The Central Pennsylvania Miniers

MINIER
1650 - 2008









The beautiful countryside of Ernsbach, Germany so like that of Central Pennsylvania


Generation No. 1
1. WILHELM MINNIR was born 1650 in Ernsbach, France, Germany, and died 1705 in Ernsbach, France Border, Germany. He married EVA SUSANNE EHL 27 Feb 1703 in Lutzelsachen, Germany. She was born 1650 in Michelstadt, Odenwald, Germany, and died 1675 in Germany.






















Records at Evangelical Parish House, Mannheim, Germany: Birth records, KB II, p. 408.


Death records, KB Michelstadt II, p. 803. and Marriage records, Jugelfinger, Book III, p. 64.



Details on this first documentation can be found in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, June 1954, page 67-68 in an article by Mrs. Frank E.Finch, "The Minier Family in Germany."



The Hohenlohe Family Coat of Arms

According to the unsigned document, Wilhelm was living in Germany as early as 1703 at the wedding of his son, Christian, though conjecture assumed they were French Huguenots. Willhelm was an armorer in the service of the County of Hohenlohe at Ernstback in the Odenwald, a region just east of the Rhine River where the Neckar meets the Rhine near Heidelberg in 1703.

The article further identifies Willhelm as the great grandfather of Christian Minier, the first settler in Big Flats, Chemung County, NY.

Child of WILHELM MINNIR and EVA EHL is:
2. i. CHRISTIAN MINNIR, born 09 Feb 1676, Michelstadt, Odenwald, Germany; d. 1719, Lutzelsachen, Michelstadt, Odenwalt, Germany. Odenwalt means "Forest of Woods".
















Michelstadt, Germany
Here is the translation of the birth record of Christian Minnir from Michelstadt Germany:


"In the year 1676.the 9th of Feb,two young sons were born to Wilhelm Minier,hammersmith and Eve Susanne,his wife. They were baptized on the 11th of the same month. The godfather for the elder son
as Christian Spitzweck,Hammer clerk(?) in Lipesch Lors. Name Christian. For the younger son:Hanss Georg Frohweher,clerk at the Hammer. Name Hanss Georg"
Generation No. 2
2. CHRISTIAN MINNIR (WILHELM1) was born 09 Feb 1676 in Michelstadt, Odenwald, Germany, and died 1719 in Lutzelsachen, Michelstadt, Odenwalt, Germany. Christian was a Blacksmith and Armorer.
Lutzelsachen

He married ANNA ROSINA GENGELBACH 27 Feb 1703 in Lutzelsachen, Mannheim, Baden, Germany, daughter of JOHANNES GENGELBACH. She was born 01 Sep 1672 in Lutzelsachsen, Mannheim, Baden, Germany, and died 1713 in Eberbach, Germany.
Child of CHRISTIAN MINNIR and ANNA GENGELBACH is:

3. i. CHRISTIANNUS MINNIR, b. 02 Feb 1704, Lutzelsachsen, Mannheim, Baden, Germany; d. 13 Jun 1786, Greenwich, Sussex, New Jersey, USA.

Generation No. 3
3. CHRISTIANNUS MINNIR (CHRISTIAN, WILHELM) was born 02 Feb 1704 in Lutzelsachsen, Mannheim, Baden, Germany, and died 13 Jun 1786 in Greenwich, Sussex, New Jersey, USA. He married MARIA CATHARINA RUDI 13 Jan 1728 in Michelfeld, Norbaden, Germany, daughter of JOHANN RUDI and ANNA BEILSTEIN. She was born 1706 in Laetare, Germany, and died 1785 in Greenwich, Sussex, New Jersey, USA.

