Davis Uriah I | Born 1707

HARNSBERGER, Jacob

Male Abt 1789 - 1861  (~ 72 years)


Generations:      Standard    |    Vertical    |    Compact    |    Box    |    Text    |    Ahnentafel    |    Fan Chart    |    Media    |    PDF

Generation: 1

  1. 1.  HARNSBERGER, Jacob was born Abt 1789, Virginia (son of HARNSBERGER, Henry and BEAR, Mary Ann); died 17 Sep 1861, Rockingham County, Virginia.

Generation: 2

  1. 2.  HARNSBERGER, Henry was born 16 Oct 1752, Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia (son of HARNSBERGER, Stephen and SCHIETLEY, Ursula); died 16 Jul 1834.

    Notes:



    Henry is buried at Bridgewater, Rockingham Co., Virginia

    Henry married BEAR, Mary Ann 7 Mar 1780, Rockingham County, Virginia. Mary (daughter of BEAR, Jacob and MILLER, Anna Barbara) was born 27 Mar 1757, Rockbridge Parish, Rockbridge, Virginia; died 25 Jun 1824, Bridgewater, Rockingham County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]


  2. 3.  BEAR, Mary Ann was born 27 Mar 1757, Rockbridge Parish, Rockbridge, Virginia (daughter of BEAR, Jacob and MILLER, Anna Barbara); died 25 Jun 1824, Bridgewater, Rockingham County, Virginia.
    Children:
    1. 1. HARNSBERGER, Jacob was born Abt 1789, Virginia; died 17 Sep 1861, Rockingham County, Virginia.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  HARNSBERGER, Stephen was born Aft 1712, (Of Alsace County, France) (son of HARNSBERGER, John and PROUVE, Anna Barbara Purve Or); died Abt 1774, Augusta County (Now Rockinghm County ), Virginia.

    Notes:

