Rudolph "Rudy" Mourer or Mowery was born during the 1740s probably in Pennsylvania and died in 1810 or 1811 in Rowan Co., NC. The name of his first wife, who he married about 1766, is not known, but she died some time after 1784. His daughter Fronica, by this first marriage, was sponsored at her baptism by Rudolf and Fronica Frick and it is speculated that perhaps Rudy's first wife was one of their daughters. Rudolph is thought to have married Elizabeth about 1796. She was born about 1760 and survived him, but her maiden name is unknown. Since Elizabeth is not on the 1815 tax list of Rowan County, NC., she probably died before then. The first record of Rudy is on a list of children who were admitted for their first Holy Communion at the Old Gosenhoppen German Reformed Church in what is called today Montgomery County, PA. The list was compiled between 1747 and 1758. Rudolph first appears in North Carolina records on a land survey grant for 1778, though he may have been there sooner. In 1778, Reedi Maury, probably Rudi Mowery payed a poll tax in Rowan County in Capt. Berger's District. Others on the same list are Valentine Mowrer and Jacob Mowrer. Frederick Maurer owned property and paid more than the poll tax. He was taxed 124 pounds 13 shillings 0 pence. Frederick is thought to be the brother of Rudolph. Neighborson the 1778 tax list include Jacob Fisher, Michael and Andrew Holshouser. Michael Hartman Dillow, Michael Peeler, Philip Cruse, Peter Eddleman, Jacob Clutts, Peter Barringer and many others. In 1782-83 Rudy Mourer was taxed 20 pounds for his land. He also owned horses, mules and cattle in Capt. Grimigar's district. Strangely, no other Mowerys appear on this tax list. The same neighbors as earlier lists appear on a 1784 tax list for Capt. Grimmenger's district, in southern Rowan County taken by George Henry Berger. Listed next to andrew Holshouser is Rudolph Munro, one white poll and 250 acres. The 250 acres was probably the same 250 acres granted Rudolph by the state of North Carolina 4 Nov 1784, on the waters of Hampton Creek adjoining Frederick Mowery, who is thought to be Rudolph's brother. Also listed in 1784 is Jacob Monro, one white poll and 550 acres. Another alphabetized list shows 550 acres taxed to Fridrick Monro. This original tax list is lost and when they were published in 1995, the compiler wrote, " It is great pity that we lack access to the original list so that the German names could be translated or presented in the German script." These men whose names were copied by WPA workers as Monro and Munro were probably Mowerys who lived in the distict. In 1788 the tax list for Capt. Robert Linns's district in southern Rowan County contains the names of Rudey Mouer, one white poll and 290 acres. Rudolph must have purchased another 40 acres between 1784 and 1788. Also taxed was Frederick Moure, one white poll and 536 acres. Rudolph is on the 1790 census of Rowan County, NC living is Salisbury District. In 1796, in Capt. John Rendleman's district, Rudolph Mourer is taxed, having two white polls and 290 acres. Also taxed is Frederick and Peter Mourer, thought to be Rudolph's brother and nephew. In the same district in southern Rowan County in 1798 was Rudolph Mourer 290 acres and one white poll. Peter, with 536 acres and two white polls was also taxed there in 1798. Rudolph is also on the 1800 census of Rowan County, NC. Rudolph made his will 17 Feb 1810, Rowan County, and it was probated 5 Feb 1811, meaning he died between those dates. He named his son, Henry, executor of his will. The will is filed in Rowan County court house in Salibury, Book G page 174. In the name of God Amen The 17th day of February in the year of our Lord 1810 I, Rudolph Mowre of the county of Rowan and the state of North Carolina being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for the same and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament (that is to say) principally and first I give and recommend it to the earth to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my executors nothing doubting that at the General Resurrection to obtain everlasting happiness in the life to come through the merrits and mediation of my Blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ, and as touching my wordly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give and devise and dispose of the same in manner and form following (that is to say) in the first place-- I give and bequeth unto Elizabeth my dearly beloved wife all my property in the house and out of the house that I am possessed of at my death, to her use while she liveth, and at her death it is my will that my son Frederick shall have one feather bed and furniture, his choice and five pounds in money and after that I allow all my property that remains to be equally divided among all my children, each one to have an equal part, and I also constitute and appoint my son Henry and William Hampton my executors of this my last will and testament-- -- -- And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and duannull all and every former testaments, wills and legacies, bequests and executors by me in anywise before this time named, willed and bequethed, rattifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Rudolph (x) Mowre Robert Morgan Nathan Morgan (jurat) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The burial place of Rudolph is not known, but it is possible that he attended Lower Stone German Reformed Church which was in the southern part of Rowan County, not far from his home. He may be buried in that cemetery, but there is no marker there now for him. The heirs of Rudolph Mowery sold on 26 Dec 1835, 50 acres of land on Panther Creek, formerly owned by Rudolph, to Daniel Frick. The heirs who signed or made their marks were: Henry Mowery, Peter Mowery, Jacob Mowery, Barbary Mowery (widow of John), Barbary Lezer and Peter Cauble (husband of Fedney Mowery). per (Darrel Dexter)