Philip Unruh was born into a prosperous family of Germantown farmers. His father and uncle between them owned great swaths of land in upper Germantown. They had large families and baptized their children at the Reformed Church, and occasionally the Lutheran church, in Germantown. Philip was born in 1769, the second son of  Sebastian Unruh and Catherine Simon.1 He was a young boy during the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777 and the Battle of Germantown that October. The British headquarters of General Howe was just a few miles south of Philip’s home, and the battle raged around the house and lands of Philip’s uncle Nicholas. Wounded men were carried from the field of battle and some of them were taken to Nicholas Unruh’s house.2 The battle ended in a defeat for the Americans and the British still in possession of the city. Two years later both Sebastian and Nicholas enrolled in the militia, although they were not known to be in active service.3

About 1794 Philip married a woman named Barbara.4 Her last name is not known.5 They started their family and had a son John born the next year, to be followed by at least six more children. In 1804, Sebastian and Catherine gave Philip a tract of 97 acres in Bristol Township, in return for an annuity of $26 to be paid to them every year while they lived, and one-time payments of $233 to Philip’s brother William and $1200 to them.  Sebastian and Catherine were to have free use of the “new room and dwelling” they were living in, plus half of the garret, use of the kitchen and cellar in the old house, the spring, the bake oven, and stabling for two cows.6 The house had been built by the Rubicam family before they sold the property in 1764 to Johannes Unruh, Sebastian’s father, who in turn sold it to Sebastian.7 Philip’s brother George owned an adjoining tract of 62 acres, and in 1805 George bought a small piece of seven acres from Philip, probably to get access to a road.8 Philip signed the deed in German style; Barbara signed by mark. In 1821 Philip bought from his brother Abraham a tract of 78 acres with a house in Germantown, on the road to Livezey’s mill.9 In 1833 Philip was listed in the Philadelphia directory in Bristol Township, one mile east of Germantown, back of Eight-mile Lane.10

On October 6, 1806, a tragic accident took the life of Philip’s cousin Sebastian and maimed Philip’s brother John.11

On a militia training day after the mustering had been answered and the companies dismissed, two Unruh brothers, William and John, sons of Sebastian Unruh, and Sebastian, a son of John, having charge of the cannon, on their way home with the gun halted on Church Street (then called Bone Lane), at the rear of St. Michael’s Lutheran churchyard, to fire a parting salute, one of them remarking in a jestingly way, it was said, that ‘now we will raise the dead.’ While ramming home the cartridge, the vent became so hot that the thumb of the holder was taken therefrom and a premature discharge of the cannon resulted. William’s left arm was blown off, John lost his right arm and Sebastian was killed outright, his head having been blown off.12

Later that month Philip’s two youngest brothers, William and Abraham, went to the Orphans’ Court in Philadelphia with a petition, stating that they were above the age of 14 years but not yet 21, and that they had no guardian to care for their estates. They petitioned the court to choose a guardian for them, and the court chose John Unruh.13 A petition like this to the court would normally be done after the father’s death, but George Sebastian would not die for another seven years.14 Had he been incapacitated, perhaps by a stroke? In any case he and Catherine presumably lived with Philip and Barbara the entire time while Philip and Barbara had their seven children. George Sebastian died in 1813 at age 74.15 He was probably buried in the family burying ground on Philip’s land. Catherine died in 1818, at age 72.

Philip wrote his will in November 1835, one week before he died.16 He left the farm and house to his son Samuel, with the understanding that Barbara would stay in a room in the house, with privileges of using the kitchen, as much firewood as she needed, and a yearly annuity.17 The farm in Germantown was left to the son Jacob and a farm on the Montgomery-Philadelphia County line was left to the son Abraham.18 Philip’s son John had died before him, so Philip left a cash legacy to John’s son Philip and Henry when they reached the age of 21. The six living children were to share the remainder of Philip’s estate. After he died, the inventory was taken, showing the goods of a prosperous farmer, with an estate valued at $4167. The sons Samuel and Abraham were the executors.19 Samuel inherited the farm, and his mother Barbara probably stayed there, as she had been for thirty years. She died in 1842, survived by six of her children.20 She made a will, leaving her clothing and bedding to her three daughters, and the remainder of her estate to all six children.21 The inventory included furniture for one room, plus $959 in bonds and cash on hand. She and Philip were buried at Ivy Hill.22

Children of Philip and Barbara:23

John, born 1795, died 1833, married in 1820 at Germantown Reformed Church, Mary Benner, daughter of Henry Benner and Maria Magdalena Unruh.24 After John died Mary married John Kerper in 1834. Children: Philip, Caroline, Henry, Mary Ann25.

Catharine, born 1797, died 1881, married George Kerper in 1816 at Germantown Reformed Church26; buried at Boehm’s Church in Blue Bell. In 1850 they were living in Whitpain Twp, Montgomery County, where George was farming.27 He died in 1879; she died two years later. They were buried at Boehm Cemetery in Blue Bell.28  Children: Abraham, Barbara, Maria, George, Mary Ann, Catherine, Hiram, Willamina, Charles.

Maria, born 1799, died 1875, married Henry Campbell in 1819 at Germantown Reformed Church. He was a farmer in Springfield, Montgomery County.29 Maria died in 1875; Henry died 1876. They were buried at Ivy Hill. Children: Henry, Isaiah, Jonathan, Ann.30

Jacob, born 1801, died 1879, married Elizabeth Harper in 1827 at Germantown Reformed Church. He was a farmer in Germantown.31 Elizabeth died in 1870; Jacob died in 1879.32 They are buried at Market Square Cemetery (formerly German Reformed, later Presbyterian). Children: Jacob, George, Samuel, Ann, Sarah, Willamina, Jennetta.33

Anna, born 1804, died 1877, married Peter Maust. He was a farmer in Springfield Township. Peter died in 1853. Anna died in 1877 in Philadelphia. They were buried at Ivy Hill. Children: Anna, Barbara, Joseph, George, Samuel, Peter, John, Maria.

Samuel, born 1807, died 1860, married in 1830 Harriet Burns. He was a farmer in Bristol township.34 He died in October 1860; she died in 1875. They were buried at Ivy Hill. Children: Barbara, Samuel, Phebe, Susan, John, Hannah, Harriet, Maria, Mary.

Abraham, born 1809, died 1878, married Margaret Unruh. She was his first cousin, the daughter of Philip’s brother William and his wife Esther. Abraham was a farmer in Springfield, Montgomery County. He died in 1878. Margaret died 1900. They were buried at Ivy Hill. Children: Esther, Charles, William, Emeline, Sarah, Abraham.