It is good to remember those who came before us. As I write these tributes to my Revolutionary War ancestors, I am amazed to learn of the difficulties they endured in life. For some, their whole lifetime was marked by turbulent times. It was not easy to live on the frontier back then. Michael Kressler and his family was no exception. Imagine hearing reports of marauding Indians who were attacking and killing neighbors. Some of the stories I have read are spine chilling.
There are several records that record the service of Michael Kressler. He is credited by some as having served in the Pennsylvania Line and by others for service as a Ranger of the Frontier. Men who enlisted in the Pennsylvania Line served for at least six months and were prepared to face battle in conflict with the enemy. Often, as was the case in Northampton County, special troops called Rangers were recruited to serve long periods of enlistment to protect the frontier against Indian attacks.
There are several records that record the service of Michael Kressler. He is credited by some as having served in the Pennsylvania Line and by others for service as a Ranger of the Frontier. Men who enlisted in the Pennsylvania Line served for at least six months and were prepared to face battle in conflict with the enemy. Often, as was the case in Northampton County, special troops called Rangers were recruited to serve long periods of enlistment to protect the frontier against Indian attacks.
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“They (the Rangers) were kept continually on
the alert, marching to and fro, to protect the country from the enemy who was
only known by his sudden burning and murders and escape to the depths of the
forest…” (Knouff)
Kressler's name appears in various lists in The Pennsylvania
Archives 5th Series, Volume 8. On 14 May 1778
Private Michael Cressler, 1st class, appears on the general
muster roll of the 2nd Company, 4th Battalion, Northampton County Militia under
the command of Lieu't Co'l. Nicholas Kern and Captain George Edelman. p. 367. On September the 6th, 1780,
he is listed as a member of the 4th Class, 8th Company, 3rd Battalion. The
Company was commanded by Captain Paul Knauss. pages 240, 241 and 289. Again on May
the 1st, 1781, Private
Michael Kressler, 2nd Class, 8th
Company, 3rd Battalion. p. 249. These
records show us that Michael Kressler was prepared to provide service for the protection of
his family and neighbors
throughout the period of
the Revolutionary War. He is recognized by the Daughters of the American
Revolution as Ancestor #:
A067507 and also by the Sons of the American Revolution, Membership:90643.
Michael
was born several years after his father’s arrival here in 1732. Born in 1740 in Frederick Township, Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania, he was the son of
Hans Philip Kressler. Michael Kressler (Cressler) married Elizabeth Halloway on December 6, 1761 at the Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church,
Northampton Co., Pennsylvania.
They became the parents of
eight children, who were born in Allen Township, Northampton Co.,
Pennsylvania. They were: Phillip, born Sept. 14, 1763; George,
born April 24, 1768; John, born April 28, 1771; Valentine, born Feb.1, 1774; Jacob, born Dec. 20, 1775; Michael, born Aug. 20, 1778; Adam, born
May 8, 1781 and Elizabeth, April
3, 1783. Their births are recorded in the records of the Zion's Stone Church at Kreidersville.
Time
has weathered his original tombstone in the cemetery at Zion's Stone Church in
Kreidersville, but a new one was put in place by his descendants in 1984.
His grave is also marked by a bronze Revolutionary War Veterans marker and flag
by the DAR.
Sources:
- "An Arduous Service":The Pennsylvania Backcountry Soldiers' Revolution, Gregory T. Knouff, Rutgers University, NewBrunswick, 1994. Online at https://ojs.libraries.psu.edu/index.php/phj/article/viewFile/25116/24885. March 17, 2014.
- The Pennsylvania Archives 5th Series, Volume 8
- Family Trees: WorldConnect Project
- Find A Grave Memorial #: 5710991 http://www.findagrave.com
Please see this list of all My Revolutionary War Ancestors.
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This page © 2014, Cynthia
H. Smith
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I've been doing my family tree and was so happy to see this! It means so much. I'm decended from Hans Philip-Johann Michael-Johann Michael - Michael kressler-Samuel Kressler- John H (I have to assume this is the father of Francis A as Francis A is living with grandfather Samuel Kressler at time of census and the three other sons were ruled out) - Francis A-Francis-Thomas-Kathryn (my mother). Feel free to contact me mah8689@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am happy that you found this tribute helpful and interesting. Michael Kressler served his country well. I am grateful for his service.
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