Mennonite Preacher Martin Boehm
In the will of Christian Hershey Herr is a stipulation
for support of the ministry to the poor of Martin Beam. Most likely this
is the Martin Boehm, who along with Preacher Otterbeiner of the Reformed
Church were first bishops of the United Brethren Church. Boehm, a reluctant
spokesman at first, spoke for a more personal and emotional engagement
with on'e maker.Turned out of the conservative Mennonite church, he explored
Methodist practice and sparked interdenominational efforts to proseletize,
especially in Maryland and Virginia where Germans were quickly moving.
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The will of Christian Herr
1811
It's been hoped that we might learn something about Eymans from efforts
to learn more about people with whom they were associated. Among those
is Christian Herr, grand son of Hans Herr, the first Mennonite Bishop
in America. It's believed that this Christian Herr was the son of Christian
Herr who built and lived in the stone "Herr House" – the
longest standing residence in Lancaster County. (Another account suggests
that this Christian was the son and grandson of Christians from a brother
of Hans who migrated with him to the new world.) It's believed by most
that the mother of this Christian Herr was Barbara Hershey.
Below will be presented the will of Christian Herr in 1811. This is an important
document in Eyman history since the will establishes several facts and provides
room to speculate on many possibilities. First, the will was the source of
the lands in Conestoga long thought to where Christian Eymans lived. In fact
it wasn't acquired, at least formally, until after 1800.
The land adjoining Fehl's Farm where Christian Eymans were
buried in 1822 and 1834 was acquired via the stipulations of the will
below. The relationship between Christian Herr and the Eymans apparently
stems from the fact that his wife, Catherine was an Eyman! This will clearly
spells out the relationship with Christian as that of brother-in law.
This "Catherine" is often known in Herr Genealogy as "Christiana
Eyerman".
It's interesting that in this will, Christian Herr defines
himself as an aging saw miller. Eymans through history have often been involved
with timber, as with the Christian of Hardy who had a sawmill and a grist-mill.
In more current times, the Felix Grundy Iman who migrated to the Northwest,
though he could neither read nor write built several sawmills and had the skills
to hand-build steamships.
Much about the will is charming. Catherine, to the extent
that she remains a widow, is granted cash, furnishings of her choice, residence
rights, etc. There are numerous stipulations of the nephews who inherit the
right to purchase land from the estate as to their obligations to provide cider
apples, to manure her lands appropriately, provide grains of specific quantity
and quality, etc. Interestingly, the nephews and Eymans, though they wind up
with land, also carry large on-going cash obligations to support heirs often
of an earlier generation. And nobody is to move any of the stoves in the respective
dwellings on his properties;-)
Christian left his servant girl named Mary in the service
of his wife during the remaining terms of servitude. Likely this was an indentured
immigrant.
The will specifically mentions brothers Abraham (deceased),
David, Emanuel, and sisters Mary, and Barbara Beam (See note on Beams later.)
Further research on these names, as well as those of John and Emanual (the nephews)
will be helpful. Sisters of Christian included Barbara Beam and Mary Bachman.
Other names for future research: The will was witnessed by Philip Gloninger,
John Getz, and Matthias Young.
Land are also left to 3 Lehman children, though no specific
relationship to them is identified. Catherine Lehman, John Lehman, and Suzanne
Lehman seem to be young children, and Christian Eyeman is designated Guardian
of their estates until such a time as they are of age. (One thing that's intriguing
about this is that First Reformed Church records in Lancaster show the marriage
of a Maria Eyman and a Daniel Leyman in about 1791. It's not known who this
Maria is, though Ulrich had brought a daughter by that name in 1764 about whom
little is known. Though Maria Eyman did appear to have received a minor inheritance,
no probate papers seem to have been found for her care, as they were in the
case of Henry.)
The will includes a donation to the poor through the ministry
of a Martin Beam. This latter finding is very interesting and helps put family
religious history into context. It seems very likely that this "Martin
Bean" is the Reverend Martin Boehm, Mennonite Bishop who in trying to modernize
the church got thrown out; who proselytized through Maryland and Virginia and
combined with William Otterbein of the German Reformed Church toward foundations
of the United Brethren Church, of which Boehm was elected bishop at their first
annual conference in1800.
