Connecting the Foughts of Cumberland County to the Fochts/Vogts of Berks County

CONNECTING THE FOUGHTS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY TO THE FOCHTS/VOGTS OF BERKS COUNTY Stephen B. Hatton * Fought, blacksmith and tavern keeper, first appeared in CumberJacob land County in 1798 when he purchased land from John and Catrina Cole and was tabulated in the US Direct Tax.1 His property was in Middleton Township, now North Middleton Township, a little north northwest of where Waggoner’s Gap Road crosses Conodoguinet Creek.2 He became a tavern keeper in 1801,3 moving to an inn near his original property, but he continued plying his blacksmith trade. He made moves to various rural inns before settling in Carlisle in 1806.4 In 1811, he began to operate the tavern, Sign of the Plough and Harrow,5 near the center of Carlisle, and remained there for over two decades, except for a one-year hiatus in 1817—18 when he lived in Mechanicsburg.6 * Stephen B. Hatton, shatton@warpnet.net, 18542 Pierce Terrace, Homewood, IL 1 2 60430, is descended from Peter Vogt through his son Jacob . He is writing eight biographical and genealogical articles about Jacob Fought. “Determining Migration Dates: The Jacob Fought Family,” Genealogical Journal 31(2003):2 and “Jacob Fought’s Early Years in Cumberland County (1798—1811),” Cumberland County History 20 #1—2 (2003), have appeared. “The Trials of a Tavern Keeper during the War of 1812: The Story of Jacob Fought of Carlisle,” Journal of the War of 1812, is forthcoming. 1 US Direct Tax of 1798 Cumberland County, third district, Middleton Township; NARA M372, roll 17. His deed of purchase on 24 April 1798 was not recorded, but we know of it through his subsequent deed of sale; Cumberland County Deeds, 1—O:170. 2 His property was the southeastern part of a 407-acre warrant granted to Samuel Lucas in 1752 (Surveys A18:256, Pennsylvania State Archives). Its western edge was sliced by Meetinghouse Run, as shown by comparing that deed and survey with the resurvey drawn in 1822 (B3:129). The precise location can be determined by piecing together surveys for Robert Levers (“now Richard Peters”) (A24:250), William Brown (A40:206), and the Lucas survey. 3 Tavern License petition, March sessions 1801, Cumberland County Historical Society [hereafter cited as CCHS]. See also Cumberland County Quarter Sessions Docket 9:73, FHL #1,011,067. 4 Jacob Fought did a lot of saddle repair in cooperation with his neighbor, George Pattison, saddler, in 1806 (see Jacob Fought v. George Pattison, August sessions 1818, Cumberland County Prothonotary [hereafter cited as CCP]). He also did blacksmith work for the county in 1807 and 1808 (see Kline’s Weekly Carlisle Gazette, 19 February 1808 and 17 February 1809, roll 6-35, CCHS) and appeared in the Carlisle Tax Rates of 1808 (roll 1-7, CCHS). 5 Tavern License petition, April sessions 1811, CCHS. 6 Tavern License petition, April sessions 1817, CCHS. Concurrently, George Crocket became proprietor of Fought’s tavern, Sign of the Plough and Harrow. 200 Final copy 31 January, 2010 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 43 (2004) 2004] Fought/Focht/Vogt of Cumberland and Berks Counties 201 CUMBERLAND COUNTY The first clue to the Fought origins came from interviews conducted by noted Carlisle historian Jeremiah Zeamer in the 1890s. Neither the notes nor the research based on the notes were published, but they survive on handwritten sheets.7 Included in these is “the Fought family as Mrs. Jeremiah (Fought) Rhodes remembers them.” Mrs. Rhodes was born Ann Catharine Fought, a daughter of Peter Fought and Anna May Smith.8 Ann Catharine Fought married Jeremiah Rhodes on 5 November 1846.9 Ann Catharine Rhodes did not name her grandparents, but identified the Fought siblings of her father’s family. John Peter Catharine (or Christina) George Frederick Jacob Elizabeth married Benjamin Crane lived and died in Berks County died Germantown, Perry County married Musser.10 The search was expanded to Jacob Fought’s siblings to validate the information given to Zeamer, to identify any siblings she may have omitted, and to search for clues to their origins. Numerous records were found, many showing interactions among the siblings. The first of the Fought siblings to move to Cumberland County was Frederick, who bought land in Middleton Township at least as early as 1795.11 Benjamin Crane lived on property owned by Frederick Fought in 1798. 