Samuel was born 30 October 1829, most likely in Buffalo Township, Perry County, Pennsylvania.^[1] He was the son of John and Catharine (Krehl) Leedy.^[2] Samuel died 19 March 1912 in Upper Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania and was buried on the 22nd in Hill Cemetery near Buffalo, Perry County, Pennsylvania. He died of apoplexy. Samuel was a farmer.

About 1856, he married Sarah Parsons, presumably the daughter of Anthony and Catharine (Bowerman) Parsons, of Perry County. She was born in Feb 1833.^[3] I have death dates for her from 1926 through 1930, but nothing proven. She died sometime after the 1920 census enumeration where she was living with her daughter Grace and her husband William Hunt.^[4]

Samuel and Sarah (Parsons) Leedy had children:

1. Wilhelmina Leedy was born ca 1857 in Perry County. Minnie married Harry Delcamp and was living in Philadelphia in 1932 when her sister Mary (Leedy) Sheesley died.
2. John Harbough Leedy was born 29 Oct 1858 in Perry County and died 2 Jun 1936. He married Emma Catharine Rouch on 17 Jan 1883.
3. Kirk Leedy died Apr 1859 and was buried in Hill Cemetery.
4. Lillian Ainsley Leedy was born 4 May 1861 in Perry County and died 20 Jan 1942 in Cumberland County. She married about 1881 Albert Curtin Hocker of Swatara Township, Dauphin County.
5. Mary Leedy was born in Nov 1863 and died in 1932. She married Hiram Sheesley on 25 Feb 1886 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She died Saturday, 26 November 1932 in Fort Hunter, Pennsylvania.
6. Grace Leedy was born 6 Oct 1865 in Perry County and died 6 Jun 1935 in Harrisburg. She married William Hunt on 27 Oct 1887 in Harrisburg.
7. Samuel Kirk Leedy was born 20 Nov 1867 in Perry County and died 28 Jun 1946 in Roxbury, Pennsylvania. He married Mary (___).
8. Ulysses S. Grant Leedy was born in 1871 in Perry County and died 14 May 1956 in Cumberland County. Grant married Mary C. (___) about 1905.
9. Harry Leedy was born 28 Sep 1875 and died 2 Aug 1876. He is buried with Kirk Leedy in Hill Cemetery.

John Niesley and Christian France Administrators of all and singular Goods and Chattles Rights and Credits which were of Michael France late of Paxton Township deceased appeared in Court and produced their account upon the administration of the Estate of the said deceased duly passed before the Register from which there appears to be a balance in their hands of three hundred and seventy five pounds eleven shillings and eleven pence which account upon examination the Court do approve and allow and direct that the said balance after deducting thirteen shillings and two pence the expence of this Court be distributed according to Law

The Court appoint Christian France of Manheim Township in the County of Lancaster Guardian of the person and estate of Mary France a minor daughter under the age of fourteen years of Michael France late of Lower Paxton Township deceased during her minority.

Elizabeth France a minor daughter above the age of fourteen years of Michael France late of Lower Paxton Township deceased comes into Court and chooses Christian France of Manheim Township in the County of Lancaster Guardian of her Estate during her minority and the Court approve of and appoint the said Christian France her Guardian accordingly.

The Court appoint Jacob France of Manor Township in the County of Lancaster Guardian of the persons and estates of John France, Michael France and Veronica France minor children under the age of fourteen of Michael France late of Lower Paxton Township decease during their respective minorities^[3]

I find it quite probable that Christian and Jacob Frantz—guardians of his children—were relatives, perhaps brothers, of Michael Frantz. John Nissley was likely related to Michael’s wife Feronica “Franny” (Nissley) Frantz.^[4]

Michael and Feronica (Nissley) Frantz had children:

1. Elizabeth Frantz, born before 17 October 1783 (over 14 on 17 October 1797), who married Rev. John Mumma.
2. Mary Frantz, born after 17 October 1783 (under 14 on 17 October 1797), who married Jacob Snavely.
3. John Frantz, born after 17 October 1783, who died before 1807.
4. Michael Frantz, born 22 May 1789, who married twice—first to Elizabeth Neidig, daughter of John and Mary (Bear) Neidig, and second to  Elizabeth Walters, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Stauffer) Walters, and died 5 Jun 1866.
5. Veronica Frantz, born after 17 October 1783 and died before 19 May 1810.

