Based on the Census data below and other
information I have found in my search, Richard (Griese) Greaser and his wife, Margaret,
emigrated from Kingdom of Hanover, Prussia to Maryland (Oldtown/Cumberland area) and then
to Preston County, VA (now WV). The reason I mention Cumberland area is that their
Grandchild Francis (Harmon’s son) was listed on the 1850 Census as being born in
Maryland.
Based on my information (at this time) all of them were born in Hanover, Prussia. Below is the Griese/Greaser family, my paternal GG-Grandparents:
Relation |
Given & Surname |
Birthdate |
Deathdate |
Comments |
| Father | Richard Griese | Abt 1790 | Bef 1850 | Not listed on 1850 Census |
| Mother | Margaret N. UNKNOWN | 1794 | Jan 1 1871 | Died, age 77, Film #0827559 |
| Child 1 | George Greaser | Jul 1814 | Oct 26 1873 | Died, age 59 & 3mo, Film#0827559 |
| Child 2 | Harmon Greaser | Sep 1817 | Oct 23 1902 | Died, age 84, Film #0827559 |
| Child 3 | Francis | Sep 1825 | Dec 4 1901 | Deathdate from Richard Clark |
| Child 4 | Richard (Dietrich) | Abt 1824 | Abt 1866 | Listed on 1850 Census |
| Child 5 | William Henry | Dec 1831 | Jan 19 1917 | Died, age 86, Film #0827559 |
| Child 6 | John Henry Greaser | 1838 | Jan 14 1875 | Died, age 86, Film #0827559 |
| Child 7 | Hannah "Ann" Greaser | Abt 1819 | Unknown | Married Francis Hyer in Cumberland, MD (1841) |
| Child 8 | Anna Margarete | Abt 1828 | Unknown | Listed as a sponsor on Baptismal certificate for John F. Greaser |
The 1850 Census does not account for their son George, so I am not certain if he came later from Prussia, or if he stayed and worked in Maryland for awhile. I believe he may have been a Railroad worker, his cause of death (see Preston County Courthouse Records) in 1873 said, "Hurt by Cars", so this may mean railroad cars (or coal cars?). Based on the names of his parents, he was born to Richard & Margaret Griese sometime about July 1814, thus making him the oldest known sibling. Also, Francis seems to be listed at various times as Frank & Franklin, I assume that Francis may be his given name.
Please Note: In the first chart you will see Richard’s Wife Margaret living with three of her sons, I presume this is the old homestead which was a log cabin. Below that chart is the census data for his other sons, Harmon and Frances. My Great Grandfather William appears to be a twin to Henry due to the ages of both being the same, but based on other records found, William Henry appears to be older than (John) Henry.1850 Census, 45th District, Preston County, VA |
||||
Name |
Age |
Occupation |
Where Born |
Read or Write? |
| Richard Greaser | 26 |
Farmer |
Hanover, Germany |
Cannot Read or Write |
| Margaret | 57 |
-- | Hanover, Germany |
Cannot Read or Write |
| Henry | 14 |
-- | Hanover, Germany |
-- |
| William | 14 |
-- | Hanover, Germany |
-- |
1850 Census, 45th District, Preston County, VA |
||||
Name |
Age |
Occupation |
Where Born |
Read or Write? |
| Harmon Greaser | 27 |
Farmer |
Germany |
---- |
| Mary | 26 |
---- | Germany |
---- |
| Francis | 2 |
---- | Maryland |
---- |
1850 Census, 45th District, Preston County, VA |
||||
Name |
Age |
Occupation |
Where Born |
Read or Write? |
| Frances Greaser | 28 |
---- |
Germany |
Cannot Read or Write |
| (Living with Benjamen Whitehead) | ||||
1880 Census, Kingwood District, Preston County, WV |
||||
Name |
Age |
Occupation |
Where Born |
Where Parents Born |
| Harmon Grese | 62 |
Farmer |
Hanover |
F-Hanover M-Hanover |
| Margaret M. | 57 |
Hessian |
F-Hessian M-Hessian | |
| Mary E. | 17 - (Adopted) | West Virginia |
F-Virginia M-Virginia | |
1880 Census, Kingwood District, Preston County, WV |
||||
Name |
Age |
Occupation |
Where Born |
Where Parents Born |
| Joseph Griese | 21 |
Farm Laborer |
VA |
F-Hanover M-VA |
| Domestic - he was living with Mr. McKenzie who was married to a Barlow (info from Susan Gardiner). This is the eldest son of Julius Greaser from what I can determine. He later moved to Pittsburgh, PA. | ||||
1880 Census, Kingwood District, Preston County, WV |
||||
Name |
Age |
Occupation |
Where Born |
Where Parents Born |
| Franklin Griese | 31 |
Farm Laborer |
Virginia |
F-Hanover M-Hessian |
| Mary | 34 | Keep House | Virginia |
F-Hanover M-Hanover |
| This appears to be the only known son of Harmon Greaser & his wife. They adopted some children, but never had any issue of their own. | ||||
Greaser Family: I'm still not certain these are all of the children. My next step is to further look in the Alleghany County, MD census. The Richards Family were in Mount Savage (and also the Borgman’s supposedly went from their Port of Entry at Richmond, VA to Old Town MD. Old Town MD, is not far from Cumberland (12 miles) and situated near Mount Savage, MD). I have a copy of naturalization papers for Dietrich Griese (the father) issued in Cumberland, MD. Since I found the marriage record for Hannah Greaser in 1841, I suspect the Greaser family is on the 1840 census for Allegany County, MD.