Colin McLachlan was born in Inveraray, Argyle Scotland. Colin was the only son to Duncan McLachlan, a tailor, and his wife Mary Gillies. He had two younger sisters, Anne and Catherine.
The following inscription is printed on the flyleaf of Colin Mclachlan's family bible (published and sold by Kimber & Sharpless, No. 93 Market St., Philadelphia, 1824),
This Bible is the property of Colin Mclachlan who was born in Scotland, in the town of Inveraray and the Shir of Argyle. On the 13th of March (OS) 1750.
He is the only son of Duncan,
who was the only son of Lachlan,
who was the only son of Duncan,
who was the only son of Archibald,
who was the only son of Donald,
who was the third son of Donald McLachlan, first of the estate of Inishchonnel Lochow in the Shire of Argyle aforesaid, by his second wife, a daughter of Mr. Campbell of Inverleiver, all other branches of the family died & left no sons, agreeably to the new stile the above date will come on the 24th of March 1750."
I wrote to Tom McLachlan, genealogist of the Clan MacLachlan Society in England, about Colin and told him Colin wrote about his ancestors in his bible and stated that he was descendant from the estate of Inishchonnel Lochow. Tom McLachlan responded in a 16 October 1998 letter, "It is not surprising that an intelligent man [born] in 1750 could recite his genealogy. He was descendant from a proud family and had good reason to remember who they were. No doubt there were constant reminders about him in Inverary of his better-off cousins... After the death of Lachlan in 1746 [at the Battle of Culloden], the Duke [of Argyll] allowed Duncan McLachlan, tailor in Inverary, to take over the post. But he "reduced" the sasine and "restored" it to a Donald McLachlan as the nearest heir male to Lachlan. A sasine is an action giving legal possession of property and with the Captaincy of Innis Chonnell went the use of a good deal of land on the eastern shore of Loch Awe." My McLachlan ancestors had a castle there.
The history of Colin's ancestors is documented in the article, "The Senior MacLachlan families on the west side of Loch Fyne" found in the Spring 1994 issue (Chapter X) of CLAN LACHLAN. See this article for the history of the MacLachlan Captains of Innischonnell and the Maclachlans of Craiginterve. The basis for this article is found as a series of family charts on LDS microfilm roll no. 0196276. These charts were filmed by the Mormons in 1958 at Inveraray Castle by courtesy of the Duke of Argyll at the time. The chart was presumably compiled by an earlier Duke based on Argyllshire sasine records. Colin's father Duncan appears on the charts and his brief title as Captaincy of Innis Chonnell is noted.
According to recollections of Colin's oldest child Amy Johnson McLachlan, Colin was drafted by the British when he was 25 years old and came to America. This would calculate to 1775. Muster rolls in the British War Office list a Colin McLachlan joining the Royal Highland Watch; 42nd Regiment, or Royal Highland Regiment of Foot, also known as the "Black Watch" in 1775
Muster rolls show that Colin McLachlan enlisted 19 July 1775. He appears on a 24 July 1775 muster roll in Donaghadee, county Down, Ireland. The regiment was commanded by General Lord John Murray. Colin was in Alexander Donaldson's Company.
On 12 April 1776 the 42nd regiment marched from Glasgow to Greenock. Sometime between 14 April and 1 May 1776, the 42nd ("Blue Squadron") and Fraser' Highlanders 71st regiment ("White Squadron") left Greenock under General Howe to sail to America to quell the rebellion in the America. The transports separated in a gale of wind, but they all reached their destination in Staten Island, where the main body of the army had assembled.
Colin arrived in America with British troops on or about 2 - 3 August 1776.
While a member of the 42nd Regiment, Colin fought the following battles:
22 - 27 August 1776 Long Island and Brooklyn
14 - 16 September 1776 Harlem Heights
16 November 1776 Fort Washington
20 November 1776 Fort Lee
22 - 23 December 1776. Black Horse; Mount Holly, NJ
Colin McLachlan is listed as one of the "Casuals from 25th December 1776" on a 20 March 1777 42nd Regiment muster roll indicating illness or injury. However, this is from a March 20, 1778 Philadelphia muster return and should be referred to with caution as the Regiment may have been trying to conceal his capture and/or desertion in the Spring 1777, as mentioned further in this biography.
26 December 1776. The 42nd was stationed in Bordentown with Colonel von Donop's Hessian Brigade during the first Battle of Trenton.
29 December 1776, the 42nd moved to the outskirts of Maidenhead (Lawerenceville).
2 - 3 January 1777. The 42nd part with the von Donop Brigade in the skirmishes of the second Battle of Trenton.
5 January 1777. The 42nd took up winter quarters in Piscataway, NJ.
22 January 1777. Washington surprised and completely defeated the detachment of Hessians stationed at Trenton; the 42nd, who formed the left of the line of defense at Mount Holly, fell back on the light infantry at Princeton.
On January 24, 1777 Colin McLachlan was transferred to the Light Infantry.
During the remainder of the season the 42nd was stationed in the village of Pisquatua, on the line of communication between New York and Brunswick by Amboy. The duty was severe, from the rigor of the season and the want of accommodation. The houses in the village not being sufficient to contain one-half of the men, the officers and soldiers were intermixed in barns and sheds, and they always slept in their body-clothes, as the enemy were constantly sending down nocturnal parties to fire at the sentinels and picquets. The Americans, however, always kept at a respectful distance, and did not make any regular attack on the post till the 10th of May 1777…
30 April 1777 Colin appears on the records of the 42nd in a muster return completed at Piscataway, New Jersey (Captain Duncan McPherson's company). This muster contains the remark, "This muster is taken for 366 days from 25th Dec'r 1775 to 24th Dec'r 1776 both days inclusive."
Colin was either captured or deserted in May 1777 in the area of Piscatawaytown (Pisquata; now Edison), NJ. On May 10, 1777 American forces attacked the Black Watch at Piscataway. American forces used the element of surprise to attack British picquets. I believe that Colin McLachlan was either captured or deserted during this battles. Since Colin was in the "light infantry," he was most likely separated from the main body of the regiment in the forward or flank positions - most likely being used as "picket" or scout forces. I believe this meant he was more vulnerable to capture. It also afforded Colin the ability for desertion. I believe that Colin either deserted or was captured during the May 10, 1777 battle.
Here is the account of the May 10, 1777 battle of Piscataway from the Journal of Lieutenant Ebenezer Elmer:
"Saturday, May 10th. – This afternoon Gens. Stephens and Maxwell took about one-half the men at Quibbletown and Samptown, with a part of Cols. Cook's and Hendrick's Regiment, leaving the rest as a guard, and went to the picquets at Piscataway, where they had a considerable brush with the 71st Regiment of Scotch regulars, and made them retire, getting possession of some part of their quarters, when a reinforcement of the enemy coming from Bonhamtown forced them to retreat, taking with them some small matter of stores; the loss on our side was two killed, two or three taken prisoners, with a number wounded not yet ascertained. ‘T'was supposed by what they saw that the enemy had nearly 30 killed, beside the wounded. Our people did as much as was expected, not intending to attempt any thing more than to give them an alarm. The same time there came out a number from Amboy, we mustered and went in pursuit of them, but they retiring, we could not get one slap at them. The account above I had from Gen. Maxwell, who was present, and came and lodged with us all night.
Sunday, May 11th, 1777 – In the afternoon we were alarmed by our picquets, who discovered the enemy in Woodbridge, so the whole of our troops were got under arms and sent in pursuit of them, but they retired upon our advancing, and thus ended the fray (60)."
The following is an account of the May 10th battle from the British perspective:
On the 10th of May at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the American Generals, Maxwell and Stephens, attacked the Royal Highlanders with 2000 men. Advancing with great secrecy, and being completely covered by the nature of the country, their approach was not perceived till they rushed forward on a small level piece of ground in front of the picquets. These they attacked with such promptitude, that the men had hardly time to seize their arms. Notwithstanding this sudden and unexpected attack, they kept the enemy in check till the picquets in reserve came to their assistance. Pushing forward fresh numbers, the enemy became at length mixed with the picquets, who retired, disputing every foot, to afford more time to the regiment to turn out. The soldiers were less in readiness than the picquets, being all employed in different avocations, or taking the rest they could not enjoy at night. But the resistance made by the picquets allowed them time to assemble, and the enemy were driven back with great precipitation, leaving upwards of 200 men killed and wounded. The Highlanders, pursuing with great eagerness, were with difficulty recalled, and were only prevented by the approach of night from pushing on to attack the enemy's camp. The loss of the Highlanders was 3 sergeants and 9 privates killed; and Captain Duncan Macpherson, Lieutenant William Stewart, and 3 sergeants and 30 privates wounded. The lieutenant and 3 sergeants were disabled for life, as well as many of the men from the severe wounds naturally to be expected in such close fighting. Six sergeants, all men of the best conduct and character, were considered a great loss to the regiment. (Sketches of the Highlanders of Scotland, Vol I pps 381-2) (71).
The battle was reported in the Pennsylvania Gazette, which noted three British deserters on May 11, 1777.
Colin joined the regiment of Colonel Moses Hazen of the American Continental Line in May 1777 and served until his honorable discharge June 1783. Colin's Discharge papers, found in the U.S. National Archives, states that Colin enlisted in Captain James Heron's Company of General Hazen's regiment at Princeton, NJ on 27 May 1777. In his widow's pension papers she stated that Colin "held the rank of a sergeant all the time he was in the service."
In the pension papers of Colin's wife, she reported that Colin "held the rank of a sergeant all the time he was in the service and was a quarter master Clerk during a considerable portion of said time." Colin earned $10 a month as a Quartermaster Sergeant. Having been an infantry unit, all the sergeants, including Sergeant Major, made this same rate. Only one quartermaster sergeant was authorized for each regimental battalion as adopted 27 May 1778 (Appendix II, page 132, Trussell).
During his American service, Colin participated in the all the principal battles until the end of the war.
28 May 1777, the day after Colin's official entry into the American forces, was the opening move of the battle season for 1777. Washington's army marched 20 miles south to Middlebrook to be nearer Howe's probably line of march enroute to his likely objective of Philadelphia. Sullivan's command, including Hazen's regiment, arrived at Princeton by 1 June 1777.
During July and August 1777, Washington marched and countermarched his army across the plains of New Jersey and the North River in a confusing response to reports of the appearance, disappearance and reappearance of the British fleet. Washington was trying to protect both the Highlands and Philadelphia.
In his pension papers, Colin wrote, "I was in several skirmishes and engagements, such as surprising the enemy at Hanover in 1777 where severals of them were either killed or wounded, by only two small companies under the command of Captains Heron and Chambers, without the loss of any on our side." This was most likely late July or August 1777.
22 August 1777. Colin participated in the Battle of Staten Island, "...Staten Island (1777), where our Lt. Col. Antill , the above Capt. Heron with several others were taken prisoners."
Colin was transferred from Captain James Heron's Company to Captain Carlile's 8th Company on September (6th?), 1777.
11 September 1777. Battle of Brandywine. A battalion of 200 of Hazen's "Canadian Regiment" (also known as Congress's Own) was sent a mile north of Jones's Ford to cover Wistar's Ford. Another Hazen battalion of 200 men was posted at Buffington's Ford about a mile north of Wistar's Ford. Situated just below the forks of the Brandywine.
It is during this famous battle that Hazen's regiment and its commander distinguished itself to the admiration of Americans and British alike. A division commanded by General De Borre from France turned tail and ran off the battlefield when making contact with the British (De Borre was subsequently relieved of command and released from service). The following are accounts of this action:
Sullivan tried to rally the retreaters back into line to no avail. Hazen's "Canadian" regiment, in particular, kept their cool during the confusion. After stepping aside to let DeBorre's sprinting brigade aside, Hazen's men joined with two New Jersey regiments on the left of Stirling's division. They drove a group of on-rushing Hessian Grenadiers back from the top of Plowed Hill, a rise southwest of Birmingham Meeting House (Everest).
The regiments of Drayton, Ogden, and Hazen's "Congress' Own" stood firm on the left, while the resistance of Stirling and Stephens was highly creditable, the main defense being made by the centre, where Sullivan exhibited great personal courage, and doubtless by his example animated his men in their contest with an overwhelming force (75).
