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Person Info

• Name: John MUSSER
• Sex: M
• Birth: 1695 in Ittlingen, Germany ^b
• Death: Apr 1752 in Lancaster Borough, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania ^d
• Burial: Musser Family Cemetery, Manor Twp, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania ^u


Parents:

• Father:
  
• Peter MOSER Birth: Jan 1671 in Biglen, Bern, Switzerland

Family:
Marriage:

• Veronica (MUSSER) at Europe .^m1
  
• Veronica (MUSSER) Death: Before 1752

Children:

1. Jacob MUSSER Birth: Abt 1728 in Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania Death: Dec 1755 in Manor Twp, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania
2. Peter MUSSER Birth: Abt 1730 in Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania Death: Dec 1759 in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania
3. John MUSSER Birth: 15 Jul 1738 in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania Death: 28 Jan 1804
4. Henry MUSSER Birth: 11 Apr 1740 in Lancaster Twp, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania Death: 6 Mar 1808

Bibliography

Sources for birth and parent Information

date:

[Ref: Davis Emigrants v1p261]

1694 or 1695 [Ref: Sider MARTIN p33]

age 20 in 1715 [Ref: Best BEAR-Euro p26, Stoltzfus WANNER p1],

place:

[Ref: Davis Emigrants v1p261]

Germany [Ref: Mott MUSSER p151]

Ittlingen in 1715 [Ref: Best BEAR-Euro p26, Stoltzfus WANNER p1]

Switzerland [Ref: Sider MARTIN p33],

father:

[Ref: Best BEAR-Euro p26, Davis Emigrants v1p261, MusserRW MUSSER p12, Sider MARTIN p33, Stoltzfus WANNER p1]

Sources with Inaccurate birth and parent Information

date:

1704 [Ref: Mott MUSSER p151]

abt 1704 [Ref: Landis EarlyMussers p14, MusserEA MUSSER p11]

Sources for death Information

date:

[Ref: Landis EarlyMussers p14, MusserEA MUSSER p11]

1752 [Ref: Davis Emigrants v1p261, Recker PeopleMarsh II#4p1, Sider MARTIN p35]

will pro 5 Apr 1752 [Ref: Mott MUSSER p151],

place:

[Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds TT-486, MusserEA MUSSER p11]

Lancaster Twp [Ref: Davis Emigrants v1p261]

Lancaster Twp, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania [Ref: Recker PeopleMarsh I#9p1]

Lancaster [Ref: Recker PeopleMarsh II#4p1]

Sources for burial Information

place:

[Ref: Mott MUSSER p151, Musser MusserPlantation p170]

Sources with Information about marriage to Veronica (MUSSER)

date:

before coming to America [Ref: Landis EarlyMussers p13, Sider MARTIN p33],

place:

before coming to America [Ref: Sider MARTIN p33],

names:

Hans MUSSER & Frony ___ [Ref: Landis EarlyMussers p13, Landis EarlyMussers p14]

Hans MUSSER & Veronica ___ [Ref: Musser MusserPlantation p162]

John MUSSER & Veronica ___ [Ref: Mott MUSSER p151, MusserEA MUSSER p11, MusserEA MUSSER p20, Recker PeopleMarsh I#9p1, Sider MARTIN p33, Stoltzfus WANNER p183, WengerSS WENGER p1087],

child:

[Ref: Landis EarlyMussers p14, Mott MUSSER p151, Musser MusserPlantation p162, MusserEA MUSSER p11, MusserEA MUSSER p20, Recker PeopleMarsh I#9p1, Stoltzfus WANNER p183, WengerSS WENGER p1087]

Research Notes:
Sep 30 1727: arrived in Philadelphia on ship "Molly", along with 72 other passengers including David Martin of Weaverland, Jacob Martin of Manor, Jost Musser of Lampeter, Christian Moser of Strasburg, Ulrich Shallenberger, Michael Schenck, heinrich Kreybill, Michael Frantz of Dauphin Co, Rudolph Bean of Rapho, Christian Wenger of Groffdale, and other Mennonites of the Upper Rhineland [Ref: Landis EarlyMussers p13]

emigrated 1727 on "Molly" (John, Christian, and Jost) as given in family bible of Peter Musser family [Ref: Recker PeopleMarsh III#1p2]

arrived 30 Sep 1727 on "Molly" with his brothers [Ref: Davis Emigrants v1p261]

arrived in Philadelphia with fellow Mennonite David Martin, and with brothers Jost (Jacob) and Christian [Ref: Sider MARTIN p33]

emigrated 1727 on "Molly" with Christian Wenger [Ref: WengerSS WENGER p1087]

emigrated in 1727 to Lancaster County [Ref: MusserRW MUSSER p12]

purchased from sons of Theodore Eby (who d 1727) their rights to 300 acres on west side of Conestoga Creek [Ref: Brackbill Conestoga p39]

Feb 20 1734: heirs of Theodore Eby (who died intestate 1727), "did grant bargain and sell all and every their Right, Title, and Interest of in and to the above described three hundred acres of Land unto Hans Moser, of the County of Lancaster" [Ref: Musser MusserPlantation p160]

