Patrick Anderson

Who was Patrick Anderson?

Patrick Anderson was an American Patriot who was an officer in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution and later was a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Patrick Anderson was the son of James Anderson, an early Scot immigrant to Pennsylvania and Elizabeth Jerman, the daughter of Thomas Jerman, a Welsh Quaker, who purchased one of William Penn’s first grist milling licenses.

Patrick was born at “Anderson Place,” in then Charlestown Township, Pennsylvania now Schuylkill Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He was the first person of European descent born in Charlestown Township.

He was educated in Philadelphia and returned home to farm. He built, opened and taught at the first school house in the Valley Forge area. He was married 3 times, the first time to Hannah Martin in historic Christ Church, Philadelphia.

Patrick was Captain of a Company of Chester County men who served in the French and Indian War.

At the time of the Revolution, Patrick was serving on Anthony Wayne's first Chester County Committee of Safety.