Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
NameBarbara Hardinger 
Birth1801
Memo(find-a-grave)
Death1844
Memo(find-a-grave)
BurialGreenville Union Cemetery, Greenville, OH
Spouses
Birth1 June 1798
Memo(find-a-grave)
Death5 January 1883
Memo(find-a-grave)
BurialGreenville Union Cemetery, Greenville, OH
FatherJacob Martz (H2a) (1776-1845)
MotherMagdalena Teuchman (1772-1875)
Birth, Parent-Proof, Designation notes for John (Spouse 1)
From Jacob’s will, John would seem to be his oldest son. I believe he is the John Martz who first appeared in Census in 1830 in Greenville, OH and is buried there with a date of birth given as 1798.
Greenville, OH is where we also find Henry, John’s uncle in 1830. Henry was born in 1791 so he and John were probably more like siblings than nephew-uncle and they may well have gone together.
We also know that in 1831, William, John’s brother, visited John (apparently) in Greenville and wrote a letter back to Jacob. Kimberly Mertz-Platt, an email correspondent of mine, bought this letter on eBay and sent me a transcription. There were many words mis-spelled. So this is my edited/corrected version of the actual letter.
“Jacob Martz Esq. Dear sir, I wish all my best respects to you and all my friends. I am letting you know that of late very nice weather for travel as was six days on the road and cost me six dollars and twelve cents. From Southampton to Wheeling I took the steamer. Then left for Cincinnati then I had company to Cincinnati/Zanesville border. I let you know that Big Henry Martz and his family is all well. Teny Fever is married with Ely Sturtz. I would like to see some of you October 30, 1831. Nothing particular to write more at present. I will start to Greenville the 31 day of October my self. Pleas and sent me an answer to Greenville. I will write when I am in Greenville. From me William Martz.”
Kimberly descends from Henry Mertz. She knows a lot about this family. She added as way of explanation to me:
“The Ely (Eli) Sturtz mentioned in this letter is the eldest son of Barbara Martz and Abraham Stotts/Sturtz. His marriage to Teny (short for Christena) Fever may have caused Eli to be written out of his father's will. Teny was a mulatto woman. Whether she was half African or half Native American is unknown, but apparently Abraham did not approve. Eli is alternately called Eli Sturtz and Eli Martz, and he and Teny's children used both surnames as well. No doubt that this early interracial marriage caused local tongues to wag!”
John is designated H2a1, the oldest son of Jacob (H2a).
Greenville, OH is where we also find Henry, John’s uncle in 1830. Henry was born in 1791 so he and John were probably more like siblings than nephew-uncle and they may well have gone together.
We also know that in 1831, William, John’s brother, visited John (apparently) in Greenville and wrote a letter back to Jacob. Kimberly Mertz-Platt, an email correspondent of mine, bought this letter on eBay and sent me a transcription. There were many words mis-spelled. So this is my edited/corrected version of the actual letter.
“Jacob Martz Esq. Dear sir, I wish all my best respects to you and all my friends. I am letting you know that of late very nice weather for travel as was six days on the road and cost me six dollars and twelve cents. From Southampton to Wheeling I took the steamer. Then left for Cincinnati then I had company to Cincinnati/Zanesville border. I let you know that Big Henry Martz and his family is all well. Teny Fever is married with Ely Sturtz. I would like to see some of you October 30, 1831. Nothing particular to write more at present. I will start to Greenville the 31 day of October my self. Pleas and sent me an answer to Greenville. I will write when I am in Greenville. From me William Martz.”
Kimberly descends from Henry Mertz. She knows a lot about this family. She added as way of explanation to me:
“The Ely (Eli) Sturtz mentioned in this letter is the eldest son of Barbara Martz and Abraham Stotts/Sturtz. His marriage to Teny (short for Christena) Fever may have caused Eli to be written out of his father's will. Teny was a mulatto woman. Whether she was half African or half Native American is unknown, but apparently Abraham did not approve. Eli is alternately called Eli Sturtz and Eli Martz, and he and Teny's children used both surnames as well. No doubt that this early interracial marriage caused local tongues to wag!”
John is designated H2a1, the oldest son of Jacob (H2a).
Relocated and Census Tracking notes for John (Spouse 1)
John was in the 1830-1850 Census in Greenville, Darke County, OH.
In 1850, his wife was named Margera, his second wife I think.
In 1850, his wife was named Margera, his second wife I think.
Death and Find-a-Grave notes for John (Spouse 1)
John is listed on find-a-grave, died 5 Jan 1883, buried in Greenville.