John (Grover) GRUVER

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: KJ49-V7G
• _UID: 9D4C9FB2FC294F42B4B104B5A17FF959805F

Family/Spouse: Rachael BERGE. Rachael was born in 1805; died on 25 Feb 1860. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: KJ47-Y9S
• Name: Isaac GRUBER
• _UID: 6134F15113EA4C12BDFA14015B507387A3F7
• Tax Assessment: 1828, Ohio
• Tax Assessment: 1835, Ohio

Notes:

Isaac Gruver-found in the 1830 census as Isaac Groover in Huron County, Ohio; Greenfield Township. According to the census there were 1 age 10-15; 2 age 15-20; 4 age 20-30; and 1 age 60 to 70 (this has to be Isaac's Mother and Solomon's Widow MARGARETHA , nmu.

Issac married Lydia NARREGANG on 12 Dec 1797 in Bucks County, Pennslyvania. Lydia (daughter of Daniel NARREGANG and Elizabeth SEWITZ) was born on 12 Oct 1774 in Bucks County, Pennslyvania; died on 18 Aug 1852 in Huron County, Ohio; was buried on 18 Aug 1852 in Steuben Cemetery, Greenfield Township, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: L7F7-V2G
• Name: Lydia NARRGANG
• _UID: 67514053FF1E400A92CA934317FA93A62EEB

Notes:

The cemetery records are in error for Lydia Narregang' s birth date. Her baptism records show that she was born October 12, 1774 , Baptized on May 7, 1775 in the Springfield Church Records. She is the Daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Narragang. The Sponsor of the Baptism was Fredricka Sewitz. According to Family Tree Maker's Family Archives Birth Index: Southeastern, PA, 1680-1800 from John T. Humphrey, CD #196 the Baptism is recorded thusly: Narregang, Lidia Child's Birth/Baptism Date: 12 Oct 1774 Location: Springfield Lutheran Church, Springfield Township County: Bucks State: Pennsylvania Father: Daniel Narregang Mother: Mrs. Elizabeth Narregang

Notes:

Married:
Kellers Lutheran Church

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LZLV-HC4
• Religion: ; Very staunch Calvinist Reformed Church - as stated by Louise Gruver Magee, 14 March 2002.
• _UID: FC9754916C3945889CC24562824B5674864A

Notes:

