Genealogy Data Page 1 (Notes Pages)
*Barbara, (b. , d. ?)
Source: (Name field)
Title: Eighteenth Century Emigrants - Vol I
Author: Annette K. Burgert
Media: Book
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Witmoyer, *John Frantz (b. 25 APR 1797, d. 14 OCT 1876)
Source: (Name field)
Title: John Adam Witmeyer, Sr's (1860 - 1938) Memoirs
Source: (Name field)
Title: Christ Reformed Church, Annville, Lebanon Co
Source: (Name field)
Title: Evergreen Cem. Records, Annville
Source: (Death field)
Title: Records - Rev. Jonathan E. Heister
Religion: Place: Reformed Church, Annville, PA, Records of Johathan E. Hiester
Source: (Individual field)
Title: Lebanon Co. Court House
Event: Type: Deed
Date: 4 JUN 1864
Place: Book I - 3, p. 237, 238 - S. Annville Twp, from Henry and Nancy Hostetter, Book I-3, p. 237, 238
Event: Type: Deed
Date: 22 JUN 1878
Place: Book B-2, p. 793 - Adam & Cyrus Witmeyer - Exec. of Frantz Witmeyer's estate. Book B-2-p.793
Event: Type: Census - 1830
Place: on file
Event: Type: Census - 1840
Place: on file
Event: Type: Census - 1850
Place: on file
Event: Type: Census - 1860
Place: on file
Event: Type: Census 1870
Place: on file
Note: JAW, Sr. stated in his memoirs that Frantz owned two farms south of Annville, PA "He was a carpenter by trade and contractor. He built lots of barns and houses. He had a large force of men working for him. Through carpentering he lost one eye and got lame and used a cane." JAW, Sr. and Adam Hunsicker Witmeyer worked Frantz's farms.
Frantz's name was listed several different ways. In the 1830 Federal Census, it appeared as Frans; in 1840, it was Frantz; in 1860, it was Francis. By that time he was a retired farmer with property valued at $10,000 and personal property valued at $150.
Frantz died at age 79 when JAW, Sr. was 16 years old. Frantz willed his farms to his two sons. Adam inherited the farm located on the east side of what is now route 934 and Cyrus inherited the farm on the west side of route 934.
His obituary, which appeared in the Lebanon Advertiser), stated, "Mr. J. Francis Witmeyer ... died on the 14th of October 1876 at the ripe old age of 79 years, 5 months, 29 days. In his youth he learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed for a number of years. He also followed farming for about 28 years. He died respected by all who knew him. In all the mutations of a long lifetime he remained a firm and steadfast supporter of the Democratic Party. His funeral took place on Thursday morning last and was largely attended. His remains were interred in the Evergreen Cemetery in Annville. Rev. J.E. Heister of Annville, and Rev. Brubacker of Lancaster delivered able sermons on the occasion."
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Witmoyer, Peggy (b. , d. ?)
Source: (Name field)
Title: John Adam Witmeyer, Sr's (1860 - 1938) Memoirs
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Witmoyer, Samuel (b. 15 JUL 1817, d. 1 MAY 1892)
Source: (Name field)
Title: John Adam Witmeyer, Sr's (1860 - 1938) Memoirs
Source: (Name field)
Title: Biog. Annals of Lebanon Co.
Source: (Name field)
Title: Records - Kimmerling Cemetery, Lebanon
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Witmoyer, John (b. , d. ?)
Source: (Name field)
Title: John Adam Witmeyer, Sr's (1860 - 1938) Memoirs
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Witmoyer, Jacob (b. 25 JAN 1799, d. 16 APR 1872)
Source: (Name field)
Title: John Adam Witmeyer, Sr's (1860 - 1938) Memoirs
Source: (Name field)
Title: Tabor Reformed Church Records, Lebanon
Source: (Birth field)
Title: Evergreen Cem. Records, Annville
Source: (Birth field)
Title: Records - Rev. Jonathan E. Heister
Religion: Place: Christ Reformed Church, Annville, Lebanon Co.
Source: (Individual field)
Title: Lebanon Co. Court House
Will: Date: 13 NOV 1872
Place: Lebanon Co., PA, Book D, p. 670
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Witmoyer, Thomas (b. , d. ?)
