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Children were: John WILLIE.
Adam WYRICK.
Spouse: Darcus G. FERGUSON. Adam WYRICK and Darcus G. FERGUSON were married on 29 Jul 1856 in Rhea, TN. They was sealed to spouse on 3 Mar 1983 in Oklahoma.
Adam S. WYRICK.
Spouse: Bithiah FERGUSON.
Cornelius WYRLEY.
Children were: Emma WYRLEY.
Emma WYRLEY. Parents: Cornelius WYRLEY.
Spouse: Edmund BELCHER. Edmund BELCHER and Emma WYRLEY were married before 1534 in England. Children were: William BELCHER.
Elizabeth WYTHAM was born in 1544 in West Bretton, Yorkshire, England. She died in London, Middlesex Co., England. She has Ancestral File Number 959Z-ZK. Parents: Mathew WYTHAM and Alice HUNTER.
Spouse: George JACKSON. George JACKSON and Elizabeth WYTHAM were married before 1575 in London, Middlesex Co., England. Children were: Christopher JACKSON.
Mathew WYTHAM was born about 1512 in York Co., England. He died in York Co., England. He has Ancestral File Number 9PG9-3X.
Spouse: Alice HUNTER. Mathew WYTHAM and Alice HUNTER were married about 1543 in York Co., England. Children were: Elizabeth WYTHAM.
Floyd H. YANZER was born about 1882 in Bogota, New Jersey.
Spouse: Minnie GALE.
Nellie Sue YARBROUGH.
Spouse: Alfred Earl COULSTON. Children were: Anthony Earl COULSTON, Susan Renee COULSTON.
Mary Ann YEANSER was born in 1858. She appeared in the census in 1880 in Maxatawny Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. She died in Jun 1883.
Spouse: James Kunkel BROBST. James Kunkel BROBST and Mary Ann YEANSER were married on 13 Nov 1875 in Pennsylvania. Children were: George A. BROBST.
Margery YEOVILTON was born about 1367 in Paynshay, Devonshire, England. She has Ancestral File Number 15CG-6W2.
Spouse: Thomas PAYNE. Thomas PAYNE and Margery YEOVILTON were married before 1402. Children were: Katherine PAYNE.
Floranda (Florinty) YODER was born on 20 Oct 1827 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Place is assumed. Florinty Yoder---- 10/20/1827---- Reuben Yoder/Magdalena She was buried in May 1919 in Fleetwood Burrough, Berks Co., Pennsylvania. St. Paul's Cemetery She died on 27 May 1919 in Fleetwood Burrough, Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Parents: Reuben YODER and Magdalena Keim SCHLEGEL.
Spouse: Isaac Hoch MERTZ. Isaac Hoch MERTZ and Floranda (Florinty) YODER were married on 6 Dec 1853 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania. 12/6/1853 Florenda Yoder of Richmond/Isaac Mertz of Maidencreek Children were: Maria Yoder MERTZ.
Jacob YODER was born in 1735 in Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania. Born in the Oley Valley. He was the 4th child of Yost and Elizabeth. He was only 7 when his father died. He lived in Oley Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania in 1752. Shown as being single He served in the military on 6 Nov 1757 in Provincial Pennsylvania Service. He was a saddler for three years in Captain John Nicholas Weatherholt's Company. He was stationed in Heidelberg Township, Northampton County in March and April, 1758. (PA Archives, 2, ser., vol.II)
From:
ANNALS OF OLEY VALLEY The Yoder Family
Jacob enlisted in 1757, at the age of 22 years in the provincial service of Pennsylvania, where he served as a saddler for three years in Capt John Nicholas WETHERHOLD's Company. He lived in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania between 1767 and 1784. From tax lists in the Pennsylvania Archives, Jacob Joder was found living in Rockland Township of Berks County in 1767. In the third series, Volume 18, page 10, Jacob owned 74 acres of land. In 1768, Jacob owned 160 acres, 2 horses. 5 cattle, and three sheep. In 1784, he owned 200 acres, 4 horses, 8 cows, 11 sheep and 8 persons were living in the household.
1779 Taxes:
Rockland--Jacob Joder----180--5-10--tax 1,050 (acres, horses, cattle)
He appeared in the census in 1800 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Jacob------Joder------Berks------------666------45+------(OY4)
----------------male------female age------45+------1
------26/45------------1
------16-26
------10/16------1
------<10------------2
He signed a will on 12 Mar 1803 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Volume 4, page 214 in the Reading, PA Courthouse. The date of the will is March 12, 1803, probated on March 14, 1804
The wife, Maria, is not mentioned so she must be deceased in 1803.
His estate is divided into twelve equal portions. The children were l Daniel; 2 Peter; 3. Johannes; 4 Abraham; 5 Jacob; 6 Elizabeth Graeber; 7 Catharine Anstat; 8 Magdalena Anstat; 9 Esther Barto; 10 Mary Mensch; 11 Grandchildren of my deceased daughter, Susanna Herner; and 12 Grandchildren of my deceased daughter, Barbara Oyster He died in 1804 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Jacob ) -1804- Rockland- will- no property description.
He served in the military in Revolutionary War. Jacob served in the American Revolution as a private in Peter Nagle's Company and later in Captain Charles Gobin's militia, Colonel Joseph Hiester commanding, August 10 to September 9, 1780. He was in a detachment of the Sixth Battalion to guard prisoners of war from the Hessian camp, Reading to Philadelphia. (Source of information - Keim and Allied Families.)
From:
ANNALS OF OLEY VALLEY The Yoder Family
During the Revolution he was a private in Capt Peter NAGLE's Company and later in that of Capt Charles GOBIN, Sixth Battalion, Berks County Militia, in which capacity he guarded the Hessian prisoners of war, marching from their camp in Reading to Philadelphia. Surname also shown as JODER
Jacob and Maria Keim Joder had 12 children. The births or baptisms have not been located but the children are listed in Jacob's will.
Parents: Yost YODER and Elizabeth Catherine KUHLWEIN.
Spouse: Maria KEIM. Jacob YODER and Maria KEIM were married between 1753 and 1755 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Date and place are assumed. Children were: Jacob YODER.
Jacob YODER was born on 6 Nov 1772 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. He was the 5th child of Jacob He appeared in the census in 1790 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Jacob------Yoder------Berks------------Rock------042------(OY44/45)
free-males->16------2
males-<16-------0
females------------1
He appeared in the census in 1820 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Jacob------Yoder------Berks------Rock------107------45+------(OY45)
----------------male------female
age-45+------------1
-----26/45------------1
-----16/26------2------1
-----16/18------1------------------(dupe-line)------
-----10/16------------3
Under-10------2------3
2-in-agriculture-1-in-manufacturing He appeared in the census in 1830 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Jacob------Yoder------Berks------Rock------456------50/60------(OY45)
------------male------female
-----------age-<5------------3
------5-10------1------1
------10-15------1------2
------15-20------1------2
------20-30------------1
------30-40------1
------40-50------
------50-60------1------1
------60-70------
------70-80------
He signed a will in 1837 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. 1837- Jacob 7-464 b. 11/6/1772 Rockland Twp
wife Anna Maria Barto; sons: Reuben; Gideon; son-in-law Henry Heffner; to rest
of children equally.
Jacob -1837- Rockland- Will (in German-but not script) 4 pages.
Petition of Mary Ann & Benneville, children of the above for guardian. The account of Reuben Yoder, Henry Heffner, and Gideon Yoder- Exec of Jacobs estate.
He died on 30 Jul 1837 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. He was buried in Aug 1837 in Pike Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. New Jerusalem Cemetery (private cemetery in view of Lobachsville Church)..
In Pike Township. About 1/4 mile east of Oley Twp., and about
1/2 mile south east of Rockland Twp. Or the west end of Pike Twp. Its
more formally known as St. Paul's Union Church, Est. 1834 . And there
is an adjoining cemetery.
