Fort Mifflin is looking for anyone who can swing a hammer, use a saw, or handle a paint brush. We have many projects that an army of volunteers can complete in a day or two. The Olde Fort Mifflin Historical Society will be reviewing projects and schedules. Once we have a date, we will post it here. Even if you cannot do strenuous work, we can use your help with light tasks, or you can simply support the others. For example, you could staff the courtesy table, provide snacks or beverage for the others, or make sure everyone is signed in (because volunteer hours can help us earn future grants). If tourists come in during our workday, you could explain what we are doing and provide a tour that keeps them out of the way of other volunteers.
We will need to stand together, regardless of personal specific interests. We all have one main interest, and that is to save Fort Mifflin. Standing strong, we cannot let this National Historic Monument and Landmark fall from neglect. As other sites close because of budget cuts, we need to let everyone know that we have struggled long and hard to keep the gates open and will continue to do so.
So please WATCH THIS SPACE for a date on which we can join together and help save the fort that helped save America.
For questions pertaining to upcoming projects, please contact the Olde Fort Mifflin Historical Society at ofmhs@comcast.net.
Fort Mifflin ancestor
My 4th great-grandfather, Captain Nathan Stoddard, was killed at Ft Mifflin on November 15, 1777. Another ancestor's DAR application cited the prospect that Capt Stoddard was actually in command of the fort for a few hours, between the death of his commander and his own death. Do any detailed records exist at the fort to document the changing "chain of command"?
I will visit the fort on October 7 for the Candlelight Ghost Tour. Thank you in advance for any information you can share!
Peter Stoddard
Seagrove Beach FL
More on Fort Mifflin ancestor
I finally found a reference to my "chain of command" question, see link and text below. However, the only "Greene" I can find related to Ft Mifflin is Colonel Christopher Greene, who appears to have been at Ft Mercer - and not killed there. Have you any info on a "Gen Greene", who fell at Ft Mifflin?
Thank you.
Peter Stoddard
http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/sons-of-the-american-revolution-il...
NATHAN STODDARD oi Woodbury, Conn., captain of light
infantry in 1777, who served in all the engagements near Danbury,
Horseneck and near New York. His troops were sent b}' Gen.
Washington to oppose the British on Lake Champlain; taken pris-
oner at the battle of Ticonderoga and sent to Quebec; was con-
cealed and fed by a French landlady in Canada for nearly a year,
who aided him to escape, which he did by swimming the St. Law-
rence and fleeing through the woods to Woodbur3^ He raised
another company and was stationed on the Delaware, opposite
Fort Mifflin, under Gen. Greene. In the attack made upon this
fort, November 15, 1777, Gen. Greene fell and the command fell
upon Stoddard, which he held but a few hours, when an eighteen
pound ball instantly killed him while leading his command.
Reference: Conn. Men in the Rev., pages 63, 100, 102, 230;
Heitman's Hist. Register, page 385.