MySource:BobC/Peter Van Gundy: A Short & Borrowed History

Peter was our immigrant ancestor and one story relates that he was born Peter Van Gunten, a Swiss Hugenot. "He was able, wealthy and distinguished in the history of his country and aspired to the government of Berne. Being compelled to flee for his life, he sought asylum in France. He and his family immigrated to America and settled in Penn's colony in Bethel Twp, PA."

The family was probably Mennonite, having at least one Mennonite preacher in the family. "It is to the Swiss Mennonites, followers of Menno Simon from the cantons of Berne and Zurick, to whom is given the credit for making the first permanent white settlement in what is now Lancaster County. Several families of these hardy pioneers took up a tract of 10,000 acres north of Pequea creek in what is now West Lampeter Township, on a warrant dated October 10, 1710."

Some descendants say the family left Switzerland at the time of the Catholic persecution, leaving a fortune over there. However, a "Report of Investigation in the Matter of an Estate Supposed to Have Been Left by Peter Von Gunten in Berne, 1700-1800," dated Feb 8, 1904 and including findings of the Chancellor of the Canton Berne, civil officers of Sigriswil, the Justice of the Canton Berne, and the Bernese Archives of State, states "Gunten was a village on the border of the Lake of Thun. It is in the District of Sigriswil. According to the Chancler of the Canton of Berne, the name 'Von Gunten' does not denote nobility; it is merely 'from Gunten.'.....the search of the above named officers has been without result and nothing is known by the competent authorities concerning an estate left by Peter von Gunten."

This report does provide some insight into history through interesting tidbits, such as the following from the Register of emigrant citizens, State Arch. 1694-1754: "Christian von Gunten of Sigriswil, was forced to lose his citizenship May 9, 1736. The Canton Berne and its government has always been Protestant, and it is impossible that a Bernese was persecuted and emigrated on account of his Protestant belief. No reason is given why Christian von Gunten lost his citizenship. He may have broken the laws, married a Catholic, or excited the displeasure of the Government in some other manner.....the records of 'Estates of Emigrants' are literally Records of the withdrawal of means and were made when an estate was converted into money or valuables and turned over to the citizen desiring to emigrate." Signed Edward Higgins, Consul, Berne, Switzerland.

Pat DeWitz of Bedford, OH, wrote in 1976 the she had her husband visited Berne, Switzerland in September 1974, but found little useful information there. They read the census by occupation from 1700 - 1750 and found that every von Gunten (from the village of Gunten) was a school teacher, both male and female, and they all taught in the villages around the Lake of Thun which included Spies, Interlaken, and Gruten. She states further that Gundy is the German form of the name, "von" was used for those who went through Germany, while "van" was used for who went by way of Holland.

Another story states that "the only person found that could have been our ancester was John Peter Gunder, who arrived at the port of Philadelphia 9/12/1752 on the ship, 'Priscilla' from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes (Eng)."

A chart of his branch by Ross G Van Gundy of Los Angeles states "Peter VanGundy, a Hollander, and two nephews" were founders of the family in America. Harvey Van Gundy of Tahlequah, OK, wrote that his "father and twin brother were brought over from Holland by an old lady and settled in Ohio."

And so it goes. Who is to say what is the truth? An autobiography of the grandson of Anna Maria Davis, wife of John Van Gundy, simply states "they emigrated from Switzerland before the Revolutionary War and settled in Pennsylvania, Reading County, not far from a town of the 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. Alfred E. DeWitz of Bedford, OH, Asst Researcher. Mrs. Meyer is also an author and editor of genealogical publications. Relatives have traveled to Switzerland and, hopefully, in the near future, these folks will have all the facts sorted out.

Most of the early American generations were millers and coopers and as such the only coat of arms found by the Van Gundy Association attributed to a family whose name was similar to ours, "Gunten", was associated with Hans von Gunten, an old citizen of Gunten, alive in 1497 but childless. He was a member of an old knightly (3rd class) family originating in Stuhmschen in old Prussia, who were under the vassalage of the Pomeranian diocese as early as the 14th century. The family, for the most part, stayed connected and faithful to the "Orden in Bundeskriege", a high society of the middle ages.

This coat of arms consists of a gold shield on which are two human arms 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 of Burke's Gundi Gondy 1279, which says they believe the Van Gundy name is locational in origin and is associated with the Belgians and Dutch, our coat would be black with a gold Belgian lion and a yellow upper third bearing a red tulip, symbolic of Holland, between two red poppies, symbolic of Belgium.

There is a strong possibility that our Peter came to American with the Wisler family, being from neighboring towns in the same canton of Switzerland, both appearing in America about the same time in the same place and having children who would marry later. Although it is not known exactly when he came to America, there are some facts which place him here early:

1743 Lancaster Co, PA. His second child was born there this year and possibly the first was also in 1740.

1749 Earl Twp, Lancaster Co, PA, where he purchased 200 acres of land.

1750 Cocalico Twp, Lancaster Co, PA. He was included on the list of taxpayers who had property there. There is a note his name has also been spelled "Dundy" and "Gunty." A comment "Singlemen for themselves" was not explained.

1751 and again 1756-8 Earl Twp, Lancaster Co, PA. He was listed on the property tax rolls here as well.

12/13/1755 Earl Twp. Peter and wife, Fronich, sold 200 acres to a Joseph Fox of Philadelphia for 100 pounds. He signed his name in German while Fronica signed with an X.

1756 His name appeared on the tax list for 60 acres. Also on the list was Rudy Zuck, John Wenger, Henry Sydenbender, and several from the Davis family, all names of in-law families.

Peter's family spoke Dutch and the children signed their names in Dutch on various records, such as deed transfers and court papers.

Peter's exact birth date is not known although a birth certificate was said to be in the possession of a JN Wilkey of Covington, IN at one time.

Some family listings have his death date as 1758 but the date posted is from a letter written by great, great granddaughter, Clara Van Gundy.

The will book lists his name as Peter "Gunty" and he died intestate.

Circumstances and place of Peter's death depend on the story being read. 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 he died there, whether by Indians, is unknown.

According to estate records, his heirs included his wife, Ann, and 7 children.

However, Ann must have died shortly after Peter, leaving orphan children. Sons, John and Christian were then over 21, and John, along with his wife, Ann, petitioned the court for permission to sell their 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 of Manaheim Twp in Lancaster Co, and Jacob Erb of Warwick Twp, also from Lancaster Co.

Later, while Peter, Jr, was still a minor, John asked the court to allow him to buy the farm or divide it among the children but this petition was also denied.

On 5-8-1772 the guardians exhibited their account in court. By then Joseph was over 21 and David and Benjamin, being over 14, chose their brother, John, as their guardian.

Finally on 5-12-1772, John, the oldest son, was allowed to sell the land for 1200 pounds sterling and divide the money among the children.