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John Jameson (colonel)
Encyclopedia
John Jameson was an American
soldier, most notable for his service during the American Revolutionary War
. He was of Scottish
descent and was a resident of Culpeper, Virginia
and belonged to the distinguished Jameson Virginian family.
, the second oldest college in the country.
) under an old Oak tree during the spring of 1775, he volunteered with other men from Culpeper, Orange and Fauquier counties forming the Culpeper Minutemen
. He was a Captain and company commander in the Culpeper Minutemen battalion. Making use of popular symbols and phrases of the period, it's flag featured an obverse field containing an emblem of a snake (a symbol of the colonies) and the American Revolutionary mottoes "Liberty or Death" and "Don't Tread on Me."
Jameson and John Marshall
were a leading spirit amongst the famous Culpeper minute-men. These were the first soldiers raised in Virginia. Together, he and the Minutemen fought in the Battle of Great Bridge
, the first Revolutionary War battle on Virginia soil, where the minutemen
defeated British troops under John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore
, temporarily ending British control of Virginia.
Jameson was elected June 13, 1776, by the Virginia Convention, captain of the Third Troop of Horse. He had six competitors for the position, and received forty-eight vote, while his competitors received respectively 17, 15, 9, 4, 3, 2 votes. One of his competitors was Henry Lee
. Jameson took command June 16, 1776 as captain in a Virginia regiment of dragoons; promoted March 31, 1777, major 1st Continental Light Dragoons
, and transferred April 7, 1777, to 3rd Continental Light Dragoons
. He fought at the Battle of Brandywine
. While staying with George Washington at Valley Forge
, Major Jameson was wounded in a skirmish nearby on January 21, 1778. Throughout that year and the next he remained at Washington's side, engaged at the Battle of Monmouth
, New Jersey in June, and promoted to Colonel in August of 1779.
As a Colonel
in the Continental Army
during the American Revolutionary War
he was instrumental in exposing the treason of Benedict Arnold
.
In 1780, General George Washington
placed key commanders in strategic areas around West Point, New York
, and Colonel Jameson was placed in Tarrytown, New York
under the supervision of General Benedict Arnold. A man calling himself "John Anderson" was intercepted by militamen and found to be in possession of documents that included information regarding the defenses of West Point and the movements of the American army. Since the papers were found in an odd place, "under the feet of his stockings", Colonel Jameson became alarmed, arrested Anderson, and alerted General Arnold, since he did not yet suspect Arnold. Anderson was carrying a pass signed by the General, and Arnold was noted to be "very desirous of the Papers and everything being sent with him." Jameson followed orders and had sent Anderson and the papers but was dissuaded by Major Benjamin Tallmadge
, head of Continental Army Intelligence, who had just arrived at the headquarters.
Because of the serious nature of the papers Jameson wrote to General Washington, enclosing the papers taken from Anderson. However he still insisted on notifying Arnold who promptly fled. Upon examining the papers, Washington called for Anderson, who then confessed that he was British major John André
, envoy to the British commander in chief, Sir Henry Clinton
. The investigation further revealed that Benedict Arnold, as commandant of West Point, agreed in 1780 to surrender the fort to the enemy in return for a royal commission in the British army and a large sum of money. Because of Jameson's intuition, Arnold's plot was foiled, and the attempt to pass control of West Point to the British was thwarted.
Colonel John Jameson was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati
, in Virginia, and was present at their meeting held December 13, 1802, in Richmond, Virginia
., when it was voted to appropriate some of their funds, to the amount of $25,000, to found Washington College
in Maryland
.
He was described as being 6 feet tall, blue-eyed and fair-complexion with black hair. After the war he was awarded over 416 acres (1.7 km²) of land some of which was located in Green Co., Ohio. He owned many thousands acres of land throughout Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.
Colonel John Jameson was a member at the Freemasonry
chapter in Alexandria, Virginia
. He is buried at the Culpeper Masonic Cemetery in Culpeper, Virginia.
Colonel John Jameson’s uncle was Lieutenant Governor David Jameson of Yorktown, Virginia
who served from 1780-81 under the Governorship of Thomas Nelson, Jr.
