Lindesmith Family


from Bern Canton of Switzerland to Ohio

Origins

Joseph's gg-grandson, Eli Lindesmith (whose father, Jacob W. was raised by Joseph) said that the family came from the village of Pfaltz near Bern, Switzerland. The only Pfaltz seems to be in Germany--the part of Germany known as the Palatinate, a Protestant stronghold. After the 30 years war of 1618-1648, which depopulated some regions of Germany (and caused much German immigration to Pennsylvania), many Swiss families moved north along the Rhine River and settled in the Rhineland-Pfaltz area of southern Germany. These people usually became a part of the German Reform Church and some later moved to Pennsylvania in the early 1700's.  In a study done by Prof. Dr. Hermann Friedrich Macco of Aachen, Germany in 1936 on the emigration of families from Switzerland to the Palatinate and US, based on his research in Swiss and Pfaltz parish registers, he listed about 20,000 people, including - Maria Magdelena Altenberger, geb (born) Lindenschmidt & Johannes Lindenschmidt. (These microfilms (#0823861 & #0823862) are supposed to have quite a lot of information about the people and can be ordered from a Family History Center, if anyone has one available to them. I don't know that these Lindenschmidts listed here are any relation to our Joseph, but so far no one has come up with a starting place for research in Switzerland and this might be a good place to start.)

Maria Magdelena (Lindenschmidt) Altenberger seems to be the first of the Lindenschmidts to come to America, arriving on  the ship, St. Andrew Galley, on Sept 26, 1737 with her husband Johannes.  She was the sister of Johannes Daniel and Johannes Ludwig, who came 11 years later.  These siblings were born in Hassloch, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.  Hassloch is a village a few miles east of Neustadt-an-der-Weinstrasse.  (more on this family)

We are not completely sure who Joseph's father was. Eli Lindesmith said that it was Daniel Lindesmith and Elizabeth Bernard from Switzerland. Being a gg-grandson, he was probably correct. Family tradition is usually largely correct--we just can't always know which parts aren't! He didn't say whether Daniel came to the US, only that 4 of his sons did.  On the other hand, another Lindesmith line says that 2 brothers came over from Germany.

There were also a couple of immigrants to the US who could have been Joseph's father: Ludwig or Daniel Lindenschmidt (from "Pennsylvania German Pioneers":
Ludwig and Johan Daniel Lindenschmitt arrived in 1748 in Philadelphia on the ship Edinburgh from Rotterdam, and swore allegiance to the British Crown on Sept 5, 1748.) Johan Daniel settled in Lancaster Co, Pa by late 1748 and Ludwig moved to Bucks Co, Pa. by 1749. They both were members of the Reformed church.

There is a story (from Eli Lindesmith) that there was another brother of Joseph's named Michael. There was a Michael Lindemuth who was an officer in the Pennsylvania militia during the Revolutionary, but his name never was recorded with and "s", and the Lindemuths seem to be an unrelated family in Pennsylvania.

    Historical note: It was common practice among German-speaking people to name all of their sons or daughters by the same first name, then call them by a second name. The most common names used for this seems to have been Johan for boys and Anna or Maria for girls--all the children in many German families were given one of these names.
   
One of these 2 men, Johan Daniel and Johan Ludwig Lindenschmidt may or may not be the father of our Joseph Lindesmith, but the record of their families is included below here just in case there is some relationship.  Ludwig had a son name "Johann Jost" (Joseph), b Sept 6, 1738 in Hasslock, Germany.  (See below)

Eli Lindesmith said that he was born 1743, from Switzerland, and emigrated in 1769, so none of these dates match exactly.