Martin Boehm, born 1725 on Willow Street in Conestoga, was
the son of Jacob Boehm and Barbara Kendig. He married Eva Steiner, a daughter
of Catherine Brenneman – with Catherine being the sister of Melchior Jr.
with whom Eymans were associated from the first days of Conestoga. Martin died
in 1812 in Lancaster, shortly after our Christian Herr, and was buried at Boehm's
Chapel on Willow Street. Martin and Eva had 11 children, including an Abraham,
who seems to have married a sister of Christian Hershey Herr.
According to one archive entry on the history of the Methodist
church, " Martin was expelled from the Mennonites for his "too evangelical
opinions" and became bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.
There are many stories about this quiet and unpresuming man who spoke reluctantly
and sought a more personal and emotional connection to religious commitment.
The family home at Conestoga sheltered many of the itinerant preachers of the
pioneer period of Methodism."
Several other facts emerging from the will support these associations.
First, two sisters are mentioned: Barbara Bear and Mary Bachman. We believe
that the sister, Barbara Hershey Herr (in some accounts, this Christian Herr
is described as Christian Hershey Herr with reference to his mother, a Barbara
Hershey) first married Henry Meyer Kindig, and subsequently married Abraham
Boehm, the brother of Martin Boehm. Mary/Maria Hershey Herr, born 1730 is thought
to have married John Bachman/ Bauman/ Baughman in 1729 and to have had one son,
Christian Herr Bachman/Bauman.
Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition:
Boehm, Martin
1725–1812, American evangelical preacher, b. Conestoga,
Pa. He was the son of a Palatinate Mennonite who settled in Lancaster co., Pa.
Boehm became a Mennonite preacher c.1756 and a bishop in 1759. A personal conversion
resulted in dissatisfaction with the formalism of his denomination and his adoption
of a more evangelistic type of preaching. He was excluded from the Mennonite
Church. In association with Philip William Otterbein, whom he met c.1768, he
traveled as an evangelist through Pennsylvania and Maryland and into Virginia,
attracting large audiences, especially in the German settlements. Boehm was
allied with the Methodists for a time, but finally became one of the founders
of the United Brethren in Christ (see Evangelical United Brethren Church), of
which he was elected bishop at the first annual conference in 1800.
Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition: (In an entry
outlining the history of the Evangelical United Brethren Church:)
The United Brethren in Christ came into being as a result
of the evangelistic preaching of Philip William Otterbein of the German Reformed
Church and Martin Boehm, a Mennonite bishop. These two ministers conducted revivals
among the German-speaking people of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The
methods of Albright, Otterbein, and Boehm were similar: after evangelistic meetings,
converts were encouraged to form classes or societies for strengthening their
spiritual life. The groups formed under Albright held a general conference in
1807 at which he was elected bishop; in 1816 the name Evangelical Association
was adopted. In 1891 a group that became the United Evangelical Church seceded
from the Evangelical Association, but in 1922 the two bodies reunited as the
Evangelical Church. The societies formed under Otterbein and Boehm took shape
as a distinct ecclesiastical body, to be known as the United Brethren in Christ,
at a conference in 1800, at which the two ministers were elected bishops.
The will of Christian Herr
In the name of God amen! I Christian Herr of the Township of Manor in the
County of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania Saw Miller being far advanced
in years but of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding Do make
and declare this my Last Will and Testament in Manner following to wit. I
commend my Soul to God and my Body I commend to the Earth to be decently interred
as my Executors shall direct in Humble hope of a glorious Resurrection and
a happy Admission into the Regions of immortal Bliss and Glory in and through
the Merits of my Mediator and Redeemer Jesus Christ. And as to such worldly
Estate wherewith God hath blessed me I do give devise and bequeath the same
in Manner following to wit.
Imprimis it is my Will and I do order and direct that my Just Debts and Funeral
Expenses be paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be done after my
decease.
Item. I do give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife Catharine the sum of one
thousand Pounds in specie of Gold or Silver coin to be paid her immediately
or as soon as conveniently may be done after my decease, and also three Feather
Beds with the Bedsteads and double Bedclothes Furniture and Bedding thereto
belonging, allowing her the Choice amongst those of which I shall die possessed
and likewise one Chest one wild cherry Clothespress with all the contents
thereof one Kitchen Dresser with all it's Contents together with so much of
my Kitchen Furniture as she may choose to take my Clock with the base all
my Hemp and Flax and all my Linen, one Horse or Mare and two Milch cows, allowing
her the choice amongst those of which I shall die possessed to and for her
proper use and benefit and to be at her Disposal. And it is my will that my
Servant girl named Mary do and shall continue in the service of my said wife
during the Remainder of her Term of Servitude.
