An American Family History

"[L]iberty must at all hazards be supported.
We have a right to it, derived from our Maker.
But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us,
at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood."

Johann Ulrich Kenoyer was born about 1758 in Pennsylvania. His name was spelled many different ways: Uli, Ulrick, Ulric, Ullirick, Ullerich, Ulrech, Ollery, Olerick, and Oulerick. His parents were Leonard and Barbara Kenoyer.

In 1776 he served in Captain George Hoover's Company.

His wife was named Elizabeth.

Elizabeth and Ulrich's children included:
Samuel Kenoyer (1782),
Johannes (John) Kenoyer (1784, married Susannah Kitzmiller),
Jacob Kenoyer (1786, married Betsy Palmer and Catherine Roberts),
George Kenoyer (1787, married Mary Harritt),
Ludwig (Lewis) Kenoyer (1789),
Michael Kenoyer (1790, married Mary Isabelle Morgan),
Henry Kenoyer (1792, married Catherine Runkle and Catherine Osborne),
Reverend Frederick Kenoyer (1794, married Mary Magdalene Pfrimmer),
Mary Kenoyer (1796, married Hiram Harritt),
Valentine Kenoyer (1797, married Susan Capros), and
Elizabeth Kenoyer Stagner (1799, married John Henry Stagner).

In 1781 Ulrich Kenoyer owned a horse and 2 cattle. He was taxed £0.15.0. He also served the full tour from October 10 to December 10, 1781 in the 6th Class, York County militia, at Camp Security under Major William Aston and Captain James Edger.

In 1782 Ulrich Kenoyer owned 125 acres, 1 horse, and 2 head of cattle and was taxed £3.3.0 in Codorus. He served in Captain Henry Kessler's Company, York County Militia. Ulrich was a Private in 5th Class.

The same year his second son, Samuel Kenoyer, was born, July 24, 1782 and baptized on November 13, 1782 at St. Jacob's.

On September 26, 1782 Ulrich Knav(r)e was listed in Captain Peter Frye's Company of all males from 18 to 53 yrs old. He was a private in 7th Class.

On June 3 1783 Ulrich Kenoyer was named

the eldest son and heir at law of Leonard Kenoyer late of York County deceased. Said Inteste died owner of an improvement and tract of land containing 130 acres in Codorus adjoining lands of Jacob Bare [Bear], Church land, lands of George Smith & Nicholas Kauffels. [Cauffeldt].

In 1783 Ulrich Kenoyer was head of household with 4 inhabitants and owner of 1 horse value at £15. He was taxed £0.6.3. 783.

On September 19, 1784 Johannes was baptized at St. Jacobs (Stone) Church - Brodbecks. He was born on August 12.

In 1786 he (Ulric Knier) sued the paymaster of the York County militia to receive two months pay for his service in Captain James Edger's Company.

On October 8, 1788 He (Ollery Knier) had a second plantation in Manheim Township surveyed. It contained 111.5 acres. He held it until May 23, 1811, when it was sold to Henry Roth.

In 1788 and 1789 he was taxed in Manheim Township, York County and in 1789 Ulrich Kenoyer and his wife were sponsors for nephew, John Nas [Naas] at the Stone Church in Codorus.

In 1790 Ulrich was was in York Pennsylvania. The household consisted of one female, a man over 16 and seven boys under 16.

He (Oulerick Knoyer) appeared on the 1800 tax list for Augusta County, Virginia. The household consisted of 2 males and 3 females. He was taxed 36 shillings.

In 1801 the family settled in Fairfield County, Ohio where they were early pioneers.

In 1806 to 1808 and 1810 he was listed as a taxpayer in Fairfield County, Ohio.

Elizabeth died several years before her husband did, and he married the widow, Elizabeth "Kitty" Kitzmiller on October 21, 1811.

He died in August, 1814 in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, Ohio. He was buried in the Old Coffman Cemetery, Bloom Township. The Partition Record Abstracts, Vol. 1, 1812-1851, Fairfield County, Ohio lists his heirs as "George, John, Jacob, Samuel, Michael, Henry, Lewis and Frederick Knoyer, Mary wife of Hiram Herod and Minor heirs Letty (sic) and Elizabeth Knoyer." Fairfield County Wills and Estates names his administrators as his son, Jacob Knoyer and John Small or Smaltz. Valentine and Elizabeth's guardian was John Rockey.

Ulrich's personal property was inventoried on September 19, 1814 by Abraham V. Courtright Sr., John Critz, and George Benadum, appraisers who were appointed by the Court of Common Pleas of Fairfield County. A sale of the personal property was held on October 3, 1814.

His property (81 20/100 acres. W ½ Section 11 Township 13 Range 20) was sold on March 25, 1815 for $1,116.18 to George Platuer.

Elizabeth later married Henry Stagner.

Children of Leonard Kneyer and Anna Barbara Buck Barbara Kenoyer Kessler Johann Ulrich Kenoyer Leonard Kenoyer Catharina Elizabeth Kenoyer Clouse Frederick Kenoyer Christian Kenoyer Anna Maria Kenoyer

Augusta County, Virginia was formed in 1738 from Orange County and was vast territory including West Virginia and Kentucky. 1770 - southern part became Botetourt. 1776 - parts became Monongalia, Ohio, and Yohogania. 1778 - area west of Ohio River became Illinois County. - northeastern part became Rockingham. - southwestern part was combined with part of Botetourt to form Rockbridge 1788 - northern part combined with part of Hardy to become Pendleton. 1790 - western part was combined with parts of Botetourt and Greenbrier to form Bath. Virginia county formation was complex and some of the above counties were further divided or disbanded.

Choosing a Godparent sponsor was not just a formality in 17th century Germany. Each child had one Godparent of the same gender. It established ties between families that were near kinship. The Godparent was expected to provide spiritual support and material support in times of need.

The Public Land Survey System is used to survey and spatially identify land parcels in the United States. Range is the distance east or west from a referenced principal meridian in units of six miles. A Section is approximately a one-square-mile block of land. There are 36 sections in a township. A Township is a parcel of land of 36 square miles or a measure of the distance north or south from a referenced baseline in units of six miles.

Shays's Rebellion was an armed uprising in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787. Daniel Shays led four thousand rebels (Shaysites) in rising up against perceived economic injustices. Daniel Shays and Job Shattuck from Bickerstaff's Boston Almanack

John Rockey was born in Bloom township, Fairfield County, and married Miss Eliabeth Snyder, daughter of Mr. Christopher Snyder, who came from Germany and settled in Maryland.

After marriage the elder Rockey located on a farm in Bloom township. Fairfield county, Ohio, and died there when quite young.

The following children were born to this marriage:
Jacob, who died young;
Polly, the wife of Aaron Corbin:
Elizabeth, the wife of Jesse Nichwinder, deceased;
John, deceased:
Catharine, wife of Evan Smith, deceased:
Daniel R.: [1814]
Esther, wife of Mr. Howitt:
Howard, infant, deceased;
Michael S.. deceased;
Leah, wife of Solomon Bacher, deceased,
and an infant, deceased.