- Born: Abt 1718, Langenselbold, Germany 720
- Marriage (1): Anna Magdalena Reber on Nov 30, 1740 in Langenselbold, Germany 720,721
- Died: Aug 27, 1776, Long Island, , New York about age 58 720,722
 General Notes:
There is a family controversy regarding Conrad Bloss. There are two sides to the controversy, did Conrad die at the Battle of Long Island in 1776 or did he not even serve?
The first part of these notes are from the History of Lehigh County and are considered the "official history" The middle section is from Sept 2006 a letter from Carl Bloss that pretty much follows the official line. The last part is the other side of the controversy.
In the years after he sent me the letter below, Carl continued researching Conrad. Being that Conrad was 60 at the time of the beginning of the Revolution and supposedly enlisted in a Company far from home and friends, things just didn't add up to him. He has written up his research in the third part of these notes.
Part 1
From the History of Lehigh County
The Bloss family whose descendants are especially numerous in Lehigh and in Carbon counties, trace their ancestry to the progenitor, Conrad Bloss, who emigrated from southern Germany. He sailed from Rotterdam on the ship Francis and Elizabeth, commanded by Capt. Geo. Worth, and landed at Philadelphia Sept 21, 1742.
Conrad Bloss, a weaver by trade, settle in Washington Twpthis county, and then Heidelberg Twp, Northampton Co. The exact time is not known, but as early as Oct 4 1749, he took out a warrant for twenty-five acres of land in Bucks county, which then embraced all of what is now Lehigh Co. On May 30, 1750, he took out a warrant for a tract of fifty-six acres and thirteen perches called "Issenberg"; on May 9, 1765 he purchased from John Engel Thomas a tract called "Manheim" which was taken out by a warrant dated Oct 19, 1757, for 139 acres; on April 9, 1767, he purchased from the heirs of Jacob Shellhammer a tract called "Berlin" of fifty-eight acres. The last three tracts are embraced in a patent that was granted April 10, 1767, to Conrad Bloss, by Thomas Penn and Richard Penn. On Aug 25, 1765 he made application for twenty-five acres and in pursuance of warrant No. 623 dated Aug 14, 1766, there was granted to him Aug 25, 1766 a tract of twenty-five acres and fifty perches called "Schwabenstadt".
Another warrant was taken out for twenty-eight acres and thirty-two perches on Aug 14 1766. The total land he owned amounted to 331 acres and ninety-five perches.
In the Proprietary Tax list of 1772, Conrad Bloss, farmer, is assessed one pound and four shillings.
The first official act in recognition of Heidelberg as a township was made at the October term of court 1752, when Conrad Bloss was appointed constable for it.
On Aug 6, 1776 Conrad Bloss was a member of Capt. Nicholas Kern's company, in camp at Perth Amboy, N.J., which composed part of the Flying Camp of Ten Thousand men commanded by Col. Hart in the Battle of Long Island. This was the Third company in the First Battalion of the Northampton county Associators. It is history that most of the men of the First Battalion were either killed or wounded in the engagement with the British on Long Island, Aug 27, 1776. Doubtless Conrad Bloss lost his life in this battle as we find no trace of him after this time.
Part 2
Sept 6 2006
Possible spouse for Conrad Bloss: Anna Maria Daubenspeck born about 1726. I had received this from Robert Emory (see citations) however Carl H. Bloss has stated to me that this is not correct and she is not Conrads spouse.
Per Carl Bloss (Sept 2006)
Conrad and Magdalena were sponsors for a child of Jacob Daubenspeck and wife Julianna - daughter Anna Magdalena Daubenspeck B. Feb 16, 1753. This has led many researchers to conclude that Conrad's wife name was Daubenspeck.
Conrad and Magdalena were sponsors for a child Daniel Reber on Feb 13, 1763. Big problem is mainden name of Conrad's wife. Most current information lead to The Reber family unless Daubenspeck family can come up with more than a family tradition. Keith Bloss says "last name for her is in the Langensebold records published in a book by Annette Burgert - "Eighteenth Century Immigrants from Langensebold in Hesse to America" published in 1997. In this she is listed as an Anna Magdalena REBER b. 3 June 1720. They married in Germany 30 Nov 1740 and had their first child Anna Margaretha there in 12 Nov 1741. Magdalena is the daughter of Bernhard Reber (son of Daniel Reber and Maria ?RONPEL) and Anna Maria (daughter of Valentine AHL).
