American Revolutionary Army Officer. John Berrien at the age of 15, while attending College of New Jersey, left to enlist in the American Revolution. At the age of 17, Berrien was commissioned 2nd Lt. in the first Georgia Continental Brigade in 1776. A few months later he was promoted to 1st Lt. and the following year was commissioned Captain. A first supporter of Gen. Lachlan McIntosh in the troubles that befell that officer after his slaying of Button Gwinnett in a duel. Berrien followed McIntosh to Washington's Headquarters in 1777 and served at the age of 18, as a Brig. Major of the North Carolina troops at Valley Forge and the Battle of Monmouth. His parents were John and Margaret Berrien and it was in their house that Washington made his Headquarters from August 24 to November 10, 1783. On November 2, 1783, Gen. Washington wrote his Farewell Orders to the Armies, giving thanks and praise to his troops. After the Revolution Berrien returned to Georgia with his family, which included his young son, John MacPherson Berrien, who was destined to become one of Georgia's most illustrious statesman. Active in public life in Georgia, Major John Berrien was for several years Collector of Custom's at Savannah; served as a Alderman and was a State Treasurer at Louisville (1796-1799). Berrien died at Savannah on November 6, 1815.
American Revolutionary Army Officer. John Berrien at the age of 15, while attending College of New Jersey, left to enlist in the American Revolution. At the age of 17, Berrien was commissioned 2nd Lt. in the first Georgia Continental Brigade in 1776. A few months later he was promoted to 1st Lt. and the following year was commissioned Captain. A first supporter of Gen. Lachlan McIntosh in the troubles that befell that officer after his slaying of Button Gwinnett in a duel. Berrien followed McIntosh to Washington's Headquarters in 1777 and served at the age of 18, as a Brig. Major of the North Carolina troops at Valley Forge and the Battle of Monmouth. His parents were John and Margaret Berrien and it was in their house that Washington made his Headquarters from August 24 to November 10, 1783. On November 2, 1783, Gen. Washington wrote his Farewell Orders to the Armies, giving thanks and praise to his troops. After the Revolution Berrien returned to Georgia with his family, which included his young son, John MacPherson Berrien, who was destined to become one of Georgia's most illustrious statesman. Active in public life in Georgia, Major John Berrien was for several years Collector of Custom's at Savannah; served as a Alderman and was a State Treasurer at Louisville (1796-1799). Berrien died at Savannah on November 6, 1815.
