circa 1820 Map of Reading, Pennsylvania with lot numbers. Note that North is to the left [45]
1757-58 Peter Ridenar served in the French and Indian War with the Maryland militia. [1]
1780 Peter Ritner was a private in Captain Charles Gobin's company under Colonel Joseph Heister's 6th battalion of the Berks county militia. [2] [3]
1781 Peter Ritner was in the Sixth Company in the Eight battalion of Lancaster, commanded by Cl. James Ross. [4]
1788 Peter Ritner, weaver, was taxed at Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, for the first time. [5] [6] [7]
1789 Peter Ritner, weaver, was taxed in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [8]
1789 "Rittner, John, four months old, son of Peter Rittner and his wife Barbara; baptized January 11 [1789]; sponsors, John Joseph Rittner and his wife Eva." [9]
1790 "Rittner, Peter, born March 4 [1790], of Peter Rittner and his wife Barbara; baptized March 14; sponsors Joseph Peter Rittner and his wife Eva." [10]
1790 Peter Ritner (age 16+) lived in Reading Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania with two males under age 16 and 3 females. [11] Joseph Ritner was listed on the same page with two males (age 16+) and one female.
1791 Peter Ritner, weaver, was taxed in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [12]
1792 A tax entry was marked out for father Joseph Ridner, weaver, with "1 house & lott" in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. An entry for for Peter Ridner, weaver, with "1 house & lott" was shown below. [13] Joseph Ritner's will was dated in 1794.
1792 Jacob Rittener, son of Peter Rittener and Barbara Berlis, was born on July 6, 1793 and was baptized on July 16 with sponsors Sebastian and Catharine Allgayer, at Gossenhoppen Catholic church, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [14]
1793 Peter Ritner was taxed in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. His father, Joseph was not listed. [15]
1791 Peter Ritner, weaver, was taxed with 1 house and ½ lot in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [16]
1795 Twins Joseph and Simon Rittener, sons of Peter and Barbara (non-Catholic) Rittner, were born on February 13, 1795 and were baptized on May 10 with sponsors Catharine Allgeier and Anthony and Elizabeth Chaudmont, at Gossenhoppen Catholic church, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [17]
1797 Elizabeth Rittner, daughter of Peter and Barbara Rittner, was born on August 5 and was baptized on August 14, with sponsors George Sigfrid and Barbara Felix, at Gossenhoppen Catholic church, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [18]
1799 George Rittner, son of Peter and Barbara Rittner, was born on August 27 and was baptized on September 11, with sponsors Joseph Allgeyer and Eve Sigfrie, at Gossenhoppen Catholic church, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [19]
1800 Peter Ritner and female (both age 26-44) lived in Reading Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania with Males: one (age 0-10, Peter?), one (age 10-15, John?); and Females: one (age 10-15). [20] Margaret Ritter was listed on the same page.
1800 Peter Ritner was listed as a weaver in Reading Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [21]
1802 Anna Maria, daughter of Peter and Barbara Rittner, was born on April 28. She was baptized on May 9 with sponsors George and Catharine Repplier at Gosshoppen Catholic Church, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [22] [23]
1807 "Rittner, Joseph, b 4 Dec 1806, bapt 11 Jan 1807, of Peter and Barbara Rittner; sponsors Joseph and Margaret Allgayer." [24]
1810 Peter Ritner (age 45+) and female (age 45+) lived in Reading Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania Males: one (age 0-10), one (age 10-15), three (age 16-25) and Females: one (age 0-10). [25]
1812 Peter, son of Peter and Barbara Ruttner, and Sara Scott were married on October 11. [26]
1812 The four children of Henry Bearly, deceased, named with their spouses as Henry and Mary Bearly, John and Mary Graul, Ann and Christian Madera, and Barbara and Peter Ritner, sold land "beginning at a corner of Richard Street aforesaid and as twenty a twenty feet alley thence by the said alley and twenty feet to lot 117 . Thence by the same Lot westwardly sixty feet northwardly one hundred and twenty feet to Richard Street aforesaid thence by the same eastwardly sixty feet to the place beginning" (being 60 feet east-west and 120 feet north-south), in the Borough of Reading, to the said Peter Ritner, weaver. The deed was dated December 21. [27]
1818 The members of the "Congregation of German Roman Catholics now worshipping in our church called St. Peters Church in the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks" recorded their articles of association in a deed dated August 18. [28]:
The trustees of the said Congregation are at this time Sebastian Allgaier, J? Eichhorn, Peter Rittner, Anthony Felix, Joseph Allgaier, JG Repplier, Joseff Obold, Jacob Lambert,
Members (Jno Allgaier, Wm Rehr, Wm Fricker, Peter Rittner Jnr, Jacob Hartman, Karl Clef, Johannes Hartman, Johannes Kunig (King), Michael Hartman, Georg Rittner, Martin Felix, Solomon Felix, Frans Hartman, Jacob Felix, Simon Seyfert, George Singfried, Jacob Allgaier, Joseph Lambert)
1820 Peter Ritner (Sr) and female (both age 45+) lived in Reading South Ward, Berks County, Pennsylvania with Males: one (age 10-15), one (age 16-18) and Females: one (age 10-15). [29] Peter Ritner Jr lived adjacent.
