Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Birth4 December 1812
Memo(Sue Angelo from his tombstone)
Death23 November 1891
Memo(Sue Angelo from his tombstone)
BurialSchuylkill Haven, Schuylkill Co, PA
FatherPeter Mertz (J3) (1769-1833)
MotherCatherine Phillips (1770-1853)
Spouses
Birth1 March 1816
Memo(find-a-grave)
Death5 April 1891
Memo(find-a-grave)
BurialSchuylkill Haven, Schuylkill Co, PA
ChildrenDaniel F (1834-1879)
Catharine E (1836-1919)
Samuel (1840-1925)
Emma R (1842-1932)
James Polk (1845-<1885)
William John (1847-1933)
Anna K (1855-1931)
Birth, Parent-Proof, Designation notes for Peter Mertz (J3b)
Sue Angelo has speculated that Peter from the 1850 Census in Manheim Township who is buried at Schuylkill Haven might have been the grandson of Heinrich. Maybe. But since it is known (or said by many people) that Peter Mertz who died in Orwigsburg in 1833 did have a son Peter, I have guessed that Peter of Mannheim was the son of Peter of Orwigsburg. He is designated J3b.
Death and Find-a-Grave notes for Peter Mertz (J3b)
Peter is on find-a-grave and linked to his wife, both buried at Schuylkill Haven.
Peter’s will proved 27 Oct 1891. The will was not specifically dated, but when it was probated his sons said it had been written in 1874. He named wife Eliza and named his sons Daniel F and Samuel A his Executors. However, as part of the proving of the will, Samuel A Martz and his brother W J Martz certified that Daniel F was now deceased. And in fact, W J Martz was appointed the Executor.
Peter’s will proved 27 Oct 1891. The will was not specifically dated, but when it was probated his sons said it had been written in 1874. He named wife Eliza and named his sons Daniel F and Samuel A his Executors. However, as part of the proving of the will, Samuel A Martz and his brother W J Martz certified that Daniel F was now deceased. And in fact, W J Martz was appointed the Executor.
Known Sons notes for Peter Mertz (J3b)
His sons from the 1850 census were Daniel age 15, Samuel 10, James 6 and John 4 who are designated J3b1, J3b2, J3b3 and J3b4 respectively. All four sons were also present in Peter’s 1860 household and then only John in 1870.
James is the easiest to find. He lived in Cressona in 1870 age 25 then Easton in 1880 age 34. He died in 1885 and his death notice in a Pottsville newspaper said he died at Easton at age 40, was formerly of Cressona, was the son of Peter Mertz of Panther Valley and was the brother of (Pottsville) Councilman William John Mertz. The reference to Panther Valley comes up again in the 1891 death notice of Eliza Mertz who died there. She was said to be the mother of Councilman Mertz and is survived by her husband, six married daughters and two sons: W J of Pottsville (i.e. the Councilman) and Samuel A of Lehighton.
From these two death notices, I think it becomes clear that son John in 1850 and 1860 was later known as William John and actually more often as William J or just W J. He lived out his life in Pottsville.
With the clue that Samuel by 1891 was of Lehighton, I can be sure that I have found him, first in Cressona in 1870 then Carbon County by 1880 and he was buried in Lehighton.
Which brings me to Daniel. Daniel signed as Daniel F when he witnessed his father’s will and I strongly suspect he is the Daniel Francis Mertz (1834-1879) buried in the same cemetery as his father, it seems in the same plot. I believe too he registered for the Civil War draft as Danl F Martz age 35. So I think I have correctly identified him and know the basic facts of his life.
However there was another Daniel Martz (Mertz) buried in that same cemetery. This other Daniel lived to 1903 so couldn’t have been Peter’s son who clearly predeceased his father. I am not certain I know who he was but I believe I can make the case he was the son of David who died in the 1840’s and his wife Christina and this other Daniel is designated N3c1.