Item, it is my will and I do hereby order and decree that my said Wife Catharine
shall and may have the Right Liberty and Privilege to live and reside in and
occupy possess and enjoy my new two story Dwelling House standing near my
old Dwelling House situate on the plantation whereon I now reside and also
the use and Benefit of the Garden situate near the Spring House and of the
one half part of the large garden situate on the Plantation aforesaid which
garden and part of the large garden shall be sufficiently manured for her
by the possessor of that part of my plantation aforesaid from time to time
together also with the use and privilege of the said Spring House and of the
Waters of the Spring as Occasion shall require and also full Right and Privilege
to take as many Apples and as much Fruit of the Orchard and Trees on this
my Plantation whereon I now reside as she may want for her own use and Apples
for making three Barrels of good Cider yearly (in case the orchard produces
a sufficiency of Apples for that Purpose) for an during the Term of her Natural
Life, if she remains my Widow. And it is further my Will and I do order and
direct that my Nephew Emanuel Herr do and shall find and provide for my said
Wife and deliver to her at her Door good and sufficient Firewood ready cut
and fit for her use from Time to Time during the Term aforesaid, if she remains
my Widow. And shall likewise during the said Term or during her widowhood,
keep in good and sufficient Stabling, Fodder, Hay, and Pasture, one Horse
or Mare and two Cows for the Benefit of my said Wife.
Item. It is my Will and I do order and direct that my Nephew John Herr do
and shall find and provide for my said Wife, and deliver to her yearly and
every year during the Term of her Natural Life provided she remains my Widow,
five Bushels of good clean Wheat, five Bushels of good clean Rye, and five
Bushels of good clean Indian Corn, and well and sufficiently plough cultivate
prepare put in and sow one quarter of an acre of ground with Flax seed for
her use and benefit.
Item I do give and bequeath upon my said wife Catherine, all that Piece or
Parcel of Land (purchased by me of Jacob Rickenbacher) situate in the Township
of Conestogoe in the said County of Lancaster, containing Twenty nine Acres
and one half of an acre be the same more or less, with all the Houses Buildings
Improvements and Appurtenances therein and thereto belonging. To hold to her
my said wife Catherine to and for her proper use and benefit for and during
the Term of her Natural Life, is she remains my widow. Which said Legal..
and Bequests Privileges and Allowances to my said wife are and are hereby
declared to be and shall be deemed and taken for an in lieu and on full Satisfaction
of and for her Dower or Thirds at Common Law and all claims and Demands whatsoever
of into and out of my Estate.
Item form and after the decease or marriage of my said Wife Catharine (whichsoever
shall happen first) I do give devise and bequeath unto Catherine Leyman, John
Leyman, and Susanne Leyman, and to their Heirs and Assigns, All my said Piece
or Parcel of land (purchased by me of Jacob Rickenbacher) situate and being
in the Township of Conestogoe in the County of Lancaster aforesaid containing
Twenty nine Acres and one half of an acre, be the same more or less with all
the Buildings Improvements and Appertenances thereon and thereto belonging.
To hold to them the said Catharine Leyman, John Leyman, and Susanna Leyman
their heirs ande Assigns forever, as Tenants in Common that is to say as to
two equal undivided fourth parts thereof to the use and behoof of the said
Catharine Leyman her Heirs and Assigns forever, as to one equal undivided
fourth part thereof to the use and behoof of the said John Leyman his Heirs
and Assigns forever, and as to the remaning equal undivided fourth part thereof
to the use and behoof of the said Susanna Leyman her Heris and Assigns forever.
Item I do give devise and bequeath unto my Nephew John Herr (one of the sons
of my brother David Herr) and to his Heirs and Assigns, All that Tract or
Parcel of Land situate in the Township of Manor in the County of Lancaster
aforesaid, bounded by Lands late of my Brother Abraham Herr deceased, the
Heirs of Peter Kuntz deceased and by Conestogoe Creek being Part and Parcel
of the Plantation whereon I do live or reside and divided therefrom by the
following lines and courses, to wit – beginning at a post near a Water
Beach on the Bank of Conestogoe Creek, thence South sixty four degrees and
one half of a degree West one hundred and ten perches to a post, South twenty
five degrees and an half of a degree East three perches to a post. South Sixty
degrees and an half of a degree. West twenty four perches to an Ash, South
Sixteen degrees East ten perches and an half of a perch to a post, and South
sixty two degrees West forty perches through a Burying Ground to a post in
the Line of the said Land late of my Brother, Abraham deceased, containing
one hundred and six acres and the usual allowances of Six Acres percent for
Roads and Highways be the same mro0e or less with all and singular the Houses
Buildings Improvements and Appurtenances whatsoever thereon and hereto belonging
or in anywise appertaining. To hold to him my said Nephew John Herr his Heirs
and Assigns forever under and subject to the provisions of the sundry Necessaries(?)
