Created February 2021
By Brian Bowers
MOSES and ANNA BINDER
Moses Binder was born in Germany on or just before Oct. 2, 1720. (1)
Married a woman named Anna. Based on the birth date of their first known child, it’s likely that Moses and Anna were married in 1742. At this point, it’s unknown whether they married just before leaving Germany or they met and married just after Moses arrived in America. (2)
Children:
Jacob Binder, born Aug. 16, 1743.
Johanna Christina Binder, born Aug. 16, 1743. Married Martin Sensendorfer.
Anthony Binder, born June 8, 1746.
Frederica Binder, born 1748. Married Michael Kurtz.
Catharine Binder, born May 22, 1751.
Anna Margareth Binder, born February 1754. Married Henry Freyer.
Johannes Binder, born Sept. 3, 1756.
According to several accounts, Moses was from Wuerttemberg region in Germany. For example, “Notes and Queries: Historical, Biographical and Genealogical, Relating Chiefly to Interior Pennsylvania” from 1899 says, “Moses Binder came from a respectable family in Wurtemberg, the family seat supposed to be in the vicinity of Meringen.” Unfortunately, “Meringen,” doesn’t seem to exist, though there’s a Merdingen in the state of Baden-Wuettemberg between Freiburg and the Rhein. (4)
In 1742, Moses boarded the ship Francis & Elizabeth in Rotterdam, Netherlands, heading to America. On Sept. 21, the ship arrived in Philadelphia, the primary destination for Germans immigrating to English colonies in the 1700s. It seems likely that Moses traveled with relatives because the passenger list included Mose Binder, Jacob Binder and Hans Jerg Binder. (5)
At some point before June 1746, the Binder family settled in a portion of northeastern Philadelphia County that later became Montgomery County. On June 8, the Binders’ son Anthon was baptized at the Lutheran Church in New Hanover Township in the area known as Falkner Swamp. The exact location of the family’s home is uncertain since Moses does not seem to be listed in the indexes of Philadelphia County deeds until 1775 or in Pennsylvania’s land warrants at all. (6) However, Moses was listed as living in Falkner Swamp in a 1758 newspaper advertisement offering 5 shillings to anyone who would return a lost bag containing a few items. And “Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania” says Moses “located near Sassmansville, New Hanover township.” (7)
Starting in the 1760s, Moses frequently held a lay office in New Hanover’s Lutheran church. In 1765, the congregation adopted a new constitution and Moses Binder was among those who signed the document. (8) On May 29, 1765, the congregation elect Moses Binder was one of six vestrymen. Moses was elected elder in 1769, vestryman in 1771, trustee in 1772 and trustee again in 1780. When the congregation asked the ministerium to consecrate their new church building, Mose Binder was among those who signed the document on Sept. 10, 1768. (9)
Moses’ service in the community extended to being tax collector in 1779. (10)
In 1769, the tax list for Frankford and New Hanover Township shows that Moses Bender owned a substantial farm. He was taxed for 200 acres and a dwelling as well as four horses, five cows and 10 sheep. (11) In 1774, he was taxed for 200 acres and a dwelling, three horses, four cows and five sheep.
On Oct. 7, 1775, Moses purchased 94½ acres in New Hanover Township for 491 pounds in Pennsylvania money. (12)
A few years later, Moses sold a portion of his property to his son Jacob. The transaction occurred on June 14, 1779, and involved 156 acres in New Hanover Township. Although the sale does not seem to appear in the Philadelphia County deed indexes, it is mentioned in a later deed recorded in Montgomery County. When Montgomery was established in 1784, New Hanover Township fell within its borders. (13)
The 1782 tax list for New Hanover Township shows that Moses Bender, farmer, owned 300 acres, two horses, two cows and three sheep. The number of acres, horses and cows remained pretty much the same through 1788. Sheep disappear from the list after 1783.
In 1790, the federal census indicated that Moses Bender’s household contained two males under 16, two males 16 and older and two females.
Moses died in 1798 and was buried on Dec. 12. (14)
In his will Moses, stipulated that his “beloved Spouse Anna” was to continue living on his farm and keep “the Room for herself which we now occupy.” She was to receive her stove, marriage bed and bedstead, curtain, linen, flax and kitchen furniture. She was also to receive two cows with their chains, two sheep and one swine. Moses’ real estate was to go to his “two Eldest sons” – Jacob and Anthony – and daughter Catharine and his personal property was to be sold and the proceeds divided among his wife and children.
