52 Cousins~ The Nicholas Steyer Family: A Pennsylvania Legacy (1751-1850)

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.

Aunts & Uncles~Margaret Keppel Earnhart: A Life Across Two Centuries

The “Aunt & Uncle” series of biographical sketches are Artificial Intelligence (AI) compiled narratives of selected individuals from my Genealogical database.  The selected AI will used the RootsMagic Individual Summary from my Genealogical Software, Roots Magic. All genealogical data is my research material acquired over the past 46 years of research. Today's Biography of Margaret Keppel (1759-after 1840) was compiled with the assistance of Claude Sonnett 4 and is entitled: 

Margaret Keppel Earnhart: A Life Across Two Centuries

Early Life and Family Origins

Margaret Keppel was born about 1759, in Upper Salford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, during the final years of British colonial rule in America. She was the daughter of Peter Keppel Sr. (1730-1806) and Anna Elizabeth Grobb (1737-1800), both likely of German or Swiss ancestry based on their surnames—a common heritage among Pennsylvania settlers of that era.

Margaret grew up during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history. As a young woman, she would have witnessed the Revolutionary War unfold around her, with Pennsylvania serving as a crucial battleground and the temporary home of the Continental Congress.

Marriage and Early Motherhood

Before 1803, Margaret married George Earnhart (1759-1850) in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. George was a Revolutionary War veteran who had served six months fighting Cherokee Indians in 1776 at the tender age of 17. Their marriage united two families with deep American roots—Margaret's Pennsylvania German heritage with George's North Carolina military service.

The couple settled in Cabarrus County, where they began raising their family. Their children included:

Mary Magdalene Earnhart (born 1800)

Sara Evelina Earnhart (born 1803)

Benjamin Earnhart (1805-1882)

Nancy Earnhart (born 1807)

Daniel Earnhart (1809-1883)

James Earnhart (born 1812)

Life in North Carolina

By 1790, Margaret and George were established in Rowan County, North Carolina, where census records show them as a married couple. Margaret would have been about 31 years old, managing a growing household in what was still largely frontier territory. The 1790 census indicates they had a sizeable family even then, with multiple males and females of various ages in their household.

In 1807, Margaret found herself involved in family legal affairs when her father Peter Keppel Sr. passed away. As one of his lawful heirs, she participated (through her husband George, as was customary for married women of the time) in the division of her father's estate. The deed, recorded in Cabarrus County, shows how property was divided among Peter's children, with Margaret's portion being handled by George as her legal representative.

The Great Journey West: Moving to Tennessee (1812)

Around 1812, when Margaret was approximately 53 years old, the Earnhart family made the momentous decision to leave North Carolina for Tennessee. This journey would have been quite an undertaking for a family with six children, the youngest being baby James, born that very year.

The trip from Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to Bedford County, Tennessee, would have covered roughly 300-400 miles through mountainous terrain. The family likely traveled by wagon train, carrying all their worldly possessions—furniture, farming tools, seed, livestock, and personal belongings. The journey probably took several weeks, with the family camping along the way, fording rivers, and navigating rough mountain paths. Margaret would have been responsible for managing the children, preparing meals over campfires, and maintaining some semblance of normal family life while living outdoors.

Upon reaching Bedford County near Shelbyville, Tennessee, the Earnharts would have found themselves in a rapidly growing frontier community. Tennessee had only achieved statehood in 1796, making it a relatively new addition to the Union. The area offered fertile farmland and opportunities for families willing to work hard and build new lives on the frontier.

Tennessee Years and Later Life

The Earnhart family established themselves successfully in Bedford County, where they remained for about seven years. Census records from 1820 show George and Margaret, now in their 60s, still maintaining a large household with 12 total family members. By this time, some of their children would have been adults starting families of their own, while others were still at home.

The 1830 census finds the family still in Bedford County, with Margaret around 71 years old. Despite her advanced age for the era, she continued to manage her household duties. The family composition had changed over the decade, reflecting the natural progression of children growing up, marrying, and establishing their own homes.

By 1840, Margaret was approximately 81 years old—an remarkable age for a woman of her generation. The census of that year records her still living with George in Bedford County, making her a witness to enormous changes in American society over more than eight decades of life.

Historical Context and Legacy

Margaret Keppel Earnhart lived through some of the most significant events in American history. Born during the French and Indian War, she witnessed the Revolutionary War, the formation of the new republic, westward expansion, and the early years of Tennessee statehood. Her life spanned from colonial Pennsylvania through the frontier era of the early 19th century.

As a woman of her time, Margaret's contributions were largely domestic but no less vital. She successfully raised six children to adulthood, managed complex household operations across multiple relocations, and helped establish her family in new territories. Her involvement in her father's estate settlement shows she was not merely a passive figure but participated in important family financial decisions.

Margaret died sometime after 1840 in Tennessee, having lived well beyond the average lifespan for women of her era. Her legacy continued through her children and their descendants, who helped populate and develop the growing state of Tennessee. Her life story represents that of countless pioneer women who left comfortable established communities to build new lives on the American frontier, contributing immeasurably to the westward expansion that defined early 19th-century America.

Through her marriage to Revolutionary War veteran George Earnhart and her own remarkable longevity, Margaret serves as a living bridge between colonial America and the antebellum period, embodying the resilience and adaptability that characterized the pioneer spirit of her generation.

 Margaret Keppel Earnhart is my 4th Great Grand Aunt. 

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1. 1790 U S Census, Rowan County, North Carolina, population schedule, Rowan, North Carolina, Page 318 (penciled), Line  2, Household of George ARENHART [EARNHART]; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 January 2020); citing  National Archives Microfilm M637. 1790 CENSUS: Rowan, North Carolina, Page 318 (penciled), Line 2; Household of George ARENHART [EARNHART], Male over 16, Male over 16, 4 males under 16; 3 females. 

2. Land Deed - Division of the Estate of Peter Kapple Sr.; 8 August 1807; Deed Book #6; Page(s) 168; Register of Deeds; Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; 12 December 2020. Page 168 

3. 1820 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, Bedford, Tennessee, Page 65 (penciled), Line 6;, Household of George EARNHEART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 January 2021); citing  National Archives Microfilm M33 _122. 1820 CENSUS: Bedford, Tennessee; Page 65 (penciled), Line 6; Household of George EARNHEART; Male, age 45+; 1 Female [Wife], 45+; 2 Males under 10; 2 Males age 10-15; 1 Male age 16-25; 2 Female ages 10-15 and 3 Female 16-25. 

4. 1830 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, Bedford, Tennessee, Page 87 (penciled), Line 9, Household of George EARNHART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 January 2021); citing  National Archives Microfilm M19_122. 1830 CENSUS: Bedford, Tennessee, Page 87 (penciled), Line 9; Household of George EARNHART, Male, age 60-69; 1 Female [Wife], age 50-59; 2 Males , ages 15-19; 1 Male, age 20-29; 1 Female, age 10-14, 3 females, age 20-29.

5. 1840 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, Bedford, Tennessee, Page 60B (Stamped), Line 22, Household of George EARNHART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 January 2021); citing  National Archives Microfilm M19_.

6. Ancestry, "Revolutionary War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (https://www.fold3.com : accessed 3 January 2020), entry for Goerge Earnhart, Private; Revolutionary War; America. https://www.fold3.com/image/17562129; Pension application of George Earnhart R3196, fn28NC