1754 Philadelphia census shows a Johan Georg Kress (ID No. 24574). Is this him ??
Note: Littlestown was carved out of town called Germany in Adams Co., PA. (SV-1215)
The book “Early German Settlers of York Co., PA” does not list anyone with the surname CRESS or KRESS. (SV-1842.10)
York Co., PA Quarter Sessions Docket 1749-1754: No CRESS, GRASS, GRESS or KRESS. Closest is John GRIST (SV-1844)
York Co., PA Common Pleas Docket 1757-1761: No CRESS, GRASS, GRESS or KRESS. (SV-1843)
York Co., PA Deeds (1746-1764): No CRESS or KRESS. (SV-1848)
York Co., PA Will Book A (1749-1762): No CRESS or KRESS. (SV-1849)
For a detailed discussion of his birth, marriage & death dates see pg 716 of Edgar Cress’ book (SV-404)
Johann Heinrich KRESS family crest is a copy from Barbara Reed shown in ref. SV-473.
Barbara Reed thinks he could have been born in Germany. (SV-472)
Book “Adams County Church Records of the 18th Century” pg 67 lists a baptism in 1751 of Jacob,
S/O John & Elizsabeth Meyer; wit. Nicholas Thiel & Esther from Switzerland. Note: this is the same baptismal sponsors of Nicholas Cress in 1762. Could George Cress be from Switzerland?
Note: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Germany Township, near Littlestown, Adams Co., PA dates from 1763. (SV-1216)
Note: Adams Co., PA was part of York Co. until 1800
See notes about his father at bottom
SV-184 contains some speculation about his father and family immigration at the bottom of the first page - check it out!
My copy of his Pension Record is SV-163
1767 Germany Township, York Co., PA Tax List: Christina CRABS; Steven CRISE (dashed out); George CRAS (dashed out). (SV-1847.9)
1771 York Co., PA list of Taxables: Andrew Crist; Daniel Crist; Willin Crist - no CRESS; GRASS; GRESS or KRESS. (SV-1845)
Index of Revolutionary War Pension Applications in the National Archives: George Cress, VA res S24983. (SV-1874.1)
Summer 1777 He mustered into Continental Army at York, PA. (SV-280)
County of York Pay Roll of Capt Samuel Ferguson Company of 1st Class of York County Militia:
Samuel Ferguson Capt 2nd August
Jas. Eliot 1st Lieut.
John Armstrong 2nd Lieut.
Stephen Geffen Ensign
Wm Patterson 1st Serjt.
Samuel Sloan 2nd Serjt.
Samul Morrow 3rd Serjt.
John Reed 4th Serjt.
George Cress 1 Corprals (SV-1885.12)
He was 1st corporal of Capt. Ferguson’s company, Colonel Walker’s (SV-250 says Col. Thompson) regiment, Pennsylvania Militia.
As told by Stephen Giffen in a deposition in 1832 (SV-1887.31) “During the night after the battle the regiment marched back to Chester. Thence in a few days they were ordered to Valley Forge. Our regiment was the rear guard and we had orders to lay at a field near the White horse tavern. The next morning as we were dividing our rations we were attacked by the enemy at our encampment. Our quarterguard were driven in. Oue Regt was in disorder & before we could get the men paraded we received a fire. Declarant was then acting as super numer in the capacity of adjutant at the second fire our Col. (Walker) received a shot in the arm and in a cowardly manner ordered a retreat & fled about the same time my Capt. and our Corporal (Geo Cress) fell the first mortally wounded the latter very dangerously. At my instance about 20 of us made an effort to carry away our wounded Capt but we desisted at the remonstrance of the dying man. We then changed our position and after getting into a situation near a fence that favored us, we the above remnant of about 20 turned upon a body of the enemies calvary & fired as we thought with considerable effect. About this time the force of the enemy were brought to bear upon us so powerfully that we followed the rest of our Regt in its retreat to the main body of our bridgade under Genl Potter. I there saw our wounded and as I thought cowardly Col. for the last time. His wound I saw & understood was but a slight one. Eight of our men were killed and two taken prisoners in this skirmish (Corporal Cress who was supposed to have been killed followed & joined us the next day evening). We then marched on with the rest of Genl Potter’s command and with out any fighting drove the enemy from Valley Forge. We rested at Valley Forge a few days when we were ordered by Genl Green to Germantown. That part of our army to which I belonged reached Germantown a little before day some time in October.” (ref. SV-1879.6 & 31 Footnote image 21471712)
While marching to protect Philadelphia, there was a skirmish and Col. Ferguson was killed. Corporal Cress was wounded at the battle of White Horse Tavern (16 Sep. 1777). The bullet entered near the left side of his spine and exited out his left nipple. He was left for dead but lived. His Revolutionary Pension number was S24983 (SV-149 & 404 pg 13)
SV-183 has a detailed description of the battle from an affidavit of Stephen Giffin (Service number, W7584).
