1762 Christian Meyer was born on January 12. The dates of his and his father's birth and death were found in Christian's bible. [1] [2]
1766 Anna Neff was reported born on March 28, 1766. [3]
1782 Christian Meyer and Anna Neff were reported married on August 6, 1782. [4] [5]
1782 Christian Mayer was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for 150 acres, 4 horses, and 4 cattle. [6]
1785 Christian Meyer was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for one horned cattle valued at 20 (no land). Christly Mayer was taxed for 200 acres, 2 horses, and 4 cattle. [7]
1790 Christian Meyer lived in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Two families were listed with that name on the same page of the census; the first with 4 males and 4 females and the second with one male under age 16 (son Christian), one male age 16 (Christian Meyer), and 4 females (daughters Maria and Anna, wife Ann, and perhaps Christian’s mother). [8] [9] Christian Bomberger, Christian Brubaker, Jacob Myer, and John Meyer were listed nearby (see deed of 1793).
1790 Son Jacob was born on February 5. Perhaps he had died before a second son named Jacob was born in 1799.
1793 Jacob and Anna Meyer of Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, sold land in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, to their son, Christian Meyer on April 15. The land was next to land of Christian Brubacher, Christian Bomberger, John Meyer, Jacob Meyer Junior, David Meyer, and William Hamilton. [10]
1798 Christian Mayer was listed on the U.S. direct tax for a log house (37x22 feet) and a tenent house (22x20 feet) in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania [11]. Christian Myer was taxed for a stone barn (74x34 feet) and old log stable adjacent to Christian Bumberger and John Myer, in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania [12]. [13] [14]
1800 Christian Meyer (age 26-44) lived in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with 2 males age 0-10 (Jacob and John L), 1 male age 10-15 (Christian), 4 females age 0-10 (Barbara, Elizabeth, Susanna, and Catharine), 2 females age 10-15 (Anna and Maria), 1 female age 26-44 (wife Ann), and 1 female age 45+ (Christian's mother?). Nearby listings included Christian Brubaker and Christian Bamberger [see 1793 and 1803 land sales]. [15] [16]
1800 Christian Mayer dated his will on August 17, in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Wife Ann was to possess the house where son-in-law Samuel Behm lived and some land adjacent to brothers David and Jacob and John and adjacent to Christian Brubacher and Christian Bamberger. After the youngest child reaches age 14 and payments to wife Ann, the rest of the estate was to be divided among the children: Mary wife of Samuel Behm, Christian, Ann, Susanna, Elizabeth, John, Barbara, Jacob, Abraham, Catharine, & Magdalen. Brother Jacob Mayer was named executor. Witnessed by Christian Brubacher and Cas Shaffner. Letters of administration to Jacob Myer and Benjamin Hershey. Proved on September 14, 1805. [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]
I Christian Mayer of Manheim Township In the County of Lancaster, and State of Pennsylvania, farmer, being sick and weak of body, but of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understanding, and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life, and that it is ordered for all men once to die. I therefore make my last will and testament, in the following manner, to wit. First, I order and it is my will, that all my just debts and funeral expences be paid and discharged by my executors, out of my estate; as soon as conveniently may be, after my decease. Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Ann, the sum of two hundred pounds money, in gold or silver coin, to be paid to her as soon as can be after my decease. Also such and so much of my household & kitchen furniture as she may choose & think needful & necefesary for her use. Also all my woollen and linnen cloth, flax and hemp, three cows, one horse, or mare, six hogs and six sheep; which said creatures she may choose, out of my whole stock. To hold the said sum of money and the other articles and things above mentioned unto my said wife Ann, and to her heirs and assigns forever. Item: It is my will and I order, that my said wife Ann shall hold and possess the house wherein my son-in-law Samuel Behm now lives, together also with a part of my land to be taken along the run from the corner of my brother David and Jacob's land, down to the lane, between my land and the land of Christian Brubacher and Christian Bamberger. And. also fourteen acres of woodland which adjoins the land of Christian Brubacher and from his the said Christian Brubacher's land in a straight line to my brother John Mayer's land and this woodland I give to her to enable her to get firewood and wood for rails for her own use. And, further, that she may clear about two acres of the said woodland adjoining the graveyard of the said Christian Brubacher and I also allow unto her