Geer Family Association

VOLUME 25, NUMBER 3 Gear, Geer, Geere, Gere, Etc (G/G/G) SUMMER, 2008

SS Independence Survivor
James Mudge Cole, survived Shipwreck Horror
The following letter is a copy of James Mudge
Cole’s 1852 letter home to his brother, after surviv-
ing the horrific and fiery shipwreck of the SS Inde-
pendence off the coast of Baja, CA. In our Spring
2005 issue (Volume 22, No. 2) we recalled the tale of
Virginia Gear Carrington and her husband Arthur,
who perished - yet their two children Julia (age 5) and
Frank (age 2) survived.
This letter, accompanied by the illustration - also
drawn by a survivor named Mr. Cross, brings the hor-
rific events to life and shades our Gear history with
its harsh realities.
Taken from an account of ‘The Cole Family
with Random Notes and Charts of the Ten Branches
Comprising the family from 1700 to 1971,’ published
September 1972. Collected and compiled by Lloyd
Rochester, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Here is a letter from James Mudge Cole to his
brothers in Denbury, Devon, written June 27th, 1853
from Sydney, Australia, while enroute to the mines
at Spring Creek Ovens Diggings, Victoria.

“Dear Brothers, I wrote to you about seven

months ago from New Orleans. I told you then that I
was enroute for California and expected to start next
day. This I did which was the 22nd of December, 1852.
I got safely to San Juan del Norte (Central America)
in seven days, passed up the river through Lake Nica-
ragua and twenty miles on mules overland and got to
the Pacific at San Juan del Sut in four days more. With
eight others, I had taken tickets this far thinking that
we might get up cheaper, but in this we were mistaken,
for the Nicaraguan Company’s boats are the only ones
that came in here and only do so once a fortnight. As it
happened this time the boat would only accommodate
four hundred passengers with comfort and there were
four hundred and thirty who had through tickets, and
they were bound to take them, but by no means could
we who had no fares, get on. The captain told me that
five hundred dollars would not take me through that
time so there were eighteen of us left with no hope of
Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008
getting off for two weeks. I made the best of a bad
bargain and went to work painting a house (the best
hotel in the place and not a bad one either). I got one
dollar and a half a day and board, but of the eighteen,
only two of us could find anything to do. The rest had
to pay ten dollars a week for board. I stopped there
one month and left the third of February. I was glad
enough to leave as it was the sickliest place I was ever
in but, of the eighteen left there, sixteen became ill
the first week mostly with the fever and ague. I stood
it longer than any of them, but I got a few touches of
it at last and I believe I should have got more if I had
not left. As I said I left on the third of February on
the Steamer ‘Independence’.
We got along very well until the morning of the
th
16 , running as we were along close to shore. At last
it proved too close as we struck a rock, the boat backed
off immediately and continued to run along shore.
Continued on page 51
Page 49
President’s Letter . . .
We’re in the late summer again, and there is a lot going on in this country
and the world; I’m sure the Geer clan will be following it all with interest. First,
we have the presidential election coming. The contest between the Dems., with
a history-making minority person heading the ticket, vs. the Repub. team with
a woman in the VP spot, will surely cause lots of sparks to fly before the last
ballot is cast. Whatever your politics, we all hope the country will be better off
after the race than it was before. Please exercise your constitutional privilege and
go out to vote. I say this after returning from a trip to So. Africa--once a pariah
of the world because of apartheid, but now finding its place among the more
respected nations in the world. It was moving to visit Robben Island, where
Nelson Mandela was a political prisoner. So. Africa still has huge problems,
but they are opening up a little and hoping for the best. Many of our ancestors
served this country in its uprising against the British in the Rev. War and other
wars that have followed. Let’s not allow the freedoms they achieved here be
diminished by our lack of interest in what is happening in our country today.
It is that time of year to send in your dues to keep us afloat finan-
Gene Geer cially! And, as always, we point to the need for contributions to the Geer
Hill School Fund. For more, do see our website--
http://www.geerfamily.org. Thanks, Gene Geer m

Getting to Know Each Other . . .

Terri Kukla, Our Region 8 Trustee in Alaska
I’ve lived in Eastern CT my entire life and love Early American
History. After working for years for several museums and historic
Table of Contents
preservation groups, I became interested in genealogy. And like many
Gear Children’s Sea others that interest has brought me to meeting people who share that
Ordeal .........................49, 51-52 pastime and many new cousins!
President’s Letter ................... 50 Cemetery restoration is another hobby of mine and I enjoy
GFA New Trustee .................. 50 saving some of this special history. I’ve worked on 5 local ancient
U.K. Geer Reinvents His
Life in PA ................................ 53
cemeteries. I’ve been a member of GFA for a few years and have more
Allyn’s Point Cemetery .....54-55 than one Geer line.
Gears Here & There ............... 56 After my children,Vera and David finished college, I visited
Jeremy Geere (cont.)....... 57, 66 Alaska and never left! So I’m currently living in Denali National Park.
Early Geer Corresp. ..........58-59 I haven’t met as many Geer descendants as in Connecticut but enjoy
Family Photo Album...........60-61
Letters to GFA ...................62-65
helping them with their lines and introducing them to GFA.
House on Geer Rd., Maybe we could have the reunion in Alaska one year ??
Ledyard, CT .......................62-63 Terri Kukla
Historians Report .................... 66
Corrections ............................. 66
Milestones ........................67-68
Regional Reps & News. ......... 69
Officers & Trustees .....................
& Map ................................. 70
GFA General Store ................ 71
Geer Place Name ................... 72

Page 50 Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©
SS Independence Survivor
James Mudge Cole, survived Shipwreck Horror
At first it was doubted if it had injured her, but
the water soon showed that she must soon sink. Then
of course all was confusion getting ready to go ashore
which we expected to do without difficulty by running
the boat in where we saw a sand bottom, letting her
settle where she could not sink and then using the small
boats. We ran along perhaps for an hour when we saw
a suitable place and ran in and she struck again when
about two hundred yards from shore.
By this time the water had risen so high as to get
into the furnaces which caused the fire to rush from the
hatchway in a wave of flame and set fire to the place
around. Amid the confusion, no notice was taken of
it until too late to stop it. The ship, coming from the
tropics, was as dry as powder and burned like wildfire.
The small boats were immediately launched. The first
took some ladies in
but was swamped by
the surf as it reached
the shore but they
all got out safely.
The boat however,
could not return.
The second boat
also took some la-
dies and a rope, got
ashore safely but the
sailors refused to
return as the fire was
burning so fiercely
and they were afraid
too many would get
into it. However
they tied the rope to
a rock but before it
could be hauled taut,
so many jumped on
to it that it swayed down into the water and was ren-
dered useless. The third boat also took some ladies
but did not return.
We saw that many must die and our hope was to
swim or to cling to something in the water. All around
the boat on the side toward shore was a sea of heads,
almost from the first. It was dangerous to jump out
amongst them, to swim lest some of them should take
hold of you, and many a good swimmer was taken
Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008
down. I saw several times, five or six cling to each
other, each one trying to get uppermost and finally all
go down together sending up such shrieks as those who
never heard the death shriek cannot imagine. It was
useless to throw anything over to float by as someone
was sure to get it before you, and generally enough to
sink it. Although there was but little wind at the time,
the surf broke high ashore and several who had swam
ashore were dashed against the rocks and killed.
For my part, I had looked on the scene weigh-
ing the chances as composedly as possible given
the circumstances. I felt sure I could swim it even
through the rough sea if I was naked, but the idea of
going ashore on a cold February morning with-
out clothes and dying from cold was almost as
repulsive as drowning, so I determined to try it
with my pants,
shirt and vest on. I
stopped on the boat
until the fire was
very near me and
but a few were left
on it. There were
not many around the
boat now, as most of
them had drowned.
Those who had any-
thing to float on were
drifting out to sea.
When I jumped over
I swam as fast as
possible until away
from those around
the boat, then I took
it easily but soon
found the difference
between swimming
naked and with my clothes on. When I got about forty
yards from shore the surf began to break over me and I
was sometimes above and sometimes below the water.
At last I was completely exhausted, my arms dropped
and I sank. I thought sure I was going to drown. I
was not afraid of death, I never supposed I should be,
but when I thought of dying there all alone away from
my friends and many other thoughts crowded on me,
Continued on page 52
Page 51
SS Independence Survivor
James Mudge Cole, survived Shipwreck Horror
then did I strike a few more strokes and raised to the
surface again. I was still some considerable distance
from shore and sank again for what I thought was the
last time when big surf engulfed me, turning me over
and over in whirls that made me dizzy. I felt my knees
touch bottom and when the wave receded I was out
of the water. I was too weak to move. Someone ran
in and dragged me out and I was safe from drowning
at least.
Now I must hasten.
The land was an island on
the coast of Mexico in 22
degrees north latitude. The
Island was perfectly bar-
ren and uninhabited, not
even a bird or an animal
could we see, and what was
worse, not a drop of fresh
water. We stopped there
three days. Of course we
suffered a great deal from cold at night and for want
of water.
Between the island and the mainland was a bay
in which there were whalers. We crossed over and
drew their attention, which resulted in their bringing
us provisions and water, and took us on board their
ships. The ship was then chartered to take us to San
Francisco. We were numbered and found two hundred
and forty of us were saved and we got the names of
Photo courtesy of www.moleskinerie.com/arts_culture/index.html
Page 52 Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©
one hundred and ninety six lost; probably about two
hundred were lost altogether.
When we got on the whale ship we found our-
selves so crowded that we had to be put on allowance
provisions that twenty three of us took passage to other
ships to go to the Sandwich Islands.. There were five
ships there altogether. We had seventeen days passage
to the Sandwich Islands, stopped five days at Ohyhee,
the place where Captain Cook was killed, then went
to Oaho where we found vessels
from almost everywhere. I took
passage in a vessel from San
Francisco to New South Wales,
touched at several islands in the
Pacific, stopped a week at one of
the Navigators Islands and got
here at Sydney about three weeks
ago and have been at work ever
since as times are good. I was
never as fat or as lousy in my life
before as when I left the vessel. I still weigh over 160
pounds, but the lice have evacuated. I expect to leave
for the mines tomorrow.
I will write you again as soon as I get settled.
Don’t ever think I am dead until you know it. What-
ever happens, believe me that I shall ever be your
affectionate brother, James M. Cole.”
Editor’s Note: Just imagine two very young
Gear children surviving without parents on such a
journey!!
_
Feature: G.W.P. Geer Flees U.K. to Pennsylvania & New Life

