Catherine Rohrer

Notes:

Five years after the capture of Quebec by General Wolfe, and one year after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which put an end to the French and Indian war, and established English supremacy on the American continent, a child was born in Washington County, in the province of Maryland, that was destined to become the pioneer head of a numerous family in the settlement of a region of country which was at that time unknown. The name of this child was Christian Rohrer, and he was just one year old when the notorious "Stamp Act" was passed by the English Parliament. His parents came from Germany, and although their son, Christian, was born in America, they spared no pains in teaching him how to speak and write the language of his forefathers.Christian Rohrer had twelve children. By his first wife he had two--Martin and Fanny; and by his second he had ten--Henry, Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth, Catherine, Daniel, John, Susan, David and Jacob.Henry Baumwart was a brother of Mrs. Christian Rohrer. Mr. Baumwart, no doubt, came from near the same place his brother-in-law came from, although it is said he was a Pennsylvania Dutchman. He came after Mr. Rohrer, but just how long after there is no evidence to show. He settled on Lot 12, concession A., Walsingham, between Port Rowan and Port Royal, He had four sons--Frederick, Henry, Jacob and David; and four daughters--Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth and Susan.Frederick Baumwart, eldest son of Henry, married Fanny Becker, and settled in the family neighborhood. He had one son, John; and four daughters--Margaret, Maria, Catherine and Susan.Henry Baumwart, second son of Henry, was twice married. By his first wife, Nancy Foster, he had one son, Isaac, and four daughters--Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Anise and Laura. His second wife was Mrs. Rachel Huff nee Rachel Smith, daughter of the old pioneer athlete, William Smith. By this union he had several children who, after his death, settled in Michigan with their mother. When war was declared in 1812, Henry Baumwart had no inclination to take up arms against the land of his birth, and he left Canada, remaining away for several years. He returned, however, and ever after was a firm believer in the superior advantages which his adopted country possessed over the land of his birth in the development of a moral, law-abiding and God-fearing citizenship.Jacob Baumwart, third son of Henry, married Sarah Smith, and settled on the homestead. He had one son, Owen; and two daughters--Susan and Mary. Owen succeeded to the homestead. Mary married Lot Spencer.David Baumwart, youngest son of the old pioneer, married Julia, daughter of Oliver Mabee, and settled in Charlotteville. By this marriage he had two sons--Henry and Gideon; and four daughters--Rebecca Ann, Mary Jane, Rachel and Julia. Subsequently, he married Mary Frances, by whom he had two sons--Gabriel and David; and one daughter, Eliza.Susan Baumwart, daughter of the old pioneer, married Eber Decew; and her sister, CATHERINE, married Isaac Decew. The names of their children are given in the Decew genealogy.Elizabeth Baumwart, the third daughter, married William Ferris, and settled near Port Colborne, where she raised a family of five sons--William, Owen, Isaac, Joshua and John; and five daughters--Susan, Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth and Sarah.Mary Baumwart, the eldest daughter, married into the Rohrer family.The Dutch form of the family name has been discarded, and the Anglicized form--BOWER--adopted in its stead.

Five years after the capture of Quebec by General Wolfe, and one year after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which put an end to the French and Indian War, and established English supremacy on the American continent, a child was born in Washington County, in the province of Maryland, that was destined to become the pioneer head of a numerous family in the settlement of a region of country which at that time was unknown. The name of this child was Christian Rohrer and he was just one year old when the notorious “Stamp Act” was passed by the English parliament. His parents came from Germany, and although their son, Christian was born in America, they spared no pains in teaching him to speak and write the language of his forefathers. This was a wise thing to do, and should never be neglected by foreign-born patents (especially German) in the education of their American-born children. Its value in after life— especially in business pursuits—cannot be over-estimated.[1]

Christian Rohrer married Varonica Rehmein, who did not long survive her marriage. After her death he married Anna Baumwart for his second wife. Mrs. J. B. Davis, of Port Rowan, a descendant of Christian Rohrer, is in possession of two old records which certainly are deserving of a place in some museum of antiquities, these relics are more than a hundred years old; but it is the odd and wildly fantastic attempt at ornamentation that characterizes them rather than their age. It is a print, or stamp, in high colors; and at first sight, remind one of pieces of old, highly-colored wall paper, representing the birds and foliage of some unknown planet far removed from earth. The pages are about sixteen inches square, and contain a number of small blanks on which are German inscriptions. They are old family-record designs, but the blank spaces are filled with matter that furnishes no family historical information except the date and place of Mr. Rohrer’s birth, and the fact of his marriages.

