Peter was our immigrant ancestor and one story relates that he wasborn Peter Van Gunten, a Swiss Hugenot. "He was able, wealthy anddistinguished in the history of his country and aspired to thegovernment of Berne. Being compelled to flee for his life, he soughtasylum in France. He and his family immigrated to America and settledin Penn's colony in Bethel Twp, PA."
And from the History of Perry Co, OH, 1883:
"Tradition, which seems well founded, ascribed to the ancestry of thisVan Gundy family close official relations to the Crown of Prussia, anda rupture of these relations which sent it to Pennsylvania, and thenceto Ohio."
Some descendants say the family left Switzerland at the time of theCatholic persecution, leaving a fortune over there. However, a"Report of Investigation in the Matter of an Estate Supposed to HaveBeen Left by Peter Von Gunten in Berne, 1700-1800," dated Feb 8, 1904and including findings of the Chancellor of the Canton Berne, civilofficers of Sigriswil, the Justice of the Canton Berne, and theBernese Archives of State, states "Gunten was a village on the borderof the Lake of Thun. It is in the District of Sigriswil. Accordingto the Chancler of the Canton of Berne, the name 'Von Gunten' does notdenote nobility; it is merely 'from Gunten.'.....the search of theabove named officers has been without result and nothing is known bythe competent authorities concerning an estate left by Peter vonGunten."
This report does provide some insight into history through interestingtidbits, such as the following from the Register of emigrant citizens,State Arch. 1694-1754: "Christian von Gunten of Sigriswil, was forcedto lose his citizenship May 9, 1736. The Canton Berne and itsgovernment has always been Protestant, and it is impossible that aBernese was persecuted and emigrated on account of his Protestantbelief. No reason is given why Christian von Gunten lost hiscitizenship. He may have broken the laws, married a Catholic, orexcited the displeasure of the Government in some other manner.....therecords of 'Estates of Emigrants' are literally Records of thewithdrawal of means and were made when an estate was converted intomoney or valuables and turned over to the citizen desiring toemigrate." Signed Edward Higgins, Consul, Berne, Switz erland.
Pat DeWitz of Bedford, OH, wrote in 1976 the she had her husbandvisited Berne, Switzerland in September 1974 but found little usefulinformation there. They read the census by occupation from 1700 -1750 and found that every von Gunten (from the village of Gunten) wasa school teacher, both male and female, and they all taught in thevillages around the Lake of Thun which included Spies, Interlaken, andGruten. She states further that Gundy is the German form of the name"von" was used for those who went through Germany, while "van" wasused for who went by way of Holland.
Another story states that "the only person found that could have beenour ancester was John Peter Gunder, who arrived at the port ofPhiladelphia 9/12/1752 on the ship, 'Priscilla' from Rotterdam, butlast from Cowes (Eng)." (Much too late to be our ancestor)
A chart of his branch by Ross G Van Gundy of Los Angeles states "PeterV anGundy, a Hollander, and two nephews" were founders of the familyin America. Harvey Van Gundy of Tahlequah, OK, wrote that his "fatherand twin brother were brought over from Holland by an old lady andsettled i n Ohio."
Owen (Benoni Raymond) Van Gundy said in a letter to his daughter that"our Great Grandfather came to America from Holland in the early 1700AD . I don't know the year or the date. They settled in Pennsylvaniastate on New England coast."
And so it goes. Who is to say what is the truth? An autobiography ofthe grandson of Anna Maria Davis, wife of John Van Gundy, simplystates " they emigrated from Switzerland before the Revolutionary Warand settled in Pennsylvania, Reading County, not far from a town ofthe same name ."
An organization was formed in 1961 called the "Van Gundy Association"with Mr. Bliss Van Gundy of Osborne, KA, President (now deceased);Mrs. C .C. Meyer, Pasadena, MD, Director of Research; and Mrs. AlfredE. DeWitz of Bedford, OH, Asst Researcher. Mrs. Meyer is also anauthor and editor of genealogical publications. Relatives havetraveled to Switzerl and and, hopefully, in the near future, thesefolks will have all the facts sorted out.
Most of the early American generations were millers and coopers and assuch the only coat of arms found by the Van Gundy Associationattributed to a family whose name was similar to ours, "Gunten", wasassociated with Hans von Gunten, an old citizen of Gunten, alive in1497 but childless. He was a member of an old knightly (3rd class)family originating in Stuhmschen in old Prussia, who were under thevassalage of the Pomeranian diocese as early as the 14th century. Thefamily, for the most part, stayed connected and faithful to the "Ordenin Bundeskriege", a high society of the middle ages.