Known information is that Johan Conrad Bloss emigrated to America from Rotterdam on the ship "Francis and Elizabeth" (George North, Master) that arrived in Philadelphia PA, 21 September 1742. He resided in Heidelberg Twp area of PA as a farmer and weaver. Colonial records indicate he owned 25 acres of land in Bucks County by 1750 (This was the county of record until 1752 formation of Northampton County).
He enlisted in Captain Nicholas Kern's Company in August 27, 1776 whose unit was activated in Perth Amboy prior to the Battle for Long Island (Battle of Brooklyn). It is anticipated that he died in this battle (War Records - PA Archives, Vol 8, Series 5th, p. 26).
He is listed in township records as the 1st Constable of the newly formed Heidelberg Twp.
Part 3
The following treatise was written by Carl Bloss putting forth his research and his conclusions on the Conrad Bloss controversy. I find his conclusions to be highly credible.
Jeff Padell
JOHANN CONRAD BLOß
&
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
FOREWARD
Since day one I have been embroiled in a family controversy in connection with one - JOHANN CONRAD BLOß and his role in the American Revolution. I have tried to re-assemble and source the known information at this point in time. The reader must then decide for himself what to believe based on the facts. I will render my own conclusions at the end.
Carl H. Bloss
10/15/2009carl.h.bloss@gmail.com <mailto:carl.h.bloss@gmail.com>
WHO IS JOHANN CONRAD BLOß?
Johann Conrad Bloß, son of Johannes Bloß, was born in Langenselbold, Germany, baptized on 5 January 1718. (This is the German spelling of the [SHARFES S] to "ss", and is the key to the correct pronunciation.) He married Anna Magdalena Reber, daughter of Johannes Reber, in Germany, on 30 November 1740. They had a daughter, Anna Margaretha Bloss, born 12 November 1741 before they began their journey to America. (Burgert 5) (Leutzner) They sailed on the ship "Frances and Elizabeth" and arrived at the Port of Philadelphia on 21 September 1742. He signed (with a signature) the Oath of Allegiance to the King of England as required when he arrived. (Strassburger and Hinke) There are no records when he actually moved to the Lehigh Valley. In America he is known as Conrad Bloss. His oldest son, John George, was born in 1744. He applied for a warrant for land in Bucks County as early as 1749 (about 7 years after he arrived), with more land bought in 1750 through 1767. (Roberts)
It will be necessary to present some background information to make a more informed conclusion:
COUNTY ORIGINS
In 1752, Northampton County was formed from Bucks County (there being 3 original counties of Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester.) The boundary line extended between the present Berks and Lehigh counties and ran through the present counties of Schuylkill, Columbia, Lycoming, Tioga and Potter. Bucks County at its formation included its entire present territory along with the counties of Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, Pike, Wayne, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming Susquehanna, Bradford and Sullivan and parts of the counties just mentioned. Philadelphia County included Montgomery and Berks Counties and that portion which ran between parallel lines terminating at the northwestern boundaries. The remainder of Pennsylvania (more than half its area) belonged to Chester County. Lehigh County was not formed until 1812. (Kerchner unp) (See maps in Appendix)
Heidelberg Township included both Washington and Heidelberg Townships, first in Bucks County (known as the Heidelberg District), then Northampton County in 1752, and of the present Lehigh County formed in 1812. It must be noted that there are quite a few Heidelberg Townships; first Bucks, then Northampton County; the same in Berks and Lancaster County also. Many original records DID NOT DEFINE the county. Conrad Blose (Plose) (English writing of the German word Bloß was Blose) was named a constable for Heidelberg Twp when it was formed in 1752. (Heller 21 - 22) Records substantiate that he remained in this post until at least 1756 when a successor was named. (Treasurer's Accounts 55) We also need to recognize where Heidelberg Township is in relation to any other entities such as Towamensing Township in Carbon County. Heidelberg Township is located to the left of the Lehigh River and south of the Blue Mountains. Towamensing is located to the right of the Lehigh River but above the Blue Mountains. Lehigh Township of Northampton County is to the east of the Lehigh River and South of the Blue Mountains. (See Map in Appendix)
History of Heidelberg Union Church
Raymond Hollenbach states that Heidelberg Church was the only church in the immediate area and was a UNION church, combining congregations of Lutheran and Reformed members. The first church in Heidelberg Twp was built in 1744 - two years after the arrival of Conrad Bloss. (Strassburger 329) Conrad Bloss arrived in America September 21, 1742 aboard the ship Francis and Elizabeth. (Strassburger 329) His name is not listed as one of the original contributors to this church. However, the first church burned in Indian attacks, and in 1757, we have the names of 56 persons contributing to the building of the new church, including Conrad BLOSS, his son Georg, along with possibly a relative of the original Reber family: Johannes Reber. (Hollenbach 3 - 4) We know Conrad was of some importance in the local church community. Other early churches of the same time period were Egypt, Jordan and Unionville (became Schlosser's Church at Neffs).
