1709 Christian Hershey, a Bishop in the Mennonite Church, and his three children, Benjamin, Andrew, and Anna, reportedly located in Lancanster County, Pennsylvania. Son Benjamin succeeded his father as a Bishop of the church. [1]
c1717 Benjamin Hershey arrived in Philadelphia in August with his father, Christian Hershey, and settled west of Lancaster. [2]
1717 Mennonites settled on the Lower Conestoga river. Bishop Benjamin Hershey emigrated from Switzerland, and settled just west of Lancaster. He served as bishop until his health failed. [3]
1718 There were three apparently different entries naming Christian Hershy and son, perhaps this Christian and son Benjamin Hershey, on tax lists in Conestoga. "Christian Hershey and son" were on the Conestoga Twp, Lancaster County tax list, value 20 pounds. [4] "Christian Hearse & son" were taxed 5 shillings, Conestogoe Rate. [5] "Christian Hearsey and son" 30 [pounds] £0.7.6 appeared on the tax list for Conestogoe Rate, Dutch Inhabitants, Chester County, Pennsylvania. [6]
1719-1726 Tax records for the Hershey family in Conestoga [7] [8]:
1719 Christian Hourse & son value 52 pounds was taxed £0.17.4 in Conestogoe Twp. [9] [10] [11]
1720-22 Christian Hershey was not on the tax list for East Conestoga Twp and son Benedict/Benjamin was on the list. [12] [13] [14] Andrew and Benedict were listed in 1721. [15] Andrew and Benedict were listed in 1722-23. [16] [17]
1724-25 Andrew and Christian were listed on the Conestoga Twp, Lancaster County tax list. [18] [19] [20] 1724-25 Benjamin was listed. [21] 1725-26 Andrew was listed. [22]
1725 Andrew and Benjamin were listed on the Conestoga Twp, Lancaster County tax list. [23]
1726-27 Andrew and John Herey and Christian were taxed. [24] [25]
1725 Benedict Hitchi, of one mile west of Lancaster Town, and others met at the first All-American Mennonite confrence and endorsed the 1632 Dortrecht Confession. [26]
1727 Wendel Bowman, Martin Meiling, and Benedict Hershey [Hearsay] signed a petition on behalf of themselves and others called Menists to enable them to hold land and trade in [Lancaster County]. [27]
1728 Benss Hirschi signed the oath of allegiance to King George of England to be naturalized in Pennsylvania, which allowed him to hold land as a citizen. He was on the list of Mennonites. [28]
1729 The heirs of Christian Hershey: Andrew, Benjamin, widow Ode, and daughter Ann wife of Henry Long, did remise, release, and quit claim unto Hans Brubaker their interests in the SSWest side (Hans Brubaker's tract) of the dividing line. The deed was dated May 12. [29] [30]
1730 A Mennonite meetinghouse was built on Benjamin Hershey's land and was used until 1791, when the meetinghouse was moved to Rohrerstown. [31] Tradition says that Benjamin was buried near the site of the original meeting house and that his son Benjamin continued as a minister. [32]
1733 Bentz Hirschy warranted 100 acres on L Conestoga, Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County, adjoining John and Jacob Brubaker, on March 2. [33] [34] The same Bentz sold the land to Jacob Brubaker for 5 shillings in 1776, which disagrees with the death date for this Benjamin Hershey, so perhaps the Bentz named in this warrant is a son of this Benjamin Hershey.
1733 Hans Brubaker of Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County and the heirs of Christian Hershey, late of the county of Chester, sold land to Christian Hershey's eldest son, (this) Benjamin Hershey of Lancaster, Lancaster County, on December 21. The heirs of Christian Hershey were youngest son Andrew (signed in german), daughter Ann wife of Herman Long, and widow and relict Ode (Adelheit) Hershey. The land had been patented on 27 September 1717. [35] [36]
1738 Benedict Hershey warranted 200 acres on a branch of the Cocalico in Cocalico Twp, Lancaster County, on May 26. The survey was dated 5 March 1738. [37] [38] [39] Adjacent tracts were owned by Peter Wisenant [40], Peter Rade [41], Nicholas Fiesar/Feezar [42] [43], George Nooley/Henry Frelich [44], and Jacob Smith/Thomas Hewes [45].
