USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > A history of the Goshenhoppen Reformed charge, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (1727-1819) > Part 14
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O
15
6
Henrich Huber, the wheelwright pays
I
Dewalt Brauchler, pays
O
IO
Peter Samsel pays
I
O
Paul Samsel pays
O
5
Nicklaus Mumbauer pays
IO
Henrich Hitz pays
7
Henrich Crob pays
IO
Rudi Huber pays
IO
Abraham Ditlo pays
O
I5
Henrich Bleiler pays
I
O
Rudi Frick pays
IO
6
174
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
Jacob Huber, the [. . . ] pays
10
O
Total
2
6
Nicklaus Faust
3
Jacob Meier
5
-
Adam Willauer
7
6
Lutwich Hersch pays 3 sh. for the farmer.
Paul Samsel pays one sh. for the churchyard.
Nicklaus Mumbauer pays one sh. for the churchyard.
Peter Weber pays 5 sh. for the churchyard.
DISPOSAL OF REV. MR. WEISS'S PROPERTY.
WHEN Mr. G. M. Weiss died in August, 1761, he left no will. For some unknown reason his widow, Anna Weiss, delayed asking for letters of administration till October 2, 1764, when they were granted to her and to Christian Schneider, as executors, inventory to be exhibited in the Court at Philadelphia on or before October 2, 1765. Before the inventory was filed, Mrs. Anna Weiss herself made a will on May 9, 1765. She died within a month after- wards, on June 2, 1765. On August 20, 1765, her will was pro- bated. By the terms of her will she not only freed, under certain conditions, her negro family, consisting of a man and his wife, together with nine children, but also bequeathed to them all the improvements of the farm, belonging to the congregation, on which she lived. By this act she involved the congregation in a long and tedious law-suit, and thus the history of the disposal of Mr. Weiss's property becomes part of the history of the congregation. In order to clear up this whole case, which has often been alluded to by his- torians, but was never fully understood, we present the following documents :
[I. LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION GRANTED TO MRS. WEISS.] Book of Administration, Register of Wills Office, Philadelphia, Vol. G. p. 417.
Memorandum, that Letters of Administration were granted to Anna Weiss and Christian Schneider in the Estate of the late Michael Weiss, dec. Inventory to be exhibited on or before the
-
175
Inventory of Weiss Estate
2nd day of October 1765. Given under the seal of the Register General's Office, at Philadelphia, the 2nd day of October 1764. WILLIAM PLUMSTED,
Reg. Gen1.
[II. INVENTORY OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE MICHAEL WEISS. OCTOBER 2, 1764.] Office of Register of Wills, Philadelphia, 1764, No. 114.
Inventory of the Estate chattels, moveables and Household goods of Michael Weiss late of Upper Hanover Township in the County of Philadelphia and Province of Pennsylvania, Minister of the reformed congregation, deceased, as the same being valued and appraised by Adam Hillegas and John Coleman on this IIth day of September Anno 1764.
Six books mostly Latin, in quarto
I.
o. o.
To one Book in folio, five dito in octavo, Latin
o.
15. o.
to six books octavo Latin, Greek & Hebrew
o. 12. o.
to fifteen small books, mostly Latin
o.
7.
6.
to the Table
I.
o.
o.
to the round Table
o.
3. o.
to two old chairs
o. I. 6.
to another round table
o.
15. o.
to an old looking glass and a pair of Pictures
o.
7.
6.
to a pair of fire dogs O.
7. 6.
to five pewter Dishes, two Basons
1.
15. O.
to one dozen plates and one dozen spoons
o.
7.
6.
to two pewter Tea Pots & a coffee pot
O.
7.
6.
to six delft tea cups & saucers
o. 2.
6.
to two Cannisters & a funnel
o.
I.
6.
to Tea Kettles
D.
IO.
o.
to a water pot
O.
4.
O.
to three Tubs two buckets
o.
3 .
6.
to his Bed with the Bedstead and appurtenances
2.
IO. O.
to another Bed with Bedstead
2.
o.
to three Cows, two Calves 9.
o.
