| Notes |
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/135483046/sebastian-mathias-royer
findagrave has photos of the family bible.
Sebastian Mathias Royer
BIRTH: Oct 1676 Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
DEATH: 13 Aug 1758 (aged 81) Warwick, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA
BURIAL: Brickerville United Lutheran Church & Cemetery Brickerville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
- Sebastian Mathias Rheyer (Royer), son of Hans Georg & Maria Magdalena Rheyer (Royer), was born 1676 in Bohl Pfalz, Germany. He is our first direct ancestor in America. On Feb. 15, 1707 he married Agnes Flockirth, daughter of Johann Wendell Muller. Sebastian & Agnes were the parents of eight children born in Bohl and registered in the Hassloch Reformed Church records. Their youngest daughter and ninth child was born in Lancaster County, PA.
(I'm listing the eight children: Emig (Amos), George, Maria Magdalena, Anna Margaretha, Martin, Samuel (the authors' link), Henrich, Maria Catharina & Anna Catherine).
Sebastian came to the United States (sic) in 1718. It is thought he returned and possibly brought his family later because Henry was born in Bohl in 1721. In the book, Ships Passengers of "Delaware" 1641-1823, it lists Sebastian 1726. He was naturalized at a meeting of the Supreme Court in Philadelphia April 11-13, 1743.
On Jan. 26, 1743, Sebastian received a patent from grant of William Penn family for 281 acres of land in Warwick Township, Lancaster, County, PA and Feb. 20, 1757, he bought 153 acres from John Wilson. He later had 500 acres, in all, about 30 miles north of Lancaster, PA about one mile south of Brickerville, 1 mile east of 501 on Brubaker Road then left on Rief-Snyder Road. The trustees from the German Zion Reformed Church where Sebastian later was a deacon, accepted 2-1/2 acres of this land for a church and a cemetery on Sept. 21, 1747. Another tract went to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church were Agnes attended.
The Zion Reformed Church still stands on the hill up the ravine in which Sebastian's home nestled. The home is now gone but the church has been restored and is used several times a year.
Sebastian was a prosperous and strict churchman. He died near Brickerville in Warwick Township, Lancaster County in 1758. His last will was executed Aug. 3, 1758. It is thought he is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in East Brickerville, PA.
- s/o Hans George Rheyer & Maria Magdalena
h/o Agnes Flockerth
This link doesn’t have photos: http://rickroyer.tripod.com/SReyerBible.htm
The bible of Sebastian Reyer was printed in 1713. The text within it is written in German. In 1997 the book is now 284 years old. The bible seems to have been passed down to Sebastian's daughter, Maria Catrina or Maria Catherina, who married Jacob Conrad. We find in an old list of land owners, that a Jacob Conrad in 1779 owned in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, 100 acres of land. The bible then followed in the hand of Joseph Conrad, then to John Conrad.
The text on the inside cover of the bible was entered in 1742. One would have to wonder if Sebastian came to America with this German bible. Sebastian Royer is said to have been naturalized at a meeting of the Supreme Court in Philadelphia, Apr. 11-13, 1743 .It is quite likely that his buying land of the Penns at this time led to his naturalization.
The bible is now owned by Vic Leininger of Pennsylvania. The bible was purchased from an estate sale by Vic's grandfather. Upon his grandfather’s passing, Vic's mother asked him if there was anything special from his grandfather's estate that he especially wished to have. Vic asked her if he might have the Sebastian Reyer bible. I can just imagine the look on Vic's face when his mother graciously gave him the bible. I know I would have been overwhelmed just to be able to hold it in my hands as Sebastian had over 250 years ago, let alone be the new caretaker as Vic then became at that moment in time. I know Vic will take very good care of the bible, and am more than delighted that he has supplied the Royer Data Collection Center with photographs of the bible, so it could be shared by all. Thank You very much for your contribution. We all will owe you a great debt for sharing and caring for this rare part of our Royer History.
The transcribed text from the inside cover.
