Pontius - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: New Info at pontiusgenealogy.com

hilltop1155 — 2009-10-17 03:49:33Z

I got new information just before I left on vacation and will post it when I get home (a week or so). Jim Punches has been doing a great job promoting the DNA project and deserves many thanks. Sorry for the delay in posting.

Re: New Info at pontiusgenealogy.com

GTonnesen — 2009-10-15 21:09:43Z

Len, has there been any news on the DNA project? It looks like the last update to the webpage was in 2007.

It looks like very similar results for the Johannes and Nicholas groups, perhaps confirming that they were brothers, or at least closely related?

thanks,
Gail

Re: Pontius before 1738

jimpunches — 2009-07-27 17:49:52Z

Hello janetvt,

Do you have any contact with your possible Points relatives? I ask because we have a DNA project for the purpose of connecting the various families who carry surnames deriving from the names Pontius and Poncius and it is known that Points derives from Poncius. Poncius de Pons was a cousin of Duke William of Normandy and he accompanied Duke William in the conquest of England in 1066. The Normans of the time always named their sons after their fathers. One of the men stemming from Poncius was Simon fitzPons. His son was named Pons (Pontius) fitzSimon. The surname changed in subsequent time to Poyntz, Points, Poins and Punch.

I'm wondering if your ancestor, Hans Michael Points, is descended from one of the English Poyntz or Points men who fled to Germany during the reign of Mary I of England, who with her husband, Philip, King of Spain, started a pogrom against non-Catholics and burned heretics (non-Catholics), including nobility and gentry, at the stake. I note here that the Poyntz people were her relatives; her grandfather Henry VII married Elizabeth Woodville, whose first cousin was Margaret Woodville, the wife of Sir Robert Poyntz. The Poyntz men were closely connected with the royal house of England into the reign of Elizabeth I.

It would be wonderful if you did have contact with a Points male relative because we would then approach him about becoming a member of the DNA project. The DNA results from him could possibly clear-up some questions of connection with others of similar surname.

Please feel free to contact me at avujep@sweetwater.net.

Thank you,

Jim Punches

Re: Pontius before 1738

janetvt — 2009-07-13 00:21:44Z

In the documentation that I have, written in 1917, the spelling is Points.

Hans Michael Pointz's son James(buried in Osterburg, Bedford, Pa,) had a son David who is buried in Cressona,Schuylkill,PA. His siblings listed are George Washington (my ggg something grandfather), Henry (mvd to Indiana), John (dead), Josia (west somewhere), Daniel (mvd to Bloomington, Il., dead), Samuel.

Re: Pontius before 1738

hilltop1155 — 2009-07-12 23:58:22Z

According to the ship record for the Charming Nancy, the alternate - probably phonetic - name listed for Hans Michael Pointz was Hans Michael Punch. Did any of the earlier family ever spell or pronounce the name "Punch"?

Also, was your family related to the David Pointz or Pontz who was a brickmaker in Lancaster County, PA in the early 1800's?

Re: Pontius before 1738

janetvt — 2009-07-12 23:30:38Z

Yes, it is the same!

Thank you for the article also.

Re: Pontius before 1738

hilltop1155 — 2009-07-12 23:10:26Z

Is your Hans Michael Pointz the one who immigrated in 1737 on the ship Charming Nancy? He is mentioned in this article:

http://www.pontiusgenealogy.com/lib_articleimmigrants.htm

Len

Re: Pontius before 1738

janetvt — 2009-07-12 22:45:53Z

My "Points" line goes back to Hans Michael Pointz. The documentations I have is that Hans had a son James born and died in Franklin County, PA who married a Suzanne Hess. James died young and Suzanne remarried. Their son of which I am related was George Washington Points, born and died in Bedford County, PA, married Mary McGregor. Their son, my great Grandfather, Levi born and died in Bedford County, PA, married Christanna Hoover whose daughter, my paternal grandmother was born in Jamestown, ND and died in Guthrie, Oklahoma, married Joseph Arnold. Their next to last son, Blair Ballew Arnold was my father.

I have really been looking for Hans Pointz's wife, etc.

I'd like to find out more about who Hans married, where he came from, etc. I had found on one website that Hans could not read or write.

Re: Peter Pontius - Elizabeth Roser

KennethHout44 — 2009-05-23 03:29:55Z

Thanks, this helps fill in some blanks on my Hout tree.

Peter Pontius - Elizabeth Roser

JosephAHittle — 2009-05-22 17:54:38Z

Peter and Elizabeth are my 3G-Grandparents this way:

Joe
son of Alferd Hittle
grandson son of Iden Hittle
Great-grandson of Anna Grube Pontius [Hittle]
2G-Grandson of Philip and Margaret (Grube) Pontius
3G-Grandson of Peter and Elizabeth (Roser) Pontius

Since Peter's line is already given here to John Henry and Catherine, it may be noted that John Henry's parents were Johannes and Anna Catherine (Zoeller/Zeller) Pontius, Johannes being the 1738 arrival.

