Hoover Surname Study – Page 5 – A Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy

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.

Where Did My Christian Hoover Live?

Kris Hocker on 2 Jun 2011

One of the difficulties in researching Christian Hoover has been trying to find the location of his property. Through family stories, I know he lived in Clearfield County—either Covington or Karthaus townships. My grandmother remembers having family picnics there when she was growing up—the family moved from Clearfield County to Pine Glen, Burnside Township, Centre County when she was two—so it couldn’t have been too far away from the Pine Glen/Karthaus area.

I’ve searched for deeds for Christian Hoover with no luck. All I’ve been able to find are the deeds where his children and widow sold his property after his death in 1888. I’ve no idea when or from whom he received the property. These deeds place Christian Hoover’s 50-acre farm in Covington Township and as being part of the “Dodge lands” and warrant no. 5404.¹

Now, this map shows the tract for Dodge, James & Stokes, no. 5404 (see top right corner of pink area).

Northern Covington Township, 1878

According to this map, Christian Hoover’s farm was on a branch of the Mosquito Creek. A modern atlas shows this tributary as Twelvemile Run. Given it’s location, it’s possible that the deed was recorded not in Clearfield County, but in the county to the north—Cameron County.

Unfortunately, a search in the Cameron County deed index does not turn up any deeds for Christian Hoover.

So, when did Christian and family arrive in Covington Township? The family, I believe, is in Henderson Township, Jefferson County at the time of the 1860 US Federal census.² Christian was of Gaskill Township, Jefferson County in 1863 when he was drafted for the Civil War.³ I haven’t found any of the family in the 1870 census. But Caroline (Kinnard) Hoover was of Covington Township, Clearfield County when she died in Feb 1877.⁴

So, sometime between 1863 and 1877, Christian Hoover moved his family from Jefferson County to the northern section of Covington Township, Clearfield County. Tax records—if they exist—might help to pinpoint when Christian moved onto his 50-acre farm, but beyond that I’m all out of suggestions.

Do you have any research ideas? If so, please send them my way!

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Christian Hoover

Kris Hocker on 1 Jun 2011

Christian L. Hoover (ca 1825-1 Oct 1887)

Christian Hoover, the man who inspired all my Hoover family research.

Inventory: Christian Hoover (Heidelberg)

Kris Hocker on 22 May 2011

Christian Hoover of Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania died in 1771. An inventory was taken on his goods and chattels on 19 Mar 1771. Here is a transcript:

“An Inventory of the Goods and Chattles of Christian Hoover
late of Heidlebergh Township Deceased Taken this 19th Day of March
1771 and appraised by John Shank and Michael Danner

Sundry Wearing Apparel	5	8
one Riding Horse Saddle & Bridle	17	5
one Young Mare	22
two old Horses with Geers	10	10
Sundry Horse Geers		15
4 Head of Cattle	10
8 Head of Young Cattle	17	5
6 Head of Cattle	16	10
one Waggon	8
two Ploughs & their Geers	2	7	6
fifteen Sheep	6
Eight Hogs	2	6	6
Thirty Bushels Oates	3
Ten Bushels Wheat	2	5
Six Bushels Rye		18
one Kitchen Drefser [dresser]	2	10
one Cloaths Prefs [press]	2
two Chests	1	7	6
fifty six Yards Linnen	7
Nineteen Yards Tow Cloth	1	11	8
twenty four Yards Lincey	4	4
Six Yards Drugget	1	1
In Cash	47	11	3
one Bond from Michael Wibright	9
one Bond from George Cook	8
one Bond from Peter Dicks	9	9
one Bond from Christian Himler	8
one Bond from Jacob Cochenour [brother-in-law]	32	4	4
one Bond from Mathias Neace	12
one Bond from George Beery	8
one Bond from Christian Overholser	6
one Bond from Nicholas Sluthower	6
one Bond from Francis Noll	50
one Bond from Christian Freed	15
one Note from Abraham Beery [brother-in-law]	9
one Note from George Melheim	1
one Note from Joseph Cochenour [brother-in-law]	3
one Note from Jacob Crouse	3
one Note from John Welde [brother-in-law John Welty]	7	10
one Note from Jacob Moaler	2	10
one Note from Daniel Risher	3	3
one Note from Henry Devalt	2
one Large Bible & one other Book	1	15
one other Large Bible	2	10
Sundry old Books	1	18	6
two Beds & Bed steads	3
Sundry Iron Ware	3	12
one Copper Kettle	3	10
Seven Iron Pans	1	12
one Brafs Kettle & two Brafs buckets	2	9
thirty pounds Hackled Hemp	1	10
Ten pounds spun thread	1
Sundry Pewter	2	13
1 [pound?] steelyards one part sealer & weights	1	8
sundry Earthen Ware [?]		13
sundry Ceader tubs [?]	1
five empty Casks	1	5
one Tea Kettle		7	6
one Small Trunk		3
sundry empty Casks	3	8
sundry Earthen Pots [?]		12
one Wind Mill	2	15
sundry Dung forks Hay forks [?]		8
for Hay	3	15
Six Hives of Bees	1	10
3 Chairs		9
two Tables & one Dough Trough	1	7	6
Nine Bags	1	7
one half Bushel		2
one Maul Rings & Wedge		5
two Axes		7	6
two Grubbing Hoes		6

