Year: 2012

Samuel Hocker

Today, I found the second reference to a Samuel Hocker associated with my Hacker-Hocker family.

The first reference was in St. Michael’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Germantown, Pennsylvania. A Samuel Hocker, son of Christopher Hacker & wife, aged 16, was confirmed at St. Michael’s on 2 April 1809. A sister, Elizabeth, aged 17, was confirmed on the same day. They were both baptized on 31 March 1809.1

Today’s reference was located in the estate papers of John Hocker from August 1844. One of the debts listed in the petition to sell his real estate is to Samuel Hocker for $500.2 I believe this John Hocker was named the trustee of Catherine (Daub) Hocker on 16 August 1836 during her father’s estate proceedings. If I’m correct, then Catharine (Daub) Hocker would have been the mother of Samuel Hocker and wife of John’s uncle Christopher Hocker.

Another clue in the mystery of Christopher Hocker (ca 1776-?)!

John Hocker (1796-1844) was the son of Martin Hocker Sr. (1762-1830) and Ann Mason (1768-1826) of Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.


Amanuensis Monday — Partition of Thomas Kinnard’s Estate (Part 2)

Here’s part two of Thomas Kinnard’s estate records. (You can read part one here.)

Partition of Thomas Kinnard's estate diagram

Partition diagram

In pursuance of a writ of Partition or valuation on the Real Estate of Thomas Kinnard late of Burrel [sic] Township Deceased by the Orphan’s Court of the County of Armstrong granted and to R M Kiskaden Esq High Sheriff of the County aforesaid directed.

Surveyed on the 9th day of February AD 1866 In pursuance of the said writ of Partition and to the heirs and legal Representatives of the said Thomas Kinnard Decd the above described trace of land situate in Burrell Township Armstrong County and divided into three parts as above marked A. B. & C viz That part of the tract of land marked A contains fifty seven acres and eleven perches that part marked B contains seventy six acres and twenty nine perches that part of the diagram marked C Contains thirty six acres and twenty four perches making in the whole tract of land one hundred and sixty nine acres and sixty four perches strict measure.

Alexander Gordon Artist

 

And now to wit: 5th March AD 1866 Inquisition Confirmed and a Rule on the heirs and legal Representatives of said deceased to appear on the first day of next term (being the 4th day of June 1866) and accept or refuse the premises at the valuation thereof of show cause why the same should not be sold. Personal notice on all parties interested.

By the Court

Rule issued 21 March AD 1866

 

May 2nd 1866 Served on Robert Klingensmith and wife Benjamin F. Kinnard and wife William Mansfield and wife Henry George Kinnard. May 24th on Lebius Kunkle & wife by Reading and copies. so ans. W W Bony Dep Sheriff

April 27th 1866 Served on Henry Darbaker and his wife by reading and copy. so ans R M Kiskaden Sheriff

Served May 2rd 1866 the within notices on Christ Hoover and Caroline Hoover personally by reading so ans. Wm Dunlap Dep Sheriff of Jefferson Co. Pa

 

DECREE

And now to wit: 4th June AD 1866 this cause came on to be [heard?] on return of the Rule upon the heirs to accept of refuse the several allotments according to law and all the heirs being severally called according to law came as follows:  Benjamin F. Kinnard who accepts of allotment “B” William Mansfield who in right of his wife Christena and accepted allotment “A” and Lebuis Kunkle who in right of his wife Sarah accepted of Allotment “C” and the said several parties offered to the Court as sureties as follows: Benjamin F. Kinnard  Wm. Deshong, Wm Mansfield, Samuel Mansfield Senr, and Lebuis Kunkel and Daniel Kunkle . Whereupon the Court do now hear order adjudge and decree as follows to wit: That B.F. Kinnard take and hold to him and his heirs & assigns in fee simple the said allotment “B” and that the said Wm Mansfield in right of his said wife take and hold to them and his heirs & assigns in fee simple the said allotment “A” and that the said Lebius Kunkle in the right of his said wife take and hold to him and his heirs and assigns in fee simple the said allotment “C” And that said acceptants Severally pay to the other heirs their part of the said valuation money and that the costs be paid out of the said valuation money and the Court approve the Sureties as aforesaid

By the Court

Recognizance executed and file

Amanuensis Monday — Partition of Thomas Kinnard’s Estate (Part 1)

Petition of Benjamin F. Kinnard for Partition of the Estate of Thomas Kinnard late of Burrell Township, Deceased