Elizabeth (Roser) Pontius appears to be:

daughter of Philip and Magdalena (Reber) Roos/Rose/Roser

granddaughter of:
Johannes Adam and Anna Katharina (Kraemer) Roos/Rose/Roser
Abraham and Maria Magdalena (Weymüller/Winemiller) Reber/Raber

One of the things I'm looking for are probate records for Peter Pontius, son of Nicholas and Christina (Ott) Pontius. My understanding is that he died in Stark County, Ohio, but near the time that Summit County was separated off of Stark. Does anyone know where Peter's probate records reside? I have a deathdate of 29 December 1840, with the notation that this happened in Summit, but am not having any luck finding the subsequent probate files.

In 1850, Philip and Margaret are married, and Elizabeth (Roser) Pontius is living with them, according to the census record.

This should take you to a picture of Elizabeth (Roser) Pontius:

http://www.hittle.info/photo/displayimage.php?pid=13&ful...

hope this helps, and thanks!

Joe Hittle
skadj@yahoo.com
www.hittle.info
Joseph A. 'Joe' Hittle on facebook

Re: Virginia L. Pontius

hilltop1155 — 2009-05-22 17:13:32Z

According to the 1930 census (Barberton City, Summit Co, OH) she was born in Ohio. She had at least one sibling, who was listed in that census: Albert, born about January 1928.

Her parents, Albert and Dorothy, were also born in Ohio, as were their parents as well. Albert worked in a match shop. Albert's father was Frank, an invalid, and his mother was Bessie, who was working as a servant for another family. Albert and Dorothy were married about 1927.

In 1910, Frank and Bessie M. Pontius lived in Norton Township, Summit County. It was his first marriage and her second, but all the children appear to be from her. Frank worked in a match shop.

In 1900, Frank was living with his widowed uncle, Jonathan Pontius, age 63, in Norton, OH. It shows he was born Feb. 1882, was a day laborer. Also in the household was a boarder, Bessie M. Peters, born May 1881, divorced. That would almost certainly be the woman Albert ended up marrying.

Frank was probably the son of Samuel Pontius and Eliza Ann Wise. Samuel was the son of Peter Pontius and Elizabeth Roser. Peter was the son of Nicholas Pontius and Christina Ott. Nicholas was the son of John Henry Pontius and Anna Catherine Wolfe. Maybe this gives you some direction for your research.

Virginia L. Pontius

KennethHout44 — 2009-05-22 14:50:11Z

Anyone have information on Virginia? She was born 24 Sept. 1929. May be still alive. Married to Walter S. Evens on 13 Sept. 1953 in Doyelstown methodist Church, Doyelstown. Ohio.
need birth place and info on siblings and her parents Albert Henry and wife Dorothy (last name unknown).

Re: James Pontius OH to Louisa Co IA

shoewil — 2009-04-30 00:42:51Z

Yes, George Pontius (1806-1870) was widowed. His wife Christine Smith (1806-1859). She was buried in Marshall Co., IN. He died in Summit, OH.

They had seven living children. Susan Pontius was my gg grandmother.

We visited the Marshall Co., IN, museum in April 2009. Much info I still need to process.
Also visited Fairfield and Pickaway Cos. in Ohio in April. Again, much info.

May have some info I could share.

Re: James Pontius OH to Louisa Co IA

shoewil — 2009-04-30 00:30:29Z

Yes, I am a Pontius family researcher.

George Pontius (1806-1870) m. Christine Smith (1806-1859).
They had seven children. Susan Pontius (1835-1900) is my gg grandmother. All of them lived in Marshall Co., IN, at one time. George died in Summit, OH. Christine died in Marshall Co., IN. Christine's obit is in the 12-29-1859 Marshall Co. Republican paper.

George's parents, grandparents are as you stated.

We were at the Marshall Co. Museum April 2009 and the Fairfield Co., OH, library early April. Both libraries and employees are fantastically helpful.

We plan to return there plus the Henry Co., OH, library soon.

I have more info on the Pontius clan.

Re: Forest PONTIUS/PONTIOUS (1904-1980) KS

mallardman1 — 2008-11-20 00:29:58Z

I have some of the information that you need on the Pontius/Womeldorff side.......please reply or call me at 620-435-6844

Pontius, John Gillette

CallResearchOne — 2008-08-10 03:25:20Z

I wish to make a correction to any materials that may have John Gillette Pontius listed as the son of Wilson Pontius of Seneca County, OHio. John Gillette Pontius was the son of Schuyler Roscoe Pontius and Sarah Edith Baker Pontius. He was also the youngest child. He was the brother to my grandfather, Rahla Pontius. Thank you.
Jan

Pontius (Collins), Mary

CallResearchOne — 2008-08-10 01:26:10Z

I am trying to find out information about Mary (Collins) Pontius who married John W. Paine sometime after 1858 in Ohio. She was born about 1824 and died 24 Nov 1865 in Ohio. I would appreciate any information regarding her that you may have. What Pontius family was she associated with and from where? Thanks.
Jan

