Who is Valentine Ritter's Father?

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Who is the father of Valentine Ritter?

Ritter is a prevalent German surname. Very little is known about the father of Pvt. Valentine Ritter (b. 14-JUL-1749, d. 4-APR-1820). It has been established that his father was Baron Johannes Ritter, of noble birth, believed to be a baron in the court of King Frederick (b. 24-JAN-1712, d. 17-AUG-1786), a prominent Prussian citizen, and owned considerable real estate in Prussia. Some sources state Johannes had as many as 13 sons, all of whom, save Valentine, the youngest, served in the Prussian army of King Frederick the Great. In the early 1770s, upon completing his college education, Valentine confidently informed his father, relatives, and friends of his irrevocable decision to depart Germany for America.
 
German naming conventions generally were to have two given names, the first typically named after a saint, followed by the rufnamen, the name the child called. For example, all sons could have the first name of Johannes, named after John the Baptist, followed by a unique second name.
 
Below is a prime example of Maria Spiessin and Johannes Ritter having multiple sons with Johannes as their first name. The first son, Johannes Ritter without a second given name, while the second son Johannes Henricus Ritter has a second given name.

As of this update, the details of Baron Johannes Ritter, the father of Pvt. Valentine Ritter, and his ancestors are unknown. Baron Johannes Ritter descendant chart is below; click on the + before the name to expand the chart.

Below is the pedigree chart of Johannes Henricus Ritter, a possible candidate for Valentine's father. The dates fall within tolerance, meaning he would have been 23 years old when Valentine was born and died shortly after Valentine's departure to America in the early to mid-1770s.

Below is the descendant chart of Johannes Ritter, who fathered Johannes Ritter, who fathered two sons named Johannes; the first Johannes cannot be Valentine's father because he died before Valentine left Germany. The other son, Johannes Henricus Ritter, is mentioned above.

Below is the descendant chart of Hanss Ritter, who fathered Johannes Ritter, who fathered Johannes Ritter. However, no birth records were located for Valentine.