Transcriptions – A Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy

Godfrey Wißler (c1757-1829) 1829 Last Will and Testament

Kris Hocker on 12 Dec 2016

Godfrey Wisler 1829 last will and testament

Godfrey Wißler wrote his last will and testament on 23 April 1825. It was proven on 21 October 1829.¹ He died before 21 October 1829.² Based on this will, his wife Eva Catharine (Weiß) Wißler had died previously. At the time of his death, he had three living daughters, as well as the four surviving grandchildren of his deceased daughter Elizabeth (Wißler) Reiter.

Will of Godfrey Wisler

In the Name of God Amen I Godfrey Wisler of Upper Hanover Hanover township Montgomery County and State of Pennsylvania Yeoman being in perfect health of body and of sound mind memory and understanding blessed by God for the same but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life Do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit Principally and first of all I commend my Immortal Soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named and as to such wordless estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give and dispose of the same in the following manner to wit First it is my will and I do order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease Item I give unto my youngest daughter and do order my executors to get the same and pay for the same out of my estate unto my youngest daughter Susanna one good and sufficient bed and bedstead and all belonging to the same one cow Spinning weel and drawre and one kittle two iron potts a washtub two buckets a half dozen Knifes and forks one dozen table spoons one dozen tea spoons one dozen plates one dozen cups and sarcers a half doz chairs one table all new and the greater pewter dish Item it is my will that all my personal estate shall be sold by Public Vendue by my Executors hereafter named and the money arriving thereof after due expenses be paid off equally divided share and share alike amongst all my children and grandchildren or to their respective Heirs to wit one fourth to my Grand children born by my daughter Elizabeth deceased (the wife of George Reiter) one fourth to my daughter Catharine (the wife of Jacob Stoyer) one fourth to my daughter Sarah (the wife of Henry Snyder) and one fourth to my daughter Susanna Item it is my will and I do order that my real estate shall be sold by my Executors on Public Sale for the best price may be gotten for the same and the money arriving there from after all expenses be duly paid then it is my will and I do order that first fifty dollars shall be paid unto Jacob Stoyer the husband of my daughter Catharine or to their heirs which said sum and the land I have given already unto them shall be in full of their share and dividents whatever Item it is my will that all the remaining money over the real estate shall be divided equally into three parts that is to say one third unto my four Grand Children by twenty dollars more than her share unto my Grand daughter Eve Reiter and one third unto my daughter Sarah and one third unto my daughter Susanna unto them or to their respective heirs or assigns And Lastly I nominate Constitute and appoint my trusty frands George Hillegas Sr. and George Maurer to be the sole Executors of this my last will and testament and give them full power and authority or the Surveyeor of them to Sign Seal and deliver a good and Suficient title deed to purchaser or purchasers of the same hereby revoking all other will legacies and bequests by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my had and Seal the twenty third day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight Hundred and twenty five

Godfrey Wisler {seal}

Signed Sealed and declared by the said testator as his last will and testament in the presents of us

John Welker George Hillegas

Montgomery County Ss Personally appeared the witnesses to the foregoing will who being duly sworn according to Law did on their solemn Oath respectively say that they Saw and heard Godfrey Wisler the testator therein named sign and seal publish and declare the same will for and as his last will and testament and at the doing of it he was of sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief Sworn October 21st 1829

Geo M. Potts DR

Be it remembered that on the 21st day of October AD 1829 the foregoing will was proved in due form of Law and Letters of administration with the will annexed Granted unto Jacob Stoyer he having first be duly qualified to execute the same and to render and account thereof according to Law and to comply with the provisions of an Act of Assembly relative to Collateral Inheritances Given under my hand and Seal of office ~

I’ve been able to identify five daughters of Godfrey Wißler and Eva Catharine Weiß:

Susanna Wißler (1776—1785)
Elizabeth Wißler (1785-1794—bef Apr 1825) married George Reiter
Catharine Wißler (1789—1879) married Jacob Stoyer (aka Steier)
Sarah Wißler (1799—1852) married Henry Snyder (aka Schneider)
Susanna Wißler (aft 1799—?)

Henry Snyder purchased 62 acres from Godfrey’s estate in 1830 and got a mortgage from George Hillegas Sr. This became the Snyder and later the Greulich farm across from the New Goshenhoppen Church in Upper Hanover Township.

