Author: Stephen Brian Corson
At 2:00 p.m. on Monday the 13th of July, 1778, Peter Deshong was in his Arch Street home in Philadelphia, tending to the business of his mill while his wife Susannah and their children were preparing for the evening meal.  A daily outcry had arisen from a group of associators called the Patriotic Society led by Governor Joseph Reed, which sought to "disclose and bring to justice all Tories within their knowledge".  This day a din in the street was followed by a loud banging on the door. Answering it, Deshong was pounced on by a club-wielding mob shouting "Tory!" and "Traitor!" While his family watched in horror, a rope was thrown over a low tree limb. William Lewis, Deshong's lawyer and neighbor, rushed to intervene.  Deshong willingly submitted himself to the authorities to save his home and family.
 
Deshong was a wealthy landowner and miller, and many of his clientele were established figures within the city's social and business class which had loyalist leanings.  When the British marched into Philadelphia, he was offered the position of keeper of the city gates, then located at the head of Front Street.  He was stationed at the bridge over the Cohocksink.  Passes had to be issued for entrance and exit, and firearms were to be confiscated from citizens who were known to possess them.
 
William Lewis brought forward thirty-one witnesses on Peter Deshong's behalf.  Citizens testified that he had in fact removed firearms from their homes, but had done so expressing reluctance encouraging them to be patient and cooperate until things returned to normal.  He had been seen with the British leader General Howe but also had publicly argued with Hessians and shown disdain for them.  He had been lenient in issuing passes out of the city, often to women and children to allow them to gather wood and necessaries. Some stated that Deshong knew them personally and would let them through without a written pass.
 
The British maintained prison houses within the city.  Deshong and his wife made an extra effort to help prisoners and their families. He sent one man greatly needed wood when he was released. A charitable Mrs. Webster endeavored to raise funds for the prisoners, and Deshong subscribed 20 pounds and gave four bushels of turnips.  He held on to the furniture of Colonel Wells while he was in prison and cared for the families of Reverends Wainburgh and Slauter when they were detained.  He had posted bail for several men as well.
 
A Whig spy who had crept into the city was discovered by the British.  As he fled, he came to Peter asking for any help he could render.  Deshong had been busy loading his cart with sacks of flour. He had the man lie down in it and carefully placed sacks around him, then wheeled him out of the city. Another spy, John Reed, brother of the governor, came into the city disguised as a Quaker and was recognized by Peter, who let him pass. Deshong later came to Reed at night inquiring of the American army and asking him to inform General Washington that he had established a boreing mill at one of his properties and had buried the boreing implements for cannon, concealing them from the British. Another spy, named Thompson, was caught and detained by Major Balfour.  Deshong vouched for him, claiming he was originally from Georgia and was in Deshong's employ.  A Mrs. Phile had secretly amassed a cache of medicines for the army and approached Deshong to allow her son to pass through the gates unsearched; Deshong thought it better to hide the medicines in sacks of barley on his wagon and smuggled them out undetected.
 
The overwhelming evidence stated by each of the witnesses was that Deshong had accepted his office under duress.  One had heard him confess to General Lee that he was disposed to the American cause and had retained his position to help the poor and needy within the city.  He was relieved of his position by General Howe for showing leniency towards, and indulging, the inhabitants. Peter Deshong was acquitted of all charges. Peter returned to his business trade with Europe, travelling abroad. He died in 1784, and was placed in the burial ground at Franklin Square, Philadelphia.