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Notes for Barnitz

Research Notes:

We are researching Catharine, wife of Samuel Wildasin. Based on land records and church baptismal records, reported in their notes, it is plausible that she was related to the Barnitz family of York County, Pennsylvania. However, note that Bernitz family members were sponsors at many baptisms in York County, not just those of their relatives.

1707 John Leonhardt Bernitz, son of Andreas Bernitz, and Maria Elisabeth were married at the Evangelisch-Lutherische, Bad Duerkheim, Pfalz, Bavaria. [1]

1711 Maria Margaretha Bernitz, daughter of Johann Leonhard and Maria Elisabetha Bernitz, was born on February 23, 1711. She was baptized at the Evangelisch-Lutherische, Bad Duerkheim, Pfalz, Bavaria. [2]

1713 Georg Andreas Bernitz, son of Johann Leonhart and Maria Elisabetha Bernitz, was born on February 20, 1713. He was baptized at the Evangelisch-Lutherische, Bad Duerkheim, Pfalz, Bavaria. [3]

1715 Elias Daniel Bernitz, son of Johann Leonhard and Maria Elisabetha Bernitz, was born on October 24, 1715. He was baptized at the Evangelisch-Lutherische, Bad Duerkheim, Pfalz, Bavaria. [4]

1738 John Leonhardt Bernitz was a sponsor at the baptism of John Leonhardt Bergheimer, son of Casper Bergheimer, on May 28 in York County, Pennsylvania. [5] [6]

1738 Elias Daniel Barnitz was a sponsor at the baptism of Elias Daniel Gelwicks, son of Frederick Gelwicks, in January, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in York County, Pennsylvania. [7]

1738 Leonard Barnitz received a warrant for a tract of 250 acres at Codorus Mt, dated October 3, 1738. [8] A survey, dated November 25, 1741 showed a tract of 205 acres on a branch of Codorus Creek. [9] A survey for Peter Weltee of an adjacent tract, dated 1746, showed Leonard Barnet as the landowner. [10] Two surveys for George Trone of adjacent tracts, dated 1761, showed Henry Bowman as the landowner. [11] [12] [13]

1739 John Leonhardt Bernitz was a sponsor at the baptism of John Leonhardt Mittelkauf, son of Peter Mittelkauf, on April 19 in York County, Pennsylvania. [14] [15]

1739 Leonhardt Bernitz was a sponsor at the baptism, on November 13, of John Jacob Jungblut, son of Jacob Jungblut, in Conewago, York County, Pennsylvania. [16]

1739 George Karl Bernitz was a sponsor at the baptism, on November 13, of George Karl Geelwichs, son of Freerick Heinrich Geelwichs, in Conewago, York County, Pennsylvania. [17]

1740 John Leonhardt Bernitz was a sponsor at the baptism, on May 20, of John Leonhardt Suess, son of Ludwig Suess, in York County, Pennsylvania. [18] [19]

1740 George Carl Wildensinn, son of Johannes Wildensinn, was born on January 6, 1740. He was baptized on May 29, 1740 at a Lutheran church in Conewago, Pennsylvania. George Carl Barnitz was the sponsor. [20] [21] [22]

1739 Elias Daniel Bernitz was a sponsor at the baptism of Catharina Birdman, daughter of John Birdman, on May 18 in Conewago, York County, Pennsylvania. [23]

1741 Geo. Carl Barnitz was a sponsor at the baptism of Georg Carl Gelwicks, son of Frederick Gelwicks, on November 11, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in York County, Pennsylvania.

1743 Catherine Barbara Wildensin, daughter of John Wildensin, was born on August 28, 1743. She was baptized the same year at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, York County, Pennsylvania with sponsors Elias Daniel Barnitz and wife Catherine Barbara Barnitz. [24]

1743 Elias Daniel Barnitz was a sponsor at the baptism of Elias Daniel Fromberger, son of Frederick Fromberger, on May 7 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in York County, Pennsylvania. [25]

1744 John Leonhard Barnitz was a sponsor at the baptism of John Barnhart Candler, son of Rev. David Candler, in May at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in York County, Pennsylvania.

1750 Daniel Barnets was naturalized during the April term of the Maryland Provincial Court. [26]

1762 A warrant for land in Manheim Twp granted to George Ross & Co, which was later granted by patent to Daniel Barnitz. [27] Two surveys report several adjacent landowners. [28] [29]

1780 Daniel Barnetz and wife Susanna were sponsors at the baptism of Daniel Gelwicks, son of Carl and Barbara Gelwicks, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in York County, Pennsylvania.

1782 Charles Barnitz Sr and wife Barbara sold land to Daniel Barnitz, both brewers, of Yorktown and Hanover, respectively. [30]

1785 The will of Ann Elizabeth Hartway widow and relict of Vitus Hartway late of Baltimore Town indicated that she was a sister of Charles Barnitz and an aunt of Jacob Barnitz. The will was dated June 18, 1785 with probate date May 15, 1786. [31]

Whereas I Ann Elizabeth Hartway widow and relict of Vitus Hartway late of Baltimore Town … have devised and given unto my beloved nephew Jacob Barnitz of Yorktown in the state of Pennsylvania (one of the sons of my brother Charles Barnitz … he being one of my nearest relations, and because he has lost the use of one of his legs in our late war, by being wounded by our late enemies) …

1789 Samuel Wildasin, George Aple, and Henry Danner were witnesses to the will of John Eply, of Manheim Twp. Jacob Barnitz, Esq was the registrar. The will was dated August 1. [32]

1790 Daniel Barnits lived in Mixed Twp, York County, Pennsylvania, in a household with 4 males under age 16, 2 males age 16 and over, and 4 females. [33]

1796 The will of Charles Barnitz had date October 12, 1796 and was proved on February 4, 1797. Executors: Jacob Barnitz and Rudolph Spangler. York Borough. Wife: Anna Barbara Barnitz. Children: Charles, George, John, Daniel, Jacob, Michael, Susan, and Rebecca. [34] [35]

1798 Daniel Barnitz lived adjacent to Frank Hime and Abbits T.R. [36]

1799 The will of Charles Barnitz of the Borough of York was dated march 29. The will gave special bequests to mother Anna Barbara Barnitz, brother John, brother Michael, and brother George. The remainder to be divided into 7 equal shares distributed to brother Daniel, brother Jacob, brother George, brother John, sister Susanna, and sister Barbara if she needs it or if she dies or has children. Real estate in Maryland or Pennsylvania to brothers Daniel, Jacob, George, John, and Michael. Brothers George and John were named executors. John Breneise and others were witnesses. Proved October 7, 1799. [37] Charles Barnitz was the same person as John George Carl Barnitz, apparently.

1800 Daniel Barnitz lived in Heidelberg Twp, York County, Pennsylvania in a household with free white males: 2 (under 10), 2 (10 thru 15), 1 (16 thru 25), and 1 (45 and over); and free white females: 2 (under 10), 2 (10 thru 15), and 1 (45 and over); and 1 slaves. [38]

1800 John Barnitz lived in York Twp, York County, Pennsylvania in a household with males: 1 (26 thru 44); and females: 1 (under 10) and 2 (16 thru 25).

1800 George Barnitz lived in York Twp, York County, Pennsylvania in a household with males: 1 (under 10) and 1 (26 thru 44); and females: 1 (under 10), 1 (16 thru 25), and 1 (26 thru 44). [39]

1800 Jacob Barnitz Esquire lived in York Twp, York County, Pennsylvania in a household with free white males: 3 (under 10), 1 (10 thru 15), and 1 (26 thru 44); and free white females: 1 (under 10), 2 (10 thru 15), 1 (16 thru 25), and 1 (26 thru 44); and 1 slaves. [40]

The bible of Jacob Barnitz: [41]

Jacob’s grandfather was John Leonard Barnitz who was born in Falkenstein, Germany in 1677 and believed to be the first Barnitz in the Americas (1733 or earlier). He was a brewer by trade and established one of the earliest commercial breweries in the Americas.

Jacob Barnitz son of Charles Barnitz and Anna Barbara his wife and Mary MClean a daughter of Archibald MClean Esq. and Ana his wife were married on Thursday the twenty third day of September between 7 and 8 o'clock in the Evening Anno Dom. 1784 by the Rev. Nicholas Kurtz in York.

