Note: Henry Keifer is not Johan Heinrich Kieffer Christened 22 Sep 1756 son of Abraham Kieffer Jr and great grandson of Hans Leonhardt Kieffer and Anna Margaretha Heyel.
Source: Genealogy of the descendants of Robert Smith 1924 by Edward Uhr Smith (First data gathered in 1911) Page 119.
Also the Y-DNA of a direct descendant of Henry is Haplogroup I-M253, posted to the Keefer Project on familytreedna.com, of French descent (through Germany to America) possibly with an original last name of Le Tonnelier. Eight different people with family trees showing that they are direct descendants of Hans Leonhardt Kieffer and Anna Margaretha Heyel are part of Haplogroup R-M269 of German descent (not through France).
History of German Immigration to America in the 1700's: The Redemption System
German Immigration to America increased in the 1700's due to the search for religious freedom and the opportunity to own land and create a new life in America. Many immigrants were poor and the only way to reach the New World was to sign contracts agreeing to work between five to seven years in exchange for transportation and the prospects of a job and a new life in America. The Germans used a form of indentured labor called the redemption system; the Germans who signed this type of contract were called redemptioners. An astonishing 50% to 70% of Germans coming to America in the 1700s, prior to the American Revolutionary War, came as redemptioners contracted via the redemption system.
History of German Immigration to America in the 1700's: German Immigrants and the "Poor Palantines". German Immigration to America in the 1700's initially centered in Pennsylvania and upstate New York. The vast majority of migrants adhered to the Protestants religion or belonged to small religious sects such as the Mennonites and Moravians. The German settlements in New York were established in 1710 by Protestant Germans from the Palatine region of Germany. The "Poor Palatines" were over 13,000 Germans who had fled to England in 1709 to avoid French invasion and hostilities. The English arranged to settle them in the American Colonies and arranged passage of nearly 3,000 in ten ships to New York in 1710. The German Palatine migrants were assigned to work camps situated along the Hudson River to work off their passage. Over 15,000 immigrants from Germany also left their homelands at this time making their way to Pennsylvania, New York and the Carolinas.
John McCarl Keifer (1861-1928) said the oldest Keifer ancestor (likely Henry) he knew of was a bound boy (an indentured servant or a forced apprenticeship) in Philadelphia, PA who hit his owner over the head with an axe and ran away. The "Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Runaway Servants, Convicts, and Apprentices, 1728-1796" on Ancestry.com has no Keever, Keifer, or any similar name. It was also common at this time that when the father died early, and the mother couldn't pay for food and taking care of the children, that the children would be put into a forced apprenticeship to pay for their needs.
The Genealogy of the descendants of Robert Smith 1924 by Edward U. Smith says "The Second Generation (Henry's children) changed the spelling of their name from Keever to Keifer." Considering this was written in 1924 with the first data gathered in 1911, it is believed that Edward was making an assumption based on name spelling in census data and the land deed which are often incorrect.
William Hammond Keifer (1857-1943) read the old Keifer family Bible and remarked that it showed different spellings of Keifer. Unfortunately the old Keifer family Bible has been lost.
Occupation: Distiller
1790 Census Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Ceever" - single & alone
-Home in 1790: Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania (Portion Taken From Washington Co.)
-Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over: 1
-Number of Household Members: 1
1800 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Kever"; b. abt 1775
-2-1-1|2-2----
-2 males under 10: John & Henry
-1 male 16-25: Unknown(possibly a visiting relative)
-1 male 45 and upward: Henry
-2 females under 10: Elizabeth & Rebecca
-2 females 16-25: Unknown and Anna
1810 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Keever"; b. bet 1766 - 1784
-311-1|12-1---
-3 males under 10: Jacob, David & Samuel
-1 male 10 to 15: John William abt 10
-1 male 16 to 25: Henry 16
-1 male 45 and upward: Henry 54
-1 female under 10 yrs old: Anna
-2 females 10-15 yrs old: Elizabeth & Rebecca
-1 female 26-44 yrs old: Anna 42
-Susan wasn't born yet
1820 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Hennery Keefer"; Anna b. bet 1769 - 1775
-121211|11--1|-3--
-1 male under 10: Cornelius
-2 males 10 to 16: Samuel & David
-1 male 16 to 18: Jacob
-2 males 16 to 26: John & Unknown
-1 male 26 to 45: Henry
-1 male 45 and upwards: Henry
-1 female under 10: Susan
-1 female 10 to 16: Anna
-1 female 45 and upwards: Anna
-Elizabeth & Rebecca are married
Under their colonial charters, both Pennsylvania and Virginia claimed the region that is now Allegheny County. Pennsylvania administered most of the region as part of its Westmoreland County. Virginia considered everything south of the Ohio River and east of the Allegheny River to be part of its Yohogania County, and governed it from Fort Dunmore. In addition, parts of the county were located in the proposed British colony of Vandalia and the proposed U.S. state of Westsylvania. The overlapping boundaries, multiple governments, and confused deed claims soon proved unworkable. Near the end of the American Revolutionary War, in 1780 Pennsylvania and Virginia agreed to extend the Mason–Dixon line westward. This region was assigned to Pennsylvania. From 1781 until 1788, much of what Virginia had claimed as part of Yohogania County was administered as a part of the newly created Washington County, Pennsylvania.
At the close of 1784 Arthur Lee visited Pittsburg and left an account, by no means flattering, of its condition and prospects. He says: "Pitts- burg is in habited almost entirely by Scots and Irish, who live in paltry log houses, and are as dirty as in the north of Ireland, or even Scotland. There is a great deal of small trade carried on, the goods being brought at the vast expenses of forty-five shillings per hundredweight (CWT). from Philadelphia and Balti- more. They take in the shops money, wheat flour and skins. There are in the town four attorneys, two doctors, and not a priest of any persuasion, nor church, nor chapel; so that they are likely to be damned, without the benefit of clergy. The rivers encroach fast on the town, and to such a degree, that, as a gentleman told me, the Allegheny had in thirty years of his memory carried away one hundred yards. The place, I believe, will never be very considerable."
At that time this region was mainly a wilderness. There were four forts—at Beaver, Franklin, Erie and the head of French Creek—and trading posts at these and other points had been established, but there were very few settlements. The Indian title was not extinguished until 1784, and none of the lands opened for settlement or purchase until 1785.
At the first term of court after the act of September 24th, 1788, the county was divided into seven townships; Moon, St. Clair and Mifflin embraced the territory on the south of the Ohio river and west of the Monongahela, that is, all between those rivers and Washington county.
WHISKEY INSURRECTION.
To assist in paying the debt incurred in the war of the Revolution, Congress, in the early part of 1791, passed an excise law, imposing a tax upon distilled spirits of from nine to twenty-five cents per gallon, according to strength. The Monongahela valley was noted then, as now, for the quantity and quality of its whiskey. There were distilleries on nearly every stream emptying into the Monongahela in the counties of Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland, besides others in Fayette and Bedford. A direct tax upon manufactured products is always unpopular, more so with consumers than manufacturers, because they know in the end they have to pay it. But the time and circumstances made this tax particularly odious. It was close on the heels of the
Revolution, and in the midst of Indian troubles, when money was scarce and hard to obtain. It seemed like a special tax upon this district, and levied by foreign power, the United States government. It was likened to the tax upon tea before the Revolution.
Another source of complaint was, that, as the United States Court was held in Philadelphia, all parties and witnesses in cases of prosecution had to go east of the mountains to attend trial.
This county was very inviting to emigrants. The soil was rich and deep, the hills covered with magnificent trees—oaks, walnut, hickory, chestnut, etc. —and the valleys with sugar trees. Game of all kinds abounded—deer, bear, raccoons, wild turkeys, pheasants, etc. Deer and wild turkeys were killed in some parts of the country as late as 1830. In the peninsula between the Monongahela and Youghiogheny vast droves of wild hogs roamed through the forests in early days (perhaps the descendants of some that strayed from the first settlers) and often furnished farmers with pork as late as 1800.
In 1788 nearly all dwellings were log houses, and in every country settlement was a block-house for retreat and safety from marauding Indians. These were constructed of logs, with small openings for the use of tire-arms, and generally the upper story projecting so as to guard against the enemy setting lire to the buildings. In cases of alarm the settlers and their families fled to the block-house. Remains of the old block-houses were to be seen until recently in the townships of Moon, North Fayette, Forward, Versailles, Wilkins and Penn.