for my said Wife Catharine yearly and every year during the Term of her Natural
Life or Widowhood to be found, provided and delivered by him or them or her
in quantity and quality as herein before mentioned and directed and I do value
and charge the (?) promises to be said Nephew John Herr at and for the sum
of one thousand pounds in specie of gold or silver coin current in Pennsylvania.
And I direct and appoint the payment of the said sum in the manner following
to wit, the sum of five hundred part thereof in one year after my decease.
One hundred pounds other part thereof, in two years after my decease, and
one hundred pounds yearly and every year after the last mentioned payment
until the same be fully paid and discharged.
Item I do give devise and bequeath unto my Newphew Emanual Herr (son of my
Brother Emanual Herr) and to his heirs and Assigns All that Tract or Parcel
of Land where can the said Dwelling Houses and other buildings are erected
and do stand, situate in the Township of Manor in the County of Lancaster
aforesaid adjoining to the Lands late of my said Brother Abraham Her deceased
and to Conestogoe Creek and likewise to the land herein before devised to
my said Nephew John Herr being the other Part or Resi9due and Remainder of
the Plantation whereon I now live or reside, and divided or separated therefrom
by the lines or courses and distances herein before specified and represented(?)
Containing about one hundred and twenty acres and the usual Allowance of Five
acres per cent for roads and Highways, be the same more or less. Together
with all and singular the Houses buildings Improvements and Appurtenances
whatsoever thereon and thereto belonging or in any wise appertaining. To hold
to him my said Nephew Emanuel Herr his Heirs and Assigns forever . Under and
subject to the Liberties and Privileges hereinbefore given to my said Wife
Catharine in upon and out of the Land and Premises aforesaid and to the Duties
and Services herein before mentioned and directed to be done and rendered
by him or them to her for an during the Term of her Natural Life or Widowhood.
And I do value and charge the same promises to my said Nephew Emanuel Herr
at and for the Sum of Eighteen hundred Pounds in specie of Gold or Silver
Coin current in Pennsylvani9a. And I do direct and appoint the payment of
the said some in the manner following to wit; the sum of five hundred pounds
part thereof in one year after my decease the further sum of one hundred pounds
other part thereof two years after my decease and the sum of one hundred pounds
every year after the last mentioned payment until the same be fully paid and
discharged.
Item I do give devise and bequeath to my said Nephews John Herr and Emanuel
Herr their Heirs and Assigns All that my Tract or Parcel of land situate and
being in the township of Martick in the said County of Lancaster, adjopining
to the several lands of Benjamein Bear, John Wharry, and others containing
one hundred and fifty acres and the usual allowance of six acres per cent
for Roads and Highways, be the same more or less with all the Buildings, Improvements,
and Appurtenances thereon, and thereto belonging. To hold to them my said
Nephews John Herr and Emanuel Herr their Heirs and Assigns forever as Tenants
in Common that is to say as to one equal undivided Moity (?) or half part
thereof to the use and benefit of the said John Herr his Heirs and Assigns
forever, and as to the other equal undivided Mkop9ity or half part thereof
to the use and behoof of the said Emanuel Herr his Heirs and Assigns forever.
Item: I do give devise and bequeath unto my Brother in Law Christian Eyeman
his Heirs and Assigns, All that my Plantation on Tract of Land (purchased
by me of Martin Bear) situate in the Township of Conestoga in the County of
Lancaster aforesaid, containing Eighty Acres be the same more or less. Together
with all the Buildings Improvements and Appurtenances therein and thereto
belonging, To hold to him the said Christian Eyeman his Heirs and Assigns
to an for his and their proper use Benefit and Behalf forever. And I do value
and charge the same Premises to the said Christian Eyeman at and for the sum
of Eighteen hundred Pounds in Specie of Gold or Silver Coin current in Pennsylvania.
