The
LeFevre Bible was brought from France by the LeFevres and is a prize
family posession. |
Conestoga Deeds
Eymans arrived in the Conestoga area in 1764, though Ulrich died quite
soon. His eldest son arrived and figures in the estate settlement though
there is little evidence of land ownership by early Eymans. There was
a Christian Eyman was described as a "freeman" in Conestoga
in 1770 – implying that he was not a land owner.
Henry Eyman's name was the first to appear on land records found to
date. It appeared on land when he sold Lampeter property in 1790 before
heading to Virginia. This land was apparently received from Mary Seeger/Sager's
side of the union, and interestingly adjoined the Lampeter lands of Maria
LeFevre, most likely Maria Agatha, the widow of Ulrich -- who seems to
have married Isaac LeFevre in 1772. This is most likely the Maria LeFevre
who served as sponsor when Henry and Mary's children were baptized in
the Reformed Church.
The name of Christian Eyman first appears on lands in the Conestoga
area when he placed a winning bid for a parcel being sold by the estate
of Peter Kuntz in order to raise cash for estate distribution. Eymans
sold the land to Herr, his brother-in-law within months, suggesting that
the arrangements had been made ahead of time. That the name of the son
of Peter Kuntz went onto the land with the Eymans suggests that the Kuntz
family approved of the transaction. The lands involved adjoined existing
holdings of Herr. The administrator of that estate was Christian Herr,
the brother in law of Christian Eyman, who subsequently left the Long
Lane property adjoining Fehl's Farm and Poslethwait Tavern to Christian
and Susannah – with stipulation for the payment of the heirs of
Christian Herr.
In 1794, Christian Eyman of Conestoga, and a Danniel
Brenneman (wife Barbara) went into partnership on over one hundred acres
of land in Martick which was in later deeds described as timberland. Only
a part of this land was sold to Abraham Huber in 1832 before Christian
Eyman died.
This Danniel Brenneman seems to be the "Daniel
Brenneman, Immigrant of 1764" described by Albert Gerberich in "The
Brenneman History". He arrived on the same boat the Ulrich and his
party, "The Hero" and is thought to have been a cousin of Melchior
Brenneman, Jr. Having arrived, it seems that Brenneman proceeded directly
to Conestoga and as helped by Melchior Jr. in the acquisition of land.
By 1769 he had over 100 acres, and increased holdings rather steadily.
Before 1784 he'd married a daughter of Frederick Mennard who died, for
in that year he married a young widow named Barbara Shank, thus increasing
his fortunes substantially. In about 1785 his family migrated to Virginia
and settled a short distance south of Edinburgh in Shenandoah County;
close to Jacob Brenneman Sr., across the line in Rockingham County. Daniel
continued to own land in Lancaster and seems to have maintained two residences,
though his Lancaster tax payments include no particulars on the family.
He was involved in a number of real estate speculations in Lancaster from
1784 and 1797 where he is thought to have profited substantially. Brenneman
was involved in militia at several points, including service as late as
1794 during the Whiskey Rebellion; a campaign against the "bootleggers"
in Western Pennsylvania. During this period he came to know the Westmoreland
area and paid 1000 pounds for a large tract called "Beaver Spring"
situated along the Little Sewickley Creek in Huntingdon Township of Westmoreland
County. In 17977 he settled permanently there, diving his lands in 1803,
apparently in anticipation of his numbered days.
In 1834, when Christian Eyman died the estate took up the issue of how
to dispose of the Long Lane property, apparently the residence of Eymans.
The land had been purchased by Christian Herr in 1783 from perhaps the
same Martin Bayer (with wife Barbara) from whom Brenneman and Eyman had
purchased Martic timberland.
1790 Sale of Henry Eyman's Lampeter Lands
The land (6 acres adjoining that of Jacob Houser) that Henry the blacksmith
(he was listed as carpenter in other Lampeter listings) sold in 1790 came
from his wife, Mary Sager/Seeger and was acquired apparently as late as
1786; the land has an interesting history having been transferred as part
of a larger parcel of 96 acres from a Mary Sager (1783) to an Elizabeth
(a recorded deed) , apparently sold 1784 (Brown & Carpenter), and
then returning in part for Henry and Mary. Even more interesting is that
the land adjoins that of Mary Lefevre, providing further confirmation
that the Maria Eimaenin, who married Isaac Lefewer at the Trinity Lutheran
Church (1773) was probably Maria Agatha Eyman, widow of Ulrich and mother
of Henry. A Maria LeFevre sponsored the baptisms of Henry's children in
the Reformed Church. This suggests that Henry and Mary lived as neighbors,
adjoining his mother's land.