Mary [her M mark] Hoover Exr. John Shank (in German) Michael Danner } appras”

Christian Hoover of Heidelberg Township, York County

Kris Hocker on 21 May 2011

Christian Hoover of Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania wrote his last will and testament on 15 February 1771. It was proven on 21 Mar 1771. He died without issue. He named his wife Mary as his sole executor, leaving her all his property, but settling £300 on the surviving children of his brothers Jacob, Ulrich and Henry Hoover. In the will he also names two sons of his sister Ann Keny: Johannes and Henry Keny.¹

I’ve been curious about this Christian Hoover for some time. The fact that he names his brothers and sister is a tantalizing clue and I’m eager to connect them as a family. Unfortunately, there are several matches for these names and since he does not provide any location information for his nieces and nephews, I’m currently stumped.

Deciding to research Christian more, I went looking for his estate files. Since he left money to his brothers’ children, I’d expect an account or receipts or some proof that the heirs were paid. After contacting the York County Archives, I learned that his estate file included only an inventory. While it included a list of bonds and notes, none were for Hoovers.

Sometimes quitclaims or releases for estates are recorded in deed book registers. A check of both the grantor and grantee indices for Christian Hoover yielded only one possible match—a deed from the Christian Hoover estate to John Whelty in 1799. There were several other deeds for Christian Hoover of Heidelberg—one in 1774 and one in 1786, but I already had them and they were from a Christian Hoover who was still alive at the time each deed was written. Not a match for a man who died in 1771.

The deed to John Whelty was written 16 June 1777 and recorded 30 March 1799. In it Jacob Coghanour and Mary his wife of Frederick County, Maryland sold property in Heidelberg and Manheim townships, which had belonged to Christian Hoover, to John Whelty of Manheim Township, York County, Pennsylvania. Christian Hoover had left the land to his wife Mary in his will, but she had since died intestate and without issue. Jacob Coghanour, as Mary’s brother, inherited the land—and the £300 debt owed from the estate to the children of Christian’s brothers— so, Jacob and Mary sold the land to John Whelty “in order to dispose of the said three tracts or parcels of land and premises to the best advantage and to pay the said sum of three hundred pounds agreeable among all the legal representatives as well of the said Christian Hoover deceased…”² John Whelty, a brother-in-law of Mary (Coghanour) Hoover, turned around and sold the land 9 May 1781 to John Spitler of Hanover Town.³ These deeds were recorded in March 1799, probably when John Conrad—the owner after Spitler—sold it to John Mumma.

While all this is useful information, it doesn’t tell me anything more about Christian’s nieces and nephews. A closer, re-examination of the will reveals that the estate was…

…subject nevertheless at her decease to the Payment of three Hundred Pounds Lawful Money of Pennsylvania to be paid by her Heirs or assigns in three equl [sic] Anual [sic] payments of one Hundred pounds each payment, the first of which payment to be made in one Year after her decease…

So, the payment of the £300 wasn’t to start until a year after Mary’s death.

