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21. DAVID4 GRUBB JR. (DAVID3, GEORGE2, HEINRICH1) (#18080) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 20 May 1774. DAVID died 13 February 1861 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 86. His body was interred after 13 February 1861 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
He married ELIZABETH GRUBB date unknown. (ELIZABETH GRUBB is #18082.) ELIZABETH was born 11 July 1783 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa.. ELIZABETH was the daughter of HEINRICH CHRISTMAN GRUBB and ELIZABETH BARBARA SCHETLER. ELIZABETH died 25 February 1847 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 63. Her body was interred after 25 February 1847 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
DAVID GRUBB JR. appears to be the only child of DAVID GRUBB SR. and CATHARINE HARWICK. His mother died in 1822 at the age of 67 so if they did not have more children it was very unusual for those times.
Two years before his death his father, DAVID GRUBB SR. sold him 157 acres of land. This was most of the land DAVID GRUBB SR. had received as a patent in 1784. DAVID GRUBB JR. paid £1,390 7 shillings and 6 pence. The deed is dated 1 July 1807 and is shown in Chester County Deed Book C3 page 36 held by the Chester County Archives in West Chester, Pa.
The timing of a sale like this is curious. Was there some advantage taxwise if a person was ill and expecting to die shortly ? I have seen many cases similar to this so there must have been some reason to get the property transferred. Also in this case I have a record of only one child in the family of the father who sold the property.
But DAVID GRUBB JR. (he was still known as Junior even though his father had been dead for 11 years). was not satisfied with this amount of land and started to buy up several more plots. In the end the various Grubb families were to become one of the largest land holding families in East Coventry Township, Chester County. His first purchase was 28 acres 95 perches on 13 April 1820 for which he paid $340 to Michael Snider. It was located adjacent to the land his father had sold to him which was on Kulp Road near where it crossses Pigeon Creek. It was bounded by lands of Samuel Lloyd, Samuael Defrain, Samuel Bartolet, William Posey, Henry Bolden and John Lehr. This deed is found in Chester County Deed Book T3 page 200.
The next land he bought was at an auction for the estate of Sarah Gunsberger, deceased. As in all such cases where an estate is ordered to be sold by the Courts, it must be "exposed" to sale by "public vendue or outcry". The time and place of sale must be advertised in two local papers for 4 consecutive weeks before the sale. It will then be sold to the highest bidder who has the cash or security to cover his bid. In this case the Executors were David High and Jacob Eckert. The highest bid of $1,338.61 and a half cents was made by DAVID GRUBB JR. on 19 March 1824 and the land comprised 43 acres and 29 perches. This land was bounded by the properties of Samuel Hunsberger, Abraham Harley, John Stauffer, George Grubb and Daniel Benner. This deed was contained in Chester County Deed Book X3 page 139.
The next land he added was 13 acres and 55 perches which he bought on 21 August 1830 from Abraham Brown and his wife Margaret. He paid $450.68 and a half cents. It seems strange to us now that they would bother about half a cent in a purchase price but it was very common in those days. Also deeds always covered a standard description of the boundaries but also what the sale legally covered in connection with buildings and land. A common description would go like this. "Together with all and singular the buildings, improvements, ways, woods, waters, watercourses, rights, liberties, privileges, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever". This deed is found in Chester County Deed Book F4 page 130.
DAVID GRUBB was still attending the auctions as land came up for sale in the areas adjacent to all his other property. This time it was an auction of the estate of Philip Hoffecker on 2 April 1836. It was for 25 and three quarter acres and he was the highest bidder at $1,250. This time the property was bordered by the land of Enos Richardson, John, Peter and Benjamin Defrain. From the names of the neighbours it would appear these later purchases were all to the east side of his original land. The deed is found in Chester County Deed Book R4 page 735.
DAVID GRUBB was involved with other men in the purchase of land for the erection of a schoolhouse. It was located on Ridge Road where Slonaker Road branches off. This is in the lower east corner of East Coventry Township and very near the border of Vincent Township. The land was right beside Brownback's Church and Cemetery. The first land was bought from Isaac Longenecker and his wife Mary on 6 April 1838 by David Grubb, John Benner and Peter Brownback. They paid $1 plus "other considerations" for 18 square perches. This is shown in Chester County Deed Book P4 page 467. The second plot beside the first was purchased from Elizabeth Entricken on 7 May 1838 by the same three men. They paid $400 for 40 square perches. This deed is shown in Chester County Deed Book P4 page 469.
In 1850 DAVID GRUBB JR. at age 76 was still farming. His real estate was valued at $5,300. He and his wife ELIZABETH GRUBB had a MARGARET GRUBB. age 16, living with them but I have not determined to which family she belonged. Chester County 1850 census Roll 765 Book 1 Page 157.
DAVID GRUBB JR. must have been a very careful and methodical man. This is certain as seen in the timing and wording of his will. He made out his will on 30 December 1851, ten years before he died. He added a codicil on 8 February 1856 and another on 15 January 1858. The will is very long (8 pages) and very detailed. He is greatly concerned about his wife Elizabeth. She was Elizabeth Grubb, daughter of Heinrich Christman Grubb and Elizabeth Barbara Schetler. This is only one case of a Grubb marrying a cousin Grubb. There are many others in a very confusing intermarrying of Grubbs.
In the more common type of will, the land is left to the eldest son for a stipulated price, and the proceeds are divided among the children, DAVID'S will looks after his wife ELIZABETH GRUBB, by leaving her all the personal property she wishes to keep. Then she is to receive the income from some of the land that is sold plus 5% interest on one third of the total sale price of the rest of the estate. It is clear in the will that all this is in lieu of any legal dower a wife is entitled to.
Daughter CATHARINE, married to PETER GRUBB (another Grubb intermarriage with a cousin), is singled out to receive the income from another part of the real estate for her lifetime. DAVID GRUBB JR. then gives instructions that the administrators of the estate sell the property at public auction and the proceeds to be divided evenly between his seven children, HENRY, CATHARINE, DAVID, ELIZA married to Samuel Root, HESTER, married to Thomas Francis, CHARLES and MARY, married to Daniel Grubb (another cousin marriage). The daughter ELIZA GRUBB ROOT died in 1855 so DAVID added a codicil to his will to give $800 to his granddaughter Catharine Ann Root.
DAVID GRUBB JR. died on 13 February 1861. His will appointed his son David and his son-in-law Thomas Francis, as Executors. It was proven 9 March 1861 and is found in Chester County Will Book V, volume 21, page 330, will # 13913.
As it all turned out DAVID'S son HENRY was the highest bidder at the public auction and bought the property for $7,548.75. It consisted of 125 acres and 130 perches. It was located in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. Pigeon Creek ran through the centre of the property and was roughly bounded by Kulp Road on the east and Eberhare Road on the south.
Unlike his father who was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Parkersford, DAVID GRUBB JR. was buried in the Brownback's Church Cemetery on Ridge Road in 1867. His wife ELIZABETH GRUBB had been buried in this same cemetery in 1847..
DAVID GRUBB JR. and ELIZABETH GRUBB had the following children:
ii. HESTER (#23312) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa.. She married THOMAS FRANCIS date unknown. (THOMAS FRANCIS is #23313.)
61 iii. HENRY was born 22 January 1805
62 iv. CATHARINE was born 17 September 1806
63 v. DAVID was born 11 July 1808
64 vi. CHARLES was born 15 August 1811
65 vii. MARY was born 21 February 1822
22. HENRY4 GRUBB (HENRY (HEINRICH)3, HEINRICH2, HEINRICH1) (#107943) birth date unknown.
He married MARY SMITH date unknown. (MARY SMITH is #107944.)
HENRY GRUBB and MARY SMITH had the following child:
23. SARA4 GRUBB (ABRAHAM3, JACOB2, HEINRICH1) (#22016) was born in N. Hanover Twp. Montgomery Co. Pa 7 November 1792.
She married GEORGE MAUCK circa 1817. (GEORGE MAUCK is #25552.)
SARA GRUBB and GEORGE MAUCK had the following children:
ii. EDWARD (#69480) was born 10 March 1820. EDWARD died 10 March 1820 at age unknown.
iii. SUSAN (#69481) was born 1 October 1823. SUSAN died 4 October 1825 at age 2.
24. JACOB4 GRUBB (ABRAHAM3, JACOB2, HEINRICH1) (#22018) was born in N. Hanover Twp. Montgomery Co. Pa 28 January 1796.
He married MARIA date unknown. (MARIA is #22423.)
JACOB GRUBB and MARIA had the following children:
i. JACOB5 (#26604) was born in N. Hanover Twp. Montgomery Co. Pa 1829. JACOB died 23 April 1879 in U. Salford Twp, Montgomery Co. PA, at age 49. He married CATHARINE date unknown. (CATHARINE is #26605.) She married UNKNOWN WEIDEMAN after 1881 in U. Salford Twp, Montgomery Co. PA.
JACOB GRUBB and his wife CATHARINE were farming in Upper Salford Township, Montgomery County, Pa. in 1870. They owned 26 acres and 112 perches on the road that led from Naseville toward Ridge Valley Creek and Deet's Mill. There is no record of them having any children. The closest Post Office was Schwenksville although by 1880 it would have been Tylersport. Montgomery County 1870 census Roll 1379 Book 1 Page 392.
JACOB GRUBB died on 23 April 1879 and in his will bequeathed the land and house to his wife CATHARINE. Again there is no mention of children in the Will. The land was sold to ADAM SCHLOSSER for $1,100 and the few personal belongings brought the total estate to $1,179.91. From this there had to be deducted debts and expenses of $887.71 so there wasn't much left for the widow.
CATHARINE later married an UNKNOWN WEIDEMAN which in most Wills of those times would have excluded her to any claims on the estate. But JACOB had not stated this exclusion in his Will which was very unusual. Of course in the end the small legacy and the fact there were no children involved, made this fact unimportant.
The Will is file #2290 Montgomery County Will Book 15 Page 274 and was proved 5 May 1879. It is held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
67 ii. WILLIAM E. was born 02 July 1832
25. GEORGE4 GRUBB (ABRAHAM3, JACOB2, HEINRICH1) (#22019) was born in N. Hanover Twp. Montgomery Co. Pa 06 September 1797. GEORGE died 03 March 1845 in Limerick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 47.
He married MARY YOST 31 January 1828. (MARY YOST is #22020.) MARY was born 25 April 1804 in Pottstown, Montgomery Co., Pa.. MARY was the daughter of PETER YOST and ELIZABETH ZIEGLER. MARY died 04 December 1847 in Limerick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 43. Her body was interred after 04 December 1847 in Limerick Cem. Montgomery Co. Pa..
MARY YOST GRUBB was a widow when she died on 4 December 1847. Her husband GEORGE GRUBB had died 2 years previously. As she died Intestate, her goods were put up for public auction tp pay her debts. The Administrator was her brother ISAAC YOST and when he returned the valuation for the estate it amounted to $150 59. The auction brought in $171.40 which was sufficient to pay her debts. But the balance was only $49.82.
A detailed inventory of the goods sold is shown in the Orphan's Court File #6849 Book 10 Page 120 dated 29 March 1848. The Estate Papers are #11,153 in the Montgomery County Archives, filed on 29 March 1848,
GEORGE GRUBB with his wife MARY YOST and their two children SARAH and ABRAHAM, were living in Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County, Pa. at the time of his death on 3 March 1845. Their farm consisted of 8 acres and was probably very near Pottstown. The 1871 map still shows 2 Yost farms in this area
In his will GEORGE GRUBB left everything to his wife MARY YOST for as long as she lives or until she remarries. At that time everything is to be sold and the funds from this sale are to be divided equally between the children SARAH and ABRAHAM. The Executor he designated was to be his brother SAMUEL GRUBB. The estate was valued at $1,183.33.
The Will was #2200 found in Montgomery County Will Book 8 Page 280 dated 22 February 1845 and proved 14 March 1845. The Orphan's Court file number is 6485. They are held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
GEORGE GRUBB and MARY YOST had the following children:
i. SARAH5 (#22022) was born in N. Hanover Twp. Montgomery Co. Pa 06 September 1834. SARAH died 06 December 1866 in Philadelphia, Phil. Co. PA, USA, at age 32. She married UNKNOWN FOSTER date unknown. (UNKNOWN FOSTER is #22023.)
ii. ABRAHAM (#22021) was born in N. Hanover Twp. Montgomery Co. Pa September 1834. ABRAHAM died 19 October 1873 in Limerick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 39. His body was interred after 19 October 1873 in Limerick Cem. Montgomery Co. Pa..
GEORGE GRUBB, the father of ABRAHAM GRUBB, died in 1845 and then his mother, MARY YOST, died in 1847. So ABRAHAM, who was a minor under the age of 14 years, applied to the Orphan's Court to have a guardian appointed. The Court appointed DAVID YOST who I believe must have been a brother of Abraham's mother, MARY YOST.
This file is Orphan's Court #6145 Book 10 Page 65 dated 8 February 1848. It is held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
26. JOHN4 GRUBB (DANIEL CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#18105) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 18 March 1782. JOHN died 17 August 1859 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 77. His body was interred after 17 August 1859 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
He married twice. He married MARY WALKER date unknown. (MARY WALKER is #22066.) MARY was born 25 May 1786 in Vincent Twp., Chester Co., Pa.. MARY died 07 June 1881 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 95. Her body was interred after 07 June 1881 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
MARY WALKER widow of JOHN GRUBB was living in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. with her son JOHN (LAME JOHN) Grubb in 1870. Census Roll 123 Book 1 Page 91.
He married ELIZABETH LEHR March 1811. (ELIZABETH LEHR is #18104.) ELIZABETH was born 23 September 1785. ELIZABETH was the daughter of NICHOLAS LEHR. ELIZABETH died 10 June 1813 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 27. Her body was interred after 10 June 1813 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
JOHN GRUBB'S first wife ELIZABETH LEHR, died just two years after they were married and less than a year after the birth of their daughter CATHARINE. He then married MARY WALKER. I won't even try to explain the tangle of many intermarriages between Grubb cousins, But one of them was when daughter CATHARINE LEHR GRUBB married cousin DAVID GRUBB.
JOHN GRUBB and his second wife, MARY WALKER, were living on Ridge Road in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. in 1850. He was 79 and you will see below that he died 2 years later. Their lame son JOHN and their daughter CHRISTIANA were living with them. Chester County 1850 census Roll 765 Book 1 Page 157.
When JOHN GRUBB died on 17 August 1852, his estate was settled in a rather unusual way for that time period. He died Intestate which may account for the handling of the estate settlement that followed. The usual practice in Wills was to leave the widow the use of the house and furnishings. The son who inherited the property would have to look after his mother by supplying food, firewood and necessary transportation. A value would be put on the property and the eldest son could take it over by agreeing to pay the estate the appraised value over a period of time. Then that money and any other cash accruing from sale of personal property would be divided equally among all the children. Of course there were many variations of this if there was a will involved.
In this case the inheritors were the widow MARY WALKER GRUBB, three surviving children, HANNAH married to WILLIAM POSEY, DANIEL, JOHN and CHRISTIANA married to JOSEPH FRANCIS. Another daughter, CATHARINE was deceased but had been married to DAVID GRUBB. Her children were all entitled to a share in the inheritance. They were MARYETTA married to LEWIS FULMER, HENRY, DAVID HARRISON, JOHN and ELIZABETH.
First MARY WALKER GRUBB, the widow, resigned her right to administer the estate and asked the Court to grant letters of administration to her sons JOHN and DANIEL. This was on 8 September 1859.
This seems to be a family who could get along with each other. and not squabble over their inheritance They asked the Court to appoint an appraiser and divide the approximately 20 acres of land into 5 parcels and place a value on each. Then the children and grandchildren could buy these if they wished and the money would go into the estate. The widow, MARY would receive her one third dower right and the balance would be divided among the children and grandchildren.
DAVID HARRISON GRUBB, chose Lot 4 comprised of 2 acres and 52 perches of woodland and he paid $260. JOHN, the eldest son chose both Lot 1 and Lot 5. The former contained 13 acres and 74 perches but it was the lot that contained the house. So he paid $1550. Then he also chose Lot 5 which was 2 acres and 12 perches of woodland for which he paid $233. Lot 2 was chosen by CHRISTIANA. It was 2 acres and 44 perches of woodland and she paid $275. Lot 3 was chosen by HANNAH and it was 3 acres and 52 perches of woodland. She paid $390. All the other children and grandchildren said they did not wish to be involved in purchasing but of course they would receive their share of the proceeds of the estate.
I have tried to locate this land from the descriptions of neighbouring properties. However the only maps I have which show individual property owner's names are either too early (1822) or too late (1873). My best guess is it was on Bethel Church Road between Ridge Road and Kolb Road in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa.. In fact the properties may have run along Ridge Road as on the 1873 map there are two Grubbs shown in that area,
I have gone into a great deal of detail in connection with this estate as it is certainly different than most estate settlements. It comes from many pages in Estate File #12,106 dated 26 September 1859 and #12,610 dated 17 September 1860.They are held by the Chester County Archives in West Chester, Pa. The Orphan's Court Dockets are #23 page 235 and Docket #21 page 309 dated 26 July 1852.
JOHN GRUBB and ELIZABETH LEHR had the following child:
68 i. CATHARINE LEHR5 was born 01 August 1812
JOHN GRUBB and MARY WALKER had the following children:
69 ii. HANNAH was born February 1817
70 iii. DANIEL WALKER was born 28 January 1820
iv. JOHN (LAME JOHN) (#22067) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 07 June 1822. JOHN died 1900 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 78. His body was interred 1900 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
JOHN GRUBB was the son of JOHN GRUBB and MARY WALKER. He was known as 'lame John". When his father died and the land was divided, JOHN was the eldest son and had first choice of which land he wanted to take. Of course as was the custom in cases like these the person who chose a particular piece of the divided land, had to pay the appraised value into the estate but sometimes it was spread over a number of years. He chose two plots. One contained 13 acres and 70 perches and he paid $1,550. The other contained 2 acres and 12 perches and he paid $233. Both properties were on Ridge Road between Kulp Road and Bethel Church Road.
In 1850 JOHN GRUBB was living with his older sister HANNAH. He is a blacksmith with personal property of $100.. Chester County 1850 census Roll 765 Book 1 page 153.
In the 1870 census it shows him living alone with his widowed mother MARY WALKER, It is Roll 1323 Book1 Page 91.
By 1900 he is shown in the East Coventry census as age 77 and living with his sister HANNAH GRUBB, age 83, widow of WILLIAM POSEY. Chester County 1900 census Roll 1392 Book 2 Page 75.
