The Rister family of the SC Dutch Fork descend from Hans Jacob Reister who, with wife and five children, arrived in 1752 on the Rowand. The Reister family was used as a German emigrant family study in Brigette Burkett's "Emigrants from Baden and Wuerttemberg in the Eighteenth Century," Vol. 1.
Hans Jacob Reister, the only son of Johann Jacob (born about 1664, died 3 March 1744/45) and Margaretha Reister (born about 1659, died 30 December 1742), was born 16 January 1713/14 in Stein, Germany and died 27 December 1815 in Lexington District, S.C.
Hans Jacob Reister married 1) 9 July 1726 Christina St. Leon, daughter of Hans Jacob von St. Leon. Christina died on 14 February 1740.
CHILDREN OF HANS JACOB REISTER AND CHRISTINA VON ST. LEON
I. Hans Jacob Reister, born 20 July 1727, died 7 October 1727
II. Eva Barbara Reister, born 24 January 1729, died 3 February 1729
III. Georg Jacob Reister, born 23 January 1729/30 (see family below)
IV. Margaretha Reister, born 16 August 1731, died 27 September 1731
V. Christina Reister, born 6 September 1732, died 12 May 1733
VI. Joseph Reister, born 21 April 1734, died 24 June 1734
VII. Johann Michael Reister, born 2 June 1736, died 15 February 1739
VIII. Christina Reister, born 18 February 1739, died 10 March 1739
On 25 July 1741, Hans Jacob Reister married 2) Anna Maria, daughter of Matthias Bruetsch.
CHILDREN OF HANS JACOB REISTER AND ANNA MARIA BRUETSCH
IX. Magdalena Reister, born 6 June 1742 (see family below)
X. Absalom Reister, born 3 November 1744, died 24 November 1744
XI. Christian Reister born about 1745 Stein-Baden-Dunlick, Germany, died about 1817 Chapin, Lexington County, SC (see family below)
XII. Christiana Reister born about 1748 in Stein Germany (see below)
XIII. Anna Barbara Reister, baptized 8 March 1751 (see family below)
According to the bounty petition of John Jacob Reister he "payed his freight" and came to SC with wife and children: George Jacob, 21; Magdelene, 12; Christian 7; Christiana, 4; and Anna Barbara, 2. A 350 acre grant of 16 October 1752 was awarded John Jacob Reister on Big John's Creek near the Saluda River (now under Lake Murray).
Variations of the spelling of this surname that have been found include: Reister, Rester, Roister, Royster, Rishte, Ristoro, Rift, Riste, Reuster and Rister.
Family of Hans Jacob Rister
Several of the children of Hans Jacob Reister lived in the St. Jacob's Church area near Chapin, SC. The daughters, Magdalene and Barbara, obtained 100 acre surveys in this area in 1773.
III. Georg Jacob Reister, born 23 January 1729/30 in Stein, Germany, married Katherine Riemensperger, daughter of John Jacob Riemensperger. In 1759, Jacob Rister was in the expedition to Fort Prince George during the Cherokee Indian War. He served in Capt. John Morrison's Company commanded by Col. John Chevillette. Upon the death of Jacob Riemensperger his land was inherited by his 4 daughters and their respective husbands namely John Fraser, Frederick Houx, Ulric Busser and Jacob Reister. (Charleston Deed C-3:101, 24 & 25 August 1754; 4 & 5 September 1761). Jacob was granted 100 acres in Berkeley County on a branch of Four Hole Swamp on 25 May 1774 as Jacob Ristoro and signed as Jacob Rishter (Memorial Book 13, 15 September 1774- 6 July 1775)
It is believed this child is a son of George Jacob Reister and it is also believed that George Jacob Reister had several more children unaccounted for here:
A. Christian Rister about 1775 in Bull Swamp Territory, wife Mary Ann Haugabuck, born about 1782, daughter of John Haugabuck.