Godfrey and Eva Catharine are my 5x great-grandparents.

52 Ancestors: George Hocker (1794—1873) Will

Kris Hocker on 26 Feb 2014

George Hocker, of Swatara Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, was the son of Johan Adam and Sophia Maria (Hershey?) Hocker Jr. He was born 21 January 1794¹, most likely in Harrisburg, and christened at Salem Reformed Church.² He died 6 November 1873 and was buried at Churchville Cemetery in Oberlin.

He wrote his last will and testament on 13 September 1873 and it was proven one month later on 14 November.³ George named his youngest children—daughter Margaret Hocker and son George Hocker Jr.—as his executors. His will also names his widow Catharine and elder children: daughter Isemiah, wife of Henry Wagner, and son Levi Hocker. Not named in the will was his son David who died 4 November 1862 of Typhoid Fever in Jeffersonville, Indiana after enlisting in the Union Army during the Civil War.

[page 353]
“Last Will and Testament of
George Hocker dec^d }
In the name of God amen.
I George Hocker of Swatara town-
ship Dauphin County Penn^a
being of sound mind and memory thanked be God for the same
do hereby make the following as an for my last will and testament
Item. I give and bequeath to my widow Catharine all my household and
kitchen furniture in the house at my decease except what belongs
to my Daughter Margaret or son George she to have her choice of two
cows and two hogs and I give her five hundred dollars in cash out of
my Government bonds to by paid in one month after my death Item
I devise to my widow during her lifetime the house and buildings gardens
&c where I now live in Swatara township in said county adjoining
my farm and the land of Josiah Espy including the small potato
pach east of the garden containing in the yard &c all about one acre
more or less with the right to go into the adjoining fields to put on
weather boarding and repair her buildings I also give her the Interest
on five thousand dollars to be paid her yearly out of my farm [illegible]
after the payment of my debts and funeral expenses I give [illegible]

[page 354]

out of my personal estate as shall be necessary with the crop of the
year to pay for the cattle and farming implemments lately purchased
and I give the balance of my bonds notes stocks &c. to my daughter Margaret
and I devise to her during her lifetime and after her mothers death the house
grounds and buildings where I now live and after Margarets decease
I give and devise the fee simple in said house lot of ground and
buildings to my son George and his heirs / Item. I give and devise all
my farm in said township adjoining the Harrisburg and Ephrata
thrnpike [sic] lands of Josiah Espy G. Snavely Samuel Gray and others
containing except as above devised about one hundred and seventeen
acres to my son George Hocker Jr. and his heirs and assigns with the
right to the water at the pump where I live he paying half the ex-
penses of keeping the pump in good repair. Item. I hereby charge the
sum of Five thousand dollars on said farm for the use of my widow
and I direct that George or whoever holds the said farm shall pay
to my widow yearly the Interest on said five thousand Dollars at six
per cent / Item I direct that my share in the crop of this year and
all my cattle and farming implements except the widows shall belong
to my son George Item / At the death of my widow I direct that the five
thousand dollars charged on my farm shall be paid out in the following
manner. One year after the widows death five hundred Dollars to be paid
to my daughter Isamiah Wagner wife of Henry Wagner the next
year five hundred Dollars to be paid to my son Levi the third year
alike sum to Mrs. Wagner and then five hundred dollars a year
to be paid to Levi until he gets two thousand dollars and then the
remaining two thousand Dollars to be paid to my said daughter
Margaret in payments of five hundred Dollars each yearly and
additional payments shall also be made by George our of said farm
to Margaret to make her share out of my whole estate seven thousand
dollars in payments of five hundred dollars a year after the other payment
of five hundred dollars a year after the other payments made as aforesaid /
Item I direct and intend all said payments to be without interest
Item I order that George shall furnish his mother sufficient grain for
her use this year and feed for her hogs and cows for this year and also
that he furnish her off the farm yearly the pasture for two hogs and
two cows four tons of hay two load of corn fodder and as much straw as
necessary for bedding purposes during her lifetime and at her death George
to give the same yearly to Margaret during her lifetime Item I hereby
give and devise to my son Levi Hocker and his heirs and assigns my
piece of mountain land in West Hanover township in said County
containing about ten acres Item I have given to my daughter Isamiah
and son Levi Hocker in this will less than I have my other children
because I have given them heretofore what I consider their full share in
my estate Lastly I nominate and appoint my daughter Margaret and
my son George to be the Executors of this my last will and testament
hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made In witness
whwereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day
of September Anno Domini Eighteen hundred and seventy
three
George Hocker Sr.

