Descendants of Johan George Steinrock
Generation No. 1
1. Johan George1 Steinrock1,2,3,4,5
was born Bet. 1717 - 1725 in Hohenstaufen, Donaukreis, Wuerttemberg, and died
1797 in Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County, PA. He married Anna Maria. She was born Abt. August 1719, and died May
1807 in Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County, PA.
Notes for Johan George
Steinrock:
Strassburger, Ralph
Beaver, "Pennsylvania German Pioneers" Pennsylvania German Society,
1934 (three volumes) "[List 133 C] At the Court House at Philadelphia,
Friday, the 15th Septr 1749. Present: Joshua Maddox, Esquire. The foreigners
whose names underwritten, imported in the Ship Phoenix, John Mason, Master,
from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes in England, did this day take the usual
Qualifications to the government. By the list 261, 550 whole freights, from
Zweybrech, Nassau, Wirtemberg, & Palinate." {Sept 15, 1749. 550
Auslaender von Zweibrueken, Nassau, Wuerttemberg und der Pfalz kamen mit dem
Schiffe Phoenix, Capitain John Mason, von Rotterdam ueber Cowes.}
Johan Georg Steinrock
The three volume set
includes photocopies of the passenger lists [volume 2] with signatures and
although George Steinruck's name is difficult to read, it is evident that he
signed his own name rather than mark with an X. An interesting note is that two
other ships arrived at approximately the same time (the Francis and Elizabeth
and also the Rachel} but because there were so many sickly passengers on those
two ships, that the ships were partially quarantined until sick could be separated from the well.
The passenger manifest for the Phoenix includes a passenger, Johan Michel
Schmidte, identified as "Arzt" or physician.
Rupp, I. Daniel
"Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants to Pennsylvania" Reprint of 1876
second edition, Philadelphia, PA lists the same ship passenger list with the
signature deciphered as: Joh. George Steinroth
A notice appearing in
Sower's newspaper January 16, 1754 mentions Georg Steinruck, New Hanover on the
manor land (McCall's Manor, now Douglas Township, Montgomery County).
Tax Assessment rolls:
Douglas Township, Philadelphia County
1757 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 2h, 3c, 6 s
1769 George Steinrock, 100 acres 4 horse, 2 cows Proprietary
Tax
1783 George Steinrock, farmer 100 acres
Douglas Township Montgomery County
1785 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 2h, 2c
1786 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 2h, 2c
1787 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 2h, 2c Farmer
1788 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 2 cows
1789 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 2 cows
1791 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 1 h, 2c
1793 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 3 horses
1795 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 2 cows
1796 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 1h, 2c
1797 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 1h, 2 c Farmer
sold to Christian Steinrock 1797
The Douglas Township,
Montgomery County Tax Lists specifically state that the 100 acre property and
dwelling owned by George Steinrock was "sold to Christian Steinruck"
in 1797. Thereafter the same property is listed under Christian Steinruck until
1807 when it appears in Pottsgrove Township (Pottsgrove Township being formed
from parts of Douglas and New Hanover Townships). The property is listed in
Pottsgrove Township through 1822. In 1823 the property is listed under the
names of John and Samuel Steinmor [sic].
The Journal of David
Schultze, Surveyor, living in Upper Hanover Township contains two entries for
George Steinruck. David Schultze was a well known Colonial surveyor. An entry
in his joural dated October 31, 1774 is the following: "surveyed 40 acres
for George Steinruck" (p. 80) and "am to survey for George Steinruck
near manetawny..." (p. 82) from the Journals and Papers of David Schultze,
edited by Andrew S. Berky and published by the Schwenkfelder Library,
Pennsburg, PA, 1953. [NOTE: David Schultze mentions surveying a 40 acre tract
in 1774 for George Steinrock and Christian is listed with a forty acre tract in
tax lists from 1783 through 1789. Tax lists for the period before 1782 are not
available][NOTE: The Manatawny Creek runs in a north-south axis through the
westside of Pottstown and very near the Steinruck homestead]
Perkiomen Region,
Volume V, No. 2 dated April 1927, published by the Historical and Natural
Science Society of the Perkiomen Region, H. W. Kriebel, Editor. lists George
and Christian Steinrock on a quitrent list for McCalls Manor dated 1785.
A History of the Upper
Pottsgrove Township Steinruck Homestead, [by S. Duane Kauffman, 1411
Schwenkmill Rd., Perkasie, PA November 24, 1973] This is a review of the real
estate transactions involving the 102 acre farm between Levengood Road and
Chestnut Grove Road in Upper Pottsgrove Township. Deeds recorded at the
Montgomery County Courthouse at Norristown were used.
