Colonel Caleb North

Colonel Caleb North

Colonel Caleb North

NORTH, Caleb, soldier, born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 15 July, 1753; died in Philadelphia, 7 November, 1840. 

He was first married to Ann Hockley in 1791 and had a son, Francis Asbury North. Later he married Lydia Lewes of Lewes, Delaware in 1795 and had 8 children (Ann, Sarah, Caleb, Emmeline, George Washington, Maria, Edwin and Ella Harriet). It is through this line that Anne Garnett Emory (wife of Robert Stuart Clark) descends. Caleb North was her great grandfather, her paternal grandmother being Ann North, Caleb's oldest child by Lydia Lewes.

Caleb North was a merchant at Coventry, Pennsylvania, at the beginning of the Revolution, at which time, it is said, he hired a British deserter to teach him the manual of arms. He was a captain in the 4th battalion and served in the Canada campaign, when on his return from Ticonderoga he was pro-rooted major of the 10th regiment, and as such rendered important service.

Battle of Paoli

General William Smallwood

General Anthony Wayne

At Paoli, by the par-titular exertions of General Anthony Wayne, Major North, and Captain Stout, a rear-guard was formed by which two pieces of cannon and the remainder of the brigade was saved. He was detached the same night to direct the retreat of General William Smallwood, and a vidette was killed by his side. After taking part in the battle of Germantown, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the 11th Pennsylvania regiment and was in the battle of Monmouth. In July, 1778, he was transferred to the 9th Pennsylvania, and in January, 1781, to the 2nd, with which he took part in the southern campaign. After the surrender of Cornwallis he had charge of the British prisoners on their march from Virginia to York and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, conducting Tarleton's noted legion to Philadelphia. He retired from the army at the close of the war, resumed business at Coventry, and subsequently removed to Philadelphia, where in 1819 he was chosen high-sheriff. From 1828 until his death he was president of the Society of Cincinnati in Pennsylvania, being the last survivor of the field-officers of the Pennsylvania line.

The Battle of Germantown

The National Gazette, 1840 - Obituary

Died on the 7th November, 1840, at his residence in Coventry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Colonel Caleb North, in the 88th year of his age. Colonel North was for many years a respectable merchant of this city, and at one time High Sheriff of the city and County of Philadelphia, and was at the time of his death, President of the Pennsylvania Society of Cincinnati. He retired a few years since to his farm in Chester County, the same neighborhood in which he raised a company and went out as captain in the army of the Revolution, was distinguished by his bravery and prudence, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, which rank he held at the close of the war. In all duties of life, whether as a father, a husband, a Christian, or a friend, his conduct has been most exemplary. Dignified in deportment, yet affable to all, his society was agreeable, notwithstanding the infirmities of age. Thus has descended to the tomb in the world, one of the best of men, and the last of the field officers of the Pennsylvania line of the army of the Revolution.

Caleb North's signature when he was High Sheriff of Philadelphia

Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati

Inception of Pennsylvania Society, at the City Tavern

The Pennsylvania State Society was the ninth of the 14 constituent societies formed by the original 13 states and France after the General Society was founded at Fishkill, NY, 10 May 1783.

The State Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania was formed at the City Tavern, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 Oct 1783. 

A second meeting was held on 10 Oct, leading to a third on 13 Oct at which the 85 men present signed the Parchment Roll, Pennsylvania's draft of the institution earlier adopted at Fishkill. Signatures on the Roll eventually totaled 268. These are what we consider Original Members. To this are added the names of those officers who died in service, and therefore could not make the choice themselves, officers who joined the society later, and lines of descent that are now eligible through the Rule of 1854. Our total eligible officers are 612.

On 4 May 1784, all fourteen societies met at the Tavern for the first general meeting. At that time the French delegate gave General Washington the Cincinnati Eagle insignia, designed by Pierre L'Enfant, that the Society President General wears to this day at all official functions.

Caleb North's Burial Place

Original record of burial place

According to the Daily Pottstown Ledger of November 4, 1904, Colonel North was first buried in the Old Potts family burial ground at Coventry in Chester County. His body was removed and re-interred in 1904 by his descendants. The marker that is at West Laurel Hill Cemetery is the original marker that was in place at the Potts Cemetery. According to the article, Colonel North had no military training but was educated in the manual of arms and military evolutions by a British traitor. With this knowledge he raised and equipped a company and offered his services to General Washington.

Colonel Caleb North's grave marker

Stuart Benson Clark > Anne Garnett Emory > Francis Emory > Ann North > Caleb North