Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy --- Go to Genealogy Page for George Michael Wolf --- Go to Genealogy Page for Elizabeth Büchler

Notes for George Michael Wolf and Elizabeth Büchler

We are researching Henry Wolf of Lancaster Borough, the father of Christian Wolf (1780-1854). The 1756 estate records for George Michael Wolf (1703-1756) named son Henry Wolf, who also lived in Lancaster Borough. Documents suggest that Henry Wolf, son of George Michael Wolf, was the same person as Henry Wolf, father of Christian Wolf, as we have assumed.

There are two sources of confusion about the family of George Michael Wolf and his wife Elizabeth. First, there were perhaps two different men name George Michael Wolf who had sons named Bernard and Conrad and some documents related to them are difficult to distinguish (some of the notes below could confuse these two men). Second, Joseph Rutter was named guardian of the orphan children of George Michael Wolf, so many researchers have assumed that Elizabeth's maiden name was Rutter. Both of these issues are discussed in the Research Notes, below.

1703 Georg Michael Wolff, son of Bernhard and Susanna Wolff, was baptized on December 29 at Steinsfurt, Baden-Württemberg, Preußen Germany. [1]

Georg Michael Wolff and Elizabeth Bichler, daughter of Jacob Bichler [Buchler, Biegle], were married. Elizabeth's sister, Barbara Bichler, married Joseph Rutter. The Rutters, Wolfs, and Bichlers all belonged to the Trinity Lutheran Church in New Holland borough, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [The marriage is inferred from the 1757 will of Elizabeth's father Jacob Bichler/Biegler/Büchler.]

1733 Michael Wolf received a land warrant for 200 acres on Br. Mill Creek in Lancaster County. No survey was recorded. [2] [3]

1733 George Wolf received a warrant for 185 acres of land in Lancaster County on January 19, 1733. The land was on Cocalico Creek. [4] [5] [6]

1733 Abraham Wolf received a warrant for 120 acres of land in Lancaster County on January 8, 1733. The land was on Cocalico Creek. [7] [8] Perhaps Abraham was a brother or uncle of Georg Michael Wolff.

1734 Joseph, son of Georg Michael Wolff, was born on June 21. He was baptized on July 7 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Holland, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with sponsors Joseph Ritter and wife. [9]

1734 George Michael Wolff and wife Elizabeth were sponsors at the baptism of John Heinrich Ritter, son of Joseph Ritter. [10]

1738 George Michael Wolf received a warrant for land in Earl Twp, Lancaster County. A survey of 313 acres was made on May 14, 1739. The land was granted to George Michael Wolf, eldest son of George Michael Wolf by order of the Orphans Court in 1756. He transferred it to his three brothers Joseph Wolf, Bernard Wolf, and Jacob Wolf by deed dated 1759. Joseph sold his share to George Rein. The original documents could not be found, so a resurvey was requested. [11]

1750 Michael Wolf was named on the tax list for Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [12]

1751 Michael Wolf was named on the tax list for Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth Wolf widow was also listed. [13]

1754 Joseph Wolf was named on the tax list for Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [14]

1756 Michael Wolf was named on the tax list for Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [15] [16]

1756 Land from the estate of George Michael Wolf, who died intestate with 9 children, was valued and granted to eldest son George Michael Wolf. The 200 acre tract was in Earl Twp. Guardians were assigned for the children of George Michael Wolf, deceased, of Earl Twp, Lancaster County. Conrad Wolf chose Jeremiah Wolf as guardian. Bernard Wolf chose Wendel Lewteger. Wendel Letwiger and Joseph Rutter were appointed as guardians for Henry Wolf, Anna Mary Wolf, Abraham Wolf, and Susannah Wolf. Dated March 2 at the Lancaster County Orphans Court. [17]

1756 George Michael Wolfe died on February 6 and was buried at Brickerville United Lutheran Church Cemetery, Brickerville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. George Michael Wolfe was born on December 29, 1703. [18][19]

1757 Michael Wolf was named on the tax list for Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [20]

1757 Elizabeth was named as a daughter of Jacob Bichler/Biegler/Büchler in his will dated February 14. The will was proved on October 25, 1757. Bequests were made to her children. [21]

