Groninger Family Record

Descendants of Leonard & Elizabeth Deishman Groninger, early settlers of Central Pennsylvania. An informal exchange of past & present Groninger/Greninger/Croninger/Chroninger/Kroninger information submitted by readers

Spring 1995

Inaugural Edition

Hello to my fellow Groninger descendants! I've decided that there is lots of family information that ought to be shared and a family newsletter is an excellent way to do that. Besides, finding out about family history is lots of fun and is very interesting. There isn't a publication now, so why not start one that's published within a mile of Leonard and Elizabeth's pioneer farm?

If there is interest by others in sharing family information about our history and current doings, I'm willing to put it together for distribution. Here's what I see as the initial plan: this first edition will be mailed to as many Groninger addresses around the planet as I can find (about 170). Included will be some historical information to help determine if you are, in fact, descended from Leonard and Elizabeth. If you're interested, reply and you will be added to the regular mailing list.

We plan to provide historical information, such as facts about who, what, where and when, genealogical data, personal profiles that reveal the personalities of past and present Groningers/ Grenningers/etc. and current events, including births, deaths, marriages and tragedies & triumphs.

Initially, publishing four editions per year should suffice. The success will be dependent upon others submitting information. There is no shortage of interesting material if people will share. I think that they will. Financially, I’d appreciate some help. No fees will be charged but contributions for postage, telephone, duplicating and other out-of-pocket expenses will be accepted.-GFR

Thomas R. Groninger,

Great⁵ Grandson of Leonard Groninger, Sr.

Leonard Groninger & Elizabeth Deishman

It is likely that Leonard Groninger 1 selected the Buffalo Valley in which to settle because he wanted to "squat" or acquire land by seizing an undeeded parcel on Indian lands and developing it. Squatters intentionally went to the« frontier lands beyond the areas controlled by Penn family land agents. They sought areas not entirely without inhabitants, not too dangerous due to Indians and, hopefully, within a reasonable travel distance to settled areas. In the 1750s, the Buffalo Valley fit this description. Because of the 1754 Albany Purchase, Leonard would have clearly known that the Buffalo Valley was NOT yet available for purchase, but would probably be included in the next Penn acquisition. He arrived from Europe in 1749, the very year of the purchase of Indian land extending from the Susquehanna to the Delaware River, including the southern portion of present Northumberland County to northern present Pike County. The next purchase in 1754 came very close, within a few miles, so we can assume that he planned to find land located just beyond but not yet acquired by the Penns. It may also have been considered a safe area, following the construction of Fort Augusta, which was located only ten miles downstream. Fort Augusta was constructed in 1756 following the Penns Creek massacre.

It was not possible to buy the land or obtain a deed at the time that we know Leonard settled in the Buffalo Valley, because the Penns did not establish a land office or offer sales of land in any area that they had not yet purchased from the Indians. We know that Leonard 1 was in the Lewisburg area because his son Leonard² was born there in 1763. We also know that he had selected a beautiful site for his farm in Kelly Township along the north shore of Buffalo Creek, which he called "Buffalo Farm." It consisted of a stone house, log barn and outbuildings on 282 acres. Today the site is occupied by the Lewisburg federal prison complex. (This information is based upon research conducted by the author in the Northumberland and Union County Courthouses using recorded deeds, wills and tax records. The actual location may be seen in Atlas of Union & Snvder Counties Pennsylvania From Actual Surveys Under the Direction of D. G. Beers. Published by Pomeroy & Beers, 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia 1868. Kelly Township, page 6, see location of "A. Royer (Abraham)^: and "F Pontius (J. Frederick)" dwellings.

In his will he specified that "... I allow to Leonard my Son the Land I now live on two hundred & Eighty two Acres to him his Heirs and Assigns for ever being the Upper end of the Tract and two horses and the Lower end of the Tract where Buchanan lives, my other two Sons Daniel and Jacob is to have to their Heirs and Assigns for ever, and it is to be equally divided between them." This division was never done, apparently, because Leonard & Barbara and Jacob & Mary jointly sold the entire farm in 1795 to Gideon Smith, after they received a proper deed for it. Leonard applied to the Commonwealth for a Warrant, but it was never granted to him. Daniel may have died or left the area at this time, as he was not an executor in later legal matters.

