Johann Helfer Cramer b. 22 Sep 1753 York County, Pennsylvania d. 22 Sep 1833 York County, Pennsylvania: Strong McLemore Ancestry

1753 - 1833 (80 years)

Name	Johann Helfer Cramer [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Birth	22 Sep 1753	York County, Pennsylvania [4, 5, 7, 8]
Gender	Male
Death	22 Sep 1833	York County, Pennsylvania [2, 9, 10]
Burial	Saint Jacobs (Stone) Union Church, Codorus Township, York County, Pennsylvania [2, 5]
Notes	The given name Helfer/Helfrig/Helfrick/Helfrecht is said to mean "helper" or "help-right." Clarence E. Cramer, in a preliminary draft of his manuscript titled "The Family of Johan Helfer Cramer (Revolutionary War Pension w-2762)"---which was presented at the John Cramer Family Reunion, Bascom, Ohio, August 22, 1943---stated that "Helfer was our first native-born American paternal ancestor...born and spent his early life in Codorus Township of York County, Pennsylvania." His listing on FindAGrave instead shows that he was born in Manheim Township, York County, PA. An abstract of his Revolutionary service simply states he was born in the year 1753 in York County, Pennsylvania, names of his parents not given. A Helfer Kramer is referenced in the index of the book "Pennsylvania German Pioneers" by Strassburger/Hinke. Gen Pub Co, Baltimore, MD, 1966. (Vol I 628,631,634) Don Billet of the York County PA genweb was kind enough to look up the information referenced in Vol I for me, since Vol I was not available in the San Antonio Public Library. He sent me the following email: "List A Ship, Phoenix, Qualified 1 Oct 1754, Phila, Johan Helfergramer, pg 628. List B, Johann Helffer Cremer, pg 631 and List C, Johann Helffer Cramer, pg 634. No women or children listed this ship." Perhaps these are relatives? Edith Beard Cannon shows that a Lorentz Cramer was also listed aboard the Phoenix, the passengers being described as 11 Roman Catholicks, 25 Menonists, Swissers, 300 Souls. 554 Freights. From Franconia Palatinate, Zweybreck. According to a biography of one of his children, published in the BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY (OHIO), "Helfar Cramer came from Germany and took an active part in the American Revolution, and after the war settled in York County, PA, where he died, leaving seven children." The book "Nine Months In York Town" by James McClure chronicles the period between September 1777 and June 1778, when the Continental Congress met and the Articles of Confederation were signed in York. Clarence E. Cramer writes that "York, a small town of 1,600 in 1775, was now the Nation's actual Capital...At York Horatio Gates was welcomed by the American Congress, Von Steuben came, and La Fayette reported. It was in York that Count Pulaski stopped and had his recruiting station. And here Congress remained through the darkest hours from Brandywine through Valley Forge to Monmouth. One York citizen, Hon. James Smith, signed the Declaration of Independence, six others became Generals in The Revolution..(and) some historians claim that York county sent more soldiers to the Revolutionary Army than any county in all of the 13 Colonies. When one considers that all of these came from this one small town and its surrounding county, despite the Friends and Mennonites unwilling to fight upon religious principles, others holding faithful to their Oath of Allegiance rather than to their homes, and a subtantial percentage of "Loyalists," something of the feeling of Helfer Cramer, his family, friends, neighbors and fellow citizens may be understood." In Henry James Young's 1937 Compilation, "York County, Pennsylvania in the American Revolution," Vol. VI, p. 365, the entry for Helfer Cramer reads as follows: Priv. PA. Militia. Annual allowance $26.66. Received $66.65. Placed on roll 1/7/33. Start of Pension 3/4/31. Age 79. Act of 1832. On page 409 of the same book, a letter from the Veterans Administration to S. B. Bellows, dated Je 16, 1934 was transcribed as follows: Helfer Cramer - W.2762 "Helfer Cramer was born in the year 1753 in York County, Pennsylvania, names of his parents not given. While residing in said York County, he enlisted July 10, 1776, served as a private in Captain John McDonald's company, Colonel Swope's Pennsylvania regiment [--"the Flying Camp"--] and was discharged January 15, 1777. He served in Captian John Miller's Pennsylvania company, from September 16, 1777 to November 15, 1777. He was allowed pension on his application executed December 12, 1832, then a resident of Codorus Township, York County, Pennsylvania. The soldier, Helfer Cramer, married April 5, 1785, Sophia Neetiz or Neteiz; the were married by "Parson Shrader," a Clergyman of the Lutheran Church of York County, Pennsylvania. The widow, Sopia Cramer, was allowed pension on her application executed, December 5, 1838, then aged seventy-six years and living in York County, Pennsylvania. She died about July 1840. Their children are referred to but Henry is the only one whose name was stated; he was in York County, Pennsylvania in 1840. " Edith Beard Cannon, in "Genealogical Reports for The Historical Society of York County, Vol. XXIX, p. 62, Evidence of