List of DAR members who joined as descendants of George Cress - see ref. SV-1877
See ref. SV-1878 for Alice Mae Ure’s DAR application.
List of Inhabitants, Adams Co., PA 1779: No CRESS. (SV-1851.4)
List of Inhabitants, York Co., PA 1779: No CRESS. (SV-1850.6)
Following the war he moved south into Virginia to Augusta Co. in what later became Rockbridge Co. (SV-149 & SV-152 pg 213 & SV-280)
Sep. 1784 Deed Book A, pg 465: He purchased 100 acres on Buffalo Creek in Rockbridge Co., VA from Alexander Hanna for 40 pounds. It bordered land owned by John Hanna; Wm Logan & Wm Robinson. (SV-404 pg 48 & SV-515)
1785 Deed Book A, pg 525: George Cress of Rockbridge co., VA bought 87 acres in the Forks of James River from Wm Robinson for 100 pounds. The land bordered land owned by: Joseph Long. (SV-515)
1787 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress: 1 white male over 16 and under 21 yrs and 2 Horses and 7 Cattle. (SV-1419) Note: Nicholas Cress is listed separately.
1788 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress: 2 white male over 16 and 5 Horses. (SV-1419)
1789 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress: 3 white male over 16 and 5 Horses. (SV-1419) Note: This implies that Henry is not yet over 16 yrs so perhaps he was born in 1776
1790 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress: 2 white male over 16 and 3 Horses. (SV-1419) Note: George Jr. is now listed separately
1791 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress: 2 white male over 16 and 3 Horses. (SV-1419)
1792 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress Sr: 2 white male over 16 and 2 Horses. (SV-1419)
1793 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress Sr: 3 white male over 16 and 2 Horses. (SV-1419) Does this mean Henry just turned 16 yrs?
1793 Rockbridge Deed Book B, pg 456: George Cress of Rockbridge co., VA & Christine, his wife, sold to Samuel Todd 64 acres at the Forks of James River for 90 pounds. It adjoins land owned by Wm Logan and Samuel Todd and is on Buffalo Creek. It also said Christine Cress was privately examined and relinquished her Dower. (SV-515)
1794 Rockbridge Co.: VA Land Grant to George Criss (sic) 16 Dec 1794 for 376-3/4 ac. (350 ac. grant plus 26-3/4 ac. exchanged warrant) in the fork of Buffalo and Colliers Creek and up Buffalo Creek and crossing Creek to Lynn’s corner to Samuel Todd’s line to corner with Wm Logan’s land to James Wilson’s line to John Jones land to James Davis’ land to Hugh Allen’s line to Robt Greer’s land. (SV-1678.4)
1794 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress Sr: 2 white male over 16 and 5 Horses. (SV-1419) Did Henry move??
1795 Rockbridge Co., VA: VA Land Grant to George Creasse (sic) 11 May 1795 for 57 ac. adjoining land of Robt Greer and his own (that he bought from Alexander Hanna (1784)) on south side of Buffaloe Creek below the mouth of Colliers Creek; one boundary corner is his land bought from Wm Robertson (in 1785). (SV-1678.1)
1795 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress Sr: 2 white male over 16 and 4 Horses. (SV-1419)
1796 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress Sr: 2 white male over 16 and 3 Horses. (SV-1419) Note: Henry Cress is now listed separately.
1797 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress Sr: 2 white male over 16 and 4 Horses. (SV-1419)
1797 to 1799 He owned a tavern in Rockbridge co., VA. (SV-474 & 1650)
1798 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: George Cress Sr: 2 white male over 16 and 5 Horses. (SV-1419) Note: Jacob Cress is now listed separately.