Surname also shown as JODDER
Jacob was born November 6, 1772 and died July 30, 1837. He married Anna Maria Bertho (Barto)(1777-1838), daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Barbara Maurer Bertho. On May 5, 1815, ten of their children were baptized at Christ Mertz Lutheran Church in Dryville, PA. Maria was born March 12, 1798; Johannes was born August 8, 1799 and died August 29, 1800; Sara was born November 26, 1800, died November 1, 1856 and married Henrich Heffner; Reuben was born May 6, 1802; Jakub was born February 2, 1804 and died April 26, 1826, age 23; Christina was born November 13, 1805; Lea, born May 29, 1807; Elisabeth, born May 8, 1809; Gideon B. was born March 28, 1811 and died February 18, 1893 (buried in Spies Church Cemetery); and Catharina was born July 1, 1813, died August 13, 1875, married her first cousin, Benjamin Angstadt - 18 children, 8 sons and 10 daughters. The last child born to Jacob and Anna Maria Bertho was Benneville on December 19, 1821. The author's source of information other than the baptisms at Christ Mertz Lutheran Church was the death notice by Rev. Isaac Roeller of Sarah Joder, wife of Henrich Heffner and daughter of Jacob Joder and Maria Barto. Also the Reading Historical Society lists a run down cemetery on a private farm at Lobachsville with the tombstones of Jacob and wife Maria and sons Johannes (1799-1800) and Jakub (1804-1826).
Parents: Jacob YODER and Maria KEIM.
Spouse: Anna Maria BARTO. Jacob YODER and Anna Maria BARTO were married on 28 Feb 1797 in Exeter Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Children were: Reuben YODER.
John (Hans) YODER was born on 10 Mar 1672 in Steffisburg, Berne, Switzerland. He immigrated in 1709/10 to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He lived in Oley Twp., Pennsylvania in 1734. John Joder paid Taxes on 200 acres of land in 1734. He died in 1741/42 in Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania. Oley would become part of Berks County in 1752 He signed a will in 1741/42 in Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania. In the Name of God, Amen. the Seventeenth Day of June inthe Year of our Lord, 1739. I John Jodder of Oley in the County of Philadelphia, yeomen being pretty old and weack in body but of perfect mind and ----------- and Thanks be gvien unto God, Therefor calling into Mind of --------- of by Body and Knowing that it is appointed for all Men once to dye, do make and ordain this my Last Wel and Testament. That is to say, pricipally and first of all, I give and recommend my Soul into the Hands of God that gave it; and for my Body, I recomend it to the Earth, to be buried in a Christian licke and decent Manner, athe Descretion of my Executor, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection, I shall receive the same again to the mighty Power of God. And as touching this worthy Estate, werewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I give, devise, and dispose of the same in the following manner and form
Imprimis. It is my Will and I do Order that in first Place, all my just Debts and Funeral Charges to be paid and satisfied.
Item. I give them and bequeath unto John Yodder by well beloved son, the Sum of fifty pounds ------Lawful Money of Pennsylvania which Sahll be tacken out of my Estate before anything is printed, Them the thousand acres of Land wich he has in Possession now to have and to hold for Him and his Heirs for ever, and every thing what give Him Since he is married Shall be within. and to Barbara Yodder his wife I give a middlin Mare four or five year old.
Item. I will and do order that after my Deceas My Plantation, Land and all my goods real and Personal Shall be prized and My Dearly well beloved Wife Anna Rosina Shall have ten pound in casch Money of Pennsylvania and -----with Par----t all---my Estate ---a Remainder to Daniel Yoder my beloved son.
It. I give and devise to my well beloved Son Daniel Yodder my Plantation and Land belonging to it for Him and His Heirs for ever.
Item. I will and I do order that my Sone Daniel shall permit and give his Modder a Room in his house or to buy to an other House upon the Plantation so long she lives and is unmarried and for her life he is to plow an Acre of Land every year.
I likewise constitue; macke and ordain My well beloved Wife anna Rosina and my Son John Yodder my only and Sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament. And I do hereby utterly Disallow, revoke, and Disanull all and every other former Testaments, Wills, Legaries and Estates be me in any Ways before this time named, Willed and Bequeathed. Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Least Will and Testament. In Wittness whereof I have hereunto let my hand and Seal, the Day and Year above.
Signed, Sealed, Published, pronounced and ---- by the John Jodder as his least will and Testament in the Presences of
Abraham -----mann
Abraham Levein
Samuel Guldin
his
John 10 Jodder
mark
Inventory of John Joaders Estate
Prized the Fourth Day of Jan, 1741/2
L sh. d.
The Coats and Apparele ---- 3 4
The Plantation of 244 acres ---- 275 0
Twenty acres of Corn in the Ground 20 0
Wheat Sixty Bushels--- 10 10
Workin Horses four 26 0 0
Mares and Colts in the Woods 20 5
Eight Cows---- 22 15 0
Young Cattles ten 10 10 0
Sheeps tirteen 3 18 0
Hogs 2 10
Guees 0 15
Waggons 10 1 0
Two paire plow Iron and Harrow 2 3 4
Iron Chanes 3 5 6
Wind Fan to Cleen Corn 1 5
Hand Scrout 1 10 0
Crobin Hows and Pickax 0 10 0
Axes and Broadaxe 0 15
Tools and Awgers and Cisels 1 4 0
Hamers and Tongs 10
Cras Cut Saws and Hand Saws 1 8
417 12 9
Maul and Wetches long forks and Pitchforks 0 10 0
Attles 0 10
Two old Guns 2 5 0
Bibles and other Boocks 1 10 0
Pewter Dishes and Plats 1 16 0
Cooper Kettels and Iron Pann 3 0 0
Iron Pots and other Iron Panns 0 15 0
Barrels and other Wooden Housbandry 0 10 0
Tables and Bedstat and old Chears 0 10 0
Spinnen Wheels and Woll Wheel 10 0
Aroknit and Sifs 6 2
Bedding 5 10 0
Bed Cloats 0 12 6
Tables Cloats and Wallet 8 4
Bed Ticks and other linnen Cloats 10
Linnen Sacks one a half dozen 1 7 0
Bees 10 0
In Bonds for Debts 78 16 0
99 17 0
417 12 9
517 9 9
60
457 9 9
Prizet by Us
Samuel Gulden
Potter Dolin
Gabriel Bayon
Conrad Riff
[Taken from Cover Paper on Will]
On the fourthteenth Day of January 1741/2 then personally appeared Sam Guldin, Aberham Eshmann two ofthe Witnesses to the within written Will on their affrimation respectively did Declare they said heard John Jodder the Testament within mentioned sign sela Publish of Delcares the same will to be his Last Well and Testametn that at the doing thereof he was of sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledgee
Corum
JRD
By authority from
L 517: 9: 9 The whole Estate
275 The Real Estate to be Dedicated beign willed to Dan Jodder under Certain restrictions in favor of the widdow
L 242: 9: 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Registry of Wills of Philadelphia 245, F268
The Acc of Anna Rosina Jodder and John Jodder, Executor of the Last Will and Testament of John Jodder deed as well all the Singular the Goods which came to the hands of hte said Accomptants as of thier overall Payments and Disbursements out of the Same as follows
Them The _____ accomptants charged themselves with all Singular the Personal Estate of the deceased amounting to 242:9:9 Notes. The Realle Estate is appraised in the Inv at 275. But that is willed away to Dan. under certain restrictions in behalf of his widdow as he willed is here ommitted in the generall Charge.