Source: (Name field)
Title: John Adam Witmeyer, Sr's (1860 - 1938) Memoirs
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Wetzel, John Jacob (b. , d. ?)
Source: (Name field)
Title: Records - Sinsheim Lutheran Church, Germany
Author: Eighteenth Century Emigrants, Vol 1, by Annette K. Burgert
Media: Book
Note: Sinsheim Lutheran Church records state that John Jacob was a carpenter. The family came to America in 1746 on the ship "Ann Galley."
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Georg, Anna Ursula (b. , d. ?)
Source: (Name field)
Title: Records - Sinsheim Lutheran Church, Germany
Author: Eighteenth Century Emigrants, Vol 1, by Annette K. Burgert
Media: Book
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Witmoyer, Cyrus (b. 7 FEB 1829, d. 21 MAR 1896)
Source: (Name field)
Title: John Adam Witmeyer, Sr's (1860 - 1938) Memoirs
Source: (Name field)
Title: Federal Census - 1850
Source: (Name field)
Title: Federal Census - 1860
Source: (Name field)
Title: Tabor Reformed Church Records, Lebanon
Source: (Birth field)
Title: Gingrich Mennonite Church Cemetery Records, S. Annville, Lebanon Co.
Note: The newspaper article in the "Der Lebanon Demokrat" compiled by Robert A. Heilman, states that Cyrus Wittmeyer and Nancy Hostetter were both from S. Annville.
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Hostetter, Anna (b. 25 JUN 1826, d. 1 MAY 1903)
Source: (Name field)
Title: Gingrich Mennonite Church Cemetery Records, S. Annville, Lebanon Co.
Source: (Name field)
Title: Federal Census - 1860
Source: (Name field)
Title: Tabor Reformed Church Records, Lebanon
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Ebersole, *Elizabeth Arnold (b. 1 JUL 1837, d. 13 SEP 1867)
Source: (Name field)
Title: Federal Census - 1850
Source: (Name field)
Title: Will of Annie A. Ebersole - L-625, Lebanon Co. Court House -
Source: (Death field)
Title: Gingrich Mennonite Church Cem. Records
Religion: Place: Mennonite
Note: Elizabeth was born and raised on her parents' farm outside of Campbelltown, Pa. She was a member of the Mennonite Church.
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Yeagley, Priscilla (b. 2 NOV 1837, d. 12 SEP 1921)
Source: (Name field)
Title: John Adam Witmeyer, Sr's Memoirs
Source: (Birth field)
Title: Evergreen Cem. Records, Annville
Note: Priscilla was the second wife of ADAM. After his death she continued to live in S. Annville. By the 1900 (Federal Census - 1900) she was living in N. Annville with two of her children, Elisabeth A. and Frank H.
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Witmeyer, Lizzie Alice (b. 11 MAY 1872, d. 24 JUL 1915)
Source: (Name field)
Title: Federal Census - 1880
Source: (Name field)
Title: Lebanon Co. Orphans Court - Vol 18, p. 245
Source: (Birth field)
Title: Evergreen Cem. Records, Annville
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Witmeyer, Frank H (b. 15 DEC 1874, d. 24 DEC 1962)
Source: (Name field)
Title: Federal Census - 1880
Source: (Name field)
Title: Lebanon Co. Orphans Court - Vol 18, p. 245
Source: (Birth field)
Title: Evergreen Cem. Records, Annville
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Witmeyer, Clara Ellen (b. 1870, d. ?)
Source: (Name field)
Title: Federal Census - 1880
Source: (Name field)
Title: Lebanon Co. Orphans Court - Vol 18, p. 245
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Witmeyer, Monroe (b. 1877, d. ?)
Source: (Name field)
Title: Federal Census - 1880
Source: (Name field)
Title: Lebanon Co. Orphans Court - Vol 18, p. 245
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Witmeyer, *John Adam (b. 16 OCT 1860, d. 12 AUG 1938)
Source: (Name field)
Title: Bellegrove Lutheran Church Cemetery, Bellegrove, Lebanon Co.
Source: (Name field)
Title: Will of Annie A. Ebersole - L-625, Lebanon Co. Court House -
Source: (Name field)
Title: Will of Daniel A. Ebersole - H-466, Lebanon Co. Court House
Source: (Name field)
Title: 1870 Census
Source: (Birth field)
Title: John Adam Witmeyer, Sr's (1860 - 1938) Memoirs
Source: (Birth field)
Title: Bellegrove Cemetery Records
Event: Type: Federal Census - 1910
Place: on file
Event: Type: Federal Census - 1900
Place: on file
Event: Type: Federal Census - 1920
Place: on file
Note: JOHN was raised on his grandfather FRANTZ'S farm in S. Annville Twp. His mother died when he was seven years old. His father remarried when JOHN was nine years old. JOHN continued to work on the farm until his father died. When JOHN was 21 years old he moved to his Grandfather Ebersole's house in Campbelltown, Lebanon Co.
JOHN was 24 years old when he married 21 year old SARAH (SALLIE) SNOKE. SALLIE and JOHN were members of the Bellegrove Lutheran Church until 1903, at which time they transferred their membership to First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Annville. JOHN was listed as an elder at the Annville Church in 1904-1908 and 1922-1938 (church records). They resided at 130 E. Main St., Annville, Pa.
In the Federal Census of 1920 JOHN was listed as an inspector - shoe factory (A. S. Kreider Shoe Factory), Lizzie was listed as a packer - hosiery mill, Lizzie Snoke was listed as a mender - hosiery mill, SALLIE was listed as occupation "none," and EMMA was listed as attending school.
JOHN and SARAH both had brown eyes and brown hair. JOHN died from cerebral thrombosis at the age of 77 (PA Division of Vital Records #011705).
In July 1988 at the Witmeyer reunion in Annville, Pa. some of JOHN A. WITMEYER, SR'S grandchildren spoke of their remembrances of JOHN and SARAH. The following are some excerpts from that reunion -
Forrest Witmeyer - The minister of the Annville Lutheran Church, Rev. Whitman, had a son named Shepard, who was about my age. He had a tent in the back yard. One day we went out to the tent. He had a box of matches with him and he said, "now you've never smoked have you?" I said, "no, of course not, I'm only 9 years old." I think he said he hadn't either. He had some newspapers with him & he had some dried corn silk (I guess that's what you call it.) He said, "let's roll a couple of cigarettes out of newspaper and the dried corn silk," which he did. Then we lit them and we smoked them. Shortly after that I went in to Grandma Witmeyer's house. I no sooner got there to the door when she smelled all of the smoke. And she said something to the effect, "Forrest have you been smoking?" I tried to say "no," but the evidence was all against me. She gave me a good whack and said "let it never happen again.
Carl Witmeyer - I think a lot of people here never heard of Aunt Lizzie Snoke. This was Grandma Witmeyer's older sister. To my two sisters and brother she was like a second Grandma. She was a wonderful lady. I think she lived to be 88. She never married and lived with Grandma and Grandpa all her life.
But I have a story about Grandpa. He chewed tobacco. He worked at the shoe factory. He came home for lunch every day. He'd walk into the kitchen and Grandma would have a tumbler of water sitting on the sink. Grandpa would take the chewing tobacco out of his mouth, put it into the tumbler of water. He had a beautiful white mustache & white hair. He'd wash his mustache, rinse his mouth out, comb his mustache, sit down and eat his lunch, take a 15 minute nap. Ten minutes before it was time to go back to work he would go over to the glass, take the chewing tobacco out and put it back in his mouth and go back to work for the afternoon. He came home every night and put a new chewing tobacco in his mouth after supper. That one chew lasted him the whole day.
Eleanor Witmeyer - Aunt Lizzie Snoke, I want to add, always came to the defense of all of us when we were about to be punished. Mother invited her to dinner one night and my mother ate dinner with a fork in one hand and a hairbrush in the other hand. There was one of our number who disrupted a lot of our meals. When he tried to make a boob at the table one night, Mother used a hairbrush. Aunt Lizzie got so upset that she left the table and went home. She said, "I will not stand to see any of these little children punished."
