William Conrad and the Fight for America's Independence

 The story I don’t want to be forgotten is the contribution my ancestor William Conrad made in America’s fight for independence.

During the Revolutionary War, Maryland established a militia of all able-bodied free men between the ages of 16 and 50. These men served as a home guard and could be called out if the British threatened the area. They were volunteers, not part of the Continental Army, and served for short periods.

William was about 28 years old when he was commissioned as an Ensign in Captain Peter Beall’s company, 1st Battalion of militia in Washington County, Maryland, on January 15, 1777. An ensign was the lowest-ranking commissioned officer, responsible for carrying the regimental colors and assisting the captain and lieutenant.

In 1778, Maryland’s General Assembly enacted an Oath of Fidelity and Support, requiring all free, male residents aged 18 and older to renounce allegiance to the King of England and pledge loyalty to the revolutionary government of Maryland. William Conrad took that oath before the Hon. Joseph Sprigg before April 1, 1778.

On June 27, 1778, William was again called to duty as an Ensign in Captain John Kershner’s Company to guard British prisoners of war at Fort Frederick, Maryland. With a history since 1756 when it was built for the French and Indian War, then reconstructed in 1922, Fort Frederick, stands today, about 25 miles west of William's home in Hagerstown — a quiet but enduring witness to the Revolution.

I want my family to know that our roots in the American Revolution were built not only by famous generals, but also by men like William, who stood guard, took the oath, and served quietly.

His service and loyalty to the cause of American independence made it possible for me, many generations later, to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution — a connection I hold with great pride.