Decendants of Theobald Gerst

IMMIGRATION: He migrated to America on the Ship "Patience".

The initial information in this family profile was obtained from the book entitled "Our Garst Family in America" by Mr. William Tell Garst, 1950 (also referred to as the "original Garst book"). Updates and corrections to this data have been supplied by Joe Edward Garst and various family members and through extensive research of records that were not available to the original author.

From the Pennsylvania Tax Lists for the County of Lancaster, Bethel Township, Vol XVII, can be found the following records: For the year 1771, page 157, "Gerst, Dewalt, 100 acres, 2 horses, 2 cattle, no servants, and a tax assessment of 3.6."

For the year 1772, page 237, "Gerst, Dewalt, 70 acres, 2 horses, 1 cattle, no servants, and a tax assessment of 3.0."

For the year 1773, page 386, "Gerst, Derwalt, 68 acres, 2 horses, 2 cattle, no servants, and a tax assessment of 3.0."

For the year 1779, page 680, "Gerst, Dewalt, no acreage, no horses, no cattle, no servants, and no tax assessment."

According to the original Garst book, the of Engelina Gerst to Ludwig Weidner is mentioned in the records of the Lutheran Congregation of the Hill Church. It appears they left Pennsylvania for another province before 1770, leaving their two children,Michael and Catherine, behind (refer to Theobald's will below regarding comments about Engelina and her children). For the benefit of those not having a copy of the original Garst book, the last will and testament of Theobald Gerst as copiedby Mr. William Tell Garst reads:

Lancaster County Will Records, Book A, Vol. 1, pg 245. "The last Will and Testament of Theobal Gerst, dec., being written in High Dutch, could not be recorded but thereon is endorsed as follows: June 13, 1770, appeared Adam Darts and Jacob German, the two subscribing witnesses..... before Edward Shippen, June 13, 1770, last will of Theobald Gerst, late of County of Lancaster, dec. was proved. Letters granted to Theobald Gerst, Jun., and William Rouch the executors named.

"The account of Theobald Gerst, Junior, and William Raunch, Executors of the last will and testament of Theobald Gerst, late of Bethel township, in the County of Lancaster, yoeman, dec.

IMPRIMIS

"The said accountants charge themselves with all and singular the goods, chattles, rights, and credits which were of the said Testator at the time of his death according to an inventory thereof duly filed and remaining in the Registers office at Lancaster amounting to œ35.d4.s6. To three Bonds not mentioned in the Inventory 15. 0 0. To cash not mentioned in the Inventory in which is included the sum of 2.0.0. a debt due to Ludwig Weidner which the Testator received in his lifetime out of the effects belonging to said Weidner 60. 2. 0

110. 6. 6"

The following is the Translated Will located in the files of the Register's Office, Lancaster County, PA.

"In the Name of the Holy Trinity, God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. I, Theobald Gerst, of Bethel Township in the County of Lancaster and Province of Pennsylvania, having taken into consideration the age I now am, being in my 68th year,so that my life may be at an end in a short time, knowing that I must go the way of all mortals..... "I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Magdalena Catherina Gerst the sum of 21 lbs. 7 sh. and six pence good and lawful money, and the bed and large chest, aforehand, and she shall have five sheets and five table cloaths and five hand dowles and an old small Kettle, a small Bason, four spoons, the Pepper Mill, a Sprinklin Kann, a Pewter Dish, Two pewter plates, a spinning wheel, a small flesh fork, an Iron Ledle, a Pail, a Tub, three Baggs, and a piece of linen Cloth, and shall have her choice of my three cows to taken one of them for herself, and she shall likewise have her share in the residue and remainder, when it is brought into money, and everything shall be sold at Vendue in Three months after my decease and burying. "And Further it is my will that if my said wife Magdalena Catherina should marry again after my decease, then everything that I have hereby bequeathed unto her shall be returned back again. "Item, it is my will that my children, John Nickel Gerst, Theobald Gerst, and my daughters, Engelina, Magdalena, Catherina, Margaretha, and Elizabeth, shall all have equal shares, one like the other, and my grandchildren, Micheal Weidner and Catherina Weidner shall have their Mother's share. But their mother Engelina shall not have a farthing of it in her hands, but the said children shall have for their use. "Item, my son Theobald shall have all my apparel after my decease. "Item, I have lent unto Christian Weyrich four pounds 2 shilling and six pence which sum shall be deducted from his share. "Item, it is my will that my son Theobald Gerst and William Rauch shall be my true and sole executors..... "Made in Bethel township, Lancaster County, April 22, 1770. Signed: Theobald (his X mark) Gerst Wittness: Frederick Adarts Jacab German."