From "National Genealogical Society Quarterly" by Jessie Finch: (Minier Family List) V. 42, page 26-68 THE MINIER FAMILY IN GERMANY, by Mrs. Frank E. Finch: The oldest church book at the Evangelisches Pharramt (Evangelical Parish House) at Hohensachsen on the Bergstrasse just north of Heidelberg, Germany, begins with a date in 1650. It and the next book with records from 1679-1750 are in remarkably good condition considering their ages. Owing to the location of the village some ten miles from any large city, they have survived the ravages of battle since before 1689 when the French overpowered and destroyed the fortifield cities of this part of Europe. Hohensachsen and its twin village Lu (umlat)tzelsachsen are on the west hillside of the old road firt laid out by Romans to run directly north from Heidelbert to Darmstadt. This road now called the Bergstrasse, or mountain road, still connects the old towns that border on the west the hills and forests of the well known Odenwalt district. These villages, with cobbled streets and queerly shaped roofs showing great age, cluster closely around their old churches. In America records of Christian and Hans Georg Minier, the brothers, begin with their arrival by boat in 1732 on board the "Mary", captained by John Gray and landing in Philadelphia, PA 9/26/1732--believe the ship was from London but sailed from Rotterdam [Netherlands].









Port of Rotterdam Netherlands

Follow this link to a transcription of the document...

http://www.immigrantships.net/v4/1700v4/mary17320926_a.html


The Captain's ship list made at the beginning of the voyage gives their ages as: Christian aged 28 and Hans Georg aged 26 years. Their surname is spelled Minnir as in the Hohensachsen Church records. Hans Georg Minnir, or George Minier as he was later called was a charter member of the first Moravian Church congregation in PA.





















Morovian Church at Bethlehem Pennsylvania


In the Archives of that Church at Bethlehem, PA are found the names of his parents (Christian and Anna Rosina), of his wives and his family up to about 1755. However, his birth and death records are not recorded. It is stated there that he was born in Lizelsasse [Lutselsachsen] "near Heidelberg" and was married in Michelfeld. The data below gives additional information about the family. (Records from the Church Books of the Evangelical Parish of Hohensachsen, County of Mannheim, Germany) Translations made by Jessie Howell finch from the official copies in German made by Peter Kohler, Pfarrer of this Parish. Marriage Register, Book 2, page 191 Year 1703: Christian Minnir blacksmith and armorer, single was married 27, February 1703 to Anna Rosina Albert, maid name Gengelbach, the widow of Johann Albert late citizen of Lu(umlat)zelsachsen, a widower and blacksmith; Parents of the bridegroom-Wilhelm Minnir, armorer, master of the forge, in service of the Count of Hohenlohe at Ernstbach; Parents of the bride-Johannes Gengelbach who died feb 1691, magistrate of Lu(umlat)zelsachsen, the son of Jacob and Lucea Gengelbach. (He attained the age of 46 years). Previous Entries: The first marriage of Anna Rosina Gengelbach with the widower and blacksmith, Johann Albert took place 26 October 1694. Baptisms Book 2, pages 54, 55, 59, 66: Christianus Minnir, born 2 Feb. 1704, baptized 6 Feb 1704; Father: Christian Minnier, Mother: Anna Rosina maiden name Gengelbach; both of Lu(umlat)zelsachsen; Sponser Hans Christian Spumlatzweck of Weinheim. Johann George Minnir, born 12 May 1705, baptized 17 May 1705; Father: Christian Minnir , blacksmith; Mother: Anna Rosina former widow Albert, born Gengelbach: Sponsors-Johann Georg Minnir son of Wilhelm Minnir of the Ernstbach-Hohenlohe district and Johannes Bauder, son of Johannes Bauder of Rutschweyer. Sabina Katharina, born 1 Sep. 1707, baptized 4 Sep. 1707; Father-Christian Minnir, citizen of Lutzelsachsen; Mother-Ann Rosina, maiden name Gengelbach; Sponsor: Anna Catharina, daughter of Johann Peter Seebolds; village mayor of Lutzelsachsen. David Minnir, born 22 Jan. 1713; baptized 29 Jan. 1713; Father-Christian Minnir, citizen of Lutzelsachsen; Mother- Anna Rosina, his wife, maiden name Gengelbach; Sponsor- David Heulatsler, son of Hans Michael Heumlatsler, former citizen of Lutzelsachsen. List of Takers of the Communion 7 Jan. 1719: Christian Minnir, surviving son of Christian Minnir, former citizen of Lutzelsachsen, aged 15 years; a year later, 17 May 1720 is the entry: Johann Georg Minnir, surviving son of Christian Minnir, late citizen of Lutzelsachsen, aged 15 years. These are the last records of the Minnir family found in the Church Books at Hohensachsen. In the Book of the Dead neither the name of Christian or Anna Rosina are found.

