The Nicholas Steyer Family: A Pennsylvania Legacy (1751-1850)
Family Origins and Early Life
Nicholas Steyer was born on August 2, 1751, in Pennsylvania during the colonial period when the region was still part of British America. His father was Stephen Steyer, though much about the family's earliest origins remains a mystery. While several men with the Steyer surname and variant spellings appear on immigrant ship lists arriving in Philadelphia during the 1700s, none have been definitively proven to be Nicholas's father or grandfather. What we do know is that the Steyer family was well-established in the Pennsylvania German community by the time Nicholas came of age.
Growing up in colonial Pennsylvania, Nicholas would have been surrounded by the industrious German immigrant community that had settled the region. The area was known for its fertile farmland, skilled craftsmen, and strong Lutheran traditions that would shape his entire life.
A Revolutionary War Patriot
Nicholas Steyer's first appearance in historical records comes during one of America's most defining moments - the Revolutionary War. On May 8, 1780, at age 28, he was mustered into a militia company in Upper Hanover Township under Captain Joseph Sigfreed. This was no small commitment; militia service required leaving behind farm work and family responsibilities to defend the fledgling nation.
His service continued into 1781, when he was called back to duty as a private in the 4th class of the 4th Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Bitting. During 1781 and 1782, Nicholas also paid supply taxes in Upper Hanover Township, Philadelphia County - a way of supporting the war effort financially when not actively serving. His military service took place while he was still a single man, giving him the freedom to answer his country's call during this crucial period.
The Revolutionary War years were particularly challenging in Pennsylvania, as the state served as a crucial battleground and supply route. Nicholas's service as both a militiaman and taxpayer shows his deep commitment to the cause of American independence.
Marriage and Family Foundation
After the war ended, Nicholas turned his attention to building a family. On January 29, 1786, at age 34, he married Elisabeth Barbara Detweiler at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Red Hill, Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County. Barbara, as she was known, was born on January 5, 1763, in Upper Hanover, making her 12 years younger than her husband - a common age gap for the time.
Barbara came from a well-established German family. Her parents were Jacob Detweiler Jr. (1728-1789) and Maria Margaretha Derr (1734-1792), both prominent members of the local community. Her father Jacob was a landowner who died in 1789, and the family's estate records from 1792 show they were people of some means in the community.
The young couple settled in Upper Hanover Township, where they would spend their entire married life of 40 years, building both a family and a reputation as solid, contributing members of their community.
The Growing Steyer Household
Nicholas and Barbara were blessed with five sons over a span of 12 years, creating a bustling household that would have been typical for farming families of the era:
Jacob Steyer was born on April 3, 1788, just two years after his parents' marriage. He was confirmed in 1804 and went on to marry Catharine Wisler (1789-1879) on April 5th. Jacob lived a long life, dying on February 6, 1850, at age 61, and was buried with Find a Grave memorial #124451614.
Heinrich Steyer arrived on May 10, 1790. Less is known about Heinrich's adult life from the surviving records, but he would have grown up helping with the family's farming and craft work.
Johannes Steyer was born on April 1, 1794, and baptized on May 21 of that year at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He married Rebecca Berret (1794-1878) and appears in the 1850 census. Johannes died on February 22, 1857, at age 62, and is memorialized at Find a Grave #124451623.
George Detweiler Steyer came into the world on September 4, 1796, and was baptized on October 16. Interestingly, he carried his maternal grandmother's surname "Detweiler" as his middle name, showing the importance of family connections in this community. George married Barbara Boolick and appears in the 1850 New Hanover census. He lived until August 3, 1877, reaching age 80.
David Steyer, the youngest son, was born on February 13, 1800, and baptized on April 6. By the time David arrived, Nicholas was 48 years old and Barbara was 37 - they had been married for 14 years and had established themselves as one of the stable families in the township.
Life as Craftsman and Farmer
Nicholas wasn't just a farmer - he was a skilled craftsman who worked as a turner and wheelwright. This was crucial work in early America, especially during and after the Revolutionary War when transportation and equipment were desperately needed. As a turner, Nicholas would have used a lathe to shape wood, creating everything from furniture legs to tool handles. His wheelwright skills meant he could build and repair wagon wheels, essential for transporting goods and people across the rough Pennsylvania landscape.
Tax records show Nicholas owned a horse, 10 acres of land, and cattle - a modest but solid holding for the time. His estate inventory included "turner tools," confirming his craft specialization. During the Revolutionary War, his ability to make wagon wheel spokes would have been especially valuable for transporting military supplies and equipment.
