Current membership & patriot ancestors

Served as a Pvt. in the Lexington Alarm under Capt. Elliot, Cpl. under Capt. Stedman, and Sgt. under Capt. Tilden. Fought in the Battle of Trenton.

Served under Capts. Brice Martin and John Wells, Henry County Militia.

Served in 2^nd Co. Louisiana Attakapas Militia. Fought in the Battles of Manchac (1779), Baton Rouge (1779), and Natchez (1779).

Served under Capts. Bennett, Murrow; Cols. Hopewell, Shields, Morrow; POW. Also sailor on board the privateer "Buckskin" under Capt. George Handy.

Served under Capt. James Haslett, 2^nd Batt., Philadelphia CO Militia.
Henry S. Dotterer, in his History of the Perkiomen Region, gives the following incident as occurring during the Rev. War: "Abraham Schwenk was a tanner in Germantown at the time of the war. He was nineteen years old, tall, fine young man and was under age but because of his size the officers did not know it. At the Battle of Germantown, he went upstairs in a house as he was wounded a woman said the British are coming, he said, 'Let the devils come' and took a large stick from the fireplace and drove them back."

He served in the Revolution as a Sergeant of the 7th Class in the Company commanded by Capt. James Haslett, 2nd Battalion, Philadelphia Co. Militia, 20 Nov 1778. He is also on the class roll of Capt. Michael Gangler's Company, 4th Battalion, Montgomery Co. Militia commanded by Lt. Col. Peter Richards for the year 1786. On the same roll appears Daniel Schwenk.

This family lived in Claytonville, PA until buying a large farm in Frederick Twp, at what is now Delphi or Zeiglerville Station. In 1784 he bought 6 acres of land in Frederick Twp, which he sold in 1791 to Christopher Streecher for 33 pounds. This 6 acres was part of the Perkiomen Cooper Mine tract which had been sold at public auction in 1773.

On 13 Apr 1804, Jacob Fuchs and Anna Maria his wife deeded 150 acres to Abraham Schwenk Sr. and his brother Daniel Schwenk. On 1 Apr 1804, Abraham Schwenk and wife Fronica and Daniel Schwenk and wife Catherine sold this tract to Henry Adams.

On 6 Aug 1807, Abraham Schwenk purchased a farm of 140 acres in Skippack, from John Dehaven for $5133.33 1/3, it being the original homestead of John Powling [Pawling]. Then he bought 36 more acres from Henry Keely adjoining the land. Here Abraham resided until his death. The farm was on the east side of the Perkiomen Creek Midway between Gratersford and Schwenksville. There was no bridge across the river in these early days and everyone used a conveniently set low spot called Graters Ford to cross the stream. Here was the old homestead of Enos S. Schwenk (one of the sons of Abraham Sr. and Abraham Jr.'s brother.) Abraham built a tannery on his farm and was a tanner and farmer until he gave the farm and his business to his son, John.

Abraham and his family were members of Keeley's Lutheran congregation in Schwenksville.

Abraham's will was dated 11 Jul 1842. It was admitted to probate a month after his death on 6 Aug 1843. By this will he divided his entire estate among his 9 children or their heirs and names his sons George, Jacob and Samuel and his son-in-law George Reiff as executors. At the time of his death, Abraham and his son Samuel were occupying his farm in Frederick Twp., and the farm was left to Samuel.

From "The Strassburger Family and Allied Families of Pennsylvania,"
by Ralph Beaver Strassburger, 1922, pp. 341-352:

Jacob (Merkle) MARKLEY, son of Abraham and Anna Veronica Merkle, was born at Wimpfen in Hesse-Darmstadt, July 11, 1701. He was a twin to Isaac, who died in infancy. The Markley chart has an error in regard to these twins. While stating that Jacob and Isaac were twins (Zwillinge) born "11 Juli, 1701," underneath the name of Isaac is "gestorben (died) 15 October, 1699." Another son named Isaac was born 1704, who also died young.

