c 1703 Michale Meiser was born about this time, based on his will, dated 1745, and his reported age, of 42, at death. [1].
1717 Johann Michel Meyser and Anna Elisabeth Sixtin were sponsors for the baptism of Anna Elisabeth, born April 19, 1717, child of Joseph and Anna Elisabeth Savoy, at Schoharie, New York. [2] [3]
1723 The family migrated from Schoharie to Tulpehocken, Pennsylvania. [4]
1724 "The principal settlers in the township [Mill Creek, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania] were Germans, the first of whom came from Schoharie County, N.Y. … Among those who came from Schoharie County, N.Y., were … Michael Meiser" [5]
1724 "In 1724 Michael Meiser took up the land now owned by George Meiser. He, with twelve other families on a journey, encamped at that place over night, and finding a fine spring of pure water, he concluded to settle there, which he did, constructing for himself a hut of bark, in which he resided three years. … Michael Meiser died at the age of forty-two years, leaving his property to his eldest son, George, and it descended from one generation to another, until it is now owned by one of the fifth generation, George Meiser, now over four-score years. A strange coincidence connected with this property is that it has been owned during four generations by the eldest sons, and that each one's name was George. The present owner also has a son and a grandson named George." [6]
1731 Allummapie, the chief of the Indians owning the branches and upper parts of the Shuykill River, signed a deed granting 500 acres, where they are now settled southward of Tulpehoken, to Christopher Stump, George Grant, Hans Seller, and Michael Miser. Witnessed by the marks of two native Americans and by Thomas Hartt and Archibald finley. Dated August 11. [7]
1734 Michael Meiser was granted a warrant for 50 acres of land in Heidelberg Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on November 6. [8] Michael had bought the land from James Logan. [9] [10] Two surveys were recorded. A survey dated 1734 showed adjacent lands of Michael Mizer, Hans Seller, and Andrezas Saltschever. [11] A survey dated 1784 showed adjacent lands held by Jacob Mease, Peter Spangler, Leonard Illick, George Mease, and other land of Michael Ley. [12] A patent was granted to Michael Ley for the land in 1785. The tract was named Water Ponds and was adjacent to lands of Jacob Mease, Peter Spangler, Leonard Illick, George Mease, Henry Grall, and John Strohm. Michael Miser had received a warrant for the land in 1734. Michael Miser died intestate. His children and heirs conveyed the land to Michael Ley by deed dated March 27, 1772. [13]
1738 Michael Meyser was granted a warrant for 100 acres of land situate in or near Heidelberg Twp, Lancaster County on September 6. Returned November 11, 1767. [14] Michael Meyser was granted a warrant for 100 acres of land situate in the Barrens in Heidelberg Twp, Lancaster County on September 6. Returned November 11, 1767. [15] [16] [17] [18] A survey dated 1760 showed adjacent landowners Michael Capp, Leonard Holstain, Brown, France Brousman, and Jacob Fisher. [19] Peter Stein received a patent for the land in 1767. The tract was named Koble. Meiser had sold the land to Peter Stein of Tulpehocken by deed dated November 12, 1764. [20]
1745 Michael Meiser dated his will on the 24th of February 1744/5. The will was proved on 17th day of April 1745. [21]
Whereas I Michael Meiser of Heidleberg in Lancaster County [now Lebanon County] am visited with weakess of body but having yet my full understanding and memory Thanks be to God for it. I have thought it necessary to order my House and make my last will and Testament first I will that after the imortal spirit left this tabernacle my body may be decently intered in hopes by the mighty hand of God it may be united again with the imortal spirit for Jesus Christ take to an everlasting life, Amen. As to my worldly goods I give unto my Eldest sohn John George Meiser fifteen Pounds current money of Pennsylvania over and above his equal share with his coheirs. Item I will that my loving wife Anna Elizabeth shall keep possession of all my goods moveable and imoveable during her life time excepting the fifteen pound aforesaid after her decease all my goods shall be equally divided among all my children both moveable and imoveable only my two youngest children John Adam Miser and Maria Madlena Miser shall have ten pounds each over and above their equal shares with their coheirs all the rest to be equally divided between my children or their heirs. Lastly I name and ordain my foresaid loving wife and my good friend George Graff Jun'r to my executors to execute this my last will and testament and I renounce and make void all former wills and declare this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 24th of February 1744/5.
Michael L Meiser Signed sealed and declared by the testator for his last will and testament in the presence of us georg Graff John Nicholas Swingel Gottfred feller
Heidelberg townp Lanc Co.Then personally appeared George Graff and John Niclas Swingel and Gottfrid ? the witnesses to the foregoing will and the s'd George and John on their oath and the sd Gottfred on his solemn affermacon recording to Law did declare they saw and heard Michael Miser the testator therein named sign seal publish and declare the same will to be his last will and testament and that at the doing thereof he was of sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge. Conrad Weiser
Be it remembered that on the 17th day of April 1745 the last will and testament of Michael Meiser dec'd was proved in due form of law and probate and L?etters testamentary were granted to ? Eliz'th Meiser and George Graff Exe'cs in the said testament named being first legally sworn well and truly to administer the said dece'd estate and to bring an inventory thereunto the reg gen office at Philad'a at or before the yr & day of May next and render a true account when thereunto lawfully required given under the seal of the said office
1745 Johann Michael Meiser died in 1745 and was reported buried at Millbach Cemetery, Millbach, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. Johann Michael Meiser was born 1703, Germany. No grave marker photo is shown at the memorial. [22] [23]
1747 Elizabeth Meiser was granted a warrant for 50 acres of land adjoining Frederick Kap and Walter Newman in Heidelberg Twp, Lancaster County on August 28. Returned November 28, 1788. [24] [25] [26] A survey dated 1762 showed adjacent lands owned by Peter Holstein, Walter Newman, and Andrew Strickler. [27] John George Meyser received a patent for the land in 1789. [28]
which said tract was surveyed in pursuance of a warrant granted to the said Elizabeth Meyser dated the 28t August 1747, who intermarried with Valentine Heckelroad and the said Valentine Heckelroad & Elizabeth his wife by deed dated the 12th August 1763 conveyed the same to Jacob Rabod who by deed dated the 22d November 1763 conveyed the same to the said John George Meyser in fee.
1747 Elisabetha Mausserin and Valentin Herchelrodt were married on December 29 in Hill Evangelical Lutheran church, North Annville Twp, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. [29] [30] [31] The marriage was recorded in the records of John Casper Stoever. [32]
1747 Guardians were chosen for the orphans of Michael Meiser at the Orphans Court on March 5. [33]
Michael Meiser, an orphan child of Michael Meiser deceased comes into court and chuses George Miller his Guardian, and he the said George Miller is appointed Guardian over the person and estate of the said Michael Meiser during his minority accordingly.
Henry Meiser, an orphan child of Michael Meiser deceased comes into court and chuses Michael Brecht his Guardian, and he the said Michael Brecht is appointed Guardian over the person and estate of the said Henry Meiser during his minority accordingly.
Anna Meiser, another orphan child of the said Michael Meiser deceased comes into court and chuses Nicholas Single her Guardian, and he is appointed Guardian over the person and estate of the said Anna Meiser during her minority accordingly.
Valentine Hercleroot and Elizabeth his wife, late Elizabeth Meiser, widow, and John George Meiser are appointed Guardians over the persons and estates of Johannes Meiser, Anna Margaret Meiser, and Mary Magdaline Meiser, orphan children of the said Michael Meiser, deceased, during their minority.
Michael Meiser left 128 acres in Heidelberg Twp, Lancaster County, to eldest son and heir John George Meiser. Hans Zimmerman, Christian Lawer, Valentine Urich, and Christopher Shimp were appointed to value the land and report to the next orphans court session. [34]
1749 The heirs of Michael Meiser, deceased, of Heidelberg Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania settled ownership of a tract of land from the estate, by deed, dated November 23. The heirs were eldest son John George Meiser, Michael Meiser, Henry Hoffman and wife Elizabeth, Jost Hoffman and wife Mary Margaret, Frederick Wolfertsberger and wife Ann. The Orphans Court of Lancaster County, on fifth of May last past, the petition of John George Meiser then a minor by guardian George Miller, Henyry Meiser then a minor by guardian Michael Breght, John Meiser a minor by guardian Valentine Herekleroad, and Adam Meiser a minor by said Valentine Herekleroad, the said Henry Hoffman and Elizabeth his wife, the said Jost Hoffman and Mary Margaret his wife, and of Margaret Meiser and Magdalena Meiser also minors by their guardian Valentine Herekleroad, and the said Ann then a minor by guardian Nicholas Swingel, the said Michael, Henry, John, Adam, Elizabeth, Mary Margaret, Magdalene, and Ann being also children of the said Michael Meiser deceased. The petition set forth that their father died with 128 acres in Heidelberg Twp in two tracts. Eldest son John George Meiser chose to take only one of the two shares and paid the other heirs for that share. [35]
A biosketch of George S. Meiser includes this report about Michael Meiser [36]:
Michael Meiser, the first American representative of the family was one of a party of one hundred colonizing families, who, under grants issued by Queen Anne, came to this country in 1702, and settled at Albany, New York. Unable to procure good titles to their land, Mr. Meiser and eight other families shortly afterward, moved to Dauphin county, Pa., locating on Big Swatara creek, but, being soon ordered East by a superior force of Indians, the new comers journeyed to the Millbach Valley, where they pitched their camp for the night. The fertility of the soil and the discovery of running water decided them to remain, and in 1704 Mr. Meiser took out patents on the tract of land, now occupied by his descendant, George S. Meiser. Here he at once erected a comfortable house, and later cleared up considerable of the land. He was endowed with great perseverance, energy, and marked business sagacity. The line of descent was unbrokenly continued by George Meiser (1), son of Michael, through George Meiser (2), son of George (1), to John George Meiser. The latter was the grandfather of George S., and a farmer by occupation. He married and had two children: George, who is mentioned below; and Catherine.
A historical sketch of Mill Creek Township, Lebanon County reports [37]:
The principal settlers in the township were Germans, the first of whom came from Schoharie County, N. Y. Among the earliest of note was Conrad Weiser, who came from Schoharie, accompanied by his wife and his five children, in 1723. After making a treaty with the Indians, he started a settlement at Miihlbach. He afterwards settled near the present town of Womelsdorf, in Berks Co., where he died and was buried. Walter Newman and his wife, Elizabeth, came from Ireland, he having, in 1741, received two tracts of land from the Proprietaries. A man named Tice settled at Tulpehocken, and worked for Frederick Miller at nine cents a day. Land then sold at a dollar per acre. Among those who came from Schoharie County, N. Y., were John Stump, Michael Meiser, John Noll, Michael Zeller, John Moore, Henry Moyer, Nicholas Lechner, John Grove, and Christian Seibert, all settled at Mihlbach. Afterwards Frederick Kopp and several others settled at Newmansville. In 1724 Michael Meiser took up the land now owned by George Meiser. He, with twelve other families on a journey, encamped at that place over night, and finding a fine spring of pure water, he concluded to settle there, which he did, constructing for himself a hut. of bark, in which he resided three years. Among the families that settled here at that time were the Zellers, Fakes, Stumps, and Beckers. The Moores came two years later. Michael Meiser died at the age of forty-two years, leaving his property to his eldest son, George, and it descended from one generation to another, until it is now owned by one of the fifth generation, George Meiser, now over four-score years. A strange coincidence connected with this property is that it has been owned during four generations by the eldest sons, and that each one's name was George. The present owner has also a son and a grandson named George.
