Deeds – Page 4 – A Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy

Hans Line’s Conestoga Tract

Kris Hocker on 22 Dec 2011

On 22 November 1717, Martin Kendig (Kendick, Kendrick, Cundigg) and John Herr (Heer) were warranted 5,000 acres in Lancaster County by the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania. They, in turn, transferred this land to their fellow immigrants. Among these was Hans Line.

John Taylor surveyed 200 acres on a branch of Pequea Creek for Hans Line on 20 8^ber [October] 1728 in right of Martin Kendig and John Herr.¹ Adjoining landholders at the time of the survey included: Jacob Boyer (formerly Christian Stone), Abraham Smith (formerly Martin Boyer), and Christian Prenaman. Hans Line patented this tract on 14 April 1735.² (See lighter blue section on map below.)

On 21 December 1750, John Line was warranted 23 1/2 acres, adjoining the 200 acre Hans Line tract.³ This tract was surveyed 23 December 1750 and patented to John Line on 9 April 1753.⁴^,⁵ (See dark blue section on map above.) At the time of the survey, this tract adjoined land of Henry Boyer, Ulric “Hower” [Hoober], and John “Hower” [Hoober].

The following spring, on 24 March 1754, John Lyne and Barbara his wife sold 200 acres to John Lyne Jr.⁶ John Lyne Jr. was apparently the son of John and Barbara Lyne. The deeds where John Lyne [Jr.] transfers this land state “…the said John Lyne the father…did grant…unto the said John Lyne (party hereto) by the name John Lyne Jr…”

Figure 2: Christian and Henry Line tracts

John Line Jr. apparently decided to retire from farming in 1785. On 8 Dec 1785, he divided the 200 acres his parents had sold him between Henry Line and Christian Line.⁷ (Refer to map above.) Neither of the deeds refers to John’s wife, nor did she sign either deed, indicating that she was already deceased.

Christian apparently took responsibility for caring for John Line as John sold him the additional 23 1/2 acres he’d patented in exchange for “good and decent boarding, washing, lodging, and apparel for him the said John Lyne Sr.” for the rest of his natural life. ⁸

According to the deed, Henry’s tract adjoined Jacob Boyers, Christian Brenneman, and John Lyne’s other property. However, by 1785 Jacob Boyer(s) had sold his adjoining tract to Jacob Boyers Jr.⁹ Jacob Boyers Jr., in turn, sold it in two tracts to Rudy Miller and Henry Boyers.¹⁰^,¹¹ The tract indicated for Christian Brenneman (if it’s the same as in the survey), was patented to Jacob Huber in 1759.¹² He left it to his son Christian in his last will and testament.¹³ Christian then sold it to John Jacob Gochenour, whose heirs released it to his son Jacob in 1780.¹⁴

Christian’s adjacent neighbors were listed as Abraham Smith and Jacob Boyer. The transfers of Jacob Boyer’s property have already been mentioned. Abraham Smith’s tract, meanwhile, had passed to Henry Boyer by 1750.¹⁵ Henry Boyer’s heirs sold it to their new step-father Rudy Miller in 1776.¹⁶

John Line apparently passed away sometime shortly before 25 November 1805.¹⁷ The online will abstract lists as children: Henry, John, Jacob, Mary (wife of Jacob Warner), Ann (wife of Jacob Shallenberger), Christian, Abraham, Barbara (wife of Michael Shenk), and Elizabeth (wife of George Markley).¹⁸

On 21 July 1813, Christian and Feronica Line sold to their son Christian Jr. 23 acres two quarters nine perches, adjoining Henry Boyer, Henry Resh, the widow Brenneman and Christian Line Sr.¹⁹ This deed specifically outlines the passing of the land from John Line to his son John Line to his son Christian Line Sr. and then to his son Christian Line Jr., stating the tract was granted “…unto a certain John Line (Grandfather to the said Christian Line Senr.).”

