Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Birth1816
Memo(find-a-grave)
Death1864
Memo(find-a-grave)
FatherJacob Moritz (U2b) (1770-1854)
MotherMargaret Elizabeth Hartman (1783-1852)
Birth, Parent-Proof, Designation notes for John Mertz (U2b2)
I had encountered this John Mertz who married Nancy Benfer before I ever became aware of Jacob Moritz and his family. I used to think I had Benfer ancestors and so had studied that family to some extent which is how I came across John Mertz as someone who married into that family. Their Central Pennsylvania location made it seem likely, at first, that John must be connected somehow to my Mertz family but I could never find a place for him. So who as he? I never could figure that out but now I think I may have an idea.
It was only when someone brought Isaac Mirts (I believe John’s brother) to my attention and I researched his family that the truth, I think, emerged.
I believe Isaac was the son of Jacob. While Isaac’s name most often came to be spelled Mirts, Jacob’s name was more like Morets or Moritz. The family lived in Greenwood Township, Perry County, PA and at other times in Juniata County. The death certificate of Jacob Morets (1773-1854) gives us a lot of information including that he had a son John.
But I am unable to account for Jacob’s son, John. It is my theory that Jacob’s son John Morets came to be known as John Mertz as an adult.
Here’s what I know about John Mertz.
1860 Census. He lived in Walker Township, Juanita County, PA. He was age 42, wife Nancy 36 and children: Samuel 14, Caroline 12, Charles 8, John 6, Daniel 4 and an unnamed infant 4 months.
The coincidence of the names of his wife and older children is a strong indication that in 1850 he was John Morby age 31 in Limestone Township, Union County with wife Nancy 26 and Samuel 4 and Caroline 2.
The death certificate of Samuel Henry Mertz (26 Jun 1846-28 Aug 1915) says he was the son of John D and Nancy (Benford) Mertz.
John D Mertz (1816-1864) is on find-a-grave, buried in Mifflintown, Juanita County.
This John Mertz, husband of Nancy Benfer, is named often in genealogies on Nancy’s family, all agreeing she married John Mertz. But those genealogies do not agree on where John was born (I found Lewisburg in one place and Mifflin County in another), none purport to know the name of his father -- so he has always been a mystery man unless maybe we've now solved the mystery.
It was only when someone brought Isaac Mirts (I believe John’s brother) to my attention and I researched his family that the truth, I think, emerged.
I believe Isaac was the son of Jacob. While Isaac’s name most often came to be spelled Mirts, Jacob’s name was more like Morets or Moritz. The family lived in Greenwood Township, Perry County, PA and at other times in Juniata County. The death certificate of Jacob Morets (1773-1854) gives us a lot of information including that he had a son John.
But I am unable to account for Jacob’s son, John. It is my theory that Jacob’s son John Morets came to be known as John Mertz as an adult.
Here’s what I know about John Mertz.
1860 Census. He lived in Walker Township, Juanita County, PA. He was age 42, wife Nancy 36 and children: Samuel 14, Caroline 12, Charles 8, John 6, Daniel 4 and an unnamed infant 4 months.
The coincidence of the names of his wife and older children is a strong indication that in 1850 he was John Morby age 31 in Limestone Township, Union County with wife Nancy 26 and Samuel 4 and Caroline 2.
The death certificate of Samuel Henry Mertz (26 Jun 1846-28 Aug 1915) says he was the son of John D and Nancy (Benford) Mertz.
John D Mertz (1816-1864) is on find-a-grave, buried in Mifflintown, Juanita County.
This John Mertz, husband of Nancy Benfer, is named often in genealogies on Nancy’s family, all agreeing she married John Mertz. But those genealogies do not agree on where John was born (I found Lewisburg in one place and Mifflin County in another), none purport to know the name of his father -- so he has always been a mystery man unless maybe we've now solved the mystery.