Based on information supplied on 13 April 2002 by the Custodian of Record, Zion Lutheran and Reformed Church (Old Red Church), Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, regarding the maiden name of Elizabeth Hard as given in the church records, this researcher believes that Elizabeth Hard is not related to John Bitler, 1713-1790. If she were a daughter of John Bitler, as some have speculated, he would have been 65 years of age at her birth. This is not impossible, but is unlikely.

Elizabeth is listed here in the hopes that another researcher can provide further information as clarification.

1862 Church Death Record:2341 The following is from the Custodian of Record, Zion Lutheran and Reformed Church (Old Red Church), Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania: "Elizabeth (Bittner) Hard, died 4/5/1862, age 82 years, 5 months, 3 days. It was recorded she was born 11/12/1779. It was also listed as Landingville. This leads me to believe she is buried somewhere in Landingville, or it could mean she lived in Landingville. It also stated that the Pastor that buried her was Ehrhart. My record showed her maiden name as Bittner."

1862 Transcribed Death Record:1536, p. 134. Zion Lutheran and Reformed Church (Old Red Church), West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Elizabeth Hard, nee Bitler << Church records show Bittner
Landingville
Nov. 2, 1779
Apr. 5, 1862