http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/1pa/paarchivesseries/series2/vol8/pass82.html
RECORD OF PENNSYLVANIA MARRIAGES,
PRIOR TO 1810.
Volume I.
Clarence M. Busch.
State Printer of Pennsylvania.
1895.
Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Volume 8.
[Page numbers will be in brackets in bold print.]
MARRIAGE RECORD OF CHRIST CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA.
1709—1806.
1734, July 11, Castle*, Anna, and Simon Siron
*also listed as Cassel in actual records
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http://www.accessible.com/accessible/text/gaz1/00000028/00002843.htm
ITEM #2843
February 7, 1738
The Pennsylvania Gazette
ALL Persons indebted to Simon Siron,
Shopkeeper in Second Street, are desired to make speedy
Payment, that he may be enabled to settle with his Creditors.
He designing to remove out of this Town in April next.
The said Siron keeps a Store at Plymouth Meeting House,
where all Persons may be supply'd with all Sorts of Goods
suitable for the Country, at very reasonable Rates.
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http://dspace.udel.edu:8080/dspace/bitstream/19716/2357/10/1738,%20Calendar%201.pdf
Benjamin Franklin's Accounts for 1738
[note: presumably the term "Dr." used below means "debit".]
Franklin’s Accounts for 1738, Calendar 1, p.20:
17 March, Friday. Widow Adams, a 4 quire book. 10.0. paid. Shop Book.
---. Mr. Bishop Dr. For Paper, 2.0. Ledger A&B 118; Shop Book.
---. Mr. Farrell, Dr. for 3 Quer [quire] paper, 4.6. Shop Book. Same as 18 March.
---. Capt. Tho’s Lloyd, Brown paper, 0.3. Shop Book; Ledger A&B 312 (no date).
---. Wm. Mode, Dr. For Paper, 2.0. Ledger A&B 360; Shop Book.
---. Stephen Potts, Dr. for cash, 1.0. Shop Book.
---. Simon Siron, Dr. for a Bond and Jugment, 0.6. Shop Book.
...
Franklin’s Accounts for 1738, Calendar 1, p.48:
14 Aug, Monday. Captin Collin, Dr. for aprentis inDenters for aprentis, 0.8. Shop Book.
---. William Dewees, Junior, Dr. For Cash, 5.0. Dr. For Cash Assumed to pay Simen Siron[?],
2.17.0. Dr. For Cash Assumed to pay J. Bringhurst, 15.0.0. Ledger A&B 108; Shop Book
(first item only).
...
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http://books.google.com/books?id=EYgUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA40
Title Hazard's register of Pennsylvania, Volume 3
Author Samuel Hazard
Publisher Printed by W.F. Geddes, 1829
Original from the New York Public Library
Digitized Jan 24, 2008
p.40
Number of Taxable Inhabitants in the County [of Philadelphia] in 1741.
[The County then contained 47 Townships.]
...
Germantown 168
...
Plymouth 46 [This is where Simon Siron lived between 1738 and 1748.]
...
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Source:
[ http://books.google.com/books?id=3DbXh7BJcLwC&pg=PA9#v=onepage&q&f=false ]
Genealogical Data Relating to the German Settlers of Pennsylvania and Adjacent Territory. From Advertisements in German Newspapers Published in Philadelphia and Germantown, 1743-1800
By Edward H. Hocker (1981), page 9:
Genealogical information published in the Pennsylvanische Geschichts-Schreiber by Christoper Sauer in 1748 of German Settlers in Philadelphia/Germantown and the surrounding area.
February 16th, 1748
Simon Siron has removed from Plymouth Meeting House
([now in] Montgomery County) to Philadelphia, on Second street
at the Amsterdam Arms. He sells yarn and flax.
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http://www.accessible.com/accessible/text/gaz1/00000093/00009392.htm
ITEM #9392
[Friday] March 22, 1748
The Pennsylvania Gazette [page 3]
Philadelphia, March 22. 1747-8.
Simon Siron, shopkeeper, is come to live in
town, and keeps shop the upper end of Second street,
at the sign of the Amsterdam Arms, and gives ready
money for good linnen yarn.
[Note: This ad was repeated on Tuesday, April 16 (page 6)]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://files.usgwarchives.org/pa/philadelphia/wills/willabstrbkj.txt
Wills: Abstracts, Book J: 1748 - 1752: Philadelphia Co, PA
PICKERING, CHARLES. City of Philadelphia. Goldsmith.
October 1, 1749/50. October 26, 1749. J.184.
Exec: Simon Siron.
Wit: John Loak Sprogell, Thomas Say.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annals of Philadelphia.
