Tag: Wills

Oops! That Can’t Be Right…

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 Hoover Martic twp tracts

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.

Lancaster County Hoover Will Abstracts

During a visit to the Pennsylvania State Archives, I made copies of Huber/Hoover wills up through the early 1800s. I’ve transcribed some of those wills and added them to this site. I also abstracted a number of Huber/Hoover wills, as follows:

Esther Huber, Martic Township1
5 Dec 1828, 15 Mar 1832
Sisters: Barbara, Christina, Susanna
Nephew: Peter Huber of Martic twp.
Executor: Peter Huber

Henry Huber, East Donegal Township2
29 Dec 1836, 28 Feb 1837
Mother: Christiana Huber
Sister: Catharine Miller
Niece & Nephew: Barbara Hertzler, John Hertzler (Guardian: Nathaniel Wilson)
Executor: Nathaniel Wilson

Barbara Huber, Martic Township3
5 Dec 1828, 16 Jun 1841
Sisters: Esther, Christianna, Susanna
Nephew: Peter Huber of Martic
Executor: Peter Huber
Letters test. were granted to Abraham Herr 29 Jun 1841, the executor having renounced.

Abraham Huber, Lampeter Township4
31 May 1842, 30 Sep 1843
Wife: Ann
Children: John, Levi, Elizabeth wife of Abraham Harnish, Mary wife of John Huber, Catharine wife of John Yordy
Grandchildren: Levi Kneisley, Mary Kneisley wife of Benjamin Huber, Elizabeth Kneisley (children of Ann, dec’d)
Executor: John and Levi Huber

Joseph Huber, Earl Township5
16 Sep 1844, 21 Nov 1844
Wife: Magdalena
Children: Daniel, Isaac, Leah wife of David Martin, Sarah wife of Samuel Weaver, Elizabeth wife of George Shaeffer
Friends: Christian Musselman and Daniel Rife
Executor: sons-in-law David Martin and Samuel Weaver

Feronica “Frainey” Huber, West Earl Township6
5 Jan 1839, 27 Jun 1845
Husband: Samuel Huber of W. Earl
Father: Marks Groff of W. Earl
Children: Samuel, Fanny, Susanna wife of Henry Burkhart, Jacob Huber
Brother-in-law: John Huber
Executors: brother-in-law John Huber and son-in-law Henry Burkhart

George Hoover, Lancaster City7
23 Jul 1832, 7 Sep 1846
Wife: Catharine
Children: Michael, George, Mary wife of George Ziegler, Christianna wife of Jacob Lantz, Joseph, Barbara, Sophia
Executor: Michael Hoover and son-in-law Jacob Lantz

John Hoover, Lancaster City8
n/a, 28 Nov 1846
Wife: Elizabeth
Executor: Elizabeth

Michael Huber, Lancaster City9
2 Jun 1847, 11 Jun 1847
Wife: Anna
Children: Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Henry, George Michael, Philip Allen
Executor: Anna Huber & brother-in-law Adam Dellet

Michael Hoover (tailor), Lancaster City10
13 May 1847, 16 Jun 1847
Wife: Hetty
Children: Samuel Henry, Francis Lewis, John Atlee, Christianna (mother named Anna)
Executor: Godfried Zahn and Daniel Ritz

George Hoover, Lancaster City11
1 Oct 1841, 31 Dec 1849
Wife: Elizabeth
No children named
Letters of administration granted to Peter Hoover

Henry Hoover, West Lampeter Township12
18 Jan 1849, 18 Jan 1850
Wife: Feronica
Children: Christian, David, Matty, Susan wife of Peter Huber
Executor: Christian and David Huber

Lawrence HAUSHALTER’s Will (1805)

Lawrence HOUSEHOLDER’s will, dated 19 Jul 1800, probated 12 Feb 1805, filed in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania — Will Book I, Volumn 1, p.202 — bequeaths the following:

In the name of God! I, Lawrence HOUSEHOLDER, of Cocalico township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, yeoman, being old and weak in body, but of sound mind, the mortality of my body and that it is appointed for once to die. First I give and bequeath to Margaret my beloved wife, the full privelege of the old room in the house we now live in and I will and order that plenty of victuals and drink sufficiently and suitable for her, be delivered to her, as also, plenty and good firewood, cut short and brought to her door, yearly and every year, during her natural life.

