Author: Larry Phillips
Daniel Parkinson, son of Edward Parkinson and Maria Catherina (last name unknown) was born 2 March 1754 in Cordorus Township, York County, Pennsylvania and was of English/German parents. Daniel's father died when he was very young and he was raised and lived in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania prior to the Revolutionary War.

Daniel married Catherine Overmeier ( daughter of Captain George Overmeier) on 16 Feb 1777 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. They had 11 children. Daniel was a farmer and saw mill operator.

During the Revolutionary War, Daniel was a private, serving in Captain Samuel McKuen's Company; Colonel Frederick Watts' Battalion of Flying Camp, Pennsylvania in 1776. In November 1777, Daniel served under Captain George Overmeyer's Company (father of Catherine Overmeier, my 5th great grandmother); Colonel Morrow's Pennsylvania Regiment, serving out the year. From 1781-1782 he served in the York County, Pennsylvania Milita under Captain Ephraim Pennington. Daniel was also and Indian Spy and Ranger on the Frontiers for Northumberland County, Pennsylvania from 1778-1783. He was witness to Washington's tears at the death of his men by the Hessians at the capture of Ft Lee. Daniel also received a pension.

From Daniel's pension..."We were to assemble at the Big Spring in Cumberland County, Penn. between Shippenburg and Carlisle. He arrived at this place July 1st seventeen hundred and seventy-six. We marched from thence to Carlisle and through Lancaster to Philadelphia. Here we lay several days, we then went by water to Trenton; from there to Amboy by Brunswick and Princeton - here at Amboy we lay about a week, while on sentry here he heard the firing on Long Island about daylight in August - cannot recollect the day. We were immediately ordered under arms, and marched to Elizabeth Town. Here we staid all night and part of the next day; from thence we marched to Bargain Point. Here we could see the Boats passing our men from a small island between Staten Island and Long Island to New York; from thence we marched to the spot where we built Ft. Lee opposite Fort Washington on the North River.
While engaged building this Fort, our officers offered us one months pay Bounty and regular pay to continue to add another month to our Term of Enlistment. All except three of four accepted the terms. He accepted and served as hereinafter stated for six months. We remained at Fort Lee until the surrender of Fort Washington when we evacuated Ft. Lee. He assisted in drawing us upon a Rock they called Ft. Constitution...there was some small cannon and bombs. I think the cannon were to annoy the British where they marched against Fort Washington.
After the evacuation of Fort Lee, we retreated through the Jerseys by Newark, Brunswick, Princeton, Trenton and across the Deleware. On this retreat, our Regiment was the Rear Guard of the American Army, our company in front under General Ewing. The British pursuing Light Horse were frequently in sight. We were on the River Deleware opposite Trenton when the Hessians were taken by General Washington. We were to have crossed the River at Trenton under General Ewing, but could not do it in consequence of the drift ice. We turned out under arms at midnight - but not being able to cross the River, we slept upon our arms until daybreak. We could not however still cross, the fire of our Army commencing under General Washington, who had crossed higher up. We discharged a field piece upon the House on the opposite side of the Ferry occupied by the Hessian sentries, the Ball striking the house. They abandoned and burnt the house. With great difficulty, our ensign and two men got to the opposite shore in a skiff. When they got to shore, Col. Haus of the Continental Army met them with three hundred Hessian prisoners who were marched lower down on the Jersey side. The morning after the Battle, the River having frozen over, we crossed to the Jersey side on the Ice. A week after the Battle of Trenton our time was out and we were discharged on the 1st of January, 1777.
Great exertions were made to encourage the men to reinlist and stay with the Army after the expiration of their terms of Service. Many of our acquaintances were daily coming in the new drafts from Pennsylvania. Among the rest, our Preacher came as a Militia man from Northumberland. He got us together in a room and addressed us on the subject of Staying with the Army; of standing by the Country and pushing our advantages. Many of our men did stay; for myself, I had business which called me home to Northumberland County, State of Pennsylvania."

Daniel died 7 January 1838 in Somerset, Perry County, Ohio and is buried in New Reading Cemetery, Somerset, Perry County, Pennsylvania.