Johan Daniel Lindenschmidt married Catharina. Their children's births are recorded in Lancaster Co, Pa churches.
At Trinity Lutheran Church in Lancaster Co, Pa.:
• Margaretha Linden-Schmidt (daug of Johan Daniel, Reformed, and Catharina, Lutheran; born 23 Dec 1748, baptized 15 Jan 1749)
At the First Reformed Congregation:
• John Jacob (son of John Daniel Lindenschmidt and Anna Catherine, born Apr 16, 1750, bapt. Apr 22, 1750. Sponsors: John Jacob Klein and Anna Catherine. Jacob is first listed in a Lancaster County tax list in 1771 (in the city of Lancaster) as a cooper. He also served as a private in the Continental Line, in what was known as "The Musketry Battalion", in Capt. Abraham Dehuff's company. (or Colonel J. Atlee’s Battalion, Berks County, Pa.) Jacob took the Oath of Allegience Oct., 1778 in Lancaster County, Pa .
He stayed in Lancaster Co, Pa.  He apparently died intestate in 1792 (from "Lancaster County, PA Wills and Administrations": Jacob Lindersmith's estate was administered in 1792.) He had 2 children, whose baptisms were recorded in Lancaster County, PA:
Jacob Lindeschmidt, son of Jacob and Christina; born 23 Feb 1772, bapt. 1 Mar 1772.
Christian Lindeschmidt, son of Jacob and Christina; born 26 May 1773, bapt. 31 May 1773.
• John George (son of John Daniel Lindescmitt and wife, born Aug 20, 1753, bapt. Oct 21, 1753. Sponsors: John George Ackerman and Anna Maria Knecht.) George served as a private in the 10th PA Regiment of the Continental Line, under Col. Richard Hampton, rising to the rank of Corporal by May 1780. In 1790, 1800 & 1810 he was in Maytown township of Lancaster County, Pa.,  where he died.  (There was also a P. Lindesmith and a Martin Lindesmith in Lancaster Co, Pa in 1790, but don't know the connection.) The 1790 census shows him wih 3 children: 1 boy and 2 girls.
In 1819, George applied for a federal pension for his Revolutionary service: applied 20 Oct 1819 in Lancaster County, PA aged 69 & he lived there at enlistment. In 1820 soldier had a wife Mary aged about 54 & children; Barbara 19, Susan 14, George also 3 other daughters who were married & a single daughter who were away from home. George Lindesmith died on 8 June 1826.  (from a list of Rev. War pensioners of Lancaster County, abstracted in the "Pennsylvania Archives") His estate administration was recorded in Lancaster County Estate Administration Book C-1, page 231: George Lindasmith of Mount Joy Township. Letters granted 14 Aug 1826 to George Lindasmith of Mount Joy Township. Bond: $202. Sureties: John Kamerer of Mount Joy Township and Jacob Chriesinger of Raphoe Township. Widow renounced her right to administer the estate. A George Keane of Elizabethtown, PA stated on 25 May 1903 that he was the great-grandson of George Lindensmith.
• Catherine (daughter of John Daniel Lindschmitt and Catherine, born Aug 29, 1757, bapt. Sep 25, 1757. Sponsor: Catherine Doll)
    This looks like either Joseph wasn't a son of Daniel or he was born in Switzerland. However, Eli Lindesmith erected a military monument in Columbiana Co, Ohio to his ancestors who were in the wars and he made a monument to Joseph, his great-great grandfather - "Joseph Lindesmith, soldier, bugler, and fifer in the war of the American Revolution and Jacob and George, brothers of Joseph, Revolutionary Soldiers." Eli also wrote a letter dated March 5, 1913 to Thomas McKarns saying, "I am now getting a gravestone for my great-grandfather Joseph Lindesmith and his two brothers, Jacob and George, all three were Revolutionary soldiers.  He is buried at Trinity Reformed church."
Maybe the mother, Catherina was a second wife of Daniel.

Johan Ludwig Lindenschmidt (b 1705), appears in church records of Bucks County, PA (north of Philadelphia). Ludwig married Mary Elizabeth "Eliza" Boll (in 1732, daug of Jacob and Maria Elisabeth Boll),  and at least 3 of his children were baptized at the Tohickon Reformed Church in Bedminster Township, Bucks County (from "Pennsylvania German Church Records", Vol III):
• Maria Magdalena, daughter of Ludwig Lindenschmit and Mary Elizabeth, bapt. 19 Nov 1749. Witnesses: George Henry Seibel and Mary Magdalena.
• Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Ludwig Lindenscmidt and Eliza, bapt. 26 Jul 1752. Witn: Balthaser Erbach and Mary Elizabeth.
• Eva Eliza, daughter of Ludwig Lindenscmit and Eliza, bapt. 12 Oct 1754. Witness: Balthasar Erbach and Mary Eliza. Eva was confirmed on 14 Apr 1770, when she was about 16.
    Ludwig and Eliza had 6 other children before their emigration in 1748, because in the confirmation records of Tohickon Reformed Church, there is a list of the children confirmed on Easter, 1758 at "Doheck" [Tohickon], which included: Johann Jost Lindenschmit [this could be our ancestor Joseph Lindesmith or it could be a cousin by the same name]. Johann Jost was born Sept 6, 1738, baptized Sept 9, 1738.
    Since Eva Eliza was confirmed in 1770, the family was still in Bucks Co, Pa.  However, Joseph would have been about 27 and may or may not have been around.
[The only disturbing thing about this being our Joseph, is the interesting and fairly detailed family story below about Joseph's immigration -- that it was on Ascension Day in 1769 and that he landed in Maryland -- usually family stories that are rich in detail have some fact to it.]


Joseph Lindesmith

2nd generation
son of Daniel (or Ludwig) Lindenschmidt

Joseph's birth and death dates (born 19 March 1751 and died 10 June 1817) came from the Official Roster of the Soldiers of the American Revolution Buried in Ohio, Vol. 1 (published 1929) (no source for these dates is listed).
However, the dates may not be right:
- Joseph's will is dated 9 July 1814 and the date of probate was 7 March 1815. His pension records also say 1815.

This story of Joseph's birth, emigration, marriage, and military service are from his great-grandson Eli W.J. Lindesmith. It is based on family tradition and he probably heard it from his father, who was actually raised by Joseph Lindesmith.  However, there is no hard evidence that can back up much of the information (and maybe there never will be). Please be aware: his birthdate, death date, parents' names, immigration date and information, wife's maiden name, and military service are either questionable or unproved. My comments are in brackets [ ].
JOSEPH (Lindeschmidt) was born in 1751 the village of Maltz [or Pfaltz?], 9 miles northeast of Bern in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland [I can't find Maltz on any map].  He was the son of Daniel Lindesmith & Elizabeth Bernard.  In 1769, at the age of 18, he came to America with his guardian.  [1769 was the year Daniel Boone first began to explore Kentucky.]  On Ascension Day [Easter was March 26 that year; Ascension Day is 39 days later, making it May 4] in 1769 they arrived at Hagerstown, Washington Co., Maryland, where he settled because this colony welcomed Catholics.  Joseph's brothers George, Michael and Jacob came with him.
    Joseph became an apprentice to a joiner (carpenter) and he also learned the fanning mill trade which he used the rest of his life. Many of the old farmers in Hanover, Center & other townships in Columbiana County, Ohio had fanning mills made by Joseph. These mills had no nails or screws in them. They were all made of wood except part of the crank and the wire sieves. fanning mill
[Note: First built in 1786 in England, the fanning mill (or winnowing machine which separates the wheat from the chaff) was a square or rectangular shaped box with a crank handle on the outside and two sieves and a paddle wheel on the inside. When the handle is cranked the paddle wheel rotates creating an artificial breeze while the sieves rock from side to side. Grain is dumped into the fanning mill from the top and the chaff is blown out the front by the artificial breeze created by the paddle wheel. The grain works through the sieves and comes out of the machine into a bucket on the ground. Many farmers used thresher-separators by 1875 to thresh and clean grain, but kept fanning mills to “super clean” the grain before planting.]  . . . . . . Fanning mill pictured at right.
   
