Heather's Paternal 4th great grandfather
John Witmer
son of (possibly) Samuel Witmer
Born abt 1797
Died Bef. 1870
Married
Margaret Rebecca "Polly" Neitz
daughter of
Born abt 1810
Died
Children:
Mary Witmer
John Edward Witmer 1840-1910 m. Eva Elizabeth Freed
John Married Polly Neitz
her name is given on her son John Edward Witmers death certificate.
Name John WitmerGender Male
Birth Place Pennsylvania
Spouse Polly Neitz
Child John Edward Witmer
John Witmer - True
Household Members
Name Age
John Edward Witmer
Polly Neitz
John Witmer
In the 1850 census her name is given as Rebecca. Polly is a popular nickname for Rebecca.
In Snyder County Pioneers, We find these Neitz:
Abt 1838 - Daughter Mary is Born
Based on her age, 12, in the 1850 census. Its worth noting that "next door" Jacob also has a daughter named Mary, age 14 in the 1850 census. So tracking this Mary will be difficult! In 1860 Jacob's Mary is still living at home, but John's Mary is no longer listed with the family in the census. She's definitely old enough to have been married in 1860. To whom, I have no idea.
I found this find a grave entry in the Witmer Cemetery, but I think this is likely to be Jacob's daughter Mary, from the birthdate:
Longacre, Mary A., wife of Isaac,
Born: Aug 24, 1836 Died: Nov 13, 1893
Information: Witmer's United Evangelical Church.
Reported by J. C. Shaffer and M. P. Arnold.
1850 - Residence
John's occupation in 1850 is "Cooper"
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
above them on the same census page is the family still beside them 30 years later in 1880 - I think it's quite possible Jacob and John are brothers.
Name: Jacob Witmer
Age: 47
Birth Year: abt 1803
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1850: Chapman, Union, Pennsylvania, USA
Gender: Male
Family Number: 222
Household Members:
Name Age
Jacob Witmer 47
Maria Witmer 45
Samuel Witmer 25
Elithebeth Witmer 17
Mary Witmer 14
David Witmer 6
1860 - Residence
Name: Rebecca Whitmer
Age: 48
Birth Year: abt 1812
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Chapman, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Post Office: Chapman
Family Number: 869
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
John C Whitmer 63
Rebecca Whitmer 48
Edward Whitmer 20
In 1870 & 1880 we find Rebecca in the spot between Jacob & John in the census. In 1860 there is a spot labeled "unoccupied". BUT look at the names.... in 1860, Jacob's wife is named Polly! (in 1850 his wife is named Maria) Rebecca is with her husband John, in the next family down.
1868 - Residence
Owner's Name: J Witmer
State: Pennsylvania
County: Union and Snyder
Town: Chapman; Port Trevorton
Year: 1868
based on Rebecca being a widow in 1880, and the 1870 census showing "Margaret" (Rebecca) alone.
1870 - Residence
Since Jacob is beside John in the census in 1850, and Jacobs son David is still beside John's widow Rebecca in the census in 1880, I looked at the census pages for Jacob in 1870, trying to find Rebecca and or John.
I found the family of Isaac Witmer, age 53, farm laborer. (Catharine, Harriet, Matilda)
And then I found:
John E. Witmer 29 His family is split between two pages:
Just as in 1880, there is a number between John & Jacob. This time it reads Margaret, but the age is correct. I am fairly certain this is Rebecca.
Name: Margaret Witmer
Age in 1870: 56
Birth Year: abt 1814
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Dwelling Number: 73
Home in 1870: Union, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Female
Occupation: Keeping House
Cannot Read: Y
Cannot Write: Y
Real Estate Value: 1000
Household Members:
Name Age
Margaret Witmer 56
1880 - Residence
It looks as though Rebecca was living with John Edwards family? She has her own number in the record, but she's listed as "mother". The entry below is also a Witmer.
Name Rebecca Witmer
Age 65
Birth Date Abt 1815
Birthplace Pennsylvania
Home in 1880 Union, Snyder, Pennsylvania, USA
Dwelling Number 76
Race White
Gender Female
Relation to Head of House Self
Marital Status Widowed
Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania
Occupation Keeping House
Name: D. G. Witmer
Age: 36
Birth Date: Abt 1844
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Union, Snyder, Pennsylvania, USA
Dwelling Number: 77
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Fietta Witmer
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Farmer
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
D. G. Witmer 36
Fietta Witmer 30
Richard Witmer 9
Ammon Witmer 8
(David G. Witmer was the son of Jacob & Maria Witmer - as seen in the 1850 census. Possibly a nephew?)
