The Updegraff Family
The Updegraff family has a long history of social activism beginning in 1561, when Dutch Reformer, Abraham Op den Graeff, left the Roman Catholic Church to join the rebel protestants at Swammerdam, Holland. As persecution intensified, Abraham was forced to divide and disguise his family in order to escape to Antwerp, Netherlands. Many of his fellow reformers were being hanged, maimed and thrown in the Scheldt River. He remained a fugitive until his death in Duesseldorf, Germany. His widow and their married son moved to Krefeld, a Prussian town west of the Rhine River.
Herman Op den Graeff (1585-1642) is thought to be the patriarch of the Updegraffs' in America. Born in Aldexkerke on the border of Holland, he later moved to Krevaelt or Krefeld, Germany on the lower Rhine where he married Driessen Pletjes (died 1643). Herman and Driessen had 18 children.
The Pletjes family had another daughter Alet who married a Mr. Jasper, they had a daughter Margaret Jasper who married Adm. Sir William Penn and they had a son named William Penn born 1644 in Tower Hill, London, England. William Penn the English Quaker founder of Pennsylvania offered refuge to persecuted Protestants.
Herman, a linen weaver and merchant, became one of two delegates from Krefeld Mennonite Church to sign the Dordrecht Confession in 1632. He served as a pastor and 1637 when contributions were requested for the oppressed Reformed Church in Sweebrucke, Herman contributed 25 Reich thanker in the name of the small Krefeld congregation. At one time there window panes, dated 1630, with Herman's and Grietje's names on them in the Drefeld Museum, supposedly to have originally come from his home.
His son Isaac, (1616-1674) left a widow Margaret, who joined their oldest son Herman, brothers; Abraham, (1646-1731) Dirk, and sister Margaret and others emigrating to America. Francis Daniel Pasterius, a Dutch scholar, and personal friend of William Penn, set up the trip and acted as broker for their investments. Herman and his brothers paid for 2,000 acres of land in Pennsylvania from Jacob Telner. The Op den Graeffs' set sail from Gravesend, England on the Concord on July 24 1683 and arrived in Philadelphia on October 16, 1683.
One of the brothers sent a letter home to Germany on February 12, 1684. ". . . We sailed from England to America in six weeks. The blessings of the Lord did attend us so that we had a wonderfully prosperous voyage. Upon our whole voyage we did not experience as much inconvenience as between Holland and England . . . our number did not decrease upon the ocean, but was increased by two - a son - a daughter - the mothers were easy in labor and soon well again."
The letter then gives an account of the infant Phila.., it's religions, buildings, laborers, the described with its allotments, trees and timber, grape-vines, pasturage, cattle and pigs; also "our city of Germantown with its rivers and valleys. The Indians show themselves very kind and friendly, we travel through the forest without the least fear of them. Most of us have already our own habitations, and we have begun to spin flax."
Abraham was the youngest of the brothers who came from Krefeld and owned the fourth lot on the west side of the road as one traveled north through Germantown. The Eastern State Prison now stands on the part of the original tract at Craterford, Pa. The copy of the original deed is given in a book by Marion Dexter Learned called; "Life of Francis Daniel Pastorius". Gov. S. W. Pennybacker, a descendant of the Op den Graeffs, recorded this on page 124 of "The Settlement of Germantown."
Clyde Updegraff Shank, genealogist who did extensive research on the family and the Germantown area records the following; "The Updegraff family has not been prolific and has shown a tendency to die out in the male line. Those who bore the name are few but are to be found here and there in all parts of the United States.
"They belong to all classes, from unskilled to professional men of high standing. The physical and mental characteristics of the family seem to have been remarkably persistent. The tall and spare physique, together with strongly marked features, see to be common to many members of the family who are unable to find any evidence of relationship except the name. Independence of character and integrity, together with a certain measure of Teutonic idealism, are shown in the history of the family and have unquestionably come down from Abraham Op den Graeff, who settled at Germantown in 1683."
Located on the Delaware River, Germantown, set up with a charter from William Penn, was first called Armentown, which in English means "Poor Town". The day after the 13 families arrived they gathered at Pastorius' dwelling and drew lots for their portions of the land and began to dig cross streets forty feet wide. In 1692, it was said that this street was one mile long and lined with peach trees.
The settlers were linen weavers and mechanics and established their homesteads on three-acre lots. The town sprawled along an Indian trail that became the Germantown Pike and later Germantown Avenue. Built on an elevated spot between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, the town became prosperous and was later incorporated into Philadelphia. In Vernon Park stands a statue dedicated to Pastorius and the 13 Krefeld families. The old graveyards are located nearby.
