Register Report

Notes for Herman GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A Partial History of

The Greathouse Family in America

Author

Jack Murray Greathouse

Number 7 in the Bulletin series published by the

Washington County Historical Society

Fayetteville, Arkansas

1954

W.J. Lemke, editor

FOREWORD

In my youthful days my grandfather, to whom this book is dedicated, was a member of the Populist Party and a great admirer of Tom Watson, its leader. He was also at various times a Whig, a Know Nothing, and a Democrat, but never a Republican. He was a subscriber to Mr. Watson's magazine and when he visited in my father's home. One of my allotted tasks was to read to him, from cover to cover, each issue. Invariably he would fall asleep during the process and when awakened would always swear by all that is holy that he hadn't been asleep and that he had heard every word.

On one occasion, after nudging him awake and being tired of reading, I asked the question, "Grandpa, what was your Grandpa's name?" His answer was "Gabriel". The name Gabriel seems to have stuck in my mind throughout the years. This incident together with a remark I once heard my father make (that he was a member of one of the oldest Arkansas families), was to a great extent the motivating influence which, almost a half century later, prompted me to attempt the compilation of a family history.

Being 62 years of age and in poor health the work involved has given me a new lease on life and has also been an extremely pleasant diversion. If the reading of this book gives some degree of pleasure to those within whose veins flows the blood of Herman Groethausen, that stubborn German emigrant who fought so hard for his right to a home in the New World, I shall feel amply rewarded for my efforts.

- J. M. G.

PREFACE

The author realizes that this manuscript is only a partial and incomplete history of the family. A much more complete history could have been compiled had the author been physically and financially able to make a long and extended trip through the States of Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania in search of material. Also the further employment of the services of professional genealogists in the states named would, no doubt have unearthed more genealogical data and historical information. However, it is hoped that from this book we may at least gain a true picture of our origin and the westward trek of the family during the years following the Revolutionary War.

Almost every statement in this book is based on actual records obtained from search of deed books, mortgage records, tax books, wills, census reports, marriage records and orphan statistics, as well as cemeteries, family Bibles, old newspapers, and the memory of the aged. Where a statement is based on conjecture or family legend, it is so stated.

The author wishes to extend to the following named individuals his heart-felt thanks for their generous assistance in research work and gathering of materials for this book. Without their kind and understanding aid the compilation of this history would not have been accomplished:

Mrs. M. E. Marsh, Jr., Triadelphia, West Virginia

State Genealogical Secretary for the D.A.R.

Mr. Henry A. Greathouse, Liberty, Missouri

Miss Alice Greathouse, Richmond, California

Hon. Claude A. Rankin, Commissioner of Lands,

State of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas

Mrs. Margaret Smith Ross, Secretary,

Pulaski County Historical Society, Little Rock

- J. M. G.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN PENNSYLVANIA

Herman Groethausen, a German emigrant from whom we are all descended, together with his family consisting of two minor sons -- Henry and John -- arrived in the New World during the year 1710 and settled in the Province of Pennsylvania. His acquisition of land is an extremely interesting story in itself and is very thoroughly described in two entries in Vol. XIX, First Series of Pennsylvania Archives, comprising the minutes of the Board of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania, as follows: (Spelling follows original.)

Page 538 - At a meeting of the Commissioners, the 19th of November 1712:

Herman Groethausen, who a few years ago came into this Province, having had deeds from the Proprietor for 500 acres of land, applied to the late Commissioners (as some of them inform) for the said, upon which a warrant was prepared for him, but instead of calling for it, he seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, in the County of Philadelphia, which being represented to the Board, the said Herman was summoned to appear this day and produce his authority for so settling.

And for this he produced a lease under the Proprietor's hand and Seal, bearing date the 30th of the 10th, 1709, for a thousand years, and a Release dated the next day granting to the said Herman forever five hundred acres of land clear of all Indian incumbrances in the Province of Pennsylvania, between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware, there together with all and every the Profitts, Commodities, and Hereditaments whatsoever unto the same belonging, every acre to be admeasured and computed according to the Statute 33d Edward 1st Royall mines and all others excepted (This is the whole Grant), paying yearly, and the said Herman doth for himself and his heirs Covenant and Grant to pay yearly as a Chief of quitt rent for every acre that shall be taken up one pennySterl'g, to commence within 3 years after seating. But in another paper signed by the Proprietor, dated the 30th of December the payment of the said Rent is released till seven years after Seating, and by an indorsement on the Release of the said 30th of 10, the Proprietor further grants one-twentieth part of all Royall Mines and two-fifths part of all other Mines, they paying a proportionable part of the Charges. The Proprietor also reserves to Himself and Co., free liberty to search for Mines in the said Lands, and further by the said Indorsement grants Liberty to Hawk, Hunt, Fish and Fowl, etc.

This being the sum of the whole Grant, in which no particular Privilege is mentioned, He is required to move off from the said land, otherwise he must be proceeded against and ejected without delay.

Because the said Herman appears a stranger to our Constitution and he has laid out most of what he had on a settlement made upon it, the Board has considered and are willing to grant that he may enjoy his improvement for some years on a reasonable Rent, He taking his own 500 acres elsewhere.

Page 595 - At a meeting of the Commissioners the 21st 10 mo, 1715:

Herman Groethausen, late of Germany but now of this Province, having in the year 1709 purchased of one Coll. Rhedegalt, 9000 acres of land, to be laid out in this Province, upon which he repaired to London in order to transport himself and family hither, and meeting with the Proprietor there, acquainted him with his design. The Proprietor and he came to an agreement that upon Herman's resigning of his right which he purchased of Rhedegalt he should have in the lieu thereof 500 acres laid out amongst the inhabitants at the yearly rent of one Penny Sterling per acre, for which the said Herman took short Deeds of Lease and Release, dated the 30th and 31st days of December in the said year, and soon thereafter arrived in this Province and laid his Deeds before the Commissioners in order to have the land laid out, but by Deeds mentioning no particular Place (only between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware)., for layout out the same there could be no warrant granted but in the Common form, which he not complying with seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, which soon after being made known to the Commissioners, they ordered him to remove from thence, but instead thereof he insisted on the Proprietors promises to him upon their agreements, and so went to England for redress, and being now returned with some Depositions of his resigning his Deeds for the said 9000 acres for only 500 acres., and that at one penny Sterl'g per acre, and also a letter from Mrs. Hannah Perm to the Commissioners they have thereupon ordered that 500 acres of land be forthwith laid out to him within the said Mannor including within the same his Improvement., and accordingly a warrant is granted and Signed."

(NOTE: Springfield Manor, now Springfield Township, had been granted by William Penn to his wife, which accounts for her interposition in the dispute about the land granted to. Herman Groethausen. According to the "History of Chestnut Hill" by John J. McFarlane, the Groethausen tract extended for a mile and a quarter along Stenton Avenue, from Paper Hill Road to Willow Grove Avenue and east from Stenton Avenue nearly to Cheltenham Road. Stenton Avenue is the dividing line between Philadelphia and Springfield Township. Springfield Township was part of Philadelphia County until 1784, when it was taken into the new County of Montgomery. That part of Philadelphia west of Stenton Avenue was Germantown Township.

The term "Proprietor" in the proceedings means William Penn. Coll. Rhedegalt was evidently one of William Penn's agents in Germany.

It is easy to understand why Herman Groethausen was agreeable to William Penn's proposal that he trade his 9000 acres, purchased from Herr Rhedegalt, for 500 acres "located amongst the inhabitants". Outside of Philadelphia and its environs the Province of Pennsylvania, was, at that time, a wilderness inhabited only by Indians who were at times hostile and who quite often attacked and killed white frontiersmen and their families who strayed too far from the populated settlements)-

Herman Groethausen died October 27, 1743. He is buried in the grounds of St. Michaels Lutheran Church, Germantown, and the inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Harman Grothaus, born 1670; died Oct. 27, 1743." He was 73 years of age. It is not known whether the spelling of the name on the tombstone was due to an error on the part of the tombstone -maker or an effort on the part of old Herman himself to shorten and to some extent anglicize his name.

The will of Herman Groethausen is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G", page 76, and is dated October 19, 1743. This instrument is very brief -- merely stating that all his lands are to be divided equally between his two sons Henry and John, who are appointed executors. Evidently his wife preceded him in death as no mention is made of her in his will.

About three years prior to his death, Herman Groethausen, "Springfield yeoman", deeded 109 acres of his original tract of 500 acres to his son John -- "consideration, love, good will and fatherly affection and X 13, 10 s. 11 (Deed Book G 1, page 216 - Office of the Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds, dated November 24, 1740.) John had evidently been living on this tract for some time and had considered it as his property long before his father actually deeded it to him, for in the "List of Philadelphia County Land Owners", published for the first time in 1734, there appears the following entries under Springfield Township:

"Harman Greathouse, 260 acres (largest landowner in the township) "John Greathouse, 109 acres."

(Note that the English version of the name was written into these records by the person who recorded them.)

Evidently Herman had, even at this early date (1734), disposed of a part of his original 500 acres.

Other interesting data concerning Herman Groethausen, the emigrant, follows:

(a) Theodore W. Bean's "History of Montgomery County", in the chapter on Springfield Township, page 1073, says "Herman Greathouse" was collector of taxes in that township in 1723. (Note that Mr.Bean also uses the English spelling of the name.)

(b) The earliest mention of the name of Herman Groethausen in the records of the Philadelphia Register of Wills is when he was a witness to the will of Cornelius Tyson, of Germantown, dated April 6, 1716. He subsequently witnessed other wills.

(c) Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen witnessed the will of George Muller Germantown Township, dated Sept. 21, 1719. In this will Herman Groethausen was appointed "Executor or guardian".

(d) There is considerable evidence that Herman and his son John engaged in the manufacture of tile for a number of years. In Christopher Sower's Germantown newspaper for February 19, 1757, John Grothaus had an advertisement offering for sale a plantation three miles above Germantown, in Springfield, "whereupon there had been a tile kiln for a long time". It is highly probable that Herman brought with him from Germany a knowledge of the manufacture of tile.

(Note: There has been no effort on the part of the author to trace the family to its origin in Germany. One writer, a Mrs. Alice Winters Greathouse Nelson, who compiled and published a genealogy of her branch of the family, states that Herman Groethausen was born in Heidelberg, Germany. However, since she produced no proof in the way of documentary evidence in support of her statement, this writer gives little or no credence to her version of his place of origin. This is not intended as a reflection on Mrs. Nelson (now deceased) or her work. It is entirely possible that she possessed such proof but omitted it from the published booklet due to a lack of space.)

Henry Groethausen was born in Germany in the year 1695. He died during the year 1745 and is buried in St. Michaels churchyard Germantown. The inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Henry Grothouse, born 1695; died 1745." (Note spelling of surname.)

When Henry arrived in the New World (1710), he was 15 years of age, Whether he was older or younger than his brother Johann (John) is not known since there seems to be no record of John's death. It appears that Henry struck out for himself as a very young man. He settled in Lancaster County and there, he and his wife Ann reared a large family.

It is believed that Henry sickened and died while back In Philadelphia County settling up his father's estate (he having died Oct.27, 1743). His will indicates this, as all of the witnesses thereto were residents of Springfield Township, Philadelphia County. In the will the testator's name is "Henry Grothouse" of Heidelberg, County of Lancaster, yeoman", who is "sick and weak in body".

Henry's will is dated January 3, 1744, and was probated February 23, 1745. It is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G" page 170. To his "dear and beloved wife Ann" he leaves in lieu of her dowry X 6 a year during her life time and also during her life time the use of six acre of land in Springfield, "part of the lands lately devised by my father, Herman Grothouse, in any place where there is water." John Grothouse and Wiccard Miller, "part of my executors". are to attend to this transaction and they are also to have a log house built for the wife on the six-acre tract "for her to live in". (Note: I have found, in my research, that the German emigrants who settled in Pennsylvania were the first of the early American colonists to build log houses.)

His land and appurtenances (160 acres), located in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and the land inherited from his father in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County (except for the six-acre tract willed to his wife during her life time), are to be sold and the proceeds therefrom are to be put at interest with the exception of X 100 to be paid to the wife. Interest to be paid to the wife during her life time to defray the "annual costs of the children". who are:

HarmanChristiana

Magdalena Katherine

JacobElizabeth

PeterSusanna

MaryJohn

Apparently the X 100 bequeathed to the wife was to be put at interest by her to produce the X 6 a year during her life time", for later in the will he says "After my wife's death the six acres and X 100 bequeathed to her and all other personal estate are to be equally divided among the children."

He further states in his will that the interest is to be divided equally among the children. Those who are of age are "to be paid at a convenient time after my decease and the rest are to be paid as they arrive at the age of 21 or marry".

Another codicil reads as follows -- "My son Harman is to have all of my smith tools and utensils, which he now uses, paying X 10, 6 d therefor".

Just one month after their father's death, Henry and his brother John sold part of the land which they had so recently inherited. This transaction is recorded in Deed Book G 6, page 128 - Nov. 22, 1743, as follows "Henry Grothouse, Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and his wife Ann. and John Grothouse, Springfield, Philadelphia County, and his wife Amelia, transfer to George Rex, Germantown Township, Philadelphia County, blacksmith, 50 acres, consideration X 100, part of 500 acres in Springfield, patented by Thomas Penn, proprietary) Feb. 28, 1733, to Herman Groethausen and devised by his will to Henry and John Grothausen".

Not too much is known about Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen, son of Herman, the emigrant, and brother of Henry. There is no record of his death, - therefore we do not know when he was born or when he died. There is a record of the burial of his wife Amelia in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown. It reads as follows: "Burials - Amelia Groethausen, November 1, 1774, aged 74 years."

From this burial record I think that we can safely deduce that John never left Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, but lived out his life span on the land which his father acquired from William Penn in 1709.

Records of St. Michaels Church indicate that they, John and his wife Amelia, had at least one son -"Wilhelm". These records read as follows: "Wilhelm, son 'of Wilhelm Groethausen and his wife Anna Maria Puff, born August 2, 1748, baptized ______, 1749" No doubt this Wilhelm, to whom a son was born in 1748, was the son of John and his wife Amelia.

Evidently Wilhelm's first wife, Anna Maria Puff, died within a few years after the birth of their son, Wilhelm Jr., as another church record reads as follows: "Johannes (John), son of Wilhelm Groethausen and wife Barbara, born February 13, baptized April 19, 1756. Catherine, daughter of same, born September 23, baptized October 16, 1757." This very plainly indicates that Wilhelm took unto himself a second wife and that at least two children were born to them.

Most eighteenth century tax records of Pennsylvania, especially prior to 1760, have been destroyed. Those extant have been published in Third Series of Pennsylvania Archives,

Vol. XXII, page 13, Third Series, Pennsylvania Archives, shows a William Greathouse, Brothers Valley Township, Bedford County, in 1773. The same William moved to Turkeyfoot Township, same County, in 1774. Records show that he paid taxes on 200 acres there from 1774 to 1783. John Greathouse, single freeman, owned 100 acres in this same township in 1783. (These men were, in all likelihood, the elder Wilhelm, son of John, and his youngest son, John.)

Vol. XIX, page 191, lists a William Grothouse in Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, during the years 1786-1788. His property listed as follows: "50 acres, 1 horse, 4 cows." This man was undoubtedly "Wilhelm" born 1748, son of Wilhelm and his first wife, Anna Maria Puff.

Vol. XIV, page 86, lists a John Greathouse as living in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1769 but shows no acreage after his name. This was probably John, son of Herman, the emigrant. He had probably by that time disposed of all his holdings in Springfield Township, In 1784, when Springfield Township became a part of the new County Montgomery, there were no Greathouses listed as owning land in the township.

Vol. XVI, page 660, lists a John Greathouse as residing on the Groethausen estate, consisting of six acres, in 1783. This John was, no doubt, the youngest son of Henry Grothouse and he was living on the six acres in Springfield Township which Henry had willed to his (Johns) mother during her life time.

The will of David Owen, Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, dated July 26, 1786, probated June 29, 1790, mentions a daughter Mary, who was the wife of William Grothouse. This William, shown, by records of Pennsylvania Archives previously quoted, to have been a resident of the township and county named above during the years 1786-1788, was the son of Wilhelm and grandson of John, son of Herman the emigrant.

Letters of administration were granted in Philadelphia in these estates of persons who made no wills:

John Groethouse, 1791

John Groethouse, 1796

Although we have no proof, one of these men must have been John, the youngest son of Henry, who was living on the six-acre Groethausen estate in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1783. It is possible, but highly improbable, that the other was John, son of Her-man the emigrant. It is more reasonable and logical to think that he was a son of John and his wife Amelia and a brother to the first Wilhelm. John, based on the age of his wife Amelia, at the time of her death in 1773, would have been 91 years of age in 1791.

Other grants of land to members of the Greathouse family by Pennsylvania Provincial Authorities were as follows:

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXIV, page 419 -

Peter Greathouse, Lancaster County, 80 acres, June 7, 1750.

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXVI, page 84 -

William Grothouse, Northampton County, 15 acres, Dec. 3, 1789.

The diverse spelling of the family name in the legal documents quot-ed, has, of course, been noted by the author and was a source of con-siderable worry. Mr. Edward W. Hocker, a professional genealogist of Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., has however to a great extent cleared this up with the following explanation:

"In those early days in Pennsylvania, all legal documents were writ-ten by professional scriveners who were, for the most part, Englishmen They had little or no knowledge of the German language and spelled these names as they sounded to them when spoken by the German emi-grants."

Mr. Hocker states that he encounters this all the time in tracing the genealogy of families descended from German emigrants to Pennsylvania. Quite often, he says, a man's name will be spelled in two or three different ways in the same document. I believe however that some of the changes were deliberate on the part of some members of the family in an effort to shorten and to some extent anglicize the name.

Dr.Thomas.Professor of German at the University of Arkansas, assures me that the name Greathouse is a literal English translation of the German name Groethausen. He further states that the name Groethausen indicates that our family originated in the northern part of Germany.

The religion of the early members of the Greathouse family was Protestant. Apparently, from such records as are available, they were all members of the German Lutheran or Reformed Church. The Documentary History of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, page 8, states that at the first convention of the Ministerium, when it was organized in Philadelphia, August 15, 1748, John Groethausen was one of four delegates representing St. Michael's Church, Germantown.

Notes for Herman GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A Partial History of

The Greathouse Family in America

Author

Jack Murray Greathouse

Number 7 in the Bulletin series published by the

Washington County Historical Society

Fayetteville, Arkansas

1954

W.J. Lemke, editor

FOREWORD

In my youthful days my grandfather, to whom this book is dedicated, was a member of the Populist Party and a great admirer of Tom Watson, its leader. He was also at various times a Whig, a Know Nothing, and a Democrat, but never a Republican. He was a subscriber to Mr. Watson's magazine and when he visited in my father's home. One of my allotted tasks was to read to him, from cover to cover, each issue. Invariably he would fall asleep during the process and when awakened would always swear by all that is holy that he hadn't been asleep and that he had heard every word.

On one occasion, after nudging him awake and being tired of reading, I asked the question, "Grandpa, what was your Grandpa's name?" His answer was "Gabriel". The name Gabriel seems to have stuck in my mind throughout the years. This incident together with a remark I once heard my father make (that he was a member of one of the oldest Arkansas families), was to a great extent the motivating influence which, almost a half century later, prompted me to attempt the compilation of a family history.

Being 62 years of age and in poor health the work involved has given me a new lease on life and has also been an extremely pleasant diversion. If the reading of this book gives some degree of pleasure to those within whose veins flows the blood of Herman Groethausen, that stubborn German emigrant who fought so hard for his right to a home in the New World, I shall feel amply rewarded for my efforts.

- J. M. G.

PREFACE

The author realizes that this manuscript is only a partial and incomplete history of the family. A much more complete history could have been compiled had the author been physically and financially able to make a long and extended trip through the States of Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania in search of material. Also the further employment of the services of professional genealogists in the states named would, no doubt have unearthed more genealogical data and historical information. However, it is hoped that from this book we may at least gain a true picture of our origin and the westward trek of the family during the years following the Revolutionary War.

Almost every statement in this book is based on actual records obtained from search of deed books, mortgage records, tax books, wills, census reports, marriage records and orphan statistics, as well as cemeteries, family Bibles, old newspapers, and the memory of the aged. Where a statement is based on conjecture or family legend, it is so stated.

The author wishes to extend to the following named individuals his heart-felt thanks for their generous assistance in research work and gathering of materials for this book. Without their kind and understanding aid the compilation of this history would not have been accomplished:

Mrs. M. E. Marsh, Jr., Triadelphia, West Virginia

State Genealogical Secretary for the D.A.R.

Mr. Henry A. Greathouse, Liberty, Missouri

Miss Alice Greathouse, Richmond, California

Hon. Claude A. Rankin, Commissioner of Lands,

State of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas

Mrs. Margaret Smith Ross, Secretary,

Pulaski County Historical Society, Little Rock

- J. M. G.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN PENNSYLVANIA

Herman Groethausen, a German emigrant from whom we are all descended, together with his family consisting of two minor sons -- Henry and John -- arrived in the New World during the year 1710 and settled in the Province of Pennsylvania. His acquisition of land is an extremely interesting story in itself and is very thoroughly described in two entries in Vol. XIX, First Series of Pennsylvania Archives, comprising the minutes of the Board of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania, as follows: (Spelling follows original.)

Page 538 - At a meeting of the Commissioners, the 19th of November 1712:

Herman Groethausen, who a few years ago came into this Province, having had deeds from the Proprietor for 500 acres of land, applied to the late Commissioners (as some of them inform) for the said, upon which a warrant was prepared for him, but instead of calling for it, he seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, in the County of Philadelphia, which being represented to the Board, the said Herman was summoned to appear this day and produce his authority for so settling.

And for this he produced a lease under the Proprietor's hand and Seal, bearing date the 30th of the 10th, 1709, for a thousand years, and a Release dated the next day granting to the said Herman forever five hundred acres of land clear of all Indian incumbrances in the Province of Pennsylvania, between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware, there together with all and every the Profitts, Commodities, and Hereditaments whatsoever unto the same belonging, every acre to be admeasured and computed according to the Statute 33d Edward 1st Royall mines and all others excepted (This is the whole Grant), paying yearly, and the said Herman doth for himself and his heirs Covenant and Grant to pay yearly as a Chief of quitt rent for every acre that shall be taken up one pennySterl'g, to commence within 3 years after seating. But in another paper signed by the Proprietor, dated the 30th of December the payment of the said Rent is released till seven years after Seating, and by an indorsement on the Release of the said 30th of 10, the Proprietor further grants one-twentieth part of all Royall Mines and two-fifths part of all other Mines, they paying a proportionable part of the Charges. The Proprietor also reserves to Himself and Co., free liberty to search for Mines in the said Lands, and further by the said Indorsement grants Liberty to Hawk, Hunt, Fish and Fowl, etc.

This being the sum of the whole Grant, in which no particular Privilege is mentioned, He is required to move off from the said land, otherwise he must be proceeded against and ejected without delay.

Because the said Herman appears a stranger to our Constitution and he has laid out most of what he had on a settlement made upon it, the Board has considered and are willing to grant that he may enjoy his improvement for some years on a reasonable Rent, He taking his own 500 acres elsewhere.

Page 595 - At a meeting of the Commissioners the 21st 10 mo, 1715:

Herman Groethausen, late of Germany but now of this Province, having in the year 1709 purchased of one Coll. Rhedegalt, 9000 acres of land, to be laid out in this Province, upon which he repaired to London in order to transport himself and family hither, and meeting with the Proprietor there, acquainted him with his design. The Proprietor and he came to an agreement that upon Herman's resigning of his right which he purchased of Rhedegalt he should have in the lieu thereof 500 acres laid out amongst the inhabitants at the yearly rent of one Penny Sterling per acre, for which the said Herman took short Deeds of Lease and Release, dated the 30th and 31st days of December in the said year, and soon thereafter arrived in this Province and laid his Deeds before the Commissioners in order to have the land laid out, but by Deeds mentioning no particular Place (only between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware)., for layout out the same there could be no warrant granted but in the Common form, which he not complying with seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, which soon after being made known to the Commissioners, they ordered him to remove from thence, but instead thereof he insisted on the Proprietors promises to him upon their agreements, and so went to England for redress, and being now returned with some Depositions of his resigning his Deeds for the said 9000 acres for only 500 acres., and that at one penny Sterl'g per acre, and also a letter from Mrs. Hannah Perm to the Commissioners they have thereupon ordered that 500 acres of land be forthwith laid out to him within the said Mannor including within the same his Improvement., and accordingly a warrant is granted and Signed."

(NOTE: Springfield Manor, now Springfield Township, had been granted by William Penn to his wife, which accounts for her interposition in the dispute about the land granted to. Herman Groethausen. According to the "History of Chestnut Hill" by John J. McFarlane, the Groethausen tract extended for a mile and a quarter along Stenton Avenue, from Paper Hill Road to Willow Grove Avenue and east from Stenton Avenue nearly to Cheltenham Road. Stenton Avenue is the dividing line between Philadelphia and Springfield Township. Springfield Township was part of Philadelphia County until 1784, when it was taken into the new County of Montgomery. That part of Philadelphia west of Stenton Avenue was Germantown Township.

The term "Proprietor" in the proceedings means William Penn. Coll. Rhedegalt was evidently one of William Penn's agents in Germany.

It is easy to understand why Herman Groethausen was agreeable to William Penn's proposal that he trade his 9000 acres, purchased from Herr Rhedegalt, for 500 acres "located amongst the inhabitants". Outside of Philadelphia and its environs the Province of Pennsylvania, was, at that time, a wilderness inhabited only by Indians who were at times hostile and who quite often attacked and killed white frontiersmen and their families who strayed too far from the populated settlements)-

Herman Groethausen died October 27, 1743. He is buried in the grounds of St. Michaels Lutheran Church, Germantown, and the inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Harman Grothaus, born 1670; died Oct. 27, 1743." He was 73 years of age. It is not known whether the spelling of the name on the tombstone was due to an error on the part of the tombstone -maker or an effort on the part of old Herman himself to shorten and to some extent anglicize his name.

The will of Herman Groethausen is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G", page 76, and is dated October 19, 1743. This instrument is very brief -- merely stating that all his lands are to be divided equally between his two sons Henry and John, who are appointed executors. Evidently his wife preceded him in death as no mention is made of her in his will.

About three years prior to his death, Herman Groethausen, "Springfield yeoman", deeded 109 acres of his original tract of 500 acres to his son John -- "consideration, love, good will and fatherly affection and X 13, 10 s. 11 (Deed Book G 1, page 216 - Office of the Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds, dated November 24, 1740.) John had evidently been living on this tract for some time and had considered it as his property long before his father actually deeded it to him, for in the "List of Philadelphia County Land Owners", published for the first time in 1734, there appears the following entries under Springfield Township:

"Harman Greathouse, 260 acres (largest landowner in the township) "John Greathouse, 109 acres."

(Note that the English version of the name was written into these records by the person who recorded them.)

Evidently Herman had, even at this early date (1734), disposed of a part of his original 500 acres.

Other interesting data concerning Herman Groethausen, the emigrant, follows:

(a) Theodore W. Bean's "History of Montgomery County", in the chapter on Springfield Township, page 1073, says "Herman Greathouse" was collector of taxes in that township in 1723. (Note that Mr.Bean also uses the English spelling of the name.)

(b) The earliest mention of the name of Herman Groethausen in the records of the Philadelphia Register of Wills is when he was a witness to the will of Cornelius Tyson, of Germantown, dated April 6, 1716. He subsequently witnessed other wills.

(c) Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen witnessed the will of George Muller Germantown Township, dated Sept. 21, 1719. In this will Herman Groethausen was appointed "Executor or guardian".

(d) There is considerable evidence that Herman and his son John engaged in the manufacture of tile for a number of years. In Christopher Sower's Germantown newspaper for February 19, 1757, John Grothaus had an advertisement offering for sale a plantation three miles above Germantown, in Springfield, "whereupon there had been a tile kiln for a long time". It is highly probable that Herman brought with him from Germany a knowledge of the manufacture of tile.

(Note: There has been no effort on the part of the author to trace the family to its origin in Germany. One writer, a Mrs. Alice Winters Greathouse Nelson, who compiled and published a genealogy of her branch of the family, states that Herman Groethausen was born in Heidelberg, Germany. However, since she produced no proof in the way of documentary evidence in support of her statement, this writer gives little or no credence to her version of his place of origin. This is not intended as a reflection on Mrs. Nelson (now deceased) or her work. It is entirely possible that she possessed such proof but omitted it from the published booklet due to a lack of space.)

Henry Groethausen was born in Germany in the year 1695. He died during the year 1745 and is buried in St. Michaels churchyard Germantown. The inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Henry Grothouse, born 1695; died 1745." (Note spelling of surname.)

When Henry arrived in the New World (1710), he was 15 years of age, Whether he was older or younger than his brother Johann (John) is not known since there seems to be no record of John's death. It appears that Henry struck out for himself as a very young man. He settled in Lancaster County and there, he and his wife Ann reared a large family.

It is believed that Henry sickened and died while back In Philadelphia County settling up his father's estate (he having died Oct.27, 1743). His will indicates this, as all of the witnesses thereto were residents of Springfield Township, Philadelphia County. In the will the testator's name is "Henry Grothouse" of Heidelberg, County of Lancaster, yeoman", who is "sick and weak in body".

Henry's will is dated January 3, 1744, and was probated February 23, 1745. It is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G" page 170. To his "dear and beloved wife Ann" he leaves in lieu of her dowry X 6 a year during her life time and also during her life time the use of six acre of land in Springfield, "part of the lands lately devised by my father, Herman Grothouse, in any place where there is water." John Grothouse and Wiccard Miller, "part of my executors". are to attend to this transaction and they are also to have a log house built for the wife on the six-acre tract "for her to live in". (Note: I have found, in my research, that the German emigrants who settled in Pennsylvania were the first of the early American colonists to build log houses.)

His land and appurtenances (160 acres), located in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and the land inherited from his father in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County (except for the six-acre tract willed to his wife during her life time), are to be sold and the proceeds therefrom are to be put at interest with the exception of X 100 to be paid to the wife. Interest to be paid to the wife during her life time to defray the "annual costs of the children". who are:

HarmanChristiana

Magdalena Katherine

JacobElizabeth

PeterSusanna

MaryJohn

Apparently the X 100 bequeathed to the wife was to be put at interest by her to produce the X 6 a year during her life time", for later in the will he says "After my wife's death the six acres and X 100 bequeathed to her and all other personal estate are to be equally divided among the children."

He further states in his will that the interest is to be divided equally among the children. Those who are of age are "to be paid at a convenient time after my decease and the rest are to be paid as they arrive at the age of 21 or marry".

Another codicil reads as follows -- "My son Harman is to have all of my smith tools and utensils, which he now uses, paying X 10, 6 d therefor".

Just one month after their father's death, Henry and his brother John sold part of the land which they had so recently inherited. This transaction is recorded in Deed Book G 6, page 128 - Nov. 22, 1743, as follows "Henry Grothouse, Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and his wife Ann. and John Grothouse, Springfield, Philadelphia County, and his wife Amelia, transfer to George Rex, Germantown Township, Philadelphia County, blacksmith, 50 acres, consideration X 100, part of 500 acres in Springfield, patented by Thomas Penn, proprietary) Feb. 28, 1733, to Herman Groethausen and devised by his will to Henry and John Grothausen".

Not too much is known about Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen, son of Herman, the emigrant, and brother of Henry. There is no record of his death, - therefore we do not know when he was born or when he died. There is a record of the burial of his wife Amelia in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown. It reads as follows: "Burials - Amelia Groethausen, November 1, 1774, aged 74 years."

From this burial record I think that we can safely deduce that John never left Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, but lived out his life span on the land which his father acquired from William Penn in 1709.

Records of St. Michaels Church indicate that they, John and his wife Amelia, had at least one son -"Wilhelm". These records read as follows: "Wilhelm, son 'of Wilhelm Groethausen and his wife Anna Maria Puff, born August 2, 1748, baptized ______, 1749" No doubt this Wilhelm, to whom a son was born in 1748, was the son of John and his wife Amelia.

Evidently Wilhelm's first wife, Anna Maria Puff, died within a few years after the birth of their son, Wilhelm Jr., as another church record reads as follows: "Johannes (John), son of Wilhelm Groethausen and wife Barbara, born February 13, baptized April 19, 1756. Catherine, daughter of same, born September 23, baptized October 16, 1757." This very plainly indicates that Wilhelm took unto himself a second wife and that at least two children were born to them.

Most eighteenth century tax records of Pennsylvania, especially prior to 1760, have been destroyed. Those extant have been published in Third Series of Pennsylvania Archives,

Vol. XXII, page 13, Third Series, Pennsylvania Archives, shows a William Greathouse, Brothers Valley Township, Bedford County, in 1773. The same William moved to Turkeyfoot Township, same County, in 1774. Records show that he paid taxes on 200 acres there from 1774 to 1783. John Greathouse, single freeman, owned 100 acres in this same township in 1783. (These men were, in all likelihood, the elder Wilhelm, son of John, and his youngest son, John.)

Vol. XIX, page 191, lists a William Grothouse in Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, during the years 1786-1788. His property listed as follows: "50 acres, 1 horse, 4 cows." This man was undoubtedly "Wilhelm" born 1748, son of Wilhelm and his first wife, Anna Maria Puff.

Vol. XIV, page 86, lists a John Greathouse as living in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1769 but shows no acreage after his name. This was probably John, son of Herman, the emigrant. He had probably by that time disposed of all his holdings in Springfield Township, In 1784, when Springfield Township became a part of the new County Montgomery, there were no Greathouses listed as owning land in the township.

Vol. XVI, page 660, lists a John Greathouse as residing on the Groethausen estate, consisting of six acres, in 1783. This John was, no doubt, the youngest son of Henry Grothouse and he was living on the six acres in Springfield Township which Henry had willed to his (Johns) mother during her life time.

The will of David Owen, Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, dated July 26, 1786, probated June 29, 1790, mentions a daughter Mary, who was the wife of William Grothouse. This William, shown, by records of Pennsylvania Archives previously quoted, to have been a resident of the township and county named above during the years 1786-1788, was the son of Wilhelm and grandson of John, son of Herman the emigrant.

Letters of administration were granted in Philadelphia in these estates of persons who made no wills:

John Groethouse, 1791

John Groethouse, 1796

Although we have no proof, one of these men must have been John, the youngest son of Henry, who was living on the six-acre Groethausen estate in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1783. It is possible, but highly improbable, that the other was John, son of Her-man the emigrant. It is more reasonable and logical to think that he was a son of John and his wife Amelia and a brother to the first Wilhelm. John, based on the age of his wife Amelia, at the time of her death in 1773, would have been 91 years of age in 1791.

Other grants of land to members of the Greathouse family by Pennsylvania Provincial Authorities were as follows:

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXIV, page 419 -

Peter Greathouse, Lancaster County, 80 acres, June 7, 1750.

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXVI, page 84 -

William Grothouse, Northampton County, 15 acres, Dec. 3, 1789.

The diverse spelling of the family name in the legal documents quot-ed, has, of course, been noted by the author and was a source of con-siderable worry. Mr. Edward W. Hocker, a professional genealogist of Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., has however to a great extent cleared this up with the following explanation:

"In those early days in Pennsylvania, all legal documents were writ-ten by professional scriveners who were, for the most part, Englishmen They had little or no knowledge of the German language and spelled these names as they sounded to them when spoken by the German emi-grants."

Mr. Hocker states that he encounters this all the time in tracing the genealogy of families descended from German emigrants to Pennsylvania. Quite often, he says, a man's name will be spelled in two or three different ways in the same document. I believe however that some of the changes were deliberate on the part of some members of the family in an effort to shorten and to some extent anglicize the name.

Dr.Thomas.Professor of German at the University of Arkansas, assures me that the name Greathouse is a literal English translation of the German name Groethausen. He further states that the name Groethausen indicates that our family originated in the northern part of Germany.

The religion of the early members of the Greathouse family was Protestant. Apparently, from such records as are available, they were all members of the German Lutheran or Reformed Church. The Documentary History of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, page 8, states that at the first convention of the Ministerium, when it was organized in Philadelphia, August 15, 1748, John Groethausen was one of four delegates representing St. Michael's Church, Germantown.

Notes for Herman GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A Partial History of

The Greathouse Family in America

Author

Jack Murray Greathouse

Number 7 in the Bulletin series published by the

Washington County Historical Society

Fayetteville, Arkansas

1954

W.J. Lemke, editor

FOREWORD

In my youthful days my grandfather, to whom this book is dedicated, was a member of the Populist Party and a great admirer of Tom Watson, its leader. He was also at various times a Whig, a Know Nothing, and a Democrat, but never a Republican. He was a subscriber to Mr. Watson's magazine and when he visited in my father's home. One of my allotted tasks was to read to him, from cover to cover, each issue. Invariably he would fall asleep during the process and when awakened would always swear by all that is holy that he hadn't been asleep and that he had heard every word.

On one occasion, after nudging him awake and being tired of reading, I asked the question, "Grandpa, what was your Grandpa's name?" His answer was "Gabriel". The name Gabriel seems to have stuck in my mind throughout the years. This incident together with a remark I once heard my father make (that he was a member of one of the oldest Arkansas families), was to a great extent the motivating influence which, almost a half century later, prompted me to attempt the compilation of a family history.

Being 62 years of age and in poor health the work involved has given me a new lease on life and has also been an extremely pleasant diversion. If the reading of this book gives some degree of pleasure to those within whose veins flows the blood of Herman Groethausen, that stubborn German emigrant who fought so hard for his right to a home in the New World, I shall feel amply rewarded for my efforts.

- J. M. G.

PREFACE

The author realizes that this manuscript is only a partial and incomplete history of the family. A much more complete history could have been compiled had the author been physically and financially able to make a long and extended trip through the States of Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania in search of material. Also the further employment of the services of professional genealogists in the states named would, no doubt have unearthed more genealogical data and historical information. However, it is hoped that from this book we may at least gain a true picture of our origin and the westward trek of the family during the years following the Revolutionary War.

Almost every statement in this book is based on actual records obtained from search of deed books, mortgage records, tax books, wills, census reports, marriage records and orphan statistics, as well as cemeteries, family Bibles, old newspapers, and the memory of the aged. Where a statement is based on conjecture or family legend, it is so stated.

The author wishes to extend to the following named individuals his heart-felt thanks for their generous assistance in research work and gathering of materials for this book. Without their kind and understanding aid the compilation of this history would not have been accomplished:

Mrs. M. E. Marsh, Jr., Triadelphia, West Virginia

State Genealogical Secretary for the D.A.R.

Mr. Henry A. Greathouse, Liberty, Missouri

Miss Alice Greathouse, Richmond, California

Hon. Claude A. Rankin, Commissioner of Lands,

State of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas

Mrs. Margaret Smith Ross, Secretary,

Pulaski County Historical Society, Little Rock

- J. M. G.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN PENNSYLVANIA

Herman Groethausen, a German emigrant from whom we are all descended, together with his family consisting of two minor sons -- Henry and John -- arrived in the New World during the year 1710 and settled in the Province of Pennsylvania. His acquisition of land is an extremely interesting story in itself and is very thoroughly described in two entries in Vol. XIX, First Series of Pennsylvania Archives, comprising the minutes of the Board of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania, as follows: (Spelling follows original.)

