Joshua Armstrong was born August 1, 1756 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
During the Revolution he served several different enlistments. The follow is his
own account from his pension application in 1833.
"Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th
of June 1832.
On this second day of December 1833, personally appeared in open court, (being a
court of record) in and for the County of Greene, Joshua Armstrong, a resident
of the County of Greene and state of Illinois, now in the seventy eight year of
his age, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on is oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain benefit of the provision made by the
act of Congress (passed) June 7th 1832, that he was drafted into the service of
the United States as a Private in the Pennsylvania Militia, in the year 1777 to
serve a tour of sixty days under Capt. Leard, attached to Col. Chamber's
regiment. General potter's Brigade, while the British were in Philadelphia. He
was in two engagements against the British, the first a Chestnut Hill, the
second at the (Leven Ford) near the Guelph Mill, where his brother John
Armstrong was taken prisoner, and confined in Philadelphia until the British
abandoned the place, and after a few days of his release, he died, alleging
that he was poisoned while in confinement.
2nd - Sometime after, the date not now distinctly recollected, he was drafted
as a Private in the Pennsylvania Militia, to go against the Indians at Standing
Stone he served two months of this expedition under Lt. Junkins from Cumberland
County, Pennsylvania, the services performed in Canoe Valley, Juniett at he
Company was divided and stationed at different points to protect
the frontier, the names of the direct Officers not at this time recollected.
3rd - He served a tour of duty of two months at Wheeling Fort, and was
engaged during the time in scouting his impression is that during this service
he was under subordinate Officers, who were changed during the time and their
names not now recollected.
4th- In the year 1781 about the 1st Day of August he entered into the service
of the United Sates at Pittsburgh, under General George Rogers Clark, Colonel
Crockett, Majors Crittendon and Wells. He was in the service, this time for four
and a half months and served as an Artifier (besides performing military duty
under Captain Bruce) under Wm. Anderson for me an Artificers during this
time."
After the war he moved first to Kentucky in 1787 and then to Illinois in
1810. He died December 25, 1844. (some sources give date of death of September
25, 1844)
Visit Instructions:PLEASE NOTE: This category is for American Revolutionary War Veterans only. Veterans of other revolutions are not part of this category.
I have allowed one entry for a grave of British solders, but it was an exception. Please only list graves for Colonial soldiers.
Simply visit the locations. Please provide as much information as possible. Pictures would be a great addition.