1747 Land of Benjamin Hershey [Horsha], John Brubaker, Adam Libhart, late John Taylor, and Daniel Eschelman was adjacent to a 62 acre lot in Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County sold to Daniel Eshleman, blacksmith, by John Brubaker and wife Anne. The land was patented 11 May, 1747 by John Brubaker. [46]
1749 Benjamin Hershey, perhaps this one, and others were appointed to appraise the estate of Christian Peelman in Lancaster County. [47] [48]
1750 Benjamin Hershey was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [49]
1751 Benjamin Hershey was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [50]
Benedict Hershey of Cocalico Twp was apparently a different person from Benns or Benjamin of Lancaster Twp, based on the overlap of tax records for them:
1753 Benedict Hershey warranted, on May 26, 200 acres of land adjacent to Nicholas Verser and Valentine Wissenant in Cocalico Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The warrant was returned on June 7, 1753. [51]
1756 Benedict Hershey was taxed in Cocalico Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [52]
1756 Benjamin Hershey was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [53]
1757 Benjamin Hershey was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [54]
1758 Benns Hirshy was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [55]
1760 The heirs of John Brubaker, deceased [perhaps John Brubaker who died 1748], of Lancaster County, sold land, on September 1, to [this?] Benjamin Hersha the Elder of Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County. The land was on the little Conestoga Creek in Hempfield Twp, part of a 1000 acre patent granted in Lancaster County, then Chester County, on October 14, 1717 to John Brubaker (Hans Pupather) and Benjamin Hershey's father, Christian Hershey. [56] [57] [58] [59] The patented land was divided among John Brubaker and the heirs of Christian Hershey (including Andrew, Benjamin, widow Ode, and daughter Ann wife of Henry Long) upon Christian's death according to a division of the patent into two parts. The heirs of John Brubaker relinquished their rights to the share allotted to the heirs of Christian Hershey's land for payment of 5 shillings. [60] [61]
1763 pennes Hirshy was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [62]
1766 Land of Bentz Hershey was adjacent to land that Christian Brubaker released to David Brubaker, both of Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County, on Little Conestoga Creek, adjacent Kings Road. The land had been granted to John Brubaker, father of Christian and David. [63]
1767 The estate of John Dehuff included a lot on the little Conestoga creek adjacent to land of John Brubaker, Benjamin Hershey, and Abraham Dehuff. The tract was part of the estate of Christian Hershey, inherited by eldest son Benjamin Hershey. [64] [65] [66] [67]
1769 Benjamin Hershee was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [68]
1770 Benjamin Hirshy was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [69]
1771 Benja' Hirshy was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [70]
1772 Benjamin Hershey was taxed for 175 acres in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [71]
1773 Bentz Hirshy was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [72]
A different? Benjamin Hershey also lived in Hempfield Twp during this time:
1771 Benjamin Hershey was taxed £2.15.0 in Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County for 370 acres, 5 horses and 10 cattle. [73]
1772 Benjamin Hershey was taxed £2.15.0 in Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County for 375 acres, 4 horses and 10 cattle. [74]
1773 Benjamin Hershey was taxed £2.15.6 in Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County for 525 acres, 4 horses and 11 cattle. [75]
1773 The heirs of Benjamin Hershey, late of Lancaster Twp, settled the ownership of two tracts of land from Benjamin's estate by selling them to Benjamin Hershey's son, Benjamin Hershey (Jr.). The deed was dated May 14. The other heirs were Christian Hirshy and wife Ann, Jacob Hostetter and wife Ann, Benedict Mellinger and wife Mary, all of Warwick Twp. Ann and Mary were named as daughters of Benjamin deceased. The first tract of 175 acres in Lancaster Twp was part of a 1000 acre tract patented on November 30, 1717 to Christian Hershy and Hans Papather (Brubacher). Christian Hershey died intestate with heirs Benjamin, Andrew, and Ann. Heir Benjamin, son of Christian, was granted the tract by Hans Brubacher, Andrew, Ode Hirshy (widow and relict of Christian Hershey deceased), and Herman Long, husband of Ann. This first tract was next to land of Hans Brubacher and of Jacob Brubacher. The second tract of 74 acres was next to the estate of John Dehuff, Jacob Brubacher, late Christian Stoneman, and John Meyer and James Hamilton. The second tract was also part of the 1000 acre patent which was granted to heirs of Christian Hershey, then by them to Hans Brubaker in 1731, then by the heirs of Hans Brubaker to Benjamin Hershey in 1760. [76] This 1773 deed suggests that Benjamin, son of Christian and Oade was deceased by 1773 which appears to disagree with the 1789 death date reported by other researchers for Benjamin Hershey, son of Christian and Oade Hershy. How is this 1773 deed related to the next deed in the book [which was proved in 1784 but was perhaps written in 1773] from Benjamin Hershey the elder to Benjamin Hershey the younger?
