Decendants of Theobald Gerst

All Garst family members living in western Kentucky today can be traced to Jacob Frederick Garst, Sr. and Mary Polly Shaver. Existing records (i.e., Bible records, marriage records, census records and local county records) state that Jacob F., Sr. and Mary were both born in Virginia, married in Botetourt Co., VA, and moved to Kentucky along with Mary's parents (Andrew Shaver and Ursula Miller) and her brothers sometime between 1838 and 1940.

The 1840 Census for Muhlenberg County, KY shows the Jacob Frederick Gharst family consisting of 1 male under 5 yrs, 1 male between 5 & 10 yrs, 1 male between 10 & 15 yrs, 1 male between 15 & 20 yrs, 1 male between 40 & 50 yrs, 1 female under 5 yrs, 2 females between 5 & 10 yrs, 1 female between 10 & 15 yrs, and 1female between 40 & 50 yrs.

The 1850 Census for Muhlenberg Co., KY shows the Jacob Frederick Gharst family consisting of Jacob F./54, Mary M./54, Lydia M./18, Phillip/20, Mary J./16, Elizabeth/14, Andrew J./12, and Jacob Jr./8. It also lists the value of his real estate at $1,500.

Records within the state of Kentucky trace the Garst's currently living in the western part of the state to one common ancestor, Jacob Frederick Garst, Sr. These records show that prior to Jacob's migration west, he was born and raised in the Roanoke, Virginia area. Trying to locate Jacob's family within the Roanoke/Botetourt county area proved to be somewhat more difficult. In searching the original Garst book for a reference to Jacob Frederick, Sr., and finding none, it began to appear the Kentucky line might very well be descendants of John Nicholas Garst I (11) since his line was omitted from the original Garst book. The first break came when Pat Francis located a book entitled "The Schaaber (Shaber, Shafer, Shaver) Family, 1710 - 1886." This book's author suggested that, based upon her research, Jacob H. Garst, number 4174 (page 205), was most likely Jacob F., Sr. Later, in corresponding with other family members, they too had come to this conclusion but were unable to substantiate the relationship. Names and dates associated with Rev. John Hinkle and Magdaline Landis Hinkle, found in the "Shaver" book, support this theory. It states their son, Benjamin Hinkle, married a Sarah Shaver who was a sister of Mary Shaver (who married Jacob Frederick Garst, Sr.). They also had a son who married Rosena Garst, daughter of Jacob I. It was this statement that highlighted the connection to Magdaline Landis Hinkle (the third wife of Jacob I found on page 205 of the original Garst book). Another link was several children of Jacob Garst I had their marriages performed by a minister named Joel Crumpacker. For example, Jacob Frederick, Sr. was married by Rev. Crumpacker in November of 1820 and his sister, Anna was married by Rev. Crumpacker just five months earlier.

Mate selection in pre-Civil War Virginia was quite traditionally based. State and local records show the spouses in 90% or more of recorded marriages were either to a relative or a neighbor. This pattern of marriage is particularly true within the records of the Garst family. Records show that Garst's not only married other Garst's, but in many instances, one or more children in one family married brothers and sisters within another family. Census records reviewed for this period suggest that Rev. John Hinkle, Andrew Shaver and Jacob (I) were most likely neighbors as their families were all listed on the same page. Further, extensive searches of available records in Botetourt and Roanoke counties failed to locate any references to a Jacob "H." Garst.

On page 60 of the book, "Over The Mountain Men," Brief of Wills for Roanoke County, a synopsis of the Will of Jacob Garst I is given. Although not in exact agreement to the copy provided in the original Garst book, it does provide additional information (the differences between this copy and the one provided in the original Garst book are underlined). It reads: "Garst, Jacob. Will pro. March 1854. Names wife, Magdalene: & ch. Jacob F., Phillip, Elizabeth, Hannah, Abraham, Catherine Hartman, Christina Akers, Anna Clarke, Rosena Hinkle, Nicholas Christian, Eve Shewly, Mary Lockett, & Lydia Mason." You will notice that here, Jacob's middle initial is given, which is an "F" rather than "H." An interesting theory was suggested by John Frederic Garst, who pointed out the old style "F" closely resembles the letter H and could very easily have been a misinterpretation by the individual making the entry.

It should be pointed out that a review of the Shaver book had dates listed that were inconsistent with current research. For example, on pages iii, 13 and 42, the year of birth given for Mary Magdalene Shaver was given as 1796. However, the 1850 Census gives her age at that time as 54 years. This would suggest that her year of birth would be around 1796. To add further confusion, the headstone at her burial site reads 8 Mar 1792. The headstone is quite worn from weather and age, so it's possible the headstone was either misread or maybe even in error. On page 13 of the Shaver book, the date of marriage given for Jacob F. and Mary is 3 Nov 1830. This appears to be in error too, as the marriage records in Botetourt Co., VA, gives the date of marriage as 15 Nov 1820. In addition, three children, Alfred, John G., and Philip, were all born prior to the marriage date given in the Shaver book. Another error concerning Jacob F. is found on page 42. It gives his date of death as 10 Nov 1865 (while page 13 of the same book gives the date as 14 Nov 1805).

