PART 1 The Klingensmith Family Blockhouse Saga
Johann Philip Klingensmith (born in 1722) and his younger brother Johann Peter (born in 1725) were two brothers from Alsace — a region that bounced between France and Germany over the centuries. These fellows weren’t ones to sit still. In the mid-1700s, they made their way to Philadelphia, chasing new beginnings.
Their journey to America started even earlier with their parents, Johann Daniel and Anna Christina Klingensmith, along with some younger siblings. The family set sail from Rotterdam aboard the Robert and Alice on April 12, 1738. It was no small trip — just getting from Alsace to the port was a trek. After months at sea, they finally arrived in Philadelphia on September 11.
From there, they settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania, near what’s now Reading and Allentown. Philip and Peter grew up to be tough and adventurous — both served as scouts during the French and Indian War under none other than George Washington. Their path led them through Maryland and eventually west into Pennsylvania’s frontier.
This image is a typical early American Blockhouse
In 1769, Philip took things up a notch by building a blockhouse in what’s now Westmoreland County — a rugged area that would later become Jeannette, PA. This stronghold, known as Fort Klingensmith, wasn’t just a home; it was a lifeline for neighbors when tensions with local tribes escalated. A blockhouse like this was part home, part safe haven — a place where families banded together during dangerous times.
Map showing the approximate site of the Klingensmith Blockhouse
It began as a calm summer day . . .
One summer day, things were quiet — almost peaceful. Christina, Johann Philip’s wife, decided to stretch her legs and get some fresh air. She bundled up her baby daughter, Elizabeth, grabbed her two young sons, Casper and Philip, and headed down to the creek for water. The boys carried the buckets, happy to be outside and away from the crowded house full of neighbors seeking shelter.
But the calm didn’t last.
As they walked back through the clearing near the garden, a group of Native warriors burst from the trees behind the blockhouse. Christina screamed for Johann Philip and rushed toward the door. Tragically, Johann Philip was struck down as soon as he opened it. The boys stood frozen, shocked and unsure of what to do.
Everyone inside the blockhouse was lost in the attack. Christina was later found still clutching baby Elizabeth in her arms, trying to shield her child from harm. This heartbreaking scene was recorded in a report by Colonel Lockry on July 4, 1781 — a sobering reminder of the harsh realities faced on the American frontier.
What happened to the two boys, Casper and Peter? Stay tuned for the next installment of the Klingensmith Family Saga.
Note: There were a number of blockhouses, sometimes called forts, in the western Pennsylvania area.
Frontier Forts of Western Pennsylvania pages 379-389 by George Dallas Albert
The US Army Heritage Center and Trail in Carlisle, PA, has an amazing example of an 18th century block house. ahec.armywarcollege.edu 717 245 3972
DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Johann Philip Klingensmith