The following deed is the key. Following
is an abstract:
516-378 JOHN STEINRUCK
ET AL TO JOHN WEILER, APRil 2, 1824
Between
John Steinruck and Samuel Steinruck both of Douglass Township, Berks County,
executors of the last will of Christian Steinruck late of Pottstown, parties of
the first part and John Weiler of Pottstown, the other part.
HISTORY OF PROPERTY TO THIS POINT
On March 26, 1761 the tract of 100
acres, 50 perches was granted by Samuel and Mary McCall of Philadelphia to
Joachim Godschalk.
On November 18, 1767 Joachim and
Elizabeth Godshalk granted the tract to George Steinruck.
On July 26, 1796 George and Anna
Steinruck granted the land to "their son, Christian Steinruck".
"Said Christian in his will of
March 1, 1820 instructed property to be sold by his executors, John Steinruck,
Samuel Steinruck, (sons) and Peter Moser (son-in-law). Moser renounced his
responsibility. Weiler paid $775.43 at the time of purchase and $1,066.67 to be
paid immediately after the decease of BARBARA, widow and relict of said Christian
Steinruck, to the heirs of said deceased".
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
"Beginning at a
stone corner of John Mock's land and running thence by the same and land of
John Reifsnyder respectively south fifty six degreees east one hundred and
eighty three perches to a post at the corner of John Reifsnyder's land, Then by
the same south eighty four degrees west four perches to a post and south six
degrees east nineteen perches to a post on corner of John Reifsnyder's (Sr.)
land thence by the same south thirty four degrees west sixty eight perches one
hundred and ninety one perches and a half to a stone corner in a line of
Christian Gorgas' land thence by the same and land of John Mock respectively
north thirty four degrees east eighty six perches and three tenths to the place
of beginning, containing one hundred and two acres of land and sixty five
perches. {witnesses were William Rinehart and John Stauffer]
197-228 JOHN S. WEILER
to HENRY LEVENGOOD, February 23, 1843 (Levengood from Pottstown. In description
Christian Yergey replaces C. Gorgas)
357-410 REBECCA
LEVENGOOD ET AL (Hier of Henry
Levengood) to CAROLINE Y. KEYSER, April 2, 1891
On
a map in the Court House Deed Room, a map of Montgomery County clearly shows
the farm identifed in her (Keyser's] name.
0-74 SHERIFF OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY to REBECCA
M. LEVENGOOD, date ? (Rebecca Levengood repurchased the property).
630-171 REBECCA
LEVENGOOD ET AL to JOHN WAHL, April 15, 1904.
670-1152 JOHN WAHL to
JACOB RISCH of Wilkes Barre, April 18, 1910
781-76 JACOB RISCH to Charles L. John, March 12,
1912
830-355 CHARLES L.
JOHN to LESLIE C. KLINE AND LESLIE BLOOM of Clearfield, PA., June 26, 1912
1190-143 SHERIFF OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY to SECURITY TRUST COMPANY OF POTTSTOWN (1934)
1205-26 SECURITY TRUST OF POTTSTOWN to ROBERT W.
EVANS (Realtor) October 19, 1935.
1336-38 ROBERT W. EVANS to MARY THEIS, CHRISTIAN
THEIS AND NICHOLAS THEIS, May 7, 1940.
At the present time [November 24, 1973]
the farm (100 acres still intact is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Theis and
their son and daughter. (Address: Rt. 20, Pottstown). The house is very old. It
is in three parts. The oldest is log while the later additions are stone. The
exterior has been covered with stucco. The exterior is showing its age but the
interior is quite good and is well maintained. In my contact I found the Theis
family to be extremely amiable and cooperative! At present the property is used
as a large chicken farm.
Submitted by S. Duane
Kauffman, November 24, 1973.
Montgomery County
Atlas; G.M. Hopkins, Philadelpha, 1871 lists the above property under H.
Levengood in Pottsgrove Township. [John J Amtsfield]
Combination Atlas of Montgomery
County, J.D. Scott, Philadelphia 1877 lists the same property under H.
Levengood with 100 acres. [JJA]
The Property Atlas of
Montgomery County, J.L. Smith Co., Philadelphia 1893 lists the same property
under Caroline Y. Keyser with 102 acres. This atlas delineates the property
lines and is apparently the same as the map at the Montgomery County
Courthouse. {John J. Amtsfield]
[Berks County
Administrations, Orphans Court 4-164, March 26, 1792] The petition of
"George Hanselman, eldest son and heir of George Hanselman, late of the
Township of Douglass in this County, yeoman deceased, Setting forth that his
said father died intestate leaving a widow to wit Christina and issue Six
children to wit: the Petitioner, Rosina the wife of Henry Hauck, Anna Maria the
wife of Christian Zigler, Barbara the wife of Christian Stever [sic], Rachel
the wife of John Giley and Magdalena the wife of Christian Yorgy. And that the
said intestate died seized in his demesne as {
} of and in a certain messuage or
tenement and two contiguous tracts of land situate in Douglass Township
aforesaid one of them adjoining to land of William Brunner, Herman
Reiffschneider, GEORGE STEINROCK and Henry Yorgy containing fifty acres more or
less, the other adjoining the above tract, Bernard Honneter, Joseph Schweidel
and William Brunner containing twenty one acres and thirty three perches with
the appurtances and there for praying the Court to award and request to make
partition of the said messuage or tenement and two tracts of land...".
