*v;#'^l|f:?:-l;ivA -- ;'\v' - - #i~4i^4l

Yale Uoiyersity Library

39002004840311

^\
kV"}*?!^!
x^- .>-*y
V^S
£S':*M,;^!
* wftAfc^HF'^r'
1*^'
'¦\^ \-

i

ii *

HISTORX

OF

^ERKS (OUNTY,

PENNSYL-VANIA,

REVOLUTION,

FKOM

l'Z'Z4 to I'ZSS,

MORTON L. MONTGOMERY,
MEMBER OF THE BAR OF BERKS COUNTY,
Autlior of " Political Hand Book of Berks County" (1883), " History of Berks
County" (l886), " School History of Berks County " {1889), and
" Life and Times of Conrad Weiser " (1893).

Volume Arkangbd in Two Books :
BOOK I.— Revolution.
BOOK II.— Biographical Sketches.

READING, PA.:
Chas, F. Haagh, Printer, Seventh and Court Streets.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1894, by
MORTON L. MONTGOMERY,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D C.

PREFACE.

HE first attempt at the compilation of local
history in Berks County -was made in 1841

by William Stable, a storekeeper at Read-
"W^ ing. He published a small volume of 68
pages in the English and German languages,
in separate editions, -which related chiefly to the busi
ness affairs of Reading, and -was entitled, "A Descrip
tion of the Borough of Reading." It -was prepared
by a promising young la-wyer, Jackson H. Sherman,
-who had shortly before been admitted to practice in
the courts of Berks
County. He -was a
man of considerable
talent, but the re
sult of his labor sho-ws that he lacked the real spirit
of research and the true love of authorship. The facts
collected by him fall far short of -what might have
been gathered at that time -with ordinary pains. The
opportunity -was afforded for collecting important data
that -was truly enviable. Many persons -were still
living -who could have supplied numerous particulars,
either of their o-wn kno-wledge or from hearsay ; and
various documents of an historical nature -were still in
existence, -which could have been consulted and made
the basis of a most exhaustive and reliable history.
As to the Revolution, the nine survivors (-whose
names are mehtioned) could have been easily in
terrogated. All of them -were over seventy-five years

4

PREFACE.

old. When the struggle for independence -was going
on, they -were young men. By their assistance, the
compiler could have collected sufficient materials to
have enabled him to -write a satisfactory story of the
part that Berks County took in the -war ; and by
patient inquiry and determination he could have ob
tained almost every important fact -worth mentioning.
But this opportunity -was neglected ; and this neglect
is surprising to me, for the reason that there -were
then at Reading at least a dozen men -who -were
highly qualified to compile an interesting and correct
history, not only by their education, but also by their
social position and their ample means, which -would
have enabled them to go ahead earnestly and success
fully, -without the fear of embarrassment or failure.
The next attempt
¦was made by I. Daniel
Rupp, of Lancaster, in
1844. For some years
before, he had been
gathering information
relating to a number of
counties in Pennsylva
nia that lay to the east
and -west of the Susque
hanna River, and the
result of his persever
ing industry -was pub
lished in separate vol
umes, entitled after the
several counties. One of them was the "History of
Berks and Lebanon Counties," an octavo volume of 504

^. <0. c^B^yi^

PREFACE. 5
pages. His local information does not show much re
search. Beyond the taxables and the descriptive nature
of the work, his effort is not to be classed above that
of Stable' s. The joining of Lebanon County to Berks
was a misconception, because there was no just reason
for doing so. He should have joined Schuylkill
County, for which there were many good reasons.
The disconnected portions about the Revolution
are of the most ordinary nature. With the ability
and experience that he apparently possessed to guide
and encourage him, he should have been particularly
successful, because he was looking up so many
counties at the same time and for the same purpose.
His chief aim must have been personal rather than
general. He gave considerable space to two promi
nent political characters of Berks County (Weiser and
Hiester), and also several ministers, without even a
reference to others. Joseph Hiester, it is true, acted
his part well in the Revolution ; but there were other
men who were his superiors in various ways, and yet
Rupp did not regard them as worth looking after at
all. I allude to such active and influential men as
Edward Biddle, George Nagel, Henry Haller, Jacob
Morgan, Nicholas Lotz, Mark Bird, Bodo Otto, Jona
than Potts, Daniel Udree, Daniel Hunter, Daniel
Brodhead, Valentine Eckert, John Lesher and John
Patton. These men were so prominent that he could
not have failed to learn much about them while
making his inquiries, if he had directed his efforts in
the proper way.
Until then, the natural and inevitable changes from
the lapse of time were not numerous nor great. Many

6 PREFACE.
of the older buildings, erected before 1776, still re
mained. Hence documents and correspondence of all
kinds could have been found in the different counties
that would have proven of incalculable value. But
during the lapse of forty years more, the changes were
both numerous and great, and matters and things had
not only come to be disturbed very much, but many
valuable links connecting the past with the present,
that is to say, the times of 1776 with those of 1826,
and particularly with 1876, were absolutely gone.
When I came to interest myself earnestly in historical
subjects after 1880, I was not only surprised but very
much disappointed to find available materials about
the Revolution so limited at Reading ; and personal
inquiries at Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia and
Washington were next to fruitless. The men at Read
ing, from 1830 to 1850, who were highly qualified for
literary work, with leisure to accomplish it, are inex
cusable for this gross neglect respecting a topic of such
general value and importance. Even the proprietors
of newspapers of that interesting period did not regard
such information as worthy of preservation. The peo
ple seemed to turn constantly towards distant coun
tries for knowledge relating to general history, govern
ment, &c. ; and it never occurred to them that local
matters were more important in the daily affairs of life.
The Revolution was a subject that was particularly
valuable, for the reason that it concerned their own
personal freedom, unrestricted enterprise and local
government ; and a discussion of its causes, its merits
and its successes would have given the two succeed
ing generations a higher conception of these elevating

PREFACE. 7
and ennobling ideas. This notion has been trans
mitted even until now, making it apparent that
progress in this respect could not be expected to reach
a plane above that occupied then.
In 1859, Amos K. Strunk, of Boyertown, published
a small and useful book of 124 pages that contains
the names of officers of the county who officiated
from 1752 to i860. He caused it to be printed in two
editions, one in the Eng-
He gave much labor to
its compilation, but he received only a little praise for
his pains and efaterprise. In 1883, I published the
"Political Hand-Book of Berks County" (octavo
volume of 104 pages), an enlargement of Strunk's
idea as a book of reference. These two publications
did not make any pretensions beyond the subject
treated, and nothing else should be looked for in
them. In 1886, 1 completed the " History of Berks County,"
a royal octavo volume of 1204 pages. In it I devoted
thirty-one pages (double column) to the Revolu
tion. That was something on this line of inquiry, a
good start ; but a comparison of the matters therein
contained with the contents of this volume will show
that I had made only a feeble attempt at portraying
the part Berks County accomplished in that important
crisis of our history. In the short time that has
elapsed since 1886, a considerable new information
about the Revolution has come to light. The State
of Pennsylvania published several additional volumes

8 PREFACE.
of Archives which were devoted entirely to that topic.
Yet with this information as to Berks County added,
and the whole narrative reconstructed, I still find this
compilation imperfect and short of what it should be.
The patriots from Berks County in the war for
personal liberty and free government had a right
to expect succeeding generations to appreciate their
sacrifices and to preserve a record of their actions. In
doing their part well, they were not only prompted
by selfish considerations for the enjoyment of privileges
and advantages in their day, but by noble impulses
for justice, and by the hope that their children would
have the blessings of self-government, equality and
peace. Such a record, however, was neglected by the
next generation after them, and even by the second
generation. What would those heroes, as colonels
and captains and committeemen have said to their
sons and grandsons if, by some mysterious power, they
should have appeared in 1826, more especially in 1876,
and seen naught done by way of recognizing or appre
ciating their services for freedom ? The third genera
tion is also rapidly passing away. Shall it be said
of the great-grandsons that they, too, have not shown
a proper spirit of appreciation ?
My great-grandfather, John Spohn, was one of the
captains of the year 1776. As a great-grandson of one
of the heroes of that momentous struggle, I have en
deavored to do my part towards building up a record
worthy of their courage in the destructive ordeal of
war for the right of self-government, and I hope it
will be the means of awakening a proper spirit of in-

PREFACE. 9
quiry by other descendants, looking to a completion
of the undertaking herein attempted.
This volume is arranged in two books. The first
is devoted to show the public support given by the
people of Berks County to the Revolution ; and the
second to historical sketches of the more prominent
men from the county who were engaged in active
service. The former required much labor, research
and study ; but numerous facts in the latter were far
more tedious to obtain.
The zinc etchings, published in connection with
the biographical sketches, were made by John E.
Heinly and William Diener, of the Reading Wood
Cut and Photo- Engraving Company. The names are
facsimiles of signatures, which I copied from the last
wills of the respective persons on file in the Register's
office, or from the entry of satisfaction of mortgages
in the Recorder's office.
I have not given any references, showing the sources
of my information, because a great many pages would
have been marred by numerous repetitions of the same
book ; and also because the general reader is not in
terested in foot notes. The greater part of my in
formation in the first book was obtained from the valu
able publications issued by the State of Pennsylvania,
namely, the Colonial Records and Pennsylvaitia Ar
chives, first and second series ; and in the second book
from the papers on file, and also from the records in
the offices of the Register and Recorder of Berks
County. Besides the publications mentioned, the more
prominent books consulted are the following :

IO PREFACE.
Rupp's History of Berks and Lebanon Counties.
Scharf & "VVescott's History of Philadelphia Count.\-.
Puthey & Cope's History of Chester County.
Bean's History of Montgomery County.
Rupp's History of Lancaster County.
Mombert's History of Lancaster County.
Egle's History of Dauphin and Lancaster Counties.
American Archives (Penn'a Historical Society).
Irving's Life of 'Washington.
Autobiography of Charles Biddle.
Bancroft's History of the United States.
Ramsey's History of the United States.
Johnson's Campaign of 1776 Around Brooklyn and Ne-w York.
I acknowledge the kindly attentions of Dr. William
H. Egle (State Librarian of Pennsylvania), and Mr.
Frederick D. Stone (Librarian of Pennsylvania His
torical Society), to me at various times during the
course of my researches for this compilation.
I cannot conclude this preface without expressing
my appreciation of the co-operation and indulgence of
Mr. Charles F. Haage, the printer, in the satisfactory
production of this volume as to its arrangement,
appearance, etc., for they contributed a great deal of
encouragement to me in the completion of mj' arduous
undertaking.

Reading, Pa., June 1, 1894.

CONTENTS.

BOOK I.— REVOLUTION.

INTRODUCTION  17-18
CHAPTER I.
CAUSE OF THE REVOLUTION  19-31
CHAPTER II.
PATRIOTIC SPIRIT OF THE COUNTY  33-38
Public Meeting at Reading, July 3, 1774 ; Resolutions
Adopted; Committee Appointed — Provincial Con
ference, July 15, 1774 — Congress of Deputies, Sept.
4, 1774 — Committee of Observation Chosen at Pub
lic Meeting, Dec. 5, 1774 — Delegates to Provincial
Convention Appointed, Jan. 3, 1775 — Letters to Lan
caster Committee — Circular Letter as to 'Wool —
Resolutions of Provincial Convention — Battle at
Lexington A-wakens Countj' — Conscientious Scru
ples Against "War — First OfBcers Selected from
County by Council of Safety — Germans to the Res
cue — Population and Districts of County in 1776.
CHAPTER HI.
ASSOCIATORS  39-43
Counties of Pennsylvania in 1775 — Recommendation of
Congress — County Colonels of Associators — Pre
amble to Articles of Association — County Committee
Recommends Articles.

1 2 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
INDEPENDENCE OP THE PROVINCE  43-55
Suppression of British Authority — Support of Civil
Authority by the County — Provincial Conference,
June, 1776 ; Deputies from County ; Address ;
Declaration of Independence ; Address for Flying
Camp — Declaration of Independence by Congress ;
Read in County, July 8, 1776 — Constitutional Con
vention of the Province; County Delegates Elected;
Preamble to Constitution: Declaration of Rights.
CHAPTER V.
MILITIA SYSTEM  56-74
System Provided by General Assembly — County Re
turns for 1775— County Returns for 1776; Delegates
from County to Lancaster Convention, July 4,
1776 — County Returns for 1777 — New System
Provided, June 13, 1777; Oath of Allegiance Re
quired ; County Districts Established; Battalions,
Companies and Classes ; Pay and Rations ; Days of
Drill ; Fines ; Pensions ; Persons Exempted from
Service; Oaths Administered in the County —
County Returns for 1778— County Returns for 1780
— County Returns for 1783.
CHAPTER VI.
COMPANIES FROM COUNTY IN THE REVOLUTION 75-150
In 1775.
Nagel's Company at Cambridge; Roll of Company;
Services of Company. In 1776.
Jones's Company in Canada Campaign ; Roll of Com
pany ; Services of Company— Companies at Ne-vv
York : Of Captains John Spohn, Peter Decker and
Henry Christ ; Services of Companies— Lotz's Bat
talion in Plying Camp; Field and Commissioned
Officers; Letter of Standing Committee to Con-

CONTENTS. 13
gress; Intentions of Congress Explained; County
Troops at Bethlehem ; Marching Order to Capt
Daniel DeTurck ; Roll of Company ; Order to Or
ganize; Battle of Long Island ; Incidents of Hies
ter's Company — 'Weiser's Company in the German
Regiment ; Roll of Company ; Services of Com
pany ; Other Men from County in the Regiment —
County Troops at South Amboy ; Battalion of Col.
John Patton ; Field Officers of Battalion ; Compa
nies of Captains John Lesher, Michael "Wolf, George
Miller and Michael Furrer ; Battalion of Col. Mark
Bird ; Letter to Council of Safetj' ; Resolution of
Congress — Haller's Battalion near Trenton; Letter to
Council of Safety; Resolution of Council of Safety.
In 1777.
Hunter's Battalion in New Jersey; Letter of Col. Daniel
Brodhead ; Resolution of Council of Safety ; Letter
from Gen'l Israel Putnam — Three Companies at
Newtown ; Letter of Gen'l Thomas Mifflin ; Com
panies of Captains George 'Will, John Diehl and
Nicholas Scheffer — County Men in Continental
Line ; Companies, of Captains Jacob Moser and
Jacob Bower ; Sundry Enlistments : Captains, Sub
alterns and Privates — Two Battalions at Chester,
Commanded by Hunter and Udree — Spyker's Bat
talion at "White Marsh ; Lieutenant Whitman
'Wounded at Germantown — AVashington's Arm,y
near the County — Troops Encamped at Kutztown —
No British Invasion of County.
In 1778.
Dragoons from the County in Provost Guard ; Company
of Capt. Bartholomew Von Heer — Lindemuth's
Battalion on the Frontiers. In 1780.
Hiester's Battalion with Reed's Army ; Field Officers ;
Companies of Captains Charles Gobin, Ferdinand
Ritter, Conrad Sherman, John Ludwig, Jacob
Baldy and Henry Strouch ; Selections from the 3rd
Battalion — Two Companies of Ely's Battalion in
the Frontier Service ; Inhabitants Killed by the
Indians.

14 CONTENTS. In 1781.
Class of Lindemuth's Battalion on the Frontiers — Ely's
Battalion at Newtown ; Company of Capt. John
Robinson — Capt. Jacob Livingood's Company.
In 1783.
County Troops on the Frontiers ; Robinson's Company
in Northumberland County ; Sundry Troops Sup
plied.
Other Enlistments from the County ; Names of Men
Ascertained — Army Surgeons from the County;
Hospitals at Reading — Reports of Men Supplied
from the County — Payments for County Militia.
CHAPTER VII.
PRISONERS OF WAR AT READING  151-167
English Prisoners ; Letter from Committee to Dele
gates in Congress ; Conduct of Prisoners ; Letter
from James Read to Council of Safety ; Quaker
Prisoners from Philadelphia ; .Company of Capt.
Conrad Geist on Guard Duty — Hessian Prisoners ;
Letter by Council of Safety about Removal of
Prisoners to Reading ; Camp Located on Commons ;
Camp Surprised by Militia in Disguise of Indians ;
Officer Drowned ; Sickness and Burial of Hessians
— German Prisoners ; Company of Capt. Charles
Krause on Guard Duty ; Additional Men as Guard ;
Continental Troops as Guard ; County Militia as
Guard ; Order of Council of Safety ; Company of
Capt. Peter Nagel on Guard Duty.
CHAPTER VIII.
ESTIMATE OF MEN IN SERVICE  168-173
For the Years 1775, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1780, 1781 and
1783 — Recapitulation — Names of Captains Ascer
tained—Names of Colonels Ascertained.

CONTENTS. 15
CHAPTER IX.
ARMY SUPPLIES FROM THE COUNTY  174-189
Store House at Reading — Reports of Supplies Manufac
tured — Reports of Supplies Collected — Supplies
taken in Oley in 1778 — Masts for the United States
Navy — Receipt Book of Col. Nicholas Lotz — Promi
nent Industries ; Names and Location of Furnaces
and Forges; Iron Masters; Other Industries — Prices
during the Revolution — Pay of Men in Service — Con
tinental Paper Money. CHAPTER X.
PROCLAMATIONS FOR THE FAVOR OF GOD .... 190-193
First Recommendation of Congress for Prayer — Appeal
for Support in Warfare — Proclamation Issued by
Executive Council — Observance by County.
CHAPTER XI.
COUNTY INCUMBENTS OF POSITIONS  194^197
National Positions — State Positions — County Positions.
CHAPTER XII.
AFFAIRS AT READING  198-304
Public Papers Removed from Philadelphia — Social Con
dition in 1777 — Conway-Cabal supposed at Reading
— Duel at Reading — Pre-Revolutionary Buildings at
Reading. CHAPTER XIII.
CONCLUSION  305-308
Independence and Peace — Return of the Soldiers — Revo
lutionary Survivors in 1833; in 1840; in 1846.

i6

CONTENTS.

BOOK IL— BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Edward Biddle  309
Mark Bird  313
Jacob Bovver  314
Michael Bright  215
Daniel Brodhead  316
Edward Burd  318
Henry Christ  319
Peter Decker  330
George Douglass  330
Thomas Dundas  331
Valentine Eckert  323
Conrad Eckert  334
George Ege . ;  335
BalserGeehr  327
Alexander Graydon  230
Henry Haller  230
Gabriel Hiester  333
Joseph Hiester  333
Daniel Hunter  235
Thomas- Jones, Jr  336
John Lesher  337
Daniel Levan  338
Sebastian Levan  338
Abraham Lincoln  239
Jacob Livingood  241
Nicholas Lotz  343
Christian Lower  245

John Ludwig  346
Jacob Morgan  24?
Jacob Morgan, Jr  250
David Morgan  353
George Nagel  254
Peter Nagel  255
Bodo Otto  258
John A. Otto  361
John Patton  363
Jonathan Potts  363
Collinson Read  264
James Read  365
William Reeser  266
Christopher Schultz  267
Edward Scull  268
Peter Scull  268
Charles Shoemaker  369
Jacob Shoemaker  271
John Soder  271
John Spohn  272
Benjamin Spyker  274
Peter Spyker  375
Henry Spyker  270
Daniel Udree  277
Henry Vanderslice  280
Benjamin Weiser  281
Christopher Witman  282

cm II IHE RtilUIi.

BOOK I.— REVOLUTION.

INTRODUCTION.
The American Revolution was carried on from 1774
to 1783 against Great Britain by the thirteen Colonies
that constituted the prominent settlements along the
Atlantic coast from New Hampshire to Georgia, and
existed under organized forms of government. The
direct cause was the attempted imposition of increased
taxes by parliament upon the inhabitants without
representation or without their consent. The great
majority of the people were distinguished for their
steadfast determination and inflexible resolution in
such an important matter as concerned their personal
welfare, more especially the leaders of public thought
and action in the several colonies, and this widely-
prevailing sentiment developed amongst them a spirit
of opposition that was earnest, persistent and cour
ageous. This sentiment, however, was not created in 1774.
It had its origin thirty, even forty, if not fifty, years-
before. Without a steady growth through a number
of years, it could not have become substantial. Look-

1 8 REVOLUTION.
ing at the situation and qualification of the people in
this manner, we can not fail to give great credit and
honor to the men of sound discrimination who lived
several decades before that time and exerted a strong
influence over them in establishing correct notions of
social freedom, political equality, and local rights.
The County of Berks was erected in 1752 as a sep
arate political body in Pennsylvania. For over thirty
years, the taxpayers had been practically interested in
public business that related to the laying out of roads
for facilitating intercourse of one community with
another, and to the erection of townships for admin
istering- local affairs. Afterward, in quick succession,
numerous things of general concern were conducted
in their midst to keep them interested in public pro
gress, the more important having been the " Indian
Invasion," the erection of the "District of Reading,"
the proposed change of government, and the building
of the Court House and County Prison, together with
many township improvements and private enterprises.
In this way they were gradually and unconsciously
prepared for a more serious undertaking, and when the
crisis came that required them to show real apprecia
tion of personal rights and local welfare, they mani
fested such a wonderful degree of social energy and
•co-operative resistance as to enable them to carry bur
densome taxation, and endure trying and costly war
fare for over eight years, until they finally realized
the establishment of free government.

REVOLUTION. 19

CHAPTER I.
CAUSE OF THE REVOI.UTION.
The Parliament of Great Britain passed an Act on
March 22, 1765, which required ^lU instruments of
writing, such as deeds, bonds and promissory notes,
to be written on parchment or paper and stamped
with a specific duty, otherwise they were to have no
legal effect; but this measure met with such general
opposition in Great Britain and throughout the Amer
ican colonies, and was found to be so unpopular, that
the act was repealed in the following year, February
17, 1766. The cheapest stamp was of the value of
one shilling. The stamps on documents increased in
value according to their importance. All the colonists
manifested unbounded joy over the repeal of this
odious law.
This opposition, however, led Parliament to pass a
declaratory Act — which accompanied the repealing Act
— asserting the power over the colonies ' ' in all cases
whatsoever." And in 1767 an Act was passed impos
ing certain duties on tea, glass, paper, and painters'
colors that were imported into the Colonies. There
was no representation in Parliament from the several
Colonies, and regarding taxation of this kind as unjust
and tyrannical, they held public meetings, formed
associations to discourage and even to prevent the
importation of British goods, and passed appropriate
resolutions, which they forwarded to the King. His

20 REVOLUTION.
ministers, believing that a reduction of the tax would
restore tranquillity, ordered this law also to be re
pealed, saving only a tax of three pence per pound on
tea; and in 1770 an Act was passed accordingly. But
even this was not satisfactory to them, and their
recommendations to one another not to receive any
tea were strictly carried out.
In the meantime, the East India Company had ac
cumulated 17,000,000 pounds of this article on hand,
and fearing great losses, they led Parliament to author
ize the exportation of tea to any part of the world free
of duty. With such encouragement, the company in
1774 loaded several ships with tea and sent them to
the American Colonies; but the colonists were firm in
their resolution and determined to obstruct the sale of
it and to refuse to pay even so slight a tax as three
pence per pound. When the ships arrived near Phil
adelphia and New York, the captains were warned
not to land, and, fearing this warning, they returned
to England. The tea sent to Charleston was landed,
but it could not be sold, and after having been stored
for a while in damp cellars it became a total loss to the
company. And at Boston, while efforts were being
made to land the tea, certain men in the disguise of
Indians stole their way upon the vessels, broke open
342 chests of tea and threw the contents overboard.
When Parliament heard of these proceedings, an Act
was passed, called the "Boston Port Bill," directing
the Port of Boston to be closed and the Custom House
to be removed to Salem; and other humiliating Acts
were also passed which were particularly offensive to
the people of Boston, indeed of all Massachusetts.

REVOLUTION. 21
Information about these Acts reached Boston on May
the loth, and on the 13th, at a town meeting, the in
habitants resolved:
"That, if the other Colonies would unite with them to stop all
importations from Great Britain and the West Indies u'ntil those
Acts should be repealed, it would prove the salvation of North
America and her liberties; but if they should continue their ex
ports and imports, there was reason to fear that fraud, power and
the most odious oppression would triumph over justice, right,
social happiness and freedom."
Copies of this resolution were transmitted to all the
other Colonies. It a-wakened not only a feeling of
sympathy but a strong spirit of co-operation, and led
them to concur in the propriety of calling a Provin
cial Congress.
Public meetings were held at different places, such
as county towns, and, besides discussing topics so im
portant to liberty and general welfare, committees of
correspondence were appointed to communicate the
actions of the several meetings to one another through
out the Colonies. In this way it was discovered that
the same feeling prevailed everywhere, and naturally
there came to be united efforts towards accomplishing
a common result for the benefit of all.
About this time the terms ''Whigs " and "Tories"
were introduced to designate either those who were
arrayed on the side of the Colonies in sympathy with
Boston, or those who were in sympathy with the pol
icy of the British government.

22

REVOLUTION.

COURT HOUSE, PKNN SQUARE, READING.

REVOLUTION. 23

CHAPTER II.
PATRIOTIC SPIRIT OF THE COUNTY.
PUBLIC MEETING AT READING IN 1774.
When the news reached Reading, in Berks County,
the citizens manifested great excitement and meetings
were held at which the action of the British govern
ment was condemned. These meetings were called
by notices headed "Boston Port Bill," and posted
throughout the town. A report of one of these meet
ings has been preserved, and is presented in this con
nection to show what action the people of Reading and
vicinity were inspired to take, and what expressions
they were led to make in the matter.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
At a meeting of a very respectable body of free
holders and others, inhabitants of the County of Berks,
held in the Court House at Reading, the 2d of July,
1774, Edward Biddle, Esq., in the chair, the following
resolutions were adopted :
"This assembly, taking into their very serious consideration
the present critical situation of American affairs, do unanimously
resolve as follows, viz.:
"1. That the inhabitants of this county do owe, and will pay
due allegiance to our rightful Sovereign, King George the Third.
"2. That the powers claimed, and now attempted to be put
into execution by the British Parliament, are fundamentally
wrong, and cannot be admitted without the utter destruction of
the liberties of America.

24

REVOLUTION.

"3. That the Boston Port Bill is unjust and tyrannical in the
extreme. And that the measures pursued against Boston are in
tended to operate equally against the rights and liberties of the
other colonies.
"4. That this assembly doth concur in opinion with their re
spective brethren of Philadelphia, that there is an absolute neces
sity for an immediate congress of the deputies of the several
advices, in order to deliberate upon and pursue such measures as
ma.y radically heal our present unhappy disturbances, and settle
with precision the rights and liberties of America.
"5. That the inhabitants of this county, confiding in the pru
dence and ability of the deputies intended to be chosen for the
general congress, will cheerfully submit to any measures which
may be found by the said congress best adapted for the restoration
of harmony between the mother-country and the colonies, and for
the security and firm establishment of the rights of America.
"6. That, as the people of Boston are now suffering in the
grand and common cause of American liberty,
"Resolved, That it is the duty of all the inhabitants to con
tribute to the support of the said sufferers, and that the commit
tee hereafter named do open subscriptions for their relief. And
further, that the said committee do lay out the amount of such
subscriptions in purchasing flour and other provisions, to be sent
by them to our said suffering brethren.
"7. That Edward Biddle, James Read, Daniel Brodhead, Henry
Christ, Esqs., Christopher Schultz, Thomas Dundas and Jonathan
Potts, gentlemen, be, and they are hereby appointed a committee
to meet and correspond with the committees from the other
counties of the Province."
The thanks of the assembly were unanimously
voted to the chainnan for the spirited manner in
which he pointed out the dangerous situation of all
the American colonies. He expressed at the same
time the greatest loyalty to King George, notwith
standing he had the highest regard for the liberties of
America.

REVOLUTION. 25
There was great unanimity of sentiment as to the
resolutions, and all cordially agreed to sacrifice every
temporary advantage for the purpose of securing free
dom to themselves and to their posterity.
The committee doubtless raised money and for
warded flour and provisions to the suffering brethren
at Boston soon after the meeting, but I have not been
able to ascertain the quantity. Reading was a promi
nent centre of trade in 1774, and the country rounda
bout possessed an abundance of grain and provisions.
There were numerous grist mills within a radius of
ten miles, and the collection of many barrels of flour
was a comparatively easy matter for such a worthy
cause, especially under the appeal of such men as
composed the committee. All were capable, influen
tial men. Biddle and Read were attorneys, Christ an
innkeeper. Potts a physician, Dundas a merchant,
Brodhead a large miller of Heidelberg, and Schultz a
prosperous farmer of Hereford.
Similar meetings were held in the other counties
during June and July, and committees were also
appointed to act for and represent the respective
counties. From this meeting to the close of the Revolution,
the people of Reading and of the county participated
actively in all the affairs of the province which were
conducted towards the establishment of independence.
They were represented by delegates at the several
conferences; and they contributed their quota of men,
money and supplies in the successful prosecution of
the war.

26 REVOLUTION.
PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE.
The delegates from the several counties of the
Province were called to meet at Philadelphia on July
15, 1774. This meeting was attended by the com
mittee named as representatives from Berks County.
The notice for the meeting was issued by the commit
tee of Philadelphia City in the following form:
"The Governor declining to call the Assembly, renders it neces
sary to take the sentiments of the inhabitants; and for that pur
pose it is agreed to call a meeting of the inhabitants of this city
and county at the State House on Wednesday the 15th instant
[July.] And we would wish to have the sentiments and concur
rence of our brethren in the several counties who are equally
interested with us in the General Cause. We earnestly desire you
to call together the principal inhabitants of your count}- and to
take their sentiments. We shall forward to you, by every occa
sion, anj' matters of consequence that come to our knowledge and
we should be glad if you would choose and appoint a committee
to correspond with us."
The first action of the meeting was the reading
of the letters from Boston, dated May 13, 1774, and
a statement of the steps taken in consequence thereof,
and of the measures pursued in this and the adjoining
provinces. Then a series of sixteen appropriate reso
lutions were adopted, which are remarkable for earn
estness and courage in behalf of local rights and
independence; and a committee was appointed to pre
pare and bring in a draught of instructions. On this
committee was Daniel Brodhead, from Berks Count}-.
The committee performed its duty in an admirable
manner, and the result of its deliberations was a doc
ument truly distinguished for its devotion to the King,
but also to the political and social welfare of the peo-

REVOLUTION. 27
pie. Upon its adoption, the committee was directed
to present the same to the General Assembly (which
was then in session at Philadelphia), and this the
committee accordingly did, in a body, on the 21st of
July. CONGRESS OF DEPUTIES.
Among other things in the instructions, they asked
the Assembly ' ' to appoint a proper number of persons
to attend a Congress of Deputies from the several
Colonies at such time and place as may be agreed
upon to effect a general plan of conduct;" and the
Assembly accordingly appointed eight Deputies from
the representatives of the eleven counties in the State.
Edward Biddle, Esq., from Berks County, was selected
as one of them'. The other Colonies also appointed
Deputies. All of them, numbering fifty-five, assem
bled at Philadelphia on September 4, 1774, and
effected an organization in Carpenters' Hall on the
5th, with Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, as president.
The sessions of this Congress were continued until
the 25th of October following. Though a desire for
conciliation was manifested, the opposition of Mas
sachusetts to the Parliamentary legislation was ap
proved and the declaration was made that, if the British
government should attempt to carry out its provisions,
all America ought to unite in sustaining the sister
colony in her opposition. The delegates agreed upon
a declaration of rights, a determination to stop im
ports from and exports to Great Britain and a discon
tinuance of the slave trade ; and they also prepared a

28 REVOLUTION.
petition to the King and an address to the British '
people. Then they adjourned to meet again at the
same place on May lo, 1775, unless redress should be
afforded in the meantime.
Besides the matters mentioned, this Congress also
adopted Articles of Association, and one of the articles
provided that a Committee of Observation should be
chosen in every county, city and town by the qualified
electors. COUNTY COMMITTEE OF OBSERVATION.
Pursuant to advertisements scattered throughout
Berks County, a respectable number of the inhabi
tants met on December 5th, 1774, at the court-house,
in Reading, and proceeded by ballot to the election of
a committee, as recommended by Congress, when the
following gentlemen were duly chosen :
Edward Biddle, Michael Bright, Sebastian Levan,
Christopher Schultz, John Patton, George Nagel,
Dr. Jonathan Potts, Mark Bird, Christopher Witman,
William Reeser, John Jones, Jacob Shoemaker,
Baltzer Geehr, John Old, James Lewis.
In the latter part of December, the Committee re
ceived a communication from the Committee of Phil
adelphia, dated December 22, 1774, which read as
follows: " Gentlemen: By order of the Committee of the City and Lib
erties of Philadelphia, we have the pleasure to transmit you the
following resolves, passed this day with great unanimity, viz:
" That this Committee think it absolutely necessary that the Committees of the
Counties of this province, or such deputies as they may appoint for this purpose,
be requested to meet together in provincial convention as soon as convenient •
and that it be recommended to the County Committees to meet in said convention
on Monday, the 23d day of January next, in the City of Philadelphia."

REVOLUTION. 29
"From a view of the present situation of public affairs, the
Committee have been induced to propose this convention that the
sense of the province may be obtained; and that the measures to
be taken thereupon may be the result of the united wisdom of
the Colonj'.
" The obvious necessity of giving an immediate consideration
to many matters of the greatest importance to the general welfare
will, we hope, sufficiently apologize to you for naming so early a
day as the 33d of January."
DELEGATES TO PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.
In pursuance of this letter, the Committee met at
Reading on January 2, 1775, and unanimously agreed
to the proposed Provincial Convention, and they ap
pointed the following delegates to represent the county
at the convention :
Edward Biddle, Sebastian Levan, Jonathan Potts,
Mark Bird, John Patton, Christopher Schultz.
Baltzer Geehr,
They also then appointed a Committee of Corre
spondence for the county:
Edward Biddle, Jonathan Potts, Christopher Witman.
Mark Bird, William Reeser,
This Committee selected Dr. Jonathan Potts to act
as secretary. LETTERS TO LANCASTER COMMITTEE.
On the same day. Dr. Potts addressed a letter to the
Committee of Correspondence for the County of Lan
caster, stating therein that they had received a letter
from the Committee of Correspondence of the City
and Liberties of Philadelphia, in which it was pro-

30 REVOLUTION.
posed that a Provincial Convention be held at Phila
delphia on the 23d instant, and adding that they had
considered the proposition, unanimously agreed to the
convention, and appointed the delegates named to at
tend the proposed convention in behalf of Berks
County. He concluded his letter by informing them
also of the selection of a Committee of Correspondence,
and adding the five names of the Committee.
Another letter from the same Committee was ad
dressed to the Committee of Lancaster on January 5,
1775. It was as follows:
"Gentlemen; Enclosed is an extract from the proceedings of
the Committee of this County, by which you will see that depu
ties are appointed to attend the proposed Provincial Convention.
"When we consider that our disputes are drawing fast to a cri
sis, and that the most cordial unanimity is absolutely necessary
for our preservation, we cannot doubt but that your respectable
committee will without hesitation appoint deputies to attend the
Provincial Congress. The neglect of any one County may have
the most fatal consequences. And we well know the pleasure It
would give our enemies to see even the appearance of a disunion
at this very imjiortant time. The great consequence of this sub
ject will, we hope, apologize for this freedom."
CIRCULAR LETTER AS TO WOOL.
The following letter, in reference to sheep and wool
in the county, was circulated throughout the county
during the latter part of January, 1775:
"Reading, January 16th, 1775.
"To the Farmers of Berks County :
"The Committee of the County of Berks having considered
the association of the butchers of this town not to kill any sheep
¦ whatsoever till the first day of Jhiy next, take the liberty earn
estly to recommend to the inhabitants of this county not to

REVOLUTION. 31
sell any sheep whatsoever to any butcher from Philadelphia or
elsewhere till the first day of May. The preserving of wool being
an object of the greatest consequence, the committee flatter them
selves that the farmers will cheerfully observe this recommenda
tion, and as the committee will meet in Reading on Tuesday, the
14th day of February, if any inhabitants have any objections to
make to the measure hereby recommended, such inhabitants are
requested to attend the committee to make their objections, that
the same may be maturely considered. •
"Any person having wool which he cannot dispose of in the
country, may bring it to the house of Mr. Mark Bird, in Reading,
who will give fourteen pence per pound for any quantity.
"By Order of the Committee,
"Jonathan Potts, Secretary."
From the patriotic spirit that prevailed, this recom
mendation was doubtless observed, but I could not
find any notice of a meeting of the Committee on
February 14, 1775.
RESOLUTIONS OF PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.
The delegates from the several counties accordingly
assembled at Philadelphia on January 23, 1775, and
adopted the following resolutions :
-That this Convention most heartily approve of the conduct and
proceedings of the Continental Congress.
That we will faithfully endeavor to carry into execution the
measures of the Association entered into and recommended by
them. That, as it was necessary to lay a restraint on importation and
supply of articles necessary for subsistence, and clothing and de
fense must be provided, no person should use, sell or kill for mar
ket any sheep under four years old, and it was recommended that
woolen manufactories he set up, especially for coating, flannel,
blankets, rags, coverlids, hosiery and coarse cloths.
That flax and hemp be raised, and mills be erected for breaking,
swinging and softening them; salt made in the manner used in
other countries, and saltpetre; gunpowder manufactured as largely

32 REVOLUTION.
as possible; nails, wire and steel made, and also different kinds of
paper from the old linen and rags preserved for that purpose ;
that houses be set up for glass, wool combs and cards, tin plates,
copper sheets, bottoms and kettles, grindstones and fulling mills;
and as the brewing of malt liquors would tend to render the con
sumption of foreign liquors less necessary, that proper attention
be given to the cultivation of barley.
That all the inhabitants of the province promise themselves to
use our own manufactures, and those of the other colonies in
preference to all others.
That societies be established and premiums be granted in the
several counties to persons who may excel in the several branches
of manufacturing.
That any manufacturer or vender of goods, who shall take
advantage of the necessities of his country by selling his mer
chandise at an unusual or extravagant profit, shall be considered
an enemj' to his countrj- and be advertised as such by the com
mittee. That printers use the types made by an ingenious artist in Ger
mantown in preference to any which may be hereafter imported.
That the Committee of Correspondence of Philadelphia be a
standing Committee for the several counties, but to give notice to
them whenever a Provincial Council becomes necessary."
While preparations were being made for this Con
ference, the House of Lords met in London on Jan
uary 20th, and it. was on that occasion that Chatham
made his brilliant defense of the American Colonies
and appealed most eloquently for reconciliation. But
his appeal was in vain, for his motion was rejected by
a vote of 68 against i8, almost four to one.
BATTLE AT LEXINGTON AW.\KENS COUNTY.
The battle of Lexington was fought on April 19,
1775. When the news of the battle reached Reading,
about a week afterward, a company of men was
formed, who wore crape for a cockade in token of the

REVOLUTION. 33
sorrow for the slaughter of their brethren. Each
township in Berks County resolved to raise and disci
pline its company. On the 25th of April, a town
meeting was called at Philadelphia, when thousands
of the inhabitants assembled, and agreed to associate
for the purpose of defending with arms their lives,
their property and their liberty.
This patriotic feeling prevailed also at Reading and
in the county. The following extract of a letter from
Reading, dated April 26, 1775, presents it forcibly:
"We have raised in this town two companies of foot under
proper officers ; and such is the spirit of the people of this free
county, that in three weeks time there is not a township in it that
will not have a company raised and disciplined, ready to assert at
the risk of their lives the freedom of America."
The companies mentioned were those commanded
by Capt. Ge<3rge Nagel and Capt. John Spohn.
Conscientious Scruples against War. — A meeting of
deputies of divers inhabitants of the county, who were
conscientiously scrupulous against bearing arms, was
held at Reading on September i, 1775. They passed
certain resolutions, which, briefly stated, were as fol
lows: 1. Agreeing to voluntary subscriptions for the uses pointed out
by the recommendations of the Assembly on June 30, 1775, and
of the Continental Congress on July 18, 1775.
3. Ordering accounts of moneys received and expended to be
kept by a treasurer.
3. Submitting the moneys to the disposal of the Committee of
Safety as a part of the share to be accounted for by Berks County.
4. Agreeing to answer requisitions on them by the Committee
of Safety.

34 REVOLUTION.
These resolutions were signed by Wm. Reeser, as
president of the meeting. On September ii, 1775,
he sent a copy of them to the Committee of Safety,
stating in his accompanying letter that they were
conscientiously scrupulous of taking up arms, though
fully sensible of the justice of the cause, but that they
were willing to contribute to its support. He acknowl
edged to have received in hands the sum of ;^i52
for the Committee of Safety, and assured the Commit
tee that they would ever cheerfully contribute their
proportion towards the safety and welfare of the
public. FIRST OFFICERS SELECTED FROM THE COUNTY.
The first meeting of the Committee of Safety at
Philadelphia, which Edward Biddle, Esq., attended,
was on January 2, 1776. Congress had recommended
that Pennsylvania furnish four battalions of troops,
and at this meeting the Committee were to agree upon
the four colonels who were to be placed in command.
Biddle evidently attended to favor Daniel Brodhead,
of Heidelberg town.ship, but he could not control a
sufficient number of votes. On the next day they
voted for Lieutenant Colonels. Brodhead's name was
again presented with seven others, but he was not
selected. On the 4th of January, they selected field
officers ; George Nagel, of Reading, was one of them.
On the following day, he was commissioned as Major
of the Third Battalion ; and then they also selected
31 Captains for the four Battalions. Among those
chosen were John Spohn, Peter Scull and Peter

REVOLUTION. 35
Decker, all of Reading. On January 6th, they se
lected 32 Lieutenants. Among them was Daniel
Brodhead, of Reading. It appears that Biddle did
not attend any meetings after the 6th of January.
His absence was doubtless caused by sickness.
GERMANS TO THE RESCUE.
By looking over the names of the numerous men in
Berks county who participated in the movement for
independence, it will be found that they are almost
entirely German. The population of the county was
largely German and of German descent, and this pre
ponderance of names over those of all other nation
alities was to be expected. The proportion was fully
nine-tenths. They used the German language in their
daily affairs, excepting the transfer of title to real
estate which was required to be in the English lan
guage by a provincial law. The location of the Eng
lish people in 1775 was mostly at Reading, and in
Robeson, Caernarvon, Union, Exeter, Oley, Maiden-
creek and Richmond townships, or eight districts out
of twenty-nine, but the major part of the people in
these districts also was German, excepting the south
ern section of the county. It can be stated that Berks
county was then distinctively the most German county
of the eleven counties in the Province.
It was natural for the electors of the county to show
a most positive sympathy for this movement, because
it was in accordance with their notions of political life
and social existence. They had a firm belief in local
government and desired to carry it on successfully

36 REVOLUTION.
without unnecessary restrictions or burdens. Taxa.-
tion without representation was to them a most un
reasonable and unjust doctrine, and they were not
disposed to tolerate its continued enforcement. Either
they or their fathers had emigrated from Germany and
settled in the county during the previous fifty years
for the express purpose of enjoying civil rights, and of
conducting their business, social and political affairs
with as little foreign interference as possible ; and find
ing that extra taxes were to be imposed upon and ex
acted from them without their consent for the benefit
of the King of Great Britain, and not for their own
improvement or convenience, they felt impelled to ex
press a decided opposition to such a proceeding.
The system of militia, which had been provided for
by the Assembly, was appreciated by them, and they
co-operated sincerely in its establishment throughout
the county. They effected an organization and re
sponded to the call for troops in a willing and prompt
manner. Their promptness gave them such public
distinction that Bancroft, the historian, makes especial
mention of it in that part of his Historj' of the United
States which relates to the Revolution. This action
was shown soon after the Battle of Lexington had been
fought, not simply at Reading where there was a con
siderable population in a small area of territory cov
ering less than a square mile, but in everj' township
of the county whose inhabitants were widely scattered
over an extended area embracing fulh- twelve hundred
square miles. The militia returns of tlie county for
1775 show the organization of seven battalions, and
by July, 1775, there were at least forty companies

REVOLUTION. 37
ready to answer the call for practical military duty in
actual warfare. Their zeal will be more fully appre
ciated when we understand that there was not a single
post office in the county, and that the only means of
dispatching communications was by express riders.
Some opposition to this movement was shown in
the county, but it did not presume to effect an organ
ization in behalf of preventing the development of the
sentiment for indepencence. The people who mani
fested this feeling were confined to the districts where
the English language was used, and on that account
they were called "Tories." The property of some of
these was confiscated and converted to the uses of the
government in prosecuting the war.
A small number of inhabitants in the county had
conscientious scruples against war, and though they
succeeded in holding a public meeting and forming an
organization, they did not constitute a factor of any
importance in creating public opinion.
A slight inclination was also manifested by some
men in the county to discourage the continental cur
rency. Two men were arrested for doing this, but
they were discharged after having publicly acknow
ledged their error at Reading on January 30, 1776,
begged the pardon of the community, and promised to
conform thereafter to the rules and regulations that
existed. It is evident that the Germans were too numerous
and their sympathies for independence too strong to
permit any feelings or sentiments contrary to their
own to become of any recognized public influence.

38

REVOLUTION.

POPULATION AND DISTRICTS OF THE COUNTY.
In 1776, the territory of Berks County included not
only that part which lies within the present boundary
lines to the south of the Blue Mountains, but also
nearly the entire area of Schuylkill County to the
north, the excepted portion being about one-sixth part
at the eastern end. But that section beyond the
mountains was sparsely settled, the resident taxables
numbering about 150, and the population about 600.
The total population — as near as I can estimate it —
was about 20,000, and the taxables numbered about
4000, the same number as those subject to military
duty between the ages of 18 and 53 years.
The estimated population of Pennsylvania then was
300,000 white people and 2000 black.
The townships or districts established in the county
numbered 29. They were distributed as follows :
Ea.st of the Schuylkill River— 18.

Manataimiy Section :

Alsace,

Douglass,

Reading,

Amity,

Exeter,

Rockland,

Colebrookdale,

Hereford,

Ruscombmanor,

District,

Oley,

Ontelaunee Section :

Albany,
Maidencreek,
Richmond,
Greenwich,
Maxatawuy,
Windsor.
Longswamp,
West of the Schuylkill River — 9.
Schuylkill Section :
Brecknock,
Cumru,
Union.
Caernarvon,
Robeson,
Tulpehocken Section :
Bern,
Heidelberg,
Tulpehocken.
Bethel,
Beyond the Blue Mountains-
Brunswick and Pino Grove.
-2.
REVOLUTION. 39

CHAPTER III.
ASSOCIATORS.
At the inception of the Revolution, there were
eleven counties in the Province of Pennsylvania.
They were:

Philadelphia,

York,

Bedford,

Bucks,

Cumberland,

Northumberland,

Chester,

Berks,

Westmoreland.

Lancaster,

Northampton,

On June 30, 1775, the General Assembly approved
of " the Association entered into by the good people
of this colony (Pennsylvania) for the defense of their
lives, liberties and properties;' ' decided to pay the nec
essary expenses of the officers and soldiers while in
active service, repelling any hostile invasion of British
or other troops; and recommended the county com
missioners of the several counties to ' ' immediately
provide a proper number of good, new firelocks with
bayonets fitted to them, cartridge boxes with 23
rounds of cartridges in every box, and knapsacks."
The allotted number for Berks County was 400.
Edward Biddle and Henry Christ were then the rep
resentatives from Berks County, and Biddle was se
lected by the Assembly as one of the Committee of
Safety " for calling forth such and so many of the
Associators into actual service when necessity re
quires." The committee consisted of 25 members.

40

REVOLUTION.

RECOMMENDATION OF CONGRESS.

On July 28, 1775, the Assembly approved of the
resolution of Congress, passed July i8th, which recom
mended :
" That all able-bodied men between 16 and 60 years of age in
each colony immediately form themselves into regular companies
to consist of one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four ser
geants, four corporals, a clerk, drummer and fifer, and 68 privates.
" That the officers of each company be chosen by the respective
companies. "That the companies be formed into Battalions, officered with
a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, two Majors, and an Adjutant or
Quartermaster. " That the officers above captain be appointed by the Assembly
or by the Committee of Safety.
"And that each soldier be furnished with a good musket that
will carry an ounce ball, with a bayonet, steel ram-rod, worm
priming wire with brush fitted thereto, a cutting sword or toma
hawk, a cartridge box that will contain 33 rounds of cartridges,
13 flints, and a knapsack."
The musket barrels were 3 ft. 8 in. long, and the
bayonets 16 in. long ; the bore of the barrels of suffi
cient size to carry 17 balls to the pound.
COUNTY COLONELS OF ASSOCIATORS.
Delegates from the eleven named counties, number
ing altogether fifty-three, assembled at Philadelphia
on August 19, 1775, for the purpose of adopting Art
icles of Association. They were Colonels of the As
sociated Battalions. The representatives from Berks
County were:
Edward Biddle, Daniel Brodhead, Christian Lower.
Mark Bird, Baltzer Geehr,

REVOLUTION. 4 1
Preamble to Articles of Association. — The preamble
to the Articles of Association read as follows :
"We, the officers and soldiers, engaged in the present associa
tion for the defense of American liberty, being fully sensible that
the strength and security of any body of men acting together,
consists in just regularity, due subordination, and exact obedience
to command, without which no individual can have that confi
dence in the support of those about him, that is so necessary to
give firmness and resolution to the whole, do voluntarily and
freely, after consideration of the following articles, adopt the
same as the rules by which we agree and resolve to be governed in
all our military concerns and operations, until the same or any of
them, shall be changed or dissolved by the Assemblj' or Provin
cial Convention, or in their recess, by the Committee; of Safety, or
a happy reconciliation shall take place between Great Britain and
the Colonies."
There were thirty-two articles which provided for
the regulation of military affairs, and these articles
the Associators were expected to sign.
County Committee Recommends Articles. — The Com
mittee of Safety in Berks County recommended the
adoption of the Articles of Association, as will appear
by the following letter: Rbading, January 30, 1776.
At a meeting of the Standing Committee for Berks County,
held this day, Mark Bird, Esq., in the chair,
The Committee taking into their consideration the present state
of the Association in this County, and being persuaded of the
pressing necessity of being prepared for defence, do earnestly
recommend it to their brethren to sign the Articles of Association
formed by the House of Assembly at their last meeting; this
Committee trusting that such amendments will be made at the
next sitting of Assembly as will make the Association not only
more effectual but more consonant to the principles of justice and
equality. And afterward, at a meeting of the Committee, on the
30th of the same month.

42

REVOLUTION.

Besolved, unanimously, that it is the opinion of this Committee
that it will be highly requisite, in case the Assembly should not
think proper to make the necessarj' amendments in the said Asso
ciation, that a Provincial Convention be held for that purpose;
and they do accordingly appoint —
Edward Biddle, Daniel Brodhead, Valentine Eclcert,
Mark Bird, Baltzer Geehr, Nicholas Lotz,
Jonathan Potts, Collinson Read, Sebastian Levan,
Richard Tea,
to attend the said Convention in behalf of this county.
By order of the Committee, Collinson Read, Secretary.

REVOLUTION. 43

CHAPTER IV. *
INDEPENDENCE OF THE PROVINCE.
Suppression of British Authority. — On May 15, 1776,
the Continental Congress adopted a resolution that
recommended the total suppression of all authority
under the King of Great Britain. It was as follows :
Whereas, his Brittanic majesty, in conjunction with the Lords
and Commons of Great Britain, has by a late Act of Parliament,
excluded the inhabitants of these United Colonies from the pro
tection of his crown.
And Wliereaa, no answer whatever, to the humble petitions of
the colonies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with
Great Britain, has been, or is likely to be given, but the whole
force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be ex
erted for the destruction of the good people of these colonies.
And Whereas, it appears absolutely irreconcilable to reason and
good conscience, for the people of these colonies, now to take the
oaths and affirmations necessary for the support of any govern
ment, under the crown of Great Britain; and it is necessary, that
the exercise of every kind of authority, under the said crown
should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of government ex
erted, under the authority of the people of the colonies, for the
preservation of internal peace, virtue and good order, as well as
for the defense of their lives, liberties and properties, against the
hostile invasions and cruel depredations of their enemies; therefore,
Besolved, That it be recommended to the respective assemblies
and conventions of the United Colonies, where no government
sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto es
tablished, to adopt such government as shall, in the opinion of the
representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and
safety of their constituents in particular, and America in general.

