Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 30

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018

USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I > Part 30

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POPULATION AND DISTRICTS .- In 1776, the terri- tory of Berks county included not only that part which lies within the present boundary lines to the south of the Blue Mountain, 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 mountain was sparsely settled, the resident taxables number- ing about one hundred and fifty, and the population about six hundred. The total population (as near as it can be estimated) was about twenty thousand ; and the taxables numbered about four thousand, the same number as those subject to military duty be- tween the ages of eighteen and fifty-three years. The estimated population of Pennsylvania then was three hundred thousand white people, and two thou- sand black.

The townships or districts established in the county numbered twenty-nine. They were distrib- uted as follows :

EAST OF THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER

Manatawny Section

Alsace

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

STATEMENT OF TROOPS During the year 1775

Company of Capt. George Nagel (Reading), 95 men, at Cambridge, Mass., from July, 1775, to March 1776. He subsequently became a Colonel.

During the year 1776

Company of Capt. Jonathan Jones (Caernarvon), 83 men; at Montreal, Quebec, Ticonderoga, and Trenton from January, 1776, to January, 1777.

Battalion of Col. Henry Haller (Reading), which com- prised eight companies commanded by the following captains :

John Spohn (Reading), 78 men Peter Decker (Reading), 86 men Henry Christ ( Reading), 87 men Joseph Hiester (Reading) Jacob Graul (Reading) Jacob Maurer ( Maiden-creek) John Ludwig (Heidelberg) George Douglass (Amity)

The total number of men was estimated at 666. They were in active service at New York and Long Island from June, 1776, to January, 1777. Lieut .- Col. Nicholas Lotz was in command of the men, and he was among the prisoners taken at the Battle of Long Island.

Also, in that vicinity during August and September, 1776, four companies, estimated at 300 men, commanded by the following captains :

John Old (District) George Will ( Reading), 72 men Daniel Deturck ( Alsace), 72 men George May ( Windsor)

Also, in that vicinity (South Amboy) during the same time, four companies of the battalion of Col. John Pat- ton (Heidelberg), estimated at 300 men, commanded by the following captains :

John Lesher (Tulpehocken) Michael Wolf ( Bethel) George Miller (Tulpehocken) Michael Furrer (Tulpehocken)

Also, in that vicinity during the same time, the 4th Battalion of Berks County Militia uder the command of Col. Balser Geehr (Bern). It arrived at Bethlehem on the way on Sept. 1st. The full battalion of six com- panies is supposed to have gone to the field, but the names of the captains and the number of men have not been as yet ascertained; men estimated at 300.

Also, in that vicinity during the same time, the bat- talion of Col. Mark Bird (Union), which he equipped at his own expense. The names of the captains have not been ascertained but the number of men was said to have been about 300.

The company of Capt. Benjamin Weiser ( Heidel- berg), 53 men, was at Trenton in December, 1776, and at Princeton in January, 1777.

The quota of 500 men from Berks county, made up from the battalions of Col. Henry Haller and Col. Daniel Hunter, were also in the vicinity of Trenton in Decem- ber, 1776, and at Newtown, Bucks county, in January, 1777. Only five of the captains have been ascertained :

In the Haller battalion, three captains- George Will (Reading), 40 men John Diehl (Reading), 29 men Nicholas Scheffer (Tulpehocken), 32 men

And in the Hunter battalion, two captains- Conrad Eckert (Heidelberg) Fisher

In February, a detachment of the company of Capt. Peter Nagel, 17 men, was detailed on duty to guard prisoners at Reading.

In September, a detachment of the company of Capt. Conrad Geist, 39 men, was detailed on duty also to guard prisoners at Reading.

Besides the captains mentioned, there is positive evi- dence that four additional captains were in the service in the summer: Jacob Moser ( Reading), John Soder (Bern), Stephen Crumrine (Colebrookdale), and Moyer, they having been paid by the Executive Council. Number of men estimated at 300.

