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16

Tutorials / Google Books: Custom Date Range Search

« on: January 14, 2011, 05:54:41 PM »

Would you like to find all references for "Greathouse" in books that have been digitized and are available at Google Books that were originally published between a date range? For example between 1800 and 1810.

1) Browse to Google Books, http://books.google.com

2) Enter:  "Greathouse"  in the search field, then select "Search" button

3) In the left panel options, look under "Anytime", select "Custom Range", enter "1800" into the beginning date field and "1810" into the ending date field, then select the "Search" button. You will be presented with all books digitized by Google Books that were published between 1800 and 1810, with a reference to "Greathouse" in them.

This search:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22greathouse%22&btnG=Search+Books&tbs=bks%3A1&tbo=1#q=%22greathouse%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=3bEwTaLkM8T38AbYkaygCQ&ved=0CBIQpwUoBA&source=lnt&tbs=bks:1%2Ccdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A1800%2Ccd_max%3A1810&fp=c72bee5a4a93f9a3

17

General Discussion / Pittsburgh Payrolls 1775

« on: July 03, 2010, 04:40:41 PM »

Greetings,

Some of you may be aware of the partial extract that someone has posted on a RootsWeb message board which is titled, "Pittsburgh Payrolls 1775".

See: http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?p=topics.Military.amerrev.va&m=20

It does not take much to determine that the extract of names from the payrolls shared there would only be a partial extract of a much larger collection of payrolls which are available as digital images online at the Library of Virginia website. In fact there are 530 digital images available containing payrolls of soldiers who served in various militia and ranger companies which was raised from both Pennsylvania and Virginia during 1774 from the events which led to Dunmore's War and the signing of the Treaty of Camp Charlotte, which was instrumental in opening up Kentucky and western lands for settlement.

The full collection of 530 digital images comprising the Pittsburgh Payrolls 1775 are available at the following link:

http://image.lva.virginia.gov/Microfilm/DW/001/

We of course are looking at the rolls of:

Captain Michael Cresap Jr., he appears to have raised this company from Frederick County, MD in late Feb or early Mar 1774. Upon the roll of this company, was Sergeant Daniel Greathouse. This roll would appear to represent Daniel's service for about 60 days in Mar and Apr 1774, prior to his involvement in the massacre at Yellow Creek. Based on statements made after the massacre in letters written by Captain Michael Cresap, Jr., it would be reasonable to think, based upon military justice that Daniel Greathouse would have, at least, been demoted and perhaps thrown out of Michael Cresap Jr's Company for his conduct during the massacre at Yellow Creek, which appears to have been the case, based upon Captain Hancock Lee's roll.

..

Captain Hancock Lee, he was commissioned by Lord Dunmore of Virginia and raised his company from mostly fellow Virginians who had settled at Pittsburgh and the surrounding area along the Ohio River. His area of recruitment could have extended as far east as the Monongahela River, except for Virginians who had settled east of said river.

It is important to note that the Pennsylvanians, who had settled east of the Monongahela River, which was the western bounds of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at the time... [throughout the ongoing struggle over the border disputes between Pennsylvania and Virginia, along with increasing hostilities with the Indians, which were mostly provoked by the Virginian militias which were mustered by John Conolly, who was Lord Dunmore's, Governor of Virginia, agent at Pittsburgh]... remained staunchly loyal to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with some exceptions where known Magistrates and residents of Westmoreland County, PA demonstrated dual allegiance to Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Upon the roll of Captain Hancock Lee, were named Private Daniel Greathouse and Private John Greathouse. Daniel and John Greathouse appear to have enlisted in Lee's Company prior to said company's march under the command of Major Angus McDonald, leaving Wheeling on 25 Jul 1774, on what was known as the Wacatomica Campaign. Wakatomica, the Shawnee town on the Muskingum River, being 90 miles away, being the objective point.

Source: http://books.google.com/books?id=MyYiAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA20#v=onepage&q&f=false

Daniel Greathouse, probably of Baltimore or Frederick County, MD settled at Mingo Bottom, along the Ohio River at present-day Folansbee, WV in 1771. Based upon John Greathouse's deposition given in 1803, at Charlestown in Brooke County, VA regarding Beard vs Henderson, 1801, where he stated that Daniel Greathouse improved and settled land in the Mingo Bottom in 1771.

John Greathouse, probably of Baltimore or Frederick County, MD, produced a certificate from the commissioners for 400 acres on Harmons Run to include his settlement made in the year 1774. Also another for 400 acres on Crosses Creek to include his settlement made in the year 1775 [Yohogania Co. VA Land Entry Book, certificate #86 & 87].

..

Captain John Wilson, being the son of George Wilson, Esquire, who was one of the Magistrates of Bedford County, PA in 1771 and then Westmoreland County, PA in 1773, appears to have been commissioned by Arthur St. Clair and his father, to raise a company of Pennsylvania Rangers from Point Marion, Westmoreland County, PA and the surrounding area. Due to the tyrannical usurpation of the rights of the legitimate Magistrates of Westmoreland County, PA and numerous attempts by John Conolly to prevent those Magistrates from conducting the business of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania according to the orders of John Penn, Governor of Pennsylvania... along with numerous attempts to arrest the legitimate magistrates of Westmoreland County, PA, by John Conolly, his agents and militia captains, it would seem very unlikely for Captain John Wilson to have recruited men who had demonstrated their allegiance to Virginia.

Therefore, it would be very unreasonable for us to think that any Greathouse men, he recruited to join his company, would have been Virginians, who were living on the waters of the Ohio River, in the area west of Pittsburgh and west of the Monongahela River. However, Benjamin Tomlinson was named as Captain Wilson's Lieutenant, along with Joshua Baker as one of his Sergeants, so questions remain how, for example, Benjamin Tomlinson, a known settler of Grave Creek and Joshua Baker, if he was the one who had settled in the area of Yellow Creek, were appointed to Captain John Wilson's Company.

Upon the roll of Captain John Wilson, were named Private William Greathouse and Private Jacob Greathouse. William Greathouse was paid for 166 days of service under Captain John Wilson in Oct 1775. Jacob Greathouse was paid for 153 days of service under Captain John Wilson in Oct 1775.

On 1 Nov 1774, after receiving reports from Arthur St. Clair, head Magistrate of Westmoreland County, PA, and others about General Lewis's victory at the Battle of Point Pleasant on 10 Oct 1774 and that Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, was in treaty negotiations with the Indians which resulted in the Treaty of Camp Charlotte being agreed to and signed on about 19 Oct 1774... the Pennsylvania Assembly voted that all Pennsylvania Rangers who had been mustered for service in the three ranging companies, which they had authorized Arthur St. Clair and his fellow magistrates of Westmoreland County, PA to raise for the purpose of defending the western frontier against Virginian usurpation of Pennsylvania's right to govern the residents of their province and against Indian hostilities, were to be discharged immediately. They also appointed commissioners to settle the payroll accounts to ensure that all Rangers were paid for their service and all magistrates and residents were reimbursed for their support of the Ranging Companies.