If history recorded such things, it would have pages about Grandma's green tomato pie, her buttering toast on both sides, her preparing something special to eat when our parents had something we didn't like, she would have something we did like. Grandpa's coffee soup, his Sat. night walk to the corner drug store to buy peppermint and wintergreen lozenges. And then maybe all of us remember he was the custodian of the Lutheran Church. You remember when we were small, when he rang the church bell, he would hold us up and let us hold on to the rope and pull us down and up with the bell. I'm sure we all did that. I would like to say that life has brought us many pleasures, but I think few exceed those that we associate with Grandma and Grandpa and the aunt Lizzies . I think that we're all indebted to them for creating among us lasting bonds of love and compassion and those still continue to hold the members of our clan together.
Stan Witmeyer - I remember that church bell. I always felt as a kid I was lucky that was about as close to heaven as you could get. Whenever we travelled from Rochester to visit Grandma & Grandpa, Grandpa would always meet me in the hall and he would be patting me on the back and sometimes on the head and he'd say, you know Stan, you're my favorite grandson." Oh, was I wrong!
One of the chores that Grandpa used to give me when we came on this trip, (I must have looked like the biggest, the strongest, the tallest) was to crank that ice cream freezer in the kitchen. I would grind that thing and he would always say "somehow or other Stan, every time you turn that crank the ice cream gets better." What a guy.
Don Witmeyer - at Christmas time we used to gather at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I remember Grandpa's white shock of hair and mustache. He used to give out the presents at Christmas time and I always thought he was Santa Claus. Sitting down to dinner was a real function in that family. You remember there were 8 children in their family, with families of their own. Sometimes we had 35 or 40 people gathering there for Christmas or other holiday functions. We had a very fine schedule for eating our dinner. I like it even till today. We didn't all sit down at the same time. The children were served first. Then thank heaven, all the men were served. Finally, the women sat down after everybody else had been fed. Now that order should be our order today! The men then washed the dishes. I remember Sarah's father Oscar (Light) was doing the washing and Paul (Witmeyer) and John (Witmeyer) were doing the drying. Paul and John kept pushing back the dishes behind Oscar so he would wash them all over again. He finally got wise to it.
I'll always remember how thoughtful Grandma was. I used to visit Silver's and stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house. One summer, I was just coming into young manhood, I met through one of my other cousins, unnamed, a young lady, whom I decided to walk home through the Lebanon Valley College Campus. Grandma heard about it and she thought, "I'd better protect him from these young ladies in Annville," so she sent Stanley out to find me. He found me in the campus and he said, "come home, Grandma says so." I had to leave the young lady walk home by herself.
Ethel Miller - I lived with Grandma and Grandpa for about 3 years when I worked for the shoe factory. I went home for the weekend on the trolley. They had a radio and our family always went to hear Amos & Andy.
Don (Witmeyer), you were born a day before I was. Grandma was supposed to come to my house when I was born, but Don was born early so Grandma went to Don's house and Aunt Lizzie came to our house. Aunt Lizzie Witmeyer lived with my mother maybe 20 years. After my mother and dad were gone, she stayed with me. They were all at my wedding, which was 51 years ago.
JOHN ADAM WITMEYER, SR'S MEMOIRS - HISTORY OF THE WITMEYER FAMILY
(As written longhand in pencil by John A. Witmeyer on June 28, 1931 and given to Forrest H. Witmeyer, his oldest grandson, for safe keeping. It is duplicated herewith, verbatim, as originally written and distributed at the Witmeyer reunion held in Annville, Pa., on June 6, 1953.)
Annville, Pa., June 28, 1931
My Great Grandfather, Peter Witmeyer, was one of the boys that was in the war of 1775 or Revolutionary War. That is about all that I can find out of him. Suppose they started out from Germany. Great Grandfather, don't know much about him, only that he was married but what his wife's name was, I don't know, but they had five sons and one daughter. The son's names were Samuel, Frantz, John, Jacob and Thomas, and the daughter's name was Peggy. The boys settled down in Lebanon County except Thomas - he settled in Dauphin County near Steelton, and the daughter was never married. After their mother died she (Peggy) kept house for her father till he tired and then they quit and the father lived with the boys till he died. At last he was so unfortunate that only two of the boys did give him a home - Samuel and Frantz. That is how some children treat their parents. So he died and is buried at Kimmerling's Cemetery north of Lebanon towards Mt. Zion, Pa.
