I don't have a denomination, but my ancestors, Joseph Young and Ruth Jones were married by Anderson Moffet in Dec 1791 in Shenandoah County. Someone on this list sent me a copy of the original marriage return that Moffet signed for their marriage. I suspect he was a Presbyterian minister, but I don't have any concrete documentation. Joseph was of Irish descent and Ruth was of Welsh descent. If anyone does have information about the church or denomination I would also be very interested. Sue Costa

Does anyone know anything about a minister that was marrying people in Shenandoah in the 1790's named "A. Moffett". I'm wondering what denomination he was affiliated with. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

Mary said: "I love your memories and stories so when you have time I would love to have more, more, more! Yes, I am greedy." Second us on that Cousin Mary! Nancy, We are enjoying your stories very much since a branch of the Bushong family lived in The Fort a long, long time ago and we know little of their life except in court documents and the tall tales we have heard about them from other people living in the Fort. Thanks for all the insight into life in that area. Merry Christmas to All. Jesus is the Reason for the Season for sure! Russell and Gloria Bushong in warm Lakeland, Florida but looking forward to coming back to Virginia in October! Can't wait. **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

Nancy, I love your memories and stories so when you have time I would love to have more, more, more! Yes, I am greedy. Have a joyous Christmas cousin, Mary Randall ----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy Shrum<mailto:[email protected]> To: VASHENAN group<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2007 12:03 PM Subject: [VASHENAN] Another Book about Brethren In Shen Co Holiday Greetings to you all. Now, I am just wanting to read, read and learn more and more about the Brethren history. Came across another book here in my library. It is ONE WHO SERVED about Elder Charles Nesselrodt of Shenandoah County by Terry W. Barkely. It tells the story of Elder Nesselrodt, one of the last "free" and one of the first "set apart" ministers among the Brethren. A farmer and laborer, he served both the Stony Creek and Flat Rock Church, the oldest Brethren congregation in Virginia. Barkley, a professional archivist ( I think at Bridgewater College), wrote One Who Served after becoming a member at Stony Creek Church of the Brethren, located in Basye, Virginia, and becoming acquainted with Nesselrodt's descendants. He was particularly intrigued by a 1905 photograph of a Brethren baptism conducted by Elder Nesselrodt in a local stream. Barkley's engaging style conveys a colorful Valley history, rich in genealogy. The reader quickly becomes absorbed in the lives of the people who lived among the isolated valleys and hills inthe Shenandoah Valley in the late nineteenth century. (2nd edition, 1998, softcover, illustrated, and fully indexed. 109 pp.) This book interested me because it is about Shenandoah County and about an elder in the COB. The forward is by John L. Heatwole. The book opens to the "dead of winter" in the Stony Creek Valley (where Bryce Resort now stands) of western Sheandoah Valley, amid the highlands of the Great North Mountain. "Snow blankets the countryside like a tomb. A soaking rain, colder than snow, falls upon the gathering in the little church cemetery on the ridge. February is an awful time to die, should any time seem appropriate. Funerals appear sadder, grimmer than usual, when the elements fail to cooperate." (I know that feeling. Our last son, "Danny" Shrum, died as an infant on February 6, 1975, and was buried beside his sister, Donna Sue, who died in 1968.) GOD rest their precious little souls. Back to 1887: They say that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but, for twenty-eight year-old Charles Nesselrodt, a local farmer and day laborer, lightning struck three times in tragic succession. The funerals held that wintry day were for Nesselrodt's wife and infant daughter. The baby had been born and died on February 8th. Catherine. Charles' beloved wife, succumbed to complications from the birth on Feb 10th. She was twenty-five years-old. Mother and child were buried together in the union church cemetery at Powder Springs (Basye), not far from the Nesselrodt's farm. There was a small headstone, just a few feet away, of yet another Catherine, Charles's first wife, who had died during the winter of 1881. She was twenty-three. Nesselrodt was left with three young daughters, two from his first marriage. Nearly a decade would pass before he would be formally called to the ministry. Lots of family history. Although Elder Nesselrodt was not one to keep notes or a diary, there is a lot of history in this small book. One thing I learned was that Orkney Springs (formerly called Yellow Springs) was at the base of Church Mountain, and was for many years a favorite health resort for the German poplutation of Rockingham and Shenandoah Counties. On warmer Sundays there would be preaching there by the German Baptist Brethren. Elder John Kline was one. Later, the character and the name of the place were both changed. Streams of folks started coming and by 1900 it was a popular pleasure resort for the for rich and fashionable. I love going back to Orkney and Shrine Mont now and up to the Outdoor Cathedral. I think there is a cross up on the mountain and I want to go there