George Geer (abt. 1633 - 1726)

Born about 1633 in England

Husband of Sarah (Allyn) Geer — married 17 Feb 1658 in New London, New London County, Connecticut

Descendants

Died 1726 at about age 93 in Preston, New London, Connecticut Colony

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George Geer migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

Family tradition and the internet usually state that George Geer was born about 1621 in Heavitree, England.^[1][2] That he and his brother Thomas were shipped to New England by an uncle in a scheme to steal their inheritance. There is no evidence that any of this true and many reasons to believe it wrong. There is also no reason to even believe that Thomas Geer of Enfield was his brother. There are no records to connect them; initial Geer DNA studies have shown they are not related.^[3] There is no reason to think he was in New England in 1635, as is often said.

George Geer is usually said to first appear in the records in 1651 when he settled New London, Connecticut. The primary record to support this claim has not been found. It is not unlikely, though, as he settled on a 50 acre land grant beside his future father-in-law Robert Allyn, who also arrived about 1651. The earliest confirmed record of George Geer in New England is his marriage to Sarah Allyn on 17 February 1658 in New London. In July 1665, the town granted him an additional 100 acres of land. On 31 October 1665 he purchased 150 acres of land from Eleazer Isbell which was bordered to the north by the line separating New London and Norwich (now Ledyard and Preston).^[4][5] He also made multiple purchase of land from Owaneco, son of Uncas, Sachem of the Mohegan Indians. This land was in Preston City in what is now Griswold, Connecticut. In 1704, he was chosen as one the first selectmen for the new town of Groton, Connecticut.^[6] In his will he described himself as "of Groton" but residing in Preston.

George Geer married Sarah Allyn, daughter of Robert Allyn, and had eleven children by her. Seven of his children were baptized together at the First Church of Christ in New London on 16 September 1677.^[7] These were, in order, Jonathan, Joseph, Daniel, Robert, Hannah, Margaret and Mary.

George Geer died shortly before 10 January 1726/7 when his will was probated. He died at the home of his daughter in Preston (now Griswold).^[8] The will names his wife Sarah and all eleven of his children and several grandchildren. Most of his property he had already disposed of in grants to his sons.

English Origins

Name: George Geer, of New London, Preston, and Groton, Connecticut.

Orthographic variations: Geer, Geere, Gear, Gere, Geers, Geres, Gears

The English origins of the Geer family rest on a family tradition which has never been substantiated by any records in England or New England. In a story which first appeared in print in 1856, and as told by Walter Geer in his Geer Genealogy: ^[9]

"At an early age, their uncle, in order to obtain possession of their property, arranged to ship the two boys to America. The event is thus described by a descendant of the fifth generation:

George and Thomas were left orphans when quite young and were brought up by their uncle, and as they were heirs to a considerable estate it was the desire of their uncle to remove them out of the way that the inheritance might be his. To enable him to realize his wishes without hindrance, he wrote to the captain of a ship about to sail for America, requesting him to take the lads with him. George and his brother were sent with the letter, with orders to remain on board until they received an answer. They remained as directed, but to their surprise, while waiting, found themselves victims of deception and already on their passage without the possibility of returning.

The above facts I received from my father, Thomas Geer, but mostly from Joseph Geer, grandson of George, when I was fifteen years of age."

~ “Jephthah Geer”

In his 1914 book, Walter Geer states that the immediate ancestor of the family in England was Jonathan Geere, of Heavitree.^[10] However, in 1923 he stated that George and Thomas were the sons of Jonathan Geer, and a grandson of George Geer found in the Visitations of Devon.^[11] Note that the original account does not name their father or place of origin.

There are many problems here, and neither the story nor the proposed parentage can be accepted as accurate without some form of actual supporting evidence. It is extremely unlikely that two young orphans would have been shipped to Puritan Massachusetts in the care of no one in this time period. However, the bigger problem with the story is there is absolutely nothing that would have prevented the Geer brothers from claiming their inheritance promptly on turning age 21. It is a scheme which would not have worked.