As to the date of Christian Rohrer’s settlement in Walsingham, there is nothing definite. Simpson McCall, Esq., says that Rohrer and Dedrick were living there when his grandfather landed at the mouth of Big Creek in 1796, and that each had a piece of wheat which had been sown the previous fall.[2] If this be correct, the Rohrers were among the first—after Dr. Troyer—in effecting a settlement in the township of Walsingham. Mrs. Rohrer was a Baumwart (Bower), and her family came subsequently.

Christian Rohrer had twelve children. By his first wife he had two—Martin and Fanny; and by his second wife he had ten—Henry, Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth, Catherine, Daniel, John, Susan, David and Jacob.

Martin Rohrer never married, and Fanny married a man named Garrett, and settled in Bayham.[3]

Henry Rohrer, second son of Christian, married Eleanor McCleish, and settled in Walsingham. He had five sons—Daniel, John, Henry, Wallace and David; and five daughters—Susan, Ann, Frances, Jane and Amelia.[4]

Daniel Rohrer, third son of Christian, married Jane McCleish and settled in Walsingham. He had eight children—Martha, Orineus, Catherine, Phoebe, Mary, Susan, Amy and Stephen.[5]

John Rohrer, fourth son of Christian, married Mary Edwards, and settled in Nissouri. One son of this family, Jeremiah, settled in Norfolk.[6]

David Rohrer, fifth son of Christian, married Mary Ann Williams, and settled in Walsingham. They had one son, John and four daughters—Elizabeth, Eliza Jane, Almira and Melissa.[7]

Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth, Catherine and Susan, daughters of Christian Rohrer, married, respectively James Price, Philip Underhill, David Underhill, Luke Dedrick and Titus Williams. They all settled in Walsingham.[8]

In Philip Underhill’s family were three sons—John, William and Edward; and two daughters— Mary and Nancy.

The descendants of Christian Rohrer are very numerous in Walsingham. The females have largely outnumbered the males, and the name, therefore, as it appears on the voters’ lists of the township, is no indication of the numerical strength of the family. As voters they may be outnumbered by some of the other old families, but a roll-call of the wives and mothers of Walsingham’s voters, through whose veins course the Rohrer blood, would show not only the numerous strength of Christian Rohrer’s descendants, but it would also show their superior industrial and moral qualities. In 1891, the autographs of seventy-six Rohrers, all living in the township of Walsingham were obtained by a member of the Illinois branch of the family. Of course, the larger portion were girls attending the township schools, who will become wives and mothers in other families, thereby losing their own family name.

Henry Baumwart was a brother of Mrs. Christian Rohrer. Mr. Baumwart, no doubt, came from near the same place his brother-in-law came from,[9] although it is said he was a Pennsylvania Dutchman. He came after Mr. Rohrer, but just how long after there is no evidence to show. He settled on Lot 12, Concession A, Walsingham between Port Rowan and Port Royal, He had four sons—Frederick, Henry, Jacob and David; and four daughters—Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth and Susan.[10]

Frederick Baumwart, eldest son of Henry, married Fanny Becker, and settled in the family neighborhood. He had one son, John and four daughters—Margaret, Maria, Catherine and Susan.

Henry Baumwart, second son of Henry, was twice married. By his first wife, Nancy Foster, he had one son, Isaac, and four daughters—Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Anise and Laura. His second wife was Rachel Huff nee Smith, daughter of the old pioneer athlete, William Smith. By this union he had several children who, after his death, settled in Michigan with their mother. When war was declared in 1812, Henry Baumwart had no inclination to take up arms against the land of his birth, and he left Canada, remaining away for several years. He returned, however, and ever after was a firm believer in the superior advantages which his adopted country possessed over the land of his birth in the development of a moral, law-abiding and God-fearing citizenship.

Jacob Baumwart, third son of Henry, married Sarah Smith, and settled on the homestead. He had one son, Owen; and two daughters—Susan and Mary. Owen succeeded to the homestead. Mary married Lot Spencer.

