Posted on the message board by: rconnell@cfl.rr.com . Please click on the link below to reply on the board and to read the entire message which exceeds the maximum allowable list message size. Thanks! Joan This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/917.1 Message Board Post: You are very welcome. There's much discussion of the Martins in Archives of GEIGER List. Here's what I have on descendants of David G. Geiger, but without the notes and Surname list .. too much! Again, it's from various sources and may not be totally accurate. Please use as guide only. Anne =================== Descendants of DAVID G. GEIGER - 20 Dec 2004 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - <snip>

Hi, John. You'll find Elizabeth Geiger's marital history at www.palmettoroots.org. Click on "Palmetto Families", then "Gallman". btw, the founders of St. John's Lutheran were all of German origin, most of them with known birthplaces. There were (and are) very, very few Lutherans in Switzerland. In the 1730's-70's, the population was 64% Swiss Reformed, 34% Catholic. Leaving only ~2% for Waldensians, Lutherans, Mennonites, other Protestant groups, and the Jewish community. Data on the religious breakdown for Switzerland are from Lewis Bunker Rohrbach, Introductory Guide to Swiss Genealogical Research, Swiss American Historical Society Publication No. 21 (Rockport ME: Picton Press, 2004). A handy little book, and the $14.95 price isn't bad. ----- Original Message ----- From: <jgeiger@sc.rr.com> To: <GEIGER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 4:12 PM Subject: [GEIGER] Religious preferences > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JOY.2ACEB/919 > > Message Board Post: > > Merry Christmas to all Gyger,gieger,geiger relatives > > Herman Geiger's daughter Elizabeth married 2 times. The 2nd was to a Horlbeck, who has a 3 block street named after him(or the family) in Charleston. Elizabeth died in Charleston and is buried in the Lutheran Church (started by the Swiss) in Charleston. I have visted the family grave site. She may have not been a Lutheran at birth but she was at death. > > John Geiger

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JOY.2ACEB/919 Message Board Post: Merry Christmas to all Gyger,gieger,geiger relatives Herman Geiger's daughter Elizabeth married 2 times. The 2nd was to a Horlbeck, who has a 3 block street named after him(or the family) in Charleston. Elizabeth died in Charleston and is buried in the Lutheran Church (started by the Swiss) in Charleston. I have visted the family grave site. She may have not been a Lutheran at birth but she was at death. John Geiger

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Geiger/MARTIN Etc. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/918 Message Board Post: Dear Anne, You have whetted my appetite - How do I access this "ARCHIVES OF GEIGER" to learn about the "Mysterious Martins" - Thanks for your assistance - -Nancy

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/917.2 Message Board Post: Nancy, O.K., maybe just these notes on David G. - they are so interesting! Most info comes from chatting on Geiger List. =================== Notes: Nancy Geiger Ford, desc. of David Geiger through Winfield Wickliffe Geiger: "David G. Geiger, b. 15 March 1795, married Lucy Bennett 2 June 1814. He married Martha Slater 10 April 1834. He died 5 May 1870." Faye Walenceus, descendant of David Geiger: "The marriage license says David Geiger and Miss Martha Slater. The copy that I have is not very clear, but that part can be read. She apparently was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Slater." 1830 Bryan County, Georgia, census, pg. 88, line 9: "Geiger, David 30-40, plus 2 males under 5; 1 male 5-10; 1 male 10-15; 1 male15-20; 1 female under 5; 1 female 5-10; 1 female 30-40." [first wife, Lucy Bennett]. On line 18, "Mrs. Mary Geiger" is believed to be in error for David Geiger's mother, Mercy Geiger - (her sister, Mrs. Mary Geiger had removed to Florida by then). Line 14 is Emanuel Martin with wife Mary Geiger. Line 17 is his mother, Mrs. Mary Martin. On 7 Aug 1832, David as administrator of the estate of Abraham Geiger, Sr., auctioned all of Abraham's Bryan County property, containing one thousand acres in four tracts, to Jesse Dukes for $144.50, as declared in a deed dated the 18th of September, 1832. In a second deed, dated 13 [sic-18th?] Sep 1832, Jesse (X) Dukes sold the land back to David Geiger for $144.50. 1840 Georgia, Bryan County (M704, Roll 37, Page 108) is legible, but poorly recorded and hard to interpret. It possibly shows family 66 as: "David Gigger with males: 1 under 5, 2 10-15, 1 15-20 and 1 40-50; and females: 1 under 5, 1 5-10, 2 10-15, 1 20-30, and 1 60-70. Next page: slaves 1; total 12. This would be David with second wife, Martha Slater. "Mrs. Mary or Mercy Geiger" household is not recorded. Mercy may now be in David's household as the female 60-70. On the 1850 Georgia census for Bryan County, 19th District, taken 24 August, David and second wife, Martha Slater, appear on page 223/443 [Image 6], line14, as family 37: "Geiger, David 55 M W $900 b. Ga; Geiger, Martha 37 F W b. Ga; plus children (all Geiger, all hers, b. Ga): John 14 M W; Winfield 12 M W; Sarah 10 F W; James 8 M W; Harriett 6 F W; and Leestin [?] 4 M W". "Leestin" would be David Leaston. The 1860 Georgia census for Bryan County, Ways Station, taken 10 July 1860, shows on page 15, line 31, family 167: "Geiger, David, 65 M, farmer, RE $2,000/PE $7,019 [?], b. GA; Geiger, Martha, 46 F, b. GA; Geiger, James H., 18 M, b. GA; Geiger, Harriett, 16 F, b. GA.; Geiger, David D., 14 M, b. GA." The Civil War decimated this family. In 1863, David G. lost two sons, when Joshua David and Cornelius died in the war. In 1863 or 1864, a third son James H., age 21, died at Chickamauga. Then in 1865, son John Harmon, age 30, died in a northern prison camp, leaving a widow and two children. Within the year, son David Leaston, age 19, returned from the war and married his brother's widow the next spring. Not sure where I got this: "In his will, Vinie's father said: 'I appoint and constitute my beloved son, Winfield W. Geiger and my beloved son-in-law, Charles W. Clanton, Executors of this my last Will and Testament. This 9th day of January A.D. 1869.' " ===================