12 Benjamin and Frederick were neighbors in 1800.13 John, Jacob, and Frederick Fought, and Benjamin Crane all lived in Middleton Township when the 1800 census was taken.14 Frederick Fought cosigned a bond for Jacob Fought when Jacob was accused of shooting and killing a bull, probably shortly before the capias was brought on 11 April 1800.15 The bond was signed on 25 August 1800, and the incident is documented in Hugh McFadin v. Jacob Fought. The ruling was for the plaintiff, and the £40 bond, the equivalent of $100, was assigned to Hugh McFadin to cover the value of the bull. 7 Jeremiah Zeamer notes, “Cumberland County Families” [hereafter cited as Zeamer, “Cumberland County Families”], CCHS. A reference in them about the Fought family indicates that at least some of the notes were taken in June 1893. 8 Zeamer, “Cumberland County Families,” 107. 9 Carlisle Herald, 11 November 1846, 3, roll 2-32, CCHS. 10 Zeamer, “Cumberland County Families,” 107. 11 See 1795 Tax Rates, Middleton Township, roll 1-6, CCHS. 12 US Direct Tax of 1798, Pennsylvania, Cumberland County, third district, Middleton Township; NARA M372, roll 17. 13 1800 US Census, Middleton Township, Cumberland County, page 157. 14 1800 US Census, Middleton Township, Cumberland County, page 150 (Jacob), page 157 (Frederick, and Benjamin Crane listed as Graham), and page 158 (John). 15 Hugh McFadin v. Jacob Fought, September sessions 1800, CCP. Final copy 31 January, 2010 202 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 In an early application for a tavern license by Jacob Fought dated 1 August 1801, Benjamin Crane served as a character reference for Jacob.16 This was Jacob’s second petition to operate a tavern, the first having been submitted in March 1801. Frederick Fought also provided a character reference for Jacob on this same application.17 Both Benjamin Crane and Jacob Fought were creditors named in Joshua Craig’s insolvency petition on 8 September 1807.18 The account with Jacob was unsettled, but Craig owed Crane $3 that Craig had used to pay a militia fine. Jacob and Peter Fought attended and made purchases at the vendue for James Reed on 10 February 1810.19 Jacob bought a mandrel (a cylindrical or tapered spindle used to support work while it is being forged), a lot of weights, and 28 pounds of iron. Peter, who was also a blacksmith, bought screw plates. At the time, Jacob lived in Carlisle, and Peter lived in Middleton Township. 20 Jacob Fought and Benjamin Crane were codefendants in Peter Wittiright v. Jacob Fought and Benjamin Crane.21 In this case, Wittiright sued for repayment of a $280 debt due on two bonds signed by the defendants. The bonds were originally owned by Jacob Wittiright, but the latter assigned the bonds to the plaintiff. The subpoena was dated 7 April 1810. At the time, Jacob Fought lived in Carlisle, and Benjamin Crane lived in Middleton Township. Both Jacob Fought and Benjamin Crane were buyers at the vendue for Jacob Wolf, Fought’s former neighbor, on 4 December 1810.22 Jacob Fought bought a sow with a yoke, a ton of hay, two scythes, and 20 bushels of corn. Benjamin bought three pigs. Benjamin Crane and two others loaned money to Jacob Fought, and the bond is referenced in Jacob Fought v. Benjamin Crane, et al.23 The judgment bond was dated 8 March 1815. This money was borrowed during the civil suit of John Peters v. Jacob Fought, in which Peters sued to obtain payment of a lien. Benjamin Crane was held in on 1 December 1815 in John Peters v. Jacob Fought.24 This suit by the lien holder of Jacob’s property concerned the amount owed on his inn and house plus interest. Jacob and Peter Fought made purchases at the vendue for Ross Mitchell in 1816.25 There, Jacob bought a wagon whip, and Peter bought two lots of old iron and a lot of saddles. Thus, they were together at two such informal social and shopping events, the first having been the vendue for James Reed in 1810. Jacob and John Fought attended and made purchases at the vendue for Nicholas Bobb on 15 August 1817.26 Jacob bought a set of weaver’s gears; John bought three sets. 16 Tavern License petition, August sessions 1801, CCHS. 17 Tavern License petition, August sessions 1801, CCHS. 18 Joshua Craig insolvency petition, #140, CCP. 19 James Reed vendue, V-R-46, CCHS. 20 Jacob was enumerated in the 1810 US Census, Carlisle borough, Cumberland County, page 11, and Peter in Middleton Township, page 62; Peter is also listed in Cumberland County 1811 Tax Rates, Middleton Township, 182 (Tax Rates 1808—14, roll 1-7, CCHS). 