An introduction to the book of my German side's geneology.
There were 400 of these printed. I've got #230. I've been emailing other "family" with copies, one of them has #16. Pretty neat.
This introduction was taken from the book The Peffley--Peffly--Pefley Families In America written by May Miller Frost and Clarence Earl Frost.
Clarence was blind, but a master typist. To pass the time, May would read him our genealogical records and he would type them up. This project to keep a blind man occupied became a book over time and was published in 1938. My grandmother is the last relative of mine to be entered, in 1922. Of only a mere 400 printed, I own #230.
Here are some relevant sites about the ancestors of Nicholas Pfaffli. The whole book may be read in full at the first link provided.
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~scismfam/peffbook/chap1.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/rant/travislemaster/roots/pefley_nicholas.htm
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.co...efley/BOOK-0001/index.html?Welcome=1083999553
--------------------------------------
The Peffley--Peffly--Pefley Families In America
and Allied Families
--------------
1729-1938
---------------
BEING A HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
Nicholas and Barbara Peffley, the ancestors of the Peffley Family in America, left Germany with a large group of their friends because of religious persecution. They were of the "Brethren" or "German Baptist Faith," a sect originating in Germany. They were nick-named "Dunkers" (dippers) from the German word tunken, to dip. In baptism they dipped under three times. The founder of the sect was Alexander Mack of Schwartznau, Germany.
Groups of Brethren came to Pennsylvania through Holland from 1719 to 1729, settling near Germantown, Pennsylvania, and scattering later.
They were among the first to enter the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, rapidly populating from 1790 to 1825. They retained their own language in colonial times. One of the group was Christoff Sauer, who set up the Sauer Press at Germantown, which was famous in American Colonial days, printing in German.
Some of the group left Germany early and took refuge in Holland, some years later taking ship for America. Thus it is difficult at this late date to find out from what part of Germany our ancestors came. Colonial Records, Vol. 3, page 367, says of arrivals in Philadelphia, "1729, August 19, 75 Palatinates and their families, about 180 persons, imported Ship Mortenhouse, James Coultas, Master, Rotterdam. Left from Cowes, Eng., whence the ship sailed June 21st." Since Nicholas and Barbara were on this ship, they probably lived in the province in Germany called the Palatine.
Only people of unquenchable spirit would have dared to take the risk of the terrible voyage on the small, crowded, unsanitary sailing vessels of those days. Those coming to America from Germany had to undergo three tedious stages of the journey. In the first stage from Heibronn down the Rhine to Rotterdam boats passed 26 custom houses. The ships were examined by the officials whenever they found it convenient. This journey took from four to six weeks. The delay increased the expense. In Holland they were usually detained five or six weeks. Everything was high there and the meagre funds were again reduced. The second stage was from Rotterdam to some English port. There were a number of ports at which boats touched, Deal being one of them, but the largest number docked at Cowes, Isle of Wight. There were one or two more weeks of waiting in England before the boat was allowed to leave. The third and final stage of the voyage took from seven to twelve weeks, depending on the condition of the weather. At best, the sailing vessels were small and unseaworthy. Many of the immigrants contracted contagious diseases. There was much dysentery, smallpox and typhoid. During prolonged storms suffering was indescribable. Food and water were poor and scarce. Great numbers died, especially children, and were buried at sea. When boats arrived at Philadelphia many of the adults were too ill to sign their own names to the Oath of Allegiance to England, which was required.
Among these German immigrants were many skilled artisans, as well as good farmers, cabinet makers, millwrights, iron workers, printers, millers, and all other allied trades that go to make up a community of the pioneer country.
They were well educated in German, and groups brought their own school-masters and ministers to insure the mental and spiritual development of their children. They were not trained to take a part in political affairs, because they had no voice in the government in the Fatherland. They were content to settle in groups with their own friends and start churches and schools where instruction was continued in German. Because of this they were rather unpopular in the community at large, when they were only doing what was natural to them.
