Great Grandmother Catherine Sells Grandpa’s Whiskey Stills

4^th Great Grandmother Catherine (Thomas) Snyder became a widow Oct. 16, 1822 when her husband Martin Snyder died in Augusta County, Virginia.

Martin mapped out Catherine’s financial future in his will. See my post, I, Martin Snyder, of the County of Augusta and State of Virginia Make my Last Will and Testament for details. Grandfather’s executor, Joseph Brown, presented an inventory and accounts in Augusta County Court 1825, 1827 and 1836.

The 1836 accounting proved interesting and yes, that’s how I know Grandmother sold the whiskey stills Grandfather left her. You can see from the image below, she sold the stills along with ‘sundry tools and farming utensils’ for $104.78 on April 29, 1829.

I first noticed the stills in Martin Snyder’s inventory and wrote an earlier blog post Found Great Grandfather’s Whiskey Stash in the Estate Inventory. The Snyder’s kept the stills running after Martin’s death and Grandmother Catherine made some cash for herself selling whiskey.

Executor Joseph Brown noted the estate received a legacy owed 4^th Great Grandfather Martin from his father’s estate. 5^th Great Grandfather Michael Snyder died before Martin, but Great Grandfather Michael stipulated Martin’s $200 legacy would be honored only after the death of Michael Snyder’s wife. She must have died around April 1829. Great Grandfather Martin only expected $200, but the family received more--$515.02.

Grandfather wanted his 740 acre plantation sold 4 years after he died. His plan was that his 7 sons would get their legacies from the sale proceeds. This isn’t what happened.

Let me give you a little background. Martin purchased the land from Rev. William Wilson and his wife Elizabeth May 23, 1814 for 1,750 Pounds (Deed Book 39, pages 119-122).  The 740 acre tract didn’t sell for $7,000 as Grandfather hoped in his will. Two of his sons bought portions of their father’s land. Michael Snyder purchased 320 acres for $1,900 and brother John Snyder claimed 245 acres at a selling price of $1,470 Oct. 24, 1833.  A third grantee, Jacob Showalter, acquired 175 acres for $1,050 the same day (Deed Book 55, pages 265-268). Years later Martin and Catherine’s daughter, Sarah Snyder, married Jacob Showalter’s son Nimrod. The sales brought $4,447.40 to the Martin Snyder estate.

Joseph Brown attended to notes and bills as needed. During the years Great Grandmother Catherine received money for her support.

By August 23, 1836, the obligations on the land were met, and it was time for Martin’s sons to receive their legacies; John, Michael, David, Jacob, Martin, Joseph and Adam Snyder each got $615.34 ½ cents.

Partial Image from Accounting of Martin Snyder’s Estate

Augusta Co., VA Will Book 21, page 157

Family History Center, Microfilm #30323, Item 2

                                                                                                                  

Found Great Grandfather’s Whiskey Stash in the Estate Inventory

Last December I introduced 4^th Great Grandfather Martin Snyder in a post titled ‘I, Martin Snyder, of the County of Augusta and State of Virginia Make my Last Will and Testament’. Martin was born 1765 in Maryland and died at Augusta Co., Virginia October 16, 1822. He left a wife, Catherine Thomas, and ten children.

Readers of this blog know how much I enjoy inventories. Grandfather’s personal estate contained a few genealogical goodies I’ll be sharing with you. Remember, it doesn’t include his real estate. You’ll find images from the Augusta County Court records at the end of this post.

Executor Joseph Brown needed to inventory Grandfather’s belongings and had an appraisement prepared by George Baylor, Thomas Thompson and Christian Shuey. Their appraisal was dated March 26, 1823 five months after Martin died.

One Brass Clock … Three large wheels …. One shot gun …. One chest…. 145 Gallons of whiskey … What? That’s a lot of whiskey. I noticed Grandfather owned 2 stills, tubs and kegs worth $150. Did Grandfather have a powerful thirst or a thriving business?

I soon learned many Virginia farmers distilled their own whiskey from surplus grain. Gentleman Farmer and President George Washington operated a profitable distillery at his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia. As you'll see from the inventory, Great Grandmother Catherine didn’t mind selling whiskey either.

A side saddle belonged to Snyder daughter Betsey. I recall Martin Snyder bequeathed horses and colts to his children. I wonder who inherited ‘Dick the old horse’, ‘Ned, the dark bay’ and the mares ‘Nel’ and ‘Nance’.

A 2^nd appraisement occurred Jan. 21, 1824. William E. Hogsett, Christian Acord, James McKenny and Joseph Fauser inventoried more items. They weren’t included in the March 26, 1823 tally; perhaps they were overlooked or new acquisitions. The calves listed might have been newborns.

Money owed to Great Grandfather was accounted for too. Notes amounting to $336.69 would add to the estate coffers. Five notes belonged to John Thomas. I believe this was Great Grandmother Catherine’s brother.

