Adam, Stophel and John Hocker, 1792 Harrisburg Tax Valuations

Having written about how to use the online land records at the Pennsylvania State Archives, it’s only fair that I provide examples of what each document entails.

Jacob Hoober's land patent

This is a transcription of the John Jacob Hoober’s patent for 210 acres situate on the southside of Pequea Creek in present-day Providence Township. Jacob Hoober received a warrant for the tract 24 Jan 1733. It was surveyed to him on 28 Jan 1733.

[150]

“John Penn Thomas Penn and
Richard Penn Esq^r true and absolute Proprietaries
and Governours in chief of the Province of Pennsylvania &
the Counties of New Castle Kent and Sussex on Delaware

To all whom these Presents shall come send Greeting
Whereas in and by a Warrant from the late Commissioners
of Property under the lesser Seal of our said Province bearing
Date the twenty second Day of November int he year of our
Lord 1717 the Quantity of five thousand acres of Land was
granted to be surveyed in several Tracts on Conestogoe and
Pequea Creeks in the County now called Lancaster unto
Martin Kundigg and hans heer both of the County adores^d.
in pursuance of which said warrant there was surveyed and
laid out on the twenty fourth Day of January in the year of
our Lord 1733 unto the said Martin Kundigg and hans heer
a certain Tract of Land situate on Pequea Creek afores^d
in the said County of Lancaster Beginning at an Ash Tree
on the southside of Pequea Creek near to Samuel Boyers
Land thence by a line of marked Trees south one hundred
sixteen perches to a Chestnut Tree thence East ninety eight
perches to a black Oak thence East North East one hundred
perches to a hickory thence North twenty four Degrees
West thirty seven perches to a hickory thence by Land of
Jacob Good North by West one hundred eighty eight
perches to a Chestnut Tree thence South by West ninety
six Perches to a Post by the said Creek thence down by
the same on several course one hundred & twenty seven
perches to the place of Beginning containing two
hundred and Ten acres and the allowance of six acres

[151]
in each hundred for Roads and highways as in and by the Survey
thereof remaining in our Surveyor General’s Office and from thence
certified into our Secretary’s Office may appear And Whereas the sd
Martin Kundigg and hans heer by a certain Deed or Instrument
in Writing bearing Date the twenty fourth Day of March in the
Year of our Lord 1734/5 for the consideration therein mentioned did
bargain and sell all their Right Title and Interest of and in the
said two hundred and Ten acres of Land and Premisses with the
appurtenances unto Jacob Hoober al^s John Jacob Hoober of the
said County of Lancaster his heirs and assignes Now at the Instance
and Request of the said John Jacob Hoober that we would be
pleased to grant him a confirmation of the said two hundred
and ten acres of Land according to the Situation of Lines and Bounds
aforesaid Know ye that in consideration of the sum of twenty one
pounds lawful Money of Pennsylvania to our Use now paid by
the said John Jacob Hoober the Receipt whereof we hereby
acknowledge and thereof do acquit and forever discharge the said
John Jacob Hoober his heirs and assignes by these presents
and also for the yearly Quitrent herein after mentioned and
reserved We have given granted released and confirmed and
by this Presents for Us our heirs and succession Do give
grant & release and confirm unto the said John Jacob Hoober
and his heirs the said two hundred and Ten acres of Land as the
same is now set forth bounded and limited as aforesaid with all
mines minerals Quarries Meadows Marshes Savannahs
Swamps Criples Woods Underwoods Tree and Trees Ways
Waters Water Courses Liberties Profits Commodities Advanta
ges hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the
said two hundred and Ten acres of Land belonging or in any
wise appertaining and lying within the Bounds and Lines
aforesaid / [?] full and clear fifth Parts of all royal Mines
free from all Deduction and Reprisals for digging and
refining the same only excepted and hereby reserved and
also free leave Right and Liberty to and for the said John
Jacob Hoober his heirs and assignes to hawk hunt fish
and fowl in and upon the hereby granted Land and Premises
or upon any Part thereof To have and to hold the said
two hundred Ten acres of Land and Premises hereby
granted / Except before excepted / with the appurtenences
unto the said John Jacob Hoober his heirs and assignes
To the only Use and Behoof of the said John Jacob Hoober
his heirs and assignes forever To be holden of us our
heirs and successors Proprietaries of Pennsylvania as
of our Manner of Conestoga in the County of Lancaster
aforesaid in free and common Soccage [sic] by Fielty [sic] only in
Liew [sic] of all other Services Yielding and paying
therefore yearly to us our heirs and Successors at the Town of
Lancaster after upon the first Day of March in every year

