Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

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Edward Hand (31 December 1744 – 3 September 1802) was an Irish soldier, physician, and politician who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, rising to the rank of general, and later was a member of several Pennsylvania governmental bodies.

Born in Clyduff, King's County (now County Offaly), Ireland, Hand earned a medical certificate from Trinity College, Dublin before enlisting as a Surgeon's Mate in the 18th (Royal Irish) Regiment of Foot. On 20 May 1767, he sailed with the regiment from Cobh, Cork, Ireland, arriving at Philadelphia on 11 July 1767. In 1772, he was commissioned an ensign. He marched with the regiment to Fort Pitt, on the forks of the Ohio River, returning to Philadelphia in 1774, where he resigned his commission. Hand entered the Continental Army in 1775 as a lieutenant colonel in the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment under Colonel William Thompson. He was promoted to colonel in 1776 and placed in command of the 1st Continental (then designated the 1st Pennsylvania). Promoted to brigadier general in March 1777, he served as the commander of Fort Pitt, fighting British loyalists and their Indian allies. He was recalled, after over two years at Fort Pitt, to serve as a brigade commander in Major General La Fayette's division.

After a few months, he was appointed Adjutant General of the Continental Army and served during the siege of Yorktown in that capacity. In recognition of his long and distinguished service, he was, in September 1783, promoted by brevet to major general. He resigned from the Army in November 1783. Hand returned to Lancaster and resumed the practice of medicine. A Federalist, Hand was active in civil affairs, serving as Chief Burgess of Lancaster, as a member of the Congress of the Confederation in 1784 and 1785, as member of the Pennsylvania Assembly from 1785 to 1786, as a Presidential elector in 1789, and as delegate to the convention for the 1790 Pennsylvania Constitution. Beginning in 1785, he owned and operated Rock Ford plantation where he would die. Hand is buried in St. James's Episcopal Cemetery in Lancaster.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Thomas Grosvenor papers, 1779-1792. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Autograph letter signed : to Gen. Hand, 1779 May 31. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Stewart, Charles, 1729-1800. Family papers, 1768-1877 Houghton Library
referencedIn Hand, Edward. Edward Hand papers 1778. Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Heinz History Center Detre Library and Archives
creatorOf Dickinson, John, 1732-1808. Autograph letter signed : Trenton, to General Hand, 1779 Feb. 18. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Hand, Edward, 1744-1802. Papers of Edward Hand, 1777-1801. Library of Congress
referencedIn Washington Irving's Life of George Washington Miscellany, 1755-1835 Cornell University Library
creatorOf Hand, Edward, 1744-1802. Orderly books, 1776. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
creatorOf Edward Hand papers, 1775-1801 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Hand, Edward, 1744-1802. Order of march. Order of battle. Library of Congress
referencedIn Fox, George, 1759-1828. Letterbook, 1786-1797. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. Letters, 1774-1847. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Hand, Edward, 1744-1802. Correspondence, 1777-1785. University of Pittsburgh
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
referencedIn Account book in settlement of the estate of General Edward Hand, [microform] 1802-1814. Lancaster County Historical Society
creatorOf Hand, Edward, 1744-1802. Papers of Edward Hand, 1775-1846. Library of Congress
creatorOf Clymer, George, 1739-1813. ALS, 1792 Dec. 28, Philadelphia, Pa., to Gen. Edward Hand, Lancaster, Pa. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Draper, Lyman Copeland, 1815-1891,. Draper manuscripts: frontier wars papers, 1754-1885. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Hartley, Thomas, 1748-1800. Letter : Yorke, [Pa.], to Brigadier General Edward Hand, Wyoming, [Pa.], 1779 June 3. Newberry Library
creatorOf Jackson, William, 1759-1828. ALS, 1782 December 24, War Office, to Brigadier General Hand. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Segond, James. James Segond correspondence, 1782 September 5. Library of Congress
referencedIn Brodhead, Daniel, 1736-1809. Draper manuscripts: Daniel Brodhead papers, 1775-1846. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Thomas Grosvenor papers, 1779-1792 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn William Bingham letters and document, 1783-1799 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Dayton, Elias, 1737-1807. Autograph letter signed : Chatham [N.J.], to General Hand, 1782 Jan. 2. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Darlington family. Autograph files of the Darlington family, 1610-1914 [electronic resource]. University of Pittsburgh
