58. Documentation for Michael Hilligass Junior
(circa 13 November 1775 to 11 March 1859)
father of Susannah Hillegas
(30 November 1819 to 11 August 1894)
Michael Hillegas Junior, Third Great-Grandfather of Curtis Lynn Older:
1) Michael Hillegass Junior, husband of Anna Yeakel, parents of Susannah Hillegas
2) Susannah Hillegas, wife of John L Fox, parents of Daniel Alexander Fox
3) Daniel Alexander Fox, husband of Elizabeth Jane Ricketts, parents of Ethel Belle Fox
4) Ethel Belle Fox, wife of Robert William Gouty, parents of Mavis Lorene Gouty
5) Mavis Lorene Gouty, wife of Truxton James Older, parents of Curtis Lynn Older
Download Adobe Acrobat File - 116. Michael Hillegas Junior - (The file has the following text plus images.)
Download Adobe Acrobat File - 03 August 1840 letter from Michael Hillegas Junior to Jacob Kriebel of Pennsylvania.
[Note: Perhaps the most important thing to remember about Michael Hillegas Junior is to not confuse him with the Michael Hillegas who was the Treasurer of the United States.]
Michael Hillegas Junior was born 15 November 1775 according to dates recorded on his tombstone.(1) He was baptized 15 November 1775 by J. T. Faber of the Great Swamp Reformed Church in present-day Zionsville, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.(2)
A third source, Schwenkfelder Families, indicates Michael Hilligas was born 23 February 1764.(3) This date does not seem defensible in light of the other records. Especially in light of the fact the parents of Michael Hillegas Junior were not married until 1767.(4) Also, the 1830 federal census indicates Michael was 50 to 59 years of age. He therefore was not born before 1770. See APPENDIX C for census records of the Michael Hillegas family.
The parents of Michael Hillegas Junior, Michael Hillegas Senior (30 August 1741 to 10 October 1782) and Catharine Gery (4 March 1749 to 4 January 1823), were married on 10 November 1767 at Upper Hanover Township, Philadelphia Co. (now Montgomery Co.), Pennsylvania.(5) Proof of the parentage of Michael Hillegas Junior is supported by the last will and testament of Michael Hillegas Senior.(6)
Records of the Pennsylvania Orphans Court provide additional information on the children of Michael Hillegass Senior after his death in 1782.(7) A petition was filed by John Wagner, the stepfather of the minor children of Michael Hillegass Senior, on 24 March 1785 indicating Michael HIllegass Senior left eight children after his death. The two oldest children, Ann Margaret and Rebecca, were above the age of fourteen. The remaining six children, John, Elizabeth, Michael, Eve, Catharina, and Mary were under the age of fourteen.
There was money left in the estate of Michael Hillegass Senior for the children. The court was requested to let Ann Margaret and Rebecca choose their guardians. The remaining children would have a court appointed guardian. Ann Margaret appeared in the court and chose Jacob Gary (Gery) of Upper Hanover Township in Montgomery County as her Guardian. No Guardian was appointed for Rebecca since she did not appear in court.
Daniel Cooper of Upper Saucon Township was appointed to be the Guardian for John, Michael, and Elizbeth. John Newcomer the Elder of Upper Saucon Township was appointed to be the Guardian for Eve, Catharine, and Mary.(8)
Michael Hillegas Junior married Anna Yeakel, probably in 1798 or 1799, in Pennsylvania.(9) She was the daughter of Jeremiah Yeakel and Susannah Wiegner.(10) No government record has been found of this marriage.
Michael Hillegass was a farmer and tanner who lived in Hosensack, Pennsylvania and moved to Centreville, Ohio, in 1816.(11) "Michael Hilligas and family emigrated to Ohio at an early day, locating on the northwest quarter of Section 7, of Township 1, Range 6. He was a tanner by trade and conducted a tannery on his farm."(12)
Jeremiah Yeakel, the father of Anna Yeakel Hillegas, lived in Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County, at the time of his death, in 1818. Michael Hillegas Junior received $253.55 from the estate of his father-in-law.(13) Payments from the Jeremiah Yeakel estate were also made to the husbands of the other married daughters of Jeremiah Yeakel.