21 Peter Wittiright v. Jacob Fought and Benjamin Crane, August sessions 1810, CCP. 22 Jacob Wolf vendue, V-W-28, CCHS. 23 Jacob Fought v. Benjamin Crane, et al., January sessions 1815, CCP. 24 John Peters v. Jacob Fought, August sessions 1815, CCP. 25 Ross Mitchell vendue, V-M-50, CCHS. 26 Nicholas Bobb vendue, V-B-22, CCHS. Final copy 31 January, 2010 2004] Fought/Focht/Vogt of Cumberland and Berks Counties 203 Jacob and Peter Fought were creditors of Henry Hoerner. This is documented in Hoerner’s petition for insolvency on 8 June 1818.27 Jacob was owed $8.28; Peter was owed $7.12. Benjamin Crane bought one-half of Jacob’s former property shortly after a sheriff sale that was forced by a fieri facias (a judicial writ directing the sheriff to satisfy a judgment from a debtor’s property) arising from John Peters v. Jacob Fought.28 Technically, the sale was forced at the suit of Conrad Eckert.29 William Cashman bought the property at the sheriff sale on 8 January 1819,30 then sold one-half to Benjamin on 30 January 1819.31 This was likely a move by Benjamin to preserve the use of the inn for his brother-in-law. Benjamin Crain and his wife Christina of North Middleton Township sold the half lot on 2 October 1819 to Robert McClan and Daniel Fisher,32 who leased the property to Jacob Fought. Robert McClan and Daniel Fisher were both named on a subsequent lawsuit involving Jacob Fought.33 Benjamin Crane was also a creditor named in Jacob Fought’s petition for insolvency in 1819.34 The debt owed to Benjamin was the bond referenced above in Jacob Fought v. Benjamin Crane, et al. As documented in Christopher Lamberton v. Jacob Fought, Lamberton sued for payment plus interest on a $10 promissory note dated 3 April 1820.35 On 31 July 1824, judgment was rendered for the plaintiff for $12.50. When Jacob appealed, Peter Fought was bound in for $50 to assure Jacob’s appearance on appeal. The appeal bond was executed on 17 August 1824. Peter Fought was a witness in Joseph Laughlin v. Jacob Fought.36 In this case, the firm Joseph Laughlin and Company sued Jacob for $2 for the price of a cloth vest. The proceedings on the case were certified 20 April 1833, and the case continued in the courts until August 1834. Jacob lost the case, but by the time the fieri facias was issued, the $2 debt had grown to $16.01 with all the court costs involved. Living in proximity to each other, attending vendues together (especially at times they did not live near each other), giving support in civil court cases, and providing financial assistance are the types of close associations one would expect of siblings. It was by following Frederick to Perry County that definite information pointing to the family’s origins was found. The enumerator for the 1850 27 Henry Hoerner insolvency petition, #259, CCP. 28 For an overview of the history of this property, see Merri Lou Scribner Schaumann, A History & Genealogy of Carlisle Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 1751—1835 (Dover: the author, 1987), 91. 29 Conrad Eckert v. Jacob Fought, November sessions 1814 and January sessions 1815, CCP. 30 Cumberland County Deed Docket A:338 at the Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds. 31 Cumberland County Deeds 1-DD:512-13. 32 Cumberland County Deeds 1-EE:234-35. 33 Jacob Fought v. John Clippinger, Esq., Robert McClan, and Jacob Squire, Esq., August sessions 1828, CCP. 34 Jacob Fought insolvency petition, #295, CCP. 35 Christopher Lamberton v. Jacob Fought, November sessions 1824, CCP. 36 Joseph Laughlin v. Jacob Fought, August sessions 1833, CCP. Final copy 31 January, 2010 204 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 Perry County census in Toboyne Township was one of a handful who did not follow instructions and listed the county of birth. 