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:
- Strassburger & Hinke's Pennsylvania German Pioneers, 1934, by the Pennsylvania German Society, Norristown, PA.
- National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, online research, http://services.dar.org/public/dar%5Fresearch/search.
Please see this list of all My Revolutionary War Ancestors
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