DANIEL BRODHEAD --
               GENERAL

From 1789 to 1800, Brodhead ran the Pennsylvania surveyor general's office, which was described by one researcher as "the most corrupt era in the history of the Pennsylvania Land Office." Numerous complaints were received about Brodhead's operation, and they undoubtedly contributed to his removal from office when Thomas McKean became governor.

Yet as all of us can have an occasional bad day at the office, let's focus instead upon what we can really learn about this man who had become a renowned Revolutionary War general.  What can the general store ledger of Nicholas Dupui tell us about the character of Daniel Brodhead?

Brodhead, by the time of the French & Indian War, was already a wealthy man (maintaining an account balance of over 50 pounds at Dupui's store).  We note that he had bought "3 Gallons of rum on the Raising of his House" in 1744, owned several cows, a wagon, and a horse.  He was also a generous man when it came to family, paying off "the Balance of his father's Account," and paying for an "order for 2 bushels of wheat by Mrs. Hester Broadhead".  By 1755, one already notes the honorific "Esq." appended to his name.

Yet generosity wasn't restricted only to family, as one sees that Brodhead had purchased "a pair of Stockins for your Negro John".  Further, as one of the few men in the area that had purchased "quiers of paper", we see that Brodhead was indeed destined for greater things.