Lists from the 1798 U.S. direct tax reveal that Moses rented out much of his property. The tax rolls for New Hanover Township show that the Moses Bender’s estate owned property where Conrad Frees, Mathias Decker and Henry Fryer lived. (15)
Anna died in 1800 and was buried on March 31. (16)
(1) Moses died Dec. 12, 1798, at 78 years, 2 months, 10 days. His approximate birth date is based on his age when he died, which appears in “A History of The Lutheran Church in New Hanover, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,” by John J. Kline, published by the congregation, 1910, page 652. He was 78 years, 2 months and 10 days. However, it seems that the date – Dec. 12, 1798 – attached to the record might have been of his burial, not his death. (2) Anna is identified as Moses’ wife in baptismal records of the Lutheran Church in New Hanover. The approximate marriage year and place is determined by the birth of the couple’s first children in 1743. (3) The baptisms of Anna Margareth, Anthon, Catharine and Johannes appears “A History of The Lutheran Church in New Hanover,” page 291. The birth dates of the twins Jacob and Johanna Christina and Frederica appear on their tombstones, which can be seen at Findagrave.com. Confirmation records from 1756 indicate that Jacob and Johanna Christina were children of Moses, but list Jacob as “12 years” and Johanna Christina as “in her 13th year,” both of which are technically correct even though they were twins. See page 516. The tombstones of Johanna Christina and Frederica mention their husbands. In addition, Moses’ will names the following children: Jacob, Hannah, Anthony, Frederica, Catharine, John and Anna Mary. It appears in Montgomery County, Pa., Will Book 2, page 325. Hannah was Johanna Christina and Anna Mary was Anna Margareth. It should be noted that these women’s names are confused in “Notes and Queries: Historical, Biographical and Genealogical, Relating Chiefly to Interior Pennsylvania,” by William H. Egle, Harrisburg Publishing Co., 1899, pages 218. Egle lists Johanna Christiana, Hanna, Anna Margaretha as four separate people, instead of two. Such confusion is common because German church records aren’t always as precise as we’d like to think, and they use many nicknames and abbreviations. A perfect example is that Anna Maria Bender, Moses’ daughter, age 15, was confirmed in 1769. This age matches the baptism records of Anna Margareth, and removes any doubt that Anna Maria and Anna Margareth were the same person. Egle was also misled by the fact that Jacob and Johanna Christina’s ages are listed differently in the confirmation records, a problem noted above. (4) The connection to Wuerttemberg is stated in “Notes and Queries: Historical, Biographical and Genealogical, Relating Chiefly to Interior Pennsylvania,” by William H. Egle, Harrisburgh Publishing Co., 1899, page 217. It’s also mentioned in the profile of Moses’ descendant William J. Binder in “Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,” edited by Ellwood Roberts, T.S. Benham & Co. and Lewis Publishing Co. 1904. (5) The immigration record appears in “Pennsylvania German Pioneers,” Vol. 1, by Ralph B. Strassburger, edited by William J. Hinke, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1980, pages 327-329. (6) The 1775 deed appears in Philadelphia County Deed Book I-15, page 453. (7) The advertisement is mentioned in “Notes and Queries,” pages 217-218. The reference to Sassmansville appears in a profile of William J. Binder, one of Moses’ descendants, in “Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,” edited by Ellwood Roberts, T.S. Benham & Co. and Lewis Publishing Co. 1904. (8) The church constitution is mentioned in “Notes and Queries,” page 190. (9) The other offices held by Moses are mentioned in “A History of The Lutheran Church in New Hanover,” pages 170, 176 and 177. The request for consecration of the new church appears on page 30. The 1785 trustee election is mentioned in “Notes and Queries,” page 189. (10) The Perkiomen Region, Past and Present, Vol. 1, No. 12, edited by Henry S. Dotterer, August 1895, page 185. (11) The tax records appear in “Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801,” at Ancestry.com. (12) The deed in in Philadelphia County Deed Book I-15, page 453. (13) The Montgomery County transaction appears in Deed Book 21, page 406, and involves Jacob’s sale of the land to his own son John in 1805. (14) Moses’ burial is mentioned in “A History of The Lutheran Church in New Hanover,” page 652. (15) “Pennsylvania, U.S., U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798,” at Ancestry.com. (16) Anna’s burial appears in “A History of The Lutheran Church in New Hanover,” page 651.
