David Spangler’s direct revolutionary was ancestor was Bernhard Spangler, 1745-1802 died on 7 Oct 1802, Paradise now Jackson Township, York, Pennsylvania. (WikiTree# Spangler-126, FamilySearch# L7BP-RLB). He is my 6th great-grandfather. He served in the 6th Co., 7th Battalion, York County Militia, during the Revolutionary War. His twin brother was Joseph Spangler 1745-1802 died 1 Mar 1802 in Washington, York, Pennsylvania. They were both 31 in 1776. They both died in 1802 just seven months apart. During the Revolutionary War, Joseph was a Major in the 5th Battalion in the York County Militia, which marched to form the Flying Camps in eastern NJ where George Washington was camped with his troops. Their father Jonas and grandfather Hans Caspar Spengler arrived in Philadelphia from Weiler, Baden, Reich in September 1727 on the ship William and Sarah. In 1729 they settled in what would become York, Pennsylvania. York served as the meeting place for the Continental Congress between September 30, 1777, and June 27, 1778. This move took place when the delegates were forced to flee Philadelphia as British troops advanced following the Battle of Brandywine. While gathered in York, our early leaders made several monumental decisions, most notably the adoption of the Articles of Confederation on November 15, 1777.,,. The Continental Congress met in the York County Courthouse.

This was the same time as Washington’s troops were at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and it has been reported as very cold. There was also sickness and starvation. Bernhard was fortunately at home in York.