- Sebastin Reyer
Living at the present time in the Township Warwick,
Lititz in the Province of Pennsylvania,
Written in the year of our lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, that is 1742 to the highest One be the Honors
Amen
Search the Scripture for in them ye think ye have
eternal life, for they are they that testify of me Matthew 5
http://www.genealogycenter.info/ellingham/getperson.php?personID=I94262&tree=Ellingham
Given Name: Sebastian Mathias
Surname: Rheyer
Birth: 1676 in Metz, Lorraine, France
Death: 1758 in Brickerville, Lancaster, PA
Burial: 1758 Luthern Cem. Brickerville, Lancaster, PA
BOOKS:
The Henry Royer and Sebastian Royer Families by Helen Robertson 1987
Genealogical Records of the Royer Family in America by Michael Zug
The Royer Family Ironmasters of Blair County W. Ray Metz 1951
Father: Hans George RHEYER b: ABT 1640 in Metz, Lorraine, France
Mother: Maria MAGDALENA b: ABT 1656 in Bohl, Rheinpfalz, Bayern, Germany
Marriage 1 Agnes FLOCKIRTH b: ABT 1678 in Schifferstadt, Bayern, Germany
Married: 15 FEB 1707 in Bohl, Rheinpfalz, Bayern, Germany
Children
Johann Emig (Emic) (Amos) ROYER b: 16 DEC 1707 in Bohl, Rheinpfalz, Bayern, Germany
Johann George ROYER b: 24 AUG 1710 in Bohl, Rheinpfalz, Bayern, Germany
Samuel ROYER b: 1711 in Bohl, Rheinpfalz, Bayern, Germany
Johann Martin RHEYER b: 3 OCT 1716 in Hassloch, Rheinpfalz, Bayern, Germany
Johann Heinrich ROYER b: 15 OCT 1721 in Hassloch, Rheinpfalz, Bayern, Germany
Marriage 2 Felice NIGNOU b: ABT 1691 in Hassloch, Rheinpfalz, Germany Married: 1669
Children
Maria Magdalena RHEYER b: 4 JUN 1713 in Hassloch, Rheinpfalz, Bayern, Germany
Anna Margeretta RHEYER b: 4 JUN 1713 in Hassloch, Rheinpfalz, Bayern, Germany
Maria Catarina RHEYER b: 23 SEP 1725 in Bohl, Bayern, Germany
Anna Catharine RHEYER b: 20 SEP 1725 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Name: Sabastian Mathias ROYER Sex: M Birth: 1676 in Bohl, Rheinpfalz, Germany
Death: 1758/1759 in Brickerville, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania Note:
Sebastian Royer [Reier or Ryer], with four sons, emigrated from the Palatine, Germany, to America in 1718. He was born near the city of Metz, but retiree to the Palatinate about the Revocation Period [1685]. His sons persuaded him to come to America.
Father: Hans Georg ROYER b: 1655 in METZ, LORRAINE, France
Mother: Maria Magdalena
Marriage 1 Emik Married: ABT 1700
Children
John Emick ROYER b: 18 DEC 1707 in Bohl, Rheinpfalz, Germany
George ROYER b: ABT 1709 in Bohl, Rheinpfalz, Germany
Samuel ROYER b: ABT 1711 in Bohl, Rheinpfalz, Germany
Henry ROYER b: BEF 1721 in Bohl, Rheinpfalz, Germany
Marriage 2 Agnes FLOCKERTT
Children
Margaret ROYER
Maria Catarina ROYER
Catharine ROYER b: SEP 1728 in Brickerville, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania
- http://www.brumbaughwise.com/families/royer-family
I. Sebastian Royer
I. Sebastian Royer, with four sons, emigrated from the Palatinate, Germany, to America in the year 1718. He was born near the city of Metz, but retired to the Palatinate about the Revocation Period (1685). He likely accompanied his father, for at this time Sebastian was likely only a youth, otherwise he was a very old man when he died in 1758. A number of Royers are said to fled to the Palatinate at this time. It is said that his sons persuaded him to come to America. The two oldest were young grown men. They had a long and tedious journey, and despaired of ever reaching the New World; but the ship finally landed in safety at Philadelphia.