, signor of the “United States Declaration of Independence
” and served in August 1780 briefly as Governor when Nelson took ill. He was elected as a State Senator in 1783. He also served in the Senate during the War in 1776-1777, serving on Patrick Henry
's Privy Council.
http://www.cmmsar.com/graves.html
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier, most notable for his service during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. He was of Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
descent and was a resident of Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper is an incorporated town in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. The population was 9,664 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Culpeper County. Culpeper is part of the Culpeper Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Culpeper County. Both the Town of Culpeper and...
and belonged to the distinguished Jameson Virginian family.
Early life
John Jameson was a graduate of The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VirginiaWilliamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
, the second oldest college in the country.
American Revolution
In Culpeper, Virginia (what was then called Fairfax, VirginiaFairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
) under an old Oak tree during the spring of 1775, he volunteered with other men from Culpeper, Orange and Fauquier counties forming the Culpeper Minutemen
Culpeper Minutemen
The Culpeper Minutemen was a militia group formed in 1775 in the district around Culpeper, Virginia. Like minutemen in other British colonies, the men drilled in military tactics and trained to respond to emergencies "at a minute's notice."-Organization:...
. He was a Captain and company commander in the Culpeper Minutemen battalion. Making use of popular symbols and phrases of the period, it's flag featured an obverse field containing an emblem of a snake (a symbol of the colonies) and the American Revolutionary mottoes "Liberty or Death" and "Don't Tread on Me."
Jameson and John Marshall
John Marshall
John Marshall was the Chief Justice of the United States whose court opinions helped lay the basis for American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court of the United States a coequal branch of government along with the legislative and executive branches...
were a leading spirit amongst the famous Culpeper minute-men. These were the first soldiers raised in Virginia. Together, he and the Minutemen fought in the Battle of Great Bridge
Battle of Great Bridge
The Battle of Great Bridge was fought December 9, 1775, in the area of Great Bridge, Virginia, early in the American Revolutionary War. The victory by Continental Army and militia forces led to the departure of Governor Lord Dunmore and any remaining vestiges of British power from the Colony of...
, the first Revolutionary War battle on Virginia soil, where the minutemen
Minutemen
Minutemen were members of teams of select men from the American colonial partisan militia during the American Revolutionary War. They provided a highly mobile, rapidly deployed force that allowed the colonies to respond immediately to war threats, hence the name.The minutemen were among the first...
defeated British troops under John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore
John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore
John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore was a British peer and colonial governor. He was the son of William Murray, 3rd Earl of Dunmore, and his wife Catherine . He is best remembered as the last royal governor of the Colony of Virginia.John was the eldest son of William and Catherine Murray, and nephew...
, temporarily ending British control of Virginia.
Jameson was elected June 13, 1776, by the Virginia Convention, captain of the Third Troop of Horse. He had six competitors for the position, and received forty-eight vote, while his competitors received respectively 17, 15, 9, 4, 3, 2 votes. One of his competitors was Henry Lee
Henry Lee
Henry Lee III was an early American patriot who served as the ninth Governor of Virginia and as the Virginia Representative to the United States Congress. During the American Revolution, Lee served as a cavalry officer in the Continental Army and earned the nickname "Light-Horse Harry". Lee was...
. Jameson took command June 16, 1776 as captain in a Virginia regiment of dragoons; promoted March 31, 1777, major 1st Continental Light Dragoons
1st Continental Light Dragoons
The 1st Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Bland's Horse, was a mounted regiment of the Continental Army organized between 13 June and 10 September 1776 in Williamsburg, Virginia from eastern and northern Virginia for service with the Continental Army.The regiment was first authorized 8 June...
, and transferred April 7, 1777, to 3rd Continental Light Dragoons
3rd Continental Light Dragoons
The 3rd Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Baylor's Horse or Lady Washington's Horse, was a mounted regiment of the Continental Army raised on January 1, 1777 at Morristown, New Jersey...
. He fought at the Battle of Brandywine
Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine, also known as the Battle of the Brandywine or the Battle of Brandywine Creek, was fought between the American army of Major General George Washington and the British-Hessian army of General Sir William Howe on September 11, 1777. The British defeated the Americans and...
. While staying with George Washington at Valley Forge
Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
, Major Jameson was wounded in a skirmish nearby on January 21, 1778. Throughout that year and the next he remained at Washington's side, engaged at the Battle of Monmouth
Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court...