1826 Peter Ritner, weaver, married to Margaret, died in Reading. Perhaps Peter had remarried and he was the same person as Peter Ritner, married to Barbara Berlis. He was buried in St. Peters Catholic Cemetery. He is reported as a veteran of the Revolutionary War in the 4th Batt. of Captain Gobin's. [30] [31]
1826 Peter Ritner (1763-1826) died and was buried at St. Peters Catholic Cemetery, Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [32] [33]
1826 On 5 February, letters of administration were issued to John and Peter Ritner, sons of Peter Ritner. [34]
1826 On 25 February, Margaret Ritner renounced administration of the estate of her husband Peter Ritner, who died intestate in Berks County. [35] The inventory of his estate included 2 weaver's looms. Payments were made to Margaret Ritner and Mary Ritner. Peter and John Ritner were executors for the estate. [36]
1826 John and Peter Ritner posted bond as executors of the estate of Peter Ritner. [37]
1829 On 17 February, Peter Ritner and John Ritner, administrators for the estate of Peter Ritner, deceased weaver of Reading Borough, announced upcoming Orphans' Court proceedings for 10 April. [38]
1829 On 10 April, John and Peter Ritner presented the account of Peter Ritner to the Orphans Court. [39]
1830 Margaret and Peter Ritner were listed in different households on the same page of the census.
1830 Margaret Rittner lived in Reading North Ward, Berks County, Pennsylvania in a household with females: 1 (60 thru 69). [40]
1830 Peter Ritner (age 30-39) lived in Reading North Ward, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [41]
1830 John Ritner (age 40-49) lived in Reading South Ward, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [42]
1830 Jacob Ritner (age 30-39) lived in Reading South Ward, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [43]
1831 Attorneys of the Penn family sold, to John Ritner (in trust for himself and other heirs of Peter Ritner, deceased), lot 299 on the west side of Duke Street in Reading Pennsylvania, being the same lot reserved by Patent to Philip J Moyer. The deed was dated April 6. [44]
1845 John and Elizabeth Ritner sold a certain house and half lot, part of lot 299, on the west side of seventh (formerly Duke) Street, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. The deed was dated June 20. [46]
1877 Son George Ritner dated his will on March 10 in the City of Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. He left his estate to his beloved wife Catherine. After her death the estate was to be distributed among the children of his brothers and sisters: John Ritner deceased, Peter Ritner deceased, Jacob Ritner deceased, Joseph Ritner deceased, and Mary wife of Michael Hickel, both deceased. Friend John Maltzberger was named executor. [47] Bond was posted by Arnold Punelle, Joseph T Smith, and George Boehringer regarding the sale of a two story brick house on Spruce Street between between 5th and 6th Streets, late the estate of George Ritner. John Maltzberger died. Arnold Puwelle acted as executor de nobis. The will was recorded in Book 13, page 369. A document named several heirs, some of whose father's might be mis-identified in the document. [48]
Mrs Sam'l Greth [signed Catharn? Greath] oldest daughter of the oldest dec'd brother Jacob of George Ritner dec'd. Margaret Powelle [signed Margret Punelle] daughter of Jacob Ritner aforesaid. Barbara Smith ditto, Sarah C Ritner ditto, Mary A Hart ditto, Eliza Sharr? [signed Eliza Sherer] daughter of Joseph Ritner [sic, perhaps daughter of Peter, as reported in Elizabeth's obituary. Jacob had a daughter Elizabeth. No record has been found indicating that Joseph had a daughter Elizabeth] a brother of decedent, George Ritner son ditto [son of Joseph], Charles Ritner son of Jacob aforesaid, Mary Ritner daughter of Joseph aforesaid, Catharine St Clair daughter of Joseph [sic, should be John] do hereby renounce all our right to letters of administration upon the decedent's estate and desire that the same may be granted to Arnold Powell of Reading Berks County Penna. [filed February 13, 1878]
Research Notes:
Notes about persons named in the estate records of George Ritner. To be moved to right places when their father's are correctly identified:
1884 Estate papers for George Ritner were filed by Francis R. Kirst. George died without heirs. The accountant [Francis R. Kirst] had provided care to George Ritner and received compensation. Witnessed by Monroe Freeman and Eva R. Kirst. [49]
Several researchers name children of Jacob Ritner with similar names to those named as children of Joseph Ritner on an 1850 census record. There may be errors in how these children are assigned.
