A Fascinating Family

As I went through the past notes, a book published by a distant relative and other records that were found I was in awe of my ancestors and wished that my Dad had lived to know about his heritage. We will start with Niklaus Lang (Long) who was born in 1704 in Germany. He was a Hessian soldier and joined the revolutionary war in this country. As I was going through the records I also found the name of his father in Germany who was Jacob Lang and was born in 1615 and died in 1684. Nicklaus Long arrived in Philadelphia September of 1736 aboard a ship Harle from Rotterdam, then to Cowes, England . He settled in Tulpehoken Twp. Pennsylvania. When he arrived in this country he became Nickel Long. In the fall of 1756 the French and Indian Wars were causing terror among many of the settlers. Indians who had always been friendly joined the French and began raiding the settlers. In tw o years Indians killed approximately 128 settlers along that frontier. Forts were built for their protection. Fort Northkill was built. It was about a 1/2 mile from the home of Nickel Long. His home was attacked by the Indians. There were ten women and children in the cellar when they set fire to the house. Two men were killed but men from the Fort were able to drive the Indians away and put out the fire. The women and children were safe. I understand now when my Dad would take me to a "Cowboy and Indians" movie when I was a child I was scared. It is my genes!