Henry Line died sometime between 2 or 7 August 1815 and 11 November 1816.²⁰ His property was passed on to his son John who sold five acres to Christian Hess on 16 April 1819.²¹ John is the only child mentioned in the will abstract. His wife is named as Anna, and his executors were Martin Funck and Henry Rush. Henry Rush was most likely a neighbor (see Christian Line’s deed above) and Martin Funck was most likely his brother-in-law. A deed pertaining to the settlement of a Martin Funk of Manor Township lists Anna, wife of Henry Line of Conestoga Township as his daughter and Martin Funck as his son (among others).²²

Along the Pequea

Kris Hocker on 22 Dec 2011

I’m sure you’ve heard or read that learning about your ancestor’s neighbors can greatly assist your family research. None of our ancestors lived in isolation. They had family, friends and neighbors who often shared their language and customs. These social groups often intermarried, moved and settled together, and sold land to or purchased land from each other. They stood as witnesses to deeds and wills, served as administrators of estates or executors of wills, or lent money for mortgages so their children or those of their friends or family could purchase property. Learning about these relationships can provide important clues about your ancestor.

I’m starting a new series of articles that will trace land transfers on Pequea Creek from the original warrantee through 1800. Deeds can provide not only a place of residence and timeline of locations for your ancestor, but can also give you the names of heirs, maiden names for the women in the family, and an insight into the social groups and relationships of your ancestor. I started tracing deeds to try to get a clearer picture of the families who lived around the Huber/Hoover families I’ve been researching. I keep running into people who share the same name, but clearly—because of conflicting details—can’t be the same person. I’m hoping the deeds will help me start to identify individuals and align them with the correct families.

In the meantime, I’ve compiled quite a bit of information. I’m sharing it in hopes that it may also help another researcher. If it does, I’d love to hear from you.

The first article will feature Hans Line of Conestoga (now Pequea) Township.

Mortgage: Henry Snyder, 1830

Kris Hocker on 17 Jun 2011

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.

Oops! That Can’t Be Right…

Kris Hocker on 8 Jun 2011

I’ve been going through Lancaster County deeds for the Conestoga/Pequea/Martic/Providence/W. Lampeter/Strasburg townships area for Hoovers, taking notes and trying to attribute them to Hoover family members. Sometimes I can easily figure out who the deed belongs to; sometimes I just don’t have enough information. One deed I’ve been working on helped me catch an error in my database.

In this deed, John Hoover’s heirs were releasing two tracts of his land to his son John Hoover Jr. So, I looked through the database to find a matching family. Unfortunately, I didn’t find one—I found two. Two exact matches—John, his children, even his father’s name! Furthermore, some of the source records matched.

Obviously, I had made a mistake!

So, I pulled the information I had on John and John’s father—Abraham Huber—and started again.

On 26 Mar 1862, John Huber’s heirs—namely, Anna Huber, Mary Huber, Jonas Huber, Susan and Christian Kreider, and Lydia and Jonas Shank—released two tracts of land owned by their father to John Huber Jr.¹ These tracts included: 1) a mansion tract of 91 acres 107 perches, adjoining Christian Harnish, Benjamin Bare, and Daniel Good and 2) a woodland tract of 41[?] acres 94[?] perches, adjoining John Huber, John Wilson and others.

In another deed two years later, John Huber’s administrators sold the woodland tract—31 acres 153 perches—to Edward Davis, Henry Potts Jr. and Howard Potts.² At the end of this deed, Mary Huber, widow of John Huber Sr., released her dower rights to this property to Davis & Potts. Additionally, this deed specifically states that this property was originally part of a larger tract owned by Abraham Huber and bequeathed to John Huber, his son.

Abraham Huber of Conestoga Township died 4 May 1827. He wrote his will 23 Jul 1817 and it was proven 9 Jun 1827.³ In it he stated:

“…Item, It is my will that my son John shall have the plantation
where I now live on, a part in Canastogoe [sic] and a part in Martick [sic]
township, together with thirty eight acres of woodland in said Martick [sic]
township…”

John Huber’s Martic twp tracts

This not only reaffirms that John was Abraham’s son, but also helps to identify Abraham’s parentage.

On 30 Apr 1785, Abraham Huber purchased two tracts of land from his father’s estate.⁴ The first was a tract containing 67 acres; the second was 38 acres 53 perches. Both were in Martic Township. This deed states that the first tract was part of a 105-acre tract patented to John Hoover 2 Oct 1744 by the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania.⁵ The second tract was part of a 110-acre tract patented to John Hoover 25 Apr 1765.⁶

Abraham was the son John and Barbara (___) Huber of Martic Township. His brothers Christian and Peter also purchased land from their father’s estate—a 112-acre tract that they partitioned into two 64-acre tracts.⁷ Their tract sat between Abraham’s two tracts. Abraham’s “mansion tract” sat the north end of John Huber’s 105 acres (see #3 on map). Abraham’s woodland tract was a wedge in the southwest corner of John Huber’s 110 acres (labelled John Hoover on map).

