Heather's Paternal 4th great grandparents
Jacob Freed
son of
Born abt 1805
Died Before 1880 (likely before 1870)
Married
Catharine Magdalene
Daughter Of
Born 17 Sep 1800
Died 18 Sep 1887
Children:
Abraham Freed 1834-
Magdalena Freed 1836
Henry Freed 1837-1911 M. Mary Ann Shaffer
My 4th great paternal grandfather, Jacob Freed, lived in Chapman twp, which was in Union County until Snyder County was formed. He was born approximately 1805. He married Magdalene, and they had at least 4 children: Abraham, Magdalena, Henry, and Eva Elizabeth. In the 1850 census Jacob is shown as a labourer, and his son Abraham, age 16, is listed as a "boatman". Much of this township is employed as either boatmen or in "boating" in 1850-1870. The Canal ran through Chapman Twp.
In the 1860 census, Jacob is show in the John Suffle household, 2 homes above his wife and children, listed as with a disability, described as a pauper. His wife Magdalene and two sons, Abraham and Henry, are found on down on the same page. Abraham is still listed as a "boatman", and that may be what is indicated for his younger brother Henry as well. I find no record of Jacob after 1860. Magdalene died in 1887 and is buried in Grubbs Church Cemetery. Check there and see if maybe Jacob is buried with her.
Time Line:
In the 1860 census, Jacob is show in the John Suffle household, 2 homes above his wife and children, listed as with a disability, described as a pauper. His wife Magdalene and two sons, Abraham and Henry, are found on down on the same page. Abraham is still listed as a "boatman", and that may be what is indicated for his younger brother Henry as well. I find no record of Jacob after 1860. Magdalene died in 1887 and is buried in Grubbs Church Cemetery. Check there and see if maybe Jacob is buried with her.
Time Line:
1800 - Magdalene Is Born
Born 17 Sep 1800
Date is from her tombstone.
1805, Abt. - Jacob Freed Is Born
See History of the Freed Family as written by Daniel Jacob Freed
(At the bottom of this post, under research) for possible leads as to who Jacob's parents were.
Jacob Freed 1732-1782 M. Elizabeth Heffletraugter
Peter Freed 1777-1832 M. Nancy 1780-1831
Jacob Freed 1805 - M. Magdelna
I do not have any documentation to prove or disprove that lineage, at this time.
1834 - Son Abraham Freed Is Born
Abraham Freed was born about 1834. It appears he was married twice, briefly both times. His first wife may have been named Mary, and then in 1880 he appears to have married Susannah, who had been widowed just a few months before.
Susan had three young boys, listed as Abraham's stepsons in 1880. John Howell died in October of 1879, at age 63, leaving 36 year old Susan a widow with three young boys. In 1880, Susan and those three boys appear in the census with Abraham Freed, with the boys being listed as his stepsons and Susan being listed as Susan Freed. Susan died in December of 1880, so it is very unlikely that her and Abraham were married long - probably only a few months at most - before her death.
Abraham was a boatman on the canal. His mother appears to have lived with him her entire life. I'm not certain I have the correct census records, but if the records I have are correct, Abraham was married to a Mary in 1870. She has disappeared by 1870, and Abraham appears, if it is the correct Abraham, with a Susannah and 3 stepsons with the last name of Howe (Howel).
Susannah was likely the widow of John Howel, who died in 1879. (the 1870 census shows John, Susan, Ammon, and newborn Charles) Susan Howell's tombstone however, gives her last name as Howel (Not Freed), she is buried beside John, having died just a year later, at age 37. Ammon died around 1893, at age 24. If this is all the correct families, Susan would have only been married to Abraham for a very brief time - perhaps only weeks or at most a few months, before her death. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133861328/susan-howell
There is an Abraham Freed about the right age who shows up in California voter records after 1880. I don't know that Abraham went west, but he may have.
1836 - Daughter Magdalene Freed Is Born
The only record I have found of Magdalene is in the 1850 census. In 1860 she would have been 24, so it's very possible she was married by then, but I do not know to whom.
1837 - Son Henry Freed Is Born
Henry Freed, at age 17, had his first son with Mary Ann Shaffer, age 24. Her family lived near the Freed family. Henry and Mary Ann had at least two more children, Catherine Freed in 1874 and Ida Jane Freed in 1877. Henry died in 1911, in the Danville State Hospital. Cause of death was gangrene of his foot. He was buried in Dalmatia.
1842 - Daughter Eva Elizabeth Freed is born
Elisabeth Freed married John Edward Witmer. They were Heather's 3rd great grandparents. You can read more about them here: http://heathersgen.blogspot.com/2012/03/j-edward-witmer-1840.html
A snip from Elizabeth (Freed) Witmers Death certificate.
