Family History: John Ludwig Detrich: Franklin County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Ken Bacci. kbacci@wans.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ PREFACE The following historical sketch is of the pioneer Dietrich families and their descendants of Penna. and elsewhere and especially in precious memorial of my grandfather, John Ludwig Detrich, the pioneer immigrant, who left the Palatinate on the Rhine in Germany and on the ship, Minerva, landed at Philadelphia October 26th, I767, and who settled with his good wife, Julia, as a farmer of the furrowed fields along the pine-clad hills of Back Creek in a locality which was then known in that early time as the Conococheague Settlement in the wilderness of the new world, now embraced in Franklin County between Saint Thomas and Greencastle. This Chaplet has been compiled and woven as a memorial tribute to his memory, as will all who bear the name whose patriotic, loyal and heroic branches of the family tree have been obtainable, many of whom won distinction in America's wars, and were distinguished as Patriots and Soldiers, while others became prominent in business, the trades and professions. To them, the descendants, the author with honor dedicates this volume. It is a pleasure as well as a matter of profit to review the history of the past. Thus we can keep the first Commandment of honor with the promise which follows after. Each succeeding generation can profit from the records which tell of the experiences, the hopes and fears, joys and sorrows, trials and triumphs, the failures and successes of all preceding generations: and the unfolding of ideas and principles in the sphere of human life, activity and progress, is what we call history. A historical spirit is not only a safeguard of society, but is an element of stability and progress. Therefore, before time, distance of the vicissitudes of life shall have destroyed the vividness of recollection, before old records shall have become scattered, or removals by death of those elderly persons whose minds, interested, linger in memory of the past, of the scenes and incidents of their earlier years - - from facts of the past gathered successively from the preceding generations, from whose Knowledge thus acquired and gathered from the well springs of recollection -- a more concise history of the interesting events of the pioneer population and families of the past are obtainable, is the reason, in order to keep alive that interest, and present a record of facts for the benefit of the future historian, the writer here has prepared this historical sketch, namely -- Dietrich Families and their Descendants, The Drummer Boy of the Conococheague and thus with this preface to the story of his researches the author resigns to worth his work which he hopes may be accepted as a duty worthily, nobly, and with honor done. Charles M. Deatrich, Saint Thomas, Penna. Printed by Frederick F. Unger of the Mercersburg Journal, a member of the Society. Copies can be procured by mail, or otherwise from the author at $1.00 per copy. [handwritten note: 1964 reprint, $2.00] NOTE: Paper read before a meeting of the Kittochtinny Historical Society of Franklin County, Pa., which was held at the Summer Cottage of Harvey W. Spessard, in the Graffenburg Hills of the South Mountain Monday evening, June 28th, 1926, by the author, a member of the Society. Prof. John L. Finafrock, President Arthur W. Gillan, Secretary. Col. Wm. C. Bambrick, Chairman, Executive Committee HOSTS Harvey W. Spessard George K. Lenher Dr. J. P. McClay Morris Lloyd Hon. F. S. Magill J. Hays Mowrey Dr. George A. McAllister Prof. R. G. Mowrey --ooo- THE DRUMMER BOY OF THE CONOCOCHEAGUE Mr. President, Members of Kittochtinny, Ladies and Gentlemen--Because of time and distance, to trace from the beginning, step by step, the history of a pioneer family, and to descriptively show from whence it sprang, is as difficult in its various appearances as research for facts with which to prove and forge the links in a concise chain of family connection, is painstaking; and to the writer, alone, would have been laborious to search through the misty veil of history to remote antiquity, when in heathenish darkness the human races were divided against themselves in their entire life, and engaged in incessant and bloody wars--had I not synopsis of the historical papers produced, and which were read before a family reunion of the Dietrichs and their descendants at Kutztown Park, Kutztown, Pa. September 1st, 1906. At the second large gathering event there was shown a multiplicity of records of names registered. The whole assembly numbered about 2,500 Dietrichs, their descendants and friends, represented from thirteen states and from Canada and Mexico, whose names are there variously spelled, the original being Dietrich, Deitrich, Dedrick, Detrich, Deatrick, Dederick, Deatrich, Dieterich, Dietterich, Tetrick and Diedderich, embrace changes from the original. To compile the history of a family is much like the making of a cigar. You may have a good wrapper but to enjoy a good smoke from it, you necessarily should have a desirable quality placed underneath the wrapper of good filler. Thus to make a sketch complete and altogether desirable, an old historian has said he hesitated about making researches among the branches of his family tree for fear he would find hidden somewhere in the shade of it a horse thief or a slave trafficer. But now, in this age, times have changed somewhat because of progressiveness and lawlessness. The future historian probably in his researches might more than likely find a bank bandit, an automobile thief or a bootlegger, or in place of a thief, more politely, a defaulter. It was in September, 1903. that in response to invitations more than four hundred Dietrichs assembled at Lenhartsville, Berks County, Pa. and formed an organization to collect data for the construction of a family history, and through the tireless efforts of Prof. William J. Dietrich of Reading, Pa. quite a number of the Dietrichs of the Fatherland were obtained. He has unbroken records of our branch of the large family back into the fifteenth century. The Association has practically complete records of early immigrant ancestors and fragments of many more. September 1st, 1906, at the last reunion referred to, the officers of the Association were as follows: President, Lawson G. Dietrich, Kutztown, Pa.; Vice-President, Henry O.K. Dietrich, Lenhartsville, Pa.; Secretary. Prof. Wm. J. Dietrich, Reading, Pa.; Treasurer, Daniel F. Dietrich, Reading, Pa. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Mahlon C. Dietrich, Kempton, Pa.; C. H. Dietrich, Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Jonathan P. Dietrich, Klinesville, Pa.; C. Joseph Dietrich, La-Grange, Illinois; Charles H. Dietrich, Kutztown, Pa.; A. M. Dederick, Albany, New York; Samuel Dietrick, Sunbury, Pa.; Harry A. Dietrich, South Bethlehem, Pa.; Dr. Charles J. Dietrich, Reading, Pa.; Jacob H. Dietrich, Lenhartsville, Pa.; Joel J. Dietrich, Virginsville, Pa. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES Dr. George E. Dietrich, West Reading, Pa.; S. P. Dietrich, Sunbury, Pa.; Miss Effie E. Detrick, York, Nebraska; Prof. A. M. Dietrick, Reading, Pa.; J. C. Dietrich, Kutztown, Pa.; Charles M. Deatrich, Saint Thomas, Pa.; A. L. Dietrich, Washington, D. C.; Jacob G. Dietrich, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Alfred M. Dietrich, Allentown, Pa.; Daniel W. Dietrich, Lititz, Pa.; Irwin W. Dietrich, Hegins, Pa. History shows Dietrich Von-Bern, the Champion of Civilization, was King of the Ostrogoths in Southern Europe 454-526 and was the original Dietrich, it being the family name. As a pagan name Dietrich means "Ruler of a People" and as a Christian name "Rich in the Deity. " The Goths were a powerful German nation of Antiquity, fair complexioned, light haired and blue eyed. They were in almost constant warfare. Finally sections east and west of their territory divided and became known in their religious disputes as Visgoths and Ostragoths. The Goths became converts to Christianity about the middle of the fourth century, adopting the Arian form of belief after Arian, the celebrated founder of Arianism, in the violence of religious disputes at that remote age, the doctrines having gradually drifted to unitarianism. The Visgoths declined by rule of the Franks, and became under rule of Spain, Attila or Etzel was the King of the Huns, who were engaged in battle by the brave Goths, who were burning to avenge the death of Theodoric and in a sanguinary battle old historians have said upwards of 300,000 were slain. The Ostrogoths joined with Attila in the expedition against Gaul, the fiery Huns and furious Franks and fell by thousands under the swords of their kinsmen, who joined with the Romans in this wild revelry of war. Theodoric, the greatest of the Ostrogoth rulers, finally succeeded to the throne, the seat of his empire being Ravenna, and sometimes changed to Verona until finally they became broken and dispersed by their calamities, having in the religious disputes in southern Europe experienced the harassing cares of a life spent in contention with factions, which was a continual struggle of alternate successes, victories and defeats with his adversaries. Dietrich of Bern was the name under which the Ostrogoth King, Theodoric, the Great, appears in German Heroic legends, in which by Bern his capital Verona is to be understood. As early as the seventh century he would seem to have been the center of a distinct cycle of legends. A little later he was, with a not unusual disregard of all historical truth, brought into connection with the traditions of Attila or Etzel. According to legends Dietrich is said to have fled from Italy, to have met along with attendant vassals with a hospitable reception