Individual Page

Person Info

• Name: Michael WITMER
• Sex: M
• Birth: Abt 1715 in Germany ^b
• Death: Abt May 1763 in Manor Twp, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania ^d


Parents:

• Father:
  
• Hans WIDMER Birth: Abt 1681

Family:
Marriage:

• (Unk) (WITMER) on 1 .^m1
  
• (Unk) (WITMER)

Children:

1. Anna WITMER Birth: Abt 1740 Death: 1813 in Manor Twp, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania
2. Magdalena WITMER Birth: Abt 1742
3. Barbara WITMER Birth: Abt 1744

Marriage:

• Barbara (WITMER) on 2 .^m2
  
• Barbara (WITMER) Death: Abt 1774

Children:

1. John WITMER Birth: Abt 1750 Death: Before 1 Aug 1772
2. Elizabeth WITMER Birth: Abt 1751 Death: Abt 1819 in Manor Twp, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania
3. Mary WITMER Birth: Abt 1754
4. Catherine WITMER Birth: Abt 1756
5. Veronica WITMER Birth: Abt 1760

Bibliography

Sources for birth and parent Information

date:

abt 1712 [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421]

abt 1715 [Ref: Best KENDIG p18],

place:

[Ref: LancasterCoPA Biog p416],

father:

[Ref: Best KENDIG p18]

Sources with Inaccurate birth and parent Information

date:

1672 [Ref: KaufmanCF KAUFMAN p256],

brother:

Ulrich #91069 and Peter #91070 [Ref: Spaetzel WITMER p80]

Sources for death Information

date:

1763 [Ref: KaufmanCF KAUFMAN p256]

Apr or May 1763 [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421]

will dated 1763 [Ref: Best KENDIG p18]

will dated 23 Apr 1763 [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-312, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-315, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-319, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-322, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-325]

will dated 23 Apr pro 9 May 1763 [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills 2X-100]

will proved 9 May 1763 [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills J-345],

place:

[Ref: Best KENDIG p18, Davis Emigrants v2p421, LancasterCoPA Wills 2X-100]

Sources with Inaccurate death Information

place:

Manheim Twp [Ref: KaufmanCF KAUFMAN p256]

Sources with Information about marriage to (Unk) (WITMER)

date:

first marriage of Michael [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-312, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-315, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-319, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-322, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-325],

names:

Michael WITMER & unk first wife [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-312, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-315, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-319, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-322, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-325],

child:

[Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-312, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-315, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-319, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-322, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-325]

Sources with Information about marriage to Barbara (WITMER)

date:

second marriage of Michael [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-312, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-315, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-319, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-322, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-325],

names:

Michael WITMER & Barbara ___ [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-312]

Michael WITMER & unk second wife [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-315, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-319, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-322, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-325],

child:

[Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-312, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-315, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-319, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-322, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-325]

Research Notes:
emigrated on ship Pennsylvania Merchant, John Stedman, Commander, from Rotterdam, landed Philadelphia 11 Sep 1732 [Ref: Strassburger PAGermanPioneers p66]

Sep 11 1732: arrived in Philadelphia, ship "Pennsylvania Merchant" with a small group of Mennonites [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421]

1732: came from Germany, settled in Manor Twp [Ref: Klein LancCoPAHistory p199, LancasterCoPA Biog p416]

immigrated in 1733 [Ref: Spaetzel WITMER p83]

c1733: arrived, and settled in the upper part of Manheim Twp, Lancaster Co, PA [Ref: KaufmanCF KAUFMAN p256]

1737: settled on 89 acres in the middle of Earl Township; received his land Patent on Sep 10 1745 [Ref: Spaetzel WITMER p83]

1743: warranted land in West Hempfield and Manor Twp [Ref: Best KENDIG p18]

1751: taxed in Manor Twp [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421]

Nov 15 1752: warranted 257 acres in Hempfield Twp and Manor Twp [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421]

Nov 15 1752: received patent for 257 acres of land in Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, and recorded in Patent Book A Vol 16 page 272. Noted in Deeds CC-312, CC-315, CC-319, CC-322, and CC-325 [see Jacob Seitz #364 for copies of these deeds] [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-312, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-315, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-319, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-322, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-325]

1754: taxed in Manor Twp, as Michael Witmer Sr [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421]

