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.
William Fell, deceased, was a son of John and Elizabeth (Hartley) Fell and was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1756, removing to Westmoreland Co, Pennsylvania after reaching manhood. He there married Agnes Anderson, born Feb. 15, 1761. [He was] a weaver in summer, and taught school in the winter. In the fall of 1796 he and his son, George, came to Mercer County and selected a piece of land in what is now West Salem Township.”
It goes on to outline the hardships involved in building a log cabin and the many privations and hardships that he and his family had. What is of interest is that no mention is made of his Revolutionary War record as a Cornet (akin to an Ensign) in the 4th Regiment Light Dragoons of Pennsylvania.
Other write-ups on William Fell often skip over his service. In explanation, it could be because the Fell Family were members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and such service would be frowned upon. Indeed, William’s Uncle, Benjamin Fell, was declared no longer a “birthright member” for twice playing cards and then later giving a “gift of leather” (shoes) to Washington’s suffering forces. At least one other member of the Fell family was similarly dismissed from the Friends and probably more. Benjamin Fell would go on to become a Methodist and establish the historic Fells Church which still stands in Rostraver Township, Pennsylvania.
William enlisted in the Light Dragoons on 10 February 1777. He was wounded in action in March 1778. Since a Cornet generally carried his unit’s Battle Flag his wound probably was a result of being in the very front of battle. We do know that there was one Cornet for each troop and among his duties, Fell had the responsibility of the horses.
An interesting event in history happened during Fell’s enlistment. The 4th Dragoons met and defeated a company of British, confiscating and wearing their Red Coats. Later, when a party from the 4th Dragoons, resplendent in their Red Coats, was escorting money to George Washington’s headquarters they were almost fired upon by a patrol. It caused an alarmed George Washington to write a letter to Colonel Stephen Moylan of the 4th Dragoons dated 12 May 1777 and advising him of the incident with a nicely worded command:
I therefore desire that you will immediately fall upon all means for having the colour of the Coats changed, which may be done by dipping into that kind of dye that is most proper to put upon Red. I care not what it is, so that the present Colour be changed. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obed Serv, G. Washington
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