Not One, Not Two, Not Three, but Four of Them!

My apologies in advance. This is going to be a very long post. I thought about making it into four separate posts but the information seemed “fractured” that way. It has helped me to compile this “report” and to see all of the information together in one spot. It is my hope that it may help others in sorting out the Switzer families of Columbiana County. If you are a descendant of any of these fellows, please contact me at kinexxions@gmail.com and let me know how you are related. I'd love to hear from you, especially if you have any documentation to prove or disprove my theories.

In my previous post The Three Jacob Switzers I identified three men by the name of Jacob Switzer who lived in Columbiana County, Ohio at the same time. I was having a bit of a problem deciphering the census records for 1820, 1830 and 1840 as they didn't seem to make sense in regards to what little information I had. It appeared that families were being enumerated in townships that were different from where their land was located – and they were! The Ohio Tax Lists added somewhat to my confusion. As it turns out there were actually FOUR Jacob Switzers in the county but only three living there at any one time during those years.

A “breakthrough” of sorts came with an application for First Families of Ohio on Jacob Switzer who married Polly (Mary) Skelton and also with the Estate File of the “other” Jacob who was the same age as “my” Jacob.

As a recap, with corrections, and adding the fourth Jacob (he's actually #3), here are the “players” involved.

1. Jacob Switzer, born February 28, 1761 and died October 27, 1841. His wife was named Elizabeth (maiden name possibly Hoke and possibly married February 19, 1786).
2. Jacob Switzer, born January 4, 1788 and died November 2, 1859. He married Catherine “Caty” Brinker on February 26, 1811. [This is my family. I am descended through their daughter Elizabeth who married Jacob Yarian.]
3. Jacob Switzer, born December 25, 1794 and died August 29, 1849. He married Polly Skelton January 11, 1816. He is in Columbiana County by 1817 and is gone by 1830.
4. Jacob Switzer, born November 8, 1788 and died March 25, 1859. His wife was Catharina Mummert. He appears in Columbiana County in 1830.

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The Ohio Tax Lists for 1816-1838 at FamilySearch were downloaded and compiled into a spreadsheet. (In the land description, R=Range, T=Township, S=Section.) It should be noted that the spelling of the surname in these records was usually Switzer, but occasionally Switser or Schwitzer.

The Tax Lists were then compared to the Deed Records and abstractions that I obtained in June while at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City as well as some Deed Records that were viewed and abstracted earlier this month at the Recorders Office in Lisbon, Ohio.

Comparing the information from the Tax Lists, Deed Records, and Census Records I came up with some semblance of an idea of who lived where and the makeup of their respective families. In three out of four cases, Deed Records and Estate Records were instrumental in the identification of family members, though not necessarily all of their family members. For various reasons, for this initial analysis, I chose not to rely on the various online family trees for these families, especially those for the elder Jacob Switzer, which are numerous and for the most part sourceless.

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From 1816-1831 Jacob Switzer (#1) was taxed on 156 acres in the NE ¼ R3 T15 S25 (Salem Twp). Patent Certificate 883 was issued to Jacob Switzer of Jefferson County, Ohio for this land in 1804. The final certificate number 1976 was issued in 1808. In 1832 this land was sold by Jacob and Elizabeth to Daniel Switzer, presumed to be a son, with provisions, which were quite interesting. I may have a future post on that transaction.

Jacob and Elizabeth had another parcel of 20 acres in the SW ¼ of R3 T15 S23 (Salem Twp) which they purchased in 1812 from Baltzer Kulp and sold in 1820 to John Pepple.

Census records show that Jacob and Elizabeth lived in Salem Township.

• 1820 p65: Jacob Switzer with one male 16-25, one male 45 and over, one female 10-15, two females 16-25, one female 26-44 and one female 45 and over.
• 1830 p435: Jacob Swetser with one male 60-69, one female 40-49, one female 60-69
• 1840 p116: Jacob Switzer with one male 70-79 and one female 70-79

Making the assumption that all those listed are children of Jacob and Elizabeth, their family may have included, among others (keep in mind they were reportedly married in 1786, and if so, there are likely more children):

• one male born 1795-1804
• one female 1805-1810
• two females 1795-1804
• one female 1776-1794
• one female 1781-1790

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From 1820-1838 Jacob Switzer (#2) was taxed on 213 acres of land in the SE ¼ of R2 T12 S12 (Fairfield Twp). This was the land that Jacob's wife Catherine inherited from her father, Andrew Brinker, who was the original proprietor. As I understand it, Andrew had deeded this land, as well as various lands to his other children, some years before his death as mentioned in his will. Numerous Quit Claim deeds were recorded in 1832 between and to each of the heirs. (Yes, future posts!) Jacob and Catherine owned this land until 1849 when they sold it to Thomas McCoy.

Apparently, Jacob and Catherine did not live on the land in Fairfield Township the entire time until it was sold. In 1838 they purchased 80 acres in the south half of the NE ¼ of R3 T15 S33 (Salem Twp) from John Froth. They sold the Salem Township land to their son-in-law Daniel Deemer in 1847, with specific provisions and a little twist, which will of course be the subject of a future post.

The final account found in Jacob's probate file listed four daughters as heirs. Biographies of several family members indicated that Jacob and Catharine did not have any sons. Based on that premise, I believe this family in 1820 in Centre Township (p83) is the right family. I have no idea why they would be listed in Centre Township but Andrew Brinker (Jacob's father-in-law) was also enumerated there on the last line of the previous page and his lands were also in Fairfield Township. It's possible that he also owned land in Centre Township but I haven't reviewed his records yet.

• Jacob Switzer with one male 26-44, three females under 10, and one female 26-44.

Even though there is a male age 20-29 included in this family in 1830 in Fairfield Township (p345) I'm pretty sure it is the family of Jacob #2. The 20-29 year old male is most likely a hired hand or other relative, possibly even a brother.

• Indexed as Jacob Smither with a correction to Jacob Switzer: one male 20-29, one male 40-49, one female under 5, one female 5-9, two females 10-14, one female 15-19, and one female 40-49

The 1840 (p118) and 1850 (p14) census records show the family residing in Salem Township, probably on the land that was purchased in 1838.

• 1840: Jacob Switzer with one male 50-59, one female 10-14, one female 15-19, and one female 50-59
• 1850: Jacob Switzer, 65, Farmer, Real Estate valued at $1700, born Pa. with Catharine A. Switzer, 65, born Pa. [Note: The Daniel Deemer family is listed immediately following Jacob.]

Again, disregarding that one male age 20-29 in 1830, the family of Jacob and Catherine (Brinker) Switzer seems to have consisted of:

• one female 1826-1830 [Susan born abt 1826]
• one female 1821-1825 [Sarah born 1823 and died 1842]
• two females 1816-1820 [Elizabeth born September 1815 and Rebecca born abt 1820]
• one female 1811-1815 [Barbara born abt 1814]

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In the 1819 Tax List, Jacob Switzer (#3) is taxed on 50 acres in the SE ¼ of R5 T16 S14 (West Twp). He purchased the land in 1817. In 1824 Jacob Switzer and Polly, his wife, sold the land. I have no idea why he is in the tax lists only in the year 1819. The deed for this transaction was included in the First Families of Ohio application along with information that stated that Jacob came to Ohio in 1815. After selling the land in Columbiana County, Jacob and Polly moved to Wayne County, Ohio and settled in Orange Township, which became part of Richland County which later became part of Ashland County.