O.
to a side sadle I.
5.
O.
s.
d.
to two Iron Pots with Pot-hooks. Two Pans
o.
12. o.
176
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
£
S.
d.
to an old Horse
3.
o.
0.
to one gray Horse
4.
O.
o.
to an old waggon with the Geers
II.
o.
O.
to the Plough and Harrow
I.
o.
o.
£43.
7.
6.
The amount of the first page brought over
43.
7.
6.
to an ax, cropping Howe dung fork, pitch fork
0.
IO.
0.
amount to
£43.
17.
6.
appraised by Adam Hilligas Johannes Gallman
There is fifteen acres of land a 35/
26.
5.
four Hogs a 10/
2.
-
five sheep a 6/
I.
IO.
£29.
15.
[The last four lines are crossed out with the remark "to be left out."]
Besides the above there is a Negro Family belonging to said Minister deceased, viz.
A negro Man named Gideon, aged about 44 years old, but now a cripple, who is not appraised.
His wife Jenny, aged 42 years with a female child about six months old, valued at £30. 0. o.
A negro lad, named Jacob, old 20 years 50.
O. O.
A negro wench, named Elizabeth, 18 years old
40. O. O.
A negro lad, named Henry, 16 years old 40.
o.
A negro wench, named Anne Mary, 14 years old
30.
A negro girl, named Catherine, 11 years old
30.
A negro girl, named Margareth, 9 years old
25.
O.
A negro girl. named Susan, 6 years old
20.
A negro boy, named John, 4 years old
I5.
O.
Amounts to
£280. o. O.
appraised by ADAM HILLIGAS JOHANNES GALLMANN
[Endorsed ]
Inventory of Mich1. Weiss's Estate Exhibited 2. October 1764.
177
Account of Weiss Estate
III. ACCOUNT OF MICHAEL WEISS'S ESTATE. L
JULY 8, 1766.] Register of Will's Office, Philadelphia, 1764, No. 114.
The accompt of Christian Schneider, surviving Administrator of the Estate late of Michael Weiss deced. as well of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, Rights and Credits which were of the said deced. and which came to this Accomptant's Hand and Possession as of the several payments and disbursements made out of the same. Imprimis 1764.
The said Accomptant charges himself with all and singular the Goods Chattels Rights and Credits which were of the said deced. as mentioned in an Inventory remaining in the Reg". Genl. Office at Philadª. am. to.£280. o. O
The said Accomptant charges himself with the -
further sum of £129-11, being the appª. value of the goods and what the deceased's goods sold for more than appraised at including ye negroes -
I29. II. O.
The said accomptant charges himself with the follow- ing sum reced for work done by the Negroes to the following persons, viz.
from Adam Hillegas
3. 3.
10.
from Jacob Derr
3. 5.
3.
from John Wisler
4.
-
from Peter Hilligas
17.
8.
from Andreas Greaver
IO.
-
from George Miller
2.
3.
from Bernard Bispham
3.
IO.
-
£ II.
13.
-
Ditto with the sum of 30/ being what a large Bible sold for and not included in ye aforesaid
Inventory
I. IO.
-
£422.
14. -
Item
The said Accomptant prays Allowance for his several payments and disbursements made out of the same as follows, viz .-
By cash paid for Letters of Adm.
17. -
13
178 History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
paid sundry Expenses on appraising Goods amount- ing to
£
I.
2. 6.
paid David Shultz for services, etc.
5.
-
paid to Frederick Snyder for eight days services on business of the Estate by order of Wm. Plumsted, then Reg". Gen'.
paid John Ross for advice
I.
10.
paid B. Chew Esq. for ditto
I.
14.
paid Conrad Frank for sundry services in and about the Estate, allowed & approved by Wm. Plumsted, Esq.
6.
paid to Advertisements
6.
3.
paid Christian Hambach per receipt
I.
14.
paid at the office for these amounts 17/6 and a Clk for services 7/0
I.
5.
-
£ 18.
13.
9.
By an allowance for reced *£422. 14
21.
2.