1. Nancy Rister born 1806, married Bursel Bayles
2. Abrahan Rister born 1813
3. Elizabeth Rister born about.1814, married John Hoover
4. Margaret Rister born 1822, married Joseph Tager
5. Barbara Rister born about 1823, married Truston Jackson born about 1825, died 6 May 1864, Pvt. D 12th SCVI Wilderness, Virginia, KIA
6. John Adam Rister born 1824, died 23 November 1907, gravestone has death as 29 January 1898, burial Antioch Baptist Church, Lexington, South Carolina married 1850, Racheal E. King.
He served during the Civil War as R 13 Pvt C K 13 Reg, South Carolina Inf.13 February 1862 whwew Cauch, Gregg by Lt. Calhoun John Adam was a Prisoner of War in Point Lookout Md. He arrived 5 April 1865 and was captured at Petersburg on 2 April 1865, Released 17 June 1865 by G. O. No. 109, S.G.O. He had Brown hair, Eyes Blue, height 5ft 7 1/2 in.
7. Elias Rister born about 1829, married Frances Bayles. He served in the Civil War as J. 2nd St. Troops Co. A. South Carolina Troops, Lt. Arty. ( Palmetto) Bn. Co. B.
8. Rebecca Rister married Harper
IX. Magdalene Rister, daughter of Jacob Rister, was born 6 June 1742 in Stein, Germany and died about 1810 in Lexington, S.C. She married Michael Eargle born about 1738, son of John Michael Eargle. Appears as Magdalene Royster in the Koon family bible record as wife of Michael Ergil (Eargle). (Memorial Book 13; 15 September 1774- 6- July 1775 page 136) McTelnea Rister, 12 October 1774; 199 acres in Craven County on waters of Broad River. Bounded by vacant land, Survey certified 29 March 1773; granted 25 May 1774. Quit rent in 10 years. Pat Cunningham, DS. Michael Dickert (13-48-2)
A. Jacob Eargle, born about 1762, died 5 May 1837, wife named Magdelena. They lived on waters of Bear Creek south of Chapin, SC. They are buried there in a family cemetery now in Lake Murray (Lake Murray Option No. 422, estate of H. J. Wessinger - Lake Murray Records).
B. Sarah Eargle, born 1764, died about 1802, married (as first wife) Jacob Lindler, Jr., born about 1755, died 1818, son of Jacob Lindler, Sr. and wife, Walburger.
C. Barbara Eargle, born 16 February 1771, died 9 November 1843, married 16 February 1791 Jacob Francis Koon, born 15 July 1770, died 29 September 1847, son of John Henry Koon and Maria Ursula Shealy. Both buried in the Koon Cemetery on the J. W. Wessinger place (Lake Murray Option No. 420), which has been destroyed.
D. Catherine Eargle, born 1775, died 1836, married (as second wife) Jacob Lindler, Jr., born about 1755, died 1818. E. Sally E. Eargle, born about 1777.
F. Elizabeth Eargle, born 1788.
XI. Christian Rister, born about 1745, died about 1817, married Mary Ann Rinehart, died 14 February 1835 (Rev. Godfrey Dreher's Journal - "buried an old Mrs. Reister on this date". I believe this to be his wife. I have no proof but have been told this by members of his family.). It is said that the two unknown daughters are Ann Marie and Margaretha. They both died young.
Christian Rister lived near St. Jacob's Church, Chapin, SC. Christian Rister owned part of the 150 acre survey of 1748 to Christian Theus, the earliest survey in the Wateree Creek area of the Dutch Fork. Theus sold this grant to John Geiger and in 1768 Geiger sold the south 100 acre part of the survey to Christian Rister (Memorials 12- 467 ). Christian Rister's name is found among the Signatures of petitioners of St. Jacob's Church for membership into the Ecclesiastical Union.
In 1780, Christian Rister served in Waters' Regiment during the Revolutionary War. His occupation was a shoemaker. After the fall of Charles Town, he deeded 100 acres on Wateree Creek to John Adam Rister on 7 December 1816 and on 6 October 1817 was John Adam Rister was named Administrator of the estate of Christian Rister (Holcomb, "Memorialized Records of Lexington District, SC, 1814-1825").
The known children of Christian Rister are as follows:
A. Mary Ann Catherine Rister, born 1785, married Adam Fulmer, born 1780, died 13 October 1857, son of Capt. John Jacob Fulmer. They are buried in the Fulmer Cemetery under the waters of Lake Murray, Memorial is located at St. Peter's (Piney Woods) Lutheran Church, Chapin, SC.
