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A Godshall Family Tree | ||
Godshall and other Related Web sites: Montgomery
County PA Genealogy Ann
M. Woodlief, Compiler (contact at awoodlief@yahoo.com, please, for comments,
additions, corrections)
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European line of Bishop Jakob Godtshalk, Mennonite Immigrant from Germany/Holland, and his American DescendentsThe German heritage of Bishop Godtshalk is taken from a handwritten genealogy in the Montgomery County Historical Society, PA. {I can't attest to its accuracy!}Jacok was the son of Gottschalk Thonis (Theunissen) & Lehntgen Henrichs He was born ca 1625 München Gladbach-Alst (w. of Düsseldorf). She was born ca 1630 München Gladbach-Har-Terbroich. They married in 1654. He died after 25/1/1709; she died about 1676 in Goch. They had three other children: Theunis, b. 1653; Hendrick, b. 1658; and Annekin, b. 1663, m. Konrad Peters in 1690. [Gottschalk Thonis] Son of: Thones Comes & Oelletgen (?)He was born around 1596 in München Gladbach-Alst or Venn. His wife was born about 1596 and they married about 1620. He was living in the Alst by 1625. He had been driven from Benn in 1654 because of his Mennonite belief by the Elector Palatinate and probably went to Goch then. He died before 1/2/1668. They also had a daughter who married Coen Hecken and had Thonis Hecken Kuenderson .[Thones Comes] Son of: Gottschalk Comes & Sophie Veit Vitgen der HeidenHe was born ca 1565 München Gladbach-Venn an der Heiden and died before 1606. He was the son of Thonis Comes, born about 1535 München Gladbach-Venn. He was the son of Gottschalk Comes, born ca. 1510 München Gladbach-Venn and died before 17/1/1557. Sophie died in 1606. He was the son of Thonis E. Comes, born about 1535 in Munchen Gladbach-Venn, Germany, and the grandson of Gottschalk Comes, born about 1510 in Munchen Gladbach-Venn and died before Jan. 17, 1586-87. | ||
Rev. Jacob Henricks Gaedtschalck (ca. 1666-1763) & Aeltien (Adelheid) Hermans (ca. 1667-1706)He was born ca. 1666 Goch Germany (near Cleve, by Dutch border SE of Nijmegen), son of Gottschalk Thonis; she was born ca. 1667 in Goch. They married 20/2/1689 (or 7/14/1686). He died 5/1763 and she died before 1709. They are probably buried at Towamencin Mennonite cemetery, Montgomery Co. PA.He came to America in 1702 with his family. He was elected deacon of the Germantown Mennonite congregation and on 8/10/1702 he became a preacher. He officiated at the first baptism in 1708 and the first communion 1708 held by the Mennonites in America. In 1708 he was listed as Jacob Gaetschalck Vander Heggen and his son of Gaetschalck Vander Heggen, with the family name discontinued after the Dutch custom. Also in 1708 he was named as the first Mennonite Bishop in America. In 1712 he had the Dordrecht Confession of Faith translated into English, which was adopted by a group of Mennonite ministers in 1725. He arranged with the Ephrata cloister in 1745 to have them translate (from Dutch into German) and print Thielman J. van Braght's 1660 Blütige Schau-platz oder Martyrer Spiegel (The Bloody Theatre or Martyr's Mirror ), a history of religious persecutions of Christians opposed to infant baptism and war; the work took 15 men three years to finish and in 1749, at 1512 pages, was the largest book published before 1800. One of the original volumes is now on display at the Ephrata Cloister. Jacob
was a turner (woodworker) by trade. His stone house was on 50 acres in Germantown
on the southeast side of Penn St. In 1714 he purchased land in Towamencin between
Kulpsville and the Skippack Creek, next to his son Gaedstschalck Gaedtschalcks,
part of which became the present Towamencin
Mennonite Church and cemetery.