44 REVOLUTION.
Support of Civil Authority by the County. — A copy
of this resolution having been received at Reading
shortly afterward, and the people taking its import
ance into serious, consideration, the Standing Commit
tee of the county determined that the existing ci-vil
authority should nevertheless be supported until a
new government should be provided, and accordingly
passed the following resolution : Reading, June 8, 1776.
At a meeting of the Standing Committee of the County of Berks
held this day, Mark Bird in the chair,
Sesolved, That as some people have declared that no obedience
ought to be paid to the civil authority, because a government will
shortly be founded on the authority of the people in the room of
the present government ; and as such a conduct will only serve to
introduce confusion and disorder, and endanger the lives and
properties of everj' individual in society, it is the opinion of this
committee, and they are determined to support the same to the
utmost of their abilities, that the same obedience should be paid to
the civil authority as used to be paid to it, till a new Constitution
shall be formed by a Provincial Convention, and commissions shall
be issued by virtue of the new legislative authority for the ap
pointment of courts and magistrates, to preserve the pea,ce and
administer justice to the people ; and then the authority of the
present courts and magistrates will cease of course.
By order of the Committee, Collinson Read, Secretary.
PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE.
Pursuant to the foregoing resolution of Congress, a
Provincial Conference was held in Carpenters' Hall, at
Philadelphia, from June i8th to June 25th, 1776,
which was composed of deputies from the several coun
ties of the Province. The deputies from Philadelphia

REVOLUTION. 45
had issued a circular letter to the Committees of the
several counties, fixing a time and place for the pro
posed meeting, and suggesting the appointment of
deputies. Deputies from the County. — The representatives from
Berks County were :
Col. Jocob Morgan, Dr. Bodo Otto, Col. Valentine Eckert,
Col. Henry Haller, Mr. Benjamin Spyker, Col. Nicholas Lotz,
Col. Mark Bird, Col. Daniel Hunter, Capt. Joseph Hiester,
Mr. Charles Shoemaker. I
The Conference determined that a Convention
should be called for the purpose of forming a new
government in this province on the authority of the
people only, fixed the qualifications of Associators and
of the members of the Convention, and asked each
county to send eight delegates. The election of the
delegates was ordered to be held on Monday, July 8,
1776, and the delegates were directed to assemble at
Philadelphia on Monday, July 15, 1776.
Address of Conference. — The following Address was
then issued :
To the people of Pennsylvania :
Friends and Countrymen : In obedience to the power we de
rived from you, we have flxed upon a mode of electing a con
vention, to form a government for the Province of Pennsylvania,
under the authority of the people.
Divine Providence is about to grant you a favor, which few
people have ever enjoyed before, the privilege of choosing depu
ties to form a government under which you are to live. We need
not inform you of the importance of the trust you are about to
commit to them ; your liberty, safety, happiness and everything
that posterity will hold dear to them to the end of time, will depend
upon their deliberations. It becomes you, therefore, to choose such

46 REVOLUTION.
persons only, to act for you in the ensuing convention, as are dis
tinguished for wisdom, integrity and a firm attachment to the
liberties of this province, as well as to the liberties of the United
Colonies in general.
In order that 3'our deputies may know your sentiments as fully
as possible, upon the subject of government, we beg that you
would convey to them your wishes and opinions upon that head
immediately after their election.
We have experienced an unexpected unanimity in our councils
and we have the pleasure of observing a growing unanimity
among the people of the province. AVe beg, that this brotherly
spirit may be cultivated, and that you would remember that the
present unsettled state of the province, requires that you should
show forbearance, charity and moderation to each other. We
beg that you would endeavor to remove the prejudices of the
weak and ignorant, respecting the proposed change in our gov
ernment, and assure them that it is absolutely necessary to secure
property, liberty, and the sacred rights of conscience, to every in
dividual in the province.
The season of the year, and the exigencies of our colony, re
quire dispatch in the formation of a regular government. You
will not therefore be surprised at our fixing the day for the elec
tion of deputies so early as the Sth of next July.
We wish you success in your attempts to establish and perpet
uate your liberties, and praj' God to take j'ou under his special
protection. Signed by unanimous order of the Conference,
Thomas M'Kean, President.
Declaration of Independe^tce. — And the following
Declaration of Independence of the Province was
agreed to :
Whereas, George the Third, King of Great Britain, etc., in vio
lation of the principles of the British constitution, and of the laws
of justice and humanity, hath by an accumulation of oppressions,
unparalleled in history, excluded the inhabitants of this, with
other American Colonies, from his protection.
And Whereas, he hath paid no regard to any of our numerous
and dutiful petitions for a redress of our complicated grievances,
but hath lately purchased foreign troops to assist in enslaving us;

REVOLUTION. 47
and hath excited the savages of this countrj' to carry on a war
against us, as also che negroes to imbrue their hands in the blood
of their masters, in a manner unpracticed by civilized nations,
and hath lately insulted our calamities, by declaring that he will
show us no mercy until he has reduced us.
And Whereas, the obligations of allegiance, (being reciprocal
between a king and his subjects) are now dissolved, on the side
of the colonists, by the despotism of the king, insomuch that it now
appears that loyalty to him is treason against the good people of
this country.
And Whereas, not only the parliament, but there is reason to
believe too many of the people of Great Britain, have concurred
in the aforesaid arbitrary and unjust proceedings against us.
And Whereas, the public virtue of this colony, (so essential to
its liberty and happiness,) must be endangered by a future politi
cal union with, or dependence upon a crown, and nation so lost to
justice, patriotism and magnanimity.
We, the deputies of the people of Pennsylvania, assembled in
full Provincial Conference, for forming a plan for executing the
resolve of congress, of the 15th May last, for suppressing all Au
thority in this province, derived from the crown of Great Britain,
and for establishing a government upon the authority of the peo
ple only, now in this public manner, in behalf of ourselves, and
with the approbation, consent and authority of our constituents,
unanimously declare our willingness to concur in a vote of the
congress, declaring the United Colonies free and independent
states ; providing the forming the government, and the regulation
of the internal police of this colony, be always reserved to the
people of the said colony ; and we do further call upon the nations
of Europe, and appeal to the great arbiter and governor of the
empires of the world, to witness for us, that this declaration did
not originate in ambition, or in an impatience of lawful authority;
but that we were driven to it in obedience to the flrst principles
of nature, by the oppressions and cruelties of the aforesaid king
and parliament of Great Britain ; as the only possible measure
that was left us, to preserve and establish our liberties, and to
transmit them inviolate to posterity.
Address for Flying Camp. — In obedience to the
resolutions of Congress of the 3d and 4th of June,
1776, this Conference also made provisions for raising

48 REVOLUTION.
4500 militia towards establishing a "flying camp" of
10,000 men in the Middle Colonies, and caused the
following remarkable address to the Associators to be
. issued :
To the Associators of Pennsylvania :
"Gentlemen: The only design of our meeting together was to
put an end to our own power in the province, by fixing upon a plan
for calling a convention, to form a government under the authority
of the people. But the sudden and unexpected separation of the
late Assembly has compelled us to undertake the execution of a
resolve of Congress for calling forth 4500 of the militia of this
province, to join the militia of the neighboring colonies, to form
a camp for our immediate protection. We presume onlj' to rec
ommend the plan we have formed to you, trusting that, in a case
of so much consequence, your love of virtue and zeal for liberty
will supply the want of authority delegated to us expressly for
that purpose.
" We need not remind you that you are now furnished with new
motives to animate and support your courage. You are not
about to contend against the power of Great Britain, in order to
displace one set of villains to make room for another. Your arms
will not be enervated in the day of battle with the reflection that
3-ou are to risk your lives or shed j'our blood for a British tj-rant ;
or that 3'our posterity will have your work to do over again. You
are about to contend for permanent freedom, to be supported by a
government which will be derived from yourselves and which
will have for its object, not the emolument of one man or class of
men only, but the safety, liberty and happiness of eveiy individ
ual in the community. We call upon you, therefore, by the re
spect and obedience which are due to the authority of the United
Colonies, to concur in this important measure. The present cam
paign will probably decide the fate of America. It is now in
your power to immortalize your names by mingling your achieve
ments with the events of the year 1770 — a year which, we hope,
will be famed in the annals of history to the end of time, for es
tablishing upon a lasting foundation the liberties of one-quarter of
the globe.
"Remember the honor of our colony is at stake. Should you
desert the common cause at the present juncture, the glory you

REVOLUTION. 49
have acquired bj' your former exertions of strength and virtue
will be tarnished ; and our friends and brethren, who are now ac
quiring laurels in the most remote parts of America, will reproach
us and blush to own themselves natives or inhabitants of Penn
sylvania. "But there are other motives before you. Your houses, your
flelds, the legacies of your ancestors, or the dear-bought fruits of
your own industry, and your liberty, now urge you to the field.
These cannot plead with you in vain, or we might point out to
J'OU, further, your wives, your children, your aged fathers and
mothers, who now look up to you for aid, and hope for salvation
in this day of calamity only from the instrumentality of your
swords. "Remember the name of Pennsylvania — Think of your ances
tors and of j'our posterity.
"Signed bj- an unanimous order of the conference,
"THOTtAS M'Kean, President.
"June 35, 1776."
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY CONGRESS.
The "Declaration of Independence" was passed
by the Continental Congress late on the afternoon of
July 4, 1776, and ordered to be printed. A resolution
was adopted at the same time, directing copies to be
sent to the several Assemblies and Committees of
Safety, and to the several commanding officers of the
Continental troops, and that it be proclaimed in each
of the United States and at the head of the army.
There were seventy representatives accredited from
the several Colonies to the Continental Congress. Of
these, twenty-two did not sign the Declaration of In
dependence for various reasons. Among this number
was Edward Biddle, and the reason explaining the
omission is given as follows in the History of Phil
adelphia.^ (1884) :

50 REVOLUTION.
"Edward Biddle, of Philadelphia, died during the session of a
lingering disease, which probably disabled him at the time of the
Declaration." This statement is erroneous in two particulars.
Biddle was not of Philadelphia, and though he had
met with an accident before 1776, which culminated
in serious illness, he did not die until 1779. He at
tended the meetings of the Committee of Safety of
Pennsylvania during January, 1776. In 1778, he was
one of the Representatives from the county to the
Assembly, and that body selected him as one of seven
members to Congress.
Declaration Read in the County. — In pursuance of
the resolution of Congress, the State Board of Safety
addressed a letter to the Committee of Berks County on
the 6th of July, 1776, enclosing a copy of the Decla-
Tation of Independence, and directing it to be read on
Monday, July 8th, at 12 o'clock noon, at the place
where the election of delegates was to be held. This
was done by Henry Vanderslice, the sheriff" of the
¦county, on that day at the Court House on Penn
Square, the bell having been rung earnestly before
hand, as elsewhere, to call the people together so that
they should learn the comprehensive significance of
that important and courageous public document in
behalf of political freedom and representative govern
ment. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF THE PROVINCE.
Delegates from the County. — According to the di
rection of the Provincial Conference, the electors of

REVOLUTION. 51
Berks County held an election on Monday, July 8,
1776, at the Court House, in Reading, and chose as
their representatives the following eight prominent
men :
Jacob Morgan, Benjamin Spyker, Charles Shoemaker,
Gabriel Hiester, Daniel Hunter, Thomas Jones.
John Lesher, Valentine Eckert,
On July 15, following, they attended the Conven
tion at Philadelphia and participated in the formation
of a Constitution for the government of the Province.
The labors of the Convention were concluded on
September 28, 1776, and then all the delegates pres
ent subscribed the Constitution which they had
adopted. All the delegates from Berks County sub
scribed their names, excepting John Lesher and Dan
iel Hunter.
On July 23, 1776, the Constitutional Convention
elected a Council of Safety to discharge the executive
duties of the State government, dissolving in this
manner the Committee of Safety. This Council was
composed of twenty-five members, among them Dan
iel Hunter, of Berks County.
The Preamble and Declaration of Rights being so
elevated in sentiment and so admirable in construction,
I introduce them in this connection. John Lesher
represented Berks County in the committee of eleven,
(one from each county) who were appointed to draft
the frame of government. Preamble.
Whereas, all government ought to be instituted and supported
tor the security and protection of the community as such, and to
enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural

52 REVOLUTION.
rights, and the other blessings which the author of existence has
bestowed upon man ; and whenever these great ends of government
are not obtained, the people have a right by common consent to
change it, and take such measures as to them may appear neces
sary, to promote their safety and happiness.
And Whereas, the inhabitants of this commonwealth have, in
consideration of protection only, heretofore acknowledged alle
giance to the king of Great Britain, and the said king has not only
withdrawn that protection, but commenced and still continues to
carry on with unabated vengeance, a most cruel and unjust war
against them, emplojdng therein not only the troops of Great
Britain, but foreign mercenaries, savages and slaves, for the
avowed purpose of reducing them to a total and abject submission
to the despotic domination of the British Parliament, (with many
other acts of tyrannj' more fully set forth in the declaration of
congress) whereby all allegiance and fealty to the said king and
his successors are dissolved and at an end, and all power and au
thority derived from him ceased in these colonies.
And Whereas, it is absolutely necessary for the Avelfare and
safety of the inhabitants of said colonies, that they be henceforth
free and independent states, and that just, permanent and proper
forms of government exist in everj' part of them, derived from,
and founded on the authority of the people only, agreeable to the
direction of the honorable American Congress.
We, the representatives of the freemen of Pennsylvania, in
general convention met, for the express purpose of framing such
a government, confessing the goodness of the great governor of the
universe, (who alone knows to what degree of earth!}' happiness
mankind may attain by perfecting the arts of government) in
permitting the people of this state, by common consent and with
out violence, deliberatelj' to form for themselves, such just rules
as thej' shall think best for governing their future society ; and
being fully convinced, that it is our indispensible duty to estab
lish such original principles of government, as will best promote
the general happiness of the people of this state and their poster
ity, and provide for future improvements, without partiality for,
or prejudice against, any particular class, sect or denomination of
men whatsoever, do, by virtue of the authority vested in us by
our constituents, ordain, declare and establish the following dec
laration of rights, and frame of government, to be the constitu
tion of this commonwealth, and to remain in force therein for

REVOLUTION. 53
ever unaltered, except in such articles as shall hereafter, on ex
perience, be found to require improvements, and which shall by
the same authority of the people, fairly delegated, as this frame
of government directs, be amended or improved for the more ef
fectual obtaining and securing the great end and design of all
government, herein before mentioned.
Declaration of Rights.
1. That all men are born equally free and independent, and
have certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights, amongst
which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring,
possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining
happiness and safety.
3. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to wor
ship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own con
sciences and understanding, and that no man ought, or of right
can be compelled to attend any religious worship, or erect or sup
port any place of worship, or maintain any ministry, contrary to,
or against his own free will and consent ; nor can any man who
acknowledges the being of a God, be justly deprived or abridged
of any civil right as a citizen, on account of his religious senti
ments, or peculiar mode of religious worship ; ^nd that no author
ity can, or ought to be vested in, or assumed by any power what
ever, that shall in any case interfere with, or in any manner
control the right of conscience in the free exercise of religious
worship. 3. That the people of this state have the sole, exclusive and in
herent right of governing and regulating the internal police of
the same.
4. That all power being originally inherent in, and consequently
derived from the people ; therefore all officers of government,
whether legislative or executive, are their trustees and servants,
and at all times accountable to them.
5. That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the com
mon benefit, protection and security of the people, nation or com
munity ; and not for the particular emolument or advantage of
any single man, family or set of men, who are a part only of that
community ; and that the community hath an indubitable, un
alienable and indefeasible right to reform, alter or abolish govern
ment, in such manner as shall be by that community judged,
most conducive to the public weal.

54 REVOLUTION.
G. That those who are employed in the legislative and executive
business of the state, may be restrained from oppression, the peo
ple have a right, at such periods as they may think proper, to
reduce their public officers to a private station, and supply the
vacancies bj' certain and regular elections.
7. That all elections ought to be free and that all free men,
having a sufficient evident common interest with and attachment
to the community, have a right to elect officers or to be elected
into office.
8. That every member of society hath a right to be protected
in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property ; and therefore is
bound to contribute his proportion towards the expense of that
protection, and yield his personal service when necessary, or an
equivalent thereto ; but no part of a man's property can be justh-
taken from him or applied to public uses, without his own con
sent or that of his legal representatives ; nor can any man who is
conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms be justly compelled
thereto if he will paj' such equivalent, nor are the people bound
by any laws but such as they have in like manner assented to, for
their common good.
9. That in all prosecutions for criminal offenses, a man hath a
right to be heard by himself and his council ; to demand the-
cause and nature of his accusation ; to be confronted with the
witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor, and a speedy public
trial by an impartial jury of the country, without the unanimous
consent of which jury he cannot be found guilty ; nor can he be
compelled to give evidence against himself ; nor can anj' man be
justly deprived of his liberty, except by the laws of the land or
the judgment of his peers.
10. That the people have a right to hold themselves, their
houses, papers and possessions free from search and seizure ; and
therefore warrants, without oaths or affirmations first made af
fording a sufficient foundation for them, and whereby any officer
or messenger may be commanded or required to search suspected
places, or to seize any person or persons, his or their property not
particularly described, are contrary to that right, and ought not
to be granted.
11. That in controversies respecting property, and in suits be
tween man and man, the parties have a right to trial by jury,
which ought to be held sacred.

REVOLUTION. 55,
13. That the people have a right to freedom of speech and of
writing and publishing their sentiments ; therefore the freedom
of the press ought not to be restrained.
13. That the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of
themselves, and the state ; and as standing armies in the time of
peace are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up, and
that the military should be kept under strict subordination to,.
and governed by the civil power.
14. That a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles and a
firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry and
frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of
libertj' and keep a government. The people ought therefore to
pay particular attention to these points in the choice of officers
and representatives, and have a right to exact a due and constant
regard to them from their legislatures and magistrates, in the
making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good
government of the state.
15. That all men have a natural and inherent right to emigrate
from one state to another that will receive them, or to form a new
state in vacant countries, or in such countries as they can pur
chase, whenever they think that therebj' they may promote their
own happiness.
16. That the people have a right to assemble together to consult
for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to
applj' to the legislature for redress of grievances by address, peti
tion or remonstrance.
It were well if the foregoing sentiments could be
impressed upon the people, so as to lead them to fully
appreciate their excellence and adaptation for the gen
eral welfare. Their preservation is dependent upon
the uniform elevation of the people through industry,
education and equality, under the guidance of a frater
nal spirit. Manhood, citizenship and patriotism, with
social impulses towards the prosperity and peace of
the people, are superior to mechanical progress and
the riches, envy and strife which it develops in certain
channels and classes, and they are therefore worthy of
serious public consideration.

56 REVOLUTION.

CHAPTER V.
:\IILITIA SYSTEM.
The Convention of 1776, in framing the first Con
stitution of Pennsylvania, made the following provi
sion for the establishment of a military system :
"The freemen of this commonwealth and their sons shall be
trained and armed for its defense under such regulations, restric
tions and exceptions as the General Assembly shall bj' law direct,
preserving always to the people the right of choosing their Colo
nels and all commissioned officers under that rank."
In pursuance of this provision, the General Assem
bly established the necessary regulations, and through
them the county of Berks, under the direction of the
officer designated thereby, called a " Lieutenant," -with
the assistance of " Sub-Lieutenants," was enabled to
supply promptly and successfully all the orders made
by the State government for troops during the progress
of the Revolution.
Previous to this system, the military affairs were
governed by Articles of Association. The men who
associated together for purposes of defence were com
monly known as "Associators," and those who acted
in opposition, either openly or secretly, were called
" Non-Associators." By the following returns, it is apparent that the
men in the county, subject to military dut>-, appre
ciated the necessity of organization and co-operated

REVOLUTION. 57
earnestly with the Executive Council in making the
law effective. The persons chosen for lieutenant-col
onels and majors of the seven battalions for 1775,
at the beginning of the Revolution, represent the best
class of taxpayers that the county possessed. They
were all prominent men and stood at the head of bus
iness, political and social affairs. This selection ex
hibits, not only the discrimination which the people
exercised, but also the respect which they had for
qualification and influence. The subsequent returns
until 1783 show a similar selection of men.
COUNTY RETURNS FOR 1 775.
The following officers were chosen for the several
battalions of the Associators of Berks County ibr the
year 1775-76. It is the earliest military record of this
county that I could find relating to the Revolution.
The company rosters were not published in that con
nection : 1st Battalion — Central Section.
Lieut.-Col., Henry Haller. Maj., Gabriel Hiester.
£nd Battalion — Southern Section.
Lieut.-Col., Mark Bird. Maj., John Jones.
3rd Battalion — Central Section.
Lieut.-Col., Nicholas Lotz. Maj., John Old.
4th Battalion — Northern Section.
Lieut.-Col., Balser Geehr. Maj., Michael Lindemuth.
Sth Battalion — Western Section.
Lieut.-Col., John Patton. Maj., John Thornburgh.
6th Battalion — Eastern Section.
Lieut.-Col., Daniel Hunter. Maj., Conrad Leffler.
7th Battalion — Northeastern Section.
Lieut.-Col., Sebastian Levan. Maj., Samuel Ely.

58 REVOLUTION.
COUNTY RETURNS FOR 1 776.
Seven battalions were organized in the county, as
will appear by the delegates sent to the election at
Lancaster, July 4, 1776, for two brigadier-generals,
but the complete returns for 1776 have not yet been
discovered. Eight companies of the County Militia were paid
for subsistence during the Summer of 1776. They
were as follows :

Captains.

£. sh.

d.

Captains.

£.

sh. d.

Daniel Deturk,

1 3

6

George Will,

1

18 8

Jacob Moser,

16 15

5

John Old,

3

4

Nicholas Scheffer,

1 3

4

 Moyer,

1

13 4

John Soder,

3 3

8

Stephen Crumrine,

15

Three companies were on duty at South Amboy, in
New Jersey, in August, 1776, commanded by Michael
Wolf, George Miller and Michael Furrer.
These eleven companies are all that I could find for
this year, of which any mention was made.
County Delegates to Lancaster Convention. — A pub
lic meeting was held at Lancaster on July 4, 1776, for
the purpose of electing two brigadier-generals to com
mand the battalions and forces in Pennsylvania. The
meeting consisted of the officers and privates of fifty-
three battalions of the Associators. A full ratio of
men was sent by the militia of Berks Count)-. The
following delegates represented the countj- at the
meeting :
1st Battalion : Officers — Major, Gabriel Hiester; Lieut., Philip
Cremer ; privates, .Tohn Hartman, Peter Filbert.
Snd Battalion ; Officers — Col., Mark Bird ; Major, John Jones ;
privates, David Morgan, Benjamin Tolbert.
3rd Battalion : Officers— Lieut.-Col., Nicholas Lotz; Captain,
George Riehm; privates, Henry Spohn, Matthias Wenrioh.

REVOLUTION. 59
4th Battalion : Officers— Major, Michael Lindemuth ; Captain,
George May ; private, Michael Moser.
Sth Battalion : Officers — Col., John Patton ; Lieut.-Col., John
Rice ; privates, Jacob Seltzer, Christian Winter.
Oth Battalion : Officers — Major, Conrad Leffler; Lieut., John
Miller ; privates, John Hill, Henry Lark.
7th Battalion : Officers — Col., Sebastian Levan; Adj., Samuel
Ely ; privates, Philip Wisters, Casper Smeck.
Colonel Mark Bird, of the 2nd Battalion, was one
of the judges of the election. Daniel Roberdeau was
elected the first brigadier-general, and James Ewing,
the second. Mark Bird received seven votes. Eight
candidates were placed in nomination.
COUNTY RETURNS FOR 1 777.
Colonel Jacob Morgan and his sub-lieutenants met
at Reading on April 25, 1777, for the purpose of
receiving returns of the inhabitants of Berks County,
between the ages of 18 and 53 years. The number
then returned was about 4000. These were arranged
in six districts, and meetings were ordered to be
held on the 5th and 6th of May following, for the
purpose of electing officers and forming companies.
Morgan reported that he had forwarded to the Execu
tive Council an exact list of the field officers, cap
tains, subalterns and court-martial men, comprising
the six battalions of the Berks County militia, or one
battalion for each district. This list appears in the
Pennsylvania Associators., vol. 2, pp. 257 to 276. The
several battalions were returned on May 16, 1777. I
have added the sections of the county showing where
the companies were organized.

6o

REVOLUTION.

ist Battalion — Eastern Section.

Col., Daniel Hunter, Oley.
Lt.-Col., John Guldin, Oley. Chaplain, Jacob Michael.
Maj., John Cunius, Oley. Q. M., Isaac Feather, Reading.
Adj., Philip Bertolet, Oley. Surgeon, Daniel Welcher.

1st Co. — Hereford.
Mathias Wick,
Christopher Folk,
Charles Geiger,
Henry Reiff,
John Pott,
Jacob Heflner.

Captain.1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial

Snd Go. — Colebrookdale.
Stephen Crumrine,
Henry Knouse,
Isaiah Davis,
Jacob Gerver,
Mathias Rhoads,
Baltzer Trout.

3rd Co. — District.
Sebastian Lentz,
Jacob Rhoads,
Adam Heiter,
Henry Hess,
Baltzer Beam,
Peter Gabel.

Captain.1st Lieut.
3nd Lieut.
Ensign.Court Martial

Captain. 1st Lieut.
3nd Lieut.
Ensign.Court Martial

.5th Co. — Colebrookdale.
Jacob Hill,
George Schall,
John Betz,
Joseph Delaplane,
Philip Mathias,
Jacob Antey.

6th Co. — Ruscombmanor.
Peter Wanner,
Henry Strauch,
Adam Hamscher,
Henrj- Schurtz,
Elias Wagner,
Henry Hess.

7th Co. — Oley.
Daniel Reiff.
Daniel Leinbach,
Philip Reiff,
Peter Scheffer,
Daniel Schneider,
John Scheffer.

4.th Co.— Oley.
George Focht,
John Stapleton,
Jacob Griesemer,
John Yoder,
Daniel Levan,
George Yoder.

Captain. 1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial
men.

Sth Co.— Hereford.
David Strause,
Jacob Rickstein,
.Tohn Miller,
John Roeder,
Henry Rauch,
George Moll.

REVOLUTION.

6l

2nd Battalion — Northeastern Section.

Col., Daniel Udree, Oley.
Lt.-Col., Jacob Boyer, Oley. Surgeon, John Umstead, Union.
Maj., John Huy. Surg. Mate, Thos. Kerlin, Amity.
Adj., George Riehm, Cumru., Q. M., Conrad Foose, Reading.

1st Co. — Longsioamp.
Charles Crouse,
Philip Hertz,
Nicholas Mertz,
Christian Kercher,
Casper Seibert,
Adam Helwig.

Captain.1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign,Court Martial

Sth Co. — Maxatawny.
Casper Smeck,
Jacob Grim,
Jacob Zimmerman,
Jacob Sigfried,
Joseph Gross,
John Beaver.

Snd Co. — Rockland.
Peter Smith,
George Roap,
Michael Ea}-re,
John Kreamer,
Henry George,
George Lej-e.

3d Co. — Richmond.
Jacob Rothermel,
Jacob Dreibelbis,
Christopher Denn,
Daniel Ely,
Jacob Wanner,
George Kelchner.

4th Co. — Maxatawny.
George Kemp,
Jacob Levan,
Michael Peifer,
Jacob Schweyer,
Philip Geehr,
Peter Scherer.

Captain. 1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial

Captain.
1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial

Captain. 1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.

6t?i Co. — Richmond.
Michael Voyge,
Henry Adam,
John Feglej-,
John Lesher,
Frederick Leiby,
Valentine Hoffman.

7th Co. — Maidencreek.
Abraham Huy,
Christian Bearringstein,
John Weidenhammer,
Christian Burkhart,
Jacob Stein,
Jacob Rhaun,

Sth Co. — Longswamp.
Henry Egner,
Henry Fegley,
John Trice,
Martin Royer,

Court Martial Philip Deal,
men. Jacob Collman.

62

REVOLUTION.

jrd Battalion — Northern Section.

Col., Michael Lindemuth, Bern.
Lt.-Col., George May, Windsor.
Maj., Martin Kercher, Windsor.

1st Co. — Pine Orove.
Jacob Wetstein,
George Brouch,
Ludwig Herring,
Henry Wetstein,
Conrad Sheffer,
Rudolph Buzzard.

2nd Co. — Brunswick.
Conrad Minich,
John Graul,
John Stout,
Philip Boning,
Gideon Moyer,
John Crawford.

3d Co.— Bern.
Jacob Shraedel,
George Albright,
George Kaufman,
Adam Klauser,
Christian Albright,
John Knevel.

4th Co. — Bern.
Sebastian Emrich,
Francis Umbehacker,
George Ludwig,
George Moyer,
George Belleman,
Anthony Kershner.

Captain. 1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial

Captain. 1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial

Captain.1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial

Captain. 1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.

¦5th Co. — Bern.
John Soder,
Jacob Frantz,
John Epler,
Philip Fox,
Jacob Frevberger,
John Epler, Sr.

6th Go. — Windsor.
Jacob Shadle,
Charles Siegfried,
William Williamson,
George Reber,
George Hower,
Eberhard Shappel.

7th Go. — Bern.
Daniel Will,
Jacob Meicksel,
Henry Kalbach,
Abraham Luckenbill,
Peter Focht,
Peter Baldy.

Sth Co. — Windsor.
Ferdinand Ritter,
Michael Smith,
George Adam,
Jacob Stapleton,

Court Martial Jacob Tenant,
men. John Brobst.

REVOLUTION.

4th Battalion — Central Section.

Col., Nicholas Lotz, Reading.
Lt.-Col., Joseph Hiester, Reading.
Maj., Peter Decker, Reading.

1st Go. — Reading.
Conrad Geist,
Philip Ruppert,
Charles Gobin,
John Kidd,
Peter Feather,
George Gardner.

2nd Co. — Beading.
John Reitmyer,
Michael Bush,
Christian Grouse,
John Burkhard,
Jacob Groff,
Nicholas Scherer.

3d Go. — Alsace.
Daniel DeTurck,
Paul Feger,
Jacob Kissinger,
Henry Schneider,
Isaac Levan,
John Baum.

4th Co. — Reading.
Peter Nagel,
Paul Kerper,
Daniel Grove,
Joseph Colier,
Baltzer Fornewalt,
Henry Wolf.

Captain.1st Lieut. •
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.Court Martial

Captain.
1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.Court Martial

Captain.1st Lieut.
3nd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial

Captain.
1st Lieut.
2nd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial

Sth Co. — Reading.
George Riehm,
Henry Focht,
Thomas Atkinson,
John Wentzel,
Jacob Koch,
William Hottenstein.

6th Co. — Heidelberg.
Conrad Eckert,
Adam Hain,
Peter Young,
Mathias Wenrich,
Peter Kuhl,
Simpson Hain.

7th Co. — Cumru.
Sebastian Miller,
Adam Ruth,
John Gernant,
John Ruth,
Michael Ruth,
Peter Fisher.

Sth Go. — Cumru.
Philip Krick,
Philip Spohn,
Michael Moyer,
John Bullman,
Henry Spohn,
Joshua Evans.

64

REVOLUTION.

^th Battalion — Southern Section.

Col., Jacob Weaver, Amity.
Lt.-Col., Mathias Rhoads, Amity.
Maj., George Lorah, Amity.

Isl Go. — Union.
Thomas Parrj-,
William Haj'S,
George Kerston,
George Ax,
John Umstead,
John Wagner.

2nd Go. — Robeson.
William Lewis,
Adam Beard,
Richard Millard,
John Hahn,
Adam Scheirer,
Herman Umstead.

3rd Co. — Exeter.
John Bishop,
Mathias Herner,
John Ludwig,
John Thompson,
Adam Young,
Nicholas Herner.

4th Co. — Alsace.
Adam Alstatt,
John Wagner,
Mathias Patterner,
Paul Derst,
Abraham Levan,
John Hartman,

Captain.1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial
men.

Captain. 1st Lieut.
3nd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial
men.

Captain.1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.
Court Martial
men.

Captain. 1st Lieut.
Snd Lieut.
Ensign.Court Martial

Sth Go.^Amity.
Jacob Rhoads,
Joseph Sands,
Jacob Weaver,
Daniel Ludwig,
Daniel Winder,
Henry Haffa.

Gth Co. — Douglass.
George Bucher,
Solomon Mathews,
Michael Stophlet.
Jacob Keely,
Peter Meffert,
John Swineheart.

7th Co. — Robeson.
Joseph Davis,
Thomas Hamilton,
David Edwards,
George Glass,
Paul Geiger,
Casper Straub.

StJi Co. — Caernartcon.
David Morgan,
John Robinson,
Joseph Talbot,
Jacob Finfrock,
James Ross,
Henvv Meuges.

REVOLUTION.

65

6th Battalion — JVestcrn Section.

Col., Henry Spyker, Tul'hock'n.
Lt.-Col., George Miller, "
Maj., Michael Furrer,

Adj., Pred'k Ernst, Tul'hook'n.
Q. M., George Lechner, "
Surgeon, Philip Finkel, "

1st Co. — Heidelberg.

Sth Co.— Tulpehocken.

John Lesher,

Captain.

Michael Bretz,

Isaac Depuy,

1st Lieut.

Bernhard Zimmerman,

John Anspach,

Snd Lieut.

Peter Bressler,

Valentine Reed,

Ensign.

Peter Smith,

Martin Stupp,

Court Martial

John Stone,

.Tacob Weiser.

men.

Peter Smith,

Snd Co.— Bethel.

6th Co. — Thilpehocken.

George Batdorff,

Captain.

Henry Weaver,

Henry Batdorff,

1st Lieut.

John Scheffer,

Jacob Rehrer,

Snd Lieut.

Henry Koch,

Tobias Bheam,

Ensign.

Jacob Knoll,

Leonard Swartz,

Court Martial

Adam Emrich,

Nicholas Ketner.

men.

Valentine Moyer.

3rd Co. — Tulpehocken.

7th Go. — Tulpehocken.

Henry Shepler,

Captain.

Jacob Kremer,

Christopher Kern,

1st Lieut.

Jacob Rehrer,

John Riegel,

Snd Lieut.

Daniel Hoffman,

George Loos,

Ensign.

George Stout,

Nicholas Hawk,

Court Martial

Michael Kehl,

John Foust,

men.

George Berger.

4th Co. — Heidelberg.

Sth Go.— Heidelberg.

Conrad Weiser,

Captain.

Philip Filbert,

Daniel Womelsdorf,

1st Lieut.

Philip Moyer,

Henry Walter,

Snd Lieut.

Francis Artellia,

George Gensemer,

Ensign.

Leonard Zerbe,

Jacob Seltzer,

Court Martial

Henry Knopp,

George Brown.

men.

Samuel Boyer.

Commissions were forwarded to Col. Jacob Morgan
for the foregoing six battalions June 14, 1777, by Tim
othy Matlack, Secretary of the Executive Council.

66 REVOLUTION.
NEW MILITIA SYSTEM PROVIDED.
After the foregoing returns had been made, the As
sembly deemed it necessary to provide a new militia
system, because the "Associators" had lost their ef
fectiveness. Shortly after the Battle of Princeton
whole companies deserted. In this behalf a law was
passed on June 13, 1777.
Oath of Allegiance. — One of the first requirements
was the taking of an oath of allegiance which had to
be done before July i, 1777. This was allowing only
seventeen days, but in this time its provisions had be
come thoroughly known in Berks County. The time
for deliberation or hesitation had passed, and prompt
action was necessary.
The preamble and oath, provided by the said Act,
were as follows :
" Whereas, From sordid or mercenary motives, or other causes
inconsistent with the happiness of a free and independent people,
sundry persons have withheld, or may j-et be induced to withhold,
their service or allegiance from the Commonwealth of Pennsylva
nia as a free and independent State, as declared by Congress.
" And Whereas, Sundry other persons in their several capacities
have, at the risk of their lives and fortunes, or both, rendered
great and eminent services in defence and support of the said in
dependence, and may yet continue to do the same, and as both
these sorts of persons remain at this time mixed, and in some
measure undistinguished from each other, and the disaffected de
riving undeserved service from the faithful and well-affected.
"And Whereas, Allegiance and protection are reciprocal, and
those who will not bear the former are not or ought not to be en
titled to the benefits of the latter.
"Therefore, be it enacted, etc., That all white male inhabitants
<if the State, except of the counties of Bedford and AVestmore-

REVOLUTION. 67
land, above the age of eighteen years, shall, before the 1st day of
the ensuing July, and in the excepted counties before the 1st day
of August, take and subscribe before some justice of the peace
an oath in the following form :
" I,  , do swear, (or affirm,! that I renounce and refuse all allegiance to
George the Third, King of Great Britain, his heirs and successors; and that I will
be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as a
free and independent State, and that I will not at any time do, or cause to be done,
any matter or thing that will be prejudicial or injruious to the freedom and inde
pendence thereof, as declared by Congress ; and also, that I will discover and
make known to some justice of the peace of said State all treasons or traitorous
conspiracies which I now know or hereafter shall know to be formed against this
or any of the United States of America."
Persons, who neglected or refused to take this oath,
were declared to be incapable of holding any office;
serving as jurors ; suing for debts ; electing or being
elected ; buying, selling, or transferring real estate ;
and they were liable to be disarmed by the County
Lieutenants and Deputies. If they were not provided
with passes, they were liable to be arrested as spies,
upon being found out of the city or county away from
their immediate residence ; and forgery of a certificate
was punishable with a flogging and a fine of ;^50.
County Districts Established. — This law directed
the counties to be divided into districts, and each dis
trict was to contain not less than 440 men, nor more
than 680, fit for duty, to be arranged in eight com
panies. The officer in charge of a county was called
a "Lieutenant," and of each district, a "Sub-Lieu
tenant." It. was the duty of the "Lieutenant' ' to enlist
the people, collect the fines, and execute the details of
the law.
Battalions, Companies and Classes. — Each district
was subdivided into eight parts with due regard to
the convenience of the inhabitants, and each district

68 REVOLUTION.
elected its officers, from lieutenant-colonel down to
sub-alterns. The term of service was three years. A
company was set apart ¦ for each subdivision, and this
was also divided by lot into eight parts, called classes,
as nearly equal as possible, and the several classes
were numbered from one to eight in numerical order.
Berks County was divided into six districts. Accord
ingly, the county had six battalions, or forty-eight
companies. The rank of the battalions and their officers, also of
the captains and sub-alterns, was determined by lot.
The precedence of the officers of the several counties,
as to rank, was arranged according to the seniority of
the counties, Philadelphia being first.
In case of invasion, or assistance were asked by
Congress, the militia was called out by classes. The
first draft consisted of class one of each company, and
if insufficient, then class two, and so on as occasion
required. Each class was liable to serve two months,
and it was relieved by the next class in numerical order.
Pay and Rations. — The pay and rations were the
same as Continental troops. They were to commence
two days before inarching, and to be allowed at the
rate of twenty miles a day till the men returned home.
Days of Drill. — Days of drill were set apart in the
Spring and Fall for military exercise ; /;/ companies,
on the last Monday of April, and first three Mondays
of May; also, on the last two Mondays of August, the
last two Mondays of September, and the third Monday
of October ; and /// battalions, on the fourth Mondays
of May and October.

REVOLUTION. 69
Fines. — Enrolled men who refused to parade were
fined 7sh. 6d. per diem ; absent officers, losh. ; non
commissioned officers and privates, 5SI1. On field days,
the fine for non-attendance was ^5, and for non-com
missioned officers and privates, i5sh.
Pensions. — Pensions were allowed for incapacitating
injuries not exceeding one-half the pay received ; and
for persons who died from wounds, or were killed, in
service, the Orphans' Court was authorized to allow
support to the families in amounts not to exceed one-
half the pay of such persons.
Persons Exempted from Service. — The excepted
persons from bearing arms were Delegates in Congress,
Members of the Executive Council, Judges of the Su
preme Court, Masters and Faculty of Colleges, Minis
ters, and servants purchased bona fide.
Oaths Administered in the County. — In pursuance
of said Act, over forty-nine hundred men took the
oath of allegiance in Berks County during the years
1777 and 1778, before the Justices of the Peace in
the several sections of the county. The greater num
ber was taken from June to October in 1777.
The Justices, who administered the oaths, and the
number taken by each Justice, were as follows :
Henry Christ, Reading  943
Jacob Shoemaker, Central Section  1149
.Tbhn Ludwig, Central Section  387
Peter Spyker, Western Section  779
Charles Shoemaker, Northern Section  300
Samuel Ely, Northeastern Section  497
Daniel Rothermel, Eastern Section  315
,Tohn Old, Southeastern Section  338
Jacob Weaver, Southern Section  385
Jacob Morgan, Southern Section  37
Total  4930

70 REVOLUTION.
This number would indicate how many men were
. in Berks County at that time over the age of eighteen
years. It exceeds the number of those who were sub
ject to military duty, but many of the men were, of
course, over sixty years of age.
The several Justices presented certified lists of the
names ofthe persons, who had " taken and subscribed
the oath of allegiance and fidelity," to Henry Christ,
Esq., (the Recorder of the County,) and he recorded
them in a book provided for that purpose, which was
entitled "Book D, volume i."
COUNTY RETURNS FOR 1 7 78.
The militia returns for the year 1778 were as fol
lows. Total number of men enrolled was 4058:
ist Battalion — Loiver Eastern Section.
Colonel, Daniel Hunter.
CAPTAINS.
Christopher Foulk, George Focht, Daniel Reiff,
Stephen Crumrine, Jacob Hill, David Stause,
Sebastian Lentz, Peter Wanner,
Number of men enrolled, 642.
2)id Battalion — Upper Eastern Section.
Colonel, Daniel Udree.
CAPTAINS.
Charles Krouse, George Kemp, Abraham Huy,
Peter Smith, Casper Smeck, Henry Egner.
.Tacob Rothermel, Michael Voyge,
Number of men enrolled, 565.

REVOLUTION. 71
^rd Battalion — Upper Western Section.
Colonel, Michael Lindemuth.
CAPTAINS.
Jacob Whetstone, Sebastian Emrich, Daniel Will,
Conrad Minnich, George Souter, Ferdinand Ritter.
Jacob Schraedle, Jacob Shable,
Number of men enrolled, 722.
4th Battalion — Central Section.
Colonel, Joseph Hiester.
CAPTAINS.
Conrad Geist, Peter Nagel, Sebastian Miller,
John Reitung(;r, George Riehm, Philip Krlok.
George Ax, Conrad Eckert,
Number of men enrolled, 756.
^th Battalion — Lower Western Section.
Colonel, Jacob Weaver.
CAPTAINS.
Joseph McMurray, Jacob Graul, John Keim.
 Harris, Joseph Sands, David Morgan
John Bishop,
Number of men enrolled, 645.
6th Battalion — Western Section.
Colonel, Henry Spyker.
CAPTAINS.
John Lesher, , Conrad Weiser, Jacob Kreamer,
George Batdorff, Michael Bretz, Philip Filbert.
Henry Shepler, Henry Weaver,
Number of men enrolled, 728.
additional captains.
Daniel Deturk, George Grant, Jacob Rhoads.
George Beaver,

REVOLUTION.

COUNTY RETURNS FOR 1780.
A return of the Field Officers, Captains, and Sub
alterns of the county militia was certified to by Col.
Jacob Morgan, the Lieutenant of the county on May
10, 1780, when he issued commissions and delivered
them to Col. Jacob Morgan, Jr. It is published in the
Pennsylvania Associators, 2nd vol., pp. 278 to 292.
The Field Officers and Captains were as follows :
ist Battalion — A'orth-Easterit Section.
Lt.-Col., Samuel Ely. Maj., Abraham Betz.
captains.
Charles Crouse, Jacob Mourer, Leonard Stone.
Jacob Ledich, George Beaver, Jacob Rickstein.
.lacob Rothermel, Jacob Baity,
2nd Battalion — Western Section.
Lt.-Col., Henry Spyker. Maj., John Lesher.
CAPTAINS.
Henry Shepler, Michael Wolf, John Sheffer,
Daniel Groff, Philip Hetrich, John Fulmer.
John Anspach, Philip Filbert,
jrd Battalion — Southern Section.
Lt.-Col., Jonathan Jones. Maj., Jacob Kirlin.
CAPTAINS.
David Weidner, Michael Stophel, .lohn Ludwig,
Thomas Hamilton, George Graul, David Morgan.
Adam Beard, George Ax,
4th Battalion — Northern Section.
Lt.-Col., Michael Lindemuth. Maj., Martin Kercher.
CAPTAINS.
-lacob Frantz, Daniel Will, Ferdinand Ritter,
Jacob Weston, Jacob Shartel, Francis Umbenhacker.
Christian Baity, Jacob Strabel,

REVOLUTION.

73

^th Battalion — Eastern Section.
Lt.-Col., John Cunius. Maj., Michael Mullin.
CAPTAINS.
Abraham Kiefer, Jacob Griesemer, Daniel Leinbach,
Henry Knause, Jacob Hill, David Strause.
Anthony Schroeder, Henry Strouch,

6th Battalion
Lt.-Col

Sebastian Miller,
Conrad Geist,
Conrad Eckert,

Joseph Hiester. Maj.,
CAPTAINS.
Paul Feger,
Peter Nagel,
Charles Gobin

Central Section.
Edward Scull.

George Riehm,
John Spohn.

COUNTY RETURNS FOR 1 783.
A similar return was made by Col. Valentine Eck
ert, the Lieutenant of the county for the year 1783,
and he issued commissions to the officers elected in
April of that year. It is published in Pennsylvania
Archives, vol. 10, pp. 190 and 331. The number of
men in the ist Battalion, commanded by Lt.-Col.
Nicholas Lotz, was about 840 ; and of the 6th Bat
talion, commanded by Lt.-Col. John Cunius, was 643.
The number of men in the several companies of
the other Battalions was not given.
The Battalion officers were as follows :

1st Battalion — Centre.
Lt.-Col., Nicholas Lotz.
Major, Jacob Bower.
Snd Battalion — North.
Lt.-Col., Balser Geehr.
Major, Martin Kercher.
3rd Battalion — Northeast.
Lt.-Col., Samuel Ely.
Major, Stephen Baltj'.

4th Battalion — South.
Lt.-Col., George Ax.
Major, Benjamin Talbert.
Sth Battalion — West.
Lt.-Col., Henry Spyker.
Major, Christian Lower, Jr..
6th Battalion — East.
Lt.-Col., John Cunnius.
Major, Nicholas Hunter.

REVOLUTION.

74

Note. — By way of getting at the returns of the
companies for the year 1776, it has been stated on
page 58 that only eleven companies were found of
which any mention was made. I overlooked the fol
lowing thirteen companies :

Jonathan Jones.
John Spohn.
Peter Decker.
Henry Christ,
Jacob Graul,

Joseph Hiester,
Jacob Maurer,
George May,
George Douglass,

John Ludwig,
Benjamin Weiser,
John Lesher,
Conrad Geist.

Besides Lotz's Battalion, and part of Patton's, three
other battalions were in service — Geehr' s, Bird's and
Haller's — ^but their respective companies were not ob
tainable. (See Chap. VI.)
Capt. George Riehm is mentioned as a delegate to
the Lancaster Convention for the 3rd Battalion. He
also had a company organized. I have thus identified
twenty-five companies out of forty-two estimated for the
seven battalions. Thirteen of them were from the cen
tral section of the county, and five from the western.

REVOLUTION. 75

CHAPTER VI.
COMPANIES FROM THE COUNTY IN THE REVOLUTION.
After much research and study, I am enabled to
present the following companies and battalions of men
from Berks County which were engaged in the Rev
olution during the period extending from 1775 to
1782. The evidence relating to them was taken al
most entirely from the publications issued by the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, comprising the Col
onial Records, Pennsylvania Archives, (first and sec
ond series,) and Pennsylvania Associators.
I made diligent and persistent inquiry in the several
county offices in the Court House at Reading, but I
found only a single record that related to this impor
tant event in our history. In locating the several
battalions, companies and leading men at the head of
affairs, I had recourse to the public records. Occa
sionally I found private manuscripts in different parts
of the county, but they were few in number and lim
ited in character. nagel's company at CAMBRIDGE.
On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress passed
resolutions requiring twelve companies of expert rifle
men to be raised for the purpose of joining the army
near Boston. Eight of these companies were to be
raised in Pennsylvania, formed into a battalion, and

76 REVOLUTION.
commanded by officers recommended by the Assembly.
The command formed of these companies was called
" Colonel Thompson's Battalion of Riflemen." Each
company consisted of one captain, three lieutenants,
four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer or trumpeter
and sixty-eight privates. The pay was as follows :
Captain, $20 a month; lieutenant, #13^ ; sergeant,
$8; corporal, $y}{ ; drummer, $y}^ '1 private, $6%.
They supplied their own arms and clothes. The term
of enlistment was one year. The form of enlistment
was as follows :
" I have this daj' voluntarily enlisted myself as a soldier in the
American Continental Army, for one year, unless sooner dis
charged, and do bind myself to conform in all instances to such
rules and regulations as are or shall be established for the govern
ment of the said army."
One company in this battalion was from Reading.
It was commanded by Capt. George Nagel.
By the ' 'Journal of Capt. Wm. Hendricks" in Penna.
Archives, vol. 15, p. 26, it appears that three compa
nies, commanded by Captains Patterson, Smith and
Lowden were at Reading, with the company of a
Capt. " Noggle," awaiting the arrival of two compa
nies from Carlisle, commanded by Captains Wm. Hen
drick and John Chambers, all destined for Cambridge.
The latter two companies remained at Reading firom
July 17th to 22nd. All the companies started in a
body on the 22nd. The Capt. "Noggle" mentioned
can not have been George Nagel, because his com
pany was then at Cambridge.

REVOLUTION.

11

Roll of Company.
Captains.
George Nagel, com. June 35, 1775 ; prom, major of the 5th Batt.,
Col. Robert Magaw, Jan. 5, 1776; to Lt.-Col. Oth Regt., Con
tinental Line, Oct. 35, 1770, to rank from Aug. SI, 1776; to
Col. of 10th Regt. Feb., 1778, and became a Supernumerary
July 1, 1778.
Morgan Conner, com. Jan. 5, 1776 ; March 9th called from camp
by Congress, and sent into the Southern Department ; after
wards Lt.-Col. of Col. Hartley's Regiment.

Evrst Lieutenants.
Morgan Conner, com. dated
July 17, 1775 ; prom. capt.
David Harris, appointed Jan. 5,
1776. Second Lieutenants.
Peter Scull, com. July 17, 1775;
prom. capt. in 3rd Penn. Batt.,
Col. John Shee, Jan. 5, 1776.
Benjamin Chambers, Sr., from
private in Capt. Chambers'
Co., Jan. 5, 1776 ; subsequent
ly flrst lieut., 1st Pa. Regt.
Third Lieutenants.
Peter Grubb, com. July 17,
1775; app. to Miles' rifle
regt.
Peter Weiser, app. Jan. 5, 1776.

Sergeants.
Jacob Bower, app. Q. M.
Hananiah Lincoln.
John McKinty.
Alexander Brannon.
Philip Gibbons. Corporals.
James Williams.
Hugh Hughes.
Henry Snevely.
Casper Heiner. Surgeon.
Dr. Jonathan Potts.
Drummer.
John Maloy.

Thomas Bain.
Christopher Baity.
Yost Berger.
Conrad Bourke.
Peter Bowman.
Peter Brough.
James Brown.
John Bermeter.
Michael Ceney.
Casper Cool, or Kool.
John Cox.

Privates.
Robert Creed.
William Crowley.
Henry Deckert.
Christian Derr, re-
enlisted in old
11th regt.
Hugh Dennison.
John Dombaugh.
Jacob Duck.
Jacob Elgerts.
Jacob Ebright.

Andrew Engel.
Peter Felix.
George Fisher.
Christian Fought.
Michael Foust.
LewisFranklinberry. George Gearhart.
Charles Gordon.
Daniel Gorman.
Daniel Graff.
John Grant.

78

REVOLUTION.

Abraham Griffith.
John Grow.
Timothy Harris.
John Huber.
William Jones.
George Kemmerling.
John Kerner, wound
ed at Lechmere
Pond, Nov. 9, 1775;
re-enlisted in 6th
Pa. regt. in 1777.
Charles Kleckner,
prom, ensign of
German Regt.
Nicholas Leasure.
John Leaman.
Casper Leib.
Harmon Leitheiser,
ensign 6th Pa. Reg.

John Lewis.
Samuel McFarland.
Christopher Martin.
Michael Miller.
Peter Mingle.
iVlexander Mogej'
[McGee.]
Adam Moyer.
Christian Moyer, or
Christopher Myer.
Michael Moyer.
Ernst Nibber [Law
rence.]
Frederick Nipple.
Henry Orwig.
Samuel Parks.
Adam Pickle.
Elias Rieger.

Thomas Reilly.
John Rewalt.
William Robinson.
Christian Rone.
Nicholas Shanefelt.
Andrew Shirk.
Joseph Smith.
Henry Snevely, Sr.
Gfeorge Spotts.
John Stone.
John Strecker.
Frederick Tueo.
Abraham Umstead.
Philip Waggoner.
Nicholas Waltman.
Christian AVander.
John Weiser.
Isaac Willey.