1800 “History of Rockbridge Co., VA shows a list that indicates he had a tavern license. (SV-1650)
1800 ADAMS Co., PA created from York County
1806 Rockbridge Deed Book F, pg 11: George Cress Sr. of Rockbridge Co., VA sold to Henry Cress, his son (also of Rockbridge Co.) 61 acres on Buffalo Creek for $200. It adjoins land owned by: James Willson; James Davis; John Allen and said George Cress. (SV-515)
7 Aug. 1809 he was allowed a pension of $2.50/month (SV-183 &250 & SV-404 pg 14)
1810 Rockbridge Deed Book G, pg 94: George Cress & Christiana, his wife, of Rockbridge Co., VA sold to James Gold 4 acres on Buffalo Creek for $13. It adjoins the land of __ Logan. (SV-515)
1810 VA census: Rockbridge Co.: 1 Male 45+ yrs (George Sr.); 2 Males under 10 yrs (grandsons?); 1 Female 45+ yrs (Christianna); 1 Female 26-44 yrs (daughter Christianna). (SV-245 & 260 & SV-579)
1811 Rockbridge Deed Book G, pg 381: George Cress & Chrisiana, his wife, of Rockbridge Co., VA sold to James Gold 4-1/3 acres on buffalo Creek for $13. It adjoins Gold’s other land and Logan’s
land. It was witnessed by Teeny Cress (female) – who is she?? Is this his wife, Christina?
1820 Rockbridge Co., VA Census: George Crass (45+) and 1 Female (45+)
Apr 1820 George Cress (misspelled Chris) & wife (Christena) place their property in the hands of their son-in-law, Paulus Winters. They agree to make Paulus Winters a lawful heir with the rest of their children. (Does this mean that Paulus’ wife is now dead?) (SV-515)
Nov 1821 George Cress & Christianna, his wife, of Rockbridge Co., VA to Edward McKemy sold 311 acres on Buffalo Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA (on which George now lives) for $1,600 to Edward McKemy. It adjoins land owned by James Gold; Wm Loggans; James Willson; Hugh Irvine; John Allen and Robert Greer. (SV-404 pg 48 & SV-515)
Apparently George & Christianna moved to Ohio rather than stay with Paulus Winters because abt 1821 Catherine Cress Winters died and soon after Paulus married Sarah Little so he would have not had any reason to care for George Cress.
1822 he moved to Gallia Co., Ohio to live with his son, Henry.(SV-180) Fall 1821 according to SV-250.
27 Feb 1822 Gallia Co., Ohio: George Cress swore that he belonged to the company commanded by Captain Samuel Ferguson in the regiment commanded by Col. Thompson in the service of the United States in the revolutionary war; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Virginia; that he received a certificate of that fact under the signature of the secretary of war ... that he was placed on the pension list from the 7th day of Aug. 1809 ... being upwards of 83 years of age. signed George Cress (SV-1879.1 from Footnote image 13170977)
His last pension pmt was made Sep. 4, 1822 (SV-149)
Affidavit by George H. Moates in 1852 says that George Cress died in Gallia Co., OH on 30 Oct 1822. (SV-1879.2A)
Patrick Napier and Henry Cress were executors for his will in 1823, Gallia Co., OH Will Book B, pg 291. (SV-149)
Will info: written March 1823 (SV-287)
Executors: Patrick Napier & Henry Cress
Wm Hamm and Jacob Cress provided Security.
Witnessed by Wm Hamm & Jacob Thomas (Hamm was his granddau.’s husband).
He left all his moveable property to Christiana Cress (who died shortly after).
He left to Nicholas Cress 50 pounds to be equally divided amongst his sons.
He left his son Jacob Cress 50 pounds (less 19 he got earlier).
He left his son John Cress $1 as he got 67 pounds earlier.
He left his son George Cress 56 pounds less 30 pounds.
He left dau. Christiana 50 pounds less 44 pounds pd to James Gold.
He left dau. Eliz. Miller 50 pounds.
His son Henry got the residual of his estate.
His last pension payment was made 4 Sep. 1822. (SV-472)
Died Feb. 23, 1823 in Gallia Co., OH according to government document SV-1879.5 (Footnote image 13170987)
SV-152 pg 213 says he might be the son or nephew of George Philip Cress, a Palatine, who came to Penn. about 1739. Edgar Cress’ book says the same and may be the source. It says that Geo Philip Cress arrived in Philadelphia Dec. 3, 1740. (SV-183)
Book: Shipload to America Immigrants by I. Daniel Rupp (SV-149 pg 113)
Jacob Cress came to Penn. in 1740 (pg 40)
George Phillip Cress came to Penn. in 1740 (pg 143)
SV-242 thinks Geo P. Cress is his father
Ulrich Cress came to Penn. in 1743 (pg 165)
Johan Hendrich Cress came to Penn. in 1752 (pg 291)
Which one is George’s father ??
Edgar Cress says that George was the son or nephew of George Phillip Cress (a Palatinate) who arrived in Philadelphia on Dec. 3, 1740. (SV-404 pg 13)