Sinsheim, Nordbaden, Germany


Marriage Register, Evangelical Parish at Michelfeld/Sinsheim, Nordbaden, Germany, page 102, in Church Book beginning 1656: Hans Georg Minnir, Reformed Church member, born 1705 Lutzelsachsen; married 28 (or 23) November 1728 to Catharina maiden name Mayer; parents of the bridegroom Christian Minnir; parents of the bride, Ulrich Mayer. Born near Heidelberg in 1704 (see German records listed for father, Christian Minnir). In 1732 he emigrated to America on the Ship Mary from Rotterdam, arriving 26 September in Philadelphia. Listed as Christian Minier on importations and as Christan Mineer, age 28, on list of persons taking the Oath of Allegiance ("Names of Foreigners who Took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania, 1727-1775, With the Foreign Arrivals, 1786-1808," edited by William Henry Egle, Harrisburg: 1892, p. 66, 68). American records are in Moravian Church Archives, Lancaster Co., PA. Listed in "Eighteenth Century Emigrants: The Northern Kraichgau," published by the Pennsylvania German Society (send by Ted M. Minier, 7168 Herrick Park Drive, Hudson, OH 44236, January 1993). Gives marriage to Maria Catharina Rudi and birth of one son ... John Heinrich, 5 February 1729. Christian Minier (Christiannus actually) and Maria Catharina Rudi came to America with his brother Johannes George Minier in 1732, They settled in Greenwich Twp Sussex Co NJ, this area is now in Warren Co NJ and we believe they are buried in Phillipsburg NJ at St James Lutheran "Straw" Church cemetery. That is located on Route 22 west, near intersection of Route 519, next to St. Philip & St. James Cemetery , Greenwich Township New Jersey.














Farmland of Greewich Township Sussex County New Jersey


More About MARIA CATHARINA RUDI:
Arrival: 1732, Pennsylvania
Child of CHRISTIANNUS MINNIR and MARIA RUDI is:
4. i. LORENTZ LAWRENCE MINIER, b. 17 Feb 1753, Sussex, New Jersey, USA; d. 1827, Westhemlock, Columbia, Pennsylvania, USA.

















An old barn in Columbia County Pennsylvania



Chrisiannus' brother "Uncle Johann Hans George":

While the Central Pennsylvania Minier's are the line my family is decended from, one of our uncles had two sons that made American History.


3 Johann (Hans) George Minnir b: May 12, 1705 in Lutzelsachsen, Palatinate, Germany d: December 14, 1779 in Heidelberg, Northampton Co., PA +Anna Catherine Mayer b: May 12, 1709 in Duren, Germany d: May 1745 in Conestoga, Lancaster Co., PA m: November 23, 1728 in Sinsheim, Heidelberg, Baden, Germany

Along the Conestoga River

Johann Gorg Minnir changed his name to "Johann George Minear" when he moved to the United States and Settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He arrived, with his brother Christianus Minnir, at Philadelphia on the ship "Mary Of London" from Rotterdam Adn Cowes on September 26, 1732. He gave his age as 26 and his brother, Christainus gave his age as 28. He changed his name soon after to George Minnear. He was listed as Hans Georg Minier on the importation list and as Hance Jerck Mineer on the list of persons taking the oath of allegiance to Pennsylvania. According to a Nicolas Stemple, age 70 and Jacob Stemple, age 40 , arriving on the same boat, Johann and his family settled first in Conestoga, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where their next 3 children were born.