    According to the "Family Gazette" of Elkton, Virginia. Stephen came from Zurich Switzerland. While trying to leave the country he was placed under many "false" arrests and imprisoned. For passage to the Virginia colony, he and his parents worked as an indentured servants at the Germanna Colony for Colonel Alexander Spotswood. They settled first at Orange Co., Virginia. He acquired 150 + 400 Ac. at St. Georges Parrish. Stephen located in Augusta (now Rockingham) County in about 1751 as his name appears on a list of tithables liable to work on the road from the Shenandoah River to the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Swift Run Gap. Stephen acquired land about1 1/2 miles southwest of the present town of Elkton and 1/2 mile from the river. In his will Stephen gave his son Adam the power to split his estate 1/3 to his 2nd wife Ursula and 2/3 to be split among the 5 boys. In addition to the 1/3 Stephen gives to Ursula her bed, spinning wheel, a chest and the benefit of living in the family home the remainder of her days and the garden.
    Some sources state that Stephen was a member of the exploration party headed by Alexander Spotswood known as the "Knights of the Golden Horseshoe" this story however can't be correct as the expedition occured in 1716 when Stephan would have been a young child still living in Europe. He did however survey the road sthough Swift Run Gap at a later date.
    -
    CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800
    DEED BOOK NO. 13.
    ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
    page 449
    Page 201.--17th March, 1767. Stephen ( ) Hernsberger and Arsley ( ) to John Miller, £53, 200 acres on Shanand River, part thereof being a tract of 176 acres sold to Stephen by Phillip Long, 19th June, 1764, the other part being part of 304 acres patented to Stephen, 31st October, 1765, line of Henry Sellers. Teste: Jacob Pirkey.
    -
    CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800
    DEED BOOK NO. 11.
    ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
    page 413
    Page 665.--19th June, 1764. Phillip Long, eldest son and heir-at-law of Paul Long, who was eldest son and heir-at-law of Phillip Long, of Frederick County, to Stephen Hemsburger, £40, 176 acres purchased by Phillip, Sr., of Joseph Phillips (deed recorded in Orange) on Shannando River. Teste: George Carpenter. Delivered: Stephen Hansberger, November, 1766.
    -
    CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800
    ABSTRACTS OF WILLS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY VIRGINIA. AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT. WILL BOOK No. 4.
    ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
    page 110
    Page 241.--26th November, 1767. Stephen Conrad's estate sold to, viz: John Coutch, Lewis Fisher, Stephen Hensbengar, Zachariah Rexrode, Henry Tamewood, Peachey Gilmore.
    -
    Copy of Will of Stephen Harnsberger
    In the name of God Amen, December the 26, in the year of our Lord 1774.
    I, Stephen Hanceberger of the County of Augusta in the colony o fVirginia being in health and perfect mind & memory & calling to mind the mortality of my body & knowing that it is apointed for all men once to die do make ordain & appoint this my last will & testament that is to say first & principally of all I give & humbly recommend my soul to God who gave it & for my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian like & decent manner and as touching my worldly estate that it hath been Pleased God to bless me in this life with. I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner,
    first, I order all my lawful debts to be paid, which I have legally contracted. Imprimis I give & bequeath to my well beloved wife Uachel (sic) her bed & spinning wheel, & chest & the benefit of my dwelling house & garden during her natural life time also 1/ 3 part of my whole estate land & movables & debts
    also I give & bequeath to my well beloved sons, Adam, Henry, Stephen & Conrad & Robert the other 2/3 of all my estate of lands, debts & moveables to be equally divided between them at my decease & this I trust will be done & truly fulfilled & I do hereby constitute make & ordain my son Adam Hanceberger sole Executor of this my last will & testament & I do hereby utterly disalow revoke and disannull all & every other former testaments wills & legacies, bequests & Executors by me in any wise before this time named & bequeathed. Ratifying & confirming this & no other as my last will & testament. In witness I have hereunto set my hand & seal day & year above written.
    his mark
    Stephen x Hansberger
    Published & Declared as his last will & testament in presence of
    John Zimmerman
    George Zimmerman
    Adam Carpenter
    Jacob Miller
    Leonard Zimmerman
    Probated March. 19, 1776, in the Clerk's Office of Augusta County, Staunton, VA
    -
    CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800
    ABSTRACTS OF WILLS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA. WILL BOOK NO. V.
    ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
    page 146
    Page 479.--18th March, 1777. Recorded. Steen Hansbaig's appraisement by Geo. Carpenter, John Zöller (Seller?).

    Stephen — SCHIETLEY, Ursula. Ursula (daughter of SHIETLEY, John) was born Abt 1722, Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]


  2. 5.  SCHIETLEY, Ursula was born Abt 1722, Germany (daughter of SHIETLEY, John); died Yes, date unknown.

    Notes:

    A court case in 1766 in Augusta Co. sheds light on the history of Ursula. Her father died in Germany. In Germany the mother married John Fotch who took possession of the remains of the Scheitley estate, which it was contended, amounted to almost one hundred pounds. The family left for America. After Ursula and her sisters were married, their husbands appealed to John Fotch for the girl's share of their father's estate. They received some money but Fotch contended that the balance of the estate was used in their support. Testimony was taken in the case but no decision appears in the records perhaps indicating that the case was dropped.
    -
    Transcribed Court Record follows ;
    November, 1766 (A)
    Carpenter vs. Fonts (Fotch). - Chancery. Writ dated 24th November 1763. Complaintants are George Carpenter and Ann, his wife; Stephen Hantsberger and Ursilla, his wife; Matthew Hearce and Francis, his wife, daughters and co-heirs of John Shitley, deceased; that John Shitley was an inhabitant of the German Empire, where he died, having a small personal estate, leaving behind him your oratrices, then very young, and ____ his wife, mother of oratrices, and one of the defendants, who by the laws and customs of the empire, possessed herself of the small fortune of her husband. Shortly after the father's death, the widow, thinking to benefit herself and children, transported herself to America, bringing with her your oratrices and what remained of John Shitley's estate, amounting to neary lb100, Virginia currency, and some time after her arrival married John Fotch, the other defendant, who took possession of all the effects. That as your oratrices grew up, they intermarried (as above) and their husbands frequently applied to the said John Fotsch and wife for the parts due their wives, but obtained only lb 20 Pennsylvania Currency, lb7 Virginia Currency, and 2 horses, worth lb14, for which they gave receipt to Fotsch, expecting to receive the remainder in a short time, but now so it is, he refuses to pay them anything more. John Fotch's answer: He married the widow of John Shitley in Germany and not in America, and that on her passage to America she died at Plymouth. He never possessed himself of any part of Shitley's estate, for he died insolvent, except a few trifling bed clothes made use of by his children on shipboard, but he says the grandfather of oratrices, Malchia Shitley, left them goods and chattels which this defendant, marrying their mother, possessed himself of, and before he came to America sold for as much money as came to lb67 Virginia Currency, of which defendant expended lb8 for oratrices for provisions and carriage from Switzerland to Holland, where they took shipping, almost 300 miles. He also paid for their passage to America the sum of 16 pistoles, and provisions growing short on shipboard, he was obliged to expend 30 shillings . Having landed in Maryland and intending to settle at Tulpahocken in Pennsylvania, he spent L 3, 15 for provisions and carriage to that place. That he left Germany in 1744, and about 2 or 3 years after he came to this country he advanced to oratrices lb 24 in Virginia Currency, and two mares of the price of lb14, 10. That lately, on 31st March 1762, he and complainants came to a final settlement and defendant agreed to settle with them lb 42. Augustine Price deposes before Felix Gilbert; That is March 1762, in company with George Carpenter, John Fotch and others, Carpenter and Fotch agreed to leave their dispute to Jacob Pershinger, Jacob Nichols and Daniel Price, but they could not agree, when they came to an agreement themselves, the only question remaining whether Virginia or Pennsylvania Currency. Daniel Price deposes the same. Jacob Miller deposes: That being at the house of John Fotch sometime in March, 1749, he heard George Carpenter ask three Gerles, that were heirs to the estate of _____, if they were satisfied with what they had received. Jacob Pershinger deposes like Augustine Price. Barbary Miller deposes, that being in company with Usley Shutling in 1750, Usley said she had received a mare and some clothes, and was well satisfied.
    Records of Augusta County Virginia
    Author: Chalkley
    Page: Volume 1, Pages 495 and 496

    Children:
    1. HARNSBERGER, Stephen was born , Rockingham County, Virginia.
    2. HARNSBERGER, Adam Captain was born 10/10 Jan 1750/1751, Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia; died Mar 1815, Rockingham County, Virginia.
    3. 2. HARNSBERGER, Henry was born 16 Oct 1752, Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia; died 16 Jul 1834.
    4. HARNSBERGER, Conrad was born 15 Nov 1756, Rockingham County, Virginia; died 1814, Norfolk, Virginia.
    5. HARNSBERGER, Robert was born 1760, Rockingham County, Virginia; died 6 Feb 1840, Augusta County Virginia.

  3. 6.  BEAR, Jacob was born 15 Nov 1724, Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia (son of BEAR, Jacob and BARABARA); died 12 Feb 1783, Bear Lithia Springs, Rockingham County, Virginia.

    Notes:

    Originally the Bear brothers lived at Brock's Gap, a mountain pass, about 20 miles west of Litha Springs in the Shenandoah Valley, from about 1750 to 1763.

    In 1764 his Father-in-law, Adam Miller, offered him 280 acres and 200 pounds on the condition that he would be allowed to spend the rest of his life at the new house, now a building on said plantation, and that Jacob was to keep his in-laws supplied with two cows, a horse, meat, barley, wheat, and 33 gals. of whiskey.