Soon after settling in Pennsylvania the Op den Graeffs and the other Crefelders became Quakers. The sister Margaret married Peter Shumaker, however nothing is recorded about her ancestors. Dirk and Herman have no children recorded in books available at that time. Abraham Op den Graeff had four children: Margaret, Isaac, (1678-1743); Jacob and Anne. It is Isaac that this branch of the family can best trace their ancestry. The Op den Graeffs' were linen weavers and quite involved in early government of the community. Herman is listed as "Towne President."
Abraham won the Governor's prize of 1500 Lire for the first and finest piece of linen woven in the state of Pa. Abraham and Pasteorius were representatives to the first State Assembly of Pennsylvania and he and brother Derrick were the first to sign a formal protest against slavery in 1688. More than a century later Updegraffs' were the first followers of John Brown at Ossawatomie. Dr. William Wales Updegraff was Brown's chief aide at the battle on August 30, 1856.
In 1704, Abraham Op den Graeff sold his brick farmhouse and he and wife Trintje, moved to Perkiomen near Philadelphia, where he laid out the remaining 1200 acres on Perkiomen Creek. It is believed the move was a direct result of a series of confrontations Abraham had with his brother Dirck about the Quaker, George Keith. It seems Abraham was so upset by the dispute he returned to the Mennonite faith.
Gov. Pennybacker writes; "It is probable that the remains of Abraham Op den Graeff lie with those of the In de Hoffens in the Mennonite graveyard at Skippack near Evansburg." Abraham's daughter Anne married Herman In De Have (Dehaven), It is presumed it was at this time the family converted the name to Updegraff, Updegrave and Updegrove.
Isaac (1678-1743) was about 12 years old when he came to America and inherited 132 1/2 acres of his father's land in what is now Montgomery County. He sold this land to settle in Coventry Township, Chester county and married a woman named Mary. They had four sons Derrick, Herman (1711-1768), William and John and a daughter He was employed by the Potts family at their iron works at Pine Forge and Colebrookdale. He was buried in the Mennonite cemetery located in Skippack, Montgomery County.
Herman/Harman married Mary Ann Lowden. Because the ceremony was performed by a Justice contrary to the rules of Friends, certain members were appointed to pay them a visit. This date is recorded in the minutes of Friends meeting 5/27/1734. Herman and Mary had six children; Derrick (1731-1815), John, Abraham, Harmon, Samuel, William.
Herman was given the King's commission on April 25 1751 to be a justice of the peace and of the Common Pleas for York County and appears to have served in this capacity until his death. The records identify him as a cordwainer and shoemaker. He marries a widow Anna Ursula who has at least one child Elizabeth some time after 1750. They had three daughters; Anna Maria, Martha, and Susanna Updegraff. He is appointed guardian of Michael, Anthony, William, John, and Rebecca Ulrigh, minor orphans of Joseph Ulrigh of York Co. in February of 1750.
Pennsylvania records show several Updegraffs enlisted in the Continental Army. Joseph Updegraff, and Henry Updegraff 5th Co. Upper District Skippack. 5th Btn., Phila. Co.; Jacob Updegraff 8th class. York County; 4th Class Abrose Updegraff, 7th class Nathan Updegraff (son of Jacob nephew Isaac above) 6th Class Abram Updegraff, Capt Ehrman's Dist. Co.: Jacob Updegraff, Jr. and Joseph Updegraff.
Men of Capt. Stake's Co. of Col. Swope's Btn. of Flying Camp taken prisoner at Ft. Wash. 11/16/1776 - York Co.: Pvt. Joseph Updegraff. Capt. Peter Forte's Co. York Co.: Jacob Updegraff and Joseph Updegraff son of Jacob. Pvt. Samuel Updegraff and Pvt. Joseph Updegraff, Sadler, were on payroll of Your Co. Militia as apprehending British deserters, prisoners and bringing the to the stockade fort. John Updegraff Yost Herbach's Co. York Co 1784. Lt. Jacob Updegraff is listed in vol. IV and V of Pa Archives. William Updegraff is listed as drummer on the payroll of Capt. Thomas Collins. There is a long list of Updegraffs' in other branches of the family line in the Pa. Archives.
Derrick Updegraff (1731-1805), his wife Susan Stricker and their grown sons left York to settle what is now Lycoming county in 1789. He traveled up the river in canoes with his family. Later his nephew Thomas Updegraff (on Derricks recommendation) traveled up the same route and settled in Williamsport where he set up the first tannery.
