Maria Grimly Keely’s Recollections
of the
Revolutionary War Encampment
In the fall of 1777, fourteen year old Maria watched as Washington’s army filled the fields along the Perkiomen Creek. Years later, she set down her memories for her grandson, one of the few firsthand accounts of that encampment.
The Grimly property, East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek
Section Three
Maria tells us about the events leading up to Washington’s overnight stay with Henry Keely, her father in law.
Maria covers a lot of ground in this passage – literally.
If you are confused by this section, you are not alone. Maria covers two days of movements and events and not quite in chronological order. To help sort this out we will take it a day at a time, with interactive maps, quotes from people who were there, and photos.
Then on Monday Sep 22d 1777 the Englanders crossed the Schuylkill at fatland ford just before Valley Forge and Marched towards (Mottechey Bergen) Mathacten Hills where is now the Baptist meeting House. And Rev Muhlenberg who had a son in the army (our army seen them). And through him Washington found out that the Englanders were about crossing or had crossed the Schuylkill, Washington who was then Near Parkersford (Now Lawrenceville), crossed the Schuylkill with his whole armey. And went to trappe at old Muhlenbergs and the soldiers some went in the Church at Trappe August Church. Some of the Soldiers went to Potsgrove Some Stayed at the old Church and Washington and some Soldiers came over to old Henrich Keely and Bill Pannebeckers old Fields, Washington stayed over night at old Henrich Keelys, all the soldiers Passed on the road, past old Henrich Keelys house they were all wet up to their waist they past past the house the greatest part of the night. Next Morning my Late husband told me that their old fields were full of Soldiers & Bill Panebecks old fields too But Washington Left on Tuesday morning after breakfast early he did not say where he was going But afterward we found out that he went to Pottsgrove.
Maria Grimly Keely 1846
In Section Four – Maria talks about the neighbors, especially the “Hard Dories”.
About Maria Grimly Keely’s Recollections of the 1777 Continental Army Encampment
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