USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > History of Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the Revolution, from 1774 to 1783 > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
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 James Bral Reading 11pon the erection of Berks County in 1752 ; and, by appointment from the Provincial Govern- ment, filled the county offices of prothonotary, recorder, register, clerk of Orphans' Court and clerk of the 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 terin, 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 Reefers William Reeser was 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
-
267
SKETCHES.
the public ineeting 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 of the 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 in that section, and Christopher Schulz 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 of the peace of that district for one term from 1777 to 1784, and died on September 28, 1789.
268
REVOLUTION.
EDWARD SCULL.
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
2. Taule
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'1 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
269
SKETCHES.
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. Jolin 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
Charles Shoemaker
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 ineasure 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 (married to Benjamin Kepner).
27I
SKETCHES.
JACOB SHOEMAKER.
Jacob Shoemaker, an elder brother of Charles Shoe- maker, was born at Germantown. He became a resi- dent of Reading some time before 1768. 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
lacol Shoemaker
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 1812 were destroyed by the British John Soder when they took posses- sion of Washington. From the record of Capt. Soder, I am led to say that there were other enlistments similar to his, but they have not as yet been ascertained.
He died in April, 1817, 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 Cuinru 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 carry on for
273
SKETCHES.
himself at an early age a farm 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 began, 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- John S john 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. I 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 born 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
2Benjamin fryKey
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 settlers and the Indians.
275
SKETCHES.
During this trying period, he wrote a number of iin- portant letters in reference to the cruelties of the In- dians and the sufferings 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 influence. 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
Beter Spycher
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 Paymaster of the Militia of the county from August, 1777, to the
Henry Spyker
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
277
SKETCHES.
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, 1751. 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,
279
SKETCHES.
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.
DanMoney e
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.
28I
SKETCHES.
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 Captain, by Benjamin Weifez the Executive 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 fromn 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 hini after 1778.
CHRISTOPHER WITMAN.
Christopher Witinan was a cordwainer (shoemaker) at Reading in 1756, and continued in this employ- ment 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.
Christ Witman 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- liam, Jacob, Daniel ; and a daughter, Catharine.
283
RETROSPECT.
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 different 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
285
RETROSPECT.
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.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.