"Excerpts from 'Account of the vendue of Theobald Gerst, the old, lately deceased of the Township of Bethel in the County of Lancaster, Dated ye 26 May 1770."

Christian Weyrich, a lamb....................... 0.07 a copper hoe................. 0.3.0 a Rasser and a hone.......... 0.1.0 a Pott....................... 0.8.4 a Blankit.................... 0.3.0 a cowe with a galf........... 4.0.0 a Table Cloath and shets..... 0.1.0 Jacob German, a hatchet.................... 0.2.7 shoemaker ols................ 0.0.8 weaven tattling.............. 0.0.9 James Ross, two occers................... 0.1.7 a woats cratol and a Syse ... 0.1.1 Henry Miller, a spate...................... 0.1.5 a Butcher Kniefe............. 0.1.0 Crine Hone................... 0.0.10 John Mise, a hammer and Drawing kneife.. 0.2.2 John Reytenour, a hamer...................... 0.2.1 hay folk..................... 0.1.0 a hone....................... 0.0.8

Total 11.2.10 George Mayer, 2 Siglon..................... 0.0.4 2 bags....................... 0.1.5 Old axe...................... 0.0.10 mens Sattol.................. 0.9.0 Theobalt Gerst, ye younger, a Bell....................... 0.1.9 a kneife..................... 0.0.1 6 weaven tattlings........... 0.13.17 Trink glase.................. 0.0.10 Table folke.................. 0.0.11 Robe......................... 0.0.9 old basket................... 0.0.4 George Elinger, a pair of Eyron bands........ 0.1.9 a gune....................... 0.17.0 sole and uper lader.......... 0.16.0 Cotting boks................. 0.1.7 five boorts.................. 0.3.5 a little scine............... 0.1.0 a Bed State.................. 0.1.7 a Bage....................... 0.1.0 Casper Shob, a hand saw................... 0.0.10 a shoffel.................... 0.4.0 old Eyron Broken l'otte...... 0.0.2 Martin Wagner, a Pistole.................... 0.4.1 Elizabeth Gerstin, a axe........................ 0.5.1 Indian corn hoe.............. 0.1.0 old axe...................... 0.1.0 Tope......................... 0.6.2 new cest..................... 0.18.0 Paul Tussinger, two Donge folkes............. 0.1.9 a horse collar............... 0.0.4 George Berger, a Donge howe................. 0.1.11 a blow Eyron................. 0.8.0 a Tocke...................... 0.0.4 William Rauch, two Riddol................... 0.0.7 a Leinen Cloath.............. 0.1.8 Christophal Wagnor, a weaver Lume,spuls,weale.... 2.6.0 a tattling................... 0.7.7 a Weaven Banch............... 0.3.7 Magdalena Gerst, Woettow, a Fryon pane................. 0.4.0 a Backet..................... 0.1.2 a Batter Turn................ 0.1.1 a wator Bocket............... 0.0.5 Philip Muttersbach, three Butter Blads........... 0.4.1 Eyron Flesh folks............ two Eyron spunse............. 0.3.10 a Buitter Tishe.............. 0.5.2 four spunse.................. 0.1.1 Anthony Colker, a bell....................... 0.4.9 a copper howe (croppen)...... 0.2.6 Peter Shlosser, a stitlor.................... 0.2.6 a Tope....................... 0.0.8 Isaac Tebo, Tree bags.................... 0.1.6 two horse shoes.............. 0.1.1 Tobacco pipe................. 0.0.2 a Joge....................... 0.1.11 George Gehhard, a Table...................... 0.0.2 a Cake....................... 0.1.3 a Yoge....................... 0.1.8 George Shlosser, a wallick.................... 0.1.7

"Other items and beneficiaries are mentioned, 139 articles in all, and the value of each given and totaled. "Then comes a list of debts owed the maker of the will. "Buck debts In due H unto Theobald Karst deceased Jacob Fisher................. 1.7.5 Conrad Gerhardt.............. 0.17.6 Christian Knely.............. 1.4.10 Peter Hershberger............ 0.9.5 Henry Buckle................. 1.3.5 William Rauch................ 1.13.0 Theobald Gerst............... 0.3.0 Christian Weyrich............ 0.0.8 John Kroh.................... 0.4.2

7.3.5"

Theobald's funeral was preached by a Rev. John Conrad Bucher, pastor of several Reformed Churches in Lebanon Co., PA.