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from the first Day of march last past One English
Silver Shilling for each hundred acres of the same and in
proportion for the Ten acres or value thereof in Coin
current according as the Exchange shall then be between
our said Province and the City of London to such Person
or Persons as shall from Time to Time be appointed
to receive the same and in case of non payment thereof
within ninety Days next after the same shall become
due that then it shall and may be lawful for us our
heirs and successors our and their Receiver or
Receivers into and upon the hereby granted Land and
Premises to reenter and the same to hold & possess
until the said Quitrent and all Arrears thereof together
with the charges accruing by means of such none
payment and Reentry aforesaid be fully paid and
discharged In Witness whereof the said Thomas
Penn by virtue of the Power Authorities to him
granted by the said John and Richard Penn and of his
own right hath caused the Great Seal of the said Province
to be hereunto affixed at Philadelphia this twenty
second Day of October in the Year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred & thirty six the Tenth Year
of the Reign of King George the second over great
Britain [?] and the nineteenth year of our Government

Tho Penn (seal)

Recorded y^e 4th March 1736/7 ^[1]

John Jacob Hoober’s land patent

After a warrant is issued, the Surveyor General directed one of their surveyors to make and return a survey of the requested tract. Jacob Hoober’s warrant was issued 24 Jan 1733. On 28 Jan 1733 a survey was made of 210 acres in present-day Providence Township, then part of Martic Township, adjoining the property of Samuel Boyer and Jacob Good.

Here is an image of the survey^[1]:

Jacob Hoober 1733 survey

You can see this survey and many more at the Pennsylvania State Archives website.

Having written about how to use the online land records at the Pennsylvania State Archives, it’s only fair that I provide examples of what each document entails.

This example features the 1733 land warrant of Jacob Hoober for 210 acres on Pequea Creek. This piece of property sits south of Pequea Creek in present-day Providence Township. It can be seen on the Providence Warrantee Township map to the right in the top row of tracts.

Jacob Hoober land warrant

The first page of the warrant indicates the date of the warrant, the warrant number, the amount of land and the name of the warrantee.

Jacob Hoober land warrant

The second page is the actual warrant. It states:

“Pennsylvania, SS.

By the Proprietaries.

At the Request of Jacob Hoober of the County of Lancaster that We would grant him to take up Two hundred & ten Acres of Land lying on a Branch of Pequea in the said County of Lancaster for which He agrees to pay to our Use at the Rate of Fifteen Pounds ten Shillings current Money of this Province for One hundred Acres and the yearly Quit-rent of one Halfpenny [?] for every Acre thereof; THESE are to authorize and require thee to survey or cause to be survey’d unto the said Jacob Hoober at the Place aforesaid, according to the Method of Townships appointed the said Quantity of 210 Acres that hath not been already survey’d or appropriated, and make Return thereof into the Secretary’s Office, in order for a further Confirmation; which Survey in case the said Jacob Hoober fulfill the above Agreement within six Months from the date hereof, shall be valid, otherwise to be void. GIVEN under my Hand, and the lesser Seal of our Province, at Philadelphia, this twenty fourth Day of January Anno Dom. 1733

to Benjamin Eastburn, Surveyor General

[signature?]“^[1]

These images are actual photos taken from the microfilm reader. A printed copy would be clearer and more legible.

