Charles Helwig

Carlen Helwig, later Charles Helvey (c1700-1764/5), immigrant from southern Germany. Carlen, our earliest known and proven Helwig ancestor, might have been son of Andreas Helwig and Elizabeth Theiss, but he is not among their known children. He might also have been a near relative of his contemporary, Johann Jacob Helwig.

"From every source noted so far, it appears that our immigrant Helveys came from southern Germany. As did thousands of other German families, they immigrated to a heavily settled area of Germans in Pennsylvania. As long as the immigrants stayed in that area, generally speaking, their names were written and spoken correctly, but once the families began moving to other communities, their names were 'Americanized' or written as they sounded. Our immigrant forefathers spelled their name 'Helwig.' Because Germans pronounce the letter 'w' like the letter 'v', the name Helwig became spoken and written Helvey, Helvy, Helvie, etc." In Shenandoah County, Virginia the name "Helvick" was sometimes used

"Carlen (later Charles) Helwig arrived in Philadelphia on 24 August 1749 on the Ship Elliot, Captain James Adams, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, England; List 87, souls 240. He settled in Lancaster County. Carlen's will mentions his wife Cathrine and children Adam, Peter, Charles, and Elizabeth. Catherine's children by an earlier marriage are mentioned in the will, so it is not certain that Catherine was the mother of all of Carlen's children:

All four sons of Charles Helwig's sons (Henry, Adam, Peter, and Charles) moved south into Virginia.

Chronology

• 1757-Charles Helve is listed in the state tax list as paying no pounds, 5 shillings and no pence in Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, PA.
• 1757-Charles Helvey is listed in the county tax list as paying no pounds, 1 shilling and eight pence in Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, PA.
• 1764-Jan. 2, Charles Helwig wrote will that was proven on 01 April 1765 in Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, PA(See Below).

Will of Charles Helwig

WILL-Lancaster County, PA Court of Common Pleas, Lancaster, PA-Will Book B-1, page 511.

CHARLES HELWIG, DECEASED

In the name of God, Amen, I, Charles Helwig, of Hempfield Township in the County of Lancaster and Province of Pennsylvania, yoeman, being sick and weak of Body but of sound and disposing Mind Memory and understanding do make and declare this my last Will and Testament, recommending my immortal spirit into the hands of my great Creator who gave it and my body to the Earth from whence it came in hopes of a glorious Resurrection thru the merits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer and as to my worldly Estate wherewith it hast pleased God to bless me I do bequeath in manner following.

'First I order and direct that all my Just Debts and funeral charges shall be paid as conveniently might be after my Decease.

Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Catharine all and Singular my Estate of what name soever for the maintenance of her and to her use during her natural life. and after her death I give and devise the residue and remainder (if any left) of my said Estate to be devided amongst my children, Viz., Adam[, ] Peter, Charles, and Elizabeth, and my wife's children, Viz., Peter Godshall and Nicholas Frankfurter to be divided among the said children share and share alike and lastly I nominate make and appoint my trusty and loving friend Martin Behler and my said wife Catharine Executors to this my last will making hereby null and void all former and other will or wills herebyfore made. In witness wherof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this second day of January A. Domini One Thousand and Seven Hundred and Sixty Four.

Signed Sealed published pronounced and declared by the above Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us. Michael Moore & Adam Moore

Lancaster County ss The first day of April in the year of our Lord 1765 Before me the Subscriber personally appeared Michael Moore and Adam Moore the two Subscribing Witnessesto, the within Will and on their Corporal Oaths did severally declare and say that they were present and saw and heard Charles Helwig the Testator within named sign seal publish pronounce and declare the above and within writing as and for his last Will and Testament and the Doing thereof he was of sound and good disposing Mind memory and understanding to the best of their Knowledge Observation and Belief. Edw. Shippen, Dep'y Reg'r.

'BE IT REMEMBERED that on the first day of April in the year of our Lord 1765 the Last Will and Testament of Charles Helwig late of Hempfield Township in the County of Lancaster yoeman, Deceased was proved in due form of law and Latters Testamentary thereon were granted unto Catharina Helwig and Martin Behler, the Executors therein named, the said Executors being first duly qualified well and truly to administer the said Estate of the said Decedent and to exhibit unto the Registers Office at Lancaster on or before the first day of May next a true and perfect inventory of all and singular of the Goods and Chattels of the said Charles Helwig at the time of his Death and to render a just account of their administration on the Estate of the said Decedent when thereto lawfully required. Given under the Seal of said Office. the day and year first above mentioned. - By me Edw. Shippen D'y R'r"

Sources

http://yeahpot.com/gedcom/helvey/pafg01.htm#17560C

• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Apr 26 2017, 3:26:32 UTC