Jacob Myers

Jacob is placed as the son of Christian Meyer who died in 1794, Earl Twp, Lancaster County, PA for the. following reasons: 1) Christian's will (G-1-251) in 1794 indicates he provided land to oldest son Jacob Meyer in Leacock where Jacob died. The Will also states that Jacob was provided 100 acres of land but that he must pay out of the premises immediately after his father's decease 80 pounds gold or silver. 2) A 1798 Orphans Court records indicates that Jacob died in Leacock Twp. Jacob left 8 children and 3 guardians were named. One of the Guardians for two of the children was Christian Meyer of Earl Twp, where Jacob's brother Christian lived. 3) The will of John Bear, Mary's father indicates that she married Jacob Meyer. It also indicates that Jacob was deceased at the time of John Bear's will in 1804. One of the other Guardians for Jacob's children was John Longenecker who was married to Mary's sister Elizabeth. 4) Deed record (WW-1-111) on 21 Apr 1795 really ties everything together. It indicates that Jacob and Mary sold land in Leacock Twp. to the 4 sons-in-law of Jacob's father, Christian: Christian Myer, Abraham Johns, Samuel Grebill and John Sheaffer. This was very soon after the death of his father.

Since this was very soon after Christian Meyer's death, it is likely that this family had financial problems. The will of both their fathers indicate that money was advanced to them as part of their inheritance. This occurred several times. As mentioned above, Jacob and Mary sold land back to heirs of Jacob's father. Right in the middle of all this, Jacob died in 1796.

The evidence that Jacob and Mary are the parents of these children is, I believe, proven. Jacob died 23 Jan 1796 intestate in Leacock Twp, Lancaster Co., PA., leaving many minor children. Orphans Court records were found for 1798 for this Jacob Myers. Children John, Jacob and Christian were listed as being minors over 14 years. The ages of the children under 14 were also identified. Isaac was not mentioned as a minor child but he was 21 years of age in 1798 so would not have been. Since we know that son Christian would have been 14 in 1798 and he was the 3rd oldest one listed, the ages match well. Also, the names of the children are almost identical matches with the children of son Christian (b 1784). Jacob's children: Isaac, John, Jacob, Christian, Leah, Mary, Bear and Nathaniel: Christian's children: Isaac, Leah, David, Jacob, Christian, John, Esther and Nathaniel. I found a record of Jacob Meyer in 1790 Census from Leacock Twp. Listed are 1 male over 16, 5 males under 16 and 2 females. This matches perfectly with the Orphans Court record and would include Isaac.

Son Isaac moved to Jefferson Co., VA in 1810. Bear and Nathaniel followed, moving to Charles Town in 1816. Daughter Mary lived with Nathaniel for most of her life. It is also possible that sister Leah and mother Mary lived with Nathaniel as well before they died.

It appears that the younger children used the name Myers when they reached Virginia. Christian and Isaac used Mayer. Meyer was also used.