The early settlers, and those after 1788, were great marksmen and hunters, for the meat of the family larder was mostly supplied from the chase. It required courage and daring to settle in these forests, ex- posed day and night to attacks from merciless savages. And the women were as courageous and daring as the men. It is said that Mrs. Neel, of Mifflin township, who was driven out by a raid about 1780, rode on horse- back to Lancaster county, her former home, carrying one child in her arms and her boy of four years of age riding on behind her. Mrs. Martha Means, a widow, who came to that township about 1799, drove a four-horse team from Harrisburg, with her goods and six children. Until 1798 the only mail brought to Pittsburg was on horseback. The first stage line was established in 1805, running to Chambersburg, and brought the mail only twice a week. The turn-pike to Harrisburg was commenced in 1806. In 1788 Pittsburg contained about 500 inhabitants, besides the garrison, and had several small retail stores. In 1790 the entire population of the county was 10,309. In 1800 it was 15,087.
For several years after the county was organized all the salt had to be brought over the mountains on pack horses or in wagons. Some accounts state that salt was manufactured here before 1800, but that is doubtful. The first salt spring discovered this side of the mountains was at Saltsburg, in Indiana county, in 1813, where its manufacture was carried on extensively. Salt brought over the mountains by packhorses sold at eight dollars per bushel. About 1800 Gen. O'Hara brought salt from the Onondaga district, N. Y., by boats on Lakes Ontario and Erie to the town of Erie, thence by land to the head of French creek, thence floated down to Pittsburgh, and sold at four dollars per bushel. The first banking institution was a branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania, started Jan. 1st, 1804. The Bank of Pittsburgh was incorporated in 1814. It had been doing business for two years as the Pittsburgh Manufacturing Company. The Merchants and Manufacturers Bank was incorporated the same year.
The Associate Reformed Church (now the second U. P. Church) had preaching in Pittsburg as early as 1794, and at regular intervals thereafter, by Revs. McKnight, Riddell, Kerr, Henderson, Proudflt, Gallo- way, Findlay and McElroy. But the congregation had no regular pastor until 1816, when Rev. .Jos. McElroy was installed. They purchased a lot in 1815, and while their church was being built their services were
held in Dr. Black's church. Mr. McElroy resigned as pastor in 1824. Dr. Jos. Kerr and his two sons—Dr. Jos. R. Kerr and Dr. David R. Kerr—were successively pastors from 1825 to 1845.
Source: Allegheny County: It's Early History and Subsequent Development
From the Earliest Period till 1790, By Rev. A. A. LAMBING, LL. D.
From 1790 till the Present Time, BY HON, 7. TV. F. WHITE,
Published Under the Auspices of the ALLEGHENY COUNTY CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE.
Pittsburgh, Pa. : Snowden & Peterson, Publishers, 80 Diamond Street, 1888.
In these regions, cash was in short supply, and hauling grain over the mountains was a problem. People would save up to by a still, and the whiskey served as a medium of exchange and was something they could carry on horseback when buying salt. Many of the resisters were war veterans who believed that they were fighting for the principles of the American Revolution, in particular against taxation without local representation, while the federal government felt the untaxed whiskey was an unnecessary luxury and maintained that the taxes were the legal expression of Congressional taxation powers.
Allegheny County was officially created on September 24, 1788, from parts of Washington and Westmoreland counties. It's name was derived from the name of an aboriginal tribe, the "Talligewi" or "Allegewi". It was formed to respond to pressure from the increase in settlers living in the area around Pittsburgh; this was designated as the county seat in 1791. The county originally extended north to the shores of Lake Erie; it was reduced to its current borders by 1800. As population increased in the territory, other counties were organized.
In the 1790s, the United States federal government imposed a whiskey excise tax. Farmers who had depended on whiskey income refused to pay and started the so-called Whiskey Rebellion after driving off tax collector John Neville. After a series of demonstrations by farmers, President George Washington sent troops to suppress the frontier rebellion.
The area developed rapidly through the 1800s with industrialization. It became the nation's prime steel producer by the late 19th century and Pittsburgh was nicknamed "Steel Capital of the World".
Pittsburgh was on the very edge of the frontier, and the lands west of the Allegheny and north of the Ohio still belonged to the Indians. St. Clair was one of the original townships of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania at the county's creation in 1788. It spanned from Chartiers Creek on the North West side and Millers Run Creek on the South West side to Streets Run Creek on the East side, from the southern county line, just south of Clifton Rd., to Monongahela River in Pittsburgh on the North side. In 1836, the St. Clair Township was divided into two separate townships, Upper St. Clair and Lower St. Clair. Today Lower St. Clair no longer exists, and the original St. Clair is made up of Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Scott Township, Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, Whitehall, Carnegie, Borough of Dormont, Baldwin Township, Brentwood, Borough of Rosslyn Farms, Borough of Greentree, Pittsburgh, Borough of Baldwin, Borough of Thornburg, Borough of Crafton, Borough of Ingram, McKees Rocks Borough, Stowe Township, and Mt. Oliver.
The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 had its roots in Upper St. Clair.
Henry Keifer was of German descent, came west when a young man, and settled in Allegheny County, but he made nineteen trips across the mountains with pack-saddle horses, carrying salt, etc. He was married to Anna about the age of forty years, his wife being a native of Allegheny County. He died at the age of seventy-two, and she at the age of fifty-one.
Source: History of Beaver County - A Warner & Co., Publishers, 1888. Reprint by Closson Press, 1935 Sampson Drive, Apollo, Pa. 15613-9238 - Aug., 1993 Page 857.
Henry probably ran away from his master in Philadelphia when he was a teenager. According to his land deed, before moving to St. Clair, he lived in Mannor/Manor Township, Lancaster Co., PA. The land he bought had Saw Mill Run Stream running the the left side in what is now Castle Shannon (following HWY 88) with WhiteHall Borough on the East side and Bethel Park on the South side. On 19 Sep 1786, he made his home in what became St. Clair, Allegheny Co., PA in 1788. Since he married Anna at age 40, and since their oldest child was Henry b. 1794, then they were married by 1793 which means he was born by 1753.
Henry died after 2 Jun 1828 (will written) and before 26 Jul 1828 (will proven) prior to 1836 when St. Clair was divided into Upper St. Clair and Lower St. Clair.
Henry's tombstone has not been located at the St. Clair Cemetery, but since he lived and died in St. Clair near Saw Mill Run, the church next to the cemetery was originally the Associate Reformed Congregation of Saw Mill Run (first preaching was Nov 1802), and Henry's family was German Reformed, it is believed that he's buried there. At least a dozen or so St. Clair Cemetery tombstones are now smooth on both sides. It's assumed that if Henry and Anna had stones, they would probably look like the one posted here.
No. 143
Last Will and Testament
Of
Henry Keefer
In the name of God, Amen:
I Henry Keefer of St. Clair Township Allegheny County State of Pennsylvania being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory at this present time do make and ordain this my last will & testament in manner and form as follows:
Firstly: My body to be decently buried in the grave and my soul to God who gave it.
Secondly: All my lawful debts and funeral expenses to be paid out of my estate.
Thirdly: I give and bequeath to my daughters Anne and Susanna one cow and four sheep, each one bed stead, bed and bedding and one coverlet and two blankets each of the best in the house. One ridrir? of saddle each the cupboard and kitchen furniture to be divided equally between them the oldest to have her choice the wove? to be divided between them and each of them to have her wheel the table clothes and towels to be equally divided between them. The remainder of my personal property to be sold by my executors and the proceeds disposed of as herein after directed. My real estate to be disposed of as follows: Namely to be united for fifteen years and then be sold unless in the judgment of my executors it would be proper to sell it sooner. The proceeds of my estate both real and personal. After the payment of my debts, to be equally divided between all my children namely Henry, John, Jacob, David, Samuel & Cornelious Keefer my sons and the heirs of my daughter. Rebekah, Elizabeth, Anne and Susanna to have equal share with the rest not withstanding their former requests. It is my will that my executors keep all moneys in the their hands to put to interest until it increments to fifteen hundred dolls (dollars) then my five oldest children to receive three hundred dollars each. When the second fifteen hundred dollars is raised then my five youngest children to receive three hundred dollars each. And then the remainder to be equally divided between all my children as it may be raised. Lastly I appoint and constitute my two friends, John Huls and James Heulty, executors of this my last will and testament to execute and carry into full effect the same and I do hereby ratify, confirm, and ordain this instrument of writing to be my last will and testament revoking, disamulling, and making void all former wills or bequests by me made or done.
In witness where of I have herein to subscribed my name and affixed my seal this second day of June One thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Henry Keefer
Signed sealed and pronounced by the testator in the presence of us subscribing witnesses who subscribed our names in the presence of the testator.
John Lafferty
Henry Pomevene
Intervened at first line second page before signing
Allegheny County, p. a.
On the 26th day of July A.D. 1828 Personally appeared John Lafferty and Henry Pomevene the two subscribing witnesses to the written will who on their solemn oath did depose and say they were present and did see and hear Henry Keefer the testator sign seal publish pronounce and declare the foregoing instrument of writing to be as and for his last will and testament and at the time of so doing he was of perfect and sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation and belief.
