| Notes |
- Most of this came from a descendancy chart "Descendants of Adam Schneider" sent to me by Bill Snyder, who visited Gerhardsbrunn in the year 2000: Adam was born in the village of Gerhardsbrunn, Germany which is south of Landstuhl, northeast of Zweibrucken, lying between the Rhine River on the east and the Saar River on the west, less than twenty miles from the French border. It is situated on a hill with the surrounding area being flat land; the main occupation is farming. The village has shown evidence of Roman occupation and also suffered greatly during the Thirty Year War. The area has at times been part of France.
The houses in the eighteenth century were given letters of the alphabet instead of numbers, such as House "S" or House "MF". In Gerhardsbrunn, no other families could buy into the village, but the original settlers. Land was passed down through families or "houses". The original House "S" or Schneider house was replaced in the early eighteen hundreds on part of the original foundation, which had been built about 1726. Lambsborn, Langwieden and other villages to be mentioned are but a short distance from Gerhardsbrunn. The Labach Church, where many of our ancestors worshipped and were buried, is about two miles from Gerhardsbrunn at the bottom of the hill. The church was built in the fourteenth century, being both Catholic and Protestant, changing as the rulers or conquerers decided; the church is at present Catholic. The cemetery has been re-used as the scarcity of land dictates, so evidence of our ancestors has since vanished. There is a Protestant Church in Gerhardsbrunn built in 1825; the Schneiders were of the Lutheran faith upon coming to America. The village of Gerhardsbrunn lost numerous sons and daughters to emigration and many found their way to Somerset county, Philadelphia -- or passed through the area -- a few being Adam and Michael Mueller (Miller) of the house "D" and Adam, Henry and Jacob Schneider of house "S". Hearing wonderful tales of the new country across the sea, Adam Schneider (age 26) came to America from Germany and landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 17, 1773 on the ship "Britannia". (Source: "Pennsylvania German Pioneers" volume 1, 1727 - 1775, by Ralph Beaver Strassburger, LL.D. Published by Pennsylvania German Society, Norristown, Pennsylvania: 1934; pages 749-451. Also in "Names of German, Swiss and other Immigrants -- 1773, pg 408-409. Also recorded in the Family Bible belonging to Adam Schneider "the 17th September are I in Philadelphia arrived in America" Also recorded in "A Historical History of Washington County, Maryland" by Thomas J.C. Williams, 1968). Adam then went to Hagerstown, Maryland where he married Catherine Butmanin (Putman). It is believed that Adam knew Catherine in the old country of Germany--she being his great attraction for America. Catherine had come to America with her father's family (Andrew and Catherine Putman of Eakle's Mills, Maryland) some years before Adam migrated. Adam and Catherine were married on November 1, 1775, according to records of the Frederick county Evangelical Lutheran Church of Middletown, Maryland. They first lived with Catherine's parents at Eakle's Mills, and had a son born there. Then they moved to Baltimore, Maryland where Adam worked as a tailor for three years. When Catherine's father died in 1780, they returned to Pennsylvania and managed the Putman Homestead. Adam Schneider served in the Revolutionary War, as a private in the 2nd Battalion of the Washington County, Maryland militia. He is listed in the 8th Class of Captain Conrad Nichodemus' 6th Company (Washington county militia). In the 7th Class was his future brother-in-law, Henry Baker. The regiment was composed of four companies from Pennsylvania and four from Maryland. The 8th class in the 6th company was called upon for duty on the 14th of March 1781. Source: Sharon Kelso's DAR application, which references "Pennsylvania Archives, 5th series, Vol. 6, pages 229-233, edited by Thomas Lynch Montgomery under the direction of the Honorable Frank M. Fuller, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Harrisburg, PA 1906." Also, Clements, "MD Militia in Revolutionary War", page 237 and DAR, unpublished, "Revolutionary Records of Maryland" Vol. 3, page 48. Also see DAR applications #88865 and #97334; these state that Adam served as a private in Capt. Jacob Bruner's Company, Pennsylvania line (there may be a conflict in records here). There is a record at Washington Pension Bureau (file #S40477) of Adam Schneider applying for Revolutionary War pension. He received a pension from 1820 to 1825. In 1783 the Putman heirs sold the homestead to Christian Weyandt who had married Catherine's sister, Amelia Putman. After selling his share of the farm, Adam returned to Germany with fine accounts of the new country and induced his brothers Henry, age 21, and Jacob, age 15, to return with him to America, they arrived sometime in 1784. It is not known what influenced Adam to leave the fertile valley of Washington county, Maryland for the rugged plateau of Somerset county, Pennsylvania to make a permanent home, but it may have been through the influence of Magdalena Butman Bruner, Catherine's sister, who married Henry Bruner, the second son of Ulrich (Woolrich) Bruner. They were living in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. Adam must not only have been a brave and daring soul, but somewhat of a wanderlust. He again made another big move on September 24, 1787, buying 200 acres from Ulrich (Woolrick) Bruner (Adam's brother-in-law's father), which Bruner had previously bought from Harmon Husband. This is at present the square just north of the Somerset Court House (bordered by N. Center, East Catherine, North Kimberly and East Fairview streets). Ulrich Bruner was the first who laid out lots for the town of Somerset, Pennsylvania and he employed Harmon Husband as surveyor. Bruner also erected a cabin there for his family, several years prior to Adam buying the site in 