the Cramer Families of York before the year 1850 REVISED" published 1943, cites the service listed above, along with the additional service as follows: listed as a private in the First (Captain John Shearer) Company, Seventh Battalion, according to an arrangement of Militia officers, June 17, 1779, and served in this rank when it the became the Eighth Company of the Fifth Battalion, according to an arrangement for 1780 and 1782. Helfer, along with George Kreps, assisted with the pension application for Andrew Finfrock. Andrew was a brother-in-law to Helfer, married to Barbara Neudig. Cramer and Kreps swore that they say Finfrock in the Army as a soldier at Fort Lee. Clarence E. Cramer writes that "The 1779 Tax Records show Helfer Cramer then owned a farm of 124 acres in Codorus Township (see page 12), and his mother is listed seperately as "Widow GRAMER" with the parental acres." He is continously listed as "Single" and with the 124 acres, in the 1780, 1781, and 1782 tax records. A second record of the 1782 appraisal shows he owned 2 horses and 3 coes, also an addtional farm of 66 acres. (p. 52). Cramer further indicates that "It would appear that Helfer and Sophia owned three farms in all, the 124 acre farm in Codorus Township acquired in about 1777 or 1778, perhaps adding 66 acres to it; the 109 parental acres from his father; and 51 acres in Codorus Township bought in 1812. Helfer's taxes were well above the average of his community. (pp. 56-57). They lived not far from the Stone Church. After the conclusion of the war in 1783, Helfrich continued to continued to serve in the local militia. In a return for September 27, 1788, Helfrich Cramer is a private in the Seventh (Captain Philip Cramer) Company, Fifth Battalion. According to a return of the election of Militia Officers, February 21, 1794, Helfer Cramer was chosen Lieutenant of the Sixth (Captain George Creps) Company, Second Regiment of the Light Horse. Edith Beard Cannon, in "Genealogical Reports for The Historical Society of York County, Vol. XXIX, pp. 52 - 53, Evidence of the Cramer Families of York before the year 1850 REVISED" published 1943, cited the following deeds (2R, 422) April 15, 1805. Helfrich Kromer of Codorus Township, yeoman, and Sophia his wife: to George WERNER; for (Pounds) 49.10.0: 8 acres, 140 perches, part of tract of 109 acres 126 perches surveyed ) October 14, 1768, to Daniel Kromer in pursuance of an application for 100 acres dated September 13, 1768, now the property of the said Helfrick Kromer as it appears by released of his brother Daniel Kromer bearing date Aug. 29, 1782, given to his brother Philip Kromer with Christina his wife conveyed the same to Helfrick on April 9, 1791. (2W, 374) March 26, 1812. Helfrich Cramer of Codorus Township, yeoman, and Sophia his wife: to George WERNER: for $1.00: confirmation of 2R, 422. (2X, 374) April 2, 1813. Abraham WEBER and Catharine his wife: to Helfrich Kramer of Codorus Township, yeoman: for (pounds) 256: 51 acres 51 perches in Codorus Township. (3F, 484) December 26, 1817. Helfrich Dramer of Codorus Township, yeoman, and Sophia his wife" To Peter LONG: for $120: 3 acres, part of a tract of 109 acres patented to grantor May 22, 1810, called "Cramer's Addition." In September, 1815, Helfrig Cramer was the administrator of the Estate of Anna N. Cramer, widow, of Codorus Township. Tenet in $200. Inventory filed March 11, 1816. Account filed December 24, 1816, shows a balance of $9. 41 1/2. Source: Cannon, Edith Beard "Genealogical Reports for The Historical Society of York County, Vol. XXIX, p.48 The York County German Gazette, October 1, 1833 had the following obituary: "Am 22sten September, im Codorus Township, Hr. Johannes Helfer Cramer, ein alter Revolutions Soldat, ist gestorben, im 80ste yahr seines alters. Der versterbne diente im Krieg der Vereinigten Staaten gegen Grossbritannien, und erdulte hunger und blose eines siebenyahrigen Krieges." The English York Gazette, October 15, 1833 published his obituary as follows: "On the 22nd ult. in Codorus Township, Mr. John Helfer Cramer, a soldier of The Revolution, died, aged 80 years. He served and endured hunger and privations of a seven years's war, that his country might be free." Both newspaper articles were originally transcribed by Clarence E. Cramer in his 1943 manuscript about the Cramer family. His tombstone read "Hier ruhen die gebeine von JOHAN HELFER Cramer, gebohre im September, 1753 gesterben den 22sten September, 1833, im 80 iahr seines Alter Ruhe sanft in deiner gruft Bis duch iesus Stemine ruft"--in English this woud read "ohan Helfer Cramer, born Sept., 1753 - died Sept 22, 1833 In this 80th Year, Rest peacefuly in your grave Until Jesus's voice calls you." The inscriptions on the stone were copied by the Reverend Doctor Paul D. Yoder and Clarence E. Cramer, sometime prior to the 1943 publication of Cramer's manuscript about the family of Johann Helfer Cramer. FindAGrave indicates that Helfer was 80 years 0 months and O days old as of his date of death, so it would appear that September 22 was both his birth and death day.
Person ID	I6750	Strong Family Tree
Last Modified	24 Aug 2024