James is the easiest to find. He lived in Cressona in 1870 age 25 then Easton in 1880 age 34. He died in 1885 and his death notice in a Pottsville newspaper said he died at Easton at age 40, was formerly of Cressona, was the son of Peter Mertz of Panther Valley and was the brother of (Pottsville) Councilman William John Mertz. The reference to Panther Valley comes up again in the 1891 death notice of Eliza Mertz who died there. She was said to be the mother of Councilman Mertz and is survived by her husband, six married daughters and two sons: W J of Pottsville (i.e. the Councilman) and Samuel A of Lehighton.
From these two death notices, I think it becomes clear that son John in 1850 and 1860 was later known as William John and actually more often as William J or just W J. He lived out his life in Pottsville.
With the clue that Samuel by 1891 was of Lehighton, I can be sure that I have found him, first in Cressona in 1870 then Carbon County by 1880 and he was buried in Lehighton.
Which brings me to Daniel. Daniel signed as Daniel F when he witnessed his father’s will and I strongly suspect he is the Daniel Francis Mertz (1834-1879) buried in the same cemetery as his father, it seems in the same plot. I believe too he registered for the Civil War draft as Danl F Martz age 35. So I think I have correctly identified him and know the basic facts of his life.
However there was another Daniel Martz (Mertz) buried in that same cemetery. This other Daniel lived to 1903 so couldn’t have been Peter’s son who clearly predeceased his father. I am not certain I know who he was but I believe I can make the case he was the son of David who died in the 1840’s and his wife Christina and this other Daniel is designated N3c1.
Parent-Proof notes for Elizabeth (Spouse 1)
She is linked to Daniel and Elizabeth (Drace) Moyer as her parents on find-a-grave.
The 1891 obituary of Eliza Mertz of Panther Valley said she was survived by her husband, sons Samuel A of Lehighton and W J of Pottsville and daughters: Mrs. Jacob Fisher of Panther Valley, Mrs. Frank Weaver of Birdsboro, Mrs Jacob Moyer of Tremont, Mrs. Charles Eiler and Mrs John A Weaver of Cressona and Mrs William Freece of Panther Valley.
I was able to easily find three of these daughters all of whom were buried at Cressona Cemetery. I have submitted edits to link all three to Peter and Eliza.
The death certificate of Catharine E (Mertz) Fisher says she was the daughter of Peter and Eliza (Moyer) Mertz. She is buried in Cressona and linked on her find-a-grave memorial to her husband Jacob.
The death certificate of Emma R (Mertz) Eiler says she was the daughter of Peter and Eliza (Moyer) Mertz. She is buried in Cressona and linked on her find-a-grave memorial to her husband Charles.
The death certificate of Anna Cosiah (Mertz) Freeze says she was the daughter of Peter and Eliza (Moyer) Mertz. She is buried in Cressona and shares a tombstone with her husband William Freese.
The 1891 obituary of Eliza Mertz of Panther Valley said she was survived by her husband, sons Samuel A of Lehighton and W J of Pottsville and daughters: Mrs. Jacob Fisher of Panther Valley, Mrs. Frank Weaver of Birdsboro, Mrs Jacob Moyer of Tremont, Mrs. Charles Eiler and Mrs John A Weaver of Cressona and Mrs William Freece of Panther Valley.
I was able to easily find three of these daughters all of whom were buried at Cressona Cemetery. I have submitted edits to link all three to Peter and Eliza.
The death certificate of Catharine E (Mertz) Fisher says she was the daughter of Peter and Eliza (Moyer) Mertz. She is buried in Cressona and linked on her find-a-grave memorial to her husband Jacob.
The death certificate of Emma R (Mertz) Eiler says she was the daughter of Peter and Eliza (Moyer) Mertz. She is buried in Cressona and linked on her find-a-grave memorial to her husband Charles.
The death certificate of Anna Cosiah (Mertz) Freeze says she was the daughter of Peter and Eliza (Moyer) Mertz. She is buried in Cressona and shares a tombstone with her husband William Freese.