The Will of Adam Brandt

Those of my generation, the grandchildren of Zella Irvin, would call Adam Brandt great-great-great-great-grandfather. Adam died on August 13, 1838. His will was recorded on page 45 of Will Book L at the office of the Register of Wills of Cumberland County.

˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜

The last will and testament of Adam Brandt dec'd} The last will and testament of Adam Brandt of Monroe Township, Cumberland County, State of Pennsylvania. I, Adam Brandt, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory, blessed be God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner following. First It is my will and I do order and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be done after my decease. Second It is my will and I do order and direct that my son David shall have the mortgage I now hold against him for eight hundred dollars released to him for its value without interest, which with charges against him in my book shall be deducted from his share of my real and personal estate. Thirdly It is my will that my son Jacob Brandt shall have and his heirs and assigns forever, one hundred and forty seven acres and thirty three perches of land in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, State of Ohio, which I value at four dollars per acre (for which I paid) and charged him with in my book, together with other charges in said Book, which he the said Jacob is to account for and which is to be deducted out of his share of my real and personal estate. Fourthly It is my will that my son Adam Brandt shall have the land he now holds by deed of conveyance from me, in Fairfield County Ohio, which amount is charged in my book, which charge with other charges in said book is to be deducted out of his share of my real and personal estate as well as the mortgage I hold against him to be taken at its amount without interest. Fifthly I do give and bequeath to my son Martin an equal share of all my real and personal estate deducting from his share the whole amount that remains charged against him in my book. Sixthly I do give and bequeath unto my son John and his heirs and assigns all that tract of land whereon he now resides in the County of Cumberland Pennsylvania (it being the mansion tract) containing one hundred and thirty four [acres] and one hundred and three perches (more or less) which I order to be valued at forty five dollars per acre, and he to pay the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars yearly according to an article of agreement dated the second day of February A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between me and my son John and now in the hands of John Brandt miller reserving to himself in said tract of land, his full share of all my real and personal estate, which is to be equal with my other sons, deducting therefore the amount he stands charged with in my book. Seventhly I do give and bequeath to my daughter Barbara now intermarried with Jacob Pentz the land they now hold in the State of Ohio, Fairfield County, the deeds of conveyance from me, the amount of which they stand with me in my book, which charge with other charges in said book is to be deducted from the share of my daughter Barbara as herein after mentioned. Eightly I do give and bequeath to my daughter Eve now intermarried with George Bielman an equal share of my real and personal estate as herein after mentioned deducting therefrom the amount charged her in my book to be paid in cash out of the first proceeds of my property. Ninethly It is my will that the amount of each of my daughters legacy shall be two thousand six hundred and sixty one dollars, and that the legacy of each of my sons shall be three thousand and sixty dollars, and if my estate as aforesaid shall amount to more than enough to pay the same then the surplus to be divided equally among all my children, but if it should not amount to enough to pay the sums before specified as legacies, then it is to be divided in the same way allowing my sons each four hundred dollars more than either of my daughters. Tenthly, In addition to the above bequests, I do will to my daughter Eve my large Bible, and to my grand-daughter Francis Brownawell my eight day clock, without charge in either case. Eleventhly It is also my will that all my personally shall be sold immediately after my decease. Twelfthly It is also my will that there shall be no interest charged from any of my children on any book account, note or otherwise. And lastly I do nominate and appoint my son-in-law George Beilman to be my whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament,  hereby revoking all other wills or bequests by me heretofore made and declaiming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty fifth day of March A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty seven AD 1837.

                                                                                                  Adam Brandt (seal)

The Family of Adam Brandt and Eve Metzger Brandt

The following text was translated and copied from the family bible of Adam Brandt. According to the record on file at the Cumberland County Historical Society, the original document is in the possession of a Brandt descendant residing in Ohio. The youngest child, Eve, was the wife of George Beelman and the mother of Sarah Beelman.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adam Brandt was born on the 29th day of November in the year of our Lord 1751
and was married to Eve Metzgar on the 28th of February 1775 and she was born 14 November 1752

To us was born a son on 22 day of December in the year of our Lord 1776.
He was named David Brandt.

To us was born a daughter on the 12 day of September in the year of our Lord 1778.
She was named Barbara Brandt.

To us was born a son on 3 day of May in the year of our Lord 1781. He was named Martin Brandt, which son died on 27 day of October in the year of our Lord 1781.

To us was born a son on 5 day of November in the year of our Lord 1782.
He was named Jacob Brandt.

To us was born a son on 18 day of January in the year of our Lord 1786.
He was named Adam Brandt.

To us was born a son on 20 day of July in the year of our Lord 1789.
He was named Martin Brandt.

To us was born a son on 4 day of May in the year of our Lord 1792.
He was named John Brandt.

To us was born a daughter on 1 day of December in the year of our Lord 1794.
She was named Eve Brandt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Last Will and Testament of George Beelman Sr.