Now next is Grandfather Frantz - he was born in the year 1791. He married a lady by the name of Catherine Hunsicker. They had two sons and one daughter- Cyrus & Adam, and the girl's name was Kathryn. She was married to Mr. Felix Light. Grandfather was a carpenter by trade and contractor. Built lots of barns and houses, has a large force of men working for him during his time. Through carpentering he lost on eye and got lame, ever since I knew him he used a cane. Through his time of his trade he made money because he owned two farms south of Annville about 1 1/2 miles at the Witmeyer's school house. He was a member of the Reform Church in Annville. Rev. Dr. Heister, the preacher, worked many years with him in Harvest and Haymaking.
Grandmother was born in the year 1794 and died in 1864 at the age of 69 years. Grandfather was born 1797, died 1876, age 79 years. They are buried in the Evergreen cemetery, Annville. Next came my father Adam. When he was a little boy he had a good companion - a big shepherd dog. One day they got lost and his mother did not know where they got to do they look for him and found him laying with his head on the dog's body, but the dog kept watch over him. Mother was born 1837, died 1867, age 30 years. She was a member of the Mennonite Church and is buried in the cemetery south of Annville about two miles. Now father got married again to a lady by the name of Priscilla Yeagly. They were bless with five children but the family is all gone to their reward except my step brother, Frank and step sister, Clara and myself. Father was born October 20, 1836, died December 12, 1879, age 43 years.
Father was married to a lady by the name of Elizabeth Ebersole. They were blessed with two boys and one girl. John, Franklin, and the girl's name was Emma. Now they are farming on Grandfather's farm. One day mother and the hired girl went to the mountain for blackberries and Mother was bitten from a rattle snake and got so poisoned that the doctors could not take it all out of her system so she was sickly for two years and then died very young. Father was a member of the Reform Church at Annville in his last years. They were buried at the Mennonite Church south of Annville, Pa. about two miles.
Now the next History will be of the boy John (or myself). I was born October 16, 1860, so when I was five years old Mother got sickly and then her sister Leah came to help her along during the winter she was teaching school near home where I went to school, so she started me in schoolwork and stayed with us till Mother died. She married a man by the name of Mr. Harry Fischer but she kept her eye on us - sister Emma and myself till she died. If I went a little astray she reminded us, so she kept part of Mother's place, but Father kept on farming and when I was about nine years old Father married again. Then my work started. Stepmother knew how to handle boys. In the morning I had to make breakfast, wash dishes, sew carpet rags and what not, but I can boast this - I never got a right licking from either of them - I guess little smacks with the hand. I suppose that was enough to make good promises and keep them. But I remember one day I was using the patent Hay Rake and got a little tired so Grandfather came along and said, "John, you can do better than this," so I said "If it don't suit you do it yourself," so he said "all right" and I got off on the side that he stood and he gave me a good whack with his cane over my back that I will never forget. Then he said "now go on" and I did. I told him "I will tell Father." "No," he said, "I will tell him myself," but don't know whether he did. I know I did not, but that was a lesson for me. I was about twelve years old. After that we were good sports. If Grandfather did want to go away he always asked Father if I could go along to visit here or there. I had a cousin living on the same farm with Grandfather but he never took him along so you see I was the boy after all.
Now from 12 to 15 years I worked fairly hard, but from then on till I was 21 years old I worked hard on the farm. Father got sick when I was 16 years old. When Father was a young man, first year that they were married, he was hauling stones to Lebanon and was unloading, the crow bar hit him in the side and that never got right so at my age of 16 years he got sick and could not work, then I had to run the work through. He could do the planning, and 2 years later Father died, then I had the planning and the work till I got 21 years old, then we quit farming. Made sale and the family went apart -one here and the other there. I went to my Grandfather Ebersole. There I had it good toward what I had at home on the farm also till I was 24 years old - then I got married to a lady by the name of Miss Sallie Snoke and we were united in holy matrimony in the year 1884 by Rev. J.H. Deitzler, and in my opinion we had a very nice time together and we will give all the Honor and Glory to our dear Lord and Saviour because the Bible teaches us that God puts together no man can put asunder and that is always true.
