Johann Nicholas (Stroh) Straw (1753 - 1833)

Born 1 Mar 1753 in Cacalico, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Maria Magdalena (Diehl) Straw — married 1775 in Buffalo Valley, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 20 Aug 1833 at age 80 in Pike, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Nicholas (Stroh) Straw is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor.
NSSAR Ancestor #: P-299393
Rank: Lieutenant

Nicholas (Stroh) Straw was pioneer Settler of Clearfield County.

Lieutenant Nicholas (Stroh) Straw served with Northumberland County Militia, Pennsylvania Militia during the American Revolution.

Nicholas Straw Sr. was a veteran of Revolutionary War (see Pa Archives 3rd Series, pages 247, 351, 382). He was born Johann Nicholas Stroh to his parents Georg Friedrich and Anna Quirin Stroh in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was the first son born in the American Colonies, but not their first born, as his siblings were born in Pisdorf. The spelling of his last name was changed much later in his adulthood after his move out of Lancaster. His son Christian went by Stroh for many years after migrating to Clearfield County. In an sworn interview given to Joshua Evans by Nicholas Stroh Straw [most likely for the purpose of receiving his war pension], he states that the proof he carried of his birth was contained in a family Bible kept at his house and he was born in 1753. He verified having moved into the Buffalo Valley to pursue his career in pottery prior to the war.^[1] Nicholas settled in Penns Valley until 1803 when he moved to Pike Township, Clearfield County in what is now Curwensville, and practice the trade of potter. He died in 1833 and is buried in McClure Cemetery, Curwensville, Pennsylvania.^[2]

Another researcher shows name as "John Nicholas Stroh" and wife as Maria Magdalena Diehl" showing this as the original German spelling of the names.

Military Service During the American Revolution

Following from FTM World Family Tree.

Nicholas Straw, the son of a German Immigrant, served as a private and a lieutenant in the American Revolution. Born in Buffalo Valley, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania in the year 1753, Nicholas enlisted and reenlisted four times between the years 1776 and 1782 in The War for Independence. Military records indicate that his first enlistment was on December 10, 1776 in Northumberland County under Captain William Gray and Colonel James Patter. During this campaign, he engaged in the cannonading of Trenton, New Jersey on the night of Christmas, 1776 and the attack on Princeton on January 2, 1777. History indicates that during a blinding snowstorm, George Washington led his troops across the Delaware River on a surprise attack against Hessian Soldiers in Trenton. Washington struck again against three regiments under General Charles Cornwallis in the battle of Princeton. The British retreated from New Jersey after these attacks, leaving the American Army in full control of this state. Nicholas was discharged from his first enlistment in the fall of 1777.

Under Captain Hawkins Booze and Colonel Wilner, Nicholas enlisted for his second term late in the year 1777, where he served on the Pennsylvania Frontier. He was discharged from his second enlistment in Northumberland County in the fall of 1778. During his third enlistment he served as a Lieutenant under Colonel John Kelley in the year 1779 and his fourth term under Captain James Thompson and Colonel James Kelley between the years 1780 and 1782."

Record ID Number: MH:N688

From the sworn statements submitted to secure his pension, Nicholas stated that his commission as Lieutenant was approved by General Mifflin. He states that he worked with Colonels Kelley, Potter, Wetner, and Zumpline.^[1]

From the Daughters of the American Revolution Ancestor #: A111238

STRAW, NICHOLAS

Service: PENNSYLVANIA Rank(s): LIEUTENANT

Birth: 1753 COCALICO TWP LANCASTER CO PENNSYLVANIA

Death: 8-20-1833 PIKE TWP CLEARFIELD CO PENNSYLVANIA

Pension Number: *S23956

Service Source:

*S23956

Service Description:

1) PVT, CAPTS GRAY, BOONE; COLS POTTER, WELTNER

2) LT, CAPTS MCGRADY, THOMPSON; COL KELLY

Residence: BUFFALO VALLEY - County: NORTHUMBERLAND CO - State: PENNSYLVANIA

Spouse: Mary Catherine Dale [Diehl]^[3]

From the Sons of the American Revolution SAR Patriot #: P-299393

State of Service: PA Qualifying Service: Lieutenant DAR #: A111238

Birth: 1753 Cocalico Twp / Lancaster / PA

Death: 20 Aug 1833 Pike Twp / Clearfield / PA

Patriotic Service Description:

PVT, CAPTS GRAY, BOONE; COLS POTTER, WELTNER

LT, CAPTS MCGRADY, THOMPSON;

Sources:

PENSION NUMBER: *S23956

SAR Patriot Index Edition III (CD: PP2210, Progeny Publ., 2002) plus data to 2004

SAR RC 171793

DAR RC 834232^[4]

Residence Post War

1782^[5] Buffalo, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

United States Federal Census 1820^[6] Pike, Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820

Head of Household: Nicholas Straw

Males - 45 and over: 1

Females - 16 thru 25: 1

Females - 45 and over: 1

United States Federal Census 1830^[7] Pike, Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Head of Household: Nicholas Straw

Males - Under 5: 2

Males - 15 thru 19: 1

Males - 20 thru 29: 1

Males - 50 thru 59: 1

Males - 70 thru 79: 1

Females - Under 5: 1

Females - 20 thru 29: 1

Females - 70 thru 79: 1

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Straw, Albert. Some Genealogies and Family Records. Clearfield, PA: Clearfield Republican Press, 1931, pgs. 6-9.
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images : accessed 21 April 2021, memorial page for Nicholas Straw (1753–20 Aug 1833), Find a Grave Memorial no. 5394441, citing McClure Cemetery, Curwensville, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by contributor 47117651.
3. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution Ancestor Index, available online. Record for Nicholas Straw.
4. ↑ Sons of the American Revolution Patriot Index, available online. Record for Nicholas Straw.
5. ↑ Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762–1794. Series No. 4.61; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
6. ↑ 1820 U S Census; Census Place: Pike, Clearfield, Pennsylvania; Page: 303; NARA Roll: M33_98; Image: 318
7. ↑ 1830; Census Place: Pike, Clearfield, Pennsylvania; Series: M19; Roll: 161; Page: 231; Family History Library Film: 0020635

• Egle, William H. Pennsylvania Archives: Third Series. Harrisburg: State printer, 1894. Print.
• Revolutionary War Battalions & Militia Index Cards. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
• Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• Aldrich, Lewis C. History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania: With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason 1887 Print.

Acknowledgment

This profile was created by Christopher Gorman through the import of Nicholas Straw 1753-1833.GED on Feb 22, 2014. The profile was then managed by Michelle (Gerard) Hartley. The profile manager would like to thank these two wiki-people for their generous contributions to this page.