A thorough study of civil records from the earliest years of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, results in important additions and corrections to a published genealogy on a Mennonite immigrant and his descendants.

The Witwer Family of Earl Township: Part 1, Hans Wittwer

by Denise Witwer Lahr and Thomas Witwer Richards

The beginning genealogist will encounter many ited to the disbursement of land through the Herr and works compiled in the late 1800s and early 1900s that Kendig warrant.4 purport to give the accurate history of a particular fam­ Tax records are another source of information ily. Closer examination of these works often reveals a regarding land ownership. However, the examination of lack of reference to original sources. In large part they tax records requires a cautionary note. This caveat con­ appear to be based on oral history and the knowledge cerns the fact that this information was recorded in an gleaned from interviewing the oldest living members of age when spelling was not conventional and names the family. Although genealogists of a century ago cer­ were written according to the ear of the recorder, who tainly did their best, researchers now have access to new was often a speaker of English recording German technology and greater freedom of movement to explore names. Consequently, the researcher must take care in estate, land, church and government records. Therefore, assuming that any particular entry applies to a specific it is interesting to compare the oral traditions and older individual. genealogies with the information that can be obtained The name "Witwer" was written in the following from historical research. varied ways in situations where we are certain that the An interesting case in point is the Witwer family of person referred to is our ancestor: Widower (the literal Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A 1909 genealogy pub­ translation), Widwar, Widwer, Witmer, Witwar, lished by Reverend George Witwer and Ananias Clime Witware, Whitware, Whitmore and Witworth. Witwer1 has been taken at face value by many genera­ Particular care must be taken with regard to the name tions. However, even a brief investigation into original "Witmer" since there was also a John Witmer, with a son sources reveals many discrepancies and errors, includ­ named Michael, who arrived in Lancaster County ing omission of any mention of the family patriarch, around 1717. To further illustrate this confusion, we Hans Wittwer. The purpose of this article is to compile refer to the Witmer genealogy by Roy Spaetzel which the information from original sources regarding the includes many of our Witwer ancestors listed as family of Hans Wittwer of Earl Township. Witmers.5 Given this warning, we return to tax records for Land Holdings of Hans Wittwer areas of Chester County which, in 1729, would become Hans Wittwer probably arrived in Lancaster County Lancaster County. These records were first compiled by in 1717 with the second wave of Swiss immigrants. In H. Frank Eshleman and published in a 1916 article.6 his 1939 article on Peter Bezaillion's road, Martin Hervin. Subsequently, they were reexamined and published by Brackbill stated that Hans Witwer was among the earli­ Gary T. Hawbaker and Clyde L. Groff? Since Hawbaker est settlers in Earl Township, having purchased a por­ and Groff attempted to reproduce names exactly as they tion of the Hans Herr and Martin Kendig warrant of were written, rather than in more conventional form, 1717. According to Brackbill, Hans Witwer's land lay they will be cited here. about two miles north of Peters Road and was probably In 1718, "John Widwer" is listed among "the Dutch surveyed as early as 1720. He does, however, concede Inhabitants." A second entry for John Wittmer is proba­ that records from this early period are incomplete and bly not our ancestor since his lands are described as that Wittwer's land was later resurveyed to inc~ude a being "on the north west side of the Conestogoe River." larger amount.2 Other entries are as follows: 1719, John Widmer; 1720, Much of the documentation involving land transac­ John Wittmar; 1721, John Witner, among the "Palatines"; tions from 1718 until the early 1730s was tied up by liti­ 1722, John Whitmer (East Conestoga Assessment); 1724, gation involving the estate of William Penn.3 Therefore, two entries, one for John Witmer and another for John even the most diligent researcher will not likely find Widmar; 1725, two entries for John Widwer and John warrants and surveys in the name of Hans Wittwer from Widner; and in 1726 one entry for Hance Widwer and this early period. Much of the Mennonite development another for John Widwer.8 of Lancaster County in this period can be directly cred- In his 1917 work on the Swiss and German migra-

Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 14 July 2003 tion to Pennsylvania, H. Frank Eshleman also stated the his Mennonite community. Martin Brackbill wrote that name on the 1718 tax list was "John Widwer"9 although Hans was a "minister in the Mennonite Church, as was in his 1916 article, he had changed the name to "John his son-in-law, Wendel Holl17 and his son, Michael Widmer."10 Given independent reports of Hans Witwer."18 Although the reference to his being a minister Wittwer's presence in the county, it is certainly reason­ may be inaccurate, Hans, at the very least, was a respect­ able to assume that many of these tax entries refer to the ed member of his religious community. Witwer family patriarch. Further, Hans was a respected member of the com­ Hans Wittwer's principle tract of land, approxi­ munity-at-large. On August 3, 1736, at a meeting of the mately 632 acres, was located in present-day Earl Quarter Sessions Court of Lancaster County, Hans was Township. The Paxtang Road passed through the north­ appointed to a five-man committee charged with deter­ east corner and a stream ran from south to north. Even mining the best route for a road through Caernarvon today, this tract maintains its rural character, with many Township. The course of this road had been a matter of farms and little development. The fact that Hans was some dispute. Two previous attempts at laying it out had able to obtain such a large and valuable piece of land resulted in quite different solutions and a good deal of also attests to his early arrival in the county. By the 1720s controversy. Hans and the other committee members much of the prime, fertile land along the Conestoga were instructed to review both previously proposed River had already been claimed by others. courses "with a regard to the future as well as present Hans apparently obtained a survey of this property Advantage of the public" and report to the next court.19 in 1731, although that document could not be found. Its It appears that Hans was considered a wise individual existence, however, is inferred from a warrant dated who could act fairly in this matter. No further record of June 10, 1741, which states: the committee's action could be found in the abstracted records of the Quarter Sessions Court. Whereas in or about the year of our Lord 1731 a Survey was obtained and made for Hans Widdower, of the County of Lancaster on a Tract of about six hun­ dred and thirty two acres of Land Situate on a branch of Conestoga Creek in the said County which said Tract of Land was Soon after the survey thereof settled ~ V1rA_cA,'vliJ;~ and Improved by the said Hans Widdower who having ... paid to our use the consideration money due for the same he now requests that we would be pleased to The signature of Immigrant Hans Wittwer is found on the grant him a warrant in order that the said survey may administration bond of Aprill, 1728, for Theodorus Eby. be duly retumed ... n Hans Wittwer and his descendants maintained a On June 15, 1738, Hans obtained a warrant for an close relationship with the family of Theodorus Eby. additional 50 acres to be surveyed on the western edge of They likely emigrated together or in close proximity to his Earl Township tractP On the same day he purchased each other. Evidence of their relationship is documented a warrant for 200 acres on the "Middle Muddy Creek" in in Chester County records for the estate of "Doren" Eby dated April 1, 1728. Hans Wittwer was one of the three Brecknock TownshipY Hans Wittwer never obtained individuals posting bond in the administration of the patents on any of his properties, and his rights eventual­ estate.20 Several years later Theodorus' son Jacob died. ly vested in other persons. However, his flurry of land On January 4, 1745/6, Hans' son Michael Witwer joined dealings in 1738 suggest that Hans was hearty and look­ Michael Grebil in posting the bond.21 The family connec­ ing to expand his holdings, perhaps due to the arrival in tion was cemented by many marr~ages over the ensuing Pennsylvania of individuals soon to be related by mar­ years. riage, as will be discussed below. Nonetheless, we know that by March 8, 1741, when Will of Hans Wittwer his estate was inventoried, Hans was deceased.14 On Written in German but showing some English influ­ March 12, 1741, his will was filed for probate.15 Since the ences, the will of Hans Wittwer was probated on March will is undated, we do not know when it was written or 12, 1741/2, but was not translated at that time. It is a very exactly when Hans died. In fact, Hans may have died crudely-drawn document which contains many mis­ before June 16,1740, since a survey prepared on that date spellings and is extremely difficult to read. Nonetheless, for Thomas Cochran refers to the surveyed land as being due to the cooperation of two excellent translators, Anne "Late of Hans Widower."16 Augspurger Schmidt-Lange and Brigitte Burkett, we pre­ sent the following translation, in which we have a high Life of Hans Wittwer degree of confidence. Before delving into the will, which is an unusual and rather cryptic document, we will glean more about the The Will of Hans Wittwer22 life of Hans Wittwer. His substantial holdings indicate Of me HanJS Wittwer [it] is my testament and will that he was a farmer, a fact confirmed by the references that when I come to die my son-in-law Wennel Hol and in his will to a "plantation," and a miller in possession of my son Michel Wittwer shall be guardians or caretak­ a mill at the time of his death. His interest in the ers for my things and see to it that the agreement that I Brecknock Township property suggests that Hans may have made with my son-in-law Wennel Holl with the have been searching for a second mill site. two hundred acres of land and the half of the planta­ We also conclude that Hans was an active member of tion shall remain standing and Mother, as long as she

Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 15 July 2003 declare they were present & saw & heard Hans Weittwer (sic) the Testator above named sign, publish and declare the above will to be his last will & testa­ ment and at the doing thereof he was of sound mind and understanding to the best of their knowledge. Inventory of the Estate of Hans Wittwer23

Information in the inventory of his estate may be cross-referenced with that from his will.

The end of the German section of the will of Hans Wittwer, A true Inventory of all the Goods Chattels and probated on March 12, 1741/2, shows the signature of Witwer Credits of Hans Widwar of Earltown in the County of (right) and the four witnesses (left). A full translation of the Lancaster and province of Pennsylvania Late Deceased will is included in this article. made and apprised the Eighth and ninth Day of March 1741/2: by us whose names are hereunto subscribed. remains a widow, shall have her home here with my son-in-law Wennel Hol - and shall have of all of the estate, after the debts have been paid, one third part. Imprimis, His wearing Apperal, £ 6 - 2 - 0 But if she remarries she shall have only one third of the Item, His Riding Horse Saddel and bridle, 12 c 14- 0 moveable property, and my son Michel Wittwer shall Item, To horses, Mares and Colts, 14- 0 - 0 give to the Mother the grain for bread every year as Item, To horned Cattle, 20 - 12 - 0 long as she lives [section of line crossed out] and Item, To Sheeps, 2 - 0 - 0 remains a widow, because the mill is not appraised at a Item, To Household Stuff and Implements of Husbandry, 56 high value. And my son-in-law Wennel Holl, as long as -7-6 Mother remains a widow, shall give her her home here Item, To feathers and Bags, 4 - 0 - 0 on his place as long as she lives and feed and care for a Item, To Swines, 5 - 0 - 0 cow and a mare over the winters or give her the feed Item, To a good Still and an old one,and Brandy, 39 - 0 - 0 for same, because his land is not appraised at the high­ Item, To Smith Tools and Turning Tools, 14-12- 0 est value. And all of the movable property shall be sold, Item, To Books, 5 - 0 - 0 and the debts on the land, except for those of Wennel Item, To Corn in the Granary, 30 - 4 - 0 Hol shall be paid with the proceeds as far as they go. Item, To Bees, 0 - 8 - 0 And the agreement with my son-in-law Wennel Hol Item, To a Clock, 5 - 0 - 0 with the two hundred acres remains standing; and the Item, To Some linnen and wollen Cloth and Stuff, 12 - 8 - 9 other two hundred my son Michel Wittwer and Wennel Item, To an Indented Servant Boy, 11 - 0 - 0 Hol shall divide between them [or share]; and the Item, To 200 acres of Land (one half of the Buildings, lower two hundred they shall sell if they cannot man­ Orchards and clear Land included) part thereof is paid age [to buy or farm] them. And the land and the plan­ to the Proprietors, 200 - 0 - 0 tation shall be appraised at the lowest value. And the heirs shall [demand] their portion of the portions of (Subtotal) 438-8-3 Wennel Holl and of Michel Witwer according to the To 150 acres of Land and Mill lowest appraised value and the law of the land. It is my will that my son Michel Witwer be Administrator and, 150-0- 0 my son-in-law Wennel Hol Executor. To 200 acres of land and half plantation

For my stepson Han£ Gerber, it is my will that he 150-0-0 shall inherit as do my children, every one an equal share [or: a share equal to every one of them], but what Apprised by us I gave my stepson HaniS Gerber for his father's inheri­ tance he shall put back into this estate and then inherit 738-8-3 an equal share, my stepson as my children, the daugh­ Christian Sensenick, Henry Weaver, Christian Winger, Jacob ters and the sons equal shares one with the other. Weaver

It is my will that my son Michel Witwer shall have the mill for this appraised value: namely [a] hundred Family of Hans Wittwer and fifty Pounds and not higher. Hans Wittwer's will shows that he had at least two sons, one of whom was named Michael, at least two [Signature] Han£ Wiettwer daughters, one of whom was married to Wennel Holl, As witnesses: [Signatures:] Christian Sintzenig, and also a stepson named Hans Gerber. Also, he was sur­ Christen Wenger, Han£ Gerber, Han£ Greider vived by a widow, who was consistently referred to in the will as "Mother" or "the Mother," but not specifical­ [In English in a different hand:] ly as the mother of either Michael or Wennel Holl's wife. Lancast. County March the twelfth ano. Dom: The Witwer genealogy, which does not mention Hans, 1741/2 states that Michael had two sisters,24 Catherine, married There personally appeared Christian Sintsoneg & to Jacob Holland Elizabeth, and two bachelor brothers,2s Christian Wenger two of the witnesses to the above Jacob and Martin. No corroboration of either brother written will and on their solemn affirmation did could be found in any public record. Gravestones

Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 16 July 2003 assumed to be for these brothers were reported by their outline.3I Various clues point in this direction. Hans George Witwer in 1885, but are no longer standing in the Gerber, Jr. and his father, Hans Gerber, Sr. arrived in Witwer/Holl graveyard in Earl Township.26 "Catherine" Philadelphia on October 8, 1737 aboard the Charming was probably Mary, the wife of Wennel, not "Jacob," Nancy. The signatures of Hans Gerber, Jr. appearing on Holl. This sort of confusion over names is common in the ship list32 and oath to the government33 match the many of the older genealogies.27 signature of Hans Gerber as a witness to Hans Wittwer's Clearly the genealogy is also wrong in designating will. The exact same signature appears on the May 2, Michael as the original immigrant and attributing that 1739, bond for administration of the estate of Hans event to 1727.28 Michael almost certainly emigrated with Gerber, Sr.34 his father and siblings in 1717 or 1718. If Hans and fami­ However, no individual on the ship list can be iden­ ly had not emigrated until 1727, as suggested by the tified as the wife of Hans Gerber, Sr. Since Hans Wittwer genealogy, Hans certainly would not have been in a posi­ refers to Hans Gerber, Jr., as his stepson, we assume that tion to post bond for the substantial estate of Theodorus he married the widow Gerber after the death of Hans Eby in 1728. Gerber, Sr. We are left with several possibilities: first, Mrs. Gerber may have arrived on the Charming Nancy Widow Wittwer and Hans Gerber but had not been listed; second, she may have arrived on As far as the widow is concerned, the will does not a different ship; or third, Hans Gerber, Sr. may have been specify her as the mother of either Michael or Mary. Both a widower who married her after his arrival in translators stated that she was probably "the person ful­ Pennsylvania. filling the mother role in the household. "29 Responsibility for her continued care was divided Wennel Holl between Wennel, who was to provide her with lodging, Also arriving on the Charming Nancy was a cow and a mare, and Michael who was to provide grain Wennel Holl who would shortly marry Hans Wittwer's from the mill. In both cases, Hans justified this arrange­ daughter, Mary. Wennel's signatures on the ship list and ment by noting that their inheritances would be oath match the signature on his original will dated expect them appraised at a low value. Clearly he did not March 1, 1763, assuring us that we are dealing with one to provide for her solely out of filial love and duty. and the same person.35 Clearly the time frame here is The authors have considered the possibility that the widow may be the mother of the individual referred to in very tight. Between the arrival of the Charming Nancy in the will as a stepson, Hans Gerber. Steven R. Garver and the fall of 1737 and the death of Hans Wittwer before the Jerry R. Masters have written an article about the immi­ spring of 1741 much occurred. It appears that Hans grants named Gerber, Garber and Garver.30 In subse­ Wittwer married the widow Gerber and assumed some quent private correspondence they have speculated that control over the assets of the estate of Hans Gerber, Sr. the Hans Gerber which Hans Wittwer refers to as his Hans stated that his stepson should inherit equally with stepson is actually Hans Gerber, Jr., designated (E) in the other children, but only after the stepson returned the Gerber inheritance which Hans had already given him.36 Also, by the time of Hans Wittwer's death, Wennel Holl had married Mary Wittwer and had entered into some sort of agreement with Hans regarding a portion of the Earl Township land. It appears that 200 acres of the land, including the residence, were to be transferred to Wennel under certain terms and conditions. In his will, Hans expressed concern that this agreement be honored even after his death. Specifically, he stated "that when I come to die my son-in-law Wennel Hol and my son Michel Wittwer shall be guardians or caretakers for my things37 and see to it that the agreement that I have made with my son-in-law Wennel Holl with the two hundred acres of land and the half of the plantation shall remain standing." He reiterated this concern later by stating that "the agreement with my son-in-law Wennel Hol with the two hundred acres remains standing." Wennel undoubtedly owed money under the terms of the agreement. Hans directed that "all of the movable property shall be sold, and the debts on the land, except for those of Wennel Hol shall be paid with the proceeds as far as they go." This portion of the tract is probably the The Philadelphia ship list of October 8, 1737, for the Charming same one described in the inventory as "200 acres of land (top to bottom) of Hans Nancy shows (above) the signatures half of the Buildings, Orchards and clear Land Gerber [Jr.], the mark of Hans Gerber [Sr.], the mark of Hans (one Hole, the mark of Hans Koffel, the signatures of Isaac Holl, included) part thereof is paid to the proprietors" and Wennel Holl. Note that the signature of Hans Gerber, Jr., assessed at £200. It is also the place where Wennel and matches the signature (below) found on the administration Mary Holl lived with Hans and his wife, since Hans bond for the estate of Hans Gerber, Sr., dated May 2, 1739. twice states that the widow shall have her home "here"

Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 17 July 2003 on Wennel Boll's place. together with the additional 50 acres. The resurvey As for the rest of Hans' tract of about 632 acres, Hans returned 538 acres of land on April20, 1749 (depicted in directed that the "lower" 200 acres was to be sold if nei­ Figure 1 as 1).42 ther Michael or Wennel wanted to work them. This is There is an alternate sequence of events concerning probably the northern38 200 acres which were eventually the 50 acres. A survey for Thomas Williams (dated patented to Thomas Cochran. The sale to Cochran prob­ August 16, 1743) depicts a 97-acre parcel adjoining ably occurred between the execution and the filing of the Wennel Boll's tract on the west which is also said to be will, since the survey is dated June 16, 1740, and the par­ by right of Hans Widower's 50-acre warrant.43 Williams cel does not seem to be present in the inventory.39 (This assigned his rights to Jacob Sensenig, but the parcel was parcel is depicted in Figure 1 as la.) The remaining 200 eventually patented to William Long in June 11, 1750.44 acres of the total tract, which was assessed at £150 in the (This area is depicted in Figure 1 as lb.) Clearly, Hans inventory, was to be shared between Wennel and Michael. Michael must have conveyed his interest to Wennel since there is no record of Michael ever hav­ ing held title to any portion of what would become the "Wendal Hole" patent. Patent of "Wendal Hole" In the patent to "Wendal Hole" dated April24, 1749,40 a lengthy narrative concern­ ing Hans Wittwer's Earl Township tract confirms much of the foregoing infor­ mation. The patent refers to a survey of the 632 acres on October 20, 1734. It also con­ firms the June 15, 1738, war­ rant for an additional 50 acres to be laid out next to the main tract. The patent then states that Hans died, leaving "everything" to Wennel, who is described as having "married Mary the daughter of the said Hans Widdower." "Everything" is obviously a slight exaggera­ tion, since Michael did have a half-interest in two-thirds of the tract; however we have already presumed that Michael sold his interest to Wennel. It further states that after Hans' death, Wennel sold 200 acres to Thomas Cochran. This seems to veri­ fy a death date for Hans prior to June 16, 1740, and to confirm that Wennel and Michael decided to sell the lower 200 acres. Finally, it is mentioned that the warrant for 50 addi­ Figure 1: These five tracts (ca. 1740) in Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, were tional acres was voided due owned by either Hans Wittwer and/or his son Michael Witwer: 1) 538 acres of "Wendal Hole" to noncompliance. Wennel patent derived from warrants of 1738 and 1741 for Hans Wittwer; 1a) 200 acres sold in 1740 by heirs of Hans Wittwer to Thomas Cochran; 1b) 97 acres patented to William Long by right of 1738 received a warrant41 for a warrant to Hans Wittwer; 2) 56 acres sold by Jacob Sensenig to Michael Witwer-site of mill; 3) 89 resurvey of the remaining acres warranted to John Sensenig, then acquired by Michael Witwer. Tracts 2 and 3 were com­ portion of Wittwer tract, bined in a patent to Michael Witwer.

Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 18 July 2003 never completed a survey, and there was some question about where the 50 acres might lie. Everyone wanted a piece of it, and eventually more than 200 acres of patent­ ed land claimed descent from the original warrant! Inheritance of Michael Wittwer Hans Wittwer's bequest to his son Michael consisted of a mill, described in the inventory as "150 acres of land and mill." If the mill had been on the main tract, Michael would undoubtedly have received a specific bequest of land which included the mill. However, Michael's bequest was nonspecific and shared with Wennel Hall. Since all of the main tract has otherwise been accounted for, the mill must have been elsewhere. We know that Michael was married by the time of his father 's death45 and probably lived some place other than the homestead shared by the elder Wittwers and the Halls. In later years Michael operated a mill on Witwer's Run,46located on the eastern edge of the Sensenig tracts for which Michael obtained a patent after his father's death.47 The two contiguous parcels comprise the Sensenig tracts (Figure 1 as 2 and 3). The eastern 56 acres (Figure 1 as 2) abut the mill run and were acquired by Michael Figure 2: The map shows the approximate location of 200 acres before May 20, 1736. On that date Jacob Sensenig warranted in 1738 to Hans Wittwer in Brecknock Township, obtained a survey of his warrant area, and the western Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. At 245 acres when surveyed, portion of the tract, the area to the west of the mill run, this tract was later divided in two and patented to Henry carried the notation "56 acres on this side of ye Run Sold Becker and Jacob Fry, both by right of "Hans Widower." as to Michael Whitware."48 The description of the stream Brigitte Burkett agreed that Hans intended to avoid prior to a mill run certainly verifies the existence of a mill price-gouging on the part of the heirs. 53 Hans' death. The other Sensenig parcel (Figure 1 as 3) patented to Conclusions Michael lies just to the west of the parcel acquired from The Brecknock Township property for which Hans Jacob Sensenig and consists of 89 acres which were orig­ obtained a warrant in 1738 was not listed in his invento­ inally warranted to John Sensenig.49 However, that war­ ry. Since the warrant was not vacated due to noncompli­ rant was voided, and on September 18, 1745, re-warrant­ ance, the rights must have been sold. It appears that they ed to Michael Witwer.5o The two Sensenig parcels were were first sold to Balthazar Roadsmith, although title combined and patented to Michael on September 20, passed through various persons until the 1800s when the 1745.51 Since the Sensenig tracts totaled 145 acres, it is 200-acre parcel (Figure 2) was divided and finally patent­ likely that the mill referred to by Hans was located there. ed. 54 This leads to the conclusion that Hans was assisting From the inventory of his estate, we can learn that Michael in the purchase of these tracts and that they Hans had blacksmithing and woodworking skills. He were already improved with the mill. kept bees55 and made brandy. He was literate and owned Inheritance of the Other Children £5 worth of books. Curiously, he had the services of an indentured servant boy, perhaps someone for whom he Wittwer stated that his children The will of Hans had paid passage. "the sons and the daughters," along with Hans Gerber, As far as Hans' children are concerned, we cannot the other should inherit equally. However, to prevent identify any descendants other than Mary and Michael. he children from demanding too large a portion, An individual named Augustine Widower appears in the required that the land be appraised at the lowest value. quitrent rolls for Strasburg Township.56 However, further He also set a fixed value of £150 for the mill. investigation revealed that the name was actually Anne Augspurger Schmidt-Lange has written: Augustine "Wither."57 German families often determined that one son As for the widow of Hans Wittwer, we do not know should continue to farm the home farm and be desig­ her name. In her 1970s update of the Witwer genealogy, nated the heir in the will. However, legally the farm Dorothy Witwer Stabler recorded and photographed a was part of the whole inheritance, and each heir also gravestone in the Witwer /Hall Cemetery which had the 'owned' a share after the death of the father. The other name of Maria Wittwer. Mrs. Stabler misread the heirs would receive their share of the cash and auction German inscription and wrote that Maria died on proceeds, but the share they owned in the home farm November 24, 1765,58 leading to the possibility that this who actually want­ was bought from them by the son . However, closer ed to keep farming the land. In this case, it appears that individual could be the wife of Hans Hans requested that a low value be set for the farm and examination of the German inscription reveals that the the mill, so that the other heirs would not require such word "gebornen" or "born" applies to the given date. We a high price for their shares that Wennel Holl and know that the widow was still alive on July 13, 1748, Michael Wittwer might not be able to pay them. 52 when the Moravian missionary George Hantsch visited

Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 19 July 2003 her; he wrote that "it was not necessary to stay long," An additional £250 was to be given him "when he comes indicating a frosty reception.s9 free of the army,"76 and £8 yearly until he "reforms his Finally, the close relationship between the Wittwer, life or is reformed, to the satisfaction of (the) executors." Gerber, and Holl families suggests a connection which Apparently, the £8 yearly was to be deducted from the extends to Europe. This might be a productive area of £250, since Wennel stated that if half the inheritance was investigation for qualified researchers. gone and he had still not reformed, then the balance was to go to John's daughter, Judith. Mary (Wittwer) Holl Wennel' s property was to be divided into three equal We will now briefly discuss the family of Mary parcels, named the upper, middle, and lower divisions, (Wittwer) Holl. (Michael Wittwer and his family will be each valued at £833. The upper division was identified as covered extensively in a later article.) Mary and Wennel the one containing the residence and was bequeathed to had ten children: four sons named John, Christian, Jacob. Subsequent deeds from the estate of Michael Joseph, and Jacob, and six daughters named Barbara, Wittwer indicate that this "upper division" was actually Elizabeth, Anna or "Annala," Mary, Susanna, and Judith. the southern portion of the tract.77 The widow Mary was Anna, or Annala, has been erroneously called "Amelia" to be allowed to remain on the upper division in a "com­ in many family records. In his will, Wennel clearly called modious" residence, either in the "dwelling house" or in her Annala, or "little Anna," a term of endearment. The a "separate convenient House to be built for her," on the "Amelia" error arose out of an early abstract of the will. 60 upper division. Sons Joseph and Jacob, who were The Holls seem to have prospered in Earl Township. minors, were to remain with their mother until they The quitrent rolls show that Wennel paid quitrent on 538 came of age. acres from April 24, 1749, through 1770.61 However, in The middle division was given to Christian and the the tax list for 1750, "Wendle Hole" was assessed for only lower division to Joseph. Joseph must have been close to 100 acres, five of which were in winter wheat, two hors­ 21 years of age at the time the will was written, since es, two cows and two sheep.62 Wennel indicates that Joseph should be an executor From 1750 to 1754 Isaac Hole also appears in the tax instead of John Witwer "when of age." Jacob, however, rolls as the owner of 50 acres in Earl Township.63 Isaac's was clearly a minor. name suddenly disappears in 1756,64 and at the same Five of Wennel's daughters were married at the time time, Wennel's total acreage jumped from 100 to 150 of their father's death: Barbara to Isaac Reif; Elizabeth to acres, suggesting that Wennel may have acquired the John Buckwalter; Anna to David Landis; Mary to acreage of Isaac.65 Since Isaac Holl also arrived on the Abraham Shaver (Shaeffer); and Susanna to Shem Krebil Charming Nancy in 173766 and Isaac and Wennel were (Graybill). Judith, apparently the youngest, was still sin­ naturalized together in 1753,67 they were likely related, gle. perhaps brothers. This relationship is further supported On October 8, 1783, Mary Holl wrote her own will7B by a will dated July 16, 1773, in the estate of Peter Holl, which reveals even more about the family. First, a son of which named his brothers as John, his eldest brother, John's also named John was left £40, in addition to an deceased,68 Isaac and Wendel, also deceased.69 In 1758 equal share of the estate. We do not know if Mary's son Wennel was assessed £3 for 500 acres, 16 of which were John ever "reformed" but Mary apparently bore no in corn, four horses, four cows, and ten sheep.70 In 1772, grudge against the grandson. In Mary's will, daughter the last year in which Wennel Holl appears in the tax Judith appears to have fallen out of favor. Mary left rolls, he was assessed for 600 acres, including 100 acres of "Judith the Wife of John Erb .. .the Sum of One Shilling clear land, four horses, three cows, and ten sheep.n starling and no more." Mary may have disinherited On March 1, 1767 Wennel was appointed co­ Judith because she disapproved of her marriage. John guardian, with Margaret Kray, of the six minor children Erb was the son of Jacob Erb who had traveled with his of Peter Kray, deceased. On June 7 of that same year, father, Nicholas, and other family members on the very Wennel appeared in Orphans Court in Lancaster to state same voyage of the Charming Nancy as the Gerbers and that he had been appointed to that position without his Holls.79 awareness or consent and asked to be discharged. The In their History of Lancaster County, Franklin Ellis and court agreed.72 However, in 1754 Wennel did accept Samuel Evans wrote that John Erb's father, Jacob, had left appointment as guardian over the person and estate of the Mennonite church with the outbreak of the John, Peter and Wendel "Hull," the minor children of his Revolutionary War and had served in the army. brother John.73 Specifically, those authors stated that Jacob Erb felt that Wennel Holl died in 1773. His will, written in "the non-resistant principles of the society were detri- English, was dated March 1, 1773, and was witnessed by his brother-in-law, Michael Witwer, and Jacob Sensenig. It was filed for probate on April 3, 1773. Michael's son, John, together with Wennel's son, Christian, were appointed executors.74 The inventory of his estate was taken on March 29, 1773, by Christian Meyer and Jacob Sensenig and filed on April1, 1773 .75 The will of Wennel, who signed his name as Wendel, reveals much about his family. He stated that his widow was Mary and that his oldest son was John. John seems The signature of Wennel/Wendel Holl on his will, dated March to have fallen out of favor with the family since he was 1, 1773, matches the one from the Philadelphia ship list (see p. left only 5 shillings "he having got considerable before." 17) of October 8, 1737, for the Charming Nancy.

Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 20 July 2003 mental to the preservation of the essential liberties of the people" and therefore "he withdrew from the connection and warmly supported the struggle for national inde­ pendence." Following the war, Jacob Erb was involved in politics, becoming a state legislator at one point. SO Judith's husband, John, had also supported the war effort by becoming a teamster at the age of 16.81 Since Mary's eldest son, John, was sanctioned by his father for joining the military, perhaps Judith was criticized for joining a family that supported the Revolution. Or per­ haps Mary felt that Judith needed the money less than her siblings, since the Jacob Erb family owned several The Witwer/Holl Cemetery is located at the comer of Martin and Reidenbach Roads in Earl Township, Lancaster County, mills and approximately 600 acres of land in the vicinity 82 Pennsylvania. Some descendants of Hans Wittwer were of Clay. However, some dispute clearly existed between buried in this cemetery, although no evidence indicates that he Judith and her family. On June 3, 1783, shortly before was buried there. Mary Holl wrote her will, Judith and John Erb success­ fully petitioned the Orphans Court to issue a citation to Acknowledgements John Witwer, Christian Holl, and Joseph Holl, the execu­ The authors wish to acknowledge the help and par­ tors of Wennel' s estate, to appear in court and present an ticipation of Anne Augspurger Schmidt-Lange and account of their administration.B3 Brigitte Burkett for their superlative efforts in translating We also know from Mary's will that daughter Hans Wittwer's will, Steven Garver and Jerry Masters Elizabeth was deceased when the will was written in for their help and input regarding the Gerber family, 1783, as probably was son John. It appears that Mary Daniel Lehman and Elizabeth Meredith for conversa­ wrote her will far in advance of her death. In the 1790 tions regarding the Holl family, Sally Miller Atkinson for census, there is a "Widow Hole," listed in Earl Township, the preparation of the map graphics, Venessa Adams the head of a household with a total of four males under Buckwalter for always being willing to offer a valuable 16 years of age and four females.B 4 However, this is prob­ second opinion and of course, David J. Rempel Smucker, ably the widow of Mary's son Joseph who died before for instigating this project by putting the authors in con­ January 24, 1786, leaving three sons and three daugh­ tact with each other. ters.ss Mary's sons Christian and Jacob were also listed as heads of household in the 1790 census,B6 and judging Notes from the number of females listed in those entries,87 it is 1. Reverend George Witwer and Ananias Clime Witwer, Witwer likely that Mary was still living on the upper division GeneaolOgJJ of America (Indiana: Authors, 1909). with her son Jacob in accordance with Wennel's will. 2. Martin Hervin Brackbill, "Peter Bezaillion's Road," Papers of the Lancaster County Historical Society 43:1 (1939): 17, 44; Martin Hervin In the 1800 census, it again does not appear that Brackbill, "New Light on Hans Herr and Martin Kendig," Proceedings Mary was living with her son, Christian.ss However, of the Lancaster County Historical Society 39 (1935): 81. Brackbill states Jacob's household in New Holland does contain a female that the 1717 warrant was a "blanket warrant" for 5,000 acres, "to be in the proper age category (45 and over).B9 surveyed in plots of various sizes anywhere along the Pequea or Mary's will was filed for probate on February 18, Conestoga creeks, or their branches." 3. Brackbill, "New Light on Hans Herr and Martin Kendig," pp. 83, 1802, with Jacob Holl appointed executor.9o The invento­ 99 (note 58). ry of her estate was conducted on March 19, 1802, by her 4. Ibid., p. 83. nephews, David and Jonas Witwer.91 Mary outlived her 5. Roy C. Spaetzel, History and GenealOgJJ of the Witmer Family brother Michael by approximately 24 years and is proba­ (Kitchener: Author, 1977), p. 83, attributes Michael Witwer's land to a Michael Wittmer who arrived in 1733. Children and a grandchild of bly the person referred to as "Old Mother Holl" in the Michael Witwer are listed (p. 90) as Witmers emolled in the Lancaster graveyard inventory conducted by George Witwer in County militia. 1885.92 6. H. Frank Eshelman, "Assessment Lists and Other Documents of Lancaster County Prior to the year 1729," Proceedings of the Lancaster Conclusions Countt; Historical Society 21:7 (1916) . 7. Gary T. Hawbaker and Clyde L. Groff, A New Index: Lancaster Hans Wittwer and family arrived in Pennsylvania in County, Pennsylvania Before the Federal Census, Vol. 4, "Index to the 1718- the early 1700s, probably in pursuit of religious freedom 1726 Tax records of Chester County relating to areas later part of Lancaster and land. Hans lived less than 25 years after his arrival Countt;," Section1 (Hershey, Pa. :Authors, 1985). and left only one married son to carry on his name. 8. Ibid., Section 1, pp. 53-54. 9. H. Frank Eshelman, Historic Background and Annals of the Swiss Nonetheless, the name Witwer is well-entrenched in and German Pioneer Settlers of Southeastern Pennsylvania and of their Lancaster County and is widespread throughout the Remote Ancestors, From the Middle of the Dark Ages, Down to the Time of United States. the Revolutionary War (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1969 Hans Wittwer's gravesite is unmarked. Perhaps he is reprint), p. 205. 10. Hawbaker and Groff, A New Index, Section 4, p. 36. buried with many of his descendants in the Witwer /Holl 11. Warrant No. W-34, dated June 10, 1741, Pennsylvania State Cemetery at the northeast corner of the intersection of Archives, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Note: In the Warrant Index a line Reidenbaugh and Martin Roads in Earl Township. drawn by the clerk indicates that this warrant was eventually patent­ However, since this land was not part of the original ed to three individuals. In fact, the line should have been drawn to the homestead and was acquired by son Michael only after warrant below, W-35. This is potentially misleading. 12. Warrant No. W-115, dated June 15, 1738, Pennsylvania State Hans Wittwer's death,93 it is also possible that Hans is Archives. buried elsewhere. 13. Warrant No. W-117, dated June 15, 1738, Pennsylvania State

Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 21 July 2003 Archives. German "Pfleger," which sometimes refers to a proxy who takes care of 14. Inventory, Hans Wid war, dated Mar. 8 and 9, 1741/2, Lancaster affairs for a person who cannot take care of himself. However, since County Historical Society, Lancaster, Pa. Sachen may also be translated as "affairs" or "business affairs," it 15. Will A-1-66, John Witwer, Lancaster County Archives, might also imply some sort of guardianship over a joint ownership. Lancaster, Pa. (Letter from Anne Augspurger Schmidt-Lange to Denise Witwer Lahr, 16. Survey A-64-189, dated June 16, 1740, states: "The Draught of a dated Dec. 11, 2002) The most likely explanation is that Hans was Tract of Land surveyed and Divided from Land Late of Hans Widower referring to his agreement with Wennel Holl rather than any minor for Thomas Cochran, in Erie Township in Lancaster County children, since there are no records of any guardianships subsequent Containing Two Hundred acres beside allowance." to Hans' death. 17. In the King's Tax for Earl Township levied December 7, 1759, 38. This northern tract was "lower" in terms of being downhill Wennel is listed as "Hole, Wenner Reverend" (Lancaster County, toward the Conestoga River. One can still drive around the area of the Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1750-1855, Roll No. 11, Earl Township, patent and observe that the southern land is "higher," whereas the Microfilm No. 6047, Pennsylvania State Archives, frame 73). Also, in northern section is "lower." When observed on Mar. 9, 2003, the Menno S. Zimmerman Papers, Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, streams were full of melting snow and the "lower" or northern section there is the transcription of an unrecorded deed, dated June 8, 1772, in was obviously flooded in large areas (D.W.Lahr). In her letter of Dec. which Wendel Hollis called a preacher and Michael Widower is called 11, 2002, Mrs. Schmidt-Lange related that German farmers and farm an elder of the Mennonist congregation in Earl Township. No similar documents she has worked with "don't automatically give locations in recorded instrument could be found in the Lancaster County Archives. terms of east/west/north/south, but they often refer to farmland in It would be helpful to view the original document-if it remains in the terms of its location up- or downhill on the property." Brigitte Burkett hands of Mr. Zimmerman's heirs or elsewhere. believes that the written word may actually be "unsteren" perhaps try­ 18. Brackbill, "Peter Bezaillion's Road," p. 44. ing to indicate "lowest." (Letter from Brigitte Burkett to Denise Witwer 19. Gary T. Hawbaker, ed., Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Quarter Lahr, dated Dec. 27, 2002. Sessions Abstracts (1729-1742), Book 1 (Hershey, Pa.: Author, 1986), p. 39. Survey, A-64-189, dated Jtme 16, 1740, for Thomas Cochran; 53. Warrant C-283, dated Nov. 11, 1746; Patent A-12-471, dated Dec. 4, 20. Administration Bond, Estate of Doren Eby, file no. 307, dated 1746. April 1, 1728, Chester County Archives. Theodorus Eby also appears 40. Patent A-15-121, to Wenda! Hole, dated Apr. 24, 1749, recorded in the 1718 tax records as "Torey Ebeys, Conestogoe Rate, Dutch Apr. 25, 1749, Pennsylvania State Archives. Inhabitants (Hawbaker and Groff, A New Index, Part 1, p. 14). 41. Warrant H-463, to Wenda! Hole, dated Apr. 1, 1749, 21. Administration Bond, Estate of Jacob "Ebay," dated January 4, Pennsylvania State Archives. 1745/6, Lancaster County Historical Society. The signature of one of 42. Survey A-46-235, for Wenda! Hole, dated Apr. 20, 1749. the witnesses to the "Ebay" bond is Hans "Witmer," not Hans Witwer. 43. Survey A-8-19, for Thomas Williams, dated Aug. 16, 1743, 22. Will A-1-66, Lancaster County Archives; the translation pre- Pennsylvania State Archives. sented is largely the work of Anne Augspurger Schmidt-Lange. 44. Patent A-14-442, to William Long, dated June 11, 1750, 23. See note 14. Pennsylvania State Archives. 24. Witwer and Witwer, Witwer Genealogt;, p. 32. 45. Debra D. Smith and Frederick S. Weiser, eds., Trinity Lutheran 25. Ibid., p. 14. Church Records, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1730-1767, Vol. 1 (Apollo, Pa.: 26. Witwer and Witwer, Witwer Genealogy, p.32; personal observa­ Closson Press, 1988), p. 45. tion of Witwer-Holl graveyard by D.W.Lahr on Mar. 6, 2002. 46. Michael is referred to as a miller in Deed H-1-221; Arthur C. 27. See also Denise Witwer Lahr, "The Life and Legacy of Peter Eby Lord, Water-Powered Grist Mills, Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Millersville, of Warwick Township," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 26:1 Gan. Pa.: Author, 1996), p. 28. 2003): 9-17. 47. Patent A-12-274, to Michael Whitware, dated Sept. 20, 1745, 28. Witwer and Witwer, Witwer Genealogt;, pp. 14, 15. Pennsylvania State Archives. 29. Letter from Anne Augspurger Schmidt-Lange to Denise Witwer 48. Survey C-182-278, for Jacob Sensanick, dated May 20, 1736, Lahr, dated Dec. 11, 2002; Letter from Brigitte Burkett to Denise Pennsylvania State Archives. See also Survey C-182-277. Witwer Lahr, dated Dec. 27, 2002. 49. Warrant S-149, to John Sensiney, dated May 11, 1737; Survey C- 30. Steven R. Garver and Jerry R. Masters, "Gerber, Garber, and 224-146, dated Jan. 31, 1739; both Pennsylvania State Archives. Garver Progenitors in Pennsylvania: Part One," Pennsylvania 50. Warrant W-252, to Michael Whitware, dated Sept. 18, 1745, Mennonite Heritage 22:3 Guly 1999): 24-35; " . . .Part 2," 22:4 (Oct. 1999): Pennsylvania State Archives. 25-32. 51. See note 47. 31. Garver and Masters, Part 1, p. 28; Letter from Steven R. Garver 52. See note 29. to Denise Witwer Lahr, dated Dec. 11, 2002. 53. Ibid. 32. Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Vol. 2 54. Survey D-33-69, Patent H-8-733 to Jacob Fry, dated Apr. 1, 1813; (Norristown, Pa.: Pennsylvania German Society, 1934), p. 194. Survey D-3-192, Patent H-54-224 to Henry B. Becker, dated May 4, 33. Ibid., p. 196. 1859; both Pennsylvania State Archives. All documents state that they 34. Administration Bond, Estate of Hans Garbor, dated May 2, are by right of Hans Widower. 1739, Lancaster County Historical Society. 55. The honey produced by bees and maple syrup were the only 35. Strassburger, Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Vol. 2, pp. 194, 196; sources of sweetener available to the early settlers. Will C-1-196, Wendel Holl, Lancaster County Archives. 56. RG-17, Records of the Land Office Section, Rent Rolls, 1683- 36. The authors are aware of a number of questions that exist 1776, Microfilm Roll 32.2, Lancaster County, Vol. 3, p. 467, regarding the relationship between Hans Gerber, Hans Wittwer and Pennsylvania State Archives. the Widow Wittwer. We assume that Hans Wittwer was not speaking 57. Will C-1-294, of Augustine Wither, dated Dec. 18,1766, and filed euphemistically about a stepson. Therefore, the fact that Hans for probate Feb. 7, 1767, Lancaster County Archives, lists the approxi­ Wittwer's will did not impose any obligation on Hans Gerber to pro­ mately 130 acres in Strasburg Twp. mentioned in the quitrent rolls. vide for the widow might mean that she was not the mother of Hans 58. Dorothy Witwer Stabler files held by the Lancaster Mennonite Gerber, but rather the widow of Hans Gerber's father. Also, we do not Historical Society. know how Hans Wittwer assumed an interest in the estate of Hans 59. Don Yoder, ed., "Brother Hantsch Visits the Mennonites: A Gerber, Sr. However, since Hans Gerbet~ Jr. was required to return his Moravian Missionary Diary of 1748," The Pennsylvania Dutchman 3:11 paternal inheritance before inheriting from the estate of Hans Wittwer, (Nov. 1, 1951): 6. we can assume that his paternal inheritance was small. Hans Gerber 60. Abstracts of Lancaster County Penna. Wills 1721-1820, Collections may have witnessed the will, even though he was a beneficiary, to of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Vol. 24, Philadelphia acknowledge the arrangement. Also, Hans Gerber must have come of (1896), p. 427-428. age before May 2, 1739, when he signed the Administration Bond for 61. RG-17, Records of the Land Office Section, Rent Rolls, 1683- his father's estate, making him an adult when Hans Wittwer died. 1776, Microfilm Roll 32.2, Lancaster County, Vol. 4, p. 569, 37. "things" - Probable transcription: " ... so sol mein Docherman Pennsylvania State Archives. Wennel Hoi, und mein Son michel Wittwer Vormundter oder bliiger sein 62. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1750-1855, Roll uiber meine Sachen ... " The final word is probably not Siihne, or "Sons," No. 11, Earl Township, Microfilm No. 6047, frame 7, Pennsylvania although other translators have made that assumption. Anne State Archives. Augspurger Schmidt-Lange believes the word "bliiger" is probably the 63. Ibid., frames 6,9,15.

Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 22 July 2003 sold 17 acres of crops in the field to Christian Musselman (Deed M- 265, dated Oct. 31, 1767, recorded Nov. 13, 1767). John appears in the tax rolls of Earl Twp. in 1769, but never after. In 1769 he is not listed as owning any land, although he paid a 2 shilling tax (See note 17, frame 84). Since a standing army or militia did not exist in the colony at the time, it is possible that John joined the British army. Sources m the Pennsylvania State Archives indicate that to do so he would have had to leave the area, which he apparently did. He was probably deceased in 1783 when his mother wrote her will. "Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Manheim, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: Parish Registers, 1771-" Unpublished abstracts at Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, p. 148, records that Anna Hohl,widow, an En?lishwoman, married Casper Bettenhauser, a Hessran, m Earl Township, Lancaster County on September 9, 1781. This is very likely John Hall's widow. 77. Deed SS-492, dated Feb. 26, 1790, Lancaster County Archives, from the estate of Michael Witwer to Jacob Stauffer. This deed describes the northeast boundary of the property as being by land of Jacob "Hole." This is the southeast corner of the "Wenda! Hole" patent. The two signatures of Peter Holl exist on his will (above), 78. Will H-1-159, Mary Hole, Lancaster County Archives. dated July 16, 1773, and the May 30, 1741, Philadelphia ship list 79. Strassburger, Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Vol. 1, pp. 189-193; (below) for the Francis and Ann. (See note 69.) Gladys E.G. Lichtenwalter, The Erb Family History 1679-1961 (Lancaster: Author, 1961), p. 7. 80. Franklin Ellis and Samuel Evans, History of Lancaster County 64. Isaac moved to Warrington Twp., York Co., Pa., ca. 1765 and Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1883), pp. 706, 908-909; purchased 300 acres from John and Elizabeth Comer (Deed 2-M-207, Lichtenwalter, The Erb Family History, pp. 7, 401, 403. dated Aug. 14, 1765, recorded Dec. 10, 1796, York County Archives, 81. Ellis and Evans, History of Lancaster County, p. 706; York, Pa.). He died in 1784 (Will F-310, dated Feb. 23, 1783, filed Dec. Lichtenwalter, Erb Family History, p. 403. 24, 1784, York County Archives). The will of Isaac's son, Samuel (Will 82. Ellis and Evans, History of Lancaster County, pp. 706, 908-909; 1-250, dated Dec. 8, 1807, filed Mar. 2, 1808, Bedford County Archives, Lichtenwalter, Erb Family History, pp. 401, 403. Bedford, Pa.) mentions the £5 bequest of Peter "Hull" which Isaac 83. Miscellaneous Book 1782-1784, June 3, 1783, p. 169, Lancaster never received (See note 69). Samuel assigned his son, "Gabreal," the County Archives. . task of attempting to collect the money. 84. Heads of Families at the First Census . . .1790, Pennsylvanza 65. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1750-1855, frame (Washington D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1908), p. 132 20. [Lancaster Co., Earl Twp.]. 66. Holls appearing on the Charming Nancy ship list include 85. Letters of Administration, Estate of Joseph Holl, Book 4, p. 324; Wennel, Hanes, Isaac, Barbara and Abraham (Strasburger, Will of John Smith Goseph's father-in-law) H-1-146; Miscellaneous Vol. 1, p. 189-193). Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Book 1796-1801, pp. 25-26, 72-73-all Lancaster County Archives. 67. Naturalizations in the American Colonies, M. S. Giuseppi, Ed. 86. See note 84. (Baltimore: Genealogi,al Publishing Co: 1979 reprint), p. 49. "Wendall 87. Heads of Families at the First Census . . .1790, Pennsylvania, p. 132. Whole" and Isaac "Whole" were both listed as Quakers, or individu­ Christian Hall's household had three females. In 1790 the female als refusing to take an oath, when naturalized by the Su,r~em~ Court members of his family were daughters, Elizabeth and Susanna, and his of Philadelphia on September 24, 1753. Both were resrdmg m Earl wife, Mary. Jacob's listing (p. 132) also showed three females. At t~e Twp., Lancaster Co., at the time. time the female members of his family were a daughter, Drana, and his 68. Administration Bond, John Hull, Lancaster County Historical wife, Eve. The third female may be Mary. Society: John "Hull" died intestate in Manor Twp., Lancaster Co. 88. U.S. Federal Census of 1800, Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa., Roll before Apr. 13, 1752. The widow "Fronica" renounced her right of no. 39, p. 74. administration and consented to the appointment of Jacob Byors and 89. U.S. Federal Census of 1800, Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa., Roll Wendle Hull as administrators. Peter Hull also posted bond in the no. 39, p. 85. estate. The signatures of Wendle Hull and Peter Hull are clearly 90. See note 78. "Holl" and match other existing signatures for these individuals. What 91. Inventory, Mary Hole, Lancaster County Historical Society. is still unproved is that John Hull is the "Hanes Holl" aboard the 92. Witwer and Witwer, Witwer GenealOg1j, p. 32. Charming Nancy. If so, he was the only brother who was illiterate and 93. The Witwer /Holl Cemetery lies at the southwestern corner of a signed with an "H." . 94-acre tract patented to Michael Wittwer (Michael Wid war) on June 6, 69. Will of Peter Holl, D-1-418, dated July 16, 1773, fried Feb. 19, 1750 (Patent Book A-14-424, Pennsylvania State Archives). Michael 1784, Lancaster County Archives. Peter bequeathed £5 to the children and his second wife, Mary (Sensenig) Wittwer deeded this tract to of his brother John, £5 to Isaac and £5 to the children of his brother Michael's son, John, on Mar. 10, 1763 (Deed H-1-221, Lancaster County Wendel, all sums to be paid two years after his death. Peter listed no Archives). The cemetery definitely lies within this tract as determine? children but was survived by a wife, Barbara. In her own will (Will I- by mapping and as verified by the information found in.a d~ath affi­ 1-222, dated Dec. 6, 1805, Lancaster County Archives) Barbara named davit for Magdalena Witwer, John's daughter (Death Affrdavrts 1852- a son, Christian Smith and three grandchildren. It appears that either 1855, p. 115, Lancaster County Archives). The affidavit states that Barbara was widowed with a child when she married Peter Holl, or Magdalena was buried on her father's farm. Magdalena's gravesrte that she remarried after Peter's death. However, Peter Holl himself lies within the Witwer /Hall Cemetery. 0 apparently left no descendants. Peter did not travel on the Charming Nancy in 1737 with his brothers. He arrived on May 30, 1741 on the Snow Francis and Ann (Strassburger, Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Vol. 1, p. 292). His signature on the ship list (Vol. 2, p. 300) matches the sig­ nature on his will. 70. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1750-1855, frame 50. 71. Ibid., frame 132. 72. Miscellaneous Book 1742-1760, Part 3, pp. 70, 79, Lancaster County Archives. 73. Ibid., p. 14. 74. Will C-1-196, Wendle Holl, Lancaster County Archives. 75. Inventory, Wendel Hole, Lancaster County Historical Society. 76. We can only speculate about John Holland his military service. In 1767 there is a recorded document whereby John Holl of Earl Twp.

Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 23 July 2003