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Geiger/Bennett/Martin/Sheffield Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/917 Message Board Post: Dear Anne, Thanks so much for your information - If I could only find out who Mary "Mercy" Martin's parents were and where they were from, then I would have more of the puzzle - She married a Geiger and I think her father may have been The Reverend John A. Martin - maybe a Revolutionary War Soldier... Best Wishes, Nancy

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: BENNETT, BOATRIGHT, CORBETT, DENMARK, GEIGER, HARRIS, LANE, MOODY, PADGETT, SHEFFIELD Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/914.1.1.1 Message Board Post: For what they're worth, here are my notes on Lucy. Anne ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ancestors of LUCINDA (LUCY) BENNETT - 20 Dec 2004 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First Generation 1. LUCINDA (LUCY) BENNETT was born about 1786 in Bulloch County, Georgia. She died on 8 Feb 1832 in Bulloch County, Georgia. "Revolutionary War Records, Duplin and Sampson Counties, North Carolina," by Virginia L. Bizzell & Oscar M. Bizzell, states she was born in 1786 and lists her as first child of William Bennett and Mary Sheffield (married 1784). James R. Boone manuscript says she was born on 8 May 1794 and that she died in childbirth on 8 Feb 1832. Will go with the Bizzell records for now. Second Generation 2. WILLIAM BENNETT died in 1828 in Appling County, Georgia. From Faye Walenceus at <walenceus@alltel.net>: "The father of Cynthia Ann Geiger, born 3/14/1825, was David Geiger (3/15/1795-5/5/1870) son of Abraham and Mercy. Cynthia Ann's mother was Lucy Bennett, daughter of William and Mary (Sheffield) Bennett." Note: there is a later Mary Sheffield in Bulloch County, Georgia, married to a Denmark and to Richard Lane (marr. 15 Jan 1825). Kathy Torkelson on Bulloch County List: "From 'Revolutionary War Records, Duplin and Sampson Counties, North Carolina' by Virginia L. Bizzell & Oscar M. Bizzell: "About 1784, [William] Bennett married Mary Sheffield, a daughter of another Revolutionary Soldier of Duplin County in the Continental Line, and they made their home in Duplin County. The couple was listed in the 1790 Duplin, North Carolina, census. "Their children were: Lucy b. 1786 who married David Geiger; a daughter b. abt 1790 who married John Padgett; John b. 1795 who married Frances Harris; Richard b. 1799 who married Rebecca Boatright; Henry b. 1810 who married Nancy Corbett; Isham b. 1812 who married Molly Moody. "William, the soldier, and two of his brothers, Richard and James, moved to Georgia. William and his family made their home in Bullock County until 1825 and then moved to the new Georgia County of Appling. He died in 1828. Widow Mary continued to live in the 583rd District of Appling County until her death in the 1840's. As a widow of a Revolutionary Soldier she drew land in the Cherokee land lottery." Note: At Wayne County Court House in Jessup, Georgia, there is a Richard Bennett on the SAR Monument to "Revolutionary War Soldiers Who Lived in Wayne Country." I have a picture of the monument with the names. From "Wills of the Bennet Family" at http://bjhughes.org/benwill.html: "Some time about 1820-25 soon after the settling up of the new county of Appling, William Bennett moved there in order to find better grazing lands for his large herds of cattle. There he died in 1828. Record is found of two deeds by his heirs to David Strickland of Bulloch County dated October 17, 1828, conveying the two 200 acre tracts of land there which the deceased owned at his death. These deeds appear signed by the widow, Mrs. Mary Bennett, Richard Bennett, John Bennett of Lowndes County, John Padgett (in the right of his wife). Henry Bennett, another son [Isham] was a minor, and did not sign. A daughter married David Geiger and William Bennett made him a deed of gift, July 8 1815, for a part of his homeplace lands in Bulloch County, this being apparently in full in advance of Mrs. Geiger's share of her father's estate at his death, as she nor her husband signed the deeds as heirs in 1828. (See dee! d book AA, page 301, Bulloch County.) "Mrs. Bennett was Mary Sheffield and was said to have been a daughter of William Sheffield, a Revolutionary War Soldier, of Duplin County, NC. She lived in 583rd District of Appling County until her death sometime in 1840s. As the widow of a Revolutionary Soldier, she drew land in Cherokee land lottery, and was granted lot 85, Second section, 11th district, Cherokee County. (see Knight's Roster of the Revolution, p. 329). Her husband was paid for his services in the continental line (see Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina, p. 225). William and Mary Bennett had 5 children. (Huxford, Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia, vol 1, pp 15-16)" WILLIAM BENNETT and MARY SHEFFIELD were married about 1784 in Duplin County, North Carolina. 