The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: PA
Qualifying Service: Patriotic Service
Author: William Leslie Lehman
John Berkey was born in 1745 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. John married Susanna Whipkey before 1765 in Berks County. He was the son of Jacob Berkey (1698-1763) and is mentioned in his fathers will. He had a brother Christian (1733) and three sisters: Mary, Catherine (1739) and Anna (1740). John was the youngest of the family.
On May 25, 1792, John warranted a 51 acre parcel of land in partly in Quemahoning and partly in Milford Township, Bedford County, PA. The land now is located in Lincoln Township, Somerset County, PA. John and Susanna had eleven children (6 boys and 5 girls): 1. Jacob was born in 1765 and married a lady named Catherine 2. John was born in 1766 and also married a lady named Catherine 3. Veronica was born in 1768 and married Joseph Mast 4. Christian was born in 1770 5. Adam was born in 1771 and married Susanna Miller 6. Magdalena was born in 1773 and married Jacob Stutzman 7. Susanna was born in 1774 and married David Stutzman 8. Sarah was born in 1776 and married Samuel Stutzman 9. Samuel was born in 1777 and married Barbara Lenhart 10. Daniel was born in 1779 and married Susanna Ripple 11. Mary was born in 1784 and married Christian Yordy Although John didn’t warrant his parcel until 1792, he is shown on the 1779 tax rolls for Bedford County in Brothersvalley Township. The tract that he warranted in 1792 would have been located in Brothersvalley Township in 1779 as Brothersvalley Township encompassed all of the area west of the Allegheny Mountains at that time. He paid the Supply Tax in 1781 and 1783 in Brothersvalley Township, Bedford County, PA. John died in 1801 without a will. Orphan’s Court records verify the children. Susannah, his wife, was born about 1745 and died on December 10, 1812. They are both likely buried on the original homestead.
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