They then moved to Heidelberg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Catherine, his wife, died in the early part of 1745 and he remarried later that same year to Elizabeth Strunk. Their next to the last child, Lorenz, was born in 1753 in Northhampton County, Pennsylvania. During the French and Indian Wars, he wintered (1755-56) in the fortified Moravian settlement at Friedensthal or "Vale of Peace".

During the Revolutionary War he took the oath of Allegiance in Pennsylvania. NOTE: An Abraham Minniear, a revolutionary war soldier, living in Ohio at the time of his Pension, gave all spellings of Minear and explained that in "Germans Of Pennsylvania" he was even called "MINNIGRE". George left a will in May 1779, Easton, Pennsylvania, which names children listed as Minier, Meniger, Mynegar. His will is filed the Surrogate's Office. Information was obtained from the Moravian Church archives, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

The Morovian Church of Lancaster Co PA



4 Johannes (John) Minear (Minier) b: February 11, 1729/30 in Michelfeld, Norbaden, Palatinate, Germany d: April 5, 1781 in Hacker Creek, Randolph, (West) Virginia + Maria Ursula








Killed by indians on April 5, 1781 while returning from Clarksburg, VA where he entered a deed. Harrison County WV Deed Book 1:52,53. Came to America aboard the ship "Mary" with his parents. Arrived Philadelphia, PA Sep. 8 1732. Settled in Lancaster County. Moved to (West) Virginia in 1774. Established a Fort called "Fort Minear."

Originally known as Fort Minear and then as Westernford, St. George was settled in 1774 by German immigrant John Minear and his son, Jonathan, after early scouting visits to the area.
In 1856 an act creating the county specified that Tucker's county court was to be held on the lands of Enoch Minear, descendant of Jonathan Minear. The town was then renamed Saint George in honor of Henry St. George Tucker, Jr. (1828-1863) Extensive accounts of his life can be found in "Histories of Tucker County, WV" by Hu MaxwellFrom the book "The Monongalia Story - A Bicentennial History, II the Pioneers", by Earl L. Core, pp. 74-76: "Battle at Pringle's Ford. On April 5, six men from the Fort Minear settlement (now Saint George) were returning home on horseback from Clarksburg, where they had appeared before the board of land commissioners. They had located on valuable lands in the Cheat River valley and wanted to establish their ownership. The party was composed of John Minear, Daniel Cameron, Frederick Cooper, Salathiel Goff, Andrew Miller, and Henry Miller. The trail ("Pringle's Packroad") from the West Fork and Buckhannon River areas crossed the Tygart Valley River at what was called Pringle's Ford (just below present Philippi); Ford Run flows into the river at that point. Here the Indians, hiding in thickets, ambushed the party. Fansler tells the story:'The Indians....had been on a raid... where they killed several persons, and practically exterminated the Schoolcraft family, fifteen of which had either ben killed or carried into captivity within a space of seven years....
'The Indians hung a leather gun-case over the trail and positioned themselves in the thickets on either side. The Minear party....were riding single file with Minear in the lead. He was almost beneath the decoy when he saw it and stopped, which also halted the five riders behind him. The fact of an ambush flashed to his mind and he yelled out 'Indians!' but, too late, the momentary halt had given the Indians time to aim and, as Minear called out, the firing commenced. Horses and men fell together, Minear, Cameron and Cooper being killed on the spot. Goff and Andrew Miller were unhorsed and took to the woods. Henry Miller, who was riding the rear file, turned and fled back to Clarksburg without much difficulty, since he was mounted on a fleet horse and the Indians were afoot.
Andrew Miller ran up a steep hill with several Indians in pursuit, armed with knives and tomahawks, and yelling and gesticulating wildly. Had they exerted their energy in the chase instead of using it up by yelling and flinging their arms about, they undoubtedly would have caught Miller, but he made good his escape by reaching the crest of the hill fist and, with a downhill run, was able to outdistance them while they were still struggling to the crest.
Salathiel Goff, German immigrant, soldier of the Revolution, and 33 years of age at the time, made one of those storybook escapes. He ran for the river, in the opposite direction from the Millers, under the assumption that if the Indians chased them all it would divide their forces and reduce their effectiveness. Several Indians pursued him, confident of a speedy capture. At the river bank he doffed his coat to swim and then perceiving that it would be useless to do so, tossed his coat into the river and crawled into an otter den that just happened to be conveniently at hand. When the Indians reached the bank above him he learned, from their conversation, that they thought he had dived into the river and expected to see him rise at any moment. They saw his coat floating down the river and moved off to keep pace with it, thinking perhaps, that he had either drowned or was floating beneath his coat. As soon as they were out of sight Goff crawled from concealment and headed for Saint George, thirty miles away, which he reached that night, bringing the startling intelligence of the massacre to the astonished settlers."
In book I of this five part series, titled, "The Monangalia Story - A Bicentennial History, Prelude", p.p. 320- 321, there is more: ( the parts in single quotes are italicized in the book, as it is taken from another source, with the original spelling)
'John Menior is intitled to four hundred acres of land in Monongalia County on Cheat River opposite the mouth of Clover Run to include his Settlement made theron in the year 1776.' " John Minear was leader of the colony that settled at the mouth of Minear Run, Tucker County (Withers, 126). He supervised the construction of Fort Horseshoe and Fort Minear and was killed by the Indians in 1781 (Withers, 311; Fansler, 34, 53, 55, 58, 60, 61; Maxwel, 34-68)."
'Jonathan Manier is Intitled to two hundred acres of land in Monongalia County on the Cheat River below the mouth of Clover Run to include his Settlement made theron in the year 1776.' "Tucker County. Jonathan Minear was a son of John (p. 320), and was killed by the Indians at Jonathan Run in 1780 (Fansler, 31-35)."
There is also a great picture of a roadside historical marker at Saint George, which I assume is still there (this book was published in 1974). The marker reads, "FORT MINEAR Erected by John Minear in 1776, who with a group of immigrants later founded Saint George. Settlement attacked by Indian bands in spring of 1780 and in 1781. Minear and his son Jonathan among killed."
Bill Minear

