David was the son of Abraham and Maria Catherine Wertz Knepper. David succeeded to the mansion farm of his father. He served in the Revolutionary War as a Private in the 5th Company, 1st Battalion, Cumberland County Militia under Captain Samuel Rogers. He married Esther Foreman on December 20, 1796, and they became the parents of eleven children:

(1.) Frederick Knepper, b. 10 August 1797, died unmarried om 1846 in Bedford County PA.

(2.) Johathan Knepper, b. 14 April 1799-d. 1 August 1856 married (first) Hannah Davis and (second) Martha McFerren.

(3.) David Knepper b. 9 February 1899-d. 1 December 1860, wed Mary Catharine Geesaman, and had the flowing offspring: Mary Catharine Knepper b. 1 September 1829-d. 6 February 1863 wed John George Gift b, 1822- d. 1883 whom she bore five children: Anna Elizabeth Gift married Daniel Miller Heefner; Jeremiah Gift; John Davis Gift; Hiram Gift; and Mary Gift, who wed Luther Mills.; Solomon Knepper b. 7 May 1830-died 22 March 1865 died unmarried. David Knepper b. 2 March 1832-d. 5 July 1834; William Knepper b. 30 January 1834-d. 5 August 1834; George G. Knepper b. 15 My 1835-d. 22 October 1909; Sanuel Knepper b. 1 September 1837- d. 21 December 1923, wed Mary Susan Nicodemus and removed to Atchison County, MO.; Hiram Knepper. 7 August 1839-d. 30 June 1901, married Frederica Seibert Stull b. 1848- d. 1923. In 1862 he removed to Ogle County ILL., from which he served several months as a private in the Union army during the Civil War.; Judith Knepper b. 29 June 1841-d9 Apr 1850; Twin Knepper son, b. 23 July 1843, died in infancy; Jacob Knepper b.21 July 1844- 23 March 1863; Josiah Knepper b, 3 October 1846-d. 7 September 1890 married and had two sons; Edward Knepper and Seymour Knepper; Obadiah Knepper b. 25 September 1848-d, 12 February 1933, Emma George and removed to Kerney Nab.

(4.) Andrew Knepper b.12 March 1803-died 20 November 1846 wed Mary Ann Reed and had issue: Mary Jane Knepper wife of John Funk; Henrietta Knepper, wife of Abraham Bakeer; Addie Knepper wife of Levi Hefner; Alexander Knepper, married to Sarah Dunkle; Albert Knepper; Andrew Knepper; Cyrus Knepper; and Henry Knepper.

(5.) Leah Knepper b. 19 Mar 1908-b. 1 April 1896 married Joseph b.1 January 1802-d. 19 November 1880, son of William and Catharine (Mily) Geesaman, by whom she had three sons William, a tailor at Quincy, married (first) Ellizabeth Monnand (second) Lydia Riddleberger; Finley, who died unmarried near Tucson AZ., was buried at Mount Zion; Josiah Elsworth Geesaman of Rouzerville, Franklin County, married Annie Elizabeth Pentz.

(6.) George Knepper b. 13 February 1809-died 16 July 1873 succeeded to the mansion farm. In 1809 he established the first general store at what is now Mount Alto. He wed Mary, sister of Martha McFerren (second of Joathan Knepper). and had three offspring: Elizabeth Knepper married Melchor Elden; Clara K. Knepper married Wilson Reynolds of Mont Alto; David Knepper. The son of George Knepper fell heir to the farm and were the last of the family to own it.

(7.) Dekel Knepper b 1 January 1811-d. 4 February 1893 married 25 March 1831, Henry Goshert b. at Warsaw, Kosciusko County, Ind.

(8.) Esther Knepper married Jacob Sites.

(9.) Catharine Knepper.

(10.) Sarah Knepper married Henry M. Myers.

Source: THE BONEBRAKE FAMILY. Published by the Antietam Ancestors, Volume III., number 4, Spring 1991, page 91 Waynesboro Historical Society, 138 West Main Street, Waynesboro, PA. 17268

Todd Andrew Dorsett Editor and Publisher.

Compiled by Mike Hahn 46770538

NOTE: Antrim Township where he was born is now in Franklin County, historically Cumberland County; documented in the DAR records for his father