In the Name of God Amen This fourteenth Day of February in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred fifty and seven I Jacob Bichler of Leacock Township Lancaster County and Province of Pennsylvania Yeoman, being weak and frail in Body but of a retaining Mind and Memory thanks to God for it

… Item I give and Bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth the Sum of Two Pounds to be paid her four years after my decease …

… to my Daughter Barbara the Sum of Two Pounds …

… Item I give and Bequeath to my Grandson George Michael Wolf the Sum of five Pounds to be paid him one year after my decease …

… to my Grandson John Jacob Wolf the Sum of five Pounds to be paid him two years after my decease …

… to my Grandson Henry Wolf the Sum of five Pounds to be paid him three years after my decease …

… to my Grand-daughters Mary and Susanna Wolf and to my Grandson Abram Wolf to each and every one of them the Sum of One Pound each and every one of them to be paid four years after my decease …

… the Sum of One Pound to the Elder of the Dutch Reformed Church for the time being after my Discease (which now stands in Andre Seldomridge his plantation) for the Use and Behoof of the said church only

… to my Grand-daughter Rebecca Ritter a cow, to be given to her by my Grandson Hennery Ritter

… to my said Grandson Henery Ritter shall pay all and every the above legacies and bequeathments to the respective Legatees aforesaid at the times aforesaid and the money as hereby bequeathed shall all be Pennsylvania currency. Item I give and devise to my said Grandson Henery Ritter all my Real and Personal Estate under and liable to the restrictions limitations and incumbrances aforesaid to have and to hold the said Henery Ritter his Heirs and Assigns forever. And furthermore I hereby Nominate Ordain and appoint my said Grandson Henery Ritter and Nathanael Lightner both of said township to be my whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament … In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the Day and Year above written. Jacob (HB) Bichler

… Witness the same - Stewart Herbert - William Skiles - Henry Skiles

1758 George Michael Woolf and Joseph Woolf were named on the tax list for Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [22]

1759 Jacob Woolf and Joseph Woolf were named on the tax list for Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [23]

1765 On motion of Mr. George Ross, Henry Wolf, a son of George Michael Wolf deceased, made a complaint, and a citation was issued to Joseph Wolf, Jacob Wolf, Barnet Wolf, and Joseph Rutter. Dated March 6 at the Lancaster County Orphans Court. [24]

1769 Jacob Wolff, Abra Wolff, Barned Wolff, and Henry Wolff were named on the tax list for Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [25] [26]

1770 A deed named the nine heirs of George Michael Wolf, deceased. Michael Wolf, Conrad Wolf, Henry Wolf, Abram Wolf, and George Geist in right of his former wife Mary and in right of his current wife Susannah were children of George Michael Wolf of Earl Twp, Lancaster County, yeoman, deceased and were parties to the deed. George Michael Wolf died owning 300 acres of land, 200 of which had been appraised and 100 was unappraised. The appraised lands were held by Michael Wolf, who conveyed the unappraised lands to Joseph Jacob and Bernard Wolf. "the said children are contented and the said Jacob Bernard and Joseph Wolf have entered into bonds for the payment of the childrens respective shares, Know ye that the above named Michael Conrad Henry Abraham and George Geist in consideration of the above bonds … do release … Joseph Jacob and Bernard Wolfe … excepting third part & share which has been allotted unto the widow …". Deed dated February 19, 1770. [27]


Map NW corner of West Earl Twp, Lancaster County
Jacob Wolf and Bernard Wolf received patents for tracts (5) and (6) [28]

1771 Jacob Wolff [29] and Barnard Woolf [30] were named on the tax list for Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Henry Woolf was listed as an inmate. [31]

1772 Jacob Wolff, Abraham Wolf, and Barnard Woolf were named on the tax list for Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [32]

Research Notes:

1752 Jacob Beigle [Büchler] received a warrant for land in Leacock Twp on June 19. [33] The tract was surveyed for Jacob Beechly. [34][35] Henry Ritter received a patent for the land on December 3, 1763. [36] We have seen a report that Georg Michael Wolff and Jacob Bichler lived on a 137 acre tract southwest of the tract of the Rutter plantation. We seek further documentation about the location of the land of George Michael Wolf.

