Johannes Peterman

     Johannes was born on Tuesday, 20 September 1774 in Windsor Township, York County, Pennsylvania, at the family home, Lovely Springs Plantation. John married Barbara Eckert, daughter of Johan Jacob Eckert and Magdalena (?), circa 1795 in York County, Pennsylvania. The 1820 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Windsor Township, York County, Pennsylvania, the family of John Peterman [11 children - 7 male & 4 female].¹ In October 1827, John & his family removed to Crawford County, Ohio where he purchased a 320 acre farm in Liberty Township on the Sandusky River and errected a hewed-log cabin. On 13 March 1828, John Peterman, of Ohio, purchased from the government 80 acres in the west half in the northeast quarter of section 35 t2s r17e and 80 acres in the east half of the northwest quarter of section 35 t2s r17e. In 1850, John is living in the same vicinity of Liberty Township as his children: Michael, Jesse & Margaret Spahr, Henry & David. Sometime before 1855, John removed to Jackson Township where he spent the remainder of his life. The 1830 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio, the family of John Peterman [00111101:00111001].² The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Liberty Township the family of John Peterman [000100001]]. John appears to have been recorded at his son's, Jacob;s who resides on an adjacent property. Johannes's wife, Barbara, died on 22 February 1844 in Liberty Township leaving him a widower. Johannes married 2nd Catherine Hare on 15 August 1844 in Richland County, Ohio.³ John's wife, Catherine, died on 24 February 1850 in Liberty Township leaving him a widower. John married 3rd Catherine (?) before 3 September 1850 in Ohio. 3 September 1850, John and his wife, Catherine, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were John Peterman [76 Pennsylvania], his wife: Catharine [55 Pennsylvania], & Catherine Shoffstell [10 Ohio].⁴ John made his will on 22 August 1859 at Jackson Township, Crawford County, Ohio.

In the name of the benevolent Father of All, I John Peterman of Jackson Township. Crawford Co., O. do make and publish this my last will and testament:
Item 1st I give and devise to my beloved wife in lieu of her dower, the farm on which we now live situate in Jackson Township, Crawford Co., O.
containing about forty acres during her natural life; and all the stock household goods, furniture, provisions, and other goods which maybe thereon, at the time of decease, during her natural life as aforesaid, or as long as she remains a widow. She however, selling so much thereof as maybe sufficient to pay my just debts and expenses that may accrue. If however the use of the farm and loose property should be insufficient for her suppport, the farm may be sold, and the proceeds thereof put on interest. And the interest of the same shall be for her use during her natural life or as long as she remains my widow.
At the death of my wife, the real estate aforesaid and such part of the said personal property or the proceeds thereof as may there remain unconsumed and unexpended. I give and devise to my children to be eiqually divided between them or their heirs excepting the heirs of my daughter Elizabeth she having got her share during her life.
Item two Should any of my children present claims against my estate, it is not my will that they shall be paid as I kept them eaqual during my life I still wish to keep them so.
Item third I do hereby nominate and appoint Daniel Riblet and Charles Miller Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby authorizing and empowering them to compromise, adjust, release, and discharge in such manner as they shall deem proper. The debts and claims due me I do also authorize and empower them if it shall become necessary in order to provide for my widow to sell, by provate sale, or in such manner upon such terms of credit, or otherwise as they may think proper, all my real estate and deeds to purchasers to execute, acknowledge, and deliver in fee simple.
I do hereby revoke all former will by me made.
In testemony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 22nd day of August in the year AD 1859
John "X" Peterman
Signed and acknowledged by said John Peterman as his last will and testament in our prescence and signed by us in his presence. J. P. K. Riblet, John Wert.⁵

He wrote a codicil to his will on 22 August 1859.

Whereas I John Peterman on the 22nd day of August in rhe year A.D. 1859 made my last will and testament of that day do hereby declare the following to be a codicil to the same.
I do hereby give and bequeath to my wife a certain white mule heifer. She may dispose of the same as she sees proper, she may present the same to one of her daughters as she wishes.
In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 22nd day of August A.D. 1859.
John " X" Peterman [his mark]
Signed and acknowledgedin by said John Peterman in our presence and signed by us in his presence J. P. K. Riblet, John Wert.

John departed this life on Tuesday, 27 September 1859 in Jackson Township at age 85 years and 7 days. He was buried at Sandusky Township in Luke Cemetery.⁶ His will was probated on 12 October 1859.