Interestingly, a BBC website reported, "It was during the retreat of Sullivan's men, that Colonel Moses Hazen's regiment, which was known as the 'Infernals', faced down Hessian forces that were three times their number. They fired volley after volley into the mercenaries and covered the retreat of Sullivan's men. At the same time they marched toward the Colonial forces of Alexander and Stephen. The British advance was halted by Alexander and Stephen, but with darkness falling and a third of the rebel forces routed from the field the Redcoats continued to probe for weaknesses. They found it on the flanks of the hill. On both the right and left flanks of Osborne Hill, the British poured hundreds of fresh troops into the fray. Out manned and outgunned, the rebels began to falter. Then they retreated in order with Hazen's 'Infernals' covering the withdrawal. During the fighting, the Colonial's youngest general Marquis de Lafayette was wounded in the leg."
Colin was transferred from Captain James Heron's Company to Captain Carlile's 8th Company on September (6th?), 1777.
Colin remembered, "I was in the platoon of the advanced party that first entered Germantown before the battle became general the morning of October 4th, 1777."
He was awarded the Badge of Military Merit. He then settled in Octararo Hundreds, Maryland. He married (at least his second marriage) in October 1810 an Elizabeth Morton (widow of Sullivan) at Old St. George's Church in Philadelphia. He then settled in Chester City. In 1829 he moved to West Fallowfield, Chester Co., Pa. He died on the day of a major snowstorn. He was a schoolmaster all his life following his military service.
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Letter sent by Colin McLachlan to the Secretary of War in 1820 (National Archives Pension File):
Honoured Sir,
I hope you will not be offended at the liberty I have taken in writing to you in consequence of the pension being withheld from me by the last arrangement.
I should not indeed have troubled you, if neccesity were not the principal cause, and my circumstance will not admit of travelling that distance and appearing in person. But if Mr. Secretary was rightly informed of my circumstances, in general I am almost certain he would not withdraw the pension from me. I need not mention Sir that I served six years and one month in the revolutionary war, in brigadier Gen'l Hazen's regiment and was honourably discharged at the close thereof, as may be seen by the said discharge, sent to the war office in April 1818, during which time I was in several skirmishes and engagements, such as surprising the enemy at Hanover in 1777 where severals of them were either killed or wounded, by only two small companies under the command of Captains Heron and Chambers, without the loss of any on our side; as likewise on Staten island, where our Lt. Col. Antil, the above Capt. Heron with several others were taken prisoners, but the most principals were the battles of Brandywine and Germantown; and the siege of York, where I was wounded in the hand by a piece of shell and where the above Lt. Col. Antil presented me with the General's thanks for my conduct at the storming of one of the enemy's batteries in the night, and that I should be remembered for it; but however I have been forgot. Since that time I have had troubles and misfortunes enough, until I married about ten years ago my present wife, then a widow, and whose uncle {1} left her this piece of land whereon we now dwell, containing six acres and 30 perches of very poor land, including roads, and which was valued by the last returns at 350 dollars. Now sir there is not on the place, a stick of wood, nor a drop of water, but has to go to a neighbour's some distance off for our water, not being able to pay for the digging of a well besides I had to borrow on mortgage from a John Talbot 250 dollars for the purpose of building a log dwelling house and some other repairs on the place, and I do not know now, when it may be taken from me, and probably would ere now if I had not received the pension agreeable to act of Congress of March 1818, which enabled me to pay the interest of that money, and if the pension is with-held from me now, I shall undoubtedly lose the place, for I shall never be able to redeem it, nor even to pay the interest, and of course I and my family will be thrown on the county: for there are six of us in family as has been formerly transmitted to you; and through the infirmities of old age (being upwards of 70) and the weakness of my wounded hand together, I am not able to do any manner of work, and trade I have none.
I have no horse and have therefore to give out one third of the land yearly on the shares, or hire the working of it, and when this is done my share of the produce will not bread my family six months.
I have all along strove to earn something by attending a small school in the country (although but a poor English scholar) but my hearing has become so imperfect within a few years that my school is very much reduced on account of it that I cannot now calculate on more than eight scholars, at two dollars and a half each per quarter, and I have no prospect of any more, as severals have taken away their children and sent to schools at a greater distance merely on account of my hearing.
It takes from me at least twenty dollars a year to keep up the fences; for the place being on the forks of two roads, I have to keep up 154 pannels of road fence, and 53 of a division fence with two inside fences the one 25 the other 26 pannels making in all 258 pannels, for which I have all the posts and rails to buy: Now Sir, taking the interest of the mortgage money, taxes and repairs out of my schooling, and I have not 50 dollars a year left to feed and clothe my family, and it is a notorious truth, that if I should rent out the land, and keep the house to dwell in for my family, I could not get above twenty dollars a year for it: and by all appearance I shall have to quit teaching soon, or the scholars will all quit me, as they have been gradually dropping off for some time until they are now reduced to the small number above mentioned.
It is true I have some small crazey furniture that were my wife's before we were married, yet not one feather bed among them, nor any article that I could part with to procure wherewithal to satisfy the cravings of hunger but a very short time. I have a cow that will give the children some milk for a short time, and probably I may have a little pork to help along through the winter, but still not sufficient wherewithal to live comfortable, and to provide clothing to secure us from the inclemency of cold weather, or to purchase firewood for the winter season.
Now, if Mr. Secretary will please to consider all of the above circumstances, vis my long and faithful service in defence of liberty and my wound received in consequence thereof, my inability to labour, my helpless family, my small income, and the probability of losing a home, and turned out of doors, without some assistance, I think he will not hesitate in transferring a certificate for my pension as heretofore, and he will have the thanks and prayers of grateful hearts and devout minds for his present and future happenings, while I subscribe myself his humble supplicant and servant
Colin McLachlan
Chester Delaware County Pennsyla
November the 25th, 1820
The Secretary of war.
Delaware County
I Benjamin Pearson Esquire Recorder of Deeds in and for said County do certify that there is an unsatisfied Mortgage recorded in (seal) the said office from Colin McLachlan & Wife to John Talbot dated Sep. 16, 1817 to secure the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars. Witness my hand and seal of office at Chester the Twenty-fifth day of November A. D. 1820.
Benj.n Pearson
Rec'd
It should have been observed in the within letter that the stove mentioned in the return made the 25th July was purchased out of my pension in Sept. 1819 as likewise the pigs; and the cow valued at 13 dolls was bought of a Joseph Johnson the 6th of June last to be paid in the fall expecting to pay her out of my pension in Sept. therefore being disappointed in that, the remains yet unpaid; that I returned the place then rentable at 20 dollars, but now I am offered only 10 dollars the season for it, as it cannot bear a double crop.
Decr 25th 1820 C. M'L
Petition
Colin McLachlan
1821
To The Honourable
The petition of Colin Mclachlan of Chester township Delaware county and State of Pennsylvania.
Respectfully sheweth that your petitioner served six years and one month in the revolutionary war, the whole of the time a sergeant in Brigadier Gen'l Hazen's regiment and was honourably discharged at the close of the war in 1783, as may be seen by the said discharge which was sent to the secretary of war the 11th of April 1818: which discharge is signed by his Excellency Gen'l Washington and counter-signed by Gen'l Hazen certifying that your petitioner was entitled to wear the badge of merit for his faithful service that during the said time he has been in several skirmishes and engagements with the enemy, besides the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and the siege of York where he was wounded in the hand by a piece of a shell; that he is now old and infirm (being almost 71 years) not able to do any manner of manual service, on account of his infirmities and his wound together, that he has a wife upwards of 45 years of age; and four children, the eldest of whom is only a few months over nine years old; that he had received a pension agreeably to the resolution of Congress of March 1818 but by the last arrangement was with-held from him, that a schedule of his effects was sent to the war office the 25th of last July, that in the said schedule is mentioned, a stove, three pigs, and a cow; the stove and pigs your petitioner bought out of his pension in September 1819, the cow he purchased of a Joseph Johnson for thirteen dollars the 6th of June to be paid in the fall, expecting to have paid her out of the pension in September, but is not yet paid for, being disappointed of his pension, and it is likely he will have to sell her again to make up her price, and so deprive his children of the comfort of a little milk for their nourishment: that the six acres of land returned in the said schedule was left his wife by an uncle, and the small furniture was hers also before marriage, she being a widow. That the said land was valued at $350 dollars; and that there is a bond and mortgage on it to John Talbot for 250 dollars, that the place is very poor, and has neither a stick of wood thereon, or a drop of water, but has to go to neighbours some distance off for water, not being able to dig a well: there is no meadow or orchard on the place, there is 154 pannels of road fence, with a division and other fences to be kept up, making in all 258 pannels, for which all the posts and rails must be purchased, that your petitioner is not able to keep a horse, therefore whatever is raised on the place, the one half goes for the labour, consequently the half of what grows upon two acres of poor land without manure is but a small trifle, (which is all can be cultivated in one season) that your petitioner has all along strove to make a living by teaching in public school-houses in the country, but his hearing has become so imperfect of late years, that he his now reduced to attend to only about seven or eight scholars in his own house at 2 1/2 dollars per quarter. That your petitioner applied to Capt. William Anderson in 1817 being then a member of Congress to present a memorial to that honourable body for a pension for him, which he should not have done if he had not been in indigent circumstances, however Capt. Anderson differed to make any application at that time, as it appeared that Congress was then about making provision for the revolutionary soldiers.
That your petitioner wrote to the secretary of war the 25th of November last setting forth his circumstances, but whether through multiplicity of (?) , it has been over-looked, that no answer was returned. That upon the whole your petitioner is not able to make a living for his family, not to mention clothing and firewood, to make them comfortable; besides the certainty of losing a home, and thrown on the county, as he will never be able to redeem the place, or even to pay the interest of the mortgage without some assistance, for when the taxes, the expences of keeping up the fences, and the interest is taken out of his small (?) of schooling, he has not 40 dollars a year left, and the land if rented will hardly draw 12 dollars a year, besides your petitioner will have to quit teaching soon, in account of his hearing, or the five scholars he now has will soon leave him.
Your petitioner therefore pray that your honourable body will take into consideration , his long and faithful service in support of independence, his advanced age with the infirmities incident thereto, and the effect of his wound together, his helpless family, and his small income, (even if the place was free of incumbrence) and if your honours will see onect to grant him his pension, as heretofore, your petitioner will for ever pray Colin McLachlan
Chester, Delaware county
Sept. 17th 1821
Delaware County
Pennsylvania
I Benjamin Pearson Recorder of Deeds in and for said County do certify that a Mortgage Deed from Colin (seal) Mclachlan & Elizabeth his Wife to John Talbot stated the Eleventh day of September A.D. 1817 To secure the payment of two hundred & fifty dollars was recorded in the said office on the day of the date thereof - and that the same remains unsatisfied - Witness my hand & seal of office at Chester the Seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one.
Benj.n Parseon
Rec'd
We the undersigners do certify that we are personally acquainted with the petitioner Colin McLachlan and his circumstances in general, and we truly say that what is set forth in the within petition is the truth, and that he is not able to support his family without a pension or some other assistance from the public: witness our hands this 20th day of January 1821.
Joseph Weaver Rich Flower
William Karlin Jos. Engle
J. W. Flower John Caldwell
Jonas Dyre
Samuel Lungren
Highlights of the will of Collin McLachlan located in the Chester County Archives in West Chester:
Residence: West Fallowfield Township (Chester County):
File number: 8621
Book page 16, no. 365
Dated: January 10, 1831 (deed; Israel Stroud and James H. Barry, witnesses)
Proved: May 2, 1831
Wife: Elizabeth - given plantation. If she die, to be rented until youngest child is 21
Children: Maria McCoy
Daniel M. Sullivan
Joseph Sullivan
William Sullivan
Martin Sullivan
George McLachlan
Samuel McLachlan
Elizabeth McLachlan
Lucy Ann McLachlan
Amy McLachlan
Son: James McLachlan
Daughter: Margaret Forsythe
Executor: Wife Elizabeth McLachlan and Reverend Jethro Johnson
(also to be guardians of children under 21)
Colin left his estate to his wife. Upon her death, it was to be sold and divided equally among the children. His wife renounced her rights as executor on March 15, 1831; Isaac Clendenon & Abraham Crosson, witnesses. An inventory was filed and letters granted to Reverend Jethro Johnson on May 2, 1831.
The Rev. Jethro Johnson was Pastor of the United Baptist Churches of Hapsebah and Beulah and resided at West Fallowfield. He died on July 15, 1838, aged 70 and 2 months.