A sworn statement by Michael Hillegas appears in the American Revolution Pension records for John Cunnias as recorded 15 March 1826 in Montgomery County, Ohio. John Cunnias of Ohio apparently was the same man who sponsored Michael Hillegas Junior at his baptism in 1775 in Pennsylvania.(14) John Cunnias had served as a Private in the Second Pennsylvania Regiment, Continental Line, and was living in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1834, aged 69. He was discharged from the service 1 November 1778.(15)
Michael Hillegas Junior and Anna Yeakel were the parents of 13 children:(16)
[Note: The first eleven children appear in Schwenkfelder Families with numbering shown in brackets, where applicable.]
i. [38-100] Samuel Hillegas, married unknown.
ii. [38-101] Jonathan Hillegas, married unknown
iii. [38-102] Anna Margaret Hillegas, born 1801, died 1865, married Adam Guth (Good); married in the fall of 1823. Lived in Ohio. According to her tombstone: she was the wife of Adam Good; she died 28 June 1865 aged 64 years, 5 months and 28 days; and she was born 31 December 1801 in Montgomery Co., Pa.
iv. [38-103] Catharine Hillegas, married unknown; had one child in 1833.
v. John Hillegas was born 12 November 1800 and died 28 June 1828. "In 1822, John was studying for the ministry with Rev. Weiss, and 1824 was his last year."(17) "was ordained May 23, 1826. Had charge of six congregations, around Carrolton, formerly Centreville, Ohio."(18)
vi. [38-104] Joseph Hillegas, married unknown; tanner.(19)
vii. Twin son, born 1820, died 31 October 1824; age 4 years, 6 months.
viii. [38-105] Susannah Hillegas was born 30 November 1819 in Montgomery County, Ohio.(20)
On 03 August 1840, Michael Hillegas Junior dictated a letter to Susanna, his daughter, that was sent to Mr. Jacob Kriebel of Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. The letter indicated the dates of birth and death of Anna, the wife of Michael. It also stated that Jacob and Susannah were the two youngest children of Michael and Anna and that both were unmarried at the time and living with Michael at home. See APPENDIX A and APPENDIX B below.
Susannah married John L Fox on 11 November 1845 in Miami Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, by the Reverend George Long.(21) John L. Fox was born 18 October 1818, near Miamisburg, Ohio.(22) He was the son of George Fox and Elizabeth Ann Link.(23)
John L. Fox and Susannah Hilligass were the parents of seven children:(24) All of the children were born in Ohio except Daniel, who was born in Vermillion County, Indiana.(25)
i. Anna Elizabeth
ii. Mary Susannah
iii. Catherine Florence
iv. Martha Jane
v. Margaret Persilla
vi. John Adam
vii. Daniel Alexander Fox
Susannah Hilligass Fox died 11 August 1894 in Gessie, Highland Township, Vermillion County, Indiana.(26) John L. Fox died 06 January 1899 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.(27) Both Susannah (Hilligass) Fox and John L. Fox are buried in Hopewell Cemetery west of Covington, Indiana.
ix. Elizabeth Hillegas was born 16 June 1823, died 21 October 1839.
x. [38-106] Daniel Hillegas married Elizabeth Kulp; tanner at Miamisburg, Ohio.(28)
xi. [38-107] Jacob Hillegas was born 7 February 1818 in Montgomery County, Ohio. He married Lucy A. Powell on 26 July 1841 in Butler County, Ohio.(29) She was born 28 July 1822, the daughter of John and Barbara Powell.
"Jacob Hillegass was a tanner and migrated to Allen Co., Ind., in 1843; located at Huntertown and resided there ever since. He was County Commissioner and member of the Presbyterian Church."(30) See Appendix D for three sons of Jacob Hillegass who were associated with the University of Michigan.
Jacob Hillegass provided information included on Perry Township for The History of Allen County, Indiana.(31) Jacob Hillegass was a Trustee of Perry Township from 1859 through 1867.(32) Jacob also was on the Second District Board of Commissioners from 1870 through 1875.(33)
xii. Penben Hillegass was baptised at the New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ.(34)
xiii. William Hillegass resided in Geryville, Pennsylvania, at the time of his death. He was born in Milford on 25 April 1820 and died 01 September 1902. He was buried 4 September 1902.(35) This birth date in Pennsylvania would conflict with the family's move to Ohio in 1816.
A letter dictated by Michael Hillegas Junior to his daughter, Susannah, dated 3 August 1840 has been preserved at the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania. The letter was written in German. An English translation appears in APPENDIX A.
