Militia & Associated Companies of Bucks County Pennsylvania
Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr.
John Lacey, Jr. was a Quaker born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, who grew up working in his father's grist mill. In the summer of 1775, he joined the Bucks county militia as a captain. For this act he was disowned by the Buckingham (Quaker) Meeting. He served as a captain in the 4th Pennsylvania Continental Regiment during the expedition to Canada, under Gen. John Sullivan, and later with Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne, at Fort Ticonderoga. It was at Ticonderoga that Wayne had Lacey arrested on charges. Capt. Lacey was exonerated by a court-martial, but resigned his Continental commission. He returned to Pennsylvania, and in May of 1777, he was given a commission as lieutenant colonel in the militia, and fought at Germantown and several other smaller skirmishes around British occupied Philadelphia. In January of 1778 he was promoted to brigadier general, and given the command of Brig. Gen. James Potter, who was away on leave. At age twenty-five, Lacey was the youngest general in the American forces.
Related Documents
Executive Council, January 7, 1778
Col. Lacey appointed to command of militia between Schuylkill & Delaware Rivers, with Col. Kirkbride directed to send troops in support.Executive Council, January 9, 1778
The Council unanimously elects John Lacey to Brigadier General.Thomas Wharton to Col. John Lacey, January 9, 1778
Notification of commission to rank of brigadier general.Executive Council, January 12, 1778
John Lacey replaced as Commissioner for Collecting of Clothing subsequent to his appointment as brigadier general.Gen. Washington to Brig. Gen. Lacey, January 23, 1778
Instructions.Brig. Gen. Lacey to Thomas Wharton, February 2, 1778
Report on status of troops under command.Gen. Washington to Thomas Wharton, February 12, 1778
Regarding the strength of Brig. Gen. Lacey's command.Executive Council to Brig. Gen. Lacey, February 13, 1778
Orders & instructions.Col. Kirkbride to Thomas Wharton, February 14, 1778
Makes reference to status of Gen. Lacey's command.Brig. Gen. Lacey to Thomas Wharton, February 15, 1778
Report on status of troops & enemy activity.Gen. Washington to Brig. Gen. Lacey, February 18, 1778
Orders & instructions.Gen. Washington to Brig. Gen. Lacey, February 21, 1778
Orders & instructions.Gen. Washington to Brig. Gen. Lacey, March 2, 1778
Orders & instructions.Gen. Washington to Brig. Gen. lacey, March 20, 1778
Orders & instructions.Executive Council, April 1, 1778
Order of first class of Bucks county militia to Gen. Lacey's camp.Gen. Washington to Brig. Gen. Lacey, April 4, 1778
Orders & instructions regarding British commissioners to prisoner exchange.Brig. Gen. Lacey to Gen. Washington, April 9, 1778
Report on the engagement at Smithfield.Gen. Washington to Brig. Gen. Lacey, April 11, 1778
Orders & instructions regarding Court Martial against local inhabitants.Gen. Washington to Thomas Wharton, April 11, 1778
Concerning call for Pennsylvania troops, including those of Gen. Lacey.Brig. General Lacey to Thomas Wharton, May 4, 1778
Report on the engagement at Crooked Billet.Gen. Washington to Brig. Gen. Lacey, May 11, 1778
Request for Gen. Lacey to familiarize Gen. Potter with area.Executive Council to Lieutenants of Philadelphia, May 14, 1778
Orders concerning reinforcements for Brig Gen. Lacey.Brig. Gen. Lacey to George Bryan, June 11, 1778
Report on status of Bucks county.
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