This is from an article "More on Greathouse (Groethausen) by Louise Franklin Johnson, Round Rock Texas - and Raymond Martin Bell, Coralville, Iowa FROM Keyhole, Genealogical Society of SWPA April 1998
Harmon Greathouse lived in Brooke County, West Virginia from 1773 to 1788 . His grandfather was HARMON GREATHOUSE (Groethausen,) born in Germany in 1670, acquired land in Pennsylvania from William Penn in 1709, died October 27, 1743 in Springfield Township, Philadelphia ( now Montgomery) county, Pennsylvania. He was buried in St. Michaels Churchyard, 3 miles from his farm.
The will of Harmon, written October 19, 1743, probated at Philadelphia November 16, 1743 Book G-49, names only sons Henry and John, who were his executors. The wife was likely dead. The witnesses to the will were John Philip de Bertholt, Wigard Miller, Cornelius Neus. John 1697-1791, son of Harmon, married November 10, 1720 (Anna) Amelia Miller, who died November 1, 1774.
The father of Harmon Greathouse of Brooke County was HENRY GREATHOUSE He was born in Germany in 1695 and died in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster ( now Berks) County between January 3, 1795 and February 28, 1745. (typed as written, dates do not fit!) He was buried at St Michael's.
On August 7, 1731 Henry witnessed the will of Jacob Kobel of Tulpehocken, now Berks County. It was proved ( Book E-184) at Philadelphia by Henry on March 16, 1732. This is the eartliest record of Henry. In September 1740 Henry and brother, John, were naturalized, but "did not take the oath because of scruples".
The will of Henry Greathouse was probated ( Book G-170) at Philadelphia, as was the custom for residents in other counties. The will names wife Ann ( was she a Rieger?) and ten children. The executors were John Orta, Michael Shower, John Van Hausen, John Greathouse and Wigard Miller. The witnesses were John Barge, Thomas Yorke, and Jacob Gans.
It is interesting that in Henry's will he give his wife Ann six acres "near water" in Springfield Township on land given to him by his father Harmon. A log house was to be built for her on this six acres. All other land owned by Henry as to be sold. In 1783 this six acres was taxed to the Groethausen Estate. Probably Ann had died shortly before.
The children of Henry and Ann Greathouse ( birth years approx)
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HARMON GREATHOUSE settled in Hollidays Cover about the year 1771. From his Harmon's Creek, which runs through the cove, takes its name. He settled near where Brown and Caldwell built the woolen factory. Mr. Greathouse, wife, three children and his sister, Mrs. Muncy, constituted his family/. One night Benjamin Davis, son of Nathaniel Davis Sr. as at Mr. Greathouse's house, when it was attacked by a party of Indians. While the Indians were prying at the door, and Greathouse and Davis were resisting them, Mrs. Greathouse and Mrs.Muncy ran and made a great noise among the chairs and other furniture, and called loudly men's names, urging them to come to the chest, and get powder and all. The Indians heard the calls and supposed the upper story was filled with men. At the proper time Mrs. Greathouse fired a rifle from the garret window, which dispersed the Indians. The family then fled to Edgingtons fort, protected by the darkness of the night. The following night the fort was surrounded and attacked by by Indians, but was successfully defended by twelve men, among whom was Greathouse, three Davis brothers, Huston, Edgington, Griffith and others.