No will or estate papers have been
found for Jacob, son of Johannes and Mary, in either Montgomery
or Philadelphia County PA. He recorded NONE of the deeds of the
sale of his land. We have found no church records that relate
to either Jacob or to his wife Ann, and none are indicated by
earlier researchers.
We show parts of the Jacob family differently than what one sees
on most Umstead genealogy charts currently in circulation or on
those of earlier researchers. Our more recent research indicates
the following corrections:
The above comes from the transcription made by Addams S. McAllister of a 1703 indenture showing Thomas Williams and his wife Mary selling 81 acres of land "lying at Creveld in the Germantownshp" to Thomas Tresse of Philadelphia. The history of the 81 acres includes the quote above plus the fact that Richard Adams and Gertien his wife had sold the land to Thomas Williams 10 Oct 1701. The transcription was taken from page 324 of Learned's translation of the Grund und Lager Buch, begun by Francis Daniel Pastorius.
McAllister also gives another source of this information. An indenture on the sale of all 91 acres 8 Apr 1841 shows a history of the entire 91 acres. Richard Adams had sold the other 10 acres to Gerhard Rittenhousen 13 Oct 1702. Gerhardt Rittenhouse (no wife shown) had sold the 10 acres to Thomas Tresse 18 March, 1712, so the 91 acres were again under the same ownership. (Philadelphia County Deed Book H-5: 606)
("The Addams Family of America," by Addams S. McAllister, New York, a paper read at the Reunion of the Early Members of St. James P.E. Church of Perkiomen Montgomery County, Pa. June 4, 1921)
L D Cook added the name of Gertien to the chart of the Op den Graeff family as it is shown in Settlement of Germantown by the Honorable Samuel W Pennypacker. His note for this addition made in 1948 states, "This daughter is added here by me, L.D. Cook, on the evidence of the deed 10th Oct, 1698 by which Abraham Op den Graeff conveyed to Richard Adams and Gertien a daughter of the aforesaid Abraham Op den Graeff' 81 acres in Germantown."
IT IS APPARENT THAT FEW, IF ANY, UMSTEAD RESEARCHERS PRIOR TO THE 1950s FOUND EITHER OF THESE TWO PAPERS. As these are the only two extant records of the existence of Gertien, or of a first wife of Richard Adams, we appreciate these two thorough researchers.
(The Germantown Grund und Lagerbuch by Francis Daniel Pastorius, written in Dutch, and the English translation, are housed at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.. The translation [Ground and Lot Book] was prepared byProfessor Marion Dexter Learned and was presented to William S. Vare, the Recorder of Deeds for the County of Philadelphia, in January, 1910)
Will of Richard Adams, written February
1, 1747, probated March 24, 1747:
"In the name of God, Amen: I, RICHARD ADAMS, of Providence
in the County of Philadelphia, yeoman, being very sick and weak
in the Body, but of a Sound Disposing mind and memory, Considering
the uncertainty of this Transitory Life and the Certainty of Death,
Do make and Ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and
form following (viz)
I give and Bequeath to my Eldest Daughters children, SUSANNAH
Kistard, late wife of Conrad Kistard, DECEASED the sum of Ten
Pounds Lawful Money of Pennsylvania, to be Equally Divided between
them, Share and Share alike, to be paid within 12 months after
my decease.
I give and Bequeath unto my daughter Catherine, Widow of John
Morris, the sum of Ten Pounds of like lawful money to be paid
by my Executors within Twelve months after my decease.
I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Mary, Widow of Israel Morris,
the sum of Ten Pounds of Like Money aforesaid to be paid within
Twelve months after my decease.
I give and Bequeath unto my daughter Margaret, now Wife of Paul
Casselberry, the Sum of Ten Pounds Lawful Money aforesaid to be
paid within Twelve Months by my Executors.
I give and Bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth, now Wife of Thos.
Bull, the sum of Ten Pounds Lawful Money aforesaid to be paid
within Twelve Months.....
I give and Bequeath unto my daughter Ann, the sum of Ten Pounds
Lawful Money aforesaid to be paid to her, or her husband Jacob
Umstatt by my Executors within Twelve Months...
I give and Bequeath unto my Son Abrams Children the sum of Ten
Pounds Lawful Money aforesaid to be paid them or the survivor
of them, Equally Share and Share alike (viz) Ann and Abigail,
to be paid within Twelve Months...."
