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A letter of attorney from Thomas Strawbridge, tanner, of Tarbit, Northumberland co,, Pa., to James Strawbridge and Dr. Francis Alizon of Chester co., Pa., dated May 10, 1785, is recorded in “letter of Attorney Book” May 16, 1785.
Thomas Strawbridge m. MARGARET MONTGOMERY, who was b. in Delaware, was brought up and educated in the family of an aunt in Philadelphia. She was a woman of remarkable intellectual endowments; aided and encouraged her husband in every way during the war (Revolutionary) ; carried on the work of a large farm herself, most of the proceeds of which were contributed to the support of families of soldiers who were in the army. During the terrible winter at Valley Forge once every week she rode on horseback across Chester co., carrying on the saddle behind her a bundle of clothing, stockings, etc., woven and spun from the wool cut from sheep raised on her own farm, spun and knit by the wives and daughters of men (then in service, and hired by her for that purpose) at night by the light of pine knots, which she herself distributed to the soldiers. There she met her husband whom she had not seen for many months, the day before the crossing of the Delaware, to capture the Hessians at Trenton.
She lived to the age of 99 yrs. and 10 mos. retaining her faculties until within a few days of her death, and died without having had a day’s sickness in 8o years. Mrs. Strawbridge was a sister of Gen. William Montgomery of the Continental Army, who founded the town of Danville, Pa., and res. there at the beginning of the Revolutionary war. He was colonel of a regiment which he commanded at the battles at Brooklyn.
Thomas Strawbridge was appointed captain of militia by the Committee of Safety, in Mch., 1775. In 1776 was lieutentant-colonel of the 2d regt. of Chester co. militia. In Sept., 1776, was a member of the first assembly to form a State Constitution. In 1777 his name appears as president of the Board of Appeal, before whom all persons drafted for the army had to appear to see if they were fit to enter the army. Afterward there appeared among his papers accounts for large quantities of arms, munition, etc., purchased by Colonel Thomas Strawbridge for the army, and for most of which he had given his own personal obligations, which nearly ruined him financially, as he was compelled to pay for them and the goverment could only pay him in Continental money, which at the close of the war was worthless.
Just before the close of the war he removed from Chester co. to what is now Montour co., then included in the county of Northumberland, Pa., and in 1785 was presiding judge of the