Hoover Surname Study – Page 2 – A Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy

David Hoober of Upper Canada

Kris Hocker on 19 Mar 2014

In his will written on 9 January 1793, John Huber Sr. of Martic Township named his eight children: “Henry, Mary, Jacob, John, Christian, David, Ann & Christina.”¹ He named his friend John Hoober and son Henry Hoober, both of Martic, as his executors.

David Huber of Upper Canada named Moses Byer of Bertie, Lincoln County, Upper Canada as his attorney to demand his inheritance from John Hoover of Martic Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, executor of his father’s last will and testament.² According to the deed, David Huber was a soldier in “his Majesty’s second Battalion of Royal Canadian Volunteers” at the time. The deed included a testimonial and signature of Alexander Stewart, a Notary Public at Niagara in the Province of Upper Canada.

Now, thanks to the Olive Tree Genealogy’s Searching Ontario Canada Land Records, eh?, I think I may have found record of David in Canada.

David Hoover Upper Canada Land Petition 1803

David Hoover’s 1803 Upper Canada Land Petition

On 22 January 1803, David Hoober of York, Upper Canada petitioned the Lieutenant Governor for 200 acres land.³ The petition included a note written by Capt. R. Ferguson, late of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Volunteers, certifying that David served “for three years and upwards” and that he was “an honest & Industrious man.” An Isaac Swayze also attested to David being of good family and ready to become a farmer.

The petition was apparently approved as David paid £5 sterling and £1 10s 6p to Peter Russell on 10 March 1803 for the patent and survey. According to the file, the transaction was recorded in Land Book No. 5, page 203.

David’s petition also provides additional information. He received 200 acres of land in Pelham Township on 16 July 1795, but sold it to Robert Hamilton in 1798 when he entered the Royal Canadian Volunteers. He served in his Majesty’s service until the “late Reduction in the Army” when he was discharged. And he had a wife and seven children at the time of the petition for an additional land grant (1803).

Based on his initial land grant of 1795 and the fact that he had seven children by 1803, I’m going to have to adjust my initial birth year estimate back a few years. My initial estimate was that he was born before 1780—aged 21 by 1801 when he assigned an attorney for the recovery of his inheritance from his father’s estate. Now, I’d estimate that he was born prior to 1771, likely even before 1768.

How did I get there? I’m estimating 1.5 to 2 years between the birth of each of his children, placing the birth of his first child between 1789 and 1792. If I assume—yes, I know the danger of assumptions, but we’re ballparking here!—that he was at least 21 at the birth, then he was born by 1771 at the latest, and quite likely earlier.

If the order John listed his children in his will is of importance—and it might be as Henry, one of his executors, is named first though he is not explicitly named as the eldest son—then David was most likely born before 1768. John’s daughter Ann married Abraham Gochenour.⁴ This couple is buried in Old Byerland cemetery and, I believe, her gravestone reads: “Hier Ruhet die Gebene von Anna Gochenauer begatten? von Abraham Gochenauer geboren den 16ten January 1768 and gestarben den 25sten Martz 1830, seines alter 62 jahre 2 monate und 9 tage.”⁵ Her age at death—62 years 2 months and 9 days—agrees with 16 January 1768 as a birth date. If David was the preceding child born, then he may have been born in early to mid 1766 (or earlier).

So, my next questions are: 1) Where were the 200 acres he was granted located? and 2) What were the names of his wife and children? I wonder what I can dig up… What do you think?

Deed: 1745 Hans Hoober to Jacob Hoober in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Kris Hocker on 11 Mar 2014

On 21 September 1745, Hans Hoober sold 200 acres to his son Jacob in “Martick” Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He had warranted this property 15 May 1735¹ and patented it 8 August 1735.² One hundred and fifty acres had been surveyed 21 June 1721, the other fifty acres on 25 October (8th month) 1726.

[page 3]
Hans Hoober & wife To Jacob Hoober }

This Indenture made the twenty first day of September in the
year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-five
Between Hans Hoober of the Township of Martick in the county of
Lancaster yeoman and Margaret his wife on the one part and Jacob Hoober
of the same Township and County son of the said Hans Hoober of the other part Witnesseth
that the Hans Hoober and Margaret his wife for and in consideration of the sum of
three hundred pounds lawful money is hereby acknowledged have granted bargained sol aliened
enfeoffed and confirmed as by these presents Do grant bargain sell alien enfeoff ad
confirm unto the said Jacob Hoover his heirs and assigns All that certain plantation
and tract of land situate lying and being in the Township of Martock bounded as
follows viz. Beginning at a white oak in a line of Hans Mussleman’s land thence
by vacant land East one hundred and forty perches to a post thence near a marked black
oak thence by vacant land south two hundred and forty three perches to a post thence
by vacant land West one hundred and forty perches to a post thence by vacant
land and by land of Hans Mussleman North two hundred and forty three perches
to the place of Beginning, Containing two hundred acres and the allowance of six