1776-77 Benjamin Hershey did NOT appear on the tax list in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [77] [78]
1776 Bentz Hershey of Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, sold land in Hempfield Twp to Jacob Brubaker for 5 shillings. Bentz had warranted the 100 acres adjoining John and Jacob Brubaker in 1733. Witnessed by Christian Kauffman and Cas Shaffner. [79] Many documents after this date use the name Bentz. Could this refer to son Benjamin/Bentz, since this Benjamin Hershey was already deceased? If so, son Benjamin may already have been of age to warrant land by 1733.
1779 Bentz Hirshie was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [80]
1780 Benjamin Hershey was taxed in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [81]
Research Notes:
We are researching the ancestors of Maria Hershey (c 1726 - c 1782), wife of Benedict Mellinger (1715 - 1795). We suspect that she was a daughter of Benjamin Hershey (? - before 1773) and Mary of Lancaster Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We show Benjamin Hershey (died before 1773) as a son of Christian Hershey and Adelheit Scohli, although other researchers show Benjamin Hershey (died 1789) as their son. A 1773 deed, cited above, documents the fact that Benjamin Hershey (died by 1773) of Lancaster Twp was a son of Christian and Ode Hershey. An article about the Hershey family of candy fame reports the same relationships that we do, except that the death of Benjamin is still listed as 1789, even though Lancaster deed X-551 is cited. [82] We seek further evidence to clarify these relationships.
The notes above primarily follow Benjamin Hershey, son of Christian Hershey and Adelheit Scohli. Richard Warren Davis has published early research about this family which greatly helped our research. His notes have been updated and are available at FamilySearch. [83] There were several different men named Ben Hershey, so some of the events listed in the notes might belong, instead, in the notes of different persons.
One source indicates that Benedict and Benjamin (listed above in tax records of the 1720s) were brothers [84], although they never appear simultaneously in the same year in the tax records above. If they were two different people, then it might explain the uncertainty shown in the notes below about the death date of this Benjamin Hershey, but would not clarify the identity of the Benjamin Hershey who died in 1789. Another source [85] reports that Benedict patented land in Cocalico Twp, died 1762, and shows no relationship to this Benjamin.