Article researched and written by Colin's fourth great grand-son Drew Techner. You can link to it, but it can't be reproduced or transmitted to anyone else without my permission.
The following inscription is printed on the flyleaf of Colin Mclachlan's family bible (published and sold by Kimber & Sharpless, No. 93 Market St., Philadelphia, 1824),
This Bible is the property of Colin Mclachlan who was born in Scotland, in the town of Inveraray and the Shir of Argyle. On the 13th of March (OS) 1750.
He is the only son of Duncan,
who was the only son of Lachlan,
who was the only son of Duncan,
who was the only son of Archibald,
who was the only son of Donald,
who was the third son of Donald McLachlan, first of the estate of Inishchonnel Lochow in the Shire of Argyle aforesaid, by his second wife, a daughter of Mr. Campbell of Inverleiver, all other branches of the family died & left no sons, agreeably to the new stile the above date will come on the 24th of March 1750."
I wrote to Tom McLachlan, genealogist of the Clan MacLachlan Society in England, about Colin and told him Colin wrote about his ancestors in his bible and stated that he was descendant from the estate of Inishchonnel Lochow. Tom McLachlan responded in a 16 October 1998 letter, "It is not surprising that an intelligent man [born] in 1750 could recite his genealogy. He was descendant from a proud family and had good reason to remember who they were. No doubt there were constant reminders about him in Inverary of his better-off cousins... After the death of Lachlan in 1746 [at the Battle of Culloden], the Duke [of Argyll] allowed Duncan McLachlan, tailor in Inverary, to take over the post. But he "reduced" the sasine and "restored" it to a Donald McLachlan as the nearest heir male to Lachlan. A sasine is an action giving legal possession of property and with the Captaincy of Innis Chonnell went the use of a good deal of land on the eastern shore of Loch Awe." My McLachlan ancestors had a castle there.
The history of Colin's ancestors is documented in the article, "The Senior MacLachlan families on the west side of Loch Fyne" found in the Spring 1994 issue (Chapter X) of CLAN LACHLAN. See this article for the history of the MacLachlan Captains of Innischonnell and the Maclachlans of Craiginterve. The basis for this article is found as a series of family charts on LDS microfilm roll no. 0196276. These charts were filmed by the Mormons in 1958 at Inveraray Castle by courtesy of the Duke of Argyll at the time. The chart was presumably compiled by an earlier Duke based on Argyllshire sasine records. Colin's father Duncan appears on the charts and his brief title as Captaincy of Innis Chonnell is noted.
According to recollections of Colin's oldest child Amy Johnson McLachlan, Colin was drafted by the British when he was 25 years old and came to America. This would calculate to 1775. Muster rolls in the British War Office list a Colin McLachlan joining the Royal Highland Watch; 42nd Regiment, or Royal Highland Regiment of Foot, also known as the "Black Watch" in 1775
Muster rolls show that Colin McLachlan enlisted 19 July 1775. He appears on a 24 July 1775 muster roll in Donaghadee, county Down, Ireland. The regiment was commanded by General Lord John Murray. Colin was in Alexander Donaldson's Company.
On 12 April 1776 the 42nd regiment marched from Glasgow to Greenock. Sometime between 14 April and 1 May 1776, the 42nd ("Blue Squadron") and Fraser' Highlanders 71st regiment ("White Squadron") left Greenock under General Howe to sail to America to quell the rebellion in the America. The transports separated in a gale of wind, but they all reached their destination in Staten Island, where the main body of the army had assembled.
Colin arrived in America with British troops on or about 2 - 3 August 1776.
While a member of the 42nd Regiment, Colin fought the following battles:
22 - 27 August 1776 Long Island and Brooklyn
14 - 16 September 1776 Harlem Heights
16 November 1776 Fort Washington
20 November 1776 Fort Lee
22 - 23 December 1776. Black Horse; Mount Holly, NJ
Colin McLachlan is listed as one of the "Casuals from 25th December 1776" on a 20 March 1777 42nd Regiment muster roll indicating illness or injury. However, this is from a March 20, 1778 Philadelphia muster return and should be referred to with caution as the Regiment may have been trying to conceal his capture and/or desertion in the Spring 1777, as mentioned further in this biography.
26 December 1776. The 42nd was stationed in Bordentown with Colonel von Donop's Hessian Brigade during the first Battle of Trenton.
29 December 1776, the 42nd moved to the outskirts of Maidenhead (Lawerenceville).
2 - 3 January 1777. The 42nd part with the von Donop Brigade in the skirmishes of the second Battle of Trenton.
5 January 1777. The 42nd took up winter quarters in Piscataway, NJ.
22 January 1777. Washington surprised and completely defeated the detachment of Hessians stationed at Trenton; the 42nd, who formed the left of the line of defense at Mount Holly, fell back on the light infantry at Princeton.
On January 24, 1777 Colin McLachlan was transferred to the Light Infantry.
During the remainder of the season the 42nd was stationed in the village of Pisquatua, on the line of communication between New York and Brunswick by Amboy. The duty was severe, from the rigor of the season and the want of accommodation. The houses in the village not being sufficient to contain one-half of the men, the officers and soldiers were intermixed in barns and sheds, and they always slept in their body-clothes, as the enemy were constantly sending down nocturnal parties to fire at the sentinels and picquets. The Americans, however, always kept at a respectful distance, and did not make any regular attack on the post till the 10th of May 1777…
30 April 1777 Colin appears on the records of the 42nd in a muster return completed at Piscataway, New Jersey (Captain Duncan McPherson's company). This muster contains the remark, "This muster is taken for 366 days from 25th Dec'r 1775 to 24th Dec'r 1776 both days inclusive."
Colin was either captured or deserted in May 1777 in the area of Piscatawaytown (Pisquata; now Edison), NJ. On May 10, 1777 American forces attacked the Black Watch at Piscataway. American forces used the element of surprise to attack British picquets. I believe that Colin McLachlan was either captured or deserted during this battles. Since Colin was in the "light infantry," he was most likely separated from the main body of the regiment in the forward or flank positions - most likely being used as "picket" or scout forces. I believe this meant he was more vulnerable to capture. It also afforded Colin the ability for desertion. I believe that Colin either deserted or was captured during the May 10, 1777 battle.
Here is the account of the May 10, 1777 battle of Piscataway from the Journal of Lieutenant Ebenezer Elmer:
"Saturday, May 10th. – This afternoon Gens. Stephens and Maxwell took about one-half the men at Quibbletown and Samptown, with a part of Cols. Cook's and Hendrick's Regiment, leaving the rest as a guard, and went to the picquets at Piscataway, where they had a considerable brush with the 71st Regiment of Scotch regulars, and made them retire, getting possession of some part of their quarters, when a reinforcement of the enemy coming from Bonhamtown forced them to retreat, taking with them some small matter of stores; the loss on our side was two killed, two or three taken prisoners, with a number wounded not yet ascertained. ‘T'was supposed by what they saw that the enemy had nearly 30 killed, beside the wounded. Our people did as much as was expected, not intending to attempt any thing more than to give them an alarm. The same time there came out a number from Amboy, we mustered and went in pursuit of them, but they retiring, we could not get one slap at them. The account above I had from Gen. Maxwell, who was present, and came and lodged with us all night.
Sunday, May 11th, 1777 – In the afternoon we were alarmed by our picquets, who discovered the enemy in Woodbridge, so the whole of our troops were got under arms and sent in pursuit of them, but they retired upon our advancing, and thus ended the fray (60)."
The following is an account of the May 10th battle from the British perspective:
On the 10th of May at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the American Generals, Maxwell and Stephens, attacked the Royal Highlanders with 2000 men. Advancing with great secrecy, and being completely covered by the nature of the country, their approach was not perceived till they rushed forward on a small level piece of ground in front of the picquets. These they attacked with such promptitude, that the men had hardly time to seize their arms. Notwithstanding this sudden and unexpected attack, they kept the enemy in check till the picquets in reserve came to their assistance. Pushing forward fresh numbers, the enemy became at length mixed with the picquets, who retired, disputing every foot, to afford more time to the regiment to turn out. The soldiers were less in readiness than the picquets, being all employed in different avocations, or taking the rest they could not enjoy at night. But the resistance made by the picquets allowed them time to assemble, and the enemy were driven back with great precipitation, leaving upwards of 200 men killed and wounded. The Highlanders, pursuing with great eagerness, were with difficulty recalled, and were only prevented by the approach of night from pushing on to attack the enemy's camp. The loss of the Highlanders was 3 sergeants and 9 privates killed; and Captain Duncan Macpherson, Lieutenant William Stewart, and 3 sergeants and 30 privates wounded. The lieutenant and 3 sergeants were disabled for life, as well as many of the men from the severe wounds naturally to be expected in such close fighting. Six sergeants, all men of the best conduct and character, were considered a great loss to the regiment. (Sketches of the Highlanders of Scotland, Vol I pps 381-2) (71).
The battle was reported in the Pennsylvania Gazette, which noted three British deserters on May 11, 1777.
Colin joined the regiment of Colonel Moses Hazen of the American Continental Line in May 1777 and served until his honorable discharge June 1783. Colin's Discharge papers, found in the U.S. National Archives, states that Colin enlisted in Captain James Heron's Company of General Hazen's regiment at Princeton, NJ on 27 May 1777. In his widow's pension papers she stated that Colin "held the rank of a sergeant all the time he was in the service."
In the pension papers of Colin's wife, she reported that Colin "held the rank of a sergeant all the time he was in the service and was a quarter master Clerk during a considerable portion of said time." Colin earned $10 a month as a Quartermaster Sergeant. Having been an infantry unit, all the sergeants, including Sergeant Major, made this same rate. Only one quartermaster sergeant was authorized for each regimental battalion as adopted 27 May 1778 (Appendix II, page 132, Trussell).
During his American service, Colin participated in the all the principal battles until the end of the war.
28 May 1777, the day after Colin's official entry into the American forces, was the opening move of the battle season for 1777. Washington's army marched 20 miles south to Middlebrook to be nearer Howe's probably line of march enroute to his likely objective of Philadelphia. Sullivan's command, including Hazen's regiment, arrived at Princeton by 1 June 1777.
During July and August 1777, Washington marched and countermarched his army across the plains of New Jersey and the North River in a confusing response to reports of the appearance, disappearance and reappearance of the British fleet. Washington was trying to protect both the Highlands and Philadelphia.
In his pension papers, Colin wrote, "I was in several skirmishes and engagements, such as surprising the enemy at Hanover in 1777 where severals of them were either killed or wounded, by only two small companies under the command of Captains Heron and Chambers, without the loss of any on our side." This was most likely late July or August 1777.
22 August 1777. Colin participated in the Battle of Staten Island, "...Staten Island (1777), where our Lt. Col. Antill , the above Capt. Heron with several others were taken prisoners."
Colin was transferred from Captain James Heron's Company to Captain Carlile's 8th Company on September (6th?), 1777.
11 September 1777. Battle of Brandywine. A battalion of 200 of Hazen's "Canadian Regiment" (also known as Congress's Own) was sent a mile north of Jones's Ford to cover Wistar's Ford. Another Hazen battalion of 200 men was posted at Buffington's Ford about a mile north of Wistar's Ford. Situated just below the forks of the Brandywine.
It is during this famous battle that Hazen's regiment and its commander distinguished itself to the admiration of Americans and British alike. A division commanded by General De Borre from France turned tail and ran off the battlefield when making contact with the British (De Borre was subsequently relieved of command and released from service). The following are accounts of this action:
Sullivan tried to rally the retreaters back into line to no avail. Hazen's "Canadian" regiment, in particular, kept their cool during the confusion. After stepping aside to let DeBorre's sprinting brigade aside, Hazen's men joined with two New Jersey regiments on the left of Stirling's division. They drove a group of on-rushing Hessian Grenadiers back from the top of Plowed Hill, a rise southwest of Birmingham Meeting House (Everest).
The regiments of Drayton, Ogden, and Hazen's "Congress' Own" stood firm on the left, while the resistance of Stirling and Stephens was highly creditable, the main defense being made by the centre, where Sullivan exhibited great personal courage, and doubtless by his example animated his men in their contest with an overwhelming force (75).
