Gerhart is included in "Lists of Germans from the Palatinate who came to England in 1709" as follows:
"A list of all the poor Germans lately come over from the Palatinate to this kingdom taken in St. Catherine's the sixth May 1709."
"First Arrivals"
Clemens, Gerhard , age 28; married and wife living; son age 5, son age 1 1/2; the family belonged to the Baptist Church. Listed under occupation "husbandmen, weaver and vinedressers"
Emigrated from the Palatinate on the Rhine 1709 arriving in New York 1709, probably March. A bill of goods was purchased from his brother John and was recorded as settled in New York, March 8. 1709 ( a good indication that he had a brother, John, who was already settled in America.) From New York, Gerhardt and family moved on to Germantown, Philadelphia 10 Oct. 1709. A warrant granted Sept. 10, 1717 to David Powell, of Philadelphia, for 3000 acres of land, to be located between the ' Skepeck" and 'Parkyooman'. ...and from it 690 acres, located on the Northeast Branch, were sold to Gerhart Clemens on February 14th. 1718."He built his homestead on the west side of the Perkiomen stream, later building a larger home on the east side of the Perkiomen. By April 1734 he owned 690 acres of land. To help pay for the land, Gerhart and some of his children wove homespun goods for their friends and neighbours.
From Gerharts Account book:
" Anno 1726, March 13. I made a piece of cloth, altogether 30 yards,9 yards of tow and 21 yards of flax for Jacob Garman.John Lederach's flaxen cloth is 36 yards at 6 pence a yard. the piece of tow cloth which I made is 15 yards and a half at 5 pence a yard.
For Paul Friet I made a piece of flaxen cloth. it is 23 yards at 5 pence a yard."
After 1741 there are no enteries in the account book in his hand writing.
Another enterprise of Gerhart and family was the building of the first grist mill in Salford Twp. on the Perkiomen Creek in 1726. The mill stood until 1823 and was situated against a hill, two stories high in the front, and one in the rear. A mirrorwith a painting of this mill is stored at the Doon Heritage Center, Waterloo County.Further reference to Gerhart (Pg 460 Strass.) "..Hans Wegley seller of a mare and colt to Gerhart Clemens on the 15th day of November 1723..."
Gerhart around the age of 60 seems to have retired from the business life. Between 1736 and 1741 there are several accounts of his transferring land deeds to his sons and sons-in-law." Sold 50 acres of land along the Parkeawming Creek to Michael Zieger."
Same source as Migration, Page 13
Sometime after the first settlers had established themselves along Skippack creek, and began to feel at home there, they saw necessity of having a central public higway leading to Philadelphia that would answer better than the rough, crooked, winding paths through the forrests, around some clear feilds, and in places through almost impassible swamps and streams.
By the year 1713 quite a number of people ownded land [about 30] along the Skippack, of whom some where settlers and others, intending to live there at some time, also took an interest in having the road. Accordingly, a petition was drawn up and presented to the County of Quarter Sessions held in Philadelphia June 2, 1713. It contained a large number of signers, as will be seen, and evidently must have attracted a good deal of attention at that time, for the signers were widely scattered, and nearly all were interested in the road. The following is the petition:
" The Petition of the inhabitants of the township of Skippack and several ajacent plantations in said county, humbly showeth, that whereas, in the aforesaid township and neighborhood thereof, pretty many families are already settled , and probably not a few more to settle in and about the same. And yet no road being laid out and established to accomodate your petitioners: but what paths have hitherto been used are only upon sufferance, and liable to be fenced up. Therefore, your petinioners, both for the public good and their own convenience, humbly desire an order for the laying out and establishing a road or cartway from the upper end of said township down to the wide-marsh, of Farmer's Mill, which will greatly tend to the satisfaction of your petitioners, who shall thankfully asknowledge ther favor, &c.' (sic)
