A Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy
the genealogy & family research site of Kris Hocker
Unknown Women (Witmers?)
A family portrait of three unidentified women and a girl. They may belong to the Witmer, Greulich or Snyder families of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. This photo was likely taken in the 1890s.
Saraphine Witmer’s Reformed Church confirmation certificate from 14 Apr 1878.
Saraphine Witmer's confirmation certificate
In genealogical research we are told to “research the relatives, neighbors, and associates” of our family member in order to learn more about them and hopefully take our family line back another generation. Richard Hayden wrote an excellent article that used relationships to establish a connection between his ancestor Casper Hoover (bef. 1755—1824) and Michael Hoover (?—1789), Casper’s father.1 Since German immigrants often moved and settled in groups, researching neighbors and associates—those people named as sponsors, witnesses, etc.—makes good sense. However, when are recurring surnames or individuals a connection and when are they merely a coincidence?
For instance, Michael Hoover purchased 75 acres of land from the “Third Resurvey of Sarah’s Delight” in Frederick County, Maryland from Christopher Shockey on 21 Oct 1769.2 Andrew Huber, John Huber and Henry Huber—presumably those Hoovers who moved to Fayette County, Pennsylvania—were named as witnesses to Valentine Shockey’s last will & testament, dated 8 Jun 1773.3 Additionally, Christopher Shockey sold 183 acres of “Third Resurvey of Sarah’s Delight” to Johannes Hoover, possibly the son of Ulrich Huber of Conestoga County, Pennsylvania, on 31 May 1773.4 All of these men lived or had lived in the area between Leitersburg and Ringgold in what is now Washington County, Maryland near the Pennsylvania border.
On 7 May 1776 Jacob Hoover, son of Michael Hoover, and Jacob Harbaugh, both farmers of Frederick County, Maryland, took out a mortgage together for 200 acres of the “Third Resurvey of Sarah’s Delight” which they purchased from Valentine Shockey, son of Christopher Shockey.5 On 28 Nov 1778, Jacob Hoover, now of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, assigned his share of the property to Jacob Harbaugh.6 Jacob Harbaugh’s daughter Susanna married a John Jacob Hoover, born 1762 in Conococheague, Frederick County, Maryland, on 20 Jan 1787 at the Graceham Moravian Church.7 Andrew Huber’s daughter Maria Catharina married John Harbaugh, son of George Harbaugh (a brother of Jacob Harbaugh) also at the Moravian Church at Graceham.8
So, do these constitute connections or coincidences? To date no relationship has been determined between the Hoovers—except as noted. The men lived in the same general area and some of them at least may have been Mennonites. They were all German immigrants or German-speaking, 1st generation Americans. Therefore, it’s not surprising that they would have dealings with some of the same people.
But is it enough to suggest a deeper relationship? Probably not. But it’s interesting enough to suggest further research is necessary. Who knows what I might find.
What do you think? When does coincidence move into the realm of connection? Have you seen this in your own research? If so, what conclusions did you come to?
Rev. Caius Frederic Sophus Waage (1797-1884)
Rev. Caius Frederic Sophus Waage was born on 17 Aug 1797 in the Schleswig, Holstein, Denmark 1 He died 23 Aug 1884 in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He married Angelina Garber, daughter (I believe) of Benjamin and Hannah (Reiner) Garber. She died in 1897 in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Jacob2 Hoover (Andrew1) and his wife Anna Maria (___) both died in German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Jacob died sometime between 13 Aug 1798 when he sold 126 acres of land to John Lance and 8 Sep 1800 when his will was proved—most likely in late August or early September 1800. 1, 2 His will named his wife as his executor and the following beneficiaries: wife, Mary, sons and daughters, George Hoover, Elizabeth Simes [Shinn], Cathrine Shoemaker, Margaret Smith, Mary Choffin [Chafin], Magdalina Shoemaker, Rosanna Hoover, Barbra Bakert [Bacus], Rachail Hoover, Jemimah Hoover, Hanna Hoover. The witnesses were Abraham Stuart, James Wilson and Michael Cox.
Anna Maria (___) Hoover died sometime between 2 Dec 1808 and 20 Dec 1808. She named George and Joseph Hoover as her executors. Her beneficiaries were: son George, Jacob Hoover son of George; daughters: Hannah Hoover, Rachel Gray, Elizabeth Shines [Shinn], Catherine Shoemaker, Madelina Shoemaker, Margaret Smith, Mary Chafin, Barbary Barcus [Bacus], Rozannah Hoover, Jemima Bowman; granddaughter Milly Shines [Shinn], Elizabeth daughter of Hannah Hoover.3 The witnesses were George Vance and Samuel Gordon.
Based on these documents, Jacob and Anna Maria (___) Hoover had children:
So, what happened to these children?