4 Christian Minier born 30 SEP 1747 in Heidelberg, Lancaster Co, PA married Christina Beck about 1772 in Northhampton Co, PA. Christian was the first settler of Big Flats Chemung County New York.

Back to our Central Pennsylvania line...

Generation No. 4
4. LORENTZ LAWRENCE MINIER (CHRISTIANNUS MINNIR, CHRISTIAN, WILHELM) was born 17 Feb 1753 in Sussex, New Jersey, USA, and died 1827 in Westhemlock, Columbia, Pennsylvania, USA. He married CHRISTENE SEYPORT SEIFFERT 1771 in Sussex, New Jersey, USA. She was born 1755.
More About LORENTZ LAWRENCE MINIER:
Residence: 1820, Hemlock, Columbia, Pennsylvania
Child of LORENTZ MINIER and CHRISTENE SEYPORT SEIFFERT is:
5. i. JACOB MINIER, b. 06 Aug 1780, Sussex, , New Jersey, USA; d. 29 Aug 1859, Moreland Lycoming, , Pennsylvania, USA.

Covered bridge in Moreland Township Lycoming County Pennsylvania








Generation No. 5
5. JACOB MINIER (LORENTZ LAWRENCE4, CHRISTIANNUS3 MINNIR, CHRISTIAN2, WILHELM1) was born 06 Aug 1780 in Sussex, , New Jersey, USA, and died 29 Aug 1859 in Moreland Lycoming, , Pennsylvania, USA. He married LAURENA HAMLIN, daughter of THOMAS HAMLEN. She was born Jul 1785 in New Jersey, USA, and died 25 Sep 1886 in Monroe Cumberland, , Pennsylvania, USA.
More About JACOB MINIER:
Residence: 1830, Moreland, Lycoming, Pennsylvania
More About LAURENA HAMLIN:
Residence: 1870, Moreland, Lycoming, Pennsylvania
Child of JACOB MINIER and LAURENA HAMLIN is:
6. i. JACOB HAMLIN MINIER, b. 1826, PA; d. 08 Feb 1862, Jordan Twp Lycoming Co PA.

