Heather's 3rd great grandparents
John Edward Witmer
John Edward Witmer
son of John & Polly (Neitz) Witmer
Born April 6 1840
Born April 6 1840
Died April 16 1910
Married 1860
Eva Elizabeth Freed
Daughter of Jacob & Maud Freed
Born April 6 1842
Born April 6 1842
Died April 19 1918
Children:
S. Alice Witmer 1861 –
S. Alice Witmer 1861 –
Mary M. Witmer 1863
John Wesley Witmer 1865 – 1918 m. Josephine
William Jordon Witmer 1867 – 1935 m. Laura Swineford
Henry S. Witmer 1869 – 1949 m. Minnie
Verdilla Witmer 1880 –
Daisy M Witmer 1882 – 1932 m. Franklin Pierce Holtzapple
*Eleanora P. (Witmer) Seaman has a death certificate showing her birthdate as August 12 1862.
John & Ellen Seaman appear in the census in Shamokin, where Eleanora died,
in 1900, 1910, and 1920, with Ellen having a birthdate of 1874.
Her death certificate gives her age as 53 at time of death -
with a birthdate of 1862 and a death date of 1926 - which would make her 64, not 53.
The 1874 birth date shown in the census would make her 53.
I think it's safe to assume the death certificate has an error.
Her find a grave record lists her birthday as 1872, but I have not yet seen a photo of the stone.
William Jordon Witmer 1867 – 1935 m. Laura Swineford
Henry S. Witmer 1869 – 1949 m. Minnie
*Elenora P. Witmer 1874-1926 m. John Seaman
Katie Rebecca Witmer 1875-1945 m. Charles Aucker
Edward Witmer 1879 – 1918 m. Annie Celestia HouserVerdilla Witmer 1880 –
Daisy M Witmer 1882 – 1932 m. Franklin Pierce Holtzapple
*Eleanora P. (Witmer) Seaman has a death certificate showing her birthdate as August 12 1862.
John & Ellen Seaman appear in the census in Shamokin, where Eleanora died,
in 1900, 1910, and 1920, with Ellen having a birthdate of 1874.
Her death certificate gives her age as 53 at time of death -
with a birthdate of 1862 and a death date of 1926 - which would make her 64, not 53.
The 1874 birth date shown in the census would make her 53.
I think it's safe to assume the death certificate has an error.
Her find a grave record lists her birthday as 1872, but I have not yet seen a photo of the stone.
Time Line
1840 - John Edward born
April 6
Born in Pennsylvania
Death certificate names his parents as John Witmer & Polly Neitz
1842 - Elizabeth Freed Born
April 6, 1842
Her children's death certificates list her place of birth as Freemont, Snyder County PA
Her death certificate lists her parents as Jacob and Maude Freed, and gives her name as Eva Elizabeth Freed.
1842 - Elizabeth Freed Born
April 6, 1842
Her children's death certificates list her place of birth as Freemont, Snyder County PA
Her death certificate lists her parents as Jacob and Maude Freed, and gives her name as Eva Elizabeth Freed.
1850
Name: Edward Witmer
Age: 8
Birth Year: abt 1842
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1850: Chapman, Union, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Family Number: 224
Household Members:
Name Age
John Witmer 50
Rebecka Witmer 40
Mary Witmer 12
Edward Witmer 8
I found this record in 1850, but I have no idea whether it is our Elizabeth or not.
NAME: Elizabeth Freed
AGE: 9
BIRTH YEAR: abt 1841
BIRTHPLACE: Pennsylvania
HOME IN 1850: Penns, Union, Pennsylvania
GENDER: Female
FAMILY NUMBER: 1115
HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS:
NAME AGE
Jacob Kessler 39
Caroline Kessler 42
Catharine Kessler 19
Elizabeth Freed 9
I found this record in 1850, but I have no idea whether it is our Elizabeth or not.
NAME: Elizabeth Freed
AGE: 9
BIRTH YEAR: abt 1841
BIRTHPLACE: Pennsylvania
HOME IN 1850: Penns, Union, Pennsylvania
GENDER: Female
FAMILY NUMBER: 1115
HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS:
NAME AGE
Jacob Kessler 39
Caroline Kessler 42
Catharine Kessler 19
Elizabeth Freed 9
1860 married Elizabeth
1862 Served in Civil War
October 28 1862
Found on the Rolls for Company A, 172nd Regiment
Found on the Rolls for Company A, 172nd Regiment
172nd PA Regiment Organization, Service & Battles
Organization
Organized at Harrisburg October 27 to November 29, 1862.