"Imprimise: I give and Bequeath and Devise unto my two sons, viz., William and Isaac, the moiety, or half?part, of all the Remainder of my estate after the above Legacies, Debts and funeral Charges is paid, to be equally Divided between them Share and Share alike. That is to say, each one is to have a quarter part to hold to them, their Heirs and Assigns for ever.
"Imprimise: I give, Bequeath and Devise unto my well beloved wife Alse and youngest Daughter Hannah the other Moiety, or half?part, of my estate after the aforesaid Debts and Legacies is paid and Discharged as aforesaid to be equally Divided between my said Wife and Daughter Hannah's Husband Owen Evans to hold them their Heirs and Assigns for ever, each one quarter part.
"And Further: It is my will that if Either of my aforesaid two sons William and Isaac shall be able and have a mind to keep my Plantation and Lands situated in the Township aforesaid, containing one hundred and fifty acres, I give, Devise and Bequeath the same to one of them to hold to them, their Heirs and Assigns for Ever. Provided they pay the three parts in four of the value thereof to my other Son that shall not Chuse to keep the said Lands and to my wife and Daughter Hannah or her aforesaid Husband Owen Evans, to each of them a quarter part as aforesaid within two years after my decease, otherwise I order and Impower my Executors, or the survivor of them, to Sell and Convey my Plantation and Lands to the Highest Bidder or for the Best price that can be got for the same, and the Money ariseing therefrom to be Divided in four Equal parts after my debts and seven first Legacies are paid and discharged aforesaid (viz) one Quarter part to my said Wife, and one to my Daughter Hannah or her Husband Owen Evans, and one to my son William and the other Quarter part to my son Isaac.
"Lastly, I do make and ordain my aforesaid two sons and my said SON-IN-LAW Owen Evans to be Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, Disallowing, Revoking and Disannulling all other former Wills, Legacies and Executors by me in any wise before this time named or bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this First Day of February Anno Domini one Thousand seven hundred and forty seven."
Richard X (his mark) Adams
Witnesses: Richard Bull, James Betsen, Peter Tyson
Salford, March 24, 1747, James Betsen and Peter Tyson declared
they saw and heard Richard Adams declare the same to be his will.
(Philadelphia Co Will Book H: 528.)
In her will dated 3 Aug 1769 and proved 7 Feb 1770 by the witnesses
John Bull and John Umstat, Alse (X) Addams widow of Richard Addams
of Philadelphia County appointed her FRIEND Jacob Umstat her executor
and directed that her property be given to her daughter Hannah,
her grandchildren Alse and Hannah Evans, and her granddaughter
Margaret wife of John McCorkle. She also remembered her friends
John and Ann Tyson. (Philadelphia Co Will Book O: 454)
A Richard Adams married Elsie Withers at Christ Church, Episcopal, Philadelphia 22 Dec 1726. Research beginning with that of Addams McAllister and continuing until the present time by various researchers of both the Adams and Umstead lines has found no other Richard Adams and Elsie to whom this marriage could apply, other than Richard and Alse Adams.
John Umstadt of Van Bebbers Township, by virtue of a proprietary warrant dated 2 May, 1719, settled on a tract of 300 acres surveyed 26 Mar 1723 on a branch of the Perkiomen Creek adjacent to the land of Jacob Price and Derick Johnson. He sold to his son Jacob in a Deed of Gift dated 2 Dec 1735, 301 acres of this land. Witnesses Henry Pannebecker and Henry Umstadt. (Philadelphia Co Deed Book G-1:146 on film # 21881 at Salt Lake City)
This land was sold to Isaac Klein 18 Feb 1736 as "Part of three hundred and one acre of land and the usual allowance aforesaid which JACOB UMSTEAD AND ANN HIS WIFE by their Indenture of release bearing date the eighteenth day of February Anno Domi 1736 did grant release and confirm unto the above named Isaac Kline in fee as in and by the same indenture of release relation being thereunto had doth do more at large appear." This indenture was not recorded.
*As this land record does not record the examining of Ann by a Justice, we don't know whether Ann was "of age" (18) or "of full age" (21) when she signed with Jacob. We are using the "of full age" (21) theory on the basis of the birth dates of her siblings below. Had Ann been born in 1726, she'd have been age 10 when they sold this land.
