On September 14, 1753, the ship "Edinburg", captained by James Russell, arrived in Philadelphia harbor. Starting out from Portsmouth, England, it had sailed to Rotterdam where it picked up a passenger named JOHANN KRAFF GOSS and his young sons. Johann, born March 6, 1730 in Lower Saxony, had joined the tens of thousands of German, Swiss and French refugees who were enticed to William Penn's new colony of Pennsylvania with the promise of religious and economic freedom. The brutal and bloody 100 Years War had taken a great toll on Europe, particulary the Protestant Germans. Pawns of the land grabbers and victims of political oppression of the warring factions, they were weary of religious persecution and having their lands and fortunes usurped by the Catholic powers: some German Duchies; the French king; and the Austrian queen's marauding armies. These oppressed survivors of the Reformation made their way across Europe to places like England and the Netherlands where they weren't persecuted for their religious beliefs and awaited an opportunity to leave their war-torn homeland for better prospects.
The migration of Germans to America began slowly about 1682, supported by England, desirous of increasing the popluation of their new American colony. By 1707 the migration became a great influx and continued to increase at a rate that alarmed the English colonists. As ship, after ship of immigrating Palatine Germans arrived in Philadelphia and other New World harbors, the native colonists became concerned that these foreign speaking people might take up arms against the English settlers and attempt to establish a German state. (The Saxon invasion of England in the 5th century had not been forgotten.) In September, 1727, the Provincial Council in Pennsylvania adopted a resloution to record the immigrants and required the newcomers to take an oath of allegiance to the English king and renounce their German monarch. Unfortunately, many of the Germans could not speak English and the English recorders, who did not speak German and were not completely literate in some cases, recorded the passengers names as they thought they sounded. Surnames morphed into improperly spelled, new versions that sounded English. Johann Kraffgoss became John Kraft Ghost.
Of the Goss/Ghost family members who arrived in 1753, we know of two of Johann's sons: Joahnn Philip and his brother, Craft Ghost.
________________________________________________________
From Sylvia Coast, Venango County Historical Society:
==================================================
The area in Venango County, PA that Philip came to about 1796 was called Scrubgrass Township, and later became Clinton Township.
*From the Pennsylvania Archives, 6th Series, Vol. lV: Military Abstracts from Executive Minutes Vol. 1-9 inclusive. 1790-1817 "Return of militia officers elected in and for the County of Westmoreland. Wednesday, December 12th, 1792", page 174. There is a record of Philip having served as Captain of 7th company.
*Also from Pennsylvania Archives: Vol V: Muster and Pay Rolls PA Militia 1790-1800, page 634 - 1792:
"We the subscribers do acknowledge to have received from Charles Campbell Lieutenant of Westmoreland County the sums annexed to our names respectively in full of pay allowed by the State of PA for a tour of militia duty under the command of Capt'n Phillip Coasts.
*September 22, 1792:
The first name on the list is Phil'p Coasts. 88 Dolls and no cents. Time of discharge: Nov. 27, 1792.
Also on this list: Mich'l Huffman - 6 Dolls and 60 cents. Time of discharge-Nov.27, 1792.
Dan'l Huffman-6 Dolls and 50 cents. Time of discharge-Nov. 26, 1792.
*Another time Phillip's name is spelled COOST:
Discharges Westmoreland County Militia -1792:
The following is just one of several discharges, but this one pertains to Philip Ghost: "I do Hereby Certify that Henry MyKrantz first Sergent has served his Tower(sic) of Duty as Militia Man two months and seven days under my command at Green's Station and now discharged by me." Phillip Coost, Capt, November the Twenty Sixth Day, 1792".
*From the 1800 Federal Census of Strasburg Township, Lancaster Co., PA; page 224; from ancestry.com, image #5 of 9: Philip Ghost; 1 male under 10 years, 1 male 16-25 years, 1 male 26-44 years (apparently Philip), 3 females under 10 years, 2 females 16-25 years, 1 female 45 years and older (Barbara). This record is apparently Philip and family. There are a couple of discrepancies between the dates I had, most notably Philip's age, which should be over 45. This would be an easy error to make. There is a 26-44 year old list nearby on page 226, who must be a brother or cousin to Philip.
