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7. ZYTIAN (SYTJE)4 RITTENHOUSE (NICHOLAS (CLAES)3, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#543) was born in Roxborough Twp, Phil. Co., PA 1690. ZYTIAN died 1748 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA, at age 58.
She married JOHN GORGAS date unknown in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA. (JOHN GORGAS is #2613.) JOHN was born 1686 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. JOHN died before 01 June 1741 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA, at age unknown. His body was interred after 01 June 1741 in Germantown Mennonite Cem. PA.
JOHN GORGAS was a Mennonite Minister who served at the Germantown Mennonite Meeting House.
Will of JOHN GORGAS
Dated 1 June 1741 Proved 22 June 1741
Philadelphia Will Book Page 221 Note - All spelling, capitalizing and punctuation are shown as written.
In the Name of God, Amen. I John Gorgas of Germantown in the County of Philadelphia and Province of Pennsylvania __ Dressot (?) Being at present very weak in the body, But through the Mercy of the Lord God yet of sound and Perfect Mind and Memory, have therefore thought proper to settle my worldly affairs by this my Last Will and Testament, in such manner and form as herein after Express. That is to say Imprimis - It is my will that all and singular my just debts and Funeral Expenses shall be duly and fully paid.
Item - It is my Will and I give and devise unto my Eldest Son John Gorgas, one Piece of my Land in the Germantown containing the one half of the whole Breadth of my land, and fronting the Southwest side of the North Wales Road and extending as far as to Creesam Road back by Anthony Land Together with all the Buildings and Improvements, thereon.
Item - It is my Will and Bequeath and Devise also unto my Eldest Son John Gorgas, other Five Acres of Land at the back end of my Land. And also the privilege and use of Ingress Egress and Regress and Passage and Cartway one Perch in Breadth along George Knorrs Land to and from the first mentioned Piece of Land Fronting North Wales Road aforesaid to this Five Acres of Land joining to Roxborough Line aforesaid.
Item - I give Bequeath and Devise unto my Eldest Son John Gorgas also the one Full and Undivided moiety or half part of the Fulling Mill uses and profits of the waters, water courses mill races and other of the appurtenances and Privileges and Ways thereto belonging. And all the one full Equal and undivided half part of one Piece of Land of mine whereon the said Fulling Mill now stands, Being Fifteen Perches in Length and Including the whole Breadth of my said Land. To have and to hold the first aforementioned Piece of Land fronting North Wales Road aforesaid, and also that Five Acres joining to Roxborough Line, And the free use of the Passage, And also the aforesaid full and undivided moiety or half part of the Fulling Mill and the pieceof Land thereof with the Privileges thereof as aforesaid unto my said Eldest Son John Gorgas his Heirs and Assigns forever. The said gifts, Bequeaths and Devises being by me done for and in consideration of the sum of Fifty Pounds Lawful Money well and truly paid to me by my Eldest son John Gorgas as also for other good considerations me thereunto moving
And concerning all the __ of all my Land in German Township aforesaid. It is my Will and I give and Bequeath and Devise unto my son Benjamin Gorgas one piece of Land Beginning at the Corner of the Lane and fronting the North Wales Road on the North East side from the corner as far as the brick house standing thereon, thence Extending North East as far to one acre of land therein after given to my Daughter Susannah To have and to hold the said piece of land Buildings and Improvements thereon being unto my said Benjamin Gorgas his heirs and assigns forever.
Item - It is my will and I give and Devise unto my son Joseph Gorgas his heirs and assigns forever,One Piece of land and a small House upon joining to that land mentioned house and piece of land also fronting the said North Wales Road on the North East side, as far as to the three perches front herein after given to my daughter Susannah, thence extending back by Susannahs land and Knorrs land to another one acre herein after given to my Daughter Susannah.
Item - I give and Devise unto my youngest son Jacob Gorgas one Piece of land also fronting on the North Wales Road on the South West Side situated between and bounding to Knorrs land and to my first above said Eldest Sons land in breadth at the front one half of the whole breadth of my land and Extending back as far as Creesam Road. To have and to hold these pieces of land unto my Son Jacob Gorgas his heirs and assigns forever.
Item - I give and Bequeath and Devise unto my said Daughter Susannah Two pieces of land, one fronting also North Wales Road on the North East Side, three perches in Breadth and Extending back by Knorrs Land to amount to one half one acre of land. The second piece is at the back end of my Land by the Division Street containing the whole Breadth of my Land and Extending so as to amount to one Acre of Land. To have and to hold these two pieces of land unto my said Daughter Susannah her heirs and Assigns forever.
And concerning my other Land the said Germantown South Westward by Creesam Road not otherwise herein before given and Devised, it is my Will That my said three sons Benjamin Gorgas, Joseph Gorgas and Jacob Gorgas shall part the same and to each of them one third part Equally as conveniently may be done, of the said Land, which Shares respectively are hereby given unto them the said Benjamin, Joseph and Jacob Gorgas their heirs and Assigns.
And now respecting my Dear and Beloved wife Sophia Gorgas I give Devise and Bequeath unto her All and singular the Profits arising or by any means accruing from the Division and Remainder of all my Estate both real and personal Except what I have given and Bequeathed to my Eldest Son John Gorgas is hereby Excepted and the same and the Benefits thereof to be to her only use and behoof for and during her Natural Life and after her Death I will that all the moveables shall be Equally divided among my said three sons Benjamin, Joseph and Jacob.
Item - It is my will that after my wife's Decease the other half of the above mentioned Fulling Mill and Land thereto belonging as aforesaid shall go And I do hereby give and Devise the said other half part of the said Mill and Land unto my said three sons, Benjamin, Joseph and Jacob their heirs and assigns. And I Will also that after my said Wifes Death the herein before mentioned respective shares and portions of my said three sons Benjamin, Joseph and Jacob Gorgas shall be appraised by Impartial Men to be chosen by my three sons. And he or they having most in value shall give so much to him or them that have less in value so as to be given in value.
And I Will and I Give Bequeath and allow to my Son Benjamin Gorgas considering his Lameness the sum of Twenty Five Pounds Lawfull money of Value hereof over and above an Equal portion with his two brothers, Joseph and Jacob, which is to allowed to the said Benjamin when his share be appraised.
Item - I Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Mary the sum of Twenty Pounds Lawfull Money to be paid to her or her assigns by my Executors hereinafter named within Seven Years after this Date. But further Mary no more in the Monastery at Lancaster like to live where she is now and should become married or otherwise live for herself but not in the said Monastery, Then I do give and Bequeath unto her, Mary my Daughter her heirs Executors or Assigns, further sum of thirty Pound Lawfull Money to be paid to her or her Assigns within one year after my said Wifes Decease by my Executors herein after named.
And I do also hereby give my full Power and authority to my beloved Wife Sophia Gorgas to Sign Seal and Deliver a good Deed of Sale and Conveyance for my Lands in Bristall township with all the Ceremonies thereunto Required, to the Purchaser thereof. The Money thereby accruing and arising to be and remain and I give the same to my said Beloved Wife Sophia Gorgas to dispose of as she may think fitt ; Provided she pays unto my said Daughter Mary if she should marry or live for herself as aforesaid, the Legacy of Twenty Pounds aforementioned and also I will that when my said Daughter Susannah shall go to build or cause to be built a house upon the land hereby to her given then the Executors herein after named shall pay unto her the said Susannah her Assigns the sum of Fifteen Pounds Lawfull Money.
