'Our Brown Roots' on the Shelves!

My book, 'Our Brown Roots,' is now on the shelves in the 

Virginia Room of the Fairfax Regional Library, Virginia.  

Virginia Room 

City of Fairfax Regional Library

10360 North Street

Fairfax Virginia 22030

Shelley Cox, Administrative Assistant at the library kindly sent me photos of my book, after it was processed, in place at the library. 

I am excited to know my book can reach out to others who may be members of our family's branches or to others who may be researching their families.

I hope to visit the library during my next visit to Virginia, where our daughter's family lives. I hope to take my grandsons with me to see my book on the shelf!

You may purchase a copy through Troy Book Makers.

Related Posts:

• Never Underestimate a Library
• A Time to Write: Charts 
• A Time to Write: Edit, Edit, Edit
• A Time to Write: The Most Elusive People 
  
  

Revolutionary War Soldier, Johannes Ritter

Johannes Ritter, Sr.

17 Feb 1743 Milford, Bucks, PA - 27 Feb 1743 PA

Son of Heinrich Ritter & Maria Elizabeth Tutt

Husband of Maria Elisabeth Keck

My 5x great grandfather

Revolutionary War Soldier

 

There are many resources for discovering if your ancestor was a Revolutionary War soldier. For example:

Fold3

Daughters of the American Revolution

Sons of the American Revolution

 

Sometimes you can find information in an unexpected place. I was searching Newspapers.com for my Ritters in Pennsylvania. Using the surname, Pennsylvania and a wide range of dates & looked to see what I could uncover. 

Selinsgrove Times - Tribune, Selinsgrove, PA

29 August 1935, page 1

 I found my ancestor in a list of soldiers from the county who had served in the war.

I had already learned that Johannes was a soldier in the Revolutionary War but it is always nice to have another source to confirm my findings.

Read more about Johannes Ritter, Sr.

More Revolutionary War Soldiers in our family:

• Johann Jonas Wolf
• John Hollis
• William Hollis
• John Brumfield
• Martin Ritter 
• John Kennington
• David Faulkenberry
• Jacob Ott, II
• William Stark Kelly
• Casper Ritter

 

 

July Family Birthdays, July 1 - 15

  Is your birthday coming soon? Happy Birthday!

Maybe you share your special day with someone in our family who came before. Look below and see. I posted this series back in 2011. This version has been updated with more information. I hope you find it as much fun as I do.

Even if it is not your birthday, look at the highlighted SURNAMES. Maybe you will see a name from your family & learn a little more about them.

Click on the links to learn more about the people & places.

1 July                     

1876       Clementine Florence WOLF b. in Ohio, daughter of Joseph Wolf & Anna Eliza Kohr

2 July                     

1865       Amanda Adarene FORTENBERRY b. in Mississippi, daughter of William J. Fortenberry & Elizabeth Martha Cutrer.  She married William S. Ellzey c. 1883. Amanda was the mother of ten children. She died in 1949.

1881       Edith Edna RITTER

3 July                     

1825       Rees P. BROWN b. in Mississippi, one of seven children of Moses Brown & Nancy Perkins.  Children: Samantha & Anna Brown.

1866       Elizabeth Ellen NEE

4 July     Independence Day                

1823       Nathan RITTER, son of Jacob Ritter, husband of Hannah Schantz

1940       William Andrew MARK b in Ohio, son of Charles Forest Mark & Bertha Flickinger. Married Linda Lou Danner. Children: Robin, Michelle & William Mark. 

5 July                     

1879       William Isaac RITTER b. in Ohio, son of John William & Ruth Anna (Scott) Ritter. He married Louise Sophia Schultz.  They had six children.

1885       Spencer Sylvester McDANIEL

6 July                     

1753       Elizabeth RITTER

1879       Willie Edgar SMITH  was the son of Walter Lorraine Smith & Emma Julia Warren. He died in 1879 at the age of 13.