one day, maybe, towards spring. I didn't realize that the site had been such a sacred place back in olden times. What a glorious place for the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival!!! Another note of great interest comes in the third chapter where it states that according to family traditon and a contemporary diary note that Charles Nesselrodt's paternal great-grandfather, Frederick William Nesselrodt (c. 1746 -1835) was a Hessian soldier. Reputedly, he came to America from Germany as a mercenary to fight for the British during the Revolutionary War. He chose to remain in America after the war and settled first near Brocks Gap and then went westward over the Shenandoah Mtn to the Fort Seybert-Sweedlin Valley area into what is now Pendleton County in WV. Hessians weren't welcomed by patriot neighbors, and they sought homes in the remote and secluded valleys among the mountains. Two of his sons moved back across the Shenandoah Mtn, one to Brocks Gap and the other to Shenandoah County. The Nesselrodt family apprears to have affiliated early with both the German Baptist Brethren (Dunkers) and Mennonite denominations. I remember that when Dr. Eloise Haun spoke about the Revolutionary War Era at the Woodstock Library in Oct, she talked about the Hessians and that some settled back near Camp Strawderman. I'm wanting to learn more about them, too, but will try to slow down for now as my old addled brain is getting into information overload. Although, I've had a great interest in VA/Shenandoah County history since a fourth grader at Strasburg Elementary School when Miss Virginia Cooper taught VA History, it's been only the few last years when I have really pursued it. Also, I was blessed to have Marguerite Miller Helsley as my seventh grade teacher, and she knew her Shenandoah County History!!! She had each student make a scrapbook of Strasburg History and Shenandoah County History. Wish I still had mine. She was one of the authors of the Shenandoah County Geography Supplement in 1931, and I don't know what else. I still have my mother's old ragged copy. I got interested in history again when I picked up where my late mom left off on the quest for more information about my gg grandfather, Samuel Grandstaff. I just feel so blessed to be a member of this group and to be able to learn more from you others. Please bear with me if I share too much. Praying that by sharing what I know or learn we will be able to open more historic horizons here in Shenandoah County besides those of my beloved Fort Valley and the Massanutten Mountains. Well, Christmas is coming and I gotta get busy if we are going to have the family, inlaws and outlaws, too, here on Christmas Day. Yep, the Yankees are getting down here from Vermont today!!! They are our daughter-in-law, Robin's parents. Yesterday, we put the three leaves in the old oak table. My hubby went to Crabill's Meat Shop and got the necessary country ham, scrapple, stuffed sausage and liver puddin'. Yankees are not used to that good stuff. LOL. Last night I made another batch of Ethel Bower's "Surprise Cookies". They are to die for with choc chips, nuts and candied cherries. Ethel's a good neighbor and member of the Valley Pike Church of the Brethren. She and her hubby, Alfred "Abe", live back at the old farmhouse across the fields. They pretty much stick to the old timey ways of living. Somedays, I feel as though I am still living back in the good ol' days, too, but it can be hard work keeping all these "home fires burnin"!!! Merry Christmas. Love and prayers, Nancy "Shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life......." Phil 2:15, 16 NIV ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Holiday Greetings to you all. Now, I am just wanting to read, read and learn more and more about the Brethren history. Came across another book here in my library. It is ONE WHO SERVED about Elder Charles Nesselrodt of Shenandoah County by Terry W. Barkely. It tells the story of Elder Nesselrodt, one of the last "free" and one of the first "set apart" ministers among the Brethren. A farmer and laborer, he served both the Stony Creek and Flat Rock Church, the oldest Brethren congregation in Virginia. Barkley, a professional archivist ( I think at Bridgewater College), wrote One Who Served after becoming a member at Stony Creek Church of the Brethren, located in Basye, Virginia, and becoming acquainted with Nesselrodt's descendants. He was particularly intrigued by a 1905 photograph of a Brethren baptism conducted by Elder Nesselrodt in a local stream. Barkley's engaging style conveys a colorful Valley history, rich in genealogy. The reader quickly becomes absorbed in the lives of the people who lived among the isolated valleys and hills inthe Shenandoah Valley in the late nineteenth century. (2nd edition, 1998, softcover, illustrated, and fully indexed. 