[page 4]

acres on each hundred for roads and highways which said tract or parcel of land was
granted to the said Hans Hoober his heirs and assigns by patent from the Proprietors
and Governors in Chief of of the said Province under the hands of the said John Penn
and Thomas Penn and the great seal of the said province bearing date the eighth day of August
in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty five as by the said Patent Recor
ded in the office for recording of deeds for the city and county of Philadelphia in patent
Book A vol 7, page 222 &c. Relation being thereto had may appear Together with all
and singular the improvements rights members and appurtenances whatsoever to
the same belonging or in anywise appertaining and the reversions and remainders rents
issues and profits thereof and all the estate right title Interest claim and demand of them
the said Hans Hoober & Margaret his wife of in and to the premises hereby granted and here
unto of all deeds evidences and writings concerning the same to be had and made at the
proper costs and charges of the said Jacob Hoober his heirs and assigns To have and
to hold the said tract of two hundred acres of land hereditaments and premises hereby
granted with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said Jacob Hoober his heirs
to the only proper use and behood of the said Jacob Hoober his heirs and assigns forever.
Under the yearly quite rent hereforth growing due and payable to the Chief Lord or Lords of the
fee thereof. And the said Hans Hoober for himself his heirs executors administrators and
for the said Margaret his wife doth covenant promise and grant to and with the said
Jacob Hoober his heirs and assigns by these presents that he the said Hans Huber
and Margaret his wife and their heirs & all and every other person and persons whatsoever
having or lawfully claiming or to clam an estate right title or interest of in or to the
said premises hereby granted or any part thereof by from or under them or any of them shall
and will at any time or times hereafter at the reasonable request costs and charges in the
law of the said Jacob Hoober his heirs and assigns make execute and acknowledge or cause
so to be all and every such further and better assuring and confirming of the afore
said tract of two hundred acres hereditaments and premises hereby granted with
the appurtenances unto the Jacob Hoober his heirs and assigns as by him or them or by his heirs or
their councel learned in the law shall be reasonably devised advised or requested.
In witness whereof the parties to these presents have interchangeably set their hands and
seals the day and year first above written
Sealed and delivered in the presence of us           Hans Hoober (seal)
Michael Downer    Martin Grof

Received the twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord 1745 of the above named
Jacob Hoober the sum of three hundred pounds lawful money of pennsylvania being the
full consideration money above mentioned I say received by me
Witness present                       Hans Hoober

Before me the subscriber one of his Majesties Justices of the peace for the county of Lancaster
came Michael Downer one of the persons within named and on his solemn affirmation declared
he saw Hans Hoober and Margaret his wife the grantors within named sign seal
and deliver on their act and deed the within Jacob Hoober within named and
that the same Michael Downer is the proper hand writing of this affiant
and that he saw Martin Graf sign his name as a witness to the same time In
witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 6th January (1746)
Thos Cookson
Recorded January 24th 1890           Edwin L Reinhold   Recorder³

While the deed specifies the land was in Martic Township, an examination of the Warrantee Township maps shows that the land was actually in Earl Township.

Henry Hoover of Lancaster County, PA and Rockingham County, VA, Part 3

Kris Hocker on 7 Feb 2014

In part one I listed out several Henry Hoovers who were possible candidates to be the man who married Barbara Hoover, daughter of Jacob Huber of Martic Township, on 11 October 1791 in Trinity Lutheran Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In part two I examined what I know about two of these men:

Henry Huber (John², Henry¹ [K])
Henry Huber (Jacob², Henry¹ [K2])

Here is what I’ve been able to learn about the rest.

Henry Huber (John², Jacob¹)
Henry Huber (Ulrich¹)
Henry Huber (Jacob², Ulrich¹)
Henry Huber (Ulrich², Ulrich¹)

Henry Huber (John², Jacob¹)

John died prior to 30 April 1785 when his children and widow sold land from his estate to his son Abraham.¹ The children—including Henry—were of age, so they were born prior to 30 April 1764. As of 1785, Henry’s wife was named Mary. That, plus his probable date of birth (prior to 1764), make it unlikely that he was the Henry who married Barbara Hoover in 1791.

I believe this Henry may have been the Henry Huber who married Mary Neiswanger/Newswanger, daughter of Christian Newswanger, prior to 30 April 1785 and moved to York County, Pennsylvania prior to 4 June 1798.² I do not believe this Henry is a probable match to our subject.

Henry Huber (Ulrich¹)

Ulrich Huber’s heirs sold his Conestoga Township property to his son John on 23 June 1759.³ Again, the heirs were over 21; they were all likely born prior to 23 June 1738.

