I have a hand-written tree that states Abraham's father is John
Custer,
Sr. (1745-1812) that was drawn on 08-10-1966 by E. Ben Custer, (1902-?)
descendant of Frederick Custer (1773-1846).
CAOA documents Abraham's father is John Phillip CUSTER b: 1731 in PA d:
13 Jul 1812 in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County, PA
Will is dated July 13, 1811 and proved on Aug. 24, 1812:
I, Johannes Kustert, of Strassbache, write this will for the benefit of
my housewife, Margretta. Margretta is to have my house and stable as long
as she wants it or lives there or can hold it, and any one cow that she
wants. One bed, one large kettle, one small kettle, one spinning wheel, all
kitchen utensils that she brought, one large chest and all that is in it,
one dozen pewter spoons. Witness this, my hand and seal this day, July 13,
1811. If she leaves the farm she is to have $300 cash, with the above
mentioned articles. Johannes Custert (seal); Christian Blauch and Jacob
Blauch.
To Frederick Custer -- Take notice that the last will and Testament of
John Kuster decd has this day been proven in the Register's Office for said
County and you are hereby cited to appear at the next Orphans Court to be
held for said County on the last Monday in August inst at Somerset to show
cause if any you have why the Letter of Administration granted to you should
not be revoked and disanulled. Witness my hand and seal of office this 24th
day of August 1812. Alexander Ogle, Register.
To the honorable the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of
Somerset now comprising on Orphans Court in and for said County 28th
December anno Domini 1812. -- The Petition of Frederick Custer on the heirs
of John Custard of Conemaugh Twp. in said County deceased -- Humbly
Sheweth -- That your petitioners said father lately died Intestate leaving a
Widow to wit Margaret and issue six children to wit, Fredk (your
petitioner), John, Jacob, Abraham, Barbara intermarried with Henry Reed, and
Catharine intermarried with William Fenlow, and that the said Intestate decd
seized in his demesne as of fee of and in a certain messuage or one
undivided half of two hundred and sixty acres of land or thereabouts situate
in Conemaugh Twp., in said county with the appurtenances. Your Petitioner
therefore prays your honours to award an Inquest to make partition of the
premises aforesaid to and amongst the children and Preventatives of the said
Intestate in such manor and in such proportion as by the laws of this
Commonwealth is directed if such partition can be made without prejudice to
or Spoiling the whole, but if such partition cannot be made thereof as
aforesaid, then to value and appraise the same and make Report of their
proceedings according to law. And he will ever prayed etc. his mark (Fredk
Custard)
1. I'm not sure his middle name is Philip
2. I'm not sure his wife was Margaret Bleistein. There was a marriage
between a John Custer and Margaret Bleistein 28 Nov 1752 in Upper
Tulphehocken, Berks Co. The date would make this groom born in the late
1720's or early 1730's. 1731 would be OK, but not 1745. Barbara Custer, age
14, was baptized at this church in 1773. I do have other families that moved
from the Tulpehocken area in the 1770's to Cumberland Co, and also later to
Somerset Co, being Seese & Stover (who married in with the Custers), so it
can't be ruled out. This migration route generally follows I-81, and
continued south into Maryland and Virginia. From York & Franklin Co, another
route west followed US Rte 30.
3. Although 10 children are usually attributed, only the six named above
have records as adults, Frederick, John, Jacob, Abraham, Barbara (Henry
Reed) and Catherine (William Fenlow)
4. The probate record is a little confusing. In 1811 he left will, naming
only his wife, and it was proved 24 Aug 1812. But, Frederick was asked to
appear to show why his letters of administration should not be revoked and
disannulled. Why was this being taken away from Frederick? Then, on 28 Dec
1812, in Orphan's Court, John was said to have died intestate. Maybe because
he only mentioned his wife, and none of the children, they managed to have
the will thrown out, and asked the Court to divide the estate evenly between
the six surviving children.