Greathouse Coat of Arms Greathouse Point Banner Greathouse Tree
Origins Banner
Home | News | Families | DNA Project | Library | Researchers | About Us | Community | Mailing List | Links | Awards
 
Greathouse Point > Library > Legends > Pat's Notes on Early Greathouse Research

Notes on Early Greathouse Research

Patricia Dodd Greathouse. Greathouse Cousin Network. (personal communication, October 15, 1998)

Much of the early work in recording the history of the Greathouse family was taken from sources, which had some serious errors in them.

1. When the following three records were requested from Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR http://www.dar.org:
  • Number 25344 of Mattie B. Kettering
  • Number 68227 of Hallie Wilkinson Wardell
  • Number 68221 of Mattie B. Howe

It was discovered that the records submitted by these previously accepted members are now stamped error by DAR. "This paper is not acceptable. Future applicants must correct." They provide incorrect information on Herman Greathouse, SR. of PA.

2. Jack Murray Greathouse's "A Partial History of The Greathouse Family in America", published in No. 7, Bulletin Series, Washington Co. Historical Society, Fayetteville, AR, 1954, W. J. Lemke, Editor; "History and Genealogy of the Fort Knox Family and Related Families", compiled by Nellie M. Starkey Knox, 1968, 929.2 K14K1; and some work done by Mary Greathouse Downs contains some misinformation. Harmon Greathouse was married twice? Not so! The information from Jack Murray's book giving this information was flawed and we have several sources to explain the reason for his wrong impression.

  • A letter, addressed to about 11 other Greathouse collaborators in Jack's book, written by Tom H. Hutzelman, 3226 Rustic Lane, Erie, PA 16506, dated 25 Aug. 1984 states:

    " I have also visited the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Germantown. They have most of the Philadelphia area records Lutheran church records on microfilm. I checked the St. Michael's records with some interesting results:" 'Jack Murray Greathouse states that Harmon Greathouse's first wife was Anna Maria Baret, based on their being sponsors for the baptism of Anna Maria, daughter of Georg Michawel SCHELLMEIER'...' " I believe he is wrong!! The record of baptism actually says (in German):" "A child was born to Georg Michael SCHELIMEIER from his wife on 9 Jan 1745 and was brought for baptism on 2 June, and was given the name Anna Maria. Godparents were Herman GROTHOUSS and Anna Maria BARETIN. The minister who was keeping the records at the time did not record the maiden names of the mothers, let alone those of female sponsors. Further, it does not call Anna Maria BARETIN wife of Herman GROTHOUSS. My conclusion is that Anna Maria Baretin was not married to Herman Grothouss at all, and was probably the wife of Baltus Baret, (-IN on the end of her name is simply a feminine ending.)" Mr. Hutzelman also viewed the baptismal record of Rahel (Rachel) Grothausen. This record gives the parents as Herman Grothausen and Maria Grothausin. (Note the feminine ending of last name.) Also noted in the same letter: "The baptismal record says the child of Anna Maria PUFF, the mother of Wilhelm Greathouse, Jr., was unmarried. The use of her maiden name Anna Maria Puppin (Feminine Ending), indicates this and leads me to believe that Barbara was Wilhelm's only wife!"

Go to Top

  • Mr. Hutzelman also viewed the baptismal record of Rahel (Rachel) Grothausen. This record gives the parents as Herman Grothausen and Maria Grothausin. (Note the feminine ending of last name.) Also noted in the same letter: "The baptismal record says the child of Anna Maria PUFF, the mother of Wilhelm Greathouse, Jr., was unmarried. The use of her maiden name Anna Maria Puppin (Feminine Ending), indicates this and leads one to believe that Barbara was Wilhelm's only wife!"

3. Some sources of information indicate that Gabriel Greathouse, born about 1771-3 (not 1778) was the only son of Daniel and Mary Morris. He was the Greathouse who moved to Arkansas. This concept leaves John Greathouse who married Sarah McDade, presently unconnected.

4. Another error relates to Mary Ann Greathouse, who married James Downs, and was the daughter of William. We had previously believed that William was the son of Johannes and Amelia Gillispi, but William was actually the son of Benjamin, the son of John and grandson of Harmon.

 
Greathouse Point Banner Greathouse Point Address
Comments?? Questions?? Contact our Webmaster.
© Copyright 1998 - 2008, Guild Greathouse.
 
   Page Title: Pat's Notes on Early Greathouse Research   |     Privacy Statement   Site Map   Top