DOCSLIB.ORG

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

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Witwer Family of Earl Township: Part 1, Hans Wittwer 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.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The German and Swiss Settlements of Colonial Pennsylvania: a Study of the So-Called Penn- Sylvania Dutch
    THE GERMAN AND SWISS SETTLEMENTS OF COLONIAL PENNSYLVANIA: A STUDY OF THE SO-CALLED PENN- SYLVANIA DUTCH BY OSCAR KUHNS Member of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution, of the Pennsylvania-German Society, and of the Lancaster County Historical Society NEW YORK HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 1901 Copyright, 1900, BY HENRY HOLT & CO. ROBERT DRUMMOND, PRINTER, NEW YORK. THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR TO THE MEMORY OF HIS ANCESTORS GEORGE KUNTZ AND HANS HERR PIONEER SETTLERS OF LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Die Enkel gut thun an die Milhen ihrer Vorfahren zu denken." FREYTAG. PREFACE. THE object of this book is to give a complete yet concise view of a too-much-neglected phase of American origins. The author has especially tried to be impartial, avoiding as far as possible mere rhetoric, and allowing the facts to speak for themselves. As a book of this kind can have no real value unless it is reliable, authorities have been freely quoted, even at the risk of making the number of foot-notes larger than is perhaps suited to the taste of the general public. BERN, SWITZERLAND, October i, 1900. iii CONTENTS. PAGE PREFACE iii CHAPTER I. THE HISTORIC BACKGROUND i II. THE SETTLING OF THE GERMAN COUNTIES OF PENNSYLVANIA 30 III. OVER LAND AND SEA 62 IV. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PENNSYL- VANIA-GERMAN FARMER IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY 83 V. LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, AND EDUCATION. 1 15 VI. THE RELIGIOUS LIFE / 153 \ *_!,-' VII. IN PEACE AND IN WAR T<j3 VIII. CONCLUSION 221 APPENDIX PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN FAMILY NAMES.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cultural Heritage Element a Strategy for Preserving Our Sense of Place April 2006
    Heritage The Cultural Heritage Element A Strategy for Preserving Our Sense of Place April 2006 envision The Comprehensive Plan for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Lancaster County Table of Contents Introduction Key Message . 3 Our Challenge . 3 Purpose of This Plan . 4 Heritage: An Element of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan . 5 Need for the Plan . 7 Approach . 7 Contents of This Plan . 7 Goals, Objectives, and Strategies . 8 Existing Conditions Historical and Cultural Overview of Lancaster County . 13 Native American / American Indian Settlement . 13 Penn’s Woods and the Establishment of Lancaster County . 16 Settlement Patterns . 18 Religious Traditions in 18th-Century Lancaster County . 19 18th-Century Built Environment . 27 Agriculture in the 18th Century . 27 18th-Century Industries . 27 Revolutionary War and Early Republic . 28 Development of Free African Communities . 29Growing Transportation Network 30 of Contents Table Arts and Education in the 18th and 19th Centuries . 33 Slavery, the Civil War, and the Underground Railroad . 34 Agriculture in the 19th and 20th Centuries . 38 Manufacturing in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries . 39 Arts in the 20th Century . 41 20th Century to Today . 41 Preservation Planning In Lancaster County . 43 Past Efforts . 43 Present Efforts . 50 Preservation Trends . 53 Introduction . 53 Positive Trends . 56 Mixed Results . 61 Negative Trends . 66 Planning Process Guiding Principles . 73 Stakeholder Involvement . 73 Sustainability . 73 Integration of Supporting Studies . 73 Achievable Recommendations . 74 Research and Assessment . 74 Public Involvement Strategy . 75 Lancaster County Cultural Heritage Plan Task Force . 75 Regional Meetings . 76 Public Workshop: There’s No Place Like Home . 76 Public Involvement Findings .
