Kratzner

Here on land that was originally granted to Morgan Bryan, Joseph Kratzner bought from prior owner Jacob Coffman in 1784 and seems to have set about consturcting this old homestead before 1820. This is a two story house with heavy walls. There is a hall and stairway running to the top floor, ten large rooms with nine corner fireplaces. The old house became the homestead of an estate which finally developed to one of thirteen hundred acres or more, bought at different times.

The land on which the house stands seems to have been deeded by Ezekiel Harrison, who in the 1810 census was one of the largest slave owners in the area. Christian Kratzner married a Catherine Roads in September of 1801 and seems to have started building the house at about that time, Others think this wrong however, and contend that Kratzner bought the homestead from the heirs of Philip Roads in 1820, suggesting a later start on home construction.

East of the house is a structure which likely started as a stone barn and was later converted to a residence. In the gable at an end of this building is a plaque with the date 1811. The members of this household seem to have been German Baptist. It's likely that Brethren meetings and services were often held in the home. Some from this house were listed in militia companies, but seem to have been fined too for non-attendance at musters.