For some readers, it may be interesting to know the Court House in which Theobald's will was probated, located in Penn Square, Lancaster (Erected 1784-1787 and taken down in May 1853) occupied the site of an earlier Court House in which important treaties with the Indians were made. It is also where the Continental Congress met in September, 1777, and the Supreme Executive Council met from October, 1777 to June 28, 1778.

Page 24 of the original Garst book states; "A year after his son John Nicholas had immigrated to America, Theobald Gerst and Friederick Gerst (his 2nd oldest son), arrived at Philadelphia on the ship 'Patience' captained by Hugh Steel. Theobald and Friedrick signed the oath of allegiance by making their mark, using the capital letter `W,' on Aug 11, 1750, before the Mayor of Philadelphia, Thomas Lawrence, Esq. (vide op cite, pg 489). It appears that Friedrick Gerst may have died early andunmarried before the father made his will as Theobald Gerst makes no mention of a son Friedrick in his will."

The book "Pennsylvania German Pioneers, A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals In the Port of Philadelphia From 1727 to 1808," By Ralph Beaver Strassburger, LL.D., provides the arrival date for Dewald and Friederich Gerst. This list is copied verbatim with the exception that the name of the ship, all individuals with the name of Gerst, and in some cases, the names of fellow passengers have been underlined where it was thought to be pertinent to the research currently underway to verify the birthplace of our ancestors.

[List 146 C] At the Courthouse at Philadelphia, Saturday, 11th August 1750. Present: Thomas Lawrence, Esq, Mayor. The Foreigners whose Names are underwritten, imported in the ship Patience, Capt Hugh Steel, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes in England, did this day take & subscribe the usual Qualifications. 124 By List. 266 Freights.

Hans Peter Treger Johann Jakop Opertuch Jacob Heckendorn Jacob (N) Jacoby Stephan Bek Adam Jacobi Hans Peter Groff Petter Jacobi Hans Jacob (X) Groffe Matheis Jacobi Peter (O) Groff Johan Peter Fitz Henrich Lutz Jacob Burckard Johannes Petter Klein Johan David Junge Johann Nickel Muller Michael (+) Junge Johann Nickel Cuntz Peter (+) Junge Christoff (X) Bener Jacob (+) Conrath Johann Wilhelm Fuchs Jacob (+) Conrath, Junior Andras Muller Johan Henrich Leineweber Georg Schneck Daniell Miller Jacob Reichert Nicklas Muhleysen Joh. Conradt Wolffle Wilhelm Diedrich Christian Ulrich Lentz Hans Jerg Sing Daniel WernerJohann Conrat Bross Johannes (X) Halm Johannes Baumgartner Christoph Kettemann Heinrich Reinhardt Johann Georg Kettemann Hans Jerg Nagel Peter Wieland Johanes (XX) Roller Johann Jacob Rappoldt Christoff (XXX) Fritz Friederich Walzer Georg Friederich Haug Georg Friedrich Groh Jacob Lendel_[?] Johan Gerg Bader Henrich George Hans Michel Melber Johannes David Gorges J. Michel Leidich Christian Meier Johann George Borner Matheas (A) Oberkirsh Jacob (X) Shwob Nicklas (A) Conrad George (+) Loadig Jacob Deremot George Adam Eckart Aberham Reiland George Adam Eckardt Andereas (O) Rost Johann Christoff Kuntz Paulus Reylandt Johann Peter Wohner Johannes Eischly Johan Wilhelm Wann Dewald_(W)Gerst Johan Arnolt Reinhart Friederich(W)Gerst Johannes Nickel Hennig Davit (X) Smith Johannes Peter Hennig Peter (H) Poland Balthasar Vetterman Stephen (H) Poland Johan Peder Schutz Peter Foltz Johannes Adam Lauch[?] Jacob (+) Dobeler Johann Jacob Weirich Johann Andreas Muhlschlagel Johann Nickel Bross Johan Adam (+) Satson Johann Michael (O) Conrad Hans (X) Hawffman Johann Nickel Herber Johann Philipp Ost Johan Jacob Lurber Johan Maties Gerge Jeorg Haman Christian (X) Shmith Johannes Peter Diederich Philips Hierber Johan Nickel Jung Jacob (X) Kullenthal Conradt Velten Michel Juncker Phielib Jacob Maurer Johanes (X) Palm Johann Fridrich Pfiel Fritrich Henny Hanes Jerg Eslinger Johann Reihle Jacob Muhleysen Johan Michel Lieb Casper Greiter Joh. Alberth Velten David Stadelmayer Jacob Dannckher Bartlyme Bentziger Johannes Essewein Johann Adam Setzer Johan Adam Wentzell Johann Abraham Stiehl Joh. David Limbeck Carel (+) Vollante Johann Jacob Muller Anton Devittus