During the year 1777

The companies commanded by the following captains were enlisted in the Continental Line-men estimated at 300 :

3d Reg't, Peter Scull (Reading)

4th John Mears (Reading)

6th S Jacob Moser ( Reading), 67 men

6th Jacob Bower (Reading)

11th Samuel Dewees ( Heidelberg)

12th Peter Withington (Reading)

The battalion of Col. Daniel Hunter (Oley) was mus- tered into service on Aug. 7, 1777, with 365 men, and participated under General Washington in the campaigns round about Philadelphia from August to December, dur- ing which the battles of Brandywine and Germantown were fought. It comprised six companies, which were commanded by the following captains :

Henry Knause (Colebrookdale)

Charles Crouse (Longswamp)

Jacob Whetstone (Brunswick)

Conrad Geist (Reading)

John McMurray (Robeson) John Lesher (Oley)

The battalion of Col. Daniel Udree (Oley) was mus- tered in at the same time with 301 men, and was engaged in the same service. It comprised six companies with the following captains :

Stephen Crumrine (Colebrookdale) Peter Smith (Reading) Conrad Minich (Brunswick) John Reitmyer (Reading) John Essington (Union) George Battorf (Bethel)

The battalion of Col. Michael Lindenmuth (Bern) was mustered in on Sept. 27, 1777, with 286 men, and was en- gaged in service in the Schuylkill Valley from that time until Washington went into winter quarters at Valley Forge on Dec. 18th, when it is supposed the men returned to the county. It comprised six companies with the fol- lowing captains : ·

Sebastian Lentz (Rockland) Jacob Rodarmel (Richmond) Francis Umbenhauer ( Bern) Daniel Deturck ( Alsace) John Wagner ( Bern) Daniel Womelsdorf (Heidelberg)

The battalion of Col. Joseph Hiester (Reading) was mustered in at the same time with 263 men, and was en- gaged in the same service as the Lindenmuth battalion. It comprised six companies with the following captains :

Jacob Roth (Amity) Jacob Dreibelbis (Greenwich) Sebastian Emrich (Bethel) Peter Nagel (Reading) John Graul ( Reading) Conrad Weiser (Heidelberg)

The battalion of Col. Henry Spyker (Tulpehocken) was mustered in on Nov. 9, 1777, and was engaged in the serv- ice for sixty days in the Schuylkill Valley, between Valley Forge and Germantown. It comprised seven companies and 367 men, with the following captains:

Michael Voyge (Richmond) Jacob Shadel (Bern)

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WAR PERIODS

George Riehm (Cumru) Jacob Rhoads (Amity) Michael Bretz (Pine Grove) Conrad Eckert (Heidelberg) Henry Weaver (Tulpehocken)

The battalion of Col. Jacob Weaver (Amity) was mus- tered in on Dec. 13, 1777, and was also engaged in the service for sixty days in the same vicinity as the Spyker battalion. It comprised eight companies and 361 men, with the following captains :

Daniel Reiff (Oley) Henry Egner (Longswamp) Ferdinand Ritter (Albany) Sebastian Miller (Cumru) Philip Krick (Cumru) David Morgan (Caernarvon) Jacob Kreamer (Bethel) Philip Filbert (Heidelberg)

The company of Capt. Charles Crouse (Longswamp), with 40 men, was on guard duty at the Windsor powder magazine for some time before Jan. 3, 1778.

The company of Capt.Jacob Hill (Windsor), with 41 men, was mustered into service on Oct. 25, 1777, and was also stationed at the same powder magazine for some time, doing guard duty.

And two companies, each comprising 40 men, were sta- tioned at Reading in September, for the purpose of guard- ing the military stores-the names of the commanding officers not having been ascertained.

During the year 1778

In January, General Washington recommended that Capt. Edward Scull (Reading) should recruit 150 men in Berks county for the Battalion of the State in the Continental Army, which was done.

'A company, commanded by Lieut. Joseph Talbot (Caernarvon), with 54 men, was mustered into service ou Jan. 5th, and detailed for guard duty at Reading.

In April, 200 men were ordered on guard duty at Read- ing, and 10 men on guard duty at Boone's Mill (supposed to have been in Exeter).

During the middle of this year, 16 men were enlisted at Reading to make up the company of Capt. Bartholomew Von Heer, for the purpose of performing provost duty. They were mounted and accoutered as Light Dragoons, to apprehend deserters, rioters and stragglers.

