Notes about Michael Ritner and his children, page 1
[Photocopy, page 2, Notes about other children of Michael Ritner.]
c 1782 Barbara Ritner [later Wise] was born about this time, based on her death in 1850 at age 68. [1]
1808 Leonard Wise was taxed in Middleton Twp, Cumberland County for 1 cow (no land). [2] He was not on the 1805 or the 1811 tax list. [3]
1808 Michael Wise, son of Leonard and Barbara (born Rittner) Weis, was born on April 19 in Middleton Twp, Cumberland County. He was baptised by Mr. Jonathan Helfenstein reformed minister (Reformirter Prediger) in August, 1808. The sponsors were Johannes Weis and Sophia Weis (Johannes Weis und seine Ehe Frau, Sophia Weis, geborne Weisin) [4] [Photocopy, 1808 Birth Certificate for Michael born to Leonard Wise and Barbara Ritner.]
1810 Jacob Jr, Frederick, and John Wise lived in Middleton Twp, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, each household with a male age 26-44, so these are plausibly Leonard Wise's brothers. Jacob Ritner (Barbara Ritner Wise's broher) was listed nearby. [5]
1820 Leonard Weise was taxed as a laborer in South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County. [6]
1820 Leonard Wise (age 25-45) and an older male (age 46+) and female (age 25-45) lived in South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania with 2 males 0-10 (Immanuel and Leonard), 2 males 10-16 (Michael and Jacob?), 1 male 26-45 (Leonard), 1 male 45+, 2 females 0-10, 2 females 10-16 (Mary and ?), 1 female 26-45 (Barbara). Four of them were engaged in agriculture. Next door was George Wise (age 25-45). John Wise with three males age 25-45, was listed on the next page of the census. John Ritner age 26-45 lived in East Pennsboro, Cumberland County. [7]
1823 Leonard Weise was taxed as a cropper in South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County, for 1 cow. [8]
1827 Leonard Wise was taxed in South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County, for 150 acres of land, log house, log barn, 6 horses, and 4 cows. [9] [10]
1829 Leonard Wise was taxed as a farmer in South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County, for 150 acres of limestone land, log house, log barn, tenant house, 6 horses, and 5 cows. [11] [12]
1830 Jacob Wise Senior yeoman of South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County, sold 17+ acres of land to Leonard Wise, for $300, on January 29. The land was bordered by land already owned by Leonard, by David Rowan's land, by and intended to be conveyed to Henry Wise, and by land owned by Frederick Wise [13]. Signed in the presence of Michael Brenizer. It is unclear whether this was a sale to Leonard Sr (born 1777) or to Leonard Jr at age 22.
1830 Jacob Wise sold more land to Leonard, on February 18, bordered by land of Frederick, Henry, and Jacob Jr. Wise.
1830 Leonard Wise lived in South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Males by age were: one (age 0-5), two (age 10-15, Leonard and ?), one (age 15-20, Immanuel), one (age 20-30, Michael), one (age 40-50, Leonard), one (age 80-90, perhaps Leonard's father, born 1744, who died late in 1830). Females by age were: two (age 5-10), one (age 30-40), one (age 40-50, wife Mary). On the same page were households for Jacob Wise, (age 20-30), and William Wise (age 15-20). The next page listed Henry Wise (age 30-40). The family of Jacob Weise (age 60-70) lived in the same township. Frederick, George, and Jacob Wise and Jacob and John Ritner also lived in Cumberland. [14]
1832-34 Leonard Wise was listed on the triennial tax assessment in South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County with 167 acres lime ston land, 6 horses, 6 cows, log house, log stable. [15]
1838 A campaign document for Joseph Ritner, candidate for governor of Pennsylvania, described the family of his father, Michael Ritner. Michael had a daughter, sister of Joseph Ritner, married to Leonard Wise, of Cumberland County. She was reported to have a family. [16] [17] Perhaps this refers to Barbara [Ritner] Wise.
1839 Leonard Wise and Frederick and George Wise [perhaps brothers of Leonard Wise] attended a political event and made toasts to Andrew Jackson [18]:
By George Wise, V.P. Penrose's New Mill - Twenty thousand substantial reasons in favor of the re-charter of the U.S. Bank.
By Frederick Wise, V.P. David R. Porter, our present worthy governor - the people's choice in opposition to the malignity and vile slanders of corrupt foes. Long may he continue the incorruptable friend of democratic institutions, and the foe of overgrown and dangerous monopolies.
By Leonard Wise, V.P Penrose's retreat through the back window of the Senate chamber: - the "Biddle blood" must have confounded fast that time, the "thorn bushes" to the contrary, notwithstanding.
