Notes for Henry Forrer and Veronica Frances Road

c 1736 Henry Forrer was born about this time. His father, John Forrer lived in West Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County at that time, according to land records. [1]

Veronica Roth was a daughter of Peter Roth. She was named in Peter's will, dated 1793, as the spouse of Jacob Baltzly. She married Jacob Baltzly after her first husband Henry Forrer died as shown by 1787 Orphans Court records and a 1795 deed. She was likely born in in Strasburg Twp, Lancaster County, where her father Peter Roth lived between 1754 and 1793. [2]

1746-1761 Mark Evans assigned a tract of land in Springetsbury Manor to Christian Croll, of Hellam Twp, Lancaster County, on October 13, 1746. Christian Croll, by endorsing the original grant, transferred his rights to John Furry of Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County, father of Henry Forrer. John Furry, in his will dated April 26, 1753, granted the 350 acre tract to his two sons Abraham and Jacob, each to receive half. Abraham sold his share to his brother Henry Forry. Jacob sold his share to Christian Stoner.

Abraham Furry sold his share to his brother Henry Furry, of Lancaster County, by deed dated April 19, 1760. Henry Furry received a warrant for a tract of 177.8 acres in Hellam Twp, York County, Pennsylvania on May 14, 1761. [3] Land of Abraham Furrey in Hellam Twp, York County was surveyed with 177 acres, which was returned on May 29 for Henry Furry in pursuance of a warrant dated May 15. [4] Henry Furry was granted a patent for the land on June 3, 1761. [5] The deed was dated March 1, 1761 and was recorded October 8, 1811. [6]

1761 Survey for son Abraham of a tract returned for son Henry in Hellam Twp.
Note the similarity of shape to tracts "A" and "B" shown in the 1836 estate of son Henry.

Jacob Furry sold his share to Christian Stoner on November 6, 1758. Christian Stoner received a warrant for 177 acres of land in Hellam Twp on May 15, 1761. [7] A survey was made of the 177 acre tract in Helen Twp, York County, at the instance of Jacob and Abram Furry. The survey was returned for Christian Stoner in pursuance of a warrant dated May 15, 1761. [8] A patent for the land was granted to Christian Stoner on May 29, 1761. [9] [10]

1730-1761 John Forrer, Henry's father, lived in West Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County. The land in Springetsbury Manor, Hellam Twp, which Henry aquired, would soon be in a newly formed York County (formed in 1749 from part of Lancaster County). These locations are adjacent to each other, but are separated by the Susquehanna River. There were ferries that crossed the river. [11]

In 1730, John Wright was granted a patent to operate a ferry across the Susquehanna River, subsequently established (with Barber and Blunston) as Wright's Ferry. He also built a ferry house and a two-story log tavern on the eastern shore, north of Locust Street, on Front Street.

The ferry itself originally consisted of two dugout canoes fastened together with carriage and wagon wheels. …

Traffic heading west from Lancaster, Philadelphia, and other nearby towns regularly traveled through Columbia, using the ferry to cross the Susquehanna. As traffic flow increased, the ferry grew, to the point of including canoes, rafts, flatboats, and eventually steamboats; it became capable of handling Conestoga wagons and other large vehicles. Due to the volume of traffic, however, wagons, freight, supplies and people often became backed up, creating a waiting period of several days to cross the river. With 150 to 200 vehicles lined up on the Columbia side, ferrymen used chalk to number the wagons.

Henry Forrer was a Mennonite, perhaps. Documents suggest that his grandfather was a Mennonite of Ibersheim, Germany.