Them The accomptants Pray allow of this Overall Paymets of Disbursement out of the names as follows
By John Jodders fifty pounds willed him to be paid out of the Estate befores any thing was appraised but as they apprased the whole that Legacy is hers brot in -------- 50:0:0
By Barbara Jodder, Jn Jodders wife, a Mare left to her and with the
accomptants are charged in the Inv. in the articles of mares and Colts----------- 5:0:0
By Anna Rosina, widdow ten pounds left here over and above here--------- 10:0:0
By Jn, Shime paid him for windows....................................................... 1:7:9
By Daivd alley for building a h. for widdow.......................................... 1:10:9
By Eliz Jodder paid her a Debt ............................................................. 14:15:
By Jacob Neagley paid him a Debt ................................................ 9:14:1
By John Jodder dues to him from Decd.............................................. 13:2:
By Adam Widener paid him for Tiles ['T' uncertain]......................... 26:17:6
By David Wiser paid him for weav..................................................... 3:5:6
By Peter Drese['s' uncertain] paid him for a Horse......................................... 3: :
By Jacob Mayer for Physich. ..................................... 2:10:
By Peter Balley paid him for D.[maybe debt]................................. 5: :
By Abram Levein paid on Bond ........................................................ 12:16:0
By Caspar Miller for Masons work................................................ 1:16:9
By Daniel Wormaldorf for Smiths work..................................... 3:0:0
By William Parsons for Goods............................................... 2: :
By Jn Rutters for Waggon............................................ 2:10:
By Diedrich Weidelman pad to him..................................... 5:4:8
By Catherine Lonerton for her wages......................................... 1:3:4
By Richard Gregory paid him.............................................. 1: :
By George Shellner for Smiths Work........................................................... 5:8:8
By Jacob Waron for Shoes....................................................... 4:7:8
By Henry Weidner paid him........................................................ 1: :
By John Yoders Jost paid him................................................ 0:8:3
By Elizabeth Yoder paid him........................................................ 0:2:3
By Henry Weidner paid him for Harves worth.................................... 4:15:6
191:16:6
Dear Anna Rosina, John Jodders, To Estat f John Jodders deced to the Dr.s Side brot up ....... 242:9:9
By the Drs. side brot up ................................ 191:16:6
By John Jodder Jurn for Boards...................................... :8:
Both dues for the Estate............................. 50:5:3
242:9:9
By the widows padi to be pad her........................................ 16:5:1
By Dan Jodders the Rem begin left to him............................... 33:10:2
50:5:3
Errors Eccepted, 5th Sept. 1748
He was Reformed. From : Dr. Don Yoder:
Hans Yoder was twice married. His first wife was named Veronica "Iselmyn". At least that is the way her name was spelled in the records of the oldest Reformed Church in Pennsylvania. This is the church that Hans Yoder joined on his arrival in 1709/1710, the Dutch Reformed congregation at Whitemarsh, north of Philadelphia. I have checked the original record book written in Holland Dutch, now in the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia, and the transcription is as above given. This presents a problem. Is "Iselmyn" a Holland Dutchman's way of spelling the Emmenthal name "Eschelmann", or what is more likely, the Thun-Steffisburg name "Huselmann"? I have not yet been able to solve this problem, or to find the place or date of this marriage. All we know is that Hans and Veronica were married as early as 1699/1700, the birthdate of their son Hans Yoder, Jr-(1700-1779). The source for the name "Iselmyn" is William J. Hinke,ed.,"Church Record of Neshaminy and Bensalem, Bucks County,1710-1738," Journal of the Presbyterian Historical Society,I:l (May 1901),111-134. For the actual citation, see the reference to the second marriage, below.
When did Hans Yoder leave Switzerland? Again the year is not known, but he does turn up in the Palatinate in 1708-1709, in the village of Schwetzingen, not far from Mannheim and Heidelberg. Schwetzingen centers around the summer residence of the Electors of the Palatinate, the great Schloss which is still standing amidst its formal gardens. With Hans Yoder's knowledge of farming and milling he probably was hired to work in some capacity for the Elector. Unfortunately the Schwetzingen council minutes (Ratsprotokolle) for this period are missing.
Our knowledge of his residence in Schwetzingen comes from the Reformed Church Registers of the town. As some of my readers know, there is extensive research going on at present into the backgrounds of the "1709ers",the Palatine emigrant of 1709, sponsored by Hank Jones of Universal City, California. His European researcher, Karla Mittelstaedt-Kubaseck, whom I know personally, attended a lecture I gave at a conference in the Palatinate in 1974. I asked her to be on the lookout for any reference she might locate to Hans or Yost Yoder, Some time later she wrote me that in going through the Schwetzingen Reformed Church Register, on deposit in the Baden Church Archives at Karlsruhe, she found Hans Yoder in Schwetzingen in the years 1708-1709. Hans and Veronica Yoder had a daughter Anna Regina, baptized January 27, 1708, with Jacob Korner, schoolmaster, and his wife Rachel as sponsors. In connection with this entry the pastor later added that "this family went to the Island of Pennsylvania,March 1, 1709". Like many Europeans of time, the pastor probably thought that Pennsylvania was just another of those West Indian Islands.
By May 6,1709, Hans Yoder was in London, with hundreds of refugee Palatines, preserved in the British Library , Hans Joder's name (misspelled as "Fodder" when the lists were published in 1909) appears among the "First Arrivals" (Yoders are always on time!). His age was given as 38, his occupation that of "husbandman" (farmer), and his religion Reformed. Accompanying him were his wife, two sons aged 9 and 4, and a daughter aged one year. The source of this information is the article, "Lists of Germans from the Palatinate who came to England in 1709," in The New York Genealogical and Biographical Register, XLI (1909).
These lists are the key to Hans Yoder's early movements, settlements, and personal relationships in Pennsylvania. With his name in the London Lists appear the names of John LeDee and Philip Kuhlwein. This is significant, since Hans Yoder's second wife, who he married in Pennsylvania April 29,1711, was Anna Rosina LeDee, daughter of Jean LeDee, usually spelled LeDez. Philip Kuhlewein (1683-1737) became Hans Yoder's brother-in-law in marrying another daughter of Jean LeDez. Both LeDez Kuhlewein settled in Oley with Hans Yoder, in fact preceded him there.
Hans Yoder must not have been as "poor" as some of his Palatine countrymen in London. Most of them were shipped by Queen Anne either to County Limerick in Ireland, or to the Hudson Valley in New York to make naval stores for the British government. Hans Yoder, along with Jean LeDez, Philip Kuhlewein, Hans Jacob Fullweiler, Gerhard Clemens and a few others listed, managed to come directly to Philadelphia, where they became founders of Pennsylvania Dutch rather than of New York Palatine families.
Where did Hans Yoder first settle? On January 14,1711, he purchased a tract of 275 acres along the Schuylkill River in Coventry Township, Chester County, some where opposite the present Fottstown. He purchased this land from John Henry Kerson (Rersten) who later appears in Oley as well. On the same date, January 14,1711, an adjoining tract was bought from Kerson (Kersten) by Hans Jacob Fullweiler (1682-1715), who also appears in the London Lists. The purchase of adjoining tracts on the same day implies some relationship between the two men. (Could Fullweiler's wife Barbara have been Hans Yoder's sister Barbara, born at Steffisburg in 1676? If so she would have been six years older than her husband, improbable in those days but in no case impossible.) Fullweiler died in 1715, and on June 28, 1718 his widow, now the wife of Martin "Meyleen" (Mylin) of Straburg, Lancaster County, sold the Fullweiler property to Jacob Buckholtz. Yes there is also a Buckholtz in the London Lists. It all ties together.
On March 25,1714, Hans Yoder received his warrant from William Penn for land along the upper Manatawny Creek in the Oley Valley. This included most of the land around what is now called Pleasantville but for many years was known as "Yotterschdettle" (Yodertown). Hence on March 19,1717,"John Joader" and his wife Rosina sold his Schuylkill Valley farm to Henry Parker. These transfers of title to the Coventry tracts are recited in two lengthy deeds in the Philadelphia Archives, recorded in Deed Book G-8, pp. 130-131, both recorded August 28,1746.
From The Yoder Family Newsletter--- HANS YODER, OLEY TWP HOMESTEAD
CONFLICT WITH THE INDIANS
"On or near the spot where now stands the stately mansion and other excellent buildings, was first erected a small house, the home of Hance Yoder and family. The precise date of this I was not informed; that at that time all around was yet a mere wilderness inhabited by Indians and beasts. His only neighbor was Yost Yoder.
