Second Generation
Home Up 2nd Generation

 

The Second Generation
First Child Born in America
      Christopher and Catherins' children were married and having children of their own in America. Life must have been much different for them than it was for their parents in Germany. Although there were problems with Indians on occasion, for the most part, life was peacfull. Jobs were reasonalby easy to find and taxes were low. For the Germans who came to Pennsylvania life was considerably better than in Germany. In America however, education was not as valued as in Germany. Their father Christopher had a steady and practiced handwritng, his children and son inlaws made their marks instead. This generation were uneducated laborers, which was exactly what was needed at the time, for a growing state and nation.

      2. Versch Maria Catherina2,(Christopher1), born 13 November 1773 in Bestenheid, Wertheim County, Germany.27 Married Daniel Ernst in 1812 at Trinity Lutheran Church, York, PA.28 Both Catharina and her sister Maria Catharina were married near the time of the publication of there fathers will. This may be a coincidence or perhaps shows an effort to find his daughters husbands as Christophers health was failing him. Catherina Died 11 April 1851 in Adams County, Pennsylvania.29 She was a redemtioner who worked as a servant to Daniel Williams of Northern Liberties township, Philadelphia for 5 and a half years. It would seem that she must have kept in touch with her parents as she moved to her parents area after her time as a servant was over. She was signed as a servant on the first day the ship was in port on 1 September. Her parents and brother were taken together on the 30th of September. Perhaps this shows an effort to stay together as a family not wishing to sell off everyone seperatly. Catherine was not quit 18 years old when here Christopher Versch of York County, Pennsylvania time as a servant was over. Her husband Daniel was born 9 October 1778 and died 9 March 1855.30 They were buried at York Springs Lutheran Church, York Springs, PA. She may have been married earlier as Christopher her father named in his will a grandson named Adam Grish.31 They appear to have been poor people since there are few county records available for this couple such as land, wills, orphanes court etc. Known child of Elizabeth Versch and Daniel Ernst.

      5. i. Elizabeth Ernst, born 14 April 1814, christned 21 August 1814 at Christ Lutheran Church of York, A.32 Nothing else known.
      3. Versch Johann George2,(Christoph1) was born 13 February 1777 in Bestenheid, Wertheim County, Germany.33 His wife was named Elizabeth, and they were married about 1798 in PA.34 George Forst appears in the 1799 taxes for York Twp. York Co. with a head tax of 13 cents.35 This is important because he would have had to be married to be on the regulartax list. Other wise he would have been on the single manslist. According to the census of 1800 there were two males and one female under the age of ten in his houshold. Also one male and one female 26-45.35 His actual age was 23 at the time36. Of perhaps even more interst is that he is on the same page of the census as his father and he Schwartz family that his son Christopher would marry into. This helps to tie all three generations together in Christopher Versch of York County, Pennsylvania time and place. It is some years latter in county records are available that show George Furst was in the 1821 tax list of Frankline Township with a 75 cent head tax.37 George Furscht was the same for 1822.38 In 1825 Frankline Twp. John Forsh was listed with 5 acres, value $35, tax 12½ cents.39 The Frankline Twp. taxes of 1828 had Elizabeth Fursht with one cow, two horses and a tax of 15 cents.40 It was common practice for the wife of a deceased man to show on tax lists for a year or two while settling his estate. This being the case he probably died before 1827. Considering the small amount of information that I have found on this man I feel he was probably very poor as his taxes indicate. Known children of Johan George Versch and Elizabeth.

      + 5. ii. Christopher

      iii. Maria Catharina: born 20 August 1802, christened at Christ Lutheran Church, York PA. Father, George.
      Mother, Elizabeth. Sponsor, (her fathers sister) Maria Furst.41

      + 6. iv. George

      4. Versch Catherina2,(Christoph1) born 13 June 1787. Christened 22 June 1787 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster, PA.42 Married to Samuel Kepler 18 April 1811. Trinity Lutheran Church, York, PA.43 Catherine died 19 September 1869 and was buried Heidelersburg Cemetery, Pennsylvania Tyrone Township, Adams County, PA.44 Her husband Samuel was born in 1772 and died 1 April 1857 of Dropsy at Peters, Adams County. Buried at York Springs Lutheran Church, Adams Co.45 The marriage record didn't show her last name. Possibly because she was pregnant when she got married as the record shows. Known children of Catherine Versch and Samuel Kepler.

      9. i. Polly (Mary)

      ii. Margaret Kepler, born 1821 in Adams County, PA.45

      iii. John Kepler, born 1823 in Adams County, PA. 46 Died 8 Apr 1894. Burried. at Heidelersburg Cemetery, Tyrone Township. Adams County. PA.47

      The Second Generation Reference
      Forward
      First Generation in America

      Back Home