During the Revolutionary War, Reverend John Guild provided Patriotic Service (NJ), suffered losses by the enemy and was “hated” as a true patriot.
He was obliged to escape in the company of his children and to take refuge for several weeks with the Slack family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, while the enemy, ranging through the forest and fields and kept possession of the church. His house was entered by British soldiers, who destroyed his papers and shredded his books. The Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Pennington, New Jersey, where he preached, was used by the invading soldiers as barracks.
He married Charity Hunt (daughter of Ralph Hunt) and had nine children: John, Ralph, Benjamin, Esther, Margaret, Mary, Mercy, Phoebe and Charity. The Reverend John Guild died at age 75 on July 10, 1787. He was buried beneath the brick church under the chancel in front of the pulpit. The church is no longer standing; however, the marble slab which covers his grave is exposed to public view. John Guild Chapter was organized March 16, 1914, in Jackson, Missouri. The chapter was named for the Reverend John Guild, an ordained Presbyterian minister during the American Revolution. Nine of the 16 charter members were descendants of the Reverend John Guild. Two descendants of the charter members hold current membership.