3. MARY SHEFFIELD. WILLIAM BENNETT and MARY SHEFFIELD had the following children: 1 i. LUCINDA (LUCY) BENNETT. ii. (_____) BENNETT was born about 1798. iii. JOHN BENNETT was born in 1795. iv. RICHARD BENNETT was born in 1799. v. HENRY BENNETT was born in 1810. vi. ISHAM BENNETT was born in 1812. Third Generation 6. WILLIAM SHEFFIELD. He was a Revolutionary soldier of Duplin County, North Carolina. WILLIAM SHEFFIELD and (_____) were married in Duplin County, North Carolina. 7. (_____). WILLIAM SHEFFIELD and (_____) had the following children: 3 i. MARY SHEFFIELD.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Geiger/Bennett/Martin Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/914.1.1 Message Board Post: Dear Harriet, Your information is fascinating - Thanks for taking the trouble to e-mail me - It is interesting - some of the Geiger clan that I have corresponded with does contradict your information and it is difficult to know what the truth is - I have asked them where they got their info and so I would appreciate it if you could let me know what your sources were - I am trying to get into the DAR and some of what you send me could be very helpful - Thanks so much - -Nancy P.S. Can I assume that "Swiss Reformed" is Protestant?

Some of the Geigers who left Germany or Switzerland in the first half of the 18th century were very-definitely "Swiss Mennonites"--Anabaptists who were called that whether or not their families had recently lived in Switzerland ("recently" meaning a century or two). The Geigers who were in Amish or Mennonite congregations in PA by ~1750 were people who had very good reason to flee religious persecution. If a Swiss resident were slow to get a child baptized, or if s/he skipped a communion service at the local parish church, the village Morals Committee would call the nonconformist to court and impose a fine. This could be a serious business for a poor peasant, who was generally a serf and did not have the money to pay the fine. If they persisted in that sort of thing, they were suspected of being Anabaptists. The official penalty for that was torture and/or drowning--no trial was required. It wasn't applied all that frequently, but it could--and did--happen. One alternative was to round them up and banish/deport them to the British colonies. The Bernese government tried that in 1710 with a batch of 56 Anabaptists, but other governments--especially the Dutch--were so horrified by that awful punishment that the prisoners were released, and some even returned to Bern. Bern attempted expulsion and deportation again in 1730 and 1733, but got so much political flak that the! y didn't go through with it. In the meantime, something odd had happened. Letters from Mennonites in PA had started circulating, and other members of the faith decided that they really WANTED to go there! Deportation was no longer a dreadful penalty, just maybe a way to save on the cost of the passage. ("Oh, no...PLEASE don't throw me into that brier patch!" said Br'er Rabbit.) Governmental response: "OK, we won't use deportation as a deterrent/penalty anymore. If those heretics WANT to go there, we just won't LET them go--or else will make it too expensive for them to get a permit." They went anyway, sometimes by sneaking off in the middle of the night, but sometimes at the head of a parade with the whole village clapping about their illegal emigration and wishing them every success. Which of the many Geiger immigrants of the 18th-c. were Anabaptists (Mennonite, Amish or German Baptist Brethren) and had very good reasons for exiting German-speaking territories, even if illegally? I don't know. But if their arrival is recorded in NY, PA, MD, VA or NC, they're communicants of an Anabaptist congregation on this side of the water, and their exit is NOT recorded in, e.g., Hacker or Faust & Brumbaugh, there's a pretty good chance they they skipped out for reasons of religious freedom. Harriet Imrey himrey@ntelos.net