Photo far left: Abandoned Geer Children in England -- Herbert Geer b1891 ; Far right: Mabel
Florence Geer b1881 when she was young in her nurses uniform and center photo: Mabel (elderly) with
Lorna’s mother the young child Madeline Mabel Woodbridge b1942 and to the left of Lorna’s mother
Mable F’s daughter, Mable Helen (nee Medlow) Worral b1908. W

On Feb. 29, 2008 we recieved a letter to the GFA webmaster from

Lorna Beaton, Berkshire, England. She is looking to expand her biologi-
cal line to the Geer families of Sussex/Hampshire/Devon. Lorna states
her gr-grandmother is Florence Mable Geer b. Hampshire UK, dau/o
George Geer b. 1856 Southease, Sussex, UK. Her gr-gr-grandfather was
George Wm. Potter Geer (hereafter called GWP Geer) who immigrated
to Lancaster Co., PA via Quebec, Canada in the early 1900s, probably
with a common-law wife, Ursula.
They had a son, George Wm. Geer, Jr. (hereafter GWG Jr.) who
was b. in Quebec ca 1905. Ultimately, Lorna wants to know if GWG, Jr.
had a family and whether there are living descendants she can contact. She
believes that GWG Jr. remained in Lancaster Co., PA. Lorna has found
cousins in CA who are desc./o Herbert Geer, (half-brother to GWG,
Jr.). Here are photos of GWP Geer’s children Herbert Geer b. 1891 &
Florence M. Geer b. 1881, abandoned in England by their father. George Geer, George William
Lorna explains GWP Geer had many children in England, but left Potter Geer’s father.
the country with Ursula and his youngest son Frank, who was approx. 10
y.o. She is only aware that he had the one son, GWG Jr. b. in Canada ca Kindest regards,
1905. He may have had add’l. children.Donna Loper provided newspaper Lorna”
[Editor’s Note: If you have info
articles about the Geers in PA, and passport and immigration documents
on this family, please contact Lorna
from online databases on this family. Beaton at BLornaB@aol.com ]
Lorna writes “GWP married Julia Sarah Barnham, whose father
was a miller. I know through the family grapevine that this match was
not liked with Julia’s father, and her family ostracized her. GWP must “Forgiveness is the
have learn’t his trade via his father-in-law, as according to his passport economy of the heart...
applications, he was a “miller superintendant.” If you can find more forgiveness saves the
records of other births from GWP Geer I would be grateful, especially if expense of anger, the
there are decendants who can contact to contact me.
Thank you for your help... also my cousin and I are contacting a
cost of hatred, the
male Geer from our line to see if he would be willing to participate in waste of spirits.”
the DNA testing. Hannah More

Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008 Page 53
GFA Web Site Spurs Research Network & Response
Searching for Ancestor Robert Allyn’s Burial
From: Al Cooper
Re: Geer descendant coming to CT this summer
Ginger:
Thank you for your prompt and informative response.
I will try to contact Ken, Robert or Susan about
possibly visiting the gravesite. I noticed on the Geer
website that there were numerous Geer historic sites in
the Ledyard area, but I can’t seem to locate adressess
for these sites, i.e., Geer Homestead, Allyn House,
etc. Could you provide these locations for me?
I plan on joining the GFA soon and Maine sounds great
for 2010. Thank you for your help and look forward
to hearing from you.
Al Cooper, Fairfax, VA B
[A 10th gen. desc. of immigrant George Geer(e).]
To: allyn@rootsweb.com
Subject: [ALLYN] Cemetery at Allyn’s Point I’m
descended from Robert (c.1608-1683) & Sarah Allyn
through their daughter Sarah (1642-1723), who mar-
ried George Geer in 1659. There is a notation in one
of the published Geer genealogies that Robert (and
presumably Sarah) died at Allyn’s Point, implying
that they would have been buried there.
However, the lists I have been able to find online
about the family cemetery (at the Dow Chemical plant)
there show the earliest burial much later, in 1752. I do
recognize Captain Robert and Abigail (Avery) Allyn
and Deacon Ebenezer and Mary (Thurber) Allyn
from the lists as their great-grandsons and wives.

Response on 5/19/08, GFA Historian wrote

Hello Al Cooper:
Our former Pres. of GFA, Ken Geer, or his dad,
Robert Geer, could show you where the grave of
George Geer is, but be warned, it is on private prop-
erty, and quite a ways in. We need permission to get
in there. Also, only at reunion times is it mown, so it
will be in high weeds, but doable I suspect! Phone Ken
Geer, or Susan Geer Downes, whose email address is
Sued814@aol.com. Timing is an issue, as they may be
on vacation, so you may need to get in touch soon to
work this out. Another resource is Richard Radune,
altho he lives in Branford, CT, but if he is available,
and if Ken clears it with the owners of the property
(whose name escapes me), he may be able to help as
well: Raradune@comcast.net.
Join the GFA and come to the 2010 Triennial
Reunion in Scarborough, ME!
Warmly,
Ginger M. August B

“All happy families resemble

* one another, each unhappy
family is unhappy in its own
way.”
Leo Tolstoy
The original Norwich plot plans, provided by
Sue Geer Downes, Norwich, CT
Page 54 Geer Family
Fa Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©
Lost Cemetery Found: Allyn’s Point Cemetery

1- Would anyone know if Robert and Sarah are Our Webmaster reports we’ve re-
buried there, perhaps with no surviving stone, or if
ceived sixty two (62!) emails so far this
they actually were buried somewhere else?
2 - I’ll be ‘passing through’ the area in late June/ year, to our website! These are new
early July and hoping to visit the cemetery. If anyone people who just found the GFA and
has directions or an exact location of the cemetery/ are brand new cousins!
Dow Chemical, I’d appreciate having them. Do I need
to make arrangements with Dow Chemical in advance, Google Maps provides very detailed information
or just show up at the gate, or...? to drive to and locate this historical cemetery. If you
Much thanks in advance - look closely, you can see some headstones in-between
Laurie Kender, NW Indiana B the blue arrow (balloon) and the round white tanks in
_________________________ this close up satellite image below:
28 May 2008
To: Richard Radune (Trustee Reg. 1) &
Ginger:
Re: Norwich, CT house lots

