Capt. William McKnight

William McKnight (1733-1812) was commissioned a Captain in the First Battalion of the Pennsylvania Regiment and with his command participated in the capture of Fort Duquesne. William moved to Alexandria in 1775 and soon thereafter began operating McKnight's Tavern. William fathered two sons: Charles (1774-1853) and John (1769- 1834). Charles... He was the son of Captain John McKnight (1705-1786) was born in Scotland and came to America about 1735 settling in Pennsylvania. 

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-from here to below mention of the Spread Eagle Tavern-

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 McKnight’s Spread Eagle Tavern was built in 1775 and  was owned and run by Capt. William McKnight and his father Captain John McKight. It was located one block from Arell’s Tavern,  Tavern was used for meetings of the local Masonic Lodge as well as for private parties, meetings, and entertainments. It was used as a field hospital. It was also the site of a major engagement between Henry Lee and Tarleton

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Lee’s skill as a cavalry commander became more apparent as his men performed admirably in the tasks they were given - so much so that the condition of their horses took a toll from the constant work. During this time, one of Lee’s most daring moments took place. On the evening of January 19, 1778 (a date that, 29 years later saw the birth of his son, Robert Edward Lee), Lee set up his headquarters for the night at Spread Eagle Tavern. Lee had begun to draw the ire of many British officers for his raids on British troops and was the target of capture. When the Queen's Rangers and British dragoons learned of his location, they planned a quick strike to capture Lee. On the morning of January 20, Lee and eight others were in the tavern. The British were able to either capture or brush aside Lee’s pickets, allowing them to trap the others in the tavern as they called for Lee’s surrender. Lee refused and the eight others manned the doors and windows, keeping up such a heavy fire that the British cavalry finally gave up and left. The story soon spread through the army and Lee’s legend grew

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Tarleton at the Spread Eagle Tavern.

In the first few weeks of 1778, British Brigadier General Sir William Erskine learned that a party of Continental horsemen was quartered at the Spread Eagle Tavern, about six miles from the main Continental Army winter camp at Valley Forge. On January 20, 200 light dragoons swept down on the tavern at dawn to bag the Americans. The bold, ambitious, and fearless 24 year-old Captain Banastre Tarleton led the charge and his men thundered towards the tavern, confident of success and hungry for glory. But commanding the Continentals was the equally bold, ambitious and fearless Captain Henry Lee, who barricaded the tavern and prepared for a fight. Lee’s men fired a volley from the tavern windows and five British dragoons fell dead from their saddles. One ball shot Tarleton’s leather riding helmet from his head, buckshot pierced his jacket, and his horse was wounded in three places. The tough American defense turned back the British attack.[6] The Americans escaped, and their captain became the famous Continental cavalry leader “Light Horse Harry Lee.” Tarleton rose to command the British Legion, and gained his coveted glory – or a version of it – as “Bloody Ban,” one of the war’s most famous, and infamous, cavalry leaders.