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I found this long, informative, entry on Find A Grave. I think, considering the land grant in Port Trevorton and the locaiton of John & Jacob in Port Trevorton in 1850, that it is VERY possible that John Peter Witmer 1736-1793 is the grandfather of John Witmer born 1797. Scroll to the bottom to see:
"ix Samuel: Lived in Dundore, Union Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. Children: Peter, John C., Solomon Elias (Saul), Henry, Jacob M., Elisabeth, Daniel, Isaac, David"
===================================
Birth: Sep. 19, 1736, Germany
Death: Jul. 3, 1793
Northumberland County
Pennsylvania, USA
Johann Peter Witmer was born Sep 19, 1736, and baptized Sep 21, 1736 in Hertbitzheim, current-day Germany. The baptism record listed his sponsors as, "Johannes Wampfler, master weaver, here, Peter Wurtz, Elisabetha Heck nee Schadlin at Neusaarwerden, Christina Margaretha, daughter of the late Philip Jacob Nieser of Saarbrucken." He died Jul 3, 1793 in Mahontongo Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania (now Union Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania), at the age of 56.
He married Maria Sallome Schuett/Schuttin on Oct 7, 1757 at St. Michael's and Zion KB Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Handschue, a noted Lutheran pastor. Witnesses were Christian Schneider and Jacob Christler. (Pennsylvania German Church Records, Vol 1, p 649) Maria was born Oct 24, 1740 in Upper Alsace, France (now Germany), perhaps the daughter of Jacob Schutt and wife Catharina, who were sponsors at the baptism of Peter and Sarah‘s son Joh. Peter in 1760. Maria died in Snyder County, Pennsylvania in 1800 about the age of 60.
Peter Witmer likely immigrated with his parents at the age of 11 on the bilander (a small, two-masted merchant ship) Vernon, commanded by Master Thomas Ricks, sailing from Rotterdam, Netherlands, then to Leith, Scotland, and arriving in the Philadelphia harbor on Aug 1, 1747. They settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
After marriage, Peter and Maria remained in Lancaster County. On Jun 8, 1759, a Peter Witmer was granted a warrant of survey for 50 acres of land there. By 1766, a Peter Witmer obtained 300 acres of land one mile above Port Trevorton, on the west side of the Susquehanna River in Snyder County. The land is still in the possession of descendants.
In 1773, a Peter Witmer lived in Manor Township, Lancaster County, and was taxed on 140 acres and personal property.
In 1773 or 1774, Peter loaded his family and possessions onto a flatboat at Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and went up the river to the present site of Dundore, in Union Township, Northumberland County, (present-day Snyder County), where he built his first cabin.
Peter Witmer was a soldier in the American Revolution. He served in the Pennsylvania Continental Line and in the Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Militia.
In Apr 1779, Peter Whitmer was a private in a company of the militia active as Rangers against the Indians on the frontier, commanded by Captain John Moll of Sunbury, Pennsylvania. (Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol XXIII, p. 343) They were stationed at Fort Freeland near Turbetarile, Pennsylvania. His name "also appears with the rank of private on a muster roll of Capt. John Mull's Co., belonging to the 3d Batt'n of North'd County Militia, commanded by Col. Peter Hosterman in the actual service of the United States of America. Entered the 18th of April & discharged the 3d May, & entered again the 27th July & discharged the 9th Aug., 1779, (Revolutionary War), for Apr & July 1779. Roll dated: not dated. Remarks: 16 ds on duty." (Roll 798)
He served in the Company of Artillery commanded by Captain Lieutenant William Godfrey at Philadelphia in Jun, 1780. Peter Whitmer was listed as "matross." His name and rank appear on the roll of Lieutenant Benjamin Hoey's Company in Nov, 1780.
One member of the Daughters of the American Revolution who claimed Peter Witmer as her ancestor, and her membership number, was Mable Elsie Reid, 300852. Her application was verified by number 141544. She was descended through Sarah Witmer, Phiana Grove, and Roland J. Reid.
Three members of the Sons of the American Revolution who claimed Peter Witmer as their ancestor, and their membership numbers, were Arthur Charles Harris, 128285, Dale Bruce Mowry, 134818, and Larry Patrick Cornwell, 138085.
In 1785, Peter Witmer was one of the road supervisors of Penn Township. The 1790 census for Pennsylvania, Northumberland County (page 192) listes Peter Witmer and Peter Witmer, Jr. In 1791, he established a ferry across the river to the foot of Mahaney Mountain. He owned a saw mill, distillery, a large tract of land, and considerable personal property.