1787. Adam's house stood in the center of this large lot. On the northwest corner stood a large barn and picturesque watering trough. The said Bruner had originally plotted out the land as Milford Town but it was known to the locals as Brunerstown; it was later changed to Somerset. The land sale agreement between Adam Schneider and Ulrich (Woolrick) Bruner can be found in "The History of Somerset, Bedford and Fulton Counties" by Waterman, Watkins and Company. For the 200 plus acres, Adam paid Ulrich (or Woolrick) the sum of one hundred pounds plus Adam's house and lot in Baltimore, Maryland, which was located on Howard Street. Adam made a second journey back to his hometown of Gerhardsbrunn, Germany at the time of his father's death, presumably to help settle the family estate. The old Schneider estate in Germany must have been substantial inasmuch as his daughter, Magdeline (Schneider) Lichtenberger told her granddaughter Mrs. W. P. Huston, how well she remembered her father when he returned home from Germany. She was a child, but remembered his horse and the huge saddle bags, which he threw into the corner of the room, filled with gold and silver he had brought back from Germany. This was most likely Adam's share of the estate, as well as shares for his brothers Henry and Jacob, who had not gone back to Germany with him. The county of Somerset was created by authority of the Pennsylvania State Assembly in April 1795. On September 12, 1795 a commission was appointed by the governor of Pennsylvania that selected Somerset Town, formerly known as Milfordtown (Brunerstown), to be fixed as the Seat of Justice. Adam was a man of enterprise and soon realized the need of four things necessary for a prosperous town: a church, a school, a place to dispense justice, and a burial ground. The same day, September 12, 1795, Adam Schneider and Peter Ankeny deeded land for the township of Somerset. Adam deeded lots on the west side of the Main Street (Great Road); he grounds he donated were part of his farm and were later occupied by the courthouse, jail, school and Lutheran (now Union) Cemetery. On the burial grounds southeast corner, that Adam gave, he with his brothers Jacob and Henry, George Corpenning and Frederick Neff Sr., acting as charter members, erected a log house which was used as a place of worship and as a schoolhouse. The Rev. Frederick Wiliam Range was the pastor. He is buried with the Schneider family in the old cemetery on the hill above where the old church stood. Adam was among the earliest settlers of Milfordtown (Somerset). Mrs. Susan Ferner once informed David Husband that she visited Milfordtown when there were but four cabins, these were the Armstrongs, Rickards, Schneiders and Weimers. In 1797 Rev. Heckwelder wrote in his journal, "a few miles further on we breakfasted at Snyder's Inn, Somerset, a new town two years old on a dry, elevated situation; there were twenty or thirty houses, mostly two stories." The settlers still needed to defend themselves and usually plowed their fields with a rifle strapped to their backs. On the tax list of the borough of Somerset, Adam is listed as a farmer and owner of an oil mill. He collected ground rents, as was customary in that time. These rents were entailed and collected for a long term of years upon all lots sold by the proprietors within the original limits of the town. As late as 1826, the heirs of Adam were collecting rents. In 1806 Adam Schneider was elected County Commissioner. In 1810 Adam gave a lot on Union Street for the building of a frame church. This church was destroyed by fire in 1824. This may account for the lack of baptismal and marriage records of the Schneider family and, of course, others. On August 28, 1825 the cornerstone was laid for the new brick church, but Adam did not live to see the completion of the new building. This church building was sold by the Lutheran denomination, with the consent of the Schneider heirs. In 1858 it became the property of Isaiah Pyle, then the Catholic Church and later of Neilan Engineering Firm; the address is 150 West Union Street in Somerset, Pa. In deed book 21, pages 274-277, at the courthouse in Somerset, Pennsylvania, the heirs of Adam Schneider are named, giving power of attorney to George Mowry to collect quit rents. At the time of Adam Schneider's death he was "seized" of four tracts of land situated in Richland Township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. (1) one tract warranted in James Searight of James Dalton containing 439 1/2 acres; (2) one tract warranted in James Searight containing 439 1/4 acres; (3) one tract warranted in Jacob Nagle containing 439 1/4 acres; (4) one tract warranted in Henry Woods containing 439 1/4 acres, said tract adjoining heirs of the decedent and lands of the late Dr. William Smith and others. Information on Adam Schneider and his 11 children (another history reports he had twelve children) found in Cambria County Orphans Court Records for 1 April 1844(Vol. 1, Ebensburg, PA). Page 37 of book "Your Family Tree" in Logan Family History library (US/ Penn/ B2yft/ Vol. 27) !RESEARCH LEADS: There is a discrepancy between two lists of children for Adam and Catherine Schneider. The Laurel Messenger, Aug. 1971, page 8 lists twelve children. The Orphan's Court Will lists eleven children. But the names on the two lists differ. It is apparent that one child died in infancy (John) but that another child was also give the name of John later on. Some of the children may have two names and be listed under a different name on each list. Check this out before having the children sealed to the parents. A historical marker in the town of Somerset reads: "Adam Schneider laid out the north half of the settlement renamed Somerset in 1795. Schneider and his brother Jacob conducted the first store in Somerset. It stood on this site." BURIAL: The Union Cemetery is located on the hill just above where Adam's house and the old church stood. Family members descended from Adam Jr. say the family name is spelled SNYDER.