6.
ditto on paying 4. 18. 13
Ballance of £381. 19. 1 to be disposed of according to Law as follows:
To the widow, one half
£190.
19.
61/2
To the Heirs of the deceased
£190.
19.
61/2
£381.
19.
I
£422
14.
-
Philadelphia July 8, 1766. Error excepted
Examined & pass'd CHRISTIAN SCHNEIDER
July 8, 1766. The Admr. being first thereto sworn by
BENJ. CHEW, Regr. Gen1.
[IV. ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ESTATE OF G. M. WEISS. DECEMBER 12, 1771.]
The Additional Acct. of Christian Schneider surviving Admin- istrator of the Estate of Michael Weiss, deceased.
The said Accomptant charges himself with the Ballance of the last settlement on the other side of this paper. . £381. 19. 1.
-
-
-
-
18.
8.
4.
-
179
Final Account of Estate
The said Accomptant prays Allowance for the several payments and disbursements made out of the same since last settlement, viz.
Paid expenses of Arbitration at Daniel Etters p. account I.
18. o.
Paid James Tilghman, Esquire, for his counsel and as- sistance in the affair of the Negroes
6.
o. O.
paid Expenses of Arbitration at Mr. Davenport p. account
I.
13.
paid Mr. Lewis Weiss for translating sundry writings from Germany
paid for stating the add'. acct. 7/6 and for examing & passing etc. 17/6
I.
5.
-
11.
II.
-
By Andrew Oel for the remainder of his Bond for one Negro sold him
40.
5.
-
-
-
By paying £11. 11 at 5 p. cent
o.
II.
O.
£164.
7.
O.
Ballance on this settlement exclusive of the above bonds £130
217.
12.
I.
£381.
19.
I.
Philadelphia, December 12, 1771.
Error excepted
CHRISTIAN SCHNEIDER.
[V. FINAL ACCOUNT OF THE ESTATE OF G. M. WEISS. NOVEMBER 6, 1789.]
The final Acct. of Leonard Melcher and Christian Schneider as Administrators etc. of George Michael Weiss and Ann his wife both deceased.
To Ballance on their first acct. settled in Register's
Office July 8, 1766
£381. 19.
I
Bal'. in favor of the said Administrators
£272. o.
-1/2
£654. 9. 11/2
N. B. Sundry Papers respecting the foregoing account are tied in a Bundle and lodged in the desk of this office.
-
-
By Leonard Thomas Bond for Negroes sold him at Vendue not received
82.
-
By the sum of 30 .- being for one negro boy sold George Righter, received by Leonard Melchior
30.
15.
180
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
By Amt. of their disbursements on 2nd Acct. ren- dered in Reg. Office Dec. 1771 . £ 12. 2.
By Amt. appraismt.s & sales of Negroes charged to the said Administrators in their first acct. (the said negroes having since obtained their freedom and the Admrs. obliged to refund 193.
By Amot. of Interest costs paid to Michael Bishop over and above first cost of Negro sold him
8.
6.
9
By Amo *. ditto paid Sam1. Heads Adm. over & above first cost of Negro sold him
70.
S.
8
By Amot. disbursements etc. as per Ist acct. settimt. of Ann Weiss rendered 8th March 1769
109.
IO.
8
By amot. ditto on 2nd Accot. of d°. rendered Dec. 17, 1771
12.
-
-
103.
13
101/2
By amot. monies remitted to the Heirs in Germany .. By Cash paid at Philada. by Christian Schneider to Geo. Mich. Weiss & Martin Weiss, Agents & Representatives of the Heirs in Germany
20.
2. 2.
By Amo. of Principal of Andrew Ohl & Leonard Thomas two Bonds given for Negroes sold to them-which Bonds the said Schneider assigned & delivered to the said George Mich1. Weiss & Martin Weiss as Agents & Representatives
122.
5. -
By Cash paid Clerk for stating Accot.
2.
5. -
By d°. paid Reg". for examining & passing this acco. with copy
10.
-
£654.
9.
