John Quick was born 16 October 1762, the son of Petres (Peter) Quick Sr. & Johannah Consalus Duk (or Dijk). He had six brothers and two sisters and lived in Montague, Sussex County, New Jersey. He enlisted on 19 August 1776 in Ferreis’ Battalion of the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Militia (#37140750). Two of his older brothers, Benjamin & James, were already serving in the Revolution. Quick’s father provided food & supplies for the army.
Private John Quick was in the company command of Captain Joseph MacKay, and he served in the regiment of Colonel Robert Mansfield in the New Jersey line for two years. He crossed the Delaware with General Washington and fought in the Battle of Trenton; at this battle he was wounded (musket-ball through a leg). The regiment moved to Milltown, New Jersey and Quick wintered at the Valley Forge encampment. He was promoted to Orderly Sergeant Noncommissioned Officer for General Nathanael Green and fought in the Battle of Monmouth.
John was discharged from the military in 1780, having served three years, nine months and 17 days.
After the Revolutionary War, John married Phebe (or Phoebe) Smith, and they had seven children. They lived in Pennsylvania, Canada, and New York. In 1842, as their age advanced, John and his wife took up residence with their youngest son, Abram, and daughter-in-law, Rachel Lapham in Maple Grove Township, Barry County, Michigan. They were among the earliest and most active pioneers in this area. Abram Quick built the first sawmill in the township.
Patriot John Quick died on 9 May 1851 in Maple Grove Township. He had served through an active campaign in the War of the Revolution, and at his death reached the advanced age of ninety years. He is buried in the Quaker-Lapham Cemetery in Maple Grove Township, Barry County, Michigan.