Roder Farm Homestead

Timberville, Virginia is where our first Roder ancestors established their home. Yes, they lived in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania first, but this Timberville is where they lives and established a town, became prominent members of the town, built a church and raised their family.

There is a book written that a distant relative from another line wrote in 1982 William and JuneRader. This 300+ pg book is hard to find and in my possession. It has so much valuable information and is a great resource of pictures, family lines and history.
The following are pictures of the Rader Homestead taken by him through the years.

1983 picture of the Adam Roder farm. The house is on the left side. The farm was on the right.

Thihs picture was taken in 1950. There is a fireplace at each end of the house. The home was established in 1745.

This is the home in 1983.

From the rear in 1983.

This picture was taken in 1972.

Hans Adam and his sister Anna married Alexander Bender and his sister Anna. Both couples moved to Virginia. They went to Timberville VA about 1745 with Alexander
Painter and Margaret Painter. He owner 1500 acres and operated a lead mine on the property.


Joseph Spangenberg and Matthew Reutz from Bethlehem, PA
kept a diary of their journeys. It says "On the morning od
July 26, 1748 they came to a marked path. It brought them to a
salt lick which is frequented by the elks and where they are
usually shot by hunters. A kind spirit led them to the right
way which they continued their journey, till they came in the
evening to a German plantation. Here Adam Roder lives, whose
mother, 86 years of age lives at Makuntsche (Maucungie, now
Emmaus, Lehigh Co., PA) and belongs to the Moravian
congregation."
The missionaries were now in the vicinity of Timberville,
Rockingham Co., VA. About one mile west of this place stands
Rader's church, which is known to be one of the oldest places
in Rockingham.
The diary of Rev. Charles Lange, pastor at Frederick, MD
who visited the congregation 17 APR 1768 (see "Fathers of the
Reformed Church", Vol 11, p 154)

The front door of the Rader Lutheran Church, Timberville, VA.

When the War for Independence began Adam was too old to
fight but his sons and grandsons joined the fight. His son
Anthony is a Captain who fights at Williamsburg and Hot Water
creek, VA. His other son George was a private who preached
daily and was given a copy of "Whitfield's Sermons" by Geroge
Washington.
Conrad, Henry, Michael and Shadrach Rader (grandsons of
Adam and sons of Adam and Margaret) all served and received
pensions except Shadrack.


ADAM READER died April 18, 1773. He undoubtedly died at his plantation near Timberville, VA at the age of 67. There is a small cemetery located on a hill in front and to the south of the historic home. He and ANNA BARBARA were probably buried there.

M. ANNA BARBARA BENDER (PAINTER) Aug. 1727 She was the oldest daughter of MATTHIAUS and
CATHARINE BENDER. ANNA BARBARA BENDER and ALEXANDER BENDER were sister and brother
and ANNA MARGARETH RÖDER and (3) HANS ADAM RÖDER were sister and brother, making this a double relationship.