JOHN GRUBB died later that same year. His Will is a perfect example of the value of Wills in genealogy. He died without immediate first level inheritors. In other words no living father, mother, wife, brothers, sisters or children. However there were many nieces and nephews from his deceased sisters and brothers. There were even grand nieces and nephews who were all legally entitled to a share of the estate. This led to a very complicated and lengthy settlement but in the process many relatives were named with their connection to JOHN GRUBB. It not only meant I could add many family members but also it led to a correction I made when I found one of the many JOHN GRUBBS connected to an incorrect father and mother.
When the husband of JOHN's sister HANNAH, WILLIAM POSEY died he ordered that his large farm be sold within 2 years. JOHN GRUBB bought 85 acres and 13 perches. This land started at the Bethel Church and extended up the road running to Haldeman's Mill, then across toward Brownback's Church. I have the metes and bounds description so someday I will plot it on the computer and know exactly where the boundaries were located. He did not have to lay out any cash as his sister HANNAH gave him a mortgage for $1,000.00 and all she asked was for him to pay the interest to her for her lifetime.
When JOHN GRUBB died Intestate one of his grandsons MILTON P. GRUBB was appointed as Administrator of the estate. They soon found that JOHN didn't have enough assets to cover his debts without selling the land. The Court ordered the Administrator to advertise the date and place of the sale in two local newspapers. These were The Daily Local News and the Legal Intelligencer Supplement and date was to be 24 July 1902. The auction brought $4,000 and the highest bidder was Elmer Bechtel of East Coventry Township.
By the time the debts were paid the estate only amounted to $3,306.24 in the real estate fund and $1,565.74 in the personal property fund. This was divided among the many nephews, nieces and grandnephews and grandnieces. There were 12 of them altogether so you can see they wouldn't receive much and I won't go through all the individual amounts.
The many papers are held by the Chester County Archives in West Chester, Pa, The Administrative Papers are #26825 dated 3 October 1990. The Orphan's Court documents are #6644 dated 26 August 1901.
71 v. CHRISTIANA was born 11 December 1827
27. DANIEL4 GRUBB (DANIEL CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#22071) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. CA 1785.
DANIEL GRUBB on 1 April 1853 purchased 36 acres and 116 perches of land from the Executors of the estate of Michael Hunsberger. He paid $2,525 and the property was located on the road leading from the Pughtown Road to the Schuylkill River near Miller's factory. It is interesting to note that PETER GRUBB and his wife CATHARINE GRUBB originally owned this land and had sold it to Michael Hunsberger in 1834. The land is in North Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. This deed is found in Chester County Deed Book G6 page 309 and is held by the Chester County Archives in West Chester, Pa.
DANIEL GRUBB had the following children:
73 ii. CHARLES was born 7 March 1825
28. ISAAC4 GRUBB (DANIEL CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#22073) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 25 May 1799. ISAAC died 14 October 1838 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 39.
He married SARAH SCHILLING 29 February 1824. (SARAH SCHILLING is #22074.) SARAH was born 21 December 1799. SARAH was the daughter of MATTHIUS SCHILLING. SARAH died 23 June 1869 at age 69.
SARAH SCHILLING, widow of ISAAC GRUBB, was living in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa in 1850. Her husband had died in 1838 but she is still living on the family farm which is valued at $3,000. She evidently had a hired hand, CHARLES KLINE, age 29, to assist in the running of the farm. Two of her young sons were living with her but her daughters have already married and moved away or died but we don't know which. The sons are MOSES, age 16, and VALENTINE, age 11. Chester County 1850 census Roll 765 Book 1 Page 160.
ISAAC GRUBB was a carpenter in Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
It is questionable whether he was the son of DANIEL GRUBB. He is not mentioned in the will of DANIEL GRUBB in 1821 when ISAAC was still alive.
ISAAC GRUBB died Intestate and his widow SARAH SHILLING administered the estate which amounted to $540.40 with no mention of property.
The Administration file is #9810 dated 5 January 1841. It is held by the Chester County Archives in West Chester, Pa.
ISAAC GRUBB and SARAH SCHILLING had the following children:
i. DEBORAH5 (#22077) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 08 August 1823.
ii. HARRIET (#22079) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. June 1825.
In June 1900 HARRIET GRUBB was living in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. She worked as a dressmaker but there is a mystery here as she is shown as a widow having born 1 child who was still living. I have not come across a marriage to this HARRIET GRUBB but she was the daughter of ISAAC GRUBB and MARY SCHILLING. and was born in Coventry Township in June 1825. I believe she must have married a cousin by the name of GRUBB which was very common in the GRUBB families in the 19th century.
Chester County 1900 census Roll 1392 Book 2 Page 76.
iii. ISAAC W. (#22078) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 05 October 1832. ISAAC died 10 September 1834 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 1.
iv. MOSES (#26568) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 1834.
In 1860 MOSES GRUBB, age 24, was living with his widowed mother SARAH SCHILLING GRUBB, in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. He is a blacksmith by trade and at home are his brother VALENTINE, age 20 and his sister HARRIET, age 32. Chester County 1860 census Roll 1093 Book 1 Page 355.
MOSES GRUBB was a blacksmith in East Coventry Township, Montgomery County, Pa. in 1870 when he is shown in the census Roll 1323 Book 1 Pages 92/93.
This property was 5 acres and 64 perches located on Ridge Road in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. It is very near the border of East Vincent Township where Ridge Road crossed the township line. It is on the east side of Ridge Road and just south of the Bethel Church Road. It is shown on the 1873 Breou's Farm Atlas map of East Coventry.
74 v. VALENTINE was born June 1839
29. JACOB4 GRUBB (JOHN CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#30011) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa.. JACOB died June 1814 in Ross County, Ohio, USA, at age unknown.
He married MARGARET date unknown in Ross County, Ohio, USA. (MARGARET is #30083.)
From "Pioneer History of Ross County, Ohio" by Isaac Finley and Rufus Putnam - 1871 Chapter titled, "Old Resident Settlers"
Jacob Grubb was in the War of 1812. He came to his death, several years since, in the following manner: He and some two or three neighbors went into Paint Creek to bathe, Grubb being a good swimmer. They were in the water some time, when, as Grubb was swimming across a deep hole, he was seen to sink, and before he could be rescued was drowned. It is supposed that he had been stricken with a cramp.
Abstracts from Ross County Court Records Case no. 2576 Henry Benner, Daniel Grubb, Jacob Mowery and Daniel Toops were appointed administers of the estate of Jacob Grubb, the widow, (unnamed) relinquished her rights. Appraisers were: William Sadier (?) Frederick Bishop and George Kerr. Signed on 2 July 1814
Case no 2584 Henry Senner, Daniel Grubb and Thomas McCan are bound in the sum of $1 000. on 21 May 1816. Whereas Henry Benner was this day appointed guardian of Henry Grubb, John Grubb, Catharine Grubb and George Grubb, minors and legal representatives of Jacob Grubb dec'd and under the age of 14 years.
Case no 2605 Know all men by these present, that we Peter Lightle, Thomas McLean (probably McCan) and Moses Finicy - all of Ross County and state of Ohio are held and firmly bound unto the state of Ohio in the penal sum of $400. on 31 May 1830. Whereas John Grubb and George Grubb - over age of 14 years with consent of the court have this day made choice of Peter Lightie as their guardian. Said John Grubb and George Grubb being minors and legal representatives of Jacob Grubb, dec'd.
Abstracted from a court record by Marie Clark, a professional genealogist of Ross County now dec'd. Peter Lightie received power of attorney (may be here in our recorder's office or Chester County, Pa or both) from executor, John Grubb, of late John Grubb, grandfather who willed boys money. John Grubb, dee'd is of Chester County, Pa.
Margaret Grubb married Thomas McCan on 21 May 1816 in Ross County, Ohio. 1 believe she was the widow of Jacob Grubb and the mother of his four children. Notice that one of the legal papers with Thomas McCan name on it was dated the same day, 21 May 1816.
SOURCE of INFORMATION
The information about Daniel and Jacob Grubb and their families in Ohio, was kindly supplied by Shirley Grubb Shields, g-g-g-granddaughter of Daniel Grubb.
JACOB GRUBB and MARGARET had the following children:
i. CATHERINE5 (#30088) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA. She married JOHN GOODEN 16 July 1829 in Ross County, Ohio, USA. The following individual is also linked to this event: PETER LIGHTIE (J. P.) (judge). (JOHN GOODEN is #30089.)
ii. HENRY (#30084) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA CA 1806. HENRY died circa 1880 in Mahaska, County, Iowa, USA, at age unknown. He married SUSANNA GOODEN 1829 in Pike County, Ohio, USA. (SUSANNA GOODEN is #30085.)
iii. JOHN (#30086) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA 04 November 1809. JOHN died 17 August 1892 in Barnes City, Mahaska Co. Iowa, at age 82. He married MARY (NANCY) RALSTON 13 January 1832 in Ross County, Ohio, USA. The following individual is also linked to this event: PETER LIGHTIE (J. P.) (judge). (MARY (NANCY) RALSTON is #30087.)
iv. GEORGE (#30090) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA CA 1813. He married SUSAN HAYS 10 April 1834 in Ross County, Ohio, USA. The following individual is also linked to this event: PETER LIGHTIE (J. P.) (judge). (SUSAN HAYS is #30091.)
30. DANIEL4 GRUBB (JOHN CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#22316) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 25 December 1776. DANIEL died 01 April 1855 in Huntington Twp. Ross Co. OH, at age 78. His body was interred after 01 April 1855 in Bishop Hill Cem. Ross Co. Ohio.
He married BARBARA STREEVEY 13 December 1803 in Ross County, Ohio, USA. (BARBARA STREEVEY is #30082.) BARBARA was born 18 November 1786 in Maryland, USA. BARBARA was the daughter of PAUL STREEVE and MARY WILD. BARBARA died 18 August 1852 in Huntington Twp. Ross Co. OH, at age 65. Her body was interred after 18 August 1852 in Bishop Hill Cem. Ross Co. Ohio.
It is not known the exact date DANIEL GRUBB left his home in Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. and travelled west to Ohio. We do know it was before 1803 when he became a farmer in Huntingdon Township, Ross County, Ohio and that he married BARBARA STREEVEY there on 13 December 1803. She had been born in Maryland. They were both Methodists and were members of the Bishop Hill Methodist Church.
DANIEL was in Capt. David Elliot's Company, 1st Regiment, Ohio Militia from 28 July 1813 to 17 August 1813. But it shows him as deserted from 12 August 1813. The Militia was conscripted and sections were called up for a month or two at a time. But there was still work to be done on the home farm with no men available to help. So it was common practice for a soldier to go home for a few weeks and then return. Evidently on 11 August 1813 DANIEL GRUBB was posted to Capt. Andrew Hemphill's Company, Colonel John McDonald's Regiment of the Ohio Militia from 28 July 1813 to 5 September 1813 but no further desertion was shown after the change of command.
In 1814 DANIEL GRUBB was again called up and appears in Capt. Martin Shey's Company of the Ohio Militia from 25 August 1814 to 26 February 1815. His pay was $8 per month. His service this time lasted 6 months and 5 days so his pay amounted to $49 and 39 cents. The above information is held by the National Archives, Central Service Division, Washington, DC on cards 37740181, 0231 and 0392.
SOURCE of INFORMATION
MRS. SHIRLEY SHIELDS, Greenfield, Ohio who kindly contacted me and made the connection for DANIEL GRUBB emigrating to Ohio. She sent me photos of the tombstones of DANIEL and his wife BARBARA STREEVEY in Bishop Hill Cemetery, as well as his 1812 War records. Also she supplied all the information about his descendants down to herself.
DANIEL GRUBB and BARBARA STREEVEY had the following children:
i. MARY5 (#31058) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA 08 June 1805. MARY died 12 February 1871 in Ross County, Ohio, USA, at age 65. She married DAVID MILLER 16 December 1824. (DAVID MILLER is #31059.)
76 iii. JACOB was born 01 August 1807
iv. HENRY (#31065) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA 3 March 1809. HENRY died 16 January 1832 in Ross County, Ohio, USA, at age 22. His body was interred 18 January 1932 in Bishop Hill Cem. Ross Co. Ohio.
v. CATHERINE (#31066) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA 2 September 1813. CATHERINE died 15 November 1853 at age 40. She married HENRY BISHOP 15 February 1846 in Ross County, Ohio, USA. (HENRY BISHOP is #31067.)
vi. MARGARET (#31068) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA 1815.
77 vii. JOSEPH was born CA 1820
viii. ELIZABETH (#31072) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA CA 1822.
ix. SUSANNAH JANE (#31073) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA 26 April 1826. SUSANNAH died 12 February 1896 at age 69. Her body was interred after 12 February 1896 in Pleasant Hill Cem. Madison Co.. She married FREDERICK RECOB 16 April 1848 in Ross County, Ohio, USA. (FREDERICK RECOB is #31074.) FREDERICK was born 13 December 1819. FREDERICK died 22 March 1885 at age 65. His body was interred after 22 March 1885 in Pleasant Hill Cem. Madison Co..
Obituary of SUSANNAH GRUBB widow of FREDERICK RECOB
From "London Times. Thursday February 18, 1896- Recob-Susan Recob age 71 died from a stroke of paralysis, at her home in Fairfield Township last Friday. Mrs. Recob moved to this county from Ross County about thirty years age and has ever since made her home at the farm near Lily Chapel She was a devout Christian, having been connected with the Methodist church for a number of years. She was the mother of nine children, eight of whom survive her. The body was interred in Pleasant Hill cemetery near West Jefferson, last Sunday at 2:00 o'clock".
SOURCE of INFORMATION
Mrs. Dolores Grubb Nesloney, Victoria, Texas, USA
x. GEORGE (#31075) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA 30 October 1828. GEORGE died 21 February 1909 in Ross County, Ohio, USA, at age 80. His body was interred after 21 February 1909 in Bishop Hill Cem. Ross Co. Ohio. He married SUSAN CAROLINE FINLEY 24 October 1861 in Ross County, Ohio, USA. (SUSAN CAROLINE FINLEY is #31076.)
xi. CHRISTINA (#31077) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA CA 1829. She married JOHN RECOB 15 December 1850 in Ross County, Ohio, USA. (JOHN RECOB is #31078.)
xii. LUCINDA (#31079) was born in Ross County, Ohio, USA CA 1830. LUCINDA died 18 June 1891 in Ross County, Ohio, USA, at age 60. Her body was interred after 18 June 1891 in Bishop Hill Cem. Ross Co. Ohio. She married WILLIAM RUEB 25 April 1858 in Ross County, Ohio, USA. (WILLIAM RUEB is #31080.) WILLIAM died 20 April 1893 in Ross County, Ohio, USA, at age unknown. His body was interred after 20 April 1893 in Bishop Hill Cem. Ross Co. Ohio.
31. JOHN4 GRUBB (JOHN CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#22034) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 01 August 1791. JOHN died 28 October 1863 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 72. His body was interred after 28 October 1863 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
He married CATHARINE WALKER date unknown. (CATHARINE WALKER is #22035.) CATHARINE was born 19 November 1799 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa.. CATHARINE died 19 October 1889 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 89. Her body was interred after 19 October 1889 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
The will of CATHARINE WALKER GRUBB was filed on 26 December 1882. It was proved 27 November 1889. It is will #22628 and found in Chester County Will Book C2 Volume 28 Page 323.
CATHARINE's husband JOHN GRUBB JR. had been dead for many years as he had died on 28 October 1863. CATHARINE left many small legacies to her nephews and nieces but the main part of her estate which amounted to $1,826,77 was divided equally between her son, GEORGE W. GRUBB and two of her daughters ANNIE GRUBB MOOK and CHRISTIANA GRUBB FRICK. Other brothers and sisters had predeceased CATHARINE.
JOHN GRUBB who was known in Coventry Township as JOHN GRUBB JUNIOR, purchased a tract of land from his father JOHN GRUBB on 25 December 1824 containing 57 acres and 100 perches. Although I haven't plotted it exactly, the land was located along what is known today as Kulp Road in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. and was between Pigeon Creek bridge and Eberhare Road.. He paid his father $1000.00 and the deed is shown in Chester County Deed Book Y3 Page 179.
JOHN GRUBB must have been quite successful and well off as on the 5 April 1825 he purchased 23 acres and 146 perches of land from CHRISTIAN STOVER for $717.50. This was in the same area as the land purchased from his father as detailed above. It is found in the Chester County Deed Book Y3 Page 180.
In 1850 he and his family are shown in the census and the real estate is valued at $7,580. Chester County 1850 census Roll 765 Book 1 Page 163.
By 1860 all the children had left home and JOHN and CATHARINE were living alone except for a SUSAN WALKER, age 55, who may be a sister of CATHARINE. Chester County 1860 census Roll 1093 Book 1 Page 335.
By the time JOHN GRUBB died on 28 October 1863 he had accumulated even more land but unfortunately had not made a will so the estate had to be probated by administrators through the Orphan's Court. Son JACOB filed a petition on behalf of the heirs which included the widow CATHARINE WALKER, his brothers AMOS and GEORGE, his sisters SUSAN, married to Daniel Hallman, ANNA, married to Jeremiah Mock and of course, himself. But the petition also included the son of a deceased sister CATHARINE, who had been married to Charles Grubb. This grandson was ENOS J. GRUBB and as he was a minor Jessie Brownback had been appointed as a guardian. Note the law at that time ruled that a child of a deceased daughter or son had equal rights to a share of the estate as his parent had if he or she had been alive. This petition asked the court to appoint appraisers to set a value on the extensive land to see if it could be divided fairly among the heirs.
According to law the widow CATHARINE WALKER GRUBB could choose $300 worth of personal property for herself out of the estate as her dower right. A list of the items she chose is in my files. The appraisers reported the property should be sold at public auction as there was no way to divide it without ruining its value. The main property was 94 acres and 7 perches which was the original land purchased by JOHN GRUBB from his father plus the amount he had bought later. It was in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. and in the area of Kulp Road and Pigeon Creek. The other land was mainly wood land and was located in North Coventry Township. It amounted to a little over 14 acres and this they divided into 9 sections.
According to law the Administrators had to advertise the location, date and time of the auction, in a local newspaper for 4 consecutive weeks. So they placed these ads in the Village Record and the auction was supposed to take place at 10 AM on the morning of 9 September 1864. However there was a hitch when they found there were two notes which had been held by JOHN GRUBB for loans he had made to his sons AMOS GRUBB and GEORGE GRUBB. AMOS was living in Philadelphia at the time and representatives had to be appointed to attend the auction (which in this case was called an Inquest in the newspaper advertisements). After two more postponements the auction finally took place on 5 December 1864.