109 pp.) This book interested me because it is about Shenandoah County and about an elder in the COB. The forward is by John L. Heatwole. The book opens to the "dead of winter" in the Stony Creek Valley (where Bryce Resort now stands) of western Sheandoah Valley, amid the highlands of the Great North Mountain. "Snow blankets the countryside like a tomb. A soaking rain, colder than snow, falls upon the gathering in the little church cemetery on the ridge. February is an awful time to die, should any time seem appropriate. Funerals appear sadder, grimmer than usual, when the elements fail to cooperate." (I know that feeling. Our last son, "Danny" Shrum, died as an infant on February 6, 1975, and was buried beside his sister, Donna Sue, who died in 1968.) GOD rest their precious little souls. Back to 1887: They say that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but, for twenty-eight year-old Charles Nesselrodt, a local farmer and day laborer, lightning struck three times in tragic succession. The funerals held that wintry day were for Nesselrodt's wife and infant daughter. The baby had been born and died on February 8th. Catherine. Charles' beloved wife, succumbed to complications from the birth on Feb 10th. She was twenty-five years-old. Mother and child were buried together in the union church cemetery at Powder Springs (Basye), not far from the Nesselrodt's farm. There was a small headstone, just a few feet away, of yet another Catherine, Charles's first wife, who had died during the winter of 1881. She was twenty-three. Nesselrodt was left with three young daughters, two from his first marriage. Nearly a decade would pass before he would be formally called to the ministry. Lots of family history. Although Elder Nesselrodt was not one to keep notes or a diary, there is a lot of history in this small book. One thing I learned was that Orkney Springs (formerly called Yellow Springs) was at the base of Church Mountain, and was for many years a favorite health resort for the German poplutation of Rockingham and Shenandoah Counties. On warmer Sundays there would be preaching there by the German Baptist Brethren. Elder John Kline was one. Later, the character and the name of the place were both changed. Streams of folks started coming and by 1900 it was a popular pleasure resort for the for rich and fashionable. I love going back to Orkney and Shrine Mont now and up to the Outdoor Cathedral. I think there is a cross up on the mountain and I want to go there one day, maybe, towards spring. I didn't realize that the site had been such a sacred place back in olden times. What a glorious place for the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival!!! Another note of great interest comes in the third chapter where it states that according to family traditon and a contemporary diary note that Charles Nesselrodt's paternal great-grandfather, Frederick William Nesselrodt (c. 1746 -1835) was a Hessian soldier. Reputedly, he came to America from Germany as a mercenary to fight for the British during the Revolutionary War. He chose to remain in America after the war and settled first near Brocks Gap and then went westward over the Shenandoah Mtn to the Fort Seybert-Sweedlin Valley area into what is now Pendleton County in WV. Hessians weren't welcomed by patriot neighbors, and they sought homes in the remote and secluded valleys among the mountains. Two of his sons moved back across the Shenandoah Mtn, one to Brocks Gap and the other to Shenandoah County. The Nesselrodt family apprears to have affiliated early with both the German Baptist Brethren (Dunkers) and Mennonite denominations. I remember that when Dr. Eloise Haun spoke about the Revolutionary War Era at the Woodstock Library in Oct, she talked about the Hessians and that some settled back near Camp Strawderman. I'm wanting to learn more about them, too, but will try to slow down for now as my old addled brain is getting into information overload. Although, I've had a great interest in VA/Shenandoah County history since a fourth grader at Strasburg Elementary School when Miss Virginia Cooper taught VA History, it's been only the few last years when I have really pursued it. Also, I was blessed to have Marguerite Miller Helsley as my seventh grade teacher, and she knew her Shenandoah County History!!! She had each student make a scrapbook of Strasburg History and Shenandoah County History. Wish I still had mine. She was one of the authors of the Shenandoah County Geography Supplement in 1931, and I don't know what else. I still have my mother's old ragged copy. I got interested in history again when I picked up where my late mom left off on the quest for more information about my gg grandfather, Samuel Grandstaff. I just feel so blessed to be a member of this group and to be able to learn more from you others. Please bear with me if I share too much. Praying that by sharing what I know or learn we will be able to open more historic horizons here in Shenandoah County besides those of my beloved Fort Valley and the Massanutten Mountains. Well, Christmas is coming and I gotta get busy if we are going to have the family, inlaws and outlaws, too, here on Christmas Day. Yep, the Yankees are getting down here from Vermont today!!! They are our daughter-in-law, Robin's parents. Yesterday, we put the three leaves in the old oak table. My hubby went to Crabill's Meat Shop and got the necessary country ham, scrapple, stuffed sausage and liver puddin'. Yankees are not used to that good stuff. LOL. Last night I made another batch of Ethel Bower's "Surprise Cookies". They are to die for with choc chips, nuts and candied cherries. Ethel's a good neighbor and member of the Valley Pike Church of the Brethren. She and her hubby, Alfred "Abe", live back at the old farmhouse across the fields. They pretty much stick to the old timey ways of living. Somedays, I feel as though I am still living back in the good ol' days, too, but it can be hard work keeping all these "home fires burnin"!!! Merry Christmas. Love and prayers, Nancy "Shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life......." Phil 2:15, 16 NIV