Interestingly, a BBC website reported, "It was during the retreat of Sullivan's men, that Colonel Moses Hazen's regiment, which was known as the 'Infernals', faced down Hessian forces that were three times their number. They fired volley after volley into the mercenaries and covered the retreat of Sullivan's men. At the same time they marched toward the Colonial forces of Alexander and Stephen. The British advance was halted by Alexander and Stephen, but with darkness falling and a third of the rebel forces routed from the field the Redcoats continued to probe for weaknesses. They found it on the flanks of the hill. On both the right and left flanks of Osborne Hill, the British poured hundreds of fresh troops into the fray. Out manned and outgunned, the rebels began to falter. Then they retreated in order with Hazen's 'Infernals' covering the withdrawal. During the fighting, the Colonial's youngest general Marquis de Lafayette was wounded in the leg."
Colin was transferred from Captain James Heron's Company to Captain Carlile's 8th Company on September (6th?), 1777.
Colin remembered, "I was in the platoon of the advanced party that first entered Germantown before the battle became general the morning of October 4th, 1777."
He was awarded the Badge of Military Merit. He then settled in Octararo Hundreds, Maryland. He married (at least his second marriage) in October 1810 an Elizabeth Morton (widow of Sullivan) at Old St. George's Church in Philadelphia. He then settled in Chester City. In 1829 he moved to West Fallowfield, Chester Co., Pa. He died on the day of a major snowstorn. He was a schoolmaster all his life following his military service.
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Letter sent by Colin McLachlan to the Secretary of War in 1820 (National Archives Pension File):
Honoured Sir,
I hope you will not be offended at the liberty I have taken in writing to you in consequence of the pension being withheld from me by the last arrangement.
I should not indeed have troubled you, if neccesity were not the principal cause, and my circumstance will not admit of travelling that distance and appearing in person. But if Mr. Secretary was rightly informed of my circumstances, in general I am almost certain he would not withdraw the pension from me. I need not mention Sir that I served six years and one month in the revolutionary war, in brigadier Gen'l Hazen's regiment and was honourably discharged at the close thereof, as may be seen by the said discharge, sent to the war office in April 1818, during which time I was in several skirmishes and engagements, such as surprising the enemy at Hanover in 1777 where severals of them were either killed or wounded, by only two small companies under the command of Captains Heron and Chambers, without the loss of any on our side; as likewise on Staten island, where our Lt. Col. Antil, the above Capt. Heron with several others were taken prisoners, but the most principals were the battles of Brandywine and Germantown; and the siege of York, where I was wounded in the hand by a piece of shell and where the above Lt. Col. Antil presented me with the General's thanks for my conduct at the storming of one of the enemy's batteries in the night, and that I should be remembered for it; but however I have been forgot. Since that time I have had troubles and misfortunes enough, until I married about ten years ago my present wife, then a widow, and whose uncle {1} left her this piece of land whereon we now dwell, containing six acres and 30 perches of very poor land, including roads, and which was valued by the last returns at 350 dollars. Now sir there is not on the place, a stick of wood, nor a drop of water, but has to go to a neighbour's some distance off for our water, not being able to pay for the digging of a well besides I had to borrow on mortgage from a John Talbot 250 dollars for the purpose of building a log dwelling house and some other repairs on the place, and I do not know now, when it may be taken from me, and probably would ere now if I had not received the pension agreeable to act of Congress of March 1818, which enabled me to pay the interest of that money, and if the pension is with-held from me now, I shall undoubtedly lose the place, for I shall never be able to redeem it, nor even to pay the interest, and of course I and my family will be thrown on the county: for there are six of us in family as has been formerly transmitted to you; and through the infirmities of old age (being upwards of 70) and the weakness of my wounded hand together, I am not able to do any manner of work, and trade I have none.
I have no horse and have therefore to give out one third of the land yearly on the shares, or hire the working of it, and when this is done my share of the produce will not bread my family six months.
I have all along strove to earn something by attending a small school in the country (although but a poor English scholar) but my hearing has become so imperfect within a few years that my school is very much reduced on account of it that I cannot now calculate on more than eight scholars, at two dollars and a half each per quarter, and I have no prospect of any more, as severals have taken away their children and sent to schools at a greater distance merely on account of my hearing.
It takes from me at least twenty dollars a year to keep up the fences; for the place being on the forks of two roads, I have to keep up 154 pannels of road fence, and 53 of a division fence with two inside fences the one 25 the other 26 pannels making in all 258 pannels, for which I have all the posts and rails to buy: Now Sir, taking the interest of the mortgage money, taxes and repairs out of my schooling, and I have not 50 dollars a year left to feed and clothe my family, and it is a notorious truth, that if I should rent out the land, and keep the house to dwell in for my family, I could not get above twenty dollars a year for it: and by all appearance I shall have to quit teaching soon, or the scholars will all quit me, as they have been gradually dropping off for some time until they are now reduced to the small number above mentioned.
It is true I have some small crazey furniture that were my wife's before we were married, yet not one feather bed among them, nor any article that I could part with to procure wherewithal to satisfy the cravings of hunger but a very short time. I have a cow that will give the children some milk for a short time, and probably I may have a little pork to help along through the winter, but still not sufficient wherewithal to live comfortable, and to provide clothing to secure us from the inclemency of cold weather, or to purchase firewood for the winter season.
Now, if Mr. Secretary will please to consider all of the above circumstances, vis my long and faithful service in defence of liberty and my wound received in consequence thereof, my inability to labour, my helpless family, my small income, and the probability of losing a home, and turned out of doors, without some assistance, I think he will not hesitate in transferring a certificate for my pension as heretofore, and he will have the thanks and prayers of grateful hearts and devout minds for his present and future happenings, while I subscribe myself his humble supplicant and servant
Colin McLachlan
Chester Delaware County Pennsyla
November the 25th, 1820
The Secretary of war.
Delaware County
I Benjamin Pearson Esquire Recorder of Deeds in and for said County do certify that there is an unsatisfied Mortgage recorded in (seal) the said office from Colin McLachlan & Wife to John Talbot dated Sep. 16, 1817 to secure the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars. Witness my hand and seal of office at Chester the Twenty-fifth day of November A. D. 1820.
Benj.n Pearson
Rec'd
It should have been observed in the within letter that the stove mentioned in the return made the 25th July was purchased out of my pension in Sept. 1819 as likewise the pigs; and the cow valued at 13 dolls was bought of a Joseph Johnson the 6th of June last to be paid in the fall expecting to pay her out of my pension in Sept. therefore being disappointed in that, the remains yet unpaid; that I returned the place then rentable at 20 dollars, but now I am offered only 10 dollars the season for it, as it cannot bear a double crop.
Decr 25th 1820 C. M'L
Petition
Colin McLachlan
1821
To The Honourable
The petition of Colin Mclachlan of Chester township Delaware county and State of Pennsylvania.
Respectfully sheweth that your petitioner served six years and one month in the revolutionary war, the whole of the time a sergeant in Brigadier Gen'l Hazen's regiment and was honourably discharged at the close of the war in 1783, as may be seen by the said discharge which was sent to the secretary of war the 11th of April 1818: which discharge is signed by his Excellency Gen'l Washington and counter-signed by Gen'l Hazen certifying that your petitioner was entitled to wear the badge of merit for his faithful service that during the said time he has been in several skirmishes and engagements with the enemy, besides the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and the siege of York where he was wounded in the hand by a piece of a shell; that he is now old and infirm (being almost 71 years) not able to do any manner of manual service, on account of his infirmities and his wound together, that he has a wife upwards of 45 years of age; and four children, the eldest of whom is only a few months over nine years old; that he had received a pension agreeably to the resolution of Congress of March 1818 but by the last arrangement was with-held from him, that a schedule of his effects was sent to the war office the 25th of last July, that in the said schedule is mentioned, a stove, three pigs, and a cow; the stove and pigs your petitioner bought out of his pension in September 1819, the cow he purchased of a Joseph Johnson for thirteen dollars the 6th of June to be paid in the fall, expecting to have paid her out of the pension in September, but is not yet paid for, being disappointed of his pension, and it is likely he will have to sell her again to make up her price, and so deprive his children of the comfort of a little milk for their nourishment: that the six acres of land returned in the said schedule was left his wife by an uncle, and the small furniture was hers also before marriage, she being a widow. That the said land was valued at $350 dollars; and that there is a bond and mortgage on it to John Talbot for 250 dollars, that the place is very poor, and has neither a stick of wood thereon, or a drop of water, but has to go to neighbours some distance off for water, not being able to dig a well: there is no meadow or orchard on the place, there is 154 pannels of road fence, with a division and other fences to be kept up, making in all 258 pannels, for which all the posts and rails must be purchased, that your petitioner is not able to keep a horse, therefore whatever is raised on the place, the one half goes for the labour, consequently the half of what grows upon two acres of poor land without manure is but a small trifle, (which is all can be cultivated in one season) that your petitioner has all along strove to make a living by teaching in public school-houses in the country, but his hearing has become so imperfect of late years, that he his now reduced to attend to only about seven or eight scholars in his own house at 2 1/2 dollars per quarter. That your petitioner applied to Capt. William Anderson in 1817 being then a member of Congress to present a memorial to that honourable body for a pension for him, which he should not have done if he had not been in indigent circumstances, however Capt. Anderson differed to make any application at that time, as it appeared that Congress was then about making provision for the revolutionary soldiers.
That your petitioner wrote to the secretary of war the 25th of November last setting forth his circumstances, but whether through multiplicity of (?) , it has been over-looked, that no answer was returned. That upon the whole your petitioner is not able to make a living for his family, not to mention clothing and firewood, to make them comfortable; besides the certainty of losing a home, and thrown on the county, as he will never be able to redeem the place, or even to pay the interest of the mortgage without some assistance, for when the taxes, the expences of keeping up the fences, and the interest is taken out of his small (?) of schooling, he has not 40 dollars a year left, and the land if rented will hardly draw 12 dollars a year, besides your petitioner will have to quit teaching soon, in account of his hearing, or the five scholars he now has will soon leave him.
Your petitioner therefore pray that your honourable body will take into consideration , his long and faithful service in support of independence, his advanced age with the infirmities incident thereto, and the effect of his wound together, his helpless family, and his small income, (even if the place was free of incumbrence) and if your honours will see onect to grant him his pension, as heretofore, your petitioner will for ever pray Colin McLachlan
Chester, Delaware county
Sept. 17th 1821
Delaware County
Pennsylvania
I Benjamin Pearson Recorder of Deeds in and for said County do certify that a Mortgage Deed from Colin (seal) Mclachlan & Elizabeth his Wife to John Talbot stated the Eleventh day of September A.D. 1817 To secure the payment of two hundred & fifty dollars was recorded in the said office on the day of the date thereof - and that the same remains unsatisfied - Witness my hand & seal of office at Chester the Seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one.
Benj.n Parseon
Rec'd
We the undersigners do certify that we are personally acquainted with the petitioner Colin McLachlan and his circumstances in general, and we truly say that what is set forth in the within petition is the truth, and that he is not able to support his family without a pension or some other assistance from the public: witness our hands this 20th day of January 1821.
Joseph Weaver Rich Flower
William Karlin Jos. Engle
J. W. Flower John Caldwell
Jonas Dyre
Samuel Lungren
Highlights of the will of Collin McLachlan located in the Chester County Archives in West Chester:
Residence: West Fallowfield Township (Chester County):
File number: 8621
Book page 16, no. 365
Dated: January 10, 1831 (deed; Israel Stroud and James H. Barry, witnesses)
Proved: May 2, 1831
Wife: Elizabeth - given plantation. If she die, to be rented until youngest child is 21
Children: Maria McCoy
Daniel M. Sullivan
Joseph Sullivan
William Sullivan
Martin Sullivan
George McLachlan
Samuel McLachlan
Elizabeth McLachlan
Lucy Ann McLachlan
Amy McLachlan
Son: James McLachlan
Daughter: Margaret Forsythe
Executor: Wife Elizabeth McLachlan and Reverend Jethro Johnson
(also to be guardians of children under 21)
Colin left his estate to his wife. Upon her death, it was to be sold and divided equally among the children. His wife renounced her rights as executor on March 15, 1831; Isaac Clendenon & Abraham Crosson, witnesses. An inventory was filed and letters granted to Reverend Jethro Johnson on May 2, 1831.
The Rev. Jethro Johnson was Pastor of the United Baptist Churches of Hapsebah and Beulah and resided at West Fallowfield. He died on July 15, 1838, aged 70 and 2 months.
Article researched and written by Colin's fourth great grand-son Drew Techner. You can link to it, but it can't be reproduced or transmitted to anyone else without my permission.