Final Settlement of the Estate of Solomon Gruver of Lower Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania was presented by his Administrator, Isaac Gruver. On Court Docket 24 April 1812. Solomon is buried in Stone Church, Centerville, Sometimes referred to as Christ Church Cemetery, Upper Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. NOTE: found this information in John T. Humphrey's latest book called "Pennsylvania Gravestones, Northampton County" copyright 2000. Solomon is buried in the cemetery transcriptions (paperwork) As Salome as that is the given name that the church used for his burial. The spelling is wrong, however, I am certain this is Solomon Gruber/Gruver born Sept 1735 and died in 1811 from the Church Transcriptions and the Probate of his Will in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. signed: Louise Gruver-Magee, June 09, 2000. Children were baptized in Springfield TWP., Northampton Co, Pa. in the Reformed Church or Lutheran as the Reformed Church merged with the Lutheran Church. According to History of Northampton County, Pennsylvania, the county was formed from Bucks County, Pennsylvania in 1752. As a result Solomon Gruber/Gruver along with his farm land was put into Northampton County, Pennsylvania. The land was purchased from his Father John Peter and his Mother, Anna Barbara circa 1759 per land records. LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SOLOMON GRUVER signed with his witnessed "X" on February 25, 1811 in the presence of Lewis Micke and Melchior Edinger. IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. I SOLOMON GRUVER of Lower Mount. Bethel, Northampton County, and state of Pennsylvania, being very Sick and weak in Body, but of perfect mind and Memory, thanks be given unto God, calling to mind the mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all Men to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament; that is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my Soul into the Hand of Almighty God that gave it, and my Body, I recommend to the Earth, to be buried in decent Christian buriel at the discretion of my Executor. And as touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to help me in this Life, I give, demise, and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. First, I give and bequeath Margareth, my beloved Wife, the Sum of Fifty Dollars, in Hand paid by my Executor first of all to her only use, out of my Estate, and One Hundred Pounds of Money for her only use for her Legacie, to dispose of it as she pleases, which my Son Isaac shall pay to her out of my Real Estate, further I will that my beloved Wife, Margareth shall have the following articles of my Household and Kitchen Furniture; the Old Black Cow with chain and Bell, a Walnut Chest, a Walnut Table, her Spinning Wheel, a Firehole, two Chears, a little Ceadar Tub, two Buckets, a Little Iron Kettle, a little Iron Pot, a Frying Pan, a Bake Iron, a Coffe Mill, a Wooden Salt Box, two three Bushel Bags, a Bedstead and Bedding belonging to a Complete Bed, and the Newest Coverlet, also her Dowry of her Son Isac Gruver, which per intenture of the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven, was held out for my beloved Wife Margareth after my Deceas, to be performed punctually by my son Isac during her Lifetime. Also I divise that the Remainder of my whole Estate shall be divided in equal Shears to my Four Children as, Namely, my oldest Son John Gruver, to my son Isac Gruver, to the Heirs of my Son Phillip Gruver Deceised, and to my Daughter Barbarah, Wife of Christian Stone, with this exception, that if my Daughter Barbarah should die without an Heir, then is it my Will that her Shear shall fall back after her deceas, to my two Sons, John Gruver and Isac Gruver in two equal Shears. And lastly I do hereby appoint my Son Isac Gruver Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made; In Witness whereof I have here unto set my Hand and Seal this Twenty fifth Day of February, in the Year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and Eleven. Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the above Named Solomon Gruver to be his last Will and Testament, in the Presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our Names as Wittneses, in the Presence of The Testator. /s/ Lewis Micke /s/ Melchior Edinger his SOLOMON x GRUVER mark This is the document where John and Isaac gave their Sister Barbarah and her husband their share of the Estate of Solomon Gruber even tho Solomon had written Barbarah and her husband out of his Will. Therefore, Christian Stein (Stone) renounced the caveat (lien) against the estate of Solomon and the Probate was enabled then to proceed as scheduled. Northampton County, Misc. Docket 5, page 389 To all People to whom these presents shall come, John Gruber of Lower Mount Bethel Township in the County of Northampton and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania yeoman, and Isaac Gruber of Newport Township in the County of Luzerne and Commonwealth Aforesd. yeoman, sons and Legatees named in the Last Will and Testament of Solomon Gruber late of Lower Mount Bethel Township aforesaid yeoman, deceased, Send Greeting?Whereas the said Solomon Gruber in and by his last Will and Testament aforesaid bearing date the twenty fifth day of February Anno Domini One thousand Eight hundred and Eleven after specifically disposing of Part of his Estate to his wife Margaret did bequeath the residue thereof in the following words, to wit "Also I devise that the remainder of my whole Estate shall be divided in equal Shears to my four children, as namely my oldest son John Gruver, to my son Isac Gruver, to the Heirs of my son Phillip Gruver deceased and to my Daughter Barbarah wife of Christian Stone, with this exception, that if my Daughter Barbarah should die without an Heir, then it is my Will that her Shear shall fall back after her Decease to my two Sons John Gruver and Isac Gruver in two equal Shears," as in and by said recited Will duly proved and Remaining in the Registers Office at Easton appears. Now Know Ye that the said John Gruber and Isaac Gruber for divers good causes and considerations, and for and in consideration of the sum of one Dollar to them in hand paid by the said Christian Stone and Barbara his wife at and before the ensealing and delivery hereof the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, Have and each of them Hath, remised, released and forever quit claimed and by these Present Do and each of them Doth remise, release and forever quit claim unto the said Christian Stone and Barbara his wife all the Estate, Right, Title, Interest, Claim and Demand whatsoever of them the said John Gruber and Isaac Gruber of in to or out of the Share of her the said Barbara of the Estate of the said Solomon Gruber decd. To which they the said John Gruber and Isaac Gruber are might or could be entitled after the decease of her the said Barbara by virtue of the last will and Testament aforesaid. To have and to hold the said Share of Legacy unto them the said Christian Stone and Barbara his wife their Heirs and Assigns forever, full free and in as ample a manner as if the said above recited proviso or exception had not been contained in the Last Will and Testament aforesaid; So that neither the said John Gruber and Isaac Gruber nor their Heirs nor any other person or persons whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim by from or under them or any of them shall or may at any Time or Times hereafter have claim challenge or Demand any Estate Right Title or Interest of in to or out of the said Share or Legacy given and bequeathed to the said Barbara Stone by the last Will and Testament aforesaid, or any Part thereof, but thereof and therefrom shall and will be utterly excluded and forever debarred by these Presents. In Witness whereof the said John Gruber and Isaac Gruber have hereunto set their Hands and Seals the twenty eighth day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven. Johannes Gruber Isaac Gruver Sealed and delivered in the presence of us by Isaac Gruber Philip H. Mattes, Nath. Michler "Solomon Gruver, who married Margaret Keller, February 03, 1756, was a son of Peter Gruver, one of the earliest German Settlers on the Tohickon, in Bedminister. Solomon was a resident of Richland and had at least three children, Philip Heinrich, born September 22, 1758; a child born in 1762, and Peter, born August 26, 1764." (From the book, HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY by Edward Mathews prepared in 1903.)