The question now is: when did Mary die? She was obviously alive when Christian wrote his will in February 1771. She signed the inventory on 21 April 1771. But she was deceased by 16 June 1777 when her brother sold Christian’s land to their brother-in-law John Welty. A deed from Valentine Eyler in 1776 mentions Mary as the widow Hoover, owner of one of the properties adjoining that which he was selling.⁴ So, she was most likely still alive on 18 January 1776, placing her death sometime between January 1776 and June 1777

The next step is to find Mary’s estate file. She died intestate, so there won’t be a will. There should be an administration account, especially since her estate owed money to Christian’s nieces and nephews, maybe a bond… If I’m lucky there will be a list of payments made from the estate to the heirs, perhaps even receipts from those heirs. Looks like I’ll be writing the York County Archives again to see if Mary (Coghanour) Hoover’s intestate file still exists. Wish me luck!

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.

Friday Finds: Henry Huber’s Strasburg Property

Kris Hocker on 7 Jan 2011

I’ve been researching the Hoovers of Lancaster County, doing a surname study. Recently, I’ve started a document to record the facts I’ve been compiling for each Hoover—especially the land transactions. This allows me to more easily see what I know and trace the information through generations.

I was recording the information I have for Henry Huber, youngest son of Ulrich Huber of Conestoga Township, and discovered that nearly every piece of information I’ve found for him puts him in Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Consistency, that’s good. However, the only deed I’ve found for him shows him selling land in Lampeter Township.

Christian Herr tract, Lampeter Township

Anna Herr, Henry’s wife, was the daughter of Abraham and Feronica (__) Herr of Lampeter Township. When Abraham died in 1756 he left his property in Lampeter (now West Lampeter) Township to two of his daughters—Anna and Barbara.¹ Each daughter received 125 acres. On 14 Jun 1774, Henry and Anna (Herr) Huber sold 27 1/4 acres of their share to Christian Rohrer.

So, if Henry and Anna (Herr) Huber owned property in Lampeter Township, you’d expect them to live there, right? There is a Henry Hoover listed in Lampeter Township tax records in 1770, 1771², 1780³ and 1782.⁴ However, when Henry and Anna sold the 27 1/4 acres to Christian Rohrer in 1774, they were “of the Township of Strasburg.”⁵

Henry Hoover is listed in Strasburg Township tax records from 1771 through 1782 (the latest I have).⁶ He also appears there in the 1800⁷ and 1810 United States census enumerations.⁸ So, where did he live in Strasburg Township and when did he purchase the property?

After Henry Huber died, his heirs divided up his Strasburg Township property. In a series of deeds between the heirs, we learn that Henry owned 261 acres 123 perches, adjoining Conrad Hoak, John Neff & others, at the time of his death sometime prior to 8 Dec 1813.⁹ This Strasburg Township land was divided between Abraham (50 acres), Christian (103 acres), and David (107 acres).¹⁰

John Huber's Strasburg Township property purchased 1808

John Huber’s Strasburg Township properties, 1808

By the tax records, he probably purchased the property at or before 1770. The earliest deed record I’ve found is in a deed recording his son John Huber’s purchase of 103 1/2 acres from Jacob Graff on 2 Apr 1808.¹¹ This deed names one of the adjoining properties as that of Henry Hoover. A second deed for John Huber from 2 Apr 1808 also names Henry Hoover as the owner of an adjacent property.¹² Both of these properties were once part of the estate of Henry Resh, husband of John’s sister (and Henry’s daughter) Feronica.

John Resh Strasburg property

A look at the warrantee map for Strasburg Township shows us the location of Henry Resh’s property and the adjoining property that Henry Hoover most likely owned. The land from two properties—John Rush and John Resh—as well as #6 on the map were most likely owned by Henry Resh.¹³ I’d need to do a more detailed analysis to know for sure—Henry’s land was made up of several parcels purchased from Martin Kendick and two additional parcels purchased from his brother Jacob Resh after their father John’s death.

This survey from 1809 also shows the location of Henry Huber’s property—notice the adjoining property to the left owned by Jacob Neff (#13 on the warrantee map, patented to Anne Neff).¹⁴ It was actually the first piece I found which actually showed Henry Huber’s name on a Strasburg Township tract. This led me to several other surveys and to plot the tracts John Huber purchased in 1808.

Andrew Hook (Hoak) survey, Strasburg Township, ca 1809

Surname Saturday: Henry Huber Family

Kris Hocker on 1 Jan 2011

There were two Henry Hubers living near Pequea and Beaver Creeks in the Martic/Conestoga/Strasburg/Lampeter township area in the mid-to-late 1700s.¹ This post is about the family of the Henry Huber who married Catharine Good, daughter of Jacob Good.