1806 Daniel Barnitz, brewer of Hanover, received a patent for 122 acres of land described in a land warrant to George Ross & Co dated 1762. The tract was called "Sportmans Grove" and was in Germany Twp, York County. [42]

1810 Daniel Barnitz lived in Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania in a household with males: 2 (10 thru 15), 1 (16 thru 25), and 1 (45 and over); and females: 2 (16 thru 25) and 1 (45 and over). [43]

1827 Daniel Barnitz, Sr died on 3 Dec 1827 (aged 72) and was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania,. Daniel Barnitz, Sr was born on January 11, 1755. [44]

The Barnitz Family genealogy by Robert M. Torrence [45] reports that John George Carl Barnitz was the son of John Leonard Barnitz. John George Carl Barnitz born at Falkenstein, Germany on August 14, 1722, as stated in his will, dated October 12, 1796, probated January 4, 1797 (York County Will 1-J-235). However, the will of Charles Barnitz, with the dates noted (see page 345), was recorded, but the recorded version makes no mention of the birthplace of Charles. [46]

John George Charles (Carl) Barnitz (John Leonard) was born at Falkenstein, Germany, August 14, 1722, as stated in his will, dated October 12, 1796, probated January 4, 1797. (York Will Book, I-J., p. 235.)

Johann Leonard Barnitz married 11/29/1707 (2nd wife?), Maria Elisabeth Gelwix-in at Bad Durkheim, Pfalz. Three of their children were recorded there, 1711, 1713, 1715. Also Gelwix associations, there, which are, perhaps, the Gellwix/Gelwichs family of Hanover, Pa. [Gary Palmer]

A sketch of the Barnitz family on genweb reports [47]:

Barnitz: Very little is known of the origin of this prominent local family, although tradition affirms that it is Hugenot. The ancestors are supposed to have emigrated from Germany to Maryland, landing at Baltimore and later moving into York County.

The first record of the family here shows that John Leonard Baernitz had settled on the Little Codorus before 1737. He returned to Maryland, but John George Charles Barnitz, believed to have been his brother, settled permanently. The latter married Anna Barbara Stengler and died in 1796, leaving the following children:

(1) Daniel, 1755-1827, who married Susan Eichelberger, served in the Revolution, and left many descendants in Hanover, through his 12 children;

(2) Jacob, 1758-1828, an ensign and lieutenant in the Revolution, wounded and captured at Fort Washington, secretary of Christ Lutheran church for 40 years, register and recorder of York County, married Mary, daughter of Archibald McClean; one of their sons was a member of congress, another served in the War of 1812 and became auditor-general of Pennsylvania;

(3) Anna Catharine, 1760-1762;

(4) John, born 1763, died young;

(5) George, 1767-1841, associate Judge of York County for 21 years, married Catharine Spangler and had seven children, among them John Charles Barnitz, 1795-1872, ancestor of the Harrisburg branch;

(6) John, 1770-1848, sometime chief burgess of York, married Catharine, daughter of Col. John Hay and had three daughters;

(7) Michael, of Lancaster;

(8) Anna Barbara, married Lauman and moved to Baltimore; and

(9) Susana, wife of Martin Eichelberger.

Ensign Jacob Barnitz lies buried in the yard now belonging to Zion Lutheran Church in York.

A biosketch of a descendant [48] reports:

George Augustus Barnitz, attorney-at-law and prominent in the business affairs of York for half a century, was born in York in the year 1801. He was a lineal descendant of John George Carl Barnitz, a native of Germany, who came to Baltimore about the year 1737, and soon afterward settled in York, where he became a leading citizen. Jacob Barnitz, a son of John George Carl Barnitz, served as ensign in Colonel Michael Swope's- regiment, and was wounded at the battle of Fort Washington. George A. Barnitz, his brother, and the father of George A. Barnitz, the lawyer and merchant, was born in York in 1780 and died in 1844. He held many positions of trust and responsibility, was a man of high honor and integrity, was twice a presidential elector, and served for a period of twenty-seven years as associate judge of York County. He resided at the southeast corner of Market and Beaver Streets, since owned by his descendants.

George A. Barnitz obtained his preliminary education in the schools of his native town and at the York County Academy, where he excelled in the higher branches. He then entered Princeton College. and was graduated in 1821. Desiring to take up the study of law he entered the office of his uncle, Charles'A. Barnitz, a member of Congress, and then the leader of the York County Bar, and was admitted to practice in 1824. He followed this profession with success for twenty years, enjoying a large clientage. In 1844 he was appointed by the Governor district attorney for York County, under the constitution of 1790. He served as clerk of the courts from 1839 to 1845, and for several years was editor of the York Gazette.