The chronology also makes no sense. It would mean that George Geer married, at age 37, a woman who was 20 years younger than himself. He would then have 11 children up until he was age 62. He was also chosen as a selectman in 1704, which is a position which would never go to an 83 year old man. He then would have died at the age of 105. All indications are that he was born significantly later than 1621.

Even if we accept the story, we cannot accept the identification of Jonathan Geer as their father. Note that the story does not identify the father or the uncle, or even the place of their origin. Even Walter Geer stated when giving Jonathan Geer as the father, he had no baptism records and no wills to support the identification. In fact, he had no records at all of a Jonathan Geer. The Visitations do have a George Geer, however, they do not name any of his children.^[12][13][14] It would appear that Jonathan Geer was invented to connect two New England immigrants to an armigerous family in England. Without some supporting evidence, the parentage and English origins of George and Thomas Geer must remain as unknown.

There were Geer families in other parts of England, including Kent, Sussex, Lincolnshire, Cheshire, London, Yorkshire, Huntingdonshire, etc. Heavitree, Devon as an origin for George and Thomas was almost certainly the result of simply finding a George Geer in the Visitations. A good place to look might be the Geers of Sussex considering we know Diones Geer immigrated to New England in 1635.

Birth

Born: About 1633.

The date is a rough estimate based on his marriage in 1658.

Walter Geer in his Geer Genealogy stated that he was born in 1621.^[15] There is no direct evidence to support this date, and all circumstantial evidence is that it is wrong. It would mean that he died at the age of 105.

Marriage and Children

Married: Sarah Allyn on 17 February 1658/9 in New London, New London County, Connecticut.^[16]

Children of George Geer and Sarah Allyn:

1. Sarah Geer. Born on 27 February 1659/60 in New London.^[17] She married Nathaniel Parke of Preston on 28 February 1676/7 in New London.^[18][19] She died after 5 June 1723 when her father made his will.
2. Jonathan Geer. Born on 26 May 1662 in New London.^[20] He married 1st Mary Allen, and 2nd Experience Parker. Jonathan died on 30 Aug 1742 in Preston.^[21][22]
3. Joseph Geer. Born on 16 October 1664 in Niantic, Connecticut. He married 1st Sarah Howard on 7 January 1691/2; he married 2nd Susannah Silsby on 18 October 1713 both in Preston.^[23][24] Joseph died 10 August 1743 in Preston.^[25]
4. Hannah Geer. Born on 27 February 1665/6 in New London.^[20] She married Charles Williams of Preston by 1687 as their first child was born in February 1688. Hannah died February 1743 in Preston.
5. Margaret Geer. Born in February 1669 in New London.^[20] She married Thomas Gates of Preston in December 1695.^[26] Margaret died before 20 Aug 1751 when her husband made his will.
6. Mary Geer. Born on 26 May 1671 in New London.^[20] She married Zechariah Maynard of Groton on 23 September 1697 in Groton.^[27] Mary died in March 1738 in Ledyard, New London, Connecticut.^[28]
7. Daniel Geer. Born about 1673 (not in vital records).^[29] He married first Hannah Unknown about 1699 (birth of first child); he married second Hannah Tracy, widow of Thomas Davidson, on 24 October 1728 in Preston.^[30] Daniel died 2 October 1749 in Preston.^[31]
8. Robert Geer. Born on 2 January 1676 in New London.^[20] He married Martha Tyler on 3 April 1700 in Groton.^[32] Robert died on 20 November 1742 in Groton.^[33]
9. Anne Geer. Born on 6 January 1679, and baptized on 4 May 1679 in New London.^[20][34][35] She married Daniel Tyler on 28 May 1700 in Groton.^[36] Anne is said to have died about 1735.^{[citation needed]}
10. Isaac Geer, Born on 26 March 1681 in New London.^[20] He married Martha Lee. Isaac died January 1745/6.^{[citation needed]}
11. Jeremiah Geer. Born in September 1683.^[37] He married Esther Hilliard.^[38] Jeremiah died on 18 July 1721 in Groton.^[39]

Death

Died: Almost certainly late in 1726 as his will was probated on 10 January 1726/7.

Will: of George Geer, of the town of Groton, now residing in Preston^[40]

Made 5 June 1723; proved 10 January 1726/7.