Peter Witmer's will was probated at Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania on Aug 3, 1793. Its English translation, on file in the Northumberland County courthouse in Sunbury, Pennsylvania on pages 116-117, reads as follows:
"In the name of God Amen. Whereas it has pleased God to lay upon me Peter Witmer a Grievous Sickness, yet still as long as God pleases, I am of Good understanding and because all men must die, and the time of Death is uncertain, I esteem it necessary in some way to direct and put into effect what shall be done with my worldly Goods after my Death and after having in the first Place recommended my Soul unto the Hands of God and my Body to be Committed to the Earth in a Christian like manner:
"It is my Will first of all that my beloved wife Maria Sallome shall have all my Lands and Moveable Goods in her power and Possession during her life in Order to do therewith according to her pleasure, except my Clothes and gun which I give to my Son Peter in preference to the rest.
"Secondly; It is my Will and Testament after the death of my beloved wife that my herein chosen Executors or Administrators shall sell all my Lands and moveable Goods and everything I leave behind me according to their best judgment and for the best Price only reserving that my son-in-law John Thornton shall have that piece of my land on which he now lives which is about twenty acres yet in such a manner, viz, from the lower line along the River so far up as to take in the little Meadow which lies close above his Improvement for which he shall pay two Dollars per acre out of his Portion.
"And further, my Son Shall have the full time out of the saw Mill which I promised to him, but in case that Land should be sold before his time should be out they shall allow him what is reasonable for it; and afterwards when all is sold as above mentioned then the money arising from the Sale of all my Estate shall be distributed equally among my Children so that one shall be dealt with as the rest;
"Thirdly and lastly I choose my son Peter and my son-in-law John Motz my Executors or Administrators of this my Estate; and I hereby give and empower them to fulfill all the above mentioned Articles as if I my self had done it only reserving this that my Daughter Susanna's Legacy shall not come into the Hands of herself or husband but shall be put shall be put out to Interest for her Children untill they come of age; but should she bear no Children, then it shall be equally divided amongst my other Children.
"Finally, I ratify this my Last Will and Testament and mark it with my own hand and Seal before these witnesses. Peter Witmer John Meicum P. Hosterman
"Northumberland County --; Before me the subscriber Register for the county aforesd. Personally cometh Peter Hosterman & John Meicum the two Subscribing Witnesses to the within Will or Instrument of writing, who being duly Sworn, according to Law, did depose and say that they were personally present and did see Peter Witmer with his Own Hand Subscribe his name to the same, & heard him Acknowledge it as and for his last Will and Testament, and that they Subscribed their names as Witnesses at the same time, and that he was at the time of so doing of sound and disposing mind and memory as we Verily believe, In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the 3rd day of August Ano. Dom. 1793.
"Jno. Simpson Reqn. Northumberland County --; Personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid Jonathan Walker who being sworn according to Law deposeth and Saith that the above is a true Just full accurate correct and almost literal Translation of the above last Will and testament of Peter Witmer deceased and that the sense is in no part or place thereof altered and that the order of the words in the Translation is as near the original German as is consistent with a transserion out of one Language into the other and further this deponent Saith not. Jonathan. Walker, Sworn and Subscribed before me this 31st day of July 1793 Wm Cooke
"Be it remembered that on the third day of August in the year of our Lord 1793 the last Will and Testament of Peter Witmer deceased written in the German Language and duly proved and approved before me, of which the foregoing Record is a true Translation as on the Oath of Jonathan Walker Esquire it is ascertained, and Letters Testamentary issued in due and Common Form of Law to Peter Witmer and John Motz, Executors threin named, on the same Day. Witness my hand the same Day & Year J. Simpson Reqt."
The following is a transcription of the inventory and appraisal of Peter Witmer's property, filed with the will in Northumberland County:
"An Inventery of the Gods and Chatels of Petter Wittmer Letly Descd. Appraised by the Subscribers this 2d day of agust In the Yeare 1793
All items were appraised in pounds, shillings, and pence. All spelling is as shown.