Jan 30 1762: purchased from John Newcomer and Elizabeth his wife, 18 acres of land in Manor Twp, Lancaster County. Noted in Deed 5A-188 [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds 5A-188]

will dated 23 Apr 1763. Mentions three children by first wife, Anna, Magdalena, and Barbara; five children by second wife, son John, daughters Elizabeth, Mary, Catharine, Fronica. Executors John Newconnat and George Mumma [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-312, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-315, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-319, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-322, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-325]

will proved 9 May 1763. Will written in German and not recorded [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills J-345]

will dated 23 Apr 1763, pro 9 May 1763, mentions wife Barbara (his second wife), three daughters Anna, Magdalena, and Barbara from first marriage, and son John [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills 2X-100]

will directs that 30 acres (the part where he lived) be divided among the three daughters of first marriage, and remainder granted to son John. If John died before age of 21, then three daughters of first marriage be given 40 acres, and all other children inherit equally [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-312, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-315, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-319, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-322, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-325, LancasterCoPA Wills 2X-100]

Jun 12 1764: Executor of estate granted to Anna, Magdalena, and Barbara, 30 acres of patented land in Hempfield Twp [Ref: LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-312, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-315, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-319, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-322, LancasterCoPA Deeds CC-325]

1764: daughters Anna, Magdalena, and Barbara sold to Christian Newcomer 30 acres in Hempfield Twp [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421]

Mar 3 1772: in Orphans Court, Maria Witmer, minor over age 14, chose Henry Neff as guardian; Catherine, minor over age 14, chose John Newcomer of Hempfield as guardian; George Mumma was appointed guardian of Frena, under age 14 [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421]

Aug 1 1772: Henry Neff, George Mumma, and John Newcomer, guardians of the estates of Mary, Catherine, and Frena Witmore, agreed with Christian Newcomer and Anna his wife, jacob Seitz and Elizabeth his wife, to transfer certain goods to Barbara Witmore, widow of Michael Witmore [Ref: Davis Emigrants v2p421]

---------- Lancaster Co PA Wills J-345, proved 9 May 1763:
Michael Witmer, deceased. The last will and testament of Michael Witmer, late of Manor township, deceased, being written in German, and therefore could not be recorded, but the probate endorsed thereon, is as follows, to wit,
Lancaster County SS. On the ninth day of May, anno domini 1763, Before me the subscriber personally appeared Joseph Hobecker, Christian Newcomet, Henry Astant, and Jacob Immel, the four subscribing witnesses to the within will and on their solemn affirmations did declare and say that they were present and saw and heard Michael Witmer the testator within named, sign seal publish, pronounce, and declare the within 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 and belief.
Be it remembered that on the ninth day of May, anno domini, 1763, The last will and testament of Michael Witmore, late of the county of Lancaster, yeoman, deceased, was proved in due form of law, and Letters testamentary thereon were granted to John Newcomets and George Mumma, the executors therein named, they being first duly qualified, well and truly to administer the estate of the said decedent, and to exhibit a true and perfect inventory thereof into the Registers office at Lancaster, on or before the ninth day of June next, and to render a true and just account of their administration on the said estate when that lawfully required. Given under the seal of the said office, Edward Shippen. [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills J-345]

