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24 Jul 1998 9:29 AM
John Giles, husband of Charlotte Hendricks, daughter of John Hendricks and
Susannah Custer, states that their first ancestor in this country was from
Hesse-Cassel, came over in Revolutionary War time and fought "mit de
Hessians". Susannah was the sister of John Custer that m. Catherine
Valentine. Also the sister of Squire Jacob Custer that m. Sarah Webster.
[Howe's Historical Collection of Ohio, c1888) as told to Henry Howe,
author, by John Giles, three years before the death of John Giles 1899. The
book was first published 1845, next 1888. John Giles was a grandson by
marriage of Emanuel Custer, 1754-1854.
The U.S. Encyclopedia of History, V. 6:1005; The Curtis Publishing Co.,
Philadelphia - N.Y. (Co-Du). Army Officer was descended from a Hessian
soldier who remained in the U.S. after the Revolutionary War. About 20,000
German soldiers were hired by the British to fight the colonists during the
Revolutionary War in America. They were called Hessians because most of
them came from the Hessian states of Germany. They were paid about 25 cents
a day. They were not particularly interested in the war but they were well
trained and fought well. Their performance caused many of the American
troops to fear and respect their fighting ability. Some deserted the
British Army. Many of them remained in the United States after the
Revolutionary War. One such Hessian was Johnathan Cuesters, from
Hesse-Cassell. Surrendered with Burgoyne 17 October 1777 at Saratoga.
Paroled 1778.
Johnathon Cuester settled in Limerick Twp., Montgomery Co., PA 3 October
1778.
In 1775, John Burgoyne (1722-1792) arrived in Boston with reinforcements
dispatched to General Gage. The British finally decided to reinforce Howe
in New York by sending Burgoyne with some 7,000 men down the Hudson River
Valley from Canada.
Howe wanted to attack Philadelphia, and the King wanted him to attack
Boston. The campaign started late in May 1777. The 23 July he finally took
ship from New York, planning to take Philadelphia from the south. When he
reached Chesapeake Bay, he received orders from the British minister of
war, Lord George Germain, to co-operate with Burgoyne, who was now moving
down from Canada, but it was already too late. Howe's plan to take
Philadelphia became plain when he entered Chesapeake Bay. On 25 September
the British army moved into Philadelphia. At the Battle of Bemis Heights,
Burgoyne found the Continental Army firmly established under the leadership
of Gen. Gates.
Meadville, Library - Custer; REFERENCE - Howe's Historical Collections of
Ohio, V.I:899-900 Harrison Co., OH) Centennial Edition of OH.
NOTES; A talk with John Giles of Scio to the author Henry Howe-
He wanted to tell me what he knew about the Custers and I let him. The
original spelling was Kuster. Their 1st ancester in this country was from
Hesse-Cassel, came over in Revolutionary War time and fought "mit de
Hessians." Emanuel Custer, father of the general, was a blacksmith and
Justice of the Peace. This John Giles, Jr. was the son-in-law of Susannah
Custer, sister of Squire Jacob Custer. She m. John Hendricks.
Two battles were fought at Freeman's farm; 19 September. Jonathan
Cuester was likely with Burgoyne at Freeman's farm in 1st and 2nd battle.
(03 October 1775 Jonathon Cuesters settled in Limerick twp. Montgomery
county, PA (German settlers of PA), Staatsbote, Philadelphia, PA. R929.3748
H659g, c.pg.147 Grand Rapids, MI. Library 2R floor.
Known then as Philadelphia Co., PA.) The 7th October 1777 the second battle
at Freeman's farm was fought.
Burgoyne was defeated again. His campaign ended at Saratoga
(Schylerville, N.Y.) on 17th October 1777 in humiliating defeat. Burgoyne
found his supplies almost gone, his road blocked, and a determined enemy
closing in from all sides. With no relief in sight, Burgoyne could do
nothing but surrender to Horatio Gates. The defeat has been called one of
the most decisive events of the world's history because it brought France
into the war.