91-year-old Frederick Fought was born in Berks County,37 which corroborates Ann Catharine Rhodes’s recollection that George lived and died in Berks County. There were other Foughts in Cumberland County, who appear to be unrelated. This was the family of Christian Vought who lived in Derry Township, now part of Mifflin County. One of Christian’s children was John to whom land was granted in 1781 that was formerly owned by Christian.38 Henry Faught, who absconded from service as a miller and cooper, and stole goods from Philip Stumbaugh in 179839 may have belonged to this family. No records have been found in which these Foughts are associated with Jacob Fought or his siblings. BERKS COUNTY Tax, land, census, church, estate, and court records were examined for Berks County. Tax and census records, searched first, pointed to Windsor Township. George Focht was taxed in Windsor Township in 1780 (single freeman), 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1789, 1791, 1792, and 179340 and enumerated there on the 1790 census.41 Frederick Vogt was taxed as a single freeman in 1784 in Windsor Township as well as in 1785, 1786, and 1789.42 John is listed in the 1790 census.43 On the 1792 Tax Rates as a weaver.44 It is recalled that John and Jacob bought weaver’s gears at Nicholas Bobb’s vendue. Peter Vogt and George Vogt appear on the 1798 direct tax. 45 Peter Focht, John Geo. Focht, and John Focht appear on the 1800 census. Peter and John George were both age 45 or over. 46 37 Samuel Lay household, 1850 US Census, Perry County, Toboyne Township, page 728/355 [two separate, stamped paginations], #70/71. 38 Cumberland County Deeds 1-F:66. 39 Kline’s Carlisle Weekly Gazette, 21 November 1798, roll 6-33, CCHS. 40 William H. Egle, editor, Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, 18(1898): 427 (1780), 685 (1784) [hereafter cited as Windsor Township, Berks County Taxes, Pennsylvania Archives]; Tax List, Windsor Township, Berks County, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1789, 1791, 1792, 1793; FHL #20,832. 41 Geo. Voght household, 1790 US Census, Windsor Township, Berks County, page 74 [original]. Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States taken in the Year 1790, Pennsylvania (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1908), Windsor Township, Berks County, 74 [hereafter cited as 1790 Census, Pennsylvania]. 42 Windsor Township, Berks County Taxes, Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, 18: 688 (1784); Tax List, Windsor Township, Berks County, 1785, 1786, 1789; FHL #20,832. 43 John Voght household, 1790 US Census, Windsor Township, Berks County, page 73 [original]; there are two males over 16 in his household. 44 Tax List, Windsor Township, Berks County, 1792; FHL #20,832. 45 US Direct Tax of 1798, Pennsylvania, Berks County, NARA M372, roll 5. There are no building-description lists for Windsor Township, only listings for dwellings and for land. Final copy 31 January, 2010 2004] Fought/Focht/Vogt of Cumberland and Berks Counties 205 No Berks County tax records were found for the other Cumberland County Foughts or for Benjamin Crane. The only man in Windsor Township at the time old enough to have been the father of the Cumberland siblings was Peter, who appears on the Windsor Township tax lists consistently between 1760 and 1799 under a variety of spellings, including Focht, Fock, Fogt, Foigt, and Vokt.47 He was naturalized in 176548 and warranted land in Windsor Township in 1765 and again in 1766.49 In 1776, he was chosen as inspector to assist the election judges.50 In 1777, he was a court-martial man and listed in the militia muster.51 The 1779 Septennial census lists Peter Foght; the 1786 lists Peter and George Foght; the 1793 lists Peter Foght, George Fought, and Jno. Foght; the 1800 lists Peter Focht, Jno. George Focht, and John Focht, all identified as farmers.52 An examination of the records of churches located nearby showed that between 1766 and 1783 Peter and Anna Margaretha Voght had five of their children baptized at Windsor Zion Church, also known as Ziegel’s Church, which was a union Reformed and Lutheran Church. Peter was one of seven founding members of the Lutheran congregation of Windsor Zion Church in 1780.53 This church was located in Windsor Township (now Perry Township) about one-half mile from Windsor Castle. The Vogts began to attend the St. Paul’s congregation in 1780,54 although as mentioned above, they baptized one child in Zion Lutheran Church in 1783. St. Paul’s was located in Windsor Township about two miles northeast of Hamburg. Here, some of Peter’s children were confirmed. In 1786, Johannes Vogt, age seventeen [born about 1769], Christina Vogt, age fifteen [born about 1771], and Jacob Vogt, age thirteen [born about 1773], were confirmed.55 In 1791, Benjamin Cren, a 46 1800 US Census, Windsor Township, Berks County, page 277 (page 686 boxed); this listing is semialphabetical by first letter of last name. 47 Berks County Taxes, Pennsylvania Archives, 18:45 (1767), 160 (1768), 296 (1779), 424 (1780), 553 (1781), 685 (1784). Tax Lists, Windsor Township, Berks County, 1760, 1761, 1762, 1772, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1789, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1799; FHL #20,832. 