Notes for David LEISTER

Notes for David LEISTER

Leonardo Andrea, a columnist in a local newspaper, stated in an
article dated March 23, 1966, that the correct spelling of the name was
originally Leicester and that it was first an English surname. According
to the article, Leicester became Leister when the family arrived in
America, then some dropped the "i" and became Lesters; others would drop
the "e" and became Listers. There are also some indications that some
descendants adopted the spelling Leaster.
According to the Paoli records, David Lister was born about 1741. One
report says that he came to America from England with his brother Robert,
and that they landed in the Virginia area. Another says that the Listers
came from Ireland in the early 1700s, and that many of the Lister
children were born in Virginia. Regardless, David must have very shortly
moved to Cumberland County, Pennsylvania since during the 1770's, in
Pennsylvania, he married Elizabeth Ritchey (or Ritchie).
David Lister, son-in-law of Adam Ritchey, was a Revolutionary War
soldier. He served in Capt. Samuel Irwin's Company, First Bn.,
Cumberland County Militia; this was Colonel Ephraim Blain's Regiment. A
Muster Roll of that company, dated January 7, 1777, in or near
Philadelphia, shows the name "David Leister" along with his
brothers-in-law Edward O'Hail and John Ritchey. It is believed that he
and others of his family came to the South Carolina area following the
Revolutionary War.
There is some mention in some records (Lorene B. Fisher) of a son named
Henry Hanson, but information concern-ing this son, if, indeed there was
one by this name, is very scarce. Another report says that there was a
son named David, but, to date, no information about him has been found
either.