William Hocker and Isabella Smith, 1914 Marriage Record

My great grandparents, William Hocker and Isabella Aitken Smith were married on 13 October 1914 in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. This is a transcription of their application for marriage license.

Application for Marriage License

No. 153 F3

County of Dauphin, SS

We, the undersigned, in accordance with the statements hereinafter contained, the facts set forth wherein we and each of us do solemnly swear are true to the best of our knowledge and belief, do hereby make application to the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, for a license to marry.

William H. Hocker

Isabella A Smith

Statement of Male
Full name and surname: William Hocker
Color: White
Relationship of parties making this application, if any, either by blood or marriage: None
Occupation: Carpenter
Birthplace: Dauphin Co., Pa
Residence: Hbg, Pa
Age: 24 yrs
Previous marriage or marriages: None
Date of death of former wife or wives: —
Is applicant afflicted with any transmissible disease: None
Name and surname of father: Albert C.
of mother: Lillian
Maiden name of mother: Leedy
Residence of father: Cumberland Co., Pa
of mother: same
Color of father: White
of mother: white
Occupation of father: Farmer & Carpenter
of mother: Housewife
Birthplace of father: Dauphin Co, Pa
of mother: Perry Co., Pa
Is applicant an imbecile, epileptic, of unsound mind, or under guardianship as a person of unsound mind, or under the influence of any intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug? No
Has applicant, within five years, been an inmate of any county asylum of home for indigent persons? No
Is applicant physically able to support a family? Yes

Signature of application [signature]

Statement of Female
Full name and surname: Isabella A Smith
Color: white
Occupation: Telephone Operator
Birthplace: Dauphin Co., Pa
Residence: Hbg, Pa.
Age: 21 yrs
Previous marriage or marriages: none
Date of death or divorce of former husbands: none
Name and surname of father: William
of mother: Elizabeth
Maiden name of mother: Bonnington
Residence of father: Decd
Color of father: —
of mother: Hbg, Pa. – white
Occupation of father: —
of mother: Housewife
Birthplace of father: Scotland
of mother: Edinburgh, Scotland
Is Applicant an imbecile, epileptic, of unsound mind, or under guardianship as a person of unsound mind, or under the influence of any intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug No

Signature of applicant [signature]

Sworn and subscribed before me this 13th day of Oct A.D. 1914
[Seal][signature] Clerk of the Orphans’ Court

duly attested and acknowledged consent of
to this marriage filed.

In accordance with the above application of a Marriage License was issued in due form of law, this 13th day of Oct A.D. 1914.

[signature] Clerk of the Orphans’ Court

duplicate Certificate signed by Rev. H. Everett Hallman certifying to the solemnization of said marriage at Harrisburg Pa on Oct 13-14, received and filed.

1. The Pennsylvania-German Society, Proceedings and Addresses at Lebanon, October 12, 1892, Volume III
2. The Pennsylvania-German Society, Proceedings and Addresses at York, October 11, 1893, Volume IV
3. The Pennsylvania-German Society, Proceedings and Addresses at Reading, October 3, 1894, Volume V
4. The Pennsylvania-German Society, Proceedings and Addresses at Bethlehem, October 16, 1785, Volume VI

These are just the volumes containing the Trinity Lutheran records. Other volumes that have been put online include records from St. Michael’s in Philadelphia and New Goshenhoppen in Upper Hanover, Montgomery County. View more examples of publications from the Pennsylvania-German Society to see if they might have records you’ve been looking for.

