Christian Gates

Christian Götz was not born in Pennsylvania! He arrived with his brothers Valentin and Georg on the Ship Union in Phildalphia on Seot 27, 1773. Proof: Christian and Valentin were over 16 years old and therefore had to sign the Oath of Allegiance after their arrival. Their signatures (in German Script) match their signatures on Christian’s will and probate records in 1788. Christian died March 25, 1789 in Amwell Twp., Washington Co., PA. Christian Götz appointed his “loving brothers Valentin and George” as executors of his will.

Note: Andreas Götz is/was a popular name in Germany, Alsace, parts of Switzerland and Austria. There have been THREE different people named Andreas Götz associated with Christian, Valentine and George: 1) Andreas Götz, supposedly born to Hans Michel and Barbara Götz in Beihingen on March 3, 1734. This unnamed child died the same day and was buried March 5. Source: Beihingen church records, archion.de. 2) Andreas Götz who arrived 1754 in Philadelphia, married an Elizabeth, attended St. Michael’s church there and had 3 daughters baptized there before 1765. Source: ancestry.com, Philadelphia church records 3) Andreas Götz, deceased, listed as father of Gorg Götz in the marriage record of Gorg Götz and Sybilla Stiehle on 11 June 1782 in Cocalico, PA.

I have researched this family extensively and have source confirmations for my findings that I am happy to share. Susanne Sweeney, sweeneysb (at) gmail.com

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Christian Götz and his brothers Valentine and George immigrated from Germany to Philadelpha, arriving there on the Ship Union on September 27, 1773. Christian and Valentine signed the oath of allegiance, George was under age 16 and too young to be on the manifest or sign the oath. Christian's and Valentine's signatures MATCH their signatures in 1788 on Christian's will and probate records, definite PROOF that he was a FIRST GENERATION IMMIGRANT immigrant and not the son of Johannes (Andreas) Götz and Elizabeth Merrin. (Johannes immigrated with his parents, Hans Michael Goetz and Anna Barbara Weilmann and his siblings, from Beihingen in 1744. This family is NOT CONNECTED to Christian, Valentine and George Götz who immigrated in 1773.

Christian Kitts served in the Washington County Militia under Col. James Marshel and Captain Abner Howell from 1782-1783. In he 1786 paid taxes on 200 acres of land, 2 horses, 2 cows, 2 sheep. His brothers Valentine and George are listed as taxpayers in Hopewell Township, Washington County. They are also the executors of Christian's will. Christian leaves his estate to his four children: Andrew, Christian Jr., Nicholas and Mary Elizabeth and his wife (no name given). The 1790 Census indicates that Christian's family lived with George Götz/Kitts/Gates. Around 1798 they all moved west to the Nothwestern Territory (Ohio and West Virginia).

SOURCES: Immigration: Names of immigrants to Pennsylvania from Germany, Switzerland, Holland, France 1727-1776. Ancestry.com; and German Pioneers to Pennsylvania, by Ralph Strassburger, Col. II with signatures. Family History Center, microfiche #6051508

Militia: files.usgwarchives.net, Washington Co., PA; Washington County Muster Rolls

Taxes: A Duplicate of the State Taxes for the Year 1786, Wash. Co., PA, PA GenWeb Genealogy Project, rootsweb.ancestry.com

Will: Register of Wills, Washington County, PA, Will Book 1, Page 98 and 99 on Nov. 1788; Clerk of Orphan's Court Division, 1 South Main Street, Suite 1002, Washington PA 15301'

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Christian arrived with his brothers Valentin and Georg from Germany via Rotterdam and Portsmouth on Sep 27, 1773 in Philadelphia on the Ship Union. Christian and Valentin signed the oath of allegiance. (Only males over age 16 were listed on the manifest and had to sign.) They signed their last name "Götz" in German script. Christian served in the PA militia under the name of Christian Kit(t)s. The signatures in his Will and Probate Records in 1788 match the signature in 1773. This proves that he was a first generation immigrant and no relation to the Götz of Beihingen family! In his will he signs as "Christian Götz" but the will is filed under Christian Kitts. His brothers Valentine and George are his executors. (Research by Susanne Sweeney)

On Sept. 30, 1773, Christian contracts himself for three years and 17 pounds and 5 shillings to Henry Weaver (Weber) of Carnavon, Lancaster, PA as a servant. Also: "Record of Indentures Bound Out as Apprentices, Servants, Etc".; published by The American Philsophical Society, Lancaster, PA 1907. (https://archive.org/stream/recordofindentur16phil#page/318/mode/2up) WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA - 1778-1783 - FRONTIER RANGERS Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Christina Hunt. Ninah@carolina.rr.com Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/washington/military/1778rang.txt Washington County Rangers on the Frontiers 1778-1783 Source: PA Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXIII, Pages 198-220 Christian Kitts Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4; Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794; Microfilm Roll: 340. Source Information: Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. page 13 Washington County, Amwell Township Rates 1787 Kitts Christian 200 acres of Land Rates 20£ 0Sh 2 horses 2 cows Rates 12£ 0Sh

32£

Pennsylvania, Septennial (Tax census taken every 7 years) Census, 1779-1863 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: Septennial Census Returns, 1779–1863. Box 1026, microfilm, 14 rolls. Records of the House of Representatives. Records of the General Assembly, Record Group 7. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, PA.
Washington county, 1786 Line 122 Kitts Christian Line 241 Kitts Vallentine Will: Washington county, Pennsylvania, Will Book 1, Page 98 and 99, Nov. 1788 (image 58 because the page numbers are impossible to read) Page 98, image 58 Christian Kitts, Deceased. In the name of God amen, I Christian Kitts of the County of Washington state of Pennsylvania being thro the abundance of Page 99, image 58 mercy and goodness of God tho weak in body yet of a sound and perfect understanding and memory do Constitute this my last will and testament and desires it may be received by all as such as for my estate. I will and positively order that all my debts be paid, I give to my sons Andrew, Nicholas and Christian Kitts Jnr all my lands they paying to my only daughter Mary Elisabeth Kitts the one fourth part of the value of the land to her as for the movables I desire them to be Equally divided among my foure Children, as for my wife I desire that she may what the law allows her, and furthermore I request that my Children should have good learning as far as nessary [sic] for them. And I do appoint my loving brothers George Kitts and Vollintine Kitts to be the Executors of this my last will and testament and trustees for my Children. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight 1788. [signature] Witness Present, Daniel McFarland, Jacob Peck, Chenaniah Covalt. Proved 1 April 1789