Jacob Bibler I

     Jacob was born on Monday, 28 July 1755 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.² Jacob married Katharina Hite, daughter of Mr. (?) Hite, circa 1777 in Virginia. Jacob was found on the tax lists of 1806 Ohio [early census index], 1808 [early census index] in Fairfield County, Ohio. Jacob & Caty along with many of their children were members of the Pleasant Run Baptist Church where they were found as members in 1806. He made his will on 18 January 1813 at Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, Ohio.

Through the grace of God, I, Jacob Bibler, a resident of Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, in the state of Ohio, of clear mind, hereby make my last will and testament, indicating how my descendants shall have my possessions after my death. First, it is my last will that my three sons, namely David and Johannes Bibler, residing in Berne Township, county and state above cited and Jacob Bibler, residing in Pleasant Township, and county and state above cited, serve as my executors to conclude all my business after my death in a correct fashion. Further, it is my last will that my beloved wife Katharina Bibler to have all of my remaining possessions, including my residence, as long as she shall live, for her upkeep. After her death, my son Jacob Bibler shall have my residence. I now give him three thaler [thaler [a German coin; probably means either dollars or some other division of money or goods], since he already has some acres in addition to other acres that my other sons have taken; two hundred thaler shall be had from the s_________ of the three thalter land; the remainding acres of my land which come with my old residence, my son Jacob Bibler shall pay six thaler for the acres to my executors after the death of my wife Katharina; my descendants may divide up the remainder and inherit it and, from the eldest to the youngest, as my executors understand it. A year after my death, namely one hundred thaler, my son, Jacob Bibler shall pay yearly to my executors as payment for my residence, which ever comes higher [as compared to ] the land of his two brothers. It is further my last will that my two sons, namely Johannes and David Bibler receive a third part of my orchard; but they shall have the apple orchard as long as they live on their land; and my son Jacob shall inherit my residence until one of the above sells, then shall their rights to the fruit orchard be given up. It is further my last will that all of my daughters shall take care of my daughter Magdalena; all my other daughters have their three apple trees, and have as long as my son Jacob Bibler still has them in his fruit orchard, which they own. This is my last will and testament which I have written this day, the 18th day of January, one thousand, eight hundred and thirteen, and witnessed, and hereby rules out any former wills and testaments which I have made previously. Herewith is my hand and seal. Jacob Bibler - Witnessed by Lewis Sitz, George Hancyshell, Conrad Bretz, Jacob Seitz.

The 1820 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, Ohio,3 the family of Jabob Bibler [110011:31011].³ Jacob departed this life on Thursday, 1 November 1821 in Pleasant Township at age 66 years, 3 months and 4 days. He was buried there in Beery-Bibler Cemetery.⁴ His will was probated on 1 March 1822.