Finally I Do hereby Nominate Constitute and Appoint my said Beloved Wife Sophia Gorgas Executrix and my Trusty Friend William Rettinhousen and my Beloved Eldest Son John Gorgas aforesaid, both of Germantown aforesaid to be Executors of this my Last Will and Testament. Yet Including That it is my Will and I give and Bequeath unto my Eldest Sons son, as my grandson, John Gorgas who I forgot to mention before, the sum of Five Pounds LawfullMoney so to be paid to him the said John Gorgas within six months after my said wifes Decease.
And I do hereby Revoke and Utterly Disallow Annull and Declare Void all former and other Wills and Testaments whatsoever by me at any time heretofore made. And Declare this only to be my Last Will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my Hand and Seal this First Day of June in the Year of our Lord One Thousand and Seven Hundred and Forty One.
Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said John Gorgas as his Last Will and Testament, in our Presence who at his Request and in his Presence, as witnesses have hereunto subscribed our Names.
Signed - Gerhard Rettinhausen Signed - Frederick Haas Original signature of John Gorgas Signed - Christian Schuman
Philadelphia June 22, 1744 then personally appeared Gerhart Rettenahusen, John Frederick Haas and Christian Schuman the witnesses to the hereto forgoing Will. The said John Frederick Haas on his oath and the said Gerhart Rettenahusen and Christian Schuman Declared they had seen and heard John Goer Gaes the Testator herein named Sign Seal Publish and Declare the said Will to be his Last Will and Testament and that at the time hereof he was of sound mind and understanding to the best of their knowledge.
ZYTIAN (SYTJE) RITTENHOUSE and JOHN GORGAS had the following children:
i. SUSANNA5 (#21781) was born in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA 1710. SUSANNA died 1710 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA, at age unknown.
20 ii. JOHN was born circa 1712
iii. SUSANNA (#29504) was born in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA 1715. She married ADAM JAGER date unknown. (ADAM JAGER is #29505.)
iv. MARY (#21784) was born in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA 1718.
21 v. BENJAMIN was born 22 August 1721
vi. JOSEPH (#21783) was born in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA 1724. He married SARAH KEYSER date unknown. (SARAH KEYSER is #24868.)
22 vii. JACOB was born 09 August 1728
8. WILLIAM DEWEES4 RITTENHOUSE (NICHOLAS (CLAES)3, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#532) was born in Roxborough Twp, Phil. Co., PA 28 November 1691. WILLIAM died 02 March 1772 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA, at age 80.
He married LISBETH JANSEN date unknown. (LISBETH JANSEN is #2612.) LISBETH was the daughter of CONRAD JANSEN and FEICKEN JACOBS TE NEUWES. LISBETH died 05 October 1782 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA, at age unknown. Her body was interred after 05 October 1782 in Lower Burial, Germantown, Pa..
WILLIAM DEWEES RITTENHOUSE inherited from his father Nicholas, the famous paper mill started by his grandfather Wilhelm. In turn when WILLIAM died he passed along the mill to his son Jacob.
WILLIAM DEWEES RITTENHOUSE was both a miller and a papermaker. He was a Mennonite.
WILLIAM purchased two parcels of land on Wissahickon Creek for £189. They consisted of 90 acres and 35 acres. The copy of the deed in my files is dated 14 February 1744 recorded 21 March 1763 and was taken from the Philadelphia County Deed Book "H" Volume 17 Page 405. It can also be found on L.D.S. microfilm reel #0021896. This property was part of an original Patent to Richard Vickris from William Penn 15 April 1689. Copies of the Warrants, Patents and Surveys are in my files taken from Survey Book "D" Volume 75 Pages 43, 59 and 175. These original Patent and Survey Books are held by Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg, Pa.
WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE purchased two 10 acre plots of land for £300. One of these properties was occupied by a "Fuller Mill" which was used for treating cloth. It was on Wissahickon Creek next to the Paper Mill founded by his grandfather. One lot was purchased from the executors of William Holgate. Copy of this deed in my file is dated 9 August 1783 recorded 13 March 1784 taken from Philadelphia County Deed Book "D" Volume 8 Page 454 and available on L.D.S. microfilm reel #0021910. The other plot was purchased from Christian Schneider recorded 1 June 1782 in Philadelphia County Deed Book "D" Volume 5 Page 29 and also available on L.D.S. microfilm #0021908.
An interesting deed is in my file showing WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE leasing 3 pieces of land (9 1/2 acres, 4 acres and 10 acres) including a Grist Mill for £1,000 for "A TIME OF 920 YEARS". The reason for this unusual lease was probably so it would tie into the same time period as the lease his grandfather made for the land to build the original paper mill. This original lease was for 975 years. There are notes in my file about the founding of the paper mill by Wilhelm Rittenhouse. WILLIAM'S lease for these 3 small plots was from his sons Jacob and Abraham. Copy in my file is dated 1 March 1785 recorded 25 April 1789 taken from Philadelphia County Deed Book "D" Volume 23 Page 56 and also available in L.D.S. microfilm reel #0021917.
WILLIAM purchased from his son Abraham for £22 two parcels of land on Wissahickon Creek. These were 10 acres and 4 acres and obviuosly tied in with the Grist, Paper and Fuller mills. Copy of this deed in my file was taken from Philadelphia County Deed Book "D" Volume 23 Page 59 and also available on L.D.S. microfilm reel #0021917. In my files are historic and modern maps showing the location of Rittenhouse properties.
There is a copy of another deed in my files which may relate to this William Rittenhouse or it may be a later William. The problem is we do not have a death date for William Rittenhouse. We do know he would be very old by this time as he was born 1691. It is more probable that his son Abraham is selling land to a cousin William. There are many legal documents evidently straightening out the ownership of property between William who received 2 parcels of land and Mark who also received 2 pieces. These deeds are dated 18 December 1789 recorded 11 October 1790 and are taken from Philadelphia County Deed Book "D" Volume 25 Page 195 and available on L.D.S. microfilm reel #0021918.
HENRY RITTENHOUSE (William's brother) had given land on 6 October 1739 for a Mennonite Meeting House at Methacton, Worcester Township, Philadelphia County (now Montgomery County). It was turned over to 7 Trustees including Peter Keyser. The Meeting House was built and then much later there is another deed dated 8 April 1771 recorded 2 November 1771. Copy of this deed in my file is taken from Philadelphia County Deed Book "I" Volume 8 Page 540 and also available in L.D.S. microfilm reel #0021902. WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE and a group of Trustees purchased from Peter Keyser and the original Trustees 2 lots and the Meeting House. Their plan was to build a school beside the Meeting House.
The interesting part of this deed is the specific stipulation that English would be taught for the first 6 months. Then Dutch would be taught for 2 years and swing back on 2 year cycles between English and Dutch. The Meeting House was to be used by the Annabaptists (this was the overall "faith" and Mennonites are a branch of this religion). The unusual wording of the deed was although the Annabaptists had primary use of the Meeting House, it could be used by "any Godly Protestant Minister" as long as it did not interfere with the Annabaptist services. They could also use the Annabaptist Burying Ground beside the Meeting House. I assume these arrangements were made to accommodate the Protestant members among the Trustees. In my files are historic and modern maps showing the location and also photographs taken in 1995 of the Meeting House and Burying Ground. I think WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE was involved because his brother Henry was living in the area.
I have not been able to locate a will for WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE. However I found Administration Papers in the Philadelphia County Administration Book "H" Page 119 File 73. Copy in my file is dated 1774. There are further papers in Book "H" Page 288 file 213 in 1797. It is hard to tell whether all these refer to "our" WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE or a William from a later generation.
