Peter EBY

  General Notes:

Records indicate that Peter Eby(2), was born in ca. 1690, Emmenthal, Berne, Switzerland, and although this is not documented, it seems to fit. He did not come to America in 1717, but came a few years later in 1719, where he is listed in Rupp's on page 438. His marriage to Anna Meylin, a daughter of Martin Meylin took place about 1720 and he had a family of at least seven children by his first marriage. His residence was in or near the house on the mill property where he was actively engaged as a miller. Anna Meylin seems to have passed away about 1739 as we know that in 1740 he took a second wife by the name of Barbara Groff, who was a daughter of Martin Groff.

The only one of the five sons of Durst Eby(1), to die testate that we found was Peter Eby(2), who made his Last Will on August 7, 1748, the presence of Christian Eby(2), Henry Shaver and James Love. There is no exact date of Peter Eby(2)'s death, but we believe it was in the year 1750 and the he was almost certainly buried on the mill property with his father and brothers. We do know that on December 13, 1750, Barbara Ebey, widow of said Peter Eby(2), called late miller of Earl Township, was already married to Dewalt Lichty. It appears that almost five years passed from the time of Peter Eby(2)'s death until the Letters of Affirmation were filed at the Lancaster Court House. On Dec. 11, 1754, Henry Shaver swore that he witnessed the writing of Peter Eby(2)'s Will and Christian Eby(2) also signed as a witness. Then on March 4, 1755, James Love swore to the fact that he witnessed the signing of the Will of Peter Ebey(2), of Earl Township.

The best list of children our research found for Peter Eby(2) was dated Jan 1, 1768, and is found in Deed 3G-731, which is a release to Benjamin Owen: by Christian Eby, Jacob Eby, Henry Eby, Peter Eby, Abraham Eby, Barbara Eby married to John Bender, Anne Eby married to John Heller, Dorst Eby, Martin Eby, and John Eby. It appears that Isaac Eby, another son of Peter Eby(2), was dead by the time this transaction took place.

The line of Peter Eby(2), has been greatly expanded since we have published out first two volumes. We have now given many new Eby lines to trace to in this section, as well as, the names of wives and clarification of dates. This is the first real assembly of this family in print are we are very proud of this achievement. Included in the assembly is the line of Andrew Eby, and Barbara, his wife, the progenitors of the Abee family in North Carolina. Groff (1978)

Records indicate that he was living in or near the house on the mill property, and that he was actively engaged as a miller. He was also naturalized as a British subject with his brother John Eby, on Oct. 14, 1729. - JE and MPB

Peter's father-in-law, Martin Meylin is credited with development of the Pennsylvania rifle - Joane Eby

<<Orphans Court held at Lancaster the fifth day of May 1749. Before
William Parsons, Conrad Weiser, George Swope and James Whitehill, Esquires, Justices.

Jacob Eby, one of the sons of Peter Eby, chuses Abraham Bare as Guardian. Peter Eby, one of the sons of Peter Eby chuses Michael Sharer as Guardian. Abraham Bare and Michael Sharer appointed Guardians over Henry, Isaac, Barbara, and Ann Eby, minor and younger children of Peter
Eby, deceased.>>

In spite of the spelling, I am sure this is them again:

<< Fifth March, 1755: Upon petition of Jacob Abey, second Son of Peter Abey, deceased, setting forth that the said Peter Abey devised a part of his Real Estate but as to the other part died Intestate. And prayed the Court to appoint Persons to Value the Real Estate. That the Petitioner may (if his eldest Brother will not) on payment of the respective Shares of the other Children hold the Land of which his Father died Intestate. It is Ordered that Emanual Carpenter, Christian Wenger, Gabriel Carpenter, George Line, Richard Owen and Jone (sic) Bare do Value and appraise the Real Estate. Whereas it is further set forth in the said Petition that the said Peter Eaby, deceased, directed a part of his Real Estate to be appraised which he devised to his son Christian and praying it might be appraised. It is Ordered that Emanuel Carpenter, Christian Wenger, Gabriel Carpenter, George Line, Richard Owen, and John Bare do Value and appraise the same.>>

And finally:

<<Orphans Court held at Lancaster the ninth day of April 1755. Before Emanuel Carpenter, Robert Thompson and William Jevon, Esquires, Justices. The persons appointed the fourth day of March last to Value and appraise the Real Estate of Peter Abey, Deceased, do now return as follows: They value the two hundred and fifty acres at (pounds) 650. One hundred acres at another place (part of a Tract of three hundred acres at (pounds) 240. And two hundred acres (the Remainder of the three hundred Acres) with a Grist Mill devised to his Son Christian Abey at (pounds) 400, amounting in all to (pounds) 1290. Christian Abey the Eldest Son refusing to hold the Real Estate, Jacob Abey the Second Son has set forth by Petition to Orphans Court the fourth day of March last, that he is willing and desirous to hold and enjoy the same and pay the respective Shares of the other Children. The Court Order that Jacob Abey the second Son of Peter Abey, Deceased, do pay the respective shares to the other children, being Peter Abey, Henry Abey, Abraham Abey, Barbara Abey, Ann Abey, Dourst Abey, Martin Abey and John Abey. It appearing that Hans Dewalt Lickty and Barbara his Wife, late Barbara Abey, the Widow and Relict of the said Peter Abey, have released all her right in Consideration of (pounds) 225 paid to them by Abraham Bare and Michael Sharer, the Guardians of the Children.>>
Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776: A List of unmarried men, who arrived at Bethlehem, September 14th, 1753 - Peter Eby ,
Miller

  Burial Notes:

Probably On Eby Mill Property.
Marker In (Isaac) Eby Cemetery, Leacock Twp., (Near Zeltenrieich's Church)