FAMILY OF GAUER/GOWER for a detail of the discrepancies. The data as it applies to the current Perry lineage does not appear to be affected.Allen Perry, Oct.3,1999.
The following was transcribed by me from photocopies of what appears to be pages from this book. I copied typos (acedt vs. acted) as printed as well as variations in names (Ludwie vs. Ludwig) as they appeared. While trying my best it is not unlikely that I may have introduced typos of my own. Any dates or places added by me before 1939 will be in italics. Any date, names and places appearing after 1939 were added by me from other sources. Bold letters indicate my lineage. Allen H. Perry
FAMILY OF GAUER/GOWER for a detail of the discrepancies. The data as it applies to the current Perry lineage does not appear to be affected.
The history of the Gower family dates back to the 10th century. They originated in England, and are of Anglo-Saxon origin, also one of the oldest family in the county of York, and Glamorganshire.
The historians differ somewhat as to who the patriarch of this historic family was. Some claim it was Sir Alan Gower, sheriff of York County at the time of the Norman Conquest and Lord of Stittham in the same County, later possessed by Earl Gower, a prominent member of the Gower family.
Others claim that the first was William Fitz-Guhyr of Stittenham and that Alan was likely his son. A century later the name was sometimes written Guer.
In the 28th year of the reign of Edward I, Sir John Gower, became a prominent figure in the conflict with Scotland. Some say that the celebrated poet and refiner of the English language, labored extensively with Chaucer, and Sir John Gower, son of Sir Thomas Gower.
There is a vast difference of opinion as to the parents of Sir John, the poet, some conceive him to br Welsh, and others that his sur-name was assumed from that district in the County of Glamorgan, called Gower, while others are positive that he was a descendant of the family Stittenham. His coat of arms as depicted on his monument in St. Mary's Church in Southwark (greater part of which he built himself) has a garland of roses showing that he was knighted at an early period.
Hollinshed stated in his Coroniche "John Gower, descendant of that worthy family of the Gower of Stittenham in York County, studied not only the common laws of the realm, but also other kinds of literature, and had a great knowledge of the same, namely, in poetical inventions, applying his endeavor with Chaucer, to garnish the English tongue, in bringing it from rude
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imperfectness into a more apt elegancy. For where as before those days the learned used to write in Latin or French, and not in English, our tongue remained very barren, rude, and imperfect, but now by the diligent work of Chaucer and Gower, it was within greatly amended so that it grew not only rich and plentiful in words, but it took a very short time till the English language was conceived as any other language. John Gower died in 1408."
The history of the Gower family of America dates back, when the following came to America: Mrs. Anne Gower Endicott, wife of the first Governor of Massachusetts. They came from Dorchester, England, in 1628. Made their home in Salem, Mass. Next to come was Johann Nickle Gauer. He left Rotterdam, Holland, in 1743, and landed in Philadelphia. Penna. Third, John Nickolas Gower from Wales, England, in 1745. Settled in Cumru Township, Berks County. Fourth, Robert Gower from Norwich, Norfolk County, England, about 1746; settled in Boston, Mass. Fifth, Dr. John Henry Gower, from Rugby, England, made his home in Denver, Colorado. Sixth, George Gower, left Wales, England, in 1870; settled at Lansford, Penna., later went to California.
Author, I.M.G.
This collection of Historical Documents is respectfully dedicated to our forefathers who came to America and later became citizens. They took the Oath of Allegiance at Easton, Penna.
"I do hereby certify that I am over eighteen tears and have voluntary taken the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity as directed by the Act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed on the 13th day of September,1777 AD" This was later passed by congress. Signed by: No. 37. July 19,1777 Michael Gauer, No. 124. June 5, 1778 Lewis Gauer, No. 125. June 15, 1778 (John) George Gauer, No. 125. July 22, 1778 (John) Nicholas Gauer.
I want also to acknowledge thanks to all who extended a willing hand at various times in securing data.
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It corresponds to the ancient commote of Gower (in Welsh Gwyr) which in early Welsh time was grouped with two of her districts stretching westward to the Toury and so formed part of the principality of Ystrad Tyuri.
Its western associations were shown by its inclusion until the formation of the diocese of Swansea and Bacon (1923) within the diocese of St. David.
What is meant by Gower in modern popular usage however, is only the peninsular part or "English Gower", lying mainly to the south of a line down from Swansea to Longhor.
The numerous limestone caves along the coast are noted for their animal remains and finding Paleolithic flints and a skeleton of Palaeolithic date has been made.
The highly part of the peninsula has megalith and tumuli.
