Name also spelled: Poarch, Ports, Bortz, Portsch, Portz, Portch
The Porch family are of German and Scotch descent and came to the United States early in the sixteenth century, with one of their descendants coming over in the Mayflower.
Listed on the Tax lists of Chanceford Twp, York Co, PA from 1783 thru 1799.
Notes from Arthur Dawson -
John Porch - according to family history, his parents were massacred by Indians and he, as an infant, was carried away by them and kept until he was a young man. John Porch said the Indians always treated him kindly and allowed him the same privileges that were accorded to the Indians of his own size and age. They frequently took him with them when they went on hunting expeditions and they often laughed at him when he attempted to jump across a creek and failed to jump far enough and fell into the water. He was an expert with a bow and arrow. He was fond of horses and was noted for his skill in managing them. He was first known in Franklin County PA as John Porch. Moved to Lancaster County where he remained the rest of his life. John was baptised and confirmed by Rev. Heinrich Melchior Muhlinburg, D.D., founder of the Lutheran Church in America. John was a member of a Lutheran church in Lancaster County and was a member of the church council.