David Baumwart, youngest son of the old pioneer, married Julia, daughter of Oliver Mabee, and settled in Charlotteville. By this marriage he had two sons—Henry and Gideon; and four daughters—Rebecca Ann, Mary Jane, Rachel and Julia. Subsequently, he married Mary Frances, by whom he had two sons—Gabriel and David; and one daughter, Eliza.[11]

Susan Baumwart, daughter of the old pioneer, married Eber Decew; and her sister, Catherine, married Isaac Decew. The names of their children are given in the Decew genealogy. Elizabeth Baumwart, the third daughter, married William Ferris, and settled near Port Colborne, where she raised a family of five sons—William, Owen, Isaac, Joshua and John; and five daughters— Susan, Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth and Sarah.

Mary Baumwart, the eldest daughter, married into the Rohrer family.[12]

The Dutch form of the family name has been discarded, and the Anglicized form—Bower— adopted in its stead.

The pioneer head of the family died at the beginning of the second quarter of the century, and his widow survived him several years.

[1] Christian Rohrer was noted to be born at Hagerstown, Maryland on August 12, 1764 in Montross: A Family History, p. 146, by John and Eva Taylor (Stanton, VA: 1958)

[2] It is unlikely that Christian Rohrer planted a field of wheat in Walsingham Township in the fall of 1795. The 1852 Censuses of Bayham and Walsingham Townships indicate that Christian’s children Frances (Fanny) and Martin were born in the United States in 1795 and 1797 respectively. More possibly, Christian came to Walsingham with his second wife’s parents soon after April 1801.

[3] Frances (Fanny) Rohrer married Benjamin Garrett and they were recorded in the 1852, 1861, and 1871 Censuses of Bayham Township, Elgin County. The couple was buried in Straffordville Cemetery, Bayham Township.

[4] There was a may Rohrer, born on 4 Jul 1832 recorded in the 1852 Census of Walsingham Twp. The name of her father has not been learned but Henry Rohrer was the only one married by 1832. Mary’s marriage to Joseph White on 22 Jul 1853 was recorded in the Talbot District Marriage Register. They farmed in Walsingham Township recorded in the 1861, 1871 and 1881 Censuses.

[5] In Montross: A Family History Jacob Lorenzo Rohrer, born on 12 Oct 1850, died on 19 Jul 1853 is included in this family.

[6] Before settling in Nissouri Twp., John Rohrer and his wife Mary Ann Edwards lived in Lobo Twp., Middlesex Co. where they were recorded in the 1852 Census. Their children named in the Census were Alex, J. (Jeremiah), Wm. W. and H. (Henrietta). Other children buried in First Lobo Baptist Church Cemetery: James (died 17 Feb 1843) and John Henry (26 Oct 1847 to 26 Jul 1849). Mary Ann (Edwards) died on 11 Jan 1853 and John Rohrer then married Sarah _______ and had George W., Mary Ann and Martha

[7] Owen has David Rohrer confused with Christian’s youngest son Jacob Rohrer whose name he omitted. David Rohrer’s marriage to Sophronia Troyer was recorded in the Talbot District Marriage Register. They lived in Houghton Twp. then moved to Illinois. They had a daughter Aboreta Rohrer Buffett who, as a widow, was living with her mother in the 1880 Census of Annawan, Henry Co., Illinois. According to Troyer family information there may have been two more daughters whose names have not been learned. Christian Rohrer’s youngest son Jacob Rohrer married Mary Ann Williams (Talbot District Marriage Register) and they lived out their lives in Walsingham Twp. Their children in the 1852 Census: John, Elizabeth and Eliza J. Additional children in the 1861 Census: Almira and Melissa. There was an older son John Rohrer before the one mentioned in the censuses who died young and was buried in Johnson Cemetery, St. Williams.

[8] The husband of Elizabeth Rohrer was Daniel Elnathan Underhill. They were recorded in the 1852 and 1861 Censuses of Walsingham Twp. then moved to Warwick Twp., Lambton Co. where they were recorded in the 1881 Census. The couple was buried in Beechwood Cemetery, Forest, Lambton Co.

[9] This was probably Washington County, Maryland on the Pennsylvania line, a jurisdiction disputed by both colonies for many years. The term “Pennsylvania Dutch” is recognized as being originally “Pennsylvania Deutch” for the Palatine German and the Germanic Swiss immigrants who populated the colony under the sponsorship of William Penn.

