Hoover Surname Study – Page 4 – A Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy

Who Were the Byerland Hoovers?

Kris Hocker on 10 May 2012

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

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.”

Surname Saturday: Jacob Huber Family

Kris Hocker on 28 Apr 2012

Jacob Huber was born circa 1698, and likely immigrated in 1717.¹ He appears on tax records for Conestoga Township, Chester County from 1718 through 1725, settling on Pequea Creek on a tract of land in Conestoga and Martic Townships (now Pequea and Providence) which adjoined Ulrich Huber’s land. He warranted 105 acres.² It was surveyed 28 Jan 1733. He is listed with four children in Lancaster County on a reconstructed 1732 census of Mennonite families.³

Jacob & John Huber Martic & Conestoga Township Tracts

Jacob likely died sometime prior to 23 Nov 1739. Hans Boyer, a neighbor, patented his land on 26 Nov 1739.⁴ Boyer’s survey refers to Jacob Huber’s tract as belonging to the Widow Hoober. This tract of 105 acres was patented to John Huber on 2 Oct 1744.⁵ The survey refers to this tract as being of “Barbara (the widow of Jacob) Hoover… in right of Martin Kendrick and John Heer.⁶ John Hoover patented an adjoining tract of land, containing 110 acres, on 25 May 1756. This tract was surveyed in 1738.⁷^,⁸

If you go by Davis’ 1732 reconstructed Mennonite census, then Jacob and Barbara (___) Huber had at least four children prior to 1732. Davis provides two possible birth years for Jacob—1675 and 1698. I do not know which is his most recent determination, however I am inclined to go by the 1698 date. A 34-year-old man is far more likely to have four children living at home than a 57-year-old—assuming, of course, the validity of the Mennonite census listing.

To date I have found only one possible child for Jacob and Barbara (___) Huber:

John Huber was born at or before 1723, probably in Lancaster County.⁹ He died sometime prior to 30 Apr 1785, possibly in 1784.¹⁰^,¹¹ He married Barbara (___) likely before 1751. Barbara died sometime after 30 Apr 1785. The couple had the following children:¹²
1. Henry Huber was born ca 1740-1750 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County. He married Mary (___), possibly Newswanger, prior to 30 Apr 1785.¹³^,¹⁴ If his wife’s maiden name was Newswanger, then the couple was living in York County by 4 Jun 1798.¹⁵ Henry Hoover and Mary Newswanger had children: John, Christina, Abraham, Susan, Barbara, and Elizabeth.
2. Abraham Huber was born circa 24 Sep 1752 and died 4 May 1825 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County. He was buried in Old Byerland Cemetery in Pequea Township. He may have married Anna (___), possibly Anna Huber, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (___) Huber Jr. of Martic Township. He was a farmer and a Mennonite and lived all his life on property he purchased from his father’s estate.¹⁶ Abraham had children: Barbara, Mary married Abraham Huber, John, Abraham Jr., Anna married Martin Snavely (brother of John below), Christianna, and Elizabeth. Except for Mary and Anna, his daughters never married.
3. Christian Huber was likely born prior to 1755 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County¹⁷ and died sometime between 1820 and 1830 in Martic (now Providence) Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.¹⁸ He may have married Anna (___), born 5 Apr 1762 and died 21 Feb 1845.¹⁹ Christian may have had two sons: Christian Huber Jr. and John Huber. Their administrator, Abraham Huber, son of John Huber, purchased land from the Orphans Court in 1892 that is similar in metes and bounds to the land Christian Huber [Sr.] received from his father John’s estate in 1792.
4. John Huber was born before 1759 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County. He was single in 1790.²⁰ No more is known about him.
5. Jacob Huber was born before 1764 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County. He married Margaret (___), possibly Margaret Shank, daughter of Christian & Barbara (Good) Shank.²¹ If so, Jacob and Margaret had children: Christian, Esther married John Snavely (brother of Martin above), Jacob, and Abraham.
6. Peter Huber was born circa 1760 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County. He likely died sometime after 25 Jul 1818.²² He married Mary Huber, daughter of John & Mary (___) Huber of Martic Township and granddaughter of Henry and Catharine (Good) Huber. Peter and Mary had children: Peter Jr., Esther married Jacob Eshleman, Barbara, Anna, and John.
7. Anne Huber was born prior to 1764 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She married a Brenneman who likely died prior to 30 Apr 1785.²³
8. Frena Huber was born prior to 1764 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She was named among the children of John & Barbara Huber in the deed where the widow and children sold land from John’s estate to his sons Peter and Christian Hoober.²⁴
9. Barbara Huber was born prior to 1764 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She was named among the children of John & Barbara Huber in the deed where the widow and children sold land from John’s estate to his sons Peter and Christian Hoober.²⁵