1927       Vern James SIMONS

1935       Virginia Burton NEE

7 July                     

1831       Richard WOLF, son of Andrew Wolf

1884       George B. WOLF

1900       Lola Dean FORTENBERRY was the daughter of Joseph Gazie Fortenberry & Corine McDaniel. 

1920       Elnora Marie RITTER

8 July                     

1800       Hollander SMITH

1857       Alfred FORTENBERRY Jr.

1889       Carrie Belle WOLF

1937       James Paul BALL b. in Louisiana, son of James Alton Ball & Mildred Olga Brown. He married Wreatha Jean Sorrell. Children: David, Roger, James & Lisa Ball. 

9 July                     

1852       Albert Harrison BALLIET b. in Pennsylvania, son of Stephen Ballet & Ann Lowrey. He married Josephine Edna Ebert. He died in 1907 in New York State. 

1870       Joseph Gazie FORTENBERRY

1939       Frederick Ralph BROPHY

10 July                   

1795       Lydia KNAUSS, wife of Daniel Ritter

1894       John Ellsworth HAWK b. in Ohio, son of William Hawk & Elizabeth Ritter. He married Ethel Miller. 

11 July                   

1787       Jonathan RITTER, son of Johann Daniel Ritter 

1852       Eliza H. MORRIS

1878       Mayme Indiana SIMMONS

1894       June THORNHILL son of James Miles & Violette Eliza (Fortenberry) Thornhill. June died in 1910 at the age of 16 in Mississippi.  

12 July                   

1789       Needham Judge ALFORD

1872       Louis Flemon ALFORD b. in Louisiana, son of Needham Edwin Alford & Mary Luzina Strafford. He died in 1938.

13 July                   

1938       Charles Philip MORRIS

14 July                   

1864       John BRADY b. in Cavan, Ireland, son of Thomas Brady & Catherine Gibney. He married Mary McCartin. Children: Thomas, Bernard & John Brady all born in New Jersey. John Brady was my 2^nd great grand uncle. 

1891       Irene Elizabeth ELLZEY 

1915       Ruth Ann RITTER

15 July                   

1816       Mehala SMITH

1842       Mary Elizabeth FORTENBERRY

1872       Catherine BRADY

1875       Helen E. VOELKER

1920       Jerry Sidney COMEAUX

1932       Patricia Ann BROCK lived her life in Mississippi where she married Fay Seward Smith, son of Denny Herbert Smith & Mavis Marie Brown. Their children: Patricia, Michael & Kim Smith. Patricia & Fay were warm, generous people who showed us hospitality when we visited them in Mississippi. Patricia helped with my genealogy research & with the Alford Family Association. 

To learn more about my family's branches

order & read the Books I have Written.

Our Browns Roots

&

Remembrances

Forget Me Not: Nathan Ritter, 1896 PA

 When I post obituaries I hope family members find a name they have been looking for. And I hope that does help bring that person "to life" again. 

Nathan Ritter

4 Jul 1823 PA - 21 Sep 1896 PA

Son of Jacob Ritter & Anna Bogert

My 2nd Cousin, 5x removed 

Nathan Ritter, a well known citizen of Lower Macungie township, died at the home of his son Peter.

Deceased was a son of Jacob and Annie Ritter, nee Boger. He was born in Salisbury township and brought his age to 73 years, two months and 25 days. His wife Hannah, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Schantz, preceded him seventeen years. Two sons, Peter, residing on the homestead farm, and Alfred A., of Spinnerstown, Bucks county, five grandchildren and three great – grandchildren survive. Deceased resided at this pleasant home, where he died, for 52 years. A member of Grace Lutheran Church, Macungie, the funeral service will be held in the chapel. After beginning at the house at 9.20 a. m. Saturday.

 

Source:

Newspapers.com

The Morning Call, Allentown, PA

24 September 1896, page 1

Forget Me Not:

• Burrell S Fortenberry, 1951 MS
• Clifton Brumfield, 1941 MS
• James Sims Kelly, 1905 AL
• William Jasper Smith, 1950 MS

Vintage Photograph: Moore & Good, OH

 This vintage photograph is delightful because of the happy faces of Albert & Elizabeth.

