George Benckendorf

***George Benckendorf***
**American Revolutionary War:**
* New York and New Jersey Campaign
* Philadelphia Campaign
* Yorktown Campaign

**George Benckendorf** was a Senator of Pennsylvania. Distinguished in his military accomplishments such as his contribution in the Yorktown Campaign as a Brigadier General during the American Revolution. In 1787 upon the convening of the Constitutional Convention, Benckendorf was chosen as one of Pennsylvania's delegates, alongside prominent names like Benjamin Franklin.

## Military Service

### American Revolution

George Benckendorf joined the army at the onset of the American Revolution, serving as a Colonel under Marquis de Lafayette, playing a crucial role in the Battle of Barren Hill, buying time for Lafayette to organize his men and retreat. Later he would fight in the Battle of Monmouth, being under the command of Charles Lee in the vanguard, and having to retreat several times due to Lee's incompetence.

Joining Henry Lee III in taking Paulus Hook, just to march back out to the frontier to fight off Cpt. Bird's Invasion of Kentucky, which he had managed to, with the help of local militia, drive back the opposing force out of Kentucky.

Benckendorf's last engagement in the American Revolution was at the Battle of Bull's Ferry in 1780, where he and Anthony Wayne cut off and took out the local British holdout. Benckendorf would be present with George Washington in the Yorktown Campaign, but he saw little to no action during which. Benckendorf would be one of the Generals to enter New York the day the British left, and would then retire himself and his men back to his plantation in Butler County, Pennsylvania, remaining as a General, but generally seeing little action.

### Shays' Rebellion

Benckendorf would be in the rearguard of Washington's force at Sheffield-Egremont Road during the last battle during Shays' Rebellion, seeing little action, but would help hull the injured to local makeshift hospitals.

## Senator of Pennsylvania

Elected in 1788, George served as a Senator for several years.

## Personal Life

George Benckendorf was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 3, 1751; being one of two children, his brother, Charles Benckendorf, being born 6 years later in 1757. Little is known about his early life, with many records lost, their parents being Joseph Benckendorf and Julia Benckendorf. However, from his personal biography we could learn that at the age of 17 he was accepted in the College of Philadelphia, founded by the famous Benjamin Franklin.

In 1773, at age 22, Benckendorf married his wife, Sarah Benckendorf. Upon return to his home in 1781, the Benckendorf Plantation, George and Sarah would conceive their first child, Hiram Benckendorf. Benckendorf would briefly leave his home again to reoccupy New York City, but he would return again in late 1783. By 1785 the Benckendorfs had their second son, John, followed their third son in mid 1787, Patrick. In early 1788, the Benckendorfs would have their first daughter, Josephine, and around this time Benckendorf would start garnering support for the upcoming Senate Race in Pennsylvania.

* Hiram Francis Benckendorf (Born: February 7, 1782)
* John George Benckendorf (Born: April 7, 1785)
* Patrick H. Benckendorf (Born: June 7, 1787)
* Josephine B. Benckendorf (Born: January 6, 1788)