DAR #A135122

George Wetzel was born May 2, 1734, in Waldorf, Schwarzburg, Wurttemberg, Germany, to George Friedrich Wetzel and Maria Catharina Veil. At the age of 16, George came to America from Rotterdam on the “Bennet Galley” ship landing in Philadelphia August 13, 1750. George first settled somewhere in the eastern part of the Pennsylvania Province, marrying Mary Catherine Wunderlich (1736‐ ), in 1770, at the German Reformed Church in Cumberland County., Pennsylvania. They remained in the Province until the Indian troubles had subsided. He and Mary had four sons, Jacob 1771‐1828, Martin 1775‐ , John 1776‐1854, and George Sr. 1783‐1814.

When the opportunity to acquire land and a home appeared he migrated to the Cumberland Valley. On December 21, 1773, he was able to acquire 100 acres of ground in Middleton Township, Cumberland County (formed January 27, 1750, from a portion of Lancaster, PA), from Samuel Davidson. This is the first appearance of the Wetzel name in the records of Cumberland County. On the purchase agreement, George is listed as “of Middleton Township, Blacksmith” indicating he was already a resident of the area.

On March 7, 1777, the Pennsylvania Militia was formed by the Act to Regulate the Militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The act required all able bodied white men between the ages of 18 and 53 to enroll in the militia which was organized into companies and battalions based on geography. An estimated 60,000 men enrolled. The militiamen drilled up to 12 times a year. Men failing to report to drill were accessed a fine. Some were called to serve short term tours of active duty. If called to serve active duty at an inconvenient time, hiring a substitute was permitted.

Revolutionary War Service: During the war for independence George Wetzel was listed as 2nd Class on the September 8, 1781, Class Roll of Captain James Douglass, 3rd Company, 2nd Battalion, Cumberland Co., Militia. This information is printed in the Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Volume VI, page 178. George was later commissioned an ensign in the 10th Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia.

George was a quiet and reserved man, participating little in public affairs. He lived on his land for the remainder of his lifetime farming and blacksmithing. He died June 19, 1786, leaving to survive him his wife, Mary, and four sons, Jacob, George, John, and Martin. He was buried in the Old Graveyard, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.