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PLEASE NOTE, memorials linked as children viz. Chistina(2), Margaret, Barbara, and Charles are not properly documented children and no record exists for their burial. Some died before Valentine even came to this region.

Son of Valentin and Maria Elizabeth (Dentzer) Geiger

Christopher is documented as a Revolutionary veteran. A Lieutenant in the 3rd Pa. Continental Line

Married Mary Robison

Record

Johann Jacob Geiger

Arrival year: 1716-1727

Arrival Place: Pennsylvania

Primary Immigrant: Geiger, Johann Valentin

Family Members: Wife Friderica; Son Johann Jacob

Source Publication Code: 1031.8

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Suggested edit: Christopher Geiger was a son of Johann Valentine Geiger and Johanna Frederica Henckel as recorded in THE HENCKEL BENEALOGY 1500-1728 by Junkin & Junkin. 1964.

Parent does not conform. Maria Dentzer was the wife of Rev. Antonius Jacobus Henckel, and the grandmother of Christopher Geiger

Contributor: Gerry Gieger (47462554) •

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The history of St. John's Lutheran Church of Gibraltar goes back to 1793 when the congregation was first organized. Prior to this date, a plot of ground on which the present St. John's U.C.C. stands, was sold on April 29, 1791 to Valentine Geiger and Herman Umstead by Elias Retge, Jr. and Elizabeth Hunter Retge, in trust for use of such Christian congregations as should contribute to the maintenance of a graveyard and a church to be erected thereon. This original piece of ground consisted of one acre and ten perches which was sold at a cost of five shillings or about $1.25. The deed states that the ground had been used for some years as a burying ground, (known as "Redcay's Burying Ground"), by Valentine Geiger and Herman Umstead and others of Robeson Township. At the time the deed was written, there must have been a wall around the enclosure for there is reference in the deed to a "Burial Ground Wall."

As mentioned above, the plot was used as a burial ground before the construction of the church building. J.W. Early, a Lutheran historian, recorded that there were some tombstones which recorded deaths as early as 1762. A former Reformed minister, the Rev. J.V. George, D.D., wrote: "Prior to 1791 there were religious meetings held in houses in this vicinity. They were in all probability conducted by Rev. Alexander Murray, an Episcopalian minister, and were the forerunner of the first log building. There is also a tradition which tells of a log meeting house in the vicinity of the present church building, but it cannot be verified.

In 1809 the first known church building was erected, sometimes called Redcay's Church. It is not known who was instrumental in the erection, since all the documents besides the deed were mislaid or destroyed. The edifice was a plain, small stone structure, and the architecture was of an antique style. According to Rev. J.V. George, "the building erected in 1809 was approximately 45 feet square. The pulpit was on the south side of the church. There were three entrances, one in the west wall and one in the east wall. The third entrance was in the north wall. There was also a gallery with steps leading to it near the east and west entrances. (The gallery was probably on the north, east and west walls with a goblet style pulpit of that day on the south wall.) The pews on the main floor had doors to them. There was one main aisle running from the west entrance to the east entrance with the chancel and pulpit to the south of this aisle in the middle of the south wall. This building accommodated approximately 300 people." This original edifice stood unaltered until the enlargement of the church and the erection of the tower around the years 1892-1893.

Find A Grave contributor Rachel has made a suggestion to you regarding your Find

A Grave memorial for Christopher Geiger.

Email address of contributor: [email protected]

There is a record dated ca. 1785 for a Barbara Geiger, late wife (also referred

to as the widow at one point) of Christopher Geiger, which is indexed

incorrectly. This partition record names children Anthony, Henry, Jacob,

Elizabeth - wife of Nicholas Dick, Mary Magdalena - wife of Joseph Kendall, and

Catharine - wife of William Lewis.

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-28781-720-32?cc=1999196&wc=M99F-43

N:n176258271

Original petition filed by Christopher after the death of his wife:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-28781-933-48?cc=1999196&wc=M99F-43

N:n176258271

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Suggested Edit:

Will Abstract: Berks Co. PA

GEIGER, CHRISTOPHER, Robeson Twp.

February 12, 1805-October 21, 1805

Provides for wife Mary.

To son Anthony £50

To son Jacob £50

To 2 granddaus. Catharine and Rachel daus. of Henry deceased 5 shillings each. To 3 grandchildren, viz: Daniel, Abigail and Catharine LEWIS children of dau. Catharine deceased 2- chillings each.

To my 4 grandchildren, viz: Nicholas, Elizabeth, Mary and Catharine DICK children of dau. Elizabeth deceased 20 shillings each.

To dau. Mary Magdelena wife of Joseph KENDEL £4.

To son John £700

To dau. Sarah HINKEL £400

To dau. Christina GEIGER £400

To son Elisha £2, he having been advanced.

Remainder to 4 children, viz: Elisha, John, Sarah and Christina

Exrs: Son Elisha and friend John BEIDLER.

Wits: Thomas CHERINGTON, Rees MOORE and John E. ROBERTS.

Contributor: [email protected]