Colin McLachlan was born in Inveraray, Argyle Scotland. Colin was the only son to Duncan McLachlan, a tailor, and his wife Mary Gillies. He had two younger sisters, Anne and Catherine.
The following inscription is printed on the flyleaf of Colin Mclachlan's family bible (published and sold by Kimber & Sharpless, No. 93 Market St., Philadelphia, 1824),
This Bible is the property of Colin Mclachlan who was born in Scotland, in the town of Inveraray and the Shir of Argyle. On the 13th of March (OS) 1750.
He is the only son of Duncan,
who was the only son of Lachlan,
who was the only son of Duncan,
who was the only son of Archibald,
who was the only son of Donald,
who was the third son of Donald McLachlan, first of the estate of Inishchonnel Lochow in the Shire of Argyle aforesaid, by his second wife, a daughter of Mr. Campbell of Inverleiver, all other branches of the family died & left no sons, agreeably to the new stile the above date will come on the 24th of March 1750."
I wrote to Tom McLachlan, genealogist of the Clan MacLachlan Society in England, about Colin and told him Colin wrote about his ancestors in his bible and stated that he was descendant from the estate of Inishchonnel Lochow. Tom McLachlan responded in a 16 October 1998 letter, "It is not surprising that an intelligent man [born] in 1750 could recite his genealogy. He was descendant from a proud family and had good reason to remember who they were. No doubt there were constant reminders about him in Inverary of his better-off cousins... After the death of Lachlan in 1746 [at the Battle of Culloden], the Duke [of Argyll] allowed Duncan McLachlan, tailor in Inverary, to take over the post. But he "reduced" the sasine and "restored" it to a Donald McLachlan as the nearest heir male to Lachlan. A sasine is an action giving legal possession of property and with the Captaincy of Innis Chonnell went the use of a good deal of land on the eastern shore of Loch Awe." My McLachlan ancestors had a castle there.
The history of Colin's ancestors is documented in the article, "The Senior MacLachlan families on the west side of Loch Fyne" found in the Spring 1994 issue (Chapter X) of CLAN LACHLAN. See this article for the history of the MacLachlan Captains of Innischonnell and the Maclachlans of Craiginterve. The basis for this article is found as a series of family charts on LDS microfilm roll no. 0196276. These charts were filmed by the Mormons in 1958 at Inveraray Castle by courtesy of the Duke of Argyll at the time. The chart was presumably compiled by an earlier Duke based on Argyllshire sasine records. Colin's father Duncan appears on the charts and his brief title as Captaincy of Innis Chonnell is noted.
According to recollections of Colin's oldest child Amy Johnson McLachlan, Colin was drafted by the British when he was 25 years old and came to America. This would calculate to 1775. Muster rolls in the British War Office list a Colin McLachlan joining the Royal Highland Watch; 42nd Regiment, or Royal Highland Regiment of Foot, also known as the "Black Watch" in 1775
Muster rolls show that Colin McLachlan enlisted 19 July 1775. He appears on a 24 July 1775 muster roll in Donaghadee, county Down, Ireland. The regiment was commanded by General Lord John Murray. Colin was in Alexander Donaldson's Company.
On 12 April 1776 the 42nd regiment marched from Glasgow to Greenock. Sometime between 14 April and 1 May 1776, the 42nd ("Blue Squadron") and Fraser' Highlanders 71st regiment ("White Squadron") left Greenock under General Howe to sail to America to quell the rebellion in the America. The transports separated in a gale of wind, but they all reached their destination in Staten Island, where the main body of the army had assembled.
Colin arrived in America with British troops on or about 2 - 3 August 1776.
While a member of the 42nd Regiment, Colin fought the following battles:
22 - 27 August 1776 Long Island and Brooklyn
14 - 16 September 1776 Harlem Heights
16 November 1776 Fort Washington
20 November 1776 Fort Lee
22 - 23 December 1776. Black Horse; Mount Holly, NJ
Colin McLachlan is listed as one of the "Casuals from 25th December 1776" on a 20 March 1777 42nd Regiment muster roll indicating illness or injury. However, this is from a March 20, 1778 Philadelphia muster return and should be referred to with caution as the Regiment may have been trying to conceal his capture and/or desertion in the Spring 1777, as mentioned further in this biography.
26 December 1776. The 42nd was stationed in Bordentown with Colonel von Donop's Hessian Brigade during the first Battle of Trenton.
29 December 1776, the 42nd moved to the outskirts of Maidenhead (Lawerenceville).
2 - 3 January 1777. The 42nd part with the von Donop Brigade in the skirmishes of the second Battle of Trenton.
5 January 1777. The 42nd took up winter quarters in Piscataway, NJ.
22 January 1777. Washington surprised and completely defeated the detachment of Hessians stationed at Trenton; the 42nd, who formed the left of the line of defense at Mount Holly, fell back on the light infantry at Princeton.
On January 24, 1777 Colin McLachlan was transferred to the Light Infantry.
During the remainder of the season the 42nd was stationed in the village of Pisquatua, on the line of communication between New York and Brunswick by Amboy. The duty was severe, from the rigor of the season and the want of accommodation. The houses in the village not being sufficient to contain one-half of the men, the officers and soldiers were intermixed in barns and sheds, and they always slept in their body-clothes, as the enemy were constantly sending down nocturnal parties to fire at the sentinels and picquets. The Americans, however, always kept at a respectful distance, and did not make any regular attack on the post till the 10th of May 1777…
30 April 1777 Colin appears on the records of the 42nd in a muster return completed at Piscataway, New Jersey (Captain Duncan McPherson's company). This muster contains the remark, "This muster is taken for 366 days from 25th Dec'r 1775 to 24th Dec'r 1776 both days inclusive."
Colin was either captured or deserted in May 1777 in the area of Piscatawaytown (Pisquata; now Edison), NJ. On May 10, 1777 American forces attacked the Black Watch at Piscataway. American forces used the element of surprise to attack British picquets. I believe that Colin McLachlan was either captured or deserted during this battles. Since Colin was in the "light infantry," he was most likely separated from the main body of the regiment in the forward or flank positions - most likely being used as "picket" or scout forces. I believe this meant he was more vulnerable to capture. It also afforded Colin the ability for desertion. I believe that Colin either deserted or was captured during the May 10, 1777 battle.
Here is the account of the May 10, 1777 battle of Piscataway from the Journal of Lieutenant Ebenezer Elmer:
"Saturday, May 10th. – This afternoon Gens. Stephens and Maxwell took about one-half the men at Quibbletown and Samptown, with a part of Cols. Cook's and Hendrick's Regiment, leaving the rest as a guard, and went to the picquets at Piscataway, where they had a considerable brush with the 71st Regiment of Scotch regulars, and made them retire, getting possession of some part of their quarters, when a reinforcement of the enemy coming from Bonhamtown forced them to retreat, taking with them some small matter of stores; the loss on our side was two killed, two or three taken prisoners, with a number wounded not yet ascertained. ‘T'was supposed by what they saw that the enemy had nearly 30 killed, beside the wounded. Our people did as much as was expected, not intending to attempt any thing more than to give them an alarm. The same time there came out a number from Amboy, we mustered and went in pursuit of them, but they retiring, we could not get one slap at them. The account above I had from Gen. Maxwell, who was present, and came and lodged with us all night.
Sunday, May 11th, 1777 – In the afternoon we were alarmed by our picquets, who discovered the enemy in Woodbridge, so the whole of our troops were got under arms and sent in pursuit of them, but they retired upon our advancing, and thus ended the fray (60)."
The following is an account of the May 10th battle from the British perspective:
On the 10th of May at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the American Generals, Maxwell and Stephens, attacked the Royal Highlanders with 2000 men. Advancing with great secrecy, and being completely covered by the nature of the country, their approach was not perceived till they rushed forward on a small level piece of ground in front of the picquets. These they attacked with such promptitude, that the men had hardly time to seize their arms. Notwithstanding this sudden and unexpected attack, they kept the enemy in check till the picquets in reserve came to their assistance. Pushing forward fresh numbers, the enemy became at length mixed with the picquets, who retired, disputing every foot, to afford more time to the regiment to turn out. The soldiers were less in readiness than the picquets, being all employed in different avocations, or taking the rest they could not enjoy at night. But the resistance made by the picquets allowed them time to assemble, and the enemy were driven back with great precipitation, leaving upwards of 200 men killed and wounded. The Highlanders, pursuing with great eagerness, were with difficulty recalled, and were only prevented by the approach of night from pushing on to attack the enemy's camp. The loss of the Highlanders was 3 sergeants and 9 privates killed; and Captain Duncan Macpherson, Lieutenant William Stewart, and 3 sergeants and 30 privates wounded. The lieutenant and 3 sergeants were disabled for life, as well as many of the men from the severe wounds naturally to be expected in such close fighting. Six sergeants, all men of the best conduct and character, were considered a great loss to the regiment. (Sketches of the Highlanders of Scotland, Vol I pps 381-2) (71).
The battle was reported in the Pennsylvania Gazette, which noted three British deserters on May 11, 1777.
Colin joined the regiment of Colonel Moses Hazen of the American Continental Line in May 1777 and served until his honorable discharge June 1783. Colin's Discharge papers, found in the U.S. National Archives, states that Colin enlisted in Captain James Heron's Company of General Hazen's regiment at Princeton, NJ on 27 May 1777. In his widow's pension papers she stated that Colin "held the rank of a sergeant all the time he was in the service."
In the pension papers of Colin's wife, she reported that Colin "held the rank of a sergeant all the time he was in the service and was a quarter master Clerk during a considerable portion of said time." Colin earned $10 a month as a Quartermaster Sergeant. Having been an infantry unit, all the sergeants, including Sergeant Major, made this same rate. Only one quartermaster sergeant was authorized for each regimental battalion as adopted 27 May 1778 (Appendix II, page 132, Trussell).
During his American service, Colin participated in the all the principal battles until the end of the war.
28 May 1777, the day after Colin's official entry into the American forces, was the opening move of the battle season for 1777. Washington's army marched 20 miles south to Middlebrook to be nearer Howe's probably line of march enroute to his likely objective of Philadelphia. Sullivan's command, including Hazen's regiment, arrived at Princeton by 1 June 1777.
During July and August 1777, Washington marched and countermarched his army across the plains of New Jersey and the North River in a confusing response to reports of the appearance, disappearance and reappearance of the British fleet. Washington was trying to protect both the Highlands and Philadelphia.
In his pension papers, Colin wrote, "I was in several skirmishes and engagements, such as surprising the enemy at Hanover in 1777 where severals of them were either killed or wounded, by only two small companies under the command of Captains Heron and Chambers, without the loss of any on our side." This was most likely late July or August 1777.
22 August 1777. Colin participated in the Battle of Staten Island, "...Staten Island (1777), where our Lt. Col. Antill , the above Capt. Heron with several others were taken prisoners."
Colin was transferred from Captain James Heron's Company to Captain Carlile's 8th Company on September (6th?), 1777.
11 September 1777. Battle of Brandywine. A battalion of 200 of Hazen's "Canadian Regiment" (also known as Congress's Own) was sent a mile north of Jones's Ford to cover Wistar's Ford. Another Hazen battalion of 200 men was posted at Buffington's Ford about a mile north of Wistar's Ford. Situated just below the forks of the Brandywine.
It is during this famous battle that Hazen's regiment and its commander distinguished itself to the admiration of Americans and British alike. A division commanded by General De Borre from France turned tail and ran off the battlefield when making contact with the British (De Borre was subsequently relieved of command and released from service). The following are accounts of this action:
Sullivan tried to rally the retreaters back into line to no avail. Hazen's "Canadian" regiment, in particular, kept their cool during the confusion. After stepping aside to let DeBorre's sprinting brigade aside, Hazen's men joined with two New Jersey regiments on the left of Stirling's division. They drove a group of on-rushing Hessian Grenadiers back from the top of Plowed Hill, a rise southwest of Birmingham Meeting House (Everest).
The regiments of Drayton, Ogden, and Hazen's "Congress' Own" stood firm on the left, while the resistance of Stirling and Stephens was highly creditable, the main defense being made by the centre, where Sullivan exhibited great personal courage, and doubtless by his example animated his men in their contest with an overwhelming force (75).