"One day Mr. Yoder, accompanied by his wife (a helpmate of those days), was engaged in extending their farmland by clearing away more of the forest in the field lying opposite the Pleasantville Hotel. The industrious parents had closed up their cabin with all their children in order to protect them from harm from the beasts which occasionally straggled along, and engaged themselves the more earnestly to their arduous toil, being assured that all was safe and secure at home.
"Yoder and his wife were however not long at work in the field that day before they were alarmed by the report of a gun in the direction of the house. They hastened to the house and found a gang of neighboring Indians, who were intoxicated. They had come to the house to see Mr. Yoder who, by the way, was an intimate friend of theirs. But when they came to the house and found the door locked and yet somebody within, they thought they were intentionally refused admittance. They became enraged and indignant and, being drunk, without forethought fired through the door with a rifle. Mr. Y. was one of those that lacked not courage and was speedily amongst them and found them very boisterous and threatening, but without giving them time he gave them a thorough switching. With this the whole party left with threats of revenge. Neither was kept long in suspense for soon the company, with quite accession, returned demanding satisfaction. The later portion fortunately were sober. Yoder coolly told them all that had transpired and showed them the bullet hole in the door of the house and the helpless children within, and how easily they might have killed some of his very dear children. This had the desired effect. One Indians became enraged at the perpetrator, so that they would have murdered him outright had it not been for the kind intervention of Mr. Yoder, who with difficulty persuaded them to desist inasmuch as no harm had occurred. He advised them to go home in peace and do no more, which they agreed to do. The rifle ball fortunately had done no harm within.
They had also carried off a bundle of Yoder's deerskins which were returned by the latter company but Y. refused them, on the ground that he was in fall satisfaction. They, however, insisted on returning them to Yoder.
FROM:
ANNALS OF OLEY VALLEY The Yoder Family
The YODERs of Oley origin and first settlement form another American plant, transplanted from a German-Swiss canton to this western continent soil early in the 18th century.
The name as first found in documents preserved is given as YODER, YOTTER, JOTTER, but it has now for a number of generations been invariably fixed as YODER.
The first American ancestors of this name, as far as known, were two brothers, Yost and Hans (Hance) YODER, who, like most of the other early settlers of Oley, came to this country because of persecutions in their native country. It is claimed of a certainty, according to Morton L MONTGOMERY, that they arrived in Pennsylvania before 1714. Were they a part of that large Huguenot immigration that first entered this country through the port of New York and settled for a while in that province and then drifted, or rather pushed their way into these inviting vales of PENN's Woods about this time? It is so believed and seems very likely. We will let the expert genealogists settle it. At all events we find these two brothers in the valley of the Manatawny before 1714, according to our authority quoted.
A GREAT HUNTER. Yost (Jost) YODER was a disciple of Nimrod, for he was "a mighty hunter." As a frontiersman his chief occupation is said to have been hunting and trapping. It seems to have been his pastime between clearing the forest and cultivating the soil. Who his wife was is not known to the writer, but there is a record of seven of his nine children. These were in the order of their birth: (1) Johannes, often called Yost (1718-1812); (2) Jacob, (3) Samuel, (4) Mary, (5) Catharine, (6) Elizabeth, and (7) Esther. In addition to this, Yost's brother, Hans YODER, left four sons to give the YODER name and stock a good start. Their names were Hans, Samuel, Peter and Daniel.
These two immigrant brothers took up land on the Manatawny in 1714, the former where Pleasantville is now located. This village, first called "Yottersville," his eldest son, Johannes (John), founded and he is buried there. His tombstone inscription reads as follows: "Hier ruhet Johannes YODER. Er wurde geboren 1718. Verehlichte sich mit Catharine LYSTER (LESHER), 1747, und zeugte 4 sohne und 5 tochtern. Starb den 7 ten April, 1812, bach seiner 66 yahr in der ehe gelebet hatte. War alt worden 94 yahr und 14 tag."
His wife rests by his side and the epitaph shows she was born in 1730 and died in 1812, aged 82 years. Jacob, John's brother, enlisted in 1757, at the age of 22 years in the provincial service of Pennsylvania, where he served as a saddler for three years in Capt John Nicholas WETHERHOLD's Company. During the Revolution he was a private in Capt Peter NAGLE's Company and later in that of Capt Charles GOBIN, Sixth Battalion, Berks County Militia, in which capacity he guarded the Hessian prisoners of war, marching from their camp in Reading to Philadelphia. His wife was Maria KEIM.
The third son of Yost, one of the progenitors, was Samuel, who settled near Lobachsville as a farmer. He had the following children: John, Jacob, Samuel and Catharine. Mary YODER, the fourth child of Yost, married Daniel BERTOLET (son of Abraham, son of Jean BERTOLET), while Catharine, the fifth child, was married to John REPPERT; Elizabeth, the sixth child, was married to Mathias RHODE, and Esther, the seventh, was married to a Mr CUNINO.
OLD CERTIFICATE. Among the interesting papers of the family is preserved the marriage certificate of Maria YODER to Daniel BERTOLET, a grandson of the pioneer Jean BERTOLET. It reads as follows:
"These presents certify that Daniel BERTOLET and Maria YODER, of Oley township, in the County of Berks and Province of Pennsylvania, in North America, were joined together in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony, and pronounced man and wife according to the form established by the law, in the Church of England, this sixth day of December, in the year of Our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-eight, by me, Alexander MURRAY, Minister."
Rev MURRAY was then Episcopal rector of the St Gabriel's Church, Douglasville, taken over from the Swedish Lutherans.
The YODER Bible is regarded the most precious relic this branch of the family brought with them from the old country. One can imagine how it was treasured and guarded in the early days. It was printed in 1530 during the life-time of Martin LUTHER and is among the earliest German Bibles published after his translation at Wartburg in 1521 and 1522. It descended as a precious heirloom through the family of Daniel and his son, David, whose daughter, Mary B YODER, was the last possessor.
Some of the descendants of this branch of the YODERs scattered eastward to New York, and westward to the Mississippi. From them sprang S.S. YODER, of Lima, Ohio, who represented his district in the 50th United States Congress in 1887-1889.
NEVER TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ANYONE. It is related by that careful chronicler of Oley history of the past generation, Or Peter G BERTOLET, that while the pioneer Yost YODER "was measuring off his farm one day with a surveyor, he ran regular courses --straight long lines --until he came very close to a fine spring. The surveyor remarked: "You will of course have me run straight out to the place of beginning which will include for you this beautiful and desirable spot in your own tract." "No!" was the reply. "These you cut clear off. This spring we will leave for others. This spot is inviting and may at- tract before long some one who will settle here and thus become my neighbor," --a thing he valued more than anything else. The frankness of this was but a type of the characteristic of this man. He was generous, kindly disposed, and knew how to appreciate friends, while thus isolated in the wilderness..."
In consequence of --,his coincidence, the Manatawny has received the name of "Crooked Dam" at this place, and even the farm, which, according to YODER's desire, soon found a settler, has, unto this present day, retained the appellation of the "Crooked Farm" or "Grummen Platz."
It is related by the above quoted authority that on this YODER farm one of the last lingering Indian families --long after the white people had settled all around them --still resided on the banks of the creek, a short distance above the YODER homestead; that they were expert basket makers and had gained a wide celebrity for this industrial art. Only their fondness for "fire-water" caused them to fall, become boisterous and sometimes threatening and a general nuisance in the neighborhood when they found it wise to move on. It was sup- posed that these became subsequently allied with BRANDT's desperadoes, says Or BERTOLET.