1763 Henry Ferry was taxed as a freeman in Hellam Twp, York County. Christian Stoner was the tax recorder. [12]

c 1763 Henry Forrer and Veronica Roads were married. We have found no documents about this marriage, but it is inferred from the will of Peter Road, which named his daughter Veronica, spouse of Jacob Baltzly, and from Veronica's marriage to Jacob Baltzly as a widow of Henry Forrer. [13]

1763 Henry Forrer sold water rights to Christian Stoner on August 1. The rights were on a tract of 177 acres for which he received a patent in 1761. The land was described as in Springetsbury in the Manor of Mask. [14] [15] [16] [17]

1764 Henry Forrer and wife Mary were named as executors for the will of Henry's brother, Abraham Furry, of Washington County, Maryland, on March 13. [18]

unknown date Henry Fory was taxed in Hellam Twp, York County. [19]

1766 Henry Forrer died. On May 12, widow Feronica Forrer [Furrey], Henry Strickler, and Christian Stoner posted 200 pounds for the probate of Henry's estate. An inventory of Henry's goods and thirty debts due to him (the debtors were named) was submitted, dated June 11.

1768 Widow Veronica Furray and Christian Stoner came to the York County Orphans' Court, on March 20, as the administrators of the estate of Henry Furray. The account listed assets of £205.7.3 and 39 debts totaling £230.14.7, including one to John Forrer (perhaps Henry's brother). A note dated March 29 lists three debts of £49 to Anna Marie Furray (Mother of the deceased); £66.5.0 to Michael Gerber, in right of Elisabeth, his wife; and £31 to the executors of the estate of John Meyer Sen. On 28 March, Abraham and Veronica petitioned the court to allow them to sell part of the estate to pay debts, which amounted to £152, since they had only £4.3.9 left from the estate. A document dated August 22 reports that 24 acres and 88 perches of land were sold at public vendu for the amount of £165.6.8 and shows payments to 5 people including Elizabeth Furry and Mary Furry. [20]

1768 Feronica Furrey and Christian Stoner made a report to the York County orphan's court, on August 30, about the estate of Henry Furrey, late of Hellam Twp. They reported that on May 24 last, they sold 24 acres to Daniel Beidler of Hellam Twp for £157.14.0 to allow settlement of debts. [21] On December 27, 1768, the land was transferred. Veronica signed all documents with a mark of "X".

1768 Feronica Furrey and Christian Steiner (alias Stoner), administrators of the estate of Henry Furrey, sold 177 acres of land in Hellam Twp, York County to Daniel Beitler; dated December 27. The land had been granted by Thomas and Richard Penn to Henry Furry on June 3, 1761 [22]. The land was adjacent to lands of Stephen Sherk, John Festal, Thomas Minshall, Jacob Furry and John Comfort. Another 24 acre land tract was adjacent to land of Christian Stoner and the road leading from Yorktown to Wright's Ferry. [23]

1770 Christian Stoner, executor, reported a balance of £14.13.5 in the estate of Henry Furrey; dated August 27. [24]

1768-73 Widow Veronica Forrer married Jacob Balztly by 1773.

1773 Feronica Baltzly prayed the Orphans Court of York County to appoint guardians for Ann Furry (age 8) and Henry Furry (age 7), her children by Henry Furry, her deceased husband. John Strickler was appointed guardian. Dated September 9. [25]

1781 Anna Furry (age 16) and Henry Furry (age 14), minor orphans of Henry Furry late of Hellam Twp chose Michael Miller of Hellam Township as their guardian. Dated March 27. [26]

1785 Jacob Baltzly was taxed in Hellam Twp, York County. [27]

1786 Jacob Baltzly was taxed in Hellam Twp, York County. [28]

1786 Jacob Baltzley was listed on the septennial census for Hellam Twp, York County, Pennsylvania. [29]

1787 Jacob Balsly and wife Sophronia (sic, Veronica?) Balsley, widow of Henry Furry, deceased, and John Flury and wife Anna, a daughter of Henry Furry, deceased, sold land in Hellam Twp to Henry Furry, only son of Henry Furry, deceaed. Dated November 17. Daughter Anna Furry and her husband John Flury were also grantors. The land adjoined lands of John Flury, John Newcomer, Adam Darron, Abraham Demuk, John Lauke, Yost Reep/Rup?, Jacob Strickler, and Christian Stoner and was part of a larger tract of 177 acres granted by patent [30] to Henry Forry, deceased. [31]

