(Photo of Berks, Pa. baptism record attached. With commentary: John Peter Klingensmith is buried at Kidd Farm. His Log Cabin found 1982 (today Gilpin Twp. Armstrong Co) and taken to Hanna's Town Westmoreland Co. Pa were his father Peter& uncle Philip &Christina Walthour came over Mountains1770 Bible Records 1990)
"The Klingensmith family is of German origin, and was founded in this country by Peter Klingensmith, who on coming from Germany settled in Armstrong (then Westmoreland) county, in what is now Gilpin township. He was one of the pioneers in his section." - Armstrong County, Pennsylvania: her people past and present, By J.H. Beers & Co.
Peter died at age 59 yrs, 7 mos. He was married to an "Indian maiden" (possibly Lenni Lenape or Delaware).
The Klingensmith log cabin, dating back to around 1800, was discovered in Gilpin Township in 1982 and has since been moved to historic Hannastown. It is unclear which Klingensmith line built and lived in this cabin but if it was not Peter's immediate family it almost certainly was one of his blood relatives [cousin, brother, nephew or son].
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This reference from the county history mentions a cabin built by his son George
"George Klingensmith, son of Peter, was born in 1779 in Westmoreland county, and in 1830 removed to Armstrong county, being one of the pioneer settlers in what is now Parks township. He built a log house in the woods and cleared his land for agricultural purposes, continuing to follow farming until his death, which occurred in 1857."
Armstrong County, Pennsylvania: her people past and present, By J.H. Beers & Co
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5 Mar 1818 , Allegheny Twp, Armstrong, PA
In the Name of God Amen, I Peter Klingensmith Sr. of Allegheny Township, Armstrong County and State of Penna. Farmer being very sick and weak of Body but sound of mind memory and understanding Blessed be to God for the same but considering the uncertainty of this transitory Life do make & Publish this my last Will & in manner and form following to Wit – Principally & first of all I command my Immortal Soul unto the hand of God who gave it and my Body to the Earth to be Buried in a Decent Christian like manner at the Discretion of my Executors herein after mentioned and as to such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased almighty God to Bless me in this Life I give & Dispose of in the manner following to Witt- I give and bequeath unto my Three Sons John Henry & Adam Klingensmith my Plantation I now reside on in said Township & County & State aforesaid to be equally divided among them or in the manner they so cause when Adam comes of age but not (illegible) and likewise. I give & devise unto the aforesaid three sons of mine all my Horses, Cows, Sheep Hogs, Farming Utensils Household Furniture and effects of any kind whatsoever. I give & Devise unto the rest of my children George Peter Daniel Margaret Shaffer Mary Shaffer Catherine & Christina one Hundred & Fifty Dollars of Bonds on Jacob Landas & Jacob Smith the same to be equally divided amongst them when the bond is (illegible). I likewise I likewise give & devise unto my daughter Catherine one Cow one Pot Six Pewter Plates one Pewter Dish one dozen large pewter plate six spoons one Feather Bed & Bedsteads and likewise. I give & devise unto my daughter Christina one Cow one Pot six Pewter Plates one Pewter Dish six spoons one Feather Bed and Bedsteads & one large Pewter Plate & one Spinning wheel and to my daughter Catherine one Spinning Wheel. & as touching all the rest of my Estate real & Personal of what kind or nature so ever the same may be I give & devise to my three sons John Henry & Adam or their children or their successors of the Equally divided between them. & Lastly I Nominate Constitute and appoint my two Sons George & Henry Klingensmith to be the Executors of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all other Wills (illegible) and bequest by me heretofore made & Declaring this to be my last Will & Testament In Witness Whereof I have set my hand & seal this 5th day of march 1818.
Peter Klingensmith
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Family Members
Parents
John Peter Klingensmith
1729–1800
Mary Elizabeth Kauffer Klingensmith
1729–1783
Spouse
Anna Margaretta Spahr Klingensmith
1755–1818 (m. 1777)
Siblings
John Philip Klingensmith
1757–1826
Children
George Klingensmith
1779–1857
John Peter Klingensmith
1785–1863
Henry Klingensmith
1796–1867
Jane Klingensmith Shoop
1801–1860
Adam Noah Klingensmith
1804–1871
