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Descendants of Andrew BOSTAPH Sr.:

 1   Andrew BOSTAPH (nee. Andreas Bosdorff) b: Abt. 1764 in Prussia   Emigrated: March 12, 1794 Philadelphia, PA on Ship "John"  d: April 1826 in Beaver Twp., Venango Co., Pennsylvania
..  +Susanna // b: Abt. 1775    m: Abt. 1800 in Pennsylvania d: Bef. 1826
..... 2   Susan BOSTAPH b: 1801 in Pennsylvania     d: May 22, 1882 in Crown, Clarion Co., PA Burial: St Mary's, Crown, Clarion Co., Pennsylvania
.........  +Nicholas WALLEY b: January 17, 1802 in Toby Twp., Clarion Co., PA    m: Abt. 1828 in PA d: April 27, 1876 in Farmington Twp., Clarion Co., PA Burial: St Mary's, Crown, Clarion Co., PA
..... 2   Elizabeth BOSTAPH b: November 14, 1803 in Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania
..... 2   Andrew BOSTAPH b: October 01, 1805 in Westmoreland Co., PA     d: December 30, 1862 in Farmington Twp., Clarion Co., PA Burial: St Mary's, Crown, Clarion Co., PA
.........  +Elizabeth WALLEY b: Abt. 1808 in Toby Twp., Clarion Co., PA    m: Abt. 1830 in Pennsylvania d: May 13, 1838 in Farmington Twp., Clarion Co., PA
.....  *2nd Wife of Andrew BOSTAPH:
.........  +Catherine EASLEY b: 1807 in PA    m: January 07, 1839 in Clarion Co., PA d: October 09, 1892 in Vowinkel, Clarion Co., PA
..... 2   John Peter BOSTAPH b: July 15, 1807 in Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania     d: Bef. 1820 in Pennsylvania
..... 2   Philip BOSTAPH b: March 24, 1809 in Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania
..... 2   Daniel Augustine BOSTAPH b: December 07, 1811 in Plum, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania     d: December 04, 1881 in Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania Burial: St Petersburg, Clarion Co., Pennsylvania
.........  +Sarah FREDERICK b: April 19, 1816 in PA    m: July 12, 1838 in Clarion Co., PA d: June 01, 1897 in PA Burial: St. Petersburg, Clarion Co., PA
..... 2   Rebecca BOSTAPH b: 1816 in Westmoreland Co., PA     d: 1896 in Clarion Co., PA
.........  +George CALLIHAN b: 1813 in Bedford Co., PA    m: 1837 d: 1897 in Clarion Co., PA


Andreas Bosdorff served in the Prussian army under Frederick the Great until 1786 and Frederick William II until 1790 when he obtained a passport from the mayor of Leipzig under the pretext of going to Amsterdam to collect money owed to him.  He remained there almost four years until he could sail to America on the ship JOHN in 1794, arriving March 12.  To pay for his passage he had to cut timber in Westmoreland County, PA for several years.  He married Susannah shortly before 1800 and had his children baptized in Lutheran churches at Greensburg and Brush Creek in Westmoreland County and in Plum Township in Allegheny County.  Eventually he settled in a part of Venango County that in 1839 became Clarion County.

His name is probably derived from his place of origin, Bosdorf, which in Low German means a town in a wood.  Census enumerators and others misspelled the name often, but Andreas eventually became Andrew Bostaph.  Baptismal records gave the Latin version of names such as Philibus and Andreas.

The History of Clarion County page 589 says, "In 1826 a school-house was built near where the old Bostaph school-house stood."  That is the year Andrew died, and this old school must have been his or taught by an older daughter; for his sons were too young to have a school.  This school was in Richland township, but Andrew's will was written in Beaver township.  He owned land in various places.  He names six children in his will, John Peter having died already.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

The last will and testament of Andrew Bostaph of Beaver township, County of Venango and state of Pennsylvania.  I Andrew Bostaph being weak in body but duly sensible do will my soul to God who gave it and my body to be decently buried and it is my will that my pen is all expressing and my debts be paid as soon after my death as some of the personal can be sold for cash and the land to be sold as soon as there is a good chance to sell for a part in hand and the remainder to be yearly payments for two, thrice, four or five years and the personal property must be sold by public vendue as soon as in convenient.  Susan and Rebecca is each to have a large pewter dish and their choice of the cows or the price of them.  All that belongs to my estate both real and personal is to be divided into five equal shares with the following named children:  Susan, Andrew, Philip, Daniel and Rebecca, and Elizabeth is to get five pounds.  and Philip, Daniel and Rebecca must choose guardians and be put to trades and that is of a capacity to learn a trade.  It is also my will that Henry Best and Nicholas Knight be executors of my estate and that Peter Knight be guardian of my daughter Rebecca.  In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight and 25.  Witness present Michael Best William Maginnis.  Signed Andrew Bostaph  SEAL    Recorded 18th April 1826

PASSPORT

Andrew Bostaph's passport to leave Leipzig for Amsterdam 1790:  Original in German held by family of William W. Bostaph.

I, the Mayor and Counsel of the city of Leipsig, hereby certify, that all here, God be thanked clean and healthy atmosphere, free from all infectious diseases.  When the holder hereof, Andrew Bosdorff, a farmer, intended travelling from herein to Amsterdam, expressly on money matters.  And now, to whomsoever this passport might be presented, to rank, require, request, ask and believe this complete and perfect, by comparison with the accompanying person, who shall have unhindered passage and this being our evidence thereto.  In witness whereof we have caused the seal of our city to be affixed herunder.  Taken place at Leipzig this 15th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety.
      (Seal)  The Counsel of Leipzig.