Although enumerated in Fairfield Township in 1820 (p62) I believe that this is Jacob and Polly Switzer, even though their land was located in West Township. The family makeup more closely resembles what was found in the First Families of Ohio application.

• Jacob Switzer with one male under 10, one male 26-44, two females under 10, and one female 26-44. There was also one Foreigner not naturalized.

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Jacob Switzer (#2 or #4 ?) was taxed on 80 acres in the W ½ of the SW ¼ of R2 T12 S16 (Fairfield Twp) from 1830 to 1838. Jacob was issued a Patent in 1833 from the state of Ohio (given the year it was probably the date the final certificate was issued). I did not find a record of the sale of this land in the grantor index going up to the year 1897, therefore I cannot conclusively state which Jacob owned this land. And even if I had found a record of the sale by Jacob I may not have been able to determine which one it was – they both had a wife named Catherine!

Above is a portion of the image from the 1837 Property Tax List for Fairfield Township, Columbiana County, Ohio. It shows two listings for Jacob Switzer (2nd and 3rd from the bottom) with the second entry being “Do” for ditto. I know for sure that the 213 acres in R2 T12 S12 was owned by “my” Jacob (#2). If I'm reading this correctly (and I could be wrong), the 3rd column from the right indicates that there was a house on the property in Section 12, while there was none on the 79 acres in Section 16.

In the years 1830-1838 the tax lists show the two properties on the same page usually consecutively as shown above and in each case there is no value in that column 3rd from the right.

This is the upper half of the 1841 Atlas (referenced below) that shows “Switzer” in Section 12 (to the right of the “2” in 12 on the right side of the map) and “J.S.” in Section 16 (above and to the left of the “R” in Fairfield).

If Section 16 was also owned by Jacob #2, then where was the land located that was owned by Jacob #4? He obviously had land somewhere... the 1850 census (see below) shows that he had Real Estate valued at $2400 while Jacob #2 had Real Estate valued at $1700. The land records noted thus far are the only ones I found for “Jacob Switzer” during this time period.

The “Combined Atlas of Columbiana County 1841-1860” published by the Columbiana County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society in 1984 (compiled from previously published works) shows that in 1861 the 79 acres in the W ½ of the SW ¼ of Section 16 were owned by “Keyser.” Obviously, I've got a little more work to do in regards to this land.

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Jacob Switzer #4 did not show up in Columbiana County until 1830 and then he is listed in the census records for Fairfield Township from 1830 through 1850.

• 1830 (p353): Jacob Switzer with one male under 5, two males 5-9, two males 10-14, one male 40-49, two females under 5, one female 5-9, one female 10-14, one female 15-19, and one female 40-49
• 1840 (p229): Jacob Switzer with one male 10-14, one male 15-19, one male 50-59, two females 5-9, one female 10-14, one female 15-19, one female 50-59
• 1850 (family 492): Jacob Switzer, 61, Farmer, Real Estate valued at $2400, born Penn. with Catharine Switzer, 61, born Penn, and Anna, 21, Sophia, 18, and Lydia A., 16, all three born Ohio.

The family of Jacob and Catherina Mummert Switzer seems to have consisted of at least:

• one male 1826-1830
• two males 1821-1825
• two males 1816-1820
• two females 1826-1830 [Anna born 1829 + one other]
• one female 1821-1825 [Sophia born 1822 and Lydia born 1824]
• one female 1816-1820
• one female 1811-1815

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In addition to the four Jacobs there were other Switzers in the tax lists for Columbiana County: John 1820-1838 with several properties in Elkrun Township, Martin 1829-1838 with various properties in Elkrun, Fairfield and Salem Townships, and Daniel 1830-1838 in Salem Township (the land purchased from Jacob and Elizabeth). They were also recorded in the census records for the county.

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Do John, Martin and Daniel fit into the family equation? If so, how? Are they sons of Jacob and Elizabeth?

All three of the younger Jacob Switzers are of the right age to be a son of the elder Jacob and his wife Elizabeth. Is one of them their son? If so, which one?

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See Switzer Families :: Index to Posts for additional information on the Switzer Families of Columbiana County, Ohio.

838 State Street

I don't know exactly what year my grandmother and her family moved to Traverse City, Michigan but they were living there in 1909 and 1910. At some point they moved to a small house at 838 State Street – the 1910 census shows the family residing on State Street. Grandma recalled those days in Traverse City fondly when she wrote her autobiography. They were there only a few years when the family had to return to Indiana in December 1910, due to the death of her father's brother, Hale Brubaker.

Written on the reverse side of this photo, taken about 1950, is “This is the house we lived in – Traverse City, Mich. 40 years later.” The lady standing in front of the house is my grandmother, Hazlette Brubaker Phend.

This week I had the opportunity to pay a brief visit to the house...

The house at 838 State Street as it appeared on July 27, 2011. The perspective isn't exactly the same but it appears to be the same house as in the previous photo. The front porch has been removed and the roof has been extended over the side porch. And the trees have gotten bigger. And there are more houses in the neighborhood.

The side view.

The red “A” marks the location of 838 State Street, Traverse City, Michigan.

The big purple blob on the right marks the location of Traverse City State Park where I spent the night. The little blue blob is at 838 State Street. I was at a McDonald's on the corner of Front and Hope Street (a block west and north of 838 State Street) when I learned exactly where the house was located!

Once you get off the main road (U.S. 31 aka Front Street) Traverse City is a pretty quiet place. A nice “little town” that I'm sure my grandmother would no longer recognize.

Grand Traverse Bay – It is surely Grand!

Despite two days of intermittent rain and heavy clouds, I enjoyed my stay at Hartwick Pines State Park, which is a few miles north of the cute little town of Grayling. It was one of those quiet campgrounds. There was no lake nearby so not many families stayed long. They did have some nice, easy trails – more like walking paths – and several bike paths in the park. It was just a really pleasant place. I didn't even mind the rain – it gave me a chance to review some of the research papers I had accumulated in Ohio and time to try and figure out those Switzer families!

On Tuesday morning (July 26th) I traveled west to Traverse City. My mother and I had been there a “few” years back and enjoyed our visit in the area. I also had another reason for going there – see tomorrow's post!

With the storms having passed through, the temperature dropped dramatically – the high on Tuesday was 75 and it got into the 50s overnight. Great sleeping weather! Deep blue skies and sunshine were abundant. It was a gorgeous day!

The view from the beach at Traverse City State Park, which is across the road from the campground. Thank goodness there is a pedestrian bridge over US 31/Front Street! You'd be putting your life in jeopardy to try and cross it otherwise!

After checking into the campground, assuring myself that I had a place to stay for the night, I drove around the western side of Grand Traverse Bay and on up to the northern tip where the Grand Traverse Lighthouse sits.