Huber/Hoover/Hoober land patents

Jacob Good patented 106 acres on a branch of Beaver Creek in Martic Township (now Providence), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the right of Michael Shank on 12 Apr 1740. (see B3 on map)² He warranted another tract of 75 acres, also on Beaver Creek, on 24 Jan 1733.³ He did not comply with the conditions of the warrant and 68 acres were warranted to Henry Hoober on 14 Apr 1740. (see B4 on map)⁴ Both of these tracts are shown as being patented on 15 Apr 1740 to Henry Hoober on the Providence Township Warrantee Map.

Jacob Good wrote his last will & testament on 12 Sep 1739; it was proved 22 Jan 1741. In it he mentions his wife Barbara, brothers Peter and John, sisters Feronica Nisley, Margaret Metz, Ann Strum, and son-in-law Henry Hoover.⁵

Henry Hoover also patented a tract of 171 acres in Martic Township (now Providence) on 13 Nov 1744. (see B5 on map)⁶

Assuming he was at least 21 years of age in 1740 when he patented land, Henry was born ca 1719, quite likely before. He married Catharine Good sometime before her father wrote his will in 1739, possibly before 1736. He may be the “loving friend…Henry Huber” named in the 1757 last will & testament of Henry Huber, who owned the adjoining property. (see B1 and B2 on map)⁷ He was also likely the “loving friend Henry Hoover” appointed by neighbor Johan Jacob Hoover as an executor of his will along with Jacob’s sons John and Martin. (see A1, A2, A3 on map)⁸

Henry and Catharine (Good) Hoover had at least 3 children:

Jacob Huber, born bef. 1736 and died bet. 13 Mar and 9 Jun 1788, Martic Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.⁹,¹⁰,¹¹ Jacob married Barbara (___) before 1764. His will names his six children, as follows:
1. Henry Huber, born ca 1764, possibly the Henry Huber who married Anna Margaretta Boyer, daughter of Henry & Elizabeth (___) Boyer.
2. Jacob Huber Jr., born ca 1766¹²
3. Barbara Huber, born ca 1768¹³
4. Christian Huber, born ca 1771-1774¹⁴
5. John Huber, born ca 1771-1774¹⁵
6. Martin Huber, born ca 1774 (aged 16 by 25 Aug 1790)¹⁶
John Huber, born bef. 1746 and died bet. 19 Apr 1794 and 21 Apr 1810, Martic Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania ¹⁷ John married Mary (___) before 1770.
1. John Huber Jr.¹⁸
2. Mary Huber, born bef. 1786, married Peter Huber, son of John and Barbara (___) Huber, grandson of Jacob and Barbara (___) Huber of Martic Township.¹⁹, ²⁰
3. Barbara Huber, born ca 1770-1780 and died bef. 16 Jun 1841, never married²¹, ²²
4. Christina Huber, born ca 1770-1780, never married²³, ²⁴
5. Esther Huber, born bef 1802 and died 15 Mar 1832, never married²⁵, ²⁶
6. Abraham Huber, married Mary (___)²⁷
7. Ann Huber, died before 1 Jan 1828, never married²⁸
8. Susanna Huber, born ca 1790-1794, never married²⁹, ³⁰
9. Elizabeth Huber, born ca 1790-1794, married Henry Krieg sometime bet. 1825 and 3 Mar 1834³¹, ³², ³³
Daughter Huber (possibly Barbara), married Jacob Huber.³⁴ This Jacob may be Jacob Huber Jr., son of Johan Jacob and Anna (___) Huber, grandson of Hans Huber of Earl Township. Johan Jacob and Henry Hoover were neighbors and, presumably, friends.

Connection or Coincidence?

Kris Hocker on 28 Dec 2010

In genealogical research we are told to “research the relatives, neighbors, and associates” of our family member in order to learn more about them and hopefully take our family line back another generation. Richard Hayden wrote an excellent article that used relationships to establish a connection between his ancestor Casper Hoover (bef. 1755—1824) and Michael Hoover (?—1789), Casper’s father.¹ Since German immigrants often moved and settled in groups, researching neighbors and associates—those people named as sponsors, witnesses, etc.—makes good sense. However, when are recurring surnames or individuals a connection and when are they merely a coincidence?

