Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
NamePaulus Kuster 
Research notes for Paulus Kuster
KUSTER, PAUL. Germantown.
November 28, 1707. February 23, 1707/8. C. 72.
Nuncupative will. Wife Gertrude. Children names not given. Letters
of administration were granted to Arnold Kusters, Hermanus Kusters and
Johannes Kusters, the widow Gertrude being dead.
Witnesses: Arnold Kusters, Dennis Kunders, Harmanus Kusters, Johannes
Kusters and Cornelius DeWees.
November 28, 1707. February 23, 1707/8. C. 72.
Nuncupative will. Wife Gertrude. Children names not given. Letters
of administration were granted to Arnold Kusters, Hermanus Kusters and
Johannes Kusters, the widow Gertrude being dead.
Witnesses: Arnold Kusters, Dennis Kunders, Harmanus Kusters, Johannes
Kusters and Cornelius DeWees.
My Comments notes for Paulus Kuster
I found this bio on the Internet, I am not aware of any of it that is in error. Paulus Kuster came from Krefeld, Germany in 1684 and settled in Germantown. He was a Mennonite, though reared a Roman Catholic. He married Gertrude Doors on October 16, 1668. Paulus apparently left the Catholic Church prior to or at the time of his marriage. Gertrude and her parents had been in the Reformed Church since 1655.
Paulus was a farmer and mason by trade. Paulus and Gertrude and their family were among the early founders of the first Mennonite Church in America, in Philadelphia and may be buried in the church grave yard, although there are no early stones which can now be read that bear their names.
Paulus died about February, 1707/8. His will was written on 28 Nov 1707 and proved 23 Feb 1707/8. He mentioned wife Gertrude and did not directly name his children, though three witnesses who also were named administrators were Arnold, Hermanus and Johannes Kusters. By the time the estate entered administration, his wife had died. Two other witnesses were Dennis Kunders and Cornelius DeWees.
Paulus was a farmer and mason by trade. Paulus and Gertrude and their family were among the early founders of the first Mennonite Church in America, in Philadelphia and may be buried in the church grave yard, although there are no early stones which can now be read that bear their names.
Paulus died about February, 1707/8. His will was written on 28 Nov 1707 and proved 23 Feb 1707/8. He mentioned wife Gertrude and did not directly name his children, though three witnesses who also were named administrators were Arnold, Hermanus and Johannes Kusters. By the time the estate entered administration, his wife had died. Two other witnesses were Dennis Kunders and Cornelius DeWees.
Parent-Proof notes for Gertrude (Spouse 1)
Some sources say she was Gertrude Streypers, sister of William, an early settler of Germantown. But other sources seem to suggest she was Gertrude Doors. Those seem the better researched to me.
I have also seen it said that Gertrude Streypers was the wife of Peter Conrad but I believe that is based on someone mis-reading a rather complex recounting of the Jensen/Kuster/Conrad relationship.
I have also seen it said that Gertrude Streypers was the wife of Peter Conrad but I believe that is based on someone mis-reading a rather complex recounting of the Jensen/Kuster/Conrad relationship.