Cemetery notes and/or description:
PEARSON MILLER DEWEESE CEMENTARY IS ON OLD MORGANTOWN ROAD ON DRUY ROSE FARM.BEHIND MAXINE ROSE'S HOUSE.SHE IS A RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER. THE CEMENTARY IS IN SMALL PATCH OF WOODS.HAS A FENCE AROUND IT.LOTS OF BIG TREES GROWN UP IN IT.LOT OF STONES WAS USED
TO HOLD DOWN HUNTERS FEED BARRELS.IT WAS ESTABLISHED AROUND 1830-1840.AT THAT TIME THE FARM WAS CALL WILLIAM DEWEESE PLANTATION.THERE IS A LICK BRANCH AND A PITMAN CREEK ON PLANTATION .....NAMES IN CEM.:DEWEESE-GEARY-PITTMAN-
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DATE :28 MAY 2013....BY CLYDE JERIL DEWEESE*******The Dewees Family Name
The origin of the family surname of DeWees is unknown although it has been clearly documented that the ancestor of all Dewees families in America is Garrett (or Gerret, or Gerrit) Hendricks DeWees who arrived in New Amsterdam from the Netherlands with his wife around 1663.
While this should clearly demonstrate that the surname "DeWees" is Dutch, the use of surnames by the rural Dutch was not in practice in the 1600s. Garrett (son of Henrick) Hendricks was in fact named after his father, Hendrick Adrianense, who in turn was named after his father, Anriane Heyndricks.
So where did the surname DeWees originate? No one knows for certain.
NAME THEORIES
One theory is that the family soon after their arrival in America may have assumed the name of one of their ancient French Huguenot ancestors who used the name "D'Ewees".
In 1898, Garret E. DeWees, claiming to be a native of Zaandam, Holland, gave the following history; "In 1563 there was born in Dortrecht, Holland, Jan Pietre, the only son of his parents who died when he was very young. He was adopted by a family who gave him the surname of de Wees which being anglicized means "the orphan," thus originiating the name of de Wees, or later, Dewees. It looks reasonable that such should be the case, as it was customary in those days to give surnames according to the avocation or or circumstances in which one was placed, thus Jan Pietre, the orphan, became Jan Pietre de Wees.
Another theory: "This Dutch surname of DEWEES was of the locational group of surnames meaning 'one who came from the province of Friesland', a Frisian. The name of this region is ancient and of uncertain etymology; the most plausible speculation derives it from an Indo-European root 'PREI' (to cut), with reference to the dykes necessary for the cultivation of low-lying land. There is archaeological evidence of the construction of ditches and dams along the southern shores of the North Sea from at least the time of Christ. It was also an occupational name for a builder of dams and dykes. The word was used in this sense in various parts of Germany during the Middle Ages, and is probably a transferred use of the ethnic term, dyke building being a characteristic occupation of Frieslanders."
HERALDRY

In the Middle Ages heraldry came into use as a practical matter. It originated in the devices used to distinguish the armoured warriors in tournament and war, and was also placed on seals as marks of identity. As far as records show, true heraldry began in the middle of the 12th century, and appeared almost simultaneously in several countries of Western Europe.
====================THE DEWEES FAMILY IN ENGLAND====================
The D'Ewes of England were descended from one Gerrard or Garret D'Ewees, the eldest son of Adrian D'Ewes, of Amsterdam, Holland, who died in 1251, decended from the ancient lords of Kessel, in Guilderland. Gerrard or Garret D'Ewes, settled in England about the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII.
OF HOLLAND ORIGIN
The name Dewees is unmistakably of Holland origin. Other evidence points in the same direction. From the bundle endorsed "Verscheide Stukken raekende de Colonie Van N. Nederlandts, No. 34," in Stad Huys, Amsterdam, Holland, is the following record:
Holland Documents XV.204. Moneys received on interest at 3 1/2 per cent on account of the City of Amsterdam Colonie established in New Netherlands Ao 1656. From Adam de Wees was borrowed 3.600 Florins (extract from New York Colonial Documents Manuscript Vol. 2, page 101).
In a letter to Henry S. Dotterer of Philadelphia, from a gentleman in Lieuwarden occurs this passage: "Born on 13th March 1673. Wilhelmina Pietre de Wees. From Parish Register Lieuwarden Province, Friesland, Holland.
This Wilhelmina de Wees married in 1689, Nicholas (Claus) Rittenhouse, at New York, as the following extract from the Records of the Reformed Church in New York will show. Original Records, page 662. Copy in New York, Gen. and Biog. Records, Vol. X, page 131.