Based upon the days served for William Greathouse and Jacob Greathouse, along with the discharge date which was decreed by the Pennsylvania Assembly, again 1 Nov 1774, the approximate enlistment dates for William Greathouse and Jacob Greathouse in Captain John Wilson's Company can be determined.

William Greathouse, served 166 days. He enlisted on: Cal 19 May 1774. He was discharged on: 1 Nov 1774.

Jacob Greathouse, served 153 days. He enlisted on: Cal 1 Jun 1774. He was discharged on: 1 Nov 1774.

Coincidentally, both of their enlistment dates agree with several letters between Arthur St. Clair and John Penn, Governor of Pennsylvania, where St. Clair informed the Governor and the PA Assembly that he along with several Magistrates of Westmoreland County, PA, had taken it upon themselves to raise Ranging Companies, for the purpose of defending Pennsylvania's western border and residents against usurpation by John Conolly's armed militias stationed at Pittsburgh and Indian hostilities, which were for the most part instigated by the Virginians who were residing in the area of Pittsburgh and along the Ohio River.

Based upon all the evidence presented above, it appears very plausible for William Greathouse, a known resident of Brothersvalley, Bedford County, PA,  from 1771 through 1773 and of Turkeyfoot Township, said county and state, in 1774, to have enlisted in Captain John Wilson's Company of Westmoreland County, PA Rangers, on about Cal 19 May 1774.

In about Oct 1776, William Greathouse of Turkeyfoot Township, Bedford County, PA, saw his son, John Greathouse enlist as a private in Captain Kilgore's Company of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, which was commanded by Colonel Aeneas Mackay, Lieutenant Colonel George Wilson and Major Richard Butler.

Regarding Aeneas Mackay, Esquire, he was a Magistrate of Westmoreland County, PA, as staunchly loyal to the Pennsylvania Assembly, as was George Wilson, Esquire. In April, 1774, Captain Connolly, with his Virginia militia, interrupted the sessions of the Pennsylvania court at Hannastown and arrested the three Pennsylvania justices who lived in Pittsburgh. These were Andrew McFarlane, Devereux Smith and Captain Aeneas Mackay. They were taken as prisoners to Staunton, VA, and there detained four weeks, until released by the order of Governor Dunmore.

18

Obituaries/Memorial Project / Obituary | Sharon Kay Greathouse

« on: May 06, 2010, 05:49:19 PM »

SHARON KAY GREATHOUSE

Sharon Kay Greathouse, 63, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 20, 2009, at Nicholas County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born July 25, 1945, in Richwood, to the late Stanley and Marie Cummings Boggs.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister.  She was a homemaker and worked at BF Goodrich for 4 years.  She was a member of the Nazarene Church, most of her life, where she played piano.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Richwood, since 1994, where she played the piano and Organ. She raised African Violets, was
a master pianist, organist and quilter.

Survivors include husband, Paul Richard Greathouse of Richwood, two sons, Richard Ivan Greathouse of Clendenin, W. Va., Raymond Andrew Greathouse of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada; brother, Deward Boggs of Richwood; sister Janet Collins of Richwood; and granddaughter, Josie Mae Greathouse, Corner Brook, Newfoundland
Canada.

Services will be held Sunday, July 26, 2009, at 2 p. m. at the Richwood First Baptist Church, Richwood, with the Rev. Timothy Skaggs officiating.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 25, 2009, from 6 - 8 p. m. in the Simons-Coleman Funeral Home Richwood.
Arrangements are by Simons - Coleman Funeral home Richwood

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Obituaries/Memorial Project / Obituary | Zadia Dale Greathouse

« on: May 06, 2010, 05:43:14 PM »

Zadia Dale Greathouse, 86, of Richwood, went home to be with the Lord on April 30, 2010, in Nicholas County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Richwood.

She was born April 14, 1924 in Orma (Calhoun County), W.Va., to the late William Bartlett Price and Vietta Boggs Price.

She was a member of First Church of God, School Street, Richwood.

She worked at the News Leader and Hillbilly in Richwood for 22 years. She was also a homemaker.

Survivors included a son, Paul Richard Greathouse of Richwood; grandchildren, Richard Ivan Greathouse of Clendenin, W.Va. and Raymond Andrew Greathouse of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada; and great-granddaughter, Josie Mae Greathouse.

Services were held Monday, May 3, 2010, at the First Church of God with Pastor Phyllis Bowling officiating.

Interment was in the Richwood Cemetery, Richwood.

Simons-Coleman Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

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Most Wanted Greathouse / Harman Greathouse of Wharton Township, Fayette County, PA

« on: April 21, 2010, 05:37:41 PM »

A Harman Greathouse first appeared in Wharton Township, Fayette County, PA, when he was named on the tax list of said county in 1785.

1785 – Tax Lists: Wharton Township
Greathouse, Harman; amount of tax: 1.10 1/2

Source: http://www.footnote.com/image/#3078503

Determining A Time Period of Birth for Harman Greathouse

Based upon the 1785 tax list, an upper limit for the time period of Harman's birth can be determined.

If Harman Greathouse was age 21 or over, when he was named on this tax list, then he would have been born about 1764 or before, which suggests an upper limit for the time period of his birth.

Based upon another event which occurred in 1777, prior to Harman Greathouse being named on the 1785 tax list, a lower limit for the time period of Harman's birth can be determined.

The Pennsylvania Militia was organized under an Act of the Assembly of March 17, 1777 that required compulsory enrollment by constables of all able-bodied white males between the ages of 18 and 53 to repel invaders.

If Harman Greathouse served in the militia, then he would have been born about 1759 or before.

If Harman Greathouse did not serve in the militia, then he would have been born about 1760 or later.

At this time, no records have been discovered which would suggest that this Harman Greathouse served in the militia, therefore a reasonable time period for his birth would be between 1760 and 1764.

Determining Where Harman Greathouse Came From

An article from Penn in Hand, Vol. 21, no. 2 - - June 2000, Tax Records and their Cousins: The PA Septennial Census, online: http://www.genpa.org/research_taxrecords.html, states:

Tax lists can be very helpful in establishing the comings and goings of individuals. When someone “disappears” from a particular township’s list, it ordinarily means the person either died or moved elsewhere.

Conversely, when someone first appears on a particular township's list, it ordinarily means the person either moved in to the township from elsewhere or that a son of a resident of the township, came of age to move out on his own, either as a resident of said township or perhaps as a resident of a township in an adjacent county.

The appearance of Harman Greathouse in said township and county in 1785 suggests that he either moved in to the township from elsewhere or that as a son of either a resident of the township or a nearby township, perhaps even in an adjacent county, he had come of age to move out on his own.