    Early in 1772 he went to Guilford (Gilford) township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania where that same year on May 3, he was married to a German girl, Anna “Nancy” Bauman, probably daughter of Daniel & Elizabeth Bauman of Gilford township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. [He may have been the Daniel Bauman who emigrated to Pennsylvania from Germany in 1751 on the ship Drake from Wirtenberg or Duke of Wirtenberg.]  Nancy was born Feb 21, 1752 and raised near Philadelphia. She could read & write German but could only speak English. Joseph, by self-study, learned to speak, read & write English.  
    Their first son, Daniel [probably named for his grandfather], was born in Guilford in 1773. Then on Sept 9, 1774 Joseph, Nancy & new baby Daniel moved to near Berlin, Pa. 
Spirit of '76   
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War Joseph enlisted, first for 6 months, then for the entire war. He served as a bugler & fifer and bore arms for 7 years in the Revolutionary War and also served as George Washington's barber, frequently shaving him. [#28-see source list at end] He was present at General Cornwallis’ surrender to General Washington at the end of the War, Oct 19, 1781 at Yorktown, Va.   [It is interesting to know that the song "Yankee Doodle" was created by the British and sung to mock the American soldiers beginning during the French and Indian Wars and continued throughout the Revolution.  However, by the time the Revolutionary War was over the Americans were also singing the little ditty.  After the battle at Yorktown, the American soldiers sang "Yankee Doodle" while they made the defeated British soldiers march past them and give up their guns!]  Nancy did the farming during the War.  
[This is the end of the family information from EWJ Lindesmith.]
Painting at right - "Spirit of '76"

The area Joseph moved to in Somerset County was called “The Glades” at that time, (it had been in Bedford Co. from 1771 until 1795 when it became Somerset Co.)
In the 1800 census they were living in Brothers Valley Township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania [this area had been settled in 1774. Lots of Germans lived here.]:  
LINDERSMITH Yoast: 01211  00101  00 [meaning 4 sons, 1 daughter]
head - over 45 [Joseph]
woman - over 45 [Nancy]
son - 26-45 [Daniel-27, b 1773, he m Feb 1800]
daug - 16-26 [Elizabeth?-25, b 1775, m in 1792 and listed separately on the census with her husband, Wm. Knepper]
son - 16-26 [John-22, b 1778]
son - 16-26 [Jacob-20, b 1780]
son - 10-16 [Peter-13, b 1787]
KNEPPER William:  30010  10100  00


They lived in Somerset Co, Pa for 33 years.  All their children were married in Berlin, Pa. except Peter who married in Ohio to a girl from Berlin, Pa. Apparently Joseph and his family attended the Reformed & Lutheran Church (united in 1799), and several (or all) of his children were confirmed there: John (April 21, 1799), Peter (May 11, 1806, the same day as Maria Lindeschmidt - relationship unknown - maybe Joseph had a brother). All these church records were written in German and their name was spelled "Lindeschmidt."
In 1801, Daniel's wife, Elizabeth (Weymer) died two months after the birth of their baby, Jacob.  Joseph & Nancy took the child and raised him from infancy; Daniel remarried in 1802 and in 1803 moved to Ohio.

 In 1807 Joseph & Nancy also moved to Columbiana Co., Ohio along with sons John & Peter, and little grandson, Jacob. (Son Jacob & daughter Elizabeth moved there in 1810.)  They probably traveled NW to Pittsburg, where they may have caught the Ohio River and floated about 50 miles to East Liverpool, disembarked and went 25 miles NW to Hanoverton twp. in Columbiana Co., Ohio.Swiss cottage
Sept. 7 they arrived at the home of son Daniel, just opposite the junction of West Fork and Cold Run.  They moved in covered wagons and lived in them until they could build log huts.  At that time that part of Ohio had many bears, deer, wolves, wild turkeys and Indians.  
Drawing at right of a Swiss cottage in Columbiana County, Ohio
    Each of the sons of Joseph received from the Government, free of cost, all the land they could clear and build their homes on at the end of 3 years.  All 4 sons were in the War of 1812.


Joseph and Nancy lived the rest of their lives here in Hanoverton twp., Columbiana County, OH.