Revolutionary War Period
"By 1772, all available land in Heidelberg had been taken up. In that year there lived in Heidelberg Township 117 families…all of whom were probable member of Heidelberg Church." (Hollenbach 7) Hollenbach's records jump to 1777 when the militia was established, "to which all able-bodied men between 18 and 53 belonged, Heidelberg furnishing two such companies of 225 persons." (Hollenbach7) CONRAD BLOSS is NOT in this list, (In 1777 Conrad would have been age 60 based on being born about 1717) although his sons 2nd Lt. George Bloss and Daniel Bloss can be found in this 1777 militia list. (Leickel 7 - 11) This militia was composed of men from Heidelberg, Lowhill, Weisenberg, Lynn and Penn Townships in a battalion commanded by Colonel Henry Geiger. (See PA Archives, Vol. 25, p. 178-197 for all the names - which seems to include all the male members of the Heidelberg congregations at that time.) (Hollenbach 7) Hollenbach further states that "8 men from Heidelberg were in the Flying Battalion which took part in the Battle of Long Island." (Hollenbach 7) HE DOES NOT STATE WHO THESE EIGHT MEN ARE BY NAME! There is no known listing of these eight men. There are no known records in Heidelberg Township that this Conrad Bloss ever served in the Revolutionary War. (Conrad would have been age 60 in 1776.)(Hollenbach: Rev. War)
A list of the men from Heidelberg who served in the Revolutionary War (151 of them) was copied into a record in the "Military History of the Area". The known militia or Associators are not included in these lists. All of these lists were after the formation of the militia in 1777. (Leickel 7) The Heidelberg units listed as a part of the Northampton County grouping varied from time to time:
1776 Heidelberg was in the 2nd Battalion
1777 Heidelberg was in the 3rd Battalion
1780 Heidelberg was in the 6th Battalion
1783 Heidelberg was in the 1st Battalion (Leickel 7)
Northampton County & the Revolution
The war known as the American Revolution extended over 7 years - from 19 April 1775 until 13 September 1783. [Covers time from Lexington and Concord to the signing of the Peace Treaty]
In the summer of 1775 the Northampton County Committee of Safety organized various townships into "COMPANIES". Before this time, with no organized government, volunteer groups of men formed military organizations called "ASSOCIATORS".
Of special note among these Associators were:
Easton 87 men under Peter Kichlein
Forks Twp 126 men under Jacob Arndt
Lehigh Twp 70 men under Yost Dreisbach
Heidelberg Twp 100 men under Michael Ohl
Towamensing Twp 50 men under Nicholas Kern …
(A total of 26 Township units contributed with a militia strength for Northampton County at 2,357 men.) (Myers 18 - 20)
Immediately, a company of 70 riflemen under Abraham Miller of Hamilton Twp was recruited and went to Boston to serve under George Washington's command (25 July 1775) to fight for the Charlestown Peninsula north of Boston. (Myers 20)
In Pennsylvania, in 1775, there were two distinct serving units: one called "THE LINE", the other being "THE MILITIA". General Anthony Wayne commanded 13 Regiments in "The LINE". Fifty-seven battalions of ASSOCIATORS formed the MILITIA (or reserve) with 3 more battalions of 500 each as full-time persons. (Myers 20) I can not find Conrad Bloss in any of the 1775 recorded Associator or Militia units.
