Blacksmith; born in Weccaco, Pa., in 1742; was in the
Continental army during the
Revolutionary War, and at the personal request of
Washington made the chain which was stretched across the
Hudson River at
West Point to prevent the passage of British vessels.
He also manufactured a cannon by welding together iron bars, which did better execution, had a longer range, and was not so heavy as brass ordnance.
During the action at
Brandywine this gun did such good service that it was regarded as a wonder by American officers, but before the conclusion of that battle it was captured and afterwards sent to
England, where it was exhibited in the Tower of
London.
Later,
Napoleon Bonaparte used a pattern of it as a model for the cannon used by his flying artillery.
He died in
Philadelphia, Pa., May 10, 1820.
See
Clinton, Fort, capture of.