Research conflict:
Benjamin Hershey, son of Adelheit and Christian, did not marry Magdalena Roth as his second wife, as reported by some other sources. [86]. Instead, land deeds, above, suggest that Magdalena Roth married Benjamin Hershey Junior, son of Benjamin Hershey (died before 1773), as shown in the notes for this Benjamin's son. (See the land deeds, listed above, and the notes for son Benjamin Hershey)
1719 Benedict Hershey was ordained as a minister at the Herr Church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was ordained as a bishop about 1725. [History of Willow Street Mennonite Church 1710-2016, no longer online]
Research conflict:
1789 The 1773 deed above indicates that Benjamin Hershey had died by 1773. Other researchers previously suggested that Benjamin Hershey, son of Christian Hershey and Adelheit Scholi, died in 1789, as suggested in the notes above [87] [88]. I have not yet resolved this apparent contradiction. The following notes suggest that a Benjamin Hershey died in Hempfield Twp in 1789 at age 93. The only Benjamin Hershey that I have found who might have died at this time was Benjamin, whose heirs settled their inheritance in 1790 (shown in this datafile with inferred birthdate about 1737), son of Andrew Hershey and Maria Schnebeli. Neither is a good match to both the age and date of death. I welcome help or clarification in resolving this uncertainty. [89]
A biosketch of Bishop Benjamin Hershey reported [90]:
The first bishop for this area was Benjamin Hershey, son of immigrant Christian Hershey. Benjamin was born about 1696 and thus was about 21 years old when the family came to America in 1717. He seems to have had a better education for that time than those who were born in this country. He is reported to have been a great help to his people in writing skills. He is thought to have been the writer of what was known as the Declaration of Peace, a message of appreciation sent to the Pennsylvania state legislature after the Revolutionary War. He died on July 29, 1789, at the age of 92, after being bedfast for 5 years. He was buried in the cemetery along the Abbeyville Road where the first Mennonite meetinghouse in Lancaster County was built. In 1791 the location for worship was moved to the site along the Rohrerstown Road where the cemetery is now located. The cemetery along the Abbeyville Road was destroyed when the building development took place.
1789 The death of Benjamin Hirshe was reported. [91] Translated from German and described as "conclusive evidence of the early Mennonite bishop and minister living somewhere on or near the James Buchanan homestead and of the first meetinghouse and graveyard near the present Maple Grove swimming pool." [92] [93] [Photocopy, Newspaper extract August 5, 1789, from Lancaster Zeitung.] [Photocopy, Newspaper extract August 5, 1789, from Lancaster Zeitung, Title page.]:
Died last Wednesday night July 29 1789 on his plantation near this town Benjamin Hirshe old and tired of living. He was in his ninety third year of his age. His remains were interred on Friday morning in the near by God's acre attached to the meetinghouse about one mile from his home. His funeral was attended by a large following of all classes and denominations. He had been bedfast for the past five years owing to his great age. He came to this country from Germany in 1717, and since that time lived on his farm. He was one of the oldest inhabitants of this county. For more than fifty years he was a teacher and a worker in the vineyard of the Lord. He served the Mennonite congregation at all times with fidelity and by them he will be remembered in blessing forever. Mr Hirshe leaves a large number of descendants. He will be mourned by all who knew him.
A summary report says that Bishop Benjamin Hershey (1696-1789), son of Christian, lived on the late Landis B Herr farm on the Marietta Pike. He was the father of Christian Hershey (1719-83). [94]
A biosketch of Bishop Benjamin Hershey reported [95]:
In the western end of the Mennonite settlement during the life of Hans Herr was Bishop Benjamin Hershey, who with his brother Andrew, also a preacher, lived with their father on 500 acres of land, most of which are now occupied by Herr's ice plant, Maple Grove swimming pool and mill, and Abbyville farms. There are two places on this farm where there are remains of old tombstones. Tradition has it that the bishop is interred in the one just south of the Abbyville barns, on a beautiful slope facing south, and that the old meetinghouse was near his tomb, which is unmarked. The plow has gone over the hallowed spot, and rich crops have been harvested by successive farmers, all ignorant of what has transpired here under the care of the first white owner who came into an unbroken forest to make a home for himself and his family.
A biosketch of Bishop Benjamin Hershey reported [96]:
The first bishop for this area was Benjamin Hershey, son of immigrant Christian Hershey. Benjamin was born about 1696 and thus was about 21 years old when the family came to America in 1717. He seems to have had a better education for that time than those who were born in this country. He is reported to have been a great help to his people in writing skills. He is thought to have been the writer of what was known as the Declaration of Peace, a message of appreciation sent to the Pennsylvania state legislature after the Revolutionary War. He died on July 29, 1789, at the age of 92, after being bedfast for 5 years. He was buried in the cemetery along the Abbeyville Road where the first Mennonite meetinghouse in Lancaster County was built. In 1791 the location for worship was moved to the site along the Rohrerstown Road where the cemetery is now located. The cemetery along the Abbeyville Road was destroyed when the building development took place.