Solomon married Margaret. Margaret was born in in Pennsylvania; died in 1831 in Greenfield Township, Huron, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• FamilySearch ID: LB53-XQX
• _UID: E2EEDBC85385407EB01E202C7C2A068857AD

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• FamilySearch ID: L5XV-SL3
• Name: Daniel NARREGANG SR.
• _UID: 6C411AA298E34E149BA24832099218D888A8

Notes:

Arrived on Ship " Harle" September 01, 1736: Daniel Nargang. age 20. Plus Johan Peter Nargang, age 33; Andreas Narrgang, age 37, Catharina Nargangin, age 23, and Anna Maria Nargangin, age 23. The women's names have the German feminine ending. In most cases, the correct name will be obtained by dropping the "in" ending. At the courthouse of Philadelphia, September 1st, 1736. One hundred fifty one Foreigners, makeing in all three hundred eighty eight Persons, were imported here in the Ship Harle, of London, Ralph Harle, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, as by Clearance thence, were this day qualified as usual. "From the minutes of the Provincial Council, printed in Colonial Records, Vol. IV, p. 58f. Ship "Jamaica Gallery", February 07, 1738/09: Jacob Nargang, age 28. From CD166: Child of Jacob Narregang, b. April 06, 1788, bapt Nov. 24, 1788 taken from the Tohickon Union Church, Bucks County, Pa. Elizabeth Gruber of George Peter Gruber & Anna Catharine, b. Dec. 01.1782. Sponsor is Peter Narregang & (?). Taken from Trinity Union Lutheran Church, Bucks County, Pa. John Narregang of Henry Narregang & Barbara. Sponsor: None Given. Taken from the Trinity Union Lutheran Church, Bucks County, Pa. (Need to find the dates?) Elizabeth Norregang of Jacob Norregang & Margaret, b. December 25, 1777. Sponsor: None Given. Taken from Trinity Union Lutheran Church, Bucks County, Pa. Catharine Narrengang of Jacob Narrengang & Margaret, b. February 09, 1785, baptized March 28, 1785. Sponsors: Adam Beutelman & Catharine. Taken from Trinity Union Lutheran Church, Bucks County, Pa. John Joseph Foltz of John Foltz & Anna Maria Veronica, b. May 02, 1777. Sponsor: JACOB NARREGANG 7 WIFE. Taken from the Trinity Union Lutheran Church, Bucks County, Pa. LYDIA NARREGANG of Daniel Narregang & Elizabeth, b. October 12, 1774, baptized April 13, 1775. Sponsor: Frederika Sevitz. Taken from the Trinity Union Lutheran Church, Bucks County, Pa. Maria Catharine Narregang of Michael Narregang & Elizabeth, b. January 31, 1757, baptized March 13, 1757. Sponsors: Catharine Rinker, wife of Christian Rinker. Taken from Trinity Union Lutheran Church, Bucks County, Pa. Adam Demig of Adam Demig & Maria, b. October 09, 1793, baptized November 26, 1793. Sponsors: PETER NARREGANG & WIFE, EVA. Taken from the Trinity Union Lutheran Church, Bucks County, Pa. April 04, 1794 John Narregang married to Maria Marris. Married at St. Paul's Church, Amityville, Pa. John Narragang of Michael Narragang & Elizabeth, b. March 24, 1759, baptized May 20, 1759. Sponsors: John Appel & wife. Taken from Trinity Union Lutheran Church, Bucks County, Pa.

