Is anyone doing research on Hessian prisoners or others that might have worked in the iron mining/furnace industry? Hopewell Furnace in Berks County worked some of the Hessians according to Retzer's "Hessian POW's in Reading, Revisited". Hopewell is run by the National Park Service and has a data base and microfilm of the Furnace records but it is not available unless you are at the Park. If anyone is in that proximity i would greatly appreciate any help in the records. The Park Service does not do personal research. My possible surnames are: DAMMEYER and DORMEYER. Thank you, Ann agatha1@flash.net

A question on Hesse-L today about a record of discharge in l841 that outlied some of the Hessians service and rank. Caused me to wonder if such existed for any of the Hessian troops returning home after the Rev War and if, possibly, dishonorable discharges or similar may be available for those who did NOT return home. I assume there are no such records as I have not heard of them, but it sounded like a possible to have been recorded. Charles Severs (Johannes Wilhelm Siebert of Metzebach deserting July l782 from Savanna GA--possible ancestor)

The following timeline from a booklet published by the Maryland School For The Deaf, Frederick Maryland may be helpful. Entitled: The Hessian Barracks: A Witness to History, by Hazel K. mcCanner, Historian, Maryland School for the Deaf, June 1976 (no copyright shown) 1776 - No hostile forces reached Fredericktown but in 1776 the Committee of Observation of Frederick County asked that a military post be established in the town. (Minutes of the Committee, Maryland Historical Magazine, Vol 10, 11, 12. 1777 - In 1777 , the Legislature of the State ordered the erection of barracks in Fredericktown, for the accommodation of two battalions of soldiers (Acts of 1777, Chapter 10, "See also Steiner's Western Maryland in the Revolution," page 49 in Johns Hopkins Studies in Historical and Political Science Series 20,1902. On June 27, Abraham Faw, a local man, contracted to build the barracks for eight percent of the cost, and was given 1,500 pounds currency. On November 20, he was given 1,000 pounds more. (Maryland Archives, Vol. 16, Council of Safety, Vol 3, pages 300-418.) The stone barracks consisted of two "L" shaped buildings with the short arms of the "L's" facing each other, and were contracted on an eminence at the south end of the town which bore the name of Hollerstown Hill. 1777-1779 - After the erection of the barracks, large numbers of Hessians, captured at Bennington and Saratoga, were sent to Fredericktown, and Maryland Companies of German regiments in the Continental Army, Captain Brown's Matsosses, and Colonel Crockett's battalion of Virginia troops were ordered to act as their guards. (Centenary of Frederick, page 247.) In May, 1777, 300 pounds were appropriated for the subsistence of prisoners in Fredericktown. (Maryland Archives, Vol. 16, Council of Safety, Vol 3, page 248.) Baylor's Continental Cavalry wintered there in 1778-79. (Scharff's History of Maryland, Vol. 2, page 340.) 1780-1781 - Following the American victory at Saratoga, October 17, 1777, a large number of British soldiers, known as the "Convention" troops, were taken prisoners. They were quartered in various parts of New England. Some were eventually moved to several locations in Virginia. It was these Virginia "Convention" troops that were transported to the barracks at Fredericktown, December 15, 1780, and quartered there until the spring of 1781. (Historical Review and Recommendations for Preservation, Hessian Barracks, Maryland, July 1973. Department of General Services, State of Maryland) 1781 - After Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown, October 18, 1781, the Ansbach regiments, who were among those taken prisoners, started on their long journey to an internment Camp in the interior. They arrived at Winchester, Virginia, November 5, 1781, where they remained for nearly three months. (A Hessian Prisoner's Memoirs at Fredericktown in 1782-83, by First Lieutenant Johann Ernst Prechtel; Introductory Note, Professor Harold Clem. Printed in The Maryland Bulletin, Maryland School for the Deaf, Vol. 67, No. 5, February 1947.) 1782 - On January 27, 1782, in severe cold weather, the German regiments received orders to break camp and proceed to Fredericktown, arriving at the barracks there on January 31, 1782. (ibid). On February 1, 1782, the English prisoners of war, who had been in Fredericktown Barracks, left for Lancaster, Pennsylvania, (ibid) On August 27, 1782, Garrison orders were: "Every prisoner of war who has the desire to remain in this country shall be set free at once and receive a Certificate from the Minister of War permitting him to enjoy the liberties as a native of the country. In this case he must pay the sum of 80 dollars." Signed: John Wood, Colonel. (ibid) In September of 1782, 300 English prisoners from Cornwallis' army were brought from Winchester, Virginia, to the Fredericktown Barracks. (An Outline History of the Maryland State School for the Deaf from its Foundation to June 1, 1919, by Bernard C. Steiner, Ph.D.) 1783 - On April 24, 1783, there was a peace celebration in Fredericktown. All prisoners of war were free. (A Hessian Prisoner's Memoirs of Fredericktown, in 1782-83, by First Lieutenant, Johann Ernst Prechtel: Introductory Note, Professor Harold Clem. Printed in The Maryland Bulletin, Maryland School for the Deaf, Vol. 67, No. 5, February 1947.) On May 13, 1783, the last of the German prisoners departed from Fredericktown. (ibid) After the close of the Revolution, the Barracks were used as a storage place for many years and in them were kept the cannons belonging to local artillery companies.