It is described in the history of the land on both indentures of 11 Mar 1758 when Isaac Kline divided the 301 acres between his sons Jacob Kline and Richard Kline. These indentures also confirm the location of the land. (Philadelphia Co Deed Book H-10:150, H-10:152 on film in Salt Lake City)
The purchase of the land by Isaac Klein from Jacob and Ann was apparently unknown to most Umstead researchers until it was mentioned in an article in "The Bulletin of Historical Society of Montgomery County," Vol #XXIII, Fall, 1982, #3, page 213, entitled "History of Harleysville and Historical Sketches of Lower Salford Township ? John Isaac Klein," by James Y Heckler.
Prior to 1726 is the only firm date
we have for the death of Ann's mother Gertien. Cemetery records
show that her son William was born in 1705 and Abraham was born
in 1707. Her son Isaac was born pre 1713, as he is on the 1734
tax list.
The legacies of Richard Adams to his daughters appear to have
been done in sequence as to their age. If so, Elizabeth Adams
Bull would have been his 5th daughter and Ann Adams Umstead his
6th daughter. The birth date of Elizabeth Bull is not known, but
we do know that her second son John was born in 1731 and died
in 1824. (Addams McAllister) This would indicate that Elizabeth's
birth date was by 1711 and probably earlier.
The first place that we find the birth date of Ann Adams shown as 1726 is in the research of E. Ray Sullivan, where it is listed as an undocumented fact.
Marriage and baptism records of the St. James Episcopal Church in Providence, to which some of Ann's family belonged, are not extant for that period of time.
Marriage records of the Great Valley Baptist Church, to which Ann's father and other members of her family belonged, are not extant for that period of time, and there is no infant Baptism in Baptist churches. The same is true of Great Valley's later out-branch, Vincent Baptist Church, to which some of her family transferred.
("Great Valley Baptist Church, Tredyffrin Township, Chester Co Church Records 1740-1898," microfilm of original records at Historical Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Nashville, TN, Salt Lake City Film #986477; "Vincent Baptist Church (Chester Springs, PA), Minutes of the Vincent Baptist Church 1746-1822," microfilm of the records from the Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA, Salt Lake City Film #0022075)
UPDATE:
The earliest official minutes
of the church begin in 1808 with one scant list of participating
supporters for the building of their church. The list includes
a number of people who were from St James Church and other neighboring
churches, including Richard Umstatt, son of Jacob and Ann. Formal
membership records did not begin until about 1730. Among those
"Received by Letter" were four members of the family
of Jacob and Ann's son P. Jacob Umstead: Jacob [received 1831,
d. 1836], Jesse [received 1832], Joseph [received 1835, d. 1851],
and Amos, [received 1837].
(Lower Providence Baptist Records by Charles Majors (pp. 96-121);
Salt Lake City Film #021595 filmed Montgomery, Co. PA, Records;
Estate Records of Joseph Tyson and son Jacob Tyson, Mont. Co.
Archives)
Richard Umstatt, son of
Jacob and Ann shows as a Member Pew Holder at St. James Church
in 1791, sharing a Pew with Owen Evans and wife Ann (Lane) Evans.
Richard's grandson, Rev. Richard Umstead Morgan became a well
known Episcopalian minister in Chester Co, PA, Berks Co, PA and
Westchester Co, NY.
(Mont. Co. Will and Estate Recs. of Richard Umstead, Mont. Co.
Archives; "The Minutes of the Vestry of St. James's P.E.
Church, Perkiomen, 1738-1859, Addams McAllister, Perkiomen Region,
Vol XIII, #1, Jan. 1935, pp. 14, 17; Christ Church, Reading website;
Martin, John Hill, Esq. Chester (and its Vicinity), Delaware County
in Penna. With Original Sketches of Some Old Families, Wm. H.
Pile & Sons, Philadelphia, 1877, pp. 96, 128; DuHamel, William,
Historical Annals of Christ Church (formally called St. Mary's)
Reading, Pa., Berks County, Diocese of Bethlehem, issued in conjunction
with their celebration of the centenary of the parish, Douglassville,
Pa.: Church Press, 1926, pp. 41-43.)
This description is abstracted from Samuel W Pennypacker, who describes the sale of the land as one of great generosity on the part of Matthias Van Bebber. He comments that "All of the trustees were members of the Mennonite Church and their selection was due no doubt to the fact that the greater number of the settlers belonged to that sect, and that the affiliations of vanBebber were with it." He adds that at that time Mattias and his wife, and Isaac vanBibber, one of the witnesses, lived in Bohemia Manor (Cecil County, MD).