Daniel married Elizabeth SEWITZ. Elizabeth (daughter of Henry ZAVITZ and Frederica HOLLENBACH) was born about 1744 in Pennsylvania; died on 2 Nov 1860 in Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LVDY-K63
• Name: Elizabeth (Sewitz) ZAVITZ
• _UID: 23895604439644DB89373D01E5B3A569A2AC

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• FamilySearch ID: D7F6-L55
• Name: Johan Petrus GRUBER
• Occupation: Profession Grist Mill Builder and Saw Mill Builder in Southeastern Pa
• _UID: EFEB0CCDFA584333A25063FE0682AAD2D2FB
• Immigration: 12 Oct 1733, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; Arrived from Germany by way of London on the Charming Betty, John Ball, Master.
• Occupation: Between 1740 and 1759, Springfield Township, Bucks, Pennsylvania; Sawmill and Gristmill Builder
• Naturalization: 11 Sep 1740, Bucks, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America

Notes:

According to the Ship's Registry: This is from the list of foreigners imported in the ship Charming Betsy, John Bull, Master from London. Qualified October 12, 1733. Qualification found at the Courthouse, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From the minutes of the Provincial Council, printed in Colonial Records, Volumn III, Page 524. 15 Palatines aboard with their families making a total of 62 persons aboard who of late came from London, England. All aboard were From the Palatinate Section of Germany.
Hans Peter Gruber: Original list states PETER GRUBER, Age 34. Women: ANNA GRUBER, age 24 and a boy the son of Peter and Anna; MARTIN GRUBER age 1 1/2 years. ANNA BARBARA GRUBER is confirmed as the wife of JOHANN PETER GRUBER, later known in this country as JOHN PETER GRUVER/GRUBER. Taken from the Baptismal transcriptions of the Church Birth/Baptism records from the Tohickon Reformed Church, Bedminster TWP., Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Birth/Baptism Transcriptions of children born; MARIA ELIZABETH GRUBER born/baptized on 27 April 1746. Parents: PETER & ANNA BARBARA GRUBER.
In a compilation of the Families of Nicholas Kruger and of Johan Peter Gruber compiled by Horatio Gates Shull in Easton, Northampton County, Pennsylvania during the year 1929, is stated the fact that JOHN PETER GRUBER AND HIS WIFE ANNA BARBARA AND SON, MARTIN BOARDED THE SHIP CHARMING BETSY IN ROTTERDAM AND OF LATE LONDON. (This statement is false as I Have found many records in my research stating that the ship Charming Betty or Betsy originated from London, England and not Rotterdam, Holland.Research done by me: Ellen Louise Gruver-Magee on September 29, 2000.)
Unable to find any information on John Peter and Anna Barbara after about 1759. Source Page # : 133 Gruber, Hans Peter Place : Pennsylvania Year : 1733 Primary Individual : Gruber, Hans Peter Source Code : 1804 Source Name : EGLE, WILLIAM HENRY, editor. Names of Foreigners Who Took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania, 1727-1775, with the Foreign Arrivals, 1786-1808. (Pennsylvania Archives, ser. 2, vol. 17.) Harrisburg [PA]: E.K. Meyers, 1890. 787p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1967. Source Annotation : Taken from original manuscripts in the state archives. Names given throughout pages 1-677.
Foreigners arriving in Pennsylvania named on pages 521-667. No. 3776, Kelker, supplements this. Source Page # : 98 Gruber, Hans Peter Place : Philadelphia Year : 1733 Primary Individual : Gruber, Hans Peter Source Code : 6665 Source Name : PENNSYLVANIA (COLONY). PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania, from the Organization to the Termination of the Proprietary Government. (Colonial Records of Pennsylvania, vols. 3-4.) Harrisburg, PA: State of Pennsylvania, Theo Fenn & Co. Vol. 3 (1840), containing the Proceedings of the Council from May 31, 1717, to January 23, 1735-1736, pp. 299-301, 303-305, 307, 346-348, 350-351, 390-392, 409-411, 414, 436-437, 440-442, 444, 457, 460-461, 483-490, 498-501, 554-559, 564, 614-616, 642-643, 647. (Reprinted by Jo Severns & Co., Philadelphia, in 1852, with