Hi to you both.
You’ve got me started on the “hunt”! I can never
resist a challenge when it comes to our family geneal-
ogy! The map of the original town lots in Norwich,
which you spoke of Richard, rang a bell. I found it
in Frances M. Caulkin’s book, Hist. of Norwich,
CT. I have a copy of that as well as her Hist. of New
London, CT book.
Robert Allyn is on her list of the original 35
settlers of Norwich in 1660 and the house lots were Additionally, the guards at the gate to this
in and around the Norwichtown Green. She says private property (a Dow Chemical commercial
he “resided for several yrs. in the western part of complex) allow family visitors upon request. Ac-
the town plot.” cess is granted through appointment only and must
Our home is within 2-3 miles of this Green. She be accompanied by a security guard at all times.
indicates that Robert had 5 acres. My husband Da- For an appointment call 860-447-7235. W
vid Downes took this photo of the page and I think
it came out well.
No mention of where Robt. Allyn was bur.
other than he d. in 1683 at his farm on the river.
She goes on to say that his son, John Allyn in 1691
“exchanged his homestead and other privileges in
Norwich with Joshua Abel & Simon Huntington, Jr.
for lands east of the river, and transferred his residence
to the former seat of the family at Allyn’s Point.”
Take care, Sue Geer Downes
Norwich, CT -
GFA CT Area Rep. B

Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008 Page 55
Gears Here & There: Charles Gear, Winnebago Co., Wisconsin
Charles C. Gear, of Menasha township,
Winnebago county, Wisconsin belongs to the
class of stalwart and sturdy men who have
been active in the work that has transformed
Winnebago county from a comparatively
wild and sparsely settled condition and made
it a garden spot of the state. His father, Hugh
Gear, a native of Dublin, Ireland, came to the
United States when he was twenty-three years
old, and settling in Menasha township, worked
as a day laborer for some years. He first bought
a quarter section of land in Harrison township,
which he sold and in 1851 bought eighty acres
in section thirteen, Menasha township, which
forms a part of the present farm of 113 acres,
now owned by our subject. He here made a
home for himself and family and carried on
farming and stock raising during his active life
and now lives on the family homestead with
his son. The mother, whose maiden name was
Sybil Childs, died February 25, 1901, and her body The “Irish Gears” of Wisconsin were Dairy
is interred in Oak Hill cemetery. Farmers instead of Miners, like the branch from
Our subject’s paternal grandfather was a soldier Galena, Il and Fever River. This is a page from
in the British army. Sterling’s Menasha, Wis. Directory, 1920-21
Charles was educated in the district schools of (1920) pp. 69-227. W
the neighborhood and has always lived on the home-
stead, which came into his possession about the time of
his mother’s decease. He has always devoted himself Wisconsin and who lived at home with her parents
to agricultural pursuits and stock raising, and at the until her marriage. She is a devoted member of the
present time—1908—has a dairy herd of high grade Methodist Episcopal church and a woman of noble
milch cows and is looked upon as one of the prosper- Christian character. Of seven children born to Mr. and
ous and progressive farmers and substantial citizens Mrs. Gear, Sibyl died at the age of fifteen years, and
of the community. He is active in public affairs and Henry when an infant of six months. Those living are
has served five years as supervisor of the township. Bessie, M. Myrtle, Charles, Jannie and Hazel, all
He is a Republican in political sentiment. of whom live at home with their parents.
In 1886 Mr. Gear married Miss Kittie McAu- Lawson, P.V., 1853-1920, History, Winnebago
ley, who was born in Green Bay, educated at Chilton, Co., WI : its cities, towns, resources, people (1908).

Were there two Charles Gears living in this area during the late 1800’s? One family descends from
the George Geer line via Hezekiah Geer and his son Charles (who was involved with lead mining). The
other line descends from Hugh Gear, an immigrant from Ireland. Interesting twist - to be sure in our
research. This is where DNA may help bring further evidence of correct genealogical lineages.
Note from Donna Lea Gear Loper

Page 56 Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©
Jeremy Geere reveals new insights on our English heritage
(Continued from Spring Newsletter Vol. 25 - No.2)
They were not technically orphans as the widow
lived until 1936 but clearly she was unable to bring
up her children herself. I wonder how families of
soldiers who have died in the Iraq manage today? I
am not sure sufficient help is given today either.
SOUTH AFRICAN GEERES
Daniel Diones George Geere was not the only
Geere casualty of the Boer war. Several Geeres died
in the concentration camps run by the English and
number among the Boer civilian casualties. These
included Karel Frederik Geere was born in Oct.
1809 and died in 1901 in Vrederfort Road Camp,
his granddaughter Dorothea Geere and two of his
great granddaughters, Hendrika Niclosina Klasina
Geere who died on Apr. 9, 1900 in Vredefort aged
7 and Maria Elizabeth Geere who died on Nov.
23, 1901 in Vredefort aged 3. Another great grand-
daughter, Louiza Gesina Geere was born on Apr.
9, 1900 in Greenlands Women concentration camp
at Vredfort.
I have recently been in contact with members of
this family who can trace their family back to Carl
Friedrich Geere who was born 1730 in Rendsburg,
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. I have found an entry
in South African Dictionary of National Biographly
for his son which reads as follows:
Geere, Georg Diederik (bapt. Cape
Town, 3.2.1765 - died Graaff-Reinet dist.,
before 7.2.1820), field-cornet and one of the
rebel leaders in Graaff-Reinet (1795), was the
fifth child of the German ancestor of the Geere
family in South Africa, Carl Friedrich Geere,
and his wife, Anna Maria le Roux.
Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008
In 1795 G. was living on the farm ‘Modderfon-
tein’, about thirty-two kilometres south of the present
Somerset East. In February of that year he was one
of the rebel leaders who expelled Landdros H. C.
D. Maynier from Graaff-Reinet, and in June he ac-
companied Marthinus Prinsloo who, as one of the
representatives of the so-called ‘volkstem’, ordered
Olof de Wet, the commissioner of the V.O.C., to leave
the district. The following year G. was one of those
who signed the so called ‘propositie’ (‘proposition’) in
which the burghers claimed, among other things, the
right to recapture their stolen cattle from the Xhosa.
Like many other frontier farmers G. had to flee
from his farm during the Third Frontier War (1799-
1803). He was living in Swaershoek at the time of the
Slagtersnek Rebellion (1815), but did not himself take
part in it, although one of his sons-in-law, Adriaan
Engelbrecht, went with C. J. Faber to see Ngqika.
Apparently G. had little sympathy with the rebels
for, not-withstanding his capable pen, he refused to
compose a petition connected with the death of Freek
Bezuidenhout. He devoted himself to his farming and
also acted as the herbalist of the neighbourhood.
The date of G.’s death is not known. He married
four times. His first wife was Catharina Elizabeth
Christens, daughter of Johann Daniël Christens
and Gesina Hendrina Benecke. After her death he
married Martha Helena Basson, daughter of Willem
Basson and Catharina Helena Walters, widow of
C. J. Tregardt. His third wife was Anna Catharina
Piek, daughter of Andries Christoffel Piek and
Sara Nel. His fourth was Dorothea Regina Nel,
daughter of Pieter Willem Nel and Dorothea Regina
Coetzer, widow of Johannes Petrus Labuschagne
and Johannes Strydom. Their son, Karel Frederik
Christoffel Geere, was a well-known trouble-
maker in the Orange Free State. A daughter
of the first marriage, Anna Maria, married
Hendrik Frederik Prinsloo and they were the
parents of George Diederik Prinsloo, one of
the leaders of the Dorsland Trek. On 29 Jan.
1818 the deputy landdros of Cradock reported
that three of G.’s children had been murdered.
(Continued on page 66)
Photo courtesy of the Anglo-Boar War
Museum at http://www.anglo-boer.co.za/
concentration-camps/
Page 57
Early Geer Correspondence: To Nellie Wight7 Geer from her
mother Julia Gallup Geer of Ledyard
To Nellie Wight7 Geer [ID# 1273-G] from her
mother, Mrs. Julia (Gallup) Geer of Ledyard, CT,
dated May 1, [1894] from Ledyard, CT to Aquebogue,
N.Y. Home Apr. 29th 1894
My dear Nellie
Your ever welcome letter rec. Friday, as always
was read with much interest & am glad to hear you
are well. We are well as usual. Isaac [presumably
Nellie’s brother Isaac Gallup7 Geer ID# 1271] went
to the Ferry from church and brought home Ch(asie)
[presumably Isaac’s wife Amanda Chase (Belden)
Geer] and Earl. Mrs. Belden returned home Sat., had
a nice time. Called at Mr. Geer’s[.] found L[ettie?]
fell as well as last summer, but she seemed very still
and said but little. She and Miss Gilman has just been
to Anna’s (their girls) wedding, and Eddie was mar-
ried wednes. we rec. announcement cards. A Brooklyn
girl, suppose this must be pleasing. we had heard that
it was coming off in Apr. Bert Gallup is to be married
that week. Jack’s sister is invited.
Am very sorry your school is so broken in
upon by measles. hope they will begin to get back
soon. but it is only once in a lifetime. had a postal
from Julia Smith. she said Grace did have the Ger-
man measles but got along very well and was out in
less then a week and Martha was coming down with
them. Otis was still gaining slowly. suppose you are
spending today at Nellies, which is always pleasant
as also to call at Netties[?], think her dresses are
nice. I like her satine very much. Mrs. B. got one for
Chasie but she did not bring it home as she thought
would go down there and have it cut. hers is black
ground with running vines, she said pd. 29cts but it
was a 50cts one. I think you will want something of
the kind. the folks over there must be awful smart.
our folks haven’t planted any potatoes, but expect to
this week. the weather has been like summer-a little
cooler today. we had quick heavy thunder yesterday
not much rain. Cynthia Allyn is very poorly. has had
a cold or gripp for several weeks, and don’t seem to
get better of it. I went in to see her last tues. she was
on the lounge and did look badly enough. Has quite a
cough and pain in her side. is all pined away. her case
looks serious-think Chasie will go in tomorrow. she
has never seen her, and I hadn’t for a number of years
but it seemed too bad to have our nearest neighbor on
Page 58 Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©
one side wearing out perhaps and not even go in to
see them. Isaac has carried wood out of our woodpile
time after time to keep them along. Yesterday carried
four barrels of chips raked up at the woodpile besides
all the wood he could put in the express waggen and
gave them. it is hard to be poor and sick too. Had a
letter from Emma [presume this is Nellie’s older sis-
ter Prudence Emma7 (Geer) Gallup [ID# 1272-G]
yesterday. they are all well, she wants what she has
in the Chelsea bank which is about $45.—will send
as soon as we can attend to it—
Uncle Isaac called here yesterday- Mary has not
been here since early in Jan. but they are busy clean-
ing & aunt Maria has woven her carpet, but she is
real lame and is growing old like myself—I managed
to do some cleaning last week – our bedroom down
stairs and aunt E’s up stairs, but it is hard work to do
alone and see to other things at the same time. as aunt
E’s so lame she can’t do much only as she sits down.
had a letter from aunt Lydia last week. said they had
rec. letter from you. she thought she would come here
in June. Cous. James Gallup sent me his discourse
preached at the close of his ministry in Madison
although he is still retained as paster Emeritus- it is
very interesting—have read it through today. it has
his picture also-I don’t know what you had better do
about board for another year if you go back. maybe
if the Fanings knew others would board for less they
would do so, and if you should change you might not
be as well suited. of course you can leave that for the
present but when there it would seem best to arrange
matters as far as you could conveniently. maybe you
can decide later what would be best.
Mon. Eve. another nice day. have washed and
Mr. [Hinmouth?] called this afternoon. he had called
to see Cynthia but didn’t –just the same as the saying
is. however he was let in and saw Mary and said he
would like to see her—but she told him if she was
any worse she would let him know, after a while
Chasie went there and knocked and knocked but got
no response and so came back-Happy’s sister don’t
seem to be much better-I think her case is a serious
one- Isaac has been planting potatoes today. it is bed
time and I will say good night.
Your loving Mother
Tues. morn “Sweet and sunny May” it is real
Early Geer Correspondence: To Nellie Wight7 Geer from her
mother Julia Gallup Geer of Ledyard
warm. I have been trying to get some greens-got a few-so many chores in the morn we scarcely get anything
accomplished. Earl went over to the T. place with the men with his [?Thomashanter] [Transcriber: Could this
be a machine? or type of clothing?] on and Chasie has gone over there to carry a hat to him – it is so warm
and so the time goes by. In haste Mother
[Transcribed exactly as it appeared to be spelled by Ginger August, May 30, 2008 from the 112 y.o.
letter on lined paper with a Spencerian script, witten at different sittings (deduced from differing styles (care-
ful/in haste). By 1894 the writer had been a widow 17 yrs. and d. in 1896. Nellie was 36 y.o. and a maiden
schoolteacher.] W