The letter was addressed to Mr. Jacob Kriebel of Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. The letter informed Mr. Kriebel that Anna, wife of Michael Hillegas Junior, died on 17 July 1840 from "cholera marbus." "She was born in the year 1780 on the 20th of October, died the 17th of July 1840, she reached the age of 59 years, 8 months and 27 days."(36)
The letter states that Michael's "two youngest, Jacob and Susanna", are still with him. Michael's son Daniel was living with son Joseph near Dayton. Daniel was "still unmarried as are the two youngest."
Michael Hillegas Junior died 11 March 1859 in Miamisburg, Montgomery County, Ohio and was buried in the Gebhart or St. John Cemetery in Miamisburg.(37)
Children (Hillegass) born in Pennsylvania and Ohio:
i. Samuel
ii. Jonathan
iii. Anna Margaret
iv. Catharine
v. John
vi Joseph
vii. Twin son
viii. Susanna
ix. Elizabeth
x. Daniel
xi. Jacob
xii. Penben
xiii. William
ORIGINAL SOURCE MATERIAL to support the RELATIONSHIP between
MICHAEL HILLEGAS JUNIOR and his daughter SUSANNAH HILLEGAS
1) The tombstone of Michael Hillegas Junior reads, "Michael Hilligass died Mar. 11, 1859 aged 83 ys. 3 m. 26 d." Photograph taken by Curtis Lynn Older. Therefore, his date of birth was 15 November 1775; Pennsylvania German Church Records of Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, etc., Clearfield Publishing, Volume 3, page 177, Church Record of the Great Swamp Reformed Congregation, Lower Milford Township, Lehigh County, Pa., Baptisms, Children: Michael, 15 November 1775, Parents: Mich. Helligas, Sponsors: Joh. Cunius and wife. It seems reasonable to assume Michael was baptized shortly after he was born. The most unlikely statement of his birth is found in Samuel Kriebel Brecht, editor, The Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelder Families: Seekers of Religious Liberty Who Fled from Silesia to Saxony and thence to Pennsylvania in the Years 1731 to 1737. (Pennsburg, Pa.: Rand McNally & Company, 1923), page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel. This source indicates he was born 23 February 1764. That date seems very doubtful. A notation on page 475 indicates: "Data of Michael Hillegass Family obtained from letters in H. K. Gerhard Collection [S. H. L. = Schwenkfelder Historical Library], written by Jacob Hillegass, November 4, 1839 to Jacob Kriebel." The S.H.L. has not been able to find the 1839 letter but did supply Curtis Lynn Older with images of an 1840 letter which contains information on Michael Hillegas and Susannah Hillegas and is written in German. The Schwenkfelder Library staff graciously translated the letter into English and was received by Curtis Lynn Older from them on 21 November 2017. See APPENDIX A.
2) Michael Hillegas Junior married Anna Yeakel, daughter of Jeremiah Yeakel and his wife, Susannah Wiegner. (Schwenkfelder Families, page 471, [38-17] Jeremiah Yeakel and page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel); The Fox Genealogy including the Metherd, Benner, and Leiter descendants, giving biographies of the first and second generations, with sketches of the third generation, compiled by Daniel Gebhart Fox, 1914. (n.p) 1924. 1 p. 1., (5)-172 p. 20 com. 37-9439 CS71.F79 1924 Library of Congress, page 94, Sketch of John L Fox; History of Allen County, Indiana with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, (Kingman Brothers, Chicago, 1880), page 169, Hillegass Family.
3) Michael Hillegas Junior received a payment of $253.33 from the estate of Jeremiah Yeakel as payment for his wife Anna's share of her father's estate. (Jeremiah Yeakel Estate Papers, File Number 211-325, Case #243, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, 1818.) Payments from the Jeremiah Yeakel estate were also made to the husbands of the other married daughters of Jeremiah Yeakel.
4) Letter from Michael Hillegas Junior at Montgomery County, Ohio, to Mr. Jacob Kriebel, Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County, State of Pennsylvania, dated 03 August 1840, in the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, 105 Seminary St., Pennsburg, PA. The letter was dictated by Michael and written by Susannah due to the fact Michael was partially blind. The letter states the dates of birth and death of
Michael's wife, Anna, and indicates that his two youngest children, Jacob and Susanna, are still living with him and are unmarried. See www.schwenkfelder.com
5) Daughters of the American Revolution, Michael Hillegas (Senior) Ancestor #A204003, member National Numbers 813936 (Judith Lee Chapman Frisch), 823545, and 958278 through Michael Hillegas (Junior) and his wife, Anna Yeakel.