Jacob Huber may have been—depending on the birth year—either the elder brother or father of Ulrich Huber of Conestoga. He may have been related to either or both Henry Huber’s of Martic/Conestoga townships. If Joanne M. Hoover is correct in her assumptions, then Jacob, Ulrich, Henry (presumably the elder, d. ca 1757), Christian Huber of Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania, and Ann (Huber) Keny were all siblings as named in Christian’s will.²⁶ It is certainly a possibility. However, there were other men of these names living in York County to whom Christian’s will might have been referring.

Jane Evans Best indicates that Jacob may have been the son of Hans Heinrich Huber and Barbel Suter, baptized 30 Jun 1698 in Hausen, Switzerland.²⁷ If she is correct, this would make him the brother of one of the Henry Huber’s of Martic/Conestoga township and possibly a cousin of Hans Huber of Earl Township and his son Jacob Huber who settled nearby in Martic (now Providence) township—just up the Pequea, in fact.

How Do You Know That?

Kris Hocker on 12 Feb 2012

I was recently contacted by a reader who found one of my posts on Christian Hoover of Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania. She thought the information was interesting, but didn’t see how it was pertinent because it directly conflicted information she believed to be true. I followed up with a series of questions to learn more about her connection to Christian Hoover.

The reader had information on Christian and Maria (Lehman) Hoover of York County. Christian, born 1807, was supposedly the son of Christian and Nancy (Plowman?) Hoover of Mifflin County. The father Christian was born ca 1770 and died 18 Aug 1855.

In reading the information she provided, I was convinced we had a case of mistaken identities. It’s a very common mistake, one so easy to fall victim to everyone does it a some point during their research. Same name, same area, same person, right? Not necessarily.

The first rule of genealogy is to start with what you know and work backwards. The earliest documented evidence this reader had was the connection between Christian and Maria (Lehman) Hoover and several of their children. The death certificate of Christian Augustus Hoover, born 16 Aug 1847 and died 29 Dec 1918, names them as his parents. Birth and baptism records of several other children confirm their identities.

Christian and Maria (Lehman) Hoover are buried in Hoover’s Cemetery, Starview, East Manchester Township, York County, Pennsylvania. Christian was born 29 Mar 1807 and died 22 May 1883.¹ Maria (Lehman) Hoover was born 1 Jun 1803 and died 19 Jan 1883.²

York County federal census records for 1840 through 1880 show that Christian Hoover and his wife Mary lived in Manchester or Conewago townships throughout his adult life:

1880: Hoover, Christian, age 73, Retired farmer; Mary, age 77³
1870: Hoover, Christian, age 63, Farmer; Mary, age 67⁴
1860: Christian Hoover, age 53, Farmer; Mary, age 56⁵
1850: Christian Hoover, age 44, Farmer; Mary, age 48⁶
1840: Christian Hoover, age 30-40⁷

No record with Christian Hoover listed as head of household was found in the 1830 census. Given the age of his children in the 1840 census, Christian likely married sometime after 1830, so may have been living at home at the time of the 1830 census. He would have been 23, enumerated within the 20-30 age bracket.

Given that Christian lived in York County all his adult life, it’s quite likely that he was raised there, as well. There are several households with male members of an age to be Christian Hoover in the 1810 through 1830 census records for Manchester Township.⁸^,⁹^,¹⁰ The only head of household there for all three years is Philip Hoover. Does this prove that Philip is Christian’s father? No, but it gives us a direction for further research.

In 1850, Christian Hoover owned $300 of real estate. In 1860, he owned $1100 in real estate and had $600 in his personal estate. Given the sharp rise in his net worth, it’s quite possible that he inherited some of it through the death of a relative—a father, for instance.