Given under my hand date aforesaid
M. Stewart
Source: Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993
Will Books, Vol 3, 1823-1831
2 Jun 1828
Allegheny Co., PA
Source: Genealogy of the descendants of Robert Smith 1924 by Edward Uhr Smith (First data gathered in 1911) Page 119.
Also the Y-DNA of a direct descendant of Henry is Haplogroup I-M253, posted to the Keefer Project on familytreedna.com, of French descent (through Germany to America) possibly with an original last name of Le Tonnelier. Eight different people with family trees showing that they are direct descendants of Hans Leonhardt Kieffer and Anna Margaretha Heyel are part of Haplogroup R-M269 of German descent (not through France).
History of German Immigration to America in the 1700's: The Redemption System
German Immigration to America increased in the 1700's due to the search for religious freedom and the opportunity to own land and create a new life in America. Many immigrants were poor and the only way to reach the New World was to sign contracts agreeing to work between five to seven years in exchange for transportation and the prospects of a job and a new life in America. The Germans used a form of indentured labor called the redemption system; the Germans who signed this type of contract were called redemptioners. An astonishing 50% to 70% of Germans coming to America in the 1700s, prior to the American Revolutionary War, came as redemptioners contracted via the redemption system.
History of German Immigration to America in the 1700's: German Immigrants and the "Poor Palantines". German Immigration to America in the 1700's initially centered in Pennsylvania and upstate New York. The vast majority of migrants adhered to the Protestants religion or belonged to small religious sects such as the Mennonites and Moravians. The German settlements in New York were established in 1710 by Protestant Germans from the Palatine region of Germany. The "Poor Palatines" were over 13,000 Germans who had fled to England in 1709 to avoid French invasion and hostilities. The English arranged to settle them in the American Colonies and arranged passage of nearly 3,000 in ten ships to New York in 1710. The German Palatine migrants were assigned to work camps situated along the Hudson River to work off their passage. Over 15,000 immigrants from Germany also left their homelands at this time making their way to Pennsylvania, New York and the Carolinas.
John McCarl Keifer (1861-1928) said the oldest Keifer ancestor (likely Henry) he knew of was a bound boy (an indentured servant or a forced apprenticeship) in Philadelphia, PA who hit his owner over the head with an axe and ran away. The "Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Runaway Servants, Convicts, and Apprentices, 1728-1796" on Ancestry.com has no Keever, Keifer, or any similar name. It was also common at this time that when the father died early, and the mother couldn't pay for food and taking care of the children, that the children would be put into a forced apprenticeship to pay for their needs.
The Genealogy of the descendants of Robert Smith 1924 by Edward U. Smith says "The Second Generation (Henry's children) changed the spelling of their name from Keever to Keifer." Considering this was written in 1924 with the first data gathered in 1911, it is believed that Edward was making an assumption based on name spelling in census data and the land deed which are often incorrect.
William Hammond Keifer (1857-1943) read the old Keifer family Bible and remarked that it showed different spellings of Keifer. Unfortunately the old Keifer family Bible has been lost.
Occupation: Distiller
1790 Census Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Ceever" - single & alone
-Home in 1790: Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania (Portion Taken From Washington Co.)
-Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over: 1
-Number of Household Members: 1
1800 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Kever"; b. abt 1775
-2-1-1|2-2----
-2 males under 10: John & Henry
-1 male 16-25: Unknown(possibly a visiting relative)
-1 male 45 and upward: Henry
-2 females under 10: Elizabeth & Rebecca
-2 females 16-25: Unknown and Anna
1810 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Keever"; b. bet 1766 - 1784
-311-1|12-1---
-3 males under 10: Jacob, David & Samuel
-1 male 10 to 15: John William abt 10
-1 male 16 to 25: Henry 16
-1 male 45 and upward: Henry 54
-1 female under 10 yrs old: Anna
-2 females 10-15 yrs old: Elizabeth & Rebecca
-1 female 26-44 yrs old: Anna 42
-Susan wasn't born yet
1820 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Hennery Keefer"; Anna b. bet 1769 - 1775
-121211|11--1|-3--
-1 male under 10: Cornelius
-2 males 10 to 16: Samuel & David
-1 male 16 to 18: Jacob
-2 males 16 to 26: John & Unknown
-1 male 26 to 45: Henry
-1 male 45 and upwards: Henry
-1 female under 10: Susan
-1 female 10 to 16: Anna
-1 female 45 and upwards: Anna
-Elizabeth & Rebecca are married
Under their colonial charters, both Pennsylvania and Virginia claimed the region that is now Allegheny County. Pennsylvania administered most of the region as part of its Westmoreland County. Virginia considered everything south of the Ohio River and east of the Allegheny River to be part of its Yohogania County, and governed it from Fort Dunmore. In addition, parts of the county were located in the proposed British colony of Vandalia and the proposed U.S. state of Westsylvania. The overlapping boundaries, multiple governments, and confused deed claims soon proved unworkable. Near the end of the American Revolutionary War, in 1780 Pennsylvania and Virginia agreed to extend the Mason–Dixon line westward. This region was assigned to Pennsylvania. From 1781 until 1788, much of what Virginia had claimed as part of Yohogania County was administered as a part of the newly created Washington County, Pennsylvania.
At the close of 1784 Arthur Lee visited Pittsburg and left an account, by no means flattering, of its condition and prospects. He says: "Pitts- burg is in habited almost entirely by Scots and Irish, who live in paltry log houses, and are as dirty as in the north of Ireland, or even Scotland. There is a great deal of small trade carried on, the goods being brought at the vast expenses of forty-five shillings per hundredweight (CWT). from Philadelphia and Balti- more. They take in the shops money, wheat flour and skins. There are in the town four attorneys, two doctors, and not a priest of any persuasion, nor church, nor chapel; so that they are likely to be damned, without the benefit of clergy. The rivers encroach fast on the town, and to such a degree, that, as a gentleman told me, the Allegheny had in thirty years of his memory carried away one hundred yards. The place, I believe, will never be very considerable."
At that time this region was mainly a wilderness. There were four forts—at Beaver, Franklin, Erie and the head of French Creek—and trading posts at these and other points had been established, but there were very few settlements. The Indian title was not extinguished until 1784, and none of the lands opened for settlement or purchase until 1785.
At the first term of court after the act of September 24th, 1788, the county was divided into seven townships; Moon, St. Clair and Mifflin embraced the territory on the south of the Ohio river and west of the Monongahela, that is, all between those rivers and Washington county.
WHISKEY INSURRECTION.
To assist in paying the debt incurred in the war of the Revolution, Congress, in the early part of 1791, passed an excise law, imposing a tax upon distilled spirits of from nine to twenty-five cents per gallon, according to strength. The Monongahela valley was noted then, as now, for the quantity and quality of its whiskey. There were distilleries on nearly every stream emptying into the Monongahela in the counties of Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland, besides others in Fayette and Bedford. A direct tax upon manufactured products is always unpopular, more so with consumers than manufacturers, because they know in the end they have to pay it. But the time and circumstances made this tax particularly odious. It was close on the heels of the
Revolution, and in the midst of Indian troubles, when money was scarce and hard to obtain. It seemed like a special tax upon this district, and levied by foreign power, the United States government. It was likened to the tax upon tea before the Revolution.
Another source of complaint was, that, as the United States Court was held in Philadelphia, all parties and witnesses in cases of prosecution had to go east of the mountains to attend trial.
This county was very inviting to emigrants. The soil was rich and deep, the hills covered with magnificent trees—oaks, walnut, hickory, chestnut, etc. —and the valleys with sugar trees. Game of all kinds abounded—deer, bear, raccoons, wild turkeys, pheasants, etc. Deer and wild turkeys were killed in some parts of the country as late as 1830. In the peninsula between the Monongahela and Youghiogheny vast droves of wild hogs roamed through the forests in early days (perhaps the descendants of some that strayed from the first settlers) and often furnished farmers with pork as late as 1800.
In 1788 nearly all dwellings were log houses, and in every country settlement was a block-house for retreat and safety from marauding Indians. These were constructed of logs, with small openings for the use of tire-arms, and generally the upper story projecting so as to guard against the enemy setting lire to the buildings. In cases of alarm the settlers and their families fled to the block-house. Remains of the old block-houses were to be seen until recently in the townships of Moon, North Fayette, Forward, Versailles, Wilkins and Penn.
The early settlers, and those after 1788, were great marksmen and hunters, for the meat of the family larder was mostly supplied from the chase. It required courage and daring to settle in these forests, ex- posed day and night to attacks from merciless savages. And the women were as courageous and daring as the men. It is said that Mrs. Neel, of Mifflin township, who was driven out by a raid about 1780, rode on horse- back to Lancaster county, her former home, carrying one child in her arms and her boy of four years of age riding on behind her. Mrs. Martha Means, a widow, who came to that township about 1799, drove a four-horse team from Harrisburg, with her goods and six children. Until 1798 the only mail brought to Pittsburg was on horseback. The first stage line was established in 1805, running to Chambersburg, and brought the mail only twice a week. The turn-pike to Harrisburg was commenced in 1806. In 1788 Pittsburg contained about 500 inhabitants, besides the garrison, and had several small retail stores. In 1790 the entire population of the county was 10,309. In 1800 it was 15,087.
