IMMIGRANT, 1749

REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOT

2ND WIFE OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR CAPT. JOHN GEORGE OVERMIRE, SR.

A BIOGRAPHY OF ANNA BARBARA VOGT OVERMIRE, by Laurence Overmire, genealogist and family historian, Feb. 2009:

Anna Barbara Vogt (aka Foucht, Fought) was born Dec. 3, 1741, in Lauwill, Canton of Baselland, Switzerland, the daughter of Jonas and Eva (Wuertz) Vogt. She emigrated to America with her family in 1749.

On Jun. 2, 1760, in Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania, she married the recently widowed John George Overmire with the Rev. John Casper Stoever officiating. John George had four children from his first marriage, with Barbara he would have another eleven: John Peter, Elizabeth, Anna Eve, Esther, Jonas, Mary Magdalene, John Philip, John Michael, John David, Anna Barbara, and John Jacob.

Barbara distinguished herself during the Revolution by caring for sick and wounded soldiers. Living on the frontier as they did, with three members of her family fighting for the Americans, there is no doubt that Barbara helped out in any way should could to aid the patriot cause. John Blair Lynn reported the following in his Union County History:

"The Indian outrages commenced early this year, and on the 1st of May Captain Joseph Green had a party out in defense of the frontier. May 6, Edward Tate, a private in Captain George Overmeier's company, was wounded by a ball through his foot, in an engagement with the Indians, which occurred on a place then occupied by Frederick Wise, (now in Limestone township, somewhere between Mifflinburg and Wehr's tavern.) A number of the company were on a scout, and were talking, at the time, of the merits of their respective guns. One said he could shoot the drop from an Indian's nose. Just at that moment the Indians, who were in ambush, fired upon them, and several fell. Tate, who was wounded, ran and concealed himself. An Indian, in pursuit, came near to where he lay, and looked over the fence, but did not discover him. Philip Seebold, whose authority was old Mrs. Overmeier, said the names of the two men killed were Lee and Rezner; that their bodies were brought to Captain Overmeier's, and she washed them, and they were buried in the grave-yard at Dry run, near late Philip Seebold's residence."

Barbara died at about the age of 65 sometime around 1806. Her burial location is unknown, though it may have been the Dry Run cemetery where the soldiers whose bodies she washed were buried.

For the Overmire/Overmier/Overmyer/Overmeyer/Overmoyer family history see "One Immigrant's Legacy: The Overmyer Family in America, 1751-2009" by Laurence Overmire (imarkbooks.com).

∼THE FOLLOWING WAS MERGED FROM ANOTHER MEMORIAL, AUTHOR UNKNOWN: Anna Barbara Vogt was born on Dec 3, 1741 in Gelterkinden, Lauwill, Canton of Baselland, Switzerland and died in 1806 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania about the age of 65.

She married John George Obermayer, Junior on Jun 2, 1760. They were married by the Reverend John Casper Stower in Hoover Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, in Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania or in Paxton, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. John George Obermayer, Junior was born Oct 27, 1727 in Blankenloch, Baden, Germany and died Sep 22, 1805 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania at the age of 77. His first wife was Eva Maria Magdalena Rosenbaum/Rosenbach, whom he married on Jun 3, 1754. She died in 1759.

Anna Barbara Vogt immigrated with her parents and brother and sisters in 1749, about the age of eight.

At one time, she was credited by the Daughters of the American Revolution for being a patriot in the Revolutionary War, her duties involving the preparation of soldiers' bodies for burial. Her place of residence at the time of the Revolution was Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. According to the Overmyer History and Genealogy from 1680 to 1905, collated by Barnhart B. and John C. Overmyer, Fremont, Ohio, 1905, pages 50-51:

"In 1782 William Moore was president of the state. The Indian outrages commenced early this year. May 6th Edward Tate, a private in Captain George Overmeier's company, was wounded by a ball through the foot in an engagement with the Indians which occurred on a place then occupied by Frederick Wise (now in Limestone township).

"A number of the company were on a scout, and talking all the time about the merits of their respective guns. One said he could shoot the drop from an Indian's nose. Just at that moment, the Indians, who were in ambush, fired upon them, and several fell. Tate, who was wounded, ran and concealed himself. An Indian in pursuit, came near to where he lay and looked over the fence, but did not discover him. Philip Seebold often related to his son, Joseph, that his grandmother, Mrs. Overmeier, said the two men killed were Sergeants Lee and Rayner. Their bodies were brought to Captain Overmeier's and she washed them and they were buried in the graveyard at Switzer's Run, near the Overmeier homestead, being the old cemetery previously alluded to in these pages. Captain Overmeier was with his men in pursuit of the Indians. . ."

John Blair Linn's Annals of Buffalo Valley, Pennsylvania, 1755-1855, Harrisburg, PA, 1877, p 210, was the source of the information published in the Overmyer book.

