Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
NameElizabeth Mertz 
Birthabout 1753, Longswamp Twp, Berks Co, PA
Father5G GF Hans Peter Mertz (P) (~1717-<1787)
Mother5G GM
Spouses
Birth2 February 1755
Memo(Veteran’s burial card on find-a-grave)
Death20 September 1829
Memo(Veteran’s burial card on find-a-grave))
BurialTrexler Cemetery, Berks Co, PA
Research notes for Elizabeth Mertz
25 Feb 1776. Johannes Mertz s/o Johannes and Margaretha baptized. Sponsors: Elisabeth Mertz (single) and Conrad Drescher. However, Conrad Drescher will later appear in Longswamp records with a wife named Elisabeth. And when Elizabeth and Conrad baptize children, third generation Mertzes appear as sponsors. It seems that Peter has a daughter Elisabeth, too.
My Comments notes for Elizabeth Mertz
TOO MANY WOMEN NAMED ELIZABETH MERTZ
There were at least four women named Elizabeth Mertz living in Longswamp Township by about 1765. Nicholas had a daughter Elizabeth who according to Orphan's Court records married Lawrence Schollenberger before about 1763. He also had a daughter Maria Elizabeth who later married Nicholas Klein. John Jacob had a daughter Elizabeth born in 1762.
However, starting in 1776, the name Elizabeth Mertz began to appear frequently as a sponsor for various baptisms, many for grandchildren of Peter. She was once listed with Peter Fegely as another sponsor and later Peter Fegely and wife Elizabeth appeared as sponsors for other Mertz baptisms. And once Elizabeth Mertz was listed as a sponsor with Conrad Drescher -- this also for a baptism of a grandchild of Peter. Later, when Conrad Drescher and wife Elizabeth baptized children, Peter's sons stood as sponsors. All the evidence points to the fact that Peter, too, had a daughter named Elizabeth.
The problem is sorting out which Elizabeth married Peter Fegely (Voegele) and which married Conrad Drescher. Because -- and only because -- Conrad and Elizabeth appear as a married couple in 1776 whereas Peter and Elizabeth first appear as a married couple in 1779 -- and because I believe Peter's children were born earlier than the 1762 known birth of John Jacob's Elizabeth, I have placed Conrad Drescher as husband to Peter's daughter Elizabeth (whose entire existence is basically assumed rather than known for a fact) and Peter Fegely as husband of John Jacob's daughter Elizabeth whose existence at least is fact (she was baptized at Longswamp).
There well could be more unscrambling necessary to get it right.
There were at least four women named Elizabeth Mertz living in Longswamp Township by about 1765. Nicholas had a daughter Elizabeth who according to Orphan's Court records married Lawrence Schollenberger before about 1763. He also had a daughter Maria Elizabeth who later married Nicholas Klein. John Jacob had a daughter Elizabeth born in 1762.
However, starting in 1776, the name Elizabeth Mertz began to appear frequently as a sponsor for various baptisms, many for grandchildren of Peter. She was once listed with Peter Fegely as another sponsor and later Peter Fegely and wife Elizabeth appeared as sponsors for other Mertz baptisms. And once Elizabeth Mertz was listed as a sponsor with Conrad Drescher -- this also for a baptism of a grandchild of Peter. Later, when Conrad Drescher and wife Elizabeth baptized children, Peter's sons stood as sponsors. All the evidence points to the fact that Peter, too, had a daughter named Elizabeth.
The problem is sorting out which Elizabeth married Peter Fegely (Voegele) and which married Conrad Drescher. Because -- and only because -- Conrad and Elizabeth appear as a married couple in 1776 whereas Peter and Elizabeth first appear as a married couple in 1779 -- and because I believe Peter's children were born earlier than the 1762 known birth of John Jacob's Elizabeth, I have placed Conrad Drescher as husband to Peter's daughter Elizabeth (whose entire existence is basically assumed rather than known for a fact) and Peter Fegely as husband of John Jacob's daughter Elizabeth whose existence at least is fact (she was baptized at Longswamp).
There well could be more unscrambling necessary to get it right.
My Comments notes for Conrad (Spouse 1)
Justin Houser has tackled the too many Elizabeth problem after seeing the dilemna I posed.
Here is part of his analysis relating to Elizabeth and Conrad Drescher:
Findagrave shows Revolutionary War Pvt. Conrad Drescher, b. Feb. 2, 1755, d. Sept. 20, 1829, buried at Trexler Cemetery in Mertztown, as was a son, Phillip, b. June 17, 1785, d. Jan. 9, 1828, son of Konrad and Elizabeth Mertz Drescher. He served as a Private in the 1st Class of the Capt. Charles Crouse's Co of the 2nd Battalion of Berks County Militia.
