Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Birth1787
Deathabout 1855
Memo(present in 1850 , not present in 1860)
FatherNicholas Mertz (P5) (1748-1801)
MotherCatharina Cleaver (1754-1825)
Spouses
Birth, Parent-Proof, Designation notes for Samuel Mertz (P5d)
The three oldest sons of Nicholas Mertz who died in Middleburg were all baptized at Longswamp Reformed Church, the last of those being Jacob in 1781. Nicholas’s two younger sons — known from the Orphans Court petitions after his death — were Samuel and Peter. They filed a petition in 1804 saying they were both minors above the age of 14. This implies a birth date for both of 1788-1790 or so.
In the 1850 Census, Samuel was age 63, implying a birth of about 1787. Samuel is designated P5d.
Samuel Mertz served in the same unit as Isaac in the War of 1812.
In the 1850 Census, Samuel was age 63, implying a birth of about 1787. Samuel is designated P5d.
Samuel Mertz served in the same unit as Isaac in the War of 1812.
Relocated and Census Tracking notes for Samuel Mertz (P5d)
Samuel is easy to spot in Census as his name was unique (until his nephew Samuel came on the scene later). In 1810 he lived in Centre Township, Union County, then in 1820 and 1830 in Middleburg. By 1850, he was listed again in Centre Township. Centre Township is the area surrounding Middleburg.
Death and Find-a-Grave notes for Samuel Mertz (P5d)
As of summer 2015, Samuel is not on find-a-grave.
Known Daughters notes for Samuel Mertz (P5d)
From Census, it would appear that Samuel had several daughters. The one I know for sure is Mary because she was still living with her parents in 1850. She was then age 40.
But then in 1860, after Samuel seems to have died, I am sure I have found Samuel’s widow Susan and his daughter Mary living with Catherine and Richard Trotter. Catherine’s obituary says her maiden name was Martz, I think it is an obvious guess she was Samuel’s daughter.
Moreover, in 1850, Sophia Martz age 24 was living with the Trotter family in Cambria County. I think it is an obvious guess that Sophia was another of Samuel’s daughters. Sophia married Morris George, the first of many marriages between Samuel’s descendants and those of Philip George of Cambria County.
Finally, I’ve given him a daughter Rebecca. There were two Rebecca Mertz in the western Snyder (well Union at the time) County area. One was said to be of Washington Township and married Jacob Schnee, the other was of Beaver Township and married Henry Tittle. Peter Mertz, Samuel’s cousin, lived in Washington Township and definitely had a daughter named Rebecca so I believe his daughter married Jacob Schnee. She was born in 1819.
The only other Mertz living in Beaver Township in 1840 — when Rebecca Mertz married there — was George Mertz who I think was Samuel’s son. So that’s the basis for what is only an educated guess that the Rebecca Mertz who married Henry Tittle was Samuel’s daughter.
But then in 1860, after Samuel seems to have died, I am sure I have found Samuel’s widow Susan and his daughter Mary living with Catherine and Richard Trotter. Catherine’s obituary says her maiden name was Martz, I think it is an obvious guess she was Samuel’s daughter.
Moreover, in 1850, Sophia Martz age 24 was living with the Trotter family in Cambria County. I think it is an obvious guess that Sophia was another of Samuel’s daughters. Sophia married Morris George, the first of many marriages between Samuel’s descendants and those of Philip George of Cambria County.
Finally, I’ve given him a daughter Rebecca. There were two Rebecca Mertz in the western Snyder (well Union at the time) County area. One was said to be of Washington Township and married Jacob Schnee, the other was of Beaver Township and married Henry Tittle. Peter Mertz, Samuel’s cousin, lived in Washington Township and definitely had a daughter named Rebecca so I believe his daughter married Jacob Schnee. She was born in 1819.
The only other Mertz living in Beaver Township in 1840 — when Rebecca Mertz married there — was George Mertz who I think was Samuel’s son. So that’s the basis for what is only an educated guess that the Rebecca Mertz who married Henry Tittle was Samuel’s daughter.
Known Sons notes for Samuel Mertz (P5d)
There is no source I am aware of from which we can know the names of all of Samuel’s sons. In the 1830 Census, there were 4 sons: two age 10-14, one age 15-19 and one 20-29.
I think I can name them although there is a certain amount of guesswork involved:
P5d1. George born in about 1808
P5d2. Frederick born in 1819
Joseph age 20-30 in 1840, a neighbor of Samuel’s, so I am guessing he was Samuel's son. But I can track him no further. I know nothing more about him.
Henry, who was still living with his father, at age 35, in 1850. I think Henry never married, had no heirs and therefore is not designated.
I think I can name them although there is a certain amount of guesswork involved:
P5d1. George born in about 1808
P5d2. Frederick born in 1819
Joseph age 20-30 in 1840, a neighbor of Samuel’s, so I am guessing he was Samuel's son. But I can track him no further. I know nothing more about him.
Henry, who was still living with his father, at age 35, in 1850. I think Henry never married, had no heirs and therefore is not designated.
Census History notes for Susanna (Spouse 1)
Her age has been transcribed as 13 in 1860 when she was living with her believed daughter Catherine Trotter. But on close inspection I think it says 73 (in agreement with her age in 1850) and the order of the people listed in the Trotter household suggest she was much older than 13.