1738/39 Valentine Herclerode (Herchelroth) was naturalized in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [38] [39] [40]
Who were?:
1806 John Miser purchased land in Jefferson County, Ohio from Mathias Stot. Dated September 6. [41]
John Henry Miser (1779 in Northumberland County, PA -1884 in Benton County, Arkansas), reported as a son of Henry Miser and Ann Meyer.
[1] W. H. Egle, History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon Biographical and Genealogical (1880), 211, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[2] "The Kocherthal Records," Olde Ulster: an historical and genealogical magazine Vol. 3, No. 9 [of V3.N2 - V4.N3](Kingston NY: 1907), 281-286, at 284, item 358, [HathiTrust].
[3] "The Kocherthal Records," Olde Ulster: an historical and genealogical magazine Vol. 3, (Kingston NY: 1907), 217-223, 247-254, 281-286 at 284, item 358, [HathiTrust].
[4] Berks History Center, [URL].
[5] W. H. Egle, History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon Biographical and Genealogical (1880), 211, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[6] W. H. Egle, History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon Biographical and Genealogical (1880), 211, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[7] Lloyd E. Mizer, Joseph A. Meiser, Meisser Genealogy Association, A genealogy of the Meisser family (Meiser, Miser, Mizar, Mizer, Myser, Myzer) (1986), 7, on the image following page 7, [InternetArchive], [FHL Book], [GoogleBooks].
[8] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, M-822, [PHMC Warrant].
[9] Pennsylvania, Land Warrants and Applications, 1733-1952, [AncestryRecord].
[10] Pennsylvania, U.S., Land Warrants, 1733-1987, [AncestryRecord].
[11] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C109-145, surveyed 1734 for Michael Mizer, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[12] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C109-144, surveyed 1784 for Michael Ley in right of Michael Meser by virtue of a warrant dated November 6, 1734, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].
[13] Bureau of Land Records, Pennsylvania Land Patent Books, P3-208, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[14] Pennsylvania, Land Warrants and Applications, 1733-1952, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[15] Pennsylvania, Land Warrants and Applications, 1733-1952, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[16] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, M-178, [PHMC Warrant].
[17] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, M-178, [PHMC Warrant].
[18] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, M-179, [PHMC Warrant].
[19] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, M-320, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].
[20] Bureau of Land Records, Pennsylvania Land Patent Books, AA10-166, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[21] Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, Will, G-188, [FHL Image], [FHL Catalog].
[22] Find A Grave Memorial 101555547, [FindAGrave].
[23] Find A Grave Virtual Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].
[24] Pennsylvania, Land Warrants and Applications, 1733-1952, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[25] Pennsylvania, U.S., Land Warrants, 1733-1987, [AncestryRecord].
[26] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, M-441, [PHMC Warrant].
[27] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C151-127, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].
[28] Bureau of Land Records, Pennsylvania Land Patent Books, P14-399, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[29] Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-2013, [AncestryRecord].
[30] Pennsylvania, Lutheran Baptisms and Marriages, 1730-1799, [AncestryRecord].
[31] F. Edward Wright, Early church records of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania (2003), 345.
[32] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Abstracts and Charts, 33, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[33] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Miscellaneous Book 1747-33, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[34] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Abstracts and Charts, 52, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[35] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed M-26 to 28, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[36] Biographical Annals of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1904), 469, [HathiTrust].
[37] W. H. Egle, History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon Biographical and Genealogical (1880), 211, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[38] U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s, [AncestryRecord].
[39] Robert and Catherine Barnes, indexers, Genealogies of Pennsylvania Families from the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 1:Arnold-Hertzel (1982), [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[40] Geneanet Community Trees Index, [AncestryRecord].
[41] Jefferson County, Ohio Deeds, B-126, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].