There were two distinct immigrants named George Michael Wolf who had children named Bernard and Conrad. They are both discussed in some detail by Burgert-Kunselman. The notes above are for George Michael Wolf who was in America by 1734 and were members of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Holland, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, along with the Ritter family. [37] A different George Michael Wolf, whose notes are shown directly below, immigrated to America in 1739. [38]

1739 George Michael Wolf (age 44) and Conrad Wolf (age 20) arrived in Philadelphia on the ship Friendship on September 3. [39] [40] Kunselman names Georg Michael Wolff and wife Juliana Maria Engelhart Wolff and child Joh. Bernhard Wolff, and Conrad Wolff. The documents dated before 1738 in the notes above do not refer to this immigrant.

Some researchers name Elizabeth Rutter as the wife of George Michael Wolf, perhaps because Joseph Rutter was named as a guardian for minor orphan children of George Michael Wolf after his death. However, the 1757 will of Jacob Bichler shows that Elizabeth Bichler was the spouse of George Michael Wolf. [41] [42]

See also. [43] [44]

Although some DNA matches to Robert Wolfe have been found among descendants of siblings of son Henry, none are matched with each other or with other descendants of Henry Wolf, so the DNA evidence is not yet confirmatory of this lineage. We seek DNA information from other descendants of George Michael Wolfe that might clarify this relationship.

Some researchers have named Lewis Wolf (1731-1791) and John Nicholas Wolfe (1725-1810) as sons of this couple. We seek evidence to clarify this possibility.


Footnotes:

[1] Baden, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1502-1985, [AncestryRecord].

[2] Pennsylvania, U.S., Land Warrants, 1733-1987, [AncestryRecord].

[3] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, W-13, [PHMC Warrant].

[4] Pennsylvania, Land Warrants and Applications, 1733-1952, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[5] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, W-4, [PHMC Warrant].

[6] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C234-288, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[7] Pennsylvania, Land Warrants and Applications, 1733-1952, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[8] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, W-5, [PHMC Warrant].

[9] Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Holland, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, [FamilySearchRecord].

[10] Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Holland, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, [FamilySearchRecord].

[11] Pennsylvania, Land Warrants and Applications, 1733-1952, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[12] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[13] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[14] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[15] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[16] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[17] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Miscellaneous Book 1756-51 of 50-52, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[18] Find A Grave Memorial 105195762, [FindAGrave].

[19] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].

[20] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[21] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Probate Records, Will B-177, [FamilySearchImage].

[22] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[23] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[24] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Miscellaneous Book 1765-130, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[25] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[26] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[27] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed N-170, Earl Twp, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[28] Pennsylvania Archives, Township Warrant Map (large download), [PATownshipWarrantMaps].

[29] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[30] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[31] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[32] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[33] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, B-593, [PHMC Warrant].

[34] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C169-263, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[35] Pennsylvania Archives, Township Warrant Map (large download), [PATownshipWarrantMaps].

[36] Bureau of Land Records, Pennsylvania Land Patent Books, AA5-521, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[37] Annette Kunselman Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants From German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau (1983), 401.

[38] Annette Kunselman Burgert, Palatinate Origins of some Pennsylvania Pioneers (2000), 394.

[39] Ralph B. Strassburger, William J. Hinke, ed., Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Vol. 1 (1934, Pennsylvania German Society), 265, left column, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].

[40] Ralph B. Strassburger, William J. Hinke, ed., Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Vol. 1 (1934, Pennsylvania German Society), 268, 271, right column, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].

[41] John Parmer's research report on children of Jacob Bichler, [URL].

[42] Rutter genealogy website. See Other Information for daughter Elizabeth and Other Information for son Joseph, [URL].

[43] Wolf Brethren: ancestors and descendants of Jacob and Hannah Kinsey Wolf, Includes George Michael Wolf, not seen, [URL].

[44] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Citing PGM 1966, p 208 (not seen), perhaps Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].