Edward Antill

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill (April 11, 1742 – May 29, 1789) was an American soldier from New Jersey who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is known for his actions during the Invasion of Quebec in 1775–76.

Background and early years

Antill was born on April 11, 1742, in Piscataway ("Piscataqua"), Province of New Jersey. He was the fourth of six children born to Edward Antill (1701–1770), a colonial plantation owner, attorney, and early politician in New Jersey, and Anne Morris (1706–1781). His maternal grandfather was Lewis Morris (1671–1746), Royal Governor of New Jersey, He was active in Freemasonry, having served as the first Deputy Grand Master for the District of Montreal, having been appointed to that office in 1767 by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Quebec.

Military career The Death of General Montgomery in the Attack on Quebec, December 31, 1775 by John Trumbull, 1786. Antill was an American colonist living in the city of Quebec when in 1775 he joined the 2nd Canadian Regiment (also known as Congress' Own Regiment), as an engineer. He participated in the Battle of Quebec under General Richard Montgomery, and was present when Montgomery died from wounds received in the battle on December 31, 1775.