| Bedford County , Pennsylvania |
| Historical Names + Locations |
There are several different versions about the arrival of Heinrich ‘Henry’ Horn in the United States. One version has him coming to this country to avoid the draft in Germany. Another version is that he was drafted as a Hession soldier, was captured and after being released, joined the American cause. The third story is that he came to this county with his parents (according to Howard F Horne Jr) when he was about 12 years old. They arrived at the Port of Philadelphia in 1770. They had sailed from Europe to the New World on the 'Good Ship Sally'. They moved west to York, PA and remained there until the outbreak of fighting between the British and the Colonists. None of these stories have been proven. In his pension application, he states that he came to this country when he was 16 years old. This would having him arriving in this county in 1774, so at some point in the 1770’s Henry arrived here in the United States.
Henry Horn enlisted in Pulaski's Legions Troop of Horses on 27Jan1777 in Lancaster,
Lancaster, PA. He served in the Troop of Horses (cavalry) because
he had his own horse. Serving at Winter Quarters of Washington's
Army at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778, he caught
pneumonia and had to stay at Valley Forge to recuperate in the
spring of 1778. Upon recuperating he caught up with his Regiment
in time to fight in the Battle of Monmouth, New Jersey in June
1778. Next, he was involved in the Battle of Long Island. They
were attacked by the British one night while at Long Island as
they camped about a barn. Henry heard the British and leaped a
fence to which they had fastened their horses and gave the alarm
to the General. During this battle several of the infantry and
a number of privates were killed. In the morning the troop followed
the enemy and drove them back to their vessels. He then fought
in the numerous battles that took place in southeastern part of
the country. He was wounded at Georgetown, South Carolina. After
recovering from his wound, he made his way north to Loudoun County,
VA, where he enlisted in the Troop of Horses in the 4th VA Regiment
under the command of Captain John Stith. He served in the
Regiment for the duration of the Revolutionary War. Since this
unit was very mobile, having horses, they were used mainly as
spies. They could travel fast and locate the enemy and return
with the information within a short time span. The original term
of his enlistment was for one year. He received a discharge at
that time from Col. Kowatsh. But Gen. Pulaski
offered him a position of Captain
and he remained for 2 more months. Altogether he served for 14
months.
Following the war, Henry returned to Loudoun County, VA where
he met and married Elizabeth Pretsman. He is listed in the tax
records for 1788 and 1789 in Loudoun Co, VA. He is listed in the
estate settlement of Martin Steffel
in Loudoun Co, VA in 1789 with whom
he had an open account. On 15Aug1792, Henry and Elizabeth Pretsman Horn
purchased a farm from the Honourable Henry Ashley Bennett
of Great Britain for the sum of 231 pounds sterling 17 shillings
and 6 pence plus interest. At the time the farm was purchased
it was agreed that Henry Horn would pay for the property in installments.
The payments were 38 pounds 12 shilling 11 pence in August and
February of each year until the balance was paid.
Henry was a devout member of the German Reformed Church but there
wasn’t such a church close to where they were living. Henry
and Elizabeth attended a Methodist Church Meeting in Leesburg,
Loudoun, Virginia to hear Bishop Asbury preach. Henry was so impressed
that he decided to become a Methodist minister. He was ordained
at the Baltimore Conference and Bishop Asbury sent him to western
PA to become a circuit rider.
Henry and Elizabeth sold their farm in Loudoun County, VA and
moved their family to Bedford County, PA. They purchased land
that they could farm in West St. Clair Township, Bedford, PA.
The first meetings were held in his home and in the homes of his
neighbors. There are several interesting stories told about his
circuit riding days. One such story is that he was coming home
from a church meeting when it began to snow. Before he arrived
home, the drifts were up to the body of the horse and he could
bearly get through. One other time as he was riding on a trail,
there were no roads, when he heard a wild cat roar nearby. He
decided to contine on home and luckily didn’t encounter the
cat. In the summers, he held a camp meeting in the wood at the
site where the Horn Church now stands.
During his ministry, Henry traveled as far as the village of Johnstown to preach the Gospel. The church that is today know as the Horn Church was built by Henry’s son Andrew in 1920. Andrew was also a minister. The church is still in use today.
Henry and Elizabeth had 8 children; Catherine b-24Feb1784 married
William Anderson, Eckhart b-22Apr1786 married Sarah ‘Sally’
Garretson
and Margaret (Lybarger)
Cruseberg, Henry Horn b-15May1788 married
Susanna Hull, John b-13Mar1790 married Catherine Otto and
when she died he married her cousin Catherine Otto, Daniel b-28Jun1792
married Catherine Hull and Susanna Hoyer, Andrew b-17Oct1794 married Elizabeth Tipton,
Frederick P b-11Nov1796 married Hepzibah Clark and Elizabeth b-18May1801
married John Moorehead. All of these children were born in Loudon,
VA except for Elizabeth who was born in Bedford, PA. In 1832 Henry
applied for a Revolutionary War pension and was awarded a pension
based upon his 14 months service during the American Revolution.
Henry was awarded a pension of $50 per year starting the 4th of
March 1831. In the cemetery adjacent to the Horn Church are the graves
of Henry and his wife Elizabeth. There are also several of their
relatives buried in the same cemetery. The church and the cemetery
are located near Pleasantville, Bedford, PA. It is a beautiful
area out in the country, surrounded by trees.
Kathy Kline kkline@trib.com
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