different pagination, starting on p. 283 and ending on p. 594.) Source Annotation : Lists Palatines arriving in Pennsylvania between 1718 and 1742. Note that the first printing of vol. 3, 1840, has been used in no. 2048, Filby and Meyer. Also in no. 717, Boyer, Ship Passenger Lists, Pennsylvania and Delaware, pp. 48-86; and printed in part in no. 7820, Rupp. Source Page # : 564 Gruber, Hans Peter Place : Philadelphia Year : 1733 Primary Individual : Gruber, Hans Peter Source Code : 717 Source Name : BOYER, CARL, 3RD, editor. Ship Passenger Lists, Pennsylvania and Delaware (1641-1825). Newhall, Calif.: the editor, 1980. 289p. 4th pr. 1986. Reprint. Family Line Publications, Westminster, MD, 1992. Source Page # : 79 Gruber, Hans Peter Place : Philadelphia Year : 1733 Primary Individual : Gruber, Hans Peter Source Code : 7820 Source Name : RUPP, ISRAEL DANIEL.
A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and Other Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776, with a Statement of the Names of Ships, Whence They Sailed, and the Date of Their Arrival at Philadelphia, Chronologically Arranged, Together with the Necessary Historical and Other Notes, also, an Appendix Containing Lists of More Than One Thousand German and French Names in New York prior to 1712. Leipzig [Germany]: Degener & Co., 1931. 478, 89p. Reprint of the 2nd revised and enlarged ed., 1876, with index from 3rd ed. by Ernst Wecken, 1931, and added index of ships.
Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1985. 583p. Source Annotation : An index by Marvin V. Koger, Index to the Names of 30,000 Immigrants...
Supplementing the Rupp, Ship Load Volume, 1935, 232p. is inferior to Wecken's index in the third edition (above). Page 449 contains "Names of the First Palatines in North Carolina, as Early as 1709 and 1710"; and pages 449-451 contain "Names of Males, Salzburgers, Settled in Georgia, 1734-1741."
Contrary to some opinions, this work by Rupp does not duplicate nos. 9041-9042 by Strassburger, although there are thousands of names which are duplicates. Strassburger's work, however, is more accurate and more reliable than Rupp's. See also no. 9330, Urlsperger.
The Salzburgers mentioned above were immigrants from Salzburg, Austria. Source Page # : 93 Gruber, Hans Peter Place : Philadelphia Year : 1733 Primary Individual : Gruber, Hans Peter Source Code : 9041 Source Name : STRASSBURGER, RALPH BEAVER. Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808. Edited by William John Hinke. Norristown [PA]: Pennsylvania German Society, 1934. 3 vols. Vols. 1 and 3 reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1964. Repr. 1983. Vol. 1. 1727-1775. 776p. Source Annotation : Contains 29,800 names, with annotations written by Krebs (see no. 4203).
Various references to the names in Strassburger will be found in other listings, mostly where authors have attempted to line up their information with that in Strassburger. This work (often referred to as Strassburger and Hinke) is much superior to no. 7820, Rupp, and no. 1804, Egle. It forms a revision with additions to Rupp and Egle, and was prepared and edited with great accuracy. Vol. 1 contains captains' lists, 1727-1775; vol. 2 has facsimiles of all signatures of signers of oaths of allegiance and oaths of abjuration, and was not included in the G.P.C. reprint; vol. 3 has captains' lists from 1785-1808, and indexes to captains, ships, ports of departure, and surnames in all volumes. The set was originally vols. 42-44 of the Pennsylvania German Society Proceedings.
NOTE: Dr. Calvin D. Gruver in Minnesota on July 13, 2000 states that in the first years from 1733-1740 Hans Peter and his family could have been in Philadelphia as he has seen his name there on the first surveys on a place named NORTHERN LIBERTIES OF PHILADELPHIA. For certain Hans Peter Gruber boarded the ship Charming Betty at London, England. As the Ship sailed from London. List 35C) from the Courthouse of Philadelphia October 12th., 1733. Present The Hon Patrick Gordon, Esq, Lieu Governor, Thomas Griffits, Esq, Mayor.