In 1776 the Continental Congress set up a "FLYING CAMP" of several thousands with 3 month's service to be recruited "in case of emergency." Pennsylvania was to supply 6,000 men; Northampton County quota was 346. (Myers 21) That emergency came on 17 March 1776, so units were formed and assembled at Perth Amboy, NJ by the end of August. These units were known as the Northampton County Battalion of the "Flying Camp" under the command of Lt. Col Peter Kichlein of Northampton County; Colonel Joseph Hart of Bucks County; Major Michael Probst and Sgt Major John Spangenberg. (Myers 21)
Four Battalions (and sometimes called "Companies" in the records) were mustered on 9 July 1776, there being records of these original musters of 313 men of the line and their officers. The 1st Battalion consisted of 92 men under Capt John Arndt and was named the Rifle Company coming from Easton, Bethlehem, Forks, Williamstown, Lower Saucon, Plainfield and Mt. Bethel Townships. The 2nd Battalion consisted of 120 men under Captain Henry Hagenbach coming from Macungie, Whitehall, Lowhill, Upper Saucon, Upper Milford, Salisbury, Weisenberg, HEIDELBERG, Lynn and Penn Townships. The 3rd Battalion consisted of 57 men under Captain Nicholas Kern coming from Allentown, Moore, Lehigh, Chestnut Hill and TOWAMENSING Townships. (This is the only known record of a "Conrad Bloss" mustering with this 3rd Battalion on 9 July 1776.) The 4th Battalion consisted of 49 men under Captain Timothy Jayne coming from Upper Mt Bethel, Lower Smithfield, Upper Smithfield, Delaware and Hamilton Townships. (Egle 612, 621)
A second quota of units "ready to serve" was filled with 278 men (musters are recorded) later in the fall of 1776: 1st Battalion of 71 men under John Santee; 2nd Battalion of 138 men under Christian Fisher & Stephen Balliet; 3rd Battalion of 54 men under John Hays; and 4th Battalion of 15 men (since this group already sent 2 Companies of militia). (Egle 629)
Quite a bit has been written about these units being deployed to Perth Amboy by the end of August in 1776. (Davis) Colonel Kichlein's (Kachline) units have been described at length in connection with the Battle of Long Island or more appropriately the Battle of Brooklyn. (Descendants of Peter Kichline 60 - 64) (Oldest Volunteer Company 1 - 5) The object of this Battle was to preserve the city and harbor of New York, which the Continental Congress regarded as a most strategic position of military and commercial importance. (Gallagher 13 - 14 ) This Battle is often called "the Thermopylae of the Revolution and the Pennsylvania Germans were the Spartans", since Col. Kichlein's Battalion was almost completely destroyed at Long Island. (Myers 30 - 31) Following this Battle there was a general retreat and re-formation of surviving troops at Fort Washington. (Myers 30 - 31) These musters were supposed to be for a 3 month term of service (release time of December) and a bounty paid of 3 pounds but were supposed to be skilled riflemen. (History of Easton 125) This was also a time of many desertions in the field.
A brief summary of this military effort indicates the Americans assembled between 11,000 - 13,000 men for this confrontation in August 1776, with most of the militia being held back behind the main fortifications at Brooklyn Heights. Confirmed casualties (the term used was "lost") for the Americans in the initial battle is 4,000 wounded, captured or dead ; of this number more than half were confirmed to have died. (Gallagher 136 - 137) The worst casualties were from the areas the Northampton and PA contingents of the "Flying Camp" fought. The British have said 3,300 died with another 1,097 being sent to prison camps or prison ships. (Gallagher 136 - 137) General Washington retreated with about 9,000 - 10,000 troops, since newer units were being added. (Gallagher 153 - 154 ) The Battle at Fort Washington left another 52 Americans dead and another 2,818 men captured while covering still another retreat. (Gallagher 164)