George Beelman (1786-1869)
Cumberland County; Will Book O, Page 237

     In the name of God amen I George Beelman (senior) of Upper Allen Township in the county of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania (carpenter) being in perfect health and of sound mind memory and understanding but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit: First It is my will and I do order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease. Item: I give and bequeath unto my dear wife Eve the dwelling house and buildings where we now live together with the land hereto belonging being about fifty-five acres now in my present possession so as not to include the lots under rent nor the Frilton Lot. She to have as much of my household and kitchen furniture as she may choose to elect out of what maybe in my dwelling house at the time of my decease and all of my tubs and kettles in and about my shining house during her natural lifetime: - also it is my will that my beloved wife Eve to have the income of four thousand one hundred dollars of Government Bonds during her natural lifetime - further it is my will that my wife Eve to have absolutely my Black mare and all of my flock of cattle and hogs which may be on hands at the time of my decease: all of which bequist to my said wife I do hereby declare to be in lieu and instead of her dower at commonlaw. Item - I give and bequeath unto my son George the lot house and stable where he now occupies to him and his heirs and assigns forever: He the said George to be charged six hundred dollars for the said lot in a settlement of my estate, also I give unto my son George Lot No. 9 of land lying in the township of Ritchmond Huron County and State of Ohio known lot no. 9 in section second to him and his heirs and assigns forever. He the said George to be charged eighteen hundred dollars for the land one half thereof to be due one year after my death the other half in two equal annual payments next after without interest. But if my said son George should think the land two dear then in that case he is authorized to choose three disinterested men who are to value and appraise the said land he my son George to have the said lot at its appraised value. But if my son George then should think the lot two high appraised in price then my executor to make sale of the said land the proceeds thereof to be divided equally amongst my heirs. -Item I give and bequeath unto my three sons George John and Adam all my carpenter tools my said three sons to divide the said tools between themselves. Share and share alike. Item - I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph the South and North lots of my land lying in the second section in the township of Ritchmond Huron County and State of Ohio known as lots number ten and fifteen in said section to him and his heirs and assigns forever. He the said Joseph to be charged four thousand five hundred dollars for the said two lots of land one half thereof to be due one year after my death the other half in two equal annual payments next after without interest. The said four thousand five hundred dollars to be a lien on the said land until final settlement of my estate. Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Fanny the lot house and stable with the appurtenances where she now lives during her natural lifetime and at her death the said lot house and stable to descend to her children their heirs and assigns forever. The said lot house and stable is to be charged to my daughter Fanny at eight hundred dollars at settlement of my estate. Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Miller the lot of ground which I bought of the estate of John Frilton dec'd during her natural lifetime, my said daughter Sarah to have possession of the said lot at the death of my said widow and at the death of my daughter Sarah the said lot of ground to go to her children their heirs and assigns forever: My daughter Sarah to be charged at settlement of my estate with five hundred and fifty dollars for the said lot of ground. And as touching all the remainder and residue of my real and personal estate not herein before provided for shall be sold within one or two years after my decease at the discretion of my executor either at public or private sale for the best price that can be got for it, my executor to have full power to sell and convey my real estate in fee simple. My whole estate real and personal not herein before bequeathed shall be reduced to cash - my executor retaining the sufficient amount of Bonds out of my estate deducting expenses to be divided into six equal shares and distributed in the following manner. viz. Item I give and bequeath unto my son George the one sixth part of my whole estate including the six hundred dollars for the aforesaid lot and the charges made in payments against him together with the price of the tract of land in the township of Ritchmond Huron County and State of Ohio known as lot no. 9 in Section 2nd if he shall do elect to take the said tract of land. - Item: I give and bequeath unto my son John the one sixth part of my whole estate including the charges made in my book against him. Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Adam the one sixth part of my whole estate including the charges made in my book against him. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph the one sixth part of my whole estate including the charges made in my book against him. Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Fanny the one sixth part of my whole estate including the charges made in my book against her and eight hundred dollars for the aforesaid lot I bequeathed to her and her children as aforesaid. Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Miller the one sixth part of my whole estate including the charges made in my book against her and five hundred fifty dollars for the lot of ground I bequeathed to her and her children the said charge on my book and the five hundred and fifty dollars for the said lot of ground are first to be taken out of my daughter Sarah's share then the balance of the said full share to be left a lien in the two lots of land which I bequeathed to my son Joseph the interest whereof to be paid by my son Joseph yearly and every year to my daughter Sarah  so long as she remains to be the wife of George Miller. But in case her said husband should die before her, then in that case she is receive the said balance of her full share secured in the two lots of land in the State of Ohio into her own hands but in case that my daughter Sarah should decease before her said husband then her share to descend to her children and if one of her children should die in its minority after her death then its share to fall to its brothers and sisters and if all of her children should die after her in their minority then in that case her whole share shall fall back to her brothers and sisters share and share alike. It is further my will that whatever portion of my estate which may be left at the death of my said widow shall be sold and the net proceeds thereof together with all money not appropriated shall be equally divided amongst my heirs in the same manners aforesaid. And lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my son George to be executor of this will hereby revoking all other wills legacies and bequests by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I George Beelman the testator have to this my will written on two sheets of paper, set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of February in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven.
                                                                                                George Beelman (seal)

˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜

Notes:
- The date given (February, 19th, 1867) is not consistent with the date as it was read on the gravestone (January 6, 1866). The gravestone is very difficult to read. The date may have been read incorrectly.
- The will was proven and affirmed by the witnesses, Christian Heartzler and Daniel Bailey, on January 12, 1869. George most likely died on January 6, 1869.
- Because Fanny's husband, Daniel Maust, was not mentioned, it is possible that the will was penned after Daniel's death in July, 1866. This supports the later date.
- Joseph is buried in Huron County, Ohio.
- A search of deeds should reveal more about the Ohio properties and the "Frilton Lot".