For several years after the county was organized all the salt had to be brought over the mountains on pack horses or in wagons. Some accounts state that salt was manufactured here before 1800, but that is doubtful. The first salt spring discovered this side of the mountains was at Saltsburg, in Indiana county, in 1813, where its manufacture was carried on extensively. Salt brought over the mountains by packhorses sold at eight dollars per bushel. About 1800 Gen. O'Hara brought salt from the Onondaga district, N. Y., by boats on Lakes Ontario and Erie to the town of Erie, thence by land to the head of French creek, thence floated down to Pittsburgh, and sold at four dollars per bushel. The first banking institution was a branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania, started Jan. 1st, 1804. The Bank of Pittsburgh was incorporated in 1814. It had been doing business for two years as the Pittsburgh Manufacturing Company. The Merchants and Manufacturers Bank was incorporated the same year.
The Associate Reformed Church (now the second U. P. Church) had preaching in Pittsburg as early as 1794, and at regular intervals thereafter, by Revs. McKnight, Riddell, Kerr, Henderson, Proudflt, Gallo- way, Findlay and McElroy. But the congregation had no regular pastor until 1816, when Rev. .Jos. McElroy was installed. They purchased a lot in 1815, and while their church was being built their services were
held in Dr. Black's church. Mr. McElroy resigned as pastor in 1824. Dr. Jos. Kerr and his two sons—Dr. Jos. R. Kerr and Dr. David R. Kerr—were successively pastors from 1825 to 1845.
Source: Allegheny County: It's Early History and Subsequent Development
From the Earliest Period till 1790, By Rev. A. A. LAMBING, LL. D.
From 1790 till the Present Time, BY HON, 7. TV. F. WHITE,
Published Under the Auspices of the ALLEGHENY COUNTY CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE.
Pittsburgh, Pa. : Snowden & Peterson, Publishers, 80 Diamond Street, 1888.
In these regions, cash was in short supply, and hauling grain over the mountains was a problem. People would save up to by a still, and the whiskey served as a medium of exchange and was something they could carry on horseback when buying salt. Many of the resisters were war veterans who believed that they were fighting for the principles of the American Revolution, in particular against taxation without local representation, while the federal government felt the untaxed whiskey was an unnecessary luxury and maintained that the taxes were the legal expression of Congressional taxation powers.
Allegheny County was officially created on September 24, 1788, from parts of Washington and Westmoreland counties. It's name was derived from the name of an aboriginal tribe, the "Talligewi" or "Allegewi". It was formed to respond to pressure from the increase in settlers living in the area around Pittsburgh; this was designated as the county seat in 1791. The county originally extended north to the shores of Lake Erie; it was reduced to its current borders by 1800. As population increased in the territory, other counties were organized.
In the 1790s, the United States federal government imposed a whiskey excise tax. Farmers who had depended on whiskey income refused to pay and started the so-called Whiskey Rebellion after driving off tax collector John Neville. After a series of demonstrations by farmers, President George Washington sent troops to suppress the frontier rebellion.
The area developed rapidly through the 1800s with industrialization. It became the nation's prime steel producer by the late 19th century and Pittsburgh was nicknamed "Steel Capital of the World".
Pittsburgh was on the very edge of the frontier, and the lands west of the Allegheny and north of the Ohio still belonged to the Indians. St. Clair was one of the original townships of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania at the county's creation in 1788. It spanned from Chartiers Creek on the North West side and Millers Run Creek on the South West side to Streets Run Creek on the East side, from the southern county line, just south of Clifton Rd., to Monongahela River in Pittsburgh on the North side. In 1836, the St. Clair Township was divided into two separate townships, Upper St. Clair and Lower St. Clair. Today Lower St. Clair no longer exists, and the original St. Clair is made up of Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Scott Township, Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, Whitehall, Carnegie, Borough of Dormont, Baldwin Township, Brentwood, Borough of Rosslyn Farms, Borough of Greentree, Pittsburgh, Borough of Baldwin, Borough of Thornburg, Borough of Crafton, Borough of Ingram, McKees Rocks Borough, Stowe Township, and Mt. Oliver.
The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 had its roots in Upper St. Clair.
Henry Keifer was of German descent, came west when a young man, and settled in Allegheny County, but he made nineteen trips across the mountains with pack-saddle horses, carrying salt, etc. He was married to Anna about the age of forty years, his wife being a native of Allegheny County. He died at the age of seventy-two, and she at the age of fifty-one.
Source: History of Beaver County - A Warner & Co., Publishers, 1888. Reprint by Closson Press, 1935 Sampson Drive, Apollo, Pa. 15613-9238 - Aug., 1993 Page 857.
Henry probably ran away from his master in Philadelphia when he was a teenager. According to his land deed, before moving to St. Clair, he lived in Mannor/Manor Township, Lancaster Co., PA. The land he bought had Saw Mill Run Stream running the the left side in what is now Castle Shannon (following HWY 88) with WhiteHall Borough on the East side and Bethel Park on the South side. On 19 Sep 1786, he made his home in what became St. Clair, Allegheny Co., PA in 1788. Since he married Anna at age 40, and since their oldest child was Henry b. 1794, then they were married by 1793 which means he was born by 1753.
Henry died after 2 Jun 1828 (will written) and before 26 Jul 1828 (will proven) prior to 1836 when St. Clair was divided into Upper St. Clair and Lower St. Clair.
Henry's tombstone has not been located at the St. Clair Cemetery, but since he lived and died in St. Clair near Saw Mill Run, the church next to the cemetery was originally the Associate Reformed Congregation of Saw Mill Run (first preaching was Nov 1802), and Henry's family was German Reformed, it is believed that he's buried there. At least a dozen or so St. Clair Cemetery tombstones are now smooth on both sides. It's assumed that if Henry and Anna had stones, they would probably look like the one posted here.
No. 143
Last Will and Testament
Of
Henry Keefer
In the name of God, Amen:
I Henry Keefer of St. Clair Township Allegheny County State of Pennsylvania being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory at this present time do make and ordain this my last will & testament in manner and form as follows:
Firstly: My body to be decently buried in the grave and my soul to God who gave it.
Secondly: All my lawful debts and funeral expenses to be paid out of my estate.
Thirdly: I give and bequeath to my daughters Anne and Susanna one cow and four sheep, each one bed stead, bed and bedding and one coverlet and two blankets each of the best in the house. One ridrir? of saddle each the cupboard and kitchen furniture to be divided equally between them the oldest to have her choice the wove? to be divided between them and each of them to have her wheel the table clothes and towels to be equally divided between them. The remainder of my personal property to be sold by my executors and the proceeds disposed of as herein after directed. My real estate to be disposed of as follows: Namely to be united for fifteen years and then be sold unless in the judgment of my executors it would be proper to sell it sooner. The proceeds of my estate both real and personal. After the payment of my debts, to be equally divided between all my children namely Henry, John, Jacob, David, Samuel & Cornelious Keefer my sons and the heirs of my daughter. Rebekah, Elizabeth, Anne and Susanna to have equal share with the rest not withstanding their former requests. It is my will that my executors keep all moneys in the their hands to put to interest until it increments to fifteen hundred dolls (dollars) then my five oldest children to receive three hundred dollars each. When the second fifteen hundred dollars is raised then my five youngest children to receive three hundred dollars each. And then the remainder to be equally divided between all my children as it may be raised. Lastly I appoint and constitute my two friends, John Huls and James Heulty, executors of this my last will and testament to execute and carry into full effect the same and I do hereby ratify, confirm, and ordain this instrument of writing to be my last will and testament revoking, disamulling, and making void all former wills or bequests by me made or done.
In witness where of I have herein to subscribed my name and affixed my seal this second day of June One thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Henry Keefer
Signed sealed and pronounced by the testator in the presence of us subscribing witnesses who subscribed our names in the presence of the testator.
John Lafferty
Henry Pomevene
Intervened at first line second page before signing
Allegheny County, p. a.
On the 26th day of July A.D. 1828 Personally appeared John Lafferty and Henry Pomevene the two subscribing witnesses to the written will who on their solemn oath did depose and say they were present and did see and hear Henry Keefer the testator sign seal publish pronounce and declare the foregoing instrument of writing to be as and for his last will and testament and at the time of so doing he was of perfect and sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation and belief.
Given under my hand date aforesaid
M. Stewart
Source: Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993
Will Books, Vol 3, 1823-1831
2 Jun 1828
Allegheny Co., PA
Note: Henry Keifer is not Johan Heinrich Kieffer Christened 22 Sep 1756 son of Abraham Kieffer Jr and great grandson of Hans Leonhardt Kieffer and Anna Margaretha Heyel.