Summary:

- to Sarah, my dearly beloved wife

- my four daughters, Sarah, Hannah, Margaret and Anne

- my daughter Mary's two daughters, Hannah and Mary

- To my son Jonathan..., and to my son Joseph...and to my son Daniel

- and to my son Robert..., and to my son Isaac..., and to my son Jeremiah heirs

- my four daughters and two granddaughters, Hannah and Mary Mainer

- son Robert Geer, and my son-in-law Thomas Gates, full and sole Executors

In the name of God, Amen. June 5, 1723. I, George Geer, of the town of Groton, now residing in Preston, in the County of New London, in the Colony of Connecticut in New England, being weake in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be giving unto God for it, calling to mind the mortality of my body, and knowing that it is apinted for all men once to dye, do make and ordain this my last will and testaments: That is to say princapally, and first of all, I give and recomend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth, to be buried in decent Christian burial, at the descretion of my Executors; and as touching such worly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give, and dispose of the same in the following manner:

Imprimis, I give to Sarah, my dearly beloved wife, the use and improvement of one third of my estate during her natural life, and then to be divided among my four daughters, Sarah, Hannah, Margaret and Anne, and my daughter Mary's two daughters, Hannah and Mary, and the rest of my estate I dispose as followeth:

To my son Jonathan five shillings, and to my son Joseph five shillings, and to my son Daniel five shillings, and to my son Robert five shillings and to my son Isaac five shillings, and to my son Jeremiah heirs five shillings, which is their ful portion with what they have already had.

And to my four daughters, and my two granddaughters, Hannah and Mary Mainer all the rest of my estate of cattle and horse kind, and all the moveable goods, to be equaly devided among my four daughters and two granddaughters, Hannah and Mary Mainer shall have their mother's part.

And I hereby make and apoint my love son Robert Geer, and my son-in-law Thomas Gates, full and sole Executors of this my last will and testament; hereby making nul and void all former wills and bequeths, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal.

his

GEORGE X GEER

mark

Thomas Clark

Stephen Gates} Witnesses

This will was presented for probate Jan. 10, 1726-7, in New London.

Amount of Inventory of Personal Estate, £48 19s 2d. Jonathan Wickwere and Jacob Parke, appraisers.

Records

FHL Film #5381 CT: New London: Preston Deed books 1-3 (1687-1722)

• 1:139 Oanacoe son of Oancos sachem of Mohegan doe sell unto Hugh Amos of Norwitch ... 130A of Land and unto George Geere I doe give 130A of Land the above sd tracts of Land Joyns together and Lie near Pabaquamsk ... Land that was Capt. Masons and upon the south with Land of Christopher Huntington ... 11 Dec 1683. Signed: Aanico his mark. Wit: Samuell Mason, John Morgan. Ack: Recd; 22 Jun 1691.

• 1:141 11 Dec 1691 Oanano Sacham of Mohegan doe sell unto Georg Geeres 50A ... one mile from the river called Pachayue River ... Signed by mark. Wit: Samuell Mason, John Morgan. Deed was entered in Stonington Records by John Stanton. Deed entred 26 Jun 1691 pr me Jonathan Tracy Recorder.

• 1:143 Oanaco Sacham have sould unto Gorg Geres 100A of Land for a valuable Consideration all rady recved whare of fifty acres of this hundred as aforesaid was Layed out to Edward Citell formerly which now belongs to me the sd Geres which was Lyd out by Caleb Fobes by order from Oanaco buting on the west upon Land of Jonathan Geres: and to the east upon Land of Hugh Amos and this other fifty to make up the complement of one hundred as aforesd Layes to the Northwest of this fifty as aforesd this was Layd out by John Morgan also abuting upon Jonathan Geres to the west till it comes to a white oake tree ... Signed: the marke of Oanoco. Witnes: Benjaman Brewester, Jonathan Brewester. Aanaco Ack before Samuell Mason 26 Apr 1688. Recd: 20 Sep 1691.

• 1:145 These are to inform whom it may concern that I oanaco sacham have sould unto Gorg Geres a parcel of Land for a valluabell consideration all redy reseived being Layed out by John Morgin by my order as followeth ... Signed by the mark of oanaco. Wit: Benjamin Brewster, Jonathan Brewster. Ack: before Samuell Mason Justice of the Peace Stonington 26 Apr 1688. Recd: 20 Sep 1691.