The south coast has evidence of bronze Age Culture, where traces of hill tops can still be seen, occupied by different groups of, people at various times up to the time of the Viking raids.
In the Arthurian times (reign of King Arthur) Gower was known as the island home of the dead. It is also surmised by Sir Hohn Bhys that Malory Brandegare (Bran of Gower) resents the Celts God of the other world.
Traces of the more or less temporary Scandinavian occupation is to be found in Burry Holms, Wormhead and Swansea, and probably making cliff earthworks.
About 1100 Gower was conquered by Henry De Newburgh, Earl of Warwick. His followers settled mostly on the southern side of the peninsula, leaving the Welsh inhabitants of the Northern half of Gower practically undisturbed.
These invaders were later followed by Flemish from south Pembrokeshire.
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Moated mounds which in some cases developed into castles, which were built for protection of the various manors. The castles included those of Swansea Longhor and Oystermouth. These were repeatedly attacked and burnt by the Welsh during 12th and 13th centuries. A large part of Gower is still a section of unclosed common land.
About 1189 the Lordship passed from Warwick family to the Crown and then to the DeBraoses, in whose family it remained continuously for over 120 years. In 1208 the Welsh and English inhabitants received each a charter from King John.
Later the King's officers of the newly organized county of Carmorthen repeatedly claimed jurisdiction over Towes. DeBraose resisted the claim and organized the English part of his Lordship's on the lines of county Palative. Troubles befell on the DeBraoses family and the reign passed to John Mowbray. It frequently changed hands between them and the Beauchamps representatives of the original owner (Earl of Warwich).
The 4th Duke of Norfolk (The Monbray) exchanged it in 1489 for lands in England with William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, it passed through Charles Somerset to the present owner the Duke of Beaufort.
Gower was included in 1535 in Glamorgan County of Glamorganshire.
The Gower were of Anglo-Saxon origin and one of the oldest family in the county of Glamorganshire, and as years passed on the name was pronounced alike, but varied in spelling, five different ways, Gwyr, Guhyer, Gauer, Guer and Gower. The third and the last are used by all families in America,
A sampler made by Anna Gower Endicott before her death in 1629, is on display in the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. John Endicott died at Boston, Mass., March 16, 1665.
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The three left Rotterdam, Holland, in April on the ship Phoenix, commanded by William Wilson. Arrived in Philadelphia, Penna., on September 23,1743, when he took the Oath of Allegiance required by all who wished to reside in America.
They settled in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, then part of Northampton County, Pa. They were members of the Jordan Lutheran church located at Walberts, Pa. On September 1, 1765, he purchased land in Hamilton Township, near the village of Saylorsburg, Pa.
.2.1. Simon Gauer, b. April 6, 1745. Bapt. April 16, 1745
...2. Elizabeth Gauer, b. March 2, 1741. Bapt. March 25,1745.
...3. Barbara Gauer, b. August 21,1746. Bapt August 31, 1746. Died Feb.21, 1752.
.3.4. Ludwie Gauer, b. August 21, 1746. Bapt. August 31, 1746. Sponsors at baptism for the twins were Ludwie Egener, David Marsh and Regina Huber.
...5. Sussanna Gauer, b. 1747. Married Samuel Ba(?)er.
.4.6. Cathariana Gauer, b. 1748.
.5.7. Michael Gauer, b. 1750.
His first wife died Feb.22,1751. Buried at the "Schmaltzgasse," West Salisbury Church. He took Elizabeth Sturm as his second wife in 1751.
...8. Johannes Gauer, born 1751.
.6.9. Johann George Gauer, born May 2,1752.
...10. Jean Gauer, born 1754.
...11. Lewis Gauer, born 1758.
The records of Hamilton Lutheran Church, Hamilton, PA., show that Nicholas Gauer and wife were members as early as 1768.
Communion Record.
1768-Nicol Gauer and wife Sussanna Sturm Gauer, children, Sussanna, Catharina, Simon and Ludwig.
1770-Michael Gauer, Confirmed.
1771-Simon and Michael Gauer.
1772-Communion and confirmation on Christmas Day, Johannes and Johann George Gauer.
1773-Jean Gauer.
1781-Nikolus Gauer and wife.
1782-Ludwig Gauer and wife, Magdalina Meixell Gauer, Johann George Gauer, wife Marie Salome.
Missing pages 10-13
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.7.2. Catherine Gauer, b. June 23, 1773. Sponsors at bat. Peter Frantz and Catherine Gauer.
...3. (Johann) George Gauer, b. December 31,1777. Sponsors at bapt. Johann George Gauer and Rosina Scheible.
