Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Hans Conrad Rosli (Rasley) (1726 - 1794)


The son of immigrant ancestors, Hans Conrad was 13 years old when he arrived in North America on board the Ship Jamaica Galley, February 7, 1739, with his parents, Hans Conrad Rosli and Barbara Egg Rosli.  The family, from Eshenburg, Switzerland included his brother, Hans Rudolph and sister Susanna.  He is known in the family records as Conrad Rosli II.  Rosli, Roesly, Rasley, Rasely, Raseley, Raisley, Raesly, Racely are all spellings of this family name.

Conrad Rosli II was born October 18, 1726. By the time he was 32 years old he was married to Magdalena.   It is possible that he spent the 19 years from the time of his arrival here establishing himself and helping his parents do the same. They were living in Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

By the time of the up rise of the American Revolution, Hans Conrad was an elderly man.  He, like all citizens of the colonies, was required to sign the Oath of Allegiance which made it possible to determine the strength of the patriot movement and to identify the loyalists. 

Men who signed the oath so declared their independence from England which meant they were guilty of treason under English law.  This was not taken lightly.  Those persons choosing not to sigh, the Loyalists or Tories,  were in danger of having their lands confiscated by the Americans.

The DAR recognizes Conrad Rasley for Patriotic Service which, basically means that he signed the oath, which begins, "I do swear that I renounce and refuse all allegiance to George the Third, king of Great Britain, his heirs and successors; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a free and independent State, and that I will not at any time do or cause to be done any matter or thing that will be prejudicial to the freedom and independence thereof, as declared by Congress and also, that I will discover and make known to some one justice of the peace of said State all treasons or traitorous conspiracies which I now know or hereafter shall know to be formed against this or any of the United States of America."  Once sighed, the Patriot was given  a certificate, like this one signed by Alexander Hamilton,  to carry to show proof of his loyalty.

Oath of Allegiance, Alexander Hamiliton
Conrad Rasely is listed as the head of family on the 1790 Census in Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.  At that time there are 6 males over the age of 16 and one male under 16 years of age.  There are also 3 females in his family unit.

On January 5, 1795 his will was probated in Easton.  “Estate of Conrad Roesly, died last May 1 Lower Saucon, widow, Magdalena, children, John, eldest son, Henry, Jacob, Conrad, Joseph, Catharine, wife of Philip Wagener, Elizabeth,  w/o Rev John Mann.”   His known children were Johannes, born July 27, 1758;  John Henry, born February 17, 1761;  Jacob, born  November  29, 1767;  Conrad, born August 17, 1770;  Joseph, born  November  13, 1772; Catherine, born circa 1774;  and Elizabeth born circa 1776.

He was buried  May 21, 1794 in Christ Union/Reformed Church Cemetery in, Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.  The records indicate  that Conrad was the age of 67 years, 7 months and 3 days when he died.
His son, John Henry, born, 1761 had a son Henry who married Jane Ayers.  Their daughter  Sarah married William McEwen and were the great, great grandparents of my mother Lois McEwen Hughes. 

Sources:
                            Please see this list of all My Revolutionary War Ancestors

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