Father	Daniel Cramer, b. Abt 1730, W?rttemberg, Germany d. Bef 1779, York County, Pennsylvania (Age 48 years)
Mother	Anna Margaretha Schmidt, b. Abt 1730, York County, Pennsylvania d. Bef Sep 1815, York County, Pennsylvania (Age 85 years)
Marriage	Abt 1752	York County, Pennsylvania [4]
	Robert Givens is cited by Dean Cramer as the source of this marriage information. Daniel Cramer and Anna Margaretha Schmidt Cramer are also shown on York County, PA Church records for Codorus as the parents of Anna Maria Cramer, baptized in 1762 and Eva Elisabetha Cramer, baptized in 1766.
Family ID	F3327	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family Henrietta Sophia Neudig, b. 19 Sep 1761, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania d. 20 Nov 1839, York County, Pennsylvania (Age 78 years)

Marriage 5 Apr 1785 York County, Pennsylvania [5, 11]

The DAR Patriot Index shows the following: Kramer, Helfer b 1753 PA died 9-22--1833 PA Pvt PA PNSR WPNS Married to Sophia Neidig. His baptism was by Jacob Lischy.

Clarence Cramer's family history shows that they were Married by Parson Shrader, Lutheran Clergyman. Dean Cramer notes this was probably a reference to Johann Daniel Schroeder, pastor of St. Matthew's, and instead has the date of marriage as 5 May 1785.

Children

	1. Juliana Cramer, b. 17 Feb 1786, York County, Pennsylvania d. Abt 1786, York County, Pennsylvania
	2. Catharina Elisabetha Cramer, b. 6 Apr 1787, York County, Pennsylvania d. Between 1811 and 1816, York County, Pennsylvania (Age 23 years)
	3. Christian Cramer, b. 30 Jul 1788, York County, Pennsylvania d. 12 Jul 1863, Fostoria, Seneca County, Ohio (Age 74 years)
	4. Juliana "Julyana" Cramer, b. 28 Mar 1790, York County, Pennsylvania d. 10 Feb 1858, York County, Pennsylvania (Age 67 years)
	5. Johannes "John" Cramer, Sr., b. 25 Aug 1791, York County, Pennsylvania d. 29 Jun 1856, Fostoria, Seneca County, Ohio (Age 64 years)
	6. Anna Margaretha Cramer, b. 21 Sep 1793, York County, Pennsylvania d. York County, Pennsylvania
	7. Henrich "Henry" Cramer, b. 18 Oct 1795, York County, Pennsylvania d. 12 Aug 1865, York County, Pennsylvania (Age 69 years)
	8. Johann Lorentz "Laurence" Cramer, b. 10 Aug 1798, York County, Pennsylvania d. 13 Oct 1840, York County, Pennsylvania (Age 42 years)

Family ID F3320 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Last Modified 24 Mar 2013

Event Map

	Birth - 22 Sep 1753 - York County, Pennsylvania
	Marriage - 5 Apr 1785 - York County, Pennsylvania
	Death - 22 Sep 1833 - York County, Pennsylvania
	Burial - - Saint Jacobs (Stone) Union Church, Codorus Township, York County, Pennsylvania

= Link to Google Earth

Pin Legend : Address : Location : City/Town : County/Shire : State/Province : Country : Not Set

