U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Reger, Jacob (b. 1733) ------------------------------------------------------------------- The History of Upshur County West Virginia From its Earliest Exploration and Settlement to the Present Time by W. B. Cutright Buckhannon, W. Va., July 1, 1907 Data for the following sketch was discovered among the miscellaneous manuscripts of the Rev. John W. Reger, D. D., and to his cherished memory, it is affectionately dedicated. L. A. E. R. H., February 5, 1907. Pages 541-542 JACOB REGER, born 1733. The Trans-Allegheny Historical Magazine, published July, 1902, Volume 1, contains the following copy of the original records of land certificates granted during 1781, by commissioners appointed by the State Government, for the adjustment of land claims. Page 241. "John Reiger, 400 acres, on each side of Buckhannon River, nearby joining lands claimed by Timothy Dorman, to include his settlement made in 1773." Again on page 190 we have further reference to the same tract of land, where its boundaries are more clearly defined. Page 249 of same Magazine: "Jacob Reger, 400 acres, on second Big Run, to include his settlement made in 1776." John and Jacob Reger were brothers, "German Lutherans" and at this time wholly ignorant of the English language, hence the difference in orthography. For information in this matter, the writer is indebted to the kindness of Mr. Daniel O'Brien, an aged and most highly esteemed citizen of Barbour County, West Virginia. We have substantial reasons for the supposition that John Reger settled permanently in Pennsylvania, where his descendants may be found, bearing the same family names and traditions, also, with characteristics strongly suggestive of lineal consanguinity with those of Jacob Reger's family. Jacob Reger and his good wife, Barbary Crites Reger, were the founders of the somewhat numerous family bearing their name; portions of which still remain in West Virginia, though perhaps the larger number have emigrated westward. In the year 1776, when as DeHass writes: "straggling parties of Indians so filled the woods of Virginia and Kentucky that no one outside of a fort was safe," and each day the war cloud becoming more portentious, our sturdy Dutchman and his heroic wife, with several children, came to the land on which Burnersville now stands, and doubtless, "straight they set themselves* to work," to build their home, the remains of which may possibly still be seen; as represented by those who were familiar with its structure, it was a very strong block house, small but well adapted for defense, situated upon a slight eminence near a spring of purest water. As indicative of the spirit and character of these emigrants reference will be made to an incident, which some may remember having heard narrated by eloquent lips, now alas; long silent, — "that through all the dangers of a long and tedious sea voyage and the vicissitudes incident to following for more than 150 miles a blind trail which led them over high and precipitous mountains, across deep and rapid streams, exposed at every step to ravenous beasts, poisonous snakes, and worse than all, to roaming bands of savages — still even as the ancient Israelites carried ever with them the Ark of the Covenant, so these carried their large German Bible, now in possession of their great, great grandson, Mr. Irvin Teter. As further illustrative of their religious convictions, it may be added that soon after their arrival, they established in their home for their own and neighboring families, a Sunday service which consisted in Bible reading, singing and prayer. In this home the first adventurous ministers of the Gospel, who found their way through the almost impenetrable wilderness, received a most cordial welcome. Here they preached and prayed and sang, and "broke the bread of life to hungry souls." After the marriage of their son, John, his home became the preaching place. The great James R. Day, LL. D., in a speech delivered in New York City, February 26, 1903, refers to the eagerness evidenced by the early ministers in the cultivation of the intellect and storing their minds with knowledge. He further states, "they preached a gospel which awoke the brain, they also carried in their saddle bags, books and tracts, distributing them as they went." True, they had to be guarded from one appointment to the next, but not only Godliness, but civilization followed in their footsteps. May not the unusually large per cent of this family who, in each succeeding generation, have been conspicuous for their devotion to the faith of their fathers, be largely attributed to the influences and associations found within this humble pioneer's cabin? To its founders was fulfilled with promise, "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season." Their children were as follows: Anthony, who served as Ensign in Capt. Silas Zane's Company, 13th Va. Reg. Rev. Army, married the widow Simon. Jacob who died single. Philip, who at the age of 15, enlisted in Captain Summerels Company, Rev. Army, married Sarah Jackson. His second wife's maiden name was Mary Jane Fornash. He was a justice of the peace from the formation of Lewis County to the time of his death, a period of 40 years, during much of which time he also held other responsible and honorable positions. John, married Elizabeth West. Abram married Mary Reeder. Isaac, married Modlen Brake. Elizabeth, married Cotteral Talbot. Barbara, married Samuel Jackson. Mary, married George Bozarth. Annie, married John Bozarth. Catherine, married Stephen Martin. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Upshur County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/upshur/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------