Other children of John and Barbara (___) Huber mentioned in these deeds included:

Jacob Huber and wife Margaret [possibly Shank??]
John Huber
Henry Huber and wife Mary [possibly Neiswanger??]
Anna Huber Brenneman (widow)
Frena Huber
Barbara Huber

Reviewing these documents also allowed me to determine where I made my error. On 3 Oct 1807 Christian Huber and his wife Mary, former widow and relict of Ulrich Huber, sold 95 acres in Martic Township to Abraham Huber.⁸ Since this land was part of the estate of Ulrich Huber Jr., I had incorrectly attributed the deed to Ulrich and Mary’s son Abraham. He had been underage in 1785 when the estate was settled, but by 1807 would have been old enough to purchase the property, even if he’d been an infant in 1785.

Add the incorrect attribution of this deed to the following from Abraham Huber’s 1827 will and you have an instant family mix-up.

“…Item, And it is my will that my son Abraham shall have the plantation
that I bought of Christian Hoover and where my said son Abraham
now lives on…”

The 1807 deed between Abraham and Christian and Mary (Funk) Huber Huber does not state that Abraham was Ulrich & Mary’s son—unlike the 1785 deed between Abraham Huber and his mother and siblings which states he was “another son of said deceased” [John Huber]. Futhermore, both the 1785 and the 1807 deed were recorded in Lancaster County Deed Book 10 on 13 Nov 1813, one right after the other, strengthening the likelihood that they both refer to the same Abraham Huber.

So, one database error fixed. One family line straightened out. All by following the inheritance of land from one generation to the next.

Daniel Hoover, late of Conestoga (now Pequea) Township

Kris Hocker on 3 Jun 2011

Daniel Hoover of Conestoga Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania was born ca 1783 and died sometime between 24 Sep 1850, when he was enumerated with his wife Susanna and daughter Magdalena in the 1850 U.S. Census, and 17 Nov 1851 when a valuation of his property was accepted by the Lancaster County Orphan’s Court.¹,² His property included “…six acres more or less, with a story and a half Log dwelling house, a Carpenter Shop and other improvements…” and was assessed at $1400.

Apparently, Daniel had quite a large family—15 children (in no real order):

Benjamin, born bef 1831
Daniel Jr., born bef 1831, second son
Catharine, born bef 1831, married Christian Swartly
Abraham M., born bef 1831
Jacob, born bef 1831
Henry, born bef 1831
Susan, born bef 1831
Susan, born bef 1831
John, born bef 1831
Christian, born bef 1831
Anna, born bef 1831, married John Newcomer
David M., born bef 1831
Amos, born bef 1831
Samuel, born aft 1831
Mary, born ca 1835
Magdalena “Matty,” born ca 1837

Daniel Hoover Jr., second son of Daniel Hoover, accepted the property. On 27 Mar 1852 he paid 9 of his siblings—Benjamin Huber, Catharine Swartly, Abraham M. Hoover, Jacob Huber, Henry Huber, Susan Huber, and John Kendig (guardian for Mary, Samuel and Matty)—$63.27 for their share of the estate.³ He also sold the property on this date to Abraham Harnish, a neighbor. On 5 May 1852, he paid his other siblings—John, Christian, Anna Newcomer, David and Amos—their share of the estate.⁴

David M. Huber was of Henry County, Indiana when he signed the release in 1852.⁵

Mary M. Huber signed a release to John Kendig, her former guardian, on 5 Apr 1856 after she reached full age (21 years).⁶ She was of West Lampeter Township at the time.

Susanna Huber, Daniel’s widow, died in 1870 in East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.⁷ Her son Benjamin and daughter Magdalena were also deceased by 26 Mar 1870. The following heirs signed a release to their brother Abraham M. Huber, executor of their mother’s will: Christian M. Huber, David M. Huber, Mary Kreider, Henry M. Huber, Catharine Swartley, Amos M. Huber, John M. Huber, Susan M. Huber, Anna Newcomer, Jacob Huber, Samuel M. Huber, and Daniel Huber. At the time Christian M. Huber was in Richland County, Illinois. David M. Huber was in Henry County, Indiana, as he had been in 1852. Henry M. Huber was in Greene County, Ohio. And John M. Huber was in Wells County, Indiana. All the rest of the children were still in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

UPDATE!: Daniel may be the Daniel Hoover, born 24 Jan 1782 and died 26 Aug 1851 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, son of Johannes Huber and Barbara Veit/Feit.