There appears to be no records for a Harman Greathouse, which suggest that he would have been residing elsewhere, prior to 1785, so until records are found which would suggest that was the case, it would be more reasonable to investigate whether or not Harman could have been a son of either a resident of the township or a nearby township, perhaps even in an adjacent county.

Determining Which Greathouse Residents Of The Area Could Have Been The Father Of Harman Greathouse

The following Greathouse ancestors were known to have been living in the stated township or in a township in an adjacent county by 1785:

1) Mary Morris Greathouse, who had married Andrew McCreary in 1780, after the death of her husband, Daniel Greathouse in late 1777 or early 1778, appears to have been residing with her husband, Andrew McCreary, who was taxed as resident of Wharton Township in 1785. Source: http://www.footnote.com/image/#3078505

The court case recorded in Bourbon County, KY, Gabriel Greathouse vs Andrew McCreary, Mary McCreary, Richard Morris and others, strongly suggests that Gabriel Greathouse was the son and soul heir of the estate of Daniel Greathouse, deceased. So Daniel Greathouse would not have been a plausible candidate to have been the father of Harman Greathouse.

2) Elizabeth Greathouse, born about 1741, probably in Philadelphia. She had married Jonathan Hill about 1779?. She appears to have been residing with her husband, Jonathan Hill, who was taxed as a resident of Wharton Township, on the same page as Harman Greathouse in 1785. Source: http://www.footnote.com/image/#3078503

Additional questions regarding Elizabeth: Was she the sister of William Greathouse Senior of Turkeyfoot Township, Bedford County, PA? Or was she perhaps his niece, the daughter of William's brother, John Greathouse, who died in Philadelphia, about 1750?

3) William Greathouse Senior was taxed as a resident of Turkeyfoot Township, Bedford County, PA in 1785, where he had been taxed as a resident of Brothersvalley from 1771-1773; as a resident of Turkeyfoot Township from 1774-1776, 1779, 1783 and 1785. William Greathouse Senior's will which was probated in Harrison County, VA in 1792, did not name Harman Greathouse as a son, so he would probably not be a candidate for Harman Greathouse's father.

4) William Greathouse Junior was taxed as a resident of Turkeyfoot Township, Bedford County, PA in 1785, owning 400 acres of land, while in 1783 he was taxed as a non-resident of the township owning 150 acres of land. So between 1783 and 1785, William Greathouse Junior appears to have moved to said township and county from elsewhere. He was named as a son in the will of his father, William Greathouse Senior, which was probated in Harrison County, VA in 1792.

Considering that five individuals who were named in the will of William Greathouse Senior of Harrison County, VA, were also named in the records of St. Michael's Lutheran Church at Germantown, Philadelphia County, PA; it would be reasonable and plausible to conclude that William Greathouse Junior would have been the son who was born to William Grothaus, an unmarried young man with Anna Maria Puppin on 2 Aug 1748, whose birth and baptism was recorded at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Germantown, PA.
 
William Greathouse Junior, born 2 Aug 1748, would have been age 12-16 between 1760 and 1764, when Harman Greathouse would have been born. William Junior's step-mother married his father between the age of 15 and 16. If William Greathouse Junior married at the age of 15 or 16, then he would have married between 1763 and 1764.

He would have been age 17 in 1765, about when Michael Greathouse was born. [Micheal was not named as a son in the will of William Greathouse Senior of Harrison County, VA]

He would have been age 27 in 1775, when John Leonard Greathouse was born to a William & Maria Grothaus of Plainfield Township, Northampton County, PA. John Leonard Greathouse appears to have been name saked after Leonhardt Beyer who along with his wife sponsored the baptism of John Leonard Greathouse. A Leonard Greathouse married Sarah Parsons on 8 Nov 1801, in Harrison County, VA.

The paths of the Beyers, Greathouses, Pauls and Schutz may have first crossed in Philadelphia. Leonhardt Beyer witnessed the marriage of Friedrich Paul in Philadelphia. From Hannah Benner Roach's work,  Jonathan Paul was the trustee of a school, which may have been built by Michael Schutz. Michael Schutz, after recovering from an illness and lamenting about Jonathan Paul's death, was compelled to write his own last will and testament, shortly before the marriage of his daugther, Barbara to William Greathouse Senior.

He would have been age 30-33 between 1780 and 1783, when his daughter Rohanah Greathouse was born. Rohanah Greathouse married John Stackhouse on 11 Oct 1798, in Harrison County, VA. Also between 1780 and 1783, a William Greathouse was serving as a Corporal in Captain Lewis Stacher's Company of Plainfield Township, Northampton County, PA Militia.

Therefore, William Greathouse Junior would be a plausible candidate to have been the father of Harman Greathouse, born about 1764 and Michael Greathouse, born about 1765.

This scenario becomes even more plausible when the 1799 court case from Harrison County, VA, Nathaniel Adam vs Harman Greathouse, is considered... where John McCollough, who married Barbara Akert, a grand-daughter of William Greathouse Senior, was summoned in court to prove that he was not holding land or other assets from the estate of William and Barbara Greathouse deceased, which had been promised to the plaintiff in the case. John McCollough then had the court issue a summons for Michael Greathouse to appear in court to prove the same. The court case does not mention why Harman Greathouse was sued as the lead defendant in the case, but it would be reasonable to conclude that he was sued for similar cause, where the plaintiff believed that Harman Greathouse was holding land or other assets from the estate of William and Barbara Greathouse, deceased, which had been promised to the plaintiff, Nathaniel Adams.

Neither Harman Greathouse, born about 1764, nor Michael Greathouse, born about 1765, were named as sons in the will of William Greathouse Senior which was probated in Harrison County, VA in 1792, so perhaps, in this case, Nathaniel Adams caused three grandchildren of William and Barbara Greathouse, deceased, to appear in court, to prove they were not holding land or other assets, which Nathaniel Adams believed had been promised to him, by either William or Barbara Greathouse, deceased or the executors of their estate.

If Harman Greathouse, born about 1764 and Michael Greathouse, born about 1765, were grandsons of William and Barbara Greathouse, deceased, of Harrison County, VA, then which of their sons could have been the father of Harman Greathouse and Michael Greathouse?

a) William Greathouse Junior, born 2 Aug 1748, was perhaps married by 1763 or 1764 and was named as son in the will of William Greathouse Senior, which was probated in Harrison County, VA in 1792. -- Plausible.

b) John Greathouse, born 1756, was named on tax lists of Bedford County, PA as a "single freemen" for the years 1783 and 1785. He married Milly Gillaspy on 8 Apr 1793, in Harrison County, VA. -- Not plausible.

c) Gabriel Greathouse, born about 1769. He married Nancy Hustead about 1789 in Harrison County, VA. -- Not Plausible.

5) John Greathouse was taxed as single freemen in Turkeyfoot Township, Bedford County, PA in 1783 and 1785. A “single freemen” list was composed of unmarried men (usually age 21 and above). He would not be a plausible candidate to have been the father of Harman Greathouse.