>>> It would be interesting to know how and why this John Dirlam, probably >>> from from Hesse, enlisted in the 23 British Regiment of Foot (The Welsh >>> Fusiliers). <<< One of the lesser-known groups of German soldiers who served in the American War of Independence were the "von Scheither recruits." In 1775 and 1776 Col. G.H.A. von Scheither of Hanover recruited in Germany 2000 German replacement recruits to serve in undermanned British Regements. For serveral years the JSHA has been working on a project to identify the majority of those recruits with the intent of publishing a list in their annual Journal.. WO 43/405 at the PRO (now called "The National Archives") is the principal collection of documents concerning the von Scheither recruits. My understanding is that, unfortunately, only something like 600 of the recruits are named in that collection. You also wrote >>> However, the rolls indicate that John Dirlam died July 18, 1777. <<< If my memory serves, at this time the 23d Regt was at New York, either embarked or preparing to embark for Howe's Philadelphia campaign. I don't think the 23d Regt was invoved in comat in July which suggests John Dirlam died of disease. The 23d Regt arrived at New York in June 1773, then at the end of 1774 went to Boston. When Boston was evacuated in March 1776, the Regt evacuated to Halfax, then came with the army to New York later that summer and were involved in the Howe's New York area campaign. At least one of the officers of the 23d had his journal published but the name(s) now escape me. I hope that these "hints" may help direct your research. Bob Brooks

You may recall my earlier postings concerning John Oderick Dirlam: John Merz said that there was a John Dirlam listed in the War Office muster rolls for the 23 British Regiment of Foot, to be found in the British Public Records Office (PRO) in London. My sister had occaision to be in London, so I asked her to go to the PRO in Kew and check the records. She did. John Dirlam was there, exactly where John Merz said he would be. It was one folio beyond the two that John had listed. The documents were very hard to read. However, the rolls indicate that John Dirlam died July 18, 1777. There was an enlistment date of 12 Jan 1777. This was probably a re-enlistment, since earlier records indicated service during 1776. From the other records of the 23 Regiment, which are posted elsewere on the internet, I may be able to find the general location of this John Dirlam's death. Although this John Dirlam is not the John Oderick Dirlam that I have been seeking, I am very pleased to find this record. (John Oderick Dirlam stayed in America after the war, married, and fathered a large family). I will try to find out more about this John Dirlam, where he came from, who were his parents, etc.. The other two or three Dirlams in the American Revolution found in HETERINA (Konrad and Weigand/Wigand)came from Outrau. It would be interesting to know how and why this John Dirlam, probably from from Hesse, enlisted in the 23 British Regiment of Foot (The Welsh Fusiliers).

Forwarded from the MARYLAND - WASHINGTON COUNTY LIST From: "Sharon Banzhoff" <shabanz@earthlink.net> To: <MDWASHIN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 9:45 PM Subject: [MDWASHIN] POWs at Fort Frederick The following is a quote from "MARYLAND - The Seventh State , A History by John T. Marck, 4th Edition: Fort Frederick is located about 13 miles west of Hagerstown in Big Pool, MD. It was one of the last forts built at the time of the French and Indian War (1754-1763). The stone fort was named in honor of Maryland's Lord Proprietor, Frederick Calvert, Sixth Lord Baltimore, and erected by Governor Horatio Sharpe in 1756 to protect the English settlers against the French and their Indian allies. Most forts during this period were built of wood and earth and were small in size but Fort Frederick is unique because of its size and its strong stone stockade walls. Though never attacked by the French, the Fort did serve as an important supply base for various English campaigns. In 1763, an Ottawa Indian Chief named Pontiac staged a massive Indian uprising. It was during this uprising that several hundred settlers and a militia force sought protection at the fort. During the American Revolution, Fort Frederick saw service again as a refuge for settlers and as a prison camp for Hessian and British soldiers. In 1791, the State of Maryland sold the Fort and for the next on hundred thirty-one years, the land was used for farming. During the Civil War, Union troops occupied the Fort and fought a brief skirmish with Confederate raiders on Christmas Day, 1861. This was the only military engagement Fort Frederick has seen. ==== MDWASHIN Mailing List ==== If you have any problems feel free to address those to the list administrator: MDWASHIN-admin@rootsweb.com ============================== Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. New content added every business day. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx

Jeri: You may contact me for a translation of the Erich Staedtler quotes that Bob Brooks sent you if you like. Contact me at my email address. Curt Larsen ----- Original Message ----- From: Nelda Percival<mailto:nelda_percival@hotmail.com> To: AMREV-HESSIANS-L@rootsweb.com<mailto:AMREV-HESSIANS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 9:30 PM Subject: [HESSIAN] Jerri Hi Jerri, the tag lines are always at the bottom of an email Here are two that were left on emails... they need to be cut off/removed before answering an email... no Biggie you'll learn as you go... Nelda LM > > ==== AMREV-HESSIANS Mailing List ==== > Taglines are supposed to give you instructions on how this AMREV-HESSIANS mail list works. Please read them faithfully, and then erase such taglines before sending out an answer to a message. This message > was written by John Helmut Merz, the founder of this list. > One last word - Messages should not exceed what you can type > on two letter pages, if you want to say more, > make it two messages - Part one and Part two. > > ==== AMREV-HESSIANS Mailing List ==== Please stick to our published subject - Hessian Soldiers of the American Revolution, not WWII or the Civil War. No other Immigrants. You can search the archives for a specific message or browse them, going from one message to another. To search: http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/?list=AMREV-HESSIANS<http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/?list=AMREV-HESSIANS> To browse: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/AMREV-HESSIANS-L<http://archiver.rootsweb.com/AMREV-HESSIANS-L> **************** ==== AMREV-HESSIANS Mailing List ==== Please stick to our published subject - Hessian Soldiers of the American Revolution, not WWII or the Civil War. No other Immigrants. You can search the archives for a specific message or browse them, going from one message to another. To search: http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/?list=AMREV-HESSIANS<http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/?list=AMREV-HESSIANS> To browse: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/AMREV-HESSIANS-L<http://archiver.rootsweb.com/AMREV-HESSIANS-L> ****************

Hi Jerri, the tag lines are always at the bottom of an email Here are two that were left on emails... they need to be cut off/removed before answering an email... no Biggie you'll learn as you go... Nelda LM > > ==== AMREV-HESSIANS Mailing List ==== > Taglines are supposed to give you instructions on how this AMREV-HESSIANS mail list works. Please read them faithfully, and then erase such taglines before sending out an answer to a message. This message > was written by John Helmut Merz, the founder of this list. > One last word - Messages should not exceed what you can type > on two letter pages, if you want to say more, > make it two messages - Part one and Part two. > > ==== AMREV-HESSIANS Mailing List ==== Please stick to our published subject - Hessian Soldiers of the American Revolution, not WWII or the Civil War. No other Immigrants. You can search the archives for a specific message or browse them, going from one message to another. To search: http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/?list=AMREV-HESSIANS To browse: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/AMREV-HESSIANS-L ****************

