Revised 8/11/2017. 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.
Johann Peter RUTH (1704-1771) m. (1) Anna Sophia LAUER (1703-1735); (2) Anna Catharine MAYER/MEYER (1715-1793)
s/o Johann Melchoir RUTH (1657-1735) and Maria Catherina TREIN (1657-1735)
1-d/o Hans Peter LAUER (1665-1698) and Maria Barbara KOHL (1670-1709)
2-d/o Peter MAYER (nd)
p/o Johann Michael RUTH (1725-1803)
p/o Johann Christian RUTH (1728-1793)
4 Mar 1703 Anna Sophia LAUER born; baptized 4 Apr 1703 at Hirstein, Sankt Wendel, Saarland, Germany [Lower/Lawer/Lauer Family Book, p.3 (doc)]
7 Nov 1704 Johann Peter RUTH born at Walhausen, Cochem-Zell, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany [Lower/Lawer/Lauer Family Book, p.3 (doc)]
Aug 1715 Anna Catharina MAYER born at Walhausen, Cochem-Zell, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
15 Feb 1724 Johann Peter RUTH and Anna Sophia LAUER married at Wolfersweiler, Sankt Wendel, Saarland, Germany (Rhineland, Prussia, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, p.260, 261 lists marriage, father Melchior Ruth, father Peter Lauers, and Peter and Anna Sophia (2doc)])
1 Dec 1725 son Johann Michael RUTH born at Walhausen, Cochem-Zell, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; died 21 Oct 1802 at Cumru, Berks, PA; married Anna Marie MOSER 16 Sep 1760 at Tulpehocken, Berks, Pennsylvania (served in Rev War); immigrated with parents John Peter and Anna Sophia in 1733 on ship PA Merchant (one source says birth was 6 Nov 1724)
11 Sep 1726 son Johann Jacob RUTH born at Walhausen, Cochem-Zell, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; died 24 Sep 1797 at Sinking Spring, Berks, PA; married (1) Anna Elizabeth SCHELL on 16 Jan 1753 at Berks, PA (served in Rev War) immigrated with parents John Peter and Anna Sophia in 1733 on ship PA Merchant; christened 7 Nov 1726; (2) Catherine KRICK [Lancaster Mennonite Records show his dates and marriage info (doc)] (Rhineland, Prussia, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, p.105 lists his baptism (2doc)]
7 Nov 1728 son Johann Christian RUTH born at Walhausen, Cochem-Zell, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; died 24 Aug 1793 at Sinking Springs, Berks, PA; married Maria Barbara EPLER (served in Rev War) immigrated with parents John Peter and Anna Sophia in 1733 on ship PA Merchant (one source says birth was 16 Dec 1729) [listed on D.A.R.-Revolutionary War Marker-St. John's Sinking Spring Reformed/U.C.C. (photo)] (Rhineland, Prussia, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, p.113 lists his baptism (2doc)])
1731 dau Anna Maria RUTH born at Walhausen, Cochem-Zell, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; died 1806 at Cocalico, Lancaster, PA; immigrated with parents John Peter and Anna Sophia in 1733 on ship PA Merchant
8 Dec 1731 son Peter RUTH born at Walhausen, Cochem-Zell, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; died 14 Aug 1784 at Berks, PA; married 5 Apr 1768 at Berks, PA (served in Rev War) immigrated with parents John Peter and Anna Sophia in 1733 on ship PA Merchant; christened 9 Dec 1731 [listed on D.A.R.-Revolutionary War Marker-St. John's Sinking Spring Reformed/U.C.C. (photo)]
18 Sep 1733 Johann Peter and Anna Sophia immigrated on the brigatine Pennsylvania Merchant of London to Philadelphia from Rotterdam out of London (one source says through Plymouth, England); left Rotterdam on 24 Jun 1733 [John Stedman, Master, from Rotterdam, last from Plymouth -seventy-one males above sixteen, fifty-six females, and sixty-four males and females under sixteen years of age." (List of the adult male passengers follows with this listing) Peter Ruth (List of the male passengers under the age of sixteen follows with these listings) Jon. Ruth, Jacob Ruth, and Peter Ruth (We know, however, that only two of Peter Ruth's children traveled with him on this ship. Interestingly, none of the females, adult or children were listed) [Book-Ruth Family 250th Anniversary- Ruth Reunion at St. John's Hains Church-Immigration of Joh Pieter Roudt-Berks Genealogy Library: listed on ship list as ROODT. Also on passenger list is Anna Sophia’s half-brother Christian LAUER, who married in 1739 to widow Anna Catherine Seibert Steffan, and Christian’s cousin Mathias Girsch (who had received 40 florins for the journey). [Anna Sophia’s younger sister, Susanna Barbara Lauer, wife of Johann Matthias THEISS, had arrived in Philadelphia in 1730 on the ship Thistle of Glasgow and was living in Tulpehocken area] [also on board were members of the Schwenkfelder Congregation and Members of The AntaBaptist Congregation] [Wife Anna Sophia Lauer; Son Johann Jakob; Son Johann Christian; Son Johann Michel: ZIMMER, KLAUS. "Amerikaauswanderer aus der Reformierten Pfarrei Wolfersweiler vor 1750." In Mitteilungen zur Wanderungsgeschichte der Pfaelzer, Jahrgang 31, vol 10:1 (1982), pp. 39-45. P.42; Brother-in-law & 4 children; Sister Sophia: BELL, RAYMOND MARTIN. "European Origins." In Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, vol. 33:3 (1984), pp. 204-210.; BURGERT, ANNETTE KUNSELMAN. Pennsylvania Pioneers from Wolfersweiler Parish, Saarland, Germany. Worthington, OH: AKB Publications, 1983. P.24; Wife Sophia; Child Peter; Child John; Child Christine; Child Jacob: BELL, RAYMOND MARTIN. Emigrants from Wolfersweiler Parish, Germany, to Pennsylvania before 1750. In National Genealogical Society Quarterly, vol. 63:2 (June 1975), pp. 105-109.] [Ruth Family Book states Peter Ruth first settled in the Myerstown or Stouchsburg area of what is now Berks County as Sophia’s sister Susanna Barbara Lauer, wife of Mathias Theiss was already living in that area. Baptismal records of Peter Ruth’s children by his second marriage also indicate that that were living in that area.]