A return of March, 1776, states the strength of the
company present, as follows : i captain, 3 lieuten
ants, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, i drummer and 65 pri
vates. Within three weeks from the time of their enlist
ment, some of the companies took up their line of
inarch to the Hudson River on their way to the army
at Cambridge, Mass. During July and August, 1775,
they passed through New Windsor, (on the Hudson
several miles above West Point.) Nagel's company
reported at headquarters, at Cambridge, on the i8th
of July. The last of the battalion arrived on the i8th
of August. The appearance of the men was described
as follows :
"They are remarkably stout and hardy men, many of them ex
ceeding six feet in height. They are dressed in white frocks or
rifle-shirts and round hats. These men are remarkable for the

REVOLUTION. 79
accuracy of their aim, striking a mark with great certainty at
two hundred yards distance. At a review, while on a quick ad
vance, a company of them fired their balls into objects of seven
inches diameter at the distance of two hundred and flfty yards.
They are now stationed in our lines, and their shot have frequently
proved fatal to British officers and soldiers who expose themselves
to view even at more than double the distance of common musket-
shot. Each man bore a rifle-barreled gun. a tomahawk or small ax
and a long knife, usually called a 'soalping-knife,' which served
for all purposes in the woods. His underdress — by no means in
military style — was covered by a deep ash-colored hunting-shirt,
leggins and moccasins — if the latter could be procured. It was
the silly fashion of those times for riflemen to ape the manners of
savages." The battalion was first actually engaged and sus
tained its first loss in killed and wounded on the 27th
of August, while covering an entrenching party.
Services of Company.
The services of this company were in connection
with Thompson's Battalion at and about Cambridge,
and are detailed in 10 Penna. Archives, (2nd series),
pp. 3 to 13. No losses in the company were reported.
The battalion received orders about March 11, 1776,
to march from Cambridge to New York. The men
went by way of Hartford, and New York was reached
on March 28th. On April 22nd, Gen'l Washington,
while at New York, said in a letter addressed to the
President of Congress :
" The time for which the riflemen enlisted, will expire on the
1st of July next, and as the loss of such a valuable and brave
body of men will be of great injury to the service, I would submit
it to the consideration of Congress whether it would not be best
to adopt some method to induce them to continue. They are in
deed a very useful corps ; but I need not mention this, as their
importance is already well known to the Congress."

8o REVOLUTION.
It was stated in a letter of June 30th, by Col. Hand,
that ' ' almost all the men discharged to-day declare
that they will stay to know what the fleet will do."
On July ist, the battalion entered upon another term of
service as the ist Regiment of the Continental Line.
A number of gentlemen went along in the march
to Cambridge as independent volunteers. Their
names were not entered on the rolls, and they claimed
the privilege of paying their own expenses and re
turning at pleasure. Among these was Edward Burd,
then a practicing attorney-at-law of Reading, who,
in August, 1776, participated in the Battle of Long
Island as a Major under Lieut.-Col. Nicholas Lotz,
and there became a prisoner of war.
JONES'S COMPANY IN THE CANADA CAMPAIGN.
The news from Lexington and Concord reached
Berks County in the latter part of April, 1775, and
Jonathan Jones, of Caernarvon township raised a com
pany of men in that township and vicinity. Six com
panies of riflemen were ordered to be raised in Penn
sylvania in June, but it was not until the following
October that the first regular regiment was called out
by Congress. On the 25th of that month, the captains
were appointed, and among them was Captain Jones.
In December, Congress ordered four additional regi
ments to be raised in Pennsylvania, and in January-,
1776, still another. These six regiments then com
posed the Pennsylvania Line, and the ist, 2nd, 4th
and 6th participated in the movements against Can
ada. The company of Capt. Jones was the first

REVOLUTION.

8l

named in the ist Regiment, commanded by Col. John
Philip DeHaas. The roll was complete at the time
of enlistment, but the following names are all that
were obtainable : Roll of Company.

Captain.

Jonathan Jones.

Corporals.
 Bean.
Jacob Candy.
 Kelly.
Privates.
Matthew Clark.
George Alexander.
John McGregor.
James Murphy.
.John Brown.
Robert McKillup.
Albert Pearson.
James Dagley.
Joseph McMullen.
Ezra Shea.
Brice Dunlap.
Patrick McLaughlin
.. Joseph Skelton.
Joseph FuUerton.
Clement Merls.
William Tennent.
Robert Gouger.
Philip O. Miller.
AViUiam Walker.
Daniel Leary.
Robert Murdock.
Thomas Walters.
James McCorley.
Services of Companj^
On January 23, 1776, Capt. Jones began a long
march from Philadelphia to Canada with his company.
The weather was intensely cold, that Winter having
been one of great severity. They had one baggage
wagon but no tents, depending upon such lodgings
and provisions as their quarter-master could procure
for them on the way. The roads were in a bad con
dition and the greater part of the journey extended
through a wilderness. Even the best parts of the
country were but sparsely settled, and limited accom
modations were afforded for so large a body of men.
The company proceeded by way of Germantown,
Bethlehem and Easton to the Hudson river, and were
82 REVOLUTION.
then transported on boats at the public expense to
Albany. It took eleven days to cover this distance.
By that time their mittens and shoes were worn out
and their muskets were useless from constant exposure.
After a detention of several days in obtaining the
necessary supplies, they continued up the Hudson
and over Lakes George and Champlain to St. John
and Montreal, partly by boats but mostly on foot.
They remained at Montreal two weeks and then
marched to Quebec, where they halted the latter part
of March. The weather was still very cold, the snow
at some places six feet deep, and the situation of af
fairs extremely discouraging. The campaign was un
successful and the American Army was obliged to re
treat to Ticonderoga, where the men were entrenched
and remained for some time on the defensive. The
British, not succeeding in their mission, returned to
Canada, and General Gates then ordered the regiment
with certain other troops to embark for Pennsylvania.
They started November 15th, and while marching
homeward, Washington sent pressing orders to them
to join his army at Trenton; but before reaching that
place they were ordered to halt thirty miles to the
North. After the defeat of the British at Trenton,
they marched to Philadelphia and were discharged on
January 10, 1777. It is not known how many returned
with the company. The roll, as presented, numbers
only twenty-seven men.
COMPANIES AT NEW YORK.
Three companies from Berks County were in service
at New York and in that vicinity in 1776. Two of

REVOLUTION.

83

them formed part of the 5th Battalion of Pennsylvania
troops, which was under the command of Col, Robert
Magaw, of Carlisle. The captains were John Spohn
and Peter Decker, both residents of Reading. The
men of Spohn's company were also from Reading,
but those of Decker's were mostly from the districts
surrounding Reading.
The third company constituted part of the Penn
sylvania Rifle Regiment, of which Samuel Miles was
appointed Colonel. It was commanded by Capt.
Henry Christ, who was also from Reading.
The company rolls are incomplete.
Roll of Spohn's Company.
Captain.
John Spohn, com'd Jan. 5, 1776 ; resigned Nov. 4, 1776.
First Lieutenant.
John Morgan, Philadelphia,

com'd Jan. 6, 1776 ; taken
August 16, 1776 ; same day
prom, capt., OTce Miller, killed;
June 1, 1778, became super
numerary ; exch. Aug. 36,
1778. Second Lieutenant.
William Stanley, com'd Jan, 8,
1776 ; taken Aug. 16th ; same
day prom. 1st lieut. ; exch.
Aug. 35, 1780.

Jacob Albert.
John Allison, sergt.-
maj. of 4th Pa.
John Barnhest.
Richard Barington.
Anthony Bishop.

Ensign.
John Gansel, com'd Jan. 8, 1776.
Sergeant-Major.
Enoch Wright, app'd Nov. 16,
1776. Sergeants.
Jacob Vanderslice.
Adam Ruth. Corporals.
Henry A^anderslice.
Henry Goodheart.
James Campbell.
Privates. William Fletcher.
Henrj- Goodhart.
ChristopherHavener George Heilman.
Christian Holick.
Jacob Hausknecht.

George Cole.
William Collins.
Timothy Carney.
Dennis Calaghan.
Valentine Dengler.
Peter Duck.

84

REVOLUTION.

George Hoffner.
Martin Link.
Nicholas Mann.
George Marshal.
Jacob Miller ; re-
enlisted in Col.
Hartley's regt. ;

disch. 1781.

Peter Miller.
John Nair.
John Rangier.
Michael Raume.
John Rheam.
Michael Selser.
John Shelson.
Michael AVhitmer.

George Whitmire ;
died in New York
two days before
exchange.
Benjamin Ziegler.
Michael Zurn.

Roll of Decker's Company.

Captain.
Peter Decker, com'd Jan. 5, 1776 ; resigned Feb. 3, 1777.

Fint Lieictenant.
Charles Phile, com'd Jan.
1776; prom. capt. Feb.
1777 ; exch. Aug. 36, 1778.
Second Lieutenant.
John Rudolph, com'd Jan.
1776 ; prom. capt. Feb.
1777 ; exch. Oct. 35, 1780.

Ensign.
James Mullov, com'd Jan.
1770.

6, 1, James Forsythe.
Michael Gabby.
8, Christopher Weiser.
1, Corporal.
Philip Duck.
Privates.

Abraham Brosius.
Michael Burkhart ;
died in prison.
Jacob Churchner
(Kerchner) ; died
in prison.
Andrew Cook.
Leonard Dell.

James Finerty.
Robert Fry.
George Huber.
Anthony Lehman.
Peter Moyer ; exch.
177S ; re-enlisted
in Bankson's Co.

Matthias Spang.
Leonard Strow.
Edward Welsh.
Jacob Young.
Michael Zeller.
John Zuier, died in
prison.

Services of Companies.
On June ii, 1776, Magaw's Battalion, and that of
Col. John Shee, (a merchant of Philadelphia) were or
dered to march to New York. The)- started on the
15th and reached their destination from the 20th to ,
the 25th, and on the 29th they were placed under
the command of Gen. Thomas Mifflin. They en
camped where Fort Washington was erected — being
employed in its construction under Col. Israel Put-

REVOLUTION. 85
nam, and remained there until the fighting of the
Battle of Long Island August 27th, when they marched
back to New York, reaching that place after the bat
tle was over. On the 28th, they went to Brooklyn,
where, annoyed by continual rains, without tents,
they lay upon their arms and kept up incessant
firing with the British. On the 30th, they were or
dered to retire, and on the 31st, came to re-occupy
Fort Washington. These battalions then remained
five weeks on the Harlem Heights. On November
1 6th, the fort was invested by Gen. Howe's army and
captured. Then Magaw's battalion, with others,
mostly from Pennsylvania, were posted in the lower
lines of Harlem Heights. The superiority of the
British drove all finally into the fort, when they sur
rendered, and the battalions of Shaw and Shee be
came prisoners almost entirely. Many of them were
paroled in December following. The men were re
tained as prisoners until in January, 1777, by which
time their term of enlistment had expired. Most of
the officers did not secure their release for years after
ward. A return of May 28, 1776, showed that Spohn's
company had 78 men, including officers, of whom 15
were absent on account of sickness ; and Decker's
company had 86, of whom 9 were absent, also on ac
count of sickness. On the day before the surrender,
(Nov. 15, 1776) the companies were as follows :
Spohn's company — 45 men, comprising the first and second
lieutenants, 4 sergeants, 30 men flt for duty, and 19 unfit.
Decker's company — 53 men, comprising captain, first and sec
ond lieutenants, 4 sergeants, drummer and fifer, 37 men fit for
duty, and 6 unfit.

86

REVOLUTION.

In Shee's Battalion, Daniel Brodhead, of Reading, was commis
sioned as Lt.-Col. on October 35, 1776; and Peter Scull, also of
Reading, as a Capt. January 5, 1776. Scull was appointed Brigade
Major on March 33, 1776.
Capt. Peter Decker has been included with the Reg
iment commanded by Lt.-Col. Nicholas Lotz in the
"Flying Camp," in the returns and publications that
relate to this regiment ; but the services of his com
pany are identified entirely with Col. Magaw's Regi
ment as detailed. Roll of Christ's Company.
Captain.
Henry Christ, Jr. ; resigned March 19, 1777.

First Lieutenant.
Daniel Topham; captured Aug.
37, 1776; exch. April 30, 1778.
Second Lieutenant.
Jacob Maess. Third Lieutenants.
Abner Davis ; resigned Oct. 19,
1776.
George Gyger, from sergt. Oct.
34, 1776. Sergeants.
George Gyger, April 1, 1776.
Matthew Whitlow, April SO,
1776; missing since the bat
tle, Aug. 37, 1776.

Sergeants.
Jeremiah Geiss, March 39, 1776;
missing since the battle, Aug.
37, 1776.
Adam Christ, from private ;
wounded, ball passing through
his breast at Brandywine.
Joseph Starke. Drum and Fife.
Samuel Keiser,
Nathan Hinkel.
Matthias Rehrer.

William Albert.
Henry Alter.
Michael Arnold.
William Butler ; re-
enlisted in 3nd Pa.
Adam Christ.
Melcher Close.
Godfry Dering.

Privates.
John English.
Francis Fisher.
Henry Fisher.
Godfrey Fister.
Henry Frederick.
Paul Frederick ;
missing since bat
tle of Aug. 37, '76.

Yost Fuchs (Fox) :
missing since the
battle.
Herman Geiss.
John Green.
Peter Groff.
Michael Groff.
Valentine Gyger.

REVOLUTION.

87

John Hambright.
Nicholas Hamm.
William Herbert.
Jacob Heckman.
Yost Heck.
George Heflner.
John Herman.
Michael Hinterleiter
Henry Hill.
Nathan Hinkel.
Dan'l Hausknecht,
John Hummel.
George Jones.
Francis Keehl.
Christian Kem-
merer.
George Kettner.
Christian Kraemer.
Simon Kreisher.

Abraham Lantsert.
Henry Leffier.
George Lehnig.
Isaac Linwill.
Emanuel Lippert.
John Long.
Philip Lott.
John Lutz.
Gotlieb Mack.
Simon Madeira.
George Mengel.
Henry Mertz.
Philip Miller.
Joseph Muffly.
Daniel Nitterhaus.
John Nordstein.
Frederick Poust.
Charles Reichard.
Jacob Reiff.

Jacob Riegle.
David Siebold.
Yost Seyler.
Adam Shaffer.
Joseph Stark.
Adam Streckde-
finger.
Frederick Struble.
Peter Treher.
Christian Walk.
John Weaver.
John AVeidman.
Henry Weiss.
George AVhitman.
Michael Wissler.
Henry Wolf,
George Zenig.
Philip Zott.

Services of Company.
The Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment was embodied
strictly for the defense of the Province, at the sugges
tion of the Committee of Safety, on February 20,
1776, when they passed a resolution praying that the
House of Representatives order the raising of 2000
men for that purpose. The House acted promptly
and on March 4th appointed a committee to estimate
the expense of levying a body of 1500 men, victual
ing and paying them for one year. On March 5 th
the estimate was reported, and on the same day the
levy was made and the men were ordered to be enlisted
to serve until January i, 1778, subject to be discharged
at any time. The first two captains were appointed
on March 7, 1776 ; the others on the 9th.

88 REVOLUTION.
Daniel Brodhead of Reading was appointed Lieut.-
Colonel of the 2nd Battalion on March 13, 1776, and
Ennion Williams, of Bethel township, was appointed
Major of the ist Battalion on the same day, both of
whom afterward became prominent in the Revolution.
The regiment was raised in about six weeks and
rendezvoused at Marcus Hook. On July 2nd it was
ordered to Philadelphia, when the number of officers
and men in Christ's company reported on duty were 62;
on the 4th to Bordentown, on the 5th to Trenton, and
thence to Amboy under orders to join General Mercer,
which it accomplished by the i6th. On August ist, a
report of the company showed 64 on duty. On August
loth, the regiment was ordered to New York under
the command of Brig. -Gen'l Lord Sterling. Accord
ing to a general return on the 24th, 867 officers and
men of this rifle regiment were present.
The regiment was engaged in the Battle of Long
Island on Aug. 27, 1776, where it was stated that the
Pennsylvanians got a " drubbing " and were " prettily
taken in." The army of about 5000 men was sur
rounded by 15,000 English and Hessians. The num
ber of killed of the latter was large, but of the Con
tinentals very trifling. About 700 Continentals were
taken prisoners and among them ' ' more officers than
perhaps was ever known in a like number of men." .
Among the killed was Col. Miles. In this battle the
rifle regiment was so badly broken up that Gen'l
Washington ordered the three battalions to be consid
ered as a regiment, and to be placed under the com
mand of Brodhead until further orders.

REVOLUTION. 89
On September 27, 1776, these battalions were in
Gen'l Mifflin's brigade and stationed at Mount Wash
ington. By a rearrangement of October 5th, Christ's
company became the 7 th in the regiment, which was
afterward known as the "Regiment of Foot." At
that time the situation of the company was 4 ser
geants, I drummer and 41 privates, with 1 1 men ab
sent. Thence it followed the fortunes of the Conti
nental army. It was engaged in the capture of the
Hessians at Trenton on December 26, 1776 ; also in
the battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777 ; and then
lay part of the winter at Philadelphia. The remain
ing service until Jan. i, 1778, has not been ascertained.
lotz's BATTALION IN FLYING CAMP.
In pursuance of the address to the Associators, Col.
Nicholas Lotz, chairman of the Standing Committee,
on Thursday, June 27, 1776, issued the following
notice for a meeting of the Committee on July 2nd :
"Resolved, That notice be immediately given to the members
of the General Committee of this county to meet at the Court
House in Reading, on Tuesday next, the second day of July, on
affairs of public importance and very interesting at this critical
time, especially to choose officers for 666 men ; and that the several
members be desired to enquire what officers now in the Associa
tion are willing to go into immediate service on call."
This meeting was held at the time appointed, and
from the published record in the Pennsylvania Asso
ciators, vol. 2, p. 776, the following officers were then
chosen : Col., Henry Haller.
Lt.-Col., Nicholas Lotz.
Maj., Edward Burd.

90 REVOLUTION.
Captains.
Jacob Graul, Read- Jacob Maurer, John Old, Amity.
ing. Maidencreek. George Douglass,
Joseph Heister, John Ludwig, Exe- Amity.
Reading. ter. Peter Decker, Reading
The rosters of the several companies have not as
yet been found, nor have the names of all the officers
of the battalion been ascertained. But a letter, which
the Committee of Correspondence addressed to Con
gress on July 13, 1776, indicates that one company
more than the quota of the county had been raised.
By the notice it would appear that this quota of the
4500 men from the whole Province was 666. The
letter was as follows :
Committee Letter to Congress.
Reading, July 13, 1776.
Sir : AA^e have received j-our letter, containing a resolve of Con
gress for the removal of the privates, who are prisoners in this
town, to Lancaster, which we shall carry into execution with all
the despatch in our power.
We received a letter from the honorable the Delegates of this
Province, mentioning that we should be informed by express, or
by the gentlemen from our County, then at Lancaster, that all the
Militia that could possibly be equipped and armed should be called
forth. We also received a letter from the Committee of Lancaster,
enclosing copies of letters from a Committee of Congress, and
from the Committee of the City of Philadelphia ; in the former
of which it is mentioned that the forces from the several Counties
should be collected and marched to Brunswick ; in the latter it is
mentioned that only the 4500 men ordered to be raised in the
Province, as a part of the Flying Camp, were meant by the letter
of the Committee of Congress. We, therefore, continued our plan
of raising our quota for the Flying Camp, and, indeed, added a
company more, to complete the battalion, hoping for the approba
tion of Congress in so doing ; since which we have seen in the

REVOLUTION. 91
public prints the proceedings of the Conference of the Delegates
of the several Counties, and of the Committee of Safety of the
City and Liberties. But as we had nearly raised several com
panies to compose the Flying Camp, (the place of which this
Militia is intended to supply) and the others were proceeding with
great success, considering the great scarcity of every kind of tol
erable arms among the people to arm such a multitude, we hope
our completing the original plan will be approved of, as the men
will be more quickly raised and better equipped than if ^ye were
to take down the whole Militia. Our conduct is dictated by the
warmest attachment to the cause of our country, and we trust it
will be considered in that light by the honorable Congress.
AA''e are, with great respect, sir, j'our most obedient and very
humble servants, Henry Haller, John Whitman, Jun., Collinson Read.
Edward Burd, Paul Kerper,
To the Honorable John Hancock, Esq.
INTENTIONS OF CONGRESS EXPLAINED.
Notwithstanding the promptness of the county in
responding to the call for a " Flying Camp," it seems
that some misrepresentation of the intentions of Con
gress had arisen amongst the Associators of the county
and the officers who were appointed to form the
" Flying Camp." It was in respect to the march and
arrangement of the Associators and militia who were
to compose the said camp, and the Standing Commit
tee on that account addressed a letter to the Constitu
tional Convention on July 22, 1776 ; to which the fol
lowing reply was made on the 24th :
"Your letter, SSd Inst., to the Hon'ble B. Franklin Esq'r,
Presid't of the Convention, was refered by the Hon. Convention to
the Council of Safety. They must acknowledge the Laudable zeal
with which your Committee has, at all times, carried into execu
tion the recommendation of such powers as acted under the Peo
ple ; But, particularly, your ready & cheerful Obedience to the
ordinance of Convention for disarming of non-Associators.

92 REVOLUTION.
" The embarrassments you Labor under in consequence of
Resolves of Congress and others, which, from the confused state
of the times, appeared somewhat Contradictory, appears to us ex
cusable. In order to render the intentions of Congress more plain
& Comprehensive and to their expectations. The Council of Safetj'
have inclosed j-ou their resolution upon the matter, requesting
that you will take such Measures to publish it through your dis
trict as will be most Effectual & Expeditious, and that you
would encourage the Associators to turn out on this very im
portant Immergency."
The resolution alluded to in the letter was as fol
lows :
"Resolved, That all the Militia who may be furnished and
equip'd agreeable to the Resolve of Congress do march to such
place as they have been respectively ordered by Congress, and that
the persons who have been appointed Captains in the Flying Camp
and have not enlisted 35 men for that service, do return them to
their respective Corps of Associators to which they formerly be
longed, and continue with them ; the appointment of the officers
for the Flying Camp still to continue, and the men already en
listed to be considered as bound by their enlistment, and to be
continued in service when the militia may be permitted to return,
and subject to further orders of the Convention or this Board.
And it is further recommended that those Companies which have
been raised to form the Flying Camp, which alreadj' consists of
35 privates and upwards, do immedialelj- proceed to Trenton or
Brunswick, as heretofore directed.
"Resolved, That this Board will allow the Officers who were
appointed to command the Flying Camp all such reasonable ex
penses as have accrued in the recruiting service."
COUNTY TROOPS AT BETHLEHEM.
The following extracts were taken from the Penn
sylvania Magazine of History, vol. 12, pps. 390-91,
having reference particularly to troops from Berks
County at Bethlehem in August, 1776 :

REA^OLUTION. 93
Capt. Old's company, on the way from Reading to New York
arrived at Bethlehem on Aug. 4, 1776, at 9 a. m. He asked the
Moravian minister to preach to his men, and came with them to
the chapel where the Rev. Ettwein discoursed both in the English
and German languages.
On Aug. 10th, four companies of militia from Tulpehocken,
with flying colors, drums and fifes, arrived at the same place en
route for the Flying Camp at New Brunswick. They lodged over
night at the Sun Tavern.
On Aug. 33rd, a company from Reading under Capt. Will, en
route for the Jerseys arrived at Bethlehem and lodged over night.
They attended evening service.
On Aug. soth, two companies arrived. One was from Oley, un
der Capt. Daniel DeTurk, and the men attended evening service ;
and on Aug. 38th, a company from Reading, under Capt. George
May arrived.
On Sept. 1st, the 4th Battalion of Berks Countj' Militia, under
the command of Col. Balser Geehr arrived at Bethlehem at noon ;
and at four o'clock in the afternoon. Rev. Ettwein preached to
them in the chapel.
The companies of Capt. Old and Capt. May are
mentioned in connection with Lotz's Battalion, but
they evidently were not with Lotz and the battalion
in their march to Long Island. The others named
are additional to those that were engaged in that
battle. The four companies from Tulpehocken must have
been part of the 5th Battalion of County Militia,
commanded by Col. John Patton. They were from
the Western section of the county. The 4th Battalion,
under Col. Geehr, was from the Northern section, and,
from the extract given, it would seem that the entire
battalion was in actual service.

94 REVOLUTION.
Marching Order to Capt. DeTurck.
The following order was issued by Col. Henry
Haller to Capt. Daniel DeTurck, directing him to
inarch his company to Amboy :
By Henry Haller, Esq., Colonel of the Regiment raising in Berks
County, to compose part of the quota of the troops which is to be
furnished by Pennsylvania for the Flying Camp.
To Daniel Turck, Esq., Captain of a Company in the said Bat
talion :
You are directed to march your company the nearest and best
way to Amboy in the Jersej's with all expedition that lies in your
power, where you are to join the Pennsylvania forces and then to
apply to the Commander in Chief for the time being for further
orders. You are to place guards over the baggage wagons, who are to be
furnished with powder and ball, but must not load without neces
sity. The Guards always to be accountable and must deliver over
the Ammunition which they have received to the succeeding
guard. The men to be restrained as much as possible from drinking too
much strong liquor or committing the least insult on the inhabi
tants of the places through which thej' march.
Given under my Hand and Seal at Reading ye 33rd August,
1776.

1

s.^&f.'i.. \ Henry Haller.

In pursuance of this order, Capt. DeTurck proceeded
with his company from Reading on August 24, 1776.
The roll of the company was as follows :
Roll of DeTurck' s Company.
Captain.
Daniel DeTurck.
First Lieutenant. Second Lieutenant.
Paul Kerbor. Charles Gobin.

REVOLUTION.

95

Henry Yeager.
Henry Wax.
John Phillippi.
Jacob Briner.

Christ'r Rightmire.
George Brown.
Peter Baum.
Nicholas Scull.
Valentine Seahler.
Michael Rosch.
John Ernst.
Henry Baum.
Job Herbey.
Christ'r Schneider.
Frederick Fernsler.
Henry Hatt.
John Beck.
Martin Yung.
Philip Hatt.
David Fox.
John Kiehn.
Benjamin Leinbach.
Charles Zent.
Deob. Haberacker.
Michael Bleyler.

Corporals.
John Dippery.
John Heebner.
Conrad Krafft. Fifer.
George Phillippi.

Privates.
Deobald Schmidt.
George Miller.
Caspar Wecht.
Samuel Homan.
Nicholas Seitel.
Philip Hartman.
Ulrick Kissinger.
Joshua Evans.
William Lewis.
David Betz.
George Schleer.
Henry Leinbach.
Philip Wentzel.
Gabriel Gantzer.
George Wingert.
Henrj' Strunk.
William Goodhart.
Dieter Miller.
George Albert.
Henry Prymire.
George Lawyer.

Henry Fisher.
Henry Faust.
Henry Ruth.
John Hill.
Charles Mell.
Nicholas Eckert.
.John Brown.
Joseph Billing.
Wm. Shealhiemer.
Christian Scheaffer.
Christian Wald-
schmidt.
Carl Schucker.
Frederick Bechtel.
Christian Ruth.
Elijah Dewees.
John Hesch.
Christian Fisher.
Paul Steph.
Nicholas Dick.

The foregoing 72 men entered the service on
August 26, 1776, for two months, excepting the fol
lowing : Charles Gobin, George Phillippi, Joseph Bil
lings, John Hesch, Christian Fischer and Paul Steph,
who joined the company in September. All were dis
charged on October 26th.
The monthly pay ofthe men was as follows : Captain,
;^i5 ; Lieutenants, ;^io, 2sh., 6d. ; Sergeants, £t, ;
Corporals and Fifer, £2, i5sh.; and privates £2, losh.

96 REVOLUTION.
These facts were taken from the original pay roll
which I inspected. It was entitled : " A Pay Roll of
Capt. Daniel DeTurck' s Company of Militia of the
Third Class of Berks County, commanded by Col.
Michael Lindemuth." Col. Henry Spyker, the Pay
master, paid the men in 1778.
Capt. DeTurck is mentioned as of Oley, but he was
from Alsace. '
Order to Organize. — His company was slow in
organizing, and it may be that the men misunder
stood the resolution of Congress in reference to
raising troops for the service. Col. Haller had issued
the following order to him : Reading, July 13, 1776.
Dear Sir: — The inhabitants of Berks County being indifferent
to organizing a volunteer militia, it becomes necessary that we
should take similar action as the other counties, or suffer such
disgrace that it will not be forgotten if it do not cause our entire
ruin. In behalf of the good name of Berks County, to avoid any fur
ther delay, and especially to serve the public welfare, we should
not neglect the distinct order of the Honorable Congress any
longer. Therefore I direct j'ou to call j'our company together on next
Sunday without fail and then make a proper step forward. Your
help in this matter will be expected without fail. An officer from
here will be in attendance, but you must let me know as soon as
possible the time and place where j'ou propose to meet.
I am, my dear sir, j-our friend and servant, Henry H.vlleh.
To Captain Daniel Duerok.
This order was written in German. It was evi
dently prepared by some scrivener and issued by Col.
Haller as a common form for all the captains.

REA'OLUTION. 97
DeTurck's Company having arrived at Bethlehem
on August 26, and remained there over night, it is
apparent that they did not reach their destination,
(over 50 miles farther on) until the last of August.
Battle of Long Island. — Eight battalions of Penn
sylvania troops in the ' ' Flying Camp ' ' were sent to
the army at New York. Three of them were incom
plete, and of these, one; was composed of Berks County
Associators, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Nich
olas Lotz. The colonel, Henry Haller, did not join
the army till after the opening of the campaign.
The command of Lotz was said to comprise only
200 men. It was in Sterling's brigade. On Aug
ust 24, 1776, Washington was in doubt as to the in
tentions of the enemy. He found the British 16,000
stroiig, but they had been estimated at only 8000. He
ordered more reinforcements over on the Brooktyn
side, and among these was Lotz's command. The
Battle of Long Island was fought on August 27, 1776.
In the engagement, part of Lotz's command, under
Major Burd, was stationed at the coast-road, at and
around the "Red Lion Tavern." Burd was at the
lower road with Hand till he was relieved. In num
bers, the British exceeded the Americans on the island
three to one. The advance-guard of the British, un
der Grant, marched up the Narrows and struck the
American pickets in the vicinity of the " Red Lion "
about two o'clock in the morning. The pickets re
treated before the enemy without checking their
march. There was hardly more than an exchange of
fire with Major Burd's detachment when he and many
others — about 800 — were taken prisoners. This skir-

98 REVOLUTION.
mish took place on the "Narrows Road," between
38th and 40th Streets. The Americans were defeated
because the British had completely outflanked and
surprised them on the Jamaica road. Among the
prisoners there were 91 officers. The killed were 6
officers and 50 privates, and less than 16 officers and
150 privates were wounded. The total loss of the
British was reported as 367 officers and men. There
was no official report of the losses in Lotz's detach
ment. He had 6 officers taken from him, all prison
ers, none killed or wounded. The following appeared
among the list of prisoners : Lieut. -Col. Nicholas
Lotz, Maj. Edward Burd, Capt. Jacob Graul, Capt.
Joseph Hiester and Capt. Jacob Maurer. Hiester and
Maurer were exchanged in December, 1776. Lotz
was admitted to parole within certain bounds on April
16, 1777, and exchanged on September 10, 1779,
when he returned to his home in Reading.
The reduction of men from 666 to.200 has not been
explained. The companies in the battalion were full,
judging from the letter referred to, and the extra com
pany was that of Capt. Peter Decker, which was at
tached to the battalion commanded by Col. Robert
Magaw. Taking the notice of Col. Lotz and the
letter to Congress together, I am led to say that the
battalion was full when it marched to participate in
the Long Island campaign, and conflicting statements
in the description of the Battle of Long Island by
various authors must be considered with hesitation.
At least six companies accompanied the battalion, yet
only three captains are mentioned as having been
taken prisoners, Graul, Hiester and Maurer. What

REVOLUTION. 99
became of the remaining three, Ludwig, Old and
Douglass? From the assumption that the battalion
was not complete and had only 200 men in the en
gagement, the other three companies must have be
come detached from the battalion, or must not have
been in the service at all. Of these three companies,
Ludwig' s was from Exeter, in the central section of
the county, but Old's and Douglass's were, I think,
from the southern section.
Incidents of Hiestefs Company. — Joseph Hiester,
a young man only twenty-three years old, was selected
as one of the delegates from Berks County to the
Provincial Conference which assembled in Carpenters'
Hall at Philadelphia during June, 1776, and upon its
adjournment he carried the spirit, which had been devel
oped there, to Reading and acted promptly in behalf of
the provision for troops to constitute part of the " Fly
ing Camp." On July 10, 1776, he called together,
by beat of the drum, 25 or 30 of his fellow-citizens
and asked them to take into consideration the alarm
ing state of the country. He explained the situation
and said that there was a necessity for action. Having
aroused their patriotism, he expressed a desire to raise
a company of volunteers and march with them to the
assistance of Gen'l Washington, who was then in a
perilous situation in New Jersey. He was listened to
with great respect, and at the conclusion of his re
marks he said (laying $40 in money on a drum-head) :
' ' I will give this sum as a bounty and the appoint
ment of a sergeant to the first man who will subscribe
the articles of association to form a volunteer company
to march forthwith and join the commander-in-chief"

lOO REVOLUTION.
He also pledged himself to furnish the company with
blankets and necessary funds for their equipment and
on the march.
Matthias Babb was the first to step forward. He
took the money from the drum-head after signing the
articles. This example induced 20 others to sign
also. Notices were sent out into the neighborhood
and meetings were held. In ten days afterward, Hies
ter had enrolled 96 men, and they were promptly
organized, when they became a part of the " Flying
Camp " in the regiment commanded by Lieut.-Col.
Nicholas Lotz.
Learning at Elizabethtown that Gen'l Washington
had marched to Long Island, some of his company,
and the company commanded by Capt. Graul, de
clared their determination not to inarch an}' farther,
stating that they had proceeded farther than they
could have been compelled to go. He called the men
into line and, addressing them in bold, impassioned,
patriotic language, asked them to fall in and march
forward to join Washington and fight for freedom.
All responded nobly excepting three. When the
drums began to beat and the men to march, these
three could not resist the feeling, and they, too,
marched along to Long Island. Some of them were
killed in that battle, others wounded, and many taken
prisoners. As prisoners they were treated with great
cruelty. With other officers, Hiester was confined for
si.x weeks on board of the prison-ship "Jersey."
Thence he was removed to another prison-ship.
Shortly afterward, he was confined on board of the
ship " Snow Mentor," and there similar bad treat-

REVOLUTION. IOI
ment was inflicted upon him. He became very sick
with fever and very weak — so feeble, indeed, that he
was compelled to crawl on hands and knees to get up
and down stairs. Whilst there he was plundered of all
his clothing and money. He was exchanged in De
cember, and then he returned to Reading. During his
imprisonment he was elected a major, and upon his
return home he was elected a colonel. He received
both commissions at the same time.
weiser's COMPANY IN THE GERMAN REGIMENT.
Benjamin Weiser, a merchant of Heidelberg town
ship, (residing at Womelsdorf) and a son of Conrad
Weiser — the pioneer military commander in Berks
County, who rendered valuable services in the French
and Indian War — commanded a company of men in
the German Regiment of the Continental Line. This
regiment originated from a resolution of Congress
passed June 27, 1776, which directed four companies
to be raised in Pennsylvania to compose the ' ' German
Battalion," and to serve for three years, unless sooner
discharged. Congress had requested the State Board of Safety
" to recommend four gentlemen as suitable persons as
Captains to four Companies of Germans to be raised
in the Province for the Continental service." Among
the four recommended on July 6, 1776, was Benjamin
Weiser, and on July 12, 1776, the Board recommended
the appointment of Jacob Bower, ist Lieut., George
SchafFer, 2nd Lieut., and Jacob Cramer, Ensign, for
the said Company. These men were also of Berks
County, from the same vicinity.

102

REVOLUTION.

Captain.
Benjamin AVeiser.

First Lieutenant.
Jacob Bower.
Second Lieutenant.
Frederick Yeiser. Ensign.
Jacob Cramer.

Charles Glichner.
Stewart Herbert.
John Benkler.
Joseph Miller.
John Barnheisell.
John Bishop.
John Christman.
John Derr.
George Fick.
John Heier.
John Henry.
Casper Kealer.
Philip Killmar.
Peter Lesher.
John Lorash.
Joseph Mast.
John Maurst.
Eberhart Maj'er.

Gorjyorals.
Nicholas AA^aldman.
George Price.
Conrad Rahu. Drummer.
AA'illiam Marx. Fifer.
Adam Bush.

Privates.
Jacob Mickley.
Baltzer Newfang.
John Bortner.
Abr. Price.
John Razor.
Michael Riegel.
Martin Reiskell.
Joseph Romig.
Adam Rosemeisell.
Peter Shiffer.
Benj. Seryej'.
Henry Seyfert.
Jacob Smith.

John Snj'der.
Frederick Spire.
Adam Stull.
Peter Tonej".
Frederick Trester,
Conrad Trejwitz.
John Tudro.
AA'illiam AA'allman.
Philip AA'arley.
Christopher Weigle.
Frederick AA'illiams.
A'incent Williams.
Michael Yeislev.

The men in the foregoing Company entered the
service during Jul}' and August.
Services of Companj-.
The German Regiment was engaged at Trenton on
December 26, 1776, and at Princeton on January 3,
1777. In May, 1777, it was in Sullivan's Division
which conducted a campaign against the Indians. In

REVOLUTION. IO3
the Spring of 1780, it was stationed on the frontiers
of Northumberland County. By a resolution of Con
gress in October of that year, the regiment was re
duced in number, and by January i, 1781, its organ
ization was ended.
Capt. Weiser was coinmissioned on July 8, 1776.
He moved with his family to Selinsgrove in the latter
part of 1776. On January 21, 1778, he was commis
sioned as a Justice of the Peace for Northumberland
County. Other Men from County in the Regiment. — The
following additional privates were enlisted from
Berks County in the German Regiment :
David Bloom. James Gohoon (cor- John Smeltzer.
Detner Bouser. poral). Henry Snj'der.
Jacob Botamer. Andrew Hagar. Henrj' Swetzgaj'.
George Funk (cor- Peter Meyer. John Weidman.
poral). George Price. Jacob Weisler.
COUNTY TROOPS AT SOUTH AMBOY.
The following four companies of Berks County Mili
tia were on duty during August and September, 1776,
at South Amboy, in New Jersey, at the mouth of the
Raritan river, opposite the southern extremity of
Staten Island. They were at that place while the
Battle of Long Island was going on.
BATTALION OF COL. JOHN PATTON.
These companies were raised in the western section
of Berks County, and constituted part of the Battalion

104 REVOLUTION.
commanded by Col. John Patton, a prominent iron
master of Heidelberg township, who carried on the
Berkshire Furnace which was situated in that town
ship. They were collected together at Womelsdorf,
and while there the battalion was supplied with 1068
rations. A record of the march from that place to
Perth Amboy was published in the Berks and Schuyl
kill Journal, but the writer mentioned only the
Lesher Company in that connection, doubtless be
cause he was a survivor of that company and there
fore named his company in preference to the others.
From the article it would seem that the battalion -was
formed and marched at the same time. The march
was as follows :
"At Womelsdorf, from August 1st to Oth, getting cloth for tents
a^d making tents. August 11th, marched at 12 M. from Womels
dorf to Sinking Spring, 9 miles. August 12th, to Reading, 5 miles,
and detained there bv Committee, 13th and 14th. August 15th,
marched to Levan's (Kutztown), 18 miles. August 16th, to Bethle
hem, 24 miles. August 17th, to Straw's Tavern, 15 miles. Next day,
Sundaj', remained there, raining all day. August 19th, marched
to South Branch of Raritan Eiver, 20 miles. August 20th, to
' Punch Bowl,' 30 miles. August 21st, to Bonnamtown, 17 miles ;
and on 22d arrived at Perth Amboy, 7 miles. Total distance
marched, 135 miles." Field Officers of Battalion.
The following were the officers of the Battalion :
Colonel, John Patton.
First Major. Staff Adjutant.
Joseph Thornburgh. Henry S]iyker.
Second Major. Quartermaster.
Christian Lower. George Lechner.
Paymaster, Casper Reed.

REVOLUTION.

105

Roll of Lesher' s Coriipany.

Captain.
John Lesher.

First Lieutenant.
Jacob Rehrer. Second Lieutenant.
John Anspach. Ensign.
John Bortner.

A'alentine Beuler.
Francis Zeller.
Wm. Eichberger.
Conrad Sherman.

Ludwig Wirtenbcr-
ger.
Lorentz Wolfe.
George Fisher.
John Gebhart.
Peter Mayer.
John Reinhart.
Jacob Megant.
George Brobst.
Christian Bmerich.
Baltzer Houtz.
Frederick Young.

Corporals.
Philip Eichberger.
Henry Krum.
Peter AVeis.
Jacob Read. Fifer.
.-Vndrew Zeller, Drummer.
John Weis.

Privates.
Michael Katterman.
Nicholas Stouch.
Peter Forney.
Conrad Wentzel.
Samuel Read.
Jacob Hitzman.
Baltzer Noll.
John Teisinger.
Philip Weber.
Henry Snydeir.
Jacob Brown.

This company was organized
Bethel and Tulpehocken townships
tion of the county.

Godfried Seltzer.
Nicholas Teisinger.
Hieronymus Schrift
Nicholas Smith.
Ludwig Ohrenbaum.
George Paffinger.
Leonard Emerich.
Abraham Snyder.
Peter Pontius.
Nicholas Bressler.
Henry Sterner.
out of men from
in the western sec-

Roll of Wolf's Company.
Captain.
Michael AVolf.

io6

REVOLUTION.

1st. Lieutenant.
Conrad AA'eiser.
Second Lieutenant.
Isaac Depuj-. Ensign.
Henrj' Battorf. Drummer.
Daniel Fisher.

Fifer.
Philip AA'erner. Sergeants.
Michael Selser.
AA'endle Seibert. Corporals.
Rudolph Manbeck.
AA'eirick Selser.

Jacob Yeglick.
John Klein.
George Nagel.
Peter Spang.
George Groff.
Philip Smith.
Nicholas Dornmaj'er
Nicholas Saleday.

PriDtttes.
Peter Fegh.
James Smith.
John Guld.
Moses Hofys.
Henrj' Rob.
Adam Mathias.
Henrj' Kobel.
William Daley.

Ludwig Swartz.
John Briker.
Philip Ginder.
Christopher Henlj'.
Henrj- Rost.
Philip Groff.
George Dieter.

This company was organized out of men from
Bethel and Tulpehocken townships.
Roll of Miller's Company.
Captain.
George Miller. Fifer.
George Miller. Sergeants.
George Loose.
Michael Zerben. Corporal.
Philip Sej'ler.

First Lieutenant.
John Riegel. Second Lieutenant.
David Baker. Ensign.
Michael Fox. Drummer.
John Reaber.

Jacob AA'agner.
Frederick Kerger.
Mathias Smith.

Privates.
Jacob Sauter.
Andrew Emerich.
John Hubler.

.Toseph Swarlzhaupt. Georgr AA'ert.

Ad.'im .Albert.
Jacob Loose.
Daniel .Vulenbach.
Simon Lingel.

REVOLUTION^

107

Nicholas Riegel.
Jacob Kehl.
Nicholas Ketner.
John Long.
Daniel Kros.
Ludwig AA'ert.
George Souter.

Conrad Reaber.
John Derr.
John Swartz.
Lazarus Mouns.
John Fengel.
Daniel Manensmith.
John Miller.

Jacob Ney.
John Auman.
Philip Mayer.
Thomas Miller.
Christopher AA'inter.
A'alentine Nev.

This company was organized out of men who re
sided in Bern and Heidelberg townships.
Roll of Furrer's Company.
Captain.
Michael Furrer.

First Lieiitenant.
Nicholas Seybert.
Second Lieutenant.
John German. Ensign.
Jacob Read. Drummer.
William Sherman.

Fifer.
Adam Read. Sergeants.
Adam Anspach.
Henry Spang.
Peter Leis.
Philip Anspach.

George AA'endlewolf.
Geo. Deerwechter.
A'alentine Shiffler.
John Kej'ser,
George Winter.
Jacob Ruhl.
George Kantner.
Nicholas Read.
Frederick Sheffer.
Jonas Read.
Daniel Read.

Privates.
Michael Hoffman.
John Stup.
Henry Koch.
AViUiam Fej'gert.
Andreas Aulenbach.
William Sheffer.
George Emerich.
Peter Smith.
Conrad Hoster.
Peter Deefenbach.
Christian Witman.

Peter Houser.
Simon Linok.
George Swartz.
Henry Miller.
A'alentine Troutman.
Nicholas Lechner.
Peter Stein.
Michael Bruker.
Daniel Kuff.
Adam Schnee.
Henrj' Deerwechter.

This company was organized out of men who re
sided in Tulpehocken township and the western sec
tion of Berks Count}'.

I08 REVOLUTION.
BATTALION OF COL. MARK BIRD.
The Battalion of Col. Mark Bird was also at South
Amboy, or in that vicinity, not far off" to the south,
in Monmouth County. He reported to the Council
of Safety on August 7, 1776, that about 300 men in
his Battalion would be ready to march in several days,
he having supplied them with provisions, tents and
uniforms at his own expense, and marched them to
that place shortly afterward. He also was a promi
nent iron master ; indeed, of the many in the county
at that time, I think the most prominent. His prin
cipal place of business was at Birdsboro, but he lived
at Reading, for in the transfer of real estate he is de
scribed as of Reading. In the beginning of the Rev
olution, he was very active.
His letter to the Council of Safety was as follows :
Berks County, 7th August, 1776.
Sir ; I believe there was a Resolve of Convention to advance
Fiftj- Shillings a man to the Associators that is to march to Jersey
after there being mustered bj' the Committee. As ray Battalion
will not be ready for that for two days or three, it will detain us
too long after to send for the cash, take this opportunitj- to ac
quaint J'OU of it, there will be about three hundred men in the
Battalion. I have provided provisions, tents, uniforms at my own
expense. If j'ou don't think proper to send me cash without the
Committee's order, as the expense is chieflj" paid except the ad
vance, you'l please to send me five hundred pounds for Ball, that
has been sent, and are ready to send to the Committee of Safety,
they were contracted for by Mr. Owen Biddle and that will enable
me to take mj' Battalion to the place appointed at my own ex
pense, it can be hereafter settled at n more Lasure time, and
charge to acc't. Your A'ery Humble Serv'l, Mark Bird.
To the Honorable C'ouncil of Safetv of Penna.

REVOLUTION. 109
Resolution of Congress. — These two battalions were
raised in pursuance of the following resolution, passed
by Congress on July 3, 1776 :
"Resolved, That the Committee of Safetj' of Pennsylvania be
requested to send as manj- of the Troops ot their Colonj' as thej-
can spare to Monmouth County in New Jersey, to the assistance
of the Inhabitants of that Colony & to be subject to the orders of
the Commander in Chief, the said Troops to be allowed the same
pay and rations as the Troops in the service of the Continent from
the time of their march until their Return."
haller's BATTALION NEAR TRENTON.
By a letter of December 30, 1776, which Col. Henry
Haller, while at Reading, addressed to the Council of
Safety, it would appear that his battalion was along the
Delaware River not far from Trenton. In October, 1776,
Berks County was ordered to furnish 500 men for im
mediate defence of Pennsylvania, and in December
following, Haller's Battalion was encamped at Cor
nell's Ferry. He was obliged to complain of the con
duct of his men while stationed there, and his written
complaint was forwarded from Reading to the Council
by Capt. Shaffer. In the published returns of troops
at Newtown, in Bucks County, in January, 1777, it
would appear that three companies were from Berks
County, commanded by Captains George Will, John
Diehl and Nicholas Scheffer. The Capt. Shaffer, who
carried the letter, was evidently a captain in his bat
talion, and doubtless the Captain Nicholas Scheffer
who was at Newtown. The three companies named
are stated as having been of Maj. Gabriel Hiester's
Battalion, and Hiester was the major of the ist Bat
talion, which was commanded by Col. Haller.

IIO REVOLUTION.
Newtown was then the headquarters of Gen'l
Washington. This place was situated westward from
Trenton about lo miles.
Col. Haller's letter was as follows :
"Having left the Camp at Cerral's Ferry on the 16th instant, I
think it my duty to inform you that the greatest number of the
men of my Battalion deserted on the 13th and 14th, a thing that
might, in mj' opinion, have been prevented had the officers taken
proper steps ; but some of them were as willing as the privates
to break up the Battalion ; took no pains to get their men, and
this conduct encouraged others. Since that, I have been here
waiting to get the pay-rolls, that money might be drawn to pay
off the men, that thej' might be encouraged to re-enter the ser
vice. But some of the captains give me all the delaj' in their
power. Therefore, I pray j'our attention to the matter. I think
if a paj'master was ordered up here to pay off the Battalion, it
would have a good effect."
" There is a report that the pay of the officers has been raised.
Should this be the case in the Continental Armj*, I should be glad
to know why the same should not be paid to us, who have been
immediately on lhe same service, and have been promised the
same pay as the Continental troops."
Col. Haller must have referred to the Resolution of
the Council of Safety, passed December i, 1776, which
provided :
"That each man who shall, on or before AA-ednesday, the Uth
of this month, march to join General AA'^ashington from the
Counties of Berks, * * * [and four other counties named]
shall receive over and besides his monthly pav advance a bounty
nf ten dollars, to be paid him by the Colonel of his Battalion."
"That the first 50 men in one companj' shall receive ten dollars
additional bovinty to be paid on their arrival at the Camp, and that
the second 50 men shall receive a bountj" of five dollars each."
From the conduct of the men, and the letter of
their Colonel, I am led to infer that they thought
themselves entitled to the bounty, and, not receiving
it, they felt justified in leaving the service and re
turning home.

REVOLUTION. Ill
hunter's BATTALION IN NEAV JERSEY.
From certain correspondence of Col. Daniel Brod
head and of Gen'l Israel Putnam, it appears that the
battalion of Berks County Militia, commanded by
Col. Daniel Hunter, was in service in January, 1777.
For some unexplained reason, many of the men re
fused to march for a time, and after having been en
camped in New Jersey, several companies of the bat
talion ran away. It may be that they were affected
in the same manner as the Haller Battalion in Decem
ber. In the letter of Col. Brodhead, which he addressed
to Owen Biddle, from Reading on January 4, 1777,
he stated, among other things, as follows :
"I was also commanded bj- him, [General Thomas Mifflin] on
my return from thence, [Lebanon] to take a company of the
Northumberland Countj' Militia, then at this place, and with
them apprehend some of the disaffected, compel some of the
Militia of this Countj', who have refused to march, which I have
done, and believe the remainder to be so much alarmed that few
will think of staj'ing at home. I intend, however, to wait a day
or two longer to see how thej' will behave and then proceed to
Philadelphia' '
On the I2tli of January, the Board directed Col.;
Morgan to have the 2nd Battalion of Militia (which
he was to command) to make all necessary prepara
tions, and hold themselves in readiness to inarch on
the shortest notice. At that time the Board was in
formed that a number of the militia were returning to
their respective homes, disgusted' at the precipitate
orders they had received to march, when they were
not supplied with provisions and many other necessa-

112 REA^O LUTION.
ries, such orders having been given without the ap
probation of the Board. A resolution was passed that
they be asked to return, with the assurance that the
Board would ever be interested in their behalf, and
that its authority would be exerted to the utmost to
preserve their rights as freemen ; and, further, that
all such as should return would be furnished with the
proper equipments and would not be compelled to join
the Continental Army until so supplied. On the i8th
the Board took further action in the matter, and
passed the following resolution :
" Wliereas, This Council is informed that manj' of the principal
associators of Colonel Hunter's Battalion, of Berks County, refuse
to march to join General AA-ashington's armj- at this Important
Crisis, when so glorious an opportunitj' offers of crushing the
enemy, and therebj' have prevented and discouraged the rest, and.
proceeded even to dare them to enforce the resolves of this Coun
cil upon them ; therefore,
"Resolved, That Colonel Hunter be directed forthwith to col
lect all the well affected in his Battalion, and seize upon the ring
leaders in this defection and send them under guard to Philadel
phia, and that he do execute the Resolve. The resolve of this
Council of the seventh of December last, upon all who refuse to
march without favor or affection, and that they do collect blankets
and other necessaries for the use of those who are to march, pay
ing a reasonable price for the same ; and should anj- person re
fuse to deliver such necessaries as they can spare, the Colonel is
directed to take and paj' for the same. Those that turn out are to
march the most direct road to Head Quarters."
On January 21, Gen'l Israel Putnam addressed the
following letter to Council from Princeton, which re
lated to the same subject :
"Captain Echard aud Captain Fisher, of Berks County, have
just informed me that their companies have run away to a man,
except a Lieutenant, Sergeant and Drummer. I hope, gentle
men, no pains or cost will be spared to apprehend these men and

REVOLUTION. 113
bring them back to their duty. I think it is of the last importance
that this spirit of desertion should be crushed in its infancy, and
the militia taught that there is a power that can and will detain
them. I wish as part of their punishment they might be obUged
to remain in the service for several months, or even till next Fall.
Unless timely severity is used, we shall in a few days have not a
man of the militia left."
Evidently, from this letter, we can infer that the
battalion had reached camp before the action of Coun
cil took place ; and we can also infer that the term of
service must have been short (60 days), for it was
about to expire when the letter was written.
I cannot say what companies constituted the bat
talion ; and the only known names of the captains are
those mentioned by Putnam in his letter. The num
ber of men in this service can be estimated at about
500. THREE COMPANIES AT NEWTOWN.
Anticipating an early military encounter in New
Jersey towards the close of 1776, Congress made ex
tra efforts to collect troops, and in this behalf sent
Gen. Thomas Mifflin, of Pennsylvania, throughout
the State to awaken the proper spirit of patriotism.
Among the places visited was Reading. The follow
ing letter was addressed by him to James Read, Esq.,
one of the Committee of Correspondence, giving no
tice of the proposed visit and fixing a time for a meet
ing with the officers and associators of the county :
Chester, 14th December, 1776.
Jambs Read, Esq.,
Dear Sir : The Honorable Continental Congress having directed
me to visit the Associators of the several counties of this State,
and to endeavor with the aid of several gentlemen of the Assem-

114 REVOLUTION.
bly, and of the freemen at large, to stimulate and encourage them
to set forth at this critical time to the support of their country,
I request the favor of you to convene the committee of your
county, and to inform them that we propose to meet the Officers
and Associators of the several battalions in your county at the
town of Reading, on Wednesday next, at 10 o'clock in the morning.
We depend much on the zeal and activity of yourself and the
other gentlemen of the committee, and trust that the appearance
of your inhabitants on that day will do honor to themselves and
their country.
I have the honor to be your obedient sers'ant,
Thomas Mifflin, Brig.-Oen'l.
I am directed to pay the expense of the Expresses, etc., which
may be necessarj' to convene the inhabitants, which I will most
cheerfullj' do.
T. M.
It is probable that the result of this appeal and
meeting was the enlistment of three companies out of
the battalion commanded by Col. Henry Haller, and
of which Major Gabriel Hiester was the Major.
They were stationed at Newtown, in Bucks County,
during January, 1777, and were commanded by Cap
tains George Will, John Diehl and Nicholas Scheffer.
Roll of Will's Company of Artillery.
Captain.
George Will.
First Lieutenant. Sergeants.
Michael Bush. -Tobn Fasig.
John Boyer.
Second Lieutenant. ,. ^^ ^
C asper Koch.
 Strohecker. Corporals.
Ensign. Joseph Kendall.
 Yeager. Henrj' Setley.
Privates.
William Hiester. David Fox. John Printz.
Nicholas Felix. Frederick Hofner. Conrad Shrefler.