p.368
SHOP SIGNS.P. 467.-The following were some of the most known about 1720 to 1750:
Lion and Glove, Water street, bv Andrew Morris, glover;
The Hat., Market street;
Lock and Key, Chestnut street;
Paracelsus' Head, Market street, Evan Jones, chemist; afterward William Shippen;
Crown and Cushion, Germantown, by the Quaker Meeting;
Two Bibles, Market street, by St. Thomas Hyndshaw;
The Whalebone, Chestnut street, by John -Breintnall, 1731;
Blue Ball, Water street;
Tobacco Pipe, Second street, next the meeting-house, by Hugh Roberts;
Black Boy, Market street, by John Prichard;
The Still and Orange Tree, North Second -street, by Nathaniel Downer, distiller, afterward opposite State House;
Still and Blue Ball, King street, by Benjamin Morgan;
The Scales, Walnut and Front street, by Edward Bridges;
Crown and Sceptre, Front street;
Adam, by Charles Williams, tailor;
Easy-Chair, by Plunket Heeson, upholsterer, 1739;
Ship Aground, by Richard Pitt;
The Gun, Market steet, near John Kinsey's;
Bird-in-Hand, Chestnut, opposite Strawberry alley;
The Shuttle, Third street;
The Green Stays, Front street;
The Bell, Second street, opposite Baptist meeting-house;
Golden Ball, Chestnut street, opposite Strawberry alley;
Blue Wig, Front street, by William Crosthwaite;Chest of Drawers, Front street, by May Emerson;
Two Sugar-Loaves, by Timothy Matlack;
The Globe, Market street, by Simon Myer, pewterer;
Golden Heart, High street, by Samuel Emlen, druggist;
Spinning Wheel, Market street, by James Meredith;
Unicorn, by B. Farmer, druggist;
Golden Ball, Chestnut street, by Christopher Marshall, apothecary;
Amsterdam Arms, by Simon Siron;
Highlandman, Second street, above High, by David Wells, tobacconist and distiller;
Hand-saw, Market street, by Mordecai Yarnall;
The Still and Greenman, Market street, corner of Strawberry alley, by Henry Dexter;
Trumpet, Market street, by William Klemm; (a.k.a. Clemm)
Dove, Third street, by John White, druggist;
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source:
[ http://books.google.com/books?id=3DbXh7BJcLwC&pg=PA28#v=onepage&q&f=false ]
Genealogical Data Relating to the German Settlers of Pennsylvania and Adjacent Territory By Hocker
(1981), page 28:
Genealogical information published in the Pennsylvanische Geschichts-Schreiber by Christoper Sauer in 1751 of German Settlers in Philadelphia/Germantown and the surrounding area.
September 16th, 1751
Simon Siron, Second street, Philadelphia, at the sign of the Amsterdam Arms, adjoining William
Clemm, offers for sale a house and lot on Skippack road, next to Michel Klein's plantation.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.accessible.com/accessible/text/gaz2/00000158/00015830.htm
ITEM #15830
July 12, 1753
The Pennsylvania Gazette
To be SOLD, A Lot of ground, in Second street, between the
house where William Clem lives and Simon Siren, 18 front,
and 70 feet deep, with the privilege of a 4 feet alley into
Sassafras street; also two sixth parts of the house and lot
where William Clem lives, adjoining the abovesaid lot;
likewise five sixth parts of a lot on York road, next above
Joseph Stinyard, containing 1 acre and 68 perches. Whoever
inclines to purchase any of the above mentioned premises, may
apply to William Moore, in Chestnut street, or Joseph Hogg, in
Race street, in Philadelphia, where they may be informed of
the title and conditions of sale.
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http://www.accessible.com/accessible/text/gaz2/00000162/00016215.htm
ITEM #16215
[Thursday] October 18, 1753
The Pennsylvania Gazette [page 3]
TO be sold at Taylor Taylor's, in Second street, Philadelphia,
a little above Simon Siron's shopkeeper, A very good eight day
chiming clock, which plays four tunes every hour, and strikes
the quarters, shews the moonrising and setting, and the day
of the month; it has eleven bells, and is reckon a curious
piece of workmanship.
[Note: This same ad was repeated in the Pennsylvania Gazette on Thursday, October 25 (page 5) and
Thursday, November 1 (page 4).]
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The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region. By H. E. Comstock. (Winston- Salem, N.C.: The Museum of Early South- ern Decorative Arts, 1994.
p.11
About 1745, a few settlers began producing ceramics in the Valley; prior to that time merchants and peddlers had sold foreign and domestic imported ware.
The first known pottery production in the area was in Frederick County, Maryland.
...
p.12
The next established production site was the outskirts of Strasburg, Virginia. Prior to Strasburg's charter in 1761 some Sabbatarians were moving into the area from the Ephrata Cloister in Pennsylvania. About 1757, they had begun to establish a similar cloistered community along the Shenandoah River at Sandy Hook (fig. 1.5 [not included here]). Samuel Eckerlin was one of the Sabbatarians, and it was he who first examined the clay along the river and found it to be of excellent quality for pottery production. He brought this to the attention of his community, and they sent a letter to Dr.[sic] Simon Siron of Philadelphia and Germantown, Pennsylvania, asking him to send a complete pottery workshop. In August 1761, Dr. Siron sent his son with the order to provide instruction. More than likely theirs was the first kiln to be constructed along the Shenandoah; Brother Theoney may have been the potter. No examples of the pottery from that facility are known to have survived. It is probable that Sandy Hook products were made only for community use and were never sold publicly. The Sandy Hook commune itself was shortlived. Peter Grim, the first commercial potter to locate in Strasburg, probably started production as early as 1783.
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[See also http://books.google.com/books?id=OTQUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA422
Keyser, Peter D., M.D., "A History of the Upper Germantown Burying-Ground.--Germantown Avenue (Main Street) Above Washington Avenue," in The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 8 (1884), pages 414-426.]