[10] Henry Baumwart and his family came to Norfolk after 11 Apr 1801 when his son David was born in Washington Co., Maryland and before 9 Mar 1803 when he served as a Traverse Juror on the London District Court. There were more children in Henry Baumwart’s family baptized in the German Reformed Church, Hagerstown (formerly Elizabethtown), Washington Co., Maryland and all of whom apparently died young: Elisabetha, on 25 Jan 1780, Henrich baptized there on 24 Feb 1782, Johannes baptized on 17 Apr 1786, another Henrich, baptized on 3 Aug 1789. Family records also mention a daughter Sarah, born c. 1795 and two sons Andrew and Michael, both born in 1796.

[11] In the 1852 Census of Charlotteville Twp. and additional daughter Lydia aged 18 was recorded in the family of David Baumwart. He marriage to Henry Winters White on 3 Nov 1852 was recorded in the Talbot District Marriage Register.

[12] Mary Baumwart married pioneer Christian Rohrer mentioned in the first part of this sketch.

Christian married Anna Mary Rohrer-Baroch Baumwart on 8 Sep 1789 in , Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. Anna was born on 6 Jun 1777 in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland, USA; died on 27 Feb 1853 in Walsingham, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1776, Elizabeth Hundred, Frederick, Maryland, USA
• Residence: 1779, West Lampeter, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
• Residence: 1790, , Washington, Maryland, USA
• Residence: 1798, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
• Residence: 1800, Sadsbury, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

Christian married Veronica Lehmanin. Veronica was born on 23 Oct 1741 in , Washington, Maryland, USA; died on 13 Jan 1813 in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Probate: 17 Jun 1772, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

Notes:

Lancaster Co Court House Orphan's Court 1772 pg 221 card CCVII
Immigrated from Alsace France to Big Spring Cumberland Co PA 18 Sep 1732 card CCXXV
Jacob Rohrer and Mary his wife of Lampeter Twnshp, Lancaster Co PA; Christian Rohrer of same; Martin Rohrer of Frederick Co MD; Jacob Houser of Lampter and Anna his wife; Francis Smith of same and Elizabeth his wife; John Bachman of Connestoga Twp Lancaster Co PA and Mary his wife: Peter Miller of Martick Twn Lancaster Co PA.. The said Jacob, Christian and Martin Rohrere, and Anna the wife of Jacob Houser, Elizabeth the wife of Francis Smith and Mary the wife of John Backman being six of the children of John Rohrer late of Lampeter deceased and Peter Miller being the husband of a minor daughter Susanna of the deceased.
Whereas: John Rohrer, deceased, possessed of the following land in Lampeter Twp - beginning at a black oak a corner of land formerly of John Rudolph Bundley, thence Northwest by the London Co land 160 perches to a White Oak, thence west by south by land formerly of William Hughes 318 perches to a black Oak, thens southeast 160 perches by land of Martin Millen to a white oak and thence east by north by land late of Isaac LeFevre 318 perches to the beginning - containing 300 acres - and leaving issue to wit: John Rohrer, Jacob Rohrer, Christian Rohrer, Martin Rohrer, Anna wife of Jacob Houser, Elizabeth wife of Francis Smith, Mary wife of John Bachman and Susannah the wife of Peter mMiller; and by his will gave Jacob Rohrer 140 acres; Jacob, Christian and John mills on 15 acres of land; and John Rohrer his son 145 acres. Will dated 1 Dec 1768.
Probate Records Will Book, John Rohrer C-1-246 written 1 Dec 1768 probated 7 Dec 1771 Lancaster Co PA
Bibliography: St Marie-aMines, Haut-Rhin, France: At the time this family lived in the area, the city was named Markirch, Elsass, Germany. It is now named St Marie-aux-; Mines, Haut-Rhin, France.
1) John Rohrer of Lancaster co PA by Albert Lawrence Rohrer 1856
2) Compiled Genealogy: Biographical History of Lancaster Co PA by Alex Harris, Lancaster 1872 pg 501 Rohrer, 1939 LofC CS71 .R74 1941
3) ?
4) Printed Genealogy The Saga of a People
5) ?
6) Probate Records
Johanne Rohrer by Lister O Weiss CS71.R74 1939 Suppl A Story of Two Johns compiled by Donald L. Spidell
I. Migrations of John Rohrer: the numbers refer to the Bibliography above
1) Johannes Michael Rohrer was born 1 Nov 1701 in Markirch, Elsass, Germany, which is now Ste. Marie-aux-Mines, Haut-Rhin, France. His parents were Hans Michael and Katherina (Schwager-in) Rohrer. It was customary in that area and at that time to give children middle names, and many germanic families had patron saints, after which they named their children. Two sons of Hans Michale were named Hans Jakob and Hans Michael. Hans is Swiss for John, so these two were probably named with their family was still in switzerland. The next two sons were given the name of Johannes, which is German for John. I found from my research that the middle name of Johannes, born 13 May 1696, was Jacob, so I feel it is safe to assume that the middle name of the second Johannes, born 1 Nov 1701, was Michael. Actually we now have five Johns, but I am going to focus on the two named Johannes.
2) The family of Hans Michael Rohrer, Sr was forced to move from Markirch to escape relitious persecution about the year 1711. Johannes Jacob was captured by the French. He somehow excaped from prison, and if he followed the usual route of the Palatine emmigrants, he escaped into Southern Germany. In Southern Germany, with the aid of German Protestants in a sor of underground railroad, most Palatines made their way North down the Rhine River. At the mouth of the Rhine River was Holland and the dutch followers of Menno Simmons, the Mennonites. The Mennonites helped the Palatinates to emmigrat to the American Colonies, usually via London. Actually the ship owners usually sol the emmigrants to England for their passage fees. Most of the Palatines were then put in one of two concetration camps: there was one outside of London, and when that got too full, one was set up in Ireland. There is still a colony of germanic people in Ireland to this day. From theconcetration camps, the English would ship people to oany one of a number of it's colonies throughout the world. Family tradition states that Johannes Jacob studied veterinary surgery in London, and then migrated to the colonies and settled in Lancaster County PA. Another story states that he was sold into bond slavery, he ran off and then married the daughter of a rich land owner, Maria Souder. A family Bible states that John Jacob married Maria Souder in Mannheim in 1732 which is the same year that he arrived in Lancaster PA with his bride and her father.
4) Johannes Michael Rohrer went with his family and they settled in Strasburg. About the year 1725, religious persecution again forced the family of Hans Michael Sr to flee its home. As they left Strassburg, Johnnes Michael was seperated from his family and was captured by the French. He later escaped or was forced to emmigrate. At this time he was about 24 years old.
3) he probably followed the route of the Palatine Migration, and he was most likely the Johanne Roer who landed at Philadelphia in the ship "The Mortonhouse" on 24 Aug 1728. He most likely worked for four years on an English plantation near Philadelphia to pay off his passage fee. About the year 1732, Johannes Michael went to Lancaster co PA and found his brother Johannes Jacob Rohrer. Johannes Michael married Elizabeth Snavely about 1735 and settled near his brother in Lampeter Twp.
5) He bought a farm on the Conestoga Creek 8 Oct 1763.
6) & 7) On the conestoga Creek farm, John Micael raised his family and died in the year 1772. In his will he left his land to the sons who had settled in PA with provisions that his wife be well taken care of until her death or remarriage. His other children apparently had already received their inheritances and moved away from the family homestead.

Johannes married Elisabeth Hester Snavely Miley in 1735. Elisabeth was born on 1 Jan 1710 in Hamm, Altenkirchen, Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany; died on 1 Jan 1787 in Lampeter, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The family of Hans Michael Rohrer originated from the Rhein valley in Switzerland. Hans Michael Rohrer was married and his children were born in Markirch, Elsass, Germany, which is now called Ste. Marie-aux-Mines, Haut-Rhin, France.

Johannes Rohrer, his last born son, was born in Markirch 1 Nov 1701. It was customary in that area and at that time to give children the names of saints, thus every male child would be named after the patron saint of the family. Sometimes every girl child will also be found with the same common first name, but not so often as the boys. Then every child would have a distinct middle name by which he would be known. Thus it was common for a German family to have all of its sons named some form of John with all but one of them having middle names. Some family traditions say that this way when the devil came for a child, he would become confused as to which John was which. Two sons of Hans Michael were named Hans Jakob and Hans Michael. The next two sons were given the name of Johannes Jakob and Johannes. Actually we now have five Johns, but I am going to focus on the two named, Johannes.

2. Flight From Markirch
The family of Hans Michael Rohrer Sr was forced about the year 1711 to move from Markirch to escape religious persecution. Johannes Jacob, the third son was captured by the French while he was trying to save some of the family possessions. He somehow escaped from prison and followed the usual route of the Palatine Emigrants. He escaped into Southern Germany. His final destination was Holland and the Dutch followers of Menno Simmons, the Mennonites. The Mennonites helped the Palatinates to emigrate to the American Colonies, usually via London. Actually the ship owners usually sold the emigrants to England for their passage fees. Most of the Palatines were then put in one of two refugee camps: there was one outside of London, and when that one got too full, one was set up in Ireland. There is still a colony of Germanic people in Ireland to this day. From the refugee/concentration camps, the English would ship people to any one of a number of its colonies throughout the world. Family tradition states that Johannes Jacob studied veterinary surgery in London, and then migrated to the colonies and settled in Lancaster County, Pa. Another story states that he was sold into bond slavery, he ran off and then he married the daughter of a rich land owner, Maria Souder. Actually a family Bible states that John Jacob married Maria Souder in Mannheim in 1732 which is the same year that he arrived in Lancaster, Pa. with his bride and her father. Mannheim was a Protestant and French Huguenot refuge in Germany. We can assume in this case that the bride's father paid for their passage.

Flight From Strasburg
In the meantime, Johannes Rohrer, the fourth son, went with his family as they escaped the French and they settled in Strasburg. About the year 1725, religious persecution forced the family of Hans Michael Sr to once again flee its home. As they left Strassburg Johannes was attempting to save some of the family possessions from their home, when he was separated from his family. He was captured by the French, and he was the second son that the family lost in this manner. He later escaped or was forced to emigrate. At this time he was about 24 years old. He too probably followed the route of the Palatine Migration, and he was most likely the Johanne Roer who landed at Philadelphia in the ship "The Mortonhouse" on 24 August 1728. It is speculated that he worked for four years on an English plantation near Philadelphia to pay off his passage fee. The next heard of him was in the year 1732 when Johannes went to Lancaster Co Pa and found his brother Johannes Jacob Rohrer. Johannes married Elizabeth Snavely about 1735 and settled near his brother in Lampeter twp. He bought a farm on the Conestoga Creek 8 Oct 1763.