1793 Peter Rode of Strasburg Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania wrote his will on April 11 and it was proved on May 18, 1793. The will named children Henry, John, Anna wife of Anthony Stormback, Mary wife of John Tharon, Veronica wife of Jacob Baltzly, and Barbara wife of Horsh. [32] [33] [34]

1795 Jacob Baltzly and his wife Veronica, daughter of Peter Road, both of Fayette County, Pennsylvania; sold two tracts in Strasburg Twp, Lancaster County, containing 146 acres, to Veronica's brother Henry Road. Dated February 18. Veronica had inherited the land from her father, Peter Road. [35]

1800 Jacob Ballezly lived in Bullskin Twp, Fayette County, Pennsylvania in a household with males: 1 (10 thru 15) and 1 (45 and over); and females: 1 (16 thru 25), 1 (26 thru 44), and 1 (45 and over). Jacob Jr was also listed. [36]

1801-1804 Jacob Basley was taxed with 143 acres in Bullskin Twp, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Jacob Basley Jun'r and John Barnhart (Innkeeper) were also listed. [37] [38] [39] [40]

1805?-1807 Christian and Jacob Balsley (136 acres) and John Barnhart (Innkeeper-tavern-carpenter-wheel wright) were taxed in Bullskin Twp, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. [41] [42] [43] [44]

1808-1809 Christian, Daniel, and Jacob Balsley (136 acres) and John Barnhart (wheel wright) were taxed in Bullskin Twp, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. [45] [46]

1810 Widow Frances (135 acres), Christian (joiner-cabinet maker), and Daniel (single) Balsley, and John Barnhart (Innkeeper) were taxed in Bullskin Twp, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. [47] [48] [49] [50]

1809 The will of Jacob Baltzly was recorded in Bullskin Twp, Fayette County, Pennsylvania [51]:

In the Name of God, Amen, I Jacob Baltzly of Bullskin Township of the County of Fayette in the State of Pennsylvania yeoman do hereby make and constitute this my last Will and Testament revoking all others. First I order and direct that, after my funeral expenses and other just debts, shall be paid out of my Estate by my hereinafter mentioned Executors. I dispose of the residue in the following manner and form, that is to say, to my worthy and much beloved wife, Frances, I give grant and bequeath my real Estate lands and Tenements together with all my house hold Goods and Kitchen furniture, two of my best cows, and one of my best Horses or mares at her own choice. I also allow her the benefit of her right of dower due and yearly payable to her from her former husband's estate all these I grant to my said wife Frances to have and to hold during her Natural life. Then it is my will and I do order that my Executors, immediately after my decease, shall sell at public value all my personal Estate herein before disposed of and the monies arising therefrom to be by them divided and paid to the same legatees--and in the same proportion as I shall direct in the distribution of the proceeds of my real estate hereinafter mentioned. Here it is my will and I do hereby further order my said Executors or the survivor of them immediately after the decease of my said wife to sell, at public sale or outcry, all my said real estate lands and tenements whereof I am now seized together with such household goods and furniture as many there be left to the highest and best bidder and for the best price or prices that can be gotten for the same and the monies arising from such sales to be divided and paid by the surviving Executors in the following manner and form. To Wit to my Eldest son Jacob Baltzly, one fifth part thereof, to my son Daniel Baltzly, one fifth part thereof, to my two Grandsons to with David Barnhart and John Barnhart (sons of my deceased daughter Susanah) one fifth part thereof where they shall come to full age respectively. To my Daughter Elizabeth intermarried to John Barnhart one fifth part thereof. To all my Grandchildren born or hereafter to be born by my daughter Frances, intermarried to Henry Strickler, one tenth part thereof to be paid to these respectively where they shall come to full age. And to the Natural son of my said daughter Elizabeth, called Johnny, I give and grant the remaining tenth part thereof to be paid to him where he shall come to be of full age. I also give and bequeath to said Natural Son of my said daughter Elizabeth called Johnny the sum of fifty pounds Pennsylvania money to be paid to him out of my said personal Estate where he shall arrive to the full age of twenty one years. Here to my daughter Frances intermarried to Henry Strickler I bequeath the sum of five shillings Sterling money. Here I do hereby authorize and impower my hereinafter named Executors or the survivor of them to make sign seal and deliver a sufficient deed or deeds in fee simple to the purchaser or purchasers for my said Real Estate lands and Tenements of which I am now seized. And lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint Jacob Stewart Esquire and my said wife Francis the Executors of this my last will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine. Jacob (X) Baltzly. Signed, Sealed, pronounced and declared by the Testator to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us at his request subscribing witnesses to the same. Note the word "son" as also the words "called Johnny" being interlined before signing. Elginhiou Foulluubnojone (?) Hillie Z. Fuller. Fibrofouesun er Dounurent. On 11 Sep 1809 Jacob Stewart renounced his right of administration. Registered and compared 11 September 1809.

