The Gochenour family is of Swiss origin. The earlist gochenours researched exist in records dating into the 1500s. The family appears to have originated in the area of Fischental near Bauma, Canton Zurich. The area is situated easterly of Lake Zurich. The parish of Fischental was part of the feudal domain of Herrschaft gruningen. (A map of the feudal region can be found in Beitrage zur Verfassungsgeschichte des Mittelalters, Klaui,Paul)
The family was intermarried with the Peter family and other founding members of the Anabaptist movement in Switzerland. They also suffered the same well-recorded persecutions. The exile, confiscation of goods and diaspora of
the children of Jacob Gochenour is recorded in the Martyr's Mirror. Jacob was jailed at Othenbach prison after making his way back into Switzerland.
The earliest immigrant of the Gochenour family that is the focus of this research is John Jacob Gochenour. John Jacob, age 20,
Christian, age 17, and Katrina, age 18, were passengers on the ship Samuel, arriving in Philadelphia Aug. 1732. It is believed that Katrina was the wife of John Jacob, and that Christian was a brother of John Jacob.(Christian died in Conestoga twp. in 1752. No children are mentioned just a widow Salvona.)
A warrant for land was issued to John Jacob on Jan. 24,1733 from Thomas Penn, Richard Penn and William Penn. A deed dated Nov. 4, 1780, recorded May 11, 1803 transferred the property of John Jacob to his second eldest child, Jacob
Immigrant Jacob Gochenour, age 20, appears on the log for Ship Samuel arriving in Philadelphia, August 11, 1732. Also on board were brother Christian, age 17, and Katherina, age 18, wife of John Jacob. In 1780, all eight sons of John Jacob appeared on tax rolls for Conestoga in 1780. Henry, John(m. Margaret Good, sold land to Henry Rush and Adam Gochenour by deed march 12, 1781) and Jacob refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania. Christian(CJG3), Abraham(CJG5), Joseph(CJG9)(1782 Martic twp.tax list, militia records, m. Esther Herr(659)), Tobias(was in militia, 1794, Third Bat.,Second Co.,Capt. Metzer) and Adam(1782 Conestoga tax records, militia, Sixth Co.,Capt. Philip Baker) are shown to have taken the Oath.
Christian served during the Revolutionary War in the Second Co. with Capt. Philip Baker. Christian is both the presumed and disputed father of John Gochenour b. 1805 m. Lydia Elliot (parents of Mary Gochenour 1836-1916).
On tax rolls by 1780, and had taken Oath of Allegiance. Joseph Gochenour(Coughenower)was an early official in Martick twp.
He and his seven brothers are listed as males between ages 18 and 53 for Conestoga twp. in 1776.(Ellis & Evans, History of Lancaster County, p.736-737.)
Esther married Christopher Winters Jr. abt. 1818. They had three children:Augustus, Silas and Esther. Esther died during or shortly after the birth of her namesake daughter in 1823. She is buried at Pequa(now Zion) Reformed at New Providence.
Ship Samuel made many crossings with settlers to Pennsylvania. The passengers on board for the crossing arriving August 11, 1732 contained a large group of mennonites.
Absalom was born June 21,1813. He married Lydia Ann Winters July 13, 1851. He was a farmer of Providence township and they raised 13 children.
Absalom and Lydia Gochenour conveyed several pieces of property as follows:
Absalom is buried at New Providence Mennonite cemetery.
Gochenour Research Resources
Books
Intestate Records
-Lancaster, PA
Census and Tax lists
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