from Etzel, but after many years to have again got possession of his kingdom. The extermination of the Royal House of Burgundy by Attila, which is an historical event, was the cause that Dietrich as well as Etzel himself was woven into the Burgundian and Frankish Siegfried-Saga and this at Etzel's court is handled by the poet with special predeliction. There have been numerous poems besides of which Dietrich was the center and principal hero. Attila's followers at his death cut themselves with knives and shaved their heads to celebrate the funeral rites of their King, whose body was placed in three coffins, the first of gold, the second of silver and the third of iron, and all his trappings and armor were placed in the grave with him, and that all the captives who were employed to make the grave were put to death, so that none might betray the resting place of the King of the Huns. The grand passions that filled the Clans of Southern Europe with action and bloody war in those early days of the world's history, embracing all sorts and conditions of people, required fair dealing and much wisdom upon the part of a ruler and Dietrich's popular judgments and decrees, copies of which are yet extant, it is said are models for any sovereign. Book of heroes, The Mythical Chieftan, who has been identified with the historical Theodoric of Verona, whose name was chosen by the Poets of the Early Middle Ages as the String upon which the Pearls of their fantastic imaginations were to be Strung. The tale of his multifarious adventures is an entrancingly absorbing one, as given in "Guerber's Entertaining Legend of the Middle Ages" and Dr. Thomas Hodgkin's "Theodoric, the Goth, the Barbarian Champion of Civilization. " A legend tells of Dietrich's combat with the giant Grim and the giantess "Hilda of the Magic Sword, Nagelring, " given by the dwarf, "Alberich" of the wonderful helmet as famous almost as the shield of Achilles, of the matchless steed Falke or of the great Enck axe. Worn by the defeat of the terrible giant Enck, his adventures in love, loss of the kingdom, and twenty years exile, and in his old age, weary of life and embittered by his many trials ceased to take pleasure in anything but the chase. One day, when he was bathing in the stream, his servant came to him and told him there was a fine stag in sight. Dietrich called at once for his horse and as it was not instantly forthcoming, he sprang upon a coal black steed and was borne rapidly away through the dim defiles of the forest, and now leads the "Wild Hunt" upon the same stable steed -which he is doomed to ride until the judgment day. There are at least seven distinct houses of Dietrich's belonging to the nobility of Germany, and there are that many coats of arms. They are prominent in church and state in the Fatherland so that the name is very familiar in Germany. The original Dietrich was the first King of a Shepherd chosen by God to lead his people and strove to advance his conception of the duties of a monarch among the royal families and among the nations other than his own. For thirty years peace reigned and prosperity was in the land during his rule. Other Dietrichs became famous in Germany as theologians, physicians, botanists, painters, composers, historians, philologists and musicians. Dietrich Von Veit, born December 8th, I5o6 at Nurenburg, was a promoter of the Reformation and a cooperator of Melancthon, and who sacrificed his life rather than his belief and died in 1549. Many are most prominent in German annals. The excellent papers which involved painstaking care and historical research upon the official organization and read at the large reunion family gathering at Kutztown Park upwards of twenty years ago and which in part embraced the history of the families in Europe and America has not yet appeared in family book form, and which was no wilful neglect, but simply a duty unperformed, probably delayed from publication by reason of the intervention of the Great World War when the German name was not popular. Even before that time, in 1898, it was Otto Diederich. the Vice Admiral of the German Navy, whose band upon his flagship played that dangerous tune in Manila Bay that caused our Admiral Dewey to ask explanation of his conduct. Dietrichs have been numerous in Germany and fought nobly and with distinguished valor in the Crusades. One branch of the family because of their valor in the Crusades and other wars the great honor was given by the German Emperor of being raised to knightly rank commensurate with his own, and the privilege of bearing on their escutcheon a field of red, an especial rank of dignity. Hon. Theopolis Liefield, who was United States Consul at Frieburg, Baden, in a lengthy letter enumerated thirty-three Dietrichs who attained eminence in as many fields of human endeavor as inventors, scientists, musicians, literateurs, physicians, lawyers, clergymen, statesmen and noted warriors, in the long list of their achievements as referred to in the addresses of Dr. W. W. Dietrich of the Kutztown Normal School and Hon. Luther R. Kelker, the State Custodian of the Public Records. Upon the Ceremonial program of the Family Reunion exercises September 1st, 1906, which were opened by an overture by the Winona Concert Band of Shillington, followed by an invocation by Rev. J. Eugene Dietrich of Oreland, Pa. The Reunion hymn was sung by the large audience with inspiring energy after the addresses were delivered with instrumental accompaniment and led by the Reformed Church Choristers of Reading, all of which filled the air with music and of which Dr. W. W. Dietrich was the leader, as given herewith: "When Lord, to this our western land Our wandering fathers came: Their ancient homes, their friends in youth, Sent forth the heralds of thy truth, To keep them in thy name. Then through our solitary coast, The desert features soon were lost; Thy temples there arose; Our shores, as culture made them fair, Were hallowed by thy rites, by prayer, And blossomed ai tile rose. And oh, may we repay the debt, To regions solitary yet Within our spreading land: There brethren, from our common home, Still westward, like our fathers, roam, Still guided by thy hand. Savior, we owe this debt of love, Oh, shed thy spirit from above, To move each Christian breast; Till heralds shall thy truth proclaim And temples rise to fix thy name Through all our desert west." Dietrichs were in attendance from many parts of the United States. Six representatives of the family came from Galt, Ontario, Canada. The states represented were Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, California, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kentucky and Washington, D. C. There was a prejudicial narrowness shown the early German pioneers by those who had at that time, at that early day, a monopoly of the printing and book business, which was heightened because the Germans brought with them printing presses, books, teachers and preachers, and innumerable treasures of their race. The old historian classed all the early German immigrants as low Dutch and burlesqued their habits of economy, manners and acts. It is now two centuries or more ago that Johann Christian and his half brother, Johann Wilhelm Dederick, and tradition says another brother, came to New York and settled on the Livingston Manor along the Hudson River, the former at West Camp and the latter at East Camp. They were among the pioneer settlers who set sail from Holland and who originally founded a colony in New York along the Hudson. There was with them one gifted as a story writer, who from his observations of men and things, descriptively portrayed folk lore, the manners and acts and customs of the people, and the time colonial under the rule of King George. He erroneously was called a Dutch settler and one who signed his stories, which were written legendary and traditionally, with the initials D. K. and which indicated the name of Diederick Knickerbocker. Knickerbocker was the name given a magazine which he published. A Posthumous tale was found among Diederick's papers at his death. It was supposed to have been written at Wolford's Roost at Nick Vedder's saloon where the loungers took many a boozy round and was the story which Washington Irving so entertainingly and graphically compiled and named Rip Van Winkle. Rip was so long drunk through Colonial times that when he recovered consciousness of his whereabouts was found seeking his cronies about Nick Vedder's saloon where he saw the sign was changed to that of the Washington House. He was a suspicious subject, it was thought, blamed as being loyal to King George in his utterances on the day when an election was held for officials of the new government and Diederick was finally saved from arrest for a Tory. This story of Dietrich was compiled into a popular comedy as Rip Van Winkle and made famous that Prince of Comedians, Joe Jefferson, whose wonderful mimicry as a star comedian with his flagon of booze, was an enforcer, all of which lesson made Jefferson, who played with ease and naturalness the famous star comedian actor of the American stage. Also a history of New York to the end of that period which was named the Dutch Dynasty was written by Diederick and compiled by Washington Irving in 1809 and published in his writings named The Sketch Book, and which, too, gave him the name of Diederick Knickerbocker. It is a burlesque chronicle interspersed with such novel sayings and touched with such artful skill, that it has been sometimes taken as veritable history. Race prejudice and hatred of German pioneer settlers caused early historians to class all Germans, without distinction, as mentally narrow or systematically inferior in their manner and acts, and thus their critics with superficial narrowness were prejudiced against and assailed the German character. Mixed