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse was erected in 1858. In 1952 it was electrified and modernized. Twenty years later an automated light tower was erected and the lighthouse was closed. In 1986 it was reopened as a museum.

This large “snow-ball” was about 8-inches in diameter! Huge. The entire bush can be seen at the left in the previous photograph.

I love how they have built a circular bench that wraps around this big old tree.

In Case You Were Wondering...

Yes, I did find someplace cooler! When last I left you, I was sweltering in 100 degree temperatures, along with much of the Midwest and the East Coast! Thursday morning (July 21st) I continued driving through Toledo and on into “Pure Michigan” northward. At Standish (north of the “thumb”) I followed U.S. 23 along the coast of Lake Huron. It was a very nice tree-lined drive with little traffic, but views of the lake were few and far-between. Of course, I could have stopped at one of the many public access areas but the temperature was still near 100 degrees and I was quite comfortable in my air conditioned van!

The temperature did drop the further north I drove but still in the 90s. Oddly enough it wasn't until I turned inland a ways that the temperature dropped into the upper 80s. I spent the night at very pleasant State Park at Onaway on the shores of Black Lake near the upper tip of the Lower Peninsula. The temperature actually got into the 70s overnight. Upper 70s but 70s nevertheless!

It seems that every campground has a different atmosphere to it. Some have open campsites with little privacy but the people seem friendlier there than at the campgrounds where the sites are more secluded. Some, by their very nature – such as those on or near lakes - tend to be noisier than others. It was tempting to spend a few days at Onaway but it was a busy place with lots of kids and dogs and was very noisy.

So on Friday morning I went in search of a more quiet, secluded place where I could simply relax and perhaps work on the research papers I had accumulated while in Ohio...

No, it's not Michigan! But thought I'd share this, which was taken about six weeks ago in the Rocky Mountains. Perhaps it will make someone feel a little cooler during this heat wave ;-)

A Visitor to My Campsite

Wednesday July 20, 2011 - - After leaving Guilford Lake and Columbiana County I leisurely drove north and west through Ohio, stopping for the night at Maumee Bay State Park a few miles east of Toledo. The temperature started out in the mid 70s and continued to climb all day long. I thought of just continuing with driving but I had already been on the road for eight hours. I was able to select my campsite at Maumee Bay State Park and found one that had a little bit of shade. It helped. A little. But the 100 degree temperature and high humidity made it very uncomfortable.

Very briefly, I thought about joining the crowds at the beach but it would have meant having to leave the van closed up in the open sun. I just didn't think it was worth it. A nice breeze would make its appearance every now and then and as the sun made its way across the sky, the shade lengthened in the campsite cooling the area off just a little.

At one point I noticed something on the picnic table nearby. I couldn't quite make out what it was and it stayed there for quite some time. Eventually, I got up and took a look and saw what it was and grabbed the camera.

Go ahead, double-click on the image to view a larger version. You know you want to. The wings are pretty amazing, so thin and delicate.

The dragonfly patiently waited while I moved in closer and closer with the camera. Finally, after half a dozen shots it jumped up, landed on my hand for an instant and was off to explore its own little universe. It was doing its job well – that of eating mosquitoes and other small bugs – so I wasn't bothered too much by them.

In between wiping the sweat (and it was sweat, not simply perspiration) off my brow (and elsewhere) I sipped a tall glass of a cool beverage and waited out the sweltering night, hoping that the next night would be just a little cooler! The temp when I crawled into the van for the night at 10:30 pm was 96 degrees. When I got up the next morning at 6:30 am it was 84 degrees. It was a rather uncomfortable night, to say the least. Not complaining. Just saying ;-)

The Ups and Downs of On-Site Research

Six nights were spent at the campground in Guilford Lake State Park a few miles northwest of Lisbon, Ohio. It turned out to be the “ideal” spot for research in Lisbon and exploring other areas of Columbiana County.

My first stop for research on Friday (July 15th) was the Columbiana County Archives and Research Center (CCARC) located just half a block south of the courthouse in Lisbon. I knew they would be open on Friday then closed until Tuesday. I must say, the two ladies in charge – Shirl and Linda, both volunteers – were very helpful and friendly. You could tell that they enjoyed what they were doing and were dedicated to saving and preserving original Columbiana County court records and files that would otherwise be destroyed. The organization is six years old and their facility was opened in 2009 – it is already nearly jam-packed with stuff. Shirl and Linda and other volunteers are in the process of indexing the records and files they have received. It is an awesome resource and they are incredible ladies! I'll have more in future posts regarding what they found for me...

The ladies warned me that working in the Recorder's Office was going to be a real pain. It seems that the largest reserves of natural gas ever discovered have been found in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. As a result, the gas companies involved have to do extensive research of land titles in order to purchase rights to drill for the gas. And that means they have virtually taken over the Recorder's Office.

I ended up spending all day at the CCARC and didn't make it to the Recorder's Office on Friday. Saturday I drove around Columbiana County. I had forgotten how hilly and curvy the roads were! It was fun driving in that area but the “locals” probably were getting a little upset with me as I drove really, really slowly! Cemeteries were found. Photographs were taken. Most of Saturday afternoon was spent at the library where it was cool and the wifi was reasonably fast.

Sunday afternnon I returned to several cemeteries to get better photos – the lighting was different. But it was very hot out in the sun. My campsite was mostly in shade and there was a nice breeze blowing. It was rather nice and relaxing to sit and not do anything at all for a few hours!

Monday morning I went to the “Records Office” in the Juvenile Court building where the probate records are available on microfilm and printed out the pages for four probate files (no fancy microfilm scanner available there!).

Then I went to the Recorder's Office. Of course, the tiny room was packed. There was one counter about 8 feet long and wide enough for one index book to be laid flat. But there were so many people that you actually had enough space to prop the index book up on the edge of the counter. Then, the actual deed books were not available. They had been microfilmed and cut into strips, rather like microfiche only bigger. And there were only 3 microfilm readers available. And if you wanted copies, the staff in the Recorder's Office had to make them and they cost $2 per page!

I stayed, perhaps an hour, and was able to look at one deed record. Oh, and the images? They were negatives. Very difficult to read. Basically, I attempted to abstract enough information so that I knew who the deed was for and got the description of the land. It was suggested that I get to the office when they open at 8 am as they weren't as busy first thing in the morning. Also, late afternoons were usually not as busy. I did go back later that afternoon but the little room was still quite crowded.

Tuesday morning I was up bright and early and at the Recorder's Office at 8:05 am. No one was there except the office personnel, at least for a little while. It never did get all that crowed in the several hours I spent there, not like it had on Monday. I was able to review all of the deeds that I wanted to look with one exception – and that deserves a post all of it's own! It was strange. As with every Research Trip there were some successes and some disappointments. But it was definitely worth the time and effort and the slight frustrations.

The weather was supposed to take a turn for the worse on Wednesday. Temperatures had been in the mid 80s with high humidity but it hadn't been totally uncomfortable. However, the higher temps that had been plaguing the states to the west was on its way to Ohio. I was hoping to avoid most of the 100 degree temps by heading northward. Rather reluctantly I departed Columbiana County early Wednesday morning July 20th.