Page 538 - At a meeting of the Commissioners, the 19th of November 1712:

Herman Groethausen, who a few years ago came into this Province, having had deeds from the Proprietor for 500 acres of land, applied to the late Commissioners (as some of them inform) for the said, upon which a warrant was prepared for him, but instead of calling for it, he seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, in the County of Philadelphia, which being represented to the Board, the said Herman was summoned to appear this day and produce his authority for so settling.

And for this he produced a lease under the Proprietor's hand and Seal, bearing date the 30th of the 10th, 1709, for a thousand years, and a Release dated the next day granting to the said Herman forever five hundred acres of land clear of all Indian incumbrances in the Province of Pennsylvania, between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware, there together with all and every the Profitts, Commodities, and Hereditaments whatsoever unto the same belonging, every acre to be admeasured and computed according to the Statute 33d Edward 1st Royall mines and all others excepted (This is the whole Grant), paying yearly, and the said Herman doth for himself and his heirs Covenant and Grant to pay yearly as a Chief of quitt rent for every acre that shall be taken up one pennySterl'g, to commence within 3 years after seating. But in another paper signed by the Proprietor, dated the 30th of December the payment of the said Rent is released till seven years after Seating, and by an indorsement on the Release of the said 30th of 10, the Proprietor further grants one-twentieth part of all Royall Mines and two-fifths part of all other Mines, they paying a proportionable part of the Charges. The Proprietor also reserves to Himself and Co., free liberty to search for Mines in the said Lands, and further by the said Indorsement grants Liberty to Hawk, Hunt, Fish and Fowl, etc.

This being the sum of the whole Grant, in which no particular Privilege is mentioned, He is required to move off from the said land, otherwise he must be proceeded against and ejected without delay.

Because the said Herman appears a stranger to our Constitution and he has laid out most of what he had on a settlement made upon it, the Board has considered and are willing to grant that he may enjoy his improvement for some years on a reasonable Rent, He taking his own 500 acres elsewhere.

Page 595 - At a meeting of the Commissioners the 21st 10 mo, 1715:

Herman Groethausen, late of Germany but now of this Province, having in the year 1709 purchased of one Coll. Rhedegalt, 9000 acres of land, to be laid out in this Province, upon which he repaired to London in order to transport himself and family hither, and meeting with the Proprietor there, acquainted him with his design. The Proprietor and he came to an agreement that upon Herman's resigning of his right which he purchased of Rhedegalt he should have in the lieu thereof 500 acres laid out amongst the inhabitants at the yearly rent of one Penny Sterling per acre, for which the said Herman took short Deeds of Lease and Release, dated the 30th and 31st days of December in the said year, and soon thereafter arrived in this Province and laid his Deeds before the Commissioners in order to have the land laid out, but by Deeds mentioning no particular Place (only between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware)., for layout out the same there could be no warrant granted but in the Common form, which he not complying with seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, which soon after being made known to the Commissioners, they ordered him to remove from thence, but instead thereof he insisted on the Proprietors promises to him upon their agreements, and so went to England for redress, and being now returned with some Depositions of his resigning his Deeds for the said 9000 acres for only 500 acres., and that at one penny Sterl'g per acre, and also a letter from Mrs. Hannah Perm to the Commissioners they have thereupon ordered that 500 acres of land be forthwith laid out to him within the said Mannor including within the same his Improvement., and accordingly a warrant is granted and Signed."

(NOTE: Springfield Manor, now Springfield Township, had been granted by William Penn to his wife, which accounts for her interposition in the dispute about the land granted to. Herman Groethausen. According to the "History of Chestnut Hill" by John J. McFarlane, the Groethausen tract extended for a mile and a quarter along Stenton Avenue, from Paper Hill Road to Willow Grove Avenue and east from Stenton Avenue nearly to Cheltenham Road. Stenton Avenue is the dividing line between Philadelphia and Springfield Township. Springfield Township was part of Philadelphia County until 1784, when it was taken into the new County of Montgomery. That part of Philadelphia west of Stenton Avenue was Germantown Township.

The term "Proprietor" in the proceedings means William Penn. Coll. Rhedegalt was evidently one of William Penn's agents in Germany.

It is easy to understand why Herman Groethausen was agreeable to William Penn's proposal that he trade his 9000 acres, purchased from Herr Rhedegalt, for 500 acres "located amongst the inhabitants". Outside of Philadelphia and its environs the Province of Pennsylvania, was, at that time, a wilderness inhabited only by Indians who were at times hostile and who quite often attacked and killed white frontiersmen and their families who strayed too far from the populated settlements)-

Herman Groethausen died October 27, 1743. He is buried in the grounds of St. Michaels Lutheran Church, Germantown, and the inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Harman Grothaus, born 1670; died Oct. 27, 1743." He was 73 years of age. It is not known whether the spelling of the name on the tombstone was due to an error on the part of the tombstone -maker or an effort on the part of old Herman himself to shorten and to some extent anglicize his name.

The will of Herman Groethausen is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G", page 76, and is dated October 19, 1743. This instrument is very brief -- merely stating that all his lands are to be divided equally between his two sons Henry and John, who are appointed executors. Evidently his wife preceded him in death as no mention is made of her in his will.

About three years prior to his death, Herman Groethausen, "Springfield yeoman", deeded 109 acres of his original tract of 500 acres to his son John -- "consideration, love, good will and fatherly affection and X 13, 10 s. 11 (Deed Book G 1, page 216 - Office of the Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds, dated November 24, 1740.) John had evidently been living on this tract for some time and had considered it as his property long before his father actually deeded it to him, for in the "List of Philadelphia County Land Owners", published for the first time in 1734, there appears the following entries under Springfield Township:

"Harman Greathouse, 260 acres (largest landowner in the township) "John Greathouse, 109 acres."

(Note that the English version of the name was written into these records by the person who recorded them.)

Evidently Herman had, even at this early date (1734), disposed of a part of his original 500 acres.

Other interesting data concerning Herman Groethausen, the emigrant, follows:

(a) Theodore W. Bean's "History of Montgomery County", in the chapter on Springfield Township, page 1073, says "Herman Greathouse" was collector of taxes in that township in 1723. (Note that Mr.Bean also uses the English spelling of the name.)

(b) The earliest mention of the name of Herman Groethausen in the records of the Philadelphia Register of Wills is when he was a witness to the will of Cornelius Tyson, of Germantown, dated April 6, 1716. He subsequently witnessed other wills.

(c) Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen witnessed the will of George Muller Germantown Township, dated Sept. 21, 1719. In this will Herman Groethausen was appointed "Executor or guardian".

(d) There is considerable evidence that Herman and his son John engaged in the manufacture of tile for a number of years. In Christopher Sower's Germantown newspaper for February 19, 1757, John Grothaus had an advertisement offering for sale a plantation three miles above Germantown, in Springfield, "whereupon there had been a tile kiln for a long time". It is highly probable that Herman brought with him from Germany a knowledge of the manufacture of tile.

(Note: There has been no effort on the part of the author to trace the family to its origin in Germany. One writer, a Mrs. Alice Winters Greathouse Nelson, who compiled and published a genealogy of her branch of the family, states that Herman Groethausen was born in Heidelberg, Germany. However, since she produced no proof in the way of documentary evidence in support of her statement, this writer gives little or no credence to her version of his place of origin. This is not intended as a reflection on Mrs. Nelson (now deceased) or her work. It is entirely possible that she possessed such proof but omitted it from the published booklet due to a lack of space.)

Henry Groethausen was born in Germany in the year 1695. He died during the year 1745 and is buried in St. Michaels churchyard Germantown. The inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Henry Grothouse, born 1695; died 1745." (Note spelling of surname.)

When Henry arrived in the New World (1710), he was 15 years of age, Whether he was older or younger than his brother Johann (John) is not known since there seems to be no record of John's death. It appears that Henry struck out for himself as a very young man. He settled in Lancaster County and there, he and his wife Ann reared a large family.

It is believed that Henry sickened and died while back In Philadelphia County settling up his father's estate (he having died Oct.27, 1743). His will indicates this, as all of the witnesses thereto were residents of Springfield Township, Philadelphia County. In the will the testator's name is "Henry Grothouse" of Heidelberg, County of Lancaster, yeoman", who is "sick and weak in body".

Henry's will is dated January 3, 1744, and was probated February 23, 1745. It is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G" page 170. To his "dear and beloved wife Ann" he leaves in lieu of her dowry X 6 a year during her life time and also during her life time the use of six acre of land in Springfield, "part of the lands lately devised by my father, Herman Grothouse, in any place where there is water." John Grothouse and Wiccard Miller, "part of my executors". are to attend to this transaction and they are also to have a log house built for the wife on the six-acre tract "for her to live in". (Note: I have found, in my research, that the German emigrants who settled in Pennsylvania were the first of the early American colonists to build log houses.)

His land and appurtenances (160 acres), located in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and the land inherited from his father in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County (except for the six-acre tract willed to his wife during her life time), are to be sold and the proceeds therefrom are to be put at interest with the exception of X 100 to be paid to the wife. Interest to be paid to the wife during her life time to defray the "annual costs of the children". who are:

HarmanChristiana

Magdalena Katherine

JacobElizabeth

PeterSusanna

MaryJohn

Apparently the X 100 bequeathed to the wife was to be put at interest by her to produce the X 6 a year during her life time", for later in the will he says "After my wife's death the six acres and X 100 bequeathed to her and all other personal estate are to be equally divided among the children."

He further states in his will that the interest is to be divided equally among the children. Those who are of age are "to be paid at a convenient time after my decease and the rest are to be paid as they arrive at the age of 21 or marry".

Another codicil reads as follows -- "My son Harman is to have all of my smith tools and utensils, which he now uses, paying X 10, 6 d therefor".

Just one month after their father's death, Henry and his brother John sold part of the land which they had so recently inherited. This transaction is recorded in Deed Book G 6, page 128 - Nov. 22, 1743, as follows "Henry Grothouse, Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and his wife Ann. and John Grothouse, Springfield, Philadelphia County, and his wife Amelia, transfer to George Rex, Germantown Township, Philadelphia County, blacksmith, 50 acres, consideration X 100, part of 500 acres in Springfield, patented by Thomas Penn, proprietary) Feb. 28, 1733, to Herman Groethausen and devised by his will to Henry and John Grothausen".

Not too much is known about Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen, son of Herman, the emigrant, and brother of Henry. There is no record of his death, - therefore we do not know when he was born or when he died. There is a record of the burial of his wife Amelia in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown. It reads as follows: "Burials - Amelia Groethausen, November 1, 1774, aged 74 years."

From this burial record I think that we can safely deduce that John never left Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, but lived out his life span on the land which his father acquired from William Penn in 1709.

Records of St. Michaels Church indicate that they, John and his wife Amelia, had at least one son -"Wilhelm". These records read as follows: "Wilhelm, son 'of Wilhelm Groethausen and his wife Anna Maria Puff, born August 2, 1748, baptized ______, 1749" No doubt this Wilhelm, to whom a son was born in 1748, was the son of John and his wife Amelia.

Evidently Wilhelm's first wife, Anna Maria Puff, died within a few years after the birth of their son, Wilhelm Jr., as another church record reads as follows: "Johannes (John), son of Wilhelm Groethausen and wife Barbara, born February 13, baptized April 19, 1756. Catherine, daughter of same, born September 23, baptized October 16, 1757." This very plainly indicates that Wilhelm took unto himself a second wife and that at least two children were born to them.

Most eighteenth century tax records of Pennsylvania, especially prior to 1760, have been destroyed. Those extant have been published in Third Series of Pennsylvania Archives,

Vol. XXII, page 13, Third Series, Pennsylvania Archives, shows a William Greathouse, Brothers Valley Township, Bedford County, in 1773. The same William moved to Turkeyfoot Township, same County, in 1774. Records show that he paid taxes on 200 acres there from 1774 to 1783. John Greathouse, single freeman, owned 100 acres in this same township in 1783. (These men were, in all likelihood, the elder Wilhelm, son of John, and his youngest son, John.)

Vol. XIX, page 191, lists a William Grothouse in Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, during the years 1786-1788. His property listed as follows: "50 acres, 1 horse, 4 cows." This man was undoubtedly "Wilhelm" born 1748, son of Wilhelm and his first wife, Anna Maria Puff.

Vol. XIV, page 86, lists a John Greathouse as living in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1769 but shows no acreage after his name. This was probably John, son of Herman, the emigrant. He had probably by that time disposed of all his holdings in Springfield Township, In 1784, when Springfield Township became a part of the new County Montgomery, there were no Greathouses listed as owning land in the township.

Vol. XVI, page 660, lists a John Greathouse as residing on the Groethausen estate, consisting of six acres, in 1783. This John was, no doubt, the youngest son of Henry Grothouse and he was living on the six acres in Springfield Township which Henry had willed to his (Johns) mother during her life time.

The will of David Owen, Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, dated July 26, 1786, probated June 29, 1790, mentions a daughter Mary, who was the wife of William Grothouse. This William, shown, by records of Pennsylvania Archives previously quoted, to have been a resident of the township and county named above during the years 1786-1788, was the son of Wilhelm and grandson of John, son of Herman the emigrant.

Letters of administration were granted in Philadelphia in these estates of persons who made no wills:

John Groethouse, 1791

John Groethouse, 1796

Although we have no proof, one of these men must have been John, the youngest son of Henry, who was living on the six-acre Groethausen estate in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1783. It is possible, but highly improbable, that the other was John, son of Her-man the emigrant. It is more reasonable and logical to think that he was a son of John and his wife Amelia and a brother to the first Wilhelm. John, based on the age of his wife Amelia, at the time of her death in 1773, would have been 91 years of age in 1791.

Other grants of land to members of the Greathouse family by Pennsylvania Provincial Authorities were as follows:

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXIV, page 419 -

Peter Greathouse, Lancaster County, 80 acres, June 7, 1750.

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXVI, page 84 -

William Grothouse, Northampton County, 15 acres, Dec. 3, 1789.

The diverse spelling of the family name in the legal documents quot-ed, has, of course, been noted by the author and was a source of con-siderable worry. Mr. Edward W. Hocker, a professional genealogist of Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., has however to a great extent cleared this up with the following explanation:

"In those early days in Pennsylvania, all legal documents were writ-ten by professional scriveners who were, for the most part, Englishmen They had little or no knowledge of the German language and spelled these names as they sounded to them when spoken by the German emi-grants."

Mr. Hocker states that he encounters this all the time in tracing the genealogy of families descended from German emigrants to Pennsylvania. Quite often, he says, a man's name will be spelled in two or three different ways in the same document. I believe however that some of the changes were deliberate on the part of some members of the family in an effort to shorten and to some extent anglicize the name.

Dr.Thomas.Professor of German at the University of Arkansas, assures me that the name Greathouse is a literal English translation of the German name Groethausen. He further states that the name Groethausen indicates that our family originated in the northern part of Germany.

The religion of the early members of the Greathouse family was Protestant. Apparently, from such records as are available, they were all members of the German Lutheran or Reformed Church. The Documentary History of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, page 8, states that at the first convention of the Ministerium, when it was organized in Philadelphia, August 15, 1748, John Groethausen was one of four delegates representing St. Michael's Church, Germantown.

Notes for Herman GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A Partial History of

The Greathouse Family in America

Author

Jack Murray Greathouse

Number 7 in the Bulletin series published by the

Washington County Historical Society

Fayetteville, Arkansas

1954

W.J. Lemke, editor

FOREWORD

In my youthful days my grandfather, to whom this book is dedicated, was a member of the Populist Party and a great admirer of Tom Watson, its leader. He was also at various times a Whig, a Know Nothing, and a Democrat, but never a Republican. He was a subscriber to Mr. Watson's magazine and when he visited in my father's home. One of my allotted tasks was to read to him, from cover to cover, each issue. Invariably he would fall asleep during the process and when awakened would always swear by all that is holy that he hadn't been asleep and that he had heard every word.

On one occasion, after nudging him awake and being tired of reading, I asked the question, "Grandpa, what was your Grandpa's name?" His answer was "Gabriel". The name Gabriel seems to have stuck in my mind throughout the years. This incident together with a remark I once heard my father make (that he was a member of one of the oldest Arkansas families), was to a great extent the motivating influence which, almost a half century later, prompted me to attempt the compilation of a family history.

Being 62 years of age and in poor health the work involved has given me a new lease on life and has also been an extremely pleasant diversion. If the reading of this book gives some degree of pleasure to those within whose veins flows the blood of Herman Groethausen, that stubborn German emigrant who fought so hard for his right to a home in the New World, I shall feel amply rewarded for my efforts.

- J. M. G.

PREFACE

The author realizes that this manuscript is only a partial and incomplete history of the family. A much more complete history could have been compiled had the author been physically and financially able to make a long and extended trip through the States of Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania in search of material. Also the further employment of the services of professional genealogists in the states named would, no doubt have unearthed more genealogical data and historical information. However, it is hoped that from this book we may at least gain a true picture of our origin and the westward trek of the family during the years following the Revolutionary War.

Almost every statement in this book is based on actual records obtained from search of deed books, mortgage records, tax books, wills, census reports, marriage records and orphan statistics, as well as cemeteries, family Bibles, old newspapers, and the memory of the aged. Where a statement is based on conjecture or family legend, it is so stated.

The author wishes to extend to the following named individuals his heart-felt thanks for their generous assistance in research work and gathering of materials for this book. Without their kind and understanding aid the compilation of this history would not have been accomplished:

Mrs. M. E. Marsh, Jr., Triadelphia, West Virginia

State Genealogical Secretary for the D.A.R.

Mr. Henry A. Greathouse, Liberty, Missouri

Miss Alice Greathouse, Richmond, California

Hon. Claude A. Rankin, Commissioner of Lands,

State of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas

Mrs. Margaret Smith Ross, Secretary,

Pulaski County Historical Society, Little Rock

- J. M. G.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN PENNSYLVANIA

Herman Groethausen, a German emigrant from whom we are all descended, together with his family consisting of two minor sons -- Henry and John -- arrived in the New World during the year 1710 and settled in the Province of Pennsylvania. His acquisition of land is an extremely interesting story in itself and is very thoroughly described in two entries in Vol. XIX, First Series of Pennsylvania Archives, comprising the minutes of the Board of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania, as follows: (Spelling follows original.)

Page 538 - At a meeting of the Commissioners, the 19th of November 1712:

Herman Groethausen, who a few years ago came into this Province, having had deeds from the Proprietor for 500 acres of land, applied to the late Commissioners (as some of them inform) for the said, upon which a warrant was prepared for him, but instead of calling for it, he seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, in the County of Philadelphia, which being represented to the Board, the said Herman was summoned to appear this day and produce his authority for so settling.

And for this he produced a lease under the Proprietor's hand and Seal, bearing date the 30th of the 10th, 1709, for a thousand years, and a Release dated the next day granting to the said Herman forever five hundred acres of land clear of all Indian incumbrances in the Province of Pennsylvania, between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware, there together with all and every the Profitts, Commodities, and Hereditaments whatsoever unto the same belonging, every acre to be admeasured and computed according to the Statute 33d Edward 1st Royall mines and all others excepted (This is the whole Grant), paying yearly, and the said Herman doth for himself and his heirs Covenant and Grant to pay yearly as a Chief of quitt rent for every acre that shall be taken up one pennySterl'g, to commence within 3 years after seating. But in another paper signed by the Proprietor, dated the 30th of December the payment of the said Rent is released till seven years after Seating, and by an indorsement on the Release of the said 30th of 10, the Proprietor further grants one-twentieth part of all Royall Mines and two-fifths part of all other Mines, they paying a proportionable part of the Charges. The Proprietor also reserves to Himself and Co., free liberty to search for Mines in the said Lands, and further by the said Indorsement grants Liberty to Hawk, Hunt, Fish and Fowl, etc.

This being the sum of the whole Grant, in which no particular Privilege is mentioned, He is required to move off from the said land, otherwise he must be proceeded against and ejected without delay.

Because the said Herman appears a stranger to our Constitution and he has laid out most of what he had on a settlement made upon it, the Board has considered and are willing to grant that he may enjoy his improvement for some years on a reasonable Rent, He taking his own 500 acres elsewhere.

Page 595 - At a meeting of the Commissioners the 21st 10 mo, 1715:

Herman Groethausen, late of Germany but now of this Province, having in the year 1709 purchased of one Coll. Rhedegalt, 9000 acres of land, to be laid out in this Province, upon which he repaired to London in order to transport himself and family hither, and meeting with the Proprietor there, acquainted him with his design. The Proprietor and he came to an agreement that upon Herman's resigning of his right which he purchased of Rhedegalt he should have in the lieu thereof 500 acres laid out amongst the inhabitants at the yearly rent of one Penny Sterling per acre, for which the said Herman took short Deeds of Lease and Release, dated the 30th and 31st days of December in the said year, and soon thereafter arrived in this Province and laid his Deeds before the Commissioners in order to have the land laid out, but by Deeds mentioning no particular Place (only between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware)., for layout out the same there could be no warrant granted but in the Common form, which he not complying with seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, which soon after being made known to the Commissioners, they ordered him to remove from thence, but instead thereof he insisted on the Proprietors promises to him upon their agreements, and so went to England for redress, and being now returned with some Depositions of his resigning his Deeds for the said 9000 acres for only 500 acres., and that at one penny Sterl'g per acre, and also a letter from Mrs. Hannah Perm to the Commissioners they have thereupon ordered that 500 acres of land be forthwith laid out to him within the said Mannor including within the same his Improvement., and accordingly a warrant is granted and Signed."

(NOTE: Springfield Manor, now Springfield Township, had been granted by William Penn to his wife, which accounts for her interposition in the dispute about the land granted to. Herman Groethausen. According to the "History of Chestnut Hill" by John J. McFarlane, the Groethausen tract extended for a mile and a quarter along Stenton Avenue, from Paper Hill Road to Willow Grove Avenue and east from Stenton Avenue nearly to Cheltenham Road. Stenton Avenue is the dividing line between Philadelphia and Springfield Township. Springfield Township was part of Philadelphia County until 1784, when it was taken into the new County of Montgomery. That part of Philadelphia west of Stenton Avenue was Germantown Township.

The term "Proprietor" in the proceedings means William Penn. Coll. Rhedegalt was evidently one of William Penn's agents in Germany.

It is easy to understand why Herman Groethausen was agreeable to William Penn's proposal that he trade his 9000 acres, purchased from Herr Rhedegalt, for 500 acres "located amongst the inhabitants". Outside of Philadelphia and its environs the Province of Pennsylvania, was, at that time, a wilderness inhabited only by Indians who were at times hostile and who quite often attacked and killed white frontiersmen and their families who strayed too far from the populated settlements)-

Herman Groethausen died October 27, 1743. He is buried in the grounds of St. Michaels Lutheran Church, Germantown, and the inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Harman Grothaus, born 1670; died Oct. 27, 1743." He was 73 years of age. It is not known whether the spelling of the name on the tombstone was due to an error on the part of the tombstone -maker or an effort on the part of old Herman himself to shorten and to some extent anglicize his name.

The will of Herman Groethausen is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G", page 76, and is dated October 19, 1743. This instrument is very brief -- merely stating that all his lands are to be divided equally between his two sons Henry and John, who are appointed executors. Evidently his wife preceded him in death as no mention is made of her in his will.

About three years prior to his death, Herman Groethausen, "Springfield yeoman", deeded 109 acres of his original tract of 500 acres to his son John -- "consideration, love, good will and fatherly affection and X 13, 10 s. 11 (Deed Book G 1, page 216 - Office of the Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds, dated November 24, 1740.) John had evidently been living on this tract for some time and had considered it as his property long before his father actually deeded it to him, for in the "List of Philadelphia County Land Owners", published for the first time in 1734, there appears the following entries under Springfield Township:

"Harman Greathouse, 260 acres (largest landowner in the township) "John Greathouse, 109 acres."

(Note that the English version of the name was written into these records by the person who recorded them.)

Evidently Herman had, even at this early date (1734), disposed of a part of his original 500 acres.

Other interesting data concerning Herman Groethausen, the emigrant, follows:

(a) Theodore W. Bean's "History of Montgomery County", in the chapter on Springfield Township, page 1073, says "Herman Greathouse" was collector of taxes in that township in 1723. (Note that Mr.Bean also uses the English spelling of the name.)

(b) The earliest mention of the name of Herman Groethausen in the records of the Philadelphia Register of Wills is when he was a witness to the will of Cornelius Tyson, of Germantown, dated April 6, 1716. He subsequently witnessed other wills.

(c) Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen witnessed the will of George Muller Germantown Township, dated Sept. 21, 1719. In this will Herman Groethausen was appointed "Executor or guardian".

(d) There is considerable evidence that Herman and his son John engaged in the manufacture of tile for a number of years. In Christopher Sower's Germantown newspaper for February 19, 1757, John Grothaus had an advertisement offering for sale a plantation three miles above Germantown, in Springfield, "whereupon there had been a tile kiln for a long time". It is highly probable that Herman brought with him from Germany a knowledge of the manufacture of tile.

(Note: There has been no effort on the part of the author to trace the family to its origin in Germany. One writer, a Mrs. Alice Winters Greathouse Nelson, who compiled and published a genealogy of her branch of the family, states that Herman Groethausen was born in Heidelberg, Germany. However, since she produced no proof in the way of documentary evidence in support of her statement, this writer gives little or no credence to her version of his place of origin. This is not intended as a reflection on Mrs. Nelson (now deceased) or her work. It is entirely possible that she possessed such proof but omitted it from the published booklet due to a lack of space.)

Henry Groethausen was born in Germany in the year 1695. He died during the year 1745 and is buried in St. Michaels churchyard Germantown. The inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Henry Grothouse, born 1695; died 1745." (Note spelling of surname.)

When Henry arrived in the New World (1710), he was 15 years of age, Whether he was older or younger than his brother Johann (John) is not known since there seems to be no record of John's death. It appears that Henry struck out for himself as a very young man. He settled in Lancaster County and there, he and his wife Ann reared a large family.

It is believed that Henry sickened and died while back In Philadelphia County settling up his father's estate (he having died Oct.27, 1743). His will indicates this, as all of the witnesses thereto were residents of Springfield Township, Philadelphia County. In the will the testator's name is "Henry Grothouse" of Heidelberg, County of Lancaster, yeoman", who is "sick and weak in body".

Henry's will is dated January 3, 1744, and was probated February 23, 1745. It is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G" page 170. To his "dear and beloved wife Ann" he leaves in lieu of her dowry X 6 a year during her life time and also during her life time the use of six acre of land in Springfield, "part of the lands lately devised by my father, Herman Grothouse, in any place where there is water." John Grothouse and Wiccard Miller, "part of my executors". are to attend to this transaction and they are also to have a log house built for the wife on the six-acre tract "for her to live in". (Note: I have found, in my research, that the German emigrants who settled in Pennsylvania were the first of the early American colonists to build log houses.)

His land and appurtenances (160 acres), located in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and the land inherited from his father in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County (except for the six-acre tract willed to his wife during her life time), are to be sold and the proceeds therefrom are to be put at interest with the exception of X 100 to be paid to the wife. Interest to be paid to the wife during her life time to defray the "annual costs of the children". who are:

HarmanChristiana

Magdalena Katherine

JacobElizabeth

PeterSusanna

MaryJohn

Apparently the X 100 bequeathed to the wife was to be put at interest by her to produce the X 6 a year during her life time", for later in the will he says "After my wife's death the six acres and X 100 bequeathed to her and all other personal estate are to be equally divided among the children."

He further states in his will that the interest is to be divided equally among the children. Those who are of age are "to be paid at a convenient time after my decease and the rest are to be paid as they arrive at the age of 21 or marry".

Another codicil reads as follows -- "My son Harman is to have all of my smith tools and utensils, which he now uses, paying X 10, 6 d therefor".

Just one month after their father's death, Henry and his brother John sold part of the land which they had so recently inherited. This transaction is recorded in Deed Book G 6, page 128 - Nov. 22, 1743, as follows "Henry Grothouse, Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and his wife Ann. and John Grothouse, Springfield, Philadelphia County, and his wife Amelia, transfer to George Rex, Germantown Township, Philadelphia County, blacksmith, 50 acres, consideration X 100, part of 500 acres in Springfield, patented by Thomas Penn, proprietary) Feb. 28, 1733, to Herman Groethausen and devised by his will to Henry and John Grothausen".

Not too much is known about Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen, son of Herman, the emigrant, and brother of Henry. There is no record of his death, - therefore we do not know when he was born or when he died. There is a record of the burial of his wife Amelia in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown. It reads as follows: "Burials - Amelia Groethausen, November 1, 1774, aged 74 years."

From this burial record I think that we can safely deduce that John never left Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, but lived out his life span on the land which his father acquired from William Penn in 1709.

Records of St. Michaels Church indicate that they, John and his wife Amelia, had at least one son -"Wilhelm". These records read as follows: "Wilhelm, son 'of Wilhelm Groethausen and his wife Anna Maria Puff, born August 2, 1748, baptized ______, 1749" No doubt this Wilhelm, to whom a son was born in 1748, was the son of John and his wife Amelia.

Evidently Wilhelm's first wife, Anna Maria Puff, died within a few years after the birth of their son, Wilhelm Jr., as another church record reads as follows: "Johannes (John), son of Wilhelm Groethausen and wife Barbara, born February 13, baptized April 19, 1756. Catherine, daughter of same, born September 23, baptized October 16, 1757." This very plainly indicates that Wilhelm took unto himself a second wife and that at least two children were born to them.

Most eighteenth century tax records of Pennsylvania, especially prior to 1760, have been destroyed. Those extant have been published in Third Series of Pennsylvania Archives,

Vol. XXII, page 13, Third Series, Pennsylvania Archives, shows a William Greathouse, Brothers Valley Township, Bedford County, in 1773. The same William moved to Turkeyfoot Township, same County, in 1774. Records show that he paid taxes on 200 acres there from 1774 to 1783. John Greathouse, single freeman, owned 100 acres in this same township in 1783. (These men were, in all likelihood, the elder Wilhelm, son of John, and his youngest son, John.)

Vol. XIX, page 191, lists a William Grothouse in Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, during the years 1786-1788. His property listed as follows: "50 acres, 1 horse, 4 cows." This man was undoubtedly "Wilhelm" born 1748, son of Wilhelm and his first wife, Anna Maria Puff.

Vol. XIV, page 86, lists a John Greathouse as living in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1769 but shows no acreage after his name. This was probably John, son of Herman, the emigrant. He had probably by that time disposed of all his holdings in Springfield Township, In 1784, when Springfield Township became a part of the new County Montgomery, there were no Greathouses listed as owning land in the township.

Vol. XVI, page 660, lists a John Greathouse as residing on the Groethausen estate, consisting of six acres, in 1783. This John was, no doubt, the youngest son of Henry Grothouse and he was living on the six acres in Springfield Township which Henry had willed to his (Johns) mother during her life time.

The will of David Owen, Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, dated July 26, 1786, probated June 29, 1790, mentions a daughter Mary, who was the wife of William Grothouse. This William, shown, by records of Pennsylvania Archives previously quoted, to have been a resident of the township and county named above during the years 1786-1788, was the son of Wilhelm and grandson of John, son of Herman the emigrant.

Letters of administration were granted in Philadelphia in these estates of persons who made no wills:

John Groethouse, 1791

John Groethouse, 1796

Although we have no proof, one of these men must have been John, the youngest son of Henry, who was living on the six-acre Groethausen estate in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1783. It is possible, but highly improbable, that the other was John, son of Her-man the emigrant. It is more reasonable and logical to think that he was a son of John and his wife Amelia and a brother to the first Wilhelm. John, based on the age of his wife Amelia, at the time of her death in 1773, would have been 91 years of age in 1791.

Other grants of land to members of the Greathouse family by Pennsylvania Provincial Authorities were as follows:

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXIV, page 419 -

Peter Greathouse, Lancaster County, 80 acres, June 7, 1750.

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXVI, page 84 -

William Grothouse, Northampton County, 15 acres, Dec. 3, 1789.

The diverse spelling of the family name in the legal documents quot-ed, has, of course, been noted by the author and was a source of con-siderable worry. Mr. Edward W. Hocker, a professional genealogist of Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., has however to a great extent cleared this up with the following explanation:

"In those early days in Pennsylvania, all legal documents were writ-ten by professional scriveners who were, for the most part, Englishmen They had little or no knowledge of the German language and spelled these names as they sounded to them when spoken by the German emi-grants."

Mr. Hocker states that he encounters this all the time in tracing the genealogy of families descended from German emigrants to Pennsylvania. Quite often, he says, a man's name will be spelled in two or three different ways in the same document. I believe however that some of the changes were deliberate on the part of some members of the family in an effort to shorten and to some extent anglicize the name.

Dr.Thomas.Professor of German at the University of Arkansas, assures me that the name Greathouse is a literal English translation of the German name Groethausen. He further states that the name Groethausen indicates that our family originated in the northern part of Germany.

The religion of the early members of the Greathouse family was Protestant. Apparently, from such records as are available, they were all members of the German Lutheran or Reformed Church. The Documentary History of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, page 8, states that at the first convention of the Ministerium, when it was organized in Philadelphia, August 15, 1748, John Groethausen was one of four delegates representing St. Michael's Church, Germantown.

Notes for Herman GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A Partial History of

The Greathouse Family in America

Author

Jack Murray Greathouse

Number 7 in the Bulletin series published by the

Washington County Historical Society

Fayetteville, Arkansas

1954

W.J. Lemke, editor

FOREWORD

In my youthful days my grandfather, to whom this book is dedicated, was a member of the Populist Party and a great admirer of Tom Watson, its leader. He was also at various times a Whig, a Know Nothing, and a Democrat, but never a Republican. He was a subscriber to Mr. Watson's magazine and when he visited in my father's home. One of my allotted tasks was to read to him, from cover to cover, each issue. Invariably he would fall asleep during the process and when awakened would always swear by all that is holy that he hadn't been asleep and that he had heard every word.

On one occasion, after nudging him awake and being tired of reading, I asked the question, "Grandpa, what was your Grandpa's name?" His answer was "Gabriel". The name Gabriel seems to have stuck in my mind throughout the years. This incident together with a remark I once heard my father make (that he was a member of one of the oldest Arkansas families), was to a great extent the motivating influence which, almost a half century later, prompted me to attempt the compilation of a family history.

Being 62 years of age and in poor health the work involved has given me a new lease on life and has also been an extremely pleasant diversion. If the reading of this book gives some degree of pleasure to those within whose veins flows the blood of Herman Groethausen, that stubborn German emigrant who fought so hard for his right to a home in the New World, I shall feel amply rewarded for my efforts.

- J. M. G.

PREFACE

The author realizes that this manuscript is only a partial and incomplete history of the family. A much more complete history could have been compiled had the author been physically and financially able to make a long and extended trip through the States of Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania in search of material. Also the further employment of the services of professional genealogists in the states named would, no doubt have unearthed more genealogical data and historical information. However, it is hoped that from this book we may at least gain a true picture of our origin and the westward trek of the family during the years following the Revolutionary War.

Almost every statement in this book is based on actual records obtained from search of deed books, mortgage records, tax books, wills, census reports, marriage records and orphan statistics, as well as cemeteries, family Bibles, old newspapers, and the memory of the aged. Where a statement is based on conjecture or family legend, it is so stated.

The author wishes to extend to the following named individuals his heart-felt thanks for their generous assistance in research work and gathering of materials for this book. Without their kind and understanding aid the compilation of this history would not have been accomplished:

Mrs. M. E. Marsh, Jr., Triadelphia, West Virginia

State Genealogical Secretary for the D.A.R.

Mr. Henry A. Greathouse, Liberty, Missouri

Miss Alice Greathouse, Richmond, California

Hon. Claude A. Rankin, Commissioner of Lands,

State of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas

Mrs. Margaret Smith Ross, Secretary,

Pulaski County Historical Society, Little Rock

- J. M. G.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN PENNSYLVANIA

Herman Groethausen, a German emigrant from whom we are all descended, together with his family consisting of two minor sons -- Henry and John -- arrived in the New World during the year 1710 and settled in the Province of Pennsylvania. His acquisition of land is an extremely interesting story in itself and is very thoroughly described in two entries in Vol. XIX, First Series of Pennsylvania Archives, comprising the minutes of the Board of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania, as follows: (Spelling follows original.)

Page 538 - At a meeting of the Commissioners, the 19th of November 1712:

Herman Groethausen, who a few years ago came into this Province, having had deeds from the Proprietor for 500 acres of land, applied to the late Commissioners (as some of them inform) for the said, upon which a warrant was prepared for him, but instead of calling for it, he seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, in the County of Philadelphia, which being represented to the Board, the said Herman was summoned to appear this day and produce his authority for so settling.

And for this he produced a lease under the Proprietor's hand and Seal, bearing date the 30th of the 10th, 1709, for a thousand years, and a Release dated the next day granting to the said Herman forever five hundred acres of land clear of all Indian incumbrances in the Province of Pennsylvania, between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware, there together with all and every the Profitts, Commodities, and Hereditaments whatsoever unto the same belonging, every acre to be admeasured and computed according to the Statute 33d Edward 1st Royall mines and all others excepted (This is the whole Grant), paying yearly, and the said Herman doth for himself and his heirs Covenant and Grant to pay yearly as a Chief of quitt rent for every acre that shall be taken up one pennySterl'g, to commence within 3 years after seating. But in another paper signed by the Proprietor, dated the 30th of December the payment of the said Rent is released till seven years after Seating, and by an indorsement on the Release of the said 30th of 10, the Proprietor further grants one-twentieth part of all Royall Mines and two-fifths part of all other Mines, they paying a proportionable part of the Charges. The Proprietor also reserves to Himself and Co., free liberty to search for Mines in the said Lands, and further by the said Indorsement grants Liberty to Hawk, Hunt, Fish and Fowl, etc.

This being the sum of the whole Grant, in which no particular Privilege is mentioned, He is required to move off from the said land, otherwise he must be proceeded against and ejected without delay.

Because the said Herman appears a stranger to our Constitution and he has laid out most of what he had on a settlement made upon it, the Board has considered and are willing to grant that he may enjoy his improvement for some years on a reasonable Rent, He taking his own 500 acres elsewhere.

Page 595 - At a meeting of the Commissioners the 21st 10 mo, 1715:

Herman Groethausen, late of Germany but now of this Province, having in the year 1709 purchased of one Coll. Rhedegalt, 9000 acres of land, to be laid out in this Province, upon which he repaired to London in order to transport himself and family hither, and meeting with the Proprietor there, acquainted him with his design. The Proprietor and he came to an agreement that upon Herman's resigning of his right which he purchased of Rhedegalt he should have in the lieu thereof 500 acres laid out amongst the inhabitants at the yearly rent of one Penny Sterling per acre, for which the said Herman took short Deeds of Lease and Release, dated the 30th and 31st days of December in the said year, and soon thereafter arrived in this Province and laid his Deeds before the Commissioners in order to have the land laid out, but by Deeds mentioning no particular Place (only between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware)., for layout out the same there could be no warrant granted but in the Common form, which he not complying with seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, which soon after being made known to the Commissioners, they ordered him to remove from thence, but instead thereof he insisted on the Proprietors promises to him upon their agreements, and so went to England for redress, and being now returned with some Depositions of his resigning his Deeds for the said 9000 acres for only 500 acres., and that at one penny Sterl'g per acre, and also a letter from Mrs. Hannah Perm to the Commissioners they have thereupon ordered that 500 acres of land be forthwith laid out to him within the said Mannor including within the same his Improvement., and accordingly a warrant is granted and Signed."