We were bless with 8 children - Cyrus R. Witmeyer, Born 9/4/1891 - died 4/19/1895 - 7 are living and one went to his home in Heaven where all want to meet him again and occupy that Home that is prepared for all that love the Lord and Master. We are very proud with our family - raised 7 children, have 24 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Now we give thanks to God that we are all perfect in minds and have straight limbs and I hope the name will stay in existance for many years to come and we are trying to do the will of God as good as we can. Now the original name Witmoyer, someone changed it to Witmeyer but that has nothing to say. The Witmeyer family boys and girls that I knew were in stature not over 5 feet 8 inches in height and weighed from 120 to 160 pounds. And the Hunsicker family where my grandmother originated they were in height not over 5 feet, 6 inches and weighed from 130 to 180 pounds.
HISTORY OF THE EBERSOLE AND MOYER FAMILY - ANNVILLE 11/14/1931
They both started out from Berne Switzerland, landed in Philadelphia. Now my Great Grandfather ( see footnote 1) was in the War so when he said that he don't want a gun - can't shoot nobody -so they gave him a wagon and horses to take goods to the other boys. That he liked - it was his trade. But the Moyer boys said "we want guns, so they got them. Now one of the Moyer (see footnote 2) girls was in the field at plowing and some soldiers came along and broke one of their single trees, something to hitch horses at to pull the wagon, so one of the boys jumped over the fence to take one of her single trees, but she fought with this boy till the officer came and told her that they were from the same party that she is. So she did not hesitate and gave them two instead of one single tree, and the happened to be my Great Great Grandmother. After the war she got married to the Ebersole boy that was in the war. That is the relation between Ebersole and Moyer. The name of the boy was John B. Ebersole and the lady's name was Elizabeth Moyer. They were married January 16, 1807, lived together 36 years, blessed with 5 children. This family is buried at West Donegal Church, Lancaster County, Pa. (see footnote 3)
Now there is the next Great Grandfather, John Ebersole. His wife's name was Miss Harichelrhode from Lancaster County somewhere. (see footnote 4) His trade was farming. They are buried at Conawago Cemetery Mennonite Church, Lancaster County. Now next came my Grandfather, John Ebersole. He was born in West Donegal Township June 26, 1811. Now during the summer he worked the farm and in the fall of the year and winter he was driving a six horse team from his home to Philadelphia and out as far as Pittsburgh. Took wheat down and loaded merchandise, took as far out as Pittsburgh. Traveled 25 miles a day. He had a big wagon covered with cloth so that the rain did not come on his goods. He had a heavy raincoat and hat that he could cover his shoulders. He said to me that he walked many a rainy day along side his team, so he did that for years until the canal came. He was single that time and then he bought a farm between Palmyra and Campbelltown, the third farm from Palmyra along the highway. Now he was alone so he found a lady by the name of Sara H. Arnold. She was born October 12, 1815 in Manheim, Lancaster County, Penna. so they were married in the year 1835, February 16. They lived together 32 years were blessed with 11 children, all got over 30 years of age and most of them over
75 years of age till they died and went to their reward. That is a record.
Now one of the boys, John, he enlisted in the Civil War, was there over 3 years and never was wounded. Got caught and put in Libby prison a while, got shot two times through his cap. One evening the boys were sitting in camp and they heard somebody shoot, then they looked around and at last he noticed a black spot in a tree so he got his gun and fired at the black spot and down came a sharp shooter.
After Father died and we quit farming I went to my Grandfather and we were sitting many evenings together that he told of the times that he had. Grandfather was 76 years old and Grandmother was 51 years old when they died. They were buried at Campbelltown Cemetery Reformed Church, but they were Mennonites. Now they had a girl by the name of Elizabeth and she found a young man by the name of Adam H. Witmeyer, so they got married in the year 1858. They were blessed with three children and I, John am one of them. And Emma and Franklin who died when quite young. Now there is a story connected with Mother. She and her maid went one day for some blackberries in the mountains and came in contact with a rattle snake and was poisoned by the snake, so they went home to the doctor but was poisoned that she got sickly and did not get well anymore, and in two years she died at the early age of 30 years. September 13, 1867, when her little boy, John was only 6 years, 11 months old. And when I was 9 years old Father married again a lady by the name of Priscilla Yeagley.
