Daniel was baptized at Kreidersville Stone Church, Northampton County by his parents Henry and Elisabeth. He is designated H4a.

In 1829, Daniel Mertz was one of four persons who signed releases on the estate of his father, Henry.

Daniel was named on the 1944 SAR application of Charles Francis Mertz and his birth date was given there: 11 Apr 1784. I don’t know what evidence they had for that date. And, as it was the father of Daniel’s wife who was the Patriot, I don’t know if the SAR applicant knew the name of Daniel’s parents. But it is the same exact birth date I found for Daniel in those Zion Stone Church records that named Henry and Elisabeth as his parents.

There was a Daniel Martz in Northampton Township, Lehigh County, age 40-49 in 1830 and then one in Allentown in 1840 age 50-59, both of whom could well be this Daniel. Geographically, neither place is very far from Allen Township where Daniel grew up.

And I found Daniel still in Allentown in 1850. He was indexed as David but on inspection it is Daniel age 63 living with his daughter Mariah and his married daughter Ann Eliza Wagner and her husband and child.

There is a Daniel Mertz buried at Linden Street Cemetery in Allentown. A photo of his tombstone is there too. Daniel’s date of death is given as 20 Sep 1830 but a note says, as is the case, that the last digit of the year is not readable so it was 183x. The tombstone says he was 76 years old.

I am sure, though, I have found Daniel in the 1840 and 1850 Census. In addition, the will of Daniel Mertz of Allentown was written 18 Jan 1858 and proved 4 Oct 1858 naming the two daughters he lived with in 1850. I think logical analysis says this is the Daniel born in 1784 and that he died 20 Sep 1858. I can certainly convince myself the 3 in 183x might well instead be a 5. I cannot explain the 76 year age though, he was 74.

Sarah M Mertz, whose tombstone says wife of Daniel, is buried in the same cemetery. Her tombstone is remarkably similar to Daniel’s and as both photos were taken by the same person, I suspect is right next to him.

Her tombstone is transcribed died 3 Jun 1810 and I read her age on her tombstone as 53 years. The SAR application says Sarah was born 10 Dec 1787 and died 3 Jun 1840 (so just shy of 53 years old).

I am certain this is Sarah McWorter and I can easily convince myself her date of death on her tombstone is indeed 3 Jun 1840.

In his will, Daniel left everything to his two daughters: Maria Louisa and Ann Eliza Wagner. There was no mention of son William H nor the heirs of son Charles. William H contested the will apparently without success.

He had a son William H, for sure. William challenged his father’s will since he was not named. In his petition, he stated he was “one of the sons of Daniel”.

I believe Daniel had a son Charles Frederick too.

In 1830, Daniel had five males in his household: two age 10-14 (Charles actually 9 and ?), one age 15-19 (William), one age 20-29 (?) and one age 40-49 (Daniel).

In 1840, Daniel had four males in his household, one age 15-19 (Charles), two age 20-29 (?) and himself age 50-59. William was living on his own in 1840.

The 1944 SAR application of Charles Francis Mertz credits Sarah’s father, Thomas, as being the Patriot.