Re: Pontius, John Andrew Pontius aka Andrew Pontius

CallResearchOne — 2008-05-14 20:45:21Z

Thank you for your help, Len. Every tidbit helps. Have a good one.
Jan

Re: James Pontius OH to Louisa Co IA

2006-11-25 04:21:03Z

Len, Just wanted to let you know that I found some of John George's family in Fulton Cemetery in Louisa County, Iowa and there the name's spelled Pontzius. I'm still hoping to find some descendant of James Madison Pontzius (I guess that's how it's spelled) and his wife Martha Ellen Potter. Hopefully one will find this message. I know there are some out there because I've come across old messages posted by them.

Re: James Pontius OH to Louisa Co IAAa

2006-11-25 04:07:45Z

I think Thomas actually is Sydney's grandfather. Thomas Sr. had a son named Thomas. Thomas Jr. was traveling west with his wife and children in 1831 and his wife died in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. The story goes that he took or sent the children back to Ohio and left them with relatives and then went to Iowa where he remarried. I'm wondering if Sydney is one of those children. Thank you for the census information. I'm not sure who this Sarah is. One of Thomas's brothers married a Sarah and she'd be about the right age, but I can't account for all of the others in the household. Maybe some of them are Thomas Jr.'s kids. Also, I've never heard of a connection to a Davis family, or that Thomas Sr. was living with a Davis. Would you mind sending me the age/gender information from that record? You can send it to me personally instead of on the message board.

Re: Pontius DNA results

jimpunches — 2007-09-21 16:34:20Z

Hello Ms. Tonnesen,

I sent you an email to your listed address but it was returned as undeliverable. I cannot post the email contents here because I included two illustrations in the email which cannot be included in a message board posting. If you would like to receive the email I sent, please send me your email so advising me to my address: avujep@sweetwater.net.

Thank you,

James Punches

Re: Pontius DNA results

jimpunches — 2007-09-19 20:58:56Z

I've sent you a separate email on this matter.

Re: McClellan PONTIUS of Fulton Co., OH

jimpunches — 2007-12-12 14:22:40Z

Dear Ms. Boor,

I made a mistake when I addressed you as Lisa Boor. I was not paying attention otherwise I would have addressed you as Leslie Boor. I apologize.

Let me also say that I was born on the family farm in Oakshade, Ohio, a few miles north of Wauseon, Ohio. After my birth, my family lived in Wauseon until we relocated to California in 1948.

Jim Punches

Re: McClellan PONTIUS of Fulton Co., OH

jimpunches — 2007-12-12 00:15:19Z

Hello Lisa Boor,

My name is James Punches. I'm a cousin of Len Niesen and the administrator of the DNA Project.

Do you have contact with any of your Pontius cousins, those who would be descended from McClellan Pontius? These people would be your nearest relatives who could be tested for their Y-chromosome dna which is distinctive in each male line. Y-chromosome dna is passed down from father to son ,to grandson, etc., virtually unchanged.

You asked Len about mtDna and her answer is good. The mtDNA testing gives the maternal lineage of each woman tested but it does get complicated because women have X-chromosome contributions from each parent; from the mother of her father and from her own mother. When you get back to the grandparents on the paternal side, you have four mothers who have contributed to a woman's mtDNA. The same senario holds for a man tested for mtDNA.

Currently, I don't know how to interpret the data from an mtDNA test; it took me long enough to understand how to interpret Y-chromosome data.

If you have any questions about the DNA Project feel free to contact me at:

avujep@sweetwater.net

Jim Punches

censu & obit fyi - Frank English PONTIUS, abt 1924 IND. - 2008 CA.

LorraineGilmer02 — 2008-02-18 16:07:00Z

not related - for board info :

Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana; Roll: 576; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 49; Image: 709.0.

Name Age
Lawrence W Pontius 40
Inez M Pontius 40
Frank E Pontius 6
Eugene E Pontius 5
Elvira C Krueckeberg 23 (servant)
===========================================
Pontius, Frank English

FRANK ENGLISH PONTIUS, 84, a resident of San Bernardino for 8-1/2 years, passed away on February 11, 2008, in Ontario, CA. He was born in Fort Wayne, Ind. He was a Sound Engineer in the movie industry for 35 years, working for NBC, RCA and Westrex. Frank received an Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for Outstanding Achievement 1941. Samuel L. Warner Award Motion Picture Sound 1991. Sound Pioneer Award from the Motion Picture Industry. Life Fellow in the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. Frank was also an avid golfer and traveler. He is survived by his wife, Betty J. Pontius of San Bernardino; step-daughter, Judy L. Brumm of Lake Arrowhead; and 2 grandchildren. Frank loved his wife Betty with all his being, and adored his step-grandchildren, Logan Brumm, Tory Ward and her husband, Matt. In his heart he adopted his step-daughter, Judy, and her husband, Jody Brumm of Lake Arrowhead. Also, his brother-in-law, Leo Priest, a Pearl Harbor survivor and his wife, Grace, from Palm Springs. Also, four nieces and one nephew from and around Indianapolis, Indiana. Frank was always thanking God for his wonderful friends and his joys in life. We will all miss him deeply. He was so full of love. Chapel Service: February 19, 2008, at 2 P.M. at Mt. View Mortuary. Interment following at Mt. View Cemetery.
Published in the San Bernardino Sun on 2/18/2008.