blood of Scotch Irish and German Swiss clans produced ultimate Americans. They for freedom nobly fought. It is written and known well that side by side they fought and fell. It is traditional that the third brother, Johann Nicholas came into Pennsylvania about 1729 owing to terrible treatment by the baron owners. A Dietrich appears as one of the emigrants who came with Conrad Weiser and others to Pennsylvania by way of the Susquehanna River as far as Harris Ferry, thence crossed Lebanon County into Tulpehocken and Heidelburg Townships, but no record of this pioneer settler has ever been found, and he was probably murdered by Indian savages. Johann Dietrich was the first of the name to settle in the territory of Berks County, Pa. several years before the formation of the county in 1759. The territory was then a dense wilderness and among the hills of Greenwich Township there in middle life he bought and cultivated his farm. He died in I785, leaving his widow, Barbara with three small sons named Johannus, Jacob and John Adam. Johannus, as a young man crossed the Blue Mountains to Schuylkill County, where by thrift he became a large land owner and his descendants are many. The second son died young and without a family. John Adam was born in I784 and died in 1864 aged four score years. In 1803 he married Susanna Arnold with whom he had twelve children. His building which he reared on his land in Greenwich Township in 1844 has withstood the storms and ravages of time. Adam Dietrich, his wife, Barbara and two small sons came from the Rhine Valley in Germany in the ship Brittania and landed in Philadelphia, October 26, 1767. In 1770 he was a taxable of Berks County. When the embattled farmers shot their first shots which were heard around the world at Lexington and Bunker Hill for American Independence, like the Knight Dietrich of the Middle Ages he kissed his good wife goodbye and shouldered a musket in the cause of freedom, serving as sergeant in Captain Jacob Baldy's Company, Sixth Battalion, commanded by Colonel Joseph Heister in service of the Patriot Army during the Revolution. He had seven sons and four daughters whose average ages at death were 79 years. The total descendancy of Adam Dietrich is estimated very numerously. His children all lived past the Scriptural allotment of "three score and ten." The pioneer, Elias Dietrich, in accordance with the Penn Archives landed in 1744. His Bible record states that he died in 1759 with the inscription that he fell asleep in the Lord on the first day of November, and may God grant him eternal rest. There are numerous records of deaths and births of the Dietrich families of Eastern Pennsylvania and of their lifetime achievements in both church and state and patriotic service in war, and the defense of their country, showing them to have been intensely patriotic, serving in the War of the Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Civil War of the rebellion, the Spanish-American War and the Great World War. In Ulster County, New York, there were sixteen Dietrichs who served in the Patriot Army. One Matthew Dederick was a captain, one was a lieutenant, some were sergeants, and the rest privates. In Berks County Adam Dietrich was an ensign and Jacob Dietrich was a private in the Revolutionary War. When President Lincoln called for 75,000 troops for the Civil War, fourteen Dietrichs of Berks County kissed their wives, mothers and sweethearts goodbye, and went to fight to preserve the union of the states. Some never returned. Four sons left their widowed mother, Mrs. Henry Dietrich of Greenwich Township, Berks County, who were her help and support, to battle for the union and in honor of the flag. Two died on the field of battle, and Willoughby, one of her sons, won distinction for gallant and meritorious service on the firing line. The Pennsylvania Archives record that fifty-four Dietrichs landed in Philadelphia between 1731 and 1805. The wide spreading branches of the family tree has extended to other states as referred to and Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, Allentown, Easton, Wilkes Barre, York, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Chester, and to the rural counties of the state, and elsewhere its innumerable branches have spread. Before the Civil War in one election district of Greenwich Township, Berks County, eighty- seven Dietrichs were registered as voting at one election. Dr. W. W. Dietrich, Superintendent of the Kutztown Normal School and Rev. Lawson Deatrich, both having died in June 1925, were sons of Rev. Wm. M. Deatrich, D. D., who after retirement from service in the active ministry was until his death the precise, Stated Clerk of Mercersburg Classis of the Reformed Church. Rev. Josiah D. Dietrich, D. D. of Flourtown, Pa., who was a model farmer, was an official of the Agricultural Department at Washington and was the son of Lewis Dietrich of Waynesboro. Others of the branches which sprang from Jacob Dietrich were spread in Adams, York, Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster and Franklin Counties and elsewhere in Pennsylvania. In other states there were Dietrichs prominent in official places before and during the war of the rebellion. The writer, with pardonable pride, refers to Johann Ludwig Dietrich of Franklin County, Pa. from whom most of the name in Franklin County have sprung, and for whom remembering the first commandment of honor, this historical sketch in part is woven to his memory and to his numerous posterity, inasmuch as most all the families which sprang from him enjoyed long life, which is the promise which follows after in accordance with the Scriptural commandment of honor. My grandfather, Johann Ludwig Detrich was born in Germany in 1740 and died in 1819, aged 79 years. Julia Ann Detrich, his wife, was born in 1746 and died in 1832, aged 86 years. Their remains lie buried on the plot of the old homestead, which together they carved out of the wilderness near where the Evergreen Pines of Back Creek, a branch of the Conococheague cast their shadows to the ground. The farm is now owned by Dr. George Teagarten. He left the Palatinate on the Rhine, where he was urged to preparedness for the priestly profession which he disliked and accordingly set sail from Rotterdam, Holland, on the Ship Minerva, John Spuriers, Master, Clearance at Cowes, England, 194 passengers onboard, and arrived at Philadelphia, October 26th, 1767. Among the female emigrants of the Minerva comes a romance, when Detrich showed a noticeable admiration during the voyage for Miss Julia Ann Gushert, a lady emigrant on the boat, and at once that admiration was reciprocated and developed into the lovelight of an engagement. Both were happy in hope that the voyage for life together would be extended when they settled in a home together somewhere in the wilderness of the New World. Sometime after landing that engagement was solemnized by an itinerant minister of their faith, before organizations were formed or churches built. When Johann Ludwig Detrich married Julia Ann Gushert, they settled in Lancaster County, which then embraced the beautiful and fertile Cumberland Valley of Pa. and in that territory which was called in that early day the Conococheague Settlement, midway between Saint Thomas and Greencastle, now in Franklin County, where he became a prosperous farmer of the furrowed fields. In 1765, two years before their landing in Philadelphia, the British Government of the Province passed the Stamp Act, and all the male emigrants on the boat were compelled, if over 16 years of age, to take the oath of allegiance to King George. The Colonial heart was fired with the spirit of liberty and nine years later the patriotism of the embattled farmers was stirred by the shrill, martial music of fife and drum on Lexington Green, and their shots for Independence echoed and reechoed along the pine clad hills of the Conococheague settlement. Detrich thought King George by force had delegated his Power to other's hands and that he ill deserved the crown he wears, and Detrich disregarded that allegiance to King George given November 9, 1767 when the immigrants were marched to the Court House and were qualified before the official magistrate, and thus Johann Ludwig Detrich finally felt the patriotic inspiration of a righteous cause for independence and enlisted as a private, first class, and placed for service as a drummer boy in Captain Martin Hughy's company of Lancaster County Militia, dated at Sunbury, Pa. October 31st, I779 as of record in the Pa. Archives, 5th Series, Volume 7, Page 1117 for 1780 and 1781. Private 1st class, Capt. Martin Hughy's Company, 1st Battalion of the Company Lancaster County Militia for 1782 and name erroneously spelled Ludwig Tetrach. Pa. Archives, 5th Series, Volume 7, Page 67. Private 1st class, Capt. Martin Hughy's Company, 1st Battalion of the Company Lancaster County Militia, April 15th 1783. Name erroneously spelled Ludwig Tetrich. Pa. Archives, 5th Series, Volume 7, Page 8o. Private 1st class, Captain Martin Hughy's Company, 1st Battalion of the Company, Lancaster County Militia. Name erroneously spelled Ludwig Tetrick, Pa. Archives, 5th Series, Volume 7, Page 82. His whole service about 5 years to the end of the war. Army disbanded Nov. 3. 