Joseph’s great-grandson, Father E.W.J. Lindesmith (a Catholic chaplain in the Civil War) wrote “The elder Lindesmith women and men were particularly remarkable and noted for their industries, habits, economy and mechanical skill.  They were law-abiding citizens, very hospitable and were good musicians and singers.  Obedient and respectful to parents and superiors, the men were soldiers in war, citizens in peace.  All of them were church members and regular attenders, rain or shine.” [26]


Trinity Churchyard Lindesmith momument
Joseph died Jan 10, 1817 (age 66) (will); Nancy died Nov 24, 1836; 84 yrs (cemetery record: Oct 1836; 82 yrs).  Both were buried in the Trinity Reformed Church cemetery, Hanover township, near Dungannon, Columbiana, Ohio with many other family members.  In the St. Philip Neri cemetery near Dungannon a Lindesmith family memorial monument was erected by Daniel’s grandson, E.W.J. Lindesmith, with the early Lindesmith family names.  Joseph is listed in the DAR Patriot Index.
Pictured on left: Trinity Cemetery. The large monument is for Joseph & Nancy. This stone, which was place there by his great-grandson EWJ Lindesmith, reads, "Great-great grandfather Joseph Lindesmith, died 1817, age 66. He was a soldier of the Revolution, bugler and fifer, served during the entire war, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis."
Pictured on  right: the Lindesmith monument at St. Philip Neri Cemetery near Dungannon, Ohio.






Children:
1. Daniel Lindesmith
Daniel was born May 7, 1773, Pa, baptized the same day by Herr (Lord) Deschler.  He was listed on the census with his parents in 1800 in Somerset Co, PA.  He married Feb 22, 1800 to Elizabeth Weimer (b 1779, daug of Jacob & Martha or Elizabeth Weimer) in the church in Berlin, Pa.  Her father was not on the census of Brothers Valley twp in 1800, so perhaps they lived in another twp.
They had one child, Jacob, and she died May 15, 1801 (age 22).  She has a tombstone in Trinity Church cemetery in Columbiana Co., OH, but probably was buried in Somerset Co, PA because Daniel didn't move to Ohio until 1803.
Dec 25, 1802 he m Gertrude Crissinger (b Dec 13, 1779; daug of Joseph & Rachel).  In April 1803 they moved to Center township, Columbiana Co, Ohio, the first of the Lindesmith family to move to Ohio. Their home was known for generations as "The Stone House" on West Fork Creek, 5 miles west of Lisbon.
He was in the cavalry in the War of 1812.  Capt. Thomas Rowland came to Lisbon, Ohio in Columbiana Co, and raised a volunteer company soon after war was declared in Sept 1812.  Capt Daniel Harbaugh had a company of light dragoons composed of Daniel Lindesmith & 51 others.  Daniel is also listed (perhaps later) as a member of Capt Wm. Pritchard’s mounted company, 2nd rifle regiment of Lisbon, Ohio.  He rode his own horse, carried his deer rifle, and played the fife and bugle, using the same bugle that his father had used during the Revolutionary War.  
        Daniel was a farmer, but was also an excellent mechanic.  His grandson, E.W.J. Lindesmith said that he invented the needle used in the sewing machines.  He died May 5, 1833 (age 60), buried Trinity Church cemetery; Gertrude died Dec 5, 1841 (age 62).  Children:
1a)     JACOB WEIMER LINDESMITH (Elizabeth’s only child), b Mar 18, 1801; m Barbara Walser (daug of Urs Walser, MD); he was a color bearer of Capt. Lucy’s in the Seminole Indian War, 1834; died Sept 5, 1834 (age 33), buried Trinity Cemetery. Barbara m 2nd J. Wannemacher & had 2 more children (Mary & Katherine). Jacob’s children: EWJ Lindesmith
. . . Eli Washington John (b 1827 a Catholic priest, U.S. chaplain, including during the Civil War - another bio),  
pictured at right [back of picture says: "Rev. E.W.J. Lindesmith (Catholic Priest) Chaplain United States Army for twelve years in the Rocky Mountains. When traveling he dressed in frontier rustic buckskin clothes and in the winter added a buffalo overcoat."]
In 1861 Eli wrote a sermon on womens rights in response to the women's rights movement:
1. The right to labour, Love & Pray.
2. The right to Weep, with those who weep.
3. The right to Work, when others sleep.
4. The right to dry the falling tears.
5. The right to Quell the rising fear.
6. The right to Smooth the brow of care.
7. And whisper comfort, in despair.
8. The right to Watch the parting breath.
9. To soothe & cheer the bed of death.

10. The right when earthly hopes all fail, to point to that within the veil.
11. The right of women to reclaim.
12. And win the Lost from paths of shame.
13. The right to comfort and to bless the widows and the fatherless.
14. The right the little ones to guide, in simple faith to him who died.
15. With earnest love and gentle praise; to bless and cheer their youthful days. 