Re: James Pontius OH to Louisa Co IA

tbeary_1 — 2007-07-18 02:10:29Z

You are in luck. I am also researching the James Pontzius name. James was born 4 Jan 1848 in Ohio and married Margaret Ellen Potter (don't have a date). The children I have located so far are: Phillip H. born abt 1871; Cora J born abt 1873; George J born abt 1875; Martin born abt 1879; Minnie May born 7 Feb 1881; Bertha, Rosa & Nora. I don't have much on the last three. James passed away 28 Dec 1933. There is an obituary in the Ottumwa Courier, Iowa. Per that obituary (which I don't have a copy of yet), he went by the name of "Poncy" and no one knew his real name until he died. The only descendant I am researching right now is Minnie May Poncy. She married James C Shepherd on 20 Jun 1896. So far, I have located 7 children of this marriage. Charles Shepherd (one of the sons) married Pearl Evelyn Pherigo on 26 Jul 1930 in Wapello County, Iowa, and they had 16 kids! Out of the 16, Charlyn Jean Shepherd married James Leonard Hull Apr 1950 and they had 7 kids. Charlyn & James are my youngest daughter's grandparents.

Re: Norman Pontius b. ~1860 OH d. bfr 1910 OH

darsayre — 2008-02-29 22:44:51Z

Norman Pontius was my great great grandfather, William H was my great grandfather, his son, Roy Robert was my grandfather and my father was Gary Lee Pontius.All of Summit County Ohio. I can help with some things as I have the family bible of William H . Contact me at darsayre@yahoo.com and let me know what you are looking for..I have many many old family photos also. I do happen to have Normans obit and I am pretty sure Sarah's.
Darlene Sayre

Re: Pontius DNA results

GTonnesen — 2007-09-19 19:44:29Z

From looking at the latest results on the webpage, the DNA test now seem to support the belief that Johannes and Nicholas were brothers, at least that's my interpretation of it - is there an exact 37 marker match for descendants of the Johannes and Nicholas lines? Perhaps another possibility is that there were mistakes in attributing descendants to one brother or the other. It would be very interesting to see more results.

correction on mtDNA

GTonnesen — 2007-12-21 21:32:03Z

Just wanted to post a correction on the mitochondrial DNA - it is not part of the nuclear DNA or the X chromosome, rather, it is included in a separate organelle that provides energy to the cell, and it is passed uniquely from mother to both male and female children, so mtDNA can be used to trace direct maternal lines in the same way that Y-DNA is used to trace the direct paternal line.

The difference between mtDNA and Y-DNA is that, historically, mothers did not pass their surname to their daughters and so family name mtDNA projects are not workable in the way that the Y-DNA projects are. Not having the surname link makes it more difficult, but you can still identify cousins who have close mtDNA matches. Hope that helps.

Re: Pontius, John Andrew Pontius aka Andrew Pontius

CallResearchOne — 2008-05-14 19:58:11Z

JOe, I am so thrilled to hear from you. This may help to settle some issues. The DAR genealogy department has told me that there is no problem with Andrew POntius. I think that this other member was looking at Johannes instead of John Andrew. They are an older bunch that strive for the perfect family DNA! Ha ha!! Good luck with that.

I agree with you that there is so much that is misconstrued about the early beginnings of this POntius family. It is nice to run into a new Pontius cousin and from Henry's family. Great! I am in the process of joining the Pontius clan in the Pontius Assn. Maybe some day we will meet.
Janett Calland
Port Clinton, OH

Pontius, John Andrew Pontius aka Andrew Pontius

CallResearchOne — 2008-05-14 02:01:20Z

I am trying to locate the Revolutionary War records for John Andrew Pontius aka Andrew Pontius,b. 1745 d. 1825 in Ross County, OH. He was born in Union County, PA. Relocated to Northumberland County, PA, and married Barbara Sherman. He was the son of Johannes and Catherine (Zellers) Pontius or Pontious. If anyone has the proof of his service, please let me know. I need it for the DAR. They do not believe that he actually served. Thank you.
Jan

Re: Pontius - Derr marriage

tlhittle — 2007-01-21 19:25:10Z

The 1910 Census has in the same household
(1)Lewis (K or R.) Derr- Head of House- age 50- married 24 years. A newspaper editor.- POB Pa__

(2)Azora M.- wife - age 46 -married 24 yrs__

(3)Anna J.- daughter- age 21- single__
(4)Fannie B.- daughter- age 20- single__
(5)Channing P.- son- age 19-single__
(6)Marie - daughter- age 13- single__
(7)Clara- daughter- age 12- single__
(8)Pontius George- Father-in law-age 69- marital Status(W???)______
I,m not sure that George's marital status is a W but I can't make it out to be anything else. All POB,s including mothers and Fathers is Pa. At this point I do not have George Pontius placed.
District 167, Lewisburg, Union Co. Pa.