The combination of farming and skilled crafts work provided the Steyer family with multiple income sources, helping ensure their stability even during difficult economic times.
Community Leadership and Faith
Nicholas's standing in the community grew over the years, culminating in a significant honor in 1796. On September 29, St. Paul's Lutheran Church elected him as a new deacon, replacing Georg Heilig. The church records note that he was elected "by majority vote" and was formally ordained to his office on the 21st Sunday after Trinity. This position would have involved assisting with church administration, helping care for the poor and sick, and supporting the pastor in various duties.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church was the heart of the German community in Red Hill, and serving as a deacon was both an honor and a responsibility. Nicholas would have been expected to set a moral example and contribute significantly to church activities and community welfare.
The Census Years: Watching a Family Grow
The early U.S. censuses provide wonderful snapshots of the Steyer family as it evolved:
1800 Census: Nicholas (age 45+) and Barbara (26-44) are listed with four boys - two under 10, two aged 10-15, and one daughter under 10. This shows the family at its peak size with all five children at home.
1810 Census: Now both Nicholas (46+) and Barbara (45+) are in older age brackets, with two males under 10, one male 10-15, and one female under 10 still in the household. Some children have likely left home by this time.
1820 Census: The household has contracted as children married and moved out. Nicholas and Barbara (both 45+) live with just one male aged 10-15, one male 16-25, and one female 16-25. Interestingly, the census notes Nicholas was "Engaged in Manufactures 1" - likely referring to his turner and wheelwright work.
The Final Years
As Nicholas and Barbara aged, they remained in Upper Hanover Township surrounded by their grown children and grandchildren. Nicholas died on April 18, 1826, at age 74 years, 8 months, and 16 days. His estate was probated on May 16, 1826, just a month after his death, suggesting his affairs were well-organized.
Tragically, Barbara followed her husband to the grave just six weeks later, dying on March 5, 1826, at age 63 years and 2 months. The close timing of their deaths suggests either a shared illness or that Barbara couldn't bear to live long without her partner of 40 years.
Both Nicholas and Barbara were buried in the Old Section, Row V of Saint Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Red Hill, where their gravestones can still be found today. Nicholas's tombstone, written in German, has been translated as: "Here rests the bones of the deceased Nicolaus Steier. He was born on August 2, 1751, died on April 18, 1826, brought to the age of 74 years, eight months, 16 days."
Elisabeth Barbara (Detweiler) Steyer is my 1st Cousin 6X Removed. The Steyer children are my 2nd Cousins 5X Removed.
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1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed June 2025); Memorial page for Nicolaus Steier; (2 August 1751–18 April 1826); Find a Grave memorial # 115998484, Citing Saint Paul's Lutheran Cemetery; Red Hill, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA.
2. Ancestry, "Revolutionary War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed June 2025), entry for Nicholas Steyer, Pvt. 4th Class; 1780 Militia Company; Colony.
3. St. Paul Lutheran Church (https://honoringourpatriots.dar.org/patriots/nicholas-steyer/ : Online 16 June 2025), Nicholas Steyer, Church Activity, page 156.
4. 1800 US CENSUS, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, population census schedule, Upper Hanover, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Page 885; Line 5; Nicholas STYER,, NL, Household of Nicholas STYER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : online June 2025); citing National Archives Microfilm M32_41.
5. 1810 US CENSUS, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, population census schedule, Upper Hanover, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Page:#925; Line:#15; Nich STYER, NL, Household of Nich STYER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : online June 2025); citing National Archives Microfilm M252_52.
6. 1820 US CENSUS, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, population census schedule, Upper Hanover, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Page:#136; Line:#6, usehold of Nicholas STIER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : online June 2025); citing National Archives Microfilm M33_100.
7. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Estate Files, 1663-1979, Nicholas Styer; digital images, FamilySearch, FamilySearch.com (http://www.familysearch.org: online June 2025); https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/139824:8802.
8. Daughters of American Revolution, Daughters of American Revolution, Honoring Our Patriots (https://honoringourpatriots.dar.org/patriots/nicholas-steyer/ : online June 2025), Nicholas Steyer/, Rwvolution War Service page, 1780–1781.
9. Waage, St. Paul Lutheran Church, MARRIAGE: Nicholas Steyer & Elizabeth Barbara Detweiler.
10. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Barbara Detweiler Steier (5 January 1763–5 March 1826), Memorial # 115998469.
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