Jacob Merkle came to Pennsylvania when a young man, settling in the Skippack region, where he married February 13, 1722, Barbara Dotterer, daughter of George Philip and Veronica Dotterer, of Frederick Township, Montgomery, but then in Philadelphia, Co.

Jacob (Merkle) Markley was one of the early settlers of what was then known as Bebbers Township. Here in 1725 we find him signing his name "Jacob Märckley" to the petition to the Court of Quarter Sessions of Philadelphia County requesting that a township be regularly laid out covering this district and be given the name of "Skippack and Perkiomen".

In May, 1728, his name appears among those residents of "Van Berbers Township and ye adjacencies Belonging" who sent a petition to the Governor of the Commonwealth, asking for protection against the Indians who were attacking settlers at "Falkners Swamp & New Cosahopin." More than half of these names were written by John Roberts, an Englishman who lived near Pennepacker's Mills and we, therefore, find him as "Jacob Marieke." Apparently he was not greatly concerned about the threatened Indian outrages, for two months later, July 17, 1728, he purchased of Jost Heydt, one hundred acres, and November 28, following, bought one hundred and thirty-two acres of Nicholas Scull. These tracts were located within the limits of the present East Perkiomen Township.

In 1734, he is reported as a taxable of Perkiomen and Skip-pack township, owning two hundred acres; on January 13, 1733, he paid quit-rent on three hundred and eighty-two acres of land in Bebbers Township. In the census taken June 5, 1756, of "Parkiomen & Shippaake" township, appears the name Jacob Marcly, housekeeper; occupation, farmer, four children under 21; acres owned 150--50 acres cleared, 15 acres sowed with corn, 1 horse, three horned cattle. In 1769, he paid a proprietary tax on one hundred and fifty acres, one horse, three horned cattle; in 1776, the same amount of land, one horse and three horned cattle are still credited to him. Since he appears to have owned but one horse, when this was stolen from him it is not surprising that we find him advertising the loss in the two leading papers of the community. In the Pennsylvania Gazette of July 31, 1776, appears the following notice:

FIVE POUNDS REWARD.
Stolen from the subscriber, living in Perkiomen township, Philadelphia county, the 12th of July inst. at night a Strawberry-roan HORSE 9 years old, about 16 hands high with a white star in his forehead paces and trots, carries lofty, was shod on one of his fore feet. Whoever takes up the said horse and thief and secures them, so that the thief may be brought to justice, and the owner may have the horse again, shall have the above reward for both, or Three Pounds for the horse only, and reasonable charges paid by Jacob Merkley.

Jacob Markley subscribed to the qualifications and was naturalized September 24, 1753, thus becoming a full citizen of Pennsylvania. As he had conscientious scruples against taking an oath, he is named as a Quaker and therefore merely affirmed the terms of naturalization. Both he and his family were members of Augustus Evangelical Lutheran Church at New Providence (Trappe), where we find the following entried on the church book:

"Anna Barbara Merckle, daughter of Jacob, born October 6, 1746; baptized March 29, 1747; godparents, Abraham Merckle and wife. "April 7, 1751, in Providence was confirmed:
Veronica Merckelin, Jacob Merckels daughter, 19 years old. She can read a little. "June 1, 1760, was confirmed:
Nella, Jacob Merckels daughter, 17 years old. "In the year 1770 was confirmed:
Hanna Mercklin, Jacobs daughter, 18. "1751, April 30, Georg Schwenck and Veronica Merckelin, Jacob Merckels daughter were married.
"Jacob Merckel and wife Barbara were sponsors for Jacob, son of Jurg Schwenck and wife Euphronica, born 7th June, baptized 3rd August, 1755."

Among the members of the Congregation who promised to contribute yearly to the "Salery of the Reverd Parstor Muhlenberg" November 27, 1760, were:

Jacob Merckle, 15s
Abraham Merckle, 10s
Philip Merckle, 10s
George Schwenck 7s 6d

At the outbreak of hostilities with England, the Continental Congress, on July 18, 1775, then convening in Philadelphia, passed the following resolution:

"In Congress, 18th July, 1775.

