JULY 1997 NEWSLETTER
History of Mary Amick continued...
Some evidence of the birth dates of the children of John Amick is based upon Salt Lake Temple Records--baptisms for the dead done in 1897 by Henry Mower Jr. It must be remembered that he was writing these dates about 100 years after they were born in some instances, and were approximations.
In the early 1800's John Amick requested to purchase from the state 213 acres in Bedford Co. bordering on the property of John Shaffer, Wm Andrews, Wm. Cornell, John Hann--- lying on both sides of Brush Creek. This is found in FHL film #1028688. John Amick is recorded as purchasing other land also in FHL #1028688 Pennsylvania Warrant Book Bedford A. #234 John Amick of Providence Twp. applied to purchase 50 acres of land adjoining John Shaffer, David Schlotter, Benjamin Shaw and Henry Mowry for 5 pounds money.
In 1806 Michael Emick (Amick), a likely relative, appeared on the tax records of Bedford. He became a relative of the Mower family upon his marriage to Mary Mower, daughter of Andrew Mower (who was a son of Johann Michael Maurer, the immigrant) about 1798. This puts Michael Amick about the age to be the brother of John Amick.
John Amick appears in the 1810 Census of Bedford, Bedford Co., Pa listed as John EMICH. In his home are listed 3 males under 10 (John Jr., Joseph, and Samuel), 1 male 26-45 (John Sr.), 2 females under 10 (Peggy and ?), 2 females 10-16 (Mary and Susannah), 1 female 26-45 (Anna Maria (Brill) Amick. This adds some confusion, here again to the members of this family. It appears there were two daughters born before 1800 and at least two born between 1800 and 1810. If Mary and Susannah were born prior to 1800, and Peggy in 1805, we still have one to identify. If Mary and Susannah were born 1800-1810 and Peggy in 1805, the census would have listed three daughters 1800-1810. Obviously we don't have the dates right for someone's birthday.
John Amick is listed in the 1820 census which shows 1 son under 10 (David), 1 son 10-16 (might be Philip), 1 son 16-18 (Samuel), 2 sons 16-26 (John Jr. and Joseph), 1 dau under 10 (Elizabeth or Catherine), 2 dau 10-16 (Peggy and ?, perhaps Susannah?), him and wife.
The 1830 census for Providence Twp., Bedford Co., lists John Amick head of household of 6: 1 male 15-20 (David), 1 male 50-60 (John Sr.), 1 female under 5, 1 female 15-20, 1 female 20-30, 1 female 50-60 (Anna Maria (Brill) Amick). I assume he had a daughter and granddaughter living in the home with him at the time of that census.
During the 1830's in Providence Twp., Bedford Co. we find these Amick
residents:
1831--Michael Amich, John Amich, Samuel Amich.
1832--Michael Amich, John Amich, Samuel Amich.
1833--Michael Amich, John Amich, Samuel Amich.
1837--Michael Amick, John Amick, Samuel Amick, David Amick, John Amick.
1838--Michael Amick with 2 horses and 3 cows, John Amick, Samuel Amick.
1839--Michael Amick, John Amick, Samuel Amick.
1840--Michael Amick, John Amick.
The 1840 Census for West Providence Twp. lists John as a head of a household of 3: 1 male 70-80, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 60-70. Perhaps a granddaughter was living in the home with Grandma and Grandpa Amick.
Will of John Amick
I, John Amick of Monroe township being of sound mind and memory thanks be to God, do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and First I direct that my body be decently interred in the burying ground of the Clear Ridge Meeting House in the said township according to the rules and ceremonies of the said Church and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and situation in life. And as to such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to entrust me with I dispose of the same as follows:
First I direct that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first money that comes in the hands of the executors from any portion of any estate real or personal. Also I direct that all my real and personal estate to my beloved wife, Mary, as long as she shall live and after her death that my son David is to have all my real and personal property after his mother's death, it is my will that my son David is to pay my sons John and Joseph fifty dollars a piece, their legacy out of my real and personal estate. It is my will that my son David is to give my daughter, Elizabeth Kimberland twenty five dollars, it is my will that my son David is to give my daughter Catherine Conner to her children twenty five dollars equally divided with them, it is my will that my son David is to give my daughter Margaret Truax, her two children Jacob and Marian twenty five dollars to be equally divided with them, it is my will that my son David is to give my daughter Susannah Shafer one dollar, it is my will that my son David is to give my daughter Mary Mowery one dollar, it is my will that my son David is to give my son Samuel six dollars, it is my will that my son David is to pay the ab ove legacies within three years after mine and my wife's death.
It is my will that my son John Amick and John Martin Esq. Exec of this my last will and testament. Signed 21 day of May 1843. John Amick his mark X
We can learn some interesting things about the make up of John Amick's family as it stood on 21 May 1843. We know through this will that daughter Mary, who had just joined the Mormon Church was basically disinherited. Why Susannah was disinherited I do not know as she did not join with the Mormons.
John Amick died in 1844 and was buried in Clear Ridge Cemetery in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Some records exist of the probate procedings which followed.
