06/19/2026
American Revolution Veteran Spotlight: James Dougherty
Throughout the summer, the Titusville Historical Society will share the stories of patriots who served during our nation's battle for freedom and are buried in our area.
DATE OF BIRTH: 25 Dec. 1749
PLACE OF BIRTH: County Donegal, Ireland
DATE OF DEATH: 15 Jan. 1847, age 96 years and 22 days
PLACE OF DEATH: Venango Co., PA
BURIED: Dougherty Burial Site, Acel Road, Plum Twp., Venango Co., PA
RANK: private
ARRIVED IN AREA: about 1822
SERVED FROM WHAT STATE: Pennsylvania, enlisted from Lancaster County
MILITARY UNIT: Capt. Matthew Smith’s Company, Col. Thompson Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment. Capt. John Brady’s Company, Col. William Cooke 12th Pennsylvania Regiment. Capt. Clark’s & Carnes’ Companies of Artillery. Appointed one of Washington’s Life Guards
BATTLES: Quebec (where he was taken prisoner, he was paroled on 3 Aug. 1776)
Battle of Short Hills (Smith’s Co.), Battle of Brandywine and Germantown and wintered at Valley Forge (Capt. Clark’s and Carnes’ troops), Battle of Monmouth, siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis
Enlisted on 15 June 1775 in Lancaster County, Capt. Matthew Smith’s, Colonel Thompson’s Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment – marched to Quebec under Benedict Arnold and was in the battle there, was taken prisoner after the storming of the city and held until 3 Aug. 1775. Enlisted in the fall of 1776 and served as a private in Capt. John Brady’s Company, Colonel William Cooke’s 12th Pennsylvania Regiment and was in the battle of Short Hills; after which he served in Captains Clark’s and Carnes’ Companies of artillery and was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown and wintered at Valley Forge. He was then appointed one of Washington’s Life Guards, was in the battle of Monmouth, siege of York and taking of Cornwallis, and was discharged in 1783.
Research credit: Kathryn Newson
Learn more about Pennsylvania regiments in the American Revolution here:
American Revolutionary War Continental Regiments 4Shares Facebook4 Twitter Copy Link Email Pennsylvania Regiments in the Continental Army 1st Pennsylvania Regiment ● 2d Pennsylvania Regiment ● 3d Pennsylvania Regiment ● 4th Pennsylvania Regiment ● 5th Pennsylvania Regiment ● 6th Pennsylvan...