Can anyone add to the list of surnames of any of the "Schwenkeflders" in NY that came to this area? I have been told the Westfalls were Dutch, not German. Thanks! http://www.horseshoe.cc/pennadutch/religion/brethern/brethkle.htm

as far as modern day errors go - the best one I know of is a guy who I work with, is part of a twin, yet according to his sister's birth certificate she was born at least a year after him, lol. Julie Merry Christmas Julie Irvine, CA --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

Phyllis, This is a small booklet taken from the larger works of Henry Z. JONES, Jr., that I have in three large volumes as follows: "The Palatine Families of New York 1710" Vol. I, "The Palatine Families of New York 1710" Vol. II and "More Palatine Families" The booklet is "very" small. It has 37 pages, 6" by 8" in dimension. It was specially done and known as the Shenandoah Genealogical Source Book No. 3. The title information's is: "German Origins of Jost HITE Virginia Pioneer 1685-1761" By Henry Z. JONES, Jr., Ralph CONNOR and Klaus WUST Copyright 1979 by Henry Z JONES, Jr. By special arrangement with Shenandoah History. ISBN No. 0-917968-07-7 Shenandoah History PO Box 98 Edinburg, Virginia 22824 The Palatine Families of New York PO Box 8341 Universal City, CA 91608 (I don't know if this address is still good since Henry Z. JONES Jr., is now deceased and I believe Klaus WUST may have passed over also.) I don't know if any of these are on microfilm; as I purchased all of my books. I would recommend that anyone wanting to purchase these book (which are a wonderful addition to a personal library) take time to shop online for the best deal. Instead of purchasing them separately, I purchased them as a set which amounted to paying for two book which were already the lowest price I could find and getting the third book free plus free shipping. Each of the volumes are 500 plus pages. So the free shipping is a really good thing. Also, the index is only found in Volume II. I hope this helps. Chocy **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

Please, the citation for this church's records. It it a FHL microfilm? Thanks, Phyllis Vannoy Spiker **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