The Orphans Court ordered an evaluation of
the property by twelve honest citizens including which was done under authority
of the County Sheriff Philip Kremer. The citizens were: GEORGE GRESH, Berhard
Honnetter, John Nagle, John Keely, Solomon Roads, Jonathan Roths, Jacob Keely,
Daniel Reed, Henry Egle, Philip Levengood, Valentine Fisher and John Rohmich.
The valuation was determined to be two hundred and eighty pounds in gold or
silver money current in Pennsylvania. The panel determined that the property
could not be partitioned for fair distribution and George Hanselman presented
surety to guarantee payment of shares to all the heirs in two payments, the
first payment within twelve months and
the second payment due after the widow's death.
This is an important
document to secure and confirm George Steinruck's property location. George
Hanselman's land located solely in Berks County adjoined George Steinruck's
land located soley in Montgomery County. The obvious conclusion is that the two
properties straddled the Berks-Montgomery County Line which is, in fact,
accurate. Another interesting note is that some of the neighbors and members of
the panel to value George Hanselman's land are buried at the Fritz Burial
Ground in close proximity to the Hanselman and Steinruck properties. A third
interesting note is that Anna Barbara, George Hanselman's daughter and later
wife of Christian Steinruck, son of Johan George Steinruck were, in fact, next
door neighbors and in close proximity to George Gresh (who's daughter Salome
would later marry Christian and Anna Barbara Steinruck's son Samuel. {John
Amtsfield Note]
1790 Pa Census,
Montgomery County, Remainder of County, p. 160, George Steinrock 1 male 16 and
over; 2 females.
More About Johan
George Steinrock:
Alternate name: George
(Johan George) Steinrock
Immigration: September
15, 1749, Ship "Phoenix"
Notes for Anna Maria:
One uncredited source
on LDS contends that Anna Maria Steinruck was Anna Maria Rapp, but it is
unattributed and impossible to verify.
It could be true, but I am not confident enough to record it
definitively.
More About Anna Maria:
Burial: May 09, 1807,
prob. buried 09 May 1807; aged 87 years & 8 months in
"Pottsgrove", Listed Faulkner Swamp Reformed Church records6
Children of Johan
Steinrock and Anna Maria are:
+ 2 i. Christopher2 Steinruck, born
February 04, 1749/50; died December 02, 1822 in Washington St., Orwigsburg,
Schuylkill County, Pa..
3 ii. Maria Barbara Steinruck, born February 04,
1749/50; died Unknown.
More About Maria
Barbara Steinruck:
Baptism: June 06, 1802,
New Hanover Lutheran Church, Montgomery County, PA
+ 4 iii. Anna Margaret Steinruck, born March 21,
1751/52; died Unknown.
+ 5 iv. David (George David) Steinruck, born 1754 in
New Hanover Lutheran Church Record only records the year.; died Unknown.
+ 6 v. Christian Steinruck, born September 05, 1756
in Douglas Township, Montgomery (then Philadelphia) County, PA; died October
15, 1822 in Upper Pottsgrove Township ("Pottsgrove"), Montgomery
County, PA.
+ 7 vi. George Steinruck, born Abt. 1758 in Upper
Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County,
PA; died 1826 in Pickaway County, Ohio.
Generation No. 2
2. Christopher2 Steinruck
(Johan George1 Steinrock) was born February 04, 1749/50, and died
December 02, 1822 in Washington St., Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pa.. He married (1) Regina Lachman April
03, 1775 in New Hanover Lutheran Church, daughter of Eberhard Lachman. She was born Abt. 1754, and died Unknown. He married (2) Susanna Aft. 1782. She was born November 28, 1768, and died
April 21, 1821 in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, PA.
Notes for Christopher
Steinruck:
Will of Christopher
Steinruck, Schuylkill County, PA.
