Among the various nationalities that settled Montgomery County the German was an important one, and their descendants at this day within its limits are the most numerous. In less than a year after the landing of William Penn a colony of Germans, chiefly from Creisheim and Creyfelt, arrived in October, 1683, and shortly afterwards founded the village of Germantown. The Proprietary had been among them in their native land, and encouraged them to come. Here liberty of conscience had now been proclaimed, and an exemption from tithes, though neither was tolerated in Great Britain, or even to a very limited extent along the valley of the Rhine where also were the frontier lines of powerful France, and the frequent wars of Germany, the results of which combined were all powerful incentives to emigration to those more peaceably and liberally disposed. To facilitate this a company was organized at Frankfort-on-the-Main, and numerous pamphlets circulated throughout Germany in the language of its people, setting forth the peculiar advantages of the distant colony. Hence it need not be a wonder that the weaker of the persecuted sects were disposed to come first, for not matter however strong the attachments of nativity, the Fatherland presented from their experience in the past no bright or sanguine future. The doctrines of the Reformation had been established almost a century and a half, yet through the connection of church and state the progress to toleration was very slow.
Francis Daniel Pastorius, in his "Beschreibung Pennsylvania" (published at Leipzic, 1700), under date of Oct. 24, 1685, gives the following account of the settlement: "With the wish and concurrence of the Governor, I laid out and planned a new town, which we call Germantown, or Germanopolis, in a very fine and fertile district, with plenty of springs of fresh water, being well supplied with oak-, walnut-, and chestnut-trees, and having beside excellent and abundant pasturage for the cattle. At the commencement there were but twelve families of forty-one individuals, consisting mostly of German mechanics and weavers. Our German society have in this place now established a lucrative trade in woolen and linen goods, together with a large assortment of other useful and necessary articles." He enumerates the lotholders as [including] Paul Wolff, Dirck Rittenhouse. The aforesaid names have since been Anglicized, so that their present nationality is barely perceptible. Several of these afterwards became early settlers of Montgomery County, where nearly all have now numerous descendants residing.
Richard Townsend, who arrived here in the Welcome with Penn, in November 1682, thus speaks of them in his "Testimony:" "About a year after our arrival there came in about twenty families from High and Low Germany of religious, good people, who settled about six miles from Philadelphia, and called the place Germantown."
William Rittenhouse, in 1690, on a branch of the Wissahickon, built the first papermill in the British colonies of America. Though these Germans consisted of but forty-one persons, yet such was their enterprise that within five years of their first settlement they had erected upwards of fifty houses. Sypher, in his History of Pennsylvania, in speaking of these Germans, states that they "were an industrious and intelligent, as well as a devout Christian people. Many highly-educated men were among them, who became influential and useful citizens, and aided materially in conducting the affairs of the province."
. . . On the 7th of May, 1691, Thomas Lloyd, as Deputy Governor, granted naturalization to . . . William and Claus Rittinghuysen . . .
Mathias Van Bebber purchased a tract of six thousand one hundred and sixty-six acres of land, which by patent dated Feb. 22, 1702, was located on the Skippack Creek, constituting about one-half of the southern portion of what is now Perkiomen township. Van Bebber began thus early, for so remote a distance from the city, to invite settlement by selling it off in parcels. Among the settlers prior to the close of 1703 were . . Claus Jansen . . . In 1708 we find here William and Cornelius Dewes [de Weese / Deweese] . . . The settlement so increased that Van Bebber gave one hundred acres towards a Mennonite meeting-house, which was built prior to 1726, its trustees being . . . Claus Jansen . . .
The immigration of so many "foreigners," as they were termed, alarmed the English colonists. They feared, like Logan and Franklin, that even Pennsylvania might cease to be a British province. The matter was brought before the Assembly in 1717, and naturalization was refused to all coming hither who could not speak the English language. In 1729 fears were further aroused, and under instructions of the home government the Assembly passed an act imposing a duty for the English government of forty shillings per head on all foreigners that should land here. . . .
The Legislature of Pennsylvania has voted that the expense of the State two statues be placed in the Capitol at Washington to represent two of its most notable men. For this honor Gen. Peter Muhlenberg, a native and long resident of this county, and Robert Fulton have been selected. Carefully comparing the merits of the former as warrior and statesman with Gen. Wayne the preference seems just, but as to the other the claims of David Rittenhouse as a distinguished civilian are, on the whole, too superior to be readily set aside by the one to whom the choice was given. Had this also fallen to the lot of Rittenhouse, Montgomery County and the German race would have been doubly honored, for here he resided from infancy well into middle life and made his great philosophical discoveries as well as inventions. The fame of the early high clocks made in this county by Rittenhouse, Lukens, Soliday, Seip and others belongs also to the Germans.