It is not known where WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE is buried. It could be in the Lower Burying Ground on Germantown Avenue in Germantown, Pa. There is a marker there which states "wife of William Rittenhouse 5 October 1782".
SOURCE of INFORMATION
RITTENHOUSE FAMILY HISTORY by Daniel K. Cassel published in 1893. A copy of this book is held by Conrad Grebel Library at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario.
RITTENHOUSE TOWN JOURNAL Winter 2000, Volume 1. no. 1.
THE SPRUCE. A handwritten 30 page manuscript (14 inches by 24 inches) held by the Wayne County Library in Wooster, Ohio. It was part of the Curtis Rittenhouse Memorial Library which was willed to the Wayne County Library on the death of Curtis Rittenhouse. It is believed to be written by Curtis Rittenhouse himself. Some pages are obviously done by others and so it appears to heve been made for the Rittenhouse Memorial Association which was founded in 1890.
WILLIAM DEWEES RITTENHOUSE and LISBETH JANSEN had the following children:
23 i. NICHOLAS5 was born 1719
24 ii. WILLIAM was born CA 1720
25 iii. MARY was born CA 1726
26 iv. SUSANNA was born September 1726
27 v. ABRAHAM was born 28 March 1728
28 vi. HENRY was born CA 1728
29 vii. MARGARET was born CA 1729
30 viii. BARBARA was born CA 1730
ix. JACOB (#537) was born in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA 16 December 1731. JACOB died 15 July 1811 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA, at age 79. He married SUSANNAH BARTLESTON July 1749. (SUSANNAH BARTLESTON is #52861.)
JACOB RITTENHOUSE was one of the Roxborough soldiers who gathered on Ridge Road in Germantown on 4 October 1777 to prepare to fight the English in the subsequent Battle of Germantown. They were put under the leadership of General Armstrong. This seems to contradict the Mennonite Faith but evidently many Mennonites felt their loyalty was to the Revolutionary Government when it came to defending their homes in Germantown.
31 x. ISAAC was born 1735
32 xi. JOHN was born 01 September 1742
9. MARY (MARIA)4 RITTENHOUSE (NICHOLAS (CLAES)3, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#544) was born in Roxborough Twp, Phil. Co., PA 1695. MARY died 1758 at age 63.
She married CASPER JOHANNES JANSEN date unknown. (CASPER JOHANNES JANSEN is #8850.) CASPER was born 1694. CASPER died 1769 at age 75.
MARY (MARIA) RITTENHOUSE and CASPER JOHANNES JANSEN had the following children:
i. CASPER5 (#21770).
ii. JOHN (#21771).
iii. NICHOLAS (#21772).
iv. WILLIAM (#21773).
v. BENJAMIN (#21774).
10. CATHERINE4 RITTENHOUSE (NICHOLAS (CLAES)3, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#545) was born in Roxborough Twp, Phil. Co., PA February 1697.
She married JACOB ENGEL CA 1714. (JACOB ENGEL is #21757.)
CATHERINE RITTENHOUSE and JACOB ENGEL had the following children:
33 i. SARAH5.
ii. WILLIAM (#21759).
iii. MARY (#21760). She married ARNOLD ZIMMERMAN date unknown. (ARNOLD ZIMMERMAN is #21761.)
iv. SUSANNA (#21762).
v. ELIZA (#21763) was born 1732.
11. SUSANNA4 RITTENHOUSE (NICHOLAS (CLAES)3, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#546) was born in Roxborough Twp, Phil. Co., PA 1698. SUSANNA died 13 December 1769 in Worcester Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 71. Her body was interred after 13 December 1769 in Methacton Mennonite Cem. PA, USA.
She married JOHANN HEINRICH HEILIG date unknown. (JOHANN HEINRICH HEILIG is #2614.) JOHANN was born CA June 1700 in Germany. JOHANN was the son of HANS HEILIGAS and ANNA REGINA. JOHANN died 14 May 1775 at age 74. His body was interred after 14 May 1775 in Methacton Mennonite Cem. PA, USA.
SUSANNA RITTENHOUSE and JOHANN HEINRICH HEILIG had the following children:
i. ANNA MARIA5 (#24241) was born in Worcester Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 30 March 1730. She married JOHN SLONACKER 1749. (JOHN SLONACKER is #24242.) JOHN was born 1727 in Germany.
34 ii. JOHANNES GEORGE was born 29 April 1732
iii. SUSANNA (#21778) was born in Worcester Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 30 March 1741. She married HENRY L. TANY 24 October 1769 in Philadelphia, Phil. Co. PA, USA. (HENRY L. TANY is #21779.) HENRY was the son of JOHN TEANEY.
35 iv. JOHANNES HEINRICH was born CA 1742
36 v. ELIZABETH was born 24 December 1769
12. HENRY4 RITTENHOUSE (NICHOLAS (CLAES)3, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#547) was born in Roxborough Twp, Phil. Co., PA 1 April 1700. HENRY died 26 October 1776 in Worcester Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 76. His body was interred after 26 October 1776 in Methacton Mennonite Cem. PA, USA.
He married SUSANNA WOOL 27 August 1720 in First Pres. Church, Phil., PA. (SUSANNA WOOL is #2615.) SUSANNA was born 1698 in Roxborough Twp, Phil. Co., PA. SUSANNA died 30 December 1776 in Worcester Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 78. Her body was interred after 30 December 1776 in Methacton Mennonite Cem. PA, USA.
HENRY RITTENHOUSE, son of Nicholas Rittenhouse and Wilhelmina Dewees, acquired his first land in 1727 in Worcester Township, Montgomery County (originally Philadelphia County). It was 50 acres purchased from James Steel on what is now called Griffith Road which runs between Quarry Hall Road and Valley forge Road. on the north side of Fairview village. He had married SUSANNA WOOL on 27 October 1720 when he was only 20 years old. HENRY built a log cabin near a large spring and started to clear the land for farming. However HENRY RITTENHOUSE was also a weaver. When the original log cabin was demolished in 1903 they found several hand weaving looms and spinning wheels but unfortunately they were all destroyed.
HENRY RITTENHOUSE was one of 22 men who signed a petition to the Court of Quarter Sessions in Philadelphia in March 1733, They asked that 8,000 acres lying between Gwyneth, Towamencin, Bebbers, Providence, Norriton and Skippack Townships, be erected into a separate Township. They received a favourable reply and this land was set aside to be named Worcester Township.
In 1739 he gave 32 perches of land for the Methacton Mennonite Meeting House on Mill Road between Quarry Hall Road and Valley Forge Road. He was a trustee of the Methacton Church and was buried in the old burying ground beside the present day Meeting House. I remember the Sunday when I visited the Meeting House. I was wandering in the Burying Ground beside the Meeting House and the Minister came out and asked whether he could help me. They had just finished the morning service and were about to have their customary Sunday lunch together. They kindly invited me to stay and have lunch with them.
I will include here a short history of this Methacton Meeting House. I admit I have a special warm spot in my heart for this Church because of their hospitality but I think this is a typical story of the founding of a Mennonite Congregation. It is closely associated with HENRY RITTENHOUSE but it follows through the construction of 3 Meeting Houses over the years. An interesting aspect is the ecumenical aspect for the use of the building which was made one of the conditions by the original Trustees.