*From the 1810 Federal Census of Allegheny Township, Venango County, PA, page 504; from Ancestry.com, image 1 of 8: Philip Ghost; 1 male under 10 years, 1 male 45 years and older (Philip); 1 female under 10 years, 1 female 45 years and older (Barbara).
_________________________________________________________
From Mary Pierotti, Independant Genealogist in the Coast Family:
=====================================================
There is some uncertain information about Johan Philip Ghost and the time that he was in Lancaster County.
Johan Philip Ghost married Anna Barbara Keltz about 1773 or 1774. We know that George Keltz was living in Four Mile Run, Westmoreland County, PA in 1772 because he (George Keltz) and Anna Maria are listed as the sponsors of Jacob Kneissle (Nicely). This is found in The German Church Record of Western Pennsylvania 1772-1791 Vol. I, Page 1, Records #11 and 12. We know that his daughter, Christina, was baptized in the Zion Church, by Pastor Anton Ulrich Lutgo in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, PA in April 1783. This baptism is recorded in The German Church Record of Western Pennsylvania 1772-1791 Vol. I, Record # 41, p. 45. I have land records from the PA Archives that he owned land in Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County in Sept 1785. I do think that the Ghost family passed through Lancaster County, and that some relative probably stayed there.
_____________________________________________________
From Jeanne Moretti:
===================================================
Philip was a native of Germany. He reportedly served in the Revolutionary War, [in the PA State MILITIA] and is described as being a Major [CAPTAIN]. He has a Daughters of the American Revolution marker at the Calvert Riddle Cemetery, in Irwin Township, Venango Co., PA. He was apparently in Lancaster County in 1796.
The migration of Germans to America began slowly about 1682, supported by England, desirous of increasing the popluation of their new American colony. By 1707 the migration became a great influx and continued to increase at a rate that alarmed the English colonists. As ship, after ship of immigrating Palatine Germans arrived in Philadelphia and other New World harbors, the native colonists became concerned that these foreign speaking people might take up arms against the English settlers and attempt to establish a German state. (The Saxon invasion of England in the 5th century had not been forgotten.) In September, 1727, the Provincial Council in Pennsylvania adopted a resloution to record the immigrants and required the newcomers to take an oath of allegiance to the English king and renounce their German monarch. Unfortunately, many of the Germans could not speak English and the English recorders, who did not speak German and were not completely literate in some cases, recorded the passengers names as they thought they sounded. Surnames morphed into improperly spelled, new versions that sounded English. Johann Kraffgoss became John Kraft Ghost.
Of the Goss/Ghost family members who arrived in 1753, we know of two of Johann's sons: Joahnn Philip and his brother, Craft Ghost.
________________________________________________________
From Sylvia Coast, Venango County Historical Society:
==================================================
The area in Venango County, PA that Philip came to about 1796 was called Scrubgrass Township, and later became Clinton Township.
*From the Pennsylvania Archives, 6th Series, Vol. lV: Military Abstracts from Executive Minutes Vol. 1-9 inclusive. 1790-1817 "Return of militia officers elected in and for the County of Westmoreland. Wednesday, December 12th, 1792", page 174. There is a record of Philip having served as Captain of 7th company.
*Also from Pennsylvania Archives: Vol V: Muster and Pay Rolls PA Militia 1790-1800, page 634 - 1792:
"We the subscribers do acknowledge to have received from Charles Campbell Lieutenant of Westmoreland County the sums annexed to our names respectively in full of pay allowed by the State of PA for a tour of militia duty under the command of Capt'n Phillip Coasts.
*September 22, 1792:
The first name on the list is Phil'p Coasts. 88 Dolls and no cents. Time of discharge: Nov. 27, 1792.
Also on this list: Mich'l Huffman - 6 Dolls and 60 cents. Time of discharge-Nov.27, 1792.
Dan'l Huffman-6 Dolls and 50 cents. Time of discharge-Nov. 26, 1792.
*Another time Phillip's name is spelled COOST:
Discharges Westmoreland County Militia -1792:
The following is just one of several discharges, but this one pertains to Philip Ghost: "I do Hereby Certify that Henry MyKrantz first Sergent has served his Tower(sic) of Duty as Militia Man two months and seven days under my command at Green's Station and now discharged by me." Phillip Coost, Capt, November the Twenty Sixth Day, 1792".