Vintage photographs are like little windows looking back in time.

A Window into the Past

Albert Edward Good

14 Jan 1883 OH - 28 Dec 1965 OH

Son of Joel H. Good & Margaret Chidister Brown

His Wife,

Elizabeth Lodema Moore

23 Oct 1863 OH - 15 Apr 1936 OH

Daughter of Peter Jonathan Moore & Caroline Louise Gruissy

Married

30 Jul 1882 OH

A few other Vintage Photographs:

• Alberta Joy Gardner Brown
• Elma Patrick
• Helen Coyle Gardner
• The Mark Family, 1930 OH
• Seth Benner Morrison
• 5 Morrison Sisters
• Phil Creasy's Grocery, OH

June Family Birthdays, June 16 - 30

 Is your birthday coming soon? Happy Birthday!

Maybe you share your special day with someone in our family who came before. Look below and see. I posted this series back in 2011. This version has been updated with more information. I hope you find it as much fun as I do.

Even if it is not your birthday, look at the highlighted SURNAMES. Maybe you will see a name from your family & learn a little more about them.

Click on the links to learn more about the people & places.

16 June

1886     Anna Fredericka LIESER, daughter of Frederick Lieser & Louiza Gruissy

17 June        

1853    Mary Josephine WOLF, daughter of Jeremiah Wolf & Eliza Ann Reigle

1884     Arthur Moses GARTNER, born in New York City; son of Leopold Gartner & Fannie Edelstein

1929    Malcolm Brown PIERCE, son of Arlie Pierce & Lyda M. Brown. Married Blanche Ritchie. Children: Malcolm & Angela.

18 June        

1842    John MARK b. in Ohio, son of Abraham Mark & Mary Isabella Heffelfinger. He served & died in the Civil War: in 16 Regiment, Company C., Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 

1848     Needham W. ALFORD, born in MS; son of William Alford

19 June        

1827    Lorenzo Dow SNELL married Amanda Miranda Fortenberry, daughter of Gasua Chapman Fortenberry & Sarah Brown. He died in 1903.

1917     Howard Linton ALFORD, son of Felder Fletcher Alford & Della Herring

20 June        

1747    Caspar RITTER, son of Caspar Ritter & Anna Maria

1765    Elizabeth BRYANT married Jacob Alford, son of Julius Alford & Lucy Newton. Their children: Needham, Sarah & Edwin Barksdale Alford

21 June        

1783     Lawrence DILLON, born in NC; son of Richard Dillon & Martha Jackson

1846    Sara Jane FORTENBERRY b. in Mississippi, daughter of Gasua Chaman Fortenberry & Sarah Brown. She married Hiram Cutrer. They had 5 children. She died in 1890.

1888    Amos Martin MARK, son of William Mark & Elidia Rebecca Ritter

1891    Eugene C. SMITH

22 June        

1848    Adolphus Scott SMITH son of Wyatt Smith & Euseba Fortenberry. He married Julia Jane Simmons. They had six children. He died in 1921.

1874    Sarah Barbara GRUISSY

23 June        

1828    Elias FRANTZ

1860    Charles Fedler McDANIEL

1865    Charles Albert WOLF, son of William Henry Harrison Wolf

1878    Minnie MARK, daughter of Franklin P. Mark & Laura M. Miller

1892    Russel Grover MILLER

1904    Mildred Olga BROWN b. in Mississippi, daughter of Jasper Pascal Brown & Rose Ella Brumfield. She married James Alton Ball. They had ten children. 

24 June        

1890    Hattie Rebecca WOLF, daughter of Frederick Jacob Wolf

1914    Dorothy COYLE b. in Texas, daughter of William Paul Coyle & Lauretta Niail. She married Philip Reilly.

25 June        

1815    Nancy P. BROWN b. in Mississippi, daughter of Moses Brown & Nancy Perkins. She married Johnson Patrick. They had nine children. Nancy died in 1862, age 47.

