Notes:

1860 census: Elizabeth (Moyer) and Henry Motz - note George Moyer, age 60 living with them.
They're in Snyder County, PA and all of their children are born in PA.
Name: Henry Motz
Age: 40
Birth Year: abt 1820
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Washington, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Post Office: Freeburg
Dwelling Number: 992
Family Number: 1023
Occupation: Surveyor
Real Estate Value: 17000
Personal Estate Value: 2000
Household Members:
Name Age
Henry Motz 40
Elizabeth Motz 33
George Motz 11
Ellen Motz 6
Levi Motz 1
George Moyer 60

* * ** *
1870 census - they've moved to Ohio
Name: Henry Motz
Age in 1870: 50
Birth Year: abt 1820
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Dwelling Number: 137
Home in 1870: Akron Ward 3, Summit, Ohio
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Akron
Occupation: Restaurant
Male Citizen over 21: Y
Personal Estate Value: 1000
Real Estate Value: 6000
Inferred Spouse: Elisabeth Motz
Inferred Children: George Motz
Ella Motz
Levi Motz
Household Members:
Name Age
Henry Motz 50
Elisabeth Motz 42
George Motz
Ella Motz 14
Levi Motz 11

* * * * *
1880 US census - they've moved to Alabama
Name: Henry Motz
Age: 60
Birth Date: Abt 1820
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Madison, Alabama, USA
Dwelling Number: 133
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital status: Married
Spouse's Name: Elizabeth Motz
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Farmer
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Henry Motz 60
Elizabeth Motz 53
George Motz 29
Ellen C. Motz 21

* * * * *

Ella C. Motz (daughter of Henry Motz & Elizabeth Moyer)
Alabama deaths and burial indexes
Name: Ella C Motz
Birth Date: abt 1855
Death Date: 9 Sep 1925
Death Place: Huntsville, Madison, Alabama
Death Age: 70
Marital status: Single
Gender: Female
Father Name: Henry Motz
Mother Name: Elizebeth Moyer
FHL Film Number: 1908274

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51308862/elizabeth-motz

Plot Block: 12 Row: 15

Elizabeth married Henry Motz on 24 Oct 1848 in Snyder County, PA. Henry was born on 11 Jun 1820 in Freeburg, Snyder County, PA; died on 19 May 1885 in Huntsville, Madison County, AL; was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville, Madison County, AL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Residence: Freeburg, Snyder County, PA
• Residence: Ohio

Notes:

Genealogy of the Meyer Family, page 59
George (John George, Jacob, Gr.Meyer), married to Catharine, daughter of Christopher Meyer, Freeburg, Pa. Removed to Ohio. See page 118.
Issue: Elizabeth, married Henry Motz.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91176739/george-j-moyer

George married Catharine Moyer. Catharine (daughter of Christopher Moyer and Beckie Howater) was born on 11 Apr 1803; died on 26 Sep 1852; was buried in Saint Peters Cemetery, Freeburg, Snyder County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Genealogy of the Meyer Family, page 118.

Catharine (Christopher, Christopher, Gr. Meyer) was married to George Meyer son of John George Meyer, see age 59. The family moved to Ohio. One child, Elizabeth, married to Henry Motz.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167843398/catherine-moyer

w/o George d/o Christ and Betty Moyer
49y 5m 15d

Other Events:

• _MILT: Veteran of Revolutionary War
• Residence: Freeburg, Snyder County, PA

Notes:

Genealogy of the Meyer Family by Henry Meyer

John George (son of Jacob, son of Gr. Meyer) came in possession of his father's farm — the old homestead, near Freeburg, Pa., which he continued to cultivate until his death. The date of his birth I have not been able to ascertain, but it is said he was next to and older than his brother Henry, and is placed in that order on the list. He died about the year 1810, says Fred. C. Meyer, of Freeburg, Pa. His disease was consumption, caused by a cherry-seed, which accidentally lodged in his lungs. He died about a year after the occurrence of the accident. George was first married to Elizabeth Buchtel, daughter of John Buchtel. She was a sister of George's brother Michael's wife Agnes, and, also, a sister of Nicholas Bierly's wife Lucy.



Pennsylvania church records

Name: John George Meyer
Event: Baptism
Baptism Date: 27 Mar 1758
Baptism Place: Heidelberg, Lancaster Co., PA
Church: Millbach Reformed Congregation
Role: Baptized
Household Members:
Name Role
Susanna Meyer Mother
Jacob Meyer Father
John George Meyer Baptized
Mary Zimmerman Sponsor
Sebastian Zimmerman Sponsor




PA veterans burial cards: 1777-2012
Name: John George Moyer
Birth Date: 1757
Age: 56
Death Date: 1813
Military Branch: Army
Veteran of Which War: Revolutionary War
Registration County: Snyder
Cemetery Name: Lutheran And Reformed Cemetery
Cemetery Location: Freeburg, Pennsylvania

Birth:
Heidelberg, Lebanon Co, PA

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63453304/john-george-meyer

John married Elizabeth Buchtel. Elizabeth (daughter of John Buchtel) was born on 04 Sep 1762; died on 04 Sep 1801; was buried in Zion-Morr Lutheran Church Cemetery, Freeburg, Snyder County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Burial: Zion-Morr Lutheran Church Cemetery, Freeburg, Snyder County, PA

Notes:

Genealogy of the Meyer Family by Henry Meyer

Elizabeth was born Sept. 4. 1702 ; died Sept. 4, 1801, and is buried in the old cemetery near Freeburg. Her grave has a headstone with an inscription, but her husband, who probably is buried by her side, has none — at least none with a record. The second wife's maiden name was Mary Brosius. There were ten children, two sons and eight daughters, seven with first wife, and three with second.

Burial:
Note on Find a Grave: Wife of John Jacob Meyer.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63448193/elizabeth-meyer

Other Events:

• Residence: Freeburg, Snyder County, PA; Called Straubsburg at the time.

Notes:

info from The Meyer Family Tree compiled by John D. Meyer, Tyrone, PA, October 1937
Married Beckie Howater and moved to Freeburg in 1800.

from The Genealogy of the Meyer Family by Henry Meyer, 1890.
Christopher (son of Christopher son of Gr. Meyer) moved from Campbellstown, his native village, to Freeburg (Straubsburg then), Pa., about the year 1800. His brother
"big'' John came a year later. Christopher was married to Beckie Howeter. He was born in 1776 ; died June 11, 1840, aged 64 yrs. 4 mo. 20 da. His wife was born Oct. 20, 1777; died Nov. 20, 1862. A number of references have already been made to the subject of this sketch in other places and they will not be repeated. Many of his descendants are at Freeburg, Pa. There were nine children, four sons and five daughters.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/163131462/christopher-moyer

Christopher married Beckie Howater. Beckie was born on 20 Oct 1777 in Pennsylvania; died on 20 Nov 1862 in Snyder County, PA; was buried in Saint Peters Cemetery, Freeburg, Snyder County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/163128939/betty-moyer

Notes:

info from The Meyer Family Tree compiled by John D. Meyer, Tyrone, PA, October 1937
Born at Muhlbach. About the year 1768 moved with his family to Penns Township, now a part of Snyder County, near the present site of Freesburg. Notes say that he had eight children.

From GENEALOGY OF THE Meyer Family BY HENRY MEYER, 1890.
JACOB MEYER(1) (son of the Meyer from Germany) was the second son, and was born at Mühlbach. The date of his birth was not ascertained, nor the date of his decease definitely. There is no tombstone with an inscription, and if there are any positive records anywhere on the subject, T failed to discover them. Letters of administration were granted Samuel and John Haas to settle up his estate, dated Feb. 24, 1808. and it is probable he died only a short time previous to that date. Tradition and some papers in my possession point to about the same period. He was about seventy-five years old, states Maj. John Meyer, a grandson.

1. Note. Or John Jacob. Hon. Jacob G. Meyer states that each of the son's first name was John. But they are not found written thus in old manuscripts. However, it was not an unusual custom at that period to name a whole family of sons John, employing a middle name Henry, George, Jacob or whatever it might be to distinguish them.

Jacob lived at Mühlbach until about the year 1768, when he moved with his family to Penn's township, now part of Snyder County, Pa., and purchased a large tract of land lying west, about three-fourths of a mile from the present Bite of Freeburg, formerly named Straubsburg, after its founder. Peter Straub, and was one of the early settlers in that section. Andrew Moor, a Mr. Glass and Mr. Straub had preceded him. The family suffered the usual hardships incident to frontier life. Their flour was brought from Mühlbach on horseback. Yet there must have been grist-mills more convenient at that date. On one of those trips for supplies Jacob's brother. Christopher, came along to the new country. and while crossing Peter's mountain, north of Harrisburg, the pack saddle-straps gave way, and the packs rolled down the mountain. Then Christopher got out of humor, and berated Jacob for moving into the distant wilderness whence no roads would ever be made ; to which the latter replied that sometime in the future excellent roads would be constructed. And of course Jacob's prophecy came true, for around the end of that same mountain which they crossed along a narrow path there are now a fine carriage road, a canal and a double track for cars, while just across the river there is another railroad track. Probably it was, to resume our narrative, on this trip that a bag was torn open by a brush along the path and the flour spilled on the ground.
Sometime during the Revolutionary War Jacob moved back again with his family to Mühlbach, probably to be more secure from the annoying depreciations of hostile Indians. He was drafted and served in the army, but in what capacity or for what length of time was not ascertained. His oldest son, Philip, as will be stated more fully elsewhere, was also in the army. His son Henry(1) (grandfather) was at the age of sixteen connected with an organization of "home-guards" or scouts to protect the settlement against the Indians, and served at intervals. It appears the family returned from Mühlbach to their home in Penn's township (Freeburg) before the close of the war. Indians sometimes lurked about their home, but never molested them, being afraid, perhaps, of the pack of fierce dogs kept on the place. On one occasion several Indians were observed across the clearing, some distance from the house; the boys and dogs gave chase, but did not overtake them. Several Indian families lived within a short distance of the Meyer home, and his (Mr. Meyer's) children used to play with the Indian children. During the Indian troubles the male members of these Indian families would generally be away from home, and it was suspected they were out on scalping expeditions, though they were on friendly terms with their near white neighbors.

1. Note. Grandfather (Henry), like many others of that period, had made a vow to kill every Indian he would meet. So after all hostilities had subsided, he happened to meet one of his old foes in a tavern somewhere, but the forelorn and piteous aspect of the poor Indian excited grandfather's sympathy rather than his animosity, and, instead of scalping him, he gave him a huge piece of tobacco!

Jacob kept a sort of a tavern at Straubsburg (Freeburg), and Col. Samuel Miles used to stop with him on his journeys from his home in Philadelphia to his lands in Penns, Brush and Nittany valleys (now Centre Co.) and back, and it was through the intimate acquaintance thus formed with Col. Miles that grandfather Henry came to purchase a tract of land from him in Brushvalley. It is said Jacob protested against his son's purchasing any land in Brushvalley, for the reason that there would never any roads be opened into it! Jacob and his sons used to hunt in the valley long before any settlers moved into it, and he did not suppose it would ever be any good for anything else! Yet he lived to see his mistake; for in his old age he paid a visit to his sons in the valley about the year 1803-1806, and beheld the wilderness converted into fertile fields, and the desert made to blossom as the rose.
In 1800 Christopher Meyer, son of Campbellstown Christopher, came to Freeburg (then Straubsburg), and in 1801 " Big John," another son of the latter, also settled in that vicinity. (These dates are given by Fred. C. Meyer, Freeburg.) Therefore, in 1801, there were in that place Jacob and several of his sons, and their cousins Christopher and "Big John." Grandfather Henry had then moved to Brushvalley already, and I am not quite certain whether his brother John Jacob had not moved away, also then, to Pine Creek, Lycoming County, Pa. At present there are many descendants about Freeburg of Christopher and John, but not one male descendant of great-grandfather Jacob.
Jacob was married to Miss Susan Zartman, born in Germany, so say uncle John and Reuben Meyer, grandsons. But in an old power of attorney in my possession, given by Jacob Meyer, Sr., to his son Michael, dated 1801, mention is made of Jacob's wife as being Susanna Ream, daughter of Peter Ream, Dauphin County, Pa. The instrument was given to secure the wife's legacy, and seems to be positive evidence as to her maiden name. The paper alludes to her as being then deceased. In a sketch of Michael Meyer in a history of Summit County, Ohio, her maiden name is also given as Susan Ream. One of the Greningers of Sugar Valley, Clinton County, Pa., an early settler there, was married to her sister. Great-grandmother Meyer (Jacob's wife) was not a large woman, but what she lacked in stature was fully compensated for in grit and temper. She used to whip her boys after they were full grown! Some of them were almost giants, and no doubt they could stand up and meekly take a whipping with- out suffering much pain. The boys, of whom there were six, viz.: Philip, John Jacob, John George, Henry, Michael and Christopher, were not allowed to grow up in idleness, but were early put to work. One of their occupations was weaving, ? probably during bad weather, when out-door work could not be done, and as they were rather fond of constructing things with carpenters' tools, they sometimes neglected their work at the loom ; then if their mother would discover the objects on which they were exercising their ingenuity and wasting their time, she would smash them, and pitch the fragments into the fire. The boys were careful not needlessly to expose their handicraft. Father used to say the boys were of a rather hilarious disposition, and attended all the parties and balls within reasonable distance ; they made their own violins, which some could play with considerable skill, and as their mother was opposed to gatherings of the kind, she would demolish their musical instruments without ceremony whenever misfortune would reveal to her their hiding place. It is said that on a certain occasion she dressed in disguise, went to one of the parties where the boys were in attendance, and gave them a whipping then and there. On one occasion when her son Philip had tackled a big Irishman, and got the worst of it, she remarked to him, as she beheld the rainbow tints on his face, "Well, did you get a licking again?" Philip admitted it was so, but said he was going to learn the pugilistic art, if it cost his head. And he did become proficient ! Yet she was a good mother, and labored hard and faithfully to raise her numerous family amid the hardships of frontier life, and her big sons dearly loved her, and would have sacrificed their lives in her defense.
Jacob was not a large man, was of a kindly disposition and not inclined to be quarrelsome, but it is said he seemed rather pleased when he heard that his sons came off victorious in their many pugilistic contests. Both he and his wife are buried in the old cemetery at Freeburg; neither has a tomb- stone with an inscription. Their son John George is buried in the same cemetery; as also another son, Christopher, probably. I visited the cemetery in 1883, and father had visited it a number of years before, but neither was able to locate any of the graves.

Buried:
Note on Find a Grave: Son of elder Mr. Meyer from Germany.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63450141/john-jacob-meyer

Jacob married Susanna Ream. Susanna was born in 1730 in Snyder County, PA; died in 1811 in Freeburg, Snyder County, PA; was buried in Zion-Morr Lutheran Church Cemetery, Freeburg, Snyder County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Need to find out who is Peter Ream 1764 - 1833 (tng# 126)
https://hiltner.com/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I126&tree=Kreider

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63453330/susanna-meyer

Gravesite Details: Wife of Jacob Meyer

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23045349/john-buchtel

Notes:

According to the Pennsylvania Archives series 6 volume 1 page 295, Christopher Meyer served in the Revolution, Fourth Battalion Penna Militia, and served his tour.



From The Meyer Family Tree compiled by John D. Meyer, Tyrone, PA, October 1937.
The youngest son of Henry the original Meyer from Germany was born at Mulbach (sic) in 1734. About 1764 he bought a tract of 700 acres of land between the present site of Campbellstown and Hershey, Pa. A number of the farms comprising this tract are still owned and occupied by members of the Meyer family. He married Anna Maria Schaeffer, daughter of Alexander Schaeffer, who came from Germany in 1740 and settled at Mulbach and was a neighbor of the Meyer family.



From Genealogy of the Meyer Family by Henry Meyer, 1890. Pages 89-92.
CHRISTOPHER MEYER (son of the Meyer from Germany) was born at Mühlbach (Heidleberg township, Lancaster County, then) and was the youngest son of the family, but I am not certain that he was the youngest child as there was one daughter (if not two) and she may have been younger. Of the early life of Christopher and his brothers but little is known. Their childhood days were passed amid the stirring scenes and dangers of frontier life. The Mühlbach and the Tulpchocken witnessed not a few deadly encounters between the early settlers of that region and the hostile Indians. Conrad Weiser, a prominent character in the early history of Pennsylvania, was their friend and near neighbor. Through his influence over the Indians and his wise diplomacy many threatened dangers from that source were averted. There is a tradition that the Meyer who came from Germany was a member of Col. Weiser's colony. Christopher and his brother Michael left Mühlbach and purchased a tract of 700 acres near the present site of Campbellstown, Lebanon Co., Pa. It is said their father did not approve of the venture, supposing that the soil was not of much account. And it appears Michael shared his opinion as he sold out to his brother Christopher and returned to Mühlbach. This must have occurred about the year 1769 as shown by bonds of this date which Christopher and his father-in-law Alexander Schaeffer had given Michael for his interest in the tract.(1)

1. Note. Christopher and Michael Meyer and Alexander Schaeffer executed bond for part of said tract to Robt. McLeary, dated April 10, 1769. In the same year, May 1st. Christopher Meyer and Alexander Schaeffer gave bond to Michael Meyer for £200. It seems Michael sold that time and returned to Mühlbach. It is said he then purchased the old Mühlbach homestead. On one of these bonds is Michael's receipt for £100, dated Aug. 12, 1771, which shows that he was then still living. Michael was never married. See page 129.