John Shoemaker is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1790 U.S. Census.6 The household had 1 male (>16), 4 males (<16), and 1 female. John Shoemaker is also found in the township in 1800: 1 male (45+), 2 males (16-25), 2 males (10-15), 1 female (26-44), and 1 female (10-15).7 By 1810, John Shoemaker and family had moved to Breckinridge County, Kentucky.8
George Hoover is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1790 U.S. Census.9 The household had 1 male (>16), 1 male (<16), and 1 female. He is no longer listed there in 1800. However, he is listed in tax lists for Ohio County by 10 Sep 1800.10 In 1810, George Hoover is found in Ohio Township, Ohio County, Kentucky.11 The family had in the household: 1 male (45+), 2 males (16-25), 1 male (10-15), 2 males (<10), 1 female (26-44), 2 females (10-15), and 2 females (<10).
Adam Shoemaker is found in the 1810 U.S. census for Ohio Township, Ohio County, Kentucky. 12 The household contained 1 male (45+) and one female (45+).
George Shinn and family are found in the 1800 U.S. census for Whiteley Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania. 13 The household included: 1 male (45+), 1 male (10-15), 1 female (16-25), 1 female (10-15). In 1810, the family was enumerated in Wayne Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.14 In the household were 2 males (45+), 1 male (16-25), and 1 female (10-15). Elizabeth died prior to 6 Jan 1817, and may have likely died prior to the 1810 census enumeration.15
Godfrey Smith is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1790 U.S. Census.16 The household had 1 male (>16), 1 male (<16), and 2 females. Godfrey’s daughter Emily “Milly” married Jacob Bacus, son of Peter Bacus, on 27 Jan 1816 in Scioto County, Ohio.17 By 1819, Godfrey was living in Greenup County, Kentucky.18 They are found in this county in the 1820 U.S. census enumeration.19 The household included: 1 male (45+), 1 male (16-26), 1 male (16-18), 1 male (10-16), 1 female (45+), 1 female (16-26), 1 female (10-16), 1 female (<10). The family is still in Greenup County in 1830.20
Peter Bacus and family were in Green Township, Scioto County, Ohio by 1820 and may have been there even earlier.21 The family included: 1 male (45+), 1 male (16-26), 3 males (<10), 1 female (45+), and 2 females (10-16). The family is still there in 1830: 1 male (60-70), 1 male (15-20), 2 males (10-15), 1 female (60-70), and 1 female (20-30).22
Joseph Hoover is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1800 U.S. census.23 The household consisted of 1 male (16-25) and 1 female (16-25). The family is also there in 1810.24 The household consisted of: 1 male (26-44), 1 male (10-15), 1 male (<5), 1 female (16-25), 1 female (10-15), and 1 female (<5). Joseph Hoover is listed in township tax records from 1800 through 1816 when he and wife Hannah sold the 75 acres they inherited from Mary Hoover to Hugh Gilmore.25
In 1808, James Gray was living in German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on a portion of the Hoover’s property. Mary Hoover gave this part of the property to her daughter Rachel in her will.26 I did not find James Gray in the Fayette County census records. However, there is a James Gray living adjacent Godfrey and Jacob Smith in Greenup County, Kentucky in 1820.27 The household includes: 1 male (26-45), 1 male (16-26), 4 males (<10), 1 female (45+), 1 female (16-26), and 2 females (<10). This could be the James and Rachel (Hoover) Gray family.
I have no information on Mary (Hoover) Chaffin, Rosanna Hoover, or Jemima (Hoover) Bowman. Do you have any information on any of these families you’d like to share? If so, please let a comment or drop me a line.
I just recently got the death certificate for the last of my direct ancestors who died after 1906—the year Pennsylvania started registering births and deaths at the state level, as opposed to the county level. Her name was Judith (Deysher) Snyder.
Judith (Deysher) Snyder Death Certificate
Judith was the widow of Joseph Snyder.1 She died of paralysis on 17 May 1906 and was buried on the 24th at the New Goshenhoppen Church Cemetery in East Greenville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was born on 15 Aug 1830 to Peter Deischer and Maria Trump in Pennsylvania.
Judith married Joseph Snyder circa 1855 and had children:
An examination of 1850 census records showed a Peter and Maria Deisher, ages 55 and 56, in Hereford Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. 2 Presuming this is the correct Peter and Maria, then Judith likely had a brother Charles and a sister Amanda. The household was:
Peter Deischer can be found in Hereford Township in the 1820, 1840, 1850, and 1860 U.S. census records. He likely died sometime between 1860 and 1870 as Maria shows up in the 1870 census in Charles Deysher’s household.
Researching an individual is particularly difficult when they have a common name. It is even more difficult if there is more than one person of the same name in the same general location at apparently the same time. Such is the case with Christian Hoover of Hempfield Township, Lancaster County.