Geer Family
mily Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008 Page 59
Family Photo Album
Actor Edward Geer
[Historian question: Does anyone have info on this Geer’s lineage?]

In: Billy Rose Theatre Collection photograph file > Personalities > G > Edward
Geer. Library Division: The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts /
Billy Rose Theatre Division. Collection Guide: On Stage and Screen: Photograph
File of the Billy Rose Theatre Collection
Digital Image ID: TH-15272
Digital Record ID: 519856
Digital Record Published: 8-9-2007; updated 1-16-2008
NYPL Call Number: *T PHO A

PFC George Raymond12 Geer

[ID# 712-1-1-5-1-3-G] gave his life in service of his
country in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on January 17, 2005.
This quilt was presented to his family in Cortoz,
CO, in his honor on December 21, 2005.

See Home of the Brave Quilt Project, Colorado

Chapter, Home of the Brave, a grass roots
movement to honor America’s Fallen Heroes.
Available online at: F
Foundd on eBay.
B P i t d stone
Painted t ddog picture about 4
http://www.coloradohobquiltproject.com/quilts.htm inches long. Note: Does anyone have an idea who this
artist B. T. Geer is/was?

Page 60 Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©
 Walter Geer [ID
#104-11-11-1-
6-G] Family.
This photo was
taken at the family
gathering for Walter
Geer’s funeral. It
includes the Geer-
Stelzer Family
representatives.

Photo above taken ca 1930s-1940s, purchased on eBay by GFA Historian. - Left to Right: William D.
Geer, Arthur Pryor, Jr., Roy Larsen, S.P. Irvin. Preparing “March of Time” radio program. [Historian’s
note: Does anyone know in which Geer famiy this Wm. D. Geer belongs?]