"RESOLVED, That it be recommended to the Inhabitants of the United English Colonies in North America, that all able-Bodied effective Men, between 16 & 50 years of age, in each Colony, immediately form themselves into regular Companies of Militia, to consist of one Captain, two Lieutenants, One Ensign, four Serjeants, four Corporals, One Clerk, one Drummer, one Fifer, and about Sixty-eight Privates.

"That the Officers of each Company be chosen by the respective Companies.
***
"That the Companies be formed into Regiments or Battalions, Officer'd with a Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, and Adjutant or Quarter Master.

"That all Officers above the Rank of a Captain be appointed by their respective Provincial Assemblies or Conventions, or in their recess by the Committees of Safety appointed by said Assemblies or Conventions.
***
"As there are some people who, from religious principles, cannot bear arms in any case, this Congress intend no violence to their consciences, but earnestly recommend it to them to contribute liberally to the relief of their distressed brethren, in their several colonies, and to do all other services to their oppressed Country which they can consistently with their religious principles.
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"That it be recommended to each Colony to appoint a Committee of Safety, to superintend and direct all matters necessary for the Security and defense of their respective Colonies in the recess of their Assemblies and Conventions.
***
Charles Thomson, Sec'ty."

In pursuance of this order, the citizens of Philadelphia County met and formed themselves into companies of associators and elected their field officers. The return of the First Battalion, which included Perkiomen and Skippack townships, shows that Daniel Heister, Jr., Esquire, was chosen Colonel; Jacob Reed, Esquire, Lieutenant Colonel, and Jacob Markley, Esquire, Major. Jacob Markley was now in his 76th year, and the fact that he was chosen despite his years to hold this important military office certainly is an indication that he was in most hearty sympathy with the American cause. It is not known if he accepted this office, or if at any time he performed actual service in the field. Colonel Heister's Regiment was ordered to Swede's Ford, on duty, but the Revolutionary rolls, as they appear in the Pennsylvania Archives, do not again name Major Jacob Markley, though he was known as Major Markley the rest of his life.

Barbara Dotterer, wife of Jacob Markley, died July 24, 1738. On July 29, 1739, he married (second) Barbara Rausch, who was born April 14, 1714. The third daughter of this marriage, born November 9, 1744, was christened May 18, 1745, by the pastor of the Falkner Swamp Lutheran Church.

The old Lutheran Family Bible of the Markleys was printed in Nuremberg, 1725. It contains a lengthy family record written by Jacob Markley, the original owner, Philip Parkley, his son, and George Boyer, a later descendant. Following is a copy of the earliest record:

1st A son born _______
2nd A son born on the last Sunday the 27th day, in the month of August, A.D. 1725, baptized and named Philip. his godfather and godmother were his grandparents, George Philip Dodderer and Fronica his wife.
3rd A daughter born New Years day, 1727, but died soon after.
4th Isaac Markley, Born 1729.
5th Veronica Markley, Born April 1, 1732
6th Rebecca Markley.
7th A daughter born April 9, A.D. baptized and named _____; her sponsors in baptism were her parents.
8th A daughter, born April 1st, A.D. 1732, baptized May 4th and named Fronica, her sponsors were (German and undecipherable).
9th A daughter born May 27th, A.D. 1736, baptized July 18, and named Christina.
10th A daughter born May 9th, 1738, and named Catherine.
July 24, 1738, the above named Barbara (late Barbara Dodderer) wife of Jacob Markley, died.
2nd wife, July 29, 1739, the said Jacob Markley again married to Barbara Kausch [Rausch] (which said Barbara Kausch was born April 14th A.D. 1714.)
11th A daughter born Februrary 15th, 1741.
August 29th, 1784, the above named Jacob Marckley died.

From the above record we find that Jacob Markley died August 29, 1784, in his 84th year. He made a will June 10, 1779, which was probated January 24, 1785.
(Will Book No. 1, pg. 29. Norristown, Pennsylvania.)

