William was named as a son of Heinrich in the Lehigh County history. His baptism and that of his twin brother Edward at Jordan Lutheran Church was found and transcribed in the RMR Masterwork “Mertz-Martz Notes”. William is designated H6a5.

Though his name was spelled Motz in 1850, I’m sure it’s him as he lives immediately next door to David “Mortz”. Both in South Whitehall, both the right age, both with a wife of the right name. Living with William and his wife Sarah was Leah Hunsberger, another confirmation. And finally the names and ages of their children in 1850 carry-through to 1860 when William was then named Mertz.

He is on find-a-grave. He is buried in the same cemetery as his brother David S. He died as a result of an illness contracted during his service in the Civil War, apparently. A newspaper clipping there says he was in his 47th year, consistent with his 1817 birth date, though, from which a birth year of 1816 was calculated on find-a-grave.

William had three sons born before the 1850 Census. I am unable to track one of them, Jeremiah, after 1860. The obituary of Daniel F Mertz says one of his brothers — not named — died in the Civil War. I have found record that Jeremiah served in the same unit as Daniel F and that Daniel F was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville and I have a strong suspicion that maybe Jeremiah is the brother who died and quite possibly at that battle.

The two sons I can track further are:

H6a5-1 Daniel F born 1846
H6a5-2 Josiah born 1849

The death certificate of John S Mertz (22 Mar 1856 - 2 Jul 1918) lists his parents as William Mertz and Sarah Hunsberger. The death certificate of their son Charles Franklin gives his parents’ names as William Mertz and Sarah Anna Hunsberger.

I wonder if the Mary Ann Harshberger in Henry’s will was really Hunsberger and note that Leah Hunsberger lived with William in 1850, it sort of all almost ties together.