Keyser, Peter D., M.D., "A History of the Upper Germantown Burying-Ground.--Germantown Avenue (Main Street) Above Washington Avenue." in Pennsylvania Vital Records: From The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume I, p.557-569.
p.560-1:
"Whereas necessity as well as saving a constant charge of supporting a wooden fence or Inclosure requires the entire closing in of the Upper Germantown Burying Ground with a stone wall round the back part thereof equal with the other wall of the same, and as the said work is for benefit of the Publick, and requires a sufficient sum of money for that purpose to be raised, We the subscribers do therefore hereby our subscriptions promise and bind ourselves severally to pay each of us on demand towards the said work each his subscription money or sum as is subscribed to our respective names when demanded by the collector of the same for the purpose aforesaid.--Dated, Germantown, April 11th, 1760.
[a list of subscribers and amounts follows]
...
£ s. d.
Simon Siron 1 10 0
Elizabeth Barns 0 10 0
note: an Elizabeth Barns is mentioned in the will of Simon Siron. She apparently lived with him in his final years.
...
All settled Oct. 4th, A. D. 1760.
All of the above-named scribers of two shillings and upwards have a right of burial in the said Burying Ground for themselves and their family, so that they always contribute towards the necessary repairs of the enclosure and appurtenances of sd Burying Ground."
p.564-5
In 1756 George Schreiber commenced a regular account of the names and dates of the burials as they took place thereafter... He was not particular to get the names of the wives and children, and entered them as so and so's wife or child as it may be...
From this ;ist in the book I find the following record of burials each year, and the names of those over whom no stone is found to mark the grave...
1762.--Fifteen burials.
July 5. Simon Siron's wife. [presumably Anna Castle/Cassel]
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http://files.usgwarchives.org/pa/philadelphia/wills/willabstrbkl.txt
Wills: Abstracts, Book L: 1757 - 1760: Philadelphia Co, PA
RIEFF, GEORGE. Germantown, Co. of Philadelphia.
April 7, 1759. April 25, 1759. L.252.
Wife: Caterina. Brothers: Jacob, Peter and Conrad.
Sisters: Anna Mary and others.
Nephew: Baltis Rieff. Friends: Jacob Shoemaker of Salford, Anna Cobell.
Exec: Caterna Riff, Jacob Shoemaker, Simon Siron.
Wit: George Adams, Simon Vogelesang, John Bowman.
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http://files.usgwarchives.org/pa/philadelphia/wills/willabstrbkf.txt
Wills: Abstracts, Book F: 1736 - 1743: Philadelphia Co, PA
RADWITZER, JOHN. Philadelphia County. Yeoman.
December 25, 1740. December 30, 1740. F.185.
Wife and Exec: Catrina. Legatee: Sisters' son Johannes (surname not given).
Wit: Thomas McCracken, Johannes Crayhurst and Edward Stroud.
--------------------
http://files.usgwarchives.org/pa/philadelphia/wills/willabstrbkl.txt
Wills: Abstracts, Book L: 1757 - 1760: Philadelphia Co, PA
REDWITZER, CATHERINE. Plymouth, Co. of Philadelphia. Widow [of John].
December 15, 1759. October 4, 1760. L.532.
Children: Sarah Wagstaff and Elizabeth Caughlin.
Son-in-Law: James Wagstaff.
Negro woman: Moll.
Exec: Simon Syron, Thomas Rose, James Stroud.
Wit: Joseph Jones, James Wood, John Morris.
--------------------
http://www.accessible.com/accessible/text/gaz2/00000256/00025663.htm
ITEM #25663
November 13, 1760
The Pennsylvania Gazette
TO be sold by public Vendue, on the 25th Day of this instant,
November, by the Executors of the last Will and Testament of
Katharine Redwitzer, deceased, A Stone Messuage, or Tenement,
and Lot of about ten Acres of Land, thereunto belonging,
situate in Plymouth Township, in the County of Philadelphia,
on the Manatawney Road, in the Place called Hickory Town, near
Plymouth Meeting house; as also a Cow, some Bedding, and
Houshold Goods, belonging to the Estate of said Katharine
Redwitzer, deceased. The Sale to begin at Ten o'Clock in the
Forenoon. SIMON SIRON, THOMAS ROSE, and JAMES STROUD,
Executors.
N.B. All Persons indebted to said estate, are requested to
pay; and those who have any Demands against the same, are
requested to produce their Accounts, attested, in order that
they may be adjusted and paid.
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http://www.accessible.com/accessible/text/gaz2/00000266/00026698.htm
ITEM #26698
May 28, 1761
The Pennsylvania Gazette
To be SOLD, and entered on immediately,
A LOT or GROUND, situate in the Middle of Germantown,
adjoining the House of Thomas Rose, and opposite Simon Siron
containing 36 Perches of Land, being 59 Feet front on the main
Street: There is on the Premises a Stone House two Stories
high, 28 Feet front by 31 deep, a Cellar under the Whole: The
Premises is either fit for a Shopkeeper; or any other public
Business. For further Particulars enquire of the Subscriber,
on the Premises.
JOSEPH ASHMEAD
N.B. The Subscriber has also 112 Perches of Land, with a
convenient Tanyard thereon erected, adjoining the above, which
he will rent for a Term of Years.
