Adam HOUFSTATER

Father: Unknown
Mother: Unknown

Family 1: Elizabeth Katherine //

(1) Appointment of executors of Last Will and Testament of Adam HOUFSTATER [sic] December 6, 1833.

  1. Mary HOUSTATER
  2. John HOUSTATER
  3. Susan HOUSTATER
  4. Philip HOUSTATER
  5. George HOUFSTATER
  6. Jacob HOUSTATER
  7. David HOUSTATER
  8. Jane HOUSTATER
              __
           __|
          |  |__
 _Unknown_|
|         |   __
|         |__|
|            |__
|
|--Adam HOUFSTATER
|
|             __
|          __|
|         |  |__
|_Unknown_|
          |   __
          |__|
             |__

Notes

Updated June 7, 2022. Compiled by Howder (www.howderfamily.com) from the following source(s):

(1) Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio (Chicago, J. H. Beers & co., 1894). Pages 302-303. Entry for JACOB P. HOUFSTATER.

"JACOB P. HOUFSTATER is a grandson of Adam HOUFSTATER, who was the pioneer of the family in America. Adam HOUFSTATER was born in 1755, in Germany, whence when a youth he came to the United States, and settling in Pennsylvania he learned the weaver's trade, at which he worked until he became a farmer. He was married in Pennsylvania, and moved some time later to Niagara county, N. Y., where most of the following named children were born to them; Adam, Philip, John, George, Jacob, Jane, Susan and Polly, all now deceased."

(2) 1790 United States Census for Pennsylvania, Cumberland Co., Hopewell, Newton, Tyborn, and Westpensboro.

- Head of Family: Adam HOOFSTATER
- Free White Persons - Males - Under 16: 3
- Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over: 1
- Free White Persons - Females: 5
- Number of Household Members: 9

Basic facts seem to align although this record requires further research.

(3) Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 via Ancestry.com

- Owner: HOSTETTER, Adam
- Number of Dwellings: 1
- Size: 20 by 18
- Other Still House & Stable
- Acres: 200
- Value: 450

This has not been confirmed as the same Adam HOSTETTER/HOUFSTATER. Nonetheless the entry provides important clues to identity and location that require further research. On the same page is a listing for Christian HOWDER (Adam's son-in-law). Additionally, the boundaries of Cumberland County changed considerably since this record was made. Tyrone Township is now located in Perry County, which was split from Cumberland County in 1820. The principal town in Tyrone Twp. is Green Park.

(4) Pennsylvania State Septennial Census; 1800

- Adam HOSTATER is listed as taxable in Tyrone, Cumberland County.

(4) Pool, William,. Landmarks of Niagara County, New York. Syracuse, N.Y.?: D. Mason & Co., 1897. Page 244.

"Christopher HOWDER purchased 150 acres in 1812, a mile and a half east of the [Cambria] Center. In the following year [1813] he sold a part of his purchase to Adam HOUSTATER, father of Phillip."

(5) 1830 United States Census for New York, Niagara Co., Cambria.

- Head of Family: Adam HASTATTER
- Free White Persons - Males - 70 thru 79: 1
- Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
- Free White Persons - Females - 60 thru 69: 1
- Free White Persons - Under 20: 1
- Total Free White Persons: 3
- Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 3

(6) Appointment of executors of Last Will and Testament of Adam HOUFSTATER; December 6, 1833.

- Adam signed the document with "His X Mark". There are many variant spellings of his surname in other documents: HOUSTETER (most common), HOUSTATTER, HOUSSTATTER, HOFSTATTER and HOUFFSTATER.
- Succeeding generations spelled the surname HOUSTATER or HOUFSTATER.
- "In the name of God, I, Adam HOUFSTATER, being of my own right mind, blessed almighty God for the same consideration of the uncertainty of human life, do make and publish this my last will and testament in words following, that so today. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elisabeth Katharine possessional use and profits of my farm dairy her natural life by my farm. I mean the west 50 acres of the lot on which I now reside whether said lot shall be duow at my decease or not. And further I give and bequeath to her my gray mare now in possession of my son George HOUFSTATER, also two cows and my own horse Wajjon , also all my household furniture of every kind except the cookstove and the use of that while she shall reside on this place. And further I give and bequeath to my oldest daughter Polly HOWDER at the time of the decease of my said wife Elisabeth Katharine, 350 dollars. Further I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane RUMSEY at the time of the decease of my said wife Elisabeth Katherine, 350 dollars, and further it is my will and desire that what of my property may yet remain after paying the said seven hundred dollars above, given and bequeathed to Polly HOWDER and Jane RUNSEY, shall be divisioned in equal shares between all my children, namely Polly HOWDER, Jane RUMSEY, John HOUSTATER, Susan SHINK , Philip HOUSTATTER, George HOUSTATTER, and Jacob HOUSTATTER. And further I give and bequeath my said wife Elisabeth Katharine six sheep."

(7) In the matter of probate of the last will of Adam HOUFFSTATER [sic], October 4, 1834.

- "...died in his residence in said Cambria on the twenty sixth day of September last of old age..."
- Wife's name was Elizabeth Katherine, surname not provided (as the surviving spouse, by definition she must have died after October 4, 1834).

(8) Mathews family records, November 29, 2001.

- Provides approximated date of birth for Elizabeth Katherine at abt. 1762, and marriage at abt. 1778
- References 1820 and 1830 Census for Niagara Co., NY