To the best of my knowledge, this Henry married Anna Herr, sometime after 23 June 1759. Ann outlived him by nearly 30 years, negating the possibility of a second marriage to Barbara. Their son, Henry S., was born in the right time frame—1773—but was of Lampeter Township in 1818 when his mother sold land to him.⁴ This family is well covered in the book Genealogical Record of Reverend Hans Herr and his Direct Lineal Descendants.

This Henry and his son are not candidates to be our subject.

Henry Huber (Jacob², Ulrich¹)

Jacob and Barbara (Shank) Huber resided in Lampeter/Strasburg Township on land purchased from her uncle Henry Shank.⁵ Here they raised their family until 1785 when they sold their 132 1/2 acres to Jacob Eshleman, probably to move to land they’d purchased in York County.⁶ It is likely that their son Henry moved with them as Christian Huber, Jacob Huber, Henry Hoover and John Hoover all appear in the 1790 census enumeration for Manchester Township, York County.⁷

Jacob and most of his children moved to Canada by about 1791. Henry apparently moved to Canada, but then returned to Pennsylvania.⁸ I do not believe that he’s a good match for our subject.

Henry Huber (Ulrich², Ulrich¹)

Ulrich and Anna Maria (Funk) Hoover also had a son named Henry. He is listed amongst Ulrich’s heirs who sold land in Martic Township from his estate to his son Jacob.⁹ At the time, Henry was single. Henry was listed as a minor child (no age given) on 7 September 1784.¹⁰ He was over 21 by 23 September 1786 when the land was sold, so he was born between 7 September 1763 and 23 September 1765. He died prior to 29 April 1831 and had one child, a daughter named Sophia who married Samuel McAfee of Lincoln County, Upper Canada.¹¹

While I don’t have any information on Henry’s wife, given the probable birth and death dates, I don’t believe he is a match for our Henry.

Anybody Else?

Were there any other Henry Hoovers who could have married Barbara Hoover? I have information on two other men, but I don’t believe either is a good match.

Possibility #1

Henry Huber married Anna Margaretta Boyer, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (___) Boyer of Conestoga Township. They married before 20 April 1776.¹² The couple was still living in Martic Township as of 8 April 1777, but I have no information that I can confirm relates to them after that date.¹³ It’s possible that he had a son named Henry, but at this time I have no information on this family.

This Henry may have been the son of Jacob Hoover (Ulrich¹) and moved with his family to York County circa 1785.

Possibility #2

Feronica Good, sister of Henry Good of Conestoga Township, married Ulrich Huber of Lampeter Township. They had a son named Henry.¹⁴ Ulrich Huber of Lampeter died prior to 1783¹⁵ and the monies from his estate were distributed to his heirs—David (eldest son), Daniel, Barbara, Henry, Michael and Moses— by 6 September 1786.¹⁶

This indicates—as no guardians are mentioned—that all of Ulrich’s children were of age by 6 September 1786, so they were born prior to 6 September 1765. I have absolutely no additional information on this Henry, so I can’t rule him out as a possibility, but I don’t believe that he’s a strong candidate.

Who’s Left?

I believe that covers all the possibilities for Henry’s parentage—at least from the Martic Township area. In my opinion, the best candidate for Barbara Hoover’s husband—if he came from the Martic Township area—is Henry Huber (John², Henry¹ [K]).

What do you think?

I’m actively researching these families and posting information on my website. Feel free to contact me with questions, for updates, or with additional information.

Henry Hoover of Lancaster County, PA and Rockingham County, VA—Part 2

Kris Hocker on 21 Jan 2014

Hoover land patents in Conestoga/Martic Township area

In part 1, I listed out several Henry Hoovers who were possible candidates to be the man who married Barbara Hoover, daughter of Jacob Huber of Martic Township, on 11 October 1791 in Trinity Lutheran Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They were:

Henry Huber (John², Henry¹ [K])
Henry Huber (Jacob², Henry¹ [K2])
Henry Huber (John², Jacob¹)
Henry Huber (Ulrich¹)
Henry Huber (Jacob², Ulrich¹)
Henry Huber (Ulrich², Ulrich¹)

The first two grew up on land (B2 and part of B3-B5) that adjoins that of Barbara’s father, Jacob Huber (part of A2-A3). Let’s look at the information I’ve compiled on the first two and see if either of them are a likely match to Barbara’s husband.

Henry Huber (John², Henry¹ [K])

John Huber Sr. wrote his last will and testament on 9 January 1793 and named his friend John Huber¹ and son Henry Huber, both of Martic Township, as executors.² His will was probated on 3 April 1799.