The highest bidder on the large property was William Davis and he paid $10,062.68. The smaller woodlots went as follows. #2 To George Stubblebine for $135.09. #3 To George Stubblebine for $210.65. #4 To Arnold Pennypacker for $261.20. #5 To George Stubblebine for $289.80. #6 To Jacob Hunsberger for $ 250.80. #7 To Reuben Geist for $ 82.09. #8 To George Stubblebine for $ 50.60. #9 To L. Reifsnider for $ 42.07. #10 To Benjamin Harley for $ 230.34. When the Administrators filed their final accounting the estate was a total of $20,999.00. This was made up of $8196.08 of personal property and the balance from the sale of the real estate. The money loaned to AMOS and GEORGE had to be settled by deducting the loans from their share of the estate and a last little quirk developed in settling this complicated estate. They found a "family book" which showed three of the daughters had borrowed small amounts from their father (less than $200 each). However they could not prove who had written this in the "family book" but in the end they deducted these loans from their share of the estate.
The final distribution was as follows. The widow CATHARINE WALKER GRUBB received her third which amounted to nearly $7000 which was a lot of money in those days. The court costs and lawyers had to be paid and then the final distribution was made to the other heirs. The share to AMOS and GEORGE was used up in paying off their loans.. SUSAN GRUBB HALLMAN received $1,523.36 after her loan was paid. ELIZA GRUBB received $1489.36 after her loan was taken off. JACOB received $1,685.79. ANNA GRUBB MOCK received $1,507.81 after her loan was deducted. CHRISTINE GRUBB FRICK received $1,685.79. Finally the widow CATHARINE WALKER GRUBB received her share of this as well which amounted to $1,797.12.
All of the above documents are contained in Estate File #14,601 held by the Chester County Archives at West Chester, Pa. There are also many Orphan's Court documents concerning all the above procedures.
JOHN GRUBB and CATHARINE WALKER had the following children:
i. CHRISTINE5 (#22333). She married DAVID FRICK date unknown. (DAVID FRICK is #22334.)
ii. SUSAN (#24169) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa.. She married DANIEL HALLMAN date unknown. (DANIEL HALLMAN is #24170.)
78 iii. ELIZABETH ANN was born 1816
79 iv. AMOS WALKER was born 25 December 1817
80 v. GEORGE WALKER was born 01 April 1826
vi. JESSE (#22062) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 15 November 1829. JESSE died 23 May 1854 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 24. His body was interred after 23 May 1854 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
81 vii. SARAH ANN was born 19 February 1832
viii. CATHARINE (#22063) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 08 February 1833. CATHARINE died 02 September 1856 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 23. Her body was interred after 02 September 1856 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
ix. ANNA (#22331) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 1835. She married JEREMIAH MOCK date unknown. (JEREMIAH MOCK is #22332.)
32. JACOB4 GRUBB (HEINRICH CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#18310) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 27 March 1800. JACOB died 11 August 1876 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 76. His body was interred after 11 August 1876 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co..
He married CATHARINA SWEISFORD 25 October 1829. The following individual is also linked to this event: UNKNOWN KERMAN (REV.) (minister). (CATHARINA SWEISFORD is #18311.) CATHARINA was born 23 November 1801. CATHARINA was the daughter of PETER SWEISFORD and MARIA. CATHARINA died 29 November 1864 at age 63.
JACOB GRUBB purchased 101 acres and 150 perches of land in Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pa. on 3 April 1862 from Jacob Sassamn and Peter Faust Jr, who were assignees of Reuben S. Hauck.
JACOB and his wife CATHARINA sold this land on 6 February 1964 to William Brendlinger (their son-in-law married to daughter Catherine) for $3516.84. These deeds are shown in Montgomery County Deed Book 134 page 54.
The above land was just south of the border between new Hanover Township and Upper Frederick Township. It was east of Scioto (Society) Creek and between there and what was called the Little Road..
In 1870 JACOB GRUBB was living beside his son, HENRY SWEISFORD GRUBB, in Upper Frederick Township, Montgomery County. Pa. He was 70 years old but still farming. His real estate was valued at $2,500 and personal property at $3,000. Montgomery County 1870 census Roll 1377 Book 1 Page 372b.
Dr. Willard Y. Grubb, M. D. kindly supplied me with a Land Release which he found among his father's papers. It is dated 4 February 1871.It releases to JACOB GRUBB and his heirs, 64 acres and 21 perches of land including a messuage, located partly in New Hanover Township and partly in Limerick Township. It is bounded by the lands of Peter Schuris, Philip Koons, to the middle of Swamp Creek. Then by the lands of Elizabeth Krause, Samuel Bertolet and Benjamin Markley. It originally belonged to John Saylor and when he died in 1813 his widow Hannah was to receive the interest on $400 value as her dower right. She subsequently remarried Jacob Kolb and later died. Her children from her first marriage still had inheritors rights to this land and the dower rights of their mother. These were Peter Saylor, Jacob Saylor, John Saylor and Mary Saylor married to James Linderman. They released the land to JACOB GRUBB for the $400 that was their interest in their mother's dower right. This document is recorded in Miscellaneous Deed Book 14 page 452 and is held by the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds in Norristown, Pa.
JACOB GRUBB wrote his Will on 9 July 1870 but he didn't die until 11 August 1876. His wife CATHARINA SWEISFORD had predeceased him when she died on 29 November 1864. The will was proved on 2 September 1876. His son HENRY SWEISFORD GRUBB was named as Executor along with his two daughters CATHERINE, married to William Brendlinger, and CAROLINE, married to John Markley. The estate was quite extensive amounting to $16,000.93. Most of this value was in real estate. JACOB had stated he owned a "chestnut sprout land" in Washington Township, Berks County, Pa. This was to be divided evenly between the 3 children if they could agree on the division. If they could not agree, the land was to be sold and the proceeds divided between the 3 children.
The land he owned in Frederick Township, County, Pa. was to be sold and the proceeds, along with the sale of any personal goods, was to be divided equally between the 3 children.. JACOB GRUBB must have been financially well-off as the estate inventory contained many notes from various people who owed him money. These included his children who he had advanced money to prior to his death.
The Will is #2287 and is held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa. Also the Orphan's Court file #6751. A copy of this Will was kindly supplied to me by Dr. Willard Y. Grubb, M.D. who found the original among the papers of his father. It is interesting to note that Jacob Grubb was his g-g-g-grandfather.
JACOB GRUBB and CATHARINA SWEISFORD had the following children:
i. ELIZABETH SWEISFORD5 (#18356) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa.. ELIZABETH died before 11 August 1876 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age unknown.
82 ii. HENRY SWEISFORD was born 22 January 1831
iii. CATHARINE SWEISFORD (#18352) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 1839. She married WILLIAM BRENDLINGER date unknown. (WILLIAM BRENDLINGER is #18353.)
iv. CAROLINE SWEISFORD (#18354) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 1842. She married JOHN MARKLEY date unknown. (JOHN MARKLEY is #18355.)
33. JOHN WELKER4 GRUBB (HEINRICH CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#18312) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 24 June 1801. JOHN died 19 April 1848 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 46. His body was interred after 19 April 1848 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co..
He married MARIA HILTEBEITEL date unknown. (MARIA HILTEBEITEL is #19981.) MARIA was born 30 January 1798. MARIA died 09 January 1868 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 69. Her body was interred after 09 January 1868 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co..
When MARIA HILTEBEITEL GRUBB died on 9 January 1868, her husband, JOHN WELKER GRUBB, had been dead for 20 years. Also their only daughter MARGARET (REBECCA) had died in 1866. She had been married to JESSE GAUGLER who was still living. As MARIA died Intestate the Court appointed JESSE GAUGLER as Administrator. The only legal claimants for inheritance were the children of MARGARET GRUBB and JESSE GAUGLER. These were MARY ELIZABETH, JONATHON, JACOB, HENRY and SAMUEL
There were two pieces of land involved which they decided could not be divided so they were put up for public auction. The auction was advertised in two local papers for 4 consecutive weeks as was required by law. One lot was 9 acres and 46 perches and the other was 2 acres and 30 perches. They sold at the auction for $2.065 and the highest bidder was Jonas Richards. The goods and chattels sold for another $802.56 so the total estate to be divided was $2,937.93.
The land involved was next to the Keelor's Church Burying Ground. This was on the west side of the Skippack Pike (Highway 73) and along the road that led to Swamp and Fagleysville
The administration File is #11,163 dated 6 July 1869 and is held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
JOHN WELKER GRUBB died Intestate on 19 April 1848 and his widow MARIA (MARY) HILTEBEITEL was appointed sole Administrator of his estate. The inventory she filed on 18 July 1850 totalled $1,474.53.
They had only one daughter MARGARET who had married JESSE GAUGLER but was still a minor. Her guardian had been John Hiltebeitel and so on the 30 November 1849 he filed a Court Petition to protect her rights as an heir to the estate. As well as the above household goods there was real estate in Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pa. amounting to 108 acres and 18 perches. The court decided the land could not be divided so it was sold at public auction on 8 December 1849. It had been appraised at $41 per acre but the document doesn't show what it was actually sold for at the auction.
Although I have not been able to determine exactly where the above land was located, I can place it fairly well from the description of neighbouring properties in the Administration Papers. I believe it was on the east side of Skippack Pike (Highway 73). There is a road running east from Roseville that bisects the road running north from Zeiglerville. On the 1871 Montgomery County Atlas there is a J. GAUGLER shown who I think must have been the JESSE GAUGLER who married MARGARET GRUBB. She inherited part of the land owned by her father JOHN GRUBB and mother MARIA HILTEBEITEL.
The above Administration Papers are #6674 and are found in Book 1 Page 60 dated 19 August 1850. They are held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
JOHN WELKER GRUBB and MARIA HILTEBEITEL had the following child:
83 i. MARGARET (REBECCA)5 was born 19 September 1833
34. GEORGE WELKER4 GRUBB (HEINRICH CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#18314) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 31 October 1808. GEORGE died 20 August 1874 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 65. His body was interred after 20 August 1874 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
He married MARY MOORE date unknown. (MARY MOORE is #18315.) MARY was born 26 July 1819. MARY died 06 January 1889 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 69. Her body was interred after 06 January 1889 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
GEORGE WELKER GRUBB was farming in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. in 1860. He was also a merchant store keeper. His real estate is valued at $2,000 and personal property at $470. With he and his wife MARY MOORE is their daughter MIRA, age 17. Chester County 1860 census Roll 1093 Book 1 Page 357.
He was farming in East Vincent Township, Chester County, Pa. where he is shown with his wife MARY MOORE in the 1870 census Roll 1323 Book 1 Page 192. This may be the same location as above as his property may have straddled the East Coventry and East Vincent township borders.
GEORGE WELKER GRUBB and MARY MOORE had the following children:
i. MIRA5 (#26573) was born in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P 10 February 1843. MIRA died 12 February 1932 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 89. Her body was interred after 12 February 1932 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa.. She married LEWIS BROWNBACK date unknown. (LEWIS BROWNBACK is #26792.) LEWIS was born 29 January 1837 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P. LEWIS died 13 June 1931 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 94. His body was interred after 13 June 1931 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
ii. EMMA J. (#24608) was born in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P 15 April 1861. EMMA died 10 June 1866 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 5. Her body was interred after 10 June 1866 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
35. DANIEL WELKER4 GRUBB (HEINRICH CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#18350) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 14 May 1809. DANIEL died 05 September 1867 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 58. His body was interred after 05 September 1867 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co..
He married twice. He married HANNAH (MARIA) ALBRECHT 26 December 1830 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa.. (HANNAH (MARIA) ALBRECHT is #19982.) HANNAH was born January 1808. HANNAH died 21 February 1845 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 37. Her body was interred after 21 February 1845 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co.. He married SOPHIA ALBRECHT 20 November 1845 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa.. (SOPHIA ALBRECHT is #19983.) SOPHIA was born 1820. SOPHIA died 14 October 1903 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 83.
By the 1870 census SOPHIA, widow of DANIEL GRUBB, is living on the family farm in Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pa. Six of her children are still living at home. SAMUEL, age 23, is a teacher, and the others are HANNAH, SOPHIA, MARY, LAVINA and ELLEN. The farm is valued at $3,000 and her personal property at $5,000. Montgomery County 1870 census Roll 1377 Book 1 Page 375.
By 1880 SOPHIA was living with two of her daughters MARY and ELLA. Montgomery County 1880 census Roll 1157 Book 1 Page 113.
DANIEL WELKER GRUBB owned a little more than 40 acres of land on the west side of the Skippack Pike (Highway 73) just south of Roseville, Lower Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pa. This was the road which led south from Roseville to Zeiglerville. This land had been purchased over a period of time starting with 10 acres DANIEL bought from John Krause in 1832 just after his marriage. He also owned plot 17 in the Keeler's Church Cemetery which he had purchased from the Falkner Swamp Cemetery Association.
In the 1850 census for Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pa. DANIEL is shown living with his wife SOPHIA ALBRECHT and their 4 children at that time. CATHARINE, age 16, HANNAH, age 5, SAMUEL, age 3 and SOPHIA just 2 months old.. Montgomery County 1850 census Roll 799 Book 1 Page 168b.
In 1860 his farm is valued at $3,000 and personal property at $1,000. HANNAH, SAMUEL, SOPHIA and MARY are still living at home with the family. Montgomery County 1960 census Roll 1145 Book 1 Page 48.
In his Will DANIEL GRUBB left his entire estate to his wife SOPHIA ALBRECHT for her use during the balance of her lifetime. After she died the estate was to be sold and the proceeds divided equally among all his children including the children from his first wife HANNAH KRAUSE. These were CATHARINE, married to Peter Rahn, HANNAH, SAMUEL, SOPHIA, MARY, LOVINA and ELLEN. The Executors he appointed were his wife SOPHIA and his son SAMUEL. The inventory taken by the Executors of the personal property, not including real estate, amounted to $6,048.70. DANIEL had investments in several mortgages which accounts for this fairly high figure
This Will is #2153 and is found in Montgomery County Book 11 Page 621 written 4 September 1867 and proved 25 September 1867. It is held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
The widow, SOPHIA ALBRECHT GRUBB, didn't die until 14 October 1903. This of course triggered the original Will of DANIEL GRUBB and the farm and household goods were to be sold and divided among the children. By this time HANNAH had married William Cressman. and was living in Zeiglerville. SAMUEL was living in Gratersford. SOPHIA had married Henry H. Bolton and was living in Gilbertsville. MARY and ELLEN were living in Obelisk. LOVINA had married Charles Redfern and had a daughter they named Sophia.
The first thing that SAMUEL did as the sole surviving Executor was to get a Court Order determining that the real estate could not be divided without ruining its value so it was sold at public auction. This brought $1994.01 into the estate to be divided. Proceeds of the sale of the household goods amounted to $2101.49 and the final total to be divided among the children was $4,869.15.
This huge file of the Orphan's Court Records is #25335 Book 8 Page 167 dated 1 July 1905. It is held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
DANIEL WELKER GRUBB and HANNAH (MARIA) ALBRECHT had the following children:
i. CATHARINE5 (#22144) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 1834. She married PETER RAHN date unknown. (PETER RAHN is #25748.)
84 ii. LOVINA was born CA 1836
iii. HANNAH (#22147) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. February 1845. She married WILLIAM CRESMAN date unknown. (WILLIAM CRESMAN is #25750.)
DANIEL WELKER GRUBB and SOPHIA ALBRECHT had the following children:
85 iv. SAMUEL was born 11 May 1847
v. SOPHIA (#22149) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 01 August 1850. Her body was interred date unknown in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co.. She married HENRY H. BOLTON date unknown. (HENRY H. BOLTON is #25751.)
vi. MARY ALBRECHT (#22150) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 05 May 1853. MARY died 03 November 1905 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 52. Her body was interred after 03 November 1905 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co..
MARY ALBRECHT GRUBB was not married but made her residence in Frederick Township, Montgomery County. Pa. Her Will is dated 15 October 1904 but her death wasn't until 3 November 1905. She left all her estate to her sister ELLA GRUBB which was a bank certificate for $650. However by the time debts and funeral expenses were paid it left $365. Her brother SAMUEL acted as Administrator.
Her Will is #24,635 in Montgomery County Will Book 32 page 464 proved 17 November 1905. It is held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
vii. ELLA (#22146) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 1867.
36. ELIZABETH4 GRUBB (HEINRICH CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#18082) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 11 July 1783. ELIZABETH died 25 February 1847 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 63. Her body was interred after 25 February 1847 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
She married DAVID GRUBB JR. date unknown. (DAVID GRUBB JR. is #18080.) DAVID was born 20 May 1774 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa.. DAVID was the son of DAVID GRUBB SR. and CATHARINE HARWICK. DAVID died 13 February 1861 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 86. His body was interred after 13 February 1861 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
DAVID GRUBB JR. appears to be the only child of DAVID GRUBB SR. and CATHARINE HARWICK. His mother died in 1822 at the age of 67 so if they did not have more children it was very unusual for those times.
Two years before his death his father, DAVID GRUBB SR. sold him 157 acres of land. This was most of the land DAVID GRUBB SR. had received as a patent in 1784. DAVID GRUBB JR. paid £1,390 7 shillings and 6 pence. The deed is dated 1 July 1807 and is shown in Chester County Deed Book C3 page 36 held by the Chester County Archives in West Chester, Pa.
The timing of a sale like this is curious. Was there some advantage taxwise if a person was ill and expecting to die shortly ? I have seen many cases similar to this so there must have been some reason to get the property transferred. Also in this case I have a record of only one child in the family of the father who sold the property.
But DAVID GRUBB JR. (he was still known as Junior even though his father had been dead for 11 years). was not satisfied with this amount of land and started to buy up several more plots. In the end the various Grubb families were to become one of the largest land holding families in East Coventry Township, Chester County. His first purchase was 28 acres 95 perches on 13 April 1820 for which he paid $340 to Michael Snider. It was located adjacent to the land his father had sold to him which was on Kulp Road near where it crossses Pigeon Creek. It was bounded by lands of Samuel Lloyd, Samuael Defrain, Samuel Bartolet, William Posey, Henry Bolden and John Lehr. This deed is found in Chester County Deed Book T3 page 200.
The next land he bought was at an auction for the estate of Sarah Gunsberger, deceased. As in all such cases where an estate is ordered to be sold by the Courts, it must be "exposed" to sale by "public vendue or outcry". The time and place of sale must be advertised in two local papers for 4 consecutive weeks before the sale. It will then be sold to the highest bidder who has the cash or security to cover his bid. In this case the Executors were David High and Jacob Eckert. The highest bid of $1,338.61 and a half cents was made by DAVID GRUBB JR. on 19 March 1824 and the land comprised 43 acres and 29 perches. This land was bounded by the properties of Samuel Hunsberger, Abraham Harley, John Stauffer, George Grubb and Daniel Benner. This deed was contained in Chester County Deed Book X3 page 139.