One of the earliest of news radio drama became the March of Time with narrator and dramatized news
events produced by Roy Larsen, who later became president of Time, Inc. First heard on CBS in 1931, the
show sounded like movie newsreels. Each show required 1,000 man-hours of labor, writing, and re-writing by
Editor Willam D. Geer and his assistants. [Source: James F. Widner 1996-2007: The March of Time—
http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:TpDSAZ3Z3lgJ:
www.otr.com/march.html+march+of+time+radio+geer&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us]
Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008 Page 61
Letters to GFA
9 Jul 2008
Ginger:
My wife & I bought an 18th C. home on Geer
Rd. in Griswold, Ct. Researching prior owners, we
were only able to go back to 1918. Town records have
the Norwich Probate Court on 3/ 22/18, authorizing a
lawyer to sell this home to settle the estate of a Samuel
Geer. Also recorded is the purchase of the property
from Samuel’s estate by a Frank Geer on 7/5/1918. It
was sold twice more and then finally to us in 2008.
When did Samuel acquire the property? Was
this home in Geer hands since it was built, till ‘48
when Frank Geer sold it? It’s tempting to think that
this home was originally built by a Geer, as it is on
Geer Rd. I won’t have proof unless we get earlier land
records that track the property back. Would the GFA
have info about a Samuel Geer from the Griswold/
Norwich, CT area who d. ab.1917/1918 that may
help?
Sincerely
Paul Santagata, Paulsan928@aol.com
B Griswold, CT. [ Also: He and wife bur. in Geer Cem.,
[Historian’s reply: 9 July ‘08
Hello Paul Santagata:
Yes, I think it was built by Geers and lived in by
Geers until 1948 (per your research) based on what
I gleaned per U.S. census records and the 1923 Geer
Gen.: Robert2 Geer b. 1675—1742 [ID# 9] From
Paull S
P Santagata’s
t t ’ hhome on G
Geer Rd
Page 62 Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©
Geer Gen., pg. 19-20: Robert lived and d. on the same
homestead farm where he was born. This land came to
him by purchase from his brother, Jonathan, and he
deeded it to his 3 sons, Robert, Ebenezer, & James.
Here he built a house and erected the first gristmill in
that section of the country. His mill, which was one
of the 3 places where all warnings were to be posted,
was situated 1 mile south of the site of his father’s first
house.” He had a son:
Ebenezer3 Geer b. 1710— d. aged nearly 94
yrs. old [ID# 36]:
From Geer Gen., page 28: Ebenezer was b. on
the homestead farm in N. Groton, CT and d. there in
1763. He was a successful farmer, and added many
acres to the original farm of George Geer. He and his
wife are both bur. in the old Episc. Cem. in Ledyard,
about 2 mi. north of Ledyard Centre.
John Wheeler4 Geer [ID# 131] b.1753—1828—
of Stonington. He and wife bur. Geer Cem., Griswold,
CT.
John5 Geer [ID# 332]b. 1781-1863— Lived
Griswold, CT.] He had a son:
John Denison6 Geer [ID#760] b. 1807—1882,
and he had a son:
Samuel Leonard7 Geer [ID# 1288] b. 1840—
1918. He had a son:
Frank Wilcox8 Geer [ID# 1652] b. 1883 On
Rd. ca 1890
1890s.
Letters to GFA
page 270, and written prior to 1923 when Geer Gen.
was publ.:”Farmer; owns a farm which has been in
the same family since 1803.”
We are glad to know that a history-minded family
has bought this old Geer home.
Ginger M. August, GFA Historian]
B in the same family since 1803,” interesting. It could
[Further corresp. on this topic 12/July/08 ]
Ginger:
I have a repro. of an 1868 property owners map
of Griswold. These 19th C. maps show a town’s
boundaries with natural features, but also indicate each
house—with the owner’s name. The topography of
the Geer Rd. area is distinct, and the map names the
house owner—J.D.Geer. This dovetails w/ your Geer
data—John Denison Geer living from 1807-1882.
John D. was Samuel Geer’s father, and I have proof
Samuel owned the house until 1918.
Now I’ll back-track the property through the
Geer family. Attributing a property to early/original
ownership needs data from 3 disciplines to conform to
accepted scholarly scrutiny. 1st is a broad based family
lineage, which GFA produced. 2nd it needs corrobo-
rating period documents, i.e. land & probate data, &
property owners’ maps. 3rd it requires that features of
the house itself are consistent, from both the lineage
history and period documentation.
The house, while having undergone alterations,
Paul Santagata’s home on Geer Rd. ca 1940s.
Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008
retains a significant amt. of its original features. When
bought, it had a tradition of a 1760s build date, but
without proof. Many of its features are characteristic
of pre-Rev. War house building in CT—the date is
plausible. This makes the p.270 notation you have
cited under Frank Geer, a 1923 reference to “farm
imply that the property came into the Geer family at
the time from another previous owner. I would caution
accepting the 1923 reference to 1803 at face value.
If further search puts this house in Geer owner-
ship at 1803 or earlier, the most probable 1st owner
may be John Wheeler4 Geer (1753-1828). This would
be very amazing as a John Wheeler4 Geer is a docu-
mented cabinet maker from Preston, CT. (Griswold
was part of Preston until 1815). If you go on the Capt.
Philo Beardsly House Museum (Kent, Ct) website they
have an image of a slant front desk in their collection
attributed to this Geer. While a John Wheeler Geer
ownership would be exciting, more research needs to
be done before we can confidently describe the com-
plete story of the Geers and this house. I believe there
is a strong chance that this home was built originally
for Geers and was in the family until 1948.
Finally, I will continue my research into land/
probate records for Griswold/Preston/Norwich. I
will provide current photos & 2 early pics of the
house (1940s & 1890). You also reference a Robert2
Page 63
Letters to GFA
Geer specialist in the GFA [Emily Gere]. I’d like to
hear from anyone at GFA who can give assistance/
advice.
Sincerely, Paul Santagata
John Wheeler4 Geer died April 9 1828
Military record page 452 Connecticut Men in the
Revolution. Grave in Geer Cemetery Inscription
on present headstone:
“In memory of John W Geer who died April
9 1828 in the 76th year of his age
My flesh shall slumber in the ground
Til the last trumpet’s dreadful sound.”
Source: Report of the National Society of the Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution By DAR, pg. 124.
Mar. 29, 2008
Hi Ginger,
I am aware of the Descendants of Ransom Erastus
Geer book that I rec’d last yr. and it contains a lot of
info on these [Geers]. However, there seems to be a
mystery on the part of G. C. Geer surrounding Erastus
Alexander Geer. I was hoping that other members
may have more on him, particularly in the early 1890’s
when my grandfather was born. I have already made
arrangement in upgrading my DNA test to level 67,
and see if there is a match with any of the descendants
of Wm. Jordan Geer, or better yet under Erastus A.
Geer. Erastus Geer (1868-1939) is my #1 candidate
as the biological father of my grandfather Walter E.
Wiseman. Does GFA has anything more on this
individual? Of the 5 children that Erastus had,
only one of them named Dovie Geer had add’l
[data]. I have been [thinking] that my grandfa-
ther may have been born out of wedlock since
it appears that he carried his mother’s maiden
name, Wiseman.
Gary Wiseman,
cfgwiseman@cox.net
[Historian’s note: This enquiry was re-
ferred to Sam T. Geer, Geer/Gear/Gere DNA
Project Coordinator.]
______________________________
nelia Throop8 Geer [ID# 1593
Cornelia
Page 64
Feb 28, 2008
Re: Thomas Harris Geer
Dear Ginger,
About to head to the P.O. to snail mail the info on
the children of John and Cordelia. It is hard to believe
that 3 of grandmother’s saved postcards could create
such a monster as genealogy. First Virgil’s card from
Warren, PA got me into the Geer family - then Oliver’s
and Sarah’s cards to grandma from AZ in 1909 got
me searching for their children. I still do not know
anything about Great Aunt Virgil and her daughter.
Hope. I have found some of the children of Sarah
as well as the children of Oliver and the burial of both
Sarah and Oliver. I wonder if Grandma knew her
Aunt and Uncle were as close as 30 miles from her in
the 1920-30’s. I know that Minnie and Thomas were
divorced in 1895. Grandma said Thomas had died that
year. I still know almost nothing about Thomas. He is
not in either WI or MN death lists, but the lists were
new at about the time of his imagined death.
I have lots of land info to get, and letters to send
to both St. Croix and Pierce Co. Geneal./historical
societies. One answer creates many new questions. I
have trouble keeping track of mine -- I can’t imagine
the entire Geer Family. I’ll now put my Grandparents’
letters in order and find residences. I cannot find them
in the 1920 Census. Cousins on Daddy’s side are also
searching for info. The Monster is Growing!
Sincerely, Trudi Kerkmeyer
[ID# 1179-5-1-1-1-G]
[Historian’s note: See also Vol. 25, No. 1 (Fall
2007) newsletter, page 15, for previous material on
this family and post card images.]
1593-G]
G] C
Calling
lli C Cardd from
f eBay
B
Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©
Letters to GFA
19 Sep 2007
Dear Emily Gere [Archivist],
I have corresponded with Ginger
August, the Historian, concerning
questions I had about the Geer ge-
nealogy. She suggested I [write to
you] on the primary aspect of this
genealogy that I am researching.
Namely, it has been speculated that
Susannah, the w/o my ancestor,
Ezekiel Lewis (b. 7 Jun 1739 Rich-
mond, RI), was Susannah4 Geer
[ID# 67], d/o Joseph3 Geer [ID#
23] & Martha (Harris) Geer.
First, let me know if you have
any info relevant to this question.
Ginger mentioned the possibility
of placing a query on this topic in
the next GFA newsletter.
Second, can you help me
avoid rework by finding out what
records have been searched al-
ready? Joseph was apparently in
Stonington, CT, when his children
were getting married. I have access
to both reels of microfilm of the
Stonington town records that the
FHL has, and have found no marr.
records for any of Joseph’s children
there. There are also church records
from there, but I would expect that
they have been thoroughly gone
through by Geer researchers and
others. Same for records from No.
Stonington and Preston. I suspect
that land records from that area
have been gone through as well.
Any ideas on records that may not
have been searched, at least with
this question in mind? I also plan
to pursue it from the Lewis side
in RI. Any help would be greatly
appreciated.
Sincerely, Darrell Coons
coonsde@juno.com
Sept 27 2008
Darrell Coons,
Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008
Unfortunately, the Geer
clan seems to be an unorganized
bunch. Some of us have begun
to do organized research thru the
official records of Ledyard, Ston-
ington, Preston, etc., but we do not
yet have any sort of documented
search finished. I’m sure you are
correct, that all these records have
been searched, probably more than
once. However, I could offer you
no proof whatever.
As far as Susannah Geer
is concerned, I have only the in-
formation that is published in the
“Geer Book” supplements, which
state that #67, Susannah Geer, “...
may be the Susannah Geer who
married 1) Ezekiel Lewis of Hop-
kinton, RI; m. 2) Wm Sheldon of
Foster, RI.” She is not in one of
the families that I have been able
to document .
Our group has not had many
serious genealogists –- the kind
who do organized research, docu-
ment everything, and share the
documentation, as well as names
and dates, with the rest of the
group — until fairly recently, so
we are not far along in having this
sort of data available. I hope we
will have well-documented info on
our website within a year or so.
Good luck in your hunt. On
behalf of the GFA, I would ap-
preciate any info you care to send
me, to add to the GFA files, and
eventually to our website, and
maybe (with permission) to one
of our books.
Sincerely, Emily Gere
GFA Archivist
emily.gere@sbcglobal.net
[Historian’s note: The GFA’s of-
ficers and Trustees voted to fund
basic research by the credentialed
genealogist, Drew Bartley, ed.
of “The Mayflower Descendant”
journal. He has begun this work
on George and Thomas Geer(e) of
MA and CT, immigrants.]
___________________________
29 May 2007
Dear Ginger , The current
issue of the Newsletter [Vol 24,
No.2, Spr 08] with my letter is
wonderful. My departed sister
would have loved it. In 1928, be-
fore I was born, the NJ Soc. of the
SAR placed a boulder and bronze
plaque at the location where Wash-
ington confronted Lee in the Battle
of Monmouth Courthouse.
In the 1970’s the boulder
and bronze plaque were illegally
moved to another location down
RT. 522 and on the other side of
the road.
The bronze plaque was stolen
and for years no one could remem-
ber what was stated on the plaque
except that it told about Washing-
ton’s confrontation with Lee.
About a year or two ago I was
looking at an old publication that
had a photo that appeared to have a
boulder and plaque on it. This is the
photo that I had been looking for,
for many years! As a result a new
plaque has been made and it has
been placed on another boulder.
The monument will be placed
where they now think that Wash-
ington and Lee met. There will be
a dedication of the new monument
on June 16th on the Monmouth
Battlefield and in the meantime
I was awarded the Meritorious
Service Medal by the National
Society.
Bob McKnight
[Editor’s Note:
CONGRATULATIONS Bob!]
Page 65
Historian’s Report:
By Ginger August
Happily, I can report that Scott Drew Bartley, the
professional genealogist GFA hired to help delve into
the early mysteries surrounding Immigrants George &
Thomas Geer(e), has begun his work. A preliminary
report was sent to us. While about two years away
from publication, this is upbeat news to report. Also
exciting is the recent publication in The Genealo-
gist of Nancy Lockwood Merrill’s scholarly work,
“Joseph and Salvina5 (Geer) Lindsey of Blandford,
MA: With Notes on Salvina’s Sister Betsey5 (Geer)
Remington.” These Geer sisters are ID#s 286-G and
289-G from the 1923 Geer Gen., respectively. As of
the 2008 Fall issue of our newsletter, we will reprint
this piece in several parts, due to its length.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank all our
wonderful members who send in old photos, Bible
Records, news items, life-event notices, folklore, cor-
rections and letters. Our association and newsletter
are as strong as our members make it. Keep up the
great work!