Source: Genealogy of the descendants of Robert Smith 1924 by Edward Uhr Smith (First data gathered in 1911) Page 119.
Also the Y-DNA of a direct descendant of Henry is Haplogroup I-M253, posted to the Keefer Project on familytreedna.com, of French descent (through Germany to America) possibly with an original last name of Le Tonnelier. Eight different people with family trees showing that they are direct descendants of Hans Leonhardt Kieffer and Anna Margaretha Heyel are part of Haplogroup R-M269 of German descent (not through France).
History of German Immigration to America in the 1700's: The Redemption System
German Immigration to America increased in the 1700's due to the search for religious freedom and the opportunity to own land and create a new life in America. Many immigrants were poor and the only way to reach the New World was to sign contracts agreeing to work between five to seven years in exchange for transportation and the prospects of a job and a new life in America. The Germans used a form of indentured labor called the redemption system; the Germans who signed this type of contract were called redemptioners. An astonishing 50% to 70% of Germans coming to America in the 1700s, prior to the American Revolutionary War, came as redemptioners contracted via the redemption system.
History of German Immigration to America in the 1700's: German Immigrants and the "Poor Palantines". German Immigration to America in the 1700's initially centered in Pennsylvania and upstate New York. The vast majority of migrants adhered to the Protestants religion or belonged to small religious sects such as the Mennonites and Moravians. The German settlements in New York were established in 1710 by Protestant Germans from the Palatine region of Germany. The "Poor Palatines" were over 13,000 Germans who had fled to England in 1709 to avoid French invasion and hostilities. The English arranged to settle them in the American Colonies and arranged passage of nearly 3,000 in ten ships to New York in 1710. The German Palatine migrants were assigned to work camps situated along the Hudson River to work off their passage. Over 15,000 immigrants from Germany also left their homelands at this time making their way to Pennsylvania, New York and the Carolinas.
John McCarl Keifer (1861-1928) said the oldest Keifer ancestor (likely Henry) he knew of was a bound boy (an indentured servant or a forced apprenticeship) in Philadelphia, PA who hit his owner over the head with an axe and ran away. The "Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Runaway Servants, Convicts, and Apprentices, 1728-1796" on Ancestry.com has no Keever, Keifer, or any similar name. It was also common at this time that when the father died early, and the mother couldn't pay for food and taking care of the children, that the children would be put into a forced apprenticeship to pay for their needs.
The Genealogy of the descendants of Robert Smith 1924 by Edward U. Smith says "The Second Generation (Henry's children) changed the spelling of their name from Keever to Keifer." Considering this was written in 1924 with the first data gathered in 1911, it is believed that Edward was making an assumption based on name spelling in census data and the land deed which are often incorrect.
William Hammond Keifer (1857-1943) read the old Keifer family Bible and remarked that it showed different spellings of Keifer. Unfortunately the old Keifer family Bible has been lost.
Occupation: Distiller
1790 Census Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Ceever" - single & alone
-Home in 1790: Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania (Portion Taken From Washington Co.)
-Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over: 1
-Number of Household Members: 1
1800 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Kever"; b. abt 1775
-2-1-1|2-2----
-2 males under 10: John & Henry
-1 male 16-25: Unknown(possibly a visiting relative)
-1 male 45 and upward: Henry
-2 females under 10: Elizabeth & Rebecca
-2 females 16-25: Unknown and Anna
1810 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Keever"; b. bet 1766 - 1784
-311-1|12-1---
-3 males under 10: Jacob, David & Samuel
-1 male 10 to 15: John William abt 10
-1 male 16 to 25: Henry 16
-1 male 45 and upward: Henry 54
-1 female under 10 yrs old: Anna
-2 females 10-15 yrs old: Elizabeth & Rebecca
-1 female 26-44 yrs old: Anna 42
-Susan wasn't born yet
1820 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Hennery Keefer"; Anna b. bet 1769 - 1775
-121211|11--1|-3--
-1 male under 10: Cornelius
-2 males 10 to 16: Samuel & David
-1 male 16 to 18: Jacob
-2 males 16 to 26: John & Unknown
-1 male 26 to 45: Henry
-1 male 45 and upwards: Henry
-1 female under 10: Susan
-1 female 10 to 16: Anna
-1 female 45 and upwards: Anna
-Elizabeth & Rebecca are married
Under their colonial charters, both Pennsylvania and Virginia claimed the region that is now Allegheny County. Pennsylvania administered most of the region as part of its Westmoreland County. Virginia considered everything south of the Ohio River and east of the Allegheny River to be part of its Yohogania County, and governed it from Fort Dunmore. In addition, parts of the county were located in the proposed British colony of Vandalia and the proposed U.S. state of Westsylvania. The overlapping boundaries, multiple governments, and confused deed claims soon proved unworkable. Near the end of the American Revolutionary War, in 1780 Pennsylvania and Virginia agreed to extend the Mason–Dixon line westward. This region was assigned to Pennsylvania. From 1781 until 1788, much of what Virginia had claimed as part of Yohogania County was administered as a part of the newly created Washington County, Pennsylvania.
At the close of 1784 Arthur Lee visited Pittsburg and left an account, by no means flattering, of its condition and prospects. He says: "Pitts- burg is in habited almost entirely by Scots and Irish, who live in paltry log houses, and are as dirty as in the north of Ireland, or even Scotland. There is a great deal of small trade carried on, the goods being brought at the vast expenses of forty-five shillings per hundredweight (CWT). from Philadelphia and Balti- more. They take in the shops money, wheat flour and skins. There are in the town four attorneys, two doctors, and not a priest of any persuasion, nor church, nor chapel; so that they are likely to be damned, without the benefit of clergy. The rivers encroach fast on the town, and to such a degree, that, as a gentleman told me, the Allegheny had in thirty years of his memory carried away one hundred yards. The place, I believe, will never be very considerable."
At that time this region was mainly a wilderness. There were four forts—at Beaver, Franklin, Erie and the head of French Creek—and trading posts at these and other points had been established, but there were very few settlements. The Indian title was not extinguished until 1784, and none of the lands opened for settlement or purchase until 1785.
At the first term of court after the act of September 24th, 1788, the county was divided into seven townships; Moon, St. Clair and Mifflin embraced the territory on the south of the Ohio river and west of the Monongahela, that is, all between those rivers and Washington county.
WHISKEY INSURRECTION.
To assist in paying the debt incurred in the war of the Revolution, Congress, in the early part of 1791, passed an excise law, imposing a tax upon distilled spirits of from nine to twenty-five cents per gallon, according to strength. The Monongahela valley was noted then, as now, for the quantity and quality of its whiskey. There were distilleries on nearly every stream emptying into the Monongahela in the counties of Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland, besides others in Fayette and Bedford. A direct tax upon manufactured products is always unpopular, more so with consumers than manufacturers, because they know in the end they have to pay it. But the time and circumstances made this tax particularly odious. It was close on the heels of the
Revolution, and in the midst of Indian troubles, when money was scarce and hard to obtain. It seemed like a special tax upon this district, and levied by foreign power, the United States government. It was likened to the tax upon tea before the Revolution.
Another source of complaint was, that, as the United States Court was held in Philadelphia, all parties and witnesses in cases of prosecution had to go east of the mountains to attend trial.
This county was very inviting to emigrants. The soil was rich and deep, the hills covered with magnificent trees—oaks, walnut, hickory, chestnut, etc. —and the valleys with sugar trees. Game of all kinds abounded—deer, bear, raccoons, wild turkeys, pheasants, etc. Deer and wild turkeys were killed in some parts of the country as late as 1830. In the peninsula between the Monongahela and Youghiogheny vast droves of wild hogs roamed through the forests in early days (perhaps the descendants of some that strayed from the first settlers) and often furnished farmers with pork as late as 1800.
In 1788 nearly all dwellings were log houses, and in every country settlement was a block-house for retreat and safety from marauding Indians. These were constructed of logs, with small openings for the use of tire-arms, and generally the upper story projecting so as to guard against the enemy setting lire to the buildings. In cases of alarm the settlers and their families fled to the block-house. Remains of the old block-houses were to be seen until recently in the townships of Moon, North Fayette, Forward, Versailles, Wilkins and Penn.
The early settlers, and those after 1788, were great marksmen and hunters, for the meat of the family larder was mostly supplied from the chase. It required courage and daring to settle in these forests, ex- posed day and night to attacks from merciless savages. And the women were as courageous and daring as the men. It is said that Mrs. Neel, of Mifflin township, who was driven out by a raid about 1780, rode on horse- back to Lancaster county, her former home, carrying one child in her arms and her boy of four years of age riding on behind her. Mrs. Martha Means, a widow, who came to that township about 1799, drove a four-horse team from Harrisburg, with her goods and six children. Until 1798 the only mail brought to Pittsburg was on horseback. The first stage line was established in 1805, running to Chambersburg, and brought the mail only twice a week. The turn-pike to Harrisburg was commenced in 1806. In 1788 Pittsburg contained about 500 inhabitants, besides the garrison, and had several small retail stores. In 1790 the entire population of the county was 10,309. In 1800 it was 15,087.
