Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: User Home Page Book: Norfleet, Campbell, Mayfield and Mortier Ancestors of Philip C. Norfleet: NGS Quarterly Report of John Mortier

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Descendants of John Mortier

Generation No. 1

1. John¹ Mortier was born 1797 in Belgium, and died 17 October, 1866 in Jefferson County WI. He married Barbara Katrina Muller in Belgium.

Notes for John Mortier:

LAND ACQUISITIONS OF JOHN MORTIER

Per the land records of Jefferson County, Wisconsin, John Mortier acquired two (2) forty-acre tracts of farmland near the village of Palmyra as follows:

1) By indenture, dated 11 April 1851, William Gregory and Mary, his wife, conveyed 40 acres of land in fee simple to John Mortier for $70 [see Jefferson County WI, Deed Book 10, Pages 132-133].

2) By indenture, dated 20 January 1859, John King and Hannah, his wife, conveyed 40 acres of land in fee simple to John Mortier for $247 [see Jefferson County WI, deed Book 33, Page 34].

1860 CENSUS EVALUATION

In the 1860 Federal Census for Jefferson County, Wisconsin, John Mortier is stated to be the holder of real propery worth $1,000.00 and personal property worth $ 175.00.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

John Mortier's will, dated 30 March 1861, was probated in Jefferson County, Wisconsin on 3 December 1866. The will reads as follows [see Jefferson County WI, Deed Book 87, pages 387-388]:

"In the name of God. Amen! I, John Mortier of the town of Palmyra in the County of Jefferson, being of sound disposing mind and memory and understanding and in view of the uncertainity of life and in order to make a proper disposition of those earthly goods with which Heaven has mercifully endowed me, do make and publish this my last will and testement in manner and form following, That is to say:

"First: I will and direct that the expenses of my funeral and all my just debts be fully paid out of my estate as soon as may be after my decease.

"Secondly: I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my wife Barbara Katrina Mortier with whom I am now living the use of all my estate both personal and real which may remain after the payment of my funeral expenses and debts as hereinbefore directed and I hereby will and direct that of the use of such of my estate she suitably provide and care for the minor children to me begotten by her, there are at present Louis, James, Elizabeth, and Mary, that she give them such support and instruction as the profits of my said estate shall allow after making suitable provision for herself, until they become of age.

"Thirdly: After the decease of my dear wife Barbara Katrina I will and direct that out of my estate - as my daughter Caroline is already in a measure provided for - my sons Louis and James be paid each the sum of One hundred dollars and my two daughters Elizabeth and Mary be paid each the sum of Fifty dollars as soon as can be conveniently done after the decease of my wife Barbara.

"Fourthly: After paying the above legacies I give and bequeath to my five children Caroline, Louis, James, Elizabeth and Mary which children were born to me by my wife Barbara, all my estate real and personal which may remain after such legacies are paid, the said estate to be divided equally between such children share and share alike without partiality to either, and in case any of the five children shall die before such division then I will and direct that my estate both real and personal be divided equally between the survivors of the said five children share and share alike.

"Fifthly: I hereby appoint my said wife guardian of my said children, Louis, james, Elizabeth and Mary, the said Caroline being already of age.

"Sixthly and lastly: I hereby appoint my friend Nathan F. Smith of Palmyra, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, Executor of this my last will and testament.

"In Witness Whereof, I have hereto set my hand and seal this 30th day of March A. D.1861.

/S/ John Mortier (his mark)

RECORD OF COURT JUDGMENT

A Jefferson County Court Judgment (No. 124971) concerning the estate of John Mortier, Deceased, dated 5 January 1886, provided for the division of the estate after the death of both John Mortier and Barbara Mortier, his wife. The death dates of both John Mortier,17 October 1866, and Barbara Mortier, 11 May 1885, are set forth therein. Also, John's 80 acre farm is explicitly described as follows [see Jefferson County WI, Deed Book 87, pages 389-390]:

"The West half (1/2) of the South East quarter (1/4) of Section Number nine (9) Township number five (5) North range sixteen (16) East."

PLACE OF BURIAL

John Mortier is buried in Zion Cemetery, which is located about two miles northeast of the town of Palmyra, Jefferson County, Wisconsin. His tombstone, although broken, was still intact in the cemetery as of June 1998.

Notes for Barbara Katrina Muller:

Her middle name, Katrina, is sometimes anglicised to Catherine or Caroline in some records. Her German last name, Muller, is usually rendered as Miller. She is buried in Zion Cemetery, near the town of Palmyra in Jefferson County WI. Her tombstone indicates that she was 89 years old at the time of her death.

A notice in the "Palmyra Enterprise" for Wednesday, 13 May 1885 reads as follows:

"MORTIER - In Palmyra May 11th, 1885, Mrs. B. Mortier, mother of James and Louis Mortier, aged 90 years. Mrs. Mortie was an old and respected resident of Palmyra."

There seem to be some uncertainty regarding her actual age at death. The census records for 1860, 1870 and 1880, with repect to her age, are not consistent with each other:

1860 Census - Barbara's age given as 40 (implying a birth year of about 1820).

1870 Census - Barbara's age given as 60 (implying a birth year of about 1810).

1880 Census - Barbara's age given as 86 (implying a birth year of about 1794).

I am inclined to believe the 1860 Census, taken when her husband was still alive, i. e., a birth year of about 1820 This younger age is also more realistic considering the birth years of her children. Her eldest child was born in 1839 and her youngest was born in 1851.

Children of John Mortier and Barbara Muller are:

+	2	i.	Caroline² Mortier, born 01 October, 1839 in Belgium; died 06 October, 1906 in Republic, Iowa.
+	3	ii.	Louis Mortier, born 05 February, 1843 in Belgium; died 23 February, 1917 in Wisconsin.
+	4	iii.	James Mortier, born 25 December, 1846 in Milwaukee County WI; died 15 May, 1920 in Jefferson County WI.
+	5	iv.	Elizabeth Mortier, born Abt. 1848 in Wisconsin; died Aft. 1920.
	6	v.	Mary Mortier, born 1851; died 1934. She married Timothy H. Morris 10 September, 1869 in Jefferson County WI.

Notes for Timothy H. Morris:

Timothy acquired the 80-acre farm of his deceased father-in-law, John Mortier, on 6 January 1886 [see Quit Claim Deed, Jefferson County WI, Deed Book 87,pages 406-407].

Marriage Notes for Mary Mortier and Timothy Morris:

Marriage is recorded in Jefferson County Marriage Book 2, page 48.

Page 75 of 105

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