Leonard 1 also specified, "... I allow my loving wife Elizabeth to have a Reasonable living of my Estate during the time She Continues a Widow with her Benefits in a Garden and Orchard Sufficient for herself, and a Cow kept clear for her own use and half an Acre of Flax & One Fat Hogg yearly given to her." Apparently Elizabeth accepted an alternative arrangement to live on "Belmont," another small farm owned by Leonard 1, rather than the provision called for in the will. She later accepted 200 pounds from a John Aurand, a year after Belmont was sold to him in 1798. Payments were also specified to each of the children in succeeding years, the first to be paid to Susanna on the third year after the debts of the land were paid. Daughter Margaret was next to receive seventy pounds "with the benefit of the House She now lives in and Garden the year following after the Last Payment..." The will was drawn on March 23, 1786 and probated on December 10, 1788.

Belmont was in then Buffalo Township and consisted of about 59 acres, and according to the will was to be sold and the proceeds given to Reverend William Smith, D.D. "Further I allow a small place I have in Buffalo Township to be sold and the price of it to be given to the Reverend Wm. Smith for the pay due or becoming due of the lower end of this Tract I purchased from the aforesaid the Rev Wm. Smith." This tract was sold by Leonard and Jacob as executors to John Aurand, Sr. in 1798, ten years after Leonard 1's death, and two years after Leonard² and Barbara had moved away. This was probably because Leonard 1 did not receive the Warrant that he applied for in 1772, so the land was unsalable. Leonard² finally obtained a patent from the Commonwealth in 1798 and immediately sold the parcel. We don't know whether Rev. Smith received the proceeds.

Reverend Smith was actually the person who obtained the first deed for Buffalo Farm and on May 7, 1793 he conveyed it to Leonard² and Jacob. They in turn sold it on July 10, 1795 to Gideon Smith and then Leonard and Barbara moved to George May's farm in Juniata County in 1796. We do not know the reason why Rev. Smith could obtain these land rights rather than Leonard, who was able to obtain a patent (land rights) for Belmont. It appears the Rev Smith was a friend and assisted the Groninger family with various land purchases.

Leonard 1 Groninger was a son of Johannes Groninger and Agatha Stefelmeier (or Steifelmeier or Sheftermeir). Johannes was born around 1700, perhaps 1701. They had another son, Leonard's brother, named Johan Daniel Groninger, who migrated in 1741 on the "City of Rotterdam" from Bremen to Cowes, England. There he transferred to an ocean ship, "Marlboro," Thomas Bell, Master, and arrived in Philadelphia on September 28, 1741 Leonard 1 was born on June 30, 1723 and baptized on March 29, 1724, at Ruchen, Germany "...according to the institution of Christ, and in the presence of reputable citizen, John Fackler, proprietor of the Lamb Hotel of Ruchen, and Anne Frank, reputable wife of the reputable Conrad Frank, citizen and blacksmith of Ruchen.  "The old spelling of the family name may have been "Groeninger."  Other members of the same family are said to have lived in the Netherlands. Leonard 1 arrived in America on the ship "Lydia," from Rotterdam on October 19, 1749.

He married Elizabeth Deishman at Lewisburg sometime prior to 1753 (year unsubstantiated). Their family probably consisted of Daniel, Leonard², Jacob, Susanna, Joseph, Margaret, Elizabeth, Molley, and Mary (listed in the order of their naming in Leonard 1's will. Daniel was the oldest and it's certain that Leonard² was next oldest). Leonard and Elizabeth died and are said to be buried in the Lewisburg area. Leonard died in 1788. The author searched the Dreisbach Church and Buffalo Crossroads Church cemeteries for their graves, but found nothing. Tombstones from that period are virtually impossible to read.