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: GEIGER BROWN HINKLEY McINTYRE PRICE RICHARDS ROGERS SPRAGUE Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JOY.2ACEB/916 Message Board Post: While researching the family of a great granduncle, Conrad Geiger of Seneca Co., OH, in a 1905 history of Fulton Co., OH, I found information concerning the parents and siblings of his wife, Anna Catherina Geiger of Sandusky Co., OH. Her parents, Jacob and Magdalena Geiger, resided in Riley Twp., Sandusky Co., OH. Both were born in Baden. Jacob is said to have crossed the Atlantic five time, bringing his bride-to-be with him on the final voyage. They were married in Philadelphia, PA, and lived there several years, having two children Henry [28 in 1860] and Conrad [26 in 1860], with the others born later in Ohio. Jacob died on 05 OCT 1865, at age 65, and Magdalena died on 21 NOV 1888, at the age of 80. Their children were: 1] Henry Geiger, b. 1831/32 in PA; married Mary Brown on 05 SEP 1865 in Sandusky Co., OH. Three children are listed in the 1870 Census. All are over 10 years of age , thus probably Henry’s step children. Moved to Clay Twp., Ottawa Co., Ohio, before 1870. He died after 1880 and before 1905. 2] Conrad Geiger, b 1834/35 in PA; married Sarah Cordelia Rogers on 31 DEC 1863 in Ottawa Co., OH. Apparently no children. Moved to Clay Twp., Ottawa Co., Ohio, before 1870. He died after 1880 and before 1905. 3] Catharine Geiger, b 23 JUL 1837 in Sandusky Co., OH; married Conrad Geiger (my relative) on 01 JUL 1860 in Sandusky Co., OH. Moved to Fulton Twp., Fulton Co., Ohio, before 1870. They had nine children, but only one reached adulthood. Maria E. Geiger married Lorenzo D. Price on 27 SEP 1882 in Fulton Co., OH.. 4] Susan Geiger, b. 1838/39 in OH; married Edward L. Richards on 12 APR 1860 in Sandusky Co., OH. Four known children. Moved to Clay Twp., Ottawa Co., Ohio, before 1870. 5] Jacob Geiger, b. 1840/41 in OH; married Angeline Sophia Hinkley on 06 SEP 1866 in Sandusky Co., OH. Apparently no children. Still in Riley Twp., Sandusky Co., OH in 1880. Moved to Mississippi before 1905. 6] Maria Sophia Geiger, b. 1843/44 in OH; married Lester C. Sprague on 14 SEP 1862 in Sandusky Co., OH. Six known children. She died after 1880 and before 1900 7] Mary Elizabeth Geiger, b. 1845/46 in OH; married Thomas D. McIntyre on 16 FEB 1871 in Sandusky Co., OH. One known child. Moved to Florida before 1905. 8] Caroline Geiger, b.1848/49 in OH; married James N. McIntyre on 12 DEC 1870 in Sandusky Co., OH. Moved to Michigan before 1905. 9] William Geiger, b. 1851/52 in OH; Not found in 1880 Census. Died before 1905. Whatever living descendants there may be, it appears they must descend from the daughters of this family.