These people were industrious and frugal and, being good farmers, soon hewed out fine plantations from the virgin forest. Much of Pennsylvania's prosperity today is due to the industry of these German settlers. It was nothing unusual to find houses with a double parlor, sitting room, diningroom, kitchen, out- kitchen and six or eight bedrooms. They were general in the counties of Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin and Cumberland. There were many stone houses in Lebanon, some of which are still inhabited by lineal descendants. The Germans were noted for their fine barns and other outbuildings. Included in these was always a shop where the farmer- artisan carried on his trade. There was never any danger of famine, because there was always a cellar well stocked with pickles, kraut, cheeses, sausages, smoked meats, jellies, jams, and vegetables. Familes were usually large, and as each one married, the father set him up with a piece of land adjoining or near home. There was a true family spirit.
The Brethren did not believe in war, and many held back until they realized they would have to fight to preserve their homes. Valley Forge was not many miles away. We cannot lift the veil and see just what part each played in those troublous times. The local histories of Pennsylvania give so little detail. Egle's History of Dauphin and Lebanon, gives the names of many families living in Bethel Township where the Peffleys were.
Several early wills are included in this book. The will of David, mentioned among those at Bethel is an interesting document. This David, son of Nicholas and Barbara, remained in Pennsylvania, founding that branch of the Peffley family. His brother Jacob died in Pennsylvania, but Jacob's four sons: David, Jacob, Henry and Samuel, left Pennsylvania. David, Henry and Samuel went to Botetourt County, Virginia, from 1790 to 1796. Much later on their lines, with the exception of several married daughters, again moved on, most of them going to Putnam and Montgomery Counties, Indiana, where there are great numbers today. One line went to Ohio, then to Indiana, and later to Labette county, Kansas. The fourth brother, Jacob, finally settled in Ohio. His movements from Pennsylvania to Ohio are not now known. There are many of his descendants around Dayton, Ohio, at the present time. There are also members of the Peffley family scattered all over the United States, one group in Alberta, Canada; one descendant, a missionary in China.
It is difficult to say what was the original spelling of the Peffley name. The facsimile reproduction of the signature of Nicholas Peffley to the Oath of Allegiance, printed in Col. Records, Vol. 3, page 367, gives "Nicolas Peffeli," but it may have been written by some clerk, who wrote it as it sounded to him. There was a middle initial on the sailing list which looks like "P," but one authority says it is an "O." Current supposition indicates it was his "mark" and not an initial. JGS Early wills, deeds, etc., spell the name in many ways, due no doubt to the inability of the clerks to understand the German pronunciation and they spelled the name as it sounded to them. The signature of the will of David Peffley, of Botetourt county, Virginia, in 1827, is written in German. It is "Davhid Paffly." A signature on an old German Psalter in 1816 is "Päffly." The German "ä" , (the umlaut) sounds almost like short "e" in English; hence the change to "e" when anglicized. The line in Pennsylvania use it Peffley. Of the four brothers who left Pennsylvania, the David line uses Peffley; Samuel and Henry lines, Pefley; and the Jacob line in Ohio, Peffly.
The descendants of this Nicholas Peffley are mostly a very religious people. Some of them are still members of the old faith; many others are members of the Christian church. They have produced many ministers and teachers. Predominantly farmers and lovers of the soil, they nevertheless have carried down those remarkable traits of their fore-fathers, being: wood- carvers, cabinetmakers, machinists, mechanics, fine penmen, artists, architects and builders. The ability to carve in wood is carried down to an almost uncanny degree. In every generation are to be found those who can do fine carving, though none have had training along that line. The writer has interviewed many of them and has seen much of the work done by this and past generations. One need never be ashamed of the fact that he or she is a descendant of Nicholas and Barbara Peffley, who founded the line in America. The names of descendants may be found on the rolls of every war this country has had from the Revolution to the World War.
--------------------------------------
Nicholas Pfaffli
Birth
3 March 1694/95 Signau, Canton Bern, Switzerland, son of Nicholas Pfaffli and Catharina Raber.
Marriage
ca. 1723 Germany to Barbara Barn
Son
ca. 1724 Germany : Jacob Pefley born.
Dau
ca. 1728 Lancaster Co., PA : Catherine Pefley born.
Dau
ca. 1732 Lancaster Co., PA : Ann Pefley born.
Dau
ca. 1736 Lancaster Co., PA : Barbara Pefley born.
Son
ca. 1740 Lancaster Co., PA : David Pefley born.