Although a diligent search has been made, the burial place of Jacob Markley and his two wives has not been ascertained. In all probability they were buried in the graveyard belonging to the Lutheran Church at Trappe, of which he and his family were for many years prominently associated, but if so, no tombstones are now standing to mark their graves. Or he may have been interred in the Falkner Swamp Lutheran churchyard with which congregation he later identified. Jacob Markley left many worthy descendants. Numerous of them served in the Revolutionary War and other conflicts into which the United States later engaged, while others entered professional or commercial life, many of whom attained high positions in their own particular field of endeavor.

Children of Jacob MARKLEY and Barbara (Dodderer) DOTTERER:
1. Abraham Markley, born August 12, 1723; married September, 1745,
Barbara Ickes.
2. Philip Markley, born August 27, 1725, d. 1800 in Norristown;
married December 16, 1746, Mary Johnson, b. about 1724, d. 1814. Their
son, John Markley, b. 08 Dec 1764, d. 28 Jul 1834, married Elizabeth
Schwenk, b. 3 Oct 1767, d. 05 Sep 1804, daughter of George Schwenk and
Fronica Markley.
3. A daughter, born on January 1, 1727; died soon after.
4. Isaac Markley, born Mary 24, 1729, died 19 May 1812; married Sarah Thompson. Their children were:
i. Abraham Markley, born 01 Aug 1764, died 25 Sep 1829, married Elizabeth Boger, b. 23 Aug 1779, d. 05 Apr 1830.
ii. George Markley, born 24 Nov 1755, died 19 Sep 1816, married Betty Clemens, born 1755, died ?
iii. Henry Markley, born 17 July 1759, died 26 Oct 1828.
5. Veronica Markley, born April 1, 1732, died October 2, 1777; married April 30, 1751, George Schwenk, born 24 Feb 1728, died 24 Feb 1803. Their children were:
i. John (Johannes) Schwenk, born 5 Mar 1752, died 03 Feb 1803, married Regina Kraus, born 12 Apr 1756, died after 1803.
ii. Jacob Schwenk, born 7 Jun 1755, died 29 Jul 1825, married Eva Maria Beirly, born 24 May 1753, died 04 Mar 1835.
iii. Abraham M. Schwenk, born 24 May 1759, died 06 Aug 1843, married Fronica Bauer, born 10 Apr 1756, died 13 Sep 1840.
iv. Daniel Schwenk, born 5 May 1761, died 26 Feb 1836, married
Catherine Raudenbush, born 6 Jan 1765, died 17 Aug 1802.
v. Elizabeth Schwenk, born 3 Oct 1767, died 05 Sep 1804, married
John Markley (son of Philip Markley and Mary Johnson), b. 8 Dec 1764, died 28 Jul 1834.
6. Rebecca Markley, married Frederick Isaac (Isett).
7. Christina Markley, born 27 May 1736, married Col. William Antes.
8. Catherine Markley, born May 9, 1738, married July 13, 1757 Christian Brennemann.

Children of Jacob MARKLEY and Barbara RAUSCH:
9. Eleanor Markley, born February 5, 1741, married Tobias Boganer.
10. Elizabeth Markley, married Paulus Benner.
11. Mary Magdalena Markley, born November 9, 1744.
12. Barbara Markley, born October 6, 1746; married March 28, 1772, John Smith.
13. Hanna Markley, married January 11, 1774, Jacob Brotzman.

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Will Abstract:
MARKLY, JACOB. Skippack. June 19, 1779. January 24, 1785. 1.19
To wife Barbara, bed, bedstead and bedding, pewter and earthen ware as she shall judge necessary, table, two chairs, two iron pots, teakettle and teatackling, towel, our present lodging room and kitchen for her use and the yearly interest of 150 pds. Son in law Jacob Brutzman to farm plantation as now for the third bushel. At death of wife plantation to be sold. To my daughter Eleanor, wife of Tobias Boganer, 5 shillings. All money to be divided into 11 equal shares. One share each to sons: Abraham, Philip and Isaac. One to 5 children of my daughter Zornica. One to daughter Christiana, wife of William Antis. One to daughter Elizabeth Benner. One to daughter Barbarah, wife of John Smith. One to daughter Rebekah, wife of Frederick Isaac. One to daughter Hannah, wife of Jacob Brutzman. One to daughter Caterine, and one to my two sons Abraham and Isaac for the use of ny daughter Eleanor.