*From the 1800 Federal Census of Strasburg Township, Lancaster Co., PA; page 224; from ancestry.com, image #5 of 9: Philip Ghost; 1 male under 10 years, 1 male 16-25 years, 1 male 26-44 years (apparently Philip), 3 females under 10 years, 2 females 16-25 years, 1 female 45 years and older (Barbara). This record is apparently Philip and family. There are a couple of discrepancies between the dates I had, most notably Philip's age, which should be over 45. This would be an easy error to make. There is a 26-44 year old list nearby on page 226, who must be a brother or cousin to Philip.
*From the 1810 Federal Census of Allegheny Township, Venango County, PA, page 504; from Ancestry.com, image 1 of 8: Philip Ghost; 1 male under 10 years, 1 male 45 years and older (Philip); 1 female under 10 years, 1 female 45 years and older (Barbara).
_________________________________________________________
From Mary Pierotti, Independant Genealogist in the Coast Family:
=====================================================
There is some uncertain information about Johan Philip Ghost and the time that he was in Lancaster County.
Johan Philip Ghost married Anna Barbara Keltz about 1773 or 1774. We know that George Keltz was living in Four Mile Run, Westmoreland County, PA in 1772 because he (George Keltz) and Anna Maria are listed as the sponsors of Jacob Kneissle (Nicely). This is found in The German Church Record of Western Pennsylvania 1772-1791 Vol. I, Page 1, Records #11 and 12. We know that his daughter, Christina, was baptized in the Zion Church, by Pastor Anton Ulrich Lutgo in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, PA in April 1783. This baptism is recorded in The German Church Record of Western Pennsylvania 1772-1791 Vol. I, Record # 41, p. 45. I have land records from the PA Archives that he owned land in Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County in Sept 1785. I do think that the Ghost family passed through Lancaster County, and that some relative probably stayed there.
_____________________________________________________
From Jeanne Moretti:
===================================================
Philip was a native of Germany. He reportedly served in the Revolutionary War, [in the PA State MILITIA] and is described as being a Major [CAPTAIN]. He has a Daughters of the American Revolution marker at the Calvert Riddle Cemetery, in Irwin Township, Venango Co., PA. He was apparently in Lancaster County in 1796.
On September 14, 1753, the ship "Edinburg", captained by James Russell, arrived in Philadelphia harbor. Starting out from Portsmouth, England, it had sailed to Rotterdam where it picked up a passenger named JOHANN KRAFF GOSS and his young sons. Johann, born March 6, 1730 in Lower Saxony, had joined the tens of thousands of German, Swiss and French refugees who were enticed to William Penn's new colony of Pennsylvania with the promise of religious and economic freedom. The brutal and bloody 100 Years War had taken a great toll on Europe, particulary the Protestant Germans. Pawns of the land grabbers and victims of political oppression of the warring factions, they were weary of religious persecution and having their lands and fortunes usurped by the Catholic powers: some German Duchies; the French king; and the Austrian queen's marauding armies. These oppressed survivors of the Reformation made their way across Europe to places like England and the Netherlands where they weren't persecuted for their religious beliefs and awaited an opportunity to leave their war-torn homeland for better prospects.
The migration of Germans to America began slowly about 1682, supported by England, desirous of increasing the popluation of their new American colony. By 1707 the migration became a great influx and continued to increase at a rate that alarmed the English colonists. As ship, after ship of immigrating Palatine Germans arrived in Philadelphia and other New World harbors, the native colonists became concerned that these foreign speaking people might take up arms against the English settlers and attempt to establish a German state. (The Saxon invasion of England in the 5th century had not been forgotten.) In September, 1727, the Provincial Council in Pennsylvania adopted a resloution to record the immigrants and required the newcomers to take an oath of allegiance to the English king and renounce their German monarch. Unfortunately, many of the Germans could not speak English and the English recorders, who did not speak German and were not completely literate in some cases, recorded the passengers names as they thought they sounded. Surnames morphed into improperly spelled, new versions that sounded English. Johann Kraffgoss became John Kraft Ghost.
Of the Goss/Ghost family members who arrived in 1753, we know of two of Johann's sons: Joahnn Philip and his brother, Craft Ghost.
________________________________________________________
From Sylvia Coast, Venango County Historical Society:
==================================================
The area in Venango County, PA that Philip came to about 1796 was called Scrubgrass Township, and later became Clinton Township.
