Biography
George Phillip Geller-(1733-1822)
George Phillip Geller, is the oldest ancestor we can trace on my mother's side of the family. He was born about 1733. We are not sure if he was born in America, or emigrated here with his family. (One tidbit of information, suggested he arrived here as an indentured servant, but we have no corroborating evidence).His death was recorded as 10 Feb. 1822 in Londonderry Township, Bedford Co. PA. That would have made him 89 years old at death-an unusually long age, for that era. He married a Mary Kramer, around 1753. Her birth was recorded about 1733.
My first inkling that he was in the military, comes from a short note in his genealogy. It states, that that a George Koeller, (Geller)? was a member of the Alsace TWP. Company of the Berks County Militia. It goes on to say, that a George Geller, died in 1834 in Greenville TWP of Somerset Co., aged one hundred years. (This is in conflict with our original date of death of 1822).
This information however, comes with a reliable source. Charles F. Cook-over eighty himself and service officer for the Somerset post of the VFW, stated that George Geller, was due sixteen dollars in pension money for his militia service. Mr. Cook, positively identified George Geller and George Koeller as one in the same. Cook has spent most of his life, collecting information on war veteran's graves under the registry program.
There was no doubt in Mr. Cook's mind, but that George Geller the pensioner, was the head of the Geller family, whom settled in Londonderry TWP., of Bedford Co. This information is substantiated to some degree, by Waterman's(?) note that John Comp and George Geller, were from Berk's County.
In contradiction to this information, we show that Geller's will was probated at Bedford on 1 April 1822, which had been drawn up on Feb. 1822. (Why the death dates don't correspond, I have no idea, but I would be more inclined to go with the probated will). The will also stated that the remainder of the estate would go to Mary Geller, (His wife's name), for the remainder of her life, thereafter, to be equally shared amongst his children. He named a George Geller-his son as executor. (George Gellers probated will, is on record with the date of 1 April 1822).
It is known that George and Marry Geller had two, possibly three sons. The eldest was George Geller Sr. He was born about 1754, (Londonderry?). He moved to Somerset Co., Pa. In 1785. He died 1833, in Gravel Pit, Bedford Co., Pa., Greenville TWP. A second son, by the name of Adam Geller is suggested, but no information. A Jesse Geller, is shown to have been born in 1759.
Sources/Credits:
Geller Family Geneology, by Virginia Vincent © Copyright 2004-2011