Philip Hoover died 23 May 1854.¹¹ He left a will, dated 13 Aug 1852, in which he names the following children: Henry, John, Molly (wife of Henry Hartman), Jacob, Daniel, Andrew, Felix, Christian, Susanna (deceased, wife of Daniel Koch), and Elizabeth (deceased, wife of John Sniderman).¹²

A search of York County church records reveals the following baptisms for children of Philip and Susanna Huber:¹³

Daniel Huber, b. 15 Oct 1798, bapt. 9 Nov 1798, Trinity Reformed Church, York
Andrew Huber, b. 22 Nov 1800, bapt. 17 May 1801, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, York
Susanna Huber, b. 17 Mar 1805, bapt. 21 Apr 1805, Trinity Reformed Church, York

They were also sponsors for:

Peter, son of Peter Huber & Margaretha, bapt. 27 Dec 1798
Philip, son of Henry Huber & Catharina, bapt. 29 Aug 1810
Sarah, daughter of John Schneidman & Elizabeth, bapt. 21 May 1813
Elizabeth, daughter of John Schneidman & Elizabeth, bapt. 26 Jun 1815
Susanna, daughter of John Schneidman & Elizabeth, bapt. 5 Feb 1815
Daniel Philip, son of John Huber & Juliana, bapt. 24 May 1825

Christian was allegedly baptized at Christ [Evangelical?] Lutheran Church in York on 9 Jun 1807. This date was outside the records available to me, so I couldn’t easily verify it. However, it is consistent with those of Philip and Susanna (___) Huber’s family members.

The 1825 record is the last one I found with mention of Philip and Susanna Huber for Trinity or Christ Evangelical churches. On 29 Feb 1822, Philip and Peter Hoover deeded some of their land to the Lutheran and Reformed congregations.¹⁴ This church was called “Christ’s Church,” aka Huber’s [Hoover’s] Church. Family members are buried in the associated cemetery—as are Christian and Maria (Lehman) Hoover, so it is likely Hoover births, marriages and deaths were recorded in the church’s records.

After Philip’s death there were three deeds recorded as releases from his heirs to his executors, sons Daniel and Andrew Huber: one from Jacob Huber of Crawford County, Indiana¹⁵; a second from Henry Hoover, John Hoover, Henry Hartman, Christian Hoover and Nancy Koch, all of York County¹⁶; and the last from Felix Hoover.¹⁷

Philip Hoover’s will gives his property to his sons Daniel and Andrew and calls for them to pay the heirs $200—one heir/year in sequence—until the value of the property has been paid off. However, Henry Hoover, John Hoover, Henry Hartman, Felix Hoover, Christian Hoover and Nancy Koch contested the terms of the will. A compromise was reached and Daniel and Andrew Hoover agreed to pay them $700 each before 1 Apr 1856.¹⁸ This partially explains the jump in value of Christian Hoover’s estate between 1850 and 1860.

Christian and Nancy (___) Hoover¹⁹

But what about the other Christian Hoover? Couldn’t Christian and Nancy have been the parents of Christian (b. 1807)?

Christian Hoover died 18 Aug 1855 at the age of 88 years, 3 months, and 16 days.²⁰ Using his age at death, his calculated birth date is 2 May 1766. Christian’s wife Nancy died 5 Feb 1855 at the age of 80 years.²¹ She was born circa 1775. They are buried in the Little Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Vira, Pennsylvania.

Their family lived in Derry Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania consistently from 1810 through 1850. They had sons aged <5 in 1810, <10 and 10-15 in 1820, and 15-20 and 20-30 in 1830.²²^,²³^,²⁴ This is consistent with having a son born in 1807.

In 1840, there are two Christian Hoovers living in Derry Township—one aged 60-70 and another aged 30-40. They are both enumerated in Derry Township again in 1850. The first household is that of “Christian Hoover Jr.,” age 45, and his wife Margaret, age 41.²⁵ The second is that of Christian Hoover, age 79, and his wife Nancy, age 76.²⁶

Christian C. Hoover died 8 Aug 1873 at the age of 67 years, 7 months and 12 days and was buried in the Little Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Vira, Pennsylvania.²⁷ Using his age at death, his calculated birth date is 27 Dec 1805. A gravestone for Margaret, wife of C.C. Hoover can also be found in this cemetery.²⁸ She died 19 Aug 1891, aged 82 years, 1 month, and 6 days. Her calculated birth date is 13 Jul 1809.

This Christian is a match for a son of Christian and Nancy (___) Hoover, as seen in the census records. Is it definitive proof? No, but the evidence is certainly pointing in that direction.