1783. H. H. Shunk, Custodian of Public Records - - In Penna. Archives, 2nd Series, Volume 17 is recorded the following oath and list of foreigners who took the oath of allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain, and the Province of Penna. from the year 1727 to 1775 and the following copy gives the form of the oath and list of emigrants imported on the ship Minerva of which John Spuriers was master, who were compelled to take the oath as referred to November 9th, 1767, thirteen days after landing at Philadelphia, Oct. 26, 1767. He survived the hardships of the Revolutionary Campaigns in which he was engaged and returned to his family of which this is its record, step by step, as was recorded in the family Bible over his signature there written and signed -- John Ludwig Detrich. Thus this historical sketch in honor of him and his descendants and those known who bear the name is given by the writer as a memorial tribute to Dietrichs and their descendants and to them dedicated as a contribution to the family referred to, which has been long delayed from publication by the family historians of twenty years ago. Pennsylvania Archives have records of males over 16 years, whose names are given on the Minerva, who had to take the following oath and declaration, as soon after their arrival as possible at Philadelphia. They were marched to the Court House, although in a number of instances they were qualified at the official residence of the magistrate. On the 9th of November, 1767 the foreigners imported on the ship Minerva, John Spuriers, Master from Rotterdam, Holland, last from Cowes, England, were qualified and took the oath of allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain and the Province of Pennsylvania. >From the year 1727 to 1776, with those to the state from the close of the Revolution have been in part printed. The originals in the possession of the Commonwealth having been badly mutilated by searchers for untold fortunes, it has been deemed advisable to publish the entire record under the authority of the state, and the lists have been carefully compared and collected. To make the same of permanent value, a complete index of surnames is given. In some cases the entire list of the ship's passengers is preserved, with ages and all in connection therewith. Originally these were furnished the proper authorities, but unfortunately one by one they have been abstracted. Owing to the large influx of foreigners, especially German and Swiss, it was deemed advisable to compel all to take the oath of allegiance which was, at first, as follows: I do solemnly, sincerely and truly acknowledge, profess, testify and declare that King George the Third is lawful and rightful King of the Realm of Great Britain and of all others of his Dominions and countries thereunto belonging and I do solemnly and sincerely declare that I do believe the person pretending to be Prince of Wales during the life of the late King James, and since his decease pretending to be taken upon himself the style and title of King of England by the name of James the Third, or of Scotland, by the name of James the Eighth, or the style and title of King of Great Britain hath not any rightor title whatsoever to the Crown of the Realm of Great Britain, nor any other of the Dominions thereunto belonging. And I do promise to renounce and refuse any allegiance or obedience to him, and do solemnly promise that I will be true and faithful and bear true allegiance to King George the Third and his successors, all treasons and traitorous conspiracies which I shall know to be made against his person, Crown and dignity. And I will do my best endeavors to disclose and make known to King George the Third and his successors all treason, and traitorous conspiracies which I shall know to be made against him, or any of them. And I will be true and faithful to the succession of the Crown against him, the said James, and all other persons whatsoever as the same is, and stands settled by an Act entitled, An Act declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the succession of the Crown of the late Queen Ann and the Heirs of her being Protestants, and as the same by one other act entitled, An Act for the further limitation of the Crown and better securing the Rights and Liberties of the subject, is and stands settled and entailed after the decease of the said late Queen, to the late Princess Sophia, Electoress and Duchess Dowager of Hanover, the heirs of her body being Protestants, and all these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge, promise, and declare, according to these express words, by me spoken and according to the plain and common sense understanding of the same words, without equivocation, mental evasion or secret reservation whatsoever. And I do make this recognition, acknowledgement, renunciation and promise heartily, willingly and truly - - Names Originally Signed Johann Ludwig Detrich Johann Martin Slotzer, Sr. Johannes Nauman Valentine Kamper Jeremiah Nauman Hans George Haag-a Johann Detmolder Johann Traubach Johannes Nauman, Jr. Christian Calmstrom Nicholas Blacher George Kessel John Miller Gottifried Haaga Peter Schumacher Bastian Dauber Johannes Herr Johann Christ Dauber Jacob Hellman Philip Jacob Gentzler H. Hambach Jacob Drill Valentine Faber Jeremias Algeier Jacob Horsch Michael Seitz Anthony Schoch Valentine Stahl Jacob Weiss Johannes Fusser Joh. Math. Schleeman Hans Georg Mayer George Wittenmyer Johan Peter Schumaker Joh. Dietrich Hennenberg Johannes George Hefer Joh. Valentine Battinger Johann Georg Schaffer Dietrich Reidenmyer Johan Wolfgang Bolschner Johann Jacob Lang Johan Daniel Schinoltze Johan William Jasper John Ludwig Baucher Francis Flamer Frederich Hahn Jacob Mich. Holber William Zills John Fisher John Miller Freiderich Koop Christian Faber Jacob Faber Peter Fuchs Joh. Masshalder Christian Kauffman Nicholas Ungerer John Daniel Wilhelm Johann Adam Pleiffer John William Beane Johann Brenier Valentine Faver, Sr. Georg Adam Wetterbauer Johan David Bordele Conrad Schneider Johan Adam Roltbetzer Johan Geo. Schar Matthews Fischer Eberhart Leitenberger John Melchoir Blankenburg John Neutzert Michael Buch Henrich Lauchs Peter Hitzier Peter Muller Johanns Schmidt Jacob Hobwein Hans Bernhart Mayer Johann Wilhelm Endres Johann Simon Schuey Johan Jacob Zechiel George Adam Deutch Nicholas Albrecht Johann Anderas Kirchner Jacob Weckenhant Michael Trahn Joseph Kund Johan Martin Motzer To the births has been added the marriages of the family, which numerously perpetuated the growth of the family trees, which, to enumerate in the order of their growth would like as wandering through the wide expanse of a forest, which has been densely grown, or of making a record of the age, growth and value of the different varieties and their products. The children of John Ludwig and Julia Ann Detrich follow: George Detrich, born January 29th, 1778. Unmarried Catharine, born January 26, 1780. Married John Lesher Christian, born Nov. 4, 1781. Married Susan Stotler Elizabeth, born May 16, 1784. Married Daniel Wolf David, born Oct. 6, 1785. Moved west, unknown Ellen, born May 24, 1787. Married George Clapsaddle Lewis, born Nov. 30, 1788. Married Maria Frontz Samuel, born Dec.9, 1789. Married Sarah Brindle Mary, born May 28, 1792. Married George Schafer Emanuel, born July 4, 1794. Married Catharine Christman John, born July 2, 1796. Married, 2nd marriage Mary A. Brazier One child died young. No record. The family was noted for longevity as well as their numerous offspring in the years that followed after, and who had been, and are actively engaged as farmers, in business, the trades and professions, in church and state. Twenty Dietrichs of Franklin County patriotically served their country in America's wars, commencing with the Revolution and ending in the Great World War for humanity. Some were killed and wounded in the forefront of the firing line of battle. Dietrichs names in history are recorded as in Pennsylvania Regiments of the Civil War of the rebellion. Easton's Battery, 102nd Infantry, 126th, 130th, 138th. 158th, 209th, 210th and 20th Cavalry, and some of them received marks of honor for gallantry and meritorious service when the rewards for service were bestowed, all of which record of intensity, of patriotism sprang from the career of the early pioneer, John Ludwig Dietrich, the drummer boy of the Conococheague. Christian Detrich, the second son of Ludwig, was the father of Lewis Detrich of Waynesboro, who in both hearing and answering theological questions of the clergymen of Mercersburg Classis of the Reformed Church, could equally quote to them to clinch his argument, the theology of Dr. Nevin. He was the father of Rev. Josiah Dietrich, preacher and model farmer, who sprang from this branch of the family. David and Jeremiah Detrich of Greencastle, Pa., sons of Christian, had in their long lives as funeral directors a record of about 7000 funerals and are well remembered for their congeniality and kindness to the deserving poor. The same business, having succeeded finally to William H. of Greencastle, the whole business of the family embracing a century, thus perpetuating the record. A descendant of Rev. John Steele, one time pioneer preacher of Welsh Run and Church Hill in 1749, was Samuel Steele who married Nancy, daughter of Christian Detrich. His family became prominent promoters in business at Pittsburgh. One son, Samuel Steele, served many years as State Senator from Allegheny Co. Jerome Detrich, a one time County Director of the Poor for Franklin County and Samuel, an artisan of Greencastle, were of this family. Jeremiah Detrich's brother was General David Detrich, son of Christian, who in antebellum times was the Brigade Inspector of Pennsylvania Militia, and his daughter, Ellen, is wife of Charles Ruthrauff, whose daughter, Lillian is the Greencastle correspondent of the Franklin County daily Repository, wherein she tells of the happenings around Greencastle and is a prominent member of the Franklin County Chapter D.A.R. John, Samuel, Lewis and Calvin, Jeremiah and David and others sprang from this stock and thus like the Banyan tree the branches spread. Martha, a daughter of Gen. David Detrich is the wife of Colonel W. G. Davison, who was officially connected with the C.V.R.R. at Greencastle and is a member of Kittochtinny Historical Society. His daughter is the wife of Editor R. C. Gordon