“His Christianity was pure, his views of religion sound and scriptural, and his fidelity and integrity of character were like his own well aimed rifle, true to the mark.”

– Rev. Thomas Aitken
Obituary of Moses Van Campen


"I was nurtered in the school of the rifle and the tomahawk."

- Moses Van Campen

“The notes of war are hushed,

    The rage of battle o’er,

The warrior is at rest,

    He hears our praise no more.

The soldier nobly fought

    For all we dearly love,

He fought to gain a heavenly crown,

    And now he reigns above.”


- Rev. Thomas Aitken
Inscription, Moses Van Campen's tombstone

Home Life & Times Timeline
Events in the Life of Moses Van Campen Print

Presented below are occasions in the life of Moses Van Campen and those which provide historical reference.

 

1757 > January 21 - Moses Van Campen born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey to Cornelius Van Campen and Wyntje Depue.
1761 > Margaret McClure, future Mrs. Moses Van Campen, is born.
1778 > April - Moses Van Campen builds Fort Wheeler, on the farm of Isaiah Wheeler and the banks of Fishing Creek.
1780 > March 29 - Moses Van Campen, his Father and Brother attacked by Indians.  His Father and Brother are killed.  Moses is taken prisoner.
1780 > April 2 - Moses Van Campen and two fellow captors escape capativity killing nine of ten Indians and wounding the tenth.
1780 > April 8 - Moses Van Campen commissioned as Lieutenant of Infantry in the Pennsylvania Line.
1781 > Early in the year, Moses Van Campen stockades the home of Mrs. James McClure, on the bank of the Susquehanna and one mile above the mouth of Fishing creek.  The fortification is named Fort McClure.
1781 > November - Moses Van Campen is ordered to Reading, PA to serve as Adjutant (administrative assistant to a commanding officer).
1782 >

April 16 – Moses Van Campen is taken prison by Indians at Bald Eagle Creek, PA.
1782 > Moses Van Campen, captured by the Seneca’s, keeper of the western door of the Iroquois confederacy, ran the gauntlet thirty rods west to their ancient Council House. The Council House is now preserved in Letchworth Park.
1783 > January - Moses Van Campen is freed by British in prisoner exchange in New York.
1783 > March - Moses Van Campen rejoins company in Northumberland County.
1783 > September 3 - Treaty of Paris is signed ending American Revolutionary War.
1783 > November 16 - Moses Van Campen and company discharged from duty.
1783 > December 10 - Moses Van Campen marries Margaret McClure.
1796 > Moses Van Campen moves to McHenry Valley (near Almond, NY).
1807 >

August 12 - Moses Van Campen appointed Judge of Common Pleas, Allegany County, NY.
1807 > November 10 - Moses Van Campen serves as Lead Judge at First Court in Allegany County, NY.
1809 > Moses Van Campen completes building of home in Angelica, NY.  The home takes the name "Van Campen Place."
1812 > Moses Van Campen and five others organize the Presbyterian Church in Angelica, NY.
1814 > Moses Van Campen begins service as County Treasurer, Allegany County, NY.  He serves in this capacity until 1826.
1816 > March - Margaret McClure, Mrs. Moses Van Campen, dies in Dansville, NY at the age of 54.
1828 > Moses Van Campen serves as Deputy County Clerk, Allegany County, NY.
1831 > Moses Van Campen moves from Angelica, NY to Danville, NY.
1840 > September 1 - Genesee Valley Canal opens.
1842 > Sketches of Boarder Adventures in the the Life and Times of Moses Van Campen, A Surviving Soldier of the Revolution, by John N. Hubbard, Grandson of Moses, is published.
1845 > Moses Van Campen takes ill and is stricken with paralysis.
1847 > Moses Van Campen makes partial recovery having been cared for by his forth Daughter, Elizabeth Hubbard.  
1848 > May - Moses Van Campen moves to the home of his grandson Joseph Lockhart, son of his first daughter, Mary Lockhart, in Almond, NY.
1849 > June - Moses Van Campen moves back to his "old place" in Angelica, NY (Van Campen Place) to live with his second Daughter, Anna Burr.
1849 > October 15 - Moses Van Campen dies in Angelica, NY at the age of 92 years and 9 months.
1907 > April 10 - The Fort McClure Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), donate a stone marker and plaque commemorating the site of Fort McClure.