1757 Susanna was named as a grand-daughter of Jacob Bichler/Biegler/Büchler in his will dated February 14. The will was proved on October 25, 1757. Bequests were made to the several of the children of Elizabeth (daughter of Jacob Büchler) and George Michael Wolf. [1]
In the Name of God Amen This fourteenth Day of February in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred fifty and seven I Jacob Bichler of Leacock Township Lancaster County and Province of Pennsylvania Yeoman, being weak and frail in Body but of a retaining Mind and Memory thanks to God for it
… Item I give and Bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth the Sum of Two Pounds to be paid her four years after my decease …
… to my Daughter Barbara the Sum of Two Pounds …
… Item I give and Bequeath to my Grandson George Michael Wolf the Sum of five Pounds to be paid him one year after my decease …
… to my Grandson John Jacob Wolf the Sum of five Pounds to be paid him two years after my decease …
… to my Grandson Henry Wolf the Sum of five Pounds to be paid him three years after my decease …
… to my Grand-daughters Mary and Susanna Wolf and to my Grandson Abram Wolf to each and every one of them the Sum of One Pound each and every one of them to be paid four years after my decease …
… the Sum of One Pound to the Elder of the Dutch Reformed Church for the time being after my Discease (which now stands in Andre Seldomridge his plantation) for the Use and Behoof of the said church only
… to my Grand-daughter Rebecca Ritter a cow, to be given to her by my Grandson Hennery Ritter
… to my said Grandson Henery Ritter shall pay all and every the above legacies and bequeathments to the respective Legatees aforesaid at the times aforesaid and the money as hereby bequeathed shall all be Pennsylvania currency. Item I give and devise to my said Grandson Henery Ritter all my Real and Personal Estate under and liable to the restrictions limitations and incumbrances aforesaid to have and to hold the said Henery Ritter his Heirs and Assigns forever. And furthermore I hereby Nominate Ordain and appoint my said Grandson Henery Ritter and Nathanael Lightner both of said township to be my whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament … In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the Day and Year above written. Jacob (HB) Bichler
… Witness the same — Stewart Herbert- William Skiles- Henery Skiles
George Geist married both Barbara Wolfe and Susan Wolfe. [2]
1767 Jacob, son of Georg Geist and Susanna, was born on August 11. He was baptized on August 30 with sponsors Jacob Wolff and Christina [perhaps Susannah's brother and sister-in-law] at Bethany United Church of Christ, Cocalico, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [3] [4]
1769 George Geist was on the tax list of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [5]
1770 A deed named the nine heirs of George Michael Wolf, deceased. Michael Wolf, Conrad Wolf, Henry Wolf, Abram Wolf, and George Geist in right of his former wife Mary and in right of his current wife Susannah were children of George Michael Wolf of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, yeoman, deceased and were parties to the deed. George Michael Wolf died owning 300 acres of land, 200 of which had been appraised and 100 was unappraised. The appraised lands were held by Michael Wolf, who conveyed the unappraised lands to Joseph Jacob and Bernard Wolf. "the said children are contented and the said Jacob Bernard and Joseph Wolf have entered into bonds for the payment of the childrens respective shares, Know ye that the above named Michael Conrad Henry Abraham and George Geist in consideration of the above bonds … do release … Joseph Jacob and Bernard Wolfe … excepting third part & share which has been allotted unto the widow …". Deed dated February 19, 1770. [6]
1770 George Geist was on the tax list of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [7]
1771 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [8]
1772 George Geist was on the tax list of renters of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [9]
1773 George Geist was on the tax list of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [10]
1775 George Gast was on the tax list of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [11]
1776 Daniel, son of Georg Geist and Susanna, was born on September 20. He was baptized on November 3 with parents as sponsors at Bethany United Church of Christ, Cocalico, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [12] [13]
1777 George Gast was on the tax list of associators of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [14]
1778 George Gaist was on the tax list of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [15]
1779 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [16]
1779 Andrew, son of George and Susanna Geist, was born on December 28. He was baptized on May 6, 1780 with parents as sponsors at Bethany United Church of Christ, Cocalico, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [17]
1780 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [18]
1781 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates who had not taken the oath of allegiance in Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [19]
1782 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [20]
1782 Elisabeth, daughter of George and Susanna Geist, was born on August 14. She was baptized on October 3, with parents as sponsors at Bethany United Church of Christ, Cocalico, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [21]
1783 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [22]
1784 Susanna, daughter of George and Susanna Geist, was born on May 5. She was baptized with [unreadable] sponsors at Bethany United Church of Christ, Cocalico, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [23]
1785 George Geist 'at Shirke' was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [24]
1786 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [25]
1787 Johannes, son of George and Susanna Geist, was born on January 25. He was baptized with parents as sponsors at Bethany United Church of Christ, Cocalico, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [26]
