Early Wimer Census Records in Correspondence of Norman C. Miller, Jr.

From Norman C. Miller, Jr., Camden AL, Aug. 1988
To Elizabeth Wilson Williams
[Editorial notes are in square brackets. Triple dots are not text omissions, but were part of the original correspondence.]

"One of the points I waned to write to Myers [i.e. Paul Myers, author of "The Wimer Family"]...the origin of the Wimers in this country. Since there is evidence to support the Earl Twp., Lancaster Co. location by 1793 [re. Christopher Wimer]...then to York Co. (Codorus Twp.) then to Hamiltonban Twp. (present Adams Co.) one would suppose Christopher Wimer came from Lancaster Co. area.
If info. in the Butler Co. History 1895 is correct..Sophia Snyder was from Adams Co. (or actually this would be still York Co. when she & Christopher married). I know one must exercise caution when dealing with the early bio bits in these histories.
One of earliest record of a Wimer in Lancaster Co. I find is for 2nd Lt. Steven Wimer 9th Co. 3rd Bat'l Lancaster Co. Militia - dated 16 Aug. 1777 (Pa. Germans in Rev. War.) I have not found any census record for a Wimer in Lancaster Co. for 1790. In that year I can find (including all possible variations of name) Wimers listed in Franklin, Northampton, Bedford, Berks, Phila. & Huntingdon Co's. and Mifflin Co.
As you may know there was a Christopher Wymore (1-2-2-0-0) in Franklin Co...a Christopher Winar (1-1-2-0-0) in Northampton Co. If our Christopher was at home in 1790 and if recorded as such in 1790..there are only 2 Wimer households with at least 2 males over 16...Peter Weimer of Berks Co. and Andrew Wymer of Phila.

Since so many of my ancestors do have a German background one thing is very noted...at least one child is named for a grandfather and one after a grandmother...Almost as common is to name children after the parents. Christopher did name a son Peter...(he also had a son John..and there were 2 John Wimers in Bedford Co.)

Historically movements have been western...thus, it would appear strange for Christopher to have gone east to Lancaster Co., but not as odd had he gone from Reading, Berks Co. (the Peter Weimer location in 1790) to Lancaster Co.

But, if Sophia [Mary Sophia Snyder, wife of Christopher Wimer]came from present Adams Co...how did they meet? Anything is possible if not probable.

I note many Snyders in York Co. on the Militia rolls for the Rev. War era. Which is not of much help without her father's name. I suppose it is possible this family passed through Lancaster Co...or even tarried there a time before going on west. Young Christopher may have been smitten and searched her out as his bride. Or..his family may have gone west and on a visit he met her...
[Our Snyder ancestry was not known beyond Mary Sophia Snyder at the time of this correspondence].

Unless Christopher was not at home in 1790 and his name was omitted from census..or failed to be counted..one has to wonder where he ws in 1790!

Now, another thing I had hoped to uncover from Myers...the other Wimers in the Muddy Creek - Worth Twp. area of Butler Co. You mentioned that Adam Wimer, Rev. War veteran born in Virginia.

The 1820 census lists Chris' Wimer, Slippery Rock Twp. with all 6 sons at home. There are 7 other Wimer households in Muddy Creek Twp. - Isaac born circa 1795/1802; Adam b.ca. before 1775; Isaac, Sr. b. ca. bef. 1775; John (A) b. ca. 1776/1794; John (J.) b. 1776/1794; Daniel b. ca. 1776/1794 and Michael b. ca. 1776/1794.

The last four were listed in order and would all live in same area of township. Adam & Isaac, Sr. are same generation - brothers? Others close enough to be their sons. Both Adam and Isaac could be of Christopher's generation, but some few years older. Kin to Christopher? It could be possible as I will attempt to pount out.

The 1850 census lists Jacob Wimer age 50..who was a blacksmith (like Christopher)..born Va. (circa 1800), wife Elizabeth 52, b. Va.
Also on 1850 census..John Wimer 63, farmer b. Va. (ca. 1787), wife Abigail 63 b. PA.

An Abigail Wimer if buried at Portersville U.P....she died 8 Nov. 1878, age 72y, 19d..wife of John, Sr. If she is same as on census, the census age is incorrect. And if this John was one of two on 1820 census...then Abigail was a 2nd wife. Among other Wimers buried at this cemetery..George W. Wimer 2 Feb 1804 - 18 May 1879, wife Rachel 18 Mar 1803 - 23 Apr. 1892.

Whether the Va. birth means present Va or W. Va is impossible to verify. I know there were Wimers in W. Va. (which would of been Va) sometime circa mid-1700's. The Gov. of Va. encouraged the settlement of Shenandoah Valley, as a buffer zone to prevent Indian raids into the area east of the Blue Ridge. Most of these settlers came from Maryland and Pennsylvania, especially from the Mennonite areas.

Also..most of the S. W. corner of Penna up to the Ohio was claimed by Va...and in this area you will find people who gave Va. as birthplace even though born in present Penna. A lot of the early settlers of this area did come from Virginia and can be traced back to Penna.

Also on the 1850 census for Butler Co...Mary Wimer 65 b. Pa. (b. ca. 1785) with children Thomas 30, Adam 25, Margaret 20...then Mary 15 and Daniel 14.

I do believe there is a connection between this family and our Wimers...and in turn with the other Wimers.

[For Miller correspondence re. Daniel Wimer, grandson of Christopher Wimer, possibly living in the home of this Mary Wimer in 1850, click here.

To return to Christopher Wimer page click here .]