Among other legacies, John bequeathed his wife Anna “the priviledge use & Benefitt [sic] of the house Garden Stables and meadow spring and priviledge to cutt firewood for her use during her natural life it being the house where my son Henry now lives” [emphasis mine] and “the Interest of three hundred pounds out of the first money which will be raised by the sale of my real Estate during her natural life.” It also called for his executors to sell his land as soon as possible and divide the income among his eight children:

Henry
Mary
Jacob
John
Christian
David
Ann
Christina

On 13 May 1799 the executors, John Huber and Henry Huber, sold John’s land to Henry Bowman (the younger), of Lampeter Township.³ They settled John’s estate and submitted their administration account on 10 December 1799.⁴ Henry’s release and those from his siblings place Henry in Martic Township through at least 1 May 1800⁵ and possibly as late as 1 April 1802 when Moses Byer, attorney for Henry’s brother David Huber, acknowledged receipt of £136 from John Huber and Henry Huber.⁶

Since he was named as an executor, Henry was most likely of legal age when his father wrote his will in 1793, and therefore born by 1772 at the absolute latest. It’s possible that he was the Henry Huber of Martic Township in the 1800 US census. If so, his birth year would have been between 1756-1774.

I have found no information explicitly stating Henry’s residency after 1 May 1800, nor do I have any information on him regarding a wife. Based on the information I do have, he’s a possible match.

Henry Huber (Jacob², Henry¹ [K2])

Jacob Huber wrote his will on 13 March 1788. In it he named his brother John⁷ and his brother-in-law Jacob Huber as his executors in his will.⁸ His will was proven on 9 June 1788. It named his children:

Barbara,
Henry (eldest son),
Jacob,
Christian (<18),
John (<18), and
Martin (youngest son, <16).

The will directed that Christian and John were bound to their mother until they turned 18 and that Jacob’s real estate was to be sold when his youngest son, Martin, turned 16. I believe, Martin is the male under age 16 and Christian and John are two of the three males over 16 in the household of the widow Huber in the 1790 census for Martic Township.⁹ Jacob’s land—minus the 20 acres bequeathed to his wife—was sold on 25 August 1790 to Adam Gochenour.¹⁰ This places Martin’s birth sometime prior to 25 August 1774, but after 1 August 1774.¹¹

Jacob’s sister was married to another Jacob Huber, possibly the son of Johan Jacob² Huber (Hans¹). Additionally, Johan Jacob named his friend Henry Hoover of Martic—possibly Jacob’s father—as one of his executors in 1759; they were after all neighbors, living on adjoining properties. If it was Jacob’s son Henry who married Barbara Huber (Jacob³, Johan Jacob², Hans¹), they would have possibly been 1st cousins.

I have no information on Henry after his father’s 1788 will. Given that his youngest brother’s birth date is between 1773 and 1774, it is unlikely that Henry was born between 1770 and 1775. He might have been the Henry Huber of Martic Township in the 1800 US census. If so, his birth year would have been between 1756-1774.

He’s still a possible match, but perhaps not the best candidate.

These two men lived on property that adjoined that of Jacob Huber, father of Barbara Hoover. In the next post, I’ll expand the discussion to other Byerland Hoover families who lived further down the Pequea.

Admin Bond: Jacob Huber, decd (1743/4)

Kris Hocker on 16 Jan 2014

Going through a stack of documents to file, I found an administration account I wanted to scan. Lo and behold there were actually two documents—I’d forgotten that I’d ordered the second. It was the administration bond for Jacob Huber of Martic Township.

Jacob Huber arrived in Lancaster County before 1718 and settled on land adjoining Pequea Creek in Conestoga Township. His land was adjacent to that of Hans Ulrich Huber, who was also arrived in 1718. He may have died prior to 23 Nov 1739. Hans Boyer, a neighbor, patented his land on 26 Nov 1739.¹ Boyer’s survey refers to Jacob Huber’s tract as belonging to the Widow Hoober.

An administration bond was filed for Huber’s estate on 26 January 1743/4,² as follows:

Know all men by these presents that we John Huber Henry Huber and
Samuel Byor ~~yeomen~~ __ __ __ yeoman all of the County of Lancaster
& province of Pennsylvania are held and firmly bound unto Peter Evans
Register General for the probate of Wills & Granting Letters of Administration
in & for the said province & the counties of New Castle Kent & Sussex on Dela
ware in the sum of Two Hundred & fifty __ pounds Lawful money of the said
province to be paid to the said Peter Evans or his Lawful attorney Executors
administs or assigns To which paymt well & truly to be made we bind ourselves
our Heirs Executors & Administratr^s Joyntly & Severally firmly by these presents
sealed with our Seals & Dated this twenty sixth day of January an^o dom 1743/4
The Condition of the above Obligation is such that is the above Bound
John Huber ___ administrator of all & singular the Goods Rights
& Credits of Jacob Huber — Deceased Do make of cause to be made a true and
perfect Inventory of all & singular the Goods Rights & Credits of the s^d Decsd
which have or shal come to the Hands possession of Knowledge of the said
John Huber —— or into the Hands or possession of any other person
or persons for him and the same so made Do Exhibit or cause to be Exhibited
into the Registers Office in Lancaster County on or before the twenty sixth day of
February — next and the same Goods Chattels & Credits of the said Decsd^t
at the time of his Death or which at any time after shal come to y^e hands
or possession of the said John Huber —— or into the hands or possession
of any other person or persons for him Do well & truly administer according
to Law and further Do make or cause to be made a true & just account cal
culation or reckoning of the said Administration on or before the twenty sixth day
of January — which will be in the year of our Lord 1744/5 and all the rest
and residue of the s^d goods Chattels & Credits which shal be found Remaining on
the said administrators accounts (the same being first examined & allowed
of by the orphans Court of the s^d County) shal Deliver & pay to such person
or persons Respectively as the s^d Court by its Decree or sentence shal Limit and
appoint and if it shal hereafter appear that any last will or Testament was
made by the s^d Decsd^t and the Executor or Executors therein named shal Exhibit
the same into the Registers office making Request to have it allowed accordingly
if the said John Huber ___ being thereunto Required shal Render and
Deliver up the said Letters of Administration approbation of such Testament being
first had & made in the s^d office then this obligation to be void or Else to be d[?] re
main in force & virtue       John Huber
Sealed & Delivered }
in the presence of }           Henry Huber
John Morris
Samuel Blunston               Samuel Boÿer

I’m fairly certain that John Huber was Jacob’s son. He eventually patented Jacob’s tract, and warranted and patented an adjoining tract in Martic Township. Samuel Boyer was most likely a neighbor, possibly the son of Hans Boyer who owned the tract to the west of Jacob’s in Conestoga Township, or the Samuel Boyer who owned land just up the Pequea, or maybe the Samuel Byer who warranted property down the Pequea in Martic Township in right of Owen O’Neal. I’m not certain as to the exact identity of Henry Huber, but he may have been a son or other relative, possibly one of the two Henry Hubers who lived on Pequea and Beaver Creeks somewhat east northeast of Jacob’s property.

Henry Hoover of Lancaster County, PA and Rockingham County, VA

Kris Hocker on 14 Jan 2014

On 11 October 1791, Henry Huber of Martic Township married Barbara Huber (Jacob³, Johan Jacob², Hans¹) also of Martic Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Barbara inherited “the land whereon they now live” in Rockingham County, Virginia from her father Jacob Huber’s estate in 1810.¹ Presumably the family moved from Pennsylvania to Virginia prior to 6 November 1808 when Jacob wrote his last will and testament.

Barbara’s ancestry was documented in Harry Huber’s The Huber-Hoover Family History, but who was this Henry Huber and how does he relate to the Hoover families who resided along Pequea Creek?

Assuming that these census records all relate to one man and that he was husband of Barbara Hoover, Henry Huber of Rockingham County, Virginia was:

26-44 in 1810²,
45+ in 1820³,
50-60 in 1830⁴,
and 70-80 in 1840.⁵

This places Henry’s birth between 1770 and 1775, and given that he married in 1791, quite possibly before 1771, plus or minus a couple of years.⁶

There were several Hoover families in Martic Township at that time—several of whom had children named Henry:

Henry Huber (John², Henry¹ [K])
Henry Huber (Jacob², Henry¹ [K2])
Henry Huber (John², Jacob¹)
Henry Huber (Ulrich¹)
Henry Huber (Jacob², Ulrich¹)
Henry Huber (Ulrich², Ulrich¹)

Which of these men—if any—were possible candidates to be Barbara Hoover’s husband? Check back for future posts where I’ll outline the information I’ve compiled for each of these men.

Hoover’s Mill at Graceham

Kris Hocker on 21 Dec 2013

It’s interesting what you can find online when you look. Here’s a photo of what was at one point Christian Hoover’s mill on Owens Creek near Graceham.

For more information and images, visit Historic Thurmont Photographs.

Deed: Samuel McAfee to John Funk Dec’d Executors (1833)

Kris Hocker on 19 Dec 2013

Trying to find the descendants of a target person can sometimes feel like a game of “six points of separation” when you have to widen your scope to research family and friends. However, the indirect path can yield results—as in a series of deeds I found for John Funk of Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania which gave me the names of the grandchildren of his sister Anna Maria (Funk) Hoover. This deed is one example of what I found.¹

