Notes

Note N115 Index

Live in Culpeper, Virginia.

Notes

Note N116 Index

Both Mr and Mrs Biever were natives of Berks county, Pa. they settled near Jonestown, on the farm where Mr. Cassel now lives. Both parents were members of the Lutheran church, and were worthy people and good citizens. Mr. Biever was a Democrat.

Notes

Note N117 Index

Md is listed in 1850 census, Va is listed in 1860 census.

Notes

Note N118 Index

Occupation was Schuhmacher (shoemaker) in Mannheim

Notes

Note N119 Index

Pastor in Oppenweiler (Württemberg)

Notes

Note N120 Index

Said to be "of Moline" in his brother-in-law's obit.

Notes

Note N121 Index

Born before parent's marriage. See father's notes.

Notes

Note N122 Index

The delay between birth and christening is related to her parents not being married at the time of her birth. See father's notes. Godparents were Anne Marie, wife of Jacob Blassinger who is ill and came from Wiernsheim, Karl Schottenhofer, tailor at Niefern and Jacob Huber, also tailor at Niefern and Elisabetha Lindenmann.

Notes

Note N123 Index

Ship Phoenix, Captain John Spurrier from Rotterdam, last from Portsmouth, 412 passengers.

Notes

Note N124 Index

Antonius was a brick layer in Schlierbach, Germany. Documents from the Evangelische Kirchengemeinde, 7532 Niefern an der enz, indicate that Anthony and Margaret were living together and had a child before they were married. However, since Anthony was "noble born", the church records literally say they lived together prematurely and on the strength of a decree authorized by the prince, they were admonished and properly married April 2, 1745 in Niefern, Germany. Sometime before the summer of 1751, Anthony and Margaret made their way to Wiernsheim, Germany. It was from there that they left for America. Anton Blessing and family arrived in Philadelphia on the ship Phoenix, September 25, 1751, from Wiernsheim, Germany. Mr. and Mrs Anthony Blessing are included in a list of 46 families that founded the St. Paul Lutheran Congregation of Sand Hill, in Derry Township, Pa before 1752. The Lutheran church located in Sand Hill, now known as St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, has been variously known as Berge Kirche, Die Berg Kirche, Die Maxen Kirch, Die Maxa Kirch, The Hill Church, The Sand Hill Church, The Sand Hill Lutheran Church, Derry Townshp Lutheran Church and The Lutheran Congregation in Derry Township.

With Bible and gun, they went to church. In 1752, the church was nothing more than a gleam in the collective eye of a few German settlers who fought Indians with one hand and farmed with the other. In 1752 Derry Township was part of Lancaster County, since Dauphin county wasn't formed until 1785. Prior to 1785, the Blessings were listed in Lancaster County records. The area where Antonius settled is now considered to be RD#1, Hummelstown. Address of the church has been changed to 850 Hill Church Rd., Hummelstown, Pa.

The original church, of wood frame, was located across the road from the current stone structure. The current structure was built in 1875 by Anthony's great grandson Absalom Blessing.

First listed in the Lancaster County Tax List, Derry Twp in 1757. In 1780, Anthony was taxed on 100 acres in Derry Twp. in 1786, Anthony was elected one of two Supervisors for Derry Twp. In 1790, Anthony Plesly was listed in the federal census in Derry Twp, Dauphin Co. In 1798, Anthony was taxed on a house 25' by 24' made of logs, 1 story, 3 windows, 12 lights on 2 acres of land. Total worth was $110. In the 1800 federal census, he is listed as Anthony Plefsly, living in Derry Twp, Dauphin Co.

Occupation was brick layer.

Notes

Note N125 Index

Christian was a farmer/laborer. In 1790, Christian was willed 10 pounds from his school teacher Adam Barger of Londonderry Twp, Dauphin Co, Pa. Adam was the brother of Christian's wife-to-be, Catherine Barger.

Christian Blessing and Katrina his wife of Derry Twp deeded to Adam Barger of Lewistown, Mifflin County for the sum of 25 pounts, a tract of land in Mahontango Valley on North side of Mahantango Mt within one mile of Mahantango Creek south. 300 acres more or less. Recorded on 7 June 1800 and signed with their marks.

In 1797 he was listed as a militia man, and in 1799 he was listed as a laborer.