For several years after the county was organized all the salt had to be brought over the mountains on pack horses or in wagons. Some accounts state that salt was manufactured here before 1800, but that is doubtful. The first salt spring discovered this side of the mountains was at Saltsburg, in Indiana county, in 1813, where its manufacture was carried on extensively. Salt brought over the mountains by packhorses sold at eight dollars per bushel. About 1800 Gen. O'Hara brought salt from the Onondaga district, N. Y., by boats on Lakes Ontario and Erie to the town of Erie, thence by land to the head of French creek, thence floated down to Pittsburgh, and sold at four dollars per bushel. The first banking institution was a branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania, started Jan. 1st, 1804. The Bank of Pittsburgh was incorporated in 1814. It had been doing business for two years as the Pittsburgh Manufacturing Company. The Merchants and Manufacturers Bank was incorporated the same year.
The Associate Reformed Church (now the second U. P. Church) had preaching in Pittsburg as early as 1794, and at regular intervals thereafter, by Revs. McKnight, Riddell, Kerr, Henderson, Proudflt, Gallo- way, Findlay and McElroy. But the congregation had no regular pastor until 1816, when Rev. .Jos. McElroy was installed. They purchased a lot in 1815, and while their church was being built their services were
held in Dr. Black's church. Mr. McElroy resigned as pastor in 1824. Dr. Jos. Kerr and his two sons—Dr. Jos. R. Kerr and Dr. David R. Kerr—were successively pastors from 1825 to 1845.
Source: Allegheny County: It's Early History and Subsequent Development
From the Earliest Period till 1790, By Rev. A. A. LAMBING, LL. D.
From 1790 till the Present Time, BY HON, 7. TV. F. WHITE,
Published Under the Auspices of the ALLEGHENY COUNTY CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE.
Pittsburgh, Pa. : Snowden & Peterson, Publishers, 80 Diamond Street, 1888.
In these regions, cash was in short supply, and hauling grain over the mountains was a problem. People would save up to by a still, and the whiskey served as a medium of exchange and was something they could carry on horseback when buying salt. Many of the resisters were war veterans who believed that they were fighting for the principles of the American Revolution, in particular against taxation without local representation, while the federal government felt the untaxed whiskey was an unnecessary luxury and maintained that the taxes were the legal expression of Congressional taxation powers.
Allegheny County was officially created on September 24, 1788, from parts of Washington and Westmoreland counties. It's name was derived from the name of an aboriginal tribe, the "Talligewi" or "Allegewi". It was formed to respond to pressure from the increase in settlers living in the area around Pittsburgh; this was designated as the county seat in 1791. The county originally extended north to the shores of Lake Erie; it was reduced to its current borders by 1800. As population increased in the territory, other counties were organized.
In the 1790s, the United States federal government imposed a whiskey excise tax. Farmers who had depended on whiskey income refused to pay and started the so-called Whiskey Rebellion after driving off tax collector John Neville. After a series of demonstrations by farmers, President George Washington sent troops to suppress the frontier rebellion.
The area developed rapidly through the 1800s with industrialization. It became the nation's prime steel producer by the late 19th century and Pittsburgh was nicknamed "Steel Capital of the World".
Pittsburgh was on the very edge of the frontier, and the lands west of the Allegheny and north of the Ohio still belonged to the Indians. St. Clair was one of the original townships of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania at the county's creation in 1788. It spanned from Chartiers Creek on the North West side and Millers Run Creek on the South West side to Streets Run Creek on the East side, from the southern county line, just south of Clifton Rd., to Monongahela River in Pittsburgh on the North side. In 1836, the St. Clair Township was divided into two separate townships, Upper St. Clair and Lower St. Clair. Today Lower St. Clair no longer exists, and the original St. Clair is made up of Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Scott Township, Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, Whitehall, Carnegie, Borough of Dormont, Baldwin Township, Brentwood, Borough of Rosslyn Farms, Borough of Greentree, Pittsburgh, Borough of Baldwin, Borough of Thornburg, Borough of Crafton, Borough of Ingram, McKees Rocks Borough, Stowe Township, and Mt. Oliver.
The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 had its roots in Upper St. Clair.
Henry Keifer was of German descent, came west when a young man, and settled in Allegheny County, but he made nineteen trips across the mountains with pack-saddle horses, carrying salt, etc. He was married to Anna about the age of forty years, his wife being a native of Allegheny County. He died at the age of seventy-two, and she at the age of fifty-one.
Source: History of Beaver County - A Warner & Co., Publishers, 1888. Reprint by Closson Press, 1935 Sampson Drive, Apollo, Pa. 15613-9238 - Aug., 1993 Page 857.
Henry probably ran away from his master in Philadelphia when he was a teenager. According to his land deed, before moving to St. Clair, he lived in Mannor/Manor Township, Lancaster Co., PA. The land he bought had Saw Mill Run Stream running the the left side in what is now Castle Shannon (following HWY 88) with WhiteHall Borough on the East side and Bethel Park on the South side. On 19 Sep 1786, he made his home in what became St. Clair, Allegheny Co., PA in 1788. Since he married Anna at age 40, and since their oldest child was Henry b. 1794, then they were married by 1793 which means he was born by 1753.
Henry died after 2 Jun 1828 (will written) and before 26 Jul 1828 (will proven) prior to 1836 when St. Clair was divided into Upper St. Clair and Lower St. Clair.
Henry's tombstone has not been located at the St. Clair Cemetery, but since he lived and died in St. Clair near Saw Mill Run, the church next to the cemetery was originally the Associate Reformed Congregation of Saw Mill Run (first preaching was Nov 1802), and Henry's family was German Reformed, it is believed that he's buried there. At least a dozen or so St. Clair Cemetery tombstones are now smooth on both sides. It's assumed that if Henry and Anna had stones, they would probably look like the one posted here.
No. 143
Last Will and Testament
Of
Henry Keefer
In the name of God, Amen:
I Henry Keefer of St. Clair Township Allegheny County State of Pennsylvania being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory at this present time do make and ordain this my last will & testament in manner and form as follows:
Firstly: My body to be decently buried in the grave and my soul to God who gave it.
Secondly: All my lawful debts and funeral expenses to be paid out of my estate.
Thirdly: I give and bequeath to my daughters Anne and Susanna one cow and four sheep, each one bed stead, bed and bedding and one coverlet and two blankets each of the best in the house. One ridrir? of saddle each the cupboard and kitchen furniture to be divided equally between them the oldest to have her choice the wove? to be divided between them and each of them to have her wheel the table clothes and towels to be equally divided between them. The remainder of my personal property to be sold by my executors and the proceeds disposed of as herein after directed. My real estate to be disposed of as follows: Namely to be united for fifteen years and then be sold unless in the judgment of my executors it would be proper to sell it sooner. The proceeds of my estate both real and personal. After the payment of my debts, to be equally divided between all my children namely Henry, John, Jacob, David, Samuel & Cornelious Keefer my sons and the heirs of my daughter. Rebekah, Elizabeth, Anne and Susanna to have equal share with the rest not withstanding their former requests. It is my will that my executors keep all moneys in the their hands to put to interest until it increments to fifteen hundred dolls (dollars) then my five oldest children to receive three hundred dollars each. When the second fifteen hundred dollars is raised then my five youngest children to receive three hundred dollars each. And then the remainder to be equally divided between all my children as it may be raised. Lastly I appoint and constitute my two friends, John Huls and James Heulty, executors of this my last will and testament to execute and carry into full effect the same and I do hereby ratify, confirm, and ordain this instrument of writing to be my last will and testament revoking, disamulling, and making void all former wills or bequests by me made or done.
In witness where of I have herein to subscribed my name and affixed my seal this second day of June One thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Henry Keefer
Signed sealed and pronounced by the testator in the presence of us subscribing witnesses who subscribed our names in the presence of the testator.
John Lafferty
Henry Pomevene
Intervened at first line second page before signing
Allegheny County, p. a.
On the 26th day of July A.D. 1828 Personally appeared John Lafferty and Henry Pomevene the two subscribing witnesses to the written will who on their solemn oath did depose and say they were present and did see and hear Henry Keefer the testator sign seal publish pronounce and declare the foregoing instrument of writing to be as and for his last will and testament and at the time of so doing he was of perfect and sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation and belief.
