Tag Frei continued:  The Tollhouse

Back in the day when Pennsylvania was the Northwest Wilderness, the one main route to the west from Philadelphia was more of a pack trail and on this road, John's second son Christopher, (b 1777-d 1823) worked as a teamster.
As more people pushed west the government improved the road, called the old (General) Forbes Road by allowing private citizens to improve sections with layers of rock and sheet asphalt and charge tolls to lessen the costs of improvements.
This Northern Turnpike collected tolls in 1818 until trains caused traffic to dwindle.
On the refurbished cabin there is a sign saying the builders bought the land from Christopher Herrold.

                                  Toll House Sign showing
                          Christopher Herrold as land owner

We were so excited to see Christophers name on this plaque. After Christopher married, he and his wife "worked land for themselves".  We know they owned this Millersburg land and later when buying Ohio land Christopher was listed as a yeoman, a land freeholder.

                                Tollhouse original chimney

                                          Tollhouse front

Tag Frei         Johannes "John" Georg Harrold
                        Our Fourth Great-Grandfather
                                A Soldier in Revolt

Georg Stophel's first son John, born 1745, moved farther west in 1771 and settled near the juncture of the Conemaugh River and Black Lick Creek. 1788 records show he got a warrent to land adjacent to his father-in-law and called his farm Forerunner Plantation. Tribes of the area were Delaware and Shawnee and the land still wild and covered with old growth hardwoods.  When John was twenty, he faught with the 12th Regiment-Virginia in the Revolution, officially Navy Mil 1st Partisan Legion 3; trp musician 10/26/1781The local frontiersmen were drilled nearby at Elder's Ford which is gone now but was on the flats by the river and near John's home.
Together John and Barbara became successful owning 250 acres, a grain mill, sawmill, tannery and distillary they passed on to their son John, one of their thirteen children. The second son called Christopher is our lineage. The family continued to speak in broken German all their lives.
Barbara worked alongside her husband all her married life. It was common in those days for wives to not to inherit their "husbands" property at their passing and in John's will money and property were set aside to care for Barbara until her death.
John (d February 28,1828 age 83) and Barbara (b 1757-d January 19,1837 age 80) are buried near their home in row 2, Hopewell Methodist Cemetary, no, not the Lutheran one.

Teri found a site map of John and Barbara's bottom land and after several deadly floods (Johnstown Flood) in the area, the Conamaugh was dammed causing John's land to flood. The Army corps of engineers oversees the area and has opened it to hunting and farming....

Herrold Hunters

                      What's left of Forerunner Plantation

                                   John's cabin repurposed

                                      John's Veteran Star

                               John Harrold, Rest in Peace

Tag Drei continued: For Good Purpose,
                           finding Georg Stophel Harrold
                              "Defender of the Frontier"
                 
We know Georg Christopher "Stophel" Herrold was born in 1723 (records say) in Stouchsburg and served in the French and Indian War and the Revolution. After spending the afternoon with our cousin Tom Harrold of the Baltzer Meyer Historical Society in Greensburg, PA we believe Stophel was a teamster with wagons or pack animals traveling the only road from Philadelphia west to land, resources and opportunity and at that time considered a gateway to the west. He knew Conrad Weiser and may have worked for him or General John Forbes Expedition and so may have seen this area he later settled in: rolling hills, water, covered in huge oaks and other timber. We suppose he might have also worked as a quartermaster during the French and Indian War doing what he knew how to do. After French and Indian war Stophel most likely marked 300 acres through a "Tomahawk" grant (slashing a tree to mark your territory until a land office can register you) and oficially named it Harroldtown. The documented grants required settlers to set aside land For a Good Purpose: Build a church, secondly practise freedom of religion, thirdly, build a school, all of which Stophel complied. Old Harroldtown is now part of Greensburg, PA.
We have learned how important churches were for the success of these young communities. It was usually one of the first thing a settlement built and could function as a school too. After church meetings in homes Stophel built a log church, then a stone church and finally a brick church and school to fulfill the Good Purpose. Today we drove all around the perimeter of the original 160 acres Stophel donated that now has three modern beautiful schools and a healthy community in the Good Purpose land.


In 1973, the Stophel Harrold homestead site was studied by a University. It was three stories with thick 8 inch walls on a stone foundation. Four down, four rooms up and one on the third floor. Teri's Herrold book has the house plans.

