Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution

09/11/2026

249 years ago; September 11, 1777 – The Battle of Brandywine
Today is the anniversary of the largest single-day land battle of the American Revolution, fought right here in Chadds Ford. Over 26,000 troops clashed in a brutal 11-hour engagement as General George Washington attempted to block the British advance on Philadelphia. Though outflanked and forced to retreat, the Continental Army’s resilience and unity endured. This battle tested the strength and fortitude of the young Continental Army, but it did not discourage their fight for freedom.

Join us as we honor the men who stood their ground, fought for freedom, and helped shape the future of a nation.
📍 Ceremony begins 6 pm at Brandywine Battlefield Park.
Let us remember their sacrifice — and carry forward the spirit of independence they defended.

08/23/2026

August 23rd 1777; THE ROAD TO BRANDYWINE:
At 1:30pm on August 22, John Hancock sent a express rider to General Washington's HQ at the Moland house, stating that at 4pm on August 21st, Howe's fleet was seen anchored in the Chesapeake Bay.
Washington's August 22 reply to Hancock was that the army will move south at 4am on the 23rd. He also sent out 5 letters to update his generals.
The army set up camp in Germanton where Washington stayed in the Stenton House.
On the 24th at 4pm, the army was on the move and marched though Philadelphia at 6am, while Washington and his military family dined at the City Tavern.
By 8pm the army camped in Darby, PA.

08/20/2026

August 20, 1777
Marquis de Lafayette arrives at General George Washington's Headquarters at Moland House in Warwick Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where the Continental Army was encamped from August 10 to 23, 1777, before marching to Chester County for the Battle of Brandywine.
Lafayette arrived with two aides-de-camp: Edmund Brice and Jean-Joseph Soubadere de Gimat.

08/13/2026

THE ROAD TO BRANDYWINE:
British Army’s Route to Philadelphia, August 25th-September 26th 1777.
The British Army’s landing at the Head of the Elk in Maryland began a series of battles which ended with the British capturing and occupying Philadelphia until 1778.

08/13/2026

This Saturday after your visit Limerick Community Day from noon to 4 p.m. you can learn about Phoenixville History during the Revolution with the East Vincent Historical Commission.
MW

08/09/2026

THE ROAD TO BRANDYWINE
Since Howe's fleet left New York on July 23, 1777, Washington had no idea where Howe was going.
Congress sent sea Captain John Hunn from Philadelphia to the Cape May New Jersey coastline to observe any sails that may appear on the ocean horizon, which would indicate that Howe was heading to Philadelphia.
From July 26th to August 2nd, Hunn had used 5 express riders to send updated messages from his Jersey lookout to Congress indicating 'sails where sighted' on July 30th, then 'fleet out of sight' on August 2nd.
During this time, Washington is receiving all of Hunn messages from Congress while he is moving his troops from Coryell's Ferry, Bucks County, PA to Germantown, a few miles outside Philadelphia.

On August 8th the troops move from Germantown towards Coryell's Ferry again but spent the night at Whitemarch.
By August 10th, Washington's army will encamp at the Crossroads, in Warwick Township, Bucks County. His headquarters with be the Moland House near the Neshaminy Creek.
Washington will wait until Howe' fleet appears to determine to move North (will Howe support Burgoyne) or South (will Howe capture Philadelphia or the Carolinas).

08/09/2026

08/08/2026

08/03/2026

Private Joseph Carman was murdered in 1787. He crossed the Delaware with George Washington and survived the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. He made it through the encampment at Valley Forge. After the war he moved his family Kentucky where he was ambushed and killed by Indians. Read his story here. (Art: Andrew Knez, Jr.)
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8thvirginia.com/blog/the-murder-of-joseph-carman
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08/01/2026

July 31, 1777, THE ROAD TO BRANDYWINE
The Continental Army was marching on its way from New Jersey to Philadelphia.
General Nathanael Greene decided that the area around the John & Elizabeth Moland House was a good place to camp for the night.
The Army was off to Philadelphia the next day.
General Washington and his staff were already in Philadelphia lodging at the City Tavern.

(photo of present day Moland house in Hartsville, PA)