1792 Manor Land Transfer
In 1792, Christian Eyman and his wife Susanna sold 38 acres of land along
Conestoga Creek adjoining lands already owned to Christian Herr (and adjoining
lands of an Isaac Kauffman and bordering Millerstown) for 532 pounds.
It seems that in 1791 or so, a Peter Kuntz died. Christian Herr had been
mad an administrator of the estate, along with a John Bear. The estate
of Peter included over 158 acres, but was in debt, leading to the sale
of several small parcels. This land had been recently purchased by Eymans
at public sale, and was being sold to Christian Herr. This deed was witnessed
by Joseph Huber (This person may be related to the Abraham Huber who purchased
a small part of the Martic lands in 1832?)
1794 Martic land purchase
In this year, the Martin Bayers (Sr. and Jr. with his wife Barbara) of
Martick sold 129 acres of land to the partnership of Christian Eyman and
Daniel Brenneman for 225 pounds. This land had originally been sold to
Bayers in 1788 by Frederick Radvon and his wife Barbara. The land is described
as adjoining that of Robert Cunningham, William White, William Reed, William
Calhoon, and Christian Hair (Herr?).
1796 Martic land transfer by Brenneman to Eymans
In 1796, Daniel Brenneman, and his wife Barbara, in consideration for
161 pounds, transferred his interest in the lands acquired in 1794 with
Christian to the Eymans. The lands are clearly described as the same as
those purchased by the pair two years previously.
1832 Sale of part of Martic lands to Abraham Huber
In 1832, before the death of Christian Eyman Sr. of Conestoga, an 11
acre part of the Martic lands (described as timberland) was sold to Abraham
Huber, as witnessed by David Eyman and David Fulton. We have no information
about what happened with the remaining portions of this land though we
assume they were likely sold, without qualms by administrators of the
estate. The other lands to be sold apparently involved the loss of an
important family symbol – it's core lands – which could not
be readily divided among the many children involved.
1835 Sale of Long Lane Conestoga Lands
In settling the estate of Christian Eyman, the committee assigned to
appraise properties concluded that the lands in Conestoga could not be
divided so as to satisfy the many heirs, but that instead, the land should
be sold. Subsequently it was sold to a John Warfel by Jacob Harnish and
Jacob Eyman serving as administrators of the Eyman estate.
In 1783, Christian Herr had purchased the 79 acre plantation along Long
Lane from a Martin Bear with wife Barbara. (This may be the same Martin
Bayer from whom Christian Eyman and Danniel Brenneman purchased Martic
lands in 1794.)
Christian Herr died in 1811. In a will dated 1810, this parcel with
its improvements was appraised1800 pounds and left with Christian Eyeman,
the brother-in-law of Christian Herr, with specifications that Eyeman
compensate heirs as indicated in his will.
The land was sold to John Warfel, the highest bidder at a public sale
at the house of Christian Rohrer with proceeds distributed among eight
children of the deceased: John, Christian, David, Abraham, Jacob and three
daughters: Catherine (wife of Jacob Harnish), Nancy (wife of Adam Breneman),
and Magdalena (wife of Henry Forry).
Situated in the township of Conestogoe contained in
and bounded by the following lines and courses to wit beginning at a sone
on a line of John Millers land thence along the same north forty eight
and one half degrees west twenty perches to a white oak thence along a
stream of water and said land of John Miller twenty four perches and five
tenths to a post thence across said stream and the line of Tobias B. Stehmans
land the following: courses to wit north fifty five degrees west eight
perches to a post north eight degrees cast six perches and five tenths
to a post north forty eight degrees east eight perches to a post north
twenty six degrees east eight perches to a post north fifty degrees east
three perches to a post north fifty degrees west seventy one perches to
the middle of a road north thirty one degrees east seven perches and north
fifty and three fourth degrees west one hundred and thirty five perches
and five tenths to the Conestoge Navigation thence up the said navigation
the courses thereof fifty nine perches and five tenths to a white oak
stump thones by land of Jacob Fehl south fifty and three fourth degrees
east two hundred and ninety nine perches to a post; and thence by land
of Martin Kindig deceased south sixty three and one half degrees west
fifty seven perches to the place of beginning containing seventy nine
acres and twenty eight perches neat measure. Together with all and singular
the buildings improvements ways waters water courses woods trees fences
gardens orchards liberties privileges advantages hereditaments and appurtenances
whatso ever thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining and the reversions
remainders rents issues and profits thereof,,, |
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