Clossen, Bob & Mary Clossen. Index to Allegheny County, PA Wills, Vols. 1-12, 1789-1869, Apollo, PA: nd
Columns - Name, Volume/Page, Date
- Galbraith, Duncan, 5/534, 1845 - maybe too late
- Galbraith, John, 1/150, 1800 - grandpa
- Galbraith, Samuel, 5/296, 1842 - maybe too late
Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Vol. XLV, Philadelphia, PA, nd
Abstract of Bucks County Wills, Book, No. 7, Page 157
Casper Johnson, Richland Twp., yeoman, - Dated Mch. 18, 1800 - Probated April 21, 1806 - wife Mary; - sons Henry & Benjamin, Exec. Son Casper, 50 acres where his buildings now stand, adj. Everard Roberts & Joseph Himmelwright; - son Joseph 109 acres in Skippack, Montgomery Co., where he lives. Son Benjamin, Balance of Plantation where I live, (less Casper's) son Henry 393 pds. also 207 pds. given him when her purchased Plantation whereon he lives; - Daughter Christina, wife of Edward Burk; - Dau. Elizabeth, widow of Charles Hinkle; - Dau. Mary, wife of Philip Hinkle; Witnesses: Everard Foulke, John Beidler
Duer, Clara, comp. Pittsburgh Gazette Abstracts, 1797-1803, Apollo, PA: Closson Press, 1986
Westmoreland County, ff. - List of causes set down for trial at June Term 1797, to be tried at September Term, 1797.
- Wm. Robertson vs. Robert Orr
- Andrew McDowell, ass. vs. Alex. Denniston
- Leassee of John Galbraith vs. John McGaw
Saturday Feb. 10, 1798 - Allegheny County, ff. - List of causes set down for trial at March Term, 1798.
Saturday, May 12, 1798 - Allegheny County, ff. - List of Causes set down at March Term 1798, to be tried at June Term 1798.
- Lessee of J. Galbraith vs. Thomas McKee
- Henry Wolf vs. Alex. Snodgrass
- Les. of J. Galbraith vs. Thomas McKee
- John Wolf vs. Alex. Snodgrass
Fisher, Charles, comp. Central Pennsylvania Marriages (1700-1896), Selinsgrove, PA: Fisher, 1946
- Galbraith, James & Elizabeth Bertrom, 4/6/1734 Philadelphia
- Galbraith, William B. & Mary A. House (George), 1/1/1863, Northumberland
- Dewaltz, Peter of Erie & Hannah Davey, Mindon, NY, 10/16/1785
- Grove, Peter of Union & Sarah Witmore / Witmer, 1784?
- Grove, Wendell of Union & May (--?--) 1st wife, 1784?
- Grove, Wendell of Union & Jane Coon, 2nd wife, 1784?
- Hinkle, Nathan of Lancaster & Marie Magdalene Zureker 1784
- Hinkle, Wendell of Lancaster & Elizabeth Fox, 1784
Hanna, Charles. Ohio Valley Genealogies, New York, NY: Hanna 1900.
Harriss, Helen & Wall, Elizabeth. Will Abstracts of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Will Books I through V, Pittsburgh, PA: 1986
Jones, U.J. & Floyd Hoenstine. History of the Early Settlement of the Juniata Valley, Harrisburg, PA: Telegraph Press, 1940
McFarland, K.T.H. Orphans' Court Docket I, Allegheny County, PA, 1789-1820, Apollo, PA: Closson Press, 1990
Myers, Albert. Quaker Arrivals at Philadelphia 1682-1750, Philadelphia, PA: Ferris & Leach, 1902
Pennsylvania German Church Records of Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, Etc. from the Pennsylvania German Society Proceedings & Addresses in Three Volumes, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1983.
Penrod, Susan, comp. Cumberland County, PA, Marriages 1761-1817, Laughlintown, PA: Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogical Services, 1983
Ristenbatt, Donna. "Oath of Allegiance Non-Associators Defined, On the Trail of Our Ancestors, website, 1996-2015.
