John Cadwalader, born in Philadelphia, Jan. 10, 1743, began early in life to take an active part in public affairs. He was a member of the Philadelphia Committee of Safety, and captain of a military organization, half admiringly and half derisively dubbed by the citizens the “Silk Stocking Company,” nearly every member of which subsequently held a commission in the patriot army. On the formation of the city battalions, he was placed in command of one of them. When Washington, after his retreat through the Jerseys, established himself on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River, opposite Trenton, Cadwalader, at the head of fifteen hundred militia-men, marched to his assistance. January, 1777, Washington urged upon Congress the appointment of Cadwalader to the Continental army, describing him as “a man of ability, a good disciplinarian, firm in his principles, and of intrepid bravery.” On the 21st of February, 1777, he was offered the commission of brigadier-general, but declined, preferring to remain in the Provincial service. During this year he took part in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and at the request of Washington assisted in organizing the Maryland Militia.

After the discovery and frustration of the “Conway cabal” and the consequent disgrace of its author, Cadwalader became cognizant of some offensive remarks made by Conway concerning Washington, and called the disparager of the commander-in-chief to account. Conway refusing to retract, Cadwalader challenged him, and in the duel which followed, though escaping injury himself, shot Conway in the mouth. Again in September, 1778, Congress offered him the appointment of brigadier-general; and again he declined, stating his belief that the war was almost at an end. When the war was at last ended, he removed to Maryland, was elected to the State Legislature, and died in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, on the 11th of February, 1786, in the forty-fourth year of his age.