Many Swiss settlers came to the New World, so many that by about 1814, the Swiss Government passed legislation prohibiting emigration. The young and strong ones were leaving. The Martins were anabaptist in belief, thought to have come from the areas of PA which hosted strong Church of the Brethern elements. When the Gygers hooked up with the Martins they became Baptist. There weren't many other churches in GA, either; Congregationalist, Lutheran, & Anglican were predominant, so for regular scheduled worship, you had to go to one of them...Ulrich's land on the Ogeechee was a far trip from Ebenezer...short today, but on horseback, in a wagon, or walking took some time...not to mention the dangers from hostile aborginees... >From: "Harriet Imrey" <himrey@ntelos.net> >Reply-To: GEIGER-L@rootsweb.com >To: GEIGER-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [GEIGER] Re: Lucinda "Lucy" BENNETT Geiger and David Geiger >Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2004 10:03:38 -0500 > >The Geigers/Gygers of the Rheinthal were members of the mainstream >(established) Evangelical Reformed Church, so were not subject to religious >persecution. It was primarily the Anabaptists/Mennonites who were evicted >from various parts of Swiss territory. The Geiger emigration probably had >a >political component. Hans Jacob Gyger (1679-1752) had served as regional >bailiff (Landvogtsammann), but was voted out of office in a democratic >(small-d!) takeover of the municipal power-structure. The local records >suggest that he left office under a bit of a cloud: "people didn't speak >very well of him." Most of the massive Swiss emigration of the 1730's was >the result of widespread advertising of the New World--Carolina in >particular--as a land of great economic opportunity. Switzerland had a lot >of people, and not nearly enough land to go around. The ads about Carolina >were excessive, because the businessmen who recruited immigrants were paid >off for volume--by both shipowners and the Carolina provincial government. >Swiss men had a long-term and continent-wide reputation for being excellent >soldiers, so that's who SC wanted to bring over to defend the frontier >regions. Offering free land and a year's worth of provisions to new >settlers was much cheaper than hiring a company of Swiss mercenaries. > >One member of the clan (Ulrich Geiger) moved with his family to the >newly-opened interior of GA in 1766. His home on the west side of the >Ogeechee River was too far from the Jerusalem Lutheran Church at Ebenezer >to >permit regular attendance (or membership), but he baptized two of his >children there, in 1769 and 1774. There was no other German-speaking >church >in GA. The Swiss Reformed church at Purrysburgh SC was only a little >further away, but its current minister spoke only French. > >Membership of the Reformed congregations in SC dwindled, and no new >ministers arrived from Switzerland to replace the former ones. By 1800, >the >Geigers in Lexington Co SC were members of Lutheran churches, where >services >were conducted in German. The descendants of Ulrich Geiger in GA were >Baptists by then. They lived in a predominantly English-speaking region >and >used the language themselves, so no longer had the same incentive to go >over >to Ebenezer to get their children christened--which Baptists didn't do >anyway. > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "James Ford" <jlfchat@earthlink.net> >To: <GEIGER-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2004 7:46 AM >Subject: RE: [GEIGER] Re: Lucinda "Lucy" BENNETT Geiger and David Geiger > > > Harriet, >It is interesting that you write that the Geigers were not religious >refugees. I, perhaps mistakenly, have always thought that was the reason >they left Switzerland to brave the hardships of the new world. I know that >they were not Salzburgers, as I once thought, but one of them did live at >Ebenezer, or so the story goes, as we are considered "related families" to >the Salzburgers. Do you have info on that? Also, I guess I was also >mistaken in thinking that part of the Geigers were Lutherans and probably >attended Jerusalem Lutheran Church at Ebenezer, GA. Please straighten me >out on this. Your research is so much more extensive than mine. >Nancy Geiger Ford > > > > > [Original Message] > > > From: <himrey@ntelos.net> > > > To: <GEIGER-L@rootsweb.com> > > > Date: 12/17/2004 6:22:33 PM > > > Subject: [GEIGER] Re: Lucinda "Lucy" BENNETT Geiger and David Geiger > > > > > > Message Board URL: > > > > > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/914.1 > > > > > > Message Board Post: > > > >The Geigers you're seeking were not Salzburgers, other Austrians, >Lutherans, >or religious refugees. David Geiger (b. 15 Mar 1795 in Bulloch/Bryan Co >GA; >d. 5 May 1870 in Bryan Co GA) was the son of Abraham Geiger (b. 11 Jun 1761 >in SC) and Mercy Martin, daughter of the Rev. John A. Martin of Bulloch Co >GA. Abraham Geiger was the son of Ulrich Geiger (b. 14 May 1729 in >Berneck, >Switzerland, currently in canton St. Gall; d. 12 Jun 1777 in Bulloch Co GA) >and wife Apollonia (maiden name and dates unknown). Ulrich Geiger was the >son of Abraham Geiger (b. 4 Mar 1690 in Berneck, Switzerland; d. 7 May 1766 >in/near Saxegotha SC) and Cathrina Schellig/Schelling, b. ~1688 in >Switzerland. > >The extended family (including cousins and in-laws) left the Rheinthal >region of NE Switzerland in the fall of 1736, and sailed on the ship Prince >of Wales, Capt. Dunbar, which left Falmouth (England) on 5 Dec 1736 and >arrived in Charles Town SC on 1 Feb 1737. Three of the passengers happened >to write letters describing the voyage, including mention of the Geiger and >Schelling families. Like most Swiss, they were members of the Swiss >Reformed Church. > > > >==== GEIGER Mailing List ==== >Check out our GEIGER homepage at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~geiger/ > >============================== >Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the >areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. >Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx >

