Old Philadelphia Families LXVII-CARSON
Philadelphia North American
Date: Sunday 13 SEP 1908
... Christian FEBIGER, a gallant soldier of the Revolution, was born on the Island of Funen, Denmark in 1746. His father having been appointed Governor of Santa Cruz, West Indies, the young man accompanied him to the new world. He was engaged in trading between the Island of Saint Thomas and Boston when the Revolution began, and the young Dane, then under 30 years of age, offered his services to the Committee of Safety in Boston, and he was commissioned a Lieutenant April 28, 1775, a few days after the Battle of Lexington.
He participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17th following being in command of a portion of GERRISH's regiment, with the rank of Adjutant, and we are told he did eminent service in protecting our shattered forces on their retreat toward Cambridge. Frothingham in his History of the Siege of Boston, makes special mention of FEBIGER for his valuable services at Bunker's Hill.
In the fall of 1775 having been promoted to the rank of Major, FEBIGER accompanied the forces under Colonel Benedict ARNOLD which set out to join MONTGOMERY in the invasion of Canada. Of this historic movement LOSSING has said: It was an effort in the cause of freedom worthy of its divine character, and the man who thus periled life and endured pain * * * deserve the highest praise from the hearts and lips of posterity.
Finally, in November 1775, came their unsuccessful attack on Quebec. Then MONTGOMERY having arrived, followed on the last day of the year, the second and even more disastrous assault on that city, in which the American commander lost his life, but won imperishable glory for his name.
FEBIGER survived the desperate battle, but was captured by the British and remained a prisoner until late in the following year. In his history of this memorable campaign, Judge HENRY, who was a member of the expedition, describes FEBIGER as "real and well-instructed soldier and an engineer."
He was commissioned, November 13, 1776, Lieutenant Colonel, and placed in command of the Eleventh Regiment, Virginia Line. He participated in the battle around New York and in the engagement at Trenton, Princeton, etc., took part in the struggle at Brandywine in the fall of 1777, spent the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge and had a share in the victorious affair at Monmouth in the following June, where he commanded 1700 men and 4 pieces of artillery.
He was one of the bright, particular stars in the historic capture of Stony Point, July 16, 1779 -- being then Colonel of the Second Virginia -- and had charge of the right wing, which had the most desperate fighting to do. In a letter to his wife of the date just indicated, before the smoke of the battle had rolled away, he said:
"My dear girl, I have just borrowed pen, ink and paper to inform you that yesterday we marched from Fort Montgomery and at 12 o'clock last night we stormed this confounded place, and with about fourteen killed and forty or fifty wounded, we carried it. I can give you no particulars as yet. A mosquoet ball scraped my nose, no other damage to old Denmark. God bless you. Farewell, FEBIGER."
Without dwelling upon the details of his subsequent career during the Revolution, it may be stated that he was constantly engaged in the performance of his military duty until the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, he being present at and participating in that closing demonstration of the war of independence.
Leaving the service January 1, 1783, he settled in Philadelphia where he thereafter resided. Writing to his brother-in-law, Colonel O'HARA, he said, "Congress were pleased to confer on me the rank of Brigadier General, however this title I have never, nor don't wish to make use of, as that of Colonel in this country is familiar and agrees much better with a merchant."
He was elected a member of the First Troop, Philadelphia City Calvary, April 24, 1786 and was chosen Captain in 1792. In 1794 his name was placed upon the honorary roll.
By appointment of the Supreme Executive Council he held the office of Auctioneer for the Northern Liberties from November 1787 to March 1789 and in November 1789, the Legislature elected him Treasurer of the Commonwealth, which post by successive annual elections he held until his death.
Colonel FEBIGER was one of the founders of the Society of the Cincinnati, was an original subscriber to the first Chestnut Street Theater and was identified with other enterprises of his day.
His death occurred Sept 20, 1796; that of his wife (nee Elizabeth CARSON) January 5, 1817. They died without issue. Their name, however is borne today by certain of the descendants of Mrs. FEBIGER's brother, Dr. John CARSON as will hereafter appear. ...
