by 
John Light is my 7th-Great Grandfather on the Garrison side. He was born Johannes Leicht in 1682 in Bayern, Prussia (became Germany). Sometime before December 1738, Johannes came to the British colonies and settled in Lancaster County, PA. It was there that the Leicht name became Americanized to Light.
During the mid-1700s Lancaster County was a harsh environment on the frontier of the colonies. Despite the dangers, on December 29, 1738, John bought 274 acres of land in Lancaster County for 82 pounds and 4 shillings. Around 1742 John built a home and a large building that served as a Mennonite meeting-house. The building, which still stands, had a large cellar and thick walls of stone.
In 1754, the French and Indian War began in the Colonies. This war was actually part of the Seven Years War, a global war involving much of Europe and their colonial territories around the world. England was at war with France and France was allied with Spain and the North American Indians. The frontier became much more dangerous for the colonists, with Indian raids happening frequently.
In response to the danger posed by the Indians, John Light built a large stockade fence around his home and the meeting-house. During the war “up to sixty families” sought refuge in the meeting-house behind the stockade. “Hither the neighbors were often compelled to repair, to find shelter from their enraged, insatiable foes.” (1) The sanctuary offered to the area families during the war led to the meeting-house being called “Light’s Fort”.
When John Light died in 1759, the fort passed to his son Heinrich Leicht (Henry Light; 6th-Great Grandfather). During my research I have found a single source that states John Light was “killed” in 1759 (3). No mention as to the cause of his demise was given or if his “killing” was the result of an accident or malice. This information, while interesting, has yet to be corroborated. Henry Light lived on the property during the Revolutionary war and, along with two of his sons, John and Henry Jr. (5th-Great Grandfather), served in the Pennsylvania Militia during the war.
Lancaster County underwent several divisions over the years and as a result Light’s Fort is now located in Lebanon County, where it is the oldest building standing. Currently, the fort is undergoing refurbishment and preservation. Although the structure is missing the second and third floors, it still stands.
My ancestral line to John Light is: John Light > Henry Light > Henry Light Jr > Magdaline (Light) Wenger > Lydia (Wenger) Daub > John Daub > Adline (Daub) Garrison > Charles Garrison > Charlene (Garrison) Crosby > Maurice Crosby Jr.
Note: The “Friends of Light’s Fort Committee” is organizing the preservation of the Fort. If anyone is feeling a little philanthropic, there is an application to join the “Friends of Light’s Fort” on their web page. The committee is part of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lebanon County. (I joined so I can say I helped fix-up grandpop’s house.)
Sources:
1 Ancient and Historic Landmarks in the Lebanon Valley (1895) by P.C.Croll
2 http://www.lightsfort.org/
3 http://www.northamericanforts.com/East/pa-south1.html#light
