According to the history of Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania, the American founder of the Summers family was Hans George Summers (Sommer in the German), who, with his wife Elizabeth and children, Johannes, Hans Martin, George, Peter and Margaretha Elizabeth, arrived in Philadelphia from Germany on September 22, 1752, on the ship "Brothers", Captain William Muir. Phillip and Henry (listed as Herman on the ship's passenger list), also sons, arrived September 30, 1754, on the ship "Edinburg", James Russel, master. Hans George Summers resided in Lower Dublin Township in 1769.
A history written on George Summers of Douglass and Lower Dublin Townshps, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 1752-1923" refers to George Summers, progenitor of one of the Summers Families in America was born shortly after the year of 1690. In the early records, his name appears as Hans George Soomer." This booklet also gives the same information on a John (Johannes), born 1737 (?) married 24 January 1764 Elizabeth Reidennaur, daughter of George Reidennauer who had one son John, born 24 February 1765, baptized 7 April 1765, with sponsors John Smitz and Julianna Reidennauer.
In the Pennsylvania Germany Society, Publication Vol. 20, pages 293, 326, and 327 are some "Baptisms at New Hanover Lutheran Church, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania." It gives: "Johannes Summer, born February 24, 1765, bapt. April 7, 1765, Parents: Johannes and Elizabeth Summer. Sponsors: Johannes Smitz and Julianna Reitnauer.
John, son of Hans George seems to be the only son who didn't fight in the Revolution. One Pennsylvania source says 5 of Hans George's sons were in the Revolution directly under George Washington. It gives the Rev. records of the 5 which leaves John as the one who didn't fight. However, the records show that he did provide supplies to the Army in Augusta County which makes him a patriot and qualifies for DAR membership if you descend from him and if indeed he were the correct John Summers which is questionable at this point.
There was an English John Summers, the John Summers who was the son of George Summers of Shenandoah County, Virginia and our John Summers whose tombstone records and will firmly confirm him as our ancestor. His parentage at this point is still speculative.
The will of John Summers, written 26 April 1803 and proved 27 June 1808 is filed in Augusta County.
Married : Elizabeth ??? born 28 January 1742. Died in 1832, probably in Augusta County, Virginia
Children:
1. John Summers, born 17 September 1775, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, married 3 October 1798 to Catherine Engleman
2. Mary Summers, married 8 April 1797, Joseph Dome (Dohm)
3. Barbara Summers, born 17 October 1777 d. 24 February
1853, Augusta County, Virginia
married Daniel
Hull.
4. Elizabeth Summers, married 9 December 1799, Augusta County, to Daniel Beck
5. David
Summers, born ca 1782, Augusta County
Married twice: 1)
10 December 1807, to Rebecca
Engleman
2) 10 October 1831, to Juliann Palmer
Rebecca Engleman Summers had died
4 June 1829 at the age of 42y, 8m, 6 d.
6. Henry Summers, married a Polly_____; no marriage record in Augusta County
7. Jacob Summers, born 21 December 1786; married Christina Venis 1807; died 14 January 1868, Georgetown, Indiana
8. Margaret Summers, b. 23 May 1789, d. 24 June 1877, married 16 April 1809, to Joseph Fauber
9. Catharine, b. 12 December 1792, married 25 October 1813 to George Leonard
10. Mary Eve b. 30 November 1795; d. 22 October 1869 , married 24 February 1812, to Peter Huff, a cousin
Records from which the above was taken:
1) Copy of letter from Judy Somers of Wichita, Kansas on the Summers family of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
2) Deeds, Augusta County, Virginia
3)REF:The cemetery records for St. John's cemetery in Augusta Co., VA,
are in the
book "Here Lyeth" Tombstone Inscriptions of Most Cemeteries in Riverheads
District of Southern Augusta Co. Staunton, VA. by Dorothy L.
Weaver,
2nd Ed. June 1987.