Adam Schneider (b. December 31, 1747, d. February 06, 1826)
Adam Schneider (son of Michael Schneider, Jr and Anna Barbara Troutman) was born December 31, 1747 in Gerhardstbrun, Dukedom, Nuedlinger, Germany, and died February 06, 1826 in Somerset, PA.He married Catherine Butman on November 01, 1775 in Hagerstown, Md, daughter of Andeas Andrew Putman (Buttman) and Catherine Barbara Bourghey.
Includes NotesNotes for Adam Schneider:
The direct family history and genealogy is hinged on the grandson of Michael Schneider Sr., who was Adam Schneider, born Decmber 31, 1747 at Gerhardtsbrum Zueibrehen, Germany and immigrated to America landing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania September 17, 1773. He was united in holy matrimony to Catherine Putman the daughter of Andrew Putman and wife Catherine Wyandt Putman. Married November 1, 1775. He was a veteran of the Revolutionary War and served with the Penn Line. He was carried on the pension rolls until his death in 1825, and was buried in Washington County Maryland near Keedsyville in Mrs. Kefaufer's apple orchard. Adam Schneider Sr. received a large tract of land as a pension for his service in the Revolutionary War, near and in what is now Somerset, Pennsylvania. Adam Schneider was a man of means and great enterprize, and atonce realized the need of four things necessary for a prosperous town; a Church, School, Place of Justice and a Burial Ground. Consequently on the original plot of the town (Somerset, PA- 1795) ground was set apart and donated for the aboved names purposes, and they have all come down to us intact. Except the old Luthern Church which was sold by Luthern Denomination (with the permission of Adam Schneider Heirs) to buy another place for the new church. The old church was the property of Mr. Isaiah Pile in the year 1909, and was used as a dwelling.
Orville Wilbur Snyder
More Notes:
Information on Adam Schneider and his 11 children (another history reports he had twelve children) found in Cambria County Orphans Court Records for 1 April 1844(Vol. 1, Ebensburg, PA). Page 37 of book "Your Family Tree" in Logan Family History library (US/ Penn/ B2yft/ Vol. 27) At the time of Adam Schneider's death he was "seized" of four tracts of land situated in Richland Township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. (1) one tract warranted in James Searight of James Dalton containing 439 1/2 acres; (2) one tract warranted in James Searight containing 439 1/4 acres; (3) one tract warranted in Jacob Nagle containing 439 1/4 acres; (4) one tract warranted in Henry Woods containing 439 1/4 acres, said tract adjoining heirs of the decedent and lands of the late Dr. William Smith and other. Hearing wonderful tales of the new country across the sea, Adam Schneider (age 26) came to America from Germany and landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 17, 1773 (1775?). He then went to Hagerstown, Maryland where he met and married Catherine Butman (Putman). It is believed that Adam knew Catherine in the old country of Germany--she being his great attraction for America. Catherine had come to America with her father's family some years before Andrew migrated. Andrew and Catherine resided in Baltimore, Maryland after their marriage until Catherine's father died in 1780. Adam worked as a tailor there. In 1780 they returned to Pennsylvania and took over the Butman Homestead. In 1783 the homestead was sold and Adam returned to Germany. He induced his brothers Henry, age 21 and Jacob, age 15 to return with him to America. They arrived in 1784. It is not known what influenced Adam to leave the fertile valley of Washington county, Maryland for the rugged plateau of Somerset county, Pennsylvania to make a permanent home. It is recorded that in 1787 Woolerick (Ulrich) Bruner sold Adam Schneider 200 acres of land, which Bruner had previously bought from Harmon Husband, in exchange for 100 pounds and Adam's house and lot in Baltimore. This is at present the square just north of the Somerset Court House (bordered by N. Center, East Catherine, North Kimberly and East Fairview streets). Adam's house stood in the center of this large lot. On the northwest corner stood a large barn and picturesque watering trough. Somerset was originally plotted as Milford Town but was known to the locals as Brunerstown. Woolrich Bruner was the first who laid out lots for the town of Somerset, Pennsylvania and he employed Harmon Husbad as surveyor. Bruner also erected a cabin there for his family, several years prior to Adam buying the site in 1787. Adam was a man of enterprise and soon realized the need of four things necessary for a prosperous town: a church, a school, a place to dispense justice, and a burial ground. 