creatorOf Van Cortlandt, Philip, 1749-1831. Autograph letter signed : "Tunkanock Creek," to General Edward Hand, 1779 May 23. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Nicola, Lewis, 1717-1807. Autograph letter signed : to Gen. Hand, 1781 Jun. 5. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Stewart, Walter, Brig. Gen. Autograph letter signed : "Camp at V. Planks Point", to Brig. Gen. Hand, 1782 Sept. 4. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Muhlenberg family papers, 1769-1866, 1769-1866 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Thomas Addis Emmet collection, 1483-1876 (bulk:1700-1800) New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn William A. Oldridge Collection of George Washington's Headquarters Staff Writings, 1775-1962, (bulk 1775-1783) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Hand, Edward. Edward Hand papers 1778. Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Heinz History Center Detre Library and Archives
referencedIn Yeates, Jasper, 1745-1817. Account book, 1802-1814. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
referencedIn Autograph File, M Houghton Library
referencedIn Alexander Barr letter to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 1778 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Galbraith, Thomas. ALS, 1778 January 15, near Fort Pitt, to General Edward Hand, Fort Pitt. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Letter : Easton, Pa., to [Edward] Hand, Wioming [sic], [Pa.], 1779 May 31. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Harmar, Josiah, 1753-1813. Josiah Harmar correspondence, 1753-1813. Detroit Public Library, Detroit Main Library
creatorOf Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804. Autograph letter signed : to Gen. Hand, 1778 Nov. 14. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799. Patrick Henry : miscellaneous papers, 1778-1786. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786. Papers, 1777-1780 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Jared Sparks collection of American manuscripts, 1582-1843 Houghton Library
referencedIn Muhlenberg Family. Papers, 1769-1866. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Darlington family. Autograph files of the Darlington family, 1610-1914. University of Pittsburgh
creatorOf Van Schaick, Goose, 1736-1789. Autograph letter signed : Mount [Fort?] Johnson [N.Y.], to General Hand, endorsed [1778 Nov. 15]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Lochry, Archibald, d. 1781. Letter : [Pa.], to Gen. Edward Hand, Fort Pitt, Pa., [1777 May]. Newberry Library
creatorOf Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. Letters to Joel Poinsett and Richard Henry Wilde [manuscript], 1774-1847. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Fleming, William, 1729-1795. Papers, 1755-1833. Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
referencedIn Clymer, George, 1739-1813. George Clymer papers, 1781-1793. Library of Congress
referencedIn New York (State). Governor (1777-1795 : Clinton). Letter : Pokepsie [i.e. Poughkeepsie], N.Y., to Edward Hand, Schenectady, [N.Y.], 1778 Nov. 17. Newberry Library
creatorOf Hand, Edward, 1744-1802. Letters to Samuel Powel, 1790-1791. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Hand, Edward, 1744-1802. Papers, 1771-1807. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
referencedIn Peters, Richard, 1743-1828. ALS : to Edward Hand, 1781 June 22. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Zook's Antique Shop (Lititz, Pa.). Papers, 1954-1965. Winterthur Library
referencedIn Draper, Lyman Copeland, 1815-1891,. Draper manuscripts: Pittsburgh and Northwest Virginia papers, 1768-1854. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn The Edward Hand reunion and genealogy collection, 1805-1984. Lancaster County Historical Society
creatorOf Clymer, George, 1739-1813. ALS, 30 May 1791 / to General [Edward] Hand, Philadelphia. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Morgan, George, 1743-1810. Letters and reports, 1777-1788. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn George Fox letterbook, 1786-1797, 1786-1797 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Scrapbook of Robert Fulton, Charles Heinitsh, Lancaster County history, General Hand, churches, James Buchanan, fathers of his country printer, 1905-1914. Lancaster County Historical Society
creatorOf Edward Hand papers, 1775-1801. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Hand, Edward , 1744-1802. Account book in settlement of estate, 1802-1811. [microform]. Lancaster County Historical Society
