Edward Antill (soldier)

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill (April 11, 1742 – May 29, 1789) was an American soldier who participated at the Battle of Quebec in 1775.

Antill was born in "Piscataqua" (Piscataway), New Jersey on 11 April 1742 and was the fourth of six children born to Edward Antill (1701-1770) and Anne Morris (d. 1781). Antill was the grandson of New Jersey Royal Governor Lewis Morris (1671-1746).

In 1762, Antill was graduated from King's College (now Columbia University) in New York City. On 4 May 1767, Antill married Charlotte Riverin (1753-1785) of Quebec City. Their daughter Frances Antill married Arthur Tappan, the American abolitionist.

He was an American colonist living in Quebec City when in 1775 he joined the 2nd Canadian Regiment as an engineer and participated in the Battle of Quebec (1775) under General Richard Montgomery. He was present when Montgomery died from wounds received in the battle.

He was sent to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia after the failed attack on Quebec City.

He was taken prisoner at the second Battle of Staten Island in August 1777 so he was not with his regiment at the Battle of Brandywine. He was on a prison ship on the Hudson River for three years. After his release he followed the 2nd Canadian Regiment at Yorktown.

Antill died 23 May 1789 at Saint-Jean, near Montréal, in Canada.