The original plot was granted by Henry Rittenhouse and his wife Susanna and by Jacob Styer and his mother Catharine , in 1739, to 8 trustees, Christopher Zimmerman, Cunrad Stem, Peter Keyser, Peter Custer, Frederick Baker, Jacob Styer, Frederick Marsteller and Henry Rittenhouse. On April 8, 1771 the three surviving trustees, Henry Rittenhouse, Jacob Styer, and Cunrad Stem granted the sixty-four perches together with a Meeting House thereon erected unto 6 new Trustees, Peter Keyser, George Baker, Jacob Kester, Henry Marsteller, Cunrad Stem, Jr. and Henry Rittenhouse.
These six trustees on the same date executed a deed of trust to William Rittenhouse, Arnold Zimrnerman, Paul Kester and Christian Stover stating that the said conveyance or assurance of the aforesaid Lots or Pieces of Land so make to them aforesaid were upon special Trust and Confidence for the particular Uses and Purposes following, that is to say: "The said Meeting House and Lots of ground to be for the use of the Dutch Anabaptist Society for a Place of Worship, and Burying ground for their dead. And also for a Schoolhouse to teach the Children of the said Anabaptist(s) and others - without Exception, living in the Neighborhood at a convenient and reasonable distance from the same, etc. And, moreover, three of the former Trustees were not of the Anabaptist Persuasion (vis. Jacob Styer, Frederick Baker, and Frederick Marsteller). Yet, nevertheless, it is agreed that their Posterity may from Time to Time bring any Godly Protestant minister into the said Meeting House to preach at Burials, or other Timesso as not to interfere with the Meeting of the Anabaptists."
This deed indicates that the first meetinghouse was erected prior to 1771 although the exact date is unknown. The only remaining section of this Meeting House remains in the present cemetery wall, marked by a plaque. Joseph R. Heebner says of this building, "It was a good type of colonial structure for a rural community being about 24 ft. by 22 ft. in size and plastered, the ceiling prominently displaying the huge joists. The building was used for worship until 1805 or 1806."
A manuscript in an unknown hand (and in the possession of the Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite Historical Library) states regarding the first Meeting House: "Services were held therein until the second Meeting House built in 1805, but a community school was held therein until 1849 when it was leased to the Common School District of Worcester, until 1864 when it was razed."
Additional land was granted in 1785 by William Rittenhouse and his wife Margaret to the "religious Society of People called Dutch Anabaptists or Menonists. Several other plots were also added during the first 150 years. According to Heebner, the second Meeting House (erected 1805 or 1806) was a one story, stone pointed structure, the main auditorium being divided by a board partition for a vestibule, the seats were plain benches and were raised slightly on the sides of the room. A unique feature of this building was that it contained an open fire for heating purposes. Later a wood stove took its place. The third and present building was built during 1873.
WILL OF HENRY RITTENHOUSE
Philadelphia Will Book Q page 235 Will # 349
Written 13 October 1776 Proved 5 November 1776
In the name of God Amen. I Henry Rittenhouse of the Township of Worcester in the County of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania, Yeoman, am weak in Body but of Sound mind understanding and memory thanks be to God, do this thirteenth day of October in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Six make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following. First. I recommend my Soul in the hands of my Creator and my Body to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my hereunto named Executors, and as for my worldly goods and effects wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I give and dispose of the same in manner following. First, I Will that all my just debts and funeral charges be duly Satisfied and paid out of my whole estate by my hereunto named Executors. Item, it is my will and do give to my beloved Wife Susanna all and Singular the Goods and effects which she brought to me at the time I married her, and I likewise give to her the yearly interest of One hundred and twenty pounds at five per cent. per hundred pounds which being Six pounds per annum the said Interest to begin Immediately at the time of my decease, and to be paid yearly to her during the time she remains my widow, but no longer, the first payment thereof to begin within one year after my decease. Item, I also give unto her of my house hold goods such things as she chooseth and thinks necessary for her housekeeping all which aforesaid I give unto my said wife Susanna in full of her Share and Dower of my whole estate. Item, I give and devise to my Daughter Wilhelmina now wife of Dielman Kolb, my Bedstead and Beddings thereunto belonging with Single Mountings and Curtains, that is to say under and upper feather bed with two Sheets and pillows as usual. Item it is my will and further order that, all the remaining part of my personal Estate shall be equally divided amongst my herenamed four children, named Wilhelmina aforesaid my sons Nicholas, Henry, and William, to each of them a like share, they may either sell my goods at Public Sale or divide it amongst them as they like best, the one hundred and twenty pounds above said are excepted hereby for the use above said, and afterwards if my said wife should marry again, or die without getting married then I give the said One hundred and twenty pounds to all my five children, Wilhelmina, Nicholas, Henry, William and Matthias to each of them a like Share and as for my Said Son Matthias who already hath had his share in and with the Plantation I sold him, I give him yet my biggest Copper Still with what belongs thereunto yet, and the little Still, I got, shall go Amongst the division of my aforesaid four children and lastly I constitute and appoint my Said Son Nicholas and my son in law Dielman Kolb, to be my whole and Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament Revoking and disannulling hereby all former wills and bequests by me heretofore made, Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I the said Henry Rittenhouse have hereunto set my own hand and Seal the day and year above said.
HENRY RITTENHOUSE. [SEAL.]
Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Henry Rittenhouse
as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers,.
Melchior Wagener William Zimmerman
The property was transferred to their son MATTHIUS in a deed dated 19 September 1760.
SOURCE of INFORMATION
THE HISTORY OF WORCESTER TOWNSHIP published in 1976 by the Worcester Historical Society. It was printed by the Boyertown Publishing Co. Pa. A copy of this book is in my library.
THE SPRUCE. A handwritten 30 page manuscript (14 inches by 24 inches) held by the Wayne County Library in Wooster, Ohio. It was part of the Curtis Rittenhouse Memorial Library which was willed to the Wayne County Library on the death of Curtis Rittenhouse. It is believed to be written by Curtis Rittenhouse himself. Some pages are obviously done by others and so it appears to have been made for the Rittenhouse Memorial Association which was founded in 1890. Photocopies of the complete manuscript are in my library.
HENRY RITTENHOUSE and SUSANNA WOOL had the following children:
37 i. WILHELMINA5 was born 05 August 1721
38 ii. WILLIAM was born 1723
39 iii. NICHOLAS was born 1725
40 iv. HENRY was born 14 July 1730
41 v. MATTHIAS was born 14 July 1732
13. MATTHIAS4 RITTENHOUSE (NICHOLAS (CLAES)3, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#548) was born in Roxborough Twp, Phil. Co., PA 14 July 1702. MATTHIAS died 1779 in Worcester Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 76.
He married ELIZABETH WILLIAMS October 1727 in Norriton Twp., Montgomery Co. Pa.. (ELIZABETH WILLIAMS is #2616.) ELIZABETH was born CA 1705 in Roxborough Twp, Phil. Co., PA. ELIZABETH was the daughter of EVAN WILLIAMS and DOROTHY. ELIZABETH died date unknown in Worcester Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age unknown.
Burton Genes shows ELIZABETH WILLIAMS was born in Wales, Great Britain.
Prior to 1764 MATTHIAS RITTENHOUSE purchased land at the northwest corner of Germantown Pike and Trooper Road in Worcester Township, Montgomery County, Pa. He erected a large two storey stone house as well as outbuildings. His son BENJAMIN RITTENHOUSE and his family lived in the same house as it had been constructed to accommodate two families. In 1976 this building was being used as the Landmark Restaurant and a photo of it taken in that year is shown in the History of Worcester Township, page 52..