From: The Dewees Family: Geneaological Data, Biographical Facts and Historical.....". .The Early Deweeses
Adriaen Hendricksz - 1595-1674 - Holland
According to the official family historians, the first Deweese we know of was Adriaen Hendricksz Dewees, who was born in 1595 in Holland. He was the one who owned the bookstore (in Beverwijk, near Amsterdam), and who knew Rembrandt. According to a book by Mrs. Bayless (1), Adriaen's father's name was Jan Pietre de Wees, but since the Dutch used patronymics for middle names, his father should be Hendrick Dewees. At any rate nothing is known about him (the father of Adriaen), although maybe the official historians have found something by now. (2)
Adriaen Hendricksz married Hilegond Govertsdr (I assume that means "Goverts's daughter"?), the widow of Philip Klaaz, and they had three children, all of whom emigrated to New Amsterdam - and from whom all the Deweeses in the US are descended. Their names are:
Hendrick Adriaensz b. ~1615 - 1661
Isaac Adriaensz b. ~1620
Catherina Adriaens 1626 - 1672
[New info, Dec 2010: According to a tree on Rootsweb by Daryl Harvey Johnson, there was another child: Gerritt Adriaensz, b 22 Apr 1625 - d bef 1657. I would assume such an exact date means a birth/baptismal record has been found by someone. ??? I have no other information about him.]
Adriaen died in 1674. And that is all I know about him.
Of the four children, Hendrick is our next ancestor, and will be discussed in more detail below.
Isaac married Trijntje Jans van Vollenhoven; they had a son named Govert Isaacsz Dewees; later she remarried Jan Barentsz.
Catherina married Jan Martsz de Visscher, and they had a daughter named Petronella. DeVisscher also remarried, Margriet van Arnhoudt, but I do not know when.
I have no further information about the new son, Gerritt.
NOW. There is one more thing - I got this genealogy from Jack Vaughan (the official Deweese historian) and from the book by Mrs. La Munyan [The Dewees Family: Genealogical Data, Biographical Facts and Historical Information collected by Mrs. Philip E. Lamunyan; Ellwood Roberts, Editor. (Norristown Pa:William H. Roberts, 1905)]. And my understanding was that all the Deweeses in America could be traced to these particular people. However, there were other Deweeses who came over later, in the 1730s and 1740s. I don't know what to do with them. It is a puzzlement. They were:
Joh. Henrich Dewess, on the ship Eliza of London, arrived Aug 27, 1733 (ship sailed from Rotterdam) and
Ludwigh Dewys, on the ship St. Andrew, arrived Oct 7, 1743 (sailed from Rotterdam).
(These are from Rupp's 30,000 Names . . .)
Back to Deweese Home Page Back to Home Hendrick Adriaensz Dewees - 1615-1661 - Holland - New Amsterdam
Our next ancestor is Hendrick Adriaensz Dewees. Born in about 1615 in Holland, he emigrated to New Amsterdam sometime after 1640 (his first son was born then, in old Amsterdam, supposedly). We do not know the name of his wife! [New info, Dec 2010: According to the Daryl Harvey Johnson Tree on Rootsweb, the name of Hendrick Adriaensz's wife was Adriaentje Jans (1619 - aft Nov 1661)] They had at least four children:
Gerrit, born 1640, Amsterdam
Jan Hendricksz, born 1641 (Daryl Harvey Johnson calls him Johannes Hendricks, and gives him the dates 1643 - aft 1674. He also gives him a son, Lewis, b. 1679, but has no further information on him.)
Willem, born 1643 (Johnson dates: 1643 - abt 1663)
Nelletje, born 1650 (Johnson dates: 1649- abt 1663)
Hendrick was a locksmith by trade.
I don't know exactly when Hendrick emigrated to America, but there was no settlement of New Netherlands before 1624 (there were trading posts - Fort Orange, near present-day Albany, was built in 1615) and not much before 1630. Hendrick's son Gerrit was born in 1640 and did not emigrate with his father - would Hendrick have left a wife and young children back in Amsterdam when he left for America? I don't know. But if he waited until Gerrit was more-or-less grown, that would have been in the mid- to late 1650s - and in 1655, the population (of the entire colony) was between 2000 - 3500 people.