[page 355]

Signed sealed executed declared & pronounced
by the testator in presence of us.
George Metz
Herman Alrick } Sworn Nov. A.D. 1873 before me
Simon Duey Register

Margaret Hocker & George Hocker sworn as executors of the last will
and Testament of George Hocker sen. dec^d according to law
and Letters Testamentary granted to them Nov. 14^th A.D. 1873
by Simon Duey Register

Recorded Nov. 14th 1873

George Hocker was my 4x great grandfather.

This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my ninth 52 Ancestors post and (catching up) part of week eight, but will show up in week nine.

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.

Tuesday’s Tip: Search Mailing Lists

Kris Hocker on 7 Jan 2014

Mailing lists can be a great tool for collaboration with other researchers in your area of interest. They can also be a great source information. But you don’t necessarily need to be on a list in order to benefit from it.

The RootsWeb mailing lists are archived—and searchable.

Recently, I’ve been thinking about a series of emails from several years ago which included marriage and death transcriptions from a Lancaster County newspaper as a possible source for information. But I haven’t been able to find them in my inbox. I’ve changed computers since then, and those old emails apparently didn’t make it to the new computer.

Luckily, I remember which mailing list they were from. A quick search and I was able to pull up a list. Here are links to the archived emails for information from the 1848 Lancaster Intelligencer:

This information was transcribed by Maria Campbell and sent to the PALANCAS-L mailing list in 2010. For more examples with different years and newspapers, check out the archives of the PALANCAS-L mailing list or search for your ancestor.

Will: Jacob Hoover (1801)

Kris Hocker on 6 Jul 2011

Jacob Hoover of Woodberry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania wrote his last will & testament on 10 Nov 1800.¹ It was proved 2 Mar 1801. Here’s a transcription:

In the name of God Amen I Jacob Hoover of Wood
berry Township Bedford County & State of Pennsylvania being weak
of Body but of Sound Mind and Memory and Understanding blessed be God
for the same Do make and Publish this my Last will & Testament in man
ner and form Following to wit [?] , and first of all I Commend
my Immortal Soul into the hand of Good [sic] who gave it, and my body to the
Earth to be Buried in a Christian like manner at the Discretion of my
Executors herein after Named and as to Such wordly [sic] Estate wherewith it hath
Blessed God to bless me in this Life I give and Dispose of the same in the
following Manner to wit I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Anna Hoover
her heirs or assigns the sum of one hundred and Twenty seven pounds Lawful money
of Pennsylvania which money she has Securities for in her own name I also give
unto her heirs or assigns the further sum of five pounds three shilligs [sic] and nine
pence to be paid out to her out of my property at my Decease I also give and bequeath
unto her her heirs or assigns all my household Goods and Movable Effects (Except
what money I have either in hand or otherwise belonging to me) I also give
unto her the whole Use Possession and benefit of the Plantation I now live on with
all the Appurtenances I now live on with all the appurtenances [sic] thereunto belong
ing During the full term of her Natural Life And at her Decease to be [?] or
sold and added to the rest of my Estate and Divided as is herein after Directed
I also give and bequeath unto my son Henry Hoover that Just Sum of four shillings
Good and Lawful money of Pennsylvania and as to all the Rest Residue and
Remainder of my estate of what Kind and Nature so ever I allow to be Divided
into Ten Equal parts or shares; And I Do hereby give and bequeath to my
Martin Hoover one full share I also Give and bequeath to my son John
Hoover one full share I also Give and bequeath to my Daughter Anne
Houser one full share I also give and bequeath to my son Christopher
Hoover one full share I also Give and bequeath to my Daughter Barba
ra Rice one full share I also give and bequeath to my Daughter Frena [Hoover]
one full share I also give and bequeath to my Daughter Madlina Rorah one
full share I also give & bequeath to my son Peter Hoover one full share
except [twenty] five pounds which is to be reduced out of his share I also
give and bequeath to my son Abraham Hoover one full share Except twe[n]
ty five pounds which is to be reduced out of his share I also give & be
queath unto my two grandsons Christophel and Andrew Hoover [?]
of my [?] [son] Henry Hoover one full share Except Twenty five
pounds which is to be reduced from their share And the sum of [?] five Pounds [?]
is to be reduced out of the [?] Last mentioned share I give & bequeath unto my [son]
Jacob Hoover with what he has before Received which is to be all his part and
the share which I bequeath to my two grand sons Christophel and Andrew Hoover
I allow to be equally Divided between them Each to have an Equal part thereof
And Lastly I nominate, Constitute Ordain and Appoint my two Trusty son
in-laws Martin Houser of Woodberry Township Bedford County & State of Pennsyl
vania & Jacob Rice of Washington County and state of Maryland to be the [sole
Executors of this my Last Will & Testament And I do hereby utterly Disallow
Revoke and Disannul all and every other former Testaments Wills Legacies and be
quests by me in any way named and bequeathed Ratifying and Confirming
this and no Other to be my Last Will and Testament In Witness where
of I have hereunto set me hand and seal the tenth day of December in the year
of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred Jacob Huber (seal)

