I am a descendant of a Hanau-Hessian, Johann Philip Reges, who started making love-not-war in York PA in Dec of 1778.

My 4th g grandfather Johann Philipp Reges(1755-1812) was a Musketeer (Pvt) in 3rd Co. (Lenz) of Hanau Regt. Erbprinz. He was part of the Convention Army (surrendered at Saratoga), and deserted Dec. 31 1778 in York PA., along with fellow members of the Lenz Company Wilhelm Mueller, Johannes Weber, Carl Weibling, and Johannes Bluemier. Source: Clifford Smith Monograph #5, Mercenaries from Hesse-Hanau

He married Maria Elizabeth Spahr, and stayed near York (Abbotstown) until 1795, then moved to Chambersburg PA where he worked as a weaver and dyer of cloth. He and Maria had eight children, Henry Adam (my ggg grandfather), Catherine, Sarah, Rebecca, Elizabeth, John Phillip, Polly, and Michael. Henry Adam served in the war of 1812 from Franklin Co. PA, and was a scrivener or law clerk in Chambersburg.

Much of the REGES/SPAHR family genealogy, published by Max Spahr of Pocatello, ID can be found in the York Heritage Society Library. Source: "Johann Phillip Reges, the Hessian Soldier", by Karleen Regis and Yvonne Reges Davis.

I was fortunate enough to get a copy, and there is one in the Armstrong County PA Historical Society Library. Here is the ancestry of Philipp REGES as provided by the State Archives in Hanau and the United Evangelical Church of Hanau:

Johann Philipp REGES, b. 6 April 1755 in Hanau, bapt. 10 April 1755 He was the son of Johann Adam REGES and Anna Elizabeth TAG who were married 24 May, 1754 in Hanau. J. Adam REGES was a velvet and silk dealer and a stocking weaver. He was b. 10 June 1732 in Hanau. The date of his death is unknown. Anna Elizabeth was b. in 1734 and died 19 July, 1758. She was the daughter of Michael TAG. J. Adam REGES was the son of Johann Jakob REGES and Johanna Magdalena MAUS who were married 12 June 1719 in Hanau. J. Jakob was a stocking weaver, b. 1696 in Ginnheim. d. 1 April 1740. Johanna Magdalena was b. 29 Sept. 1698 and d. 9 Jan. 1777. Her parents were Johann Jost MAUS and Susanna Maria_______? J. Jakob REGES was the son of Johann Nicolaus REGES, b. ca 1671, of Ginnheim. The name of his mother is not known.