, New Jersey in June, and promoted to Colonel in August of 1779.
As a Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
he was instrumental in exposing the treason of Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
.
In 1780, General George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
placed key commanders in strategic areas around West Point, New York
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
, and Colonel Jameson was placed in Tarrytown, New York
Tarrytown, New York
Tarrytown is a village in the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, about north of midtown Manhattan in New York City, and is served by a stop on the Metro-North Hudson Line...
under the supervision of General Benedict Arnold. A man calling himself "John Anderson" was intercepted by militamen and found to be in possession of documents that included information regarding the defenses of West Point and the movements of the American army. Since the papers were found in an odd place, "under the feet of his stockings", Colonel Jameson became alarmed, arrested Anderson, and alerted General Arnold, since he did not yet suspect Arnold. Anderson was carrying a pass signed by the General, and Arnold was noted to be "very desirous of the Papers and everything being sent with him." Jameson followed orders and had sent Anderson and the papers but was dissuaded by Major Benjamin Tallmadge
Benjamin Tallmadge
Benjamin Tallmadge was a member of the United States House of Representatives. His birth date is alternately listed as February 25, 1754....
, head of Continental Army Intelligence, who had just arrived at the headquarters.
Because of the serious nature of the papers Jameson wrote to General Washington, enclosing the papers taken from Anderson. However he still insisted on notifying Arnold who promptly fled. Upon examining the papers, Washington called for Anderson, who then confessed that he was British major John André
John André
John André was a British army officer hanged as a spy during the American War of Independence. This was due to an incident in which he attempted to assist Benedict Arnold's attempted surrender of the fort at West Point, New York to the British.-Early life:André was born on May 2, 1750 in London to...
, envoy to the British commander in chief, Sir Henry Clinton
Henry Clinton (American War of Independence)
General Sir Henry Clinton KB was a British army officer and politician, best known for his service as a general during the American War of Independence. First arriving in Boston in May 1775, from 1778 to 1782 he was the British Commander-in-Chief in North America...
. The investigation further revealed that Benedict Arnold, as commandant of West Point, agreed in 1780 to surrender the fort to the enemy in return for a royal commission in the British army and a large sum of money. Because of Jameson's intuition, Arnold's plot was foiled, and the attempt to pass control of West Point to the British was thwarted.
Colonel John Jameson was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati
Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organization with branches in the United States and France founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolutionary War officers and to pressure the government to honor pledges it had made to officers who fought for American...
, in Virginia, and was present at their meeting held December 13, 1802, in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
., when it was voted to appropriate some of their funds, to the amount of $25,000, to found Washington College
Washington College
Washington College is a private, independent liberal arts college located on a campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782...
in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
.
He was described as being 6 feet tall, blue-eyed and fair-complexion with black hair. After the war he was awarded over 416 acres (1.7 km²) of land some of which was located in Green Co., Ohio. He owned many thousands acres of land throughout Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.
Colonel John Jameson was a member at the Freemasonry
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
chapter in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
. He is buried at the Culpeper Masonic Cemetery in Culpeper, Virginia.
Colonel John Jameson’s uncle was Lieutenant Governor David Jameson of Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
who served from 1780-81 under the Governorship of Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Thomas Nelson, Jr. was an American planter, soldier, and statesman from Yorktown, Virginia. He represented Virginia in the Continental Congress and was its Governor in 1781. He is regarded as one of the U.S. Founding Fathers since he signed the Declaration of Independence as a member of the...
, signor of the “United States Declaration of Independence
United States Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a...
” and served in August 1780 briefly as Governor when Nelson took ill. He was elected as a State Senator in 1783. He also served in the Senate during the War in 1776-1777, serving on Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was an orator and politician who led the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s. A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and subsequently, from 1784 to 1786...
's Privy Council.
http://www.cmmsar.com/graves.html
External links
- visitculpeperva.com/history.cfm
- http://colonialancestors.com/revolutionary/oath5.htm
- http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query
- http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/guidedisplay.pl?index=N000044
- http://www.yorkcounty.gov/ychc/virtour/virtual_.htm
- http://www.innvista.com/society/government/leaders/ustates/virginia.htm
- http://www.revolutionaryday.com/usroute60/yorktown/default.htm