JACOB and SUSANNAH BINDER
John Jacob Binder was born Aug. 16, 1743, to Moses and Anna Binder in eastern Pennsylvania. (1)
Married Susanna Schlonecker about 1770. She was born Jan. 21, 1754, to Michael and Anna Maria (Heilig) Schlonecker. (2)
Children: (3)
George Michael Binder, born Feb. 7, 1771.
Johann Jacob Binder, born Feb 5, 1776.
Johannes Binder, born; April 25, 1778.
Henrich Binder, born June 28, 1781.
Georg Binder, born May 19, 1784.
Susanna Binder, born Aug. 4, 1786. Married George Erb.
Elisabeth Binder. Married Anthony Fuchs.
Jacob Binder was raised in New Hanover Township in what was then part of Philadelphia County. He and his twin sister Johanna Christina were confirmed in the New Hanover Lutheran Church on April 17, 1756. (4) Moses Binder frequently served as a lay official in the New Hanover church and Jacob followed in his father’s footsteps. He served as a deacon in 1781 and as an elder in 1793 and 1794. (5)
Jacob was a farmer. The 1774 tax list for Frankford and New Hanover Township, Philadelphia County, shows that Jacob Bender was taxed for 100 acres of land and a dwelling, two horses, two cows and two sheep. (6)
In 1779, Jacob acquired 156 acres in New Hanover Township from his father and mother. (7)
By this point, the Revolutionary War was in full swing and the men of Pennsylvania were required to serve in local militia units. At least two different Jacob Binders appear in Philadelphia County militia records. We are interested in the man who served in Capt. Frederick Beitenman’s company of the Fourth Battalion Philadelphia County Militia. Jacob Binder is listed as a private in the company’s Class 6 in a roster from 1780 and another undated roster. These rosters contain the names of many men from New Hanover Township, including Jacob’s brother John and several who served as the baptismal sponsors of Jacob’s children. There is no indication in the volumes of the “Pennsylvania Archives” that this company was called into active service. (8)
In the tax records for 1782, Jacob is listed was owning 150 acres, two horses, four cows and four sheep. Over the next five years, the tax assessments remain very similar, with slight fluctuations in number of livestock counted. In 1788, he was taxed for only 140 acres, possibly indicating he sold some of his land.
In the 1790 U.S. Census, Jacob Bender’s household contained four males under 16, two males 16 and over and two females
In 1798, the U.S. direct tax list indicates that Jacob Bender owned 148 acres valued at $1,640 in New Hanover Township. It also mentioned a dwelling worth $270. (9)
In the 1800 U.S. Census, Jacob Bender’s household in New Hanover Township contained two males age 16-25, a male 45 and older, a female 10-15 and a female 45 and over.
On April 13, 1805, Jacob sold 10 acres of his property to his son John for 96 pounds, 3 shillings in Pennsylvania currency. (10)
In the 1810 U.S. Census, Jacob Bender’s household in New Hanover Township contained one man and one woman, each over 45 years old – Jacob and Susanna.
Jacob died in late 1815. He wrote his will on April 4, nothing he was “advanced in age and weak in Body but of sound and perfect mind and memory Blessed be the almighty God for the same.” He wrote a codicil dated Nov 26 and the will was proved Jan 15, 1816, which means he died between those two dates. (11)
In his will, Jacob stipulated that Susanna receive his clock, stove and “as much of the bedding house and Kitchen furniture as she may seem necessary and proper to keep.” Also, the interest of 300 pounds to be paid annually by his son Jacob. And “that part of my dwelling house now in my possession.” The rest of his estate was to be divided among Susannah and his six children. However, Jacob noted that “I have given unto my son George his full divident out of my estate he is therefore to have no more out of my estate, and is excluded from any further legacy.” However, he relented a few months later and gave George a full share in a codicil dated Nov. 26, 1815.
