My Patriot Ancestor
Frederich Titius/Decius
b. 1762 Ashersleben, Saxony Anhalt, Hanover, Germany d. Sept. 1826 Shenandoah Co. VA
Frederich Decius is my is my 4x Gt. Grandfather on my fathers side.
Born in Hanover Germany, Frederich Tisius/Decius at age 14 was conscripted by Col. Albrecht von Schneiter for King George of England to be sent to America to fight against the Americans. He is registered in the British Army records as enlisted 25 Aug 1776 in the 4th Regiment of the Company of Capt. John Webster arriving in New York City 30 Dec 1776.
He deserted the British Army on 18 June 1778 after the Battle of Brandywine along with 2 other young men, Effinger & Fauchs(Fox). .
He was hidden by German families in eastern PA until he joined Col Bartholomew von Heers Unit 986 Marechaussee Corps on the 15th of March 1780 and served as a private in this unit until it was disbanded 4 November 1783 . This unit of the American Army served as George Washingtons Provost Troop of Light Dragoons or mounted military police. The men of this early MP organization, participated in combat, fighting with General Nathaniel Greene’s army in the Battle of Springfield, New Jersey, June 1780. The next year, the Corps protected General Washington and his headquarters during the siege of Yorktown, the last major battle of the American Revolution. Frederich received bounty land in Shanandoah Co., VA and raised his family there but never requested a pension. .
FYI- The spelling of Titius was legally changed to Decius in 1818 by the Gov. of VA as there was so much confusion on the spelling and pronunciation . The T is pronounced like the English D and in Frederich’s land and court records we find 11 spellings of the name up until the change. Frederick signed his deeds etc in English but wife Magdalena kinda of used a combination of English/Gothic.