    Jacob then moved to Lithia Springs. The springs are now know as Bear Lithia Springs, they are about 2 Mi. north of Elkton, Rockingham Co., Virginia.

    On January 18, 1775 Jacob presented a claim indicating his involvement in the Point Pleasant expidition during Lord Dunmore's War.

    Jacob was a patriot during the Revolution, as he furnished supplies, and rendered services to the U.S. troops in 1780, 1781 & 1782, as shown in the minutes of the Rockingham Co., Court (Nat. No. 78953).

    He and his brother John married sisters Ann and Elizabeth Miller (Mueller). Daughters of the immigrant Adam Mueller and his wife Anna Maria Barbara Koger.

    1783--July 28th, Jacob Bear appointed administrator of Adam Miller.

    Jacob's surname has been transcribed several ways, such as Bar, Bare, Bear and Baer. Jacob was called "Whiskey" because he kept his father in-law "warm with whiskey". Jacob was an elder at St. Peter's Reformed Church.
    -
    Will of Jacob Bear May 2, 1787
    In the name of God, Amen.
    The second day of May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven.

    I, Jacob Bear, of the County of Rockingham and the state of Virginia, being old and infirm tho perfect in mind and memory thanks be given unto God for the same therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that I be buried in a descent Christian burial at the direction of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith as it doth please God, and as the Almighty God to bless me in this life which give demise and dispose of in the following manner and form:

    I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Barbara Bear one Negro girl about 5 years old named Peggy for her use during life and divide and increase if any equally among all my children, except Catherine Shurley, and the use of two milk cows to have her choice. If they go dry to choose two more.

    I likewise allow her the choice of a riding beast and if it dies, to be furnished by her two children that live with her with another, of my dwelling house for her life time or during her widowhood with plenty of fire wood brought to her door, with 20 bushels of wheat, with ten bushels of barely, and twenty gallons of whiskey, a one hundred weight of bacon and the same of beef, and if not used in the year, to be returned and to draw the same quantity for the next year, with salt sufficient for her use. And thirty shillings in money every year, and half score of flax every year like wise.

    The above mentioned articles I order furnished by my sons, Jacob Bear Jr. and Henry Bear and I likewise order my son Adam Bear is to have the plantation I purchased of W.M. Nell WITHL) Acres of pine land lying between Henry Miller's 8 line and my old patented land and 5 pounds to begin wit

    I likewise order that my three sons have out of my stock before exposed to sale 2 horses beasts and 2 cows each, and I likewise order that my son Adam pay 25 pounds for his part of dower towards his five sisters, three years after the sale of my moveables, and my other two sons Jacob and Henry pay 62 pounds 10 shillings each in like manner, and I further order that the remainder of my moveable estate to be sold and equally divided among my sons and daughters, excepting my daughter Catherine Shurley. I give and bequest her one shilling stirling (N.B.) That if I should not live to see my daughter Ann Bear married nor yet given her equal to the rest that she shall have eighty pounds hard money, two horses, two cows besides the equal part of my remainder of my movable when sold.

    I further order that if one of my children die without issue that their estate shall fall back to my other children equally, and I likewise order that all and every particular of my estate now by me divided shall be good to each of them (and) their heirs forever.

    I likewise order that my two sons Jacob Bear Jr. and Henry Bear be appointed my sole executors and administrators of this my last will and testament and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke, and disannul all and every other former will or testament by me before, willed or bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
    -
    Jacob Bear Born about 1724 married Anna Barbara Miller (known as Barbara Bear) information on her family below.
    Children:
    Jacob Bear
    Adam Bear, killed by indians
    Henry Bear-married Catherine Runkle
    Catherine Bear mentioned in the will above married to V. Shurley
    Barbara Bear married Jacob Kislie
    Mary (Polly) Bear married Henry Hamsberger
    Christina Bear married Michael Marrow
    Annie Bear married George Argenbright
    Elizabeth Bear married George Koogler