MC AFEE SAMUEL }

“TO }

JOHN FUNK DECD EXORS }

KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that I Samuel McAfee of Bertr township in Lincoln county in the province of Upper Canada intermarried with Sophia only child of Henry Hoover one of the seven children of Mary Hoover a sister of John Funk late of Strasburg in Lancaster county in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania deceased do hereby acknowledge that I have and received of and from Ann Funk Jacob Hoover and Jacob Newswanger executors of the last will and testament of the said John Funk deceased five hundred and seventy seven dollars and sixty eight cents lawful money in full satisfaction and payment of all monies legacies and bequests to which I am entitled in right of my said wife Sophia due and coming toher [sic] in right of her deceased father Henry Hoover aforesaid as one of the seven children of the said Mary Hoover deceased under and by the last will and testament of the said John Funk deceased of in and to / [the following written interline to be inserted:] all and singular his estate real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever according to [resume text] the said executors account filed in the Registers office at Lancaster. Therefore I the said Samuel McAfee in right of my said wife Sophia do by these presents release acquit and forever discharge the said Ann Funk Jacob Hoover & Jacob Newswanger executors aforesaid their heirs executors and administrators of and from all monies legacies bequests aforesaid and of and from all dividends shares and parts of and in all the estate of the said John Funk deceased and of and from all actions suits payments account reckonings claims and demands for or by reason thereof.

In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the twenty ninth day of April Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.

Samuel McAfee (SEAL)

Sophia McAfee (SEAL)

Sealed and delivered in the presence of us:

‘and the said Sophia’ interlined before signing: Charles L. Hall Alex Mackie

Lincoln county

Province of Upper Canada to wit:

Personally appeared before me James Muirhead Esquire chairman and preciding Judge of the court of quarter sessions for said county the above named Samuel McAfee and Sophia his wife and acknowledged the above release to be their act deed and desired the same to be recorded as such according to law.

In Testimony whereof I havehereunto [sic] set my hand and seal the twenty ninth day of April Anno Domini 1833.

J. Muirhead Chairman (SEAL)

Upper Canada District of Niagara

Lincoln County to wit:

I Charles Richardson of the town of Niagara in the district of Niagara Esquire Clerk of the peace in and for the said district do hereby certify that the within names James Muirhead is chairman and presiding Judge of the court of Quarter Sessions in and for the said district and is authorized to Bar Down and within that there is no court of common pleas in the province of Upper Canada that the signatures of the witnesses to the release are known to me as well as the chairmans and that they are just and true. Given under my hand and seal of office this twenty ninth day of April Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.

Charles Richardson (SEAL)

Clerk of the Peace

Recorded June 25th 1833

Per

Jacob Peelor Rec.”

Ulrich and Anna Maria (Funk) Hoover had the following children:

Catharine married Christian Hershey
Jacob married Susanna Miller
Henry
Anna married Leonard Anwater/Awerter
Abraham
Christian
Mary married Nathaniel Dodge (also of Upper Canada)

The Jacob Hoover who served as one of John Funk’s executors was most likely the son of Jacob and Susanna (Miller) Hoover of Strasburg as all of Anna Maria (Funk) Hoover’s children were deceased before 1833.

The Problem with Owning Land as a German in Colonial Pennsylvania

Kris Hocker on 3 Nov 2013

Non-British residents of the Pennsylvania colony did not have the same rights as British citizens, especially when it came to land ownership. “The Board taking into Consideration the Circumstances of those People [Palatines arriving in 1717] in Relation to their holding Lands in the Dominions of Great Britain, were asked if they understood the disadvantage they were under by Reason of their being born Aliens, that therefore their Children were uncapable of Inheriting what they purchased, according to the English laws…”¹ The board members informed them about a law passed in 1700 (see below) and told them that if they were to petition the Assembly, they might be granted the same privileges.

[Section X.] Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any alien who is or shall be a purchaser, or who doth or shall inhabit in this province or territories thereof, shall decease at any time before he can well be naturalized, his right and interest therein shall notwithstanding descend to his wife and children or other his relations, be he testate or intestate, according to the laws of this province and territories thereof in such cases provided, in as free and ample manner to all intents and purposes as if the said alien had been naturalized.²

They had petitioned for the privileges as early as 1721 (just four years after the application for land warrants for those who’d arrived in 1717), but it was not passed until 14 October 1729 when they were naturalized.³ The following spring an act was passed granting them the privileges of a “natural-born subject” of Britain.

An Act for the Better Enabling Divers Inhabitants of the Province of Pennsylvania to Hold Lands, and to Invest Them with the Privileges of Natural-Born Subjects of the Said Province

Whereas by the encouragement given by the Honorable William Penn, Esquire, late proprietary and governor of the province of Pennsylvania, and by the permission of his late Majesty, King George the First, of blessed memory, and his predecessors, Kings and Queens of England, &c., divers Protestants who were subjects to the Emperor of Germany, a prince in amity with the Crown of Great Britain, transported themselves and estates into the province of Pennsylvania between the years one thousand seven hundred and one thousand seven hundred and eighteen, and since they came hither have contributed very much to the enlargement of the British Empire and to the raising and improving sundry commodities fit for the markets of Europe, and have always behaved themselves religiously and peaceably, and have paid a due regard and obedience to the laws and government of this province.