Generation No. 6
6. JACOB HAMLIN MINIER (JACOB, LORENTZ LAWRENCE, CHRISTIANNUS MINNIR, CHRISTIAN, WILHELM) was born 1826 in PA, and died 08 Feb 1862 in Jordan Twp Lycoming Co PA. He married FRANCINE FANNY CAMPBELL, daughter of JAMES CAMPBELL and ELIZABETH HARRIS OR DERRICK. She was born Abt. 1834 in Pennsylvania.
More About JACOB HAMLIN MINIER:
Burial: Salem Cemetery Jordan, Lycoming, Pennsylvania Lycoming County Genealogical Society Cemetery Books Volume 3, page 170
Residence: 1850, Moreland, Lycoming, Pennsylvania
More About FRANCINE FANNY CAMPBELL:
Residence: 1900, Franklin, Lycoming, Pennsylvania
Child of JACOB MINIER and FRANCINE CAMPBELL is:
7. i. JAMES MINIER, b. Oct 1856, Pennsylvania.
L to R Jacob (8), James (7), James (9) and Barbara (10)
Generation No. 7
7. JAMES MINIER (JACOB HAMLIN, JACOB, LORENTZ LAWRENCE, CHRISTIANNUS MINNIR, CHRISTIAN, WILHELM) was born Oct 1856 in Pennsylvania. He married MARY CHRISTINA SCHWINN, daughter of HENRY SCHWINN and CHRISTIANN. She was born Aug 1861 in Pennsylvania.
Notes for JAMES MINIER:
minier
More About JAMES MINIER:
Residence: 1930, Jordan, Lycoming, Pennsylvania
More About MARY CHRISTINA SCHWINN:
Residence: 1870, Jordan, Lycoming, Pennsylvania
Child of JAMES MINIER and MARY SCHWINN is:
8. i. JACOB MINIER, b. 13 Sep 1883, Lungerville, PA; d. Apr 1967, PA.

Generation No. 8
8. JACOB MINIER (JAMES, JACOB HAMLIN, JACOB, LORENTZ LAWRENCE, CHRISTIANNUS MINNIR, CHRISTIAN, WILHELM) was born 13 Sep 1883 in Lungerville, PA, and died Apr 1967 in PA. He married RHEA FRITZ, daughter of BENJAMIN FRITZ and HESTER BAKER. She was born 1889 in Pennsylvania, and died 1947 in PA.
More About JACOB MINIER:
Residence: Lycoming, Pennsylvania
More About RHEA FRITZ:
Residence: 1900, Jackson, Columbia, Pennsylvania
Child of JACOB MINIER and RHEA FRITZ is:
9. i. JAMES FRANK MINIER, b. 06 Sep 1913, PA; d. May 1986, Williamsport PA.

Generation No. 9
9. JAMES FRANK MINIER (JACOB, JAMES, JACOB HAMLIN, JACOB, LORENTZ LAWRENCE, CHRISTIANNUS MINNIR, CHRISTIAN, WILHELM) was born 06 Sep 1913 in PA, and died May 1986 in Williamsport PA. He married CATHERINE EMELINE MYERS, daughter of CALVIN MYERS and MARY RITTER. She was born 01 Jul 1918 in Pennsylvania, USA.
More About JAMES FRANK MINIER:
Residence: 1930, Benton, Columbia, Pennsylvania
More About CATHERINE EMELINE MYERS:
Residence: 1930, Franklin, Lycoming, Pennsylvania
Children of JAMES MINIER and CATHERINE MYERS are:
i. Barbara Louise Minier

ii Gladys Elizabeth Minier
iii. Gregory Lee Minier