11/2
Frederick Schneider and Henry Frantz, executors for the Testa- ment and last will of Christian Schneider, decd., who was the sur- viving Administrator of George Michael Weiss aforsd., on their solemn oaths do depose and say that the foregoing account as it stands stated and settled both as to the charge and discharge thereof is true and just to the best of their knowledge and belief. Sworn the 6th day of November 1789.
FREDERICK SNIDER HENRY FRANZ
Before me GEO. CAMPBELL, Reg".
-
5.
-
-
18I
Will of Mrs. Anna Weiss
[VI. WILL OF MRS. ANNA WEISS, DATED MAY 9, 1765, PRO- BATED AUGUST 20, 1765.]
Book of Administration, Register of Wills Office, Philadelphia, Vol. H. p. I.
In the Namce of [God] Amen.
Whereas I, Anna Weiss, as Relict Widow of George Michael Weiss late of Upper Hanover Township in the County of Phila- delphia, Reformed Calvinist Minister deceased, do find myself in an advanced age and very weak in body but of sound mind and understanding and Memory, thanks be to God, and calling to Mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed to all men once to die, so do I on this ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and sixty five make and ordain this my last Will and Testament.
And first of all, I recommend my soul into the Hands of Al- mighty God that gave it, and do desire that after my death my body be buried in a Christian like and decent manner and as touching to my worldly estate I do hereby dispose of the same in the following manner.
Imprimis, it is my will that all my Just debts contracted by me or my negroes be duly paid and discharged, and also that my here- unto named Executors shall demand ask and get in all the out- standing debts that are due to my deceased Husband for his serv- ices if they can be got,
And further it is my will and I give and bequeath unto my beloved Cousin Leonard Brunk living in the County of Albany in the government of New York and to his Heirs or Assigns all my fine Clothes and Garments as also six great silver spoons and also my three Golden Rings as in full for his Hereditary Share and Portion of my Estate to be delivered to him on demand by my Executors.
And whereas I have a Negro family consisting at Present of Eleven Persons as the Negroe man named Gideon and the wife named Jenny, the man aged about forty four years and the woman's age about forty two, their children's names are Jacob about Twenty
I82
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
years old and Elizabeth about Eighteen years, and Henry about sixteen years and Anne Mary about fourteen years and Catherina about eleven years, and Margareth about nine years, and Susanna about six years and John about four years and also a young female child about one year old named Eva, which all accordingly have been baptized to the Christian Protestant reformed Religion.
And whereas lately some claim hath been made by a Relation of the sª. deceased Revd. Minister my sª. Husband in favour of his other Relations in Germany claiming the half of our Estate, as also with an intention to sell said Negroes for slaves contrary to the sentiments and Intentions of my sª. deceased Husband who died Intestate, so it is my will that the said Negroe children may be bound out to serve from time to time or as long as necessary in order to make up such a sum of money as may be required or ordered to be sent to the Brethren and Relations of my sª. deceased Husband in Germany for their Hereditary share and Portion, and further it is my will that all my said whole Negroe family shall after the time of my death be free, and I do hereby declare them altogether without distinction or Exception to be an entire free Negroe family, so that they never shall or may be bound out to eternal slavery, but shall hereby fully have and enjoy their lib- erty, only hereby excepted as above said to get so much money by servitude as necessary on the above said demand, as from year to year or otherwise as it shall seem best to my hereunto named Executors :
And I do hereby further give devise and bequeath unto my said Negro Man Gideon Moor and to his Heirs and assigns as to my said whole Negroe family forever a certain Tract of Land situate in Douglas Township in the County of Philadelphia adjoining the land of Michael Read, Mathias Walther, Andreas Weiler and Philip Leidecker and containing fourteen acres and six Perches of Land which I lately Purchased of Peter Hillegas & obtained a Deed for the same with all Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever. To hold to them my said Negroe family and for their use and behoof forever,
And I further give and bequeath all my Right Claim and de-
183
Will of Mrs. Anna Weiss
mand (if any I have) of in and to any Improvement and Land where I now live unto the said Gideon Moor and for his and their Proper Use and Behoof for ever, saving to others their Right to the same if any they have,
And I do hereby further give devise and bequeath unto my said Negro man Gideon Moor and to his Heirs and Assigns forever all the remainder of my Moveable and personal Estate as my other Clothes, chests, money, furniture and all and every sort of house- hold goods and Tools whatsoever. To hold to him the said Gideon Moor his Heirs and Assigns and to their only proper use and Be- hoof for ever, Provided hereby that all my debts now due by me be all regularly paid and I devise that all may be done according to the true Intent and meaning hereof,
And I further devise that care may be taken that all the said Negroe Children may be taught & instructed in the Doctrine of the true Christian reformed Religion, in the best manner it can be done, and I do hereby wish that they all may enjoy hereafter endless Felicity.
