Person:Martin Heffelfinger (1)

microfilm of the Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA Heidelberg Reformed Church Records 1765-1864. transcription for the Heffelfinger names listed: Baptism Records p.2 Parents - Martin Heffelfinger and wife Child - John Frederick Heffelfinger, born 4 NOV 1766, baptized 30 NOV Sponsors - Frederick Wolfesberger and Catharine Wolfesberger p.5 Parents - Martin Heffelfinger and wife Child - Peter Heffelfinger, born 19 OCT 1764, baptized 9 DEC Sponsors - Peter Wolfersberger and wife p. 6 Parents - Martin Hoffelfinger and Anna Maria Child - J. Jacob Heffelfinger, born 24 AUG 1769, baptized 1 OCT Sponsors - Jacob Spengler and Maria Elizabeth Spengler Not sure if this is the correct Martin Heffelfinger

From List of Swiss Emigrants in the Eighteenth Century to the American Colonies, Vol II by Albert B. Faust, Washington 1925. Page 126: "Diegten From Martin Hafelfinger of Dieckten, [called Wissen martin, aged 41]. Ten percent tax on 1b. 1100 worth of property...110; Pro manumission for him and wife...20; Ditto for their 5 children...25, 155; Anna Maria Gysin, his wife, 40 years of age. Their children Elsbeth, bapt. 14 Oct 1725; Verena, bapt 3 July 1729; Anna, bapt 29 July 1731; Martin, bapt 22 Nov 1733; Johannes, bapt 8 Dec 1737. Lost wife on the voyage." In 1740, the ship Friendship brought to Philadelphia, PA Martin Heffelfinger and his family. From History of the Counties of Dauphin and Lebanon, by William Henry Egle, published by Everts & Peck, Philadelphia, 1883: 1. Found on page 44 of the History of Lebanon County: Names of Persons who Took the Oath of Allegiance to the state of Pennsylvania before Henry Sheaffer, 1777-1778: June 22, 1778: Martin Hostlefinger. [Note: Philip, Peter, and Frederick Wolfersberger are also on the June 22nd list, Martin's wife was Anna Maria Wolfersberger]. 2. Found on page 196 of the History of Lebanon County: 1758 taxables in Heidelberg: Hefelfinger, Martin 0 pounds, 4 shillings. 3. Found on page 197 of the History of Lebanon County: Heidelberg Township 1779 Overseers of the Poor: Peter Shitz, Martin Hefelfinger. 4. Found on page 198 of the History of Lebanon County: Heidelberg Return 1782: Heffelfinger, Martin 150 Acres. [Note: Philip, Peter, and Frederick Wolfersberger are also on this list; Peter and Philip each with 150 acres, Frederick with zero acres.] 1790 Federal Census Cumberland Cty, PA page 22. Lists Martin Hifelfinger household includes three males over sixteen, two males under sixteen, and five females. From Staatsarchiv des Kantons Basel-Landschaft StABL, Hilfsw. BIO q 34 Ruth J. Heffelfinger 1941/1962: "Caspar Wistar deeded land to these settlers for a German Reformed Church just a few miles east of Meyerstown, the land and church are still intact. This congregation was one of the revolutionary hotbeds as the old records disclosed when they were translated several years ago. ...just across the Highway lies the site of Martin Jr.'s first land warrant of 150 acres, 1759." In 1771, he paid taxes on land in Heidelberg Township. He moved to Cumberland County after 1780. Henry Heffelfinger [of Meyerstown, PA] goes on to say that Martin served as a vigilante or "wildenheeder" or "dierwecter" during the Indian uprisings. "Martin's activity as a vigilante was not always to fill his own call but substituted for many of his neighbors. We know this because of Anna Maria's remarks 'that it would have been better, by far, that he should do more for himself and let others perform their own chores'. This forced her to supervise the harvests and farm chores while Martin was away spying out the activities and plots of the rapacious Redskin and their French captains on the northern border, which was the Blue Mountain range, or Kittochtinny, as the Indian called it, just ten to twelve miles north of his home on the Frontiers of Lancaster Co., between two Indian camps of the Tulpe-we-haki tribe and outpost of the wily Delaware. He was a close follower of Rev. Kurta who was quite familiar with the Delaware language. Kurtz was a go-between for the local tribes... ..."On the subject of Martin's vigilante activity, I have found no record, other than that a man in some service, secret or otherwise, was exempt of tax and therefore not recorded. This points up the fact that his service was most confidential and not recorded in the Archives, other than what these tax lists disclose. "Martin Heffelfinger was also a pack horseman and teamster and aided Martin Houser, who was married to Elsbeth Heffelfinger, a niece of Martin's. Houser was a Swiss from Diegten Amt Varnsburg, and was engaged in the freighting business and hired as one of Washington's chief wagoneers. My Grandfather oft related of them packing trains of horses and taking them to Valley Forge, 50 miles east of here, where they left their train and walked back, I remarked, 'Why walk back, why not ride one of the pack horses back home', his answer was Gen. Washington had great need of every horse available, some for mounts and some for food. ...Also he was very close to Washington who visited the area several time openly and often secretly, according to my elders. ...".