Here is the text of an e-mail I wrote on Aug 4, 2004 to the genealogists at the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution:

"Dear Betty and Susan:
"I have just learned that the DAR has closed its line on one of my patriot ancestors, Anna Barbara Vogt Overmyer/Overmier for the following reason:
""National (NSDAR) has closed it's line on Anna Barbara Overmyer because we have found NO evidence of an OVERT ACT OF PATRIOTISM by her. Burying soldiers, which she did, does not constitute an act of patriotism. Yes, she buried American Soldiers. That was a humane, not patriotic act. If the soldiers had been British, she would have undoubtedly buried them also. She would, at least, have had to dispose of the bodies in some manner, whether or not they were American or British."
"Before the SAR follows suit, please let me give you my thoughts and some clarifying details. I don't believe that the DAR gave this issue much thought.
"First, here's what the source documentation states about her service: According to the book Overmyer History and Genealogy From 1680 to 1905, pp 50-51, "In 1782 William Moore was president of the state. The Indian outrages commenced early this year. May 6th Edward Tate, a private in Captain George Overmeier's company, was wounded by a ball through the foot in an engagement with the Indians which occurred on a place then occupied by Frederick Wise (now in Limestone township).
""A number of the company were on a scout, and talking at the time about the merits of their respective guns. One said he could shoot the drop from an Indian's nose. Just at that moment the Indians, who were in ambush, fired upon them and several fell. Tate, who was wounded, ran and concealed himself. An Indian in pursuit, came near to where he lay and looked over the fence, but did not discover him. Philip Seebold often related to his son, Joseph, that his grandmother, Mrs. Overmeier, said the two men killed were Sergeants Lee and Reyner. Their bodies were brought to Captain Overmeier's and she washed them and they were buried in the graveyard at Switzer's Run, near the Overmeier homestead, being the old cemetery previously alluded to in these pages. Captain Overmeier was with his men in pursuit of the Indians." [emphasis mine]
"Quotes at the beginning of each section, below, are those of the DAR; my comments follow.
"1. "Burying soldiers, which she did" She did not bury the soldiers. She washed their bodies. A minor point, but it tells me that the DAR did not study the evidence.
"2. "If the soldiers had been British, she would have undoubtedly buried them also." I do not know how the DAR drew this conclusion. She was the 41 year-old wife of a Pennsylvania militia officer, Captain John George Overmier, and the mother of 15 children. Her two oldest sons, John George Overmier, III (1755-1812) and John Peter Overmier (1761-1843) served in their father's company (Fifth Company, Fourth Battalion and Third Company, First Battalion). There is no record whatsoever that she prepared British soldiers' bodies for burial. She was not a mortician's wife, she was the wife of a career soldier (company commander) who served in the military before, during, and after the American Revolution. I infer that the two bodies that she washed were those of two sergeants in her husband's company. She was directly contributing to the war effort by treating her husband's fallen men with dignity. Surely, the word of her actions would have gotten back to her husband's unit, thus impacting on their morale. [I'm a career military officer, I'm aware of the significance of her act.]
"3. "She would, at least, have had to dispose of the bodies in some manner, whether or not they were American or British." First of all, the Americans were not fighting the British in this episode. They were trying to keep order by fighting Indians. I suspect, but do not know, that bodies of the enemy were buried on the battlefield. The fact that the bodies of Sergeants Lee and Reyner were brought to Mrs. Overmeier tells me that her husband, being the company commander, was paying respect to his men by having her wash their dead bodies, and perhaps seeing to it that they were given a proper burial. Nowhere in my thought process is it even conceived that it was her duty to dispose of British or Indian bodies. Nor can I conceive that her husband would have sent to his wife the bodies of the enemy to wash.
"The SAR gives credit for "various services directly connected with the Revolutionary War effort" (SAR Form 0912). Surely, her service qualifies. I'm proud of her service. Perhaps the DAR has different standards as to what constitutes "service." It would be a real shame for the SAR to lose this priceless bit of history to an arbitrary decision that Anna Barbara's service wasn't "patriotic." Future generations of SAR members should rightly be able to claim her as their patriot ancestor, either for membership, or supplemental membership. Of course, they can claim her husband for membership, but let's not overlook womens' role in the Revolution. In fact, let's emphasize and celebrate it."
One member of the Daughters of the American Revolution who claimed Anna Barbara Vogt Overmyer as her patriot ancestor was Mrs. Dorothy Burkett Green, national number 449148, descended from John Peter Overmeier, Peter Overmyer, Sarah Eve Overmyer, John Peter Weisman, Laura Ann Weisman, and Charles William Burkett. Another was Mrs. Josephine Zartman Diefenbach, number 141544.

On Aug 5, 2004, I received this response:
"I currently have several cases of additional material to review for pended applications. I can only set aside a limited amount of time for that type of review and I try to review them in the order that they are received. It may be several weeks before I can give this matter the attention it deserves.
"Thank you for all your help and I will review your problem as soon as possible.
"Sincerely,
"Betty Graham"
Two members of the Sons of the American Revolution who claim Anna Barbara Vogt Overmyer as their patriot ancestor are Allan Berleman Diefenbach, member number 050102. and Larry Patrick Cornwell, 138085, approved under "Anna Barbara Fouch."

Anna died just a few months after her husband's death, and both were buried near their home on the banks of Penn's Creek, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Another reference, the Overmyer History and Genealogy 1680-1905 states that, after John George died, Barbara moved to Ohio with her sons. They lived near the village of Redington in Reading Township, Perry County, Ohio. She died there and is possibly buried in the New Reading Cemetery along with several of her children and grandchildren. However, cemetery records do not show her being buried there.