Susanna died March 3, 1839. (12)
(1) Jacob’s birth date appears on his tombstone at New Hanover Lutheran Cemetery, a photo of which appears on Findagrave.com. Jacob is identified as the 12-year-old son of Moses Binder in the list of confirmations on April 17, 1756, in “A History of The Lutheran Church in New Hanover, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,” by John J. Kline, published by the congregation, 1910, page 516. (2) The approximate year of marriage is based on the birth of the couple’s first child. Susanna Binder is identified as the daughter of Michael Schlonecker in his will in Berks County Will Book D, page 56. Susanna’s birth is listed in “A History of the Lutheran Church in New Hanover,’ page 449. (3) The baptisms of most of the children are listed in “A History of the Lutheran Church in New Hanover,’ pages 283, 292 and 294. Additionally, Jacob’s will mentions Elisabeth, the wife of Anthony Fuchs. The will also mentions the Susanna’s husband. It should be noted that George Michael’s birth year is transcribed as 1770 in this and other sources but the original church record written in German indicates he was born in 1771. (4) The confirmations are listed in “A History of The Lutheran Church in New Hanover,” page 516. This record lists Jacob as “12 years” and Johanna Christina as “in her 13th year.” Both are technically correct but this has led some researchers to believe that Johanna Christina was a year older and that “Hanna” was Jacob’s twin. In fact, Johanna Christina and Hanna are the same person. (5) Jacob’s church offices are mentioned in “A History of The Lutheran Church in New Hanover, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,” by John J. Kline, published by the congregation, 1910,” page 177. (6) The tax lists for Philadelphia and Montgomery counties appear in “Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801,” at Ancestry.com. (7) The transaction does not seem to be listed in the index of Philadelphia County deeds but it is mentioned in Montgomery County Deed Book 21, page 406, which records the sale of the tract to Jacob’s son John. (8) The militia records appear in “Pennsylvania Archives,” Sixth Series, Vol. 1, pages 773 and 790. Other Jacob Binders include Private Jacob Bender, who served in 1778 in Capt. Isaac Cooper’s company, and Lt. Jacob Binder, who served in Capt. Elijah Weed’s company of Third Battalion in 1777. (9) The 1798 tax assessment appears in “Pennsylvania, U.S., U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798,” at Ancestry.com. (10) The 1805 transaction appears in Montgomery County Deed Book 21, page 406. (11) Jacob’s will is in Montgomery County, Pa., Will Book 4, page 178. Jacob’s profile on Findagrave.com says he died Dec. 4. Since his headstone is broken, the date of death is no longer visible. (12) Susanna’s date of death comes from her profile on Fndagrave.com. The photo of the headstone isn’t clear enough to confirm the dated.
MICHAEL and CHRISTINA BINDER
George Michael Binder was born Feb. 7, 1771, to Jacob and Susannah (Schlonecker) Binder in New Hanover Township in what was then part of Philadelphia County, Pa. (1).
Married Maria Christina Herpel on Feb. 22, 1795, at the Lutheran Church in New Hanover Township. She was born Dec 16, 1769, to Jeremias and Catharina Herpel. (2)
Children: (3)
Susannah Binder, born about 1796. Married Henry Stauffer.
Jacob Binder, born June 27, 1798.
Johannes Binder, born Aug. 8, 1800. Died Aug. 31, 1806.
Sarah Binder, born Sept. 29, 1802. Married George Smith.
George Michael Binder, born about 1810.
Elizabeth Binder, born about 1812. Married Joshua Brower.
Catharine Binder. Married Andrew Anderson.
Michael was raised in New Hanover Township. About 1796, he and his new wife moved to Vincent Township in Chester County, about 20 miles to the southwest.
On Jan. 22, 1796, “Michael Painter of New Hanover Township … Yeoman” purchased 111 acres of land in Vincent Township for 650 pounds in Pennsylvania currency. (4)
For some reason, Michael is referred to as “Michael Painter” in most records for the next 30 years. It is certain this is the correct man because an 1811 agreement between two churches and an 1836 deed refer to him both as Michael Binder and Michael Painter. (5) It’s possible that a strange combination of accents morphed “Binder” into “Painter,” but the fact that the name stuck for so long is very unusual. It’s possible that the name change or its continued use was intentional. (It should be noted that the German word for painter is “Maler,” so a desire to translate the name in to English was not the case here.)
From 1797 through 1800, Michael Painter was taxed for either 104 and 105 acres in Vincent Township. He probably wasn’t taxed for the full 111 acres because the county often made allowance of 6 percent for roads. (6)
In 1798, the U.S. government instituted its first direct tax, which produced detailed descriptions of the family’s home. Michael Painter owned 109 acres valued at $1,250. The family’s home was a 1-story log house that measured 18 by 24 feet. The main portion of the house had two widows and six lights. The kitchen was part of the house and contained one window and four lights. The outhouses were an old log barn that measured 20 by 30 feet and a stone springhouse that measured 8 by 10 feet. (7)
In the 1800 Census, Michael Painter’s household in Vincent Township contained two males under age 10, a male 16-25, a male 26-44, a female under 10 and a female 26-44. It seems likely that the male ages 16-25 was a hired hand or a brother of Michael or Christina.
