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| Henry Brinker Rifle Maker 1774-1778 |
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Spouse
Henry's Childhood
Henry Brinker (1751) was the third child of Henry Brinker and
Anna Catherine Kreutzberger he was born
on ____, 1751. Henry was born in the same log cabin as his older brother and sister, in the old Frederick
Town community but, unlike his brother George and sister Maria Elizabeth, his birth place would be listed as
Winchester, Frederick Co Va. because the City of Winchester including Frederick Town was legally established and
renamed in 1749 two years before his birth. Although His records would be filed in Frederick Co. because
Winchester's records did not start until 1790.
His father had just bought 381 acres but, at the time of Henry's birth he would have had no time to clear and
build on it. Therefore; we know from his fathers story that Henry was born in a German style log cabin like the one pictured
here, located on lot #7 in the original town of Frederick Town Va.
By 1753 The Indian raids had become so bad that the areas west of Winchester had been mostly abandon, Hampshire
County was formed from the western part of Frederick Co and part of Augusta Co in 1753 but, the area was considered so unsafe
that it was not established until 1757.
| Hampshire Co Court House 1833 |
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| Click to enlarge |
Author's Notes
The first Hampshire County court meeting took
place on June 11, 1755 in a private home located about five miles north of present-day Romney. Thomas Byran Martin, a nephew
of Lord Fairfax, presided at the meeting. There are no records of the court's meetings from 1755 and 1757, presumably because
most of the county's residents fled the county during the French and Indian War.
Thus any records of this period were
probably still in Frederick Co.
The county's first courthouse was constructed
in Romney in 1833, and was distroyed by fire in 1921 along with many of its records.
In 1754 Henry was three years old when the French and Indian War broke out. Many people in the area around
him were being killed and their homes burned during the some times daily Indian raids. No doubt Henry's house and
the town of Winchester was a very vulnerable place, because the office of George Washington, the main leader of the militia,
was just three blocks down the street from his home.
Besides being a farmer Henry's father was also a tavern owner. During the war hundreds of soldiers camped
in the open areas on the out skirts of town, called the commons. No doubt Henry and his brother and sister seen much
of the roughness and drunkenness of these soldiers, because it was so bad that George Washington sent out orders that the
tavern owners could only provide a limited amount of liquor to each person or they would face harsh consequences and that
any soldier caught drunk would receive 50 lashes without the benefit of a court martial. It was also ordered that Henry's
father's and two others were the only taverns that any soldier was allowed to enter or set down in without a very good reason.
By 1755 the Indian raids were getting so bad that Col. George Washington ordered the construction of Ft. Loudon
to start on the east end of Winchester.
In 1756 Ft. Loudon was finished and no doubt Henry, now five years old, spent many nights inside the walls of
the fort.
In April 1756 Though we find no record of any of Henry's family having it , we can only imagine the care
they took to limit their contact with the public, because a great epidemic of Small Pox had entered the Winchester area and
many died from it. This must have been extremely hard, being that they were rushed into the fort with all of the other town's
people and soldiers, each time an Indian raid occured.
On august 28, 1756 Henry and his family was rushed into Fort Loudon because the Indian raids were so bad that
it was reported to Col. Washington that there was only two families left in the area from Frederick, Md. to Winchester, Va.
the rest had abandoned their home for safety.
On December 7, 1757 Henry's Grandmother Regula (Herter) Brinker died in Lower Saucon Twsp. Northampton Co. Pa.
On ___, 1758 Henry's sister Mildred Brinker was born. Like Henry she was born in Winchester but, her records
would have been filed in Frederick Co. because Winchester records did not start until 1790.
From July until September 1758, at the age of seven Henry, his mother and older brother and sister were left
to tend the tavern and farm, while his father marched with Col. George Washington to the battle of Ft. Dequesnse.
Author's Notes:
1759, Henry's father purchased
381 acres in 1750 and developed his farm just two miles from the Hopewell Meeting House. We know from many records that this
family attended meetings there. The following is a quote from the history of their meetings.