Will dated 23 Apr 1763, pro 9 May 1763, translated from German and recorded in Lancaster County Court House in Book X-2 p100 (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 twenty third day of April Anno Domino one thousand seven hundred and sixty three I Michael Witmer Senr of Manor Township in the County of Lancaster and province of Pensilvania yeoman am very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefore Calling unto mind the mortality of my Body and Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Dye, Do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament that is to say principally and first of all I give my Soul into the Hands of God that Gave it and my Body to be Buried to the Earth in a Christian Like manner Nothing Doubting But at the Resurection to Receive the same again. By the might power of God and concerning such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me in this Lifetime I give and dispose the same in the following manner and form. Im premis it is my will and I do ordain that in the first place all my just Debts shall be payed and satisfied, further I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Barbara the third part of all my personal Estate. Item I give unto my said wife Barbara a Riding Mare with Sattle and Bridle. Item I give and bequeath unto my three children from the first marriage Anna Magdalena and Barbara thirty acres of Land of my place where I live on the lower part viz the Lower Meadow and from thence along the line of Henry Neave until it makes up thirty acres and the house which is on it now shall be built and payd out of my whole estate and I appraise the said thirty acres unto my said firth three children as ninety pounds pounds Pensilvania money. Item I give and bequeath unto my son John the Remainder of the said thirty acres viz the place where on I live now in Manor Township about two hundred and forty five acres and I appraise him the said place to seven hundred pounds pounds Pensilvania money money. But if my said son John should dye before he comes to the age of Twenty one years then my three Children of my first wife shall have forty acres of Land from the upper place for the same price as my son John was to have it. Item I ordain and is my will that all my children shall share equally of me one like the other. Item it is my will that my son John shall pay after my decease yearly thirty pounds Pensilvania money until he stands in equal shares with all his sisters. But my son John shall have no right to sell his place Before he is twenty five years of age and my undermentioned Executors shall have no right to give a Deed to my said son John Before he is married and if my three children from my first wife should sell their Land then my son John shall be the next for a reasonable prize and if my son John should sell then my three children of my first wife shall be the next for a reasonable prize. Item it is my will that my wife Barbara shall live in my place wherein I live now and enjoined(?) until my son John is twenty one years of age if she will be a widow without Rent and with that she shall bring up the rest of the children. Item I make and ordain my two friends John Newcomer and George Muma for my only Executors of this my Last will and Testament and Impower them for me and in my name to give good and lawful Deeds to my said heirs for them and their heirs and assigns forever and do hereby revoke all my former wills and Testaments, Ratifying and confirming this as my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Michael (X) Witmer.
Sealed and pronounced published and declared by the said Michael Witmer as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers Joseph Kobachen, Christian Newcomer, Henry Neisbit, Jacob Immel.
Lancaster County SS. On the ninth Day of May Anno Domini 1763 Before me the subscriber personally appeared Joseph Kobachen, Christian Newcomer Henry Niesbit and Jacob Immel the four subscribing witnesses to the within will and on their solemn affirmation did declare and say that they were present and saw and heard Michael Witmer the testator within named sign seal and publish pronounce and declare the within writing as and for his Last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof he was of sound and well disposing mine memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge observation and Belief. Edw Shippen D.R.
Be it Remembered that on the ninth day of May Anno Domini 1763 the Last Will and Testament of Michael Witmer late of the County of Lancaster yeoman deceased was proved in due form of Law and Letters Testamentary thereto were granted to John Newcomer and George Mumona the Executors therein named, they being first duly qualified well and truly to administer the Estate of the said decedent and to exhibit a true and perfect Inventory thereof unto the Registrar's Office at Lancaster on or before the ninth day of June next and to render a true and just account of their administration in the said Estate when thereto lawfully required. Given under the seal of the same office and me. Edward Shippen, D.R. [Ref: LancasterCoPA Wills 2X-100]

Lancaster Co PA, Orphans Court Records of 14 Aug 1764:
At an Orphans Court held at Lancaster for the County of Lancaster August the fourteenth 1764, present Adam Simon Kuhn, James Burd, Edward Shippen, Esqs, Justices.
John Newcomer and George Mumma Exrs of the last Will & Testament of Michael Witmore decd produce to the Court the Accompt of their Admrn of the Deceased's Estate pass'd before the Deputy Register to which they were duly qualified which the Court approves and allows of by which it appears that hereis a Ballance in their Hands of 769 pounds 6 shillings 5 pence, which after deducting 12 shillings the Expenses of this Court, The Court orders to be distributed according to the Will of the Deceased as follows (that is to say), To the widow of the deceased, 256 pounds 4 shillings, 2 pence, To Anna 64..1..2 1/2, To magdalena 64..1..2 1/2, To Barbara 64..1..2 1/2, To John 64..1..2 1/2, To Elizabeth 64..1..2 1/2, To Maria 64..1..2 1/2, To Catharina 64..1..2 1/2, To Frena 64..1..2 1/2. [Ref: LancasterCoPA OrphansCt 14 Aug 1764]



Pedigree of Michael WITMER
                            /-----Hans WITMER
                   /-----Jacob WITMER
          /-----Heinrich WITMER
         |         \-----Regula HAUSLER
 /-----Hans WIDMER
|        |         /-----Conrad HEISTAND
|         \-----Margareth HEISTAND
|                  \-----Anna GLATMAN
Michael WITMER



Descendants of Michael WITMER

2nd generation


3rd generation


4th generation


5th generation