In the name of God Amen I Jacob Hoover of Wood
berry Township Bedford County & State of Pennsylvania being weak
of Body but of Sound Mind and Memory and Understanding blessed be God
for the same Do make and Publish this my Last will & Testament in man
ner and form Following to wit [?] , and first of all I Commend
my Immortal Soul into the hand of Good [sic] who gave it, and my body to the
Earth to be Buried in a Christian like manner at the Discretion of my
Executors herein after Named and as to Such wordly [sic] Estate wherewith it hath
Blessed God to bless me in this Life I give and Dispose of the same in the
following Manner to wit I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Anna Hoover
her heirs or assigns the sum of one hundred and Twenty seven pounds Lawful money
of Pennsylvania which money she has Securities for in her own name I also give
unto her heirs or assigns the further sum of five pounds three shilligs [sic] and nine
pence to be paid out to her out of my property at my Decease I also give and bequeath
unto her her heirs or assigns all my household Goods and Movable Effects (Except
what money I have either in hand or otherwise belonging to me) I also give
unto her the whole Use Possession and benefit of the Plantation I now live on with
all the Appurtenances I now live on with all the appurtenances [sic] thereunto belong
ing During the full term of her Natural Life And at her Decease to be [?] or
sold and added to the rest of my Estate and Divided as is herein after Directed
I also give and bequeath unto my son Henry Hoover that Just Sum of four shillings
Good and Lawful money of Pennsylvania and as to all the Rest Residue and
Remainder of my estate of what Kind and Nature so ever I allow to be Divided
into Ten Equal parts or shares; And I Do hereby give and bequeath to my
Martin Hoover one full share I also Give and bequeath to my son John
Hoover one full share I also Give and bequeath to my Daughter Anne
Houser one full share I also give and bequeath to my son Christopher
Hoover one full share I also Give and bequeath to my Daughter Barba
ra Rice one full share I also give and bequeath to my Daughter Frena [Hoover]
one full share I also give and bequeath to my Daughter Madlina Rorah one
full share I also give & bequeath to my son Peter Hoover one full share
except [twenty] five pounds which is to be reduced out of his share I also
give and bequeath to my son Abraham Hoover one full share Except twe[n]
ty five pounds which is to be reduced out of his share I also give & be
queath unto my two grandsons Christophel and Andrew Hoover [?]
of my [?] [son] Henry Hoover one full share Except Twenty five
pounds which is to be reduced from their share And the sum of [?] five Pounds [?]
is to be reduced out of the [?] Last mentioned share I give  & bequeath unto my [son]
Jacob Hoover with what he has before Received which is to be all his part and
the share which I bequeath to my two grand sons Christophel and Andrew Hoover
I allow to be equally Divided between them Each to have an Equal part thereof
And Lastly I nominate, Constitute  Ordain and Appoint my two Trusty son
in-laws Martin Houser of Woodberry Township Bedford County & State of Pennsyl
vania & Jacob Rice of Washington County and state of Maryland to be the [sole
Executors of this my Last Will & Testament And I do hereby utterly Disallow
Revoke and Disannul all and every other former Testaments Wills Legacies and be
quests by me in any way named and bequeathed Ratifying and Confirming
this and no Other to be my Last Will and Testament In Witness where
of I have hereunto set me hand and seal the tenth day of December in the year
of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred Jacob Huber (seal)

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the
above named Jacob Hoover to be his Last
Will and Testament in the presence of us
who have hereunto subscribed our names
as Witness in the Presence of the Testator~

We the Witnesses Do hereby Certify that
the words (her heirs or assigns) above lines [?]
fifteen and seventee was wrote and Interlined be
fore the Testator Signed his name thereunto
Jacob [Shoenfeld] [in German]
Peter his X mark Bower

Daniel E. Hoover WWI Draft Card from 1917

Although the image is small, you can see that his full name was Daniel Edgar Hoover and he lived in Karthaus, Pennsylvania. He was born 16 Jul 1887 in Karthaus. He was a single, white, laborer who’d never served in the military before. He was short with a medium build, blue eyes and light brown hair.

These draft registration cards are available to subscribers on Ancestry.com.

1830 Mortgage of Henry Snyder

Among my grandfather’s papers, I found the original document of a mortgage between Henry Snyder and George Hillegas for 62 acres 40 perches in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The document was dated 17 Aug 1830! Here’s what it says:

“This Indenture made the third day of April in the year of our LORD One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty Between Henry Snyder of Upper Hanover township in the County of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania Cordwainer ~ of the first part, and George Hillegas Seneor [sic] of the same township county and state~ aforesaid Storekeeper ~ of the second part.