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the
above named Jacob Hoover to be his Last
Will and Testament in the presence of us
who have hereunto subscribed our names
as Witness in the Presence of the Testator~

We the Witnesses Do hereby Certify that
the words (her heirs or assigns) above lines [?]
fifteen and seventee was wrote and Interlined be
fore the Testator Signed his name thereunto
Jacob [Shoenfeld] [in German]
Peter his X mark Bower

Mortgage: Henry Snyder, 1830

Kris Hocker on 17 Jun 2011

1830 Mortgage of Henry Snyder

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

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

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

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

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

Henry Snyder (seal)

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

Montgomery County Ss

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

Jacob Gerhard (seal)

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

Inventory: Christian Hoover (Heidelberg)

Kris Hocker on 22 May 2011

Christian Hoover of Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania died in 1771. An inventory was taken on his goods and chattels on 19 Mar 1771. Here is a transcript:

“An Inventory of the Goods and Chattles of Christian Hoover
late of Heidlebergh Township Deceased Taken this 19th Day of March
1771 and appraised by John Shank and Michael Danner

Sundry Wearing Apparel	5	8
one Riding Horse Saddle & Bridle	17	5
one Young Mare	22
two old Horses with Geers	10	10
Sundry Horse Geers		15
4 Head of Cattle	10
8 Head of Young Cattle	17	5
6 Head of Cattle	16	10
one Waggon	8
two Ploughs & their Geers	2	7	6
fifteen Sheep	6
Eight Hogs	2	6	6
Thirty Bushels Oates	3
Ten Bushels Wheat	2	5
Six Bushels Rye		18
one Kitchen Drefser [dresser]	2	10
one Cloaths Prefs [press]	2
two Chests	1	7	6
fifty six Yards Linnen	7
Nineteen Yards Tow Cloth	1	11	8
twenty four Yards Lincey	4	4
Six Yards Drugget	1	1
In Cash	47	11	3
one Bond from Michael Wibright	9
one Bond from George Cook	8
one Bond from Peter Dicks	9	9
one Bond from Christian Himler	8
one Bond from Jacob Cochenour [brother-in-law]	32	4	4
one Bond from Mathias Neace	12
one Bond from George Beery	8
one Bond from Christian Overholser	6
one Bond from Nicholas Sluthower	6
one Bond from Francis Noll	50
one Bond from Christian Freed	15
one Note from Abraham Beery [brother-in-law]	9
one Note from George Melheim	1
one Note from Joseph Cochenour [brother-in-law]	3
one Note from Jacob Crouse	3
one Note from John Welde [brother-in-law John Welty]	7	10
one Note from Jacob Moaler	2	10
one Note from Daniel Risher	3	3
one Note from Henry Devalt	2
one Large Bible & one other Book	1	15
one other Large Bible	2	10
Sundry old Books	1	18	6
two Beds & Bed steads	3
Sundry Iron Ware	3	12
one Copper Kettle	3	10
Seven Iron Pans	1	12
one Brafs Kettle & two Brafs buckets	2	9
thirty pounds Hackled Hemp	1	10
Ten pounds spun thread	1
Sundry Pewter	2	13
1 [pound?] steelyards one part sealer & weights	1	8
sundry Earthen Ware [?]		13
sundry Ceader tubs [?]	1
five empty Casks	1	5
one Tea Kettle		7	6
one Small Trunk		3
sundry empty Casks	3	8
sundry Earthen Pots [?]		12
one Wind Mill	2	15
sundry Dung forks Hay forks [?]		8
for Hay	3	15
Six Hives of Bees	1	10
3 Chairs		9
two Tables & one Dough Trough	1	7	6
Nine Bags	1	7
one half Bushel		2
one Maul Rings & Wedge		5
two Axes		7	6
two Grubbing Hoes		6