In the Name of God Amen, I Christopher
Steinruck of the Borough of Orwigsburg in the county of Schuylkill in the state
of Pennsylvania Yeoman, being aged and infirm but of sound and disposing mind
memory and Understanding thank be given unto God therefor, but taking into
consideration the Mortality of man and knowing that it is appointed for all men
to die I have thought proper to make this my last Will and testament in manner
and form following that is to say I recommend my soul into the hands of
Almighty God who gave it and my Body to the earth to be buried in a decent
& Christian manner at the discretion of my hereinafter named Executor. I
order and direct that my just debts and funeral expenses Shall be paid out of
my personal estate hereinafter named Executors. My will is and I do order and
direct my hereinafter named Executors to sell the house and lot of ground
whereon an wherein I now situate in the Borough of Orwigsburg aforesaid as soon
as conveniently may be after my decease to the highest bidder at Public sale
and I do hereby authorize him to make a deed to the Purchaser thereof as fully
and effectually to all intent as I might or now could do and also to sell all
my Personal Estate as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I further
order and direct and it is my will that after my just debts and funeral
Expenses are fully paid the residue of the money as well that which may arise
out of the.......Estate Shall be divided amongst my four children or their
legal Representatives, that is to say, one equal fourth share to my son David
Steinruck one equal fourth share to my son Christopher Steinruck One Equal
fourth share to my daughter Anna Maria and one equal fourth share to my
daughter Catarine Elizabeth or their Legal Representatives and lastly I
nominate constitute and appoint my trusty friend Henry Ega of the Borough
aforesaid the Sole Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking
all former wills by me heretofore made. Ratifying and conforming this and no
other as and for my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal the ninth day of November in the year of our lord
one thousand eight hundred and twenty two.
Sined sealed published
pronounced and declared
Christophel Steinruck
by the testators as
and for his last will and testament
in the Presents of us
who in his presents and in the
presents of each other
and at his request signed the
same as witnesses
Henry Hager
P Frailey Schuylkill County Pa.
1779 Limerick
Township, Philadelphia County (now Montgomery County) Effective Supply Tax
1779 Limerick
Township, Philadelphia County (now Montgomery County) State Tax
1780 Limerick
Township, Philadelphia County (now Montgomery County) Effective Supply Tax
Douglas Township,
Berks County, Tax Assessment Rolls
1781 George Stoneruck(brother)
1784 Christopher Stonruck 1 cow, 6 people
George Stonruck (brother] 1 cow, 3 people
David Stonruck 5 acres 1 cow, 3
sheep, 5 people
1785 George Steinrock(brother) 1 cow
Christopher Steinrock
1786 George Steinrock(brother) 1 cow
Christopher Steinrock 1 cow
Schuylkill County PA -
St. John's United Church of Christ Cemetery, Orwigsburg
Gravesite.
Inscriptions in German and vvery difficult to decipher due to wear and
weathering.
Steinrock
Christoph Feb 4,
1750 Dec 2, 1822 OL
3
Steinrock Susanna Nov 28, 1768 Mar 21, 1821 OL
3
In the baptismal
record for Christopher Hettner, son of Bernard and Anna Margareth (widow) born
June 8, 1780 and baptized August 27, 1780, sponsors were Christopher and Regina
Steinrock.
1790 Pa Census, Berks
County, Brunswick and Manheim Township, p.
Jacob [sic] Steinrock 1 male 16 and over; 2 males under 16 ; 3 females.
1800 PA Census, Berks
County, Manheim Township, P. 233-01: Christopher Steinrock 1 male aged 45+; 1
female 45+; 1 female 16-26; 1 female 10 and under.
1810 PA Census,
Brunswick Township, Berks County,: Christopher Steinruck 1 male over 45 years;
1 female over 45 years.
1820 PA Census,
Schuylkill County, Orwigsburg Borough, p. 27, Christopher Steinrook 1 male 45
and over; 1 female 45 and over.
More About Christopher
Steinruck:
Burial: Unknown, Old
Lutheran Cemetery, Washington St., Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, PA
Confirmation: March
30, 1766, Christoph Steinrock, George's son, aged 16 years, New Hanover
Lutheran Church
Military service: Rev.
War marker at gravesite
Probate: Will written
6 Nov 1822 & proved 5 Dec 1822
More About Susanna:
Burial: Unknown, Old
Lutheran Cemetery, Washington St., Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, PA
Children of
Christopher Steinruck and Regina Lachman are:
+ 8 i. David3 Steinruck, born Abt. 1775;
died April 20, 1857.
+ 9 ii. Anna Maria Steinruck, born 1776; died
December 06, 1854.
10 iii. Catharine Elizabeth Steinruck, born March
03, 1780; died Unknown. She married
Unknown Blatner; died Unknown.
More About Catharine
Elizabeth Steinruck:
Baptism: July 30, 1780,
Parents: Christoph and Regina, New Hanover Lutheran Church
+ 11 iv. Christopher Stonerook, born September 28,
1782; died June 28, 1855 in Stonerook Family Cemetery, North Woodbury Township,
Bedford County, PA.
4. Anna Margaret2 Steinruck
(Johan George1 Steinrock) was born March 21, 1751/52, and died
Unknown. She married John Melich
April 03, 1775 in New Hanover Lutheran Church.
