David Fortney

Ancestor Number

A213854 »

Date of Birth

September 6, 1741

Place of Birth

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Date of Death

June 18, 1796

Place of Death

Warwick Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Spouse(s)

Maria Gingerich

Children

David G. Fortney, John Fortney, Heinrich Fortney, Christian Fortney, Mary Fortney, George S. Fortney, Peter Fortney

American Revolution Service

PS, Pvt 3rd and 9th Battalions, Warwick Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Militia, 1775-1781. Capts Peter Grubb, John Ashton, Christian Hollinger, Col John Huber

State of Service

Pennsylvania

Donor

Susan Harris, Ann Arbor, Michigan

David Fortney was the son of Johann David “DF” and Elisabeth Catharina Britzius (Fortune) Fortney. He was born September 6, 1741, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, their first child to be born in America.

His parents and his older brother, Wendel, born and baptized on January 10, 1737, Wolferweiler, Germany, arrived in Philadelphia, aboard the Loyal Judith on September 3, 1739. Due to a disastrous crossing, the family spent a year on Block Island, Rhode Island, with the ship before arriving in Philadelphia. Of the 315 passengers who had boarded the ship, only 90 landed in Philadelphia. It is possible David’s older sister Elizabeth Catherine born and baptized May 20, 1738, Wolfersweiler, Germany, is one of those who perished during the crossing.

St. Paul Lutheran Church. Courtesy of Susan Harris.

Tombstone engraving. Photo taken and permission to use granted by Bryan Winter.

Penryn Cemetery Headstones. Courtesy of Susan Harris.

Penryn Cemetery. Courtesy of Susan Harris.

Penryn Cemetery Sign. Courtesy of Susan Harris.

❮ ❯

The Fortney (Fortineux) family is of French Huguenot descent.

The family fled France during the persecution of the Huguenots in the 16th century and lived in Leiden, Netherlands. David’s great-grandfather Jonas Fortineux was baptized there in 1647. From Leiden, Netherlands, members of the family immigrated first to Germany and finally to America. The spelling of the name changed through generations as it was Anglicized.

David (Fordine) Fortney was a yeoman. He and his wife Maria Gingerich Fortney lived in Warwick Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They had seven children: David G., Johannes, Heinrich, Christian, Mary, George S., and Peter. He paid property taxes on 200 acres of land, three horses and three cattle.

David Fortney served as a member of the Warwick Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Militia multiple times between 1775–1781. He held the rank of private and served under Colonel John Huber and Captains Peter Grubby, John Ashton and Christian Hollinger. Property and state tax rolls indicate he was a resident from 1771 and paid supply tax in 1774 and 1783.

He died on June 18, 1796. He is buried at the Penryn Cemetery in Warwick Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.