...4. Anna Maria Gauer, b. May 1,1761, Sponsors, Johann George Gauer and wife Maria Salome.
.8.5. Johannes Gauer, b. March 8,1788. Sponsors, Johann Nickle Gauer and wife Sussanna Elizabeth.
...6. Salomon Gauer, b. 1781. Married Marie Fridrich, one daughter, Margerate Gauer, b. March 15, 1820. Sponsors at bapt. Balthasu Vetterman, wife Margerate Hauser Vetterman.
6. John George Gauer (Nicholas). Married Maria Salome Franc in 1786. His second wife was Sussanna Keiser, whom he married in 1794. They resided on a farm which he inherited through the death of his father in 1787. In August 1786, he and three other men, Meisner Melchoir Kintz, George John Kintz and Fredrick Keiser, bought two hundred and fifteen acres of land situated in Northampton County; now Monroe County, Penna.
He enlisted there in the spring of 1776, served as a private in Captain Allison's Company, later commanded by Lieutenant Hamilton and in Captain Lennox's Company, Colonel Cadwalader's Pennsylvania Regiment, marched first to Allentown, Pa., later to Fort Washington and assisted in building fortifications there. Was at Long Island just after the battle there, in which engagement his brother John Gower fell. He was later at Fort Washington and was confined by sickness in a hospital there at the time that the fort was taken, after his recovery rejoined his regiment at Philadelphia, and was discharged at the expiration of service of one year. He returned to Hamilton Township, Pa. He enlisted there the next fall and served two months as a private in Captain Lawrence Kunkle's Company, Colonel Miller's Pennsylvania regiment, a part of the time stationed at Rising Sun, from which place they fired on the enemy, then in possession of Philadelphia. He was called out later on the alarms to protect the inhabitants from Indians.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 16, 1833. D.S. Winebrener acetd as his attorney. He died at the age of 94 in the year 1846, burial place unknown.
page 15 missing
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by the payment of the consideration money above mentioned for true performance of all and singular the covenant and condition here in before contained and expected the said bind themselves, their heirs, executors and assign; each unto the other in the penal sum of $200.00 money of Pennsylvania.
In witness whereof this they have hereunto set their hands and seals on the 10th day of February, 1821.
X George Gauer
X David Gauer
Witnessed by: Jost Dreisbach, Edward Murray
.9.1. Johannes Gauer, b. Sept. 29, 1790. Sponsors, Michael Sterner and wife Margaret. Son of George Gauer and wife Marie Salome.
.10.2. Michael Gauer, b. October 30, 1796, Sponsors, Michael Fischer and wife Magdaline.
.11.3. Ludwig Gower, b. 1798.
.12.4. Maria Gower, b. 1799
.13.5. David Gower.
.14.6. Jacob Gower.
.15.7. Peter Gauer, b. January 10,1808.
...8. Elizabeth Gower, Married Elisa Meixsell. Dau. Caty Meixsell, married to Henry Jacoby, a railroad clerk, they resided in Coffeeville, Kansas, where both were buried.
.16.9. Anthony Gower, b December 17,1809.
Missing page 17
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...19. Mahlon Gower, born December 31, 1849. Married to Katie Daniels. Died September 18, 1885. Buried in the Gower Cemetery.
....1. Henry Gower
....2. Mahlon Gower. It is said there were 5 children.
9. Johannes Gower (George, Nicholas) Married Veronica Hauser in 1806, moved near the village of Kregesville, Pa., where he owned and operated a farm and saw-mill.
.20.1. John Gower, born 1919.
...2. George Gower, died in infancy.
10. Michael Gower. (George, Nicholas) Married Carolina Heffelfinger of Kunkletown. He was the first member of the Gower family to migrate from Hamilton, Township to Elfred Township, Monroe County, Pa. They owned and occupied a farm on the highway between Saylorsburg and Kunkletown. He died May 3, 1865; buried in St. Matthew Cemetery, Kunkletown, Pa.
Letters of Addm. are on file in Stroudsburg Court House, Monroe County, Pa. They were granted to his widow Carolina Gower, Philip Drumheller and John DeYoung, all of Elfred Township.
.21.1. Freeman Gower, born February 28, 1843.
.22.2. Abbisinia Gower born July 9, 1846.
.23.3. Robert Gower, born 1848.
.24.4. Anna Malinda Gower, Born Feb. 28, 1849.
.25.5. Sallie Ann Gower, born November 23, 1850.
...6. Emma Ann Gower, married Frank Corell. Three children, Silas, Sula Corell Kerch and Harry U. Corell.
.26.7. Joseph Gower, born May 22, 1854.
Missing pages 19-24
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.68.4. Joseph VanBuskirk.
