NEW BETHLEHEM – Early American history has been at the forefront this year as the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding approaches, and some of the Clarion County area’s earliest patriots were recently remembered at a historical program in New Bethlehem.
At the June monthly educational program held by the Redbank Valley Historical Society, members of the Clarion County chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution were on hand to share information about their patriot ancestors and others who served in the Revolutionary War and are buried in the county.
Chapter member Lee Ellsworth explained to the crowd gathered at the Redbank Valley History Center how DAR members must be able to trace their family roots back to at least one “patriot,” described as someone who served in the American Revolution in some capacity.
“Most people don’t realize your patriot didn’t have to serve in the military,” she said, noting that many others who supported the cause, including many women, are now being recognized as patriots.
Roberta Laird, historic preservation chairperson for the local DAR chapter, provided guests with a list of nearly 30 Revolutionary War soldiers who are buried in Clarion County cemeteries, highlighting three in the New Bethlehem area.
She said that Adam Manny (Mohney), who was born in Northampton County in 1759, and later in 1808 purchased land in the Hawthorn area, is buried in the Alcola Trinity Cemetery. She said that five of his descendants are currently members of the local DAR.
Also, Laird said, Conrad Silvis, who lived from 1741 to 1803, is buried in the Middle Run Cemetery, and George Daubenspeck, who lived in Toby Township, is buried in the Squirrel Hill Cemetery. Daubenspeck signed the Oath of Allegiance to the colonies in August 1777, and served in the 3rd and 6th Battalions under Captain William Mayer. He moved to Toby Township after his wife died in 1798, and he passed away in 1807.
Several chapter members also presented information about their patriot ancestors, including Lucille Procious, who said she was descended from both Peter Pence and William Stewart.
Procious said that Pence was born in 1742, and served in the Lancaster County Militia. He eventually relocated to Sugarcreek Township in Armstrong County, where he died and is buried.
Her ancestor William Stewart, she said, was born in Ireland in 1738. He was a second lieutenant in the revolutionary army, and was wounded in 1777. After the war, he received 200 acres of land in Mercer County. He died in 1811.
DAR member Janet Lindenmuth told the audience about her patriot ancestors, Abraham Smith and John Schreckengost.
Smith was born in Connecticut in 1734, and fought in the French and Indian War. He was involved in patriotic service throughout his life, and died in 1796. She said his descendant came to Jefferson County.
Schreckengost was born in Germany in 1761, moved to America and was a teenager when he joined the militia for the revolution. His descendants eventually came to the Shannondale area in Redbank Township.
“Many hundreds of their descendants still live in this area,” Lindenmuth said. “We owe our gratitude to him and all the other patriots who made it possible for us to celebrate our 250th anniversary.”
Among the other presenters at the local program was the Rev. Dottie Kunselman of the Redbank Valley area, who listed her patriot ancestors as John Shoemaker and Martin Shaffer.
Kunselman said that Shoemaker, her fourth great-grandfather, lied about his age and went into military service during the revolution as a drummer boy. He is buried in Westmoreland County.
Shaffer was born in 1724 in Germany. He took the Oath of Allegiance in 1778, and had several sons who served in the revolution. Although he was too old to fight in the war, Shaffer, who was a teacher and preacher, performed religious services at Valley Forge to General George Washington’s troops. He died in 1809 and one of his sons eventually moved to Jefferson County.
DAR member Melanie Parker talked about Johannes “John” Stahlman, her patriot ancestor, who was born in 1756. After his death in 1823, his wife, Eleanor, and five of her six sons, moved to the Frogtown area in Clarion County, where the Stahlman name is still very prevalent.
The DAR members also presented information about their organization, noting that details about membership can be found online at www.dar.org.