6) Michael Hillegass was a farmer and tanner who lived in Hosensack, Pennsylvania and moved to Centreville, Ohio, in 1816. (Schwenkfelder Families, page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel. The 1810 and 1820 federal census records support a move from Pennsylvania to Ohio sometime in the decade between those years.
7) Michael Hillegas Junior died 11 March 1859 in Miamisburg, Montgomery County, Ohio and was buried in the Gebhart or St. John Cemetery in Miamisburg. The tombstone of Michael Hillegas Junior reads, "Michael Hilligass died Mar. 11, 1859 aged 83 ys. 3 m. 26 d." Photograph taken by Curtis Lynn Older.
8) Anna Yeakel Hillegas died 17 July 1840 and was buried alongside her husband. Anna Yeakel Hillegas is buried in the Gebhart or St. John's Cemetery in Miamisburg, Ohio. Her tombstone reads, "Anna wife of Michael Hilligass died July 17, 1840 aged 56 Ys. 8m. 17 D." The tombstone date of birth does not agree with the birth date given in Schwenkfelder Families, page 475, Anna Yeakel.
9) Susannah Hillegas married John L. Fox. Ohio County Marriages, 1774-1993, Michael Hillegoss – father, Susannah Hillegoss – bride, John L. Fox – groom. Film Number 001030835, the marriage record includes the notation, "her father Michael Hillegass." Date appears to be 1st November 1845; Susannah Hillegas married John L. Fox on 11 November 1845 in Miami Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, by Reverend George Long. (The Fox Genealogy by D. G. Fox, page 94, Sketch of John L. Fox); Susannah Hilligass and John L. Fox marriage record, source #492.000, Yates Publications; John L. Fox obituary, The Hoosier State newspaper, Newport, Indiana, Wednesday 11 January 1899, page 1, column 3.
10) The tombstone of Susannah Hillegas reads as follows: "Susannah Hiligass wife of John L. Fox died Aug 11, 1894 aged 74Y. 8M. 11D."
11) Letters in the H. K. Gerhard Collection at the Schwenkfelder Historical Library written by Jacob Hillegass, 04 November 1839, to Jacob Kriebel. (The Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelder Families, edited by Samuel Kriebel Brecht, Rand McNally & Company, 1923, page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel). Unfortunately, as of 21 November 2017, the Schwenkfelder Historical Library was not able to find the actual letter written in 1839 to Jacob Kriebel. The library did have the actual letter written to Jacob Kriebel on 03 August 1840 by Michael Hillegas Junior, as dictated to and actually written by Susanna Hillegas.
REFERENCES
1) The tombstone of Michael Hillegas Junior reads, "Michael Hilligass died Mar. 11, 1859 aged 83 ys. 3 m. 26 d." Photograph of the tombstone of Michael Hillegas Junior taken by Curtis Lynn Older about 30 September 1998 at the St. John or Gebhart Cemetery in Miamisburg, Ohio.
2) Pennsylvania German Church Records of Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, Etc., Church Records of Great Swamp, Clearfield Publishing, Volume III, page 177. Parents – Mich. Helligas; Children – Michael, 1775, Nov. 15; Sponsors – John. Cunius and wife.
3) Samuel Kriebel Brecht, editor, The Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelder Families: Seekers of Religious Liberty Who Fled from Silesia to Saxony and thence to Pennsylvania in the Years 1731 to 1737. (Pennsburg, Pa.: Rand McNally & Company, 1923), page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel.
4) Pennsylvania German Church Records Records of Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, Etc., Church Records at Goshenhoppen, Clearfield Publishing, Volume III, page 93, 10 November 1767. Michael Hellicas, son of Adam Hellicas, of New Goshenhoppen, and Catharina Geri, daughter of Jacob Geri, of New Goshenhoppen.
5) Pennsylvania German Church Records Records of Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, Etc., Church Records at Goshenhoppen, Clearfield Publishing, Volume III, page 93, 10 November 1767. Michael Hellicas, son of Adam Hellicas, of New Goshenhoppen, and Catharina Geri, daughter of Jacob Geri, of New Goshenhoppen.