1. Mary Margaret Fulmer, born 8 June 1805, died 11 November 1865, married about 1827 David Long, born 13 May 1804, died 27 April 1882, son of Thomas Long and Mary Magdalena Minick. They are both buried St. Peter's (Piney Woods) Lutheran Church, Chapin S.C.
2. Elizabeth Fulmer, born 29 September 1810, died 18 October 1887, married Levi Waites.
3. John George Fulmer, born 17 January 1813, died 12 November 1902, married 1) 5 April 1835, Margaret Bowers, born 5 April 1818; died 12 May 1849, daughter of John Jacob Bowers and Catherine Mayers, married 2) 8 December 1853, Harriet Lucinda Sites, born 28 June 1837, died 1 August 1915, daughter of Christian Sites and Catherine Lindler.
4. Manuel Elijah Fulmer, born 2 July 1815, died 4 July 1840.
5. Joseph Fulmer, born 20 November 1818, died 3 October 1883, married 25 January 1840, Elizabeth Epting, born 12 June 1818, died 16 September 1907, daughter of David Epting and Elizabeth Rhinehart. They are both buried St. Peter's (Piney Woods) Church.
6. Samuel Fulmer, born 10 April 1821, died 15 April 1856, married 25 November 1849 Mary Ann Bowers, born 25 January 1825, died 20 December 1907, daughter of John Jacob Bowers and Catherine Mayers. They are both buried Fulmer Cemetery under the waters of Lake Murray (memorial at St. Thomas Lutheran Church).
7. John Frederick Fulmer, born 14 February 1824, died 1 April 1903, married 1) 31 August 1844, Elizabeth Catherine Wheeler, daughter of John Simeon Wheeler and Elizabeth Mayer; married 2) Sarah Ann Catherine Fulmer. They are both buied. Fulmer Cemetery Chapin, S.C. John Frederick Fulmer had a female living with him named Jemima Dunn (an orphan) with whom he had a son, Lemuel Frederick Fulmer born 14 August 1888, died 13 November 1956 who married Rhoda Berley Shealy born 26 February 1887, died 13 December 1941, daughter of George Albert Shealy and Annie Eliza Shumpert. Lemuel Frederick Fulmer and his wife, Rhoda Shealy are buried Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery, Highway 6, Edmund, SC.
8. Rosa Fulmer, died at age 18.
B. Margaret Rister, born about 1787, married John Stoudemire, born about 1790, died 1840, son of George Stoudemire and wife, Ann Margaret.
1. Anna Christina Stoudemire, born 30 May 1816, died 25 April 1857. Did not marry.
2. Elijah Stoudemire, born 10 January 1818, died 11 February 1908, married Elizabeth Ann Turner, born 18 December 1817, died 3 March 1915, daughter of James Turner and wife, Hannah. Both buried Stoudemire family cemetery, near Peak, SC. (Ref: The Derrick family by Charles A. Derrick, 1991)
3. John William Stoudemire, born 19 April 1820, died about 1865 (CSA).
4. David Stoudemire, born 28 October 1822, died 26 November 1862, Orange C. H., Virginia, (CSA), married Margaret E. ___.
5. Amos J. Stoudemire, born 9 April 1825, died 17 September 1862, (CSA), killed in action, Culpepper, Virginia, married Martha Amelia ___.
6. Sarah Stoudemire, born 20 June 1827, died before 1875, married before 1854, (his second wife) Jacob Ivy Bundrick, born 1833, died 8 February 1889, son of Jacob Bundrick and Ruth Busby.
7. Eve Margaret Stoudemire, born 13 January 1823, married John Adam Hamiter, Jr.
8. Elizabeth Lavina Stoudemire, born 27 June 1829, died 4 December 1857, married before 1853, (his first wife) Jacob Ivy Bundrick. He married 2) Sarah Stoudemire born 20 June 1827 (sister to Elizabeth) and married 3) before 1868, Ruth Ann Epting.
