Johannes Forster, father of Barbara, was from the Forster family of St. Gall, CH. Johannes Furster was born to Caspar Forster and his second wife Anna Züblin (who had married in Oberuzwil on 5 Nov 1679) on 28 Jan 1692 at Oberuzwil, St. Gallen, Switzerland. Caspar Forster’s first wife was Catharina Zwicki; his third was Anna Baumann.
Elizabeth Tobler, mother of Barbara Forster, was the sister of Johannes Tobler, former Landeshauptman of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, CH, and founder of New Windsor Township, and she was the daughter of Ulrich Tobler, who acquired land adjacent the Forsters in Orangeburg Township. Barbara’s first cousin, Ann Tobler, married Barbara’s cousin Rev. Johann Joachim Züblin (1724-1781), later known as John J. Zubly, distinguished Reformed clergyman and member of the Second Continental Congress.1
Johannes Forster and Ulrich Tobler were listed among those receiving 1736 town lot grants in Orangeburg.2 In 1736 John Hysenhood (Eisenhut) received a 200 acre land grant adjacent Peter Fauré and John Forster on the Edisto River (South Carolina Colonial Plat Book 9:494).3 In 1761 Ulrich Tobler “of New Windsor” sold land adjacent John Forster that was granted to his grandfather Ulrich Tobler in 1736 (South Carolina Colonial Plat Book 20, page 358).4
Joop Giessendanner’s transcription of Rev. Giessendanner’s Book of Record documents her marriage to Jacob Brunson:
Anno 1738
On 26. January have married Jacob Pruncen to Miss Barbara Furster, daughter of Johannes Furster, Tinter (Hans Ulrich Giessendanner, the elder) Färber = tinter, usually dyes color in cloth or leather
Their son Isaac was baptised in 1749/50:5
(45.) On Sunday, October 28th Isaac, son of Jacob and Barbara Brunzon; born ____. Susceptr. Abraham Yssenhut. Samuel Davis, and ____ wife of Elias Snell.
Baptismal sponsor Abraham Eisenhut owned land adjacent that of Johannes Forster. Samuel Davis was married to Barbara’s sister Salome Forster. Barbara’s son Isaac seems to have died quite young.
Barbara’s daughter Hannah Brunson’s baptism was not recorded by Rev. Giessendanner. Hannah married Jonathan Johnston, and later served as baptismal sponsor for one of her own Dukes half-siblings.
Subsequently, Barbara married Robert Lammons in 1751. From Rev, Giessendanner’s Book of Record:
18. On Tuesday May 28th In Ditto ---- By Ditto Robert Lammon To Barbara, late Widow of Jacob Brunzon, deceased: Both living upon Edistoe River: Being present: Michael Christopher Row, Joseph Grieffous, Samuel Davis
Michael Christopher Rowe was an Indian trader living on land just below Orangeburgh Township. Barbara’s brother-in-law Samuel Davis appeared again as a wedding witness for Barbara.
There is no Giessendanner record of Lammons children born to Robert and Barbara, although her will shows that there were children. Margaret Lammons married Paul Johnston. Elizabeth Lammons was another daughter of the couple.
There is no record of the marriage of Joseph Dukes and Barbara Forster, but three of their children were baptized by Rev. Giessendanner and appear in those records.
Hannah, wife of the Jonathon Johnston mentioned in Barbara Dukes’ will as her daughter, is identified as the granddaughter of Johannes Forster in Charleston Co SC Deed Book K-3:255, 26 Feb 1765. This was a deed from Jonathon Johnson and wife Hannah to Henry Felder for the 300 acres granted 17 Sep 1736 to John (Johannes) Forster.
In 1735, 300 acres were surveyed for John Forster, adjacent Ulrich Tobler (South Carolina Colonial Plat Book 9, page 454).6 The number of acres indicates that John Forster was accompanied by five others, each receiving a 50 acre headright. The identity of five of those in the household is known: John Forster, his wife Elizabeth Tobler Forster, son John Forster, and daughters Barbara Forster and Salome Forster.
Barbara’s brother John Forster married Sarah Hatcher, daughter of Seth Hatcher, in 1741.7 After the death of John Forster, Sarah Hatcher Forster remarried to John Clayton and was the mother of his many children. By 1749/50, we have the following record:8
Sirrah, daughter of John and Sirrah Clayton; born April 30th a. c. Susceptr. William Pendarvis, Sirah, wife of William Cooper, and Mary, wife of David Rumph.
Sarah Cooper had been the widow of Thomas Hasfort before her marriage to William Cooper.
On Tuesday 19 Nov 1741 “Elizabeth Fusterin, widow” was married to Christian Swartz, in the presence of Kilian Abecklin, John Forster and 2 children.9 Joop Giessendanner’s translation:
Thursday the 19th of November after one
single announcement were privately married by me
24. Christian Shwartz and Elsbeth Fuster
maiden name Tobler, late Mr. Johannes Fuster's
(dec'd.) widow in the presence of
Kilian Abecklin, Johannes Fuster and all other remaining
children on both sides
The remaining children on the Forster side presumably included Barbara and Salome Forster.