Whereas, the said party of the first part, in and by A certain obligation or writing obligatory bearing the date herewith, standeth bound unto the party of the second part, in the sum of fourteen hundred Dollars Lawful Money of Pennsylvania conditioned for the payment of the sum of seven hundred Dollars of lawful Gold of Silver Money current in the State of Pennsylvania, on the first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one, with the Lawful Interest for the same, as in and by the said Recited Obligation, and Condition thereof ~

as by the said obligation and the condition thereto, will fully appear: Now this Indenture witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the aforesaid obligation, and of the debt therein mentioned, and for the better securing the payment of the same at the times and in the manner in the said obligation specified, and for further consideration of one Dollar him in hand paid by the party of the second part, at and before the sealing and delivery of those presents, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, HATH granted, bargained, sold, released, and confirmed, and by these presents, DOTH, grant, bargain, sell, release and confirm unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, all that certain Messuage tenement and tract of land situate in Upper Hanover township in the County of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania Beginning at a stone a corner of George Hillegas land by the same North thirty five degrees west one hundred fourteen perches and seven tenth of a perch to a stone a corner of the Reformed Congregation land by the same north forty one and one half degrees East forty perches six tenth of a perch to a stone a corner in said line of Jacob [?]oyers land, by the same south forty five degrees East twenty one perches and three tenth of a perch to a stone by the same North twenty seven degrees East nineteen perches to a stone by the same South fifty one degrees East seventeen perches and seven tenth of a perch to a stone by the same South thirty eight degrees West thirteen perches and [one?] tenth of a perch to a stone [?] the same South forty two degrees East twenty two perches to a stone by the same north forty eight and one half degrees East forty two perches to a stone in a line of Henry [?] land by the same South forty one & one half East twenty five perches and nine tenth of a perch to a stone by the same North fifty four degrees fifty minutes East eighty three perches and seven tenth of a perch to a stone by the same South forty seven degrees East eight perches to a line of James Ashmead land by the same South forty two and one quarter degrees west one hundred eighty eight perches and seven tenth to the place of Beginning Containing sixty two Acres forty perches of land (It being the same which Jacob Stoyer[?] Administrator to the will annexed of Godfreyd Wissler yeoman deceased by his Indenture dated the day previous the date hereof duly Acknowledged have granted and Confirmed unto the said Henry Snyder (party hereto) to hold the same to him his heirs and Assigns in fee as in and by said Recited Indenture, intended to be Recorded, Relation being thereunto had appears)

Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, and the remainders and reversions, rents, issues and the profits thereof; and all the estate, right, title and interest of him the said party of the first part, his heirs and assigns, of, in and to the same: To have and to hold the premises hereby granted, with the appurtenances, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns; to the use of the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever. Provided always nevertheless, that if the said party of the first part, his heirs, executors or administrators, do and shall pay or cause to be paid to the said party of the second part, his executors, administrators or assigns, the aforesaid debt or sum of money in the said obligation and condition mentioned, at the times and in the manner therein specified and provided, then and thenceforth as well this Indenture as the estate hereby granted, shall determine and become void, any thing herein before contained to the contrary notwithstanding. In Witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.

Henry Snyder (seal)

Sealed and delivered in the presence of
[written in German, can't read]
Jacob Gerhard

Montgomery County Ss

On the third day of April Anno Domini 1830 before me Jacob Gerhard Esquire one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Henry Snyder the grantor above named and acknowledged the foregoing Indenture to be his act and deed. Witness my hand and seal the day and year just above written.

Jacob Gerhard (seal)

I haven’t done much primary research into this family, but I can’t imagine this document being saved and passed down unless either Henry Snyder was a relative or the document pertained to the farm of my great-great grandfather Henry D. Snyder. Additional research is needed to determine the truth of either hypothesis.