Family History: Conrad Roeder descendants: Berks/Schuylkill Cos, PA Copyright © 1995 by Dick Turnbach. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the author. 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. _________________________________________________________________ Extracts from "Pioneers and Patriots Over the Blue Mountain" by F.Richard Turnbach pub and copyright 1995 One Man's Price for Freedom From the vantage of our lifestyles it is difficult to imagine the hardships that early immigrants, and their families, had to endure to gain the freedoms that we know, and often take for granted. Accounts of some of the journeys survive today, which give details of the daily events during the months that it took for some to make the journey to America. Also, some journals of early Colonial life have survived the years. Each person had their own story. Bites of major events of one man's life survive in preserved records. On 3 December 1772 ship Sally arrived at the Port of Philadelphia from Rotterdam via Portsmouth, England. Aboard was Conrad RODER, who had taken what we might now call a "Sail now- Pay later" journey to America. His indenture was "sold" the same day for his debt of 17 Pounds, 3 Shillings to Sebastian KEELY of Vincent Township, Chester County. Under the indenture, Conrad was obligated to work for a period of three years for Keeley. There were about 50 or so "Redemptioners" who arrived with him on that ship. His signature is on the list of persons who "did this day take the Oaths and Qualifications..." On 15 August 1832 Conrad ROEDER, age 81,of Wayne Township, Schuylkill County, appeared before George Rausch and Daniel Yost, Associate Judges of the court of Common Pleas of Schuyklill County. Conrad made a declaration in application for a Pension under an Act of Congress passed 7 June 1832. In that declaration he stated that he was born in Europe, migrated to America at twenty years old in 1772, and that his age was recorded in his family Bible. Also, he stated that he enlisted as a soldier in the Army of the United States in 1776 under Captain Hettering in Windsor Township, Chester County. He also stated that he was at Fort Lee, Amboy, and Fort Washington. At the latter place he was taken prisoner, and held for eight weeks at Bridewell Prison. After release from prison, he returned to Chester County where he again enlisted in the spring of 1777, for one year. During that year he was at Trenton, Amboy, White Plains, Valley Forge and Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth Meeting House. He returned to Chester County at the end of his service and remained there for four years, after which he moved to Berks and Schuylkill Counties. He was on the Revolutionary Roll for Pennsylvania, and was paid a Pension of $60 per year, beginning 4 March 1831. A Certificate of Pension was issued on 2 May 1833 and sent to him at Orwigsburg. That payment covered an arrears of $120.00, plus a semi-annual payment through September 4, 1833 of $30.00. His claim was recorded in Book E, Volume 5, Page 48. Philip MOYER, a clergyman, and Frederick HESSE, identified as a credible person, had countersigned Conrad's declaration. Conrad is buried at Summer Hill Cemetery, his tombstone indicates that he was born 13 May 1751, died 6 August 1834. His wife, Magdalena was born 25Jun1753; died 12Feb1831. His will is recorded at Schuylkill County in Book 1; page 180 through 182. The will was dated 26 April 1823, and Recorded 29 August 1834. It had been witnessed by Henry KREBS and Jacob KREBS. The executors of his estate were two of his children, Catherine and Conrad. In addition to his wife Magdalena, the will mentions his sons Conrad and Caspar, his daughter Catherine, and Johannes and Anthony, likely sons of his daughter Catherine. [Anthony had died before Conrad.] A death notice appeared in "Die Stimme Des Volks and Allemanger", a German Language newspaper printed at Orwigsburg: "Conrad Roeder, Wayne Township, August 6, 84 years." Another person by the name of Conrad ROEDER, served in the Revolution with units of then Northampton County. Care must be taken to avoid mixing records and data relating to these two individuals.