User:Ruberto53/Andrew Porter (Revolutionary War general)

General Andrew Porter
was born in Worcester, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 1743, his father, Robert, emigrated to America from Londonderry, Ireland, in 1720 and settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire soon afterward buying land  in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Andrew showed a talent for mathematics and opened an English and mathematical school in Philadelphia in 1767 which he operated until June 19, 1776, when he was appointed by the Continental Congress a captain of marines and ordered to the frigate "Effingham." becoming one of the first Marines. Porter was transferred to the artillery, in which he served with efficiency. He was captain until March 13, 1782, and then was promoted to major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel of the 4th Pennsylvania artillery the post he held at the disbanding of the army. He served in the battles of Newton, Princeton, Brandywine and Germantown for which he received a personal commendation from General Washington. On his request was sent to Philadelphia to prepare material for the siege of Yorktown. In April, 1779, he was detached with his company to join General John Sullivan's expedition against the Indians, and suggested to General James Clinton the idea of damming the outlet of Otsego lake,by which the water was raised high enough to move troops by boats to Tioga point. In 1783 he retired to his farm in Norriton Township, Pennsylvania, (now Norristown) a plantation called Selma, building an addition to the small house there and creating Selma Mansion.

Andrew Porter declined the chair of mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania, saying that "as long as he commanded men he would not return to flogging boys." From1784-1787 he was engaged as commissioner to run the boundary-lines of Pennsylvania. He was particularly interested in the completion of the western termination of the Mason and Dixon line. He was made brigadier-general of the Pennsylvania militia in 1801, was subsequently promoted to major-general,and in 1809 appointed surveyor-general holding the post until his death. Marrying Elizabeth Parker the Porters raised a sizable and accomplished family at their Selma Farm.The eldest son Robert, was president judge of the 3d judicial district of Pennsylvania.

His son David Rittenhouse Porter served as the 9th governor of Pennsylvania, his son George Bryan Porter, was appointed by Andrew Jackson, governor of Michigan territory and youngest son James Madison Porter, held the offices of president judge of the 12th judicial district of Pennsylvania;was secretary    of war under President Tyler and president judge of the 22d  judicial district of Pennsylvania. Among the many illustrious descendants of the general are many important citizens,    governors, generals, judges and businessmen.His daughter Eliza married Robert Todd and had a daughter named Mary who married Abraham Lincoln, out 16th president. His grandson Gen. Horace Porter received the medal of honor served as U.S. Grant's aide at Appomattox and secretary at the White House. He later was Ambassodor to France, recoving the body of John Paul Jones and returning it to the United States for burial. Gen. Porter died in the state capital Harrisburg in 1813.