Michael Frantz Jr. was the father of Anna Frantz, my 3x great grandmother and wife of Levi Hocker, who died mysteriously in 1876.

Emanuel and Alavesta (Dillinger) Wieder, ca 1915

On 10 June 1878, he married Alavesta “Vesta” Esther Dillinger, daughter of Willam D. and Helena (Person) Dillinger of Lehigh County. She was born 19 Oct 1857, likely in Upper Milford Township.^[2]

E.J. Wieder, Sr. was initially a teacher and a farmer, but—due to health concerns, I believe—became a bank cashier, working his way up to bank president by 1929.^[3] He built a house on main street in Pennsburg in 1902 and moved his family from the farm in Lower Milford Township into town.^[4]

He died of stomach cancer on 26 July 1929 in Pennsburg and was buried in St. Mark’s Union Church cemetery on the 30th.^[5] Vesta had died on 11 January 1923 in Pennsburg of angina and Bright’s disease. She was buried in St. Mark’s Union Church cemetery on the 16th.^[6]

E.J. and Vesta had the following children:

1. Edwin J. Wieder (29 March 1880—22 January 1960) married Mary Catharine Waage (27 October 1877—28 November 1970)
2. Cora Anna Wieder (June 1886—1964) married Vallandingham S. Trumbore (23 October 1883—August 1968)
3. John William Wieder (1 September 1887—November 1972) married Katherine Jane Gruelich (22 March 1887—September 1960)

Photo courtesy of John William Wieder Jr.

Yellow fever is one of those diseases that was of grave concern to our ancestors. About 1793, Philadelphia was experiencing an outbreak of the disease and when a febrious illness began to manifest in Harrisburg, there was great concern that it had reached them, too.^[1]

Efforts were made to protect the town and its inhabitants—the posting of guards on the roads, turning away travelers, etc. But the general feeling amongst the town’s inhabitants was that the disease was caused by the stagnant waters behind a dam on Paxton Creek. The mill was owned by Peter, John and Abraham Landis.

Articles of agreement were written between John Harris, founder of Harrisburg, and the three Landis men on 16 April 1790. Harris granted them “a mill seat on the waters of Paxton Creek the race whereof to be taken out of the said creek at any place between the two bridges now erected over the same opposite Harrisburgh aforesaid and to be dug or carried through the land of the said John Harris.”^[2] The men paid £600, plus interest, and were required to provide a sufficient merchant mill within three years.

Then the sickness came.

On 5 May 1794, a meeting was held and a committee designed to meet with the Landis’ and offer them £2500 in exchange for the mill.^[3] They met with the men the next day. The Landis’ refused to sell.

By January 1795, the inhabitants were determined to take action. At a meeting on 16 January 1795, it was voted to pay the Landis’ £2600 for the mill, and that in case the Landis’ again refused to sell, they would “prostrate the dam erected… and pay our proportionate parts of all legal expenses and damages that may accrue on any suit or suits.”^[4] An assessment was made on all property in the borough in order to make up the amount of the offer. ^[5] Amongst those assessed for property in town were John, Adam, and Christopher Hocker. A George Hocker—possibly their brother—was assessed as a single man, too.

Apparently, the Landis men were still not willing to sell and instead asked for £2000 for the water-rights alone. The committee apparently believed this was little more than extortion. They refused the counter-offer.

On Saturday, 18 April 1795, the committee and a number of inhabitants went to the dam and with four persons they had hired “opened the creek bed twelve feet wide.”^[6] This, for all intents and purposes, ruined the dam.