(NOTE: Springfield Manor, now Springfield Township, had been granted by William Penn to his wife, which accounts for her interposition in the dispute about the land granted to. Herman Groethausen. According to the "History of Chestnut Hill" by John J. McFarlane, the Groethausen tract extended for a mile and a quarter along Stenton Avenue, from Paper Hill Road to Willow Grove Avenue and east from Stenton Avenue nearly to Cheltenham Road. Stenton Avenue is the dividing line between Philadelphia and Springfield Township. Springfield Township was part of Philadelphia County until 1784, when it was taken into the new County of Montgomery. That part of Philadelphia west of Stenton Avenue was Germantown Township.

The term "Proprietor" in the proceedings means William Penn. Coll. Rhedegalt was evidently one of William Penn's agents in Germany.

It is easy to understand why Herman Groethausen was agreeable to William Penn's proposal that he trade his 9000 acres, purchased from Herr Rhedegalt, for 500 acres "located amongst the inhabitants". Outside of Philadelphia and its environs the Province of Pennsylvania, was, at that time, a wilderness inhabited only by Indians who were at times hostile and who quite often attacked and killed white frontiersmen and their families who strayed too far from the populated settlements)-

Herman Groethausen died October 27, 1743. He is buried in the grounds of St. Michaels Lutheran Church, Germantown, and the inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Harman Grothaus, born 1670; died Oct. 27, 1743." He was 73 years of age. It is not known whether the spelling of the name on the tombstone was due to an error on the part of the tombstone -maker or an effort on the part of old Herman himself to shorten and to some extent anglicize his name.

The will of Herman Groethausen is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G", page 76, and is dated October 19, 1743. This instrument is very brief -- merely stating that all his lands are to be divided equally between his two sons Henry and John, who are appointed executors. Evidently his wife preceded him in death as no mention is made of her in his will.

About three years prior to his death, Herman Groethausen, "Springfield yeoman", deeded 109 acres of his original tract of 500 acres to his son John -- "consideration, love, good will and fatherly affection and X 13, 10 s. 11 (Deed Book G 1, page 216 - Office of the Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds, dated November 24, 1740.) John had evidently been living on this tract for some time and had considered it as his property long before his father actually deeded it to him, for in the "List of Philadelphia County Land Owners", published for the first time in 1734, there appears the following entries under Springfield Township:

"Harman Greathouse, 260 acres (largest landowner in the township) "John Greathouse, 109 acres."

(Note that the English version of the name was written into these records by the person who recorded them.)

Evidently Herman had, even at this early date (1734), disposed of a part of his original 500 acres.

Other interesting data concerning Herman Groethausen, the emigrant, follows:

(a) Theodore W. Bean's "History of Montgomery County", in the chapter on Springfield Township, page 1073, says "Herman Greathouse" was collector of taxes in that township in 1723. (Note that Mr.Bean also uses the English spelling of the name.)

(b) The earliest mention of the name of Herman Groethausen in the records of the Philadelphia Register of Wills is when he was a witness to the will of Cornelius Tyson, of Germantown, dated April 6, 1716. He subsequently witnessed other wills.

(c) Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen witnessed the will of George Muller Germantown Township, dated Sept. 21, 1719. In this will Herman Groethausen was appointed "Executor or guardian".

(d) There is considerable evidence that Herman and his son John engaged in the manufacture of tile for a number of years. In Christopher Sower's Germantown newspaper for February 19, 1757, John Grothaus had an advertisement offering for sale a plantation three miles above Germantown, in Springfield, "whereupon there had been a tile kiln for a long time". It is highly probable that Herman brought with him from Germany a knowledge of the manufacture of tile.

(Note: There has been no effort on the part of the author to trace the family to its origin in Germany. One writer, a Mrs. Alice Winters Greathouse Nelson, who compiled and published a genealogy of her branch of the family, states that Herman Groethausen was born in Heidelberg, Germany. However, since she produced no proof in the way of documentary evidence in support of her statement, this writer gives little or no credence to her version of his place of origin. This is not intended as a reflection on Mrs. Nelson (now deceased) or her work. It is entirely possible that she possessed such proof but omitted it from the published booklet due to a lack of space.)

Henry Groethausen was born in Germany in the year 1695. He died during the year 1745 and is buried in St. Michaels churchyard Germantown. The inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Henry Grothouse, born 1695; died 1745." (Note spelling of surname.)

When Henry arrived in the New World (1710), he was 15 years of age, Whether he was older or younger than his brother Johann (John) is not known since there seems to be no record of John's death. It appears that Henry struck out for himself as a very young man. He settled in Lancaster County and there, he and his wife Ann reared a large family.

It is believed that Henry sickened and died while back In Philadelphia County settling up his father's estate (he having died Oct.27, 1743). His will indicates this, as all of the witnesses thereto were residents of Springfield Township, Philadelphia County. In the will the testator's name is "Henry Grothouse" of Heidelberg, County of Lancaster, yeoman", who is "sick and weak in body".

Henry's will is dated January 3, 1744, and was probated February 23, 1745. It is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G" page 170. To his "dear and beloved wife Ann" he leaves in lieu of her dowry X 6 a year during her life time and also during her life time the use of six acre of land in Springfield, "part of the lands lately devised by my father, Herman Grothouse, in any place where there is water." John Grothouse and Wiccard Miller, "part of my executors". are to attend to this transaction and they are also to have a log house built for the wife on the six-acre tract "for her to live in". (Note: I have found, in my research, that the German emigrants who settled in Pennsylvania were the first of the early American colonists to build log houses.)

His land and appurtenances (160 acres), located in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and the land inherited from his father in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County (except for the six-acre tract willed to his wife during her life time), are to be sold and the proceeds therefrom are to be put at interest with the exception of X 100 to be paid to the wife. Interest to be paid to the wife during her life time to defray the "annual costs of the children". who are:

HarmanChristiana

Magdalena Katherine

JacobElizabeth

PeterSusanna

MaryJohn

Apparently the X 100 bequeathed to the wife was to be put at interest by her to produce the X 6 a year during her life time", for later in the will he says "After my wife's death the six acres and X 100 bequeathed to her and all other personal estate are to be equally divided among the children."

He further states in his will that the interest is to be divided equally among the children. Those who are of age are "to be paid at a convenient time after my decease and the rest are to be paid as they arrive at the age of 21 or marry".

Another codicil reads as follows -- "My son Harman is to have all of my smith tools and utensils, which he now uses, paying X 10, 6 d therefor".

Just one month after their father's death, Henry and his brother John sold part of the land which they had so recently inherited. This transaction is recorded in Deed Book G 6, page 128 - Nov. 22, 1743, as follows "Henry Grothouse, Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and his wife Ann. and John Grothouse, Springfield, Philadelphia County, and his wife Amelia, transfer to George Rex, Germantown Township, Philadelphia County, blacksmith, 50 acres, consideration X 100, part of 500 acres in Springfield, patented by Thomas Penn, proprietary) Feb. 28, 1733, to Herman Groethausen and devised by his will to Henry and John Grothausen".

Not too much is known about Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen, son of Herman, the emigrant, and brother of Henry. There is no record of his death, - therefore we do not know when he was born or when he died. There is a record of the burial of his wife Amelia in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown. It reads as follows: "Burials - Amelia Groethausen, November 1, 1774, aged 74 years."

From this burial record I think that we can safely deduce that John never left Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, but lived out his life span on the land which his father acquired from William Penn in 1709.

Records of St. Michaels Church indicate that they, John and his wife Amelia, had at least one son -"Wilhelm". These records read as follows: "Wilhelm, son 'of Wilhelm Groethausen and his wife Anna Maria Puff, born August 2, 1748, baptized ______, 1749" No doubt this Wilhelm, to whom a son was born in 1748, was the son of John and his wife Amelia.

Evidently Wilhelm's first wife, Anna Maria Puff, died within a few years after the birth of their son, Wilhelm Jr., as another church record reads as follows: "Johannes (John), son of Wilhelm Groethausen and wife Barbara, born February 13, baptized April 19, 1756. Catherine, daughter of same, born September 23, baptized October 16, 1757." This very plainly indicates that Wilhelm took unto himself a second wife and that at least two children were born to them.

Most eighteenth century tax records of Pennsylvania, especially prior to 1760, have been destroyed. Those extant have been published in Third Series of Pennsylvania Archives,

Vol. XXII, page 13, Third Series, Pennsylvania Archives, shows a William Greathouse, Brothers Valley Township, Bedford County, in 1773. The same William moved to Turkeyfoot Township, same County, in 1774. Records show that he paid taxes on 200 acres there from 1774 to 1783. John Greathouse, single freeman, owned 100 acres in this same township in 1783. (These men were, in all likelihood, the elder Wilhelm, son of John, and his youngest son, John.)

Vol. XIX, page 191, lists a William Grothouse in Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, during the years 1786-1788. His property listed as follows: "50 acres, 1 horse, 4 cows." This man was undoubtedly "Wilhelm" born 1748, son of Wilhelm and his first wife, Anna Maria Puff.

Vol. XIV, page 86, lists a John Greathouse as living in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1769 but shows no acreage after his name. This was probably John, son of Herman, the emigrant. He had probably by that time disposed of all his holdings in Springfield Township, In 1784, when Springfield Township became a part of the new County Montgomery, there were no Greathouses listed as owning land in the township.

Vol. XVI, page 660, lists a John Greathouse as residing on the Groethausen estate, consisting of six acres, in 1783. This John was, no doubt, the youngest son of Henry Grothouse and he was living on the six acres in Springfield Township which Henry had willed to his (Johns) mother during her life time.

The will of David Owen, Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, dated July 26, 1786, probated June 29, 1790, mentions a daughter Mary, who was the wife of William Grothouse. This William, shown, by records of Pennsylvania Archives previously quoted, to have been a resident of the township and county named above during the years 1786-1788, was the son of Wilhelm and grandson of John, son of Herman the emigrant.

Letters of administration were granted in Philadelphia in these estates of persons who made no wills:

John Groethouse, 1791

John Groethouse, 1796

Although we have no proof, one of these men must have been John, the youngest son of Henry, who was living on the six-acre Groethausen estate in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1783. It is possible, but highly improbable, that the other was John, son of Her-man the emigrant. It is more reasonable and logical to think that he was a son of John and his wife Amelia and a brother to the first Wilhelm. John, based on the age of his wife Amelia, at the time of her death in 1773, would have been 91 years of age in 1791.

Other grants of land to members of the Greathouse family by Pennsylvania Provincial Authorities were as follows:

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXIV, page 419 -

Peter Greathouse, Lancaster County, 80 acres, June 7, 1750.

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXVI, page 84 -

William Grothouse, Northampton County, 15 acres, Dec. 3, 1789.

The diverse spelling of the family name in the legal documents quot-ed, has, of course, been noted by the author and was a source of con-siderable worry. Mr. Edward W. Hocker, a professional genealogist of Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., has however to a great extent cleared this up with the following explanation:

"In those early days in Pennsylvania, all legal documents were writ-ten by professional scriveners who were, for the most part, Englishmen They had little or no knowledge of the German language and spelled these names as they sounded to them when spoken by the German emi-grants."

Mr. Hocker states that he encounters this all the time in tracing the genealogy of families descended from German emigrants to Pennsylvania. Quite often, he says, a man's name will be spelled in two or three different ways in the same document. I believe however that some of the changes were deliberate on the part of some members of the family in an effort to shorten and to some extent anglicize the name.

Dr.Thomas.Professor of German at the University of Arkansas, assures me that the name Greathouse is a literal English translation of the German name Groethausen. He further states that the name Groethausen indicates that our family originated in the northern part of Germany.

The religion of the early members of the Greathouse family was Protestant. Apparently, from such records as are available, they were all members of the German Lutheran or Reformed Church. The Documentary History of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, page 8, states that at the first convention of the Ministerium, when it was organized in Philadelphia, August 15, 1748, John Groethausen was one of four delegates representing St. Michael's Church, Germantown.

Notes for Herman GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A Partial History of

The Greathouse Family in America

Author

Jack Murray Greathouse

Number 7 in the Bulletin series published by the

Washington County Historical Society

Fayetteville, Arkansas

1954

W.J. Lemke, editor

FOREWORD

In my youthful days my grandfather, to whom this book is dedicated, was a member of the Populist Party and a great admirer of Tom Watson, its leader. He was also at various times a Whig, a Know Nothing, and a Democrat, but never a Republican. He was a subscriber to Mr. Watson's magazine and when he visited in my father's home. One of my allotted tasks was to read to him, from cover to cover, each issue. Invariably he would fall asleep during the process and when awakened would always swear by all that is holy that he hadn't been asleep and that he had heard every word.

On one occasion, after nudging him awake and being tired of reading, I asked the question, "Grandpa, what was your Grandpa's name?" His answer was "Gabriel". The name Gabriel seems to have stuck in my mind throughout the years. This incident together with a remark I once heard my father make (that he was a member of one of the oldest Arkansas families), was to a great extent the motivating influence which, almost a half century later, prompted me to attempt the compilation of a family history.

Being 62 years of age and in poor health the work involved has given me a new lease on life and has also been an extremely pleasant diversion. If the reading of this book gives some degree of pleasure to those within whose veins flows the blood of Herman Groethausen, that stubborn German emigrant who fought so hard for his right to a home in the New World, I shall feel amply rewarded for my efforts.

- J. M. G.

PREFACE

The author realizes that this manuscript is only a partial and incomplete history of the family. A much more complete history could have been compiled had the author been physically and financially able to make a long and extended trip through the States of Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania in search of material. Also the further employment of the services of professional genealogists in the states named would, no doubt have unearthed more genealogical data and historical information. However, it is hoped that from this book we may at least gain a true picture of our origin and the westward trek of the family during the years following the Revolutionary War.

Almost every statement in this book is based on actual records obtained from search of deed books, mortgage records, tax books, wills, census reports, marriage records and orphan statistics, as well as cemeteries, family Bibles, old newspapers, and the memory of the aged. Where a statement is based on conjecture or family legend, it is so stated.

The author wishes to extend to the following named individuals his heart-felt thanks for their generous assistance in research work and gathering of materials for this book. Without their kind and understanding aid the compilation of this history would not have been accomplished:

Mrs. M. E. Marsh, Jr., Triadelphia, West Virginia

State Genealogical Secretary for the D.A.R.

Mr. Henry A. Greathouse, Liberty, Missouri

Miss Alice Greathouse, Richmond, California

Hon. Claude A. Rankin, Commissioner of Lands,

State of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas

Mrs. Margaret Smith Ross, Secretary,

Pulaski County Historical Society, Little Rock

- J. M. G.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN PENNSYLVANIA

Herman Groethausen, a German emigrant from whom we are all descended, together with his family consisting of two minor sons -- Henry and John -- arrived in the New World during the year 1710 and settled in the Province of Pennsylvania. His acquisition of land is an extremely interesting story in itself and is very thoroughly described in two entries in Vol. XIX, First Series of Pennsylvania Archives, comprising the minutes of the Board of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania, as follows: (Spelling follows original.)

Page 538 - At a meeting of the Commissioners, the 19th of November 1712:

Herman Groethausen, who a few years ago came into this Province, having had deeds from the Proprietor for 500 acres of land, applied to the late Commissioners (as some of them inform) for the said, upon which a warrant was prepared for him, but instead of calling for it, he seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, in the County of Philadelphia, which being represented to the Board, the said Herman was summoned to appear this day and produce his authority for so settling.

And for this he produced a lease under the Proprietor's hand and Seal, bearing date the 30th of the 10th, 1709, for a thousand years, and a Release dated the next day granting to the said Herman forever five hundred acres of land clear of all Indian incumbrances in the Province of Pennsylvania, between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware, there together with all and every the Profitts, Commodities, and Hereditaments whatsoever unto the same belonging, every acre to be admeasured and computed according to the Statute 33d Edward 1st Royall mines and all others excepted (This is the whole Grant), paying yearly, and the said Herman doth for himself and his heirs Covenant and Grant to pay yearly as a Chief of quitt rent for every acre that shall be taken up one pennySterl'g, to commence within 3 years after seating. But in another paper signed by the Proprietor, dated the 30th of December the payment of the said Rent is released till seven years after Seating, and by an indorsement on the Release of the said 30th of 10, the Proprietor further grants one-twentieth part of all Royall Mines and two-fifths part of all other Mines, they paying a proportionable part of the Charges. The Proprietor also reserves to Himself and Co., free liberty to search for Mines in the said Lands, and further by the said Indorsement grants Liberty to Hawk, Hunt, Fish and Fowl, etc.

This being the sum of the whole Grant, in which no particular Privilege is mentioned, He is required to move off from the said land, otherwise he must be proceeded against and ejected without delay.

Because the said Herman appears a stranger to our Constitution and he has laid out most of what he had on a settlement made upon it, the Board has considered and are willing to grant that he may enjoy his improvement for some years on a reasonable Rent, He taking his own 500 acres elsewhere.

Page 595 - At a meeting of the Commissioners the 21st 10 mo, 1715:

Herman Groethausen, late of Germany but now of this Province, having in the year 1709 purchased of one Coll. Rhedegalt, 9000 acres of land, to be laid out in this Province, upon which he repaired to London in order to transport himself and family hither, and meeting with the Proprietor there, acquainted him with his design. The Proprietor and he came to an agreement that upon Herman's resigning of his right which he purchased of Rhedegalt he should have in the lieu thereof 500 acres laid out amongst the inhabitants at the yearly rent of one Penny Sterling per acre, for which the said Herman took short Deeds of Lease and Release, dated the 30th and 31st days of December in the said year, and soon thereafter arrived in this Province and laid his Deeds before the Commissioners in order to have the land laid out, but by Deeds mentioning no particular Place (only between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware)., for layout out the same there could be no warrant granted but in the Common form, which he not complying with seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, which soon after being made known to the Commissioners, they ordered him to remove from thence, but instead thereof he insisted on the Proprietors promises to him upon their agreements, and so went to England for redress, and being now returned with some Depositions of his resigning his Deeds for the said 9000 acres for only 500 acres., and that at one penny Sterl'g per acre, and also a letter from Mrs. Hannah Perm to the Commissioners they have thereupon ordered that 500 acres of land be forthwith laid out to him within the said Mannor including within the same his Improvement., and accordingly a warrant is granted and Signed."

(NOTE: Springfield Manor, now Springfield Township, had been granted by William Penn to his wife, which accounts for her interposition in the dispute about the land granted to. Herman Groethausen. According to the "History of Chestnut Hill" by John J. McFarlane, the Groethausen tract extended for a mile and a quarter along Stenton Avenue, from Paper Hill Road to Willow Grove Avenue and east from Stenton Avenue nearly to Cheltenham Road. Stenton Avenue is the dividing line between Philadelphia and Springfield Township. Springfield Township was part of Philadelphia County until 1784, when it was taken into the new County of Montgomery. That part of Philadelphia west of Stenton Avenue was Germantown Township.

The term "Proprietor" in the proceedings means William Penn. Coll. Rhedegalt was evidently one of William Penn's agents in Germany.

It is easy to understand why Herman Groethausen was agreeable to William Penn's proposal that he trade his 9000 acres, purchased from Herr Rhedegalt, for 500 acres "located amongst the inhabitants". Outside of Philadelphia and its environs the Province of Pennsylvania, was, at that time, a wilderness inhabited only by Indians who were at times hostile and who quite often attacked and killed white frontiersmen and their families who strayed too far from the populated settlements)-

Herman Groethausen died October 27, 1743. He is buried in the grounds of St. Michaels Lutheran Church, Germantown, and the inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Harman Grothaus, born 1670; died Oct. 27, 1743." He was 73 years of age. It is not known whether the spelling of the name on the tombstone was due to an error on the part of the tombstone -maker or an effort on the part of old Herman himself to shorten and to some extent anglicize his name.

The will of Herman Groethausen is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G", page 76, and is dated October 19, 1743. This instrument is very brief -- merely stating that all his lands are to be divided equally between his two sons Henry and John, who are appointed executors. Evidently his wife preceded him in death as no mention is made of her in his will.

About three years prior to his death, Herman Groethausen, "Springfield yeoman", deeded 109 acres of his original tract of 500 acres to his son John -- "consideration, love, good will and fatherly affection and X 13, 10 s. 11 (Deed Book G 1, page 216 - Office of the Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds, dated November 24, 1740.) John had evidently been living on this tract for some time and had considered it as his property long before his father actually deeded it to him, for in the "List of Philadelphia County Land Owners", published for the first time in 1734, there appears the following entries under Springfield Township:

"Harman Greathouse, 260 acres (largest landowner in the township) "John Greathouse, 109 acres."

(Note that the English version of the name was written into these records by the person who recorded them.)

Evidently Herman had, even at this early date (1734), disposed of a part of his original 500 acres.

Other interesting data concerning Herman Groethausen, the emigrant, follows:

(a) Theodore W. Bean's "History of Montgomery County", in the chapter on Springfield Township, page 1073, says "Herman Greathouse" was collector of taxes in that township in 1723. (Note that Mr.Bean also uses the English spelling of the name.)

(b) The earliest mention of the name of Herman Groethausen in the records of the Philadelphia Register of Wills is when he was a witness to the will of Cornelius Tyson, of Germantown, dated April 6, 1716. He subsequently witnessed other wills.

(c) Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen witnessed the will of George Muller Germantown Township, dated Sept. 21, 1719. In this will Herman Groethausen was appointed "Executor or guardian".

(d) There is considerable evidence that Herman and his son John engaged in the manufacture of tile for a number of years. In Christopher Sower's Germantown newspaper for February 19, 1757, John Grothaus had an advertisement offering for sale a plantation three miles above Germantown, in Springfield, "whereupon there had been a tile kiln for a long time". It is highly probable that Herman brought with him from Germany a knowledge of the manufacture of tile.

(Note: There has been no effort on the part of the author to trace the family to its origin in Germany. One writer, a Mrs. Alice Winters Greathouse Nelson, who compiled and published a genealogy of her branch of the family, states that Herman Groethausen was born in Heidelberg, Germany. However, since she produced no proof in the way of documentary evidence in support of her statement, this writer gives little or no credence to her version of his place of origin. This is not intended as a reflection on Mrs. Nelson (now deceased) or her work. It is entirely possible that she possessed such proof but omitted it from the published booklet due to a lack of space.)

Henry Groethausen was born in Germany in the year 1695. He died during the year 1745 and is buried in St. Michaels churchyard Germantown. The inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Henry Grothouse, born 1695; died 1745." (Note spelling of surname.)

When Henry arrived in the New World (1710), he was 15 years of age, Whether he was older or younger than his brother Johann (John) is not known since there seems to be no record of John's death. It appears that Henry struck out for himself as a very young man. He settled in Lancaster County and there, he and his wife Ann reared a large family.

It is believed that Henry sickened and died while back In Philadelphia County settling up his father's estate (he having died Oct.27, 1743). His will indicates this, as all of the witnesses thereto were residents of Springfield Township, Philadelphia County. In the will the testator's name is "Henry Grothouse" of Heidelberg, County of Lancaster, yeoman", who is "sick and weak in body".

Henry's will is dated January 3, 1744, and was probated February 23, 1745. It is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G" page 170. To his "dear and beloved wife Ann" he leaves in lieu of her dowry X 6 a year during her life time and also during her life time the use of six acre of land in Springfield, "part of the lands lately devised by my father, Herman Grothouse, in any place where there is water." John Grothouse and Wiccard Miller, "part of my executors". are to attend to this transaction and they are also to have a log house built for the wife on the six-acre tract "for her to live in". (Note: I have found, in my research, that the German emigrants who settled in Pennsylvania were the first of the early American colonists to build log houses.)

His land and appurtenances (160 acres), located in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and the land inherited from his father in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County (except for the six-acre tract willed to his wife during her life time), are to be sold and the proceeds therefrom are to be put at interest with the exception of X 100 to be paid to the wife. Interest to be paid to the wife during her life time to defray the "annual costs of the children". who are:

HarmanChristiana

Magdalena Katherine

JacobElizabeth

PeterSusanna

MaryJohn

Apparently the X 100 bequeathed to the wife was to be put at interest by her to produce the X 6 a year during her life time", for later in the will he says "After my wife's death the six acres and X 100 bequeathed to her and all other personal estate are to be equally divided among the children."

He further states in his will that the interest is to be divided equally among the children. Those who are of age are "to be paid at a convenient time after my decease and the rest are to be paid as they arrive at the age of 21 or marry".

Another codicil reads as follows -- "My son Harman is to have all of my smith tools and utensils, which he now uses, paying X 10, 6 d therefor".

Just one month after their father's death, Henry and his brother John sold part of the land which they had so recently inherited. This transaction is recorded in Deed Book G 6, page 128 - Nov. 22, 1743, as follows "Henry Grothouse, Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and his wife Ann. and John Grothouse, Springfield, Philadelphia County, and his wife Amelia, transfer to George Rex, Germantown Township, Philadelphia County, blacksmith, 50 acres, consideration X 100, part of 500 acres in Springfield, patented by Thomas Penn, proprietary) Feb. 28, 1733, to Herman Groethausen and devised by his will to Henry and John Grothausen".

Not too much is known about Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen, son of Herman, the emigrant, and brother of Henry. There is no record of his death, - therefore we do not know when he was born or when he died. There is a record of the burial of his wife Amelia in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown. It reads as follows: "Burials - Amelia Groethausen, November 1, 1774, aged 74 years."

From this burial record I think that we can safely deduce that John never left Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, but lived out his life span on the land which his father acquired from William Penn in 1709.

Records of St. Michaels Church indicate that they, John and his wife Amelia, had at least one son -"Wilhelm". These records read as follows: "Wilhelm, son 'of Wilhelm Groethausen and his wife Anna Maria Puff, born August 2, 1748, baptized ______, 1749" No doubt this Wilhelm, to whom a son was born in 1748, was the son of John and his wife Amelia.

Evidently Wilhelm's first wife, Anna Maria Puff, died within a few years after the birth of their son, Wilhelm Jr., as another church record reads as follows: "Johannes (John), son of Wilhelm Groethausen and wife Barbara, born February 13, baptized April 19, 1756. Catherine, daughter of same, born September 23, baptized October 16, 1757." This very plainly indicates that Wilhelm took unto himself a second wife and that at least two children were born to them.

Most eighteenth century tax records of Pennsylvania, especially prior to 1760, have been destroyed. Those extant have been published in Third Series of Pennsylvania Archives,

Vol. XXII, page 13, Third Series, Pennsylvania Archives, shows a William Greathouse, Brothers Valley Township, Bedford County, in 1773. The same William moved to Turkeyfoot Township, same County, in 1774. Records show that he paid taxes on 200 acres there from 1774 to 1783. John Greathouse, single freeman, owned 100 acres in this same township in 1783. (These men were, in all likelihood, the elder Wilhelm, son of John, and his youngest son, John.)

Vol. XIX, page 191, lists a William Grothouse in Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, during the years 1786-1788. His property listed as follows: "50 acres, 1 horse, 4 cows." This man was undoubtedly "Wilhelm" born 1748, son of Wilhelm and his first wife, Anna Maria Puff.

Vol. XIV, page 86, lists a John Greathouse as living in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1769 but shows no acreage after his name. This was probably John, son of Herman, the emigrant. He had probably by that time disposed of all his holdings in Springfield Township, In 1784, when Springfield Township became a part of the new County Montgomery, there were no Greathouses listed as owning land in the township.

Vol. XVI, page 660, lists a John Greathouse as residing on the Groethausen estate, consisting of six acres, in 1783. This John was, no doubt, the youngest son of Henry Grothouse and he was living on the six acres in Springfield Township which Henry had willed to his (Johns) mother during her life time.

The will of David Owen, Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, dated July 26, 1786, probated June 29, 1790, mentions a daughter Mary, who was the wife of William Grothouse. This William, shown, by records of Pennsylvania Archives previously quoted, to have been a resident of the township and county named above during the years 1786-1788, was the son of Wilhelm and grandson of John, son of Herman the emigrant.

Letters of administration were granted in Philadelphia in these estates of persons who made no wills:

John Groethouse, 1791

John Groethouse, 1796

Although we have no proof, one of these men must have been John, the youngest son of Henry, who was living on the six-acre Groethausen estate in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1783. It is possible, but highly improbable, that the other was John, son of Her-man the emigrant. It is more reasonable and logical to think that he was a son of John and his wife Amelia and a brother to the first Wilhelm. John, based on the age of his wife Amelia, at the time of her death in 1773, would have been 91 years of age in 1791.

Other grants of land to members of the Greathouse family by Pennsylvania Provincial Authorities were as follows:

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXIV, page 419 -

Peter Greathouse, Lancaster County, 80 acres, June 7, 1750.

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXVI, page 84 -

William Grothouse, Northampton County, 15 acres, Dec. 3, 1789.

The diverse spelling of the family name in the legal documents quot-ed, has, of course, been noted by the author and was a source of con-siderable worry. Mr. Edward W. Hocker, a professional genealogist of Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., has however to a great extent cleared this up with the following explanation:

"In those early days in Pennsylvania, all legal documents were writ-ten by professional scriveners who were, for the most part, Englishmen They had little or no knowledge of the German language and spelled these names as they sounded to them when spoken by the German emi-grants."

Mr. Hocker states that he encounters this all the time in tracing the genealogy of families descended from German emigrants to Pennsylvania. Quite often, he says, a man's name will be spelled in two or three different ways in the same document. I believe however that some of the changes were deliberate on the part of some members of the family in an effort to shorten and to some extent anglicize the name.

Dr.Thomas.Professor of German at the University of Arkansas, assures me that the name Greathouse is a literal English translation of the German name Groethausen. He further states that the name Groethausen indicates that our family originated in the northern part of Germany.

The religion of the early members of the Greathouse family was Protestant. Apparently, from such records as are available, they were all members of the German Lutheran or Reformed Church. The Documentary History of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, page 8, states that at the first convention of the Ministerium, when it was organized in Philadelphia, August 15, 1748, John Groethausen was one of four delegates representing St. Michael's Church, Germantown.

Notes for Herman GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A Partial History of

The Greathouse Family in America

Author

Jack Murray Greathouse

Number 7 in the Bulletin series published by the

Washington County Historical Society

Fayetteville, Arkansas

1954

W.J. Lemke, editor

FOREWORD

In my youthful days my grandfather, to whom this book is dedicated, was a member of the Populist Party and a great admirer of Tom Watson, its leader. He was also at various times a Whig, a Know Nothing, and a Democrat, but never a Republican. He was a subscriber to Mr. Watson's magazine and when he visited in my father's home. One of my allotted tasks was to read to him, from cover to cover, each issue. Invariably he would fall asleep during the process and when awakened would always swear by all that is holy that he hadn't been asleep and that he had heard every word.

On one occasion, after nudging him awake and being tired of reading, I asked the question, "Grandpa, what was your Grandpa's name?" His answer was "Gabriel". The name Gabriel seems to have stuck in my mind throughout the years. This incident together with a remark I once heard my father make (that he was a member of one of the oldest Arkansas families), was to a great extent the motivating influence which, almost a half century later, prompted me to attempt the compilation of a family history.

Being 62 years of age and in poor health the work involved has given me a new lease on life and has also been an extremely pleasant diversion. If the reading of this book gives some degree of pleasure to those within whose veins flows the blood of Herman Groethausen, that stubborn German emigrant who fought so hard for his right to a home in the New World, I shall feel amply rewarded for my efforts.

- J. M. G.

PREFACE

The author realizes that this manuscript is only a partial and incomplete history of the family. A much more complete history could have been compiled had the author been physically and financially able to make a long and extended trip through the States of Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania in search of material. Also the further employment of the services of professional genealogists in the states named would, no doubt have unearthed more genealogical data and historical information. However, it is hoped that from this book we may at least gain a true picture of our origin and the westward trek of the family during the years following the Revolutionary War.

Almost every statement in this book is based on actual records obtained from search of deed books, mortgage records, tax books, wills, census reports, marriage records and orphan statistics, as well as cemeteries, family Bibles, old newspapers, and the memory of the aged. Where a statement is based on conjecture or family legend, it is so stated.

The author wishes to extend to the following named individuals his heart-felt thanks for their generous assistance in research work and gathering of materials for this book. Without their kind and understanding aid the compilation of this history would not have been accomplished:

Mrs. M. E. Marsh, Jr., Triadelphia, West Virginia

State Genealogical Secretary for the D.A.R.

Mr. Henry A. Greathouse, Liberty, Missouri

Miss Alice Greathouse, Richmond, California

Hon. Claude A. Rankin, Commissioner of Lands,

State of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas

Mrs. Margaret Smith Ross, Secretary,

Pulaski County Historical Society, Little Rock

- J. M. G.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN PENNSYLVANIA

Herman Groethausen, a German emigrant from whom we are all descended, together with his family consisting of two minor sons -- Henry and John -- arrived in the New World during the year 1710 and settled in the Province of Pennsylvania. His acquisition of land is an extremely interesting story in itself and is very thoroughly described in two entries in Vol. XIX, First Series of Pennsylvania Archives, comprising the minutes of the Board of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania, as follows: (Spelling follows original.)

Page 538 - At a meeting of the Commissioners, the 19th of November 1712:

Herman Groethausen, who a few years ago came into this Province, having had deeds from the Proprietor for 500 acres of land, applied to the late Commissioners (as some of them inform) for the said, upon which a warrant was prepared for him, but instead of calling for it, he seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, in the County of Philadelphia, which being represented to the Board, the said Herman was summoned to appear this day and produce his authority for so settling.

And for this he produced a lease under the Proprietor's hand and Seal, bearing date the 30th of the 10th, 1709, for a thousand years, and a Release dated the next day granting to the said Herman forever five hundred acres of land clear of all Indian incumbrances in the Province of Pennsylvania, between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware, there together with all and every the Profitts, Commodities, and Hereditaments whatsoever unto the same belonging, every acre to be admeasured and computed according to the Statute 33d Edward 1st Royall mines and all others excepted (This is the whole Grant), paying yearly, and the said Herman doth for himself and his heirs Covenant and Grant to pay yearly as a Chief of quitt rent for every acre that shall be taken up one pennySterl'g, to commence within 3 years after seating. But in another paper signed by the Proprietor, dated the 30th of December the payment of the said Rent is released till seven years after Seating, and by an indorsement on the Release of the said 30th of 10, the Proprietor further grants one-twentieth part of all Royall Mines and two-fifths part of all other Mines, they paying a proportionable part of the Charges. The Proprietor also reserves to Himself and Co., free liberty to search for Mines in the said Lands, and further by the said Indorsement grants Liberty to Hawk, Hunt, Fish and Fowl, etc.

This being the sum of the whole Grant, in which no particular Privilege is mentioned, He is required to move off from the said land, otherwise he must be proceeded against and ejected without delay.

Because the said Herman appears a stranger to our Constitution and he has laid out most of what he had on a settlement made upon it, the Board has considered and are willing to grant that he may enjoy his improvement for some years on a reasonable Rent, He taking his own 500 acres elsewhere.

Page 595 - At a meeting of the Commissioners the 21st 10 mo, 1715:

Herman Groethausen, late of Germany but now of this Province, having in the year 1709 purchased of one Coll. Rhedegalt, 9000 acres of land, to be laid out in this Province, upon which he repaired to London in order to transport himself and family hither, and meeting with the Proprietor there, acquainted him with his design. The Proprietor and he came to an agreement that upon Herman's resigning of his right which he purchased of Rhedegalt he should have in the lieu thereof 500 acres laid out amongst the inhabitants at the yearly rent of one Penny Sterling per acre, for which the said Herman took short Deeds of Lease and Release, dated the 30th and 31st days of December in the said year, and soon thereafter arrived in this Province and laid his Deeds before the Commissioners in order to have the land laid out, but by Deeds mentioning no particular Place (only between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware)., for layout out the same there could be no warrant granted but in the Common form, which he not complying with seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, which soon after being made known to the Commissioners, they ordered him to remove from thence, but instead thereof he insisted on the Proprietors promises to him upon their agreements, and so went to England for redress, and being now returned with some Depositions of his resigning his Deeds for the said 9000 acres for only 500 acres., and that at one penny Sterl'g per acre, and also a letter from Mrs. Hannah Perm to the Commissioners they have thereupon ordered that 500 acres of land be forthwith laid out to him within the said Mannor including within the same his Improvement., and accordingly a warrant is granted and Signed."

(NOTE: Springfield Manor, now Springfield Township, had been granted by William Penn to his wife, which accounts for her interposition in the dispute about the land granted to. Herman Groethausen. According to the "History of Chestnut Hill" by John J. McFarlane, the Groethausen tract extended for a mile and a quarter along Stenton Avenue, from Paper Hill Road to Willow Grove Avenue and east from Stenton Avenue nearly to Cheltenham Road. Stenton Avenue is the dividing line between Philadelphia and Springfield Township. Springfield Township was part of Philadelphia County until 1784, when it was taken into the new County of Montgomery. That part of Philadelphia west of Stenton Avenue was Germantown Township.

The term "Proprietor" in the proceedings means William Penn. Coll. Rhedegalt was evidently one of William Penn's agents in Germany.

It is easy to understand why Herman Groethausen was agreeable to William Penn's proposal that he trade his 9000 acres, purchased from Herr Rhedegalt, for 500 acres "located amongst the inhabitants". Outside of Philadelphia and its environs the Province of Pennsylvania, was, at that time, a wilderness inhabited only by Indians who were at times hostile and who quite often attacked and killed white frontiersmen and their families who strayed too far from the populated settlements)-

Herman Groethausen died October 27, 1743. He is buried in the grounds of St. Michaels Lutheran Church, Germantown, and the inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Harman Grothaus, born 1670; died Oct. 27, 1743." He was 73 years of age. It is not known whether the spelling of the name on the tombstone was due to an error on the part of the tombstone -maker or an effort on the part of old Herman himself to shorten and to some extent anglicize his name.

The will of Herman Groethausen is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G", page 76, and is dated October 19, 1743. This instrument is very brief -- merely stating that all his lands are to be divided equally between his two sons Henry and John, who are appointed executors. Evidently his wife preceded him in death as no mention is made of her in his will.

About three years prior to his death, Herman Groethausen, "Springfield yeoman", deeded 109 acres of his original tract of 500 acres to his son John -- "consideration, love, good will and fatherly affection and X 13, 10 s. 11 (Deed Book G 1, page 216 - Office of the Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds, dated November 24, 1740.) John had evidently been living on this tract for some time and had considered it as his property long before his father actually deeded it to him, for in the "List of Philadelphia County Land Owners", published for the first time in 1734, there appears the following entries under Springfield Township:

"Harman Greathouse, 260 acres (largest landowner in the township) "John Greathouse, 109 acres."

(Note that the English version of the name was written into these records by the person who recorded them.)

Evidently Herman had, even at this early date (1734), disposed of a part of his original 500 acres.

Other interesting data concerning Herman Groethausen, the emigrant, follows:

(a) Theodore W. Bean's "History of Montgomery County", in the chapter on Springfield Township, page 1073, says "Herman Greathouse" was collector of taxes in that township in 1723. (Note that Mr.Bean also uses the English spelling of the name.)

(b) The earliest mention of the name of Herman Groethausen in the records of the Philadelphia Register of Wills is when he was a witness to the will of Cornelius Tyson, of Germantown, dated April 6, 1716. He subsequently witnessed other wills.