ITEM: I bequeath and give unto my said wife Margaret full privelege of and to the pump, kitchen cellar, and upstairs in the house for her own use, as also one third part of the kitchen garden yearly, manured and prepared for her, also twelve pound of heckled flax, and the two thereof yearly, and every year, during her natural life. I also give and bequeath unto my said wife Margaret, her bed and bedstead, one chest, one cow, her choice, which shall be gratis for her winter and summer during her natural life before hand.

ITEM: I give and bequeath unto my son Jacob, two of my horse creatures and gears for them his choice before hand, and to my two daughters Elizabeth and Susanna, unto each of them one cow.

ITEM: I will and order that all my personal estate not herein particularly bequeathed, be sold and disposed of, the full one third part thereof I give unto my said widow, which she may take at the appraisment or otherwise.

ITEM: I give and bequeath my plantation and tract of land whereon I now live adjoining the lands of Christopher OBERLIN, George WIEDMAN, John WATCHER, Christopher MILLER and others, containing about 117 acres, more or less, unto my son Jacob HOUSEHOLDER and his natural and lawful heirs, for the sum of 1,000 pounds in gold or silver coin, current lawful money of Pennsylvania payable as follows vizt I give and bequeath the sum of 200 pounds unto my said widow, Margaret, for her use both principal and interest which sum I order to remain charged on my said plantation for use aforesaid.

ITEM: I give and bequeath the remaining sum of 800 pounds unto my children to be paid to them as follows: to my said son, Jacob, the sum of 66 pound 13 shillings and 4 pence, one year after my decease; unto my daughter, Barbara, intermarried with Frederick ADAM; 66 pound 13 shillings and 4 pence in two years after my decease, to my daughter Catharine, intermarried with with George STOBER; 66 pound 13 shillings and 4 pence, in three years after my decease unto my daughter Elizabeth; 66 pound 13 shillings and 4 pence , in four years after my decease unto my daughter Susanna; 66 pound 13 shillings and 4 pence, in five years after my decease; unto the heirs of my daughter Margaret, deceased, 66 pound 13 shillings and 4 pence, in six years after my decease; the seventh payment of the like above mentioned sum unto my said son Jacob; the eighth unto my daughter Barbara; the ninth unto my daughter Catharine; the tenth unto my daughter Elizabeth; the eleventh unto my daughter, Susanna and the twelfth yearly payment of the like above mentioned sum unto the heirs under the payments and reserves above mentioned I give and bequeath unto my son Jacob, and his natural and lawful heirs forever, but if he should die without lawful heirs, then it is my will and I order that my said plantation shall fall back to the rest of my above mentioned children or their legal representatives and be divided equally between them, share and share alike, nevertheless my said son, Jacob, may by will, bequeath it to any one of them at a current rate, and I also will and order that my widow, Margaret, be not pleased with the boarding above bequeathed to her, which, together with the firewood mentioned, the owner or possessor of my plantation, shall find and provide without charge, then he shall pay her an equivalent value for the same, that she may board herself at pleasure, the remainder of my personal estate, as also what is left after the decease of my widow, I give and bequeath unto all my children, above mentioned, or their heirs, to be divided between them equally share and share alike, and lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my beloved son Jacob and my trusty friend George WIEDMAN the Executors of this my last will and testament, to whom I also give full power and authority, to execute a good and lawful deed or deeds for my above said plantation found upon this my last will and testament, which I hereby  acknowledge to be as good and valid, as if I with my own voke and disannul all and every other and form wills testaments, bequests and Executors by me in any wide heretofore named willed and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my will and testament. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 19th day of Jul Anno Domini 1800. — The Apple mill and Cyder press on the said plantation are to be considered as part of the said plantation and appurtenances above granted.