Now you will notice the name John was carried along since the family left Berne, Switzerland and is carried down two generations more, so I think it must be a very good name. Hope it will continue longer. The Ebersole family that I knew were in stature very robust, heavy built in bone and muscle. The boys were over 6 feet in height, but not the girls. The boys weighed from 160 to 190 pounds but not the girls. But the Arnolds where my Grandmother originated had a uncle that weighed 325 pounds and the rest of the family was in proportion from120 to 180 pounds. They were short in height and stout in proportion. They died at an old age and are buried at Benagle Cemetery, N. of Palmyra, Penna.
HISTORY OF THE SNOKE FAMILY
They came from Germany, but we don't know what section. There must be a few generation missing. The only ones are the Grandparents - they lived in Lebanon County, Penna. North Annville township, near Steelstown. Grandmother's name was Miss Catherine Fernsler They were blessed with three boys and seven girls. They died at an old age and are buried at Benagle Cemetery, north of Palmyra, Pa. Grandfather's trade was carpet weaver and farmer. Now one of the boys, George, he found a young lady by the name of Sara Lesslie. They were blessed with five boys and two girls. His trade was farming. They lived in the neighborhood of Bellegrove, Penna. They were Lutheran by birth and stayed that till they died and are buried at the Lutheran Cemetery, Bellegrove, Penna. George lived till he got to the age of 76 years and his wife was 54 years.
Now one of the girls, Sallie by name, found a young man by the name of John A. Witmeyer. They are living together in Annville, Penna. by this writing, October 16, 1931. Father's age 71 years, Mother's age 61 years and six months and are very good in health and are living very happy together and are Lutheran since the 1888 when we were converted at Bellegrove Lutheran Church under the preaching of Schweitzer And we will ask God's blessing for our health and strength and will thank the Lord many many times for watching over us these many years.
(signed) Mr. & Mrs. John A. Witmeyer
FOOTNOTES
1. JAW, Sr. was referring to his Great Great Grandfather, probably John Ebersold.
2. This reference was probably to his Great Great Grandmother Elizabeth Bossler.
3. The John B. Ebersole & Elizabeth Moyer that are spoken of here could not have been participants in the Revolutionary War because they were not born until 1775 and 1778 respectively. This couple is buried at Stouffer's Cemetery, near Campbelltown, Pa. - not at West Donegal Church, Lancaster County, Pa. as stated in JAW, Sr.'s memoirs. One of their parents might have been buried at West Donegal Church, this has not yet been verified.
4. Great Grandfather Ebersole did not marry a Miss Harichelrhode. It was Great Grandfather Peter Arnold that married Elizabeth Herchelroth from Lancaster County.
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Witmeyer, Emma (b. 1862, d. ?)
Source: (Name field)
Title: Will of Daniel A. Ebersole - H-466, Lebanon Co. Court House
Source: (Name field)
Title: 1870 Census
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Snoke, *Sarah Lessly (b. 30 APR 1863, d. 27 JUL 1945)
Source: (Name field)
Title: John Adam Witmeyer, Sr's (1860 - 1938) Memoirs
Source: (Name field)
Title: Bellegrove Cemetery Records
Source: (Name field)
Title: Federal Census - 1880
Source: (Birth field)
Title: Bellegrove Lutheran Church Cemetery, Bellegrove, Lebanon Co.
Source: (Burial field)
Title: Cemetery records
Note: It is believed that SARA LESLIE SNOKE was born in a log cabin located on the northwest corner of Syner and Bellegrove Roads. As a young girl she lived with her parents on their farm in North Annville Twp.
SARA'S granddaughter Ethel Miller remembers that "Grandma and Aunt Lizzie always changed their clothing before eating their evening dinner. They liked to attend the local movie theater and the concerts held at Lebanon Valley College. They also liked to shop at the local 5 & 10 store." Ethel said, "Grandma made handmade potato chips. Aunt Lizzie did a lot of embroidering. They liked to listen to Amos and Andy on a radio that had a big megaphone attached."
SARA was 82 years old when she died. She was living with her daughter and son in law Annie and Oscar Light, at 332 West Main Street, Annville. Her death certificate states that she died from myocardial degeneration due to senility (PA Bureau of Vital Statistics #2301384, file #60728).
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