Background
Robert was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1738.
Robert was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1738.
Robert Magaw served several years in the militia, and when the war broke out he was made a colonel in command of the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion. During the New York campaign he was in command of the American garrison at Fort Washington. He was forced to surrender it, and became a prisoner on November 16, 1776.
Based on his parole he was set at liberty in New York City, but could not leave the city until he was exchanged.
This did not happen until October 1780. While a prisoner on parole, Magaw met and courted Marritje Van Brunt (1762–1803) of Kings County, New New York
After he was exchanged, he returned home to New Carlisle and continued his law practice. He served two years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1781–1782) and was for many years a trustee of Dickinson College.
He died at home in Carlisle on January 7, 1790.