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This Joseph and 2 others, also denoted by * in their names, have beenthoroughly researched
by the PA genealogy society. A great grandson,Rev Michael V Van Gundy, stated that Joseph
was the son of Peter ofLancaster Co, PA, both in a biography and in a letter some 15 yearslater,
4/16/1904, to Franklin P Van Gundy, Convoy, OH. Some say this was probably the Joseph listed in Capt Reagel's Co ofBerks County Militia in 1780-1781. His commanding officer dropped the"Van" from name and Joseph did likewise, establishing the Gundybranch. However, for purposes of identification in this book, thename will stay Van Gundy. He was a cooper, later a Mennonite minister (interesting, since theydo not fight in wars) and finally a minister for the United Brethernchurch. He and son-in-law, Peter Forney were mentioned, as beingordained, in the history of the Meyers Mill congregation, a smallcongregation with partly Amish background, both eventually joining theUnited Brethren. Residences & events in his life: Brothers Valley, Bedford Co, PA. Joseph may have been the leader ofthe Mennonites who settled in the Valley, at the very least, he was animportant member of that community. 1777 He was listed as a 3rd Lt in Captain Weiser's Co ofNorthumberland Co Militia. 11/11/1777 Lebanon, PA. He swore that he was not a symphazier withKing George's cause, according to the Rev War Oaths of Allegiance. 1783 He was assessed for 100 acres, 2 horses and 2 cows. 1784 Elk Lick, Brothers Valley Twp, Somerset Co, PA. He probablynever moved, rather the county lines shifted, making him a resident ofthe new county. At tax time his property consisted of 1 house with 6whites in the household. 1790 In the census his name was Josiph Gunty with 1 male over 16(himself) and 6 females (probably his wife and their first 5daughters). 6/25/1793 & 1/13/1801 were the dates he took out warrants for 265acres of land. The survey was dated 6/25/1819 and the Deputy SurveyorGeneral, John Wells, entered a note that the first improvement on theland was made in April 1784, and the family had lived there since thatdate. Joseph was mentioned many times in the journal of a United Brethrenminister, Christian Newcomer. It may have been Newcomer's influencewhich eventually caused Joseph to leave the Mennonites for the UnitedBrethren. 10/27/1798 - "I stayed this night with a Mennonite preacher namedGundy; our souls immediately flowed together in Love." 1800 Somerset Co, PA. He and brother, David, were the only Gundys inthe county. Joseph then had one male above 45 (himself), 2 males under10, 2 females under 10, 4 females 16-26, and 1 female over 45 (wife). (Westmoreland, PA) There is no evidence Joseph ever actually livedthere although some descendants claim he did briefly. 10/10/1801 Chillicothe, Ross Co, OH. Apparently Joseph had made atrip to OH but returned home before his mail could catch up with himas on this date the newspaper carried a listing of letters left at thelocal post office, Joseph's name among them. 11/17/1803 Somerset Co, PA. Newcomer again visited with Joseph:"This morning we set out very early. Rode 36 miles over verymountainous country, arrived at night at Joseph Gundy's." Newcomerpreached there on Sunday, 11/27/1803, to a gathering, "followed byBrother Crum and then Gundy, a Mennonite preacher." 1804 Joseph withdrew his membership from the Elk Lick Mennonitechurch and became a minister for the United Brethren Church. Serviceswere held in the cabins of the settlers. 1804 & 1807 Ross Co, OH. Joseph received two land grants as recordedat the Chillicoth land office. 1805 Harrison Co, OH. Supposedly, Joseph and his a 10 year olddaughter came to the location of Conotton, built a cabin, cleared theland and returned to PA in the fall. 4/28/1806 Harrison Co, OH. Joseph entered the NE 1/4 of Sect 14, Twp13, Rg 6 giving his current residence as Somerset, PA. It is unlikelyhe would have given that address if he actually lived in WestmorelandCo. This land was patented to him on 1/10/1812. He bought twoquarter sections of land, plus another small parcel on the NW end ofthe ridge that came to be called "Gundy Ridge" His farm was just atthe eastern edge of the present village of Conotton. An entry in Rev Newcomer's on 3/9/1807 states: "traveling west fromFrankford, leaving Joseph Crisup's, I again pursued my journey; rodeall day across a very mountainous part of the country; stopped at apublic house to get refreshment for myself and beast. After we hadrecruited our strength, I set off with the intention of reachingJoseph Gundy's. When I arrived at the place where he formerly lived,I found he had removed to the western county, but found his son-in-lawlived at the place. Both young people rejoiced to see me andentertained me with the greatest pleasure." A note in the PA Vital Records of Lancaster Co recorded Newcomer'sdeath 7 yrs later: "Died on Tuesday morning last, (8 February 1814),Mr. Christian newcomer, of Manor township near Columbia, in his 42dyear of his age, he left a wife and 9 children." |
| Some listing have his birth date as 1742. However the date postedcorresponds with the information in his father's estate settlementthat he was under 14 in 1763 and by 5/8/1772 he was over 21. |
| Other family listing have Joseph's death date as 1795 but his will wasdated 6/28/1820 and proved 3/18/1823. It named all the children butFanny. |