. . . Daniel Weimer (m Deborah Huffman),
. . . Jason Wilson (1831-1929; GAR 1861-65; m Mary/or Margaret Jane McAllister; bur St Philip Neri Cemetery, Columbiana Co, Oh; children: Emma, Augusta),
. . . Isaac Jacob (m Catherine Stewart),
. . . Elizabeth (bur St. Philip Neri Cemetery, next to E.W.J.)
1b) CATHERINE LINDESMITH, b 1803-4; m April 23, 1826, Columbiana Co, Oh to Wm Morgan; children:
. . . James (m Louisa Farr),
. . . Daniel William (m Sidney Ann Reish), both sons were in Civil War, Co F, 76th Ohio Vol.
1c) SUSANNA LINDESMITH, b 1804-10 (about 1807); m Nov 11, 1828, Columbiana Co, Oh to Patterson Copeland; children: John H., William K. (m Mary McCafferty), George F. (m Tamar G. McCurdy) These 1st 3 sons were in Civil War in Ohio Vol. Thomas, Joseph, Hannah, James J., Mary, Louisa C., Harruett G., Elizabeth, Isabek, Margaret A.
1d) ANNA “Nancy” LINDESMITH, b April 4, 1811; m ? Ford
1e) SAMUEL LINDESMITH, b 1814; d Jan 7, 1888 (74 yrs), buried St. Philip Neri Cemetery.
1f) JOSEPH LINDESMITH, b May 17, 1816; m Feb 29, 1844, Columbiana Co, Oh to Mary Benner; 1850 lived in Centre twp, Columbiana. Co, Oh; d Oct 30, 1880, bur St Philip Neri Cemetery; children: Nancy (1846-1935), Henry B. (1848-1929; m Anna ? 1843-99, bur Trinity Cemetery), Sarah, Ann, Elizabeth, Lewis, Anna (1857-1935), Belle, Harvey, Gertrude.
1g) MARY LINDESMITH, b Apr 16, 1818, Oh; m Dec 5, 1843, Columbiana Co, Oh to John Mason; died Jan 28, 1913, Lisbon, OH; children: Malinda C., Mary A., Lewis A., Caroline, George, Harriett E., C. Harvey, (and 1 boy who d in infancy)

2. Elizabeth Lindesmith
“Betsy” was born in 1775 near Berlin, Somerset Co, Pa; m 1792 to John William Knepper (b 1764; son of Godfrey & Catherine).  They moved to Ohio in 1810.  History of Columbiana County says, "Shortly after 1814, among those who settled [in Franklin township] were...William Knepper...."*{15} William was a shoemaker, farmer & an excellent snare drummer.  Betsy died June 1, 1844; William died 1852, buried Trinity Cemetery; children:
2a) GODFREY KNEPPER, children: William (in Civil War from Ind)
2b) JOHN KNEPPER, m Hannah Custer; children:
. . . Bernard, m Barbara Ehrhart; Civil War, Ind
. . . Noah, Civil War, Ind; d Atlanta, Ga
. . . Albert, m Araminta Custer; Civil War, Ohio        
. . . Isabel Elizabeth, m John Risdon              
2c) DANIEL KNEPPER, b 1797, Pa; m Elizabeth Kuntz May 27, 1819, Columbiana Co, OH; 1850 in Crawford Co, Oh; ch: William (1825), Jacob (1827), Joseph (1831), Elizabeth (1835), David (1837), Daniel Jr (1838), Henry (1842).  Daniel Jr & Henry in Civil War from Ind.
2d) JACOB KNEPPER, b 1802; m 1828 to Mary Morgan; d 1879; children: Edwin W. (b 1833; m Margaret McQuilkin)
2e) KATHRYN/CATHERINE KNEPPER; m Nicholas Miller, July 13, 1820, Columbiana Co, OH
2f) WILLIAM KNEPPER, m Margaret McKinzie
2g) ELIZABETH A. KNEPPER; m Abijah  McClain (McLean, McLain, McClain, McCain), Apr 19, 1831, Columbiana Co, OH
2h) JOSEPH KNEPPER, m Pricilla/Elwell/Priscilla Hartsock,  Aug 18, 1840;
2i) ANNA “Nancy” KNEPPER, b Mar 7, 1812; m 12 Feb 1840, Columbiana Co, OH to James Frantz; d Dec 22, 1884, bur Trinity Reformed Church, Hanover Twp., Columbiana Co, OH; children:
. . . Katherine, m Isaac Hastings
. . . Abija Anson, 1846-1910; m Anna H. Hastings
. . . Isaac, m Anna Shaw & Jane Williard
. . . Susan E, 1845-1883
2j) PETER KNEPPER, 1814-1883; m Jan 12, 1837 to Sarah Ann Frantz;  buried Long’s Run Pres. Ch, St. Clair Twp. children:
. . . Lucy, b ca 1826, m Andrew Anderson
. . . William, b ca 1840, m Ellen Glass; Civil War, Ohio
. . . Susan, b ca 1842, m William Gardner
. . . Elizabeth, b ca 1844
. . . Nancy, b ca 1846, Wayne, Ohio; m Thomas Engle/Angle
. . . Jacob, b ca 1850
. . . Kathryn/Catherine, b June 12, 1850
. . . Peter, Jr, m Margaret Smith
2k) AMOS KNEPPER

3. John Lindesmith
John was born in 1778, Somerset Co, Pa; m Anna Mary Boyer; moved to Ohio 1807; d 1830.  Children (click John's link for next generation):
3a)     SALOME “Sally” LINDESMITH, b about 1808; m John Crissinger
3b)     SUSANNA LINDESMITH, b about 1810; m Samuel Crissinger
3c)     JOSEPH LINDESMITH, b 1812; m Eliza McCarns
3d)     MARY “Polly” LINDESMITH, b about 1814; m John L. Anderson
3e)     FRANCIS JOHN LINDESMITH, b about 1816; m Lucetta Momenteller - family pictures
3f)     DELILA LINDESMITH, b about 1818; m John Brachner
3g)     ANNA “Nancy” LINDESMITH (maybe Amanda), b about 1820; m Henry Lori
3h)     CATHERINE LINDESMITH, b about 1822; m J. Bachman