Col. Jacob Morgan reported in August that he had for- warded 180 men to Sunbury, and 123 men to Easton to render frontier service against the Indians.

Two battalions, the quota ordered from Berks county, were sent to Philadelphia in October, to serve under Gen- eral Armstrong, in anticipation of an invasion by the Brit- ish, the number of men being estimated at 500.

During the year 1779

No evidence of the enlistment .of men from Berks coun- ty during this year has been discovered, nor any orders from the Executive Council to the lieutenant of the county for men.

During the year 1780

In May, one class of men, numbering 60 men, was taken from the battalion of Col. Michael Lindenmuth (Bern) for frontier service.

In June, a company of 52 men was raised as volun- teers in Berks county and sent to Philadelphia under the command of Major Edward Scull.

In August, 120 men were sent to Brunswick township from the county to render frontier service.

In August, the 6th Battalion of County Militia, under the command of Col. Joseph Hiester, joined the army of Gen. Joseph Reed in New Jersey, near Camden, in pur- suance of an order to supply 600 men, who were to co- operate with the main army near Philadelphia. It was in service for thirty days from Aug. 10th. The names of 437 men have been ascertained of this quota. There were six companies, commanded by the following captains :

Charles Gobin (Reading) Ferdinand Ritter (Albany) Conrad Sherman (Tulpehocken) John Ludwig (Heidelberg) Jacob Baldy (Maxatawny) Henry Strouch (Ruscombmanor)

In September, two companies, numbering 120 men, from the battalion of Col. Samuel Ely, were sent from the county to perform frontier service against the Indians.

During the year 1781

In May, one class of the battalion of Col. Michael Lindenmuth, numbering 64 men, was forwarded from county to render frontier service.

In June, two classes of the 6th Battalion of Militia, commanded by Col. Joseph Hiester, numbering 128 men, were placed under the command of Maj. Bayley, to guard the encampment of German prisoners at Reading.

In August, a detachment of Lieut. Daniel Stroud's com- pany, numbering 40 men, was ordered on guard duty, and it served during August and September.

A detachment of Capt. Charles Crouse's company, num- bering 36 men, was on duty at Reading guarding pris- oners from Aug. 16th to Oct. 16th.

In September, there were 153 men recruited at Reading and forwarded.

Three classes of Col. Samuel Ely's Battalion, numbering 300 men, were in service at Newtown from Oct. 1st to Oct. 18th. Two of the companies are believed to have been commanded by

John Robinson (Caernarvon), 56 men Jacob Ladich (Brunswick)

The other companies have not been discovered.

Three other companies, about the same number of men, were also organized in the county, but on account of the want of arms the lieutenant of the county (then Col. Val- entine Eckert), could not then forward them.

In October, a company of riflemen, numbering 83 men, was organized in the western end of the county, and in service under the command of Capt. Jacob Livingood (Heidelberg) until Jan. 1, 1782. The place of service has not been ascertained, but the men were paid on Jan. 16, 1782.

Militia from Greenwich and Maxatawny townships, numbering 120 men, were on a tour of duty.

Detachments from the 2d and 6th Battalions of Militia, numbering 169 men, were on duty at Reading guarding prisoners.

During the year 1782

In February, the company of Capt. John Robinson, numbering 60 men, was in service at Northumberland.

In February, the first class of militia, numbering 40 men, was in service at Reading guarding prisoners.

In August, there were two detachments of militia, one numbering 27 men, and the other 50 men, who rendered frontier service in the county.

In September, 125 men were sent from the county to render frontier service in Northumberland county.

In September, a detachment of Capt. Peter Nagel's com- pany, numbering 40 men, was detailed to guard prisoners who were sent from Reading to Philadelphia.

RECAPITULATION

For the year 1775 95

For the year 1776 2,858

For the year 1777 2,404

For the year 1778 1,233

For the year 1779

For the year 1780 952

For the year 1781 1,093

For the year 1782 342

8,977

116

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Miscellaneous enlistments ascertained not included

56 in above statement

Total estimated 9,033

The number of men for the years 1776 and 1777 appears incredible, but the reader will take into consideration that the men for each year were not all in service at one time. Taking the reports of men in service that have been given in detail, and understanding that it was not possible 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 coun- ty during the Revolution.