The next land he added was 13 acres and 55 perches which he bought on 21 August 1830 from Abraham Brown and his wife Margaret. He paid $450.68 and a half cents. It seems strange to us now that they would bother about half a cent in a purchase price but it was very common in those days. Also deeds always covered a standard description of the boundaries but also what the sale legally covered in connection with buildings and land. A common description would go like this. "Together with all and singular the buildings, improvements, ways, woods, waters, watercourses, rights, liberties, privileges, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever". This deed is found in Chester County Deed Book F4 page 130.
DAVID GRUBB was still attending the auctions as land came up for sale in the areas adjacent to all his other property. This time it was an auction of the estate of Philip Hoffecker on 2 April 1836. It was for 25 and three quarter acres and he was the highest bidder at $1,250. This time the property was bordered by the land of Enos Richardson, John, Peter and Benjamin Defrain. From the names of the neighbours it would appear these later purchases were all to the east side of his original land. The deed is found in Chester County Deed Book R4 page 735.
DAVID GRUBB was involved with other men in the purchase of land for the erection of a schoolhouse. It was located on Ridge Road where Slonaker Road branches off. This is in the lower east corner of East Coventry Township and very near the border of Vincent Township. The land was right beside Brownback's Church and Cemetery. The first land was bought from Isaac Longenecker and his wife Mary on 6 April 1838 by David Grubb, John Benner and Peter Brownback. They paid $1 plus "other considerations" for 18 square perches. This is shown in Chester County Deed Book P4 page 467. The second plot beside the first was purchased from Elizabeth Entricken on 7 May 1838 by the same three men. They paid $400 for 40 square perches. This deed is shown in Chester County Deed Book P4 page 469.
In 1850 DAVID GRUBB JR. at age 76 was still farming. His real estate was valued at $5,300. He and his wife ELIZABETH GRUBB had a MARGARET GRUBB. age 16, living with them but I have not determined to which family she belonged. Chester County 1850 census Roll 765 Book 1 Page 157.
DAVID GRUBB JR. must have been a very careful and methodical man. This is certain as seen in the timing and wording of his will. He made out his will on 30 December 1851, ten years before he died. He added a codicil on 8 February 1856 and another on 15 January 1858. The will is very long (8 pages) and very detailed. He is greatly concerned about his wife Elizabeth. She was Elizabeth Grubb, daughter of Heinrich Christman Grubb and Elizabeth Barbara Schetler. This is only one case of a Grubb marrying a cousin Grubb. There are many others in a very confusing intermarrying of Grubbs.
In the more common type of will, the land is left to the eldest son for a stipulated price, and the proceeds are divided among the children, DAVID'S will looks after his wife ELIZABETH GRUBB, by leaving her all the personal property she wishes to keep. Then she is to receive the income from some of the land that is sold plus 5% interest on one third of the total sale price of the rest of the estate. It is clear in the will that all this is in lieu of any legal dower a wife is entitled to.
Daughter CATHARINE, married to PETER GRUBB (another Grubb intermarriage with a cousin), is singled out to receive the income from another part of the real estate for her lifetime. DAVID GRUBB JR. then gives instructions that the administrators of the estate sell the property at public auction and the proceeds to be divided evenly between his seven children, HENRY, CATHARINE, DAVID, ELIZA married to Samuel Root, HESTER, married to Thomas Francis, CHARLES and MARY, married to Daniel Grubb (another cousin marriage). The daughter ELIZA GRUBB ROOT died in 1855 so DAVID added a codicil to his will to give $800 to his granddaughter Catharine Ann Root.
DAVID GRUBB JR. died on 13 February 1861. His will appointed his son David and his son-in-law Thomas Francis, as Executors. It was proven 9 March 1861 and is found in Chester County Will Book V, volume 21, page 330, will # 13913.
As it all turned out DAVID'S son HENRY was the highest bidder at the public auction and bought the property for $7,548.75. It consisted of 125 acres and 130 perches. It was located in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. Pigeon Creek ran through the centre of the property and was roughly bounded by Kulp Road on the east and Eberhare Road on the south.
Unlike his father who was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Parkersford, DAVID GRUBB JR. was buried in the Brownback's Church Cemetery on Ridge Road in 1867. His wife ELIZABETH GRUBB had been buried in this same cemetery in 1847..
DAVID GRUBB JR. and ELIZABETH GRUBB had the following children:
ii. HESTER (#23312) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa.. She married THOMAS FRANCIS date unknown. (THOMAS FRANCIS is #23313.)
61 iii. HENRY was born 22 January 1805
62 iv. CATHARINE was born 17 September 1806
63 v. DAVID was born 11 July 1808
64 vi. CHARLES was born 15 August 1811
65 vii. MARY was born 21 February 1822
37. HENRY SCHETLER4 GRUBB (HEINRICH CHRISTMAN3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#18298) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 26 September 1795. HENRY died 02 December 1848 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 53. His body was interred after 2 December 1848 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co..
He married twice. He married SUSANNA KRAUSE circa 1819 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa.. (SUSANNA KRAUSE is #18299.) SUSANNA was born 24 May 1797. SUSANNA died 11 February 1827 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 29. Her body was interred after 11 February 1827 in Leydich Cem., Frederick Twp. Montgomery Co.. He married ESTHER CHRISTMAN circa 1829 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa.. (ESTHER CHRISTMAN is #19980.) ESTHER was born 02 June 1806. ESTHER was the daughter of JOHN PHILIP CHRISTMAN and ESTHER MACK. ESTHER died 11 January 1873 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 66. Her body was interred after 11 January 1873 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co..
ESTHER CHRISTMAN, widow of both HENRY SHETLER GRUBB and an UNKNOWN PENNYPACKER, is shown in the 1850 census for Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pa. as living with 4 of her children by her marriage to HENRY SHETLER GRUBB. These are DANIEL, age 18, ESTHER, age 16, AMANDA, age 10 and AARON, age 4. Census Roll 799 Book 1 Page 152b. In 1860 her real estate is valued at $2,500 and her personal property at $1,000.
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In 1870 ESTHER CHRISTMAN GRUBB is still living in Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pa. With her are daughter ESTHER and another daughter MARGARET AMANDA who is married to HENRY KEYSER. Their two children are also with them, CATHARINE, age 4, and JACOB, just 3 months old. Montgomery County 1870 census Roll 1377 Book 1 page 374.
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HESTER CHRISTMAN GRUBB, (shown with this spelling in her Will but in other documents as ESTHER) made her Will on 5 March 1853. She ordered that her estate "should be appraised by two competent and impartial neighbours". This turned out to be two of her sons, Jacob Pennypacker and Philip H. Grubb.. She willed that her property and personal items be disposed of at public auction except her linen which was to be divided among her 3 youngest children, JOSIAH , AMANDA and AARON. The proceeds from the sale of everything else was to be divided among all her children.
This is where we discover HESTER had been married previous to her marriage to HENRY S. GRUBB to an UNKNOWN PENNYPACKER whose first name we don't know. This is proven by her Will in which she wants the proceeds from the sale of her estate to be divided evenly among her 8 children who she names. The first is JACOB PENNYPACKER, then MARIA, married to John Rahn, PHILIP H. GRUBB, ESTHER GRUBB, HENRY GRUBB, JOSIAH GRUBB, AMANDA GRUBB, and AARON GRUBB.
Her two sons, one from her first marriage, JACOB PENNYPACKER, and one from her second marriage, PHILIP GRUBB, appraised and filed an inventory with the Orphan's Court of Montgomery County. It amounted to $2,599.63 and this was distributed among the above named children.
The Will is #2169 and found in Book 13 Page 351 written 5 March 1853 but not proved until 23 January 1873. These papers are held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
HENRY SCHETLER GRUBB is shown on the 1877 Frederick Township Atlas map as farming 50 acres on the south side of Colonial Road about a mile west of the Skippack Pike which is now Highway 73. He is easily confused with HENRY SWEISFORD GRUBB who ran the GRUBB MILL which was just a bit further west at the junction of Colonial Road and the Fagleysville Road. He acquired this land from his father and mother as shown below.
On 18 February 1819 HENRY SCHETLER GRUBB purchased from his father and mother, HENRY CHRISTMAN GRUBB and ANNA MARIA, 50 acres of land for £800. This land was on the south side of Colonial Road and about a mile west of the Skippack Pike (now called Highway 73). It was bounded by lands of John Schwenk, George More, John Krause, Jacob Krause, and Michael Kuntz. This deed is found in Montgomery County Deed book 61 Page 236 and was recorded on 3 November 1842. It is held by Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
On 8 November 1827 HENRY SCHETLER GRUBB bought 62 acres and 138 perches of land from his father HENRY CHRISTMAN GRUBB for $240. This deed is found in Montgomery County Deed Book 61 Page 237 and is held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
Shortly before his death, HENRY SHETLER GRUBB petitioned the Orphan's Court on behalf of his underage children, ESTHER, HENRY, JOSHUA, MARGARET and AARON. This was to ask the Court to appoint guardians and allow them to claim an inheritance left to them by their grandfather PHILIP CHRISTMAN. John Steiner was appointed guardian for all of them. This record is found in the Orphan's Court file #6143 dated 17 February 1847.
But another document turned up during the search. On 17 February 1847 a MARIA GRUBB, daughter of HENRY S. GRUBB, filed a petition to the Orphan's Court asking them to appoint a guardian for her. It was for the same reason as given in the above petition in connection with the inheritance from her grandfather PHILIP CHRISTMAN. This daughter turns out to be a daughter from his second marriage to ESTHER CHRISTMAN. It is found in Montgomery County Orphan's Court file #6845 book 9 page 527.
On 1 April 1847 HENRY SCHETLER GRUBB purchased 6 acres and 13 perches of land on Skippack Pike, now Highway 73, from Esra Roeller. This was to be used as a cemetery for Keeler's Church. It was on the southwest corner of Neiffer Road and Skippack Pike. He paid $244.50 for this property and he later gave this land to the church and that is where he was buried..This deed is found in Montgomery County Deed Book 211 page 79 recorded 26 May 1873. It is held by the Recorder of Deeds in Norristown, Pa.
The will of HENRY SCHETLER GRUBB clears up some disputes as to the children of his two wives. It verifies that his first wife was SUSANNAH KRAUSE and by her had 4 children, URIAS who died at the age of 25, only two years after his marriage to ANN BITTING. Her second child was ELIZABETH who married JACOB PENNYPACKER. This JACOB PENNYPACKER turns out to be a step-brother to ELIZABETH because he was the son of ESTHER CHRISTMAN PENNYPACKER who for a second husband married HENRY SHETLER GRUBB. SUSANNAH KRAUSE's third child was SARAH ANN who married WILLIAM YERGER. Her 4th child was JOSHUA who married LOVINA ZERN.
In his will HENRY SHETLER GRUBB left each of the three children, who were still living, $180 over and above any share in the estate. He explains that he did it because the other children from his second wife, ESTHER CHRISTMAN, each received $180 from their grandfather, PHILIP CHRISTMAN, when he died.
HENRY SHETLER GRUBB left to his second wife, ESTHER CHRISTMAN, various household goods and $600 cash. But it is interesting to see the specific items HENRY willed to his wife as part of her dower rights. "my case of drawers with all the contents, a corner cupboard with contents, a stove and pipe, six chairs, two beds with the necessary bedding, one dining table, one clock with case, two hogs and nine bushels of rye." She could live in the house for her lifetime as long as she remained his widow and didn't remarry. Ten acres of woodland was to be sold and ESTHER would receive 5% interest on the proceeds annually for her lifetime. When ESTHER died or remarried the rest of the property was to be sold and the proceeds divided equally among all the children from both marriages. The valuation of the estate at the time HENRY died was $5,524.
The Administrators appointed were JOSHUA, son from the first marriage, and PHILIP, a son from the second marriage. The widow, ESTHER CHRISTMAN GRUBB died on 11 January 1873 and is buried in Keelor's Church Cemetery, at the corner of Skippack Pike (Highway #73) and Nieffer Road in Upper Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pa. When the final inventory of the estate of HENRY SHETLER GRUBB was filed on 16 April 1874, by JOSHUA (JOSIAH) and PHILIP, it amounted to $4,107.50. This was divided among all the children as stipulated in the will. The house and 21 acres of land had been sold at auction to Henry S. Wanger for $3,500. The remaining 5 acres of woodland was purchased by Charles Koch for $500.
The will is #2217 and is shown in the Montgomery County Archives Book 9 page 44. It was written on 2 December 1848 and proven 3 June
HENRY SCHETLER GRUBB and SUSANNA KRAUSE had the following children:
i. ELIZABETH5 (#23971) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa.. She married JACOB PENNYPACKER date unknown. (JACOB PENNYPACKER is #23972.) JACOB was the son of UNKNOWN PENNYPACKER and ESTHER CHRISTMAN.
ii. URIAS (#22111) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 25 June 1820. URIAS died 18 December 1845 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 25. His body was interred after 18 December 1845 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co.. He married ANNA BITTING 03 December 1843 in Keeler's Reform. Ch. Frederick. (ANNA BITTING is #22112.)
URIAS GRUBB (GROB) died in December 1845 when he was just 25 years old and only 2 years after his marriage to ANNA BITTING. His will was filed 9 December 1845 and proved 26 December 1945. It is Will #2387 and shown in Montgomery County, Book 8 Page 433. All his estate which amounted to $645.02, went to wife ANNA as they had no children. She was the Executrix and the witnesses were Daniel Grubb and J. H. Bartolet.
There is no land mentioned in the Will so presumably URIAS GRUBB was leasing his land and I have not located where it was located excep it was in Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pa.
86 iii. JOSHUA was born December 1824
HENRY SCHETLER GRUBB and ESTHER CHRISTMAN had the following children:
iv. MARIA (MARY) (#25595) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa.. She married JOHN S. RAHN date unknown. (JOHN S. RAHN is #25753.)
87 v. PHILIP H. was born 03 May 1830
vi. DANIEL E. (#22123) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 30 April 1832. DANIEL died 05 May 1852 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 20. His body was interred after 05 May 1852 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Montgomery Co..
On 17 February 1847 DANIEL E. GRUBB filed a petition with the Orphan's Court of Montgomery county, to have a guardian appointed for himself as he was still a minor but over the age of 14 years. He wanted to establish his legal right to an inheritance from his grandfather PHILIP CHRISTMAN.
This file is Orphan's Court File 6328 and found in Book 9 Page 527 and held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
vii. HENRY CHRISTMAN (#22125) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 02 February 1835. HENRY died 31 October 1863 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 28. His body was interred after 31 October 1863 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co..
In 1860 HENRY CHRISTMAN GRUBB was a carpenter but still living at home with his widowed mother ESTHER CHRISTMAN, in Fredercick Township, Montgomery County, Pa.
He later took over a small farm of 10 acres and 32 perches, located on the east side of Skippack Pike (Highway 73) at Roseville, Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pa. His neighbours were Charles Boyer and Stephen Fagley.
When he died Intestate on 31 October 1863 his brother PHILIP H. GRUBB acted as Administrator. He appraised the value of the property at $1,929.23. However after deducting the debts and mortgage there was a deficit of $728.08.
These documents are File #6551 and found in Book 14 Page 479 and are held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
88 viii. JOSIAH was born 19 May 1838
ix. ESTHER (#22124) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 10 July 1839. ESTHER died 09 July 1913 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 73. Her body was interred after 09 July 1913 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co..
89 x. MARGARET AMANDA was born 29 September 1840
xi. WILLIAM (#22128) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 14 July 1843. WILLIAM died 05 February 1845 in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 1. His body was interred after 05 February 1845 in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co..
xii. AARON (#22129) was born in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 29 March 1846. AARON died date unknown in Frederick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age unknown. His body was interred date unknown in Keeler's Cem., Frederick Twp. Mont. Co.. He married AMANDA date unknown. (AMANDA is #26365.) AMANDA was born 1846 Pennsylvania, USA.
The 1870 Census shows AARON GRUBB and his wife AMANDA living in Franconia Township, Montgomery County, Pa. They are both 24 years old and have no children. AARON was a tin and sheet iron worker as was his brother JOSIAH.
38. JOHN4 GRUBB (JACOB3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#22101) was born in N. Hanover Twp. Montgomery Co. Pa 28 May 1790. JOHN died 06 June 1851 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 61. His body was interred after 06 June 1851 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
He married MAGDALENA date unknown. (MAGDALENA is #22102.) MAGDALENA was born 1801. MAGDALENA died 23 June 1878 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 76. Her body was interred after 23 June 1878 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
JOHN GRUBB and his wife MAGDALENA in 1850 were farming on Ridge Road in East Coventry Township, Chester County Pa. He was a stone mason and the real estate was valued at $2,800. You will see below where he died only 1 year later. Chester County 1850 census Roll 765 Book 1 Page 152.
He died Intestate on 6 June 1951 and surviving were his widow MAGDALENA and four children, JACOB, HENRY, REBECCA and ELIZABETH (married to an Unknown Clay). The real estate involved was only 4 acres and 39 perches. It was located on Ridge Road at the corner of Bethel Church Road in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa.. In the case of a person dying Intestate (without a Will) the wife was entitled to one third of the value and the children would divide the other two thirds among themselves equally.
In this case there were practically no personal goods to add to the value so they petitioned the Court to decide on a division of the land. The Court appointed 4 of the neighbours to appraise the property. They reported the property was too small to divide and should be sold. They placed the value at $600.
There had been a new Act of Assembly passed in April 1851 which said a widow was entitled to $300 of the personal property before the estate was settled. In this case the widow, MAGDALENA, petitioned the Court that she was destitute and would rather take her $300 in cash from the sale of the property.. There were several Court petitions and responses while they decided whether she would be allowed to do this. In the end they decided her portion would be $390.16. to be paid to her when the land was sold.
To complicate things the eldest son JACOB said he would retain the property and the other children signed off getting their small share from Jacob. The $390.16 owed to the widow would stand as a lien against the land but JACOB would pay her interest.
That appeared to be the end of this confusion but on 3 June 1912 J. Wilmer Knerr filed a petition that he owned this same land as described above. It had been deeded to him by his father Joshua Knerr on 29 March 1884. He is now finding out that he doesn't have clear title to his land. The old lien for $390.16 representing the dower right of Magdalena Grubb has neve been paid and legally he now owes that to the estate. The Court decided that more than 20 years had elapsed and if nobody made a claim it would be forgiven and they would give Wilmer Knerr a clear title. But first they had to publish in a public newspaper (The Phoenixville Republican) for four consecutive weeks to see if there were any claimants. Naturally by this time all the origianl people involved were dead and no descendants made a claim so the title was cleared.
