The one thing I absolutely love about genealogy is the never-ending surprises that can turn up out of nowhere. I recently had decided that I wanted to find out more about the other branches in my grandmother’s family tree, the Coopers (my father’s middle name).   There were already many records I had discovered in the past about the Coopers dating back to when they came to America.  It was the other branches that intrigued me. My great-great-grandfather, Samuel Geyer Cooper (1839-1913), is my gateway ancestor to the Geyer and Foltz ancestors that I knew very little about. 

This first record I want to show is the death record of Samuel Cooper’s brother, George G. Cooper (1845-1909). Jacob Cooper and Elizabeth Geyer are listed as the parents:

Courtesy of Ancestry© 

 If we look at the 1850 Census in Lancaster Co., PA in West Earl Twp., we find Jacob, Elizabeth and family, including George and Samuel-note an older George Cooper living next door: 

Courtesy of Ancestry© 

The next record I found was a translated record of a catechumen for Elizabeth (Geyer) Cooper, stating her parents as Daniel and Eve Geyer: 

Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669-2013 

Courtesy of Ancestry© 

The definition of catechumen is a Christian convert under instruction before baptism or a young Christian preparing for confirmation. 

I then found something that truly excites any genealogy researcher…this is a Lancaster County land deed recorded in 1826 for Henry Beitler (Beidler) to Elizabeth Foltz: 

Lancaster Deeds, 1797-1828 

Courtesy of Ancestry© 

If you happen to recognize the Beidler name, that’s because of the number of times I have mentioned my cousin, James Beidler in some of my previous posts. Jim told me that he is not descended from this Beidler family. 

The record above is transcribed as follows: 

Beitler, Henry et all to Elizabeth Foltz 

“To all people, to whom the presents shall come Henry Beidler of Warwick Township in the County of Lancaster and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Joiner and Susanna his wife, late Susanna Foltz, one of the daughters and heirs at law of Henry Foltz, Sr., late of Cocalico Township in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid Yeoman deceased. Henry Foltz, Jr. Of said Warwick Township (Constable) only son and heir at law of the said deceased. John Geyer of the same place last aforesaid Weaver, and Mary his wife ~ late Mary Foltz another of the daughters and heirs at law of the said deceased. John Michael of the same place last aforesaid, Cordwainer and Salome, his wife, late Salome Foltz, another of the daughters and heirs at law of the said deceased and Daniel Geyer of Manheim Township in the same County and Commonwealth (Labourer) and Eve his wife, late Eve Foltz, another of the daughters and heirs at law of the said deceased. Send greetings, Whereas the said Henry Foltz…” 

Here is a link to a Foltz family web page: Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy – U. of M. 

While researching Henry, I thought I’d also try to verify the relationship between Daniel Geyer and his supposed father, John Jacob Geyer.  Again, for many of us, tracking down records that prove a relationship like this in this period is often tricky at best and at its worst, you’re pulling your hair out due to frustration. 

This relationship is going to be difficult to prove at this time, as I have not found any birth, marriage or death/will records that will prove that John Jacob Geyer and Daniel Geyer are father and son.  We do have some tantalizing records that may lead you to believe that they are father and son, but I will have to leave it at that. 

I stumbled across the will of a John Geyer, Shenandoah, VA., 17 July, 1829 that states the following relatives: 

Madaline – wife, David – brother, John – nephew, Jacob – brother, George – brother, Henry – brother, Andrew – brother, Elizabeth – sister, Catherine – sister, and Gertrout – sister. 

Here is the link to the will. The will is also referenced in Ancestry. 

The reason why this will is so interesting is that based on everything I have researched for the Geyer family from Warwick Township, Lancaster Co., PA is that the names mentioned in the will above fit exactly the Geyer family I am trying to prove is Daniel Geyer’s family. 

It all depends on when John Geyer moved to Virginia. The reason I say that is because there is a John Geyer in Warwick Township, Lancaster Co., PA in the 1800 census that has a son that is the right age to be Daniel. Is it possible that John Jacob Geyer went by the name John instead of Jacob, or that the census taker did not correctly get the entire name? 

We must remember that census taking was only in its infancy, and the 1800 census was just the 2^nd one taken in the U.S., so it’s reasonable to believe that the John Geyer listed in the 1800 census was actually Jacob.  For now, I must leave it where it is.

Here are transcribed birth records I found for the Geyer family, which includes John Jacob, George and John and their other siblings:

Courtesy of Ancestry© – Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669-2013 

Now, getting back to Henry Foltz, there are many records for Henry and his family.  Here is a link for the same website (a different web page) referenced above, Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy – U. of M. that is important for the Foltz family.  There are many links on this web page for the actual records which saved me a great deal of time. 

One of the most important records is the will of Johann Heinrich Foltz (1715-1762), father of Henry Foltz and husband of Maria Eva Blum: 

Courtesy of Ancestry© – Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993 

Lancaster, Will Book I-K, 1747-1830 

One last group of records show that Henry Foltz, Jacob Geyer and George Geyer (I have seen family trees that indicate that Jacob and George Geyer are brothers) listed as being part of the Lancaster PA Militia: 

Courtesy of Ancestry© – Pennsylvania, U.S., Veterans Card Files, 1775-1916 for Henry Foltz 

Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File, Fisher, Philip-Fredrick, John 

Pennsylvania, U.S., Veterans Card Files, 1775-1916 for Jacob Geyer 

Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File, Gerber, John-Graham, Andw 

Pennsylvania, U.S., Veterans Card Files, 1775-1916 for George Geyer 

Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File, Gerber, John-Graham, Andw 

The following is from the Pennsylvania Archive showing Henry Foltz, George Geyer and Jacob Geyer for the 3rd Battalion, 8^th Company of the Lancaster Co., PA Militia – 1781: 

Courtesy of Archive.org – PA Archives, Fifth Series, Volume VII – Harrisburg, PA 1906 

Just remember, never underestimate what you can discover with a little bit of grit and determination.  It can take you on quite a journey and you never know what surprises you will find. 

Sources: 

Ancestry© 

FamilySearch© 

Archive.org 

Janet and Robert Wolfe 

Featured Image: 1887 Map view of Lilitz and Warwick, Lancaster Co., PA-Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Acknowledgements: 

Cheryl, my wife, for her continued love and support!