Michael Withers

[utseabee]

     I am researching 18th century gunsmiths in the Strasburg Pa area and am looking for some information on Michael Withers. When doing a search here on ALR, I've only found one post requesting information on him about 3 years ago. I am hoping someone might have something now. Are there any known rifles by Michael Withers? Does anyone know who may have apprenticed under him if anyone? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

[spgordon]

Michael Withers is one of the gunsmiths who agrees (is compelled!) to make muskets to help satisfy the quota imposed on Lancaster County by the Pennsylvania assembly. (He also served on the local committee in Strasburg Township.) The Lancaster Committee of Observation & Inspection papers, which I've been working on for a while now, mentions him a few times.

Committee Meeting, 10 November 1775:

Michael Wither appeared in Committee and agreed to set to Work as soon as he hath compleated a few Guns which he hath now in hand and make Muskets & Bayonets for this County (part of the Number required from this County by the Honorable House of Assembly) at the Philadelphia Prices and that he will confine himself & his Workmen to that Work & carry on the same as expeditiously as he can & that he will deliver in to the Commissioners & Assessors of this County or to this Committee as many Muskets & Bayonets as he can possibly get compleated between this time & the 1st Day of March next at the prices aforesaid according to the Pattern sent to this Committee by the Committee of Safety.   

Committee Meeting, 16 April 1776:

Mr. Charles Hamilton says—One Winter of Maryland having some dealing with Mr. Hamilton about 6 Weeks ago mentioned that he had engaged some Arms from Michael Wither & others and requested they might [be] lodged with him until he (Winter) sent for them.  Wither sent his packed up in a Box about two weeks ago—Eberly brought in Bayonets which were afterwards put in boxes in Mr. Hamilton’s store—a Box of Gun mountings came from William Ross’s to Mr. Hamilton’s to be ready for the Waggon—Mr. John Henry was in Company when Mr. Winter requested Mr. Hamilton to take charge of these things for him—another box of Gun Barrels came to his Store but he don’t know from whom.—Mr. Hamilton received Letters from Winter and Isaac Perkins to deliver these things, to a Person who had charge of a Waggon sent for them—he did not purchase any of these Articles for Winter or Perkins.

Alex Hamilton says—2 large Boxes & a small one with Arms, &c. went from his Brother’s Store into the Waggon for Maryland— he thinks the large Boxes contained Gun Barrels—& the small one Gun mountings—says he thinks the small Box of mountings was brought to the store by Michael Wither—he thinks Mr. Henry & Mr. Dickert sent the Boxes of Barrels to the Store—don’t recollect who left the Bayonets there.

[spgordon]

Also, Paul Zantzinger purchased three rifles from Withers in October 1776:

[utseabee]

Also, Paul Zantzinger purchased three rifles from Withers in October 1776:

Thank you for the information

[spgordon]

Another Withers document: here (early 1776) he proofed 19 musket barrels.

[Bill Wilde]

I got some info on Michael 1733-1821 and his brothers John 1729-1813 and apparently there was a brother George also who owned Mt. Eden Furnace in Eden Township, Lancaster county. You got to stop up sometime for a visit.

[utseabee]

Thanks Bill, I will do that.

[spgordon]

Stumbled across another reference to Michael Wither today--in summer 1776 he was trying desperately to collect scalps to make musket barrels but the iron furnace wasn't producing them as promised, as Matthias Slough wrote to furnace master Peter Grubb:

"I am greatly disappointed in not having the Musket Scalps sent me agreeable to promise. Michael Wither has been here four times with his wagon and of course was four times disappointed."

[WESTbury]

Another Withers document: here (early 1776) he proofed 19 musket barrels.

To me, it is telling that fairly early in the Rev War period, pre Declaration, the Patriots were trying to ramp up production of weapons.

[spgordon]

Lancaster County forms itself into military associations on 1 May 1775 and, partly because it suddenly becomes clear how few soldiers have arms, the provincial congress places its musket quotas on each county on 30 June 1775. Arms are collected and redistributed throughout the second half of 1775. By 14 March 1776 the Continental Congress authorizes disarming disaffected people--and that same March 1776 Pennsylvania authorities are convinced that they are about to be invaded by General Howe.

The 4 July 1776 declaration is important for a lot of reasons--perhaps most important, it makes it easier for foreign states to support the revolutionaries--but in many ways that date is a distraction. The war began long before that!

[utseabee]

Another Withers document: here (early 1776) he proofed 19 musket barrels.

Looking at this a little closer, it appears that John Newcomer is on the list. I always thought that he was a pacifist and refused to support the war effort. Apparently, what I read was wrong or he was forced to cooperate.