Interestingly, a BBC website reported, "It was during the retreat of Sullivan's men, that Colonel Moses Hazen's regiment, which was known as the 'Infernals', faced down Hessian forces that were three times their number. They fired volley after volley into the mercenaries and covered the retreat of Sullivan's men. At the same time they marched toward the Colonial forces of Alexander and Stephen. The British advance was halted by Alexander and Stephen, but with darkness falling and a third of the rebel forces routed from the field the Redcoats continued to probe for weaknesses. They found it on the flanks of the hill. On both the right and left flanks of Osborne Hill, the British poured hundreds of fresh troops into the fray. Out manned and outgunned, the rebels began to falter. Then they retreated in order with Hazen's 'Infernals' covering the withdrawal. During the fighting, the Colonial's youngest general Marquis de Lafayette was wounded in the leg."
Colin was transferred from Captain James Heron's Company to Captain Carlile's 8th Company on September (6th?), 1777.
Colin remembered, "I was in the platoon of the advanced party that first entered Germantown before the battle became general the morning of October 4th, 1777."
He was awarded the Badge of Military Merit. He then settled in Octararo Hundreds, Maryland. He married (at least his second marriage) in October 1810 an Elizabeth Morton (widow of Sullivan) at Old St. George's Church in Philadelphia. He then settled in Chester City. In 1829 he moved to West Fallowfield, Chester Co., Pa. He died on the day of a major snowstorn. He was a schoolmaster all his life following his military service.
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Letter sent by Colin McLachlan to the Secretary of War in 1820 (National Archives Pension File):
Honoured Sir,
I hope you will not be offended at the liberty I have taken in writing to you in consequence of the pension being withheld from me by the last arrangement.
I should not indeed have troubled you, if neccesity were not the principal cause, and my circumstance will not admit of travelling that distance and appearing in person. But if Mr. Secretary was rightly informed of my circumstances, in general I am almost certain he would not withdraw the pension from me. I need not mention Sir that I served six years and one month in the revolutionary war, in brigadier Gen'l Hazen's regiment and was honourably discharged at the close thereof, as may be seen by the said discharge, sent to the war office in April 1818, during which time I was in several skirmishes and engagements, such as surprising the enemy at Hanover in 1777 where severals of them were either killed or wounded, by only two small companies under the command of Captains Heron and Chambers, without the loss of any on our side; as likewise on Staten island, where our Lt. Col. Antil, the above Capt. Heron with several others were taken prisoners, but the most principals were the battles of Brandywine and Germantown; and the siege of York, where I was wounded in the hand by a piece of shell and where the above Lt. Col. Antil presented me with the General's thanks for my conduct at the storming of one of the enemy's batteries in the night, and that I should be remembered for it; but however I have been forgot. Since that time I have had troubles and misfortunes enough, until I married about ten years ago my present wife, then a widow, and whose uncle {1} left her this piece of land whereon we now dwell, containing six acres and 30 perches of very poor land, including roads, and which was valued by the last returns at 350 dollars. Now sir there is not on the place, a stick of wood, nor a drop of water, but has to go to a neighbour's some distance off for our water, not being able to pay for the digging of a well besides I had to borrow on mortgage from a John Talbot 250 dollars for the purpose of building a log dwelling house and some other repairs on the place, and I do not know now, when it may be taken from me, and probably would ere now if I had not received the pension agreeable to act of Congress of March 1818, which enabled me to pay the interest of that money, and if the pension is with-held from me now, I shall undoubtedly lose the place, for I shall never be able to redeem it, nor even to pay the interest, and of course I and my family will be thrown on the county: for there are six of us in family as has been formerly transmitted to you; and through the infirmities of old age (being upwards of 70) and the weakness of my wounded hand together, I am not able to do any manner of work, and trade I have none.
I have no horse and have therefore to give out one third of the land yearly on the shares, or hire the working of it, and when this is done my share of the produce will not bread my family six months.
I have all along strove to earn something by attending a small school in the country (although but a poor English scholar) but my hearing has become so imperfect within a few years that my school is very much reduced on account of it that I cannot now calculate on more than eight scholars, at two dollars and a half each per quarter, and I have no prospect of any more, as severals have taken away their children and sent to schools at a greater distance merely on account of my hearing.
It takes from me at least twenty dollars a year to keep up the fences; for the place being on the forks of two roads, I have to keep up 154 pannels of road fence, and 53 of a division fence with two inside fences the one 25 the other 26 pannels making in all 258 pannels, for which I have all the posts and rails to buy: Now Sir, taking the interest of the mortgage money, taxes and repairs out of my schooling, and I have not 50 dollars a year left to feed and clothe my family, and it is a notorious truth, that if I should rent out the land, and keep the house to dwell in for my family, I could not get above twenty dollars a year for it: and by all appearance I shall have to quit teaching soon, or the scholars will all quit me, as they have been gradually dropping off for some time until they are now reduced to the small number above mentioned.
It is true I have some small crazey furniture that were my wife's before we were married, yet not one feather bed among them, nor any article that I could part with to procure wherewithal to satisfy the cravings of hunger but a very short time. I have a cow that will give the children some milk for a short time, and probably I may have a little pork to help along through the winter, but still not sufficient wherewithal to live comfortable, and to provide clothing to secure us from the inclemency of cold weather, or to purchase firewood for the winter season.
Now, if Mr. Secretary will please to consider all of the above circumstances, vis my long and faithful service in defence of liberty and my wound received in consequence thereof, my inability to labour, my helpless family, my small income, and the probability of losing a home, and turned out of doors, without some assistance, I think he will not hesitate in transferring a certificate for my pension as heretofore, and he will have the thanks and prayers of grateful hearts and devout minds for his present and future happenings, while I subscribe myself his humble supplicant and servant
Colin McLachlan
Chester Delaware County Pennsyla
November the 25th, 1820
The Secretary of war.
Delaware County
I Benjamin Pearson Esquire Recorder of Deeds in and for said County do certify that there is an unsatisfied Mortgage recorded in (seal) the said office from Colin McLachlan & Wife to John Talbot dated Sep. 16, 1817 to secure the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars. Witness my hand and seal of office at Chester the Twenty-fifth day of November A. D. 1820.
Benj.n Pearson
Rec'd
It should have been observed in the within letter that the stove mentioned in the return made the 25th July was purchased out of my pension in Sept. 1819 as likewise the pigs; and the cow valued at 13 dolls was bought of a Joseph Johnson the 6th of June last to be paid in the fall expecting to pay her out of my pension in Sept. therefore being disappointed in that, the remains yet unpaid; that I returned the place then rentable at 20 dollars, but now I am offered only 10 dollars the season for it, as it cannot bear a double crop.
Decr 25th 1820 C. M'L
Petition
Colin McLachlan
1821
To The Honourable
The petition of Colin Mclachlan of Chester township Delaware county and State of Pennsylvania.
Respectfully sheweth that your petitioner served six years and one month in the revolutionary war, the whole of the time a sergeant in Brigadier Gen'l Hazen's regiment and was honourably discharged at the close of the war in 1783, as may be seen by the said discharge which was sent to the secretary of war the 11th of April 1818: which discharge is signed by his Excellency Gen'l Washington and counter-signed by Gen'l Hazen certifying that your petitioner was entitled to wear the badge of merit for his faithful service that during the said time he has been in several skirmishes and engagements with the enemy, besides the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and the siege of York where he was wounded in the hand by a piece of a shell; that he is now old and infirm (being almost 71 years) not able to do any manner of manual service, on account of his infirmities and his wound together, that he has a wife upwards of 45 years of age; and four children, the eldest of whom is only a few months over nine years old; that he had received a pension agreeably to the resolution of Congress of March 1818 but by the last arrangement was with-held from him, that a schedule of his effects was sent to the war office the 25th of last July, that in the said schedule is mentioned, a stove, three pigs, and a cow; the stove and pigs your petitioner bought out of his pension in September 1819, the cow he purchased of a Joseph Johnson for thirteen dollars the 6th of June to be paid in the fall, expecting to have paid her out of the pension in September, but is not yet paid for, being disappointed of his pension, and it is likely he will have to sell her again to make up her price, and so deprive his children of the comfort of a little milk for their nourishment: that the six acres of land returned in the said schedule was left his wife by an uncle, and the small furniture was hers also before marriage, she being a widow. That the said land was valued at $350 dollars; and that there is a bond and mortgage on it to John Talbot for 250 dollars, that the place is very poor, and has neither a stick of wood thereon, or a drop of water, but has to go to neighbours some distance off for water, not being able to dig a well: there is no meadow or orchard on the place, there is 154 pannels of road fence, with a division and other fences to be kept up, making in all 258 pannels, for which all the posts and rails must be purchased, that your petitioner is not able to keep a horse, therefore whatever is raised on the place, the one half goes for the labour, consequently the half of what grows upon two acres of poor land without manure is but a small trifle, (which is all can be cultivated in one season) that your petitioner has all along strove to make a living by teaching in public school-houses in the country, but his hearing has become so imperfect of late years, that he his now reduced to attend to only about seven or eight scholars in his own house at 2 1/2 dollars per quarter. That your petitioner applied to Capt. William Anderson in 1817 being then a member of Congress to present a memorial to that honourable body for a pension for him, which he should not have done if he had not been in indigent circumstances, however Capt. Anderson differed to make any application at that time, as it appeared that Congress was then about making provision for the revolutionary soldiers.
That your petitioner wrote to the secretary of war the 25th of November last setting forth his circumstances, but whether through multiplicity of (?) , it has been over-looked, that no answer was returned. That upon the whole your petitioner is not able to make a living for his family, not to mention clothing and firewood, to make them comfortable; besides the certainty of losing a home, and thrown on the county, as he will never be able to redeem the place, or even to pay the interest of the mortgage without some assistance, for when the taxes, the expences of keeping up the fences, and the interest is taken out of his small (?) of schooling, he has not 40 dollars a year left, and the land if rented will hardly draw 12 dollars a year, besides your petitioner will have to quit teaching soon, in account of his hearing, or the five scholars he now has will soon leave him.
Your petitioner therefore pray that your honourable body will take into consideration , his long and faithful service in support of independence, his advanced age with the infirmities incident thereto, and the effect of his wound together, his helpless family, and his small income, (even if the place was free of incumbrence) and if your honours will see onect to grant him his pension, as heretofore, your petitioner will for ever pray Colin McLachlan
Chester, Delaware county
Sept. 17th 1821
Delaware County
Pennsylvania
I Benjamin Pearson Recorder of Deeds in and for said County do certify that a Mortgage Deed from Colin (seal) Mclachlan & Elizabeth his Wife to John Talbot stated the Eleventh day of September A.D. 1817 To secure the payment of two hundred & fifty dollars was recorded in the said office on the day of the date thereof - and that the same remains unsatisfied - Witness my hand & seal of office at Chester the Seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one.
Benj.n Parseon
Rec'd
We the undersigners do certify that we are personally acquainted with the petitioner Colin McLachlan and his circumstances in general, and we truly say that what is set forth in the within petition is the truth, and that he is not able to support his family without a pension or some other assistance from the public: witness our hands this 20th day of January 1821.
Joseph Weaver Rich Flower
William Karlin Jos. Engle
J. W. Flower John Caldwell
Jonas Dyre
Samuel Lungren
Highlights of the will of Collin McLachlan located in the Chester County Archives in West Chester:
Residence: West Fallowfield Township (Chester County):
File number: 8621
Book page 16, no. 365
Dated: January 10, 1831 (deed; Israel Stroud and James H. Barry, witnesses)
Proved: May 2, 1831
Wife: Elizabeth - given plantation. If she die, to be rented until youngest child is 21
Children: Maria McCoy
Daniel M. Sullivan
Joseph Sullivan
William Sullivan
Martin Sullivan
George McLachlan
Samuel McLachlan
Elizabeth McLachlan
Lucy Ann McLachlan
Amy McLachlan
Son: James McLachlan
Daughter: Margaret Forsythe
Executor: Wife Elizabeth McLachlan and Reverend Jethro Johnson
(also to be guardians of children under 21)
Colin left his estate to his wife. Upon her death, it was to be sold and divided equally among the children. His wife renounced her rights as executor on March 15, 1831; Isaac Clendenon & Abraham Crosson, witnesses. An inventory was filed and letters granted to Reverend Jethro Johnson on May 2, 1831.
The Rev. Jethro Johnson was Pastor of the United Baptist Churches of Hapsebah and Beulah and resided at West Fallowfield. He died on July 15, 1838, aged 70 and 2 months.
