Who's Your Grammie?: October 2013

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Johannes George Lilly (1726 - 1791)

Also known as and shown in various records as: Johan Georg, Hans Jerg, John George, Jürg, and George, his name is found among the list of foreigners imported in the Bilander, Thistle, Geo. Houston, Commander, from Rotterdam, last from Cowes. John Georg Lille was on board the Thistle with forty-two men, thirty-six boys, sixty-four women and girls, in all 142 passengers, when they arrived in Philadelphia and qualified October 28, 1738, 250 years ago this week.

His Veteran’s Record of Burial Place Card provides us with a record of his service in the War. It is noted that he served as a substitute for his brother Leonard.

In November, 1738 Johannes George Lilly located in Albany Twp., Berks, County, Pennsylvania where his name later appears on tax lists from that time to 1771. In 1767 George Llly was assessed in Berks County for 100 acres, 4 horses, 3 cows, and 4 sheep.

He married Anna Margaretha Wenner, a daughter of Hans Nicholas Wenner and his wife Anna Maria, on March 17, 1746 in Albany Twp., Berks, County. George Lilly was given 20 pounds in the will of his father in law in 1760, Nicholas Wenner.

Around 1767 George migrated his family to Allen Township, Northampton County. Records show that he purchased several lots in what was called the Indian Tract in Allen Township. It is probably here that they raised their family of seven children, namely Andreas, Johan Jacob, John Niclolas, John, Johan Leonard, Johannes Frederick, Michael and Anna Margaretha. Andreas Lilly married Catherine Kunkel.

Johannes George Lilly, made his will out in January, 1780, WB:2:152:1791 Allen Twp. Executors of the will were Han Stalling and son Leonard Lilly. Named in the will are his wife Anna Margaretha and five sons: Johan Jacob; Leonard; Johann; Michel, and the eldest son Andrew. Also mentioned is deceased daughter, Anna Margaretha who married George Kunkel, her two children to receive her share. The will was proven April 2, 1791 and filed at the Northampton County Courthouse in Easton, Pennsylvania. The will is written in German.

He is buried at Zion UCC Stone Church Cemetery, Kreidersville, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. While the stone is no longer there, his name appears on a plaque with those of other Revolutionary War Veterans.

Find A Grave Memorial# 5718532

George and Anna Margaretha Lilly were the 3rd great grandparents of Estella Kunkle Smith, great grandmother of Ronald B. Smith.

Source Citations:

Immigrant Ships  Transcribers Guild

http://immigrantships.net/1700/thistle381028.html

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1929-1990; Archive Collection Number: Series 1-7; Folder Number: 279.

                                           Please see this list of all My Revolutionary War Ancestors.

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GENEALOGY IS A WORK OF HEART Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. It is with pleasure that I am able to present this information here for you to enjoy. If you discover a relationship here, I would very much enjoy hearing from you.
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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Jacob Rufe (1718 - 1790)

In 1922 the Rufe Family held their 6th annual reunion in Perkasie Park, Perkasie, Pennsylvania. At that time they wrote that there were some 1,200 persons on the family register reported to be descended from Jacob Rufe. Now, almost 100 years later, just imagine now many people are descended from him today.

THE HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, CHAPTER XXXIV, NOCKAMIXON, 1742, by W. W. H. Davis states, "The Rufe family of this township are descended of Jacob, originally spelled Ruff, who came from Germany, August 27, 1739. Jacob Ruff, the ancestor, died December 25, 1790, aged 72. The family are Lutherans, and between 1783 and 1800 at least five families of the name were connected with the Nockamixon congregation, all leaving descendants." What a legacy!

When he was 21 years old, Jacob Rufe left his homeland in Germany to come to America. He arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania aboard the ship, Snow Betsy, on August 27, 1739, Richard Buden, commander, from Rotterdam and Deal.*

Jacob married Elizabeth and together they become the parents of six sons, John, Jacob, Henry, Christian, George and Frederick, and a daughter whose name was Sophia. They bought 180 acres of land in Nockamixon township, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania which he farmed.

From the book, A Genealogical and Personal History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, we learn more about his involvement in the Revolutionary War. "Jacob was corporal of Captain Jacob Shupe's Company, Bucks County Militia, in 1775 and 1777, and his sons, John, Jacob, and Henry, were privates in the same company. This company was one of those stationed at Bristol, Bucks County, in 1777, under the command of Colonel Hugh Tomb, and probably saw active service in the New Jersey Campaign."

The DAR has him listed as Jacob Roof Ancestor #: A097317 .

Jacob Rufe died on Christmas Day, 1790, aged seventy - two years. His will was recorded in Bucks County.

Bucks Co. Wills--

5.207. Jacob Ruff, Nockamixon Twp,. yeoman.

April 19, 1788. Proved January 4, 1791.

Wife Elizabeth and son Frederick exrs.

Sons Jacob, Henry, Christian, George and Frederick.

Only dau. Sophia, wife of George Folmer.

Wits: Frederick Everhart, Michael Krauss and John Spankenberg.

Jacob Rufe is buried in the St. Lukes Cemetery Nockamixon Union Cemetery on Church Hill Road in Ferndale, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It is noted by several researchers that his wife Elizabeth is also buried there. Her full name was Anna Elizabeth Speece Rufe. I have not found additional information about her.

Jacob and Elizabeth's son, John Frederick, or as he was known Frederick, married Elizabeth Sumstone. Their daughter, Catherine Rufe, married Peter Long and they were the parents of my great, great grandfather, Mahlon Long. Mahlon's granddaughter, Sarah Eliza Long McEwen, was my grandmother.

Source:

From Strassburger & Hinke's Pennsylvania German Pioneers, 1934, by the Pennsylvania German Society, Norristown, PA. (pp256-260) http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/ships/palship29.shtml
Find A Grave Memorial# 54824789

Send email to chsmith47@yahoo.com

This site may be linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent. The copyright on this page must appear on all copied and/or printed material.

Email address--- chsmith47@yahoo.com