Derrick and Susan had nine children; Martin, Samuel, Herman, (1759-1803) Daniel, Mary, Elizabeth, Susannah and Joseph. Joseph was an attorney and signed most of his father's legal work. He may not have married since there is no mention of him in Derrick's will.
Joseph may be the one listed in the returning soldiers of the 5th Company in 1781. Martin and George sold their land at Level Corners and went west. Mary married Samuel Morrison and moved to Somerset County. Herman, Daniel and Samuel stay in Lycoming County and have numerous descendants throughout the West Branch valley.
Lycoming County history shows Derrick settling on a large tract of land in the county known as "Long Reach". The Updegraffs' were in a legal debate with the Penns over the land in Newberry Township, York County, but Derrick gave up the rights to the land in exchange for the 500 acres in Lycoming county (Northumberland county at that time) and reserved the right to remove his fruit trees from the land in Newberry township.
The family was know for having the largest barn in the county. Derrick and his grown sons purchased the farm of Weir and Latcha, seven miles up the river. It is on this land he settles his sons Martin and George. The Updegraff family was said to be among the most prosperous farmers in the county.
And although Derrick was a devote Quaker, his descendants were instrumental in forming several churches in the valley. They were also very involved hiding and transporting runaway slaves along the Underground Railroad. In the basement of the family home, which is now the Thomas Lightfoote Inn, remains part of a tunnel leading the the escape route along the Susquehanna River.
Derrick and Thomas' descendants were prominent citizens and involved government, helped found a cemetery and the local prison. They owned hotel and were successful businessmen. Abraham was generous benefactor to Dickerson Seminary, which is now Lycoming College. More information about the family can be found in Jan Shaul's The History of the Updegraffs , but this article concentrated on the line which lead to the writer's husband.
Herman married Eve and had four children; Derrick (1794-?); Joseph, Mary, and Abram. All stayed in the Long Reach area to raise their families. Herman had been listed as a weaver and was one of the founders of First Methodist Church according to a family Bible which was in the possession of Mrs. Nancy Jane Gilday Bennett in 1911.
Derrick married Ann Kinley and settled on Dougherty's Run Road. They had three children; George (1828-1893), Saloma/Salina and Ann. Derrick and Elizabeth were listed in the 1830 and 1840 census for Lycoming Township as residing with Samuel Elden were also listed in family records as Presbyters. Perhaps members of Lycoming Presbyterian Church, founded in 1792.
As a soldier in the Civil War (8/30/1864--7/19/1865) in Co. B., 207th Regt. Ind., Private George Updegraff was mustered at Harrisburg Pa. He returned home to the family farm at Dougherty's Run and married Deborah Paulhamous (1829-1906). They had seven children; William Sylvester (1859-1935); Annie Mary; Edward Richard; Betty/Netty; Rachel; James Marshall, and John.
William Sylvester was known for trying many different planting techniques and crop varieties. He married Annie Elizabeth Weaver and had seven children; Clarence (1886-1945), Ruth, William, Carrie Elizabeth, Margaret, Raymond. William spent time with his son Clarence Ezra in Texas developing a fruit farm.
A prominent Williamsport businessman, Clarence Ezra began his career at age sixteen as a brakeman on the Pittsburgh division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. By the time he was twenty he he'd earned the distinction of youngest conductor in the division, as he traveled the famous Horse Shoe Curve. He met his wife Blanche Leedy in Pittsburgh and married her in 1908 and had nine children; William, Claire, Dorothy, George, Charles, Helen and Alice, Clarence and Blanche.
In 1909 C.E. bought a farm in LaTexo, Texas, where he became famous for introducing the Irish potato. In 1920 C.E. purchased the coal yard of A. K. Carrothers and then the West End Lumber and Supply Company in 1922. He invested in and developed an amusement park called Sunset Park in 1923-1930. Then in 1926 he went into business with George K. Harris and purchased the East End Lumber and Coal Company. He was also the director of the Susquehanna Trust Company, Newberry Branch. In 1931 until his death he owned and operated a natural gas field in the Tioga County.
Claire "Vic" Updegraff (1911-1960)went to Williamsport High school and was a star basketball player. He married Evelyn Arlene Taylor in 1941 had four children; Rebecca, Karen, Mark (1954--), Marshall. And Mark married the author of this article and has three children, Mark Claire, Sarah and Kathryn.