Died
aft. March 1740/41 Lancaster Co., PA : said to have been killed by Indians
There were 400 of these printed. I've got #230. I've been emailing other "family" with copies, one of them has #16. Pretty neat.
This introduction was taken from the book The Peffley--Peffly--Pefley Families In America written by May Miller Frost and Clarence Earl Frost.
Clarence was blind, but a master typist. To pass the time, May would read him our genealogical records and he would type them up. This project to keep a blind man occupied became a book over time and was published in 1938. My grandmother is the last relative of mine to be entered, in 1922. Of only a mere 400 printed, I own #230.
Here are some relevant sites about the ancestors of Nicholas Pfaffli. The whole book may be read in full at the first link provided.
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~scismfam/peffbook/chap1.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/rant/travislemaster/roots/pefley_nicholas.htm
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.co...efley/BOOK-0001/index.html?Welcome=1083999553
--------------------------------------
The Peffley--Peffly--Pefley Families In America
and Allied Families
--------------
1729-1938
---------------
BEING A HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
Nicholas and Barbara Peffley, the ancestors of the Peffley Family in America, left Germany with a large group of their friends because of religious persecution. They were of the "Brethren" or "German Baptist Faith," a sect originating in Germany. They were nick-named "Dunkers" (dippers) from the German word tunken, to dip. In baptism they dipped under three times. The founder of the sect was Alexander Mack of Schwartznau, Germany.
Groups of Brethren came to Pennsylvania through Holland from 1719 to 1729, settling near Germantown, Pennsylvania, and scattering later.
They were among the first to enter the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, rapidly populating from 1790 to 1825. They retained their own language in colonial times. One of the group was Christoff Sauer, who set up the Sauer Press at Germantown, which was famous in American Colonial days, printing in German.
Some of the group left Germany early and took refuge in Holland, some years later taking ship for America. Thus it is difficult at this late date to find out from what part of Germany our ancestors came. Colonial Records, Vol. 3, page 367, says of arrivals in Philadelphia, "1729, August 19, 75 Palatinates and their families, about 180 persons, imported Ship Mortenhouse, James Coultas, Master, Rotterdam. Left from Cowes, Eng., whence the ship sailed June 21st." Since Nicholas and Barbara were on this ship, they probably lived in the province in Germany called the Palatine.
Only people of unquenchable spirit would have dared to take the risk of the terrible voyage on the small, crowded, unsanitary sailing vessels of those days. Those coming to America from Germany had to undergo three tedious stages of the journey. In the first stage from Heibronn down the Rhine to Rotterdam boats passed 26 custom houses. The ships were examined by the officials whenever they found it convenient. This journey took from four to six weeks. The delay increased the expense. In Holland they were usually detained five or six weeks. Everything was high there and the meagre funds were again reduced. The second stage was from Rotterdam to some English port. There were a number of ports at which boats touched, Deal being one of them, but the largest number docked at Cowes, Isle of Wight. There were one or two more weeks of waiting in England before the boat was allowed to leave. The third and final stage of the voyage took from seven to twelve weeks, depending on the condition of the weather. At best, the sailing vessels were small and unseaworthy. Many of the immigrants contracted contagious diseases. There was much dysentery, smallpox and typhoid. During prolonged storms suffering was indescribable. Food and water were poor and scarce. Great numbers died, especially children, and were buried at sea. When boats arrived at Philadelphia many of the adults were too ill to sign their own names to the Oath of Allegiance to England, which was required.
Among these German immigrants were many skilled artisans, as well as good farmers, cabinet makers, millwrights, iron workers, printers, millers, and all other allied trades that go to make up a community of the pioneer country.
They were well educated in German, and groups brought their own school-masters and ministers to insure the mental and spiritual development of their children. They were not trained to take a part in political affairs, because they had no voice in the government in the Fatherland. They were content to settle in groups with their own friends and start churches and schools where instruction was continued in German. Because of this they were rather unpopular in the community at large, when they were only doing what was natural to them.