It is claimed that he stopped for a time in Royersford, on the Schuylkill River, and that the place was named after him. On this point there are grounds for doubt. According to Rupp, a Bastian Royer settled in Lancaster County in 1719. This was certainly our Sebastian. So his coming to Lancaster County followed almost immediately on his arrival.
His wife had died in Germany, but after his arrival in America he remarried. The name of his second wife was Agnes; her maiden family name has not been learned. It seems that his three daughters were by the second wife. She was a member of the Reformed Church, while he was not only a Lutheran, but also a deacon in said church. On account of these conditions in his family it is said that he donated two tracts of land at Brickerville, one for The erection of a Lutheran and the other for a Reformed church(+). But it is established by the deed that the trustees of the Lutheran church bought the land direct from the Penns, yet Sebastian may have supplied the money. He is not mentioned in Lutheran church records at Brickerville. This church property ran along Sebastian's land, and may have been secured by the trustees before Sebastian had his deed from the Penns. But it is also established by deed that he did give land for the erection of a Reformed Church, designated as Zion Reformed, but long known as Royer's. This church stands on the hill up from the side-wooded ravine in which nestled the home of Sebastian Royer. A stone might have been thrown by a single cast from the church to the Royer home. Although this land was bought by Reformed trustees in 1747, yet it was still a part of the Royer estate in 1759, when the heirs deeded the estate to the Brubakers.
When Sebastian Royer first bought land in Lancaster County, we have not ascertained for a certainty. He owned land in Leacock Twp, Lanc. Co. in 1735. From here he likely moved to Brickerville, Warwick Twp., same county. He bought 64 acres from the Penns, Aug. 25, 1742; and 222 acres, Jan. 26, 1743,--the latter
tract had been bought by a Moyer, who failed to meet conditions, and the tract had reverted to the Penns. June 20, 1754. Sebastian deeded to his son Samuel 136 acres of the latter tract. The heirs deeded to the Brubakers the paternal estate on 192 acres in 1759. It will thus be seen that Sebastian owned as much as 328 acres near Brickerville, Lancaster County, or 42 acres more than the two tracts above, bought from the Penns. Tradition credits him with as much as 500 acres. George Royer, doubtless Sebastians's son, George, owned 200 acres of land in Warwick Township in 1759; and Henry Royer, doubtless also Sebastian's Henry, was a taxable in Elizabeth Township in 1758, the year after the township was organized out of a part of Warwick. From the location of these lands, in Elizabeth and Warwick Townships, they might have previously been a part of the paternal estate. This matter is as yet undetermined.
Sebastian Royer is said to have been naturalized at a meeting of the Supreme Court in Philadelphia, Apr. 11-13, 1743 (+) It is quite likely that his buying land of the Penns at this time led to his naturalization. Sebastian Royer died near Brickerville, in Elizabeth Township, Lancaster Co., Pa., in 1758 or 1759. This we have from the fact that letters of administration were taken out by his oldest son Emig, Feb. 24, 1759, and his last will was executed Aug. 3, 1758. Where his remains rest is not known. It is presumed, however that he was buried in the large Lutheran cemetery in East Brickerville.
Writes A. H. Huber: "Sebastian's will is dated Aug. 3, 1758, and was admitted to probate Feb. 14, 1759. The court granted letters of administration to John Emig Royer, whose sureties on the bond were George and Samuel Reier. No account of the estate is on file as it appears that in those days the practice was to divide and convey the whole estate in the life time of the parent. In this will it is stated that "John Emick is the oldest son and shall have the sum of five pounds for his two shares, and that the property shall be divided between his brothers and sisters, share and share alike, as one child is to us like the other. So shall you divide in peace and be satisfied. "The instrument viewed in the light of modern wills is somewhat quaint and peculiar, but throughout the whole paper there breathes the spirit of paternal love and Christian piety. It is signed by both husband and wife, or father and mother, each of whom make their mark."
I. Sebastian Royer had seven children. We give their names in the order in which they appear in the deed transferring the father's estate. If he had children who died before himself, of course they are not included in this list. Emig's name comes first, and as he was the oldest, the names are likely in the order of birth.