On 29 April 1795, with the dam all but destroyed and no other options, the Landis’ sold the mill property and equipment to a committee comprised of Stacy Potts, Moses Gilmore, William Grayson, Jacob Bucher, John Keen, John Dentzel and Alexander Berryhill.^[7]

 The Landis Family

Peter, John, and Abraham Landis were, I believe, brothers and sons of Felix Landis.

Felix Landis of Derry Township died after writing his will on 25 Jan 1770.^[8] He left his property on Spring Creek to his two sons—Peter and Jacob. Peter, in particular, inherited that piece of the tract “whereupon the house and barn and mill is standing.” This indicates to me that the mill business was a family industry.

All three men were of Derry Township in 1790 when they purchased the water rights from John Harris.^[9] In 1795 when they sold out, Peter and Eva, his wife, were of Derry Township, John and Catharine, his wife, were of Londonerry Township, and Abraham and Barbara, his wife, were of Paxton Township.^[10]

1785 will of Henry Landis of Derry Township

The translation from the German of the last Will & Testament of Henry Lands

In the name of god Amen April 26th 1785.
I Henry Landis living in Derry Township Lancaster County am sick of the body but yet of Sound Knowledge therefore it is my Will where with the lord blessed me I dispose of as follows

First it is my last Will & Testament that my wife Anna shall have one bed and bedstead Two cows one Horse [Creative?] the Saddle and Briddle thereto and the horse on a ture[??] and Cows to be fed with their own & to be pastured with their own and the Third of the Personal Estate all that I have and to Live in my house or to have one built for her and well Finished out and Fire wood to be brought home and but short Short for her as much as She shall nead [sic] and the one half of the Kitchen Garden which is also to be Duly Dugned [dunged?] and Rowed, and apple as many as She shall Need or the Third Part of the Orchard and the Third Part of the Income of the Place of all they Shall Plant or Sow & two Sheep to be Kept and Fed for her Widowhood & not Longer; and him who Possesseth my Place Shall Deliver the Grain on the loft well clained [sic] the Meadow Shall belong to him whom hath the place but if he Doth not Feed the Horse and Cows well for my Said Wif [sic] She Shall have a Right to Take Fother [sic] as much as will be necessary for such Chattle [sic] as above mentioned

Item It is my will that my Son Felix Shall have my place which I now live on for eight Hundred Pounds Good and Lawful money and he shall pay every year Twenty five Pounds until the whole is paid and he Shall of What Remaineth have not more than one of my others and my Son Henry shall Draw the First Payment as much as Shall be coming to him for the Share of my Estate and my other Children Each of them Shall Receive Twenty-five pounds according to sincerity[?] yearly untill [sic] the Whole is Paid and my Said son Felix Shall have my PLace to him and his heirs as above specified or mentioned

Item It is my Last Will & Testament I nominate & coose [sic] for Executors Christian Stauffer and my Brother Son John Landis which I Acknowledge with my own hand in Present of these Presents

Christian Obre
Martin Bradnt[?] }    Henry his X mark Landis (seal)

Proved this twenty ninth day of November one thousand seven hundred & Eighty Five

J Montgomery Reg^r[1]

Henry Landis was my 6x great grandfather.

Henry is a common first name in the Landis family; so I’m reviewing documents and trying to piece information together. In my search of Dauphin County deeds, I found the following document.^[2]

In it Henry Landis refused to take the property his father—Henry Landis Sr. of Swatara Township—left to him in his will. A standard enough document. But what caught my eye were the witnesses—Benjamin and Martin Hocker!

Benjamin Hocker was most likely the youngest son of Johan Adam Hocker Jr. of Derry Township. His older brother George—my 4X great grandfather—married Mary Magdalena Landis, daughter of Henry Landis Sr. of Swatara township, on 2 Mar 1819.^[3]

I thought at first that Martin Hocker was likely the son of Martin Hocker Sr. of Derry Township. But then I did the math. Martin Jr. would have been only 17 in 1829. It’s far more likely that he was actually Martin Hocker Sr. If so, then it’s quite possible that this is the Henry Landis who married Christianna Hocker, Martin’s daughter, on 18 Oct 1825.^[4]

While this doesn’t actually prove that this Henry married Christianna Hocker—there’s no mention of her in the deed—it does prove that Henry Landis Jr. was associated with Benjamin Hocker and Martin Hocker by June of 1829.