A biosketch of Bishop Benjamin Hershey reported [97]:
Benjamin Hershey (1697-29 July 1789) came to Pennsylvania with his father Christian, his mother Oade, and his brother Andrew, emigrating from Friedelsheim, Palatinate, Germany, whither he had fled from Switzerland about 1671. They arrived in America about 1717 and Benjamin settled "one mile west of Lancaster Town" on the Marietta Pike in the same community as the Hans Brubakers and Peter Swarr. He was early a minister, signing the 1725 edition of the Dordrecht confession (published 1727 at Philadelphia) for the Lancaster area, became bishop and established the Abbeyville congregation and the churches to the northwest. He was moderator of the Lancaster Conference during the Revolution and the stormy days following. The name occurs on some extant documents. He steered the church through the divisions of Francis Herr, the United Brethren, and the Brethren in Christ schisms. His children were Christian, Bishop Benjamin II (died 1812), who became his successor, and two daughters. He was the author of the petition of 1775 to the Pennsylvania Assembly for release from military service, A Short and Sincere Declaration (in Mennonite Historical Library [Goshen, Indiana]).
1784 Deed written in German [I cannot read this deed. I seek a transciption/translation for this deed]. This follows the 1773 deed X-551.
Benjamin Herschy the Elder (perhaps the son of this Benjamin) to Benjamin Hershy Junior (perhaps the grand-son of this Benjamin). Benjamin Hershey, the elder, of Lancaster Township … 14 May 1773 involving Benedict Mollinger and wife Maria, Jacob Hochstetter and wife Anna, and Christian Hershy and Benjamin Hershy the younger. No other date appears in the deed. Signed Benss Hershy. The witnesses Jacob and Christian Brubacher appeared on February 23, 1784 to affirm that they were the witnesses when Benjamin Hershy the elder signed the deed. [98] Attempted partial transcription:
Benjamin Hershy Senr to Benjamin Hershy Junr,
Ich Benjamin Herschi
(der eldern) von Lancaster Taunship in Caunty Lancaster
in Pennsylvanie t?hue hiemil allen und jedeu an die dieses Gegenwärlign
pommen wird pund und zu wisten. Nachdem[whereas] ich[I] der gemelbe[previously mentioned] Benjamin
Hershÿ (der eldern) ein eigenthümlichen Besitz[property] habe[own], Zweÿ[two] stuker[tract]? Land
ligent in gemeltren[previously mentioned?] Taunship und Cauntÿ. das ein enthalt[containing] ein hundert[hundred]
und funft[five] und siebenzig[seventy] Aker[acres?] und funft und siebenzig Ruthen nebst[in addition to] der
Erlaubung. das andere[and other] Wier und siebenzig Aker und ein Wiertel ? der
erlaubung. und weillen ich all mein Land unter(?) mein kinder wertheilb
habe, so sind die obgennelbe zwey stuker meinen sohn Benjamin Hershy
(newpage 556)
(den jungern) zugefallen. Und weillen zu gleicher[equal?] zeit[time?] mein ubrige
kinder, nemlich[nämlich?=namely] der Christian Hirsheÿ und Anna sein Weib[woman], Jacob hochstetter
und Anna sein Weib, und Benedict Möllinger und Maria sein wieb
durch[whereby] ihrn[their] Kauftbrieft[purchase document]. Datirt die 11th tag May AD 1773. All ihr[their]
Recht Autheil und gerechstig kei? an dei obgemelte zwey stuker
Land an meinen sohn den gemelten[previously mentioned] Benjamin Hirshy (den jungen)
seinen erben und assigns abgetrethen und ubergeben haben, welche
abtrestung und ubergebung durch mein wöllige einwilligung und
Approbation gestehen[to confess or own up?] ist. Weillen aber[however/though?] zu besorgen[to procure/provide] ist das einwend[einwand=objection]
ungen gegen[given] den gemelten[previously mentioned] Kauftbrieft möchten[so would like] geinacht werden[to get to become] aust
U?sach Weillen er für meinen Abesterben gemacht[agree?] ist werden, su
habe beshlosten durch[by chance] dieses[to depart this world] gegenrartign schreiben[written] den gemelten[previously mentioned]
Kauftbrieft[purchase docunent] zu bekraftigen[confirmed] und zu werstärcten und allen Unruhen[turmoil]
und einwendungen[argument], warzubengen und abzuhelsten. Derofollen
thun ich der gemelte[previously mentioned] Benjamin Hershy (der eldern) in Consideration der
gemelten[previously mentioned] wertheilung und startung des gemelten[previously mentioned] Kauftbrieft und
wegen der betrachtluhen seine gelds[money] welches[which] mein sohn Benjamin
Hershy (der jungern) an seine übrige gesfwister bezahlt hab laub den
gemelten Kauftbrieft und aus ursach andere duge der die ?
