Conrad Luther
Conrad Luther | |
|---|---|
| Bernhard Marianus Luther | |
| Born | February 28, 1754 |
| Died | August 13, 1822 (68) |
| Relatives | Martin Luther (5th grandfather) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Hessians (1776–1778) |
Service years | 1776-1777 |
Conrad Luther (February 28, 1754 – August 13, 1822) born as Berhard Marianus Luther, was a Hessian soldier who defected to the United States.[1][2]
Early life
[edit]Conrad was born as Bernhard Marianus Luther in 1754 in Thuringen to Johannes Melchoir Luther (1725–1788) and Margarethe Maria Wagner (1723–1793). Johannes was a professor of medicine at the University of Erfurt and a descendant of Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism.[1][3][2][4]
Military Life
[edit]By the 1770s most of Conrad's siblings had immigrated to the American Colonies including his brother Theophilus Luther (1755–1785), who fought for the Continental Army in Pennsylvania during the American Revolution.[5] He deserted while stationed in New Jersey in 1778 and at some point he fled and was sheltered by Elizabeth Bart or Bard, though some sources have her maiden name as Smith, (1770–1835), a young eight-year-girl whom Conrad befriended.[1][3][6][7]
After making his way to Lancaster, he signed an oath of allegiance on November 10, 1782, renouncing any allegiance to George III, Great Britain, or any of its supporting armies.[1][3]
Post-Service Life
[edit]Following his service, he married Elizabeth on December 20, 1789, and had 7 children with her: Christopher Christian Luther (1787–1880), John Luther (1790–1791) George Luther (1792–1809), Mary Anna Luther (1793–1863), Jacob Luther (1794–1862) Jon William Luther (1800–1862) and William Luther (1802–1885). Conrad worked as a common laborer and farmer in Pennsylvania, converted to Catholicism in 1808 and lived in Carrolltown, until his death in 1822.[1][3][8]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 "Conrad Luther". The American Revolution Experience. Retrieved 2026-07-07.
- 1 2 "Rooted in Reform & Revolution". American Battlefield Trust. January 1, 2024. Retrieved 2026-07-07.
- 1 2 3 4 Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria County, Pennsylvania: Comprising Five Hundred Sketches of the Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County. Union Publishing Company. 1896. p. 151.
- ↑ Allgemeiner Anzeiger der Deutschen: der öffentlichen Unterhaltung über gemeinnützige Gegenstände aller Art gewidmet, zugleich allgemeines Intelligenz-Blatt zum Behuf der Justiz, der Polizey und der bürgerlichen Gewerbe. 1816, 1 (in German). Becker. 1816.
- ↑ Pennsylvania, U.S. Veterans Card Files, 1775-1916, Serial Number: 13.50
- ↑ Loretto, Pennsylvania Centenary. Pg 131
- ↑ Society, Pennsylvania-German (1895). Sketch of Its Origin, with the Proceedings and Addresses at Its Organization.
- ↑ Brakebill, Clovis H.; Revolution, Sons of the American (1993). Revolutionary War Graves Register. db Publications. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-9607188-2-5.
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