Many pages of Court Petitions are in the Chester County Archives at West Chester, Pa. The latest file was Orphan's Court Document 46 pages 234 and 273 dated 3 June 1912. This contained a copy of the advertisement in the paper. I won't list all the other documents but the original one was Orphan's Court Document 21 page 318 dated 13 September 1852.
JOHN GRUBB and MAGDALENA had the following children:
i. REBECCA5 (#24003) was born in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P.
ii. ELIZABETH (#24005) was born in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P. She married UNKNOWN CLAY date unknown. (UNKNOWN CLAY is #24006.)
39. JACOB4 GRUBB (JACOB3, JOHN2, HEINRICH1) (#22103) was born in N. Hanover Twp. Montgomery Co. Pa 13 April 1792.
He married MARIA date unknown. (MARIA is #22104.)
JACOB GRUBB and MARIA had the following child:
i. SARAH ANN5 (#22105) was born in N. Hanover Twp. Montgomery Co. Pa 06 October 1818. SARAH died 21 January 1837 at age 18.
40. JACOB4 GRUBB (CONRAD3, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#22306) was born in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa.. JACOB died 28 April 1867 in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa., at age unknown. His body was interred after 28 April 1867 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
He married MARY date unknown. (MARY is #24464.) Her body was interred date unknown in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
JACOB GRUBB petitioned the Court to have a guardian appointed for his minor son who was under the age of 14, JOHN NEWTON GRUBB, and the guardian appointed was John Haldeman. Three other children who were over 14 but under 18, petitioned the Court on their own behalf to appoint guardians for them. This was all in connection with their right to the share of some estate of Rebecca Ely but we don't know her relationship.
JACOB GRUBB of West Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pa. died Intestate on 28 April 1867. His wife, MARY, whose family name we don't know, predeceased him.. He left 5 children, LEWIS C., AARON B., JOSEPH E., SARAH JANE and JOHN NEWTON GRUBB.
These heirs asked the Court for an appraisal of the property to see if it could be divided fairly without jeopardizing the value. The land was 107 acres and 117 perches, partly in West Nantmeal Township and partly in Wallace Township. When the appraisers returned their report they recommended the land be sold at public auction as it could not be divided.
The law at the time stipulated the auction sale must be advertised in two newspapers for 4 weeks and handbills distributed in public places for a radius of 40 miles of the place of the auction. They advertised in the American Republic and the Village Record, both local newspapers. The auction was held on 23 October 1867. The highest bidder was Leonard Roberts who paid $9,480.35.
Lewis, Aaron and Joseph were appointed administrators of the estate which meant they had to supply a detailed inventory of all the personal property which they filed on 2 April 1868. The total estate including the sale of the real estate amounted to $14,246.25 which was divided equally among the five children.
The Administration Papers are held by the Chester County Archives in West Chester, Pa. They are files #15,590 in Book f Volume 6 Page 41 dated 30 April 1867.
JACOB GRUBB and MARY had the following children:
i. JOSEPH C.5 (#23996) was born in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa..
ii. SARAH JANE (#23997) was born in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa.. She married UNKNOWN ROBISON date unknown. (UNKNOWN ROBISON is #23998.)
iii. WILLIAM S. (#24613) was born in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa.. WILLIAM died date unknown in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa., at age unknown. His body was interred date unknown in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
93 v. AARON B. was born January 1838
94 vi. JOHN NEWTON was born February 1847
vii. LEWIS (#24612) was born in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa. 02 February 1857. LEWIS died 11 October 1860 in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa., at age 3. His body was interred after 11 October 1860 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
41. CATHARINE4 GRUBB (CONRAD3, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#22308) was born in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa..
She married JACOB HARLEY date unknown. (JACOB HARLEY is #22309.) JACOB was the son of RUDOLPH HARLEY III and BARBARA BACH. JACOB died before 10 April 1876 at age unknown.
CATHARINE GRUBB and JACOB HARLEY had the following child:
42. ABRAHAM4 GRUBB (CONRAD3, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#22307) was born in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa. CA 1785. ABRAHAM died before 30 April 1842 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 56.
He married twice. He married SUSANNAH BAUGH date unknown. (SUSANNAH BAUGH is #22336.) SUSANNAH was the daughter of JOHANNES BACH and CATHARINE GRUMBACHER. He married ELIZABETH HARLEY date unknown. (ELIZABETH HARLEY is #22337.) ELIZABETH was born date unknown in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa.. ELIZABETH was the daughter of RUDOLPH HARLEY III and BARBARA BACH.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
It is still questionable whether this ABRAHAM GRUBB was the son of CONRAD GRUBB and ELIZABETH KELLER. His will is dated 13 May 1827 but wasn't proved until 30 April 1842. It is will #10276 in Chester County Will Book 18 page 158.
There are two deeds where an ABRAHAM GRUBB purchased land in East Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pa. Here again we can't be sure this is the correct ABRAHAM GRUBB as there were several by the same name in this time frame. However it seems most likely that it was this ABRAHAM GRUBB who purchased the land in East Nantmeal as he had been born in West Nantmeal and the others had been born further east in Coventry Township or even in Frederick Township of Montgomery County across the Shuylkill River.
The first deed dated 1 December 1829 was for 117 acres and 130 perches of land in East Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pa. He paid $1,400 to Isaiah Kirk who was the Executor of the estate of John Harple. It was bounded by the land of Isaiah Kirk, Samuel Lightfoot, Sarah Eves, John Hoffman and Philip Emery. The deed is found in Chester County Deed Book D4 page 453.
The second deed is dated 1 March 1840 and is for 3 plots of land in East Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pa. He paid a total of $3,006.56 to Jesse Wells and his wife Mary. The first plot contained 66 acres and 130 perches. The second contained 51 acres and 105 perches and the third 15 acres and 11 perches. They were bounded by the lands of Alexander Diffenderfer, John Halderman and John Miller. One of the plots contained a schoolhouse which was known as the Union School House. This deed is found in Chester County deed Book T4 page 12 and is held by the Chester County Archives in West Chester, Pa.
He evidently had three children by his first wife SUSANNAH. He left them $1 each. His second wife ELIZABETH received the estate both real and personal but there is no inventory and so we don't know the extent of the estate. ELIZABETH and JACOB's friend Jacob Harley were appointed Executors.
ABRAHAM GRUBB and SUSANNAH BAUGH had the following children:
i. DAVID5 (#23988) was born in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa..
ii. SARAH (#23989) was born in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa.. She married UNKNOWN PALMER date unknown. (UNKNOWN PALMER is #23990.)
iii. MARTHA (#23991) was born in W. Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pa.. She married UNKNOWN DUNLAP date unknown. (UNKNOWN DUNLAP is #23992.)
ABRAHAM GRUBB and ELIZABETH HARLEY had the following child:
43. HENRY HUNSICKER4 GRUBB (HENRY3, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#22411) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 1839. HENRY died 04 October 1872 in U. Prov. Twp, Montgomery Co. PA, at age 33.
He married ELIZABETH (LIZZIE) B. date unknown. (ELIZABETH (LIZZIE) B. is #25689.) ELIZABETH was born 1844. She married UNKNOWN BECHTEL date unknown.
HENRY H. GRUBB and his wife (ELIZABETH) LIZZIE lived in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County, Pa. The property was located on the southwest side of the Perkiomen to Reading Turnpike in the Town of Freeland. It was right beside the Trinity Christian Church. HENRY had purchased part of this land from MARY ALDERFER on 6 March 1868. It is shown in Montgomery County Deed Book 150 Page 388. HENRY also owned an unimproved lot with a 75 foot frontage on the north side of the road next to Dr. Palmer.
HENRY was evidently a prosperous merchant in Freeland. In the 1870 census his real estate was valued at $7,000 and personal goods at $22,000. This latter probaly was the inventory of the store. Found in Montgomery County 1870 census Roll 1379 Book 1 Page 352.
HENRY died in 1872 leaving only one minor son WILLIAM AUGUSTINE GRUBB. His Will was dated 14 October 1871 and proved 12 November 1872 at Norristown, Pa. His widow, ELIZABETH B. GRUBB, petitioned the Orphan's Court to appoint a guardian and the Court appointed ISAAC DETWILER. The widow and Isaac Detwiler were also appointed as Executors for the estate. Isaac Detwiler was an uncle of HENRY GRUBB.
HENRY made out his Will himself without the assistance of a professional lawyer. It was very long and repetitive and as turned out held many contradictions. This caused extreme problems in following the conditions of the will but was a heyday for the lawyers.
The widow ELIZABETH decided to remarry and married an UNKNOWN BECHTEL. They decided to sell the house willed to her by her first husband HENRY H. GRUBB. This led to a long battle by the lawyers as to whether this was allowed in the deceased husband's Will. The lawyers argued about these legal aspects for two years. However the Will had been very clear about one thing. HENRY H. GRUBB specified that "a suitable monument or other stone was to be erected in his memory. The cost was not to be less than $300 and not more than $600."
In reading the complete 8 pages of the above Will, HENRY comes across as very frugal, strict and highly religious. He willed $1000 plus a $2500 life insurance policy to his "beloved son WILLIE" in a trust fund as Willie was still a minor. There were conditions however that it was to be used for his son's education and comfort and not for "any extravagance whatsoever". Also Willie must be "of a sober and industrious character." This also applied when Willie came of age and inherited the capital amount.
He was very specific in his Will in case his widow ELIZABETH should remarry. She would not lose her rights in connection with the house but her new husband "shall never under no circumstances whatsoever be permitted to interfere with or handle the principal". This principal was $8,500 of real estate and personal property. When they took the inventory it totalled $17,048.30.
HENRY also left $5,000 in trust to his mother HANNAH HUNSICKER GRUBB. Like all the rest of the legacies this was left in trust with Isaac Detwiler and the recipient was to receive enough of the interest to keep the person "comfortable but with no extravagances". He deemed that his father HENRY GRUBB, his brother JONATHON GRUBB and his sister SALLIE GRUBB PALMER, were all "comfortably situated" so he left them nothing.
His religious fervour came out in his last stipulation in case his widow, mother and son all died, leaving balances in their trust accounts. "Everything was to go to Jesus." $2,000 was to go to the "really poor blind children who wanted to be educated at the Blind Asylum in Philadelphia." $1,000 was to go to "the really poor Deaf and dumb children who wished to be educated at the Protestant School in Philadelphia." A sum was to go to the American Bible Society for the purchase of bibles to be used in home or foreign missions." The balance was to be given to the Foreign Missionary Society of the Congregational Church "to be used strictly for the education of the poor heathen for the spread of the Gospel."
The irony of another stipulation in his Will was in connection with his $10,000 investment in Pierson and Company in Philadelphia. He tells the Executor not to disturb the funds until 31 December 1873 unless the company was not in a solvent position. As it turned out the company did go bankrupt and the estate took a loss of $5,800.
The court finally decided that widow LIZZIE B. GRUBB, who was now LIZZIE B. BECHTEL, could sell the real estate. The house and property in Freeland was sold to Frank Hobson for $4,250. Part of the property was sold to the Trinity Christian Church for $700.
In the meantime the son WILLIAM A. GRUBB had died at the age of 17. This meant that his trust fund was thrown back into the estate. There was Court wrangling as to whether Isaac Detwiler had administered the funds properly during the time the lawyers were arguing over the terms of the original Will. Finally LIZZIE B. GRUBB BECHTEL also died, leaving Isaac Detwiler the sole Executor. So he was left with the job of distributing the bequests to the various religious charitable groups.
The Will was #2224 found in Montgomery County Will Book 13 Page 290 written 14 October 1871 and proved 11 November 1872. The Orphan's court File is #6570. All of these are held by the Montgomery County Archives in Norristown, Pa.
HENRY HUNSICKER GRUBB and ELIZABETH (LIZZIE) B. had the following child:
i. WILLIAM AUGUSTINE5 (#25690) was born in U. Prov. Twp, Montgomery Co. PA 1866. WILLIAM died 1878 in U. Prov. Twp, Montgomery Co. PA, at age 12.
WILLIAM AUGUSTINE GRUBB died at the age of 17 years so he was never married and had no children. As he had no brothers or sisters, it means he is the end of this particular line down from HEINRICH GRUBB.
44. JACOB4 GRUBB (DAVID3, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#21978) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 12 March 1793. JACOB died 01 September 1867 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 74. His body was interred after 01 September 1867 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
He married MARY MARTIN 14 February 1815. (MARY MARTIN is #21979.) MARY was born 04 November 1788. MARY was the daughter of CHRISTIAN MARTIN. MARY died 15 March 1867 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 78. Her body was interred after 15 March 1867 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
JACOB GRUBB in 1860 was farming in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. He was also a weaver. He was 67 years old at this time and his wife MARY MARTIN was 72. Their son SYDNEY, age 44, was living with them Also a SUSANNAH STAUFFER, age 22, and a JACOB GRUBB, age 6. I don't know the relationship of these to JACOB and MARY GROBB. His real estate was valued at $2,000 and personal property at $310. Chester County 1860 census Roll 1093 Book 1 Page 360.
JACOB GRUBB died Intestate (leaving no will) on 1 September 1867. This was only 6 months after his wife MARY MARTIN had died on 15 March 1867.
His son SILAS GRUBB was appointed Administrator and posted a bond on 1 October 1867 for $2,000. His brother MOSES GRUBB and a friend BENJAMIN FREDERICK took the inventory which was very small. In total it amounted to $1,303.47. This was divided among the 3 sons equally, SYDNEY, SILAS and EZRA.
The Administration Papers are file #15,690 and held by the Chester County Archives in West Chester, Pa. The Administration bond was filed 1 October 1867 and is found in Book F Volume 6 Page 51.
JACOB GRUBB and MARY MARTIN had the following children:
i. SIDNEY5 (#22001) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 02 April 1816. SIDNEY died 29 January 1887 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 70.
96 ii. SILAS was born 19 November 1819
97 iii. EZRA was born 21 January 1827
45. ABRAHAM4 GRUBB (REV.) (DAVID3, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#21980) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 29 November 1794. ABRAHAM died 08 February 1866 in N. Cov. Twp. Chester Co. PA, at age 71. His body was interred after 08 February 1866 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
He married CATHARINE HARPLE date unknown. (CATHARINE HARPLE is #21981.) CATHARINE was born 23 April 1801. CATHARINE died 17 March 1875 in N. Cov. Twp. Chester Co. PA, at age 73. Her body was interred after 17 March 1875 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
REV. ABRAHAM GRUBB served in the Militia during the War of 1812. He was in Captain Robert Wilson's Company in September 1814.
In 1850 he was farming in North Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. His real estate was valued at $3,000 and his daughter and son were living at home, HANNAH, age 19, and CYRUS, age 14. Chester County 1850 census Roll 765 Book 1 Page 171.
The will of REV. ABRAHAM GRUBB is #15257 and is shown in Chester County Will Book W Volume 22 Page 354 and can be seen at the Chester County Archives in West Chester. Pa.
He left his estate to his wife CATHERINE HARPLE for her lifetime and after her death it was to be divided between his three children with $500 going to his granddaughter Clara Shileigh, child of his daughter Sarah who was deceased.
Executor was Francis H. Simpson, son-in-law, and Administrators were George Hoffecker and Jacob R. Hunsberger. Value of the estate was $4669.91.
ABRAHAM GRUBB (REV.) and CATHARINE HARPLE had the following children:
i. MARY ANN5 (#22299) was born in N. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. PA. She married UNKNOWN FRETZ date unknown. (UNKNOWN FRETZ is #22300.)
98 ii. SARAH was born 15 May 1826
iii. HANNAH (#22301) was born in N. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. PA 1831. She married FRANCIS H. SIMPSON date unknown. (FRANCIS H. SIMPSON is #22302.)
iv. CYRUS (#22303) was born in N. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. PA 1836.
46. MARIA (MARY)4 GRUBB (DAVID3, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#21982) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 28 October 1796. MARIA died 16 January 1863 in N. Cov. Twp. Chester Co. PA, at age 66. Her body was interred after 16 January 1863 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
She married JESSE WELLS date unknown. (JESSE WELLS is #21983.) JESSE was born 05 December 1798. JESSE died 1876 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 77. His body was interred 1876 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa.. JESSIE WELLS was a Quaker.
MARIA (MARY) GRUBB and JESSE WELLS had the following children:
i. JOSEPH5 (#22207). JOSEPH WELLS was a merchant in Spring City, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
ii. MARY A. (#22208). She married SAMUEL TAYLOR date unknown. (SAMUEL TAYLOR is #22209.)
iii. DAVID GRUBB (#22210) was born 12 September 1825. He married SARAH GRUBB date unknown. (SARAH GRUBB is #22213.) SARAH was born 07 November 1835 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P. SARAH was the daughter of PETER GRUBB and CATHARINE GRUBB. DAVID GRUBB WELLS was the first Burgess of Spring City, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
47. PETER4 GRUBB (DAVID3, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#18081) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 21 August 1801. PETER died 22 May 1882 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 80. His body was interred after 22 May 1882 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa.. He married CATHARINE GRUBB date unknown. (CATHARINE GRUBB is #18083.) CATHARINE was born 17 September 1806 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa.. CATHARINE was the daughter of DAVID GRUBB JR. and ELIZABETH GRUBB. CATHARINE died 18 October 1864 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 58. Her body was interred after 28 October 1864 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
PETER GRUBB purchased 85 acres and 129 perches at a sheriff's sale on 31 October 1825. He paid $850.00. It is shown in Chester County Deed Book Z3 Page 13. Unfortunately it doesn't state the location of the land except that it is bounded by the land of several people including JOHN GRUBB. I would think it is therefore in the area of Pigeon Creek near Kulp Road where most of the Grubb land was located.
PETER GRUBB and his wife CATHARINE GRUBB sold the above land to MICHAEL HUNSBERGER on 4 March 1834. This is shown in Chester County Deed Book G4 Volume 79 Page 369 held by the Chester County Archives in West Chester, Pa.
PETER GRUBB and CATHARINE GRUBB had the following child:
i. SARAH5 (#22213) was born in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P 07 November 1835. She married DAVID GRUBB WELLS date unknown. (DAVID GRUBB WELLS is #22210.) DAVID was born 12 September 1825. DAVID was the son of JESSE WELLS and MARIA (MARY) GRUBB. DAVID GRUBB WELLS was the first Burgess of Spring City, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
48. SAMUEL4 GRUBB (DAVID3, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#22025) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 02 October 1803.
He married SARAH KUHNS CA 1824. The following individual is also linked to this event: UNKNOWN GULDIN (REV.) (minister). (SARAH KUHNS is #22026.) SARAH was born 1807.
