Beginnings of Best Family in America – follow links to Jeremiah and Jacob
Best, or Bescht, as the name originally was in German. The first persons of that name to come to America, of whom there is any record were three brothers, Jeremiah, Nicholas, and George.These three settled in what is now Williams township, Northampton county, PA., in 1730.Jeremiah Best bought 213 acres of land from William Allen and received a deed Dec. 7, 1745. The other two brothers probably also purchased adjoining lands. Jeremiah had at least two sons, Jacob and John. He died at quite an old age, about 1787. Oct. 11, 1788 his farm was deeded to his son, Jacob, by John Best, executor of the estate. Jacob Best was born in America in 1718 and married Catherine. They had two sons, John and Conrad, and two daughters, Anna, wife of Andrew Uhler; and Christina, who married Jacob Dech. Jacob Best died Mar. 9, 1789 and his tombstone is in the Hay Cemetery, South Easton, PA. Conrad Best was born Nov. 25, 1745. His wife was Hannah, daughter of Cornelius Weigant, of Easton, Pa. They were the parents of John, Jacob Catherine, wife of Philip Hoffman; Mary; Conrad, Jr.; Elizabeth, wife of An agreement was made Dec. 8, 1772, between “Bischop” Seidel, Conrad Best of Williams township, and Jacob Dech, of Forks township, for 300 Acres of the Western end of this Moravian land at 55 shillings per acre in good PA currency. The deed was executed 12/31/1785. This land is about one mile east of Bath, and the farm has been in the possession of the descendants of Conrad Best and Jacob Dech ever since. The former, Conrad, died Sept. 25, 1826. He is buried at the Hecktown church. Jacob Dech was born 1746, died 1833. His wife was born 1751, and died 1822. Both are buried in Shoenersville church-yard. John Best was born Nov. 27, 1769. He married Catharine Fink. Their children were: John, Jr., George, Hanna, wife of Paul Miller; and Elizabeth, wife of Peter Transue. He died Nov. 7, 1839, and is buried at Bath. George Best, born Feb. 26, 1802, married Elizabeth Kreidler. they had four children: Mary C., wife of Jeremiah Beck; Susanna, wife of Henry Beck; Elizabeth, wife of George H. Dech, and Reuben H. George Best John G. Best married Annie S. Bauer and they lived in Bath, Pa. They have one child, Helen, wife of Albert Leiby. Oscar H. Best is a busy merchant in Bethlehem, PA. His wife was Mary E. Sloyer. They have no children. Nicholas Best one of the pioneers in Williams township, died there Dec. 8, 1778. His wife Elisabeth Catherine, was executrix of the estate. Of their children the names of only two are known, Nicholas, and Jr. The aforenamed Conrad Best was well-known and prominent in Northampton county. Among the descendants of his daughter, Christina Dech, are Commodore Wilson Dech, his sister, Mrs. John Stopp, and her sons, Rev. S. A. Bridges Stopp, Allentown; Joseph H. Stopp, Esq., Philadelphia and John The first settlements were made in Williams, probably about 1725, though it was stated in a report made to the Legislature some years later, that there were settlements above Durham Furnace, in 1723. In 1730, there was a Among these were: John Williams all of German stock, while there were some of the name of Richard and others of the English-speaking race. A large amount of land in the township was held by William Allen, of Philadelphia, under a deed from the Lord Proprietaries, dated August 29th, 1728. It was from him that the Bests-Jeremish, George, and Nicholas-purchased their lands; and their purchases must have been made earlier than 1740, as their names, as property holders, are found mentioned in an old survey of this portion of Bucks county, which was made in that year. About the year 1764, Jacob Best, great-grandfather to John, Josiah, and Peter Best, built the stone house now occupied by Josiah Best. Also, in 1762, Christian Best, built the stone house now owned by Christian Cullmer. There are some Indian traditions in this township, but they must be read with the due allowance, after being handed down verbally for several successive generations. It is said that the kitchen now attached to the Valley Hotel, at Glendon, was once used as a place of refuge and defence against the Indians. This was built in 1740, and it’s perforated with loop-holes through which to The last family of Indians living in Williams’s township, resided on the banks of the Lehigh, where the Keystone Iron Companys Works now stand. The foundation of their hut was ploughed up and thrown off during the memory of Taken From: The History of Northampton County, PA. Roots Web @ Ancestry.com Ivana. Family Tree Maker @ Ancestry.com I. J. Erney Family links: Children: |