1840 Households for Leonard Wise (age 50-60) with female (age 50-60) and female (age 5-10)[perhaps Joanna Brenizer], and for Emanuel Wise (age 20-30) and female (age 20-30) and children, were listed for South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The link with Emanuel, who had an outstanding debt for Mary Wise, suggests this was our Leonard Wise, the father of both Mary and Emanuel. Two George Wise's were listed on prior pages. Jacob Weise (age 70-80) and wife (age 60-70) lived with younger family members (William?) age 20-30 close to Mary Brenizer in South Middleton. [19]
1840 Emanuel Wise and Leonard Wise were participants in an event of the Democrats of South Middleton to raise a 70 foot pole with a banner for "Van Buren, Johnson and No White Slavery". [20]
1841 Leonard Wise, of South Middleton, and George Wise, Esq., of North Middleton, were selected as vice presidents of a local Democratic Party organization. [21]
1843 Leonard Wise, an old and highly respectable citizen of South Middleton Twp, died on 6 June 1843. [22] He died intestate in Cumberland County. "Be it remembered that on the 18th day of June 1843 letters of administration were issued in common form to Peter McLaughton and Leonard Wise Jun. on all and singular the goods and chattels rights and codels which were of Leonard Wise sen, deceased. Inventory account to be exhibited at the time appointed by law. Bond, John Moore (Dick.) and Michael G Ege, sum of $1500. Witness my hand, Jacob Bretzler." [23] At the estate sale for Leonard Wise, purchases were made by Emanual Wise, Jacob Wise, William Wise, Henry Wise, Widow Wise, John Brenizer, and Ritner Brenizer, among others.
1843 Leonard Wise was reportedly buried at Mount Holly Springs Cemetery, Mount Holly Springs, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. [24]
1843 Letters of administration were issued, on June 10, to Peter McGlaughlin and Leonard Wise Jr for the estate of Leonard Wise Sr, deceased. [25]
1844 "Upon the petition of Peter McGlaughlin and Leonard Wise adm'r of Leonard Wise late of South Middleton in said county deceased leaving a widow to wit Barbara Wise and issue eight children to wit Jacob Wise, Michael Wise, Catharine intermarried with John Wise, Mary Brenizer late Mary Wise, Emanuel Wise, Rebecca Wise intermarried with Peter McGlaughlin your petitioner, Leonard Wise the other petitioner, and Johanna intermarried with Samuel Johnson. That at the time of his death the said Leonard Wise was siezed in his demesne as of fee of and in a certain plantation or tract of land situate in said township of South Middleton bounded by lands of James Hamilton Esq, Robert Irvine, Henry and Frederick Wise, and lands formerly of David George and containing about one hundred and eighty acres more or less also a small piece of land or sand bank bounded by Frederick Wise and Jacob Weise and containing thirty two and one half perches neat measure which is all the land of the decedant wherever situate that has come to the knowledge of your petitioners. ... the personal estate of the said intestate is insufficient fot the payment of his debts ... grant them an order to make sale of the said real estate ..." Barbery Wise, John Wise, Mary Brenizer, and Emanuel Wise signed or marked the request to sell the real estate. Dated August 20, at the Cumberland County Orphans' Court. [26] [27]
1844 "Upon the petition of Emanuel Wise and Samuel Johnston intermarried with Joanna late Joanna Wise heirs at law of Leonard Wise Sen late of South Middleton township Cumberland County deceased. Respectfully represents that letters of administration on the estate of the aforesaid decedent issued to Peter McLaughlin and Leonard Wise Jr the 10th day of June 1843, that since said date the aforesaid Peter McLaughlin one of the said administrators has become deranged in his mind as your petitioners believe and is altogether disqualified & unfit to transact the duties of his appointment & is wasting & mismanaging the estate of said decedent, they therefore pray ... to show cause why he shall not be dismissed ...". The citation was granted. Dated November 25, at the Cumberland County Orphans' Court. [28]
1844 At the December Orphans' Court, "In the case of the order for the sale of the real estate of Leonard Wise, dec'd. Now to wit 11th Dec 1844 proceedings held under advisement till next Or' C't. by the court." [30]
1845 At the February Orphans' Court, "In the case of the citation to Peter McGlaughlin one of the adm's of Leonard Wise, dec. Now to wit 11th feb'y 1845 rule dismissed by the court." [31]