two rows of apple trees of my orchard, and to be taken lengthways at her choice. And it is my will, that my executors as soon as can be after my decease, shall erect an additional building to the stable of my said wife of fifteen feet, with a thrashing floor of twelve feet wide between the stable and the said new building and finish it in a compleat manner and pay the cost and expences of the said building out of my estate; which said building shall be for the use and behoof of my said wife. To hold the said house, land, and premises abovementioned unto my said wife Ann for and during the term of her natural life, if she remains and continues my widow; but nevertheless she shall and may hold and possess the same if married, untill my youngest child attains the age of fourteen years; and then I give and bequeath unto her the further sum of fifty pounds, money aforesaid, to be paid to her when the removes from the premises. And I do hereby declare the bequests, articles & things herein given & and allowed unto my said wife, are, and are to be deemed and taken for and in lieu and full satisfaction for her dower or thirds of, in, to, and out of my estate real and personal. Item. It is my will that the residue of my plantation & tract of land whereon I now live, shall be sold by my executors or the survivor of them, in one year after my decease, if they conveniently can, either by private or public sale, as to them or him may seem most beneficial for my children. And after the death of my said wife, or in case of her marriage, when my youngest child has attained the age of fourteen years, my executors and the survivor of them, shall also, in either of the said cases, sell the land and premises with the appurtenances, herein given to my said wife, either by Private or public sale as aforesaid..And the money raised by the sale of my said lands; and the residue and remainder of my estate, including therein the money and effects, which I have hereto-fore given to my daughter, Mary, the wife of Samuel Behm, or to any of my other children and by me entered in a book, and also all other monies and effects which may come into the hands of my executors to me belonging, and not herein before particularly bequeathed, I order to be equally divided among all my children, viz. Mary, Christian, Ann, Susanna, Elizabeth, John, Barbara, Jacob, Abraham, Catharine, and Magdalen, share and share alike, that is to say, I give and bequeath unto each of them, his heirs and assigns forever, one equal eleventh part thereof. Item. I further give to my said wife Ann, one of my ten plated stoves and pipes, at her choice, twenty bushels of wheat, eighteen bushels of rye and fifteen bushels of Indian corn. And lastly, I do hereby nominate, make and appoint my brother Jacob Mayer and my friend Benjamin Hershey executors of this my last will and testament, impowering them and the survivor of them to make sign, seal, execute; and deliver good, sufficient deed or deeds, of conveyance to the purchaser or purchasers of the land herein ordered to be sold at the times within mentioned. Making hereby null and void all former and other wills by me made; declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament. Witness my hand and seal; the seventeenth day of August; in the year of our Lord; one thousand eight hundred and five. Signed, Sealed, Published, pronounced and declared by the testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us witnesses thereto called. Christian Meyer (seal). The words (of fifteen feet) being first interlined. Christian Brubacher, Cas. Shaffner.
Lancaster County. On the 14th day of September, Anno Domini 1805. Before me the subscriber personally appeared Christian Brubacher and Casper Shaffner the two subscribing witnesses to the within will; the said Christian Brubacher upon his solemn affirmation and the said Cas. Shaffner upon his corporal oath, according to law did declare, depose, and say that they were present and saw and heard Christian Mayer, the testator therein named sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the within instrument in writing, as and for his last will and testament, and that at the doing thereof, he was of sound and well disposing mind, memory, and understanding, according to the best of their knowledge, observation, and belief. G. Ross, Reg.
Be it remembered, That on the 14th day of September, anno domini, 1805. The last will and testament of Christian Mayer, late of Manheim Township in the County of Lancaster, deceased, was proved in due form of law and letters testamentary thereon were granted to Jacob Myer and Benjamin Hershey, the executors therein named, having first been duly qualified well and truly to administer the estate of the said deceased; especially to exhibit a true and perfect inventory thereof into the Register's Office at Lancaster, within one month, and the render a true and just account of their executorship on said estate in one year from this date, or where thereto lawfully required. Given under the Seal of Said Office. G. Ross, Reg.
