THE WRONG WEIS FAMILY?
The information included here concerning the life of George Michael WEIS raises more questions than it answers, and is presented as much to exclude it from this genealogy, as it is to indicate a relationship. An article in the Jefferson County (WV) Historical Magazine Vol. 14 p33, claims that John George WEIS, potter and teacher of Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD and Shepherdstown, Jefferson Co., VA, was the son of George Michael WEIS, and came to America with his father in 1827. After reading the well documented life of George Michael WEIS, there is no mention of a son or a marriage in GER.
By his marriage George Michael married Anatsche Broeunch (BRUNK) in 1733 in NY, there were no children and her will in Philadelphia Co., PA in 1765 she does not mention children, only the long tedious disposition of her slaves. She also makes provisions for "my husbands Brethren and relatives in Germany." Based on this statement, George Michael WEIS had no relatives in America, which eliminates John George WEIS of Hagerstown as a child.
Some immediate questions arise after studying the literature:
1. Why, in the well documented life, and given his prominence is there no mention of a previous marriage and child?
2. When George Michael WEIS returned to Germany in 1730 to 1731 to secure funds for the church in America, what happened to the child, John George WEIS, he was supposed to have, who would only be 10 to 11 years old and unable to live on his own.
3. If John George WEIS was a son, would he not have followed the footsteps of his famous father into the ministry, rather than that of a potter? That John George WEIS of Hagerstown was a potter may indicate that he brought the trade with him to America which was the norm rather then the exception..
4. Then would the real John George WEIS stand up. There were at least 3 other Johan George WEIS emigrating to America in the 1700s:
A. 2 Sep 1749, Wirtemburgers imported on ship 'Chesterfield' Thomas Coatain, Master, from Rotterdam, last from Cowes, Johan George WEIS (PAB4 p931)
B. 25 Oct 1738, people imported on ship 'Davy', William Patton, Master from Amsterdam, John George WEIS. (PAB6 p234)
C. 14 Sep 1751, imported on ship 'St. Andrew', James Abucrombie, Captain, from Rotterdam, last from Cowes, Minnonites, Johan George WEIS (PAB4 p251)
The Life of George Michael WEIS
George Michael WEIS, bpt. 23 Jan 1700, Eppingen, Palatinate, GER, d. Aug 1761, Hans Michael and Maria (FRANK) WEIS, m. 25 Nov 1733, Anatsche BROEUNCH (BRUNK), d. 1765, Upper Hanover Twp., Philadelphia Co., Capt. John BROEUNCH. George Michael graduated from Heidelburg University, 18 Oct 1718, and was ordained 1 May 1727. He came to America on the ship 'William and Sarah', commanded by Capt. William Hill, from Rotterdam, last from Dover, 21 Sep 1827. He served in Philadelphia, Germantown, Skippack, New Goshenhoppen, and Hills or Schaefer's 1727 to 1730. From 1730 to 1731, he returned to GER with Jacob Reiff to collect funds for the Philadelphia and Skippack congregations. On his return he accepted a call to NY from 1731 to 1746, where he married Anatsche BROEUNCH. In NY he served Hunterfield 91731-1732), Catskill (1732-1735), Burnetsfield (1735 -1742), and Rhinebeck (1742-1746). He returned to PA serving at Goshenhoppen (1746-1761). He is buried at new Goshenhoppen. There were no children. (PAB6, 9, 10, 13, PAMG1 p16, WVJEB2 v14 p33)
The Life of Hans Michael WEISS Father of George Michael WEIS
Hans Michael WEIS s/o Nicholas WEIS citizen of Grosen Engerstheim, in Dukedom of Wurttenburg, GER, m. 1st. 26 Feb 1686, Eppengen Reformed KB, Palatinate, GER, Barbara STIERL (widow of Jacob STIERL, former citizen and tailor, d. 30 Jun 1692; m. 2nd. Maria FRANK, d/o Martin FRANK, shoemaker at Bretton, GER.( PAB12) Children (2 by 1st. wife, 6 by 2nd.)