Henry Hoover (Strasburg), d. ca 1833

Kris Hocker on 16 May 2011

Going through Lancaster County deeds, I discovered two deeds that referenced the heirs of Henry Hoover (alias Huber) of Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.¹,² According to these deeds, Henry Hoover died intestate, unmarried and without issue. John Stauffer was the administrator of his estate.

On 18 Dec 1833 Martin Hoover of Franklin County, Pennsylvania in right of himself and also as the attorney for John Hoover, Christian Hoover, Abraham Hoover, Samuel Hoover, Jeremiah Hoover, Jeremiah Sensinig (Senseny) & Catharine his wife, and John Whitmore & Martha his wife—“being the eight children & representatives of Christian Hoover dec’d who was one of the eight brothers & sisters of Henry Hoover (alias Huber) late of Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania”—acknowledged the receipt of monies from the estate. Martin was also the representative of one of the sisters of Henry Hoover—possibly Ester Ream/Beam?—and also of the only son & issue of another sister. The document is difficult to read through that section but it might be Jacob Zimmerman[?], son of Elizabeth Zimmerman[?].

On 3 Oct 1834, Samuel Brand of Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania and Christian Brand of Waynesboro, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, being all the issue of Freny Brand, one of the eight brothers & sisters of Henry Hoover of Strasburg Township, acknowledged the receipt of their shares of the estate. According to both deeds, the executor, John Stauffer, entered the estate account into the Register’s Office on 17 Dec 1833.

So, who was Henry? Since he died intestate and unmarried without issue, this Henry Hoover can not be the man I wrote of in Friday Find: Henry Huber’s Strasburg Property. That Henry was married to Anna Herr, daughter of Abraham and Feronica (___) Herr and granddaughter of Christian and Anna (___) Herr.

At this point it’s hard to know where he fits in to the Lancaster Hoovers. I’ve found no record of a sale of land from his estate, so even if I were able to find a deed where a Henry Hoover purchased land in Strasburg, I might not be able to adequately determine that it was purchased by this Henry Hoover as there were several in this general area. The two deeds I’ve seen only refer to his siblings Christian, Ester?, Elizabeth?, and Freny. If there were eight siblings, then I’ve got four more to find. His intestate records may have more information.

If you have any information on this Henry Hoover, his siblings or nieces and nephews, please drop me a line! I’d love to learn more about them.

Christian Hoover of Hempfield Township

Kris Hocker on 24 Dec 2010

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

Tract #1

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

Tract #2

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

Tract #3

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

Conclusions

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

How Many Henry Hoobers in Martic Township?

Kris Hocker on 29 Jul 2010

So, just how many Henry Hoobers were there in the Conestoga (now Pequea)/Martic (now Providence)/Lampter/Strasburg township area of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania? If you’d asked me that question yesterday, I’d have said one. Now today, I’m not so sure…

Diagram I: Hoover land patents in Conestoga/Martic Township area

According to the township warrantee maps, there were 5 tracts either warranted to or patented to Henry Hoober in the area where Martic (now Providence), Lampeter and Leacock (now Strasburg) townships meet. [see B1-5 on diagram] They were:

B1: 86 1/2 acres warranted to Henry Hoover 24 Jan 1733, patented to Joseph Bosler 28 Mar 1810, Patent Book H2:272
B2: 144 acres warranted to Michael Shank, 27 Sep 1717, surveyed 4 Jun 1718, and patented to Henry Hoober 15 Apr 1740, Patent Book A9:180 (Copied Survey Book D82:15)
B3: 106 acres warranted to Michael Shank, 27 Sep 1717, surveyed 4 Jun 1718, and patented to Henry Hoober 15 Apr 1740, Patent Book A10:97 (Copied Survey Book D82:48)
B4: 68 acres warranted to Henry Hoober 14 Apr 1740, surveyed 10 Nov 1731, patented 15 Apr 1740, Patent Book A9:178 (Copied Survey Book C76:15)
B5: 171 acres warranted to Henry Hoover 13 Nov 1744, surveyed 20 10ber (Dec?) 1744, Patent Book AA1:227 (Copied Survey Book A46:77)

