Col. John Rosenkrans

• Daughters of American Revolution Ancestor #: A098237
• Service: NEW JERSEY Rank: COLONEL
• Birth: 7-5-1724 ROCHESTER ALBANY CO NEW YORK
• Death: 6-15-1786 WALPACK SUSSEX CO NEW JERSEY
• Service Source: STRYKER, REG OF OFFICERS & MEN OF NJ IN THE REV P. 354
• Service Description: 1) ALSO CAPT; 3RD BATT

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Colonel John Rosenkrans(Rosekrans)b.1724 Rochester, NY d.1786 Walpack, NJ, came to the Old Mine Road in Walpack in 1745 when he purchased Fort Shappanack, which overlooked the Delaware River. During his day, the Indians were numerous in that section of the country. Col. John often related to his sons, that bands of Indians would often come to his house and partake in generous hospitalities which he offered. Frequently, a score of Indians found shelter beneath his roof for the night, sleeping on the kitchen floor. Fort Shappanack (aka Fort Johns), according to Sussex county histories, was named for the old village in which it stood. The name Fort Johns has been linked to one of three men; it’s owner, Col. John Rosenkrans; John Stevens who is responsible for its construction; or John Johnston, who designed forts along the Delaware River. The fort existed for 27 years as a military post or until the end of the Revolution.

When the American Revolution broke out Col. John enlisted in the Sussex County Militia, 3rd Regiment,

on May 23, 1777 he was commissioned to the rank of Colonel for his gallantry. He fought at the 
Battle of Germantown, Pa. and he accompanied General Sullivan in his campaign against the Indians 
of the upper Susquehanna and Genesee Valley in 1779. At one time, he was shot in the shoulder,
 and from the results of, he never fully recovered. A physician in Morristown, in the treatment
  of his wound, scraped the bone of his shoulder, which caused it to grow worse. He died in 
  1786 and was buried at old Shappanack Graveyard on Old Mine Road, just behind his home. 
  Adjoining the graveyard was a low Dutch church, built of logs, of which he was an elder. 
  In 1959, at the site of former Fort Shappanack, a Memorial was dedicated, in his name, 
  by the Sons of the American Revolution; Col. John Rosenkrans Chapter. 

His second son, Captain Jacob Rosenkrans b.1754 Walpack, served in the Sussex County

Militia and fought in the battles on Long Island, NY. Another son, Major Benjamin Rosenkrans 
b.1770 Walpack, d.1848 Walpack, was a commander in the Sussex Co. Militia at Sandy Hook, NJ 
in the War of 1812. Major Benjamin was buried at the Peter’s Valley (Bevans Cemetery) in 1848. 
My Grandfather, John Russell Rosenkrans b.1896 in Sandyston, NJ, d.1971 Bernardsville, NJ, 
fought in WWI, my Father, George C. Rosenkrans b.1922 Layton, NJ, fought in WWII. 

Sussex County is rich in history of this country and the Rosenkrans family has a bookmark in that history.

Colonel John Rosenkrans(Rosekrans)b.1724 Rochester, NY d.1786 Walpack, NJ, came to the Old Mine Road in Walpack in 1745 when he purchased Fort Shappanack, which overlooked the Delaware River. During his day, the Indians were numerous in that section of the country. Col. John often related to his sons, that bands of Indians would often come to his house and partake in generous hospitalities which he offered. Frequently, a score of Indians found shelter beneath his roof for the night, sleeping on the kitchen floor. Fort Shappanack (aka Fort Johns), according to Sussex county histories, was named for the old village in which it stood. The name Fort Johns has been linked to one of three men; it’s owner, Col. John Rosenkrans; John Stevens who is responsible for its construction; or John Johnston, who designed forts along the Delaware River. The fort existed for 27 years as a military post or until the end of the Revolution.

When the American Revolution broke out Col. John enlisted in the Sussex County Militia, 3rd Regiment,

on May 23, 1777 he was commissioned to the rank of Colonel for his gallantry. He fought at the 
Battle of Germantown, Pa. and he accompanied General Sullivan in his campaign against the Indians 
of the upper Susquehanna and Genesee Valley in 1779. At one time, he was shot in the shoulder,
 and from the results of, he never fully recovered. A physician in Morristown, in the treatment
  of his wound, scraped the bone of his shoulder, which caused it to grow worse. He died in 
  1786 and was buried at old Shappanack Graveyard on Old Mine Road, just behind his home. 
  Adjoining the graveyard was a low Dutch church, built of logs, of which he was an elder. 
  In 1959, at the site of former Fort Shappanack, a Memorial was dedicated, in his name, 
  by the Sons of the American Revolution; Col. John Rosenkrans Chapter. 

His second son, Captain Jacob Rosenkrans b.1754 Walpack, served in the Sussex County

Militia and fought in the battles on Long Island, NY. Another son, Major Benjamin Rosenkrans 
b.1770 Walpack, d.1848 Walpack, was a commander in the Sussex Co. Militia at Sandy Hook, NJ 
in the War of 1812. Major Benjamin was buried at the Peter’s Valley (Bevans Cemetery) in 1848. 
My Grandfather, John Russell Rosenkrans b.1896 in Sandyston, NJ, d.1971 Bernardsville, NJ, 
fought in WWI, my Father, George C. Rosenkrans b.1922 Layton, NJ, fought in WWII. 

Sussex County is rich in history of this country and the Rosenkrans family has a bookmark in that history.