For instance, Michael Hoover purchased 75 acres of land from the “Third Resurvey of Sarah’s Delight” in Frederick County, Maryland from Christopher Shockey on 21 Oct 1769.² Andrew Huber, John Huber and Henry Huber—presumably those Hoovers who moved to Fayette County, Pennsylvania—were named as witnesses to Valentine Shockey’s last will & testament, dated 8 Jun 1773.³ Additionally, Christopher Shockey sold 183 acres of “Third Resurvey of Sarah’s Delight” to Johannes Hoover, possibly the son of Ulrich Huber of Conestoga County, Pennsylvania, on 31 May 1773.⁴ All of these men lived or had lived in the area between Leitersburg and Ringgold in what is now Washington County, Maryland near the Pennsylvania border.

On 7 May 1776 Jacob Hoover, son of Michael Hoover, and Jacob Harbaugh, both farmers of Frederick County, Maryland, took out a mortgage together for 200 acres of the “Third Resurvey of Sarah’s Delight” which they purchased from Valentine Shockey, son of Christopher Shockey.⁵ On 28 Nov 1778, Jacob Hoover, now of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, assigned his share of the property to Jacob Harbaugh.⁶ Jacob Harbaugh’s daughter Susanna married a John Jacob Hoover, born 1762 in Conococheague, Frederick County, Maryland, on 20 Jan 1787 at the Graceham Moravian Church.⁷ Andrew Huber’s daughter Maria Catharina married John Harbaugh, son of George Harbaugh (a brother of Jacob Harbaugh) also at the Moravian Church at Graceham.⁸

So, do these constitute connections or coincidences? To date no relationship has been determined between the Hoovers—except as noted. The men lived in the same general area and some of them at least may have been Mennonites. They were all German immigrants or German-speaking, 1st generation Americans. Therefore, it’s not surprising that they would have dealings with some of the same people.

But is it enough to suggest a deeper relationship? Probably not. But it’s interesting enough to suggest further research is necessary. Who knows what I might find.

What do you think? When does coincidence move into the realm of connection? Have you seen this in your own research? If so, what conclusions did you come to?

Tracing the Children of Jacob Hoover

Kris Hocker on 27 Dec 2010

Jacob² Hoover (Andrew¹) and his wife Anna Maria (___) both died in German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Jacob died sometime between 13 Aug 1798 when he sold 126 acres of land to John Lance and 8 Sep 1800 when his will was proved—most likely in late August or early September 1800. ¹^, ² His will named his wife as his executor and the following beneficiaries: wife, Mary, sons and daughters, George Hoover, Elizabeth Simes [Shinn], Cathrine Shoemaker, Margaret Smith, Mary Choffin [Chafin], Magdalina Shoemaker, Rosanna Hoover, Barbra Bakert [Bacus], Rachail Hoover, Jemimah Hoover, Hanna Hoover. The witnesses were Abraham Stuart, James Wilson and Michael Cox.

Anna Maria (___) Hoover died sometime between 2 Dec 1808 and 20 Dec 1808. She named George and Joseph Hoover as her executors. Her beneficiaries were: son George, Jacob Hoover son of George; daughters: Hannah Hoover, Rachel Gray, Elizabeth Shines [Shinn], Catherine Shoemaker, Madelina Shoemaker, Margaret Smith, Mary Chafin, Barbary Barcus [Bacus], Rozannah Hoover, Jemima Bowman; granddaughter Milly Shines [Shinn], Elizabeth daughter of Hannah Hoover.³ The witnesses were George Vance and Samuel Gordon.

Based on these documents, Jacob and Anna Maria (___) Hoover had children:

Catharine³ Hoover married John Schumacher/Shoemaker.
George Hoover married Elizabeth Garrison.
Mary Magdalina Hoover married Johann Adam Schumacher/Shoemaker.
Elizabeth Hoover married George Shinn, perhaps the brother of Nicholas Shinn who owned property adjacent to her father’s.⁴
Margaret Hoover married Unknown Smith, likely Godfrey Smith of Redstone, Pennsylvania.
Mary Hoover married Unknown Chafin.
Rosanna Hoover
Barbara Hoover married Peter Baccus.
Hannah Hoover, baptized on 11 Sep 1783 at Jacob’s Lutheran and Reformed Church in German Township, married circa 1800 Joseph Hoover, perhaps the son of one of her uncles, John or Andrew Hoover Jr.⁵
Rachel Hoover married James Gray.
Jemima Hoover married Unknown Bowman.