    [Show full text]
  • HERR's ISLAND Fred R
    THE WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE Volume 53 July 1970 Number 3 HERR'S ISLAND Fred R. Herr the Allegheny River about two miles above its junction with the Monongahela River lies a small island. The town which had InA sprung up at the point where the two rivers meet was christened Pittsburgh on November 27, 1758, inhonor of England's great states- man, William Pitt, and thirty-nine years later the small island in the Allegheny River was named Herr's Island. The island, despite its size, being three-quarters of a mile long and six hundred feet wide, has had a long history of service to the needs of a rapidly growing community. It was the site, at various times, of homes, sawmills, manufacturing enterprises, oil refineries, stockyards, meat-packing houses, and fertilizer works. There is no record of the island's having been used by the Indians other than as a means of crossing the river. AnIndian trail from the east ran through the small Delaware village of Shannopin's Town, in the vicinity of what is now 40th and Butler Streets, con- tinued over the river and across the island, thence through the town of Allegheny and on toward the west. 1 Itis entirely possible that, due to the island's isolation from the mainland, it was the scene of many overnight encampments. The original owner of the island was William Wilson, having obtained the patent to the property on May 18, 1792. It was later purchased by Benjamin Herr in 1797 from George Wallace and Ann Wilson.2 Itis not known what use Benjamin Herr made of the island, Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Lancaster Mennonite Conference Historical Society 2215 Mill Stream Road, Lancaster, Pa
    CCGS REFERENCE ONL L • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • N • • • • • • • • • ___ ..... - _.---· -· Map of the Bishop John Herr farm, about 1810 to 1830, as described in Benjamin Groff Herr's memoirs of his youth, plotted by Henry G. Benner, and confirmed by recollections of Mrs. J. Clarence (Edna V. nee Groff) Groff (b. 1917) of life in later years on this farm. Mrs. Groff is a daughter of Enos H . and Martha (B rubaker) Groff. Later roads appear in grey. Pennsylvn11in Mennonite Heritnge July 2006 the dog or the antipathy of the men. The marmots had every sensible perception that could be grasped at once, their abodes in scores by the confines, like to the covert and clothed in somewhat palpable images. The discus­ ways and mines in the approaches to a fortification. sions held by tile seniors were too abstract, and tile feel­ Snakes as long as rails were known to be its habitants; ings agitated too spiritual, to have any interest for me; but al tho' I, myself, never saw one more than tluee or four feet I was not unobservant of tl1eir manners and outward in length in the neighbourhood and that was a viper, quality. Hours together I reclined in the orchard under killed several hundred yards beyond, an old one no some apple tree; or, in tile decline of day lay on tile mow, doubt, that had singly escaped the otherwise total and watched the expanded sunshine on tile opposite wall, destruction of a former time, since, I never had tl1e fortune where it had entered tlu·o' tl1e oriel-like opening, rising to behold tl1ereabouts, another specimen of the same kind, with matllematical exactness on it, as tile orb of day and vipers and rattlesnakes had early been set upon, and descended; or roaming to the quarries and sandbanks, sought to be exterminated with the most wu·emitting dili­ which had been excavated for building purposes, sat on gence.
    [Show full text]
  • Four Generations of the Family of Pequea Pioneer Jacob Miller (1663-1739)
    The author tackles a confusing immigrant family dating to the earliest settlement of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Four Generations of the Family of Pequea Pioneer Jacob Miller (1663-1739) By Thomas A. Durkin Drawing of an eighteenth-century frigate Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 14 October 2007 Few Mennonite families are more frustrating to research "there are perhaps 200 persons listed with a form of Johannes than the Millers of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Millers Muller who came to America between 1727 and 1808."1 There came to America early and often; they lived in a lot of places, are researched histories of some Miller families but not enough including but not limited to Lancaster County; they were of them. Many family branches with this surname are still Lutheran, Reformed, Amish, and Quaker as well as Mennonite; orphans from others; thus, it is difficult to fit many of the Jacobs and every Swiss or German family with this surname seemed to and Johns into a framework that properly places them with their name sons Jacob or John. Referring to Strassburger and Hinke's appropriate parents, siblings, children, uncles, aunts, and Pennsylvania German Pioneers, author J. Virgil Miller reports that cousins. The purpose of this article is to provide from primary records a starting place for further research on more generations of one well-known branch of the Millers but one apparently without a published history: the family of Jacob Miller Senim~ the Pequea pioneer of 1710. While this individual is well known to historians as one of the original European settlers of Lancaster County, except for a few earlier French fur traders and mission­ aries, his family is still confusing.
    [Show full text]