Lawrence HOUSEHOLDER (seal)

SIGNED sealed published pronounced and declared by the said Lawrence HOUSEHOLDER as his last will and testament in presence of us (and geers for them interlined before signing).

Frederick HOCKER [Lawrence’s nephew],  John W. SAUTER

Lancaster County SS: On the 12th day of February Anno Domini 1805, Before me the subscriber personally appeared Frederick HOCKER and John W. SAUTER, the two subscribing witnesses to the within will, who upon their solemn affirmations according to the law, did severally declare and say they were present and saw and heard Lawrence HOUSEHOLDER the Testator therein named, sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the within Instrument in writing as and for his last will and testament, and at the doing thereof, he was of sound and well disposing mind, memory and understanding according to the best of their knowledge observation and belief.

G. ROSS, Register

Will of Jacob Hacker

This is a transcription of the last will and testament of Jacob Hacker (1803—1873) of Elizabeth township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.

I’m am seeking to determine whether or not this Jacob Hocker/Hacker belongs to my Lancaster Hackers, and if so, where. He’s of an age to possibly be the son of George3 and Christina (Miller) Hacker or John4 and either Salome or Susanna (Moser) Hacker.

Last Will and Testament of Jacob Hocker

Jacob Hocker, Dec’d

I, Jacob Hocker of the Township of Elizabeth County of Lancaster, and State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made,

1st I order and direct my body to be decently buried, suitable gravestone to be procured and placed at my grave, and the costs of theses as well as all my other just debts and funeral expenses, to be paid as soon conveniently can be done after my decease,

2nd I give and bequeath to my wife Mary Hocker, such articles of my furniture, as she may select to retain for her use said articles so selected by me wife shall be appraised and the amount deducted from the three hundred dollars to which she is otherwise entitled out of my estate,

3rd I order and direct that the rest and residue of my furniture and all personal property in my possession, to be appraised and sold at public sale,

4th I order and direct, that my real estate shall also be sold, and converted into money as soon as conveniently can be done authorizing my executors, to make good and sufficient title deeds unto the purchase n purchasers thereof

5th I order, will and direct that after all my property both real and personal be converted into money by my hereinafter mentioned executors that all my debts by fully paid and satisfied, and the balance, I give and bequeath to my said wife Mary Hocker, during her lifetime and after her decease, the balance if any remains, to be divided in equal shares to and among my five children namely, Eli, Allen, Martin, Henry and Benjamin Hocker

6th I order, will and direct however, that if my son Eli, should fail to pay the judgment on which I am security—And said judgment must be paid out of the proceeds of my estate he shall not be entitled to any thing after my said wifes decease if anything remains as before stated

7th I appoint my two sons Allen Hocker and Martin Hocker, to be my executors of this my last will and testament, in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth 25th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three (1873)

Jacob his mark X Hocker

signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Jacob Hocker, to be his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses therewith

Joel Hippert
Isreal G. Erb

Lancaster County, S.S.
On the 13th day of August A.D. 1873 before me the subscribers personally appeared Joel Hippert, and Israel G. Erb Esq., the subscribing witnesses to the preceding will and on their solemn affirmation did declare and say that they were present and saw and heard Jacob Hocker, the testator therein named, sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament, and that at the time of the doing thereof he was of sound and well disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation, and belief.   J.S. Albright, Depy Regr.

August 13th A.D. 1873, Setters Testamentory granted to Allen Hocker, and Martin Hocker the executors named in the annexed will they being duly affirmed and well and truly to administer the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of the testate according to the law, and also that they will diligently and faithfully regard and well and truly comply with the provisions of the law relating to collateral inheritance.    J.S. Albright Depy Regr