48 Journal of the Berks County Genealogical Society 8:5 (March—April 1988), 63. 49 Warrant #927, application 24 September 1765, Windsor Township, Berks County, East Side, Surveys X:113, 118; Warrant #1942, application 14 October 1766, Windsor Township, Berks County, Surveys D52:275, Pennsylvania State Archives. 50 “Election Returns,” Thomas Lynch Montgomery, editor, Pennsylvania Archives, 6th series, 11(1907): 56. 51 “Muster Rolls and Papers Relating to the Associators and Militia of the County of Berks,” Thomas Lynch Montgomery, editor, Pennsylvania Archives, 5th series, 5(1906): 193. 52 Pennsylvania Septennial Census Returns, Berks County. Microfilm of Record Group 7: Records of the General Assembly, Pennsylvania State Archives, roll 1. 53 A. S. Leiby, translator, St. Paul’s Congregation Records, 248, frame 151; FHL #20,355 [hereafter cited as St. Paul’s]. 54 St. Paul’s, 248, frame 151. 55 St. Paul’s, 116, frame 47. Final copy 31 January, 2010 206 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 married man, communed for the first time in the same church,56 indicating that he and Christina Vogt had married by then, although no record of the wedding has been located. At the time of Benjamin’s first communion in St. Paul’s, Christina was about twenty. Peter Fogt’s will was written 10 September 1801, and letters testamentary were granted 24 September 1801.57 Peter provided an ample yearly supply of goods to his wife Margaretha, much of which must have come from his plantation. This included rye, buckwheat, Indian corn, wheat, pork, beef, pepper, allspice, potatoes, hay, salt, wool, cider, apples, and whiskey. He left his plantation to two sons, George and John, valued at £900, to be paid “am mein hinderlaßen Kinder Johan Georg Frederich Johannes Jacob Peter Magdalena am Elisabethen hinderlaßen Kinder am gleicher Teil Katherina Khristina und Maria am gleicher Teil” (to my surviving children John George, Frederick, John, Jacob, Peter, Magdalena, to Elizabeth’s surviving children in equal shares, Catharina, Christina, and Maria in equal shares).58 Son George was to be the sole executor. Elizabeth, we learn from the estate records, had married Phillip Lenhart [also spelled Leonard], junior.59 Her share of the estate was to be divided equally among her children. Ann Catharine Rhodes had incorrectly given her name as Musser, the only error found in her recollections. Of interest for Cumberland County are some of the other administration papers for Peter Fogt’s estate. Included in an inventory of Peter’s estate were accrued interest on notes to Jacob Focht. Of particular importance for the Fought connection between Cumberland County and Berks County is a disbursement in cash from the estate to Benjamin Crane. At the time of this disbursement, between 1801 and 1806, Benjamin Crane lived in Cumberland County. Among the people to whom disbursements were made was Catherine Focht. This is likely either Peter’s daughter (it is not known whether she was married at this time) or John’s wife, rather 56 St. Paul’s, 121, frame 49. 57 Peter Fogt will. Peter Fogt estate, Windsor Township, 1801, Berks County Register of Wills. The will was witnessed by Peter Will and Peter Bausher. 58 The estate file contains a translation of the German will in which “hinderlaßenn,” which means “surviving” or, literally, “left behind,” was translated as “remaining,” leading to the potential for misinterpretation of the names that follow if only the translation (in which Johan and Johannes are both John) is seen. The word appears in three other places in the will where it clearly means surviving, each time translated as “remaining.” See Ernest Thode, German-English Genealogical Dictionary (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1992) and Condensed Muret-Sanders German Dictionary (Berlin: Langenscheidt, 1982) for hinderlaßenn. See John T. Humphrey, “Problems Associated with the First Names of German Ancestors,” elsewhere in this issue, for further discussion on given names. 