*From the Pennsylvania Archives, 6th Series, Vol. lV: Military Abstracts from Executive Minutes Vol. 1-9 inclusive. 1790-1817 "Return of militia officers elected in and for the County of Westmoreland. Wednesday, December 12th, 1792", page 174. There is a record of Philip having served as Captain of 7th company.
*Also from Pennsylvania Archives: Vol V: Muster and Pay Rolls PA Militia 1790-1800, page 634 - 1792:
"We the subscribers do acknowledge to have received from Charles Campbell Lieutenant of Westmoreland County the sums annexed to our names respectively in full of pay allowed by the State of PA for a tour of militia duty under the command of Capt'n Phillip Coasts.
*September 22, 1792:
The first name on the list is Phil'p Coasts. 88 Dolls and no cents. Time of discharge: Nov. 27, 1792.
Also on this list: Mich'l Huffman - 6 Dolls and 60 cents. Time of discharge-Nov.27, 1792.
Dan'l Huffman-6 Dolls and 50 cents. Time of discharge-Nov. 26, 1792.
*Another time Phillip's name is spelled COOST:
Discharges Westmoreland County Militia -1792:
The following is just one of several discharges, but this one pertains to Philip Ghost: "I do Hereby Certify that Henry MyKrantz first Sergent has served his Tower(sic) of Duty as Militia Man two months and seven days under my command at Green's Station and now discharged by me." Phillip Coost, Capt, November the Twenty Sixth Day, 1792".
*From the 1800 Federal Census of Strasburg Township, Lancaster Co., PA; page 224; from ancestry.com, image #5 of 9: Philip Ghost; 1 male under 10 years, 1 male 16-25 years, 1 male 26-44 years (apparently Philip), 3 females under 10 years, 2 females 16-25 years, 1 female 45 years and older (Barbara). This record is apparently Philip and family. There are a couple of discrepancies between the dates I had, most notably Philip's age, which should be over 45. This would be an easy error to make. There is a 26-44 year old list nearby on page 226, who must be a brother or cousin to Philip.
*From the 1810 Federal Census of Allegheny Township, Venango County, PA, page 504; from Ancestry.com, image 1 of 8: Philip Ghost; 1 male under 10 years, 1 male 45 years and older (Philip); 1 female under 10 years, 1 female 45 years and older (Barbara).
_________________________________________________________
From Mary Pierotti, Independant Genealogist in the Coast Family:
=====================================================
There is some uncertain information about Johan Philip Ghost and the time that he was in Lancaster County.
Johan Philip Ghost married Anna Barbara Keltz about 1773 or 1774. We know that George Keltz was living in Four Mile Run, Westmoreland County, PA in 1772 because he (George Keltz) and Anna Maria are listed as the sponsors of Jacob Kneissle (Nicely). This is found in The German Church Record of Western Pennsylvania 1772-1791 Vol. I, Page 1, Records #11 and 12. We know that his daughter, Christina, was baptized in the Zion Church, by Pastor Anton Ulrich Lutgo in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, PA in April 1783. This baptism is recorded in The German Church Record of Western Pennsylvania 1772-1791 Vol. I, Record # 41, p. 45. I have land records from the PA Archives that he owned land in Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County in Sept 1785. I do think that the Ghost family passed through Lancaster County, and that some relative probably stayed there.
_____________________________________________________
From Jeanne Moretti:
===================================================
Philip was a native of Germany. He reportedly served in the Revolutionary War, [in the PA State MILITIA] and is described as being a Major [CAPTAIN]. He has a Daughters of the American Revolution marker at the Calvert Riddle Cemetery, in Irwin Township, Venango Co., PA. He was apparently in Lancaster County in 1796.
The migration of Germans to America began slowly about 1682, supported by England, desirous of increasing the popluation of their new American colony. By 1707 the migration became a great influx and continued to increase at a rate that alarmed the English colonists. As ship, after ship of immigrating Palatine Germans arrived in Philadelphia and other New World harbors, the native colonists became concerned that these foreign speaking people might take up arms against the English settlers and attempt to establish a German state. (The Saxon invasion of England in the 5th century had not been forgotten.) In September, 1727, the Provincial Council in Pennsylvania adopted a resloution to record the immigrants and required the newcomers to take an oath of allegiance to the English king and renounce their German monarch. Unfortunately, many of the Germans could not speak English and the English recorders, who did not speak German and were not completely literate in some cases, recorded the passengers names as they thought they sounded. Surnames morphed into improperly spelled, new versions that sounded English. Johann Kraffgoss became John Kraft Ghost.
