I believe this is the original gravestone for Agnes Johnson Godshalk (many spelling variations), the first wife of Herman Godshalk (d.1785) of Towamencin Township, (then) Philadelphia County; the son of Mennonite bishop Jacob Godshalk, 1702 immigrant from Goch, who settled in what became Towamencin Township about 1714. Agnes was the daughter of Claus and Catharine Johnson (Jansen), early settlers in Skippack Township. Herman and Agnes had a plantation (farm) on the south side of what is now Sumneytown Pike, next to the Towamencin Mennonite meetinghouse and cemetery (the original graveyard came off of their land). After Agnes died, Herman remarried to Barbara (maiden name unknown), who is also buried in the Towamencin cemetery.
After Barbara died in 1771, and after Herman sold the remainder of his land in Towamencin in 1772, he apparently moved to New Britain Township, Bucks County, where his son John Godshalk and family had moved in 1765. They were early members of the Doylestown Mennonite congregation, and I believe Herman Godshalk is buried there, with a simple gravestone marked "H. G. 1785". (Joel D. Alderfer)
After Barbara died in 1771, and after Herman sold the remainder of his land in Towamencin in 1772, he apparently moved to New Britain Township, Bucks County, where his son John Godshalk and family had moved in 1765. They were early members of the Doylestown Mennonite congregation, and I believe Herman Godshalk is buried there, with a simple gravestone marked "H. G. 1785". (Joel D. Alderfer)
I believe this is the original gravestone for Agnes Johnson Godshalk (many spelling variations), the first wife of Herman Godshalk (d.1785) of Towamencin Township, (then) Philadelphia County; the son of Mennonite bishop Jacob Godshalk, 1702 immigrant from Goch, who settled in what became Towamencin Township about 1714. Agnes was the daughter of Claus and Catharine Johnson (Jansen), early settlers in Skippack Township. Herman and Agnes had a plantation (farm) on the south side of what is now Sumneytown Pike, next to the Towamencin Mennonite meetinghouse and cemetery (the original graveyard came off of their land). After Agnes died, Herman remarried to Barbara (maiden name unknown), who is also buried in the Towamencin cemetery.
After Barbara died in 1771, and after Herman sold the remainder of his land in Towamencin in 1772, he apparently moved to New Britain Township, Bucks County, where his son John Godshalk and family had moved in 1765. They were early members of the Doylestown Mennonite congregation, and I believe Herman Godshalk is buried there, with a simple gravestone marked "H. G. 1785". (Joel D. Alderfer)
After Barbara died in 1771, and after Herman sold the remainder of his land in Towamencin in 1772, he apparently moved to New Britain Township, Bucks County, where his son John Godshalk and family had moved in 1765. They were early members of the Doylestown Mennonite congregation, and I believe Herman Godshalk is buried there, with a simple gravestone marked "H. G. 1785". (Joel D. Alderfer)
Inscription
"ANNO 1746 Den 1 Mey. A. G." (In the year 1746, the 1st of May. A. G.)
Gravesite Details
A primitive, very worn, brown fieldstone marks this grave. It's amazing it has survived this long.
Family Members
Children