The original brick Lutheran Church and school are still standing. Apparently the Lutherans split into two churches, one for German speakers (Stophel's family) and English speakers down the hill, cemetary in between.

                          Harrold Lutheran Church, wood

Harrold School, one room with a bell. The oak beam is 30 feet of single length timber

With his other land we think he farmed, had a mill and sold timber, and had a distillary. Gradually he added to his acreage and raised a lot of little Lutherans.
By the time Stophel died 1787, he and his wife Maria Catherina Pontius (married 1744) had over 1000 acres and were considered prosperous. Amazing what they accomplished at that dangerous time. They are buried by the Harrold Zion Lutheran Church and marked with the plaque, Defender of the Frontier.

Day 3 - Our third day was long and joyful.  After a breakfast of farm eggs and toast (Lorrie & Bill had "eggs in a nest" - it's a recipe their dad, Norman Deck, use to make. (You cut a hole in the bread & fry the egg in the middle).  We headed toward Stouchburg to the Church and gravesite of our 6 times great-grandfather Georg Christoph Herrold.

Georg was orphaned at age of 5.  He was married at age 20 and was a vinter. In 1743 he came to America at the age of 55. He brought his family. (Most likely to protect the boys from Alexander the Great).

Christ Lutheran Church is an imposing site (HUGE!!).  The surprise was that the rally old graves were not in front of the Church but in a very old section surrounded by stones and a iron gate.  So Cool!!!
Many soldiers from the French & Indian War as well as the Revolution were buried there. One grave was of a little girl who had been kidnapped by the Indians.  Many stones had been just wood, now petrified. Many stones were unreadable.  Georg's family had placed a newer (1970) marker.

We did a libation ceremony and offered a prayer of thanksgiving for our ancestor.

A member of the Church & cemetery board, Dave, met with us. He gave us a history of the Church, the area and shared church documents.  He was very knowledgeable! One document was communion (most likely Georg's last communion, based on the date.  

Qualities that Georg possessed and passed to on to his future relations (us). 

• Resilience
• Love of family
• Courage

We drove ...........a long way.......to Greensburg, PA.

Greensburg in the 1770 was known as Harroldton, because "Stophel" Harrold, our 5 times great-grandfather founded the community.  Christopher  "Stophel" and his wife donated 158 acres of land for "Good Purpose".  So Churches and schools have been put on this land.

We met with our cousin, Tom Harrold.  We share Christopher *Stophel" as our common ancestor.  Tom shared a ton of history with us. We

Rob, a member of the Church cemetery board, toured us through the Church and cemetery sharing history.

This is St. John's Harrold Church. 

It was built when the stone church was taken down.  The first Old Zion Harrold Luthern Church started as a "house church". Then a log building was the Church and the school. Then the stone church was built. There was a dispute over using English or German so the congregation split. The German speaking congregation built another Church. That building is now the historical society building.  The picture above would have been English speaking.  That is where Stophel is buried, but his family would have attended the German speaking church.

.

This is Stophel*s grave stone. It is leaning. Because of it*s age the have to figure out the best way to fix it without damaging it.

 +++++++

Tom took us to the school and drove us around, showing us all of Stophel's land (where the farm was located).

This says "Harrold School #8" on the glass.

 Bill sitting in the corner of the classroom.

Lorrie and I got to ring the school bell.

The drive around town really gave us an idea of the breath of Stophel's land. Bill was able to recognized the strategic advantage of the area. The views gave an understanding of why he picked this spot.

Qualities from Christopher "Stophel":

• Bravery
• Industriousness
• Value of education and religion
• Generosity

Also in the old cemetary are some striking headstones. The first is Maria Cattarina Becker 1743 and the last 1954. Many of the stones are illegible or damaged in sandstone or wood and to make it even more difficult, early inscriptions are in old German.

I believe the date is 1751. The angel is striking and there is a Thor symbol at the top.

Regina was held captive for 8 years and was identified by her mother as the little girl was singing a German song.

Herbs were planted in old cemetaries to offset the odor of decomposition. We found some old thyme originally planted in the 1700's.

Tag Drei--We finally meet our 6th Great-Grandfather,
              Georg Christoph Horoldt and his second son                      (our 5th Great Grandfather), Georg Stophel Herrold

                                         Georg Christoph
We continue west through low rolling hills to Stouchsburg, an ageing main street of a town that nobody west of here has heard of.  The small 1800's houses on Main St. still have outhouses and barns in their backyards and the Lutheran Church hasn't had a minister in 7 years.

