On Saturday, July 28, 2001, Descendents of Revolutionary War Veteran, John Jacob Storts gathered at the Bear Run Cemetery in New Lexington, Ohio for a Family Reunion and to pay tribute to their common, patriotic ancestor...

Click HERE for the story about the ceremony.

As a Revolutionary War Soldier, John Jacob Storts served at Valley Forge in the capacity of Matross. He was one of the few who survived that grueling winter of 1777-1778. Fortunately for Compatriot Keith H. Kaufman.

The 13 year old Soldier drilled for only a few hours with a company from his hometown, then entrained for Germantown, meeting the British in a battle near Philadelphia a short time later.

He went into winter camp with the rest of the army at VALLEY FORGE late in the fall of 1777, and his memoirs tell of the long marches, lack of food and sleeping on the frozen ground, and of the many times he awakened to find his unshorn hair frozen to the ground.

He continued in the Army and fought in many engagements, but was never wounded.  He rarely ever wore a hat even after the Revolution, having become accustomed to fighting and marching bareheaded.

You see, it wasn't until 1842 that Mariah was born to John Jacob and Mary Ann Storts.

 

Mariah "Storts" Allen, was a member of the Elizabeth Sherman Reese Chapter, DAR, Lancaster, Ohio.  She was investigated and approved Dec. 26, 1917.

Application and Duplicate received by the National Society, Dec. 29, 1917.

Application examined and approved - May 31, 1918.

Accepted by the National Board of Management - June 26, 1918.

Mariah "Storts" Allen's National Number is: 140153

Mariah "Storts" Allen, died May 2, 1933.  She was Ohio's Last Living "Real Daughter" of the American Revolution.  At that time, there were only 5 "Real Daughter's" still living in the U.S.  The last "REAL DAUGHTER", Mrs. Annie Knight Gregory died December 17, 1943.  She was a member of the Conrad Weiser Chapter, DAR in Pennsylvania.

To view rare video clips of Ohio's Last Living "Real Daughter" of the American Revolution, click HERE

When Mariah grew up, she married John Wesley Allen and they had a little family (pictured above). Keith's Grandmother, Cora, is seen here standing between her parents.

Notice that all of the members of this loving family are touching one another.

 

From left to right, back row:  Etta, Jane, Sam, Caroline, Rebecca, Earl.
Middle row:  John, Cora, Mariah.
Front:  Carrie.

Cora married Henry Kaufman and they had a little family of their own. Keith's Father (remember Keith?) is Harold. He's the little boy at the far right. Harold was born on September 3, 1909.

 

Left to right:  Byron, May, Mildred, John, Cora, Henry, Harold.

The Kaufman Family, July 1964.

Front: Cora Jane & Keith Harold Kaufman.
Back: Harold Gilbert & Freda Ellen "Weaver" Kaufman.

It was on Saturday, April 11, 1981 when Keith and June exchanged their Wedding vows.

 

Keith and June Kaufman ...enjoying a moment with Rob Coles ( In Period ).
Mr. Coles is the fifth great Grandson of Thomas Jefferson.

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