59 Guardian petitions, 2 February 1803, Peter Fogt estate, Windsor Township, 1801, Berks County Register of Wills. Final copy 31 January, 2010 2004] Fought/Focht/Vogt of Cumberland and Berks Counties 207 than Jacob’s wife, who would have been living in a distant county, although she cannot be eliminated as the possible referent.60 About five months after Peter’s death, a power of attorney from his son Peter, David and Magdalena Smith (formerly Fought), and Christina Crane (formerly Fought), heirs and legatees of Peter Fought of Windsor Township, Berks County, to Jacob Fought and Benjamin Crane was filed in Berks County to obtain property, money, or goods to which they were entitled from Peter’s estate. Although the document appears in Berks County records, it was sworn to and subscribed in Cumberland County, further connecting the Foughts in Cumberland County with Peter of Berks County.61 With the connection solidly established, further research on Peter was pursued. On 10 September 1749, Jorg Peter Vogt arrived in Philadelphia on the Patience and, with 137 other men, signed his name to the “usual qualifications” [the oath of abjuration]. Casper Kilian signed immediately before him.62 Caspar Kilian and Catharine Margaretha were sponsors for children of George Michael and Ana Maria (Faeuber) Weinmann at Moselem Lutheran (also known as Ontelaunee, Zion’s, and St. Peters) in nearby Richmond Township, Berks County, in 1754 and 1757.63 On 7 May 1764, “Peter Fogt of Windsor Township in the County of Berks in the Province of Pennsylvania, next of kin to Caspar Killion of Berks County (on the New Purchase in the said County), weaver, deceased,” gave bond and was granted administration on Caspar’s estate.64 The signatures on the oath, the administration bond, and the original will are similar. Like many German immigrants, Jorg Peter anglicized his name, dropping Jorg and changing the first letter of his surname to the F with which it is most commonly found in Pennsylvania records–signing Caspar Killion’s administration and his own will as Peter Fogt. Peter’s immigration date establishes that the eldest son Johann Georg was born in Pennsylvania, not Germany, probably in Windsor Township, and that Peter and Anna Margaretha married almost certainly in Pennsylvania, likely in Windsor Township. 60 Administration account, Peter Fogt estate, Windsor Township, 1801, Berks County Register of Wills. 61 Berks County Deeds 19:62, FHL #20,771. This document is the likely source of much of the data written on a note by Aimee Sanders, former Director of the Library and Archives of the Berks County Historical Society (Aimee Sanders, “Records on Various Families in Berks County and Beyond,” Berks County Historical Society). 62 Ralph Beaver Strassburger and William John Hinke, Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727—1803, 3 vols. (Birdsboro, Pa.: Pennsylvania German Society, 1934; Picton Press 3 vol. reprint, 1992), 1:408, 2:457. 63 F. Edward Wright, Berks County Church Records of the 18th Cent., 4 vol. (Westminster, Md: Family Line Publications, 1993), 2:236, 313 [hereafter cited as Wright, Berks County Church Records]. Caspar’s surname is not transcribed on the 1754 baptism, but it is surely the same couple. 64 Caspar Killion Estate, 1764, Berks County Register of Wills; FHL #1,653,591. Final copy 31 January, 2010 208 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 This also suggests that either Caspar’s wife Catharina Margaretha was Peter’s sister or Peter’s wife Anna Margaretha was Caspar’s sister65 (or possibly that Caspar was stepfather to Peter, father to Anna Margaretha, or an uncle or other relation to Peter, as we do not know his age). Caspar and Peter may have come from the same village or the families could have become friends on board, leading to a marriage that connected them. There were other Focht/Vogt families in Berks County in the late eighteenth century, but all were in townships that were not near Windsor: Georg Fought in Oley Township,66 Charles Fought in Amity Township,67 Ludwig and Valentine Fought in Douglass Township,68 Peter Voght in Hereford Township,69 Henry Voght in Reading,70 and Andrew/Andreas Fought in Tulpehocken Township.71 GENEALOGICAL SUMMARY 1. PETER1 VOGT was born in Germany say 1731 (estimating 25 at marriage). He emigrated in 1749, at which time he was at least 14 (born by about 1734). He died in Windsor Township, Berks County, between 10 September (will) and 24 (probate) September 1801. He married say 1756 or 1757 (child born in January 1758) in Pennsylvania, probably in Windsor Township, ANNA MARGARETHA –?