The system of supplying men was simple, and it was carried on in such a manner as to render as- sistance to the government with as little injury as possible to the several districts from which the men were called. The number demanded at one time was not extraordinary, compared with the total number subject to military duty, and the term of service was limited to such a period that the busi- ness interests of the people should not suffer seri- ous losses. In this way it was possible to have at least several hundred men from a county in service all the time.

COLONELS ASCERTAINED-17

Mark Bird Nicholas Lotz

Daniel Brodhead

Jacob Morgan

Valentine Eckert

Jacob Morgan, Jr.

Samuel Ely George Nagel

Balser Geehr

John Patton

Henry Haller

Henry Spyker

Joseph Hiester

Daniel Udree

Daniel Hunter

Jacob Weaver

Michael Lindenmuth

CAPTAINS ASCERTAINED-85

Jacob Baldy

Philip Krick

George Battorf

Jacob Ladich

George Beaver

Sebastian Lentz

Jacob Bower

John Lesher

Michael Bretz

Jacob Livingood

Henry Christ

John Ludwig

Charles Crouse

Stephen Crumrine Peter Decker

Jacob Maurer George May John McMurray John Mears

Daniel Deturck

George Miller

Samuel Dewees John Diehl

Sebastian Miller

Jacob Dreibelbis

Conrad Minich David Morgan

Henry Egner

Jacob Moser

Sebastian Emrich John Essington Philip Filbert

George Nagel

Fisher

Peter Nagel John Old

George Focht Conrad Geist

Dirck Pennybacker Daniel Reiff

Charles Gobin

John Reitmyer

Jacob Richstein

Jacob Graul John Graul

George Riehm Ferdinand Ritter John Robinson

Thomas Herbert Joseph Hiester Jacob Hill Jonathan Jones George Kemp Henry Knause Philip Kreamer

Jacob Roth (Rhoads) Jacob Rothermel Nicholas Scheffer Edward Scull Peter Scull

Francis Umbenhauer

Jacob Shadel Bartholomew Von Heer

Henry Shepler

Peter Wanner

Conrad Sherman

Casper Smeck

Peter Smith

John Soder Spatts

Jacob Whetstone

Matthias Wick

Leonard Stone

George Will

Henry Strauch

Daniel Womelsdorf

ARMY SUPPLIES FROM COUNTY .- During the Revolution, many army supplies were either manu- factured or produced in the county of Berks, more especially in the years 1775, 1776 and 1777; and these were collected from the several districts and deposited at Reading, for the purpose of enabling the Commissioners of Forage to fill the propor- tional allotments of the districts with reasonable dispatch. They consisted of grain, flour, hay, pow- der, 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 that General 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 fill orders made upon him promptly.

STORE HOUSE AT READING .- In a letter of Col. Jacob. Morgan to the Executive Council, dated Sept. 18, 1777, he stated as follows :

There is at present a great quantity of powder and other stores belonging to the State in this town [Read- ing] 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 uneasiness will in- crease to a great degree, as fire happening to the 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 Continental 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 Conti- nental Treasurer." The stores included a "vast number of ammunition in the town, or near it."

LOTZ RECEIPT BOOK .- In 1893, the compiler saw the receipt book of Col. Nicholas Lotz in which re- ceipts were taken for moneys paid from Aug. 12, 1780, to Dec. 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. A great part of the amount was paid to him in currency, which was never redeemed. whereby he and others suffered great losses.

IRON INDUSTRIES .- Thirteen prominent iron in- dustries were carried on successfully in the county during the Revolution. They were situated in the

Conrad Eckert

· Moyer

John Wagner Benjamin Weiser Conrad Weiser Henry Weaver

John Spohn

Joseph Talbot

William Scull

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WAR PERIODS

four sections of the county, along strong streams the power of Congress was the emission of these of water, as follows :

FURNACES

Oley, in Oley, on Manatawny creek.

Mt. Pleasant, in Colebrookdale, on West Branch of Perkiomen.

Hereford, in Hereford, on West Branch of Perkiomen. Hopewell, in Union, on French creek.

Berkshire, in Heidelberg on tributary of Tulpehocken creek.