Execs: Sons Abraham and Isaac. Wit: William Penevacer, Jacob Markley
(cord wainer).

Much of the information on the descendants of Jacob M. Markley comes from:
"Descendants of Jacob Markley of Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania", by Henry S. Dotterer; published by The Markley Freundschaft. 1884. From the preface of the book: "This record is not presented as a complete genealogy. It was prepared hastily, for a special purpose, from material gathered and intended for use at some future time. It is, indeed, a mere outline; and it embraces but the first six generations in this country. On account oflack of necessary information, some branches are given only in part and others are altogether omitted. However, in its imperfect state, it will serve to show the number, the distribution, the connections, and the character, of the Markley Freundschaft. It will also be a help in clearly establishing kinship heretofore indistinct or unknown."

NOTE: Place of birth could be: Bonfeld, Oberamt Heilbronn, Wurttemberg, Germany

Served 8 months in 1775 as a Cpl. in the MA militia under Capt. Samuel Sprague in Col. Gerrish's regiment. Fought at the Battle of Chelsea Creek, May 1775, and likely present at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Also served an additional 6 months in 1778 / 1779 as a Cpl. in the Massachusetts militia under Capt. Wilder in Col. Thayer's regiment, where he was stationed at Butts Hill in Rhode Island.

Served 8 months in 1775 as a Cpl. in the MA militia under Capt. Samuel Sprague in Col. Gerrish's regiment. Fought at the Battle of Chelsea Creek, May 1775, and likely present at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Also served an additional 6 months in 1778 / 1779 as a Cpl. in the Massachusetts militia under Capt. Wilder in Col. Thayer's regiment, where he was stationed at Butts Hill in Rhode Island.

Served 8 months in 1775 as a Cpl. in the MA militia under Capt. Samuel Sprague in Col. Gerrish's regiment. Fought at the Battle of Chelsea Creek, May 1775, and likely present at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Also served an additional 6 months in 1778 / 1779 as a Cpl. in the Massachusetts militia under Capt. Wilder in Col. Thayer's regiment, where he was stationed at Butts Hill in Rhode Island.

Served 8 months in 1775 as a Cpl. in the MA militia under Capt. Samuel Sprague in Col. Gerrish's regiment. Fought at the Battle of Chelsea Creek, May 1775, and likely present at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Also served an additional 6 months in 1778 / 1779 as a Cpl. in the Massachusetts militia under Capt. Wilder in Col. Thayer's regiment, where he was stationed at Butts Hill in Rhode Island.

Served in the 17^th Regt., Abany Co. Militia, under Capt. Elijah Gilbert & Col. William B. Whiting.

On 5 June 1786, James was issued 25 lbs for Sgt. duty in Roebuck's Battalion of the Spartan Regiment (Militia) 1781-1782 (source: Book X-part II of Indents of the State of South Carolina, page 122). He also served in Capt. Andrew Barry’s regiment and survived the Battle of Fishing Creek, 18 August 1780.
At Fishing Creek, Col. Sumter relaxed in his camp. His men were on the main road near the creek, and they seemed to have a good position between Fishing Creek and the Catawba River, with ravines to the north and the south.
In that afternoon, British Lt. Col. Tarleton surprised Col. Sumter as he and his troops were cooking, relaxing and swimming in the Catawba River. Looking down from a hillside, Lt. Col. Tarleton was amazed to see the Patriots' muskets neatly stacked off to one side and ordered a charge to capture them. The battle was a British victory that left 50 patriots killed, 100 wounded; and 310 captured. On the British side, there were 9 killed, 6 wounded and 0 captured. Col. Sumter, half dressed, swung upon an unsaddled horse and escaped. [Authoritative Source is a book entitled, "South Carolina and the American Revolution: A Battlefield History," by John W. Gordon, pp94-95 (U. of South Carolina Press).]