"Following the custom of Friends, records were faithfully
kept from the time of the establishment of the Meeting. All of these records have been preserved with the exception of the
first twenty-five years. The records for the years 1734 to 1759 were lost in a fire that destroyed the house of William Jolliffe
in 1759." (Source: Society of Friends, History of our meetings)
Frederick
Co. records begin 1744 while Winchester's began 1790 and they are much smaller in volume as the town size did not change
from 1754 until 1905.
Land
and probate records for Winchester begin 1790, Marriage bonds for Winchester in 1790 and some marriage licenses for period
1843-1855. There are also a few birth and death records from 1855 to 1870. Unlike Frederick records, many of these records
for Winchester were destroyed during the Civil War.
It
is highly possible that Henry's birth records were destroyed in the fire of 1759.
The 1759 Frederick Co. census show Henry, at the age of eight years old, still living with-in Frederick
Co. (Source: Virginia Census, 1607-1890)
In 1763 Henry's older brother George left home, at the age of 17, to serve a four year apprenticeship, under
Adam Haymaker one of the most famous gun makers of the time.
In late 1763 the French and Indian War was coming to a close and life was beginning to get back to normal, though
there were a few hostile Indians who randomly raided homes in the area.
February 1764, Henry's uncle, Abraham Brinker died in Lower Saucon Twsp. Northampton Co. Va. Two months later
on March 12, 1764 Henry's grand father Andreas Brinker died in Lower Saucon Twsp. Northampton Co. Va.
In 1764 at the age of 13, the Virginia Early Census show Henry living in Winchester Twsp.
Author's Notes: His father purchased 381 acres
just a few months before Henry was born, which would have been 13 years earlier, giving him plenty of time to develop his
farm. Thus this record stating (Winchester Twsp.) would most likely be his father's farm NE of Winchester.
In August 1772 Lt. Henry's father, Henry Brinker, died in Hampshire Co. Va.
1774 - 1778; According to the American Long Rifle Association Henry Brinker was a rifle manufacturer and gunsmith
in Frederick Co. Va. from 1774-1778. (Source: Rifle Manufacturer and Gunsmith ---
KENTUCKY RIFLES MANUFACTURES; Makers name and known location where they manufactured Rifles and years they operated as a gunsmith
or manufactured rifles.)
We find no record of Henry's training but, his brother George finished
his apprenticeship in 1766 and we find many served apprenticeship under him. Thus it is very possible that he trained Henry.
May 2, 1780, Henry took the oath as Ensign in the Frederick
Co. VA Militia. He later became a Lieutenant. (Source: Virginia Militia in the Revolution, Secton 263)
In 1781 Henry's Grand father George Michael Laubinger died in Winchester, Frederick Co. Va. He was buried in
the old Lutheran Church Cemetery in Winchester, Va.
1782 Frederick Co Early Census, Col Dowdall List, shows Catherine living in Frederick Co. with 8 white persons
and 0 black, Catherine is shown as head of household, not Henry. (Source: Frederick Co
early census Twsp 08 00, pg 20)
July 1782 Lt. Henry Brinker deployed with Col. Wilson to Tygart Valley to battle Indians.
September 25, 1782, This is to certify that Henry Brinker Lt. of Militia of Frederick Co. hath performed a tour
of duty under my command in Monongalia County and is hereby discharged with honor. You are directed to discharge your men
as soon as you return to Col. John Smith's were your public arms is to be delivered Signed Benj Wilson Lt Col. (Source: Lt. Col. Benjamin Wilson- Some Misc. Notes, by David Armstrong)
August 7, 1786, A letter from George Washington to Commanding Officers on the frontier, dated 7 Aug. 1786, Winchester,
VA, indicates that Henry Brinker was on the approved list for selling liquor to soldiers of the VA Militia.
Author's Notes:
This author is trying to prove his theory;
that right here is were Charles Brinker 1790 was born. Charles Brinker and Reachel Bowen has been a brick wall for genealogist
for many years.