Mary [her M mark] Hoover Exr. John Shank (in German) Michael Danner } appras”

Shockey’s Counterfeit Currency

Kris Hocker on 5 Mar 2011

In a previous post I wrote about connections some of my Hoovers had with the Shockey family of Washington County, Maryland. In reviewing the PDF file of Maryland Historical Magazine, volume 13, number 3, I found reference to the Shockeys again. This time in relation to counterfeit money during the Revolutionary War. I’d read about this elsewhere online, but it was interesting to read about it in the minutes of the Committee of Observation for Elizabeth Town.

In reviewing reference to fines paid to the Committee by local Mennonites, I saw the following:

1777, March 1st To Cash paid the Regulars for stand^g Guard over Isaac Christⁿ Shockey, Jn^o Tedrow and Jn^o Acton… 4 [pounds]..17 [shillings]..0 [pence] ¹

Then somewhat earlier in the document, I found the confession of John Tedrow.²

Sunday evening Feb^ry 2^d 1777… John Tedrow A Prisoner in this Town, for passing counterfeit Virginia Money, was brought before Committee, upon Examination confessed that he went to Isaac Shockeys on tuesday the 21^st of Jan^y last tarried there some Days that ^sd Shockey agreed to give hime the ^sd Tedrow 150 dollars of ^sd Counterfeit Money, in order to pass out of which Tedrow was to return one half, but afterward ^sd Shockey only gave him 78 Dollars saying there was no more sign’d, and that the person who sign’d the Money, would sign no more, at that time, because he purpos’d to have it press’d, thinking it not yet compleat, that said Tedrow when pass’d what he had receiv’d, was to repair to s^d Shockey for more, who promised to supply him therewith, and that he the s^d Tedrow might return what he pleas’d in Lieu of the 78 Dollars receiv’d that there was at Shockey’s a certain Person dress’d in white Broad-Cloath Coat Jacket and Breeches, with a velvet Cape on Coat, whom he the s^d Tedrow suspected to be the Signer of s^d Money, that s^d Tedrow asked s^d Shockey that Gentleman’s name, Shockey replied he knew it not, and that he refus’d to tell his Name to any person, that a certain Christian Hearn was at Shockeys in the Company with the aforesaid Gentleman, said he was a Captain, and came on purpose to Recruit.
Sign’d John his X mark Tedrow
Upon receiving the aforegoing Confession of John Tedrow it is ordered that a strong Guard be sent to apprehend Isaac Stophel, Felty and Abraham Shockey, and all others whom they may have reason to suspect to be concern’d with the said Counterfeit Virginia money and them or either of them bring before this Committee to answer s^d Charge and likewise to bring all Counterfeit money, Materials thereto belonging, and all fire Arms that may be found in their or either of their possessions.³

Monday Feb^y 3^d 1777… The Guard sent to apprehend the Shockeys return’d, and delivered to Committee the Bodies of Isaac, and Christian Shockey, who on Examination denied the Charge of being privy to, or concern’d with the making and passing Counterfeit Virginia Money. Ordered that the said Shockeys be confin’d in Irons in the Common Goal for this County until legally discharged therefrom Red^d from the Guard a Rifle Gun got at Valentine Shockey’s marck’d on the Butt W.S.⁴

Tuesday Feb^y 4^th… John Acton (agreeable to order) was brought before Committee, charg’d with writing & sending a Letter to Isaac Shockey at said Shockey’s Request, to the Intent that said Shockey and his Banditti might rescue John Tedrow a Prisoner, (for passing Counterfeit Virginia Money) from the Guard who then had said Tedrow in Custody, upon Examination acknowledged the Charge Therefore ordered that s^d Acton be kept in Irons close confin’d in the Common Goal, untill legally discharg’d therefrom.⁵