9. Eve Margaret Stoudemire, born 13 January 1832, married John Adam Hamiter, Jr. born 1834, died 1905, son of John Adam Hamiter, Sr. and Anna C. Bundrick.
10. Adam Jackson Stoudemire, born about 1836, married 28 June 1858, Martha Stoudemire, born 6 July 1836, died 15 Janaury 1898, daughter of George Stoudemayer and Laodicea Fulmer.
C. John Adam Henry Rister, born 1788, died 1852, married Annie Catherine George, born 1792, died 5 January 1858, daughter of Ludwig George and Anna Burketta Areheart. (Death date from Rev. Daniel Efird's Journal - "Preached the funeral of Old Mrs. Rister at Misser Rawl's house)
1. John Christian Rister, born 28 November 1811, died 1868, married 1) Rosannah Wheeler, born 26 February 1792 died 26 May 1862, daughter of Michael Wheeler and his wife, Katherine. They had no children. John Christian Rister married 2) about. 1862, Martha Rickard born about 1818 died 26 April 1921, daughter of George Rickard and Mary Ann Schwartz. All buried Rister Cemetery, Chapin SC (Daniel J. Haltiwanger was guardian of the following children):
a. John George Adam Rister, born 3 July 1863, died 29 September 1947, married Frances Ella Clark.
b. William David Rister, born 8 July 1865, died 3 June 1953.
2. Nancy Magdeline Rister, born 1814, married Andrew George, born about 1817, son of Ludwig George and Becky Stuck.
a. James C. George, born about 1837.
b. Nelson Benjamin George, born about 1840, died 9 May 1915 Cherryville, NC, married Isabel Shealy, born 1840, died about 1911 Cherryville, NC, daughter of John Andrew Shealy and Mary Ann Carolina Sease.
i. Berly George
ii. Davis George
iii. Emma George married John W. Corley
iv. Preston William George born 1853
v. John Jacob George born 15 June 1866, died 16 September 1932, buried St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Cherryville, NC, married 29 July 1896, Frances Pearl Mauney
vi. Mary L. George born about 1869 married Thomas E. Summer
vii. Henry D. George born 1874
viii. Andrew D. George born 1877
ix. Ada George born 1880 married Wingard Counts.
c. Lewis O. George, born about 1841.
d. Polly George, born about 1843.
e. John A. George , born about 1846, died 29 September 1865.
f. Joel Standford George, born 7 August 1848, died 3 January 1926, married Martha Swittenberg, born 23 May 1839, died 3 January 1926, daughter of William and Mary Molly ____ Sweetenburg.
g. Andrew George, Jr. born about 1852
3. William Rister, born 1812, died 7 April 1852, married Mary Magdalene Summer, born 1821, died 28 August 1900. Both buried St. Jacob's Lutheran Church, Chapin, SC. The 1840 Lexington County Census list one female under 5 - I believe that this is Elizabeth.
a. Unknown son Rister, born about 1833, died before 1850
b. Elizabeth Rister, born about 1833, not married, buried in Jacob Eargle Cemetery, Lexington County, SC. Two children: Dora Rister, born June 1853, died 1903, buried Old Cemetery on Allen Ott's property in Lexington, SC and Washington Rister, born about 1863, married Eliza Koon born 16 September 1867, daughter of William Henry Koon and Louise Frances Eleazer.
c. William Thomas Rister, born 11 May 1834, died 27 April 1923, married 1) Amanda Ellen Ellisor, born 4 October 1834, died 20 January 1894 son of George F. Ellisor and Elizabeth Bushardt; married 2) Catherine L. June Bickley, born 26 October 1854, died 24 December 1914, daughter of Henry Bickley and married 3) m Aurelia Chapman born 10 August 1878, died April 1851; buried Capers Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Newberry County, SC, daughter of Noah Chapman and Lavina Lever. William Thomas Rister served during the Civil War, Company H, 13th Infantry and lost his leg. William Thomas Rister and first and second wives are buried St. Jacob's Lutheran Church, Chapin, S.C.
