Hess Family Line
The records of the Hess family and descent are taken from the Bible of Vienna
The genealogy of the German nobility, which the German emporer Charles V
collected since the year A.D. 1524. The Hess family was noted as a Rheinland Nobility,
as a knight family. It originated in Denmark, where according to the ancient language, the
present name signifies “A Wolf”. At denmark lived the father of the family, who in the
year A.D 733 was named Gorm Hess on the island of Moerr. He received his surname on
account of his bravery and cruelty. Even at present there is a canal called “Wolves
Vurril”, which separates the island of Moen from the Danish island Sealand. The island
Moer was the property of Gorm Hess, who there married the daughter of a Vendew
leader of the army. He carried as his shield sign a green Linden Leaf, because of the
number of Linden trees growing on this island. On his knight helmet he carried two horns
which at the time, as generally in ancient times, were the signs and symbols of daring
power. The coat of arms of the Hess family is derived from these signs, and in later times
it was received and sanctioned by several emporers.
Gorm Hess died A.D. 824 on a sea voyage. Of his sons, some of who died or perished on
the same voyage, two only survived. One died without leaving any male descendents and
the other married Hornoch, and had sons who survived him. Hornoch was a sea traveler
and sometimes a pirate. He built a strong castle on one of the hills bordering the sea and
brought thither Venden Obotreiterr and Frisians to people the island. By this means he
brought his property into a flourishing condition and his descendents were animated with
the same zeal.
At present there is still an aristocratic family called “Von Hess” which is derived from
the island Moen and which is flourishing in Jutland, though not very numerous. They
enlarged themselves afterward in Germany after the crusades and in the year A.D 1303
one of the family called Gerold Von Hess who was presented by the emperor (German)
Albert the Hapsburger with a beautiful estate called “Pfedersheirr” in the present
document it is especially remarked by the imperial and royal desire “that the noble and
honorable Knight Gerold Von Hess and his descendents such an estate should belong as
an inheritance forever on account of his many and faithful services which Gerold Von
Hess had shown to the emperor with property and blood, and since Gerold is rightfully
called Hess, the emperor willed to give him an estate in Hessen.” At the same time should
his good nobility and coat of arms be sealed and sanctioned, such presented documentary
coat of arms were exhibited on the St. Lawrence Day A.D. 1308 in Mainz and such
documents were likewise sent to Denmark. Even now are found in the Emperor’s royal
Archives in Vienna these documents.
Gerold Von Hess died in 1357 and left only one son who was called Amelurg Von Hess
and who was Mayor of Worms. His wife was Sophia Dorothea Von Reiffersberg. They
lived happily together for fifty two years and sponateously elevated their estate into a
village. Finally Amelurg died A.D. 1416 at the age of one hundred years. Long life was
not a rare thing in this family. Amelurg left four sons, Gering, Henrich, Wilhelm and
George Von Hess. Gering’s descendents became extinct in the so-called 30 years war.
Henrich entered into the order of the clergy and became Archbishop of Milan. Wilhelm
and George married two sisters of noble descent. From their descendents the Hess family
divided itself into two distinct branches, the aristocratic and civil branch. Wilhelm Von
Hess kept his family estate and flourished, even in the midst of the last century. There
was also one Herman Von Hess, a colonel of the Beileiviten Dragon Regiment in
Hessenn. From the aristocratic branch however, nothing was sent to Vienna.
George Von Hess, even though he did not keep his family estate, still kept his nobility
and Coat-of-Arms and separated himself from his brother and went to Sevabia, where his
branch of the family flourished. Descendents also went to Saxony. Further records of the
Hess family are to be found in Germany. See the Europe Coat-of-Arms and descendents
in the Bible of Vienna LV 381.
To see how the Hess’s arrived in the USA, turn to the data I received from the “Census Bureau”a few
years ago. I will write from memory, the contents which that data revealed as best that I can. So see
the other side of this sheet.
Dad
1-27-68
In the year 1623 an Englishman with talents for mechanics, invented a flat, coiled, tempered spring
that replaced the weights for power on the grandfather clocks of that time, and made a watch about
(3”) in diameter and (2”) thick, which could be carried with a looped strap over the shoulder, thus the
time of day was with man.
An Englishman traveled to Switzerland, his watch broke and after visiting several “Blacksmiths and
Charcoal” shops in fanally agreed to repair it. This blacksmith was very clever, and as he took the
watch apart he made sketches and measurements. He repaired the watch and got his pay and
proceeded to make one for himself. He gave the other blacksmiths the data, and it was not long that
news spread all over Europe, that Switzerland was noted for making watches and clocks.