We can also state that the British assembled more than 35,000 men (27,000 trained and well-equipped hired soldiers) and reported losses of only 373. (Gallagher 61, 109) What a lopsided battle - the American Army was "flanked", out-maneuvered and fighting against odds of 15 to 1. Did anyone survive??? Records are incomplete as to who was wounded, captured or died in battle. Of more than 70 units serving under General Washington at this important event, more than 52 musters in unit records after the battle were not completed or have not been located. (Gallagher 136) Many of the units were combined or re-assembled. We have had to rely on fractured records, pension applications and survivor reports when individuals returned. With mass burials on the spot, the army in full retreat, reassignment of survivors, desertions after the battle, records do not give us the information we need to know about who survived or who died. During the 7 years of British occupation, more than 11,000 Americans died while being held on "prison ships. (Gallagher 174) Reports, as recorded from the prisons and prison ships, seem to show that most would have preferred death on the battle field compared what they had to endure. (Dandridge - entire book)
We do know that 2 of the three officers of the Capt Nicholas Kern 3rd Company returned to do battle again. (Various including Pa Archives) From this same unit in which a Conrad Bloss mustered, Frederick Nagel's unsuccessful application for a pension upon his release provides the BEST first hand information of the situation: that "the regiment to which he belonged got in great confusion, and at about four o'clock in the afternoon his Colonel (Kichline), who was commanding on foot, collected about two hundred of them together and had their arms put in order, for we were in a hollow, and the enemy on a hill. He said he would break through their lines and escape to New York. When we got about halfway up the hill, the fire of the British came so hard, and so many fell, that the Colonel ordered a retreat. In a few minutes he was taken prisoner, and we all fled in confusion into some briars and high grass, along a pond. About sunset the British and Hessians came upon us and took us prisoners." (Application for Pension: Frederick Nagel)
We know that Col. Kichlein himself and at least two of his four Captains, Hagenbach and Jayne, were captured at Long Island. At least one of the other two Captains, John Arndt, was wounded. These were mostly from the 1st, 2nd and 4th Companies. I have been able to find that Nicholas Kern and Enoch Beer, officers of the 3rd Company survived and returned. Gallagher's records quote that Kichline's PA Militia had 27 losses, plus an unidentified company on Battle Hill ranging from 50 to 100 men, who were wiped out. (Gallagher 137) This would reflect about half of the entire Northampton contingent of 313 men. (Myers 31)
Disaster struck again at Fort Washington on 16 November with more than 2,800 American taken prisoner (2,200 identified as PA Germans) in a doomed defense. (Gallagher 164) Frederick Nagel's account of his own captivity parallels most other experiences recounted. After the retreat from Long Island, many of the units were hastily reformed. He mentions by name an Ensign Beechy, Cornelius Daniel and ? Berger who attempted to escape from their captors. He was then placed with 5 others, Henry Godyer, Jacob Swap, Christian Henninger ( of Hagenbach's Company), Berger and Daniel until "the close of the war, until peace was restored." (Application for Pension: Frederick Nagel) (I have begun a search for each member of this 3rd company who mustered, hoping to find where they came from, who survived, and who didn't. Since units were combined and shifted around during the battle, there is no sure way knowing! )
WHICH CONRAD BLOSS?
According to the PA Archives, a CONRAD BLOSS mustered on 9 July 1776 in the 1st Battalion of Associators in the County of Northampton…commanded by Col. Hart, and in Capt. Nicholas Kern's 3rd Company. ("Captain Kern's Company" 565 - 567, See listing in Appendix) Since Nicholas Kern collected his men from the Towamensing area and possibly the Lehigh Township area, NOT HEIDELBERG, we need to consider if this might have been Johann Conrad; his son - Conrad, or even a completely different Conrad. (Egle 612)
Who was eligible? Johann Conrad Bloss of Heidelberg, baptised in January of 1718 (possibly born in 1717) in Langenselbold, Germany, would have been age 59-60 in the year 1776. (Burgert 5) Depending on the specific time of the muster (militia rules of ages 18 - 53), he might have been eligible to serve but his age is on the upper side, younger men tended to serve first, until later in the war.
Johann Conrad's son, Conrad was born about 1758 making his age 18 in 1776. (Bloss, Keith)(The birth of all of Conrad's children has not been verified by record and most have been "derived" from death information or gravestones.) This son eventually had property and lived in Towamensing Twp, Carbon County. Very little is known about this son until after the war. His older brothers John George (age 32 in 1776) and Daniel (age 24) DID NOT serve until 1777 and later.
