Michael Danner

Michael Danner was born in Baden, Mannheim, Germany. He left the Palatinate at age 21, taking passage at Rotterdam on the the ship "James Goodwell" with David Crockett, shipsmaster. He landed at Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 1727, the year of his son Jacob's birth. There were 53 families with 200 passengers, all listed as Palatines. (at this time this basically meant they had gone to Palatine to avoid religious persecution)

Founded the Bairs Meeting House and donated the land for the same. See Bair's Meeting House.

m. Anna Bend b.1706 Children: Jacob b.1727,Catherine b. 1778, Anna b.1730, Michael Jr. b. 1734, Elizabeth b. 1736, Phillip b.1738, Heinrich b.1741, Maria b. 1744.(See Below)

Michael became the King's Commisioner of Highways in the colonies and helped to lay out the famous Monocacy Trail. This road, with the Braddock Trail, were the two main roads in the colonies, stretching from Philadelphia down through Maryland to the Catoctin Mts.

His work on the Trail was aided by Joshua Minshall, Francis Worley, Henry Hendricks,Christian Crowl, and Woolrich Whisler (another ancestor).

Michael Danner became one of the greatest men in Pennsylvania. He was appointed by the Gov. of PA. as one of 5 commissioners to lay out York County in 1749. He later was appointed as Commissioner of Education in PA.

Our Family is descended from Michael Danner in at least two ways. First from his son Jacob noted above. But secondly from his daughter Maria, who married Heinrich Hohf. This information was offered by Vanessa Stern, and I thank her very much for explaining it to me. Here is a link to a text file explaining the relationship, Maria Danner.

Michael's Life in the Colonies

After arriving in America, Michael first took out a patent for 200 acres of land in west Lancaster Co. PA. He and his family lived on the wild frontier amid scenes of danger and turmoil. Many Indian tribes had moved north into this area, as they were crowded by settlers further south in the Carolinas. The Tuscuroras, Hurons, Ottawas and other tribes were a constant danger. Much turmoil was initiated by landgrabbers, Michael was seized by the Thomas Cresaps crowd of adventurers, and thrown in prison. Thomas Cresaps surveyed land already patented by PA families and sold it to Maryland colonists. Much violence erupted in the pursuance of his land deals. On one occasion Danner and 5 others were helping to dig the grave of a man named Smith, when he was taken captive by a desparado and carried to Annapolis. His home was taken and his wife and little children were forced out of their home in the cold month of November. (Messenger, May 12, 1934)

Thomas Cresaps

Thomas Cresap's Fort was built in 1742, located along the Potomac River near
Oldtown. Also known as Fort at Cresap's. This stockade fort was originally used
as a trading post in 1755. It was also used as a supply base for several
expeditions, and it was attacked several times. Fort Cresap in Williamsport,
Maryland was built in the 1750’s. Consisting of a stone house with a spring cellar,
it was built by Daniel Cresap, son of Thomas. It was attacked in 1756.

Lineage of Michael Danner

Michael Danner b.1696 d. May 27, 1782 Anna Bend b. 1706(germany)

Grand Duchy of Baden, Mannheim Germany

Ulrich Tanner b. 1670 Chrystina Reitlickerin b. 1674

Grand Duchy of Baden, Mannheim Germany (both)