Revised 7/11/2017. Copyright @2017; The following Documentary Timeline has been compiled and created by Paul Rhetts. It may be copied for research purposes; but it may not be reproduced for inclusion in any printed or electronic distribution of any kind without the express written permission of the author. Any requests to use this information should be sent to Paul Rhetts, LPDPress@q.com.



John Michael RUTH 1725-1803 m. Anna Marie MOSER 1735-1804
s/o Johann Peter RUTH (1704-1771) and Anna Sophia LAUER (1702-1735
d/o Hans Johann Adam MOSER (1684-1771) and Anna Marie BOEHM (1688-1763)
p/o Magdalena RUTH (1768-1831)



6 Nov 1724 John Michael RUTH born at Walhausen, Cochem-Zell, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany [one source says 1 Dec 1725] [FindAGrave (doc)]

12 Nov 1724 John Michael RUTH baptized at Walhausen, Cochem-Zell, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany

1733 Ruth Family immigrated to Pennsylvania on the ship PA Merchant: Father Johann Peter RUTH, mother Anna Sophia Lauer; uncle Johann Jakob RUTH; bro Johann Christian; bro Johann Michel [BURGERT, ANNETTE KUNSELMAN. Pennsylvania Pioneers from Wolfersweiler Parish, Saarland, Germany. Worthington, OH: AKB Publications, 1983, p.24; 1033.11] [ZIMMER, KLAUS. "Amerikaauswanderer aus der Reformierten Pfarrei Wolfersweiler vor 1750." In Mitteilungen zur Wanderungsgeschichte der Pfaelzer, Jahrgang 31, vol 10:1 (1982), p.42; source 9981] [RUPP, ISRAEL DANIEL. A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and Other Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776, with a Statement of the Names of Ships, Whence They Sailed, and the Date of Their Arrival at Philadelphia, Chronologically Arranged, Together with the Necessary Historical and Other Notes, also, an Appendix Containing Lists of More Than One Thousand German and French Names in New York prior to 1712. Leipzig [Germany]: p.87; source: 7820] [EGLE, WILLIAM HENRY, editor Names of Foreigners Who Took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania, 1727-1775, with the Foreign Arrivals, 1786-1808. (Pennsylvania Archives, ser. 2, vol. 17.) Harrisburg [PA]: E.K. Meyers, 1890. 787p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1967. p.82; source: 1804]

1733 Michael RUTH listed in Philadelphia Co, PA [PA Compiled Census Index]

13 Aug 1735 Anna Marie MOSER born at Berks, Pennsylvania [Mennonite Records, Lancaster, PA indicate Hans Adam and Anna Maria Boehm Mosser as her parents (doc)]

1736 Michael RUTH listed as one of first landowners in Shillington, having purchased land from William Penn; others were: Jacob Weiss 1733; Thomas Jones 1734; John Davis 1734; and Michael Ruth 1736

1 Nov 1753 son Johann Adam RUTH born at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania; married Anna Catharine FILSMEYER 8 Apr 1777; died 30 Oct 1821 at Heidelberg, Berks, Pennsylvania; buried at Hains Church, Berks, Pa [one source says 11 Nov 1753][christened 24 Nov 1753]

1 Nov 1753 son Michael RUTH born at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania; married Maria Elizabeth FREY; died 1853 at Heidelberg, Berks, Pennsylvania

30 Aug 1758 son Christian RUTH born at Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania; married Maria Barbara BOLLMAN on 7 Mar 1786; died 7 Dec 1823 at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania

1752 John Michael RUTH and Anna Marie MOSER married at Tulpehocken, Berks, Pennsylvania [one source says 16 Sep 1760 which must be incorrect due to dates of children’s births]

18 Jan 1761 dau Margaret RUTH born at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania; christened 1 Mar 1761 in Hains Church, Berks, Pa; married Daniel GRAEFF; died 14 Sep 1808

1 Mar 1761 Michael RUTH listed as father and Anna Maria as mother at baptism of dau. Margaret (Margretha) RUTH at
Congregation at the Cacusi, at the Hains' Church

15 Mar 1761 Naturalization Card for John Michael RUTH [National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Washington D.C.; Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania; NARA Series: M1537; Reference: (Roll 007) Oct 15; filed 17 Dec 1837(doc)]

19 Aug 1763 dau Maria Barbara RUTH born at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania; married Daniel HAIN 8 Apr 1785 at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania; died 26 Apr 1818

11 Sep 1763 Michael RUTH listed as father and Anna Maria as mother at baptism of dau. Maria Barbara RUTH at
Congregation at the Cacusi, at the Hains' Church [Records of Rev. Waldschmidt]

4 Jun 1765 Michael Ruth listed in PA Land Warrants for aceage at Lot 43 in Berks, PA

11 Aug 1768 dau Magdalena RUTH born at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania; married Peter HAIN 18 Dec 1781; died 4 May 1831 at Lower Heidelberg, Berks, Pennsylvania

1771 John Michael RUTH served in the Revolutionary War as a Court Martial Man (Private) in the 7th Company, 3 Bn, Berks County Militia. He resided in Heidelberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. (Recorded in the "The Descendants of Peter and Sophia (Lauer) Ruth” [DAR A098647: Berks Co DAR Plaque/Marker; Enlistment card; Veteran Burial Card] [Pennsylvania, Revolutionary War Battalions and Militia Index, 1775-1783, Vol 2 No. 281 (doc)] [Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012 (doc)]

14 Nov 1771 Michael RUTH petitioned the Orphan’s Court stating his father died intestate about two months previously and named 14 children.