Widow
Jeremy Geere reveals new Margaret
insights on our English heritage Late Consort of
Continued from page 57, this issue
Elijah Geer.
The Karel Frederik Christoffel Geere men- Died August
tioned appears to be the Karel Geere who was born 16, 1830
in 1809, ancestor of the Geeres I have been in contact Age 81
with. One of his grandaughters married on the bank years.
of the river Vaal, in 1900, Arthur Owen Vaughan
who served as an officer in the English army during [Margaret Rose, wife of Elijah4 Geer [ID# 111-G]
the Boer war. His entry in the Dictionary of Welsh Photo by Andrew L. Zachow, of FindaGrave.com
Biography says he was “an adventurer and author; a
native of the Vale of Clwyd. When a boy, he ran away
to sea (from Portmadoc), and became a wanderer. In
the Boer War, he led a troop of horse (‘Rimington’s
Guides’), and acquired note; and in the 1914 war Corrections:
he rose to be colonel and D.S.O. Two novels of his
were The Jewe of Ynys Galon , 1895, and The White Correction: In last GFA Newsletter (Vol. 25, No. 2) pp.
Rose of Arno, 1897; and he collaborated with Lord 32-33, Barbara Geer Keller should have been cred-
Howard de Walden in a drama, The Children of Don, ited with being the owner of Amasa Geer’s Bible.
1912. His historical books, Flamebearers of Welsh She also gave cousin Maxine Barfoot permission to
History, 1905, and The Matter of Wales, 1913 (a more send photocopies on to the GFA for reprinting. Apolo-
ambitious work), have not met with the approval of gies to Barbara Keller of Lima, OH. f
professional historians.”
Page 66 Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©
Milestones
Weddings
Rebecca Zack & Robert E. Callahan
On Apr.19, 2008 Rebecca E. Zack [ID# 1060-1-7-2-
1-G] mar. Robert E. Callahan (of Woodstock, NY)
in Princeton, NJ on a splendid day. She plans to get
her masters degree in Nursing at U.Penn this fall. Rob
works in the financial sector in NYC where the couple
live. [Sub. by happy mom, Ginger August.] W
Obituaries
S
Sara Gear Boyd
MONTPELIER, Vt. —Sara Gear
Boyd, a former Republican leader in the VT
Legislature and sec. of the Republican Nat’l Comm.,
has died. She was 67. Gear Boyd, who had been bat-
tling cancer, d. 10 June 2008 in Williston, VT.
She was elected to the VT House in 1984, serv-
ing from 1985-1992, the last 4 yrs as majority leader.
She later served in the VT Senate, and her fellow
Republicans elected her leader there, making her the
1st woman in the country to serve as majority leader in
both houses of a state legislature. She also served as
a Republican Nat’l Comm. woman for VT from 1992
and held several leadership roles in that organization.
In 2003, President George W. Bush appointed her
commissioner of the White House Fellows….
Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008
Obituaries, continued
Her first husband died in 1991; she m. Joseph
Boyd in 1999. He said that in the days before her
death, she had phone calls from [President] Bush,
former President George H.W. Bush, as well as
Mitt Romney.
VT Gov. Jim Douglas praised Gear Boyd’s work
in the VT Legislature, calling her “a common sense,
mainstream Vermonter who cared deeply about our
state.” And he praised the way she battled illness.
“She was a real fighter. She battled cancer for years,
rebounding multiple times,” the governor said. “She
was always upbeat— a real role model for anyone fac-
ing adversity.” [Source: “Former lawmaker, Repub.
official Sara Gear Boyd dies,” by Dave Gram, AP
Writer, June 11, 2008.] z
__________________________________________
G
Gertrude Geer9 (Talcott) Suydam
Gertrude Geer9 (Talcott) Suydam,
[ID# 1594-4-G] 73, of Westerly, RI passed
away 16 July 2008. Born
in New York City, NY,
she was a dau/o the late
Hooker & Gertrude
(Geer) Talcott.
A long-time resident
of Westerly, Gertrude
was a dancer/choreogra-
pher, a poet, and an artist.
She began her artistic
career as a modern dancer
in NY where she under-
studied for the Martha
Graham Dance Co., and was a member of the Pearl
Lang Dance Co. In the 1970s, Gertrude formed her
own dance company, performing her choreography
in NY & NJ.
Moving to Westerly in 1990, Gertrude formed
Art Tech. Inc., performing her poetry to classical
music with movement at the public library and other
venues. In 1998, she published “Pieces of Me,” a
collection of poetry celebrating nature, creativity, and
spirituality. Gertrude was also a visual artist, and
exhibited her paintings in local galleries.
She was the mother of Margaret T. “Margot”
Suydam, Gertrude G. “Didi” Suydam & Lisa
Suydam; sister of Hooker Talcott, Katherine T.
Page 67
Milestones: Obituaries, continued
Atterbury, the late Suzanne
Melhado & grandmother of three.
Internment is at River Bend Cem.
[Per obit in The Sun, Westerly, RI.
Sent to GFA by Scott Bill Hirst, RI
Rep.]f
H
Helen Faulk Geer
Helen Geer, age 98,
wife of Rufus Nathaniel9
Geer [ID# 1600-1], died April
28th, 2008 in Miami, Florida and
was buried in Jacksonville, Florida
on May 3rd.
Helen Faulk Geer was born
October 18, 1909 in Bloomfield,
IN to Patrick and Ella Mae
Faulk. She was a wife, mother and
homemaker. Mrs. Geer moved to
Jacksonville in 1959 from Texas.
She was a member of the Riverside
Baptist Church.
Mrs. Geer is survived by her
children: Leslie Huntly (Robert),
Luther Geer (Betty), Lewis Geer
(Hilda) and Pat Geer (Betty),
9 grandchildren and 14 Great
Grandchildren. She was preceded
in death by her husband Rufus.
Funeral Services were held
at the Giddens Funeral Home,
Edgewood Chapel, May 3, 2008.
Burial in the Riverside Memorial
Park.
[Submitted to GFA by Helen’s
son, Luther10 Geer [ID# 1600-1-2]
Page 68
of FL. Reprinted here from Sum-
mer issue to include accompanying
photograph.] z
T
Theresa M. Geer
Theresa Marie
Geer—d. 16 June 2008
Putnam, CT, 81. She was the be-
loved wife of the late Earl Elmer
Geer, Jr. (1924-1990) [s/o Earl
E. & Evelyn Geer]. She was b. 2
Nov. 1926 in Putnam, d/o Elphage
& Viola (Mathurin) LaRochelle.
She had worked many yrs at
Belding Textile Mill til retiring in
1990. She was a communicant of
St. Mary Church of the Visitation
in Putnam and lived in Putnam
most of her life. She most enjoyed
spending time with her children,
grandchildren & gr-grandchildren.
She leaves a son: Robt. Geer; 2
daus: Linda Rondeau (Alan);
Donna Campion (James III) all
of Putnam; sisters: Jeanette Char-
land of Woodstock; Rita Watts of
MD; brother: Robt. LaRochelle
of Thompson, CT, 9 grandch. & 3
gr-grandch. She was predeceased
by son: Earl H. Geer & a brother:
Elphege LaRochelle. Bur. in St.
Mary Cem., Putnam. [Per Nor-
wich Bulletin 6/17/08. Hist. note:
Earl E. Geer, Sr.’s parents were
Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©
Geo. S. & Eva (Surell) Geer of
VT. Grandparents were Canadian-
born Joseph & Salina Geer of
Rutland, VT.]f
G
Gladys V. Geer
Gladys V. (Zeleny)
Geer, 83 of Old Say-
brook, CT, d. there 10 July 1925.
Formerly of SC and FL, Gladys
was b. 10 July 1925 in NYC, NY.
Dau/o Richard & Bertha (Vo-
lence) Zeleny, she is preceded in
death by parents & husb., Charles
W. Geer. Gladys is surv.d by
son, Richard Geer & his wife
Lois (Sterner) of Clinton & dau.
Linda (Geer), w/o Louis Sim-
mons of WA. She is also surv.d
by 3 grandchild., Michael Geer,
Kyle Simmons, Tracy Vega & her
husb., Dan, & 3 gr-grandchild.,
Michael Geer, Mason Geer &
Mason Vega & a sister, Ruth
Shumbo of Colchester; an aunt
Albina Korcak of Middletown, &
an uncle John Zeleny & his wife
Vicki of Pt. Charlotte, FL. [Per the
Norwich Bulletin, 7/19/2008.
Historian’s note: Husband
Charles W. Geer s/o Charles Wes-
son & Agnes Geer of Windham
Co., VT. C. Wesson’s parents: Geo.
E. & Emma Geer of Rockingham,
VT. Geo. E. Geer b. VT w/English-
born parents. Geo. Mitchell Geer,
former GFA Officer is brother-in-
law to Gladys.] f
Region 1 News: Pennsylvania Reunion revisits ancestors cemeteries
Our Region 1 Family held a reunion and toured
ancestor gravesites. Our Revolutionary War ances-
tor, Roger4 Geer [ID# 88-G], is buried in Blairsville,
PA, and pictured on the right. Additional homes and
cemeteries were on the touring schedule, and included
Johnstown and the main Blairsville Cemetery.
There is a church in Johnstown that apparently
protected the James Henderson8 Geer [ID# 599-1-G]
home from the 1889 flood. An oral history from Frank
D.9 Sr.[ID# 599-1-5-G], told of being a little boy there
and seeing his parents pull a man in through a third- View of Johnstown, PA Cemetery and Reunion
story window, who had been floating on the water. The visitors by Judy Ewing, granddau. of Frank D.
piano rested against the ceiling and left a dent. Until the Geer, Sr. See this 2008 Reunion online at:
flood subsided, the Geer family flood victims lived on http://picasaweb.google.com/judycat08/Johnstown
canned peaches for days. But they all survived. Reunion. Sub. to GFA by Judy Ewing