Conrad left a will stating that he was of Longswamp Twp. He mentions his grandson Nathan Drasher, "the son of my son Philiph"; his granddaughter Judith Drasher, intermarried with John Reider; Anna Drasher the widow of his son Philiph. He also mentions his two daughters, Susanna late the wife of Christian Miller deceased and Mary the wife of Benjamin Trexler. The will was signed 5 May 1828 and Anna Drasher was appointed as the executrix. It was probated 21 Nov 1829. It isn't clear whether Mary Trexler died also around this time but it seems likely because a number of her apparent children filed guardianship petitions: Jairus Trexler, a minor over 14, on 8 Nov 1830, and Benjamin Trexler was appointed guardian; Jonas Trexler, over 14, same date, same guardian; Aaron Trexler, over 14, same date, same guardian; and on the same date Benjamin Trexler petitioned for guardians for children under 14, Nathan and Peter Trexler. Anna Drasher, now called Anna Albright (having remarried) filed her administration account on 4 June 1831. John Albright (perhaps her new husband) witnessed her administration bond on the same date. From all of this it is abundantly clear that Conrad's wife Elizabeth had died long before.
As stated above, Conrad and Elizabeth (Mertz) Drescher had known children as follows:
1. Susanna, b. 19 Mar 1777, bp. 19 May 1777, Longswamp Reformed
2. Abraham, b. 24 Sep 1778, bp. 25 Oct 1778, Longswamp Reformed
3. Anna Maria, b. 8 Oct 1782, bp. 17 Nov 1782, Longswamp Reformed
4. Philip, b. 17 Jun 1785, d. 9 Jan 1828, bur. Trexler Cem in Mertztown
Conrad Dresher appears in the 1779 septennial census of Longswamp Twp, Berks Co, PA.
Conrad Dresher appears in the 1786 septennial census of Longswamp Twp, Berks Co, PA.
In the 1790 census of Longswamp Twp, Berks Co, PA we find Conrad Dresher, 2 males under 16 [Abraham and Philip], 2 males over 16 [Conrad and ?], 3 females [Elizabeth, Susanna and Anna Maria].
In the 1800 census of Longswamp Twp, Berks Co, PA we find Conrad Tresher, 1 male 10-16 [Philip], 1 male over 45 [Conrad], 1 female 10-16 [Anna Maria], 1 female 16-26 [Susanna], 1 female over 45 [Conrad].
In the 1810 census of Longswamp Twp, Berks Co, PA we find Conrad Tresher, 1 male 10-16 [probably Philip in the wrong bracket], 1 male over 45 [Conrad], 1 female 16-26 [probably Philip's wife who was very close to Conrad and I assume because of this that they lived all together].
From this, I believe that Elizabeth (Mertz) Dresher died ca. 1800-1810, and that the son Abraham died between 1790 and 1800. Elizabeth was probably born ca. 1756-57 based on her husband's age and the ages of her children. She is probably the daughter of Peter, I think.
Of some note, Henry and Peter Fegely and Conrad Dresher were all taxed in Longswamp Township, as reported in the published Pennsylvania Archives.
In 1768 none of them are there but there is a Bernhard Fogely, who we now know is the father of Henry and Peter.
In 1779:
Conrad Dresher was taxed with 2 horses and 2 cows.
Henry Feogly was taxed with 200 acres, 3 horses and 5 cows.
Peter Feagly was taxed with a grist mill and saw mill, 50 acres and 2 cows.
In 1780:
Conrad Dresher was taxed with 23 acres, 2 horses, and 2 cows.
Henry Feagely was taxed with 236 acres, 2 horses and 5 cows.
Peter Feagely was taxed with a grist mill and saw mill, 75 acres, 1 horse, and 3 cows.
In 1781:
Conrad Dreasher was taxed with 23 acres, 2 horses and 2 cows.
Peter Fegely was taxed with a grist and saw mill, 75 acres, 1 horse and 2 cows.
Henry Feagly was taxed with 236 acres, 2 horses, and 7 cows.
In 1784:
Henry had 236 acres, 2 horses, 4 cows, 5 sheep and 5 persons in his household. These 5 persons were probably Henry, his wife Barbara, Elizabeth, and two other children - one probably being Maria Catharina and the other perhaps the "unknown" child - Margaretha(?). Abraham 1776 had perhaps already died, and perhaps Susanna was also dead.
Peter Fegely had 75 acres, a grist and saw mill, 1 horse, 3 cows, and 4 people - probably himself, his wife Elizabeth, daughter Anna Maria (1782) and Elizabeth (1784).
Conrad Dresher had 23 acres, 2 horses, 3 cows, 3 sheep, and 4 people - probably himself, his wife Elizabeth, Susanna (1777), and Abraham (1778).
In 1785:
Conrad Dresher paid a tax of £3.2.9.
Henry Fagle paid a tax of £3.3.3.
Peter Feagel paid a tax of £2.13.9.
Here is part of his analysis relating to Elizabeth and Conrad Drescher:
Findagrave shows Revolutionary War Pvt. Conrad Drescher, b. Feb. 2, 1755, d. Sept. 20, 1829, buried at Trexler Cemetery in Mertztown, as was a son, Phillip, b. June 17, 1785, d. Jan. 9, 1828, son of Konrad and Elizabeth Mertz Drescher. He served as a Private in the 1st Class of the Capt. Charles Crouse's Co of the 2nd Battalion of Berks County Militia.
