Capt. Luke Brodhead

A Patriot of the American Revolution for Pennsylvania with the rank of Captain DAR Ancestor #: A014787

biography

From https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/136294720/Luke-Brodhead

Captain Luke Brodhead was the youngest son of Daniel Brodhead and Hester Wyngart. Luke was born in Dansbury (founded by his parents; now known as East Stroudsburg) and christened at the Shawnee RDC, Smithfield Township, on 22 May 1741. He died in the 65th year of his age.

He married Elizabeth Harrison of Bridesburg, Philadelphia Co., in 1764. Together they had eight children:

1. Thomas Brodhead b. 1764, d. 11 Nov 1830
2. Daniel Brodhead b. 1767, d. 1848
3. Rev John Brodhead b. 5 Oct 1770, d. 7 Apr 1838
4. Mary Brodhead b. 1772
5. Ann Garton Brodhead b. 1774, d. 1852
6. Luke Brodhead Jr b. 6 Sep 1777, d. 24 Mar 1845
7. Elizabeth Brodhead b. 1779
8. Alexander Brodhead b. 1787

Elizabeth Harrison died sometime before 1764. Luke remarried to Margaret Wills, and together they had one daughter Eliza Brodhead b. 1798.

Like his brothers, Luke served in the Revolutionary War and was a devoted friend to General LaFayette. Wounds received in battle and in prison eventually forced him to retire from active duty after spending the winter in Valley Forge.

His June 28, 1806, obituary in the Northampton Farmer & Easton Weekly Advertiser described him as being: "...an active patriot in the 1st Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment which marched on Boston in 1775, in opposition to tyranny. He was wounded, and made prisoner on Long Island, where he experienced savage cruelty in a British prison ship [Jersey], and afterwards [he was exchanged on Dec 8 1776] served his country with reputation... [...] Justice and gratitude had induced his country to dignify him with an annuity for life, and his amiable simplicity of manners endeared him to his friends. He was a tender parent, and an affectionate husband, and an immatable friend. His remains were interred on Friday the 20th inst in the Protestant burying ground in the Lower Smithfield township..."

Buried in Shawnee Presbyterian Cemetery in unmarked grave.

Source: Vol. I of The Brodhead Family, published by the Brodhead Family Assn, 1986, pp. 80-84