Now back in 1744, when Georg C. and his wife Maria Catherine moved here from Philadelphia, probably to land his brother owned, Stouchsburg was Western Frontier Indian country where raids were common and settlers were killed or kidnapped, even though fellow German Conrad Weiser and General John Forbes signed a treaty with the Shawnee to allow German settlers establish the Tulpehocken (land of turtles) Settlement here.

Conrad Weiser is an important person to our Herrold settlers. He was the same age as Georg C. and from a town in Germany close to Steinheim and an immigrant to this area.  At 15 he was sent to live with Mohawks, learn the language and Iroquois customs and became a go between for Iroquois and British. We were told by the local historian that  Weiser lived near Georg C, and grew grapes. We suppose since Georg C was a vintner they might have connection. We do know that Weiser ran wagons and pack trains through the wilderness and that Georg Stophel (Georg C's son) worked as a teamster.

Georg C. lived here 4 years, perhaps never owning land but working with what he knew-grapes or farming. He is buried next to our 6th great grandma Maria Skelkopf in Christ Lutheran Church Cemetary. Christ Lutheran Church, Stouchsburg, PA.

                    Christ Lutheran Church, Stouchsburg, PA

                                 Christ Lutheran Cemetary

                        Maria Scheelkopt Herrold 1692-1760

In Honor of Our Ancestor George C. Herrold 1688-1749, Erected (sandstone replaced with granite) by the Herrold Family.

Day 2 - adventures
We had a leisurely morning at the Bond House, enjoying the 18th century dining room and parlor.

We drove to Valley Forge (because it was on the way and a significant site of the Revolution).  George "Stophel" Horold and his son John, both fought in the Revolutionary War.  Stophel rode with George Washington in the French and Indian war when they were in their 20's.  George & his son John trained for the Revolution at Elders Ford. (more about that in Thursday).  Valley Forge gave us a good understanding of the life, conditions and war strategies (Bill's favorite part) of the time.

We left Valley Forge and traveled West to Landis Farm Museum to learn about farming in the 18th & 19th centuries.  We saw an early settlement, how cloth was made and stood on a teamster tavern (a truck stop of the early days)!!  Ale, cider and wine were the most common drinks of the early Germans. Beer was more American.  The farmhouse reminded Bill of the Nelsonville farmhouse he visited as a kid.  At the general store we found a stereoscope just like our grandpa William had.  Grandpa sold them as a young college student. (Lorrie & I each have one).

Tired, hot and full of knowledge we made our way to the Landis Farm cottage (different family from the museum).  We met up with Deb and learned that she has farmed her whole life. Their biggest commodity is chickens. (They produce 30,000 eggs a day).  So you can imagine what we were going to have for breakfast.
The cottage was so cute, but a little small for tall people. Can't imagine a large family living in that small house, but the 1700's it would have been common.

WARNING: Almost every male Herrold was named variations of Georg, Christopher, Johan or William

Tag Drei      Georg Christoph and Maria Catharina
                                    Become Farmers
                               Our Sixth Great-Grandfather

In the 1700's, shiploads of Germans arrived in Philadelphia and by 1790, almost half of SE Pennsylvania was Deutsch. No matter what work these folks did in Germany almost all had become farmers, as our 6th Great-Grandfather Georg Christoph did. Georg C. went from being a vintner to a 55 year old farmer and after only four years of clearing and plowing, passed away and was buried in Stouchsburg, PA. Conrad Weiser, an interpreter who had lived with Mohawks and also spoke German and French lived nearby and harvested grapes. Perhaps Georg C. was also able to grow them.  It is assumed Georg built his home on land he found by following the well worn Tulpehocken-Shamokin Trail along the Schuylkill River. Later his oldest son John George was issued a warrent for land ownership August 16, 1751.

I admire Georg C's spirit. Georg Christoph, born in Steinham or Marbach was 5 when his parents and siblings died in 1693, one younger sister survived. Marbach burned to the ground at that time of war. We don't know who cared gor him. He married Maria Catherina Scheelkopt and lived in Steinheim until age 55. Imagine at his late age leaving Germany for a foreign frontier to start over for the sake of your children so they would not have a life of deprivation, conscription and religious persecution. His family has had opportunity and freedom and we thank him. We are proud to be his ancestors.

