Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Birth, Parent-Proof, Designation notes for John Carl Mertz (G1a3)
Carl Mertz, later Charles Martz, is a key person, in addition to George Mertz later Martz, who I believe ties everything together that the Mertz family of Heidelberg moved first to (what would become) Carbon County and then some moved on to Westmoreland County:
1. At the Heidelberg Church, George Mertz baptized son John Carl 12 Nov 1788. Clearly the father was George of the Heidelberg family. Based on my analysis as elaborated on elsewhere, I believe George first moved to East Penn Township in Northampton County and later to Westmoreland County, PA.
2. The George of East Penn Township in 1810 was replaced there by a younger Philip Mertz in 1820 who later was the Philip Mertz of Carbon County. Philip and his wife Theresa worshipped at the Weissport Church.
3. And that is what is so interesting about Carl. He might be the connecting link. Because in the same Weissport Church in (what would become) Carbon County where Philip and wife Theresa baptized several children, there was a baptism by Carl and Katherine Mertz of a daughter Sarah Anna in 1816.
4. Moreover, a Charles Martz then appeared in Westmoreland County in the 1830 and 1840 Census, where (I believe) others of the Heidelberg family had moved. It is my belief that the names Carl and Charles were almost interchangeable back then. For example, a different man (designated H6a1) baptized as Carl Mertz was later called Charles.
5. Charles of Westmoreland was age 40-49 in 1830, 60-69 in 1840 (clearly not accurate), 58 in 1850, 71 in 1860 and then 83 in 1870. Carl would have been 42 then 52, 62, 72 and 82 in those five decades respectively so these minor (and not atypical) discrepancies to me confirm it is likely him moreso than contradict it.
6. It is also quite noteworthy that the wife of Charles of Westmoreland County was named Catherine.
7. And the clincher may be this: The death certificate of Julian Fennel, who died in Armstrong County 12 Oct 1920, says she was born in 1827 and was the daughter of Charles and Catherine (Stull) Marts. And when Carl and Katharine baptized daughter Sarah Anna in 1818 in Weissport, the sponsors was Fried (?) Stoll and Dorothea.
8. So Carl/Charles — and Katherine/Catherine — help tie it all together for me. George baptized a son Carl in Heidelberg. George and Philip were listed in Census in the same place that later would be Carbon County. Carl and Philip appear at the same Carbon County church. George and Charles move to Westmoreland. Charles settled in Salem Township where William Martz, George’s son (I believe), also settled. He later moved to Armstrong County where a woman named Julian Fennel died saying her mother was Catherine Stull and Fred Stull was a baptism sponsor for Carl and Katherine back at Weissport.
Carl is designated G1a3.
1. At the Heidelberg Church, George Mertz baptized son John Carl 12 Nov 1788. Clearly the father was George of the Heidelberg family. Based on my analysis as elaborated on elsewhere, I believe George first moved to East Penn Township in Northampton County and later to Westmoreland County, PA.
2. The George of East Penn Township in 1810 was replaced there by a younger Philip Mertz in 1820 who later was the Philip Mertz of Carbon County. Philip and his wife Theresa worshipped at the Weissport Church.
3. And that is what is so interesting about Carl. He might be the connecting link. Because in the same Weissport Church in (what would become) Carbon County where Philip and wife Theresa baptized several children, there was a baptism by Carl and Katherine Mertz of a daughter Sarah Anna in 1816.
4. Moreover, a Charles Martz then appeared in Westmoreland County in the 1830 and 1840 Census, where (I believe) others of the Heidelberg family had moved. It is my belief that the names Carl and Charles were almost interchangeable back then. For example, a different man (designated H6a1) baptized as Carl Mertz was later called Charles.
5. Charles of Westmoreland was age 40-49 in 1830, 60-69 in 1840 (clearly not accurate), 58 in 1850, 71 in 1860 and then 83 in 1870. Carl would have been 42 then 52, 62, 72 and 82 in those five decades respectively so these minor (and not atypical) discrepancies to me confirm it is likely him moreso than contradict it.
6. It is also quite noteworthy that the wife of Charles of Westmoreland County was named Catherine.
7. And the clincher may be this: The death certificate of Julian Fennel, who died in Armstrong County 12 Oct 1920, says she was born in 1827 and was the daughter of Charles and Catherine (Stull) Marts. And when Carl and Katharine baptized daughter Sarah Anna in 1818 in Weissport, the sponsors was Fried (?) Stoll and Dorothea.
8. So Carl/Charles — and Katherine/Catherine — help tie it all together for me. George baptized a son Carl in Heidelberg. George and Philip were listed in Census in the same place that later would be Carbon County. Carl and Philip appear at the same Carbon County church. George and Charles move to Westmoreland. Charles settled in Salem Township where William Martz, George’s son (I believe), also settled. He later moved to Armstrong County where a woman named Julian Fennel died saying her mother was Catherine Stull and Fred Stull was a baptism sponsor for Carl and Katherine back at Weissport.
Carl is designated G1a3.
Known Sons notes for John Carl Mertz (G1a3)
I think Carl had two sons. A county history book says that Daniel Martz of Westmoreland, born 1820, was the son of Charles and Katherine. I always reserve a little skepticism for county histories but the fact that Daniel lived in Armstrong County near his father before moving to Westmoreland and I have no better idea who he was is enough confirmation for me.
Then there was a Charles Martz, born 1819, who lived in Salem Township, Westmoreland County who otherwise I’m unable to place. My first guess would have been that he was a son of William Martz who lived and died in Salem Township as did several of his sons, but I know the names of all of William’s sons from a property deed recorded after William died — and there was no son Charles. And then I remembered that Charles and Katherine started out also in Salem Township before eventually moving to Armstrong County. I think Charles was another son of Charles.
There is a minor issue. Charles, according to his find-a-grave memorial was born 25 Apr 1819, but Daniel, according to the county history, was born 26 Jan 1820 — exactly nine months later. My best guess would be maybe the county history is slightly off.
Then there was a Charles Martz, born 1819, who lived in Salem Township, Westmoreland County who otherwise I’m unable to place. My first guess would have been that he was a son of William Martz who lived and died in Salem Township as did several of his sons, but I know the names of all of William’s sons from a property deed recorded after William died — and there was no son Charles. And then I remembered that Charles and Katherine started out also in Salem Township before eventually moving to Armstrong County. I think Charles was another son of Charles.
There is a minor issue. Charles, according to his find-a-grave memorial was born 25 Apr 1819, but Daniel, according to the county history, was born 26 Jan 1820 — exactly nine months later. My best guess would be maybe the county history is slightly off.
Parent-Proof notes for Katherine (Spouse 1)
A death certificate for Mrs. Julian Fennel, who died in Armstrong County 12 Oct 1920, says she was born in 1827 and was the daughter of Charles and Catherine (Stull) Marts. Regrettably, other than saying Julian and Catherine were both born somewhere in PA, no birthplace was reported for Charles.