2017 New Berlin Heritage Association Bulletin Edited by David W. and Sally K
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Pen and ink sketch of the 1814 Union County Court House by Donna S. Spangler-Boop. 2017 New Berlin Heritage Association Bulletin edited by David W. and Sally K. Farmer. 2 Charter Members New Berlin Heritage Association Dorothy L. Eaton* Edna Smalley* Louis A. Eaton* Jerome Smith* Richard Jones* Marie Smith* Phyllis Keister* Marjorie Smith* Dorothy Kinney* Winifred Smith* Murray Kline* Catherine S. Snyder* Rose Kline* Edith Solomon* Betty Kratzer Estella Solomon* Gloria Maize* – Copresident Margaret Solomon* Joan Maurer – Copresident Russell Solomon* Harriet McLain* Velma Solomon Mabel Michael D. Paul Souders* Rev. Mark Michael* Donald Spangler* Isabelle Miller* J. Marlyn Spangler* Louise Miller* Josephine Spangler* Ether Moyer* Ruth Spangler* Samuel Moyer* Ray Stumpff James R. Ritter* Martha Wetzel Mary Sassaman* Laura Witmer* Ferne Sauers* Rev. Robert Wittlinger George L. Sauers* Lorraine Wolfe* Polly Sauers* Marie Wolfe* – Treasurer James Sellers *deceased 3 Johann Georg Benfer: Pennsylvania Frontier Ranger by Miles C. Miller Johann Georg Benfer (1745-1818) was born in Girken- hausen, Westfalia (now Germany). He arrived in Philadel- phia on British Ship “Betsey” in 1766 at age 21. He married Mary Catherine Scharff (1755-1790) in 1776 and had seven children including my direct ancestor, Daniel E. Benfer (1777- 1854). Mary Catherine died in 1790 (gravesite unknown) and Johann married Maria Magdalene Miller in 1793 with whom he had four children. He and his second wife are buried in the New Berlin Cemetery (near the flagpole). Miles C. Miller at Johann Georg Benfer’s grave in the New Berlin Cemetery 4 45 During the American Revolutionary War, Johann served Susan Walker Meachum Donna S. Spangler–Boop as a private in Lieutenant James McEvey’s Northumberland County Militia as well as in Captain Boevard’s Company of George E. Mensch Mary Jo Spangler Frontier Rangers. Johann’s family lived in the area of Penn’s Creek near what became Longstown and later, New Berlin. Mifflinburg Bank & Trust Co. Ruth-Alice Seebold Spangler Both units operated out of Fort Augusta (located in what is Garth R. Miller Frances Stover now Sunbury). There were several different military organizations em- Steven C. Miller, DDS Lynn M. Tanner ployed during the Revolutionary War. In the main areas of the conflict, the Continental Army which was composed of Joseph Prah Joan E. Thomas professional soldiers, fought using standard European forma- QCast Aluminum Tammy Tobin tions and tactics. State Militias were made up of volunteers whose primary duty was to perform defensive operations (mil- QE Manufacturing Co, Inc. Kaylene Trick itary operations intended to hold territory). Rangers were professional soldiers who were experts in Indian fighting tech- Marian Reem Marvin Wagner niques and performed raiding, scouting, and early warning defensive operations (military operations not intended to hold Barbara A. Ritchey Thomas R. Walker territory). Margaret E. Ritter Clyde Walter In the frontier regions like central Pennsylvania, County Militias performed defensive duties in their local areas while Jill Shambach Diane Walter Pennsylvania Frontier Rangers conducted scouting and early warning operations. Frontier Rangers were organized into John Showers Nancy K. Wheaton 100-man companies. Typically, a section of six men would be on duty while the remaining 94 men worked at their everyday Nancy Showers Dennis D. Williams occupations, but ready to rapidly respond if required. Donna M. Slear Christine Wilson Fighting in central Pennsylvania during the American Revolution did not involve British troops, but had the colonists Carole Spangler Joanne Zimmerman battling marauding Indians urged on by the British. Typi- cal of these types of raids was the Lee Massacre at Winfield Dennis Spangler on August 16, 1782 where Indians killed 12 and captured 13. Most of the raids were committed by Iroquois Indians who had long been allies of the British before and during the recent French and Indian War (1754-1763). 44 5 Life Members New Berlin Heritage Association Julie N. (Adams) Breon Paul J. Heimbach Audrey Bingaman Tom D. Heimbach Jean E. Bingaman Dianne Hepler Ronald C. Blatchley Bonnie E. Hestor Kathy Bromfield Martha G. Hockenberry Ted Chappen Elaine Hopkins Joan K. Dervin Robert Johanns Sidney G. Dreese Lee E. Knepp Loren Eberhart Betty J. Kratzer Mary Ellen Egli Diana Lasansky Timeline of actions in Central Pennsylvania David W. Farmer Tammy Longacre with regard to other Revolutionary War events Sally K. Farmer Ian McCormick The raids became so frequent and devastating that dur- Robert Garrett Keith McNeil ing 1777, about 80% of the population of central Pennsylva- nia fled their homes for safety in southwestern Pennsylvania. At the time, this was called “The Big Runaway.” Most re- Robert J. Hammond Joan E. Maurer turned a year later only to suffer additional attacks and leave a second time termed “The Little Runaway.” At this point, Donna K. Heimbach