The Geigers/Gygers of the Rheinthal were members of the mainstream (established) Evangelical Reformed Church, so were not subject to religious persecution. It was primarily the Anabaptists/Mennonites who were evicted from various parts of Swiss territory. The Geiger emigration probably had a political component. Hans Jacob Gyger (1679-1752) had served as regional bailiff (Landvogtsammann), but was voted out of office in a democratic (small-d!) takeover of the municipal power-structure. The local records suggest that he left office under a bit of a cloud: "people didn't speak very well of him." Most of the massive Swiss emigration of the 1730's was the result of widespread advertising of the New World--Carolina in particular--as a land of great economic opportunity. Switzerland had a lot of people, and not nearly enough land to go around. The ads about Carolina were excessive, because the businessmen who recruited immigrants were paid off for volume--by both shipowners and the Carolina provincial government. Swiss men had a long-term and continent-wide reputation for being excellent soldiers, so that's who SC wanted to bring over to defend the frontier regions. Offering free land and a year's worth of provisions to new settlers was much cheaper than hiring a company of Swiss mercenaries. One member of the clan (Ulrich Geiger) moved with his family to the newly-opened interior of GA in 1766. His home on the west side of the Ogeechee River was too far from the Jerusalem Lutheran Church at Ebenezer to permit regular attendance (or membership), but he baptized two of his children there, in 1769 and 1774. There was no other German-speaking church in GA. The Swiss Reformed church at Purrysburgh SC was only a little further away, but its current minister spoke only French. Membership of the Reformed congregations in SC dwindled, and no new ministers arrived from Switzerland to replace the former ones. By 1800, the Geigers in Lexington Co SC were members of Lutheran churches, where services were conducted in German. The descendants of Ulrich Geiger in GA were Baptists by then. They lived in a predominantly English-speaking region and used the language themselves, so no longer had the same incentive to go over to Ebenezer to get their children christened--which Baptists didn't do anyway. ----- Original Message ----- From: "James Ford" <jlfchat@earthlink.net> To: <GEIGER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2004 7:46 AM Subject: RE: [GEIGER] Re: Lucinda "Lucy" BENNETT Geiger and David Geiger Harriet, It is interesting that you write that the Geigers were not religious refugees. I, perhaps mistakenly, have always thought that was the reason they left Switzerland to brave the hardships of the new world. I know that they were not Salzburgers, as I once thought, but one of them did live at Ebenezer, or so the story goes, as we are considered "related families" to the Salzburgers. Do you have info on that? Also, I guess I was also mistaken in thinking that part of the Geigers were Lutherans and probably attended Jerusalem Lutheran Church at Ebenezer, GA. Please straighten me out on this. Your research is so much more extensive than mine. Nancy Geiger Ford > > > [Original Message] > > From: <himrey@ntelos.net> > > To: <GEIGER-L@rootsweb.com> > > Date: 12/17/2004 6:22:33 PM > > Subject: [GEIGER] Re: Lucinda "Lucy" BENNETT Geiger and David Geiger > > > > Message Board URL: > > > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/914.1 > > > > Message Board Post: > > The Geigers you're seeking were not Salzburgers, other Austrians, Lutherans, or religious refugees. David Geiger (b. 15 Mar 1795 in Bulloch/Bryan Co GA; d. 5 May 1870 in Bryan Co GA) was the son of Abraham Geiger (b. 11 Jun 1761 in SC) and Mercy Martin, daughter of the Rev. John A. Martin of Bulloch Co GA. Abraham Geiger was the son of Ulrich Geiger (b. 14 May 1729 in Berneck, Switzerland, currently in canton St. Gall; d. 12 Jun 1777 in Bulloch Co GA) and wife Apollonia (maiden name and dates unknown). Ulrich Geiger was the son of Abraham Geiger (b. 4 Mar 1690 in Berneck, Switzerland; d. 7 May 1766 in/near Saxegotha SC) and Cathrina Schellig/Schelling, b. ~1688 in Switzerland. The extended family (including cousins and in-laws) left the Rheinthal region of NE Switzerland in the fall of 1736, and sailed on the ship Prince of Wales, Capt. Dunbar, which left Falmouth (England) on 5 Dec 1736 and arrived in Charles Town SC on 1 Feb 1737. Three of the passengers happened to write letters describing the voyage, including mention of the Geiger and Schelling families. Like most Swiss, they were members of the Swiss Reformed Church.

