52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 46

November 18, 2025

Week 46:

The theme for Week 46 is “Wartime.” Who in your family has served in the military? Alternatively, do you have someone who couldn’t or wouldn’t serve? Have you had any breakthroughs using military records?

My family's service to the United States of America started with the Revolutionary War and continues today. I'm proud to have so many wonderful family that have served in the military.

Johann David Meisenhelder, my 6th great-grandfather on the Erney side. My Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot.

Birth: 3 Nov 1753 • Mount Joy, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

Death: 10 Aug 1819 • Dover, York, Pennsylvania, USA

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

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.

December 3, 1839 shows that John Meisenhelter of Dover Township gave 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 prior to 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, that one Sect of “Plain People” met in this house every 24 weeks, while another Sect held its services here every four weeks for about eighty 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.

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 weather boarded, and was commonly known as “Meisenhelter’s Meeting house”.

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.

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

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

Peter Free was my great-great grandfather and Henry Repman was his father-in-law.

Peter Free: In 1860, he was a laborer living in Manchester Township, York County. He stood 5' 5" tall and had red hair and gray eyes.

A Civil War veteran, he enlisted in York January 25, 1864, with Co. B, 187th Pa Inf, at the rank of private. Honorably discharged August 3, 1865

Henry Repman: In 1860, he was a laborer living in Newberry Township, York County. A Civil War veteran, he was drafted in York October 24, 1862, and assigned to Co. A, 166th Pa Inf, serving at the rank of private and functioning as a wagoner. Honorably discharged July 28, 1863.

Jeremiah Spahr, 3rd great-grandfather (87th Pa) Jeremiah survived the 2nd Battle of Winchester and walked on foot back to York County. He is famous in the area for killing a Confederate Salve that stole his horse. He was acquitted of the murder and lived to be 86 years old. He's also well know in the area (and our family) for being a Grade A grouch. Scott Mingus Sr. Speaks at length about Jeremiah in his Murder Mystery presentation.