The story is handed down in the family that our immigrant ancestor had to leave the old country to avoid being conscripted into the Prussian army. He arrived here in 1857 as a single 22 year old. Does this make sense? I know the Hessians were mercenaries in the American Revolution. Did they also fight in other countries' wars? I was thinking that the story was wrong. That he was trying to avoid the Hessian army. He came from Allendorf on the Werra. That is definitely in Hesse, right? Any light on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks from Lisa in mild and lovely upstate NY.