[1] "French and Indian War," Maryland Historical Magazine 9 (1914), 260-280, at 279, [HathiTrust].
[2] Morton Luther Montgomery, History of Berks County, Pennsylvania: in the Revolution, from 1774 to 1783 (1894), 131, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[3] Thomas Lynch Montgomery, Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Volume 5 (Associators and Militia Pennsylvania) (1906), 237, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].
[4] Thomas Lynch Montgomery, Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Volume 7 (Militia Lancaster) (1906), 837, [GoogleBooks].
[5] Berks County, Pennsylvania, Tax, Joseph left, Peter lower right, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[6] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[7] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[8] Berks County, Pennsylvania, Tax, lower right, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[9] Thomas C. Middleton, "The Goshenhoppen Registers, (Third Series) 1787-1800," Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 8 (Philadelphia: 1897), 330-384, 385-393, at 349, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[10] Thomas C. Middleton, "The Goshenhoppen Registers, (Third Series) 1787-1800," Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 8 (Philadelphia: 1897), 330-384, 385-393, at 352, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[11] United States Federal Census, 1790, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[12] Berks County, Pennsylvania, Tax, lower right, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[13] Berks County, Pennsylvania, Tax, right, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[14] Thomas C. Middleton, "The Goshenhoppen Registers, (Third Series) 1787-1800," Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 8 (Philadelphia: 1897), 330-384, 385-393, at 359, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[15] Berks County, Pennsylvania, Tax, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[16] Berks County, Pennsylvania, Tax, left, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[17] Thomas C. Middleton, "The Goshenhoppen Registers, (Third Series) 1787-1800," Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 8 (Philadelphia: 1897), 330-384, 385-393, at 367, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[18] Thomas C. Middleton, "The Goshenhoppen Registers, (Third Series) 1787-1800," Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 8 (Philadelphia: 1897), 330-384, 385-393, at 373, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[19] Thomas C. Middleton, "The Goshenhoppen Registers, (Third Series) 1787-1800," Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 8 (Philadelphia: 1897), 330-384, 385-393, at 381, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[20] United States Federal Census, 1800, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[21] Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[22] Thomas C. Middleton, "The Goshenhoppen Registers, (Fourth Series) 1801-1819," Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 11 (Philadelphia: 1900), 43-60, 196-207, at 49, [GoogleBooks].
[23] St. Paul's Mission, Church of the most blessed sacrament, The Goshenhoppen Registers, Baptisms, 1741-1818 [Abstracts], [Reading Berks Website].
[24] Thomas C. Middleton, "The Goshenhoppen Registers, (Fourth Series) 1801-1819," Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 11 (Philadelphia: 1900), 43-60, 196-207, at 49, [GoogleBooks].
[25] United States Federal Census, 1810, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[26] Thomas C. Middleton, "The Goshenhoppen Registers, (Fourth Series) 1801-1819," Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 11 (Philadelphia: 1900), 43-60, 196-207, at 202, [GoogleBooks].
[27] Berks County, Pennsylvania, Deed 25-460, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[28] Berks County, Pennsylvania, Deed 29-417, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[29] United States Federal Census, 1820, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[30] Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[31] Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[32] Find A Grave Memorial 47803515, no photo, [FindAGrave].
[33] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].
[34] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, Berks, Letters of Administration, 10-20, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[35] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Berks, Estates 1800-1850 [Renno, Elizabeth-Ritter, David], [FamilySearchImage].
[36] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, Berks, Estate File, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[37] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, Berks, Administration Bond, 10-20, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[38] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Berks, Estates 1800-1850 Renno, Elizabeth-Ritter, David, [FamilySearchImage].
[39] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Berks, Orphans Court Proceedings 10-79, FHL film 20735, image 326, [FamilySearchImage].
[40] United States Federal Census, 1830, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[41] United States Federal Census, 1830, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[42] United States Federal Census, 1830, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[43] United States Federal Census, 1830, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[44] Berks County, Pennsylvania Deed (online at Berks County Recorder of Deeds, with free login), Penn 1-162, [Berks_PA_Recorder_Deeds].
[45] H[enry] M. Richards, C.F. Engelman, Engraver, Ground Plan of Reading. Map of Berks County Surveyed By H.M. Richards, Image courtesy of Boston Rare Maps, Southampton, Mass. (Reading, Pennsylvania?: ca. 1825-1828), [Boston_Rare_Maps].
[46] Berks County, Pennsylvania, Deed 52-56, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[47] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Berks Estates, George Ritner, [FamilySearchImage].
[48] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Berks Estates, George Ritner, [FamilySearchImage].
[49] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Berks County Estate records, [FamilySearchImage].