The following names are the names of the signers----- Dirk RENBERG, Jacob KOLB, Daniel DESMOND Heinrich FREY, William RENBERG Peter DUNN Gerhard In den Hoffen, (sic) Hermanus KUSTER, Thomas KENWORTHY, Claus JANSON, Martin KOLB, Peter BELLAR, Gerhard CLEMENS, Johannes SCHOLL, Peter WENTZ, Heinrich PANNEPACKER, Heinrich KOLB, Abraham LeFever, Johanes UMSTAT, Jacob OpDenGraeff, Jan KREY, Johannes KOLB, Peter SELLEN, Andrew SCHRAEGER, Jacob GAETSHLACK (sic), Herman In den HOFFEN, Lorentz SCHWEITZER, Mathias TYSON, John NEWBERRY, James BEEN
Pennsylvania Archives, 1664-1747, Page 213. Petition of the Inhabitants of Colebrookdale:
"To His Excellency Patrick Gordon Esqr., Governor Generall in Chief over the Province of pencilvania, and the Territoris thereunto Belonging, Benbrenors township and the Adjacences Beloinging May ye 10th 1728. We think It fit to address your Excellency for Relief, for your Excellency must knowe That we have Suffered and is like to sufer By the Ingians, they have fell upon ye Back Inhabitors about falkners Swamp, & near Coshapopin. Therefore, we the humbel Petitioners, With our poor Wives & Children Do humbly Beg of your Excellency To Take It into Consideration and Relieve us the Petitioners hereof, Whos Lives Lies At Stake With us and our poor Wives & Children that is more to us than Life. Therefore, We the humble Petitioners hereof, Do Desire An Answer from your Excellency by ye Bearer With Speed, so no more at present from your poor afflicted People Whose names are here Subscribed.
" The following names are on the document, although many are in the same handwriting: John Roberts, Jn. Pawling, Henry Pannebeckers, W. Lane, John Jacobs, _______ D. Bais, Israell Morris, Benjamine fry, Jacob opdengraef, Richard Adams, George Poger, Adam Sollom, Dirtman KOLB, Gabriel Showler, Anthony Halmon, John Isaac Rlein, Hanss Detweiler, William Bitts, Heinrich Rutt, Hubburt Castle, Henry Rentlinger, Christian WEBER, Gerhart de hesse, Lorentz Cinzamore, Richard Jacob, Herman Rubert, Peter Bun, Jacob Cugnred, Christian Nighswanger, Conrad Cresson, Jacob Kolb, Hans Wolly Borgy, John Mier, Henrich Kolb, John Frot, Paul Frot, Wm. Smith, Peter Rambo, David Young, Christopher Schmit, Garrett CLEMENS, Mathias Tyson, Peter Johnson, Yost Hyt, Christian Aliback, Hans RIFE, Daniel Stowfard, Abraham Schwartz, Johann Valentine Kratz, John Johnson, Ulrich Heffelfinger, Nicholas Haldeman, Michael ZIEGLER, Christian STONER, Johannes Garber, John Haldeman, Claus Jansen, Nicholas Hicks, Johannes Leisher, Jacob Sheimer, Michael Krause, Peter REIFF, George REIFF, George Meyer, Bastian Smith, Edward In de Hoffen, Christian Kroll, Jacob Grater, Jacob Stauffer, Henry Stauffer, and Paul Friedt Jr.The following is from The Strassburger Family and Allied Families of Pennsylvania, by Ralph Beaver Strassburger, 1922, pp. 454-475.
THE CLEMENS FAMILY:
"Gerhart Clemens, a Mennonite, born 1680, probably in Switzerland, was the son of Jacob Clemens and came to Pennsylvania in 1709, settling first in Skippack, where in 1711 he purchased of Matthias Van Bebber a farm of one hundred acres. Matthias Van Bebber had received from the Proprietary, William Penn, six thousand acres of land situated in what was then Philadelphia, but now Montgomery County. This great tract was known as Bebber's Township and comprised all of the present Perkiomen and Skippack Township.In 1718 Gerhart Clemens purchased of David Powell another tract of land consisting of three hundred acres "on the northeast branch of the Perkahomy Creek," in what is now Lower Salford Township. Here upon the west side of the creek he built a log house, where he lived while he cleared away the forests. On December 9, 1722, Gerhart and his wife Ann sold to Michael Ziegler, one of the earliest ministers of the Mennonite Church at Skippack, fifty acres of his first purchase of one hundred acres in Bebber's or Skippack Township. Thereafter, by purchase and patent, he acquired additional tracts until he had six hundred and ninety acres which he claimed as his own.
