Sgt. John Kelso; (1755-1813); PA. 1st Reg (also 2nd & 3rd).
Patriot ancestor of Mark Ladd:
Sgt. John Kelso – PA. Continental Army, Defense of Quebec, garrisoned Fort Ticonderoga, West Point, Germantown and Brandywine; Valley Forge, Morristown encampments, Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown
John Kelso, the oldest of the family, was born in 1755. On the breaking out of the Revolution he enlisted in the 1st. Pa. Regt.; was in Gen. Anthony Wayne’s command; was one of the select detail of 120 men who, with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, stormed and captured Stony Point. This feat is recorded in history as one of the most daring and as showing a high standard of courage equal to, if not superior to., any achievement of that heroic war. He was with Washington at Valley Forge; fought under him at Brandywine and participated in all the conflict in N.Y., Pa., N.J., and Virginia. He enlisted as a private and was orderly sergeant when discharged. His term of service was 7 yrs., 6 mo., 10 days, being mustered out Nov 30, 1783