The book entitled "Ship Passenger Lists, Pennsylvania and Delaware (1641-1825)," by Carl Boyer, 3rd, provides additional information on some of the individuals listed as passengers with Dewald (W) Gerst on the ship "Patience." It is as follows: "Emigrants from Wuerttemberg - According to records of the government of Wuerttemberg for 1749-50, now on file at the State Archives in Ludwigsburg, Johannes Ese(n)wein, from Baltmannsweiler, county of Schondorf, arrived on the ship 'Patience' 11 Aug. 1750.

"Emigrants from Buechenbeuren (Landkreis Zell, Mosel) - From the records of the State Archives of Coblenz: Maeurer, Philipp (Jacob) from Buechenbeuren around 1750 left as a "Schuhknecht" for the New World.[Phielib Jacob Maurer, Patience, Aug. 11,1750.]

"From the Electoral Oberamt of Simmern representing villages in the Hunsrueck area, come from the Census of the Electoral Oberamt of Simmern for the year 1750, in the State Archives of Coblenz [Abt. 4, Nr. 3319], and the Palatine State Archives at Speyer. Muehleissen, Johann Jacob of Pleizenhausen (Kreis Simmern), "intends to go with wife and child to the New Land." He is, with his wife and child, freed from vassalage on payment of a manumission tax of 16 florins and a further tax of 15 florins for the tithe. [Jacob Muehleysen,Ship Patience, August 11, 1750. Stiel, Abraham of Steinbach (Kreis Simmern), "has made up his mind to go to Pennsylvania"; is, with wife and four children, freed from vasselage on payment of 32 florins for manumission and 29 florins for the tithe. [Johann Abraham Stiehl, Ship Patience, August 11, 1750.] Cuntz, Nickel of Unzenberg (Kreis Simmern), "who has gone to the Island of Pensylphania, " pays 100 florins for the tithe.[Johann Nickel Cuntz, Ship Patience, August 11, 1750.]."

"From the Protocolls of the District of Neustadt in the Electoral Palatinate for the year 1750." The Protocols of the District of Neustadt are part of the holdings of the Palatine State Archives at Speyer. Andreas Muehlschlaegel, the Reformed schoolmaster[Schuldiener] of Weidenthal, is permitted to go to Pennsylvania, but must first pay the supplementary tax (tenth Penny)upon his property of 300 florins. [Johann Andreas Muhlschlagel, Ship Patience, August 11, 1750.] David Schmitt, of Weidenthal, is permitted, upon payment of 5 florins supplementary tax (Tenth Penny), to emigrate with his wife and three daughtersto Pennsylvania.[David Smith, Ship Patience, August 11, 1750.] Johann Adam Wetzel, of Weidenthal, is permitted, upon payment of 8 florins, 30 kreuzer for the "Tenth Penny," to go to Pennsylvania.[Johann Adam Wentzell, Ship Patience, August 11, 1750.]."

This list does not contain the names of all the passengers making the journey (List 146 C indicates that 266 individuals were aboard the ship, but only 110 names are recorded in this particular list). It appears to list only the males (adult?)who "subscribed the usual qualifications" (oath of allegiance). Existing records indicate that immigrant aliens who settled in Pennsylvania after the formation of the United States Government under the Constitution had to file several papers with the Court of Common Pleas of the County in which they had taken up residence. The first of these papers was the "Declaration of Intention to Become a Citizen," andthe second was the "Petition for Naturalization," which was acted upon by the court, resulting in favorable cases in the naturalization of the petitioner.

_Ages_of_parents_at_birth_of_children

_____Child_______Father Mother

Johann 25 25 Maria Engelina 27 27 Maria Magdalena 30 30 Johan Friederich 32 32 Maria Catherina 34 34 Hetwig 36 36 Johan Theobald 39 39 Maria Elizabeth 42 42 Johan Adam 44 44

(Notes by Joe Garst)