In 1807, Pennsylvania’s septennial census indicates that Michael Painter was a blacksmith. Later records often mention this occupation. (8)
On March 27, 1809, Michael Painter, blacksmith of Vincent Township, purchased 43 acres in East Nantmeal Township for 350 pounds in Pennsylvania currency. (9)
The 1810 U.S. Census shows that Michael Painter’s house in Vincent Township contained a male under age 10, a male 10-15, a male 16-25, a male 26-44, two females under 10, a female 10-15 and a female 26-44.
The following year, Michael’s names – both of them – appear in records related to the construction of a new church in West Pikeland Township. The effort is described in a history of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church that appears in “History of Chester County, Pennsylvania.”
“The old log church had been used nearly 40 years, when, in 1811, it was decided to build a new one, and at the same time an agreement was entered into with the German Reformed congregation by which the latter became part owners of the ground, and the new church was erected by them jointly. The corner-stone was laid Aug. 13, 1811. … The church was completed at the cost of $2836.45½, and consecrated, under the name of St. Peter’s, Oct 4, 1812. It had a fine pipe-organ in it, and on alternate Sabbaths was occupied by the Lutherans and Reformed congregations.” (10)
The account mentions the names of the officers of both congregations. Michael Binder is listed as one of the elders of the Lutheran congregation. Interestingly, Michael’s cousin Michael Schlonecker is listed as a Lutheran trustee and member of the building committee and a Jacob Binder – perhaps Michael’s brother – is listed as a Lutheran deacon. The first few pages of the Reformed congregation’s record book contain a transcription of the original agreement. The agreement lists the names of the Lutheran church officers, including Michael Slonaker, Michael Painter and Jacob Painter. However, the agreement’s text is followed by the signatures of some of the offers, including Michael Binder and Jacob Binder. The agreement’s format is similar to other legal agreements recorded by civil authorities, so it’s likely “Painter” was the name used by the English-speaking government officials and “Binder” was used by those more familiar with the family. (11)
In serving as an officer of the church, Michael was following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather, who had been officers in Lutheran church in New Hanover Township.
On May 1, 1814, Michael Painter purchased 2 acres, 37 perches, in Vincent Township for $154.71½. Although this record refers to Michael as a “yeoman,” or owner of a small farm, the year’s septennial census of Pennsylvania says he was still a blacksmith. (12)
Chester County’s 1814 tax lists say that Michael Painter owned 111 acres and buildings in Vincent Township and 20 acres in East Nantmeal Township. In 1815, Michael Painter received a discount on his tax bill for property in East Nantmeal, because the land was unseated. (13)
Michael Painter purchased another 2-acre plot of land in Vincent Township on April 2, 1819. He paid for $225.50. (14) Chester County’s 1820 tax list reflects the addition. Michael Painter was taxed for 113 acres in Vincent Township and 20 acres in East Nantmeal Township. (15)
The 1820 U.S. Census says Michael Painter’s household in Vincent Township contained a male age 10-15, a male 16-18, two males 16-25, two males 45 and over, a female under 10, a female 10-15, two females 16-25 and a female 45 and over. Three were engaged in agriculture. Although the tally adds up to 11 people, the census says that the household contained 10 – an indication that people age 16-18 were counted twice in that year’s census.
Chester County’s 1824 tax lists match those of 1820, with Michael Painter owning 113 acres in Vincent and 20 acres in East Nantmeal. (16)
During the 1820s, the children left home and the 1830 U.S. Census indicates that only Michael and Christian remained on the farm in Vincent Township. In addition, the 1830 Census identifies the head of the household as Michael Bender – perhaps the first time a civil record comes close to using his correct name.
During the early 1830s, it appears that certain key members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church decided to establish another congregation. Once again, they partnered with a local Reformed congregation to build a church. Following is an account from a history of St. Matthew’s Reformed Church that appears in “A History of the Reformed Churches in Chester County.” (17)
“There was about this time also a general religious awakening, leading, in 1833, to the erection of Windsor Baptist and St. Andrew’s Episcopalian churches. Nearly all of the Lutheran and German Reformed people had church relations either with St. Peter’s, Pikeland, or with Brownback’s Reformed Church, Coventry. But under the influence of this awakening they were led to seek conditions which would afford them larger religious privileges. Accordingly an effort was made by both denominations to secure the services of someone who should come among them at stated periods and minister to them in word and in doctrine. … In 1833 two congregations were organized. Of the Lutheran congregation we have no records at hand. ...