And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my trusty and beloved friends as Jacob Arndt, Esquire, one of his Majestys Jus- tices of the peace for the County of Northampton and Peter Hille- gas of Upper Hanover Township in Philadelphia County yeoman to be the sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I do hereby declare this and no other to be my last will & Tes- tament.
In Witness and Confirmation whereof I the above named Anna Weiss have hereunto set my Hand and Seal. Dated the day and year as first above written.
her ANNA A WEISS (Seal) mark
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Anna Weiss as her last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers.
JOHANNES WISHLER DAVID SCHULZ JOHANNES TAUBST
184
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
PHILADELPHIA August 20th 1765,
There personally appeared Johannes Wissler and David Shultze two of the witnesses to the foregoing will and on their solemn affirmation according to Law did declare they saw and heard Anna Weiss the Testatrix therein named sign seal publish and declare the same will for and as her last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof she was of sound mind memory and understand- ing to the best of their knowledge.
Coram BENJAMIN CHEW, Esq". Reg. General.
Memorandum that Letter of Administration of the Estate of Anna Weiss deced. with the will of the said Anna annexed were granted to Christian Schneider and Leonard Melchior (the Ex- ecutors in the said will named having first renounced) Inventory to be exhibited on or before the 20th day of September next and an acct. on or before the 21st day of August 1766.
Given under the seal of the Register General's Office at Phila- delphia the 20th day of August 1765.
p. BENJAMIN CHEW,
Regr. Gen1.
[VII. LETTER OF DAVID SCHULTZE, ESQ., TO MR. DANIEL RUNDLE, FEBRUARY 3, 1776; PRINTED IN Daily Norris- town Register OF MARCH 6, 1883.]
To MR. DANIEL RUNDLE.
Sir!
Whereas the Reformed Calvinist congregation in these parts have already had a considerable deal of trouble with that negro- man called Gideon Moor, who was a slave to their minister, the late Geo. M. Weiss, so that they are engaged in a tedious lawsuit with him and though I never inclined to be very much troublesome to you about this affair, yet as it seems that that congregation might possible lose their cause: if not properly assisted. So I find myself under necessity to give you some information of the matter, as short as possible, as the said congregation also most humbly request your assistance therein, as far as thought necessary. The more
185
First Letter of David Schultz
especially, since you had a hand in the land affairs from the begin- ning, and for the present time are looked upon by the parties as the chief of those parties concerned therein. We also hope that you will remember that about five or six years ago some of the members of the said congregation applied to you about the same cause, when you gave them your promise that they should have that land as soon as the affair with your partners was settled.
But the better to explain their cause I shall be obliged to repeat the affair from its beginning.
After all the land had been surveyed to the settlers thereof agree- able the general agreement this tract was left vacant.
Sometime before the general agreement was made, Edward Scull was ordered to survey the greatest part of his 13,000 acres, but after the general agreement was made and the remaining surveys were to be completed, he not having time to do it himself, ordered me to finish the remainder under his examination which was done and employed with by the Mr. Parsons, Ross and Greenway, I accordingly surveyed the tract now in question on the 19th Novem- ber 1750, for the said congregation, in the presence of the elders and churchwardens thereof containing 42 acres with allowance [of six acre per hundred for roads] at their request, with an intention to build a house thereon for their minister to live in and continually to keep this same for such use for ever.