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Source:
[ http://books.google.com/books?id=3DbXh7BJcLwC&pg=PA90#v=onepage&q&f=false ]
Genealogical Data Relating to the German Settlers of Pennsylvania and Adjacent Territory By Hocker
(1981), page 90:
Genealogical information published in the Pennsylvanische Geschichts-Schreiber by Christoper Sauer in 1761 of German Settlers in Philadelphia/Germantown and the surrounding area.
June 19, 1761
James Delbert, smith, Germantown, opposite Simon Siron,
merchant, advertises that his apprentice, William Oldemus, ran
away.
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http://www.accessible.com/accessible/text/gaz2/00000271/00027113.htm
ITEM #27113
August 13, 1761
The Pennsylvania Gazette
TO be sold, by publick Vendue, by the Subscriber, on the
Premises, on the 20th Inst. at One o'Clock in the Afternoon, A
Lot of Ground, situate in the Middle of Germantown, opposite
Mr. Simon Siron, and next Door to Thomas Rose, being 59 Feet
Front on the Main Street, and 230 deep. There is on the Lot a
Stone House, two Stories high, a Cellar under the Whole, a
Spring in the Cellar, with a Pump, a Stone Kitchen, a Garden,
Stable, and other extraordinary Conveniencies, for carrying on
the Business of a Tanner, Tavern or Shopkeeper; being in a
Part of the Town where all the Trade centers. The Title is
indisputable.
The Purchaser, by paying one third Part of the
Consideration Money in Hand, may have Time for Payment of the
rest, paying Interest, and giving Security, if required.
JOSEPH ASHMEAD.
N.B. The Subscriber has also a convenient Tan yard, with
112 Perches of Land, adjoining to the above, which he will
rent for a Term of Years.
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http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/philadelphia/wills/willabstrbkm.txt
Wills: Abstracts, Book M: 1760 - 1763: Philadelphia Co, PA
GRUBER, JOHN ADAM.
May 28, 1762. May 20, 1763. M.528.
Wife: Ann Elizabeth.
Children: Justina Dorthea, Anna Agusta and John.
Beneficiaries: The "Little meetings of the People" at Hamburg, Germany.
Exec: Simon Siron and daughter Anna Agusta.
Wit: John Wister, John Koch, Christian Laaschet.
Codicil: May 4, 1763.
Revokes the appointment of the daughter as Exec. and
substitutes in her place John Cook.
Wit: Christopher Sower, Everah Anton Cruimel.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Abraham Wagner/Wagener, erroneously called "Christian" Wagner by Sangmeister,
was a friend of John Adam Gruber and died, according to Sangmeister, on the same day.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/philadelphia/wills/willabstrbkm.txt
WAGENER, ABRAHAM. Worcester, Co. of Philadelphia. Physician.
March 6, 1762. May 16, 1763. M.523.
Brother: Melchoir. Deceased wife: Mary.
Legatees: Jno. Christopher Hubner; nephew David Wagener; Christopher Kribie;
Melchior Scholtz, Junr.; the poor of the city; the Penna. Hospital;
sister and brothers-in-law Anna Dresher and Geo. and Christopher Kribie.
Exec: Brother Melchior and Christopher Dresher.
Wit: Abraham Jackel, Andrew Beyer.
Codicil: Same date and witnesses.
Beneficiaries: Cousin George Yakel; servants Christiana Wornin, Rosina
Wieymerin; V. Bauer; Rev. Mr. Isaac Muhlenberg.
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http://www.accessible.com/accessible/text/gaz2/00000292/00029252.htm
ITEM #29252
August 26, 1762
The Pennsylvania Gazette
TO be SOLD by the Subscriber, living in Germantown, a certain
Tract or Piece of Land and Meadow at Point no Point, adjoining
the Lands of John Lynn, and Jeremiah Elfreth, whereon is a
Frame House, Barn, and other Conveniences, &c. the Tract
contains about 22 Acres, ten of which is well improved Meadow
Ground; there is also a thriving young Orchard thereon, of
between 3 and 400 Apple trees, some grafted; also several good
Milch Cows, three Horses, a Cart, and Gears, Plow, Harrow, and
sundry Implements of Husbandry, to be sold with or without
said Place. Likewise to be sold by the same Person, a well
situated Lot of Piece, of about ten Acres of Land, in Whitpain
township, most Part of which may be improved and watered, fit
for Meadow; it lies in the Fork of Skippack Road, and a Road
leading from Schuylkill to North Wales; there is a Log
Dwelling house and some Outhouses thereon, with some
Orcharding. For further Particulars, enquire of the Owner.
SIMON SIRON.
note: This may well have been the land which Simon had purchased for the Eckerlin brothers but who decided not to live there, moving instead to the northwestern Virginia frontier.
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http://books.google.com/books?id=8dgLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA39&dq=%22Simon+Siron%22
History of old Germantown, with a description of its settlement and some account of its important persons, buildings and places connected with its development,
by John Palmer Garber; C Henry Kain; Naaman H Keyser; Horace Ferdinand McCann
Publisher:[V.1- Germantown, Philadelphia, H.F. McCann, 1907-
p.39
Germantown Town-Lots Towards Schuylkill
(West side of Main Street)
Lot No. Original Owner in 1689 Owner in 1714 Owners in 1766
...
6 John Blickers Herman Tunen Christian Sower, Justus Fox, John Frey, and others.
7 Frankford Co. John Henry Sprogell John Frey, John Keyser, Simon Siron
8 Jacob Shoemaker Quaker Meeting, Quaker Meeting, John Bockius, and others.
Jacob Shoemaker
...
