George Philip Ruch ^320,867

  General Notes:

Per Phil Knox:
Georg Philip, son of George Ruch and Margrethe, born Mar 8,1768, as recorded in the records of the St. Paul's Lutheran-Reformed Church (also known as St. Paul's Blue Church) in Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County (later Lehigh County), Pennsylvania. Upper Saucon as adjacent to Upper Milford. A tombstone that once existed in The Ben Salem Church Cemetery of what is today East Penn Township, Carbon County, Pennsylvania is reported by "The History of the Counties Lehigh and Carbon" as having the inscription "George Ruch died April 5, 1808 at age 39". This agrees with the birth date found in the records of St. Pauls Church. There are several other tombstones in the Ben Salem Cemetery having appropriate dates and having names that agree with several of George's children (Samuel, John, Jacob, and Elizabeth) as appear in Northampton County Orphans Court probate records. All of this appears to confirm that the George Ruch of East Penn Township was truly the Georg Philip Ruch born in old Northampton County to George Ruch (III) and wife Anna Margaret Rabesnold. The orphans court record indicates he was a Blacksmith and a farmer and that he had owned 135 acres of land. A "George Rauch" appears on a 1788 tax listing as owning 200 acres of land in Penn Township but it has not been established that this was really our "George Ruch".
The 1820 will of his father, George Ruch (III) of Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, names Son George but gives his share of the inheritance to his children indicating that George Philip himself was deceased (Remember, we know from the tombstone record that the George of East Penn died in 1808 so that also fits).


Per Bill Frasier
George Ruch Settled in the Lizard Creek Valley of East Penn Township after the Revolutionary War. Members of the Northampton County Militia were often stationed on the frontier north of the Blue Mountain in order to attempt to prevent Indian Raids by tribes loyal to the British. These militiamen learned about the land in the lush valleys watered by Lizard Creek and Mahoning Creek, thus encouraging post-War settlement. George's father was a member of the Northampton County militia during the Revolutionary War.
George Ruch was a descendant of Hans George Ruch from Alsace who immigrated on the ship Samuel, arriving in Philadelphia on August 17, 1733. Hans George settled in the Whitehall Township, which is just north of Allentown, Lehigh County, PA.
The George Ruch who settled in East Penn Township was George Philip Ruch, born March 8, 1768 in Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County (formerly Northampton County), son of George Ruch (1735-1821). (Bill Frasier notes his chapter on "The Ruch Family in Northampton County supports this hypothesis and has more information on early Ruch ancestors in Northampton County)
The 1800 Census does not record a George Ruch in Penn Township or Upper Milford Township. In 1808, Penn Township was divided into East Penn, West Penn, and Lausanne Townships. George Ruch in included in the 1808 tax assessment roll for East Penn Township.
George first appeared on the tax assessment list of Penn Township in 1806, indicated that he arrived there in 1805.
George Ruch died in 1808. The "History of the Counties Lehigh and Carbon" (1884) state that a gravestone in the Ben Salem Church cemetery had an inscription recording that George Ruch died on April 5, 1808, at age 39. No such gravestone exists today.
The Northampton County Orphan's Court records state that George Ruch died intestate in 1808, and that he had eight children: George, John, Samuel, Elias, Jacob, Margaret, Catharine, and Elizabeth. We also learn from the Orphans Court records that his wife was Margaret and that he was a blacksmith as well as a farmer. If one died intestate, the Orphan's Court supervised the distribution of the estate. Included in the Orphan's Court file is an affidavit of Margaret Ruch, "widow and relict of George Ruch late of East Penn township in the county of Northampton Blacksmith Decd." The affidavit, dated April 27,1808, appointed Peter Andreas as administrator; Margaret signed beside her name with her mark (X), indicating that she could not write. Margaret is English for Margaretha (probably Maria Margaretha). The estate assets, excluding land, amounted to just over 189 pounds.

from The History of Lehigh and Carbon Co Penna 1884

BENN SALEM CHURCHYARD.--The following are a few of the names of persons buried in the grounds, with date of death:

Rev. John Schwarbach, died Oct. 31, 1800, aged 81 years.

John George Guldner, died April 23, 1803, aged 51 years.

Anna Maria Holshoe, wife of George Holshoe, died Aug. 28, 1814, aged 67 years.

George Ruch, died April 5, 1808, aged 39 years.


George may have been in the Revolution

  Noted events in his life were:

• Baptism Locatio: St. Paul's Lutheran And Reformed Congregations, Upper Saucon Twp. ⁸⁶⁷

• Occupation: Blacksmith and Farmer. ³²⁰

George married Maria Unknown about 1787 in , , Pennsylvania.³²⁰ (Maria Unknown was born about 1770 ³²⁰ and died about 1835 in , , Pennsylvania ⁸⁶⁸.)