These people were industrious and frugal and, being good farmers, soon hewed out fine plantations from the virgin forest. Much of Pennsylvania's prosperity today is due to the industry of these German settlers. It was nothing unusual to find houses with a double parlor, sitting room, diningroom, kitchen, out- kitchen and six or eight bedrooms. They were general in the counties of Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin and Cumberland. There were many stone houses in Lebanon, some of which are still inhabited by lineal descendants. The Germans were noted for their fine barns and other outbuildings. Included in these was always a shop where the farmer- artisan carried on his trade. There was never any danger of famine, because there was always a cellar well stocked with pickles, kraut, cheeses, sausages, smoked meats, jellies, jams, and vegetables. Familes were usually large, and as each one married, the father set him up with a piece of land adjoining or near home. There was a true family spirit.
The Brethren did not believe in war, and many held back until they realized they would have to fight to preserve their homes. Valley Forge was not many miles away. We cannot lift the veil and see just what part each played in those troublous times. The local histories of Pennsylvania give so little detail. Egle's History of Dauphin and Lebanon, gives the names of many families living in Bethel Township where the Peffleys were.
Several early wills are included in this book. The will of David, mentioned among those at Bethel is an interesting document. This David, son of Nicholas and Barbara, remained in Pennsylvania, founding that branch of the Peffley family. His brother Jacob died in Pennsylvania, but Jacob's four sons: David, Jacob, Henry and Samuel, left Pennsylvania. David, Henry and Samuel went to Botetourt County, Virginia, from 1790 to 1796. Much later on their lines, with the exception of several married daughters, again moved on, most of them going to Putnam and Montgomery Counties, Indiana, where there are great numbers today. One line went to Ohio, then to Indiana, and later to Labette county, Kansas. The fourth brother, Jacob, finally settled in Ohio. His movements from Pennsylvania to Ohio are not now known. There are many of his descendants around Dayton, Ohio, at the present time. There are also members of the Peffley family scattered all over the United States, one group in Alberta, Canada; one descendant, a missionary in China.
It is difficult to say what was the original spelling of the Peffley name. The facsimile reproduction of the signature of Nicholas Peffley to the Oath of Allegiance, printed in Col. Records, Vol. 3, page 367, gives "Nicolas Peffeli," but it may have been written by some clerk, who wrote it as it sounded to him. There was a middle initial on the sailing list which looks like "P," but one authority says it is an "O." Current supposition indicates it was his "mark" and not an initial. JGS Early wills, deeds, etc., spell the name in many ways, due no doubt to the inability of the clerks to understand the German pronunciation and they spelled the name as it sounded to them. The signature of the will of David Peffley, of Botetourt county, Virginia, in 1827, is written in German. It is "Davhid Paffly." A signature on an old German Psalter in 1816 is "Päffly." The German "ä" , (the umlaut) sounds almost like short "e" in English; hence the change to "e" when anglicized. The line in Pennsylvania use it Peffley. Of the four brothers who left Pennsylvania, the David line uses Peffley; Samuel and Henry lines, Pefley; and the Jacob line in Ohio, Peffly.
The descendants of this Nicholas Peffley are mostly a very religious people. Some of them are still members of the old faith; many others are members of the Christian church. They have produced many ministers and teachers. Predominantly farmers and lovers of the soil, they nevertheless have carried down those remarkable traits of their fore-fathers, being: wood- carvers, cabinetmakers, machinists, mechanics, fine penmen, artists, architects and builders. The ability to carve in wood is carried down to an almost uncanny degree. In every generation are to be found those who can do fine carving, though none have had training along that line. The writer has interviewed many of them and has seen much of the work done by this and past generations. One need never be ashamed of the fact that he or she is a descendant of Nicholas and Barbara Peffley, who founded the line in America. The names of descendants may be found on the rolls of every war this country has had from the Revolution to the World War.
--------------------------------------
Nicholas Pfaffli
Birth
3 March 1694/95 Signau, Canton Bern, Switzerland, son of Nicholas Pfaffli and Catharina Raber.
Marriage
ca. 1723 Germany to Barbara Barn
Son
ca. 1724 Germany : Jacob Pefley born.
Dau
ca. 1728 Lancaster Co., PA : Catherine Pefley born.
Dau
ca. 1732 Lancaster Co., PA : Ann Pefley born.
Dau
ca. 1736 Lancaster Co., PA : Barbara Pefley born.
Son
ca. 1740 Lancaster Co., PA : David Pefley born.
Died
aft. March 1740/41 Lancaster Co., PA : said to have been killed by Indians
