1741 Michael Wenger was born on August 1. [1] [2]
1752 Eve Good, daughter of Christian and Magdalena Good, was born about this time, perhaps. [3] [4] [5]
1764 Michael Wenger succeeded his father in the old home, which was deeded to him in 1764. [6] [7]
1769 Eve Good was named as a minor daughter of Christian Good in a deed between her mother, Magdalena, and her oldest brother, John. [8]
1778-1780 The names of several son and sons-in-law of Christian Good appeared on a list of fines (cash received of delinguents for non-performance of militia duty and exercise) in Lancaster County [9] in Col. David Jenkin's Battalion [10]: Michael Wenger [11]; Henry, Jacob, and Peter Good; Christian Swartz; Henry Good; Samuel, Peter, Jacob, Christian Good; and George Klopper.
1779 Mich'l Wenger was taxed in Earl Twp, Lancaster County. [12]
1783 Michael Wenger was taxed in Earl Twp, Lancaster County. [13]
1784 Michael Wenger (perhaps this one) and many other Lancaster County residents signed a petition about enlarging the market in Philadelphia. [14]
1787 Michael and Eve Wenger, of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, sold land to Mark Graff on April 10. The land was originally granted to Joseph Paxton by a land patent dated June 22, 1750 [15] [16] and was subsequently sold to Michael Wenger in 1770 by his parents Christian and Eve Wenger. Both Michael and Eve appeared and marked the deed. [17]
1789 Eve, the wife of Michael Wenger, was listed as an heir of Christian Good, deceased, in Lancaster County Orphans Court records dated August 5. [18]
1793 Michael Wenger, who had been married to Eve Good, died. [19] [20]
1793 The will of Michael Winger was proved on July 22. The will named son Joseph Wenger and mentioned 5 children and a wife. [21]
1795 Guardians of minor heirs of Michael Wenger, late of Earl Twp, deceased, sold several tracts of land, from the estate of Michael Wenger, to Joseph Wenger [22]. The guardians were Mark Graff of Earl Twp, guardian over the estate of Jacob Wenger, son of Michael; Jacob Good of Brecknock Twp, guardian over the estate of Christian Wenger, son of Michael; and David Martin, of Earl Twp, guardian over the estate of Esther Wenger, daughter of Michael; and Jabez Shoe of Salisbury Twp, guardian over the estate of Martha Wenger, daughter of Michael. Michael Wenger died leaving widow Ann, still alive, and five children: oldest son Joseph Wenger, Jacob Wenger, Christian Wenger, Esther Wenger, and Martha Wenger. The estate was purchased by Joseph from the other heirs. One of the tracts of land had been granted to Michael Wenger by Christian Wenger and wife Eve [23]. Two of the tracts of land had been granted to Michael Wenger by Henry Wenger and wife Ann [24] [25]. Two other tracts had been owned by Mark and Veronica Grove and by John and Barbara Weaver. The deed was dated June 27, 1795 and was recorded March 24, 1796.
1796 Christian and Ann Overholser, Ann being the widow and relict of Michael Wenger deceased, received payment, on January 2, from Joseph Wenger, son of Michael for the annuity of Ann [26]. The annuity and all the heirs of Michael Wenger, and the executors of his estate; Mark Graff, Jacob Good, and David Martin, were described in detail in another deed dated 24 March [27].
Michael Wenger was the father of the noted Mennonite minister, Rev. Joseph Wenger, of Groffdale, who married Miss Hurst. Joseph wenger was the father of Rev. Michael Wenger. The latter lived on the old homestead and left the property to his son Joseph, who lived and died there, leaving the farm to his son Michael Wenger, who was the grandfather of Clayton S. Wenger. [28] [29]
1845 Daughter Magdalene "Martha" Wenger Carpenter died on December 26 and was buried at Saint John's Lutheran Cemetery, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Magdalene "Martha" Wenger Carpenter was born on February 13, 1789. [30] [31] [32] [33]
Research Notes:
A biosketch [34] reports:
Two children were born to Michael and Marie Groff (Barbara and Joseph Wenger); seven to Michael and Eve Good. Michael's oldest son Joseph, the only surviving child by Marie, his 1st wife, because his daughter Barbara had died earlier, accompanied him to the wedding of the second wife, Eve Good. The legend concerning the wedding states that young Joseph saw a number of young women, all sisters, in the wedding, and among them was one who he wished would not become his stepmother. However, this turned out to be the one whom his father married, and whether he afterwards learned to like her, the legend does not state. Michael Wenger lived during the time of the Revolutionary War. There are many stories told of his experiences during that period. One of the Wengers, possibly Michael, kept himself out in the woods during the day, and at night would come in for food and rest. On one occasion when he returned from the woods, he came upon the soldiers sleeping in the house. His coming aroused them, but being well acquainted with the woods, he made his escape. The incident