08/28/2026
As we continue learning about our local Revolutionary soldiers, today we’ll be learning about Daniel Groscoat/Groscost/Groscoast. Born November 1758 in York County, Pennsylvania, we sadly don’t know much about Daniel’s early years or family. At most, we know that he had a brother named Alexander, and potentially a brother or family member named John.
Daniel joined into the service several times, with his first being in 1778. He was drafted as a Private into the York County militia, where he spent two months guarding the county from plunder by British soldiers. In the fall of 1781, he would be drafted once more, though this time he wouldn’t be out in the countryside with other troops. Instead, he was assigned to guard Camp Security, one of the few American run POW camps near the city of York. He would spend two months at the camp, before acting as a substitute for his brother and serving another two months at Camp Security. In his pension file, Daniel remarked that he helped to build the camp’s stockades during this term of his service.
After his time at Camp Security had finished, Daniel was assigned to be a Teamster. He joined James Smith’s wagon team for six weeks, transporting goods and food. Part of his duty was to deliver wagon loads of flour, which were to be soldier rations, from Little York (modern day York) to Morristown, New Jersey.
Once the last of his service was completed, Daniel stayed in York County for several years, leaving to live in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania until around 1809, when he and his family made the trek to Ohio. They first settled in Brookfield township of Trumbull County, living there for well over 25 years as an early pioneer settler.
While in Trumbull, Daniel applied for his pension, and was granted it on September 12, 1834. Sometime between then and 1840, he made the move to come and live into Seneca County. Beyond this, we don’t know much about Daniel’s personal life. He may have had two daughters, including one Magdalena Groscost, who is buried in the same cemetery as Daniel. According to her grave, she was the daughter of “D & S Groscost”. From this, we can assume that Daniel’s wife’s name began with an “S”, though that is all we know of her.
Daniel Groscost most likely died in the fall of 1841, with his last pension payment in September of the same year. He’s buried near his daughter in the Clay-Groscost cemetery of Scipio township.
Many details from Daniel Groscost’s life had to be left out of this post. For the full version of his life both on and off the battlefield, check out our blog! You can also learn more about the details of other Revolutionary veterans’ lives and service to our country, so click to follow the link below. https://www.tiffinsenecalibrary.org/findinfo/blog