(c) Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen witnessed the will of George Muller Germantown Township, dated Sept. 21, 1719. In this will Herman Groethausen was appointed "Executor or guardian".

(d) There is considerable evidence that Herman and his son John engaged in the manufacture of tile for a number of years. In Christopher Sower's Germantown newspaper for February 19, 1757, John Grothaus had an advertisement offering for sale a plantation three miles above Germantown, in Springfield, "whereupon there had been a tile kiln for a long time". It is highly probable that Herman brought with him from Germany a knowledge of the manufacture of tile.

(Note: There has been no effort on the part of the author to trace the family to its origin in Germany. One writer, a Mrs. Alice Winters Greathouse Nelson, who compiled and published a genealogy of her branch of the family, states that Herman Groethausen was born in Heidelberg, Germany. However, since she produced no proof in the way of documentary evidence in support of her statement, this writer gives little or no credence to her version of his place of origin. This is not intended as a reflection on Mrs. Nelson (now deceased) or her work. It is entirely possible that she possessed such proof but omitted it from the published booklet due to a lack of space.)

Henry Groethausen was born in Germany in the year 1695. He died during the year 1745 and is buried in St. Michaels churchyard Germantown. The inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Henry Grothouse, born 1695; died 1745." (Note spelling of surname.)

When Henry arrived in the New World (1710), he was 15 years of age, Whether he was older or younger than his brother Johann (John) is not known since there seems to be no record of John's death. It appears that Henry struck out for himself as a very young man. He settled in Lancaster County and there, he and his wife Ann reared a large family.

It is believed that Henry sickened and died while back In Philadelphia County settling up his father's estate (he having died Oct.27, 1743). His will indicates this, as all of the witnesses thereto were residents of Springfield Township, Philadelphia County. In the will the testator's name is "Henry Grothouse" of Heidelberg, County of Lancaster, yeoman", who is "sick and weak in body".

Henry's will is dated January 3, 1744, and was probated February 23, 1745. It is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G" page 170. To his "dear and beloved wife Ann" he leaves in lieu of her dowry X 6 a year during her life time and also during her life time the use of six acre of land in Springfield, "part of the lands lately devised by my father, Herman Grothouse, in any place where there is water." John Grothouse and Wiccard Miller, "part of my executors". are to attend to this transaction and they are also to have a log house built for the wife on the six-acre tract "for her to live in". (Note: I have found, in my research, that the German emigrants who settled in Pennsylvania were the first of the early American colonists to build log houses.)

His land and appurtenances (160 acres), located in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and the land inherited from his father in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County (except for the six-acre tract willed to his wife during her life time), are to be sold and the proceeds therefrom are to be put at interest with the exception of X 100 to be paid to the wife. Interest to be paid to the wife during her life time to defray the "annual costs of the children". who are:

HarmanChristiana

Magdalena Katherine

JacobElizabeth

PeterSusanna

MaryJohn

Apparently the X 100 bequeathed to the wife was to be put at interest by her to produce the X 6 a year during her life time", for later in the will he says "After my wife's death the six acres and X 100 bequeathed to her and all other personal estate are to be equally divided among the children."

He further states in his will that the interest is to be divided equally among the children. Those who are of age are "to be paid at a convenient time after my decease and the rest are to be paid as they arrive at the age of 21 or marry".

Another codicil reads as follows -- "My son Harman is to have all of my smith tools and utensils, which he now uses, paying X 10, 6 d therefor".

Just one month after their father's death, Henry and his brother John sold part of the land which they had so recently inherited. This transaction is recorded in Deed Book G 6, page 128 - Nov. 22, 1743, as follows "Henry Grothouse, Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and his wife Ann. and John Grothouse, Springfield, Philadelphia County, and his wife Amelia, transfer to George Rex, Germantown Township, Philadelphia County, blacksmith, 50 acres, consideration X 100, part of 500 acres in Springfield, patented by Thomas Penn, proprietary) Feb. 28, 1733, to Herman Groethausen and devised by his will to Henry and John Grothausen".

Not too much is known about Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen, son of Herman, the emigrant, and brother of Henry. There is no record of his death, - therefore we do not know when he was born or when he died. There is a record of the burial of his wife Amelia in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown. It reads as follows: "Burials - Amelia Groethausen, November 1, 1774, aged 74 years."

From this burial record I think that we can safely deduce that John never left Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, but lived out his life span on the land which his father acquired from William Penn in 1709.

Records of St. Michaels Church indicate that they, John and his wife Amelia, had at least one son -"Wilhelm". These records read as follows: "Wilhelm, son 'of Wilhelm Groethausen and his wife Anna Maria Puff, born August 2, 1748, baptized ______, 1749" No doubt this Wilhelm, to whom a son was born in 1748, was the son of John and his wife Amelia.

Evidently Wilhelm's first wife, Anna Maria Puff, died within a few years after the birth of their son, Wilhelm Jr., as another church record reads as follows: "Johannes (John), son of Wilhelm Groethausen and wife Barbara, born February 13, baptized April 19, 1756. Catherine, daughter of same, born September 23, baptized October 16, 1757." This very plainly indicates that Wilhelm took unto himself a second wife and that at least two children were born to them.

Most eighteenth century tax records of Pennsylvania, especially prior to 1760, have been destroyed. Those extant have been published in Third Series of Pennsylvania Archives,

Vol. XXII, page 13, Third Series, Pennsylvania Archives, shows a William Greathouse, Brothers Valley Township, Bedford County, in 1773. The same William moved to Turkeyfoot Township, same County, in 1774. Records show that he paid taxes on 200 acres there from 1774 to 1783. John Greathouse, single freeman, owned 100 acres in this same township in 1783. (These men were, in all likelihood, the elder Wilhelm, son of John, and his youngest son, John.)

Vol. XIX, page 191, lists a William Grothouse in Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, during the years 1786-1788. His property listed as follows: "50 acres, 1 horse, 4 cows." This man was undoubtedly "Wilhelm" born 1748, son of Wilhelm and his first wife, Anna Maria Puff.

Vol. XIV, page 86, lists a John Greathouse as living in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1769 but shows no acreage after his name. This was probably John, son of Herman, the emigrant. He had probably by that time disposed of all his holdings in Springfield Township, In 1784, when Springfield Township became a part of the new County Montgomery, there were no Greathouses listed as owning land in the township.

Vol. XVI, page 660, lists a John Greathouse as residing on the Groethausen estate, consisting of six acres, in 1783. This John was, no doubt, the youngest son of Henry Grothouse and he was living on the six acres in Springfield Township which Henry had willed to his (Johns) mother during her life time.

The will of David Owen, Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, dated July 26, 1786, probated June 29, 1790, mentions a daughter Mary, who was the wife of William Grothouse. This William, shown, by records of Pennsylvania Archives previously quoted, to have been a resident of the township and county named above during the years 1786-1788, was the son of Wilhelm and grandson of John, son of Herman the emigrant.

Letters of administration were granted in Philadelphia in these estates of persons who made no wills:

John Groethouse, 1791

John Groethouse, 1796

Although we have no proof, one of these men must have been John, the youngest son of Henry, who was living on the six-acre Groethausen estate in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1783. It is possible, but highly improbable, that the other was John, son of Her-man the emigrant. It is more reasonable and logical to think that he was a son of John and his wife Amelia and a brother to the first Wilhelm. John, based on the age of his wife Amelia, at the time of her death in 1773, would have been 91 years of age in 1791.

Other grants of land to members of the Greathouse family by Pennsylvania Provincial Authorities were as follows:

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXIV, page 419 -

Peter Greathouse, Lancaster County, 80 acres, June 7, 1750.

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXVI, page 84 -

William Grothouse, Northampton County, 15 acres, Dec. 3, 1789.

The diverse spelling of the family name in the legal documents quot-ed, has, of course, been noted by the author and was a source of con-siderable worry. Mr. Edward W. Hocker, a professional genealogist of Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., has however to a great extent cleared this up with the following explanation:

"In those early days in Pennsylvania, all legal documents were writ-ten by professional scriveners who were, for the most part, Englishmen They had little or no knowledge of the German language and spelled these names as they sounded to them when spoken by the German emi-grants."

Mr. Hocker states that he encounters this all the time in tracing the genealogy of families descended from German emigrants to Pennsylvania. Quite often, he says, a man's name will be spelled in two or three different ways in the same document. I believe however that some of the changes were deliberate on the part of some members of the family in an effort to shorten and to some extent anglicize the name.

Dr.Thomas.Professor of German at the University of Arkansas, assures me that the name Greathouse is a literal English translation of the German name Groethausen. He further states that the name Groethausen indicates that our family originated in the northern part of Germany.

The religion of the early members of the Greathouse family was Protestant. Apparently, from such records as are available, they were all members of the German Lutheran or Reformed Church. The Documentary History of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, page 8, states that at the first convention of the Ministerium, when it was organized in Philadelphia, August 15, 1748, John Groethausen was one of four delegates representing St. Michael's Church, Germantown.

Notes for Herman GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A Partial History of

The Greathouse Family in America

Author

Jack Murray Greathouse

Number 7 in the Bulletin series published by the

Washington County Historical Society

Fayetteville, Arkansas

1954

W.J. Lemke, editor

FOREWORD

In my youthful days my grandfather, to whom this book is dedicated, was a member of the Populist Party and a great admirer of Tom Watson, its leader. He was also at various times a Whig, a Know Nothing, and a Democrat, but never a Republican. He was a subscriber to Mr. Watson's magazine and when he visited in my father's home. One of my allotted tasks was to read to him, from cover to cover, each issue. Invariably he would fall asleep during the process and when awakened would always swear by all that is holy that he hadn't been asleep and that he had heard every word.

On one occasion, after nudging him awake and being tired of reading, I asked the question, "Grandpa, what was your Grandpa's name?" His answer was "Gabriel". The name Gabriel seems to have stuck in my mind throughout the years. This incident together with a remark I once heard my father make (that he was a member of one of the oldest Arkansas families), was to a great extent the motivating influence which, almost a half century later, prompted me to attempt the compilation of a family history.

Being 62 years of age and in poor health the work involved has given me a new lease on life and has also been an extremely pleasant diversion. If the reading of this book gives some degree of pleasure to those within whose veins flows the blood of Herman Groethausen, that stubborn German emigrant who fought so hard for his right to a home in the New World, I shall feel amply rewarded for my efforts.

- J. M. G.

PREFACE

The author realizes that this manuscript is only a partial and incomplete history of the family. A much more complete history could have been compiled had the author been physically and financially able to make a long and extended trip through the States of Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania in search of material. Also the further employment of the services of professional genealogists in the states named would, no doubt have unearthed more genealogical data and historical information. However, it is hoped that from this book we may at least gain a true picture of our origin and the westward trek of the family during the years following the Revolutionary War.

Almost every statement in this book is based on actual records obtained from search of deed books, mortgage records, tax books, wills, census reports, marriage records and orphan statistics, as well as cemeteries, family Bibles, old newspapers, and the memory of the aged. Where a statement is based on conjecture or family legend, it is so stated.

The author wishes to extend to the following named individuals his heart-felt thanks for their generous assistance in research work and gathering of materials for this book. Without their kind and understanding aid the compilation of this history would not have been accomplished:

Mrs. M. E. Marsh, Jr., Triadelphia, West Virginia

State Genealogical Secretary for the D.A.R.

Mr. Henry A. Greathouse, Liberty, Missouri

Miss Alice Greathouse, Richmond, California

Hon. Claude A. Rankin, Commissioner of Lands,

State of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas

Mrs. Margaret Smith Ross, Secretary,

Pulaski County Historical Society, Little Rock

- J. M. G.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN PENNSYLVANIA

Herman Groethausen, a German emigrant from whom we are all descended, together with his family consisting of two minor sons -- Henry and John -- arrived in the New World during the year 1710 and settled in the Province of Pennsylvania. His acquisition of land is an extremely interesting story in itself and is very thoroughly described in two entries in Vol. XIX, First Series of Pennsylvania Archives, comprising the minutes of the Board of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania, as follows: (Spelling follows original.)

Page 538 - At a meeting of the Commissioners, the 19th of November 1712:

Herman Groethausen, who a few years ago came into this Province, having had deeds from the Proprietor for 500 acres of land, applied to the late Commissioners (as some of them inform) for the said, upon which a warrant was prepared for him, but instead of calling for it, he seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, in the County of Philadelphia, which being represented to the Board, the said Herman was summoned to appear this day and produce his authority for so settling.

And for this he produced a lease under the Proprietor's hand and Seal, bearing date the 30th of the 10th, 1709, for a thousand years, and a Release dated the next day granting to the said Herman forever five hundred acres of land clear of all Indian incumbrances in the Province of Pennsylvania, between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware, there together with all and every the Profitts, Commodities, and Hereditaments whatsoever unto the same belonging, every acre to be admeasured and computed according to the Statute 33d Edward 1st Royall mines and all others excepted (This is the whole Grant), paying yearly, and the said Herman doth for himself and his heirs Covenant and Grant to pay yearly as a Chief of quitt rent for every acre that shall be taken up one pennySterl'g, to commence within 3 years after seating. But in another paper signed by the Proprietor, dated the 30th of December the payment of the said Rent is released till seven years after Seating, and by an indorsement on the Release of the said 30th of 10, the Proprietor further grants one-twentieth part of all Royall Mines and two-fifths part of all other Mines, they paying a proportionable part of the Charges. The Proprietor also reserves to Himself and Co., free liberty to search for Mines in the said Lands, and further by the said Indorsement grants Liberty to Hawk, Hunt, Fish and Fowl, etc.

This being the sum of the whole Grant, in which no particular Privilege is mentioned, He is required to move off from the said land, otherwise he must be proceeded against and ejected without delay.

Because the said Herman appears a stranger to our Constitution and he has laid out most of what he had on a settlement made upon it, the Board has considered and are willing to grant that he may enjoy his improvement for some years on a reasonable Rent, He taking his own 500 acres elsewhere.

Page 595 - At a meeting of the Commissioners the 21st 10 mo, 1715:

Herman Groethausen, late of Germany but now of this Province, having in the year 1709 purchased of one Coll. Rhedegalt, 9000 acres of land, to be laid out in this Province, upon which he repaired to London in order to transport himself and family hither, and meeting with the Proprietor there, acquainted him with his design. The Proprietor and he came to an agreement that upon Herman's resigning of his right which he purchased of Rhedegalt he should have in the lieu thereof 500 acres laid out amongst the inhabitants at the yearly rent of one Penny Sterling per acre, for which the said Herman took short Deeds of Lease and Release, dated the 30th and 31st days of December in the said year, and soon thereafter arrived in this Province and laid his Deeds before the Commissioners in order to have the land laid out, but by Deeds mentioning no particular Place (only between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware)., for layout out the same there could be no warrant granted but in the Common form, which he not complying with seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, which soon after being made known to the Commissioners, they ordered him to remove from thence, but instead thereof he insisted on the Proprietors promises to him upon their agreements, and so went to England for redress, and being now returned with some Depositions of his resigning his Deeds for the said 9000 acres for only 500 acres., and that at one penny Sterl'g per acre, and also a letter from Mrs. Hannah Perm to the Commissioners they have thereupon ordered that 500 acres of land be forthwith laid out to him within the said Mannor including within the same his Improvement., and accordingly a warrant is granted and Signed."

(NOTE: Springfield Manor, now Springfield Township, had been granted by William Penn to his wife, which accounts for her interposition in the dispute about the land granted to. Herman Groethausen. According to the "History of Chestnut Hill" by John J. McFarlane, the Groethausen tract extended for a mile and a quarter along Stenton Avenue, from Paper Hill Road to Willow Grove Avenue and east from Stenton Avenue nearly to Cheltenham Road. Stenton Avenue is the dividing line between Philadelphia and Springfield Township. Springfield Township was part of Philadelphia County until 1784, when it was taken into the new County of Montgomery. That part of Philadelphia west of Stenton Avenue was Germantown Township.

The term "Proprietor" in the proceedings means William Penn. Coll. Rhedegalt was evidently one of William Penn's agents in Germany.

It is easy to understand why Herman Groethausen was agreeable to William Penn's proposal that he trade his 9000 acres, purchased from Herr Rhedegalt, for 500 acres "located amongst the inhabitants". Outside of Philadelphia and its environs the Province of Pennsylvania, was, at that time, a wilderness inhabited only by Indians who were at times hostile and who quite often attacked and killed white frontiersmen and their families who strayed too far from the populated settlements)-

Herman Groethausen died October 27, 1743. He is buried in the grounds of St. Michaels Lutheran Church, Germantown, and the inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Harman Grothaus, born 1670; died Oct. 27, 1743." He was 73 years of age. It is not known whether the spelling of the name on the tombstone was due to an error on the part of the tombstone -maker or an effort on the part of old Herman himself to shorten and to some extent anglicize his name.

The will of Herman Groethausen is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G", page 76, and is dated October 19, 1743. This instrument is very brief -- merely stating that all his lands are to be divided equally between his two sons Henry and John, who are appointed executors. Evidently his wife preceded him in death as no mention is made of her in his will.

About three years prior to his death, Herman Groethausen, "Springfield yeoman", deeded 109 acres of his original tract of 500 acres to his son John -- "consideration, love, good will and fatherly affection and X 13, 10 s. 11 (Deed Book G 1, page 216 - Office of the Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds, dated November 24, 1740.) John had evidently been living on this tract for some time and had considered it as his property long before his father actually deeded it to him, for in the "List of Philadelphia County Land Owners", published for the first time in 1734, there appears the following entries under Springfield Township:

"Harman Greathouse, 260 acres (largest landowner in the township) "John Greathouse, 109 acres."

(Note that the English version of the name was written into these records by the person who recorded them.)

Evidently Herman had, even at this early date (1734), disposed of a part of his original 500 acres.

Other interesting data concerning Herman Groethausen, the emigrant, follows:

(a) Theodore W. Bean's "History of Montgomery County", in the chapter on Springfield Township, page 1073, says "Herman Greathouse" was collector of taxes in that township in 1723. (Note that Mr.Bean also uses the English spelling of the name.)

(b) The earliest mention of the name of Herman Groethausen in the records of the Philadelphia Register of Wills is when he was a witness to the will of Cornelius Tyson, of Germantown, dated April 6, 1716. He subsequently witnessed other wills.

(c) Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen witnessed the will of George Muller Germantown Township, dated Sept. 21, 1719. In this will Herman Groethausen was appointed "Executor or guardian".

(d) There is considerable evidence that Herman and his son John engaged in the manufacture of tile for a number of years. In Christopher Sower's Germantown newspaper for February 19, 1757, John Grothaus had an advertisement offering for sale a plantation three miles above Germantown, in Springfield, "whereupon there had been a tile kiln for a long time". It is highly probable that Herman brought with him from Germany a knowledge of the manufacture of tile.

(Note: There has been no effort on the part of the author to trace the family to its origin in Germany. One writer, a Mrs. Alice Winters Greathouse Nelson, who compiled and published a genealogy of her branch of the family, states that Herman Groethausen was born in Heidelberg, Germany. However, since she produced no proof in the way of documentary evidence in support of her statement, this writer gives little or no credence to her version of his place of origin. This is not intended as a reflection on Mrs. Nelson (now deceased) or her work. It is entirely possible that she possessed such proof but omitted it from the published booklet due to a lack of space.)

Henry Groethausen was born in Germany in the year 1695. He died during the year 1745 and is buried in St. Michaels churchyard Germantown. The inscription on his tombstone reads as follows: "Henry Grothouse, born 1695; died 1745." (Note spelling of surname.)

When Henry arrived in the New World (1710), he was 15 years of age, Whether he was older or younger than his brother Johann (John) is not known since there seems to be no record of John's death. It appears that Henry struck out for himself as a very young man. He settled in Lancaster County and there, he and his wife Ann reared a large family.

It is believed that Henry sickened and died while back In Philadelphia County settling up his father's estate (he having died Oct.27, 1743). His will indicates this, as all of the witnesses thereto were residents of Springfield Township, Philadelphia County. In the will the testator's name is "Henry Grothouse" of Heidelberg, County of Lancaster, yeoman", who is "sick and weak in body".

Henry's will is dated January 3, 1744, and was probated February 23, 1745. It is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book "G" page 170. To his "dear and beloved wife Ann" he leaves in lieu of her dowry X 6 a year during her life time and also during her life time the use of six acre of land in Springfield, "part of the lands lately devised by my father, Herman Grothouse, in any place where there is water." John Grothouse and Wiccard Miller, "part of my executors". are to attend to this transaction and they are also to have a log house built for the wife on the six-acre tract "for her to live in". (Note: I have found, in my research, that the German emigrants who settled in Pennsylvania were the first of the early American colonists to build log houses.)

His land and appurtenances (160 acres), located in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and the land inherited from his father in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County (except for the six-acre tract willed to his wife during her life time), are to be sold and the proceeds therefrom are to be put at interest with the exception of X 100 to be paid to the wife. Interest to be paid to the wife during her life time to defray the "annual costs of the children". who are:

HarmanChristiana

Magdalena Katherine

JacobElizabeth

PeterSusanna

MaryJohn

Apparently the X 100 bequeathed to the wife was to be put at interest by her to produce the X 6 a year during her life time", for later in the will he says "After my wife's death the six acres and X 100 bequeathed to her and all other personal estate are to be equally divided among the children."

He further states in his will that the interest is to be divided equally among the children. Those who are of age are "to be paid at a convenient time after my decease and the rest are to be paid as they arrive at the age of 21 or marry".

Another codicil reads as follows -- "My son Harman is to have all of my smith tools and utensils, which he now uses, paying X 10, 6 d therefor".

Just one month after their father's death, Henry and his brother John sold part of the land which they had so recently inherited. This transaction is recorded in Deed Book G 6, page 128 - Nov. 22, 1743, as follows "Henry Grothouse, Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and his wife Ann. and John Grothouse, Springfield, Philadelphia County, and his wife Amelia, transfer to George Rex, Germantown Township, Philadelphia County, blacksmith, 50 acres, consideration X 100, part of 500 acres in Springfield, patented by Thomas Penn, proprietary) Feb. 28, 1733, to Herman Groethausen and devised by his will to Henry and John Grothausen".

Not too much is known about Johann (John) Adolf Groethausen, son of Herman, the emigrant, and brother of Henry. There is no record of his death, - therefore we do not know when he was born or when he died. There is a record of the burial of his wife Amelia in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown. It reads as follows: "Burials - Amelia Groethausen, November 1, 1774, aged 74 years."

From this burial record I think that we can safely deduce that John never left Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, but lived out his life span on the land which his father acquired from William Penn in 1709.

Records of St. Michaels Church indicate that they, John and his wife Amelia, had at least one son -"Wilhelm". These records read as follows: "Wilhelm, son 'of Wilhelm Groethausen and his wife Anna Maria Puff, born August 2, 1748, baptized ______, 1749" No doubt this Wilhelm, to whom a son was born in 1748, was the son of John and his wife Amelia.

Evidently Wilhelm's first wife, Anna Maria Puff, died within a few years after the birth of their son, Wilhelm Jr., as another church record reads as follows: "Johannes (John), son of Wilhelm Groethausen and wife Barbara, born February 13, baptized April 19, 1756. Catherine, daughter of same, born September 23, baptized October 16, 1757." This very plainly indicates that Wilhelm took unto himself a second wife and that at least two children were born to them.

Most eighteenth century tax records of Pennsylvania, especially prior to 1760, have been destroyed. Those extant have been published in Third Series of Pennsylvania Archives,

Vol. XXII, page 13, Third Series, Pennsylvania Archives, shows a William Greathouse, Brothers Valley Township, Bedford County, in 1773. The same William moved to Turkeyfoot Township, same County, in 1774. Records show that he paid taxes on 200 acres there from 1774 to 1783. John Greathouse, single freeman, owned 100 acres in this same township in 1783. (These men were, in all likelihood, the elder Wilhelm, son of John, and his youngest son, John.)

Vol. XIX, page 191, lists a William Grothouse in Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, during the years 1786-1788. His property listed as follows: "50 acres, 1 horse, 4 cows." This man was undoubtedly "Wilhelm" born 1748, son of Wilhelm and his first wife, Anna Maria Puff.

Vol. XIV, page 86, lists a John Greathouse as living in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1769 but shows no acreage after his name. This was probably John, son of Herman, the emigrant. He had probably by that time disposed of all his holdings in Springfield Township, In 1784, when Springfield Township became a part of the new County Montgomery, there were no Greathouses listed as owning land in the township.

Vol. XVI, page 660, lists a John Greathouse as residing on the Groethausen estate, consisting of six acres, in 1783. This John was, no doubt, the youngest son of Henry Grothouse and he was living on the six acres in Springfield Township which Henry had willed to his (Johns) mother during her life time.

The will of David Owen, Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, dated July 26, 1786, probated June 29, 1790, mentions a daughter Mary, who was the wife of William Grothouse. This William, shown, by records of Pennsylvania Archives previously quoted, to have been a resident of the township and county named above during the years 1786-1788, was the son of Wilhelm and grandson of John, son of Herman the emigrant.

Letters of administration were granted in Philadelphia in these estates of persons who made no wills:

John Groethouse, 1791

John Groethouse, 1796

Although we have no proof, one of these men must have been John, the youngest son of Henry, who was living on the six-acre Groethausen estate in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, in 1783. It is possible, but highly improbable, that the other was John, son of Her-man the emigrant. It is more reasonable and logical to think that he was a son of John and his wife Amelia and a brother to the first Wilhelm. John, based on the age of his wife Amelia, at the time of her death in 1773, would have been 91 years of age in 1791.

Other grants of land to members of the Greathouse family by Pennsylvania Provincial Authorities were as follows:

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXIV, page 419 -

Peter Greathouse, Lancaster County, 80 acres, June 7, 1750.

Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXVI, page 84 -

William Grothouse, Northampton County, 15 acres, Dec. 3, 1789.

The diverse spelling of the family name in the legal documents quot-ed, has, of course, been noted by the author and was a source of con-siderable worry. Mr. Edward W. Hocker, a professional genealogist of Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., has however to a great extent cleared this up with the following explanation:

"In those early days in Pennsylvania, all legal documents were writ-ten by professional scriveners who were, for the most part, Englishmen They had little or no knowledge of the German language and spelled these names as they sounded to them when spoken by the German emi-grants."

Mr. Hocker states that he encounters this all the time in tracing the genealogy of families descended from German emigrants to Pennsylvania. Quite often, he says, a man's name will be spelled in two or three different ways in the same document. I believe however that some of the changes were deliberate on the part of some members of the family in an effort to shorten and to some extent anglicize the name.

Dr.Thomas.Professor of German at the University of Arkansas, assures me that the name Greathouse is a literal English translation of the German name Groethausen. He further states that the name Groethausen indicates that our family originated in the northern part of Germany.

The religion of the early members of the Greathouse family was Protestant. Apparently, from such records as are available, they were all members of the German Lutheran or Reformed Church. The Documentary History of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, page 8, states that at the first convention of the Ministerium, when it was organized in Philadelphia, August 15, 1748, John Groethausen was one of four delegates representing St. Michael's Church, Germantown.

Notes for Harmon GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN MARYLAND

Harman Greathouse (or Harmon, as he himself spelled it) was the oldest son of Henry Grothouse of Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, Pa., and the grandson of Herman Groethausen the emigrant. He was born in Lancaster County in 1720. He was married twice. His first wife was Anna Maria Baret and it is believed that they were married in the year 1745. My reason for this belief is based on entries found in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown, for that year. These entries were as follows:

"Harman Grothouse and wife Anna Maria Baret were sponsors at the baptism of Anna Maria, daughter of Georg Michael Schellmeir, born Jan. 9, baptized June 2, 1745."

"Johannes, son of Johann Jacob Leimer and his wife Regina, born Jan. 8. 1745, baptized June 2, 1745. Sponsors: Baltus Baret and wife."

(Note: Since the name Baret does not appear in the records of St. Michaels Church before or after the date of these baptisms, it is believed that Baltus Baret and his wife (evidently the parents of Anna Maria, the wife of Harman Grothouse) came from afar and were there on that particular date for some special occasion. It is my belief that they were there for the marriage of their daughter and that sponsoring the two baptisms was incidental to the main event - the marriage. This however is pure conjecture and should be treated as such.)

To this marriage between Harman Grothouse and Anna Maria Baret, only one child was born -a daughter. Record of this child's birth and baptism is found in an entry in the records of St. Michaels Church, which reads as follows:

"Rachel, daughter of Harman Grothouse and his wife Maria, born Feb. 20, 1747, baptized April 12, 1747. Sponsors: Jurg (George) Rieger and wife Barbara."

It is believed that Anna Maria Baret, first wife of Harman Grothouse, must have died within a short time after the birth of their daughter Rachel. In 1748 or 1749 he migrated to Frederick County, Maryland, and there married Mary Stull, daughter of Captain John Stull.

Captain John Stull made a will, which is of record in Frederick County, Maryland, dated October 1749 and probated in 1751. In this will he makes mention of his daughter Mary, wife of Harmon Greathouse, and "their little daughter Rachel". From this will it is evident that Harmon must have married his second wife, Mary Stull, in 1748 or 1749.

(Note: The name of Rachel Grothouse does not again appear in the records of St. Michaels Church Germantown, after the date of the entry quoted above concerning her birth and baptism.)

Evidently Harmon and his wife lived in Frederick County, Maryland, from 1749 to 1771, a period of 22 years. During this period nine children were born to them and their names were as follows:

DanielGabriel

WilliamHarmon, Jr.

JohnIsaac

Susannah Jonathan

Mary

I don't know that I have the children listed in the order of their birth. I am assuming that Daniel was the oldest since apparently he was of age when they moved to Virginia in 1771 -- he filed on land at the same time his father did (1771), the other children filing at later dates. If Daniel was born in 1750, he would have reached the age of 21 in 1771.

(Note: Mary Stull, mother of the above-named children of Harmon Greathouse, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1725; this would make her five years younger than her husband.)

In 1770 or early in 1771, Harmon Greathouse, together with his wife and ten children, moved from Frederick County, Maryland, to the Commonwealth of Virginia, settling in what was then known as Augusta County. Augusta County, at that time, took in most of what is now the State of West Virginia. Later, the area in which he settled was called Yohogania County, then Ohio County. In 1797 Brooke County was formed from land cut off from Ohio County. The Greathouse lands all lay in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. Brooke County is located in what is now known as "The Panhandle of West Virginia". This is a very narrow strip of land located between the western boundary of Pennsylvania and the Ohio River which forms the boundary between West Virginia and Ohio.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN VIRGINIA

When Harmon Greathouse moved to Virginia he settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. "History of the Panhandle", published 1879, says that Harmon Greathouse was the first settler in what is now Brooke County. Harmon's Creek, site of the Greathouse settlement, was named for him. The Rev. Joseph Doddridge in his book, "Doddridge's Notes", says this of these early pioneers:

"A fierce, implacable foe met them on every hand. Braddock's Trail was the route by which the greater number crossed the mountains. Some came by way of Bedford and Fort Ligonier, few were incumbered with much baggage. Land was their object. Raising a crop of grain, however small, entitled the settler to 400 acres of land."

(Note: I shall quote quite often from Mr. Doddridge's writings. He was a son of John Doddridge, an early settler of what is now Brooke County, West Virginia, and he himself was reared there. He was born in 1769. He wrote his book, "Doddridge's Notes", when he was 52 years of age. He married Jemima Bukey in 1793. She was the sister of Marcy Bukey, wife of Harmon Greathouse, Jr.)

Names of other pioneer families who by 1773 had settled in what is now Brooke County were Wells, Caldwell, Doddridge,Brown, Biggs, Swearingen, Elson, Baxter, Baker, Crawford, and some few others.

Almost all of the early settlers of the Panhandle of West Virginia came from Maryland and Virginia, around the Potomac River section.

Although Harmon Greathouse settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in 1771, he did not receive a patent on his land until 1785. In 1785 the Commonwealth of Virginia granted him a patent to 800 acres. Daniel Greathouse, his eldest son, settled on 400 acres located in the Mingo Bottom of the Ohio River in 1771 but sold his rights to this land in 1775. John Greathouse settled on 400 acres, adjoining that of his brother Daniel, in 1774. Gabriel Greathouse acquired patent on 400 acres of land adjoining that of his father (Harmon) in 1785. William Greathouse owned land on Harmon's Creek, probably 400 acres, prior to his death in 1791. The other sons, Isaac, Harmon Jr., and Jonathan, all acquired land from their father after 1785, from his original tract of 800 acres. In 1788, Harmon Greathouse. Sr., and his wife Mary sold "218 acres and a saw mill". part of his original tract of 800 acres, to their son Harmon Jr. for X 150. Prior to this time he had sold or given to his son Jonathan 122 acres. Jonathan, in turn, sold this tract to Jonathan Boyle and Jonathan Hunt for X 100. This sale was made just prior to his ill-fated attempt to migrate to Kentucky, which will be described in detail later in this book:

It is not believed, however, that Harmon Sr. gave away any part of his land to his sons or anyone else. It was not the practice of these early Greathouses to give their children land, as will be noted from records of land transfers between father and son heretofore mentioned in this book.

By 1788 Harmon Sr. had disposed of all of his holdings in Virginia. There is no record of his ever again owning land in that State after that year. Furthermore, there is no record of a will or letter of administration for him in either Brooke or Ohio counties. Church records have been searched for entries concerning his death and burial but nothing has been found. The census of 1790 shows a Harmon Greathouse and his wife residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. It is my belief that this was Harmon Sr. and his wife Mary. This, of course, is pure conjecture, but here are my reasons for believing this to be true:

(1) In 1786 he and his wife Mary authorized the sale of all of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. This is of record in Deed Book 1, page 96, Ohio County, Virginia, and reads as follows: spelling follows the original)

October 2, 1786. "Harmon Greathouse and Mary his wife, both at present of Ohio County, Va., Mary formerly Mary Stull, for Divers good causes and Considerations us thereunto moving but more effectaly Trusting in the Provadent Care and good Management of Margret White widder and relect of Petter White which Margret was formerly Margret Stull of the County of Frederick and state of Maryland do by these presents constitute appoint and ordain the said Margret White our well beloved friend our free and lawful attorney -----to use our names for Recovoury of all Debts dues contracts moneys lands slaves goods or other property due us or either of us ----- etc."

From the above indenture we see that Harmon and his wife Mary, in 1786, gave power of attorney to Margret White, his wife's sister, to dispose of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. From the above it is evident that by 1788 Harmon and his wife had disposed of all of their holdings in both Maryland and Virginia.

(2) By 1788 both Harmon and his wife were "getting on in years", he being 68 and his wife some five years younger. His sons were in the process of moving on into the frontier settlements of Kentucky. It is logical to assume that, at his age, he did not wish to again undergo the rigors, hardships and dangers of frontier life and decided in favor of returning to the older and more populous settlement in, or near, Baltimore City, Maryland.

(3) The census of 1790 indicates that there were other members of his family residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. This also could have been an inducement for his settling there in his old age.

A thorough search has been made of the records of both Baltimore County and Baltimore City for wills or administration papers in the case of the Greathouse families reported in the 1790 census but, to my great disappointment, nothing was found.

Harmon Greathouse Sr. was a Revolutionary soldier and served in Colonel William Crawford's regiment. He participated in the expedition against Sandusky (1782). Record of his service can be found in Penn-sylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol. II, page 390.

Historical data concerning the children of Harmon Greathouse Sr.:

Rachel, eldest child of Harmon, daughter of Anna Maria Baret, his first wife, was born February 20, 1747. Entry concerning her birth can be found in the records of St. Michael's Church, Germantown, Philadel-phia, Pa. Rachel married Benjamin Tomlinson of Ohio County, Va. Little is known about Rachel or her husband after their marriage. Mrs. Nelson, in her booklet, "Greathouse Family - A History", states that her (Mrs. Nelson's) grandmother visited in the home of the Tomlinsons in Vir-ginia in 1820. If Rachel was alive at that time she would have been 73 years of age.

Daniel, eldest son of Harmon Greathouse and his wife, Mary Stull, was born about 1750 in Frederick County, Maryland. According to Thwaite & Kellog's book, "Dunmore's War", he "died of the measles in 1775." Daniel, due to his participation in the Yellow Creek massacre (1774) was probably the most publicized of any of the early members of the family. According to Doddridge's Notes and also History of the Pan-Handle, he was in command of the group of 21 men who participated in this Indian massacre. Yellow Creek is a small tributary of the Ohio River located some forty miles above Wheeling. A Mr. Baker lived at the mouth of this creek and operated an inn or tavern of sorts, selling grog to both whites and Indians. Feeling between the whites and Indians had been at a high pitch for some time; a number of both had been killed. Scouts returning to Fort Pitt reported that war was inev-itable. Word had been sent out from Wheeling for people in the out-lying settlements to come in. Baker had not responded to this call but was preparing to do so when a squaw came across the river and told him that the Indians were preparing to murder him and his family. Baker got out word that he needed help. Daniel Greathouse, with a group of 21 men, responded. They reached Baker's on April 30, 1774, and were concealed by Baker in a back room or apartment. Soon after their arrival, seven Indians came across the river to Baker's place, among them the brother of Logan, Chief of the Mingo tribue of the Iroquois Nation. Two women and a child were also in this group. The Indians were all drinking. Logan's brother put on a hat and coat belonging to one of the white men, got abusive and attempted to strike one of the white men. The white man shot and killed him. Thereupon, the white men who had been concealed in the back room rushed out and killed all of the Indians except the child. As they rushed out of the house, they saw two canoe loads of Indian braves, painted and armed for war, com-ing across the river. Daniel's group fired on them, killing most of the occupants of one of the canoes, whereupon the other turned back.

This massacre, according to some of our historians, was the direct cause of Lord Dunmore's War of 1774 in which a terrible vengeance was wreaked on the white settlers by the Indians. Chief Logan blamed Colonel Cresap for his brother's death and, according to a Mr. John Sappington (who participated In the massacre and who in 1801 made an affidavit concerning it), Cresap despised and hated Greathouse ever afterward for his part in the affair. Most of the early historians, including the Rev. Joseph Doddridge, blamed Daniel for this massacre and criticized him most severely. There is no proof that Daniel himself did this killing; the fact is that Sappington after making his affidavit, in 1801, admitted to Samuel McKee, the justice who had taken his deposition, that he himself fired the shot that killed Logan's brother.

According to Mr. Doddridge, there were three members of the Greathouse family who participated in this massacre; however, he named only historian the Rev. Joseph Doddridge is so inconsistent at times that it is quite amusing. He criticized Daniel Greathouse severely for the Yellow Creek massacre yet just a little further along in his "Notes" he has this to say: "The white settlers were compelled, by every principle of self defense, to adopt the Indian mode of warfare in all its revolting and destructive features. The Indian kills indiscriminately. His object is total extermination of his enemy, children are victims of his vengeance, etc, etc. No Indian captive should be spared his life. What advantage would be gained by this course? Let him who would defend the Indian, if he can bear the reflection, look at helpless infancy, virgin beauty and hoary age, dishonored by ghastly wounds of the tomahawk and the scalping knife."

