FAMILY HISTORY:  Barnitz, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

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Early Families in York County,  Historical Society of York Co.
York Dispatch, July 1, 1933.
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BARNITZ

Very little is known of the origin of this prominent local family, although 
tradition affirms that it is Hugenot.  The ancestors are supposed to have 
emigrated from Germany to Maryland, landing at Baltimore and later moving into 
York County.

The first record of the family here shows that John Leonard Baernitz had settled 
on the Little Codorus before 1737.  He returned to Maryland, but John George 
Charles Barnitz, believed to have been his brother, settled permanently.  The 
latter married Anna Barbara Stengler and died in 1796, leaving the following 
children:

(1) Daniel, 1755-1827, who married Susan Eichelberger, served in the Revolution, 
and left many descendants in Hanover, through his 12 children;
(2) Jacob, 1758-1828, an ensign and lieutenant in the Revolution, wounded and 
captured at Fort Washington, secretary of Christ Lutheran church for 40 years, 
register and recorder of York County, married Mary, daughter of Archibald 
McClean; one of their sons was a member of congress, another served in the War 
of 1812 and became auditor-general of Pennsylvania;
(3) Anna Catharine, 1760-1762;
(4) John, born 1763, died young;
(5) George, 1767-1841, associate Judge of York County for 21 years, married 
Catharine Spangler and had seven children, among them John Charles Barnitz, 
1795-1872, ancestor of the Harrisburg branch;
(6) John, 1770-1848, sometime chief burgess of York, married Catharine, daughter 
of Col. John Hay and had three daughters;
(7) Michael, of Lancaster;
(8) Anna Barbara, married Lauman and moved to Baltimore; and
(9) Susana, wife of Martin Eichelberger.

Ensign Jacob Barnitz lies buried in the yard now belonging to Zion Lutheran 
Church in York.