SAMUEL GRUBB was a merchant and operated a store in Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pa. He is shown with his wife SARAH KUHNS and 3 of their children in the 1850 census. BENJAMIN K. age 18, ISAAC K., age 16 and ALBERT, age 14. They had another son born in 1825, SAMUEL, but he died 10 months later. Montgomery County 1850 census Roll 799 Book 1 Page 89.
SAMUEL GRUBB and SARAH KUHNS had the following children:
i. SAMUEL WARREN5 (#22032) was born in Limerick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 01 June 1825. SAMUEL died 26 April 1826 in Limerick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age unknown. His body was interred date unknown in Limerick Cem. Montgomery Co. Pa..
ii. BENJAMIN F. (#22028) was born in Limerick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 1832.
iii. ISAAC KUHNS (#22029) was born in Limerick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 1834.
iv. ALBERT (#22030) was born in Limerick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 1836.
v. CHARLES (#22031) was born in Limerick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa. 1838. CHARLES died 29 April 1839 in Limerick Twp, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age unknown. His body was interred after 29 April 1839 in Limerick Cem. Montgomery Co. Pa..
49. HANNAH4 GRUBB (DAVID3, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#21988) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 06 February 1806. HANNAH died 05 June 1853 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 47. Her body was interred after 05 June 1853 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
HANNAH GRUBB had the following children:
i. SARAH5 (#26607) was born in N. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. PA 1845.
ii. JOSEPH (#26608) was born in N. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. PA 1847.
50. MOSES4 GRUBB (DAVID3, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#18090) was born in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 18 December 1807. MOSES died 30 April 1895 in E. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. P, at age 87. His body was interred after 30 April 1895 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
He married three times. He married HANNAH RIXTINE date unknown. (HANNAH RIXTINE is #18091.) HANNAH was born 05 May 1811 in Vincent Twp., Chester Co., Pa.. HANNAH was the daughter of HENRY RIXTINE and MARGARET SEIDEL. HANNAH died 07 July 1857 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 46. Her body was interred after 07 July 1857 in Oak Grove Cem. E. Coventry, Pa.. He married CATHARINE HUNSBERGER date unknown. (CATHARINE HUNSBERGER is #18095.) CATHARINE was born 03 October 1814. CATHARINE was the daughter of JOHN HUNSBERGER and EVE. CATHARINE died 28 March 1865 in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa., at age 50. He married ELIZABETH ANN BENNER STUBBLEBINE date unknown. (ELIZABETH ANN BENNER STUBBLEBINE is #18096.) ELIZABETH was born 07 June 1831. ELIZABETH was the daughter of WILLIAM STUBBLEBINE and MARY. She married DANIEL BENNER date unknown. ELIZABETH died 30 July 1915 in N. Cov. Twp. Chester Co. PA, at age 84. Her body was interred after 30 July 1915 in Brownback's Cem. E. Coventry, Pa..
ELIZABETH age 68 and twice widowed, was living in North Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. in 1900. Her mother, MARY STUBBLEBINE, age 94, is living with her. Chester County 1900 census Roll 1393 Book 1 Page 179a.
When ELIZABETH ANN STUBBLEBINE BENNER GRUBB died on 30 July 1915, she was the widow of both DANIEL BENNER and MOSES GRUBB. In her will she directed that she be buried in Brownback's Cemetery in East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa., beside her first husband Daniel Benner. She wanted similar tombstones to be erected for both of them and she left $100 to Brownback's Church for their maintenance.
She bequeathed to her daughter, EMMA BENNER, wife of William Moser, the sum of $50. Other items went to India Wells, Agnes Wells and Lizzie Dampman. I assume these may be other daughters but I am not sure.
ELIZABETH appointed Morgan Stubblebine to be the Administrator and the Witnesses were Peter Pirches and N. F. Dotterer.
The Estate File is #34,894 in the Chester County Archives at West Chester, Pa. It is found in Will Book 41 page 80
MOSES GRUBB was a farmer in North Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. In 1850 he is shown in the census as living with his wife, HANNAH RIXTINE, and 2 children, HENRY, age 8, and EMELINE, age 6. Chester County 1850 census Roll 765 Book 1 page 171.
The 1870 census shows MOSES GRUBB, age 63, still living in North Coventry Township but with his son HENRY RIXTINE GRUBB and Henry's family consisting of his wife KATE PENNYPACKER and 2 children MARY ADA and EDWIN P. GRUBB. I am not sure whether this farm was the original farm of MOSES GRUBB or whether he had come to live on his son's farm. They are both shown as farmers in this census.
When MOSES GRUBB died on 30 April 1895 he was 88 years old and his will states his residence is in North Coventry Township. In his original Will dated 30 April 1891 MOSES designated that the property where he was living should be sold. The proceeds were to be put into a mortgage which would pay 6% interest to his wife ELIZABETH ANN BENNER STUBBLEBINE. She was MOSES third wife after two other wives had died. After her death the principal sum was to be paid to his daughter-in-law KATE LUBOLD PENNYPACKER GRUBB, the wife of his son HENRY RIXTINE GRUBB. This was a little strange as his son HENRY RIXTINE GRUBB was still living at the time. The household goods were to be given to his wife if she wished them. A grandson EDWIN P. GRUBB, son of HENRY RIXTINE GRUBB, was appointed Executor of the estate.
Then on 5 September 1891 MOSES added a codicil to his will by designating two specific items. His daughter-in-law KATE L. GRUBB was to receive his watch and the grandson EDWIN P. GRUBB was to receive his buffalo robe.
As there were no underage children involved, there were no Orphan's Court documents and there was no inventory filed. The Will is File # 24822 probated 15 May 1895 and is found in Chester County Will Book 30 Page 268 and is held by the Chester County Archives in West Chester, Pa.
MOSES GRUBB and CATHARINE HUNSBERGER had the following child:
99 i. MOSES HUNSBERGER5 was born 1837
MOSES GRUBB and HANNAH RIXTINE had the following children:
100 ii. HENRY RIXTINE was born 17 August 1841
iii. EMELINE (#26609) was born in N. Coventry Twp. Chester Co. PA 1844.
51. ELIZABETH4 GROBB (ABRAHAM3, ABRAHAM2 GRUBB, HEINRICH1) (#129) was born in Hilltown Twp. Bucks Co. PA 3 January 1797. ELIZABETH died 30 May 1873 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 76. Her body was interred after 30 May 1873 in Campden Mennonite Cem. ON.
She married MANASSEH TUFFORD 27 February 1826 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON. (MANASSEH TUFFORD is #1334.) MANASSEH was born 02 August 1806 Louth Twp. Lincoln Co. ON. MANASSEH was the son of PHILIP TUFFORD and MARY FRETZ. MANASSEH died 29 July 1870 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 63. His body was interred after 29 July 1870 in Campden Mennonite Cem. ON.
Entry in Tufford Family Bible. "This may certify that Manase Tufford is a Member of the Mennonite Society in the Niagara District, Township of Clinton, February 21st 1835. Jacob Gross, Minister"
Manasseh and Elizabeth settled on a farm in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., Ont., on the present Cosbt Road and located between Fly Road and Young Street.
SOURCE on INFORMATION
TUFFORD FAMILY BIBLE . This bible is held by Margaret Romagnoli and the details were sent to me by Mr. Larry Rittenhouse, Jordan Station, Ontario, Canada.
ELIZABETH GROBB and MANASSEH TUFFORD had the following children:
i. PHILIP5 (#10105) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 01 April 1830. PHILIP died 22 October 1913 in S. Cayuga Twp, Haldimand, ON, at age 83. He married MARIA PAGE 07 February 1865 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON. (MARIA PAGE is #32658.) MARIA was born 10 July 1837. MARIA died 07 April 1921 in S. Cayuga Twp, Haldimand, ON, at age 83.
PHILIP TUFFORD was a farmer in South Cayuga Township, Haldimand County, Ontario. His religion was Dunkard.
ii. MOSES (#10107) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 26 October 1835. MOSES died 03 May 1919 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 83. His body was interred after 13 May 1919 in Campden Mennonite Cem. ON.
MOSES TUFFORD was a farmer and miller in Clinton Township, Lincoln County, Ontario. He was a member of the Disciple Church.
iii. ABRAHAM (#10106) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 26 April 1839. ABRAHAM died 13 November 1906 in S. Cayuga Twp, Haldimand, ON, at age 67. His body was interred 16 November 1906 in S, Cayuga Mennonite Cem. ON.
Obituary of ABRAHAM TUFFORD
Taken from the Gospel Witness December 1906
TUFFORD.-Abraham Tufford was born in Clinton Twp., Ont., April 6, 1839; died in South Cayuga, Ont., Nov. 13, 1906; aged 67 y. 7 m. 9 d. Funeral services were held on the 16, by Moses Hoover from the text, John 5:28, 29.
SOURCE of INFORMATION
MRS. PATRICIA HIGH, Jordan Station, Canada.
101 iv. JOHN GROBB was born 16 August 1841
52. MARY4 GROBB (ABRAHAM3, ABRAHAM2 GRUBB, HEINRICH1) (#130) was born in Hilltown Twp. Bucks Co. PA 7 September 1798. MARY died 01 December 1889 in Vaughan Twp. York Co. Ont., at age 91. Her body was interred after 07 December 1888 in Edgely Mennonite Cem. Vaughan Twp..
She married JACOB SMITH 19 December 1826 in Markham Twp. York Co. ON. (JACOB SMITH is #1335.) JACOB was born 15 February 1793 in Somerset, Somerset Co. PA. JACOB was the son of JACOB SCHMIDT SR. and FANNY WEBER. JACOB died 07 June 1867 in Vaughan Twp. York Co. Ont., at age 74. His body was interred after 07 June 1867 in Edgely Mennonite Cem. Vaughan Twp..
SOURCE of INFORMATION
Mr. Clarence Smith of Gowanstown, Ontario, Canada supplied a copy from JACOB SMITH's bible showing the dates of births and deaths. JACOB SMITH was the g-g-grandfather of Clarence Smith. it was originally written in German and was translated by Amos B. Hoover from Pennsylvania.
MARY GROBB and JACOB SMITH had the following children:
102 i. ELIZABETH5 was born 19 December 1827
ii. JACOB (#10094) was born in Markham Twp. York Co. ON 15 October 1829. JACOB died 16 October 1851 in Markham Twp. York Co. ON, at age 22.
103 iii. ABRAHAM was born 24 December 1830
104 iv. SAMUEL was born 09 February 1833
105 v. BARBARA was born 25 June 1835
106 vi. JOSEPH was born 23 August 1837
vii. MOSES (#10103) was born in Markham Twp. York Co. ON 22 January 1840. MOSES died 7 November 1844 in Markham Twp. York Co. ON, at age 4. His body was interred after 07 November 1844 in Edgely Mennonite Cem. Vaughan Twp..
viii. JOHN (#10104) was born in Markham Twp. York Co. ON 28 May 1842. JOHN died 26 March 1845 in Markham Twp. York Co. ON, at age 2. His body was interred date unknown in Edgely Mennonite Cem. Vaughan Twp..
53. JOHN4 GROBB (ABRAHAM3, ABRAHAM2 GRUBB, HEINRICH1) (#131) was born in Hilltown Twp. Bucks Co. PA 21 March 1800. JOHN died 07 February 1885 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 84. His body was interred 10 February 1885 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
He married MARY HIGH 13 March 1827 in Elgin County, ON, Canada. (MARY HIGH is #1336.) MARY was born 18 February 1806 in Elgin County, ON, Canada. MARY was the daughter of HENRY HOCH and ELIZABETH ALBRIGHT. MARY died 29 July 1880 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 74. Her body was interred after 29 July 1880 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
I have a photocopy of a page from the diary of Deacon Philip Wismer where it states the group that travelled with John Fretz family, all arrived at "The Twenty" in 1800. They left Bucks County, Pennsylvania in July and it is believed they arrived at "The Twenty" in early September.
We know that JOHN GROBB was born on 21 March 1800. The fact he would have been only about 3 months old when they started the trip, is not unusual. There are many cases of our ancestors travelling with babies that young. In fact another son-in-law of John Fretz, Michael Rittenhouse and his wife Dinah Fretz, travelled with them and they also had a baby named John who was probably even younger as he was born 22 May 1800.
JOHN GROBB was a Cabinet Maker and gained a reputation for excellent work. In fact even today anyone fortunate enough to own one of his furniture pieces is holding a valuable antiquity. He signed his furniture on the bottom of one of the drawers. We believe the "secretary" or chest of drawers and desk combination, that was made as a wedding present for Jacob Grobb , and which is now in the possession of Larry Love in Calgay, was made by JOHN's brother DAVID GROBB. He was a blacksmith, wheelwright and farmer but may have made some furniture as well. We were always told that JOHN GROBB signed every piece of furniture he made. But in the article below the author states that very few pieces were actually signed so it is still possible JOHN made the "secretary" we have in our possession.
JOHN GROBB married MARY HIGH on 13 March 1822. She was born in Elgin County, Ontario on 18 February 1806 and her father was HENRY HIGH. JOHN and MARY lived in a
large stone house just east of Beamsville on what is now known as John Street.
JOHN GRUBB was an Overseer in Clinton Township in 1856. A copy of the Oath of Office signed by many men including JOHN GRUBB is in my files. It is dated 19 April 1856.
John Grobb-Cabinetmaker
From the Upper Canadian September /October 2004
John Grobb ranks as one of the best known Niagara Peninsula cabinetmakers. His par ents came to settle in Clinton Township in the fall of 1799, part of the group of Mennonites who arrived from Pennsylvania. John was born in 1800. In the early part of the century, he must have apprenticed with another cabinetmaker, one whose own tradition dated back to the 18th century.
At first, Grobb worked in a neoclassical style, reminiscent of Chippendale and Adam. By 1820, he constructed pine tables, chairs and other useful furnishings, working out of a stone building located on his father's farm.
In 1827, he married Mary High of Elgin County. The Grobbs farmed on Lots 6 and 7, Con. II, Clinton Township. They spent the rest of their lives there. While John farmed, he also made time to make furniture on order and never kept an inventory. The precision of his work could mean it might take him a month to complete a piece. He used lathes, saws, and hand tools to create his long-lasting furniture.
Grobb made highboys, linen presses, chests of drawers or desks for his family, relatives or neighbours. He made his most elegant furniture of bl ack walnut, walnut or cherry - woods plentiful in his vicinity.
Jordan Ontario antique dealer and collector, Audrey Griffith has bought some pieces through the years which she is certain were made by John Grobb. They possess his style and design, and she bought the furniture from people in the area where the cabinetmaker lived and worked.
The, collector has a walnut chest of drawers made with some pine and white ceramic drawer pulls. It's Chippendale style was popular in this part of the area well into the 19th century. She also has a two-piece walnut cupboard with panels on upper an lower doors, inset quarter columns and ogee or S- shaped bracket feet. It was probably. made between 1830 and 1840. These S-shaped feet seemed to be a more popular feature with the Mennonite cabinetmakers.
Griffiths is also very proud of a slant-front desk which she is certain was made by John Grobb in the 1840s. The desk has a gallery around the top, and is made of cherry wood. It has white ironstone pulls or handles on the drawers and ogee bracket feet.
Mrs. Griffith values "proportion, style and workmanship" in the furniture she buys. Then she notices "the condition of the piece," and finally the wood.
Grobb was known to have signed only one piece of furniture, a tall chest of drawers made of cherry wood with dust boards, or panels, between the pine drawers. A couple from Grimsby, Ontario owned it some years ago, and it came from the home of one of the surviving members of the Grobb family. The couple who owned this treasured piece of furniture used to live in the area where the Grobbs farmed, and knew members of the family. The chest was a heavy piece, strongly made with a spindled gallery around the top of it. It also had inset quarter columns, and ogee bracket feet. The drawer pulls are believed to be pressed glass, and are round in shape. The interesting fact about it was the old style script on the bottom of one of the drawers. It looks like heavy, black crayon, written in two lines "John Grobb - 1846, November 2."
John Grobb's work has been handed down from one generation to another, and the pieces he made are still treasured by their owners.
JOHN and his wife MARY were both Mennonites as were their parents. So they were members of the Mennonite Church in Vineland. They lived in a large stone house, east of Beamsville on John Street, across the road from his brother Moses, the weaver. (Lots 6 and 7, Conc. II, Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., Ont.
JOHN died on 7 February 1885 at the age of 84 years, 10 months and 26 days. He is buried in the Old Mennonite Burying Ground in Vineland. His plot is number V22. MARY HIGH died on 29 July 1880 at the age of 74 years, 5 months and 11 days. She also is buried in the Old Mennonite Burying Ground in Vineland. Her plot is V18.
JOHN GROBB and MARY HIGH had the following children:
107 i. ABRAHAM HIGH5 was born 13 December 1827
108 ii. HENRY HIGH was born 18 September 1829
iii. ELIZABETH (BETSY) (#10037) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 22 July 1832. ELIZABETH died 04 June 1897 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 64. Her body was interred after 04 June 1897 in Mt. Osborne Cem., Beamsville, ON.
109 iv. MARY (POLLY) was born 27 January 1837
v. BARBARA (#10051) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 29 June 1838. She married WILLIAM MILO JONES 21 April 1892 in St. Catharines, Lincoln Co. ON. The following individual is also linked to this event: J. H. RATCLIFFE REV. (minister). (WILLIAM MILO JONES is #17996.) WILLIAM was born 1837 in Wentworth Co. ON, Canada. WILLIAM was the son of WILLIAM H. JONES and JANE FLETCHER.
ONTARIO MARRIAGE REGISTRATION - # 007,358 WILLIAM MILO JONES, 57, widower of St. Catharines, carpenter, Methodist, s/o William H. Jones and Jane Fletcher, married by license on 21 April 1892, in St. Catharines, BARBARA GROBB, 52, spinster of Beamsville, Methodist, d/o John Grobb and Mary High, by Rev. J. H. Ratcliffe. Witnesses Maggie Ratcliffe and W. G. Ratcliffe. NAC microfilm series 923 reel 75.
110 vi. JOSEPH HIGH was born 26 January 1842
111 vii. CATHARINE was born 16 November 1845
54. ABRAHAM4 GROBB (ABRAHAM3, ABRAHAM2 GRUBB, HEINRICH1) (#132) was born in Lot 7, Con 3, Clinton Twp, Lincoln Co. 19 February 1803. ABRAHAM died 19 May 1890 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 87. His body was interred after 19 May 1890 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
He married BARBARA WISMER 13 April 1824 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON. (BARBARA WISMER is #1337.) BARBARA was born 27 August 1799 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON. BARBARA was the daughter of JOHN WISMER and ESTHER FRY. BARBARA died 02 July 1868 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 68. Her body was interred after 02 July 1868 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
ABRAHAM GROBB was the son of ABRAHAM GROBB and ELIZABETH FRETZ. He was born in the house on Lot 7 Concession 3, Clinton Township, Lincoln County, Ontario where his father owned 100 acres. The house is still standing in 2002 but is in derelict condition. It has been used for many years to house seasonal migrant fruit pickers during the harvesting season.