1850 - Census
Name: Jacob Freed
Age: 45
Birth Year: abt 1805
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1850: Chapman, Union, Pennsylvania, USA
Gender: Male
Family Number: 150
Household Members:
Name Age
Jacob Freed 45
Magdalena Freed 50
Abraham Freed 16
Magdalena Freed 14
Henry Freed 12
Elithebeth Freed 7
1855 - Snyder County is Formed out of Union County PA
1860 Census
Possible for Jacob -
Name: Jacob FreedAge: 54
Birth Year: abt 1806
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Chapman, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Post Office: Mc Kees Half Falls
Dwelling Number: 697
Family Number: 729
Cannot Read, Write: Y
Disability Condition: Pauper
Household Members:
Name Age
John Suffle 56
Sarah Suffle 45
Utica Suffle 17
Barbara Suffle 14
William Suffle 9
Jacob Freed 54
John H. Suffle & Sarah Reichnebach are found in Chapman twp, Snyder County, in 1870 as well - but Jacob is no longer in their home. John's occupation was "boatman", same as Jacob's son Abraham.
Magdalene, with children Abraham and Henry, is found two families down in the same census.
Birth Year abt 1810
Home in 1860 Chapman, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Household Members
Magdalene Freed
Abraham Freed (occupation - Boatman)
Henry Freed
1870 - Where Is Everyone?
I've been through the 1870 census for Chapman Twp, Snyder County, Line by line. Magdalena and Abraham do not appear to be there, nor does Jacob.
This could MAYBE be Magdalene and her son Abraham? But who would Mary be? In 1880 Abraham was married to Susan, with three stepsons. Mary could possibly have been a first wife - but I'm just not convinced this is the correct record for them.
Name: Margaret Freed
Age in 1870: 65
Birth Year: abt 1805
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Dwelling Number: 78
Home in 1870: Middlecreek, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Kreamer
Household Members:
Name Age
Abram Freed 35
Mary Freed 20
Margaret Freed 65
Emanuel Minich 45
In 1870 Henry Freed is found, age 25, with his wife Mary Ann Shaffer age 32, and an 8 year old son named Peter, in the household of his father in law Samuel & Elizabeth Shaffer.
Name: Henry Freed
Age in 1870: 25
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Dwelling Number: 139
Home in 1870: Chapman, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Mckees 1/2 Falls
Occupation: Laborer
Cannot Read: Y
Cannot Write: Y
Male Citizen over 21: Y
Inferred Spouse: Mary A Freed
Inferred Children: Peter Freed
Household Members:
Name Age
Samuel Shaffer 56
Elizabeth Shaffer 56
Lucinda Shaffer 16
Henry Freed 25
Mary A Freed 32
Peter Freed 8
In 1870 I cannot find anyone for sure, except Henry.
In 1870 Henry Freed is found, age 25, with his wife Mary Ann Shaffer age 32, and an 8 year old son named Peter, in the household of his father in law Samuel & Elizabeth Shaffer. (That would have made him 17, and her 24, when Peter was born)
Unrelated -
1870 Chapman Twp, Snyder County , the only other Freeds are:
H. M. Freed age 28 (Retr merchant.) with 25 year old wife Louisa keeping house and a 2 year old son named George.
1880 Census
In 1880 Magdalene is found in the home of her son Abraham, but she is listed as Catherine. (it states "mother" beside her name, and the birth year is the same)
Abraham is married to Susanna, and the Howes are listed as his stepsons.
Name Catharine Freed
Age 79
Birth Date Abt 1801
Birthplace Pennsylvania
Home in 1880 Penn, Snyder, Pennsylvania, USA
Dwelling Number 233
Race White
Gender Female
Relation to Head of House Mother
Marital Status Widowed
Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania
Household Members:
Name Age
Abrahom Freed 46
Susanah Freed 36
Catharine Freed 79
Ammon W. Howe 12
Charles L. Howe 10
William E. Howe 6
1887 - Magdalene Died
18 Sep 1887 (aged 87)
Date is from her tombstone.
Burial:
Magdalene is buried at Grubbs Church Cemetery
BIRTH 17 Sep 1800DEATH 18 Sep 1887 (aged 87)
BURIAL
Grubbs Cemetery
Mount Pleasant Mills, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, USA
MEMORIAL ID 95681249 · View Source
Wife Of Jacob aged 87 years 1 day
Research:
History of the Freed Family as written by Daniel Jacob FreedMy forefathers, John (Hannas), Jacob, and Peter Fried, three brothers, embarked from Holland for America, but not at the same time, and landed at Philadelphia. John arrived in 1747, Jacob in 1752, and Peter at a later, unknown date. They settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. John in Montgomery County, Jacob in Bucks County, and Peter in York County.
