As America celebrates 250 years of independence, I wanted to proudly share what I’ve recently confirmed about one of my ancestral grandfathers, Christopher Werner. Born around 1738 in Germany Township, York County, Pennsylvania, Christopher served in the Pennsylvania militia — enrolled in Captain Jacob Heller’s Company, Second Battalion, Northampton County, in 1780 — helping defend the fledgling nation during the Revolutionary War.
Christopher settled with his wife, Charlotte, in Piney Run Hundred, Frederick County, Maryland, where he raised a large family before his death in 1789. His descendants carried the family forward — the name eventually anglicized from Werner to Varner, a common shift for Pennsylvania German families — all the way down through generations of Varners in Cambria County, PA, to my own family tree today.
250 years later, I’m proud to know that when this country needed ordinary people to stand up for something bigger than themselves, my family answered the call. Christopher Werner is recognized as a Patriot ancestor by the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR Patriot #P 329049) — a small but meaningful thread connecting my family to the founding of this nation.
Happy 250th birthday, America. Grateful for the sacrifices made by those who came before us — including, it turns out, my own family.
#America250 #RevolutionaryWar
Pennsylvania militia class-return card documenting Christophel Werner’s 1780 service, Northampton County, Capt. Jacob Heller’s Company (Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 8).