23. Robert Gower (Michael, G., N.) was born in Elfred Township in the year 1848. He died in 1871. Buried in Kunklestown, Pa.
.69.1. One son Joseph Gower, born February 1,1868. Married Sarah Alice Kresge, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kresge of Saylorsburg, Pa. They lived near the village of Kresgeville, Pa., later moving to White Haven, where he passed away in May 9,1935. Buried in White Haven, Pa.
...1. John Gower, married Lucy Faek of White Haven in Feb. 1923.
...2.William Gower, married and lives near Bethlehem, Pa.
...3. Charles Gower, born June 10, 1900. Married Martha ____. Two children, Charles Gower, Jr., born July 20,1928, and Elwood Gower, born August 13, 1929.
...4. Albert Gower, born April 29,1902, married Anna _____.
.....1. Mary Ann Gower, born Jan. 26,1930.
.....2. Agnes Louis Gower, born October 23, 1832. 1932?
.....3. Margaret Jane Gower, born May 18, 1835. 1935?
.....4. Albert Louise Gower, born April 1, 1937.
.....5. Franklin Gower.
.....6. Sarah Gower, married Henry Fuek of White HAven, Pa., in September, 1930.
24. Ann M. (went by middle name Milinda) Gower (Michael, G., N.) married Alfred Vanscoter. (see Vanscoter) They resided in Lehighton, Pa., where both are buried in Gnaden-Huetten Cemetery in Lehighton, PA. Cousin of Joseph #26.
.70.1. Emma Vanscoter, born at Packerton on July, 10, 1867. Died July 29,1957.
...2. Clara Vanscoter, married to ----- Synder.
...3. Annabel Vanscoter, married to ----- Moulthrop, is buried in Lehighton Cemetery, Lehighton, Pa.
Missing pages 26-37
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..........omitted data........
Additional information, author unknown:
George Henry was born in Phila. He was educated in a private German Lutheran school. He spoke German, Country Dutch, and English fluently. and could hold his own in yiddish. He had cousins who were undertakers in Mauch Chunk (now Jim Thorpe, Pa.). He would spend summers there helping them and that that's how he met grandmom. They were married in the Baptist Church of Packerton. He wanted to be an undertaker but yielded to parental pressure and became a tailor. He spent one summer in Germany visiting relatives.
After Grandpop Hankele retired he took a ferry boat ride and threw all his tailor tools off the back end into the Delaware River so he could never again be a tailor.
Susan Hoot had two brother (maybe more) named John and Jacob. John had a son named Frank (name changed to Hood). He was a building contractor named Hood and Gross. John lived in Trappe, Pa.."
"My great grandfather, George Hankele, was born in Stuttgart, Germany and came here as a young man. His family owned a textile factory. During WWI they manufactured munitions. After the war they made beer. An Uncle was Count. He married Susan Hoot of Skippack, Pa.
70. Emma Vanscoter. (Anna M. V, Michael, G., N.).. Married George Henry Hankele, he was born in Philadelphia, Pa., died January 24,1932; buried at Bromall, Pa.. George Henry's father was George Hankele, b. Stuttgart, Germany. His mother was Susan Hoot.
and ran a small tailor shop in Norristown, Pa. They had two sons, George (our grandfather), Edwin who died young, and a daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth married Warren Davis and had one son, Edwin. His widow lives in Lansdale, Pa. with a daughter.
71. Richard Gower (David, David, George, Nicholas)
..........omitted data........
72. Amelia Jane (David, Davis, George, Nicholas)
..........omitted data........
Missing pages 39-53
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..........omitted data........
116. Lillian M. Hankele. (Emma A., Anna V., Michael, G., N.) Married Hugh. M. Potts on March 27, 1917 (see Potts.2)., in Philadelphia, Pa.
.1. Ruth E. Potts, born January 3, 1918, at Audubon, N.J. Married Winfred F. Kelley on June 9, 1934. One son, Winfred, Jr., born April 9, 1935. She remarried William Perry, (see Perry.103).a widower with 5 children (Katherine, William Jr., Mary, Ruth, Alice) of Phila., Penna. on 12 June 1941
and had four children.
........(me)Allen Hugh born 15 April 1942 (see Allen H. Perry).
........... Donald Eugene born 11 March 1944
........... Peggyanne Lillian born 12 February 1946
........... Doris Elizabeth born 13 August 1949
.2. Naomi Potts, twin sister of Ruth; died in infancy Jan. 13,1918.
.3. Doris Potts, born at Audubon, N.J., March 22, 1923.
.4. Donald Potts, born December 1929.
..........omitted data.......
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