• 2:36 Gorg Gere of New London doe give unto my son Daniell Geare one hundred acres of land Lying in the Towne ship of Preston which I purchased owenaco Bounded as followeth the first fifty acres of it buting on the west upon Land of Jonathan Geare and on the east upon Land of Hugh Amos and the other fifty to make up the complement of one hundred acres Lying to the Norwest of the other fifty also abuting upon Jonathan Geres and on the west until it comes to a white oak tree marked on fouer sides from thence esterly to a walnut tree by a swamp joyning to Hugh Amos this hundred acres of land Laied out fifty of it by Caleb Fobes the other fifti by John Morgan by order from Oweneco all which hundred acres of Land I give to my son Daniell as aforesd ... 14 May 1698. Signed; Gorg G Geare his mark. Wit: Grace Christophers, John Mayhew. Entred 21 Jan 1705/6.

• 3:28 George Gears of Groaton ... for Divers good causes ... love which I bare unto my well beloved Son Jonathan Gere where he now inhabiteth I do give a certain tract of land boundeth as followeth Norwich Bounds, west Christopher Huntington on ye South... Freeman bounded on ye East on Lane which was formerly the Indian Right ... on ye North on Land of Charles Williams ... 15 Sep 1720. Signed: George Geer. Wit: Isaac Geer, Ezekiell Parke. Groton 18 Feb 1712/3 Ack ... John Parke, Justice of ye peace. Entrd: 10 Feb 1713/4.

FHL Film #4293 Groton, New London Co, CT First Book of Records 1705-1723

• 1:127 Groton, January 23rd 1712/3 a … second devisions lotts att Nowayunk Nack is as followes; … The names of those that drew lots in the second Devision
  Jeremiah Geere first teer fifty second lot
  Mr. George Geer first teer third lott

Common Errors to Avoid

In addition to their being no evidence for the English origins story, early writers made a number of errors in Geer genealogy which must be avoided.

English origins: As discussed above, there is no evidence to support the family tradition that he was a son of Jonathan Geer, or that he was born in Heavitree, Devon, England.

Birth date: Part of the unsupported family tradition, there is no reason to think he was born in 1621 as is usually said. Dates of his marriage, children's births, town activities and service and his own death suggest that this much too early.

Brother Thomas: Part of the unsupported family tradition, he is usually said to be the brother of Thomas Geer of Enfield. There re no records to connect the two men, and DNA evidence to date shows they are unrelated.

Immigration: He is usually said to have arrived in New England in 1635, however, this is part of the unsupported family tradition. There are no actual records of George Geer before 1658.

Wife of Joseph² Geer: The Geer Genealogy mistakenly states that Joseph³ Geer married Susannah Silsby. This is incorrect. It was his father Joseph² Geer who married Susannah Silsby as his 2nd wife.^[41]

Errors in the New London Vital Records:

Graves vs Geer: Seven of the children were mis-indexed or mis-transcribed in the New London vital records under the name Graves. These are Jonathan, Hannah, Margaret, Mary, Robert, Anna (Jane) and Isaac.

Daughter Anna: She is called Jane in the printed version of the vital records.

2nd wife of Joseph: The second wife of Joseph Geer is called Suzannah Simsby. Her name should be Susannah Silsby.

Questions and Problems

• Daughter Sarah: Both the Park and Geer genealogies state she was married on 28 February 1677, however, this marriage does not appear in the vital records. Where does the date come from?

• Son Jonathan: The Geer Genealogy states he married Mary _____ and Elizabeth _____. However, WikiTree shows his wives as Sarah Allen and Elizabeth Parker. Are the names of his wives proven?