This coat of arms consists of a gold shield on which are two humanarms are palms up, in a vertical position, encased in a blue sleeve.The crest shows the arms and hands as on the shield.
However, according to a Coat of Arms Research Report with Registry ofBurke's Gundi Gondy 1279, which says they believe the Van Gundy nameis locational in origin and is associated with the Belgians and Dutch,our coat would be black with a gold Belgian lion and a yellow upperthird bearing a red tulip, symbolic of Holland, between two redpoppies, symbolic of Belgium.
So take your choice! In American, coats of arms mean nothing anyway,so whichever you wish to claim will be perfectly alright.
The family was probably Mennonite, having at least one Mennonitepreacher in the family. "It is to the Swiss Mennonites, followers ofMenno Simon from the cantons of Berne and Zurick, to whom is given thecredit for making the first permanent white settlement in what is nowLancaster County. Several families of these hardy pioneers took up atract of 10,000 acres north of Pequea creek in what is now WestLampeter Township, on a warrant dated October 10, 1710."
Descendant Christopher Van Gundy had the following to say:
"I actually traveled to Switzerland, Berne region, subregion ofGunten, my theory was that Peter Sr. originally had the name of simplyPeter, and then said "I'm from Gunten," "von Gunten." Gunten is atown/region within the larger Bern region. Sigriswil is where theykeep all of the records. I found several Peter Gunten's listed in thebirth records, and can dig those up for you. It may just becoincidence that a "Peter Gunten" birth year matches our Peter Sr.,but you never know. For some r eason I think the "von Gunten" waschanged to van Gunten when I believe he went to Holland to catch aship to America.....
In terms of Switzerland, a Van Gundy would love it (at least, the onesI know). Everyone looks like a Van Gundy (in my family, they're tallwith brown hair and blue eyes). Sigriswil is on a beautiful hillsideoverlooking the Thun lake (we all tend to live on hills), there is awindsurfing school (my favorite sport) and the lake is stocked full oftrout. That was a fun trip. Other than trout, the food is horrible.But the people are nice, their homes are beautiful. I also learned afew things. The Swiss back then were very poor (why else go toAmerica), and they had absolutely not one drop of royal blood. We'reall as humble as can be! But we're democratic. We didn't have anyheraldic signage, but some Swiss made some up. They didn't reallyhave the feudal system like the rest of Europe. Simple, hardworkingfarmers who couldn't make it any more in a poor alpen land, before theinternational commerce hit! I also understand that the Van Gundy'shave a claim to some land located near an airport expansion there, weshould probably research that!"
The following interesting note was received 9/22/2004:
"My name is Marianne Vogt-Amstutz, from Sigriswil, Switzerland. Whilesurfing the internet I came across your van Gundy website. Nowreading about your research for your ancestor Peter Von Guten, or vanGundy was very interesting. It could well be that he was a citizen ofGunten (at lake Thur) which is part of the community of Sigriswil.There are of course plenty of von Gunten's living here to this day.Many people from our area emigrated to America. Most of them between1850 and 1900, because they were very poor, but there were some whoemigrated in the 1700's and earlier. And I believe that they leftbecause of persecution.
I think you are right that your ancestor must have been an"Anabaptist" or Mennonite. It is a fact that people of this faithwere persecuted and imprisoned. Many lost their homes and estates.And sad to say it was the Bernese (protestant) government whopersecuted these people while al most the same time giving refuge tofrench Hugenots who were persecuted in their own county by theCatholics. Now, this part of our history had for centuries almostbeen denied. So it is no wonder that back in 1904 or so theauthorities wouldn't "know" anything about it. Only in very recentyears many rsearchers began to unfold these things. There was afamous novel beeing written a few years ago, called "die Furgge", byKat harina Zimmermann. She tells about the fate of those poor people,who if they were lucky, got a permission to emigrate to holland,(because Duch mennonites would pay for them!) Some were dying fromhomesickness.. .some secretley returned to their villages, otherfinally emigrated to America. Well I guess that by now, more of thisinformation is known. And in Switzerland many, especially within thechurches are now aware of all the bad things that the anabaptists hadinnocently suffered. last year for the first time there was a bigmeeting where differenct leaders aknowledged the guilt that churchesand governments had in this, and where they appologised to themennonite community for all this. now this summer in Zurich, aspecial plate was installed at the Grossmuenster to honour Felix Manzthe first anabaptist martyr....."