Name Birth Death
II. Emig (Amos) Royer Dec 18, 1707 Apr. 2, 1769
II. George Royer Likely about 1709
II. Samuel Royer About 1764
II. Henry Royer
II. Margaret Royer
II. Maria Catarina Royer
II. Catharine Royer Sept. , 1728 Apr. 28, 1809
The Will of Sebastian Royer. Warwick Township, Lancaster County, In the Name of God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Whereas me Bastian Ryer and his Wife Angnes, hath Laid us Town by Crossing Sickness, so they sought to Make and Leave Peace behind by their Childrens, by their Life, and is This their Married People. Their Eareestly Will and Desire That after their Decease, John Emick Reyer, the oldest Son, shall have the Sum of Five Pounds for his Two Shares Which he would have in forehand of his Brothers and Sisters, and if the said John Emick Ryer, have received The Five Pounds, Then all the Brothers and Sisters shall Divide in Equal Shares, and none shall have further as one of the others, and wee old aged Bodies Hopes That our beloved Children will be satisfied with These our Last will, For it is one Child to us Like the others, and you shall Divide in Peace, and be Satisfied with That, That we left behind us for you, and by This our Last Will you Stand, and neither put anything thereof Nor thereto, Then the Lord God will Bless you in this and everlasting Life, and by This Writing Which Wee Left before your eyes after our Decease, Keep that and be in Peace, and Let father and Mother rest in the Earth and shleep and being satisfied therewith, and we are in Conscion shure That it is Right, Which we Think That you beloved Childrens May acknowledge, and Take it in peace and Lastly we weesh you all the peace of God in your harts Through Jesus Christ, Amen--Dated August 3rd Anno 1758 Witness His Johannes Neigy (Seal) Bathe Reyer II
Mark
Johanne Michael Butz Her
Georg Martsen (Seal) Agnes X
Reyer Johannes Martin Mark A True Copy Translated from the Original
"Abea Myer"
Remark--The translation was likely made for the Register at Lancaster. The copy on the books there can scarcely be read: but the editor copied this from the original translation, preserved in Lancaster, which is much more legible.
Remarks on the Family of I. Sebastian Royer. It is practically certain that all of the sons of Sebastian Royer came with him to Lancaster Co., and there established homes. If either George or Henry moved away, they did so after their father's death. We herewith give a statement of the case.
First, all were present to sign the deed conveying away the old homestead. This of course does not have much weight, for if living at a distance, their signatures would have been necessary and would have secured. But the signatures prove, as does the body of the deed, and the attest (*) to it, that all four of his sons were living May 17, 1759. The same also prove that the names of the sons were Emig (corrupted by the English scribe into Amos, George, Samuel, and Henry. Emig Royer, according to a survey given A. H. Huber of Westminster, Md., by Mr. Cope, owned land in Leacock Twp., Lanc. Co., in 1735, which land joined land owned by his father. He bought his land on the Middle Creek, same county, in 1747, and died there in 1769. All of his sons owned farms in Lane, Co., in which county and in Leb. his descendants are numerous, also in Union and Franklin Counties, Pa., and in Carrol Co., Md. They also are scattered more or less liberally through the Middle West, especially in Stark Co., Ohio We find from an old list of land owners that a George Royer in 1759 owned 200 acres of land in Warwick Township, Lanc. County. This was the township in which Sebastian settled. The evidence is practically conclusive that this George was George the son of Sebastian. Whether he died in Lancaster Co. we do not know. The tide of immigration was strongly westward soon after Sebastian's death. George's full name may have been Hans George, (John George) as this was a very common combination among the early Germans, and he may have been the son John who tradition says inherited a part of the paternal estate, was unfortunate and moved west of the Susquehanna. (+) A George Royer, likely this one, bought a tract, not an expensive one, Antrim Twp., Cumb. Co., now Franklin Co., Pa., Apr. 22, 1772 (See Records at Chambersburg.) He seems to meet all the requirements of the traditional unfortunate John.
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1676 - 1758 (82 years)
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