Re: Sarah Wickersham- died in York Co., PA
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In reply to:
Re: Sarah Wickersham- died in York Co., PA
6/16/00
We have a typed write-up from my deceased father-in-law T.L.Engle, which is apparently a compilation of notes and letters from other distant relatives, with some Wickersham and Garretson information. (My husband descends from Samuel Keister who m. Anna Wickersham, dau. of John Wickersham and Rebecca Garretson.) These notes say: "Thomas Wickersham left Horsham, an English town outside of London, inAugust 1700 with a brand new wife, Alice Hogg, and 3 children by a former marriage to Ann Grover. He landed in New Castle, Delaware. Thos. Wickersham II married, had son Jesse who settled in York Co., Pa." Also: "John Wickersham was a descendant of Jesse Wickersham who migrated from Chester County in Penn. to what is now known as Newberry Township, York Co., Pa., near Yocumtown.The father of Jesse originally immigrated from Wales, or from Hoslone near London, and knew William Penn personally, being very well acquainted with him. Rebecca, the wife of John Wickersham, was the daughter of Joseph Garretson. The Wickershams and Garretsons belonged to a sect or society best known as Quakers or Friends. The Garretsons resided in Newberry Township, in York Co., in what was known as the Redland Valley, as early as we have any account of them." Also: "In a letter written March 19, 1881 from Joseph Wickersham to George Garretson (cousins) and which includes the name of Rebecca McMillan Garretson, the following is listed: 'The original Garretson came from Holland, Germany, and was John Garretson Van Hoff. He dropped the name of Van Hoff and proceeded with the name of Garretson in America'. Therefore, the name of Garrison should be changed to Garretson."Another transcription, from Letter from George W. Eastburn Feb. 25, 1975: "The record that I have on the Van Hoffs is on a piece of paper handed down by the generations and is written 'came from Germany' {with} 'Holland' {written directly above Germany}. The 'Holland' could have been corrected from Germany without 'Germany' being crossed out. Van Hoff is actually a Holland Dutch name." Other family notes indicate that John W. and Rebecca G. are buried at Redland Meeting House Cemetery, York Co., PA. Also, temporarily in my possession is a very old photo of house: on back “built by Jesse Wickersham, 1772”. Another newer photo, with drawing on back showing half-circle over an upper window "Built by Jos. & Hannah C. Wickersham, 1859" (taken about 1937, probably in York Co., PA,by George W. Eastburn, wife of Jane Keister {her father was Morris Keister}).
The LDS site seems to confirm Thomas m. Ann Grover and then m. Alice Hogge; Thos. II (son of Ann Grover) m. Abigail Johnson - no children listed. Thus no confirmation of link to Jesse who m. Anna Griffith -- several children, including John b. 29 Dec 1780 who m. Rebecca Garretson, who are parents of Anna Wickersham who m. Samuel Keister. (The latter had 14 children, including 3 sets of twins, one twin Martha Jane Keister being my husband's great-grandmother.) This is my husband’s Wickersham lineage as I know it.
I would appreciate confirmation or further information about the Wickersham lineage from Thomas on down. I'm also interested in "stories" about these folks. Lots of great info at this Forum. Thanks to all who contribute!
More Replies:
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Re: Sarah Wickersham- died in York Co., PA
Wayne Wacker 3/14/08
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Wickershams, Garretsons, Engles, etc. PA
9/29/00