4)DB 23, page 402, 17 May 1781 - Peter and Susanna Black to John Summers - 250 acres, Borden's tract, branch of James River Lines and corner; Beverley Manor. Test: Francis Hull, a German Signature, Henry Minger, Samuel McCutcheon
5)DB 27. page 387. 15 September 1789 - Nicholas Jones and Mary to John Summers - 180 acres, headwater of Middle River Lines and Corners: Campbell, Miller. Test: Patrick Buchanan, Samuel Merrit, George Rubble, a German signature
6)DB 32, page 129, 7 April 1803 - Adam Fifer, Jr and Catharine to John Summers 150 acres. Lines and Corners: Dull, McClintock Test: William Anderson , Charles B. Penn, Samuel Crutchfield, Chesley Kinney.
7)DB 33, page 277, Bond and agreement, April 5, 1802 - John Summers, Francis Hull, Henry Rinehart and Robert Harris had a survey made to establish land lines, especially of Francis Hull's land which adjoined the other men named. This was done for their posterity so there would be no fights after they had all gone to the "room of silence". The witnesses were Henry Menger, Christian Hess, Frederick Hull. Every signature on this document with the exception of Robert Harris, is in German.
8)DB 35, page 161, 26 June 1809 - Henry Summers and Polly, Jacob Summers and Christiana, to David Summers, 191 acres; lines and corners: George Dull, Samuel McClintic, Peter Hanger
9)DB 35, page 166, 26 June 1809 - David Summers and Rebecca, Henry Summers and Polly to Jacob Summers; 134 acres; lines and corners; Frederick Hanger, Andrew Thompson, Peter Wiseman, Daniel Hull
10)DB 35, page 168, 27 March 1809 - David Summers and Rebecca, Henry and Polly Summers, Jacob and Christiana Summers, to Frederick Hanger, 16 acres plus
11)DB 42, page 424, 10 September 1818 - Memorandum of Contract
Jacob Summers and Daniel Hull. Jacob Summers sold to said Daniel Hull
the land on which Summers now lives, 134 acres, to give possession by 1818
12)Dated 12 May 1817 - A release contained in this deed by Elizabeth Summers, mother of Jacob Summers for paying her any money other than $24 per year. Dated 12 May 1817 (She entered into this contract because of dower rights)
13)Will Book 9, page 281, dated 26 April 1803, proved 27 June 1803 Written originally in German and translated; signed in German (Abstract--from Chalkley, Vol. III, page 224)to wife Elizabeth; son, John (already provided for); daughters, Mary Doame, Barbara Hull, Elizabeth Peck, ditto; to sons, David, Henry, Jacob; to children not before named, viz: Margaret, Catharine, Eve. Executors, Daniel Peck, Daniel Hull Test: Jno Young, Frederick Henger, Christian (X) Baird
14)Personal Property tax list of 1800, District I -
15)John Summers, 2 tithables (males 16 and over)
John Summers, Jr. 1
16)Court of Claims Book, Augusta County, Virginia, April 30, 1782, page 95; John Summers claim for supplies contributed to the Revolution presented by Col. George Moffett and allowed. (This proves that although he did not fight in the war, he can be counted as a patriot.)
1. John Summers, Jr.---nothing in the records, so assume he was gone from Augusta Co.(aforesaid Mrs. Bushman's note)
2. Mary--no deeds in name of Joseph Dohm--only the following:
Personal Property tax lists--District I
1800, page 7, Coonrad Doam,
2 tithables
Jacob Doam, 1
Joseph Doam, 1
1803, George Doomse
1804, nothing
3. Mary Barbara Summers married Daniel Hull
4. Elizabeth Summers - married Daniel
Beck (Peck)
This is the Beck family which still lives today in the Deerfield area.
5. Margaret Summers, married Joseph Fauber, son of John and Elizabeth Wietzel Fauber, 16 April 1809, Augusta Co., Va. According to records, Joseph Fauber was born 8 October 1787, Shenandoah Co., Va., died 1853, but place not listed. From wording of the letter can be assumed it was in the West
According to the writer of the letter, Mrs. W.A. Johnston, a son of Joseph Fauber married a Marie Louisa DeLanay. They had one daughter, Virginia, born ca. 1841, place not stated who married S.H. Johnston in California ca. 1856-57. In 1831, their son W.A. Johnston was living in San Jose, California at 1141 Hanchett Ave.
7. Eve, married Peter Huff, 24 February 1812
Our thanks to Thomas H. Fisher who added a number of additional dates to my records.