[Note: See http://www.archives.upenn.edu/WestPhila1777/view-parcel.php?pid=1887&popup=1
Simon Siron's land may have been sold to Daniel Hess in 1775. It appears to have been located on the SE corner of present-day Germantown Ave. and Coulter St. On the SW corner was the property of John Bockius, a witness to Simon Siron's will.]
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http://files.usgwarchives.org/pa/philadelphia/wills/willabstrbko.txt
Wills: Abstracts, Book O: 1766 - 1770: Philadelphia Co, PA
SIRON, SIMON. Phila. Co. Shopkeeper.
November 4, 1765. April 21, 1770.
Children: Nathaniel and Simon.
Execs.: John Koch and Conrad Weaver.
Wit: John Bockins and Thos. Rose.O.496.
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abstract of the will of Simon Siron:
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/philadelphia/wills/willabstrbko.txt
SIRON, SIMON. Phila. Co. Shopkeeper.
November 4, 1765. April 21, 1770.
Children: Nathaniel and Simon.
Execs.: John Koch and Conrad Weaver.
Wit: John Bockins [Bockius] and Thos. Rose.O.496.
--------------------------------------
Actual Will of Simon Siron:
p.496
I Simon Siron of Germantown in the County of Philadelphia and Pro=
vince of Pennsylvania Shopkeeper, do make and ordain these presents for and
as my last Will and Testament being weak and Indisposed in Body, but of
sound disposing Mind and Understanding blessed be God for the same. I
Impower and Authorize my Executors herein after Named or the Survivors of
them to Sell and dispose of my House and Lot of Ground where I now dwell
in Germantown Aforesaid, and to make Execute and Acknowledge
Deed or Deeds of Sale for the same to the purchaser or purchasers and to his
her or their Heirs and Assigns Forever, reserving to Elizabeth Barns her right
and Estate therein. I likewise impower them or Survivor of them my Executors
p.497
herein after Named to put or place out as an apprentice to a good Master
and a suitable Trade such as he may may chose, my Negro Boy named Joe
or Joseph Zanco to serve such a Term as they my Executors or Survivors of
them shall or may think proper, and as the said Negro Boy was Born
of a Free Negro Woman, I do hereby declare him to be Free and manumit
-ed from and after the Term of his Apprenticeship is fully expired, and I
will that all and Singular my Just debts be fully paid by my Exrs. and all the residue
of my Estate I give and Biqueath to my two sons Nathaniel and Simon
Siron to be equally divided Between them part and share alike in full
of each of their part proportion or share of my Estate. I Nominate &
appoint my Trusty Friends John Koch of Germantown aforesaid and
Conrad Weaver of Bristol Township Executors of this my last Will and Tes=
tament, and do make null and Void all Wills &c by me heretofore made In
Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal this fourth day of
November in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Seven # # # hundred and
his
Sixty Five 1765 Simon S Siron (seal) Signed Sealed Published and declared
mark
by the said Simon Siron for and as his last Will and Testament in the presence
of us the Subscribers, John Bockins, Thomas Rose.
Phila: April 21 1770 Personally appeared John Bockins and Thomas
Rose the Witnesses to the within Written Will, and on their Solemn Affirma
tion according to Law, did declare that they saw and heard Simon Siron
the Testator herein Named sign seal Publish and declare the same Will
for and as his last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof he was
of sound disposing Mind Memory and understanding to the best of their
knowledge and Belief-- Coram Benjamin Chew Regr Genl
Be it Remembered that on the 21st day of April 1771[sic?-1770?] the last Will and
Testament of Simon Siron deceased in due form of Law was proved and pro=
bate and Letters Testamentary thereof were granted to John Koch and Cunrad
Weaver Executors in the said Will Named, being first Solemnly Affirmed
well and truly to Administer the said deceaseds Estate and bring an Inven=
=tory thereof into the Register Generals Office at Philadelphia on or before the
21 day of June next and render a True and Just Account of the said Admin=
istration on or before the 21 day of April 1771 or when thereto Legally
required. Given under the Seal of the said Office
Benjamin Chew RegrGenl
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=45562&CScnty=2276&CSsr=441&
Mount Zion Cemetery
Ephrata
Lancaster County
Pennsylvania USA
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=45562&GRid=20645006&
Elizabeth Barnes
Birth: unknown
Death: Feb. 10, 1770Note: Here Lieth the Body of Elizabeth Barnes. Who Departed this Life 10th of February 1770. Aged 72 years. Burial:
Mount Zion Cemetery
Ephrata
Lancaster County
Pennsylvania, USA
Created by: C&P * LaPlante Files
Record added: Jul 26, 2007
Find A Grave Memorial# 20645006
====================================================================
http://books.google.com/books?id=3ZbZAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Simon+Siron%22
The Brethren in Colonial America: a Source Book on the Transpantation and Development of the Church of the Brethren in the Eighteenth Century
Durnbaugh, Donald F. , editor
Brethren Press, Elgin, Illinois, 1967.
...
p.597
Appendixes
I. List of Deaths (Alexander Mack, Jr.) Register of the dear brethren and sisters especially known to me who have passed from time to eternity up to the present during my brief life-span.
...
p.602
...
