The Hessians were German mercenary soldiers hired by the British to fight in their army. Many of these 17,000 men came from the German state of Hesse-Cassel, thus the name Hessians.

"Many of them wore beards on their upper lips, which was a novelty in that part of the country."

– Joseph Townsend

Many of these German soldiers remained in America after the Revolutionary War, becoming citizens and raising families.

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Links: Read about the Battle of Brandywine, See our online exhibit about the battle and its effects on Chadds Ford residents