General Notes

William Rittenhouse Born: ca. 1644
Died: 1708
Married:
Children: Nicholas Rittenhouse
Gerhard Rittenhouse
Elizabeth Rittenhouse
William Rittenhouse, a Mennonite, born 1644, was the first of this fami
ly to emigrate to America, he was born near Mulheim, Germany.
His mother's name was Maria Hagerhoffs and his father was George Rittenhou
se, whose father was also George Rittenhouse, born 1595 the son of Conra
di Rittenhouse, born September 25, 1560 at Brunswick, Germany.
William Rittenhouse became a citizen of Amsterdam Holland in 1678. In t
he year 1688, William Rittenhouse arrived in New York and moved to the Ger
mantown District soon afterward. With him were his daughter, Elizabeth, a
nd two sons, Nicholas and Gerhard.
William's forefathers had long carried on the business of paper maki
ng at Arnheim, Germany, and in 1690 William purchased 20 acres of land fr
om Samuel Carpenter in Roxborough, on which he built a paper mill on Monos
hone Creek, also known as Papermill Run, a branch of the Wissahickon Cree
k. This was the first paper mill in America.
The paper made at this mill was used by William Bradford the earliest prin
ter in the Middle Colonies.
In 1699 a paper written by William Penn mentions the fine quality papers m
ade by William and his son, Nicholas Rittenhouse. The mill was taken do
wn by the Park Commission in 1891.
When the original settlers of Germantown cast lots in the cave on the Dela
ware River, of Francis Daniel Pastorius, the founder of Germantown, Willi
am Rittenhouse drew Lot #19 on the east side of Germantown Avenue where t
he Mennonite Meeting House now stands with adjoining grave yard.
William Rittenhouse died in 1708, age 64 and was buried in this grave yar
d, 6100 Germantown Avenue, above Herman Street. A stone is erected to h
is memory.
A considerable number of Mennonites emigrated to the German district arou
nd 1690. Their earliest meetings for worship were held at the home of Jac
ob Issac van Bebber. William Rittenhouse was chosen their first Ministe
r. In 1701 the Mennonite Bishops of Altona and Hamberg, Germany authoriz
ed the Elders of the Germantown District to install a Bishop, and Willi
am Rittenhouse was chosen the first Mennonite Bishop in America.
Gerhard, born in 1674, in Germany, died 1742. He married Miss Ravacomb a
nd had issue: William born 1695 and Peter, born 1696 and died 1748. He w
as a miller by trade. The will of Gerhard was dated February 19, 1742 a
nd the Executors were Charles and Justice Revacomb. Gerhard lived on Cresh
eim Creek and there had a grist mill.
Elizabeth married Howard Papeu, a Mennonite in 1690. Howard Papeu was a si
gner of the Application for a Charter for Germantown, which was grant
ed in May 31, 1691. He was chosen a member of the Town Council, with pow
er to hold Court, impose fines and make ordinances. He was also appoint
ed Recorder of Germantown. The will of Howard Papeu dated January 30, 17
08 was proved February 19, 1708.
Nicholas Rittenhouse Born: June 15, 1666, Germany
Died: 1734, age 68.
Married: Wilhelmina Dewees
Children: William
Henry
Matthias
Psyche (Seikie, Sophia)
Mary
Catherine
Susanna
His father William died intestate (no will) and the paper mill and t
he 20 acres of land descended to Nicholas, and he continued in the paper m
aking business after his father's death. He was born June 15, 1666, marri
ed Wilhelmina Dewees and died in 1734. Nicholas succeeded his father as Mi
nister of the Mennonite Church and served until his death. The childr
en of Nicholas were born near the location of the first paper mill. His wi
ll left one shilling to his daughter Seikie (Psyche) "she having receiv
ed her portion in my lifetime". The will of Wilhelmina, wife of Nichola
s, dated March 6, 1737 left her daughter Seyntiz (Psyche) "the under feath
er bed, a pillow and a brass kettle, for which she pays six florin".
Children of Nicholas and Wilhelmina Rittenhouse
William was born