The surname Rohrer can be traced to Brandenburg-Prussia, Germany, the birthplace of modern Germany.
In the 16th century and onwards, the name branched to Mecklenburg, Finland, Bavaria, Basel, Bern, Prussia, Silesia and Corinthia.
There were many different spellings of the name--Rohre, Roehr, Roehrer, Rohrer, Rorer, Ror, Rore, Roar, Roare, Rhor, Rhore, Rorau (Silesia), Rohr, Roer, Roeher, Roehrs to name a few examples.
Migration to the new world of this surname began around 1650.
Settlers bearing the name Rohrer include Johannes Roar, who sailed to Philadelphia in 1728. Others to Philadelphia were Baltzar Roer 1729, Jacob Rohr 1731, Johannes Rore 1738, Jacob Rohrer 1750 and Joseph Roarer 1754. Jacob Rohr went to Paraguay in 1877 and Georg Rohr to Rio de Janero, Brazil in 1878. (1)
The number of Jacob Rohrers in Pennsylvania and Maryland are so numerous that parentage of Jacob Isaac Rohrer has not been proven.
Mention of Jacob Rohrer in Holmes County, Ohio historical writings state that he came from Somerset County, Pennsylvania. However, he, b 1780 and Magdalene Rohrer, b 1792, daughter of John and Eva Bowers Rohrer, were both born in Maryland. In 1811 they were married in Washington County, Maryland.
On February 10, 1817, Abraham Shane and Henry Northrup sold "Lots 25 and 26 of the 3rd quarter, ninth township, 5th range" to Frederick Rohrer of Washington County, Maryland for $550. This land was from patents granted by President James Madison on September 27 and November 29, 1816 as warrants for military service.(2) On November 20, 1817, Frederick sold them to Jacob Rohrer for $1400. Each lot contained 100 acres and included buildings and orchards. At the time of the sale, Frederick Rohrer appears to be single or widowed because there was no mention of his wife on the deed. (3)
In 1817 Shane and Northrup sold lots 30 and 31 to Jacob Rohrer. These lots adjoined Berlin on the south.(4)
By 1826 Jacob had acquired 500 acres valued at $825. He had four horses and three cattle valued at $184, plus a frame house valued at $200.(5)
There were seven children born to Jacob Isaac and Magdalena who lived to adulthood: Martin (1811), Daniel (1812), David (1813), Susanne (1815), Leah Margaret (1817), John (1821), and Jacob (1824). The first four were born in Maryland and the last three born in Ohio.
Martin married Magdalena Weaver; Daniel married Lydia Gindlesberger; David married Sarah Jane Wible; Susanne married Peter Weaver II; Leah Margaret married David Weaver; Jacob married Catherine Myres; and John married Sarah Ritter. All were married in Holmes County, Ohio. All except John and Jacob were married by either ministers of the High Dutch/German Reformed Church or the Lutheran Church. Jacob was married by a Justice of the Peace. I have not found who married John and Sarah.
Descendants of Jacob Isaac Rohrer celebrated their 100th Family Reunion in 2006 in Elkhart County, IN.
If you are a descendant of this family, please contact me so that we can make your acquaintance.
We are also searching for the parents of Jacob Isaac Rohrer.
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(1) Hall of Names, Inc.
(2) Vol. 11 (Transcripts) p. 33, Holmes County, Ohio, Probate Court, Millersburg
(3) Ibid. p. 46-47
(4) Ibid. p. 67-68
(5) Holmes County History, George Newton
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Will of Jacob Isaac Rohrer
(From Will Book No. 1, p. 301-302, Holmes County Probate Court, Millersburg, Ohio. The name is written to look like "Rohner", and Jacob refers to himself as Isaac. I have corrected some spellings and added punctuation to make it more easily read. The will was written on April 11, 1845 and probated May 21, 1850.)
In the name of the benevolent Father, I, Isaac Rhorer of German Twp. Holmes Co., Ohio do make and publish this my last Will and Testament.
1st - I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, in liu of her dower thirty acres, off of the south side of the
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