Re: Pontius - Derr marriage

hilltop1155 — 2007-01-20 16:44:37Z

This is driving me crazy, because I know I saw these names only recently in either a will or a biography. I will look for them.

Meanwhile, would you consider sharing a copy that I could post on my Pontius Genealogy website? (www.pontiusgenealogy.com) I could put a query up there too.

Len

Re: James Pontius OH to Louisa Co IA

hilltop1155 — 2006-11-26 04:08:03Z

Jeanne:

This was interesting, part of a list of soldiers in the 29th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry:

Pontzies, James M. Age 18. Residence Wapello, nativity Ohio. Enlisted Jan. 28, 1864. Mustered Jan. 28, 1864. Mustered out Aug. 10, 1865, New Orleans, La. See Company F, Nineteenth Infantry. (James Pontzius.)

Potter, Martin. Age 43. Residence Little Sioux, nativity Virginia. Enlisted Aug. 18, 1862. Mustered Nov. 9, 1862. Died of disease April 30, 1863, Post Hospital, Helena, Ark. Buried in National Cemetery, Helena, Ark.

Found at:
http://iagenweb.org/civilwar/books/logan/mil513.htm

You could send for a military file if these are folks in your family.

Len

Re: Pontius, John Andrew Pontius aka Andrew Pontius

hilltop1155 — 2008-05-14 20:03:19Z

The Pennsylvania Archives does have a card file record for Andrew Ponges (as well as a Frederick, George, Nicholas and Henry Ponges) in the Northumberland County Militia. I don't know if that would be sufficient to prove his identity or service, but I do think this is Andrew Pontius.

Also, Andreas Pontzius' grave stone is shown on my website, at www.pontiusgenealogy.com/images/gravepuntziusandreas.JPG. The stone is authentic, from that era (not a memorial put up by a modern descendant). It says, Andreas Puntzius, geborhren d. 29 December 1745, Gaftorben d. 8 August 1825.

The Pontius Family Association's records seem to place Andrew between John Henry (b. 1744) and John Peter (b. 1747), which I think is correct as far as birth dates based on his grave stone.

Maybe this is helpful.
Len

Re: McClellan PONTIUS of Fulton Co., OH

hilltop1155 — 2007-12-11 16:11:57Z

In the 1900 census of York Township, Fulton Co, OH, William Pontious' family can be found indexed under Bontious. His wife is listed as Patrina in the index. They are William B. and Patience Snow Pontious, and they have a son "McCallin" age 19, born Mar 1881, and a daughter "Mandie" born Mar 1890, age 10. Both children and both parents were born in Ohio. William's birth was Dec 1858 and Patience's birth was Feb 1863.

I believe William was the son of David and Lucy Drake Pontius.

Does this help?
Len Niesen
www.pontiusgenealogy.com

Re: John Charles Pontius & Anna Rose Baines, Chicago, Illinois

hilltop1155 — 2007-06-19 11:03:07Z

Nicki, I put the entire Chronik der Pontius Familien on my website, on the Lineages page. It is a huge PDF file (46 mb) but I think you will be able to download it. Maybe it will help you figure out where your Pontiuses originated. Of course, just having been written in the book doesn't make it failsafe, but it may provide some credible clues.

Take care,
Len

Re: John Charles Pontius & Anna Rose Baines, Chicago, Illinois

hilltop1155 — 2007-06-18 13:56:52Z

Nicki,

Here are some marriages you might find useful, from Cook County, IL:

PONTIUS, CHARLES and BURGER, MINNIE 12/30/1893 / 00212385 COOK
PONTIUS, JOHN and BERCHER, PAULINA 07/10/1888 / 00128831 COOK
PONTIUS, JOHN J and EDWARDS, NELLIE (MRS) 10/16/1889 / 00145171 COOK
PONTIUS, JOHN J and TROLICHT, SYBILA KATHERINA (MRS) 09/05/1887 / 00117940 COOK
PONTIUS, LEONARD and WALSAPEIL, MARY 11/28/1879 OOD/ 00043552 COOK
PONTIUS, MATHIAS and KLEIN, MARGRETHE 11/25/1884 OOO/ 00087349 COOK
PONTIUS, WILLIAM H and LEON, MARY 03/08/1893 / 00197774 COOK
MILLER, HARRY GEORGE and PONTIOUS, NELLIE 08/13/1889 / 00142597 COOK
GLEESON, TIMOTHY J and PONTIUS, CLARA A 11/23/1892 / 00192863 COOK

These came from Illinois records I found online at some point and copied off. I believe the number listed is the record number for the license. Some of these are not your line but I just gave you all the Cook County folks, in case you don't have them.

