Rev War Ancestors - 4

This post will include three different types of service in the war: Continental Line, Partisan & civilian.

Edward Prall was born in New Jersey, but moved to Maryland during the 1760s. He was a merchant by trade & sympathetic to the patriot cause. Edward served on various committees in Harford Co. & was active in getting supplies smuggled to Boston after the "Tea Party." Prall served in the local militia, which became part of Smallwood's Regiment at the Battle of Long Island. The Marylanders were instrumental in enabling Washington to retreat to safety. Along with the Delaware Regiment, they withstood several attacks by British & Hessian regulars, suffering 250 captured or killed out of 400. Lt. Prall was among those captured & imprisoned on one of the British prison ships until exchanged. When Gates was given command of the Southern Campaign, the Marylanders went with him. Their ranks were further decimated during Gates' disastrous defeat at Camden. Reorganized & stocked with new recruits, the Maryland Line served in several other battles in the South, including Guilford Courthouse. Captain Edward Prall commanded a company in the 1st Maryland.

Edward's brother, Benjamin, also a merchant, sent supplies to his sibling during the war. It has been rumored the another brother, Cornelius [my 4th ggf] also helped with providing supplies.

Isaac Rittenhouse owned the Cross Keys Tavern in Hunterdon Co., NJ. His family was in the path of both armies. One story has it that when Tory militia or British troops were confiscating livestock in the area, the Rittenhouse family went into action. When the enemy appeared, Mrs. Rittenhouse would give a signal & Isaac, his sons & slaves would drive their livestock deep into the woods. When the troops tired of the search, the "all clear" was given & the livestock reappeared.

The partisan representation came in the form of the brother of my 5th ggm, Anna Sumter Land. Anna's elder brother, General Thomas Sumter was among the South Carolina partisan leaders who worked out of the swaps & engaged British Regulars & Tory Regiments during the Southern Campaign. Along with the "Swamp Fox" Francis Marion & other militia leaders, the "Gamecock" played a crucial role in the victorious Southern Campaign.

It was reported by his son, Thomas, that John Land served in the war, but verification is still needed.