New Netherland settlers did not come to America because of religious or political persecution, nor were they destitute. They came with the hope of making money. The majority were single males, primarily tradesmen or farmers. The West India Company provided cattle, horses, provisions and land to farmers. . . . For craftsmen, a salary was negotiated and housing arrangements were made, in effect making the individuals company employees.
from A Brief Outline of the History of New Netherland (accessed 23 Dec 2010)
Was Hendrick one of those craftsmen?
Supposedly Hendrick and his brother Isaac were captured (by the English?) in a raid upon New Amsterdam, and were taken captive to the East? Indies, where they died.
The date of Hendrick's death is given as 1661.
Please note that I, personally, have not documented any of this.
Back to Deweese Home Page Back to Home
Gerrit Dewees - 1640-~1700 - Holland - Pennsylvania
Moving right along, our next ancestor was Gerrit, born in Amsterdam in 1640. He married Zytian (Sijtske/Sytie) Lieuwes on September 28, 1662, and together they had 10 or 11 children
A lot of information available on the Internet about this man is incorrect, based on the book by Mrs. LaMunyan [The Dewees Family: Genealogical Data, Biographical Facts and Historical Information / collected by Mrs. Philip E. Lamunyan; Ellwood Roberts, Editor. (Norristown Pa:William H. Roberts, 1905)]. Mrs LaMunyan did a tremendous lot of work, and we all owe her a debt of appreciation, but she did make some errors, particularly with Gerrit. Jack Vaughan and the Dewees National Research Team published an article in 1994 correcting some of the errors [Curtis Dewees and Jack C Vaughan, "Gerrit Hendricks de Wees : 17th Century Dutch Immigrant to New Amsterdam" New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol 125, No. 1 (Jan 1994); 1-7] , but that information is not so widely distributed - in fact, I just came across it recently, and have myself been guilty of spreading the La Munyan errors. [Yes, Jack Vaughan is the man who helped sort out my branch of the Deweeses, but he sent me information going back only - only! - 4 generations, and I had to look for the rest myself.]
At this point it might be useful to introduce another complication. Samuel Pennypacker - he was a lawyer, one-time governor of Pennsylvania (1903-1907), author of numerous historical studies, including "The Settlement of Germantown" - says, in that volume (p. 119): "Much confusion has resulted from a want of familiarity on the part of local historians with the Dutch habit of omitting the final or local appellation. Thus the Van Bebbers are frequently referred to in contemporaneous records as Jacob Isaacs, Isaac Jacobs and Matthias Jacobs . . . ." [Samuel Pennypacker, The Settlement of Germantown, Pennsylvania and the beginning of German emigration to North America. (Philadelphia: William J Campbell, 1899)].On the same page, he speculates that a certain "Gerhard Hendricks" might be the same as Gerhard Hendricks Dewees. Here is what he says in full
. . . Gerhard Hendircks also had bought two hundred acres from Sipman. He came from Kriegsheim, and I am inclined to think that his identity may be merged in that of Gerhard Hendricks Dewees. If so, he was associated with the Op den Graeffs and Van Bebbers, and was a grandson of Adrian Hendricks Dewees, a Hollander, who seems to have lived in Amsterdam. This identification, however, needs further investigation. Dewees bought land of Sipman, which his widow, Zytien, sold in 1701. The wife of Gerhard Hendricks in the court records is called Sytje. On the tax list of 1693 there is a Gerhard Hendricks, but no Dewees, though the latter at that time was the owner of land. Hendricks after the Dutch manner called one son William Gerrits and another Lambert Gerrits, and both men, if they were two, died about the same time. (He then continues with the quote above.)
However, there were two Gerhard Hendricks in the colony. The first actually traveled with Pastorius on the Francis and Dorothy and arrived in America on 12 Oct 1685. This Gerhard Hendricks was the one from Kriegsheim and he did in fact purchase 200 acres from Sipman; this Gerhard Hendricks had a wife Mary and a daughter Sarah. He was quite a wonderful person: a Quaker, he, along with two Op den Graeff brothers and Francis Daniel Pastorius, "sent to the Friends' meeting the first public protest ever made on this continent against the holding of slaves" (Pennypacker, p. 147) - this was in 1688. He died before 1693, and his widow is on the tax list that year as Mary Hendrix.
So the Gerhard Hendricks on the 1693 tax list is, as Pennypacker supposed, our Gerhard (or Gerritt) Hendricks Dewees - and the rest of the information he provides does refer to him. [To complicate things, our Gerhard Hendricks also bought land from Sipman, but it was 50 acres in 1690, and before that he lived in New Amsterdam.] But Pennypacker's speculation has caused some Deweese researchers to be over-enthusiastic about assigning the events in the first Gerhard Hendricks's life to our fellow. I have seen online genealogies which give Gerrit 2 wives, first Mary (with daughter Sarah) and then Zytian (with all the other children).