I have no official references to quote and will convey my own personal knowledge about the Mennonite Church. Mennonites - as well as other "pacifist" Christians - including different groups such as Brethren, Brethren in Christ, River Brethren, and German Baptist - are referred to as Anabaptists - meaning "re-baptizers." Originating in Europe (Switzerland, Germany, and Holland) Mennonites take their name from Menno Simon a Dutch priest who led believers during the Reformation and separated from the Catholic Church. Early settlers came to PA to freely practice their religion. Early followers of the movement were re-baptized if they'd been baptized or christened as infants, hence the reference to a second baptism. The pacifist practices include not bearing arms which gives members status as military objectors. The Amish who settled in Lancaster County, PA separated from the Mennonites due to more conservative views, primarily about interacting with the "English" community and remaining "set apart" as well adherence to their Ordnung which defines most aspects and "rules" of their day to day lives and worship practices. At present there are numerous Amish and Mennonite sects who demonstrate different degrees of conservatisism. There are Mennonites in Lancaster County who still use horse and buggy transportation and there are Mennonites here in MD where I live who dress and live no different than other contemporary Christian groups. Women in more conservative settings wear a head covering (or prayer covering) as a symbol of submission to God and their husbands. The style of the covering varies depending on the degree of conservatism as well as the geographic region. Young girls begin to wear the head covering after their baptism. In many progressive groups the women no longer wear this covering but still practice what most people would call conservative fashion. In more conservative groups the men also dress distinctly - with simple white shirts without collars and no ties. Men who work as farmers wear straw hats in summer and black felt ones in winter. Men who grow beards do not have moustaches. The moustache is symbolic of military officers back in day before immigration here. Some Mennonite groups avoid use of bright colors and drive black cars. I remember a few older members who actually painted their bumpers black. Hope this information has provided a little more detail into some of the practices. Patricia Ginalick Mt. Airy, MD -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 11:19 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [VASHENAN] A Christian Influence Hi Shirley, I, too, have been trying to figure out the Mennonite-Church of the Brethren-German Baptist and all the different labels attached to the different churches in the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia. My third great grandparents were Jacob RITTER and Elizabeth GOCHENOUR. We know that Jacob GOCHENOUR, the emigrant was a Mennonite. Evidence: "Journals of the House of Burgess of Virginia, 1766-1769, page 256" dated 14 Nov 1769 which is a petition from Jacob STRICKTOR (STRICKLER) and Jacob COUGHE NOUR (GOCHENOUR) on behalf of themselves and their Protestant Brethren of Sect called Mennonists---------------. Jacob GOCHENOUR was a leader in the early Mennonite church of Virginia and believed to have been a minister at the time when they worshipped in each others homes and when there were no full time ministers. Jacob GOCHENOUR's son, Jacob GOCHENOUR married Elizabeth RHODES the daughter of the Mennonite minister, John RHODES. There is a petition dated 10 December 1785 to the Virginia General Assembly asking that Mennonites be exempted from military duties. There were 74 Mennonites who signed there names. Among them were Jacob, Joseph, John (Johannes and Abraham GOCHENOUR. The Mennonites did not believe in infant baptisms. On a large list of infants and their parents in the Woodstock Courthouse, between 1773 to 1782, Jacob GOCHENOUR, Jacob STOVER (who had 425 acres adjoining the land of Jacob GOCHENOUR to the south, and Peter BOWMAN (also adjoined the south end of J.G) the GOCHENOUR neighbors were almost certainly Mennonites. On the lists were some of the Jacob GOCHENOUR family, also neighbors. Those were WILKINS and WISMAN. Their children were baptized by Peter MUHLENBURG, the Lutheran minister. No GOCHENOURS were found in the lists of Shenandoah County Revolutionary Milita. The lists omit all Mennonites and Quakers. Interestingly, in 1769, Jacob GOCHENOUR and his son, Jacob, Jr., purchased items from the Estate of Jacob STOVER. Jacob STOVER was a neighbor to them on the side toward Woodstock and the Lutheran Church at Fairview lies on part of Jacob STOVER's property. Witness to Jacob GOCHENOUR's 1771 will were Ulry KESLTER and Benjamin LEAMAN. Securities were by Benjamin LEAMAN and Wolrick TELLER and motions requested by Peter KINSTAND. These could be other trusted friends of the same faith. In the book "Life of John KLINE" by Benjamin FUNK, page 9: Elder John KLINE of the Church of the Brethren delivered his first sermon after appointment to the ministry at John GOCHENOURs, west of Woodstock. The meeting was held at J. G's dwelling on Sunday, 8 Feb 1835. So this inticateds that John GOUCHENOUR has asociated with the Church of Brethren. Elder John KLINE also recorded that he stayed a couple of times with Jonas (Jonathan) GOCHENOUR (1758-1844) husband of Barabara HISEY and Elizabeth BLOSSER the widow of Tobias BLOSSER. I am confused, as I have heard the Mennonites were not the same as the fellowship of the Church of the Brethren; however, as I progress through my GOCHENOUR family and see them moving to all the area where the Church of the Brethrens are said to be found. Chocy **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Patricia, Thank you for the great explanation which when you mentioned the "Anabaptist" term brought the following to my recollection which of course adds to some of my confusion; but then helps to explain to me the close association between the Lutheran and Mennonite people. My RITTER family, in the most early years, appear to be Lutheran. The GOCHENOUR family in the most early years, appear to be Mennonites. My part of the GOCHENOUR family married into the family of Jacob CHRISMAN and Magdalena HITE the daughter of Joist HITE. Joist HITE's ancestral home church was at Bonfeld, Kraichgau (Neckarland), Baden-Wurtemberg, Germany. This was also the home church of the Abraham MERCKLE family, the daughter of which was Joist HITE's first wife and the mother of all his children. In this church's record books, was found the pastor's "Emigrants from this Village" list. The list contained names of people not just from his church; but other people in the village were included and it was noted along side the entry a description of the persons of which had left the village for America. Some of the following was found on the list: Hans FUNCK, Anabaptista (Mennonite-FUNK) Heinrich FUNCK and his brother Martin FUNCK An Anabaptist named NEFF Joh. Jacob ROTH, a weaver. Based on the FUNK brothers, I wanted to conclude thatthe term Anabaptist was the same as Mennonite. However, I am wondering if through time the two different terms took on two different meanings----oh, now I have the Church of the Brethren and these people seem to continue down through history right into the Shenandoah Valley staying very close to each other. (Lutherans-Mennonites-Church of Brethren). Chocy **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