Also with intention, when it should suit them, to agree and pay for the land, with the above named three gentlemen.
They immediately built a dwelling house and stable on it, dug a well and began to clear some land in the Spring of 1751. Their minister came to live there with his negro family; at his request the congregation allowed him for his better support to clear some more land; Though who [he] continued from time to time with cleaning Though sometimes forbid by the congregation, till almost all was cleared, a few acres only excepted. The timber required for building, and mostly rails, was carried there by said people from their own lands. Since there was scarce any on the premises. The greatest part thereof was but a barren plain. They applied to Mr. Greenway about the land about 1767 or 1768, he returned for
186
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
answer, that they should have the land, but since some of the heirs were under age, he would not undertake to make a deed for it. We applied to you about it and received nearly the same answer.
Anno 1761 in August, their said minister, Geo. Mich. Weiss died and though the said congregation got another, yet out of com- passion to the deceased's widow, allowed her to live on that land with her negro family and left her the full use thereof, without demanding a penny rent of her for it. They rented another house for their new accepted minister to live in, until in the year 1765, June 2nd, the said, relict widow Anna Weiss died also, having no children, only her said negro family, he died without a will, but she made a will, whereupon she gave all her estate to the said negro family and also her right to the improvements, if any she had.
But in my opinion she could claim no further right thereon. She only had the use and produce there during her stay on the premises and that only by permission of the said congregation. Then in about three months afterwards, the said negro family were all sold for slaves by Christian Schneider and Leonard Melchior, who had administered for the estate. The said negro man with his wife and two children were sold to Leonard Thomas, an inhabi- tant of this township. Sometime afterwards the congregation got an inmate to live in the house on the premises.
The said Leonard Thomas, weary of his negroes, allowed the man liberty and time to try for to obtain his freedom, during which interview the said Gideon, by some lawyer's contrivances came and took possession again of the said premises, about the latter end of 1767 or the beginning of 1768. This occasioned new trouble to the congregation.
They soon after applied for the land to you and to John Margo- troyd and received yours and his promise in their favor, to get it done as soon as those affairs were settled, but they could have a deed for mortgage, on the 16th of February 1768. Sent with order to that negro-man to go off from the premises with his family and effects within a week, otherwise he would sue him for trespass. Until, as I suppose in April 1769 (some think 1770) the congre- gation being tired with the like vexations, went there and carried
187
First Letter of David Schultz
his family and goods to his said master's house, repaired and fitted up the dwelling for their new minister to live in, who resides thereon since. He put the fences in good condition to save the winter grain for the benefit of the said negroes, who got the grain next harvest. But in return said Gideon sued them for trespass, which occasioned the trial in September court 1770, when those of the congregation who done that act were obliged to pay a small fine, with a considerable deal of costs. Since this time the said Gideon hath sued them again for damages, that he says, he suf- fered merely by some trivials on rags, which he left lying before in the weather and muddled before his said master's house. His loss can be but very small, but though it be ever so little, yet it may prove probably possible, that the congregation might be sued again and also obliged to pay a considerable deal of costs too, and thereby be obliged to submit to this hero Lord South, if not timely sup- ported. I have further to add that several witnesses were also sued to give evidence in favor of the said negro but they refused to appear. Then before March Court last, I also had a subpoena sent me to attend in favor of the negro, but by reason of my weak state and condition of health, I did not attend nor any other wit- ness, nor did I incline to meddle with it till August last a writ of attachment was served on me and also on the other witnesses, for disobedience or contempt of court, by the high Sheriff himself, so that we have to thank the high Sheriff's generosity and benevolence for it, for not putting us to goal for it, for near a whole month till September court about this affair. A strange instance indeed to observe, that this great Lord South, who was but lately a slave and to whom almost every one of us, at one time or another, out of compassion to him proved to be a benefactor, on his being sup- ported by others, should have obtained so much power as to send six freeholders to gaol at his pleasure. God beware, that the mighty Lord South does not obtain power to treat the members of our honorable Congress in the same manner.
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