Saturday Feb^y 8^th 1777… Ordered that Capⁿ Andrew Linck pay David Harry £2…12…6 for his services and nine men under his Command in apprehending Isaac and Christian Shockey—and that the Shockeys pay the same to Committee.⁶

Monday Feb^y 10^th 1777… Information being made to Committee that a certain Christian Kearn and James Quigg (alias) Quick residing near Baltimore are principally concern’d, with the Shockeys, in making and passing Counterfeit Virginia Money—Resolved that a Letter be sent to the Committee of Baltimore giving them Intelligence thereof, that they may take Order therein.⁷

Monday Feb^y 24^th 1777… On Motion resolved that Letters be sent immediately to the Committees at Reading and McAllister Town informing them that this Committee has receiv’d Intelligence that a Certain Christian Kearn, James Quigg (alias) Quick and Benjⁿ Lewis are Principally concern’d in making and passing the present Counterfeit Virginia money now circulating, that they hold a Lodge near s^d Town, that the Paper of s^d money was made at the Paper Mill on Schuykill near Reading Town. That a Letter be likewise sent to the Committee at Chambers Town giving them intelligence that this Committee has been inform’d that a certain Benjⁿ Nugent near s^d Town is concern’d w^th the afors^d persons in passing s^d money, that s^d Committees may take order therein and apprehend such Malefactors.⁸

Saturday March 1^st 1777… Ordered that Baltzer Gull pay John Adair 10/6 for three standing Guard over Isaac, Christ^r Shockey, Jn^o Tedrow and Jn^o Acton, the sum of £4..17 that a Rifle belonging to Christ^r Shockey be apprais’d and sold to defray the Expence…
Ordered that Baltzer Gull pay John Fackler £2. for his and seven Men’s Services in assisting to apprehend John Acton &c living at Green Spring Furnace.⁹

March 1^st 1777…By D^o [Cash] paid to John Fockler for him & 7 Men going as Guard to Green Spring furnace for John Acton &c 2£..—..— ¹⁰

The Shockey story goes on. I found this in an online message board:

The following information is from historical newspapers available on line.

Apr. 8 1777- Dunlap’s Maryland Gazette- ” 10 Pounds Reward – Broke out of Frederick County gaol the following persons Isaac Shockey, Christian Shockey (son of Valentine), Christopher Shockey, John Tutterow and John Acton, who were committed upon suspicion of counterfeiting and passing counterfeit Virginia money.”

November 23, 1779 -Pennsylvania Packet – ” At the Court of Oyer and Terminer held at Carlisle for the Hon. Thomas McKean and William Atlee, Justices. Christopher Shockey was tried and convicted and received the sentence of death for passing counterfeit 30 dollar bills of Continental money dated 22nd July 1776”

And from legislative document ‘We hear that the execution of the sentence of death lately pronounced at Carlisle, against Christopher Shockey for the counterfeiting of paper money is ordered to be done at Carlisle on Wed. 8th of Dec.’¹¹

Will: George Hoober (1775)

Kris Hocker on 27 Oct 2010

George Hoober of Mount Pleasant Township, York County, Pennsylvania signed his will on 21 Oct 1772; it was proven on 2 Feb 1775. He named his son John and friend George Fisher as his executors. In the document he also named his wife Barbara, daughter Barbara wife of Conrad Staly, and “my three grandchildren of Jacob Hoober Deceased.”¹

