Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Spouses
Birthabout 1750, Tulpehocken Twp, Berks Co, PA1739
Death1790, Kratzerville, PA
FatherConrad Scharf (1697-1776)
MotherMaria Margaretha (1721-1781)
Marriage1776
Birth8 April 1764
Memo(tombstone)
Death16 January 18321740
Memo(tombstone)
BurialNew Berlin Cemetery, Union Co, PA
FatherFrederick Miller
Parent-Proof notes for John George Benfer
A Benfer family tree on the Internet says that John George, the immigrant, was the son of John George of Westphalia.
Census History notes for John George Benfer
Census Listings 1790-1810. I think I have found him in these Censuses. In 1790, townships were not broken out for Northumberland County. In 1800, he lived in Penns Township, North’d Co but that encompassed most of Snyder County then. And in 1810, he lived in Centre Twp, North’d County. None of these listings contradict the belief that he actually lived in or near New Berlin the whole time.
In 1800, a neighbor is George Benford age 16-25. In 1810, neighbors are George Benford Jr. age 26-44 and Henry Benford same age.
In 1800, a neighbor is George Benford age 16-25. In 1810, neighbors are George Benford Jr. age 26-44 and Henry Benford same age.
Research notes for John George Benfer
Charles A Fisher in Snyder County Pioneers writes: ”John George Benfer (also given as Benfor, Binford, etc.) was born in Germany on March 21, 1745 and embarked for America in the British ship ”Betsey”...arriving at Philadelphia...on 13 Oct 1766. He was assessed in Penn Township for the first time in 1778, and in 1787 was taxed for 150 acres and personal property. He probably lived on the south side of the Penns Creek in what is now Jackson Township of Snyder County. In 1793 he was one of the officials of Penn Township. ”George” as he was commonly called, married Maria Magdalene Miller, who was born in 1764 and died in 1832. She may have been his second wife. George died on April 23, 1818, and he and his wife are buried in the old cemetery at New Berlin, PA.
George Benfer served as a private in Lieut. James McElevey’s Company and Captain James Boevard’s Company of Rangers from Northumberland County. In a will made in 1815, George mentioned his children as follows: George (1777-1854), Henry, John, Daniel, Frederick, Teany (a daughter), Elizabeth, Eva, Magdalene, Barbara, Michael and Andrew.”
Johann Gorg Benfer is indeed among the passengers listed by Strassburger arriving Philadelphia on the Betsy 13 October 1766. He had a very bold and distinctive signature.
The dates of birth and death as stated by Fisher are consistent with cemetery transcriptions I have seen.
George Benfer served as a private in Lieut. James McElevey’s Company and Captain James Boevard’s Company of Rangers from Northumberland County. In a will made in 1815, George mentioned his children as follows: George (1777-1854), Henry, John, Daniel, Frederick, Teany (a daughter), Elizabeth, Eva, Magdalene, Barbara, Michael and Andrew.”
Johann Gorg Benfer is indeed among the passengers listed by Strassburger arriving Philadelphia on the Betsy 13 October 1766. He had a very bold and distinctive signature.
The dates of birth and death as stated by Fisher are consistent with cemetery transcriptions I have seen.
My Comments notes for John George Benfer
A lot of the information I have about John George comes from an Internet family tree I have found covering the early Snyder County Benfer’s in great detail.
His burial and his birth year and death year are also noted in Egle’s ”PA Notes and Queries” and he notes that John George is among the earliest graves in the New Berlin cemetery.
Dan Nickolie, my Internet cousin and initial source on this family said that John George died 25 Apr 1818 and was age 75y 1m 2d. This is close to but inconsistent with what I have from other sources.
Another Internet source is the DeWald family tree which includes all of the Benfer information and says that John George immigrated on the ship Betsy in 1766. He originally settled in Berks County (which is probably where he met and married Mary Catherine) before moving to Penn’s Township, Northumberland County in what eventually became the Kratzerville area of Snyder County. He served in the Northumberland County militia during the Revolutionary War.
We know that John George was buried in New Berlin but several sources say he lived in the Kratzerville area. From Kratzerville to New Berlin is just five miles, so I believe he probably lived in between those two places, perhaps closer to Kratzerville.
One other discrepancy about the biography of John George relates to his marriage. I believe he married twice: first Mary Catherine Scharf of Berks County who is our ancestor and then after she died Mary Magdalena Miller.
His burial and his birth year and death year are also noted in Egle’s ”PA Notes and Queries” and he notes that John George is among the earliest graves in the New Berlin cemetery.
Dan Nickolie, my Internet cousin and initial source on this family said that John George died 25 Apr 1818 and was age 75y 1m 2d. This is close to but inconsistent with what I have from other sources.
Another Internet source is the DeWald family tree which includes all of the Benfer information and says that John George immigrated on the ship Betsy in 1766. He originally settled in Berks County (which is probably where he met and married Mary Catherine) before moving to Penn’s Township, Northumberland County in what eventually became the Kratzerville area of Snyder County. He served in the Northumberland County militia during the Revolutionary War.
We know that John George was buried in New Berlin but several sources say he lived in the Kratzerville area. From Kratzerville to New Berlin is just five miles, so I believe he probably lived in between those two places, perhaps closer to Kratzerville.
One other discrepancy about the biography of John George relates to his marriage. I believe he married twice: first Mary Catherine Scharf of Berks County who is our ancestor and then after she died Mary Magdalena Miller.
