Germany, 1500's

I have always been intrigued by family history. I love hearing stories about the past. The stories are full of hope and promise where our ancestors sought and sometimes fought for a better way of life.

My family lineage traces back to Galicia, Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Lithuania. Just to name a few! I am one big melting pot of nationalities.

My husband on the other hand, is 100% all-around German. Maternal and paternal sides of his family were all descended from Germany.

Several years ago, my husband's grandmother gave him a box. When he opened it, he was surprised to discover a letter that had been passed down from generation to generation regarding his family lineage. From the details in this letter, we were able to trace my husband's family lineage back to Germany in the 1500's.

The letter is displayed below and I have copied everything verbatim. **Last names removed. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Try to follow if you can. The sentences are very wordy, but I did not want to change the content. There was also not a date on the letter which would have been helpful.

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John Conrad and his two brothers emigrated from Germany. John settled on the farm where George now lives, about 1770 (Doubs, MD). One brother settled in Pennsylvania and the other died soon after landing.

John Conrad had three sisters. They married and went to Ohio.

David was born in 1796. He was married three times, but had no children.

John Conrad was killed during a storm. A tree blew against the house and when he went out to see the damage, a brick was knocked off the chimney, striking him on the head.

Jacob was born in 1804. He also was married three times. His first wife was Catherine and they had two children. Susie married David and they had seven children. Michael married Elizabeth, his second wife was a widow, and they had six children. Jane married William, they had seven children. Mary married James, they had eleven children. David married Aurelia, they had six children. Jacob married Virginia, they had seven children. Lewis married Elizabeth, they had six children. Frank married Elize, they had two children. His third wife was Sophia, they had no children.

He was intensely southern in his sympathies. He suffered considerable loss during the Civil War; in horses, cattle and fencing, during a dash by the Confederate cavalry through the Manor. The Federal forces were stationed at Point of Rocks and hearing the Confederates were at Adamstown, left Point of Rocks and not taking the main road, but across the country, they pulled down the fences as they passed through farms, among them was his farm.

They pulled down his fences, but as soon as they were through, he put up the fences. In less than half an hour, they were retreating back toward Point of Rocks. He heard firing and before he could get away, the retreating Federal troops were upon him.

The first barrier in their way after they had run into the Confederate Cavalry, who were returning from Adamstown, was the fence they had only a short time before pulled down. They were being closely pressed by the Confederates, they came in full retreat.

The first barrier was a gate, this did not seriously stop them as their horses were forced over the gate, which was knocked down, throwing some of the horses and riders, but when the fence was reached, the horses could not be made to attempt to jump over. The soldiers were forced to dismount and he was ordered to help open the fence, which he promptly did. The soldiers threatened to shoot him for putting up the fence, which they had pulled down, but as they were in full retreat and their guns had all been emptied with the first skirmish with the Confederates, they had not time to reload their guns, which probably saved his life.

Lewis was the first merchant here about 1879 and sold liquor and groceries.