Military officer; born in
Monmouth county, N. J., Dec. 17, 1755.
His ancestors were from
Holland, and among the earlier settlers in
New Jersey.
About the beginning of the Revolution they moved to the region near the west branch of the
Susquehanna River.
He joined the
Continental army under
Washington in 1776, participated in the battles of
Trenton and
Princeton, and then returned to
northern Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the defence of the frontier against the Indians.
An incident in his life furnishes a glimpse of the state of society at that time.
In February, 1778,
Covenhoven was married to Mercy
Kelsey in
New Jersey.
While the nuptial ceremony was in progress, it was interrupted by the sudden arrival of a troop of Hessian soldiers.
The groom escaped through a window, but, returning at night, he carried away his bride to his
Pennsylvania home.
From that time until the close of the war he participated as watcher, guide, and soldier in opposing the forays of the barbarians; and was in the desperate engagement of
Wyalusing.
He ranks in tradition among the genuine heroes of
America.
In 1796-97 he superintended the construction of a wagon-road through the wilderness from the mouth of
Lycoming Creek to Painted
[
407]
Post,
Steuben co., N. Y. He died in
Northumberland, Pa., Oct. 29, 1846.