Parent-Proof notes for Mary Catherine (Spouse 1)
According to an Internet tree, Mary Catherine was the daughter of Conrad Scharf and his wife Maria Margaretha.
Pedigree notes for Mary Catherine (Spouse 1)
I know a little bit about Mary Catherine’s parents: Conrad and Maria Magdalena.
6G GF Conrad Scharf. Conrad was born in Germany on 22 Mar 1697. Conrad died in Berks Co, PA, on 15 May 1776; he was 80.
He was naturalized 13 Sep 1741, said to be of Lancaster County. (LDS Film 908978.) His name and that he was the father of Mary Catherine comes from an Internet family tree I have found covering the early Snyder County Benfer’s in great detail.
According to the DeWald family tree which includes all of the Benfer information, Conrad Scharf was one of the original settlers of Tulpehocken Township and came to Berks in 1728 with a group that first had settled in Schoharie, NY. Conrad then moved to the Buffalo Valley and was issued a land warrant for 175 acres in 1771. This land later passed to his daughter Mary Catherine and then onto his granddaughter Christina Benfer Braus.
According to Morton Montgomery’s ”History of Berks County” which is the source for the birth and death dates of both Conrad and wife Mary Margaret, Conrad came from Germany to NY State in 1709 with his parents. They settled first in Livingstone Manor then by 1719 moved to Schoharie. In 1723, a group departed from Schoharie to Tulpehocken. Among this group was Antonius Scharff. In 1728, more people followed including Conrad, probably brother of Antonius. On 10 Oct 1772, Conrad lived in Heidelberg Township. His will mentions children: George, John, Esther (Reigner), Catherine Margaret and Mary Catherine.
There was, though, a Conrad Shirf or Conrath Scharff on the ship Pink Plaisance arrived 21 Sep 1732, he was 34 (which is very close to the age of someone born 1697).
Conrad married 6G GM Maria Margaretha. Maria Margaretha was born on 28 Jul 1721. Maria Margaretha died on 20 Apr 1781; she was 59.
6G GF Conrad Scharf. Conrad was born in Germany on 22 Mar 1697. Conrad died in Berks Co, PA, on 15 May 1776; he was 80.
He was naturalized 13 Sep 1741, said to be of Lancaster County. (LDS Film 908978.) His name and that he was the father of Mary Catherine comes from an Internet family tree I have found covering the early Snyder County Benfer’s in great detail.
According to the DeWald family tree which includes all of the Benfer information, Conrad Scharf was one of the original settlers of Tulpehocken Township and came to Berks in 1728 with a group that first had settled in Schoharie, NY. Conrad then moved to the Buffalo Valley and was issued a land warrant for 175 acres in 1771. This land later passed to his daughter Mary Catherine and then onto his granddaughter Christina Benfer Braus.
According to Morton Montgomery’s ”History of Berks County” which is the source for the birth and death dates of both Conrad and wife Mary Margaret, Conrad came from Germany to NY State in 1709 with his parents. They settled first in Livingstone Manor then by 1719 moved to Schoharie. In 1723, a group departed from Schoharie to Tulpehocken. Among this group was Antonius Scharff. In 1728, more people followed including Conrad, probably brother of Antonius. On 10 Oct 1772, Conrad lived in Heidelberg Township. His will mentions children: George, John, Esther (Reigner), Catherine Margaret and Mary Catherine.
There was, though, a Conrad Shirf or Conrath Scharff on the ship Pink Plaisance arrived 21 Sep 1732, he was 34 (which is very close to the age of someone born 1697).
Conrad married 6G GM Maria Margaretha. Maria Margaretha was born on 28 Jul 1721. Maria Margaretha died on 20 Apr 1781; she was 59.
My Comments notes for Mary Catherine (Spouse 1)
All of the information I have about Mary Catherine comes from an Internet family tree I have found covering the early Snyder County Benfer’s in great detail.
Dan Nickolie, my Internet cousin and initial source, mentions a deed from Conrad Scharff of Heidelberg Township, Berks County to his daughter. And he cites an IGI record: ”Christened: 25 Jun 1755 Jefferson Township, Little Tulpehocken or Christs Evangelical Lutheran Church, Berks County.”
On CD 166, there is a baptism of Catarina Margarteha d/o Cunradt Scharff b.23 Sep 1752 bp. 22 Oct 1752 in the Atolhoe area in the records of John Casper Stoever.
Dan Nickolie, my Internet cousin and initial source, mentions a deed from Conrad Scharff of Heidelberg Township, Berks County to his daughter. And he cites an IGI record: ”Christened: 25 Jun 1755 Jefferson Township, Little Tulpehocken or Christs Evangelical Lutheran Church, Berks County.”
On CD 166, there is a baptism of Catarina Margarteha d/o Cunradt Scharff b.23 Sep 1752 bp. 22 Oct 1752 in the Atolhoe area in the records of John Casper Stoever.
Parent-Proof notes for Mary Magdalena (Spouse 2)
Fisher’s biography of John George Benfer says that Mary Magdalene Miller was the daughter of Frederick Miller, a pioneer in the Salem section of the present Penns Township.
Her tombstone says she was “born Miller” -- it does not says she was wife of John George Benfer, but her age makes that seem logical.
Her tombstone says she was “born Miller” -- it does not says she was wife of John George Benfer, but her age makes that seem logical.