Due to Doddridge's writing, and perhaps one or two others, Daniel Greathouse and his companions who participated in the Yellow Creek massacre have gone down in history as murderers. Recently in looking through the Encyclopedia Americana, under Dunmore's War, I found this statement: "Daniel Greathouse, a ruffian barrister, murdered five members of the family of Logan, Chief of the Iroquois." The facts are that Daniel and his party were not murderers. They were members of a legally constituted military organization of militiamen, organized for the specific purpose of protecting settlers from the ravages of the Indians. They were in the proper performance of their duty when they responded to Mr. Baker's call for help. It wasn't the fact that they had killed an Indian, or several Indians that mattered - it was the fact that they were unfortunate enough to have killed the brother of an important and popular Chief, who had, in the past, been friendly toward the whites.

There is no doubt in my mind but that Daniel took the scalps of his slain Indian foes and dangled them from his belt in true frontier fashion. He was a rugged frontiersman, but you had to be both rugged and ruthless in order to keep your own hair and stay alive in those days. Even the sanctimonious Mr. Doddridge, in his writings, condoned the use of the scalping knife and the tomahawk by the white settlers, but he mercilessly castigated Daniel and his group for doing the very things upon which he had placed the stamp of his approval.

It is believed that Daniel never married. I found an entry in the records of Yohogania County, Virginia, where, in 1778, three men were appointed by the court to appraise the estate of Daniel Greathouse, deceased. I have found no record of a will or letter of administration for his estate.

If, as some historians would have us believe, the Yellow Creek massacre brought on Dunmore's War, then Daniel, and his cohorts, on that fateful 30th of April, 1774, were instrumental in altering the course of history for years to come, since the Treaty of Chillicothe, which ended the war, kept the Indians quiet for a number of years and permitted the settlement of Kentucky long before it would have otherwise been possible.

As for me, I have a wholesome respect and admiration for Daniel Greathouse and all of his ilk. These sturdy frontiersmen and pioneers, who suffered untold hardships and lived under almost intolerable conditions, succeeded in overcoming and subduing the Indian tribes and thereby paved the way for the rapid settlement and growth of this great nation of ours. I have no patience with latter-day historians who, from the sanctuary of a land free from internal strife, so glibly condemn as "murderers" their forefathers, who, by almost superhuman efforts, made it possible for these same, smug historians to live in a land of peace and plenty. All hail to Daniel and his contemporaries! They deserve the respect and reverence of the generations of Americans who have succeeded them. I am thankful that the blood of these men still courses through the veins of many of us. Our Country will be safe and well defended as long as descendants of these men form a preponderance of our population.

Mr. Simpson, author of "Old Westmorland", says this of the Rev. Joseph Doddridge: "Doddridge's books well describe conditions of pioneer life in western Pennsylvania, but as to historical events they are totally unreliable. Doddridge was a mere boy when these events of border warfare occurred and he did not write his notes until some forty years later. His only source of information was the exaggerated yarns told by ignorant frontiersmen beside the log cabin fires into the ears of the wondering boy."

Susannah Greathouse was born in the year 1756. She married Van Swearingen of Ohio County, Virginia. Mr. Swearingen served as a Captain during the War of the Revolution.

The Swearingens migrated to Kentucky and established themselves in Shelby County. Captain Swearingen was born November 3, 1754, and died in Shelby County, Kentucky, July 1839. He was almost 85 years of age at the time of his death. His will, which is of record in Shelby County, mentions his wife Susannah and the children. The names of their children were as follows: Caty, Harmon, Charles, Matilda, Van, Drusilla, Rachel, and Polly. I have been unable to determine the date of Susannah's death. She was alive at the time of her husband's death and was 82 years of age.

Mary Greathouse was born during the year 1758. She was married in 1782 to Joseph Fawcett. I have been unable to find any further record of Mary or her husband.

Gabriel Greathouse was born in the year 1761 in Frederick County, Maryland, and died in Pulaski County, Arkansas, about 1828. He was about 67 years of age at the time of his death. On October 13, 1798, he and his wife Ruth, then residents of Bourbon County, Kentucky, sold their 400 acres of land in Brooke County, Virginia, to George Edgington of Brooke County for the sum of $1200. (Note: This is the same George Edgington who married Elizabeth Greathouse, widow of William, Gabriel's brother.) This transaction is recorded in Deed Book 1, page 463 Brooke County, West Virginia.

The description of this land states that it joined the land of Harmon Greathouse (Gabriel's father). Gabriel is the most elusive of all of our ancestors, due to the fact that, apparently, he never again obtained title to any land, either in Kentucky or Arkansas. This is understandable to some extent since in those early days, in both Kentucky and Arkansas, a man could "squat" on a tract of land indefinitely, then he could either sell his "squatter's right" or he could apply for a patent and get a clear and sound title to his land. "Squatter's rights" however were recognized and many a man in those days acquired title to large tracts of land by merely purchasing from the "squatter" his rights; then, without any long delay, he could apply for and secure a patent or title. The "squatter" would then move onto another tract of Government land and repeat the procedure.

The next we hear of Gabriel is when Mr. William E. Woodruff, editor of the little newspaper at Arkansas Post, published under date of Dec. 4, 1819, a list of people for whom there was mail waiting at the post office at Arkansas Post. In this list was the name of "Gabriel Greathouse". (Note: This was the second issue of this newspaper, the first issue having been published on November 20, 1819.) This notice, insofar as Gabriel is concerned, could have meant anything. It could have meant that Gabriel had not as yet arrived in Arkansas or it could have meant merely that Gabriel was a little slow in calling for his mail.

Since Mr. Woodruff did not, unfortunately, publish the date of this notice (which he had evidently copied from the postmaster's bulletin board), it may have been an old and weathered notice which had been there for some time and the young Mr. Woodruff, in his zealous search for something to print, merely copied and published it in order to fill space in his paper. I am inclined to believe that this was the case, Even in my time, I have walked into country post offices and read notices on the bulletin board which were yellow with age. These old rural postmasters were not very neat housekeepers. (Note: This little newspaper, published for the first time at Arkansas Post on November 20, 1819, (published every two weeks), was the fore-runner of the present-day "Arkansas Gazette".

It is my opinion that Gabriel was in Arkansas much earlier than 1819 However, since we have nothing more definite to go on than Mr. Woodruff's newspaper announcement, we will have to assume that he did not arrive much earlier than the year 1819.

In 1820 Gabriel Greathouse was elected sheriff of Pulaski County (Arkansas Territory) and served in that capacity for one two-year term 1821-1823. (Note: Mr. Claude Rankin, Commissioner of Lands, State of Arkansas, says that he has proof of this in the files in his office.)

At this late date even the passing of Gabriel is shrouded in obscurity. We know however that he must have died some time during the six year period - 1824-1830, for in 1830 his widow, Ruth Greathouse, was making her home with her son Daniel. The census of 1830 for Pulaski County, Arkansas, lists "one female, 60-70" as a member of his household. In further proof of this, I remember hearing my father, Benj. H. Greathouse (1849-1940), make the following remark with reference to his grandmother, Elizabeth Magness Greathouse: "She was an exceptionally good woman; she took care of her husband's mother for several years and cared for her aged father during his last illness and death"

There has long been a legend to the effect that one of the older members of the Arkansas branch of the family lost his life by drowning while engaged in moving Indians. I had always thought, until began this research, that this was great-grandfather Daniel. However, I have found that Daniel died in bed at his home, in 1836. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that some member of the family did die in this manner, as I have heard the story both from my father and grandfather. This story was told to me as a child and I do not have too clear a recollection of the details, but as I recall, his body was never recovered from the stream in which he was drowned.

The member of the family who lost his life in this manner could have been Gabriel (father of Daniel). Although the forced migration of the Cherokees did not start until the 1830's there was a voluntary movement on the part of a large number of this tribe during the 1820's. This movement had the blessings and aid of the Federal Government. Since the route of march in the movement of these Indians was through both Pulaski and Conway counties, it is entirely possible that Gabriel being an ex-sheriff and acquainted with the country, was given employment (probably as a guide) by the contractor in charge.

It is my firm belief that Gabriel Greathouse, Cicero Hinkson and Robert Magness, together with their families, came to Arkansas during the year 1815. They settled on the upper waters of Bayou Meto, some 15 miles north of Little Rock. Gabriel Greathouse and his wife Ruth came from Bourbon County, Kentucky. They brought with them to Arkansas three of their children whose names were Mary, John and Daniel. There may have been other children but I am inclined to believe this was their entire family.

Gabriel's wife Ruth died in the early spring Of 1841. She made a will which was probated in Pulaski County, Arkansas, on April 20, 1841. In her will she left all of her belongings, which consisted of cattle, hogs and household furnishings, to her daughter, Mary Greathouse Hinkson, with whom she was making her home at the time of her death. It is believed that she was about 74 years of age at the time of her death.

Harmon Greathouse Jr., was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1762 and died in Nelson County, Kentucky, in 1849. He was 87 years of age at the time of his death. He was married twice. His first wife was Mary Massey of Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia). His second wife was Mercy (or Marcia) Bukey, also of Ohio County, Virginia. In the early 1790's he and his wife Mercy migrated to Nelson County, Kentucky, where they reared a large family. It is believed that Harmon Jr.'s first wife died young and that the mother of all of his children was his second wife, Mercy Bukey. Harmon Jr. and his wife Mercy both died in Nelson County, Kentucky, and are buried near the village of Deatsville on property now owned by the Sorrell's Distilling Company. The headstone at their graves is still standing and the inscriptions thereon read as follows: "Mercy Greathouse, born March 19, 1768; Died February 25, 1841.""Harmon Greathouse, born June 30, 1762; Died July 5, 1849." (Note: The author has seen a photograph of this large stone. It was cut in such a manner as to give the appearance of two stones but is in reality just one large stone.) Harmon Jr. was a soldier of the Revolution. He served in the Washington County, Pa., militia. (Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Volume II, page 152.)

Notes for Harmon GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN MARYLAND

Harman Greathouse (or Harmon, as he himself spelled it) was the oldest son of Henry Grothouse of Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, Pa., and the grandson of Herman Groethausen the emigrant. He was born in Lancaster County in 1720. He was married twice. His first wife was Anna Maria Baret and it is believed that they were married in the year 1745. My reason for this belief is based on entries found in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown, for that year. These entries were as follows:

"Harman Grothouse and wife Anna Maria Baret were sponsors at the baptism of Anna Maria, daughter of Georg Michael Schellmeir, born Jan. 9, baptized June 2, 1745."

"Johannes, son of Johann Jacob Leimer and his wife Regina, born Jan. 8. 1745, baptized June 2, 1745. Sponsors: Baltus Baret and wife."

(Note: Since the name Baret does not appear in the records of St. Michaels Church before or after the date of these baptisms, it is believed that Baltus Baret and his wife (evidently the parents of Anna Maria, the wife of Harman Grothouse) came from afar and were there on that particular date for some special occasion. It is my belief that they were there for the marriage of their daughter and that sponsoring the two baptisms was incidental to the main event - the marriage. This however is pure conjecture and should be treated as such.)

To this marriage between Harman Grothouse and Anna Maria Baret, only one child was born -a daughter. Record of this child's birth and baptism is found in an entry in the records of St. Michaels Church, which reads as follows:

"Rachel, daughter of Harman Grothouse and his wife Maria, born Feb. 20, 1747, baptized April 12, 1747. Sponsors: Jurg (George) Rieger and wife Barbara."

It is believed that Anna Maria Baret, first wife of Harman Grothouse, must have died within a short time after the birth of their daughter Rachel. In 1748 or 1749 he migrated to Frederick County, Maryland, and there married Mary Stull, daughter of Captain John Stull.

Captain John Stull made a will, which is of record in Frederick County, Maryland, dated October 1749 and probated in 1751. In this will he makes mention of his daughter Mary, wife of Harmon Greathouse, and "their little daughter Rachel". From this will it is evident that Harmon must have married his second wife, Mary Stull, in 1748 or 1749.

(Note: The name of Rachel Grothouse does not again appear in the records of St. Michaels Church Germantown, after the date of the entry quoted above concerning her birth and baptism.)

Evidently Harmon and his wife lived in Frederick County, Maryland, from 1749 to 1771, a period of 22 years. During this period nine children were born to them and their names were as follows:

DanielGabriel

WilliamHarmon, Jr.

JohnIsaac

Susannah Jonathan

Mary

I don't know that I have the children listed in the order of their birth. I am assuming that Daniel was the oldest since apparently he was of age when they moved to Virginia in 1771 -- he filed on land at the same time his father did (1771), the other children filing at later dates. If Daniel was born in 1750, he would have reached the age of 21 in 1771.

(Note: Mary Stull, mother of the above-named children of Harmon Greathouse, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1725; this would make her five years younger than her husband.)

In 1770 or early in 1771, Harmon Greathouse, together with his wife and ten children, moved from Frederick County, Maryland, to the Commonwealth of Virginia, settling in what was then known as Augusta County. Augusta County, at that time, took in most of what is now the State of West Virginia. Later, the area in which he settled was called Yohogania County, then Ohio County. In 1797 Brooke County was formed from land cut off from Ohio County. The Greathouse lands all lay in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. Brooke County is located in what is now known as "The Panhandle of West Virginia". This is a very narrow strip of land located between the western boundary of Pennsylvania and the Ohio River which forms the boundary between West Virginia and Ohio.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN VIRGINIA

When Harmon Greathouse moved to Virginia he settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. "History of the Panhandle", published 1879, says that Harmon Greathouse was the first settler in what is now Brooke County. Harmon's Creek, site of the Greathouse settlement, was named for him. The Rev. Joseph Doddridge in his book, "Doddridge's Notes", says this of these early pioneers:

"A fierce, implacable foe met them on every hand. Braddock's Trail was the route by which the greater number crossed the mountains. Some came by way of Bedford and Fort Ligonier, few were incumbered with much baggage. Land was their object. Raising a crop of grain, however small, entitled the settler to 400 acres of land."

(Note: I shall quote quite often from Mr. Doddridge's writings. He was a son of John Doddridge, an early settler of what is now Brooke County, West Virginia, and he himself was reared there. He was born in 1769. He wrote his book, "Doddridge's Notes", when he was 52 years of age. He married Jemima Bukey in 1793. She was the sister of Marcy Bukey, wife of Harmon Greathouse, Jr.)

Names of other pioneer families who by 1773 had settled in what is now Brooke County were Wells, Caldwell, Doddridge,Brown, Biggs, Swearingen, Elson, Baxter, Baker, Crawford, and some few others.

Almost all of the early settlers of the Panhandle of West Virginia came from Maryland and Virginia, around the Potomac River section.

Although Harmon Greathouse settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in 1771, he did not receive a patent on his land until 1785. In 1785 the Commonwealth of Virginia granted him a patent to 800 acres. Daniel Greathouse, his eldest son, settled on 400 acres located in the Mingo Bottom of the Ohio River in 1771 but sold his rights to this land in 1775. John Greathouse settled on 400 acres, adjoining that of his brother Daniel, in 1774. Gabriel Greathouse acquired patent on 400 acres of land adjoining that of his father (Harmon) in 1785. William Greathouse owned land on Harmon's Creek, probably 400 acres, prior to his death in 1791. The other sons, Isaac, Harmon Jr., and Jonathan, all acquired land from their father after 1785, from his original tract of 800 acres. In 1788, Harmon Greathouse. Sr., and his wife Mary sold "218 acres and a saw mill". part of his original tract of 800 acres, to their son Harmon Jr. for X 150. Prior to this time he had sold or given to his son Jonathan 122 acres. Jonathan, in turn, sold this tract to Jonathan Boyle and Jonathan Hunt for X 100. This sale was made just prior to his ill-fated attempt to migrate to Kentucky, which will be described in detail later in this book:

It is not believed, however, that Harmon Sr. gave away any part of his land to his sons or anyone else. It was not the practice of these early Greathouses to give their children land, as will be noted from records of land transfers between father and son heretofore mentioned in this book.

By 1788 Harmon Sr. had disposed of all of his holdings in Virginia. There is no record of his ever again owning land in that State after that year. Furthermore, there is no record of a will or letter of administration for him in either Brooke or Ohio counties. Church records have been searched for entries concerning his death and burial but nothing has been found. The census of 1790 shows a Harmon Greathouse and his wife residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. It is my belief that this was Harmon Sr. and his wife Mary. This, of course, is pure conjecture, but here are my reasons for believing this to be true:

(1) In 1786 he and his wife Mary authorized the sale of all of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. This is of record in Deed Book 1, page 96, Ohio County, Virginia, and reads as follows: spelling follows the original)

October 2, 1786. "Harmon Greathouse and Mary his wife, both at present of Ohio County, Va., Mary formerly Mary Stull, for Divers good causes and Considerations us thereunto moving but more effectaly Trusting in the Provadent Care and good Management of Margret White widder and relect of Petter White which Margret was formerly Margret Stull of the County of Frederick and state of Maryland do by these presents constitute appoint and ordain the said Margret White our well beloved friend our free and lawful attorney -----to use our names for Recovoury of all Debts dues contracts moneys lands slaves goods or other property due us or either of us ----- etc."

From the above indenture we see that Harmon and his wife Mary, in 1786, gave power of attorney to Margret White, his wife's sister, to dispose of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. From the above it is evident that by 1788 Harmon and his wife had disposed of all of their holdings in both Maryland and Virginia.

(2) By 1788 both Harmon and his wife were "getting on in years", he being 68 and his wife some five years younger. His sons were in the process of moving on into the frontier settlements of Kentucky. It is logical to assume that, at his age, he did not wish to again undergo the rigors, hardships and dangers of frontier life and decided in favor of returning to the older and more populous settlement in, or near, Baltimore City, Maryland.

(3) The census of 1790 indicates that there were other members of his family residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. This also could have been an inducement for his settling there in his old age.

A thorough search has been made of the records of both Baltimore County and Baltimore City for wills or administration papers in the case of the Greathouse families reported in the 1790 census but, to my great disappointment, nothing was found.

Harmon Greathouse Sr. was a Revolutionary soldier and served in Colonel William Crawford's regiment. He participated in the expedition against Sandusky (1782). Record of his service can be found in Penn-sylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol. II, page 390.

Historical data concerning the children of Harmon Greathouse Sr.:

Rachel, eldest child of Harmon, daughter of Anna Maria Baret, his first wife, was born February 20, 1747. Entry concerning her birth can be found in the records of St. Michael's Church, Germantown, Philadel-phia, Pa. Rachel married Benjamin Tomlinson of Ohio County, Va. Little is known about Rachel or her husband after their marriage. Mrs. Nelson, in her booklet, "Greathouse Family - A History", states that her (Mrs. Nelson's) grandmother visited in the home of the Tomlinsons in Vir-ginia in 1820. If Rachel was alive at that time she would have been 73 years of age.

Daniel, eldest son of Harmon Greathouse and his wife, Mary Stull, was born about 1750 in Frederick County, Maryland. According to Thwaite & Kellog's book, "Dunmore's War", he "died of the measles in 1775." Daniel, due to his participation in the Yellow Creek massacre (1774) was probably the most publicized of any of the early members of the family. According to Doddridge's Notes and also History of the Pan-Handle, he was in command of the group of 21 men who participated in this Indian massacre. Yellow Creek is a small tributary of the Ohio River located some forty miles above Wheeling. A Mr. Baker lived at the mouth of this creek and operated an inn or tavern of sorts, selling grog to both whites and Indians. Feeling between the whites and Indians had been at a high pitch for some time; a number of both had been killed. Scouts returning to Fort Pitt reported that war was inev-itable. Word had been sent out from Wheeling for people in the out-lying settlements to come in. Baker had not responded to this call but was preparing to do so when a squaw came across the river and told him that the Indians were preparing to murder him and his family. Baker got out word that he needed help. Daniel Greathouse, with a group of 21 men, responded. They reached Baker's on April 30, 1774, and were concealed by Baker in a back room or apartment. Soon after their arrival, seven Indians came across the river to Baker's place, among them the brother of Logan, Chief of the Mingo tribue of the Iroquois Nation. Two women and a child were also in this group. The Indians were all drinking. Logan's brother put on a hat and coat belonging to one of the white men, got abusive and attempted to strike one of the white men. The white man shot and killed him. Thereupon, the white men who had been concealed in the back room rushed out and killed all of the Indians except the child. As they rushed out of the house, they saw two canoe loads of Indian braves, painted and armed for war, com-ing across the river. Daniel's group fired on them, killing most of the occupants of one of the canoes, whereupon the other turned back.

This massacre, according to some of our historians, was the direct cause of Lord Dunmore's War of 1774 in which a terrible vengeance was wreaked on the white settlers by the Indians. Chief Logan blamed Colonel Cresap for his brother's death and, according to a Mr. John Sappington (who participated In the massacre and who in 1801 made an affidavit concerning it), Cresap despised and hated Greathouse ever afterward for his part in the affair. Most of the early historians, including the Rev. Joseph Doddridge, blamed Daniel for this massacre and criticized him most severely. There is no proof that Daniel himself did this killing; the fact is that Sappington after making his affidavit, in 1801, admitted to Samuel McKee, the justice who had taken his deposition, that he himself fired the shot that killed Logan's brother.

According to Mr. Doddridge, there were three members of the Greathouse family who participated in this massacre; however, he named only historian the Rev. Joseph Doddridge is so inconsistent at times that it is quite amusing. He criticized Daniel Greathouse severely for the Yellow Creek massacre yet just a little further along in his "Notes" he has this to say: "The white settlers were compelled, by every principle of self defense, to adopt the Indian mode of warfare in all its revolting and destructive features. The Indian kills indiscriminately. His object is total extermination of his enemy, children are victims of his vengeance, etc, etc. No Indian captive should be spared his life. What advantage would be gained by this course? Let him who would defend the Indian, if he can bear the reflection, look at helpless infancy, virgin beauty and hoary age, dishonored by ghastly wounds of the tomahawk and the scalping knife."

Due to Doddridge's writing, and perhaps one or two others, Daniel Greathouse and his companions who participated in the Yellow Creek massacre have gone down in history as murderers. Recently in looking through the Encyclopedia Americana, under Dunmore's War, I found this statement: "Daniel Greathouse, a ruffian barrister, murdered five members of the family of Logan, Chief of the Iroquois." The facts are that Daniel and his party were not murderers. They were members of a legally constituted military organization of militiamen, organized for the specific purpose of protecting settlers from the ravages of the Indians. They were in the proper performance of their duty when they responded to Mr. Baker's call for help. It wasn't the fact that they had killed an Indian, or several Indians that mattered - it was the fact that they were unfortunate enough to have killed the brother of an important and popular Chief, who had, in the past, been friendly toward the whites.

There is no doubt in my mind but that Daniel took the scalps of his slain Indian foes and dangled them from his belt in true frontier fashion. He was a rugged frontiersman, but you had to be both rugged and ruthless in order to keep your own hair and stay alive in those days. Even the sanctimonious Mr. Doddridge, in his writings, condoned the use of the scalping knife and the tomahawk by the white settlers, but he mercilessly castigated Daniel and his group for doing the very things upon which he had placed the stamp of his approval.

It is believed that Daniel never married. I found an entry in the records of Yohogania County, Virginia, where, in 1778, three men were appointed by the court to appraise the estate of Daniel Greathouse, deceased. I have found no record of a will or letter of administration for his estate.

If, as some historians would have us believe, the Yellow Creek massacre brought on Dunmore's War, then Daniel, and his cohorts, on that fateful 30th of April, 1774, were instrumental in altering the course of history for years to come, since the Treaty of Chillicothe, which ended the war, kept the Indians quiet for a number of years and permitted the settlement of Kentucky long before it would have otherwise been possible.

As for me, I have a wholesome respect and admiration for Daniel Greathouse and all of his ilk. These sturdy frontiersmen and pioneers, who suffered untold hardships and lived under almost intolerable conditions, succeeded in overcoming and subduing the Indian tribes and thereby paved the way for the rapid settlement and growth of this great nation of ours. I have no patience with latter-day historians who, from the sanctuary of a land free from internal strife, so glibly condemn as "murderers" their forefathers, who, by almost superhuman efforts, made it possible for these same, smug historians to live in a land of peace and plenty. All hail to Daniel and his contemporaries! They deserve the respect and reverence of the generations of Americans who have succeeded them. I am thankful that the blood of these men still courses through the veins of many of us. Our Country will be safe and well defended as long as descendants of these men form a preponderance of our population.

Mr. Simpson, author of "Old Westmorland", says this of the Rev. Joseph Doddridge: "Doddridge's books well describe conditions of pioneer life in western Pennsylvania, but as to historical events they are totally unreliable. Doddridge was a mere boy when these events of border warfare occurred and he did not write his notes until some forty years later. His only source of information was the exaggerated yarns told by ignorant frontiersmen beside the log cabin fires into the ears of the wondering boy."

Susannah Greathouse was born in the year 1756. She married Van Swearingen of Ohio County, Virginia. Mr. Swearingen served as a Captain during the War of the Revolution.

The Swearingens migrated to Kentucky and established themselves in Shelby County. Captain Swearingen was born November 3, 1754, and died in Shelby County, Kentucky, July 1839. He was almost 85 years of age at the time of his death. His will, which is of record in Shelby County, mentions his wife Susannah and the children. The names of their children were as follows: Caty, Harmon, Charles, Matilda, Van, Drusilla, Rachel, and Polly. I have been unable to determine the date of Susannah's death. She was alive at the time of her husband's death and was 82 years of age.

Mary Greathouse was born during the year 1758. She was married in 1782 to Joseph Fawcett. I have been unable to find any further record of Mary or her husband.

Gabriel Greathouse was born in the year 1761 in Frederick County, Maryland, and died in Pulaski County, Arkansas, about 1828. He was about 67 years of age at the time of his death. On October 13, 1798, he and his wife Ruth, then residents of Bourbon County, Kentucky, sold their 400 acres of land in Brooke County, Virginia, to George Edgington of Brooke County for the sum of $1200. (Note: This is the same George Edgington who married Elizabeth Greathouse, widow of William, Gabriel's brother.) This transaction is recorded in Deed Book 1, page 463 Brooke County, West Virginia.

The description of this land states that it joined the land of Harmon Greathouse (Gabriel's father). Gabriel is the most elusive of all of our ancestors, due to the fact that, apparently, he never again obtained title to any land, either in Kentucky or Arkansas. This is understandable to some extent since in those early days, in both Kentucky and Arkansas, a man could "squat" on a tract of land indefinitely, then he could either sell his "squatter's right" or he could apply for a patent and get a clear and sound title to his land. "Squatter's rights" however were recognized and many a man in those days acquired title to large tracts of land by merely purchasing from the "squatter" his rights; then, without any long delay, he could apply for and secure a patent or title. The "squatter" would then move onto another tract of Government land and repeat the procedure.

The next we hear of Gabriel is when Mr. William E. Woodruff, editor of the little newspaper at Arkansas Post, published under date of Dec. 4, 1819, a list of people for whom there was mail waiting at the post office at Arkansas Post. In this list was the name of "Gabriel Greathouse". (Note: This was the second issue of this newspaper, the first issue having been published on November 20, 1819.) This notice, insofar as Gabriel is concerned, could have meant anything. It could have meant that Gabriel had not as yet arrived in Arkansas or it could have meant merely that Gabriel was a little slow in calling for his mail.

Since Mr. Woodruff did not, unfortunately, publish the date of this notice (which he had evidently copied from the postmaster's bulletin board), it may have been an old and weathered notice which had been there for some time and the young Mr. Woodruff, in his zealous search for something to print, merely copied and published it in order to fill space in his paper. I am inclined to believe that this was the case, Even in my time, I have walked into country post offices and read notices on the bulletin board which were yellow with age. These old rural postmasters were not very neat housekeepers. (Note: This little newspaper, published for the first time at Arkansas Post on November 20, 1819, (published every two weeks), was the fore-runner of the present-day "Arkansas Gazette".

It is my opinion that Gabriel was in Arkansas much earlier than 1819 However, since we have nothing more definite to go on than Mr. Woodruff's newspaper announcement, we will have to assume that he did not arrive much earlier than the year 1819.

In 1820 Gabriel Greathouse was elected sheriff of Pulaski County (Arkansas Territory) and served in that capacity for one two-year term 1821-1823. (Note: Mr. Claude Rankin, Commissioner of Lands, State of Arkansas, says that he has proof of this in the files in his office.)

At this late date even the passing of Gabriel is shrouded in obscurity. We know however that he must have died some time during the six year period - 1824-1830, for in 1830 his widow, Ruth Greathouse, was making her home with her son Daniel. The census of 1830 for Pulaski County, Arkansas, lists "one female, 60-70" as a member of his household. In further proof of this, I remember hearing my father, Benj. H. Greathouse (1849-1940), make the following remark with reference to his grandmother, Elizabeth Magness Greathouse: "She was an exceptionally good woman; she took care of her husband's mother for several years and cared for her aged father during his last illness and death"

There has long been a legend to the effect that one of the older members of the Arkansas branch of the family lost his life by drowning while engaged in moving Indians. I had always thought, until began this research, that this was great-grandfather Daniel. However, I have found that Daniel died in bed at his home, in 1836. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that some member of the family did die in this manner, as I have heard the story both from my father and grandfather. This story was told to me as a child and I do not have too clear a recollection of the details, but as I recall, his body was never recovered from the stream in which he was drowned.

The member of the family who lost his life in this manner could have been Gabriel (father of Daniel). Although the forced migration of the Cherokees did not start until the 1830's there was a voluntary movement on the part of a large number of this tribe during the 1820's. This movement had the blessings and aid of the Federal Government. Since the route of march in the movement of these Indians was through both Pulaski and Conway counties, it is entirely possible that Gabriel being an ex-sheriff and acquainted with the country, was given employment (probably as a guide) by the contractor in charge.

It is my firm belief that Gabriel Greathouse, Cicero Hinkson and Robert Magness, together with their families, came to Arkansas during the year 1815. They settled on the upper waters of Bayou Meto, some 15 miles north of Little Rock. Gabriel Greathouse and his wife Ruth came from Bourbon County, Kentucky. They brought with them to Arkansas three of their children whose names were Mary, John and Daniel. There may have been other children but I am inclined to believe this was their entire family.

Gabriel's wife Ruth died in the early spring Of 1841. She made a will which was probated in Pulaski County, Arkansas, on April 20, 1841. In her will she left all of her belongings, which consisted of cattle, hogs and household furnishings, to her daughter, Mary Greathouse Hinkson, with whom she was making her home at the time of her death. It is believed that she was about 74 years of age at the time of her death.

Harmon Greathouse Jr., was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1762 and died in Nelson County, Kentucky, in 1849. He was 87 years of age at the time of his death. He was married twice. His first wife was Mary Massey of Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia). His second wife was Mercy (or Marcia) Bukey, also of Ohio County, Virginia. In the early 1790's he and his wife Mercy migrated to Nelson County, Kentucky, where they reared a large family. It is believed that Harmon Jr.'s first wife died young and that the mother of all of his children was his second wife, Mercy Bukey. Harmon Jr. and his wife Mercy both died in Nelson County, Kentucky, and are buried near the village of Deatsville on property now owned by the Sorrell's Distilling Company. The headstone at their graves is still standing and the inscriptions thereon read as follows: "Mercy Greathouse, born March 19, 1768; Died February 25, 1841.""Harmon Greathouse, born June 30, 1762; Died July 5, 1849." (Note: The author has seen a photograph of this large stone. It was cut in such a manner as to give the appearance of two stones but is in reality just one large stone.) Harmon Jr. was a soldier of the Revolution. He served in the Washington County, Pa., militia. (Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Volume II, page 152.)

Notes for Harmon GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN MARYLAND

Harman Greathouse (or Harmon, as he himself spelled it) was the oldest son of Henry Grothouse of Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, Pa., and the grandson of Herman Groethausen the emigrant. He was born in Lancaster County in 1720. He was married twice. His first wife was Anna Maria Baret and it is believed that they were married in the year 1745. My reason for this belief is based on entries found in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown, for that year. These entries were as follows:

"Harman Grothouse and wife Anna Maria Baret were sponsors at the baptism of Anna Maria, daughter of Georg Michael Schellmeir, born Jan. 9, baptized June 2, 1745."

"Johannes, son of Johann Jacob Leimer and his wife Regina, born Jan. 8. 1745, baptized June 2, 1745. Sponsors: Baltus Baret and wife."

(Note: Since the name Baret does not appear in the records of St. Michaels Church before or after the date of these baptisms, it is believed that Baltus Baret and his wife (evidently the parents of Anna Maria, the wife of Harman Grothouse) came from afar and were there on that particular date for some special occasion. It is my belief that they were there for the marriage of their daughter and that sponsoring the two baptisms was incidental to the main event - the marriage. This however is pure conjecture and should be treated as such.)

To this marriage between Harman Grothouse and Anna Maria Baret, only one child was born -a daughter. Record of this child's birth and baptism is found in an entry in the records of St. Michaels Church, which reads as follows:

"Rachel, daughter of Harman Grothouse and his wife Maria, born Feb. 20, 1747, baptized April 12, 1747. Sponsors: Jurg (George) Rieger and wife Barbara."

It is believed that Anna Maria Baret, first wife of Harman Grothouse, must have died within a short time after the birth of their daughter Rachel. In 1748 or 1749 he migrated to Frederick County, Maryland, and there married Mary Stull, daughter of Captain John Stull.

Captain John Stull made a will, which is of record in Frederick County, Maryland, dated October 1749 and probated in 1751. In this will he makes mention of his daughter Mary, wife of Harmon Greathouse, and "their little daughter Rachel". From this will it is evident that Harmon must have married his second wife, Mary Stull, in 1748 or 1749.

(Note: The name of Rachel Grothouse does not again appear in the records of St. Michaels Church Germantown, after the date of the entry quoted above concerning her birth and baptism.)

Evidently Harmon and his wife lived in Frederick County, Maryland, from 1749 to 1771, a period of 22 years. During this period nine children were born to them and their names were as follows:

DanielGabriel

WilliamHarmon, Jr.

JohnIsaac

Susannah Jonathan

Mary

I don't know that I have the children listed in the order of their birth. I am assuming that Daniel was the oldest since apparently he was of age when they moved to Virginia in 1771 -- he filed on land at the same time his father did (1771), the other children filing at later dates. If Daniel was born in 1750, he would have reached the age of 21 in 1771.

(Note: Mary Stull, mother of the above-named children of Harmon Greathouse, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1725; this would make her five years younger than her husband.)

In 1770 or early in 1771, Harmon Greathouse, together with his wife and ten children, moved from Frederick County, Maryland, to the Commonwealth of Virginia, settling in what was then known as Augusta County. Augusta County, at that time, took in most of what is now the State of West Virginia. Later, the area in which he settled was called Yohogania County, then Ohio County. In 1797 Brooke County was formed from land cut off from Ohio County. The Greathouse lands all lay in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. Brooke County is located in what is now known as "The Panhandle of West Virginia". This is a very narrow strip of land located between the western boundary of Pennsylvania and the Ohio River which forms the boundary between West Virginia and Ohio.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN VIRGINIA

When Harmon Greathouse moved to Virginia he settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. "History of the Panhandle", published 1879, says that Harmon Greathouse was the first settler in what is now Brooke County. Harmon's Creek, site of the Greathouse settlement, was named for him. The Rev. Joseph Doddridge in his book, "Doddridge's Notes", says this of these early pioneers:

"A fierce, implacable foe met them on every hand. Braddock's Trail was the route by which the greater number crossed the mountains. Some came by way of Bedford and Fort Ligonier, few were incumbered with much baggage. Land was their object. Raising a crop of grain, however small, entitled the settler to 400 acres of land."

(Note: I shall quote quite often from Mr. Doddridge's writings. He was a son of John Doddridge, an early settler of what is now Brooke County, West Virginia, and he himself was reared there. He was born in 1769. He wrote his book, "Doddridge's Notes", when he was 52 years of age. He married Jemima Bukey in 1793. She was the sister of Marcy Bukey, wife of Harmon Greathouse, Jr.)

Names of other pioneer families who by 1773 had settled in what is now Brooke County were Wells, Caldwell, Doddridge,Brown, Biggs, Swearingen, Elson, Baxter, Baker, Crawford, and some few others.

Almost all of the early settlers of the Panhandle of West Virginia came from Maryland and Virginia, around the Potomac River section.

Although Harmon Greathouse settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in 1771, he did not receive a patent on his land until 1785. In 1785 the Commonwealth of Virginia granted him a patent to 800 acres. Daniel Greathouse, his eldest son, settled on 400 acres located in the Mingo Bottom of the Ohio River in 1771 but sold his rights to this land in 1775. John Greathouse settled on 400 acres, adjoining that of his brother Daniel, in 1774. Gabriel Greathouse acquired patent on 400 acres of land adjoining that of his father (Harmon) in 1785. William Greathouse owned land on Harmon's Creek, probably 400 acres, prior to his death in 1791. The other sons, Isaac, Harmon Jr., and Jonathan, all acquired land from their father after 1785, from his original tract of 800 acres. In 1788, Harmon Greathouse. Sr., and his wife Mary sold "218 acres and a saw mill". part of his original tract of 800 acres, to their son Harmon Jr. for X 150. Prior to this time he had sold or given to his son Jonathan 122 acres. Jonathan, in turn, sold this tract to Jonathan Boyle and Jonathan Hunt for X 100. This sale was made just prior to his ill-fated attempt to migrate to Kentucky, which will be described in detail later in this book:

It is not believed, however, that Harmon Sr. gave away any part of his land to his sons or anyone else. It was not the practice of these early Greathouses to give their children land, as will be noted from records of land transfers between father and son heretofore mentioned in this book.

By 1788 Harmon Sr. had disposed of all of his holdings in Virginia. There is no record of his ever again owning land in that State after that year. Furthermore, there is no record of a will or letter of administration for him in either Brooke or Ohio counties. Church records have been searched for entries concerning his death and burial but nothing has been found. The census of 1790 shows a Harmon Greathouse and his wife residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. It is my belief that this was Harmon Sr. and his wife Mary. This, of course, is pure conjecture, but here are my reasons for believing this to be true:

(1) In 1786 he and his wife Mary authorized the sale of all of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. This is of record in Deed Book 1, page 96, Ohio County, Virginia, and reads as follows: spelling follows the original)

October 2, 1786. "Harmon Greathouse and Mary his wife, both at present of Ohio County, Va., Mary formerly Mary Stull, for Divers good causes and Considerations us thereunto moving but more effectaly Trusting in the Provadent Care and good Management of Margret White widder and relect of Petter White which Margret was formerly Margret Stull of the County of Frederick and state of Maryland do by these presents constitute appoint and ordain the said Margret White our well beloved friend our free and lawful attorney -----to use our names for Recovoury of all Debts dues contracts moneys lands slaves goods or other property due us or either of us ----- etc."

From the above indenture we see that Harmon and his wife Mary, in 1786, gave power of attorney to Margret White, his wife's sister, to dispose of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. From the above it is evident that by 1788 Harmon and his wife had disposed of all of their holdings in both Maryland and Virginia.

(2) By 1788 both Harmon and his wife were "getting on in years", he being 68 and his wife some five years younger. His sons were in the process of moving on into the frontier settlements of Kentucky. It is logical to assume that, at his age, he did not wish to again undergo the rigors, hardships and dangers of frontier life and decided in favor of returning to the older and more populous settlement in, or near, Baltimore City, Maryland.

(3) The census of 1790 indicates that there were other members of his family residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. This also could have been an inducement for his settling there in his old age.

A thorough search has been made of the records of both Baltimore County and Baltimore City for wills or administration papers in the case of the Greathouse families reported in the 1790 census but, to my great disappointment, nothing was found.