6) Will of Michael Hillegas Senior, Upper Saucon Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, Case #983, made 10 October 1782, probated 2 November 1782. The will of Michael Hillegas Senior names his wife as Catharina and his eight children: Anna Margaretha, Rebecca, John, Elizabeth, Michael, Eva, Catharine, and Anna Mary.
7) Pennsylvania Orphans Court, 24 March 1785, Book E, pages 73-74 and 19 March 1787, Book E, pages 123-124, lists the eight children of Michael Hillegas Senior.
8) Pennsylvania Orphans Court, 24 March 1785, Book E, pages 73-74 and 19 March 1787, Book E, pages 123-124, lists the eight children of Michael Hillegas Senior.
9) History of Allen County, Indiana with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, (Kingman Brothers, Chicago, 1880), page 169, Hillegass Family; Schwenkfelder Families, page 471, [38-17] Jeremiah Yeakel and page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel; The Fox Genealogy including the Metherd, Benner, and Leiter descendants, giving biographies of the first and second generations, with sketches of the third generation, compiled by Daniel Gebhart Fox, 1914. (n.p) 1924. 1 p. 1., (5)-172 p. 20 com. 37-9439 CS71.F79 1924 Library of Congress, page 94, Sketch of John L Fox; Jeremiah Yeakel Estate Papers, File Number 211-325, Case 243, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, 1818. Jeremiah Yeakel letters of administration proceedings, will docket, volume 1, page 189, 23 February 1818, file 243, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Michael Hillegas received a distribution of $253.33 from the estate of Jeremiah Yeakel. The husbands of the other daughters of Jeremiah Yeakel also received payments from the estate.
10) Schwenkfelder Families, page 471, [38-17] Jeremiah Yeakel and page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel; Jeremiah Yeakel Estate Papers, File Number 211-325, Case 243, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, 1818. Jeremiah Yeakel letters of administration proceedings, will docket, volume 1, page 189, 23 February 1818, file 243, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Michael Hillegas received a distribution of $253.33 from the estate of Jeremiah Yeakel. The husbands of the other daughters of Jeremiah Yeakel also received payments from the estate.
11) Schwenkfelder Families, page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel.
12) The Fox Genealogy by Daniel Gebhart Fox, page 94, Sketch of John L Fox.
13) Jeremiah Yeakel Estate Papers, File Number 211-325, Case #243, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, 1818.) Payments from the Jeremiah Yeakel estate were also made to the husbands of the other married daughters of Jeremiah Yeakel.
14) United States Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Files, 1800-1900, John Cunnias or Cunias, Pension Year 1834, Pennsylvania, Archive Publication # M804, Archive Roll Number 711, Total Pages in Packet 13, #S43441. Michael Hillegas deposition for John Cunnias, 15 March 1826, Mongtomery County, Ohio, American Revolution Pension papers of John Cunnias; Pennsylvania German Church Records of Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, Etc., Church Records of Great Swamp, Clearfield Publishing, Volume III, page 177. Parents – Mich. Helligas; Children – Michael, 1775, Nov. 15; Sponsors – John. Cunius and wife.
15) Pennsylvania in the War of the Revolution, Battalions and Line, 1775-1783, Volume 1, edited by John Blair Linn and William H. Egle, Harrisburg, 1880, page 419.
16) History of Allen County, Indiana, page 169, Hillegass Family; Schwenkfelder Families, page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel, lists only 11 children, but provides another source, [Information by R. M. Rine, General Merchant, Centerville, Ohio, in 1910.], which indicates they had 13 children. The information provided in the History of Allen County, Indiana, should be reliable because it apparently was provided by Jacob Hillegass. Pennsylvania and New Jersey Church and Town Records, 1669-1999 provides several baptismal records to support the conclusion there were 13 children born to Michael and Anna Hillegass.
17) Schwenkfelder Families, page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel; The Fathers of The German Reformed Church in Europe and America, Reverend H. Harbaugh, Volume III, Lancaster: J. M. Westhaeffer, 1872, pages 342-344, "Rev. John Hillegas, 1800-1828."
18) The Fathers of The German Reformed Church in Europe and America, Reverend H. Harbaugh, Volume III, Lancaster: J. M. Westhaeffer, 1872, pages 342-344, "Rev. John Hillegas, 1800-1828."