Harriet, It is interesting that you write that the Geigers were not religious refugees. I, perhaps mistakenly, have always thought that was the reason they left Switzerland to brave the hardships of the new world. I know that they were not Salzburgers, as I once thought, but one of them did live at Ebenezer, or so the story goes, as we are considered "related families" to the Salzburgers. Do you have info on that? Also, I guess I was also mistaken in thinking that part of the Geigers were Lutherans and probably attended Jerusalem Lutheran Church at Ebenezer, GA. Please straighten me out on this. Your research is so much more extensive than mine. Nancy Geiger Ford > [Original Message] > From: <himrey@ntelos.net> > To: <GEIGER-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 12/17/2004 6:22:33 PM > Subject: [GEIGER] Re: Lucinda "Lucy" BENNETT Geiger and David Geiger > > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/914.1 > > Message Board Post: > > The Geigers you're seeking were not Salzburgers, other Austrians, Lutherans, or religious refugees. David Geiger (b. 15 Mar 1795 in Bulloch/Bryan Co GA; d. 5 May 1870 in Bryan Co GA) was the son of Abraham Geiger (b. 11 Jun 1761 in SC) and Mercy Martin, daughter of the Rev. John A. Martin of Bulloch Co GA. Abraham Geiger was the son of Ulrich Geiger (b. 14 May 1729 in Berneck, Switzerland, currently in canton St. Gall; d. 12 Jun 1777 in Bulloch Co GA) and wife Apollonia (maiden name and dates unknown). Ulrich Geiger was the son of Abraham Geiger (b. 4 Mar 1690 in Berneck, Switzerland; d. 7 May 1766 in/near Saxegotha SC) and Cathrina Schellig/Schelling, b. ~1688 in Switzerland. > > The extended family (including cousins and in-laws) left the Rheinthal region of NE Switzerland in the fall of 1736, and sailed on the ship Prince of Wales, Capt. Dunbar, which left Falmouth (England) on 5 Dec 1736 and arrived in Charles Town SC on 1 Feb 1737. Three of the passengers happened to write letters describing the voyage, including mention of the Geiger and Schelling families. Like most Swiss, they were members of the Swiss Reformed Church. > > > ==== GEIGER Mailing List ==== > To subscribe or unsubscribe from this list send an e-mail to: GEIGER-L-request@rootsweb.com (mail mode) or GEIGER-D-request@rootsweb.com (digest mode) and put only one word--either SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject and the body of the message. > > ============================== > New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&ta rgetid=5429

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/914.1 Message Board Post: The Geigers you're seeking were not Salzburgers, other Austrians, Lutherans, or religious refugees. David Geiger (b. 15 Mar 1795 in Bulloch/Bryan Co GA; d. 5 May 1870 in Bryan Co GA) was the son of Abraham Geiger (b. 11 Jun 1761 in SC) and Mercy Martin, daughter of the Rev. John A. Martin of Bulloch Co GA. Abraham Geiger was the son of Ulrich Geiger (b. 14 May 1729 in Berneck, Switzerland, currently in canton St. Gall; d. 12 Jun 1777 in Bulloch Co GA) and wife Apollonia (maiden name and dates unknown). Ulrich Geiger was the son of Abraham Geiger (b. 4 Mar 1690 in Berneck, Switzerland; d. 7 May 1766 in/near Saxegotha SC) and Cathrina Schellig/Schelling, b. ~1688 in Switzerland. The extended family (including cousins and in-laws) left the Rheinthal region of NE Switzerland in the fall of 1736, and sailed on the ship Prince of Wales, Capt. Dunbar, which left Falmouth (England) on 5 Dec 1736 and arrived in Charles Town SC on 1 Feb 1737. Three of the passengers happened to write letters describing the voyage, including mention of the Geiger and Schelling families. Like most Swiss, they were members of the Swiss Reformed Church.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JOY.2ACEB/915.1.1.1 Message Board Post: This is great. Getting a Marriage Certificate out of Cook Co. looks fairly simple, if not particularly speedy. If it has the information that can normally be expected, then it will be very helpful.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JOY.2ACEB/915.1.1 Message Board Post: I have a copy of the divorce record from the probate court in Lima, Ohio. In it is the information that they were married in Chicago "on or about" August 22, 1918. It also contains George's signature, which I find valuable to have in order to compare with other signatures. I hope to obtain the marriage record in anticipation of learning more. If I am lucky it will contain his birthdate and his parents' names. Perhaps an address, a place of occupation, also?? Each tiny bit of new "evidence" seems like a miracle to me. I no longer feel this is a hopeless case. I know he died before 1966 and that also helps to weed out the many George Geigers. I am filtering through the SSDI and the WWI draft registrations ( so many George Geigers). Eventually something will open up. I know there is a connection to Chicago. I am just not sure how deep that connection goes. Unfortunately everyone from my family is gone who would be able to help me. Possibly his daughter LaRue by his ! 2nd marriage to Hazel ____ and who was born in Chicago, Later lived in Cleveland in the 1940s, or her child or grandchild will see these postings and recognize his photo or the details of Lima and Chicago. I will continue to hold on to the possibility that the family of this handsome man of sophisticated bearing will come to light. I also think there was another daughter named Mary a little older. I would love to have snapshots, other photos, any further information at all. ----Bobbie Jean