Conclusions

Based on this research, I would say that the Christian Hoover, who married Maria Lehman, was most likely a son of Philip and Susanna (___) Hoover. Maria did not sign the deed of release in 1856, nor did I find any deeds from Philip to Christian. So, I don’t have a direct connection from Philip to Christian and Maria (Lehman) Hoover, but the circumstantial evidence is certainly suggestive.

Going forward I would look for the baptismal records for Christian and all of his children. His parents should be named in his record. If that cannot be found, since Philip and Susanna were sponsors for several other grandchildren, it’s possible that they were sponsors for one/some of Christian’s children, too. If not Philip and Susanna, perhaps one of Christian’s siblings will be named as a sponsor.

Is there a connection to Christian Hoover of Heidelberg? It’s not likely. Philip Hoover’s family resided in eastern York County from the time Philip arrived from Northampton County circa 1796-1798. Heidelberg is in the western part of the county and Christian received land there as early as 1749. Records show him there consistently from that time through his death in 1771. And of course, based on his estate records, we know that he did not have any children.

Jacob Hoober’s 1736 Land Patent

Kris Hocker on 9 Jan 2012

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

[152]

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

Jacob Hoober’s 1733 Survey

Kris Hocker on 6 Jan 2012

New! Updated warrantee map indexes for Lancaster County townships are available for purchase through my store. Each document includes the warrantee, warrant number, patentee, patent reference, and surveyee with a direct link to the online survey record and warrantee map. More to come.

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 survey¹:

Jacob Hoober 1733 survey

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

Jacob Hoober 1733 Warrant

Kris Hocker on 5 Jan 2012

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.

Will: Jacob Hoover (1801)

Kris Hocker on 6 Jul 2011

Jacob Hoover of Woodberry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania wrote his last will & testament on 10 Nov 1800.¹ It was proved 2 Mar 1801. Here’s a transcription:

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

Friday Finds: An Old German Midwife’s Record

Kris Hocker on 10 Jun 2011

Update (7/4/2011): I’ve added the possible names of children and their parents where I have information. As you can see there’s more to add. If you have information that fits, please send me an email. Thanks.

An Old German Midwife’s Record, 1795-1815

Yesterday, I was poking around online trying to find Huber information when I came across the most wonderful article. I found a book entitled The American Ethnographical Survey, Conestoga Expedition, 1902. In it there was an article that included a transcription of an old German midwife’s record.¹

Susanna (Rohrer) Müller (aka Miller) lived in Martic (now Providence) Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and served as a midwife from 1792 through 1815 when she died. She kept a careful record of her practice. It included the date, the number of children, the name of the family, and how much she charged them in pounds, shilling and pence. She scrupulously tried to capture the family name as she heard it. This record is a wonderful find for a genealogist—both as a possible source for birth information and as a German speakers record of both German and English names.

Scrolling through the pages, I recognized many, many names from my deed research in the Martic and Conestoga townships area. The following is a list of Huber/Hoover families she served and the relevant dates:

20 Dec 1795: Henrich Huber
24 Apr 1796: Martin Huber
5 Oct 1796: Hans Huber
19 Mar 1797: Abraham Huber [Christianna, daughter of Abraham & Anna (Huber) Huber?]
29 Sep 1797: Henrich Huber
20 Nov 1797: Hans Huber
11 Dec 1797: Marde [Martin] Huber [Jacob, son of Martin & Mary (Miller) Huber]
23 Feb 1799: Henrich Huber
20 Mar 1799: Abraham Huber [Anna, daughter of Abraham & Anna (Huber) Huber?]
19 Nov 1799: Peter Huber [Esther, daughter of Peter & Mary (Huber) Huber?]
28 Mar 1800: Marde [Martin] Huber [Martin Jr., son of Martin & Mary (Miller) Huber]
29 May 1800: Hener [Henry] Huber [Benjamin, son of Henry & Barbara (Huber) Huber, daughter of Jacob Huber Jr.?]
4 Jul 1800: Christle [Christian] Huber [Christian Jr., son of Christian Huber]
17 Mar 1801: Abraham Huber [Mary, daughter of Abraham & Anna (Huber) Huber?]
1 Aug 1801: Martin Huber, Schreiner [Martin, son of Martin & Mary (Eshleman) Huber?]
6 Oct 1801: Hans Huber
1 Feb 1802: Abraham Huber
2 Sep 1802: Martin Huber [Samuel, son of Martin & Mary (Miller) Huber]
12 May 1803: Henner [Henry] Huber [child of Henry & Barbara (Huber) Huber, daughter of Jacob Huber Jr.?]
28 Jun 1803: Marden Huber, Schreiner [Anna or Elizabeth, daughter of Martin & Mary (Eshleman) Huber?]
26 Mar 1804: Abraham Huber
8 Apr 1804: Peder [Peter] Huber [John, son of Peter & Mary (Huber) Huber]
21 Jun 1804: Henrich Huber
17 Sep 1805: Hanes [Johannes] Huber, Maurer
27 Mar 1806: Abraham Huber [Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham & Anna (Huber?) Huber]
27 Feb 1807: Jacob Huber
26 Apr 1807: Jacob Huber, living with Peder [Peter] Guth [Good]
25 May 1807: Christle Huber
17-23 Jun 1807: Marde Huber, Schreiner² [child of Martin and Mary (Eshleman) Huber?]
3 Mar 1808: Mardin Huber, Schreiner [child of Martin and Mary (Eshleman) Huber?]
20 Sep 1808: Hans Huber, Maurer
14 Apr 1809: Abraham Huber, Schumacher [Jacob, son of Abraham & Mary (Huber?) Huber]
23 Mar 1810: Marde Huber [possibly David, son of Martin & Mary (Miller) Huber]
14 Aug 1810: Hans Huber, Maurer
5 Apr 1811: Henrich Huber
5 Sep 1811: Abraham Huber, Wewer
17 Oct 1811: Mardin Huber, Schreiner [Barbara, daughter of Martin & Mary (Eshleman) Huber?]
15 Nov 1811: Jacob Huber
24 Dec 1811: Abraham Huber
17 Oct 1812: John Huber, Maurer
30 Nov 1812: Marden Huber [possibly Mary, daughter of Martin & Mary (Miller) Huber]
2 Dec 1812: Henrich Huber
9 Jul 1813: Jacob Huber
18 Sep 1813: Abraham Huber
15 Feb 1814: Abraham Huber
13 Sep 1814: Abraham Huber, Wewer
12 Apr 1815: John Huber, Maurer
21 Apr 1815: Abraham Huber, Schum. [daughter of Abraham & Mary (Huber?) Huber?]
24 May 1815: Daniel Huber [Catharine, daughter of Daniel & Susanna (Moyer?) Huber?]
19 Sep 1815: Abraham Huber
30 Mar ??: Martin Huber

Some of the entries indicate an occupation. I’ve translated them, as follows:

Schreiner = carpenter
Maurer = mason
Schumacher = shoemaker
Wewer = weaver?

Unfortunately, the entries do not include the names of the babies she delivered. However, using other documents that provide approximate birth dates with the dates in this record could help determine exact birth dates for children born in this area in the late 1790s and early 1800s.

You never know what you’ll find online. I’m certainly glad that I followed this search result!

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.

Dear Christian… I’m All Out of Ideas

Kris Hocker on 3 Jun 2011

I‘ve recently blogged about my quest to find out more about Christian Hoover of Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania and the brothers he named in his 1771 last will and testament: Jacob, Ulrich and Henry. I transcribed his will and posted it here, requested his estate file and several deeds regarding his property from the York County Archives, and transcribed his estate inventory. My next step was to obtain the intestate file for his widow Mary (Gochanour) Hoover.

The documents from Mary’s estate arrived yesterday. I was very anxious to look through them. Surely, there would be something to help identify the children of Christian’s brothers. After all, her administrators were required to make three yearly payments of £100 pounds to Johannes Huber and Johannes Line, starting a year after Mary’s death.¹ Her brother Jacob sold Christian’s land to their brother-in-law John Welty in order to do so.² Surely, these papers would have some reference to these payments…

No such luck. Mary’s file included only an inventory, the administration bond, and “notes relative to the estate.” No receipts, no quitclaims or releases. Nothing regarding the payment to her husband’s relatives.