You will find in the following will that MATTHIAS left the property to son BENJAMIN so that is where all the children of BENJAMIN grew up.
WILL of MATTHIAS RITTENHOUSE:
Written 13 January 1770 Proved 27 November 1779
Will 249 Philadelphia Will Book R Page 308
Be it remembered that I Matthias Rittenhouse of the Township of Worcester in the county of Philadelphia and province of Pennsylvania Yeoman being through Devine Favor, in my usual health and of sound disposing mind and Memory, Calling to mind the mortality of my Body and that it is appointed for all men once to die, do think fit this thirteenth day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy, to make and ordain this my last will and Testament which I do in the following Manner and form, Imprimis,
1st It is my will and I do ordain that all my Just debts and funeral Expenses shall be duly paid and discharged out of my Estate by my Executrix and Executor, hereinafter named.
2ndly I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth my best Bed with all its Furniture, our Case of Drawers, and I do order that all the Rest and Residue of my movables such as household goods Implements of Husbandry and Livestock shall be sold and the Monies arising by such Sale (a Sufficiency to discharge my just debts and funeral charges being first deducted), I do order to be paid out on Interest, which said interest 1 do give to my said wife during her Natural life to be to her own proper use and disposal.
3d]y whereas I have already given to my son David Rittenhouse as much as my circumstances would admit without wronging my other children I therefore give and bequeath to my said son David the sum of twenty Shillings lawful money of Pennsylvania and no wore.
4thly, I give and device to my son Benjamin Rittenhouse all my lands and Tenements together with all and Singular the Buildings Improvements Hereditaments and Apps. to the only use behoof of him my said son Benjamin his heirs and assigns, forever. Ordering and directing my said son Benjamin to pay thereout to my beloved wife Elizabeth, the Sum of five pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania yearly, and every year during the term of her Natural life, and to my daughter Eleanor Evans, the sum of ten pounds of like money, and to my daughter Mary Morgan, the sum of twenty pounds of like money at the expiration of one year next after my decease, except my said wife Shall Survive me, and in that case at the expiration of one year after her decease. And also the sum of thirty Shillings of like money to my daughter Margaret Morgan, yearly and every year for and during the term of Seven years from my decease, or the decease of my said wife, or the longest liver of us. And to defray half the Expenses of a convenient Lodging Room, for my said wife with a Sufficiency of firewood, cut and delivered at her door during her Natural life.
5thly, I give and bequeath to my said wife the sum of five pounds of like money yearly and every year, during her Natural life and also as much more as will defray one-half the Expenses of finding a Convenient lodging room for her with a Sufficiency of firewood cut and delivered at her door during her Natural life to be paid to her by my son David Rittenhouse.
6thly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Esther Barton the sum of twenty pounds lawful Money of Pennsylvania to be paid to her by my son David at the expiration of one year next after my decease, except my said wife shall survive me and in that case at the expiration of one year next after her decease.
7thly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Eleanor Evans the sum of ten pounds of like money to be paid to her by my Son David at the expiration of one year next after my decease except my said wife Survive me, and in that case at the expiration of one year after her decease.
8thly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Margaret Morgan the sum of thirty Shillings yearly and every year for and during the term of seven years next after my decease except my said wife shall survive me and in that case during the term of seven years from her decease to be paid to her by my son David. All which said several sums of money hereby directed to be paid by my son David, he, my said son David hath covenanted to pay as by a certain Instrument of writing under his hand and Seal may fully appear.
9thly And if it shall happen that my said wife through sickness or great bodily' weakness or otherwise shall have occasion for any part of the money (hereby directed to be placed out on interest) for her support, I do order so much thereof to be applied to that use as shall be necessary and if at my said wife's decease any of the said principal money shall remain unexpended, it is my will that the same be equally divided amongst all my daughters that shall be then living.
10thly And lastly I do hereby nominate Constitute appoint my beloved wife Elizabeth and my son David Executrix and Executor of this my last will and Testament. And I do hereby utterly disallow revoke disannul all and every other former wills, Testament Legacies and Executors by me in any wise before this time named willed or bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other, to be my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year first above written.
MATTHIAS RITTENHOUSE [Seal]
Signed Sealed published pronounced and declared by the said
Matthias Rittenhouse for and as his last will and Testament in
the presence of us the subscribers Israel Jacob Arnold Zimmerman Ephraim Armstrong
SOURCE of INFORMATION
A HISTORY OF WORCESTER TOWNSHIP published in 1976 by the Worcester Historical Society. Printed by Boyertown Publishing Co. Pa. A copy of this book is in my
library.
THE FAMILY of MATTHIAS RITTENHOUSE by Daniel Kolb Cassel. Published in 1897. A copy of this book is in my library. Some researchers refer to this book as RITTENHOUSE FAMILY HISTORY VOLUME 2.
THE SPRUCE. A handwritten 30 page manuscript (14 inches by 24 inches) held by the Wayne County Library in Wooster, Ohio. It was part of the Curtis Rittenhouse Memorial Library which was willed to the Wayne County Library on the death of Curtis Rittenhouse. It is believed to be written y Curtis Rittenhouse himself. Some pages are obviously done by others and so it appears to have been made for the Rittenhouse Memorial Association which was founded in 1890. Photocopies of the complete manuscript are in my library.
MATTHIAS RITTENHOUSE and ELIZABETH WILLIAMS had the following children:
42 i. MARGARET5 was born 1728
ii. ANDREW (#21606) was born in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA 1730. ANDREW died 1730 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA, at age unknown.
iii. JONATHON (#21607) was born in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA 1731. JONATHON died 1732 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA, at age 1.
43 iv. ESTHER was born 1731
44 v. DAVID was born 08 April 1732
45 vi. ANNE was born 1736
46 vii. ELEANOR was born 1736
47 viii. BENJAMIN was born 12 September 1741
ix. MARY (#21608) was born in Norriton Twp., Montgomery Co. Pa. 08 April 1749. She married twice. She married THOMAS MORGAN 06 June 1768 in Norriton Twp., Montgomery Co. Pa.. (THOMAS MORGAN is #21609.) She married DAVID CLOYD 20 June 1780 in Second Presb. Ch. Phil.. (DAVID CLOYD is #22753.) DAVID was born 25 February 1738.
x. ELIZABETH (#21693) was born in Norriton Twp., Montgomery Co. Pa. 08 April 1749. ELIZABETH died Died young at age unknown.
14. MARIA (MARY)4 PAPEN (ELIZABETH3 RITTENHOUSE, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#21667) was born in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA 1695. MARIA died 1757 in Vincent Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 62. Her body was interred 1757 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
She married GERHARD BRUMBACH CA 1716 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA. (GERHARD BRUMBACH is #21729.) GERHARD was born 1662 in Saxony, Near Wittenburg, Germany. GERHARD died after 04 August 1757 in Vincent Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 95. His body was interred after 04 August 1757 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
GARRET BROWNBACK (BRUMBACH) settled in Germantown after arriving from Germany on 6 October 1683 on the ship Concord. However he sold his land in Germantown to Leonard Streper in 1721 and moved to Vincent Township, Chester County, Pa. on the west side of the Schuylkill River.