My campsite at Guilford Lake State Park was right on the edge of the lake!

It was foggy the morning I left. Someone had left this chair on the pier, perhaps in anticipation of catching the “big one” later in the day.

Also taken the morning of July 20th. The view from my campsite. It was lovely. I really enjoyed my stay at Guilford Lake.

The Estate of Jacob Switzer :: Final Account

There were three men (actually four, another has been found) with the name of Jacob Switzer who resided in Columbiana County, Ohio during the 1805-1860 time period. This estate file is for the Jacob Switzer who is my 4th great-grandfather and who married first Catherine Brinker (in 1811, the mother of his children) and second Leathy Bricker (in 1853). Jacob died on November 2, 1859. (Yes, I know this paragraph is redundant and has been in each post regarding the Estate, but I felt it needed to be here to distinguish this Jacob from the others...)

So that the “important” data would fit within the width allowed by the blog, I've left off the month and day in the transcription where it was noted in the document and also the voucher number.

[Date] 1859 1859 1860 1859 1859 1859 1859 1860 1860 1864 1859 1860 1860 1860 1860 1861 1861 1861 1861 1859 1859 1860 - -	By am't paid, E. Eeld B. F. Humfrees [?] Geo Arter Catharine Mitcheley Paul & Pritchard Ezekial Shelton Samuel Burger W. E. McLaughlin Philip Simon James Martin Appraisers Geo. Frud Dr. D. Springer Dr. D. Deemer L. W. Potter Jacob Yarian & wife Jacob Manaweck & wife Peter Buchecker & wife D. Deemer Leathy Switzer Leathy Switzer Leathy Switzer Confirmation of  Total	[reason] for coffin & case Servis [?] Taking care of stock for Labor Store Bill On Note Calling Sale Clerking Sauring [?] Probate Fees Fees Grave Stones Medical Attendance Medical Attendance Atty Fees Distribution Share Distribution Share Distribution Share Distribution Share Widow's Allowance Widows Share part Widows Share full Administration Disbursed		Dolls Cts 25.00 43.68 12.00 25.00 5.96 30.00 2.00 15.00 1.50 6.50 3.00 25.00 3.00 5.00 20.00 702.60 700.98 700.98 702.60 258.52 805.20 600.00 200.00 $4893.42

Accountant says that he took vouchers for the $20 above set forth as paid to L. W. Pottter and for the $805.20 paid the widow, but that the same can not now be found. He also states that he does not know the amount of interest collected on each of the notes set-forth in this account but believes the gross amount herein stated to be the full amount received.

Final Account of the Estate of Jacob Switzer.

Probate Packet 4962. Columbiana County, Ohio

The State of Ohio, Columbiana County, ss.

I, Daniel Deemer Administrator of the Estate of Jacob Switzer do make solemn oath that the above is a true and correct account of said Estate, as I verily believe.

Sworn and Subscribed to this 17th day of March A. D. 1870. D. Deemer
Before me, Solomon J. Firestone, Probate Judge.

The Estate of Jacob Switzer :: Amounts Paid to the Estate

There were three men (actually four, another has been found) with the name of Jacob Switzer who resided in Columbiana County, Ohio during the 1805-1860 time period. This estate file is for the Jacob Switzer who is my 4th great-grandfather and who married first Catherine Brinker (in 1811, the mother of his children) and second Leathy Bricker (in 1853). Jacob died on November 2, 1859.

To am't of Sale Bill To am't from Thomas McCoy & Sons on Note To am't from Barbary Manaweck on Note To am't from Daniel Deemer on Note To am't from Jacob Manaweck on Note To am't from Jacob Yarian on Note To am't from John Crowl on Note To am't from Samuel Switzer on Note To am't from Daniel Deemer on Note To am't from J. B. Preston on Note To am't from Daniel Deemer on Note To am't from Jacob Manaweck on Note To am't from Samuel Butz on Note To am't from Geo W. Axe on Note To am't from James Miller on Note To am't from Samuel Switzer on Note To am't from Henry & John Roose on Note To am't from Susan Seachrist on Note To am't from Ann Worman on Note [subtotal] In Interest secured on above notes Total Received	390.30 39.14 100.00 1000.00 100.00 100.00 28.80 55.00 125.00 68.00 109.52 100.00 103.48 933.25 58.00 600.00 800.00 18.00 8.00 4412.39 481.03 $4893.42

The Estate of Jacob Switzer :: Sale Bill

There were three men (actually four, another has been found) with the name of Jacob Switzer who resided in Columbiana County, Ohio during the 1805-1860 time period. This estate file is for the Jacob Switzer who is my 4th great-grandfather and who married first Catherine Brinker (in 1811, the mother of his children) and second Leathy Bricker (in 1853). Jacob died on November 2, 1859.

The Sale Bill was filed December 10th 1859. Estate of Jacob Switzer. Probate Packet 4962. Columbiana County, Ohio

Text within square brackets [ ] has been added to indicate words that were difficult to read. I did not add up the dollar values that I transcribed to determine if they added up to the total amount of the sale!

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A bill of the property sold by Daniel Deemer administrator of the estate of Jacob Switzer, deceased as per [illegible word] vendue Nov 29 1859.

Names of articles 11 one horse wagon 1 Two year old Heiffer 1 Red Cow 1 Red Cow Whiteface 1 Spotted Cow 1 Black faced Cow 1 Red Yearling Heiffer 1 Horse (Fore) Lot Medicine [?] & Pottery Gun Powder horn & Pouch 1 Sleigh 1 Sled 3 Cow Chain 2 Cow Chain 1 Set Buggy Harness 1 Halter Saddle & Bridle 1 Wheel barrow 1 Plough 1 Shovel [illegible word] [???] w two Chain [???] 1 Saythe 3 Forks 1 Grain Shovel 1 Hog 1 Hog (Sow) 2 Small Pigs 1 & 2 [?] choice 1 Small Pig 3 choice 1 Small Pig 4 choice 5 Ton Hay 2 Ton Hay	Names of Purchaser Taken by widow at appraisement Taken by widow at appraisement John Mitchell David Bricker Mathias Fisher Soloman H. Sitler Taken by widow at appraisement Taken by widow at appraisement A B Arter John Deemer Adam Simon [?] Taken by widow at appraisement J J Brinker Taken by widow at appraisement Taken by widow at appraisement [???] Axel Phillip Simon Taken by widow at appraisement Levi Hanna Jacob Keck Levi Hanna Levi Hanna Taken by widow at appraisement A B Arter John Deemer Phillip Bricker Taken by widow at appraisement John Harter John Harter Taken by widow at appraisement Taken by widow at appraisement	$ cts 13.00 11.00 18.00 14.25 11.00 14.37 8.00 65.00 1.80 1.00 5.62 .90 1.30 .50 3.00 .50 4.87 .50 1.00 .50 .08 .28 .50 .80 10.80 11.45 4.00 3.25 3.40 30.00 12.00

First Page of Sale Bill filed December 10th 1859.