Of the Goss/Ghost family members who arrived in 1753, we know of two of Johann's sons: Joahnn Philip and his brother, Craft Ghost.
________________________________________________________
From Sylvia Coast, Venango County Historical Society:
==================================================
The area in Venango County, PA that Philip came to about 1796 was called Scrubgrass Township, and later became Clinton Township.
*From the Pennsylvania Archives, 6th Series, Vol. lV: Military Abstracts from Executive Minutes Vol. 1-9 inclusive. 1790-1817 "Return of militia officers elected in and for the County of Westmoreland. Wednesday, December 12th, 1792", page 174. There is a record of Philip having served as Captain of 7th company.
*Also from Pennsylvania Archives: Vol V: Muster and Pay Rolls PA Militia 1790-1800, page 634 - 1792:
"We the subscribers do acknowledge to have received from Charles Campbell Lieutenant of Westmoreland County the sums annexed to our names respectively in full of pay allowed by the State of PA for a tour of militia duty under the command of Capt'n Phillip Coasts.
*September 22, 1792:
The first name on the list is Phil'p Coasts. 88 Dolls and no cents. Time of discharge: Nov. 27, 1792.
Also on this list: Mich'l Huffman - 6 Dolls and 60 cents. Time of discharge-Nov.27, 1792.
Dan'l Huffman-6 Dolls and 50 cents. Time of discharge-Nov. 26, 1792.
*Another time Phillip's name is spelled COOST:
Discharges Westmoreland County Militia -1792:
The following is just one of several discharges, but this one pertains to Philip Ghost: "I do Hereby Certify that Henry MyKrantz first Sergent has served his Tower(sic) of Duty as Militia Man two months and seven days under my command at Green's Station and now discharged by me." Phillip Coost, Capt, November the Twenty Sixth Day, 1792".
*From the 1800 Federal Census of Strasburg Township, Lancaster Co., PA; page 224; from ancestry.com, image #5 of 9: Philip Ghost; 1 male under 10 years, 1 male 16-25 years, 1 male 26-44 years (apparently Philip), 3 females under 10 years, 2 females 16-25 years, 1 female 45 years and older (Barbara). This record is apparently Philip and family. There are a couple of discrepancies between the dates I had, most notably Philip's age, which should be over 45. This would be an easy error to make. There is a 26-44 year old list nearby on page 226, who must be a brother or cousin to Philip.
*From the 1810 Federal Census of Allegheny Township, Venango County, PA, page 504; from Ancestry.com, image 1 of 8: Philip Ghost; 1 male under 10 years, 1 male 45 years and older (Philip); 1 female under 10 years, 1 female 45 years and older (Barbara).
_________________________________________________________
From Mary Pierotti, Independant Genealogist in the Coast Family:
=====================================================
There is some uncertain information about Johan Philip Ghost and the time that he was in Lancaster County.
Johan Philip Ghost married Anna Barbara Keltz about 1773 or 1774. We know that George Keltz was living in Four Mile Run, Westmoreland County, PA in 1772 because he (George Keltz) and Anna Maria are listed as the sponsors of Jacob Kneissle (Nicely). This is found in The German Church Record of Western Pennsylvania 1772-1791 Vol. I, Page 1, Records #11 and 12. We know that his daughter, Christina, was baptized in the Zion Church, by Pastor Anton Ulrich Lutgo in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, PA in April 1783. This baptism is recorded in The German Church Record of Western Pennsylvania 1772-1791 Vol. I, Record # 41, p. 45. I have land records from the PA Archives that he owned land in Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County in Sept 1785. I do think that the Ghost family passed through Lancaster County, and that some relative probably stayed there.
_____________________________________________________
From Jeanne Moretti:
===================================================
Philip was a native of Germany. He reportedly served in the Revolutionary War, [in the PA State MILITIA] and is described as being a Major [CAPTAIN]. He has a Daughters of the American Revolution marker at the Calvert Riddle Cemetery, in Irwin Township, Venango Co., PA. He was apparently in Lancaster County in 1796.
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