12 September 1795 Adam Schneider and Peter Ankeny deeded land for the township of Somerset. Adam deeded lots on the west side of the Main Street (Great Road) and donated land for a church and a burial ground (the Schneider Cemetery was later known as Union Cemetery). Adam Schneider, with his brothers Jacob and Henry, George Chorpenning and Frederick Neff Sr., acting as charter members, erected a log meeting house on the southeast corner for use as a school house and place of worship. Rev. Lang, Lutheran pastor in the new county of Somerset, served this congregation. Rev. Lang is buried next to the Schneider family. In 1797 Rev. Heckwelder wrote in his Journal, "a few miles further on we breakfasted at Snyder's Inn, Somerset, a new town two years old on a dry, elevated situation; there were twenty or thirty houses, mostly two stories," The Schneider estate in Germany must have been substantial inasmuch as Adam Schneider returned again to Germany in 1790 to share in the family estate. His daughter, Magdelin, remembered that upon his return to America, Adam threw huge saddle bags containing gold and silver into the corner of the room. Adam Schneider served in the Revolutionary War, as a private in the Continental Army, Pennsylvania line. There is a record at Washington Pension Bureau (file #S40477) of Adam Schneider applying for Revlutionary War pension. He received a pension from 1820 to 1825. BURIAL: The Union Cemetery is located on the hill just above where Adam's house stood. !RESEARCH LEADS: There is a discrepancy between two lists of children for Adam and Catherine Schneider. The Laurel Messenger, Aug. 1971, page 8 lists twelve children. The Orphan's Court Will lists eleven children. But the names on the two lists differ. It is apparent that one child died in infancy (John) but that another child was also give the name of John later on. Some of the children may have two names and be listed under a different name on each list. Check this out before having the children sealed to the parents. Family members descended from Adam Jr. say the family name is spelled SNYDER. BIRTH: According to an email from Virginia Frances the "National Monument 88865 [records] Adam Schneider born in Germany, December 31, 1746 died February 6, 1826 in Somerset, PA, and is buried in Union Cemetery; married Catherine Butman November 1, 1775. She died 1810." Note that the birth year is one year earlier than our other records show.
https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Schneider+&GSfn=Adam+&GSbyrel=in&GSdy=1826&GSdyrel=all&GSst=40&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=24428026&df=all&
More About Adam Schneider:
Date born 2: December 31, 1747
More About Adam Schneider and Catherine Butman:
Marriage 1: November 01, 1775, Hagerstown, Md.
Marriage 2: November 01, 1775245, 246
Children of Adam Schneider and Catherine Butman are:
+Jacob Schneider, b. February 17, 1777, Eakles Mills, Washington Co., Md247, 248, 249, 250, d. May 31, 1869, Eakles Mills, Washington Co., Md251, 252, 253.
Susan Schneider, b. 1778254, 255, 256, d. date unknown.
Adam Schneider II, b. 1781257, 258, 259, d. date unknown.
Rosanna Schneider, b. 1783260, 261, 262, d. date unknown.
Henry Schneider, b. 1784263, 264, 265, d. date unknown.
Elizabeth Schneider, b. 1787266, 267, 268, d. date unknown.
John Schneider, b. 1789269, 270, 271, d. 1789272, 273, 274.
Magdalena Schneider, b. May 21, 1790275, 276, 277, d. 1873.
John Schneider II, b. 1792278, 279, 280, d. date unknown.
Peter Schneider, b. 1794281, 282, 283, d. date unknown.
Catherine Schneider, b. 1795284, 285, 286, d. date unknown.
Ailla Schneider, b. 1797287, 288, 289, d. date unknown.
Maria Schneider, b. 1799290, 291, 292, d. date unknown.
Joseph Schneider, b. 1802293, 294, 295, d. date unknown.
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Carl & Elaine (Grove) Rhodes' Genealogy Pages