Randy Seaver suggested in one of his Follow-up Friday posts that bloggers who use the “browse only” databases on FamilySearch.org should “expose these records to the masses, and te[a]ch them how to use them.” So, I thought I’d share these bookmarks to help other York County, Pennsylvania researchers quickly start browsing the index. Then—since it’s a snowy afternoon and there’s nothing else to do—I thought I’d complete the list of links so that it includes each starting letter.

There are 128 film frames in this index. Here are links to the first frame for each surname starting letter:

• A surnames
• B surnames
• C surnames
• D surnames
• E surnames
• F surnames
• G surnames
• H surnames
• I/J surnames
• K surnames
• L surnames
• M surnames
• N surnames
• O surnames
• P surnames
• Q surnames [?]
• R surnames
• S surnames
• T surnames
• U/V surnames
• W surnames
• X surnames
• Y surnames
• Z surnames

What are Orphans Court Records?

Why should you care about the Orphans Court records?

Despite the name, these records don’t pertain only to orphans. The Orphans Court dealt with probate issues for those who had died intestate (without a will) and with the appointment of guardians for estate matters for minors. In these records you will find:

• appointment of guardians,
• petitions to partition real estate,
• petition for valuation,
• real estate returns—the report from the partition inquest,
• valuation returns,
• order of real estate sale, and
• account administrations—although only the record of its being reported, not the full account details.

You may also find the details of who received the real estate owned by the intestate. This usually includes how much they were ordered to pay to the other heirs or legatees and the names of these heirs. All very useful information.

How to Use the Index

In order to use these records, click on a link above to go to the starting page for the first letter of the surname you want to research. Each individual volume—book A, book B, etc.—is indexed by name separately. The dates the volume covers are listed with each volume. Scroll through the pages to look for a volume that covers your target time frame, then look for your surname. Don’t forget to look at volumes for the years after your target. Estates can take years to settle.

Once you’ve found the volume you want to view, click on the county name—”York”—to view the list of books available. Volumes A through 2X are available for York County, Pennsylvania. Click on the appropriate link to pull up that set of volumes. (Sometimes it’s easier to open a second tab so you can keep the index pages available to view.)

You’ll probably need to jump through the images a bit to find the correct volume and page. Just remember, in these volumes one image covers two pages. To skip 100 pages ahead, you’ll only need to move 50 images forward.

Take some time to explore a bit. You’ll get the hang of it! And if you have questions, just let me know. I’d be glad to help.

I could go on and on with questions. But the next step—answering them—is not so clear. I have data I’ve found through Ancestry, but what does it really mean? Since I think better visually, I decided to create a diagram to show the links that I’ve found between Ulrich Hoover(s) and other individuals/families.

Connections diagram (click to enlarge)

I separated the two Ulrichs somewhat arbitrarily. Since I’m using mostly baptismal records, I split the overlapping records by source—Rev. Jacob Lischy’s private pastoral records vs. the records from St. Jacob’s (Stone) Church. There is some overlap in the births in the two families. For instance, I believe Johan Daniel Huber^[1] was baptized the same year as Susanna Huber.^[2] Ulrich Huber [1] and wife Anna Maria were sponsoring children after Ulrich Huber [2] was having children with his second wife Susanna.