Given under my hand date aforesaid
M. Stewart
Source: Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993
Will Books, Vol 3, 1823-1831
2 Jun 1828
Allegheny Co., PA
Source: Genealogy of the descendants of Robert Smith 1924 by Edward Uhr Smith (First data gathered in 1911) Page 119.
Also the Y-DNA of a direct descendant of Henry is Haplogroup I-M253, posted to the Keefer Project on familytreedna.com, of French descent (through Germany to America) possibly with an original last name of Le Tonnelier. Eight different people with family trees showing that they are direct descendants of Hans Leonhardt Kieffer and Anna Margaretha Heyel are part of Haplogroup R-M269 of German descent (not through France).
History of German Immigration to America in the 1700's: The Redemption System
German Immigration to America increased in the 1700's due to the search for religious freedom and the opportunity to own land and create a new life in America. Many immigrants were poor and the only way to reach the New World was to sign contracts agreeing to work between five to seven years in exchange for transportation and the prospects of a job and a new life in America. The Germans used a form of indentured labor called the redemption system; the Germans who signed this type of contract were called redemptioners. An astonishing 50% to 70% of Germans coming to America in the 1700s, prior to the American Revolutionary War, came as redemptioners contracted via the redemption system.
History of German Immigration to America in the 1700's: German Immigrants and the "Poor Palantines". German Immigration to America in the 1700's initially centered in Pennsylvania and upstate New York. The vast majority of migrants adhered to the Protestants religion or belonged to small religious sects such as the Mennonites and Moravians. The German settlements in New York were established in 1710 by Protestant Germans from the Palatine region of Germany. The "Poor Palatines" were over 13,000 Germans who had fled to England in 1709 to avoid French invasion and hostilities. The English arranged to settle them in the American Colonies and arranged passage of nearly 3,000 in ten ships to New York in 1710. The German Palatine migrants were assigned to work camps situated along the Hudson River to work off their passage. Over 15,000 immigrants from Germany also left their homelands at this time making their way to Pennsylvania, New York and the Carolinas.
John McCarl Keifer (1861-1928) said the oldest Keifer ancestor (likely Henry) he knew of was a bound boy (an indentured servant or a forced apprenticeship) in Philadelphia, PA who hit his owner over the head with an axe and ran away. The "Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Runaway Servants, Convicts, and Apprentices, 1728-1796" on Ancestry.com has no Keever, Keifer, or any similar name. It was also common at this time that when the father died early, and the mother couldn't pay for food and taking care of the children, that the children would be put into a forced apprenticeship to pay for their needs.
The Genealogy of the descendants of Robert Smith 1924 by Edward U. Smith says "The Second Generation (Henry's children) changed the spelling of their name from Keever to Keifer." Considering this was written in 1924 with the first data gathered in 1911, it is believed that Edward was making an assumption based on name spelling in census data and the land deed which are often incorrect.
William Hammond Keifer (1857-1943) read the old Keifer family Bible and remarked that it showed different spellings of Keifer. Unfortunately the old Keifer family Bible has been lost.
Occupation: Distiller
1790 Census Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Ceever" - single & alone
-Home in 1790: Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania (Portion Taken From Washington Co.)
-Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over: 1
-Number of Household Members: 1
1800 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Kever"; b. abt 1775
-2-1-1|2-2----
-2 males under 10: John & Henry
-1 male 16-25: Unknown(possibly a visiting relative)
-1 male 45 and upward: Henry
-2 females under 10: Elizabeth & Rebecca
-2 females 16-25: Unknown and Anna
1810 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Henry Keever"; b. bet 1766 - 1784
-311-1|12-1---
-3 males under 10: Jacob, David & Samuel
-1 male 10 to 15: John William abt 10
-1 male 16 to 25: Henry 16
-1 male 45 and upward: Henry 54
-1 female under 10 yrs old: Anna
-2 females 10-15 yrs old: Elizabeth & Rebecca
-1 female 26-44 yrs old: Anna 42
-Susan wasn't born yet
1820 Census St. Clair Twp, Allegheny Co., PA; "Hennery Keefer"; Anna b. bet 1769 - 1775
-121211|11--1|-3--
-1 male under 10: Cornelius
-2 males 10 to 16: Samuel & David
-1 male 16 to 18: Jacob
-2 males 16 to 26: John & Unknown
-1 male 26 to 45: Henry
-1 male 45 and upwards: Henry
-1 female under 10: Susan
-1 female 10 to 16: Anna
-1 female 45 and upwards: Anna
-Elizabeth & Rebecca are married
Under their colonial charters, both Pennsylvania and Virginia claimed the region that is now Allegheny County. Pennsylvania administered most of the region as part of its Westmoreland County. Virginia considered everything south of the Ohio River and east of the Allegheny River to be part of its Yohogania County, and governed it from Fort Dunmore. In addition, parts of the county were located in the proposed British colony of Vandalia and the proposed U.S. state of Westsylvania. The overlapping boundaries, multiple governments, and confused deed claims soon proved unworkable. Near the end of the American Revolutionary War, in 1780 Pennsylvania and Virginia agreed to extend the Mason–Dixon line westward. This region was assigned to Pennsylvania. From 1781 until 1788, much of what Virginia had claimed as part of Yohogania County was administered as a part of the newly created Washington County, Pennsylvania.
At the close of 1784 Arthur Lee visited Pittsburg and left an account, by no means flattering, of its condition and prospects. He says: "Pitts- burg is in habited almost entirely by Scots and Irish, who live in paltry log houses, and are as dirty as in the north of Ireland, or even Scotland. There is a great deal of small trade carried on, the goods being brought at the vast expenses of forty-five shillings per hundredweight (CWT). from Philadelphia and Balti- more. They take in the shops money, wheat flour and skins. There are in the town four attorneys, two doctors, and not a priest of any persuasion, nor church, nor chapel; so that they are likely to be damned, without the benefit of clergy. The rivers encroach fast on the town, and to such a degree, that, as a gentleman told me, the Allegheny had in thirty years of his memory carried away one hundred yards. The place, I believe, will never be very considerable."
At that time this region was mainly a wilderness. There were four forts—at Beaver, Franklin, Erie and the head of French Creek—and trading posts at these and other points had been established, but there were very few settlements. The Indian title was not extinguished until 1784, and none of the lands opened for settlement or purchase until 1785.
At the first term of court after the act of September 24th, 1788, the county was divided into seven townships; Moon, St. Clair and Mifflin embraced the territory on the south of the Ohio river and west of the Monongahela, that is, all between those rivers and Washington county.
WHISKEY INSURRECTION.
To assist in paying the debt incurred in the war of the Revolution, Congress, in the early part of 1791, passed an excise law, imposing a tax upon distilled spirits of from nine to twenty-five cents per gallon, according to strength. The Monongahela valley was noted then, as now, for the quantity and quality of its whiskey. There were distilleries on nearly every stream emptying into the Monongahela in the counties of Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland, besides others in Fayette and Bedford. A direct tax upon manufactured products is always unpopular, more so with consumers than manufacturers, because they know in the end they have to pay it. But the time and circumstances made this tax particularly odious. It was close on the heels of the
Revolution, and in the midst of Indian troubles, when money was scarce and hard to obtain. It seemed like a special tax upon this district, and levied by foreign power, the United States government. It was likened to the tax upon tea before the Revolution.
Another source of complaint was, that, as the United States Court was held in Philadelphia, all parties and witnesses in cases of prosecution had to go east of the mountains to attend trial.
This county was very inviting to emigrants. The soil was rich and deep, the hills covered with magnificent trees—oaks, walnut, hickory, chestnut, etc. —and the valleys with sugar trees. Game of all kinds abounded—deer, bear, raccoons, wild turkeys, pheasants, etc. Deer and wild turkeys were killed in some parts of the country as late as 1830. In the peninsula between the Monongahela and Youghiogheny vast droves of wild hogs roamed through the forests in early days (perhaps the descendants of some that strayed from the first settlers) and often furnished farmers with pork as late as 1800.
In 1788 nearly all dwellings were log houses, and in every country settlement was a block-house for retreat and safety from marauding Indians. These were constructed of logs, with small openings for the use of tire-arms, and generally the upper story projecting so as to guard against the enemy setting lire to the buildings. In cases of alarm the settlers and their families fled to the block-house. Remains of the old block-houses were to be seen until recently in the townships of Moon, North Fayette, Forward, Versailles, Wilkins and Penn.
The early settlers, and those after 1788, were great marksmen and hunters, for the meat of the family larder was mostly supplied from the chase. It required courage and daring to settle in these forests, ex- posed day and night to attacks from merciless savages. And the women were as courageous and daring as the men. It is said that Mrs. Neel, of Mifflin township, who was driven out by a raid about 1780, rode on horse- back to Lancaster county, her former home, carrying one child in her arms and her boy of four years of age riding on behind her. Mrs. Martha Means, a widow, who came to that township about 1799, drove a four-horse team from Harrisburg, with her goods and six children. Until 1798 the only mail brought to Pittsburg was on horseback. The first stage line was established in 1805, running to Chambersburg, and brought the mail only twice a week. The turn-pike to Harrisburg was commenced in 1806. In 1788 Pittsburg contained about 500 inhabitants, besides the garrison, and had several small retail stores. In 1790 the entire population of the county was 10,309. In 1800 it was 15,087.
