Saint Andrews Cemetery
128 Pine Street
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
General John Lacey was an officer in the Pennsylvania Line of the Continental Army and Pennsylvania militia during the American Revolution. Lacey was born on February 4, 1755 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Lacey was a Quaker who joined the war effort in 1776. He initially served as a captain under General Anthony Wayne in the Pennsylvania Line of the Continental Army, but resigned due to differences with Wayne at the end of 1776. During Lacey's time in the Continental Army he saw action on the Canadian frontier.
In 1777, Lacey became a lieutenant colonel in the Bucks County militia. Soon after, he saw action again in the Philadelphia Campaign at White Marsh, Germantown and Matson's Ford. Following these battles, Lacey promoted to brigadier general and placed in command of the Pennsylvania militia. During these battles, Lacey had seen the Pennsylvania militia at their worst. He believed that these militia troops were far from ideal soldiers. In 1778, Lacey was promoted to brigadier general and placed in command of the Pennsylvania militia. Lacey was in command of Pennsylvania militia troops during the Battle of Crooked Billet on May 1, 1778.
The Battle of Crooked Billet was fought between Pennsylvania militia troops under John Lacey and British forces under John Graves Simcoe and Robert Abercromby. The battle was fought on May 1, 1778, and was part of the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777-1778. Pennsylvania militia troops under Lacey were stationed near the Crooked Billet Tavern in order to cut off British supplies in the area. The battle began at daybreak on May 1st, when British troops surprised the encampment of Pennsylvania militia troops. The Pennsylvanians were routed and forced to retreat to Warminster. The battle resulted in the loss of ten wagons full of supplies. The Pennsylvania militia troops suffered 34 casualties, while the British suffered 7 casualties. 58 militia troops were also taken prisoner. Soon after the battle, reports arose that British troops had committed atrocities during and after the battle. These atrocities included the murder of prisoners, and setting fire to the wounded. Witness accounts collected by Continental General William Maxwell confirmed these reports.
Following the Battle of Crooked Billet, Lacey was relieved of command by George Washington. John Lacey died on February 17, 1814 at the age of 59. Lacey's gave is located to the left side of the Dobbins Memorial Chapel (pictured below) in an old section of the cemetery. His grave is marked with an American flag.
Below are two links with more information on John Lacey, along with some photos that I took during my recent visit to St. Andrews Cemetery:
http://allthingsliberty.com/2015/04/the-follies-of-general-john-lacey-and-the-pennsylvania-militia-in-1778/
http://www.mwhistoryexperience.com/search/label/Battle%20of%20Crooked%20Billet
MW