Gerhart Clemens kept a diary, or notebook, in which are entered many notes, none, however, in his own handwriting after 1740. While there are entries made in the same book later on, they appear to have been made by his son, Jacob, with whom, according to tradition, he lived during the latter years of his life.
Gerhart Clemens says in his diary that he was born in 1680 and came to Pennsylvania in 1709.From the following entry we learn that his father's name was Jacob:
"Anno 1709, March 8, I, Jacob Clemens, gave my son Gerhart by my own hand on account 126 guilders."Then the following: "Anno 1709, March 3, I, John Clemens, have settled with my brother Gerhart Clemens and made every thing balance regarding his purchased goods."
According to tradition, this brother, John, was a merchant, unmarried in the city of New York. It is also said that there was another brother, Jacob, who lived in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Another item of interest in this notebook, no date, but apparently made in Holland:
"My father-in-law reckoned to me for the horse ( ) rix dollars and for the cow 12 rix dollars. Is that now right?" This was formerly the money of Holland. Two and a half guilders made one rix dollar, which was equal to one dollar United States money.The diary is written entirely in German, but the fact that all his financial dealings were transacted in the currency then in use in Holland leads one to believe that Gerhart Clemens was living in or near that country. About March 1709, when he was twenty-nine years of age, he apparently sold his possessions to his father, Jacob, and his brother, John, and to his father-in-law, whose name, unfortunately, he neglects to give us, and prepares to come to this country. From this same notebook we learn that by October of that year he had arrived in Pennsylvania.
By 1735 Gerhart Clemens' entire tract comprised about a mile square, and among the adjoining land owners are noted Andrew Lederach and Dillman Kolb. It was not long before Gerhart Clemens became one of the most prosperous and successful men in the community. He lived for some time in his first house built on the west side of the Branch Creek, but later erected a larger and more commodious residence on the east side of the same stream.
We learn from the numerous accounts that appear in his diary, or notebook, that Gerhart Clemens and some of his children were weavers and wove considerable homespun goods for his friends and others. This was, no doubt, one of the ways by means of which they made money to pay their debts.
In 1726, Gerhart Clemens built the first grist mill in Salford Township on the creek near the present (1922) site of Groff's mill. In the diary he left some matters on record relating to it, namely, that he made a contract with Jacob Souder, March, 1726, to build a mill "to be well made and to give good satisfaction," for which he was to receive 33 pounds, one half thereof to be paid when the mill was finished and the other half in six months afterwards.
This mill stood until 1823, nearly 100 years, when the foundation for the present (1922) mill, now known as Groff's, was laid. Part of the foundation of the old mill is easily discernible. The original building stood against the hill, about one hundred and fifty yards farther up the stream from the present site. "It was built in the most economical manner, two stories high. There were no elevators in it, everything which was to be ground twice had to be carried up stairs to the second story. Customers bringing in grists there to be ground drove their teams up hill and unloaded on the second story, while those who fetched their grists, which mostly consisted of flour and bran, received them from the first floor." Two years after the first mill was built the Goshenhoppen road was opened, which added greatly to the convenience of the neighborhood. It crossed the stream just below the mill.
On September 26, 1738, Gerhart Clemens and his wife, Ann, conveyed to their son, John, the mill, the residence, and one hundred fifty-one acres thereunto belonging. On June 20, 1738, they gave to their son Jacob two tracts containing together one hundred and eight-five acres. On the following day, June 21, Gerhart and his wife transferred to their son Jacob another large tract containing one hundred and thirty-six acres.
Then on May 30, 1741, Gerhart Clemens and his wife sold to their son, Abraham, two hundred and thirty-six acres of his vast holdings, four acres of which the latter sold ten days later to his brother Jacob.
The remainder of this land, Gerhart Clemens sold to various persons, in all about eight hundred and twenty-four acres. After disposing of all his land it appears Gerhart and his wife retired, though he was only sixty-one years old at that time.
He died about 1744-45, when he was about sixty-five years of age. There is nothing to be found in the records of Philadelphia concerning the settlement of his estate. Apparently he had prepared himself for the event of his death by his disposition of all his property. He and his wife, Ann, who he married in Holland, and whose surname is unknown [*It has since been ascertained that Ann's maiden name was Anneli Reiff.], are both buried at the Lower Salford Meeting House, but no stones are standing to mark their graves.