The Palatines whose Names are underwritten, imported in the Ship Charming Betty, Jn Ball, Master, from LONDON, did this day take and subscribe the Oaths to the Government. Johann Kettner ; Adam (SA) Spag George Michel Kettner; Nicholas (X) Burger Heinrich Mockli (with and umlaut over the "o") Peter (O) Stocker; Hans Peter (X) Gruber; Johan Paul Vogt Samuel Ludi ; Johans Lang Christian Anderich (?); Johan (+) Lang, Jun Ulrich (U) Leebegoot ; Nicholas (NH) Heltzel Johan (X) Leebegoot ; Nicholas (NH) Heltzel
Land Application -0984124 1737-1748 Bucks County, Pa. Warrant issued in Mr. Parson's absence. May 11, 1746--John Philip Debartholet 56 acres near Tohichon Bucks Co. granted by a warrant 14 January 1743 to Peter Gruber who forfeited. The Founding of Peace Church in 1743 Main History Page Martin Luther and The Reformation Peace Church Today Parts of the following accounts on this page and the next are paraphrased from the book: Faith and Community A History of Peace-Tohickon Evangelical Lutheran Church By Susan Wombwell Clemens, 1992 By 1625, German, Dutch and Scandinavian Lutherans came to the New World seeking religious freedoms, They initially settled in New Amsterdam (New York City).
In 1638, more Lutherans came to Delaware. Later, in the early 1700's many Germans arrived in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Pastor Henry Melchior Muhlenberg came to Trappe, Pennsylvania in 1742, seven years later he founded the first Lutheran synod in North America. This brings us to the founding of our own congregation in Bucks County, over 250 years ago. (links to ELCA Homepage references) In 1743, on a piece of land approximately one mile north of the present location of Peace-Tohickon Lutheran Church was the property of a German settler named Peter Gruber. His family, along with neighbors formed the first congregations known in that time as St. Peter's Union Church.
Lacking a separate church building, these families likely met in Gruber's home or barn for worship services. Muhlenberg notes that "regular ministers" began visiting the congregation sometime between 1743 and 1744 at Birkensee (German pronunciation of the English word, Perkasie. This area of land, located in the Manor of Perkasie was originally part of William Penn's land grant from King Charles II in England. The name Perkasie is derived from the local Indian word for this area, "Poekskos-sing". Transcribed literally, it means, "Where hickory nuts were cracked".) (link to Perkasie Historical Society?)
The term "Union Church" comes from the sharing of two separate congregations in the same building. At the time, neither the Lutherans nor Reformed congregations of this area could afford to build separate places of worship. Thus, Upper Bucks County is home to many former Union Churches that often share similar names within a single community, with one congregation Lutheran ? and the other belonging to the United Church of Christ. The early name of the Peace Lutheran congregation was called Tohickon Lutheran church, reflecting its close proximity to the Tohickon Creek nearby.
The first actual church building was standing by 1753 when a portion of land was deeded over to the trustees of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations. The actual details of this building are unknown, and it is assumed that the building may have been a typical log type structure. Thirteen years later on May 8th, 1766 a new stone church was dedicated on the site. Henry Rapp, the Lutheran Pastor named the new church "templum pacis" or Peace Church. In the years that followed, Peace Church stood through the American Revolution and the birth of a new nation.
The bond between the Lutherans and St. Peter's Reformed congregation continued to grow throughout the early 1800's. With the combined resources of the two congregations in 1838 a new stone church was erected for $3,000.00 (This building still exists today as St. Peter's United Church of Christ). The new church boasted a new wooden floor, replacing the dirt floor of the old church. The new building also had another modern marvel ? a heating system.