(Detweiler, William N, Sellersville, PA, 1992, The Creation, Founding and Early Settlers of Bebber's Township, Philadelphia County, Province of Pennsylvania, 1702 (Now Skippack Townshp, Montgomery County, PA), published by Adams Apple Press, PO Box E, Bedminster, PA 18910, 1992: "Bebber's Township and the Dutch Patroons of Pennsylvania." Reprint from the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol XXXI, #1, by Honorable Samuel W Pennypacker, published by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1907, p 5-24)
Records from the Parish Registers
of St Stephen's and St Mary Ann's Episcopal Churches in Cecil
County, MD:
1691 Isaac Van Bebber and wife Franika have child Jacob baptized,
1693 Hester, 1695 Peter, 1698 Christiana, 1701 Isaac, at St Mary
Ann's Episcopal Church, Cecil Co:
1705 Jacob Van Bebber, Sr, of Bohemia River, is buried at St Stephens
Episcopal Church, Cecil Co, and Jacob's wife Christiana died 1711,
is buried at St Stephens.
1705 Nov 17 Haramontee (Araminta later), daughter of Adam Peterson
of Newcastle Co, DE married Matthias Van Bebber, St Stephens Episcopal
Church, Cecil Co, MD.
1706 - 1730 Matthias and Araminta Peterson had these children
baptized at St Stephen's: Jacob, Elizabeth, Christiana, Matthias,
Henry. (Salt Lake City Film #0013887)
A parishioner of Augustus Evangelical
Lutheran Church, Trappe, PA, is buried at Lower Skippack Mennonite
Cemetery, as noted by Reverend Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, Minister:
"In the month of February a man in the Providence congregation
died. … He attended church regularly whenever his sickly
condition permitted. . .Shortly before his death he asked that
I should come to him. He made his confession with me and received
the Holy Supper. In saying farewell he requested me to bury him.
… He was buried in the Mennonite churchyard because he had
lived nearby. Since there was a large number of people of all
sorts of persuasions in attendance, I preached on repentance to
God, and they were all very attentive …" (Journals of
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, Muhlenberg Press 1958 Philadelphia,
PA (3 Vol.) Vol. 1 p 215 #LC-42-18316)
Our use of the initial P to distinguish Jacob, son of Jacob Umstat and Ann Adams, comes from his signature on a 1794 indenture shown below.
1748 - 11 Nov, 2 tracts of land were conveyed to Jacob Umstatt by a deed unrecorded until 1794: 100 acres in Skippack/Perkiomen adjacent to Johannes Umstead and John Fry, and 69 acres in Worcester adjacent to Peter Bunn Jr, Thomas Bull and Henry Umstead, both tracts conveyed by Herman Bunn, John Bunn, Nicholas Bunn, Jacob Bunn, Henry Bunn, Gurchen Bunn and Mary Bunn to Jacob Umstead. The record of this conveyance is included in the following indenture.
15 March, 1776 Jacob and Ann Umstat sold this 169 acres of land to their son Jacob Umstead with parental relationship stated in the indenture. This deed was not recorded until Feb. 5, 1794. (Montgomery County Deed Book 7:702)
2 April, 1794 this son "P. Jacob" (as per signature on indenture) and wife Ann Umstead sold 31+ acres of this land to Herman Custer of Worcester. (Montgomery County Deed Book 7:762)
6 Jun 1737 Jacob bought 335 acres in New Providence of the Lane tract that had been willed to James Lane by his father Edward Lane, and then mortgaged by James Lane. James had died and the estate had failed to make payments. For some reason, the mortgaged land included 85 acres of the Lane tract that Edward Lane had willed to his son William Lane, whose son Edward had inherited it. In 1746 Jacob purchased this 85 acres from Edward and Ann Lane, which was land adjacent to Edward and Ann's land. Deed recorded 16 Aug 1754 from James and 4 Aug 1754 from Edward and Ann. (Philadelphia Co Will Book C:200; Philadelphia Co Deed Books H 4:440, H 5:212)
Jacob and Ann Umstat sold to Richard Umstat the middle portion of this land, with a Grist Mill (140 acres 20 Dec 1773 and 28 3/4 acres Jan 13 1780), by unrecorded deeds.