#6 Christian Hoover tract
Land documents show three warrants for tracts in Hempfield Township granted to “Christian Hoober,” all dated in 1743 or 1744.1 Two of the warrants were patented to Christian Hoober and the third was patented to Martin Hoover. An additional, adjacent tract in Warwick Township, warranted to “Christian Hooper,” was patented to Christian Hoober on 12 Dec 1747.2,3
The first tract was in the north eastern corner of present day East Hempfield (see #6 on map at right). It was warranted to Christian Hoober on 10 Jan 1744/5 and patented to him on 12 Dec 1747 (Patent Book A-13:328). The adjacent tract was the Warwick Township tract patented to Christian Hoober on 12 Dec 1747.4 These tracts belonged to the same man.
On 16 May 1767 Christian Hoover and wife Margareth sold 2 tracts of land to Jacob Oberholtzer—one of 57.5 acres and the other of 121 acres. Tract 6 on the warrantee township map was 57 acres.5 So, he sold this parcel and part of the tract in Warwick Township that he patented in 1747 that was warranted “Christian Hooper.”
Christian Hoover tract
The second tract was located to the south and west and apparently sat in both the present East and West Hempfield townships (see map left). This tract was warranted to Christian Hoober on 8 Jun 1743 and patented to him on 16 Jun 1743 (Patent Book A-11:145). It was surveyed on 12 Mar 1735/6.6 This tract later belonged to Christian’s son John Huber Esq.
On 14 Dec 1758, the heirs of Christian Hoover, late of Hempfield Township—namely Martin Hoover and Catharine his wife, Jacob Hoover and Ann his wife, Henry Funk and Elizabeth (Hoover) his wife—sold to John Hoover, another son of Christian Hoover, 224 acres in Hempfield Township (see map #2).7 On 1 Sep 1764, Christian Hoffman and Barbara (Hoover) his wife sold their share of Christian Hoover’s property to Barbara’s brother John.8 And finally on 10 Jun 1769, John Bausler and Anna (Hoover) his wife sold their interest in the property to John Hoover.9 Two additional sons of Christian Hoover were mentioned in the deeds—Michael and Christian Jr. They apparently “died in their Minority unmarried without issue.” 10
#41 Christian Hoober tract
The third tract is located in the present day West Hempfield Township. It was warranted to Christian Hoober on 15 Aug 1744 and patented to Martin Hoover on 12 Apr 1750 (Patent Book A-15:337). It was surveyed 12 Apr 1737.11 Martin Hoover was Christian’s eldest son.
The West Hempfield tract that was patented to Martin Hoover was given to his sons Joseph and Isaac Hoover in his 1788 last will & testament.12
Based on the land warrant, patent and deed records, it is apparent that there were two different men named Christian Hoover in Hempfield Township. The first died sometime prior to 27 Nov 1757.13 The second Christian Hoover was alive at least as late as 1771 when he sold land he purchased in Lancaster Borough to Rupertus Hartaffel.14
Christian Hoover (died bef. 1757) had a son named Christian, but since he died prior to 1758, the second Christian Hoover can not be the son of the first. The first Christian was located in Hempfield Township prior to 1735/6 when tract #2 was surveyed. The second Christian was in Hempfield Township before 21 Feb 1746/7 when the first tract was surveyed.15
An examination of Martic Township, Lancaster County tax lists available for the years 1751 through 1772 shows the following Hoovers in the township.1
1751
1754
1756 (Tax list)
1756 (Assessment)
1757
1757
1758
15 Nov 1758
1759
7 Dec 1769
1770 (Assessment)
1770 (Tax list)
1771
1772
These Hoover families (4~5 families) have been referred to as the Byerland Hoovers because of their proximity to the Byerland Meeting house in Martic Township. They lived in southeastern Conestoga Township (now Pequea Township) and northwestern Martic Township (now Providence Township). The original settlers included Ulrich Huber (ca 1703—1757), Jacob Huber (ca 1698—bef 23 Nov 1739), Henry Huber (bef 1712—1758), Henry Huber (bef 1719—1767/69), and Jacob Huber (ca 1698—1759), son of Hans Huber of Earl Township.
Martic Township Hoover properties
Ulrich Huber’s Conestoga Township property was just to the north of and adjacent to Jacob Huber’s and Hans Boyer’s properties (see top left of the image).
Researchers have determined that somewhere between 1% and 4% of the human Eurasian genome is Neanderthal. It has always been believed that Homo Sapiens and Neanderthal were separate lines of descent from a common ancestor. So, how is it that we carry some of the same DNA?
“The most likely explanation, say the researchers, is that there was limited mating, or “gene flow”, between Neanderthals and the ancestors of present-day Eurasians.
This must have taken place just as people were leaving Africa, while they were still part of one pioneering population. This mixing could have taken place either in North Africa, the Levant or the Arabian Peninsula, say the researchers.”
What genes might they have passed on to us? The most telling differences between the two species are found in our physical appearance. The Neanderthals had stockier, more muscular physical frames. But there were likely behavioral differences too. Those traits that were carried on were likely those that proved useful to survival in our gene pool.
“So when we see that their anatomies are gone, this isn’t just chance. Those things that made the Neanderthals apparent to us as a population – those things didn’t work. They’re gone because they didn’t work in the context of our population.”
You can read the full article on the BBC News website.