“The want of a more suitable place of worship in the community led these, our ancestors in the faith, to contemplate the erection of a house of worship to be dedicated especially to the service of God. For this purpose a plot of ground was purchased from Joshua Woodward, situated on the Conestoga pike in West Vincent township. Here the Reformed and Lutheran congregations jointly erected a substantial, and for that day a well-finished, church building, during the year 1833. The corner-stone was laid on May 27. 1833, and on December 10 of the same year, the building was dedicated to the services of Almighty God. It was a stone building, thirty-five by forty-two feet, and two stories high, with gallery on three sides.”
Michael’s role in the matter is recorded in a Chester County deed. The transaction dated May 31, 1834, was between “Joseph Woodward of the township of West Vincent, County of Chester and State of Pennsylvania yeoman of the one part and Michael Binder Adam Moses and Rees Sheineman Trustees in behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of the Church called Saint Matthews in the township of West Vincent” and also leaders of the Reformed congregation. Woodward sold the congregations 1 acre, 30 perches, for $60. Michael Binder/Painter and Adam Moses appear as Lutheran officials in both the 1811 agreement and the 1834 agreement. (18)
By this time, Vincent Township had been divided and the Binder property fell to West Vincent Township.
On Nov. 7, 1836, Michael Binder and Christina his wife sold their land in East Nantmeal Township for $632.18 ¾. The property is described as “that certain lot or tract of Wood Land.” The deed mentions that the land had originally been “granted and conveyed to the said Michael Binder (otherwise Michael Painter) in fee” in 1809. (19)
At some point before this, Michael acquired land in nearby Pikeland Township. Chester County’s 1838 tax lists show that Michael Binder owned 104 acres in West Vincent Township and 25 acres in Pikeland Township. (20)
The 1840 U.S. Census shows that Michael Binder’s household in West Vincent Township contained a male age 60-69 and a female age 70-79.
It wasn’t long after this that Michael started making arrangements to dispose of his holdings. In 1843, the 72-year-old Michael wrote his will. And on Oct 6, 1845, Michael and Christina sold 13 acres, 10 perches, in West Pikeland Township to their son Jacob for $500. (21)
Michael died in July 1846. (22)
In his will, Michael provided for his “beloved wife Christena Binder” and the sale of his property to benefit his heirs. The property included “the plantation whereon I now reside in West Vincest, also a lot of wood-land situate in West Vincent wich I purchased of John Linderman, Also one other wood-lot in the same Township wich formerly belonged to Jacob Lemmens, Also one other Lot in Pikeland Township formerly belonged to George M. Binder.” Michael also bequeathed $50 to the Lutheran seminary in Gettysburg, Pa., “for the education of yong Men for the Ministry of the Lutherian Church.” (23)
In 1850, the U.S Census lists Christiana Binder as an 81-year-old woman living in the house of her son Jacob Binder in West Vincent Township. The value of the farm was $6,000.
Christina died May 19, 1855. Her headstone lists her name as Christiana Binder, like the 1850 Census, so it’s possible that she preferred that spelling later in life. (24)
Michael and Christina are buried at St. Peter’s Pikeland United Church of Christ Cemetery in Chester Springs. Even though their deaths are listed in the Reformed church records, and they are buried in the Reformed cemetery, it seems most likely that they remained Lutheran. Michael bequeathed money to the Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg in his will. The church property was eventually bought by the Reformed congregation (which later joined the United Church of Christ). It’s also possible that the Reformed church kept the burial records for everyone who was buried in the cemetery despite their affiliation.