1810 John R Coates, attorney for John Penn, sold land in Springetsbury Manor, Hellam Twp, York County, Pennsylvania, to Henry Furry, on December 10. [52]

1811 Frances Baltzley, executrix of the will of Jacob Baltzley of Bullskin Twp, Fayette County, presented an account to the orphans court in the August term. [53] A guardian was appointed for John Strickler, a bastard grandson of Jacob Baltzly, late of Fayette County. [54]

1827 The will of Frances Balsly was recorded in Connellsville Twp, Fayette County, Pennsylvania [55]:

In the Name of God, Amen, I Frances Balsly widow now of Connellsville township, Fayette County and State of Pennsylvania being weak and infirm in body but of sound mind and memory (thanks be to the Lord and his mercies) do make and ordain this my last will and testament hereby revoking and annulling all others by me heretofore made--I do hereby give and bequeath unto my grandson John Strickler (son of Elizabeth Shallenberger formerly Elizabeth Barnhart) my Clock, Ten Plate Stove, one bedstead and bedding, one copper Kettle, two cows, two Iron Kettles, one Cupboard, one bureau, and every other article and thing that I may be possessed of at my death as also whatever money I may have remaining after my debts and funeral expences are paid--And I do appoint the aforesaid John S. Strickler sole Executor of this my last will and Testament as witness my hand and seal this nineteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, 1827. Frances Balsly. In presence of Stewart H. Whitehill [and] John Orbiu. The 23rd day of January 1828 Before this subscriber Register for the Probate of wills and Granting Letters of Administration in and for said county personally came Stewart H. Whitehill and John Oriu the signing witnesses to the foregoing last will and Testament and did declare, the former on oath the latter affirmed, that they respectively saw the Testatrix sign the same when of right mind that they signed as witnesses in his presence and that no undue influence had been used or later will made by her to their knowledge or belief--In Testimony whereof I have set my hand and seal of Office the same day. Alexander McClean, Register.

Research Notes:

The relationship of Jacob Balsly, Veronica's second husband, if any, to Jacob Baltzly [56], who married Elizabeth Herr, is unknown to us.

1732 A land survey was made for Jacob Balsley, on a tract of land adjacent to the land of John Forrey, Henry's father. [57] [58]

c 176x? Henry Flory, John Flory (PHd [Patent Holder?]), Abraham Flory, Isaac Flory (PHd), and Jacob Flory, were taxed in Hellam Twp, York County, Pennsylvania. Their relationship, if any, to the Forrer family is unknown to us. [59]

1778 John Flory, Isaac Flory, Abraham Flory, and Christian Stoner were taxed in Hellam Twp, York County, Pennsylvania. Isaac, John, and Daniel Flory were taxed as single men. [60]

1778 Jacob Balsly was taxed in Hellam Twp, York County, Pennsylvania. [61]

See the Mennonite card file notes. [62]

Footnotes:

[1] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, Forrer H13, [Website].

[2] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, RuthRoad P5, [Website].

[3] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, York County, F-27, [PHMC Warrant].

