Early Leichliter Family History

In Upper Turkeyfoot Township -- Somerset County, PA

The first family ancestor to arrive in Somerset County was JOHN LEIGHLITER/LEICHLITER. He was born about 1748 and was probably a native of Germany. If so, he came to the United States prior to 1784, for in that year he married Lydda (Elizabeth?) Green, in Bedminster Twp., Bucks County, Pa. They later settled in Bedford County, and then moved on to Upper Turkeyfoot Twp, Somerset County, with their first child, JACOB, around 1795. (About 20 years after the end of the Revolutionary War).

In 1801 John Leighliter obtained a Warrant from the State of Pennsylvania for 200 acres of land, and was utilizing an additional 102 acres. (A copy of the survey can be obtained from the County Recorders office.) This land was adjacent to Frederick Younkin's land, which is located on Highway 281, just south of Kingwood. TheYounkin farm is still being farmed by Frederick's' descendants, Kay Ann (Younkin) Wilson and her father. John and Lydda had five additional children, all born in Somerset County:

• David,
• Samual G.,
• John C.,
• Sarah, and
• Margaret J.

John Leighliter died in March, 1845, at the home of his son, Jacob, in the "Hexeborger Hills." His burial place is unknown.

JACOB LEICHLITER (John's first born) was born August 11, 1788. Records indicate he was baptized in the Tohicken Union Church, Bedminster Twp, Bucks Co., Pa. This story from the September 1899 issue of the Mountaineer best describes Jacob.

In 1812 Jacob Leichliter married Jemima Campbell. She was from Dublin, Ireland. They had eight children:

• Elizabeth,
• R. Campbell,
• Thomas,
• John Campbell,
• Levi,
• Mary Ann,
• Samual, and
• Lydia.

Jemima died in 1826 at 33 years of age, seven months after the birth of their last child. She is buried in what is now a Younkin cemetery on the aformentioned Frederick Younkin farm. Her handsome gravestone was recovered by the current owner of the land, and is well preserved and very legible.

About 1830 Jacob married his second wife, Martha Williams. With Martha, Jacob had 11 more children:

• Margaret Jane,
• David William Campbell,
• Martin W., James,
• Jacob W. C.,
• William Henry Harrison,
• Jemima,
• George Washington,
• Martha Esther,
• Albert Marsden, and
• Sarah Ann.

Jacob died May29, 1881, at the age of almost 93 years. He and Martha are buried together in the United Brethern Cemetery in Normalville, Pa.

By John "Dutch" Lichliter