Estate of Jacob Switzer. Probate Packet 4962

Columbiana County, Ohio

Names of articles 1 Ton Hay 1 Ton Hay 1 Ton Hay 1 [???] Buggy 1 Wind Mill Lot old Oat Lot Oats in Straw 30 Bushels Corn 38 Bushels Corn 4 Cider Barrels 1 Log chain 1 clock 1 Bureau 1 Buffalo Robe 1 [have no clue] Lot Corn Fodder 2/57 acres wheat in ground 1 - 2 Inch auger 1 - 1 ½ Inch auger 1 – 1 Inch auger 1 - ¾ & ½ Inch auger 2 Chisels 1 Draw Knife Hammer [???????] 1 Strip Sleigh Bells 1 Horse Fly Net 1 Set old Harness 1 Par Driving lines 1 Axe 2 Bags -	Names of Purchaser Simon Miller Levi Hanna J. B. Everton [?] Taken by Widow at appraisement Levi Hanna Taken by Widow at appraisement Taken by Widow at appraisement Taken by Widow at appraisement David Bricker Simon Arter Andrew Bricker Henry Aldridge Leathy Switzer P. Buhecker W. E. McLaughlin Taken by Widow at appraisement Taken by Widow at appraisement Jona Worman Simon Miller Simon Miller John Walker P. Buhecker A. R. Kelly P. Buhecker Levi Hanna Levi Hanna Levi Hanna Levi Hanna Taken by Widow at appraisement Taken by Widow at appraisement [Total amount of Sale]	$ cts 8.50 8.50 8.50 210.00 3.00 5.00 212.00 5.00 5.32 .90 .62 1.25 3.215 3.215 3.70 5.00 215.00 .40 .46 .20 .34 .50 .40 .80 1.55 37 ½ 21.215 .43 1.60 .30 $390.30 ½

The above Sale Bill is correct.
W. E. McLaughlin Clerk of Sale.

Second Page of Sale Bill filed December 10th 1859.

Estate of Jacob Switzer. Probate Packet 4962

Columbiana County, Ohio

The Estate of Jacob Switzer :: Notes Due the Estate

There were three men (actually four, another has been found) with the name of Jacob Switzer who resided in Columbiana County, Ohio during the 1805-1860 time period. This estate file is for the Jacob Switzer who is my 4th great-grandfather and who married first Catherine Brinker (in 1811, the mother of his children) and second Leathy Bricker (in 1853). Jacob died on November 2, 1859.

The data in this document goes across two pages. Rather than transcribe the full document I'm listing the name of the debtor, how the debt was secured, and appraised value. In addition to this information, the document includes the date the debt was incurred and the original amount of the debt. There are also some comments in the wide column in the second page. The appraisers were Simon Orter, David Bricker, and John Stewart

Text within square brackets [ ] has been added to indicate words that were difficult to read.

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name of the debtor Thomas McCoy & Son Barbary Manaweck Daniel Deemer Jacob Manaweck Jacob Yarian John Crawl Samuel Sweitzer Daniel Deemer J. B. Preston Daniel Deemer Jacob Manaweck Samuel Betz George W. Axel James Miller Samuel Switzer Henry & John Roose Simon Seachrist Samuel Hardman Ann Worman -	how secured Note Note Note Note Note Note [????] bill Note Note Note Note Note & Mortgage Note & Mortgage Note & Mortgage Note & Mortgage Note & Mortgage Book a/c Note Book a/c [Total]	appraised value 39.14 112.00 1000.00 113.62 100.00 28.80 59.95 129.37 41.77 109.52 109.50 123.68 933.15 59.82 621.90 578.42 10.00 Worthless 8.00 $4178.64

Notes Due the Estate of Jacob Switzer. Nov. 11th 1859.

Probate Packet 4962. Columbiana County, Ohio.

Notes Due the Estate of Jacob Switzer. Nov. 11th 1859.

Probate Packet 4962. Columbiana County, Ohio.

The Estate of Jacob Switzer :: Widow's Allowance

There were three men (actually four, another has been found) with the name of Jacob Switzer who resided in Columbiana County, Ohio during the 1805-1860 time period. This estate file is for the Jacob Switzer who is my 4th great-grandfather and who married first Catherine Brinker (in 1811, the mother of his children) and second Leathy Bricker (in 1853). Jacob died on November 2, 1859.

Text within square brackets [ ] has been added to indicate difficult to read words.

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The deceased having left a widow, we set off to her the following property, without appraising the same as directed by Statute.

one Lew [?] plate [?] Stove one Family Bible all the Books in Library one Cow all wearing apparel all Beds Bedsteads & Bedding Necessary Cooking Utensils The Clothing of the Family The Clothes and ornaments of the widow The wearing apparel of the deceased one Table Six Chairs Six knives and forks Six plates Six Tea cups and Saucers one Sugar dish one Milk Pot one Tea pot 12 Spoons

Widow's Allowance. Property not appraised.

Estate of Jacob Switzer. Probate Packet 4962

Columbiana County, Ohio

The following is a schedule of property [illegible word], belonging to the estate of Jacob Switzer deceased, set off by the undersigned for the support of Leathy Switzer his widow,

2 Hog's 21 ½ Ton of Hay 4 Bushels old Corn 4 Bushels Potatoes [???] Cash (there being no other property of a suitable kind to set off [total]	14.00 15.00 3.721 .80 225.00 $258.521

Widow's Allowance. Appraised property.

Estate of Jacob Switzer. Probate Packet 4962

Columbiana County, Ohio

o-HI-o

Greetings from The Buckeye State! Yes, I'm back on the road again. I left Indiana on Tuesday morning and headed east. Yesterday (07/13) I spent a productive day at the Ohio Genealogical Society Library in Bellville, which is a few miles due south of Mansfield.

One of the things I had on my To Do list was to review the First Families of Ohio application files for several of my family lines – Coy, Hoffman, Neel, Rupert, and Switzer. The first two didn't provide any new information on the ancestors but gave me information about the siblings. The latter two were on Adam Rupert and yet another Jacob Switzer. Those four were all in Columbiana County.

The Neel file was a bonanza! A small publication titled "The Neel Family of Thornville" by Maxine (Lynn) Fisher, which was found in Perry County, Ohio in October 2009, stated that my ancestor James Neel/Neal/Neil had been married four times and had 18 children! My fourth great-grandmother, Nancy Neel, was the fourth and last child by his first wife Rebecca Franks. Prior to finding that book, I hadn't known who Nancy's parents were. She married Martin Brubaker in 1818 and they had nine children. Nancy died in 1851.

Anyway, the First Families of Ohio file was through one of the daughters by Katherine Kuhn, the second wife of James Neal. The “proof” that was provided has become one of my favorite types of record – a land record. Love 'em! James died in 1838 (I think - I don't have the copies with me at the moment) and his heirs requested that the land be sold. The deed names his living children (13 of them, I think) including my ancestor Nancy Brubaker. Very cool.

I left Bellville this morning, still heading east. If you've been following my recent research you can probably guess where I'm headed...