Determining The Migration Path of Harman Greathouse of Wharton Township, Fayette County, PA

In 1787, a Harman Greathouse was taxed in Washington County, Fayette County, which would be near present day Belle Vernon, PA.

21

Most Wanted Greathouse / William Greathouse of Plainfield Township, Northampton County, PA

« on: February 20, 2010, 03:11:54 PM »

A William Grothaus has been documented to have been a resident of Plainfield Township, Northampton County, PA, from, at least, 1775 through Sep 1783, when he either died in said township, or he may have moved elsewhere.

See: Greathouse of Plainfield Township, Northampton County, PA.

His wife was named as Maria, in his son's, John Leonard, baptismal record which was recorded to have occurred on 5 Nov 1775, in the records of Plainfield Reformed Church, of said township.

..

1775, Sep 10 - Plainfield Township: Plainfield Reformed Church Records:

Entries by the Rev. John Wm. Weber, Sept. 1772 - May 1783.

John Leonard, son of William & Maria Grothaus, b. 10 Sep 1775, bap. 5 Nov 1775; Sponsors: Leonard Bayer [Johann Leonhart Beyer] & wife.

..

The question is... if he moved elsewhere, where did he move to?

So we are looking for a William Greathouse, who would have appeared in the records of the county he moved to, after 1783. We would also be looking for records, in which his wife, Maria; son, John Leonard; and any other children this couple may have had, whom perhaps were not documented in the county of origin, in this case, Plainfield Township, Northampton County, PA.

An article from Penn in Hand, Vol. 21, no. 2 - - June 2000, Tax Records and their Cousins: The PA Septennial Census, online: http://www.genpa.org/research_taxrecords.html, states:

..

Tax lists can be very helpful in establishing the comings and goings of individuals. When someone “disappears” from a particular township’s list, it ordinarily means the person either died or moved elsewhere.

..

Conversely, when someone first appears on a particular township's list, it ordinarily means the person either moved in to the township from elsewhere or that a son of a resident of the township, came of age to move out on his own, either as a resident of said township or perhaps as a resident of a township in an adjacent county.

Also, in 1783... a second William Greathouse appeared in Turkeyfoot Township, Bedford County, PA, where he paid taxes upon 150 acres of land in said township, as a non-resident freeholder. While the first William Greathouse, whom was known to have been a resident of said township from 1774-1776, 1779 and 1783, paid taxes upon 200 acres of land in said township, as a resident freeholder.

See: Greathouse of Bedford County, PA

The same article from Penn in Hand, defines the following terms which are typically found in those early colonial PA tax lists:

..

The Colonial and early 19th century lists were usually divided into several lists – one of property owners, usually dubbed “freeholders”; another of married renters heading households, called “inmates”; and a “single freemen” list composed of unmarried men (usually age 21 and above). At times the best proof of an individual’s marriage may be when the groom moves from “single freeman” to “inmate.”

[Freeholder - married males who owned land/property in a township.

Inmate - married males who rented land and owned property in a township.

Single Freemen - unmarried males, usually age 21 and above, who owned land/property in a township.]

..

By 1785, both William Greathouses were taxed as resident freeholders upon 400 acres of land, each, in Turkeyfoot Township, Bedford County, PA.

..

1785 - Tax List: Turkeyfoot Township

Frederick Achor
Wm Greathouse, acres: 400.
William Greathouse, acres: 400.
John Greathouse, single freemen.

..

So it appears that the second William Greathouse who was a non-resident freeholder of the township in 1783, had moved to the township by 1785, where he had increased the amount of land he owned, from 150 acres to 400 acres, between 1783 and 1785.

By 1787, William Greathouse Sr., William Greathouse Jr., John Greathouse and Frederick Akert, all residents of Turkeyfoot Township, Bedford County, PA in 1785, had moved to Harrison County, VA, where they were each taxed as residents of said county, in said year.

See: Greathouse of Harrison County, WV

..

1787 - Tax List: Return of Nicholas Carpenter, Comm., Harrison County, VA

Jun 6 - Ackert, Frederick; white males age over 21 [born 1766 or before]; horses: 7; cattle: 4.
Jun 6 - John Greathouse; white males age over 21 [born 1766 or before, named in Ackert's household].
May 24 - Greathouse, Wm; white males age over 21 [born 1766 or before]; white male age 16-21: 1 [born between 1766 - 1771]; horses: 2; cattle: 1.
Jun 6 - Greathouse, William; white males age over 21 [born 1766 or before]; horses: 3; cattle: 6.

..

Regarding William Greathouse Jr., he was named as such, starting with one of the earliest known records for Greathouse in Harrison County, VA.

..

1786, Oct - Petition To Work Out Taxes And Build A Good Road From The State Road To The Mouth Of Little Kanawha
John Greathouse
William Jr. Greathouse

..

He was named as a son/heir in his father's, William Greathouse Sr.'s will:

I also give and bequeath unto my son William & Daughter Mary the value of the two above mentioned guns to be divided betweeen them & paid to them in property.

which was recorded in Harrison County Court on 16 Jan 1792:

..

1792, Jan 16 - Harrison County Court

This day the last will and testament of William Greathouse deceased was produced in Court and proven by the oath of Owen Davee and Joseph Skelton witnesses thereto and the same is ordered to be recorded.

..

He appears to have used the Jr. suffix while his father was living in the county from 1786 through the death of his father, William Greathouse Sr., in 1792. In what appears to have been the first record created by William Jr., in the county, after his father's death, he was not named as William Greathouse Jr., but rather as William Greathouse:

..

1792, May 22 - Harrison County Court:
Ordered that William Greathouses Mark and Brand be recorded, which is as followeth, to wit, Mark - crop off of the right ear and 2 slits in the left Ear. Brand - W G H.

..

In the 1793 tax list for Harrison County, VA, a William Greathouse was taxed with two (2) titheable males in his household, who were age over 16.

..

1793 - Personal Property Tax List, Return of Benjamin Coplin, Comm., Harrison County, VA
Feb 9 - Graithous, William; white males age 16 or over: 2; horses: 1.

..

If one of his sons had become age over 16, in 1793, then that son would have been born about 1777, or before. This record also suggests that a marriage between a Greathouse male and another resident in the county, or elsewhere, could be expected, in the near future. Aside from the marriage of William Jr.'s brother, John Greathouse to Milly Gillaspy on 8 Apr 1793, the next marriage which involved a Greathouse male in the county, occurred on 8 Nov 1801. More information about that marriage, will be shared later.

A William Greathouse Jr./William Greathouse was taxed as a resident and head of household in Harrison County, VA, continuously year after year, from 1787 through 1803, except for the 1799 tax list, upon which he was not named as a resident of the county.

For the years 1792 through 1796, He was taxed in the same district as John and Gabriel Greathouse and then again from 1800 through 1803. While from 1797 through 1798, he was taxed in the same district as Michael Greathouse, the Husteds and the Stackhouses. In 1799, he could have been the 2nd male titheable, age over 16, in Michael Greathouse's household.