... Herly's daughter
240 old Sister Hellerlis
241 Brother Hecker who married in Krefeld and
242 Brother Gotze Goün [Gossen Goyen], his father-in-law
243 Bro. John Bechtelsheim and
p.603
244 his wife, the sister and
245 the wife of his brother, the sister
246 Bro. Henry Weber, an unmarried brother
247 Bro. Anthony Schneiter
248 Brother William, an unmarried brother
249 Bro. Andrew Gesell, unmarried
250 Bro. John Gesell, unmarried
251 Bro. Abraham Latscha
252 Bro. Eisbert Bender and
253 the sister, his wife
254 Bro. Carl Lewis Bender
255 Bro. Peter Lesle
256 Sister Petikofler
257 Bro. Andrew Feit and
258 his wife, the sister
259 old Brother Friedli Steiner and
260 his wife, the sister
261 Bro. John Steiner, Jr.
262 Bro. John Steiner, Sr.
263 young Brother Dock
264 young Brother Friedli Steiner
265 Bro. Anthony Miller and
266 his wife, the sister
267 Bro. Abraham Paul and
268 Sister Sophia, his wife
269 old Brother Albert Engelhard and
270 his son Englehard, passed away in Germantown
271 old Brother Grumbacher at Pipe Creek
272 Brother Grauling
273 Sister Leibert
274 Brother Boebel and
275 the sister, his wife
276 old single Sister Gertrude
277 old sickly Sister Magdalena
278 Bro. John Keim
279 especially beloved Bro. William Knepper and
280 his beloved wife, Froni [short for Veronica], the sister
[note:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~snowhillcloister/knepperfamily.htm
...
Veronica Knepper died April 27, 1769. Her passing was recorded in the register of deaths at the Ephrata Cloister, and she may have died there; but the land records seem to indicate that she settled in Quincy township, Franklin county, where she owned three hundred forty-one acres of land.]
281 Bro. John Henckels and
282 his wife, the sister
283 Bro. Lewie Boinon and
284 his two wives, the sisters
285
286 beloved friend Simon Siron and
287 his sister-like wife
[note: That he was called "friend" rather than "Brother" and his wife "sister-like" rather than "sister" suggests that they were not themselves Dunkers.]
288 the very sister-like friend, Poel
Appendixes 603.
p.604
289 dear brother Wagner who was baptized at Amwell [New Jersey] with ...
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Christopher Sauer, Freemasons, and Simon Siron
Below are excerpts of the same material from various sources.
http://dpubs.libraries.psu.edu/DPubS?service=UI&version=1.0&verb=Display&page=toc&handle=psu.pmhb/1172169154
Dietmar Rothermund
The German Problem of Colonial Pennsylvania
Source: Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 84, Number 1 (January 1, 1960) , 3--21
page 14
...
The opposition against the free schools was not, however, founded
merely on objections to Schlatter's conduct. There were several cul-
tural and social reasons which caused this reaction. Christopher
Sauer, in an interesting letter of September 16, 1755, to Conrad
Weiser, summarized the attitudes which stood against the free
school plan:
I received your friendly letter and returned the answer by the messenger
who brought your letter. ...
...
page 15
... I have read an
English booklet on the principles of the Freemasons, the 3rd Edition,
printed in England. In these [principles] I saw the greatest contrast to the
Kingdom of Jesus Christ, yes, indeed, the complete prevention of it, and
the people who are the instigators of the free school scheme are Grand
Masters, Wardens . . . among the Freemasons and the pillars of their society.
Do you think they have anything else in mind but what they think best for
themselves ?
If they would invite Zuebly I will confess that I have been mistaken, since
if they want to combat the foolishness of sectarian imagination and want
to promote truth alone, then Zuebly would be one among a thousand [who
would be able to do it]. But I fear they are afraid of him because there is a
sentence in the pamphlet which runs as follows: "There is nothing they
[the Quakers] more fear than to see the Germans pay any regard to regular
page 16
ministers. Whenever they know any such minister in good terms with his
People, they immediately attack his character by means of this Printer and
distress him by dividing his congregation and encouraging Vagabonds and
pretended Preachers whom they every now and then raise up. This serves a
double end."
When I consider the foundations of the Freemasons as they are described
in their booklet which a goldsmith among the Freemasons gave to Siron
and which Siron gave to me, I do not know what I should think of Professor
Smith's praise of the author and the booklet "The Life of God in the Soul
of Men." Perhaps he praises it for political or some such reasons.25
The free school plan failed largely because its English promoters
did not put the execution of the plan into hands of a popular
and independent German leader. Zuebly, back by Sauer, would
have had much better chances of success.26 The fact that indepen-
dent leadership could have made the free school plan work was
demonstrated by Muhlenburg, who received money from the free
school fund and with it supported the schools connected with the
Lutheran churches in Pennsylvania.27 A stable organization of his
own made it possible for him to accept the money more or less on his
own terms without becoming dependent upon the promoters of the
free school plan. When Smith finally decided that the free school
enterprise should be supplemented by a German press subsidized by
the school fund, it was Muhlenberg with whom he bargained for the
establishment of the press, and the Reverend Johann Friedrich
Handschuh, one of Muhlenberg's colleagues, became the editor of a
newspaper printed on this press. Franklin sold the press to the free
school society, but he lent his name for the enterprise, since it was
hoped that his newly gained popularity with the Germans would be
a boon to the venture.28 Franklin had achieved this popularity when
_______
25 "Christopher Sauer to a friend [Conrad Weiser]," translated from the German original
in the Abraham Cassel Collection, Juniata College. See also Harbaugh, 293-295.