1803 Christian Bomberger sold land in Manheim Twp to Christian Meyer of Manheim Twp on November 8. The land was adjacent to other land already owned by Christian Meyer. [31]
1805 Christian Meyer was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County with 183 acres of land. [32]
1805 Christian Meyer, born 1762, died 1805. The dates of his and his father's birth and death were found in Christian's bible. [33]
1806 The estate of Christian Meyer was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County with 183 acres of land. [34]
1807 Jacob Mayer and Benjamin Hirshey Junior, executors of the will of Christian Mayer of Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, sold land to Christian Brubaker (David's son), on April 3. John [Jacob] Mayer, the father of Christian Mayer deceased, and wife Ann had sold the 185 acre tract with water rights to Christian, deceased, on 15 April 1793 [35]. An adjacent tract was purchased by Christian Mayer deceased from Christian Bamberger and wife Hannah on 8 November 1803 [36]. Christian's will, dated August 17, 1805, devised: "Item It is my will and I order that my said wife Ann shall hold and possess the house the house wherein my son-in-law Samuel Behm now lives, together also with a part of my land to be taken along the run from the corner of my brothers David and Jacob's land down to the Lane between my land and the land of Christian Brubacher and Christian Bamberger's land in a straight line to my brother John Mayer's land and this woodland I give to her to enable her to get firewood and wood for rails for her own use and further that she may clear about two acres of the said woodland adjoining the graveyard of the said Christian Brubacher and I also allow unto her two rows of apple trees of my orchard and to be taken lengthwise at her choice and it is my will that my executors as soon as can be after my decease shall erect an additional building to the stable of my said wife of fifteen feet with a threshing floor of twelve feet wide between the stable and the new building and finish it off in a compleat manner and pay the cost and expenses of the said building out of my estate which said building shall be for the use and behoof of my said wife … during the term of her natural life while she remains and continues my widow but may … possess … if married until my youngest child attains the age of fourteen years and then I give and bequeath unto her further the sum of fifty pounds money aforesaid to be paid to her when she removes from the premises." Item the residue of my estate is to be sold for my children. Brother Jacob Mayer and friend Benjamin Hirshey were appointed executors. The residue of the estate was sold by public auction to Christian Brubaker on 10 October past for 15,200 dollars gold and silver coin. [37]
1806 Ana Meier widow was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County with 48 acres of land. [38]
1808 Ann Meier widow was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County with 48 acres of land. [39]
1809 Ann Meier widow was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County with 48 acres of land. [40]
1810 Ann Meier widow was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County with 48 acres of land. Abraham Meyer was taxed with no land. [41]
1810 Widow Myer lived in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with 1 male (age 0-10, Abraham?), 2 males (age 10-15, John L and Jacob?), 1 female (age 0-10, Magdalena?), 1 female (age 10-15, Barbara?), 1 female (age 16-25, Elizabeth?), and 1 female (age 45+, widow Ann Meyer). [42]
1811 Ann Meier widow was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County with 48 acres of land. [43] Abraham Meyer was taxed with no land. [44]
1812 Ann Meier widow was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County with 48 acres of land. [45]
1813 Ann Meier widow was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County with 48 acres of land. [46]
1815 Ann Meier widow was taxed in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County with 47 acres of land. [47]
1820 Wd Myers lived in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in a household with males: 1 (16 thru 18) and 1 (16 thru 25 [perhaps son Jacob or Abraham?]); and females: 1 (16 thru 25 [perhaps daughter Catharine]) and 1 (45 and over). [48] [49]
Research Notes:
Pennsylvania Mennonite Vital Records includes notes for Christian Meyer and Anna Neff. [50] [51] [52] [53]
Christian Meyer married Ann. [54]
Christian was the son of Jacob Meyer and Ann. [55]. The dates of his and his father's birth and death dates were found in Christian's Bible. (Not seen).