Documents		Cramer, Helfer, Pennsylvania Land Warrant, p 1 of 2 Jacket of Land Warrant issued to Helfer Cramer, Codorus Township, York County, dated October 13, 1813, Rec. Nov. 1813
Documents		Cramer, Helfer, Pennsylvania Land Warrant, p 2 of 2 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Land Warrant, documenting Helfer Cramer's application for then acres of land adjoining land of Christina Rohrbach, George Ester dec, Adam Diehl and other lands of said applicant situated in Codurus Township, York County. Signed and witnessed on 13 October 1813 by John Cochran, Sect'y of Land Office

Sources

[S80] Family Archive CD #450 County and Family Histories: Ohio 1780-1970 (c) Broderbund Software, Inc October 31, 1998, Disk 4, Mercer, Van Wert Counties Volume II Biographical Hi story of Van Wert County, p 154 (Reliability: 3).
[S873] Find A Grave [database online]; http://www.findagrave.com/, (Thousands of contributors submit new listings, updates, corrections, photographs and virtual flowers every hour to the FIND A GRAVE website. When it comes to administrating, building and maintaining the site, Find A Grave is largely operated by its founder, Jim Tipton.), # 52089245 (Reliability: 3).
[S555] Cramer, Roger E.-Family Researcher (RKCedar@aol.com).
[S547] Cramer, Dean-Family Researcher (dcramer@primus.al.net).
[S1537] Cannon, Edith Beard "Genealogical Reports for The Historical Society of York County, Vol. XXIX, pp. 1-72, Evidence of the Cramer Families of York before the year 1850 REVISED" published 1943, (The Historical Society of York County, 250 East Market Street, York, PA 17403), p. 17 (Reliability: 3).
[S1539] Cramer, Clarence E. "The Family of Johan Helfer Cramer (Revolutionary War Pension W-2762) With Historical Background", (Preliminary Draft Presented at The John Cramer Family Reunion, Bascom, Ohio, August 22, 1943. Copyright 1944. Clarence Cramer, author, was a resident of Chicago, Illinois, and indicated that his book was prepared 'with the assistance of the Combined Relationship.' Copy of this manuscript is at the Historical Society of York County, 250 East Market Street, York, PA 17403, and a xerox of certain sections in the files of Melinda McLemore Strong, San Antonio, Texas.), p 47 (Reliability: 3).
[S873] Find A Grave [database online]; http://www.findagrave.com/, (Thousands of contributors submit new listings, updates, corrections, photographs and virtual flowers every hour to the FIND A GRAVE website. When it comes to administrating, building and maintaining the site, Find A Grave is largely operated by its founder, Jim Tipton.), # 52089245 Shows Sep. 1763 (sic, s/b 1753) (Reliability: 3).
[S1539] Cramer, Clarence E. "The Family of Johan Helfer Cramer (Revolutionary War Pension W-2762) With Historical Background", (Preliminary Draft Presented at The John Cramer Family Reunion, Bascom, Ohio, August 22, 1943. Copyright 1944. Clarence Cramer, author, was a resident of Chicago, Illinois, and indicated that his book was prepared 'with the assistance of the Combined Relationship.' Copy of this manuscript is at the Historical Society of York County, 250 East Market Street, York, PA 17403, and a xerox of certain sections in the files of Melinda McLemore Strong, San Antonio, Texas.), p. 47, 49 (Reliability: 3).
[S1537] Cannon, Edith Beard "Genealogical Reports for The Historical Society of York County, Vol. XXIX, pp. 1-72, Evidence of the Cramer Families of York before the year 1850 REVISED" published 1943, (The Historical Society of York County, 250 East Market Street, York, PA 17403), p. 17, 32, 38 Age 80 years 0 months 0 days (Reliability: 3).
[S1539] Cramer, Clarence E. "The Family of Johan Helfer Cramer (Revolutionary War Pension W-2762) With Historical Background", (Preliminary Draft Presented at The John Cramer Family Reunion, Bascom, Ohio, August 22, 1943. Copyright 1944. Clarence Cramer, author, was a resident of Chicago, Illinois, and indicated that his book was prepared 'with the assistance of the Combined Relationship.' Copy of this manuscript is at the Historical Society of York County, 250 East Market Street, York, PA 17403, and a xerox of certain sections in the files of Melinda McLemore Strong, San Antonio, Texas.), p. 49 (Reliability: 3).
[S873] Find A Grave [database online]; http://www.findagrave.com/, (Thousands of contributors submit new listings, updates, corrections, photographs and virtual flowers every hour to the FIND A GRAVE website. When it comes to administrating, building and maintaining the site, Find A Grave is largely operated by its founder, Jim Tipton.), # 52092285 (Reliability: 3).