He died Unknown.
More About Anna
Margaret Steinruck:
Confirmation: 1767,
Anna Maria Steinrock, George's Daughter, aged 15 years, New Hanover Lutheran
Church
Children of Anna
Steinruck and John Melich are:
12 i. Margaretha3 Melich, born November
06, 1777; died Unknown.
More About Margaretha
Melich:
Baptism: 1778, Emmanuel
Lutheran Church, Pottstown, PA
13 ii. Johannes Melich, born March 02, 1779; died
Unknown.
More About Johannes
Melich:
Baptism: May 09, 1779,
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Pottstown, PA
5. David (George David)2 Steinruck
(Johan George1 Steinrock) was born 1754 in New Hanover Lutheran
Church Record only records the year., and died Unknown. He married Dorothea "Dorritty"
Abendschon Bet. 1779 - 1781, daughter of Reinhold Abendschon and Anna
Wilson. She was born 1757, and died
Unknown.
Notes for David
(George David) Steinruck:
1779 Douglas Township,
Berks County, listed as single freeman.
1780 Douglass
Township, Berks Couty, listed as a blacksmith, (presumably married).
1784 Douglas Township,
Berks County listed with 5 acres, 1 cow, 3 sheep, 5 people.
On Douglass Twp.,
Berks Co. Tax Lists 1779-1784. Blacksmith. On Muster Roll for Pottstown Militia
1781.
Baptism: 3 Nov 1754,
New Hanover Lutheran Church
Confirmation: 22 May
1768, New Hanover Lutheran Church
The evidence that
David's wife Was Dorothea Abendschon is circumstantial. Although I stongly
believe that Dorothea Steinruck was the daughter of Reinhold Abendschon, there
is no direct proof. The entire family disappeared after 1784 at about the same
time that David's brother, George and Madeline (Abendschon) Steinruck,
disappeared. Madeline was a sister of Dorothea and daughter of Reinhold
Abendschon. George later tunrs up in Ohio in 1806 listed as George Stonerock.
More About David
(George David) Steinruck:
Baptism: November 03,
1754, New Hanover Lutheran Church, Montgomery County, PA
Confirmation: May 22,
1768, David Steirock, George's son, aged 15 years, New Hanover Lutheran Church
Military service:
December 22, 1778, Rev. War Private in Capt. Philip Hahn's Company, Fourth
battalion, Regiment of Foot, Philadelphia County Militia
Occupation: 1780,
Blacksmith7
Notes for Dorothea
"Dorritty" Abendschon:
Dorothea Abendschein
appeared as a sponsor with Christian Steinrock when Anna Maria Fuchs was
baptized May 10, 1778 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Pottstown. Parents were
Johann Fuchs and wife Christina. On June 8, 1783 David and Dorothea Steinrock
baptized son Jacob at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Pottstown (born December 2,
1782 and sponsors were Jacob Kieler and Catharina). Marriage date approximation
is believed to be in the period between the two events.
More About Dorothea
"Dorritty" Abendschon:
Confirmation: May 04,
1775, New Hanover Lutheran church, Montgomery County, PA
Children of David
Steinruck and Dorothea Abendschon are:
14 i. Unknown3 Steinruck, died Unknown.
15 ii. Jacob Steinruck, born December 02, 1782;
died Unknown.
Notes for Jacob
Steinruck:
1800 PA Census:
Northern Liberties (East), Philadelphia, PA:
Jacob Sturk 1 male 16-26; 1 male under 10; 1 female 16-26. (JJA Note:
This is a remote possibility and requires further research. Could easily be a
Stark or some othe variation).
More About Jacob
Steinruck:
Baptism: June 08, 1783,
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Pottstown, PA
16 iii. Unknown Steinruck, died Unknown.
6. Christian2 Steinruck (Johan
George1 Steinrock) was born September 05, 1756 in Douglas Township,
Montgomery (then Philadelphia) County, PA, and died October 15, 1822 in Upper
Pottsgrove Township ("Pottsgrove"), Montgomery County, PA8. He married Anna Barbara Hanselman,
daughter of Johan Hanselman and Maria Macherlin. She was born 1759 in Douglass Township, Berks
County, PA, and died 1841 in Berks County, PA.
Notes for Christian
Steinruck:
New Hanover Lutheran
Church Records record the birth and baptism of Christian Steinruck with a
birthdate of September 15, 1756 and baptism on April 17, 1757 in New Hanover.
Parents listed as Christian [sic] and Anna Maria, sponsor was Elizabeth Jack.
The record is unfortunate since it incorrectly lists the father as Christian
rather than Johan George or George. Confirmation records make clear that
Christian was the son of George.