So, what happened to these children?

Catharine (Hoover) Shoemaker

John Shoemaker is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1790 U.S. Census.⁶ The household had 1 male (>16), 4 males (<16), and 1 female. John Shoemaker is also found in the township in 1800: 1 male (45+), 2 males (16-25), 2 males (10-15), 1 female (26-44), and 1 female (10-15).⁷ By 1810, John Shoemaker and family had moved to Breckinridge County, Kentucky.⁸

George Hoover

George Hoover is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1790 U.S. Census.⁹ The household had 1 male (>16), 1 male (<16), and 1 female. He is no longer listed there in 1800. However, he is listed in tax lists for Ohio County by 10 Sep 1800.¹⁰ In 1810, George Hoover is found in Ohio Township, Ohio County, Kentucky.¹¹ The family had in the household: 1 male (45+), 2 males (16-25), 1 male (10-15), 2 males (<10), 1 female (26-44), 2 females (10-15), and 2 females (<10).

Mary Magdalina (Hoover) Shoemaker

Adam Shoemaker is found in the 1810 U.S. census for Ohio Township, Ohio County, Kentucky. ¹² The household contained 1 male (45+) and one female (45+).

Elizabeth (Hoover) Shinn

George Shinn and family are found in the 1800 U.S. census for Whiteley Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania. ¹³ The household included: 1 male (45+), 1 male (10-15), 1 female (16-25), 1 female (10-15). In 1810, the family was enumerated in Wayne Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.¹⁴ In the household were 2 males (45+), 1 male (16-25), and 1 female (10-15). Elizabeth died prior to 6 Jan 1817, and may have likely died prior to the 1810 census enumeration.¹⁵

Margaret (Hoover) Smith

Godfrey Smith is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1790 U.S. Census.¹⁶ The household had 1 male (>16), 1 male (<16), and 2 females. Godfrey’s daughter Emily “Milly” married Jacob Bacus, son of Peter Bacus, on 27 Jan 1816 in Scioto County, Ohio.¹⁷ By 1819, Godfrey was living in Greenup County, Kentucky.¹⁸ They are found in this county in the 1820 U.S. census enumeration.¹⁹ The household included: 1 male (45+), 1 male (16-26), 1 male (16-18), 1 male (10-16), 1 female (45+), 1 female (16-26), 1 female (10-16), 1 female (<10). The family is still in Greenup County in 1830.²⁰

Barbara (Hoover) Baccus

Peter Bacus and family were in Green Township, Scioto County, Ohio by 1820 and may have been there even earlier.²¹ The family included: 1 male (45+), 1 male (16-26), 3 males (<10), 1 female (45+), and 2 females (10-16). The family is still there in 1830: 1 male (60-70), 1 male (15-20), 2 males (10-15), 1 female (60-70), and 1 female (20-30).²²

Hannah (Hoover) Hoover

Joseph Hoover is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1800 U.S. census.²³ The household consisted of 1 male (16-25) and 1 female (16-25). The family is also there in 1810.²⁴ The household consisted of: 1 male (26-44), 1 male (10-15), 1 male (<5), 1 female (16-25), 1 female (10-15), and 1 female (<5). Joseph Hoover is listed in township tax records from 1800 through 1816 when he and wife Hannah sold the 75 acres they inherited from Mary Hoover to Hugh Gilmore.²⁵

Rachel (Hoover) Gray

In 1808, James Gray was living in German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on a portion of the Hoover’s property. Mary Hoover gave this part of the property to her daughter Rachel in her will.²⁶ I did not find James Gray in the Fayette County census records. However, there is a James Gray living adjacent Godfrey and Jacob Smith in Greenup County, Kentucky in 1820.²⁷ The household includes: 1 male (26-45), 1 male (16-26), 4 males (<10), 1 female (45+), 1 female (16-26), and 2 females (<10). This could be the James and Rachel (Hoover) Gray family.

I have no information on Mary (Hoover) Chaffin, Rosanna Hoover, or Jemima (Hoover) Bowman. Do you have any information on any of these families you’d like to share? If so, please let a comment or drop me a line.

Tag: Hoover Surname Study