[4] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, A-45-A45-280, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[5] Bureau of Land Records, Pennsylvania Land Patent Books, AA1-290, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[6] York County, Pennsylvania, Deed 2W-144, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[7] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, York County, S-155, [PHMC Warrant].

[8] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C200-38, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[9] Bureau of Land Records, Pennsylvania Land Patent Books, AA1-306, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[10] Neal Otto Hively, The Manor of Springettsbury, York County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 6 (1993), 176-177.

[11] Wikipedia article about Wright%27s_Ferry, content subject to change, [Wikipedia].

[12] York County, Pennsylvania, Township assessment lists, 1762-1849, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[13] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, Forrer H13, [Website].

[14] York County, Pennsylvania, Deed C-260, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[15] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 4 (Draughts of the Propretary manors) (1895), 102, 1766 Map of the Manor of Maske. We have seen no matches on this Manor map with names from the 1761 or 1763 deeds for Henry Forrer, [InternetArchive].

[16] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 4 (Draughts of the Propretary manors) (1895), 170, 1766 Map of the Manor of Springetsbury. We have seen no matches on this Manor map with names from the 1761 or 1763 deeds for Henry Forrer, [InternetArchive].

[17] Cynthia Swope website about Maske Manor, [URL].

[18] Maryland Register of Wills Records, 1629-1999, Frederick County, Will A1-212, [FamilySearchImage].

[19] York County, Pennsylvania, Township assessment lists, 1762-1849, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[20] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, York, Orphans Court Docket B-180, [FamilySearchImage].

[21] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, York, Orphans Court Docket B-197, [FamilySearchImage].

[22] Pennsylvania Land Patent, AA1-290, [PAPatentBookLinks].

[23] York County, Pennsylvania, Deed D-428, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[24] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, York, Orphans Court Docket C-23, [FamilySearchImage].

[25] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, York, Orphans Court Docket C-128, FHL film, 22153, image 370, [FamilySearchImage].

[26] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, York, Orphans Court Docket D-201, [FamilySearchImage].

[27] York County, Pennsylvania, Township assessment lists, 1762-1849, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[28] York County, Pennsylvania, Township assessment lists, 1762-1849, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[29] Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863, person 4, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[30] Pennsylvania Land Patent, AA1-290, [PAPatentBookLinks].

[31] York County, Pennsylvania, Deed 2E-136, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[32] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, Lancaster will J-220, [AncestryRecord].

[33] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].

[34] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].

[35] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed WW-690 to 694, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[36] United States Federal Census, 1800, [AncestryRecord].

[37] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1801, left, [FamilySearchImage].

[38] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1801, [FamilySearchImage].

[39] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1803, [FamilySearchImage].

[40] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1804, [FamilySearchImage].

[41] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1804?, [FamilySearchImage].

[42] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1806, [FamilySearchImage].

[43] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1806, [FamilySearchImage].

[44] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1807, [FamilySearchImage].

[45] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1808, [FamilySearchImage].

[46] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1809, [FamilySearchImage].

[47] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1810, [FamilySearchImage].

[48] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1810, [FamilySearchImage].

[49] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1812, see also prior page, [FamilySearchImage].

[50] Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax records, 1785-1860, 1812, [FamilySearchImage].

[51] USGenWeb Archives, Sharon Dorland, [USGenWeb].

[52] York County, Pennsylvania, Deed 2W-142, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[53] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Fayette County Orphans Court 1-108, [FamilySearchImage].

[54] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Fayette County Orphans Court 1-113, [FamilySearchImage].

[55] USGenWeb Archives, Sharon Dorland, [USGenWeb].

[56] Janet and Robert Wolfe, Genealogy Page for Jacob Baltzly married to Elizabeth Herr, [JRWolfeGenealogy].

[57] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C009-92, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[58] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, A-89-227, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[59] York County, Pennsylvania, Township assessment lists, 1762-1849, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[60] York County, Pennsylvania, Township assessment lists, 1762-1849, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[61] York County, Pennsylvania, Township assessment lists, 1762-1849, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[62] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Henry son of Johannes, [AncestryRecord].