Phillip Everhart
Revolutionary Patriot

{Written by chapter member, Peter Everhart}

Phillip Everhart was born in 1755 in Lancaster, PA. He and his brothers Frederick and Bernard lived in Northumberland Co., PA. They owned property there in Penn Twp.

Phillip fought in the Revolution in the 3rd Regiment of the State of Pennsylvania. He was a sergeant from Jan. 1, 1777 to Dec. of 1778. He was then a private until 1781.

In the second series, The Pennsylvania Line Regimental Organization and Operations, 1776 – 1783, by John B. Trussell, Volume 15, pg. 435 of the Pennsylvania Archives it states: “A roll of the Lieutenants Company of the 3rd Pennsylvania regiment (Penn Line) Commanded by Colonel Thomas Craig 10 Sept. 1778, Phillip Everhart, Sargant. This regiment operated under the 2nd Battalion in Pennsylvania. In 1777, the regiment took part in the engagements at Bound Brook on Apr. 12 or 13 and at Short Hills on Jun. 26th. As part of Conway’s brigade, the regiment was the right flank wing of Washington’s army at the battle of Brandywine on Sept. 1, 1777.

The regiment fought next at the Battle of Germantown on Oct. 4th. The next battle was at Whitemarsh, with other elements on Conway’s brigade, the 3rd Pennsylvania regiment was in the second line of American defense. It was not involved in any fighting when the British approached and withdrew in early December.

The 3rd regiment was at Valley Forge the winter of 1777-1778. This regiment also took part in the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. In that engagement, Lieutenant Colonel Rudolph Bunner was killed. Although it is not certain, this regiment may have been one of the units making up the force under Anthony Wayne, which, late in the action, first pursued the withdrawing British and then held a defensive position against a heavy counterattack until forced by superior numbers to retreat. Shortly after this battle, on July 1, 1778, the 3rd Pennsylvania was absorbed in the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment.

It spent the following winter in the camp at Middlebrook, New Jersey and the summer of 1779 patrolling the area of the New Jersey – New York border.

After marching with Washington’s army to Hartford Connecticut, on Sept. 21, 1780, the 3rd Pennsylvania was back at Tappan, New York, on Sept 25th. It was part of the force, which was rushed that day to West Point to guard against a possible British thrust following Benedict Arnold’s treachery. How ling it remained at West Point is uncertain but in Dec. it had been moved to Morristown, New Jersey, where the men took part in the mutiny that began on Jan. 1, 1781.”

Phillip lived in Northumberland County, and in Washington County, Pennsylvania in the 1780’s. According to the 1800 census, he is living in Cross Creek Twp. in Washington Co., PA. His nephew, John Everhart Sr., son of Frederick was also living there with his wife, Mary Miller.

Between 1800 and 1805, Phillip moved his family to Jefferson County, Ohio where tax records show that he owned land in 1806.

Phillip died on Feb. 20, 1809 and is buried in the Heisler cemetery in Annapolis on the hill. {Editor comment - Many of the tombstones are buried and between the vandals and cattle most of the cemetery has been destroyed over the years.}