The Estate of Jacob Switzer (My Guy) :: Executors Bond

My 4th great-grandfather, Jacob Switzer, died November 2, 1859 and his estate was entered into Probate Court in Columbiana County, Ohio on November 7, 1859 (packet number 4962). Unlike John Rupert's file, there was no will in the probate file of Jacob Switzer.

The bond was a printed form. Text shown below that is bold and italicized was hand-written in the document. Daniel Deemer was the son-in-law of Jacob Switzer.

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Know all Men by these Presents, that we Daniel Deemer, Daniel Stouffer, Joseph Wallance and Abtill Sturgeon of Columbiana County, State of Ohio, are held and firmly bound to said State of Ohio, in the sum of Ten thousand Dollars, to which payment well and truly to be made, to said State, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, and every of them, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Signed and sealed this 7th day of November A. D. 1859.

The condition of this bond is such, That if the above name Daniel Deemer Administrator of the Estate of Jacob Switzer late of said County, deceased.

First – Shall make and return into the Probate Court, for said county, on oath, within three months, a true inventory of all the monies, goods, chattels, rights and credits of the deceased, which shall have come to his possession or knowledge; and also, if required by said Court, an inventory of the real estate of deceased.

Secondly – Shall administer according to law, all the moneys, goods, chattels, rights, credits of the deceased, and the proceeds of all the real estate that may be sold for the payment of the debts of the deceased which shall at any time come to his possession, or the possession of any other person for him.

Thirdly – Shall render, upon oath, a just account of his administration, within eighteen months and at any other time or times when required by said Court or the Law.

Fourthly – Shall pay any balance remaining in his hands upon the settlement of his accounts, to such person or persons as the Court or the Law shall direct; and

Fifthly – Shall deliver the letters of Administration into said Court; in case any will of the deceased shall be hereafter duly proved and allowed; then this bond to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue in law.

Attest:
W. E. McLaughlin

[signed by]
Daniel Deemer
Daniel Stouffer
Joseph Wallace
Abtil Sturgeon

Executors Bond. Estate of Jacob Switzer. Probate Packet 4962.

Columbiana County, Ohio.

The Three Jacob Switzers

As mentioned previously, there were three men with the name of Jacob Switzer who resided in Columbiana County, Ohio during the 1805-1860 time period.

I've been able to separate them to some extent but more research is needed in land records to determine exactly where each of them lived. Census records prior to 1850 are of little help since only the head of household is named. Other people living in the household are designated by age and gender only and there is no way of knowing if they are actually family members. And it appears that at least one of the Jacobs lived in one township for a while then a few years later moved to another.

The tax lists are helpful in determining who owned land and where but these guys seemed to have owned land in several sections and townships. By searching for and analyzing the land records, particularly the grantor deeds that include the name of the wife, I may be able to determine who was who and who lived where.

The Columbiana County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society has published 14 (or more) volumes of Cemetery Inscriptions, which have enabled me to at least identify the three Jacobs.

The English Lutheran Cemetery in Salem Township (v13 p1106) includes transcriptions for “my” Jacob and Catherine. I know this is my family because I have a copy of Jacob's probate file (No. 4962 which entered probate on November 7, 1859 and it gives the names of the spouses of the four living daughters).

• row 1 sixth entry: Switzer, Catharine w/o Jacob d 6 Mar 1852 ae 64y 8m 17d [from other records, we know her maiden name was Brinker]
• row 2 second entry: Swettzer, Jacob d 2 Nov 1859 ae 71y 9m 29d
• row 3 ninth entry: Switzer, Leathy w/o Jacob d 17 Jan 1869 ae 79y 11m 25d [Leathy is Jacob's second wife and his widow named in the estate file]

On page 6 of Volume 1, which includes the Old Section 1 of Columbiana Cemetery in Fairfield Township are listed the other Jacob who was about the same age as my guy, whose wife was also named Catharine, and several of their children.

• row 16 first entry: Switzer, Jacob C., d 25 Mar 1859 ae 70y 4m 17d Father
• row 16 second entry: Switzer, Catharina, d. 17 Dec 1850 ae 62 y 3m 5d Mother
• row 16 third entry: Switzer, Sophia, b 13 May 1830, d 27 Apr 1916 ae 85y 11m 14d
• row 16 fourth entry:Crook, James, d. 23 Oct 1895, ae 75y 1m 6d and Crook, Aliza Switzer, wife of James Crook, d 20 Apr 1903, ae 84y 6m 16d

• The record for Sophia Sweitzer in the Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953 database on FamilySearch shows her parents to be Jacob Sweitzer and Catherine Murmmouh (difficult to read). A record for an Anna Grove gives her parents as Jacob Switzer and Catherine Mummert.

The wife of the third Jacob Switzer is mentioned in a transcription of the Switzer Cemetery in Salem Township (v2 p189). On the same page is Daniel Switzer whose wife was also named Elizabeth.

• Switzer, ______eth, consort of _____ b 7 Feb 1766 d 20 Dec 1844 ae 78y 10m _0d (also metal marker, 1766-1844, the original old brown stone is broken, but appears to be clearly that for Elizabeth Switzer, the elder)

• Some additions and corrections to volume 2 were included on page 835 Volume 9 which gave details of Jacob's burial. The corrections came from Barbara Greene of Royal Oak, Michigan.
• Switzer, Jacob d 27 Oct 1841 ae 80y 7m 27d (copied in 1919 by S. W. Switzer)
• Switzer, Elisabeth consort of Jacob, b 7 Feb 1766, d 20 Dec 1844 ae 78y 10m 20d

So, here are the three Jacobs, in birth order:

• Jacob Switzer, the elder, whose date of birth calculates to February 28, 1761 who died October 27, 1841 and had a wife Elizabeth.

• Jacob Switzer, whose birth calculates to January 4, 1788 who died November 2, 1859 and whose wife was Catherine Brinker.

• Jacob C. Switzer, whose date of birth calculates to November 8, 1788 who died March 25, 1859 and whose wife was Catharine Mummert.

It is quite possible that one of the two younger fellows is a son of the elder Jacob... more research is definitely needed. I need to look not only for additional land records but estate records for the other two. I've got the census records and the tax lists. I've looked at some family trees online for clues. What other records are there that could shed some light on these families?

One Switzer Family in Columbiana County - - Mine!

As stated in They were Shouting “Hey! What About Me? I had put research on the Switzer family on the back burner for many years. They just seemed too complicated. After all, there were three men named Jacob Switzer residing near each other in Columbiana County, Ohio at the same time. And two of them were about the same age and both had a wife named Catherine! And the resources for figuring them out simply were not available at that time.

There was some information on “my” Switzer family from a biography of Jacob Yarian and one of his son Jonathan Yarian. The full text of the biographies, including sources, can be read in the post mentioned above. Was it all true? Or were just parts of it valid? Below I've abstracted the basic information (shown in blue bold type) and what I've discovered (a combination of new info found in June at the Family History Library and old stuff) will be in normal black type.

One biography stated that Elizabeth Switzer was born near Lisbon in Columbiana County on September 23, 1815. The other one stated she was born September 24, 1815 in Columbiana County, Ohio.

