BERLIN -— The sounds of fifes and drums wafted over the 40
some peopel who gathered July 8 at the Berlin Reformed Cemetery along
North Street in Berlin.
The ceremony, which was sponsored by the Somerset-Cambria Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, honored the Revolutionary War service of Christian Boger Sr. The Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution laid a wreath at the grave of Christian Boger. His grave has not previously been marked as that of a soldier of the Revolution.
Christian Boger served in the Lancaster County Militia along with his two brothers, Mathias and Valentine. He was raised near Annville in what is now Lebanon County. Shortly after his service in the militia, he, his wife and small children journeyed more than 100 miles from their home in Lancaster County to settle in Brothersvalley Township.
In July of 1779, he died there at the young age of 31 years 7 months. It is believed that he was the first person buried in this historical Berlin cemetery. His wife and children returned to Lancaster County after his death.
In the early 1800s, his son Christian, Jr. returned to Brothersvalley to live and raise his family. He and his wife are buried in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Brothersvalley Township.
While only a few Bogers remain today in Somerset County, many of the Haugers, Hoffmans, Lehmans, Berkleys and many others can trace their ancestry to Christian Boger. In attendance at the ceremony was fourth great-grandson Homer Boger of Meyersdale and fifth great-grandsons William Boger of Meyersdale and William Lehman of Somerset.
The program was opened by the Somerset-Cambria Chapter president, Ronald Horner. The Rev. Jay Christner, chaplain, provided the invocation, litany and benediction.
A history of the Patriot was given by William Lehman. Providing music from the Revolution was a contingent from the Berlin Fife and Drum Corp. Also in attendance were members of the Forbes Road Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and The Sons of Union Veterans.
After the wreath laying ceremony, the crowd moved to the Trinity Lutheran Church for refreshments and the Allegiance Day Church Service.
The Reformed cemetery contains the graves of at least 10 other Revolutionary War Patriots. The flags that have been placed throughout this cemetery mark the graves of Patriots: Simon Schunk, Johannes Hager, Jacob Glesner, Jacob Bauman, Sebastian Graff, Thomas Atcheson, Jacob Weyand Sr., Adam Miller, Simon Hay and Robert Philson.
This burial ground is well taken care of; however, the gravesites of the Revolutionary era soldiers are disappearing. Many have been destroyed and others lost to time or neglect. The Sons of the American Revolution will continue to be dedicated to the preservation of the final resting places of these mentioned.
