John Philip De Haas

John Philip de Haas Sr. (c.1735 - June 3,1786) served in the British Army and was a brigadier general and major general for the Continental Army. He played a role in the rescuing of Benedict Arnold and serving in and leading the Provincial Battalion of Pennsylvania.

John Philip de Haas
Born	c.1735 Holland
Died	June 3, 1786 Philadelphia
Allegiance	British Empire United States of America
Service/branch	British Army Continental Army
Years of service	Disbuted (Retired in 1783 but was under unofficial retirement from 1777)
Rank	Major General
Unit	Provincial Battalion of Pennsylvania First Pennsylvania Battalion
Commands held	Provincial Battalion of Pennsylvania The First Pennsylvania Battalion
Known for	He is credited for saving Benedict Arnold's life
Battles/wars	Seven Years' War, Pontiac's War, and the American Revolutionary War
Spouse(s)	Eleanor Bingham
Children	Johann Ludwig de Haas, Charlotta Catharina de Haas, Henrietta de Haas, John Philip de Haas Jr, Jacob de Haas, Eleonora de Haas.
Relations	John Nicholas de Haas (Father) Maria Landt (Mother)

Born in Holland in 1735 Haas moved to America in 1737, residing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In December of 1757 Haas became an ensign for the Provincial Battalion of Pennsylvania. He ended up serving in the Seven Years' War, Pontiac's War, and the American Revolutionary War.

In 1775, despite serving the British Army for most of his military career, he decided to start a militia and fight against the British. Haas started out strong and became a colonel for his militia, the First Pennsylvania Battalion and even building the base for the Second Pennsylvanian Continentals in 1776. In 1777 he ended up getting the role of Brigadier General and Haas ended up retiring in 1783 and was residing in his new home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which he moved to in 1779. He ended up dying there in 1786.

Early Life

Early Childhood

John Philip de Haas Jr. was born c.1735 in Holland. He was the only child of Maria Landt and John Nicholas de Haas. In 1737, he and his parents moved to America and found a home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Military Career

Early Military Career

In 1757 Haas was an ensign for the Provincial Battalion of Pennsylvania and was stationed at Fort Augusta which was along the Susquehanna River. His career started with no real action but he ended up serving in the Seven Years' War. After his promotion to adjutant in 1758 he accompanied General John Forbes in his expedition to Fort Duquesne in 1760, fought in the Battle of Bushy Run, got promoted to captain and was stationed to a different camp.

Inter Years

After serving in the Seven Years' War and Pontiac's War he managed to have 6 kids, Johann Ludwig de Haas, Charlotta Catharina de Haas, Henrietta de Haas, John Philip de Haas Jr., Jacob de Haas, and Eleonora de Haas, with his spouse, Eleanor Bingham.

Revolutionary War

In 1774 he was chairman of a committee which collected any contribution they could for the suffering of the Port of Boston. In 1775 Haas raised his own militia. In fall of 1775 he was elected to be colonel of the First Pennsylvania Battalion but he resigned in 1776. Despite his resignation he ended up rejoining, becoming a colonel again, and marching to Quebec. Afterwards he ended up serving at Ticonderoga and Fort George. In 1777 Haas became a brigadier general but Haas waited a while to acknowledge his promotion that General George Washington ended up writing to him, asking if he was still in the army. It seems that he was not as he didn't appear in the military records from 1777 until his retirement in 1783 besides a record of him being promoted to major general. He most likely didn't appear because he could have been on unofficial retirement as he couldn't find a brigade to command.

Death

After Haas retired he ended up enjoying his last years in a home in Philadelphia until he died on June 3, 1786

See Also

Province of Pennsylvania

List of military leaders in the American Revolutionary War

Seven Years' War

Pontiac's War

American Revolutionary War