Harmon Greathouse Sr. was a Revolutionary soldier and served in Colonel William Crawford's regiment. He participated in the expedition against Sandusky (1782). Record of his service can be found in Penn-sylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol. II, page 390.

Historical data concerning the children of Harmon Greathouse Sr.:

Rachel, eldest child of Harmon, daughter of Anna Maria Baret, his first wife, was born February 20, 1747. Entry concerning her birth can be found in the records of St. Michael's Church, Germantown, Philadel-phia, Pa. Rachel married Benjamin Tomlinson of Ohio County, Va. Little is known about Rachel or her husband after their marriage. Mrs. Nelson, in her booklet, "Greathouse Family - A History", states that her (Mrs. Nelson's) grandmother visited in the home of the Tomlinsons in Vir-ginia in 1820. If Rachel was alive at that time she would have been 73 years of age.

Daniel, eldest son of Harmon Greathouse and his wife, Mary Stull, was born about 1750 in Frederick County, Maryland. According to Thwaite & Kellog's book, "Dunmore's War", he "died of the measles in 1775." Daniel, due to his participation in the Yellow Creek massacre (1774) was probably the most publicized of any of the early members of the family. According to Doddridge's Notes and also History of the Pan-Handle, he was in command of the group of 21 men who participated in this Indian massacre. Yellow Creek is a small tributary of the Ohio River located some forty miles above Wheeling. A Mr. Baker lived at the mouth of this creek and operated an inn or tavern of sorts, selling grog to both whites and Indians. Feeling between the whites and Indians had been at a high pitch for some time; a number of both had been killed. Scouts returning to Fort Pitt reported that war was inev-itable. Word had been sent out from Wheeling for people in the out-lying settlements to come in. Baker had not responded to this call but was preparing to do so when a squaw came across the river and told him that the Indians were preparing to murder him and his family. Baker got out word that he needed help. Daniel Greathouse, with a group of 21 men, responded. They reached Baker's on April 30, 1774, and were concealed by Baker in a back room or apartment. Soon after their arrival, seven Indians came across the river to Baker's place, among them the brother of Logan, Chief of the Mingo tribue of the Iroquois Nation. Two women and a child were also in this group. The Indians were all drinking. Logan's brother put on a hat and coat belonging to one of the white men, got abusive and attempted to strike one of the white men. The white man shot and killed him. Thereupon, the white men who had been concealed in the back room rushed out and killed all of the Indians except the child. As they rushed out of the house, they saw two canoe loads of Indian braves, painted and armed for war, com-ing across the river. Daniel's group fired on them, killing most of the occupants of one of the canoes, whereupon the other turned back.

This massacre, according to some of our historians, was the direct cause of Lord Dunmore's War of 1774 in which a terrible vengeance was wreaked on the white settlers by the Indians. Chief Logan blamed Colonel Cresap for his brother's death and, according to a Mr. John Sappington (who participated In the massacre and who in 1801 made an affidavit concerning it), Cresap despised and hated Greathouse ever afterward for his part in the affair. Most of the early historians, including the Rev. Joseph Doddridge, blamed Daniel for this massacre and criticized him most severely. There is no proof that Daniel himself did this killing; the fact is that Sappington after making his affidavit, in 1801, admitted to Samuel McKee, the justice who had taken his deposition, that he himself fired the shot that killed Logan's brother.

According to Mr. Doddridge, there were three members of the Greathouse family who participated in this massacre; however, he named only historian the Rev. Joseph Doddridge is so inconsistent at times that it is quite amusing. He criticized Daniel Greathouse severely for the Yellow Creek massacre yet just a little further along in his "Notes" he has this to say: "The white settlers were compelled, by every principle of self defense, to adopt the Indian mode of warfare in all its revolting and destructive features. The Indian kills indiscriminately. His object is total extermination of his enemy, children are victims of his vengeance, etc, etc. No Indian captive should be spared his life. What advantage would be gained by this course? Let him who would defend the Indian, if he can bear the reflection, look at helpless infancy, virgin beauty and hoary age, dishonored by ghastly wounds of the tomahawk and the scalping knife."

Due to Doddridge's writing, and perhaps one or two others, Daniel Greathouse and his companions who participated in the Yellow Creek massacre have gone down in history as murderers. Recently in looking through the Encyclopedia Americana, under Dunmore's War, I found this statement: "Daniel Greathouse, a ruffian barrister, murdered five members of the family of Logan, Chief of the Iroquois." The facts are that Daniel and his party were not murderers. They were members of a legally constituted military organization of militiamen, organized for the specific purpose of protecting settlers from the ravages of the Indians. They were in the proper performance of their duty when they responded to Mr. Baker's call for help. It wasn't the fact that they had killed an Indian, or several Indians that mattered - it was the fact that they were unfortunate enough to have killed the brother of an important and popular Chief, who had, in the past, been friendly toward the whites.

There is no doubt in my mind but that Daniel took the scalps of his slain Indian foes and dangled them from his belt in true frontier fashion. He was a rugged frontiersman, but you had to be both rugged and ruthless in order to keep your own hair and stay alive in those days. Even the sanctimonious Mr. Doddridge, in his writings, condoned the use of the scalping knife and the tomahawk by the white settlers, but he mercilessly castigated Daniel and his group for doing the very things upon which he had placed the stamp of his approval.

It is believed that Daniel never married. I found an entry in the records of Yohogania County, Virginia, where, in 1778, three men were appointed by the court to appraise the estate of Daniel Greathouse, deceased. I have found no record of a will or letter of administration for his estate.

If, as some historians would have us believe, the Yellow Creek massacre brought on Dunmore's War, then Daniel, and his cohorts, on that fateful 30th of April, 1774, were instrumental in altering the course of history for years to come, since the Treaty of Chillicothe, which ended the war, kept the Indians quiet for a number of years and permitted the settlement of Kentucky long before it would have otherwise been possible.

As for me, I have a wholesome respect and admiration for Daniel Greathouse and all of his ilk. These sturdy frontiersmen and pioneers, who suffered untold hardships and lived under almost intolerable conditions, succeeded in overcoming and subduing the Indian tribes and thereby paved the way for the rapid settlement and growth of this great nation of ours. I have no patience with latter-day historians who, from the sanctuary of a land free from internal strife, so glibly condemn as "murderers" their forefathers, who, by almost superhuman efforts, made it possible for these same, smug historians to live in a land of peace and plenty. All hail to Daniel and his contemporaries! They deserve the respect and reverence of the generations of Americans who have succeeded them. I am thankful that the blood of these men still courses through the veins of many of us. Our Country will be safe and well defended as long as descendants of these men form a preponderance of our population.

Mr. Simpson, author of "Old Westmorland", says this of the Rev. Joseph Doddridge: "Doddridge's books well describe conditions of pioneer life in western Pennsylvania, but as to historical events they are totally unreliable. Doddridge was a mere boy when these events of border warfare occurred and he did not write his notes until some forty years later. His only source of information was the exaggerated yarns told by ignorant frontiersmen beside the log cabin fires into the ears of the wondering boy."

Susannah Greathouse was born in the year 1756. She married Van Swearingen of Ohio County, Virginia. Mr. Swearingen served as a Captain during the War of the Revolution.

The Swearingens migrated to Kentucky and established themselves in Shelby County. Captain Swearingen was born November 3, 1754, and died in Shelby County, Kentucky, July 1839. He was almost 85 years of age at the time of his death. His will, which is of record in Shelby County, mentions his wife Susannah and the children. The names of their children were as follows: Caty, Harmon, Charles, Matilda, Van, Drusilla, Rachel, and Polly. I have been unable to determine the date of Susannah's death. She was alive at the time of her husband's death and was 82 years of age.

Mary Greathouse was born during the year 1758. She was married in 1782 to Joseph Fawcett. I have been unable to find any further record of Mary or her husband.

Gabriel Greathouse was born in the year 1761 in Frederick County, Maryland, and died in Pulaski County, Arkansas, about 1828. He was about 67 years of age at the time of his death. On October 13, 1798, he and his wife Ruth, then residents of Bourbon County, Kentucky, sold their 400 acres of land in Brooke County, Virginia, to George Edgington of Brooke County for the sum of $1200. (Note: This is the same George Edgington who married Elizabeth Greathouse, widow of William, Gabriel's brother.) This transaction is recorded in Deed Book 1, page 463 Brooke County, West Virginia.

The description of this land states that it joined the land of Harmon Greathouse (Gabriel's father). Gabriel is the most elusive of all of our ancestors, due to the fact that, apparently, he never again obtained title to any land, either in Kentucky or Arkansas. This is understandable to some extent since in those early days, in both Kentucky and Arkansas, a man could "squat" on a tract of land indefinitely, then he could either sell his "squatter's right" or he could apply for a patent and get a clear and sound title to his land. "Squatter's rights" however were recognized and many a man in those days acquired title to large tracts of land by merely purchasing from the "squatter" his rights; then, without any long delay, he could apply for and secure a patent or title. The "squatter" would then move onto another tract of Government land and repeat the procedure.

The next we hear of Gabriel is when Mr. William E. Woodruff, editor of the little newspaper at Arkansas Post, published under date of Dec. 4, 1819, a list of people for whom there was mail waiting at the post office at Arkansas Post. In this list was the name of "Gabriel Greathouse". (Note: This was the second issue of this newspaper, the first issue having been published on November 20, 1819.) This notice, insofar as Gabriel is concerned, could have meant anything. It could have meant that Gabriel had not as yet arrived in Arkansas or it could have meant merely that Gabriel was a little slow in calling for his mail.

Since Mr. Woodruff did not, unfortunately, publish the date of this notice (which he had evidently copied from the postmaster's bulletin board), it may have been an old and weathered notice which had been there for some time and the young Mr. Woodruff, in his zealous search for something to print, merely copied and published it in order to fill space in his paper. I am inclined to believe that this was the case, Even in my time, I have walked into country post offices and read notices on the bulletin board which were yellow with age. These old rural postmasters were not very neat housekeepers. (Note: This little newspaper, published for the first time at Arkansas Post on November 20, 1819, (published every two weeks), was the fore-runner of the present-day "Arkansas Gazette".

It is my opinion that Gabriel was in Arkansas much earlier than 1819 However, since we have nothing more definite to go on than Mr. Woodruff's newspaper announcement, we will have to assume that he did not arrive much earlier than the year 1819.

In 1820 Gabriel Greathouse was elected sheriff of Pulaski County (Arkansas Territory) and served in that capacity for one two-year term 1821-1823. (Note: Mr. Claude Rankin, Commissioner of Lands, State of Arkansas, says that he has proof of this in the files in his office.)

At this late date even the passing of Gabriel is shrouded in obscurity. We know however that he must have died some time during the six year period - 1824-1830, for in 1830 his widow, Ruth Greathouse, was making her home with her son Daniel. The census of 1830 for Pulaski County, Arkansas, lists "one female, 60-70" as a member of his household. In further proof of this, I remember hearing my father, Benj. H. Greathouse (1849-1940), make the following remark with reference to his grandmother, Elizabeth Magness Greathouse: "She was an exceptionally good woman; she took care of her husband's mother for several years and cared for her aged father during his last illness and death"

There has long been a legend to the effect that one of the older members of the Arkansas branch of the family lost his life by drowning while engaged in moving Indians. I had always thought, until began this research, that this was great-grandfather Daniel. However, I have found that Daniel died in bed at his home, in 1836. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that some member of the family did die in this manner, as I have heard the story both from my father and grandfather. This story was told to me as a child and I do not have too clear a recollection of the details, but as I recall, his body was never recovered from the stream in which he was drowned.

The member of the family who lost his life in this manner could have been Gabriel (father of Daniel). Although the forced migration of the Cherokees did not start until the 1830's there was a voluntary movement on the part of a large number of this tribe during the 1820's. This movement had the blessings and aid of the Federal Government. Since the route of march in the movement of these Indians was through both Pulaski and Conway counties, it is entirely possible that Gabriel being an ex-sheriff and acquainted with the country, was given employment (probably as a guide) by the contractor in charge.

It is my firm belief that Gabriel Greathouse, Cicero Hinkson and Robert Magness, together with their families, came to Arkansas during the year 1815. They settled on the upper waters of Bayou Meto, some 15 miles north of Little Rock. Gabriel Greathouse and his wife Ruth came from Bourbon County, Kentucky. They brought with them to Arkansas three of their children whose names were Mary, John and Daniel. There may have been other children but I am inclined to believe this was their entire family.

Gabriel's wife Ruth died in the early spring Of 1841. She made a will which was probated in Pulaski County, Arkansas, on April 20, 1841. In her will she left all of her belongings, which consisted of cattle, hogs and household furnishings, to her daughter, Mary Greathouse Hinkson, with whom she was making her home at the time of her death. It is believed that she was about 74 years of age at the time of her death.

Harmon Greathouse Jr., was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1762 and died in Nelson County, Kentucky, in 1849. He was 87 years of age at the time of his death. He was married twice. His first wife was Mary Massey of Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia). His second wife was Mercy (or Marcia) Bukey, also of Ohio County, Virginia. In the early 1790's he and his wife Mercy migrated to Nelson County, Kentucky, where they reared a large family. It is believed that Harmon Jr.'s first wife died young and that the mother of all of his children was his second wife, Mercy Bukey. Harmon Jr. and his wife Mercy both died in Nelson County, Kentucky, and are buried near the village of Deatsville on property now owned by the Sorrell's Distilling Company. The headstone at their graves is still standing and the inscriptions thereon read as follows: "Mercy Greathouse, born March 19, 1768; Died February 25, 1841.""Harmon Greathouse, born June 30, 1762; Died July 5, 1849." (Note: The author has seen a photograph of this large stone. It was cut in such a manner as to give the appearance of two stones but is in reality just one large stone.) Harmon Jr. was a soldier of the Revolution. He served in the Washington County, Pa., militia. (Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Volume II, page 152.)

Notes for Harmon GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN MARYLAND

Harman Greathouse (or Harmon, as he himself spelled it) was the oldest son of Henry Grothouse of Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, Pa., and the grandson of Herman Groethausen the emigrant. He was born in Lancaster County in 1720. He was married twice. His first wife was Anna Maria Baret and it is believed that they were married in the year 1745. My reason for this belief is based on entries found in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown, for that year. These entries were as follows:

"Harman Grothouse and wife Anna Maria Baret were sponsors at the baptism of Anna Maria, daughter of Georg Michael Schellmeir, born Jan. 9, baptized June 2, 1745."

"Johannes, son of Johann Jacob Leimer and his wife Regina, born Jan. 8. 1745, baptized June 2, 1745. Sponsors: Baltus Baret and wife."

(Note: Since the name Baret does not appear in the records of St. Michaels Church before or after the date of these baptisms, it is believed that Baltus Baret and his wife (evidently the parents of Anna Maria, the wife of Harman Grothouse) came from afar and were there on that particular date for some special occasion. It is my belief that they were there for the marriage of their daughter and that sponsoring the two baptisms was incidental to the main event - the marriage. This however is pure conjecture and should be treated as such.)

To this marriage between Harman Grothouse and Anna Maria Baret, only one child was born -a daughter. Record of this child's birth and baptism is found in an entry in the records of St. Michaels Church, which reads as follows:

"Rachel, daughter of Harman Grothouse and his wife Maria, born Feb. 20, 1747, baptized April 12, 1747. Sponsors: Jurg (George) Rieger and wife Barbara."

It is believed that Anna Maria Baret, first wife of Harman Grothouse, must have died within a short time after the birth of their daughter Rachel. In 1748 or 1749 he migrated to Frederick County, Maryland, and there married Mary Stull, daughter of Captain John Stull.

Captain John Stull made a will, which is of record in Frederick County, Maryland, dated October 1749 and probated in 1751. In this will he makes mention of his daughter Mary, wife of Harmon Greathouse, and "their little daughter Rachel". From this will it is evident that Harmon must have married his second wife, Mary Stull, in 1748 or 1749.

(Note: The name of Rachel Grothouse does not again appear in the records of St. Michaels Church Germantown, after the date of the entry quoted above concerning her birth and baptism.)

Evidently Harmon and his wife lived in Frederick County, Maryland, from 1749 to 1771, a period of 22 years. During this period nine children were born to them and their names were as follows:

DanielGabriel

WilliamHarmon, Jr.

JohnIsaac

Susannah Jonathan

Mary

I don't know that I have the children listed in the order of their birth. I am assuming that Daniel was the oldest since apparently he was of age when they moved to Virginia in 1771 -- he filed on land at the same time his father did (1771), the other children filing at later dates. If Daniel was born in 1750, he would have reached the age of 21 in 1771.

(Note: Mary Stull, mother of the above-named children of Harmon Greathouse, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1725; this would make her five years younger than her husband.)

In 1770 or early in 1771, Harmon Greathouse, together with his wife and ten children, moved from Frederick County, Maryland, to the Commonwealth of Virginia, settling in what was then known as Augusta County. Augusta County, at that time, took in most of what is now the State of West Virginia. Later, the area in which he settled was called Yohogania County, then Ohio County. In 1797 Brooke County was formed from land cut off from Ohio County. The Greathouse lands all lay in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. Brooke County is located in what is now known as "The Panhandle of West Virginia". This is a very narrow strip of land located between the western boundary of Pennsylvania and the Ohio River which forms the boundary between West Virginia and Ohio.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN VIRGINIA

When Harmon Greathouse moved to Virginia he settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. "History of the Panhandle", published 1879, says that Harmon Greathouse was the first settler in what is now Brooke County. Harmon's Creek, site of the Greathouse settlement, was named for him. The Rev. Joseph Doddridge in his book, "Doddridge's Notes", says this of these early pioneers:

"A fierce, implacable foe met them on every hand. Braddock's Trail was the route by which the greater number crossed the mountains. Some came by way of Bedford and Fort Ligonier, few were incumbered with much baggage. Land was their object. Raising a crop of grain, however small, entitled the settler to 400 acres of land."

(Note: I shall quote quite often from Mr. Doddridge's writings. He was a son of John Doddridge, an early settler of what is now Brooke County, West Virginia, and he himself was reared there. He was born in 1769. He wrote his book, "Doddridge's Notes", when he was 52 years of age. He married Jemima Bukey in 1793. She was the sister of Marcy Bukey, wife of Harmon Greathouse, Jr.)

Names of other pioneer families who by 1773 had settled in what is now Brooke County were Wells, Caldwell, Doddridge,Brown, Biggs, Swearingen, Elson, Baxter, Baker, Crawford, and some few others.

Almost all of the early settlers of the Panhandle of West Virginia came from Maryland and Virginia, around the Potomac River section.

Although Harmon Greathouse settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in 1771, he did not receive a patent on his land until 1785. In 1785 the Commonwealth of Virginia granted him a patent to 800 acres. Daniel Greathouse, his eldest son, settled on 400 acres located in the Mingo Bottom of the Ohio River in 1771 but sold his rights to this land in 1775. John Greathouse settled on 400 acres, adjoining that of his brother Daniel, in 1774. Gabriel Greathouse acquired patent on 400 acres of land adjoining that of his father (Harmon) in 1785. William Greathouse owned land on Harmon's Creek, probably 400 acres, prior to his death in 1791. The other sons, Isaac, Harmon Jr., and Jonathan, all acquired land from their father after 1785, from his original tract of 800 acres. In 1788, Harmon Greathouse. Sr., and his wife Mary sold "218 acres and a saw mill". part of his original tract of 800 acres, to their son Harmon Jr. for X 150. Prior to this time he had sold or given to his son Jonathan 122 acres. Jonathan, in turn, sold this tract to Jonathan Boyle and Jonathan Hunt for X 100. This sale was made just prior to his ill-fated attempt to migrate to Kentucky, which will be described in detail later in this book:

It is not believed, however, that Harmon Sr. gave away any part of his land to his sons or anyone else. It was not the practice of these early Greathouses to give their children land, as will be noted from records of land transfers between father and son heretofore mentioned in this book.

By 1788 Harmon Sr. had disposed of all of his holdings in Virginia. There is no record of his ever again owning land in that State after that year. Furthermore, there is no record of a will or letter of administration for him in either Brooke or Ohio counties. Church records have been searched for entries concerning his death and burial but nothing has been found. The census of 1790 shows a Harmon Greathouse and his wife residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. It is my belief that this was Harmon Sr. and his wife Mary. This, of course, is pure conjecture, but here are my reasons for believing this to be true:

(1) In 1786 he and his wife Mary authorized the sale of all of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. This is of record in Deed Book 1, page 96, Ohio County, Virginia, and reads as follows: spelling follows the original)

October 2, 1786. "Harmon Greathouse and Mary his wife, both at present of Ohio County, Va., Mary formerly Mary Stull, for Divers good causes and Considerations us thereunto moving but more effectaly Trusting in the Provadent Care and good Management of Margret White widder and relect of Petter White which Margret was formerly Margret Stull of the County of Frederick and state of Maryland do by these presents constitute appoint and ordain the said Margret White our well beloved friend our free and lawful attorney -----to use our names for Recovoury of all Debts dues contracts moneys lands slaves goods or other property due us or either of us ----- etc."

From the above indenture we see that Harmon and his wife Mary, in 1786, gave power of attorney to Margret White, his wife's sister, to dispose of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. From the above it is evident that by 1788 Harmon and his wife had disposed of all of their holdings in both Maryland and Virginia.

(2) By 1788 both Harmon and his wife were "getting on in years", he being 68 and his wife some five years younger. His sons were in the process of moving on into the frontier settlements of Kentucky. It is logical to assume that, at his age, he did not wish to again undergo the rigors, hardships and dangers of frontier life and decided in favor of returning to the older and more populous settlement in, or near, Baltimore City, Maryland.

(3) The census of 1790 indicates that there were other members of his family residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. This also could have been an inducement for his settling there in his old age.

A thorough search has been made of the records of both Baltimore County and Baltimore City for wills or administration papers in the case of the Greathouse families reported in the 1790 census but, to my great disappointment, nothing was found.

Harmon Greathouse Sr. was a Revolutionary soldier and served in Colonel William Crawford's regiment. He participated in the expedition against Sandusky (1782). Record of his service can be found in Penn-sylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol. II, page 390.

Historical data concerning the children of Harmon Greathouse Sr.:

Rachel, eldest child of Harmon, daughter of Anna Maria Baret, his first wife, was born February 20, 1747. Entry concerning her birth can be found in the records of St. Michael's Church, Germantown, Philadel-phia, Pa. Rachel married Benjamin Tomlinson of Ohio County, Va. Little is known about Rachel or her husband after their marriage. Mrs. Nelson, in her booklet, "Greathouse Family - A History", states that her (Mrs. Nelson's) grandmother visited in the home of the Tomlinsons in Vir-ginia in 1820. If Rachel was alive at that time she would have been 73 years of age.

Daniel, eldest son of Harmon Greathouse and his wife, Mary Stull, was born about 1750 in Frederick County, Maryland. According to Thwaite & Kellog's book, "Dunmore's War", he "died of the measles in 1775." Daniel, due to his participation in the Yellow Creek massacre (1774) was probably the most publicized of any of the early members of the family. According to Doddridge's Notes and also History of the Pan-Handle, he was in command of the group of 21 men who participated in this Indian massacre. Yellow Creek is a small tributary of the Ohio River located some forty miles above Wheeling. A Mr. Baker lived at the mouth of this creek and operated an inn or tavern of sorts, selling grog to both whites and Indians. Feeling between the whites and Indians had been at a high pitch for some time; a number of both had been killed. Scouts returning to Fort Pitt reported that war was inev-itable. Word had been sent out from Wheeling for people in the out-lying settlements to come in. Baker had not responded to this call but was preparing to do so when a squaw came across the river and told him that the Indians were preparing to murder him and his family. Baker got out word that he needed help. Daniel Greathouse, with a group of 21 men, responded. They reached Baker's on April 30, 1774, and were concealed by Baker in a back room or apartment. Soon after their arrival, seven Indians came across the river to Baker's place, among them the brother of Logan, Chief of the Mingo tribue of the Iroquois Nation. Two women and a child were also in this group. The Indians were all drinking. Logan's brother put on a hat and coat belonging to one of the white men, got abusive and attempted to strike one of the white men. The white man shot and killed him. Thereupon, the white men who had been concealed in the back room rushed out and killed all of the Indians except the child. As they rushed out of the house, they saw two canoe loads of Indian braves, painted and armed for war, com-ing across the river. Daniel's group fired on them, killing most of the occupants of one of the canoes, whereupon the other turned back.

This massacre, according to some of our historians, was the direct cause of Lord Dunmore's War of 1774 in which a terrible vengeance was wreaked on the white settlers by the Indians. Chief Logan blamed Colonel Cresap for his brother's death and, according to a Mr. John Sappington (who participated In the massacre and who in 1801 made an affidavit concerning it), Cresap despised and hated Greathouse ever afterward for his part in the affair. Most of the early historians, including the Rev. Joseph Doddridge, blamed Daniel for this massacre and criticized him most severely. There is no proof that Daniel himself did this killing; the fact is that Sappington after making his affidavit, in 1801, admitted to Samuel McKee, the justice who had taken his deposition, that he himself fired the shot that killed Logan's brother.

According to Mr. Doddridge, there were three members of the Greathouse family who participated in this massacre; however, he named only historian the Rev. Joseph Doddridge is so inconsistent at times that it is quite amusing. He criticized Daniel Greathouse severely for the Yellow Creek massacre yet just a little further along in his "Notes" he has this to say: "The white settlers were compelled, by every principle of self defense, to adopt the Indian mode of warfare in all its revolting and destructive features. The Indian kills indiscriminately. His object is total extermination of his enemy, children are victims of his vengeance, etc, etc. No Indian captive should be spared his life. What advantage would be gained by this course? Let him who would defend the Indian, if he can bear the reflection, look at helpless infancy, virgin beauty and hoary age, dishonored by ghastly wounds of the tomahawk and the scalping knife."

Due to Doddridge's writing, and perhaps one or two others, Daniel Greathouse and his companions who participated in the Yellow Creek massacre have gone down in history as murderers. Recently in looking through the Encyclopedia Americana, under Dunmore's War, I found this statement: "Daniel Greathouse, a ruffian barrister, murdered five members of the family of Logan, Chief of the Iroquois." The facts are that Daniel and his party were not murderers. They were members of a legally constituted military organization of militiamen, organized for the specific purpose of protecting settlers from the ravages of the Indians. They were in the proper performance of their duty when they responded to Mr. Baker's call for help. It wasn't the fact that they had killed an Indian, or several Indians that mattered - it was the fact that they were unfortunate enough to have killed the brother of an important and popular Chief, who had, in the past, been friendly toward the whites.

There is no doubt in my mind but that Daniel took the scalps of his slain Indian foes and dangled them from his belt in true frontier fashion. He was a rugged frontiersman, but you had to be both rugged and ruthless in order to keep your own hair and stay alive in those days. Even the sanctimonious Mr. Doddridge, in his writings, condoned the use of the scalping knife and the tomahawk by the white settlers, but he mercilessly castigated Daniel and his group for doing the very things upon which he had placed the stamp of his approval.

It is believed that Daniel never married. I found an entry in the records of Yohogania County, Virginia, where, in 1778, three men were appointed by the court to appraise the estate of Daniel Greathouse, deceased. I have found no record of a will or letter of administration for his estate.

If, as some historians would have us believe, the Yellow Creek massacre brought on Dunmore's War, then Daniel, and his cohorts, on that fateful 30th of April, 1774, were instrumental in altering the course of history for years to come, since the Treaty of Chillicothe, which ended the war, kept the Indians quiet for a number of years and permitted the settlement of Kentucky long before it would have otherwise been possible.

As for me, I have a wholesome respect and admiration for Daniel Greathouse and all of his ilk. These sturdy frontiersmen and pioneers, who suffered untold hardships and lived under almost intolerable conditions, succeeded in overcoming and subduing the Indian tribes and thereby paved the way for the rapid settlement and growth of this great nation of ours. I have no patience with latter-day historians who, from the sanctuary of a land free from internal strife, so glibly condemn as "murderers" their forefathers, who, by almost superhuman efforts, made it possible for these same, smug historians to live in a land of peace and plenty. All hail to Daniel and his contemporaries! They deserve the respect and reverence of the generations of Americans who have succeeded them. I am thankful that the blood of these men still courses through the veins of many of us. Our Country will be safe and well defended as long as descendants of these men form a preponderance of our population.

Mr. Simpson, author of "Old Westmorland", says this of the Rev. Joseph Doddridge: "Doddridge's books well describe conditions of pioneer life in western Pennsylvania, but as to historical events they are totally unreliable. Doddridge was a mere boy when these events of border warfare occurred and he did not write his notes until some forty years later. His only source of information was the exaggerated yarns told by ignorant frontiersmen beside the log cabin fires into the ears of the wondering boy."

Susannah Greathouse was born in the year 1756. She married Van Swearingen of Ohio County, Virginia. Mr. Swearingen served as a Captain during the War of the Revolution.

The Swearingens migrated to Kentucky and established themselves in Shelby County. Captain Swearingen was born November 3, 1754, and died in Shelby County, Kentucky, July 1839. He was almost 85 years of age at the time of his death. His will, which is of record in Shelby County, mentions his wife Susannah and the children. The names of their children were as follows: Caty, Harmon, Charles, Matilda, Van, Drusilla, Rachel, and Polly. I have been unable to determine the date of Susannah's death. She was alive at the time of her husband's death and was 82 years of age.

Mary Greathouse was born during the year 1758. She was married in 1782 to Joseph Fawcett. I have been unable to find any further record of Mary or her husband.

Gabriel Greathouse was born in the year 1761 in Frederick County, Maryland, and died in Pulaski County, Arkansas, about 1828. He was about 67 years of age at the time of his death. On October 13, 1798, he and his wife Ruth, then residents of Bourbon County, Kentucky, sold their 400 acres of land in Brooke County, Virginia, to George Edgington of Brooke County for the sum of $1200. (Note: This is the same George Edgington who married Elizabeth Greathouse, widow of William, Gabriel's brother.) This transaction is recorded in Deed Book 1, page 463 Brooke County, West Virginia.

The description of this land states that it joined the land of Harmon Greathouse (Gabriel's father). Gabriel is the most elusive of all of our ancestors, due to the fact that, apparently, he never again obtained title to any land, either in Kentucky or Arkansas. This is understandable to some extent since in those early days, in both Kentucky and Arkansas, a man could "squat" on a tract of land indefinitely, then he could either sell his "squatter's right" or he could apply for a patent and get a clear and sound title to his land. "Squatter's rights" however were recognized and many a man in those days acquired title to large tracts of land by merely purchasing from the "squatter" his rights; then, without any long delay, he could apply for and secure a patent or title. The "squatter" would then move onto another tract of Government land and repeat the procedure.

The next we hear of Gabriel is when Mr. William E. Woodruff, editor of the little newspaper at Arkansas Post, published under date of Dec. 4, 1819, a list of people for whom there was mail waiting at the post office at Arkansas Post. In this list was the name of "Gabriel Greathouse". (Note: This was the second issue of this newspaper, the first issue having been published on November 20, 1819.) This notice, insofar as Gabriel is concerned, could have meant anything. It could have meant that Gabriel had not as yet arrived in Arkansas or it could have meant merely that Gabriel was a little slow in calling for his mail.

Since Mr. Woodruff did not, unfortunately, publish the date of this notice (which he had evidently copied from the postmaster's bulletin board), it may have been an old and weathered notice which had been there for some time and the young Mr. Woodruff, in his zealous search for something to print, merely copied and published it in order to fill space in his paper. I am inclined to believe that this was the case, Even in my time, I have walked into country post offices and read notices on the bulletin board which were yellow with age. These old rural postmasters were not very neat housekeepers. (Note: This little newspaper, published for the first time at Arkansas Post on November 20, 1819, (published every two weeks), was the fore-runner of the present-day "Arkansas Gazette".

It is my opinion that Gabriel was in Arkansas much earlier than 1819 However, since we have nothing more definite to go on than Mr. Woodruff's newspaper announcement, we will have to assume that he did not arrive much earlier than the year 1819.

In 1820 Gabriel Greathouse was elected sheriff of Pulaski County (Arkansas Territory) and served in that capacity for one two-year term 1821-1823. (Note: Mr. Claude Rankin, Commissioner of Lands, State of Arkansas, says that he has proof of this in the files in his office.)

At this late date even the passing of Gabriel is shrouded in obscurity. We know however that he must have died some time during the six year period - 1824-1830, for in 1830 his widow, Ruth Greathouse, was making her home with her son Daniel. The census of 1830 for Pulaski County, Arkansas, lists "one female, 60-70" as a member of his household. In further proof of this, I remember hearing my father, Benj. H. Greathouse (1849-1940), make the following remark with reference to his grandmother, Elizabeth Magness Greathouse: "She was an exceptionally good woman; she took care of her husband's mother for several years and cared for her aged father during his last illness and death"

There has long been a legend to the effect that one of the older members of the Arkansas branch of the family lost his life by drowning while engaged in moving Indians. I had always thought, until began this research, that this was great-grandfather Daniel. However, I have found that Daniel died in bed at his home, in 1836. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that some member of the family did die in this manner, as I have heard the story both from my father and grandfather. This story was told to me as a child and I do not have too clear a recollection of the details, but as I recall, his body was never recovered from the stream in which he was drowned.

The member of the family who lost his life in this manner could have been Gabriel (father of Daniel). Although the forced migration of the Cherokees did not start until the 1830's there was a voluntary movement on the part of a large number of this tribe during the 1820's. This movement had the blessings and aid of the Federal Government. Since the route of march in the movement of these Indians was through both Pulaski and Conway counties, it is entirely possible that Gabriel being an ex-sheriff and acquainted with the country, was given employment (probably as a guide) by the contractor in charge.

It is my firm belief that Gabriel Greathouse, Cicero Hinkson and Robert Magness, together with their families, came to Arkansas during the year 1815. They settled on the upper waters of Bayou Meto, some 15 miles north of Little Rock. Gabriel Greathouse and his wife Ruth came from Bourbon County, Kentucky. They brought with them to Arkansas three of their children whose names were Mary, John and Daniel. There may have been other children but I am inclined to believe this was their entire family.

Gabriel's wife Ruth died in the early spring Of 1841. She made a will which was probated in Pulaski County, Arkansas, on April 20, 1841. In her will she left all of her belongings, which consisted of cattle, hogs and household furnishings, to her daughter, Mary Greathouse Hinkson, with whom she was making her home at the time of her death. It is believed that she was about 74 years of age at the time of her death.

Harmon Greathouse Jr., was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1762 and died in Nelson County, Kentucky, in 1849. He was 87 years of age at the time of his death. He was married twice. His first wife was Mary Massey of Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia). His second wife was Mercy (or Marcia) Bukey, also of Ohio County, Virginia. In the early 1790's he and his wife Mercy migrated to Nelson County, Kentucky, where they reared a large family. It is believed that Harmon Jr.'s first wife died young and that the mother of all of his children was his second wife, Mercy Bukey. Harmon Jr. and his wife Mercy both died in Nelson County, Kentucky, and are buried near the village of Deatsville on property now owned by the Sorrell's Distilling Company. The headstone at their graves is still standing and the inscriptions thereon read as follows: "Mercy Greathouse, born March 19, 1768; Died February 25, 1841.""Harmon Greathouse, born June 30, 1762; Died July 5, 1849." (Note: The author has seen a photograph of this large stone. It was cut in such a manner as to give the appearance of two stones but is in reality just one large stone.) Harmon Jr. was a soldier of the Revolution. He served in the Washington County, Pa., militia. (Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Volume II, page 152.)

Notes for Harmon GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN MARYLAND

Harman Greathouse (or Harmon, as he himself spelled it) was the oldest son of Henry Grothouse of Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, Pa., and the grandson of Herman Groethausen the emigrant. He was born in Lancaster County in 1720. He was married twice. His first wife was Anna Maria Baret and it is believed that they were married in the year 1745. My reason for this belief is based on entries found in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown, for that year. These entries were as follows:

"Harman Grothouse and wife Anna Maria Baret were sponsors at the baptism of Anna Maria, daughter of Georg Michael Schellmeir, born Jan. 9, baptized June 2, 1745."

"Johannes, son of Johann Jacob Leimer and his wife Regina, born Jan. 8. 1745, baptized June 2, 1745. Sponsors: Baltus Baret and wife."

(Note: Since the name Baret does not appear in the records of St. Michaels Church before or after the date of these baptisms, it is believed that Baltus Baret and his wife (evidently the parents of Anna Maria, the wife of Harman Grothouse) came from afar and were there on that particular date for some special occasion. It is my belief that they were there for the marriage of their daughter and that sponsoring the two baptisms was incidental to the main event - the marriage. This however is pure conjecture and should be treated as such.)

To this marriage between Harman Grothouse and Anna Maria Baret, only one child was born -a daughter. Record of this child's birth and baptism is found in an entry in the records of St. Michaels Church, which reads as follows:

"Rachel, daughter of Harman Grothouse and his wife Maria, born Feb. 20, 1747, baptized April 12, 1747. Sponsors: Jurg (George) Rieger and wife Barbara."

It is believed that Anna Maria Baret, first wife of Harman Grothouse, must have died within a short time after the birth of their daughter Rachel. In 1748 or 1749 he migrated to Frederick County, Maryland, and there married Mary Stull, daughter of Captain John Stull.

Captain John Stull made a will, which is of record in Frederick County, Maryland, dated October 1749 and probated in 1751. In this will he makes mention of his daughter Mary, wife of Harmon Greathouse, and "their little daughter Rachel". From this will it is evident that Harmon must have married his second wife, Mary Stull, in 1748 or 1749.

(Note: The name of Rachel Grothouse does not again appear in the records of St. Michaels Church Germantown, after the date of the entry quoted above concerning her birth and baptism.)

Evidently Harmon and his wife lived in Frederick County, Maryland, from 1749 to 1771, a period of 22 years. During this period nine children were born to them and their names were as follows:

DanielGabriel

WilliamHarmon, Jr.

JohnIsaac

Susannah Jonathan

Mary

I don't know that I have the children listed in the order of their birth. I am assuming that Daniel was the oldest since apparently he was of age when they moved to Virginia in 1771 -- he filed on land at the same time his father did (1771), the other children filing at later dates. If Daniel was born in 1750, he would have reached the age of 21 in 1771.

(Note: Mary Stull, mother of the above-named children of Harmon Greathouse, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1725; this would make her five years younger than her husband.)

In 1770 or early in 1771, Harmon Greathouse, together with his wife and ten children, moved from Frederick County, Maryland, to the Commonwealth of Virginia, settling in what was then known as Augusta County. Augusta County, at that time, took in most of what is now the State of West Virginia. Later, the area in which he settled was called Yohogania County, then Ohio County. In 1797 Brooke County was formed from land cut off from Ohio County. The Greathouse lands all lay in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. Brooke County is located in what is now known as "The Panhandle of West Virginia". This is a very narrow strip of land located between the western boundary of Pennsylvania and the Ohio River which forms the boundary between West Virginia and Ohio.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN VIRGINIA

When Harmon Greathouse moved to Virginia he settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. "History of the Panhandle", published 1879, says that Harmon Greathouse was the first settler in what is now Brooke County. Harmon's Creek, site of the Greathouse settlement, was named for him. The Rev. Joseph Doddridge in his book, "Doddridge's Notes", says this of these early pioneers:

"A fierce, implacable foe met them on every hand. Braddock's Trail was the route by which the greater number crossed the mountains. Some came by way of Bedford and Fort Ligonier, few were incumbered with much baggage. Land was their object. Raising a crop of grain, however small, entitled the settler to 400 acres of land."