1787 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [27]
1788 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [28]
1789 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [29]
1790 George Geist lived in Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in a household with 3 males under age 16, 2 males age 16 and over, and 3 females. [30]
1790 George Ghoast was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [31]
1791 George Ghoast was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [32]
1792 George and Jacob Gaust were on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [33]
1793 George and Jacob Gaust were on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [34]
1795 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Another George Geist was listed as a Freeman. [35]
1799 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [36] Another George Geist was listed among Single and Freemen. [37]
1800 There were two listings for George Geist among taxable inhabitants of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [38]
1800 George Geist was listed twice on the septennial census in 1800 in Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
1801 George Geist was on the tax list of inmates of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [39] Daniel Geist and another George Geist were listed as single men. [40]
1810 Geo Geist lived in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in a household with males: 2 (16 thru 25) and 1 (45 and over); and females: 2 (16 thru 25). [41]
1807 George Geist was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [42]
1810 George Geist was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [43]
1820 George Geist lived in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in a household with males: 1 (45 and over); and females: 1 (under 10), 1 (10 thru 15), and 1 (26 thru 44). Andrew Geist and John Geist were listed on the same page of the census. [44]
1821 George Geist Sr, widower of Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, dated his will on October 9. Son Andrew received $200 for maintaining George Sr. The remaining estate was divided into equal parts for son Jacob, son George Jr, son Daniel, son Andrew, daughter Elizabeth married to George Kraft, daughter Susanna married to Michael Widman, and son John. The will was affirmed by witnesses on October 15. [45]
1821 Several of the 7 children and heirs of George Geist were named in a deed as Andrew Geist, George and Elizabeth Kraft, Michael and Susanna Widman, John Geist released George Geist Junior, executor, for the estate settlement. [46] Another deed named Jacob Geist (who received $100 less than the others) and Daniel Geist of Earl Twp, Lancaster County. [47] Both deeds deed were dated on October 19.
Research Notes:
Several generations of descendants of this family have been recorded. [48]
Mennonite Notes reports [49]:
George Geist. Baden_Wurtemburg. Apr. 19, 1731 - Oct. 21, 1821. Manheim Twp, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Johann George and Eva Catherine. Married Susannah Wolfe.
1. Jacob, August 11, 1767-? Married Mary Gallagher.
2. George, September 22, 1771 - March 1, 1850. Married Mary Burkenhouse, December 5, 1766 - March 5, 1850.
3. Daniel, September 20, 1776 - February 27, 1833. Married Elizabeth Tuffts, July 5, 1781 - ?
4. Andrew, December 28, 1780 = 1874. Married Anna Baker.
5. Elizabeth, August 17, 1782 - 1853. Married George Kraft.
6. Susanna, December 5, 1785 - March 4, 1851. Married Michael Witman, January 8, 1785 - September 1, 1844.
7. John, January 25, 1787 - October 18, 1863. Married Mary Slater, September 28, 1791 - May 1863.
A biosketch of Slater Geist reports [50]:
… George [Geist], Jr., was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 18, 1739, and after coming to this country was apprenticed to a farmer, Daniel Royer, residing in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pa., five miles north of Lancaster City, until twenty-one years old. Afterward purchasing land, he became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres near Neffsville, where he remained until his death, October 21, 1821, aged eighty-two years, five months and twentyfour days.
Twice married, the first wife of George Geist, Jr., was Barbara Wolfe, and after her death he was united with her sister, Susan. Their children were seven in number. The eldest, Jacob, married and made his home near Lancaster, Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of George Kraft, died in Manheim Township; George, Jr., married Mary Burkenhouse, and for his second wife chose Miss Mary Johnson; Andrew married Anna Baker, and resided in Erie, Pa., until his death, at ninety-five years; Susan became the wife of Rev. Michael Witman, of Manheim borough; Daniel married Elizabeth Tuft, and lived in Pennsylvania; John married Mary Slater, whose father, Capt. John Slater, was the first merchant of Neffsville, and was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War, enlisting in 1778 in Colonel Hollenbach’s regiment, and serving as Captain of his company until he was mustered out August 26, 1780. Captain Slater had a liberal education and for some years taught school. He opened the first dry goods store in Fidler's Green (now Neffsville), and also served as Postmaster of the place.
The father of our subject, John Geist, was born in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, January 25, 1787, and received meagre educational advantages. His life work was that of a farmer, his home being near Neffsville. Politically he was a Whig in early life, and later a strong advocate of Republican principles. In religious belief he was a Lutheran, in which faith he died October 18, 1863, aged seventy-six years, eight months and twenty-three days. His wife, Mary, who was born September 28, 1791, in East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, passed from earth May 22, 1863, aged seventy-one years, seven months and twentyfour days. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church.