ABRAHAM married BARBARA WISMER, daughter of JOHN WISMER and ESTHER FRY on 13 April 1824. Only a month after their wedding Abraham purchased Lot 18, Concession 7 from Thomas Topping. This property was located on top of the escarpment, south of Beamsville. It was on the "Fly Road".
Abraham and his wife Barbara were Mennonites as were their parents. They attended the Mennonite Church in Vineland. He was a farmer.
The original house on the Abraham Grobb farm was built of hand-hewn pine logs and was a storey and a half high It is not known at what dates there were added to the original, but a kitchen living room, with two adjoining bedrooms were added and a large woodshed, with a summer kitchen was put on the south east corner.
One of the most interesting buildings on the farm was "The Shop". A type of building which was often included in the Pennsylvania Mennonite farms. It was a two storey building and on the ground floor, there was a long work bench, equipped with all kinds of building tools. There was a huge fireplace at the south end, with cranes to hold the huge black kettles, used in making apple butter, or for frying out lard and heating water at butchering time. It also housed a forge used in blacksmithing and for repairing farm implements. There was a stove in the middle of the floor for heat if they wanted to work there in winter. At the north end of the building on the outside stood a barrel, where wood ashes were placed, then water was added periodically to the barrel and the leach from this was used for lye in making "soft soap". In the second storey there were all kinds of cast off things such as baby's cradle (hand-made), a wool winder, a spinning wheel, old rope, bee hives and many other articles that today would be a treasure trove for antique dealers. Of course all of these things had been in the early days.
Abraham had stipulated in his will that Margaret, his daughter was to keep the house as long as she lived and Moses and William were to provide her with wood and other necessities. However, both William and Ephriam predeceased her so it was Delbert Grobb, William's son, who had helped his Grandfather and Aunt Margaret, who took his father's place and at his Grandfather's death, he moved in with his Aunt Margaret (Aunt Maggie). At the time, he was only 1 5 years old. To follow the stipulations in his Grandfather's will, he had to pay off the beneficiaries. At Margaret's death in 1913, he became the owner of the farm. Delbert Grobb and his family lived on the farm until 1948, when he retired from farming and sold the farm to Martin Durksen, who had farmed in Manitoba. Martin Durksen had 9 children and eventually, Cornelius Durksen, his son took over the farm. marin Durksen built a new house closer to. Fly Road and the old house was used for storage. In 1983 and 1984, the old house was taken down and the logpart, with the fireplace was shipped to Collingwood, Ontario. Comelius Durksen sold off parts of the farm and the remaining acres and the buildings are now (1987) owned by a gentleman who keeps a herd of dairy goats.
In 1995 the Lincoln Council declared the old Grobb barn on this site as a Historical site under the Heritage Act. It was assessed as to condition and as to what could be preserved. This protects it from destruction. An article in the Lincoln Post Express 1 March 1995 gives all the details of the plan.
The first school at Section No. 5 Clinton was on Abraham Grobb land. In 1968, land on the Southwest corner of Mountain Street and the Fly Road was purchased form Francis and Jemima Comfort and a new brick school was built there. Because of the location of the first school, it was known as Grobb School until it was sold in 1966 to to become the Baron Hirsch Lincoln County Jewish Congregational Centre. The Jewish Congregation was mad up of Jews who had migrated to Canada during the second World War. In 1984 the school was sold to private owners and is now a private dwelling.
Two of the sons of ABRAHAM and BARBARA WISMER , JOHN and ABRAHAM, emigrated to Manitoba where many of their descendants live today.
Obituary of ABRAHAM GROBB
Taken from the Herald of Truth, July 1, 1890
GROBB.-On May 19th 1890 in Lincoln Co., Ontario, of old age, Abraham Grobb, aged 87 years, and some months. Funeral on the 23d. Buried at the Moyer church, where a large number of friends and relatives assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to a neighbor, a friend and a beloved one. Funeral services by J. F. Rittenhouse and Pre. McIntyre. This was the last member of a large family. Peace to his ashes.
AN ARTICLE WRITTEN TO HONOUR ABRAHAM GROBB
FULL OF YEARS
Abraham Grobb of the Township of Clinton, who died on the 19th of May, 1890, and whose death was briefly referred to at the time, had reached the great age of 87 years, having been born on February 18th, 1803. He was a member of the Mennonite faith and the services at the house were conducted under the auspices of that body by Mr. John F. Rittenhouse. The remains were followed to the Mennonite Church on the stone road east of Beamsville by a large concourse of friends and neighbours, Rev. Dr. McIntyre of the Presbyterian church, Beamsville, officiating at the church and grave.
The reverend gentleman delivered an impressive and eloquent funeral discourse which we regret our limited space prevents us from giving in full. The text was from Psalm xcii, 14: "They shall bring forth fruit in their old age". After referring to the many changes the deceased had witnessed in his lifetime, including his own family bereavements that had taken away his partner in life in her prime, and his two sons in the flush of vigourous manhood, the preacher proceeded to draw valuable moral lessons from the eventual life history that was closed. When a man reached old age he outgrew many of the things of the world. Every stage of life outgrows that which precedes it. In youth we outlive infancy, in manhood, we outlive youthhood, in old age, we outlive manhood, and in eternity, we outlive old age. The things that pleased us in childhood do not please us in manhood, and the aged have outgrown the pleasures of youthhood and manhood. If their life was only feeding on these pleasures; if these were the food of the soul, when old age came, they would be tasteless and often bitter. In old age, even our occupations were outgrown. Wealth, fame, politics, were not satisfying food for the soul. The joys and comforts of our own homes were outlived by old age. Shadows fell upon the home of the deceased as the years ripened. The mother was taken away; the sons went out to make homes for themselves and some of them here hushed into the sleep that knows no waking. One after another had left the parental roof until only one remained, a devoted and faithful daughter, to comfort the aged father, to minister to him like an angel of mercy along the way down to the grave. As we reach old age all earthly things fail, the pleasing things of youth and manhood in our homes pass away. There was only a sad prospect lying before the aged man who has lived on the things of the world. In his old age he has lost interest in them; they have no comfort or joy for him. What food could cheer, comfort and strengthen the departed as he approached the great age of 87 years? He could not guide the plough; he could not take part in the busy scenes of this life. How sad, weary and desolate his life would have been, burdened with the weight of years, if his mind and heart could not have been interested in the things, the promises, the hopes of the great kingdom of God. It was a joyous thing to know that his hopes were fixed on things above and that he stood upon the brink calm and resigned, looking for the salvation that was to be revealed in its fullness after his long life. He received the sacrament of the Lord's supper at the hands of Revs. J. F. Rittenhouse and Mr. Wismer of Waterloo and a short time afterwards, fell on sleep. Christ was the right food for the soul. He brought pardon, peace, light , encouragement.
The Rev. gentlemen closed an earnest exhortation as follows: "If, today, we could speak the word or sound the trumpet that would call forth the dead lying beside the church, and if we would ask the little children who have long ago learned to speak the language of heaven what is the right food for the soul? They would answer: "It is Christ". If we would ask those in the prime of life and the aged, they would say, "It is Christ". All the dead brought to life standing before us with one voice would cry out: "It is Christ: it is Christ that is the right food for the soul".
All of the above, was originally copied by Miss Reita Grobb, from an unnamed source. It was supplied through the courtesy of David E. Rouse, December 21, 1993.
Abraham Grobb was buried in the Old Mennonite Burying Ground in Vineland, where his monument stands today. Plot U6. His wife Barbara who had died 22 years earlier is buried in the same plot. At one time, the Grobb name was very prominent on the Fly Road in Clinton Township, where Abraham Grobb lived. Lot 18, Concession 7, beside the school that came to bear the family name.
ABRAHAM GROBB and BARBARA WISMER had the following children:
i. ELIZABETH5 (#18183) was born in Lot 18 Con 7, Clinton Twp. 20 January 1825. ELIZABETH died 28 September 1825 in Lot 18 Con 7, Clinton Twp., at age unknown. Her body was interred after 28 September 1825 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
112 ii. JOHN WISMER was born 19 March 1826
iii. MARY (#18184) was born in Lot 18 Con 7, Clinton Twp. 18 October 1827. MARY died 10 April 1831 in Lot 18 Con 7, Clinton Twp., at age 3. Her body was interred after 10 April 1831 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
113 iv. ABRAHAM WISMER was born 30 September 1829
v. MARGARET (MAGGIE) (#10077) was born in Lot 18 Con 7, Clinton Twp. 18 June 1831. MARGARET died 08 October 1912 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 81. Her body was interred after 08 October 1912 in Mt. Osborne Cem., Beamsville, ON.
114 vi. SARAH was born 08 March 1833
115 vii. MOSES WISMER was born 22 June 1835
116 viii. EPHRAIM WISMER was born 08 July 1837
117 ix. WILLIAM HENRY was born 27 March 1843
55. DAVID4 GROBB (ABRAHAM3, ABRAHAM2 GRUBB, HEINRICH1) (#32) was born in Lot 7, Con 3, Clinton Twp, Lincoln Co. 09 December 1804. DAVID died 03 March 1890 in Lot 3, Con 1, Clinton Twp. Lincoln Co., at age 85. His body was interred 07 March 1890 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
He married twice. He married ELIZABETH WISMER FRY 03 September 1828 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON. (ELIZABETH WISMER FRY is #1327.) ELIZABETH was born 04 May 1810 at "The Forty", Grimsby, ON. ELIZABETH was the daughter of JACOB FRY and ELIZABETH WISMER. ELIZABETH died 25 March 1839 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 28. Her body was interred after 25 March 1839 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
SOURCE of INFORMATION for death date.
A document handwritten by SAMUEL FRY, held by the Jordan Museum of the Twenty.
He married SUSAN RITTENHOUSE HUNSBERGER 28 January 1844 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON. (SUSAN RITTENHOUSE HUNSBERGER is #33.) SUSAN was born 21 September 1819 in Bayham Twp. Elgin Co. ON. SUSAN was the daughter of ABRAHAM MOYER HUNSBERGER and ANNA FRETZ RITTENHOUSE. SUSAN died 10 October 1896 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 77. Her body was interred 13 October 1896 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
WILL of SUSAN HUNSBERGER widow of
Dated 3 February 1888 Sworn to 23 November 1896
Surrogate Court, County of Lincoln, Ontario, Canada
Application #1885, Grant #1872, County of Lincoln Archives
"I Susan Grobb of the Township of Clinton in the County of Lincoln and Province of Ontario, wife of David Grobb of the same place, declare this to be my last will and testament.
Firstly: I hereby nominate and appoint John F. Rittenhouse and Isaac G. Culp, farmers and both of the Township of Clinton, my executors to carry out all my wishes and decrees as hereinafter described.
Secondly: I will and decree that any said executors sell and convey all any such real estate in any and manner they may think best and for the the best interest of said estate and after having deducted from the proceeds of said sale all my lawful debts and the funeral expenses of myself and my husband, including tombstones for both of us, then shall they divide the remainder of the proceeds of said estate equally among my five daughters and their children, provided my daughters have survived me. viz. Elizabeth, wife of David Culp, Barbara, wife of James E. Nelles, Anne, wife of Ira F. Culp, Sarah C., wife of Samuel N. Fry and Orpha, wife of Jonas H. Smith, except that in the distribution the shares of my said daughter Elizabeth Culp, my said executors shall pay to my granddaughter Elizabeth Susan Etta Culp, daughter of said Elizabeth Culp, the sum of two hundred dollars out of said shares and then divide the remainder of said shares equally among all her children including the said Elizabeth Susan Etta Culp, viz. her four daughters and three sons.
Thirdly: I will and decree that in the distribution of a note at hand which I now hold against Rittenhouse and Embree of the City of Chicago, consisting of the sum of eight hundred and seventy-five dollars and 78 cents, dated April 7, A.D. 1887, my executors shall pay out of said note one hundred dollars to Jacob F. Grobb and one hundred and fifty to my son Sylvester H Grobb, or their children. The remainder of said note they shall divide equally among my aforesaid five daughters or their children, provided my daughters do survive me.
Fourthly: I will and decree that in case my said husband David Grobb, survive me, my said executors shall see to it he have a comfortable living out of my said real estate even if they have to dispose of a certain portion of it, but in any case it is to be left entirely to their own best judgement and ability.
Fifthly: I will and decree that my said executors have the privilege of settling up the whole of my personal and real estate within two years after the decease of my said husband, provided he lives longer than I do, but if I live longer than he, or he die before I do, then shall they have the same privilege
Sixthly: I will and decree that my said executors shall divide equally among my said daughters, or their children, in case any of my said daughters survive, all my personal property not referred to above.
In witness whereof I have set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty third day of February A.D. 1888 in the presence of myself and in the presence of each other have subscribed their names as witnesses.
Signed Susan Grobb
Witnesses
Noah Moyer
Rebecca Moyer
This is the paper writing marked "A" referred to in the affidavit of Rebecca Moyer.
Sworn before me this 23rd day of November 1896.
Signed Rebecca Moyer
J. G. Cadham a Commissioner
Obituary of SUSAN HUNSBERGER widow of DAVID GROBB
Taken from Herald of Truth November 1896
"GROBB - On the 9th of October 1896, of congestion of the lungs, SUSAN GROBB, age 77 and some days. She was born in Bayham Township, and when about 24 years old she came to Lincoln County, Clinton Township, Ontario, and took charge of the family of small children of David Grobb, widower, and afterwards was married to him. To this union were born two sons and three daughters, of whom one son and two daughters survive her. One son and one daughter of the first marriage survive her. Her husband preceded her to the spirit world about six years ago. She was a very kind mother and neighbour and a devoted Christian and Bible reader. She was buried at the Moyer Church on the 13th, where a large number of relations and friends assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to a friend to all. Peace to her ashes."
This obituary is particularly of interest as it discloses how Susan Hunsberger met David Grobb when she came to his home to look after his children when his first wife, Elizabeth Fry, died.
DAVID GROBB was born on 9 December 1804 in Clinton Township, Lincoln County, Ontario in the district known as "The Twenty". The creeks were numbered starting at Niagara Falls and so this creek was the Twenty Mile Creek. His father was ABRAHAM GROBB JR. and his mother was ELIZABETH FRETZ.
DAVID GROBB was a MENNONITE and a farmer as well as a blacksmith and wagonmaker by trade.
DAVID purchased 90 acres in Clinton Township, Lincoln County. It was the east half of Lot 3 Concession 1 including the Broken Front along Lake Ontario. The Bargain and Sale Instrument was # 9806 Registered 31 July 1834. In my files are historic and modern maps showing the location. Also in my file is a copy of the Land Abstract Ledger Sheet for this land.
In 1994 this property is still being farmed, partly in fruit trees and the rest in grapes and vegetables. Robert Martin and his sons are the present owners. His father purchased the land from the executors of Susan Hunsberger Grobb's estate.
Around the 1850s the rail lines were reaching the Bothwell area in Kent County not far from Chatham, Ontario. They were offering land at bargain prices to attract settlers. DAVID GROBB applied for Crown Lands and received the following. There are historic and modern maps in my files showing the locations.
50 acres west 1/2 west side of Lot 2 Concession 6, Zone Township, Kent County, 26 February 1855. In 1994 it is still being farmed but no original buildings remain.
100 acres west 1/2 Lot 1 Concession 2, Zone Township, Kent County, 6 August 1862. It also is still being farmed in 1994.
49 acres west side Lot "C" and 5 acres Lot 7 in the Gore, Zone Township, Kent County
DAVID GROBB never lived on these properties and finally sold them all to Jacob Moyer for $ 4160. Deed dated 31 December 1865 Recorded 6 January 1866. The interesting aspect of these properties is that GEORGE AUGUSTUS SMITH from Smithsville, Grimsby Township, purchased land right beside DAVID GROBB'S land at the same time. It shows the families knew each other which becomes significant later when George Smith's son JONAS married David Grobb's daughter ORPHA.
The house that DAVID GROBB built on the shore of Lake Ontario near Vineland was much enlarged later by MOSES RITTENHOUSE. However in 1994 the original part of the house is still in excellent shape and extends back from the newer part. It is owned in 1994 by Robert Martin's brother and in my files are photographs. This is the house where my grandmother ORPHA GROBB SMITH lived while growing up.
In my file is a somewhat unusual deed. David Grobb and his wife Susan Hunsberger sold the property to their son Sylvester for $ 4500 on 2 August 1884. Then they took back a mortgage with a "lifetime" lease for $ 200 annually which was to be applied to the mortgage until the death of David and Susan.
I was never able to locate a will for David Grobb. DAVID GROBB died on 3 March 1890 but SUSAN HUNSBERGER, David's second wife, lived until 10 October 1896. She left a will which ordered the executors to sell the property in Clinton Township and divide the proceeds between her daughters and other stipulations for her sons. This solves the mystery of why there was no will for David Grobb. Susan's will was made out in 1888 when David was still alive. However it shows all the property was already in her name, for some reason. So when David died there was no reason for a will of his own. How the property was in Susan's name at the time she made her will in 1888, is still a mystery. David and Susan had deeded the property to their son Sylvester in 1884. Maybe only part of the property was included in this deed.
DAVID GROBB, his first wife ELIZABETH FRY and his second wife SUSAN HUNSBERGER are buried in the old section of the Mennonite Cemetery in Vineland which is enclosed by a stone wall. In my files are photographs taken in 1994 of their tombstone (plot V 4) and the graveyard.
Obituary of DAVID GROBB
Taken from the Herald of Truth April 1890
GROBB.-On the 3d of March 1890, on the Lake Shore, Lincoln County, Ontario, David Grobb, aged 85 years, 2 months and 22 days. He was buried at the Moyer Church on the 7th. He had been helpless for some time and seemed willing and ready to meet the call of death.
SOURCE of INFORMATION
DAVID GROBB'S death registration (spelled GROTT in the index) # 009723-90, 3 March 1890 taken from Ontario Archives microfilm reel MS 435 # 58. Copy is in my file.
SUSAN HUNSBERGER GROBB'S death registration # 011335-96, 10 October 1896 taken from Ontario Archives microfilm reel MS 935 # 79. Copy is in my file.
ANNALS OF THE FORTY, VOLUME 4, published by the Grimsby Historical Society in 1953.
SAMUEL FRY THE WEAVER by Barbara F. Coffman published in 1982 by the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario.