d. Nancy Catharine Rister, born 1841, married by Henry Meets of Lexington District on 8 March 1869 to James Solomon Dowd, born about 1838, died before 1870; one son, John Henry Dowd, born 14 August 1864 in Gaston, SC, died 30 December 1912, married Elizabeth L. Sturkie born 10 July 1873, died 10 May 1924, daughter of Joseph Sturkie and Charlotte Lucas. John is shown as a Rister on the 1870 census but should be a Dowd. On the 1880 Census, his name is given as John Hipp, the step child of Alfred Hipp. Nancy married 2) Alfred Hipp.
e. Susannah E. Rister, born about 1842.
f. Mary C. Rister, born about 1849.
g. Harriet Martha Rister born 1850, married Nathan H. Barrs born 1852, died before August 1912.
4. Mary Ann Rister, born 21 August 1821, died 29 June 1903, buried St. Jacob's Lutheran Church, Chapin S.C., married John Henry Metz, born about 1811, son of Henry Meetze and Elizabeth Freshley .
a. Susanna Cumming Metz, born 24 October 1841, died 14 December 1932, buried St. Jacob's Lutheran Church, Chapin S.C.
b. Orris Tilman Metz, born 5 June 1845, died 24 January 1918, married Georgia Ann Eleazer, born 1848, died unknown, daughter of George Bennett Eleazer and Mary Rosan Addy.
c. Mahala A. E. Metz, born about 1847, married ___ Hedgepath.
d. Austin Isaiah Metz, born 19 November 1848, died 15 October 1925, married Celia/Seely An Eargle, born 8 February 1848, died 13 October 1921, buried Schmit Cemetery, Richland County, (was Lexington County), SC, daughter of David Eargle and Mary Wessinger.
5. George Adam Rister, born 27 September 1824 Lexington County, SC, died 25 January 1896, married Amanda Barbara Eargle, born 22 October 1845 Lexington County, SC, died 15 February 1922, daughter of David Eargle and Mary Magdalene Wessinger; both buried St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Chapin, SC. He served during the Civil War listed as G. A. Rister, Company I, 15th Infantry.
a. James Rister born Wateree section of Lexington County, SC, died before 25 September 1978 in Decatur, DeKalb County, GA, married Elizabeth Turner
b. Nancy Rister born Wateree section of Lexington County, SC, married Levi Meetze
c. Mary Catherine Rister born 1879 Wateree section of Lexington County, SC, died 1959 in Newberry County, SC, married C. Lawson EnLow born 1860 in Newberry County, SC, died 1928, son of John EnLow and Rachel Taylor. Both buried St. Peter's ( Piney Wood's ) Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chapin, Lexington County, SC
d. Jacob Sidney born 6 April 1874 Wateree section of Lexington County, SC, died 30 May 1874.
e. John Adam Rister born 31 January 1879 Wateree section of Lexington County, SC, died 27 April 1934 Baptist Hospital, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, burial 29 April 1934 at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chapin, Lexington County, SC, married Bessie Mae Lindler born 23 May 1896, died 19 January 1945, burial Mt. Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Prosperity, Newberry County, SC, died 18 January 1948. Bessie married 2) Eddie M. Corley
f. Jonas Pickens Rister born 14 February 1881 Wateree section of Lexington County, SC, died 25 July 1943, married Minnie Ada Lindler born 24 May 1886 Chapin,.Lexington County, SC, died 16 June 1946 killed in a Automobile wreck with her son, Carol Edger Rister right after he came home from World War II, daughter of Paul Jacob Lindler and Martha Ellen Schmidt. Both buried Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church Cemetery, Little Mountain, Newberry County, SC
6. Anna Magdalene Rister, born 1827, married Jacob Slice born 1810.
a. Pruhe Slice, born about 1842
b. Godfrey Slice, born about 1845
c. Polly Slice born 12 March 1849, died 19 February 1930, married 2) John Dick Long born 9 June 1828, died 25 September 1924, son of Dick Long and Mary ________.
d. John Slice, born about 1852
e. Leonora Slice, born about 1854
f. William Slice, born about 1855
7. Samuel David Rister, born 8 July 1833 Chapin, Lexington County, SC, died 14 December 1925 Chapin, Lexington County, SC, burial 15 October 1925 married Barbara Elizabeth Eargle, born 19 December 1841 Chapin, Lexington County, SC, died 11 May 1932, daughter of David Eargle and Mary Magdalene Wessinger. Both buried St. Jacob's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chapin, Lexington County, SC. He served during the Civil War listed as S. Rister, Company I, 15th Infantry.
