THE WEDAMAN-WHITMANS of DUTCH FORK, SC
| "The Johaness Wedaman-Whitman Family" started around the years 1744- 1752, in the Carolinas, or as soon as the years 1733-1743, in Penn.In my opinion, Johaness arrived from Germany on "The Ship Elizabeth" in 1733 at Pa., under the passenger listings of Whiteman and Whitman. I lean to this arrival because of the connection to Christopher Whiteman/Whitman, but there are alternate possibilities for those who would like to explore them; (1), Johaness may have arrived by himself Oct 31, 1737 at Pa on "The Ship William" under passenger name Johans Wheettman or (2), Johaness may have arrived on the same ship as Hans Adam Summers,"The St. Andrews", at age 25 in 1743. It may always be speculation and guess work as to Johaness Weedingman. The surname list below may very well have several errors by this time, but hopefully it may help you in your own search. Always,as Ronald Regan said,"trust but verify." A final alternative is found in the work of Jim and Mazie Farmer. It is a well researched, and a very credible detailed work. This work reveals a strong possibility that Johaness Weedingman is Johaness Wildermouth who came by himself on "The Ship Two Sisters", Sept 9, 1738 at Pa. It is certain,however,that Johaness Weedingman,lived the latter part of his life in the Dutch Fork Area of Newberry District, SC, and left his mark there. I invite you to explore all of the above mentioned alternates, and I would certainly welcome and appreciate any feed back. Although, the original name may remain a mystery, by the late 18th century, most of the "Johaness Weedingman Family" either went by Weedeman, or Whitman. "Weedeman" became Wedaman around 1830. If your looking for Johaness' Whitman lines, your work will be very difficult. These lines of Johaness are easy to mix up with other unrelated Whitmnans and Widemans. The original German name was probably, "Weidemann". Translated, this means pasture man, which is consistent with my grandfather's understanding that it means something like "a man in a field or meadow".If it was "Wildermuth" or "Wildermann" it might mean something like "Wild of Spirit". This is certainly a common thread in all of these early settlers. Like many others, Johaness petitioned for land and recieved at least one grant with wife ("Barbara"). His family settled in the Dutch Fork Area of Newberry County, SC. It appears he had accumulated a good deal of wealth by the late 18th Century. He died abt 1795. His estate was auctioned of in 1796. Johaness is believed to have fathered four sons, John, Peter, Christopher and David, between 1748-1761. A fifth son may have been Christian Weedingman.It is probable, (in my opinion), that Christopher was Johaness's nephew, and Christopher's father was Christopher Stephen Whitman, son of Mathias Whitman.I do however,present,with certainty, the information from David Weedingman forward.Information on other Johaness Weedingman son's and their descendants should be checked and verified for accuracy, by independent researchers, as they deem necessary. I will be glad recieve any questions or opinions. The Farmers' work indicates an earlier son named Phillip, and multiple wives for Johaness.The Farmer's work also states that Johaness, and not his son John, married Barbara Stockman abt 1793 and fathered a son Solomon Wedingman/Whitman. This is what I now believe also. The Newberry,SC 1850 Census,indicates Andrew Wedaman (b 1834, d. 1863) was living with David Weedeman Jr. David was Andrew's Uncle and gaurdian. Andrews' father was Adam Wedaman, (b. abt 1795)and died Oct 24, 1844.Andrew left the "Dutch Fork" area shortly after 1850 and settled in Pickens, Alabama. David Wedaman Sr. (b. Nov. 4, 1761,d.Nov 25, 1831) is my 4th Great Grandfather. | THE WEDAMAN-WHITMANS of DUTCH FORK, SC Updated May 4, 2010 |
William A Wedaman | |
My Family History | |