Nov 16 1737: 318 acre tract patented to Hans Moser. This land was warranted on May 10 1718 to "Dorus" Eby, and surveyed May 30 1718. An affirmation, Apr 1 1728, after the death of Dorus was given to his son, John Eby. The Eby descendants, on Feb 20, 1734, deeded the land to Hans Moser. Dorus Eby had died intestate, "without having paid any part of the said considerationmoney, and without having performed any of the conditions and provisions aforesaid" [Ref: Landis EarlyMussers p13]

1737: obtained 300 acres of land which became known as the John Musser Plantation; currently the southern part of the city of Lancaster north of the Conestoga River [Ref: Sider MARTIN p33]

Nov 16 1737: patented 130 acres on Conestoga Creek next to Michael Shank and Henry Funk [Ref: Davis Emigrants v1p261]

Sep 7 1744: sold to Dr Adam Simon Kuhn, for 190 pounds, 15 acres of land. Recorded in Deed U-679 [Ref: Musser MusserPlantation p167]

Dec 14 1744: sold to Rev Richard Locke and John Foulks an acre of ground. Recorded in Deed B-288 [Ref: Musser MusserPlantation p167]

1744: purchased "the old Musser homestead" at Turkey Hill in Manor Township, Lancaster Co, from John Wistler whohad secured a patent for it in 1741 [Ref: Eshleman RiverBrethren p208]

died in April 1752, buried in the little family graveyard, located on high ground about 600 ft southwest of the house [Ref: Musser MusserPlantation p169]

will pro 5 Apr 1752, mentions four sons Jacob, Peter, John, and Henry. Three plantations, one in Manor Twp, one in Hempfield Twp, and one in Lancaster Twp [Ref: Recker PeopleMarsh I#9p1]

will of 5 Apr 1752 mentions Jacob, Manor Twp, land 500 acres; Peter (wife Anna) part of 300 acres Lancaster Twp sold to Uncle Henry and others when they went to Somerset County; John 121 Acres in Hempfield on Branch of the Conestoga 1,261; lived in Lancaster; Henry was devised part of 300 Acres in Lancaster Twp; Anna d c1818 m John Brubaker, Manheim Twp to Somerset County c 1784; Hans c1704-Ar 1752 wife Veronica, four children [Ref: Landis EarlyMussers p22]

will dated 14 Mar 1752, pro 25 Apr 1752. Mentions sons Jacob, Peter, John, and Henry; executors son Jacob and Jacob Hostetter [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills 2X-126]

buried first in a family cemetery on the Plantation that has since disappeared [Ref: Sider MARTIN p35]

inventory of estate valued the possessions as 630 pounds, a large sum [Ref: Sider MARTIN p35]

----- Warrant for 300 Acres of Land Requested by Theodorus Eby:
Pensilvania SS
By the Commissioners of Property
At theRequest of Theodorus Ebey, late of Germany but now of this Province, that We would Grant him to take up among the new Surveys at Conestogo, the quantity of Three hundred Acres of land for which he agrees to pay to the Proprietaries use, Thirty Pound Money of Pensilvania for the whole, and the Yearly Quitrent of one Shilling Sterling for each hundred acres. These are to Authorize and Require thee to Survey, or cause to be Surveyed, unto the said Theodorus Eby, at or near the place aforewaid according to the Method of Townships appointed, the said Quantity of Three hundred acres of land that has not been already Surveyed nor approprieted, nor is Sealed by the Indians & make Returns thereof into the Secretary's Office, which Survey in case the said Theodorus fulfil the above agreement within Three Months after the Date hereof shall be Valid, otherwise the Same is to be Void as if it had never been made, nor this Warrant ever granted. Given under our Hands and Seal of ye Province at Philadelphia, ye 10 day of ye 3 Moth AD 1718. To Jacob Taylor, Surveyor Genl. Richard Hill, Isaac Norris, James Logan. [Ref: Musser MusserPlantation p159]