26 June        

1879    Albert E. FORTENBERRY, son of William Franklin Fortenberry & Mariah B. Hall

1881    Alfred Eugene FORTENBERRY, son of William Franklin Fortenberry & Mariah B. Hall

1911    Zelma FORTENBERRY daughter of Lemuel Q. Fortenberry & Lillian Ellzey. Married Nolan Smith. Children: James, Robert, Maxwell, Karen.

27 June        

1782    Maria Elizabeth WOLF, daughter of Johann Jonas Wolf

1785    Lydia KNAPPENBERGER married Henry Ritter, son of Martin Ritter & Anna Margaret Steininger. Children: Maria, Margretha, Heinrich & Daniel Ritter.

1857     Milton C. RITTER, born in PA; son of Charles Ritter 

1932    Doris Joan JOLLIFF

28 June        

1743    Catherine NAUGLE

1784     Johan Peter RITTER, born in PA; son of Johann Daniel Ritter & Elisabeth Rohn

1875    Fletcher Boyd BRUMFIELD b. in Mississippi, son of Jessie Alexander Brumfield & Martha Elizabeth Alford. Married Mattie. Children: Mead, Francis, Courtney & Ed Brumfield.

1894    Elva Gale MARK

29 June        

1811    John Jonas WOLF, son of John Frederick Wolf

1817    Gideon B. RITTER b. in Pennsylvania, son of Martin Ritter & Anna Margaret Bogert. Married Theresa. Gideon died in 1891.

1857    Jesse Eli BRUMFIELD

1894    William Paul COYLE

30 June        

1779    John Frederick WOLF b. in Pennsylvania, son of Johann Jonas Wolf & Appollonia Dick. Married Esther Barbara Wolf. They had ten children.

1811     John Wilson BRUMFIELD, born in LA; son of John Brumfield & Margaret Kelly; husband of Cinderella Lanier

To learn more about my family's branches

order & read the Books I have Written.

Our Browns Roots

&

Remembrances

Happy Fathers' Day

 In memory of my father,

who taught us to treasure our family and our country.

My Father,

Delbert Keith Brown

 

My father with my brothers & me.

My Grandfathers:

Roy Jessie Brown, 1902 MS – 1956 MS

Nathaniel Gardner, 1882 NY – 1944 NY

 

My Great Grandfathers:

Jasper Pascal Brown, 1865 MS – 1950 MS

Thomas Kenneth Mark, 1879 OH – 1975 OH

Leopold Gartner, 1860 Poland – 1948 NY

Michael Coyle, b 1870 Ireland

 

My 2x Great Grandfathers:

Allen Moses Brown, 1836 MS – after 1870

Jessie Alexander Brumfield, 1838 LA – 1914 MS

William Mark, 1844 OH – 1915 OH

Augustus Ceaser Gruissy, 1840 OH – 1915 OH

Markusz S. Gartner, 1826 Poland- 1888 Hungary

Adolph Edelstein, b 1830

Patrick Coyle, 1841 Ireland – 1925 CT

Daniel Mullane, 1838 Ireland – 1930 Ireland

 

My [known] 3x Great Grandfathers:

Edward Stewart Brown, 1806 GA – 1856 MS

Wyatt Smith, 1809 LA- 1894 MS

Nathaniel Brumfield, 1799 LA – 1852 LA

Edwin Barksdale Alford, 1792 NC – 1878 MS

Abraham Mark, 1812 PA – 1872 OH

Isaac Ritter, 1823 – 1880 OH

Christian Gruissy, 1811 Swiss – 1870 OH

John Franklin Wolf, 1809 PA – 1883 OH

Mozes Gartner

Michael Coyle, b 1805 Ireland

Thomas Brady, d 1914 Ireland

Thomas Mullane, Ireland

Martin English, Ireland

 

