LUDWIG AND SUSANNA WISSINGER

From Frederick Co., Maryland to Cambria Co., Pennsylvania

The 9th child of Johann Ludwig and Catherine Wissinger, Ludwig was born in 1756 near Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland. On August 14, 1776, at the age of 20, Ludwig enlisted in the Army at Frederick, Maryland near where he was raised. He was assigned to the third battalion of the German Regiment under the command of Colonel Ludwig Weltner of the Continental Troops of the Revolutionary War.

The German regiment originated from a resolution of Congress, 27 June 1776, directing four companies of Germans to be raised in Pennsylvania, later increased to five; and four companies in Maryland, to comprise the "German Battalion", the companies to serve three years, unless sooner discharges. Nicholas Haussegger, major of the Fourth Battalion (Waynes), was commissioned Colonel. and Pennsylvania furnished by far the larger number of both of its officers and recruits. Some of its regular rolls have survived, and the list is made up from returns of those who belonged to Pennsylvania as found in the Secretary's Office. The regiment was in the field and engaged at Trenton and Princeton, and in May 1777, was in Deborre's brigade, Sullivan's division. The Colonel left the army after the Battle of Monmouth, and returned to his farm near Lebanon, PA. Lt Colonel Weltner succeeded to the command. The regiment took part in Sullivan's campaign against the Indians. In the spring of 1780, it was stationed on the frontiers of Northumberland County. By resolution of Congress, in October the German Regiment was reduced and ended its organization 1 Jan 1781.

Soon, thereafter, he was transferred to the command of Colonel Nicholas Haussegger’s Regiment and engaged in numerous conflicts in Pennsylvania being hospitalized for 20 days in June of 1777. In March, April and May of 1778 he was stationed at Valley Forge, PA under the command of General George Washington. This is the time that Baron Fredrick Von-Stuben took command of the troops and was almost wiped out in that terrible, hard winter by hunger, disease and cold. Ludwig participated in the battles of Trenton, Brandywine and Germantown. He was discharged July 20, 1779 at Wyoming, PA. (near Wilkes-Barre), but did not receive any discharge papers. On April 19, 1833, Ludwig was granted a pension of about 30 dollars per month. His basic rate of pay while in the service was six and two-thirds dollars per month (two pounds, ten shillings).

After the war, Ludwig probably returned to his home near Middletown, Maryland, but soon moved to York County, Pa. He is found on the tax records there from 1779 to 1783 working as a mason, but also affiliated with the York County Militia. On September 13, 1786, Ludwig purchased a tract of land from the state of Pennsylvania by warrant number 213 located in Morrison Cove, on both sides of Roaring Springs Run in Woodbury Township, Bedford County (now Blair County). This tract, consisting of 216 acres had never been surveyed before and Ludwig became the first white man to own this land. After selling this land in 1790 to Jacob Stevens, he moved his family to Somerset County, Pa. where he purchased 300 acres at a cost of ten pounds per 100 acres (land grant #1, by warrant dated January 23, 1797). The land was practically a wilderness land located on Solomon Run in Quemahoning Township (now Oakland, Stony Creek Twp., Cambria County). He and his family cleared and farmed this land until his death. They built a house at what is now the corner of Bedford and Penrod Streets. In 1798, Ludwig worked with Joseph Johns to "lay out" the City of Johnstown, Pa. (see article). In 1807, Ludwig's land was located in what was called the Griffith Settlement, located about one and a half miles southwest of Johnstown, Pa. And in 1810, Ludwig built the first school in the township across from his home. In 1822, he hold his land to Moses and Jacob Harshberger for $300. This was considered to be a fair price at this time.

Notes on changes on Pennsylvania Counties

1. York & Cumberland Counties were formed from Lancaster County in 1750
2. Bedford County was formed from Cumberland County in 1771
3. Westmoreland County was formed from Bedford County in 1773
4. Somerset County was  formed from Bedford County in 1795
5. Cambria County was formed from Somerset County in 1801 plus from Westmoreland and Lycoming Counties

Stoney Creek Township was formed from Conemaugh Township on Jan 4, 1876

In 1781, Ludwig married Susanna Miller probably in Frederick County, Maryland. Thirteen children were born to their union, most of them spending their lives in the Johnstown area. It is thought that Susanna was born in the area in 1766, the daughter of John Miller [Estate of J. Miller of Washington Co., Md. was distributed to his heirs Apr 9, 1799, including a Susannah Wissinger]. Susanna died in 1834. After her death, Ludwig went to live with his son, George, and family. Ludwig made his will, Dec. 14, 1835  and died on May 6, 1842 (Tombstone - 1840). In 1883 his son George, and his three grandsons, Hiram, George F., and Archibald, purchased a plot of ground from Abner Griffith for $10 and had Ludwig and Susanna buried there. This is now known as the private Wissinger Cemetery in Johnstown, Pa. and is located at the corner of Riffith, Ruby and Penrod Streets, near where the old Oakland School stood. This property was originally part of his farm. There never was a grave marker for either of them and in 1966 the Oakland Home and Garden Club purchased and erected a stone for each of them. It has been reported that this cemetery has been designated an official historical site.

The children of Ludwig Wissinger and Susanna Miller are as follows:

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