We also need to consider the fact that Johann Conrad's brother, Johann Peter, came to America in 1766 with a son named Conrad, baptised in 1755 and would have been about age 21 (but we have no records as to where this family actually settled and lived.) (Burgert 5 - 6)
Some have actually confused one GEORG CONRAD BLOSS who came to America in 1749 and stopped over in New Hanover, PA but he moved on to Virginia in the 1750's to form a different line. (Savage and Bloss)
Raymond Hollenbach and Clinton Joel Bloss, early genealogists, have just muddled the situation with mis-identifications and the use of terms such as "without a doubt" or "no doubt", but never a shred a PROOF! Until we can prove otherwise, these only become family "legends".
Let's collect what information we have about Johann Conrad Bloss at that time. Keep in mind the various spellings of the surname of BLOß: Bloss, Blose, Bloz, Blos, Blotz, Blows, Bloce, Blois, Blass, Blaas and even Plose.
1) We use the name JOHANN Conrad Bloss, son of Johannes Bloss, to distinguish him from GEORG Conrad Bloss, son of George Bloss, who settled in Virginia. When coming to America the first name was often dropped or not used to designate the son of a particular person - thus Conrad Bloss. Most official documents use the name of CONRAD.
2) He became the first Constable of Heidelberg Township when it was founded in 1752 and remained in this position until at least 1756 (date last known that monies were submitted to the County by a Conrad PLOSE). (Myers 21 -22) (Miscellaneous Public Records) He must have been well enough known to be assigned this post. He signed a few petitions for roads in the area in 1753. (Petition to Court 19 June 1753)
3) He was a large land owner in the area (more than 331 acres) (Roberts) (Hollenbach - map) and was one of the 59 Reformed congregation members to sign an agreement to build a new church at Heidelberg in 1757. (Hollenbach 4 - 6) He seems to be a well-known and important member of his community and church. He was a linen weaver and farmer by trade. (Roberts)
4) He is in the Heidelberg Tax Lists in 1761/ 1772 & 1773. His main properties were signed over to his oldest son George in 1767 as shown in the deed and the Heidelberg tax lists of 1773/ 1776 & 1779. (Leizy) (PA Archives: Series III, Vol.19)
5) His name seems to have disappeared after the 1773 tax records. He is NOT listed as a resident of Heidelberg Township in 1776 (no indication if this was before or after the muster of July 9 although most other records of this time were dated in January), only his sons George and Daniel are listed. (Leizy) If he died, there are no actual records of his death or burial. It is also important to realize that many early families buried their own on the family homesteads. His wife is listed alone in the 1790 census as "Lana" and son George is also. (1790 Census) Anna Magdalena is listed as a widow and sponsor for several families between 1781 and 1784. (Various local church records) His widow, Anna lived with son-in-law Peter Seidel for at least 5 years prior to her death in 1803. Administration records at her death leave no clues as to Conrad. (Estate # 2203) There is no trace as to her burial either. ( I found a recent statement from Raymond Hollenbach about finding a grave stone for "Magdalena Reber" in a pile of overturned stone in the old Heidelberg Church Cemetery - am verifying information) There is no record if his wife applied for or was rejected for a pension after the War, which was granted to most applicants if their family members died in service. (No pension records on file or applications)
6) Church records are conspicuously void, many parts are missing - there are recorded burials of others of the same time frame and persons serving in the War but no mention of JOHANN CONRAD BLOSS. (Hollenbach) We have found NO Bibles or early family records to this point beyond the biographies written by Clinton Joel Bloss for the Henry's History of Lehigh County (Henry) and Hollenbach's History of Heidelberg Church. (Hollenbach) How could someone have just disappeared???
7) Adding to the confusion is finding another document recently - The Oath of Allegiance to the USA from Northampton County, PA signed on 26 July 1777 by CONRAD BLOS and by George BLOST dated 19 July 1777. This was required of all males over 18 years of age, the penalty for refusing was loss of citizenship (modified later for fines for those refusing for religious purposes). Since this listing covers only a part of Northampton County, there is no specific identification of which Conrad is mentioned or where he is from. (Northampton 199 - 200) (I am trying to identify the proportion of individuals which might have come from Heidelberg Township or from Towamensing Township and to match up any names of soldiers returning. I will also search additional listings.) So, which Conrad signed this Oath??
To make this even more interesting, let's look at Towamensing Township (now in Carbon County) where several members of the Bloss/Blose family migrated. Tax records show NO Bloss family members before 1779 (after the war already started).
