Program

Hometown Heritage®

Subject

People, Site

Location

6611 Hunters Run Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17111, USA

Lat/Long

40.306528, -76.753917

Grant Recipient

Harris Ferry Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution

The origins of the American Revolution can be traced back to 1775, when the first shots were fired between colonial and British forces at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Soon after, the American Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. As the newly formed United States went to war with Great Britain, hundreds of men across the Thirteen Colonies joined the fight. These men came from different walks of life; some were farmers, others were tradesmen, lawyers, doctors and merchants. Despite their differences they desired the same thing: freedom and independence. Colonial forces faced severe challenges, including lack of supplies and military training, however in the face of obstacles they were undeterred. After nearly eight years the colonies defeated Great Britain and successfully achieved their independence. It is important to remember the lives and sacrifices made by those who fought for American freedom.

Johannes Bock, also known as John Buck, is buried in his family’s cemetery on land that was once their farm and is now part of the Harrisburg Hunter’s and Angler’s Association. The graves were found by children walking through the woods ca. 1963; for nearly 120 years it seems this cemetery was forgotten.

Bock was born in Germany in 1753 and emigrated to colonial America likely before the 1770s. He married Gertrude Balsbaugh in the 1770s and when the call went out for troops, Bock joined the American cause in 1776. Bock served until at least 1780 before returning to his family farm, which he acquired in 1777.

Bock died intestate on August 7, 1822 (died without a last will and testament in place). On August 28, 1823, a notice was published in the Harrisburg Chronicle calling for heirs and legal representatives to appear before the Orphans’ Court of Dauphin County. It is unclear what took place in the court and what happened to the land. Only three more burials took place after Bock—his son Christian Buck (1788-1822), grandson Christian Buck (1814-1834), and Jacob Seltzer (1845-1846), whose connection to the Bock family is unknown.