Transcription Notes For Jacob MOSSER and Christiana ENGEL

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Biographical Annals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Spartonburg, SC: Reprint
Publishers, 1985. Orig pub 1903. LMHS rF157.L2B6 1985

Engle, Morris M, Engle History and Family Records of Dauphin and Lancaster
Counties. Mount Joy, PA: Bulletin Press, 1984. LMHS CS71.E58 1984

Eshleman, Wilmer J, The River Brethren Denominatio, in Papers of the Lancaster
County Historical Society, vol 52, no 7, 1948. LMHS.

Kriebel, H W, A Musser Family Record, in Pennsylvania German, vol X no 8 (Aug
1909). LHMS

Lancaster County Pennsylvania Orphans Court, Miscellaneous Books 1742-1867,
SLC: GeneSocUT, 1973. 1782-1791, Film#0021372. Lancaster County Court House,
Office of Records and Archives, 50 N Duke St, Lancaster, PA.

Lancaster County Pennsylvania Recorder of Deeds, Deed books 1729-1867. SLC:
GeneSocUT, 1947. Book 3B, 1797-1800, LDS Film#0021405#1. Lancaster County
Court House, Office of Records and Archives, 50 N Duke St, Lancaster, PA.

Lancaster County Pennsylvania Recorder of Deeds, Deed books 1729-1867. SLC:
GeneSocUT, 1947. Book Y, 1782-1786, LDS Film#0021390#2. Lancaster County Court
House, Office of Records and Archives, 50 N Duke St, Lancaster, PA.

Lancaster County Pennsylvania Register of Wills, Wills, 1730-1908, SLC:
GeneSocUT, 1947. Will Book 1E 1784-1796, LDS Film#0021356#1. Lancaster County
Court House, Office of Records and Archives, 50 N Duke St, Lancaster, PA.

Lancaster County Pennsylvania Register of Wills, Wills, Book Y-2. Not Filmed
by LDS. Lancaster County Court House, Office of Records and Archives, 50 N
Duke St, Lancaster, PA.

Landis, Ira D, Early lancaster County Mennonite Mussers, in Mennonite Research
Journal vol 17 No 2, Apr 1976. LMHS

Musser Family, History of the Musser Family and Reunion of the Descendants of
Benjamin Engle Musser. Mt Joy, PA: Bulletin Press, 1965. LMHS CS71.M9893 1965

Musser, Edgar A, Musser Genealogy. Lancaster, PA: author, 1980. LMHS
CS71.M9892 1980.

Recker, Charles, People of the Marsh, Newsletter of the Musser Family 1972-75.
Grenada Hills, CA: author, 1972-5. NYPL APV (Moser) 87-2041.

Sider, E Morris, More than Names: A Story of John and Barbara Martin.
Nappanee, IN: Evangel Press, unk. JSMB 929.273 M364s

Stoltzfus, Irma Hess, Wanners - An Early Lancaster County Mennonite Family,
Coatesville, PA: author, 1992. NYPL APV (Wanner) 93-3216.

Wenger, Samuel S, The Wenger Book, Lancaster, PA: Pennsylvania German
Heritage, 1978. NYPL APV (Wenger) 86-601.

Wevodau, Edward, Abstracts of Lancaster Co PA Orphans Court Records 1742-1791.
Apollo, PA: Clossen, 2001. NYPL APR (Lancaster Co PA) 02-451

will dated 22 Nov 1786 [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds 3B-238]

will pro 16 Feb 1787 [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills E-396]

will dated 22 Nov 1786, pro 16 Feb 1787. Two children, unnamed. Executors
brother John Engle and brother-in-law Benjamin Musser [Ref: LancasterCoPA
Wills 2Y-476A]

Feb 18 1789: Orphans Court, executors John Engel and Benjamin Musser produced
an accounting of the estate, court approves the balance and orders the sum to
be distributed to the heirs according to last will and testament: Henry Musser
and Ann Musser [Ref: LancasterCoPA OrphanAbs v3p181]

----- Lancaster County PA Wills E-396, pro 16 Feb 1787:
The last Will and Testament of Christina Musser late of Manor Township in the
County of Lancaster Widow deceased having been Written in the German Language
and therefore could not be recorded but thereon is Endorsed as follows, viz,
Lancaster County, to wit, On the sixteenth Day of February Anno Domini 1787
Before me the Subscriber Personally Appeared Peter Wittmer and Christian
Whislr the two Subscribing Witnesses to the within Will and on their Solemn
Affirmation according to Law did Severally declare Affirm and say That they
were present and saw and heard Christina Musser the Testatrix within named
Sign Seal publish pronounce and declare the within Instrument of writing as
and for her Last Will and Testament, And that at the Time of the doing thereof
she was of sound and will disposing mind Memory and understanding, according
to the best of their Knowledge Observation and Belief. Philip Cloninger, Dept
Registrar.
Be it Remembered that on the Sixteenth Day of February Anno Domini 1787 The
Last Will and Testament of Christina Musser late of Mannor Township in the
County of Lancaster Widow Deceased was proved in due form of Law and Letters
Testamentary thereon were Granted to John Engle and Benjamin Musser the
Executors therein Named they having first been duly qualified well and truly
to Administer the Estate of the said Deceased and especially to Exhibit a true
and perfect Inventory thereof into the Registers Office at Lancaster on or
before the Sixteenth Day of of [sic] March next enssuing the Date hereof and
to render a just and true account of their Administration on the said Estate
within one year or when thereto Lawfully required Given under the Seal of the
said Office by me, Philip Cloninger Deputy Register. [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills
E-396]

Will dated 22 Nov 1786, pro 16 Feb 1787, translated from German and recorded
in Lancaster County Court House in Book Y-2 p476 (note confusion regarding X-2
and Y-2 -- when these books were photocopied the covers were put on the wrong
books, so indexes based on the original filings are wrong when compared to the
County Courthouse):
I Christina Musser being very weak and sick of Body but of sound mind and
memory Thanks be to God for the same do make this my last will and Testament
as follows viz. I commit my Body to the Earth and recommend my Soul into the
House of Almighty God Amen. Imprimis it is my will that all debts and what
other expenses may accrue shall be paid out of my Estate. Item it is my will
that such of my household furniture shall be reserved for the use of my two
children as my Executors shall think proper and that the remainder shall be
sold. Item it is my will that my wearing apparel shall be divided to and
amongst such of the poor as my executors shall find necessiall(?). And further
it is my will that my Estate shall be divided between my two children in equal
shares and I do direct that the eldest shall have no more than the youngest.
And I do ordain and appoint my Trusty friends to wit my Brother John Engel of
Donegal Township and my Brother-in-Law Benjamin Musser of Manor Township to be
the Executors and also the guardians of my children. Signed and sealed the
twenty second day of November in the year one thousand seven hundred and
eighty six. Christina (X) Musser.
In the presence of witnesses Peter Wittmer, Christian Whisler.
Lancaster County to wit. On the sixteenth day of February Anno Domini 1787
Before me the subscriber personally appeared Peter Wittmer and Christian
Whisler the two subscribing witnesses to the within will and on their solemn
affirmation according to Law did severally declare affirm and say that they
were present and saw and heard Christina Musser the Testatrix within named
sign and publish pronounce and declare the within Instrument of writing as and
for her last will and testament and that at the time of the doing thereof she
was of sound and well disposing mind memory and understanding according to the
best of their knowledge observation and belief. Philip Gloninger, Deputy
Registrar
Be it remembered that on the sixteenth day of February Anno Domini 1787 the
Last Will and Testament of Christina Musser late of Manor Township in the
County of Lancaster widow deceased was proved in due form of Law and Letters
Testamentary thereon were granted to John Engel and Benjamin Musser the
Executors therein named they having first been duly qualified well and truly
to administer the Estate of the said deceased and especially to exhibit a true
and perfect Inventory thereof unto the Registrars Office at Lancaster on or
before the sixteenth day of March next ensuing the date hereof and to render a
just and true account of the administration on the said estate within one year
or when thereto lawfully required. Given under the seal of the said office.
Philip Gloninger, Deputy Registrar [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills 2Y-476A]

Lancaster Co PA, Orphans Court Records of 18 Feb 1789:
At an orphans Court held at Lancaster for the County of Lancaster on the
eighteenth day of February Anno Domini 1789 Before Michael Hubley Joseph
Shippen and Jacob Rieger Esquires Justices of the same Court,
John Engel and Benjamin Musser Executors of the last Will and Testament of
Christina Musser late of Manor Township deceased produced the account of their
Executorship on the Estate of the said deceased duly passed before the
Register whiereby there appears a balance of 151..3..10 in the Hands of the
said Accountants which account the Court on examination allows and approves of
and directs that the said balance after deducting 12 s the expences of this
Court the remainder amounting to 150..11..10 be paid and distributed agreeable
to the directions of the last Will and Testament aforewsaid in manner
following, to wit, To Henry Musser 75..5..11, To Ann Musser 75..5..11. Total
150..11..10. [Ref: LancasterCoPA OrphansCt 18 Feb 1789]

Nov 1772: bought from brother John 32 acres and 24 perches of land on
Connestogoe Mannor in Lancaster County, but died before a deed was issued for
the purchase [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds Y-375]

will dated 5 Apr 1778 [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds 3B-238]

will pro 6 Mar 1784 [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills D-461]

will dated 5 Apr 1778, pro 6 Mar 1784. Mentions wife Christina; children
unnamed; Executors brother Benjamin and brother-in-law John Engle [Ref:
LancasterCoPA Wills 2Y-441]

will appointed brother Benjamin Musser and brother-in-law John Engle as
executors [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds Y-375]

"left issue three children, to wit, John who is since dead in his infancy
unmarried without issue, Henry, and Ann who are yet minors under the age of
twenty one years" [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds Y-375]

Feb 9 1786: orphan court records, Jacob Musser, decd, late of Manor Twp,
executors Benjamin Musser and John Engle [Ref: LancasterCoPA OrphanAbs v3p107]

Aug 2 1797: estate settled, with payment of 697 pounds and 5.5 pence each to
son Henry and Christian Gish (husband of daughter Ann) from personal esate,
and 1500 pounds each from real estate [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds 3B-238]

----- Lancaster County PA Wills D-461, pro 6 Mar 1784:
The last Will and Testament of Jacob Musser late of Manor Township deceased
being written in the German language therefore could not be recorded but
thereon is endorsed as follows viz,
Lancaster County SS on the sixth day of March Anno Domini 1784 Before me the
Subscriber personally appeared Peter Witmer one of the Subscribing Witnesses
to the foregoing German Will and on his Solemn affirmation according to law
did declare and say that he was present and saw and heard Jacob Moser the
Testator in the foregoing Will named sign seal publish pronounce and declare
the foregoing writing as and for his last Will and Testament and that at the
doing thereof he was of sound and well disposing mind memory and understanding
to best of his knowledge observation and belief. James Jacks, Reg.
Lancaster County SS on the nineteenth day of march Anno Domini 1784 before me
the Subscriber personally appeared Benjamin Hershey the other subscribing
Witness to the foregoing Will written in the German Language and on his solemn
Affirmation according to Law did declare and say that he was present and saw
and heard Jacob Moser the Testator in the foregoing Will named Sign Seal
publish pronounce and declare the foregoing Writing as and and [sic] for his
law Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof he was of Sound and well
disposing mind memory and understanding to the best of his knowledge
observation and Belief. James Jacks, Ref.
Be it Remembered that on the sixth and nineteenth days of march Anno Domini
1784 the last Will and Testament written in the German Language of Jacob
Musser late of Manor Township in the County of Lancaster was proved in due
form of Law and Letters Testamentary thereon were granted to Benjamin Moser
and John Engel the Executors therein named they having first been duly
Qualified well and truly to administer the Estate of the said deceased and
Especially to Exhibit a true and perfect Inventory thereof into the Registers
Office at Lancaster within one month and to Render a Just and true Account of
their Administration on said Estate within one year or when thereunto Lawfully
Required. Given under the Seal of the said Office by me, James Jacks, Reg.
[Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills D-461]

