As in his Will
We refer to John, son of Johannes and Mary, as John "NS," ONLY as a way of distinguishing him from the many other Johns. There has been nothing found that would explain why he used "NS" as his mark. "NS" is NOT a part of his name.
In 2006 we received a copy of the inventory
and will of Henry Reyner (no known kinship with the UMs, but a
neighbor) from Jeanne Bedwell, a Reyner researcher. John "NS"
signed as witness on several pages with his mark. Here's what
it looks like, along with his mark from his own will, provided
by Barbara Wentz. It appears to be simple printing, and does not
resemble any of the old German script letters.
JOHN “NS" b. abt. 1699, Germantown, d. 1759, Limerick Twp. m. abt. 1726 Debora ( ) d. after Feb. 28, 1763 when she was involved in the estate settlement of Mary (Umsted) DeHaven.
| Some long-circulated Umstead material shows the last name of John’s wife Debora as Koplin. But it was not. Perkiomen Region Vol. X 10 p. 47: “Matthias Koplin arrived at Philadelphia September 4, 1728 in the ship “Albany”. He had acquired a tract of land in Providence Township prior to 1734.” Research of the Koplin family at this time shows no other immigrant with surname Koplin in the area this early. Using copies of the original will of Matthias from Phila. County Archives, they have determined Matthias had no daughter named Debora. (Will also contained in Will Book Q:87.) |
26 Apr 1751 John "NS" bought 150 acres of land in Frederick Township, that he later willed to his son John in 1759. The land description clearly states that the land is in Frederick Township. The description in the will of John "NS," which shows the land as being in "uper Salford" Twp, is reasonably explainable. Frederick and Upper Salford Townships adjoin each other and are divided by the Perkiomen Creek. John's land bordered the Perkiomen Creek, and apparently was on both sides. Wit. Anthony Vanderslice and Nicholas Bunn. That same day Anthony and Nicholas affirmed the deed before Justice Owen Evans. Recorded 23 Nov 1763. (Philadelphia Co Deed Book H 18:448-450)
The original of the will of John "NS,"
written
8 Nov 1759 and signed with his mark as above, proved 5 Dec 1759, includes
the following:
"ITEM - I bequeath unto my beloved wife Debora..."(furniture,
household items etc) "...and it is my will & I do order
that my wife shall have the maneging of my plantation where I
now live on untill my son Herman arives to the age of Twenty two
year."
"ITEM - I give unto my son John Umstad that plantation whereon
he now lives on in Uper Sulford Township containing one hundred
& fifty Acres of land be it more or less……"
"...providing he paying out of it to my Executor the sum
of eighty pounds lawful Money of Pennsylvania when my son Herman
arived at age of Twenty two Years..."
"ITEM I give to my son Harman Umstad when he arived to Twenty
two year that plantation where I now live on in Limerick Township
containing two hundred & fifty Acres be it more or less ..."
"ITEM- It is my will & I do order that at the time when
my son Herman is arived to Age of Twenty two year then my Execurs
Shall put to sale all my personal estate...." "... and
all of money arising out of my personal estate shall be divided
in manner & form following, That is to say, my beloved wife
Debora shall have first of all Eighty pound Current money of Pennsylva.
out of the same for her maintenance and the Residue to be Divided
in four Equal shares to my daughters that is Mary Vandershlise,
& Debora Koplin, & Susanna Waggener, & Elizabeth Umstad....""I
do hereby make & ordain my only & Sole Executors of this
my last will and testament my beloved wife Debora & Jacob
Umstad"
The will was signed in the presence of the Subscribers Nicholas Bunn, John Custer, John Koplin. (Original will; Philadelphia Co Will File 1759 #226, as copied by Barbara Wentz, also recorded Philadelphia Will Book L:355 )
See also John "NS" Corrections
THE FAMILY OF JOHN “NS” AND DEBORA
.
last updated 27 March 2010