Conrad left a will stating that he was of Longswamp Twp. He mentions his grandson Nathan Drasher, "the son of my son Philiph"; his granddaughter Judith Drasher, intermarried with John Reider; Anna Drasher the widow of his son Philiph. He also mentions his two daughters, Susanna late the wife of Christian Miller deceased and Mary the wife of Benjamin Trexler. The will was signed 5 May 1828 and Anna Drasher was appointed as the executrix. It was probated 21 Nov 1829. It isn't clear whether Mary Trexler died also around this time but it seems likely because a number of her apparent children filed guardianship petitions: Jairus Trexler, a minor over 14, on 8 Nov 1830, and Benjamin Trexler was appointed guardian; Jonas Trexler, over 14, same date, same guardian; Aaron Trexler, over 14, same date, same guardian; and on the same date Benjamin Trexler petitioned for guardians for children under 14, Nathan and Peter Trexler. Anna Drasher, now called Anna Albright (having remarried) filed her administration account on 4 June 1831. John Albright (perhaps her new husband) witnessed her administration bond on the same date. From all of this it is abundantly clear that Conrad's wife Elizabeth had died long before.
As stated above, Conrad and Elizabeth (Mertz) Drescher had known children as follows:
1. Susanna, b. 19 Mar 1777, bp. 19 May 1777, Longswamp Reformed
2. Abraham, b. 24 Sep 1778, bp. 25 Oct 1778, Longswamp Reformed
3. Anna Maria, b. 8 Oct 1782, bp. 17 Nov 1782, Longswamp Reformed
4. Philip, b. 17 Jun 1785, d. 9 Jan 1828, bur. Trexler Cem in Mertztown
Conrad Dresher appears in the 1779 septennial census of Longswamp Twp, Berks Co, PA.
Conrad Dresher appears in the 1786 septennial census of Longswamp Twp, Berks Co, PA.
In the 1790 census of Longswamp Twp, Berks Co, PA we find Conrad Dresher, 2 males under 16 [Abraham and Philip], 2 males over 16 [Conrad and ?], 3 females [Elizabeth, Susanna and Anna Maria].
In the 1800 census of Longswamp Twp, Berks Co, PA we find Conrad Tresher, 1 male 10-16 [Philip], 1 male over 45 [Conrad], 1 female 10-16 [Anna Maria], 1 female 16-26 [Susanna], 1 female over 45 [Conrad].
In the 1810 census of Longswamp Twp, Berks Co, PA we find Conrad Tresher, 1 male 10-16 [probably Philip in the wrong bracket], 1 male over 45 [Conrad], 1 female 16-26 [probably Philip's wife who was very close to Conrad and I assume because of this that they lived all together].
From this, I believe that Elizabeth (Mertz) Dresher died ca. 1800-1810, and that the son Abraham died between 1790 and 1800. Elizabeth was probably born ca. 1756-57 based on her husband's age and the ages of her children. She is probably the daughter of Peter, I think.
Of some note, Henry and Peter Fegely and Conrad Dresher were all taxed in Longswamp Township, as reported in the published Pennsylvania Archives.
In 1768 none of them are there but there is a Bernhard Fogely, who we now know is the father of Henry and Peter.
In 1779:
Conrad Dresher was taxed with 2 horses and 2 cows.
Henry Feogly was taxed with 200 acres, 3 horses and 5 cows.
Peter Feagly was taxed with a grist mill and saw mill, 50 acres and 2 cows.
In 1780:
Conrad Dresher was taxed with 23 acres, 2 horses, and 2 cows.
Henry Feagely was taxed with 236 acres, 2 horses and 5 cows.
Peter Feagely was taxed with a grist mill and saw mill, 75 acres, 1 horse, and 3 cows.
In 1781:
Conrad Dreasher was taxed with 23 acres, 2 horses and 2 cows.
Peter Fegely was taxed with a grist and saw mill, 75 acres, 1 horse and 2 cows.
Henry Feagly was taxed with 236 acres, 2 horses, and 7 cows.
In 1784:
Henry had 236 acres, 2 horses, 4 cows, 5 sheep and 5 persons in his household. These 5 persons were probably Henry, his wife Barbara, Elizabeth, and two other children - one probably being Maria Catharina and the other perhaps the "unknown" child - Margaretha(?). Abraham 1776 had perhaps already died, and perhaps Susanna was also dead.
Peter Fegely had 75 acres, a grist and saw mill, 1 horse, 3 cows, and 4 people - probably himself, his wife Elizabeth, daughter Anna Maria (1782) and Elizabeth (1784).
Conrad Dresher had 23 acres, 2 horses, 3 cows, 3 sheep, and 4 people - probably himself, his wife Elizabeth, Susanna (1777), and Abraham (1778).
In 1785:
Conrad Dresher paid a tax of £3.2.9.
Henry Fagle paid a tax of £3.3.3.
Peter Feagel paid a tax of £2.13.9.