Robert E. Maurer General Washington became so concerned that he dispatched a force of 4,000 Continental Army soldiers (about 15% of the 6 43 entire American army) under General John Sullivan to end Don & Gem Maurer Jim & Dianne Smith the Indian threat. Designated as “The Sullivan Expedition,” Elmer & Joan Maurer In memory of it destroyed more than 40 Iroquois villages and food stores Wendell M. Smith in Pennsylvania and New York. Most likely, Johann Benfer’s Harry & Linda Maurer Ranger unit was involved in this campaign. Joan Solomon Marvin Maurer Carole & Tim Spangler In memory of George & Cass Maurer Mr & Mrs Dennis Spangler In Memory of Mervin L. Maurer Ruth-Alice Spangler Reagan Maurer Frances M. Stover Robert E. & Doloras Maurer Kelvin & Janet Swanger Dave & Suzanne Walker Meachum Lloyd & Phyllis Swanger George & Joyce Mensch Logan & Pai Ann Swanger Mifflinburg Bank & Trust Company Ron & Kay Trick Tom & Miriam Milbrand Ralph & Jo Unroe Garth & Carol Miller Craig VanHorn Barb Ritchey Robert & Erma VanHorn Charles & Bonnie Ritter Steve & Ann VanHorn Rolanda Ritzman William & Connie VanHorn Logan Roush The Luther Wagner Family Bob & Jean Sauers Grace & Spencer Walker Donna & Donnie Sauers Clyde & Diane Walter Lynn & Jill Shambach John & Patricia Yerger Nancy & John Showers Mary & Harry Yost Indian Attacks leading to the “Big” and the “Little” Runaways 42 7 New Berlin Heritage Association The mission of the Pennsylvania Frontier Ranger was 2017 Sponsors to “Range out and return, watching for Indians and giving notice to the frontier settlers on their approach.” The special capabilities of the men who served as Pennsylvania Frontier Rangers is illustrated by a contemporary observation of the Benfer-Miller Post 957 Gary & Betty Hacjenberg The American Legion Pennsylvania Militia in general - “Not one fourth part of them Mary A. Hackenberg (the Militia) are fit to go against the Indians or can be of the Audrey Bingaman least use as Rangers, neither being acquainted with the woods Lyndon & Dianne Hepler Ronald & Frances Blatchley or the proper use of the gun.” During the Revolutionary War, Bill & Martha Hockenberry 3,500 men served as Pennsylvania Frontier Rangers. During Bill & Julie Breon & Family the Revolutionary War, what is now the area of New Berlin Wayne & Kathy Bromfield John & Betty Hollenbach was part of Northumberland County covering a much larger area than it does today. Doris & Frank Brouse Robert & Nancy Hummel Coukart & Associates, Inc. Mrs Oliver Hummel Steve & Sherry Cusick Carole J. Jacka DJ’s Service Eugene & Miriam Keister Joan Dervin John S. Klingler Sidney Dreese Lee E. Knepp Jay & Mary Ellen Egli Dick & Betty Kratzer The Emporium of the William Leitzel & Family Samuel Aurand House James Lengle Laura Erdley & Family Catharine Walker Livingston Sally & David Farmer Nelson & Tammy Longacre Franklin & Julia Fetter Joan W. McClure Mark & Linda Fetter Northumberland County during the Revolutionary War Keith S. McNeil Fraktur by Donna Selfridge Spangler In memory of Unlike professional military Rangers, Pennsylvania Fron- Kathy Mapes tier Rangers served on a part-time basis. Accordingly, while employing the same weapons and equipment as professional 8 41 Rangers, they wore their regular civilian clothes and hunting opposition to study German in elementary and secondary shirts and carried their own personal gear. schools, in the change from sauerkraut to ‘liberty cabbage.’ ” Times All were armed with a smoothbore musket, a knife, and The reported that the city of Portland, Ore., had a tomahawk. Ancillary equipment was carried in a leather changed the Teutonic names of several of its streets and that shoulder bag called a “possible bag.” While powder horns loyal Americans with German names are striking them out. were used for hunting, in combat, pre-loaded paper cartridges Evidence could not be found that Rep. Smith’s proposal were employed since these allowed faster loading of the mus- was subject to a committee hearing or a House floor vote. ket. The main hand-to-hand fighting weapon in Europe was Here is the text of the bill: the sword and bayonet, whereas in North America, it was the tomahawk and knife. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the names of all cities, villages, counties, townships, boroughs, and of all streets, highways, and avenues in the United States, its Territories or possessions, named Berlin or Germany, be changed from the name Berlin or Germany to the name of Liberty, Victory, or other patriotic designation. Sec. 2. That the municipality where any of the above names occur shall forthwith upon passage of this act take proper proceedings to make the changes above specified. Sec. 3. That from and after the passage of this act all letters or mail matter addressed to any per- son residing in any municipality called Berlin or Germany shall be prohibited from transportation or delivery in the United states, its Territories or possessions. Typical frontier ranger equipment and garb The main weapon used by both the militia and the rangers This may not be relevant to the story, but Rep.