The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: NJ
Qualifying Service: Sergeant / Quartermaster
Cemetery was excavated to create James J Walker park. Location of specific body / headstones is unknown (see description of Saint John's Burying Ground on Find-A-Grave)
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Author: Joseph Brian Fitzpatrick
Peter Kinnan was born May 1751, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. The son of Mary Savery and Thomas Kinnan. He died April 1839 in New York City and is buried in New York City.
During the Winter of 1775-1776 Peter Kinnan was appointed Orderly Sergeant of the 1st Militia Company organized at Perth Amboy, Middlesex County. NJ. He served in Col. Van Courtland’s Regiment. He was in General Heard’s Brigade and also Colonel Ephraim Martin’s Regiment during the Battle of Long Island. His duties were to attend daily at headquarter and transcribe the general orders, including, passwords and countersigns when published. During the Battle of Long Island his duties included writing General Washington’s orders and delivering dispatches to the General Officers in Washington’s command.
He was promoted and trusted with the authorization to sign passes with the authority of General Heard.
In 1777 he was appointed Assistant Quarter Master General to Moore Furman for New Jersey and served in this position for the balance of the war.
After the War he moved to New York and during President Washington’s first administration he was appointed Inspector of Customs at the Port of New York. He was a member of the congregation of Saint Paul’ Chapel of Trinity Parish an owner of Pew #58, the same church President Washington attended during his first administration. He is buried at the St. John’s Burial Ground, New York City.
Refer to, “Order Book Kept by Peter Kinnan July 7 – September 4, 1776. With an Introduction by M.E. Kinnan” - NYC Archive Library, Manhatten, N.Y.
New Jersey State Archives (Revolutionary War Records of Peter Kinnan. “American State Papers” – Claims – By Authority of Congress.
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Additional Information:
DAR has alternate birth year of 1951 and alternate death date of 23 Apr 1836