The Landis Valley Farm in Lancaster, PA is a living museum showing how Germans continued to use skills from the homeland to succeed in the Middle Colony of Pennsylvania. Imagine having to make everything from red clay or hemp. You cleared it, pulled out the rocks, planted it and harvested, over and over and over...(until you ended up in Stouchsburg).

Valley Forge National Park

Valley Forge (named after the metal forges found there) is the site of the severe 1777-1778 winter camp of the Continental Army and George Washington. Here Friedrich von Steuben, another Prussian like George Christoph, was hired by the Continental Congress to drill and organize the untrained Continentals into a viable fighting force. This is considered the beginning of the professionalization of our army and ultimate success against the British.  After leaving Valley Forge the Continentals beat General Cornwallis at Monmouth, NJ. This proved what von Steuben had accomplished in only six months.

I was unable to find a Horoldt, Harold or Herrold on the Revolution Muster at Valley Forge however Georg Christoph's grandson John (Georg Stophel Herrold's son) trained with the Continentals at Elder's Ford, PA. 

"All the fresh eggs we can eat"

Landis Farm Guesthouse

Built in the 1760's, this stone house is the original farmhouse on the Landis farm. After staying one night in this simple two BR, one BA, very creaky floored old house next to a corn field, we had a better understanding of how a more prosperous farming family might have lived.

After a 45 minute delay........We finally made it to Philadelphia!  Bill picked us up at the airport and we proceeded to our first destination.  The Bond House in the historic district. The Bond House was built in 1769 (20 years after Georg Christoph Horold immigrated with his family).

We sat in the parlor with our glasses of wine and Bill's pictures sharing stories.

After awhile, we walked across the street for dinner at the City Tavern, established in 1775. The staff all dress in period clothing and the recipes are historic as well.  Delicious!!!

Following dinner we walk the neighborhood admiring the buildings and continuing our story sharing. We were in awe of the Revolutionary War Museum. Words of the Constitution are posted on the building. ".....all men are created equal....."

We ended up at a park with a monument commemorating immigration.  (Georg Christoph Horoldt immigrated with his family in 1743)

The rest of the evening found us again hanging out in the parlor sharing stories of growing up in the Herrold family.

Antidotes:
- Aunt Donna was significant support person to Bill and Lorrie.
- Grandma & Grandpa Herrold were significant in all of our lives in different ways.
- Bill and Teri liked grandma Herrold's succetash (corn & lima beans), Lorrie did not.
- Grandpa Katzenbach (our great grandfather) was a huge man!
- Grandpa Herrold (our grandpa) looked very much like his brother.
- Grandpa delivered mail, work the farm of course before going to veterinary school (OSU). He then worked for the government and moved to various places across the country. (from his work history).
- We all remember the Herrold gatherings down grandma and grandpa's basement.
- We are blessed and proud to be a Herrold.

Tag Ein-                    Philadelphia 1750

1700's Mass Transit

                        Roads paved with river and field stones

Walking on remnants of Philadelphia's cobbled streets lined with brick Georgian buildings we get a glimpse of what our brave German ancestors might have seen after their long arduous voyage from Steinheim.  Disembarking from the ship Rosannah, Georg Christoph Horoldt, wife and five children including son Georg Stophel, set foot here in 1743 to raise the family away from Prussian conscription. Philadelphia's Old Town surrounds us with the 1700's-architecture, cannons, the Liberty Bell, old ships.

                         Thomas Bond House,  pre-Revolution

We are staying in the three story Thomas Bond House built in 1769 and restored as a B&B.  Bond was a physican who with Benjamin Franklin established a hospital here.  The home is a block from the waterfront and across the street from City Tavern built in 1773. This Tavern has a rich history and was a meeting place for George Washington and the Continental Congress. It continues to feature food and beer favored in the 1700's served by waiters dressed in period attire. Apparently George Washington liked a good porter...

                           City Tavern patron and a good ale

Thomas Jefferson's Sweet Potato Biscuits

• YIELD: About 2 dozen biscuits

INGREDIENTS

• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• One and one-half teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• One-half teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• 2 cups cooked, mashed and cooled sweet potatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• One-half cup coarsely chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ginger and allspice. Add the shortening and cut in with 2 knives until crumbly. Add the sweet potatoes and mix well with a wooden spoon. Add the cream and pecans and stir just until moistened.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough to one and one-half inches thick. Cut out with a 2-inch floured biscuit cutter. Place the biscuits 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve warm or let cool on a wire rack until room temperature.