Paul Ritter, Sr.

Distinguishing the Central Pennsylvania Ritters

Entered the colonies on Sept. 11, 1732 from Rotterdam on the ship Pennsylvania with his siblings. The two adult men were Paulus and Henrick "Ryter". Family reconstruction indicates the others were Casper and Martin as well as Anna and Barbara. Paul's wife Elizabeth and his newborn son, Paul, Jr. accompanied him.

There is a great deal of confusion about the parentage of these six siblings. The speculations of fathers are:

1. Christian Hans Ritter 1655-1710
2. Caspar William Ritter 1673-1747
3. Michael Hittek Ritter 1695-1760 (some family trees add the name Caspar as his middle name).

There is no evidence of their parentage. No parent made the trip with them nor lived in the area (despite a FAG memorial for a father).

Charles Rhoads Roberts, History of Lehigh County and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of its Families, Vol 3

1. Paul settled in Colebrookdale, Berks County
2. Henry settled in Lower Milford Twp now in Lehigh Co.
3. Casper in Bethlehem Twp, Northampton County

References

• Updated from WikiTree Genealogy via sibling Henrich Melchior Ritter by SmartCopy: Apr 18 2015, 4:34:12 UTC
• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 3 2022, 18:17:25 UTC