At the age of 15, he served as carrier of dispatches between the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army under General George Washington at Valley Forge and the Congress, then in session at York, Pennsylvania. In 1777, he was present at the Battle of Warren Tavern near Paoli, Pennsylvania. He served three terms of service in the American Revolutionary War before reaching the age of 18, at which time he became an ensign in the Fifth Battalion of Chester County Militia. He was commissioned on May 24, 1779, as first lieutenant, Fifth Battalion, Sixth Company.[1][2]
Political career
Anderson served as justice of the peace in Charlestown Township for several years. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Chester County in 1801. He succeeded Abiah Taylor.[2][4]
Anderson was engaged in agricultural pursuits and sawmilling.[2] He was reported to have built the first lime kiln in Chester County.[1] He wrote a history about his neighborhood in Chester County.[1]
Anderson died at "Anderson Place" in 1838. Interment was in the family burying ground across the road from the family home near Valley Forge in Schuylkill Township.[1][2]