REVOLUTION.

115

.Tohn Shoemaker.
Martin Kisley.
Michael Fichthorn.
John Harp.
Jacob Silflres.
John Reifsnider.
Andrew Fichthorn.
Benjamin Leinbach.
Godfrey Baker.

John Barnhard.
Christopher Walker.
Nicholas Dick.
Michael Madary.
Artificers.
Valentine Fultz.
John Fulwiler.
Frederick Ropp
Balser Henritz.
Nicholas Schliohter.

Casper Madary.
Nicholas Scherrer.
Christian Bansey.

Anthony Pap.
Nicholas Seidel.
Henry Bickley.
John Burchard.

Roll of Diehl's Company.
Roll of Capt. John Diehl's Company on January
22, 1777:

Lieutenants.
Jacob Brecht.
John Kidd.

William Shener.
.Jacob Briner.
Christian Sherrer.

Captain.
John Diehl. .Ensign.
Ernst Griss. Corporals.
Christian Setly.
Frederick Nagle. Drum^mer.
George Marks.
Privates.

George Longkammer Anthony Schock.
Christian Deim. Jacob Young.
William Freymeyer. Dewalt Miller.

George Frey.
John Seyler.
John Hess.
Peter Diem.

Henry Battj-.
Jacob Boyer.
Simon Boyer.

Jacob Peterick.
Henry Lebo.
Jacob Alter.
Dallet Rhein.
Paul Ege.
Dungel Buntzler.

Roll of Scheffer's Company.
Roll of Capt. Nicholas Scheffer's Company on Jan
uary 20, 1777 :

Captain.
Nicholas Scheffer.

First Lieutanant.
Jacob Stine.

Second Lieutenant.
John King.

ii6

REVOLUTION.

Sergeants.
Christopher Baity.
Mathias Gernandt.
Christian Barranstine.

Corporals.
Jacob Reeser.
Jacob AVeiser.
John Grave.

Abraham Huj-.
John Reeser.
Henry Fraunfelter.
Jacob Huy.
Jacob Louden-
schlager.
George Medler.
George Matz.
George Schriver.
George Adam
Schneider.

Privates.
Christian Gernandt.
Mathias Sourmilch.
Daniel Rothermel.
Felix Frauenfelter.
Henrj' Reigel.
Adam Reichard.
John Klein.
A^alentine Miller.
Paul Barlet.
Conrad Kerchner.

Henrj' Schire.
Jacob Rauhn.
William Koch.
John Dunckel.
Michael Kreat,
Adam Mingel.
Thomas Conner.

COUNTY MEN IN CONTINENTAL LINE.
Company of Capt. Jacob Moser. — The company of
Capt. Jacob Moser was in the 6th Pennsylvania Regi
ment of the Continental Line, whicii was attached to
a division composed chiefly of Jersey troops ; but I
have not been able to collect any facts showing the
nature of the services rendered. In an arrangement
made during the year 1778, Capt. Moser became a su
pernumerary. The men were enlisted to serve ' ' dur
ing the war." The enlistments were made mostly
during the Spring of 1777.
Roll of Company.
Captain.
Jacob Moser.
First Lieutenants. Second Lieutenants.
(ieorge AVill. Samuel Smith.
Samuel Smith. Farquhar McPherson.

REVOLUTION.

117

Sergeants.
Peter Sackville.
John Albright.
John Gallagher.
Dennis Carroll. Ensign.
Ernest Greese.
William Adam.
Martin Armflghter.
Charles Bates.
John Barnhart.
Jacob Bower.
Samuel Boyer.
John Boyd.
Edward Brown.
George Camp.
John Casedy.
Adam Decker.
James Dietrick.
Jacob Dumb.
Phineas Eachey.
David Gibson.
Jacob Glasmire.
John Glasmire.
Ludwick Guthbroad.

Corporals.
Dennis Carroll.
.Tacob Boyer. Drummer.
Jacob Busvalt. Fifer.
Francis Parvin.

Privates.
John Hawkins.
John Herman.
Henry Hopper.
John Howard.
Daniel Keel.
Henry Kelchner.
John Kerner.
Casper Knorr.
Conrad Kline.
John Leslie.
Jacob Lemer.
James Matthews.
John Metz.
Adam Meyer.
Thomas Mitchell.
Isaac Muller.
Jacob Oswald.
Thomas Pickworth.

Abraham Pyke.
John Reedy.
Daniel Reel.
.Tohn Roland.
Baltzer Sheaf.
Jacob Schrader.
Michael Stainer.
Philip William
Stewart.
Peter Ulrick.
Peter Wendland
Jacob Wetzel.
Jacob Welrick.
James Wilson.
George AVright.
Jacob Young, Sr.
Jacob Young, Jr.
Michael Zern.

Company of Capt. Jacob Bower. — Captain Jacob
Bower also commanded a company in the 6th Penn
sylvania Regiment, but there is no record of the com
pany. Previously he had been First Lieutenant in
Capt. Benjamin Weiser's Company, and for a time
Quarter-Master in Thompson's Battalion of Riflemen ;
from which he became a Captain in the " Flying
Camp," and then he was transferred to the 6th Penn
sylvania Line. Afterward he was transferred to the
2nd Pennsylvania Line, (January i, 1783). A cap-

ii8

REVOLUTION.

tain in Baron Von Ottendorf 's Corps is spelled Jacob
Bauer, and the roll of the company as there given is
as follows, some of the names indicating that it was
from Berks County :
Roll of Company.

Captain.
Jacob Bower.

First Lieutenant.
Lewis Aug. de Uerchtritz.
Second Lieutenant.
John Sharf.

Corporals.
Andrew Hornberg,
John Mannerson. Drummer.
Andrew Ransier.

George Bamberg.
Jacob Young.
Charles Butner.
George Eirich.
Charles Feidler.
Jacob Fernecorn.
John Geisel.
John Geo. Klein.

Privates.
Jonathan Lynch.
John Mitchell.
John G. Neimrich.
John Pattis.
Andrew Rebourg.

AA^illiam Roch.
Jacob Shafer.
Adam Syfert.
John Shepherd.
John Walch.

Sundry Enlistments. — The following additional men
from Berks County were enlisted in different regiments
of the Continental Line of Pennsylvania. There were
doubtless others, but I could not find their names :
CAPTAINS.
Samuel Dewees, of Heidelberg. — He was a captain in the 11th
Regiment ; also superintendent of certain hospitals ; he died
at Allentown in 1777.
John Mears, of Reading. — He was a captain in the 4th Regiment,
July 5, 1777 ; served till May 36, 1778 ; resided at Reading until
1785. He was wounded in the Battle of Brandywine. He
died in 1810, at Catawissa (of which place he was the foun
der), aged 83 years.
Peter Scull, of Reading. — He was a captain in the 3rd Regiment ;
commissioned January 5, 1776 ; appointed brigade major
March 33, 1770.

REVOLUTION.

119

Peter Withington, of Reading. — He was a captain in the ISth
Regiment, October 1, 1770. He took sick at Philadelphia in
December, 1776, and was sent home to Reading, where he
died May 11, 1777.

SUBALTERNS
1st Regiment.
Francis King, private.
Samuel Kline, private.
Philip Nagle, private.
Peter Weiser, 2nd lieutenant.
George Whitman, private.
Thomas Williams, private.
Michael Youse, private.
Snd Regiment.
David Edgar, private.
Jacob Glassmire, private.
Jacob Holder, private.
Abel Morris, Snd lieutenant.
3rd Regiment.
Stephen Gilbert, private.
Conrad Smith, private.
4th Regiment.
Matthias Baughter, sergeant.
John Dongan.
Michael Wallizer. Sth Regiment.
Jacob AVertz, private.

and PRIVATES. 6th Regiment.
AA'illiam Adams, private.
Ernest Greese, ensign.
Ludwig Gutbreath, private.
John Hess, private.
Henrj- Kalkner, private.
Herman Leitheiser.
James Matthews, private.
Abraham Pike, private.
Thomas Pikeworth, private.
John Roland, private.
7th Regiment.
Michael Lenig, private.
9t!i Regiment.
Peter Keplinger, private.
William Witman, Snd lieut.
10th Regiment.
Alexander McQuillon, private.
11th Regiment.
Samuel Dewees, fifer.
Jacob Hartman, private.

TAA^O BATTALIONS AT CHESTER.
Congress passed a Resolution on August 3, 1777,
empowering Gen'l Washington to demand of the
Eastern and Middle States such number of the Militia
of each State as he thought necessary to assist the
Army in the Northern Department, to serve until
November 15, 1777, unless sooner relieved or dis
missed. Gen. Gates was appointed in command of

I20 REVOLUTION.
this Army, and he applied to Pennsylvania for 750
men as her proportion. To make up this proportion,
the Executive Council sent a circular letter to Col.
Jacob Morgan on August 15th, requesting him to sup
ply 350 men out of the 2nd class of the County Mili
tia, to make up the number demanded and ordered
from Bucks County, all of whom were to march im
mediately. There were then two classes in their sec
ond month of service from Philadelphia, Bucks and
Chester, and one class from York and Cumberland.
One of the classes from Philadelphia marched with
alacrity to New Jersey. On the 28th of July, Col.
Morgan had received orders to embody one class and
forward the men with proper officers forthwith to
Chester, and he replied on the 30th that he would
exert himself to do so.
Col. Morgan replied to the circular letter on August
17th as follows, addressing the reply to the Vice-
President of the Council :
" I just now had the honor of a letter from you of the 15th inst.
by express, ordering the Second Class of Militia of this county to
march. It is with great pleasure I can inform you that we have
already marched two classes, having understood the Order of His
Excellency, the President of Council, of the 31st of last March, in
a letter from him of that date to me, to intend the marching of
two classes.
"It is presumed that the greater part of the twelve companies,
of which those two classes consist, are by this time at Chester, as
several of them went from this town the week before last, others
last week, and the last company j-esterday. The whole number
in the two classes, officers and privates, are six hundred and flftj'-
six men ; in the opinion of every one here hearty and able men,
flt to take the field against our inveterate enemies. The two bat
talions are commanded by Colonels Daniel Hunter and Daniel
Udree."

REVOLUTION. 121
While the troops were rendezvousing at Chester,
Council addressed a letter on August 20th to the
Pennsylvania Delegates in Congress, in which they
asked that a part of the militia be dismissed, if the
public affairs permitted, because the men were very
deficient in arms and blankets, and totally unprovided
with tents, and also because the season for sowing
Winter grain was at hand, on which the country
greatly depended, and laborers were very scarce, on
which account great distress might ensue if the militia
were continued thus embodied.
Congress passed a resolution on August 22nd re
questing, among other things, that Pennsylvania keep
up 4000 militia to assist in repelling the threatened
attack of the enemy by the way of the Chesapeake
and Delaware bays ; that they should rendezvous at
Lancaster, Downingtown and Chester, as Council
should direct ; and that the militia be in the pay of
the Continent until November 30th, unless sooner dis
charged. On September 6th, the Council ordered the Lieu
tenants of the several counties to call out a class of
militia and forward them to Derby with the utmost
expedition and equipped in the best manner possible.
The term of enlistment was for two months.
In a " Return of the Militia belonging to the State
of Pennsylvania, September 6, 1777, in the Continen
tal Service," there appear two battalions from Berks
County. They were commanded by Col. Daniel
Hunter and Col. Daniel Udree. The former was in
Potter's Brigade, and the latter in 'Irvine's Brigade.
This return showed the following officers and men :

122 REVOLUTION.
Hunter. Udree. Hunter. Udree.
Colonel  1 1 Surgeon  1 1
Lieut.-Colonel 1 1 Drummers.... 4 6
Major  1 . . Fifers  3 4
Captains  5 5 Fit for duty. . . 184 183
Lieutenants... 7 10 Sick, present.. 37 31
Sergeants  17 31 Sick, absent.. 13 5
Ensigns  4 6 On command .47
Chaplain  1 .. On furlough.. 1 1
Adjutant  1 1 Total  272 210
Quartermaster 1 1 Deserted  2 45
The total number of the State was 2973 men.
By referring to the "Militia Returns" in this vol
ume, it can be ascertained with reasonable certainty
who the twelve (or ten) captains were that were com
missioned in the First and Second Battalions. The
company rolls have not been found as yet.
spyker's BATTALION AT WHITE MARSH.
On October 23, 1777, the Executive Council ordered
that the 5th and 6th classes of Berks County Militia
should be called out immediately, and Col. Jacob
Morgan was accordingly notified. On November 9th,
he reported to Council that two classes of the militia
were in camp near Reading, and that he would for
ward two or three companies on the next day, but he
did not know what he should do as to arms for the
other companies that were at Reading.
On November 12th, Lieut. William Coats, in camp
at White Marsh, reported to Council that Col. Morgan
and his men had been there for two days, shoAving
that he had forwarded the companies mentioned ; and
on the 1 8th, he wrote from Reading to Council that
he had sent to camp about 400 of the militia, includ-

REVOLUTION. 1 23
ing officers, out of the 5th and 6th classes under Col.
Henry Spyker, and, as those classes had not tumed
out as generally as was expected, he directed the com
manding officers of the different battalions to call out
the 7th and Sth classes also. The camp mentioned
was situated several miles to the north of Chestnut
Hill, then in Philadelphia County, now in Montgomery.
From these letters, I can say that there were at
least 400 of the county militia in service under Col.
Henry Spyker, and these were doubtless placed in the
Army under the command of Gen. John Armstrong,
which was engaged at various times with the British
around Chestnut Hill and Germantown. Having no
special returns designating the captains of the several
companies, I am not certain who they were, but it is
likely they were taken out of the 6th Battalion of
county militia.
No company rolls of this battalion have been dis
covered. The term of service was short, and when
Gen'l Washington's Army went into Winter quarters at
Valley Forge it is probable that the men returned to
their homes in Berks County.
Reading Officer Wounded at Germantown. — The
following incident of the Battle of Germantown was
taken from "Watson's Annals of Philadelphia," 2
vol., p. 554. I have not been able to ascertain in
which company from Berks County he was an officer.
His name does not appear in the Militia Returns for
1777: "Lieutenant Whitman, of Reading, was left on the field, sup
posed to be killed or mortally wounded. After a while, he made
out to crawl on hands and knees to the second house on the south

124 REVOLUTION.
side in Washington lane. There he was sheltered by the resident,
and was visited by Doctor Witt, who soon pronounced his case in
curable, but, at the earnest begging of the lieutenant, he continued
to try to save his life. He recovered surprisinglj' for a time, when
a British officer, coming to hear of him, made him and his host
both prisoners. While so held, lieutenant Whitman found a
chance to get to speak with Major Andre, who procured him a re
lease. He then went to live with Mr. Hergesheimer, where he
was nursed and fed till the time of the retreat or withdrawal of
the British from Germantown. While he was there hiding him
self, for fear of a second capture, the American horse appeared,
when he claimed their help and protection. Just then, thej' cap
tured a country Friend, coming in to sell butter to the British,
and, as his punishment, they made him take up lieutenant Whit
man in his chair to Reading He lived many j-ears afterwards."
At the gate leading to Chew's house, a fine, large
soldier from Reading was found dead. (p. 52.)
Washington'' s Army near the County. — In the " Itin
erary of Gen'l Washington," showing his movements
during 1775, 1776 and 1777, the nearest point to
Berks County that he reached was on September 21,
1777, when he and his army were in Pottsgrove town
ship, (now in Montgomery County) about four miles
south-east of Pottstown, the British having moved
after him up the west side of the Schuylkill River.
He remained there until the 26th of September.
This was twenty miles from Reading, or about six
miles from the county line.
I have not been able to locate am- of the Berks
County companies as having been engaged in the Bat
tle of Brandywine, or the Battle of Germantown, or
even in the rigorous encampment at Valle}' Forge.
Washington selected Valley Forge as the Winter

REVOLUTION. 1 25
quarters for his army. Several of his principal gen
erals had suggested Reading as a proper place for this
purpose. '
Troops Encamped at Kutztown. — There is a tradi
tion at and around Kutztown that Washington's Army
was encamped in Maxatawny township, about a mile
north-east of Kutztown in 1777, and that Washington
and his wife were along. This is not correct. Wash
ington's movements throughout the Revolution are
known, and from his "Itinerary" it can be stated
that he was not in the county during that entire
period. Colonel Lotz's regiment in the ' ' Flying Camp, ' ' in
marching from Reading to New York in August,
1776, went by way of Kutztown, Allentown and
Easton, and it is likely that the men were halted
there at the end of the first day, after a tramp of over
sixteen miles, which may be considered a good day's
march in hot weather, especially as an introductory
experience ; and on August 15th the Battalion of Col.
John Patton was also there on its way to New York.
In conducting the Hessian prisoners, that were
taken at the Battle of Trenton, to Reading, it is not
at all probable that they were marched out of the way
first to Kutztown. Trenton is almost directly east of
Reading, and they were marched to the Trappe and
over the Philadelphia road either by way of the
Swamp or the Pine Iron Works. But if they were
obliged to ascend the Delaware River some miles in
fording it, then it is possible that they reached Read
ing by way of Kutztown, and the tradition that they
were there may be correct.

126 REVOLUTION.
No British Invasion ofthe County. — King George III
and his advisers were unwise to attempt the subjuga
tion of the American Colonies after they had effected
a Confederation in which they were all equally inter
ested, and had shown a determinad spirit of combined
resistance ; but the British Army, having crossed the
Atlantic Ocean for that puipose, three thousand miles
from the place of supplies, and requiring from thirty
to forty days to accomplish the journey, the general in
command was prudent in not venturing too far away
from the coast in prosecuting the war. He did not
presume to give battle far from Philadelphia in his
maneuvers after the American Army under Gen'l
Washington. He marched up the Schuylkill Valley
about fifteen miles, but did not venture to go beyond
Valley Forge, even though he was desirous of captur
ing the valuable stores at Reading, thirty-five miles
farther on.
The Battle of Brandywine occurred in Chester
County on September ii, 1777, and the Battle of
Germantown in Philadelphia County on October 4,
1777, in both of which the American Army was un
successful. But there was no battle in the adjoining
county of Berks, not even a skirmish of any kind.
Not a single detachment of the British Ami}- crossed
her boundary lines anywhere, or in any direction
whilst carrying on military movements from one
Colony to another. Hence, I have no losses nor inci
dents of any kind to describe as resulting from such a
source. Geographically, the count}- was fortunately
situated, and the inhabitants were highl}- gratified to
know that their families and properties were exempt

REVOLUTION. 127
from the cruelties and sufferings of war in their midst.
They, however, realized the possibility of great losses
from an invasion, and, appreciating the perilous situa
tion of the neighboring counties of Chester and Phila
delphia, they responded promptly to the numerous
calls for troops and furnished willingly large quantities
of supplies of all kinds towards sustaining the Conti
nental Army. This is made apparent by the com
plimentary expressions of the Executive Council in
letters to the Lieutenant of the county, and also to
the Commissioner of Forage for the successful manner
in which they complied with the demands upon them.
DRAGOONS FROM THE COUNTY IN PROVOST GUARD.
Von Heer's Troop was organized under a resolution
of Congress of May 27, 1778, establishing a Provost,
to consist of a captain, four lieutenants, one clerk,
quartermaster sergeant, two trumpeters, two sergeants,
five corporals, forty-three provosts or privates, and
four ex-carboniers. They were mounted and accou
tred as light dragoons, and were to apprehend desert
ers, rioters and stragglers. In battle, they were posted
in the rear, to secure fugitives. Their duties were
those of a provost guard. The corps was styled the
Troop of Marechausse.
Capt. Bartholomew Von Heer resigned from Proc
tor's Artillery to take this command, and in some
papers he is styled ' ' Provost Marshall of the Conti
nental Army." The men were all recruited in Penn
sylvania, and the following were from Reading :

128 REVOLUTION.
Roll of the Troop.
Captain.
Bartholomew A'on Heer — In Thomas Proctor's battery of artillery,
March 3, 1777 ; resigned June 1, 1778, and then appointed
captain of provost. On September 10, 1780, he was captain of
troop of light dragoons at Tappan, New York. His residence
was at Reading. In the Spring of 1785 he removed with his
familj- from Berks Countj- to near the Falls of Schuj'lkill,
Philadelphia County. Trumpeters.
John George Hiller. David Fox.
Privates.
Peter Cryolich. Peter Fricker. Charles Shumann.
Sebastian Cunitz. Frederick Graff. Frederick Tecius.
Andrew Fox. Frederick Mueller, Henrj' AA'illhausen.
Jacob Fox. Daniel Rightmj-er. Henrj' Ziegler.
George Fricker. Jacob Ruppert.
lindemuth's BATTALION ON FRONTIERS.
An attack having been made by Indians and others
on the frontiers. Council determined on July 14, 1778,
that Berks County should supply 300 men, "one-half
to be sent to Sunbury, and the other half to Easton,
out of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes of militia, even
the 4th if necessary, and issued orders to Col. Morgan
for that purpose. Morgan replied on August i6th
that he had sent 180 men to Sunbury and 123 to
Easton, doubtless having called the four classes from
all the battalions in the county.
These men, particularly the number sent to Sun
bury, were taken possibly from the battalion of Col.
Michael Lindemuth, in the northern section of the
county. I could not ascertain how many companies
they were organized into, probably three at Sunbury,
and two at Easton. On August loth. Col. Hartley

REVOLUTION. 129
reported from Sunbury that Berks County had fur
nished her quota of militia, but Lancaster was far
short. By the following action of the Supreme Executive
Council, on December 31, 1778, it would appear that
Col. Michael Lindemuth and his battalion were in
active service out of Berks County :
" Ordered, That the secretary write to the Lieutenant of Berks
Countj' to call upon Col. Lindemuth, or his Lieut -Colonel, sta
tioned last Summer at Fort Jenkins in Northumberland, for five
rifles taken from one Webb, charged with disaffection."
Subsequently, December 13;, 1780, the Council, in
ordering Col. Morgan to "pay off" the militia who had
marched on a late tour of duty," directed that no
money be issued to Col. Lindemuth without the par
ticular direction of the Board. On June 9, 1789,
Michael Moser was paid f^y, losh. for 30 bushels of
rye furnished to Col. Lindemuth's detachment of
militia while in service on the frontiers in 1780.
hiester's BATTALION WITH REED'S ARMY.
On July 28, 1780, Col. Morgan was directed to call
out immediately three classes of the county militia,
provided they numbered 600 men, exclusive of officers,
and, if not, then to call out also the fourth class. This
was the quota of the county towards supplying 4000
militia from Pennsylvania which Gen'l Washington
required in order to co-operate with the main army, in
anticipation of the movements of the British Army
again to Philadelphia. The Battle of Camden was
fought on August 15, 1780, and the British were vie-

13°

REVOLUTION.

torious. Col. Morgan forwarded the men that were
ordered, and the greater part comprised the Hiester
Battalion, the 6th of the county militia. It may have
been under General Joseph Reed, in New Jersey. It
is known to have been in service for thirty days from
August loth to September 9th, but the particular
duty performed I could not ascertain.
Field Officers.
Lieutenant- Colonel, Joseph Hiester.
Major. Surgeon.
Edward Scull. Dr. Andrew Forrest.
Adjutant. Quartermaster.
Benjamin Morgan. John Witman.

Charles Gobin.
Ferdinand Ritter.

CAPTAINS.
Conrad Sherman.
John Ludwig.

Jacob Baldj-.
Henry Strouch.

Roll of Gobin's Company.

Lieutenant.
George Fister. Ensign.
Casper Heiner.

John Burkhard.
Christian Deringer.
Henry Christ, Jr.
Abraham Witman.
Bastian AUgaier.
Ellick Bickham.
William Bohanan.
George Bower.
Jacob Briner.

Captain.
Charles Gobin. Corporals.
George Brown.
Peter Daubert.
Isaac Ermel.
James Simpson. Drummer.
Samuel Keyser. Fifer.
John Fister.
Privates.

George Brown.
Casper Brownwell.
Jacob Burkhard.
Gottlieb Christian.
Thomas Clark.

Joseph Collier.
Daniel Davis.
Martin Eckert.
George Engelhard.
John English.

REVOLUTION.

Stephen Fedry.

Barny Kepler.

John Spengler.

Nicholas Felix.

Francis Krick.

William Spero.

Peter Fesig.

Jacob Lang.

Peter Stichter.

Jacob Fleisher.

Jacob Leitheiser.

John Stect.

George Freeman.

Banjamin Love.

Ellis Thomas.

Nicholas Garrison.

John Miller.

William Thomas.

Christian Good-

John Rapp.

John Tippery.

knecht.

George Reder.

John Vanhorn.

John Harff.

Jacob Reeser.

Philip Wagner.

Abraham Hartman.

Peter Ritner.

Casper Wecht.

Moses Hays.

Fred'k Reifsnyder.

Philip Weis.

Abraham Hehn.

George Seitz.

Michael Witmyer,

John Heimer.

Nicholas Seitzinger.

Charles Witz,

George Heinlein.

Jacob Setley.

John Witz.

George Heist.

William Shoener.

Daniel Wolf.

Benjamin Heven.

John Shenfelder.

Jonathan Worrel.

Jacob Heyer.

George Shultz.

Morris Worrel.

George Jaeger.

John Shultz.

George Young.

Jacob Joder.

Peter Smith.

Philip Zieber.

Michael Keller.

George Snell.

Roll of Ritter's Company.

Captain.
Ferdinand Ritter.
Lieute^nant
Corporals.
Andrew Smith.
Joseph Conrad.
Ensign.
Peter Dumm.
Leonard Dietrich.
Peter Richard.
Sergeants.
Drummer.
Peter Bousher.
John Boutcher.
Jacob Conner.
Fifer.
Christian Minnich.
Philip AVillfi.
Privates.
Adam Albrecht.
Philip Daubens.
Melchior Fritz.
Henry Albright.
Jacob Dengler.
Jacob Gerhard.
Christian Bantzy.
Jacob Donard.
Frederick Glick.
John Berry.
Michael Drees.
Gottlieb Heiser.
Dewald Billner.
George Fige.
Thomas Johnson.
Tobias Boutcher.
Christian Fisher.
Daniel Kamp.
Peter Brown.
Peter Fies.
Philip Kauffman.
131
132

REVOLUTION.

Jacob Kelchner.
John Kisling.
Matthias Laub.
Christian Lerch.
Peter Lutz.
Dewalt Miller.
Jacob New
Jacob Nunemacher.
John Plott.
John Rangier.

Nicholas Schwenk.
John Shoman.
Joseph Shomo.
Henry Shreffler.
Stoffel Shreffler.
Philip Smith.
Henrj' Snyder.
Michael Snyder.
John Stear.
John Strasser.

Nicholas Strasser.
Christian Swabel.
John Umbehacker.
John AA'agner.
Stoffel Wagner.
Frederick AA^alls.
Christian Weber.
Christian Winter.
George Zechman.

Lieutenant.
Daniel Rose. Ensign.
Henrj' Crum. Sergeants.
Peter Custard.
AViUiam Deisinger.
Martin Withington.
Christian Young.

Roll of Sherman's Company.
Captain.
Conrad Sherman. Corporals.
Nicholas Deisinger.
Henry Piece.
Peter Thomas. Drummer.
Jacob Gassert. Fifer.
Leonard Ruppert.

Nicholas Angst.
George Batz.
Christian Beringer.
Henry Bicldey.
Simon Boltz.
Valentine Boltz.
Nicholas Bressler.
John Brown.
Abraham Deby.
Joseph Deby.
Nicholas Denninger.
George Emrich.
Adam Fulmer.
Conrad Geisler.
Albrecht Glick.
Phil Adam Groh.

Privates.
Andreas Gross.
Daniel Gross.
Albrecht Gruber.
Peter Hetrich.
Frederick Junker.
Alexander Klinger.
John Klinger.
John Laucks.
Bastian Leatch.
Henry Leatch.
Simon Miller.
Ludwig Ohrenbaum.
John Rail.
Christian Read.
Frederick Read.
Michael Read.

Peter Read.
Peter Read, Jr.
Conrad Redman.
Andrew Riegel.
Michael Riegel.
Adam Rosmeisel.
Frederick Seybert.
Nicholas Sheffer.
Jacob Shenfelter.
Adam Shreck.
Tobias Shuker.
George AVentzel.
Christian AA'inter.
Philip AVitmyer.

REVOLUTION.

133

Roll of Ludwig' s Company.

William Evans.
Peter Finfrock.
Christian Hawk.
Thomas Stephans.
George Adams.
Jacob Andrew.
Jacob Becht.
Adam Boyer.
Samuel Boyer.
Manus Brombach.
AViUiam Carrigh.
John Deal.
Laughlin Doyle.
Peter Dust.
John Egel.
Henry Eurich.
John Etrel.
Peter Fisher.
Peter Fisher, Jr.
Ludwig Frantz.
Christian Frymire.
John Gensert.

Captain.
John Ludwig.

Lieutenant.
Jonathan Evans. Ensign.
Henry Styles.

Corporal.
Bosick Bechtold.
Jacob Lambert.
James Leiby. Drummer.
Jacob Alter.

Henry Gerhart.
John Hatfield.
Ludwig Herman.
Henry Hetrich.
Ludwig Hewitt.
William Hunter.
Michael Kessler.
John Kuhn.
John Larigh.
Jacob Ludwig.
Simon Lupp.
Conrad Lutts.
George Lutts.
William McClaskey.
Jacob Miller.
Henry Orts.
Garret Rapier.
Samuel Reider.

AbelRobeson.Conrad Sherbaum.
John Sinclair.
Peter Spotz.
Nicholas Stouch.
Jacob Swallow.
Benjamin Tolbert.
Balser Ulrich.
Isaac Waggoner.
Peter Wall.
Nicholas Wattman.
Frederick AVeaver.
John Wentrell.
George Wertheim.
Thomas Wolohan.
Henry Yerger.
Peter Yerger.

Roll of Baldy' s Company.
Captain.
Jacob Baldy.
Lieutenant. Ensign.
Jacob Sigfried. Christian Medeira.

134

REVOLUTION.

Sergeants.
Jacob Beisel.
Adam Dietrich.
Daniel Stout.
Albrecht Wagner. Corporals.
John Hummel.
Frederick Godshall.
Adam Smith.
Jacob Arnold.
Michael Arnold.
Daniel Bantzler.
Dietrich Beaver.
George Beck.
Nicholas Berge.
Matthias Bruder.
Jacob Bush.
Michael Christman.
Plany Coschrj'.
Peter Dilbone.
Henry Frauenfelder.
George Fisher.
George Foltz.
Adam Gansel.
Alex. Gross.
Burkhard Heins.
George Heist.
Michael Hoffman.

Quartermaster-Sergeant.
Nicholas Brosius. Drummer.
Nicholas Mayer. Fifer.
Philip Altendoerffer.

Privates.
John Kemp.
•Tohn Kemp, Jr.
Frederick Kercher.
George Kercher.
Conrad Kisling.
Samuel Klein.
Christian Kles.
Anthonj' Kletzgy.
John Klockner.
George Kristman.
Michael Lamb.
Abram Lantzer.
Frederick Leiby.
Samuel Leiby.
John Leslie.
Joseph Lorentz.
Henrj' Lotz.
Jacob May.
Felix McCarty.

Frederick Mengel.
Bernhard Merkel.
Jacob Michael.
John Raush.
Mathias Reamer.
Michael Reber.
Peter Reisdorff.
John Ressler.
Michael Roads.
Mathias Sahm.
Ludwig Shartlj'.
Philip Sheffer.
Mathias Sleman.
Joseph Suable.
Leonard Snj'der.
Jacob Sterner.
Christian Sweyer.
John AVageman.
Martin AVagner.

Lieutenant.
Jacob Kester. Ensign.
,Iohn Eckert. Sergeants.
Christopher Beringer.
Andrew Hass.
Frederick Miller.

Roll of Strouch 's Company.
Captain.
Henry Strouch. Corporals.
Jacob Alstat.
Jacob Heller.
John Zimmerman. Drummer.
Peter Hufnagel. Fifer.
Jacob Shrider.

REVOLUTION.

135

Peter Angstat.
Jacob Barto.
Anthony Billick.
Bernhard Coleman.
Anthony Coleman.
John Eberhard.
Christopher Engel.
Cornelius Geiger.
Anthony Hagj'.
Peter Harnelter.
Philip Hartman.
John Hooper.
George Holshoe.
John Kauch.
John Kintz.
Andrew Kirch.
George Kroner.

Privates.
John Kroner.
Jacob Kuser.
Jacob Long.
Nicholas Long.
Lawrence Lorah.
Henrj' Martz.
Philip Mattis.
.Tohn Michael.
John Miller.
Frederick Miller.
Bernhard Moyer.
Christian Oker.
Martin Oker.
Adam Oxheimer.
Conrad Reiff.
Henry Rice.
Mathias Road.

David Sabold.
Joseph Shaffer.
Henry Shomo.
Jacob Snyder.
Jacob Stitzel.
Daniel Turner.
George AVyant.
John Weast.
Jacob Wedman.
Jacob Weitlj'.
Casper Werfel.
Michael Widow.
Peter AA'illiam.
Christopher Wind-
bigler.
Henry Yoxheimer.
Rudolph Zubler.

Selections from the jrd Battalion. — The following
thirty-two men marched from the several classes of
Militia in Berks County, of the eight companies named
in the Third Battalion, August 11, 1780. I could not
ascertain to what place they marched, nor the particu
lar service rendered. Probably they were with Hies
ter's Battalion, being at the same time in service :

Manus Brombach,
Samuel Boj-er.
George Lutz.
Adam Boyer.
Jacob Andrew.
James Filey.
John English.
John Kerlin, Jr.
Samuel Dehart.
Adam Koch.
Christian Hunter.

Abram Miller.
Adam Begal.
John Redcay.
Conrad Lutz.
George Blackwell.
William Carrow.
John Wensel.
Henry Deal.
Jacob Keeley.
Peter Spots.
Peter Forge.

William Hunter.
Henry Smith.
Liter Dust.
.Tames Whittington.
Samuel Rider.
James Waggoner.
Jacob Huerd.
Benjamin Tolbert.
Evan Evans.
Thomas Seevans.

136 REVOLUTION.
TWO COMPANIES FOR FRONTIER SERVICE.
Owing to certain incursions by hostile Indians, at
the instigation of the British government, and to bar
barities inflicted by them upon the inhabitants along
the frontiers of the county beyond the Blue ]Moun-
tains during the year 1780, letters were addressed to
the Executive Council in which the startling details
were described, and assistance was asked for the pro
tection of the inhabitants. The Council accordingly
ordered two companies of the militia under the com
mand of Col. Samuel Ely, of the ist Battalion, for
service on the frontiers, but I have not been able to
ascertain when they were forwarded, or by whom they
were commanded. Inhabitants killed by the Indians.
On May 6, 1780, Col. Michael Lindemuth, (of 4th
Battalion of Berks County Militia) addressed a letter to
Council in reference to the murder of some of the in
habitants beyond the Blue Mountains, and to the mov
ing of certain families to the Little Schuylkill, about
15 miles from " Gnadenhuth, " nearer to Susquehanna
than that the savages fell on in Northampton County,
and of course more liable to invasion. He asked for
arms from the stores at Reading for self defense. On
the I oth President Reed replied, stating that he had
directed Col. Morgan to supply the necessary arms.
Col. Valentine Eckert reported to Council on Aug
ust 30, 1780, that, shortly before, a man named "John
Negman, who lived at a saw mill on the road from
Reading to Shamokin, about three miles above Con-

REVOLUTION. 137
rad Minnich's, 33 miles from Reading, was, with his
three young children, barbarously murdered by the
Indians, a party of whom, five in number, had
been seen on the same road near Yarnal's a few days
before. The day after the murder, a house and barn
on the Little Schuylkill were burned by them. No
persons were killed, but a boy named Shurr was taken
captive. These occurrences alarmed the people so
much in that neighborhood that many left it, and wag
ons went up in numbers to take away their effects; and
unless some speedy assistance were given them, the
whole settlement over the mountain would be evacu
ated." Council asked the President to send two com
panies of the militia under Col. Eckert's command for
the protection of the frontiers.
Conrad Minnich lived in Brunswick township along
the Schuylkill, several miles south of the Sharp
Mountain. Capt. Dennis Leary immediately marched to the
place with four men, and buried Negman and two
children, whom he found dead. The third child — a
little girl — was carried off by the Indians. The next
day he, accompanied by ten men, went in pursuit of
the Indians. He was joined by Captain Baldy, and on
the following day by Col. Lindemuth with 50 men.
After scouring the woods till August 30th, he and his
men returned to Reading. They left 60 men there to
defend the different settlements. Capt. Leary was in
that section for the purpose of cutting masts for the
Navy of the United States.

138 REVOLUTION.
CLASS OF LINDEMUTH'S BATTALION ON FRONTIERS.
On May 9, 1781, Col. Valentine Eckert, Lieutenant
of the county, was directed to order out one class of
Col. Lindemuth's Battalion of militia for the purpose
of defending the frontiers of the county, and if it
should not amount to 60 men he should call out one
class from the next battalion in order to make up the
said number.
Col. Nicholas Lotz was directed to make suitable
provision for the said militia, taking care to make his
purchases in the neighborhood of the said battalion ;
and Col. Eckert was directed to station the said militia
in such a manner as to give the most effectual protec
tion to the inhabitants of Brunswick and Pine Grove
townships. I could not find any return showing that this order
was filled, but the class of 60 men was doubtless sent
for the purpose mentioned.
COUNTY TROOPS AT NEAVTOAVX.
Ely^s Battalion. — On September 11, 17S1, three
classes of the county militia were directed to be im
mediately called
into service, and
to rendezvous as
soon as possible
at Newtown, in
Bucks County, pursuant to a resolution of Congress
of the lotli instant ; and at the same time the whole
of the light horse of the count}- was also ordered into
service.

REVOLUTION. 1 39
Pursuant to this order. Col. Valentine Eckert for
warded the battalion that was commanded by Col.
Samuel Ely, from the northeastern section of the
county. It was in service at Newtown from October
ist to the i8th, under the command of Gen'l Lacy,
who then commanded the Pennsylvania militia. The
estimated number of men in the battalion was 300.
On October 8, 1781, Col. Eckert reported to Presi
dent Reed that he had sent upwards of 300 men, ex
clusive of officers, to Newtown. Two companies
were armed and the third was not armed. He added
that three more companies were gathering, which
would be almost as many as the former, but he had
no arms to give them, and was doubtful about for
warding them.
The estimated number may include the company of
Capt. John Robinson, for it was there at the same
time. It is the only company that I could find which
was then in service.
Robinson's Company. — The following company of
Berks County Militia was in service at Newtown, in
Bucks County on October i, 1781, but the length of
time was not given, nor the particular service that
was rendered. The men were from the southern sec
tion of the county. By an order in his favor on Dec.
6, 1790, for ;^252, 8sh., 8d., it appears that the ser
vices were rendered during October 1781.
Captain.
John Robinson.

John Cormick. John Gibson. John Ems.
Isaac Hahn. John Bower. Jacob A-osch.
Abel Robeson. Absalom Kern. John Lear.

140

REVOLUTION.

Fred'k Herbold.
Henry Fox.
John Huyett.
James Thompson.
Peter Slifer.
Pred'k Foreman.
Jacob Mitzeholtzer.
George Cake.
Christopher Bowser.
Jacob Newkirk.
Henry Thompson.
John Lutz.
Adam Weidner.
Joseph Quinter.
Jacob Quinter.
John Hiestand.

Jacob Eisenhower.
Jacob Bumm.
Philip Ludwig.
Jacob Ludwig.
Michael Kern.
Samuel Kerlin.
Benj. Boone.
Andrew Curtain.
Philip Waggoner.
Daniel Andrew.
Jacob Haus.
David Mee.
John Barkley.
Benj. Lincoln.
Benj. Talbot.
John Henkirkin.

Christopher Benten.
Charles Cramp.
John Jones.
Abraham Griffith.
Jacob Menges.
Philip Miller.
Samuel Harper.
Matthias Derr.
Jacob Larrj'.
Peter Bolick.
Joseph Workman.
Mathias Wise.
William Rapp.
Thos. McCloskev.

COMPANY OF CAPT. JACOB LIVINGOOD.
By the Colonial Records it appears that Jacob Liv
ingood, of Middletown (Womelsdorf), formed a com
pany of riflemen in Heidelberg township during the
latter part of September, 1781, but I could not find the
roster. In commissioning Capt. Livingood, the Executive
Council took the following action on October 3, 1781 :
"Ordered, That Captain Jacob Livingood be appointed Captain
of a Company of Riflemen, enlisted to serve until the first day of
January next ; that he be commissioned accordinglj-, the said
commission to continue in force until the flrst daj' of January next,
unless sooner revoked by this Council, and all emoluments, pay
and perquisites of the said office to cease on the said flrst daj" of
Januarj', or when the same shall be so revoked; that the said com.
mission bear date the twenty-first instant."
On January 16, 1782, the Council drew an order in
his favor for ^246, 9sh., 4d., specie, "in full for the
pay and subsistence of himself and the company of

REVOLUTION. 141
riflemen under his command, raised agreeably to the
orders of his Excellency, General Washington, the
same to be charged to the United States of America. "
And on January 23rd, he was paid ;^i5 specie in
full for his services as captain of this company.
I have not been able to ascertain where the services
were rendered. COUNTY TROOPS ON THE FRONTIERS.
Robinson's Company. — On February 23, 1782, the
Executive Council ordered that Capt. John Robinson,
now in Reading, be directed to march with his com
pany forthwith to Northumberland County, and there
put himself under the command of the Lieutenant of
that county for the defence of the frontiers.
Other Troops. — In August, 1782, the Indians in
vaded Berks County, and the Lieutenant of the county
was required to call into service a lieutenant and en
sign with 25 men for the defense of the frontiers.
Shortly afterward he was ordered to send 50 men
to defend the frontiers in parts adjacent to Northum
berland County, and thence to march to Sunbury,
where they were to be placed under the command of
Col. Samuel Hunter. And in September following he
was ordered to call into service immediately 125 of
the county militia, who were to march to Northum
berland and rendezvous at Muncy.
OTHER ENLISTMENTS PROM THE COUNTY.
Many hundred men from Berks County were en
gaged in the Revolution from 1775 to 1783 at differ-

142 REVOLUTION.
ent periods, whose names I have not been able to as
certain. The following names, in addition to those here
inbefore mentioned, were collected from various sources;
mostly, however, from the Pennsylvania Archives.
Matthias Babb, first private who enlisted in Capt. Joseph Hiester's
Co. He was a tall, well-proportioned and handsome man,
and a coppersmith by occupation at Reading. He died in
1835, at an advanced age.
Adam Beard, lieut. of Associators.
Nicholas Brown, ensign in Capt. Joseph Hiester's Co.
Jacob Dodridge, private in Hazen's Regt., Continental Line. Dis
charged at end of war, June 30, 1783, with two wounds in his
arm. He resided in Berks County in 1835, aged 90 years.
Michael Engle, sergeant in Capt. Noah Nicholas's Co., of Col.
Benjamin Flowers's Battery of Artillery Artificers.
George Fry, veteran, who fought under Gen Wolfe at Quebec.
He lived at Reading, where he died at an advanced age, on
January 38, 1805.
John Gon ter, farrier in 1st Partisan Legion.
Adam Gramley, private in Artillery Artificers.
John Herman, private in Hazen's Regt.
Samuel Holmes, private in A'^an Etten's Co., Stroud's Regt. He
was wounded in Battle with Indians on the Frontiers.
William James, of Reading, survivor of the Revolution ; died on
February 34, 1850, aged 93 years.
John Keim, private, Capt. Peter Nagel's Co., in Col. Joseph Hies
ter's Battalion.
John Kerner, serge^ant, Capt. Nagel's Co. ; re-enlisted in Capt.
Moser's Co. ; wounded October, 1777, and lost two fingers;
transferred to Capt. Finney's Co. ; discharged 1781; died in
Union County, 18S9, aged 84 years.
John King, lieutenant in Capt. George Douglass' Co. in "Flying
Camp."
Adam Koch, private in Armand's Legion.
AViUiam Munebach, private in Artillery Artificers.
William Machemer, private in Capt. .Joseph Hiester's Co.

REVOLUTION. 143
George Marks, Reading, private in A^on Ottendorf 's Corps, January
24, 1777; then corporal in Selin's Co., same corps; died
January 10, 1782, whilst attached to Hazen's Regt., on return
from the South.
William Marks, Reading ; drummer in Selin's Co.
Conrad Poll, private in Capt. AViUiam Scull's Co. Killed in action
in New Jersey.
Edward Scull, of Reading. He was an adjutant in Haller's Flying
Battalion ; promoted captain January 3, 1777 ; resigned May
16, 1778, and was appointed secretary of the Board of War.
June 20, 1777, he was brigade major of the 3rd and 4th Bat
talions.
Lieutenant Whitman, of Reading, wounded at the Battle of Ger
mantown ; regarded as fatal, but he recovered and lived many
years afterward.
Jacob Michael Wilhelm, private in 1st Partisan Legion. He died
in Virginia on July 8, 1834.
Ennion AVilliams, of Bethel township, major of Miles' 1st Penna.
Regt., March 13, 1776. Resigned February 4, 1777, on account
of promotion over him.
Jacob Vanderslice (son of Henry A^anderslice, of Reading) was
born Feb. 7, 1757. He was a Lieut, in the 9th Penna. Regt.,
as appears by the following reference :
"Lieut Jacob Vanderslice, of the 9th Penna. Regt., laid
before the Council instructions for his entering on the re
cruiting service given him by the Lieut.-Col. of the Regt.,
and thereupon recruiting instructions were issued to him
in the County of Berks, with orders to the Lieutenant of
the County for money, Sept. 14, 1778."
In the account of Col. Jacob Morgan, Lieutenant of the
County, the following entry appears :
Lieut. Jacob Vanderslice, paid him for recruiting service
Sept. 30, 1778, £335, and on Nov. 6, 1778. £330; total, £445.
Jacob Yoder, of Reading. He was a soldier in the Revolution
during 1777 and 1778, but it is not known in which company
he served. He migrated to the West in 1780, and in 1783 was
the first man to descend the Mississippi River to New Orleans
in a flat boat with a cargo. He died in Kentucky in 1833,
aged 74 j-ears.

144

REVOLUTION.

Thomas Hartley was born near Reading in 1748. When 18 years
old he went to York, Penna., and subsequentlj' became a dis
tinguished attorney of York. He was active in the Revo
lution, serving as a colonel during 1777 and 1778, and promi
nently identifled with the State Assembly and the National
Congress. He died at York in 1800. His distinguished career
justifies this honorable mention.
ARMY SURGEONS FROM THE COUNTY.
A number of the surgeons in the Revolution were
from Berks County. Two became especially promi-

First Reformed Church, 1761— 1832. One of three
churches used as hospitals.

nent and rendered distinguished sev^'ices in connection
with the hospitals. The names of those that I could
ascertain were the following :
Dr. Bodo Otto. Dr. Daniel AVelcher. Dr. Andrew Forrest.
Dr. Jonathan Potts. Dr. John Umstead. Dr. Nicholas Snell.
Dr. John A. Otto.

REVOLUTION. 1 45
Hospitals at Reading. — Col. Isaac Melcher was in
charge of the barracks at diff'erent places. While on
a visit at Reading in October, 1777, he addressed a
letter to Executive Council on the 8th inst. in which
he stated that "we are now tak'ing public places of
worship here for hospitals, and private houses, which
is very distressing to the county, particularly at this
period, when many of our worthy fellow-citizens are
wandering from place to place for shelter. ' ' He added
that there were sick and wounded in the place, and
he had engaged a quantity of wood at Reading to
supply 200 or 300 sick the ensuing Winter.
REPORTS OF MEN SUPPLIED FROM THE COUNTY.
In my extended researches for the men that were
supplied by Berks County during the Revolution, I
found the following reports in the Colonial Records
and Pennsylvania Archives. They must be consid
ered in connection with the companies and men here
inbefore mentioned in order to get at the probable
number engaged in actual service.
The total number of men from Pennsylvania in
actual pay on July i, 1776, was reported as follows :
In the Army, 1432; in the Navy, 743. On August i,
1776, it was : Army, 1365 ; in the Navy, 768.
The company of Capt. Henry Christ was the only
company from Berks County in service at that time.
At the first report it had 62 men ; at the second, 64
men. I could not ascertain the names of any men from
Berks County who were in the naval service, nor that
any were in the military service below Philadelphia.

146 REVOLUTION.

Reports.
Oct. 16, 1776. — The Council proposed to raise four battalions of
militia for the immediate defence of the State, 500 men to be sup
plied by Berks Countj', and the same number by York, Cumberland
and Lancaster Counties. [These may have been made up by Col.
Haller's Regiment.]
Dec. 11, 1776. — Capt. Stephen Crumrine was paid £15 to be dis
tributed among the families of the poor Associators who were in
his company.
April 34, 1777. — Congress asked Pennsylvania to call out 3000
militia, one-half to rendezvous at Chester, on the Delaware, and
the other half at Bristol ; and, in pursuance of this request, an
order was sent to Col. Morgan on the 25th to furnish 500 men from
Berks County and march them immediatelj' to Bristol, with as
many arms and accoutrements as could be procured in the county.
If the first class should not amount to that number, the second
class was also to march. Each man was to be supplied with a
blanket. He was directed to exert himself to the utmost to com
ply with this order, because it was thought the British were then
preparing to make an immediate attack upon Pennsj'lvania. He
received this order on the 36th, while he and his sub-lieutenants
were in session receiving the militia returns of the inhabitants of
the county. In a letter to Council on April 27th he added :
" It would be impracticable to forward the business sooner, as the county is so
very extensive, half the inhabitants would not have timely notice. As for my own
part, your Excellency [President of Council] may rest well assured I shall leave
no stone unturned that tends in the least to promote the good and welfare of my
Country, and the General Cause of the Independent States which I have really so
much at heart."
June 13, 1777. — Council informed Col. Morgan that thej' were
" for some time impatiently expecting to hear that the 1st class of
militia had joined the Camp at Bristol, and that the Snd was
ready to march on the shortest notice." On the 27th, he reported
that two companies of the 1st class were readj' to march on the
next day.
The subsequent orders were modified. Troops were eventually
forwarded shortly afterward, consisting of two battalions, com
manded by Col. Daniel Hunter and Col. Daniel Udree.
September 6th. — The Lieutenants were asked to have all the
militia ready on account of a supposed intention of the British to

REVOLUTION. 1 47
invade the State and get possession of Philadelphia ; and Berks
County was ordered to forward a class to Derby.
September 13th. — The 3rd and 4th classes of militia were called
out, and on the 18th, Col. Morgan reported that he hoped to have
them ready to march soon, but that they were badly off for want
of arms.
In October there were altogether only about 1600 militia of the
State in service, and it was expected that they would fall far
short of that number in a few daj^s.
Oct. 17, 1777. — Gen'l Washington reported that the term of ser
vice of great numbers of the Pennsylvania militia had then ex
pired, and said that, inasmuch as the British were in Philadelphia,
"at least one-half of the men capable to bear arms should be
called into the field." He expressed surprise " that Pennsylvania,
the most opulent and populous of all the States has but 1200 mili
tia in the field at a time when the enemy are endeavoring to fix
their Winter quarters in her Capitol," and added that on an aver
age, the State battalions were never above one-third full, and many
even far below that.
In the Battle of Germantown about 1500 militia of Pennsylvania
were engaged. From the biographical sketch of Col. Joseph
Hiester, which was prepared in 1833, I am led to say that some of
the Berks County Militia were included in this number, but how
manj- 1 am not able to state, though I made diligent search in the
Colonial Records, Pennsylvania Archives, and other publications for
data bearing on this particular occurrence.
In January, 1778, General Washington recommended that Capt.
Edward Scull recruit 150 men in Berks County for the Battalion
of the State in the Continental armj'.
January 5, 1778. — Council sent a circular to the Lieutenant of
the countj', calling out the Oth and 7th classes of militia, as com
pletely accoutred and equipped as possible, and directing the men
to be forwarded immediately, because the time of service of
those in the field was about to expire. By this circular it appears
that Council required "returns of the militia" which went into
service. No returns, however, have yet been discovered, showing
what companies and men were forwarded from Berks County to
fill certain orders.
Feb. 10, 1778.— Capt. Edward Scull and Lieut. William Hen
derson, of the 4th Penna. Regt., were ordered on the recruiting
service.