For several years after the county was organized all the salt had to be brought over the mountains on pack horses or in wagons. Some accounts state that salt was manufactured here before 1800, but that is doubtful. The first salt spring discovered this side of the mountains was at Saltsburg, in Indiana county, in 1813, where its manufacture was carried on extensively. Salt brought over the mountains by packhorses sold at eight dollars per bushel. About 1800 Gen. O'Hara brought salt from the Onondaga district, N. Y., by boats on Lakes Ontario and Erie to the town of Erie, thence by land to the head of French creek, thence floated down to Pittsburgh, and sold at four dollars per bushel. The first banking institution was a branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania, started Jan. 1st, 1804. The Bank of Pittsburgh was incorporated in 1814. It had been doing business for two years as the Pittsburgh Manufacturing Company. The Merchants and Manufacturers Bank was incorporated the same year.
The Associate Reformed Church (now the second U. P. Church) had preaching in Pittsburg as early as 1794, and at regular intervals thereafter, by Revs. McKnight, Riddell, Kerr, Henderson, Proudflt, Gallo- way, Findlay and McElroy. But the congregation had no regular pastor until 1816, when Rev. .Jos. McElroy was installed. They purchased a lot in 1815, and while their church was being built their services were
held in Dr. Black's church. Mr. McElroy resigned as pastor in 1824. Dr. Jos. Kerr and his two sons—Dr. Jos. R. Kerr and Dr. David R. Kerr—were successively pastors from 1825 to 1845.
Source: Allegheny County: It's Early History and Subsequent Development
From the Earliest Period till 1790, By Rev. A. A. LAMBING, LL. D.
From 1790 till the Present Time, BY HON, 7. TV. F. WHITE,
Published Under the Auspices of the ALLEGHENY COUNTY CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE.
Pittsburgh, Pa. : Snowden & Peterson, Publishers, 80 Diamond Street, 1888.
In these regions, cash was in short supply, and hauling grain over the mountains was a problem. People would save up to by a still, and the whiskey served as a medium of exchange and was something they could carry on horseback when buying salt. Many of the resisters were war veterans who believed that they were fighting for the principles of the American Revolution, in particular against taxation without local representation, while the federal government felt the untaxed whiskey was an unnecessary luxury and maintained that the taxes were the legal expression of Congressional taxation powers.
Allegheny County was officially created on September 24, 1788, from parts of Washington and Westmoreland counties. It's name was derived from the name of an aboriginal tribe, the "Talligewi" or "Allegewi". It was formed to respond to pressure from the increase in settlers living in the area around Pittsburgh; this was designated as the county seat in 1791. The county originally extended north to the shores of Lake Erie; it was reduced to its current borders by 1800. As population increased in the territory, other counties were organized.
In the 1790s, the United States federal government imposed a whiskey excise tax. Farmers who had depended on whiskey income refused to pay and started the so-called Whiskey Rebellion after driving off tax collector John Neville. After a series of demonstrations by farmers, President George Washington sent troops to suppress the frontier rebellion.
The area developed rapidly through the 1800s with industrialization. It became the nation's prime steel producer by the late 19th century and Pittsburgh was nicknamed "Steel Capital of the World".
Pittsburgh was on the very edge of the frontier, and the lands west of the Allegheny and north of the Ohio still belonged to the Indians. St. Clair was one of the original townships of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania at the county's creation in 1788. It spanned from Chartiers Creek on the North West side and Millers Run Creek on the South West side to Streets Run Creek on the East side, from the southern county line, just south of Clifton Rd., to Monongahela River in Pittsburgh on the North side. In 1836, the St. Clair Township was divided into two separate townships, Upper St. Clair and Lower St. Clair. Today Lower St. Clair no longer exists, and the original St. Clair is made up of Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Scott Township, Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, Whitehall, Carnegie, Borough of Dormont, Baldwin Township, Brentwood, Borough of Rosslyn Farms, Borough of Greentree, Pittsburgh, Borough of Baldwin, Borough of Thornburg, Borough of Crafton, Borough of Ingram, McKees Rocks Borough, Stowe Township, and Mt. Oliver.
The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 had its roots in Upper St. Clair.
Henry Keifer was of German descent, came west when a young man, and settled in Allegheny County, but he made nineteen trips across the mountains with pack-saddle horses, carrying salt, etc. He was married to Anna about the age of forty years, his wife being a native of Allegheny County. He died at the age of seventy-two, and she at the age of fifty-one.
Source: History of Beaver County - A Warner & Co., Publishers, 1888. Reprint by Closson Press, 1935 Sampson Drive, Apollo, Pa. 15613-9238 - Aug., 1993 Page 857.
Henry probably ran away from his master in Philadelphia when he was a teenager. According to his land deed, before moving to St. Clair, he lived in Mannor/Manor Township, Lancaster Co., PA. The land he bought had Saw Mill Run Stream running the the left side in what is now Castle Shannon (following HWY 88) with WhiteHall Borough on the East side and Bethel Park on the South side. On 19 Sep 1786, he made his home in what became St. Clair, Allegheny Co., PA in 1788. Since he married Anna at age 40, and since their oldest child was Henry b. 1794, then they were married by 1793 which means he was born by 1753.
Henry died after 2 Jun 1828 (will written) and before 26 Jul 1828 (will proven) prior to 1836 when St. Clair was divided into Upper St. Clair and Lower St. Clair.
Henry's tombstone has not been located at the St. Clair Cemetery, but since he lived and died in St. Clair near Saw Mill Run, the church next to the cemetery was originally the Associate Reformed Congregation of Saw Mill Run (first preaching was Nov 1802), and Henry's family was German Reformed, it is believed that he's buried there. At least a dozen or so St. Clair Cemetery tombstones are now smooth on both sides. It's assumed that if Henry and Anna had stones, they would probably look like the one posted here.
No. 143
Last Will and Testament
Of
Henry Keefer
In the name of God, Amen:
I Henry Keefer of St. Clair Township Allegheny County State of Pennsylvania being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory at this present time do make and ordain this my last will & testament in manner and form as follows:
Firstly: My body to be decently buried in the grave and my soul to God who gave it.
Secondly: All my lawful debts and funeral expenses to be paid out of my estate.
Thirdly: I give and bequeath to my daughters Anne and Susanna one cow and four sheep, each one bed stead, bed and bedding and one coverlet and two blankets each of the best in the house. One ridrir? of saddle each the cupboard and kitchen furniture to be divided equally between them the oldest to have her choice the wove? to be divided between them and each of them to have her wheel the table clothes and towels to be equally divided between them. The remainder of my personal property to be sold by my executors and the proceeds disposed of as herein after directed. My real estate to be disposed of as follows: Namely to be united for fifteen years and then be sold unless in the judgment of my executors it would be proper to sell it sooner. The proceeds of my estate both real and personal. After the payment of my debts, to be equally divided between all my children namely Henry, John, Jacob, David, Samuel & Cornelious Keefer my sons and the heirs of my daughter. Rebekah, Elizabeth, Anne and Susanna to have equal share with the rest not withstanding their former requests. It is my will that my executors keep all moneys in the their hands to put to interest until it increments to fifteen hundred dolls (dollars) then my five oldest children to receive three hundred dollars each. When the second fifteen hundred dollars is raised then my five youngest children to receive three hundred dollars each. And then the remainder to be equally divided between all my children as it may be raised. Lastly I appoint and constitute my two friends, John Huls and James Heulty, executors of this my last will and testament to execute and carry into full effect the same and I do hereby ratify, confirm, and ordain this instrument of writing to be my last will and testament revoking, disamulling, and making void all former wills or bequests by me made or done.
In witness where of I have herein to subscribed my name and affixed my seal this second day of June One thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Henry Keefer
Signed sealed and pronounced by the testator in the presence of us subscribing witnesses who subscribed our names in the presence of the testator.
John Lafferty
Henry Pomevene
Intervened at first line second page before signing
Allegheny County, p. a.
On the 26th day of July A.D. 1828 Personally appeared John Lafferty and Henry Pomevene the two subscribing witnesses to the written will who on their solemn oath did depose and say they were present and did see and hear Henry Keefer the testator sign seal publish pronounce and declare the foregoing instrument of writing to be as and for his last will and testament and at the time of so doing he was of perfect and sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation and belief.
Given under my hand date aforesaid
M. Stewart
Source: Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993
Will Books, Vol 3, 1823-1831
2 Jun 1828
Allegheny Co., PA
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