In Newsletter #46, page 9, we explored the possible parentage of Anderson Wertz, grandson of Jacob Wertz, 1815-1888, and Mary Hoffman.
David Wertz, a great grandson of Jacob Merion Wertz, also a son of Jacob and Mary Hoffman Wertz, writes that their family records record the names of ALL 13 children of Jacob and Mary Hoffman Wertz, but only dates for 9 of those children. None of the other four children appear on the 1850 or 1860 or 1870 census records for Jacob and Mary’s family, so it is presumed that the missing four children all died very young. These 13 children are:
(1)
Hannah, born 2 Dec. 1838 (age 12 in 1850; 21 in 1860; 29 in 1870). More on her below
Hannah, born 2 Dec. 1838 (age 12 in 1850; 21 in 1860; 29 in 1870). More on her below(2)Catherine, born 1840 (age 10 in 1850).
Catherine, born 1840 (age 10 in 1850).(3)Daniel, born 1842 (age 8 in 1850).
Daniel, born 1842 (age 8 in 1850).(4)Elizabeth, born 1844 (age 6 in 1850; 16 in 1860).
Elizabeth, born 1844 (age 6 in 1850; 16 in 1860).(5)Susannah, born 25 Dec. 1845 (age 5 in 1850, 14 in 1860).
Susannah, born 25 Dec. 1845 (age 5 in 1850, 14 in 1860).(6)John A., born 18 feb. 1848 (age 2 in 1850, 12 in 1860).
John A., born 18 feb. 1848 (age 2 in 1850, 12 in 1860).(7)MaryA., born March 1850 (age 7 mo. in 1850). Not listed in 1860; probably died young.
MaryA., born March 1850 (age 7 mo. in 1850). Not listed in 1860; probably died young.(8)(9) (10) (11) Uriah, Emily, Clara, and Horace Lincoln… no dates for any of them.
(9) (10) (11) Uriah, Emily, Clara, and Horace Lincoln… no dates for any of them.(12) George Munson Wertz, born 19 July 1856 (age 4 in 1860, 13 in 1870).
(13) Jacob Marion Wertz, born 29 Sept. 1859 (age 2 in 1860, 11 in 1870).
David’s family records also state that “Anderson Wertz was born out of wedlock in 1862 to Hannah Wertz, eldest daughter of Jacob and Mary Hoffman Wertz, and an unknown father, who may have died in the Civil War. Anderson was raised by his grandparents as if he was one of their own children. Hannah later married (in 1873) to David Hildebrand, his second wife, and had two children with him – Lorena and Harry. (Harry Hildebrand is listed on the 1880 Census, at age 6, living in the family of Jacob and Mary Hoffman Wertz.) So she became Hannah Hildebrand when Anderson was about 11 years old. David Hildebrand was an elder in the German Baptist Brethern Church.”
Bob Messersmith located this family on the 1850, 1860, and 1870 census records all in Conemaugh Twp., Cambria County, PA. Copies of these census records are now available in our files, if anyone is in need of them.
Does anyone have any Johnstown cemetery records, or obituaries for any members of this family?
Perhaps an obituary for Hannah Wertz Hildebrand will shed some further light on this mystery.
Thank you David and Bob for your data contributions.
