"Most of my research has been limited to Centre Co. Pennsylvania where my father was born. The obituary of my father's grandfather, John R. SHEFFLER, led me to Berks Co. PA. While examining "The Records of Pastoral Acts at Christ Lutheran Church, Stouchburg, Marion Twp., Berks Co. PA." in "Part 2- Marriages" Pg. 45, I found this item: ". 25 JAN 1774, Georg SCHIFFLER, widower and Anne Catharine GAST, legitimate daughter of Johann Nicholas GAST, in Heidelberg Twp., Lancaster Co. after threefold proclamation."
"This was the first reference I'd seen to my 5th great grandfather. Subsequent research uncovered his brother Johann Christian GAST and their voyage from Germany in 1755. I dutifully entered their data into my computer.
"As time went by I would discover more about the family. The family of Johann Christian GAST moved to Centre Co. PA., prospered and multiplied. The family of Johann Nicholas moved to Dauphin Co. and disappeared. The Internet brought me into contact with K. Stuart CLIFTON, Mona BRUCE, Alan YOUNG, Kathleen PETERSEN, Pat GAST, more descendants for the database and even some photographs (thanks to Alan YOUNG). Stuart introduced me to Ruth Wolfinger and I entered her book into the database also. Limiting myself to the known descendants with the GAST surname has yielded over 500 names. I'm distributing it now, knowing full well that some wonderful tidbit of information is going to just miss being included. Any additions, corrections, comments, questions or criticisms are welcome. Richard B. HUGHES [email protected]
2. Johann Nicholas GAST (1.____r#1) b. Odenwald, Wurttemberg, Germany m. Anna Catharine_____. Arrived: 07 OCT 1755 in Phladelphia from Rotterdam on the Neptune. Children:
Zion Lutheran Church - Harrisburg - Dauphin Co. Margareth b. 22 OCT 1804, bpt. 21 MAR 1805, dau/ Christian and Catharine SCHIFER, Sponsors: Mathias and Margareth GAST.
Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files - Vol 2 - Pg, 1320 GAST, Matthias or Mathias, S22259, PA Line, Appl 15 OCT 1833, Dauphin Co. PA., aged 74, a resident of Susquehanna Twp. PA. Soldier was born 15 MAY 1759 at Heidleburg Twp. Lancaster Co. PA. and lived there until 30 years of age, then moved to Susquehanna Twp. PA. ***Same guy???***,
3. Johann Christian GAST, Sr. (1.____r#1) b. 23 APR 1726 Odenwald, Wurttemberg, Germany(r#5) m. 26 MAY 1755 Odenwald, Wurttemberg, Germany(r#6): Christina Anna BRANDT b. 29 OCT 1729 Wurttemberg, Gernmany(r#5) - d. 1803, Rebersburg, Centre Co. PA.(r#5) buried: Rebersburg Lutheran Cemetery. Johann d. 1805 Rebersburg, buried: Rebersburg Lutheran Cemetery. Info. supplied by Mona BRUCE [email protected] - 1998
When Johann Christian GAST found himself too old to work, he offered his entire farm to his eldest son, John ( on condition that he would support him and his wife ). John declined the farm, saying he had a good trade (shoemaker) and did not want a farm). He then made the offer to his next son (Christian?) who also declined. This second refusal brought the old man to tears which caused the son to relent and he accepted the farm. After this. John Nicholas bought of a Mr. MILES, 330 acres of land in Bush Valley in what is now Centre County, and wishing to get the family together, he prevailed upon his brother (Christian?) to sell the homestead and take part of his purchase in Brush Valley, which he did, and with his family and parents, moved into the valley where the old people died and are buried in Rebersburg.
John Nicholas GAST was born and grew to manhood on the original homestead. He became a shoemaker and worked at his trade when not engaged as a scout. He was one of the original party of scouts whose duty it was to go from fort to fort and help protect the settlers from Indian raids. He was a member of a party of scouts that carried Mr. TATE to a fort when the latter had been injured by Indians. With money earned at his trade, he bought land in Brush Valley where he passed the remainder of his days.
Arrived 07 OCT 1755 in Philadelphia from Rotterdam on the Neptune.�George SMITH, master. Stopped at Gosport, England before sailing to America with 226 passengers
Rev. War Vet.- Private in Capt. John SNYDER's Company, Northumberland Co. Militia. May 1780, Penna. Archives 5th Series, Vol. VIII Pg. 678.
Also private in Capt Michael WEAVER"s Company, Rangers on the frontier for Northumerland Co. Penna. Archives 3rd Series. Vol. XXIII Pg. 256 - Christina: IGI says her name was Catherine. Children:
4. Maria Catherine GAST [1.___(r#1)] b. c1728 Tulpehocken, Berks Co. PA.(r#9) - d. ? - m. 03-08-1750 Tulpehocken(r#10), John Jacob GERMAN b. c1724(r#9).
K. Stuart CLIFTON
Response to question abt. Maria being married before the brothers arrived in 1755:
This is of particular interest in that it means that some of the GAST family had come to America prior to the arrival pf the GAST brothers. It also gives insight as to their own reasons for coming to America as whty they went to Heidelberg Twp. in Lancaster Co. My guess is that she (Maria Caharine) was probably their sister. the Jacob GERMAN family moved with the Christian GAST family into what is now Snyder Co. PA.
Also of interest in this tale: "A sister of the brothers, who was the wife of Johann Henry SHAFFER, came to this country and settled across the Blue Mountains, from Reading in Berks Co. The day before the two brothers landed in Philadelphia, Mr. SHAFFER was notified that the Indians were approaching his home. The next morning, he placed his wife on a horse to flee, but she had gone only a short distance when he was shot and killed by the Indidns. His wife's horse was disabled by a bullet and though she attempted to escape by runnng, she was soon captured. She was taken to Canada and remained a prisoner for two years when she was returned to her friends. She afterwards married Mr. GERMAN, but all trace of her decscendents have been lost."
Given the fact that Maria Catharine is listed as both single and a GAST (plus the timing of the wedding) indicates that there are probably a couple of stories here that have gotten tangled up. Nonetheless, there is often an element of truth somewhere in these stories and it would be interesting to find out what the truth really was. (RBH - I have paced her as the youngest because calculating her first child at about 22 years would make her born in 1728 thus being the younger sister of the brothers.)
Kathleen PETERSON says that Maria Catharine GAST's parents were John Adam GAST and Catharine STECHMAN as per a letter from Katherine Taylor ROWLAND. The source cited for her birth is Ancestral File #: 1R01-394; born 1734 Tulpehocken, Berks CO. PA. Kathleen feels that this date must be incorrect or she would have been 16 when she married Mr. GERMAN. More likely she was 21 and her birthday would have been in 1728. In this case, it is ikely that she and her father came before the brothers.
Children:
FHL film says: "Christina, born to John jacob HERMAN and Maria Catharine, witness Caspar WEBER". Kathleen PETERSON feels the name is really GERMAN, she was in the same record as the other children, the date fits & both parents first and second names fit.