52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 21

Week 21:

The theme for Week 21 is “Military.” Who is someone in your family tree who served in the military? Who was a civilian whose life was affected by the service of a family member? This is a great week to write about them.

My family has a long history of military service. Starting with my 6th great-grandfather Johann David Meisenhelter.

Johann David Meisenhelter/ Meisenhelder 

Born: 3 Nov 1753 Mount Joy, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States of America 

Died: 10 Aug 1819 Dover, York, Pennsylvania, United States of America 

Burial: Meisenhelder Cemetery, Dover, York County, Pennsylvania, United States of America

The family coat of arms/ crest:

 ...

"At the port of Philadelphia, from the ship ''Neptune," John Mason, captain, Sept. 24, 1 75 1, landed a German immigrant by the name David Meisenhelder — erroneously given as David Maisheller. As to his birth and antecedents, the lapse of time has left no trace. He wended his way westward to Lancaster County. Pa., and undoubtedly settled in that locality. The records of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster city, show that to him and his wife Margaretha, nee Fischer was born a son, Aug. 14,1752; a second son was born Nov. 3, 1753, and a third, April 8, 1756. The second son baptized Johann David Meisenhelder, was the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch."

History of York County Pennsylvania (1907) Author: Prowell, George R. Volume: II Subject: York County (Pa.) -- History Publisher: J. H. Beers Language: English Digitizing sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation Book contributor: York College

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Johann David Meisenhelter born 1753, came from Lancaster County and settled on 200 acres in Dover Township in 1787. In 1800 the Meisenhelter family built the meetinghouse. 

During the Revolution, he lived in Mount Joy township, Lancaster County, and, in the year 1776, was enrolled therein as a freeman and taxed fifteen shillings. Meisenhelter served with the Seventh Battalion Lancaster County Militia. 

December 3, 1839 shows that John Meisenhelter of Dover Township gave the title to David Ilgenfritz, George Weigel, John Fisar, and their heirs, for consideration of $1.00, a plot of land containing 10 perches with a log house on it, which was to be used only for “School and a house of Public Worship, and if here is a funeral and they wish to have preaching, then the school house is to be given up to them for that purpose. Jacob Hake, William Caldwell, and George Heilman witnessed the transaction. 

It is known that before the advent of the “Free Public Schools,” or about 1850, the children from parts of Dover, Conewago, and Manchester townships received their first instruction in a public school at this location. Also, one Sect of “Plain People” met in this house every 24 weeks, while another Sect held its services here every four weeks for about 80 years. In 1845, the log building was covered with white pine siding. During the year 1886, there were 35 males enrolled in four different Sunday school classes and forty-two females in eight classes for a total of 77 persons. David Meisenhelter was Superintendent and Elias B Wallace was his assistant. By the year 1915, there were 115 members. The title to the School House property reverted to the Meisenhelters.

A deed recorded May 19, 1909 shows that Samuel H and John A, two sons of David Meisenhelter, as executors of his estate, gave a new deed, dated September 3, 1887, for a consideration of $5.00 to Elias B Wallace, Elias B Quickel, David E Bentzel and their successors in office as Trustees, forever. The property was designated Meisenhelters Trinity Chapel and consisted of 39 perches on which was a log house weatherboarded and was commonly known as “Meisenhelter’s Meetinghouse.” 

The advent of the automobile made it easier to attend other churches and Sunday schools and in 1930 saw the end of Sunday school at Meisenhelters. 

http://www.gdhspa.org/landmarks_of_dover.htm#Meisenhelter%E2%80%99s_Meeting_House_

Obituary: On the 10th past, Mr David Meisenhelter of Dover township, aged 79. Mr Meisenhelter possessed the reputation of a good citizen, a good farmer, and an upright man, & was distinguished for his pure and warm attachment to the Rep, institutions of our country.

In a deed not recorded, dated December 17, 1822, for 120 acres and 157 perch given to John Meisenhelter, a plot 22 feet square was “excepted” for a burial ground for any of the Meisenhelter family who wished to be buried there. It is located about midway between the home buildings and the schoolhouse, in a field. The fenced-in plot in the center of the field, known as Meisenhelters Burial Ground, was the site of 24 markers and tombstones in 1945.

Several sandstone markers with no visible writing are in this burial plot. From newspaper files, it is assumed that the first burial was that of David Meisenhelter on August 10, 1819. The tombstone of Elizabeth Seifert carries the dates 1757-1830. and records her age as 72 years, 7 months, and zero days. The last burial recorded by a marker was that of Elmer E Leibernecht, born March 2, 1887, and died August 13, 1887.

The graves now sit between two houses surrounded by shrubbery. What was once the Meisenhelder family farm and cemetery, is now countless rows of manufactured homes. 

What the burial ground used to look like vs what it looks like now: