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Note: E RESEARCH WILL UNEARTH.
The birthdate of Samuel's wife (of unknown name) is an assumption pending further research, and is based on the approximate date of the birth of Nicholas. Samuel's death date is based on the issue of Letters of Administration from his estate to his administrator, William Caldwell, on 28 June, 1839. Columbia County, Pennsylvania Will Books, Vol. 2, page 115.
The creation of the family of Samuel Musick is based on strong circumstantial evidence and strong supposition. Nicholas Musick, who first appears on a tax list of 1817, is logically descended from Samuel Musick Sr., who was the original Musick settler of Northampton County. Samuel Sr. had three sons- Samuel Jr., born in 1765 by his first wife, Maria Magdalena, and David and Anthony born 1773 and 1775 respectively by his second wife, Dorothea. These were the only sons of Samuel Musick, Sr. Anthony's line has been carefully researched by his decsendants and there is no son named Nicholas. David has several chlidren listed on the records of the Jordan Reformed Church, but no Nicholas appears. The clinching argument for Nicholas not being the son of either Anthony or David are their ages. As Nicholas was born between 1787 and 1790 David and Anthony would have been 14-17 and 12-15 respectively. It is on this strong circumstantial evidence that Nicholas is most likely the son of Samuel Musick, Jr.
Portions of the two lengthy letters with Dick Musselman's genealogical research (in the possession of Neil Rutman) in both Northampton and Lehigh Counties follow. They not only name the sources for much of the data recorded here, but further explain the reasoning behind connecting Nicholas as the son of Samuel Musick. Note the reference to Samuel Musick Jr. being declared insane by his half brothers and sisters.
1 Mar 2013 (this entire letters apears under the family of Nicholas Musick)
Dear Neil,
The search for information relating to the lineage of the Nicholas Musick family of Allen Township, Northampton Co. lead to visits to the Northampton County Courthouse, Northampton County Archive and Marx Room of the Easton Public Library in Easton as well as the Lehigh County Courthouse and Lehigh County Historical Society in Allentown, PA.
The review began with a search of the local church, cemetery and ministerial records listing Musick entries:
Jordan Reformed Church - South Whitehall Township, Lehigh Co.
Samuel, son of Samuel & Maria Magdalena Muse, b. 30 Sep.1765, bapt.1 Oct. 1765; Sponsor: Daniel Gros,
Maria Elisabeth, daughter of Samuel & Dorothea Muse, b. 3 Jul.1770, bapt.29 Jul.1770; Sponsors: Peter Loehr, Frantz Warmkessel, Christina Muskewek, Maria Mag. Lehr
David, son of Samuel & Dorothea Musick, b.28 Jul.1773, bapt.15 Aug.1773; Sponsors: Anthony & Christina Moosgenung
Anthony, son of Samuel & Dorothea Muse, b.16 Sep.1775, bapt.29 Oct.1775; Sponsors: Anthony Lup schoolmaster & wife Catharine
Barbara, daughter of Samuel & Dorothy Muse, b.18 Jun.1777, bapt.13 Sep.1777; Sponsors: Peter Traxel and Anna Margaret Strubi
Eva Catharine, daughter of Samuel & Dorothea Muse, b.26 Nov.1778, bapt.21 Feb.1779; Sponsors: Anthony Musgenug and Catharina Musgenug
Henry, son of Henry & Catharine Oesenbach, b.8 Apr.1798, bapt.30 Apr.1798; Sponsors: David & Elizabeth Musick
Lydia, daughter of David & Elizabeth Musick, b.22 Jul.1805, bapt.1 Sep.1805; Sponsors: George & Eva Wenner
Elizabeth, daughter of Elias & Maria Muse, b.16 Feb.1840, bapt.22 Mar.1840; Sponsor: Christina (surname ?)
Jordan Lutheran Church - South Whitehall Township, Lehigh Co.
Anna Margareta, daughter of Samuel & Magtalina Musÿ, b.29 Nov.1763, bapt.25 Dec.1763; Sponsors: Paul & Anna Margaretha Tusing
Salme, daughter of Dorothea Music (widow of Samuel), b.13 Sep.1780, bapt.1 Oct.1780; Sponsors: Jan Jansen and Salme Musgenug
(Note: This entry included the following statement: “This child was born 6 months and 7 days after his death”)
Henrietta, daughter of Anthony & Susanna Musick, b.12 May 1825, bapt.23 May 1825; Sponsors: Lucy and Matilda Blumer
Egypt Reformed Church, Whitehall Township, Lehigh Co.
Catharina, daughter of David & Elisabeth Music, b.4 Aug.1795, bapt.27 Sep.1795; Sponsors: George Henrich and Catharina Music
Ellen Amanda Catharina, daughter of Thomas & Maria Music, b.1 Aug.1852, bapt.19 Nov.1852; Sponsors: Philip & Elizabeth Ritter
Personal Records (1773-1787) of Rev. Abraham Blumer, Reformed minister
Burials: 15 Feb.1774 - Maria Barbara Muse, daughter of Samuel, 2 yrs. 3 mos. 13 days, Jordan Church
Marriage Records of Rev. Joseph S. Dubs, Reformed minister
3 Jun.1838: Charles Ibach to Sarah Muse, South Whitehall
16 Jan.1853: Charles Muse, South Whitehall to Sarah Herzal, Upper Macungie
None of the church or ministerial records provided any references to a Nicholas Musick or wife Catharine. Our previous research found Nicholas first appearing in the Allen Township tax assessments in 1817. This 1817 assessment date suggested a birth year earlier than 1796. The 1830 Federal Census listed his age range to be between 40-50. This calculates to a birth year between 1780 and 1790. Catharine Musick, wife of Nicholas, was listed in the burials at stone church. Catharine’s date of birth was listed as 3 Oct.1793. Her age was reported correctly (30-40 years) on the 1830 Federal Census. I would estimate Nicholas Musick was probably a few years older than his wife and born in the late 1780’s but no later than 1790. This estimate will prove important when attempting to fit him into an earlier Musick family group.
I attempted to find where Nicholas Musick may have resided prior to his appearance in Allen Township in 1817. If he was born in 1790 or earlier, he could have been listed on tax assessments as earlier as 1811. He certainly should have been assessed by the mid to late teens. Since the Musick family appeared in the church records in Whitehall Township. I began a tax assessment search of those books at the Northampton County Archive. A David Musick listed from 1799 through 1806 along with an Anthony Musich, single free man appearing in 1801 and remaining on the list through 1811. (See the attached spreadsheet.)
A review of Northampton County Orphans Court File #96, Folder #5904, dated 1780, listed for Samuel Moosick of Whitehall Township, provided some additional information:
Book D, page 317 (22 Jun.1780): Two minors, children of Samuel Moosick, above the age of 14 years requested the appointment Guardians. Margaret chose Leonard Steininger of Whitehall. Samuel was unable to chose his own Guardian “…from weakness in his understanding.” George Hoffman of Macungie was appointed.
Book E, page 12 (20 Jun.1782): Additional children of Samuel Moosich all under the age of 14 years were listed. The court was petitioned by the widow, Dorothea, the second wife, for the appointment of Guardians for her children. These children included: Elisabeth, David, Anthony, Mary Barbara, Eva Catharina and Mary Salome. Gottfridt Knause and Benedict Neidlinger were appointed Guardians.
Book E, page 148 (21 Jun.1788): The eldest son, Samuel, petitioned the court to provide an Inquest on the 150 acre tract of Warrant land in Whitehall Township possessed by his father at the time of his death. This petition listed the following children: Samuel, the petitioner, David, Anthony, Margaret, Elizabeth, Barbara, Catharine and Salome. The Petitioner also stated that the widow, Dorothea, was now married to Andrew Knedler.
Book E, page 364 (28 Apr.1795): Dorothea, widow of Samuel Moosick now wife of Andrew Knoedler, petitioned the court for an Inquest. The following children were named:
Samuel, eldest son, found to be insane and was appointed commissioners
Margaret, wife of George Gramlich
David
Elizabeth, wife of John Flexer
Anthony
Barbara
Catherine
Salome
Book 6, page 14 (10 Nov.1795): Report of Inquest Jury and Distribution of property to the widow and 9 shares for eight children (eldest son to receive two shares). Eldest son, Samuel Musick declined to purchase through commissioners Michael Schnyder and Adam Good. Second son, David Musick, accepted the property at the appraised price of £658.8.4. David was required to pay shares to the other heirs within one year.
There was still no reference to a Nicholas Musick in any records of this family. It was also troubling that practically no records relating to the grandsons of Samuel Musick were being found. The search continued with a review of Northampton County Recorder of Deed index entries. The following were found and reviewed:
Deed Book F1, page 279
Samuel Musick to George Gramlich & Tobias Stoerey both of Weisenberg Township
Date: 12 Mar.1788
Description: Two undivided shares in a message, plantation and 150 acre tract of land in Whitehall Township. The property was the estate of Samuel Musick, mason of Whitehall Township who died Intestate leaving a widow Dorothea and eight children: Samuel, David, Anthony, Margret, Elizabeth, Barbara, Catharine and Salome.
I do believe Nicholas is a probably descendant of Samuel Musick Sr.(1730-1780). It has been firmly established that Samuel Musick had three sons:
1. Samuel Musick Jr. (b.30 Sep.1765) with his first wife Anna Magdalena
2. David Musick (b.28 Jul.1773) with second wife Dorothea Musgenung
3. Anthony Musick (b.16 Sep.1775) with second wife Dorothea Musgenung
Nicholas Musick’s oldest known child, Elizabeth, was born about 1816; probably about the time Nicholas first appeared in Allen Township. His wife Catherine has a birth year of 1793 listed on her burial records. Catherine’s age is entered correctly on the 1830 Federal Census; if Nicholas’s age is also entered correctly we then know he was born between 1780 and 1790, probably the late 1780’s, closer to the age of his spouse.
I believe both David and Anthony Musick were probably too young to be the father of Nicholas born between 1785-1790. Most of the immediate family members of David and Anthony Musick have been established in local records since they remained in the area through the early 1800’s and also owned property. Samuel Musick Jr. is the unknown in this search. Beyond the mention in Orphans Court records and the sale of his shares of his father’s estate in 1788, little if anything is known. I do suspect he may be the father of Nicholas, but have no further proof.
Regards,
Dick
28 Jun 2013 (portions only of the research and letter)
Dear Neil,
Samuel Musick Jr. was known to have only one full sibling, Anna Margaretha Musick b.29 Nov.1763, who married a man named George Gramlich/Kramlich. A search for this family in Northampton and Lehigh County Estate files and Deeds found no entries. The names of Paul, George and Christian Gramlich do appear on Weisenberg Township tax assessments between 1788 and 1796. This George Gramlich is probably the same man who purchased Samuel Musick Jr.’s estate shares in 1788.
There are many unanswered questions remaining about Samuel Musick Jr. and his possible son Nicholas. Both disappeared from the Northampton/Lehigh Co. records. Samuel was last listed on a tax assessment in 1792 and Nicholas in 1835. Samuel Jr. was reported to have moved to central Pennsylvania and may have been in that location when referenced in Dorothy Knoedler’s Release of her Dower Rights in 1807. If Nicholas was his son, did he move west with his father and then return as a young man; or did he remain in the Lehigh/Northampton Co. area to be raised by another family? What became of Nicholas after 1835? He was still a young man in his mid to late 40’s with several young children at home. He never owned property and consistently worked as a cordwainer/shoemaker his entire life while in this geographical area. It is possible he may have died and been buried in an unmarked grave. However, it is troubling that no records or references remain.
I remain convinced that Nicholas Musick, if a grandson of Samuel Musick Sr., can only be the son of Samuel Jr. not David or Anthony Musick. The reasons for this belief were described in my previous report dated 1 March 2013. Unfortunately there appears to be no local Lehigh or Northampton County source available to prove or disprove this contention. If Samuel Jr. removed to the Bloomsburg, Columbia Co. area, a further search in that area might be helpful.
A copy of “The Allentown Morning Call” newspaper obituary of Mrs. Harriet Kohl published on Saturday, March 27, 1909 is attached.
I have not yet received Harriet Kohl’s Pennsylvania Death Certificate which was originally ordered on 24 April and then re-ordered on 15 May. It will be forwarded as soon as received.
Please let me know if you have questions on any of the items included in this report.
Regards,
Dick
Note: THERE WERE LIKELY OTHER CHILDREN IN THE SAMUEL MUSICK FAMILY THAT FUTUR
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