148 REVOLUTION.

March 24, 1778.— Ordered that 300 militia of Berks County be
detailed for duty at Reading, to guard magazines of military
stores, provisions, etc., pursuant to a resolution of Congress on
March 19, 1778. This order was filled on April 15, 1778.
April 34, 1778. — A guard of one sergeant and nine privates was
placed at Boone's mill, eight miles below Reading (near Stoners-
ville), where Morgan (Q. M.) had placed that week 500 knapsacks
to be painted, and some person had set flre to them and so de-
stroj'ed them.
May 33, 1778. — The A'ice-Presidentof Council directed the guard
at Reading to be discontinued, excepting a small guard for the stores,
which should not exceed 50 ; and on the 37th, Col. Morgan re
ported that he had reduced the guard at Reading to 50, rank and
file. September 10, 1778. — Capt. James AVilson, of Reading, was
recommended for recruiting service by his commanding officer.
October 19, 1778. — The Executive Council received intelligence
from New York that the British were about to make an important
movement, and it was determined that Maj. -Gen'l Armstrong
should go to Philadelphia and take command of the militia in
case of an invasion. The quota of southeastern Pennsylvania
was flxed at 15 battalions — the quota of Berks Countj' at 2. 1
could not find any returns of men forwarded at that time.
A company of 53 volunteers, raised in Berks County, was sent
by Col. Morgan to Philadelphia on June 37, 1780, under the com
mand of Maj. Edward Scull, with a muster roll. The remaining
men of the order were to be sent on the following Monday. I
could not ascertain what the number was.
The 5th Regt. of Infantry in the Penna. Line was ordered on
January 33, 1781, to be recruited at Reading ; and on the 30th an
order for £500 was drawn to Henrj' Christ for enlisting men into
this regiment.
Sept. 33, 1781. — "Passed through [Lancaster] this afternoon
153 recruits from York, but raised at Reading, for Philadelphia."
[Marshall's Diary, p. 383].
June 14, 1783. — A petition from Capt. Peter Smith was presented
to the Executive Council, "in behalf of the Militia of Greenwich
and Maxatawnj' townships, in the County of Berks, praying that
thej' may be paid for a tour of duty performed in 1781."

REVOLUTION. 1 49
October 3, 1784.— A detachment of 50 men out of Berks County
Militia was ordered to be sent to Wj'oming to quiet the disturb
ances there and support the civil authority.
April 6, 1790. — Capt. Jacob Ladich was paid £394, 5sh, lOd, bal
ance due of £333, 9sh, 4d, for the pay and bounty of his company
of Berks County Militia while employed in the service of the
United States under the command of Col. Samuel Ely from Oct.
1, 1781, until Oct. 17, 1781, including their extra pay.
Nov. 34, 1790.— Lieut. Daniel Stroud was paid £95, 18sh, for the
residue of pay due to his company of Berks County Militia while
employed in guarding prisoners of war in August and September,
1781. Dec. 9, 1790. — The Comptroller-General approved of the follow
ing claims :
Capt.  Spatts, balance of .^130, i7sh., 2d. to pay his company ot Berks Co.
Militia for militia service in 1781.
Capt. George Riehm, balance of .^217, l5sh., 6d. to pay his company for services
in 1781.
Dec. 17, 1790. — He also approved the following accounts pre
sented :
Lieut.  Miller, .^33, gsh., 4d. to pay six men of his company in the 6th
Battalion of Berks Co. Militia while guarding Convention prisoners of war at
Reading in 1781.
Lieut. Jacob Rehrer, .^260, i6sh., 6d. to pay his company of the 2nd Battalion of
Berks Co. Militia for similar service in 1781.
Dr. Nicholas Snell, .^27 for 18 days' pay as a Surgeon of Col. Samuel Ely's Bat
talion of Berks County Militia from Oct. i, 1781, to Oct. 18, 1781, while on a tour
of duty to Newtown, in Bucks County, under Gen'l Lacy.
On Dec. 15, 1790, Jacob Severts was paid £S, 19sh., 6d. for serv
ing as Q. M. -Sergeant on same tour of duty, 17 days, in this bat
talion. Payments for County Militia.
The following payments were found to have been
made during this period to, for and on account of the
militia in Berks County :
March 38, 1776. — A payment of £13 was made to Capt. Dirck
Pennybacker of Berks County. At that time he resided in Amity
township, where he carried on a grist mill and farm, together
containing 200 acres. He was still assessed in the township in
1781.

150 REVOLUTION.
Oct. 13, 1776.— Maj. Ennion Williams was paid £9, 17sh, Od, for
guard duty at the State House, powder house, etc., from July to
November, 1775, to pay 66 privates and 13 officers. And on the
same day Col. Daniel Brodhead was allowed $30 per month during
captivity of Col. Miles, while he commanded the Pennsylvania
troops, this being for the support of his table. Both were from
Berks County.
Dec. 31, 1776. — Adam Witman, Commissioner of Berks Co., was
paid $3000 for Committee of Safety.
Jan. 15, 1777. — Capt.  Fisher was paid £1, ISsh, for sub
sistence of his company in 3rd Battalion of County Militia.
Jan. S3, 1777. — John Hufty was paid £1 for firing and lodging
three companies of the County Militia.
Jan. 23, 1777.— Capt. John Old was paid $135 for a month's
wages of a Colonel and Major.
Aug. 35, 1777. — Col. Daniel Hunter was re-appointed Paj'master
of the County Militia. He was fllling this office then ; but find
ing it inconvenient to continue, Henrj' Spj-ker was appointed in
his stead on Aug. 30, 1777.
Sept. 10, 1777. — An order was drawn to Col. Jacob Morgan for
£500. March 38, 1778. — Order drawn on treasurer in favor of Henry
Spyker, Paymaster of Berks Co. Militia, for £5000 ; April, 17,
1778, £6000 ; and May 30, 1778, £5000.
Nov. 30, 1780. — Order on treasurer drawn to Henry Spj'ker,
Paymaster of Berks County, for £163,000 to paj' militia of said
Countj', if so much in the treasurj-, arising from militia fines in the
said Countj'. This must be an error in the Colonial Records.
Dec. 13, 1780. — Resolved that Jacob Morgan pay off militia who
marched on late tour of dutv.

REVOLUTION. 151

CHAPTER VII.
PRISONERS OF WAR AT READING.
Reading was a prominent place for locating prison
ers of war that were taken at different times "in the
course of prosecuting the Revolution. They com
prised different nationalities, but principally English,
Hessians and Germans, and the following particulars
are detailed, respecting the several classes.
. ENGLISH PRISONERS.
Owing to the arrival of certain English prisoners at
Reading in February, 1776, without any notice or
preparation, the following letter was forwarded to the
Pennsylvania delegates in the Continental Congress :
Rbadiss, February 4, 1776.
Gentlemen ; A number of English soldiers, who were latelj'
taken in Canada, have arrived here, with their wives and children.
The Committee were immediatelj' assembled, and, although thej-
were much surprised at so large a party being ordered here with
out anj' previous notice and without any person attending them
to supply them with necessaries, yet, understanding it was the
pleasure of Congress the said soldiers should be quartered here,
they immediately appointed Mr. Henrj' Haller, a member of the
Committee, to provide houses, fire-wood and provisions for the
partj' who must have otherwise suffered much at this severe sea
son. As we are totally unacquainted with the pleasure of the
honorable Congress as to the particular quantities of provisions
to be allowed these prisoners, we have despatched an express to
you, gentlemen, desiring j-ou will, bj' his return, be pleased to
procure and send, to us the directions of Congress to govern us in
the matter.

152 REVOLUTION.
As Mr. Haller has been an active member of this Committee,
and is a very suitable person, we beg leave to recommend him to
be continued as Commissary for the soldiers stationed here.
We are, gentlemen, j'our most obedient, humble servants.
By order of the Committee of Correspondence. Mark Bird, Chairman.
On April 17, 1776, the officers, who were prisoners
of war at Reading, were ordered to be removed to Leb
anon ; and on July loth. Congress ordered that the
privates who were prisoners there should be removed
to Lancaster.
In September, 1776, the conduct and late hours of
the prisoners excited the citizens to such an extent
that a meeting of the Committee of Berks County was
called on September 3rd and resolutions were adopted
praying the Council of Safety to require the prisoners
to disarm themselves and repair to their respective
lodgings at a seasonable hour — 8 P. M. — every even
ing. Capt. John Witman, Thomas Warren and
Michael Graus were appointed to take possession of
fire-arms, etc.; and on the 4th, Daniel Rose, Philip
Kremer and Krauff Hiener were appointed to assist
them. On the 5th, they reported that Gen'l Prescott
had refused to deliver up his pistols until he had first
broken and rendered them useless, and that he had
declared they acted like robbers. He admitted his
conduct, and the committee resolved ' ' that he be
committed to the Common Gaol till the opinion of
the Council of Safety be known." James Read, chair
man, reported this action to the Council, and made
request that " a guard be kept as security from any
attempts which may be made by the prisoners in our
present defenceless situation." The Council heard

REVOLUTION. 153
the matter on the loth, and ordered guard to be kept
as long as the prisoners remained, at the Council's ex
pense. Joseph Mcllvain was paid ;^66 on December 11,
1776, for removing prisoners from Bristol to Reading.
Read^s Letter to Council. — On December 26, 1776,
seven persons as prisoners reached Reading, having
been taken there from Northampton County, as sus
pects inimical to the Revolution. Their arrival in
duced James Read, Esq., to address a letter to the
Council of Safety on the next day, which was as fol
lows :
" Reading being the nearest place, we, who have already more
prisoners, French and Scotch, than we have men at arms, (old and
young together) in this place, shall have all the Tories that North
ampton can flnd, whereby the ruin of this town is justly appre
hended. Lancaster has Barracks, and neither that town, nor
York, has any prisoners in it. But if the people of Northampton
have their choice of three places, thej' will always send to the
nearest of them. Thus Reading must be endangered, and at best
burthened. Our prison is small, that of Lancaster large, and that
town is three times as large as this. Pray, sir, let these things be
immediately considered. AVe are distressed. The militia from
Northumberland disturb us by their importunity for salt ; which,
surely, we are not to provide, when there is such a scanty portion
in every family.
"We have heard that a Hospital is to be made in this place-
Strange this ! when we have not one house in town unoccupied.
Many families have come hither from Pliiladelphia. I need say
no more on this head. I am obliged to write in great haste. I
cannot, however, conclude, without pressing j'ou, sir [the Presi
dent, Thomas Wharton, jr.] to trj' to relieve us of these tories
and other prisoners, and saj'ing that hereafter it will be impossible
to get a waggon, or any service done without ready paj-. The
people who have hitherto done publie services are very impor
tunate and grow angry that they are not paid."

154 REVOLUTION.
Pursuant to the request of Gen'l Washington, the
Council of Safety on March i, 1777, directed Col.
Haller to remove the French prisoners at Reading to
Easton, in order that an exchange might take place,
and when he reached Easton he was to dispatch a
messenger to Gen'l Washington to let him know it,
so as to receive such further directions respecting
their route as he might think proper to give.
Quaker Prisoners from Philadelphia. — Certain pris
oners, (twenty prominent Quakers) were stationed in
the "Mason's Lodge" at Philadelphia. On Septem
ber 10, 1777, they were ordered to be escorted to
Reading ; and on the 12th, the Bucks County Militia
were ordered to act as a guard in conducting the
British prisoners to Reading and such others as may
be necessary to be added. They stayed for a time at
the public house kept by Eve Withington, the widow
of Capt. Withington. She presented a petition to the
Executive Council on January 9, 1789, praying pay
ment of her account. The balance due her was paid
June 23, 1789. They were escorted by two of the
light-horse of Philadelphia in this circuitous route to
avoid the British, and doubtless proceeded by way of
Lancaster, Carlisle, Hagerstown and the Shenandoah
Valley to their destination at Staunton, in Augusta
County, Virginia. On January i, 1778, an order for
;^i59 was drawn to pay the expense of removing cer
tain Quaker prisoners to Reading.
In May, 177!), a disturbance between the British prisoners and
the inhabitants of Reading was reported to the Council of AA'^ar by

'A
O
5hO >
n

County Jail at Reading, 5th and Washington streets, 1770 to 18

156

REVOLUTION.

June 1, 1779. — A letter was addressed by Col. Henry Haller to
the Executive Council, enclosing sundry papers respecting the
prisoners at Reading, and the disturbances between them and the
inhabitants of the town. These papers were ordered to be sent to
the Board of War with the request that the said prisoners be sent
to some other place.
By a letter from the Secretary of the Board of War
to the Executive Council on July 19, 1780, it would
appear that there were then only about 100 prisoners
of war at Reading. At that time. Col. Henry Haller
was the "Commissary of Prisoners" at Reading, and
he complained of the great scarcity of provisions.
This must refer only to those in the town, not near by.

Geist's Company on Guard Duty.
The following detachment of Capt. Conrad Geist's
Company, of the 6th Battalion of County Militia was
detailed to guard the prisoners while in the Reading
Jail from which they had attempted to break out, and
also while they were being conducted from Reading
to Lancaster. This was in 1776 :

Ensign.

Jacob Stehly.

Matthias Babb.
Peter Custard.
Christian Deringer.
Christopher Diem.
George Donnelly.
Paul Ege.
George Eisenbeis.
Isaac Ermold.

Captain.
Conrad Geist. Sergeants.
George Gertner.
AViUiam Shener.
Privates.

Peter Feather.
Conrad Fesig.
Peter Fesig.
Christopher Fisher.
John Fister.
George Fry.
Jesse Grinding.
.Tohn Hiener.

George Houser.
George Jaeger.
Pliilip Klinger.
AViUiam Knorr.
Matthias Leib. "
Abraham Levan.
Daniel McCoy.
Dewalt Miller.

REVOLUTION. 1 57
John Miller. Zacharias Rexroad. James Simpson.
Frederick Nagel. Christian Setley. John Snyder.
Philip Nagel. Henry Setley. Henry AVolf.
Jacob Petre. Christian Shreffler.

HESSIAN PRISONERS.
In 1775, the King of Great Britain obtained by
treaty from the German Princes 17,000 men for the
purpose of sending them to America to assist in sub
duing the American Colonies. These men were sent
early in 1776. Many of them, (Hessians) were taken
prisoners at the Battle of Trenton on December 26,
1776, and conveyed to Lancaster.
The Continental troops then took the following
prisoners, arms, etc. : 750 Hessians, i lieutenant-
colonel, 2 majors, 4 captains, 15 subalterns, 3 stand
ards, 6 brass field pieces and near 1000 stand of arms.
Two days afterward, Gen'l Washington commanded
them to be forwarded to Lancaster.
The following letter was addressed to Daniel Cly-
mer, Esq., at Lancaster, in 1777, by Joseph Nourn,
from Philadelphia, in reference to the removal of pris
oners from that place to Reading :
"The Board have directed me to write to AViUiam Atlee, Deputy
Commissarj' of Prisoners, to whom you'll please to render all the
assistance in your power in the removal of the Prisoners of War
from Lancaster towards Reading and Lebanon. Congress having
just been informed by Express that the Enemy are landing in
Maryland above Baltimore, & its being past a doubt the rescuing
their Prisoners & the destruction of our Stores are the objects
they have in view. On this important occasion, anything in your
power., the Board are well satisfied will be done. You'll please to
have an eye to the Prisoners at York, & if Mr. Atlee can do the
Business by himself at Lancaster, it is the desire of the Board
you proceed thither, & the Committee are hereby earnestly re-

158 REVOLUTION.
quested to furnish such a number of Militia as shall put it out of
the power of the Prisoners to effect an escape. AVe are unac
quainted with the number of Prisoners at York; you will, there
fore, act as your own good sense may dictate."
Some of these prisoners were afterward stationed at
Reading. The first location in the town was in the
southern section. The exact place was along the
Schuylkill a short distance below the ferry, where the
" Lancaster Bridge " is now situated. After remain
ing in that locality several years, they were removed
to the southern declivity of Penn's Mount. This re
moval was caused by the frequent disturbances which
arose between the prisoners and the citizens of the
town. On June 27, 1781, President Reed wrote to Valen
tine Eckert, ' ' that it was the desire that the prisoners
should be encamped in huts at some small distance
from Reading, where wood and water were convenient ;
that Colonel Morgan had mentioned a piece of ground
which had belonged to the proprietaries, which would
be convenient and proper." Three persons were ap
pointed to select a location — Valentine Eckert, Lieu
tenant of Berks County ; Maj. Bayley and Col. Wood,
of Lancaster. On the 17th of July, Col. Wood wrote
to President Reed, ' ' that he could not decide where
to locate the prisoners ; that certain persons, who
thought they did not have a legal title to the Com
mons, had paid the taxes and claimed the land." He,
therefore, referred the matter to him for a decision.
The "Commons" was not selected; but the com
mittee went half a mile to the eastward and selected
a place on the hill-side, where they caused huts to be
erected, and in whicii they stationed the prisoners.

REVOLUTION. 1 59
This place has since been known as " Hessian Camp."
The greater part of these huts were standing in 1841.
The exact location was on an enclosed portion of land
that lay between the Rose Valley Creek (at a point
where the Mineral Spring Dam now is) and the " Hill
Road " as now laid out. Then the trees were few in
number and there was no road along the upper end of
the camp.
Some of the Hessian prisoners at Reading, during
the course of their imprisonment, were hired out to
service, notably to George Ege at Charming Forge
and to John Patton at Berkshire Furnace.
. At the close of the Revolution, the Hessian pris
oners were returned by the British or satisfactorily
accounted for, according to contract. It has been
persistently stated as a tradition that many of these
Hessians remained and settled in the county round
about Reading ; but in my opinion this is erroneous.
They could not have remained here except as de
serters. Hessian Camp Surprised. — The following interest
ing incident transpired at the Hessian camp on Christ
mas day, 1 781. The Hessian prisoners and their
guard were suddenly alarmed by certain soldiers in
the disguise of Indians, which caused them to fly from
the encampment. A court-martial was afterwards
held, but no one was punished.
"A^an Campen, whilst at McClure's Fort, which was on the Sus
quehanna River, above Sunburj', upon the service of conducting
scouts around the line of the settlements, was ordered with his
company to Lancaster, late in the fall of 1781. He descended
the river in boats as far as Middletown (a place ten miles below
Harris's Ferry), where the order was countermanded by another,

l6o REVOLUTION.

directing him to march to Reading, Berks County, where he was
joined bj- a part of the 3rd and 5th Pennsj'lvania Regiments, and
a companj' of the Congress Regiment. Their principal duty,
while here, was to take care of a large body of Hessians that had
been taken prisoners with General Burgoyne. These had been
under the guard of a companj- of militiamen, whose time had
not yet expired. The march which A^an Campen's soldiers had
performed was, on account of lateness of the season and bad
roads, extremely fatiguing, and, as the time for which the militia
were engaged continued them in service a little longer, he allowed
them the space which intervened as a season of rest. This proved
grateful to the soldiers, and it no doubt served to invigorate their
spirits, for in the approaching Christmas holidays, thej- were
found to be sufficiently recruited to engage in the exercises of
sport. Some of those belonging to Van Campen's companj- deter
mined to have a frolic with the militiamen before they should be
discharged from their posts. These were stationed at a little dis
tance out of the village, near the direct road from Reading to
Philadelphia, on the side of a hill, around which the waj- turned,
and which hid the view to the road before reaching the place.
When Christmas came, twelve or fifteen j'oung soldiers set out,
with music in their heads, for the militiamen's camp. Just be
fore they came to where the road turned around the hill, and
while they were j'et out of sight, thej' arraj-ed themselves in
Indian dress and crept along up the ascending ground until thej-
came in sight of the militiamen's camp. There they fired their
guns, which contained an unusual charge of powder, and followed
the discharge of these by loud and continued yells. They pre
sented themselves to the view of the soldiers, and began to jump
from tree to tree so as to produce an enlarged idea of their num
bers. Their unexpected appearance produced the intended effect.
The soldiers were startled by the sudden roar of the rifles, which
echoed through the deep forest like the terrible thundering of
cannon. The loud yells, too, from the supposed Indians, were
enough to have startled them in a time of peace, much more when
the savage was looked for at any moment to commit his deeds of
violence. The soldiers conceived an instantaneous alarm ; fear
was scattered throughout their ranks, and, with a sudden bound,
they started from their encampment. The sentinels fled without
firing a single gun and the whole company deserted their posts,
leaving the poor Hessians (whom they were placed to guard) with
out a man lo prevent their being retaken. But these, too, appre-

REVOLUTION. l6l
hensive that they might be mistaken for rebels, were infected
with the universal panic and showed their heels to the enemj'.
The camp was entirely deserted in a few moments after the flrst
alarm had been given. No sooner had the militiamen deserted
their camp than thej' began to spread the alarm, saying, 'that all
Niagara was let loose ; that a party of several hundred Indians
had attacked their camp, and that thej' had just escaped with
their lives.' The intelligence was soon brought to the troops at
Reading, who were immediately placed in the order of defence,
and who began forthwith to march, with Van Campen at their
head, towards the enemj'. They had not gone far, however, be
fore they were met by some of their own soldiers, who assured
them that they had started out upon a false alarm, at the same
time giving them a history of the secret of the attack and of the
brave defence which had been made by the militiamen. They
returned to their quarters, very much amused and with the laugh
upon the poor soldiers who had made such a display of their
bravery. " But this little event (which had been conceived only in sport,
like many others of the same origin) was the occasion of serious
difficultj'. To one party it afforded the highest amusement, but,
to those who had committed their valor to their heels, it was a
subject of constant annoyance. Thej' could not endure the cha
grin that was brought upon them by having been put to flight by
a few boys who had been disguised as Indians, and who had so
successfully played off their wits upon them of a Christmas holi-
daj'. The militia officers, whose bravery was somewhat impli
cated in the affair, declared that they would be satisfied with no
reconciliation short of the punishment of those who had been
concerned in creating the alarm.
"A court-martial was held, in which Lieutenant Van Campen
sat with the militia officers, to decide the point at issue. These-
affirmed it to be but right — that those who had occasioned the
mischief should be whipped ; while Van Campen, whose soldiers-
were implicated, unwilling that his men (who belonged to some of
the most respectable families of that part of Pennsylvania) should
suffer such a disgrace, would allow of this only upon condition
that the sentinels, who had fled from their posts without firing,
should be punished as the martial-law required — with death.
These terms were not agreeable to the minds of the officers, and'
A' an Campen, who declared that he would sooner see his men shot

1 62 REVOLUTION.
than whipped, continued to sit in court-martial for the space of
three weeks. A compromise was flnallj' made between the two, it
being proposed that the sergeant, who had been one of the leaders
in the affair, should be broken of his rank. This was allowed, and
harmony was again restored between the two parties. The ser
geant was broken of his rank at night and restored the next morn
ing ; so that his punishment, after all, was more nominal than
real. Immediately after. Van Campen and his men entered upon
the care of the Hessian soldiers and remained in this service until
the next spring, when they were relieved by the militia, who
again took them under charge."
The foregoing extract was taken from the ' ' Life
and Adventures of Moses Van Campen " by his grand
son, John N. Hubbard, (published in 1841) pps. 239
to 243. Near the beginning of this extract he states
that the Hessians at Reading had been taken pris
oners with Burgoyne. This is not correct. No pris
oners were taken in that important battle, October 17,
1777. The British Army surrendered to General
Gates at Saratoga with the agreement that thej^
" should march out with all the honors of war, and
have free passage to England, upon condition that
they should not serve again during the war."
Hessian Officer Drowned. — During the time that
the Hessian prisoners were at Reading, a Hessian offi
cer of rank was fishing from a canoe one day in the
Schuylkill, and fell overboard. A servant on the
shore saw the accident, but, instead of alarming the
occupants in a house near by, he ran and informed the
commanding officer. When the officer arrived, he
found the Hessian at the bottom of the river, drowned,
and his efforts to resuscitate life were fruitless.

REVOLUTION. 163
Sickness and Burial of Hessians. — During the Win
ter of 1776-77 there was much sickness amongst the
prisoners. Many of them died. The burials were
made in ' ' Potter's Field, " which comprised two lots
of ground, numbers 398 and 399 on the west side of
North Sixth Street, south of Walnut, in Reading.
The deaths were so numerous at times that it became
necessary to bury two, and even three, in one grave.
I heard this statement made frequently by some ofthe
older residents, but I always questioned its reliability,
for I could not believe that dead prisoners would be
carried from the Camp and buried within two squares
of the principal thoroughfare and near the centre of
the town. It is probable that the men buried there
were sick soldiers who died in the churches that were
used as hospitals, the churches having been near by on
Washington street to the east and west of 6th street.
GERMAN PRISONERS.
On June 16, 1781, a large number of Convention
prisoners of war, 1050, all Germans, excepting 63
Brittons, arrived at Reading under guard of the York
County Militia. Col. Valentine Eckert called out two
classes of companies from the 6th Battalion of Berks
County Militia to guard the encampment. They were
under the command of Major Bayley. During the week
following, additional prisoners were brought, so that
the whole number was near 11 00. They were en
camped on the east bank of the Schuylkill, near the
ferry on the road to Lancaster, having been ordered to
be put into huts where wood and water were conven
ient. Col. Eckert and Col. James Wood suggested

164 REVOLUTION.
"that the Continental stables and a large store house
might be converted into barracks to advantage by
raising them about two feet and underpinning with
stone, by which it would make them two stories, and,
with some small additions, would shelter the whole of
the troops. However, this would be attended with
inconvenience, as their fire wood must be waggoned,
but not any considerable distance. My [Wood's] inten
tion is if the troops are to be hutted, and the Quar
ter Master can procure tools and a person acquainted
with building to superintend the work, to have them
built by the troops and in such a manner as to be of
use upon any other or future occasion."
The stable was 20 by 175 feet, and the store house
20 by 60 feet.
Krause's Company on Guard Duty.
The following detachment of Capt. Charles Krause's
Company of the ist Battalion Berks Count}' Militia
was detailed on August 13, 1781, to guard the Con
vention prisoners of war near Reading, from August
16 to October 16, 1781. The captain was paid the
balance due, £2"]^, on April 28, 1790 :
Captain.
Charles Krause.
Sergeants. Corporals.
Ernst Gries. Christian Schmeck.
Philip Dresher. Isaac Harmany.
John Burchard. John Harmany.
Privates.
Philip Kline. Mathias Bower. Michael Christman.
George Mumma. Jacob Sigfried. Henry Grub.
Jno.' Fenstermacher. George Klapp. Fred'k Mengel.
Abraham Gross. Baltzer Lutz. .Tohn Saul.

REVOLUTION.

165

Adam Labar.
Casper Merkel.
Christian Wilhelm.
Conrad Sitler.
Christian Becker.
Theobald Keffer.

Adam Knettle.
John Heines.
Peter Rundorf.
Titan McCarty.
Philip Christ.
Philip Dull.

Peter Shomo.
Lorentz Christ.
John Norbeck.
Mathias Flack.
John Klockner.

Additional Men as Guard.
After peace was declared, a petition was presented
to the Executive Council, subscribed by forty-three
names, which prayed for an allowance to pay for mili
tary services rendered. The petitioners set forth that
they had been ordered out to guard the Convention
Troops upon constant service from 1781 until peace
happened ; that these troops were prisoners of war
confined in the vicinity of Reading ; that the militia
of that district had performed constant guard duty
during the stay of the prisoners, to the great hinder
ance of their several occupations, with a firm reliance
that their country would make such satisfaction as the
Militia laws should entitle them ; and that they had
made numerous applications for pay, but their efforts
were in vain.
The subscribing names were as follows:

John Folweiler.
George Eisenbeis.
George Gerdner.
Nicholas Scherrer.
Stephen Fitterer.
George Young.
Michael Reifsnyder.
Jacob Merch.
William Mears.
Philip Weiss.
Jacob Petery.

Philip Ruppert.
Jacob Stable.
Conrad Geist.
Henry Miller.
Daniel Hiester.
John Phillippi.
Henry Hahn, Jr.
George Snell.
John Felix.
George Brendlinger.
Bernard Kepner.

Henry Spengler.
Peter Stichter.
Abraham Phillippi.
George Seitz.
Alexander Klinger.
John Shenfelder.
Benjamin Parks, Jr.
John Seitter.
Jacob Klingman.
Jacob Kesel.
Ernst Gries.

1 66 REVOLUTION.
David Herman. Andrew Eisenbeis. George Shoemaker.
George Roland. Adam Spohn. John Lewis.
Godfried Leman. Jonas Baum.
Gottlieb Christian. Valentine Boyer.
I could not find that any action was taken on this
petition. Conrad Geist, one of the petitioners, had
commanded a company as captain which served as
guard of prisoners in 1776.
The above names may not represent all the men
who served at that time, for some may have died or
moved away between the declaration of peace and the
signing of the petition.
From the contents of the petition, we must con
clude that the militia of the county, especially from
the vicinity of Reading, (which constituted the ist
Battalion under the command of Col. Nicholas Lotz),
were in constant service of this kind, and judging from
other evidence of men in that service, they were de
tailed for short terms.
Continental Troops as Guard.
Maj.-Gen'l Lincoln, Minister of the War Depart
ment, informed the Executive Council on January- 2,
1782, that Gen'l Hazen's Regiment was appointed to
guard the prisoners in the counties of Lancaster, Berks
and York, whereupon the Council directed the Lieu
tenants of the said counties to discharge the militia
then on duty so soon as the Continental troops should
take charge of the prisoners.
Militia as Guard for Military Prisoners.
On February 23, 1782, the Lieutenant of the county
was ordered to call out the first class of militia to

REVOLUTION. 1 67
guard the military prisoners at Reading ; but only 40
men were wanted at a time for this purpose. The
order was as follows :
" Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the county of Berks be di
rected to call out a class of the militia of the said county, for the
purpose of guarding the military prisoners of that county ; that as
fortj' men are only wanted at one time for the said purpose, the
lieutenant be directed to call out no more than that number, and
that the battalion be called up in their numerical order, begin
ning at the first, for the said one class, so far as may be necessarj-
to furnish the said number ; and when the time of the first fortj'
shall expire, he then call on the next battalion or battalions for the
like number, so as to have the succeeding numbers ready to take
charge of the said prisoners when the time of the flrst shall ex
pire, and so on until the said one class shall have served their tour
of dutj', or until further orders from this Council."
Nagel's Company on Guard Duty.
The following detachment of Capt. Peter Nagel's
Company, in the 6th Battalion of Berks County
Militia, was on duty guarding prisoners of war who
were conducted from Reading to Philadelphia. I
could not ascertain the time when the service was
rendered. It was probably on September 19, 1782,
when they were ordered to "mount guard."
Oa/ptain.
Peter Nagel.

Casper Heiner.
Privates.
Christian Deringer. Joseph Kendall. George Phillipi.
Nicholas Dick. Samuel Keiser. George Schultz.
Peter Feather. Hartman Leitheiser. George Seitz.
John Heiner. George Merkel. Abraham Witman.
Benj. Hoover. Philip Nagel. Jacob Yoder.

1 68 REVOLUTION.

CHAPTER VIII.
ESTIMATE OF MEN IN SERVICE.
The following statement shows the probable num
ber of men from Berks County who were in actual
service at some time during the Revolution. The
figures at the end of each company indicate the num
ber of men that appears in the rosters as published,
except in several instances where it has been cor
rected by positive returns. The companies, when or
ganized and forwarded, were to have the regular num
ber, and it is probable that they generally had this
number, excepting when special orders were given to
supply guards for the prisoners at Reading or men for
defending the frontiers of Berks and Northumberland
counties. How the number came to be reduced in
nearly all the companies I am not able to explain.
The reduced figures may represent the strength ofthe
companies when mustered out of service.
In reference to the battalions given, I have taken
the number, either at the number ordered by the
Executive Council which was to be supplied by the
county, or estimated it at what was commonly known
to comprise a battalion.
All the orders for guarding prisoners I have fixed
at 40 men, unless otherwise published. Previous to
1782, the number at one time acting as guard ex
ceeded 40 men, but I cannot state how many. From
the order of February 23, 1782, it is apparent that

REVOLUTION. 169
the changes were frequent, and that five men were
taken from each company in a battalion, and when
the term of service expired, another class was taken
in the same manner from the next battalion, and so
on in numerical order until each of the six battalions
supplied its quota. The estimate presented is evi
dently less than the number of men who were in
actual service.
In several instances, the estimates of battalions and
companies may be excessive. But, because there is
no way by which to ascertain the figures accurately,
we can not on that account ignore the evidence of
men altogether, whether simply ordered or forwarded.
When orders were made for troops to fill the quota of
the county, and returns found, we can assert that they
were filled ; but if no returns were found, it can not
be said that the orders were not filled. I found evi
dence of payments made long after 1783 for military
services rendered before that time, notwithstanding I
did not find any orders or returns for such services.
For the year 1779, I did not find any returns. It is
hardly probable that, for a whole year, there were no
orders at all for troops from Berks County. From
this, however, we are not to conclude that there were
no men in actual service from the county during 1779,
for some were in service by previous enlistment and
re-enlistment for terms that extended into and beyond
that year. For the year 1775.
June — Company of Capt. George Nagel  95

170 REVOLUTION.
For the year 1776.
Januarj' — Company of Capt. Jonathaa Jones  83
" John Spohn  78
" Peter Decker  86
Februarj' — Detachment of Capt. Peter Nagel's Co. for guard
ing prisoners  17
March — Company of Capt. Henry Christ  87
July — Company of Capt. Benj. Weiser  63
Other men in German Regiment  13
July — Battalion of Lt.-Col. Nicholas Lotz, quota required  666
August — Battalion of Col. John Patton (four companies)  191
" Company of Capt. Will — estimated  73
" " Daniel DeTurk  72
Battalion of Col. Mark Bird  300
September — Battalion of Col. Balser Geehr — estimated. . . .500
" Detachment of Capt. Conrad Geist's Co. guard
ing prisoners  39
October — Quota ordered from county  500
Believed to have been supplied from 1st and Oth
Battalions commanded by Col. Henry Haller and
Col. Daniel Hunter.
For the year 1777.
Januarj' — Order for Snd Battalion — estimated  500
Partly filled by companies of Will, Diehl and
Scheffer.
February — Company of Capt. Jacob Moser  67
" Jacob Bower— (part)  34
Sundrj' enlistments in Continental Line  37
August — Two battalions commanded by Cols. Daniel Hunter
and Daniel Udree  656
September — Two companies guarding stores at Reading — esti
mated 50 each  100
November — Battalion of Col. Henry Spyker  400
For the year 1778.
January — Recruited by Capt. Edward Scull  150
April — Guard ordi'red at Reading  300
" " " " Boone's Mill  10

REVOLUTION. 171
June — Von Heer's Dragoons  10
Augvist — Forward*ed to Sunbury  180
"Easton  123
October — Quota from countj' — two battalions  
For the year 1779.
No troops were discovered as having been forwarded from the
county during the j'ear 1779.
For the Year 1780.
June — Forwarded to Philadelphia, under Capt. Edward
Scull  53
Julj' — Quota from Countj', (mostlj' fllled by six companies of
Oth Battalion, and selections from 3rd  000
August — Two companies from 1st Battalion for frontiers — esti
mated  130
Men in pursuit of Indians  113
For the Year 1781.
May — One class, 4th Battalion  64
June — Two classes, 6th Battalion  138
August — Detachment of Krause's Company  36
August — Detachment of Stroud's Companj'  40
September — Recruits from Reading  153
October — Ely's Battalion at Newtown  300
October — Livingood's Company of Riflemen  83
October — Three companies to Newtown  180
 Militia ¦from Greenwich and Maxatawny townships  130
 Guarding prisoners — men supplied from Snd and 6th Bat
talions  169
For the Year 1782.
February — Robinson's Company to Northumberland county.... 60
February — Guard for prisoners at Reading  40
August — Frontiers of Berks County  37
August — Frontiers of Berks and Northumberland Counties  50
September — Frontiers of Northumberland County  135
September — Guard for prisoners at Reading  17

172

REVOLUTION.
Recapitulation.

For the year 1775...

 95

For the year 1780 

.... 884

" " " 1776...

 3757

" " " 1781 

....1373

" " " 1777...

 1784

" " " 1783 

.... 319

" " " 1778...

 679

" " " 1779...

Estimated Total ...
....7791
Of these 7791 men, the foregoing narrative shows
the names of 1542; and included in the latter number
are the names of sixty-five captains and sixteen colo
nels. The number of men for the years 1776 and 1777
appears incredible, but the reader will take into con
sideration that the men for each year were not all in
service at one time. Taking the reports of men in
service that I have given in detail, and understanding
that I have not been able to discover all the men that
were enlisted, it can be said that the estimated total,
as arranged, is not above, but rather below, the real
number supplied by the county during the Revolu
tion. The system of supplying men was simple, and
it was carried on in such a manner as to render assist
ance to the government with as little injury as pos
sible to the several districts from which the men were
called. The number demanded at one time was not
extraordinary, compared with the total number sub
ject to military duty, and the term of service was
limited to such a period that the business interests of
the people should not suffer serious losses. In this
way, it was possible to have at least several hundred
men from a county in service all the time. Averaging
the quota of Berks County at only 300, and changing
the men every ninety days, four times a year, for
seven years, from 1776 to 1782, the total would ex-
REVOLUTION.

^n

ceed the number given. This is not a correct way to
get at the probable number; still it can be made appa
rent thereby that my estimate is not excessive.

Jacob Baldj'.
George Battorf.
George Beaver.
Jacob Bower.
Michael Bretz.
Henry Christ.
Stephen Crumrine.
Peter Decker.
Daniel DeTurck.
Samuel Dewees.
John Diehl.
George Douglass.
Conrad Eckert.
Michael Furrer.
George Focht.
Conrad 'Geist.
Charles Gobin.
Jacob Graul.
Thomas Herbert.
Joseph Hiester.
Jacob Hill.
Jonathan Jones.

Names of Captains.

George Kemp.
Charles Krause.
John Ludwig.
Jacob Ladich.
Sebastian Lentz.
John Lesher.
Jacob Livingood.
Jacob Maurer.
George Maj'.
John Mears.
George Miller.
Jacob Moser.
George Nagel.
Peter Nagel.
John Old.
Dirck Pennybacker.
Jacob Rickstein.
George Riehm.
Ferdinand Ritter.
John Robinson.
Jacob Rothermel.
Nicholas Scheffer.

Edward Scull.
Peter Scull.
Henry Shepler.
Conrad Sherman.
Casper Smeck.
Peter Smith.
John Soder.
John Spoon.
Leonard Stone.
Henry Strauch.
Bartholomew Von
Heer.
Michael A'oj-ge.
Peter Wanner.
Benjamin Weiser.
Conrad Weiser.
Henry Weaver.
Matthias Wick.
George Will.
Peter Withington.
James Wilson.
Michael Wolf.

Names of Colonels.

Mark Bird.
Daniel Brodhead.
A^alentine Eckert.
Samuel Ely.
Balser Geehr.
Henry Haller.

Joseph Hiester. George Nagel.
Daniel Hunter. John Patton.
Michael Lindemuth. Henry Spyker.
Nicholas Lotz. Daniel Udree.
Jacob Morgan.
Jacob Morgan, Jr.

174 REVOLUTION.

CHAPTER IX.
ARMY SUPPLIES FROM THE COUNTY.
During the Revolution, many army supplies were
either manufactured or produced in the County of
Berks, more especially in the years 1775, 1776 and
1777; and these were collected from the several town
ships and deposited at Reading, for the purpose of en
abling the Commissioners of Forage to fill the propor
tional allotments of the district with reasonable dis
patch. They consisted of grain, flour, hay, powder,
clothing, accoutrements, horses and wagons.
The superior geographical situation of Reading led
Congress to select the place as a general depot for
storing supplies of all kinds. It was far enough from
Philadelphia so that Gen'l Howe could not entertain
any thoughts of capturing the stores with safety to
his army, and yet it was near enough to enable the
storekeeper to promptly fill orders made upon him.
Store House at Reading. — In a letter of Col. Mor
gan to the Executive Council, dated September 18,
1777, besides acknowledging receipt of an order for
calling out the 3rd and 4th Classes of Militia, he
stated as follows:
"There is at present a great quantity of powder and other
stores belonging to the States in this town [Reading] and there
are two companies now out of said classes mounting guard over
said stores. The people of the town are vastly uneasy at having
so much powder here, and, unless it be very well guarded, that un
easiness will increase to a great degree, as fire happening to the

REVOLUTION. 175
house where the powder is lodged would tear the town to pieces
and destroy the whole body of inhabitants. Many persons of the
town, above 53 years of age, would make part of a guard if taken
into pay, which would render it easy to send so many more of the
militia as would otherwise be requisite for such guard. The Con
tinental Press and Medicinal store also require some guard."
By a letter of the same day from Christ and Shoe
maker [Justices] to the Council it would appear that
they had called two companies of militia to guard the
said stores — "not forgetting the Continental Treas
urer." The stores included a "vast number of am
munition in the town, or near it." ' The companies
had been in actual service for over three weeks.
Supplies Manufactured.
The following items were found relating to the
supplies that were manufactured in Berks County, and
forwarded in pursuance of orders given by the Execu
tive Council :
John Mears, of Berks County, carried on the manufacture of
saltpetre. On Feb. 9, 1776, James Biddle was directed to supply
him with £100 for that purpose, taking good security for the
money and providing for the delivery of saltpetre to that amount
in twelve months. Mears lived at Reading and subsequently be
came a captain in the 4th Regiment of the Continental Line of
Pennsylvania. Feb. S3, 1776. — An order for £90 was drawn to pay John Reith-
myer, John Deisler and Peter Brecht for 150 cartridge boxes, etc.,
which they manufactured in Berks County and supplied to the
Committee. And on May 8th, an order for £108, 15sh., was drawn
to them to pay for 150 more.
Isaac Levan, Jr., was one of the persons appointed by the Com
mittee of Berks County to purchase arms for the use of the prov
ince, and on April 9, 1776, an order for £19, ISsh. , was drawn in favor
of Dr. Jonathan Potts for repairing 9 muskets which belonged to

176 REVOLUTION.
the province. These muskets were ordered to be delivered to
Capt. Thomas Herbert, of Berks County, who was then in the
service of the province. He lived at Reading.
May 18, 1776. — Mark Bird addressed a letter to the Committee
of Safety, of Philadelphia, in which he made mention of muskets,
&c., as follows;
" If the Committee of Safety will send me the price of loo muskets and accoutre
ments, with orders on the Commissioners to deliver to me such as they have
ready, or my paying what they cost, I am of opinion in two weeks after the re
ceipt of their orders and cash, I shall be able to deliver in Philadelphia the num
ber mentioned. If each county will do the same, all the troops now in pay ofthe
Continent and this Province may be armed in three weeks from this date — I mean
the Continental troops in the barracks at Philadelphia. * * * * I am con
vinced you may collect in the different counties a thousand muskets, but few
accoutrements. If you send the cash to the different counties to some person you
can confide in, the arms will be ready immediately, but till you send the cash to
pay the smiths they will deny giving up the muskets. They like to see the cash
without having the trouble of going so far as Philadelphia for it."
This offer was accepted bj' the Executive Council and an order
to him for £400 was drawn. And in August, 1770, the Committee
of Safetj' also drew an order in favor of Samuel High, (a countj'
commissioner,) for £600, on account of arms making in the county.
Gun manufacturing was carried on along the Wj'omissing
Creek in Cumru township, beyond Mohnsville, about seven miles
south-west from Reading. There were many gunsmiths in the -
countj', prominent among them being Balser Geehr.
July 3, 1770. — An order for £300 was drawn in favor of George
Ege for 100 tons of cannon balls.
July 8, 1776. — Council passed the following resolution :
" Tiiat the Iron Masters employed in casting cannon or shot for the public ser
vice in the counties of Chester, Lancaster and Berks, be permitted to employ any
ofthe soldiers, prisoners of war at Lancaster and Reading, as laborers in the said
business, giving an account to the Committees of Lancaster and Reading of the
time of such soldiers as they shall so employ."
This permission was given in view of the public exigency which
required additional artillerj' and war materials to repel the inva
sion of the country by the armj' of Gen'l Howe, who had recently
appeared at New York with the British fleet.
July 33, 1770. — An order was drawn in favor of Michael Bright,
(a county commissioner,) for £600 to pay for firelocks made in
Berks County for the Province.

REVOLUTION. 1 77

May 16, 1777. — Col. Morgan reported that orders had been issued
for collecting the allotted number of blankets in the county for
the Continental service, and also 300 for the county militia. He
made inquirj' about arms and found that about 150 with accoutre
ments could be procured at Reading, which might be made fit for
service in a fortnight; as to drums, colors and fifes none had yet
been collected. He then made an estimate that $3300 would be
necessarj' to purchase blankets and carry the militia law in execu
tion, and asked that this amount be remitted to him immediately.
May 33, 1777. — An order was drawn to Col. Jacob Morgan for
£600 for blankets and paying substitutes in the county. On June
10th, another order was drawn to him for £500, and at same time
an order for 150 stand of arms and 1500 flints ; and on the 13th, an
order was drawn to him for 150 knapsacks and cartridge boxes,
and 350 canteens, for the county militia.
Feb. 19, 1778. — A report was made to the Executive Council
that Col. Mark Bird had sent by water to Philadelphia 1000 bar
rels of flour during some time previous.
Nov. 14, 1780. — George Ege, then lessee of Berkshire Furnace,
supplied the National Government with shot and shell, amotint-
ing to £3894. An account was opened in his books against the
" United States."
Shot: 843, 34-pd.; 3137, 18-pd.; 389, 13-pd.
Shell: 867, 10-in.; 714, 8-in.
SUPPLIES COLLECTED.
And the following items were found, relating to
supplies collected in the county :
Sept. 36, 1775.— The Council of Safety directed an order to be
drawn in favor of the Commissioners of Berks Countj' for £400
towards paying for the arms and accoutrements supplied.
Dec. 1775. — The Council of Safety ordered all the arms belong
ing to the province, found in Berks County, to be collected for
the people and forwarded to Philadelphia as fast as collected.
Aug. 33, 1776.— Order from Council of Safety to Mark Bird for
£107, Ssh., 6d., for arms taken from Non-Associators for the use
of his battalion.

178 REVOLUTION.

Dec. 6, 1776.— Col. Balser Geehr was paid £11, 7sh., 4d. for re
pairing arms and £85, 8sh. for arms taken from Non-Associators;
and at the same time Col. Sebastian Levan was also paid £88, 3sh.,
6d. for arms taken from Non-Associators.
Dec. 11, 1776.— James Old was paid £3000 and John Patton £350
on account of cannon shot which thej' cast for the State. Old
lived in Chester County, but Patton in Berks County.
Dec. 19, 1776. — Three accounts were ordered to be paid for arms
taken from Non-Associators in Berks County, amounting to £131
and charged to the Oth Battalion of Militia commanded by Col.
Daniel Hunter.
In 1777, the proportion of grain for horse feed from Berks
County was 4000 bushels.
June 14, 1777. — Morgan was directed to supply the State with
30 wagons as quota from the county.
Sept. 8, 1777. — Council ordered 100 wagons to be sent to Phila
delphia from Berks Count.y to assist in removing stores of different
kinds, and the property belonging to the families of poor militia
men, in anticipation of Gen'l Howe's invasion of Philadelphia,
In Nov., 1777, in pursuance of orders received, 350 wagons were
sent from Berks County to Philadelphia ; also, a wagon master-
general and wagon masters. When they reached Philadelphia,
the enemy had left, aud the wagons got nothing. Twenty were
taken into service. The men returned and demanded pay. Henry
Christ, Jacob Shoemaker and John Ludwig requested the Execu
tive Council to forward monej' for this purpose. The sum re
quired was between £3500 and £3000.
Council, in writing to Gen'l Potter on Nov. 7, 1777, from Lan
caster, as to a supply of muskets from the several counties, stated :
" Berks, we dare say, will not be behind. Col. Morgan has been
successful heretofore. Bucks and the two other older counties,
[meaning Philadelphia and Chester] are less under notice here."
Jan. 15, 1778. — Congress ordered 8000 barrels of flour to be de
posited at or near Reading.
Jan. 30, 1778. — The county was ordered to furnish 50 wagons
for immediate service of the army as her quota of 380 wagons.
In 1778, the supplies at Reading were large and valuable : and
then Congress requested the State to station 300 militia at this
point to defend the magazines of military stores, and keep
communications secure from sudden incursion of the enemy.
The Executive Council made such an order.

REVOLUTION. 179
Feb. 10, 1778.— Col. Lutterloh reported to Gen'l Washington that
he found a considerable quantity of clothing collected at Reading,
waiting for an order to be sent forward.
Feb. 18, 1778. — Berks Countj' was ordered to furnish a quota of
33 wagons.
Feb. 30, 1778.— Ordered that the sum of £34,000 be sent by Col.
Jacob Morgan to Valentine Eckert and John Lesher for pur
chasing supplies; also an order to the treasurer for £150 for recruit
ing, etc.
Feb. 30, 1778.— Col. Joseph Cowperthwaite, of Lancaster, was
appointed storekeeper at Reading. He had been colonel of the Sth
Battalion of Pennsylvania troops for a time.
May 18, 1778. — The quota of tax levied from Berks County for
the year 1778, for the purposes of war, was £16,544.
By the correspondence of James Young, the Wagon-Master-Gen
eral of Pennsylvania, it appears that he was stationed at Reading
from February to May in 1778. In March, he reported the wagons of
the countj' as constantly employed in carrying flour and forage to
the Schuylkill, and thence the articles were transported by water,
because then the roads were almost impassible with loaded
wagons. Col. Lutterloh, the Quarter-Master-General of Washing
ton's Armj', was stationed at Reading with Mr. Young during
March, and was ill for a time.
Sep. 37, 1778. — A quota of 110 wagons was ordered from Berks
County to carry provisions from Philadelphia to New AVindsor
without delay.
June 11, 1779. — A warrant was issued to the Wagon Master of
Berks County to supply 60 wagons ; and on October 10, following,
30 wagons.
In June 1779, Col. Jacob Morgan, Jr. , addressed a letter to the Ex
ecutive Council in which he stated that he had sent into service 36
good Continental teams and 54 spare horses; also a brigade of 13
teams properly equipped. And prompted by a hopeful, enthu
siastic spirit, he concluded the letter by adding; "There shall not
be an idle horse in the county that is fit for the service. I made
myself so bare that I put all the public riding horses into teams and
one of my own. I am determined that neither man nor horse that is
in the public service shall eat idle bread in this countj'. I think
we should now exert ourselves, as I am in hopes this will be the
last campaign."

