"...we had a full opportunity of beholding the destruction and wanton waste committed on the property of the peaceable inhabitants of the neighborhood, and on the ground of the encampment. Those who were obliged to remain thereon had their stock of cattle destroyed for the use of the army, their horses taken away, and their household furniture, bedding, etc., wantonly wasted and burned. It was not uncommon to see heaps of feathers lying about the farms, the ticks having been stripped off and made use of, and the remains of small pieces of valuable furniture lying about their fireplaces, in the fields, unconsumed, when there was no want of timber and fence-rails, which might have been used for their cooking, etc.; but being in an enemy’s country, inhabited by rebels, there was no restraint on the soldiery or rabble which accompanied them." - Joseph Townsend

Who Was Joseph Townsend?

Joseph Townsend was a Quaker youth of about 21 years of age. On September 11, 1777, he was attending a Quaker meeting in the wheelwright shop at Sconneltown, just east of Jefferis’ Ford. Normally this meeting would have been held at the Birmingham Meeting House, but rebel wounded occupied the building. As the British approached, Joseph and his brother William, "possessed with great curiosity" marched alongside them.

Losses

Townships of East Bradford, East Marlborough, Kennett, Pennsbury, Birmingham, Thornbury, Easttown & Westtown

385

369

330

210

175

95

75

50

60

47

12

15

Linen (yards)

Sheep

Bonnets

Petticoats

Pigs

Looking Glasses

Fowl

Cattle

Corn (bushels)

Saddles & Bridles

Horses

Hay (tons)

In addition to the losses listed above, 165 bushels of rye, 1,106 bushels of oats, 100 bushels of barley, 1,476 bushels of wheat, 2.3 tons of cheese, 232 bushels of potatoes, more than 10 barrels of flour, and 90 pounds of flax were claimed. Among household goods, 73 pairs of trousers, 47 gowns, 46 coats, 58 silver buckles, 50 silver spoons, and 45 yards of wool were taken.

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	385
369
								330




				210
							175


											95
										75
			50			60			47
		12			15


Linen (yards)	Sheep	Bonnets	Petticoats	Pigs	Looking Glasses	Fowl	Cattle	Corn (bushels)	Saddles & Bridles	Horses	Hay (tons)
In addition to the losses listed above, 165 bushels of rye, 1,106 bushels of oats, 100 bushels of barley, 1,476 bushels of wheat, 2.3 tons of cheese, 232 bushels of potatoes, more than 10 barrels of flour, and 90 pounds of flax were claimed. Among household goods, 73 pairs of trousers, 47 gowns, 46 coats, 58 silver buckles, 50 silver spoons, and 45 yards of wool were taken.