Year: 2011

Mortgage: Henry Snyder, 1830

1830 Mortgage of Henry Snyder

1830 Mortgage of Henry Snyder

Among my grandfather’s papers, I found the original document of a mortgage between Henry Snyder and George Hillegas for 62 acres 40 perches in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The document was dated 17 Aug 1830! Here’s what it says:

“This Indenture made the third day of April in the year of our LORD One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty Between Henry Snyder of Upper Hanover township in the County of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania Cordwainer ~ of the first part, and George Hillegas Seneor [sic] of the same township county and state~ aforesaid Storekeeper ~ of the second part.

Whereas, the said party of the first part, in and by A certain obligation or writing obligatory bearing the date herewith, standeth bound unto the party of the second part, in the sum of fourteen hundred Dollars Lawful Money of Pennsylvania conditioned for the payment of the sum of seven hundred Dollars of lawful Gold of Silver Money current in the State of Pennsylvania, on the first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one, with the Lawful Interest for the same, as in and by the said Recited Obligation, and Condition thereof ~

as by the said obligation and the condition thereto, will fully appear: Now this Indenture witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the aforesaid obligation, and of the debt therein mentioned, and for the better securing the payment of the same at the times and in the manner in the said obligation specified, and for further consideration of one Dollar him in hand paid by the party of the second part, at and before the sealing and delivery of those presents, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, HATH granted, bargained, sold, released, and confirmed, and by these presents, DOTH, grant, bargain, sell, release and confirm unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, all that certain Messuage tenement and tract of land situate in Upper Hanover township in the County of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania Beginning at a stone a corner of George Hillegas land by the same North thirty five degrees west one hundred fourteen perches and seven tenth of a perch to a stone a corner of the Reformed Congregation land by the same north forty one and one half degrees East forty perches six tenth of a perch to a stone a corner in said line of Jacob [?]oyers land, by the same south forty five degrees East twenty one perches and three tenth of a perch to a stone by the same North twenty seven degrees East nineteen perches to a stone by the same South fifty one degrees East seventeen perches and seven tenth of a perch to a stone by the same South thirty eight degrees West thirteen perches and [one?] tenth of a perch to a stone [?] the same South forty two degrees East twenty two perches to a stone by the same north forty eight and one half degrees East forty two perches to a stone in a line of Henry [?] land by the same South forty one & one half East twenty five perches and nine tenth of a perch to a stone by the same North fifty four degrees fifty minutes East eighty three perches and seven tenth of a perch to a stone by the same South forty seven degrees East eight perches to a line of James Ashmead land by the same South forty two and one quarter degrees west one hundred eighty eight perches and seven tenth to the place of Beginning Containing sixty two Acres forty perches of land (It being the same which Jacob Stoyer[?] Administrator to the will annexed of Godfreyd Wissler yeoman deceased by his Indenture dated the day previous the date hereof duly Acknowledged have granted and Confirmed unto the said Henry Snyder (party hereto) to hold the same to him his heirs and Assigns in fee as in and by said Recited Indenture, intended to be Recorded, Relation being thereunto had appears)

Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, and the remainders and reversions, rents, issues and the profits thereof; and all the estate, right, title and interest of him the said party of the first part, his heirs and assigns, of, in and to the same: To have and to hold the premises hereby granted, with the appurtenances, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns; to the use of the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever. Provided always nevertheless, that if the said party of the first part, his heirs, executors or administrators, do and shall pay or cause to be paid to the said party of the second part, his executors, administrators or assigns, the aforesaid debt or sum of money in the said obligation and condition mentioned, at the times and in the manner therein specified and provided, then and thenceforth as well this Indenture as the estate hereby granted, shall determine and become void, any thing herein before contained to the contrary notwithstanding. In Witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.

Henry Snyder (seal)

Sealed and delivered in the presence of
[written in German, can’t read]
Jacob Gerhard

Montgomery County Ss

On the third day of April Anno Domini 1830 before me Jacob Gerhard Esquire one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Henry Snyder the grantor above named and acknowledged the foregoing Indenture to be his act and deed. Witness my hand and seal the day and year just above written.

Jacob Gerhard (seal)

I haven’t done much primary research into this family, but I can’t imagine this document being saved and passed down unless either Henry Snyder was a relative or the document pertained to the farm of my great-great grandfather Henry D. Snyder. Additional research is needed to determine the truth of either hypothesis.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Hocker Family Fishing

William Hocker and family

William Hocker and family

Fishing has always been a favorite pastime in my family. Both my Dad and Uncle Bill love to fish. My grandfather used to take us girls out fishing. This photo shows it’s been a family favorite for at one additional generation.

The photo is not labelled—big surprise—but I believe the man standing in the center with the fishing pole, wearing the white shirt and tie, is my great grandfather, William Hocker. The others may be his family members—quite likely—or friends.

Tombstone Tuesday: Emanuel Hocker (1842-1862)

Emanuel Hocker (1842-1862)

Emanuel Hocker (1842-1862)

A gravestone photo for Emanuel Hocker (11 Jul 1842-16 Nov 1862), son of George and Mary “Polly” (Brubaker) Hocker of Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He’s buried in Shoop’s Cemetery outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Friday Finds: An Old German Midwife’s Record

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

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…

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.

Tombstone Tuesday: Dr. David Hocker (1850-1887)

Dr. David R. Hocker (1850-1887)

Dr. David R. Hocker (1850-1887)

Dr. David R. Hocker, son of Adam and Eve (Hamaker) Hocker, was born 1 Dec 1850 and died 21 Nov 1887. He was buried in Shoop’s Cemetery, Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He married 4 Feb 1876 in Shoop’s Reformed Church Hettie Esther Rudy, daughter of Joseph Frederick and Hettie (Landis) Rudy. She was born 3 Jan 1854 and died 11 May 1894.

Dear Christian… I’m All Out of Ideas

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?

Daniel Hoover, late of Conestoga (now Pequea) Township

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):

  1. Benjamin, born bef 1831
  2. Daniel Jr., born bef 1831, second son
  3. Catharine, born bef 1831, married Christian Swartly
  4. Abraham M., born bef 1831
  5. Jacob, born bef 1831
  6. Henry, born bef 1831
  7. Susan, born bef 1831
  8. Susan, born bef 1831
  9. John, born bef 1831
  10. Christian, born bef 1831
  11. Anna, born bef 1831, married John Newcomer
  12. David M., born bef 1831
  13. Amos, born bef 1831
  14. Samuel, born aft 1831
  15. Mary, born ca 1835
  16. 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?

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).

Caldwell's 1878 Covington township map

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!