Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Birth22 July 1782
Memo(find-a-grave says 21 Jul 1782)
Death11 March 1844
Memo(find-a-grave)
BurialBethany United Methodist, Lehigh Co, PA
FatherGeorge Heinrich Mertz (H6) (1755-1827)
MotherEva Barbara Guth (1749-1826)
Spouses
Birth25 August 1783
Memo(find-a-grave)
Death10 March 1844
Memo(find-a-grave)
BurialBethany United Methodist, Lehigh Co, PA
Birth, Parent-Proof, Designation notes for Heinrich Mertz (H6a)
His birth record is given in the records of Jerusalem Union Church in Lehigh County. He was born 22 Jun 1782, baptized 25 Aug 1782, son of George H and Eva Mertz with Peter and Maria Finck as sponsors. He is designated H6a.
A biography of him is given in Charles Rhoads Roberts’ History of Lehigh County. See my comments on this book in my discussion of Henry’s father. While I am cautious about ever totally accepting things stated in old county histories, in this case, I think because Henry was a prominent person in Lehigh County and direct descendants were still living in about the same place when the county history was written, I think it is generally accurate.
The biography says that Henry was General Henry Mertz, a Brigadier General of the State Militia and that he served in the War of 1812. As I have tracked Henry’s sons and their sons over the next few decades, I am struck by just how many of Henry’s grandsons served in the Civil War and at least one that I know of was killed in action. Their tombstones on find-a-grave tell the story.
A biography of him is given in Charles Rhoads Roberts’ History of Lehigh County. See my comments on this book in my discussion of Henry’s father. While I am cautious about ever totally accepting things stated in old county histories, in this case, I think because Henry was a prominent person in Lehigh County and direct descendants were still living in about the same place when the county history was written, I think it is generally accurate.
The biography says that Henry was General Henry Mertz, a Brigadier General of the State Militia and that he served in the War of 1812. As I have tracked Henry’s sons and their sons over the next few decades, I am struck by just how many of Henry’s grandsons served in the Civil War and at least one that I know of was killed in action. Their tombstones on find-a-grave tell the story.
Relocated and Census Tracking notes for Heinrich Mertz (H6a)
Because he always lived near his father, who often was listed in Census variously as George H or G Henry, and because both of them were prominent Lehigh Countians of South Whitehall, we know them in Census and they do not confuse the discussion of how the other Henry’s sort themselves out.
In 1830, it was Henry Martz in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County age 40-50. David and Charles, his sons I believe, both age 20-30, were his neighbors.
In 1830, it was Henry Martz in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County age 40-50. David and Charles, his sons I believe, both age 20-30, were his neighbors.
Death and Find-a-Grave notes for Heinrich Mertz (H6a)
Henry is on find-a-grave. I have no clue why they call him Heinrich George, there is no basis to think George was his middle name.
Henry wrote his will 28 May 1839, it proved 14 Mar 1844. He was of South Whitehall Township.
Henry wrote his will 28 May 1839, it proved 14 Mar 1844. He was of South Whitehall Township.
Known Daughters notes for Heinrich Mertz (H6a)
Only two daughters seem to have survived, both were mentioned in Henry’s will: Mary wife of William Dorney and Catharina. The Lehigh County biography on Heinrich names Sarah (same as Mary I assume) married to William Dorney and Kate married to Reuben Hauser of Illinois. There was a baptism for Catherine born 1823.
There was also a baptism for Hanna born 1818, I think she died in 1826. And there was a Julianna Mertz buried at St Paul’s Cemetery, Macungie Township, born 17 Aug 1808 died 29 Aug 1841. Was she maybe a wife of one of Heinrich’s sons?
There was also a baptism for Hanna born 1818, I think she died in 1826. And there was a Julianna Mertz buried at St Paul’s Cemetery, Macungie Township, born 17 Aug 1808 died 29 Aug 1841. Was she maybe a wife of one of Heinrich’s sons?
Known Sons notes for Heinrich Mertz (H6a)
I think it is proven that Henry did not name all his sons in his will. The ones he did name were Henry (his youngest son) and David, William and Edward who were Executors. But I know there was a son Charles not named and so it is possible there were one or two other sons not named.
The biography for Henrich and Hannah lists six sons which I name below with their designation and year born and any biographical facts from the county history:
H6a1 Carl (or Charles) born 1804
H6a2 Rev David (married to Caroline Scholl) born 1806
H6a3 Solomon (of Illinois, married to Lucy Butz) born 1812
H6a4 Elias (married Lydia Roth) born 1815
H6a5 William (married to Sarah Hunsberger) born 1817
H6a6 Edward (of Illinois, twin of William, married to Sarah Seltzer) born 1817
There may have been several others:
1. A Henry Mertz died in the 1840’s. His will was written 15 Jul 1848. He said he was single and unmarried and that he was the son of Henry. He mentioned his brother William. He mainly left money to his church but he also made a bequest “to his niece Mary Ann Harshberger.” The will proved 2 Mar 1849, after being challenged by Charles 4 Feb 1849. Everything makes sense that he was also a son of Heinrich, but who is Mary Ann Harshberger?
2. Jonas Mertz born 1803 is listed as a son of Henry on find-a-grave. I know Jonas. I think he was likely a son of Richard Mertz (Y3) and that’s where I have placed him.
3. Daniel Mertz born 1807 is listed as a son of Henry on find-a-grave. I do not know Daniel. There is a Daniel Mertz who lived as an adult in Pulaski County, Indiana who was born in Pennsylvania about 1807. Is it that Daniel?
The problem with both Jonas and Daniel is that in the 1810 Census, Henry only had two sons age 0-9 and I believe they were Carl/Charles and David S. Moreover, the write-up in the Lehigh County history on General Henry does not mention either one.
The biography for Henrich and Hannah lists six sons which I name below with their designation and year born and any biographical facts from the county history:
H6a1 Carl (or Charles) born 1804
H6a2 Rev David (married to Caroline Scholl) born 1806
H6a3 Solomon (of Illinois, married to Lucy Butz) born 1812
H6a4 Elias (married Lydia Roth) born 1815
H6a5 William (married to Sarah Hunsberger) born 1817
H6a6 Edward (of Illinois, twin of William, married to Sarah Seltzer) born 1817
There may have been several others:
1. A Henry Mertz died in the 1840’s. His will was written 15 Jul 1848. He said he was single and unmarried and that he was the son of Henry. He mentioned his brother William. He mainly left money to his church but he also made a bequest “to his niece Mary Ann Harshberger.” The will proved 2 Mar 1849, after being challenged by Charles 4 Feb 1849. Everything makes sense that he was also a son of Heinrich, but who is Mary Ann Harshberger?
2. Jonas Mertz born 1803 is listed as a son of Henry on find-a-grave. I know Jonas. I think he was likely a son of Richard Mertz (Y3) and that’s where I have placed him.
3. Daniel Mertz born 1807 is listed as a son of Henry on find-a-grave. I do not know Daniel. There is a Daniel Mertz who lived as an adult in Pulaski County, Indiana who was born in Pennsylvania about 1807. Is it that Daniel?
The problem with both Jonas and Daniel is that in the 1810 Census, Henry only had two sons age 0-9 and I believe they were Carl/Charles and David S. Moreover, the write-up in the Lehigh County history on General Henry does not mention either one.