To the Honorable the Judges of the Orphans Court in and for the county of Armstrong in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ~ The Petition of Benjamin F. Kinnard of the said County Respectfully Showeth that he is one of the heirs and legal representatives of Thomas Kinnard late of Burrell township in the said County deceased that that [sic] the said Thomas Kinnard died on or about the month of April 1858 intestate That the said deceased at the time of his death was lawfully seized in his demesne as of fee of an in a certain piece parcel or tract of land Situate partly in Burrell and partly in Plum Creek township in said County adjoining lands of Samuel Kepple and Jacob Young on the north John L Keir on the east Absalom Klingensmith on the south and William Ramally on the west containing about one hundred and fifty acres more or less. And your petitioner further showeth that the said Thomas Kinnard died leaving surviving a widow Mary Kinnard who is since dead and seven children who are still living to wit: Catharine now married to Henry Darbaker, Christianna married to William Mansfield, Caraline [sic] married to Christopher Hoober (in Jefferson County), Sarah married to Lebius Kunkle, Benjamin F. Kinnard (your petitioner) Henry George Kinnard and Sarah Jane married to Robert Klingensmith, all of the said heirs being of full age. Your petitioner further says that the tract of land has never been parted and divided between said heirs according to law. And your petitioner therefore prays your Honors to award an inquest to make Partition of the premises aforesaid to and among the said parties interest in such manner and in such proportions as by said laws, laws [sic] of this Commonwealth is directed if such partition can be made without prejudice to or spoiling the whole but if such partition cannot be made thereof then to value and appraise the same and make return of the proceedings according to law and as in duty bound he will pay &c

Benjamin F. Kinnard

Sworn & subscribed this 4th day of December 1865

P K Bowman, Clerk OC

 

And now to wit: 4th December 1865 Inquest award with personal notice on all parties interested

By the Court

 

5th December 1865 Writ issued

 

Served on Henry Darbaker and Catharine Darbaker his wife, Wm Mansfield and Christena Mansfield his wife Benjamin F Kinnard, Henry G Kinnard Robert Klingensmith, Susan J. Klingensmith his wife, Lebius Kunkle and Sarah Kunkle his wife by reading and copies, and to Christopher Hoober  and Caroline Hoober his wife by the Sheriff of Jefferson County see copy attached, and further Execution of this writ appears [from?] a certain schedule hereto annexed

So answers R M Kiskaden, Shff

 

Inquisition [executed?] and taken at the late dwelling house of Thomas Kinnard late of Burrell Township Deceased on the 9th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty six before R M Kiskaden Esq High Sherill of the County of Armstrong in the state of Pennsylvania by virtue of a writ of Partition or Valuation to him directed and to this Inquisition annexed by virtue of the Oaths of Jonathan Myers, Abraham Klingensmith, Isaac Smith, Andrew Cover, Isaac Rupert, Absalom Klingensmith, James Wyatt, Andrew Rubbert, and Samuel Kepple twelve free honest and lawful men of his Bailiwick who on their Oaths as aforesaid respectively do say that on the day and year aforesaid they went to and upon the lands and tenements of which Thomas Kinnard in the said writ mentioned died seized and then and there in the presence of the parties therein named and by me warned and find that the same land and tenements with the appurtenances could not be parted and divided to and among all the children of of the deceased without prejudice to and spoiling the whole thereof. And therefore the inquest aforesaid on their solemn oaths aforesaid did then and there further find that the said lands and tenements with the appurtenances will divide into three parts with out prejudice and spoiling the whole viz That part of the said lands and tenements with the appurtenances included and bounded by the following courses and distances viz Beginning at a post thence by land of Absalom Klingensmith north eighty eight degrees west eighty four perches to a post thence by a part of said land in the diagram hereunto annexed marked as “B” north two degrees west one hundred perches to a post thence by land of Jacob Young South Seventy five degrees east one hundred and nineteen perches to a post thence by lands of John S Kier South forty seven degrees east twelve perches to a post thence by lands of Charles Rubbert South thirty degrees west Seventy three perches to the Beginning Containing fifty seven acres and eleven perches situate partly in Burrell & partly in Plum Creek Township and in the diagram hereunto annexed marked with “A” and therefore the inquest aforesaid on their Oaths have valued and appraised the same at fifteen dollars per acre amounting to the sum of $856.03 at and for which sum of money aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid do value and appraise the same. And all that piece or parcel of Land with the appurtenances contained within the Boundaries following viz. Beginning at a post thence by land of Absalom Klingensmith thence north eighty eight degrees west one hundred and ten perches to a post thence by a part marked C on the diagram hereunto annexed north two degrees west one hundred and twenty four perches to a post thence by lands of Samuel Kepple  and Jacob Young South seventy five degrees east one hundred and fourteen perches to a post, thence by the part marked “A” on the diagram South two degrees east one hundred perches to the Beginning Containing seventy six acres and twenty nine perches (Situate in Burrell Township) and therefore the inquest aforesaid on their oaths aforesaid have valued and appraised the same at the sum of $18.00 per acres amounting to the sum of $1371.26 for which sum as aforesaid the inquest aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid do value and appraise the same ~ And all that piece or parcel of land with appurtenances contained with the boundaries following viz Beginning at a post thence by lands of Absalom Klingensmith north two west eighty perches to a post, north sixty six west forty six perches to a white oak thence by land of Wm McKenna South Seventy one degrees west twenty one perches to a spruce pine thence by Andrew Rubbert and Wm Ramely north twenty two degrees east one hundred and twenty six perches to a post, thence by lot marked “B” South two degrees east one hundred and twenty four perches to the Beginning Containing thirty six acres and twenty four perches on the diagram marked “C.” And therefore the inquest aforesaid on their oaths aforesaid have valued and appraised the same at $15.00 per acre amounting to the sum of $542.25 the inquest aforesaid do value and appraise the same. In testimony whereof as well the said Sheriff as the inquest aforesaid have to this inquisition, interchangeably set their hands and seals Dated the day and year above written. R M Kiskaden, Sheriff  (seal)