In 1733, Michael Shank sold his rights to 250 acres at the junction of Pequea Creek and Big Beaver Creek to Henry Hoober and Jacob Good [tracts B2 & B3 in the diagram]. Henry Hoober took the northern portion and Jacob Good took the southern portion. Jacob Good’s last will & testament, dated 12 Sep 1739, named Henry Hoover as his son-in-law; his daughter was not named.¹ There is also a last will & testament for Henry Huber of Martic Township, dated 7 Aug 1757.² Jacob Huber, son of Hans Huber and owner of tracts A1-A3, named his “loving friend Henry Hoover” as one of the executors of his estate in his last will & testament, dated 9 Jul 1759.³

In 1758, John and Elizabeth (Hoover) Boyers sold their share of the property they had inherited via Henry Hoober’s last will & testament to John Hoover, the other heir to the property. This tract of land was patented in Patent Book A9:180—tract B2 in the diagrams.⁴

Diagram II: Martic Township Hoover property

In 1767, Henry and Catharine Hoober sold to their son John Hoober two tracts of land in Martic Township.⁵ The first tract was 88 acres from the tract patented in A10:97 or B3 in the diagram. [see left] The second tract was 171 acres from the tract patented in AA1:227 or B5 in the diagram.

Also in 1767, Henry and Catharine Hoober sold to Jacob Hoober 3 tracts of land in Martic Township totaling 137 acres.⁶ Mapping it out, Jacob Huber’s property matches the residue of tract B3, B4 and part of B5 from Diagram I or B4 on Diagram II. These deeds, to the best of my knowledge, were not recorded until his executors—possibly his sons—sold the land in 1790.

Based on this information, it becomes apparent that there were two men named Henry Hoober—quite likely father and son—living in the Martic Township area circa 1740 at the time the tracts were patented. The elder Henry (?—1757) had children John, Elizabeth, and quite likely Henry Jr. He may have had more. Henry Jr. [the younger], who married a daughter of Jacob Good—quite possibly Catherine as seen in the deeds, had a son John and and possibly another named Jacob to whom he deeded land in 1767.

Henry Jr. may have also had a son-in-law named George Feite. His name appears in the metes and bounds for one of the tracts sold to John Hoober on the boundary for tract B5 (B8 on the diagram). Additionally, the name Ulrich Hoober appears as a neighbor (to the south) in the metes and bounds for tracts B4 and B5 sold to Jacob and John Hoober, respectively. He may have been another relative of Henry Jr.

Tract B6 and B7 also belonged to Hoovers. Tract B6 was warranted to Martin Huber 6 Apr 1803 and patented to him on 13 Nov 1811. Tract B7 was warranted to Jacob Huber 14 Mar 1796 and patented to him on 12 Apr 1803. These two men could have been grandsons of Henry Hoober Jr. or Jacob Huber. If at least part of B7 belonged to Ulrich Hoober at one point, he must not have patented it.

As always if you have additional information or questions on any of the people in this post, please contact me or leave a comment.

From Deed to Land Warrant and Back Again

Kris Hocker on 21 Jul 2010

For some reason I got stuck on John Hoover today when I was deciding where to start on my Huber/Hoover work. Which John Hoover, you ask? I was hoping to find information on John Hoover (Huber), son of Hans Ulrich (Woolerick) Huber of Conestoga Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

I don’t have much information on him. I believe he may have been born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania circa 1726. He purchased land from his father’s estate from his siblings—Jacob Hover and Barbara his wife, Henry Shank and Anna his wife, Jacob Boyer and Maria his wife, Elizabeth Hover, Ulrick Hover and Henry Hover all of Pennsylvania—in 1759.¹ I had seen the possibility that this John Hoover was also the John Hoover of Necessity, Maryland alluded to on a message board and wanted to see if I could find evidence in the data I’ve acquired.²

So, I was looking at deeds and land patents for John Hoover for leads. John Hoover of Necessity was in Maryland by 1769 when he received a deed for “Harry’s Grove” from the David Watson estate at the request of Michael Miller, to whom it had been sold but who had not received a deed. ³ If John Hoover of Necessity was the son of Ulrich Hoover of Conestoga Township, then he would have had to have sold his Lancaster property at or before 1769.

John Hoover 1744 Martic Township land patent

John Hoover 1744 Martic Twp land patent

I did not find any deeds for John Hoover selling land in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township. I found a deed for John Hoover purchasing land in Conestoga Township. On 28 May 1754, John Hoover purchased 110 acres on Pequea Creek from Jacob Eshleman and Pebela his wife.⁴ There were several land patents for John Hoover in the same general area—one for 105 acres adjoining Ulrich Hoover’s tract in Martic (now Providence) and Conestoga Townships and another for 25 acres in Conestoga Township.