..

1799 - Tax List: Return of Joseph Davidson, Comm., Harrison County, VA

Apr 2 - Greatehouse, Michael; white males age over 16: 2; horses: 2.

..

This Michael Greathouse appeared on tax lists of the county, in the same district as William Jr, John and Gabriel Greathouse from 1789 through 1792, when he appears to have moved to the same district as the Husteds and Stackhouses, between 1792 and 1793. He was taxed in the same district as the Husteds and the Stackhouses from 1793 through 1800, except for 1797, when he was not named on any tax lists of the county.

Again, between 1796 and 1797, a William Greathouse appears to have moved into the same district as Michael Greathouse, the Husteds and the Stackhouses, because he was taxed in the same district as they were, for the years 1797 and 1798 and he may have been the second titheable male counted in the household of Michael Greathouse in 1799.

It has been reported that this Michael Greathouse married Nancy Husted on 12 Oct 1792, although the source for their marriage is unknown. Michael Greathouse's eldest known son, Moses was born in 1794. So Michael would not have had any sons age 16 or over by 1799.

Also, this Michael Greathouse was not named as a son/heir in the will of William Greathouse Sr., deceased, when the will was probated in said county, in 1792. He first appeared as a head of household on tax lists of the county in 1789. If he was age 21 or over in that year, then he would have been born about 1768 or before. Based on the 1830 census of Harrison County, VA, this Michael Greathouse was age 60-70, so he would have been born between 1760 and 1770.

Regarding the children of William Greathouse Jr., there does not appear to be any evidence available in Harrison County, VA, suggesting whom any of his children may have been, until 1798... when he was taxed as a resident of the same district as Michael Greathouse, the Husteds and the Stackhouses, where in the marriage bond of Rohanah Greathouse and John Stackhouse, Rohanah was named as the daughter of William Greathouse.

..

1798, Oct 8 - Marriage Bond: Rehonah [Rohanah] Greathouse married John Stackhouse

Know all men by these presents that we John Stackhouse and David Caldwell of the county of Harrison & State of Virginia are held and firmly bound to James Wood Esq. present Governr of this Comin the and his Liufsers in the sum of $150 which payment will & hereby to made we bind our Selves our heirs, exers and admins firmly by these presents witness our hands and Seals this 8th day of Oct 1798 and 23rd year of the Com.

The condition of this obligation is such that should there be no lawful cause to obstruct a marriage intended between the above bound John Stackhouse and Rehonah[Rohanah] Greathouse daughter of William Greathouse of said county then this obligation to be paid els to remain in full force.

John (his mark) Stackhouse
David Calwell

Test
Benjamin Wilson Clk

..

Regarding the wife of William Greathouse Jr., there does not appear to be any references in records of Harrison County, VA, which names the wife of William Greathouse Jr., until 28 Feb 1799, when a William Greathouse and his wife, Mary, sold land to George Roby:

..

1799, Feb 28 - Deed: William and Mary Greathouse to George Roby [ Page 1 | Page 2 ]

William Greathouse and his wife Mary sold 100 acres of land on Coplin Run, Harrison Co., WV to George Roby.

..

Regarding the marriage of a Greathouse male which occurred on 8 Nov 1801, there does not appear to be any records which would suggest that there was a [John] Leonard Greathouse in Harrison County, VA, until 8 Nov 1801, when a Leonard Greathouse was named in his marriage bond with Sarah Parsons of said county.

..

1801, Nov 8 - Marriage: Leonard Greathouse to Sarah Parsons

Know all men by these presents that we Leonard Greathouse and John Corzad of Harrison County are held and firmly bound unto James Wood in the sum of $150 which payment will and truly to be made and we bind our selves our heirs, executors also firmly by these presents witness our hands and Seals this 8th day of November 1801.

The condition of the above obligation is such that should there be no lawful cause to obstruct a marriage intended between Leonard Greathouse and Sarah Parsons of said county then this obligation to be void els to remain in full force and virtue.

Leonard Greathouse
John Corzad

Teste
Ben Wilson, CHC

..

Therefore, it does appear that the William & Maria Grothaus and son, John Leonard of Plainfield Township, Northampton County, PA, could have moved to Turkeyfoot, Bedford County, PA between 1783 and 1785, and then moved to Harrison County, VA with his father, William Greathouse Sr., between 1785 and 1786.

If that would be the case, then William Greathouse Sr., his wife Barbara, his son William and their son John, all of Harrison County, VA; and their daughter Catharine; would appear to be in common with the similarly named individuals, who were named in the records of Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA and St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Germantown, PA from 1748 through 1757.

22

General Discussion / Greathouse County Update, 20 Feb 2010

« on: February 20, 2010, 02:25:48 PM »

There have been some additions and updates posted for our Greathouse County Project. A summary has been posted on the News page at Greathouse Point.

Of particular interest, would be:

Rev. W. H. Brong, History of Plainfield Reformed Church. The Pennsylvania German, Vol X, No. 7, July 1909.

Brong lists the names of the individuals involved in the catechetical classes 1 through 3 between 1763 and 1767, but after that, he just states the number of individuals involved in the catechetical classes from 1769 through 1783, which is the time period we would be interested in.

For the first three catechetical classes recorded in the first Church Book of Plainfield Reformed Church, see Page 308.

Rev. John William Weber, reported on two catechetical classes during his service as pastor of the Church... the 6th class confirmed 1 Apr 1775 with 24 members and the 7th class confirmed 28 Apr 1776 with 14 members.

For his class summaries, see Page 309.

For those just joining us, we would be interested in Rev. John William Weber's service as Pastor of Plainfield Reformed Church because of the following baptism he performed on 5 Nov 1775:

..

1775, Sep 10 - Plainfield Township: Plainfield Reformed Church Records:

Entries by the Rev. John Wm. Weber, Sept. 1772 - May 1783.

John Leonard, son of William & Maria Grothaus, b. 10 Sep 1775, bap. 5 Nov 1775; Sponsors: Leonard Bayer [Johann Leonhart Beyer] & wife.

..

For more information about William & Maria Grothaus and their son, John Leonard, see:

Most Wanted Greathouse: William Grothaus of Plainfield Township, Northampton County, PA

23

Most Wanted Greathouse / Re: George Rex and wife Barbara ? [? Greathouse]

« on: January 30, 2010, 10:29:22 PM »

Extract: Records In Common Between Greathouse, Ottinger and Rex of Philadelphia County, PA

From: Back Part of Germantown: A Reconstruction
By Hannah Benner Roach




Source:

Hannah Benner Roach, "Back Part of Germantown: A Reconstruction", Jefferson M. Moak, Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, 2001. ISBN 188709914x, 97817887099141.

24

Most Wanted Greathouse / George Rex and wife Barbara ? [? Greathouse]

« on: January 30, 2010, 08:13:32 PM »

George Rex's first wife was Barbara ? [? Greathouse], whom he married in Germantown, about 1719. Barbara ? [? Greathouse] may have been born between 1682 and 1704.