He was a herdsman by trade (cattle driver or caring for cattle for other farmers). But GARRET had money from his sale of land in Roxborough Township, Philadelphia County and when he moved to Vincent Township in Chester County he took up a tract of 600 acres in Vincent by lease and 350 acres adjacent in Coventry by deed. However, the only survey found at Harrisburg for him, is one that was not returned until 1811 by a grandson. His site was on choice, gently rising land climbing up to, and extending along both sides of what later became known as Ridge Road, The part which GARRET lived on, had been first warranted under the names of Christian Penerinan and John George Trelinger and dated 1717. The Minutes of the Commissioners of Property read:
"Upon an Agreement made with Christian Penerman and John George Trelinger, who lately arrived here from Germany, for six hundred acres of land to be laid out between the French Creek and the River Schoolkill for which they are to pay to the Proprietor's use ninety Pounds money of this Province for the whole and the yearly Quitrent of one Shilling Sterling for every hundred acres ... according to the method of Townships appointed the Said Quantity of six-hundred acres of Land that hath not been already surveyed nor appropriated nor is seated by the Indians and make Returns thereof into the Secretaries Office within three months after date hereof."
Nothing more is found of the disposition of the Penerman 600 acre tract until Gerhard Brumbach laid claim to it in the 1720s. Gerhard built a log house near the middle of his lands, the stone chimney of which still stands, almost on the later dividing line of Vincent and Coventry Townships. Having asked for a decision on the exact township line, which fostered Lightfoot's 1741 survey, Garret found he had 424 acres in Vincent and 179 acres in Coventry. Although he had become a naturalized citizen in 1734, he left the securing of the Patent to Peter, a grandson through son Henry, to complete the patent in 1811 fifty-four years after Garret had died. Brumbach was the prime motivator requesting the Commissioners of Property to run a definitive line between the two townships.
In 1736 Garret opened a tavern on the Ridge Road which was in Vincent Township. His request for tavern license stated that there was no house of entertainment within thirty miles. This was an obvious misstatement, for The Bull Tavern was in place by 1720 in Charlestown Township. The Jones Tavern on Route 23 just west of present Route 401 was also operating. As all taverns could run intermittently, The Bull, the nearest tavern, may have been temporarily out of business
His land lay beside a Lenni-Lenape settlement of about 300 Indians southeast of the present Bethel Church and Cemetery. Stories are told of Gerhard participating in games of strength and skill with these Indians and he often employed them to till his fields in return for baked food and particularly milk.
GARRET BROWNBACK and his wife MARY PAPEN raised 2 sons BENJAMIN and HENRY and 4 daughters ANNA MARY, ELIZABETH, MARY MAGDALENE and CATHARINE.
Probably the most lasting achievement of Gerhard Brumbach was the building of the German Reformed Church in 1743 on current Route 23, known as Brownback's German Reformed Church (today Brownback's United Church of Christ). A burying ground was also established beside the church. He brought the first preacher from Germany for the church whose name was Peter Minicus.
The exact date of his death is not known but it must have been between 4 August 1757 when his Will was written and 23 September 1757 when it was proved. His complete Will is shown in the Rittenhouse Family published in 1893 by Daniel Cassel. In his Will, GARRET remembered each one of his children, but only a shilling was left to Anna and her husband Paul Benner "because he has more land than I do." But several years earlier Garret had funded Mary's husband Frederick Bingaman in the building of a saw mill on Birch Run in West Vincent Township. As his wife Mary Papen was already deceased, all his land was left to his two sons and four daughters.
SOURCE of INFORMATION
RITTENHOUSE FAMILY by Daniel K. Cassel published in 1893 by the Rittenhouse Memorial Society. A copy of this book is in my library.
COVENTRY - THE SKOOL KILL DISTRICT by Mrs. Estelle Cremers, published in 2003 by Masthof Books, Morgantown, Pa. A copy of this book is in my library.
MARIA (MARY) PAPEN and GERHARD BRUMBACH had the following children:
i. ANNA MARY5 (#21738). She married PAUL BRENNER date unknown. (PAUL BRENNER is #21739.)
48 ii. ELIZABETH was born 1716
49 iii. MARY MAGDALINE was born 1729
50 iv. BENJAMIN was born 1731
51 v. HENRY was born February 1733
52 vi. CATHARINE was born 1735
15. GERTRUDE CATHERINE4 PAPEN (ELIZABETH3 RITTENHOUSE, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#21668) was born in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA 1697.
She married BENJAMIN HOWELL 19 July 1721 Christ Church, Philadelphia, Pa.. (BENJAMIN HOWELL is #21669.) BENJAMIN died 06 September 1774 Chestnut Hill, Germantown Pa., at age unknown.
GERTRUDE CATHERINE PAPEN and BENJAMIN HOWELL had the following children:
i. BENJAMIN5 (#37157).
ii. JOSEPH (#37158).
16. MARGARET RITTENHOUSE4 PAPEN (ELIZABETH3 RITTENHOUSE, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#21670) was born in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA 1699. MARGARET died CA 1730 at age unknown.
She married JACOB SCHEIMER CA 1721. (JACOB SCHEIMER is #21742.) JACOB was born 1679 in Gresheim, Bayern, Germany. He married ELIZABETH date unknown. JACOB died 17 September 1757 in Lower Saucon Twp., Northampton Co., at age 78. His body was interred after 17 September 1757 in Old Saucon Cem. Northampton Co. Pa..
Note that all the children of JACOB SCHEIMER, both by his first wife MARGARET PAPEN and his second wife, ELIZABETH, anglicized their name to SHIMER. JACOB'S will is shown in Philadelphia Will Book 10 page 9 and is found complete in the Rittenhouse Family History by Daniel Cassel published in 1893. A copy of this book is in my library.
MARGARET RITTENHOUSE PAPEN and JACOB SCHEIMER had the following children:
i. ANTHONY5 (#21745) was born in Skippack Twp, Montgomery Co., Pa. 1718.
ii. ELIZABETH (#21746) was born in Skippack Twp, Montgomery Co., Pa. 1720. She married UNKNOWN VICKESON date unknown. (UNKNOWN VICKESON is #21747.)
53 iii. MARY CATHARINE was born 1722
iv. CATHARINE (#21750) was born in Skippack Twp, Montgomery Co., Pa. 1724. She married UNKNOWN YOUNG date unknown. (UNKNOWN YOUNG is #21751.)
v. SARAH (#21752) was born in Skippack Twp, Montgomery Co., Pa. 1726.
54 vi. ABRAHAM PAPEN was born 1729
17. ELIZABETH4 PAPEN (ELIZABETH3 RITTENHOUSE, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#21671) was born in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA 1700. ELIZABETH died May 1728 at age 27.
She married JAN (JOHN CONRAD) JANSEN 29 December 1719 in First Pres. Church, Phil., PA. (JAN (JOHN CONRAD) JANSEN is #21672.) JAN was born 1695 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA. JAN was the son of KLAS JANSEN and CATHERINE CONRAD. JAN died 04 April 1777 in L. Salford Twp. Montgomery Co. PA, at age 81. His body was interred after 04 April 1777 in Skippack Mennonite Cem. Pa..
Abstract of Will of JON (JOHN CONRAD) JENSEN (JOHNSON)
Philadelphia Wills 1763-1784 Abstract of Wills
Signed 21 May 1769 Proved 4 April 1777
John JOHNSON, Lower Salford, Philadelphia Co., Yeoman, Children: Nicklaus, Maria Rerig, Gertrude Kuster, Margaretha Bayer and Elisabeth Weydner. Sons-in-law, Nicholas RERIG, Paul KUSTER, John WEYDNER, Leonhart BAYER. Executors Paul KUSTER, Nickolaus SCHWENK.
SOURCE of INFORMATION
MR. DAVID HAROLD HELFRICH, Downington, Pa. USA.