14 Apr 1817 the deed is mentioned in the sale of Richard's land as part of the settling of Richard's estate, "Whereas Jacob Umstat and Ann his wife by indenture under their hands and seal bearing dates... sold to him....." This later indenture also shows a portion of Richard's will including: "His last Will and Testament in writing bearing date the seventeenth day of September Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixteen wherein and whereby/amongst other things he did order and direct as followith to wit 6thly I do order and direct my Executors to sell all my real estate at public auction....And I do appoint my brother Jacob Umstat and Michael Corbitt....Executors of this my last will and testament." Both Jacob Umstat and Michael Corbitt signed the indenture. (Montgomery Co PA Deed Book 34:107?110.)
Will of Richard Umsted written 17
Sep 1816, proved 7 Nov 1816 (Montgomery County Will Book 4:294):
"Be it remembered that I Richard Umsted of the township of
Lower Providence, Montgomery Co., State of Pennsylvania being
sick of body but of sound disposing mind and memory do think fit
this seventeenth day of September...1816 to make and ordain this
my last Will and Testament which I do in the following manner
and form that is to say I do direct and enjoin my Executors hereinafter
named to pay all my just debs and funeral expences and to pay
the followinga Legacies and divices to the respective persons
hereafter named or their legal representatives viz:
1st I give and bequeath unto my sister Hanna Pennebecker the sum
of twelve pounds yearly during her natural live commencing one
year after my decease the sum of two hundred pounds to be retained
for that purpose.
2nd To my grand Daughters Mary and Sarah Morgan the sum of one
hundred dollars one cow and one burough one year after my decease
equal to what my Grand Daughter Allay Saylor received.
3rd To my grandson Richard Morgan the sum of one hundred dollars
one year after my decease and to have six month schooling and
to receive the further sum of one hundred pounds when twenty years
of age.
4th To my daughter Ann Morgan all my household goods bed and bedding
and all kitchen furniture without exception.
5th But all the residue and remaining part of my personal or moveable
property to be sold at public sale within one year after my decease.
6th I do order and direct my executors to sell all my real estate
at publick auction as soon after my decease as they may do most
advantageously and the proceeds of such sailes together with the
rest of my estate after the payments of debts and legacies herein
before excepted with legal expenses and charges I order and direct
to be divided in the following way that is to say:
1st I give and bequeath the som of two thousand pounds to my daughter
Ann Morgan to be by her used and appropriated as she may desire.
2nd To my daughter Allay Nice the sum of one hundred and twenty
pounds yearly and every year during her natural life the sum of
two thousand pounds secured on interest during her natural life
and after her decease it shall be equally distributed with the
residue of my estate to all my grandchildren share and share alike
as they become or arrive at the age of twenty one years. And
whereas my daughter Allay Nice is and has been of a condition
and therefore Incapable of proper care of herself or of her yearly
interest arising and Accruing of the said two thousand dollars
pounds I do therefore order the same to be left to the care of
my executors in trust for her use if she shall stand in need of
it to be applyed at their discretion that she may have the sole
benefit of it under the same restrictions of above of the yearly
one hundred and twenty pounds.
And it is my will and desire should one or more of my grandchildren
die before they are of the age of twenty one years and without
any issue then in that case such share and shares shall be equally
divided among all their surviving Brothers and sisters (or the
heirs of such deceased).
And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my brother Jacob
Umstead and Michael Corbitt of state and County aforesaid executors
of this my last will and testament....... In the presence of Joseph
Skeen and John Evans.... proved 7 November, 1816."
Unfortunately, this list, unlike the 1850 Federal Census, gives no key as to which of these children might be grandchildren, nieces and nephews, girls "in service," or boys "indentured." As very few of the JP ledgers are held by the public libraries of the area, it would be very hard to search for who they might be if they were "in service" or "indentured."
Many contemporary charts carry undocumented children as belonging to Jacob and Ann.
In 1935 Charles Major apparently mistook the tombstone of Herman Umstead, son of Henry, as the son of Jacob. He lists Herman, son of Jacob and Ann, as the one buried in row 19 of Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery. "Harman Umstead d Mar 25, 1823, 78 yrs 18 days." Our chart shows this as Herman, the son of Henry, although this Herman's wife Barabara is buried in Row 13. Other facts indicate our conclusion.
The next chart that we see is from 1948, where Richard, P. Jacob, and Hannah are listed on a chart in the L D Cook file as the only three documented children of Jacob and Ann.
In the last 40 years a number of undocumented children have been added to the list of the children of Jacob and Ann on various charts. Most of these charts also list the 1726 birth date for Ann Adams, so they have looked for children born later than 1743, and therefore appear to have inadvertently listed some of Jacob and Ann's grandchildren.
See also Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery
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