A descendant of George recently asked a question:

Was Barbara ?, maiden name Greathouse?

Considering the common appearance of George and Barbara Rex, Herman Groethausen and his son, John and the Ottingers in later records of Philadelphia County, PA, she would be a "Most Wanted Greathouse", if it could be proven that her maiden name was Greathouse.

On page 17, of Hannah Benner Roach's, "Back Part of Germantown: A Reconstruction", in the footnotes, she stated:

There was probably some relationship to the Rex family, but whether to the elder George Rex or his son George has not been established.

Source:

Hannah Benner Roach, "Back Part of Germantown: A Reconstruction", Jefferson M. Moak, Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, 2001. ISBN 188709914x, 97817887099141. Page 17.

..

George Rex's land was located just across Stenton Avenue from Herman Groethausen's land.

..

Note: Information colored in MAROON below was not part of the original article published in the NGS Quarterly. Where information has been added from additional sources, a source citation will follow.

Extract: Records In Common Between Greathouse, Ottinger and Rex of Philadelphia County, PA

From: George Rex (1682-1772) of Germantown, Pennsylvania
By Doris Rex Schutte

Hans Jurg Ruger (George Rex), a blacksmith, was the founder of this Rex family of Pennsylvania. Born probably in Europe in either May or June 1682 (if we accept his advanced age at death), "Georg Rieger" was buried from St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Germantown, Philadelphia County, on 18 October 1772, "alt 90 Jahr 4 Monat." He married in about 1719, presumably to Barbara ______?, known to have been his wife in 1733-1749, but presumed to be dead by 1762, when she was no longer a party to his deeds to their sons. Neither his nor his wife's gravestones have survived.

Hans Jurg apparently arrived at the port of Philadelphia before the systematic recording of ship manifests. He is first recorded 10 June 1720 when he purchased from Claus Braun 27 acres on the road leading from Philadelphia to North Wales [now Germantown Avenue at Chestnut Hill.

"Georg Ruger" appeared at Philadelphia Court 17 August 1728 and swore that he witnessed Pastor Anthony Jacob Henkel's nuncupative will on 12 August 1728.

He signed the will as a witness with Herman Groothausen and Hans Michael Schwenstock on 12 Aug 1728. On 17 Aug 1728, those three gentlemen appeared in court where on their oath they did declare that the testator Anthony Jacob Henkel, on the twelfth day of this instant, August, fell off his horse on the road from Philadelphia to his house in New Hanover Township, which disabled him, and he was carried to the house of the deponent Herman Groothausen in the manor of Springfield, where the testator lying very ill, bid the deponents take notice that the contents of the within and above writing was his will, and the deponents do say that the testator at the time of speaking the said nun-cupative will was of sound mind, memory, and understanding, to the best of their knowledge and belief..

Peter Evans, Reg.-General

Source:

Philadelphia County, PA, Letters of Administration: Estate of Anthon Jacobus Henkel. Reg. Office, Philadelphia, Book C, page 109.

1733, Dec 16 - Barbara Reuger and Christopher Ottinger stood as sponsors at the baptism of Margaretha Barbara, daughter of Leonhardt Kueffer.

1743 - George Rex purchased 50 acres in Springfield, Philadelphia [now Montgomery] County, from the estate of Herman Grotehause.

1746 - Georg and Barbara Rieger had a son baptized at St. Michael's Church.

1747 - Jurg and Barbara Rieger sponsored the baptism of Rahel, daughter of Herman and Maria Grothausen at St. Michael's Church.

1749, Dec 16 - Georg Ruger and Barbara (X) Rex conveyed 276 acres in Heidelberg Township to their son Georg, and 276 acres in the same township to their son Jacob. This was the last record on which Barbara Rex was named.

1762, Oct 29 - By indenture (apparently in lieu of a will) Georg Rux, of Germantown Tonwship, yeoman, conveyed his entire personal and real estate to his sons George, William, Jacob Christopher, John and Abraham Rex. He signed his name Georg Ruger on the receipt for 5 shillings.

Source:

Doris Rex Schutte, George Rex (1682-1772) of Germantown, Pennsylvania, National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 68, Issue 4, December 1980. Page 243.

25

News and Updates / Greathouse County Update

« on: January 29, 2010, 08:59:56 AM »

Greetings,

29 Jan 2010

The following reports in our Greathouse County project have been updated:

Greathouse of Philadelphia County, PA [events added from 1721 through 1733]

Read more:
http://greathouse.us/news.htm

26

General Discussion / Greathouse County Update, 26 Jan 2010

« on: January 28, 2010, 06:12:23 PM »

Greetings,

An update for our Greathouse County Project has been posted at Greathouse Point, which we hope will start off a very productive year for our project in 2010.

We are pleased to present our report on Philadelphia County, PA, which has been compiled with the help of members of Guild Greathouse, who have diligently searched the early records of the county to document the Greathouse and associated ancestors who lived there. We hope that this work will build a much firmer foundation upon which we will
eventually be able to connect most of the Greathouses known to have been residing in America prior to 1800.

http://greathouse.us/county/pa/philadelphia/philadelphia.htm

Already, our Greathouse County Project has been a stellar success, by helping us to discover that there were two adult males, named William Greathouse, residing in their respective townships of  Plainfield and Upper Saucon, Northampton County, PA between 1775 and 1783. That discovery will perhaps, eventually, allow us to correctly track their
migrations to where they settled, raised their families and lived out their lives.

William Greathouse of Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, PA, married Mary Owen, also of said township. William gave his oath of allegiance to Jacob Moory, Esquire, Justice of the Peace, of said township, on 2 Jun 1778. William served as a Private in Captain John Roberts Company of the Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, PA
militia in 1778 and as a Private in Captain John Stahl's Company of said township in 1783. He was taxed as a resident freeholder of said township from 1772 through about 1791 and then as a resident freeholder of Mifflin County, PA from about 1792 through the time of his death.

William Greathouse of Plainfield Township, of Northampton County, PA, married Maria [? perhaps Anna Maria Beyer, Source: Johann Leonhart Beyer descendant], marriage date unknown. A son, John Leonard, was born to William and Maria Grothaus on 10 Sep 1775, baptized on 5 Nov 1775 at Plainfield Reformed Church of said township, near present day
Wind Gap, of said county, by Rev. John William Weber. Sponsors for their son's baptism was Leonard Bayer [Johann Leonhart Beyer] and wife, of said township and county. William gave his oath of allegiance to Lewis Stacher, Esquire, Justice of the Peace, of said township, on 2 Jul 1778, as did Leonhard Beyer on 7 Jul 1778. William served as a Corporal in Captain Lewis Stacher's Company of the Plainfield Township, Northampton County, PA militia from 1780 through about Sep 1783. He was taxed as a resident freeholder of said township from 1780 through 1782. He disappeared from the records of Plainfield Township after about Sep 1783, which could suggest that he either died in the township about Sep 1783, or perhaps he had moved elsewhere after Sep 1783.