19) Pennsylvania and New Jersey Church and Town Records, 1669-1999, United Church of Christ, Name: Mich Hilligas; Spouse: Anna Hilligas; Child: Joseph Hilligas; Schwenkfelder Families, page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel.
20) The Fox Genealogy by Daniel Gebhart Fox, page 94, Sketch of John L Fox; Tombstone of "Susannah Hilligass wife of John L. Fox", Hopewell Cemetery west of Covington, Indiana. Date of death is given as August 11, 1894. The tombstone indicates she was 74 years, 8 months, 11 days old. Tombstone photograph taken by Curtis L. Older.
21) The Fox Genealogy by Daniel Gebhart Fox, page 94, Sketch of John L Fox; Ohio County Marriages, 1774-1993, 11 Nov 1845, Montgomery, Ohio, John L. Fox, Susannah Hillegoss, father Michael Hillegoss, file #001030835; John L. Fox obituary, The Hoosier State newspaper, Newport, Indiana, Wednesday 11 January 1899, page 1, column 3; Tombstone for "Susannah Hilligass wife of John L. Fox", Hopewell Cemetery west of Covington, Indiana. Date of death is given as 11 August 1894. The tombstone indicates she was aged 74 years, 8 months, and 11 days. Tombstone photograph taken by Curtis L. Older;
22) The Fox Genealogy by Daniel Gebhart Fox, page 94, Sketch of John L Fox; Tombstone for John L. Fox, Hopewell Cemetery west of Covington Indiana. The tombstone states, "John L. Fox, died January 6, 1899, aged 80 years, 2 months, 28 days";
23) The Fox Genealogy by Daniel Gebhart Fox, page 94, Sketch of John L Fox; John L. Fox obituary, The Hoosier State newspaper, Newport, Indiana, Wednesday 11 January 1899, page 1, column 3; Estate Papers of George Fox, Warren County Genealogical Society, 300 East Silver Street, Lebanon, Ohio 45036, includes a receipt in the amount of $50 signed by Susannah Fox for John L. Fox.
24) The Fox Genealogy by Daniel Gebhart Fox, page 94, Sketch of John L Fox; John L. Fox obituary, The Hoosier State newspaper, Newport, Indiana, Wednesday 11 January 1899, page 1, column 3.
25) John L. Fox obituary, The Hoosier State newspaper, Newport, Indiana, Wednesday 11 January 1899, page 1, column 3. History of Vermillion County, Indiana, under Biographical Sketches, page 491, there appears a sketch of John L. Fox. The biographical sketch indicates he owned 331 acres of choice land at one time in Highland Township. He was farming 186 acres at the time the book was published.
26) Tombstone for "Susannah Hilligass wife of John L. Fox", Hopewell Cemetery west of Covington, Indiana. Date of death is given as 11 August 1894. The tombstone indicates she was aged 74 years, 8 months, and 11 days. Tombstone photograph taken by Curtis L. Older; The Fox Genealogy by Daniel Gebhart Fox, page 94, Sketch of John L Fox.
27) John L. Fox obituary, The Hoosier State newspaper, Newport, Indiana, Wednesday 11 January 1899, page 1, column 3; The Fox Genealogy by Daniel Gebhart Fox, page 94, Sketch of John L Fox; Tombstone for John L. Fox, Hopewell Cemetery west of Covington Indiana. The tombstone states, "John L. Fox, died January 6, 1899, aged 80 years, 2 months, 28 days".
28) Pennsylvania and New Jersey Church and Town Records, 1669-1999, United Church of Christ, Name: Mich Hilligas; Spouse: Anna Hillgas; Child: Daniel Hilligas.
29) History of Allen County, Indiana, page 169, Hillegass Family; Schwenkfelder Families, page 475, [38-35] Anna Yeakel.
30) History of Allen County, Indiana, page 169, Hillegass Family.
31) History of Allen County, Indiana, page 89, also see page 169.
32) History of Allen County, Indiana, page 86.
33) History of Allen County, Indiana, page 86.
34) Pennsylvania and New Jersey Church and Town Records, 1669-1999, New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ, Name: Michael Hillegass; Spouse: Anna Hillegass,; Child: Penben Hillegass.