Regional Representatives
REGION 1 (ME, NH, CT, RI, PA, NJ, VA, WV, VT, MA, NY, MD, and DE )
ME & NH Mrs. Judith A. Ewing, judy1@maine.rr.com ............................................................................. (207) 329-0077
CT ........Susan Geer Downes, 30 Caulkins Rd., Norwich, CT 06360 .......................................................... Sued814@aol.com
RI .........Scott Bill Hirst, 20 Maple Court, Ashway, RI 02804-9630................................................................ (401) 377-4643
PA ........Jean Creznic, 120 Candlewood Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112 ......................................................... (717) 545-1839
NJ ........Ginger August, 32 Stetson Way, Princeton, NJ 08540 ................................................................... (609) 924-6391

REGION 2 (IN, WS, KY, MI, IL, and OH)

IN .........Leona Geer Wiseman, 633 N. Oakland, Mishawaka, IN 46544 ...................................................... (219) 255-0293
WI ........Donald Geer, 841 W. Broadway Dr., Appleton, WI 54915 ............................................................... (414) 733-8271
KY ........Teresa M. Klaiber, c/o Deliverance Farm, 22937 Long Branch Rd., Rush KY 41168...................... tklaiber@wwd.net
MI.........Sandra Marsh, 2448 N. Sandstone Rd., Jackson, MI 49201 .......................................................... (517)750-4023

REGION 3 (NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, TN, AR, LA, and MS)
NC .......Ann Blanton Howard, Box 475, Spindale, NC 28160 ...................................................................... (704) 287-1019
SC........William F. Geer, Jr. (Bill), 406 Skyview Drive, Clemson, SC 29631 geerb@bellsouth.net ............ (864) 654-4812
GA........Robert S. Geer, Jr., 4199 Poplar Hollow Court, Roswell, GA 30075 .............................................. (770) 645-9085
FL ........Jane Geer Hyer, 1008 Brandermill Dr., Cantonment, FL 32533 ...................................................... (850) 937-0963
AL ........Fay Geer Elmore, 902 Westover Dr., Homewood, AL 35209 .......................................................... (none available)

REGION 4 (IA, MN, ND, SD, NE, CO, KS, and MO)
IA .........Ms. Anna Belle Wacker, 18468 352 Ave., Bellevue, IA 52031......................................................... (319) 872-3681
MN .......Marilyn Geer, 214 Dogwood St., NE, New London, MN 56273 ....................................................... (320) 354-4135
MN .......Eulalie A. Geer, 3909 93rd Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 ......................................................... (701) 696-2418
SD........Louraine Hammell, 119 Dove Rd., Pierre, SD 57501 ...................................................................... (605) 224-6036
NE........Cheryl Beery, 1851 Brent Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68506 ........................................................................ (none available)

REGION 5 (OK, TX and NM)

NM .......Roger Geer, 9920 Osuma Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111 .......................................................... (505) 294-4535
OK .......Susan Clement Henson, 4014 NW 68th St, Okahoma City, OK 73116........................................... (918) 520-0626

REGION 6 (WA, OR, ID, WY, MT, HI and AK)

OR .......Vesper Geer Rose, 12390 Sunnyview Rd. NE, Salem, OR 97301 ................................................. (503) 873-3406
WA .......(Western WA) Donna Lea Gear Loper, 16021 NE 25th St., Vancouver, WA 98684 ........................ (360) 256-7239
WA .......(Eastern WA) Nelson & Sarah Hall, 2450 NE 5th, East Wenatchee, WA 98002 ............................. (509) 884-4461
ID .........Jeff & Debbie Geer, 10592 Silver Fox Dr., Boise, ID 837009 .......................................................... (208) 362-3074

REGION 7 (AZ, CA, NV, and UT ).