    Jacob married MILLER, Anna Barbara Between 1745 and 1750. Anna (daughter of MILLER, Adam and KOGER, Anna Maria Barbara) was born 1726; died 27 Nov 1791, Bear Lithia Springs, Rockingham County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]


  4. 7.  MILLER, Anna Barbara was born 1726 (daughter of MILLER, Adam and KOGER, Anna Maria Barbara); died 27 Nov 1791, Bear Lithia Springs, Rockingham County, Virginia.
    Children:
    1. 3. BEAR, Mary Ann was born 27 Mar 1757, Rockbridge Parish, Rockbridge, Virginia; died 25 Jun 1824, Bridgewater, Rockingham County, Virginia.
    2. BEAR, Adam was born Abt 1759, Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown.
    3. BEAR, Jacob was born 17 Dec 1761, Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown.
    4. BEAR, Anna Barbara was born Abt 1763, Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia; died 12 Mar 1828.
    5. BEAR, Catherine was born 1765, Bear Lithia Springs, Botetourt, Rockingham County, Virginia; died 1834, Orangeville, Orange County, Indiana.
    6. BEAR, Henry was born 1765, Rockingham City, Virginia.; died 17 Jan 1851, Most Likely, Rockingham County, Virginia; was buried , Augusta, Virginia.
    7. BEAR, Elizabeth was born 1767, Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown.
    8. BEAR was born Abt 1769, Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown.
    9. BEAR, John was born 22 Jun 1774, Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown.


Generation: 4

  1. 8.  HARNSBERGER, John was born Bef 1 Apr 1688, Bussnang, Thurgau, Switzerland (son of HEERENSPERGER, Jacob and HOERDLIN, Maria); died 20 Jan 1759, Parish of Bromfield Culpeper County Virginia.

    Notes:

    John came to this country with his wife in 1717. A court order book dated Feb. 1, 1725 for the County records of Spotsylvania Co., Virginia indicates that Hans Horrensburger petitioned for his rights to take up lands in accordance with the Royal Charter. He was granted the rights to take up to 150 acres. It appears this land was adjacent to the 2nd Germanna Colony.
    -
    In 1726 John Harnsberger and John Motz were granted 400 acres. He later removed with others to the Lutheran colony in Madison Co. Virginia.
    -
    John's will was dated Jan. 19,1759, and probated March 20, 1760. John gave his plantation and his black servant Sarah to his 2nd wife Anna Magdaline who was formerly married to Henry Ayler. He also bequeathed all of his personal estate to his wife and his grand children by Stephen and Stephen's first wife Agnes. After the passing of Anna the plantation was to be split 1/2 to John, Stephen's son and 1/2 to Stephen's 3 daughters Barbara, Elizabeth and Margaret. As for Stephen, John forgave the debt he owed and also left the brandy still. Our line from Stephen's second wife does not seem to be considered in the will.
    -
    John's Will;
    The following are excerpts from the Will of John Harnsberger dated 1759,19th of January, and probated the 20th date of March 1760. (This would fix the date of John's decease some time between these dates).
    "IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. I. John Harrensparger of the parish of Bromfield in Culpeper County, being in a good health and of perfect mind and memory; but being old and calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die to make and or dain this my last will and testament: That is to say principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of the Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial, Nothing doubting but that at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again, by the might power of God, and as to touching so my worldly estate where with it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form:
    -
    "At first I do give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife, Anne Magdalene, the plantation whereupon we have lived hitherto during her life, likewise my negro woman, Sarah, so long as she, my said wife liveth.
    -
    2 - I do bequeath to my said beloved wife, Anne Magdalene and her heirs forever, the majority of all my personal estate and movable goods, consisting in horses, cattle and hogs or any other things whatsoever which I have right to claim, so that they may equally be divided between my just above mentioned wife and my grandchildren, my son Stephen's children by his first wife, Agnes, viz: John Harrensparger, Barbara Harrensparger, Elizabeth and Margaret.
    -
    3 -- I do forgive to my son, Stephen Harrensparger, the debt he owes me, likewise I give to him for his portion of the heritage, the brandy still, about 15 pounds worth, which he fetched from my house, and I desire he shall be content with this portion."
    -
    Later in the will, John directed that the plantation be divided, after the decease of his wife , 1/2 to John, son of Stephen, and the remaining half to Stephen's three daughters, Barbara, Elizabeth and Margaret. . . .." among which I to Margaret, which I have educated, have given one cow with all her increase before hand."
    John went on to make further provision for disposition of property to the grandchildren mentioned above, and to "my beloved wife's children. viz: Henry Ayler and Elizabeth Tanner of their heirs". He made Henry Ayler ,"my son-in-law", his executor.
    -
    Stephen was apparently in the bad graces of his father, when John made his Will, as no mention of his second marriage was made in the document, except indirectly by the mention of Stephen's children "by his first wife, Agnes", we know that Stephen was married again and that his second wife's name was Ursula Shitley. Variations of her first name appear in documents as Ursilla, Uachel, Ursley, Ulsey, Uashel.
    -