I Bo REVOLUTION.
July 13, 1779.— Col. Jacob Morgan, Jr., was required to purchase
and forward immediately to Philadelphia 500 barrels of flour for
the use of the officers of the Continental Line.
In April, 1780, the Executive Council was directed by Gen'l.
Washington to furnish the State out of the supplies at Reading,
with the following articles : 300 barrels of flour ; 500 gallons of
rum ; 180 tons of hay ; and 14,000 bushels of corn.
Col. Nicholas Lotz, as commissioner of forage, reported on June
5, 1780, that he had purchased 40 tons of flour, 173 bushels of
oats and 19 bags ; and on June 19th, he reported the purchase of
10 head of cattle and 40 sheep, which he was obliged to take un
der the law. Cattle and sheep he reported to be scarce, because
many butchers and drovers had come from Philadelphia and other
places and bought them up. On June Sist, an order for £1000 was
drawn in his favor for expenses in purchasing cattle for the use
of the armj' ; and on the same day a demand was made for 40
wagons from Berks County.
The quota of articles, etc., from Berks County to the State in
Jul.y, 1780, was — OOO barrels of flour per month ; 000 bushels of
forage per month ; SO wagons and 300 horses ; and 300 militia ;
and there having been a great want of teams in the armj' then, a
requisition was made on the county to furnish 30 wagons.
It was reported to Council on Aug. 13, 1780, that Col. John Pat
ton, by agreement with Capt. Joj', agreed to supply the Board of
War with 90 tons of shell and shot ; for which purpose he put his
Berkshire Furnace in blast. He was then at work ; but how long
he would continue he could not tell because his workmen were
not exempted from militarj' dutj'. Then they were ordered out,
and unless they were released he could not keep his works going.
He had some Hessian prisoners emploj'ed. These were demanded
from him ; and if they were not returned, his bond was to be put
into suit.
Jtine 33, 1787. — The Executive Council ordered Nicholas Sweyer
to be paid £48, lOsh. for transporting military stores from Oley
Furnace in Berks Countj' to Philadelphia in 1781, pursuant lo a
resolution of the Assembly, September 30, 1781.
Sept. 16, 1789.— Conrad Rielil was paid £9, lOsh. for 16 days'
service in collecting and conducting a brigade of wagons to Read
ing for public service in November, 1781, by order of the AVagon-
Master-General.

REVOLUTION. l8l
By the foregoing orders and returns of supplies col
lected, it appears that the county furnished 512 wag
ons and 48 teams. Each wagon had a team of six
horses, and was in charge of two men. Accordingly,
there were also at least iioo men from the county in
this important branch of service in the Revolution.
SUPPLIES TAKEN IN OLEY IN 1 778.
John Ivcsher, a prominent iron master of Oley, ad
dressed a letter to the Executive Council on January
9, 1778, in reference to supplies for the army that
were forcibly taken from him, and, in order to present
the general situation that then existed throughout the
county as to inconvenience and loss sustained by the
people, it is introduced in this connection :
" I conceive it to be my dutj' to acquaint you that I am no more
master of any individual thing I possess, for, besides the damages
I have heretofore sustained bj' a number of troops and Continental
wagons in taking from me 8 tons of hay, destroj'ed apples suffi
cient for 10 hhds. of cider, eating up my pasture, burning my
fences, etc., and 3 beeves I was obliged to buj' at Ish. per pound
to answer their immediate want of provisions, and at several other
times since I have supplied detachments from the armj' with pro
visions. There has lately been taken from me 14 head of cattle
and 4 swine, the cattle at a verj' low estimate to mj' infinite dam
age, as they were all the beef I had for my workmen for carry
ing on my iron works. I had rather delivered the beef and re
served the hides, tallow, etc., but no argument would prevail, all
must be delivered to a number of armed men at the point of the
baj'onet. As my family, which I am necessitated to maintain, con
sists of near 30 persons, not reckoning colliers, wood cutters and
other day laborers, my provisions and forage being taken from me,
my forge must stand idle, my furnace (which I am about carrying
on) must of consequence be dropt, which will be a loss to the pub
lic as well as myself, as there is so great a call for iron at present
for public use, and some forges and furnaces must of necessity fail
for want of wood and ore.

1 82 REVOLUTION.
" The case in this neighborhood is truly alarming, when the
strongest exertions of economy and frugality ought to be practiced
by all ranks of men, therebj' the better to enable us to repel the
designs of a daring Enemj' who are now in our Land. It strikes
me with horror to see a number of our own Officers and Soldiers
wantonly waste and destroy the good people's properties ; by such
conduct thej' destroj' the cause thej' seek to maintain. Instead of
judicious men appointed in everj' township, or as the case maj'
require, to proportion the demands equal according to the circum
stances of everj' farmer and the general benefit of the whole, these
men, under the shadow of the baj'onet and the appellation Torj-,
act as thej' please, our wheat, rye, oats and haj' taken away at
discretion and shamefully wasted and our cattle destroyed. I
know some farmers who have not a bushel of oats left for seed,
nor beef sufficient for their own consumption, while some others
lose nothing — as a man who has 100 head of Cattle lost not one.
Such proceedings I think to be verj' partial. Manj' farmers are
so much discouraged bv such conduct that I have heard several
say they would neither plow nor sow if this takes place. The
consequence may be easily foreseen, unless some speedj' and
effectual method be taken to put a stop to such irregular proceed
ings, and encouragement and protection extended to the good peo
ple of this Commonwealth. I shudder at the consequence. I
humblj' submit the whole to j'our serious consideration."
MASTS FOR THE U. S. NAVY.
During August, 1780, Captain Dennis Leary was
engaged on the land of James Wilson, Esq., along the
river Schuylkill, some thirty miles north of Reading,
superintending the cutting of masts for the Navy of
the United States, where workmen were employed in
that business, but he and the men were hindered by
depredations of the savages. He informed Council
"that masts suitable not only for our ships but for
those of our illustrious Ally may be cut in that quar
ter ; that, in fact, a number of very fine masts are cut,
ready to be hauled to the river, and that many more
may be procured if protection should be afforded to

REVOLUTION. 183
the workmen." A company of 50 or 60 men was
asked for this purpose.
RECEIPT BOOK OF COL. LOTZ.
In 1893, I saw the receipt book of Col. Nicholas
Lotz in which receipts were taken for moneys paid
from August 12, 1780, to December 5, 1781. The
total amount was $202,033. Some of the items were
reckoned in pounds, shillings and pence, but the most
of them were in dollars. In this we have undoubted
evidence that the county performed her whole duty in
the struggle. A great part of the amount was paid
in currency, which was never redeemed, whereby he
and others suffered great losses.
PROMINENT INDUSTRIES.
Twelve prominent iron industries were carried on
successfully in the county during the Revolution.
They were situated in the four sections of the county,
along strong streams of water, as follows :
Furnaces.
Oley, in Olej', on Manatawny Creek.
Mt. Pleasant, in Colebrookdale, on West Branch of Perkiomen.
Hopewell, in Union, on French Creek.
Berkshire, in Heidelberg, on tributary of Tulpehocken Creek.
Reading Furnace is frequentlj' taken as of Berks Countj', but it
was situated in Chester Countj' not far from the Berks County
line. Forges.
Pine, Spring and Oley in Douglass, District, and Olej', on Mana
tawny Creek.
Mt. Pleasant, in Colebrookdale, on West Branch.
Bird's, in Robeson, on Hay Creek.
Gibraltar, in Robeson, on Allegheny Creek.
Moselem, in Richmond, on Ontelaunee Creek.
Charming, in Tulpehocken, on Tulpehocken Creek.

184 REVOLUTION.
Iron Masters. — The iron masters, who were the
proprietors of the foregoing industries, were Mark Bird,
John Patton, John Desher, David Potts, John Old,
Daniel Udree, George Ege and Christian Lower.
The assessed value of the property of these men in the
different sections of the county amounted to a very
large sum in the aggregate, showing that they were
in a situation to contribute a strong influence towards
the successful prosecution of the war for the Revo
lution. They supplied the Continental Government
with cannon balls, cast iron and wrought iron in var
ious shapes, and they co-operated heartily in the great
social movement for representative government. Their
assistance was of the greatest consequence and cannot
be overestimated. We can take great pride in the fact
that the county then possessed such enterprising, pub
lic-spirited and patriotic men.
Other Industries. — There were other industries that
are equally worthy of mention, such as numerous grist
mills, saw mills, gun factories, wheelwright shops and
blacksmith shops. These were also situated along the
strong streams in different sections of the county and
rendered great assistance to Congress and the Council.
Nicholas Lotz, Sebastian Levan and Daniel Brodhead
were three extensive millers, and Valentine Eckert and
Christian Lower were two influential blacksmiths, who
identified themselves prominently in the public affairs
that related to the Revolution. Knapsacks and gun
barrels were made in different parts of the county. And
numerous energetic, hopeful and persistent farmers con
stituted the very foundation of the public welfare.

REVOLUTION. 185

PRICES DURING THE REVOLUTION.
Prices in October, 1776.
Linen, per yd  ISsh. Wood, per cord  £3
Shoes, per pr  15 " Meat, per lb  lOd.
Salt, per bu  35 " The prices of articles generally
Pork, per quarter  13 " were two and three times what
Butter, per lb  3 " they were before 1775.
In 1777.
Prices in October, 1777, as fixed by the Commissary
General :
AVheat, per bu  8sh., Od. Pork, per 100 lb  $7 and $8
Rye "  8sh., Od. Whiskey, per gall  8sh., Od.
Indian Corn, per bu. . .Osh., 6d. Hay, per ton. 1st crop, £7, lOsh.
Beef, per 100 lb  $10 " " Snd "  £6
Other Prices.
Salt, per bu  £10 and £15 Potatoes, per bu ... .16sh.
Cord Wood, per cord  65sh. Chickens, apiece  lOsh.
When the Committee was appointed on November
8, 1777, to collect clothing, arms, etc., the articles
taken were to be appraised as follows :
New single blanket  £3.
In proportion for inferior kinds.
Strong, large, well-made shoes, per pr  35sh.
Good yarn stockings, per pr  33sh., 6d.
Good well-manufactured cloth, f yd. wide, per yd  30sh.
Good linsey woolsej', 1 yd. wide, per j'd  15sh.
Good linen for soldiers' shirts, 1 yd. wide, per yd  15sh.
Good tow linen, per j'd  Ssh.
The Committeemen were allowed 20sh. per day for
every day employed in performing their duty.

1 86 REVOLUTION.

In 1780.
Col. Nicholas Lotz, as Commissioner of Purchases
for Berks County, addressed a letter to the Executive
Council, dated at Reading, June 5, 1780, in which the
prices of certain articles at that time appear. They
were as follows :
Corn, per bu  5sh., 6d. Flour, per cwt  30sh.
-Oats, "  3sh., 9d. Hay, per ton  80sh.
Buckwheat, per bu  4sh.
He assured the people that the merchants would
take the new money at the same rate as specie ; and
that the money would be received in taxes at one for
forty of the present currency. He offered for hauling
2sh. per ton per mile ; 5sh. for each bag, and 3sh. for
each cask ; which were the lowest prices paj^able in
gold or silver. PAY OF MEN IN SERVICE.
The estimated strength of a regiment in the Conti
nental service in 1776, and the pay of the officers and
men, according to a resolution of Congress in October,
1776, were as follows :
Pay. Rations. Pay. Rations.
Colonel  $75 6 Adjutant  40 3
Lt.-Col  60 5 Q. Master  37A 2
^ajor  50 4 Surgeon  33 3
Captain  40 3 Surgeon Mate  18 3
1st Lieut  37 3 Sergt. Major  9 1
Snd Lieut  37 3 Drum Major  9 1
Ensign  SO 3 Fife Major  9
Regt. Q. M  40 3 Q. M. Sergt  9
Chaplain  33^ 3

REVOLUTION. 1 87
Each company was required to have, in addition to the officers
enumerated, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, 1 drummer, 1 fifer and 76
privates. The allowance for each private was $1 per week, and for each
commissioned officer on recruiting service $3f. Lieutenants of
county, $13 per diem ; Sub-Lieutenants, $10.
Each company consisted of 90 men, including officers, and each
regiment of eight companies, altogether numbering 733 men.
CONTINENTAL PAPER MONEY.
During the progress of the Revolution, the Govern
ment of the United States was compelled to resort to
the emission of "bills of credit " with which to pur
chase army supplies, etc., and to satisfy the demands
of carrying on the war. Gold and silver were not
then known to exist in the country in any quantity
equal to the demands of the war, nor could they be
procured. Direct taxation, though practicable, was
deemed impolitic. The only plausible expedient in
the power of Congress was the emission of bills of
credit, which were to represent specie under a public
engagement of redemption through taxation, or of ex
change for gold or silver. This practice had been
familiar from the first settlement of the colonies ; and,
under proper restrictions, it had been found highly
advantageous. Congress, therefore, resolved, in June,
1775, to emit such bills to the amount of two millions
of dollars ; in July, ordered a million more, and in
November, three millions more ; and for their redemp
tion. Congress pledged the Confederated Colonies.
Subsequently other emissions were made ; and such
was the animation of the times, that these several
emissions, amounting to twenty millions, circulated

1 88 REVOLUTION.
for some time without any depreciation, and com
manded the resources of the country for public service
equally with gold or silver. For a considerable time
the Government derived much benefit from this paper
creation of their own, though it was without any
established funds for its support or redemption. Whilst
the ministry of England were puzzling themselves for
new taxes and funds on which to raise supplies. Con
gress raised theirs by resolutions, directing paper ot
no intrinsic value to be struck off" in the form ot
promissory notes. But there was a point both in
time and quantity beyond which this process ceased
to operate ; that time was about eighteen months
from the date of first emission and that quantity
twenty millions. The rulers thought it still prema
ture to urge taxation, and they, therefore, resorted to
the expedient of further emissions. The ease with
which the means of procuring supplies were furnished
by simply striking off" bills of credit and the readiness
with whicii the people received them, prompted Con
gress to multiply them beyond the limits of prudence,
and a depreciation of their value was the unavoidable
consequence. At first, this depreciation was scarcely perceptible,
but it increased daily, till finally the currency became
worthless. It began at different periods in different
States ; but in general about the middle of the year
1777, and then increased progressively for several 3'ears.
In the latter part of 1777 it was two dollars in cur
rency for one in specie; in 1778, five for one; in
1779, twenty-seven for one ; in 1780, fifty for one.
After 1780, the circulation was limited to certain

REVOLUTION. 189
localities ; but where the currency passed, it depre
ciated to one hundred and fifty dollars for one. In
Pennsylvania, the Executive Council resolved, as late
as February i, 1781, that Continental money should
be received for public dues at the exchange of seventy-
five dollars in currency for one in specie. But an Act
provided that after June ist, following, only specie or
equivalent bills of credit should be received for taxes
or other public dues ; and this rendered the currency
worthless in the State. This extraordinary deprecia
tion brought great loss to many of the people who had
aided the Government in the grand struggle for free
dom. In this respect the soldiers suffered most. The
people of Reading, and especially of the county, met
with considerable losses thereby. Some of them had
large quantities which were transmitted for some time
until lost or destroyed. It was not redeemed.
In the issue of this paper money, certain prominent
men were selected from the different sections of the
several colonies for the purpose of signing the issues.
James Read, of Reading, was selected to sign the Con
tinental notes; and on April 7, 1781, John Patton, of
Heidelberg, was selected to sign the issue of the Penn
sylvania currency for ^500, 000.
Col. Henry Haller, of Reading, was selected by the
Executive Council, on June 14, 1779, to solicit sub
scriptions in Berks County for the loan of twenty mil
lion dollars by Congress.

190 REVOLUTION.

CHAPTER X.
PROCLAMATIONS FOR THE FAVOR OF GOD.
During the Revolution, proclamations were rec
ommended by Congress, requesting the people to
pray for the favor of God, and to co-operate for
success in the cause of free government. These
public expressions indicate the high degree of re
ligious faith which existed during that period. They
are worthy of great praise and admiration. The com
position, arrangement of ideas and selection of words
are superb. Studying them carefully, I am led to say
that the existence of this spirit amongst the people,
especially as influenced and encouraged by men in
political power, was a factor whose importance cannot
be fully measured at this time. Without it, I question
whether the movement of the disconnected colonies,
scattered so far from one another, with little prepara
tion for such a hazardous undertaking against a well-
organized and powerful nation, could have been suc
cessful ; but with it, the people generally were inspired
with hope, confidence, perseverance, determination
and courage, elements that were highly necessary in
warfare, and these led them onward through the most
adverse circumstances to victory.
First Recommendation for Prayer. — The first rec
ommendation for this purpose was made by Congress on
December 11, 1776, in the words following :

REVOLUTION. 1 91
" Whereas, The just war into which the United States of Amer
ica have been forced by Great Britain is likely to be still continued
by the same violence and injustice which have hitherto animated
the enemies of American freedom.
"And Whereas, It becomes all public bodies, as well as private
persons, to reverence the Providence of God and look up to Him as
the Supreme Disposer of all events, and the Arbiter of the Fate
of Nations ; therefore the Congress hereby Resolve —
" That it be recommended to all the States, as soon as possible,
to appoint a day of solemn fasting and humiliation, to implore of
Almighty God the forgiveness of the manj' sins prevailing among
all ranks, and to beg the countenance and assistance of His Prov
idence in the prosecution of this just and necessary War. The
Congress do also, in the most earnest manner, recommend to all
the members of the United States, and particularly to the Officers,
Civil and Military, under them, the exercise of repentance and
reformation ; and further do require of the said officers of the
Military Department the strict observation of the Articles of War
in general, and particularly that of the said Article which forbids
profane swearing and all other immoralities, of which all such
officers are desired to take notice. It is left to each State to issue
Proclamations, fixing the day that appears the most proper for
their several bounds."
In pursuance of this Recommendation, the Supreme
Executive Council of Pennsylvania appointed Thurs
day, the 3rd day of April, 1777, for the said purpose,
and issued a Proclamation accordingly on March 7,
1777. An order was made that it be published in all
the newspapers, English and German, and that 500
copies be printed, (300 in English and 200 in German)
and forwarded by the earliest opportunity to the dis
tant parts of the State.
Appeal for Support in Warjare. — When intelligence
was received that the British were moving towards
Philadelphia in September, 1777, the Executive Coun
cil issued the following earnest appeal to the people
and caused it to be published :

192 REVOLUTION.

A Proclamation.
"The time is at length come in which the fate of ourselves, our
wives, children and property must be speedilj' determined. Gen'l
Howe, at the head of a British Army, the only hope and last re
source of our enemies, has invaded this State, dismissing his ships
and disencumbering himself ofhis heavy artillery and baggage, he
appears to have risked all upon the event of a movement which
must either deliver up to plunder and devastation this Capitol of
Pennsylvania and of America, or forever blast the cruel designs of
our implacable foes.
" Blessed be God, Providence seems to have left it to ourselves
to determine whether we shall triumph in "victory and rest in free
dom and peace, or, by tamely submitting or weakly resisting, de
liver ourselves up a prey to an enemy, than whom none more cruel
and perfidious was ever suffered to vex and destroy any people.
" View then, on the one hand, the freedom and independence,
the glorj' and iiappiness of our rising States, which are set before
us as the reward of our courage. Seriously consider on the other
hand the wanton ravages, the rapes and butcheries which have
been perpetrated by these men in the State of New Jersej-, and on
the frontiers of New York. Above all, consider the mournful pros
pect of seeing Americans like the wretched inhabitants of India
stripped of their freedom, robbed of their propertj', degraded be
neath the brutes and left to starve amid plenty, at the will of their
lordly masters, and let us determine once for all that we will Die
or Be Free.
" The foe are manifestly aiming either bj' force to conquer, or
by stratagem and stolen marches to elude the vigilance of our
brave commander, and declining a battle with our countrjmen
they have attempted to steal upon us by surprise. Thej' have
been hitherto defeated, but numbers are absolutelj' necessarj' to
watch them on every quarter at once. The neighboring States
are hurrying forward their militia, and we hope by rising as one
man, and besetting the foe at a distance from his fleet, we shall
speedily enclose him like a lion in his toils.
" The Council therefore most humbl.v beseech and entreat all
persons whatsoever to I'xert themselves without delaj' to seize this
present opportunity of crushing the foe now in the bowels of our
Country, by marching forth instantly under their respective offi
cers to the assistance of our great General, that he may be enabled
to environ and demolish the only British Armv that remains

REVOLUTION. 193
formidable in America or in the World. Animated with the
hope that Heaven^as before it has done in all times of difficulty
and danger — will again crown our righteous efforts with success,
we look forward to the prospect of seeing our insulting foe out off
from all means of escape, and, by the goodness of the Almightj',
the Lord of Hosts, and God of Battles, wholly delivered into our
hands." On the same day, the 5th and 6th classes of Philadel
phia were ordered out; the next day, every able-bodied
man of Bucks County was ordered to turn out with
his arms, &c., and "those who had no arms were to
take with them axes, spades and every other kind of
intrenching tools;" and on the 12th of September, the
3rd and 4th classes of Berks and Northampton, the
3rd of York, the 4th of Chester and the 2nd of North
umberland. Proclamations for fasting, praise and thanksgiving
were issued in the Spring and Fall of each succeeding
year from 1777 to 1783 by Council, in pursuance of
special recommendations of Congress ; also for victory
over Cornwallis in 1781, and for peace in 1783.
I have not found any written or printed evidence
that these proclamations were generally observed ;
but an intimate association with many people in all
the districts of Berks County in their homes and
churches for thirty years, a study of their manners,
customs and religious convictions as transmitted
almost unchanged from generation to generation for
over a hundred years, and extensive researches into
the social and moral history of their ancestors have
made me sufficiently acquainted to express the opinion
that such appeals during the dark days of the Revolu
tion were thoroughly appreciated by them.

194 REVOLUTION.

CHAPTER XI.
COUNTY INCUMBENTS OF POSITIONS.
The following men from Berks County occupied
the positions named, for the time stated, during the
Revolution*: National.
Delegate in Continental Congress. — Edward Biddle, 1774-5 ;
1775-6; 1778-9.
Secretary of Board of TTar.- Edward Scull, May 16, 1778.
Surgeons. — Dr. Jonathan Potts, Dr. Bodo Otto.
Surveying Department. — William Scull, Jan., 1778 to Sept., 1779.
Deputy Quarter-Master General. — Jacob Morgan, Jr., Apr., 1778
to 1783. State.
Delegates to Provincial Gonference.^3 nne 18, 1776.— Jacob Mor
gan, Henry Haller, Mark Bird, Bodo Otto, Benjamin Spj'ker,
Daniel Hunter, Valentine Eckert, Nicholas Lotz, Joseph Hiester,
Charles Shoemaker.
Delegates to Constitutional Convention. — July 15, 1770. — Jacob
Morgan, Gabriel Hiester, John Lesher, Benjamin Spyker, Daniel
Hunter, Valentine Eckert, Charles Shoemaker, Thomas Jones, Jr.
Members of Assembly. — Edward Biddle, 1774, '75, '78 ; Henry
Christ, 1774, '75; Henry Haller, 1770; John Lesher, 1776; James
Read, 1777 ; Benjamin Spyker, 1777 ; Sebastian Levan, 1777, '78,
'79 ; Daniel Hunter, 1777, '78, '81 ; Balser Geehr, 1777, '80, '81 ;
Jonathan Potts, 1778; Mark Bird, 1778, '80; Gabriel Hiester,
1778, '79, '81; A^alentine Eckert, 1779; Christian Lower, 1779,
'83, '83: George Ege, 1779, '80, '83; Jonathan Jones, 1779; John
Patton, 1780, '83; Thomas Mifflin, 1780 ; Joseph Hiester, 1780, '81;
Benjamin Weiser, 1781 ; John Bishop, 1781 ; Daniel Clymer, 1783,
'83 ; Abraham Lincoln, 1783, '83 ; Nicholas Lotz, 1783, '83 ; John
Ludwig, 1783 ; John Rice, 1783.

REVOLUTION. 1 95
Edward Biddle was Speaker of the Assembly for the year
1774-5. The representation of the county was as follows : Two for the
years 1774 and 1775, and six for the remaining years.
The foregoing Representatives were elected the several years
named for the term of one year.
Executive Councillors. — Richard Tea, (Iron master of Hereford
township) was a Councillor for a time. He was elected in 1776,
and served until April, 1777, when he resigned.
Jacob Morgan, Jr., was qualified on Sept. 3, 1777. He resigned
April 4, 1778, upon accepting the appointment of D. Q. M. Gene
ral. On May 35, 1778, an order was drawn to him for £301, 5sh.,
for attending Council 180 days, including mileage.
James Read succeeded him, and was qualified on June 30, 1778.
On Dec. 1, 1778, he received one vote for President of the Execu
tive Council. He resigned June 4j 1781, and on the 5th, was
elected Register of the Court of Admiralty of Pennsylvania.
Sebastian Levan, of Maxatawny, was also a Councillor, and
officiated from Oct. 31, 1781, to Oct. 15, 1784.
Wagon Master General. — Henry Haller, June, 1779, to Aug. 14,
1780. Jacob Morgan, Jr., Aug. 14, 1780, to 1783.
Superintendent of Commissioners of Purchases. — Jacob Morgan,
Jr., Aug. 14, 1780, to 1783.
Register of Court of Admiralty. — James Read, June 5, 1781.
Prothonoiary of Supreme Court. — Edward Burd, Esq., appointed
Aug. IS, 1778. He continued until Jan. 36, 1786, when he was
re-appointed. County.
Committee on Correspondence. — July 3, 1774. — Edward Biddle,
James Read, Daniel Brodhead, Henry Christ, Christopher Schultz,
Thomas Dundas, Jonathan Potts.
Committee on Observation. — Decembers, 1774. — Edward Biddle,
Christopher Schultz, Jonathan Potts, William Reeser, Balser
Geehr, Michael Bright, John Patton, Mark Bird, John Jones,
John Old, Sebastian Levan, George Nagel, Christopher Witman,
Jacob Shoemaker, James Lewis.
Colonels of Associated Battalions. — 1775. — Edward Biddle, Mark
Bird, Daniel Brodhead, Balser Geehr, Christian Lower.

196 REA^O LUTION.
Standing Committee. — 1775. — Edward Biddle, Mark Bird, Jona
than Potts, Daniel Brodhead, Balser Geehr, Collinson Read, Sec,
Valentine Eckert, Nicholas Lotz, Chairman, Sebastian Levan,
Richard Tea.
Lieutenants of County. — Jacob Morgan, June 9, 1777, to 1780 ;
Valentine Eckert, Jan. 8, 1781, to 1783.
Sub- Lieutenants. — Henry Shoemaker, Christian Lower, Jr., A'al-
entine Eckert, Daniel Udree, Jacob Sweyer, John Mears.
Paymasters of County Militia. — Daniel Hunter, 1776 to Aug. 35,
1777; Henry Spyker, Aug. 36, 1777, to 1783.
Superintendent of Purchases. — John Patton, 177.8.
Commissioners of Forage. — A^alentine Eckert, 1778 ; John Lesher,
1778 ; Nicholas Lotz, 1780 to 1783.
In Oct., 1779, Col. Michael Lindemuth was appointed Commis
sioner to purchase flour for the- French fleet.
Collectors of Excise. — John Biddle, 1774 ; Daniel Levan, 1779-80;
John AVitman, 1780-81 ; Conrad Foos, 1783, 1783.
Waggon Master.— Henvy Haller, 1778 to 1783.
Quarter-Master. — Jacob Morgan, Jr., 1778.
Storekeeper at Reading — Joseph Cowperthwaite, 1778.
Local Committees. — Owing to the aid given by divers inhabitants
to the enemj', the Council in Sept., 1777, appointed committees to
dispose of the property of such offenders and make return of their
proceedings under oath. The following committee was appointed
for Berks County : Thomas Parry, David Morgan, Peter Nagel,
Henry Haller, Daniel Udree, Henry Spyker and Joseph Hiester.
This committee appointed two persons in each district to make
provision for distressed families whose husbands and fathers were
in service. The appointees for Reading were Henrj' Hahn and
Peter Feather.
On Nov. 8, the Council also appointed committees to collect arms,
clothing, etc., from the inhabitants who did not take the oath of
allegiance, or who aided the enemj', and to deliver them to the
clothier-general. The committee in Berks County was — Henry
Christ, Henry Haller, Thomas Parry, Daniel Udree, Philip-Miller,
Nathan Lewis, John Lower, Godfrey Riehm, Jacob Seltzer and
Nicholas Scheffer.
Committee on Attainder and Vesting Forfeited Estates. — 1778 —
Henry Haller, Thomas Parry, David Morgan.

REVOLUTION. 1 97
Auditing Committee. — Francis Richardson, Reynold Keene, Col
linson Read, James Biddle and Henry Haller were appointed
January 33, 1777, commissioners for the countj', to audit and
settle the accounts for arms and accoutrements purchased, the
property of persons lost in actual service, and of those who were
killed, died in service, or were made prisoners.
Judges.— Feter Spyker, 1775-83 ; George Douglass, 1775-83 ; Bal
ser Geehr, 1775-83 ; John Patton, 1775-77 ; Jacob Morgan, 1775-77 ;
Mark Bird, 1775-76 ; Jonathan Potts, 1776-77 ; Daniel Levan, 1777 ;
Sebastian Zimmerman, 1778-83 ; AViUiam Reeser, 1778-83.
Peter Spyker was appointed President Judge of all the Courts
on November 18, 1780.
Justices ofthe Peace. — 1777 — Henry Christ, Reading; Jacob Shoe
maker, Windsor;James Read, Reading; Daniel Hiester, Heidelberg;
Peter Spyker, Tulpehocken; Jacob Weaver, John Old, Amity; John
Ludwig, Exeter; Benj. Shott; Christopher Schultz, Hereford;
Samuel Elj', Richmond ; Jacob Wagoner, Bern; Daniel Rothermel,
Maidencreek; Charles Shoemaker, Windsor; Egedius Meyer; Jacob
Morgan, Caernarvon; Thomas Parry, Union. 1778 — Benjamin
Weiser, Heidelberg ; Michael Lindemuth, Bern; Gabriel Hiester,
Bern. 1780— John Guldin, Oley.
County Commissioners. — Samuel Hoch, 1775-76; Michael Bright,
1775-77 ; Abraham Lincoln, 1775-78 ; Christian Lower, 1777-79;
John Kerlin, 1778-80 ; Adam Witman, 1779-81 ; Thomas Jones,
1780-83; Thomas Parry, 1781-83: Daniel Messersmith, 1783-83;
Michael Furrer, 1783.
Sheriffs.— GieoTge. Nagel, 1775; Henry Vanderslice, 1776-77;
Daniel Levan, 1778-79; Henry Haffa, 1780-81 ; Philip Kraemer,
1783-83. Treasurers. — Christopher Witman, 1775-79; Daniel Levan,
1780-83. Assessors. — The assessors appointed by the County Commissioners
for the years named, were:
1776. — Vernor Stamm, Michael Furrer, Paul Geiger, John Spohn,
John Kerlin, John Egner.
1777. — John Hartman, Michael Furrer, John Robinson, John
Egner, George Kelchner, Joseph Sands.

198 REA'OLUTION.

CHAPTER XII.
AFFAIRS AT READING.
PUBLIC PAPERS REMOVED FROM PHILADELPHIA.
When the Executive Council anticipated the inva
sion of the British Army into Pennsylvania, they re
garded the public papers and documents unsafe at
Philadelphia, and therefore directed them to be re
moved to Reading. On December 4, 1776, they is
sued an order to James Biddle for ;^I5 to pay the ex
pense of removal. I could not find any action of the
Council directing their return. They were doubtless
taken back to Philadelphia about 1778, after remain
ing here for over a year until the tide of warfare
turned in favor of the Confederation.
SOCIAL CONDITION IN 1777.
Alexander Graydon lived at Reading for a time
during the Revolution. In his ' ' Memoirs ' ' he men
tions the situation of social affairs during the Winter
of 1777-78. The following interesting extracts are
presented :
" The steady advance of the English upon Philadelphia dur
ing the Summer of 1777 had thrown the city into a great panic.
Many persons went to Reading as a place of safety — the fugitive
families having been estimated at a score or more. The ensuing
Winter (1777-78) at Reading was gay and agreeable, notwithstand
ing that the enemy was in possession of the metropolis. The
society was sufficiently large and select, and a sense of common

REVOLUTION. 199
suffering in being driven from their homes had the effect of more
closely uniting its members. Besides the families established in
this place, it was seldom without a number of visitors, gentlemen
of the army and others. The dissipation of cards, sleighing
parties, balls, etc., were numerous. Gen'l Mifflin, at this era, was
at home — a chief out of war, complaining, though not ill, consid
erably malcontent, and apparently not in high favor at head
quarters. According to him, the ear of the commander-in-chief
was exclusively possessed by Greene, who was represented to be
neither the most wise, the most brave, nor the most patriotic of
counsellors. In short, the campaign in this quarter was stigma
tized as a series of blunders, and the incapacitj' of those who had
conducted it was unsparingly reprobated. The better fortune of
the Northern Army was ascribed to the superior talents of its
leader ; and it began to be whispered that Gates was the man who
should, of right, have the station so incompetently sustained bj'
Washington. There was, to all appearance, a cabal forming for
his deposition, in which it is not improbable that Gates, Mifflin
and Conway were already engaged, and in which the congenial
spirit of Lee on his exchange immediately took a share. The
well known apostrophe of Conway to America, importing ' that
Heaven had passed a decree in her favor or her ruin must long
before have ensued from the imbecilitj- of her military counsels,'
was at this time familiar at Reading. And I [Graydon] heard
him myself — when he was afterwards on a visit to that place —
express himself to this effect; ' That no man was more of a gentle
man than Gen'l Washington, or appeared to more advantage at
his table or in the usual intercourse of life ; but, as to his talents
for the command of any army (with a French shrug), they were
miserable.' Observations of this kind, continually repeated, could
not fail to make an impression within the sphere of their circula
tion; and it may be said that the popularity of the commander in-
chief was a good deal impaired at Reading.
"Among the persons who, this Winter, spent much time in
Reading, was one Luttiloe, a foreigner, who was afterward arrested
in London on suspicion of hostile designs ; also William Duer,
who either was or lately had been a member of Congress. * * *
There was a Major Stine, a Captain Sobbe and a Captain Wether-
hold, of the Hessians, whom I sometimes fell in with. One old
gentleman, a colonel, was a great professional reader, whom, on
his application, I accommodated with such books of the kind as

200 REVOLUTION.
I had. Another of them, a very portlj' personage, apparantly re
plete with national phlegm, was nevertheless enthusiastically de
voted to music, in which he was so much absorbed as seldom to
go abroad. From that obsolete instrument, the harp, he extracted
the sounds that so much delighted him. But of all the prisoners,
one Graff, a Brunswick officer taken by Gen'l Gates's army, was
admitted to the greatest privileges. Under the patronage of Dr.
Potts, who had been principal surgeon in the northern depart
ment, he had been introduced to our dancing parties, and being
always afterwards invited, he never failed to attend. He was a
young man of mild and pleasing manners, with urbanity enough
to witness the little triumphs of partj', without being incited to
ill humor by them. Over hearing a dance called for, one evening,
which we named "Burgoyne's Surrender," he observed to his
partner that it was a very pretty dance, notwithstanding the
name, and that Gen'l Bnrgoj'ne himself would be happj' to dance
it in such good companj'. There was also a Mr. Stutzoe, of the
Brunswick dragoons, than whose, I have seldom seen a figure
more martial, or a manner more indicative of that manlj' openness
which is supposed to belong to the character of a soldier."
CONWAY-CABAL.
The "Conway-Cabal" was a secret movement by
which it was intended to remove Washington and put
Gates in his place. Conway spent the Winter of 1777—
78 at York, intriguing with Mifflin, Lee and certain
members of Congress to bring about the removal of
Washington. The correspondence between Gates,
Mifflin and Conway, reflecting upon Washington, be-
camfe known through the indiscretion of Wilkinson,
who had seen one of the letters and repeated its pur
port to Stirling. The unfavorable impression pro
duced by this discovery was not removed when Gates,
with some bluster, first demanded of Washington to
know who had tampered with his letters, and then
denied that Conway had written the letter whose

REVOLUTION. 20I
words had been quoted. Mifflin had written to Gates,
informing him that- an extract from Conway's letter
had been procured and sent to headquarters. This
perplexed Gates and caused him to suspect that his
portfolio had been stealthily opened and his letters
copied, and in a state of mental trepidation he wrote
to Washington on the 8th of December, in which,
among other things, he said : " I conjure your Ex
cellency to give me all the assistance you can in trac
ing the author of the infidelity which put extracts
from General Conway's letter to me in your hands."
Washington replied with characteristic dignity and
candor on the 4th of January following, — sajdng,
among other things :
"I am to inform you then, that Colonel Wilkinson, on his way
to Congress in the month of October last, fell in with Lord Stir
ling at Reading and — not in confidence that I ever understood —
informed his aid-de-camp, Major Mc Williams, that General Con
way had written this to you : , ' Heaven has been determined to
save your country, or a weak general and bad counsellors would
have ruined it.' Lord Stirling — from motives of friendship —
transmitted the account with this remark : ' The enclosed was
communicated by Colonel Wilkinson to Major Mc AVilliams. ' Such
wicked duplicity of conduct I shall always think it mj' duty to
detect." Attempts to influence State legislatures proved
equally unsuccessful, and when the purpose of the
"Cabal" became known to the country and to the
army, it met with universal condemnation.
It has been said that this ' 'Cabal' ' was conceived at
Reading, one tradition locating the place of meeting in
a low one-story log building on the south side of Penn
street, 60 feet above Eighth, (which was torn down in
i884),and another tradition in a two-story stone building

202 REVOLUTION.
on the south side of Penn street, 120 feet above Tenth,
called for many years the "Fountain Inn." But these
traditions are not correct. Conway was not at Read
ing but at York at that time. He visited Reading
afterward. Wilkinson was on his way from Saratoga
through Reading to York, where Congress was then
assembled, with dispatches from Gen'l Gates concern
ing the surrender of Burgoyne's Army on the 17th of
October. Accordingly, the people of Reading came
to know of the surrender before Congress.
DUEL AT READING.
Col. Richard Butler's regiment was quartered at
Reading during 1780-81. Most of its oflflcers were
very worthy men. It was commanded by Lieut. Col.
Metzger, in the absence of the Colonel, who was not
at Reading most of the Winter. Metzger was one of
the very few foreign officers who were valuable to the
colonists. There was a Capt. Bowen in the Regi
ment. He was recognized as an excellent officer ; but
he had a warm temper which occasioned some dis
turbance at Reading about that time. On one occa
sion he took offense when none was intended, and on
that account fought a duel with the major of the regi
ment. The duellists each fired a shot, and Bowen had
a button shot from his coat. Their seconds then set
tled the matter between them. An investigation of
the cause of the difficulty was then made. It ap
peared the major was walking with some girls on the
night before, and they burst out laughing just after
Bowen had passed them. Their laughter was caused

REVOLUTION. 203
by the major telling them of his and Bowen's be
ing at a dance on the evening before, when the blind
fiddler broke one of the strings of his fiddle and the
landlady took a candle and held it for him while he
was fitting a new string. This story even set the
seconds to laughing and they all returned in good
humor. Upon another occasion, soon afterward, while
Bowen and Charles Biddle (who was then residing at
Reading) were playing backgammon, at a certain
place, Capt. Bower — an officer in the same regiment,
came into the room and, addressing himself to Bowen,
said: "I hope you are very well, Major." Bowen
immediately started up and replied to him : "Don't
major me, sir ! None of your majors ! You know I
am not a major, sir! What do you mean, sir?"
Bower declared that he had not intended to give any
offense. Bowen then took Biddle into an adjoining
room and inquired if he should not challenge Bower.
Biddle replied to him that ' ' a man who would not
fight on some occasions was not fit to live, nor was a
man fit to live who was always quarreling." They
returned, and Biddle made the captains shake hands,
and so avoided a second duel. Bowen held the ap
pointment of Town-Major for a time.
PRE-REVOLUTIONARY BUILDINGS AT READING.
At Reading three buildings have been permitted to
stand, though erected before the Revolution. The
foundations and walls are the same, but the external
appearance is changed. They are :
Farmers' Inn : Fifth and Washington streets ;
erected as a two-story cut-stone building in 1760 by
Michael Bright, and enlarged afterward.

204 REVOLUTION.
Federal Inn : Penn Square, two-story stone build
ing ; erected in 1763 and subsequently altered several
times ; used as a bank since 1814.
County Jail : Fifth and Washington streets, two-
story stone building, with high wall extensions ;
erected in 1770 by County Commissioners. It was
used as such until 1848, when it was sold and con
verted into a store.
Other prominent buildings during the Revolution,
whose likenesses have been preserved, are the following:
Weiser Store Building : East Penn Square, two-
story stone building ; erected in 1750 by Conrad
Weiser ; destroyed by fire in 1871.
First Reformed Church : Washington and Reed
streets, large stone structure ; erected in 1761 ; torn
down in 1832.
County Court House: Penn Square, two-story
cut-stone building; erected in 1762 ; tom down in
1841. Friends' Meeting House : Washington above
Fourth street, one-story log building ; erected in 1765
and torn down in 1868.
Trinity Lutheran School Building : Sixth and
Washington streets, one-story stone building ; erected
in 1765 ; torn down in 1893.
During that time, there were three churches at
Reading : Trinity Lutheran, Washington below
Sixth; First Reformed; and Friends'. These were
the churches that were used for hospital purposes.

REVOLUTION. 205

CHAPTER XIII. .
CONCLUSION.
INDEPENDENCE AND PEACE.
The surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown on
October 19, 1781, was virtually the end of the war
between Great Britain and America. The news of the
surrender reached London on the 25th of November,
following. Several months afterward, the warfare in
the American Colonies was discussed and its continu
ance discouraged in the House of Commons, a resolu
tion having been passed, declaring that they who
advised the continuation of the war were enemies of
their country. These discussions were continued
with earnestness till they culminated in a preliminary
treaty of peace on November 30, 1782. In the first
article of this treaty, ' ' the independence of the thir
teen United States of America" was recognized.
The treaty was not made final then, owing to the
three allied powers — Great Britain, France and Spain
— having been pledged to one another not to conclude
a treaty except by common consent ; and the consent
of France and Spain was to be obtained. This occa
sioned further delay and obliged the United States to
await the adjustment of the differences between them.
The final treaty of peace was concluded at Paris on
September 3, 1783, arid thereby the United States
were acknowledged to be " free, sovereign and inde
pendent."

2o6 REVOLUTION.
During these two years of negotiation and delay
there were no general military operations. But great
anxiety was felt over the prospects for a permanent
peace. Through the inactivity of the army, the offi
cers and soldiers became restless ; also discontented,
because they were not rewarded for their patriotic
services. An attempt was made by anonymous and
seditious publications to inflame their minds and to
induce them to unite in redressing their grievances
whilst they had arms in their hands. But Washington
succeeded in quieting them. His wisdom and elo
quence elicited from the officers the unanimous adop
tion of a resolution by which they declared ' ' that no
circumstances of distress or danger should induce a
conduct that might tend to sully the reputation and
glory they had acquired ; that the army continued to
have unshaken confidence in the justice of Congress
and their country ; and that they viewed -with abhor
rence and rejected with disdain the infamous propo
sition in the late anonymous address to the officers of
the army." RETURN OF THE SOLDIERS.
In order to avoid the inconveniences of dismissing
a great number of soldiers in a body, furloughs were
freely granted. In this way a great part of the un
paid army was disbanded and dispersed over the States
without tumult or disorder. As they had been easily
and speedily formed out of farmers, mechanics and
laborers in 1775, so with equal facility did they throw
off their military character and resume their former
occupations. They had taken up arms earnestly for

REVOLUTION.

207

political freedom, but when these were no longer nec
essary, they laid them down peaceably to become again
good, industrious citizens as they had been for eight
years devoted and patriotic soldiers. The manner and
time of the return of Berks County troops from the
seat of war have not as yet been ascertained.

REVOLUTIONARY SURVIVORS.
In 1823, there were forty-six survivors of the
Revolution, still living at Reading. During the
gubernatorial campaign of that year, thirty-nine of
these survivors held a public meeting on the 19th of
August, for the purpose of endorsing Andrew Gregg,
the Federal Candidate for Governor. Their names

were :
Peter Nagel.
John Strohecker.
Nicholas Dick.
George Snell.
Henry Miller.
Henry Stiles.
Michael Reifsnyder.
Michael Spatz.
John Snell.
George Price.
David Fox.
Christian Miller.
Jacob Petree.

Andrew Fichthorn.
Peter Stichter.
James Haiden.
John Giley.
John Sell.
Frederick Heller.
John Snyder.
Michael Madeira.
Jacob Dick.
Daniel Rose.
Gottlieb Christine.
William Mannerback
Philip Nagel.

Alexander Eisenbise.
Balser Ottenheimer.
George Slear.
John Bingeman.
John Pox.
Henry Hahn.
Christopher Diem.
George Yerger.
John Row.
Ludwig Katzenmyer.
Christian Hoffman.
Samuel Homan.
Henry Diehl.

Capt. Peter Nagel acted as chairman of the meet
ing, and Michael Madeira as secretary. Daniel Rose,
John Strohecker and Balthaser Ottenheimer reported
appropriate resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted. The following expressive and enthusiastic
language was used in the introductory part of the
resolutions :

2o8 REA'OLUTION.

"Ourhoarj' locks and trembling limbs forbid the expectation
that many of us will assemble again in this life on a similar
occasion. AVe wish to retire from the world and its cares, but
when the Constitution of our country is assailed, whose rights
are invaded for which we have seen so much blood and treasure
expended, when the men of the Revolution are denounced as
Tories, because thej' refuse to join the standard of the enemj' of
that constitution and those rights, shall we, who, regardless of
the name of Rebel, and in defiance of British bayonets, once step
ped forward in defence of our country, now shrink from our duty
to that country at the cry of Federalist or Torj', blue light or
Hartford conventionist ? No, forbid it the memorj' of our de
ceased fellow-patriots. No, by the spirit of '76, which is j'et
glowing in our bosoms, we come an united band of soldiers for
life in our country's cause, to rallj' round our constitution, offer
ing our example to the rising generation, and solemnly declaring
that if the public liberties must fall, we are ready to be buried in
the ruins. [Berks and Schuylkill Journal, Aug S3, ISSS.]
The candidate on the Democratic ticket was the
Rev. John Andrew Shulze, a native of Berks County,
but then a resident of Lebanon County. The sur
vivors of the Revolution exerted a strong political in
fluence at Reading, but Shulze was elected by 25,706
majority, and the constitution was not assailed. Its
principles were so successfully upheld by him, and its
provisions carried out, that he was re-elected three
years afterward with little opposition.
In 1840, the Census reported nine surviving Revolu
tionary soldiers in Reading, who were then drawing-
pensions from the State Government, the figures indi
cating their age at that time :
Michael Spatz, 78. AA'illiam James, 79. Henry Stiles, 84.
Peter Stichter, 78. Sebastian Allgaier,83. Joseph Snablee, 84.
Aaron Wright, 78. John P. Na-el, 83. Christian Miller, 85.
In 1846 two still survived — Michael Spatz and
William James.

SKETCHES. 209

BOOK II.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

EDWARD BIDDLE.

Edward Biddle was born in 1732. He was the
fourth son of William Biddle, a native of New Jersey,
whose grandfather was one of the original proprietors
of that State, having left England with his father in
1681. His mother was Mary Scull, the daughter of
Nicholas Scull, who was Surveyor-General of Pennsyl
vania from 1748 to 1 76 1. James, Nicholas and Charles
Biddle were three of his brothers.
On February 3, 1758, he was coinmissioned an en
sign in the Provincial Army of^
Pennsyh'ania and was present
at the taking of Fort Niagara
in the French and Indian War.
In 1759 he was promoted to lieutenant, and in 1760
he was commissioned as a captain, after which he re
signed from the army and received 5000 acres of land
for his services. He then selected the law as his pro
fession, and after the usual course of study at Phila
delphia, most likely in the office of his elder brother,
James, he located at Reading, and soon established
himself as a la-wyer.

2IO REVOLUTION.
In 1767, he was elected to represent Berks County
in the Provincial Assembly, and he was annually re
elected until 1775, and again in 1778. In 1774 and
1775, he officiated as Speaker, but he was obliged to
resign this responsible position on March 15, 1775, on
account of illness. He had previously been placed
upon the most important committees, and had taken
an active part in all the current business.
When the citizens of Reading held a public meet
ing on July 2, 1774, to take initiatory steps in behalf
of the Revolution, they selected Edward Biddle to pre
side over their deliberations, and the expressive reso
lutions then adopted by them were doubtless drafted
by him. His patriotic utterances on that occasion
won their admiration, and they unanimously gave him
a vote of thanks in appreciation of his efforts in the
cause of the rights and liberties of America.
On the same day, while he was presiding at this
meeting, the Assembly of Pennsylvania was in session
and elected eight delegates as representatives to the
" First Continental Congress," and among them was
Edward Biddle, of Reading. When this Congress as
sembled at Philadelphia on September 5, 1774, the
subject which principally occupied its attention was
referred to a committee of two delegates from each
Colony, and Biddle was selected as one of them. They
were directed ' ' to state the rights of the colonies in
general, the instances in which those rights were vio
lated, and the means most proper to be pursued for
obtaining a restitution of them." The able declara
tion, which the committee reported, was earnestly
supported by Biddle, though opposed by his colleague.

SKETCHES. 211
The report of the Pennsylvania delegates to the As
sembly was approved by it, and this action gave Penn
sylvania the credit of being the first constitutional
House of Representatives that ratified the Acts of Con
gress. Biddle was again selected as one of the delegates to
the new Congress, which was to be held on May
IO, 1775. On his way from Reading to Phil
adelphia, by boat, to attend the second convention, he
accidentally fell overboard into the Schuylkill, and
circumstances compelling him to sleep in his wet
clothing, he took a cold, which resulted in a violent
attack of illness. Besides leaving him, a confirmed
invalid for the rest of his life, he was deprived of the
sight of one of his eyes. He was one of the twenty-
two members of Congress who did not sign the " Dec
laration of Independence." His illness may- account
for his non-attendance and non-subscription of that
great document for our political freedom. He was
elected three times as a delegate to Congress. The
first two terms extended from September 5, 1774, to
December 12, 1776, and the last from 1778 to 1779.
I could not find any information of his public actions,
from 1776 to 1779, excepting his attendance of the
meetings of the Committee of Safety at Philadelphia
in the beginning of January, 1776.
The public records in the county offices, especially
in the Prothonotary's office, disclose a large and lucra
tive practice as an attorney-at-law, and this ex
tended from 1760 to the time of his decease in 1779.
It seems to have been as much, if not more than that
of all the other attorneys taken together.

2 1 2 REVOLUTION.
He died on September 5, 1779, at Baltimore, Md.,
whither he had gone for medical treatment. He was
married to Elizabeth Ross, a daughter of Rev. George
Ross, of New Castle, Delaware, by whom he had two
daughters, Catharine (married to George Lux, Esq., of
Baltimore), and Abigail (married to Capt. Peter
Scull.) His connection with this distinguished family
gave him great social and political prominence. After
his decease, notices appeared in various publications
highly complimentary of his character.

O^USi:^-^

MARK BIRD. Mark Bird was
the son of William
Bird, one of the
most prominent
iron men of Berks
County from 1740 to 1762, whose works were situated
near the mouth of Hay Creek, in Union township.
He was born at that place in January, 1739, and
learned to carry on the iron business. After his fa
ther's death, he took charge of the estate, and, by par
tition proceedings in the Orphans' Court, came to own
the properties consisting of 3000 acres of land, three
forges, a grist mill and saw mill. About that time he
laid out a town there and named it Birdsboro. By
the time the Revolution broke out, he had enlarged
his possessions very much and had come to be one of
the richest and most prominent and enterprising men
in this section of the State. The Recorder's office
shows that he also owned at different times various
properties at Reading.

SKETCHES. 213
In the popular demonstrations at Reading for the
Revolution, he took an active part. At the public
meeting on Dec. 5, 1774, he was selected as one of
the Committee on Observation recommended by Con
gress, and on January 2, 1775, he was chosen one of
the Delegates to the Provincial Conference, and also
placed on the Committee of Correspondence. He was
also prominently identified with the military move
ments, and at the meeting at Lancaster on July 4,
1776, for the election of two Brigadier-Generals, he
received seven votes. During the years 1775 and 1776,
he officiated as one of the Judges of the County
Courts. In 1775 and 1776, Mark Bird was the Lieutenant-
Colonel of the 2nd Battalion of the County Militia,
which was formed out of companies in the vicinity of
Birdsboro ; and in August, 1776, as a colonel, he fitted
out 300 men of his battalion with uniforms, tents and
provisions at his own expense. I could not ascertain
that he led them into any engagement. They were
in service at or near South Amboy in the Fall of
1776, and may have constituted a part of the " Flying
Camp." In 1785, his landed possessions in Berks County in
cluded 8000 acres, upon which were the extensive
iron works at Birdsboro, and also the Hopewell Fur
nace on Six Penny Creek, which he had erected about
1765. And it is said that he owned large property
interests in New Jersey and Maryland. The wide
distribution of his investments led him to remark
boastfully upon one occasion that he could not be
overcome by fire, wind or water. By a strange coin-

214 REVOLUTION.
cidence, he actually became embarrassed by losses
through fire, wind and water in the several localities
where his posses,sions were situated, and in 1786, he
was compelled to make an assignment of his estate
for the benefit of creditors. About 1788, he removed
to North Carolina, where he died some years after
ward, the exact place and time I have not been able
to ascertain.
He was married in 1763, to Mary Ross, a daughter
of Rev. George Ross, by whom he had children, but
the number and names could not be ascertained. He
was a brother-in-law of Edward Biddle ; also of George
Ross, of Lancaster, a signer of the Declaration of
Independence.