My [known] 4x Great Grandfathers:

Moses Brown, 1777 NC – 1839 OH

Allen Spurlock, 1775 NC – 1864 MS

Jeremiah George Smith, 1773 SC – 1840 MS

William Jasper Fortenberry, 1772 SC – 1842 MS

John Brumfield, 1768 NC – 1834

Jacob Ott III, 1774 SC – 1836 LA

Jacob Alford, 1761 NC – 1824 LA

Philip Heffelfinger, 1787 , b 1776 Ireland

Johannes Ritter, Jr., 1771 PA – 1864 OH

John Fisher

Christian Gruissy, b 1792 Swiss

John Frederick Wolf, 1779 PA – 1872 PA

Abraham Burkholder

Pat Coyle, b 1776 Ireland

James Cunningham, b 1771 Ireland

John Gibney, b 1794 Ireland

My [known] 5x Great Grandfathers:

Edward Brown, 1730 – 1797 NC

William Traylor

Richard Dillon, 1745 VA – 1833 MS

John Faulkenberry, 1740 VA – 1815 SC

John Kennington, 1745 – 1814 SC

Charles Brumfield, 1745 VA – 1820 SC

William Stark Kelly, 1739 Ireland – 1826 TN

Jacob Ott II, 1755 SC – 1820 SC

Julius Alford, 1717 VA – 1771 NC

Jeremiah Smith, Sr., b 1755 

Michael Mowrey

Johannes Ritter, Sr., 1743 PA – 1816

Johann Jonas Wolf, 1739 PA – 1787 PA

 

My [known] 6x Great Grandfathers:

Moses Hollis, 1728 VA – 1794 SC

James Theopilous Dillon, b 1719 Ireland

Humphrey Lawrence, 1726 – 1772 NC

Jacob Faulkenberry, b c 1715

John Eubanks

John Watson Brumfield, 1714 – 1781 SC

William Durham, 1715 VA – 1793 NC

Jacob Ott I, 1725 Swiss – 1786

Casper Ott, b 1721 Swiss

James Alford, 1687 VA – 1730 VA

Moses Hollis, 1728 VA – 1794 SC

Heinrich Ritter, 1715 Germany – 1797 PA

Heinrich Keck, 1710 Germany – 1786 PA

Johan Jacob Wolf, 1694 Germany – after 1757

Johan Adam Dick, 1709 Germany – 1785 PA

 

My [known] 7x Great Grandfathers:

John Hollis, 1700 England – 1768 VA

Robert Lawrence, 1672 VA – 1744 NC

Thomas Ashley, c 1710 – 1790 NC

Henry Falkenberg, 1675 NJ – c 1759

Samuel Durham, d 1735

Benjamin Colclough, d 1722 VA

Melchoir Ott, 1699 Swiss – 1755 SC

Theodore Fitchtner

John Alford, 1645 VA – 1710 VA

Johannes Peter Wolf, Germany

Hans Jacob Orth, Germany

 

My [known] 8x Great Grandfathers:

John Lawrence, d 1700 VA

John Nicholls, b 1680 NC

Thomas Ashley, 1650 VA- after 1759

David Hicks

Hendrick Jacobs Falkenberg, c 1640 – c 1712

Hans Ott, 1699 Swiss – 1725 Swiss

 

My [known] 9x Great Grandfathers:

Robert Lawrence, d c 1707 VA

John Ashley, 1625 England – 1687 VA

Lambert Jochemse Van Valkenberg, 1616 Netherlands – 1685 NY

Sennick Broer

 

My [known] 10x Great Grandfathers:

John Lawrence, d 1639 England

Lambert Dryskens Van Valkenberg, c 1570 Netherlands – 1651 Netherlands

Arnold Jacobs, Netherlands

 

My [known] 11x Great Grandfathers:

Thomas Lawrence, 1539 – 1593 England

Andries Van Valkenberg, c 1540 Netherlands – 1609