Note July 2002: A grave marker, located Salford Mennonite Cemetery, Groff Mill Road, Salford, Montgomery Co., PA. reads: " Pioneer of the Clemens Family / First Generation / Gerhart Clemens 1680-1745 / Ann Clemens / Emigrated 1709 / Second Generation / John Clemens 1707 /Elizabeth Clemens /Anna (Clemens) Kratz 1793 / Jacob Clemens 1787 / Abraham Clemens 1776 / Valentine Kratz 1793 / Barbara Clemens / Catherine Clemens"
Stone beside Gerharts marker: " 1707 John Kratz 1780 / Progenitor of the Kratz Family in America / Migrated from the Palatine 1727 / Married Ann Clemens / Daughter of Gerhart Clemens / Lived Lower Salford.It is probable that Ann died first, as tradition says that Gerhart made his home during the latter years of his life with his son Jacob, for whom he had built the substantial stone house still standing, though many improvements and additions have been added to the original.
Note re ancestry of Gerhart Clemens from Elaine Jeter, 2001:
"The immigrant Gerhardt Clemens was born in the village of Niederfloersheim, near Alzey, in the Pfalz in abt. 1680. This Mennonite Clemens family appears on the Taufer (anabaptist) censuses of the early 1660's--these censuses were taken to identify anabaptists, for the purpose of extra taxation and/or expulsion from the area. That's what happened in those days when a Protestant ruler died and a Catholic one took over. The same family is found before that in the 1650's in the Siebengebirge area, (n. of Mannheim) in a similar census; they were expelled from there after that 1650's census.
Because of the languages used by Gerhardt Clemens, immigrant, and the name forms found in the taufer censuses, it seems most probable that this family was among those driven from the "low countries" during the 90-year Dutch/Spanish war that ended in 1645. Like all Mennonites, the Clemens family was never allowed to hold any citizenship in any country in Europe, and they emigrated up and down the Rhine River in order to try to find a place where they would have the freedom to think for themselves and to practice their own faith."1734, Landholders of Pennsylvania County, 1734 (Genalogical Society of Pennsylvania, Miscellany #2) Listed as owning 150 acres.
Memorial Stone, Salford Mennonite Cemetery, Montgomery Co. PA.
Tombstone Inscription:
Pioneers of the Clemens Family / First Generation / Gerhart Clemens 1685 - 1745 and Ann Clemens / Emigrated 1709 / Second Generation / John Clemens 1707 & Elizabeth Clemens / Anna Clemens Kratz 1793 & Valentine Kratz 1709 - 1780 / Jacob Clemens 1782 & Barbara Clemens / Abraham Clemens 1776 & Catherine Clemens1782 & Barbara Clemens / Abraham Clemens 1776 & Catherine Clemens
ANNELI 'ANNA' (HIESTAND) REIFF
Note from Stauffer, Stouffer, Stover and Related Families, by Richard E. Stauffer, P.O. Box 54, Old Zionville, PA. 18068:
"Anneli, daughter of Michael Reiff and Kinget Histand of Richerswill, Switzerland and later of Germany.Following the death of Michael in Germany, Anna's mother, Kinget married Hans Stauffer, who adopted Anna as his daughter in 1709.Hans Stauffer, for the wedding of his step daughter, Annel Reiff, gave an ox, weighing 120 lbs., a wether [castrated male sheep], a hog, altogether worth 6 guldens. Also gave groceries, worth 2 guldens; linen cloth, worth 2 guldens, a chest,
worth 2 guldens; some glory wax mixed with other wax, a cow with calf valued at 18 guldens; and some woolen cloth" Total wedding gifts worth 30 guldens."
Jacob Reiff Clemens was the second generation record keeper of the 'Clemens Account Book', in which the the building of the Salford Meetinghouse in 1760 is noted. He was one of the trustees and treasurer of the Meetinghouse. He was also considered to be one of the earliest deacons for the Salford Mennonite Congregation.