There is a strong possibility that our Peter came to American with theWisler family, being from neighboring towns in the same canton ofSwitzerland, both appearing in America about the same time in the sameplace and having children who would later intermarry. Although it isnot known exactly when he came to America, there are some facts whichplace him here early:
Peter's family spoke Dutch and the children signed their names inDutch on various records, such as deed transfers and other courtpapers.
Bill Sheets forwarded the following from Monticello, IL Archives:
"Peter Van Gundy died intestate on 1758, a family legend has it thathe was scalped by an Indian as he went to the spring. Fronicaprobably died in 1763, because their oldest son, John, and his wife,Ann, petitioned the court for permission to sell the land. Thepetition was denied, instead, guardians were provided for each minorchild. Later, when Pete r, Jr, was still a minor, he asked the courtto allow him to buy the farm or divide it among the children, but hispetition was denied, too. Not until May 12, 1772 was John allowed tosell the land for 1200 pounds sterling and to divide it amont thechildren.
Though the Van Gundys did not live to see their children grown, theywere able to leave them a small inheritance and they gave to thenation four sons, who were soldiers in the Revolution. The childrenwere:
1. John (ca 1740-1819) m Ann----, Lancaster County, Pa.
2. Christian (ca 1743- ) m _____, revolutionary soldier. Operateda grist mill and ran a tavern at Strohocker's Landing on theSusquehanna River near Lewisburg, Pa. He also helped lay out the roadto Dreisbach Church. He is featured in Linn's "Annals of BuffaloValley' for his participation in a dramatic effort to rescue JohnSamples and his wife in Whitedeer Valley during the revolution. In1798 he took up a land grant in Ross County, Ohio.
3. Peter, Jr (ca 1746- ) m _____, Soldier in the revolution and aRanger on the frontier. Settled in York, Pa.
4. Magdalena (ca. 1748- ) m _____ -- nothing known
5. Joseph (1750- ) m _____, a United Brethern minister at Connaton,O hio
6. Benjamin (ca 1752- ) m _____, Was a cooper. Served in theRevolution
7. David Van Gundy (1755-1827) m. Ann _____. Lived in SomersetCounty , PA - A soldier in the Revolution. A joiner. Took up land inOhio after the War."
Residences & events:
From the history of Lancaster County, PA:
"The earliest German pioneers in Lancaster County were SwissMennonites from the cantons of Zurich and Berne. Here they sufferedbitter persecution on account of their religious beliefs, especiallyfor their refusal to conform to the state church, their advocacy ofseparation of church and state, and their unwillingness to beararms.......
Thirty years elapsed before the Swiss Mennonites, some of them havingfound a temporary abode in the Palatinate, came to Pennsylvania andlocated in the Conestoga region, now Lancaster county. They wereliberally aided by the more prosperous Mennonites of Holland. Thelatter took a lively interest in their unfortunate brethren inSwitzerland and in Germany. To render aid in a systematic way, theyorganized a "Committee on Foreigh Needs." They gave large sums ofmoney for the relief of the exiled Swiss Mennonites in the Palatinate.When the opportunity came, they encouraged and liberally supported theMennonites of Berne to seek an asylum in America......
There is a letter of thanks in the archives of Amsterdam, dated June27 , 1710 and signed by Martin Kundig, Hans Herr, Christian Herr,Martin Oberholtzer, Martin Meili, and Jacob Muler. (Familiar surnamesin early Van Gundy history.)......Hans Herr and Martin Kundig acted asagents for their kinsmen, some of whom had already come and others ofwhom came later on. A quaint account of their manners and customs isgiven in an early document as follows: 'The men wore long red capson their heads . The women had neither bonnets, hats, nor caps, butmerely a string passing around their head to keep the hair from theface. The dress both of female and male was domestic, quite plain,made of coarse material , after an old fashion of their own. Soonafter their arrival at Philadelphia they took a westerly course inpursuit of a location where they could all live in one vicinity. Theyselected a rich limestone county, beautifully adorned withsugar-maple, hickory, and black and white walnut, on the border of adelighful stream abounding in the finest trout. Here they raisedtheir humble cabins. The water of the Pequea was clear, cold,transparent, and the grapevines and clematis, intertwining among thelofty branches of the majestic buttonwood, formed a pleasant retreatfrom the moonbeams of a summer sun.' (cf Martin, "The Mennonites," p 8)."
Pennsylvania - Fry's/Frey's Mill - Lancaster Co
Pa-36-18-06-Fry'sMill - - www.millpictures.com
The earliest mill on this site was built by Peter Gundy in 1738. Thiswas replaced by James Martin Fry's mill about 1798. The current40'X60' 3 .5 story fieldstone mill was built by Jacob & Elizabeth Fryin 1848. In 1983, the mill was part of a florist shop wherearrangements were made up and sold. It was still in the Fry family.
