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This is the line from Christoph Geist that I descend from. I have
some information on the other families in this file and will be glad to
share anything I have with others who are interested in this family. Feel
free to let me know of any corrections or additions to this family. I have
placed some of my sources at the end
of this page. E-mail to Ginny Deagan (NEW E-MAIL:[email protected])
Christoph Geist was born in 1717 in Wurttenberg, Germany. His parents are not known. He emigrated to America on 27 September 1740 on the ship “Lydia”. His wife’s name was Anna Margaretha. She was born 30 December 1724 in Germany and died 22 October 1776. She is buried at Mertz Church, Dryville, Berks County, PA.
Christoph Geist came to America for the purpose of mining copper along the Perkiomen Creek in Philadelphia County, PA, in an area now Montgomery County. He had learned to be a mineralogist in his younger days and the local mining company had sent to Germany for a man to come and do this work. Christoph took up the challenge and settled in Frederick Township, Montgomery County, PA, taking charge of the copper mines.
Beside following the mining business, he was also a farmer. He was injured in the harvest field cutting grain and died in 1766 at the age of 49 years from the injury. His wife, Anna Margaretha was left a widow with a family of nine children ranging from a newborn baby to the oldest who was twenty-one years old.
An interesting story from this family is that Christoph’s son, Andrew served in the Revolutionary War under George Washington in the battle of Brandywine. He was a teamster in the army and when he realized that the battle would be lost, he cut the harness loose from his best horse and disappeared on the back of the horse. Family tradition says that after his escape, he paid a sum of money for his release as a Continental Soldier. He is said to have sold his only cow which had no tail to raise the money.
Children of Christoph and Anna Margaretha Geist:
II. Valentine Geist was born 3 October 1762 in Frederick Township, Montgomery County, PA. He was the son of Christoph and Anna Margaretha Geist. He was married 23 October 1784 to Catherine Dornmeir. She was the daughter of Martin and Magdalena (Volke) Dornmeir. She died 9 February 1850 at age 87 and is buried in Long Swamp Cemetery with her husband.
Valentine was only four years old when his father died. His mother moved to Berks County when he was about 10 years old and she died in 1776 when he was fourteen. His oldest brother, Conrad who lived in Berks County, probably cared for the younger children until they were old enough to fend for themselves.
Valentine served in the Revolutionary War. He was a Private in Capt. Haupt’s Company in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Company of Berks County Militia. He started a tannery business with his brother, George and after George withdrew, Valentine continued the tannery business until his death. At the time of his death on 28 December 1849 at age 86, he was “of Longswamp Township”, Berks County, PA. He is buried in Long Swamp Cemetery. A tall tombstone marks his grave in the old section of the cemetery.
Children of Valentine and Catherine (Dornmeir) Geist: All born in Berks County, PA.
III. Elizabeth Geist was born 2 Feb 1785 in Hereford, Berks County, PA. She was the daughter of Valentine and Catherine (Dornmeir) Geist. She was married on 9 January 1803 to Carl/Charles Johns/Jones . Elizabeth died 25 November 1810 at age 25 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA leaving three small children. She is buried in the cemetery in Longswamp Township.
Children of Elizabeth Geist and Charles Jones: See the Jones Family File .