DAVID GROBB and ELIZABETH WISMER FRY had the following children:
118 i. ELIZABETH5 was born 26 June 1829
ii. JOSHUA (#845) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 18 January 1831. JOSHUA died 16 October 1858 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 27. His body was interred after 16 October 1858 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
119 iii. BARBARA E. was born 03 March 1833
120 iv. JACOB FRY was born 17 June 1835
121 v. ANNA FRY was born 7 May 1838
DAVID GROBB and SUSAN RITTENHOUSE HUNSBERGER had the following children:
122 vi. SARAH CATHARINE was born 21 November 1844
vii. EMMA JANE (#124) was born in Lot 3, Con 1, Clinton Twp. Lincoln Co. 19 April 1847. EMMA died 13 November 1886 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 39. Her body was interred 16 November 1886 Vineland (II) Mennonite Cem. On.
viii. EMERSON D. (#125) was born in Lot 3, Con 1, Clinton Twp. Lincoln Co. 15 July 1849. EMERSON died 21 March 1851 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 1. His body was interred after 21 March 1851 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
123 ix. SYLVESTER HUNSBERGER was born 23 August 1851
124 x. ORPHA was born 21 February 1858
56. MOSES4 GROBB (ABRAHAM3, ABRAHAM2 GRUBB, HEINRICH1) (#133) was born in Lot 7, Con 3, Clinton Twp, Lincoln Co. 16 November 1806. MOSES died 2 May 1877 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 70. His body was interred after 2 May 1877 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
He married CATHARINE FUNK circa 1827. (CATHARINE FUNK is #1338.) CATHARINE was born 09 October 1805 in Bucks County. PA, USA. CATHARINE was the daughter of JOHN FUNK and ESTHER WISMER. CATHARINE died 25 September 1889 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 83. Her body was interred 26 September 1889 Mennonite Cem. (Moyer) Vineland.
Obituary of CATHARINE FUNK widow of MOSES GROBB
Taken from the Herald of Truth October 1889
GRUBB. - On the 25th of September, in Lincoln Co., Ontario, of old age and paralysis, Sister Catharine Grubb, aged 83 years, 11 months and 15 days. She was born in Bucks Co., Pa. Her maiden name was Funk. She came to Canada in 1826, and was married to Bro. Moses Grubb, who died 12 years ago. She was a faithful sister in the Mennonite church for about 68 years. Buried on the 26th at the Moyer church. Funeral services by Noah Stauffer and Pre. Jackson. Many friends and neighbors assembled to mourn for a departed friend, mother and sister. She died with the blessed assurance that her Redeemer lives.
SOURCE of INFORMATION
MRS. PATRICIA HIGH, Jordan Station, Ontario, Canada.
MOSES GROBB was the son of ABRAHAM GROBB and ELIZABETH FRETZ. He was a farmer and Weaver. He is written up in the booklet "Ontario Handwoven Textiles", by K.B. Brett, one time Curator, Dept. of Textiles, Royal Ontario Museum. He was a "Jacquard Weaver",and like others in the province, probably went to the United States to learn "Jacquard Weaving" and to purchase equipment. Many coverlets or bedspreads exist today which are his work.
When his father ABRAHAM GROBB died, MOSES took over the farm of 100 acres on Lot 7 Concession 3, Clinton Township. His name still appeared on this property in the Lincoln County Farm Atlas of 1876. This was just the year before he died.
It is thought MOSES GROBB had his tiny shop for weaving on the farm on Lot 7 Concession 3, Clinton Township, Lincoln County. David Rouse remembers his aunt Reita talking about Moses shop and said the large loom nearly filled the whole shed.
Another record says he lived at the corner of John Street and Maple Ave., where he had a building in which he worked. This was just across the road from where his brother John, the cabinet maker lived. Maybe these locations were at different dates.
The following excerpts are from a 1949 article describing a weaving exhibit, held at the Royal Ontario Museum and at the Museum of the Twenty at Jordan, Ontario. It is a little confusing as there are places where you can't tell whether they are talking about MOSES GROBB or SAMUEL FRY. So I will show this in the biographical notes for both men. When they talk about family relations, keep in mind that the brother of MOSES GROBB, DAVID GROBB, had first been married to ELIZABETH WISMER GROBB, the sister of SAMUEL FRY. So the relationship was very close and probably accounts for some of the similarities in their training in the weaving techniques.
"Moses Grobb, an early weaver imported a jacquard loom. Jacquard looms utilized a punch card which made possible complicated patterns which could be reapeated automatically. Ready-made standard pattern cards could be bought, which accounts for. the standardization of many patterns in Canada and the United States.
The earliest jacquard loom was recorded in Canada in 1834 about seven years after it appeared in the United States. "Four roses" was a popular design in both countries. "Rose and Crown" was another International design.
This exhibition gives a comprehensive picture of the high standard of design and craftsmanship achieved by the professional weavers in the Niagara Peninsula during the 19th century. It is one of the first tangible results of the research work being carried out by the Textile Department of this Museum on the history of weaving in Ontario. Royal Ontario Museum and in the Jordan Museum, Ontario.
Coverlets, blankets, yard goods, carpeting and household linen in a variety of simple and complex weaves form the greater part of the display. A large number of those were woven by Samuel Fry (1812-1881). The following two items are of special interest. In a case on the farm near Vineland, and woven in double faced twill, is an outstanding example of linen weaving; in the centre case on the south wall a coverlet woven in a rare point twill weave is a unique example of this weave, being the first of its kind found in Ontario. His double cloth and double faced twill coverlets, also shown in that case, are further examples of his fine weaving, and his birdseye coverlets in the case to the right illustrate his fine sense of harmonious colour combination.
The designs and drafts of much of Samuel Fry's complex weaving and his account books, which record orders taken by him for all types of weaving, are an important part of the exhibition. They throw valuable light on the variety and quantity of his work. Of the large number of designs recorded in his pattern books, and the orders for many families in the Niagara Peninsula which fill his account books, few examples exist today.
The jacquard coverlets which are among the most spectacular articles shown were woven by Moses Grobb (1806- 1877). He was skilled on the hand loom, as may be seen by his fine piece of linen weaving and the checked blankets, but he specialised in jacquard weaving, which he is believed to have learned in the United States. Though most of the coverlets shown were woven for members of his family he, like Samuel Fry, probably had a large clientele of families in the district.
Of Abraham Nash, father of Samuel Fry's wife, little is known, but judging from the patterns which are attributed to hin, it is as a linen weaver that he was probably best known. It is due to the generous support of the Textile Industry and the keen interest of Miss Annie Fry, granddaughter of Samuel Fry, in this research project, that it has been possible to arrange this exhibition. Miss Fry's own collection and that of her brother, Mr. A.L. Fry, form the greater part, of it". October 1949.
This is probably a suitable place to insert a personal note about a double woven coverlet that was given to my grandparents JONAS SMITH and ORPHA GROBB for a wedding present in 1879. The family stories say it was woven by JACOB FRY but this raises some questions as JACOB FRY, SAMUEL's father died in 1847. JACOB WISMER FRY, SAMUEL's brother died in 1845. I suppose it could have remained in the possession of SAMUEL until he gave it to my grandparents in 1879. SAMUEL himself died just 2 years after that.
The coverlet was double woven, dark blue in a Pine Tree design. My grandparents took it to Regina when they moved to there in 1882. It was often used to hold out the drafts from the prairie wind blowing through the cracks in the frame shack. They brought it back to Toronto when they moved back to Ontario in 1898 and it was given to my mother LAURA MAUDE SMITH when she and my father MARTIN AUBREY LOVE were married in 1910. I remember it being used as a couch cover at our cottage in Muskoka. My mother gave it to my wife BETTY JEAN BOLTON when we were married in 1938. My wife gave it to our daughter CAROLE JEAN LOVE GEROW who has it in her safekeeping now.
Obituary of MOSES GROBB
Taken from the Herald of Truth September 1877
In Lincoln Co., Ontario, on the 2nd of May 1877, Bro. MOSES GROBB, aged 70 years, 5 months and 16 days. He was buried on the 5th at the Mennonite burying gromd at the Twenty. He had been in feeble health for a number of years. In his last illness he was sick about six weeks, during which time he suffered severe pain. He was not able to lie in bed, and died in his chair. We hope our loss is his eternal gain.
SOURCE of INFORMATION
MR. DAVID ROUSE, Coldwater, Ontario, Canada.
MRS. BEVERLY DeSPIEGELAERE, Bruxelles, Manitoba, Canada
MOSES GROBB and CATHARINE FUNK had the following children:
125 i. ESTHER5 was born 21 March 1830
126 ii. JONAS was born 31 October 1831
127 iii. LYDIA was born 28 October 1832
128 iv. MARY ANN was born 05 June 1834
129 v. ELIZABETH was born 03 November 1835
130 vi. SARAH was born 23 August 1838
131 vii. FRANKLIN was born 29 November 1843
viii. SOPHIA (#9988) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 05 July 1845. SOPHIA died 24 February 1939 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 93. Her body was interred after 24 February 1939 Vineland (II) Mennonite Cem. On.
57. SUSANNAH4 GROBB (ABRAHAM3, ABRAHAM2 GRUBB, HEINRICH1) (#134) was born in Lot 7, Con 3, Clinton Twp, Lincoln Co. 4 February 1809. SUSANNAH died 24 December 1883 Campden, Lincoln Co., ON, at age 74. Her body was interred after 24 December 1883 in Campden Mennonite Cem. ON.
She married ABRAHAM WISMER 19 December 1826 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON. (ABRAHAM WISMER is #1339.) ABRAHAM was born 13 August 1803 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON. ABRAHAM was the son of ISAAC WISMER and ANNA HOCH. ABRAHAM died 22 March 1895 Campden, Lincoln Co., ON, at age 91. His body was interred 24 March 1895 in Campden Mennonite Cem. ON.
Obituary of ABRAHAM WISMER
Taken from the herald of Truth April 1895
WISMER. On March 22d, 1895, of old age and dropsy, Abraham Wismer of Clinton township, Lincoln Co., Ont., aged 91 y., 7 m., 9 d. He was a member of the Mennonite church in this place for many years. He was for the last few years afflicted so that he could not go from home and the most of the time was spent in great pain and distress, but he suffered all his afflictions in patience and with Christian fortitude and had a living hope of better things when suffering here ends. He was fully resigned to the will of God and it seemed he longed for the call of God. The remains were buried at the Mountain church on the 24th. Although the roads were very bad the church was more than filled. Services by Noah Stauffer from Prov. 14: 32. Peace to his ashes.
Obituary of SUSANNAH GROBB wife of ABRAHAM WISMER
Taken from the Herald of Truth February 1884
Wismer.- On the 24th of December, near Campden, Clinton twp., Lincoln Co., Ont., Susanna, wife of Abraham Wismer, aged 74 years, 10 months, and 22 days. She was for fifty years a faithful member of the Mennonite church, and died with a fervent trust in Jesus, and a glorious hope of everlasting life. In her suffering, even when the pains were so sever as to be almost unendurable, she still thanked the Lord and said, " I am willing to bear it all for Jesus." To her husband and children she said, " Give me up for Jesus, Jesus will help you bear it all." A sorrow stricken family deeply mourns because of their separation, though they have every reason to believe she has gone to be happy with Jesus. Funeral services by Abraham Hunsberger, from Luke 8:52 - "She is not dead, but sleepeth."
SOURCE of INFORMATION
MRS. PATRICIA HIGH, Jordan Station, Ontario, Canada.
SUSANNAH GROBB and ABRAHAM WISMER had the following children:
132 i. ISAAC GROBB5 was born 14 October 1827
133 ii. JOHN GROBB was born 29 October 1829
134 iii. ELIZABETH was born 01 March 1832
135 iv. ANNA was born 06 May 1834
136 v. ABRAHAM GROBB was born 29 November 1836
137 vi. SUSANNA was born 25 March 1840
138 vii. WILLIAM GROBB was born 21 July 1842
viii. BARBARA (#10006) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 18 May 1846. BARBARA died 02 June 1901 at age 55. Her body was interred after 02 June 1901 in Campden Mennonite Cem. ON.
ix. FREEMAN GROBB (#10007) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 30 June 1848. FREEMAN died 1923 at age 75. His body was interred 1923 in Campden Mennonite Cem. ON.
x. SARAH (#13799) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 24 May 1852. SARAH died 23 September 1855 at age 3. Her body was interred after 23 September 1855 in Campden Mennonite Cem. ON.
xi. MARY (#10008) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 13 July 1854. MARY died 15 July 1924 at age 70. Her body was interred after 15 July 1924 in Campden Mennonite Cem. ON.
58. JOSEPH4 GROBB (ABRAHAM3, ABRAHAM2 GRUBB, HEINRICH1) (#135) was born in Lot 7, Con 3, Clinton Twp, Lincoln Co. 26 March 1817. JOSEPH died 13 October 1879 in St. Catharines, Lincoln Co. ON, at age 62. His body was interred after 13 October 1879 in Victoria Lawn Cem. St. Cath. O.
He married twice. He married ELIZABETH BREWER Not married in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON. (ELIZABETH BREWER is #31607.) ELIZABETH was the daughter of WILLIAM BREWER. He married SUSANNAH HIGH 20 September 1841. (SUSANNAH HIGH is #1340.) SUSANNAH was born 1820 in Elgin County, ON, Canada. SUSANNAH was the daughter of HENRY HOCH and ELIZABETH ALBRIGHT. SUSANNAH died 11 January 1896 at age 75. Her body was interred after 11 January 1896 in Victoria Lawn Cem. St. Cath. O.
JOSEPH GROBB was a Furniture dealer in St. Catharines. He lived both in Jordan and St. Catharines but the dates are unknown.
A touch of scandal confronted the year before he married SUSANNAH HIGH, We find the following entry in the Archives of Ontario / Affidavits of Bastardy / Call number AO, RG 22-3188.
"Elizabeth Brewer of the township of Clinton, spinster, daughter of the late William, saith that she hath been seduced by one Joseph Grobb of Clinton aforesaid in said District of Niagara, yeoman, by whom she is now pregnant and that her ...(text omitted)...need Joseph Grobb is really and truly the father of the child which she is now pregnant as aforesaid.
Signed Elizabeth X Brewer
15th day of November 1839"
The records show that a child named JOSEPH B. GROBB was born on 20 February 1840. To my knowledge noone has found a marriage between JOSEPH GROBB and ELIZABETH BREWER so it is a mystery how this child carries the GROBB name. This must be the correct JOSEPH GROBB, as accused by ELIZABETH BREWER, as there were no other Joseph Grobbs in the area in that time frame. JOSEPH was single at that date and may have settled out of court in some way. He may have agreed to give the child the name GROBB. The child was also given the middle initial of "B" which would tie in with the custom of a middle name being the family name of the mother.
No record has been found telling us what happened to ELIZABETH BREWER after the baby was born. It may be she actually died at the time of the childbirth which was all too common at that time. JOSEPH married SUSANNAH HIGH on 20 September 1841, 19 months after the above events. Subsequently they had 8 children. The fifth child born to them, they named JOSEPHUS CURTIS GROBB. It was the only boy where they latinized the name. Was this a way of distinguishing between this legitimate son and the JOSEPH born 10 years earlier to ELIZABETH BREWER ?
SOURCE of INFORMATION
MRS. PATRICIA HIGH, Jordan Station, Ontario, Canada.
JOSEPH GROBB and SUSANNAH HIGH had the following children:
i. KATIE5 (#18182). Her body was interred date unknown in Victoria Lawn Cem. St. Cath. O.
139 ii. MARY ANN was born 19 March 1843
140 iii. PHILIP HENRY was born 11 August 1845
iv. ALMEDA ELIZABETH (#10017) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 12 December 1847. She married JOHN BREWER MCINTYRE 10 December 1867. (JOHN BREWER MCINTYRE is #10018.)
JOHN McINTYRE was an Undertaker and Cabinet Maker.
141 v. JOSEPHUS CURTIS was born 31 May 1850
142 vi. JAMES ALSAMUS was born 18 May 1852
vii. LUCY EVERETTA (#10029) was born in St. Catharines, Lincoln Co. ON 21 December 1860. LUCY died 15 June 1899 at age 38. She married HOWARD M. ROGERS 25 February 1891 in St. Catharines, Lincoln Co. ON. The following individual is also linked to this event: W. J. ARMITAGE REV. (minister). (HOWARD M. ROGERS is #18181.) HOWARD was born 1860 in St. Catharines, Lincoln Co. ON. HOWARD was the son of ELKANAH ROGERS and MARY.
ONTARIO MARRIAGE REGISTRATION - # 007,176 HOWARD M. ROGERS, 31, bachelor of St. Catharines, merchant, Baptist, s/o Elkanah Rogers and Mary, married by license on 25 February 1891 in St. Catharines, LUCY EVERETTA GROBB, 29, spinster of St. Catharines, Church of England, d/o Joseph Grobb and Susanna, by Rev. W. J. Armitage. Witnesses H. Johnston and Bella Cuthbert. NAC microfilm series 932 reel 71.
viii. LILLY (#10030) was born in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON 27 November 1862. LILLY died 03 July 1865 in Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., ON, at age 2. Her body was interred after 03 July 1865 in Victoria Lawn Cem. St. Cath. O.
JOSEPH GROBB and ELIZABETH BREWER had the following child:
143 ix. JOSEPH BREWER was born 20 February 1840
59. DAVID4 LAW (SUSANNA3 GRUBB, ABRAHAM2, HEINRICH1) (#18238) was born in Sugarloaf Twp. Luzerne Co. Pa. 30 June 1815. DAVID died 25 March 1899 in Sanilac Co., Michigan, USA, at age 83.
He married ELIZABETH JOHNSON 10 October 1838 in Markham Twp. York Co. ON. (ELIZABETH JOHNSON is #18244.) ELIZABETH was born 05 August 1822 in Ontario, Canada. ELIZABETH was the daughter of JAMES JOHNSON and MARY KITELY. ELIZABETH died 19 February 1904 in Sanilac Co., Michigan, USA, at age 81.
DAVID LAW and ELIZABETH JOHNSON had the following children:
i. LEVI J.5 (#18248) was born 1839.
ii. ELIZABETH (#18249) was born 1842.
144 iii. ELIZABETH was born 02 November 1843
iv. BENJAMIN T. (#18250) was born 13 September 1846.
v. LUCRETIA MATILDA (#18251) was born 1849.
vi. RACHEL (#18252) was born 25 September 1851.
vii. JACOB (#18253) was born 05 January 1855.
viii. ENOCH H. (#18254) was born 19 September 1858.
ix. ELIZA (#18255) was born 09 January 1861.
x. ALMA (#18256) was born 1865.
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