Jacob and Elizabeth Yarian are buried in Randolph Hillside Cemetery in Portage County, Ohio. Their gravemarker shows that Elizabeth was born September 24, 1815 and died July 3, 1894. Jacob was born December 24, 1812 and died March 26. 1895.

As far as where she was born, I haven't yet determined where exactly the family was living but it was in either Salem or Fairfield townships both of which are just north of Centre township. The town of Lisbon, is in Centre township.

She married Jacob Yarian on April 2, 1835 in Columbiana County.

Their marriage is recorded in Columbiana County Marriage book 3 page 48, and they indeed were married on April 2, 1835.

The marriage record of Jacob Yarian and Elizabeth Switzer. Cropped portion of image downloaded from FamilySearch database "Ohio, County Marriages" on May 28, 2011.

Her parents were Jacob and Mary C. Switzer. Elizabeth was the oldest of their seven daughters.

The final settlement document in the estate file for Jacob Switzer (packet number 4962 dated November 7, 1859) named his heirs: his widow, Leathy Switzer; Jacob Yarian & wife; Jacob Monanack & wife; Peter Buckecker & wife, Daniel Deemer & wife. Marriage records of Columbiana County provided the first names of the Switzer daughters: Elizabeth married Jacob Yarian, Barbara married Jacob Manaweck, Rebecca married Peter Buckecker and Susan married Daniel Deemer. The names of the other three daughters, if there were that many, remain a mystery.

Leathy was Jacob's second wife. Columbiana County marriage book 38 page 168 shows that on March 10, 1853 Jacob Switzer was married to Leathy Bricker.

In Columbiana County marriage book 1 page 95 we find the record of the marriage of Jacob Switzer and Caty Brinker on February 26, 1811.

Confirmation that Caty Brinker was the mother of Elizabeth was found in a deed dated August 11, 1849 in which the heirs of Catherine Sweitzer were selling land that had been given to her by her father Andrew Brinker. (More on that discovery in a future post!)

The families of the four Switzer daughters have been found in census records through 1870 and it seems that Barbara was the oldest, being a year or two older than Elizabeth.

One biography states that Jacob Sweitzer was born in Switzerland. He was reared in that country and at the age of 27 came to America, locating in Columbiana County where he secured a tract of timbered land and literally hewed a farm from the wilderness. The other biography says that Jacob and Mary C. Switzer were natives of Pennsylvania.

The 1850 census of Salem Township, Columbiana County (p280) shows Jacob Switzer and Catherine A. Switzer, both age 65 and both born in Pennsylvania. I'm fairly certain that this is “my” Switzer family since Daniel Deemer and his wife Susanna are listed immediately after Jacob and Catherine.

Jacob and his wife survived to be old people. He passed away at the age of 87 and she at the age of 83.

According to Columbiana County Cemetery Inscriptions Volume 13, Jacob and Catharine are buried in the English Lutheran Cemetery in Salem Township. The transcription for Catharine says she was the wife of Jacob and that she died March 6, 1852 ae 64y 8m 17d. However, this puzzles me just a bit for two reason. First, Catherine was 65 years old in the 1850 census so either the census is wrong or the stone was difficult to read and mis-transcribed. Could the 4 in her age really be a 7? And second, the heirs of Catharine Switzer sold 213 acres of land on August 11, 1849 that had been deeded to her. Perhaps they were selling it on her behalf and simply releasing their claim to the land since it was sold for just $1 (one dollar) to Thomas McCoy. I have not yet researched to see if he is somehow related to them.

The cemetery transcription for Jacob Swettzer shows that he died November 2, 1859 ae 71y 9m 29d. As a side note, Jacob's second wife Leathy was also buried in the same cemetery. She died January 17, 1859 ae 79y 11m 25d.

Since I am approaching the age of 64 I can't really say that 64 is old ;-) but 79, yeah, I guess that's old. But neither Elizabeth nor Jacob reached the age of 83 or 87 as recorded in the biography.

Jacob Sweitzer and Ephraim Holloway were brothers-in-law of Martin Hoke. They entered section 25 about the year 1804.

This is not “my” Jacob Switzer. A deed record dated January 20, 1832 shows Jacob Switzer and Elizabeth his wife selling 156 acres in the NE ¼ of S 25 T15 R3 to Daniel Switzer for $1500 and other considerations. This land was granted to Jacob Switzer by Patent. (Again, more on this Jacob and this transaction in a future post.)

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As with most family biographies published in county history books in the late 1800s and early 1900s there is some good/accurate information and some bad/inaccurate information. It is up to us, the family history researchers, to determine which is which!

John Rupert and Family

We don't know when or where John Rupert was born. Some “sources” (using that term very loosely) indicate that John Rupert was born in Pennsylvania and was a member of the family of Johann Adam Rupert and his wife Barbara Holtzappel who arrived with her parents Johan Leonhard and Margaret (Klein) Holtzappel in 1731 on the ship Britannia. It does appear that their son Johan Adam could be the same person as the Adam Rupert who lived in Columbiana County, Ohio at the same time as “my” John Rupert. However, I am not totally convinced of that due to an eight-year discrepancy in the date of birth of the two Adams. In “Early German Settlers of York County, PA” the family of Johan Adam and Barbara Rupert seems to be documented and no son John is listed. I really don't think he belongs to them!

Other “sources” say that John was born in Germany and immigrated on the ship Richmond, which sailed from Rotterdam and arrived in Philadelphia in the fall of 1764. The Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild website shows that a Johannes Rupert and a Johann Martin Rupert were on the passenger list for the Richmond on October 20th, 1764.

On page 157 in the “History of Columbiana County, Ohio” (Mack, 1879) we find that “John Rupert, a German, who upon his arrival in Baltimore from Germany, being unable to pay his passage money, was sold by the captain of the vessel to a person who, in consideration of receiving Rupert's services free for the ensuing three years, paid the captain's demand. Rupert lived in Hanover until his death, after reaching the age of one hundred years. The farm he owned is now owned by C. Pfeffer, in section 26, Hanover twp.”

In spite of the claim that he was a centenarian, it is plausible that John was single when he arrived, penniless, and became an indentured servant. We know that he did live in section 26 of Hanover Township. We don't know his date of birth - a “best guess would be that he was born between 1741 and 1750 because he was age 80-89 in the 1830 census (Hanover Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p19 enumerated as John Ropert). It is definitely possible that John is the Johannes Rupert who arrived on the Richmond in 1764. It is my understanding that to be listed on the passenger lists you had to be a male of age 16 or over. Given those parameters, the Johannes on the Richmond would have been born by 1748 or earlier, which “fits” within the years of birth from the 1830 census.

However, the bottom line is that we don't know who the parents of John Rupert were or when or where he was born!

We do know that John lived for a time in that part of York County, Pennsylvania that became Adams County. He and his wife Barbara were sponsors at the baptism of Johannes, son of John Adam Rubbert and Margaret who was born on November 9, 1786. (Recorded in the records of the Reformed Congregation, Bermudian Church, Adams County, Pennsylvania, page 22). The births of three children of John and Barbara were also recorded in the Bermudian Church records. (See the post Father of Eva Rupert :: Is it John or Adam? for details on those records.)

