From Germantown to Ohio: Tracing the DeWeese Family Line

 Ancestry of Catherine DeWeese Jones

Source Note:
This narrative is based on The DeWees Family (Roberts, 1905), public historical records, and personal genealogical research conducted by the descendant and researcher, [Your Name]. The conclusions below represent the best understanding of the family lineage as of the time of writing.

Disclaimer:
The information presented here is part of ongoing research. While many names, dates, and relationships are drawn from well-documented sources, other connections—especially beyond the 4th great-grandparent level—may require further primary source confirmation. Researchers are encouraged to use caution when citing or expanding upon this tree. Corrections and confirmations are welcome as part of the verification process.

Ancestry of Catherine DeWeese Jones

Catherine DeWeese Jones was born on 19 December 1819 in Pennsylvania, and over the course of her life, she lived in Indiana and Ohio, where she died on 17 September 1900. She is part of a deeply rooted colonial American family, tracing her DeWeese lineage to early Dutch settlers who helped establish the Germantown settlement in Pennsylvania in the late 1600s.

Parents: Joseph DeWeese and Catherine Shafer

Catherine was the daughter of Joseph DeWeese and Catherine Shafer (surname also seen as Shaffer or Schaefer). Her parents likely lived in Pennsylvania at the time of her birth and possibly followed other DeWeese relatives in migrating westward. Joseph is placed as a son of Thomas DeWeese and Catharine Bissey based on family tradition and regional continuity, though further documentation is still being sought to confirm this definitively.

Grandparents: Thomas DeWeese and Catharine Bissey

Thomas DeWeese was born on 4 May 1770 and married Catharine Bissey on 5 April 1791. This marriage is documented in The DeWeese Family book and marks the beginning of a known branch that stretches from eastern Pennsylvania into frontier states such as Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri. While their children are not all listed in the book, this family is believed to have been part of the migration trend that brought many DeWeese descendants into the Midwest in the early 19th century.

Great-Grandparents: Samuel DeWeese and Elizabeth

Samuel DeWeese and his wife Elizabeth lived during the mid-1700s and had at least seven known children:

• Thomas DeWeese (Catherine’s grandfather)
• John DeWeese, who married Anna Maria Faust
• William DeWeese
• Elizabeth DeWeese, born 1777
• Samuel DeWeese Jr., born 1760 (married four times)
• Paul/Powell DeWeese
• David DeWeese

This family remained centered in Pennsylvania but began spreading into Ohio and the western frontier. They were likely affiliated with the Reformed Church, a common denomination among early German and Dutch settlers in the region.

2nd Great-Grandparents: Cornelius DeWeese

Cornelius DeWeese, a farmer, was a key figure in the early DeWeese family history. He and his brother William DeWeese jointly purchased 390 acres of land in 1708 in what became Skippack Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Cornelius descended from Dutch immigrants and helped develop the agricultural base of the Pennsylvania interior. His line produced many descendants who were part of the 18th- and 19th-century westward expansion.

3rd Great-Grandparents: Gerrit Hendricks de Wees and Zytian

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Gerrit Hendricks de Wees, the immigrant ancestor, came to America from Zaandam, Holland, in

1689, settling first in New York and then in Germantown, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. There he purchased land and became part of the early Germantown community. He and his wife Zytian had four known children:

• Cornelius DeWeese
• William DeWeese – a noted paper-maker and elder in the Reformed Church
• Lewis DeWeese – settled in Delaware
• Wilhelmina DeWeese – married Nicholas (Claus) Rittenhouse

Gerrit’s land and legal dealings are well documented, as is the tradition that the family name “DeWees” originated from the Dutch word for “orphan.” He and his children were prominent contributors to both economic and religious life in early colonial Pennsylvania.

Legacy and Continuing Research

The DeWeese lineage is one of notable continuity from the colonial period through the westward migration of the 19th century. The family’s legacy includes skilled tradesmen, farmers, and community leaders. Through this ancestry, Catherine DeWeese Jones connects directly to some of the earliest European settlers in Pennsylvania.

As the researcher continues to explore and document this family’s history, additional sources, DNA evidence, and regional records will be used to confirm and expand the story.

What's in a Name? Tracing the Many Spellings of the Deweese Family Line

Let’s be honest — researching family history sometimes feels like trying to chase a greased pig at a county fair. And nothing proves that better than the Deweese family name.

You see, somewhere back in colonial Pennsylvania, my Deweese ancestors decided life wasn’t hard enough already. They added an extra challenge: a last name that can be spelled more ways than you can shake a stick at.

According to official records (and a few unofficial ones scribbled on the back of very old marriage licenses), you might find our family under:

• Deweese

• DeWeese

• De Weese

• DeWees

• Dewees

• Dewese

• Dewesee

• And if you squint hard enough at 1800s handwriting, even Dewis or De Wes.

Honestly, at this point, I’m just waiting to find a "De-Wheeze" in a Revolutionary War pension file.

Despite the spelling adventures, it all ties back to my great-great-great-grandmother, Catherine Deweese Jones. Catherine was born around 1820 in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Joseph Deweese and Elizabeth Shaffer. She later married James Jones II, and after his death, she had a son, George Washington Jones — my direct ancestor.