December 10, 1799 Henry purchased land from Robert Ross in Hampshire Co Va. The deed was recorded February 2,
1800; witnesses: John Newman, John Henderson, Dennis Warner, and Benj. Neals. (Source" Deeds,
Leases, and Morgages of Hampshire Co Va. pg 65)
December 4, 1801, Henry's mother Anna Catherine (Kreutzburger) Brinker died in Winchester, Frederick Co. Va.
She is buried in the old Lutheran Cemetery in Winchester, Va.
March 7, 1810 Henry's mother-in-law Barbara (Painter) Laubinger died in Frederick Co. Va. She is buried in the
old Lutheran Church Cemetery in Winchester, Va.
1810 U.S. Census show Henry living in Springfield, Hampshire Co. Va. 1 white male 45 and over, 1 white female
45 and over, 1 white female 10-15 Year, This census also shows his brother-in-law Michael Laubinger living 4 doors from Henry.
(Source: 1810; Census
Place: Springfield, Hampshire, Virginia; Roll:
69; Page: 759; Image: 0181429; Family
History Library Film: 00012.)
Authors Notes: This author firmly
believes that Henry is the father of Charles Brinker 1790 but must first prove this theory, This census shows Henry to
have; One female 10-15 yrs old living in
the household, Charles would have been 20 yrs old and possibly gone from home ????
1830 census was enumerated June 1, 1830 this
census is the first record we find of Charles Brinker and Rachael Bowen in Decatur Co. Indiana. Charles would have been 40
years old.
According to his application for pension Henry was living in Springfield, Hampshire Co Va. on September 24, 1832.
September 24, 1832, Henry applied to the court for his Revolutionary War pension at the age 71
years. (Source:microfilmed Revol. War pension
records)
On May 9, 1833 his pension started He recieved $345.00 and $115.00 Annually from the Virginia Militia. (Source: Virginia Pension Roll of 1835 Report from the Secretary of War)
This is a part of Henry's Will written December 13, 1837: "To John Brady for use and benefit of
Hannah Laubringer, wife of George, 'during her coverture" Exec. John Brady second Christopher Heiskell. Witness: David
Kinnison, R. G. Piper, James M. Brady.
March 3, 1838, Henry Died in Springfield, Hampshire Co Va. at the age of 87.
Authors Notes: West Virginia became a state
on June 20, 1863, 91 years after Henry's death. Thus all of Henry's records should be listed as Frederick and Hampshire Co.
Virginia.
Author's Notes:
The Laubinger – Brinker Relationship
This
relationship began early in the development of Winchester. Henry Brinker and George Michael Laubinger must have been very close
friends, they are found working together from the time they settled in the Opequon area until their deaths in Winchester.
We find both of their names together as witnesses on many land transactions, wills, and legal records throughout Frederick
and Hampshire Counties. Both of their
names are today still engraved in the cornerstone of the Old Lutheran
Church as the founders and builders of the original church. They both served under
Col. George Washington in the Frederick Co. Militia during the French and Indian War. On every voters list we find they both
voted for the same candidates. Henry’s son Lt. Henry Brinker 1751 married George’s daughter Catherine Laubinger.
Lt. Henry Brinker 1751, left provisions in his Will to care for George’s wife Hannah. The 1810 census show Lt. Henry Brinker and his brother-in-law Michael Laubinger living four doors from each other in Hampshire
Co. Va.
Brinker – Bowen Relationship
These two families were first
seen together in Bucks Co Pa.
were Andreas Brinker and Regula (Herter) Brinker Settled in 1739.
Moses Bowen and
Rebecca (Reece) Bowen
Moses was born
1674 in Carmarthin, Wales. He emigrated from Wales
to Philadelphia, Pa. about 1698 to Guinned Township, Chester
Co., PA were he bought 10,000 acres of land. He married Rebecca Reece in 1703 in Bucks Co Pa.
In 1732, they moved to Rockbridge County, VA. He died in
1760 at the age of 86 in Montgomery Co. PA. Rebecca died April 1, 1780
at the age of 104 in Chester, Pa.