[H. Harbaugh, The Life of Michael Schlatter (Philadelphia, 1857)]
26 The Reverand Bernhard Zuebly, a German Reformed minister, served a congregation in
Charleston, but had been on preaching tours in Philadelphia. Sauer was impressed by Zuebly's
approach to religion and had correspondence with him about the possibility of inviting
Zuebly to be the director of the free school plan. See Sauer's letters, Abraham Cassel Collec-
tion, Juniata College.
27 Muhlenberg received money from the free school fund until 1763. Journals of Henry
Melchior Muhlenberg, I, 648.
28 "We are just bargaining with Mr. Muhlenberg for the Direction of the Dutch press.
Schlatter must not be seen in it, nor yet the Society. We have therefore resolved that the press
shall keep Mr. Franklin's name, who is very popular among the Dutch, by his waggon-
project. The press will cost dear at first purchase; but he thinks it will answer the End, & more
than support itself. . . ." William Smith to Thomas Penn, July 2, 1755, Penn Papers,
Official Correspondence, VII, 81.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://books.google.com/books?id=OKEUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA96
Life and Correspondence of the Rev. William Smith, D. D....: With Copious Extracts from His Writings
By Horace Wemyss Smith, John Sartain, William Smith
Published by S. A. George, 1879
Item notes: v. 1
Original from Harvard University
Digitized Jan 28, 2008
p.94-96
We have already spoken of the bitter aversion entertained by some of the Germans in Pennsylvania to the establishment of the schools promoted by Dr. Smith, and especially of the opposition by Christopher Sauer, the well-known German printer of Germantown. The following letter, written by him (in German), is in the collection of his respected descendant, Mr. A. H. Cassel, of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. I give a translation — the direction being lost, I cannot now tell to whom it was written :
Germantown, September 6th, 1755.
Dear Friend : I received your letter, and answer it by the bearer. I have been thinking since you wrote to me whether it is really true that Gilbert Tennent, Schlatter, Peters, Hamilton, Allen, Turner, Schippin, Schmitt, Franklin, Muhlenberg, Brumholz, Handschuh, &c., have the slightest care for a real conversion of the ignorant portion of the Germans in Pennsylvania, or whether the institution of free schools is not rather the foundation to bring the country into servitude, so that each of them may look for and have his own private interest and advantage.
Concerning Hamilton, Peters, Allen, Turner, Schippin and Franklin, I know that they care very little about religion, nor do they care for the cultivation of mind of the Germans, except that they should form the militia and defend their properties. Such people do not know what it is to have faith and confidence in God; but they are mortified that they cannot compel others to protect their goods.
Tennent may believe, if he pleases, that his religion is the best; and if it is possible that, with the assistance of Schlatter, English preachers may receive a salary in being called for the Germans; that such preachers should be educated in Philadelphia, or even if such ministers should be formed and polished in New Jersey, then has Tennent the honor, and Schlatter is provided for. But the Germans will no doubt elect for the Assembly, on account of their benefactors, Hamilton, Peters, Schippin, Allen, Turner, &c., &c.
These make a law, together with Robert Hunter Morris, for the building of a fortress for the militia, with a garrison; stipulate a salary for the ministers and schools, so that it will not be necessary to write a begging letter to Halle (in Germany) of which they are ashamed afterward, and are considered as liars, when the reports are printed. Thus the poor Germans are the pretext, that every one may succeed in his purposes.
I am here, as it were, hidden in a corner, where I hear the words and thoughts of many.
The one says: " I feel uneasy about having my children educated out of the funds of the poor, as I do not need it, being able to pay for it."
Another says: "Where so many children come together, there they learn more evil from others than what is good; I will therefore teach myself my children writing and reading, and I am sorry that so many children come to see my own ones."
Others again say: "If the German children learn to speak English and come in society with the English, then do they wish to be clothed after the English fashion, and there is much difficulty and trouble to remove from their minds these foolish notions."
I hear others say: "We, poor people, have no advantage from the benevolence of the king and of the Society, if they do not build a school-house or keep a teacher at the distance of every ten miles. For, if a child is obliged to go to school and come from further than five miles, it is too far to do so every morning and evening; the children cannot be boarded, nor can we give them clothes to go to school with others of higher rank, and therefore this advantage is only for the rich and the English. Should people make petitions for their temporal and eternal ruin?"
I have a small English book on the principles of the Freemasons; my copy, printed in England, is the 3d edition. I find its teachings very far from the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Indeed, they are the very hindrance of it. The people, who are the promoters of the free school, are Grandmasters, Wardens among the Freemasons, and their pillars. I think they intend something else, from what they think to be their best.
If they give Zübly a call, I will say that I was mistaken ; for, if they desire to oppose the influence of sectarian imagination, and only wish to promote the truth as it is in Christ, then Zübly is one among the thousand. However, I apprehend they fear him, for in the pamphlet there is a passage, as follows: " There is nothing the Quakers more fear than " to see the Germans pay any regard to regular ministers. Whenever they know any such minister in good terms with his people, they immediately blame him by means of this printer, and distress him by dividing his congregation and encouraging vagabonds and pretended preachers, whom they every now and then raise up; this serves a double end." When I consider the principles of the Freemasons from this pamphlet, which a goldsmith, one of their members, lent to Heron [sic-Siron], and who lent it to me, I do not know what judgment to make of the eulogy of Prof. Schmitt * concerning the author of the book, " The Life of God in the Soul of Man."† I consider it only as having a political purpose and tendency.
