Jacob EBY

  General Notes:

It is our belief that Jacob Eby(2), was the fourth son born to Durst Eby(1), ca. 1698, Emmenthal, Berne, Switzerland. We have had many discussions over Jacob Eby(2), to try to determine what his occupation was and have concluded that he must have been involved in mill design.

He was present and did sign the indenture dated Feb. 20, 1734, granting land to Hans Moser. We believe that shortly after signing this document, he returned to Europe, possibly on business for his father in Germany or even in Switzerland. he may have even gone to encourage the migration of other members of the family.

His business, whatever it may have been, once completed he decided to return to Pennsylvania. We believe that he sailed on the ship "Mascliffe Galley" from Rotterdam which arrived in the port of Philadelphia, Dec. 22, 1744. He brought with him two good friends Hans George Dewalt and Hans Dewalt Lichty, the latter was to marry the widow of Peter Eby(2), Barbara Groff.

Upon his return or shortly thereafter Jacob Eby(2), was taken ill and after several months he died. It is again our belief that Jacob Eby(2) was buried in the family plot on the farm with his father Durst Eby(1), and brother John Eby(2). A bond for the estate of Jacob Eby(2), of Earl Township was filed on January 4, 1745/46 by his friends, Michael Widwar and Michael Grebill. The Orphans Court records on his estate start on March 3, 1745/6 when Michael Grebill was named administrator. He at one asked the court to rule on a matter and stated that Jacob Eby(2) DIED WITHOUT ISSUE, but leaving three brothers, Peter Eby(2), Christian Eby(2) and George Eby(2), and that he also left three sisters, Barbara Eby(2), Elizabeth Eby(2), and Mary Eby(2), (please note that there is no mention of a David Eby(2), as a brother). The question put to the court was about the three sisters being born by a second wife, who was not the mother of Jacob Eby(2), or the three mentioned brothers. The court, however, ruled that since all the six had the same father, that the estate was to be divided equally six ways.

From the inventory and account filed by Michael Grebill, we learn that Jacob Eby(2), owned, among other things, a pair of pocket compasses, which suggest that he was a learned man. We also know that Grebill charged Jacob Eby(2)'s estate for one year's lodging, four weeks allowance when he was sick, funeral expenses, monies due his brother Christian Eby(2), Martin Bear, Adam Diller, George Rodt (the second husband of his brother George's widow) and after payments to Andrew Seltenrich, there remained over one hundred and twenty-six pounds to be distributed.

Ezra Eby and other Eby historian have written that this Jacob Eby(2), left two sons named Peter and Christian. If so, there is no record of such sons claiming his estate. The Peter Eby, thought to be a son of this Jacob Eby(2), was really Peter Eby, a son of Jacob Eby, who married Hannah Laeder. The Christian Eby mentioned by Ezra Eby was Christian Eby, son of the newly discovered Andreas Eby(2)

The listing of Jacob Eby(2), is essentially as we have reported it in the first volume of "The Eby Report" with the exception being the correction of a few dates.
Millwright

  Noted events in his life were:

• Note: Alt. Death, 4 Jan 1745, Earl, Lancaster Co, PA.