as told is illustrative of the fact that the Lancaster County Mennonites in general would not cooperate with the Continental soldiers. Michael Wenger was a farmer of West Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was a Mennonite. Michael Wenger's Bible is in the possession of Dr. Wenger, son of C. P. Wenger of Ephrata, Pa. Michael Wenger died during the year of 1774, as appears by the records in the Register of Wills Office in Lancaster, Pa. He left on record a non-cupative will, which, while it was probated, was not given validity for the settlement of the estate. Since a non-cupative will is a deathbed will, given orally, it would seem that Michael Wenger must have died very suddenly, either by accident or from sudden illness. At the time of his death he owned 3 farms in Earl Township, a total of 382 acres and 10 acres of woodland. In partition proceedings of his estate, 'OC' Misc. Book, 1791-1796, Page 274, Registers Office, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Sept. 29,1794. His land was taken by the eldest son Joseph Wenger. Lancaster County Pennsylvania Orphans' Court, Misc Book 1788-1791, Page 157. Release SS-120, dated 6-5-1796. Misc 1794 Pg 317. (Lancaster County Pennsylvania Deed YY-195,201.) Lancaster Register Office Misc. Book 1790, Page 157. (202-210.) Lancaster Mennonite Archives. Wenger 1903 Book, #39 Page 37. S. S. Wenger Interview 8-12-1972 at Ronks, Pa. Will I1-438, 8-10-1793. Menno S. Zimmermans Record. Their children were Michael, Mary Magdalena, Esther Hettie, Jacob, Christian, David, and Martha Wenger.
A biosketch of grandson Clayton S, Wenger [37] reports:
The early records of the family of which Clayton S. Wenger is a worthy representative, tell of its establishment in America. and trace clearly this particular branch in Lancaster county. In the early days in the settlement of the State of Pennsylvania, three brothers by the name of Wenger, left their home in the Old World and sailed for America, but one brother died on the long voyage. only Henry and Christian reaching these shores. Henry VVenger settled near Pottstown, Pa., and Christian came into Lancaster county. where he bought 289 acres of land. in West Earl township. from William Penn. for the sum of £44, 16s. this transaction taking place in 1741, and the land is still in the possession of the family.
Christian Wenger and his wife. Eve, had these children: Michael, John. and Henry. Michael succeeded his father in the old home, which was deeded to him in 1764, and he became the father of the noted Mennonite minister. Rev. Joseph Wenger, and the latter was the father of the no less noted Rev. Michael Wenger. The latter lived on the old homestead and left the property to his son Joseph, who lived and died there. leaving the farm to his son Michael Wenger, who was the grandfather of Clayton S. Wenger, of this biography.
Michael Wenger, grandfather of Clayton S., had a family of six sons and four daughters: Marks, Fannie, Michael, Joel, Elizabeth, Mathew, Gabriel, Menno, Susan and Maria. Joel Wenger married Fannie M. Swarr, in 1848, and to this marriage these children were born: Clayton S., of this sketch; Lizzie, born in 1853, married Amos P. Shaffer, of East Lampeter township; Susan married Clarence Lichty, of Lancaster: and A. Lincoln, born in 1864, died in 1890. In 1872 the mother of these children passed away, and on Jan. 11, 1882, Mr. Wenger married Miss Sallie Caproth, of West Earl township, from which union there has been no issue.
Clayton S. Wenger was born on Aug. 14, 1850, a son of Joel and Fannie M. (Swarr) Wenger. His education was in the district schools of West Earl, and early in life he learned the business of milling, being at present engaged in that business, and he is also the proprietor of the Brownstown Electric Works, and one of the most capable and reliable men, in a business way, in this locality.
On Dec. 5. 1876, Clayton S. Wenger was married to Miss May Landis, of Manor township, a daughter of Jacob and Anna (Herr) Landis, and to this union three sons have been born: Clarence L., born June 30. 1877, resides at home; Vincent Eugene, born April 27, 1880; and Jacob Joel, born Jan. 5, 1884, now a student in Franklin and Marshall College, of Lancaster. Mr. Wenger is one of the most highly respected citizens of Lancaster county, a Republican in his political views, and a worthy and consistent member of the German Reformed Church.
Maria Groff married Henry Stauffer. [38]
Research Notes:
DNA [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54]
[1] Jane Evans Best, "Six Good Families of Early Lancaster County, Pennsylvania," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 12 (July, 1989), 11-28, at 25, GC3e.
[2] Romaine Stauffer, "The Children of Christian Good," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 39.2 (2016), 58-61, at 61.
[3] Jane Evans Best, "Six Good Families of Early Lancaster County, Pennsylvania," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 12 (July, 1989), 11-28, at 25, GC3e.