QUERY: Who are the descendants of Johnathon Cuesters? Who are his parents?
Is his name also Paul?
1775-1781: Isle of Wight, VA, 1781, #75; Received of John Thomas 1 beef
weighing 215#, 13 9 26 Oct 1787. My father, Harry Custer, Evart, MI
mentioned the Isle of Wight. Was he referring to this Isle of Wight? The
name surname Thomas was the only name I recognized.
Congress ordered proclamation 15 June 1785 forbidding all unwarrantable
intrusions, without loss of time, depart with their families and effects.
John Custer, s/o Emmanuel & Anna Maria, gr-father of Geo A Custer, was
settled illegally in what is now, Harrison Co OH, with some 20 other
families.
General Harmar from Ft McIntosh on the Ohio R. was sent to expel them.
John re-crossed the Ohio, settled in what is now the West Virginia
panhandle where he received a grant of several 100 acres. His son,
Emmanuel settled in Harrison Co, was black smith and Justice of the Peace
in the Village of New Rumley,where George Armstrong Custer was born. In a
few years the family moved to Monroe MI.
John settled legally in Ohio Co, West Virginia. Emanuel (possibly the
Emanuel Custer who was an original landowner in Clermont Co OH) Emanuel had
six children: Jacob, John, Emanuel, Jr., Charlotte, Susan, Mary Custer.
Edgar Harry Custer was about 6 years of age when he died 1799. Charlotte,
Susan, and Mary. Emanuel gave all his daughters parcels in Ohio. Emanuel
died about 100 years.
Nevin Johnson Custer said "Will say my fathers name was Emanuel Custer. His
fathers name was John. He [i.e. this John Custer.] had seven children;
Emanuel Custer, great grand father, Paul Custer, great great grand father."
Jacob was a surveyor. Jacob platted the town of New Rumley, OH, 1813. In
02 March 1815 Jacob was married to Sarah Webster, in Harrison Co., OH. 10
August 1815, Jacob received land from his father, described as SE 14.12.5
in Harrison Co., OH, which land was granted to him by President James
Madison through the Steubenville Land Office.
John Cust was taxed 1815, 1816, on 100 acres T2, 1819, 100 acres, T3. 1820,
Federal Census, Mercer Co., PA. Emanuel Custen at Stoneboro, Mercer Co.,
PA. Samuel E. Custer, s/o Joseph & Elizabeth Williams Custer settled there
1825: Samuel E. Custer b. 22 Dec. 1825 Hartford Twp., Trumbull Co., OH.
1826: George S. Custer came to Burgh Hill, Hartford Twp., Trumbull Co., OH.
Second s/o Joseph & Elizabeth Williams Custer.
First son of John and Catherine Valentine?
John Custer m. Susan Shull 1826. Mesopatamia, Trumbull Co., OH.
Half brother of Joseph Custer (& the Grandson of Joseph Custer). d/o
Frederuck Shull, (Seen on Joseph's Intestate Record and a near neighbor).
Joseph W. Custer, son of Samuel E. & Mary Ann Varnes Custer says "I was
born in Dagus, Elk County, Pennsylvania. When I was young we moved to
Stoneboro, Mercer Co., PA. [letter to Chester Custer 31 May 1981]. That was
the year that Emanuel Custer supposedly died at abt. 100 years. [Henry R.
Baldwin's Genealogical Records. Cemetery Index prepared by Mahoning
Library. Emanuel was given as 100 yrs. These records were prepared by Henry
R. Baldwin 1869-1919].
Nancy and Joseph lived on the corner of the Custer-Orangeville Rd.,
Brookfield, Trumbull Co., OH. Joseph was the son of Jacob Leatherman Custer
& Mary Malissa Lane. Joseph's brother, John W. Custer that m. Emily
Hottinger was at Evart, Osceola Co., MI when Judah Custer & Nancy Lavina
Moor Custer purchased 40 acre homestead.24 Oct. 1878. This is the line of
George Custer & Susannah Long.
Judah & Nancy Custer are my gr grandparents.
..