There is some evidence that the wife of Christian Meyer might be Ann Neff. The name of Ann Neff was apparently written on a flyleave of the Meyer's copy of Martyrs Mirror; in the possession of Clarke E. Hess, 390 Grace Ridge Drive, Lancaster, PA, 17601. On page 167, daughter Ann Neff is listed with date of birth and marriage to Christian Meyer, Date of birth listed is 28 Mar 1766, however when you calculate from date of death, found on pg. 153, date of birth becomes 23 Nov 1767. From record written in copy of Martyrs Mirror. No reference to death of Ann Neff (nee), Jacob Meyer's second wife. [56]
1792 A deed was returned, on June 4, for the sale of the estate of Peter Neff to John Neff. The land was in Newberry Township, York County. Ann, wife of Jacob Meyer of Manheim Twp. Lancaster County, was named as the widow of Peter Neff. Christian Stoner, et al, and Elizabeth his wife of Newbury Twp, Christian Mayer and Ann his wife of Manheim Twp, in the county of Lancaster, which the said Elizabeth and Ann are the daughters of Peter Neff late of Newberry Twp in the county of York deceased, of the one part, and Jacob Mayer and Ann his wife of Manheim Twp in Lancaster is the widow and relict of Peter Neff deceased of the second part, and John Neff of Newberry Twp is the son of Peter Neff deceased of the third party, whereas Peter died and left the 266 acres to Ann his widow and three children, John Neff, Elizabeth, the wife of Christian Stoner, and Ann, the wife of Christian Mayer, dated 15 May 1790, recorded 17 May 1790, [Robert Hammersly, Esq., is one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas of York County] All of the wives are examined. [57]
Another Christian Moyer (c 1757-1826) married Anna L Bauer (1857-1826) and also lived in Manheim Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [James Gregory Hermsen, Thelma Hoover Martin. The Yellow Creek Frame Cemetery of Harrison Township, Elkhart County, Indiana (2010):61]
Some researchers name another child, Adi Moyer, born February 21, 1805 in Lancaster County. No child of that name was listed in Christian's will dated 1800. Perhaps Adi was born after the will was written. Adi was not named in the 1807 deed concerning the estate. We seek documentation for this possibility.
[1] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, Meyer D13325, [Website].
[2] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[3] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), [AncestryRecord].
[4] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[5] U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, [AncestryRecord].
[6] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 17 (Lancaster Taxables) (1897), 773, [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[7] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[8] United States Federal Census, 1790, page 145, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[9] United States Federal Census, 1790, [AncestryRecord].
[10] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book RR, 554-556, [554], [555], [556], [FHLCatalog].
[11] Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798, particular list A, tax $475, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[12] Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798, particular list B, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[13] Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798, list D, line 89, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[14] Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798, list A, line 104, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[15] United States Federal Census, 1800, page 190, line 3, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[16] United States Federal Census, 1800, [AncestryRecord].
[17] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Lancaster, Will J-171, [FamilySearchImage].
[18] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[19] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[20] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[21] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[22] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[23] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[24] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[25] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[26] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[27] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[28] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[29] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[30] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord].
[31] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed 3P-396 to 399, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[32] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[33] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, Meyer D13325, [Website].
[34] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[35] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book RR, 554-556, [554], [555], [556], [FHLCatalog].
[36] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed 3P-396 to 399, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[37] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book W3, 146-153, [146], [147], [148], [149], [150], [151], [152], [153], [FHLCatalog].
[38] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[39] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[40] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[41] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[42] United States Federal Census, 1810, page 482, line 9, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[43] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[44] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[45] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[46] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[47] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[48] United States Federal Census, 1820, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[49] US census, 1820, Reel 0106, Image 70, top page, line 5 from bottom, [InternetArchive].
[50] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[51] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), [AncestryRecord].
[52] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), [AncestryRecord].
[53] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[54] Dorothy Adams, Myers History: some descendants of Hans Meier of Pequea, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (1987), 46, [GoogleBooks].
[55] Mennonite Family History, Meyer Family Record by Hess, October 1984.
[56] Mennonite Family History, Clark E. Hess. "Meyer Family Record" (Oct. 1984):153.
[57] York County, Pennsylvania, Deed 2H-171, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].