A biosketch of a descendant reports [49]:

Ensign Jacob Barnitz, who was twice wounded at the battle of Fort Washington, was born at York in the year 1758. He was the son of John George Carl Barnitz, who came to this country about 1745. first settled in Baltimore and later removed to York. Jacob Barnitz grew to manhood in his native town and was a boy seventeen years old when the first troops left York to join the American army at Boston. The same year, he enlisted and trained with the First Battalion of York County Militia under Colonel James Smith, in Captain Stake' s company. He marched with the battalion to New Jersey, and when Colonel Michael Swope organized the first regiment of Pennsylvania troops for the Flying Camp, Jacob Barnitz, at the age of eighteen, was made ensign or flag bearer, a commissioned officer with the rank of second lieutenant. He participated in the campaign around New York City, and carried the flag of his regiment when the British attacked Fort \Vashington, November 16, 1776. Colonel Swope was commanding the outposts, and when he was driven back by the approaching Hessians in large numbers, the flag bearer was the target of the enemy's balls. While falling back toward the fortifications, Ensign Barnitz was wounded in both legs and left on the field. He lay where he fell during the night and the next day, as the evening closed, a Hessian soldier approached and was about to bayonet him, when a British officer, who chanced to be near, took pity on him and thus saved his life. He was then thrown on a wagon and taken a prisoner of war to New York City, then in the hands of the British, where he remained fifteen months, suffering from his wounds. After his exchange, 1778, he was removed on a wagon from New York City to his home in York. He partially recovered from his wounds, and in 1785 was appointed register and recorder of York County, serving continuously until 1824, a period of thirty-five years. Ensign Barnitz, a name which he always retained, carried a British ball, received at the attack on Fort Washington, for thirty years, but the shattered bone lengthened, and in 1806 he was compelled to undergo amputation.
Soon after the war he married Mary, daughter of Archibald McLean, the noted surveyor of York. Their eldest son was Charles A. Barnitz, an eminent lawyer and member of the Twenty-third Congress. Their second son was Lieutenant Jacob Barnitz, a gallant soldier of the war of 1812, who bore a distinguished part as an officer of volunteers at the battle of North Point. Ensign Barnitz died April 16, 1828, at the age of seventy years,' and his remains now rest at a spot north of Zion Lutheran Church of York. Shortly after the close of the war, under act of Congress passed June 7, 1785, he became a pensioner and received up to the time of his death, the sum of $3,500, as a reward for his valor and patriotism during the Revolution. The British ball which he carried in his leg from 1776 to 1808 was presented to the Historical Society of York County in 1904 by his granddaughter, Miss Catharine Barnitz.

A possible Hugenot relationship was reported. [50]

Barnitz.—The history of this family, both in France and America, has been an honorable one. One branch is of noble rank and has given many distinguished names to French history. (1) The date of the arrival of the Bernitz family in Pennsylvania is uncertain, as there is no record of them in the Archives. The earliest appearance of the name is in the record of Rev. John Casper Stoever, of baptisms on the Conewago.

In May, 1738, John Leonard Bernitz, whom we take to have been the head of the family, stood as baptismal sponsor, and several times thereafter. In 1749, John George Carl, (2) and in 1741 Elias Daniel Barnitz appear as sponsors in the same locality. The Barnitz family came from Alsace, and in our opinion arrived in 1737, in company with other Alsatians with whom we find their names associated.

Of the foregoing, John George Barnitz was born in 1722, and died in 1796. His monument may be seen in the rear of Christ Lutheran Church, in York. His sons all became men of prominence, and several took a conspicuous part in the Revolution. Jacob was an officer in the war, and was severely wounded and taken prisoner by the British at Fort Washington in 1776. He became a man of great prominence and died in 1828. His son Jacob was an eminent lawyer and a member of the Twenty-third Congress.

More possibilities:
Johann Leonhard Barnitz might be the son of Andreas from Thüringen.

Researcher of Barnitz and Geissler in Bad Durkheim:
https://gw.geneanet.org/efrogier?lang=en&pz=albert+aime+tuarai+a+tereiatua&nz=frogier&ocz=0&m=MISC_NOTES_SEARCH&s=barnitz
https://en.geneanet.org/search/?name=GEISLER&country=DEU&ressource=arbre&p=27

Other researchers notes:

1708 Catharine Barnitz was reportedly born about this time. Her Hugenot family of Bischwiller, Alsace reportedly fled from France to near Alzey, Pfalz.

