I have just received a note on a future Lotspeich Reunion to be held in June of the year 2000. The organizers are calling it a " Lotspeich Gathering ". Though the emphasis is on the descendants of Johann Conrad Lotspeich, all Lotspeichs are invited. Even if you aren't a Lotspeich, perhaps you might like to join in the fun and festivities and help bring recognition to the Lotspeichs as a Germanna family.
The affair is planned as a three-day event on June 16, 17, and 18 in Greenville, Tennessee. Entertainments include a golf tournament, music, arts and crafts by descendants, Civil War Reenactors, Mountain Men, swimming and games, and genealogy. For further information contact Bob Lotspeich at 20502 E. 351st St., Archie, MO 64725. Or telephone him at 816-430-5248 or email him at Blotspe973@aol.com .
In the announcement, a very short family history was included. Johann Christoph Lotspeich came to America 19 October 1772, landing in Philadelphia, the favored port of entry at that time. He came on the ship Catherine, commanded by Captain Sutton. The ship came from Rotterdam, via London. There were only 17 male names on the passenger manifest, an unusually small number.
Christopher appears in Culpeper County, Virginia deed book for the 15th and 16th of December in 1776. On 11 Jul 1788, Christopher bought 100 acres of land for 50 shillings per acre in Greene Co., Tennessee, on the south side of the Chucky River. He was in the county before this, because his fourth child, John, was born in Greene Co. on 9 Nov 1782.
The three children previous to this, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Ralph, were born in Culpeper Co., Virginia. After John, the fourth child, there were eleven more children of John Christopher and his wife Barbara Hartley. All of these, Mary and Sarah (twins), William, Susannah, Barbara, Christopher, Rachel, Samuel, Rebecca, Grace, and James, were born in Greene County. Christopher and Grace died as infants. Many of these children grew up in the Greenville area of Tennessee, and the region is rich in Lotspeich descendants.
Johann Christopher had at least a brother and sister in the Culpeper area. In following notes we will look at the family in general. (I have merged in a few items to what Bob gave in his history.)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.