4. Jacob Lindesmith
Jacob was born 1775-80 (about 1780) near Berlin, Somerset Co, Pa.  He m in Berlin to Susanna Crissinger, daug. of Joseph & Rachel.  They moved to Ohio in 1810.  During the War of 1812 he tended the farms of his 3 brothers and his own while they fought.  His life-long occupation was farming.  He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, was always cheerful and made all feel at home in his presence.  He was an extra good farmer.  He owned over 640 acres of choice farming land and was a man of considerable wealth in Columbiana Co, Ohio.  He cared for his parents and provided for them in their last days.  He died Dec 19, 1849 (age 70) at his old homestead (where his grandson, George Williard later lived).  Susanna d Aug 11, 1869 (age 84), both bur Trinity Cemetery.  Children:
4a)     GEORGE LINDESMITH, b 1804-10 (about 1804); d age 12
4b)     ELIZABETH LINDESMITH, b 1805; m Apr 8, 1824, Columbiana Co, Oh to John Williard (b 1803, son of Philip Willyard & Catherine Knapp from Maryland). John was a farmer & a tanner & was Justice of the Peace for 30 yrs.  They lived on a farm, later owned by their son Joe.  Elizabeth d 1869 (age 64) & Squire John d 1891 (age 89); both were buried in Trinity Cemetery; children: Joe, George *{15}
4c)     ANNA MARY “Polly” LINDESMITH, b 1812; single in 1850
4d)     HANNAH LINDESMITH, b about 1814; m Apr 20, 1837 Columbiana Co, Oh to John Young; children:
. . . Jacob A.Young  (Civil War, Ohio)
. . . James Lee Young, 1846-1908, Ohio; m 1869 to Elizabeth B. Calvin; ch: Osmond L. (died yg), Lenora, John Newton, David William, Loren, Maude E. (1881-1897), Alberta, James R. (1877-1954, OH)
4e)     PETER LINDESMITH, b 1816; m Apr 1, 1846, Columbiana Co, Oh to Abigail H. Copeland (1822-1894), 1850 they were in Columbiana Co, Oh; d June 1, 1852 (36 yrs, bur Trinity Cemetery); children: Thomas (1846), Susan (1849-1852, bur Trinity cemetery), Jacob (1850-1926, m Matilda Laughlin)
4f)     BENJAMIN C. LINDESMITH, b about 1817; m Susanna Green (d Oct 3, 1844, bur Trinity cemetery); m 2nd Elizabeth Wable; 1850 in Crawford Co, Polk twp, Oh
4g)     DAVID K. LINDESMITH, b 1818; m Mar 20, 1846, Columbiana Co, Oh to Louisa Momenteller (Mumenthaler; d Dec 20, 1848, age 19, bur Trinity cemetery); m 2nd Malinda Krider (or Golerda).  He was in Co E, 48th Ohio Vol, 1861-65 & was severely wounded in the Civil War; d July 26, 1878 (age 60), bur Trinity cemetery; ch:
. . . Eli Benjamin Lindesmith, b Dec. 18, 1858 OH; m Rhoda Wilcox, 1889; ch: Francis Elone (1896 Ca; m Emma Drury Mason; d 1980 Ca)
4h)     RACHEL LINDESMITH, b Dec 26, 1821; d Jan 3, 1902, unmarried, bur Trinity cemetery.
4i)     JACOB LINDESMITH, b 1824; m Adessa (Hadessa) Copeland (d June 27, 1853); m 2nd Anna K. “Nancy” McKarns (1842-1928); 1850 in Hanover twp, Columbiana Co, Oh, lived with mother-in-law Mary Coplin.  He was Justice of the Peace in Columbiana Co & member of the Presbyterian church; d 1891, Jacob, Nancy & Adessa bur Bethesda church cemetery, Franklin twp, Columbiana Co, Oh.  Children: Ella & Bennie (twins of Nancy, buried with parents.

