John Philip De Haas
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2024) |
John Philip de Haas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | c.1735 Holland |
| Died | June 3, 1786 Philadelphia, United States of America |
| Buried | German Reformed Church Graveyard, Easton, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance | British Empire United States of America |
| Service/ | British Army (Provincial Troops) Continental Army |
| Rank | Major (Britain) Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Unit | Provincial Battalion of Pennsylvania |
| Commands held | 1st Pennsylvania Battalion 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment |
| Battles/wars | French and Indian War Pontiac's War American Revolutionary War |
| Spouse(s) | Eleanor Bingham |
| Children | Johann Ludwig de Haas, Charlotta Catharina de Haas, Henrietta de Haas, John Philip de Haas Jr, Jacob de Haas, Eleonora de Haas. |
| Relations | John Nicholas de Haas (Father) Maria Landt (Mother) |
John Philip de Haas Sr. (c.1735 - June 3, 1786) was a Continental Army general during the American Revolutionary War. He had previsously served in British Provincial troops during the French and Indian and Pontiac's War.
Early life and career
[edit]John Philip de Haas Jr. was born c.1735 in Holland. He was the only child of John Nicholas de Haas and Maria Landt. In 1737 he and his parents moved to America and found a home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.[1]
In 1757, during the French and Indian War, Haas joined the British Provincial forces, becoming an Ensign in the Provincial Battalion of Pennsylvania. He was stationed at Fort Augusta which was along the Susquehanna River. After his assignment as battalion adjutant in 1758 he participated in General John Forbes' expedition to Fort Duquesne, resulting in the failed Battle of Fort Duquesne. In 1760 he was promoted to Captain and was stationed at Fort Henry. In 1763, during Pontiac's War, he fought in the Battle of Bushy Run. In 1764 he was promoted to Major.[2]
In 1765 he settled in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, being appointed a Justice of Peace and Justice of the Common Pleas.[3] Having married Eleanor Bingham, the couple managed to have 6 kids: Johann Ludwig de Haas, Charlotta Catharina de Haas, Henrietta de Haas, John Philip de Haas Jr., Jacob de Haas, and Eleonora de Haas.
Revolutionary War
[edit]In the leading up to the American Revolution in 1774, siding with the colonists, Haas was chairman of a committee which collected any contribution they could for the suffering of the Port of Boston. In 1775 he raised a militia company and in the fall was elected to be colonel of the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, part of the Pennsylvania Line, however he resigned in 1776.[4] Despite his resignation he ended up rejoining, becoming Colonel of the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, and marching to Quebec. Afterwards he served at Ticonderoga and Fort George.[4] In February 1777 Haas was named Brigadier general and ordered to take charge of a brigade under General George Washington. However he did neither confirm his promotion nor took over his new command, prompting Washington to inquire if he was still with the army. In June Washington was informed of Haas's resignation. Nonetheless in 1778 he briefly was back in the war, volunteering to lead militia in the protection of the Pennsylvania frontier in the aftermath of the Battle of Wyoming, eventually handing over command to regular Colonel Thomas Hartley. He returned to Philadelphia in 1779 and was brevetted brevetted major general in 1780.[5]
Death
[edit]After Haas retired he ended up enjoying his last years in a home in Philadelphia until he died on June 3, 1786.[4][6]
See also
[edit]Footnotes
[edit]References
[edit]- Hess, Abram (1916). The life and services of General John Philip de Haas, 1735-1786. Lebanon, Pa.: Lebanon County Historical Society. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- Dacus, Jeff (April 1, 2015). "Brigadier General John de Haas: A Bad Example to Others". Journal of the American Revolution. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- "John Philip de Haas". The Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
- "De Haas, John Philip | Encyclopedia of the American Revolution". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2024-07-15.