In the diagram, I found the Keller name popping up repeatedly. Jacob and Esther (Sprenckel) Keller were sponsors for Jacob Huber, son of Ulrich and Anna Maria (__) Huber [1].^[3] Ulrich Huber [2] was one of the executors of George Keller’s estate.^[4] Ulrich Huber’s [2] son-in-law, John Philip Keller, was the administrator of Matthias Brodeck’s estate. Matthias Brodbeck was married to Catharina Keller, daughter of George Keller, for whom Ulrich was an executor.^[5]

The Linckefelder (Lingenfelter) name also shows up. Jacob Lingenfelter was a neighbor of Ulrich Huber [2]^[6]  for some years and Ulrich’s third wife was his daughter, Maria Eva.^[7] Görg Linckefelder, a possible sibling of Jacob, was a baptismal sponsor for Anna Maria Huber, daughter of Ulrich Huber [1].^[8] Abraham Keller, possibly father of John Philip Keller, was the sponsor for Elisabetha Barbara Linckefelder, Jacob’s daughter.^[9] Johannes and Magdalena (__) Keller were sponsors for Johannes Linckefelder, Jacob’s son,^[10] and also Anna Magdalena Runck, daughter of Peter and Anna Catharina (___) Runck.^[11]

The multiple connections between the Kellers and Lingenfelders was curious and made me wonder about the relationship. In 1774, Jacob Lingefelter was named as guardian for Valentine, Margaret, Magdalena, and Anna Maria Runck, children of Peter and Catharina Runck.^[12] As guardians are usually relatives or people of standing in the community, this pointed to the possibility that Catharina was Jacob’s sister.

I believe that they most likely were siblings. An Anna Catharina Lingenfeldter, daughter of Michael and Maria Barbara Lingenfeldter, was born on 30 May and baptized 31 May 1722 in Rohrbach-Steinweiler, Pfalz, Germany.^[13] Michael and Maria Barbara Lingenfeldter also had a daughter Magdalena, born 30 Jan 1713,^[14]  a son named Johan Jacob, born 5 May 1725,^[15] and a son Georg, born 13 May 1730,^[16] among others, all baptized in Rohrbach-Steinweiler, Pfalz, Germany.

Searching the FamilySearch Germany indexes, I also found a marriage between Johannes Keller, son of Hans Michael Keller, and Magdalena Lingenfelder, daughter of Hans Michel Lingenfelder, on 20 Jan 1736 in Rohrbach-Steinweiler.^[17] In the German births index, I found the following children of Johannes and Maria Magdalena (Lingenfelder) Keller:

1. Maria Margaretha Keller, born 27 Oct 1737, bapt. 1 Nov 1737^[18]
2. Abraham Keller, born 3 Jul 1740, bapt. 3 Jul 1740^[19]
3. Johann Philipp Keller, born 9 Nov 1743, bapt. 11 Nov 1743^[20]
4. Johannes Keller, born 12 Dec 1746, bapt. 16 Dec 1746^[21]
5. Johann Michael Keller, born 1 Dec 1749, bapt. 3 Dec 1749^[22]

The sibling connection explains the multiple ties through the baptism records. Jacob, Görg, Magdalena, and Anna Catharina were all Lingenfelder siblings. John and Magdalena Keller’s son Abraham was the sponsor for his cousin Elisabetha Barbara Lingenfelder in 1760. Abraham’s brother Philip Keller was the sponsor for his son Johan Philip Keller in 1765.^[23] This also explains the continued connection between Philip Keller and his nephew (and most likely namesake), John Philip Keller, who married Magdalena Huber, daughter of Ulrich and Anna Maria (__) Huber.^[24]

Conclusions

While I didn’t really learn a great deal about the two Ulrich Hubers, the diagram I created provided insight and research direction for those connected to them. I learned a great deal about the family of Ulrich Huber’s [2] third wife, Maria Eva Lingenfelder. And I’m very curious about the connections between the various Kellers.

Hopefully, if I expand this type of exploration to the other people connected to the two Ulrichs, I may make additional connections that tell me something about these families, their origins, and/or relationship to other Huber families in the area.

Today, I came across a possible clue—a gravestone for a Magdalena Keller who died in July 1805 and was buried in Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland. According to her gravestone, she was approximately 40 years of age at the time of her death. Since this fits the parameters of Ulrich’s daughter, I decided to search for records for Philip Keller in Frederick County Maryland, starting with estate records. I found two wills, one of which is a match.