    Notes from the Germana Colony:

    Nr. 294:

    One Germanna Colonist appears to have come directly to Virginia from Switzerland. His motivations in moving are not clear, but there is a record of his birth there. This was Hans Heerensperger, better known as Johns Harnsberger. He immigrated in 1717, and from his proof of importation we know he came with his wife Anna Purve (Barbara) and his son Stephen. The same day that he made his proof of importation, John Motz also made his proof, stating he came with Maria Pelona (Appollonia?). Both of these men stated they arrived in 1717.
    -
    Nr. 295:

    We were introduced to John Harnsberger in the last note, who was baptized in the Evangelical (Protestant) Reformed Church of Bussnang, Thurgau, Switzerland on 1 April 1688. He came in 1717 to Virginia with his wife Anna Barbara and son Stephen. We presume that he was married at the time to Anna Barbara. John would have been 29 years old at the time, so Stephen was probably very young.

    This information, and more to be given, comes from Wanda Miller Cunningham who generously gives credit to John Echols Hansberger and Robert Torkelson for their contributions. Mr. Torkelson is responsible for the Swiss information and I expand upon that now.

    Hans Heerensperger (to use his name in Switzerland) was the seventh child of Jacob Heerensperger, who had been born in April 1648 in Affeltrangen, Thurgau, and of Maria Hoerdlin, who been born ca 1655 in Switzerland. Jacob's parents are Hans Jacob and Susannah Wohnlich. The parish book of Bussnang lists seven children from 1673 to Hans in 1688.

    The name Heerensperger gave both Englishmen and Germans alike some trouble as to its spelling. Early variations are common and sometimes it is hard to know if a name is to be identified with Heerensperger. Two of the most popular variations that have evolved are Hansberger and Harnsberger.

    John Harnsberger was not sued by Spotswood nor was John Motz. However, from the date they gave for their importation, it would appear probable that they were members of the Second Germanna Colony. Also, they had a joint land patent in the Robinson River area (Hebron) on the same date as many Second Colony members did. Usually, a joint patent indicates some relationship between the men, perhaps through one or both of their wives. In this case, no relationships are known.

    Sidetracking to discuss John Motz, very little is known about the man. His marriage record is in the Lutheran Church of Bonfeld, Baden for 28 Feb 1716. He too was a young man but the information from Germany does not help solve the riddle connected with him. He must have died early for he does not appear in the Orange Co. tithables for 1739. From later records, he may have left a daughter Elizabeth who married Philip Nelson. If it is true that he left only one child, a daughter, this may be the reason that so little is known about him.