May 1772 Oyer and Terminer Court lists Michael RUTH (#99) [Pennsylvania, Oyer and Terminer Court Papers, 1757-1787 (doc)]

Nov 1773 Cumru, PA Tax and Exoneration Records show Michael RUTH with 237 ac D.L.; 30 ac Hill S, 50 ac L (total 1478); 4 ho(rses) (40 total), 7 Cattle (21 total); Total 1539 [Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4; Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794; Microfilm Roll: 318-319 (doc)]

25 Jun 1773 son John Ruth born at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania; married Elizabeth SCHARMAN 17 Oct 1797 at Schwarzwald Church, Exeter Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania; died 17 Sep 1851 at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania

27 Jun 1773 Michael RUTH and Anna Marie MOSSER listed as parents at baptism of John RUTH at
Heidelberg, Cacusi, St. John's or Hain's at Berks, PA

16 Jun 1777 dau Catharine RUTH born at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania; married Johan Nicholas HAAG; died 22 Jun 1831 at Penn, Berks, Pennsylvania

20 Apr 1778 dau Elizabeth RUTH born at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania; died 9 May 1831 at Lower Heidelberg, Berks, Pennsylvania

1786 Cumru, PA Tax and Exoneration Record shows Michael RUTH as “Nonendentured: 75ac; valued at $225; tax $12 [Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4; Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794; Microfilm Roll: 320 (doc)]

1788 Cumru, PA Tax and Exoneration Record shows Michael RUTH as 4•6•3 [Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4; Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794; Microfilm Roll: 320 (doc)]

1789 Cumru, PA Tax and Exoneration Record shows Michael RUTH as 4•6•3 [Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4; Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794; Microfilm Roll: 320 (doc)]

15 Jun 1795 son Leonard RUTH born at Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania; christened 12 May 1776 in Hains Church, Berks, Pa; married Elizabeth WEINHOLD in 1821; died 11 Apr 1852 at Lower Heidelberg, Berks, Pennsylvania

2 Aug 1795 Michael RUTH and Anna Marie MOSSER listed as parents at baptism of Leonhard RUTH at
Heidelberg, Cacusi, St. John's or Hain's at Berks, PA and a second baptism same day for Leonhardt at Schwartzwald Reformed Church

1798 Bern Twp, Berks, Pa Direct Tax List shows Michael RUTH (#206) as 1 dwelling; $200 value of dwelling; assessment $.40 [Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 (doc)]

1800 PA Census lists Michael RUTH in Cumru, Berks, PA; lists his occupation as yeoman (doc)

1800 Federal Census for Cumru, Berks, PA lists John Michael RUTH age 45 and Anna Marie MOSSER age 26-44 [Pennsylvania; Series: M32; Roll: 35; Page: 585; Image: 171; Family History Library Film: 363338 (doc)]

15 Feb 1800 Michael RUTH and Anna Marie MOSSER listed as family members at baptism (unclear as to who was being baptized) at
Heidelberg, Cacusi, St. John's or Hain's at Berks, PA

1801 Springfield, Bucks, PA Tax Records lists Michael RUTH (#166) with cattle (1), ?? (4), ?? (4), ?? (7) [The Bucks County Historical Society; Doylestown, Pennsylvania; Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Tax Records, 1782-1860; Collection: Title No. 102; Roll Number: 21 (doc)]

4 Feb 1801 Michael RUTH will registered at Berks, PA
PA Wills, Vol 4-5, 1801-1826 (doc)]

24 Jan 1803 Michael RUTH was witness to the will of John BOLLMAN:
BOLLMAN, JOHN, farmer, Cumru.
January 24, 1803 - December 12, 1803.
Provides for wife Barbara.
Children: Jacob, John, Magdalena, Maria Catharine, Anna Maria, Catharine and Barbara.
Sons Jacob and John are devisees of farm and all real estate in Cumru, 322 acres for £1370.
Exrs: Jacob BOLLMAN and Christian RUTH.
Wit: Michael RUTH and John SCHARMAN.

21 Oct 1803 John Michael RUTH died at Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania; buried at Wernersville, Berks; buried in Hains, Berks, Pa. [Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012 (doc)] [Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1950-2010; Series Number: Series 4] [FindAGrave (doc)]

19 Nov 1803 Michael RUTH will probated at Berks, PA [
Probate Estate Files, Rothermel, Sophia - Seibert, George, 1800-1850 (doc)]
RUTH, MICHAEL, Cumru.
February 4, 1801 - November 21, 1803.
Provides for wife Anna Maria.
To son John my plantation whereon I now dwell in Cumru and Heidelberg, containing 110 acres, also tract in Heidelberg containing 75 acres and 2 tracts of woodland containing 30 and 50 acres, for the sum of £1200.
Remainder of estate to sons Adam and Michael and daus. Catharine wife of Nicholas HAWK, Margaret wife of Daniel GRAEFF, Barbara wife of David HEHN, Magdalena wife of Peter HEHN and Elizabeth RUTH, allowing Adam £100 more than the others for his birthright.
Son Christian having already received his full portion gets nothing more.
Exrs: Sons Adam and Christian.
Wits: Sebastian MILLER and Jacob LUDWIG.

13 Aug 1804 Anna Marie MOSER died Heidelberg, Berks, Pennsylvania; buried at Hains Church, Wernersville, Berks, PA