And whereas many of the said persons, to wit, Martyn Mylin, Hans Graaf, Christian Stoneman, Jacob Funk, Francis Neiff, Francis Neiff, Junior; George Kendick, John Burkholder, John Burkholder, Junior; Abraham Burkholder, Michael Bohman, John Hess, John Frederick, Christopher Preniman, Martin Harnist, Joseph Buckwalter, Felix Landas, Junior; Adam Preniman, John Funk, John Bohman, John Taylor, Henry Neiff, Michael Mire, Henry Bare, Peter Bumgarner, Melchor Hufford, Melcor Erishman, John Brubaker, Jacob Nisley, Jacob Snevely, Jacob Goot, John Woolslegle, Jacob Mire, Christopher Sowers, Joseph Stoneman, Daniel Ashleman, Christian Peelman, John Henry Neiff, John Henry Neiff, Junior; Abraham Hare, John Ferie, Jacob Biere, Peter Yordea, Peter Leamen, John Jacob Snevely, Isaac Coffman, Andrew Coffman, Woolrick Rodte, Henry Funk, Roody Mire, John Mylin, Jacob Bheme, John Coffman, Michel Doneder, Charles Christopher, Andrew Schults, John Howser, Christian Preniman, Jacob Miller, black; Henry Carpenter, Emanuel Carpenter, Gabriel Carpenter, Daniel Herman, Christian Herman, Philip Fiere, Mathias Slaremaker, big John Shank, Jacob Churts, Jacob Snevely, Junior; John Woolrick Houver, John Croyder, John Leeghte, John Hampher, Martyn Graaf, Peter Smith, Peter Newcomat, Jacob Bare, Junior; John Henry Bare, Jacob Weaver, Henry Weaver, John Weaver, David Longanickar, George Weaver, Abraham Mire, Woolrick Houser, John Mire, Henry Musselman, Michael Shank, Jacob Miller, Jacob Miller, Junior; Martin Miller, Peter Aybe, Hans Goot, Christian Staner, John Jacob Light, Adam Brand, Christopher Franciscus, Caspar Loughman, Frederick Stay, John Line, John Shwope, Bastian Royer, Jonas Lerow, Simeon King, John Aybe and Everard Ream, all of Lancaster county in the said province; and John Negley, Bernard Ressor, John Wistor, John Frederick Ax, John Philip Bohm, Anthony Yerkhas and Herman Yerkhas, of the county of Philadelphia in the same province, in demonstration of their affection and zeal for his present Majesty’s person and government, qualified themselves by taking the qualification and subscribing the declaration directed to be taken and subscribed by the several acts of Parliament made for the security of His Majesty’s person and government and for preventing the dangers which may happen by Popish recusants, &c., and thereupon have humbly signified to the governor and the representatives of the freemen of this province, in general assembly met, that they have purchased [and do hold] lands of the proprietary and others His Majesty’s subjects within this province, and have likewise represented their great desire of being made partakers of those privileges which the natural-born subjects of Great Britain do enjoy within this province, and it being just and reasonable that those persons who have bona fide purchased lands and who have given such testimony of their affection and obedience to the Crown of Great Britain should as well be secured in the enjoyment of their estates as encouraged in the laudable affection and zeal for the English constitution:

[Section I.] Be it enacted by the Honorable Patrick Gordon, Esquire, [Lieutenant-] Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, &c., by and with the advice and consent of the freemen of the said Province in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the same, That Martyn Mylin, Hans Graaf, Christian Stoneman, Jacob Funk, Francis Neiff, Francis Neiff, Junior; George Kindick, John Burkholder, John Burkholder, Junior; Abraham Burkholder, Michael Bohman, John Hess, John Frederick, Christopher Preniman, Martin Harnist, Joseph Buckwalter, Felix Landas, Junior; Adam Preniman, John Funk, John Bohman, John Taylor, Henry Neiff, Michael Mire, Henry Bare, Peter Bumgarner, Melcor Hufford, Melcor Erishman, John Brubaker, Jacob Nisley, Jacob Snevely, Jacob Goot, John Woolslegle, Jacob Mire, Christopher Sowers, Joseph Stoneman, Daniel Ashleman, Christian Peelman, John Henry Neiff, John Henry Neiff, Junior; Abraham Hare, John Ferie, Jacob Biere, Peter Yordea, Peter Leamon, John Jacob Snevely, Isaac Coffman, Andrew Coffman, Woolrick Rodte, Henry Funk, Roody Mire, John Mylin, Jacob Bheme, John Coffman, Michael Doneder, Charles Christopher, Andrew Schults, John Howser, Christian Preniman, Jacob Miller, black; Henry Carpenter, Emanuel Carpenter, Gabriel Carpenter, Daniel Herman, Christopher Herman, Philip Fiere, Mathias Slaremaker, big John Shank, Jacob Churts, Jacob Snevely, Junior; John Woolrick Houver, John Croyder, John Leeghte, John Hampher, Martyn Graaf, Peter Smith, Peter Newcomat, Jacob Bare, Junior; John Henry Bare, Jacob Weaver, Henry Weaver, John Weaver, David Longanickar, George Weaver, Abraham Mire, Woolrick Houser, John Mire, Henry Musselman, Michael Shank, Jacob Miller, Jacob Miller, Junior; Martin Miller, Peter Aybe, Hans Goot, Christian Staner, John Jacob Light, Adam Brand, Christopher Franciscus, Caspar Loughman, Frederick Stay, John Line, John Shwope, Bastian Royer, Jonas Lerow, Simeon King, John Aybe, Everard Ream, John Negley, Bernard Ressor, John Wister, John Frederick Ax, John Philip Bohm, Anthony Yerkhas and Herman Yerkhas be and shall be to all intents and purposes deemed, taken and esteemed His Majesty’s natural-born subjects of this province of Pennsylvania as if they and each of them had been born within the said province, and shall and may and every of them shall and may within this province take, receive, enjoy and be entitled to all rights, privileges and advantages of natural-born subjects as fully to all intents, constructions and purposes whatsoever as any of His Majesty’s natural-born subjects of this province can, do or ought to enjoy by virtue of their being His Majesty’s natural-born subjects of His Majesty’s said province of Pennsylvania.

Passed February 14, 1729/30. Apparently never considered by the Crown, but allowed to become a law by lapse of time, in accordance with the proprietary charter.⁴

The 1729/30 statute granted all the rights of a citizen, regarding their land, to those Mennonites who had been naturalized in 1727/8, but had been in Pennsylvania since prior to 1718.

Friday Find: Henry Hoover’s heirs to John Stauffer

Kris Hocker on 18 Oct 2013

I found a deed today that I believe relates to Henry Hoover of Strasburg Township who died before 18 Dec 1833, leaving heirs in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. According to one deed, Henry had eight brothers and sisters.¹ I was able to determine four of them:

Christian Hoover of Franklin County and children: John, Martin, Christian, Abraham, Samuel, Jeremiah, Catharine, and Martha
Feronica “Franey” (Hoover) Brand and sons Samuel and Christian
Elizabeth (Hoover) Zimmerman and son Jacob
Esther (Hoover) Beam

But I was still looking for the other four. I think I may have found three of them…

Know all men by these presents that whereas Henry Hoover late of the township of Leacock in the County of Lancaster in the state of Pennsylvania in the United States of America Carpenter and joiner deceased by his last will and testament in writing bearing the date the ____ day of ___ in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty did among other legacies therein contained give and bequeath unto us John Hoover, Martin Hoover and Daniel Hoover all of the township of Markham in the County of York in the Home District and province of Upper Canada yeomen the sum of four hundred and sixty one dollars and sixteen cents to be divided among us in three fair and equal proportions and of his said will made and constituted John Stouffer of the same township of Leacock miller executor, as in and by the said will may appear Now know ye that we the said John Hoover Martin Hoover and Daniel Hoover do and each of us does confess and acknowledge that we have had and received according to our respective shares of and from the said John Stauffer the legacy or sum of four hundred and sixty one dollars and sixteen cents as aforesaid given and bequeathed unto us by the said Henry Hoover and therefore do and each of us does by these presents aquit release and discharge the said John Stouffer of and from all legacies dues and demands whatsoever which we or any of us our or any of executors or administrators may have claim challenge or demand of or against the said John Stauffer his executors or administrators by virtue of the said last will and testament of or out of the estate of the said Henry Hoover deceased as aforesaid In witness whereof the said Legatees have hereunto respectively set their hands and seals at Markham aforesaid this first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.

John his X mark Hoover
Martin Hoover
Daniel Hoover

In presence
Benjamin Oberholser
Johannes [in German]

Recorded April 1st Anno Domini 1837John Warfel, Recorder²

I need to follow-up to verify this information, but John Stauffer was the executor listed in all the deeds. Additionally, I found Daniel Hoover, Christian Hoover, and Martin Hoover in Peters Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania in the 1800 census.³ Only Christian is there in 1810 and 1820.

If you have information on this family, please leave a comment below or drop me a line.

Tag: Hoover Surname Study

Henry Huber (John2, Jacob1)

Henry Huber (Ulrich1)

Henry Huber (Jacob2, Ulrich1)

Henry Huber (Ulrich2, Ulrich1)