Hi Shirley, I, too, have been trying to figure out the Mennonite-Church of the Brethren-German Baptist and all the different labels attached to the different churches in the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia. My third great grandparents were Jacob RITTER and Elizabeth GOCHENOUR. We know that Jacob GOCHENOUR, the emigrant was a Mennonite. Evidence: "Journals of the House of Burgess of Virginia, 1766-1769, page 256" dated 14 Nov 1769 which is a petition from Jacob STRICKTOR (STRICKLER) and Jacob COUGHE NOUR (GOCHENOUR) on behalf of themselves and their Protestant Brethren of Sect called Mennonists---------------. Jacob GOCHENOUR was a leader in the early Mennonite church of Virginia and believed to have been a minister at the time when they worshipped in each others homes and when there were no full time ministers. Jacob GOCHENOUR's son, Jacob GOCHENOUR married Elizabeth RHODES the daughter of the Mennonite minister, John RHODES. There is a petition dated 10 December 1785 to the Virginia General Assembly asking that Mennonites be exempted from military duties. There were 74 Mennonites who signed there names. Among them were Jacob, Joseph, John (Johannes and Abraham GOCHENOUR. The Mennonites did not believe in infant baptisms. On a large list of infants and their parents in the Woodstock Courthouse, between 1773 to 1782, Jacob GOCHENOUR, Jacob STOVER (who had 425 acres adjoining the land of Jacob GOCHENOUR to the south, and Peter BOWMAN (also adjoined the south end of J.G) the GOCHENOUR neighbors were almost certainly Mennonites. On the lists were some of the Jacob GOCHENOUR family, also neighbors. Those were WILKINS and WISMAN. Their children were baptized by Peter MUHLENBURG, the Lutheran minister. No GOCHENOURS were found in the lists of Shenandoah County Revolutionary Milita. The lists omit all Mennonites and Quakers. Interestingly, in 1769, Jacob GOCHENOUR and his son, Jacob, Jr., purchased items from the Estate of Jacob STOVER. Jacob STOVER was a neighbor to them on the side toward Woodstock and the Lutheran Church at Fairview lies on part of Jacob STOVER's property. Witness to Jacob GOCHENOUR's 1771 will were Ulry KESLTER and Benjamin LEAMAN. Securities were by Benjamin LEAMAN and Wolrick TELLER and motions requested by Peter KINSTAND. These could be other trusted friends of the same faith. In the book "Life of John KLINE" by Benjamin FUNK, page 9: Elder John KLINE of the Church of the Brethren delivered his first sermon after appointment to the ministry at John GOCHENOURs, west of Woodstock. The meeting was held at J. G's dwelling on Sunday, 8 Feb 1835. So this inticateds that John GOUCHENOUR has asociated with the Church of Brethren. Elder John KLINE also recorded that he stayed a couple of times with Jonas (Jonathan) GOCHENOUR (1758-1844) husband of Barabara HISEY and Elizabeth BLOSSER the widow of Tobias BLOSSER. I am confused, as I have heard the Mennonites were not the same as the fellowship of the Church of the Brethren; however, as I progress through my GOCHENOUR family and see them moving to all the area where the Church of the Brethrens are said to be found. Chocy **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