Article researched and written by Colin's fourth great grand-son Drew Techner. You can link to it, but it can't be reproduced or transmitted to anyone else without my permission.
The following inscription is printed on the flyleaf of Colin Mclachlan's family bible (published and sold by Kimber & Sharpless, No. 93 Market St., Philadelphia, 1824),
This Bible is the property of Colin Mclachlan who was born in Scotland, in the town of Inveraray and the Shir of Argyle. On the 13th of March (OS) 1750.
He is the only son of Duncan,
who was the only son of Lachlan,
who was the only son of Duncan,
who was the only son of Archibald,
who was the only son of Donald,
who was the third son of Donald McLachlan, first of the estate of Inishchonnel Lochow in the Shire of Argyle aforesaid, by his second wife, a daughter of Mr. Campbell of Inverleiver, all other branches of the family died & left no sons, agreeably to the new stile the above date will come on the 24th of March 1750."
I wrote to Tom McLachlan, genealogist of the Clan MacLachlan Society in England, about Colin and told him Colin wrote about his ancestors in his bible and stated that he was descendant from the estate of Inishchonnel Lochow. Tom McLachlan responded in a 16 October 1998 letter, "It is not surprising that an intelligent man [born] in 1750 could recite his genealogy. He was descendant from a proud family and had good reason to remember who they were. No doubt there were constant reminders about him in Inverary of his better-off cousins... After the death of Lachlan in 1746 [at the Battle of Culloden], the Duke [of Argyll] allowed Duncan McLachlan, tailor in Inverary, to take over the post. But he "reduced" the sasine and "restored" it to a Donald McLachlan as the nearest heir male to Lachlan. A sasine is an action giving legal possession of property and with the Captaincy of Innis Chonnell went the use of a good deal of land on the eastern shore of Loch Awe." My McLachlan ancestors had a castle there.
The history of Colin's ancestors is documented in the article, "The Senior MacLachlan families on the west side of Loch Fyne" found in the Spring 1994 issue (Chapter X) of CLAN LACHLAN. See this article for the history of the MacLachlan Captains of Innischonnell and the Maclachlans of Craiginterve. The basis for this article is found as a series of family charts on LDS microfilm roll no. 0196276. These charts were filmed by the Mormons in 1958 at Inveraray Castle by courtesy of the Duke of Argyll at the time. The chart was presumably compiled by an earlier Duke based on Argyllshire sasine records. Colin's father Duncan appears on the charts and his brief title as Captaincy of Innis Chonnell is noted.
According to recollections of Colin's oldest child Amy Johnson McLachlan, Colin was drafted by the British when he was 25 years old and came to America. This would calculate to 1775. Muster rolls in the British War Office list a Colin McLachlan joining the Royal Highland Watch; 42nd Regiment, or Royal Highland Regiment of Foot, also known as the "Black Watch" in 1775
Muster rolls show that Colin McLachlan enlisted 19 July 1775. He appears on a 24 July 1775 muster roll in Donaghadee, county Down, Ireland. The regiment was commanded by General Lord John Murray. Colin was in Alexander Donaldson's Company.
On 12 April 1776 the 42nd regiment marched from Glasgow to Greenock. Sometime between 14 April and 1 May 1776, the 42nd ("Blue Squadron") and Fraser' Highlanders 71st regiment ("White Squadron") left Greenock under General Howe to sail to America to quell the rebellion in the America. The transports separated in a gale of wind, but they all reached their destination in Staten Island, where the main body of the army had assembled.
Colin arrived in America with British troops on or about 2 - 3 August 1776.
While a member of the 42nd Regiment, Colin fought the following battles:
22 - 27 August 1776 Long Island and Brooklyn
14 - 16 September 1776 Harlem Heights
16 November 1776 Fort Washington
20 November 1776 Fort Lee
22 - 23 December 1776. Black Horse; Mount Holly, NJ
Colin McLachlan is listed as one of the "Casuals from 25th December 1776" on a 20 March 1777 42nd Regiment muster roll indicating illness or injury. However, this is from a March 20, 1778 Philadelphia muster return and should be referred to with caution as the Regiment may have been trying to conceal his capture and/or desertion in the Spring 1777, as mentioned further in this biography.
26 December 1776. The 42nd was stationed in Bordentown with Colonel von Donop's Hessian Brigade during the first Battle of Trenton.
29 December 1776, the 42nd moved to the outskirts of Maidenhead (Lawerenceville).
2 - 3 January 1777. The 42nd part with the von Donop Brigade in the skirmishes of the second Battle of Trenton.
5 January 1777. The 42nd took up winter quarters in Piscataway, NJ.
22 January 1777. Washington surprised and completely defeated the detachment of Hessians stationed at Trenton; the 42nd, who formed the left of the line of defense at Mount Holly, fell back on the light infantry at Princeton.
On January 24, 1777 Colin McLachlan was transferred to the Light Infantry.
During the remainder of the season the 42nd was stationed in the village of Pisquatua, on the line of communication between New York and Brunswick by Amboy. The duty was severe, from the rigor of the season and the want of accommodation. The houses in the village not being sufficient to contain one-half of the men, the officers and soldiers were intermixed in barns and sheds, and they always slept in their body-clothes, as the enemy were constantly sending down nocturnal parties to fire at the sentinels and picquets. The Americans, however, always kept at a respectful distance, and did not make any regular attack on the post till the 10th of May 1777…
30 April 1777 Colin appears on the records of the 42nd in a muster return completed at Piscataway, New Jersey (Captain Duncan McPherson's company). This muster contains the remark, "This muster is taken for 366 days from 25th Dec'r 1775 to 24th Dec'r 1776 both days inclusive."
Colin was either captured or deserted in May 1777 in the area of Piscatawaytown (Pisquata; now Edison), NJ. On May 10, 1777 American forces attacked the Black Watch at Piscataway. American forces used the element of surprise to attack British picquets. I believe that Colin McLachlan was either captured or deserted during this battles. Since Colin was in the "light infantry," he was most likely separated from the main body of the regiment in the forward or flank positions - most likely being used as "picket" or scout forces. I believe this meant he was more vulnerable to capture. It also afforded Colin the ability for desertion. I believe that Colin either deserted or was captured during the May 10, 1777 battle.
Here is the account of the May 10, 1777 battle of Piscataway from the Journal of Lieutenant Ebenezer Elmer:
"Saturday, May 10th. – This afternoon Gens. Stephens and Maxwell took about one-half the men at Quibbletown and Samptown, with a part of Cols. Cook's and Hendrick's Regiment, leaving the rest as a guard, and went to the picquets at Piscataway, where they had a considerable brush with the 71st Regiment of Scotch regulars, and made them retire, getting possession of some part of their quarters, when a reinforcement of the enemy coming from Bonhamtown forced them to retreat, taking with them some small matter of stores; the loss on our side was two killed, two or three taken prisoners, with a number wounded not yet ascertained. ‘T'was supposed by what they saw that the enemy had nearly 30 killed, beside the wounded. Our people did as much as was expected, not intending to attempt any thing more than to give them an alarm. The same time there came out a number from Amboy, we mustered and went in pursuit of them, but they retiring, we could not get one slap at them. The account above I had from Gen. Maxwell, who was present, and came and lodged with us all night.
Sunday, May 11th, 1777 – In the afternoon we were alarmed by our picquets, who discovered the enemy in Woodbridge, so the whole of our troops were got under arms and sent in pursuit of them, but they retired upon our advancing, and thus ended the fray (60)."
The following is an account of the May 10th battle from the British perspective:
On the 10th of May at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the American Generals, Maxwell and Stephens, attacked the Royal Highlanders with 2000 men. Advancing with great secrecy, and being completely covered by the nature of the country, their approach was not perceived till they rushed forward on a small level piece of ground in front of the picquets. These they attacked with such promptitude, that the men had hardly time to seize their arms. Notwithstanding this sudden and unexpected attack, they kept the enemy in check till the picquets in reserve came to their assistance. Pushing forward fresh numbers, the enemy became at length mixed with the picquets, who retired, disputing every foot, to afford more time to the regiment to turn out. The soldiers were less in readiness than the picquets, being all employed in different avocations, or taking the rest they could not enjoy at night. But the resistance made by the picquets allowed them time to assemble, and the enemy were driven back with great precipitation, leaving upwards of 200 men killed and wounded. The Highlanders, pursuing with great eagerness, were with difficulty recalled, and were only prevented by the approach of night from pushing on to attack the enemy's camp. The loss of the Highlanders was 3 sergeants and 9 privates killed; and Captain Duncan Macpherson, Lieutenant William Stewart, and 3 sergeants and 30 privates wounded. The lieutenant and 3 sergeants were disabled for life, as well as many of the men from the severe wounds naturally to be expected in such close fighting. Six sergeants, all men of the best conduct and character, were considered a great loss to the regiment. (Sketches of the Highlanders of Scotland, Vol I pps 381-2) (71).
The battle was reported in the Pennsylvania Gazette, which noted three British deserters on May 11, 1777.
Colin joined the regiment of Colonel Moses Hazen of the American Continental Line in May 1777 and served until his honorable discharge June 1783. Colin's Discharge papers, found in the U.S. National Archives, states that Colin enlisted in Captain James Heron's Company of General Hazen's regiment at Princeton, NJ on 27 May 1777. In his widow's pension papers she stated that Colin "held the rank of a sergeant all the time he was in the service."
In the pension papers of Colin's wife, she reported that Colin "held the rank of a sergeant all the time he was in the service and was a quarter master Clerk during a considerable portion of said time." Colin earned $10 a month as a Quartermaster Sergeant. Having been an infantry unit, all the sergeants, including Sergeant Major, made this same rate. Only one quartermaster sergeant was authorized for each regimental battalion as adopted 27 May 1778 (Appendix II, page 132, Trussell).
During his American service, Colin participated in the all the principal battles until the end of the war.
28 May 1777, the day after Colin's official entry into the American forces, was the opening move of the battle season for 1777. Washington's army marched 20 miles south to Middlebrook to be nearer Howe's probably line of march enroute to his likely objective of Philadelphia. Sullivan's command, including Hazen's regiment, arrived at Princeton by 1 June 1777.
During July and August 1777, Washington marched and countermarched his army across the plains of New Jersey and the North River in a confusing response to reports of the appearance, disappearance and reappearance of the British fleet. Washington was trying to protect both the Highlands and Philadelphia.
In his pension papers, Colin wrote, "I was in several skirmishes and engagements, such as surprising the enemy at Hanover in 1777 where severals of them were either killed or wounded, by only two small companies under the command of Captains Heron and Chambers, without the loss of any on our side." This was most likely late July or August 1777.
22 August 1777. Colin participated in the Battle of Staten Island, "...Staten Island (1777), where our Lt. Col. Antill , the above Capt. Heron with several others were taken prisoners."
Colin was transferred from Captain James Heron's Company to Captain Carlile's 8th Company on September (6th?), 1777.
11 September 1777. Battle of Brandywine. A battalion of 200 of Hazen's "Canadian Regiment" (also known as Congress's Own) was sent a mile north of Jones's Ford to cover Wistar's Ford. Another Hazen battalion of 200 men was posted at Buffington's Ford about a mile north of Wistar's Ford. Situated just below the forks of the Brandywine.
It is during this famous battle that Hazen's regiment and its commander distinguished itself to the admiration of Americans and British alike. A division commanded by General De Borre from France turned tail and ran off the battlefield when making contact with the British (De Borre was subsequently relieved of command and released from service). The following are accounts of this action:
Sullivan tried to rally the retreaters back into line to no avail. Hazen's "Canadian" regiment, in particular, kept their cool during the confusion. After stepping aside to let DeBorre's sprinting brigade aside, Hazen's men joined with two New Jersey regiments on the left of Stirling's division. They drove a group of on-rushing Hessian Grenadiers back from the top of Plowed Hill, a rise southwest of Birmingham Meeting House (Everest).
The regiments of Drayton, Ogden, and Hazen's "Congress' Own" stood firm on the left, while the resistance of Stirling and Stephens was highly creditable, the main defense being made by the centre, where Sullivan exhibited great personal courage, and doubtless by his example animated his men in their contest with an overwhelming force (75).