–, who survived him. Children of Peter1 and Anna Margaretha (–?–) Vogt, probably all born Windsor Township, Berks County: i. JOHANN GEORG2 VOGT, born 14 January 1758; died 26 October 1841 (tombstone), age 83 years 9 months 12 days; married by 178472 SUSANNA LOY, born 28 December 1764, died 26 September 1843, age 78 years 8 65 However, clues to Anna Margaretha’s maiden name may lie instead in the baptisms they sponsored at Windsor–for a child of George and Eva Elisabetha Hauer in 1768 (George and Elisabeth Hauer had sponsored their child in 1766), for a child of Adam and Catharina Nungesser in 1773, and for a child of George and Catharina Scheyle in 1773 (who would sponsor their child in 1776). A. S. Leiby and William J. Hinke, translators, Tauf und Kommunikanten Buch der Windsor Zions Kirche, volume 1, 19, 33, 37, 38; FHL #20,355 [hereafter cited as Leiby and Hinke, Windsor Zion Church]. Likewise, the sponsorships of the Weinmann children suggest that Caspar or Catharina Magdalena may have been related to one of them instead. 66 1790 Census, Pennsylvania, Oley Township, Berks County, 18; 1780 Tax List, Berks County Taxes, Pennsylvania Archives, 18:387. 67 1790 Census, Pennsylvania, Amity Township, Berks County, 26; 1784 Return and Assessment, Berks County Taxes, Pennsylvania Archives, 18:565. 68 Ludwig: 1790 Census, Pennsylvania, Douglass Township, Berks County, 58; Valentine: 1779 Tax List, Douglass Township, Berks County Taxes, Pennsylvania Archives, 18:217. 69 1790 Census, Pennsylvania, Hereford Township, Berks County, 92. 70 1781 Return and Assessment, Berks County Taxes, Pennsylvania Archives, 18:538. 71 1790 Census, Pennsylvania, Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, 135; 1779 Tax List, Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, Berks County Taxes, Pennsylvania Archives, 18:284. 72 Baptismal sponsors at Windsor; Leiby and Hinke, Windsor Zion Church, 30. Final copy 31 January, 2010 2004] Fought/Focht/Vogt of Cumberland and Berks Counties 209 months 28 days; both buried in Windsor Zion Church Cemetery, Windsor Township, Berks County.73 ii. FREDERICK2 VOGT, born 26 November 1759; died 16 December 1853 Toboyne Township, Perry County, buried in the German burial ground; married between 1789 (taxed as a single freeman) and 179174 MARY HARTZELL.75 iii. MAGDALENA2 VOGT, born say 1761; married between 177976 and 1802 (power of attorney) DAVID SMITH. iv. ELIZABETH2 VOGT, born say 1763; died before 10 September 1801 (father’s will); married by say 1786 (two minor children above 14 in 1803) PHILLIP LENHART (named in Peter Vogt’s estate papers). v. JOHANNES2 VOGT, born 10 September 1764;77 died 2 August (gravestone) or 1 August (obituary) 1862, buried in Longsdorff Graveyard, Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County;78 married CATHARINE –?–, born 16 March 1770, died 3 May 1846, also buried in Longsdorff Graveyard. 79 vi. GEORG PETER2 VOGT, son of Peter and Anna Voigt, born 19 April 1766, baptized 22 April 1766 at Windsor Zion Church, Windsor Township, Berks County, sponsors George and Elisabeth Hauer;80 died in childhood, probably before the birth of Johann Peter in 1776. vii. CHRISTINA2 VOGT, born about 1760 (tombstone), 1766 (1860), 1767 (1850), or 1771 (confirmation–the earliest record, hence most likely); died 14 December 1863, age 103, buried Ashland Cemetery, Carlisle, Cumberland County;81 married by 1791 (his communion as married man) 73 Birth and death dates are from tombstones; Elaine D. Schwar, Tombstone Inscriptions of Berks County, Pennsylvania, Volume 7, Windsor and Perry Townships (Reading: the author, 1993), 8. Susanna’s tombstone calls her Susanna Focht nee Loy wife of Johann Georg Focht. A German transcription by Hazel R. Baer, who viewed it on 5 July 1998, is at <www.aemyers.net/genealogy/d0027/g0000000.html>. See also Morton L. Montgomery, compiler, Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1909), 2:880. 74 Friedrich and Maria Vogt were sponsors for a child at St. Paul’s, Windsor Township. Wright, Berks County Church Records, 2:275. 75 Birth, death, burial, and wife from his death record in Perry County Death Register, 1852—55, number 75; FHL #22,004. 76 Magdalena Vogt was a sponsor for a child at Windsor; Wright, Berks County Church Records 3:63. 