of the Waynesboro News and who is a member of the Kittochtinny Historical Society and she is a member of the Franklin County Chapter of the D.A.R. Gen. David Detrich's old home at Greencastle, as one of the old land marks, has thus been given in "Greencastle Happenings" by Miss Lillian Ruthrauff in her article of April 12, 1923, in which she said that if the old homestead then being remodeled could speak, it would tell many interesting tales of those who had dwelt beneath its roof. Carpenters when repairing it would stop to comment about mantle pieces and wood trimming of the interior so beautifully hand carved, and the beauty of the designs of the carver. When General Detrich occupied the home he was connected with the State Militia as Brigade Inspector of the 2nd Pa Brigade for seven years, and was then commissioned Brigadier General of Pa. Volunteers of Franklin County. His handsome uniform glittering with gold braid and brass buttons, his black beaver cocked hat with its sweeping white plume was kept guarded in a trunk in the attic, and is yet hanging together as the uniform of an American officer and when worn by grandchildren as masqueraders it showed quite, an air of elegance as a costume. When the General's oldest son, Marshall Detrich, officially a Major in the Civil War in the 126th Pa. Infantry, commanded by Col. James G. Elder of St. Thomas, was wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg but had recovered from his wounds, he was appointed by Governor Geary a member of his staff. He contracted a cold which resulted in his death and was given a military funeral which was attended by the Governor and staff and the gathering of city troops and veteran comrades, to honor a gallant soldier who had brought home with him marks of honor from a bloody field. The town of Greencastle wore the garb of mourning and the City Grays of Harrisburg with the Governor's staff marched with bands of music and with muffled drums to the bivouac, the final camping ground where the knightly Marshall's silent tent was with honor spread. "Where he sleeps the sleep that knows no waking Dreams of battlefields no more, days of danger, nights of waking" When the Confederate Army was retreating from Gettysburg one of the General's daughters, Ellen Pawling Detrich, now the wife of Charles H. Ruthrauff and the mother of Mrs. I. G. Rider and Lillian C. Ruthrauff of Greencastle, was sitting on the porch of their old home with bandages to aid the wounded, but one of the troopers to whom she offered assistance spurned her aid in such bitter terms, that his commander ordered him to dismount from his horse and present it to Miss Detrich for his impudence. She begged that this not be done, but the Confederate officer insisted, and taking a pencil from his pocket wrote her a note stating that no one should ever take the horse from her, and signing the name of one of the South's brave majors, gave it into her hand. The horse was a very handsome roan, a typical prancing steed which was named Pompey, and which was used for all kinds of service from hauling an old cart to leading in a parade or riding in a tournament. Pompey, like the old homestead, is remembered in the honey cells of memory as the departed who visit us in dreams. Christian Dietrich, the second son of John Ludwig, the pioneer, was born Nov. 4. 1781. In 1806 he married Susan Statler. In 1833 he retired from farming and died in 1855. He was twice married. His first wife died in 1824, leaving nine children. Like most of the Dietrichs of Franklin County he was a consistent member of the Reformed Church. He served as a lieutenant of Pa. Militia for seven years, and then was advanced to be Captain of the Company. He was also a justice of the Peace for Franklin County for a number of years. His son, General David Dietrich, was born August 26, 1807 in Antrim Township, Franklin County. When young he learned the cabinet and undertaking trade as a funeral director. Completing his trade he began business in 1829 at Greencastle, Pa. In this business he remained 53 years during which time he assisted in making coffins for 3,800 persons. He was succeeded in business by his brother, Jeremiah Dietrich, herein referred to. David Dietrich was early identified with the Pennsylvania Militia and when 28 years old was commissioned first lieutenant of the sixth company, 26th Regiment Pa. Militia. Two years after he was appointed Adjutant of the 6th Regiment and shortly thereafter Major of the 2nd Battalion of the same regiment for 7 years. In 1832 he was made Brigade Inspector of the 2nd Brigade, Eleventh Division of Pa. Militia also for seven years. In 1849 he was elected and commissioned Brigadier General of the Pennsylvania Volunteers for Franklin County. He served 5 years when in 1854 he was reelected for 5 years. He then served 3 years as a member of Governor Johnson's staff and closed his connection with the military service in 1859, having been identified with it without intermission for a period of 39 years. In 1871 he was elected Director of the Poor of Franklin County. He filled at various times positions of trust and honor. Dietrichs and their descendants like as those of the Fatherland, whether as preachers or teachers, agriculturists or artisans bear record of successful achievement in their life work, and for service in American wars. Patriotism and the military spirit was infused into Franklin County descendants by the pioneer John Ludwig Dietrich, The Drummer Boy of the Conococheague. >From Lewis the fourth son through his son, Andrew, came Lewis W., a lieutenant in the Civil War in the 30th and the 138th infantry, who was wounded, lost an arm and was elected Clerk of the Court of Franklin County after his return from service. He married Miss Lottie E. Nevin of Waynesboro in 1876 and their son, A. Nevin, like Knight Detrich of Bern, became a crusader and as a political campaign manager, led the independent forces in the campaign by which Hon. Gifford Pinchot became Governor of Pa. For his service by appointment he was given the office of State Printer at Harrisburg, which place, after a time he resigned to accept a greater reward in the Auditor General's office at the State Capital as Chief of the Bureau of Highways. Further honored by appointment he was made special reporter for Governor Fisher, by reason of his intimate knowledge and acquaintance of public men in Pennsylvania. Thomas, a son of Andrew, was a private in Col. James G. Elder's 126th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry and died at Camp Pierpont, Va. in service of the Civil War. Emanuel Dietrich, the fifth son of John Ludwig, was a soldier in Capt. Gordon's Company, 2nd Brigade of the Division of Col. James Fenton, Commander, in the War of 1812, and was in the battles of Chippewa and Bridgewater. His son, Capt. Jacob L. Dietrich, was one of the first at Lincoln's first call for troops in 1861 to enlist for the Union and in honor of the flag. He helped Capt. Hezekiah Easton of Fort Loudon, Pa. to recruit for Easton's famous battery, which was distinguished on so many bloody fields and became for it the 1st lieutenant. In connection with the Penna. Reserves they won the first battle of the Civil War at Dranesville, Va. At the battle of Dranesville when Captain Easton's battery was driven pellmell for position the gun carriage which Deatrich himself drove struck an obstruction in turning a corner of the road and the carriage and gun upset. Captain Wm. D. Dixon's Company of the 6th Pa. Reserves following, quickly set the gun and carriage upright again, when with a happy salute of thanks Deatrich with the battery took his position on the firing line. At Gaine's Mill, by a flanking movement of Gen. Stonewall Jackson, who was an ubiquitous foe, Easton's Battery on Gaine's Hill, which was drawn by 48 large gray horses was stationed with little infantry support, when the battery was charged up the hillside by a solid phalanx of rebel infantry. Captain Easton was killed and Detrich, when two horses were shot from under him and 36 of the gray horses of the battery were strewn on the hillside together with the wounded, the dead and the dying, took command. He mounted Easton's horse midst the thrill of the bullets' wild singing and escaped the onslaught with two minnie balls through his left arm, one above and one below the elbow, while another scraped his shoulder. Only 12 of the battery horses were rescued and the horse which he rode was so wounded in the volley of musketry which followed him that the horse had to be killed that night, a prancing charger which Easton had bought from T. B. Kennedy for 300 dollars when Easton first entered the service. After the war Captain Detrich went to the West which was then wild and wooly where, like the fabled Teuton Chieftan, who as a lover of the chase, engaged in the "Wild Hunt." He was fond of the chase after wild buffalos, but unlike the mythical Ostrogoth Chieftan he did not ride to death, but came back occasionally with the great game. Captain Detrich until recently was living at Hunnewell, Kansas, and at the age of 87, two years ago he came alone to Old Home Week at Greencastle, and after traveling 1800 miles was the guest of honor at a St. Thomas Ox Roast. Since then Captain Dietrich died in his 93rd year. Veteran rest; with the flag o'er you beneath The War Clouds' encircling wreath. War's wild revelry was rush of steads and warrior men, And only thy right arm was left to shield it then. His brother, William Detrich is a retired farmer and a resident of Greencastle, Pa. His son, George Detrich, was Division Manager of the Gulf Refining Company of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Samuel Detrich, 5th son, married Sarah Brindle, and was a farmer near the pine-clad hills of Back Creek. Their children were Lewis, Malachi, Sarah, Nancy, John, Leah, Samuel, Jacob