1776 Susanna Strickler married Joseph Bixler and they attended the Mennonite church in York County, Pennsylvania [1]. They had nine children [2]
1777 Joseph's father, Christian, died and left Joseph the mill property in Manchester Twp, York County, Pennsylvania. Joseph's name is listed third from last before Jacob and Michael, consistent with the birth dates shown here. Jacob and Michael are shown with no inheritance, suggesting they were under-age.
1779-83 Joseph Bixler was taxed in Manchester Township, York County, Pennsylvania in 1779 (on 126 acres, 3 horses and 7 cattle. The total tax was 97 pounds), 1780 (126 deeded land), 1781 (126 acres) and 1782 (100 acres) and 1783 (125 acres, 6 inhabitants). [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
1780 Jacob Strickler and Christian Bixler produced the account for the estate of Christian Bixler, with balance £2,767.6.7. Dated March 28, at the York County Orphans' Court. The balance was distributed to John Bixler (oldest son), Christian Bixler, Joseph Bixler, Jacob Bixler, Michael Bixler, Jacob Strickler and wife Anna, Conrad Strickler and Christina, Valentine Shockey and Barbara, Ulrich Elliberger and Veronica, Peter Elleberger and Eve, Jacob Road and Mary, Ulrich Engel and Magdalena, and Catharine Bixler. [9]
1782 Joseph Bixler, miller, and wife Susanna, of Manchester Twp, York County, sold land, that Joseph had inherited from the estate of his father Christian Bixler, to Michael Gingrich. One tract was named 'Great Meadow' on Codorus Creek, then in Baltimore County, Maryland (Maryland patent EIN4-369? to Andrew Magill) and now in Manchester Twp, York County, Pennsylvania. Andrew Magill had sold the land to John and Christian Bixler on October 1, 1739. Thomas and Richard Penn granted a patent to Christian Bixler for two tracts in 1763. Another tract was patented by Jacob Neaffe, which Jacob and wife Anna Neaffe sold to Christian Bixler. The several tracts totaled 776 acres and were bequeathed to Joseph Bixler. The deed was dated October 23. [10]
1784 Joseph Bixler sold 200 acres including a grist mill and saw mill to Michael Kinnerich/Gingrich of Lebanon Twp, York County, Pennsylvania for 2100 pounds with a down payment of 100 pounds. This land was inherited from Joseph's father in 1777. Joseph was required to pay 1500 pounds at the rate of 100 pounds per year for the right to inherit the land. Joseph sold the land at a considerable gain.
1790-98 Christiana Strickler, widow of Conrad Strickler, wrote a will dated August 16, 1790 and named brothers and sister John and Joseph Bixler and Barbara Strickler. Proved November 9, 1798. [11]
1799 Joseph Bixler gave power of attorney to Henry Strickler of Hellam Twp, Susanna's father, perhaps to collect the debt that Kinnerich still owed for the property sold in 1784. [12] Joseph Bixler was living at Tyrone Township, Fayette County when he appointed Henry Strickler as his attorney. [13]
1800 Joseph Bixler and Susanna moved to Tyrone Twp, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. [14]
1800 Joseph Bixler lived in Tyrone Twp, Fayette County, Pennsylvania in a household with males: 1 (under 10), 2 (16 thru 25), and 1 (45 and over); and females: 3 (under 10), 1 (16 thru 25), and 1 (45 and over). [15]
1801 Joseph Bixler had 250 acres worth $1000 and 2 horses and 3 cattle. [16]
1805 Joseph Picksler [sic] dated his will on February 8.
In the name of God, Amen, I Joseph Picksler of German Township Fayette county PA considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory, Blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following [that is to say] after all my just debts and funeral expenses shall be fully paid ITEM 1st: I give and bequeath to my loving wife Susanna 2 horses [of her choice] 2 cows, 1 bed, gears and plows for the 2 horses, and any other property she shall think proper to take of household furniture at the Just appraisement of 3 men and the use of the plantation where I now live as long as she shall think proper to keep it or while she shall be my widow and after either of the periods the plantation to become vested in my son Jacob and his heirs forever at the valuation of 5 pounds per acre to be paid to the remainder of my heirs 30 pounds yearly after deducting the Legacy that after shall fall to him in his will. ITEM 2nd: I give and bequeath to my daughter Susan 1 bed and the remainder of my estate. I will and bequeath that all my children, to wit: Joseph, Jacob, Susanna, Elizabeth, Abraham, Magdalena and Nancy, It is considered that my son Joseph had received 40 pounds of my Estate which is reconed in with the rest-I also appoint my wife Susanna and my Nephew Joseph Picksler [son of Christian Jr] my sole executor and executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I set my hand and seal the twenty eight day of February 1805. Joseph [X] Picksler [seal]. Witnesses: Peter Longenecker, Elizabeth [X] Longenecker, Jeremiah Kendall. Executors: wife Susanna & nephew Picksler. Probated 27 March 1805.
Oral tradition: Joseph Bixler died crossing the Susquehanna River while making a trip back to York where he purchased a team of horses. [17]
Research Notes:
1809 He was called Joseph Pixler in the Fayette County Orphan County when he was the guardian of children of Christian Schenk, late of German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania in April 1809. [This is inconsistent with the death date of 1805]
[1] Shirley Darlene Hamilton, A Hamilton heritage: ancestors, descendants, and relatives of John Russell Hamilton (1891-1948), (Willow Bend Books, 2001), [GoogleBooks].
[2] Agnes Bixler Kurtz, Bixler John (1700-1765) Pioneer, Immigrant, Farmer 2nd edition (Hanover, New Hampshire: ABK Publications, 2000), 6, [FHLBook].
[3] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 21 (York Taxables) (1897), 12, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[4] John Gibson, ed., History of York County Pennsylvania, Part I General History (Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing, 1886), 612, [InternetArchive].
[5] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, 1780, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[6] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, 1780, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[7] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, 1781, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[8] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, 1782, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[9] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, York, Orphans Court Docket D-208, [FamilySearchImage].
[10] York County, Pennsylvania, Deed 2B-469, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[11] York County, Pennsylvania Wills, 1749-1819, [AncestryRecord].
[12] Shirley Darlene Hamilton, A Hamilton heritage: ancestors, descendants, and relatives of John Russell Hamilton (1891-1948), (Willow Bend Books, 2001), [GoogleBooks].
[13] York County, Pennsylvania, Deed K-68, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[14] Seilhamer and George Overcash, Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: Genealogical Publishing Co, 1905), 305, [InternetArchive].
[15] United States Federal Census, 1800, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[16] Shirley Darlene Hamilton, A Hamilton heritage: ancestors, descendants, and relatives of John Russell Hamilton (1891-1948), (Willow Bend Books, 2001), [GoogleBooks].
[17] Shirley Darlene Hamilton, A Hamilton heritage: ancestors, descendants, and relatives of John Russell Hamilton (1891-1948), (Willow Bend Books, 2001), [GoogleBooks].