bewegen, gebe ubermache, trette ab, werstreibe und quillen und
durch dieses gegenwartige und kraftb dieses thun ich geben uber-
=machen, abtreltren ?
Benjamin Hershy (den jungen) sein erben und assigns fur ewig all
das die gemelben zwey stuker Land von ein hundred und funftund siebenzig acker und ein4/5 done
(newpage)
augesehn und gefalben werden als Wolley gulbig und hinlaüglich ein dei
gemelbe zweÿ stuker Land anihn den Benjamin Hershy (den junger) sein?
erben und assigns fur ewig[forever] zu haben[to have] und zu halten[to keep], Und das keine[none]
von meinen andren[other] kindren atrihre erben[heirs] und assigns einige[some] Aufarderunig
an ihn[they] den gemelben[previously mentioned] Benjamin Hirshy (den jungern) machen ater haben sollen[shall]
oder[invite agreement] pamen wegen[because of] dem gemelben[previously mentioned] Land toudern Daßer seine erben[heirs] und
assigns daselbe[the selfsame] ungehindert[unhindered] haben besitzen[owned] und darmit thun wir[we] siewollen
auft ewig[forever]. Zum[on the one hand] Zeugniß[credentials] dessen hab ich mein Hand und Siegel[Seal]
hierzu gesetzb am drei und zwantzigen tag februarius im jahr unsard
herrin ein tausend sieben hundret und wier und Achtzig
gesie
Aleß waß ich bezeuge ist daß all meinen
obyemelde kinder sambtihrne erben an diesen
Land pein wecht haben
Hans Hirshiin unserer gegenwarb
Christian Brubacher
Jacob BrubacherOn the twenty third day of February A.D 1784 personally appeared before me … Christian Brubacher and Jacon Brubacher the two subscribinbg witnesses … saw Benjamin Hirshy the elder within named sign and seal ans as his Act and deed … Recorded the 23 day of February 1784.
[1] Scott Funk Hershey, History and Records of the Hershey Family from the Year 1600 (New Castle, PA: The Petite Book Company, 1913), 16, 59, [InternetArchive].
[2] Gail Breitbard, "Some Names from the 1725 Pequea Tax Lists, Lancaster County, PA. (Conestoga Township)," The Lost Palatine 35 (1986), 7-11.
[3] Martin G. Weaver, Mennonites of Lancaster Conference (1931), 90.
[4] H. Frank Eshleman, "Assessment Lists and Other Documents of Lancaster County Prior to the year 1729," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 21, No.7 (1916), 155-194, at 163, 1718, 10 from top, [HathiTrust].
[5] William Henry Egle, Notes and Queries Historical Biographical and Genealogical Relating Chiefly to Interior Pennsylvania, Reprint First and Second Series in two Volumes, Vol. 2 (1895), 132, 1718, left column, 9 from bottom, [GoogleBooks].