AZ ........Arlene Whitlatch, 13019 N 23 Pl., Phoenix, AZ 85022 .................................................................... (602) 493-5177
CA........(Fresno-South) Irving & Vi Miller, 2907 Berkeley St., Bakersfield, CA 93305...(805) 872-0460

REGION 8 (Canada) - Terri Kukla, P.O. Box 787, Denali Park, Alaska 99755 hearthcook@hotmail.com
...........
Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008 Page 69
Trustees, Officers, and Region Map
Region 1 GFA Trustee:
Richard Radune
8
Alaska, Hawaii, Australia,
Raradune@comcast.net Europe, Asia, South America
101 Hotchkiss Grove Rd., # 4
Branford, CT 06405-5414
(203) 483-5263

Region 2 GFA Trustee:

Sandra Marsh
Marsh521@aol.com
2448 N. Sandstone Road
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 750-4023

Region 3 GFA Trustee:

Robert S. Geer, Jr.
bobgeerjr@mindspring.com.
4199 Poplar Hollow Court,
Roswell, GA 30075
(770) 645-9085
Region 4 GFA Trustee:
Mark J. Geer
mlgeer@tds.net
216 Dogwood Street N.E.
New London, MN 56273
(320) 354-2067
Region 5 GFA Trustee:
Susan Clement Henson
susanhenson@hotmail.com
4014 NW 68th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
(918) 520-0626
Region 6 GFA Trustee:
Jim Toler
tolers@earthlink.net
12390 Sunnyview Rd. NE,
Salem, OR 97317
Region 7 GFA Trustee:
Cinda R. Jauregui
cindaj@cox.net
1852 Scenic View Place
Alpine, CA 91901-3947
(619) 445-7344
Region 8 GFA Trustee:
Terri Kukla
hearthcook@hotmail.com
P.O. Box 787,
Denali Park, AK 99755
Officers of the Geer Family Association
President .......................Eugene W. Geer, pansegene@monmouth.com
.......................................558 Beers Street, Hazlet, NJ 07730, (732) 264-3129
Vice President................Judy Ewing, judy1@maine.rr.com
9 Bunker Hills Terrace, Scarborough, ME 04074,
(207) 221-0762
Secretary - .....................Allen Browning, hallenbrow@aol.com
Treasurer 570 Hudson, New York, NY 10014, (212) 727-1652
Newsletter .................... Donna Lea Gear Loper, dloper3@comcast.net
Chairperson 16021 N.E. 25th St., Vancouver, WA 98684, (360) 256-7239
Historian .......................Ginger M. August, GingerA123@aol.com
32 Stetson Way, Princeton, NJ 08540, (609) 924-6391
Archives .........................Emily Gere, emily.gere@sbcglobal.net
Chairperson 415 O’Keefe, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 329-1856
Sales Chairperson .........Audrey Masalehdan, ajgeerm@gmail.com
Registered Agent ...........Ken Geer, elizabethgeer@sbcgobal.net
23 Thomas Road, Ledyard, CT 06339, (860) 464-8657
GFA Dues and Fees Schedule
Regular and Associate Life Membership fee ..................................................... $250
Regular and Associate Annual fee for fiscal year 2008/9 .................................... $25
Annual Gift Membership by a member $5 less than annual fee
Three-year Membership ...................................................................................... $60
Three-year Gift Membership by a member ......................................................... $50
Note: Our expenses keep going up and the paper work of yearly dues paying is increas-
ing. For these reasons, your Board wants to encourage three-year memberships. Please
help your GFA organization in this way and avail yourselves of no increase in dues for
the next three years.
GFA Web Site
Don’t forget to check-in on the Internet at:
http://www.geerfamily.org

Page 70 Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©
The GFA General Store: Special Note - PayPal now on Web Site!
Sale Items and Fees (within USA). Pay Pal now available on the web site !
With exception of newsletters, international orders will be charged additional applicable airmail rate.
Dues and Newsletter. .........................$25 per year, covering the period from July I thru the following June 30. Includes three newsletters:
Fall, Spring, and Summer issues. $20 one year special offer for paid members giving gift membership(s).Life Membership: $250.00
College of Arms Report: ................................... A report on the Geer Crest to date. 11 Pages ........................ Price: $2.00
1926 Geer Family Association Meeting and Membership List: ....................................................................... Price: $1.00
Current GFA Membership Roster: .................... Arranged in numerical order by Zip Code. ............................. Price: $4.00
Individual, Family Group and Pedigree ........... Blank forms for recording genealogical information: .............. Price: free for $1.00 postage.
Geer Crest: A good Xerox color reproduction of the Geer Crest ( 8 1/2 x I I ),as seen on the cover of the 1991 supplement. Price: $3.00
Annotated Bibliography of Books on Geer People: Including books with chapters devoted to G/G/G people/places/events.
...............................................................Prepared by Ginger August. About 58 pages, updated annually. .......... Price $8.00
Historical Sketch and Genealogy of George and Thomas Geer from 1621 to 1856: By James Geer, printed by Elibu Geer in 1856.
Hard Cover
Members............... $30 + $3.00 Postage & handling (p& h)*
Non-Members ...... $55 + $3.00 p& h* (includes one year GFA membership)
Reprint of 1923 Geer Genealogy by Walter Geer: Hard, imprinted cover, hand bound.
The basis of current George and Thomas Geer descendants’ ID # system. 460 pgs, 32 photos.
Members............... $40 (Postage & handling included)*
Non-Members ..... $65 (Postage & handling and one year membership included)
Reprint of 1991 Supplement to ’23 Genealogy: 950 pages, complete indices of
George and Thomas descendants, w/ appendices.3 hole drilled, loose-leaf, coverless, shrink-wrapped.
Members............... $35 (Postage & handling included)
Non-Members ...... $60 (Postage & handling and one year membership included)
A Second Supplement to the 1923 Geer Genealogy (CD-ROM Only): Full text search of George and Thomas descendants.
Members............... $35 (Postage & handling included)
Non-Members ...... $60 (Postage & handling and one year membership included)

USE THIS FORM TO ORDER ANY OF THE ABOVE ITEMS (Postage & handling included for each item, unless otherwise noted).
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Name: Amount Enclosed (Payable to Geer Family Association)

Note: Minimum purchase for Non-Members is $20.00
Address: Send Completed Form and GFA Check to: Allen Browning, GFA
Sec.-Treas., 570 Hudson, New York, NY 10014
City/ST/Zip:

Email and/or Phone number where we may contact you with any questions:

Qty Price Ea. = Sub- total__ Item Description

____ Check yrs $__________ Dues and Newsletter @ __One Year ($25) __Two Years ($40) __Three Years ($60)
____ $250.00 $__________ Life Membership @ $250 per person
____ $2.00 ea $__________ College of Arms Report @ $2.00 ea.
____ $1.00 ea $__________ 1926 Geer Assoc. Meeting & List @ $1.00 ea.
____ $4.00 ea $__________ Current Membership Roster @ $4.00 ea.
____ $1.00 ea $__________ Individual, Family Group & Pedigree @ $1.00 ea. Members only
____ $8.00 ea $__________ Annotated Bibliography @ $8.00 ea.
____ $33.00 ea $__________ Hist. Sketch & Genealogy of G. & T. Geer @ $33.00 ea.
____ $58.00 ea $__________ Hist. Sketch & Genealogy of G. & T. Geer @ $58.00 ea., includes 1yr. New Membership
____ $3.00 ea $__________ Color Copy of Geer Crest @ $3.00 ea.
____ $40.00 ea $__________ Reprint: 1923 Genealogy by Walter Geer @ $40.00 ea. (Members price)
____ $65.00 ea $__________ Reprint: 1923 Genealogy by Walter Geer @ $65.00 ea, includes 1yr. New Membership
____ $35.00 ea $__________ Reprint of 1991 Supplement @ $35.00 ea, (Members price)
____ $60.00 ea $__________ Reprint of 1991 Supplement @ $60.00 ea, includes 1yr. Membership for Non-Members
____ $35.00 ea $__________ CDROM 2nd Supplement to the 1923 Geer Genealogy @ $35.00 ea, (Members price)
____ $60.00 ea $__________ CDROM 2nd Suppl. to the 1923 @ $60.00 ea, includes 1yr. Membership for Non-Members
____ $20.00 ea $__________ Special Gift Membership @ $20.00 for one year given by paid Members
If more than one Gift Membership is to be given, please attach a separate sheet with
Grand Total: $ ____________ additional names/addresses.

Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright © 2008 Page 71
Geer Place Name
THE GEER FAMILY
ASSOCIATION
President: Eugene W. Geer
Brandon Geer, “out stand- 558 Beers Street
ing in his field,” by Geer Hazlet, NJ 07730
Road sign in area of Gil- Newsletter Donna Lea Gear Loper
bertsville, NY. Submit- Chair: 16021 NE 25th Street
ted by Brandon Geer of Vancouver, WA 98684
Rochester, NY. The Geer Family Association (GFA)
Newsletter is published three times per
year in the months of February, June and
October.

Permissions: Permission to use data

found in the Geer Family Newsletter is
granted to those wishing to further their
own genealogical quest. Reproductions
of the GFA Newsletter in whole or part
is forbidden without written permission
(and is never permitted for commercial
purposes). Address requests for per-
mission to the Association President
shown above.
Copyright © 2008. All Rights Reserved -
The Geer Family Association.

Allen Browning
Presorted Standard
Geer Family Association US POSTAGE
570 Hudson, PA I D
New York, NY 10014 PERMIT NO. 37
Willimantic, CT 06226

Address Service Requested DATED MATERIAL

Page 72 Geer Family Association Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 3 – Copyright 2008©