Sources

Footnotes and citations:

1. ↑ Geer. Genealogy of the Geer Family. (1914): pages 7-8.
2. ↑ Geer. The Geer Genealogy. (1923): pages 6-8.
3. ↑ Family Tree DNA Website: Geer DNA Project, Results.
4. ↑ Hurd. History of New London County. (1882): page 168.
5. ↑ Avery. History of the Town of Ledyard (1901): pages 126-127.
6. ↑ Stark. Groton, Connecticut, 1705-1905. (1922): Page 81.
7. ↑ Blake. History of the First Church of Christ. (1900): page 451.
8. ↑ Avery. History of the Town of Ledyard (1901): pages 277-278.
9. ↑ Geer. Genealogy of George & Thomas Geer. (1856): pages 7-10.
10. ↑ Geer. Genealogy of the Geer Family. (1914): pages 7-8.
11. ↑ Geer. The Geer Genealogy. (1923): pages 6-8.
12. ↑ Colby. Visitation of Devon in 1620. (1872): page 126.
13. ↑ Vivian. Visitations of Devon, of 1531, 1564 and 1620. (1895): page 395.
14. ↑ Westcote. A View of Devonshire. (1845): page 565.
15. ↑ Geer, Walter. The Geer Genealogy. (1923): pages 7-8.
16. ↑ Barbour Collection. New London VR 1646-1854. (1919): page 122.
17. ↑ Barbour Collection. New London VR 1646-1854. (1919): page 122.
18. ↑ Parks. Parke Families of Connecticut... (1909): page 36.
19. ↑ Geer. The Geer Genealogy. (1923): page 16.
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6} Barbour Collection. New London VR 1646-1854. (1919): page 126, under name Graves.
21. ↑ Barbour Collection: Preston, Marriages, Deaths 1687 - 1850. (1919): page 88.
22. ↑ Putnam's Historical Magazine, new series volume 7 (1899): pages 12. "Preston, Conn. Records."
23. ↑ TAG, vol. 49 (1973): pages 27-31. "Susannah Silsbee, Wife of Joseph Geer".
24. ↑ TAG, vol. 71. (1996): pages 220-224. "Sarah Howard, First wife of Joseph² Geer"
25. ↑ Geer. Genealogy of the Geer. (1914): page 20.
26. ↑ Barbour Collection: Preston, Marriages, Deaths 1687 - 1850. (1919): page 85.
27. ↑ Barbour Collection: Groton Births, Marriages, Deaths 1704 - 1853. (1918): page 71.
28. ↑ TAG, vol. 33. (1957): pages 194. "Geer Notes," citing New London Probate District, File 3574.
29. ↑ NEHGR, vol. 142 (1988): pages 39-50. "Family of Daniel Geer".
30. ↑ Barbour Collection: Preston, Marriages, Deaths 1687 - 1850. (1919): page 244.
31. ↑ Barbour Collection: Preston, Marriages, Deaths 1687 - 1850. (1919): page 86.
32. ↑ Barbour Collection: Groton Births, Marriages, Deaths 1704 - 1853. (1918): page 71.
33. ↑ Barbour Collection: Groton Births, Marriages, Deaths 1704 - 1853. (1918): page 71.
34. ↑ Blake. History of the First Church of Christ. (1900): page 452.
35. ↑ She is mistakening called Jane in the New London Vital Records.
36. ↑ Barbour Collection: Groton Births, Marriages, Deaths 1704 - 1853. (1918): page 148.
37. ↑ Geer. The Geer Genealogy. (1923): pages 21-22.
38. ↑ Mayflower Descendant, vol. 50. (2001): pages 117-141, see 135. "William Hillard of Duxbury."
39. ↑ Geer. The Geer Genealogy. (1923): pages 21-22.
40. ↑ Meech. Descendants of Peter Spicer. (1911): pages 514-515.
41. ↑ TAG, vol. 49 (1973): pages 27-31

Source list:

