"The German Baptists or Dunkard Church was founded in 1708 when eight pious souls walked solemnly to the River Eder from Alexander Mack's home at Schwartzenau in Wittgenstein, Germany, and were baptized by triune immersion. It is said that Daniel Leatherman was baptized into that faith by Alexander Mack. In 1719, through an invitation from William Penn, some of these German Baptists came to America and settled at Germantown near Philadelphia, Pa.
Daniel Leatherman, probably a son of the pioneer immigrant Hans Dewalt Leathermn, a native of Germany, likely lived in the German Baptist settlement at Germantown, Pa., for some time before we find him in York Co., actively engaged in the service of his church. He must have been in the ministry before 1738 since in that year, church records show, he organized the Little Conewago Church in Hanover Twonship, York Co., Pa., and three years later the Conewago Church was organized at Conewago 14 miles from York, Pa. When their first minister, George Adam Martin, left, the church was placed in charge of Daniel Leatherman who then ministered to both the Conewago and Little Conewago churches until he removed to Maryland."488 |