Moved to Washington, D.C., December 2; Thence to Newport News. Va., December 4, and to Yorktown, Va., December 12.
Unassigned, Yorktown, Va., 4th. Corps, Dept. of Virginia, to April, 1863.
West's Advance Brigade, 4th Corps, Dept. of Virginia, to June, 1863.
3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Corps, to July, 1863.
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 11th Corps, Army of the Potomac, to August, 1863.
Service & Battles - 1863
Garrison duty at Yorktown, Va., till June, 1863.
Dix's Peninsula Campaign June 27-July 7.
Ordered to Washington, D.C., July 9.
Join Army of the Potomac at Hagerstown, Md., July 14.
Pursuit of Lee to Williamsport, Md.
March to Warrenton Junction, Va., July 19-25, 1863.
Ordered to Harrisburg, Pa., and mustered out August 1, 1863
Organization
Organized at Harrisburg October 27 to November 29, 1862.
Moved to Washington, D.C., December 2; Thence to Newport News. Va., December 4, and to Yorktown, Va., December 12.
Unassigned, Yorktown, Va., 4th. Corps, Dept. of Virginia, to April, 1863.
West's Advance Brigade, 4th Corps, Dept. of Virginia, to June, 1863.
3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Corps, to July, 1863.
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 11th Corps, Army of the Potomac, to August, 1863.
Service & Battles - 1863
Garrison duty at Yorktown, Va., till June, 1863.
Dix's Peninsula Campaign June 27-July 7.
Ordered to Washington, D.C., July 9.
Join Army of the Potomac at Hagerstown, Md., July 14.
Pursuit of Lee to Williamsport, Md.
March to Warrenton Junction, Va., July 19-25, 1863.
Ordered to Harrisburg, Pa., and mustered out August 1, 1863
1864 - 184th Regiment is formed.
May 12 1864
John E. is found on the rolls.
Witmer, John E. Private May 12, 1864 Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, February 1, 1865
About the 184th Regiment -
184th PA Regiment Organization, Service & Battles
Organization
Organized at Harrisburg May, 1864.
Ordered to join Army of the Potomac in the field, and reported May 28, 1864.
Attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac.
Service & Battles - 1864
Rapidan (Va.) Campaign May 28-June 12.
Totopotomoy May 28-31.
Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 16-18.
Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad, June 22-23, 1864.
Demonstration on north side of the James at Deep Bottom July 27-29.
Deep Bottom July 27-28.
Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30 (Reserve).
Demonstration north of the James at Deep Bottom August 13-20.
Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, August 14-18.
Ream's Station August 25.
Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, October 27-28.
Reconnoissance to Hatcher's Run December 9-10.
(John Was discharged before the 184th participated in any battles in 1865)
1865 - Discharged from Civil War Service, Surgeons Certificate
February 1, 1865
1870-
NAME: John E Witmer
AGE IN 1870: 39
BIRTH YEAR: abt 1831
BIRTHPLACE: Pennsylvania
HOME IN 1870: Union, Snyder, Pennsylvania
RACE: White
GENDER: Male
POST OFFICE: Port Trevorton
VALUE OF REAL ESTATE: View image
HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS:
NAME AGE
John E Witmer 39
Eve E Witmer 27
S A M Witmer 9
Mary M Witmer 7
John M Witmer 5
Levi J Witmer 3
Henry S Witmer 6/12
1879 - Son Edward Witmer Is Born
Edward Witmer married Anna Celestia Houser. They were Heather's great great grandparents. You can read more about them here:
http://heathersgen.blogspot.com/2012/03/edward-f-witmer-1878-1919.html
1880 - Age 40
Name: J. E. Witmer
Age: 40
Birth Year: abt 1840
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Union, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Elizabeth Witmer
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Farm Laborer
Household Members:
Name Age
J. E. Witmer 40
Elizabeth Witmer 39
Alice Witmer 19
John Witmer 14
Jordan Witmer 13
Henry Witmer 10
Ellen Witmer 7
Katie Witmer 5
Edward Witmer 3
Verdilla Witmer 1m
1900 Age 60
Name: Edward J Witmer
Age: 60
Birth Date: Apr 1840
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1900: Union, Snyder, Pennsylvania
[Snyder]
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Elizabeth A Witmer
Marriage Year: 1860
Years Married: 40
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Occupation: View on Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Edward J Witmer 60
Elizabeth A Witmer 58
1910 Age 70
Name: John E Witmer
Age in 1910: 70
Birth Year: 1840
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1910: Union, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
[Self (Head)]
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Eva E Witmer
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
John E Witmer 70
Eva E Witmer 68
Henry Witmer 40
Daisy M Witmer 28
1910 - Death of J. Edward
1918 - Elizabeth Died
In April of 1918, according to several local papers, my 3rd great grandmother Elizabeth (Freed) Witmer heard of her son's death and died of a heart attack.