Thanks for the New Market Church of the Brethren History... I don't think two entrances was odd in the middle 1800s. I've seen one old Baptist church building in Rappahannock Co, VA which also had two doors. One for the men and one for the women. I've read most of the online book for this church. Its an interesting history. Shirley Starks ................snipped........ > Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren just north of New Market, Virginia >.........snipped.................... > The Dunkard church had two separate entrances, one for the women and one > for > the men. During the service, the women sat on one side and the men sat on > the other side. .........................snipped...................> > Gloria Bushong

Hi Shirley and everyone. There is so much history of the Church of the Brethren here in Shenandoah County, and I really need to learn more. One good book I need to study is here in my library, THE BRETHREN IN VIRGINIA by Roger E. Sappington. Besides all the history of the beginning of the denomination over in Germany it includes most all of the COB churches in Shenandoah County and information about each. We, Brethren were called the German Baptist Brethren early on and the name was changed to the Church of the Brethren in 1908. I don't know of other name changes in between, but will see what I can find out. Our church was still known at the Dunkard Church when I was young. If you look on Lakes Atlas in 1885 you will see the site there at Detrick/Fort Cross Roads just has "Dunkard Church" where the Oak Hill Church of the Brethren stands today. It was built in 1871. In the 1973 copyrighted book, The Brethren in Virginia it is called the Powell's Fort Congregation. When I was a child attending that church (circa late 1940's through the early 60's) the program there was very limited, according to the author of the book. However, my mother saw that the church got its first piano circa 1960. She also saw to it that I took piano lessons and became the first pianist. Shelvie Lickliter Mantz soon learned to play the piano, too, and became the second. What a close bond we had in that little church!!! The church program may have been limited, but our imaginations and FAITH were not. Harry McClanahan was the song leader, and taught the Jr High Sunday School Class and then our Sr High Class. Students in our class were Dorothy and Bobby Reynard, Gary and Lowell McClanahan, Sandra Lichliter, Joyce and Shelvie Lichliter, Johnny and Danny Plauger, Margaret and Eddie Hunt, and Margaret Skyles. A few of us were in a little singing group which went to other churches and provided special music for revivals. Our theme song was "Does Jesus Care?" The number of songs I could play well on the piano was limited!!! Most of the group of the junior class joined the church at the same time. We all went forward and accepted Jesus as our Savior when a Rev Grubbs from over at Martinsburg WV was holding revival. We were baptized in Passage Creek on George McClanahan's farm in the upper end of Fort Valley by Lawrence Helsley who was our regular pastor. I remember the two front doors of the old church where the men and women entered separately. Some day I will share old pictures. I remember helping with the Love Feast. The beef was cooked in a black kettle in the fireplace in the little attached kitchen on the back side of the church. We had beef broth over bread in pottery bowls and wonderful beef sandwiches. Everyone drank out of the same tin cup that was passed around with the grape juice for communion, and we all had extras of Mom's communion bread after the feast!!! Earlier we had washed each others' feet. There are also the progressive Brethren churches such as the Trinity Brethren Church at Dry Run and the Maurertown Brethren Church. I don't know much about these others. The term Brethren identifies several Christian groups of common origin, at an earlier date frequently called "Dunkers," of which the Church of the Brethren is today the largest. The movement began in Germany in 1708 as part of the spiritual awakening called Pietism. In that year a small group led by Alexander Mack (1679 - 1735) baptized one another by immersion, facedown, three times in a flowing stream: this form of Baptism became a distinctive practice. Mack and his followers migrated to Pennsylvania from Germany in 1719. Since then, small groups have broken away from the main body, either because it seemed too liberal or not liberal enough. Among all Brethren, trine immersion is practiced and a pacifist witness maintained. I've been trying to find the old records from the 1800's of the Valley Pike Church of the Brethren, but having no success. My great grandfather, Noah Grandstaff, may have gone there as a teenager. Who knows, maybe someday I'll find the records on eBay?!? I did find the online ebook about Elder John Kline and read part of it. He was the Martyr German Baptist Brethren Missionary from Rockingham County who traveled all over Shenandoah County. West VA and all around. What a remarkable person and interesting reading. You can find it here: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/16711 More about Elder Kline here. http://www.rootsweb.com/~varockin/kline/introduction.htm While times have changed, the Church of the Brethren today maintains the basic beliefs of the first Brethren and seeks to find new ways to continue the work of Jesus in the world. Later, Nancy "Shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life......." Phil 2:15, 16 NIV From: "Shirley Starks" < [email protected]> Subject: Re: [VASHENAN] A Christian Influence Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:41:20 -0800 Nancy, What is the history of the various Church of the Brethren in Shen Co, VA and the whole Shenandoah valley? Was there an early version of this group? (1750 - 1800 era) I do not find my Russell family's names on any of the known church rosters. This caused me to wonder if they might have been either unaffiliated or with another church. (Do not find them with the Quakers. ) Most were born before Beckford Parish was established in Shenandoah Co, VA.