HAND TO HAND BATTLE. The other YODER homestead of Hans, built where now stands GRIESEMER's Mills, is pointed out as the scene of a hand-to-hand battle with a drunken band of predatory Indians by this pioneer of his day, when a single-tree was his only weapon, and a cool head won him the victory. Thus for two generations, it seems the YODERs were close neighbors of, or else were often molested by the red men. This homestead of Hans, was located near Pleasantville, and he built and owned what are known as GRIESEMER's Mills, which were later (1847) burned, but rebuilt by a descendant and from 1850 on were operated. Daniel YODER's paper mill stood about one-half mile northwest of Pleasantville. Here was born about 1850 the Senior Bishop of the Evangelical Church, Rev Or S.C. BREYFOGEL, of Reading.
The eldest son of Hans YODER, the immigrant, was also named Hans (John), who married a Miss Sarah SHINGLE (SHENKEL), in November of 1746 and with her he had four children, named: (1) Daniel (1748-1820), married to Margaret OYSTER, who lived and died in Oley and are buried in Pleasantville; (2) Mar- tin, who was a lieutenant of the Fourth Company in Fifth Battalion of Berks County in the Revolutionary War; (3) Jacob (1758-1832), who was born in Reading, was a soldier during the Revolution, in 1780 moved to Western Pennsylvania and in 1782 descended down the Monongahela, Ohio and Mississippi rivers with a cargo of flour to New Orleans, in the first flat-boat (built by him- self) that ever floated down the Father of Waters.
He was in this respect the forerunner of Abraham LINCOLN, who in 1831, nearly 50 years later, took a flat-boat load of pork (which craft he had constructed with his own skillful hands), down the Sangamon, Illinois and Mississippi to this southern market city. Captain YODER carried on a sugar trade with Cuba and Philadelphia, while Louisiana still was under the French flag, and became widely known in his day as an extensive tradesman. He died in Spencer county, Kentucky, and lies buried at Louisville, Kentucky. Over his grave is erected a marker bearing this inscription on an iron tablet, cast by HANKS & NILES, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1834:
"Jacob YODER was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, August 11th, 1758. And was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army in 1777 and 1778; He emigrated to the West in 1780, and in May 1782, from Fort Redstone, on the Monongahela River in the first flat boat that ever descended the Mississippi. He landed at New Orleans, with a cargo of produce. He died April 7th, 1832, at his farm in Spencer County, Kentucky, and lies here interred beneath this tablet."
MARVELOUS CHANGES. What improvements have come since Capt YODER's day! Indians gone! Their prairies subdued and settled and converted into prosperous states! The rivers plying with steam, oil or electricity propelled boats and ocean greyhounds riding the great seas! The sparsely settled country studded with mighty cities where the teaming millions live! The neighboring states of the expansive country strung together by rails and communicative wire and the continents by cable! And now the wireless, the radio and the flying machine --ships sailing the air! Invention and commerce and world courts and leagues have brought the ends of the world together into daily fellowship and communion! Science has marvelously triumphed, but the daring, the enterprise and the patriotism of Capt Jacob YODER. of Oley, was but the prognostic and preliminary foregleams of the same stuff that has conquered wild and primitive America and the world of today.
The last son of Hans YODER, Jacob's father, was Samuel, who fought for America's freedom and independence, and then lost his life near at home by falling to his death from a horse he was riding near the Oley churches.
The later generations of YODERs have come and gone, taking part in the world's work in their day, married, reared families, won successes and met failures, some staying on the native heath, others scattering more and more, lived their days and sank to rest; but volumes could be written of what good they have accomplished, what honors they have won and deserved, what part in school and church and State they have taken to uplift the race, to better conditions, to serve their day and generation, to befriend mankind and to glorify God! Among them we find farmers, craftsmen, merchants, politicians, doctors, dentists, lawyers and preachers. They have penetrated all parts of the county --and gone far beyond its borders --but not all have ever, in all the more than 200 years, since the two brother progenitors set foot on Oley soil, left this rich and historic valley, where their pioneer homesteads were reared.
Thus Daniel YODER III (Hans 2d, Hans lst) orchardist, distiller of flax oil, and farmer, in 1800, built his home on the original premises, which is still preserved. With his wife, Margaret OYSTER, he had nine children: (1) Hannah (1775-1823), married to Jacob KNABB; (2) Daniel (1777-1826); (3) Martin (1780-1837); (4) Catharine (1783-1882), married to William WILLIAMS; (5) Maria (1786-1864), married to Philip DeTURCK;(6) John (1788-1868); (7) Margaret (1790- married to Solomon PETER; (8) Samuel (1793- ) and David (1795-1881).
Of these, Martin was a tanner and hotel and shopkeeper at Pleasantville, where he did a flourishing business. His children were intermarried into the YODER and KEMP families. The youngest, Martin (1819-1888), a farmer and implement dealer, ran for Congress against Daniel S ERMENTROUT and was defeated. Of his four children, one was Mary (Mrs Joseph DELONG, of Topton), who be- came the mother of Rey Calvin DELONG, of East Greenville, and of Mrs Rev John BAER STOUDT of Allentown. She died on 29 Sep 1915. Another is Henry H, who was a farmer and implement dealer associated with his father. He owned the old homestead with 236 acres of fertile land. He helped to organize the First National Bank, of Oley, of which he has been a director from the beginning. His brother, Ezra, was a teacher in his day.
RARE RELICS. Among the rare relics kept in the family are zinc dishes, rare china, an old Revolutionary sword and two bugles, quilts and spreads of four generations and rare old books all preserved in old dower chests.
David YODER was a farmer and millwright and served a term as county com- missioner (1846-49). His wife was Hannah BITLER and they had the following children: Margaret, wife of George K LEVAN, of Maxatawny; Hannah; Daniel; Catharine, wife of Nathan SCHAEFFER, of Fleetwood; and Sarah, wife of Abraham GULDIN. The grandfather's clock as an heirloom and made by John KEIM, descended to Mary, who prizes it highly. She has a sense of appreciation of the antique and historic, and she has preserved on her premises the first log cabin of her ancestor, and other relics.
Daniel B was born near Catawissa, and later a resident of Oley. He was a soldier in the Civil War under Capt James McKNIGHT and then followed farming and built a paper mill which he operated a number of years, when he sold it to the Reading Paper Company. He then retired to Pleasantville and lived in comfort and ease until his death. Most of the Oley YODERs are buried at Pleasantville.
One branch of the family, Jacob, son of John, settled in Bern township and was married into the RICKENBACH family. Of their children, Reuben later owned four large farms in Center township, where he was influential and respected. He donated the land for the German Baptist Church between Center- port and Shoemakersville, of which he was a member and is buried there. His children are scattered in Lititz, Kutztown and other places.
Still another branch, Daniel, son of a farmer near New Jerusalem of the Oley stock, settled about 1840 on a farm near Sinking Spring, and from him sprang the YODERs of that community, Wernersville, Robesonia and Womelsdorf. Of this stock is Rev Paul D YODER, Reformed pastor at Codorus, York county, and the dentists and lawyers of that name of Reading.
But the woods are full of them and I have no doubt that every YODER in Berks county, if not in the state, can trace his origin to one of the two brothers who broke ground for their first rude American cabins in Oley, hard by the banks of the Manatawny in or before the year 1714. Parents: Adam JODER and Barbara OCHSENBEIN.
Spouse: Veronica ISELMYN. John (Hans) YODER and Veronica ISELMYN were married before 1700. Children were: John (Hans) YODER.
John (Hans) YODER was born in 1700 in Steffisburg, Berne, Switzerland. He immigrated in 1709/10 to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He lived in Oley Twp., Pennsylvania in 1734. John Joder, Jr. paid taxes on 300 acres of land in 1734 He lived in Oley Twp., Pennsylvania in 1752. Shown as John Yoder on tax records He signed a will on 8 Mar 1779 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Berks Co., PA Wills
Date Made: 8 Mar 1779
Date Proved: 20 Oct 1779
Abstract:
John Yoder, Oley. B-1 To sons Daniel, John and Peter 1 shillings each, they having rec'd considerably of me in my lifetime. To grdaus, Barbara Morgon and Hannah Vogt, £5 each. To wife Elisabeth, all Household goods. Remainder to grandchildren, 1/3 part to children of John Yoder, 1/3 part to children of son Peter, and the remainder 1/3 to the children of son Samuel decd. Exrs: friend John Pott of Rockland and stepson George Keim.
