The Regiment was authorized on December 9, 1775 in the Continental Army as the 3d Pennsylvania Battalion. Organized on January 2- late March 1776 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from eastern Pennsylvania. It was assigned on June 29, 1776 to Mifflin's Brigade (re-designated 8 October 8, 1776 as Stirling's Brigade), an element of the Main Continental Army. Captured in part on November 16, 1776 by the British Army at Fort Washington, New York. Remainder of Regiment reorganized and re-designated on January 1, 1777 as the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment, an element of the Main Continental Army, to consist of 8 companies. Capt. Joshua Williams' Independent Company consolidated 6 November 1777 with the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment. It was assigned on April 19, 1779 to the New York Brigade, an element of the Northern Department. New York Brigade relieved on May 24, 1779 from the Northern Department and assigned to the Main Continental Army. Consolidated on January 17, 1781 with the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment and re-designated as the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment; concurrently furloughed at Trenton, New Jersey. The regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1783.