The land, however, was of the best in the State, and the old gentleman's opinion on the subject had been at fault. If I mistake not the tract was subsequently divided into five or six farms and apportioned among Christopher's sons. That part on which is located the old homestead is now owned by one of Christopher's grandsons. Christopher put up good substantial stone buildings on his farm modeled after the style of architecture then in vogue throughout the rural districts. I visited the place in 1883 and found the buildings still in good repair. Here Christopher remained until his decease, but all his children, except several of his grandchildren, moved to other parts. His descendants are found principally in Lebanon, Snyder and Centre Counties, Penna., and a number have moved West. It is remarkable how families migrate. Of his brother Jacob's descendants (male) not one remains, as far as I know, neither in Lebanon nor Snyder County. Christopher was married to Anna Maria, daughter of Alexander Schaeffer. She was a sister of Catharine, wife of John Meyer of Mulbach, who was Christopher's nephew. "We designated," says Michael Meyer of Mulbach, "our cousins of Cambelltown the big Meyers.'" A term not inappropriate as some of them were giants in stature and physical strength. For example, Michael who removed to Spring Bank, Centre Co., Pa., was a man of prodigious proportions. He weighed 386 lbs. and when passing through an ordinary door his shoulders would almost touch the sides of it. John, also, was a man of large stature, towering head and shoulders above his fellows. The descendants of Christopher, subject of this sketch, were nearly all fine singers; many of them have been, from generation to generation, instructors in music both vocal and instrumental, and have been leaders of choirs in the churches of the neighborhoods in which they resided.
Honorable Jacob G. Meyer furnishes the following scrap of history illustrating this fact, which may appropriately be inserted here: -George Meyer, youngest son of Christopher and father of Hon. Jacob G., led singing in the Reformed Church, Cambelltown, Pa., from the time he was sixteen years of age (born March 25, 1782) until 1827 when he removed to Pine Creek, south of Aaronsburg, Pa. His nephew Henry Meyer, son of Michael, then conducted singing at Cambelltown until his death in 1873, and his sons now lead the choir in the same church. After George came into Pennsvalley in 1827 he conducted singing in the Reformed Church at Aaronsburg, until about the year 1832, when George, his son, took his place until 1840; then Hor. Jacob G., another son, took charge of the choir until about the year 1878, when he was succeeded by his son William T. Henry Meyer, Christopher's oldest son, moved into Pennsvalley, near Boalsburg, Pa., in 1823, and became the leader of the choir in the Reformed Church there, assisted by his sons Henry, Philip, Jacob and Joseph, continuing in that capacity until his decease in 1844. At present "big" Henry's sons Philip, Henry, Calvin and Jacob lead singing in the same church. Christopher Meyer, son of the subject of this sketch, settled at Freeburg, Pa., in 1800; he led singing in the church there for twenty years and his sons and grandsons ever since. His son Frederick C. is the founder and Director of the Musical College, Freeburg, an institution which has achieved merited popularity in central Pennsylvania. The Meyers of Freeburg are widely celebrated as musicians and through their zeal and efficiency in this noble profession their town has acquired a reputation as a musical centre.
Some of the Meyers were excessively fond of the chase. Grandfather Henry, several of his brothers, and Christopher's sons Michael, Jacob and George frequently visited each other at their respective homes in Penns, and Brushvalleys, and joined in the pursuit of game which was then abundant. There was no lack of dogs, and when several packs had been brought together and let loose there was sufficient music to inspire the hunters. The Mulbach Meyers, descendants of John, were also fond of the chase.
Christopher Meyer died Aug. 2, 1801; aged 67 years. His wife Anna Maria was born Feb. 19, 1744; died Jan. 1, 1823. Both are buried in the German Reformed Cemetery, Cambelltown, Pa.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19476147/christopher-meyer

Aged 67 years
1st Co., 2nd Batt. Lancaster County Militia
(Revolutionary War)

Christopher married Anna Maria Schaeffer. Anna (daughter of Alexander Schaeffer and Eva Anna Angelica Engle) was born on 19 Feb 1744 in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA; died on 01 Jan 1823 in Campbelltown, Lebanon County, PA; was buried in Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery, Campbelltown, Lebanon County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30921852/anna-maria-meyer

wife of Christopher Meyer
daughter of Alexander & Anna Engel Schaeffer