1743 Lancaster Co, PA. His second child was born there that year andpossibly the first in 1740 was also.
3/15/1749 Earl Twp, Lancaster Co, PA,
Survey map says:
"A draught of Peter Gundys land situate in Earle Township in theCounty of Lancaster containing two hundred acres and the allowance ofsix acres p.cent for roads and highways. By virtue of the Honourablethe proprietors Warrant dated the 15th day of March 1749. Survey'dthe 6th day of March 1750.
To Nicholas Scull Esqr. By Tho. Cookson
Surveyor Genl D.S.
1750 Cocalico Twp, Lancaster Co, PA. The first tax list stillsurviving included Peter Gunder with 100 acres. There is a note thathis name has also been spelled "Dundy," "Gunty, " and "Gunder." Acomment "Singlemen for themselves" was not explained.
1751 & 1754 - Peter Gundy was his name on those tax rolls.
12/13/1755 Earl Twp. Peter and wife, Fronich, sold their 200 acreson the south side of Muddy Creek bordered by John Gear, Philip Evans,John Davis, and Philip Rood to a Joseph Fox of Philadelphia for 100pounds. He signed his name in German while Fronica signed with an X.See survey above.
1756 That year he was taxed for 60 acres. Next door was HenrySydenbender, two doors in the opposite direction was Rudy Zuck, withJohn Wenger farther down. and several from the Davis family, allnames of in-law families.
1757 Peter Gunety was the final entry on tax rolls for him.
There is a family tradition in one line of descent that says oneSunday morning Peter shot a bear in the presence of son Joseph andgrandson Benjamin. However, Joseph was only 7 when his father died,and grandson Benjamin was born nearly 30 years later so that storyobviously has been embellished, if there is any truth in it at all.
Peter's date and place of birth are taken from marriage records. Abir th certificate was said to be in the possession of a JN Wilkey ofCovin gton, IN at one time.
Most family listings have his death date as 3/26/1763, a date suppliedby descendant Clara Van Gundy, but in Lancaster Orphans' Court Recordsis:
Van Gundy, Peter, d, prior to March 26, 1763, leaving a wife andchildren:
i. John, b 1740
ii. Christian, b 1743
iii. Peter, b 1746]iv. Magdalena, b 1748
v. Joseph, b 1750
vi. Benjamin, b 1752
vii. David, b 1754
The will book lists his name as Peter "Gunty" and he died intestate.
Circumstances and place of Peter's death depend on the story beingread . One version says he died in Bethel Twp, now Lebanan Co, PA,another that he was killed by Indians in Earl Twp, Lancaster Co, Pa.Since all records place him in Lancaster Co, I choose to believe hedied there, whether by Indians, is unknown.
According to estate records, his heirs included his wife, Ann, and 7ch ildren.
When Ann died, sons, John and Christian were then over 21, and John,along with his wife, Ann, petitioned the court for permission to selltheir mother's land but the petition was denied.
Instead, guardians were appointed for the minor children on 3/25/1763.Peter and Magdalene, being over 14, chose their own guardian.Guardians appointed for the 3 younger children were: Jacob Kurtz ofManaheim Twp in Lancaster Co, and Jacob Erb of Warwick Twp, also fromLancaster Co.
Later, while Peter, Jr, was still a minor, John asked the court toallow him to buy the farm or divide it among the children but thatpetition was also denied.
On 5/8/1772 the guardians exhibited their account in court. By thenJoseph was over 21 and David and Benjamin, being over 14, chose theirbrother, John, as their guardian.
In Lancaster County Deeds is:
"M84 John Gunty (Gundy) & w Anna; X or Earl tp mtg to gdns or orphansof Peter Gunty, decd, Benjamin, Joseph & David Gundy L319.12/6d.
169 (acres) -Earl tp; on Muddy cr by ld late of Paul Gehr, PhilipEwins , John Davis, Christian Gunty (gds are Jacob Erb & Jacob Kurtzboth of L . Co.)
(deeded) 6 Nov 1766 W92, (Justice) Thomas Davis, J61 (recorded) 28 Nov1766
Jacob Erb & Jacob Kurtz ack. sat. 2 Jun 1772 fr John Gundy"
Finally on 5/12/1772, John, the oldest son, was finally allowed tosell the land for 1200 pounds sterling and divide the money among thechildren.