35) Pennsylvania and New Jersey Church and Town Records, 1669-1999, Register of Deaths, pages 510 and 511, Number 200, William Hillegass, son of Michael and Anna; Place of Residence – Geryville; Born at – Milford; When Born: 25 April 1820; When Died: 01 September 1902; When Buried: 4 September 1902. Burial Place: East Greenville, Montgomery, Pennsylvania. New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ.
36) Anna Yeakel Hillegas and her husband, Michael Hilligass Junior, are buried in the Gebhart or St. John's Cemetery in Miamisburg, Ohio. Her tombstone reads, "Anna wife of Michael Hilligass died July 17, 1840 aged 56 Ys. 8m. 27 D."; Letter from Michael Hillegas Junior at Montgomery County, Ohio, to Mr. Jacob Kriebel, Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County, State of Pennsylvania, dated 03 August 1840, in the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, 105 Seminary St., Pennsburg, PA. The letter was dictated by Michael and written by Susannah due to the fact Michael was partially blind. The letter states the dates of birth and death of Michael's wife, Anna, and indicates that his two youngest children, Jacob and Susanna, are still living with him and are unmarried. See www.schwenkfelder.com
37) The tombstone of Michael Hillegas Junior reads, "Michael Hilligass died Mar. 11, 1859 aged 83 ys. 3 m. 26 d." Photograph taken by Curtis Lynn Older.
APPENDIX A
1840 LETTER of MICHAEL HILLEGAS JUNIOR
in the SCHWENKFELDER HISTORICAL LIBRARY
Mr Jacob Kriebel
Upper Milford Township
Lehigh County
State of Pennsylvania
Auroran[?], PA
In haste
Montgomery County, state of Ohio, August the 3rd, 1840
Well-beloved brother-in-law Jacob Kriebel and children I must write to you a very sad letter so that I can report the death of my dear wife, Anna, she died the 17th of July, 1840. She was sickly for a fairly long time until the 13th of July then she fell ill with a case of diarrhea a few days after then with vomiting and convulsions, Friday morning she was bed-ridden and then the convulsions got out of control, from morning until afternoon, around four o’clock, she had very great pains and after then she was very weak until night around 11 o’clock when she died. Three doctors were called but all remedies and effort were futile, on Sunday the 19th of July her remains were laid to rest among a number, it was estimated, it had been the largest funeral ever in our church, at which the opportunity the Reverend Lange, Reformed preacher, spoke preached a very sad and [?] sermon on the holy words of Isaiah, chapter 57, verse 2, which is as follows: Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
The doctors said that her illness was cholera marbus. She was born in the year 1780 on the 20th of October, died the 17th of July 1840, she reached the age of 59 years, 8 months and 27 days. (may her ashes softly rest).
The hymns sung were “At The House Of Mourning“, three verses were sung from the 393 Hymn “Jesus Died For Me” and so on, “At The Grave Now We Bring The Body To Rest,” first in the church the 396 “There Is Still A Rest” as two first verses, the first verse out of the 394 hymn, “My Spirit O God Was Totally Delighted”, finally the final verse from the 461 hymn “Honor The Father And The Son.”
As far as I am concerned, I cannot write that I am healthy this summer but I hope it will be good again, God knows what to do.
The children as far as I know are all still healthy. The two youngest Jacob and Susanna are still with me. Daniel lives with my son Joseph near Dayton, he is still unmarried as are the two youngest.
Further, I know nothing to write for this time as still a heartfelt greeting to you all. [May God] bless us and you under the protection of the most highest who is merciful to us and you
Michael Hillegas —
Dear Friend be so good,
To make known all that has occurred in [or, to] the Friedens-Bote and Republican Newspaper in Allentown, we wrote it to the Wieandens. My wish is that you let Benjamin Anders know too. We do not know his address. My youngest daughter has written this letter because my eyes are so blind that I can no longer write. Write us as quickly as possible.
Susanna,
Dear Father, writing is hard for me this time, but I hope you can forgive me because I have been lonely, these ten months back I have my mother and sister with me now, no longer but to comfort us with the words … “What God does is well done.”