Len

Re: John Charles Pontius & Anna Rose Baines, Chicago, Illinois

hilltop1155 — 2007-06-14 18:00:16Z

Nicki, all that you postulate sounds plausible. I looked through my records and have not yet found anything helpful. I will continue to keep my eyes open for connections.

I noticedin one document I have on the European Pontius lines that there were 4-5 brothers who immigrated from Germany to the US in the mid-1800's and all went to Chicago. They were all sons of Nicolaus Pontius who was born 1784. There were Nicholas, Bernard, Cornelius, and Jacob, and another brother named John of whom little is known. Most moved to Minnesota after a while. You may come across them and their children in Chicago records.

Nicholas Pontius (above), born 1784, was one of several children and I don't know that all his brothers are known. It may be that your Michael comes from the same family line. That is speculation, of course, but it would be interesting to see how the DNA tests would compare between your Pontius line and the descendants of the ones from the Nicholas family who lived in Chicago & Minnesota.

If you would like to communicate directly, my email address is webgenie at pontiusgenealogy dot net. (Insert the @ and . where the words are written; I use this format to hopefully prevent internet crawlers from picking up my email address.)

Len

Re: John Charles Pontius & Anna Rose Baines, Chicago, Illinois

hilltop1155 — 2007-06-14 06:29:07Z

Hi:

I found out more about Caroline. In 1870, there is a Jacob Pontias, age 28, born Prussia, a machinist, listed in Chicago Ward 18, Cook County, IL, page 426, with his family at the top of page 427. His wife is Caroline, age 23, born Prussia.

They have a son William, age 1, born Illinois, and also enumerated with them are:

Christian Pontius, age 21, born Prussia, a "day laborer"
Max Frohlich, 31, a "comsn mercht", whatever that is

Max was born in Wurttemburg; there is no relationship to the family stated and there may be none.

It is hard to say whether this family is related to John Charles & family. Jacob could be Charles' brother perhaps. I just thought I would pass it on.

Len

Re: John Charles Pontius & Anna Rose Baines, Chicago, Illinois

hilltop1155 — 2007-06-14 05:15:22Z

A bit more:

Jacob's name was apparently Jacob John Pontius; his wife was Jennie. This information is from his WWI draft card.

Robert also applied for the draft. His birth date was 25 Dec 1883 and his wife's name was Celia.

Arthur's draft card gives his date of birth as 14 June 1880. His nearest relative is Anna Pontius, which may be his mother.

Len

Re: John Charles Pontius & Anna Rose Baines, Chicago, Illinois

hilltop1155 — 2007-06-14 01:08:22Z

I have a website called www.PontiusGenealogy.com and I don't have this lineage in my database so far. I would like to put it on the site as you gain more information, if you wouldn't mind. Do you descend from them?

I found them in the 1880 census as well:
Cook County, Chicago IL, Supervisor's Dist 1, Enumeration Dist 177, page 21 (stamped page 37A), dated 7 June 1880:

Ponsius, Charles, age 42, Machinist, born Germany
Ponsius, Anna, 32, keeping house, born Germany
Ponsius, Clara, 8, daughter, at school, born Illinois
Ponsius, Jacob, 2, son, born Illinois

They were living at 42 Larabee Street, which may have been an apartment since there are other families at the same address that don't seem related at all.

In 1870, they appear here:
18th Ward Chicago, Cook Co, IL, page 416
Dated 11 Aug 1870
Pontaies, Charles, age 30, Engine Builder, b. Prussia
" , Anna, age 21, Keeping house, b. Mecklenberg
" , Charles, age 3, born Illinois
" , William, age 9/12, born Illinois

Just a few houses down from them are listed:
Pontaies, Michael, age 81, at home, b. Prussia
" , Caroline, age 54, keeping house, b. Prussia

I noticed Caroline Pontius also in the 1880 census, not quite as close by, and she had a young man named Christian Pontius enumerated with her; he had consumption. He was 30 and Caroline was 64 in 1880.

I couldn't find them in 1860, so perhaps they hadn't arrived yet. I will check my other records and see if I can figure out where Michael might fit in.

Please keep in touch -

Len Niesen
Pontius Researcher

Re: James Pontius OH to Louisa Co IA

JeanneCrews27 — 2007-06-09 12:56:25Z

Lori, I've been working on the Orahood/Arahood (etc., many spelling variations) family and trying to trace the various lines. There is a connection to Montgomery County, Indiana, which is where Margaret Ellen's parents were married in 1842. The marriage record says Philip Potter and Sidney Arahood were married December 15, 1842. I also have census records for them. I'm trying to figure out who Sidney's parents were. You can e-mail me. I'm writing my e-mail address like this so that it can't be picked up by automatic phishers. jeanne_crews at yahoo dot com

Re: James Pontius OH to Louisa Co IA

loriworld — 2007-06-08 17:39:49Z

James and Margaret Ellen are my g-g-g grandparents. Happy to share info with others!