Moses Bowen and
Rebecca (Reece) Bowen had five sons and six daughters:
Their one son Henry Bowen
Sr. was well known to the Brinker family in Frederick Co Va.
Henry Bowen Sr. was born
1679 in Chester Co Pa. He married Jane Carter, born 1683 in Chester Co Pa. daughter
of Robert Carter, in 1703 at the Brick M House, Bucks Co., PA (Jane died July 28, 1752)
Henry Sr. purchased one half
of a 448 acre parcel in Frederick County,
Virginia, on January 30, 1743 from John Littler.
The other half was purchased
on the same day by Thomas Rees, Henry's son-in-law. Henry and Jane (Carter) Bowen were Quakers, attending the Hopewell
Meeting House near Wincester, Frederick County,
Virginia.
In 1754 Henry
Bowen Sr. sold his property in Frederick Co Va. to his son Henry Bowen Jr. Soon
after this transaction Henry Sr. died.
Henry Bowen Jr. was born
1715 in Chester Co Pa. He married Anna Moon in Frederick Co. Va. She was born 1723 in Frederick Co. Va. and died at Apple
Pie Ridge in Frederick Co. Va.
Children of Henry Bowen Jr.and
Anna Moon:
Hannah Bowen
Born: May 3, 1742 at Apple
Pie Ridge, Frederick Co. Va.
Died: May 19, 1827 at Jefferson,
Greene Co. Pa.
Married Issac Heaton
Henry Bowen III
Born: 1758 in Winchester,
Frederick Co. Pa.
Died: 1785 in Ky.
Jacob Bowen
Born: 1762 in Winchester,
Frederick Co. Va.
Died: ___ in Frederick Co.
Va.
Mary Bowen
Born: April 3, 1742 in Frederick
Co. Va.
Died: 1825 in Green Co. Pa.
Married Peter Babb Sr.
Margaret Bowen
Born: 1748 in Winchester,
Frederick Co. Va.
Died: in Fayette, Pa.
Rees Bowen
Born: 1745 in Winchester,
Frederick Co. Va.
Died 1776
Jane Jean Bowen
Born: 1750 in Frederick Co.
Va.
Died:
Ann Bowen
Born: Feb. 1, 1752 in Frederick
Co. Va.
Died: March 18, 1828 in Washington
Co. Pa.
Married: James Carter III
Prucilla Bowen
Born: 1755 in Winchester,
Frederick Co. Va.
Died: 1824 in Green Co. Pa.
Married: Robert Hill
John Bowen
Born: 1756 in Frederick Co.
Va.
Died: 1819 in Frederick Co.
Va.
Married: Elizabeth Owen
Here-in may be the family of Rachael Bowen ??
1782 Frederick Co. Va. Census shows Henry Bowen 7 White persons
and 5 Black persons.
Sites around henry's home
| Sloan-parker House |
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This house was constructed of locally quarried fieldstone for the family of Richard and Charlotte Sloan about
1790. The family who ran a weaving business owned the home until 1854 when it was sold to the Parker brothers.
The house is located on Rt 50 west of Romney.
| George W. Washington House |
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Ridgedale the home of the George W. Washington family.
Ridgedale was built about 1850 by George William Washington who had become a resident of Hampshire County in
1834 or earlier. The house was built on part of 700 acres devised in 1817 to Sarah "Sally" A. Wight and her siblings by their
grandfather, Maj. Robert Lockhart first of Lancaster County, PA and later of Frederick County, VA. Sarah married George W.
Washington sometime around 1830. George and Sally lived at Ridgedale and raised at least nine children, one of whom, John,
died in the Civil War. George died in 1876 and with his wife and several family members is buried in Indian Mound Cemetery
in Romney. One son, Edward, who married Susan Ann Taylor and lived at Ferndale several miles down river in a house built in
1834 by Susan's father, William Taylor. Other children married into the the Pancake, Inskeep and Rees families. The ancestry
of George William Washington is uncertain, but it is assumed that he is a distant cousin of President George Washington.
Old Stone Presbyterian Church, Winchester Va, Erected in 1788
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