Thomas Patterson was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1756 and immigrated to America to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, prior to the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in the Cumberland County Militia in June 1776 and served as a private for seven months in Captain McConnell's Company under Col. Watt. He was with General George Washington's army when attempting to cross the river to Trenton but was wounded in the arm by a random shot across the river and as a result was dismissed from duty in Trenton and did not end up in Valley Forge. On 14 January 1834 he applied for a pension as a soldier of the Revolutionary War; it was approved and he received $26.66 per year. His service statement from his pension application is included in this memorial.

He married Sarah Little 1 December 1785 in Westmoreland County. They had thirteen children. The family lived in Derry Township, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, where Thomas died 11 August 1834. His will was made 1 August 1832 and recorded 23 August 1834. In it he names his living children as well as those deceased who had children and also states he had lost his eyesight.

Sarah and Thomas Patterson had thirteen children:
Samuel b. 22 Oct 1786; d. May 1836.
William, b. 3 Apr 1788; d. 1 Jul 1788.
William, b. 5 June 1789; d. 16 Dec 1808.
Margaret, b 24 Aug 1791; d. 23 Mar 1872; m. James McCulloch.
Elizabeth, born 24 Jul 1793; d. Feb 1831; m. ___ Garst or Yarst.
John, b. 26 Apr 1795;
Thomas, b. 27 May 1797; 20 Mar 1864.
Robert, b. 3 Mar 1799;
James, b. 1801;
Joseph, b. 28 Sep 1803; d. 23 Oct 1830; m. Rebekah Repine.
Annas, b. 25 Nov 1805; d. 9 Jul 1882; m. William Blair.
Sarah, b. 8 Jul 1808; m. Thomas Johnston.

Sources:
Thomas Patterson Rev War Pension File
Thomas Patterson Will
Margaret Patterson and James McCulloch Family Bible

Comment: The Elizabeth Patterson Brown (#42128525) linked in below is NOT the daughter of this Thomas Patterson and his wife Sarah Little.