It’s uncommon but I found Martin’s father identified in the inventory. Martin would receive a $200 legacy from his father, 5^th Great Grandfather Michael Snyder:

           “Also a legacy of $200 Maryland Currency to said Martin

            Snyder dec’d by the Will of his Father Michael Snyder of

            Washington County Maryland but not due until the death

            the wife of the said Michael”

Great Grandfather Martin’s estate wouldn’t get the legacy until Michael’s wife died. I can’t say whether Michael’s wife was Martin’s mother; she might be a step-mother. I’ll see what I can find out!

Joseph Brown presented the inventory at the February 1825 Augusta County Court term.

Augusta Co., Virginia Will Book 15, page 101

Augusta Co., Virginia Will Book 15, page 102

Source: Probate Court, Augusta Co., Virginia Will Book 15, pages 100-102, Family History Library Microfilm #30320, Item 3

O Dear Children Death has entered our family circle once more, Kimber Letter 10

 The Kimber Letters are writings exchanged between the Kimber sisters and their mother, Keziah (Bennett) Kimber. The letters found their way to the sister’s descendants. They’ve been saved and shared among us for over 150 years. I treasure them and am grateful to the late Edna Raymond for giving me transcriptions.

Today’s letter was written by 4^th Great Grandmother Keziah (Bennett) Kimber to her daughter Jane Eliza and husband Moses Seely. Although this letter is not dated, I know it must have been penned between April 23^rd and July 25^th 1855. Jane and Moses Seely recently moved their family to Bradford County, Pennsylvania leaving their home in Minisink, New York.

In earlier letters family members expected 3^rd Great Grand Aunt Julie Ann’s passing. Her time came March 30, 1855.  She was only 34 years old leaving a husband, Erastus Elston, and five young children—Corcelia Elizabeth, Samuel Floyd, Warren Wickham, Albert and Charles.

          “O dear children I must inform you that death has entered our family

                   circle once more”

Keziah devoted much of her letter speaking of her great grandchild’s time with her before he died. Phebe Jane (Clark) Doty, Keziah’s granddaughter, brought her sick son Ephern to stay with Keziah and Benjamin Kimber April 11, 1855. Great Grand Aunt Abbie helped care for him too. Little Ephern rallied but passed April 23^rd.

Jeremiah ‘Ephren’ Doty (age 2 years, 9 months) was buried in Loree Cemetery, Minisink, New York. He rests besides Alice Sematha Mackney  (2 months, 5 days) and William Emmet Seely (age 9 months, 21 days).

Keziah mentioned my 3^rd Great Grandparents’ (William P. Clark and Charity Kimber) grief when they lost their first grandchild.

Transcription Letter 10

My Beloved children:

I once more thru the mercies of Gods' goodness

and blessings in sparing of me life until the

present now and by his will, I will try to

inform you of our welfare, at the present we are

about as usual in health, that is we are well,

and hope these lines will find you all wel and

enjoying the comforts of Gods blessing.  O my

children, ever pray that I may be kept under his

protecting care while he is prolonging my days

on earth.  Jane I received your letter the 23^rd

of April and was very glad to hear from you all

and that you are all well but Sarah O to think

that she is sick and I cant come to see her.  O

it makes the tears to fall but I hope and pray

that when I hear from there again that she may

be better.  Do write to me as soon as you get

this to let me know how you all are for it does

me so much good to read your letters seeing I

cant see you but O how glad I would be to see

you all once more if it could be so but I dont

ever expect to   You must give my little Susan a

kiss for me and tell her it is from her grandmaw

Kimber   O how I do want to see the little lamb.

   O dear children I must inform you that death

has entered our family circle once more and took

from my arms a little great grand son and a

lovely little boy was he and he was laid beside

"Little Emet".  There lays three little graves

side by side all dear to me.  Pheobe Jane

fetched little "Ephern Doty" to live with me.

She fetched him here the 11th of April to stay

with me as long as we could keep him.  He was

not very [well] when he came and the 14th he was

very sick    then he got better so a Monday he

played some and he got better so he ran and

played all the week until Saturday about 2 o

clock he began to cough a hoarse cough and Abbie

said, "mother he has the croup".   we went and

soaked his little feet and put drafs on    we

done all we could and he grew worse until night.

   I did not think he would live until morning.