[4] Jonas G. Wenger, Martin D. Wenger, and Joseph H. Wenger, History of the Descendants of Christian Wenger (1903), 21, 37, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[5] Romaine Stauffer, "The Children of Christian Good," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 39.2 (2016), 58-61, at 61.
[6] John F. Meginness et al, Biographical Annals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania (Beers: 1903), 182, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[7] John F. Meginness et al, Biographical Annals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania (Beers: 1903), 1352, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[8] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed LL-252 to 256, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[9] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 6 (Revolution 1777-1789, Lieutenants) (1896), 360, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].
[10] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 6 (Revolution 1777-1789, Lieutenants) (1896), 361-366, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].
[11] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 6 (Revolution 1777-1789, Lieutenants) (1896), 361, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].
[12] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, 1779, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[13] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, 1783, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[14] H. H. Schenk, "Lancaster County Petitions, etc, to the Supreme Executive Council 1784 1790," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 25 (1921), 67-86, at 75, petition 5, left column, [HathiTrust].
[15] Bureau of Land Records, Pennsylvania Land Patent Books, A14-436, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[16] Pennsylvania Land Patent, A14-436, [Patent Index Entry], [Patent Indices].
[17] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book YY, 210-212, [210], [211], [212], [FHLCatalog].
[18] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Miscellaneous Book 1789-157, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[19] Samuel S. Wenger, The Wenger Book, A Foundation Book of American Wengers (1997 reprint), 179, person C7, reports Eve as the daughter of Christian and Susanna Good.
[20] Jane Evans Best, "Six Good Families of Early Lancaster County, Pennsylvania," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 12 (July, 1989), 11-28, at 25, GC3e, reports year of death as 1774.
[21] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Probate Records, I-438, [FamilySearchImage].
[22] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book YY, 195-201, [195], [196], [197], [198], [199], [200], [201], [FHLCatalog].
[23] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book BB, 381-386, [381], [382], [383], [384], [385], [386], [FHLCatalog].
[24] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Y-297, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[25] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed FF-476, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[26] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book YY, 201-201, [201], [FHLCatalog].
[27] Recorder of Deeds, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book YY, 203-210, [203], [204], [205], [206], [207], [208], [209], [210], [FHLCatalog].
[28] John F. Meginness et al, Biographical Annals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania (Beers: 1903), 182, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[29] John F. Meginness et al, Biographical Annals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania (Beers: 1903), 1352, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[30] Find A Grave Memorial 102376504, [FindAGrave].
[31] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].
[32] Find A Grave Memorial 102376539, [FindAGrave].
[33] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].
[34] Samuel S. Wenger, The Wenger Book, A Foundation Book of American Wengers (1997 reprint), 170, C7.
[35] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, Wenger A.3347, [Website].
[36] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, Good D 13E, [Website].
[37] John F. Meginness et al, Biographical Annals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania (Beers: 1903), 1352, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[38] Jeremiah Zeamer, Biographical Annals of Cumberland County Pennsylvania (1905), 425, [InternetArchive].
[39] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, descent: Esther Wenger (spouse of John Rohrer), Elizabeth Rohrer (spouse of Samuel Buckwalter), John Buckwalter (spouse of Magdalene Hershey), Ira Buckwalter (spouse of Della Gibbons), Harry Buckwalter, [Link].
[40] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, descent: Esther Wenger (spouse of John Rohrer), Esther Rohrer (spouse of Joseph Myer), Abraham Myer (spouse of Salinda Wenger), Emma Myer (spouse of Emanuel Zuck), Mary Frances Zuck (spouse of Howard Eshleman), [Link].
[41] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, descent: Joseph Wenger (spouse of Maria Horst), Esther Wenger (spouse of John Nolt), Daniel Nolt (spouse of Elizabeth Carpenter), Maria Nolt (spouse of David Martin), Ada Martin, [Link].
[42] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, descent: Joseph Wenger (spouse of Maria Horst), Esther Wenger (spouse of John Nolt), Daniel Nolt (spouse of Elizabeth Carpenter), Susanna Nolt (spouse of Martin Sauder), Elizabeth Sauder (spouse of Eli Shirk), Martin Shirk (spouse of Esther Weaver), Clarence Shirk, [Link].
[43] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, descent: Esther Wenger (spouse of John Rohrer), Elizabeth Rohrer (spouse of Samuel Buckwalter), Mahlon Buckwalter (spouse of Mary Neff), Laura Elizabeth Buckwalter (spouse of Isaac Girvin), Ross Robert Girvin (spouse of Kathryn Hess), [Link].
[44] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[45] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[46] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[47] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[48] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[49] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[50] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[51] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[52] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[53] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[54] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].