Hildebrand Early Military Service

The Hildebrand Men had always been fond of adventure and this didn't change after they arrived in the New World. As new areas opened up the Hildebrands were there to help settle it.

From information found in the records of Fort Jefferson and family oral history we can place Peter Hildebrand and his family at Fort Jefferson during the period of May 1780 to June 1781. In other records the names of three other Hildebrand men can be found during the same time frame and locations.

The known Hildebrands during this time period are:

July 12, 1778 to May 31, 1779¹
Kaskaskia
James Helderbrand
(With Captain John Williams Company of Infantry, under the Command of Col. George Rogers Clark)

Oct of 1780
Col. Montgomery and Captain John Williams arrive at Fort Jefferson, and Col. Montgomery wants Williams to take command of the fort from Captain George.²  Apparently James Helderbrand was not with Captain John Williams at this time.

May 30, 1780 to Nov. 30, 1781³
James Heldbrand
(With Captain Richard Brashers Company in the Illinois Regiment, Commanded by Col. John Montgomery)

Jan 1782 to July 1782⁴
Jas Hellebrant
(With Captain Richard Brashers Company of the Illinois Regiment, Commanded by Lieut. Co. John Montgomery)

May 30, 1780⁵
Jas Heldebrand
Bryans Station
(With Kentucky Militia under William Hogon)

May 1, 1780, to June 5, 1781⁶
Fort Jefferson [Kentucky]
Peter Hellerbrant/Hellerbrand
(With Captain George Owens/Oinos of the District of Clarksville, VA.)

I believe that there were three James Heldebrand/Hellebrant/Heldbrand.

The Jas Heldebrand, of May 30, 1780, I believe he is only listed here once.

Definitely the James that was with Captain Richard Brashers Company in the Illinois Regiment is the same James Hildebrand. He appears to have just had a one month break in his service. May 30, 1780, to Nov. 30, 1781 and Jan 1782 to July 1782.

The other James of May 1, 1780, to June 5, 1781. He probably is a different James as his service records show he was on the pay roll of Captain Williams at the same time as James was on the pay roll Captain Brashers.

All three of these men were in different pay records during the month of May 1780. So from these records I have come to the conclusion that there were three James Hildebrands serving during this period.

With the above information we are presented with more questions an we have answers for. Could one of these James be a brother to John, our Missouri pioneer ancestor, or maybe a unknown son?

If any one has records of any Hildebrands during this time frame send them to me and I will add them to this database.
I have checked the files for Stephen Hildebrand, Michael Hildebrand and Hans Heinroh Hildebrand and have not found any James Hildebrand during this time frame. 

1. The Personnel of George Rogers Clarks's Fort Jefferson by Kenneth Charles Carstens
2,3,4,5,6. George Rogers Clark and his Men Military Records 1778-1784 by Margery H. Harding

George Hildebrand (1753-1827) served as private in Capt. George Reese's company, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania militia, 1777. He was born in Lancaster County; died in Marietta, Ohio.
George Hildebrand m. 1776 Mary Elizabeth Kinsley (1755-1837).

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