In the morning Benjamin went after Phebe to

Erastus and I felt afraid he would not live

until she got here   and that night Phebe and

Mrs. Scofield and John Jones and myself sat up

we thought he would not live until morning but

he lived until about 11 o clock Monday when the

breath left him.    He died and went home to his

Father, who said "Let little children come to me

and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of

Heaven".    Yes he is gone from my arms to dwell

with Christ    O what a sweet babe he was    it

was paw and maw and Aunt Abbe.   He slept with

Abbe two nights and the rest of the time with

me.  O the sweet little dear, how I did miss my

babe for he loved me so well, I could not be out

of his sight,  He would say "where is my maw"

“will you give me some bread and milk",  I went

and got him some about 10 o clock then when I was

getting dinner he said "will you give me some

more bread and milk".   I told him "yes I

would”,  he ate a hearty dinner and fed the cat

and played so pretty and laughed so hearty.  I

sat and laughed to see him play so pretty, that

was a Saturday noon and Monday noon he was a

corpse and a Tuesday he was burried.   Mr.

Grimley preached the funeral from the 39^th

psalms 2nd verse.  "I was dumb, I opened not my

mouth, because I didst it".  Jane you wanted me

to write wether we had got black hats or not,

Abbie has got one, I have not yet.  I have spoke

for one but have not got it yet.   Abbie has got

a plain black lawn and a black gingham dress and

I have got three black dresses and a black veil.

The veil cost me 10 shillings.   Abbie has got

her a black crepe collar, it cost her six

shillings.   Erastus told me that he talked of

coming out to see you after haying and see how

he likes it out there.   Jane you wanted me writ

you whether Erastus took it hard or if the

children realized their mothers death. As for

Erastus, he seemed to take it very hard the day

that she was buried.   I have not seen them since

but Erastus and Cecelia, they both came down to

the funeral when babe was buried and when mr

Grimley spoke about Julia Ann dying and being

gone from us for ever from our family  some one

said that Cerseley bursted out a crying and took

it very hard.   Poor sis how nice she did act tha

day   she looked so solom and when the corps was

shown Erastus carne and took Cerceley by the hand

and led her out to see the corps.   O how nice it

did look, Erastus went to the grave with us.

Calebs team took your father and me [and] Pheobe

Jane to the grave    poor Pheobe how hard she did

take it    what a pretty corpse he was, looked so

pleasant, just as if he had fallen asleep.   O

the little dear   They have laid the baby darling

in the cold and narrow bed, there within the

silent coffin, sweetly rests thy infant head,

there the night winds and the zephers sing their

soothing Iulaby.

O how hard Wiliam and the girls and Charity did

take it   O my children how much comfort you must

take in going to church and I hope you will

remember me in your prayers. Well I must bring

my letter to a close for it is a getting tea

time, so I must bid you all good by for this

time.   So fare the well, do write soon to let me

know how you all are now.

To Moses and Jane Eliza Seely

From Benjamin and Keziah and Abbe Kimber

SOURCE: Edna Raymond, a past Town of Minisink historian, gave me typed transcripts of the letters exchanged between the Kimber sisters and their parents. This letter is #10 of 31.

To read earlier Kimber Letters click on the label 'Kimber Letters' at the bottom of this post.

In the Year 1762 … a daughter was born into this world

Anno 1762 ten 12 Augusty is Mir ein docter auf Disse Welt gegoren ihr Nahme is Eva Marakreta ihr Taug Zeigen wahren Gorg Keller und seine Frau Barabara. [German]

In the year 1762 on the 12^th of August to me a daughter was born into this world. Her name is Eva Margaretha. Her baptismal sponsors were George Keller and his wife Barbara. [English Translation]

The image above is an excerpt from the ‘Baptismal Record of the Children of Johann Frederich Hengerer/Hanger of Augusta County, Virginia’.

Eva Margaretha Hanger was the daughter of German immigrant Frederick Hanger and my 4^th Great Grandmother. Frederick arrived with his parents when he was 14 years old in 1740. The family lived in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and then spent some time in Greenbrier and Frederick Counties in Virginia.  Before settling in Augusta County, Frederick resided in Shenandoah County.

I’m very lucky that the late Peggy S. Joyner compiled and published “Frederich & Peter Hanger of Virginia, 1740 Immigrants, Some Ancestors & Descendants” in March 1977 with a revised edition October 1986. I purchased a copy of her booklet and my introduction to the family began. While Peggy was a Frederick Hanger descendant, she was also a certified genealogist. Her research and documentation is topnotch.

Peggy found references to Frederick Hanger’s Bible but couldn’t locate it. Forty years later Peggy had in her hands a page of births that had been inserted in Frederick’s bible. She and the Bible owner arranged to have the original page deposited in the Special Collections at the Alderman Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.

That’s how I came to know about my Hanger family.

Family historians believe Frederick married Eva Margreta Mayer in 1767. My Great Grandmother Eva Margaretha Hanger was born August 12, 1762—too early to be Eva Margreta Mayer’s child. Eva’s mother must have been Frederick Hanger’s former wife.

4^th Great Grandmother Eve would become the wife of Daniel Joseph and the mother of four children—Eve born in 1785, John in 1787, Margaret born about 1796 and Daniel in 1797.

After Daniel died she married Warner Peters in Rockingham County, Virginia Jan. 5, 1799.