Patent issued 16 Nov 1737 to Hans Moser:
NOW at the Instance andRequest of the said Hans Moser that we would be pleased to grant him a confirmation of the said three hundred acres of Land, according to the Siguation Lines and Bounds aforesaid.
Know ye that for and in Consideration of the Sum of thirty Pounds lawful Money of Pensilvania, to our Use now paid by the said Hans Moser, the Receipt whereof is hereby Acknowledged,
We have granted unto the said hans Moser and his Heirs, the said Three hundred Acres of Land as the same are now Set Forth & Bounded, with all Mines, Minerals, Quarrys, Meadows, Marshes, Swamps, Cripples, Woods, Under Woods, Timber and Trees, Water Courses, Liberaties, Commodities, Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever belonging and lying within the Bounds and Limits aforesaid, three full and clear fifth parts of all Royal Mines, free from all Deductions and Reprisals for Digging and Refining, and also free Leave, Right and Liberty to and for the said hans Moser, his Heirs and Assigns, to Hawk, Hunt, Fish and Fowl in and upon the hereby granted Land and Premises ... to the only Use and Behoof of the said Hans Moser, his Heirs and Assigns forever,
To be holden of Us our Heirs and Successors Proprietarys of Pensilvania As of our Manner (Manor) of Conestogoe in the County of Lancaster afs in Fee and common Socceage by fealty only in Lieu of all other Services,
Yielding and Paying herefore yearly to Us Our Heirs and Successors at the Town of Lancaster, in the said County, at or Upon the first Day of March in every Year from the first Day of March last past, one Shilling Sterling for every Hundred Acres of the same or Value thereof in Coyn Current, according as the Exchange shall then be between our said Province andthe City of London, to Such Person or Persons as Shall from Time to Time be Appounted to receive the same,
And in the case of Non Payment thereof within Ninety Days Next after the same shall become due, that then it shall and may be lawful for Us our Heirs and Successors, upon the hereby granted Land Premises to Reenter, and the same to Hold and Possess Untilthe said Quit Rent and all Arrears thereof, together with the Charges Accruing by Means of such Non Payment and Re entry aforesaid by fully paid and Discharged,
In Witness whereof the said Thomas Penn, by Virtue of the Power and Authority to him granted by the said John and Richard Penn, and of his own Right, hath caused the Great Seal of the said Province to be hereunto Affixed, at Philadelphia, this Sixteenth Day of November, in the Year of Our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and thirty seven, the Eleventh Year of the Reign of King George the Second over Great Britain and the twentieth Year of our Government. Thomas Penn [Ref: Musser MusserPlantation p160]

Will dated 14 Mar 1752, pro 25 Apr 1752, translated from German and recorded in Lancaster County Court House in Book X-2 p126 (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):
In the Name of God Amen, the 14th day of March 1752, I John Musser of Lancaster Township in Lancaster County being very sick and weak in Body but of Perfect mind and Memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling into mind the mortality of my Body and Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die to make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in the following manner and form, Imprimis It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my just debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied. Item it is my will that my Land in Manor Township for which I had given a Deed to my son Jacob Musser shall be valued for five hundred Pounds. Item it is my will that one of my three sons as Peter Musser, John Musser, and Henry Musser shall have my Land in Hempfield Township for the sum of Two hundred and sixty one Pounds, which three sons shall draw Tickels(?) which of them shall have the same Land and that my hereafter mentioned Executors shall sign and seal as good Title for the same as good and lawful as I myself might or could do. Item it is my will that my Land and Plantation whereon I dwell now can or may be sold from my hereafter mentioned Executors to any Person or Persons if they find it for good and proper and to give one or more Titles for the same as good and Lawfull as I myself might or could do were I possibly present. But in case if two of my said Sons will keep the Land himself then it shall be valued from the Executors and others suiceably(?) means in Reasonable and shall a good Title or Titles be delivered from my Executors as good Lawfull as above said. Item it is my will that all my Real and Personal Estate shall be equally divided among my four Sons namely Jacob Musser, Peter Musser, John Musser and Henry Musser in share and share alike. Item I institute make and appoint my beloved son Jacob Musser and my trusted friend Jacob Hosteter my only and sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disallow and revoke all and every other former Testaments will and Executors by me in any ways before this time named willed and bequeathed confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written. John Musser.
Sealed signed published pronounced and declared from the Testator as his Last Will and Testament in presence of Henry Resh, John Brubaker, Abrm Myer.
The 25th April 1752 Before me the subscriber came Henry Resh and Abraham Meyer two of the witnesses to the above written will and on their solemn affirmation did declare and say that they were present and saw and heard John Musser the above named Testator sign seal publish and declare the above writing as and for his last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof he was of sound and disposing mine memory and understanding according to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Lancaster County SS. Be it Remembered that on the fifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five before George Ross Esquire Registrar for the Probate of wills and granting Letters of Administration in and for the County of Lancaster aforesaid personally appeared Benjamin Hershey of the Township of Lancaster in the said County Yeoman who upon his solemn affirmation according to Law did declare and say that he is well acquainted with the handwriting of Hans Brubaker and Abraham Meyer (both now deceased) two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing Instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of John Musser deceased he this affirmant believes the names Hans Burkholder and Abrm Meyer thereto subscribed as witnesses are of the proper handwriting of them the said Hans Brubaker and Abraham Meyer respectively and further this affirmant saith not. Benjamin Hershey.
Affirmed and subscribed the 5th day of June Anno Domini 1795 before me G Ross, Registrar. [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills 2X-126]



Pedigree of John MUSSER
                                     /-----Ulrich MOSER
                            /-----Galante MOSER
                   /-----Peter MOSER
                  |         \-----Dori HUNDSPERGER
          /-----Peter MOSER
         |         \-----Elsbeth LONGENEGGER
 /-----Peter MOSER
|        |         /-----Christian TOMI
|         \-----Elsbeth TOMI
|                  \-----Elsbeth HOFER
John MUSSER



Descendants of John MUSSER

2nd generation


3rd generation


4th generation


5th generation