    Anna Barbara Harnsberger died and John married Anna Magdalena Aylor, a widow, some time after 30 Nov 1742. The will of John Harnsberger, dated 15 Jan 1759, probated in Culpeper Co. on 20 Mar 1760, mentions Anna Magdalena, grandchildren John, Barbara, Elizabeth, and Margaret Harrensparger, children of Stephen by his first wife Agnes; leaves a small bequest to Stephen; mentions "my wife's children" Henry Aylor and Elizabeth Tanner.
    -
    Nr. 296:

    In John Harnsberger's will, the name is given as Harrensparger, which is close to the Swiss spelling of Heerensperger. Witnesses to the will were George Samuel Klugg, Michael Thomas, and George Mayer, members of the German community in the Robinson River Valley. John Harnsberger left only one heir, Stephen, and the relationship between the two was strained. The legacy to Stephen was meager in comparison to the legacy to others.

    John's statement with regard to Stephen was, "I do forgive to my son Stephen Harrensparger the Debt he owes me. Likewise I give to him, for his Portion of the Heritage, the Brandy Still, about 15 Pounds worth, which he fetched from my house and I desire that he should be content with this Portion." John's legacies to his grandchildren by Stephen's first marriage to Agnes were ample, but he made no mention of the five grandchildren of Stephen's second marriage to Ursula Scheitle. This may have been a basis of disagreement between them.

    The inventory of John's estate indicated he had done well as a farmer. There were livestock, furniture, books, beehives, brandy and cider.

    Stephen married Agnes about 1740, when he was perhaps about 24 years old. Her maiden name is unknown. Agnes died some time before 1750, for near that date Stephen married Ursula Scheitle. Stephen was a chain carrier for a survey for Henry Souther in 1748 along with Daniel Crisler. Chain carriers were often related directly or through their wives to the survey owner, but in this case no information is shed. By 1752, Stephen was living in the Shenandoah Valley, because he appears on a road crew there. Over the decade following, he acquired land by purchase and patent in the Valley.

    A court case in 1766 in Augusta Co. sheds light on the history of Ursula, Steven's wife. Ursula's father died in Germany. The widow and young children left for America. In America, the mother married John Fotch who took possession of the remains of the Scheitle estate, which it was contended, amounted to almost one hundred pounds. After Ursula and her sisters were married, their husbands appealed to John Fotch for the girl's share of their father's estate. They received some money but Fotch contended that the balance of the estate was used in their support. Testimony was taken in the case but no decision appears in the records perhaps indicating that the case was dropped.

    In 1775 Stephen wrote his will in the presence of John Zimmerman, George Zimmerman, Adam Carpenter, Jacob Miller, and Conrad Zimmerman. Though all of these names are Germanna names, the individuals themselves are believed to have sources other than Germanna. The will was proved in 1776 in Augusta County. Only the wife Ursula and sons, Adam, Henry, Stephen, Conrad, and Robert are mentioned.

    John married PROUVE, Anna Barbara Purve Or 1712. Anna was born Abt 1690, Europe; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]


  2. 9.  PROUVE, Anna Barbara Purve Or was born Abt 1690, Europe; died Yes, date unknown.
    Children:
    1. 4. HARNSBERGER, Stephen was born Aft 1712, (Of Alsace County, France); died Abt 1774, Augusta County (Now Rockinghm County ), Virginia.
    2. HARNSBERGER, Anna Margaret was born Abt 1717, (Of Madison County Virginia); died Yes, date unknown.

  3. 10.  SHIETLEY, John was born Abt 1695 (son of SCHIETLY, Malchia); died Bef 1744, Germany.
    Children:
    1. 5. SCHIETLEY, Ursula was born Abt 1722, Germany; died Yes, date unknown.
    2. SCHIETLEY, Ann was born Abt 1725; died Yes, date unknown.
    3. SCHIETLEY, Francis was born Abt 1727; died Yes, date unknown.

  4. 12.  BEAR, Jacob was born Abt 30 Dec 1683, Switzerland (son of BARE, Hans and HAUSER, Barbara); died Abt 1740, Rockingham County, Virginia..