Finally, a new Krauss Organ was installed to provide music for the sanctuary. That mid 1800's saw many changes to the area surrounding the church. While the land directly around the church remained rural farmland, Perkasie grew tremendously with the coming of the "Iron Horse". Much of this growth can be attributed to the North Pennsylvania Railroad (RR Map) extended its line into upper Bucks County.
As an interesting footnote; the run of the line from Philadelphia to Allentown reached an abrupt halt where "The Ridge" met the Railroad. The wall created by the mountainous ridge required the building of the tunnel. The tunnel, which is still in use today was hand dug and completed by 1853. In its day, the Perkasie tunnel was one of the longest in the world. From the founding of the church, until the early 1900's the liturgy of Peace-Tohickon Lutheran Church was always spoken in German. During the First World War, pressure was put upon German speaking Lutheran congregations to conduct their services in English.
Peace gradually complied by interspersing more and more English services until the German voice was silent in the church. Today, Peace-Tohickon conducts a partial service in German on our annual "Old Fashioned Sunday" in October. On Christmas Eve 1999 Peace once again recognized their German heritage by singing Stille Nacht (Silent Night) in German. Another interesting feature from the early 1900's were the "wagon sheds" next to the church. Although many families walked to the church, more came from the surrounding countryside by horse and buggy. The church built 6 to 8 parallel rows of sheds to accommodate and protect the horse and buggy during the inclement weather.
By 1933, the sheds fell into disrepair and were torn down. 100 tons of crushed stone later created a modern parking lot for the new vehicle -- the automobile. Music has always been at the heart of the Lutheran service. In 1918, a Durner Organ was installed for $2850. This nine stop, air driven instrument gave plenty of exercise to the church sexton who was in charge of hand pumping during the service.
Finally, in 1930 when electricity arrived at the church, the air was supplied via electric blowers, much to the relief of the church sexton. In the time following World War II, growth and prosperity was felt across the nation. Both the Reformed and Lutheran congregations grew in numbers and programs. It became evident in the 1950's that the current church building would need major modifications or a more radical solution. That radical solution was to arise in 1957. Earlier in the decade "seeds" were planted by the Ministerium to encourage the dissolution of Union churches. Later in the decade it became clear that both congregations would benefit by creating separate worship facilities. Thus, a bond that lasted 215 years was legally broken on August 25, 1957.
In the end, the Reformed congregation stayed in the 1838 stone building. The Lutherans set out to build their own church. Marriage 1 Anna Barbara ? b: ABT 1709 in Palatinate Section , German speaking country Married: ABT 1730 in Palatinate Section , Germany

Hans married Anna Barbara HAAS about 1730 in Palatinate, Germany. Anna (daughter of Samuel HAASS and Anna Maria ELLINGER) was born in 1709 in Palantinate, Bittingheim, Bayern, Germany; died about 1759 in Bucks, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LR1V-YGX
• Name: Anna Barbara FISENMARK
• _UID: 8DF5F0E4144042A98B926B6078161CED1413

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• FamilySearch ID: MZJL-2C5

Michael married Anne Elizabeth FEGELE. Anne was born in 1734 in , Lehigh, Penn.; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• FamilySearch ID: MZJL-288

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• FamilySearch ID: MVXG-H4T

Henry married Frederica HOLLENBACH. Frederica was born about 1722 in Pennsylvania; died on 13 Apr 1775 in Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• FamilySearch ID: LH83-MPC