With your help and continued interest in the research shared at Greathouse Point, we can expect to share more discoveries from our Greathouse County Project with you in 2010.

Also with your help, you made fiscal year 2009 our best year since we began tracking statistics on website usage in 2004.

A summary of Greathouse Point usage statistics for 2009 follows:

Year    Page Loads      Unique Visitors    First Time Visitors     Returning Visitors
2009       22,031            9,764               8,700                      1,064

There will be a graph which shows the statistics for 2009, as compared to all previous years since 2004, posted in our 2009 Archives: New and Updates later this evening.

Read more:
http://greathouse.us/news-2009.htm


Thanks,
Rick

27

Herman Groethausen 1670 / Abr'm Grothouser in Northampton County Militia

« on: August 28, 2009, 05:50:21 PM »

There is a Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File which is available on the website of the Pennsylvania Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive.asp?view=ArchiveIndexes&ArchiveID=13, in which you can find several index cards for Greathouses of PA who were recorded in various militia units across PA.

In the index cards for the Greathouses of Northampton County, PA, there was a William who served in the companies commanded by John Stahl, a William who served in the companies commanded by John Stacher and an Abr'm Grothouser who served in the company of John Stahl.

For the two Williams there are multiple records for both of them. William in Stacher's company was documented from 1780 - 1783. William in Stahl's company was documented in 1778 and 1783.

However, regarding the Abr'm Grothouser... there is only one record which suggests he served in Stahl's company and that record would be the index card itself, available here:

http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/Archives/13/12/CDLOAD/revwar/0018/3078.gif

As you can see, that index card does suggest that there would have been an Abr'm Grothouser in the company of John Stahl between 1780-1783. These index cards were created in the 1960s by more than likely an underpaid government worker, so we really need to see if this Abr'm Grothouser's presence in this unit can be supported by other records.

If you look at the 1778 roster for Stahl's company in which William Grothouse was in the 2nd class and note the others in his class, you will notice that there was an Abraham Peckman in the same class as William.

1778 Stahl Company... William Grothouse and Abraham Peckman in the same class.
http://www.footnote.com/image/3420418/grotehouse/

Source. PA Archives, Series 5, Volume 8, Fourth Battalion, Northampton County Militia, Page 87.

Then if you look at the 1783 roster for Stahl's company, in which William Grothouse was in the 2nd class, you will notice that for the Abr'm in that class, his last name was noted to have been illegible. There was no Abraham Peckman listed.

1783 Stahl Company... William Grothouse and Abr'm "illegible" in the same class.
http://www.footnote.com/image/3530652/grothouse/#3530652

Source: PA Archives, Series 5, Volume 8, Fourth Battalion, Northampton County Militia, Page 360.

So there appears to be a conflict between the Rev War Index card created in the 1960s versus the PA Archives, Series 5, Volume 8 edited by Thomas Lynch Montgomery in 1902.

Until the microfilm of that militia roster can be viewed to see if the last name for Abr'm is legible or illigible, there will be a question about whether there was or was not an Abr'm Grothouser who served in John Stahl's company of the Northampton County Militia in 1783.

Except for that Rev War Military Index Card, so far, a relatively exhaustive search for Greathouse records in Northampton County, PA has failed to uncover any other records which would suggest that an Abraham Grothouser was residing or served in the militia of that area.

28

Queries / Re: Greathouse born in Clarksburg, WV

« on: August 22, 2009, 09:11:50 AM »

Diana Johnson of Clarksburg, WV has shared the following info:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Diana Johnson <djhcgh@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Aug 22, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Subject: Linda F's Greathouse genealogy
To: lkline@frontiernet.net


Here goes for now.
 
Okey Greathouse married Victora/ia Greathouse on 25 Oct 1906 in Doddridge Co WV.  Okey was 30 and Victoria was 23.  Both were born in Doddridge Co and living in Doddridge Co WV.  He gave the info for the marriage license.  They were married according to the marriage license "at the publick highway."

1880 Doddridge Co WV (Wm Marsh edition)

S008
James A Greathouse, 34, farmer, VA
Susan E, 28, VA
Lillie I, 8, WV
Clarence, 6, WV
Oka, 4, WV
Mary M, 2, WV

S006
Moses A Greathouse, 69, shoemaker, VA
Lucretia, 71, VA
Joseph S Adams, 22, married grandson, farmer,
Luella Adams, 22, married wife
James W. Adams, son

(James A Greathouse and Luella Adams are the children of Moses and Lucretia Peck Greathouse)

1900 Cove, Doddridge County, WV

Okey Greathouse is a boarder in the household of Elbert Moran.  Okey is 23 and single, born in WV.  His birth is listed as Sept 1876.  {Incidentally, his sister, Lillie, is also living in Cove, Doddridge}

1910 Cove, Doddridge, WV

Okey Greathouse, 34
Victora, 26
Forest, 2
Arlis, 7/12

1920 New Milton, Doddridge, WV

Okey Greathouse, 44, WV, laborer
Victora, 36, WV
Forest, 12
Arlis, 10
Byrl, 7
Maggie, 2

In 1918 Okey filled out a WWI draft registration giving this info, born 7 March 1876, tall, slender, brown eyes, gray hair, New Milton Doddridge Co WV, farming, nearest relative was Victoria Greathouse, wife, New Milton, Doddridge WV, date of registration was Sep 12, 1918, his age 42 years

Okey's father was James Greathouse who was born July 30, 1844 and died May 13, 1925 in Harrison Co WV.  He married Susan Dicks who died May 4, 18(8 or 9)6.

James Greathouse's father was Moses Greathouse who married Lucretia Peck.

Moses Greathouse's father was Gabriel Greathouse who married Mary/Nancy Hustead.

Gabriel Greathouse's father was William Greathouse (Sr.) who married Barbara Schultze.

Have not located Okey in 1930 under the name Greathouse or Dix/Dicks.  Is it possible he died in the 1920s?  Haven't located Victoria either, nor their children.

29

Events, Happenings and Reunions / Genealogy Fair | 26 Sep 2009, Spencer, WV

« on: August 12, 2009, 11:39:55 AM »

From Johanna Nutter...

Greetings to all,

The Roane County Historical Society's annual Genealogical Fair will be held Saturday, September 26, 20009 from 9-3, at the Heritage Park Community Building, in Spencer, WV. This is the same location as last year.  Signs posted in Spencer at all major intersections will guide you to the building.

Food will be available on site through out the day.  Table rent for those wishing to sell material will be $10.00 a table.  Please let us know if you will need electricity and how many tables you need.  Tables for sharing your family history will be provided at no cost, but we need to know how many tables you will need.  You may bring your computer but the building does not have internet access.

Bring your computer, books, pictures, and memories to share with us.