Name Title Description Property Residence
Hartman, Philip Witness Berks Co., PA
Keim, George Step son Berks Co., PA
Keim, George Executor Berks Co., PA
Morgon, Barbara Granddaughter £5 Berks Co., PA
Pott, John Executor Rockland, Berks Co.?, PA
Schneider, Jacob Witness Berks Co., PA
Vogt, Hannah Granddaughter £5 Berks Co., PA
Yoder, Daniel Son 1 shilling Berks Co., PA
Yoder, Elisabeth Wife All household goods Oley, Berks Co., PA
Yoder, John Decedent Oley, Berks Co., PA
Yoder, John Son 1 shilling; his children to have 1/3 part Berks Co., PA
Yoder, Peter Son 1 shilling; his children to have 1/3 part Berks Co., PA
Yoder, Samuel Deceased son His children to have 1/3 part Berks Co., PA
He died in 1779 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania. m1. Barbara______ m2. Elizabeth ( ) Keim ...still married to Barbara in Jan of 1742
Hans Yoder,Jr. (1700-1779) built and operated what was later known as the Griesemer Mill. From 1744-1750 he was an owner and operator of the Oley forge, until he sold out his share to his son-in-law Col. John Lecher (1711-1794), later of revolutionary fame, and one of the leading citizens of Berks County. Col.Lesher's son-in-law, John Pott,Jr.(1759-1827) laid out Pottsville in what is now Schuylkill County, where he operated the Greenwood Furnace and Forge.
ITEM #8861
July 9, 1747
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Philadelphia, July 9. 1747. RUN away the 5th of this instant,
from John Yoder, of Oley township, Philadelphia county, two
Irish servant men; the one named Daniel Donahew, about 40
years of age, of middling size, long thin visage, much pock
mark, has a large scar on his left cheek, and another on his
neck, black hair, if not cut off, by trade a miller. Had on
when he went away, a felt hat, homespun shirt, a light brown
linsey jacket, with brass buttons, two trowsers, yarn
stockings, and half worn shoes. The other names Thomas Lynch,
about 20 years of age, well set, much freckled in his face,
black hair, if not cut off. Had on when he went away, a
chestnut colourlinsey jacket, a fine hat, an ozenbrigs
shirt, tow trowsers, and new shoes. They took some other
clothes with them. and perhaps may change those described
above. Whoever takes up and brings the said servants to their
master, or secures them in any goal, so that he may have them
again, shall have THREE PISTOLS reward for each, and
reasonable charges, paid by JOHN YODER. Parents: John (Hans) YODER and Veronica ISELMYN.
Spouse: Barbara. John (Hans) YODER and Barbara were married before 1734. Hans' second wife was Elizabeth KEIM. Children were: Peter YODER.
Spouse: Maria Elizabeth BOLLER. John (Hans) YODER and Maria Elizabeth BOLLER were married between 1754 and 1778. This marriage is an assuption. We know that Hans' second wife was named Elizabeth and that she was married to a KEIM 1st. This has been the only fit from available information, but no solid records have been found.
Peter YODER was born in 1740 in Oley Twp., Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania. Place is assumed. He died in 1809 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania. He signed a will on 8 Sep 1809 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Probated 10/16/1809 Parents: John (Hans) YODER and Barbara.
Spouse: Eve LEVAN. Peter YODER and Eve LEVAN were married on 7 Dec 1762 in First Refomed Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania **CHANGE ME**. Children were: Susanna YODER.
Reuben YODER was born on 6 May 1802 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Place is assumed. He was the 4th child of Jacob and Maria. He was baptized on 5 May 1815 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Christ Church
* see note under J&M children below)
Sara 11/26/1800 Jakub Joder & Maria (OY453)
Ruben Joder b 5/6/1802 Jakub & Maria Joder (OY454)
Maria 3/12/1798 Jakub Jodder & Maria (OY451)
Catharina 7/1/1813 Jakub Joder & Maria (OY45a)
Gideon 3/23/1811 " " (OY459)
Elizabeth 3/8/1809 " " (OY458)
Lea 3/22/1807 " " (OY457)
(LDS microfilm record shows b 11/29/1807)
Christina 11/13/1805 " " (OY456)
Jakub 2/2/1804 " " (OY455)
(* all J & M children above bapt. 5/5/1815)
Benneville 12/19/1821 Jakob Joder & Maria (OY45b)
(bapt. 5/4/1822)
He signed a will in 1838 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Administration record in Berks County.
12 Oct 1838 13-204 Reuben Jno Disher & Samuel Schleger of Richmond (friends-wdo renounced)
Reuben -1838- Rockland twsp. wf Magdalena- renounced. Adm John Deysher, Samuel Schlegel & Dan Kauffman. 9 children: Sarah, Florentina, Caroline, Hannah, Jacob, Maria, Jonathan, Esther, Catherine all minors under 14.
tract of land-Rockland- containing 2 1/2 acres
He died on 30 Aug 1838 in Rockland Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. He was buried in Sep 1838 in Schlegel Farm Cemetery, Berks Co., Pennsylvania. He was a Farmer in Richmond Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. He was Reformed. Surname also spelled as JODDER, JODER, YODDER Parents: Jacob YODER and Anna Maria BARTO.
Spouse: Magdalena Keim SCHLEGEL. Reuben YODER and Magdalena Keim SCHLEGEL were married in 1825 in Richmond Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Place is assumed. Children were: Floranda (Florinty) YODER.
Susanna YODER was born between 1762 and 1767 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania. She died on 8 Sep 1809 in Berks Co., Pennsylvania. She was buried in Hoch Private Cemetery #1 **CHANE ME**. Other sources say she is buried in Zion Union Church Parents: Peter YODER and Eve LEVAN.
Spouse: Daniel Bertolet HOCH. Daniel Bertolet HOCH and Susanna YODER were married on 3 Nov 1789 in Oley Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. Children were: Susanna Eva HOCH.
Yost YODER was born on 5 Oct 1679 in Steffisburg, Berne, Switzerland. Thun Lake, or Thuner See as the Swiss call it, lies in the west central part of Switzerland, in Bern Province. It is a large lake of 19 square miles. The ancient village of Thun lies at its northwestern end, where the lake spills into the Aare River. The Aare flows on to the Swiss capital of Bern some 16 miles downstream, and eventually joins the Rhine.
The church in Steffisburg is a mile and a half due north of Thun Castle, an easy 45 minute walk along mostly level ground. The outskirts of Thun and Steffisburg blend into one another these days. The Zulg River flows through Steffisburg and into the Aare a short distance downstream.
The countryside to the north of the Aare valley is hilly. The elevation at Steffisburg is about 1900 feet above sea level, but the nearby hills rise to 3600 ft. To the south and east are the high Alps. From Steffisburg and Thun, the 7185 ft Stockhorn, only 7 miles distant, is a dramatic landmark.
Twenty miles to the southeast are such famous Alpen peaks as the Eiger (13,000 ft) and the Jungfrau (13,600 ft). On a clear day in Steffisburg and Thun, the permanently snow-capped Alpen peaks are breathtaking. They have been a part of everyday life for generations of Swiss Yoders.
For any Yoder traveling to Steffisburg, the principal sight is the ancient village church. In fact, the town is named after the church. The church's patron is Saint Stefan, and ``Steffisburg'' is believed to be a modification of ``Stefansburg.''
Church History.
Steffisburg church was completely restored between 1980 and 1983. Extensive archaelogical excavations were conducted at this time, and from these a remarkably detailed history of the church has been constructed. (The first 3 dates are estimates based upon archaeological and architectural evidence.)