Going back a little in time, in “York County, Pennsylvania Church Records of the 18th Century, Volume 2” (Bates and Wright, 1991) there is an entry for Anna Maria Rupert. She was born February 11, 1777 and baptized March 23, 1777 at the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, York County, Pennsylvania. Her parents were John and Barbara and it was noted that they were from Conojohela, Canadochly District. So this is another clue regarding where to look for them in Pennsylvania!

Moving forward again, John Rupert settled in Columbiana County, Ohio before December 1, 1804 when he was issued a patent certificate at the Steubenville Land Office for 159.4 acres in R4 T15 S26. That record shows that he was then a resident of Columbiana County. John was listed in the 1820 and 1830 census records for Hanover Township, Columbiana County (page 5 and page 19, respectively). He was also listed as the land owner in the tax lists for the property in R4 T15 S26 for the years 1816 through 1836. About 1820 he sold half of his land to his son Andrew Richard Rupert. In 1824 they sold a portion of that land to Durs Walser.

On October 17, 1828 John Ruppart wrote his will naming his wife, eight daughters, one son, and two sons-in-law. His estate entered probate on August 22, 1831 at which time his wife Barbara was still living. The executors of his estate, Conrad Yarian and David Ehrhart, were his sons-in-law. They recorded the sale of John's land on October 6, 1842 so it is likely that Barbara had passed away since the land was not to be sold until after her death.

We do not know the names of Barbara's parents, thus her maiden name is a mystery. According to the 1830 census, she was age 70-79, which puts her year of birth between 1751 and 1760. We don't know where she was born. We also don't know when or where she and John were married. Lots of unknowns ;-)

There are twelve known children of John and Barbara Rupert, nine of whom were mentioned in his will and three others for whom we have a birth record but were not mentioned in his will. Complete Sources are available upon request.

Anna Maria Rupert

• not mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart but have record of her birth
• born February 11, 1777 and baptized March 23, 1777 Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, York County, Pennsylvania (parents John and Barbara were from Conojohela, Canadochly District).

Jacob Rupert

• not mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart
• baptized June 23, 1782 Lutheran Congregation, Bermudian, Latimore Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Parents were Johannes Ruppert and Barbara. Witnesses were Gerog Hermann and Apollonia.

Salome Rupert

• not mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart
• born November 5, 1782 baptized -----, 1783 Lutheran Congregation, Bermudian, Latimore Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Parents were Johannes Ruppert and Barbara. Witnesses were Felix Thiel and Elisabeth. Note that this record was on a page with births for both 1782 and 1783. It is highly unlikely that Salome was born in November 1782 if Jacob was born in June of the same year.

Catherine Rupert married David Ehrhart

• mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart
• born March 9, 1785
• married about 1807 David Ehrhart
• 1820 Hanover Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p5
• 1830 Hanover Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p23
• 1840 Beaver Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p39
• died April 18, 1848 in Ohio
• David Ehrhart was born February 24, 1785 and died March 19, 1861 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana
• had ten children

Eva/Eve Rupert married Conrad Yarian - My Ancestors

• born December 21, 1786 baptized ----, 1787. Reformed Congregation, Bermudian, Latimore Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Parents were Hannes Rubbert and Barbara. Witnesses were John Adam Rubbert and Margaret
• married July 22, 1805 Columbiana County, Ohio (v1 p8) to Conrad Yarian
• 1820 Unity Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p27
• 1830 Unity Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p398
• 1840 Unity Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p180
• 1850 Unity Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p57
• 1860 Unity Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p387
• Conrad Yarian was born September 1, 1780 Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania and died May 5, 1860 Columbiana County, Ohio
• died July 1, 1866
• both buried in Unity Brick Church Cemetery, Columbiana County, Ohio
• had thirteen children

Leah Louisa Rupert married John Catt

• mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart
• born December 7, 1787
• married August 5, 1809 Columbiana County, Ohio v1 p59 to John Catt
• 1820 Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio p4
• 1830 Blue River Township, Hancock County, Indiana p1
• 1850 Centre Township, Hancock County, Indiana p13
• 1860 Jackson Township, Hancock County, Indiana p16
• 1870 Scott Township, Bourbon County, Kansas p8
• died on December 27, 1872 Bourbon County, Kansas

Andrew Richard Rupert

• mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart
• born 1791-1795 based on age in 1820 and 1830 census records, or born 1797 if the right person in 1850 and 1860 census, age 53 and 63 respectively (see below)
• 1820 Hanover Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p5 (enumerated as Richard Rupert, on line just below John Rupert)
• wife was named Mary (according to the 1824 Deed Record)
• 1830 may be the Andrew Rupert in Sandy Township, Stark County, Ohio p1
• Not positive that the Andrew R Rupert below is the same man, but seems likely.
• 1850 Flatrock Township, Bartholomew County, Indiana p5 (Andrew R Rupert, no wife, four children age 16-24)
• 1852 June 13 married Elizabeth Spinlin in Shelby County, Indiana (bk6a p335 per WPA Records)
• 1860 Washington Township, Shelby County, Indiana p13 (Andrew R Rupert, wife Elizabeth, three children age 16-20 probably wife's children from a previous marriage)
• 1861 September 05 married Rebekah Cochran in Shelby County, Indiana (bk8 p4 per WPA Records)
• Jul 1862 July 04 married Roda Driscol in Shelby County, Indiana (bk8 p82 per WPA Records)

Rachael Rupert married Henry Fox

• mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart
• born about 1795/1796
• married May 5, 1812 Columbiana County, Ohio (v1 p129) to Henry Fox
• 1820 Hanover Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p5 (same page as John Rupert)
• Henry Fox (aka Heinrich Fuchs) was born in 1791 and died September 5, 1829 in Columbiana County, Ohio
• 1830 Hanover Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p7 (Rachel Fox is head of household)
• possibly eight children

Margaret Rupert

• mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart
• date of birth unknown

Sarah Rupert

• mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart
• date of birth unknown

Barbara Rupert

• mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart
• date of birth unknown

Elizabeth Rupert married William Meanor

• mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart
• date of birth unknown, estimate about 1805 if age 20 when married
• married September 18, 1825 Columbiana County, Ohio (v2 p216) to William Meaner

=+=+=+=+= There are possibly two other sons =+=+=+=+=

Christian Rupert married Mary Steller

• not mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart, no record of his birth
• born 1776-1794 (age 26-44 in 1820 census)
• married September 1, 1818 Columbiana County, Ohio v2 p12 to Mary Steller
• 1820 Centreville, Columbiana County, Ohio p2

George Rupert

• not mentioned in the 1828 will of John Rupart, no record of his birth
• born 1799-1810 (age 20-29 in 1830 census)
• 1820 not in the household of John Rupert
• 1830 Hanover Township, Columbiana County, Ohio p19 (head of household is Geo Ropert)

To state the obvious ;-) additional research needs to be done! If you are related to or doing research on any of these families, please contact me via email at kinexxions@gmail.com

For additional information on this and other Rupert families in Columbiana County, Ohio see Rupert Family :: Index to Posts