I have started to put together a biography of sorts on Andrew Kline and thought I would post what I have so far. I need to put my notes on tax records in order and will start adding them in. Anyway here is a little something to wet your appetites.
Tom Kline
Andrew Kline, Gunsmith, York and Adams County
By Thomas S. Kline
Andrew Kline (Klein) son of Conrad and Susana Klein was born July 30, 1781;
Baptized August 5, 1781; Sponsors being Andrew Klein (Conrad’s brother) and wife.
From the records of Quickel’s Union Church, Conewago Township, York County.
From the History of Dover Township, Volume 2, page 285. Under heading “ Postal Service as of Dover Township” paragraph 2, Quote; The first local post office was established about 1815 in the village of Dover. Andrew Klein was listed as the post master and occupied the old Graeff tavern located in the southwest corner of the square. He also operated a store and a gunsmith shop. He sold his place about 1818. The post office was then moved…………………………………………………………….
From the History of Dover Township, Volume 2, page 596 From the top of the page, Quote; As far as known there were four gunsmiths located in Dover and the vicinity. Andrew Klein appears to be in business at the close of of the War of 1812 to about 1818 when he moved from Dover.
The other gunsmith mentioned are; Jacob Altland, Andrew Altland and Peter Wagner.
From The Pennsylvania-Kentucky Rifle, by Henry Kauffman, page 276
Kline, Conrad
Conrad is identified as a gunsmith living in Dover, York County, Pennsylvania, in Gibson,’s History of York County, Pennsylvania. He was the last of the Revolutionary soldiers living in Dover Township. At his death his corpes was accompanied to Strayer’s Churchyard by the Independent Blues and Dover Artillerists. The tax records do not confirm any occupation for Conrad Kline.
The 1817-1818 tax assessment list for Dover do list Andrew Kline as a gunsmith and post master. He is also believed to have operated a tavern in the town. His name does not appear on subsequent tax list of the area.
As a side note, a special marker was placed at Conrad’s grave in 1895 by the Dover Memorial Assoc. listing him as the last soldier of the Revolution in York County, and can be seen at the Strayer’s churchyard today. Conrad’s wife and daughter, Andrew’s mother and sister. are also buried there, but their markers were moved after a snow storm some years back.
From marriage index York county Pa. 1789-1850
Kline Andrew- White, Miss ( both of Dover township)
Oct. 13th Rev. Dunn Gazette, Nov. 11, 1819
Dover Township tax records from 1807 to 1812 list Andrew Kline as a single man
1812-1813 Andrew Kline taxed for 1 horse and occupation.
1815-1816 Andrew Cline taxed for 2 lots, 1 horse and occupation
1816-1817 Andrew Cline, Post Master, taxed for house and 2 lots, 1 horse and occupation.
Page 2
1817-1818 Andrew Kline, Post Master, Gunsmith, taxed for house and 2 lots, 1 horse and occupation.
1818-1819 Andrew Kline, Post Master, taxed for house and 2 lots, 1 horse and occupation.
1820 Andrew Kline, Post Master, taxed for house and 2 lots, and 1 horse.
1821 no longer on tax list.
The 1820 Federal census York County, Pa Monaghan Township, shows Andrew Kline, gunsmith. 1 male between 26/45 1 female between 1/10 and 2 females between 16/26 years of age.
Monaghan Township is is one township n west of Dover Township.
1821 Monaghan Township tax records show Andrew Cline as an Inn Keeper.
The 1822 tax records of Washington Township shows; Andrew Kline, gunsmith, taxed for 1 cow and 1 trade.
Washington Township is just west of Dover Township and on the border of Hamilton Township, Adams County.
Adams County Pa. Hamilton Township Tax Records;
1823 Andrew Kline, shows no property.
1824 Andrew Kline, gunsmith
1825 Andrew Kline, gunsmith
1826 Andrew Kline, gunsmith
1827 could not find tax record
1828 Andrew Kline, trade
1829 Andrew Kline, gunsmith
1830 Andrew Kline, no occupation given
1831 Andrew Kline, no occupation given
1832 Andrew Kline, no occupation given
1833 Andrew Kline, laborer
1834 Andrew Kline, no occupation given
1835 Andrew Kline, no occupation given
1836 Andrew Kline, trade
1837 could not find tax record
1838 Andrew Kline, traid (as spelled on tax record)
1839 Andrew Kline, gunsmith
1840 Andrew Kline, no occupation given
1841 no longer on tax record
Page 3
Trinity Lutheran Church, East Berlin Boro ; Klein Conrad, born 13 Dec., 1821. Christened 18 Jan., 1825. Father Andreas, Mother Maria.
I am not sure, but think this could be Andrew’s son and first wife ( White, Miss as mentioned on page 1, in marriage notice, Gazette 1819) Sons seemed to name their first sons after their father
