صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

1

Inv. 4743
Cs

71

668
1912

INTRODUCTION

There seems to be no end of attempts at writing family histories, and one of the greatest difficulties confronting such authors seems to be the collection of facts which bear sufficient authenticity to warrant the publication of such researches. The author of this volume has spent considerable time in looking over whatever records could be found and after carefully sifting out whatever seemed doubtful, has concluded that the following records of his immediate family are as nearly correct as it is possible to ascertain.

Tracing back from the author, we have,-Abraham Godshalk, who was the son of Abraham Godshalk, who was the son of Samuel Godshalk, who was the son of John Godshalk, who was the son of Godshalk Godshalk, who was the son of Jacob Godshalk.

PART II.

The author wishes to give some explanation for the various ways of spelling the name, which was originally German, and was spelled Gottschall, but through the religious persecutions in Europe, the family emigrated from Germany to the Netherlands, in Holland, from which country the first emigrants, through William Penn's influence, set sail for America and liberty.

It was in this country (Holland) that the spelling was first changed, from Gottschall to Gaetschalck, to conform with the language of Holland. The present spelling in America is Godshalk.

It will be seen that instead of translating the letters as would have been proper, the name is really changed.

Originally the name Gottschall, translated into English, meant "God's Echo," but the present spelling, Godshalk, means Godshalk-or God's rascal.

The author takes the privilege of suggesting that the younger members of the family go back to the original spelling of the name and write their name "Gottschall."

ABRAM GODSHALK, JR.

The Family Records

HISTORY OF THE GODSHALK FAMILY.

FIRST GENERATION.

Rev. Jacob Godshalk was born in the village of Gog, district of Cleves, Holland, about the year 1670, came to Pennsylvaniz and located in Germantown, about 1699. He was the owner of land there, and a deacon of the Mennonite Church, and became a minister in 1708.

He removed to Towamencin Twp., now in Montgomery Co., in 1714, and purchased a tract of land there, on which he lived until his death in 1763.

His will, dated in 1760, indicates that he was a man of great age, as in reference to his occupation he says, "Formerly while I was able, turner." He had three sons, Godshalk and John, both. of whom were deceased at the time of his will, and Herman, who was residing with him on the farm in Towamencin Township, and to whom it was devised. He also had two daughters, Ann, wife of Peter Gustard (Kuster), and Magdalene, wife of William Nash, both of whom were deceased.

SECOND GENERATION.

Godshalk Godshalk, son of Jacob Godshalk, was born in Holland about 1693, and came with his parents to Germantown when a lad. He was married at Germantown about 1713, to his wife Eve, maiden name unknown.

In February, 1714, he purchased a tract of land containing 123 acres, in Towamencin Township, adjoining his father's, the purchase being of the same person, and part of the original tract, both purchases recorded on the same day. On November 22, 1725, he purchased 50 acres adjoining. He died on this farm, leaving a will dated March 15, 1747-1748, which was proved

September 26, 1748, the will mentioning his wife Eve and his fourteen children: Jacob, William, Sycken, Mary, Catharine, Magarit, Garret, Jancien (Jane) Magadalena, Gertrude, John, Anna, Eve and Peter.

The will names his brothers-in-law, Peter Kuster and William Nash, as executors. Thirteen of the children released 173 acres of which their father died seized to their brother Garret Godshalk, between the years 1765 and 1767. Peter, the youngest child, was still a minor in 1767.

THIRD GENERATION.

John Godshalk, the eleventh child of Godshalk Godshalk and Eve Godshalk, was born in Towamencin Township, about 1735 to 1740. He joined in the deed to his brother Garret on May 27, 1767, with Hannah, his wife, and is mentioned as "of the county of Philadelphia, husbandman." He is also mentioned as a legatee in the joint will of his maiden sisters Catharine and Jane Godshalk, in 1795. With his wife Hannah, he joined in a deed to these sisters on April 15, 1771. Nothing further has been discovered in reference to him.

Following a direct line of descendants from Godshalk Godshalk it appears that John Gottschall, of whose birth and death and family relations can be found no authentic record but who is taken or accepted to be the father of Samuel Gottschall from whom a direct line of descendants can again be traced.

FOURTH GENERATION.

The above Samuel Gotschalk (grandfather of the author), was born about 1760 and married Mary Gile, daughter of Jacob Gile, who was born in Alsace, Germany, in 1742, and came to Pennsylvania in 1751 with his father, of the same name.

Jacob Gile married Anna Clymer and in 1763 purchased a farm in Springfield Township, Bucks Co., Pa., on which he lived until 1768, when he sold it and removed to a farm in New Britain Township, purchased in 1767.

Here he lived until 1786, when he sold his farm to William Gottschall and removed to Buckingham Township, Virginia,

« السابقةمتابعة »