JACOB BOWER. Jacob Bower was born
in 1757 and entered the
Revolution as first lieuten
ant in the company of Capt.
Benjamin Weiser, which
was raised in Heidelberg
township, in the vicinity
of Womelsdorf At that
time he was still a young man under age. Subse
quently, he was promoted to captain, and as such
served until peace was declared in 1783. At the close
of the war, he settled at Reading and became a promi
nent county official. He first filled the office of
sheriff" for one term, from 1788 to 1790 ; then county

SKETCHES. 215
commissioner, from 1790 to 1793 ; recorder, register
and clerk of the Orphans' Court, from 1792 to 1798 ;
and county auditor for the years 1799 and 1800. Some
time after 1800, he removed to Womelsdorf and be
came an invalid, where he died Aug. 3, 1818.
The following obituary notice appeared in the
Berks and Schuylkill Journal, Aug. 8, 18 18, at the
time of his decease :
" Died at Womelsdorf, in this countj-, on Monday last, after a
tedious and severe illness, aged 01 j'ears, Gen'l Jacob Bower. The
deceased was a faithful and active officer during the whole of the
Revolutionary war. He sacrificed at the shrine of Liberty a
large patrimony, but, like many other veterans of the Revolution,
was doomed to feel the stings of adversitj' in his old age."
He was a son of Conrad Bower, innkeeper, of Read
ing, who died in 1765, and whose widow became the
second wife of Michael Bright.

MICHAEL BRIGHT.
Michael Bright was born November 24, 1732, in
Heidelberg township, Lancaster (now Lebanon)
County, near Sheridan. His father, Michael Brecht,
emigrated from Schriessheim, in the Palatinate, to
Pennsylvania, in 1726, when 20 years old. He
learned the trade of saddler and located at Reading
about 1755. He carried on this occupation success
fully until 1762, when he became an innkeeper and
owner of the Farmers' Inn, on the north-west corner
of Fifth and Washington streets, which is still stand
ing, though enlarged and owned by his grandson.

2l6 REVOLUTION.
Francis Bright. In 1774, he was elected as a county
commissioner and served three years. This position
at that time was one of large responsibility. In De
cember of that year, he was appointed one of the
' ' Committee of Observation ' ' of the county, whose
duties were to collect funds for the relief of Boston,
to watch the disaffected citizens and require them to
give up their arms, and in general to provide for the
common defense. This committee was also known
as the "Standing Committee." He was a man of
considerable character and acquired a large amount of
property. He died at Reading in August, 1814. He
was married twice, first to Sarah Stoner, by whom he
had two sons, Michael and Jacob; and next to Catha
rine Bower (widow of Conrad Bower), by whom he had
three sons, David, Peter and John, and a daughter
Sarah, married to Leonard Rupert.

DANIEL BRODHEAD. Daniel Brod
head was bom
at Albany, N.
Y., in 1725. In
1738, his father migrated to Pennsylvania, and set
tled in Monroe County, now East Stroudsburg,
where he grew up in a frontier life. Their house was
attacked by Indians in 1755. In 1771, he removed to
Heidelbeig township, Berks County, where he pur
chased and carried on a grist mill. Soon afterward, he

SKETCHES. 217
was appointed deputy-surveyor under John Lukens,
Surveyor-General. In July, 1775, he was appointed a
delegate from Berks County to the Provincial Conven
tion at Philadelphia. In March, 1 776, he was appointed
lieutenant-colonel of Miles' rifle regiment ; and in
October following, he was transferred to the 3rd Penn
sylvania Battalion, known as Shee's. On March 12,
1777, he was promoted to colonel of the 8th Pennsyl
vania Continental Line, to rank from September 29,
1776. Upon the capture of Colonel Miles, at the
battle of Long Island, in August, 1776, the command
of the remainder of the battalion devolved upon him;
and he was, in fact, after the battle, in command of
the whole Pennsylvania contingent, being then the
senior officer remaining in the army. Shortly after
ward, he went home on sick-leave, and when he re
joined the .army it was as colonel of the Sth Regiment.
He was stationed at Fort Pitt, in the western part
of Pennsylvania, in 1779 and 1780. His correspond
ence from April, 1779, to October, 1780, while there,
is published in the Appendix to the Pennsylvania
Archives, and covers 173 pages. In January, 1781,
he was transferred to the ist Pennsylvania Line, and
he was still colonel of the regiment in September,
1783. He made some important treaties with the
Indians, and for this he expected to be ordered to
move into the Indian country, but he was disappointed,
the command having been given to Colonel Clark, a
Virginia officer. The war having then been virtually
ended, he was not assigned to any command. It is
believed that he received the appointment of brigadier-
general before the close of the war.

2l8 REVOLUTION.
In 1789, he represented Berks County in the Gene
ral Assembly and participated in the important dis
cussion relating to the alteration and amendment of
the Constitution of 1776. He voted in the affirma
tive. Subsequently, in the same year, when the As
sembly reconvened, he voted for the calling of a con
vention to amend the Constitution. In 1789, he
received the appointment of Surveyor-General of Penn
sylvania, which he held for eleven years. About that
time he removed to Milford, Pike County, Pa., where
he died November 15, 1809.
In 1778, he married the widow of Samuel Mifflin,
of Philadelphia, who was the brother of Gen'l Thomas
Miffiin, afterward Governor of Pennsylvania. They
then lived at Reading, and at her death in 1788, they
were residents of the same place.

EDWARD BURD. Edward Burd was a
practicing attorney at
Reading, • having been
admitted to practice in the courts of Berks County in
1772. He moved to Reading from Lancaster. Wlien
the company of Capt. George Nagel marched to Cam
bridge, in Massachusetts, during July and August, in
1775, Burd was one of a number of devoted and patri
otic sons who went along at their own expense ; and
when the " Flying Camp " was raised, he was chosen
major of Haller's Regiment. In the Battle of Long

SKETCHES. 219
Island, in August, 1776, he was taken prisoner, and
while imprisoned addressed a letter to Hon. Jasper
Yeates, at Lancaster. On August 12, 1778, he was
appointed prothonotary of the Supreme Court, and he
continued to officiate in this position by reappoint
ment until January 2, 1800.

HENRY CHRIST.
Henry Christ was a man of prominence at Reading
in 1760, and officiated
as sheriff" of Berks Coun
ty for the years 1761
and 1762. He showed
a proper enthusiasm in
the first movement at Reading for the Revolution in
1774, and was appointed by Edward Biddle as one of
the Committee on Correspondence. In 1776 he raised
and commanded a company of rifle-men in the cam
paign of Long Island, though not actually engaged
in the battle. In 1777 he was placed on the Commit
tee to collect arms, &c.
Upon his return, he was appointed a justice of the
peace of Reading, and in 1784 he was reappointed for
another term of seven years. While holding this
office he also served as recorder, register and clerk of
the Orphans' Court of the county from 1777 to 1789,
excepting the last-named office for the year 1789 ; and
he was also clerk of the Quarter Sessions for 1779.

220 REVOLUTION.
He died at Reading in August, 1789, and left a
large estate. He had four sons — Henry, Jacob, John
and Daniel — and six daughters — Barbara (married to
John Gallentine), Maria (married to George Spangler),
Catharine (married to Capt. Jacob Graul), Margaret
(married to Jacob Zimmerman), Susanna (married to
Frederick Gossler) and Magdalena (married to Mich
ael Lutz).

PETER DECKER.
Peter Decker was a retired gentlemen at Reading
in 1768, and at the beginning of the Revolution raised
a company which was to have been a part of the regi
ment from Berks County in the ' ' Flying Camp, ' '
commanded by Lt.-Col. Nicholas Lotz, but the
county quota was made up without his company
and it became connected with the regiment com
manded by Col. Robert Magaw, of the 5th Pennsyl
vania Battalion. He participated in the Long Island
Campaign. In i779,he was a resident of Cumru town
ship, where he carried on a tavern until he died in 1784.

GEORGE DOUGLASS.

George Douglass, son of Andrew Douglass, and
Jane Ross, (a daughter of the Earl of Ross,) was born
at Pequea, in Lancaster County, Pa., on February 25,
1726. He removed to Berks County when a young

SKETCHES. 221
man. He was located in Brecknock township in
1757, and by 1760 came to own a large grist mill and
plantation of 247 acres whicii he carried on for some
time. About 1761 he settled in Amity township, and
there he remained until his decease. He served as a
Justice of the Peace of the township named for several
years before 1770, and he officiated as one ofthe Judges
ofthe county courts from 1772 to 1784.
In the organization of Lotz's Battalion for the
"Flying Camp," a company was included that was
commanded by one Douglass whose first name is not
given in the returns. It is believed that George Doug

lass was this captain, for there was no other George
Douglass in the county in 1776, excepting his son
George, and he was only nine years old. The men in
his company resided in Amity township and vicinity.
His wife was Mary Piersol. He died March 10,
1799, and left six children — Richard, Andrew, George,
Elizabeth (married to John Jenkins), Rebecca (mar
ried to Mordecai Piersol), and Bridget (married to
James May.) Andrew, the second son, was married to
Rachel Morgan, a daughter of Col. Jacob Morgan, Jr.

THOMAS DUNDAS.

Thomas Dundas was a prominent merchant at
Reading for many years. He was the third son of

222 REVOLUTION.
the Earl of Dundas. When the feelings of the inhab
itants were being excited in behalf of the Revolution,
he was found among the number that favored the
cause of freedom. He took an active part at the first
public meeting which was held at Reading, on July
2, 1774, and was appointed on the committee to carry
on correspondence with the similar committees from
the other counties of the Province. During the year
1776, he officiated as Prothonotary of the county.
He died at Reading on April 25, 1805, and left a son
William, and a daughter Jane, who was married to
Marks John Biddle, a lawyer at Reading.

CC'T^Z-^i^^^i^

The Weekly Advertiser, a newspaper published at
Reading, made the following mention of his decease
in the issue of April 27th :
"Thomas Dundas was a very respectable inhabitant of this
borough, where he had resided nearlj' forty j'ears. As a man of
business, and as a gentleman of sound understanding and liberal
manners, his death maj' be regarded as a public loss ; but by a
numerous circle of private friends, his memory will be long and
affectionately cherished for his urbanity and social virtues."
He was a particular friend of Dr. Jonathan Potts —
the doctor having appreciated his kindness so highly
that upon his death in 1781, he bequeathed to him
100 guineas in money, and his Revolutionary sword
and pistols.

SKETCHES.

VALENTINE ECKERT.

223

Valentine Eckert was bom at Longasalza, in the
Kingdom of Hanover, in 1733. He came to America
Avith his parents in 1741, who settled in the Tulpe
hocken Valley at a point east of where Womelsdorf
is now situate. He was naturalized in September,
1 76 1. In June, 1776, he was one of the ten members
of the Provincial Conference who represented Berks
County in that important body; and in July following,
he was selected as a delegate from the county to the
Provincial Convention which was assembled for the
purpose of framing a new government founded on the
authority of the people. In 1776 and 1779 he repre
sented the county in the Provincial Assembly. He
was a resi- - ^
dent of Cum- ^.fe^^'U^Si^ '?'^:>^€eh^
ru township
and a blacksmith by occupation. He offered his ser
vices to the Government in the Revolutionary War,
which were accepted, and he commanded a company
of cavalry Associators for a time. He and his com
pany participated in the Battle of Germantown, in
October, 1777, where he was wounded. He was ap
pointed Sub-Lieutenant of the county on March 21,
1777, and served in this office until his promotion to
Lieutenant ofthe County in January, 1781. He con
tinued to act as Lieutenant until the close of the war.
While serving as Sub-Lieutenant, he also acted as a
commissioner for the purchase of army supplies.
In 1784, he was appointed judge of the Court of
Common Pleas of the county and occupied this office

224 REVOLUTION.
for a term of seven years, when, by the Constitution
of 1790, a president judge of all the courts was ap
pointed to take the place of the several judges. In
the Pennsylvania Militia, he was brigade inspector for
the county from April 11, 1793, for a period of 20
years. About the year 1816, he moved to the State
of Virginia, and died at Winchester in December,
1821, in the 88th year ofhis age.

CONRAD ECKERT.
Conrad Eckert was born at Longasalza, in the
Kingdom of Hanover, on February 6, 1741. During
that year his father, John Eckert, emigrated from the
place named to Pennsylvania, and settled in Heidel
berg township, Lancaster (now Berks) County. He
was brought up at farming, and when a young man
became a blacksmith, which he pursued for some
time. When the Revolution began, he was one ofthe
active Associators of the county. As such he com
manded a company which was raised in Heidelberg
township, and became a part of the ist Battalion,
commanded by Col. Henry Haller. This battalion
marched to service in New Jersey in December, 1776,
but the companies left and returned home without
permission, because they had not been paid according
to the terms of their enlistment. Captain Eckert is
the ' ' Captain Echard ' ' mentioned by Gen'l Israel
Putnam as one of the captains who informed him that
' ' their companies had run away to a man, excepting
a lieutenant, sergeant and drummer." His company

SKETCHES. 225
afterwards formed a part of Spyker's Battalion, and par
ticipated in the. campaign at and about Germantown
and White Marsh during the Fall of 1777. In
this service, he was wounded in the battle at the for
mer place, and his health in consequence became so
impaired that he never fully recovered. Subsequently,
in 1778 and 1780, his company was connected with
the 4th Battalion of County Militia.
Upon his return from military service, he carried
on farming on the Eckert homestead, near Womels
dorf, until his death, August 25, 1791. He was mar
ried to Elizabeth Hain, a daughter of  Hain, in
Heidelberg township, by whom he had seven sons, John,
Peter, George, David, Daniel, Solomon and Conrad,
and two daughters, Catharine (married to Henry Co-
penhaven), and Barbara (married to Daniel Reeser).
His remains were buried in the graveyard connected
with Hain's Church.
Col. Valentine Eckert was an elder brother.

GEORGE EGE.
George Ege was bomMarch
9, 1748, and settled in Berks
County about the year 1774, .
when he became the sole
owner of the Charming Forge, a prominent industry
then situated on the Tulpehocken Creek, in Tulpe
hocken (now Marion) township. During the Revolu
tion he was an ardent patriot and supplied the Gov-

226 REVOLUTION.
ernment with large quantities of cannon balls. He
represented the county in the General Assembly for
the years 1779, 1780 and 1782. Upon the adoption
of the State Constitution of 1790, he was appointed
an Associate Judge in 1791, and he served contin
uously until 1 81 8, a period of twenty-eight years, when
he resigned to devote his attention entirely to the
management of his extensive business in the manu
facture of iron.
In 1804, he was the largest manufacturer and land
owner in the county. Then he owned and carried on
the Charming Forge with 4000 acres, Berkshire Fur
nace with 6000 acres, Schuylkill Forge, near Port
Clinton, with 6000 acres, and four large farms in Tul
pehocken and Heidelberg townships, together con
taining 1000 acres. In 1824, the assessed value of all
his property was near $400,000.
He died at his home on the Charming Forge prop
erty, December 14, 1829, aged nearly 82 years. He
had been actively engaged in business from 1774 to
1825, a period exceeding half a century, and for some
years after he had reached the age of three score and
ten. His remains were interred in the cemetery con
nected with Zion's Church at Womelsdorf. His
daughter Rebecca was married to Joseph Old, a prom
inent iron inaster who carried on the Reading Fur
nace in Chester County, and a son Michael was mar
ried to Maria Margaretta Shulze, who was a daughter
of Rev. Emanuel Shulze.
Judge Ege was distinguished for great kindness of
heart and humane impulses. Among his possessions
were many slaves, numbering about forty, and he was

SKETCHES. 227
always known to treat them with much consideration.
Occasionally renegade slaves from the South found a
comfortable home with him and also employment at
one or other of his iron industries. A trusty slave, by
the name of Tom Nelson, is particularly remembered
for his integrity and devotion to the interests of his
master, the Judge, having frequently been intrusted
with large sums of money which he carried from
Charming Forge to the bank at Reading. Judge Ege
was then a director inthe "Bank of Deposit," the
first bank at Reading. When Washington stopped at
Womelsdorf in 1794 on his way to Carlisle, during the
excitement growing out of the "Whiskey Insurrec
tion," Tom was especially desirous of driving his
master to Womelsdorf, not only to enable the Judge
to pay his compliments to the great Revolutionary'
hero and first President of the United States, but to
afford himself the opportunity of seeing him. Judge
Ege was personally known to Washington on account
of his patriotic spirit during the Revolution, and of
his prominence as a large manufacturer of iron, cannon
balls, &c.

BALSER GEEHR.
Balser Geehr was born of German parentage at
Germantown, near Philadelphia, on January 22, 1740,
and removed to Amity township, in Berks County,
when a young man. By the year 1767, he was living
in Oley township, employed as a gunsmith. While
in Oley, he was married to Catharine Hunter (laeger).

228 REVOLUTION.
a daughter of Anthony laeger, and a sister of Col.
Daniel Hunter. In 177 1, he purchased a large planta
tion of nearly 500 acres in Bern township, several
miles to the south of the Blue Mountain, and moved
upon it in 1772.
When the Revolution began, he was a man of large
influence in the northern section of the county, and
upon the selection of a Standing Committee in 1774,
for a proper guidance of popular sentiment in its be
half, he was naturally chosen to represent that sec
tion on this important committee. In the formation
of the Associators
— j^ y of Pennsylvania,
K- Y^€£yho^ Balser Geehr was
/y one of the five del
egates from Berks
County who attended a meeting at Philadelphia in
August, 1775. These delegates were known as the
" Colonels of the Associated Battalions." He took an
active part in the county militia. In 1775 and 1776
he was lieutenant-colonel of the 4th Battalion, which
was composed of companies in the northern section of
the county. In September, 1776, his battalion partic
ipated in the campaign about New York, but I can
not state what particular service was rendered.
He officiated continuously as a judge of the county
courts from 1775 to 1784, and represented the county
in the General Assembty for the years 1782, 1786,
and from 1792 to 1799. These positions show the
popular esteem in which he was held.

SKETCHES. 229
It is stated that he attended a levee given by Presi
dent Washington in Independence Hall, in company
with friends from Reading. In that day, cards were
not commonly used but the names were announced.
Upon arriving at the hall door, he gave his name upon
request, and then it was called out to an usher at the
first landing of the stairway, who in turn called it out
again to another at the doorway of the assembly room,
where it was again announced in a distinct manner.
Not having been acquainted with the custom, this
public use of his name excited him so that he ex
claimed in a loud tone of voice — " Yes, yes, I'm com
ing ; give me time," to the great amusement of other
invited guests about him.
He carried on farming extensively on the Bern
plantation until 1796, and then removed to a farm of
231 acres in Maxatawny township, several miles north
of Kutztown, which he had purchased shortly before.
He died June 19, 1801, and his remains were interred
in a private burying ground near the centre of the
plantation last mentioned.
By his decease without a last will, and the decease
of his two sons John and Jacob also, and his two grand
daughters (the children of Jacob), dying intestate
without issue, the Maxatawny farm became involved
in very tedious and costly ejectment litigation, cover
ing a period of fifteen years. One of the cases in
volving the trial is reported in Outerbridge Reports
(Penna. State) vol. 9, p. 577, (1884); and another in
Crumrine Reports, (Penna. State) vol. 28, p. 311
(1891). The trials excited much general interest

230 REVOLUTION.
amongst the legal profession, and the cases reported
are regarded as leading cases on the subject of title to
land by descent.

ALEXANDER GRAYDON.
Alexander Graydon was born at Bristol, in Bucks
County, Penn'a, on April 10, 1752. He went to
Philadelphia while young and was educated principally
at the Quaker school. He then studied law, but did
not come to be admitted to the Bar at that place. He
was a volunteer in the Revolution, and commanded
a company in the Long Island campaign. In the
capture of Fort Washington, he was taken prisoner.
y y? r^i / Upon his release,
Q-^-^^^^«^f^^lf%^^ he afterward went
u' ^ to Reading and
was admitted to the Bar on May 14, 1779. He car
ried on practice for a time, then removed to Harris
burg, where he died. May 2, 181 8. His remains were
buried in the Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church
burial ground at Philadelphia. While at Harrisburg,
his memoirs were published in 1811. William Gray
don, a practicing lawyer at that place, and the author
of Graydon's Forms, was a brother.

HENRY HALLER.

Henry Haller was a tailor at Reading in 1765, and
in 1775 was engaged as an innkeeper, by wliich time
he had become a man of considerable social and polit-

SKETCHES.

231

ical influence. In the formation of a regiment in
Berks County, as its quota of the 4500 men for the
Flying Camp, he was chosen Colonel, but he did not
accompany the regiment in its march to Long Island,
and did not participate in that battle. Shortly after
ward, however, he commanded another battalion which
went into service in New Jersey.
In the public actions for encouraging the Revolu
tion, he took a prominent part, and next to Edward
Biddle, George Nagel, Jacob Morgan and Bodo Otto,
was as prominent as any
other man at Reading. He yfS^ ^^/O
was a delegate to the Pro- ^<y(&yl/^fM'co^^
vincial Conference in 1776, >7^
and also a member of the c/
Committee of Safety, the
Committee on Attainder, and the Committee to Col
lect Arms, etc. He served as a member of the Assem
bly from 1776 to 1781. During the years 1778, 1779
and 1780, he was wagon-master of Berks County, and
during 1779 and 1780, wagon- master-general of the
Continental Army. The first public office that he
filled was coroner of the county in 1767.
After tlie Revolution, he moved up the Schuylkill
Valley beyond the Blue Mountains, in Brunswick
township, then still part of .Berks County, and there
he died in September, 1793, possessed of a very large
estate. He had eight sons, Frederick, Jacob, Henry,
John, William, Isaac, Benjamin and Lewis ; and two
daughters, Elizabeth (married to William Mears), and
Sarah (married to Samuel Webb).

232 REVOLUTION.

GABRIEL HIESTER.

Gabriel Hiester, a son of Daniel Hiester and Catha
rine Shueler (natives of Witzenstein, Westphalia),
was born in Bern township June 17, 1749. He was
brought up as a farmer and given such an edu
cation as the neighborhood afforded at the school con
nected with the Bern Church. In 1776, he was selected
as one of the representatives from Berks County to
the Provincial Convention for the formation of a Con
stitution. In 1778 he received the appointment of
justice of the Common Pleas Court of the county,
which he held for four years. He was afterward
elected to the Assembly, and represented the county
for eight years, 1782, 1787-89, 1791 and 1802-04.
yy He was in the As-
^^^^^ ritiLt; w
ing a new Consti
tution was discussed, but he voted against the pro
priety of calling a convention for this purpose. He
was Senator from the district which comprised Berks
and Dauphin Counties for ten years, 1795-96 and
1805—12. This continued selection by his fellow-citi-
citizens indicates their confidence in him as a man of
ability and integrity.
He died on his farm, in Bern township, September
I, 1824. He was a brother of Col. Daniel Hiester, of
Montgomery County ; of Col. John Hiester, of Chester
County, and a cousin of Col. Joseph Hiester, of Berks
County. HiSxwife was Elizabeth Bausman, who sur
vived him eight years, dying in the 8 ist year of her

SKETCHES. 233
age. He had four sons, Gabriel, Jonathan, William
and Jacob, and two daughters, Mary (married to Fred
erick A. Shulze), and Elizabeth.
The family name was commonly written Hiester,
but he wrote it, as given, Heister.

JOSEPH HIESTER.
Joseph Hiester was born
in Bern township, Berks
County, on November 18,
1752. His father, John ~— 
Hiester, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1732, in the
25th year of his age, from the village of Elsoff", in the
province of Westphalia, Germany, and some years
afterward settled in Bern township, where he married
Mary Barbara Epler, a daughter of one of the first
settlers in that section of the county.
The son was brought up on the farm until he was
a young man. In the intervals of farm labor, he at
tended the school at Bern Church, and there he ac
quired the rudiments of an English and also a German
education. The homestead was situated about a mile
north of the church.
He went to Reading before he was of age, and en
tered the general store of Adam Witman. He re
mained in the store until 1776, and then, manifesting
an active sympathy for the Revolution, he was se
lected as a delegate to the Provincial Conference. Upon
returning home, he raised a company of men which be-

234 REVOLUTION.
came a part of the "Flying Camp" in the regiment of
Lt.-Col. Nicholas Lotz, and with it participated in the
Battle of Long Island, where he was taken prisoner.
Upon his exchange he returned to Reading, and after
recovering from the effects of his imprisonment, he re
joined the army. He participated in the battle of
Germantown in 1777, and in 1780 commanded a regi
ment which was in service in New Jersey for thirty
days. About the close of the Revolution, he entered into
partnership with his father-in-law, and some years
afterward became the sole proprietor of the store. He
conducted business operations very successfully for a
number of years. Public affairs also received much
of his attention. In 1787, he was elected a member
of the General Assembly and re-elected twice. In
1789, he was chosen a delegate to the Constitutional
Convention, and in 1790, the first State Senator from
Berks County. In 1797, he was elected to represent
this district in Congress and afterward re-elected five
times. After an intermission of eight years, which he
devoted entirely to business at Reading, he was again
sent to Congress in 181 5, and re-elected twice.
While holding this office, he became the nominee
of the Federalist party for Governor in 181 7, and
though not then elected, his popularity was shown in
the vote which he received. He was the first candidate
on the Federal ticket who received a majority of the
votes in Berks County against the Democratic candi
date, and also in the southeastern section ofthe State.
The party naturally selected him in 1820 a second
time as the most available candidate, and he» was

SKETCHES. 235
elected. The election returns reveal the fact that the
devotion of the people of Berks County caused his
election. His numerous friends signalized this
triumph by a grand festival at Reading on November
I, 1820. His administration was characterized by
great activity in promoting the growth of the Com
monwealth, especially through internal improve
ments. He suggested that such improvements could
be made advantageously, and domestic manufac
tures encouraged with success, and that there ex
isted an imperative duty to support a liberal system
of education. At the end ofhis term he lived in retire
ment at Reading. He died June 10, 1832. His re
mains were interred in the burying ground of the Re
formed Church, and some years afterward removed to
the Charles Evans Cemetery. He had a son, John S.
Hiester, and four daughters.

DANIEL HUNTER.
The parents of ^-— ^ ^_
Daniel Hunter were ^ZJa...*tyUL^ (^(ooc^rv^^e/^c/
emigrants from Ger
many, amongst the early settlers of Oley town
ship. The name was laeger in German. He was
born in this township on April 8, 1742, and carried
on farming all his life. At the breaking out of the
Revolution, he manifested an earnest interest in
public aff"airs. His prominence and patriotic spirit
led to his selection as a representative from the county
to the Provincial Conference in June, 1776, and to

236 REVOLUTION.
the Convention in July following. The Supreme
Executive Council appointed him a paymaster of
the militia in 1776, and he served in this position
until August, 1777. In militia affairs he was particu
larly prominent. In the Winter and Fall of 1777,
he commanded a regiment of militia, formed of com
panies from Oley and vicinity, -wfhich was engaged in
the Revolutionary service, first in the campaign about
Trenton, and then in the campaign about the Brandy
wine. He represented the county in the General As
sembly for the year 1782. While serving this office,
he was taken ill, and from this illness he died at
home, February 3, 1783, in the 41st year of his age.
His wife was Maria Lease. He left three surviving
children — Daniel, Frederick and Catharine (who was
married to Jacob Kemp). His sister Catharine was
the wife of Balser Geehr.

THOMAS JONES, JR.
Thomas Jones, Jr., was a
son of Thomas Jones, an
early Welsh settler in Cum
ru township, who took up
a large tract of land in 1735. He was born in 1742
in this township, and was brought up to farming.
At the beginning of the Revolution, he assisted in
organizing the Associators of Berks County, and was
in active service for a time as a major in one of the bat
talions. He was a member of the first Constitutional
Convention from Berks County, and he also served as

SKETCHES. 237
a county commissioner for two terms, from 1779 to
1782, and from 1783 to 1786. He died in 1800, aged
58 years. His residence was in Heidelberg township.
He left one son, Samuel, and four daughters — Martha,
Susanna, Sarah and Mary.

JOHN LESHER.
' John Lesher was a
native of Germany.
He was born Janu
ary 5, 171 1, the only
son and heir-at-law
of Nicholas Lesher. He emigrated to Pennsylvania
in 1734, and was naturalized in 1743. He first settled
in the upper section of Bucks County, but subse
quently removed to Oley township, Berks County.
Along the Manatawny Creek, near the Oley Churches,
he, with two other men ( John Yoder and John Ross),
erected a forge in 1744. This was known as the
"Oley Forge." From that time, for a period of fifty
years, he was prominently identified with the iron in
dustry of Berks County. He represented the county
in the Constitutional Convention of 1776, and served
in the General Assembly from 1776 until 1782. While
in the Convention, he was one of the important com
mittee who prepared and reported the ' ' Declaration
of Rights." During the Revolution, he acted as one
of the Commissioners for purchasing army supplies.
He addressed an interesting letter to the Supreme

238 REVOLUTION.
Executive Council in 1778, relating to the taking of
supplies from him. [See p. 181.]
He died in Oley township April 5, 1794, aged 83
years. He left a wife, two sons, John and Jacob ; and
five daughters — Barbara (married to Jacob Morgan),
Hannah (married to George Focht), Maria (married to
John Potts, Jr.), Catharine (married to John Tysher),
and Elizabeth.

DANIEL LEVAN.
^.___/^ Daniel Levan was
<^^2).2^v.-*^o^2/a^^.^ the son of Daniel
Levan, of Maxa
tawny township, in Berks County, who died in June,
1777. He was born in that township, and, after hav
ing been brought up on a farm, removed to Reading.
He studied law with Edward Biddle, Esq., on whose
motion he was admitted to practice in the several
courts of Berks County on November 11, 1768.
He officiated as the sheriff" of the county during the
years 1778 and 1779, and as the county treasurer from
1780 to 1783. His residence was situated on the
south-east corner of 5th and Cherry streets, and there
he died in March, 1792, leaving to survive him four
sons, Isaac, Daniel, Jacob and Samuel.

SEBASTIAN LEVAN.

Sebastian Levan was born in Maxatawny township,
Berks County. He was a son of Jacob Levan, one of

SKETCHES. 239
the first judges of the County from 1752 to 1762.
He was raised on his father's farm and learned the
trade of miller, which he afterward carried on for him
self At the breaking out of the Revolution, he rep
resented his district on the /? ^ y^
Standing Committee. Sub- ^1^^^^^c^*^^^^a*cp
sequently, he served in the -^"^'-^ \_
the State Assembly during ^
1779 and 1780, and as a Councillor on the Supreme
Executive Council from 1782 to 1784. He was also
active in the County Militia, being colonel of a bat
talion. He died in August, 1794.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Abraham Lincoln was a son of Mordecai and Mary
Lincoln. He was bom a posthumous son in 1736, in
Exeter to-wnship, Berks County, (then part of Phila
delphia County). His father — who died in May of
that year, a fe-w months before his birth — was the
paternal ancestor of Abraham Lincoln, President of

the United States. He was brought up on a farm and
received a fair education. Prior to the Revolution, he
served as a county commissioner from 1772 to 1775,
and continued in office byre-election until 1778. On
March 21, 1777, he was appointed one of the sub-lieu
tenants of the county, but it is not known how long he
served in this position.

240

REVOLUTION.

He represented the county in the General Assembly
from 1782 to 1786, and was a delegate to the Pennsyl
vania Convention to ratify the Federal Constitution in
1787. He did not sign the ratification. He was also
a member ofthe Constitutional Convention of 1789— 90.
He died'at his residence in Exeter township, Jan
uary 31, 1806, in the 70th year of his age. In 1761,
he married Anne Boone, a daughter of James Boone
and Mary Foulke. She was a full cousin of Col.

B^

i^ply- ftome s-PIincolrvQ.-

Daniel Boone, the Pioneer of Kentucky. The Boones
were Quakers and the Lincolns Congregationalists.
Hence it appears by the minutes of the Exeter Meet
ing, October 27, 1761, that she " condoned" her mar
riage to one who was not a member of the Society.
He left four sons, Mordecai, James, Thomas and John,
and five daughters, Mary (married to Joseph Boone),
Martha, Ann (married to William Glassgow), Anna,
and Phebe (married to David Jones).
The above cut represents the building where the
children of Mordecai Lincoln, Sr., were born. It is

SKETCHES. 241
situated about a mile below Exeter Station, several
hundred feet north from the railroad, near a small
stream. An extension was built to the west end.

JACOB LIVINGOOD.
Jacob Livingood, a captain of a company of riflemen
during the Revolution in 1781, was born in Tulpe
hocken township, Berks County, on January 26, 1752,
on the property commonly known as the " Livingood
Mill," which is situated on a branch of the Little
Swatara, within a mile of its outlet into that stream.
His father and grandfather, both of the same name,
had lived there for a number of years, the latter hav
ing migrated from New York in 1729 with a small
colon}' of Germans, under the leadership of Conrad
Weiser. He was brought up to farming and milling.
In the Fall of 1781, he raised a company of rifle
men at and near Womelsdorf for the Continental
Army, which was in service for ninety days. Upon his
discharge and return home, he resumed his avocation
as a miller. For some years afterward, he was en
gaged in the grain business, disposing of the grain
collected at Philadelphia. He was also at Reading
for a time. Subsequently, he returned to Tulpehocken
ahd lived by himself in a small log building, which
was erected by members of the family expressly for
him, on the Mill premises, where he frequently enter
tained the surviving members of his company. It is
stated that the meetings of his Continental associates
were occasions of great hilarity, and he always wel-

242 REVOLUTION.
coined them in his military uniform. So proud was
he of this dress that he died with it on; and out of
respect for his known wishes, he was thus laid to rest
in the burying ground of the Lutheran Church, a
mile west of Stouchsburg. The day of his decease is
not known.

NICHOLAS LOTZ.
Nicholas Lotz was born February 20, 1740, in the
Palatinate, and emigrated to Pennsylvania when a
young man. He first settled in the western section
of the county. Some time previous to the Revolu
tion, he located at Reading and became the owner of
two mills at the mouth of the Wyomissing Creek,
which he conducted very successfully. When the
struggle for independence began, he was prominently
identified with the patriotic movement at Reading.
In January, 1775, he was selected as chairman of the
Standing Committee. He served as a delegate to the
Provincial Conference in June, 1776, and upon his
return home took an active part in the enlistment of
men. He was commissioned a lieutenant-colonel and
participated in the campaign of the " Flying Camp "
at New York, where he was engaged in the battle of
Long Island and taken prisoner. He was admitted to
parole within certain bounds on April 16, 1777, and
exchanged on September 10, 1779. He showed
great interest in Militia afi'airs, being at the head of
the battalion in the central section of the county from
1775 for many years.

SKETCHES.

243

In 1780 he was appointed Commissioner of Forage,
and, as such, purchased supplies for the army until
the close of the war. The Executive Council ad
dressed him as a Colonel and so recognized him.

Col. Lotz represented Berks County in the General
Assembly from 1784 to 1786, and again from 1790
to 1794 ; . and he filled the office of Associate-
Judge of the county from 1795 to 1806. Gov. Thomas
Mifflin gave him the appointment, there having been
great intimacy between them.

244

REVOLUTION.

When Gen'l Washington, while President, was at
Reading, on his way to Carlisle, in 1794, Col. Lotz
was at the head of a party of prominent men who
signalized the occasion by giving a military parade on
Penn Square in honor of the distinguished visitor.
The review was made from the second stor}' of the
"Federal Inn" (now the Farmer's Bank building).
In personal appearance, he was a tall, finely-propor
tioned man, being over six feet in height and weigh
ing about 300 pounds ; and upon that occasion he
attracted marked attention, not only by reason of his
commanding presence, but also of his military, political
and social prominence.

Federal Inn, Penn Square, Reading.

He died November 28, 1807, and left to survive
him eight children : seven sons, Philip, Nicholas,

SKETCHES. 245
Jacob, John, Henry, Michael and William, and a
daughter, Rosa (married to John Yeager). His re
mains were buried in the graveyard of the Reformed
Church, and from thence removed to the Charles
Evans Cemetery.

CHRISTIAN LOWER.
Christian Lower was of German descent. In that
language the name was spelled Lauer, but in writing
it himself he spelled it Lower.
The name of his father. Christian Lauer, appears
in the list of families that migrated from Schoharie in
New York to Tulpehocken in 1723, and his grand
father, Michael Lauer, followed in 1728.
He was born in Tulpehocken township and brought
up to the trade of a
blacksmith. He took ^^7 , _yt_' ' V^
an active part in the (^^^rC^^ZcU^ <:sJo<otAs?
Revolution and was — VL/
prominent in the po
litical affairs of the county for many years. In August,
1775, he was selected as one of the Colonels of the As
sociated Battalions and attended the Convention at
Philadelphia. He officiated as a County Commis
sioner during the years 1777, 1778 and 1779, served
as a Sub-Lieutenant in supplying the quota of troops
from 1780 to the close of the war, and represented the
county in the General Assembly for the years 1779,
1782 to 1785, 1793, 1794 and 1796.

246 REVOLUTION.
Before the Revolution, his father was the owner ot
the Moselem Forge. He was a man of social promi
nence and died possessed of a large estate in September,
1786, leaving to survive him two sons. Christian and
John, and three daughters, Elizabeth (married to
George Holston), Magdalena (married to Michael Ley),
and Catharine (married to Benjamin Spyker).
The son Christian, the subject of this sketch, died
in January, 1807, and left a widow and seven children:
three of age, Elizabeth (married to John Battorf),
Catharine (married to Jacob Kohr), and Magdelena
(married to John Dieffenbach) ; and four under age,
John, George, Margaret and Mar>'. The remains of
both father and son were interred in the burying
ground of Tulpehocken Church.

JOHN LUDWIG.

^z^^^.C^fl^Od^'C^

John Lud
wig was a son
of Dan'l Lud
wig, the eld
er, of Heidel
berg township, where he was born, and raised at farm
ing. At the opening of the Revolution, he was a man
of prominence in the central section of the count}'.
He raised a company of men, which formed part of
the " Flying Camp" in Lotz's Battalion, and it appears
that he and his company were subsequenth' engao-ed
in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. He also

SKETCHES. 247
commanded a company which comprised part of Hies
ter's Battalion in 1780, that was with Reed's Army in
New Jersey.
He was commissioned a justice of the peace in 1777,
and recommissioned in 1784. He was a delegate to the
Pennsylvania Convention to ratify the Federal Consti
tution in 1787, but, with his colleagues, did not sign
the ratification. He served in the General Assembly
in 1782-83, and again in 1788-90 ; and he also served
as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Represen
tatives from 1790 to 1793. In 1795, Gov. Mifflin ap
pointed him a justice ofthe peace, and he was still in
commission at the time ofhis death in July, 1802.

JACOB MORGAN.
Jacob Morgan was the most prominent Revolutionary
character of Berks County from 1777 to 1780, and as
such brought great credit to the county and great
honor to himself
He was born in the district or shire of Csernarvon,
in the northern part of Wales, in 1716, and emigrated
with his father, Thomas Morgan, to Pennsylvania
some time previous to 1730. About that time a colony
of Welsh people, including Thomas Morgan and his
family, migrated up the Schuylkill Valley from Phila
delphia to the mouth of the French Creek, and thence
along and beyond the headwaters of that creek until
they reached the headwaters of the Conestoga Creek,
in Csernarvon township. There they settled and took

248 REVOLUTION.
up large tracts of land. That section of territory was
then a part of Lancaster County, but since 1752 a
part of Berks County. The tract taken up by his
father was in the vicinity of Morgantown. It in
cluded the town plan which he subsequently came to
lay out in 1770, and which he named after the family,
a custom quite common in that day throughout the
county. When the French and Indian War came to aff"ect
Pennsylvania in 1755, Jacob Morgan was 39 years
old, and until that time had been engaged at farming.
In December of that year, he was commissioned as a
captain under the Provincial Government, and he con
tinued actively engaged in this military service until
1760, when he returned home and resumed farming.
For his services, he became entitled to 3000 acres of
land by proclamation of the King of Great Britain in
1763, but it would seem that he did not take up the
land, for in his last will he devised his right to the
grant to four of his children.
When the Revolution began, he was nearly 60 years
of age. In June, 1776, he was selected to represent
the county as a delegate to the Provincial Con
ference, and in July following as a delegate to the
Constitutional Convention; and in 1777, upon the
creation of the office of Lieutenant of the several
counties for the purpose of aiding the Executive

SKETCHES. 249
Council in effectively prosecuting the war, he was
selected by the Council to fill this very important
position. This evidences his distinguished character,
for at that time Berks County possessed a number of
prominent and influential men. In the prompt and
faithful performance of his duties, he was very suc
cessful, the Executive Council in their letters to him
frequently complimenting his energy in having the
county to promptly fill the numerous orders for troops.
He resigned in December, 1780. While filling this
office, he was always recognized as a colonel, and was
addressed as such by the Executive Council.
He officiated as a judge of the county for the years
1768, 1769, 1772, and from 1774 to 1777 ; and as a
justice of the peace for the southern district of Berks
County, which included Csernarvon township, from
1777 to 1791, by appointment for two consecutive
terms of seven years each.
A story, illustrating his courage and self-possession
at an advanced age, is told of him after his retire
ment to Morgantown. About the year 1784, one
evening, while seated in his sleeping room on the first
floor, three masked men entered and demanded his
money or his life. He refused in a positive manner,
and one of them struck him on the head with a club,
which caused him to fall and roll under the bed. In
falling, the table (at which he sat) was upset and
the light extinguished. Just then an indentured
girl, "Patty Barefoot," who was in the room, hid
from fear behind the bed, took his sword (which la^
on a projecting ledge of the partition several feet from
the floor) and handed it to him, when he arose sud-

250 REVOLUTION.
denly, struck out violentl}' in the darkness to the
right and left upon the heads and across the backs of
the intruders, and thus drove them away.
He died at Morgantown on November 11, 1792, at
the age of 76 years, and was buried in the graveyard
of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church at that place.
He left a last will, by which it appears that he died
possessed of a large estate, including over 700 acres of
farming and wood land in Berks County, and the
right to over 7000 acres of land by virtue of grants
from the Government.
He had two sons, Jacob and Benjamin ; and three
daughters, Sarah (married to  Jenkins), Mar}'
(married to Nicholas Hudson), and Rebecca (married
to John Price, an attorney at Reading). Rachel, a
daughter of John Price, was married to Samuel Weth-
erill in 1788.

JACOB MORG.^N, JR.
Jacob Morgan, a son of Jacob Morgan, and com
monly known as Jacob Morgan, Jr., was born in Cser
narvon township, Berks County, in 1742. At the age
of 16 years, he was appointed an ensign, and served in
the French and Indian War at Fort Augusta, then on
the extreme northern frontiers of Berks County. He
also accompanied the second expedition against Fort
Duquesne ; and in 1760, he was a lieutenant in the
2nd Battalion of Associators, acting as an adjutant
under the command of Col. Hugh Mercer.
At an early age he went to Philadelphia, and, after
clerking for a while, became a successful merchant.

SKETCHES.

251

When the Revolution began, he was a man of promi
nence. On December 4, 1776, the Executive Coun

cil of Pennsylvania appointed him Colonel of the ist
Battalion of Associators of the City of Philadelphia
and Northern Liberties. He and his battalion were

252 REVOLUTION.
engaged in the Battle of Princeton, and there on the
field, he received the sword of his friend, Gen'l Mercer,
while attending him in his dying moments ; and
shortly afterward they also participated in the Battle
of Monmouth.
The Executive Council selected him for the posi
tion of Lieutenant of the City of Philadelphia, but he
declined this appointment, doubtless, because he con
templated changing his residence to Reading, for I
find that, in September, 1777, he became the repre
sentative from Berks County in the Board of Execu
tive Council. This election would indicate that he
had moved there some time in April or May. He
continued to serve as a Councillor until April 14,
1778, when he was selected to be the Quartermaster-
General of the county, and then, thinking that by ac
cepting this appointment he could render more service
to his country, he resigned. In 1780, he was also
appointed Superintendent of the Commissioners of
purchases for the army, and of the Wagon-Masters of
the State ; and he served these three highly respon
sible positions in a most faithful and satisfactory
manner until the close of the Revolution.
Certain deeds, conveying real estate in Berks County
to and from him in 1779, describe his residence as of
Reading. The letters to him from the Executive
Council, which are published in the Colonial Records,
were addressed to him at Reading, and those from
him to the Council were dated at Reading, the dates
of both extending from 1777 to 1782.
Shortly after the war, he returned to Philadelphia.
A deed from him for land in Berks County, dated in

SKETCHES. • 253
1791, describes him as a merchant at that place. He
was then, and continued until the time of his decease,
engaged in business with his son-in-law, Andrew
Douglass, under the firm name of Douglass & Morgan.
It is said that this firm was one of the first to manu
facture refined sugar at Philadelphia.
He died on September 18, 1802, in the 6 ist year of
his age, and his remains were interred in the burying-
ground of Christ Church, at the corner of Fifth and
Arch streets, in which were buried the remains of
many distinguished men.
Col. Morgan was married to Barbara Jenkins, of
Reading, by whom he had six children: Rachel (mar
ried to Andrew Douglass), Elizabeth (married to Wil
liam Sergeant), George, John, Jacob and Hannah —
the last three dying, while young, of yellow fever at
Philadelphia in 1793.

DAVID MORGAN.

David Morgan was a brother of Col. Jacob Morgan.
He was born on the Morgan homestead and raised on
the farm. He participated in the Revolution by act-

^j).:,^>UJ(o'

ing on several local committees, being one of the Com
mittee to seize the property of Tories in the county,
and one of the Committee to vest the title to forfeited

254 REVOLUTION.
estates. Upon the decease of his brother, the Colonel,
he was appointed to the office of justice of the peace
of the district, and he continued to fill this position
until his decease. He always resided at Morgantown,
and died there in July, 1812. Four children survived
him, Elizabeth (married to IMichael Bower), James,
David and John.

GEORGE NAGEL.
Joachim Nagel was born at Eisenberg, a town situ
ated three miles from Coblentz, in the southern dis
trict of the Rhenish Province, on February 21, 1706.
He married a young woman of that vicinity, and had
by her four sons, George, Frederick, Peter and John ;
and two daughters, Margaret (married to 
Geyer), and Catharine (married to Elias Youngman).
How many of the children were born there, I was
not able to ascertain. By way of anticipating his
emigration, he sent his eldest son, George, to Penn
sylvania in 1748 for the purpose of examining the
country. The report was evidently favorable, for he
and his wife, and the children still with him, emi
grated in 1 75 1, landing at Philadelphia in the Fall of
that year. Thence he went to Berks County, where
he settled on a tract of land situated in Douglass
township, at the confluence of the Manatawny creek
and its lower tributary, the Ironstone, and erected a
grist mill, which he carried on until his death, July
26, 1795, in the 90th year of his age.

SKETCHES. 255
George Nagel was born at Eisenberg, about the
year 1728. He located at Reading about 1755, and
engaged at blacksmithing. He was enlisted in the
French and Indian War as an ensign, and for a time was
stationed at Fort Augusta. ^,.—^^
He continued in service /? 1/ /^ '
until the close of the war ^.^f^l!i!^^
in 1763, when he returned , ^^ '
to Reading and resumed his trade. When the Revo
lution began, he was imbued with a high patriotic
spirit, and raised the first company of men in Berks
County, which participated in the Massachusetts cam
paign at and about Cambridge. He continued in
active service until 1783, rising to the rank of colonel.
[See page yy:]
Upon his return to Reading, he engaged in the
mercantile business, which he carried on until his
death in March, 1789. The inventory in the settle
ment of his estate shows many unpaid book accounts.
His remains were buried in the Reformed graveyard.
He was married to Rebecca, a daughter of Mordecai
Lincoln, of Exeter township, by whom he had two
children, a son, Jacob, and a daughter, who was mar
ried to Thomas McCartle, of Westminster, Maryland.

PETER NAGEL.

Peter Nagel was one of the four sons of Joachim
Nagel. He was born October 31, 1750, at Eisen
berg, and emigrated with his father to Douglass town-

256

REVOLUTION.

ship, in Berks County, Penn.s>'lvania, in September,
1751. When a young man, he moved to Reading

4^ cAW-^

and learned the trade of hatter, scr\-iiig an appren
ticeship of seven Near.-^ under Samuel Jack.-ion, the
first hat manufacturer at Readino-. He carried on

SKETCHES. 257
this occupation for some years as a journeyman, and
then as a successful manufacturer until 1804.
He was prominently identified with the County
Militia during the Revolution, his name appearing as
a captain in the Returns from 1777 to 1783. The
company under his command guarded prisoners of war
at Reading upon different occasions. He was ap
pointed a justice ofthe peace in 1793 by Gov. Thomas
Mifflin (who was a warm personal friend), and he con
tinued to serve this position by reappointment until
his decease, a period covering over forty years. In
1803, when the County of Berks was divided into dis
tricts for justices of the peace, Reading was made the
first district, and Peter Nagel was selected as one of
the four appointees. He also offlciated as coroner of
the county from 1781 to 1787, and as treasurer of
Reading from 1815 to 1828. His son, Peter Nagel,
officiated as county treasurer from 1835 to 1843 ;
his grandson, Henry Nagel, from 1843 to 1845, and
his great-grandson. Dr. Hiester M. Nagel, from 1873
to 1875.
When Washington was at Reading in 1794, Peter
Nagel participated in the review of the military parade
in honor of the distinguished visitor. Upon that oc
casion he held a reception at his residence (which was
situated on North Fifth street, east side, on the sec
ond lot south of Washington, now constituting the
lower half of the Post Office property), to enable the
citizens to meet the great hero of the Revolution.
Another incident is that he and his eldest daughter,
Elizabeth, attended one of Washington's receptions at
Philadelphia.

258 REVOLUTION.
Capt. Nagel was a portly man, nearly six feet tall,
of fine personal appearance and commanding pres
ence. He died November 30, 1834, and his remains
were interred in the Reformed burying-ground,
whence they were removed to Charles Evans Ceme
tery. He was married twice, first to Barbara Ann
Imler, with whom he had eight children : one who
died in infancy ; Elizabeth (married to William Old,
who was a grandson of Baron Henry William Stiegel),
Sarah (married to Jacob R. Boyer), Mary (married to
George Buehler), Rebecca (married to Nicholas Cole
man,) Catharine (married to Isaac Kimmel), Peter
Nagel and George Nagel ; and then to the widow of
Isaac High (who was the daughter pf William Hotten
stein, and the mother of Gen'l William High, a prom
inent man of the Militia of Berks County), with whom
he had three children : Harriet (married to Daniel
Mears), Susan (married to Jacob Boyer), and John
High Nagel.

BODO OTTO.
Next to Washington, Gates, Miffiin, Wayne and
other leading generals. Dr. Bodo Otto, of Reading,
occupied a prominence and rendered useful services
equal to any other man who was engaged in the great
cause of the Revolution, not on the field of battle,
leading his fellows into danger and death, but amongst
the hospitals as a senior surgeon, caring for and ad
ministering to the sick, wounded and dying soldiers.
And yet his name is not mentioned in history ! He
was born of distinguished parentage in 1709, in the
Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, and was especially

SKETCHES.

259

educated as a surgeon under the authority of the Gov
ernment in the University of Goettingen. In 1755,

." "-N

¦y,-

\\ ^
if
he emigrated with his family from Amsterdam, and
landed at Philadelphia, where he practiced his pro-
26o REVOLUTION.
fession very successfully until 1773, when he re
moved to Reading.
When the Revolution began. Dr. Otto took a prom
inent part in the public demonstrations ; and in the
selection of delegates from Berks County to the Pro
vincial Conference in 1776, the people naturally
looked to him as a thoroughly qualified man. This
was the only representative position that he was en
abled to take, for when the struggle began in earnest,
and hospitals had to be established, he was appointed
a senior surgeon of the hospitals in the Colonies. This
was certainly bearing his share of responsibility in the
cause, and all his time was evidently taken up in the
proper performance of his duty. During the gloomy
and discouraging Winter of 1777-78, while the army
lay encamped at Valley Forge, he was in charge of
the camp hospital, and was assisted by his two sons,
Bodo and John Augustus. Toward the close, the fol
lowing meritorious certificate was issued to him by the
Director of Military Hospitals :
"This is to certifj' that Dr. Bodo Otto served in the capacity of
a senior surgeon in the Hospitals of the United States in the year
1770, and when the new arrangement, in April, 1777, took place,
he was continued in that station until the subsequent arrange
ment of September, 1780, when he was appointed hospital phjsi-
cian and surgeon, in which capacitj' he ofldciated until a reduc
tion of a number of the officers of said department, in Januarj',
1782, was made. During the whole of the time he acted in the
above stations he discharged his duty with great faithfulness, care
and attention. The humanitj', for which he was distinguished,
towards the brave American soldieiy, claims the thanks of every
lover of his countiy, and the success attending his practice will
be a suflicient recommendation of his abilities in his profession.
Given under my hand, the 30th day of January, 1782.
"John Cochbak,
' ' Director of the Military Hospitals. ' '

SKETCHES. 261
In the beginning of 1782, after serving as senior
surgeon for nearly six years, he resumed his practice
at Reading, though then 73 years of age, and carried
it on until his death in 1787. His remains were
interred in the Trinity Lutheran Church lot at the
western end of the building. He was married three
times, and among the children surviving were Bodo
Otto, Jr., and John Augustus Otto, who were brought
up in the same profession and became distinguished
as medical practitioners. He resided on the north
side of Penn Square, midway between Fifth' and Sixth
streets.