After his father's death he resided on his father farm and his brother John resided on the old farmstead and inherited the mill. The old farm remained in the family until Isaac Kratz. Clemens sold it to Elias R Landis in 1895.1734, Landholders of Pennsylvania County, 1734 (Genalogical Society of Pennsylvania, Miscellany #2) Listed as owning 100 acres.
9 April 1746: Sold the farm to Gerhart Clemmer Clemens (son).
22 Oct.1746, purchased 202 acres.
Immigrants: Person Naturalized in Pennsylvannia, 1740-1759: PA Archives, Series II, Vol. II
"....And at the same Court, the following Persons being Quakers, or such who Conscientiously scruple to take an oath, being also Foreigners, and having complied with the Terms required by the aforesaid Act of Parliament, took and subscribed the Qualifications for them appointed by the same Act of Parliament, and c., viz:
Page 359 1743?: 'Clemens, Jacob of Philadelphia County'Will drew up14 Dec 1779. and probated 30 Nov. 1782:
CLEMENS, JACOB. Lower Salford, Co. of Phila. Yeoman. December 14, 1779. November 30, 1782. S.197. Children: John, Jacob, Abraham, Gerhart, Susanna and eight other daughters [no names given]. To Elders of Meeting in Lower Salford Township for the Poor. Exec: Gerhart Clemens and Son-in-Law Michael Ziegler. Wit: Luvinig Rosenlyer, Jacob Overholtzen, John Barkey.Note: " Clemens Family History" Helen Weaver Gould (unpublished):
" Esther Clemens, b. Jan. 11 1731, d. May 3. 1790, m. William Ziegler May 2, 1751.
" Barbara, a daughter of Jacob Clemmer of Great Swamp in Bucks County, was born about 1714 and died between 1775 and 1779. Jacob was born in 1707 and died in 1782. he was the son of Gerhart Clemens 1680-1745 and Anna Reiff"Note from: "The Strassburger Family and Allied Families of Pennsylvania", by Ralph Beaver Strassburger, 1922, pp. 454-475.
THE CLEMENS FAMILY:
Jacob CLEMENS, son of Gerhart and Ann Clemens, born, probably in Switzerland, came to Pennsylvania with his parents when quite young.
In the fall of 1746, Jacob Clemens purchased the lands which had belonged to the recently deceased Christian Allebach. December 16, 1756, Jacob Clemens and his wife sold ninety-eight acres of this tract to Peter Freed, but nineteen years later,March 27, 1775, Peter Freed sold these same ninety-eight acres back to Jacob Clemens, who at that time was a resident of Gwynedd Township. Immediately thereafter Jacob Clemens sold the messuage and thirty-six acres of this same land to this grandson, Dillman Ziegler.
It was about 1769 that Mr. Clemens removed with his family to Gwynedd Township, when, on May 26th of that year, he purchased from Amos Griffith, of the last named township, a messuage and tract of land containing one hundred acres.
One of the witnesses to this deed is his son-in-law, Michael Ziegler.
To this farm, Jacob Clemens added another thirteen acres adjoining. It is not known how long he resided in Gwynedd, for he eventually returned to Lower Salford, where the latter years of his life were spent. His wife, Barbara, apparently died before December 14, 1779; her death probably occurred during their residence in Gwynedd, and he then made his home with his son, John, to whom he deeded all of his lands in Salford Township, except the homestead farm.
Jacob Clemens made his will December 14, 1779, which was entered for probate November 30, 1782. His death, therefore, occurred between August 3, 1782, the date of the deed to his son, John, and the date of the probating of his will. In this instrument he made no mention of his wife, who, in all probability, had died in Gwynedd, since her name does not appear upon any of the deeds after 1779.To his son, John, he devised all his lands in Lower Salford Township, "whereon I now live," consisting of one hundred acres, and to Jacob, his youngest son, he bequeathed the farm in Gwynedd; to the third son, Michael, he left the four-acre meadow tract he had purchased from his brother, Abraham, in 1741; and to the eldest son, Gerhart, he left 30 pounds to be levied out of the valuation of the land.