"1 Red Cow 4 0 1, 1 Dito wheit feas 4 0 0, 2 black Hiffers 7 10 0, 1 Wheit Mear 10 0 0, 1 Brown Dito 10 10 0, 1 Blaugh Dobel tow 2 0 0, a Barsel of old Iron 1 5 0, 2 haws and one spreade and one Kroban how 0 12 -, 1 Iron hable & Cory Came 0 5 0, 3 Seiths 0 7 6, 1 old Sadle 0 10 0, 1 Dito 1 0 0, a Sett of Agers chisels & Drawing kneifs 1 5 0, one Sett of Coopers Drils 1 0 0, a Barrel of old Iron 0 2 6, one old wagen 5 0 0, one Log Chain 0 10 -, 2 Sets of heme & Dreses 0 12 6, 1 Seith & Cretle 0 4 6, 2 hand Saws 1 0 0, 2 plean Etz 0 6 0, for a subtotal of 52 00 0
"1 pease of Stillgerts 0 8 0, 1 ax 1 plow & hack 0 8 0, 2 Bleind Breidles & Bell Callers 0 9 0, 1 6 pleted Stove 5 0 0, 1 greind Stone 0 3 0, 2 Brass Coks 0 4 0, 4 Robs for a Sean 0 3 6, 1 flatt & pols & owrs 12 0 0, 2 Stills of utenstials 30 0 0, 14 old Barrels & S. Ridels 0 12 0, 6 Good Barrels 1 10 0, 3 Barels 0 11 0, 1 wind Mill 3 0 0, 9 Bags at 3 Shillings Eatch 1 7 0, 1 Btack for flax 0 4 0, 1 Cannow 0 7 6, 14 Hogs 7 5 0, a Barsel of old Iron 0 8 0, 1 Mall witges 0 3 6, 1 great goht 1 Body Dito 3 0 0, 1 Sfetid & 1 Body goht 1 5 0, 3 pease of Drawers 1 pear of preetches 1 10 0, 1 old Coht & Chaget 0 5 0, 1 Beible 1 5 -, 2 peare of Boohts 1 2 6, 1 Table 2 0 0, 1 Dito 0 17 0, 1 fether Bed and Bed Sted Coverled 2 Sheets 0 3 0, 1 Chalf Dito 2 Sheets 1 Boussler, Bed Sted 2 0 0, 1 Sett of Sheffing Instruments 0 3 9, 1 Lucking Class 0 15 0, 2 Iron boots 0 18 -, subtotal 129 07 9
"1 Brass 1 Teekeetel 0 10 0, 1 krcett Iron 0 4 0, 1 kittshen Dresser 1 10 0, 2 kaffe poots one half gallen 14 puter pleats 1 1 0, 5 glass Bottels 0 5 0, 2 puter Dishes 2 Dito of pleasts 0 15 0, 2 half Bushels 0 3 0, 1 Sett of Shafels & feine Tank 0 6 0, 3 Cadel Sticks 2 Smithing Irons 0 10 0, Candel Mools Loadels & patipans 0 8 0, 3 Steamers 0 1 6, 1 bog Spining while 0 6 0, 6 Chears and garn 1 14 0, a Barsel of Cooper Staff 0 7 6, 1 winniger gage and black beel 0 4 0, 2 hay forks 2 Tunk forks 2 Reaks 0 5 0, 2 wash Tubs 4 Buckels 3 old Barrels 0 10 0, 3 Sleads 1 hand Barow & Cuting Box 0 19 6, a Number of Bords at 4/6 per hundred, a quantity of wheat at 4/6 per Bushel, a quantity of Rey at 3/6 per Bushel, a quantity of hay at 6 0 0. Total was 144 pounds, 10 shillings, 9 pence.
"Appraised by us the Subscribers the Day and year first above written T. Waterman Adam Fisher Sworn"
According to Northumberland County, Pennsylvania records (1811, No. 54, Peter Whitmer Deceased, May 3, 1811):
"The account of Peter Witmer [Whittmer is also used] surviving Executor of the last will and Testament of Peter Wittmer late of the township of Mahontongo in the County of Northumberland as well of all and singular the goods and Chattels Rights & Credits of said deceased as of his payments & disbursements thereout as follows viz (Letters granted August the 3rd 1793)
"The Accountant charges himself with the Amount of the Inventory & Appraisement of Testators goods & Chattels Rights and Credits filed in the Registers Office at Sunbury -- $385.43.
"He Also charges himself with this Amount of the Sale of a tract of land sold to Samuel Whittmer in May 1810 for the sum of 1100 pounds to be paid for May 1811 one half the remainder in yearly payments of seventy five pounds each Except the last which is one hundred pounds the next payment to be made on the 1st day of may 1812 -- $2933.33.
"He also charges himself with this sum to be received of John Thornton [a son-in-law] for 47 acres 118 perches of land bequeathed to him by testator at the rate of two Dollars per acre -- $95.47.