His
grave is unmarked; however, there is a memorial stone that reads: Children:
Jacob Godschalck's Will, Dec. 26, 1760 (Phila. #229, M532)Whereas I Jacob Godshalk senr. of Towamensin Township in the County of Philadelphia (formerly while I was able, Turner, having considered my old age and the certainty of my death and being desirious that my worldly estate may peaceably be shared among my heirs after my decease therefore I do hereby this 26th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty make my Last Will and Testament as follows;Viz. Imprimis I give and bequeath to my son Herman all that tract of land or plantation wherein I and him now dwell containing one hundred and twenty two acres and one half an acre of land (be it more or less) according to the metes and bounds conveyed to me together with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining to the only use and behoof of him the said my son Herman hisheirs and assigns forever which said my plantation or tract of land he is to pay one hundred and twenty five pounds in manner following that is to say twenty five pounds lawful money unto every aone of my children or their heirs at the expiration of one year and one day after my decease. Viz;
Unto all the children of my deceased son Godshalk twenty five pounds thereof in
equal shares. Unto all the children of my deceased son John twenty five pounds
thereof in equal shares and unto the children of my deceased daughter Magdalena
twenty five pounds thereof in equal shares and unto my daughter Ana maryed to
Peter Custard twenty five pounds thereof and the residuary twenty five pounds
my son Herman reserves for himself as his portion thereof equal with his brothers
and sisters. All the residue of my personal estate shall likewise be equally divided
into five shares and every one of my above named children is to have one share
thereof but whereas three of my said children are deceased their share or one
fifth part of my whole estate as aforesaid shall again be equally divided among
them according to their number and paid to them if ye are twenty one years of
age or upwards within two months after my decease what is left of my personalities
but their share of my real estate at the time of the above mentioned payment to
be made by my son Herman. But whereas most of my deceased childrens children are
yet minors their proportionable share shall be reserved for them by my hereafter
named executors until they attain their lawful age but case of death as minors
their share shall equally be divided unto such minors brothers and sisters or
their heirs of or from their body and I do hereby constitute and appoint my loving
son in law Peter Custard sole executor of this my last Will and Testament and
I do hereby make void and annull all my former Wills and Testaments and declare
these presents to be my only will of force after my decease in Witness whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. | ||
Godshalk Godshalk (Gaedtschalck Gaedtschalcks) & Eve CusterGaedtschalck was born 1693 and came to America with his father; he was naturalized in 1708. He too was a turner. He married Eva (Eve?) Custer, daughter of Paul and Gertrude Custer, around 1713. He purchased 123 acres in Towamensin Twp on the Skippack Creek, and another 50 acres (where he built a mill on the Skippack) in Salford Twp. He died 1748. She was born about 1688 and died about 1764 in Towamencin.Children:
Will of Godschalk Godschalk (Admr. book Fp. 161 Phila.)In the name of God amen this 15 day of March anno domi one thousand seven hundred and forty seven/eight I Godschalk Godschalk of Towamensin in the county of Phila. husbandman being weak in body but of perfect understanding sound and disposing mind and memory thanks be to God therefore remembering my latter end and the uncertain of this transitory life do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and former followingImprimis and first of all I recommend my soul unto the hands of God my merciful saviour and creator and my body to the earth whence I came decently to be buried at the direction of mine executors hereafter named whom I also charge and devise to pay all my just debts my legacies herein mentioned and now touching such worldly goods wherewith it has pleased the Lord to bless mine endeavers I devise and dispose of the same as follows viz. My
sons and daughters that are married have received several things at their marriage
and it is my will that all the rest of my children shall receive as much at their
marriage except Magdlen shall have ten pounds more than any of the rest and that
at her age Secondly my Will is that my wife shall bring up my children out of
my estate until my youngest son Peter arives to age of twenty years. Thirdly I
give and bequeath unto my lovin wife Eve all the remainder of my estate both real
and personal until my youngest son arives at the age of twenty years Fourthly
it is my will that when my youngest son Peter arrives at the age of twenty years
that then my will is that my executors shall devoid my estate between my loving
wife and my fourteen children to wit Wm. Suken Mary Catherin Margaret Garret Janecen
Magdlen Gertrude John Ann Eve & Peter Godschalk shear alike except my loving
wife shall have twenty pounds current lawful money to be raised out of my estate
to be paid unto her by my executors. More than Eny The Bebore Said Children Fifthly
and it is my will that my loving wife shall live on the said plantation during
her natural life with molestation of my said children or my executors Finall I
give all my said children to the care of my loving wife to bring them up out of
my estate and I do hereby nominate and appoint my brother in law Peter Custer
and Wm. Nash joynt executors of this my last will and testament revoking and disallowing
al other former wills and testaments in witness whereof I have set hereunto set
my hand and seal the day and year first above written.
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Garret Custer Godshalk (ca. 1727-1819) & Edia Boose [Bohrs, Boors] (ca. 1735-1859)He operated his father's mill after his death.Children: Note: Information on the Godshalls to this point comes from typed and handwritten mss in the Historical Society of Montgomery County library and are reasonably documented by deeds, wills, etc. | ||
Godshalk Godshalk ("the miller") (1750-Nov. 1835) & Mollie Cassel (1763-)They lived in Towamencin, and are probably buried in the Towamencin Mennonite Cemetary.Children:
Henry
Cassel (13/11/1803-25/12/1885) See below
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Henry Cassel Godshalk & Sarah H. AlderferHe was born 13/11/1803; she was born 27/7/1815. Henry bought a farm of 60 acres and 28 perches from the estate of Benjamin V. Alderfer in 1839 on Sumneytown Pike just above Mainland to live. The house had previously been a tavern and a tannery was on the grounds. After Sarah died 8/9/1846, Henry and his son John lived with Leonard and Margaret Fetty; Frederick lived with Frederick and Elizabeth Alderfer. Henry died 25/12/1885.Children:
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John Alderfer Godshall & Anna S. BennerHe was born 1/91841; she was born 18/11/1844. John built the stone house on Cowpath Road in Hatfield, using stone from the quarry on his property. He built the barn, then the back of the house, then the right front half, and then the left front house, as shown in the shape of the cellar. The two halves, now divided, were unequal, and the grandparents lived on the larger side until Harry's family grew, then they switched. The sills of the house are 18 inches wide. He died of paralysis 3/5/1909; she died 12/1/1919. John and Anna are buried in the Souderton Mennonite church graveyard.Children:
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Harry Benner Godshall & Mary Ellen R. HecklerHe was born 12/6/1871 on the Franconia Twp. She was born 11/1/1873 on the Hatfield Twp. They married 25/12/1894. They lived on a 45 acre farm on Cowpath Rd. in Franconia, Montgomery CO PA where Harry and all of their children were born. The stone double house and barn still stand. Harry Godshall was a Justice of Peace and very active in his community, serving as superintendent of schools. He died 25/7/1916; she died 25/8/1953. Both are buried in the cemetary of the Evangelical Church, Orvilla Rd., Hatfield Township.Children:
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