Be sure and visit our website at www.wvroane.org.  We are always grateful for any material you would like to share on the website.  If you have any questions about the Fair please contact one of the following committee members.  Let us hear from you soon.

Johanna Nutter joeandjo30@wirefire.com or joe@wvroane.org
Carol Board Westfall legallady@hughes.net or carol@wvroane.org

30

General Discussion / Josef Broeker Collection

« on: April 18, 2009, 09:32:01 AM »

We have recently received a collection of work regarding the Grothaus family in Europe from Josef Broeker.

You may read the first email we received from Josef which was in German, below:

Email from Josef Broeker to Rick Greathouse, 4 Apr 2009.

--
---------- Forwarded message ---------- 
From: Josef Bröker
Date: 2009/4/4
Subject: von Grothaus

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
 
leider ist mein Englisch nicht so gut, deshalb dieses Schreiben in Deutsch.
 
Seit etwa 25 Jahren - immer mit Unterbrechungen - forsche ich über die Familie von Grothaus.
 
Dabei kam ich in Kontakt mit mit Otto von Grotthuss aus Kronberg und auch Harry von Grotthuss aus Neuwied, der - wie ich erfahren konnte - mit Ihnen schon Kontakt aufgenommen hat.
Im Jahre 2001 fand hier in Ibbenbüren ( bei Tecklenburg) ein Familientreffen der Barone und Freiherren von Grotthuss statt.
Auf diesem Treffen besuchten wir die Orte, die die von Grothaus einst besessen hatten ( Reste der Mesenburg, Ledenburg, Krietenstein, Spyk bei Lingen.
 
Dieses Treffen bildete den vorläufigen Abschluss meiner Forschungen zur adeligen Familie von Grothaus.
 
Als ein Ergebnis konnte ich den Ahnherrn der heute noch blühenden Familie von Grotthuss ( Kurland/Livland) finden und außerdem die Genealogie der westfälische Linie von Grothaus komplett korrigieren - die  des Max von Spiessen ist total fehlerhaft.
Zur Zeit beschäftige ich mich mit dem Pozess um Krietenstein. Denn bis in die heutige Zeit wird dem Otoo von Grone der Vorwurf der Felonie = Lehnsuntreue gemacht, weshalb sein Burglehen zu Wittlage ( Krietenstein) eingezogen wurde.
Die sogenannte Grothaus Fehde mit dem Blutbad im Gehn ist die unmittelbare Folge davon.
 
Wenn Sie Interesse haben, sende ich Ihnen meine wissenschaftlich = durch Urkunden abgesicherten Forschungsergebnisse.
Zunächst eine Aufschwörungstafel bei der Osnabrücker Ritterschaft.
 
MfG  Josef Broeker
--

Translation provided by Vivian Taylor:

--
Very esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen,
     Unfortunately my English is not too good; therefore I am writing this in German.
     For perhaps twenty-five years--always with interruptions--I have been doing research on the Greathouse Family.
     In so doing, I came into contact with Otto von Grotthuss from Kronberg and also Harry von Grotthuss from Neuwied, who--as I was able to learn--had already made contact with you.
     In the year 2001 there took place here in Ibbenbueren (near Tecklenburg) a family meeting of the Lords and Ladies Grothaus. Immediately after this meeting we tried to find the places which the von Grothauses had once possessed.  (The remaining [places are] at Mesenburg, Ledenburg, Krietenstein, [and] Spyk near Lingen.)
     This meeting organized [shaped, formed] the preliminary conclusion of my research on the noble Grothaus Family.
     As a result I was able to find the ancestors of the Family von Grotthuss still flourishing today ([in] Kurland/Livland) and in addition to correct completely the genealogy of the Westphalian line of Grothaus.  The [research] of Max von Spiessen is totally incorrect.
     At the time I was occupied with the POZESS [not in my dictionary; maybe "possessions"] around Krietenstein. From then up to the present time I have been absorbed with Otoo [Otto?] von Grone, made the subject of a felony violation of feudal obligation, because of which his tenure of a baronial castle at Wittlage (Krietenstein) was taken away.
     The so-called Grothaus feud with the massacre in the Gehn[?] is the direct result of that.
     If you are interested, I'll send you the scholarly results of my research, proven with documentation. Next [will be] a register of those who took the oath among the Osnabrueck nobility.

     MfG[?] Josef Broeker
--

In a later email, Josef shared a copy of his work, titled  "Publikation 1984 von Grothaus" along with several other works he has collected.

Vivian Taylor has been working on translating and extracting anything which might be relevant or interesting to our search for Herman Groethausen's German roots. She has just shared a translated extract which was found in the source mentioned above.

The following is an extract from "Publikation 1984 von Grothaus" by Josef Broeker:

--
Page 313:  Family of Grothaus--without an addition [of an Estate Name] to the Name
 
     1. Hermann von Grothaus
     From the family of Grothaus, he is the first one who was mentioned in the Tecklenburg records.  In those, in fact, he functioned only as a witness (between 1402 and 1414).
     According to the evidence of the investiture books of the Osnabrueck bishops Heinrich von Holstein (1402-1404) and Otto von Hoya (1410-1424), Hermann von Grothaus was invested with, among others, manors in Mettingen and Lengerich (today, the Steinfurt district)--[manors] which previously Arnold and Hermann von Keseling had held in fief.
     Interesting in this connection is an entry in the Tecklenburg investiture book (Chronological Publications, F A Solms-Braunfels), according to which Hermann von Grothaus at that time obligated himself as a Tecklenburg fief holder and lord of the castle provided that the fief which the Keselings had held previously would be transferred to him by the Count of Tecklenburg.
     According to the evidence of the investiture books (F A Rheda and Solms-Braunfels), he was invested, from 1420 to 1428, with the [manor] Hoemoelle near Telgte and the [manor] Overenkamp near Westbevern.
     With that, the information about him in the records is exhausted, and important genealogical questions regarding his family, for example his blood-kin relationship to Johann von Grone and Cord von Grothaus, must unfortunately remain unanswered.
 
 Page 314:        Proof in the records [source citations]
         1402 Aug. 29       Reference Book A 190, No. 149    Muenster State Archive
         1402 without day  OGQ, Vol. V, page 72
         1412 without day  OGQ, Vol. V, page 104
         1412 without day  Tecklenburg Investiture Book        F A Solms-Braunfels
                                                                                     [Family Archive?]
         1412 April 30        Reference Book A 190, No. 175   Muenster State Archive
         1414 May 10        Reference Book A 190, No. 180   Muenster State Archive
         1420 without day  Tecklenburg Investiture Book        F A Rheda
         1428 without day  Tecklenburg Investiture Book        F A Rheda
--


Special thanks to Vivian Taylor for her help in translating Josef's email along with the extract from Josef's work, "Publikation 1984 von Grothaus".

As time permits, a PDF version of Josef's work will be made available in our European research collection, http://greathouse.us/library/families-eu/index.htm .