Jonathan Myers (seal)      James Wyatt (seal)

Abraham Klingensmith (seal)  Wm Ramely (seal)

Isaac Smith (seal)     A. J. Remaly (seal)

Andrew Cover (seal)     Wm Deshong (seal)

Isaac Rubbert (seal)     Andrew Rubbert (seal)

Absalom Klingensmith (seal)     Samuel Kepple (seal)

Allotment A Contains 57 acres 11 perches appraised at $15.00 per acre  $856.03

” B ” 76 ” 29 ” ” $18.00 ” ” $1371.26

” C ” 36 ” 24 ” ” $15.00 ” ” $542.25

Amount $2769.54

Partition of Thomas Kinnard's estate diagram

Partition diagram

Read Amanuensis Monday — Partition of Thomas Kinnard’s Estate (Part 2).

Surname Saturday: Alexander Bonnington

Alexander Bonnington

Alexander Bonnington (1875-1964)

From Scotland to West Virginia

Alexander Bonnington was born on 16 August 1875 in Durhamtown, Bathgate, Linlithgow, Scotland, the third son of Peter Purvis and Elizabeth (Buchanan) Bonnington.1 He grew up in the lowlands of Scotland between Edinburgh and Glasgow. His father died on 16 September 1891 when Alexander was 16 years-old.2

On 27 January 1899, he married Christina Peace, daughter of James and Isabella (Brown) Peace, in Loanhead, Lasswade, Edinburgh, Scotland.3 By the fall 1900, Alexander and Christina were living in England as their eldest child James P. Bonnington was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland on 5 November 1900. They were living in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne at the time of the 1901 census for England.4 Alexander was a clerk.

The Bonningtons did not remain in England, however. By the fall of 1913, the family was living in Wallaceburg, Kent, Ontario, Canada. Their daughter Alexandra Marguerite Bonnington was born there on 9 November 1913.5 Alexander was a chemical engineer.

Alexander made several trips to the United States. He crossed into the U.S. at Niagara Falls on 5 December 1915, then at St. Albans, Vermont on 24 December 1915.6 According to his border crossing card, he had previously been to the U.S. in 1910 to visit his sister Elizabeth Cochrane of 35 West 18th Street, Harrisburg. He had arrived on 1 August in New York.

This time, apparently, was to settle in the U.S. His wife Christina followed him, entering through Niagara Falls on 6 January 1916, accompanied by her children James and Alexandra.7 It appears from her entry card that her husband was working for a chemical company, perhaps out of New Jersey.

The family was settled in South Charleston, West Virginia by 17 January 1920 when they were listed in the 1920 U.S. Census.8 Christina died sometime between the 1920 census and 1924 when Alexander remarried.9 He married Martha Krich and the couple had a son. In 1930, the family was living in Huntingdon, Cabell County, West Virginia.10

Martha (Krich) Bonnington died in Cabell County, West Virginia on 1 March 1953.11 I believe Alexander died in Nebraska in February 1964.

Alexander was my 3rd great uncle, his sister Eliza Craig (Bonnington) Smith Cochrane, my GG grandmother. My grandfather Hocker and his sister Jean spoke of their parents visiting him in West Virginia.