Jeri -- Erhard Städtler, _Die Ansbach-Bayteuther Truppen im Amerikanischen Unabhängifkeits Krieg 1777-1783_ (Nürnber, 1856) lists a soldier named Christian Schaffer: Schaefer, Christian, Gemeiner. A III. Bo. 29. u. 30. 7. 79: Wird wegen Desertierens zum Tode durch den Strang verurtteilt, jedoch zu Gassenlaufen durch 200 Man an zwei Tagen begnadigt. Ansb. Ms. Hist. 487: Seine in Ansbach zurükgebliebene, schwangere Frau Eva Margaretha Sch. lebt ohne die geringste Unterstützung. "A III." -- indicates he served in Major von Stain's company in the Ansbach Regiment (before May 1778, the Regiment von Eyb, then Regiment von Voit; also known as the 2nd Battalion, Ansbach-Bayreuth Regiment) "Bo" and "Ansb. Ms. Hist. 487" -- references to the qtuotations which follow. I think "Bo" probably should be "Bor" = Tagebuch in der Abschrift Borosini (S. 5, Nr. 3)." "Ansb. Ms. Hist." = Handschriftensammlung des historischen Verins für Mittelfranken in Ansbach. "29 u. 30. 7. 79:" -- 29/30 July 1779. I don't know where the regiments were at that time. If you don't read German, ask someone on the list to translate this for you. Bob Brooks, retired on the downeast coast of Maine

Thank you ! I am new to the list and unsure just how it works. You instruct, "Taglines are supposed to give you instructions on how this AMREV HESSIANS mail list works. Please read them faithfully..." I'd be delighted to comply--if I found instructions. Tagline??? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeri Schindler" <2shins@charter.net> To: <AMREV-HESSIANS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 8:56 AM Subject: [HESSIAN] John H Schaeffer > To cousin C. Miller (sorry I mislaid your e-mail)--- > > Do you have a birth date and/or other information about John H ? I am especially interested in information about his parents. > I, too, am descended from a Hessian soldier Christian Schaeffer. Although his birth name was (George) Christian Schaeffer, he chose to use Christian in this country. He was married to Anna Margaretha Hoch. > > Jeri Schindler > > > ==== AMREV-HESSIANS Mailing List ==== > Taglines are supposed to give you instructions on how this AMREV-HESSIANS mail list works. Please read them faithfully, and then erase such taglines before sending out an answer to a message. This message > was written by John Helmut Merz, the founder of this list. > One last word - Messages should not exceed what you can type > on two letter pages, if you want to say more, > make it two messages - Part one and Part two. > >

To cousin C. Miller (sorry I mislaid your e-mail)--- Do you have a birth date and/or other information about John H ? I am especially interested in information about his parents. I, too, am descended from a Hessian soldier Christian Schaeffer. Although his birth name was (George) Christian Schaeffer, he chose to use Christian in this country. He was married to Anna Margaretha Hoch. Jeri Schindler