In the Nam [sic] of God amen, I George Hoober of mound [sic] plesent [sic] Township
in the County of York and Province of Pennsylvania Yeoman being weak in Body but
of Sound and Perfect understanding Considering the uncertain continuance of my Life
and the many Hazards and Dangers that it is obnoxious To and being Desirous to
leave that small Estate and fortune Which God has been Pleased to Pass me with in
my family and That I may have Nothing of this Transitory World or the Intanglements [sic]
Thereof to Incumber [sic] my thoughts and Contemplations With at my going out of it but
to think and meditate of the next World and the Inestimable Blessings and Comforts
That are There to be Enjoyed, I Do make this my Last will and Testament In
maner [sic] following Hereby Revoking all former wills by me made and first I Resign my
Soul to the Great and most merciful God That made it and my Body I commit to the
Grave to be Decently Buried and as to my Worldly Estate I Dispose thereof as Followeth
that is to Say I do first appoint all my Lawfull [sic] Debts and funeral Expences [sic] to by paid out of
my Estate by my Executors Herein after Named Item I give to my Son John Hoober all my
Estate Both Real and Personal to hold to him his Heirs Executors administrators and Assigns
and I do or[ther] That my Belovid [sic] Wife Barbara Hoober shall have her Suficent [sic] mentaine-
nce [sic] out of the aforesaid Estate During her Natural life by my aforesaid Son or his Heirs Item
I Give and order that my aforesaid son his Heirs Executors administrators shall pay
unto my three grandchilderon [sic] of Jacob Hoober Deseased [sic] the sum of Twenty Pounds to by
Equily [sic] Devided [sic] amongst them and that three years after my Desease [sic] and Barbara my
Wife and Twenty Pounds I Give and order to my Daughter Barbara the wife of Conrad
Staly to be paid by my said son John as aforesaid in four years after my Desease [sic] and my wife
as aforesaid and I make ordain my well beloved son John Hoober and my frind [sic] Thomas
fisher Sole Executrix of this my Lasat [sic] will and Testament in Trust for the Intents and
Purposes in this my will contained to Perform according to my True Intent and meaning
in Witness whereof I the said George Hoober have to This my Last will and Testament Set
my Hand and Seal The Twenty First Day of october in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven
Hundred and Seventy Two———
Signed Sealed and Published by the said George Hoober in the
Presents [sic] of us who subscribed our names in the Testators presence } George Huber (seal) [German script]
and at his request —————
Johannes Georg Huber [German script]
[German script, can’t read]
John Smith

York County Ss Before me Samuel Johnston Esquire Deputy Register for the Probate of
Wills and Granting of Letters of Administration in and for the County of York in the Province
of Pennsylvania personally came Johann George Hoober and John Smith Esquire two of the
subscribing Witnesses to the foregoing Instrument of Writing and the said Johann George
Hoober on his solemn Oath taken according to Law and the said John Smith on his Solemn
Affirmation taken according to Law he conscientiously scrupling to taking of an oath do
respectively say they were personally present and saw and heard George Hoober the Testator above
named Sign Seal publish and declare the foregoing Instrument of Writing as and for his last
Will and Testament that at the time of doing thereof the said George Hoober was of sound dispo
sing Mind Memory and understanding according to the best of this Deponents and Affirments [sic]
Knowledge and belief that they subscribed their Names as Witnesses to the same in the presence
of the said Testator and at his request and that they also saw Detter Hobarh sign his name
to the same as a Witness at the same time in the presence of the said Testator and at his request
Sworn Affirmed & Subscribed————– Johann Georg Huber
before me at York the 2 Day of February 1775 } John Smith
Sam^l Johnston Dep^y Reg^r
Both Ex^rs sworn Inventory in 2 months

A true copy compared with the original at York
Sam Johnston Dep^y Reg^r

Memorandum That Letters Testamentary in Common form
were granted to John Hoober and Thomas fisher of the Estate of George Hoober late
of York County Yeoman Deceased Inventory to be Exhibited into the Registers Office
at York at of before the second Day of April next and an Account or Reckoning at
or before the second day of February next Given under my Hand and the Seal of the said Office
at York the second Day of February 1775.

Will: John Huber (1792)

Kris Hocker on 20 Oct 2010

John Huber of Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania wrote his will 6 Oct 1792; it was proven 15 Dec 1792. He named his friends Henry Hershberger and John Bechtol his executors and named his wife Susanna and his children John, Jacob, Anna and Susanna as his heirs.¹ This is a transcription of his last will and testament.

