Frances Gundy, b. 15 January 1795 in Somerset Co., Pennsylvania, d. 20 April 1873 in Holt Co., Missouri

Father: Joseph Gundy (1), b. ABT 1750 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, d. ABT 1823 in Harrison Co., Ohio
Mother: Veronica Kauffman, b. ABT 1756 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania

Spouse: Peter Forney, b. 9 August 1782 in Somerset Co., Pennsylvania, m. Christena Zug, ABT 1802 in Somerset Co., Pennsylvania, d. 8 October 1871 in Holt Co., Missouri

Father: Joseph Forney (1), b. 1744 in Pennsylvania, d. April 1802 in Elk Lick Twp., Somerset Co., Pennsylvania

The Forney Family: This name, so honorably known in America, emanates from several emigrant heads, all undoubtedly traceable to the ancestral family seat at Ferney, a town in the Department of Ain, on the border of France, near the city of Geneva. the name occurs prominently in French history. Some of this name of the Huguenot faith forsook their native land, because of the religious persecutions, and located in Switzerland and the Palatinate immediately adjacent; from whence they came to AmeriABT It is a significant fact that nearly all the immigrants of this name came in the company of Huguenots. While we are not prepared to say that all of the Forney immigrants were of Huguenot antecedents, it is established beyond a doubt that Peter Forney, Sr., who came to Lancaster County prior to 1733, must be designated as one. He is known to have come from the borders of France, near Geneva, which would incline to the belief that his home was at or near the town from which the family took it's name. The date of his arrival is not certainly known. In 1733 he obtained a warrant for land on Cocalico, where he died intestate in 1749, leaving five children and a considerable estate.

The descendants of Peter Forney, Sr., preserve many traditions of their Huguenot antecedents. Colonel John W. Forney, during a visit to France in 1875, had the pleasure of meeting several distinguished personages of his name who claimed kinship. Among the descendants of Peter Forney, Sr., were Colonel John W. Forney, Colonel Wien Forney, both of whom were born in Lancaster County.

The father of Jacob Forney (1721-1806) fled from France to the Palatinate, from whence the son came to Lancaster County, in Pennsylvania. He married Maria Bergner and, in 1754, moved to Lincoln County, N.C.. In Wheeler's History of that state, we learn that they were Huguenots. He and his sons, Jacob, Peter and Abraham, became very prominent. The son, General Peter Forney (1756-1834), served in the revolution and was one of the foremost men of the state; he was a member of Congress 1814-1815. His brother, Abraham (1758-1849), also served in the revolution and greatly distinguished himself at the battle of King's Mountain.

Johann Adam Forney, son of Christian and Madle Frick Forney, no doubt, was born at or near the village of Fahrni, Switzerland. Records show he was an apprentice tailor at Steffisburg, Switzerland. During this writer's (Howard G. Forney) trip (1963) and search of the records of the archives in the town of Wachenheim, Germany, it was found that Johann Adam owned large vineyards of #1 quality. His brothers, Christian, a vine dresser and Felix, who was six years younger and also a tailor by trade, lived at Wachenheim. Johann Adam Forney and his wife, Elizabeth Lowisa, with their four children arrived at Philadelphia on October 16, 1721. The name then was spelled "Farney" and his wife was listed as "Lowisa Farnison" Their first ten years were spent in Philadelphia County, after which the family located in 1734 in Conewage Settlement, or, as is sometimes called "Diggs' Choice." Today this is known as Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania.

There is an early tradition that three Forney brothers came together to America, but all the genealogists deny the statement. However, with all the traditions and statistics gathered from many, many Forney families in various countries, it should be proof beyond doubt that Peter, Jacob and Johann Adam Forney were very closely related and that they were all Huguenots.

The Forney family is believed to have originated in Switzerland or near there in southern Germany. The name was spelled Pharney, Fahrney, Forni, Farni, Fornie, Fahrni, etc., with the Americanized spelling Forney.

A study made of the family revealed all Forneys were related in some fashion. Helbert's Research Agency indicated a few years ago there were over 1,350 heads of households and approximately 4,500 persons in the United States bearing the name.

The original Forneys migrated to the Colony of Maryland in the 1750s. Later they moved to Fayette County, Pennsylvania. From there the direct line can be traced to Holt County, Missouri. There are few in numbers still residing in the area, but many related families are scattered over the region.

The Forneys helped shape history. John Forney was a noted radical in Congress after the close of the Civil War. He helped make Reconstruction in the South a painful subject.

In the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina there was a Forney Ridge. A visit to the battlefield in Vicksburg, Mississippi, revealed a marker honoring a Confederate general named Forney who participated in that battle.

We have not, as yet, connected our Peter Forney with these Forneys but, since he came from the same area, it is quite likely that he is related.