Hi Jeri, It is always better to direct your request for information to the list instead of me. I'm the manager, and not as well versed as most of the 200 plus members. I am including a copy of the mail you sent me and sending a copy to the list. When writing the list use AMREV-HESSIANS-L@rootsweb.com Make sure you change the subject line to cover the person your asking about. One suggestion I have is to go to the list archives and either browse or search the archives.. Almost every tag line at the bottom of each mailing has the links to access the archives. When searching try different spellings for the name.. also check for resource material, Heterina is one of the sources you will find in the archives... Nelda LM ----Original Message Follows---- From: "Jeri Schindler" <2shins@charter.net> Hello Nelda, I'm fairly new to genealogy, so I've much to learn!! With sketchy information, I'm looking for my ancestor: GEORGE CHRISTIAN SCHAEFFER Family history says he was one of three brothers enlisted with the Hessen forces hired by the British. He remained here after the war and used the name Christian Schaeffer. Christian was married in Philadelphia. Church records support Christian's marriage Family members settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He (and/or one of his brothers ??) established a grist mill. I've located Augustus Schaeffer b. 1827 Amity or Amity Hill, Berks Co., PA but I have no dates for his father, Samuel, who married Rebecca Margaretta Thomas, b. 17 Apr 1808. I've tried contacting grist mill societies to see whether anything of the old grist mill is extant, or whether someone may know a history of a mill begun by a Schaeffer in Pennsylvania. So far no luck. Online historical societies haven't been of help either. I wonder whether there is another generation between Christopher and Samuel (who may have been born in the early 1800s)?? Jeri

Hi, I just spent a few hours looking through this site, It even gives address in Germany to snail mail a request for military records to... Very nice http://www.rootsweb.com/~wggerman/resources/prussiamilitary.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~wggerman/resources/archives.htm nelda

Hi I just spent a few hours going through this site.. Even has German address for requesting help on military records.. Very interesting.. Nelda FOUND AT: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wggerman/resources/prussiamilitary.htm its says Prussia military but it has other information too.

Hi, Ann and I were discussing how she found all the Hessian listings yesterday. She said" Go to Google and put in Rootsweb Archives. When there , write in Hessian Soldier as subject. When I tried this all I got were the mailing list archives, but knowing a little about google I went to advanced search in put rootsweb archives and under at least one of these words input soldier, then selected search.. I also got a lot of hits.. Anyone interested go check it out... You may find someone talking about your Hessian I supose you could do this with any good search engine... Nelda Pax et bonum! Nelda L. Percival nee Gilpin

Hi, You might find this interesting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessian Pax et bonum! Nelda L. Percival nee Gilpin

Hi, You might find it interesting. http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/People/mjw/recipes/ethnic/german/hessian-coll.html Pax et bonum! Nelda L. Percival nee Gilpin

Hi, Found an interesting site about the Hessian soldier. You might find it interesting. http://member.tripod.com/~Silvie/Hessian.html Pax et bonum! Nelda L. Percival nee Gilpin

BlankI went to the Rootsweb Archives site and put in "Hessin Soldiers" 340 site turned up, mostly county sites . Very interesting with lots of historical eye witness accounts. many surnames were mentioned and I will give the item # with names mentioned. Remember, these are Amaerican accounts of Hessians and some are just traditions. 1. Cable, Rinck, Degenhard, Hildebrand, Werner, Fehr, Aschonann, Gute, Bahneri, Knobell, Wetterav, Weimann, Goebell, Fines, Jordan, Brandau, trilge, Dippolt. 2. Schmeiss 38. Noteware 3. Bail 50. No names but interesting Germantown view 6. Noteware, Beck 55. & 56 Waldeck 9. Linke 58. Forgeus, Doney, Roedel (Radel), Long, Dornsife, 11. Rege Bohner, Dockey, Bingamann, Lessman, Allman, 12 Grassmeyer Ossman, Gessner, Schwalm, schmeltz, Stang, 15. Kreuscher Stein, Yund 16. Fazenbaker 62. Bonecutter 18. Rinck 65. Bailor, Brand 22. Fultz 66. Radel 23. Kahl 68. Shugars 69. Spohn 70. Kleck 79. Dockey, Auman 24. Inglebright 82. Harshey 27. Nichols 84. Bohner, Shwalm 29. Faust, Statler 89 Rissmiller 36. Spade 94. Fitzinger, Bingamann Good reading! Ann

Hi Ann, Thats wonderful information, Is the Rootsweb.com Archives a special spot? is it the normal serach engine on the home page? Where would I go to look at some of the things you did? Thank you Nelda Pax et bonum! Nelda L. Percival nee Gilpin