24 Sep 1733 shortly after their arrival, they celebrated their first Gedaechtnisz Tag, the September Thanksgiving. Though fewer that 3,000 people in a handful of Pennsylvania congregations still observe it, it is the oldest continuous Thanksgiving tradition in America.
1735 Anna Sophia LAUER died Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania; probably buried at St John’s Hain’s Church, Wernersville, PA
1736 Johann Peter RUTH married Anna Catharina MAYER/MEYER, dau of Pater MEYER, at Cumru, Berks, PA [according to Cyrus Fox's history, "a prosperous farmer of Heidelberg" on the Cacoosing River. "With his wife Catherine he held a leading position in the social and general interests of the vicinity." He was married twice, having three children by his first wife, and ten by Catherine Meyer, his second wife] [History of St. John’s (Hain’s) Reformed Church by Rev WJ Kershner and Adam Lerch), p.467: “The Ruth family from the days of the earliest settlements held lands in the valley directly to the eats of the Fishers. The farm on the Cacoosing, near Fritztown, owned by Peter Pfeiffer, was the site of the first homestead of Peter RUTH. The Orr stock farm was a part of this tract, and was the homestead of one of the sons of Peter RUTH. Without endeavoring to trace the connection of relationship of the early owners, we will mention that the John A. Kintzer homestead, now known as Belle Alto farm and owned by J.H. Cummings; the Henry Gaul farm and the farm of William Krick, between Wernersville and Sinking Spring, were all owned by members of the Ruth family. The present Henry Gaul farm—a Ruth homestead—deserves especial mention. It lies in a broad sweep of the valley more than a quarter of a mile from the public highway. The main part of the house dates back to about the time of the Revolution (the date stone on the east gable end being no longer legible). Double floors, with the space between the timbers filled solid with mortar, are a feature in the construction of the house. A beautiful meadow steam—a branch of the Cacoosing—and a group of three grand buttonwood trees overtopping the farm buildings by more than fifty feet, the gently rising hills in the distant back-
1737 son George Rhoades RUTH born at Spring City, Berks, Pennsylvania; died 1771; married Anna Marie BENSS in 1766 [listed on D.A.R.-Revolutionary War Marker-St. John's Sinking Spring Reformed/U.C.C. (photo)]
30 May 1737 dau Anna Catherine RUTH born at Berks, Pennsylvania; died 19 Jun 1813 at Springs, Somerset, Pennsylvania or Spring City, Berks, Pennsylvania; married Henry MEYER Jr
27 Oct 1741 dau Mary Catherine RUTH born at Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania; died 23 Apr 1813 at Jackson, Butler, PA; married Jonas ECKERT
23 Mar 1743 dau Maria Barbara RUTH born at Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania; died 26 Oct 1832 at PA; Married Isaac ADDAMS
16 Sep 1745 son John (Martin) RUTH born at Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania; died 12Oct 1812 at Vincent, Chester, PA; married Maria Catharine HIESTER [listed on D.A.R.-Revolutionary War Marker-St. John's Sinking Spring Reformed/U.C.C. (photo)]
16 Jan 1748 "The Mansion" Present owner Mrs. Herman Miller. Peter Ruth (or Rood) on January 16, 1748, purchased 4 tracts of land (3 on Casoosing Creek) totaling approximately 430 acres for a purchase price of 600. (Deed Book A Vol. 3, page 270) One of these tracts comprised the land on which the Mansion is located. It is not certain when the stone house was built, but it is supposed to be one of Peter Ruth's first homes. Peter died intestate, and in 1772 when his oldest son Michael settled the estate, this portion of his holdings were deeded to George Ruth for settlement of the estate? (Deed Book B 1, pages 93 to 100) When grandson George died August 17, 1857, this was part of his premises. [Ruth Family Book: earliest record of land ownership along the Cacoosing Creek was in Jan 1748 where eventually he possessed 900 acres of land. The land on which the town of Sinking Spring is located was once the sole property of the Ruth family.