1729 Catharine Bernitz/Barnitz married Johannes Wiltensinn/Wittersinn/Wildistan in Alzey, Kurpfalz before 1729. Son Samuel was born May 6, 1730. [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/PFALZ/2004-10/1097798696, Arthur Laube] The administrative district of Alzey is completely in the district of Alzey Worms in Rhineland-Palatinate, today. Alzey was associated with kurpfalz before 1792. [51]


Footnotes:

[1] Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1971, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[2] Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1971, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[3] Germany, Select Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898, [AncestryRecord].

[4] Germany, Select Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898, [AncestryRecord].

[5] John Casper Stoever, Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, trans., Records of Rev. John Casper Stoever. Baptismal and Marriage 1730-1799, 10, [InternetArchive], [RootsWeb], [Stoever_Biosketch].

[6] Private Church Registers to 1800, York County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryRecord].

[7] St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, York County, Pennsylvania, 1743-99, [AncestryRecord].

[8] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, B-171, [PHMC Warrant].

[9] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, A-83-266, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[10] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C234-287, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[11] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, A-26-9, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[12] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, A-17-190, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[13] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, S-54, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[14] John Casper Stoever, Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, trans., Records of Rev. John Casper Stoever. Baptismal and Marriage 1730-1799, 9, [InternetArchive], [RootsWeb], [Stoever_Biosketch].

[15] Private Church Registers to 1800, York County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryRecord].

[16] John Casper Stoever, Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, trans., Records of Rev. John Casper Stoever. Baptismal and Marriage 1730-1799, 17, [InternetArchive], [RootsWeb], [Stoever_Biosketch].

[17] John Casper Stoever, Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, trans., Records of Rev. John Casper Stoever. Baptismal and Marriage 1730-1799, 23, [InternetArchive], [RootsWeb], [Stoever_Biosketch].

[18] John Casper Stoever, Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, trans., Records of Rev. John Casper Stoever. Baptismal and Marriage 1730-1799, 14, [InternetArchive], [RootsWeb], [Stoever_Biosketch].

[19] Private Church Registers to 1800, York County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryRecord].

[20] John Casper Stoever, Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, trans., Records of Rev. John Casper Stoever. Baptismal and Marriage 1730-1799, 14, [InternetArchive], [RootsWeb], [Stoever_Biosketch].

[21] Pennsylvania, Lutheran Baptisms and Marriages, 1730-1799, [AncestryRecord].

[22] Private Church Registers to 1800, York County, Pennsylvania, [AncestryRecord].

[23] John Casper Stoever, Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, trans., Records of Rev. John Casper Stoever. Baptismal and Marriage 1730-1799, 17, [InternetArchive], [RootsWeb], [Stoever_Biosketch].

[24] St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, York County, Pennsylvania, 1743-99, [AncestryRecord].

[25] St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, York County, Pennsylvania, 1743-99, [AncestryRecord].

[26] M. S. Giuseppi, ed., Naturalizations of foreign Protestants in the American and West Indian colonies, (1921), 12, [HathiTrust].

[27] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, York County, R-54, [PHMC Warrant].

[28] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, D61-279, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[29] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C170-141, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[30] York County, Pennsylvania, Deed B2-110, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[31] Maryland Register of Wills Records, 1629-1999, Baltimore, 4-141, [FamilySearchImage].

[32] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, IJ-233, [FamilySearchImage].

[33] United States Federal Census, 1790, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[34] York Will I-345, [FamilySearchImage].

[35] York County, Pennsylvania Wills, 1749-1819, [AncestryRecord].

[36] Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[37] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, York, Will K-107, [FamilySearchImage].

[38] United States Federal Census, 1800, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[39] United States Federal Census, 1800, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[40] United States Federal Census, 1800, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[41] images from the bible of Jacob Barnitz, [URL].

[42] Bureau of Land Records, Pennsylvania Land Patent Books, P59-151½, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[43] United States Federal Census, 1810, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[44] Find A Grave Memorial 41820545, [FindAGrave].

[45] Robert McIlvaine Torrence, The Barnitz family (1961), 9, 13, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].

[46] York Will IJ-345, [FamilySearchImage].

[47] USGenWeb Archives, citing "Early Families in York County, Historical Society of York Co.", York Dispatch, July 1, 1933, [USGenWeb].

[48] George R. Prowell, History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume 1 (Beers, 1907), 806, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].

[49] George R. Prowell, Continental Congress at York, Pennsylvania and York County in the Revolution (1914), 186-187, [GoogleBooks].

[50] A. Stapleton, Memorials of the Huguenots in America (Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Huguenot Publishing Co, 1901), 128, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].

[51] Wikipedia, Deutsch, [URL].