And I do direct and appoint the payment of the said sum in manner following,
to wit. The sum of one thousand pounds part thereof in one year after my decease,
further sum of one hundred pounds other part thereof in two years after my
decease, and one hundred pounds yearly and every year after the last mentioned
payment until the same be fully paid and discharged. …
Item: I do give and bequeath and order to be paid as soon as conveniently
mad be after my decease unto Martin Beam or the Preacher for the time being
of the Congregation now under his ministry in Conestoga Township aforesaid,
the sum of fifty pounds to be distributed by him to and amongst the poor in
such manner as he shall think proper.
Item. I do give and bequeath unto Catharine Leyman, herein before named,
the sum of one hundred pounds to be paid her immediately or as soon as conveniently
may be done after my decease.
Item I do give and bequeath and order to be paid as soon as conveniently
may be after my decease unto my brother David Herr the sum of one hundred
pounds, over and besides his equal share of the residue or remainder or my
estate herinafter mentioned.
Item It is my Will and I do direct that none of my stoves shall be moved
but shall remain in the several houses to and for the use of the several respective
persons to whom my lands are severally given and devised.
Item as to all the rest residue and remainder of my estate. Real and personal
not herein before particularly given devised or bequeathed (including the
said sum of one thousand pounds charged upon and made payable for the land
herein devised to my said Nephew John Herr and the sum of Eighteen hundred
pounds charged upon and made payable for the land herein devised to my said
Nephew Emanuel Herr and the sum of Eighteen hundred pounds so as foresaid
charged upon and made payable for the land herein devised to the said Christian
Eyeman) I do give devise and bequeath the same unto the several persons hereinafter
named in Manner following to wit. One equal fifth part thereof. I do give
devise and bequeath unto my sister Barbara Beam her Heirs Executors Administrators
Assigns forever one other equal fifth part thereof I do give devise and bequeath
unto my sister Mary Bachman her Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns
forever. One other equal fifth part thereof I do give devise and bequeath
unto my said Brother David Herr his heirs Executors. Administrators and Assigns
forever. One other equal fifth part thereof I do give devise and bequeath
unto my Nephews Emanual Herr and Christian Herr (sons of my Brother Emanuel
Herr). Share and share alike and their respective Heirs Executors Administrators
and Assigns forever as Tenants in common and the other equal fifth part thereof
I do give devise and bequeath and order and direct to be equally divided to
and between all the children of my Brother Abraham Herr deceased, and their
several and respective Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns forever
as tenants in Common.
And lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said Nephew John
Herr (son of my said Brother, David and my trusty friend John Eschbach and
the Survivor of them Executors and Executor of this my last will and testament
and I do constitute and appoint the said Christian Eyeman Guardian over the
Estates of the said Catharine Leyman, John Leyman, and Susanna Leyman during
each of their Minorities respectively.
Hereby revoking all former and other wills or wills testaments and testaments
by me made and declaring this and no other to be an contain my last will and
testament. In witness whereof I have hereupon to set my Hand and Seal the
Twenty Fifth Day of May of the yar of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred
and Ten
Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by the Testator Christian
Herr as and for his Last Will and Testament in the Presence of us, who in
his Presence and at his Request have subscribed our Names at Witnesses thereto
– it being wrote on seven Pages or Sides of Paper
Mathias Young, John Gets, Philip Gloninger
Lancaster County on the 11th day of October 1811.
Before me the subscribers personally appeared Matthias Young, John Getz,
and Philip Gloninger the three subscribing witnesses to the within and foregoing
will who being duly qualified according to law do declare, depose and say
that they were present and saw and heard Christian Herr the testator etherin
named sign seal publish pronounce and declare the within and foregoing writing
as and for his last will and testament ant that at the doing thereof, he was
of sound and well disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of
their knowledge observation and belief.
William Buasman Reg.
Be it remembered that on the 11th day of October 1811 The last
Will and Testament of Christian Herr was proved in due form of law and letters
testamentary thereon were granted to John Herr and John Eschbach the Executors
therein named they having first been duly qualified well and truly to Administer
the estate of the said deceased especially to exhibit a true and perfect Inventory
of these cof into the Registers Office at Lancaster within one month from
this date and to render a true and just account of their Executorship on said
estate within one year or when thereunto lawfully required, given under the
seal of said office
William Bausman, Reg. |
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