So the timeline below is based on the Curtis Dewees/Jack Vaughan article (unless otherwise noted) - they provide documentation and/or reasoning for all the information.
1641-2 - Gerrit Hendricks de Wees born, Amsterdam (based on age in 1689)
[1642 March 23 - Sytske Lieuwes baptized, Leeuwarden Reformed Dutch Church
(another Sytske Lieuwes was baptized in the same place on 18 Jan 1637, but the younger is more likely)
16xx - father Hendrick Adriaensz de Wees emigrated to New Amsterdam
1661 - father Hendrick died, New Amsterdam (or Indies)
1662 Sept 28 - married Zytian/ Sytie Lieuwes
Gerrijt Hendrix, from Amsterdam, and Sijtske Liuwes, in this town (Leeuwarden), banns proclaimed for the first tim 14 September 1662, for the second time 21 ditto, for the third time 28 ditto, and on the same date were married. - Leeuwarden Reformed Dutch Church
1663? - daughter Willemyntie born, Leeuwarden
1663-4 - emigrated to New Amsterdam
1664 - New Amsterdam captured by English; non-English inhabitants required to swear allegiance to crown - list includes Gerrit Hendrickszen van Amsterdam
1664 Nov 9 - child Willem baptized - Reformed Dutch Church, New Amsterdam/New York
- parents Gerrit Hendrickszen - Sytie Lievens
- witnesses Philip Philipszen, Jaepie Jans
1666 - Gerrit Hendricx van Amsterdam (and Joost Goderis from Haerlem) - made carriers at the Weigh House
1666 Nov 7 - child Divertie baptized - Reformed Dutch Church
- parents Gerrit Hendrickszen - Sytie Lievens
- witnesses Peter Ebel, Anna Mingens (? Bad notes)
1667 April 7 - Gerrit Hendrickszen and Sytie Lievens, his wife, joined the New York Reformed Dutch Church
1668 April 11 - Sytie Lievens was a baptismal sponsor
1670 Feb 8 - Sytie, wife of Gerrit Hendrix, entered a complaint against Nathaniel Pietersen, who "had assaulted and wounded her with a sword over her hands"
1672 May 5 - child Lambertus baptized - Reformed Dutch Church
- parents Gerrit Hendrickszen - Tietie Lievens
- witnesses Jan Sprigelauer, en Syn Huyour
1673 Sept 24 - child Ariaentie baptized - Reformed Dutch Church
- parents Gerrit Hendrickszen - Zytken Lieuvens
- witnesses Jan Spregel, Dirck Evertszen, Gerritje Spiegel
1673 fall - Dutch briefly recaptured New York - court ordered some houses too close to Fort Willem Hendrick on Manhattan be torn down - one of them was the house of Gerrit Hendricks, butcher. Gerrit claimed that the English had "ruined him" - he was given a house on Smith Street in recompense
1674 - English retake New York - list of house owners drawn up - included Garrett Hendricks, Dutchman, living on Smith Street, next to John Ray
1675 Oct 3 - child Lambert baptized - Reformed Dutch Church
- parents Gerrit Hendrickszen - Sytie Lievens
- witnesses Maynert Kourten, Anneken Oenens
1677 13 Oct - child Henrick baptized - Reformed Dutch Church
- parents Gerrit Hendrickszen - Sytie Lievens
- witness Barentie Hendricks
1680 Mar 30 - child Willem baptized - Reformed Dutch Church
- parents Gerrit Hendrickszen - Sytie Lievens
- witnesses Wyt Corn Timmer (? Bad notes), Lysbeth Beddo
1681 Apr 2 - child Lysbeth baptized - Reformed Dutch Church
- parents Gerrit Hendrickszen - Aefje Lievens
- witnesses Enoch Michielszen, Marritie Cornelis
- note This may be a different couple, Gerrit Hendrickszen and Aefje Everts, who also had children baptized in 1675 and 1685. However, the original record does read "Lievens" . . .