"Exhibited in the Registers Office at Sunbury this 3d day of May AD 1811 The Account I have examined do allow of and pass pr the Accountant being duly sworn thereto (signed Peter Witmer [Jr.]) Before John L. Finney Regr.
"Letters Granted August the 3d. 1793 [& sign is used for a symbol meaning etc.]
"The Accountant prays an allowance out of the - for the following payments disbursement to viz
"No 1 For Cash paid Register for Letters Testamentary & -- $3.20
"2nd For Cash paid Hugh Billas Attorney for advice concerning the Estate per certif. --- $3.00
"3rd For Cash paid fees in the Land office at Lancaster for drafts of Testators Lands & -- $2.50
"Accountant prays an allowance for the Amount of the Inventory & Appraisement of Testators goods & the whole being bequeathed to the widow during life and the Accountant never having received any part thereof -- $385.43
"Accountant also prays an allowance for one hundred and fifty days spent in travelling on horseback three times from the state of Ohio to this County & one from this County to Eastown on business of the Estate -- $150.00 [amount crossed out] [Easton was in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, where Samuel Witmer's property was located.]
"For cash paid Jacob Lechner for surveying a part of Testators land prect. -- $2.00
"For cash paid John Motz [a son-in-law] in full for land purchased of him by testator receipt or Decd. -- $25.67
"For cash paid Register for examining & Advertising this Account & Copy -- $3.50
"Attorney to present this Account to court for confirmation -- $2.00
"Clerk for Stating this Account -- $2.50
"Allowance to Accountant for time trouble and expense in and about the estate -- $100.00 [crossed out] -- $151.44
"For cash paid George A. Frick for writing Bonds & for the Estate -- $4.00
"To Do [ditto] paid Register for sixch, filing papers & -- $.40
"Balance in hands of Accountant to be distributed agreeable to the will consisting in part of bonds not due -- $2729.03 [crossed out] -- $2729.59. Total $3414.23
"Northumberland County I hereby Certify that on the 20th day of August A. D. 1811 this account was presented to and confirmed by the Orphans Court of said County. Witness my hand & Seal of office at Sunbury the 8th day of March A. d. 1813 For H. Billas Clk. Jn. Fietsworth"
Both Peter and Maria were buried in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Selinsgrove in Penn Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania.
The children of Peter Witmer and Maria Sallome Schuett were:
i Joh. George, b. Apr 23, 1758, d. 1769
*ii Joh. Peter, b. Jan 11, 1760, bap. Sep 13, 1760, m. Mary Magdalene Overmyer on Dec 19, 1787, d. Nov 19, 1835
iii Anna Catharina, b. 11 Jul 1762, bap. Oct 1, 1762
iv Maria Salomana (Sarah), b. Sep 3, 1762, m. Peter Grove in 1781, d. 1844
v John Jacob, b. Feb 1764, d. 1778
vi Maria Magdalena, b. Apr 4, 1766, m. John Thornton on Nov 24, 1785, d. 1847
vii Anna Maria (Mary), b. Oct 9, 1767, m. 1st, John Motz; 2nd, -- Thomas, d. Mar 13, 1839
viii Maria Barbara, b. Jan 1769, m. Anthony Schneider, d. ca. 1789
ix Samuel, b. Apr 4, 1771, m. Sarah Coldren, d. Oct 4, 1829
x Margaretha, b. Dec 28, 1772, d. before 1793
xi Susanna, b. ca. 1775
xii John, b. Feb 8, 1778, m. Elisabeth Herrold, d. May 11, 1853
ii Joh. Peter: Moved to Reading Township, Perry County, Ohio. His biography published separately.
vi Maria Magdalena: As a widow, she moved to Summit County, Ohio in 1847. Children: John, son, George, daughter, daughter, Henry, Peter, Susan, and Samuel.
vii Anna Maria (Mary): Lived in Woodward, Center County, Pennsylvania. Children: John, Elisabeth, Jacob, George, James, Sara Salome, Susanna.
viii Maria Barbara: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Died after birth of first child John.
ix Samuel: Lived in Dundore, Union Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. Children: Peter, John C., Solomon Elias (Saul), Henry, Jacob M., Elisabeth, Daniel, Isaac, David
xii John: Lived in Union Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. Children: Jacob, Peter, Elisabeth, Sarah, Lydia, Molly, Frederick, Susan, George
Burial:
Salem Lutheran Cemetery
Salem
Snyder County
Pennsylvania, USA
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