12 Jun 1748 son Henry RUTH born at Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania; died 28 Feb 1826 at Sinking Spring, Berks, PA; married Elizabeth SHEPLER (served in Rev War) [listed on D.A.R.-Revolutionary War Marker-St. John's Sinking Spring Reformed/U.C.C. (photo)]
7 Mar 1749 Orphan Court Records Of Lancaster Co., Pa. Held March 7, 1749. ( 67 ) Petition of Michael Tyson, eldest son and surviving administrator of Mathias Tyson, late of Lebanon, deceased, with consent of Christian Lawer ( Lauer ) and Peter Ruth, Brothers of the deceased and guardians over the minor children, allowed that the two hundred and fifty acres of land and saw mill thereon sold by the petitioner, be confirmed.
13 Dec 1750 son Francis RUTH born at Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania; died 29 Oct 1809 at Cocalico, Lancaster, PA; married Elizabeth DESTER/DESTOR (served in Rev War)
10 Oct 1752 Granted to Peter Ruth in Fee, 167.5 Acres, Oct. 10, 1752. One messuage or tenement and tract of land situated in Heidelberg Twp. It lies in a broad sweep of the valley 1/4 mile north from present Rt. 422. The main part of the house dates back to shortly before the time of the Revolution, the date stone no longer legible. Double floors with the space between the timbers filled solid with mortar are a feature in the construction of the house. It is located on a branch of the Cacoosing Creek locally identified as the Little Cacoosing (See Deed Book A, Vol 3, pages 274 to 276)
1 Dec 1752 He was given a deed on 1 December 1752 at Heidelberg (Hain's) Church, Heidelberg, Berks, PA, US; Church built on 4 acres deeded to Peter Ruth, Casper Hain, Paul Lengle, & John Eaker. George Hain deeded 4 ac to the four men for the church. From Pastors and People German Lutheran and Reformed Churches in the Pennsylvania Field, 1717-1793 by Charles Henry Glatfelter]
1753 dau Maria Magdalena RUTH born at Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania; died 1785 at Green, Adams, OH; married George HAIN [Greystone. A splendid specimen of a well preserved building of Colonial style architecture. This beautiful stone home was built in1802 by George Hain. He was first married to Maria Magdalena Ruth, daughter of Peter. She died in 1782. In 1784, he married Mary Magdalena Ruth, daughter of Christian Ruth and Mary Barbara (Epler) Heister, who according to dates, was his wife when he built Greystone. George died in 1903. This large, massive building is characterized by a heavy and beautifully finished cornice. A large central hallway running through the length of the building opens from the Colonial doorway. The room on the east front of the second floor is spoken of as the "Chapel Room" as it was used by the owner for the purpose of holding religious meetings.
1753 dau Margaret RUTH born at Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania; died 1754; married George GERNARD
10 Aug 1754 dau Eva RUTH born at Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania; died 10 Jun 1817 at Berks, PA; married Peter MENGEL (Rev War)
15 Mar 1761 At one time, the town of Sinking Spring was practically owned entirely by the Ruth family. At the time of his death he owned nearly 900acres. 15 MAR 1761 by the Supreme Court, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Having declared that he had last taken the Sacrament of the Holy Communion on March 15 of that year at Hain's Church in Berks County.
1 Apr 1761 With his sons, Michael and Jacob. Son Christian was naturalized on 1Apr 1761.
14 Sep 1771 Johann Peter RUTH died at Cumru, Berks, Pennsylvania (Possessed over 900 acres of land at time of death in 1771); burial probably at St John’s Hain’s Church, Wernersville, Berks, Pennsylvania [PA Probate Records have his will: 1771 (doc)] {PA Probate-Will Index shows 1767-Peter Ruth, Adm Citation ordered; 1771-Ptere Ruth, Valuation of estate, Vol 2, p.107, 123 (doc)]
Nov 1773 PA Oyer and Terminer Court Papers, 1757-1787 list Christian RUTH, John RUTH, Michael RUTH, Jacob Ruth, and Peter RUTH (doc)]
30 Oct 1793 Sinking Spring Reformed Church...now the United Church of Christ. The ground for the first burial place at Sinking Spring was donated by will by Christian Ruth, son of Peter, Oct. 30, 1793. Among the first buried therein was the donor himself. Christian Ruth's grave and that of his wife can be found side by side to the west of the church building. (Hain's Church History of 1935, page 210 and 211) It is assumed that this land was a portion of his inheritance from his father.
28 Nov 1793 Anna Catharina MAYER died at Exeter, Berks, Pennsylvania