The book, "McLean County Kentucky Marriages 1854-1890" indicates that a Mary S. Garst (?) married David M. Dame on 27 Oct 1866. Could this be the second husband of Mary June? According to John Fredric Garst, the family Bible, in giving her date of death, uses her married name of "Hendricks." It is also possible that we have another family member that has not been properly identified as yet.

Family records indicate that two Garst family members, Phillip P. Garst (11756) and Charles Phillip Garst (117572), died in the Philippine Islands. A search of military records located in the National Archives did substantiate that a Charles Phillip Garst died in the Philippine Islands. However, no mention was made of Phillip P. Garst. Charles Phillip was the son of Andrew Jackson Garst and a nephew of Phillip P. Garst above (old family letters now in the possession of John Fredric Garst indicates that Phillip P. was an engineer on a steamship).

The book, "History of Kentucky Illustrated, Edition 2," provides some background on the life of Jacob Frederick's son-in-law David J. Fleming. Page 904 tells us that "David was a native of Muhlenbergh (Muhlenberg) County Kentucky, and was born 10 January 1834. His father, Samuel C. Fleming, was a Tennessean, born near the site of the present city of Knoxville in September of 1806; he was a farmer, and died in 1876; his wife, Ann (Kimball) Fleming, whom he married in 1832, survived him some years. They were the parents of five children, David J. being the eldest. The father of Samuel C. Fleming was of English descent; he was one of the pioneers of Kentucky, and served in the war of 1812. David J. Fleming was born and reared on the farm. At the age of twenty-one years he had made considerable progress in the study of books, and took up teaching, which he followed for several years. On 9 May, 1858, he married Elizabeth, a daughter of Jacob Garst, of McLean County, Kentucky; she died 24 February, 1873, leaving six children: George Q., Mary W., Jacob T., Samuel M., Margaret A., and James G. Mr. Fleming's second marriage occurred 7 March, 1875, with Virginia E. Westray, of Muhlenberg County; to this marriage was born two daughters: Lena C. and Carra S., and one son, Lewis E.. Mr. Fleming joined the Federal army in 1861. He was a member of Hewitt's battery of the First Kentucky Light Artillery. At the battle of Murfreesboro he was captured by the enemy, and after four days, was "paroled" by General Forrest. He was soon after exchanged, and joined his command in time to take part in the battle of Stone River, and later in the siege of Tullahoma, after which with his command he was assigned to garrison duty. On 24 October, 1874, he received an honorable discharge and returned to his farm, which he soon exchanged for 200 acres, where he made his home; afterward, he added 250 acres to the purchase; then lost all by going security for a friend. He then set to work to repair his losses, and regained his farm of 450 acres, which he improved with good buildings, fences, two large orchards, etc.. The farm had good water, and produced abundant crops of grass, and Mr. Fleming gave a good share of his attention to raising of stock. Politically his views were very liberal, he took little interest in politics, but took a strong position in favor of temperance, in which causes he devoted much of his time. His religious views were based on the Universalist doctrine, of which faith he was a minister for twenty-five years. Mrs. Fleming was also a member of the same church".

The book, "History of Muhlenberg Co. (KY)," states that Andrew Shaver, the father of Mary (Polly) Shaver Garst, was born in Bremen Germany and that his son, Peter Shaver, named a town in Muhlenberg Co., KY, (Bremen), after the birthplace of his father.

source: "The Schaaber (Shaber, Shafer, Shaver) Family, 1710 - 1886,"by

source: Crystal Pauline Randel Walters.

source: "Botetourt County Marriages, 1770-1853," by John Vogt and T.William Kethley, Jr.

source: "History of Kentucky Illustrated, Edition 2," by J.H. Battle,W.H. Perrin and G.S. Kniffin.

source: "History of Muhlenberg Co. (KY)," by Otto A. Rothert,"Muhlenberg County Kentucky Cem eteries," Vol. 1, 1976. By Marian G.Hammers.

source: "Over The Mountain Men - Their Early Court Records in Southwest Virginia" compiled b y Anna Lowry Worrell.

source: Brief of Will for Jacob Garst I, probated March 1854, Roanoke,Virginia.

source: Pat Francis (1175A131).

source: John Fredric Garst (1175B311).

source: Wills of J.F. Garst, Jr. and Philip P. Garst.