JOHN A. OTTO.
John Augustus Otto, a son of Dr. Bodo Otto, was
born in Hanover, Germany, on July 30, 1751, and
emigrated with his father to Philadelphia in 1755.
While living at the latter place, he was given a thor
ough education and specially prepared to practice
medicine and surgery. When his father removed to
Reading in 1773, ^^
he accompanied '^Z^r^ (^
the family. Dnr- /-'^^/V, 
ing the Revolu- ^-^ < --"'^
tion, he assisted
his father in surgical operations and in attending the
military hospitals. After the Revolution, he estab
lished a large practice at Reading and was recognized
as an eminent physician. He served as a justice of
the peace of Reading from 1785 to 1789, and in 1790
he filled the office of prothonotary.

262 REVOLUTION.
He was married to Catharine Hitner, of Montgom
ery County, and died December 14, 1834. His chil
dren were Dr. John B. Otto, Daniel H. Otto, Marga
ret (married to Benjamin Witman), Mary (married to
Hon. Gabriel Hiester), Sarah (married to Jonathan
Hiester, Esq., an attorney at Reading), Elizabeth
(married to Henry Richards), and Maria (married to
Joseph Wood).

JOHN PATTON.
In the transfer of real estate in Berks County, John
Patton is described as residing at Reading in 1764, and
in 1782. In the campaign beginning with the Battle
of Long Island, he commanded a regiment, but the
only mention of it was found in connection with the
march of the company of Capt. John Lesher from
Womelsdorf by way of Kutztown and the East Penn
Valley, to Perth Amboy in 1776. The. regimental
officers were from Tulpehocken and Heidelberg town
ships. In 1774, John Patton was assessed in Heidelberg
township. By the amount of the assessment, he was
evidently a rich property owner. He was married to
the widow of William Bird, and was interested in the
manufacture of iron. By the Colonial Records, it ap
pears that he supplied the Continental Army with
cannon balls.
He officiated as a Judge of the county courts from
1770 to 1777, excepting 1776, when he was absent in
the Long Island campaign ; and he represented the

SKETCHES. 263
county in the General Assembly for the years 1780
and 1782.
I think he came from Philadelphia and was an
elderly man at the time, judging from his marriage to
the widow of William Bird, but where he went to
after 1782, I have not been able to ascertain.
A Col. John Patton is mentioned in the Pennsyl
vania Archives, but from the sketch given there it
would seem that he was a different man from the John
Patton who lived in Berks County.

JONATHAN POTTS.
Jonathan Potts was born in the lower part of Berks
County, April 11, 1745. After obtaining a good edu
cation at Ephrata and Philadelphia, he went to Edin
burgh, 1766. He was accompanied by Benjamin
Rush. They carried letters of introduction from Ben
jamin Franklin. Potts returned in 1767, and gradu
ated at the Medical
Institute of Philadel- '^^1^ -f*^ "^^
phia, at its first com
mencement in 1768.
He delivered the val
edictory oration, and was highly complimented. He
began the practice of medicine at Reading and be
came a noted practitioner. He wrote an article on
"Utility of Vaccination " in 1 771, which was pub
lished in Pennsylvanien Staatsbote. He mentioned
the time small-pox visited Reading, and that 106
children died — one in three who had the disease.

264 REVOLUTION.
He exhibited great patriotism during the Revolu
tion, and represented Berks County at Philadelphia on
several important occasions during 1775 and 1776. In
the beginning, he was Secretary of the Committee on
Correspondence, and after the movement in behalf of
the Revolution was thoroughly started, he became
prominently identified with the surgical department
of the army. In June, 1776, he was appointed Sur
geon for the Continental Army in Canada and at Lake
George. In December, 1776, he was stationed at
Philadelphia, and in April, 1777, at Albany. While
there, he was Director-General of the hospitals of the
Northern Department. Through his zeal in public
service, he was prostrated by illness. He died at
Reading in October, 1781, and left to survive him a
widow and five children : three sons, Benjamin, Fran
cis and Edward ; and two daughters, Mary and Debo
rah. He was a brother of Samuel Potts, Esq., of
Pottsgrove, Montgomery County.

COLLINSON READ. Collinson Read was
/JO,/, y^ one ofthe early leading
^'-+''^nion^km^<^teiZ^:t^ attorneys of the Bar at
\/_^ '" ' Reading. He was ad
mitted to practice on
August 13, 1772. "He distinguished himself as a
profound lawyer, and his publications will be remem
bered in Pennsylvania with high regard, as well by

SKETCHES. 265
the merchant and private gentleman, as by the mem
bers of the Bar. He was of extensive erudition in
the Greek, Latin, French and German languages. In
this accomplished gentleman, there was a peculiar
kindness of heart that disarmed all enmity in his op
ponents, and his exertions of friendship, whether in
or out of the profession, were ever judicious and such
as made him beloved by all his acquaintances. He
died of pleurisy on March 2, 1815, aged 62 years, after
an illness of only two days." — {Weekly Advertiser,
March 4, 18 ij.)
He officiated as register of wills of the county in
1775 and 1776. The Standing Committee selected
him as their secretary in 1775, and he served this po
sition until the close of the Revolution.

JAMES READ.
James Read was born at
Philadelphia. He came to y^mS/y^zP
Reading upon the erection /v ^1
of Berks County in 1752 ; /C^— — — _-«:;:^^Z^
and, by appointment from Ci_^-^^^^'^-l^
the Provincial Govern
ment, filled the county offices of prothonotary, recorder,
register, clerk of Orphans' Court and clerk ofthe Quar
ter Sessions continuously from 1752 to 1776. He was
one of the first attorneys admitted to the Bar at Read
ing, and also practiced his profession while filling the
offices named. The official records are in his own
handwriting and indicate that he was a man of careful

266 REVOLUTION.
habits. He officiated as one of the justices of the
county courts under the Provincial Government, and
served as a member of the Supreme Executive Coun
cil for one term, from 1778 to 1781. He resigned
the office June 4, 1781, "on account of considerations
of duty to his family," and his resignation was ac
cepted the next day. It would seem that he was after
a higher office, for, on June 5th, he was one of six
applicants for the position of Register of the Court of
Admiralty and succeeded in making the appointment
Subsequently, in 1787, he was again elected as a
Councillor from Berks County, and continued until
1790. Under the Constitution of 1776, he was elected
in 1783 as a Censor to represent Berks County in the
Council of Censors, who were " to inquire whether the
Constitution was preserved inviolate in every part."
On April 22, 1785, he was appointed flour inspector
of Philadelphia, and reappointed on April 22, 1789.
The numerous positions filled by him indicate that he
was a man of recognized ability. He owned a number
of properties at Reading at different times. I think
he located at Philadelphia after 1790 and died there.

WILLIAM REESER. William Reeser
Avas born in Bern
township and car
ried on farming for
a time. He officiated as a county commissioner from
1757 to 1760, and after that time located at Reading.
In the beginning of the Revolution, he participated in

SKETCHES. 267
the public meeting at Reading on July 2, 1774, and
he was selected as one of the Committee of Corre
spondence. In September, 1775, he presided at a
meeting of divers inhabitants of the county, held at
Reading, who had conscientious scruples against war,
but expressed a willingness to contribute towards
carrying it. on. He also served as one of the Judges
ofthe county courts from 1778 to 1784. During this
time, he was busy in preparing last wills, for his name
appears as a witness to many of them, indicating that
he was a scrivener. His handwriting was very legible
and rather bold. He died at Reading in June, 1785.
His residence occupied the site of the First National
Bank, on Penn Square below Sixth street.

CHRISTOPHER SCHULTZ.
Christopher Schultz was one of the Mennonite
family of that name in Hereford township, where they
had settled at a very early period in the history of the
county. When the Revolution began, he was a man of
great prominence n /^
in that section, and (%-i/t^pAe/rjJcA
evidently interest- ^ /
ed in the popular
movement for Independence, for he attended the first
public meeting at Reading, on July 2, 1774, and was
appointed on the Committee of Correspondence. On
December 5th, following, he was placed on the Com
mittee of Observation. He also officiated as a justice
ofthe peace ofthat district for one term from 1777 to
1784, and died on September 28, 1789.

268 REVOLUTION.
EDWARD SCULI..
Edward Scull (son of Nicholas Scull, Surveyor-
General of Pennsylvania), was born at Philadelphia
on October 26, 1716. He was educated to pur
sue surveying, and was the county surveyor of
Northampton County
before 1752. He lo
cated at Reading short
ly after the erection of
Berks County, and con
tinued to follow survey
ing until the breaking out of the Revolution, when
he turned his attention to military life. He became
a captain and raised several companies at Reading.
On May 16, 1778, he was appointed Secretary of the
Board of War. He died at Reading, but I could not
ascertain the exact time.

PETER SCULL.
Peter Scull, one of the captains from Reading in
the Revolution, was born at Philadelphia in Decem
ber, 1753. He was the eldest son of James Scull, a
surveyor, and was educated to be an attorney-at-law.
In January, 1776, while residing at Reading, he was
commissioned as a captain in the 3rd Pennsylvania
Regiment. Subsequently, he was aid-de-camp to Gen'l
Washington at the Battle of White Plains, and he
showed such a high degree of accomplishment and gal
lantry that the General recommended him to Congress

SKETCHES. 269
as a worthy candidate for the office of Secretary of the
Board of War. He received the appointment on July
17, 1779. Before this he had served as a major in
the regiment commanded by Col. John Patton, his
commission having been issued on January 11, 1777.
His health failing, he was ordered to go abroad by his
physician, and he left Chester for France on October
20, 1779, on the frigate " Confederacy." On the way,
he died at sea, December 4, 1779. Shortly before, (No
vember 23), he executed a last will, wherein he made
the following bequests: To his friend. Dr. Jonathan
Potts, the thanks of a dying man ; to Alexander Gray-
dan, his pocket pistols ; to George Lux, the sword
which was given to him by his honored father-in-law,
friend and protector, Edward Biddle ; to Col. Morgan
Conner, his green-hilted hanger ; and to Col. John Pat
ton, of Philadelphia, his silver buckles.

CHARLES SHOEMAKER.

Charles Shoemaker was born at Germantown about
the year 1735. His grandfather emigrated to this
country with Pastorius and settled in the vicinity of

Germantown. About the year 1765, he moved to
Windsor township, Berks County, and took up a
considerable quantity of land. He exerted a large in
fluence in politics and business in the upper section

270 REVOLUTION.
of the county. He represented the county in the
Provincial Conference, and also in the Constitu
tional Convention of 1776. In 1777, he was ap
pointed as one of the justices of the peace of the
county for seven years, and at the expiration of his
term he was reappointed, serving, doubtless, till the
adoption of the Constitution of 1790 ; and he also offi
ciated as a Judge of the courts from 1785 to 1790.
The State Assembly in December, 1777, appointed
and empowered him to solicit and take subscriptions
for the Continental Loan, this service having required
a large measure of ability to conduct the duties of the
office with success. He succeeded in obtaining a con
siderable amount of subscriptions from various citizens
of the county. At the close of the war, much loss
was suffered by farmers and merchants from non-
redemption of these loans. The people exhibited
their patriotism to the country by lending their aid in
its , extremity. In November, 1777, he acted as one
of the Commissioners who assembled at New Haven,
in Connecticut, to regulate the price of commodities
in the Colonies.
He represented the county in the General Assembly
for twelve years — 1792 to 1801, in 1810 and in 1812 ;
and in the Senate for four years — 1813 to 1816. After
living a retired life for several years, he died in
April, 1820, leaving to survive him five sons, Samuel,
Charles, Jacob, Benjamin and John ; and three daugh
ters, Sophia (married to Jacob Huy), Catharine (mar
ried to Jacob Dunkle), and Mary (mamed to Benjamin
Kepner).

SKETCHES. 271
JACOB SHOEMAKER.
Jacob Shoemaker, an elder brother of Charles Shoe
maker, was bom at Germantown. He became a resi
dent of Reading some time before 1 768. In that year,
he was elected sheriff" of Berks County, and he was
commissioned for three years. His residence was on
Penn street above Sixth (now No. 607). Being a man

of considerable prominence, he was selected in Decem
ber, 1774, as one of the Committee of Observation.
He died at Reading in September, 1783, and left a
widow, (afterward married to John Kurtz), and five
daughters, Catharine (married to Conrad Foose), Mary
(married to Henry Row), Hannah (married to Christo
pher Nagel), Christiana and Sophia.

JOHN SODER.
John Soder was born in Bern township, Berks
County, where his father, Nicholas Soder, had settled
in the early history of that district of territory, having
emigrated from Berne, Switzerland, in 1735 ; and
he was brought up to farming, which occupation he
pursued until his decease.
He served as a captain four different times in the
Revolution, each time for a period of sixty days, in

272 REVOLUTION.
different years. The record of his enlistments was
obtained from the Pension Office of the United States.
His name appears in the Militia Returns of 1777 as a
captain of the 5th company in the 3rd Battalion, com
manded by Col. Michael Lindemuth ; but I could not
find it in any other connection with the military affairs
of the Revolution. The evidence of his service, how
ever, is unmistakable. Unfortunately, the pension
records previous to 181 2 were destroyed by the British
^ when they took posses-
^>^>^ Ip/LAA- ^''°^ °^ Washington.
V^^^ '^ a^!fJ^ From therecord of Capt.
Soder, I am led to sa}'
that there were other enlistments similar to his, but
they have not as yet been ascertained.
He died in April, 181 7, possessed of a considerable
estate, and left to survive him twelve children : four
sons, John, Daniel, Jacob and Samuel ; and eight
daughters, Barbara (married to Peter Noecker), Marga
ret (married to John Haas), Mary (married to Jacob
Zardman), Elizabeth, Sallie, Henrietta, Esther and
Hannah. He was married twice, the second wife
having been Margaret Eva Angstadt.

JOHN SPOHN.
John Spohn was born in Cumru township, Berks
County, on January 19, 1754, a son of John Spohn,
an early settler in that township. He was brought
up as a farmer, and came to own and carr}' on for

SKETCHES. 273
himself at an early age a farni' of 156 acres in Exeter
township, some distance to the south of Mt. Never-
sink. At the time of his decease, in 1822, he still
owned a farm in that vicinity,' exceeding 200 acres.
When the Revolution begah, he was a young man.
He formed one of the first companies at Reading in
April, 1775, and was commissioned as a captain in
January, 1776. His company, and also that of Capt.
Peter Decker, constituted part of the 5th Pennsylvania
Battalion, and partic
ipated in the move
ments of Washing
ton's Army at and
about New York. They were taken prisoners at Fort
Washington in November, 1776, and held as such
until January following.
He was married to Maria Beidler, a daughter of Con
rad Beidler, a prominent miller of Robeson township,
who owned and carried on for a time the large mill at
the mouth of the Allegheny Creek. Interest in mili
tary matters led his son-in-law, Philip Rush (my
grandfather), to become identified with the County
Militia also at an early age, so that when Berks County
was called to supply her quota in the War of 1812-15,
he became the fife-major of the ist Regiment, 2nd
Brigade, under the command of Maj.-Gen'l Daniel
Udree. He lived a retired life for some years, and died
April 19, 1822. His remains were first interred in
the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, at Sixth and Walnut
streets ; then transferred to the Neversink Cemetery.
He left a widow ; three sons, Adam, Solomon and

274 REVOLUTION.
John ; and four daughters, Catharine (married to John
Ingham), Elizabeth (married to Jacob Kerlin), Barbara
(married to Philip Rush), and Sarah (married to Daniel
Ermold). When I was a boy, possibly 14 years old, I asked
grandfather one day about the early times in a general
way, but he stopped all further inquiry abruptly by
answering that I was too young to be concerned about
such matters. 1 cannot recall the subject I was then
interested in, but the natural bent of my mind dis
played itself. Some years after his death in 1871, I
began my inquiries in earnest, and I have kept them
up unaided ever since.

BENJAMIN SPYKER.
Benjamin Spyker was bom in the Palatinate about
the year 1723. His father, John Peter Spyker, emi
grated to Pennsylvania in 1738, landing at Philadel
phia and proceeding thence shortly afterward to Tul
pehocken township, where he took up a large tract of

land and effected a permanent residence. In 1744,
he was licensed to carry on the business of an Indian
trader ; and subsequently, he enlisted in the French
and Indian War, his business having been destroyed
by the rupture between the settiers and the Indians.

SKETCHES. 275
During this trying period, he wrote a number of im
portant letters in reference to the cruelties of the In
dians and the suff"erings of the people. He was a
neighbor and intimate associate of Conrad Weiser,
and was a saddler by occupation.
At the beginning of the Revolution, he assisted in
organizing the Associators of the county and preparing
them for active military service. In 1776, he repre
sented the county in the Provincial Conference and
also in the Constitutional Convention. He officiated
as a justice of the peace for many years in Tulpe
hocken township, his district comprising the western
section of the county ; and there he commanded a
strong social and political inffuence. He died in Sep
tember, 1802, aged nearly 80 years. He was a brother
of Peter Spyker, Judge of the County Courts.

PETER SPYKER.

Peter Spyker was a son of John Peter Spyker. He
was born in the Palatinate, and emigrated with his

father in 1738, locating in Tulpehocken township
shortly after landing at Philadelphia. He carried on
farming in that township for many years.

276 REVOLUTION.
He was appointed one of the Judges of the county
in 1763, and he continued to officiate by reappoint
ment until his death in 1789, a period of twenty -six
years. He was specially appointed as President of
the Courts in 1780, though he had officiated as such
since 1767. He was the principal judicial officer of
the county during the Revolution. He also served as
a justice of the peace of the Tulpehocken district from
1777. He died in August, 1789, in the township
named, and left to survive him a widow and five chil
dren : John, Peter, Benjamin, Henry and Elizabeth
(who was married to Philip Gardner), with a consid
erable estate for distribution among them under a last
will.

HENRY SPYKER.

Henry Spyker was a son of Peter Spyker, Judge of
the County Courts. He officiated as Pa}'master of
the Militia of the county from August, 1777, to the

close of the Revolution. In the Militia Returns of
1777, his name appears as the Colonel of the 6th Bat
talion, which was composed of companies in the west
ern section of the county, and he continued at the
head of the militia for that section until 1783. In

SKETCHES. 277
the Fall of 1777, he commanded the 5th and 6th
classes, numbering 400 men, in the campaign about
Chestnut Hill and Germantown. He represented the
County in the General Assembly for the years 1785
and 1786.
His residence was in Tulpehocken township, where
he carried on a general store until 1800, when he re
moved to Lewistown, Northumberland County.

DANIEL UDREE.
Daniel Udree was born at Philadelphia on August
5, 1 75 1. I was not able to obtain any information
about his antecedents ; but from the character he dis
played in Berks County for a period exceeding fifty
years, and the property he acquired and successfully
managed, they were evidently of some culture and dis
tinction. The Oldenberg and Odenheimer families
were among his prominent relatives.
His uncle, Jacob Winey, a man of large capital, at
Philadelphia, became interested in the iron industries
of Berks County, particularly in Oley and Richmond
townships, about the year 1768, and he acted as clerk
under him. While serving in this capacity, he resided
on the Moselem Forge property in Richmond town
ship, along the Ontelaunee Creek. In 1778, when
only 27 years of age, he was a part owner of the Oley
Furnace. Subsequently, he became the sole owner of
this prominent industry, and also of the Rockland
Forges, with a landed estate altogether embracing
2700 acres in one connected tract.

278 REVOLUTION.
While still comparatively young, he exerted a large
influence in the upper section of the county ; and
when the Revolution began, his patriotism asserted
itself in no uncertain manner. In 1777, he was
chosen Colonel of the 2nd Battalion of County Militia,
and in the Summer of that year his regiment accom
panied the ist Battalion, commanded by Col. Daniel
Hunter, of Oley, to Chester and participated in the
Battle of Brandywine, where his horse was shot under
him during the engagement. In that year, he was
selected as a member of the two committees on
forfeited estates, and collecting clothing, etc. He was
again elected Colonel of the same battalion in 1778.
Subsequently, for many years, he was prominently
identified with the militia of the county and State.
In the War of 1812-15, he was Major-General of the
6th Division, which included the two battalions that
constituted the 2nd Brigade. His military bearing
was very attractive, and his horsemanship won for him
general admiration.
Col. Udree represented Berks County in the General
Assembly from 1799 to 1803, and also in 1805 ; and
while in this body he advocated in an earnest manner
legislation relative to the internal improvements of
Pennsylvania. He also represented the county in
the National Congress for two terms, from 1813 to
1815, and from 1823 to 1825. While at Washington,
during the latter term, Adams was elected President
by the members of the House. Shortly before the
election, he attended a reception that was given by
Mrs. Adams, and during the course of the evening he
met the distinguished lady, when she, in a quiet.

SKETCHES.

79

pleasant way, alluded to the probable support which
her husband might .receive from the Representatives
of Pennsylvania. "Yes," said he to her, "we are
like the handle of a jug — all on one side," thereby
intimating politely that the great majority of them
were for General Jackson.

In personal appearance, Col. Udree was of medium
height, rather stout but compactly built, and his man
ner of conversation was quick and nervous. Shortly
before his decease, he attended a local celebration of
the "Fourth of July " at Pricetown, and, though 76

280 REVOLUTION.
years old, showed much animation while riding in a
superb manner on a favorite bob-tailed sorrel horse.
He died suddenly from a stroke of apoplexy at his
home on the Oley Furnace property on July 15, 1828,
and left, to survive him an only child, a daughter,
Maria, who was married to Jacob Udree Snyder, to
whom his large and valuable estate descended. His
remains were interred in the cemetery connected with
the Oley Churches.

HENRY VANDERSLICE.
Henry Vanderslice, son of Anthony Vanderslice
and Martha Pannebecker, was born March 9, 1726, in
Providence township, then Philadelphia, now Mont
gomery County, where he was brought up as a miller.
About 1760, he removed to Exeter township, in Berks
County. In 1774, he was elected sheriff" of Berks
County, and held that position for three years.
During the Revolutionary War, he bore a prominent
part in the military affairs of the county ; and when
Congress directed the Declaration of Independence to
be read publicly in the several counties of each Prov
ince on July 8, 1776, he, as the sheriff", performed this
distinguished service at the Court House in Reading.
On November 19, 1789, Daniel Brodhead, as Sur
veyor-General of Pennsylvania, appointed him a dep
uty surveyor. His sureties were Col. Jacob Morgan
and Col. Nicholas Lotz. His surveys were numerous
and noted for their accuracy. He died at Reading
February 10, 1797, and was buried there.

SKETCHES. 281
BENJAMIN WEISER.
Benjamin Weiser, , the youngest son of Conrad
Weiser, was born in Heidelberg township, Berks
County, on August 12, 1744. Upon arriving of age,
he conducted a general store in that township, and
he carried on this business until 1776, when he was
selected as a
Council for the
German Regiment in the Continental Line. His
company was organized out of men from the town
ships of Heidelberg and Tulpehocken in the western
section of the county. It is not known how long
they were in service. They participated in the battles
of Trenton and Princeton.
During the latter part of 1777, his family, it is
believed, removed to Penn township, then in Nor
thumberland County, (now Snyder,) locating in the
vicinity of Selinsgrove. On January 21, 1778, he
was commissioned as a justice of the peace for the
township named, by which it would appear that he
had changed his residence.
Among the Representatives from Berks County in
the General Assembly for the year 1782, there was
one named Benjamin Weiser. This was doubtless
another man, for, on the records in the Recorder's
Office, one by this name, described as a tinsmith by
occupation, lived at Womelsdorf after 1800, and it is
probable that he served this position. Notwithstand
ing this evidence, however, it is possible that Captain

282 REVOLUTION.
Weiser might have returned to this county and been
elected. I could not obtain any facts about him
after 1778.

CHRISTOPHER WITMAN.
Christopher Witman was a cord wain er (shoemaker)
at Reading in 1756, and continued in this employ-
nient until after 1762. In 1774, he was an innkeeper,
his public house having been situated on the south
west corner of Penn Square and Fourth street.
In December, 1774, he was
selected as one of the Com
mittee on Observation, and
he officiated as the county treasurer from 1775 to
1778. He died while holding this position in May,
1778, and left six sons : John, William, George, Abra
ham, Jacob, Daniel ; and a daughter, Catharine.

RETROSPECT. 283

RETROSPECT.
The foregoing sketches include the names of the
most prominent men of Berks County who partici
pated actively in the Revolution. Other men, whose
names are mentioned in connection with military and
representative positions, committees, &c., are equally
deserving of a place in this book, but I found my re
searches for facts too tedious to extend them without
detriment to my regular avocation. I may add that
there are still others who have not been mentioned at
all. They resided in diflferent parts of the county and
contributed their share to the Revolution in various
ways, but their names were not given any public
prominence during the course of prosecuting the war.
Notwithstanding this, they too should be recognized.
If sketches of all these men were prepared, it can be
readily seen that they would fill a volume of this size.
But I did not hope to be able to present so extended
a collection, and I trust the reader will consider the
numerous disadvantages under which I labored before
criticising any imperfections or omissions in this pub
lication. By the sketches given, it is apparent that Berks
County was represented by a class of men who were
truly distinguished for their substantial character, and
that they, together with similar men elsewhere
throughout the Colonies, constituted the foundation
of the political movement of the people for free gov-

284 REVOLUTION.
ernment. My researches in discovering such men af
forded me much pleasure, and I take great pride in
recording their names in this permanent form for the
admiration of their numerous descendants.
In looking back to the time of the Revolution, and
appreciating as well the common desire of the people for
their welfare, as the sacrifices which they made in that
behalf ; and then following the course of human affairs
until now, more especially since 1850, as influenced
— indeed, I may add, if not controlled — by mechani
cal progress, we cannot fail to observe that we have
been gradually drifting away from the liberal prin
ciples which were so boldly announced by the Dele
gates of 1776, in the Declaration of Independence, and
so successfully established in the Constitution of 1787.
Equality, fraternity and individuality stood out before
our Revolutionary ancestors with prominent, compre
hensive and thoroughly appreciated significance ; but
it would now seem that success in commerce and
manufactures, and in the various enterprises which are
largely influenced by steam and electricity, is the
principal consideration of financiers, traders, manu
facturers, speculators and politicians, howsoever ac
complished and with whatsoever sacrifice of local and
individual rights.
This common display of character, mostly to gratify
selfish purposes, may incline a large proportion of the
people to look to the future with distrust and fear. It
may apparently weaken the fraternal spirit of popu
lous communities, and cause harmful tendencies to be
exhibited in different channels with increasing force

RETROSPECT. 285
until civil strife ensues. But we need not feel un
necessarily alarmed. By the experience of mankind
during the past four hundred years, these public inut-
terings are the certain manifestations of a wonderful
and uncontrollable power in the interest of the peace,
comfort and contentment of the people.
The natural elements startle us at times, but when
the lightnings, storms and floods subside, the air is
pure and the sky is clear. It seems that these forces
must visit the earth, even if attended with suffering,
loss and death ; and so it seems that the spirit of social
and political agitation must visit a progressive people
in the course of their development, even if attended
with cruel and destructive warfare. Dictators, rulers
and priests, whether in business, politics or religion,
may flourish for a time in their vain conceits, and
spread extravagant notions in the several affairs of
life, and thereby they may obstruct the course of social
elevation for a time, just as rocks and cascades impede
the flowing waters of winding streams ; but they shall
pass away like a cloud in the infinite sky, and their
influence shall be absorbed by the multitude just as
rivulets from the mountains are at last swallowed by
the sea.
By speculation and imaginary values, some men
may be enabled to reach out hundreds, even thousands,
of miles, and affect the labors, the morals, the hopes
and the fears of the people ; they may build costly
temples for various purposes and win temporary ap
plause ; they may scatter large gifts here and there
with seeming generous hands and awaken great admi-

286 REVOLUTION.
ration ; and they may disturb the social equilibrium by
forcing an unnatural and unjust distribution of wealth
and power. But they cannot alter the course of free
government. It was started centuries ago in the con
victions of the people through suffering and blood
shed ; and nurtured by succeeding generations until
now, particularly through increasing liberality for gen
eral education, it has become an indisputable, inalien
able and imperishable possession.
The will of the people is expressed in their constant
desire for liberty, justice and equality. These princi
ples may again seem weak and presumptuous in the
face of concentrating wealth and power. So were
they apparently in 1776, but they nevertheless pre
vailed against a government that was distinguished for
its worldly greatness and success. By the course of
progress in human affairs, we need not doubt their
ultimate triumph, for they are not weak and changing
creations from the conception of man, but eternal vir
tues from the power of God.

INDEX.

ADDRESS of Provincial Con
ference  45
For Flying Camp  48
Admiralty, Register of Court of. . . 195
Affairs at Reading, 1777-78  198
Allegiance, Oath of Required  66
Oaths Administered in County 69
Appeal for Support in Warfare  191
Army Supplies from County  174
Army Surgeons from County  144
Articles of Association, Preamble
to  41
County Committee Recom
mends  41
Assembly, Members of, from
County  194
Assessors of County  197
Associated Battalions, County
Colonels of.  40, '95
Associators, Address to, for Flying
Camp  47
Companies, what to Consist of 40
County Colonels of.  40
County Committee Recom
mends Articles of.  41
Preamble to Articles of.  41
Recommendation of Congress
as to  39
.attainder. Committee on, of
County  196
Auditing Committee of County. . . 197
BALDY, Capt. Jacob, Company
of in New Jersey  133
Roll of Company  I33
On the Frontier  137
Battalions,Companies and Classes,
Militia System  67
Berks County, Districts of in 1776, 38
Population of in 1776.  38
Resolution of Standing Com
mittee to Support Civil Au
thority  44

Bethlehem, County Troops at  92
Biddle Edward, Chairman of Pub
lic Meeting in 1774  23
Delegate to Congress in 1774. . 27
Member of Assembly  194
Sketch of.  209
Bird, Col. Mark, Battalion of at
South Amboy in 1776  108
Letter from, to Council of
Safety  108
Letter About English Prison
ers at Reading  151
Sketch of.  212
Bower, Capt. Jacob, Company of
in Continental Line  117
Roll of Company  118
Sketch of.  214
Bright, Michael, Sketch of.  215
British Authority, Suppression of
Recommended by Congress. 43
Invasion, not of the County... 126
Brodhead, Col. Daniel, on Com
mittee of Correspondence. . . 24
Appointed a Lieutenant  35
Colonel Of Associators  40
On Standing Committee.... 42, 196
Sketch of.  216
Buildings, Pre-Revolutionary at
Reading  203
Burd, Edward, at Cambridge  80
At Long Island  98
Sketch of.  218
CABAL, Conway  200
Canada Campaign, Jones's
Company in  80
Captains, Names of, from County
in Service  I73
Of County in Continental Line 118
Cause of the Revolution  19
Chester, Two Battalions of County
at  "9

INDEX.

Christ, Capt. Henry, Company of
at Long Island in 1776  86
Roll of Company  86
Services of Company  87
Sketch of  219
Churches at Reading Used as
Hospitals  145
Civil Authority, Support of by the
County  .,  44
Collectors of Excise  196
Colonels, Names of, from County
in Service  173
Of Associated Battalions  40, 195
Commissioners of County  197
Of Forage  196
Committee on Correspon
dence  24, 29, 195
Auditing of County  197
Local  ig6
On Attainder and Forfeited
Estates  196
On Observation  28, 195
Standing  42, 196
To Collect Arms, &c  196
Company Roll of—
Capt. Jacob Baldy  133
Capt. Jacob Bower  118
Capt. Henry Christ  86
Capt. Peter Decker  84
Capt. Daniel DeTurck  94
Capt. John Diehl  115
Capt. Michael Furrer  107
Capt. Conrad Geist  156, 165
Capt. Charles Gobin  130
Capt. Jonathan Jones  81
Capt. Charles Krause  164
Capt. John Lesher  105
Capt. John Ludwig  133
Capt. George Miller  106
Capt. Jacob Moser  116
Capt. George Nagel  77
Capt. Peter Nagel  167
Capt . Ferdinand Ritter  131
Capt. John Robinson  139
Capt. Nicholas Scheffer  115
Capt. Conrad Sherman  132
Capt, John Spohn  83
Capt. Henry Strouch  134
Capt. Bartholomew Von Heer, 128
Capt. Benjamin Weiser  102
Capt. George Will  114
Capt. Michael Wolf.  105

Companies of Associators, what to
Consist of  40
From County at New York. . . 82
At Newtown  113
In Revolution  75
Militia System  67
Of Ely's Battalion on Frontier, 136
Conference, Provincial, June, 1774, 44
Address for Convention  45
For Flying Camp  47
Declaration of Independence.. 46
Deputies from County to  45, 194
Resolutions of, in 1775  31
Congress, Declaration of Inde
pendence by  49
Delegate to, from County  27
Deputies to, at Philadelphia,
1774  27
Letter to, from Standing Com
mittee  90
Recommendation of, for Asso
ciators  40
Representatives to, in 1776  49
Resolution by, to Suppress
British Authority  43
Conscientious Scruples Against
War  53
Resolutions Adopted at Pub
lic Meeting  33
Constitutional Convention ot
Province in 1 776  50
Delegates from County to. . .50, 194
Preamble to Constitution  51
Declaration of Rights  53
Continental Congress, Delegate to 194
Continental Line, County Men in, 116
Captains from County in  nS
Sundry Enlistments in  ..., iiS
Continental Paper Money  187
Conway-Cabal  200
Correspondence, Committee of. .29, 195
Councillors, from County  195
Counties of Province in 1775  S9
County Assessors  197
Auditing Committee of  107
Battalions of, at Chester  119
Captains, Names of in Ser\ ice, 173
Commissioners  197
Committee Recommends .Arti
cles of Association  41

INDEX.

289

County — f Continued.)
Colonels of Associators  40, 195
Committee of Correspon
dence  24, 29
Committee of Observation  28
Delegates to Constitutional
Convention  51, 194
Delegates to Provincial Con
ference  29, 45, 194
Districts of, in 1776  38
English People, Location of in, 35
Enlistments from  141
Forges in  183
Furnaces in  183
Incumbents of Positions-
National  194
State  194
County  195
Industries of.  183, 184
Ironmasters of.  184
Jail Building  204
Judges of.  197
Lieutenants of.  196
Members of Assembly of.  194
Militia, Payments for  149
Paymasters of Militia of.  196
Quartermaster of  196
Sub-Lieutenants of.  196
Support of Civil Authority by, 44
Surgeons of Army  144.194
Standing Committee  42, 196
Troops at Bethlehem  92
Sheriffs  197
Treasurers  197
Troops at Newtown, 1781  138
On Frontier, 1782  141
Orders for  146, 147, 148
At South Amboy  103
Court House Building  204
Cut of.  22
Crumrine, Capt. Stephen, Pay to,
for Poor Associators  146

DAYS of Drill, Militia System, 68
Decker, Capt. Peter, Com
pany of at New York in 1776 84
Roll of Company  84
Services of Company  84
One of First Officers Selected
from County  34
Sketch of.  220

Declaration of Independence by
Congress  49
Read in Berks County  50
Ey Province  46
Of Rights by Constitutional
Convention  53
Delegate Continental Congress, 27, 194
Provincial Conference  29, 194
Constitutional Convention.. .45, 194
DeTurck, Capt. Daniel, Company
of at Bethlehem  93
Marching Order to  94
Roll of Company  94
Pay of Men  95
Order to Organize  96
Deputies, Congress of.  27
Diehl, Capt. John, Company of at
Newtown  115
Roll of Company  115
Districts of the County in 1776  38
Douglass, Capt. George, at Long
Island  90
Sketch of.  220
Drill, Days of, in Militia System, . 68
Duel at Reading  202
Dundas, Thomas, on Committee of
Correspondence  24, 195
Sketch of.  221
ECKERT, Capt. Conrad, at
White Marsh  122
Sketch of.  224
Eckert, Valentine. Lieutenant of
County  196
Sub-Lieutenant of County. . . . 196
Sketch of.  223
Ege, George, Shot and Shell from
to Government  177
Sketch of.  225
Ely, Col. Samuel, Battalion of on
Frontier Service in 1780  136
Battalion of, at Newtown, 1781, 138
English People, Location of, in
County   35
English Prisoners at Reading  151
Conduct of.  152
Geist's Company as Guard  156
Enlistments from County   141

290

INDEX.

Estimate of Men in Service  68, 168
Executive Councillors of County. . 195
Excise, Collectors of.  196
Exempted Persons from Service
in Militia  69

FARMERS' Inn at Reading  203
Farmers of Berks County,
Letter to as to Wool  30
Federal Inn at Reading  204
Cut of.  244
Fines of Militia System  69
Firat Officers Selected from
County  34
George Nagel, Major  34
John Spohn," Captain  34
Peter Scull, "  34
Peter Decker, "  34
Daniel Brodhead, Lieutenant, 35
Flying Camp, Address of Confer
ence for  47
Intentions of Congress Ex
plained  91
Lotz's Battalion in  89
Forage, Commissioners of.  ig6
Forfeited Estates, Committee on. . 196
Forges of County  183
Friends' Meeting House  204
Frontiers, Battalion of Col. Mich
ael Lindemuth on  128
Ely's Battalion on  136
County Troops on in 1782  141
Furnaces of County  183
Furrer, Capt. Michael, Company
of in Patton's Battalion  107
Roll of Company  107
GEEHR, Col. Balser, Battalion
of at Bethlehem  93
Colonel of Associated Bat
talions  40
Judge of County Courts  197
Member of Assembly  194
On Observation Committee.. 28, 195
On Standing Committee  42, 196
Sketch of  227
Geist, Capt. Conrad, Company of
Guarding English Prisoners, 156
Roll of Company  156, 165

Germantown, Reading Officer
Wounded at  123
German Regiment, Weiser's Com
pany in  IOI
Other Men from County in  103
German Prisoners at Reading  163
Germans to the Rescue  35
Graydon Alexander, Extracts
from Memoirs  198
Sketch of.  230
Gobin, Capt. Charles, Company of
in New Jersey  130
Roll of Company  130

HALLER, Col. Henry, Ap
pointed to Solicit Subscrip
tions to Loan  189
Battalion near Trenton  109
Desertion of Battalion  no
Conduct Explained  no
Wagonmaster of County  196
Sketch of.  230
Hessian Prisoners at Reading  157
Camp for  158
Camp Surprised  159
Letter for Removal of.  157
Officer Drowned  162
Sickness and Burial  163
Hiester, Gabriel, Sketch of.  232
Hiester, Joseph, Battalion of with
Reed's Army in New Jersey, 129
Company of at Long Island  90
Incidents of Company  99
Sketch of.  233
Hospitals at Reading  145
Hunter, Col. Daniel, Battalion of
in New Jersey in Jan'y, 1777, in
At Chester, August, 1777  120
Col Brodhead's Letter  in
Member of Council of Safety.. 51
Putnam's Letter to Council.. . 112
Resolutions of Council  112
Sketch of  235
T NCUMBENTS of Positions
-L from County  194
National  194
State  194
County  195

INDEX.

291

Independence and Peace  205
Independence of the Province. ... 43
Declaration of by Province  46
By Congress  49
Indians, Inhabitants of County
Killed by  136
Industries of County  ¦¦183, 184
Inhabitants of County Killed by
Indians  136
Ironmasters of County  184
JAIL Building of County  204
Cutof  155
Jones, Capt. Jonathan, Company
of in Canada Campaign  80
Roll of Company  81
Services of Company  81
Jones Thomas, Sketch of,  236
Judges of County.  197
Justices ofthe Peace of County  197

KRAUSE, Capt, Charles,
Company of Guarding Pris
oners at Reading  164
Roll of Company  164
Kutztown, Troops Encamped at. . 125
Patton's Battalion Marched by
Way of.  104
LADICH, Capt. Jacob, Com
pany of at Newtown  149
Pay and Bounty of Company. . 149
Lancaster Committee, Letters to
from County Committee  29, 30
Lesher, Capt. John, Company of
in Patton's Battalion  105
Roll of Company  105
Letter to Council from, about
SuppUes Taken  181
Sketch of,  237
Letter as to Wool from Committee
of Correspondence  30
To James Read from Gen'l
Thomas Mifflin  113
To Congress from Standing
Committee  90

To Council from Mark Bird, 151, 176
From Gen'l Israel Putnam
about County Troops  112
From James Read  153
From Jacob Morgan, Jr  179
From John Lesher  181
Levan,Daniel,Sheriff of County. . 197
Treasurer of County  197
Sketch of  238
Levan, Sebastian, Sketch of.  238
Lexington, Battle at Awakens
County  32
Lieutenants of County  196
Lincoln, Abraham, County Com
missioner. ^  197
Member of Assembly  194
Sketch of.  239
Lindemuth Col. Michael, Bat
talion of on Frontiers in 1778, 128
Letter from on Murder of In
habitants in 1780  136
One Class of Battalion on
Frontiers in 1781  138
On Frontier Service  137, 138
Livingood, Capt. Jacob, Company
of in Service in 1781  140
Order for Enlistment  140
Pay of Service  140
Sketch of.  241
Local Committees  196
Long Island, Battle of  97
Lotz, Col. Nicholas, Battalion in
Flying Camp  89
Notice to Elect Officers of Bat
talion  89
Committee Letter to Con
gress  90
Receipt Book of.  183
Chairman of Standing Com
mittee  ig6
Commissioner of Forage  196
Sketch of.  242
Lower, Christian, County Com
missioner  ig6
Sub-Lieutenant of County  196
Sketch of.  245
Ludwig, Capt. John, Company in
New Jersey  133
Roll of Company  133
Justice of Peace  197
Sketch of.  246

292

INDEX.

MANUFACTURED Supplies
for Army from County  i75
Masts for Navy cut in County. .137, 182
Members ' of Assembly from
County  194
Men, Estimate of in Service  168
Men Subject to Military Duty  40, 59
Men Supplied from County, Re
ports of.  145
Mifflin, Gen'l Thomas, Letter
about Raising Men at Read
ing  113
Militia System  56
Couniy Delegates to Lancaster
Convention  58
County Returns for 1775  57
" 1776  58
" 1777  59
" " 1778  70
" " 1780  72
" 1783  73
New System Provided in 1777, 66
Battalions, Companies and
Classes  67
County Districts Estab
lished  67
Days of Drill  68
Fines  69
Oaths Administered in
County  69
Oath of Allegiance  66
Pay and Rations  68
Pensions  69
Persons Exempted  69
Guard for Prisoners  166
Payments for, in County  149
Paymasters of County  196
Resolution of Council for  167
Miller, Capt, George, Company of
in Patton's Battalion  106
Roll of Company  106
. Money, Continental Paper  187
Morgan, Col. Jacob, Delegate to
Constitutional Convention. . 51
Delegate to Provincial Con
ference  45
Judge of County Courts  197
Justice ofthe Peace  197
Lieutenant of County  196
Sketch of.  247
Morgan, Col. Jacob, Jr., Deputy
Quartermaster-General  194

Superintendent of Commis
sioners of Purchases  195
Quartermaster of County  196
Wagonmaster -General of
State  195
Sketch of  250
Morgan, David, Sketch of.  253
Moser, Capt. Jacob, Company of
in Continental Line  116
Roll of Company  116
Murder of Inhabitants by Indians, 136
Musket Barrels, Length of.  40
NAGEL, Capt. George, Com
pany of at Cambridge in 1775 75
Form ot Enlistment  76
Roll of Company  77
Services of Company  79
One of First Officers Selected
from County.  34
Sketch of.  254
Nagel, Capt. Peter, Company of
Guarding Prisoners at Read
ing  ¦  167
Chairman of Meeting of Revo
lutionary Survivors  207
Roll of Company  167
Sketch of.  255
Names of Captains and Colonels
from County in Sen.ice  173
National Incumbents of Positions
from County  194
Negman John and Children Mur
dered by Indians in 1780  136
Newtown, Companies from
County at  113
Mifflin's Letter for, to Read, 113
County Troops at in 1781  113
New York, Companies at from
County in 1776  82
OATH of Allegiance Required
in 1777  66
Administered in County  69
Observation, County Committee
of,  28, 195
Old, Capt. John, Company of in
Lotz's Battalion  90
At Bethlehem  93
Oley, Supplies Taken from in 1778, 181
Otto, Dr. John A., Sketch of  261

INDEX.

293

Otto, Dr. Bodo, Delegate to Pro
vincial Conference  45
National Surgeon  194
Surgeon of Army  144
Sketch of.  258
PATTON, Col. John, Battalion
of at Bethlehem  93
At South Amboy  103
Appointed to Sign Currency. . 189
Judge of County Courts  197
Member of Assembly  194
Pay to for Cannon Shot  178
Sketch of.  262
Paper Money, Continental  187
Patriotic Spirit of the County  23
Pay and Rations of Militia  68
Payments for County Militia  149
Paymasters of County Militia  196
Pay of Men in Service  76, 95, 186
Pennybacker, Capt. Dirck, Pay to i4g
Pennsylvania, Counties of in 1775. 3g
Men from, in service in 1776. . 145
In 1777  147
Population of in 1776  38
Peace, Independence and  205
Pensions of Militia System  69
Persons Exempted from Service
in Militia  69
Philadelphia, Public Papers Re
moved from, to Reading. . . . 198
Population of County in 1776  38
Pennsylvania in 1776  38
Potts, Dr. Jonathan, Army Sur
geon from County  144
Delegate to Provincial Con
vention  29
Letters to Lancaster Commit
tee  29
Letter to Farmers as to Wool, 30
National Surgeon  194
On Committee of Observation, 28
Sketch of.  263
Prayer, First Recommendation for 190
Pre-Revolutionary Buildings at
Reading  203
Prices During Revolution  185, 186
Prisoners of War at Reading  151
English  151
Hessian  157

German  163
Militia Guarding.. 156, 164, 165, 167
Proclamation for Favor of God . , . xgo
Prominent Industries of County... 183
Furnaces  183
Forges ,  183
Prothonotary of Supreme Court. . 195
Province, Counties of in 1775  39
Independence of.  43
Provincial Conference at Philadel
phia, July, 1774  26
Notice issued for  26
Conference, June, 1776  44
Address for Flying Camp by 47
Address Issued by  45
Declaration of Independence 46
Deputies from County to. .45, 194
Resolutions of in 1775  31
Provincial Convention, Notice for
on January 23, 1775  28
County Delegates to  29
Resolutions of.  31
Provost Guard, Dragoons of
County in,  127
Public Meeting at Reading, 1774. . . 23
Public Papers Removed from
Philadelphia to Reading  198
Purchases, Superintendent of
Commissioners of,  195
Superintendent of.  ig6
Putnam, Gen'l Israel, Letter of
about Berks County Troops, 112

QUAKER Prisoners at Read
ing  154
Quartermaster of County  196
Quartermaster-General, Deputy,
from County  194
RATIONS of Militia  68
. Read, Collinson, Secretary
of Standing Committee, 42, 44, 196
Sketch of  264
Read, James, Appointed to Sign
Continental Notes  189
Committee on Correspon
dence  24, 195
Executive Councillor  195
Tustice of the Peace  197

294

INDEX.

James Read— (Continued.)
Letter from About English
Prisoners  153
Member of Assembly  194
Register of Court of Admi
ralty  195
Sketch of.   265
Reading, Affairs at  198
Centre of Trade  25
Churches at, used as Hopitals, 145
Duel at  202
Federal Inn at  204
First Companies at  33
Hospitals at  145
Militia to Guard Stores at  148
Patriotic Feeling at in 1775  33
Pre-Revolutionary Buildings . . 203
Prisoners of War at  151
Public Meeting at in 1774  23
Committee Appointed by  24
Resolutions Adopted by  23
Public Papers removed to, from
Philadelphia  198
Social Condition in 1777  igS
Storekeeper at  ig6
Receipt Book of Col. Nicholas
Lotz  183
Reeser, William, Chairman of
Meeting  33
On Committee of Observa
tion  28, igg
Sketch of  266
Reformed Church Building  204
Cut of.  144
Register of Court of Admiralty... 195
Reports of Men Supplied from
County  145
Return of the Soldiers  206
Revolution, Cause of.  19
Revolutionary Survivors  207, 208
Riehm, Capt. George, Company
of at Newtown  138, 149
Pay of Company for Services.. 149
Ritter, Capt, Ferdinand, Company
of in New Jersey  131
Roll of Company  131
Robinson, Capt. John, Company
of at Newtown in 1781  139
On Frontiers in 1782  141
Roll of Company  139

SCHEFFER, Capt. Nicholas,
Company of at Newtown  115
Roll of Company  115
Schultz, Christopher, Justice of
the Peace  197
On Committee of Correspon
dence  24
On Committee of Observation, 28
Sketch of.  267
Scull, Edward, Secretary of Board
of War  194
Ordered on Recruiting Ser
vice, 177S  147
Sketch of.  268
Scull, Peter, one of First Officers
Selected from County  34
Sketch of.  ; 268
Secretary of Board of War from
County  194
Service, Estimate of Men in from
County  168
Sherman, Capt. Conrad, Com
pany of in New Jersey  132
Roll of Company  132
Sheriffs of County  197
Shoemaker, Charles, Delegate to
Constitutional Convention, 51
Delegate to Provincial Con
ference  4s ¦
Justice of the Peace  197
Sketch of  269
Shoemaker, Jacob, on Committee
of Observation  28, 195
Sketch of.  271
Shot and SheU from George Ege
to the Government  177
Snell, Dr. Nicholas, Surgeon at
Newtown  149
South Amboy, County Troops at
in 1776  103
Social Condition at Reading in
1777 and 1778  19S
Soder, Capt. John, Sketch of.  271
Soldiers, Return of the  206
Spohn, Capt. John, Company of at
New York in 1776  S3
Roll of Company  S3
Services of Company  S4
One of First Officers Selected
from County  34
Sketch of.  272

INDEX.

295

Spyker, Benjamin, Delegate to
Constitutional C o n v e n -
tion  51, 194
Delegate to Provincial Con
ference  45, 194
Sketch of . . .  274
Spyker, Col. Henry, Battalion of
at White Marsh  122
Orders to for Pay of Militia. .. 150
Paymaster of County Militia, ig6.
Sketch of.  276
Spyker, Peter, Judge of County
Courts  ig7
Justice of the Peace  197
Sketch of  275
Standing Committee  42,44, 91, 196
Letter of to Congress  : 90
State Incumbents of positions from
County  194
Strouch, Capt. Henry, Company
of in New Jersey  134
Roll of Company  134
Storekeeper at Reading  196
Sub-Lieutenants of County  ig6
Supplies for Army from County. . 174
Manufactured  175
Collected  177
At Reading  180
Suppression of British Authority
Recommended by Congress, 43
Surgeon of Army from County. , , . 144
National from County  ig4
Supreme Court, Prothonotary of. . 195
Survivors of Revolution  207, 208
TORIES, who Designated  21,37
Trinity Lutheran Church
Building  204
School Building  204
Tulpehocken, Companies from at
Bethlehem   93

UDREE, Daniel, Colonel of
Militia  61, 70
Commanded Battalion at
Chester  120
Sub-Lieutenant of County  196
Sketch of.  277

VON HEER, Capt, Bartholo
mew, Company of Dragoons
in Provost Guard  12S
Roll of Company  128
WAR, Conscientious Scru
ples against  33
Wagonmaster of County  196
Wagon master-Gen erals of the
County  195
Warfare, Appeal for Support in . . . 191
Washington's Army near the
County  124
Weiser, Capt. Benjamin, Com
pany in German Regiment. , loi
Roll of Company  102
Services of Company  102
Sketch of.  2S1
Weiser Store Building  204
Whigs, who Designated  21
White Marsh, Battalion of Col.
Henry Spyker at  122
Whitman, Lieut., Wounded at
Germantown  123
Will, Capt. George, Company of
at Bethlehem  93
At Newtown  114
Roll of Company  114
Wilson, Capt. James, Recom
mended for Recruiting Ser
vice in 177S  148
Wolf, Capt. Michael, Company of
in Patton's Battalion  105
Roll of Company  105
Wool, Committee Letter as to  30

-^^^^^^

^^^^9^!^

iiii^^itt^^«i^ ¦