    Notes:

    Jacob came to the colonies with his parents and siblings in 1717+/- to Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania.

    His name was originally spelled (Jagely Bare).

    He moved to the Shenandoah Valley in about 1740 with son's Jacob and John. Jacob is said to have been a Tavern keeper.

    Jacob — BARABARA. [Group Sheet]


  5. 13.  BARABARA
    Children:
    1. 6. BEAR, Jacob was born 15 Nov 1724, Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia; died 12 Feb 1783, Bear Lithia Springs, Rockingham County, Virginia.
    2. BEAR, John was born Abt 1726, Virginia; died Abt 1791, Virginia.

  6. 14.  MILLER, Adam was born 17 Nov 1703, Schresheim, Baden, Germany (son of MUELLER, Johann Peter and MARGARETTA, Ann); died 1783, Near Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia.

    Notes:

    Adam (Mueller) Miller was born at Schersheim, Germany about 1703. The family name was spelled Mueller in Germany. His father lived and grew up in Lamsheim.

    Adam came to America in 1720 to Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. He and his wife and an unmarried sister moved to Williamsburg, Virginia in 1724.

    In 1726 -1727 he visited the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and settled there with his family at Hawksbill Creek, in present day Page Co. They were the first European settlers in the valley.

    In 1733 Adam's name appears on a list of petitioners who were trying to obtain land from Jacob Stover.

    Adam was naturalized in 1741. Later the family settled in what would become Rockingham Co.

    In 1742 Adam purchased 820 Acres including the Lithia Springs near present day Elkton, Rockingham Co., Virginia, where he built his first cabin. The house still stands.

    Adam became the guardian of Michael (Cogar) Koger, his nephew, November 19, 1755, 2 years after Nicholas, Michael's father, was killed by indians.

    Adam was a soldier in the French and Indian War, as indicated on a military schedule for 1758, in Hennings Statutes.

    Adam was of the Lutheran denomination, and was probably buried at St.. Peters Church, 4 miles north of Elkton.

    From the Moravian Diaries (December 3, 1749):
    "Towards evening a man from another district, Adam Mueller, passed. I told him that I would like to come to his house and preach there. He asked me if I were sent by God. I answered, yes. He said, if I were sent by God I would be welcome, but he said, there are at present so many kinds of people, that often one does not know where they come from. I requested him to notify his neighbors that I would preach on the 5th, which he did."...

    "On December 4th, we left Schaub's house, commending the whole family to God. We traveled through the rain across the South Shenandoah to Adam Mueller, who received us with much love. We stayed over night with him."...

    "On December 5th, I preached at Adam Mueller's house on John 7: "Whosoever thirsteth let him come to the water and drink." A number of thirsty souls were present. Especially Adam Mueller took in every word, and after the sermon declared himself well pleased. In the afternoon we traveled a short distance, staying over night with a Swiss. The conversation was very dry and the word of Christ's sufferings found no hearing."

    Adam married KOGER, Anna Maria Barbara Germany. Anna (daughter of KOGER, Joss and LOWENBERGER, Anna) was born 1716, Auggen, Loerrach, Baden, Germany; died , Near Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]


  7. 15.  KOGER, Anna Maria Barbara was born 1716, Auggen, Loerrach, Baden, Germany (daughter of KOGER, Joss and LOWENBERGER, Anna); died , Near Elkton, Rockingham County, Virginia.
    Children:
    1. MILLER, Henry
    2. 7. MILLER, Anna Barbara was born 1726; died 27 Nov 1791, Bear Lithia Springs, Rockingham County, Virginia.
    3. MILLER, Elizabeth Catatrina was born 20 Dec 1734, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown.
    4. MILLER, Adam was born 16 Jul 1736; died 1764, Virginia.
    5. MILLER, Anna Christina was born 18 Oct 1738; died Yes, date unknown.