1) Peter Bloss (a weaver) is in the 1779 tax list for this area along with a brother Heinrich - these being sons of Johann Conrad. Peter is listed again in 1781. (Henry 174) Little is known of this Peter except that he married a Rebecca …. and died about 1785. (Roberts) A Rebecca "Plose" is listed in the 1790 census for Towamensing. (1790 Census, Towamensing)
2) Henry (Heinrich) Bloss was thought to have settled in Carbon County about 1778 although he is only listed in tax records for 1779/ 1785/ 1786 & 1788. (Leizy ) He is listed in the 1790 Towamensing census. Henry owned more than 120 acres at this time. Henry also served later in the Revolutionary War. (PA Archives )
3) CONRAD (JR) (youngest son of Johann Conrad) is first found in Towamensing Township in the land records showing Conrad being assessed as early as 1789 along with Henry. (Leizy) In the 1790 census he is listed with a son and 2 daughters/ again in the 1800 census with 1 son and 4 daughters. (1790 Census, Towamensing) Records of children being born is found at both Heidelberg (Hollenbach 42, 43) and at least one daughter at St. John's in Towamensing (St. John's) so we can't tell if he was living in Heidelberg or Towamensing at these times. THERE IS A GAP OF MORE THAN 10 YEARS WITH NO MENTION OF A CONRAD BLOSS??? Born about 1758, this Conrad would have been 18 years of age in 1776 and could have served in the War in some capacity. (Keith Bloss) We have NO firm records of his birth, his marriage or when he actually moved to Towamensing Township. But since he is found later in Towamensing, we need to consider his joining Capt. Nicholas Kern's Company of that area. This Conrad Bloss from the Towamensing area moved to Luzerne with his family in the early 1800's. He also had a son named Conrad. (Keith Bloss)
GENERAL SUMMARY
1) There are no known records of which CONRAD we are discussing, only suppositions. There are no known military, church or civil records of the death and burial of JOHANN CONRAD BLOSS. There are also no known records to verify the dates of birth for Johann Conrad's children, either, other than death records and gravestones. In 1776 his children would have been: John George (age 32), Peter (age unknown), Daniel (age 24), Heinrich (age 22) and Conrad, Jr (age 18); all eligible to serve. We have relocation records of Conrad, Jr into the Towamensing area and then to Luzerne County but with large gaps in the early years.
2) There are no military records beyond the original muster in 1776 to determine if CONRAD died, was captured and imprisoned, or returned on his own. (Hollenbach's list of Revolutionary War Patriots from Heidelberg Township does not include Johann Conrad Bloss) We must consider the idea that the muster under Captain Nicholas Kern was from the Towamensing district, not Heidelberg Township. WHY WOULD JOHANN CONRAD MUSTER OUTSIDE HIS HOME AREA??? We cannot find any of his neighbors among this muster.
3) JOHAN CONRAD sold off his land to his oldest son George in 1767, as many families did as they were aging. (Deed Book B1) There are no known administrative papers for Johann Conrad except those of his widow at her death in 1805. He is not listed among the residents of Heidelberg Township in 1776, unless he had already died between the 1773 tax list and 1776 dates. Parents often lived with their children as they got older and quite were often buried in a family plot on the homestead, but there are no records of such for Conrad as with his wife. Anna Magdalena, as a widow, lived with her daughter Eva Elizabeth and her son-in-law, Peter Seidel, until her death but there are no burial records.
4) We find a CONRAD BLOS listed among those signing the Oath of Allegiance in 1777 along with George BLOTZ. Was this JOHANN CONRAD or was this CONRAD Jr.? We don't find in these signings JOHANN CONRAD's other sons, Daniel, Peter or Henry, who were of age, but migrated to Towamensing about the same time as Conrad Jr, nor are they on any other list? (With more than 4,000 residents of Northampton County who took this Oath, we have not been able to retrieve the lists of all the names.) It is difficult to separate the generations by name alone since names were repeated in several generations. Henry had sons named Peter, Daniel, Charles who in turn had sons named Charles and Daniel, etc. Johann Conrad Bloss had a son named Conrad, who also had a son named Conrad. Of course, Johann Conrad had a brother Johann Peter, who came to America in 1766, with a son named Conrad (about age 21).
