Pennsylvania, List Of British Prisoners In The American War Of Independence

These records include both British soldiers and German Hessians that were captured during the war. The registers typically include:

• Name

• Ship or Unit

• Where Captured

• When Captured

• Extra Remarks, such as if the individual was being considered for an exchange

During the American War of Independence, or the American Revolutionary War, thousands of soldiers were captured and held by both sides of the conflict. During this period, the new Continental Congress and George Washington and the Continental Army put the laws of war into practice. General Washington gave orders to this effect, noting that American soldiers were not to injure any prisoner and if they did so, should expect severe punishment depending on the crime committed. They were to be treated with humanity, even though this was not the standard practice globally during this time.

Generally speaking, prisoners of war, or “POW’s,” were held in existing towns and communities and the local authorities were responsible to hold them under parole. These towns really had no say in the matter as the Continental Congress ultimately decided where POWs were to be sent. This was an extensive burden as they were often asked to care for hundreds of prisoners at any given time. Prisoners were often put to work to feed themselves; they worked for farms and craftsmen, cultivated gardens, or found other forms of unskilled labor. Of course, the more useful any individual or group of prisoners were, the more beneficial they were to the community from an economic standpoint. They were often housed in family homes, in churches, or occasionally, barracks would be built. They were seen around town consistently as they were typically not confined to their quarters and safety was an ongoing concern and point of contention.

One such community was Reading, Pennsylvania, which at the time was populated by around 300 families of mostly German, non-pacificist origin, known as “church Dutch.” It was a market town with middle-class artisans and businessmen. During the war, this community was a center for Revolutionary movement, troops, supplies, and a haven for refugees from Philadelphia when the British took control of the city. POW’s were sent to Reading as early as November 1775, before the Declaration of Independence, after a battle at Fort St. Johns in Canada. Even so, the logistics for the community in handling these men were enormous.

These registers were created in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and record POW's held in the same state.