Leonard 1 was before the Grand Jury in May, 1773. The record says that Leonard 1 Groninger and James Buchanan "had a battle, which came before them. Joseph Green became Buchanan's bail." Buchanan was Leonard 1's neighbor Leonard is listed as an "inhabitant" of White Deer in 1778, under the name Leonard Croninger (not Groninger) This may have been Leonard 1 but Leonard², the oldest child, was only twenty, and brother Joseph Croninger (not Groninger) is listed as a resident (not "inhabitant") of East Buffalo. Minor errors in spelling are common in these old records.

Leonard Groninger² & Barbara Mary May

"Leonard Groninger² was rather large in stature, sociable, very positive in his opinions, and was a good German scholar, had good use of the English language, and could make himself very amusing using some of the Indian language. He was an entertaining conversationalist; was a little impervious, and sometimes hasty; he was a member of the Lutheran Church and, with the three Rices' and the Kepners', formed the pillars of the Lutheran Church in this section. He lived contemporarily with the great John William Heim, whose field of labor extended from the Susquehanna to the Blue Mountains-one of the most eminent divines that ever preached in this valley. The Rev. Heim made Leonard Groninger²'s home a regular stopping place. They fully agreed in all things, except politics. Leonard Groninger² was an old time Whig, while Rev. Heim was just as extreme a Democrat. It is said that he once closed a religious discourse by telling his hearers to go quietly to their homes, and on election day turn out and vote for General Jackson. Probably he was right. However his influence, together with the love of the soldier combined, Leonard Groninger² voted for General Jackson. His son, Jacob Groninger, voted his first vote for old Hickory."

Leonard² was born in the Lewisburg area in 1763 (or perhaps 1758). His siblings were Daniel, Jacob, Joseph, Elizabeth, Molly, Susanna, Margaret and Mary. (According to his father's will. Other accounts list a Henry, George, and Nancy. These were probably members of other Groninger/Greninger/Croninger families also located in present Southern Northumberland County, at Mahonoy Township, perhaps Johann Henry Greninger, Sr. & Anna Maria Zartman and Georg Jacob &. Maria Eiizabeth Greninger) He lived in Buffalo Township and is listed as a taxable resident in 1780 and 1782 as owning 70 acres, 1 horse and 1 cow. This was probably Belmont. He married Barbara Mary May in 1788 (possibly 1782). Barbara May's home was less than 1/2 mile from Buffalo Farm. Later they must not have lived on the farm but rather lived in Lewisburg, as he is listed as a taxable resident of Derrstown in 1793. His brother, Joseph, is continually listed from 1781 through 1792 as a taxable resident of Buffalo Township. This too would be Belmont, as the other farm was in then White Deer Township (now Kelly Township). Jacob, Joseph and Leonard² are listed in the official 1790 Census of the United States. Daniel was not listed in any tax or census records of the area. In 1788. Leonard Groninger² was noted as a member of the Lutheran congregation of Dreisbach Church, located near

Lewisburg.

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Groninger Pilsner Beer

There's a historical inn at Hamburg, Germany by the name of "Anno 1750." It's located on East/West Street and is owned by Inge & Rolf Dehn. East/West Street was formerly known as "Groninger Strasse."

Groninger Pilsner beer is brewed at the inn, which dates back to 1722 when a Johan Von Overbeecker began brewing beer there. The brewery continued until 1893, when a book shop and bookbinder moved into the beautiful baroque building. Later, in 1932, a Theo Von Heim started a coffee roasting business name Heimco. After Von Heim's death, the location went unused until the Dehns, who were both professional restaurant keepers, began a renovation project.

The specialties of the house are meat and wurst from their own butcher shop. The baked goods served are from their own bakery, even the pretzels and beer bread are their own made. Also served is "Aalkate," which is smoked eel, a very popular dish in that area, and wild game.

The inn is very appealing with it special dishes, homey atmosphere, rustic furniture, and Groninger Korn (schnapps).

(This information was provided to Henry L. Groninger of Houston TX, by Gunther Groninger of Rotterdam, Netherlands, who visited the inn.) ***

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This publication is NOT protected by copyright. All information published may be freely copied and distributed. All material submitted will be published without copyright protection. No fees may be charged to any readers of this publication.-GFR