The Family of George Beelman Sr.

George Beelman Sr was born on May 2, 1786. His wife, Eve Brandt, was born on December 1, 1794.[1]

The date of their marriage has not yet been recovered. They were likely married circa 1810.

The known children of George and Eve:
George Beelman Jr (born abt 1811; death unknown) married Elizabeth. [2] Possibly buried in Huron Co. Ohio
John Beelman (1815-1882) [1]
Adam Beelman (1819-1887) married Martha [1]
Joseph Beelman (1820-1883) [3] married Eliza Ann Moore; held several elected offices including Huron County Commissioner; buried in Huron County, Ohio [4]
Fanny Beelman (1824-1888) married Daniel Maust [1]
Sarah Beelman (1830-1890) married George H. Miller [1]

According to his headstone, George died on January 6th, 186?. The date shown in the Will book suggests the year 1869. [5] A third source is needed to confirm the date.
After George's death, Eve lived with her son, John, and her daughter, Fanny. [6] John may have never married. Fanny was widowed by her husband, Daniel Maust, on July 20, 1866. Fanny's son, Fillmore Maust, was elected to the office of District Attorney and later to the State Legislature. [7]
Eve died on December 1, 1884. [1]
George Sr., Eve, John, Adam, Fanny, and Sarah are buried in Cocklin's Cemetery.

Sources:
1. Headstones, Cocklin's Cemetery, Upper Allen, PA
2. US Federal Censuses 1850-1870
3. Headstone, Bethel Cemetery, Willard, OH
4. History of Huron County, Ohio by Abraham J. Baughman, page 236
5. Cumberland County PA Register of Wills, Will Book O, page 237
6. US Federal Census 1870
7. Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, page 594

The Beelman Family Tree

This is the family tree of Sarah Beelman, mother of Elmer Miller.

Cocklin's Cemetery

The Final Resting Place of the Millers and Beelmans of Shepherdstown

Cocklin's Cemetery is easy to miss. The small graveyard on Lisburn Road is tucked in between a cornfield and Ashcombe Farms, a community of townhouses and single-family homes. One could drive by it hundreds of times and never see it.

This sign marks the entrance to the cemetery.

This tiny cemetery has among its inhabitants eight of our ancestors from the Miller family tree. Seven of these graves are still clearly marked.

Adam Miller (1795-1879) was Zella Miller's great-grandfather.

Sophia Hahn (1798-1876), Adam's wife was Zella's great-grandmother.

George H Miller (1819-1895), Zella's grandfather, rests in Cocklin's Cemetery, but he does not have a headstone. It is possible that he is buried here, next to his first wife, Susanna, and the monument he had erected for her. J Zeamer did not list George among the headstone inscriptions that he transcribed in 1904. This must mean that George never had his own headstone. 

Sarah Beelman (1830-1890) was George's second wife and Zella's grandmother. She was buried among the Beelman plots.

George Beelman (1786-1866), was Sarah Ann's father and Zella's great-grandfather.

 Eve Brandt (1794-1884) was George Beelman's wife, Sarah Ann's mother, and Zella's great-grandmother.

Christian Beelman (1751-1804) was George Beelman's father and Zella's great-great-grandfather. 

Christina Brenneison (1760-1820), Christian's wife, was Zella's great-great-grandmother.

A Brief Overview of the Miller Lineage

We know of four generations of Millers. Adam Miller married Sophia Hann in 1817. We know of eight children from this marriage of nearly 60 years. They had only two sons. George H. Miller was one.
George H. Miller married twice. His first wife, Susannah Urich, had three children: two sons and one daughter. Susannah died at the young age of 27. It was George’s marriage to Sarah Ann Beelman that produced Elmer E Miller.
Elmer married Susan Ann Ellinger. They had eight children. Their youngest child was a daughter named Zella.
All four generations lived in Upper Allen Township. Adam, George, and Elmer all remained throughout their lives in the Shephardstown vicinity. Adam and Sophia are buried in Cocklin’s Cemetary on Lisburn Road. This cemetary also contains George, both of George’s wives and Sarah Ann Beelman’s parents (George and Eve) and grandparents (Christrian and Christina). Elmer and Susan Ann are buried in Chestnut Hill Cemetary north of Shepardstown.
We will take a more detailed look at these individuals in future posts.

The Miller Family Tree

A Five Generational Family Tree for Zella Clarine Miller

(Click on image to enlarge.)