• The American Genealogist, volume 33. (AmericanAncestors.org online database, 1957): pages 193-198. "Geer Notes," by H. Minot Pitman.
• The American Genealogist, volume 49. (AmericanAncestors.org online database, 1973): pages 27-31. "Susannah Silsbee, Wife of Joseph Geer," by Glade Ian Nelson.
• The American Genealogist, volume 67. (AmericanAncestors.org online database, 1992): pages 231-235. "Enigmas #4: Was Hannah, First wife of Daniel Geer² of Preston, Connecticut, A Mayflower Descendant?" by David L. Greene.
• The American Genealogist, volume 68 (AmericanAncestors.org online database, July 1993): 182-183. "Addenda to Enigmas #4: Geer and Christophers of New London County, Connecticut," by David L. Greene.
• The American Genealogist, volume 70. (AmericanAncestors.org online database, 1995): pages 240-248. "The Search Must Continue for Hannah, Wife of Daniel Geer of Preston, Conn.," by Norman W. Ingham.
• The American Genealogist, volume 70. (AmericanAncestors.org online database, 1995): pages 248-249. "Comments on Hannah, Wife of Daniel Geer of Preston, Conn.," by David L. Greene.
• The American Genealogist, volume 71. (1996): pages 220-224. "Sarah Howard, First wife of Joseph² Geer of Preston, Connecticut, and their Children," by Norman W. Ingham.
• Avery, John. History of the Town of Ledyard, 1650-1900 (Norwich, 1901): pages 126-127.
• Barbour, Lucius Barnes. Connecticut Vital Records (Barbour Collection): Groton Births, Marriages, Deaths 1704 - 1853. (AmericanAncestors.org online database; original Hartford, 1918): page 97.
• Barbour, Lucius Barnes. Connecticut Vital Records (Barbour Collection): New London Births, Marriages, Deaths 1646 - 1854. (AmericanAncestors.org online database; original Hartford, 1919): page 122. AmericanAncestors.org link
• Barbour, Lucius Barnes. Connecticut Vital Records (Barbour Collection): Preston, Marriages, Deaths 1687 - 1850. (AmericanAncestors.org online database; original Hartford, 1919): page 88. AmericanAncestors.org link
• Blake, S. Leroy. Later History of the First Church of Christ, New London, Conn. (New London, 1900): page 451.
• Colby, Frederic Thomas ed. Visitation of the County of Devon in the Year 1620. (London: Harleian Society Visitation Series vol 6, 1872): page 126.
• Cutter, William Richard. New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, volume 1. (New York, 1913): pages 392-393.
• Geer, James. Historical Sketch and Genealogy of George & Thomas Geer from 1621 to 1856. (Hartford, 1856): pages 7-10.
• Geer, Walter. Genealogy of the Geer family in America from 1635 to 1914. (New York, 1914). Archive.org link.
• Geer, Walter. The Geer Genealogy: A Historical Record of George and Thomas Geer and their Descendants in the United States from 1623 to 1923. (New York, 1923). Google Books link.
• Hurd, Duane Hamilton. History of New London County, Connecticut: With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. (Philadelphia, 1882): page 168.
• The Mayflower Descendant, volume 50 number 2. (Summer 2001): pages 117-141, see 135. "William Hillard of Duxbury, Massachusetts (continued)," by Victor Grant Hillard.
• Meech, Susan Spicer. History of the Descendants of Peter Spicer. (1911): pages 514-515.
• New England Historical and Genealogical Register, volume 142 (AmericanAncestors.org online database, 1988): pages 39-50. "A Reconstruction of the Family of Daniel Geer (circa 1673-1749) of Preston, Connecticut," by David L. Greene. Corrects errors in previously published Geer genealogies.
• Parks, Frank Sylvester. Genealogy of the Parke Families of Connecticut... (1909): page 36.
• Putnam's Historical Magazine, new series volume 7 (1899): pages 10-16. "Preston, Conn. Records of Births, Marriages and Deaths," by The Editors.
• Preston (Connecticut). Registrar of Vital Statistics. Records of births, marriages, and deaths, 1672-1933. Film 1311194. (FamilySearch.org online database). Image 45 of 384.
• Savage, James. Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, volume 2. (1860): pages 239-240.
• Stark, Charles. Groton, Connecticut, 1705-1905. (Palmer Press, Stonington, Conn., 1922): Page 81.
• Vivian, John Lambrick. Visitations of the County of Devon, Comprising the Heralds Visitations of 1531, 1564 and 1620. (1895): page 395.
• Westcote, Thomas; George Oliver ed. A View of Devonshire in MDCXXX: With a Pedigree of Most of Its Gentry. (Exeter: 1845): page 565.