700 The first church is erected in the early Middle Ages. No traces remain. Its existence is known from the positioning of old graves.
900 A second church is built on the same site. The altar and a portion of the foundation were uncovered in the archaeological excavations.
1000 A Romanesque basilica, about as large as the present church, is built. It has a central nave with aisles on either side. The wall between the nave and the southern aisle survives as the present south wall of Steffisburg church, complete with filled-in Romanesque arches.
1320 The clock tower is added.
1491 A chapel is built adjoining the basilica on the south, but it is soon torn down, perhaps about 1528, the time of the Reformation.
1681 The Romanesque basilica is torn down for reasons that remain obscure. A new church is built on the same site. It is this church, now more than 300 years old, that stands in Steffisburg today.
Church Tour.
We'll inspect the inside of the church first. Find the main door. It will probably be unlocked, and you can enter quietly. The Steffisburg church was Catholic at one time, but became protestant during the Reformation. Today it is a Reformed Church. (The nearest modern U.S. equivalent would be the United Church of Christ.)
The interior is elegantly simple. Instead of pews, there are straight-backed chairs arranged in neat rows. Instead of stained glass windows, small colored shields hang in plain windows. The pulpit, standing high against the right hand wall, dates from the 1681 construction of the church. In the balcony to the rear is a 29-register Kuhn organ installed in 1933.
On the left-hand (north) wall of the church near the rear are two gravestones of people buried underneath the church. The one on the left is for Hans Jakob Freudenreich, 1639-1711, who was minister of the church when the present building was constructed in 1681. [There is therefore a strong possibility he's the minister who baptized Hans and Yost Yoder who emigrated to the Oley Valley, but this needs further research.] The one on the right is for Maria Katharina Wyttenbach (nee Hugin) who died in 1716. The treasure of Steffisburg church is the ``Mosestafel'' that hangs on the left hand wall. This wonderfully preserved work of art was painted by Christian Stucki in 1682. It depicts Moses poised behind two tablets containing the Ten Commandments. The Moses painted here looks like a happy Swiss shepherd, in contrast to the stern Moses often seen in art works.
Around the border of the Mosestafel are the Wappenschild (heraldic shields) of Steffisburg's leading citizens of 1682. Two Yoders are to be found there: along the left-hand edge of the Mosestafel, look for Caspar Joder, and along the bottom, look for Jost Joder. [Would be interesting to determine the relationship of these Yoders to the American emigrants.] There is also a Zook shield. Look for Mathys Zaug right next to Jost Joder.
Now, go back outside. Straight ahead is the parsonage, built in 1738. To the left, in a patch of ivy, are a couple of 19th Century graves. (The main cemetary of Steffisburg is nearby, several blocks to the southwest. But don't expect to find many old tombstones there. Graves in Europe are often recycled after 30 or 40 years.) To the right is a pleasant small garden, where you can stroll and appreciate the beauty of Steffisburg church and, on a clear day, the Alps beyond it.
To view the most historically interesting part of the church exterior, turn left from the main door, and walk around to the south side. The south wall of the present building was once an interior wall of the Romanesque basilica built around the year 1000. At that time, this wall separated the central nave of the basilica from a side aisle. It had many arches, which are still clearly visible but have now been mortared shut. At the base of the clock tower, you can see a profile of the side aisle of the Romanesque church. To the right and this side of the clock tower, the floor of the short-lived 1491 chapel can still be seen.
Reference.
Dorfkirche Steffisburg by Hans Peter Würsten, 28 pages, in German. Published by Gesellschaft für Schweizerische Kunstgeschichte, Bern, 1989. As of March 1997, this booklet could be obtained in the narthex of the Steffisburg church for 5 Swiss francs.
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He was baptized on 5 Oct 1679 in Steffisburg, Berne, Switzerland. He lived in Oley Twp., Pennsylvania in 1734. Jost Joder paid taxes in 1734 He signed a will on 29 May 1741 in Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania. From Philadelphia Registry of Wills
244, F267
(Typed and submitted by Richard B. and Rick Yoder of West Chester,Pa.)
In the Name of God amen
I Jost Yoder of the County of Philadelphia husbandman begin very sick and weake in body but of perfedt mind and memory Thanks be given unto god therefore calling unto mind and the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men one to dye do make and ordain this my Last will and Testament; that is to say pemierally and first of ---- all I give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of god that gave it = and for my body I recommend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian Life and decent manner at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I Shall Receive the same again by the mighty power god = and as touching such worldly Estate where with it hath pleased god to bless me in this Life I give devise and dispose of the saem in the following manner and form.
Inprimis it is my will and I do order that in the first place al my Just debts and funderall charges be paid and satisfied =
Item. It is my will that my dearly beloved wife Elizabeth Shall have the full power and authority over all my Estate both Real and personall what is Left after my decease of Pay to have the free power during her Life time = but if in cause my said wife Elisabath should marry again then she shall have the third part of my Estate both Real and personal;
Item. It is my will that my well beloved oldest Son John, Shall have my plantation land and Improvement thereon after my wifes decease to hold to him his heirs and assigns forever: But after the decease of my wife, my Land and Improvement thereon my will is Shall be prized by four Credible men what it is worth: and then the money what my Land is prized with all the moveables and Cattles shall be equally divided between my Sons and Daughters =further it is my will that when my Land is prized after my wifes decease as aforesaid my Said for John and his heirs shall pay favor four months after my wifes decease one hundred pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania to my other Sons and daughters: but he my Son John Shall have his part or Shear of the Said one hundred pounds, when it is equal divided back again=
Item. My said Sone John or his heirs shall pay one hundred pounds lawful money aforesiad two years after the above said time to my other Sons and daughters: put he shall have his part of aforesaid = and the Remainder of the money what the land is Prized for, Shall be divided into two payments and my Son John or his heirs Shall pay every year one payment after the Last Payment above said: to my Sons and daughters but Shall have his Equal part of it as afore mentioned=
Latest I do hearby Constitute make and ordain my Said wife Elizabeth and my family trusty friend gabriel boyer Executors of this my Last wil land Testament = hearby revoking and annulling all former wills by me made and this alone Do declare to be my Last will and Testament in the witness of may in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and forty one XXXXX
Declared by the Aforementioned Jost to be his Last will and Testament, in the presence of us
Abraham Eshmann
John Yoder
the marke of John 10 Yoder
Jost X Yoder
[No doubt this shows that Jost could not sign his name except with an X at this time. Also, John Yoder made his mark]
Inventory of Joas Jodders Deceas
his Estate prizet by Peter Ballie John Jodder and Samuel Golden the first Day of Aug. Anno 1741, wis.
L Sh p
Cloats and Appearil 4
The Plantation containing 200 Acres 300
Rye and Wheat 20
Two Waggons 13
Plows, Iren Harrow and Iren of an Old Waggon 4
Ten Acresof Barlay, flax, and Oats 10
Five Workin Horses 30
Mares and Colts in the Woods 20
Hors Geers and Collars 2
four paire Chains and a Lockchain 2 1
Cows ad Cattles and Colts 56 5
Sheeps old and young 5 2
Hogs 3 1
Gees 10
Hows, tongforcks, axes, and Groben Hows 1 8 6
Hand Saws and other Tools 10 4
Flaxe Hachel 8
old Acelles 5
Tubbs and Barriles and Buttertubbs 1 2 4
Coppern Kettels 1 5
Iren Pots 1 11
Iren Panns and Symmers 12
Peuter Dishes and Plats 1 10
-- Spoons 4 6
Sprenglin Pot and fanil 2 6
Trassor and Table and Chars 2
Spinnen Wheels 1 10
Bedding 4 10
486 16 8
[second page or side two]
Gees Fadders 3 10
Bedticks 3 2
Plancket 9
Mor Betticks 1 6
Bed Cloats 2 3
Table Cloats 1 10
Smal Ticks 7
Linnen of Dobu 2
Bible and Books 2
Iren Lamps 3
Bills and Bonds 30 9
46 19
In Debts to workmen
486 16 8
533 15 8
Pastor Ballie
John Yoder
Samuel Golden He died in 1741/42 in Oley Twp., Pennsylvania. He was a Farmer. The first Yoders known to have come to America were the brothers Hans and Yost, who settled in the Reading area of Berks County, Pennsylvania. They arrived with other Protestants from the Palatinate and had settled in the fertile Oley Valley by 1714. According to contemporary references they were well-known frontiersmen and at least initially belonged to the Reformed Church. Descendants spread into Schuylkill, Union, Adams, Northumberland, and Jefferson Counties. By the third generation, this line was being researched by an early genealogist. In more recent times they have been researched by Dr. Don Yoder of Temple University, a descendant. Dr. Yoder has found the direct link between these brothers and the Joders of Steffisburg.