(Note: I shall quote quite often from Mr. Doddridge's writings. He was a son of John Doddridge, an early settler of what is now Brooke County, West Virginia, and he himself was reared there. He was born in 1769. He wrote his book, "Doddridge's Notes", when he was 52 years of age. He married Jemima Bukey in 1793. She was the sister of Marcy Bukey, wife of Harmon Greathouse, Jr.)

Names of other pioneer families who by 1773 had settled in what is now Brooke County were Wells, Caldwell, Doddridge,Brown, Biggs, Swearingen, Elson, Baxter, Baker, Crawford, and some few others.

Almost all of the early settlers of the Panhandle of West Virginia came from Maryland and Virginia, around the Potomac River section.

Although Harmon Greathouse settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in 1771, he did not receive a patent on his land until 1785. In 1785 the Commonwealth of Virginia granted him a patent to 800 acres. Daniel Greathouse, his eldest son, settled on 400 acres located in the Mingo Bottom of the Ohio River in 1771 but sold his rights to this land in 1775. John Greathouse settled on 400 acres, adjoining that of his brother Daniel, in 1774. Gabriel Greathouse acquired patent on 400 acres of land adjoining that of his father (Harmon) in 1785. William Greathouse owned land on Harmon's Creek, probably 400 acres, prior to his death in 1791. The other sons, Isaac, Harmon Jr., and Jonathan, all acquired land from their father after 1785, from his original tract of 800 acres. In 1788, Harmon Greathouse. Sr., and his wife Mary sold "218 acres and a saw mill". part of his original tract of 800 acres, to their son Harmon Jr. for X 150. Prior to this time he had sold or given to his son Jonathan 122 acres. Jonathan, in turn, sold this tract to Jonathan Boyle and Jonathan Hunt for X 100. This sale was made just prior to his ill-fated attempt to migrate to Kentucky, which will be described in detail later in this book:

It is not believed, however, that Harmon Sr. gave away any part of his land to his sons or anyone else. It was not the practice of these early Greathouses to give their children land, as will be noted from records of land transfers between father and son heretofore mentioned in this book.

By 1788 Harmon Sr. had disposed of all of his holdings in Virginia. There is no record of his ever again owning land in that State after that year. Furthermore, there is no record of a will or letter of administration for him in either Brooke or Ohio counties. Church records have been searched for entries concerning his death and burial but nothing has been found. The census of 1790 shows a Harmon Greathouse and his wife residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. It is my belief that this was Harmon Sr. and his wife Mary. This, of course, is pure conjecture, but here are my reasons for believing this to be true:

(1) In 1786 he and his wife Mary authorized the sale of all of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. This is of record in Deed Book 1, page 96, Ohio County, Virginia, and reads as follows: spelling follows the original)

October 2, 1786. "Harmon Greathouse and Mary his wife, both at present of Ohio County, Va., Mary formerly Mary Stull, for Divers good causes and Considerations us thereunto moving but more effectaly Trusting in the Provadent Care and good Management of Margret White widder and relect of Petter White which Margret was formerly Margret Stull of the County of Frederick and state of Maryland do by these presents constitute appoint and ordain the said Margret White our well beloved friend our free and lawful attorney -----to use our names for Recovoury of all Debts dues contracts moneys lands slaves goods or other property due us or either of us ----- etc."

From the above indenture we see that Harmon and his wife Mary, in 1786, gave power of attorney to Margret White, his wife's sister, to dispose of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. From the above it is evident that by 1788 Harmon and his wife had disposed of all of their holdings in both Maryland and Virginia.

(2) By 1788 both Harmon and his wife were "getting on in years", he being 68 and his wife some five years younger. His sons were in the process of moving on into the frontier settlements of Kentucky. It is logical to assume that, at his age, he did not wish to again undergo the rigors, hardships and dangers of frontier life and decided in favor of returning to the older and more populous settlement in, or near, Baltimore City, Maryland.

(3) The census of 1790 indicates that there were other members of his family residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. This also could have been an inducement for his settling there in his old age.

A thorough search has been made of the records of both Baltimore County and Baltimore City for wills or administration papers in the case of the Greathouse families reported in the 1790 census but, to my great disappointment, nothing was found.

Harmon Greathouse Sr. was a Revolutionary soldier and served in Colonel William Crawford's regiment. He participated in the expedition against Sandusky (1782). Record of his service can be found in Penn-sylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol. II, page 390.

Historical data concerning the children of Harmon Greathouse Sr.:

Rachel, eldest child of Harmon, daughter of Anna Maria Baret, his first wife, was born February 20, 1747. Entry concerning her birth can be found in the records of St. Michael's Church, Germantown, Philadel-phia, Pa. Rachel married Benjamin Tomlinson of Ohio County, Va. Little is known about Rachel or her husband after their marriage. Mrs. Nelson, in her booklet, "Greathouse Family - A History", states that her (Mrs. Nelson's) grandmother visited in the home of the Tomlinsons in Vir-ginia in 1820. If Rachel was alive at that time she would have been 73 years of age.

Daniel, eldest son of Harmon Greathouse and his wife, Mary Stull, was born about 1750 in Frederick County, Maryland. According to Thwaite & Kellog's book, "Dunmore's War", he "died of the measles in 1775." Daniel, due to his participation in the Yellow Creek massacre (1774) was probably the most publicized of any of the early members of the family. According to Doddridge's Notes and also History of the Pan-Handle, he was in command of the group of 21 men who participated in this Indian massacre. Yellow Creek is a small tributary of the Ohio River located some forty miles above Wheeling. A Mr. Baker lived at the mouth of this creek and operated an inn or tavern of sorts, selling grog to both whites and Indians. Feeling between the whites and Indians had been at a high pitch for some time; a number of both had been killed. Scouts returning to Fort Pitt reported that war was inev-itable. Word had been sent out from Wheeling for people in the out-lying settlements to come in. Baker had not responded to this call but was preparing to do so when a squaw came across the river and told him that the Indians were preparing to murder him and his family. Baker got out word that he needed help. Daniel Greathouse, with a group of 21 men, responded. They reached Baker's on April 30, 1774, and were concealed by Baker in a back room or apartment. Soon after their arrival, seven Indians came across the river to Baker's place, among them the brother of Logan, Chief of the Mingo tribue of the Iroquois Nation. Two women and a child were also in this group. The Indians were all drinking. Logan's brother put on a hat and coat belonging to one of the white men, got abusive and attempted to strike one of the white men. The white man shot and killed him. Thereupon, the white men who had been concealed in the back room rushed out and killed all of the Indians except the child. As they rushed out of the house, they saw two canoe loads of Indian braves, painted and armed for war, com-ing across the river. Daniel's group fired on them, killing most of the occupants of one of the canoes, whereupon the other turned back.

This massacre, according to some of our historians, was the direct cause of Lord Dunmore's War of 1774 in which a terrible vengeance was wreaked on the white settlers by the Indians. Chief Logan blamed Colonel Cresap for his brother's death and, according to a Mr. John Sappington (who participated In the massacre and who in 1801 made an affidavit concerning it), Cresap despised and hated Greathouse ever afterward for his part in the affair. Most of the early historians, including the Rev. Joseph Doddridge, blamed Daniel for this massacre and criticized him most severely. There is no proof that Daniel himself did this killing; the fact is that Sappington after making his affidavit, in 1801, admitted to Samuel McKee, the justice who had taken his deposition, that he himself fired the shot that killed Logan's brother.

According to Mr. Doddridge, there were three members of the Greathouse family who participated in this massacre; however, he named only historian the Rev. Joseph Doddridge is so inconsistent at times that it is quite amusing. He criticized Daniel Greathouse severely for the Yellow Creek massacre yet just a little further along in his "Notes" he has this to say: "The white settlers were compelled, by every principle of self defense, to adopt the Indian mode of warfare in all its revolting and destructive features. The Indian kills indiscriminately. His object is total extermination of his enemy, children are victims of his vengeance, etc, etc. No Indian captive should be spared his life. What advantage would be gained by this course? Let him who would defend the Indian, if he can bear the reflection, look at helpless infancy, virgin beauty and hoary age, dishonored by ghastly wounds of the tomahawk and the scalping knife."

Due to Doddridge's writing, and perhaps one or two others, Daniel Greathouse and his companions who participated in the Yellow Creek massacre have gone down in history as murderers. Recently in looking through the Encyclopedia Americana, under Dunmore's War, I found this statement: "Daniel Greathouse, a ruffian barrister, murdered five members of the family of Logan, Chief of the Iroquois." The facts are that Daniel and his party were not murderers. They were members of a legally constituted military organization of militiamen, organized for the specific purpose of protecting settlers from the ravages of the Indians. They were in the proper performance of their duty when they responded to Mr. Baker's call for help. It wasn't the fact that they had killed an Indian, or several Indians that mattered - it was the fact that they were unfortunate enough to have killed the brother of an important and popular Chief, who had, in the past, been friendly toward the whites.

There is no doubt in my mind but that Daniel took the scalps of his slain Indian foes and dangled them from his belt in true frontier fashion. He was a rugged frontiersman, but you had to be both rugged and ruthless in order to keep your own hair and stay alive in those days. Even the sanctimonious Mr. Doddridge, in his writings, condoned the use of the scalping knife and the tomahawk by the white settlers, but he mercilessly castigated Daniel and his group for doing the very things upon which he had placed the stamp of his approval.

It is believed that Daniel never married. I found an entry in the records of Yohogania County, Virginia, where, in 1778, three men were appointed by the court to appraise the estate of Daniel Greathouse, deceased. I have found no record of a will or letter of administration for his estate.

If, as some historians would have us believe, the Yellow Creek massacre brought on Dunmore's War, then Daniel, and his cohorts, on that fateful 30th of April, 1774, were instrumental in altering the course of history for years to come, since the Treaty of Chillicothe, which ended the war, kept the Indians quiet for a number of years and permitted the settlement of Kentucky long before it would have otherwise been possible.

As for me, I have a wholesome respect and admiration for Daniel Greathouse and all of his ilk. These sturdy frontiersmen and pioneers, who suffered untold hardships and lived under almost intolerable conditions, succeeded in overcoming and subduing the Indian tribes and thereby paved the way for the rapid settlement and growth of this great nation of ours. I have no patience with latter-day historians who, from the sanctuary of a land free from internal strife, so glibly condemn as "murderers" their forefathers, who, by almost superhuman efforts, made it possible for these same, smug historians to live in a land of peace and plenty. All hail to Daniel and his contemporaries! They deserve the respect and reverence of the generations of Americans who have succeeded them. I am thankful that the blood of these men still courses through the veins of many of us. Our Country will be safe and well defended as long as descendants of these men form a preponderance of our population.

Mr. Simpson, author of "Old Westmorland", says this of the Rev. Joseph Doddridge: "Doddridge's books well describe conditions of pioneer life in western Pennsylvania, but as to historical events they are totally unreliable. Doddridge was a mere boy when these events of border warfare occurred and he did not write his notes until some forty years later. His only source of information was the exaggerated yarns told by ignorant frontiersmen beside the log cabin fires into the ears of the wondering boy."

Susannah Greathouse was born in the year 1756. She married Van Swearingen of Ohio County, Virginia. Mr. Swearingen served as a Captain during the War of the Revolution.

The Swearingens migrated to Kentucky and established themselves in Shelby County. Captain Swearingen was born November 3, 1754, and died in Shelby County, Kentucky, July 1839. He was almost 85 years of age at the time of his death. His will, which is of record in Shelby County, mentions his wife Susannah and the children. The names of their children were as follows: Caty, Harmon, Charles, Matilda, Van, Drusilla, Rachel, and Polly. I have been unable to determine the date of Susannah's death. She was alive at the time of her husband's death and was 82 years of age.

Mary Greathouse was born during the year 1758. She was married in 1782 to Joseph Fawcett. I have been unable to find any further record of Mary or her husband.

Gabriel Greathouse was born in the year 1761 in Frederick County, Maryland, and died in Pulaski County, Arkansas, about 1828. He was about 67 years of age at the time of his death. On October 13, 1798, he and his wife Ruth, then residents of Bourbon County, Kentucky, sold their 400 acres of land in Brooke County, Virginia, to George Edgington of Brooke County for the sum of $1200. (Note: This is the same George Edgington who married Elizabeth Greathouse, widow of William, Gabriel's brother.) This transaction is recorded in Deed Book 1, page 463 Brooke County, West Virginia.

The description of this land states that it joined the land of Harmon Greathouse (Gabriel's father). Gabriel is the most elusive of all of our ancestors, due to the fact that, apparently, he never again obtained title to any land, either in Kentucky or Arkansas. This is understandable to some extent since in those early days, in both Kentucky and Arkansas, a man could "squat" on a tract of land indefinitely, then he could either sell his "squatter's right" or he could apply for a patent and get a clear and sound title to his land. "Squatter's rights" however were recognized and many a man in those days acquired title to large tracts of land by merely purchasing from the "squatter" his rights; then, without any long delay, he could apply for and secure a patent or title. The "squatter" would then move onto another tract of Government land and repeat the procedure.

The next we hear of Gabriel is when Mr. William E. Woodruff, editor of the little newspaper at Arkansas Post, published under date of Dec. 4, 1819, a list of people for whom there was mail waiting at the post office at Arkansas Post. In this list was the name of "Gabriel Greathouse". (Note: This was the second issue of this newspaper, the first issue having been published on November 20, 1819.) This notice, insofar as Gabriel is concerned, could have meant anything. It could have meant that Gabriel had not as yet arrived in Arkansas or it could have meant merely that Gabriel was a little slow in calling for his mail.

Since Mr. Woodruff did not, unfortunately, publish the date of this notice (which he had evidently copied from the postmaster's bulletin board), it may have been an old and weathered notice which had been there for some time and the young Mr. Woodruff, in his zealous search for something to print, merely copied and published it in order to fill space in his paper. I am inclined to believe that this was the case, Even in my time, I have walked into country post offices and read notices on the bulletin board which were yellow with age. These old rural postmasters were not very neat housekeepers. (Note: This little newspaper, published for the first time at Arkansas Post on November 20, 1819, (published every two weeks), was the fore-runner of the present-day "Arkansas Gazette".

It is my opinion that Gabriel was in Arkansas much earlier than 1819 However, since we have nothing more definite to go on than Mr. Woodruff's newspaper announcement, we will have to assume that he did not arrive much earlier than the year 1819.

In 1820 Gabriel Greathouse was elected sheriff of Pulaski County (Arkansas Territory) and served in that capacity for one two-year term 1821-1823. (Note: Mr. Claude Rankin, Commissioner of Lands, State of Arkansas, says that he has proof of this in the files in his office.)

At this late date even the passing of Gabriel is shrouded in obscurity. We know however that he must have died some time during the six year period - 1824-1830, for in 1830 his widow, Ruth Greathouse, was making her home with her son Daniel. The census of 1830 for Pulaski County, Arkansas, lists "one female, 60-70" as a member of his household. In further proof of this, I remember hearing my father, Benj. H. Greathouse (1849-1940), make the following remark with reference to his grandmother, Elizabeth Magness Greathouse: "She was an exceptionally good woman; she took care of her husband's mother for several years and cared for her aged father during his last illness and death"

There has long been a legend to the effect that one of the older members of the Arkansas branch of the family lost his life by drowning while engaged in moving Indians. I had always thought, until began this research, that this was great-grandfather Daniel. However, I have found that Daniel died in bed at his home, in 1836. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that some member of the family did die in this manner, as I have heard the story both from my father and grandfather. This story was told to me as a child and I do not have too clear a recollection of the details, but as I recall, his body was never recovered from the stream in which he was drowned.

The member of the family who lost his life in this manner could have been Gabriel (father of Daniel). Although the forced migration of the Cherokees did not start until the 1830's there was a voluntary movement on the part of a large number of this tribe during the 1820's. This movement had the blessings and aid of the Federal Government. Since the route of march in the movement of these Indians was through both Pulaski and Conway counties, it is entirely possible that Gabriel being an ex-sheriff and acquainted with the country, was given employment (probably as a guide) by the contractor in charge.

It is my firm belief that Gabriel Greathouse, Cicero Hinkson and Robert Magness, together with their families, came to Arkansas during the year 1815. They settled on the upper waters of Bayou Meto, some 15 miles north of Little Rock. Gabriel Greathouse and his wife Ruth came from Bourbon County, Kentucky. They brought with them to Arkansas three of their children whose names were Mary, John and Daniel. There may have been other children but I am inclined to believe this was their entire family.

Gabriel's wife Ruth died in the early spring Of 1841. She made a will which was probated in Pulaski County, Arkansas, on April 20, 1841. In her will she left all of her belongings, which consisted of cattle, hogs and household furnishings, to her daughter, Mary Greathouse Hinkson, with whom she was making her home at the time of her death. It is believed that she was about 74 years of age at the time of her death.

Harmon Greathouse Jr., was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1762 and died in Nelson County, Kentucky, in 1849. He was 87 years of age at the time of his death. He was married twice. His first wife was Mary Massey of Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia). His second wife was Mercy (or Marcia) Bukey, also of Ohio County, Virginia. In the early 1790's he and his wife Mercy migrated to Nelson County, Kentucky, where they reared a large family. It is believed that Harmon Jr.'s first wife died young and that the mother of all of his children was his second wife, Mercy Bukey. Harmon Jr. and his wife Mercy both died in Nelson County, Kentucky, and are buried near the village of Deatsville on property now owned by the Sorrell's Distilling Company. The headstone at their graves is still standing and the inscriptions thereon read as follows: "Mercy Greathouse, born March 19, 1768; Died February 25, 1841.""Harmon Greathouse, born June 30, 1762; Died July 5, 1849." (Note: The author has seen a photograph of this large stone. It was cut in such a manner as to give the appearance of two stones but is in reality just one large stone.) Harmon Jr. was a soldier of the Revolution. He served in the Washington County, Pa., militia. (Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Volume II, page 152.)

Notes for Harmon GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN MARYLAND

Harman Greathouse (or Harmon, as he himself spelled it) was the oldest son of Henry Grothouse of Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, Pa., and the grandson of Herman Groethausen the emigrant. He was born in Lancaster County in 1720. He was married twice. His first wife was Anna Maria Baret and it is believed that they were married in the year 1745. My reason for this belief is based on entries found in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown, for that year. These entries were as follows:

"Harman Grothouse and wife Anna Maria Baret were sponsors at the baptism of Anna Maria, daughter of Georg Michael Schellmeir, born Jan. 9, baptized June 2, 1745."

"Johannes, son of Johann Jacob Leimer and his wife Regina, born Jan. 8. 1745, baptized June 2, 1745. Sponsors: Baltus Baret and wife."

(Note: Since the name Baret does not appear in the records of St. Michaels Church before or after the date of these baptisms, it is believed that Baltus Baret and his wife (evidently the parents of Anna Maria, the wife of Harman Grothouse) came from afar and were there on that particular date for some special occasion. It is my belief that they were there for the marriage of their daughter and that sponsoring the two baptisms was incidental to the main event - the marriage. This however is pure conjecture and should be treated as such.)

To this marriage between Harman Grothouse and Anna Maria Baret, only one child was born -a daughter. Record of this child's birth and baptism is found in an entry in the records of St. Michaels Church, which reads as follows:

"Rachel, daughter of Harman Grothouse and his wife Maria, born Feb. 20, 1747, baptized April 12, 1747. Sponsors: Jurg (George) Rieger and wife Barbara."

It is believed that Anna Maria Baret, first wife of Harman Grothouse, must have died within a short time after the birth of their daughter Rachel. In 1748 or 1749 he migrated to Frederick County, Maryland, and there married Mary Stull, daughter of Captain John Stull.

Captain John Stull made a will, which is of record in Frederick County, Maryland, dated October 1749 and probated in 1751. In this will he makes mention of his daughter Mary, wife of Harmon Greathouse, and "their little daughter Rachel". From this will it is evident that Harmon must have married his second wife, Mary Stull, in 1748 or 1749.

(Note: The name of Rachel Grothouse does not again appear in the records of St. Michaels Church Germantown, after the date of the entry quoted above concerning her birth and baptism.)

Evidently Harmon and his wife lived in Frederick County, Maryland, from 1749 to 1771, a period of 22 years. During this period nine children were born to them and their names were as follows:

DanielGabriel

WilliamHarmon, Jr.

JohnIsaac

Susannah Jonathan

Mary

I don't know that I have the children listed in the order of their birth. I am assuming that Daniel was the oldest since apparently he was of age when they moved to Virginia in 1771 -- he filed on land at the same time his father did (1771), the other children filing at later dates. If Daniel was born in 1750, he would have reached the age of 21 in 1771.

(Note: Mary Stull, mother of the above-named children of Harmon Greathouse, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1725; this would make her five years younger than her husband.)

In 1770 or early in 1771, Harmon Greathouse, together with his wife and ten children, moved from Frederick County, Maryland, to the Commonwealth of Virginia, settling in what was then known as Augusta County. Augusta County, at that time, took in most of what is now the State of West Virginia. Later, the area in which he settled was called Yohogania County, then Ohio County. In 1797 Brooke County was formed from land cut off from Ohio County. The Greathouse lands all lay in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. Brooke County is located in what is now known as "The Panhandle of West Virginia". This is a very narrow strip of land located between the western boundary of Pennsylvania and the Ohio River which forms the boundary between West Virginia and Ohio.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN VIRGINIA

When Harmon Greathouse moved to Virginia he settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. "History of the Panhandle", published 1879, says that Harmon Greathouse was the first settler in what is now Brooke County. Harmon's Creek, site of the Greathouse settlement, was named for him. The Rev. Joseph Doddridge in his book, "Doddridge's Notes", says this of these early pioneers:

"A fierce, implacable foe met them on every hand. Braddock's Trail was the route by which the greater number crossed the mountains. Some came by way of Bedford and Fort Ligonier, few were incumbered with much baggage. Land was their object. Raising a crop of grain, however small, entitled the settler to 400 acres of land."

(Note: I shall quote quite often from Mr. Doddridge's writings. He was a son of John Doddridge, an early settler of what is now Brooke County, West Virginia, and he himself was reared there. He was born in 1769. He wrote his book, "Doddridge's Notes", when he was 52 years of age. He married Jemima Bukey in 1793. She was the sister of Marcy Bukey, wife of Harmon Greathouse, Jr.)

Names of other pioneer families who by 1773 had settled in what is now Brooke County were Wells, Caldwell, Doddridge,Brown, Biggs, Swearingen, Elson, Baxter, Baker, Crawford, and some few others.

Almost all of the early settlers of the Panhandle of West Virginia came from Maryland and Virginia, around the Potomac River section.

Although Harmon Greathouse settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in 1771, he did not receive a patent on his land until 1785. In 1785 the Commonwealth of Virginia granted him a patent to 800 acres. Daniel Greathouse, his eldest son, settled on 400 acres located in the Mingo Bottom of the Ohio River in 1771 but sold his rights to this land in 1775. John Greathouse settled on 400 acres, adjoining that of his brother Daniel, in 1774. Gabriel Greathouse acquired patent on 400 acres of land adjoining that of his father (Harmon) in 1785. William Greathouse owned land on Harmon's Creek, probably 400 acres, prior to his death in 1791. The other sons, Isaac, Harmon Jr., and Jonathan, all acquired land from their father after 1785, from his original tract of 800 acres. In 1788, Harmon Greathouse. Sr., and his wife Mary sold "218 acres and a saw mill". part of his original tract of 800 acres, to their son Harmon Jr. for X 150. Prior to this time he had sold or given to his son Jonathan 122 acres. Jonathan, in turn, sold this tract to Jonathan Boyle and Jonathan Hunt for X 100. This sale was made just prior to his ill-fated attempt to migrate to Kentucky, which will be described in detail later in this book:

It is not believed, however, that Harmon Sr. gave away any part of his land to his sons or anyone else. It was not the practice of these early Greathouses to give their children land, as will be noted from records of land transfers between father and son heretofore mentioned in this book.

By 1788 Harmon Sr. had disposed of all of his holdings in Virginia. There is no record of his ever again owning land in that State after that year. Furthermore, there is no record of a will or letter of administration for him in either Brooke or Ohio counties. Church records have been searched for entries concerning his death and burial but nothing has been found. The census of 1790 shows a Harmon Greathouse and his wife residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. It is my belief that this was Harmon Sr. and his wife Mary. This, of course, is pure conjecture, but here are my reasons for believing this to be true:

(1) In 1786 he and his wife Mary authorized the sale of all of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. This is of record in Deed Book 1, page 96, Ohio County, Virginia, and reads as follows: spelling follows the original)

October 2, 1786. "Harmon Greathouse and Mary his wife, both at present of Ohio County, Va., Mary formerly Mary Stull, for Divers good causes and Considerations us thereunto moving but more effectaly Trusting in the Provadent Care and good Management of Margret White widder and relect of Petter White which Margret was formerly Margret Stull of the County of Frederick and state of Maryland do by these presents constitute appoint and ordain the said Margret White our well beloved friend our free and lawful attorney -----to use our names for Recovoury of all Debts dues contracts moneys lands slaves goods or other property due us or either of us ----- etc."

From the above indenture we see that Harmon and his wife Mary, in 1786, gave power of attorney to Margret White, his wife's sister, to dispose of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. From the above it is evident that by 1788 Harmon and his wife had disposed of all of their holdings in both Maryland and Virginia.

(2) By 1788 both Harmon and his wife were "getting on in years", he being 68 and his wife some five years younger. His sons were in the process of moving on into the frontier settlements of Kentucky. It is logical to assume that, at his age, he did not wish to again undergo the rigors, hardships and dangers of frontier life and decided in favor of returning to the older and more populous settlement in, or near, Baltimore City, Maryland.

(3) The census of 1790 indicates that there were other members of his family residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. This also could have been an inducement for his settling there in his old age.

A thorough search has been made of the records of both Baltimore County and Baltimore City for wills or administration papers in the case of the Greathouse families reported in the 1790 census but, to my great disappointment, nothing was found.

Harmon Greathouse Sr. was a Revolutionary soldier and served in Colonel William Crawford's regiment. He participated in the expedition against Sandusky (1782). Record of his service can be found in Penn-sylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol. II, page 390.

Historical data concerning the children of Harmon Greathouse Sr.:

Rachel, eldest child of Harmon, daughter of Anna Maria Baret, his first wife, was born February 20, 1747. Entry concerning her birth can be found in the records of St. Michael's Church, Germantown, Philadel-phia, Pa. Rachel married Benjamin Tomlinson of Ohio County, Va. Little is known about Rachel or her husband after their marriage. Mrs. Nelson, in her booklet, "Greathouse Family - A History", states that her (Mrs. Nelson's) grandmother visited in the home of the Tomlinsons in Vir-ginia in 1820. If Rachel was alive at that time she would have been 73 years of age.

Daniel, eldest son of Harmon Greathouse and his wife, Mary Stull, was born about 1750 in Frederick County, Maryland. According to Thwaite & Kellog's book, "Dunmore's War", he "died of the measles in 1775." Daniel, due to his participation in the Yellow Creek massacre (1774) was probably the most publicized of any of the early members of the family. According to Doddridge's Notes and also History of the Pan-Handle, he was in command of the group of 21 men who participated in this Indian massacre. Yellow Creek is a small tributary of the Ohio River located some forty miles above Wheeling. A Mr. Baker lived at the mouth of this creek and operated an inn or tavern of sorts, selling grog to both whites and Indians. Feeling between the whites and Indians had been at a high pitch for some time; a number of both had been killed. Scouts returning to Fort Pitt reported that war was inev-itable. Word had been sent out from Wheeling for people in the out-lying settlements to come in. Baker had not responded to this call but was preparing to do so when a squaw came across the river and told him that the Indians were preparing to murder him and his family. Baker got out word that he needed help. Daniel Greathouse, with a group of 21 men, responded. They reached Baker's on April 30, 1774, and were concealed by Baker in a back room or apartment. Soon after their arrival, seven Indians came across the river to Baker's place, among them the brother of Logan, Chief of the Mingo tribue of the Iroquois Nation. Two women and a child were also in this group. The Indians were all drinking. Logan's brother put on a hat and coat belonging to one of the white men, got abusive and attempted to strike one of the white men. The white man shot and killed him. Thereupon, the white men who had been concealed in the back room rushed out and killed all of the Indians except the child. As they rushed out of the house, they saw two canoe loads of Indian braves, painted and armed for war, com-ing across the river. Daniel's group fired on them, killing most of the occupants of one of the canoes, whereupon the other turned back.

This massacre, according to some of our historians, was the direct cause of Lord Dunmore's War of 1774 in which a terrible vengeance was wreaked on the white settlers by the Indians. Chief Logan blamed Colonel Cresap for his brother's death and, according to a Mr. John Sappington (who participated In the massacre and who in 1801 made an affidavit concerning it), Cresap despised and hated Greathouse ever afterward for his part in the affair. Most of the early historians, including the Rev. Joseph Doddridge, blamed Daniel for this massacre and criticized him most severely. There is no proof that Daniel himself did this killing; the fact is that Sappington after making his affidavit, in 1801, admitted to Samuel McKee, the justice who had taken his deposition, that he himself fired the shot that killed Logan's brother.

According to Mr. Doddridge, there were three members of the Greathouse family who participated in this massacre; however, he named only historian the Rev. Joseph Doddridge is so inconsistent at times that it is quite amusing. He criticized Daniel Greathouse severely for the Yellow Creek massacre yet just a little further along in his "Notes" he has this to say: "The white settlers were compelled, by every principle of self defense, to adopt the Indian mode of warfare in all its revolting and destructive features. The Indian kills indiscriminately. His object is total extermination of his enemy, children are victims of his vengeance, etc, etc. No Indian captive should be spared his life. What advantage would be gained by this course? Let him who would defend the Indian, if he can bear the reflection, look at helpless infancy, virgin beauty and hoary age, dishonored by ghastly wounds of the tomahawk and the scalping knife."

Due to Doddridge's writing, and perhaps one or two others, Daniel Greathouse and his companions who participated in the Yellow Creek massacre have gone down in history as murderers. Recently in looking through the Encyclopedia Americana, under Dunmore's War, I found this statement: "Daniel Greathouse, a ruffian barrister, murdered five members of the family of Logan, Chief of the Iroquois." The facts are that Daniel and his party were not murderers. They were members of a legally constituted military organization of militiamen, organized for the specific purpose of protecting settlers from the ravages of the Indians. They were in the proper performance of their duty when they responded to Mr. Baker's call for help. It wasn't the fact that they had killed an Indian, or several Indians that mattered - it was the fact that they were unfortunate enough to have killed the brother of an important and popular Chief, who had, in the past, been friendly toward the whites.

There is no doubt in my mind but that Daniel took the scalps of his slain Indian foes and dangled them from his belt in true frontier fashion. He was a rugged frontiersman, but you had to be both rugged and ruthless in order to keep your own hair and stay alive in those days. Even the sanctimonious Mr. Doddridge, in his writings, condoned the use of the scalping knife and the tomahawk by the white settlers, but he mercilessly castigated Daniel and his group for doing the very things upon which he had placed the stamp of his approval.

It is believed that Daniel never married. I found an entry in the records of Yohogania County, Virginia, where, in 1778, three men were appointed by the court to appraise the estate of Daniel Greathouse, deceased. I have found no record of a will or letter of administration for his estate.

If, as some historians would have us believe, the Yellow Creek massacre brought on Dunmore's War, then Daniel, and his cohorts, on that fateful 30th of April, 1774, were instrumental in altering the course of history for years to come, since the Treaty of Chillicothe, which ended the war, kept the Indians quiet for a number of years and permitted the settlement of Kentucky long before it would have otherwise been possible.

As for me, I have a wholesome respect and admiration for Daniel Greathouse and all of his ilk. These sturdy frontiersmen and pioneers, who suffered untold hardships and lived under almost intolerable conditions, succeeded in overcoming and subduing the Indian tribes and thereby paved the way for the rapid settlement and growth of this great nation of ours. I have no patience with latter-day historians who, from the sanctuary of a land free from internal strife, so glibly condemn as "murderers" their forefathers, who, by almost superhuman efforts, made it possible for these same, smug historians to live in a land of peace and plenty. All hail to Daniel and his contemporaries! They deserve the respect and reverence of the generations of Americans who have succeeded them. I am thankful that the blood of these men still courses through the veins of many of us. Our Country will be safe and well defended as long as descendants of these men form a preponderance of our population.

Mr. Simpson, author of "Old Westmorland", says this of the Rev. Joseph Doddridge: "Doddridge's books well describe conditions of pioneer life in western Pennsylvania, but as to historical events they are totally unreliable. Doddridge was a mere boy when these events of border warfare occurred and he did not write his notes until some forty years later. His only source of information was the exaggerated yarns told by ignorant frontiersmen beside the log cabin fires into the ears of the wondering boy."

Susannah Greathouse was born in the year 1756. She married Van Swearingen of Ohio County, Virginia. Mr. Swearingen served as a Captain during the War of the Revolution.

The Swearingens migrated to Kentucky and established themselves in Shelby County. Captain Swearingen was born November 3, 1754, and died in Shelby County, Kentucky, July 1839. He was almost 85 years of age at the time of his death. His will, which is of record in Shelby County, mentions his wife Susannah and the children. The names of their children were as follows: Caty, Harmon, Charles, Matilda, Van, Drusilla, Rachel, and Polly. I have been unable to determine the date of Susannah's death. She was alive at the time of her husband's death and was 82 years of age.

Mary Greathouse was born during the year 1758. She was married in 1782 to Joseph Fawcett. I have been unable to find any further record of Mary or her husband.

Gabriel Greathouse was born in the year 1761 in Frederick County, Maryland, and died in Pulaski County, Arkansas, about 1828. He was about 67 years of age at the time of his death. On October 13, 1798, he and his wife Ruth, then residents of Bourbon County, Kentucky, sold their 400 acres of land in Brooke County, Virginia, to George Edgington of Brooke County for the sum of $1200. (Note: This is the same George Edgington who married Elizabeth Greathouse, widow of William, Gabriel's brother.) This transaction is recorded in Deed Book 1, page 463 Brooke County, West Virginia.

The description of this land states that it joined the land of Harmon Greathouse (Gabriel's father). Gabriel is the most elusive of all of our ancestors, due to the fact that, apparently, he never again obtained title to any land, either in Kentucky or Arkansas. This is understandable to some extent since in those early days, in both Kentucky and Arkansas, a man could "squat" on a tract of land indefinitely, then he could either sell his "squatter's right" or he could apply for a patent and get a clear and sound title to his land. "Squatter's rights" however were recognized and many a man in those days acquired title to large tracts of land by merely purchasing from the "squatter" his rights; then, without any long delay, he could apply for and secure a patent or title. The "squatter" would then move onto another tract of Government land and repeat the procedure.

The next we hear of Gabriel is when Mr. William E. Woodruff, editor of the little newspaper at Arkansas Post, published under date of Dec. 4, 1819, a list of people for whom there was mail waiting at the post office at Arkansas Post. In this list was the name of "Gabriel Greathouse". (Note: This was the second issue of this newspaper, the first issue having been published on November 20, 1819.) This notice, insofar as Gabriel is concerned, could have meant anything. It could have meant that Gabriel had not as yet arrived in Arkansas or it could have meant merely that Gabriel was a little slow in calling for his mail.

Since Mr. Woodruff did not, unfortunately, publish the date of this notice (which he had evidently copied from the postmaster's bulletin board), it may have been an old and weathered notice which had been there for some time and the young Mr. Woodruff, in his zealous search for something to print, merely copied and published it in order to fill space in his paper. I am inclined to believe that this was the case, Even in my time, I have walked into country post offices and read notices on the bulletin board which were yellow with age. These old rural postmasters were not very neat housekeepers. (Note: This little newspaper, published for the first time at Arkansas Post on November 20, 1819, (published every two weeks), was the fore-runner of the present-day "Arkansas Gazette".

It is my opinion that Gabriel was in Arkansas much earlier than 1819 However, since we have nothing more definite to go on than Mr. Woodruff's newspaper announcement, we will have to assume that he did not arrive much earlier than the year 1819.

In 1820 Gabriel Greathouse was elected sheriff of Pulaski County (Arkansas Territory) and served in that capacity for one two-year term 1821-1823. (Note: Mr. Claude Rankin, Commissioner of Lands, State of Arkansas, says that he has proof of this in the files in his office.)

At this late date even the passing of Gabriel is shrouded in obscurity. We know however that he must have died some time during the six year period - 1824-1830, for in 1830 his widow, Ruth Greathouse, was making her home with her son Daniel. The census of 1830 for Pulaski County, Arkansas, lists "one female, 60-70" as a member of his household. In further proof of this, I remember hearing my father, Benj. H. Greathouse (1849-1940), make the following remark with reference to his grandmother, Elizabeth Magness Greathouse: "She was an exceptionally good woman; she took care of her husband's mother for several years and cared for her aged father during his last illness and death"

There has long been a legend to the effect that one of the older members of the Arkansas branch of the family lost his life by drowning while engaged in moving Indians. I had always thought, until began this research, that this was great-grandfather Daniel. However, I have found that Daniel died in bed at his home, in 1836. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that some member of the family did die in this manner, as I have heard the story both from my father and grandfather. This story was told to me as a child and I do not have too clear a recollection of the details, but as I recall, his body was never recovered from the stream in which he was drowned.

The member of the family who lost his life in this manner could have been Gabriel (father of Daniel). Although the forced migration of the Cherokees did not start until the 1830's there was a voluntary movement on the part of a large number of this tribe during the 1820's. This movement had the blessings and aid of the Federal Government. Since the route of march in the movement of these Indians was through both Pulaski and Conway counties, it is entirely possible that Gabriel being an ex-sheriff and acquainted with the country, was given employment (probably as a guide) by the contractor in charge.

It is my firm belief that Gabriel Greathouse, Cicero Hinkson and Robert Magness, together with their families, came to Arkansas during the year 1815. They settled on the upper waters of Bayou Meto, some 15 miles north of Little Rock. Gabriel Greathouse and his wife Ruth came from Bourbon County, Kentucky. They brought with them to Arkansas three of their children whose names were Mary, John and Daniel. There may have been other children but I am inclined to believe this was their entire family.

Gabriel's wife Ruth died in the early spring Of 1841. She made a will which was probated in Pulaski County, Arkansas, on April 20, 1841. In her will she left all of her belongings, which consisted of cattle, hogs and household furnishings, to her daughter, Mary Greathouse Hinkson, with whom she was making her home at the time of her death. It is believed that she was about 74 years of age at the time of her death.

Harmon Greathouse Jr., was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1762 and died in Nelson County, Kentucky, in 1849. He was 87 years of age at the time of his death. He was married twice. His first wife was Mary Massey of Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia). His second wife was Mercy (or Marcia) Bukey, also of Ohio County, Virginia. In the early 1790's he and his wife Mercy migrated to Nelson County, Kentucky, where they reared a large family. It is believed that Harmon Jr.'s first wife died young and that the mother of all of his children was his second wife, Mercy Bukey. Harmon Jr. and his wife Mercy both died in Nelson County, Kentucky, and are buried near the village of Deatsville on property now owned by the Sorrell's Distilling Company. The headstone at their graves is still standing and the inscriptions thereon read as follows: "Mercy Greathouse, born March 19, 1768; Died February 25, 1841.""Harmon Greathouse, born June 30, 1762; Died July 5, 1849." (Note: The author has seen a photograph of this large stone. It was cut in such a manner as to give the appearance of two stones but is in reality just one large stone.) Harmon Jr. was a soldier of the Revolution. He served in the Washington County, Pa., militia. (Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Volume II, page 152.)