Lancaster Co Court House Orphan's Court 1772 pg 221 card CCVIIImmigrated from Alsace France to Big Spring Cumberland Co PA 18 Sep 1732 card CCXXV
Jacob Rohrer and Mary his wife of Lampeter Twnshp, Lancaster Co PA; Christian Rohrer of same; Martin Rohrer of Frederick Co MD; Jacob Houser of Lampter and Anna his wife; Francis Smith of same and Elizabeth his wife; John Bachman of Connestoga Twp Lancaster Co PA and Mary his wife: Peter Miller of Martick Twn Lancaster Co PA.. The said Jacob, Christian and Martin Rohrere, and Anna the wife of Jacob Houser, Elizabeth the wife of Francis Smith and Mary the wife of John Backman being six of the children of John Rohrer late of Lampeter deceased and Peter Miller being the husband of a minor daughter Susanna of the deceased.
Whereas: John Rohrer, deceased, possessed of the following land in Lampeter Twp - beginning at a black oak a corner of land formerly of John Rudolph Bundley, thence Northwest by the London Co land 160 perches to a White Oak, thence west by south by land formerly of William Hughes 318 perches to a black Oak, thens southeast 160 perches by land of Martin Millen to a white oak and thence east by north by land late of Isaac LeFevre 318 perches to the beginning - containing 300 acres - and leaving issue to wit: John Rohrer, Jacob Rohrer, Christian Rohrer, Martin Rohrer, Anna wife of Jacob Houser, Elizabeth wife of Francis Smith, Mary wife of John Bachman and Susannah the wife of Peter mMiller; and by his will gave Jacob Rohrer 140 acres; Jacob, Christian and John mills on 15 acres of land; and John Rohrer his son 145 acres. Will dated 1 Dec 1768.
Probate Records Will Book, John Rohrer C-1-246 written 1 Dec 1768 probated 7 Dec 1771 Lancaster Co PA
Bibliography: St Marie-aMines, Haut-Rhin, France: At the time this family lived in the area, the city was named Markirch, Elsass, Germany. It is now named St Marie-aux-; Mines, Haut-Rhin, France.
1) John Rohrer of Lancaster co PA by Albert Lawrence Rohrer 1856
2) Compiled Genealogy: Biographical History of Lancaster Co PA by Alex Harris, Lancaster 1872 pg 501 Rohrer, 1939 LofC CS71 .R74 1941
3) ?
4) Printed Genealogy The Saga of a People
5) ?
6) Probate Records
Johanne Rohrer by Lister O Weiss CS71.R74 1939 Suppl A Story of Two Johns compiled by Donald L. Spidell
I. Migrations of John Rohrer: the numbers refer to the Bibliography above
1) Johannes Michael Rohrer was born 1 Nov 1701 in Markirch, Elsass, Germany, which is now Ste. Marie-aux-Mines, Haut-Rhin, France. His parents were Hans Michael and Katherina (Schwager-in) Rohrer. It was customary in that area and at that time to give children middle names, and many germanic families had patron saints, after which they named their children. Two sons of Hans Michale were named Hans Jakob and Hans Michael. Hans is Swiss for John, so these two were probably named with their family was still in switzerland. The next two sons were given the name of Johannes, which is German for John. I found from my research that the middle name of Johannes, born 13 May 1696, was Jacob, so I feel it is safe to assume that the middle name of the second Johannes, born 1 Nov 1701, was Michael. Actually we now have five Johns, but I am going to focus on the two named Johannes.
2) The family of Hans Michael Rohrer, Sr was forced to move from Markirch to escape relitious persecution about the year 1711. Johannes Jacob was captured by the French. He somehow excaped from prison, and if he followed the usual route of the Palatine emmigrants, he escaped into Southern Germany. In Southern Germany, with the aid of German Protestants in a sor of underground railroad, most Palatines made their way North down the Rhine River. At the mouth of the Rhine River was Holland and the dutch followers of Menno Simmons, the Mennonites. The Mennonites helped the Palatinates to emmigrat to the American Colonies, usually via London. Actually the ship owners usually sol the emmigrants to England for their passage fees. Most of the Palatines were then put in one of two concetration camps: there was one outside of London, and when that got too full, one was set up in Ireland. There is still a colony of germanic people in Ireland to this day. From theconcetration camps, the English would ship people to oany one of a number of it's colonies throughout the world. Family tradition states that Johannes Jacob studied veterinary surgery in London, and then migrated to the colonies and settled in Lancaster County PA. Another story states that he was sold into bond slavery, he ran off and then married the daughter of a rich land owner, Maria Souder. A family Bible states that John Jacob married Maria Souder in Mannheim in 1732 which is the same year that he arrived in Lancaster PA with his bride and her father.
4) Johannes Michael Rohrer went with his family and they settled in Strasburg. About the year 1725, religious persecution again forced the family of Hans Michael Sr to flee its home. As they left Strassburg, Johnnes Michael was seperated from his family and was captured by the French. He later escaped or was forced to emmigrate. At this time he was about 24 years old.
3) he probably followed the route of the Palatine Migration, and he was most likely the Johanne Roer who landed at Philadelphia in the ship "The Mortonhouse" on 24 Aug 1728. He most likely worked for four years on an English plantation near Philadelphia to pay off his passage fee. About the year 1732, Johannes Michael went to Lancaster co PA and found his brother Johannes Jacob Rohrer. Johannes Michael married Elizabeth Snavely about 1735 and settled near his brother in Lampeter Twp.
5) He bought a farm on the Conestoga Creek 8 Oct 1763.6) & 7) On the conestoga Creek farm, John Micael raised his family and died in the year 1772. In his will he left his land to the sons who had settled in PA with provisions that his wife be well taken care of until her death or remarriage. His other children apparently had already ceveived their inheritances and moved away from the family "homestead".

Hans married Katherina Schwagler on 6 Jun 1688 in Sainte Marie aux Mains, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France. Katherina was born in 1667 in Sainte Marie aux Mains, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France; died in 1740 in Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Katharina Huhn

Heinrich married Catherina Spitzin in 1656 in Bern, Switzerland. Catherina was born in 1641 in , , Switzerland; died in , Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]