Figuring the land adjoining Ulrich’s was the best bet, I followed up on that first. This tract—although patented to John Hoober—had first been the land of Jacob and Barbara (___) Hoober from Martin Kendig. ⁵^,⁶ It was sold by John’s heirs—Jacob Hoover and Margaret his wife, John Hoover, Henry Hoover and Mary his wife, Christian Hoover, Peter Hoover, Anna Brenneman, Frena Hoover, and Barbara Hoover all of Lancaster County—to their brother Abraham Hoover in 1785.⁷ So, this may not be the John Hoover I’m looking for.

John Hoover 1752 Conestoga Township land patent

John Hoover 1752 Conestoga twp land patent

Next I looked at the land patent for the 25 acres in Conestoga Township patented to John Hoover in 1752.⁸ Looking at the survey, I was confused. I saw no reference to it being for John Hoover. This tract was apparently patented to Michael Hess in 1744. Had I made a mistake? I double checked the index and looked the survey up again on the internet. No, that was the correct file.

I spent some time pouring over the Township Warrantee maps, but couldn’t find matching land for John Hoover, Jacob Good or Jacob Rubely. I found Michael Hess, but it wasn’t matching up.

So, I looked up the survey for the adjoining land of Jacob Good. ⁹ It made no reference to Jacob Good, but instead showed the land as patented to Thomas Lindley. Now I was still confused, however the name Lindley rang a bell.

Jacob Eshleman Conestoga Twp tract

The land John Hoover purchased from Jacob Eshleman bordered on land of Thomas Lindley. Figuring that John Hoover’s property bordered on this land, I compared the description of the tract borders from the deed to the survey to see where they met. To my surprise, they matched! And moreover, not only was this Lindley tract the same property patented Jacob Eshlemen in 1744 and sold to John Hoover in 1754, but it also abutted the property allegedly patented to John Hoover in 1752.

Now I knew that I had the correct pieces of property. So, I printed off the surveys for both tracts. Each survey comes with two pages, the survey drawing and information and the reverse page that usually gives the date, location and patentee name. Looking at the reverse pages of these two surveys, I saw that they clearly stated that the patent surveys were for “John Hoover in Right of Michael Hess” and “for the use of Jacob Ashleman.” The moral here: examine the whole document before freaking out!

So, I still don’t know if Ulrich’s son John Hoover is the John Hoover of Necessity—that will take much more work. I don’t even know if these documents belong to John² Hoover (Ulrich¹). However, I have, I believe, tied these three documents—the two patents and the deed—together. It is highly likely that John Hoover of Conestoga Township, having patented 25 acres in the township in 1752, purchased the adjoining land from Jacob Eshleman in 1754.

Now I need to find out what happened to this property. Did he sell it or was it passed down to one of his children?

If you have any information on these families, please I’d love to see it!

Lancaster Deed Book Index

Kris Hocker on 28 Jun 2010

I’ve written about how much I love deeds—and the great information you can find in them—and I’ve written about how great it is to find the Lancaster County Deed books viewable online. One thing that’s not so great is not having a deed index online, too.

I’m working on changing that! I’ve been going through the books and creating an index that I hope to share through my site. It started out containing the information found in the Grantor and Grantee indices that were created in book form—the standard grantor information, grantee information, book, volume, page number, deed date, date recorded, and location or type of record (mortgage, quitclaim, etc.) All the necessary information to find the deed you’re looking for.

But then I started thinking about what would be included in my ideal index. Here are some of the ideas I came up with:

Image Frame Number
The page number and frame number don’t correspond—and can be quite off—and the page numbers can sometimes be impossible to read.
Grantor/Grantee Location
Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between multiple men of the same name without a residence or occupation.
Spouse Name
For land sales, sometimes the wife is named. This also helps to identify the grantor among men of the same name.
Neighbors
Often deeds refer to the owners of adjoining property. This might help to locate an individual where others records don’t exist or can’t be found.
Others Named
There are also other people associated with a deed: witnesses, previous owners, family members when a deed is part of an estate settlement, etc. This may help to locate people who otherwise wouldn’t be found, especially where an earlier deed wasn’t recorded.

What would you like to see in your ideal deed index? Drop me a line or leave a comment and let me know. You just might see it in the final product!

Tag: Deeds

Tract #1

Tract #2

Tract #3

Conclusions