[6] Chester County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1718, right column, 4 from bottom, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[7] Tax list of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1718-1726 (viewable only at FamilySearch libraries), [FamilySearchImage], [FSCatalog].
[8] Tax list of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1718-1726 (viewable only at FamilySearch libraries), [FamilySearchImage], [FSCatalog].
[9] Chester County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, page 11, left column, 14 from top, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[10] Chester County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1719, page 24, column 2, 19 from top, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[11] H. Frank Eshleman, "Assessment Lists and Other Documents of Lancaster County Prior to the year 1729," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 21, No.7 (1916), 155-194, at 159, 1719-20, listed as Christian Houser & son, 29 from top, [HathiTrust].
[12] H. Frank Eshleman, "Assessment Lists and Other Documents of Lancaster County Prior to the year 1729," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 21, No.7 (1916), 155-194, at 1611, 720-21, 19 from top, [HathiTrust].
[13] Chester County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1720 page 23, right, top, Benedictus, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[14] H. Frank Eshleman, "Assessment Lists and Other Documents of Lancaster County Prior to the year 1729," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 21, No.7 (1916), 155-194, at 166, 1721, 11 from top, [HathiTrust].
[15] Chester County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1721, page 3, right, Benedict 19 from top, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[16] Chester County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1722, left page, left column, middle third down, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[17] H. Frank Eshleman, "Assessment Lists and Other Documents of Lancaster County Prior to the year 1729," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 21, No.7 (1916), 155-194, at 169, 1722-23, 26 from top, two lines, [HathiTrust].
[18] Chester County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1724, page 34, Andrew 14 from bottom, Christian 2 from bottom, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[19] H. Frank Eshleman, "Assessment Lists and Other Documents of Lancaster County Prior to the year 1729," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 21, No.7 (1916), 155-194, at 174, 1724-25, [HathiTrust].
[20] H. Frank Eshleman, "Assessment Lists and Other Documents of Lancaster County Prior to the year 1729," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 21, No.7 (1916), 155-194, at 180, [HathiTrust].
[21] H. Frank Eshleman, "Assessment Lists and Other Documents of Lancaster County Prior to the year 1729," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 21, No.7 (1916), 155-194, at 173, 1724-25, [HathiTrust].
[22] H. Frank Eshleman, "Assessment Lists and Other Documents of Lancaster County Prior to the year 1729," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 21, No.7 (1916), 155-194, at 177, [HathiTrust].
[23] Chester County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1725, page 5 right column, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[24] Chester County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1726, page 6, right column, Andrew+John bottom half, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[25] H. Frank Eshleman, "Assessment Lists and Other Documents of Lancaster County Prior to the year 1729," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 21, No.7 (1916), 155-194, at 184, 1727, [HathiTrust].
[26] Ira David Landis, The Lancaster Mennonite Conference: History and Background (1956), 57.
[27] Ira David Landis, The Lancaster Mennonite Conference: History and Background (1956), 56.
[28] Barbara L. Weir and Laurie A. Roffini, "German Qualification for Naturalization in Pennsylvania, 1728," Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 37 (1991), 367-373, at 369, [AmericanAncestors].
[29] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed R-187 to 190, at 189, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[30] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed QQ-517 to 519, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[31] Martin G. Weaver, Mennonites of Lancaster Conference (1931), 41.
[32] Martin G. Weaver, Mennonites of Lancaster Conference (1931), 41, no documentation.
[33] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, H28, no survey or patent has been found under either the name Hershey or Brubaker, [PALandWarrantLinks].
[34] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed R-275 to 277, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[35] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed R-187 to 190, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[36] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed R-187 to 190, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[37] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, H155, [PALandWarrantLinks].
[38] Pennsylvania Land Patent, A19-101, dated 26 May, 1755, [PAPatentBookLinks].