I'd like to add to Bev's note. She is exactly right. On Warren Co, VA Birth registry, I find my Great Grandfather reporting two births. The clerk gave the mother's name incorrectly on both of them. The mother, as listed, was a cousin and not the actual mother. They recorded the father's name correctly. It has to be the same child because all other facts about the baby matched. I envision a busy clerk writing a note.. and most likely, he knew the family. He probably just made a slip up on the mother's name. From what I know, I'm certain there was not two marriages. There was simply an error by the clerk. It still happens: When my mother passed away, I "renamed" one of my uncles on the Obituary. Shirley S .............................. > I think this is a good time to point out that birth, death, marriage and > census records are only as good as the knowledge of the person who gave > the > information. Some of you may not realize that the government did not > verify what > was told them - just took whatever was given to them - and they still do. > > Bev ......................snipped..........................

I think this is a good time to point out that birth, death, marriage and census records are only as good as the knowledge of the person who gave the information. Some of you may not realize that the government did not verify what was told them - just took whatever was given to them - and they still do. Bev In a message dated 12/20/2007 9:31:51 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Thanks I think it may be an error on Anna Belle Graham's death record. (It sure wouldn't be the first one I've found) I believe she was born in Warren Co VA, not Clarke Co. Annabelle Mauck Graham died in Ranson WV (Jefferson Co) **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren just north of New Market, Virginia on the corner of Route 11 and what is now Smith Creek Road was called the Dunkard Church before the name changed to Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren in 1857, I believe. Correct me if this is not correct. The Dunkard church had two separate entrances, one for the women and one for the men. During the service, the women sat on one side and the men sat on the other side. Now, there is only one entrance for both and you can sit where ever you want. Russell's great grandparents and many other relatives were married in this church. Gloria Bushong **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

Here is the address of an early book written on the history of the Brethren Church. Takes you from Europe to America to PA, VA, MD and so forth. You can read it at the below address. _http: //books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=BWKIPkAYnWYC&dq=church+of+the+brethren&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=7AZAK-70MR&sig=-mXnnzZmptyETXex91S2_f-Pj5A &prev=http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Church+of+the+Brethre n&btnG=Google+Search&sa=X&oi=print&ct=result&cd=1&cad=bottom-3results#PPA62,M1 _ (http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=BWKIPkAYnWYC&dq=church+of+the+brethren&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=7AZAK-70MR&sig=-mXnnzZmptyETXex91S2_f-Pj 5A&prev=http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Church+of+the+Breth ren&btnG=Google+Search&sa=X&oi=print&ct=result&cd=1&cad=bottom-3results#PPA62, M1) **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

There is a Russell family that was in Washington Co., MD, near Keedysville, in the late 1700s. ---- Shirley Starks <[email protected]> wrote: Nancy, What is the history of the various Church of the Brethren in Shen Co, VA and the whole Shenandoah valley? Was there an early version of this group? (1750 - 1800 era) I do not find my Russell family's names on any of the known church rosters. This caused me to wonder if they might have been either unaffiliated or with another church. (Do not find them with the Quakers. ) Most were born before Beckford Parish was established in Shenandoah Co, VA. You wrote: > Hi there, This morning at the Bible Study at the Antioch Church of the > Brethren here near Woodstock our homework was to tell about folks who were > our strongest Christian influences. ...............snipped................................ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Nancy, What is the history of the various Church of the Brethren in Shen Co, VA and the whole Shenandoah valley? Was there an early version of this group? (1750 - 1800 era) I do not find my Russell family's names on any of the known church rosters. This caused me to wonder if they might have been either unaffiliated or with another church. (Do not find them with the Quakers. ) Most were born before Beckford Parish was established in Shenandoah Co, VA. You wrote: > Hi there, This morning at the Bible Study at the Antioch Church of the > Brethren here near Woodstock our homework was to tell about folks who were > our strongest Christian influences. ...............snipped................................