On 26 Feb 1765 the following was recorded (Charleston County SC Deed Book K-3, page 255):
Jonathon Johnston and Hannah, his wife, of below Orangeburg to Henry Felder of Orangeburg Township for 35 pounds, sold 300 acres granted 17 Sep 1736 to John Fuster and adjoins SE on vacant land, NW on Ulrich Tobler, SW on Pon Pon River, SE on Ulrich Spice & John Hysenhood. Said Hannah, wife of Jonathon Johnston, being the only grandchild of Fuster. Wit. Isham Clayton, John Simmons, William (x) Aldridge. Before Christopher Rowe, J.P. 2 May 1768. Recorded 7 Jul 1768 by Fenwick Bull, Reg.
Henry Felder recorded a memorial of this transaction on July 8, 1768.10
The will of Barbara Dukes of Orangeburg District and St. Matthews Parish, has survived, and was recorded in the Charleston District Will Book 1774-1779, p. 179:11
Orangeburgh June 4th 1774
I do desire that the tract of land whereon I now dwell which is a tract of one Hundred Acres with the houses and other Appurtinances thereunto belonging may be sold at Public Sale within nine Months after my Decease, and the Money Arising from the Said Sale to be equally Divided amongst the following persons, Paul Johnston, Jonathon Johnston, Elizabeth Lemons, Rebecca Dukes and Susanna Dukes—Item I do desire that all the Horses and Hoggs belonging to Me may Also be sold at Public Sale, except two Sows the one for Rebecah the other for Susanna Dukes and the Money arising therefrom to be equally divided amongst the forementioned Persons … Item I do give and bequeath to Jonathan Johnston one Iron Pot and one Note of Hand due from William Pendarvis of Sixty Pounds Currency—Item I do given the Bequeath unto my Daughters Rebecah and Susanna Dukes, some Oxnaburgs that I have sent for to Charleston by Mr. Landal to the value of eight Pounds, one Bed, three new blankets, one bed quilt, one Spinning Wheel and all my Cotton Caps and Handkerchiefs—Item I do give and bequeath to the said Paul Johnston all the Debts that remain due to me … Item, I do give and bequeath to my Daughters Margaret Johnstone, Nancy Johnston and Elizabeth Lemons all the remainder of my Wearing Apparel … I do give and Bequeath to Elizabeth Lemons one Straw Bed and the remainder of the blankets — Item I do desire that all the rest of the Goods and Chattles should be sold at Publick sale and the Money arising therefrom to be divided equally amongst Paul Johnston, Jonathon Johnston, Elizabeth Lemons, Rebecah and Susannah Dukes—Item I do constitute and apppoint Paul Johnston to be my Sole Executor to do and Execute this my last Will & Testament. Barbara Dukes.
Barbara signed with an “x.” Witnesses were Josiah Langdale and William Mason (who also signed with an “x”). Josiah Langdale was also likely to be the Mr. Landal who was to deliver Oxnaburg fabric. Some believe that Josiah Langdale was from the Bertie Co NC Langdales. Others trace him to a Quaker of northern origins. In any case, Langdale family researchers believe that 1774 was his first year in South Carolina. Later he lived in Colleton County, east of Walterboro.
There are several people named William Mason in South Carolina. A William Mason had land in Colleton on Ninety-Six Creek in the 1770’s (SCDAH Series: S213184 Volume - 0013 Page - 00061 Item – 03). The 1783 jury list for Orangeburgh lists William Mason as a petit juror.12 In 1784 William Mason had a plat for 110 acres surveyed in Orangeburgh District.13 Reference to adjacent landowners suggests a location near New Windsor Township.
“Mr. Landal” who was to bring the Osnaburg yardage from Charleston was probably Josiah Langdale, who witnessed the will.
This document is copyright © 2007 by Lynn Teague. All rights reserved. The copyright must appear on all copies.
Schelbert, Leo, ed. 1996. America Experienced. Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Accounts of Swiss Immigrants to the United States. Rockport, Maine: Picton Press. Page 77.
2 Hendrix, Ge Lee Hendrix. The First Settlers on The North Fork of The Edisto River, S. C. The National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Vol. 73, page 179.
3 Hendrix, Ge Lee Hendrix. The First Settlers on The North Fork of The Edisto River, S. C. The National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Vol. 73, page 193.
4 Hendrix, Ge Lee Hendrix. The First Settlers on The North Fork of The Edisto River, S. C. The National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Vol. 73, page 191.
5 Giessendanner Records. In Salley, A.S., Jr. 1898. The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, from Its First Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War. Orangeburg, S.C.; reprinted Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, 1994. Page 125.
6 Hendrix, Ge Lee Hendrix. The First Settlers on The North Fork of The Edisto River, S. C. The National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Vol. 73, page192.
7 Giessendanner Records. In Salley, A.S., Jr. 1898. The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, from Its First Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War. Orangeburg, S.C.; reprinted Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, 1994. Page 107.
8 Giessendanner Records. In Salley, A.S., Jr. 1898. The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, from Its First Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War. Orangeburg, S.C.; reprinted Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, 1994. Page 125.
9 Giessendanner Records. In Salley, A.S., Jr. 1898. The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, from Its First Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War. Orangeburg, S.C.; reprinted Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, 1994. Page 96.
10 Colonial Memorials. Vol. 2, Page 520. South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
11 Charleston District Will Book Vol. 15, 1774-1779, p. 179. South Carolina Department of History and Archives.
12 Warren, Mary B., ed. 1977. South Carolina Jury Lists, 1718-1783. Danielsville GA: Heritage Papers. P. 83.
13 State plats. Series Number S213190. Volume 0001. Page 00101. Item 04. South Carolina Department of Archives and History.