“In the Name of God I John Phillip Keller of Frederick County and State of Maryland being weak in Body but of sound mind and memory calling to mind the uncertainty of Life do make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following to wit that Body by Buried in a Christian like manner — I give and bequeath unto my son John Keller his heirs and assigns all my real Estate consisting of Several Tracts of Land he yielding and paying therefor Six hundred pounds Lawfull [sic] money in the following manner that is to say one year after he shall arrive to the age of twenty one years Seventy five pounds and the yearly sum of Seventy five pounds without Interest untill [sic] the said whole sum of Six hundred pounds shall be fully paid & shall be Devided [sic] between all my Daughters in manner and form hereafter mentioned — I give and bequeath unto Catharine Hoover her heirs and assigns five hundred Dollars lawfull [sic] money — I Give and Bequeath all the residue of my personal Estate unto my three Daughters Eve, Catharine and Elisabeth to be Equally divided share and share alike taking into view at the same time Two hundred and fifty pounds advanced to my son-in-law Barnit Whip and two Hundred and fifty pounds advanced unto my son in law Michael Motter as a part of their Estate

It is my will that all my real Estate herein Devised to my son John shall be rented out to the best Advantage and so as not to have any part of it destroyed by my Executor hereafter named until my said Son shall arrive to the age of Twenty one years or untill [sic] he shall choose a Guardian which said rents Shall be for the sole use and benefit of my said son John — It is my will that before an Equall [sic] Division of my personal Estate shall take place Between my Daughters my Youngest Daughter Elisabeth shall first have forty pounds lawfull [sic] money after which a Division shall take place Equally share and share alike — And Lastly I constitute and appoint my friend Peter Coblentz my whole and sole Executor of this my last will and Testament this twenty first day of November in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and twelve — In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal”^[2]

John Philip Keller’s signature

Philip’s will was witnessed by Joseph Swearingen, Adam Shank, and Michael Keller. The will was proven on 30 Nov 1812.

The children listed in this will match those listed in Ulrich Hoover’s probate records as those of his daughter Magdalena, wife of Philip Keller. No wife is listed, making it likely that John Philip Keller was a widower, also a match. Additionally, he left a bequest to Catharine Hoover. Magdalena had a sister named Catharine who was unmarried at the time of her father’s estate probate circa 1805-1813.^[3] It’s possible that she went to live with her brother-in-law to care for her sister’s children after Magdalena died.

First, while there are birth/baptism records for most of the children listed in Ulrich’s estate records, there are several who are missing from the list. Those whose birth/baptism records are listed include:

1. Susanna, daughter of Ulrich & Anna Maria
2. Michael, son of Ulrich & Susanna
3. Anna Catharina, daughter of Ulrich & Susanna
4. Eva, daughter of Ulrich & Eva
5. Johan George, son of Ulrich & Eva
6. Peter, son of Ulrich & Eva
7. Maria Elisabeth, daughter of Ulrich & Eva
8. Anna Maria, daughter of Ulrich & Eva
9. Barbara, daughter of Ulrich & Eva

Ulrich’s eldest son Johannes, daughter Magdalena, son Henry, son David and daughter Sarah are not found in the church records—though Henry was likely the unnamed son baptized on 25 Oct 1780.

There are also several children listed who are not included in the Orphans Court records. They include:

1. Jacob, son of Ulrich & Anna Maria
2. Daniel, son of Ulrich & Anna Maria
3. Johan Daniel, son of Ulrich & Anna Maria
4. Anna Maria, daughter of Ulrich & Anna Maria
5. Maria Barbara, daughter of Ulrich & Susanna
6. Johann Jacob, son of Ulrich & Susanna
7. Christian, son of Uli & Catharina

If these are all children of our subject, Ulrich had a lot of children, many of whom predeceased him. Are they really all his?

This is where the inconsistencies become very important. Did you notice that after Ulrich & Susanna‘s daughter Anna Catharina was baptized in Aug 1767, Ulrich & Anna Maria not only sponsored several children, but also sold land in Taneytown in 1768? Then Ulrich & Susanna had a son Johan Jacob born on 4 Aug 1769.