Pennsylvania Wills,
1682-1834
STEINROOK, CHRISTIAN.
Pottstown.
March 18, 1820.
November 29, 1822. 6.83
To wife, household
goods, and interest of 400 pds. Personal estate to
be sold, except
wearing apparel. To son John, 50 pds. To son Christian,
50 pds. To son Samuel,
50 pds. Wearing apparel equally divided among
sons John and Samuel.
To Joseph Spidle, $50. To daughter Margaret, $50.
Rem. of estate divided
into 5 equal parts. To son John, 1/5 part. To
son Samuel, 1/5 part.
To son Christian, 1/5 part. To daughter Margaret,
1/5 part. To daughter
Anna, 1/5 part. Execs: Sons John and Samuel, and
son in law Peter Moser.
Wit: George Leaff, and John Reifsnyder.
ADMINISTRATION of
GEORGE HANSELMAN estate, Douglas Township, Berks County
dated February 10,
1792. Administrator is son-in-law Christian Steinrack.
[Berks County
Administrations, Orphans Court 4-164, March 26, 1792] The petition of
"George Hanselman, eldest son and heir of George Hanselman, late of the
Township of Douglass in this County, yeoman deceased, Setting forth that his
said father died intestate leaving a widow to wit Christina and issue Six children
to wit: the Petitioner, Rosina the wife of Henry Hauck, Anna Maria the wife of
Christian Zigler, Barbara the wife of Christian Stever [sic], Rachel the wife
of John Giley and Magdalena the wife of Christian Yorgy. And that the said
intestate died seized in his demesne as {
} of and in a certain messuage or
tenement and two contiguous tracts of land situate in Douglass Township
aforesaid one of them adjoining to land of William Brunner, Herman
Reiffschneider, GEORGE STEINROCK and Henry Yorgy containing fifty acres more or
less, the other adjoining the above tract, Bernard Honneter, Joseph Schweidel
and William Brunner containing twenty one acres and thirty three perches with
the appurtances and there for praying the Court to award and request to make partition
of the said messuage or tenement and two tracts of land...".
The Orphans Court ordered an evaluation of
the property by twelve honest citizens including which was done under authority
of the County Sheriff Philip Kremer. The citizens were: GEORGE GRESH, Berhard
Honnetter, John Nagle, John Keely, Solomon Roads, Jonathan Roths, Jacob Keely,
Daniel Reed, Henry Egle, Philip Levengood, Valentine Fisher and John Rohmich.
The valuation was determined to be two hundred and eighty pounds in gold or silver
money current in Pennsylvania. The panel determined that the property could not
be partitioned for fair distribution and George Hanselman presented surety to
guarantee payment of shares to all the heirs in two payments, the first payment within twelve months and the second payment
due after the widow's death.
This is an important
document to secure and confirm Johan George Steinruck's property location.
George Hanselman's land located solely in Berks County adjoined George
Steinruck's land located soley in Montgomery County. The obvious conclusion is
that the two properties straddled the Berks-Montgomery County Line which is, in
fact, accurate. Another interesting note is that some of the neighbors and
members of the panel to value George Hanselman's land are buried at the Fritz
Burial Ground in close proximity to the Hanselman and Steinruck properties. A
third interesting note is that Anna Barbara, George Hanselman's daughter and
later the wife of Christian Steinruck, son of Johan George Steinruck were in
fact next door neighbors and in close proximity to George Gresh (who's daughter
Salome would later marry Christian Anna Barbara Steinruck's son Samuel. {John
Amtsfield Note]
A History of the Upper
Pottsgrove Township Steinruck Homestead, [by S. Duane Kauffman, 1411
Schwenkmill Rd., Perkasie, PA November 24, 1973] This is a review of the real
estate transactions involving the 102 acre farm between Levengood Road and
Chestnut Grove Road in Upper Pottsgrove Township. Deeds recorded at the
Montgomery County Courthouse at Norristown were used.
The following deed is the key. Following
is an abstract:
516-378 JOHN STEINRUCK
ET AL TO JOHN WEILER, April 2, 1824
Between
John Steinruck and Samuel Steinruck both of Douglass Township, Berks County,
executors of the last will of Christian Steinruck late of Pottstown, parties of
the first part and John Weiler of Pottstown, the other part.
HISTORY OF PROPERTY TO THIS POINT
On March 26, 1761 the tract of 100
acres, 50 perches was granted by Samuel and Mary McCall of Philadelphia to
Joachim Godschalk.
On November 18, 1767 Joachim and
Elizabeth Godshalk granted the tract to George Steinruck.
On July 26, 1796 George and Anna
Steinruck granted the land to "their son, Christian Steinruck".