Sheppard, Walter Jr. Passengers & Ships Prior to 1684, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1970 - available on Ancestry
Tepper, Michael. Emigrants to Pennsylvania 1641-1819, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc. 1978 - available on Ancestry
Williams, Richard. Bucks County Pennsylvania Pioneers of the Eighteenth Century, Book I, no imprint, 1974
Williams, Richard. Oaths of Allegiance: Allegiance Book #I Bucks County, Pennsylvania 1777, Danboro, PA: Richard Williams, 1973
Scottish history and families in Pennsylvania and Ohio
Harriss, Helen & Wall, Elizabeth. Will Abstracts of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Will Books I through V, Pittsburgh, PA: 1986
Galbreath, John, Alleg. Co., p. 150, No. 88, dated: 10 Oct. 1795; recorded 18 Aug. 1800,
- wife: Agness
- children: William, James, David, Martha, Jean, Elizabeth, John, Samuel, Mary, Sarah, Robert, Agness, Thomas, Rebecka, Rachel
- daughter-in-law: Margaret West, w/o son David
- land: sold to Hugh Hall
- Exec: Joseph Scott, Esq., David Smith
- Wit: John Gray, Thomas Seetin, Samuel Johnston
Wolf, Peter, Sr., Pitt Twp., p. 205, No. 143, dated: 27 oct. 1803; recorded 14 Oct. 1805
- children: Christian, Jacob, Peter, Catherine, Elizabeth
- land: 1,000 acres in Muskingum Settlement bought of Heckenwelder of that place; Dauphin Co. sold to Albert Klinefelter; Mill site on present property
- Exec: son Christian Wolf
- Wit: John Thorne, Jacob Kelker
Robinson, Isaac, Versailles Twp., p. 337, No. 252, dated 2 Mar. 1812, recorded: 26 Apr. 1812
- wife: Jean
- children: Ephraim, Matthew (or his children), Ruth, Elizabet, John, Susannah
- Exec: William Robinson, Matthew Robinson
- Wit: William Robertson, Matthew Robinson
Scott, William, Pitt Twp., p. 348, No. 262, dated: 16 May 1812; recorded: 14 Oct. 1812
- Bequeaths to: Robert Scott s/o brother John; Martha Wilkinson; William Scott Wilkinson; Nancy McCluer d/o brother, John; William s/o Robert Scott; William s/o Dunkin Galbreath [see below]; Margaret w/o John Sterrett; sister Janet Galbreath; John Thompson s/o sister Elspey; William s/o James Thompson; Jane Webb; Ann d/o brother John; Elspy, widow of Robert Galbreath and her son Robert; John s/o brother John; William Stinson s/o testator's sister; sister, Margaret w/o John Loughrey; Janet, w/o Daniel Loughrey; John Loughrey, h/o testator's sister
- Exec: Thomas Ross, James Sample
- Wit: Joshua Ross, John Ross
Galbreath, Dunkin, Ross Twp., p. 534, No. 431, dated: 29 June 1840; recorded: 3 Jan. 1845
- Wife: Martha [probaby Scott, see above]
- children: Robert, William, John, Martha, Mary w/o Robert Calhound
- Exec: sons Robert, William & John Galbraith
- Wit: Hugh Fleming, James G. Duit, William Thompson, James Thompson Sr.
Jones, U.J. & Floyd Hoenstine. History of the Early Settlement of the Juniata Valley, Harrisburg, PA: Telegraph Press, 1940
McFarland, K.T.H. Orphans' Court Docket I, Allegheny County, PA, 1789-1820, Apollo, PA: Closson Press, 1990
- #81 Parks, John, dec'd. - The court appointed John Galbraith to be the guardian of James Parks, until he becomes 14.
- #409 Galbreath, Samuel, dec'd. - Isaac Voris, administrator, filed his account.
Myers, Albert. Quaker Arrivals at Philadelphia 1682-1750, Philadelphia, PA: Ferris & Leach, 1902
Linton
Pennsylvania German Church Records of Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, Etc. from the Pennsylvania German Society Proceedings & Addresses in Three Volumes, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1983.