(References: Dr. Don Yoder YNL article, YNL#5; Hist. of Berks Co Montgomery; Yoder Reunion Book Dr. Don Yoder; DJH 9185; Annals in the Oley Valley Bertolett;-- Karl Joder letter;Fragments of the Past Bertolett; Notes and Queries Eagle; Notes-- and letters from Helen V Yoder, Lester Yoder, Jean Manning, Helen Weidner)
Yost Yoder is remembered in Pennsylvania legend as a mighty hunter and trapper. He is said to have made hunting excursions in and even beyond the Blue Mountain in what was then Indian country and is now Schuylkill County. Friendly Indians still lived in the Oley Valley when the first Yoders arrived. Peter G. Bertolet recorded from the older members of the Yoder family many stories about the relationships between the white and the red man. Several of the second-generation Yoders in Oley in fact learned and could talk the Delaware Indian language.
Some of Yost's family were rough and ready frontier types as well. An old by-word in Oley was "like YostNannes"-i.e.,rough and uncouth.
The Yoder ghost story, as related by Elizabeth Yoder, Yost's daughter, in 1743, tells how her father's spirit returned to visit her. It seems that like most ghosts, he had a message for his daughter which he was unable to give her before his death. It was to "scorn and despise not the Frenchman," i.e.:Dr. George deBenneville (1703-1793), who was the pioneer preacher of the Universalist gospel in America. He lived in Germantown but also had a base in Oley. On being asked by his daughter where he was, Yost Yoder's ghost answered that he was "at a good place," and his beloved brother (Hans) was there too. This story appeared in a bestseller volume of ghost appearances, with religious commentary, published by Christopher Sauer in Germantown in 1744. It was reprinted in 1748,1755, and 1792.
Parents: Adam JODER and Barbara OCHSENBEIN.
Spouse: Elizabeth Catherine KUHLWEIN. Yost YODER and Elizabeth Catherine KUHLWEIN were married before 1709. Elizabeth Catherine Kuhlwien and that she and her husband Yost departed Europe on March 1, 1709 along with Yost's brother Hans, his wife Fronica Isylman (who died on the passage to America), Philip Kuhlwein, Maria Schutz and daughters, Christoph and Anna Mayer with a son and daughters, LeDee and Bertolet families. Children were: Jacob YODER.
Anne YONGES was born between 1621 and 1623 in Southwold, Suffolk, England. She immigrated before 1643 to New England. She died in Jan 1686. She has Ancestral File Number 9NKB-T4. Parents: John YONGES and Joan HERRINGTON.
Spouse: John JENNINGS. John JENNINGS and Anne YONGES were married before 1643 in Southampton, Suffolk, New York. Children were: Johanna JENNINGS.
Christopher YONGES was born in 1545 in Reyden, Norfolk, England. He died on 14 Jun 1626 in Reyden, Norfolk, England. He has Ancestral File Number 9NK8-B8. His pedigree as shown in the LDS Ancestral File is unclear, so it has not been included in this database.
Spouse: Margaret ELIVIN. Christopher YONGES and Margaret ELIVIN were married before 1589 in Reyden, Norfolk, England. Children were: Elizabteh (Margaret) YONGES, John YONGES.
Elizabteh (Margaret) YONGES was born about 1589 in Reyden, Norfolk, England. She died between 1616 and 1626 in England. She has Ancestral File Number 9JVP-8C. Parents: Christopher YONGES and Margaret ELIVIN.
Spouse: Peter HALLOCK. Peter HALLOCK and Elizabteh (Margaret) YONGES were married before 1615 in Hingham, Norfolk Co., England. Children were: William Peter HALLOCK.
John YONGES was born in 1602 in Reyden, Norfolk, England. He immigrated before 1643 to New England. He died on 24 Feb 1671 in Southold, Suffolk, New York. He was buried in Hingham, Norfolk Co., England. He has Ancestral File Number 8J66-WG. Parents: Christopher YONGES and Margaret ELIVIN.
Spouse: Joan HERRINGTON. John YONGES and Joan HERRINGTON were married on 25 Jul 1622 in Reyden, Norfolk, England. Children were: Anne YONGES.
Adonirum YOUNG was born in 1784 in Arlington, Bennington Co., Vermont. Parents: Joseph YOUNG and BURRITT.
Harold A. YOUNG.
Spouse: Denver Lee FERGUSON.
Joseph YOUNG was born between 1760 and 1765. Dates are estimated.
Spouse: BURRITT. Joseph YOUNG and BURRITT were married between 1780 and 1785. Dates are estimated. Children were: Rebecca YOUNG, Adonirum YOUNG.
Rebecca YOUNG was born on 22 Jan 1786 in Arlington, Bennington Co., Vermont. She died about 1830 in Ontario, Canada. She was buried about 1830 in Oxford Twp, Grenville Co., Ontario, Canada. She has Ancestral File Number 2GQP-K4. Parents: Joseph YOUNG and BURRITT.
Spouse: Jonathon G. NICHOLS. Jonathon G. NICHOLS and Rebecca YOUNG were married about 1805 in Arlington, Bennington Co., Vermont. Children were: Electa NICHOLS Lettie, Johnathon NICHOLS, Rebecca NICHOLS, Daniel NICHOLS, Sarah NICHOLS, Able NICHOLS.
Esther YOUNGS was born on 26 Jul 1789 in Suffolk, New York. She died on 27 Jan 1887.
Spouse: Daniel V. BEEBE. Daniel V. BEEBE and Esther YOUNGS were married on 6 Jun 1811. Children were: Andrew J. BEEBE.
Elsi ZAUGG was born between 1340 and 1345 in Switzerland. Date and place are assumed. She died between 1390 and 1415 in Switzerland. Date and place are assumed. Parents: Peter ZAUGG.
Spouse: Ulli JODER. Ulli JODER and Elsi ZAUGG were married before 1369 in Switzerland. Date and place are assumed. Children were: Heini JODER.
Peter ZAUGG was born between 1315 and 1325 in Switzerland. Date and place are assumed. He died between 1365 and 1400 in Switzerland. Date and place are assumed.
Children were: Elsi ZAUGG.
Drahombira ZE STODOR was born about 881 in Praha, Czechoslovakia. She died in 937. She has Ancestral File Number 8BG3-3B. Father was the Lord of Lutice.
Spouse: Vratislav I. Vratislav I and Drahombira ZE STODOR were married. Children were: Boleslaw "The Cruel" I.
Lucy ZIMMERMAN was born in 1851 in Va.
Spouse: James FERGUSON. Children were: Susan FERGUSON, Barney FERGUSON, Samuel Thomas FERGUSON, Eliza FERGUSON, Andrew J. FERGUSON, Mattie L. FERGUSON, Emma Jane FERGUSON.
Rebecca Ann ZIMMERMAN was born in 1821 in Va.. She died on 5 Mar 1905.
Spouse: Moses , Jr. FERGUSON. Moses , Jr. FERGUSON and Rebecca Ann ZIMMERMAN were married on 25 Mar 1841. Children were: Melvina FERGUSON.
George Michael III ZUPKO.
Spouse: Carol Ann FERGUSON.