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JOY.2ACEB/915.1 Message Board Post: Do you have dates or documents? Normally one would hope for additional information, particularly from the marriage license. If you have the documents and no information, this trail may have gone cold. You may be left seeking his birth info through his will, probate, tombstone, etc.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JOY.2ACEB/915 Message Board Post: Found George Geiger md. Mildred Mills Chicago 1918. Divorced 1926 Lima, Ohio. Hoping to learn birthdate of George and his parents names.

Yes, he is listed in The Index to Patriot Spouses: Sheffield, Mary=William Bennett II 016. Her father was also a patriot. B. Wright ----- Original Message ----- From: <nhiggons@problemshavesolutions.com> To: <GEIGER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 2:17 PM Subject: [GEIGER] Lucinda "Lucy" BENNETT Geiger and David Geiger > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Surnames: Geiger/Bennett/Clanton/Kennedy > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/914 > > Message Board Post: > > RE: Her father Wiliam Bennett - Revolutionary War Soldier from North Carolina. > > Does anyone in the huge Geiger clan (to which I am related) and I know were "Salzburgers" that came here from the Germany/Austria area directly to the Savannah area in/around 1734 and settled in Ebenezer with about 34 other families - sekking religious freedom as unwanted Lutherans in their Catholic part of Germany.....ANYTHING about Lucinda Bennett's parents. She was born in Bulloch County and had 14 children with David Geiger - (My gg-grandmother Lavinia 1830 - 1910 was the 13th of 14) and was born in 1794 and died young in 1832. He then married again and had about 6 or more children from his 2nd wife - but I am trying to get info on Lucinda's parents as I want to join the Daughters of the American Revolution. I know he was born in North Carolina or Virginia and died in/around Bulloch County, Ga. Can anyone help? Thanks, Nancy L. Higgons nhiigons@problemshavesloutions.com or jackhiggons@aol.com or jhiggons@aol.com. > > > ==== GEIGER Mailing List ==== > Messages posted to the RootsWeb/Ancestry GEIGER Message Board are gatewayed to this Mailing List. Remember that the author of gatewayed messages may not be a GEIGER list subscriber so please reply to gatewayed messages by clicking on the link and replying on the board and/or include the author in your e-mail reply. > > ============================== > New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&targetid=5429 >

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Geiger/Bennett/Clanton/Kennedy Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JOY.2ACEB/914 Message Board Post: RE: Her father Wiliam Bennett - Revolutionary War Soldier from North Carolina. Does anyone in the huge Geiger clan (to which I am related) and I know were "Salzburgers" that came here from the Germany/Austria area directly to the Savannah area in/around 1734 and settled in Ebenezer with about 34 other families - sekking religious freedom as unwanted Lutherans in their Catholic part of Germany.....ANYTHING about Lucinda Bennett's parents. She was born in Bulloch County and had 14 children with David Geiger - (My gg-grandmother Lavinia 1830 - 1910 was the 13th of 14) and was born in 1794 and died young in 1832. He then married again and had about 6 or more children from his 2nd wife - but I am trying to get info on Lucinda's parents as I want to join the Daughters of the American Revolution. I know he was born in North Carolina or Virginia and died in/around Bulloch County, Ga. Can anyone help? Thanks, Nancy L. Higgons nhiigons@problemshavesloutions.com or jackhiggons@aol.com or jhiggons@aol.com.