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Descendants of Simon Ruffner

Generation No. 1

1. SIMON¹ RUFFNER was born 1687, and died April 1778. He married BARBARA SCHILTZ.

Notes for SIMON RUFFNER:
Simon Ruffner, the First, arrived in Philadelphia, PA, at "the 7th hour on September 2, 1743, aboard the Loyal Judith, Captain James Cowey, Master." The ship sailed from Rotterdam and was "last from Cowes, England." His age is given as 56, but this is probably a misreading of 36. Therefore, he was probably born in 1707.

From "Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania," Vol III, J.W. Jordan, 1911. Page 1558.
"According to the most reliable records obtainable of the Ruffner family, they were established in America about 1750, by Simon Ruffner, a native of the Austrian Tyrol, who came here about that date, accompanied by a brother not named. They settled in Maryland not far from the present city of Baltimore. In time one of them moved into Western Maryland or Virginia and nothing more is known of him except that persons of that name (Ruffner) believed to be his descendents, are now found in the Shenandoah Valley. Seven generations of the family are traced in this record as follows:
SIMON RUFFNER, American ancestor, was a noted pioneer and hunter, and it is from him that Ruffner's Cave, one of the celebrated Luray caves in the Shenandoah Valley is named, he having been lost in it for five days, and when rescued was nearly dead. About 1769 Simon Ruffner came to Pennsylvania with his family, settling in the German settlement in eastern Pennsylvania, having for a missionary center the little town of Goshenhoppen. The first mention of the name in the register at this place is on February 22, 1767, so that is assumed to be about the date of coming to Pennsylvania. Simon Ruffner and three sons, Philip, Simon and Christian served in the Revolutionary War, in the Northampton County Rangers. Simon's wife is named in the register only as Barbara. The order of birth of his children is not known, but Philip appears to have been the eldest and Simon, Jr. the youngest of the sons.

From "Pennsylvania German Pioneers," R.F. Strassberger and W.J. Hinke, Ed., Vol II, Norristown, Pa., 1934. Page 335.

Ship 'Loyal Judith' arrived at Philadelphia 'at the seventh hour on Sept 2, 1743, Captain James Cowey, Master.' From Rotterdam, last from Cowes, England. List 97A Simon Ruffner, age 56.
(NOTE: Generally assumed that his age should read '36' rather than '56.')

From "American Catholic Historical Society," Commodore John Barry, Vol II, Page 323.

The Gosshenhoppen Register shows the baptism of a daughter, Jo M. Eva on February 4, 1745, near 'Croners Mills.'

(NOTE: It is generally assumed that Simon Ruffner spent some time near Baltimore, but apparently much less time than stated in 'Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Penna.' since this baptim in Goshenhoppen, Pa. took place about 16 months after Simon's arrival in Pa.)

Children of SIMON RUFFNER and BARBARA SCHILTZ are:

2.	i.	PHILIP² RUFFNER, b. Abt. 1738, Moore Twp., Northampton Co., PA; d. June 1784, Moore Twp., Northampton Co., PA.
3.	ii.	CHRISTIAN RUFFNER, b. Abt. 1740; d. 1823.
4.	iii.	SIMON RUFFNER, b. Abt. 1743; d. December 19, 1819.
	iv.	JO. M. EVA RUFFNER, b. Abt. February 04, 1744/45, PA; m. JOHN KLEINTOP.

More About JO. M. EVA RUFFNER:
Baptized: February 04, 1744/45, near Croner's Mill; sponsor M. Eva Lorentz.

5.	v.		GEORGE ADAM RUFFNER, b. Abt. April 17, 1747, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania; d. Aft. July 21, 1820.
	vi.		NICKLAUS RUFFNER, b. Abt. April 1749.

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