May God turn it to good and to His glory. For your part, do as much as you can for its promotion; and if it should be printed, unexpectedly, in German and English, to which they would, perhaps, willingly consent, then I keep my promise, and still remain a debtor to God and to my neighbor, the whole human race.
Your friend,
CHR. SAUER.
...
_______
* Meaning Dr. Wm. Smith.
† Dr. Smith caused this excellent work of Scougal to be translated into German.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://books.google.com/books?id=DfAOAAAAYAAJ
The Historical magazine and notes and queries concerning the antiquities, history and biography of America
By John Ward Dean, George Folsom, John Gilmary Shea, Henry Reed Stiles, Henry Barton Dawson
Translated by John Gilmary Shea
Published by Henry B. Dawson, 1860
Item notes: v. 4
Original from Harvard University
Digitized Oct 9, 2007
p.65
begininning of Vol. IV, No. 3 - March 1860
p.96
begininning of Vol. IV, No. 4 - April 1860:
CONTENTS
Trials of Early German Immigrants--Correspondence of Christopher Saur, ............ 100 [to 105]
p.104-105
(To Conrad WEISER, translated.)
Germantown, September 6th, 1755.
DEAR FRIEND:---I received your letter, and answer it by the bearer; ...
...
When I consider the principles of the Free-masons from their own writings (a pamphlet), which a goldsmith (one of their members), lent to Siron, who lent it to me. I know not how to judge of the Eulogy of Prof. Smith concerning the author of the book called " The Life of God in the Soul of Man ;" I can consider it as only having a political tendency for some other purpose. But may God turn it to good and to His glory. For your part, I wish you to do as much as you can for its promotion ; and if it should unexpectedly be printed in the German and English, to which they would, perhaps, willingly consent, then, I keep my promise, and still remain a debtor to God and to my neighbor, the whole human race, and
Your friend,
CHRISTOPHER SOWRS.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
Another mention of Siron by Christopher Sauer
Christopher Saur, Colonial Printer: A Study of the Publications of the Press ... - Page 174
by Anna Kathryn Oller - Publishers and publishing - 1916 - 650 pages
page 173
The greatest spread of advertising was given
to the book announcements, especially those printed
by Saur, though he was quite generous in listing pub-
lications available from other printers. Most of
the announcements were no more than a listing of the
book by title, indicating the author, if one was
known, the binding, and the price; a few items were
long enough to classify as short book reviews. These
usually were books about which Saur was enthusiastic,
for one reason or another. In a few issues there was
no list of books, just a single publication. Evidently
Saur tried to refrain from listing too many books when the other advertisements were extremely heavy; yet- some issues had several additional pages devoted mostly to books.
Typical of the announcement used by Saur for
publicizing books in which he was particularly inter-
ested is the one in which he listed a book written
and printed by Benjamin Franklin, with a publication
of his own press, presumably written by Saur himself,
refuting Franklin's arguments, immediately following.
This announcement appeared without a heading:
A few weeks ago, a little booklet was printed
in the English language, with the title Plain Truth.
Because nearly 6000 were printed and given away,
it is now well known among the English. Its pur-
pose is to encourage the people in this country
to train themselves in the ways of war. This
book has also been printed in Philadelphia, in
German, under the title, Lautere Warheit um die
Teutschen auch ins Gewehr zu Bringen (Plain Truth,
page 174
in Order to Make the Germans also arm Themselves.).
Nobody can change and improve the sorry conditions
in today's world and in so-called Christendom.
It seems as if God will pass judgment over the
earth, so that the bad nations will destroy each
other. But because the children of love, the
sheep of Jesus, are incapable of doing so, they
will undoubtedly stay away from such company.
However, there are still those people in the country
who can be talked into it (like Eve by the snake),
through a distortion of the teachings of Jesus,
and the notion that it is for their welfare. For
these people there has now been written a book
with the title, Verschiedene Christlishe Wahr-
heiten, und Kurtze Betrachtung über ein kurtzlich Heraus gegebenes Büchlein, gekant Lauter Warheit "("Various Christian Truths', and a Short Essay on a Recently Published Small Book. Known as "Plain Truth"). This can be obtained in Germantown from the printer, or in Philadelphia from
David Daschler or Simon Siron, free of charge. In Lancaster,
however, where it can be bought from Heinrich
Walter, the cost is one penny per copy. We intend to follow it by
more of the same kind. 102
Another type of advertisement frequently used
was one with a single title. interspersed among the
advertisements or elsewhere in the paper. Typical
was the one used on several occasions: "Teutsch
und Englische Gramatien sind zu haben gebunden vor
5 Schilling. "103
The October 16, 1749 issue of the newspaper
had the most extensive list of books published either
in the newspaper or in the almanac. A total of ninety-
two titles were listed. An examination of this list
shows that it is not the complete stock of Saur's
shop, for there are no titles listed that came from
_______
102 Ibid., January 16, 1748. Translation.
103 Ibid . , June 16, 1748.
page 175
his press, nor from the German-American presses
...
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