Known for being the earliest-born person ever photographed, one man from Maine may also have had an important Bucks County connection. Colin Schultz wrote about the famous American for Smithsonian Magazine.

Conrad Heyer, a farmer from Maine, has become famous for being the earliest-born person ever photographed. Born in 1749 in Waldoboro, Maine, Heyer was photographed in 1852, at the age of 103.

With his portrait taken in the primitive daguerreotype photography style, Heyer had lived a very full life by the time his picture was made.

Some would be surprised that this is not the only amazing fact about the farmer.

In his 20s during the American Revolution, Heyer joined the Continental Army, ending up in the same battalion that then-General George Washington was in command of. Most historians agree that Heyer made the journey over the Delaware before the Battle of Trenton, meaning he would have been in the Bucks County area at one point.

However, some historical experts are not sure if this was the case. Don N. Hagist, the managing editor of the Journal of the American Revolution, argues that, while he was in Washington’s group at one point, his retirement from battle does not coincide with the infamous crossing.

Heyer returned to his hometown and life of farming, passing away a 106, three years after his picture was taken. Whether or not he was in Bucks County at one point, most historians agree that he did make the trek over the Delaware with the country’s first president.

Read more about Heyer’s amazing story at Smithsonian Magazine.