1682 Apr 7 - Jan Jansen van Flensburg bought a parcel of land on Smith Street from Gerrit Hendrix (New Netherland Connections, V5 (2000) p. 41 - queries)
1682 Dec 20 - child Cornelis baptized - Reformed Dutch Church
- parents Gerrit Hendrickszen - Sytie Lievens
- witness Marritie Pieters
1683 - Francis Daniel Pastorius leads the first settlers to Germantown, Pennsylvania
he was in charge of the affairs of the Frankfort Land Company and an important man in the new settlement: "He kept the records of the court, compiled the laws and ordinances, was bailiff of the borough when organized, a justice of the peace and County Judge and member of the Assembly . . . . (Pennypacker p. 63)
1684/5 Jan 8 - Gerritt Hendricks de Wee witnesses a will
1684 April 6 - Garrett Hendricks Dewees, of the Citty of New Yorke, butcher - sold a small parcel of land on High Street to John Ray (wife of Garrett called Sidy)
1689 - Militia under Captain Jacob Leisler - list includes Gerrit Hendricks, age 47, born Amsterdam
1689 May 29 - daughter Wilemyntie married Claus Rittenhouse
Claes Rittenhyysen, bachelor, from Arnhem [Gelderland, Netherlands], and Willemyntie de Wees, spinster, from Leeuwarden [Friesland, Netherlands], the first living at the South [Delaware] River, the second here [ie New York]. Betrothed 10 May 1689, married 29 May 1689.
1690 March 1 - bought 50 acres in Germantown from Herman Op de Graff, attorney for Dirck Sipman.
Deed from Herman op de Graff to Gerrett Hendricks de Wees.
By these Presents be it known to all whom it may concern. THAT WHEREAS. Dirck Sipman at present residing in the city of Crefelt in the county of Cologne, did purchase of William Penn.Proprietor and Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania. Certain 5.000 acres of land in the said Province whereof he is at present in lawful possession and of which I Herman op de Graff by virtue of the full powers unto me for that purpose given. Do grant unto Gerrett Hendricks deWees under the yearly rent of two Rix Dollars or 2 pieces of Eight yearly forever. Certain 50 acres of land situate in the German Township part whereof consists in a Town lot of the breadth of 14 Perches and 4 feet. Bounded on the one side towards the South East by William Reittinghousen, and on the other side towards the North West by Dirck Keysers Land extending Westward to the Main Street and Northward to the German Township line and containing XXX acres and the remaining XX are situate amongst the said Germantown outside lotts extending and bounded also on the southeast by William Reittinghousen on the northwest by Dirck Keyser, Northward by the Township line, and Westward by the division street, and of the same breadth of XXX Perches Which 50 acres of Land situated as above I the said Herman op de Graff as attorney of (and in the name of) the said Dirck Sipman do hereby grant unto the said Gerrett Hendricks de Wees, Together with all the rights, titles and interests of the said Dirck Sipman of, in and to the same to the intent and purpose that the said Gerrett Hendricks de Wees his Heirs and Assigns hereafter forever possessing the same shall and may peaceably and unmolested, have hold and possess the same herein granted Land with any claim and demand of the aforesaid Dirck Sipman his Heirs and Assigns. On the other hand the said Gerrett Hendricks deWees hereby binds himself his Heirs and Assigns yearly on the first day of the first month commonly called March to pay unto the said Dirck Sipman his Heirs and Assigns forever, The said yearly rent of 2 Rix Dollars or 2 pieces of Eight the payment of which yearly rent to be made in the year 1691 on the first day of March. And lastly the said Gerrett Hendricks de Wees shall be obliged in order for the more better assurance of his right to the said (50) acres of Land to cause this present grant or a sufficient Extract thereof to be duly entered into the appointed Public Town Record.
In Testimony whereof the Parties have set their hands and Seals hereunto. Done at Germantown 1690 the 1st day of the first month commonly called March.
Witnesses. Herman op de Graff (Seal) Isaac Shumaker. Gerret Hendricks de Wees (Seal) Paul Wulff. Passed in the Court of Records ye 22nd.
9th. M. 1698. (Deed Book, I; 9, 218._Philadelphia, Pa.) (LaMunyan, p 14-15)
1692 4th Month 14 - son William apprenticed to Aret Klincken
1692 8th Month 18 - son Lambert apprenticed to Andrew Souply, a weaver
1693 - on tax list for Germantown, Pa - listed as Gerhard Hendricks
1694 June 30 - son Hendrick died
1694 9th Month 13 - son Lambert mentioned in court record for abusing another citizen
(Fined 10 shillings, 25 10th Month 1694)
~1700-01 - died (widow sold land in 1701)
To continue with the land
1701 Dec 23 - widow Zytian de Wees sold the land in Germantown to Conrad Cod Weis (or Codweis) and John Henry Mehls - her attorney was her son-in-law, Claus Rittenhouse.

