280 THE FRENCH BLOOD IN AMERICA 



Chaplain 

 in the 

 Revolution 



Usefulness 

 Recognized by 

 Washington 



with us for the sum of forty pounds a year." He mar- 

 ried Sarah Stites, daughter of the mayor of Elizabeth- 

 Town, and thus became related indirectly to James 

 Manning, the first president of Browu University, who 

 married his wife's sister. The young minister bought a 

 farm near Morristown, and thus managed together with 

 his meagre salary to meet current exi^enses. But he was 

 not long to remain there. Missionary in spirit he spent 

 two years in North Carolina, among the religiously desti- 

 tute people, and then returning North, organized the 

 First Baptist Church of New York City, and for twenty- 

 six years was its pastor and a citizen of no little repute. 

 During this period he also served for a time as pastor of 

 the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, spending two 

 Sundays of the month there ; since preachers of his rank 

 were few and in great demand. 



At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War John Gano 

 became chaplain, and remained in the army seven years, 

 giving a devoted and highly acceptable service. More 

 than once he was under fire. Part of the time he served 

 as aide to General James Clinton. He participated in 

 the capture of the Hessians at Trenton, the overthrow of 

 the English allies — the Pennsylvania Indians, and reached 

 Yorktown just too late to witness the surrender of Corn- 

 wallis. When jjeace was at last concluded, and the 

 happy event celebrated at Washington's headquarters, 

 near Newburgh, April 10, 1783, Chaplain Gano was 

 selected by General Washington to offer the prayer of 

 thanksgiving on that joyous and memorable occasion. 

 After the war, Washington said, "Baptist chaplains 

 were the most prominent and nseful in the army." Gen- 

 eral Washington and Mr. Gano were close friends, and 

 this compliment applied especially to him. 



When peace was restored, Mr. Gano returned to his 

 New York pastorate. In 1788 he resigned to go to Ken- 

 tucky. He became at once the leading preacher of that 

 State and for ten years rendered most efficient service. 



