The big disadvantage to being descended from a younger son is that he doesn't inherit the family business! Colonial paper maker Wilhelm Rittenhouse had two sons [Nicholas and Gerhard] and a daughter [Elizabeth].
Nicholas/Claus inherited the paper mill on Wissahickon Creek near Germantown, PA. Gerhard/Garrett was farmer and grist miller on his property along Cresheim Creek.
The identity of Garrett's wife bcomes the Rittenhouse mystery. Early sources gave her name as Revacomb, probably from Revacombs being named as a "kinsmen" of Garrett. Later sources gave the name of Garrett's wife as either Mary Schumacher or Anna Umstatt.
To date no records have been uncovered to positively identify Mrs. Rittenhouse. She preceded Garrett in death, so was not named in his will.
Garrett fathered two sons, William and Peter. William had four daughters: Priscilla, Susannah, Anne & Hannah. Hannah was probably named for her maternal grandmother, Hannah Lakin. Peter also fathered four daughters: Mary, Barbara, Mary & Susannah.
William went on to be the founder of the New Jersey line of the family. His granddaughter, Elizabeth, married Cornelius Prall, Jr.
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