5. Peter Lindesmith
Peter was born 1786 near Berlin, Somerset Co, Pa.  Confirmed in the Reformed & Luthern Church in Berlin, PA, May 11, 1806 (age 20). Moved to Ohio with his parents in 1807.  Married Jan. 10, 1808, Columbiana Co, Oh to Susanna Ehrhart (marriage license says "Carhart").  In the War of 1812 he served as a fifer & soldier under Gen. Harrison.*{28}  He was a farmer, tanner, noted marksman, successful hunter, and performed well on the violin.  He died on his farm near Dungannon, Ohio, July 16, 1845 (60 yrs); Susanna died July 3, 1850 (63 yrs), both buried Trinity cemetery.   Children:
5a)     ELIZABETH LINDESMITH, b 1804-10 (about 1807); m Mar 22, 1827, Columbiana Co, Oh to Daniel Crissinger (s/o Peter & Judith); children: William, Simon Peter, Samuel, Lee (all 3 in Civil War), Peter
5b)     DANIEL LINDESMITH, b 1800-10 (about 1810); m Anna Cox. Lived Bryan, Oh; children: David, Peter (m Margaret Bechtol, George W. (all in Civil War), Joseph (b1839), Robert E (m Dora VanValkenburg, Guyan Raymond b1854, m Ada Reasoner), Curtis Leroy,
5c)     JULIANNA LINDESMITH (or Julia & Ann), b 1810-15 (about 1814); m I. Fletcher
5d)    DAVID LINDERSMITH, b 1815-20 (about 1817); married in 1843 to Katherine Simmons in Carroll Co., Oh. They first lived in Hanover, Columbiana Co., Oh., then in Washington Co. until 1850, then in Williams Co. In 1855 he moved to Minnesota with an ox team and his four children, the youngest only 6 weeks old. After traveling 7 weeks they arrived in Owatonna. David managed to get the top of another wagon, placed both tops on logs and lived in this for 2 months until their log cabin was finished in July.  David was the county assessor in what is now Steele & Waseca counties. 1856-58 he served as county sheriff. In 1870 he moved to Clinton Falls, Steele Co.*{28} Children:
. . . Orlando Lindersmith, served in the Civil War in the 4th Minnesota Volunteers, was wounded at Vicksburg, and was in Sherman's "march to the sea." He m 1872, Ellen Thomson.
. . . Anjeline Lindersmith, m ? Hoadley
. . . Elizabeth Lindersmith, b1853, m Wm. Putney
. . . Agnes Lindersmith, m 1877 to Matthew Titus Jepson in Fairboult, MN.
. . . Stiles Lindersmith
. . . Emma Lindersmith, m ? Warren or Thomas Burns
5e)     CATHARINE LINDESMITH, b 1821, Oh; m Oct 27, 1842, Columbiana Co, Oh to George Green (b 1819 Oh; s/o George & Susan); children: Sarah, Mary, Mathias, Susan, Henneta
5f)     WILLIAM LINDESMITH, b 1825-30 (about 1827); m Martha Whitaker
5g)     ISAAC Lindesmith, m Martha Whittaker

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Joseph & Rachel Crissinger were from Pennsylvania and probably lived near the Lindesmiths. Their children are included here to show how often they married Lindesmiths:
1.     Gertrude Crissinger, m DANIEL LINDESMITH (#1, s/o Joseph & Nancy Lindesmith); moved to Ohio in 1803
2.     Susanna Crissinger, m JACOB LINDESMITH (#4, s/o Joseph & Nancy Lindesmith); moved to Ohio in 1810
3.     Peter Crissinger, m Judith ? ; moved to Ohio with some of the Lindesmiths. Children:
3a)    Salome “Sally” Crissinger; m Felix Piffer
3b)    John Crissinger, m 1826, SALOME LINDESMITH (#3a, d/o John & Anna Lindesmith)
3c)    Daniel Crissinger, m ELIZABETH LINDESMITH (#5a, d/o Peter & Susanna Lindesmith)
3d)    Samuel Crissinger, m SUSANNA LINDESMITH (#3b, d/o John & Anna Lindesmith)
3e)    Hannah Crissinger
3f)     Rachel Crissinger
3g)    Peter Crissinger
3h)    Mary “Polly” Crissinger

So, of the 4 Lindesmith brothers (Daniel, John, Jacob, Peter), 2 of them had Crissinger wives (Daniel & Jacob) and the other 2 (John & Peter) had Crissinger sons-in-law

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The Lindesmith family cemetery seems to have been mainly the Trinity Churchyard and also the St. Philip Neri Cemetery, both in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Buried at Trinity Churchyard, near Dungannon, Ohio:
         Joseph (1751-1817) & Anna “Nancy” (Bauman, 1752-1836) Lindesmith
1.         Daniel (1773-1833) & Elizabeth (Weimer, 1779-1801) Lindesmith
1a.       Jacob Weimer Lindesmith (1801-1834)
1f2.     Henry B. (1848-1929) & Anna (?, 1843-1899) Lindesmith
2.         Elizabeth (Lindesmith, 1775-1844) & William Knepper (1764-1852)
4.         Jacob (1780?-1849) & Susanna (Crissinger, 1785-1869) Lindesmith
4b.     Elizabeth (Lindesmith, 1805-1869) & Squire John Willyard (1802-1891)
4e.     Peter Lindesmith (1816-1852)
4e2.    Susan Lindesmith (1849-1852)
4f.     Benjamin C. Lindesmith’s wife: Susanna (Green, ?-1844)
4g.        David K. Lindesmith (1818-1878) & Louisa (Momenteller, 1829-1848)
4h.     Rachel Lindesmith (1821-1902, unmarried)
5.        Peter Lindesmith (1786-1845) & Susanna (Ehrhard, 1878-1850)
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Will of Joseph Lindesmith
 (1751-1817)

I, Joseph Linasmith, of the county of Columbiana and state of Ohio, taking into view this shortness of human life and uncertainty of all things terestrial do make, ordain and establish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

Item. My will is that my beloved wife, Nancy, should keep all my household goods of every kind and stocke during her natural lifetime and that my two sons Jacob and John should continue to furnish their mother with grain and other articles as agreed by the tenor of two several obligations given to each of them the one to Jacob, dated the 22nd of Sept., 1809, the other to John dated the 22nd of Sept., 1809, and that my wife also have the use, profit and advantage of any money that I may die possessed of.

Item. My will and desire is that my sons and daughter fulfill, abide by and keep the contract herein before alluded to between myself, my wife and my two sons, Jacob and John—and that my executors, herein after named, make use of the necessary legal means to secure to them a good and valid title agreeable to the spirit and tenor of said obligations.

Item. My will is that at the death of my beloved wife that our daughter, Elisabeth Keniper shall have and keep all my wife's clothes, wearing apparel, and linen of every kind.