Will dated 5 Apr 1778, pro 6 Mar 1784, translated from German and recorded in
Lancaster County Court House in Book Y-2 p441 (note confusion regarding X-2
and Y-2 -- when these books were photocopied the covers were put on the wrong
books, so indexes based on the original filings are wrong when compared to the
County Courthouse):
Whereas by the Visitation of God I find myself very weak and with yet of sound
understanding and not knowing how soon I shall exchange this transitory Life
for Eternity therefore am determined to make my Last Will and Testament as
follows. First it is my will and desire that after my Decease my Body be
interred in a decent and Christian like manner and I commit my Body to the
Earth and recommend my Soul to the Almighty Creator and Redeemer Amen.
Secondly it is my will that all my just debts be paid out of my Estate.
Thirdly it is my will that my Executors hereafter named shall allow unto my
beloved wife Christiana the Right in the House Cellar and Garden and Stable
Room as much as she has occasion for as long as she remains a widow and also
allow her for the yearly support of herself and children as much as she shall
reasonably want from time to time as long as she remains a widow. Further I
bequeath unto my wife the House clock aforehand and the same Household and
Kitchen furniture which she brought to me. Further If it should happen that my
widow should again enter the state of Matrimony then I allow and desire that
my Executors shall allow her what may be deemed reasonable and just by
disinterested Men. Further it is my will that my hereafter named Executors
shall have Power to do with any land at their Discretion either to sell the
same or retain it for the children as occasion may require. Further I give
unto my hereafter named Executors authority to give Deed or Deeds in my name
as if I were present but if one of them should die then the other shall have
full power as above mentioned. Further it is my desire that my Executors shall
divide my estate among my children in equal shares to wit to the eldest no
more than to the youngest. And I ordain my Brother Benjamin Musser and my
Brother-in-law John Engel to be the Executors of this my last will and
Testament, and I do declare and confirm this to be my last Will as above
mentioned witness my Hand and Seal Done the 5 day of April 1778. Jacob Musser.
Christiana (X) Musser.
Peter Witmer, Benjamin Hershey.
Lancaster County SS. On the sixth day of March Anno Domini 1784 Before me the
subscriber personally appeared Peter Witmer one of the subscribing witnesses
to the foregoing will and on his solemn affirmation according to law did
declare and say that he was present and saw and heard Jacob Musser the
testator in the foregoing will named sign seal publish pronounce and declare
the foregoing writing as and for his last will and testament and that at the
doing thereof he was of sound and well disposing mind memory and understanding
to the best of his knowledge observation and belief. James Jasko, Reg.
Lancaster County SS. On the nineteenth day of March Anno Domini 1784 Before me
the subscriber personally appeared Benjamin Hershey the other subscribing
witness to the foregoing will within in the German Language and on his solemn
affirmation according to law did declare and say that he was present and saw
heard Jacob Musser the testator in the foregoing will named sign seal publish
pronounce and declare the foregoing writing as and for his last will and
testament and that at the doing thereof he was of sound and well disposing
mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge observation and
belief. James Jasko, Reg.
Be it Remembered that on the sixth and nineteenth days of March Anno Domini
1784 the last will and Testament (written in the German Language) of Jacob
Musser late of Manor Township in the County of Lancaster was proved in due
form of Law and Letters Testamentary thereon were granted to Benjamin Musser
and John Engel the Executors therein named they having first been duly
qualified well and truly to administer the Estate of the said Deceased and
especially to exhibit a true and perfect Inventory thereof unto the Registrars
Office at Lancaster within one month and to render a just and true account of
their administration of said estate within one year or when thereunto Lawfully
Required Given unde the seal of the said office by me, James Jasko, Reg. [Ref:
LancasterCoPA Wills 2Y-441]

Lancaster Co PA Deed 3B-238, dated 2 Aug 1797:
To All People to whom these presents shall come Henry Musser of the Township
of Manor in the County of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania yeoman and
Christian Gish of the Township of Donegal in the said County of Lancaster
yeoman (the said Henry Musser being the son of Jacob Musser late of the
Township of Manor in the County of Lancaster aforesaid yeoman deceased by his
wife Christiana lately also deceased, and the said Christian Gish being the
Husband of Ann the Daughter of the said Henry Musser and Christina Musser
deceased, and also Guardians duly chosen and appointed in and by the Orphans
Court in and for the said County of Lancaster over the Estate of the said Ann
during her minority) send greetings. Know Ye that the said Henry Musser and
Christian Gish have on or before the day of the date hereof had and received
of and from Benjamin Musser and John Engle Executors of the Last Will and
Testament of the said Jacob Musser deceased and also Executors of the Last
Will and Testament of said Christina Musser deceased the sum of One thousand
three hundred and ninety four pounds and eleven pence in specie of Gold and
Silver coin that is to say, the sum of six hundred and ninety seven pounds and
five pence half penny by the said Henry Musser, and the like sum of six
hundred and ninety seven pounds and five pence half penny by the said
Christian Gish, in full of and for the several and respective parts shares and
Proportions of them the said Henry Musser and Christian Gish and Ann his wife
(in right of the said Ann) as well of and in the Personal Estate of the said
Jacob Musser deceased and of and in the Personal Estate of the said Christina
Musser deceased, and all Interest Monies thereon accrued (including also the
sum of Forty five pounds and eleven shillings received of and from John Musser
the Brother of the said Jacob Musser deceased) as also of and in the Rents
Issues and profits of the Real Estate lands and Tenements late of the said
Jacob Musser deceased, agreeable to the true Intent and Meaning of the Last
Will and Testament of the said Jacob Musser deceased dated the fifth day of
April in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and seventy eight,
duly proved and remaining in the Registers Office at Lancaster, and agreeable
to the directions and true Intent and Meaning of the last Will and Testament
of the said Christina Musser deceased dated the Twenty second day of November
in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty six, also duly
proved and remaining in the said Registers Office at Lancaster, And Know Ye
Also that the said Henry Musser and Christian Gish have on the day of the date
hereof had and received of and from the said Benjamin Musser and John Engle
Executors of the Last Will and Testament of the said Jacob Musser deceased the
further sum of three thousand pounds in specie of Gold and Silver Coin, that
is to say the sum of fifteen hundred pounds by the said Henry Musser and the
like sum of fifteen hundred pounds by the said Christian Gish in full of and
for the respective parts and shares of them the said Henry Musser and
Christian Gish and Ann his wife (in Right of the said Ann) of and in the
Proceeds or sale of the Real Estate lands Tenements and Hereditaments late of
the said Jacob Musser deceased by the said Executors Benjamin Musser and John
Engle sold and conveyed to the said Henry Musser by virtue and in pursuance of
the last Will and Testament of the said Jacob Musser deceased and the
directions and Powers therein given In Consideration whereof they said Henry
Musser and Christian Gish for himself and for the said Ann his wife and Ward
and his and her Heirs Executors and Administrators Do and each of them Doth by
these presents remise release and forever quit claim unto the said Benjamin
Musser and John Engle and each of them their and and each of their Heirs
Executors and Administrators, All and all manner of Action and Actions cause
and causes of Action and Actions, suits, Legacies, bequests, Controvercies
Accounts Reckonings and Demands whatsoever which against them the said
Benjamin Musser and John Engle or either of them they the said Henry Musser
and Christian Gish or either of them ever had or now have, and which against
them the said Benjamin Musser and John Engle or either of them their or either
of them Heirs Executors or Administrators can or may have claim challenge or
demand for or on account of the Estate Real and Personal of the said Jacob
Musser deceased or any part thereof or for or on account of the Estate of the
said Christina Musser deceased or any part thereof or any delings or
Transactions Proceedings Matter or thing whatsoever in any manner relating to
or respecting or concerning the same. In Witness whereof the said Henry Musser
and Christian Gish have hereunto set their hands and seals the second day of
August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven.
Henry Musser. Christian Gish.
Sealed and Delivered in the presence of William Bausman, Philip Cloninger.
Lancaster County SS. Before me Michael Hubley, Esquire, one of the Justices of
the peace in and for the County aforesaid Personally appeared the within and
above named Henry Musser and Christian Gish and severally Acknowledged the
foregoing Instrument in writing to be their act and deed to and for the uses
and purposes therein mentioned, and desired that the same may be recorded as
such according to law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and
seal the second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and ninety seven. M. Hubley.
Recorded the 2nd day of August A.D. 1797. [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds
3B-238]