George W. Jones carried the Jones name forward, but the Deweese blood (and apparently the creative spelling gene) lived on. From Germantown, Pennsylvania, to Indiana farmhouses, to Michigan towns, the Deweese spirit — or should I say "DeWeesey essence" — stuck with us through every census taker who shrugged and just spelled it however they felt like that day.

So next time you can’t find your ancestors in a search because their name looks different, just remember: If it kind of looks like Deweese, sounds like Deweese, and resists every effort to spell it the same way twice, much like Deweese--it’s probably Deweese.

And if you’re related to me, it definitely is.

The Mifflin County Insurrection of 1791: A Fight for Justice

A Crisis in Post-Revolutionary Pennsylvania

In September 1791, the quiet town of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, was thrown into turmoil when an armed mob stormed the courthouse, intent on forcibly removing Judge Samuel Bryson from the bench. The attack was fueled by resentment, personal ambition, and a dangerous disregard for the rule of law.

As the situation spiraled out of control, the arrival of Colonel Daniel McFarland and his militia turned the tide, restoring order and ensuring that justice prevailed. The events of the Mifflin County Insurrection would become a significant chapter in Pennsylvania’s early history, illustrating the challenges of maintaining law and order in a rapidly changing nation.

A Conspiracy Against the Courts

The trouble began when Samuel Bryson was appointed second associate judge of the Mifflin County Court of Common Pleas. His previous role as Lieutenant Colonel of the militia had placed him in a position to influence officer promotions, and his opposition to commissioning William Wilson and David Walker as militia colonels led to their deep resentment.

Determined to remove Bryson by force, Wilson and Walker gathered a force of 40 armed men and marched into Lewistown with a fife playing, their intentions clear: seize the judge from the courthouse, force his resignation, and exile him to the rugged terrain along the Juniata River.

The Riot Breaks Out

As the mob arrived at the courthouse, Judge Bryson quickly folded his robe and retreated to an adjoining chamber, avoiding immediate capture. Meanwhile, Judge Story, another magistrate who had learned of the planned attack, attempted to sound the alarm but was intercepted and forcibly detained by the rioters.

The situation escalated as Wilson and Walker’s men stormed the courthouse, overpowering court officers and seizing Judge Bryson. It seemed as though the mob’s plan would succeed—until the next day, when the tables turned.

Col. Daniel McFarland & The Militia Response

On the day following the riot, Colonel Daniel McFarland arrived in Lewistown with the local militia, prepared to confront the insurrectionists. He delivered a strong address condemning the riot and declared that his forces would defend the judiciary at any cost. His firm stance immediately changed the course of events.

The rioters, sensing their impending defeat, began to waver. Their courage quickly faded in the face of McFarland’s unwavering force. Wilson and Walker, once emboldened, now found themselves isolated as their support crumbled. In a matter of hours, the insurrection collapsed. The court reconvened, and the judges issued a formal statement thanking McFarland and his militia for their swift action, acknowledging their role in upholding the integrity of the judiciary.

But tensions in Lewistown had not fully settled. That evening, another group of armed men attempted to storm the local prison to free the sheriff, who had been detained earlier in the day. Rumors spread that reinforcements from Tuscarora Valley were on their way, threatening to escalate the violence. Fortunately, before another confrontation could break out, news arrived that the sheriff had already been released, preventing further bloodshed.

The Aftermath of the Riot

The Mifflin County Insurrection was a stark warning about the dangers of lawlessness and unchecked ambition. Had it not been for the decisive action of Colonel McFarland and his forces, the attack on Judge Bryson could have set a dangerous precedent for Pennsylvania’s courts.

McFarland’s swift intervention ensured that justice remained intact and that those who sought to overthrow the courts by force did not succeed. His efforts not only ended the immediate crisis but also served as a reminder that the rule of law must be protected, even in the face of violent opposition.

Postscript: Identifying Colonel McFarland

The Colonel McFarland who played a key role in restoring order in Mifflin County was most likely Colonel Daniel McFarland of Pennsylvania (1731–1817). A seasoned military officer, he had previously served as a Commander of Rangers in Monongalia and Ohio Counties in 1778 and was involved in militia efforts during the Revolutionary War. He also had ties to Washington County, PA, where he helped establish Fort McFarland around 1772.

While there was another Col. Daniel McFarland from Massachusetts, his known activities were centered in New England, making it unlikely that he played a role in the events of Mifflin County. Given the location and military background of the Pennsylvania-based McFarland, it is almost certain that he was the leader who quelled the 1791 riot.

Sources Cited

• The Mifflin County Insurrection, Primary Source Transcription, Freeman’s Journal/North-American Intelligencer, September 28, 1791.
• Col. McFarland’s Role in the Riot, Philadelphia Gazette of the United States, September 28, 1791.
• DAR Application Summary on Daniel McFarland, Nellie Elizabeth Phillips Trotter, Daughters of the American Revolution Archives.
• McFarland’s Military Service & Land Ownership, Daniel McFarland Facts Document.
• Biographical Records of the McFarland Family, Descendants of Daniel McFarland.