Born in Frederick Town, Maryland on December 4, 1756 was Johannes Compere, son of Jean and Rahel Compere. Jean was a cooper by trade and presumably of French heritage although the family attended a largely German church congregation in Frederick Town by 1750. Through the years, Jean and Johannes eventually went by John Sr. and Jr. Likewise,
Compere evolved into Gomber.

Prior to the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the First Continental Congress established the Continental Association which implemented a trade boycott of Great Britain. Among the Associators was John Gomber having signed on in December 1775. As the American colonies were on the brink of declaring independence, nineteen year old Gomber enrolled
in Captain Peter Mantz’s Company as a Private in the Flying Camp on July 1, 1776. Mantz’s Company marched from Frederick Town to Leonardtown, Maryland then on to Philadelphia by August 23 of the same year. Gomber was wounded at the Battle of York Island in November 1776 and drew an invalid pension by June of 1788. In 1778, Gomber also took the Oath of Fidelity and Support as was then required by the Maryland Legislature. Upon returning to Frederick after his military
service, Gomber married Esther Mantz, the sister of his commanding officer on December 12, 1779. More ...