H. and Amos H. The latter served as a sergeant in the 158th Regt. of Pa. Infantry in the Civil War and Captain Jacob H. Deatrich was one who went after the first call was made for troops, when martial music of fifes and drums echoed from Back Creek along the wall of the Kittochtinny or North Mountain. He first enlisted in Captain James G. Elder's Company of the 2nd Pa. Regt. for three months, then again for 9 months in Captain Walker's Company of the 126th Regiment Pa. Infantry, which was in the forefront of the battle of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Antietam. Again when discharged he at once enlisted in Colonel J. E. Wyncoop's 20th Pa. Cavalry as 1st Lieutenant of Company D and although wounded at Piedmont, Va. rode with Sheridan to the end of the war. For distinguished service and meritorious gallantry he was commissioned a Captain and when mustered out of the service at Cloud's Mills, Va. he was presented by his comrades with a fine sword bearing an inscription as a souvenir memorial of his valor in battle. He, too, like his cousin, Capt. Jacob L. Detrich, after the war took with him his wife and a Winchester rifle to the wild western frontier of Kansas, where he was an employee of the Union Pacific R. R. and became in Trego County the owner of a large tract of land which he acquired by his native energy, stay and push, while others of his colony became discouraged at the ups and downs and hardships of frontier life in that which was formerly a desert land. His remains lie buried in his homeland in the cemetery beneath monumental markers showing his Civil War Service. Samuel Detrich, a son of Uncle Sam, also was a soldier from Franklin County in the Civil War of the rebellion. He missed roll call after a hard fought battle on a southern field, and who when last seen by a comrade was engaged in a hand to hand struggle with a rebel antagonist, and was evidently killed and buried as one missing in an unknown grave, and of whom there is no record. Some people think that pictures of battle scenes, of engagements in close quarters, which show the field strewn with dead and the dying are overdrawn by the artist, and thus they criticize the story of the old veteran, who like Goldsmith's hero, shouldered his crutch and showed how fields were won. Samuel Detrich, a St. Thomas boy, had enlisted in an Indiana regiment and single handed in the struggle he fell in a grave unknown, on a Southern battlefield. Andrew and his wife, Nancy Detrich, a daughter of Samuel had a son Amos, whose son, Sergeant Melvin Detrich, gave his life in battle for the cause of humanity in the World War in the Meuse-Argonne defensive, and in honor of him Detrich-Brechbill Post 612 of the Saint Thomas American Legion is named, and for whom a memorial elm was planted by the Saint Thomas Legion when his remains were brought home and buried with military honors in the Saint Thomas Cemetery. Another son of Amos and Nelly M. Detrich of St. Thomas, Pa. is Van Detrich, who enlisted since the World War in the aviation service of the U. S. Army and was placed as a member of the 96th Bombardment Squadron now located at Langley Field near Danville, Virginia. My father, John Deatrich, born February 2nd, 1796 was the youngest son of John Ludwig Deatrich, and was born at the old homestead referred to along Back Creek. He died in 1874 in his 78th year. He was a village smithy by trade and forger of iron. He had a practical education and was posted in the current events of the day. He was twice married. His only child by his first wife was James Deatrich, who for years was a justice of the Peace in Blair Co., Penna., and who, in 1847 married Rachael R. Johnson. He died at Roaring Springs, Pa. in his 79th year at which place his son, Harry M. Deatrich, Superintendent of the D. M. Bare Paper Company resides. Another son, Franklin, is a business resident of Altoona, Pa. Also B. F. Detrich a retired farmer. The second wife was Mary Ann Brazier with whom he had six children, Wm. R. Humphrey, John Calvin, Charles McCauley, Sarah, Charlotte and Susan. Mary Ann (Brazier) Deatrich was born in 1813 and died in 1887. Seventy-four life leaves in the Good Book of my mother's experiences were then turned over to the finis and that good book was forever closed. When the terrible black night of Civil War had brought with it fear to the people of the border counties, the church bell of the Reformed Church of St. Thomas, which for years had sent its peaceful melody across the quiet fields, reminding the church going people the hour for devotional services that the bell was used for another purpose to be performed, when it was so arranged that from the almost daily reports of rebel raids across the Potomac that the bell should be used to give warning to the farmers to take their horses and cattle away in safety when any report of the enemy coming became a reality. It was on the 10th day of October, 1862, when Mary A. Deatrich climbed a ladder to the belfry where with patriotic duty she grasped the clapper and quickly clapped the bell with its iron tongue until Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate troopers, representing 2000 Virginian Chivalry, under Colonel Wade Hampton rode down the village street. The writer was then a youth of 12 years and the event makes memorable this tribute to her memory. It was awe to me to see my mother clinging to her post up there. Her lips moved in trembling eloquence of prayer. 'Twas war's wild revelry, the wild music blends. It was a dangerous place, but safely down the ladder she descends. The event is one of the vivid recollections of my earlier years. To me it was no poetry of war, but warfare's dread to see my mother placed in such a dangerous position before the enemy. Wm. R. Humphrey Deatrich was the eldest son of John and Mary Ann (Brazier) Deatrich born at Saint Thomas, Pa. June 28, 1834. He was baptized by Rev. Frederick Rahauser and admitted to his first communion May 4th 1850 under the ministry of Rev. Nicholas Gehr, D. D., who catechised and confirmed him in the faith of the Reformed Church at St. Thomas, Pa. He received his secular education in the public schools and in two schools of higher education, the Franklin and Marshall Collegiate Institute of Mercersburg, Pa. whose principal was the Rev. John R. Kooken, A. M. and the Franklin Academy at Chambersburg. His theological preparation was made in the study of Rev. Samuel R. Fisher, D. D., Benjamin S. Schneck, D. D. and Benjamin Bausman, D. D. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Classis of Mercersburg, Synod of the Potomac, in the Reformed Church of the United States, at its annual meeting at Chambersburg, Pa., May 22, 1860 and was ordained to the holy ministry in the Church at Grindstone Hill, near Chambersburg in 1860. During a ministry of 36 years he served four pastorates, Grindstone Hill, three years and six months, Gettysburg, Pa., nine years and six months, Mechanicsburg, Pa., eight years and Newport, Pa., over fifteen years, which was the New Bloomfield charge. For seventeen years he was the stated clerk of the Classis of Zion, embracing the parishes within the counties of Adams, York, Cumberland and Perry. On June 9, 1863 Franklin and Marshall College of Lancaster, Pa. conferred upon him the Honorary degree of Master of Arts. On June 9, 1896 he received from the same institution that of Doctor of Divinity. He had served on the various boards of the Church and for nine years was on the board of Visitors of the Theological seminary of Lancaster, Pa. He had more than once presided at the Sessions of the Classis of Carlisle and was President of the Synod of the Potomac, of the Reformed Church in the United States at its annual session held Oct. 1888 at Woodstock, Va. He was elected an Alumnus of Franklin and Marshall College June 30, 1875. He had also been made an Honorary member of Marshall Literary Society of Mercersburg College, of the Phrena Kosmian Society of Pennsylvania College, and of the Diagnothian Literary Society of Franklin and Marshall. He frequently lectured with acceptance before literary societies, county and district Institutes, church Societies and Grand Army Posts. He was initiated into Good Samaritan Lodge 336 Masonic in May, 1864 at Gettysburg, was advanced to companionship in Samuel C. Perkins, R. A. Chapter 209 Mechanicsburg, Pa. in February 1878 and knighted in Saint Johns Commandery No.8 of Carlisle, Pa., April 1881. He became a member of Lodge No. 1, O. O. F. at Gettysburg in February, 1867. He began his education for the ministry after he was married and during the time of his preliminary studies in the Institutions of Mercersburg and Chambersburg, was a clerk in the store of Hutz and Keefer in Chambersburg. May 3, 1855 he was married to Mary Clark Maxwell of St. Thomas, Pa., who died after an operation for eyesight at Harrisburg, Pa. February 8, 1900. One child resulted from this union, Mrs. Ada L. Epping of Butte, Mont. May 1st, 1900, following shortly after the death of his wife, he died, as he had always said he would, in the harness as he having been stricken in the pulpit of Newport, Pa. Sunday morning, April 22, 1900, while sermonizing about Sampson (text Judges 16:30), vividly portraying the scene of Sampson tied to the twin pillars which he likened to sin and death. He was a firm believer in the tenets of the Reformed Church, in which he was reared, and to whose ministry he devoted his life. But there was a catholicity to his view that recognized good in any sister evangelical church and he was ever ready to render service to his brother ministers. None were so lowly that they found not in him a friend and his work as a pastor was recognized at death by all the organized church societies and otherwise as one universally beloved. Thoroughly methodical he noted carefully in what he called his "Biblical Polyglotta" the various work done in the line of ministerial duty. Up until 1898 in the nearly 40 years of his ministry was noted in the various charges he served, the baptisms, admissions, funerals and marriages, stating miles traveled 41,785, sermons preached, 6,824, lectures delivered 3,133, visits paid 14,880, baptisms 1,039, additions to church 923, marriages 677, funerals 838. During his first charge he was one of the residents of Fayetteville, Franklin County, who were blamed with robbing the dispatches to General Lee during the great invasion, and taken as prisoners by General Imboden's Confederate troopers, when his Army was on its way to Gettysburg. This robbery for which they were blamed was done by a Union scout, who captured the courier between Fayetteville and Greencastle. With Deatrich was taken J. Foreman, Samuel Disert, Caspar Black, J. R. Bixler, John N. Baxter, J. C. Brown, H. Dorne, Geo. Harmon, Wm. Rupert, Isaac Wilhome, P. Martin, Wm. Daniels, Cyrus Bachman, John Crawford and J. Maloy. This party were taken as prisoners to Gettysburg and were threatened a hanging on the South Mountain. Although at the time Deatrich weighed 225 pounds they were compelled to walk from Fayetteville to Cashtown without a pause. At Gettysburg, with a great battle going on around them, they were held within the Confederate lines, and while General Pickett was forming the line for his famous charge, a young Confederate came riding along the line erect on the back of a bull facing the tail of the animal which he twisted to give it more accelerated speed as he shouted, "I am General Lee's dispatch bearer. " He was guyed by the veterans who yelled that he was only trying to escape the battle. Deatrich, after the battle, was chosen by the prisoners to represent them in asking from General Imboden a release. He met the General under a chesnut tree on the Gettysburg battlefield. His reception was not cordial. Hanging was the best thing for them Imboden said. Deatrich smilingly said, "You can see, General, I am too heavy to hang." His manner of saying that and giving a signal of distress caused Imboden to smile and Deatrich was offered his release. He refused to accept it unless his neighbors were also released. This was finally granted and the happy party walked joyfully back with the retreating army to Fayetteville. Deatrich wore a high black hat, such as was minister's style to wear those days, and for which the veterans guyed him, in, that how such a conspicuous black target escaped giving him at least the thrill of bullets during the battle and they yelled to him to come down out of that nail keg, you needn't say you are not in it, we can see your feet sticking out. Dr. Deatrich was possessed of a fund of anecdotes and wit that made him, with the gift of mimicry and seeing the ludicrous in so many acts, a most congenial companion, his friends had said, which enlivened the hour and he could tell a humorous story with dramatic effect, and yet drawing morals for his auditors' benefit, having the happy faculty of entering the very feelings of one, sharing his joys and bearing his sorrows. Clerical brethren and laymen one time were delegates to the General Synod of the Reformed Church at Newton, North Carolina. Returning by boat they were overtaken by a threatening storm off the coast. The sea roared and the boat tossed and rocked in the storm when the captain ordered the crew to put on life preservers. This the delegates all at once did, but there was not one on the boat big enough for Deatrich, and midst their fear he was the object of their sympathy. When the storm subsided there was a peaceful calm until Deatrich placed himself in the center of the group, when he with humorous mimicry pictured and dramatized each one of the company, evincing their fear and faithlessness and comparing them to the storm tossed disciples on the sea of Galilee. His funeral May 4, 1900 was attended by the ministerium brethren of the Classis and a large concourse of sorrowing friends. His remains were placed by the side of his beloved wife in the Cemetery at Newport, Pa., with the statement by the brethren that he was ready to be offered as Paul had said to the brethren, that he had fought a good fight, that he had finished the course, that he had kept the faith, that henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give him at that day, and not to him only, but unto all them that love his appearing. Favorably known by a large circle of friends was John Calvin Deatrich, the second son of John Deatrich and brother of the writer. He was born at St. Thomas, July 2, 1845. From his early manhood and until his death, August 8. 1896 in his 51st year, he was a teacher in the schools of Franklin Co. He was not married. The only interval when his professional engagements were broken was when during the Civil War he served in Company C, 102 Regiment, Pa. Infantry, which was with General Wright's 6th Corp which marched to Danville, Va. to force the surrender of General Johnson when Lee surrendered at Appomatox. John Calvin Deatrich, A. M. is lovingly remembered by many as the promoter of a select school which was operated by him during the months at St. Thomas and at which he had at different times as assistants Profs. W. F. Zumbro and J. L. Finafrock, the present County Superintendent of Schools and now President of Kittochtinny Society. Many young men and ladies were prepared for the profession of teaching. Deatrich received his education in the public schools, a select school of Prof. Samuel Gelwicks at Upper Strasburg, Shippensburg Normal School and Mercersburg College when Dr. Elnathan E. Higbee presided as demonstrator. Dr. Higbee was as analytical of his subjects as his logic and reasoning was convincing and scholarly and the students who sat at his feet became by his molding and fashioning interesting demonstrators as teachers before a class. John Calvin Deatrich was a teacher well versed in the school curriculum. He was an etymologist of words by giving their derivation and origin and was well posted in ancient and Biblical history. He and O. C. Bowers worked out together arithmetical problems and won the prize dictionaries at Spelling Contests when there was rivalry in spelling and when it was considered an honor to "stand the floor." Father, John Deatrich, was one of the promoters of the Sunday School of the Reformed Church at St. Thomas and was its first Superintendent and in his life held all the churchly offices at different times. So John Calvin until his death was Sec'y. of the Consistry, Supt. of the Sunday School and held at times all the churchly offices in a careful methodical way, as is shown by the old church records of Trinity Reformed Church at St. Thomas, the same official trusts of which the writer had been his successor for many years. The sisters referred to and named married. Charlotte became Mrs. John Cromer, Susan became Mrs. Cyrus Defenderfer and Sarah, Mrs. Samuel A. Zumbro and they have passed by death to their reward. Sarah was the mother of two sons, Prof. William F. Zumbro, who married Mary Yeager of St. Thomas and in the midst of his life work of a Franklin County teacher he died at his home in Chambersburg in 1923. He was educated in the public schools and at the Shippensburg Normal School. For several terms he was principal of both Mercersburg and Chambersburg High Schools and who for nine years, three successive terms was superintendent of the schools of Franklin County. The other son, Jacob C. Zumbro, too, for a number of terms was a St. Thomas school teacher, but for a number of years has been and is now engaged in a prominent clerical place in the office of the Frick Manufacturing Company of Waynesboro, Pa. Charles McCauley Deatrich, the writer, the youngest of the family of John and Mary Ann (Brazier) Deatrich and the only survivor of the family was born October 24, 1851 at St. Thomas and received his education in the St. Thomas schools. From April 1868 to 1871 was clerk in general merchandise store of Gen. Wm. D. Dixon at St. Thomas. Clerked then some time at clerical work in Chambersburg, Pa. and taught Campbell Grammar School at St. Thomas in 1872, receiving a teacher's certificate from County Supt. Prof. Samuel Gelwix. From 1878 to 1925 was in general mercantile business in St. Thomas in which place I am yet located, not wishing to be idle and Because it hath been said by ancient sages And repeated that in life's latter stages The love of life increased with busy years. Don't be idle when greatest love of life appears. For years I have been in business alone to this date. For 36 years have been Keeper of Exchequer of St. Thomas Castle 309 Knights of the Golden Eagle and was knighted July 16, 1926 a chief of the Supreme Castle of Pa. The last 24 years by successive appointment have been a Notary Public for St. Thomas Township, Franklin County. The last representative of our family living with my mind lingering in memories of the past, and taking backward glances in my researches over the mountain of time, distance, pleasures and vicissitudes of life, rehearsed and concluded to the 76th life-leaf from the preface toward the end of the chapter, and having observed many of the best known of the family name in sketching my research in this description, yet many more in a sketch such as this, because of memories fading shadows are left untouched, not because of any wilful neglect, but simply because of the wide unknown branches of the family tree also made it a matter unperformed. My effort has been to serve as a future guide given as a contribution for a part of the volume of family history of the Deatrichs of Franklin County and elsewhere to help compile the whole volume, the book promised by the family organization 20 years ago. Inasmuch as there may be no missing link in the family chain of connection the