Interestingly, a BBC website reported, "It was during the retreat of Sullivan's men, that Colonel Moses Hazen's regiment, which was known as the 'Infernals', faced down Hessian forces that were three times their number. They fired volley after volley into the mercenaries and covered the retreat of Sullivan's men. At the same time they marched toward the Colonial forces of Alexander and Stephen. The British advance was halted by Alexander and Stephen, but with darkness falling and a third of the rebel forces routed from the field the Redcoats continued to probe for weaknesses. They found it on the flanks of the hill. On both the right and left flanks of Osborne Hill, the British poured hundreds of fresh troops into the fray. Out manned and outgunned, the rebels began to falter. Then they retreated in order with Hazen's 'Infernals' covering the withdrawal. During the fighting, the Colonial's youngest general Marquis de Lafayette was wounded in the leg."
Colin was transferred from Captain James Heron's Company to Captain Carlile's 8th Company on September (6th?), 1777.
Colin remembered, "I was in the platoon of the advanced party that first entered Germantown before the battle became general the morning of October 4th, 1777."
He was awarded the Badge of Military Merit. He then settled in Octararo Hundreds, Maryland. He married (at least his second marriage) in October 1810 an Elizabeth Morton (widow of Sullivan) at Old St. George's Church in Philadelphia. He then settled in Chester City. In 1829 he moved to West Fallowfield, Chester Co., Pa. He died on the day of a major snowstorn. He was a schoolmaster all his life following his military service.
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Letter sent by Colin McLachlan to the Secretary of War in 1820 (National Archives Pension File):
Honoured Sir,
I hope you will not be offended at the liberty I have taken in writing to you in consequence of the pension being withheld from me by the last arrangement.
I should not indeed have troubled you, if neccesity were not the principal cause, and my circumstance will not admit of travelling that distance and appearing in person. But if Mr. Secretary was rightly informed of my circumstances, in general I am almost certain he would not withdraw the pension from me. I need not mention Sir that I served six years and one month in the revolutionary war, in brigadier Gen'l Hazen's regiment and was honourably discharged at the close thereof, as may be seen by the said discharge, sent to the war office in April 1818, during which time I was in several skirmishes and engagements, such as surprising the enemy at Hanover in 1777 where severals of them were either killed or wounded, by only two small companies under the command of Captains Heron and Chambers, without the loss of any on our side; as likewise on Staten island, where our Lt. Col. Antil, the above Capt. Heron with several others were taken prisoners, but the most principals were the battles of Brandywine and Germantown; and the siege of York, where I was wounded in the hand by a piece of shell and where the above Lt. Col. Antil presented me with the General's thanks for my conduct at the storming of one of the enemy's batteries in the night, and that I should be remembered for it; but however I have been forgot. Since that time I have had troubles and misfortunes enough, until I married about ten years ago my present wife, then a widow, and whose uncle {1} left her this piece of land whereon we now dwell, containing six acres and 30 perches of very poor land, including roads, and which was valued by the last returns at 350 dollars. Now sir there is not on the place, a stick of wood, nor a drop of water, but has to go to a neighbour's some distance off for our water, not being able to pay for the digging of a well besides I had to borrow on mortgage from a John Talbot 250 dollars for the purpose of building a log dwelling house and some other repairs on the place, and I do not know now, when it may be taken from me, and probably would ere now if I had not received the pension agreeable to act of Congress of March 1818, which enabled me to pay the interest of that money, and if the pension is with-held from me now, I shall undoubtedly lose the place, for I shall never be able to redeem it, nor even to pay the interest, and of course I and my family will be thrown on the county: for there are six of us in family as has been formerly transmitted to you; and through the infirmities of old age (being upwards of 70) and the weakness of my wounded hand together, I am not able to do any manner of work, and trade I have none.
I have no horse and have therefore to give out one third of the land yearly on the shares, or hire the working of it, and when this is done my share of the produce will not bread my family six months.
I have all along strove to earn something by attending a small school in the country (although but a poor English scholar) but my hearing has become so imperfect within a few years that my school is very much reduced on account of it that I cannot now calculate on more than eight scholars, at two dollars and a half each per quarter, and I have no prospect of any more, as severals have taken away their children and sent to schools at a greater distance merely on account of my hearing.
It takes from me at least twenty dollars a year to keep up the fences; for the place being on the forks of two roads, I have to keep up 154 pannels of road fence, and 53 of a division fence with two inside fences the one 25 the other 26 pannels making in all 258 pannels, for which I have all the posts and rails to buy: Now Sir, taking the interest of the mortgage money, taxes and repairs out of my schooling, and I have not 50 dollars a year left to feed and clothe my family, and it is a notorious truth, that if I should rent out the land, and keep the house to dwell in for my family, I could not get above twenty dollars a year for it: and by all appearance I shall have to quit teaching soon, or the scholars will all quit me, as they have been gradually dropping off for some time until they are now reduced to the small number above mentioned.
It is true I have some small crazey furniture that were my wife's before we were married, yet not one feather bed among them, nor any article that I could part with to procure wherewithal to satisfy the cravings of hunger but a very short time. I have a cow that will give the children some milk for a short time, and probably I may have a little pork to help along through the winter, but still not sufficient wherewithal to live comfortable, and to provide clothing to secure us from the inclemency of cold weather, or to purchase firewood for the winter season.
Now, if Mr. Secretary will please to consider all of the above circumstances, vis my long and faithful service in defence of liberty and my wound received in consequence thereof, my inability to labour, my helpless family, my small income, and the probability of losing a home, and turned out of doors, without some assistance, I think he will not hesitate in transferring a certificate for my pension as heretofore, and he will have the thanks and prayers of grateful hearts and devout minds for his present and future happenings, while I subscribe myself his humble supplicant and servant
Colin McLachlan
Chester Delaware County Pennsyla
November the 25th, 1820
The Secretary of war.
Delaware County
I Benjamin Pearson Esquire Recorder of Deeds in and for said County do certify that there is an unsatisfied Mortgage recorded in (seal) the said office from Colin McLachlan & Wife to John Talbot dated Sep. 16, 1817 to secure the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars. Witness my hand and seal of office at Chester the Twenty-fifth day of November A. D. 1820.
Benj.n Pearson
Rec'd
It should have been observed in the within letter that the stove mentioned in the return made the 25th July was purchased out of my pension in Sept. 1819 as likewise the pigs; and the cow valued at 13 dolls was bought of a Joseph Johnson the 6th of June last to be paid in the fall expecting to pay her out of my pension in Sept. therefore being disappointed in that, the remains yet unpaid; that I returned the place then rentable at 20 dollars, but now I am offered only 10 dollars the season for it, as it cannot bear a double crop.
Decr 25th 1820 C. M'L
Petition
Colin McLachlan
1821
To The Honourable
The petition of Colin Mclachlan of Chester township Delaware county and State of Pennsylvania.
Respectfully sheweth that your petitioner served six years and one month in the revolutionary war, the whole of the time a sergeant in Brigadier Gen'l Hazen's regiment and was honourably discharged at the close of the war in 1783, as may be seen by the said discharge which was sent to the secretary of war the 11th of April 1818: which discharge is signed by his Excellency Gen'l Washington and counter-signed by Gen'l Hazen certifying that your petitioner was entitled to wear the badge of merit for his faithful service that during the said time he has been in several skirmishes and engagements with the enemy, besides the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and the siege of York where he was wounded in the hand by a piece of a shell; that he is now old and infirm (being almost 71 years) not able to do any manner of manual service, on account of his infirmities and his wound together, that he has a wife upwards of 45 years of age; and four children, the eldest of whom is only a few months over nine years old; that he had received a pension agreeably to the resolution of Congress of March 1818 but by the last arrangement was with-held from him, that a schedule of his effects was sent to the war office the 25th of last July, that in the said schedule is mentioned, a stove, three pigs, and a cow; the stove and pigs your petitioner bought out of his pension in September 1819, the cow he purchased of a Joseph Johnson for thirteen dollars the 6th of June to be paid in the fall, expecting to have paid her out of the pension in September, but is not yet paid for, being disappointed of his pension, and it is likely he will have to sell her again to make up her price, and so deprive his children of the comfort of a little milk for their nourishment: that the six acres of land returned in the said schedule was left his wife by an uncle, and the small furniture was hers also before marriage, she being a widow. That the said land was valued at $350 dollars; and that there is a bond and mortgage on it to John Talbot for 250 dollars, that the place is very poor, and has neither a stick of wood thereon, or a drop of water, but has to go to neighbours some distance off for water, not being able to dig a well: there is no meadow or orchard on the place, there is 154 pannels of road fence, with a division and other fences to be kept up, making in all 258 pannels, for which all the posts and rails must be purchased, that your petitioner is not able to keep a horse, therefore whatever is raised on the place, the one half goes for the labour, consequently the half of what grows upon two acres of poor land without manure is but a small trifle, (which is all can be cultivated in one season) that your petitioner has all along strove to make a living by teaching in public school-houses in the country, but his hearing has become so imperfect of late years, that he his now reduced to attend to only about seven or eight scholars in his own house at 2 1/2 dollars per quarter. That your petitioner applied to Capt. William Anderson in 1817 being then a member of Congress to present a memorial to that honourable body for a pension for him, which he should not have done if he had not been in indigent circumstances, however Capt. Anderson differed to make any application at that time, as it appeared that Congress was then about making provision for the revolutionary soldiers.
That your petitioner wrote to the secretary of war the 25th of November last setting forth his circumstances, but whether through multiplicity of (?) , it has been over-looked, that no answer was returned. That upon the whole your petitioner is not able to make a living for his family, not to mention clothing and firewood, to make them comfortable; besides the certainty of losing a home, and thrown on the county, as he will never be able to redeem the place, or even to pay the interest of the mortgage without some assistance, for when the taxes, the expences of keeping up the fences, and the interest is taken out of his small (?) of schooling, he has not 40 dollars a year left, and the land if rented will hardly draw 12 dollars a year, besides your petitioner will have to quit teaching soon, in account of his hearing, or the five scholars he now has will soon leave him.
Your petitioner therefore pray that your honourable body will take into consideration , his long and faithful service in support of independence, his advanced age with the infirmities incident thereto, and the effect of his wound together, his helpless family, and his small income, (even if the place was free of incumbrence) and if your honours will see onect to grant him his pension, as heretofore, your petitioner will for ever pray Colin McLachlan
Chester, Delaware county
Sept. 17th 1821
Delaware County
Pennsylvania
I Benjamin Pearson Recorder of Deeds in and for said County do certify that a Mortgage Deed from Colin (seal) Mclachlan & Elizabeth his Wife to John Talbot stated the Eleventh day of September A.D. 1817 To secure the payment of two hundred & fifty dollars was recorded in the said office on the day of the date thereof - and that the same remains unsatisfied - Witness my hand & seal of office at Chester the Seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one.
Benj.n Parseon
Rec'd
We the undersigners do certify that we are personally acquainted with the petitioner Colin McLachlan and his circumstances in general, and we truly say that what is set forth in the within petition is the truth, and that he is not able to support his family without a pension or some other assistance from the public: witness our hands this 20th day of January 1821.
Joseph Weaver Rich Flower
William Karlin Jos. Engle
J. W. Flower John Caldwell
Jonas Dyre
Samuel Lungren
Highlights of the will of Collin McLachlan located in the Chester County Archives in West Chester:
Residence: West Fallowfield Township (Chester County):
File number: 8621
Book page 16, no. 365
Dated: January 10, 1831 (deed; Israel Stroud and James H. Barry, witnesses)
Proved: May 2, 1831
Wife: Elizabeth - given plantation. If she die, to be rented until youngest child is 21
Children: Maria McCoy
Daniel M. Sullivan
Joseph Sullivan
William Sullivan
Martin Sullivan
George McLachlan
Samuel McLachlan
Elizabeth McLachlan
Lucy Ann McLachlan
Amy McLachlan
Son: James McLachlan
Daughter: Margaret Forsythe
Executor: Wife Elizabeth McLachlan and Reverend Jethro Johnson
(also to be guardians of children under 21)
Colin left his estate to his wife. Upon her death, it was to be sold and divided equally among the children. His wife renounced her rights as executor on March 15, 1831; Isaac Clendenon & Abraham Crosson, witnesses. An inventory was filed and letters granted to Reverend Jethro Johnson on May 2, 1831.
The Rev. Jethro Johnson was Pastor of the United Baptist Churches of Hapsebah and Beulah and resided at West Fallowfield. He died on July 15, 1838, aged 70 and 2 months.
Article researched and written by Colin's fourth great grand-son Drew Techner. You can link to it, but it can't be reproduced or transmitted to anyone else without my permission.