In the public library at Hanover, Pennsylvania, there is a room that has a huge display of Forney artifacts, including the Forney sword that may have been used in the revolutionary war, many pictures and letters. The Forneys were prominent people there. In the Gettysburg museum there is part of a Forney house that has a cannon shell through seven of the rafters on display. Also many artifacts from that farmstead.

Married 20 March 1823 in Harrison Co., Ohio.

Children:

1. Joseph Forney (2), b. May 1824 in Harrison Co., Ohio, m. Mary Breninger, m. Eliza Jane (Louisa) Coon, 2 June 1854 in Holt Co., Missouri, d. 25 October 1909 in Falls City, Nebraska
2. Martha Forney, b. 1826 in Ohio
3. Abraham (A.P.) Forney, b. 1831 in Wayne Co., Ohio, d. 24 February 1909 in Lawrence, Kansas
4. Solomon Benjamin Forney, b. 11 November 1833 in Mt. Eaton, Wayne Co., Ohio, m. Ellen Elizabeth Acton, 28 March 1855 in Oregon, Missouri, m. Cassandra Taylor, 4 January 1859 in Oregon, Missouri, d. 18 January 1927 in Oregon, Missouri

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Joseph Gundy (1), b. ABT 1750 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, d. ABT 1823 in Harrison Co., Ohio

Father: Peter Gundy, b. in Switzerland, d. ABT 1762 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania

Joseph was a Mennonite Minister in Bedford Co., Pennsylvania. He later became a cooper (the old term for "coppersmith"). He may have been the leader of the Mennonites who settled in Brother's Valley. He was certainly one of the important members of the community. He is mentioned several times in Christian Newcomer's Journal. Gundy and Newcomer evidently became good friends. On one occasion, Newcomer wrote in his Journal under date of 27 October 1798 "I stayed this night with a Mennonite Preacher named Gundy; our souls immediately flowed together in love." Newcomer appears to have stayed with Joseph Gundy whenever he visited Somerset Co. It may have been through Newcomer's influence that Joseph left the Mennonites and became the minister of the United Brethren Church in Ohio. He and Fronica are buried in Conotton Cemetery.

Christian Newcomer again wrote in his Journal on September 3, 1807, "traveling west from Frankford, leaving Joseph Crisup's, I again pursued my journey; rode all day across a very mountainous part of the country; stopped at a public house to get refreshments for myself and beast. After we had recruited our strength, I set off with the intention of reaching Joseph Gundy's. When I arrived at the place where he formerly lived, I found he had removed to the western country, but found his son-in-law lived at the place. Both young people rejoiced to see me and entertain me with the greatest pleasure."

Spouse: Veronica Kauffman, b. ABT 1756 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania

Father: Stephen Kauffman, b. 1725 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania, d. 1802 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania
Mother: Barbara Yoder, b. 1725 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania

Married ABT 1774 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania.

Children:

1. Mary Gundy, b. 1775 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, m. Joseph Nafzinger
2. Christina Gundy, b. ABT 1777 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, m. John Heastand
3. Rebecca Gundy, b. ABT 1779 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, m. ? Overholzer
4. Regina Gundy, b. ABT 1781 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, m. ? Folk
5. Magdalena Gundy, b. 15 June 1786 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, m. David Fierbaugh
6. Benjamin Gundy, b. ABT 1790 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, d. 16 April 1867
7. Frances Gundy, b. 15 January 1795 in Somerset Co., Pennsylvania, m. Peter Forney, 20 March 1823 in Harrison Co., Ohio, d. 20 April 1873 in Holt Co., Missouri
8. Joseph Gundy (2), b. 10 July 1799 in Somerset Co., Pennsylvania

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Peter Gundy, b. in Switzerland, d. ABT 1762 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania

His estate was settled March 25, 1763 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. His widow did not take care of his children. John and Christian were over 21 so they didn't need a guardian. Peter and Magdalen were over 14 but under 21 and chose their own guardian. Jacob Kurtz of Manheim Township and Jacob Erb of Warwick Township were appointed guardians of the younger children, Joseph, Benjamin and David. On May 8, 1772, David and Benjamin, having attained the age of 14 years, chose their brother, John, as their guardian. Joseph had attained the age of 21.

Children:

1. John Gundy, b. ABT 1740 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania
2. Christian Gundy, b. ABT 1742 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania
3. Peter Gundy (2), b. ABT 1746 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania
4. Magdalen Gundy, b. ABT 1748 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania
5. Joseph Gundy (1), b. ABT 1750 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, m. Veronica Kauffman, ABT 1774 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania, d. ABT 1823 in Harrison Co., Ohio
6. Benjamin Gundy (1), b. ABT 1754 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania
7. David Gundy, b. ABT 1756 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania

Spouse: Ann ??

Married.

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