We know from the probate records that Ulrich had a daughter named Susanna. This was likely the Susanna, daughter of Ulrich & Anna Maria, who was baptized at St. Jacob’s (Stone) Church on 25 Mar 1760.^[1] So, he must have been married to Anna Maria. We also know that two of the children of Ulrich & Susanna Huber—Michael & Anna Catharina—match children of Ulrich listed in his probate records. So, he was married to Susanna. We also know that Ulrich left a widow named Eve.^[2] And six of the children of Ulrich & Eva listed in the church records match those listed in Ulrich’s probate file.

Logically, it would appear that Ulrich was married three times—first to Anna Maria, second to Susanna, and third to Eva. However, what about the references to Ulrich & Anna Maria after children were born to Ulrich & Susanna?

I believe there were two Ulrichs, both married—initially at least—to women named Anna Maria. Both may have started in the same general area,^[3] but by the early 1760s, one of them was most likely living in Taneytown.

I believe this is supported by the multiple warrants in Codorus Township. The first warrant (1751) is separate from the subsequent three (1765 & 1774) which were grouped together in location. Additionally, Smallwood reported that Ulrich’s gravestone states that he was born 27 Mar 1734.^[4] That date would have made him only 17 years old in 1751, too young to own land.

The 1758 start date for quit rent and interest on 250 acres warranted in 1765 fits better. Ulrich would have been 24 by then. Also, the names some of the surrounding land owners—Werley and Keller (sons-in-law)—tie to Ulrich’s family. Furthermore, these tracts are identified in Ulrich’s estate records as belonging to him and subsequently belonged to his sons John, Henry and George.

Separating out the two Ulrichs married to women named Anna Maria may prove problematic—at least where their children are concerned—without additional research on the Ulrich Huber of Taneytown. The only child we can be fairly certain belonged to Ulrich & Anna Maria Huber of York & Adams counties was Susanna. But based on this research, I would list Ulrich’s children as follows.

Children with wife Anna Maria:

1. Johannes, born before 1760
2. Susanna, born before 25 Mar 1760, baptized 25 Mar 1760

Children with wife Susanna:

3. Michael, born before Dec 1763, baptized Dec 1763
4. Maria Barbara, born before Dec 1765, baptized Dec 1765, may have died before 1793, but before 1805
5. Anna Catharina, born 7 Aug 1767, baptized 11 Aug 1767
6. Johann Jacob, born 4 Aug 1769, baptized 8 Aug 1769, may have died prior to 1778, but before 1805

Children with wife Eva.

7. Eva, born 31 Dec 1773, baptized 2 Jan 1774
8. Johann George, born 10 Jan 1776, baptized 3 Mar 1776
9. Jacob, born 20 Aug 1778, baptized 4 Oct 1778, most likely died before 1805
10. [Henry], born 26 Sep 1780, baptized 25 Oct 1780
11. Peter, born 3 Oct 1785, baptized 18 Dec 1785
12. Maria Elisabeth, born 18 Dec 1788, baptized 29 Jan 1789
13. Annmaria, born 30 May 1791, baptized 10 Jul 1791
14. Barbara, born 12 Mar 1793, baptized 9 May 1793
15. David, born about 1797
16. Sarah, born about 1797

I’ve placed Johannes first simply because he was the eldest son. He may have been born after Susanna, but before Michael, say late 1761 or very early 1762. Ulrich also had a daughter Magdalena, but I don’t know when she was born. I’d need to know more about her before I could even “guesstimate” her position in the birth order. But there are four years between Johann Jacob and Eva and five years between Henry and Peter.

So, if there were two Ulrich Hoovers in this general area, were they related? Were they related to any of the other Hoovers in the area? Who was the Christian Hoover listed as a neighbor to Ulrich Hoover’s 1751 land warrant? Was he related to the George Hoover who later owned the tract adjoining this land?

All these questions—and research—because Christian Hoover of Heidelberg Township bequeathed money to the surviving children of his brothers—Ulrich, Jacob and Henry—without naming any of them.