(1) Michael’s birth is recorded in the records of New Hanover Lutheran Church, which is available in the original German at “Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records,” New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church, at Ancestry.com. Transcriptions of the record is in “A History of The Lutheran Church in New Hanover, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,” by John J. Kline, published by the congregation, 1910, page 283. However, it says he was born in 1770, which does not match the original record. It’s unlikely that the family waited for more than a year to have Michael baptized so the transcription is incorrect. (2) The marriage is recorded in “Pennsylvania, U.S, Compiled Marriage Records,” New Hanover Lutheran Church, Ancestry.com. Christina’s birth appears in “A History of The Lutheran Church in New Hanover,” page 368. (3) The surviving children and the spouses of the daughters are named in Michael’s will. It is available in Chester County Will Book T, page 96. The birth dates of Jacob, Johannes and Sarah appear on the headstones, photos of which are available at Findagrave.com. Approximate birth years of Susannah, George and Elizabeth appear in census records. George is listed as 40 years old in the 1850 Census for East Vincent Township, Chester County. Elizabeth is listed as 38 years old in the 1850 Census for Warwick Township, Chester County. And Susannah is listed as 63 years old in the 1860 Census for Franklin Township, Butler County, Pa. (4) The 1796 deed appears in Chester County Deed Book N2, page 194. (5) The church records are from St. Peter’s Reformed Church (now United Church of Chist) in West Pikeland Township. These appear in “Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records,” St. Peter’s Pikeland United Church of Christ, at Ancestry.com. The 1811 agreement between the Reformed congregation and St. Peter’s Lutheran congregation involved the construction of a joint church building. “Michael Painter” is listed as a Lutheran elder in the text of the agreement, but he signed it “Michael Binder.” The agreement also appears – without the signatures – in “History of Chester County, Pennsylvania,” by J. Smith Futhey and Gilbert Cope, Philadelphia, 1881, page 298. It uses the spelling “Painter.” However, a profile of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on page 293 of the same book, mentions the agreement and spells his name “Michael Binder” The 1836 deed refers to him as “the said Michael Binder (otherwise Michael Painter)” and mentions another transaction that refers to him as “Michael Painter of the township of Vincent.” It appears in Chester County Deed Book O4, page 280. This deed refers to a transaction involving Michael Painter in Chester County Deed Book D3, page 237. (6) The tax lists appear in 1765-1799 Chester County Tax Index, at Chester County Archives, www.chesco.org. The tax listing from 1800 appears in 19th Century Tax Records, at Chester County Archives, www.chesco.org. (7) The 1798 records are available at “Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798,” at Ancestry.com. (8) Pennsylvania Septennial Census Returns 1793-1856, at Chester County Archives, www.chesco.org. (9) The 1809 deed is in Chester County Deed Book D3, page 237. (10) The church construction is described in “History of Chester County, Pennsylvania,” by J. Smith Futhey and Gilbert Cope, Philadelphia, 1881, page 293. (11) The transcription of the agreements appears in the first few pages of the records of St. Peter’s Pikeland United Church of Christ, in “Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records,” at Ancestry.com. (12) The 1814 purchase is in Chester County Deed Book X3, page 20. The census is available at Pennsylvania Septennial Census Returns 1793-1856, at Chester County Archives, www.chesco.org. (13) The 1814 tax records appear in 19th Century Tax Records, at Chester County Archives, www.chesco.org. The discount is mentioned in Chester County Tax Discounts 1785-1823, at Chester County Archives, www.chesco.org. (14) The 1819 purchase is in Chester County Deed Book X3, page 21. (15) The 1820 tax list appears in 19th Century Tax Records, at Chester County Archives, www.chesco.org. (16) The 1824 tax lists appear in 19th Century Tax Records, at Chester County Archives, www.chesco.org. (17) The history of St. Matthew’s Reformed Church appears in “A History of the Reformed Churches in Chester County,” by Jonathan L. Fluck, Herald Printing and Binding, Norristown, Pa., 1892, pages 60-61. (18) The St. Matthew’s deed appears in Chester County Deed Book K4, page 105.
(19) The 1836 deed is in Chester County Deed Book O4, page 280. (20) The 1838 tax lists are in 19th Century Tax Records, at Chester County Archives, www.chesco.org. (21) The 1845 deed appears in Chester County Deed Book B5, page 572. (22) Michael’s death is listed in the records of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in West Pikeland Township, which are available at “Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records,” St. Peter’s Pikeland United Church of Christ, at Ancestry.com. These do not list a specific date of death. Michael’s entry at Findagrave.com says he died July 20, and there’s a photo of his headstone. However, the image quality isn’t good enough to read the date or age at death. (23) The will of Michael Binder is in Chester County Will Book T, page 96. (24) The death of “Wd Binder” is listed in the records of St. Peter’s Pikeland United Church of Christ, in “Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records,” at Ancestry.com. An image of his headstone is available at Findagravecom.