[39] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C76-123, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[40] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, D16-21, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[41] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C190-58, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[42] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C48-88, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[43] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, D7-24, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[44] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C143-255, dated 1747, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[45] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C203-115, dated 1765, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[46] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book B, 473-475, [473], [474], [475], [FHLCatalog].
[47] Pennsylvania Vital Records From the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 1 (1983), 332.
[48] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book A, 163-164, [163], [164], [FHLCatalog].
[49] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[50] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[51] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, H-155, [PALandWarrantLinks].
[52] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[53] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[54] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[55] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[56] Pennsylvania Records of the Land Office, RG-17, Old Rights index, Chester County, 1682-1740. (series #17.78), page 70, item 25, [PAHistoricalMuseum].
[57] Pennsylvania Land Patent, A5-268, [PAPatentBookLinks].
[58] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, D73-156, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[59] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, D82-29, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[60] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed R-190 to 193, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[61] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed R-190 to 193, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[62] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[63] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed M-256 to 257, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[64] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed M-120 to 121, at 121, describes the estate, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[65] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book G, 139-142, [139], [140], [141], [142], [FHLCatalog].
[66] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book G, 306-310, [306], [307], [308], [309], [310], [FHLCatalog].
[67] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book G, 311-314, [311], [312], [313], [314], [FHLCatalog].
[68] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[69] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[70] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[71] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[72] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[73] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 17 (Lancaster Taxables) (1897), 117, [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[74] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 17 (Lancaster Taxables) (1897), 243, [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[75] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 17 (Lancaster Taxables) (1897), 392, [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[76] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed X-551 to 555, followed by a deed proved in 1784 written in German, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[77] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1776, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[78] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1777, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[79] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed R-275 to 277, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[80] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[81] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[82] Lois Charles Zeiset, "The Hersheys of Landisville, Pennsylvania, and Levi Hess Hershey, Founder of Champion Creamery and Landisville Caramel Factory" Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage (April, 2021), 47-53 at 50.
[83] Richard Warren Davis notes about Hershey at FamilySearch, [URL].
[84] Frederick Lewis Weis, The colonial clergy of the middle colonies, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania 1628-1776 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co, 1978), 72, [GoogleBooks].
[85] David R. Johnson, "The Early East Petersburg Area Hershey Family," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 1 (January, 1978), 6-16, at 9.
[86] Lawrence Berger-Knorr, The Relations of Milton Snavely Hershey (2005), 10, persons 32-33, reports Benjamin Stauffer Hershey, born 1696; died July 29, 1789. He was the son of Christian Schmidt Hershey and Adelheid Galle Stouffer. He married reportedly Mary Rhode, [GoogleBooks].
[87] Ira David Landis, The Lancaster Mennonite Conference: History and Background (1956), 55.
[88] David R. Johnson, "The Early East Petersburg Area Hershey Family," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 1 (January, 1978), 6-16, at 8.
[89] Janet and Robert Wolfe, Genealogy Page for Benjamin Hershey, son of Andrew Hershey and Maria Schnebeli, [JRWolfeGenealogy].
[90] Landis H. Brubaker, "The Brubakers and Their Lands in East Hempfield Township," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 5 (April 1982), 10-29.
[91] Newspaper, Neue Unpartheyische Lancaster Zeitung und Anzeigs Nachrichten, Wednesday, August 5, 1789, page 3.
[92] Martin G. Weaver, Mennonites of Lancaster Conference (1931), 90.
[93] Martin G. Weaver, Mennonites of Lancaster Conference (1931), 120.
[94] Ira David Landis, The Lancaster Mennonite Conference: History and Background (1956), 70.
[95] Martin G. Weaver, Mennonites of Lancaster Conference (1931), 40-41.
[96] Landis H. Brubaker, "The Brubakers and Their Lands in East Hempfield Township," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 5 (April 1982), 10-29.
[97] Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online Hershey,_Benjamin_(1697-1789), content subject to change, Ira D. Landis, (1956). Hershey, Benjamin (1697-1789), [GlobalAnabaptistEncyclopedia].
[98] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed X-555 to 557, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].