In the family of John and Mary Geist were the following named children: Daniel S. and John S. (twins), born June 27, 1813, the latter dying December 4, 1888; Jacob, born December 26, 1815, now a resident of New Holland; George, born February 26, 1818, whose home is in Dayton, Ohio; Samuel S., who was born June 24, 1820, and lives in Manheim Township; Henry and Mary (twins), born February 26, 1823, the latter, Mrs. Augustus Lightner, now living on the old homestead in Manheim Township; Barbara, who was born January 30, 1826, and is the wife of William Fritz, a carpenter of Leacock Township; Abram, born May 12, 1829, a resident of Manheim Township, where he is engaged in the meat business; Isaac S. and Rebecca (twins), born March 5, 1832, the former our subject, the latter unmarried and living in Lancaster; and Susan the youngest, who was born March 2, 1836, and is the wife of John Long, of Womelsdorf, Berks County, Pa.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Manheim Township, Whitehall Academy at Harrisburg, and the Millersville State Normal, graduating from the scientific department of the latter institution in 1861. Prior to this he taught a number of terms of school, being thus engaged in Illinois a short time. On his return east he took his scientific course and then taught one year, after which he was for four years professor of natural sciences at Millersville State Normal School. On returning to Marietta, he became Principal of the high school, which position he held until 1888. Altogether, he was employed for thirty-six years as Principal of schools. In 1886 he purchased the Marietta Times, which he has since edited and published.
An active Republican, Mr. Geist is one of the leaders of his party in this section. Since discontinuing as Principal he has served as Director of the Marietta schools. He is Director in the Marietta Manufacturing Company, President of the Mareitta & Lancaster Turnpike Conpany, and Director of the Home Building & Loan Association. Socially he belongs to Ashara Lodge No. 398, F. & A. M., of which he has been Secretary for twenty years; Corinthian Chapter No. 224, and Cyrene Commandery, No. 34, K. T. In the Presbyterian Church of Marietta he is serving as Deacon. October 26, 1865, he married Miss Margaret, daughter for Fred Franck, of Marietta.
A biosketch of Slater Geist reports [51]:
… George Geist, Jr., was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 18, 1739, and after coming to this country was apprenticed to a farmer, Daniel Roger, residing in Manheim township, five miles north of Lancaster City, until twenty-one years old. Afterward purchasing land, he became the owner of 120 acres of land near Neffsville, where he resided until his death, Oct. 21, 1821, at the age of eighty-two years, five months and twenty-four days. George Geist, Jr., was twice married. His first wife was Barbara Wolfe, and after her death he married her sister Susan. Their children were seven in number, namely: Jacob married and lived near Lancaster, Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of George Kraft, died in Manheim township; George, Jr., married Mary Burkenhouse, and for his second wife chose Miss Mary Johnson; Andrew married Anna Baker, and they lived in Erie until his death, at the age of ninety-five years; Susan became the wife of Rev. Michael Witman, of Manheim borough; Daniel married Elizabeth Tuft and lived in Pennsylvania; John married Mary Slater. The latter's father, Capt. John Slater, was the first merchant of Neffsville. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, enlisting in 1778 in Col. Hollenbach's regiment, and serving as captain of his company until mustered out, Aug. 26, 1780. Capt. Slater had a liberal education and for some years taught school. He opened the first dry-goods store in Fiddler's Green (now Neffsville), and also served as postmaster at that place. …
Descendants of George Geist and Susan Wolfe are followed in The Geist Relation. [52] [53]
Some researchers suggest that this is Johann George Melchoir Geist, born 20 October, 1736: [54] or born April 9, 1729: [55]
[1] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Probate Records, Will B-177, [FamilySearchImage].
[2] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[3] Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985, Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[4] Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryImage].
[5] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[6] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed N-170, Earl Twp, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[7] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[8] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[9] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[10] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[11] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[12] Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985, Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[13] Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryImage].
[14] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[15] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[16] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[17] Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryImage].
[18] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[19] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[20] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[21] Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryImage].
[22] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[23] Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryImage].
[24] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[25] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[26] Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryImage].
[27] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[28] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[29] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[30] United States Federal Census, 1790, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[31] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[32] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[33] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[34] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[35] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[36] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[37] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[38] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[39] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[40] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[41] United States Federal Census, 1810, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[42] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[43] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[44] United States Federal Census, 1820, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[45] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Probate Records, Will N-62, [FamilySearchImage].
[46] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed 23-213, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[47] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed 23-217, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[48] A. Frank Geist, "The Lancaster County Geist Family," The Geist Relation: 200 years in America (1940), 872-917, at 892, 891 and following pages, [Family History Library].
[49] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Ancestry reports birth in Pennsylvania, but the source reports Baden, Wurtemburg, Germany, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[50] Portrait and Biographical Record of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: Chapman Publishing, 1894), 652, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].
[51] John F. Meginness et al, Biographical Annals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania (Beers: 1903), 1400, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[52] A. Frank Geist, "The Lancaster County Geist Family," The Geist Relation: 200 years in America (1940), 872-917, [AncestryImage].
[53] A. Frank Geist, "The Lancaster County Geist Family," The Geist Relation: 200 years in America (1940), 872-917, at 891, [Family History Library].
[56] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[57] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[58] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[59] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].