1776 - recorded by Rev. Albert Heffenstein
- Ann Elizabeth Fox, d. Philip & Elizabeth; b. Sept. 10, 1775; bapt. March 3
- John Jacob Graff, s. Jacob & Catharine; b. Feb. 3; bapt. March 3
Penrod, Susan, comp. Cumberland County, PA, Marriages 1761-1817, Laughlintown, PA: Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogical Services, 1983
- Fox, John & Rachel Crowell, 22 Nov. 1796 by Rev. Samuel Wilson
- Fuchs, Balthazer & Dorothea Miller, 6 Aug. 1768 by Rev. J.C. Bucher
- Galbreath, Robert & Mary Hendricks, 27 Mar. 1762
- Galbreath, Samuel & Nancy Moore, 9 Jan. 1798 by Rev. Robt. Davidson
- Gillbreath, Andrew & Catherine Smith alias Robinson 1 Nov. 1763 by Rev. John Conrad Bucher
- Gillbreath, Samuel & Mary Decker 27 Feb. 1789 by Rev. Robt. Davidson
Ristenbatt, Donna. "Oath of Allegiance Non-Associators Defined, On the Trail of Our Ancestors, website, 1996-2015.
Pennsylvania Oath of Allegiance:
I [name]; do swear (or affirm) that I renounce and refuse all allegiance to George the Third, king of Great Britain, his heirs and successors; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a free and independent State, and that I will not at any time do or cause to be done any matter or thing that will be prejudicial or injurious to the freedom and independence thereof, as declared by Congress, and also, that I will discover and make known to some one justice of the peace of said State all treasons or traitorous conspiracies which I now know or hereafter shall know to be formed against this or any of the United States of America.
Sheppard, Walter Jr. Passengers & Ships Prior to 1684, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1970 - available on Ancestry
Footnote - For the Claypoole letters see "Extracts from the Letter-Book of James Claypoole," PMHB, X (1886), 201-202. In the second letter to his employe Edward Cole, Claypoole said he was sending a servant boy, Philip Brooks, to assist Cole. Indentured to Claypoole for eight years, the boy was probably about 13 years old. Cole was instructed that if he could not use the lad, he was to "let him worke for some other boy for wages," for Claypoole "would not have him idle." He had "sent with the boy more things than he needs, but let him wear his old things out first, and upon those days he does not work his new things."
Anthony Morgan from Cardife in Clamorganshire
These settled in the year 1691 - Anthony Morgan new Settlement in the year 1700
Tepper, Michael. Emigrants to Pennsylvania 1641-1819, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc. 1978 - available on Ancestry
1745 - Oct. 21 - William Robinson assigns Robert McCrery (a servant from Ireland in the Brig Cleveland) to Thomas Broome of Phila. for seven years from Oct. 5th, 1745. Consideration ￡16.10; to have customary dues.
1745 - Oct. 23rd - Account of servants bound & assigned before James Hamilton, Mayor of Philadelphia - James Cloyd assigns John Conelin (a servant from Ireland in the Snow Happy Return) to William Murdock for four years from Oct. 12th 1745. Consideration ￡16. customary dues.
1745 - Oct. 23rd - James Cloyd assigns John Stuart (a servant from Ireland in the Snow Happy Return) to Robert Thompson of Phila. County for four years from Oct. 12th 1745. Consideration ￡15: customary dues.
Williams, Richard. Bucks County Pennsylvania Pioneers of the Eighteenth Century, Book I, no imprint, 1974
Claus Johnson - listed as one of twelve original landowners in Bensalem Twp. according to the map of Thomas Holme in 1684. - grandpa
Claus Johnson died in 1723. He owned seven hundred acres in Bensalem Twp. at the time.
Williams, Richard. Oaths of Allegiance: Allegiance Book #I Bucks County, Pennsylvania 1777, Danboro, PA: Richard Williams, 1973
- 1777 - Dec. 5 - Philip Fox, Junr., Plumstead
- 1778 - July 4 - Philip Henkle, Plumstead
- 1778 - July 17 - Philip Fox Sr., Plumstead
- 1778 - July 17 - John Grove, Milford
- 1778 - July 17 - Casper Johnson, Richland
- 1778 - July 23 - Nicholas Fox, Bedminster
I do hereby certify that the above and the within written persons amounting to 118, hath taken and subscribed the Oath of Affirmations of Allegiance and Fidelity as directed by an Act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania Passed the 18th day of June AD 1777. Witness my Hand and Seal this 16th day of September 1778.
Robt. Patterson {seal} (J.P. of Tinicum Twp.), Recorded September 17, 1778.
[see Ristenbatt entry above for the oath that was taken]
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