1845 "Upon petition of Leonard Wise Jr, a son and heir and heir at law of Leonard Wise late of south Middleton township ... your petitioner's father died intestate about the sixth of June AD 1843 leaving a widow Barbara and issue eight children to wit Jacob Wise, Michael Wise, Emanuel Wise, Leonard Wise Jr (your petitioner), Catherine Wise intermarried with John Wise, Mary Brenizer widow late Mary Wise, Rebecca Wise intermarried with Peter McGlaughlin, Johanna Wise intermarried with Samuel Johnson. That the said intestate died seized in his desmesne as of fee of and in the following real estate to wit a plantation or tract of land situate in south Middleton township aforesaid bounded by land of Robert Irvine Henry & Frederick Wise, land formerly of Solomon Gorges & James Hamilton Esq containing one hundred and seventy three acres more or less with the appurtenances. Also thirty two perches of land used as a sand bank bounded by lands of Baltzar Gunkel, Frederick Wise, Henry Wise and Jacob Wise etc? which are all the lands of which the said intestate died seized that have come to the kowledge of your petitioner. He therefore prays the Court, as the parties in interest cannot agree to the choice of seven or more disinterested persons for that purpose to award an inquest to make partition of the premises aforesaid to and among the children & representatives of the said intestate in such manner and in such proportions as by the Laws of this Commonwealth is directed". Inquest awarded. Dated August 11, at the Orphans' Court at Carlisle in Cumberland County. [32]
1846 "In the case of the heirs and legal representatives of Leonard Wise, dec'd ... Jacob Wise the eldest son was called and appeared by his attorney John Goodyear who was not authorized to take any of the real estate." Michael Wise, the next oldest, was represented by Henry Erbin and was not authorized to take. Emanuel Wise, the next oldest son, took the sand bank, valued at $223, with surety by John Souder. All parties or their representatives signed, including Jacob Ritner, assignee for Emanuel Wise, and (on 6 August 1853) John L Brenizer for Mary Brenizer, deceased. Dated February 10, at the Orphans' Court at Carlisle in Cumberland County. [34]
1846 At the April Orphans' Court, the heirs requested the court to sell the remaining property from Leonard's estate, since Peter McGlaughlin had left the county and Leonart Wise Jr was not desirous. George Sanderson was appointed to make the sale. [35]
1846 At the August Orphans' Court, a detailed accounting was made for the sale, to Jacob Lehman, of 132 acres from the estate. [37]
1847 Land from the estate of Leonard Wise Sr in South Middleton, Cumberland County was sold to Leonard Wise Jr. on April 1, for $2167. The 48 acre tract was adjacent to land of Jacob Goodyear, James Hamilton, and the heirs of Solomon Gorgas. [38]
1847 A tract from the estate of Leonard Wise Sr was sold to Jacob Lehman on April 1, for $5180.88. The tract was 132 acres and 67 perches in South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County. [39]
1847 Leonard Wise filed his account as acting administrator of the for Leonard Wise sr late of South Middleton, deceased. [40]
1847 At the September Orphans' Court, the account of Leonard Wise Jr was excepted (not accepted?) and was referred to Carson & Moore Esq. [41]
1848 The parties agreed to finalize the settlement of the estate of Leonard Wise on November 18. [42]
1848 Jacob Wise of Richland County, Ohio gave power of attorney to Mr. Goodyear to represent his interests in the estate of Leonard Wise.
1850 Barbara Weise, widow, died of dropsy, at age 68, in March, in South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. [43]
1850 The inventory for Barbara Wise was recorded on March 13. [Photocopy] [44]
1850 Letters of administration were issued, on December 28, for the estate of Barbara Wise of South Middleton. [daughter] Rebecca McGlaughlin was the administrator. John T Wise and Jacob Goodyear provided sureties. [45]
1850 Leonard Wise Jr sold the land in South Middleton, Cumberland County. Leonard Wise Jr and Mary his wife entered into an agreement with Jacob Ritner on March 8. Whereas the said Leonard Weise owing to sundry losses and misfortunes is at present unable to discharge his just debt, and is willing to assign all his property for the benefit of creditors...Leonard and wife...for the purpose of making a just distribution of the estate and effects among the creditors of the said Leonard also of the sum of one dollar to them in hand paid by the said Jacob Ritner the receipt thereof is hereby acknowledged ... do assign unto the said Jacob Ritner all that plantation or tract of land situate in South Middleton... [46] [47] [48] [49]
1853 The death record for Mary Brenizer named Leonard Wise as her father.
Research Notes:
Jack Wise in "Wise Family History from Pennsylvania to Ohio to Texas" concludes that this Leonard Wise was born at Tulpehocken Church and married Barbara Framdlingsen. Jack Wise reports children Johannes (1802-1803), Anna Maria (1803), Catherina (1805), Michael (1808-1870), and Leonard Jr (1818-1868). We have found no evidence to support this ancestry.
1808 Who were Johannes Weis and Sophia Weis [born Weisen], the sponsors at the baptism of Michael Wise? Note: Jacob Weise, son of Johannes and Sophia Weise, was born on January 8, 1819 and was baptized on August 5, 1819 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. [50]
1834 A burial transcription at the Zeigler Church Cemetery has Leoliard [Leonard?] Wise, born Mar 27, 1821. Death: March 11, 1834. Another is for Elizabeth Wise (1772-Aug 15, 1840). [51]
There are grave markers for Leonard Weiss and Barbara Weiss at Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. The grave markers are difficult to read, so the dates given below are uncertain.