Re: James Pontius OH to Louisa Co IAAa

JosephAHittle — 2006-11-25 02:24:42Z

For whatever this is worth :-)

In the 1840 census in Ross County, Ohio, there is a Thomas Arrowhood who is listed as a Revolutionary War Veteran with age given as 79. If this is a viable connection, it would be more likely that this would be a grandfather, rather than a father. He seems to be included in the household of Daniel Davis.

Also in that census, and also in Concord Township, Ross County is a household with a female as the head by the name of Sarah Arowhood.

This household has:
one male less than 5
3 males 10-15
1 male 15-20
1 female less than 5
2 females 5-10
1 female 15-20
1 female 30-40 (Sarah)

Obviously there is no way without other information to know that this is Sydney's mother and grandfather. Her father, if this is the right Arahood family, most likely had a sister who married Daniel Davis.

While that seems to be a logical possibility, nothing there is conclusive by itself.

Good Luck !!!

Joe Hittle
www.hittle.info

Re: Pontius, John Andrew Pontius aka Andrew Pontius

JosephAHittle — 2008-05-14 19:02:57Z

Hi Jan,

How certain are you that:

a) your Johannes Andrew was the son of Johannes and Catherine (Zeller) Pontius?
b) your Johannes Andrew was born c.1745?

Here is what the pastoral record of Rev. John Caspar Stoever indicates that his dealings with the Johannes Pontius family were:

John Pontius and Anna Catharina Zoeller were married at Tulpehocken on 14 January 1745

At Swatara, Stoever baptized John Heinrich Pontius, son of Johannes and Catharina Pontius on 1 April 1744. The child's birth was reported as 24 February 1744. Sponsors of the child were John Heinrich Zoeller and wife.

Stoever baptized John Peter Pontius on 25 October 1747 with the birth being reported as just 3 days earlier on 22 October 1747. Sponsors of John Peter were Peter Hoffman and wife.

Stoever baptized Johannes on 18 August 1751. This child's birth was reported as 16 August 1751. Sponsors of this child were Johannes Schnaebel and wife.

While that information was taken from a copy of "The Journal of Rev. John Caspar Stoever" it MUST be noted that Egle's Notes follow VERY closely to this rendition of the record, with the EXCEPTION that Stoever married Johannes and Catherine in 1743, not as late as 1745. As a descendant of John Henry, their first child/son, that becomes a significant item of clarity for me.

Okay, here's the real stickler.

It's not hard to find gedcoms that list the son born in 1751 as Johannes Andrew. Stoever's record does not support that listing in either the "Journal" I've referenced or in Egle's rendition of it as printed in the late 1800's.

It's also not hard to find gedcoms that list John Andrew as having been born in 1745. My point here is not to dismantle a family legend, but rather simply to point out that the family legend does not seem to be consistent as various researchers have compiled rosters of Johannes and Catherine's family.

It is likely that that DAR is very aware of the discrepancy and is hoping that someone will eventually be able to shed light on the issue.

A further note on the evolution of the counties in Pennsylvania. The Pontius family was settled into "Buffalo Valley" in what is now Union County, probably by the mid-1750's. There are varying accounts as to when the move was either began or finalized. Neither Tulpehocken nor Swatara were part of what is now Union County.

However, until 1772 when Northumberland was carved out of Northampton County, it is very likely that all 3 areas were part of old Northampton County. Northampton's county seat is at Easton.

Union County was not formed until 1813, and was carved out of Northumberland County. Hence, nearly all Pontius family legal proceedings from 1772 up to that point are on record at the Northumberland County Courthouse in Sunbury.

Andrew Pontius is in the 1790 and 1810 Northumberland County Census records. By the 1820 Census he appears to be in Ross County, Ohio.

I've been digging around hoping to find something in the Pennsylvania Archives that might help ascertain that Andrew, like his older brother John Henry, was a member of a Northumberland County militia unit. So far, no luck. But that doesn't mean that it's not there, but it may be disguised well enough that an indexer might not have seen "Pontius" as his surname. That would NOT be an uncommon occurence.

That's a long way of saying "I don't know" in regard to your question, but maybe something in this will help you find what you're looking for.

Here's hoping!

Joe Hittle
skadj@yahoo.com
www.hittle.info

John Charles Pontius & Anna Rose Baines, Chicago, Illinois

bluets15_1 — 2007-06-13 13:45:28Z

I'm looking for any information on the family and ancestry of John Charles Pontius and Anna Rose Baines, living in Chicago, Illinois in 1900, according to the 1900 U.S. Census.

