Re: Johann "Martin" Finkbeiner
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In reply to:
Re: Johann "Martin" Finkbeiner
Marie 8/20/00
Joanne,
All we know for certain was that her name was Elizabeth. It is possible that she was Anna Elisabetha Lippert/Liphart/Liebhard (born 10/21/1761 at New Holland), but that is only speculation. The Lippert (and various spellings) family was closely connected to the Finkbeiner family in Lancaster and Cumberland Counties. They were sponsors for each other's children in Lancaster County (New Holland and Ephrata) and the Finkbeiners "followed" the Lipperts to Cumberland County (although about a decade later). However, there was an Elizabeth Leopard who married Charles Linderson in Lancaster in 1778 and had at least one child by him. Since their marriage overlaps the marriage of Johannes Finkbeiner and Elizabeth, this is not the same woman. If Elizabeth that married Linderson was born in 1761 at New Holland, she did not marry Johannes Finkbeiner. One might assume that this Elizabeth was married Charles Linderson was a "different" Lippert. However, this is the same surname that I carry, and I have researched this family quite extensively for 25 years. There were no "other" Leopard families in Lancaster at the time, and there were no other Elizabeth Leopards that were "unaccounted for" at this time. So, the possibility is strong that Anna Elisabetha Lippert of New Holland married Charles Linderson and not Johannes Finkbeiner. It has also been claimed that Johannes' wife was Elizabeth Salsberry. There was a connection of sorts. Apparently, Johannes lived on the farm owned by the heirs of William Salsberry in Mifflin township. There is a chance that he was related, however, he may simply have been renting the farm from the heirs. No associated estate records mention that his daughter Elizabeth (or Betsy) was married to Johannes Finkbeiner. The Salsberry family was apparently German or Dutch. It probably was Salzburg. William's will was signed Wilhelm Salzburg if I recall, and it was translated from the "Dutch language". Normally, this means "Deutsch" and refers to Germans, but there was indeed a Salsberry family in New York that was English in descent, but had intermarried for generations with Dutch families from Holland. This family used the name William/Wilhelm, and most of the children had Dutch names, they went to Dutch Reformed Church, etc. Therefore, it is possible that the William Salsberry family of Cumberland County stemmed from this one in New York as opposed to a German immigrant. So, there you have it! These are the two most widely spread theories. In addition to this, Johannes named a grandson Samuel Magaw in his will. By custom, a bequest to a minor was conditioned as "when he arrives at the age of 21". In this instance, Johannes' grandson was simply given a cash inheritance. That suggests strongly that he was an adult. There was only one adult Samuel Magaw in Cumberland County, and he was (if I recall) born in 1805 to James Magaw and Sarah Morell of Philadelphia area by birth. Could it be that Johannes' wife was the MOTHER of one of these two (James or Sarah)? It was not uncommon to refer to a step-grandson as simply a grandson in that era. Now the plot thickens! James was supposedly in Ireland until the 1798 rising. Sarah came from an old eastern family (Quakers I believe). That may be an interesting turn, as we know Tobias had some connection to Quakers as well. His son, Frederic was supposedly raised by Quakers after Tobias' death. Now, the theory takes shape. If Elizabeth was the widow of a Morell, or was herself a Morell with an illigitimate daughter Sarah, said daughter would almost certainly have been raised by "other" family upon her marriage or remarriage. (Raising stepchildren was not the norm in that epoch). So, PERHAPS she married Johannes Finkbeiner and moved to Lancaster County. Eventually, as an adult, her daughter finds her way to Cumberland County, where Elizabth was then living. Johannes Finkbeiner, perhaps at the urging of his wife Elizabeth (who I believe passed away first), makes some small provision for his wife's daughter, now also deceased as I recall; calling HER son Samuel Magaw a grandson. Just another theory, but possible. So, to recap; Johannes' wife Elizabeth may have been a Lippert/Liphart/Liebhard, a Salsberry, a Morell, previously married to a Morell, or unknown. That's where we stand at present. Hope this helped, but I'm afraid it probably made things even more confused! Best of luck... Dale
More Replies:
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Re: Johann "Martin" Finkbeiner
Judy Stewart 8/24/00
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Re: Johann "Martin" Finkbeiner
Dale J. J. 8/27/00
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Re: Johann "Martin" Finkbeiner
Paula Chodacki 9/12/00
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Re: Johann "Martin" Finkbeiner
Judy Stewart 9/16/00
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Re: Johann "Martin" Finkbeiner
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Re: Johann "Martin" Finkbeiner
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Re: Johann "Martin" Finkbeiner