RITTENHOUSE FAMILY HISTORY by Daniel K. Cassel published in 1893. A copy of this book is held by the Conrad Grebel Library at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. There is a copy in my library as well.
ELIZABETH PAPEN and JAN (JOHN CONRAD) JANSEN had the following children:
55 i. NICHOLAS5 was born CA 1720
ii. MARIA (#22918) was born in Skippack Twp, Montgomery Co., Pa. CA 1723. She married NICOLAS RERIG date unknown. (NICOLAS RERIG is #22919.)
iii. GERTRUDE (#22920) was born in Skippack Twp, Montgomery Co., Pa. CA 1724. She married PAUL KUSTER date unknown. (PAUL KUSTER is #22921.)
56 iv. ELIZABETH was born CA 1726
v. MARGARETHA (#22924) was born in Skippack Twp, Montgomery Co., Pa. CA 1728. She married LEONHART BAYER date unknown. (LEONHART BAYER is #22925.)
18. PETER4 RITTENHOUSE (GERHARD (GARRETT)3, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#21588) was born in Cresheim, Philadelphia Co., Pa. February 1695. PETER died September 1748 in Cresheim, Philadelphia Co., Pa., at age 53.
He married ANN PETERS HEISEL 1716 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA. (ANN PETERS HEISEL is #21589.) ANN was born CA 1695.
PETER RITTENHOUSE and ANN PETERS HEISEL had the following children:
57 i. BARBARA5 was born 1716
58 ii. GARRET was born 1720
59 iii. SUSANNA was born CA 1721
iv. MARGARET (#21723) was born in Cresheim, Philadelphia Co., Pa. CA 1726. She married CONRAD WEIGHTMAN 31 November 1744. (CONRAD WEIGHTMAN is #21724.)
v. MARY (#21725) was born in Cresheim, Philadelphia Co., Pa. CA 1728. She married CHARLES RUBICAM date unknown. (CHARLES RUBICAM is #21726.)
60 vi. JACOB was born 1731
19. WILLIAM4 RITTENHOUSE (GERHARD (GARRETT)3, WILHELM2 RÜDDINGHUYSEN, CLAES1 RETTINGHAUSEN) (#21586) was born in Cresheim, Philadelphia Co., Pa. 1696. WILLIAM died 08 March 1767 in Rosemont, Hunterdon Co., N.J., at age 70. His body was interred after 08 March 1767 in Prallsville Cemetery,Hunterdon Co. N.J..
He married twice. He married UNKNOWN date unknown. (UNKNOWN is #22669.) UNKNOWN died 1728 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA, at age unknown. He married CATHARINE HOWELL circa 1719 Camden. New Jersey, USA. (CATHARINE HOWELL is #21587.) CATHARINE was born 1695 in Philadelphia, Phil. Co. PA, USA. CATHARINE was the daughter of DANIEL HOWELL and HANNAH LAKIN. CATHARINE died 1778 in Amwell, Hunterdon Co., N.J., at age 83. Her body was interred 1778 in Prallsville Cemetery,Hunterdon Co. N.J..
Catherine, a daughter of Daniel Howell and Hannah Lakin of Philadelphia, was born near Camden, NJ ca. 1681 (ca. 1698?) and died in Rosemont, NJ in 1778; buried next to husband. She married William Rittenhouse in Philadelphia in about 1719. William married out of the Mennonite faith which might have disappointed his father Gerard.
Catherine was of a distinguished family. Her grandfather was the Honorable Thomas Howell of Harleston, Staffordshire, England, a descendant of the Howells of Einsham, Oxfordshire. Thomas received a grant of 1/800 of West New Jersey in 1677 and arrived in America in 1682. He settled in what is now Camden County and was elected to the New Jersey Assembly in 1883 and 1685; he died in 1687. Daniel, eldest son of Thomas and Katherine Howell, was born in England ca.1660 and died in Solebury Township, Bucks County, PA, in September 1739. He came to America with his father in 1682 and settled on a plantation given to him by his father, on Cooper's Creek, Gloucester [now Camden] County, NJ. This estate, named "Livewell" consisted of 250 acres. On 4 September 1686, Daniel was licensed to, or married Hannah Lakin (a seamstress of Philadelphia), sister of Moses Lakin of Cooper's Creek, NJ. Daniel sold "Livewell" to his brother Mordecai in 1787. Daniel moved to Philadelphia in 1690 and served on a grand jury there in 1701. Later he moved to Solebury Township where he resided until his death between April 14th and 28 September 1739 and he named his son, Joseph Howell, and son-in-law, William Rittenhouse, as executors but does not name his wife [presumably she died before him]: (Bucks County Will Book I: 270-272; proved 1739). Earlier, by deed of 10 June 1734, he conveyed 200 acres of his proprietary lands in New Jersey to his granddaughter Elizabeth Howell, eldest daughter of his son Daniel Howell (Capt. Daniel Howell, born ca. 1688; about 1710 he married Elsie Reading, daughter of Colonel John Reading; died 1733).
SOURCE of INFORMATION
MR. CARL N, SCHUSTER, JR. Arlington, Virginia.
e-mail carl.shuster@bookhouse.com
The mystery and confusion around the family of WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE, 1696-1767, has been going on for many years. There are references to 4 sons born in Creisham, Philadelphia County, Pa. but nobody has produced documented proof. The sons as recorded in most files were GARRETT 1721-1797, ABRAHAM 1723-1815, JACOB 1725-1811 and HENRY 1732-1815. There has never been a proven name for their mother. But we know they remained in Creisham and all died in Germantown.
Most records state that WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE removed to Hunterdon County, New Jersey and married CATHERINE HOWELL in 1719. Here they raised 5 sons and 4 daughters. These are all specified in William's Will but NO mention is made of the 4 sons back in Creisham.
GERHARD, William's father, bequeathed to him half the farm in Creisham as described in his Will. There is no record of William having disposed of it but his son Gerritt ended up on this property.
You can quickly see the overlap of the birth dates of all the children. Assuming William had a first unknown wife before he married CATHERINE HOWELL in 1719, how would those birth dates of the 4 boys in Creisham be accounted for as they were all after 1719 ? On the other hand, if they were children of Catherine Howell why are none of them mentioned in William's Will ?
WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE acquired 1,000 acres of land in Rosemont, NJ, from Ralph Brock (or Buck), a millwright who earlier had purchased it in two lots (200 acres in 1710 from Edward Kemp of Bucks County, PA, that Kemp had purchased from William Biles of Bucks County, PA on 30 Mar. 1709 and 800 acres of land lying east of Rosemont, NJ, in 1718, from Revel [Robert?] Elton who had inherited it from his father, Anthony Elton of Burlington County, NJ, by will dated 11 Nov. 1702). The prior purchasers, of that land had privileges similar to soldier's claims - "that of locating and taking up that number of acres somewhere in the western division of the Province of New Jersey, which were purchased from Native Americans, but not previously surveyed".
These 1000 acres were surveyed and taken up in the vicinity of Rosemont, New Jersey, presumably because that is where Howell relatives also held land (Shuster 1995). According to Daniel Kolb Cassel in 1893, old writings state that William Rittenhouse was in this neighborhood several years before his purchase of the 1000 acres. Within three years of the purchase he built a stone dwelling house southeast of Rosemont. and in the gable placed a stone marked W.C.R. 1737, his own initials combined with those of his wife Catherine. This was the first stone dwelling in the area. The house is said to have been rebuilt in 1783 by his grandson Joseph (son of Isaac). It was torn down in the 1860s by James Dean who used the stone in the construction of his new house and barn and placed the old date-stone in a conspicuous place in the bridge wall of the barn. A note from the Cassel Book (Rittenhouse Family- 1893) states: "The James Dean farm, now owned by a family of foreign birth, lies on the road from Prallsville to Rosemont. The bridge wall of the barn is in a semi ruined state and Mr. Cassel was unable to find the gable stone." Larew (1975) wrote that William also opened a tavern, "Cross Keys," in Rosemont.