Later, other newspapers reported a little differently. Apparently Elizabeth made the trip to see her son (my great great grandfather, Edward Witmer), who according to his death certificate had been under a drs care for nearly two weeks. His death certificate says rhematism, his obituary says appendicitis). Edward was 38 years old, a coal dredger, and the father of nine children.
The Selinsgrove Times
May 2 1918
According to Edwards death certificate, a doctor had been seeing him from April 4 - April 18th, and the cause of death was rheumatoid arthritis. Although several papers report that his mother died "upon hearing of his death", the Lewisburg Journal reported that she had come to his bedside, and died in a chair beside him, hours before his death.
The Lewisburg Journal
May 3 1918
While Elizabeth sat in a chair by her sons side, she died of a heart attack. Edward died at noon the same day. Elizabeth was buried on Monday, Edward on Tuesday.
Later, other newspapers reported a little differently. Apparently Elizabeth made the trip to see her son (my great great grandfather, Edward Witmer), who according to his death certificate had been under a drs care for nearly two weeks. His death certificate says rhematism, his obituary says appendicitis). Edward was 38 years old, a coal dredger, and the father of nine children.
May 2 1918
According to Edwards death certificate, a doctor had been seeing him from April 4 - April 18th, and the cause of death was rheumatoid arthritis. Although several papers report that his mother died "upon hearing of his death", the Lewisburg Journal reported that she had come to his bedside, and died in a chair beside him, hours before his death.
May 3 1918
While Elizabeth sat in a chair by her sons side, she died of a heart attack. Edward died at noon the same day. Elizabeth was buried on Monday, Edward on Tuesday.
NAME: Eva Elizabeth Witman
[Eva Elizabeth Frud]
GENDER: Female
RACE: White
AGE: 75
BIRTH DATE: 6 Apr 1842
BIRTH PLACE: Snyder County, Pennsylvania
DEATH DATE: 19 Apr 1918
DEATH PLACE: Port Trevorton, Snyder, Pennsylvania, USA
FATHER NAME: Jacob Frud
FATHER BIRTH PLACE: Pennsylvania
MOTHER NAME: Model Frud
MOTHER BIRTH PLACE: Pennsylvania
CERTIFICATE NUMBER: 43
Elizabeth's death certificate states that she died "m. med attendance. Prob. Cause organic heart disease."
Burial - Witmer Evangelical Church Cemetery
Research:
In September of 1918, John Wesley Witmer died. His parents are listed as John Edward Witmer, and Elizabeth Freed, on his death certificate. His death certificate is signed by John Edward Witmer. Since his father died in 1810, and his brother Edward died in April 1918 - this might be a son, grandson of John Edward Witmer 1840-1910?
I have not been able to find any trace of Alice after 1880.
Henry's son George died in 1947, 2 years before him. I cannot find a death certificate in PA for George, even though he is on the same tombstone as his father - his death certificate should show his mothers name. Minnie does not appear to be buried beside Henry?
Verdilla, for such a unique name, can also be found nowhere. There is a Verdilla born in 1877 died in 1908 buried in a cemetery with some witmers, and the town of Verdilla is not far from Port Trevorton, where many of these ancestors lived and died. But I can find no trace of Verdilla Witmer after 1880, the year she was born and appeared in the census. In 1900 she is not at home with her parents.
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