Notes for Harmon GROETHAUSEN:

General Notes:

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN MARYLAND

Harman Greathouse (or Harmon, as he himself spelled it) was the oldest son of Henry Grothouse of Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, Pa., and the grandson of Herman Groethausen the emigrant. He was born in Lancaster County in 1720. He was married twice. His first wife was Anna Maria Baret and it is believed that they were married in the year 1745. My reason for this belief is based on entries found in the records of St. Michaels Church, Germantown, for that year. These entries were as follows:

"Harman Grothouse and wife Anna Maria Baret were sponsors at the baptism of Anna Maria, daughter of Georg Michael Schellmeir, born Jan. 9, baptized June 2, 1745."

"Johannes, son of Johann Jacob Leimer and his wife Regina, born Jan. 8. 1745, baptized June 2, 1745. Sponsors: Baltus Baret and wife."

(Note: Since the name Baret does not appear in the records of St. Michaels Church before or after the date of these baptisms, it is believed that Baltus Baret and his wife (evidently the parents of Anna Maria, the wife of Harman Grothouse) came from afar and were there on that particular date for some special occasion. It is my belief that they were there for the marriage of their daughter and that sponsoring the two baptisms was incidental to the main event - the marriage. This however is pure conjecture and should be treated as such.)

To this marriage between Harman Grothouse and Anna Maria Baret, only one child was born -a daughter. Record of this child's birth and baptism is found in an entry in the records of St. Michaels Church, which reads as follows:

"Rachel, daughter of Harman Grothouse and his wife Maria, born Feb. 20, 1747, baptized April 12, 1747. Sponsors: Jurg (George) Rieger and wife Barbara."

It is believed that Anna Maria Baret, first wife of Harman Grothouse, must have died within a short time after the birth of their daughter Rachel. In 1748 or 1749 he migrated to Frederick County, Maryland, and there married Mary Stull, daughter of Captain John Stull.

Captain John Stull made a will, which is of record in Frederick County, Maryland, dated October 1749 and probated in 1751. In this will he makes mention of his daughter Mary, wife of Harmon Greathouse, and "their little daughter Rachel". From this will it is evident that Harmon must have married his second wife, Mary Stull, in 1748 or 1749.

(Note: The name of Rachel Grothouse does not again appear in the records of St. Michaels Church Germantown, after the date of the entry quoted above concerning her birth and baptism.)

Evidently Harmon and his wife lived in Frederick County, Maryland, from 1749 to 1771, a period of 22 years. During this period nine children were born to them and their names were as follows:

DanielGabriel

WilliamHarmon, Jr.

JohnIsaac

Susannah Jonathan

Mary

I don't know that I have the children listed in the order of their birth. I am assuming that Daniel was the oldest since apparently he was of age when they moved to Virginia in 1771 -- he filed on land at the same time his father did (1771), the other children filing at later dates. If Daniel was born in 1750, he would have reached the age of 21 in 1771.

(Note: Mary Stull, mother of the above-named children of Harmon Greathouse, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1725; this would make her five years younger than her husband.)

In 1770 or early in 1771, Harmon Greathouse, together with his wife and ten children, moved from Frederick County, Maryland, to the Commonwealth of Virginia, settling in what was then known as Augusta County. Augusta County, at that time, took in most of what is now the State of West Virginia. Later, the area in which he settled was called Yohogania County, then Ohio County. In 1797 Brooke County was formed from land cut off from Ohio County. The Greathouse lands all lay in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. Brooke County is located in what is now known as "The Panhandle of West Virginia". This is a very narrow strip of land located between the western boundary of Pennsylvania and the Ohio River which forms the boundary between West Virginia and Ohio.

GREATHOUSE FAMILY IN VIRGINIA

When Harmon Greathouse moved to Virginia he settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia. "History of the Panhandle", published 1879, says that Harmon Greathouse was the first settler in what is now Brooke County. Harmon's Creek, site of the Greathouse settlement, was named for him. The Rev. Joseph Doddridge in his book, "Doddridge's Notes", says this of these early pioneers:

"A fierce, implacable foe met them on every hand. Braddock's Trail was the route by which the greater number crossed the mountains. Some came by way of Bedford and Fort Ligonier, few were incumbered with much baggage. Land was their object. Raising a crop of grain, however small, entitled the settler to 400 acres of land."

(Note: I shall quote quite often from Mr. Doddridge's writings. He was a son of John Doddridge, an early settler of what is now Brooke County, West Virginia, and he himself was reared there. He was born in 1769. He wrote his book, "Doddridge's Notes", when he was 52 years of age. He married Jemima Bukey in 1793. She was the sister of Marcy Bukey, wife of Harmon Greathouse, Jr.)

Names of other pioneer families who by 1773 had settled in what is now Brooke County were Wells, Caldwell, Doddridge,Brown, Biggs, Swearingen, Elson, Baxter, Baker, Crawford, and some few others.

Almost all of the early settlers of the Panhandle of West Virginia came from Maryland and Virginia, around the Potomac River section.

Although Harmon Greathouse settled on the waters of Harmon's Creek in 1771, he did not receive a patent on his land until 1785. In 1785 the Commonwealth of Virginia granted him a patent to 800 acres. Daniel Greathouse, his eldest son, settled on 400 acres located in the Mingo Bottom of the Ohio River in 1771 but sold his rights to this land in 1775. John Greathouse settled on 400 acres, adjoining that of his brother Daniel, in 1774. Gabriel Greathouse acquired patent on 400 acres of land adjoining that of his father (Harmon) in 1785. William Greathouse owned land on Harmon's Creek, probably 400 acres, prior to his death in 1791. The other sons, Isaac, Harmon Jr., and Jonathan, all acquired land from their father after 1785, from his original tract of 800 acres. In 1788, Harmon Greathouse. Sr., and his wife Mary sold "218 acres and a saw mill". part of his original tract of 800 acres, to their son Harmon Jr. for X 150. Prior to this time he had sold or given to his son Jonathan 122 acres. Jonathan, in turn, sold this tract to Jonathan Boyle and Jonathan Hunt for X 100. This sale was made just prior to his ill-fated attempt to migrate to Kentucky, which will be described in detail later in this book:

It is not believed, however, that Harmon Sr. gave away any part of his land to his sons or anyone else. It was not the practice of these early Greathouses to give their children land, as will be noted from records of land transfers between father and son heretofore mentioned in this book.

By 1788 Harmon Sr. had disposed of all of his holdings in Virginia. There is no record of his ever again owning land in that State after that year. Furthermore, there is no record of a will or letter of administration for him in either Brooke or Ohio counties. Church records have been searched for entries concerning his death and burial but nothing has been found. The census of 1790 shows a Harmon Greathouse and his wife residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. It is my belief that this was Harmon Sr. and his wife Mary. This, of course, is pure conjecture, but here are my reasons for believing this to be true:

(1) In 1786 he and his wife Mary authorized the sale of all of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. This is of record in Deed Book 1, page 96, Ohio County, Virginia, and reads as follows: spelling follows the original)

October 2, 1786. "Harmon Greathouse and Mary his wife, both at present of Ohio County, Va., Mary formerly Mary Stull, for Divers good causes and Considerations us thereunto moving but more effectaly Trusting in the Provadent Care and good Management of Margret White widder and relect of Petter White which Margret was formerly Margret Stull of the County of Frederick and state of Maryland do by these presents constitute appoint and ordain the said Margret White our well beloved friend our free and lawful attorney -----to use our names for Recovoury of all Debts dues contracts moneys lands slaves goods or other property due us or either of us ----- etc."

From the above indenture we see that Harmon and his wife Mary, in 1786, gave power of attorney to Margret White, his wife's sister, to dispose of their holdings in Frederick County, Maryland. From the above it is evident that by 1788 Harmon and his wife had disposed of all of their holdings in both Maryland and Virginia.

(2) By 1788 both Harmon and his wife were "getting on in years", he being 68 and his wife some five years younger. His sons were in the process of moving on into the frontier settlements of Kentucky. It is logical to assume that, at his age, he did not wish to again undergo the rigors, hardships and dangers of frontier life and decided in favor of returning to the older and more populous settlement in, or near, Baltimore City, Maryland.

(3) The census of 1790 indicates that there were other members of his family residing in Baltimore County, Maryland. This also could have been an inducement for his settling there in his old age.

A thorough search has been made of the records of both Baltimore County and Baltimore City for wills or administration papers in the case of the Greathouse families reported in the 1790 census but, to my great disappointment, nothing was found.

Harmon Greathouse Sr. was a Revolutionary soldier and served in Colonel William Crawford's regiment. He participated in the expedition against Sandusky (1782). Record of his service can be found in Penn-sylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol. II, page 390.

Historical data concerning the children of Harmon Greathouse Sr.:

Rachel, eldest child of Harmon, daughter of Anna Maria Baret, his first wife, was born February 20, 1747. Entry concerning her birth can be found in the records of St. Michael's Church, Germantown, Philadel-phia, Pa. Rachel married Benjamin Tomlinson of Ohio County, Va. Little is known about Rachel or her husband after their marriage. Mrs. Nelson, in her booklet, "Greathouse Family - A History", states that her (Mrs. Nelson's) grandmother visited in the home of the Tomlinsons in Vir-ginia in 1820. If Rachel was alive at that time she would have been 73 years of age.

Daniel, eldest son of Harmon Greathouse and his wife, Mary Stull, was born about 1750 in Frederick County, Maryland. According to Thwaite & Kellog's book, "Dunmore's War", he "died of the measles in 1775." Daniel, due to his participation in the Yellow Creek massacre (1774) was probably the most publicized of any of the early members of the family. According to Doddridge's Notes and also History of the Pan-Handle, he was in command of the group of 21 men who participated in this Indian massacre. Yellow Creek is a small tributary of the Ohio River located some forty miles above Wheeling. A Mr. Baker lived at the mouth of this creek and operated an inn or tavern of sorts, selling grog to both whites and Indians. Feeling between the whites and Indians had been at a high pitch for some time; a number of both had been killed. Scouts returning to Fort Pitt reported that war was inev-itable. Word had been sent out from Wheeling for people in the out-lying settlements to come in. Baker had not responded to this call but was preparing to do so when a squaw came across the river and told him that the Indians were preparing to murder him and his family. Baker got out word that he needed help. Daniel Greathouse, with a group of 21 men, responded. They reached Baker's on April 30, 1774, and were concealed by Baker in a back room or apartment. Soon after their arrival, seven Indians came across the river to Baker's place, among them the brother of Logan, Chief of the Mingo tribue of the Iroquois Nation. Two women and a child were also in this group. The Indians were all drinking. Logan's brother put on a hat and coat belonging to one of the white men, got abusive and attempted to strike one of the white men. The white man shot and killed him. Thereupon, the white men who had been concealed in the back room rushed out and killed all of the Indians except the child. As they rushed out of the house, they saw two canoe loads of Indian braves, painted and armed for war, com-ing across the river. Daniel's group fired on them, killing most of the occupants of one of the canoes, whereupon the other turned back.

This massacre, according to some of our historians, was the direct cause of Lord Dunmore's War of 1774 in which a terrible vengeance was wreaked on the white settlers by the Indians. Chief Logan blamed Colonel Cresap for his brother's death and, according to a Mr. John Sappington (who participated In the massacre and who in 1801 made an affidavit concerning it), Cresap despised and hated Greathouse ever afterward for his part in the affair. Most of the early historians, including the Rev. Joseph Doddridge, blamed Daniel for this massacre and criticized him most severely. There is no proof that Daniel himself did this killing; the fact is that Sappington after making his affidavit, in 1801, admitted to Samuel McKee, the justice who had taken his deposition, that he himself fired the shot that killed Logan's brother.

According to Mr. Doddridge, there were three members of the Greathouse family who participated in this massacre; however, he named only historian the Rev. Joseph Doddridge is so inconsistent at times that it is quite amusing. He criticized Daniel Greathouse severely for the Yellow Creek massacre yet just a little further along in his "Notes" he has this to say: "The white settlers were compelled, by every principle of self defense, to adopt the Indian mode of warfare in all its revolting and destructive features. The Indian kills indiscriminately. His object is total extermination of his enemy, children are victims of his vengeance, etc, etc. No Indian captive should be spared his life. What advantage would be gained by this course? Let him who would defend the Indian, if he can bear the reflection, look at helpless infancy, virgin beauty and hoary age, dishonored by ghastly wounds of the tomahawk and the scalping knife."

Due to Doddridge's writing, and perhaps one or two others, Daniel Greathouse and his companions who participated in the Yellow Creek massacre have gone down in history as murderers. Recently in looking through the Encyclopedia Americana, under Dunmore's War, I found this statement: "Daniel Greathouse, a ruffian barrister, murdered five members of the family of Logan, Chief of the Iroquois." The facts are that Daniel and his party were not murderers. They were members of a legally constituted military organization of militiamen, organized for the specific purpose of protecting settlers from the ravages of the Indians. They were in the proper performance of their duty when they responded to Mr. Baker's call for help. It wasn't the fact that they had killed an Indian, or several Indians that mattered - it was the fact that they were unfortunate enough to have killed the brother of an important and popular Chief, who had, in the past, been friendly toward the whites.

There is no doubt in my mind but that Daniel took the scalps of his slain Indian foes and dangled them from his belt in true frontier fashion. He was a rugged frontiersman, but you had to be both rugged and ruthless in order to keep your own hair and stay alive in those days. Even the sanctimonious Mr. Doddridge, in his writings, condoned the use of the scalping knife and the tomahawk by the white settlers, but he mercilessly castigated Daniel and his group for doing the very things upon which he had placed the stamp of his approval.

It is believed that Daniel never married. I found an entry in the records of Yohogania County, Virginia, where, in 1778, three men were appointed by the court to appraise the estate of Daniel Greathouse, deceased. I have found no record of a will or letter of administration for his estate.

If, as some historians would have us believe, the Yellow Creek massacre brought on Dunmore's War, then Daniel, and his cohorts, on that fateful 30th of April, 1774, were instrumental in altering the course of history for years to come, since the Treaty of Chillicothe, which ended the war, kept the Indians quiet for a number of years and permitted the settlement of Kentucky long before it would have otherwise been possible.

As for me, I have a wholesome respect and admiration for Daniel Greathouse and all of his ilk. These sturdy frontiersmen and pioneers, who suffered untold hardships and lived under almost intolerable conditions, succeeded in overcoming and subduing the Indian tribes and thereby paved the way for the rapid settlement and growth of this great nation of ours. I have no patience with latter-day historians who, from the sanctuary of a land free from internal strife, so glibly condemn as "murderers" their forefathers, who, by almost superhuman efforts, made it possible for these same, smug historians to live in a land of peace and plenty. All hail to Daniel and his contemporaries! They deserve the respect and reverence of the generations of Americans who have succeeded them. I am thankful that the blood of these men still courses through the veins of many of us. Our Country will be safe and well defended as long as descendants of these men form a preponderance of our population.

Mr. Simpson, author of "Old Westmorland", says this of the Rev. Joseph Doddridge: "Doddridge's books well describe conditions of pioneer life in western Pennsylvania, but as to historical events they are totally unreliable. Doddridge was a mere boy when these events of border warfare occurred and he did not write his notes until some forty years later. His only source of information was the exaggerated yarns told by ignorant frontiersmen beside the log cabin fires into the ears of the wondering boy."

Susannah Greathouse was born in the year 1756. She married Van Swearingen of Ohio County, Virginia. Mr. Swearingen served as a Captain during the War of the Revolution.

The Swearingens migrated to Kentucky and established themselves in Shelby County. Captain Swearingen was born November 3, 1754, and died in Shelby County, Kentucky, July 1839. He was almost 85 years of age at the time of his death. His will, which is of record in Shelby County, mentions his wife Susannah and the children. The names of their children were as follows: Caty, Harmon, Charles, Matilda, Van, Drusilla, Rachel, and Polly. I have been unable to determine the date of Susannah's death. She was alive at the time of her husband's death and was 82 years of age.

Mary Greathouse was born during the year 1758. She was married in 1782 to Joseph Fawcett. I have been unable to find any further record of Mary or her husband.

Gabriel Greathouse was born in the year 1761 in Frederick County, Maryland, and died in Pulaski County, Arkansas, about 1828. He was about 67 years of age at the time of his death. On October 13, 1798, he and his wife Ruth, then residents of Bourbon County, Kentucky, sold their 400 acres of land in Brooke County, Virginia, to George Edgington of Brooke County for the sum of $1200. (Note: This is the same George Edgington who married Elizabeth Greathouse, widow of William, Gabriel's brother.) This transaction is recorded in Deed Book 1, page 463 Brooke County, West Virginia.

The description of this land states that it joined the land of Harmon Greathouse (Gabriel's father). Gabriel is the most elusive of all of our ancestors, due to the fact that, apparently, he never again obtained title to any land, either in Kentucky or Arkansas. This is understandable to some extent since in those early days, in both Kentucky and Arkansas, a man could "squat" on a tract of land indefinitely, then he could either sell his "squatter's right" or he could apply for a patent and get a clear and sound title to his land. "Squatter's rights" however were recognized and many a man in those days acquired title to large tracts of land by merely purchasing from the "squatter" his rights; then, without any long delay, he could apply for and secure a patent or title. The "squatter" would then move onto another tract of Government land and repeat the procedure.

The next we hear of Gabriel is when Mr. William E. Woodruff, editor of the little newspaper at Arkansas Post, published under date of Dec. 4, 1819, a list of people for whom there was mail waiting at the post office at Arkansas Post. In this list was the name of "Gabriel Greathouse". (Note: This was the second issue of this newspaper, the first issue having been published on November 20, 1819.) This notice, insofar as Gabriel is concerned, could have meant anything. It could have meant that Gabriel had not as yet arrived in Arkansas or it could have meant merely that Gabriel was a little slow in calling for his mail.

Since Mr. Woodruff did not, unfortunately, publish the date of this notice (which he had evidently copied from the postmaster's bulletin board), it may have been an old and weathered notice which had been there for some time and the young Mr. Woodruff, in his zealous search for something to print, merely copied and published it in order to fill space in his paper. I am inclined to believe that this was the case, Even in my time, I have walked into country post offices and read notices on the bulletin board which were yellow with age. These old rural postmasters were not very neat housekeepers. (Note: This little newspaper, published for the first time at Arkansas Post on November 20, 1819, (published every two weeks), was the fore-runner of the present-day "Arkansas Gazette".

It is my opinion that Gabriel was in Arkansas much earlier than 1819 However, since we have nothing more definite to go on than Mr. Woodruff's newspaper announcement, we will have to assume that he did not arrive much earlier than the year 1819.

In 1820 Gabriel Greathouse was elected sheriff of Pulaski County (Arkansas Territory) and served in that capacity for one two-year term 1821-1823. (Note: Mr. Claude Rankin, Commissioner of Lands, State of Arkansas, says that he has proof of this in the files in his office.)

At this late date even the passing of Gabriel is shrouded in obscurity. We know however that he must have died some time during the six year period - 1824-1830, for in 1830 his widow, Ruth Greathouse, was making her home with her son Daniel. The census of 1830 for Pulaski County, Arkansas, lists "one female, 60-70" as a member of his household. In further proof of this, I remember hearing my father, Benj. H. Greathouse (1849-1940), make the following remark with reference to his grandmother, Elizabeth Magness Greathouse: "She was an exceptionally good woman; she took care of her husband's mother for several years and cared for her aged father during his last illness and death"

There has long been a legend to the effect that one of the older members of the Arkansas branch of the family lost his life by drowning while engaged in moving Indians. I had always thought, until began this research, that this was great-grandfather Daniel. However, I have found that Daniel died in bed at his home, in 1836. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that some member of the family did die in this manner, as I have heard the story both from my father and grandfather. This story was told to me as a child and I do not have too clear a recollection of the details, but as I recall, his body was never recovered from the stream in which he was drowned.

The member of the family who lost his life in this manner could have been Gabriel (father of Daniel). Although the forced migration of the Cherokees did not start until the 1830's there was a voluntary movement on the part of a large number of this tribe during the 1820's. This movement had the blessings and aid of the Federal Government. Since the route of march in the movement of these Indians was through both Pulaski and Conway counties, it is entirely possible that Gabriel being an ex-sheriff and acquainted with the country, was given employment (probably as a guide) by the contractor in charge.

It is my firm belief that Gabriel Greathouse, Cicero Hinkson and Robert Magness, together with their families, came to Arkansas during the year 1815. They settled on the upper waters of Bayou Meto, some 15 miles north of Little Rock. Gabriel Greathouse and his wife Ruth came from Bourbon County, Kentucky. They brought with them to Arkansas three of their children whose names were Mary, John and Daniel. There may have been other children but I am inclined to believe this was their entire family.

Gabriel's wife Ruth died in the early spring Of 1841. She made a will which was probated in Pulaski County, Arkansas, on April 20, 1841. In her will she left all of her belongings, which consisted of cattle, hogs and household furnishings, to her daughter, Mary Greathouse Hinkson, with whom she was making her home at the time of her death. It is believed that she was about 74 years of age at the time of her death.

Harmon Greathouse Jr., was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1762 and died in Nelson County, Kentucky, in 1849. He was 87 years of age at the time of his death. He was married twice. His first wife was Mary Massey of Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia). His second wife was Mercy (or Marcia) Bukey, also of Ohio County, Virginia. In the early 1790's he and his wife Mercy migrated to Nelson County, Kentucky, where they reared a large family. It is believed that Harmon Jr.'s first wife died young and that the mother of all of his children was his second wife, Mercy Bukey. Harmon Jr. and his wife Mercy both died in Nelson County, Kentucky, and are buried near the village of Deatsville on property now owned by the Sorrell's Distilling Company. The headstone at their graves is still standing and the inscriptions thereon read as follows: "Mercy Greathouse, born March 19, 1768; Died February 25, 1841.""Harmon Greathouse, born June 30, 1762; Died July 5, 1849." (Note: The author has seen a photograph of this large stone. It was cut in such a manner as to give the appearance of two stones but is in reality just one large stone.) Harmon Jr. was a soldier of the Revolution. He served in the Washington County, Pa., militia. (Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Volume II, page 152.)

Notes for Harmon GREATHOUSE Jr.:

General Notes:

HARMON GREATHOUSE

1762-1849

Harmon Greathouse was born in Frederick Co. Maryland on June 30, 1762.He was the fourth son of Harmon Greathouse, Sr., a German immigrant, Harmon Greathouse served in the Sandusky, Ohio Expedition.His unit fought against the Indians in 1781 under Col.William Crawford and Capt.Charles Bilderback.A lively battle was fought at a spot about five miles north of the old Sandusky Fort.Though about equal in numbers initially, Indian reinforcements soon gave the Indians a better than three-to-one advantage.Orders were given for the soldiers to retreat - every man for himself Harmon Greathouse had a very fine filly and could have made his retreat without any difficulty.However, he came upon a fellow soldier who was afoot and lame.Knowing that this comrade-in-arms would be captured and scalped by the Indians, Greathouse dismounted and gave up his horse and a portion of his rations.He then bid the soldier farewell and continued his escape on foot.Greathouse met up with ten members of his old company and together they marched day and night for about a week.With little rest and only buds and roots for subsistence, they eventually reached their settlement.Only about 60 of the original 400 soldiers reached home.Among these was the lame soldier who returned with Harmon Greathouse’s horse.Harmon Greathouse died July 5, 1849 in Bardstown, KY.

Additional Information

Harmon Greathouse, Jr. was the son of Harmon Greathouse and Mary Stull.He was born June 30, 1762 in Baltimore ( now Carroll) Co., MD.His first wife that he married about 1784 was MARY GRIFFITH of Ohio Co., VA.She was prob.the daughter of Capt. William Griffith.

(Harmon’s first wife’s name is clarified by the writings of his son, William Greathouse.William called her Mary Griffin, but the surname of the family of the area was Griffith.Harmon’s first wife has been often called Mary “Massey”, incorrectly.This surname was mistaken with his second wife’s given name Mercy which occured as an error years ago and has been copied and passed down to each generation.)

Harmon and Mary Griffith had two children, both of which died young.

1. Unknown child Greathouse b. about 1785

2. Unknown child Greathouse b. about 1787

Mary Griffith Greathouse died June 25, 1787 in Ohio ( now Brooke) Co., (W)VA probably as a result of the birth of her second child.She was buried in a cemetery on the banks of the Ohio River where Fort Holliday was located.Holiday’s Cove is now Weirton, WV.

Harmon married the second time on March 5, 1789 in Ohio Co., (W) VA to MERCY BUKEY,daughter of Capt. John Bukey who died in 1778 in Ohio Co., (W)VA and his wife was Jemima Dunn, who was administratrix of his will on Aug. 3, 1778.Jemima was the daughter of Hezekiah Dunn of NJ and his wife Marcy Martin.

MERCY BUKEYwas born March 19, 1768 in Ohio (now Brooke) Co., ( W) VA.

They had 10 children.

1. Lutherb. Dec. 5, 1789; md unknown then married Mary Samuels.

2. Jonathan b. Feb. 18, 1791; married Sarah Caldwell.

3. Dr. Isaac Newton b. Nov. 18 1792; md. Elizabeth Berkeley Lewis.

4. William b. Jan. 4, 1794; md.Sarah Beall Swearingen & then Catherine M.

Stowers.

5. John Bukey b. Feb. 12, 1797; md. Elizabeth Grass.

6. Mary b. March 8, 1799; md. Shadrack Hall.

7. Rodolphus Bukey b. Aug. 21, 1801; md Susannah Rebecca Lewis.

8. Joseph Fawcett b. March 17, 1804; md. Mildred Hughes.

9. Jemima Greathouse (twin) b. Dec. 27, 1807; md. James Porter.

10. Elizabeth (twin) b. Dec. 27, 1807; md. Coleman Bridwell

Some of you may have a child by the name of Rebecca.This information came from Alice Winters Nelson in her history of the Greathouse family.Rebecca is not listed as a child in the records of Alphonzo Hall.Hall’s record came from a bible record and is probably correct.There is no documentation that Rebecca is a child of Harmon and Mercy Bukey. As you can see Hermon was not burned at the stake.This unhappy fate of Capt.Crawford was incorrectly interpreted as the fate od Herman Greathouse, Sr. by at least 3 members of the DAR and has been copied and quotedby researchers.These 3 DAR records are marked ERRORED in the files of the NSDAR in Wash., DC.Herman , Jr. was a member of Capt. William Crawford’s regiment during Crawford’s fateful expedition against the Sandusky Indians in 1782.William Greathouse, his son, in his writings told how he escaped and returned home.

Harmon Greathouse’s grave is located in the farm field of 600 acres that belong to John Mayer in Deatsville, KY.The two headstones are joined together and stand upright.Harmon’s inscription is on the right side and Mercy’s inscription is on the left side as you look at the stone marker.

Inscriptions:

In Memory of Harmon Greathouse who Departed this life on the 5th Day of July 1849

Born June the 30th 1762

In Memory of Mercy Greathouse who Departed this life on the 25th day of February 1841

Born March The 19th 1768

New DAR Stone in white marble (stands upright , also):

HERMON GREATHOUSE, JR.(ERROR BY STONE CUTTER SHOULD BE HARMON)

PVT Continental Line Rev. War

Jun. 30 1762

Jul. 5 1849

Bronze Plaque lies on or in ground at the foot of the marble stone.

RevolutionarySoldier

Harmon Greathouse

Private of PA

17621849

Placed by Cahokia Mound Chapter, NSDAR Oct 1998

Both of these graves are enclosed by a square rock wall.This wall was rebuild by a stone mason hired by Dr. Richard F. Greathouse of Louisville, KY.

It was a very impressive dedication.If Harmon was looking down upon us, I think he would have been proud of his descendants and his gravestone improvements.

Notes for Harmon GREATHOUSE Jr.:

General Notes:

HARMON GREATHOUSE

1762-1849

Harmon Greathouse was born in Frederick Co. Maryland on June 30, 1762.He was the fourth son of Harmon Greathouse, Sr., a German immigrant, Harmon Greathouse served in the Sandusky, Ohio Expedition.His unit fought against the Indians in 1781 under Col.William Crawford and Capt.Charles Bilderback.A lively battle was fought at a spot about five miles north of the old Sandusky Fort.Though about equal in numbers initially, Indian reinforcements soon gave the Indians a better than three-to-one advantage.Orders were given for the soldiers to retreat - every man for himself Harmon Greathouse had a very fine filly and could have made his retreat without any difficulty.However, he came upon a fellow soldier who was afoot and lame.Knowing that this comrade-in-arms would be captured and scalped by the Indians, Greathouse dismounted and gave up his horse and a portion of his rations.He then bid the soldier farewell and continued his escape on foot.Greathouse met up with ten members of his old company and together they marched day and night for about a week.With little rest and only buds and roots for subsistence, they eventually reached their settlement.Only about 60 of the original 400 soldiers reached home.Among these was the lame soldier who returned with Harmon Greathouse’s horse.Harmon Greathouse died July 5, 1849 in Bardstown, KY.

Additional Information

Harmon Greathouse, Jr. was the son of Harmon Greathouse and Mary Stull.He was born June 30, 1762 in Baltimore ( now Carroll) Co., MD.His first wife that he married about 1784 was MARY GRIFFITH of Ohio Co., VA.She was prob.the daughter of Capt. William Griffith.

(Harmon’s first wife’s name is clarified by the writings of his son, William Greathouse.William called her Mary Griffin, but the surname of the family of the area was Griffith.Harmon’s first wife has been often called Mary “Massey”, incorrectly.This surname was mistaken with his second wife’s given name Mercy which occured as an error years ago and has been copied and passed down to each generation.)

Harmon and Mary Griffith had two children, both of which died young.

1. Unknown child Greathouse b. about 1785

2. Unknown child Greathouse b. about 1787

Mary Griffith Greathouse died June 25, 1787 in Ohio ( now Brooke) Co., (W)VA probably as a result of the birth of her second child.She was buried in a cemetery on the banks of the Ohio River where Fort Holliday was located.Holiday’s Cove is now Weirton, WV.

Harmon married the second time on March 5, 1789 in Ohio Co., (W) VA to MERCY BUKEY,daughter of Capt. John Bukey who died in 1778 in Ohio Co., (W)VA and his wife was Jemima Dunn, who was administratrix of his will on Aug. 3, 1778.Jemima was the daughter of Hezekiah Dunn of NJ and his wife Marcy Martin.

MERCY BUKEYwas born March 19, 1768 in Ohio (now Brooke) Co., ( W) VA.

They had 10 children.

1. Lutherb. Dec. 5, 1789; md unknown then married Mary Samuels.

2. Jonathan b. Feb. 18, 1791; married Sarah Caldwell.

3. Dr. Isaac Newton b. Nov. 18 1792; md. Elizabeth Berkeley Lewis.

4. William b. Jan. 4, 1794; md.Sarah Beall Swearingen & then Catherine M.

Stowers.

5. John Bukey b. Feb. 12, 1797; md. Elizabeth Grass.

6. Mary b. March 8, 1799; md. Shadrack Hall.

7. Rodolphus Bukey b. Aug. 21, 1801; md Susannah Rebecca Lewis.

8. Joseph Fawcett b. March 17, 1804; md. Mildred Hughes.

9. Jemima Greathouse (twin) b. Dec. 27, 1807; md. James Porter.

10. Elizabeth (twin) b. Dec. 27, 1807; md. Coleman Bridwell

Some of you may have a child by the name of Rebecca.This information came from Alice Winters Nelson in her history of the Greathouse family.Rebecca is not listed as a child in the records of Alphonzo Hall.Hall’s record came from a bible record and is probably correct.There is no documentation that Rebecca is a child of Harmon and Mercy Bukey. As you can see Hermon was not burned at the stake.This unhappy fate of Capt.Crawford was incorrectly interpreted as the fate od Herman Greathouse, Sr. by at least 3 members of the DAR and has been copied and quotedby researchers.These 3 DAR records are marked ERRORED in the files of the NSDAR in Wash., DC.Herman , Jr. was a member of Capt. William Crawford’s regiment during Crawford’s fateful expedition against the Sandusky Indians in 1782.William Greathouse, his son, in his writings told how he escaped and returned home.

Harmon Greathouse’s grave is located in the farm field of 600 acres that belong to John Mayer in Deatsville, KY.The two headstones are joined together and stand upright.Harmon’s inscription is on the right side and Mercy’s inscription is on the left side as you look at the stone marker.

Inscriptions:

In Memory of Harmon Greathouse who Departed this life on the 5th Day of July 1849

Born June the 30th 1762

In Memory of Mercy Greathouse who Departed this life on the 25th day of February 1841

Born March The 19th 1768

New DAR Stone in white marble (stands upright , also):

HERMON GREATHOUSE, JR.(ERROR BY STONE CUTTER SHOULD BE HARMON)

PVT Continental Line Rev. War

Jun. 30 1762

Jul. 5 1849

Bronze Plaque lies on or in ground at the foot of the marble stone.

RevolutionarySoldier

Harmon Greathouse

Private of PA

17621849

Placed by Cahokia Mound Chapter, NSDAR Oct 1998

Both of these graves are enclosed by a square rock wall.This wall was rebuild by a stone mason hired by Dr. Richard F. Greathouse of Louisville, KY.

It was a very impressive dedication.If Harmon was looking down upon us, I think he would have been proud of his descendants and his gravestone improvements.

Notes for Harmon GREATHOUSE Jr.:

General Notes:

HARMON GREATHOUSE

1762-1849

Harmon Greathouse was born in Frederick Co. Maryland on June 30, 1762.He was the fourth son of Harmon Greathouse, Sr., a German immigrant, Harmon Greathouse served in the Sandusky, Ohio Expedition.His unit fought against the Indians in 1781 under Col.William Crawford and Capt.Charles Bilderback.A lively battle was fought at a spot about five miles north of the old Sandusky Fort.Though about equal in numbers initially, Indian reinforcements soon gave the Indians a better than three-to-one advantage.Orders were given for the soldiers to retreat - every man for himself Harmon Greathouse had a very fine filly and could have made his retreat without any difficulty.However, he came upon a fellow soldier who was afoot and lame.Knowing that this comrade-in-arms would be captured and scalped by the Indians, Greathouse dismounted and gave up his horse and a portion of his rations.He then bid the soldier farewell and continued his escape on foot.Greathouse met up with ten members of his old company and together they marched day and night for about a week.With little rest and only buds and roots for subsistence, they eventually reached their settlement.Only about 60 of the original 400 soldiers reached home.Among these was the lame soldier who returned with Harmon Greathouse’s horse.Harmon Greathouse died July 5, 1849 in Bardstown, KY.

Additional Information

Harmon Greathouse, Jr. was the son of Harmon Greathouse and Mary Stull.He was born June 30, 1762 in Baltimore ( now Carroll) Co., MD.His first wife that he married about 1784 was MARY GRIFFITH of Ohio Co., VA.She was prob.the daughter of Capt. William Griffith.

(Harmon’s first wife’s name is clarified by the writings of his son, William Greathouse.William called her Mary Griffin, but the surname of the family of the area was Griffith.Harmon’s first wife has been often called Mary “Massey”, incorrectly.This surname was mistaken with his second wife’s given name Mercy which occured as an error years ago and has been copied and passed down to each generation.)

Harmon and Mary Griffith had two children, both of which died young.

1. Unknown child Greathouse b. about 1785

2. Unknown child Greathouse b. about 1787

Mary Griffith Greathouse died June 25, 1787 in Ohio ( now Brooke) Co., (W)VA probably as a result of the birth of her second child.She was buried in a cemetery on the banks of the Ohio River where Fort Holliday was located.Holiday’s Cove is now Weirton, WV.

Harmon married the second time on March 5, 1789 in Ohio Co., (W) VA to MERCY BUKEY,daughter of Capt. John Bukey who died in 1778 in Ohio Co., (W)VA and his wife was Jemima Dunn, who was administratrix of his will on Aug. 3, 1778.Jemima was the daughter of Hezekiah Dunn of NJ and his wife Marcy Martin.

MERCY BUKEYwas born March 19, 1768 in Ohio (now Brooke) Co., ( W) VA.

They had 10 children.

1. Lutherb. Dec. 5, 1789; md unknown then married Mary Samuels.

2. Jonathan b. Feb. 18, 1791; married Sarah Caldwell.

3. Dr. Isaac Newton b. Nov. 18 1792; md. Elizabeth Berkeley Lewis.

4. William b. Jan. 4, 1794; md.Sarah Beall Swearingen & then Catherine M.

Stowers.

5. John Bukey b. Feb. 12, 1797; md. Elizabeth Grass.

6. Mary b. March 8, 1799; md. Shadrack Hall.

7. Rodolphus Bukey b. Aug. 21, 1801; md Susannah Rebecca Lewis.

8. Joseph Fawcett b. March 17, 1804; md. Mildred Hughes.

9. Jemima Greathouse (twin) b. Dec. 27, 1807; md. James Porter.

10. Elizabeth (twin) b. Dec. 27, 1807; md. Coleman Bridwell

Some of you may have a child by the name of Rebecca.This information came from Alice Winters Nelson in her history of the Greathouse family.Rebecca is not listed as a child in the records of Alphonzo Hall.Hall’s record came from a bible record and is probably correct.There is no documentation that Rebecca is a child of Harmon and Mercy Bukey. As you can see Hermon was not burned at the stake.This unhappy fate of Capt.Crawford was incorrectly interpreted as the fate od Herman Greathouse, Sr. by at least 3 members of the DAR and has been copied and quotedby researchers.These 3 DAR records are marked ERRORED in the files of the NSDAR in Wash., DC.Herman , Jr. was a member of Capt. William Crawford’s regiment during Crawford’s fateful expedition against the Sandusky Indians in 1782.William Greathouse, his son, in his writings told how he escaped and returned home.

Harmon Greathouse’s grave is located in the farm field of 600 acres that belong to John Mayer in Deatsville, KY.The two headstones are joined together and stand upright.Harmon’s inscription is on the right side and Mercy’s inscription is on the left side as you look at the stone marker.

Inscriptions:

In Memory of Harmon Greathouse who Departed this life on the 5th Day of July 1849

Born June the 30th 1762

In Memory of Mercy Greathouse who Departed this life on the 25th day of February 1841

Born March The 19th 1768

New DAR Stone in white marble (stands upright , also):

HERMON GREATHOUSE, JR.(ERROR BY STONE CUTTER SHOULD BE HARMON)

PVT Continental Line Rev. War

Jun. 30 1762

Jul. 5 1849

Bronze Plaque lies on or in ground at the foot of the marble stone.

RevolutionarySoldier

Harmon Greathouse

Private of PA

17621849

Placed by Cahokia Mound Chapter, NSDAR Oct 1998

Both of these graves are enclosed by a square rock wall.This wall was rebuild by a stone mason hired by Dr. Richard F. Greathouse of Louisville, KY.

It was a very impressive dedication.If Harmon was looking down upon us, I think he would have been proud of his descendants and his gravestone improvements.