That house was perhaps the one referred to in the notice by Israel Poulson Sr., one of the ancestors of L. D. Brewer, Published in the Flemington paper nearly 100 years ago, stating that he would be at the house of -------- Rittinghouse on certain days to receive taxes. The notice concludes as follows.
"There is one thing more you must remember,
Unless taxes paid by the 20th December.
Of course there will be six cents cost,
Which will be to you so much lost
And if not paid in five days more
An additional sum of thirty four
The law is plain as all may see
So if it's not paid do not blame me
If I return you to the squire
'Twill be just what the laws require."
In 1742, William conveyed a 500 acre tract northeast of Rosemont to Richard Green of Morris County, NJ.
WILL of WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE
Dated 27 August 1861 Proved 14 May 1767
Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Book B Folio 205 715J
In the Name of God, Amen, I William Rittenhousen of Amwell in the County of Hunterdon and Province of New Jersey, being of perfect mind and memory, thanks to God, but calling to Mind the Mortality of My Body, And knowing that its appointed for all men once to die. Do make and Ordain this my Testament that is to say principally and first of all, I recommend my Soul into ye Hands of Almighty God that gave it. And my Body to the earth, to be buried in a decent Christian Burial nothing doubting but at ye General Resurrection I shall receive ye same again by the Power of the Almighty God. And as touching such worldly estate as it has pleased God (in this life) to bless me with, I give, demise and dispose of ye same in ye following manner and form.
Viz. First I give and bequeath to my son William Rittenhousen, his heirs and Assigns for ever ye portion or whole of that Land on which he now liveth and possession of all my wearing apparel.
I give and bequeath to my son Peter Rittenhousen his heirs and Assigns for ever ye tract and parcel of Land on which he now liveth together with the sawmill and all ye utensyls belonging thereunto.
I give and bequeath to my son Isaac Rittenhousen ye sum of five shillings proclamation to him and his heirs to be leveyed __ paid __ __ by my executors.
I give and bequeath to my son Lot Rittenhousen his heirs and Assigns for Ever ye whole and every part of ye Plantation whereon I now dwell. Provided my son Lot doth allow my Widow Catherine free liberty to live in ye house that is to have one of ye rooms such one as she sees cause, he shall likewise find her firewood and allow her ye privately a garden and keep for her one milk cow, as long as she doth continue my Widow.
I give and bequeath to my son Moses Rittenhousen ye whole Plantation vz. Tract of Lands on which he now lives to himself his heirs and Assigns for ever.
I give and bequeath to my Daughter Presylah's Heirs, called vz known by ye Name William Search. To him and his heirs for ever ye sum of Seventy shillings to beleveyed and paid out of my personal estate by my Executors.
I give and bequeath to my Widow Catherine, my daughter Susannah, my daughter Anne and my daughter Hannah to them their Heirs and Assigns for ever All my Personal Estates (after my Lawful Debts and Charges are paid) to be equally divided amongst them after my Demise.
Lastly I Appoint constitute make and Ordain my sons William Rittenhousen and Peter Rittenhousen to be my Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I hereby utterly disallow evoke default all and forever former Wills and Testaments legacies bequeaths, ratifying and confirming this no other to be my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have unto set my hand and seal this Twenty Seventh day of August in ye Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and sixty one.
William Rittenhousen (signed)
Signed, Sealed, Published, pronounced and Declared by said William Rittenhousen
as his last Will and Testament in presence of Edward Prall Matakiah Bonham Lot Rittenhousen
Lott Rittenhousen and Edward Prall two of the Witnesses of the within Will being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelic Of Almighty God did verbally depose that they saw William Rittenhousen for the Testator within named sign and seal the same and heard him publicly pronounce And declare the within information to be his last Will and Testament and at the doing there of the said Testator was of sound and disposing mind as far as these Deponents __ they verily believe that Matakiah Bonham the other publishing Witness was present signed his name as a Witness to the said Will together with these Deponents in the presence of the Testator.
Lot Rittenhousen (signed) Oct. 19 1767 Edward Prall (signed) James Smith, Judge
William Rittenhousen and Peter Rittenhousen __ __ __ __ being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelic of Almighty God did depose that the within instrument contains the last Will and Testament of William Rittenhousen the Testator within named so far as they know as they verily believe that they will utterly perform the same by paying first the debts of the deceased and then the legacies in the said Testament thereof so far as the goods chattels and credits of the said __ __extend that they will make exhibit into the Prerogative Office at Burlington as _ inventory of all and singular the goods chattels and debts of the deceased that shall come to their knowledge or __ to the __ of any other heretofore or hereforeafter.
Sworn in Amwell, Hunterdon County William Rittenhousen (signed) April 19 1767 before Peter Rittenhousen (signed) James Smith, Judge
The Return of Inventory to the Court by William and Peter Rittenhouse on the 2 May 1771 is confusing. They declared payment of debts and expenses of £ 361 17 s 11 p. There was no accounting for the value of goods and chattels or at least that has not survived in the records. So it is not clear whether the estate was declared insolvent or whether the value of the good was sufficient to satisfy the debts or whether there was a surplus and it was divided. Of course the main part of the estate was in the properties that William gave as legacies.
SOURCE of INFORMATION
ANCESTRAL CHART and HANDBOOK, by Olive Barrick Rowland
Published in 1935 by Garrett and Massey, Richmond. KIM COLEMAN, New Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
THE SPRUCE. A handwritten 30 page manuscript (14 inches by 24 inches) held by the Wayne County Library in Wooster, Ohio. It was part of the Curtis Rittenhouse Memorial Library which was willed to the Wayne County Library on the death of Curtis Rittenhouse. It is believed to be written y Curtis Rittenhouse himself. Some pages are obviosly done by others and so it appears to heve been made for the Rittenhouse Memorial Association which was founded in 1890. Photocopies of the complete manuscript are in my library.
WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE and CATHARINE HOWELL had the following children:
61 i. WILLIAM5 was born 1720
62 ii. PRESCILLA (PRESYLAH) was born circa 1720
63 iii. MOSES was born 1722
64 iv. PETER was born 1724
65 v. ISAAC was born 13 July 1726
vi. SUSANAH (SARAH) (#21704) was born in Amwell, Hunterdon Co., N.J. circa 1727.
66 vii. HANNAH was born circa 1729
viii. ANNE (#21707) was born in Amwell, Hunterdon Co., N.J. circa 1731.
67 ix. LOTT was born 1737
WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE and UNKNOWN had the following children:
68 x. GARRET was born 1721
69 xi. ABRAHAM was born 1723
xii. JACOB (#21713) was born in Cresheim, Philadelphia Co., Pa. 1725. JACOB died 1811 at age 86.
xiii. HENRY R. (#21715) was born in Cresheim, Philadelphia Co., Pa. 1732. HENRY died 1815 in Germantown, Phil. Co. PA, USA, at age 83. He married MARGARET OTTENSTEIN 24 July 1782 in Swedes Church, Phil., Pa.. (MARGARET OTTENSTEIN is #7761.)
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