 

Convoluted Family Relationships…

I just discovered that Maria Margaretha (Hager) Elser was the aunt of Hans Adam Hacker’s brother-in-law Lorentz Haushalter. My ancestor Hans Adam traveled to Pennsylvania on the same ship as Heinrich Mock and Johan Peter Elser, also of Rußheim. Heinrich Mock was Margaretha’s fiancée and Johan Peter Elser was her son. They all settled in Lancaster County and were members of the Warwick Congregation in Warwick/Elizabeth Township.

Who Were the Byerland Hoovers?

If you’ve been following my Huber/Hoover research, you may have seen me refer to some of them as “Byerland Hoovers.” Who were they? And why am I calling them the “Byerland Hoovers?”

The Byerland Hoovers were the earliest Hoover families to appear in the Lancaster County tax records. They were all Mennonites who settled in Conestoga and Pequea townships along Pequea Creek. They are called the Byerland Hoovers because of their proximity to the Byer/Boyer Mennonite Meeting House.1

Joanne Hoover coded these Hoovers in her research as follows:

  • [H] Woolrich Hoover
  • [J] Jacob Hoover
  • [K] Henry Hoover
  • [D1] Jacob Hoover
Byerland Hoover lands

Tracts at least partially owned by Byerland Hoover families

[H] Woolrich Hoover died prior to 23 Jun 1759 when his heirs sold his property (orange tract marked H) to his eldest son Johannes Hover.2 He likely died in 1757 as an inventory was filed for his estate that year. He was listed amongst other immigrants who had been in Pennsylvania since 1718 in an 1729 naturalization list.3

[J] Jacob Hoover was also likely in Pennsylvania by 1718. He was assessed £10 on his property (blue tract marked J) in 1720.4 His land went to his son John who patented it and an adjoining tract (see J2). This land remained with John’s descendants for many, many years.

Joanne Hoover includes only one Henry Hoover and includes all the [K] and [K2] tracts as belonging to one man. Based on my land research, I believe there were two Henry Hoovers. [K] Henry Hoover died in 1757 and left his land (yellow tracts marked K) to his son John Hoover and daughter Elizabeth (Hoover) Boyer.5

[K2] Henry Hoover and his wife Catharine divided their property (yellow-orange tracts marked K2) between their sons John and Jacob Hoover in 1767.6 I traced this land through deeds from the children of Jacob (d. 1788) and John (d. ca 1810).

Joanne Hoover presumed that [H] Ulrich, [J] Jacob and [K] Henry “were the brothers named in the York County, Pennsylvania, will written Feb 15, 1771 by Christian Hoover who died without issue.”7 I have not been able to prove or disprove this theory. The fact that Christian named Johannes Huber and Johannes Line—two names seen often in Conestoga/Martic townships—as trustees of money Christian wanted paid out to the surviving children of his brothers Jacob, Ulrich, and Henry makes it a tantalizing possibility.

[D1] Jacob Hoover was the son of Hans Huber of Earl Township. His descendants are documented in the book The Huber-Hoover Family History by Harry M. Hoover.

There were other tracts in this same general location that belonged to Hoovers.

The two tract in lighter orange—H2 and H3—may have been purchased by sons of [H] Woolrich Hoover. [H2] was purchased by John Hoover from Jacob Eshleman in 1754.8 He had patented 25 acres just to the west in 1752.9

Part of [H3] was purchased by Ulrich Hoover [Jr.?] from the heirs of Henry Line in 1771.10 Ulrich’s eldest son sold this property to his step-father Christian Huber in 1788 and to Abraham Kendig in 1789.11

The two gray tracts also belonged to Hoovers. The top one was warranted in 1803 and patented in 1811 to Martin Huber. I am not sure if this Martin was the grandson of  [D1] Jacob Hoover or the grandson of [K2] Henry Hoover. The boot-shaped tract was warranted to Jacob Hoover in 1796 and patented to him in 1803. He may have been the son of [H3] Ulrich Hoover (one survey showed this tract as being of Ulrich Hoover), the son of [D1] Jacob Hoover or the grandson of [K2] Henry Hoover. Without information on the subsequent transfer of these properties it’s difficult to determine the owner’s identity.

So, these are the families that make up the “Byerland Hoovers.”

Added Old Lampeter Township Warrantee Map Index

I’ve added a warrantee map index for old Lampeter Township. It includes indexes for both present-day East and West Lampeter townships. This downloadable PDF file includes links to the online survey that for each specific tract. Get it now for the introductory price of $1.99. Good until 5/15/2012.