The Orphan Court Docket lists John Amick March 1847 Pg. 268 It states that John Amick's estate was posted by a Mr. McCormack. "To the honorable judges of the orphans court of Bedford County at March adjourned court 1847. The petition of William McCormack respectfully sheweth that John Amick of Monroe Township lately died having first made his last will and testament since proven, and appointed John Martin and John Amick his executors. That your petitioner had a debt against the testator and obtained judgment therefor as the executors which they refuse to pay or to appropriate the apts. of the estate to the payment thereof. Your petitioner there prays the court to issue process against them to show cause why the bond of testator should not be sold to pay said debt and judgment; pg. 269 Ordered to appear in court. Sheriff served on John Martin and John Amick June 1847."
FHL #331338 Records in Nov 1853 a citation awarded to Frederick Souderbaugh of W. Providence, a creditor of the estate. Executors have neglected to exhibit and file just account of the estate; pg. 39 Came into court.. Martin... produced a certified copy of the account of his administration on the estate... by which it appears there remains a balance of one dollar 89 1/2 cents with interest from 24 Nov 1854. due to accountant.
Henry Mower Sr. and Mary Amick
Mary Amick met Henry Mower Sr., also a Bedford, resident and they were married on 4 Nov 1817. Mary and Henry appear in the 1820 census with a daughter under the age of 10, which would have been Mahala. Their first daughter, Catherine, probably named after Henry's mother, Catherine Geissinger, died as an infant.
The 1830 Census of Colerain Twp., Bedford Co., Pa lists Henry Mower as head of household of 7: 1 male under 5 (John), 1 male 5-10 (Henry), 1 female under 5 (Susan), (Catherine born in 1818 had died, and Leah who was born in 1822 had died in 1829), 1 female 10-15 (Mahala), 1 female 30-40 (Mary), and 1 female 50-60 (her parents had their own home--this might have been Catherine Geissinger, Henry's mother, whose husband, Michael had died in 1829).
Henry and Mary (Amick) Mower joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1836 and by 1840 they had moved to Illinois. They are found in the 1840 Census of Sangamon County, Illinois, (FHL #7644 page 18): Henry MOWER with 1 male under 5 (George); 1 male 5-10 (Ezra); 1 male 10-15 (John); 1 male 15-20 (Henry Jr.); 1 male 40-50 (Henry Sr.); 1 female 10-15 (Susan); 1 female 50-60. (Catherine Geissinger Mower?).
Henry Mower Sr. was called on a mission to Indiana in 1842, and leaving his family in Illinois, he proceeded to respond to a call to serve. This would have been difficult for Mary to care for her family alone. She had just given birth to Hanna in 1841. Those living in the home at this time would have been: Henry Jr., age 18, John, age 16, Susan, age 13, Ezra, age 10, George age 7, and Hanna age 1. Mary's daughter Mahala married in Bedford County, Pennsylvania to George Shaw and was herself living in Bedford, a mother of one daughter, Matilda Shaw, born in 1841.
Henry had a successful mission in Indiana and while on that mission wrote a letter home to the Prophet Joseph Smith to report the success of his mission to Indiana:
Letter from Henry Mower to the Prophet Joseph Smith: Clinton County, Indiana March 9, 1843.
"Dear Brother--- I embrace an opportunity now offered to inform you of the progress of truth in this region. I left Nauvoo on the twenty-third of September last, to go to the eastern states, to preach the everlasting gospel, in company with another elder. On our journey we preached frequently to large congregations, many of whom in consequence of false reports, appeared enraged against us as a people; but when the truth penetrated their hearts, they saw that they had been imposed upon by falsehoods and misrepresentations, and entertained very different feelings towards us. Their enmity was turned to respect, and they treated us with the greatest kindness. The Lord has indeed opened out our way, and although we have had much to contend with, both from priests and people, we have lacked no good thing, for the Lord God has been our friend. When we arrived at Clinton, Boon County, we were fully satisfied that it was our duty to stop and preach. We had, at first some difficulty to get a place to preach in but after speaking two or three times, there was more calls than we could attend to. We have continued preaching in this and an adjoining county, and combatting with priests, (who seem to be the most determined opposers to the truth) until now. We have baptized thirty-two, and the prospect is still good. There are many enquiring after truth, and earnestly desirous to know the way of salvation, while many of the priests are running from place to place, and crying delusion! delusion! and we have understood by many of the citizens that their great text is 'the Mormons' and 'Joe Smith'; but while they have made lies their refuge, and under falsehood hid themselves, their misrepresentations only have a tendency to drive the honest in heart to enquire into the truth, and to make the saints rejoice while they see Satan overshoot himself. They have been endeavoring lately to make their hearers believe that we are more dangerous than their own mother, the Roman Catholic Church; They call her the mother of Harlots, if indeed she is, they are her offsprings and they all have descended from her. It does not speak much for her relationship; we must be in a bad predicament, if we are worse than them, for they are the acknowledged daughters of the old lady, who is described as being the mother of harlots.
continued next time....