THIS ENDENTURE made the 23d. day of December one thousand seven hundred and one between Claus Ruttinghuysen, lawful Attorney of Zytian de Wees widow of Gerric Hendricks deWees. on the one part, and John Conrad Cod Weis of Germantown on the other part, for and in consideration of 23 pounds current silver money of Pennsylvania a certain half lot containing 25 acres. and a further consideration of a yearly rent of six shillings to be paid to Dirck Sipman his Heirs and Assigns forever. Witnessed by Hans Senrussmirls. Peter Keyser. (Exemplification Records. I, 390.)

Claus Ruttinghuysen, Attorney, etc., for Zytian de Wees, widow of Garrett Hendricks de Wees, sold the other half lot to John Henry Mehls, the same then being in possession of Zytian deWees, widow of Garrett Hendricks de Wees, for the sum of 17 pounds. Witnessed by Arret Klinkin and Peter Keyser. (Exemplification Records, 8, 392, L.)

1703 Oct 2 - son William bought back (half) the land in Germantown
Deed from John Conrad Codweis to William Dewees. This Indenture made October 2nd. 1703. between John Conrad Codweis of Germantown county of Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania, on the one part. and William Dewees of the same Township, County and Province on the other part.WITNESSETH THAT THE SAID John Conrad Codweis for and in consideration of the sum of twenty seven pounds, current silver money of Pennsylvania which sum is secured to be paid by a bill of mortgage under the said William Dewees's hand and seal bearing date with these presents, the receipt whereof lie the said John Conrad Codweis doth hereby acknowledge, and for both acquit and discharge the said William Dewees his heirs and assigns forever. doth Grant, Bargain &c a certain half lot in Germantown March unto Gerard Hendricks de Wees by a deed of Enfoeffin dated the first of March 1690. acknowledged in open court March Conrad Codweis, by virtue of a deed of sale from the above mentioned Gerard Hendricks de Wees' widow Zytian dated the 18th day of April 1701. acknowledged in a court of records, held at Germantown 1703.
John Conrad Weis. Exemplification records. No.8, p.386. Recorder of Deeds' Office, Philadelphia, Pa.

1706 11th month 22 - William Dewees sold the Germantown land to Conrad Rutters.
This same land was sold by William Dewees to Conrad Rutters, on the 22d of 11th month, (commonly) called January, 1706.
La Munyan, pp 15-17
From somewhere I got the information that Gerrit was buried in the Concord Burying Ground, Germantown, PA, but I do not have the documentation for that. I do not know when or where Zytie died or where she is buried.
Back to Deweese Home Page Back to Home Forward to Gerrit's Children Forward to Cornelius Deweese Contact .Page last updated 23 Dec 2010
1. I don't have the bib. info right handy right now. The notes were sent to me by another researcher. There is also this little ditty, found somewhere on the Internet:
The following was handed to me this day by a farmer whose pond I went to fish in and his name happened to be Deweese.
DEWEESE FAMILY HISTORY By Merna L. Potts Albany, OR
The first family by the name of DeWeese to come to this country was Garrett Hendricks deWees and his wife, Zytian, who sailed from Freesland, Holland, about the year 1689, landed in New York, and a few months later settled in Germantown, Pa.
His ancestor is believed to have been Jan Pietre deWees, born 1563 in Dortracht, Holland, the only son of French Huguenot parents who died when he was very young. Jan Pietre was adopted by a family who gave him the name of de wees, which means "orphan", thus originating the name of de Wees or later Dewees and Deweese.
Garrett Hendricks deWees and his wife Zytian were the parents of four children:
1. Wilhelminia, born March 13, 1673, married Nichelas Rittenhouse.
2. Cornelius, married Margaret Koster & lived in Montgomery Co., PA
3. William, born 1677, died 1745, married Anna Christana Meels, buried in Germantown PA. (Some descendants to SC before 1790.
4. Lewis, who married and went to Kent Co., Del.
One of these three sons above is believed to be our direct ancestor
back to text
2. There is, or used to be, a Deweese Family Organization, which published a quarterly newsletter, and the official historians (mostly Jack Vaughan) keep the family members updated on their research, but I only joined for one year - it was too much information for me at that point, since I didn't even know who Mary Polly's father was then. So it is possible more is known.
back to text.