Rank Insignia Previous Honoree ID Next Honoree ID


   
honoree image
First Name: Anthony

Last Name: White

Birthplace: New Brunswick, NJ, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Continental Army (1775 - 1784)



Middle Name: Walton



Date of Birth: 07 July 1750

Date of Death: 10 February 1803

Rank: Brigadier General

Years Served:
Anthony Walton White

   
Engagements:
•  Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783)

Biography:

Anthony Walton White
Brigadier General, Continental Army

Anthony Walton White was born on 7 July 1750 in New Brunswick, NJ, the son of Anthony White. His great grandfather was Anthony White I, a royalist, who, after the execution of Charles I, emigrated to Bermuda and became connected with the government of the islands, of which his son, Anthony White II, and grandson, Leonard White, were chief justices. Anthony White III moved to the U.S. from Bermuda and married Elizabeth Morris, the daughter of Governor Lewis Morris of New Jersey.

White received his education under the immediate direction of his father. At the age of twenty-five, his time was employed in study and in assisting his father in the management of his large estates. In October 1775, he obtained a commission as Major and Aide-de-Camp to General George Washington.

American Revolution

On 9 February 1776, White was commissioned by the Continental Congress as the Lieutenant Colonel of the 3rd New Jersey Regiment. He was actively engaged in the service in the North until 1780, being successively appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Continental Light Dragoons in the Continental Army, 13 February 1777; Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the 1st Continental Light Dragoons, 10 December 1779; and Colonel, 16 February 1780. At that time, he was ordered by General Washington to take command of all the cavalry in the Southern Army, and, upon his own personal credit, equipped two regiments with which to operate against Lord Cornwallis in South Carolina.

On 6 May 1780, with the remnant of Maj. Benjamin Huger's cavalry, he crossed the Santee River and captured a small party of British; but while waiting at Lanneau's Ferry to re-cross the river, he was surprised and defeated by Col. Banastre Tarleton. White and many of his troops were taken prisoner. In 1781, he was ordered to join the Army under Lafayette in Virginia, and on his march to that state had several successful encounters with Colonel Tarleton.

White was present with General Anthony Wayne in the movement before Savannah on 21 May 1782; and, on the evacuation of that place, returned to Charleston, SC, where he became security for the debts of the officers and men of his regiments, who were in want of almost all the necessities of life. These debts he was subsequently obliged to pay at enormous sacrifices of his own property, and, on returning to the North at the close of the war, his financial ruin was completed by entering into speculation at the persuasion of military friends.

Later Years

In 1793, White moved from New York, where he had lived for about ten years, to his native town. A year later he was appointed by President Washington as a Brigadier General of Cavalry in the expedition against the insurgents of the Whiskey Rebellion, serving under General Henry Lee.

Death and Burial

General Anthony Walton White died on 10 February 1803 at age 52. He is buried at Christ Church Episcopal Churchyard, New Brunswick, NJ.

His grandson was Anthony Walton White Evans.



Honoree ID: 3218   Created by: MHOH

Ribbons


Medals


Badges


Honoree Photos

honoree imagehonoree imagehonoree image

honoree imagehonoree image

honoree image

Remembrances


Tributes