-p.407

John Huber, deceased

In the Name of God Amen
I Huber of Cocalico Township in the County of Lancaster and State of Penn
sylvania Yoman being sick and weak in Body by of perfect sound
Mind Memory and Understanding thanks be to God therefor having

-p.408
taken into consideration the mortality of mankind have thought pro
per to publish this my last Will and Testament in Manner and form
following that is to say Principally and first of all I Recommend my
immortal Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it to be in
mercy received through the merits of my Redeemer Jesus Christ and my
Body I give unto the earth to be buried in a Christian and decent
manner at the discretion of my herein after named Executors and as tou
ching those Worldly estates wherewith it has pleased God to Bless me with
in this life, after my Just debts & funeral expences [sic] shall be paid I give
devise and bequeath in manner & form following that is to say Impromis
I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Susanna Huber all
and singular my Messuage or Tenement Plantation Pieces of Tracts of
Land Together with all and singular the Goods Household Stuff Im
plements and furniture of what kind or nature soever to be held
possessed and enjoyed by my said wife and children until my eldest
son John Huber arrives to the age of one and twenty years if she remains
a widow and names her After my name and then my said Messuage
or Tenement Plantation Pieces or Tracts of Land shall be valued & appraised
by four Arbitrators indifferently chosen between my executors herein after
named and shal [sic] sell all my personal estate by public sale and my
said beloved wife Susanna shall have the third share of both Real
and Personal estate (if she remains a widow as aforesaid) and my
said son John shall have the said Messuage or Tenement Planta
tion Pieces or Tracts of Land for said valued price and my executors
shall have ful [sic] power and authority to grant him a Deed for
the same and to fix for him the terms of payment I order that the
said Valued sum and of the Personal estate shall be distributed to and
among all my heirs share and share alike after my said beloved
wife Susanna have Received her share as aforesaid Yet nevertheless
that he my said son John Huber with his other Brother and Sisters shall
have and inherit out and from said state on equal full share
and dividend with the other of my Children viz: Jacob Huber,
Anna Huber and Susannah Huber Item It is my will in case my said
beloved wife Susanna Huber should get an inclination for a other place
at any time or times after my decease I allow her to bury me

-p.409
wherever she shall seem meet (to have and to hold the same until my
said son John shall arrive to the age of one and twenty years then and
in that case I allow and it is my will that my executors shall have
full Power and authority to sell me whole estate both real and Perso
nal by Public sale for the best prices they can get and give such Deed
or Deeds Conveyances as by the Buyer or Buyers shall be lawfully
required and to give part thereof unto my said beloved wife for the
Purchase of her [intended?] place and the Remainder there to put
upon Interest until my said son John Huber shall arrive to his age
aforesaid and then the same shall be sold again by my executors
aforesaid and Divided as aforesaid Further it is my Will that if my
said beloved wife Susanna Huber should marry again then and in
that case my executors shall sell my whole estate in manner and form
as aforesaid and my said wife shall have no more but her third
According to law Further I do enjoyn [sic] my executors to give my said
Children good scholing [sic] and to put my said two sons John & Jacob
too [sic] trade and lastly I nominate ordain and appoint my beloving [sic] friend
Henry Heshberger and John Beikdol executors of this my last Will and
Testament hereby revoking making null and void all former Wills
by me made Ratifying and allowing this an no other to be my last
Will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set me hand
& Seal the sixth day of October in year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and ninety two
John Huber (seal)

Signed Sealed publish
ed declared and pronounced by said John Huber his last Will and Testa
ment in the presence of us the Subscribers who in the presence and at the
request of said Testator and in presence of each other signed our names Mi
chael Young George Heft Lancaster County [Ssr?] On the fifteenth day
of December Anno Domini 1792 Before me the Subscriber personally appear
ed Michael Young and George Heft the two subscribing witnesses to the with
in Instrument in writing and upon their Solemn affirmation according to
Law did declare and say that they were present and saw and heard John
Huber the Testator therein named Sign Seal publish pronounce and declare
and declare the said writing as and for his last Will and Testament and that
at the time of doing thereof he was of sound and well disposing Mind
Memory and Understanding to the best of their Knowledge Observation and belief
Be it Remembered that on the fifteenth day of December Ann Domini 1792
the last Will and Testament of John Huber late of Cocalico Township Yeoman
deceased was proved in due form of Law and Letters Testamentary thereon
were granted to Henry Hersberger and John Bechtol the executors therein na
med they having first been duly qualified well and truly to administer
the estate of the said deceased and especially to exhibit a true and perfect
Inventory thereof into the Registers Office at Lancaster within one month from
this Date and render a just and true Account of their Administration on
said estate within one year or when thereto lawfully required Given under
the Seal of said Office G. Ross Register

Examined & recorded G.Ross Register

Tag: Transcriptions