a. Mary Jane Rister born 1 August 1862, died 17 December 1935, married Cornelius Pritchard Williams born 30 November 1856 in Village of Peak Station, SC, died 26 September 1933, Prosperity, Newberry County, SC, son of George Williams ans Cedecia Amick. Both buried Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chapin. Lexington County, SC.
b. John David Rister born 28 May 1864 in Chapin, died 28 July 1946 at the home of his daughter Mrs. George Lindler, Peak, Newberry County, SC, burial 30 July 1946, married Mary Alice Wessinger born 23 October 1877 in Chapin died 14 February 1913, daughter of John Wessinger and Mary Slice. Both buried St. Jacob's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chapin, Lexington County, SC,
c. Henry Godfrey Rister born 17 May 1868 in Chapin, Lexington County, SC, died 8 June 1956. Burial St. Jacob's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Lexington County, SC
d. Franklin P. Rister born 31 March 1869 in Chapin, Lexington County, SC, died 22 October 1955. Burial St. Jacob's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chapin, Lexington County, SC
e. Laura Elizabeth Rister born 3 October 1871 Chapin, Lexington County, SC, died 15 January 1948, burial 16 January 1948, married Martin Luther Slice born 3 July 1869, died 22 October 1944, son of William Slice and Mary. Both buried St. Jacob's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chapin, Lexington County, SC.
f. George William Rister born 2 June 1876 in Chapin, died 4 September 1968, burial St. Jacob's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chapin. Lexington County, SC
g. George Robert Rister born 20 August 1879 in Chapin, died 27 October 1938, burial at St. Jacob's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chapin, Lexington County, SC, married Annie Belle Morris.
h. M. Ada Rister born 25 October 1875, died 14 April 1920, burial St. Jacob's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chapin, Lexingto County, SC, married George Laurence Lucas.
i. Charlie O'Bryan Rister born 20 May 1883, died 18 July 1981, burial Elmwood Cemetery, married Corrie Elberta Slice born 6 April 1904, daughter of Nora Webster Slice.
8. Lewis Soloman Rister, born 6 December 1837, died 8 December 1884. He served during the Civil War listed as L. S. Rister, Company G, 22nd Infantry.
9. Henry Godfrey Rister, born 1838, died 5 January 1858.
XII. Christiana Rister born about 1748 in Stein, Germany. - (Memorial Book 13;15 September 1774-6 July 1775) Christiana Rishter, 12 October 1774: 100 acres in Craven County on waters of Broad River. Bounded NE on Mack Davies and William Beel; E on Thomas Frank; SE on Christn Davies; other sides vacant. Survey certified 15 March 1773, granted 25 May 1774. Quit rent in 10 years, Pat Cunningham. DS. Delivered 29 November 1774 to Michael Dickert 9 13-48;4)
XIII. Anna Barbara Rister, born 8 March 1749 in Stein, Germany. It is believed that she married George Freshley. The 100 acre grant of 1774 to Barbara Rishter near Spring Hill was incorporated into the 200 acre survey of 1788 to George Freshley. (Memorial Book 13; 15 Sep. 1774- 6- July 1775 page 136) Barbara Rishter, 12 October 1774; 100 acres in Craven County on waters of Broad River, Bounded NE on vacant land; SE on Geo. Frashley NW and SW on Heney Shuller, all other sides owner unknow. Survey certified 27 March 1773, granted 25 May 1774. Quit rent in 10 years. Pat Cunningham. DS. Delivered 29 November 1774 to Michael Dickert. (13-48:1) This land became that of George Freshley.
A. Christian Freshley, born 13 May 1780, died 9 February 1857, married Nancy Watt daughter of William Watt.
B. John Freshley
Please forward all questions, corrections, and additions
for this Rister Bio to the Corresponding Editor: Sarah Moore Branham
E-Mail: Pacolady@aol.com