About the year (1680) ‘Samuel Hess” traveled to Switzerland to learn how to make clocks and
watches and married a “Swiss German” girl. He prospered and took ship for “America” and landed in
New Amsterdam (New York City) in year (1714), with five sons – no daughters mentioned, and the
following year, his brother “Nicholas Hess” came to New York and he had five sons.
They first settled in (SE) “Pennsylvania” in “Lancaster” County as farmers, and lived close to the land
and were “Minnonites”.
The “Minnonite Sect” was founded in Switzerland in the year (1623) and the “Amish Sect” was
founded the following year, and was more strict in living up to the “Bible” commandments, while the
“Minnonites” were more liberal in following the “Bible” ten commandments, so I think we are of
Samuel Hesses’” lineage, for all of our men and some of the women folks are inclined towards
mechanics.
As civilization presses westward, “Hesses” are known all over in “Pennsylvania”, “Ohio” “Indiana”
“Illinois” & “Missouri”.
Our grandfather & your great grandfather came up the old “French and Indian” trail as far as”Ft.
Lioribf” – now “Waterford” city – (18) miles south of “Erie Pa.”, and there “Isaac Hess” married
Anna B. Wilcox in the year (1840) – no record, but witnessed by Norman Woodford and one other
man – distant relatives.
Grandfather “Isaac Hess” homesteaded (73) acres about 80 miles south of “Erie Pa.”, just west of
route #90, (which was known in my father’s time as the “Waterford” TurnPike, which then was a
planked road, and a toll gate every four miles, toll 50 cents.
“Isaac Hess” was a sailor on the monitor that wrecked the S.S. “Merrimac” during the “Civil War”.
Died about the year (1866) age 48 years and was buried on the farm on the same side of the road as the
house just about (2) blocks south from the house, near his old sawmill.
Grandmother – “Anna B. Hess” was buried beside of my grandfather about the year (1898) and I
don’t believe there any headstones.
Believe if the US Navy knew about this they would have furnished headstone for grandfather.
The “Rogers” “George” & “Dorothea” & I were down there two years ago and took pictures of the old
log house which has been modernized and a sale sign on a tall tree, read for sale $28000.
Hattie Bartlett my cousin lives in North East Pa and there live near by (27) first, second, third, &
fourth cousins of mine.
Claude I Hess
1-27-69
an Englisman invested in the tempered, flat coil spring to take the place of weights on the old
Grandfather clocks and invented the watch yr 1623.
An Englisman who was vacationing in Switzerland, broke this watch about year (1643) and had
interviewed about the seventh blacksmith and charcoal maker before one consented to repair the
watch.
This Blacksmith took the watch apart and made sketches of all parts, and after replacing the
Englisman’s watch he proceeded to make a watch for himself and finally a good many blacksmiths
copyed the watch and by the year (1680) people all over Europe received the news that “Switzerland”
was a watchmaking nation.
“Samuel Hess from Germany was know doubt a man with great desire to learn the clock and
watchmaking business with a mind for mechanics, and arrived in Switzerland about the year (1680),
married a “german Swiss” girl, learned the clock & watch making trade, prospered and sailed off to
America and landed in “New Amsterdam” – (New York City) in year (1714) with five sons, and the
following year “Nicholas Hess” arrived in New Amsterdam – (New York City) – he had five sons, no
daughters mentioned.
The both settled in “Lancaster” county Pennsylvania as farmers and were “Minnonites”
Minnonite Sect” was founded in Switzerland in the year (1623) and “Amish Sect” founded the next
year, and that sect were stricter than the “Minnonites” and they spoke german but Americanized and
was called “Pennsylvania Dutch”. My father thot he was “Holland Dutch” but knew before he died
that he was german.
My GrandFather, “Isaac Hess” was born about the year (1817) some where in in Pennsylvania, and
traveled up to Waterford Pa., met and married Miss Anna Wilcox and were married in Waterford Pa.
in the year (1840) know record of marriage, but witnessed by Norman Woodford and one other man.
Isaac Hess was a sailor on the “Monitor” that wrecked the “Merramac” in the Civil War. He came
home after the war and died at age (68) years, a year after the war.
“Isaac Hess” & “Anna Hess” are buried on the old farm the place about a short city block, south of the
old log house where grandfathers old sawmill stood and the steam boiler and engine were there at time
of grandmothers funeral.