Steyer first appears in records when he was mustered out in 1780 for the Philadelphia County militia and subsequently called to service in 1781.
Records at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Red Hill, Upper Hanover Township., Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, indicate that he married Elizabeth Barbara Detweiler on January 29, 1786. It can therefore be assumed that his service in the American Revolution was as a single man.
Various tax and exoneration lists indicate that he had a horse, 10 acres of land plus cattle. His occupation was variously listed as a farmer, turner and wheelwright. In the settlement of his estate was an item described as turner tools. This could indicate that he had the ability to make spokes for wagon wheels which were important during the Revolutionary War for transporting supplies and equipment.
According to records at the above mentioned church, Steyer and his wife, Barbara, had at least five sons: Jacob, born in 1788; Heinrich, born in 1790; Johannes born in 1794; George born in 1796; and David born in 1800.
In the first row near the current location of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is Nicholas Steyer’s tombstone. The information is in German and has been translated as follows: “Here rests the bones of the deceased Nicolaus Steier. He was born on August 2, 1751, died on April18, 1826, brought to the age of 74 years, eight months, 16 days.”