Author: Jesse G. Moore
John Christopher Olinger, my forth Great Grandfather, on my Father’s side, was born in Germany. He immigrated to the colonies in 1741. He arrived in the port of Philadelphia aboard the ship “Friendship”. He came with his Father Philip Olinger and his Mother Juliana. His father, Philip, became naturalized on August 8, 1762 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This is where he lived for a while. We assume that his son John Christopher was naturalized at the same time. It isn’t hard to assume that John’s Father, Philip, traveled the same route as his son during the war. In addition to acting in the capacity of Soldier, he also furnished supplies. Philip Olinger passed away before the Pension act of 1818. John C. was a farmer and did general blacksmithing and also made wagons. He lived the life of a frontiersman and according to tradition, made guns for men on the frontier and guns for the Revolutionary soldiers during the war.

After the evacuation of Boston in March 1776, Gen. Washington formed 3 fighting forces like a home guard, to move where needed. They were called "Flying Camp". He had 6000 men in PA, 3400 men in MD and 600 men in DEL. They were to serve for 6 months. Around March or April 1776, John Christopher Olinger’s 1st enlistment was in the 2nd Regiment, (there was a 2nd Regiment of PA and a 2nd Regiment of Maryland) as a private in Hagen Town Maryland. In charge was Colonel Schock, with Lt. John Wrentch as his officer. Hagen Town, Maryland cannot be found but I believe he went to Hagerstown, Maryland. It is close to where he lived in Lebanon Township, Lancaster, PA.
The Regiment marched from Hagerstown to Philadelphia, PA, after that by water to Trenton, NJ. This is not to be confused with Washington's crossing of the Delaware to attack the Hessians on Dec 25, 1776. The Hessians moved to Trenton on December 14, 1776. The Regiment next went to Brumwick, which is probably New Brunswick, NJ. Then they marched to Sandy Hook, NJ. They arrived there August 28, 1776. This was the day after Lord Sterling was defeated on Long Island, NY. John was discharged from Sandy Hook. John Olinger probably went back to Lancaster, PA.

John’s 2nd enlistment was for for three years at Carlisle PA. This is closer to where he and his Father lived. He was under Capt. James Potter in Colonel Smith's Regiment. They marched to White Marsh, PA and joined the other armies. He was taken out of the ranks and set to drive a baggage wagon for General Thompson. The unit marched to the Jerseys. This meant to New Jersey. It was two areas up to 1702. There was a West Jersey and an East Jersey. People still referred to it as the Jerseys. We don't know where they went in the Jerseys. It might have been in the north, because the next move was to Kings Ferry on North River. North River is now Hudson River, north of NJ. The next stop was White Plains, New York, just north of New York City. The Battle of White Plains was fought.

They then moved on to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where a mulattoe was hanged. They then marched to Middlebrook, Virginia where the detachment wintered the 1776 winter.

In the spring of 1777 General Thompson’s headquarters was burned down. They marched from Middle brook to New Windson, Maryland. They then went to West Point, VA and then on to a town called Morristown. I don’t know what state. The Battle of Brandywine, which was September 11, 1777, was fought near Elkton, which is in Northern Maryland. He was discharged after the Battle of Brandywine.

John probably went to Augusta Co. Virginia after his 2nd enlistment. He would have lived there from 1777 to 1781. He married Eve Margaret Siler. The family history has them meeting at Valley Forge, but there isn’t any proof. The Virginia Regiments hadn’t arrived at Valley Forge at that time. They were married Jan 1, 1781, in Augusta Co. Virginia. For John’s 3rd enlistment, he was drafted, probably at Staunton, VA for 3 months for the siege of Little York, Yorktown. He was at the taking of Cornwallis from September 28, to Oct 18, 1781. He was a guard to Winchester under Capt. Buckhannan in Col. Lewis' regiment. John was discharged from the barracks at Winchester.

After the war, Philip and John settled in Augusta County, Virginia. This is where his Philip died and is buried in St. John Reform Church cemetery. John moved further west to Russell Co. where he lived the rest of his life.

He is buried in Slemp Cemetery in Lee County Virginia, which was formed from Russell Co. Virginia.

There is a DAR marker from the Boone Trail Chapter. I believe that a newer marker from SAR has been placed on the grave.

Additional information provided by Terry Creig Blevins, 188670, VA, New River Valley: Philip Olinger of Augusta County, Virginia, furnished flour to feed the Continental Army per a Public Service Claim as follows:

Augusta County Public Service Claims

Augusta County, State of Virginia

“I do hereby certify that I have rec’d of Philip Olinger one hundred and forty weight of good flour at fifty pounds per hundred payable at the Treasurer of Virginia within six months from this date with interest per centum thereon. Agreeable to a late act of General Assembly for procuring supply of provisions for the use of the army.

Given under my hand this first day of December one thousand seven hundred and eighty

140 Flour--------- John Moffet CPL”