In 1768, he had sold the farm upon which he was living to his son Gerhart, then a young man of twenty-three years of age. In his will he mentions Gerhart as his eldest son. According to the family record there were three boys older than Gerhart, all of whom must have died young; Michael born 1729, Jacob born 1739, and twins, Gerhard and Christian, born 1741. A son Michael is mentioned in his father's will of whose birth we have no record; another son, Gerhart, born 1745 named
as eldest son; and another Jacob born 1749. To his nine daughters he left 200 pounds each. It is believed that there were other daughters than those named in the family record.Although Jacob Clemens mentions nine daughters as heirs, he designates by name only one, Susanna, who is under age in 1779. According to a note in the diary which had belonged to his father, and to which Jacob made some later additional notes, it is stated that Elizabeth was married in 1763. She was then twenty years of age.
One of the nine daughters of Jacob and Barbara Clemens was the wife of Michael Ziegler, but so far we have been unable to learn which one [**It has since been ascertained that it was Anna who married Michael Ziegler], as her Christian name is unknown. She died sometime before her husband, but was apparently alive when her father made his will, as he names his "beloved son-in-law Michael Ziegler" as co-executor with Gerhart Clemens, the oldest son.
Jacob Clemens and his family were members of the Lower Salford Mennonite Meeting. Both he and his wife were no doubt buried in the graveyard adjoining he church.WILL: Date: 14 Dec 1779 Place: Pennsylvania, USA.
3. Johannes(John) (Reiff) Clemens
1734, Landholders of Pennsylvania County, 1734 (Genalogical Society of Pennsylvania, Miscellany #2) Listed as owning 100 acres.Immigrants: Person Naturalized in Pennsylvannia, 1740-1759: PA Archives, Series II, Vol. II
"....And at the same Court, the following Persons being Quakers, or such who Conscientiously scruple to take an oath, being also Foreigners, and having complied with the Terms required by the aforesaid Act of Parliament, took and subscribed the Qualifications for them appointed by the same Act of Parliament, and c., viz:
Page 359 1743: 'Clemens, John of Philadelphia County'The original homestead and mill were given to John by his father.
1983 the homestead was still standing. From Salford meetinghouse, continue on Groff Mill road. At the bottom of the hill on the right is John's homestead.
The History of Macomb Twp. Michigan, mentions that Johannes was a " Pennsylvania Mennonite farmer who paid his fines as a conscientious objector during the Revolutionary War."
John Ulrich Stauffer's Will:
STAUFFER, JOHN ULRICH. Worcester.
September 20, 1800. February 15, 1803. 2.296
To wife Catharine, farm and personalty. To daughter Jenny, wife of Henry Roosen, farm, 20 pds. after wife's death at valuation of 240 pds. Daughters Jenny and Dorothy, wife of Matthias Moyer, to have dividends equal
to sons Christian and Garret. Rem. equally divided among 4 children: Christian, Garret, Jenny, and Dorothy.Execs: Son Garret, son in law Henry Roosen.
Ezra Eby notes: One daughter married to George Wagley and supposedly a daughter named Ann married Hans Ulrich Bergey.
From the Kratz Family Bible from Wendy Scott:
It is thought that John Valentine Kratz was a native of Switzerland, but of this we have no positive proof. According to Rupp's 30,000 names, he was one of 46 emigrants, who migrated with their families, in all about 200 persons, from the Palatinate to Pennsylvania in 1727. However, during the persecution of the Mennonites in Switzerland by the Calvinists, many of them found refuge for a time in the Palatinate, and afterwards emigrated to other countries.He aged about 73 years.
He emigrated to Pennsylvania when he was 20 years old, the voyage took nearly four months. It is said that one of his sisters came with him to this country. Of her we have been unable to learn anything further. He was the earliest Kratz to settle in America. However there are records of many other Kratz immigrants to America who came over at later dates.
Like many others, persecuted in his homeland, on account of his religious faith, he turned toward the new world, the land of religious freedom, leaving the parental roof, the scenes of his youth, and all the kindred associations of the old home, to make his abode among strangers in a strange land.
Here he braved the trials and hardships incident to a new and sparsely settled country, in which wild beasts and savage red men abounded. Here, he with others who like himself had been driven from their homes across the sea by the cruel hand of persecution, aided in erecting shrines and altars around which they worshiped the God of their fathers. Here he prospered and enjoyed the fruit of his labors. Here he lived the quiet unassuming life of an American citizen.