"Said Christian in his will of
March 1, 1820 instructed property to be sold by his executors, John Steinruck,
Samuel Steinruck, (sons) and Peter Moser (son-in-law). Moser renounced his
responsibility. Weiler paid $775.43 at the time of purchase and $1,066.67 to be
paid immediately after the decease of BARBARA, widow and relict of said
Christian Steinruck, to the heirs of said deceased".
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
"Beginning at a
stone corner of John Mock's land and running thence by the same and land of
John Reifsnyder respectively south fifty six degreees east one hundred and
eighty three perches to a post at the corner of John Reifsnyder's land, Then by
the same south eighty four degrees west four perches to a post and south six
degrees east nineteen perches to a post on corner of John Reifsnyder's (Sr.)
land thence by the same south thirty four degrees west sixty eight perches one
hundred and ninety one perches and a half to a stone corner in a line of
Christian Gorgas' land thence by the same and land of John Mock respectively
north thirty four degrees east eighty six perches and three tenths to the place
of beginning, containing one hundred and two acres of land and sixty five
perches. {witnesses were William Rinehart and John Stauffer]
197-228 JOHN S. WEILER
to HENRY LEVENGOOD, February 23, 1843 (Levengood from Pottstown. In description
Christian Yergey replaces C. Gorgas)
357-410 REBECCA
LEVENGOOD ET AL (Hier of Henry
Levengood) to CAROLINE Y. KEYSER, April 2, 1891
On
a map in the Court House Deed Room, a map of Montgomery County clearly shows
the farm identifed in her (Keyser's] name.
0-74 SHERIFF OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY to REBECCA
M. LEVENGOOD, date ? (Rebecca Levengood repurchased the property).
630-171 REBECCA
LEVENGOOD ET AL to JOHN WAHL, April 15, 1904.
670-1152 JOHN WAHL to
JACOB RISCH of Wilkes Barre, April 18, 1910
781-76 JACOB RISCH to Charles L. John, March 12,
1912
830-355 CHARLES L.
JOHN to LESLIE C. KLINE AND LESLIE BLOOM of Clearfield, PA., June 26, 1912
1190-143 SHERIFF OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY to SECURITY TRUST COMPANY OF POTTSTOWN (1934)
1205-26 SECURITY TRUST OF POTTSTOWN to ROBERT W.
EVANS (Realtor) October 19, 1935.
1336-38 ROBERT W. EVANS to MARY THEIS, CHRISTIAN
THEIS AND NICHOLAS THEIS, May 7, 1940.
At the present time [November 24, 1973]
the farm (100 acres still intact is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Theis and
their son and daughter. (Address: Rt. 20, Pottstown). The house is very old. It
is in three parts. The oldest is log while the later additions are stone. The
exterior has been covered with stucco. The exterior is showing its age but the
interior is quite good and is well maintained. In my contact I found the Theis
family to be extremely amiable and cooperative! At present the property is used
as a large chicken farm.
Submitted by S. Duane
Kauffman, November 24, 1973.
Montgomery County
Atlas; G.M. Hopkins, Philadelpha, 1871 lists the above property under H.
Levengood in Pottsgrove Township. [John J Amtsfield]
Combination Atlas of
Montgomery County, J.D. Scott, Philadelphia 1877 lists the same property under
H. Levengood with 100 acres. [JJA]
The Property Atlas of
Montgomery County, J.L. Smith Co., Philadelphia 1893 lists the same property
under Caroline Y. Keyser with 102 acres. This atlas delineates the property
lines and is apparently the same as the map at the Montgomery County
Courthouse. {John J. Amtsfield]
Philadelphia County
Tax Records, Pennsylvania Archives
Douglas Township
1782 Christian Stinerock Effective Supply Tax
1783 Christian Steinrock, farmer 40 acres
Montgomery County Tax
Assessments Records
Douglas Township Montgomery County
1785 Christian Steinrock 40 acres dw 2h, 2c
1786 Christian Steinrock 40 acres dw 2h, 2c
1787 Christian Steinrock 40 acres dw 2h, 2c Farmer
1788 Christian Steinrock 42 acres dw 2h, 2c
1789 Christian Steinrock 40 acres dw 2h, 2c
1790 Christian Steinrock 3 h, 3 c
1791 Christian Steinrock 2h, 3c
1792 Christian Steinrock 3h, 3c
1793 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 1h, 2c
1794 Christian Steinrock 2h, 2c Farmer
1795 George Steinrock 100 acres dw 1h, 2 c Farmer
1796 sold to Christian Steinrock
1797 Christian Steinrock 100 acres dw Farmer