research wanderer, the writer herein says he has not travelled the mazy pathway of human affairs alone. The writer, September 9th, 1884, was married by his brother, Dr. W. R. H. Deatrich to Emma Claudine Palmer, daughter of J. C. Palmer of Hamilton Township, and for 42 years of happy union together have been engaged, as referred to in general merchandise business at St. Thomas, the village which sponsored my birth and the village which bears a pious name. Since 1913 I have been a member of Kittochtinny Historical Society and all of which sketch, with pardonable pride, the writer presents that the Dietrich family which sprang from Knight Dietrich of Bern, and the Franklin County Branch from the Drummer boy of the Conococheague, may not pass into forgetfulness. This historical sketch is hereby dedicated in grateful remembrance to be of special interest to the Deatrich families and their descendants by the author in memorial tribute to all the numerous descendants; but especially in memorial of John Ludwig Dietrich, my grandfather, the Drummer Boy of the Conococheague, my parents, John and Mary A. (Brazier) Deatrich, that those who bear the name in Franklin County and elsewhere wherever located may know and remember that our forefathers sacrificed to liberty, that because of intolerance and religious oppression they crossed the sea, settling in the pioneer wilderness of the New World, that they struggled for the righteous laws of liberty, the generous plan of power, delivered down from age to age, successively by our renowned forefathers, dearly bought with price of patriot blood, --that it may not perish in your hands, but be piously transmitted to your children and make your lives in possession of liberty, happy, or your deaths glorious in defense of principles for the laws of righteousness and against lawlessness. Such like were the active springs which set in motion for freedom and liberty, righteousness and independence from arbitrary power, the Drummer Boy of the Conococheague, and for whom and his descendants thus is woven this memorial tribute in grateful remembrance to his honor, and in that every light shines as far behind as it does in front of us unless we get behind the light and shut out its rays, that the light which shines farthest into the future is the light which shines farthest into the past -- that what is to come we know not, but we know that which has been was good and was good to show. Each period of history which shows the manners and acts of people is known and shall be known by the achievements of its generation. It is well that historians by research embrace the opportunities offered to visualize these and put them into effect, inasmuch as many people of the present generation know not from whence they originally sprang, and that a further development of our country pioneer family history, an ideal, which our county historians should be more and more interested to show may be lost and pass into forgetfulness if left hidden and untouched by our county historians. It has been most truthfully said that the golden age is not yesterday nor tomorrow, but today, that it is the age in which we live, and that in which somebody else had lived and in honor of the dead as a memorial record for the living, the writer with pardonable pride dedicates this sketch which embraces past, present but not perished loves. Tidings from distant friends are as pleasing and enjoyable as sounds of distant music through the long drawn valley are inspiring and interesting to those who bear the name. To this sketch the writer has added from Miss Matilda R. Detrich of Waynesboro, Pa. a news clipping with respect to the career of Rev. Josiah D. Detrich, D. D., the well known teacher, preacher and agriculturist, who at the age of four score years and after fifty years service in the ministry has resigned the pastorate at Blue Bell, Pa. and which is the Boems Congregation of the Reformed Church. A sketch of his career embracing the activity of his works combined with both natural and acquired gifts; in a double role of application as a teacher and farmer of the furrowed fields, is herewith given in his retirement at an advanced age from service to take a well deserved rest. Thus 8o life leaves in the Good Book of Dr. Detrick's experiences have been turned over from the preface toward the finis, and this concluding chapter herewith shows his achievements in which cannot be found one dull page. Lewis Detrich of Waynesboro was a grandson of John Ludwig Detrich, the Pioneer, and was father of Dr. Nevin Detrich, who occupies the old homestead and also of Rev. Josiah D. Detrich, D. D., the farmer preacher. Lewis Deatrich was a churchman without any Alma Mater to worship, yet he could more than equal in Scriptural argument some of the ministerium by quoting Dr. Schaff's Church History and the Theological Doctrines by Dr. J. W. Nevin. Dr. Josiah D. Detrich, the Preacher Farmer, by which he was known for years and credited with being the first to successfully keep two cows an acre on his thirteen acre farm near the village of Flourtown, Pa., was born in Waynesboro, Pa. April 4, 1846. At the age of fifteen he joined the choir of Waynesboro Reformed Church and developed a splendid voice which he later employed to good advantage in his ministerial duties. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1869 and taught school in Center and Franklin Counties. His first charge upon being ordained to the ministry was Whitemarsh Reformed Church in 1874, then Saint Luke's Reformed Congregation, residing in Flourtown where he also conducted the Small farm. Dairying, following the lines of the so called soiling system and a treatise in balanced ration and a book on manures and bacteria he carefully studied. The Federal Department of Agriculture hearing of his methods sent men from Washington to learn his methods and how to use the silo in feeding dairy cattle so as to give them green food in winter time. An article on his views of farming at "Model Farm" as his Flourtown farm was known was printed in seven different languages by the Federal Government for distribution. During his actual service of four score years in pulpit and on farm, he also found time devoted to music and art, he having painted in both oil and water colors with success. Old Father Time, thy haste no mortal spares it does appear, Uncalled, unheeded, unawares, brought thee past thy eightieth year. What is time in which was wrought the Progress of the years, Since the early days of our Country's Pioneers? I asked an aged man, a man of many cares, Wrinkled, and curved, and white with hoary hairs; Time is the warp of life, he said, Oh tell The young, the fair, the gay to weave it well. I asked the ancient, venerable dead, Sages who wrote and warriors who bled; From the cold grave a hollow murmur flowed, Time sowed the seed we reap in this abode. I asked Old Father Time, at last, But in a moment he flew swiftly past, His motor was a cloud, the auto speeder's kind, He tread the gas and left no trace behind. I now declare the mystery is o're, Time was, but Time shall be no more, Scientists, some say by research may proclaim it fair There is no time on earth, it seems, nor in the air. Our forefathers for freedom nobly fought And some their blood they gave; And many of their descendants, too, In America's wars were dutiful and brave. Patriots awake! Our nation guard From enemies wherever they may be; Where e'er we be in air or land and sea May allied glories shine for thee. Patriots awake from dreams of peace, Nor sleep when dangers near; Prepare to fling Old Glory to the breeze, There are no cowards here. Whether English, French, German, Swiss, Scotch, Irish Clans Mingled blood produced ultimate Americans, History records and 'tis known well That side by side they fought and fell. America's wars were not for conquest History records and all rulers see; For laws, liberty, honor and the truth Nations should in harmony unite, and all agree. Statesmen should awake from dreams of peace Make Propogandists and Soviets disappear; Deport lawless banditti from our land Admit no Soviet, bandit, cowards here. When on the seas the Navies ride May our banners be unfurled; Human birds may fling poison gas O'er all regions of the world. Times speeding motor passes swiftly by There is no timely medium near; And mankind is the swinging pendulum Between a smile and tear. In eternity time is endless Beyond the last look of sky or earth; Descendants all best love the land That sponsored them by birth The Indian with his pipe of peace Was forced to slowly pass away; The Scotch Irishman with his piece of pipe Had come prepared to stay. Good Father freely gave the Indians desert lands Whereon to roam, a home for tribes and clans; We don't say lo! poor Indian now, alas; Country's progress made the Indians rich in oil and gas. No more their savage war whoop Threaten with their murderous thrills Indian tribes voted the great White Father An honored Noble Chieftan of the hills. Our Valley bounded by Kittochtinny's endless chain Presents to view a fair and matchless scene; Dressed in its picturesque diversity it seems No more lovely landscape on the earth is seen. Bound around by billowy mountains It's charming forests rolling in the blue; When shall Jehovah's hand the screen roll up Shall He at end of time present a fairer view. For laws, freedom, truth and faith in God Our pioneer fathers crossed the seas; They only thought to live in peace In lovely scenes like these. And where the Conococheague's evergreen pines Daily cast their shadows to the ground; And where the moon beams tinge the trees There Grandfather laid his earthly honors down. This Family tribute is thus with honor woven A memorial wreath for the family tree; A bud of memory's flowers, a garland given May it bloom a full blown flower for thee. THE END