creatorOf Muhlenberg, Peter, 1746-1807. Autograph letter signed : to Gen. Hand, 1782 Feb. 1. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn George Washington papers, 1592-1943 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn McNeill, Samuel, 1753-1817. Diary, 1779. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Rosengarten, J. G. (Joseph George), 1835-1921. The German allied troops in the North American war of independence, and related materials, ca. 1767-1893. University of Pennsylvania Library
creatorOf Hand, Edward, 1744-1802. Autograph letter signed : to Gen. Schuyler, 1779 Mar. 8. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Scammell, Alexander, Adjutant-General. Signature reading, "Copy of Gen'l-Orders, Alexdr. Scammell Adjt.-Gen." : "Headquarters Fredericksburgh," to Brig. Gen. Hand, Albany, 1778 Nov. 18. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Washington, George, 1732-1799. George Washington papers, 1592-1937 (bulk 1748-1799). Library of Congress
referencedIn George Washington papers, 1592-1943 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Scott, David, fl. 1777. David Scott correspondence, 1777 August 25. Library of Congress
referencedIn Ewing, Jasper, 1753-1800. Papers, 1776-1778. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
referencedIn Indian Commissioners’ receipts 1776 Indian Commissioners’ receipts William L. Clements Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Barr, Alexander person
associatedWith Billings, John S. (John Shaw), 1838-1913. person
associatedWith Bingham, William, 1752-1804 person
memberOf British Army corporateBody
associatedWith Brodhead, Daniel, 1736-1809. person
associatedWith Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. person
correspondedWith Clymer, George, 1739-1813. person
associatedWith Darlington family. family
associatedWith Dayton, Elias, 1737-1807. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Dickinson, John, 1732-1808. person
associatedWith Emmet, Thomas Addis person
associatedWith Ewing, Jasper, 1753-1800. person
associatedWith Fleming, William, 1729-1795. person
associatedWith Fox, George, 1759-1828. person
associatedWith Galbraith, Thomas. person
associatedWith Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786 person
associatedWith Grosvenor, Thomas, 1744-1825. person
associatedWith Hand family. family
associatedWith Harmar, Josiah, 1753-1813. person
correspondedWith Hartley, Thomas, 1748-1800. person
correspondedWith Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799. person
associatedWith Irwin, John, 1752-1808. person
associatedWith Jackson, William, 1759-1828. person
correspondedWith Lochry, Archibald, d. 1781. person
associatedWith McNeill, Samuel, 1753-1817. person
associatedWith Morgan, George, 1743-1810. person
associatedWith Muhlenberg family. family
associatedWith Muhlenberg Family. family
associatedWith Muhlenberg, Peter, 1746-1807. person
correspondedWith New York (State). Governor (1777-1795 : Clinton) corporateBody
associatedWith Nicola, Lewis, 1717-1807. person
associatedWith Oldridge, William A. person
associatedWith Peters, Richard, 1743-1828. person
associatedWith Powel, Samuel, 1738-1793. person
associatedWith Rosengarten, J. G. (Joseph George), 1835-1921. person
associatedWith Scammell, Alexander, Adjutant-General. person
associatedWith Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804, person
correspondedWith Scott, David, fl. 1777. person
correspondedWith Segond, James. person
associatedWith Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866 person
correspondedWith Stewart, Charles, 1729-1800 person
associatedWith Stewart, Charles, 1729-1800 person
associatedWith Stewart, Walter, Brig. Gen. person
associatedWith Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. person
alumnusOrAlumnaOf Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland) corporateBody
memberOf United States. Army corporateBody
memberOf United States. Continental Army. corporateBody
memberOf United States. Continental Congress corporateBody
associatedWith Van Cortlandt, Philip, 1749-1831. person
associatedWith Van Schaick, Goose, 1736-1789. person
correspondedWith Washington, George, 1732-1799. person
associatedWith Yeates, Jasper, 1745-1817. person
associatedWith Zook's Antique Shop (Lititz, Pa.) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Philadelphia PA US
Lancaster PA US
Dublin L IE
Uíbh Fhailí L IE
Subject
United States
Account books
Border patrols
General
Imaginary wars and battles
Indians of North America
Iroquois Indians
Manuscript maps
Sullivan's Indian Campaign, 1779
Sullivan's Indian Campaign, 1779
Occupation
Army officers
Delegates, U.S. Continental Congress
Generals
Physicians
State Representative
Activity

Person

Birth 1744-12-31

Death 1802-09-03

Male

Britons,

Americans

English

Information

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