law Of Liberty“
We had found the man in my ancestry who had fought for the United States in the American Revolutionary War, he is my 5x great-grandfather on my maternal grandfather’s side. My husband spent weeks looking for data to verify it.
He was able to,.I had my Patriot.
After wanting this for so long, I couldn’t believe it. Despite all that has happened in the eight months since, it is still surreal. Not only am I here because of him, so, in some small part, is my country.
Please allow me to introduce to you Colonel Augustine Willett.
Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on January 9, 1751, when the war broke out, at his own expense, he formed and outfitted a company of Pennsylvanians. Joining the army as Captain, he was soon appointed to a command as Colonel. He took part in the battles of White Plains, Brandywine, Germantown and Trenton. He was with Washington at Valley Forge. BE STILL MY HEART! Colonel Willett was with Benedict Arnold in the terrible march to Quebec in the winter of 1779, had his feet badly frozen and was taken prisoner. That same year, on one of General Washington’s crossings of the Delaware River, Colonel Willett commanded the troops which received the General on his return south, escorting him to the Philadelphia line. I NEED TO LAY DOWN!
Described as an imposing figure on his white horse, he was often followed by his black body-servant* (personal attendant), Priam, on a black horse. In the peace establishment, he was commissioned Brigadier General. He died in Bucks County on June 25, 1825 at the age of 74.
I want to know more about the man. I wish I could visit his grave but we are unable to locate it. We suspect he was laid to rest on his own land. Although there is this drawing of him, an actual photo is sadly not possible. I would love to shake Colonel Willett’s hand and give him a hug. Of course, none of this is possible. But just about the next best thing was.
To be continued . . .
“Family Rarelooms”
“Coat Tales”
“Proving My DNA To The DAR”
“Becoming A Daughter In My Fifties”
“My 5x Great-Grandfather Is An Exhibitionist”
“Certifiably Framed”
“Valley Forging Our Bond”
“Over The River And Through The Woods To My 5x Great-Grandfather’s Tavern I Go“
* My 5x great-grandfather was apparently a slave owner. I don’t know if it is a fact, but given the times, I am fairly certain that it is. It is a difficult thing to think about, but I must. And I share it with you because it is part of my history, our history.
#sisterrain #alittlesightalotofheart #legallyblindwriter #ushistory #genealogy #colonelaugustnewillett #thiscolonelismytruth