Item. My will is that at the decease of my wife all my property of every kind be divided into five equal parts and that each of my children namely, Daniel,  Elisabeth, Jacob, John and Peter, receive each one equal share thereof.

Item. My will is that as soon after my decease as conveniently may be, my tools of every kind be equially divided amongst my four sons. Confiding in the honesty and integrity of my son, Daniel Linasmith, I hereby nominate and appoint him sole executor of this my last will and testament, given under my hand and seal this 9th day of July, ano Domini, 1814.
Jos. Lindrysmith

___?__ as the last will of Joseph Linsmith
in the presence of
James Craig
Absalom Craig

__________________________________________________

Lindesmith Family
Sources & Bibliography

1.    1800 Census, Somerset County, Pa.
2.    1810 Census, Pa.  
3.    1810-1850 Census, Columbiana County, Ohio
4.    Pierce’s Register, p. 311
5.    DAR Patriot Index, p. 416
6.    Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Deed Abstracts 1729-1770 & Oaths of Allegience: L389T, 1778
7.    Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series: Revolutionary War Pensioners
8.    Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series: Revolutionary War, Depreciation Pay, Roll of Capt. Dehuff’s Company
9.    Pennsylvania Colonial Records
10.    Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 8, Vol. 23
11.    DAR Lineage Book, Vol. 104, pp. 121, 206; Vol. 138, pp. 79, 80
12.    Official Roster, Soldiers of the American Revolution Buried in Ohio
13.    Trinity Reformed Church Cemetery, Dungannon, Ohio (Hanover twp., Columbiana Co., Ohio)
14.    Lindesmith Family History, manuscript by E.W.J. Lindesmith
15.    History of Columbiana County (Ohio), by McCord, 1905, pp. 196, 311, 322, 329.
15a.   History of Columbiana County (Ohio), by Mack, published 1879, p. 138
16.    Clippings from scrapbook of Carmen Lindesmith (granddaughter of Newton #4c5h)
17    1850 census, Carroll Co, Ohio, Brown & Fox townships
18    1850 census, Washington Co, Ohio
19    Letter from Wm. S. Lindesmith in Ohio to Dessie (Lindesmith) Julian in Okla., dated 1938
20.    History of the Upper Ohio Valley, Columbiana Co, published 1891
21.    Ohio Records & Pioneer Families, Vol 5 (Carroll County Marriages 1833-1840, pp 41, 124, 194), Vol 4, Vol 8, Vol 14
22.    Ohio Tax Lists Index, 1800-1810
23.    Roster of Ohio Soldiers, War of 1812
24.    St. Philip Neri (Dungannon) Cemetery near Dungannon, (Franklin twp, Columbiana Co.) Ohio. (Located on county road 407 off US hwy. 30, SE of Hanoverton & Dungannon, Ohio
25.    Will of Joseph Lindesmith, 1814, Columbiana County, Ohio
26.    “Lindesmiths: Soldiers in War, Citizens in Peace”, by E.W.J. Lindesmith
27.    Cemeteries of Columbiana County, Ohio
28.    History of Steele County (Minnesota), p. 314-315  (Steele Co, MN genealogy webpage)
29    (KNEPPER FAMILY) – 1850 Census:
    Pickaway Co, Oh, p 40, 43;
    Crawford Co, Oh, p 371;
    Stark Co, Oh, p 151;
    Washington Co, Oh, p 439
30.    History of Cass Co, Ind., Powell, 1913
31.    1860 Census, Jefferson Co, Ill., p 223 & Cass Co, Ind., p. 85 (image #1011)
32.    Births & Baptisms of Somerset County, Pa., manuscript copyright 1929 by E.C. Saylor.
33.    Columbiana County, Ohio, Marriages, 1804–1835, 1835–1848
34.    Other Columbiana County cemeteries: Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery (Centre Twp.), Lisbon Cemetery (Centre Twp.), Bethesda Church Cemetery (Franklin Twp.)
35.    Passenger & Immigration List Index
36.    1880, 1900 census, Douglas County, Missouri
37.    1880 census, Ozark County, Mo
38.    1900 census, Fannin County, Tx
39.    Notes from Eva Bea (Lindesmith) Wood (#4c5b3b), granddaughter of Jeremiah Lindesmith
40.    Letter from Francis John Lindesmith in Ill. to John Downs in Ohio, 1860.
41.    ___?___ Democrat (newspaper), probably Vandalia, Ill, 1878, #40, obituary of Lucetta Momenteller Lindesmith
42.    Fayette County, Ill. Marriage Index 1821-1874, p. 19
43.    Jerry Benson Lindesmith’s Bible
44.    1900 Missouri Census, Douglas County, Mo.
45.    Missouri Death Certificate, 1929, of Amanda Doolen Lindesmith
46.    Gravestones, Mt. Ararat Cemetery, Douglas County, Mo.
47.    Notes from descendant J.I. Willard (# 4c5b3a1)
49.    Illinois state marriages
51.    Lindesmith family website by Lisa Lindesmith
52.    Marriage record of Francis John Lindesmith and Elizabeth Momenteller, Apr. 16, 1839.


If you would like to check my database to see if the information on your family is correct, go to my ancestor file then search for the name of one of your ancestors. (Only those born before 1930 or no longer living are listed by name. I have names of the living, but they are not displayed in the online database.)  Please email me if there are any corrections or additions!!