FORGES

Pine, Spring and Oley, in Douglass, District, and Oley, on Manatawny 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.

Ironmasters .- The ironmasters, the proprietors of the foregoing industries, were Mark Bird, John Patton, John Lesher, David Potts, John Old, Thom- as Mayberry, Daniel Udree, George Ege and Chris- tian 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 toward the successful prosecu- At first, this depreciation was scarcely percepti- ble, 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 years. In the latter part of 1777 it was two dollars in currency for one in specie; in 1778, tion of the war. They supplied the Continental Government with cannon-balls, cast-iron and wrought-iron in various shapes, and they cooper- ated heartily in the great social movement for rep- resentative government. Their assistance was of the greatest consequence and cannot be overesti- mated. We can take great pride in the fact that five for one; in 1779, twenty-seven for one; in the county then possessed such enterprising, pub- lic-spirited and patriotic men.

OTHER INDUSTRIES .- There were other indus- tries which 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 dif- ferent sections of the county and they rendered great assistance to Congress and the Council. Nicholas Lotz, Sebastian Levan, and Daniel Brod- head were three extensive millers, and Valentine Eckert and Christian Lower were two influential blacksmiths, who identified themselves prominently with public affairs at that time. Knapsacks and gun-barrels were made in different parts of the county. And numerous energetic, hopeful and per- sistent farmers constituted the very foundation of the public welfare.

CONTINENTAL PAPER MONEY

During the progress of the Revolution, the gov- ernment was compelled to resort to the emission of "bills of credit" with which to purchase army supplies, etc., and to satisfy the demands of carry- ing 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 pro- NATIONAL cured. Direct taxation, though practicable, was deemed impolitic. The only plausible expedient in Edward Biddle, 1774-75; 1775-76; 1778-79.

bills. 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 re- demption, pledged the Confederated Colonies. Sub- sequently, other emissions were made; and such was the animation of the times that these several emissions, amounting to twenty millions, circulated for some time without any depreciation, and com- manded the resources of the country for public service equally with gold or silver. 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 premature to urge taxation, and they, therefore, resorted to the expedient of fur- ther emissions. The ease with which the means of procuring supplies were furnished by simply striking off bills of credit, and the readiness with which the people received them, prompted Con- gress to multiply them beyond the limits of pru- dence, and a depreciation of their value was the un- avoidable consequence.

1780, fifty for one. After 1780, the circulation was limited to certain localities ; but where the currency passed, it depreciated to one hundred and fifty dol- lars for one. In Pennsylvania, the Executive Coun- cil resolved, as late as Feb. 1, 1781, that Continen- tal 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 1st following, only specie or equivalent bills of cred- it should be received for taxes or other public dues; and this rendered the currency worthless in the State. This extraordinary depreciation brought great loss to many of the people who had aided the government in the grand struggle for freedom. 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.

INCUMBENTS OF POSITIONS

The following men from Berks county occupied the positions named, for the time stated, during the Revolution :

Delegate in Continental Congress

118

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Secretary of Board of War

Edward Scull, May 16, 1778.

Surgeons

Dr. Jonathan Potts Dr. Bodo Otto

Surveying Department

William Scull, January, 1778, to September, 1779.

Deputy Quartermaster-General Jacob Morgan, Jr., April, 1778, to 1783.

STATE

Delegates to Provincial Conference, June 18, 1776

Jacob Morgan

Daniel Hunter

Henry Haller

Valentine Eckert

Mark Bird

Nicholas Lotz

Bodo Otto Joseph Hiester

Benjamin Spyker Charles Shoemaker

Delegates to Constitutional Convention, July 15, 1776

Jacob Morgan

Daniel Hunter Valentine Eckert

Gabriel Hiester

John Lesher Charles Shoemaker

Benjamin Spyker

Thomas Jones, Jr.

Members of Assembly

Edward Biddle. .1774

'75, '78

Christian Lower .1779

'82, '83

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

John Rice. 1783

Edward Biddle was Speaker of the Assembly for the year 1774-75.

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 (ironmaster 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. General. On May 25, 1778, an order was drawn to him for £301, 5s., for attending Council 180 days, in- cluding mileage.

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Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 30

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1018

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018