The information I have on this family so far follows:

John Charles Pontius b. May 1845, Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, arrived in U.S. in 1860

Anna Rose Baines b. 1846/1850, Germany

Their children:
Jacob Pontius b. 8 Mar 1875, Chicago, Illinois d. 11 Sep 1927, Chicago, Illinois

Arthur Pontius b. Jun 1882, Chicago, Illinois

Robert Pontius b. Feb 1884, Chicago, Illinois

Rose Pontius b. Jun 1887, Chicago, Illinois

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. Nicolette Flocca Cagle

Re: John Charles Pontius & Anna Rose Baines, Chicago, Illinois

bluets15_1 — 2007-06-14 15:02:12Z

Hello Len,

I also have three pictures that you can feel free to post on the website as well, along with the cemetery records.

Picture 1: John Jacob Pontius (1879-1927)
Picture 2: Jennie Cox (1878-1922), wife of John Jacob Pontius (1879-1927)
Picture 3: Jeannine Pontius (still living, granddaughter of John and Jennie Pontius) and husband Joseph Marion Flocca I (1921-1951)

Sincerely,
Nicki Cagle

Re: John Charles Pontius & Anna Rose Baines, Chicago, Illinois

bluets15_1 — 2007-06-14 14:48:41Z

Hello again:

I'm attaching Pontius records from Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois (I could also email a pdf if you would like). The records and plot locations are a bit mixed up because some of the graves had been moved from another cemetery. These records give names, death dates, and sometimes age at death.

In our family, it was always said that Michael (b. 1789) was the father of a Charles Pontius (1810-1867) and grandfather of John Charles Pontius (1838-1902). Using the information from these cemetery records in conjunction with what you have found, I am postulating the following family relations between Michael Pontius, Charles, and John Charles:

Possible descendant of Michael Pontius (1789-30 Sep 1870):

Charles Pontius (1810-25 Jun 1867), who marries Caroline (1817/8-2 Mar 1882). Their possible children:

John Charles Pontius (1838-27 Jun 1902)
John Jacob Pontius (1842-1905)
Christian Pontius (1850-14 Jul 1880)

Children of John Charles Pontius (1838-1902) and wife, Anna Rose Baines (1846-1928):

Charles Pontius (1867-26 Feb 1937)
William Pontius (Nov 1869-26 Jul 1933)
Clara Pontius (1872-Mar 1947)
Jacob Pontius (1879-1927)
Arthur (b. 1882)
Robert (b. 1884)
Rose (1887-1976)

Children of Jacob Pontius (b. 1842) and wife Carolyn (1847-8-10 Jan 1884):
William Pontius (1869-4 Jul 1876)

Children of Charles Pontius (1867-1937):
Clarence Pontius
Virginia Pontius

Children of Jacob Pontius (1879-1927) & Jennie Cox (1878-1922):
Leslie Pontius (1905-1941)
Russell Pontius (1907-1971)
Willis Pontius(1909-1910)

Other information:
Clara Pontius (1872-Mar 1947) married Timothy Gleeson.
Rose Pontius (1887-1976) married Herman Schwark.

I would very much appreciate knowing if you have any other information that might back this up or if logic leads you to draw similar conclusions.

It seems to me that the first Caroline that you found, in 1870 with Michael and then in 1880 with Christian was the wife of deceased Charles Pontius (1810-1867) who isn't found in any census records. In 1870, shortly after the death of Charles, she moved in with her father-in-law, Michael Pontius (1789-1870). After the death of Michael, later that year, she could have moved in with her consumptive son, Christian (1850-1880). She then dies Mar. 2, 1882.

The Caroline (1847/8-10 Jan 1884)that you found could be the wife of Jacob Pontius (b. 1842), and a different Caroline than the above Caroline?

Please let me know what you think.

Best wishes,
Nicki Cagle

Re: John Charles Pontius & Anna Rose Baines, Chicago, Illinois

bluets15_1 — 2007-06-14 13:34:25Z

Len,

Thank you so much for the information you found and sent. It means a great deal to me and my family. I am decended from this line through:

Jacob John Pontius (1879-1927)
Jennie (Jane) Cox (1878-1922)

They had three children:
Leslie (1905-1941)
Russell (1907-1971)
Willis (1909-1910)

Leslie Pontius (1905-1941) married Agnes Stewa (1895-1975).
They had one child: Jeannine Pontius (1929 - present).

Jeannine Pontius is my grandmother. She married my grandfather, Joseph Marion Flocca I (1921-1951). Together they had two children:
Juanita Flocca
Joseph Flocca II (b. 23 Nov 1950)

Joseph Flocca (II) is my father. He married my mom, Eileen Kukulski (b. 24 June 1952). And they had just one child, me -- Nicolette Flocca (b. 13 Dec 1980).

I married Mark W. Cagle (b. 25 Feb 1977) on July 12, 2002. We don't have children yet.

Please feel free to put whatever information you think is appropriate on the Pontius website.

Many thanks,
Nicolette Cagle