Jacob Freed, my forefather, first came from the Palatinate (which in German, Pfaltz), which was formerly a political and independent state of Germany, now Bavaria, and embarked at Rotterdam, Holland, for America. He landed at Philadelphia on September 23, 1752.
Jacob Freed married Elizabeth Heffletrager and they settled in Richland Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, near the village of Quakertown, on or near the banks of the Tohicken Creek. Jocob and Elizabeth died in the early 1800's and are supposed to be buried in what was then known as Drissel's Meeting-house, now known by the name East Swamp Church, in Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Children were: Paul, Jacob, John, Abram, Peter, Henry, Catharine, Mary and Elizabeth.
Abram Freed, son of Jacob Freed, went west and settled down on a farm in Mohantongo Township, Northumberland County, now Snyder County, Pennsylvania. He married Miss Groff. Children were: Abram, Jacob, Elizabeth, and two whose names are not known.
Jacob Freed, Beavertown, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, married Susan Ritzman. Children were: Henry, Jacob, Nathan, John, Lincoln, William R., Edward, Mary, Susan, Sarah and Amelia.
Edward Freed married Eliza Fees (Feese). Children were: Mary, Erwin, Sallie, Wilson, Bella, Bessie, and Charles.
Erwin Freed married Susan Kern. Children were: Helen, Mary, Ruth, Edward, Alfa and Daniel.
Daniel Freed married Ruth Rohrer. Chidren are: John, Joanne, and Carol.
==========================
Also - The History Of The Freed Family
https://archive.org/stream/historyoffreedfa00free/historyoffreedfa00free_djvu.txt
==========================
Found on Find A Grave For Peter Freed -
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93615783
Jacob Fried and his wife Elizabeth of Richland Township (Quakertown), Bucks County, had a son named Peter, born in the mid-1770's. It has long been a mystery what became of Peter.
There were two Peter Freeds, born around that time, who could have been that Peter. Peter Fried, of Hellam Township, York County, PA (1777-1854) has been widely assumed to be the Peter in question. But the York County death register indicates that his father was Henry Fried. Peter Freed, of Center Township, Union (formerly Northumberland) County, PA (1770's-1832) may be the son of Jacob and Elizabeth.
Jacob Fried died before 1782, in Richland Township, and his estate documents described his farm and listed members of his family. (According to tax lists, he was dead in 1779, when "Widow Freed" was listed in Richland Township, indicating that estate documents were not always filed in a timely manner.) Based on the 1790 census, Elizabeth's three youngest sons, Henry, Abraham, and Peter were apparently living with her. In 1800, only Henry Freed was living in Richland, on the family farm on the Tohickon Creek, near Quakertown. It is not known where Abraham or Peter were at this time, although in 1807 estate documents show that Paul, John and Peter Freed were in Bucks County, at least to collect their share of their parents estate. It is not clear where Peter Freed or Abraham Freed were between the mid-1790's and 1807. Peter could have been in Virginia with his older brothers, in Northumberland County, in Western Pennsylvania, or somewhere in Bucks County. His older brother Abraham settled in Northumberland County prior to 1807.
The Peter Freed, who lived in Union County, may have been the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Freed, of Richland Township, Bucks County, PA. No evidence, other than circumstantial, has been found to prove this link, but it is likely. He appeared in Northumberland County at about the same time as Abraham Freed, son of Jacob of Richland. They both appear in the 1810 census in Northumberland County.
Peter Fried, of Hellam Township, York County lived near Henry Fried, the brother of Jacob, and was closely associated with him. The York County death register states that his father was Henry and that he was born in Bucks County. His son Abraham, who should have been in a position to know, gave this statement.
No documents directly link Peter Freed, of Center, to Jacob's family, but his first son appears to be named Jacob, which would conform to the German naming convention" often seen in early German immigrants in Pennsylvania, if his father was Jacob Freed. Germans usually named the first son after his father's father. Peter, of Hellam, named his first son Henry, which does not prove that Peter's father was Henry, but indicates that this is a strong possibility. In the book The History of the Freed Family, it is stated that his first son was Henry. Henry was born less than a year after Peter's marriage.
Peter Freed, of Union Township, was married to (Nancy), according to a land transfer in 1828. Peter died in 1832, and Nancy died before him. They had the following children:
Jacob Freed, born 1805
Susan Freed, born about 1810, married to George Swineford, died before 1840.
Rachel Freed, born 1817, married to Daniel Berger
Nancy Freed, married to Jacob Berger
Abraham Freed, born 1820 (not confirmed)
Peter Freed, born 1822 – He became a tailor, married Sarah Manbeck, settled in Alfaratta, Mifflin County, and served in the Civil War.
Hannah Freed, born before 1830
Peter and Nancy may have had another son and perhaps two other daughters, according to census records.
These dates are approximate and information is not complete.
