From the Journal of Lancaster County Historical Society (edited), 1902, by Hiram Erb Steinmetz.
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Peter Miller (1709-1796) was a minister in the German Reformed Church in his early life. He was born Germany and came to America as a minister of this church in 1730. He served as pastor of Bethany Reformed Church, near Ephrata, Pennsylvania. In 1735 he withdrew from the German Reformed Church and joined the Seven Day Baptists at Ephrata. He moved to their settlement and became their pastor. He resided there during the American Revolutionary War. He was a man who had an extensive acquaintance and was widely known. He enjoyed the personal acquaintance of General Washington who visited Ephrata during the war. Peter Miller was a talented and highly-educated man. At the request of Thomas Jefferson, he translated the Declaration of Independence into seven foreign languages, and in this way, helped explain to the world the reason for the American Revolution.
Michael Witman also resided at Ephrata. He was a deacon in the German Reformed Church. The withdrawal of Peter Miller from that church greatly angered Witman. He became well known for his relentless abuse of Miller and the Seven Day Baptists. On one occasion he struck Miller in the face, and on another occasion, he spit in his face. Miller endured it all with Christian fortitude. He never spoke a cross word to or against Witman for his shameful conduct.
Witman owned one of the two hotels in Ephrata. On a winter evening two men came to the hotel of Witman for supper and shelter for the night. Witman did not know these guests, and was being outspoken in his views regarding the war, speaking freely in favor of the British. Witman boasted of being a Tory, and said he had even offered his services to British General Howard. The two men who were hearing all this were American spies. Witman was sitting on a window sill in the dining room, where the men were partaking of their evening meal. After proceeding at some length with his pro-British sentiments and activities, the men sprang up and said they would be arresting him for treason to the American cause. Witman escaped through the window, fled down the street, and hid in the attic of a house. There he remained until, famished from hunger and cold, he surrendered. He was taken to General Washington. He was tried for treason, found guilty and sentenced to be hung.
As before stated, Peter Miller was personally acquainted with General Washington. Upon hearing that the death sentence was passed, Peter Miller arose early in the morning, took his cane and set out on foot, through the snow, to visit General Washington at Valley Forge. He was going there to intercede for the life of Witman.
George Washington told Pastor Miller that his plea for his friend could not be granted. “My friend!?” exclaimed Miller. “He is not my friend. That man is my worst enemy. No man has cause me more suffering.”
“What?” replied Washington. “You have walked sixty miles to save the life of your enemy? That, in my judgment, puts the matter in a different light. I will grant you his pardon.”
The pardon was written, signed by General Washington and handed to Miller, who at once set out for West Chester, fifteen miles distant, where the execution was to take place on the afternoon of the same day. He arrived just as Witman was being carried to the scaffold, who, seeing Miller in the crowd, remarked: “There is old Peter Miller. He has walked all the way from Ephrata to have his revenge gratified today by seeing me hung.”
These words were scarcely spoken, when Miller waved the pardon and commanded them to halt. We can imagine the scene that followed. It is said they embraced each other. Then they walked home to Ephrata together and remained firm friends. We will not attempt to describe the scene, tender and loving, when Witman entered the home and he was restored to his family.
Witman’s life was spared, but his property was confiscated and sold March 15, 1780, to Michael Diffenderfer. The circumstances were such that Witman did not remain long at Ephrata, but emigrated with his family somewhere to the West, and he was not heard from again. But Miller’s noble act lives enshrined in many of the hearts and minds of the people of Ephrata.
Peter Miller died September 25, 1796, at the age of eighty-six, and is buried at Ephrata. For some of the facts the writer is indebted to Mrs. Mary Hahn, of Ephrata, who is four-score years of age.
NOTE: Several accounts of this story can be found on line; some more accurate than others. This one looks to be the most reliable. As stated above, one source, Mary Hahn, was 80 in 1900 when this article was published, thus born in 1820; and therefore, could have heard first-hand accounts of the story.
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Luke 6:27-36 — (Jesus said),”To you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
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O Lord, help us to forgive as we would be forgiven; neither mentioning old offenses committed against us, nor dwelling upon them in thought, nor being influenced by them in heart; but by loving our neighbor freely, as you freely love us. Amen.
–Christina Rossetti, English poet (1830-1894)
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