Colonel John Haslet Fell into Delaware River in the Christmas Night Crossing Dec. 25, 1776

On Christmas evening, George Washington crossed the Delaware River in a surprise attack on the Hessian barracks at Trenton. One gentleman named Colonel John Haslet (from Delaware) crossed that evening and had the misfortune to fall into the icy waters. This man served as an ordained Presbyterian minister in Ireland after graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1749 and served as minister in Ireland. His wife died in 1752 and he eventually came to America around Milford, Delaware around 1757. He served in the Pennsylvania militia in the French and Indian War at Fort Duquesne. In 1764 he married Jemima Molleston. He changed his profession to medical doctor (one guesses because of the ordeal of his wife's death). John Haslet survived the icy river incident, “suffering much from exposure and marched ten miles on severely wounded legs and fought a battle without complaint.” (David Hackett Fisher, Washington’s Crossing, New York: Oxford Press, 2004, p.219). Imagine falling into an icy river, living to tell about it and then march ten miles and then fight in the battle! Haslet fought about a week later at the battle of Princeton and died in that battle. As we remember the sacrifice of many soldiers that paved the way for our nation’s freedom, Let us remember John Haslet’s determination and sacrifice as he and others crossed the Delaware on Christmas night 1776.