77 Gravestone, Longsdorff Graveyard, Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County; Zeamer, “Cumberland County Families.” 78 Gravestone, Longsdorff Graveyard, Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County; Zeamer, “Cumberland County Families.” However, American Volunteer, 7 August 1862, 3, roll 4—9, CCHS, gives his death date as 1 August 1862. 79 Gravestone, Longsdorff Graveyard, Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County. 80 Leiby and Hinke, Windsor Zion Church, 19; FHL #20,355. 81 Wilbur J. McElwain, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Cemetery Records Collected by Jeremiah Zeamer (Bowie, Md.: Heritage Book, 1994), 4, identifies her as Catharine, wife of Benjamin Crane, as did Ann Catherine Rhodes. However, she was Christina in the 1802 power of attorney and the 1819 deed of sale and is in the censuses as Christina Crane, age 83 in 1850 and age 94 in 1860; Catherine Wonderlich household, 1850 US Census, Cumberland County, Carlisle, page 346, #219/237; Ann Matthews household, 1850 US Census, Cumberland County, Carlisle, page 6, #34/37. Final copy 31 January, 2010 210 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 BENJAMIN CRANE, born about 1769 [calculated], died 12 November 1831, age 62, buried Ashland Cemetery, Carlisle, Cumberland County.82 viii. JOHANN JACOB2 VOGT, son of Peter and Margaretha Voigt, born 16 January 1773 (tombstone, calculated) or 22 January 1773 (church record), baptized at Windsor Zion Church, Windsor Township, Berks County, sponsors Jacob and Elisabeth Rausch;83 died 22 June 1837, Columbus, Ohio; married say 1795 CATHERINE –?– (“Catrina” in 1798 deed of sale), born 24 September 1773 (tombstone, calculated), died 22 May 1844 Columbus, Ohio; memorial marker for both is in section R, Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbus.84 ix. JOHANN PETER2 VOGT, son of Peter and Anna Margaretha Vogt, born 15 March (baptism) or 4 May (tombstone) or 13 May (obituary) 1776; baptized 7 April 1776 at Windsor Zion Church, Windsor Township, Berks County, sponsors George and Catharine Sheili [Scheyle]; died 11 February 1852 Cumberland County;85 married ANNA MAY SMITH.86 He later moved to Cumberland County and was the father of Ann Catharine Rhodes. x. MARIA CATHERINA2 VOGT, daughter of Peter and Margaretha Vogt, baptized 7 August 1777 at Windsor Zion Church, Windsor Township, Berks County, sponsors Peter Jacob Rausch and M. Salome.87 xi. MARIA EVA2 VOGT, daughter of Peter and Margaretha Vogt, born 19 April 1783, baptized at Windsor Zion Church, Windsor Township, Berks County, sponsors Philip and Elisabeth Michael.88 82 Crane family file #208, CCHS cites Cumberland Register, 17 November 1831; Ashland Cemetery, Carlisle data collected by Jeremiah Zeamer, found at <ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/cumberland/cemeteries/ashland01.txt>. 83 Jacob’s birth date is recorded as 22 January 1773 in Leiby and Hinke, Windsor Zion Church, 33; FHL #20,355. However, because his baptismal sponsors are listed, this may be his baptismal date. According to his memorial marker (Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio, section R), his calculated birth date is 16 January 1768. Though the day and month are probably correct, it is likely that the informant wrote Jacob’s age in years at death as a sloppy 64 misread by the engraver as 69. 1773 is the year of his birth according to the sequence of births and baptisms in the Zion Lutheran Church register. This is corroborated by his age (13) at his confirmation in 1786 (see earlier citation). 84 The marker reads “in memory of Catherine wife of Jacob Fought” and has dates of death and age at death for both of them. 85 Baptism gives birth as 15 March; Leiby and Hinke, Windsor Zion Church, 38; FHL #20,355. Tombstone, Letort Spring Church Cemetery, also known as Old Kutz Church Cemetery, Middlesex Township, in Cumberland County Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, compiled from Jeremiah Zeamer Records (Carlisle: Cumberland County Chapter DAR, 1960), 32, gives the dates as 4 May 1776 and 11 February 1852; American Volunteer, 19 February 1852, 2, gives the dates as 13 May 1776 and 10 February 1852 (roll 4-7, CCHS). The latter two are probably erroneous, as they are after the baptismal date. 86 Zeamer, “Cumberland County Families,” 107. 87 Leiby and Hinke, Windsor Zion Church; 38, FHL #20,355. 88 Leiby and Hinke, Windsor Zion Church; 38, FHL #20,355. Final copy 31 January, 2010