Mary (Gochanour) Hoover died 7 May 1777 in Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania.³ Mary’s brother Joseph and her brothers-in-law John Welty and Abraham Beery were the administrators of her estate.⁴ They—with Christian Bechtel, John Schenck and Michael Danner Sr.—were bound in the sum of £500 for the estate administration. The inventory was entered in the Registers Office on 14 Jun 1777 by John Welty and Joseph Coghanour.⁵

I read through the notes, hoping there’d be something—anything—regarding Christian’s nieces and nephews. Nothing. Instead I got a view into Mary’s life and her relationship with her brother Jacob. Here’s a transcription of the notes:

“Notes Relative to the Estate of Maria Hoover who died Intestate the 7th Day of May 1777—

Magdalena Bechtel saith that on Sunday the 20th Day of April last, the said Maria Hoover was at the House of her the said Magdalena Bechtel upon a friendly visit, when in Conversation together they Discoursed concerning Numbers of Persons in a married state being so unhappy to themselves and Families that they did not take due pains to make the necessary Provision for either themselves or Families that they ought to do; Upon which said Maria Hoover said that she had one Brother, Viz. John Jacob Coghanour, who had lived such a Life, that if she had any Estate to leave at the Time of her Death she would not leave him any part thereof, but that she would leave it to his Children.

Mary Bechtel saith that upon Easter Monday last past she the said Mary Bechtel in Company with the said Maria Hoover on a friendly Visit to a Certian John Sherrock’s (the said Sherrock being intermarried with a sister of the said Mary Bechtel) that on the road as they were Riding to the said Sherrock’s said Maria Hoover related to her said Mary Bechtel that Isaac Coghanour son of John Jacob Coghanour had left his Father in Maryland and had come to her House in a very bad state of clothing, and that she had advised the boy to stay at home until his Mother could spin and clothe him. Upon this said Mary Bechtel said to Maria Hoover, your Brother meaning John Jacob Coghanour [is] so poor that he will think long until he is helped from your Estate; To which said Mary Hoover replied — I expect nothing from him for what he has had more than his share ~~of my Father’s estate~~ and he shall have no more ~~of my Estate~~ but what would be his share of it I will give to his Children.

Catharine Wickertin an hired Maid with the said Maria Hoover saith that on Saturday the 26th Day of April last, she the said Catharine was working in the Meadow — that Maria Coghanour, a daughter of John Jacob Coghanour’s was with her — also Maria Hoover now deceased was present — That Maria Hoover reproved Maria Coghanour for being lazy and indifferent about her Work, saying that if she did not mend she would be as bad as her Father and Mother — On which she the said Catharine said to Maria Hoover, I suppose that if John Jacob Coghanour had your Plantation he would soon spend it as he did his own; — That then the said Maria Hoover replied, He shall never have any more of mine, I will give his share to his Children. The said Catharine also saith that she heard Maria Hoover use the same Words or Words to the same in part many Times before that time.

Joseph Coghanour saith that on the fifth Day of this Instant [May], Viz. two days before the death of the said Maria Hoover, he the said Joseph came to visit her, and finding her the said Maria in a low state, enquired of her whether she had made a Will to which she answered that she had not, but that she had a mind to make one; — And said Farther that if she made a Will Jacob Coghanour should not have anything but that his children should have his share.

Committed to Writing this 13th Day of May 1777

By A. m’Clean

While this is all very fascinating and raises several questions—including if Maria meant Jacob to get nothing, why on 16 Jun 1777 was he the one to sell her property to John Welty, one of the administrators of the estate?—none of it addresses my main question. Who were the surviving children of Christian Hoover’s brothers and did they receive the money from his estate?

I’ve searched the York County deed index for releases or quitclaims to Jacob Coghanour, Joseph Coghanour, John Welty and Abraham Berry (with alternate spellings!), but found nothing in a reasonable timeframe. The estate files are supposed to contain all the relevant Orphans Court proceedings, but it might be useful to check them for the period 1777-1781 for any information regarding the settlement of her estate. I have my doubts, but you never know…

The only other line of research I can think of would be to research Johannes Huber and Johannes Line. They were supposed to receive the money in trust for the surviving children of Jacob, Ulrich and Henry Huber. Perhaps there will be releases or quitclaims from the heirs to them. I’ve already searched in York County, but perhaps I should widen the scope.

There were a John Huber and John Line who were the administrators for the estate of Henry Boyer of Conestoga Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1776.⁶ They were also guardians for several of his children. In 1776, both men were of Conestoga Township.⁷ Unfortunately, John happens to be very popular name! So, I can’t even begin to determine which John Huber and John Line!

So, Christian… If you’re out there, I’m all out of ideas. A little research inspiration is needed! Could you please send some my way?

Tag: Hoover Surname Study

Christian and Nancy (___) Hoover19

Conclusions

Christian and Nancy (___) Hoover¹⁹