Forget us not —
Susanna Hillegas
APPENDIX B
E-MAIL FROM SCHWENKFELDER HISTORICAL LIBRARY
Thank you for your research request. I have what I believe are most of the letters in the H.K. Gerhard collection, but am not sure how many of them actually contain relevant genealogical information yet, since they are in German script. So far the only letter that I
know which contains Hillegas family data is one written to Jacob Kriebel on August 3, 1840 from Ohio. The 1839 letter referenced in the 1923 Schwenkfelder Genealogical Record (G.R.) in not among these letters, and I have no reference of it at all in any of our
inventories. Nonetheless I will keep looking for it since it may have been misplaced or separated from these letters during the writing of the G.R. In the mean time I am sending the 1840 letter. It is 3 pages long (four files including the address page). The letter mostly talks about the recent death and funeral of Michael Hillegas’s wife, Anna, on July 17, 1840. He also mentions information about some if his youngest children but not all of them, as listed in the G.R. As the letter is in German and four pages long if you do not know German or someone who knows German (and German script) I could transcribe and translate it for you.
Hunt Schenkel, Archivist
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
105 Seminary St.
Pennsburg, PA
(215) 679-3103
www.schwenkfelder.com
APPENDIX C
MICHAEL HILLEGAS FAMILY CENSUS RECORDS
The 1800 census for Upper Milford Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, listed the following members of the Michael Hillegas household:
1 – Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44
1 – Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44
2 – Number of Household Members Over 25
2 – Number of Household Members
The 1810 census for Upper Milford Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, listed the following members of the Michael Hilligas Junior household:
2 – Free White Persons – Males – Under 10
1 – Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 15
1 – Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44
2 – Free White Persons – Females – Under 10
1 – Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15
1 – Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44
6 – Number of Household Members Under 16
2 – Number of Household Members over 25
8 – Number of Household Members
The 1820 census for Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, listed the following members of the Michael Helegeu Junior household:
4 – Free White Persons – Males – Under 10
2 – Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 15
1 – Free White Persons – Males – 45 and over
1 – Free White Persons – Females – Under 10
1 – Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15
1 – Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25
1 – Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44
1 – Free White Persons – Females - 45 and over
1 – Free White Persons – Under 16
2 - Number of Persons – Engaged in Commerce
8 – Free White Persons – Under 16
3 – Free White Persons – Over 25
13 – Total Free White Persons
13 – Total All Persons – White – Slaves, Colored, Other
The 1830 census for Miami Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, listed the following members of the Michael Hillgass Junior household:
2 – Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 14
2 – Free White Persons – Males – 15 thru 19
1 – Free White Persons – Males – 50 thru 59
2 – Free White Persons – Females – 5 thru 9
1 – Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 14
1 – Free White Persons – Females – 40 thru 49
1 – Free White Persons – Females – 80 thru 89
7 – Free White Persons – Under 20
1 – Free White Persons – 20 thru 49
10 – Total Free White Persons
10 – Total – All Persons (Free White, Slave, Free Colored)
APPENDIX D
THREE SONS OF JACOB HILLEGASS
Jacob Hillegass was a brother of Susannah Hillegass.
Three sons of Jacob Hillegass were associated with the University of Michigan.
"Josiah Hillegass was a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School; was associated with his brother-in-law as 'Stehl and Hillegass'." He died in 1875, the first death in the family."(Schwenkfelder Families, page 488).
Josiah Hillegass was dead in 1880, the time of the publication of The History of Allen County, Indiana. "Josiah Hillegass, attorney at law, deceased." (The History of Allen County, Indiana, page 168.)
"Jeremiah, also a graduate of the Literary Dept. of the University of Mich., A.B. and A.M., was County Superintendent of Schools for six years."(Schwenkfelder Families, page 488.)
Jeremiah Hillegass was County Superintendent of Schools from 1873 through 1879.(The History of Allen County, Indiana, page 86.)
Jerry (i.e., Jeremiah) Hillegass was born 22 February 1846 at Huntertown, Allen County, Indiana. He entered the Literary Department at the University of Michigan in September 1868. He received a Bachelor of Arts in 1872. In the fall of 1872 he entered the Law Department at Michigan and remained for one year. On 01 June 1873 he was elected to fill the office of County Superintendent and was re-elected in 1875, 1877, and 1879.(The History of Allen County, Indiana, page 139.)
A "summary of report made by Superintendent Hillegass to the State Superintendent of the public schools for 1879" appears on page 94 of The History of Allen County, Indiana.
"Isaiah J. Hillegass was a member of the Law Dept. of the University of Michigan."(Schwenkfelder Families, page 488.) (Also, The History of Allen County, Indiana, by Helm, 1880, page 169.)