1850 Barbara Miller Weiss died on October 7, 1850 and was buried at Union-West End Cemetery, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Barbara Miller Weiss was born on December 25, 1767. The Findagrave memorial reported that Barbara Miller Weiss was born at Pennsylvania. The Findagrave memorial reported that Barbara Miller Weiss died at Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. [52]
1842 Leonard Weiss died on Dec 10, 1842 and was buried at Union-West End Cemetery, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Leonard Weiss was born on March 12, 1763. The Findagrave memorial reported that Leonard Weiss was born in Pennsylvania. The Findagrave memorial reported that Leonard Weiss died in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
[1] U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885, [AncestryRecord].
[2] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Tax, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[3] Helen I. Harman, Cumberland County, Pa., tax lists 1762-1829: townships of Middleton, South Middleton, and Dickinson (1961), 178.
[4] Jack W. Wise, Wise Family History from Pennsylvania to Ohio to Texas (self-published, 1990), 1, Figure 1A.Fig1A, Baptism Document. Caution: this source confuses Barbara Ritner with Barbara Framdlingsen and reports different parents for Leonard Wise, [GoogleBooks].
[5] United States Federal Census, 1810, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[6] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Tax, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[7] United States Federal Census, 1820, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[8] Helen I. Harman, Cumberland County, Pa., tax lists 1762-1829: townships of Middleton, South Middleton, and Dickinson (1961), 214.
[9] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Tax, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[10] Helen I. Harman, Cumberland County, Pa., tax lists 1762-1829: townships of Middleton, South Middleton, and Dickinson (1961), 224.
[11] Helen I. Harman, Cumberland County, Pa., tax lists 1762-1829: townships of Middleton, South Middleton, and Dickinson (1961), 235.
[12] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Tax, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[13] Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798, list 2, tax for father Jacob Wise, jr., lists David Rowan as adjacent, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[14] United States Federal Census, 1830, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[15] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Tax, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[16] Lives of David Porter and Joseph Ritner, Two Candidates for the Office of Governor of Pennsylvania, compiled from authentic sources (1838), 5, [GoogleBooks].
[17] Lives of David Porter and Joseph Ritner, Two Candidates for the Office of Governor of Pennsylvania, compiled from authentic sources (1838), 9, "His domestic life and habits", [GoogleBooks].
[18] Carlisle American Volunteer, July 11, 1839, page 2, column 5, [NewspaperArchive].
[19] United States Federal Census, 1840, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[20] Carlisle American Volunteer, September 3, 1840, page 2, column 1, [NewspaperArchive].
[21] Carlisle American Volunteer, July 8, 1841, page 2, column 2, [NewspaperArchive].
[22] Pennsylvania, Cumberland County Historical Society, Notebook of Necrology Notes, p. 302, not yet copied.
[23] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Cumberland, Administration Record D-328, [FamilySearchImage].
[24] Find A Grave Memorial 110905977, [FindAGrave].
[25] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Cumberland, Administration Record D-328, [FamilySearchImage].
[26] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Docket, 11-234, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[27] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Docket, 11 index, image 333, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[28] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Docket, 11-248, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[29] Carlisle Weekly Herald, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1844, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[30] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Docket, 11-267, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[31] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Docket, 11-287, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[32] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Docket, 11-415, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[33] Carlisle Weekly Herald, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1846, page 3, [NewspapersClip].
[34] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Docket, 11-492, continued on 11-515, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[35] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Docket, 11-513, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[36] Carlisle Weekly Herald, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1846, page 3, [NewspapersClip].
[37] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Docket, 11-541, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[38] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Deed XX-400, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[39] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Deed XX-398, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[40] Carlisle American Volunteer, August 19, 1847, page 3, column 1, [NewspaperArchive].
[41] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Docket, 12-30, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[42] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Docket, 12-94, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[43] U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[44] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Cumberland, Will index, image 81, [FamilySearchImage].
[45] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Cumberland, Will index, image 81, [FamilySearchImage].
[46] Cumberland, Pennsylvania, deed 2B-488, [FamilySearchImage].
[47] Carlisle Herald, March 27, 1850, page 3, column 5, [NewspaperArchive].
[48] Carlisle Herald, August 7, 1850, page 3, column 3, [NewspaperArchive].
[49] Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Deed Index, 2B-488, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[50] Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950, [FamilySearchRecord].
[51] Nancy Shaw Tritt, ed., History of Zion Lutheran Congregation, of Newville, Pa., from 1795 to 1995 (1995), 47, [GoogleBooks].
[52] Find A Grave Memorial 40861501, [FindAGrave].