1798 Christian Steinrock 100 acres dw 2h, 3c Farmer
1799 Christian Steinrock 100 acres dw 2h, 3c Farmer
1800 Christian Steinrock 100 acres dw 2h, 3c Farmer
1801 Christian Steinrock 100 acres dw 2h, 3c Farmer
1802 Christian Steinrock 100 acres dw 2h, 3c Farmer
1803 Christian Steinrock 100 acres dw 2h, 4c Farmer
1804 Christian Steinrock 100 acres dw 2h, 3c Farmer
1805 Christian Steinrock 100 acres dw 1 horse Distillery
1806 Christian Steinrock 100 acres dw 1h, 3c Distillery
Pottsgrove Township formed in 1806
Pottsgrove Township Montgomery County
1807 Christian Steinrook 101 acres dw 2h, 3c distillery farmer
1808 Christian Stayruck 100 acres dw 2h, 3c farmer
1809 Christian Stayrick 100 acres dw 2h, 3c farmer
1810 John Stineruck 1 cow, 1 dog weaver
Christ Stayrick 100 acres 2h,
2c, 1 dog
1811 Christian Steinruck 100 acres bldgs 2h, 2c, 1 dog STILL
1813 Christian Steinruck 100 acres bldgs 2h, 3c, 1 dog STILLS
1814 Christian Steinruck 101 acres dw 2h, 3c, 1 dog STILL
John Steinruck crossed out
1816 Christian Steinruch 101 acres dw 2h, 3c, 1 dog STILL
1819 Christian Steinruck 101 acres dw 2h, 4 c, 1 dog STILL
1820 Christian Starock 101 acres Bldgs 2h, 4 c
1821 Christ Starock 101 acres dw 2h, 4c, 1 dog
Chrisman Staryrough farmer
1822 Christ Starock 101 acres dw 2h, 4c
1823 John & Samuel Steinmor 100 acres bldgs 2 cows
The Douglas Township
Tax Lists specifically state that the 100 acre lot and dwelling owned by George
Steinrock was "sold to Christian Steinruck" in 1797. Thereafter the
same property is listed under Christian Steinruck until 1807 when it appears in
Pottsgrove Township (Pottsgrove Township being formed from parts of Douglas
Township). The property is listed in Pottsgrove Township through 1822. In 1823
the property is listed under the names of John and Samuel Steinmor [sic].
The Journal of David
Schultze, Surveyor living in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County,
contains two entries for George Steinruck. David Schultze was a well known
Colonial surveyor. An entry in his joural dated October 31, 1774 is the
following: "surveyed 40 acres for George Steinruck" (p. 80) and
"am to survey for George Steinruck near manetawny..." (p. 82) from
the Journals and Papers of David Schultze, edited by Andrew S. berky and
published by the Schwenkfelder Library, Pennsburg, PA, 1953. [NOTE: David
Schultze mentions surveying a 40 acre tract in 1774 for George Steinrock and
Christian is listed with a forty acre tract in tax lists from 1783 through
1789. Tax lists for the period before 1782 are not available][NOTE: The Manatawny
Creek runs in a north-south axis through the westside of Pottstown and very
near the Steinruck homestead]
Perkiomen Region,
Volume V, No. 2 dated April 1927, published by the Historical and Natural
Science Society of the Perkiomen Region, H. W. Kriebel, Editor. lists George
and Christian Steinrock on a quitrent list for McCalls Manor dated 1785.
"DAR Patriot
Index", Vol. 2:200
Christian STEINROCK: b
9-15-1756 d abt 11-29-1822 md Regina Lachman Pvt PA.
"DAR Patriot
Index 1982 Supplement" p. 108 lists the following correction: correct
death date: d. 10-15-1822, correct wife: Anna Barbara Heinzelman.
According to the DAR
Application papers of Jane Stahl Hergenhan, filed 23 April 1982, Christian was
a militiaman 1st Class, served in Capt. Jacob Witz's Company, 4th Bat.,
Philadelphia Co., Com. Lt. Col. Anthony Bitting, Esq., Oct. 1781.
1790 PA Census,
Montgomery Co., Remainder of the County,
p. 160: Christn Steinrock lists: l free white male "of 16 years and
upwards", 3 males under 16; 3 females
1800 PA Census,
Montgomery Co., Douglas Township, p. 817: Christian Steinrock l male 26-45; 2
males 16-26; 3 males 10-16; l female 26-45; l female 16-26
1810 PA Census,
Montgomery Co., Pottsgrove Township, P. 1198: Christn Stayruk 1 male 45 and up;
2 males 10-16; 1 female 45 and up; 1
female 0-10
1820 PA Census,
Montgomery County, Pottsgrove Township, p.109: Christian Stark 1 male over 45;
1 male under 10; 1 female over 45; 1 female 10-16.
More About Christian
Steinruck:
Alternate name:
Christian Steinrock
Baptism: June 29,
1783, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Pottstown, PA
Burial: October 1822,
"Pottsgrove" according to Burial Record of Old Organ Church, Chester
Co.; aged 66 years & 27 days