CONCLUSIONS
1) I am most inclined to believe it was Conrad Jr or a completely different Conrad that served in the Revolutionary War. If we consider the Conrad Jr in Towamensing Township, then he returned to raise a family. Georg Conrad Bloss moved to Virginia about 1750 and was NOT here.
2) I think Conrad Jr accompanied his brothers to Towamensing and while there, he mustered under the command of Captain Nicholas Kern. I find it difficult to understand why a single, older, individual, Johann Conrad Bloss, would go so far out of his way to enroll in a completely alien group with none of his friends or neighbors. The age also needs to be considered - would someone closer to 60 be more acceptable than someone near their 20's? His sons, who were of age to join, are not listed until later in the war.
3) There are NO military, church or civil records to show that Johann Conrad Bloss served or died in the cause of the American Revolution, whereas others in his neighborhood were recognized. Those who served and returned seemed to have had better recognition than those who might have died. We have no record of his death and burial at all. He might have died at this time, been buried in a homestead plot or the "old cemetery at Heidelberg", but we can't prove it. I cannot reasonably accept the idea that Clinton Joel Bloss and Raymond Hollenbach, well-known persons who chronicled the Bloss Family, would use the terms that "without a doubt" or "no doubt" Johann Conrad Bloss died at Long Island, without substantive backup, but they have not provided such. If this was family lore, they should have stated such until proven. Genealogists also contribute to the confusion by the continuous listing of these statements as FACT. Or were they just trying to preserve four generations of memories?
4) Military records for the time period leave much to be desired. Records show that "a" Conrad Bloss mustered in 1776 under Captain Nicholas Kern. Since Nicholas Kern was in charge of the Towamensing area group, I tried to connect any others of this muster to Heidelberg but could NOT. I can not find out yet the names of any of those 8 men from Heidelberg that Hollenbach stated were in the Flying Camp.
5) After the Battle of Brooklyn and Fort Washington, poor records were kept as to who was captured, who died or even who re-enlisted or deserted. We have Col. Kichlein's return muster records for Captain Arndt's Company from Easton but very few others. Companies were combined with each other for survival. There is no specific record that Conrad Bloss was captured and returned or that he died. The Frederick Nagel deposition (although from the same Company of 57 men) does not mention a Conrad Bloss. Even with several officers from this company returning, we have no firm return muster. The chances of survival were quite slim from the information we have of this Battle but we do know that some did survive, even 2 of the 3 officers of the company.
6) DAR records of the past have not been adequately substantiated through documentation - so the myth lives on. The records at the Greenwich Cemetery in Brooklyn are incomplete and rely on individuals to submit information - so the myth lives on. Early genealogists relied on information from family members and family memories - so the myth lives on.
7) New information comes to light all the time. When something relevant comes along, I will reconsider my position. Meanwhile my conclusions are:
JOHANN CONRAD BLOSS OF HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY DID NOT SERVE IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
CONRAD BLOSS, THE YOUNGEST SON OF JOHANN CONRAD BLOSS, WHO MOVED TO TOWAMENSING TOWNSHIP, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY; MUSTERED IN THE 3RD COMPANY OF CAPTAIN NICHOLAS KERN 9 JULY 1776; SERVED AND FOUGHT AT LONG ISLAND BUT RETURNED, SIGNED THE NEW OATH OF ALLEGIANCE, AND RAISED A FAMILY IN TOWAMENSING TOWNSHIP BEFORE MOVING TO LUZERNE COUNTY.
Carl H. Bloss
Phoebe Berks Village
9 Reading Drive, Apt. 235
Wernersville, PA 19565
carl.h.bloss@gmail.com <mailto:carl.h.bloss@gmail.com>
Ancestry.com
shows a land warrant 25 Aug 1765 location Es-623 25 acres
Noted events in his life were:
• Alternate Spell: Conrad Bloss. 720
• Occupation: Linenweaver farmer constable. 725
• Born Alternate: Langenselbold,Germany, Jan 8, 1715. 89,586
• Baptism, Jan 5, 1718, Langenselbold, Germany. 721
• Military, 1776, Revolutionary Army Patriot. 722
Johann married Anna Magdalena Reber, daughter of Bernhard Reber and Anna Maria Ahl, on Nov 30, 1740 in Langenselbold, Germany 720.,721 (Anna Magdalena Reber was born on Jun 3, 1720 in Langenselbold, Germany 720 and died in 1803 720.)
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