John Chilton was born 22 August 1739 at Westmoreland County, Virginia, a son of Thomas Chilton (1699-1765/75) and Jemima Cook (1707-1796).  John Chilton’s ancestors were the Chiltons of Northern Neck, Virginia, originating from an English family of French origin.  They settled at the Potomac area of Virginia in 1660, purchasing a parcel of property which would be named “Village of Chiltons,” and later “Rock Springs," which John would inherit. 

John Chilton married Letitia Blackwell 10 April 1768.   Letitia was born 3 October 1750 at Fauquier County, Virginia.   John and Letitia had the following children: Thomas, George, James, Joseph,  Nancy and  Lucy.  John Chilton would later become a Captain in the 3rd Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line under Colonel Marshall. 

The Battle of Brandywine occurred in September 1777.  General George Washington's Continental Army required reinforcements to prevent the British from marching on Philadelphia. Virginia responded by sending the 3rd Virginia Infantry.  Captain John Chilton, was a thirty-eight year old farmer from Fauquier County, and was among those who traveled north with the 3rd.  The eventual battle took place around the Brandywine Creek area.  Colonel Marshall's 3rd Virginia Regiment was ordered to take up positions on the high ground and became nearly surrounded by the British charge, commanded by British General Howe.  They attacked Marshall's front and left flank, forcing him off Birmingham Hill, and to retreat to a second position.  Colonel Marshall’s Regiment would suffer large casualties.  The Continental Army would be overrun by the British and retreated.  The British then occupied Philadelphia.

Captain John Chilton was severely wounded, and taken to the Old Meeting House, which became a makeshift hospital, treating both American and British soldiers.  The Old Meeting House is a historic Quaker building with an adjacent cemetery.  Captain Chilton would not survive his battle wounds.  Both American and British soldiers would occupy common graves in this cemetery location.  John Chilton’s children would become orphaned, as their mother had died before the war began.  The children were raised by his brother, Charles Chilton, and other family members.

As with most Colonial American families, male members generally fought for the cause of liberty.  Captain John Chilton had three brothers who were Patriots in the Revolutionary War:  Charles, Thomas and William.  

John Chilton died 11 September 1777 at the Battle of Brandywine at Chester County, Pennsylvania, and was buried at the Birmingham Meetinghouse Cemetery.  No headstone or grave marker has been found for Captain Chilton.  A new stone wall adjacent to the Meeting House represents the area of the cemetery grounds.  There is a common grave stone for those who did not survive Battle of Brandywine.

Letitia Blackwell Chilton died in 1775 at Fauquier County, Virginia.  Her final resting place is not known. 

References:

1. Colonial Families of the USA, 1607-1775, Pg. 90, 91, 95.

2. Virginia Soldiers of 1776. 

3. Seventeenth Century Colonial Ancestors, Pg. 52. 

4. Bishop Meades Old Churches Families, Vol. 2, Pg. 434-436.

5. Croziers County, Virginia, Records.  Vol. 4, Pg. 180.

6. William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 15, Pg. 92.

7. Record of Descent, Colonial Families of the Southern States of America.  Stella Pickett Hardy.

8. Mr. Keith Chilton, Chilton ancestor.

9. Heitman-Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army, Pg. 154.