Hans Frantz (c1721-1787)

Johannes “Hans” Frantz was likely born by 1721, possibly in Pennsylvania. He may have been the son of Hans Frantz, the 1717 immigrant who was taxed at Conestoga in 1718¹ and likely died in Manor Township in 1767. He died in Manor Township sometime between 3 March 1786 when he wrote his last will and testament and 10 February 1787 when it was proven.²

Hans [Jr.] married Catharina (___), most likely prior to 1742.³ Not much is known about her. She was likely already deceased by late 1785. She was not included in a deed dated 7 November 1785 when Hans’ sold his land to son Jacob, nor was she named in Hans’ will in March 1786.

In 1746/7 Hans purchased 166 acres in Manor Township from Christian and Barbara Frantz for £350.⁴ The tract, I believe, was the so-called mansion tract, where the family lived. He was likely the John taxed at Manor in 1751.⁵

On 18 May 1761, Hans’ purchased 175 acres in Donegal Township from David and Grace Caldwell.⁶ He bought 296 acres in Donegal from Simon Snyder on 23 August 1769.⁷ Hans purchased “Chestnut Hall” in Londonderry Township from John Chestnut on 8 May 1775.⁸

On 27 December 1783, Hans sold one of the Donegal tracts to Christian Frantz.⁹ Nearly two years later on 12 March 1785, Hans sold one of the Donegal tracts to John Frantz Jr.¹⁰ In April, Hans and Catharina sold “Chestnut Hall” to their son Michael.¹¹ The following November, Hans sold the mansion tract in Manor Township to Jacob Frantz.¹²

Hans wrote his last will and testament on 3 March 1786.¹³ In it he bequeaths £500 to his four sons John, Christian, Jacob, and Michael which they had already received in the form of real estate property, sold below market value. He left his daughter Elizabeth £570 in gold or silver, to be made up out of his estate as soon as possible. Any remaining portion of his estate was to be equally divided amongst his five children. Hans named his friend Jacob Brubaker and son Jacob Frantz as his executors. The will was witnessed by his neighbors Jacob Kilhoffer and John Kilhoffer.

Hans had served as guardian to Magdalena, Jacob and Anna Kilhoffer of Manor Township as of 5 June 1765, when their father Heinrich Kilhoffer died intestate.¹⁴ Guardians are usually selected from amongst family members, so perhaps their was some relationship between the Frantz and Kilhoffer families beyond that of merely neighbors. Heinrich Kilhoffer was married to Barbara Stauffer and did not have a daughter named Catharine.

Children of Hans and Catharina (___) Frantz:

1. Michael Frantz was born about 1742 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and died sometime before 17 October 1797 in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County. He married Feronica “Fannie” Nissley, daughter of Johannes “Hans” Nissley and Maria Siegrist, by 1779. She was born in 1759 and died in 1813.
2. Johannes Frantz was born 15 December 1749 in Manor Township and died October 1821 in Warwick Township. He married Maria Elisabetha Hostetter, daughter of Jacob and Anna Elisabetha (Hershey) Hostetter, by 1773. She was born before 1755 and died after 1820.
3. Christian Frantz was born 14 March 1752 in Manor Township and died 5 January 1828 in Manheim Township. He married Maria Long, daughter of John and Anna (___) Long, by 1778. She was born 16 December 1754 and died 18 Jan 1826 in Manheim Township.
4. Jacob Frantz was born 25 September 1775 in Manor Township and died 14 May 1799 in Lampeter Township. He married Barbara Hostetter, daughter of Jacob and Anna Elisabetha (Hershey) Hostetter, by 1778. She was born 28 October 1752 and died 4 October 1791. He next married Maria Nissley by mid 1796.
5. Elizabeth Frantz was the only surviving daughter. No more is known about her.