He lived in a most trying time in the history of this country, and was torn to determine the correct attitude to take regarding the arduous struggle of the colonies for freedom from crowned tyranny during the American Revolution. His Mennonite background influenced him toward non-resistance, however, he remained true and loyal to the American cause.
John Valentine Kratz settled in what was then Salford Township, Philadelphia County, now Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where he purchased three tracts of land:
One tract contained 163 acres, 71 perches with allowance of six percent, for roads and highways, and for which he paid 25 pounds, 6s., 8d., and received a patent therefor on Feb. 14, 1736. It is located in Upper Salford. It extended on both sides of the Skippack road to the crossroad below Salfordsville. It was obtained from John Penn, Thomas Penn, and Richard Penn by their patent dated August 3, 1734.
From Gary Anderson: Listed on the "Lower Salford Tax List of 1734", an enumeration of those landholders who payed the Proprietor an annual quit-rent 1734, Received a patent of 163 acres from John, Thomas and Richard PENN 3 August 1734 at Salford, Montgomery Co, PA, Purchased 53 acres
A second tract containing 53 acres was purchased from Gerhard Clemens (also known as Gerret Clemens) for 53 pounds, by deed dated January 30, 1735. This tract is located in Lower Salford, and was adjoining his first purchase. He built the first house on this property which was later owned by Milton H. Alderfer and eventually owned by the New Life Boys Ranch and used as their headquarters.
The third tract of land purchased contained 68 acres and located in the same township.
In the tax list of 1776 John Valentine Kratz was assessed for 150 acres in Upper Salford (Salford Township was divided into Upper and Lower Salford in 1741) and 150 acres in Lower Salford. After the death of John Valentine Kratz, the Old Homestead and 150 acres of land were willed (will dated April 5, 1777) to his youngset son, Isaac. On the other farm of 150 acres in Upper Salford, John Valentine Kratz built a residence and transferred it and a portion of the land to his son
Valentine. (Henry Weber owned it at a later time)
Pennsylvania Wills, 1682-1834 KRATZ, VALENTINE, SENR. Lower Salford, Co. of Phila. Yeoman. April 5, 1777. October 15, 1782. S.182. Wife: Anna. Children: Isaac, Valentine, Philip [and three others not named]. Exec: Philip and Valentine Kratz. Wit: John Alterfer, Jacob Alterfer, John Barkey.Memorial Stone, Salford Mennonite Cemetery, Montgomery Co. PA.
Tombstone Inscription:
1707..John Valentine Kratz..1780 / Progenitor of the Kratz Family of America / Migrated from the Palatinate 1727 / Married Ann Clemens Dau. of Gerhart Clemens / Lived in Lower Salford
There is some question as to whether Mary is really a daughter of Gerhart . The Bergey Family Book written in 1925 by David Bergey states that there was reason to believe that Mary Clemens, wife of John Ulrich Bergey was a daughter of Gerhart Clemens, but also states that the Gerhart Clemens famiy does not support this.
Ezra Eby's book "Biographical Waterloo Township...." also mentions the possibility of Anne being a daughter of Gerhart's
If this is so for what ever reason she remained in Palatine until 1719 when she immigrated from Switzerland with husband, John Ulrich Bergey.
Immigrated to USA from Switzerland in 1719.
1743 April: In a session of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, held in Philadelphia on the 12th and 13th days of April, 1743, John Ulrich Bergey was naturalized. He had conscientious scruples to taking an oath and was affirmed.
Will:
762 November 9 drew up his will and it was probated December 11, 1762.His will was printed in the Bergey book and, interestingly, the witnesses were Andrew Ziegler, Henry Lederach and ABRAHAM CLEMENS. The witnesses were present in Philadelphia when the will was probated on December 11, 1762.
Another interesting connection with the Clemens is that John Bergey was a wtiness to a deed in 1741 for land conveyed by Gerhardt Clemens to his son, Abraham Clemens.
He was also appointed one of the 4 trustees for the administration of the estate of his neighbor and firend, Rev. Dilman Kolb by provision of Rev. Kolb's last will and testatment.Burial was at Salford Mennonite Meetinghouse. Their graves were marked with field stones until July, 1907, when a granite monument was erected on the spot by the Bergey family association, and unveiled with an appropriate ceremony 27 September, 1907.